Infinite Stratos - Volume 2, page 8
"U? Huh, now that you mention it, I'll feel rather apologetic...after a practical, you would most likely have a day when you want to rush to the shower, right Charles?"
"No, I'm okay, I don't really sweat, so I don't really mind even if I don't get to rush into the shower."
"Really? Then I'll accept that then. But you don't really have to worry too much about me. We're both guys anyway."
"Erm, thanks."
After saying that, he smiles again. Ahh I get it. As Charles's method of thanking is too natural, anyone's heart will race on seeing that smile.
"Speaking of which, I heard that Ichika always has special IS training after school. Is that true?"
"Yeah, I started off later than the rest, so I can only train to make up for it."
As Charles is moving in today (but he didn't bring his luggage), I stopped training for one day. However, I have to start training from tomorrow onwards, since there's still the indiviudal division tournament this month.
"Can I join in? I want to thank you, and I have my personal machine, so I should be able to help out."
"Oh, that'll be great! Sorry to bother you then."
"Mn, leave it to me."
Just like that, having obtained a partner in public and in private, I managed to sleep comfortably with a sense of relaxation.
Chapter 3: Blue Days/Red Switch
"So the reason why Ichika can't beat Alcott-san and Rin-san is mainly because you haven't grasped the nuances of ranged weapons."
"Is, is that so? I thought I should have understood..."
It's been the fifth day since Charles came here, and today's Saturday. In the IS Academy, Saturday mornings are for theory lessons, and afternoons are free. As the arenas are completely open on Saturdays, almost all students will use the time to practice. I'm one of them as well, as Charles and I exchanged a few moves with each other while he lectures me about IS battles.
"Mm-yeah, it may sound like I'm using some half-baked knowledge, but when you fought against me, you almost couldn't close the distance in, right?"
"Um...that's true, even the [Ignition Boost] was seen through..."
"That's because Ichika's IS can only fight in close range, so if you downplay the characteristics of ranged weapons, you can't win in a battle. Also, Ichika's ignition boost goes in a straight line, so even if I can't react in time, I can use the trajectory to predict the attack."
"A straight attack...hm."
"Ah, but it's better not to forcefully try to change the trajectory. The air resistance or pressure will cause additional burden on the machine, and in the worst case scenario, may even cause fractures."
"...I see."
I listened seriously to Charles as I continued to nod my head.
That's because Charles' explanation is too easy to understand.
"Like, *rip*-- after I do that, there will be *klang!* *Donk dong!* feeling."
"Your instincts should be able to understand, right? Use your feelings, feelings...whaa? Why can't you understand that, idiot!"
"When you defend, the right part of your body must tilt forward by 5 degrees, and when dodging, you must turn in the opposite direction by 20 degrees."
So far, those three who call themselves coaches have just given me such welcoming words. In all sense, I was already at a dead end, and the savior Charles Dunois appeared. This grace is so touching that I can't express it in words. What's even better is that there's no need to think too much if it's between guys.
(Speaking of which, the IS suit is really too revealing...)
It doesn't matter if it's just an ordinary battle, but training's just training. To be honest, my eyes will accidentally look at other places, so it's really hard to move.
"Humph, that's because you didn't listen to my suggestion."
"I made it so easy to understand already, and yet you couldn't understand."
"Do you have any dissatisfaction against my clear and elaborate explanation?"
Sigh...and the three so-called personal coaches of mine were muttering behind me.
Like I just said. The arenas are completely available on Saturday afternoons, so in this third arena, there're a lot of students who are seriously studying. However, it seems like as the only two guys training here, there's a lot more people who want to use the 3rd arena as it looks like it's about to overflow. Right now, many of other groups have been knocking into each other or being hit by stray bullets. That's really tough. So far, I've already knocked into other people thrice.
"Doesn't Ichika's [Byakushiki] have an equalizer?"
Oh, Charles-sensei started to speak, and I have to listen. Maybe it seems that as a guy, it's easier for me to understand another guy, so as of right now, I'm just like a sponge that can absorb water.
"Oh yeah, I asked others to check a few times, but it seems like there are no more expansion slots, so everyone told me that it's impossible to add on."
"It's just my guess, but the capacity is used on a one-off ability."
"What do you mean by a one-off ability?"
"As what the name says, it's a 'one and only' ability, and it's an ability that occurs naturally when IS pilots are in maximum synergy with their IS."
From how he was about to describe it so fluently, I can tell how outstanding Charles is.
"But most of the time, it appears in second phase. Even so, as there are so many machines that haven't discovered such power, there are 3rd generation IS that can allow multiple users to use a unique ability. Alcott-san's [Blue Tears] and Rin-san's [Impact Cannons] should be the same."
"I see. So [Byakushiki]'s unique point is the [Reiraku Byakuya], right?"
As long as it attacks something that has an energy source, it can negate and destroy it--that's the most powerful attack of the [Byakushiki], however, activating it will deplete its own shields and energy fast. It can be described as a cursed weapon, a double-edged sword.
"[Byakushiki] actually has that ability even though it's in its 1st shift, and that alone is rather abnormal because there's no precedence in such an ability. And its ability is even similar to Orimura-sensei's--first generation [Brunhilde], right?"
That seems to be the same. Chifuyu-nee's weapon is the same as mine, and even the IS design's the same. It's really hard to explain.
"But can't that be explained as us being siblings?"
"That's not enough, I don't think that just being siblings is enough to establish a reason. I just mentioned that it's important for IS pilots to have synergy with the machine. So no matter how we try to emphasize on it, it's not enough to deliberately cause such a thing.
"Is that so? But anyway, we still can't think of an answer even after thinking so long, so let's forget about it for now."
"Hm, that's right. Then, let's have some shooting practice! Here, this is for you."
After Charles said that, he passed me the 0.55 caliber assault rifle [Vent].
"Huh? Aren't we unallowed to use other people's weapons?"
"Normally, but if the owner unlocks it, everyone can use it as long as they're registered. Hm, right now, I allowed Ichika to use it with [Byakushiki]. Try shooting it."
This is the first time I'm holding a gun, and I find it unexpectedly heavy. As the IS has an energy field, normally speaking, I shouldn't be able to feel the weight. This is the first time I'm holding a weapon, so most likely, that's the reason why there's a mental feeling.
"I, I just need to hold it like this, right?"
"Let me see...close your armpit down and move your left arm here, got that?"
Charles got behind me, and though there's a difference in our height, he used the floating feature of the IS to nimbly guide my arms.
"And as it's a firearm, there will be lots of recoil, but the IS will almost negate it completely, so you don't have to worry. Can you do a connection detection?"
"You're talking about that option when using firearms, right? I was looking for it since just now, but I couldn't find it."
As I'm shooting in hi-speed, I definitely need a super hi-grade sensor. That's to include the required signal when the enemy's in firing range for the IS pilot to detect. The weapons and sensors have to be linked together, but ever since the beginning, [Byakushiki] doesn't even have such an option.
"Hm--even if it's a close-ranged machine, normally speaking, there should be one..."
"I feel that this is a flawed machine."
"Maybe it's a 100% close combat fighter frame. Well, it can't be helped. You can use just your eyes to judge."
Ohh, to think that I actually have such disadvantageous conditions while shooting for the first time. But it's useless to complain now. Anyway, let's shoot first.
"I'm firing then."
"Well, I guess once you shoot, you should find it rather different."
I can't understand the feeling if I don't try it myself, so what Charles said should be correct. Anyway, I take a deep breath and force my strength into the trigger.
*BAM!*
"WOAH!"
The explosion of the firearm was too loud, and it shocked me. So I can hear such a loud sound even when shooting?
"How is it?"
"Ah, ahh, I don't know. The first thing that came to my mind was 'fast'."
I understand that a bullet's speed is really fast, but after firing it, this became even more obvious.
"Go-Got it."
Besides, my body got hit by the recoil—though most of the power was worn off, and this is the first time I experienced such a different feeling from a sword, so my heart started to pound like crazy.
"That's right. It's fast. Though Ichika's [Ignition Boost] is fast, the bullet is small in size, so its speed increases at a faster rate. Thus, if the enemy predicts the trajectory, it would be easy to hit you, and even if it didn't, it can suppress an enemy. It's right for Ichika to have an attacking mindset, but there still has to be a brake in your heart."
"So that's why the distance kept getting away and the enemy started to attack me..."
"Mn."
...I see. So that's the reason? Eliminating Houki, who specialises in close range, it's no wonder that whenever I fought against Rin or Cecilia, I always ended up being attacked...I see. I can finally understand now.
"I already explained so many times that it was like that...!"
"So you didn't even know that? Sigh, what an idiot."
"I almost wanted to say that you almost understood. Why did you still chose to fight like that when you're practically underestimating yourself?"
Ahh, what's going on? I seem to have some people rolling their eyes behind me as they said to me—hm, a conversation is important, so we should talk more to understand each other more. It's because we don't understand each other so well that we ended up having miscommunications on so many different aspects.
"Ah, please continue trying. It's alright to use up one magazine."
"Okay, thanks."
After calming myself down more than before, I shot 2-3 rounds. I felt the impact spread through the shoulders and throughout my entire body as I continued to think of how to close the distance.
"Speaking of which, is Charles' IS a [Revive]?"
"Mn, that's right. Ah, your arms are open. Close your armpits tight again."
"Is, is that so...like this?"
"Ok! Also, try to let the gun's sights remain in front of your eyes. You can't shoot accurately if you tilt your head!"
I continue to accept his guidance as I ask something that I've been wondering about.
"As for that IS, it looks very different from the one Yamada-sensei's using. Are they really the same model?"
The IS [Raphael Revive] (commonly called the Revive) that Yamada-sensei uses has 4 deep blue multi-directional thrusters on the exterior. In contrast, Charles IS is different in colour and design. The pair of thrusters on the back of Charles' IS look like 2 sets of wings that're divided down the middle, which increases the mobility and acceleration. Also, the armor has somewhat been modified from Yamada-sensei's machine. In terms of the weapon box, it seem to have one huge box behind with another small thruster on it. It seems it's used for maintaining balance. However, the biggest difference in all these is that the 4 blocks of physical shields that were attached onto the shoulders were all removed. What replaced them is an arm-sized shield on the left arm and a cooling exterior on the right arm to prevent any disturbances when firing.
"Oh, that's because its been customized for me, so a lot of things were modified. The actual name of this baby is [Raphael-Revive Custom II]. The functionality has been multiplied after removing a few pieces of equipment."
"Multiplied? That's amazing...I really hope you can share some with me."
"Hahaha, I'm okay with giving you one. As it's custom-made, right now, it has about 20 equalizers.
"Wow—that feels somewhat like an armory."
In fact, since they were all weapons that were specialized for IS, it wasn't something that could be brought over with just 'somewhat'...what I said wasn't an exaggeration at all. The firepower's basically equivalent to 10 tanks...or more seriously, hundreds of them.
However, Cecilia and Rin have only about 5 IS equipment slots, or at the most 8. That's because it's impossible to use all the weapons that are stored up. More importantly, considering the waiting time needed to summon a weapon, there's no point in having more.
And that custom machine of his should have been made with these considerations, so maybe Charles has some unique skills?
"Huh, look at that..."
"No way, that's the 3rd generation German model."
"I heard that it's still in the testing phase in their country..."
The arena started to buzz all of a sudden. I just used up an entire magazine of 16 rounds, so I turned to look at where everyone's looking at.
"..."
Standing over there was the other transfer student, the German representative candidate, Laura Bodewig.
Ever since the moment when she first transferred in, she had never interacted with anyone in class, let alone say a single word. She's a lonely and proud girl.
On a side note, I haven't talked to her at all. That's because she slapped me for no good reason, so I don't really know how to talk to her...u--yeah, how about a smile?
"Hey."
A voice could be heard from the IS communication channel. As it happened on the first time, I could never forget that voice. It's Laura herself.
"...What."
Though I didn't really want to answer, I couldn't just ignore her. After I answered her casually, Laura continued to speak as she glided down.
"It seems like you possess a personal IS. If that's the case, it's simple. Fight me."
What's this person saying? Does she like to fight?
"Nope. I have no reason to fight you."
"You don't, I do."
Ahh, I see--Germany, Chifuyu-nee. I can link these two events together to remember one thing. It's the finals of the 2nd Mondo Grosso.
That's a memory I myself personally don't want to remember, yet it's etched deeply within me.
--Basically, on the day of the finals, I got abducted by a mysterious organization. This mysterious organization--this isn't even a name in a movie script...how lousy is that. However, they were so mysterious that there's no other way to describe them, and since it's a mysterious organization, I suppose it should be alright to describe them as such.
Nobody knows why they did that. Anyway, I got abducted and locked into a pitch black place. As it was dark all around, I lost all feelings for a while, but after a while, the room suddenly shook due to an impact, and after the wall collapsed, what appeared under the rays of light that shone in was Chifuyu-nee in an IS. It seems like she got notification from the finals arena and flew directly here.
That's right. At that time, I couldn't forget how Chifuyu-nee looked. Suave, overpowering and beautiful.
Thus, the finals naturally ended up with Chifuyu-nee losing on default. She didn't manage to complete her bi-championship, and as everyone believed that Chifuyu-nee would win, her decision to forfeit was quite the shock.
Though the fact remains that I was abducted, at the time, the German military managed to obtain information through their unique reconnaissance. And then, as a condition, the Germans got 'compensation' for providing information to save me. After the tournament, Chifuyu-nee became an instructor for a year.
After that, she disappeared for a while and suddenly reappeared before becoming an IS Academy instructor.
"If it wasn't for your existence, instructor would have easily reclaimed the championship, so I will never, ever, agree to your existence."
...And that seemed to be the case. As Chifuyu-nee's student, Laura must practically worship her strength. That's why Laura hates me for breaking Chifuyu-nee's perfect, undefeated record. Well, I guess I can understand her feelings, because I'm the same as well. To be honest, I couldn't forgive myself for being so weak that day.
However, that's different from the situation now, and that's not enough reason for me to fight Laura. At least, I don't want to fight.
"Maybe next time."
"Humph, since that's the case. I'll make you fight me."
After she said that, Laura switched her black IS into battle mode. At that moment, the large missile that was equipped on her left arm immediately shot out.
*BAM!*
"Suddenly starting battle in such an enclosed space. Germans are really hot tempered, huh? So are your people's beers and brains hot?"
"You..."
Butting in, Charles used his shield to deflect the live bullet and pointed the .61 [Garm] sub-machine gun on his right hand at Laura.
"To think that the likes of a second generation French IS is standing in my way."
"It's probably more mobile than your third generation German model which still can't be mass produced."
They glared at each other coolly. Though I'm shocked by Charles interfering, I'm more impressed that he managed to summon his equipment so quickly.
He managed to summon the weapon immediately in 1-2 seconds and even aim at the enemy. I see, it's because of that that he's able to have so many equalizers? He can probably choose the most suitable weapon for battle even if he doesn't summon it and reload at the same time. In other words, he has an overwhelming advantage in an endurance fight, and can even switch his own weapons to counter the enemy's.
