Antimagic Academy 35th Test Platoon - Volume 01 - Eienherjar wakes

by YANAGIMI Touki

  《"You're the one counting, so it doesn't matter〜"》

  The only person not involved in the operation was really motivated. He pretended not to hear that.

  Takeru waited for Ouka to appear on the other side.

  That's when he heard faint voices from the transaction site.

  "...I came here on my own legs, I hope I won't have to do that."

  "Don't worry, we have borrowed the office's safe. Also there's no way trouble will make it here, and you won't have to use that damn thing."

  "It doesn't matter to me as long as you pay up, use it or sell it, do whatever you want with it. By the way, I've heard your organization was crushed by Inquisition, I wonder if it's really okay."

  "I told you there's no problem dammit."

  Because the wall was thin, the voices carried over.

  Judging by the contents, there was no doubt the information stolen by Ikaruga was right.

  "...so, have you brought it?"

  "It's as you see."

  Something was rustling.

  "...indeed. Well done, I've already put the reward in the place I specified."

  "Are you really okay with this? Isn't it just fragments?"

  Takeru who's focused with his ear against the wall.

  Fragments? It's not 『Trackless Psalms』?

  "That has nothing to do with you, don't try to stick your nose into it."

  "...what an annoying woman... by the way, there's something else you might want to buy."

  ".....?"

  "Hey, show it to her."

  He heard rustling again.

  "...what's that."

  "『Trackless Psalms』 first edition book I stole in secret. It's definitely better stuff than that crap, how is it? You can name your own price."

  "...seriously, you guys really are idiotic bunch."

  The voice resounded in the tense atmosphere.

  "You're underestimated Inquisition, did you really think they won't notice?"

  "...eh?"

  "Even if your organization was destroyed, those guys will follow you frenzied as long as even one book is missing, to the bottom of hell."

  After hearing something disturbing, Takeru broke out in sweat.

  If they notice the assault and get more vigilant, it'll definitely be no good.

  《"I'm at the appointed position. Orders.》

  Ouka entered at a perfect timing. Takeru takes up the baton hanging on his waist. He deployed it and switched the electrical current pm.

  "Everyone ready?"

  《"No problem."》

  《"W-w-wh-whenever!"》

  As he heard the replies, he tensed his foot. His eyes looking sharp.

  "Mission... start!"

  Takeru drew attention of the enemy by jumping out from the corner.

  Of course, the enemy noticed him and pointed his gun's muzzle towards him.

  Takeru rushed at the enemy without stopping while holding the baton in his left hand.

  A kamikaze attack, a fake one, of course.

  There were two shots from behind the enemy that caused him to fall down.

  Ouka did everything according to the plan.

  At the same time.

  《"I-I did it, I took down the two idiots in the office, look Kusanagi, as expected of me!"》

  The sniper's timing was a little bit too early, probably because she was impatient, but there was no problem.

  In order to get to the office, he went through the fallen enemy's body and stood with his back to the door.

  Ouka whom he looked towards nodded in confirmation. Takeru kicked open the door and rushed in.

  "——Inquisition, freeze!"

  Takeru was happy that everything has gone swiftly.

  They have earned their first points, it was far from fulfilling the quota but at least there was hope now.

  ............

  "...eeh?"

  Takeru looked around the room dumbfounded.

  Usagi definitely confirmed it before he went in via radio, two people inside. It's impossible for him to have misheard that.

  Despite all that...

  There was seven Onii-sans dressed in black pointing their guns in his direction.

  "...umm, Usagi-san?"

  《"What is it. Did you see it already? I knocked them out both! Amazing isn't it! I hit them both in their rotten brains! Ohohohoho!"》

  "Umm, in front of me there's seven Onii-sans who made a circle around me."

  《"...that's impossible! I took them down for sure?! Two people in security guard uniforms!"》

  Takeru figured out what happened right away.

  "...you...that's... isn't that the building on the opposite side."

  《"...ah."》

  "You shot two security guards, if you look carefully you'll realize it."

  《"............t-t-th-these things... happen sometimes."》

  As if!! What if it weren't tranquillizer bullets!

  Takeru wanted to blame her, but this was also the captain's mistake. He should have predicted something like that might happen due to Usagi's hopeless stage fright.

  There were nine enemies to be exact, seven of them were mafia-like men who wore coats and hats so their faces weren't visible, one of the silhouettes was probably a woman's.

  And, one more thing.

  The last thing was the most unexpected existence. He wondered why such thing was in a place like that.

  A humanoid covered in heavy armour. A round silhouette much bigger than a human.

  No doubt, it was unmanned at the moment but it was a heavy armoured infantry exoskeleton used by Inquisition in the past, a 『Dragoon』.

  What the hell! I haven't heard of an organization having one of these!

  No matter how you slice it, it's not something that some thugs have. It looked like Ikaruga's judgement was wrong as well. It was too dangerous to be a D-rank Magical Heritage trade.

  Unlike the seven suddenly confused men, the woman already put her leg on the window.

  "It's just like I told you, I'm leaving, I leave clean-up to you."

  After saying that, the woman kicked off the window. She looked at Takeru right before she jumped off.

  "——wait!"

  Takeru tried to catch her before she jumped down. It was the seventh floor, a normal human wouldn't avoid injuries.

  But before Takeru could run up to the window, a man who looked like a leader aimed his gun at him.

  "Don't move..."

  "Th-this guy said he's from Inquisition, this is bad isn't it."

  "Don't be so scared, we have a Dragoon here. And also, look this guy isn't a full fledged inquisitor. He's from a test platoon. You're an AntiMagic Academy student aren't you. What the hell did you come here for?"

  In addition to the leader-like person there were 5 people led by him. Also in the corner of the room was a thug-like man holding 『Trackless Psalms』 while muttering something.

  A hopeless situation, he would win one-on-one while using a baton. But the Dragoon aside, it was seven-on-one.

  "Ootori... don't come in."

  In order to conceal his words, he spoke as if exhaling.

  If they noticed there was one more person behind him, Ouka would get dragged in it.

  The enemy leader was smiling fearlessly, he had a smile of a person who's sure of his victory. Takeru saw that smile many times. If it was Takeru from before who had a lot of pride, he would have rushed in already.

  "Ha, haha... um, I-I just got lost a little on my way home from school."

  The current Takeru wasn't reckless like that, rushing at them was impossible.

  He made a desperate excuse and smiled.

  "Ooh, I see. You got lost, that's troublesome isn't it."

  "Eeh, yeah... haha... hahaha"

  "HAHAHAHAHA!"

  "Aha, ahahaha."

  "What the hell you're laughing for— it's a checkmate for you bastard."

  Next moment, their leader stuck out his tongue and placed
his finger on the trigger. Takeru's eyes followed that movement.

  What to do? What's the best course of action?

  Dropping the baton, and touched the sword on his waist with his fingers.

  He laughed at himself in his mind for thinking he could do something with it. It was unrealistic. A sword winning against a gun, ridiculous. A few years ago he would have rushed in without thinking, but right now, he won't tempt fate.

  I can take out two... three people at most, and I'll probably get hit by few rounds by then.

  The close quarters are good, but their numbers are bad. I must be prepared to die, and make a 『Suicidal』 attack.

  Ways of surviving this by fighting... there's none left.

  ...no.

  There was one. A way out for Takeru.

  No... I can't. Either way, that will be disastrous for me anyways...!

  Having only one way out, Takeru was distressed.

  The forbidden school of Kusanagi-style swordsmanship. A prohibited 『Technique』. It was the only way out of this situation.

  Takeru shook his head, and took his hand off the sword.

  Ikaruga should be aware of the situation, she would contact the Inquisition Board to have them dispatch the KnightsSpriggans.

  Until KnightsSpriggans come, he'll stall for time by talking.

  "Hey, look at that guy. Is he carrying a sword there? He has no gun, and instead he has a sword with him! Gahahaha, is he right in his head?"

  One of the enemies insulted Takeru. Which caused, in turn, the others to laugh at him.

  "The Inquisition these days sure is old fashioned! It's a terrifying samurai-sama!"

  "Nowadays, even the police are obligated to carry guns. This brat must be insane!"

  "Gahahahaha" insulting laughter echoed. Takeru stopped the movement of his hand, his eyes were wide open.

  He has a screw loose in his head. Outdated. Let's hear you say -degozaru![2B 1]

  Never ending stream of contempt and insults, voices he heard many, many times before. A shadow slowly appeared on Takeru's face.

  Ikaruga who noticed the situation spoke to him through intercom.

  《"This is bad. Kusanagi, don't listen to them. Getting angry right now would lead to worst-case scenario."》

  "...I know..."

  《"Try to convince them, prolong the talk. You're no longer the same as your old self. I admit that it's all my fault for not investigating this completely, please——"》

  "I know that!!"

  Takeru's entire body was burning hot. Takeru felt his head heat up and he clenched his teeth.

  In this worst situation, Takeru's dark side began to emerge.

  Hold it in... endure it... I'm no longer my old self, I won't survive in this world if I explode at every little thing... the sword being inferior to the gun is obvious and you know it Takeru! Let go of this outdated pride! Bear with this, tolerate this!

  He bit his lip hard enough to have blood flow from his lips trying to calm himself down with pain.

  It's not like it started now... endure this... endure, endure, endure, endure endure...!"

  Takeru tried to restrain his rage desperately.

  If I lose control here, it will trouble other members too, it has to be avoided. Thinking like that he suppressed his anger.

  ——But,

  "Swordsmanship. What's the use for it? Both you and that scrap iron iron that can't win against neither guns nor magic. Enough of this. Writhe, you scrap iron bastard."

  Together with the leader's words.

  There was a sound of something snapping inside of Takeru's head.

  《"Aah, it's over. Do whatever you want."》

  Ikaruga's sigh no longer reached Takeru.

  "Don't worry, we won't kill you right away, at least not until we sell off all your organs. Haha, we'll just make a hole in your leg. As a samurai, you should be able to stand that much right?"

  The enemy's voice no longer reached him, he could no longer stop in this situation.

  Boss put some strength in the finger holding the gun's trigger.

  At the same time, Takeru slowly touched his sword.

  Along with the flash from the muzzle, a bullet flew out of it towards Takeru to pierce through him.

  However——

  The bullet slowed down... like a video in slow motion.

  And not only the bullet, everything in Takeru's field of vision could was perceived in slow motion.

  Muzzle flash. Hair swaying from an impact. Dust flying in the air. Even the noise outside the building. Everything.

  Takeru's body was no exception. He pulled the sword from it's sheath, struggling as if he was submerged in cement, his own speed slowed down.

  The world has become stagnant, passive, slow.

  But that wasn't what really happened. It was exactly the opposite.

  The world around him didn't change its speed. Time was flowing normally.

  It's was him who sped up——

  And left everything behind——

  It was Takeru's brain.

  That's all it was.

  Part 2

  In the past, in order to gain strength, Takeru received the teachings from a 『Monster』.

  The only monster in the modern times, the one who has completely mastered Kusanagi's Double-Edged style swordsmanship, a 『Former』 human.

  In Kusanagi style two schools existed. There's was a well known Kusanagi True Light style, it was swordsmanship made to kill humans, a sword of murder.

  Its counterpart, was the Double-Edged style. It was a style made for killing monsters that had raged in Japan a thousand years ago. In other words, a style made for dealing with things that are not human.

  Those who knew the latter in modern times were few.

  Takeru, in order to learn teachings of Double-Edged style for the sake of revenge, asked the monster in front of him.

  —— I want to win with a gun against a sword.

  —— What should I do to win against a gun with a sword?

  『Takeru... that's impossible. The human body can't move as fast as a bullet, no matter how much you train. Also, no matter what swordsmanship you learn, you will not keep up with the speed of the bullet."』

  —— Why can't the sword win?

  『"Because, it's too fast for you to see. If you're skilled and have great luck, you might be able to stop one bullet, but that's it. Give up."』

  ...Even so, I want to win.

  『"It's impossible, you'll die, that's all."』

  —— Even so, I want to win.

  『"Stop it, you can't win with a sword."』

  —— Even so, I want to win!

  『"You don't get it, it's impossible."』

  —— Even so, I want to win!!

  ............

  ............

  『"One."』

  『"There's only one way. In exchange, you're going to regret if you continue to use it. Rather than yourself, you will hurt those that are close to you."』

  —— That's fine, even so, I want to win!

  『"Very well, I will acknowledge your resolution. Listen Takeru, the thing you have to train the most is not your body."』

  —— ?

  『"The way to surpass your limitations is here, Takeru.』

  —— Where?

  『"Here, inside your head. Your flea-sized brain."』

  Part 3

  *screeeeeeeeeeeeechhh*, after hearing a metallic sound, everyone was astonished.

  They couldn't believe what happened in front of their eyes. Their leader has definitely shot him with his gun. Without doubt he shot in a straight line.

  At this distance even an amateur, even women or children wouldn't miss. It was a distance from which it's hard to miss. Despite that, he did not fall, he did not bleed, and he had no hole in him.

  There was a bullet rolling on the floor, sheared in half. And there was Takeru's figure with a drawn sword.

  "...w...hat...?"

  T
he leader made a face like a fish, and shot two more times in rapid succession.

  And again, it didn't hit, only a metallic sound filled the air.

  It took them a while to acknowledge reality, the fact that Takeru had stopped the bullets.

  Heavy silence filled the room.

  "...you said..."

  Takeru's voice tore through the silence. Heavy, rough, it was unimaginable for this threatening tone of voice to come from the spineless boy from before.

  "...just now you said 'scrap iron'... prepare yourself bastards."

  He raised his face slightly, the face of a demon peeked out from behind long bangs

  Everyone froze up on the spot.

  Because in front of them, there was a demon wielding a sword.

  Takeru shouted. It was quiet, but wild like a demon's roar.

  "Kusanagi Double-Edged style initiate, Kusanagi Takeru. Neither average nor shit——one sidedly, I'll just cut you up."

  After being told that, no one was able to move.

  Takeru was completely prepared for battle; his fighting instincts took over. Poising his sword horizontally, he exuded a force that made people think they'd get slashed the moment they move or breathe.

  The seven men solidified.

  They still could not believe Takeru had cut down a bullet. Of course, to think that there was a human who could pull off a technique that belonged to manga rather than reality, it couldn't be true.

  But Kusanagi style was that kind of school, it had techniques like those straight out of a manga.

  The ancient swordsmanship technique Takeru activated was called Magic-Sweeping Sword『Soumatou』. Kusanagi's Double-Edged style was an irregular swordsmanship. A heretical sword style created in order to fight fantastical Japanese organisms called demons. [2B 2]

  That's Magic-Sweeping Sword『Soumatou』.

  To put it simply, it disables a limiter inside the brain increasing processing power. When people are placed on the border of life and death during extreme conditions they utilize more of their brain power.

  It means, Magic-Sweeping SwordSoumatou is a footage from his own memory being played.

  It means, that the world turns slow motion.

  It means, conflagration causes brute force to come out.

  These phenomena are a result of the brain activating during an emergency. That theory exist because of a malfunction. All of that power comes from original survival instinct.