Chapter 8: Babylon Machinist Girls’ Academy - Entrance Ceremony
A new morning has come.
It’s the morning of the entrance ceremony.
Under the subtly judgmental gaze of the blond elf, I finished my ‘Ra-di-o Ex-er-ci-ses’ and slipped into the ‘Girls’ Academy’ uniform that had been prepared for me. It’s a white blouse with a navy blue vest. Everyone wears the same top, but you can choose between a ribbon or a tie. For the bottom, the choice is between culottes or a skirt. I went with the tie and culottes combo. The blond elf seems to have chosen a tie and skirt. It’s frustrating to admit, but it suits her well. The color of the ties and ribbons differs by grade: first-years are red, second-years are blue, third-years are orange, fourth-years are green, and fifth-years are purple. The athletic uniforms are color-coded the same way. Tightening the red tie makes me feel braced and ready. The lapel pin on the collar of the jacket is Genbu. That must be the mark of my dorm. …The uniform feels slightly big on me, but well, I’ll grow into it eventually, so no problem. Yeah… Having changed (the blond elf was already gone, by the way), I put my smartphone and wallet in my pocket and headed to the first-floor lobby. First-years are supposed to gather there first. The lobby was jam-packed with new first-years. Nine countries in total, five students each, making 45 students in all. Not everyone might be here, but a number close to that had gathered. No wonder it’s noisy.
“Ah, good morning, Nero.”
“Nero, morning~”
“Good morning, you two.”
Carrol and Sherry greeted me. It’s kind of strange that I’ve already gotten to know two people from Regulus before even meeting my classmates from my own country, aside from that blond elf. Carrol wore a tie and culottes, same as me, while Sherry went with a ribbon and skirt. Looking around the lobby again, aside from the blond elf, I saw students of other races here and there—elves, beastkin, demons. There’s also one exceptionally tall student. Judging by the horns on her head and her tail, she must be a Dragonewt. First time I’ve seen one. …Muu. Just like the day before yesterday, I can keenly feel the stares from around me.
“She’s tiny…”
“Why is there a child here…?”
I can hear whispers like that. Sorry for being tiny! You guys are kids too! As I stood there pouting, Sherry started patting my head. Cut it out!
“Don’t mind them, don’t mind them. You’re cute, Nero.”
“You wanna fight?”
Just as I brushed Sherry’s hand away and was about to complain, Liora-san, the dorm matron, appeared.
“Alright, good morning, new first-years of Genbu Dormitory. We will now head to the entrance ceremony venue, so please follow me and try not to get separated.”
Led by Liora-san, we departed from the dorm in a group. We walked down the path from the dorm and soon entered the ‘Academy’ grounds. Well, the dorm is technically on ‘Academy’ grounds too. On the way, we saw a very large sports field and workshop facilities. There was a square, tofu-like building which, judging by the conversation around me, is apparently a versatile workshop where you can make Armed Gears and their equipment. They even have something like that. It seems to be called the ‘Small Workshop.’ I wonder why ‘Small’? Is there a ‘Large’ one? We entered the school building, walked down a long hallway, and eventually entered a large auditorium. I guess the entrance ceremony will be held here.
“Okay, please go in and sit in the rows on the front right.”
Most of the auditorium was already filled with students. As expected for an entrance ceremony, the first-years are seated in the front. I was made to sit in the very front row. …Is it because I’m small? While I sat there feeling a bit disgruntled, Sherry and Carrol, who ended up sitting on either side of me, started whispering to each other over my head.
“Look, that’s Belfast’s [Swan], Sofie Swordwreck. She defeated three Holy Knights of the Holy Kingdom of Allent by herself in the ‘Mecha Great War: Ragnarok’ five years ago. So the rumor that she became an instructor at the ‘Academy’ was true…”
“She’s super famous…! I wonder if I can get her autograph…!”
Sofie Swordwreck… I’ve only heard the name. She’s called the [Swan] because she wields twin swords as if dancing in her white unit. The people lined up on the wings of the stage are probably the teaching staff. Since Liora-san and Flora-san are there too, it looks like ‘Academy’ staff are included. Huh? Why is Quun-senpai among them? Is she giving a speech as the representative of the current students or something…? But she’s not wearing a uniform…
“We will now begin the Babylon Machinist Girls’ Academy Entrance Ceremony. First, we would like to invite the Principal to say a few words.”
When the MC’s voice rang out from the speakers, the buzzing auditorium fell silent in an instant.
“Principal, if you please.”
“Eh!?”
Giving a small nod, the person who stepped up to the podium was Quun-senpai, who had let me ride the Armed Gear. Eh!? Wait, wait!? Quun-senpai is the Principal!? W-What does this mean!? She only looks three or four years older than me… Ah! Fairies are a long-lived race, right!? Does that mean her actual age is much higher? Like forty or fifty!?
“Congratulations on your enrollment, new students. I am Quun Brunhild, the Principal of this academy. As a member of the royal family, I am delighted that such excellent students have gathered in Brunhild again this year.”
“Huuuuhhhhh!?!? Mugu-!?”
Carrol and Sherry, panicked by my loud shout, simultaneously clamped their hands over my mouth. Quun-senpai… or rather, the Principal looked our way, gave a small giggle, and continued her welcome speech. Royal family!? Brunhild’s!? She was that important of a person!?
“Wait, seriously, how does Nero not know even that…? Principal Quun is the daughter of the first Sovereign Duke and the founder of this ‘Academy,’ you know?”
The daughter of the first Duke!? Eh, does that mean that person is over three hundred years old!? So the selfish royal who founded the ‘Academy’ was Principal Quun… I haven’t done anything rude, have I…?
“──…I sincerely hope that your academy life will be wonderful.”
When Principal Quun bowed, applause erupted in the auditorium. Crap, I didn’t listen to most of what she said… Replacing the Principal, a female staff member around thirty years old stepped forward. Ah, it’s the MC from earlier.
“Our school provides practical classes primarily designed to support you in acquiring the qualifications to become a ‘Trooper,’ teaching not only academics but also the necessary knowledge, skills, and mindset. You are students of the same institution, but at the same time, you will be rivals who polish one another. Today, you will witness a battle at the pinnacle of that rivalry.”
Suddenly, an image was projected in front of the stage and us. Mirage Vision… A technology said to be unique to Brunhild that projects images into the air. On the projected screen, two Frame Gears were facing off against a backdrop of rocky mountains. One was a stout yellow and black unit equipped with a long sword and shield. The other was an orange unit holding long swords in both hands. No, it has two more sword-like objects on its back. Spare weapons?
“Let me introduce them. First, the ‘Academy’ Rank 4! Piloted by the [Hundred Thunder] Rimiera Limitecus, the Magic Warfare Heavy Armor Type Frame Gear, ‘Indra’!”
When the MC announced this, the yellow and black unit raised its sword high. At that moment, the auditorium erupted in cheers. What is this, isn’t everyone getting way too hyped!? The ones making the most noise are the upperclassmen, but about half of the new students are getting excited too. The two sitting on either side of me stood up in excitement. Is it really that big of a deal!?
“And Rank 1! Piloted by the [Sword Empress] Zeldigard Minas Lestia, the Melee Combat Light Armor Type Frame Gear, ‘Astraea’!”
When the orange unit raised a sword in one hand, cheers even louder than before echoed through the auditorium. Rank 1…! That’s the upperclassman who made it into the top nine ranks and participated in the ‘Mecha Great War: Ragnarok’ when she was just a first-year. And now, holding off the fourth and fifth-years, she’s the student at the top of this ‘Academy’ as a third-year. Zeldigard Minas Lestia. The third princess of The Knight kingdom of Lestia. What an outrageous princess…
“The match continues until one side is unable to fight. A Break Match with no resupply, repairs, or equipment changes! Now then! [Awaken]!”
With the MC’s words, lights lit up in the ‘eyes’ (camera eyes) of both Frame Gears. Similar light ran through the transparent crystal armor all over their bodies, indicating that the units had transitioned into combat-ready status.
“[Duel Start]!”
Simultaneously with the start signal, the two Frame Gears charged at each other and clashed swords head-on. Two strikes, three strikes, they exchanged blows. The orange unit—Astraea—has swords in both hands. At a glance, it seems advantageous, but the yellow and black Indra deftly deflected them using the sword and shield in its right hand without difficulty. Indra’s sword tip pointed at Astraea. The next moment, lightning flew from the sword tip, and Astraea jumped back, dodging it by a hair’s breadth.
“That was…!”
“That’s Indra’s Gear Spell, [Heavenly Thunder].”
“Gear Spell…”
I recall that refers to magic usable by Frame Gears. It’s said that the pilot’s own magic is amplified through the Ether Liquid flowing like blood within the Frame Gear and released… Not just anyone can do it; it apparently requires the pilot’s own aptitude and rigorous training. The upperclassman riding Indra uses it effortlessly. That in itself is amazing, but the opponent who dodges those lightning strikes left and right as if she can see them coming is also amazing. We couldn’t take our eyes off the two Frame Gears enacting a deathmatch on the other side of the screen.
