Chapter 62

"Haha. Impolite."

"..."

[Match situation concluded. First round, third match winner: Nana Tago]

To put it simply, Nana Tago won the third match.

It's not that Hiroko was weak. However, the fact that the Kusanagi-type mecha pilots recognize close combat as the essence of their craft was a significant factor in the outcome.

Even Muto, the top-ranked student, cannot match Nana's naginata in close combat. For Hiroko to challenge and win in close combat against Nana's naginata would be extremely difficult, if not impossible.

In fact, Hiroko tried to counter Nana's naginata with a weapon similar to a bamboo spear, but Nana always had the upper hand and secured victory. At first glance, it might not seem that way, but this was a match that demonstrated the difference in skill.

While the previous match between Kobata and Kasahara might have been more spectacular, from the perspective of mecha pilots and military personnel, this match had more to offer.

Of course, if we consider that this cultural festival also serves as an open campus for civilians, it's difficult to definitively say which match was better.

"Hmm"

Incidentally, the boss has fully recovered from watching this match. The change in the audience's gaze, from "Is this the A-class of this year?" to recognizing the superior skills of Nana Tago and Hiroko, was significant.

Indeed, they are the exception. The members of the Third Division who insisted on this exception and the school administration that tolerated it are probably receiving cold glances from higher-ups for using their power at such a time.

However, when we consider that the situation was different when we took the entrance exam, there might be some room for leniency.

...But there's no excuse for the tournament pairings.

Since the problem with the upper administration doesn't concern me, I'll leave it alone.

"Next is Ito Taniguchi and Fukuhara-kun, right?"

The first round, fourth match. Originally, it was supposed to be Kobata and Taniguchi, but it was changed due to a direct appeal from the Third Division, making it a somewhat controversial match.

"Lieutenant, who do you think will win based on your assessment?"

Personally, I want to say Taniguchi.

"I haven't seen Fukuhara-kun fight, so I can't really say..."

"Hmm. That's true."

While a fourth-ranked student is generally considered stronger than an eighth-ranked student, that's only based on the entrance exam scores, which included written tests. In reality, I'm ranked third, but I don't think I can beat Nana Tago or Hiroko, who are ranked sixth and seventh, respectively, when piloting a Kusanagi-type mecha.

No, it would be unfair to compare me, who advanced thanks to the mecha and exoskeleton created by Saisho, with them.

Leaving aside the difference between me and them...

"By asking this, do you, Lieutenant... think this will be a close match?"

At least, you wouldn't ask if you didn't think it would be as good as the match between Tago and Hiroko, right?

"Yeah, that's right. Ultimately, Taniguchi will win, but Fukuhara is no slouch. I expect him to cause significant damage."

"I see."

Even with bladed weapons, the impact still transfers, and even with paintball rounds, the effect is the same. Additionally, the mecha pilots themselves will be exhausted. These are the complexities of the tournament.

"If Taniguchi tries to conserve too much energy, an upset is entirely possible."

"Indeed."

That's right.

(If the boss says that, it's going to be interesting.)

The match was expected to be a close one, but it ended much more quickly than the boss anticipated.

"Ugh!"

"Well, that's about it, I guess."

The winner was Taniguchi, and it was a quick kill. Of course, she was unharmed.

"I see, so that's how it went."

Even the boss, who expected a close match, was impressed by the way it unfolded.

The match ended in a quick kill, but the path to that point was anything but ordinary. That's what caught the boss's attention.

First, the decisive factor in this match was the 32mm anti-material rifle that Taniguchi has been favoring recently.

The Kusanagi-type mecha is originally equipped with a 40mm machine gun, which is designed to take down medium-sized monsters even if they focus on defense.

Therefore, it was considered essential for dealing with medium-sized monsters. However, Taniguchi had doubts about this conventional wisdom.

The catalyst for this seems to have been me.

I have been involved in the extermination of medium-sized monsters in Far Eastern Russia, using a hyper-steel sword and a 12.7mm anti-material rifle.

While both weapons were infused with magic to some extent, they were still within the range of what could be equipped with an exoskeleton. Nevertheless, I proved that if you hit the right spot, you could take down a medium-sized monster.

Upon learning this, Taniguchi sought a weapon with more power than the 12.7mm rifle but still usable with the Kusanagi-type mecha.

She found the 32mm anti-material rifle.

While it has less power per shot, it has less recoil and, being a single-shot weapon, has a shorter recovery time compared to the 40mm machine gun, which requires multiple shots.

Additionally, using the 40mm machine gun requires both hands and a crouched position to control the recoil, which completely sacrifices mobility.

In contrast, the 32mm anti-material rifle has minimal recoil and can be fired while moving sideways, offering a significant advantage.

While the 40mm machine gun can deal damage to medium-sized monsters even if they focus on defense, it requires a stationary position. On the other hand, the 32mm anti-material rifle, with its lower rate of fire, requires precise aiming but offers greater mobility.

Taniguchi chose the 32mm.

According to her, "If it's a one-on-one fight, the 40mm is the way to go. But when facing multiple enemies, the 32mm is the only choice."

Indeed, in a situation where you are surrounded, a weapon that doesn't sacrifice mobility, like the 32mm anti-material rifle, offers a better chance of survival compared to a machine gun that can't be maneuvered effectively.

Additionally, the perception that "close combat is the essence" is a significant factor in why the 40mm machine gun is not used as much.

Even Lieutenant Sato engaged in close combat.

We are students, and our shooting skills are inferior to those of regular military personnel. Therefore, we tend to choose close combat, where skill differences are more apparent, over machine gun attacks, which can be easily defended against.

(Also, mecha pilots know how to deal with 40mm machine guns, so they are not effective in mecha combat.)

While the 40mm machine gun can damage medium-sized monsters that focus on defense, this is only true for unintelligent monsters that can only defend from the front.

Intelligent mecha pilots, like Fukuhara and Taniguchi, know how to deflect the impact by angling their shields. This is a standard skill.

As a result, close combat is the dominant form of resolution in the [Arena].

Fukuhara was likely aware of this as well.

His initial move was a classic approach: closing the distance while holding his shield.

In contrast, Taniguchi held her shield but did not close the distance.

The [Arena] has a radius of 50 meters. It seems large, but for a Kusanagi-type mecha, which is 6 meters tall, it's a stage where you can close the distance in just 3 seconds.

Therefore, it's not uncommon for a pilot to wait and counter an approaching opponent.

Fukuhara, seeing that Taniguchi did not move, increased his speed, seemingly determined to penetrate her defenses.

A combination of a shield bash and a hyper-steel sword. With the speed he had, Fukuhara was confident he would win. If Taniguchi dodged, he would sweep her with his sword. That was his plan.

But he didn't realize it was part of Taniguchi's strategy.

"Ha!"

"What!?"

Fukuhara charged, but Taniguchi rolled to avoid him. The roll was so aggressive that it created distance, and Fukuhara's sweeping attack missed.

This distance, where neither weapon could reach, was the shooting point Taniguchi sought.

"Got it."

With Fukuhara's shield bash leaving him vulnerable, Taniguchi fired her 32mm anti-material rifle, aiming at his head and torso.

A Colorado shot.

"Ugh!"

Completely caught off guard, Fukuhara couldn't turn his shield in time. He managed to avoid the head shot by turning his head, but the shot to his torso hit him directly.

[Clean hit. 5 points]

Yes, a Kusanagi-type mecha, which is not particularly sturdy, would be knocked out by a single shot from an anti-material rifle.

"..."

For a few seconds, Fukuhara, shocked by his defeat, faced Taniguchi, who maintained her composure.

[Match situation concluded. First round, fourth match winner: Shoko Taniguchi]

The match was declared over, as the organizers determined there was no chance of a reversal.

This confirmed Taniguchi's victory.

"Well, that's about it, I guess."

The match lasted only 5 seconds, the fastest by far.

"...I see. Taniguchi recognized the 'shooting' aspect, which Kusanagi-type mecha pilots tend to overlook, as a weakness."

"That seems to be the case."

This strategy was developed during my battle with Taniguchi while piloting the Mikage-type mecha.

Of course, with the Mikage-type, which has higher mobility and is boosted by magic, a shield bash can be executed in less than a second. It's extremely rare for Taniguchi to successfully dodge, and even if she does, I don't stop to sweep her like Fukuhara did. Instead, I jump sideways or upwards to avoid being shot. But when it works, it's as clean as that.

"Experience, I suppose. Even Muto and Fujita would find it hard to beat her."

I've had a mock battle with Nana Tago, but not with Muto, and I haven't seen Fujita fight, so I can't say for sure. However, the boss, who knows their skills, seems to highly evaluate Taniguchi.

(If I say, "I trained her," I might get hit.)

I won't say anything unnecessary. The Kojiki says so.

Ah, speaking of the Kojiki...

"Was that quick kill okay?"

I overheard this at the end of the second match. It seems that in such events, it's customary to give the opponent a chance to shine.

While the match between Kobata and Kasahara was too exaggerated and became a farce, this time, it seems there was no opportunity for Fukuhara to shine.

"Well, in this case, it shouldn't be a problem."

"Really?"

Why not?

"Fukuhara's approach and stance were flawless. His reaction after the shield bash was dodged was also good. The most impressive part was that he managed to avoid one of the shots, even though he was completely caught off guard. If he lost after doing all that, it's the opponent's fault. Even the Seventh Division wouldn't complain."

"I see."

Is that so? The samurai seem to be very particular about honor.

"More importantly, Fukuhara is Fujita's attendant. He can't outshine Fujita."

"Ah, I see."

That makes sense.

"The only issue might be that Fujita, whose attendant was quickly defeated, might take it personally."

"That's not just Fujita-kun..."

If he sees a match like this, Muto might not remain calm either?

"Don't worry. Muto is already taking it personally."

"..."

That's true. The two from the Third Division were like that, and Fujita is in the first match of the second round.

Of course, he would take it personally.

If he could take a deep breath, it would be good, but that's probably impossible.

---

"..."

"I can't afford to lose."

"That's not just you."

"Yes, yes. That's right. If you lose, you'll tarnish the honor of the Seventh Division."

"That's true. But in that sense, you're already in a good position. You'll be taking more hits after this."

"That's why. I need to show that there can be a flower blooming in the mud for the sake of others!"

"That's a troublesome statement. No one will see you as a beautiful flower now, no matter what you do."

"..."

"Just give up. You and your group are like flounders, suited to wallowing in the mud."

"I can't give up!"

The first round, fifth match.

Top-ranked: Sae Muto vs. Second-ranked: Issei Fujita.

Sae Muto, who cannot further tarnish the Third Division's reputation, and Issei Fujita, who must uphold the honor of his friend and the Seventh Division, begin their match, which neither can afford to lose.

[Bad news] Hikari Hashimoto = San. Narashi dies [Izumino?]

And Taniguchi = San wins as usual.

She seems to be quite influenced by someone.

Thank you for reading.