Chapter 29: All-Or-Nothing

“I guess this is as far as it goes.”

As I unleashed the ‘Eighth Form: Lightning Flash’, I sensed that the conclusion of the match was near. Indeed, just as the Principal said, she is a child with excellent adaptability. Even in the short duration of this match, she has rapidly become accustomed to handling the machine, and her movements have improved significantly. However, it seems the shallowness of her combat experience in Frame Gears is the one thing that cannot be bridged. I have fought many times against pilots who utilize mobility like that to fight. Therefore, I had countermeasures properly prepared. The ‘Eighth Form: Lightning Flash’ is weak in power, but excellent in rapid-fire capability. It can be used to keep multiple opponents in check or shoot down projectiles. And also against opponents like her who slash in with high mobility. High-mobility Frame Gears generally have low defense. That is because they sacrifice armor to gain speed. As a result of weight reduction to prioritize speed, it inevitably ends up that way. Therefore, high-mobility Frame Gears are weak against area-of-effect attacks and radiation attacks. They have poor compatibility with so-called Sorcerer-type Frame Gears. [Swordia] is not a Sorcerer type, but using ‘Eighth Form: Lightning Flash’ allows for something close to that. If I had the [Floating Swords] ‘Fragarach’, I think I could have decided the match much more easily, though. I removed quite a bit of armament to handicap myself, but perhaps I went a little too far. [Swordia] has also taken decent damage. Not being able to see through the opponent’s true ability means I still have a long way to go. I received support from the pseudo-personality Verdandi during the Cavalry battle, but I declined it for this match too. It seems I was indeed a bit conceited. I must be careful. I can decide the match with ‘Eighth Form: Lightning Flash’ as is, but… something bothers me. I feel like that child still has something like a hidden ace up her sleeve. Like she’s vigilantly waiting for the timing to unleash it… Is it my imagination? Am I being too wary of a first-year who just enrolled? No, that is conceit. I must be ready to respond to whatever comes. However, part of me is a little expectant, wondering ‘what kind of move will she make?’ I couldn’t stop myself from smiling at that sensation I hadn’t felt in a while. The feeling of not being able to predict at all what they will do, similar to when I had a mock battle with the Principal. That pounding excitement in my chest drags me into the battle. I look forward to what she will show me. Please, do not betray my expectations.

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“[Boost]!”

The Null Magic for physical enhancement I released circulated through the Frame Gear via the Ether Liquid, causing an explosive amplification in basic performance. Physical enhancement via magic can also be connected to increasing the output of the Frame Gear.

『Output increase: 150%. The majority of magic power is not circulating and is disappearing wastefully. Machine damage rate is rising acceleratively. Even doing nothing, it will fall apart in one minute; what will you do?』

“One minute is plenty!”

Guh, I sank [Windia]’s knees deep and jumped high just like that. Firing the leg thrusters ba-ba-ba!, I leaped up to an altitude of over a hundred meters. I changed my posture in mid-air with a spin and took aim at [Swordia] on the ground.

“Charge!”

From high altitude, like a falcon aiming for prey, I opened the large rear thrusters fully and dove straight at [Swordia]. In response, [Swordia] on the ground didn’t panic; she dropped her hips and swung her readied sword in a huge flash. Then, a slashing shockwave incomparably larger than the ones before flew toward me.

『That is the Lestia Style Swordsmanship ‘First Form: Wind Blade’.』

“Right here… [Shield]!”

An invisible shield appeared in front of the machine and deflected the incoming shockwave. The Null Magic [Shield] is an invisible shield made of magic. I usually use it more as a foothold for moving in the air than as a shield, but today I used it properly. Deflecting the slash, and having gotten quite close to [Swordia], I opened every vernier fully. Adding a forward roll as if falling forward, I swung a heel drop empowered by centrifugal force down onto her head.

“Bushin Style, ‘Heaven-Fall Heel’!”

It was supposed to be an unavoidable killing blow to the cranium. But because [Swordia] instantly shifted her body, my heel drop landed on her left shoulder. Gagyaaa! With the sound of heavy metals creaking, crushing, and being destroyed, [Swordia]’s left arm was pitifully severed from the shoulder. And simultaneously, my [Windia]’s right leg, which delivered the heel drop, also shattered into smithereens. It was a machine with thin armor to begin with. Using it for a striking technique with that much momentum, this result was only natural. At this point, normally, my loss would be all but confirmed. With the leg destroyed, I cannot move.

“Normally, that is!”

Even while losing balance, I opened the main thrusters on my back fully and charged at [Swordia], who had dodged the heel drop. The target is the cockpit. Putting every ounce of magic and spirit I have, I unleash a fist empowered by the [Battle Spirit Method]. Take everything I’ve got! It’s Kenkon-Itteki! Gokya! With a sound like metal being crushed, I thought for a moment, “Did I do it?!” Indeed, the fist unleashed by my [Windia] had shattered the opponent’s machine. specifically, [Swordia]’s right knee. She pulled her knee up to her chest in that split second? You’re kidding… [Swordia], now one-legged just like me, thrust the tip of the sword held in its single hand down toward my cockpit as if falling forward. With a massive impact, the words ‘YOU LOSE’ floated on my bright red main monitor. I lost, huh… Well, I tore off one arm and one leg from the Rank 1; this is worthy of a Distinguished Service Medal, right? …If I say that, will Master laugh at me again…? Along with the fatigue assaulting my whole body, I let go of my consciousness. Dammit…

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“That was ridiculous-desu…”

Looking at the screen where the match was decided, Rosetta let out an exasperated voice.

“Letting magic do the talking and exploding… it’s a fighting style like a firecracker-desu. The person who becomes her exclusive mechanic will surely be made to cry every time by the battered machine-desu.”

“That might be true.”

Fufu, Quun stifled a laugh, remembering Rosetta and the others who were made to cry every time by a certain someone. Pshhh, with the sound of leaking air, Zelda climbed down from the Frame Unit. Some fatigue was visible on her face, but at the same time, a color of excitement could be seen.

“Good work. How was it?”

“I was surprised. Everything was unexpected… For the first time in a while, I felt fighting was interesting and fun. At this rate, maybe I should have done it with full equipment.”

Quun was inwardly surprised at the unexpected high praise. Even though she had a huge handicap, the Rank 1 technically had her limbs torn off. She thought Zelda might feel a bit frustrated or pathetic. Well, this girl resembles her ancestor, Duchess Hilde, and has a straightforward personality like splitting bamboo. It wouldn’t be strange for her to praise the opponent’s strength rather than dwell on her own immaturity.

“That level of tenacity toward victory, and the bizarre inventiveness born from it. I would like to learn from it.”

“That is… I wonder about that, you know?”

Quun felt that Zelda, who calmly assesses the battle situation and fights with precise actions, and Nero, who moves on reckless ideas and intuitive gut feelings, were polar opposite types. If anything, she wanted that one to learn from Zelda.

“Does this mean winning this year’s ‘Inter-School Match’ won’t be easy?”

“Fuffuffu. Nero-chan is our secret weapon, you see~. You’d do well to remember that.”

“No, if I remember it, it’s not a secret…”

While Keel, Sharon, and Kou were having such a conversation, Quun tilted her head, wondering why Nero wasn’t coming out no matter how much time passed. She thought maybe Nero was crying from the frustration of losing, but reconsidered that given her personality, she wasn’t that type. She should be the type to stomp her feet in frustration if she felt it. Quun found it a little funny imagining Nero doing the same things as her own little sister, but her expression changed when she saw Nero slumped over inside the Frame Unit, which had suddenly returned to transparency. As if sprung, Rosetta rushed over and hurriedly opened the hatch.

“…She is okay-desu. She is just sleeping-desu. It is likely due to fatigue.”

At Rosetta’s voice, everyone present stroked their chests in relief. However, seeing Nero carried out of the Frame Unit in Rosetta’s arms, Quun burst out laughing a little. Similarly, Sharon was also giggling a bit.

“She’s sleeping with a very frustrated face.”

“Maybe she’s still fighting in her dreams~.”

For some reason, Zelda started giving a lap pillow to Nero, who was laid on the long bench in the hangar. She seemed to intend to nurse her, but Nero started groaning even more painfully. As if refusing to be given a lap pillow by the opponent she lost to.

“Seems you took quite a liking to her?”

“Yes, very much.”

Seeing Zelda show a gentle expression, Quun smirked to herself, thinking it was worth introducing them. Zelda tended to build walls between herself and those around her, so Quun had been a little worried. She thought it was good stimulation for both of them. I’ll have to be generous with the part-time pay, Quun thought.