Chapter 31

The last few lines are all that matter.

At the military academy, the usual training that Keita and the others undergo primarily consists of running and strength training to build their physical bodies.

This is because there are differences in the progress of each student in operating the machines and due to the convenience of the companies.

For example, there is a significant difference between Kobata Kenjiro, who entered in 9th place, and Muto Saori, who entered as the top student, even though they are in the same grade, the same A class, and use the same type of machine.

As a result, it is impossible for them to engage in combat, whether in shooting or close combat.

In this case, while Kobata might benefit from fighting a more advanced opponent, Muto would gain nothing from it.

To prevent such unfairness, training with the machines is conducted after school, individually.

Of course, the example of Kobata Kenjiro and Muto Saori is a bad one, but it is not bad for students with similar skills to fight each other. For a mech pilot, who operates a machine that is an extension of their own limbs, observing another person's movements at close range can have significant meaning.

Of course, this is only if they can properly observe the movements.

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The simulators at the military academy have a function that allows students to battle each other if their respective mechanics give permission. Think of it like online battles using the machines found in game centers in modern-day Japan.

The data used can be the latest, which is updated in real-time, or older data, which allows for measuring the degree of growth.

However, the latest data is often classified as confidential, so it is not openly used in battles.

In this case, both parties decided to battle before consulting their mechanics. However, since the Ito side wanted the latest information and the Mostsujukogyo also wanted data on human combat, permission was granted. Still, there was a risk of problems, so Keita was told to "talk beforehand next time." (Incidentally, Ito was praised with "Well done!")

Leaving aside the mechanics' responses, let's continue with the simulator.

The simulator has three main fields.

First is the 5000-meter radius field, which is considered the closest to actual combat. It is straightforwardly called the [Wide Battlefield].

This field is mainly used for joint training by multiple students or for overall training, and since it requires realistic behavior, the difficulty is set high.

Regular military personnel also use this type of field, so the instructors recommend it, but it is not popular among students. Incidentally, this is the field Keita usually trains in alone.

Next is the 500-meter radius field, simply called the [Battlefield].

Since it is not practical to conduct realistic and multi-person training, such as crawling forward or using cover to approach the enemy, this field is used for training behaviors required when closing the distance to a certain extent.

This is the field where students usually engage in team play.

The last is the 50-meter radius field, called the [Arena] by the students. It is mainly used for honing close and mid-range combat skills and is popular among students because it allows for coordinated training between machines.

However, military personnel who know actual combat dismiss it as "impossible to fight in such a situation," so it is not adopted by the military.

This field was created by the development team as a play area for students who complained about the difficulty of other fields and wanted a field where they could fight without the hassle.

Among these, the field Shoko initially chose was, of course, the 5000-meter [Wide Battlefield].

Logically, this field, which is advantageous for long-range shooting machines like the Mikage type, offers no chance of victory for Shoko, who operates a regular Kusanagi type.

In the past, whenever she trained in this field, she could never approach properly and was repeatedly defeated by the magic cannon fire from the monsters.

However, the reason she chose this field was to experience Keita's behavior when he fully engages in battle.

(The battle against a sniper who can take down a large target with one shot. If I experience this, it will definitely be useful in actual combat!)

The basic combat method of the Kusanagi type is to close the distance for melee combat or engage in mid-range shooting. Therefore, to go all out, a certain distance must be closed.

In a battlefield, this is supported by artillery or Yashihata type machines, but in this simulation, such support does not exist.

Shoko was trying to learn how to close the distance without support from a sniper like Keita.

This is a premise that would make anyone with a basic understanding of military affairs tilt their head and wonder, "Is such a situation even possible?"

However, her opponent is a man who has opened battle without any support and single-handedly devastated a large number of monsters, including large ones.

If there is someone who can do it, there might be such an opponent in the enemy.

What would you do if you faced such an opponent? Would you say, "I can't fight without support"? Or "I can't fight because I have no experience"?

(Both are ridiculous, right?)

Shoko is the daughter of the Ito family, a martial family. She has been strictly disciplined by her parents as a martial person and, of course, has learned martial arts and tactics. As a result, she entered A class in 4th place, proving that she is the 4th strongest among the hundreds of thousands of children her age.

She has trained herself to this extent solely to lead the charge in times of crisis. Only by doing so can a martial family be a martial family.

The privileges and luxurious life they enjoy, which are not available to ordinary families, are due to fulfilling this duty. If they cannot fight in actual combat, it would be a joke.

Especially this year, a third-year student who achieved the impossible and a ninth-year student who acts arrogantly despite having no real skill have made all of them, including the upperclassmen and military personnel, mock them as "all wearing geta (wooden clogs)."

Just thinking about it makes her nerves tingle.

(I can only imagine how Muto Saori and Fujita Kazunari feel, who were ranked above Keita due to family circumstances, even though they didn't want to be.)

Even Shoko, who was forced to wear geta and lost to Keita, has no right to comment on them.

(But that's that. Well.)

First, she needs to understand her current strength!

She is not delusional enough to think she can beat the ace. She doesn't even think she can put up a good fight.

First, she needs to gain experience. With that in mind, Shoko entered the simulator in her hangar and selected [Battle]. She felt as if she were inside the machine as her body sank into the seat.

With high spirits—though inwardly nervous—Shoko landed in the wide battlefield.

(The battle has started. First, I need to find cover...)

The basic strategy against a sniper is to hide. So, it is not wrong for Shoko to first look for something that can serve as cover.

But reality is cruel.

"I found you. Gotcha!"

"Kyaa!? ...Eh?"

"Aaah~?"

First battle, over.

Time taken: 3 seconds.

Ito machine, heavily damaged.

Pilot, dead.

"100,000 points!"

"Eh? What?"

"Hmm. I didn't expect this result at all."

Thus, the simulated battle between Keita and Shoko began with an outcome that neither Shoko, who was determined, nor Tago Nana, who was trying to gather data, had anticipated. However, considering the gap between them, it was a very natural result.

Well, that's how it goes.

Thank you for reading.