Infinite Stratos - Volume 1, page 14
"Who are you calling an idiot? You obstinate blockhead! Idiot! You're the idiot here!"
How infuriating.
"Shut up, you ironing board!"
—Ah, damn it!
Clang—!
The sudden explosion and impact caused the entire room to shake. Looking closely, Rin's entire right arm morphed into the IS part.
It was like punching the wall fully without touching the wall at all—it's that kind of an attack.
"You, said...you actually said something you shouldn't have said!"
Purple sparks flew through the IS defensive jacket.
—This is bad, she's really angry now.
"I-I'm sorry about that. That was my fault, that was all my fault."
"'That was'? It should be 'that was also'! It's all your fault no matter what!"
A really ridiculous logic, but unfortunately, I don't have any space to retort back.
"I actually wanted to go easy, but it seems like you really want to die...okay, I'll grant that wish—I'll crush you with all I've got until you can't stand."
Rin finally gave me a sharp glance that I'd never seen before, and left the control zone.
*BAM*...the sound of the door closing sounded really terrifying. The momentum Rin let out just now was that sharp.
I glanced at the door. There was a 30cm diameter hole. No matter how I look at it, she has enough power to break through a special metal wall.
"...A power-type! And she's a close-ranged type like Ichika-san!"
Cecilia seriously inspected the damage done. Compared to that, I just sank into the deepest regret I've had in the past few words.
(And I just had to say what I was thinking...)
And that was the phrase that would infuriate Rin the most. That was completely my fault.
(This is bad...)
No matter whether I win or lose, it seems like I'll have to apologize to Rin no matter what.
◇
On the day of the battle, the match between me and Rin is held at the 2nd arena, and that will be the first match.
As it's the rumored battle between freshmen, there's not an empty seat in the stands. Even the sidewalks are completely filled with students. As for the people who can't enter the place, they can only view the match through the broadcast screens.
(...But now's not the time to be concerned about that, right?)
In front of me is Rin, who's silently waiting for the match to begin, and her IS 'Shenlong'. Like with the Blue Tears, the floating parts should be the unique characteristic of the 'Shenlong'. The cannons on both shoulders look like they will attack on their own...it'll hurt if I get hit by them...
(But the name sure is something. Though the kanji is different...okay, I'll call it Kouryuu. It's kanji anyway. That'll be OK!)
"Then both of you, please get into position."
The broadcaster prompted us. Both me and Rin are in mid-air, 5m away from each other. Both Rin and I turn on our communicators and say to each other.
"Ichika, if you apologize now, I'll reduce the pain I'll inflict on you!"
"The pain will only be about a prick, right? I don't need my opponent to go easy on me. Show me what you've got!"
I'm not forcing it here. Like the battle against Cecilia, I'm always serious in battles; I won't deliberately go easy on others, and I don't like others going easy on me. This so-called decisive duel is like that, the battle is only meaningful if everyone goes all out.
"Let me say this first, the IS defenses aren't perfect. The suit can be damaged by an offensive power that can break through the defensive shields."
That's not a threat, but a fact. It's said that there seems to exist a 'final weapon' that can directly damage the IS pilot. However, it's against the rules, and more importantly, it's dangerous.
"It's possible to wreck the entire suit without killing the pilot."
This isn't any different from the situation now. And representative candidates should be able to do so, right? I should consider it a miracle that I could force Cecilia into a corner.
But a miracle won't occur twice in a row.
"Then both of you, begin."
*HUA*—with the sound of the buzzer, Rin and I start to take action.
*CLANG!*
The 'Yukihira Nigata' that was deployed instantly got blocked back by a physical shot. I use the 3 dimensional Cross grid and grab Rin from the front.
"Oh. You're quite good to be able to block my first shot like that. However—!"
The unique shaped 'scimitar' sword—even if I call it that, the shape's about the same—in Rin's hands is swaying about like cheerleaders' rods. As there are blades on both sides, they're more like weapons on a blade. Rin's attacking me from sideways, vertically and diagonally, and since it's spinning rapidly, it's hard to cut it in half.
(Not good. This will become a battle of attrition. Got to pull back first—)
"—That's too naive!"
*PA!*, Rin's shoulder guards open, and the moment the ball-like things fired, my body got 'blown' away by some invisible impact.
I immediately summoned back my consciousness that was gradually blacking out, but Rin didn't stop attacking.
"That was a jab."
She reveals a proud look on her face. After that, the real attack will come—!
*DOMP!*
"WAH!"
I got hit by the invisible fist onto the ground. The pain pierced through the defensive shields as they struck at me, and the suit got damaged quite a bit. This is bad!
◇
"What was that...?"
Houki, who's watching the live broadcast from the arena, muttered.
Replying her is Cecilia, who's also watching the screen.
"'Impact cannons'. These compress the nearby air into a cannon barrel, and the resulting shockwave will fire it out like a cannon—"
They're 3rd generation weapons like Blue Tears, Cecilia said. However, Houki isn't listening, as on the screen, Ichika's in a tough spot.
Every time Ichika got hurt, Houki's heart would skip a beat.
(Ichika—)
It's a tougher battle than the one against Cecilia. More than getting victory, Houki just wants Ichika to be safe.
◇
"You sure can dodge really well, even though the specialty of the 'Dragon's Roar' is that both the barrel and bullet are invisible to the naked eye."
That's right, because of that, I couldn't even see the barrel of the cannons, let alone the shots. And it seems like the oblique angles of these cannons can continue to attack without limit. They can attack from above, below and even behind. The trajectory is linear. So from these, it can be said that Rin's abilities are supreme, no matter whether they're 'unlimited movements' or 'all-around axis reversals', she managed to learn all the basics to a rather skilled extent.
To be able to mix and mash these basics together, she's really a tough opponent.
(Maybe I should use the hi-grade radar to find space and the atmospheric distortions, but that would be too slow. I can only detect it after I'm hit. Got to strike first...)
I gripped the 'Yukihira Nigata' tightly in my right hand and recalled the training last week,
"—'Barrier Void attack'?"
When I asked her, Chifuyu-nee nodded her head.
After my match against Cecilia, Houki and I had questions on why I lost.
Even after looking through the record of the IS battle, we couldn't get any conclusion. Thus, Chifuyu-nee, who was exasperated by our lack of progress, finally explained why that happened.
"That was 'Yukihira's ability. No matter how much shield value the opponent has, it can cut through the shield and deal direct damage to the main body. In that case, what would happen, Shinonono?"
"Ye-yes. The IS will activate the 'absolute defense', which will drastically deplete the shields."
"That's the case. I became Number 1 in the world because of this ability of the 'Yukihira'."
Though Chifuyu-nee said it, it's really an impressive thing to do. The 'Mondo Grosso' is held once every 3 years, and the person who won the first tournament was this Chifuyu-nee. As her younger brother, my feelings of having the N° 1 ranked sister in the world are both complicated and mystifying. This is how I truly feel.
"So this means that I could have won if I landed the last hit?"
"'If you had landed' it. Speaking of which, why do you think you lost?"
"Huh? I don't know why, but it's because my shield reserves dropped to 0, right?"
"There's no why, that's to be expected. How much energy do you think you need to activate 'Yukihira'? Are you an idiot?"
"...Ah—"
I see. This means—
"That means...that the shield's converted into attack power?"
Houki asked. Chifuyu-nee again nodded her head.
"In other words, it's a flawed suit."
—HEY!
" A FLAWED SUIT!? YOU JUST SAID THAT THE SUIT'S FLAWED, DIDN'T YOU!?"
*BAM*...looks like I have to be careful about my attitude when talking to a teacher.
"I didn't really put it in the right way. The IS is already an incomplete product, so it's not defective or anything else. It just means that compared to the other suits, the Byakushiki's somewhat unique in terms of offense. Most of the suits have their own equalizers, right?"
"That, that can be considered a flaw?"
"Listen to what I have to say! As there should be some equalizers left, they're used to wield the 'Yukihira', so its power is the strongest among all the IS."
Now that she mentions it, I remember.
(Chifuyu-nee only had the 'Yukihira'...)
And this Chifuyu-nee was the strongest. Just this alone is enough to tell how inhuman she is. I've always thought that she is amazing, and now, after I became an IS pilot, I finally realized how far Chifuyu-nee exceeded my expectations.
"In the first place, can an amateur like you survive mid-ranged combat? Suppressing the recoil, calculating the trajectory and pulling the distance, stopping suddenly, making an absolute turn...and also the characteristics of the projectile, the atmospheric condition, the effects of the armaments of the opponent; this is a strategic battle...and there are others! Can you do it?"
"...Sorry."
I could only admit my mistake by apologizing. Chifuyu-nee nods her head and says,
"It's good that you know. You're more suited for training on one aspect to the extreme, since—you're my younger brother."
After that, I focused all my training on close ranged combat and basic movements like emergency acceleration and stopping. With the kendo training I had with Houki, I also grasped the characteristics of the 'blade' and the distance between two blades.
(What's left...is a heart that won't give up!)
Normally speaking, the difference in ability is too obvious. Besides, Rin's different from Cecilia in combat, she's calm and collected in battle. This sort of opponent is strong.
If I have to use 'something' to make up for the difference in ability, I guess that's the 'heart'. As long as my heart won't lose to anyone, the 'will' shall create a light in the darkness. I believe firmly in it, and now all that's left is to try it.
"Rin."
"What?"
"I will fight seriously."
I sternly stared at Rin. She showed an ambiguous look, probably being surprised by my attitude."
"Wh-Wha...isn't that obvious...an-anyway, I'll show you the difference of ability!"
Rin spins the two 'scimitar' swords like cheerleaders' rods before grabbing them. As for me, I get into position so that I can accelerate in order to close the distance before she fires.
I learned the skill 'ignition boost' this week; if I time it right, I can match up against her despite her representative candidate level. The IS pilot protective features prevents the pilot from being knocked out because of sudden G-forces that comes with acceleration.
"WOOOHHH!!"
As this sudden attack can only be used once, I have to use the 'barrier void' function of the 'Yukihira Nigata'. If I can't damage her cannons by more than half and cause them to be damaged bit by bit, I'll definitely be in disadvantage.
*THOMP* *THOMP* *THOMP* *THOMP!*
"?"
Just as Rin's blades are about to hit me, the entire arena shakes with a sudden boom. The cause--isn't Rin's cannons; the attack range and power is different.
Also, smoke can be seen rising from the center of the stage. Seems like the noise from just now was the shockwave caused by 'that thing' which pierced through the arena and its defensive barrier.
"Wh-What's going on...?"
Through the private line, Rin asked me, who's all confused because I don't understand what's going on.
"Ichika, the match's suspended! Hurry up and return to the control zone!"
What's Rin talking about all of a sudden? Just as I'm wondering this, the hi-tech sensors of the IS gave an emergency notice.
--The heard source in the middle of the stage is an unknown IS. Sealing the arena now.
"Wha--"
The arena and the barriers are made of the same material as the IS. As something which could penetrate it entered, this place is sealed.
In other words, we're in trouble.
"Hurry up, Ichika!"
"What do you want me to do?"
As I don't know how to communicate with an opponent, and I'm fighting while speaking for the first time through the chatter, I just asked Rin normally.
"I'll buy you some time, hurry up and run away!"
"Asking me to run away...how can I just leave a girl like that?"
"Idiot! You're weak! It can't be helped, right?"
Rin just said that without thinking. On a side note, since I don't know how to use the private line, Rin's using an ordinary line to talk to me.
"Of course I have no intention of fighting till the end. In this abnormal situation, the school teachers should be here to handle it--"
"WATCH OUT!"
At the last second, I lunged at Rin. The infrared laser was just shot at where we were.
"Ho-Hold on a minute, you idiot! Let go of me!"
"H-Hey, stop getting agitated--you idiot! Stop hitting me!"
"Shu-Shut up! You're too noisy!"
Though I have the shields protecting me, the cannon-like fists that are hitting at my face aren't something to feel happy for.
"Be-Besides, where are you holding me--"
"Incoming!"
Forget about Rin, right now, after the mist cleared, another shot is fired over.
After barely dodging the enemy's attack, the enemy IS floats over.
"When did this..."
The greyish IS looks abnormal; it's arms are abnormally long, all the way till below the waist, and there's no neck, shoulder or head that can be seen.
Most uniquely, it has a 'full-body armor'.
Normally, the IS will only deploy armor over only a part of the body, because there's no need to have a full armor. The defenses are all done by the energy shields, so the armor appearance is meaningless. Of course, there are defensive IS that can carry physical defensive shields, but even with that, an IS without even 1cm of skin revealed is something unheard of.
Besides, the large size of the IS means that it's not a normal one. Including the arms, the frame of that thing is over 2m long, and probably the jet propulsion nozzles all over its body are used to maintain its position. Its head reveals sensors that aren't arranged properly. There are also 4 holes on both sides of the forearms that allow it to fire those lasers.
"What are you?"
"..."
Of course--this is to be expected, but the mysterious intruder didn't answer my question.
"Orimura-kun! Huang-san! Leave the arena! The teachers will use their IS to suppress it."
The one who spoke through the broadcast was Yamada-sensei. Is it just me? Her voice seems a lot more serious than usual.
"--No, we'll deal with it before the teachers arrive."
The IS broke through the barrier. In other words, if nobody's going to be its opponent, it may end up attacking the audience.
"No problem, right? Rin?"
"Who, who do you think you're talking to? Be-Before that, let go of me! I can't move like this!"
"Ahh, sorry."
After I let go of her, Rin suddenly hugs herself as she moves away. Uu...does she really hate being touched by me? "I'm really sorry."
"Orimura-kun? No, you can't! If something happens to any stu--"
I could only hear up to there. As the enemy IS charges on, I focus in order to dodge it--success.
"Oh, seems like the enemy's raring to go!"
"Seems that way."
Rin and I stand besides each other, each wielding our own weapons.
"Ichika, I'll cover you with the shock cannons, so go right in. You only have that weapon, right?"
"That's right. Let's do this."
*CLANG!*, with that, we clashed our weapons. That's the signal; Rin and I charged forward with an improvised combination.
◇
"HELLO, HELLO? ORIMURA-KUN, CAN YOU HEAR ME? HUANG-SAN!!"
There's no need to shout into the IS private chat, its just that Maya got so anxious that she forgot about that.
On a side note, the people around her must be thinking that she's just a weird person.
"Since he said that he wants to fight, why don't we just let him do so?"
"W-WHAT, ORIMURA-SENSEI! HOW CAN YOU CASUALLY SAY SUCH A THING!?"
"Calm down, and have some coffee. You're anxious because you lack sugar."
"...Erm, sensei, that's salt..."
"..."
Suddenly stopping the spoon that's pouring salt into the coffee, Chifuyu puts the white pieces back into the container.
"Why is there salt here?"
"Who, who knows...? But there's the oversized label 'salt' on it..."
"..."
"Ah, so you're worried about your brother? No wonder you made such a mistake--"
"..."
An irritating silence, a really irritating silence. Feeling that something bad may happen, Maya tries to change the topic.
"Oh, yes--"
