Chapter 52: The First-Year Representatives for the 'Inter-School Match'

“Now, regarding the ‘Inter-School Match Bifrost’, simply put, it is a nine-vs-nine match. You will launch an all-out attack on the enemy, and the side that annihilates the opponent wins.”

Behind Sophie-sensei as she spoke, a scene of several Frame Gears engaging in a chaotic battle was projected onto the screen.

Where two were crossing swords one-on-one, another machine landed a strike with a war mace from the side, blowing the opponent away. Oh… ruthless.

“As you can see, unlike a [Star Duel], the opponent is not a single person. If you let your guard down, you will be surrounded and taken out in the blink of an eye. How well you coordinate with your allies will be the key to victory.”

Hmm, one-vs-many is tough, as expected. In that case, maybe an annihilation bombardment type like the ‘Grimgerde’ piloted by Duchess Leen of the Nine Duchesses would be more advantageous.

“Earlier I said ‘annihilate them and you win’, but there is another way to win. That is to destroy the ‘Crown’ located in the opponent’s territory.”

A large object resembling a King piece in chess? was projected onto the screen, and a large Frame Gear was destroying it with a giant hammer. Is that the ‘Crown’?

“If you destroy the ‘Crown’ in this manner, even if all nine of the opponent’s machines survive and your side has only one machine left, it is an unquestionable victory.”

I see. A one-shot reversal is also possible. But then wouldn’t it be fine for everyone to just go break that…

“The ‘Crown’ is hidden somewhere in the opponent’s territory, and the map data indicating its location is divided into nine parts, each registered to one of the opponent’s machines. For every machine you defeat, one-ninth of that map is unlocked, allowing you to ascertain the presence or absence of the ‘Crown’.”

Hmm? Does that mean if you’re unlucky, the location of the ‘Crown’ could be revealed the moment your first machine is defeated, and they’ll swarm there?

The tall student who was with Hatoba raised her hand smoothly su.

“Sensei.”

“Yes, what is it, Liseclair-san?”

“Can that ‘Crown’ be placed freely? Also, can we decide who holds the map data indicating its location?”

Yeah, how we fight will differ depending on whether we decide it ourselves or if it’s completely random.

“You can freely decide the placement of the ‘Crown’, but even allies will not know who holds the map data for the Crown’s location.”

Does that mean if the map data happens to land on the strongest ally, the location of the ‘Crown’ won’t be revealed so easily?

If Zelda Onee-sama or someone held this, it would feel a bit despairing… No, assuming Zelda Onee-sama has it, maybe we could manage if we all concentrated our attacks from the start. Glad we’re not third-years.

“Therefore, to prevent the ‘Crown’ from being destroyed, it is standard theory to place several machines as guards.”

If those guards hold the map data, it’s possible the ‘Crown’s’ location won’t be known until the very end, huh. This part is luck…

“By the way, the ‘Crown’ has a special concealment function, and unless you enter within a five-hundred-melt radius, it will not appear on the opponent’s monitor, so searching for it without the map data is not realistic. Because of that, there is also a tactic of intentionally not placing guards to prevent the location from being pinpointed. Well, it is sometimes discovered by chance, but…”

Ah, I see. Placing two or three machines as guards is like saying, “The ‘Crown’ is here.” The position of Frame Gears can be searched from mid-range… No? There was equipment to fool searches, right… Like the stealth coating Sherry used.

Well, there probably aren’t any first-years with Frame Gears that have that applied to the whole body? I heard it’s ridiculously expensive. But I feel like there was also equipment that temporarily jams searches…

“Also, there is a facility called the Home Base in your territory, and if you return here, you can switch with a reserve player. Note that once you switch, you cannot participate in the match thereafter. Incidentally, if a machine had the map data for the ‘Crown’, it will be inherited by the switched machine.”

“Yes,” this time the short black-haired student next to Pearl raised her hand. Is she from Eashen?

“Nakazawa Koto-san, go ahead.”

“Even if a machine is totally destroyed, can they switch if an ally brings them back?”

“Yes, they can. Even if you cannot move yourself, as long as the machine has not ceased functioning, you have the right to switch.”

In other words, even if totally destroyed, up to three machines are allowed to switch. Though if they can’t move on their own, there’s nothing that can be done. I mean, even if you say ‘bring them back’, transporting an immobile machine also has considerable demerits. Depending on the situation, it might be better to switch even at medium damage.

The window blinds and the screen went up, and the small auditorium grew brighter.

“Other than that, the basic rules are generally no different from a [Star Duel]. If a conclusion is not reached after the time limit, the side with more remaining machines wins. If the number is the same, it is a draw. Any questions so far?”

“Yes!” Rizlet raised her hand, her beast ears twitching.

“Who will be the Commander for the ‘Inter-School Match’?”

“We will decide that now, so how about we start with self-introductions from everyone here? In order of ranking, please.”

Following Sophie-sensei’s words, first, Rizlet stood up with a triumphant face.

“Then I shall go first. Grade ranking number one! I am Rizlet Frau Mismede. Second Princess of the Mismede Beast Kingdom, and my boarding machine is the Ritter Frame ‘Balrog’. If I become the Commander, leading the ‘Academy’ to victory will be…”

“Nobody’s listening. Next, go next.”

“I’m still in the middle of it!”

Rizlet was enraged by Hatoba’s heckling, but Pearl, ranking number two, reacted to it and stood up.

“Pearl Frennel. From the Demon Kingdom Xenoah. Machine is a Ritter Frame.”

Giving a concise self-introduction, Pearl immediately sat down. Perfect timing, I’m next. I’ll ride this flow.

I also immediately stood up and began my self-introduction.

“Nero Silhoueska. From the Kingdom of Elfrau. Machine is a Lightning Frame.”

When I finished my self-introduction and sat down, the next to stand up was Hatoba.

“Hatoba Mil Laze. Second Princess of the Laze Martial Kingdom. Boarding machine is a Custom Frame. Nice to meet ya.”

Huh? Hatoba’s machine isn’t a Lightning Frame? I assumed she was the same type as me. No, if it’s a Custom Frame, I suppose she could set it up close to a Lightning Frame.

“Nakazawa Koto. From Eashen. Machine is a Lightning Frame. Nice to meet you.”

Oh, a fellow Lightning. The black-haired girl next to Pearl who was asking questions earlier. So that girl is fifth place.

Since she’s from Eashen, I wonder if she uses a katana? She’s a Lightning Frame, so she seems to be the same type as Chiba-senpai.

“Liseclair. From the Kingdom of Strain. Machine is a Titan Frame. Regards.”

The tall one who was with Hatoba. She has a good build for her age. The way those muscles are attached is close to the physique of an adventurer trained in real combat. Many female adventurers I knew had builds like that. And a Titan Frame, huh. A shield role, maybe?

“Carrolina Liette. Noble from the Regulus Empire. Machine is a Ritter Frame. Nice to meet you.”

Carrol, sitting next to me, stood up and gave a safe self-introduction.

“I am Lumiel. From the Holy Tree Kingdom of Aizen. Boarding machine is a Titan Frame. Nice to meet you.”

A bit surprising. The one who stood up after Carrol was the gentle-looking young lady with chestnut semi-long hair who entered the small auditorium with Rizlet, but to think she’s a Titan Frame. It doesn’t fit her image.

“Lirisha Millian. Noble from the Kingdom of Elfrau. Machine is a Mystic Frame. Nice to meet you.”

Lirisha gives her self-introduction, but even though this is the cutoff for regular members, only one Mystic Frame?

I guess first-years inevitably lack equipment and tend to be mostly Ritter, Titan, and Lightning types…

And from here, the three reserves.

“Ann Shelfus. Noble from the Magic Kingdom of Felsen. Machine is a Mystic Frame. Nice to meet you.”

Oh, the second Mystic Frame. From Felsen, huh. Then she’s probably a mage herself too. A silver-haired twintail young lady. Looks well-bred.

“I’m Pienetta Autumn. From the Holy Kingdom of Arent, and my machine is a Custom Frame. Nice to meetcha~.”

The one who gave a light greeting was the blonde braided girl with glasses who was with Hatoba and Liseclair. Or rather, everyone’s attention is definitely drawn to those two huge things hanging on her chest rather than her greeting, right?! What do you eat at twelve to get like that?! Please teach me!

“I’m the last one. Sheryl Gaspar. Noble from the Regulus Empire. Machine is a Clock Frame. Nice to meet you!”

Finally, Sheryl greeted, and the self-introductions of the twelve, including the reserves, were over. In the end, Sherry is the only Clock Frame, huh.

3 Ritters, 2 Titans, 2 Lightnings, 2 Customs, 2 Mystics, and 1 Clock.

Well, I guess it’s not unbalanced. You could say it’s a well-balanced team composition.

“Now then. With the self-introductions over, as to who will become the Commander…”

“Is there any reason the top of the grade ranking shouldn’t be the Commander?”

Rizlet aggressively questioned Sophie-sensei without trying to hide her dissatisfaction. That’s exactly why…

“There is no rule against it, but high combat ability does not directly translate to high commanding ability. In the past, a student ranked ninth in the grade has served as Commander. Ranking does not matter.”

“Incidentally, that ninth-ranked student is Sophie-sensei right there.”

When Flare-sensei said that amusedly with a kuku, Sophie-sensei glared at her as if saying ‘Don’t say unnecessary things’.

Sophie-sensei and Flare-sensei seem close in age, so did they participate in the ‘Inter-School Match’ at the same time? Maybe classmates?

“First, self-recommendations and recommendations of others are both welcome. Is there anyone who wants to be Commander, or anyone you want to be Commander?”

“Then I shall run as a candidate!”

“Hold it! Then I’ll run as a candidate too!”

Just as I thought it would probably turn out like that, Rizlet and Hatoba raised their hands.

Since both are royalty, they probably think it’s normal to make people follow them.

Or rather… Whichever one is chosen, won’t the one who wasn’t chosen have no intention of following?

Then wouldn’t someone else be better?

While I was thinking that, Lirisha in the seat in front raised her hand. Eh? Is Lirisha running as a candidate too?

“Lirisha Millian-san, are you running as a candidate as well?”

“No, I recommend Carrolina Liette-san as Commander.”

“Eh?! Me?!”

Carrol’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden recommendation. Oho? This has gotten a bit interesting, hasn’t it?