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

by YANAGIMI Touki

  After she arrives in the afterlife, she will apologize to her family.

  I wonder... if they will forgive me.

  Ouka worked hard, she wondered if she'll get praised.

  She shed tears hoping for that, Ouka felt really pathetic.

  It was an end to Ouka's everything, she lied on her back and closed her eyes.

  The world's curtain lowered, darkness arrived.

  However, the bell that marks the end didn't arrive. Instead——

  ——Who will let it end like this!

  She heard a voice from somewhere, Ouka opened her eyes slightly.

  "Kusanagi Double-Edged Style——"

  Reflected in her eyes that gave up on everything, between shattered debris and glass, was a valiant figure.

  That figure overlapped with the twilight's moon, flying in the air.

  "That idiot..."

  Ouka, murmured.

  Why did he come, she said to herself in her heart in a tearful voice.

  "——Mantis slope...!"

  A roar.

  The right shoulder of the hero that was about to shoot with Excalibur was powerfully slashed once from above by the guy that was falling from the fifth floor of the school building while dutifully shouting the technique name. He rolled forward as soon as he jumped out, and performed the attack while rotating like a wheel.

  He cut with a honed blade, his own body weight in addition to the weight of large horse-slaying sword[4B 1] and a centrifugal force from the rotation. A blow that was further amplified by free-fall.

  As expected, the Hero suffering such a blow staggered backward and fell.

  Ouka saw that fool's absurdly outrageous swordplay from behind his back, faintly conscious.

  It was a really big back. That's why, she felt like she could leave everything to him, a very reliable back.

  And the idiot in question, was holding a sword in order to protect Ouka and stood against the Hero.

  "Ouka, are you okay?"

  Without looking back, Takeru asked.

  "...why."

  Why did you come, asked Ouka.

  "Isn't it obvious, to save you from dying. Rather than dying, you better look how I slaughter this guy."

  With his back to her, Takeru said that forcefully. Ouka frowned while in pain.

  "Run away...it's impossible for you..."

  "We won't know until I try it."

  "Are you retarded...something like...a sword, what can it do."

  Protesting against Ouka's words, Takeru said while his mouth drawn an arc.

  "...then look properly."

  "...uhh?"

  "Promise me. If I defeat this guy, you will let me help you out with your revenge."

  He poised with his sword horizontally, full of confidence.

  And,

  And—— standing in front of his sworn enemy, and glared at him while looking like a demon.

  "Hey〜... it seems like one of my members has been in your care."

  『"............"』

  "It's been a long time since I felt like this. And I have forgotten, but it still feels disgusting."

  He slowly raised the sword that was set up horizontally to match his line of sight.

  And he gripped the handle more elaborately, compressing his strength to the very limit.

  "Thank you Mr. Hero, you reminded me of my old instincts."

  Takeru's anger accumulated and, saying one thing,

  "Beating up one of my comrades... there's no way I'll let you off...!"

  "Kusanagi's Double-Edged Style initiate, Kusanagi Takeru. Present at the battlefield——"

  An explosion.

  "——Shall subjugate you, no questions allowed!"

  And, Kusanagi Takeru's struggle finally resumed.

  Hearing his roar, Ouka was reminded of the warped feeling she had two years ago.

  "Aah...I see...I remember now..."

  She recalled an image from the past,

  Middle school second-year, first lesson.

  A team deathmatch against other classmates.

  The last one versus one duel.

  An idiot oddly confident in his swordsmanship.

  "...it's that guy..."

  That courtesy from before, that strike, and that outburst.

  『Mantis Slope』 is a technique performed by jumping from a high place and rotating, creating a destructive power like a cannon by using centrifugal force and body weight. Death awaits those who don't defend themselves from it. A direct hit exerts tremendous destructive power.

  The opponent was a Hero. He's covered with an armour made out of metal, even though he was unsure whether it was gold or steel. Obviously, there was only a little crack on his shoulder.

  Tough. Very tough.

  But Takeru still felt positive.

  No matter how small a scratch it is. No matter how trivial it is. The fact that he's hurt——means that he can be cut apart.

  Rebuilding his posture, Hero held the gun again.

  Halfway up, Hero shot from his gun. Tiles under his feet, *bagong* a sound of hoarded magic power being released spread.

  Takeru immediately avoided by jumping away. His behaviour was really easy to understand if you looked closely. The charge up time is long, predicting his movements was easy. He didn't need to use 『Magic-Sweeping SwordSoumatou 』.

  However, the bullet speed was odd. It was equal or even greater than that of a real railgun. Even after you've successfully avoided, you are unconsciously scared by the shockwave from behind.

  "Then!"

  Sinking his body low, Takeru carried the sword with his right arm. He kicked off the ground strongly, and got closer to Hero by using 『Battle Rush』. He lifted his arm carrying a sword high up as he jumped, swinging at the enemy's shoulder with all of his body weight.

  *tsugin!!*

  The exact same location as the first sword cut. He slashed the blade between the cracks.

  *bikibiki* The crack expanded noisily .

  "——Good!"

  Definitely positive. The hero staggered backwards once again.

  Takeru used the chance as the enemy landed on the ground to make distance from him.

  He contacted Ikaruga by the intercom.

  "Suginami, do you know anything about the enemy?"

  《"I looked into the remaining records from surveillance cameras, it's really interesting. Speaking of the magical performance, the enemy's weapon is Magical Heritage Excalibur, but the body of the weapon is certainly a modern railgun. It was arranged so that it can be used as a sword as well, but it's mostly the same structure modern Alchemists use. That means it's a railgun with Excalibur's ability. It's really interesting and worth resea——"》

  "I don't need that info! I need its movement patterns or weaknesses!"

  《"Its rate of fire should be low, the same as the prototypes. It takes a few seconds for it to cool down by thermorunaway before it fires again. The electrical conductor is probably generating magnetic field by passing magic power instead of electricity. Magical procedure can be applied as long as——"》

  "So I just have to get close, I won't get hit by it if I'm right under him."

  《"Be careful. It's still original Excalibur in close quarters! It can still use its ability."》

  "If it's close quarters combat——I won't lose!"

  Declaring that confidently, he activated Magic-Sweeping Sword『Soumatou』 .

  Not thinking about the burden on his body, he threw himself forward at one stretch.

  Even though he had a much faster reaction time than the enemy, the hero switched his stance from shooting to close combat in emergency and thrust upwards from below.

  As expected of King Arthur, the renowned knight, it was a really sharp cut.

  Skills aside, the enemy was much taller than Takeru.

  Takeru saw through the thrust from below, and extending the sword in front he rammed forward instead of pulling back.

  High pitched sound of blades clashing
.

  In a direct clash, the horse-slaying sword made out of adamantium would not hold out. And prior to that, Takeru's body would have been blown away by the impact.

  Therefore, Takeru parried the Hero's sword wastelessly. He placed his blade to match the enemy attack, and the power flowed behind him.

  The impact of the blow and the magical power were released behind Takeru.

  Inside the fierce wind, upon stepping under the Hero. Takeru returned the blade in an instant and gripped it with the opposite hand.

  And then utilizing his legs, he slammed his blade into enemy's left limb as he jumped.

  It was a blow that used the power of the entire body. Although only slightly, it was enough to lift the Hero's body.

  "Oooooh!!!!"

  While raising a roar Takeru rammed towards the staggering Hero.

  *dun*, with a heavy sound Hero fell down on his back.

  Takeru didn't miss the opportunity and had withdrawn backwards vigorously as he fell.

  "Usagi! Now!"

  At that moment, on the roof of school building in a distance. Something flashed.

  Three gunshots sounded and shortly afterwards something passed in front of Takeru when he jumped back.

  The violent sound of a direct hit even more intense than the gunshot's. The fallen Hero's body sank into the ground.

  Three shots in a row. Snipe from a long distance. And all three bullets directly hit entering the crack.

  From the 12th floor of the first school building. Observing Takeru's and Hero's battle from long distance.

  There in prone position was Saionji Usagi, holding Ikaruga's special anti-material rifle frowning in shock caused by the rebound.

  Impatience and anxiety were clearly visible on her face. At the very last moment, Usagi's bad habit surfaced again.

  Two shots in a row were hit after the first bullet, she was anxious. What if one of them hit Takeru?

  What if the next shot misses, and Takeru will be caught by the enemy exploiting that opportunity? What if they lose the battle because of her?

  Right now, inside Usagi there was tremendous amount impatience and anxiety.

  《"Usagi, you okay?"》

  The moment Ikaruga cut in, Usagi clicked her tongue.

  "What's up with this gun... I thought my body would fall apart from the rebound."

  《"The bullets are a little special. I tried to use rare orichalcum, but it was too heavy and didn't fly so far. So I used high quality explosives to give it propulsion causing it to have a big recoil."》

  "As expected, another outrageous illegal modification..."

  With an angry mark on her head Rabbit answered via intercom.

  《"It's not like I modified it for fun, if it isn't at least this much it won't hurt that thing. Look, the power is bigger than expected thanks to orichalcum."》

  That being said. She looked through the heavy rifle's scope and saw the enemy sink into the asphalt. In the place where the crack on the shoulder's armour was, there was something like a large crater broken in there.

  Ridiculous firepower.

  But, dealing with such a powerful rifle terrified Usagi.

  If she hits any ally with it, it won't end at that degree of having legs or arms being blown off. The entire body will be blown apart.

  Imagining that scene, Usagi's hands are trembling violently.

  "...ugh."

  "...are you scared?"

  "That's..."

  She tried to deny, but she stopped. It couldn't be helped in such a situation, scary things were scary.

  The enemy wasn't terrifying. The most terrifying thing for Usagi when sniping is, mistakenly shooting an ally.

  During the 『Trackless Psalms』 case, she tried to do something when Takeru was in a pinch and ended up opening friendly fire in a hurry.

  It's not something Usagi is doing on purpose. She isn't playing around, but that's not an excuse. If she fails this time, she won't have anyone to excuse herself to.

  It's different from that time. It was powerful live ammunition. Missing was no longer a joke.

  Usagi thought that what Ouka said before was right. You can't trust a sniper who has a risk of shooting his allies. She didn't even trust herself.

  Trembling increased, the rifle was making rattling noises.

  《"I know it's scary, if I were in your position I wouldn't be able to snipe like this."》

  "...uuuu."

  《"Kusanagi can only fight at close combat. He has to rush in really close. The gun that I made has a lot of factors that lower the accuracy. So what if you miss, the responsibility lies together with me and Kusanagi as well."》

  Because we're comrades. Even though Ikaruga didn't say that, Usagi felt as if she heard that.

  The trembling subsided slightly.

  Furthermore through the radio she heard a desperate voice.

  《""———!! Usagi!"》

  "...Kusanagi."

  Despite being in combat, Takeru contacted her.

  Despite being in the middle of combat, she heard Takeru's rough breath. Usagi looked down for a moment.

  《"...what's happening, Usagi."》

  "Kusanagi.. are you... are you not scared?"

  《"——Ugh! Scared of what?"》

  "That I... that I might hit you by mistake... are you not afraid?"

  If she hits Takeru mistakenly, she imagined that he'll be blown apart. Usagi bites her lip scared.

  But despite her own fear, Takeru,

  《"Nooooooope not scared at all!"》

  Clearly and vigorously said that.

  Tears appeared in her pupils, as a start Usagi looked up.

  《"You will watch over me. You will protect me."》

  "............"

  《"I know just how skilled you are, I also know that you're the one that puts in the most effort. That's why——"》

  "......"

  《"——I can assure you that there's no one else who is more reliable than you."》

  Takeru is dancing on the ground. Grasping a sword, not leaving the enemy's side. Looking dignified, he fought valiantly.

  Why does he leave his life in my hands.

  That's because he believes in Saionji Usagi's sniping skills.

  The wind carried the sounds of the clash far away.

  Usagi changed her position and stood up, she lifted the rifle. The heavy rifle's weight was 10 kilograms or more. But now for Usagi, it was no time to complain about weight, she had to protect the trust she has obtained.

  She connected her belt at her waist with hooks that were made by Ikaruga in advance, the safety line was wrapped around the railing on the roof to prevent her body being blown off.

  She placed the barrel on the railing and pulled the bolt. She aligned her eye with the scope in an unreasonable posture, she matched her reticle against enemy.

  "Distance is 200 meters... Wind speed and wind direction... no, at this distance neither wind speed not temperature matters. Eh...? 200 meters...? What's 200 meters?"

  Immediately she showed surprise, a shocked laugh came out from Usagi's mouth.

  "What is... this... what have I been doing."

  Pathetic, she laughed at herself. Yes, pathetic. Calling 200 meters 'sniping' was impudent.

  Such a thing couldn't be called sniping.

  An inquisition's veteran would make a hole in human brain at this distance.

  "——This is laughable, isn't this really easy."

  At the same time as she made that declaration, she held her breath.

  With strong momentum breaking through space. The bullet hit the abdomen of Hero who tried to stand up.

  The overwhelming shot covered the field of view with white smoke, as the handheld barrel jumped upwards with recoil, the belt supporting her body also threatened with being blown off, and made clattering noise.

  However, it was not blown off.

  ——*kan*!

  Usagi jumped up with sheer willpower and submerged guts, and at t
he same time she reloaded by pulling the bolt. She slammed the barrel onto the handrail thinking.

  "I am no longer a march hare...!"[4B 2]

  One shot after another in rapid succession. Immediately after Takeru's attacks she hit the grazes.

  ——*Kan*!!

  "I am no longer a rabbit chased by wolves...!"

  ——*Kan*!!!

  Usagi's aim does not falter.

  Bouncing back with the recoil of the barrel was no big deal for Saionji Usagi.

  ——*Kan*!!!!

  "I am AntiMagic Academy's 35th Test Platoon's——sniper!"

  She chanted simultaneously as she shot, she was shooting with rapid-fire. Pain and shock attacked her every time she fired, but Usagi's aim didn't shake.

  She simply aimed and sniped.

  At that one thing, Usagi was a genius.

  As long as her heart was calm, the world she saw through the scope was Saionji Usagi's kingdom.

  "Kuhh!"

  After repelling a blow, Takeru's body bent backwards.

  Because of repeated clashes, a critical opening was born.

  The renowned Hero didn't miss it. He instantly approached and reached out to Takeru.

  He slashed with Excalibur upwards once more.

  The distance was zero. Even parrying was impossible now.

  But Takeru was in no hurry, he ambushed the enemy with confidence.

  Because,

  ——*whoosh*

  As if grazing his nose, a bullet crushing everything on its path passed by.

  And it was a perfect, direct hit on the Hero's temple.

  Hero staggered to the side severely, his posture broke.

  "Hahaha, she really is amazing after all!"

  There were several times when he saw Usagi hitting the practice targets, but it was the first time he was able to adore it in actual battle.

  Timing was also perfect. Whether long distance or close combat, comrades supported each other. They perfectly kept it up until now.

  Probably, when it comes to accuracy she was better than Ouka.

  Upon receiving a rain of armour-piercing bullets, Hero's body was violently scraped. Although the armour appeared to be only on the surface, it was fairly thick. But the crack continued to spread from shoulders to waist. It was slowly collapsing.

  If they keep it up they'll defeat him, at the beginning possibility of victory was small, but now it was within arm's reach.

  《"I shall reload! Follow up!"》