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

by YANAGIMI Touki

  It was pinnacle of masochism to write 『Small Fry Platoon』 by themselves.

  "Haa, with this Ootori should open her heart to us a bit!"

  "It's an idea elementary school student would come up with."

  "But, in this 『How to bond with your new employee's』 book it's written that a welcoming party is very effective!"

  He really is an amateur when it comes to acting clever. Thought Ikaruga as she gazed at Takeru.

  "Do you think that robocop will be pleased with this?"

  "We won't know until we try!"

  "Incorrigibly awkward... as expected from a friendless platoon captain."

  "...well I don't have any."

  "I don't have any either."

  Even though she condemned Takeru with an amazed look on her face, her skill wasn't bad. As expected of an aspiring BlacksmithRegin, her hands were really skillful.

  "Even though you say that, you're still properly helping us out."

  "I'm doing it because it's the captain's order. Also, even though it doesn't fit with Ootori, but the idea itself is worthy of praise. Well, I don't understand why are you stubbornly sticking with it."

  Even though Ikaruga doesn't approve her as a person, she acknowledges her skill. Takeru scratched his cheek with a tender expression.

  "Well, that might not be enough."

  "It's as if you fell for her."

  "...eh?"

  "A boy falls in love with a girl, which gave him an opportunity to change."

  "That's not it! I want to do a little for her as a comrade."

  As Takeru tried to deny, *tap tap tap* Usagi came from the kitchenette's direction.

  "I'm done, Kusanagi! It's satisfactory even if I do say so myself!"

  Holding a dish with a large short cake on top of it in both of her hands, Usagi stood in front of Takeru full of self-confidence and cream on her cheek. Despite being reluctant in wearing the rabbit-patterned apron Ikaruga prepared, it suited her really well.

  Takeru was really surprised.

  "Usagi, you really are good at cooking."

  "I learned it from my grandmother when I was a child. Look, it's a short cake with red bean paste filling and cream."

  "Fufufun." Usagi puffed her chest out, and Ikaruga had a questioning look on her face.

  "Red bean paste and cream? Is that tasty...?"

  "Hmph... don't complain before you try it. This will make that woman go wild."

  She held out small dishes to Takeru and Ikaruga, it appeared they were small portions for tasting.

  Ikaruga was acting as if she was about to taste poison, but the two of them stuffed the cake into their mouths.

  *munch munch* After chewing for a while, the two of them make surprised expressions.

  "...oh? It's delicious, how unexpected."

  "That's true, it's super tasty. Usagi, you really have a talent."

  After hearing honest impressions of Ikaruga and Takeru's and their praises Usagi blinked in surprise. Even though she was full of confidence before, she sill looked down with flushed cheeks.

  "I'm not really pleased with you calling my name... but to be praised like this... I di-didn't expect that."

  "No no, it's really good. You're amazing Usagi, I can't do anything outside of my swordsmanship."

  "...i-is that so, so it's tasty. I'm happy, really happy. To have people eat it happily... it was really worth making it."

  Although she seemed embarrassed, she was really happy inside her heart. She placed her hands on her cheeks and looked down.

  Feeling that she looked just like his little sister, Takeru almost patted her head instinctively. But then.

  "——I'm entering."

  Everyone turned around as the door opened at the same time knocking resounded.

  Takeru and the others reached to the crackers on the table.

  And,

  *pop*......*pop*................. *pop*

  A few completely uncoordinated sounds filled the room, as the trio's timing was all over the place.

  Ouka entered showing a look of surprise, she looked with disgust at the coloured piece of paper covering her hair.

  The air inside the room froze.

  "...what's going on in here."

  She showed a really fierce look.

  Even so, Takeru made a cramped smile.

  "...u-umm... to welcome you toda——"

  That's when, Takeru noticed the state Ouka was in. Her uniform was stained with blood and dirt, and that wasn't all, she also had scratches all over.

  "...you, what are those injuries?!"

  "Enemy showed a little resistance, combat happening is not unusual. I have successfully secured a Magical Heritage, there's no problem."

  "No problem... aren't you bleeding! Wait, right there."

  "Rather than that, what kind of situation is this?"

  Ouka narrowed her eyes and spit out those words slightly angry.

  She glared strongly at one member, Takeru.

  "...organizing a party during platoon activity time, you're really doing as you please don't you, Captain."

  "No, this is, we hosted it for you..."

  "...? For me?"

  "You see, we still haven't done one yet right? A welcome party."

  "............"

  That's when Ouka noticed the curtain on hanging from the ceiling.

  She showed a puzzled expression for a moment.

  "We don't know much about you, and you hardly know anything about us either do you?"

  "............."

  "So I thought we should deepen our camaraderie first."

  Takeru put on a bitter smile. Ouka seemed to be troubled, her eyes wandering about. She didn't know what to do in response.

  But, gradually, a shadow appeared on her face. Her everyday cold expression came back and she sighed lightly.

  "...sorry, I don't have that much free time. You guys can do as you like."

  "D-don't say that. Suginami made decorations, Usagi made you a short cake with red bean paste and cream. I... hardly did anything, but please think of what the other two did for you."

  "I disagree with your cosy ways. I, unlike you guys... didn't enter Inquisition to play."

  Saying that, Ouka opened the door again and left the room.

  Her profile from behind didn't look angry nor like someone who looks at other with contempt. It just looked... very lonely.

  Takeru grabbed the first aid kit, and jumped out of the platoon room following Ouka.

  "Ootori!"

  Ouka stopped walking annoyed and looked behind.

  "What?"

  "Where are you going?"

  "It's not your business."

  "Wait a moment. That's a terrible injury, we have to perform first aid at least."

  Ouka's left leg was bleeding considerably, and it looked painful as if she was in a traffic accident.

  Despite that, Ouka didn't show any intention of taking care of it and started walking vigorously again.

  "I can do that much myself. I told you before, it has nothing to do with you."

  "We're members of the same platoon, and I'm your captain."

  "...to act like a captain at a time like this..."

  She looked at him coldly.

  But this time Takeru didn't let himself be pushed away.

  "Yeah, captain's orders. Let me treat you quietly."

  In front of an oddly strong Takeru, Ouka sighed as if giving up.

  She sat down on the bench in the courtyard.

  Taking out gauze and antiseptic from the first aid box, Takeru gently touched Ouka's leg without any prior notice.

  "Uhh?!'

  "? What happened?"

  "No... nothing, if you're doing it... then do it fast. We're wasting time."

  Ouka instructed Takeru as she faced away with her cheeks slightly dyed red.

  In order to see the wound clearly, Takeru used water to wash away the blood first.

  "Good, the injury is not that serious despite
all the blood."

  "I told you it's not a big deal didn't I. It looked exaggerated because movement caused it to bleed more."

  "But it would be good to find a doctor from HealerSeelie, a scar might remain."

  "I'm not worried about that, I've had many injuries like this before."

  With that said, Takeru was staring at Ouka's legs intently.

  "...what are you staring at like that..."

  "Ah no, nothing... I just thought you have beautiful legs."

  His honest thoughts came out of his mouth, *pop* Ouka's face suddenly reddened.

  "B-b... beautiful?"

  "Yeah, it really looks beautiful."

  "Uhhh?!"

  "You can't tell at the first glance but, you have flexible muscles and good balance. They're almost perfect."

  "...o-ooh, that's what you mean."

  "? What else could I mean?"

  "W-whatever. Shut up and finish it."

  Ouka looked away blushing, Takeru tilted his neck.

  It didn't mean Takeru wasn't interested in her leg's beauty as a girl's, nor that he was insensitive. It because for the sake of providing first aid, he threw away his worldly desires. Otherwise he would go back to being clumsy Takeru, and make the wound worse.

  He sprayed the wound with disinfectant carefully.

  "...nghh."

  "Sorry, did it hurt?"

  "It's okay, I'm used to pain."

  "Haha, you're saying strange things."

  "What's so strange in what I said?"

  "You can't get used to pain, I can tell from my own experience. You can put up with it, but it doesn't mean it'll stop hurting. If you express the fact you're in pain, the mental burden will be smaller than it would be if you were to hold it in. Just a tip for you."

  Laughing a bit proudly, Takeru continued his treatment.

  "............"

  Ouka considered Takeru's words. This guy says strange things doesn't he, is what her narrowed eyes seemed to say.

  To cry out in pain when it's painful.

  These words seemed to lodge themselves in her heart a little.

  Until the first aid treatment finished, Ouka was felt comfortably and her eyes were wandered around sheepishly.

  "Okay, it's done."

  Said Takeru while tapping it with his hand, and he wiped sweat from his brow.

  The wound on her leg was wrapped with a crazy amount of bandage, it looked like a lump.

  "...I feel like my mobility has fallen significantly."

  "A-ahaha... I'm really clumsy aren't I."

  On Takeru's good-looking face a wry smile appeared as he scratched his head.

  After looking at his harmless expression and thinking she should have done it herself instead, she's lost her will to blame him for it.

  Ouka touched the awkwardly bandaged wound on her leg, and stood up with a puzzled face.

  "...I-I won't thank you, it's something you did selfishly without permission."

  "That's fine. As a comrade, isn't that something obvious to do?"

  "............"

  This talk about being comrades was both comfortable and unpleasant to her, Ouka started to walk away from Takeru.

  "Hey, wait. Where are you going?"

  Takeru messily dropped the first aid kit, and hurried after Ouka.

  "Platoon activity. I'm going to resolve another case."

  "With your legs in this state? It's better to stop... or at least include the platoon in it."

  "Can't do that. The ones I'm chasing are too dangerous for you guys. It's even bigger than the issue from the other day."

  "...even more of a reason not to let you go. What are you chasing Ootori, Magical Heritage? A witch?"

  "It's not your business."

  "It is, I'm your captain."

  Takeru used his authority as a captain again, insisting strongly.

  Ouka was definitely frustrated, but her answer didn't come out strong.

  She reluctantly stopped, and faced Takeru with a serious look.

  "...do you remember the 『Trackless Psalms』 case?"

  "? Yeah."

  "It hasn't been resolved yet."

  With that said, Takeru recalled that it was certainly true.

  When they rushed in, they missed their trading partner.

  "The biggest mystery there was how well armed they were, it was definitely too much for mere thugs or mafia. If we include your testimony, it seems like 『Trackless Psalms』 wasn't the main article of the trade."

  "Did you, by any chance have gotten any info on the trade's other party?"

  "No, I haven't got that far yet. Even though I was given priority for questioning of these guys. They didn't provide any useful information. Just the fact, that the traded object was a fragment of a Magical Heritage. The only thing that they were able to identify was a blade, so it should have been shaped like a sword."

  "A fragment... isn't the Magical Heritage rendered useless after it's form is destroyed?"

  "Indeed, they were trading something that supposedly had no value for a big price. Means the counterparty was unlikely to be a trader or a collector."

  "? Why?"

  For a while a question sign floated above Takeru's head. Ouka put on an irritated face she hid until now.

  "What would an amateur want with a fragment. The possibility of the trading partner being a member of the magical society is high."

  "Also, magical society... a group of witches and sorcerers? Do these kind of anachronistic organizations exist these days?"

  I stick with my sword myself, but there's no law against it. Thought Takeru. For modern witches managing a magical society would be extremely difficult.

  However, Ouka didn't say it was a joke or anything. She closed her eyes.

  "Illusory Cult『Valhalla』, an organization shrouded in mystery. It's something like an association cultivating black arts."

  Takeru heard that name before, among the rumours appearing occasionally at school, this one was a popular urban legend. Witches and sorcerers that survived the war teamed up and aim to overthrow the Inquisition.

  If that story were to be real, it would be really outrageous. The witches of old, he didn't know how the modern weapons would fare against those overwhelming enemies. In the past, there were many witches powerful enough to destroy the city instantaneously with a volley of magic.

  "Also recently, there was another strange incident, since neither witches nor Magical Heritages were involved, investigation was handed over to the police. But I don't think that's the case. Those guys were trading corpses for money. The only ones that can use corpses, are witches."

  "But... are those two cases related?"

  "That's right, these guys were also told 『"We will buy any fresh corpses as well"』.

  Takeru gasped involuntarily.

  Even though it's still premature to decide they're dealing with Illusory Cult『Valhalla』, the connection with the 『Trackless Psalms』 matter can indeed be seen. He has no clue what the hell is the criminals purpose, but thinking normally,

  "I believe they are preparing for something. Illusory Cult『Valhalla』 or not, the witches and Magical Heritage's involvement is clear. I'm going to the cult's meeting place I was tipped of."

  "You mean you were investigating corpse collectors alone lately?"

  "Yeah, the seized Magical Heritages were a by-product of it."

  What an aggressive woman... thought Takeru again.

  "Well it's fine. Now that you know, keep your mouth closed and go back to the platoon's room."

  "Nono, wait. If the opponent is Illusory Cult『Valhalla』, then doesn't it exceed the scope for students? Shouldn't you report the information you obtained to Witch HunterDullahan?"

  "Funn... the other Witch HuntersDullahans are buried under a mountain of different unrelated cases. They do not keep in touch with me anyway. Even before when I was a Witch HunterDullahan, they turned a deaf ear saying it's under the jurisdiction of the police. I'll resolve
this incident alone."

  As Ouka said that, there was a dim light in her pupils.

  From the way she spoke, it seems like she was investigating this matter before she was fired. In her eyes something like tenacity can be seen. But Takeru didn't think so.

  It was sadness and hate.

  "...You understand now? The people I'm chasing are too high level for you guys. They're not recognized as an acquisition target by Inquisition. You will get no points for completing that investigation so there's no benefit for you... don't come."

  Even if you come, you'll just be a nuisance. It was a way of saying that revealed concern for other members.

  Ouka walked away making loud steps.

  Takeru almost stopped walking, but knowing Ouka was involved with such dangerous thing and letting her go alone would disqualify him as a captain.

  "I'm going with you."

  "..why?"

  "Why... we can't let someone who is already hurt go off alone. Since you won't listen even if I try to stop you anyway, I'll go with you instead."

  Ouka openly made a fragile frown.

  "...I told you my injury is not a problem."

  "Even if you're not bothered with it, it's going to dull your movements during an emergency."

  "There's no such thing, it doesn't hurt that much."

  "Even if you endure it, that definitely looks painful."

  "I'm telling you it doesn't hurt!"

  "It hurts doesn't it."

  "It doesn't hurt."

  "It hurts."

  "Persistent aren't you."

  "You're a sore loser."

  Seeing Takeru not budging an inch, Ouka made a honest, fed up expression.

  In the end, the one who gave in was Ouka.

  After Takeru and Ouka finished the first aid, they picked up all the equipment before going to the crime scene.

  Takeru proposed to include Usagi and Ikaruga in it, but it has been rejected by Ouka. He wanted to tell her she's prejudiced, but they were going to enter confined spaces so a small group was better this time, so in the end he agreed with Ouka's opinion.

  The location was a certain harbour by the sea, in a place once called Tokyo Bay.

  It was a relatively large prefab standing alone on the grass near the container yard.

  Even though the prefab looked like an abandoned building that was rotting away, it also looked quite strange. Unlike its battered overall appearance, the locks installed were brand-new. There was quite a few of them and they were coiled with chains.