Infinite Stratos - Volume 7, page 11
Calming herself down, Kanzashi put her glasses on.
"..."
She had to work hard today no matter what.
She continued to think that way. Even though she still couldn't accept it psychologically, she could only think that way.
(The tournament schedule. They will show the match-ups...at that time...)
But if they progressed smoothly, they would have to face off against Tatenashi, even if they didn't know when.
--*Cree*. Her chest hurt.
"..."
Ichika and Tatenashi, who looked really happy. She understood that they didn't mean to agitate her, but she still felt really hurt.
(I can't beat that person, I can't.)
She bit her lower lip tightly.
Tears still swelled in her eyes.
--If only there was a hero around.
Like in a manga, where the hero would appear majestically, a flawless hero. A powerful, strong, kind, unwavering and upright partner who would follow his own justice until the end.
"U..."
Kanzashi saw the hero in her dream interchange with Ichika, and couldn't help but shake her head.
(Either way, I have to go.)
Feeling so inferior that she wanted to disappear, Kanzashi left the room.
◆
"Then, we'll invite the Student Council President, Sarashiki Tatenashi, to deliver the opening address."
After Utsuho-san said that, she took a step back from the microphone on the podium.
On a side note, Nohohon-san and me, members of the Student Council, were lined up behind Utsuho-san.
"Fuaah...sleepy sleepy..."
"Shh. Nohohon-san, the head of the teaching staff is looking here."
"Okay..."
I wouldn't detect it if I don't look closely, but Nohohon-san nodded her head slightly.
However, I don't know if it caused the opposite effect as she swayed around like a daruma[7D 1].
...Ahh, the teacher's looking over.
That head of teaching staff has inverted triangular eyes, hair tied to the back, dressed in an angular shirt. has thick red lipstick on and has the title 'oni-baba'[7D 2]. However, she should be cuter than a real demon...On a side note, the demon I'm talking about is Chifuyu-nee.
"Everyone, we're having the Personal Pilot Tag match tournament. I hope that everyone can learn something from the match. Please enjoy the show!"
The clear tone, the precise pronunciation, they all felt like some beautiful music.
Like usual, Tatenashi-san gave an overwhelming presence. There's no other reason for why she's so popular.
"Well, not only that."
*PAN!* The fan opened, and the words on it read 'Bakuto'[7D 3].
"To let every student enjoy this, the Student Council members specially came up with the plan. It's called Prediction of the Winning Pair—Meal Vouchers Fight!"[7D 4]
WAAAAAAHHH!! The students who were lined up properly broke into ruckus.
"Hey, isn't that gambling?"
"Please relax, Vice-President Orimura."
"Huh?"
"I finished the negotiations."
Tatenashi-san gave me a smile, and nobody in the teachers camp looked like they disagreed...Chifuyu-nee however looked like she had a headache.
"And this isn't gambling. It's just simple assistance. Just using one's own vouchers only. It's just guessing who will win."
"Is-Isn't this gambling already!?"
An-And I never heard of such a plan before.
Just when I wanted to say that, Nohohon-san tugged gently at the bottom of my shirt.
"Orimu—, you hardly come to the Student Council~. We decided through voting."
"Ku... Recently, I was stuck in the preparation room the whole time...!"
What's going on? Suddenly creating a gambling cult...
But this is the charisma of IS Academy's Student Council President, Sarashiki Tatenashi. She really grasped the hearts of the students, and my heart couldn't help but be dyed marine blue.[7D 5]
"Then, I'll announce the matchups!"
After saying that, the large holographic screen appeared behind Tatenashi-san.
Shown right at the top is—
"Geh!?"
The first battle, Orimura Ichika and Sarashiki Kanzashi VS Shinonono Houki and Sarashiki Tatenashi—
(Another inevitable meeting in the first round? This looks tough.)
Remembering the time when I faced off against Laura, I sighed deeply.
(But is Kanzashi okay? Suddenly having to fight Tatenashi-san out of a sudden—)
I couldn't see her in the crowd of girls whose hands were raised.
(We have to remain on standby in the same pit. I'll discuss it with her later.)
◆
(Gosh! I'm going against Ichika!)
Once the matchup schedule was released, Houki felt really happy.
(Fufufu, I'll show him my ability!)
To be honest, Houki improved a lot through Tatenashi's training.
(It won't be like the last time! [Akatsubaki] has evolved a lot since last time. This time, this time...!)
I must win! Houki raised her tightly clenched fist to her head.
(Tha-That's right. I must win...I must win this...and, and then, at tomorrow's hotel dinner, I-I-I will con-confess, and-and then, we-we'll-we'll go out together...we'll be dating! This time!)
Focusing on that more than anything in a certain sense, Houki used her wish as fuel to support her burning passion.
◆
"Ah, Orimura-kun."
*Tatata*. Running over here is Mayuzumi Kaoruko-san.
"What's the matter? I'm going to the 4th Arena to change into the IS suit. I've got to hurry."
I have to make a detour to reach the 4th Arena, and it's really far. A mid-distance running before the match starts? The one who assigned the rooms is either an oni or an akuma.[7D 6]
"Well, well, what are the odds?"
"Huh."
The paper in front of me indicated that there were overwhelming odds for the Houki and Tatenashi-san pair.
Well, Tatenashi-san's the only 'National Representative', so she's on a completely different level from those who are only Cadets.
"And then I-I'm the last one."
"Well, Sarashiki-san's data's still a complete unknown."
Next, the second best odds are a second year and third year pairs, then Charl and Laura, and Cecilia and Rin.
"So there's only 10 people, 5 pairs of personal IS pilots."
"Yup. Amongst them, there're 7 in the first years. This year's abnormal, really abnormal. There's only one third year, and amongst the second year, including Ta-chan, there are only two people. Also, the first years seem like they all have the latest 3rd Generation frames."
"Sure sounds impressive."
"Why do you sound so unconcerned? It's all because of you, you!"
She pointed her finger at me. Is-Is that so.
"Furthermore, Shinonono-san's [Akatsubaki] is a 4th generation."
"Seems that way."
"Heh! That sounds more like it!"
You were the one who said that. I couldn't say it out though, so I remained silent because of the pressure.
"Anyway, please make a comment before the match! I'll be really busy if I don't compile everyone's lines. Here, pose!"
Then, *kacha!* She pressed the shutter. She's as energetic as always.
"Photo OK! Now for the comment."
"Huh, erm...then I'll do my best."
"Aim for the win! Something like that!"
"No, that's..."
"Hmm. Ah, that's right."
Mayuzumi-sempai put her hand under her chin to look like she's thinking of something. Perhaps she did think of something?
"'You'll be my harem slave if you lose to me'...how about that?"
"What, that's!"
"Nope, that's because nee-san said something like that."
Ahhh, how did that interview get edited until like that!
Speaking of which, what did she mean by harem slave?
"Ahaha. It's really fun to tease Ichika-kun a bit. Just like what Ta-chan said."
"Please don't do that. Please."
"Well, don't say that—"
Just when Mayuzumi-sempai said that as she waved her hands.
--*BOOM!*
"!?"
An earthquake suddenly struck, and the ground shook wildly.
"Kya..."
"Danger!"
Shaking continuously, Mayuzumi-sempai couldn't maintain her balance.
Seeing sempai about to slam into the wall, I subconsciously reached my hand out to brace her.
"Are you alright?"
"Y-Yeah. Anyway...what's going on?"
*PAAMM!!* With a crisp sound. All the lights on the corridor became red. Then, the holographic screens in the air showed Emergency Situation Alert as a broadcast was aired.
"ALL STUDENTS ARE TO EVACUATE UNDERGROUND! I REPEAT, ALL STUDENTS—KYAAAAHHH!?"
The teacher who was making the emergency broadcast got interrupted suddenly.
And then, another powerful attack shook the school, shaking it left and right.
"WHA-WHAT JUST HAPPENED...!?"
◆
"ORIMURA-SENSEI!"
Maya ran down the corridor, and finally found Chifuyu.
"Yamada-sensei, what's the situation? What happened?"
"IT'S AN AT-ATTACK! PLE-PLEASE LOOK AT THIS!"
Panting really hard, Maya pulled out the portable terminal, and the screen clearly showed the 'enemy' image the arena camera took.
"This is...!?"
"Ye-Yes! The same unmanned drones like before—no, it looks like they're more developed!"
"Numbers!?"
"5 of them! Appearing from all the arena pits at high speed! They're attacking students with Personal ISes!"
On hearing Maya's words, Chifuyu's changed her expression.
"Damn it...this is too early...'that thing' still can't be used..."
"Huh?"
Maya was a little surprised by Chifuyu's little muttering.
However, it seemed that she muttered that subconsciously. Chifuyu again shut her mouth, her hasty mannerism wasn't like her at all.
"O-Orimura-sensei! What do we do!?"
Maya earnestly looked up at Chifuyu.
Chifuyu was the one in charge of IS Academy's Unexpected Event Response Command, and the reason was because she was crowned the world's strongest Brunhild.
"How's each section doing?"
"Like last time, they're in the highest level lockdown."
"Got it. The teachers should put priority on evacuating the students. Also, gate system lockdown is to be removed. Teaching staff are to get ready to attack. Level 3 armaments, 2-man cells as defensive lines."
"Un-Understood."
Maya straightened her back as she answered, and then ran to the hangar to get her machine.
Seeing that figure leave, Chifuyu suddenly punched the wall viciously.
"That was really daring...but, you underestimated us."
Chifuyu's eyes looked like they were burning as she muttered softly but clearly.
◆
"KOOOYAAAAAHHHH!!!!"
*KLANG!*
The [Souten Gatetsu] launched an attack and continued on with another as Rin slammed the attacker—the black IS away.
Rin was really excited over repaying the debt. In contrast, the opponent just responded with a presence an unmanned machine would have.
"—"
The black IS was called [Golem III].
It was far stronger than the one that appeared before, and the shield expanded greater.
In contrast to the metallic giant-like [Golem I], [Golem III] looked more like an iron girl. It looked just like a black model.
The pitch black armor was neatly arranged, outlining the female armor.
The head had complex eye lens on it, and to obtain a wider range of view, the visor-shaped eyeline was changed to become a ram's horn Hyper Sensor as it charged in.
And the parts that changed the most were definitely the arms.
The area under the right elbow became a huge blade, and possessed strong combat capaibility.
In contrast, the left arm used the same design as [Golem I]. It was a huge arm, but the modifications on the hand had 4 high intensity infrared lasers, and the cannons opened up in black holes like the caves of hell.
"You recovered and forgot all about your scars, right?"
The [Impact Cannons] on the shoulders [Dragon's Roar] opened.
In the battle at the narrow pit, she used the maximum force to blow the [Golem III] up—or that was what was supposed to happen.
"—"
However, ball-shaped things formed around the machine, raising a powerful energy shield to defend against the [Impact Cannons].
"What the heck, you! You're more of a defensive type compared to before!?"
"Rin-san, get down!"
On hearing that voice, Rin hurriedly dived.
Cecilia flew quickly above her, spun to stop in mid-air, and fired the [Starlight MKIII] a few times.
"Damn it! This shield's really hard!... However!"
The BITs that floated nearby fired at the same time, and all the beams shot off in the wrong direction.
"I definitely won ♪"
*Swoosh*. Cecilia flicked her finger in mid-air. At that moment, the beams created a huge refraction, firing at the blind spots of the ummanned machine. This was the BT weapons' attribute, Psycho Sympathy [Flexible] [7D 7].
"—"
Sensing that there was no time to deploy the Shield Unit, the [Golem III]'s body danced in mid-air.
"What!?"
Because it was an unmanned unit, the body could do all sorts of complicated movements. And then, using precise thruster control, it dodged all the attacks.
"Ar-Are you kidding me!? Such defensive ability and mobility!? And—"
The [Golem III] stretched its left arm towards Rin and Cecilia. The cannons were loaded, and beams started firing.
"Such tremendous firepower..."
*DOOONNN!!!*
An explosion once again shook the pit.
◆
"What's with this thing!?"
The [Golem III] that destroyed the ceiling accelerated and leaped at Laura.
The huge arm wrapped around Laura's head, and then exerted force onto its fingers. The sensors on the head let out a sharp shrill, and the irritating alarm came. Still not understanding the situation, Laura quickly made a decision to get away from the bind, so she activated her left plasma saber.
(I'll slice the arm together with it!)
Thinking about that, Laura quickly swung at it, but she got unexpectedly blocked by the right arm of the [Golem III].
"What!?"
--Not good!
Just when she was thinking that, her partner's reliable voice was heard.
"Laura!"
It was Charlotte. The .69 caliber Pile Bunker [Grey Scale] opened from the shield on the left arm.
"Damn it!"
*DOONKK!!!!*
After a huge explosion, the [Golem III]'s left arm separated from Laura.
But just when that arm separated, Laura saw a burning laser about to shoot out from the palm cannon.
"CHARLOTTE!"
"GET DOWN!"
Charlotte, who slid in between the [Golem III] and Laura, immediately used her specialty [Rapid Switch] to summon three heavy physical shields.
"Kuu..."
Even if it was the [Revive]'s sturdy physical shields, three heavy ones in fact, it couldn't defend against the attack completely. The few infrared lasers that went through grazed Charlotte's right arm.
"Cha-Charlotte!"
"I-I'm alright...I just got a bit of shield energy eaten off."
"Unforgivable. YOU BASTAARRRDD!!!"
Laura adamantly took off her left eyepatch, and just when the [Golem III], assisted by the support sensor to increase the firing speed, was about to fire the golden light, Laura used [AIC] at maximum power to attack the [Golem III].
"BLOW TO BITS!!!"
The large caliber of Gatling fire created a waltz of explosions and booms.
"UOOOOOHHH!!!"
"Laura, no! Get down!"
Charlotte's shout seemed distant, and just when this voice reached, Laura was shocked by the [Golem III] that closed in immediately.
"[Ignition Boost]? And this efficiency—"
The blade stabbed into Laura.
"LLAAAAUUUUURRRAAAAA!!!"
◆
"Ahh...what do we do?"
Saying this in a completely unenthusiastic tone was the 3rd year Daryl Cayce. Though she deployed her IS [Hellhound Ver 2.5], she was completely unarmed.
"Please, sempai!"
Saying that and making a victory pose was the 2nd year, Forte Sapphire. She intended to let her partner handle the unmanned pilot. Though she summoned her IS [Cold Blood], she was just using the [PIC] to float and flip in the air instead of fighting.
"Damn you, Forte. Is that an attitude you should have to your sempai?"
"What are you saying? You should be treating your kouhai gently."
On a side note, just when both of them were bickering, the [Golem III] fired the high intensity laser over.
"Oh my. That seems hot. Hey, go check it out."
"No way. Sempai, please dye your skin brown."
Evade, defend, deflect, spin, sink, stop.
Both of them seemed to be giving a little attitude, but in fact, they were making a bronze wall like defense.
This pair's combination was called [Aegis]. Combining the specialties of both pilots into one to block all attacks.
"Ah, oh my."
"Hiii."
Couldn't hit, couldn't hit, couldn't hit. There wouldn't be any damage even when they were hit.
"But Forte."
"What is it, Daryl-sempai?"
"It'll continue if we don't attack."
"You're right."
Facing the sudden slash in from the blade, both of them easily dodged aside.
Those eyes gradually narrowed.
"Then, let's..."
"...Give it a counterattack."
*PANK!*
The flying kicks, that looked like twin axes swinging in, landed on the [Golem III]'s body.
◆
"Ah-Ahh...Ah..."
Facing the sudden attacker, Kanzashi couldn't even deploy her IS, let alone come up with some plan.
Unable to grit her teeth as she let out a cry, she backed away in fear.
