Chapter 57: Three-Team Battle, Overall Assessment

“In this battle, it was obvious that Rizlet and Hatoba would clash first. They were hostile toward each other. In that case, how to reap the fisherman’s profit was our path to victory.”

When we, having lost without understanding why, exited the Unit Room, Sophie-sensei gathered everyone and had Carrol, the leader of the winning team, explain the cause of victory as an overall assessment.

“Normally, you’d think it’s best to leave them alone, defend until one side settles it, and then fight the winning team. No matter which side wins, they would have taken a certain amount of damage, and that alone gives us an advantage. But even then, it doesn’t guarantee a sure win. When comparing the fighting strength of both teams, Hatoba’s team had two Lightning Frames. Knowing what kind of machine Nero’s Lucifer is, I thought that if the rule is ‘destroy the Crown to win’, the probability of Hatoba’s team destroying the Crown and winning was high. Therefore, I decided on a strategy to aim for the timing when Hatoba’s team won against Rizlet’s team, and destroy Hatoba’s team’s Crown without a moment’s delay. As a diversion, I sent Pearl to both teams, left myself as the guard for our own Crown, and sent Lirisha and Sherry’s machines towards Hatoba’s camp.”

“I never thought you all were charging in, though~. Thanks to that, we knew Hatoba’s team had the advantage at that point, and we didn’t need to proceed cautiously, which saved us.”

Sherry spoke up following Carrol. Ah, so you found out everyone went that way from Pearl’s transmission. Then of course you could go carefreely…

“Having found the Crown across the river, we hid there in a sniping stance until we received word.”

“Why? Since there were no guards, you could have just destroyed it immediately.”

When I asked that, having doubts about Lirisha’s words, she let out a small sigh. This girl…

“If we destroyed it before they did, and Hatoba’s team was eliminated, the surviving Rizlet team would begin attacking our territory, wouldn’t they? And Pearl-san on the front lines would be overwhelmingly disadvantaged.”

Ah, I see. So that’s why they didn’t make a move until I destroyed the Crown…

“Even if that happened, we intended to return and launch a pincer attack, though. Well, so at the timing Nero destroyed Rizlet’s team’s Crown, I sniped Hatoba’s team’s Crown. And so, our win.”

I see… I finally understand why we lost. Our cause of defeat was not placing guards on the Crown, huh.

“I wonder about that. Because I added Wind Magic to Sherry-san’s snipe to increase the speed and flight distance. Perhaps only Nero-san’s Asterisk shield could have made it in time to defend against it.”

“Ehh…? What’s with that. How are we supposed to defend against that?”

I made a sour face at Lirisha’s explanation.

“In the actual ‘Inter-School Match Bifrost’, machines acting as ‘Guardians’ will be necessary. It’s the role of protecting the Crown with defensive magic equipment like shields or [Force Guard]. We must decide on that eventually, but for now, are we fine with Carrolina Liette-san, the representative of the winning team, as the Commander?”

As Sophie-sensei spoke as if to wrap things up, I glanced at Hatoba and Rizlet, but both were silent with sullen expressions, not saying anything. Dissatisfied, but they can’t object, I suppose?

“Then we will leave it to Carrolina-san.”

“Yes. I don’t know how far I can go, but I will do my absolute best.”

Modest applause pachi-pachi was sent to Carrol inside the Unit Room.

“Now, I think you have come to understand your team members at least a little through this training. From now on, for the remaining one month until the ‘Inter-School Match Bifrost’, I want you to train earnestly so you can coordinate. I will open the Unit Room every day after school, so I ask that you work hard.”

“By the way. If there is anyone who does not want to participate in the ‘Inter-School Match Bifrost’ at this point, speak up now. We will pull someone up from below as a replacement. Well, I doubt anyone aiming to be a [Trooper] would do something so foolish.”

Flare-sensei interjected with that following Sophie-sensei’s words, but no one declined.

Participating in this ‘Inter-School Match’ also serves as a huge plus point when becoming a [Trooper].

If you perform well in the ‘Inter-School Match’, knight orders from various countries might take notice of you. It’s not impossible that scouts from Brunhild might come either.

“Now then, with the leader decided, I will proceed with the talk, but there are two brackets in the ‘Inter-School Match Bifrost’ that you first-years will participate in. The ‘Grade-Level Match’ and the ‘Comprehensive Match’.”

The ‘Grade-Level Match’ is a match where the twelve first-years of the ‘Academy’ here and the twelve first-years of the ‘School’ fight. In reality, it’s nine-vs-nine excluding reserves.

And the ‘Comprehensive Match’ is a mass battle of sixty-vs-sixty, where all representatives from first to fifth years, including reserves, from both the ‘Academy’ and ‘School’ are mixed together to fight.

“The ‘Grade-Level Match’ has the rule that you win if you destroy the ‘Crown’ like in the match earlier, but the ‘Comprehensive Match’ does not have that. It is a no-holds-barred battle royale, just like a real war. As for the rule, the opposing side wins when more than half of the players become incapacitated. In other words, defeat is decided the moment the thirty-first person is taken out.”

“Be prepared, alright? You win if you defeat thirty-one people regardless of their grade. They will undoubtedly target the weak ones first. Thinking normally, first-years who just enrolled are exactly easy prey.”

Flare-sensei interjected threateningly.

Certainly, first-years unaccustomed to battle are nothing but prey.

“Furthermore, in the ‘Comprehensive Match’, the map is displayed from the beginning, and all Frame Gear equipment is permitted. In other words, being searched and having your position grasped becomes easy, and it is also possible to obstruct that. Countermeasures around here will also become necessary.”

Geh. Our positions will be completely exposed? I think there was equipment to nullify searches, or equipment that releases countless decoys, but things like that will probably be necessary too.

Especially for someone like Sherry, who is a sniper type, having her position known is fatal.

In these situations, upperclassmen with financial power (G) are advantageous…

“Umm, is it unnecessary to train coordination with the upperclassmen?”

Koto raised her hand and asked a question. Yeah, considering the ‘Comprehensive Match’, we want to know about the upperclassmen we’ll be fighting with.

To that, Flare-sensei scratched her head as if a little troubled.

“Hmm, about that… For first-years, there’s not much point. First of all, there’s a high possibility that lowerclassmen unaccustomed to the battlefield will drag them down and crush the good points of the upperclassmen, and unless it’s a very effective coordination, there’s no point in taking away time from individual training to do it. In that case, improving coordination among members within the grade increases the survival rate for both upperclassmen and lowerclassmen. Of course, it’s not that you shouldn’t do it, so it’s fine to approach upperclassmen individually, you know? Though I don’t know if the other party will accept.”

Hmm, it’s frustrating, but I understand what Flare-sensei is trying to say. If I tried to coordinate with Zelda Onee-sama, I would overwhelmingly be dead weight. And to cut into Onee-sama’s precious time and make her accompany me in practice for that not-so-effective coordination… my stomach hurts just thinking about it.

“Usually, the ‘Comprehensive Match’ ends up being a clash between S-Ranks. It’s important for first-years to not do unnecessary things and, above all, survive. If you protect yourself, that will ultimately contribute to the team.”

Flare-sensei concluded like that. No, that might be true, but… Just protect myself and sneakily hide from the opponent? What’s the point of that. Isn’t that boring?

Perhaps my dissatisfaction showed on my face, Flare-sensei smirked and looked at me.

“…Is what self-proclaimed critics often say, but screw that kind of thing. The ‘Inter-School Match’ isn’t just for the guys at the top. It’s a stage for you first-years too. Some idiots spout that the ‘Inter-School Match’ is a battle staking the prestige of the ‘School’ and the ‘Academy’, but it’s nothing like that, this is just a ‘festival’, okay? What’s wrong with making merry at a festival? Go rampage to your heart’s content without holding back. I will take responsibility… ah, no, the Principal will take responsibility!”

The ending was a bit sloppy, but in other words, we can do whatever we want? I’m grateful I don’t have to worry about upperclassmen and overthink things like coordination and strategy.

Hearing that, Sophie-sensei chuckled kusu.

“As expected of Flare-sensei. You certainly did charge straight to the front lines despite being a first-year in the ‘Comprehensive Match’, and loudly picked a fight with the ‘School’s’ rank number one.”

“No, you don’t need to say that…”

At Sophie-sensei’s words, Flare-sensei made an awkward expression. Her way of thinking is similar to a certain someone’s… Are all Dragonewts like this?

“With their rank number one as a first-year?! And then, what happened?!”

Hatoba’s eyes were sparkling, wanting to hear the rest from Sophie-sensei. Well, I’m curious too.

“She ended up in a fistfight with the ‘School’s’ rank number one at the time. Just when we thought Flare-sensei landed a good strike, in the next instant, Flare-sensei’s machine was blown away and scattered to pieces. At the time, we had absolutely no idea what happened. And so Flare-sensei dropped out. The result ended in the ‘School’s’ victory too.”

Oh dear… So she lost. Well, if a newly enrolled first-year challenged their rank number one to a match, I guess that’s what happens.

“At the time, that ‘School’s’ rank number one was a fifth-year. I thought if I missed this chance, I’d never have the opportunity to fight them again. I lost, but it was a good experience.”

“Incidentally, that sparked things, and this person smoothly got married to that ‘School’s’ rank number one.”

“Tch, I told you, you don’t need to say things like that!”

Haaahhh?! What’s with that, what’s with that?!

Yellow squeals of “Kyaa~!” echoed throughout the small auditorium.