The day of the ground battle tournament has arrived.
It's mid-July. With final exams over, all that's left is to wait for summer vacation. The tournament is a cover for our Section 6 entrance exam, but secretly it's just an off-season training exercise. Wait, are the cover and the secret reversed? Oh well, it doesn't really matter. I guess they're both the main event.
There are less than two weeks until the main tournament. For the kids, this seems to be a chance to show the results of their special training.
Yagami-san isn't participating in the matches because she wants to observe everyone. The Wolkenritter are also sitting it out. Even the two from the Yagami Dojo can't make it due to scheduling conflicts.
But, a surprising person is here.
"Oh, Lutecia. You're here."
"Hey, Shō-kun. Long time no see."
After getting ready and heading to the virtual training facility owned by Special Section 6, I find Lutecia there.
She's also participating in the tournament. I think it's a bit too early to arrive two weeks in advance, though.
"I thought I'd get some sightseeing in while I could. You know, once the tournament starts, I won't be able to move around much."
"...I haven't experienced it yet, but is August on this island really that crazy?"
"It is. You'd better be prepared, Shō-kun."
Prepared for a troublesome incident, she means?
"More importantly, how are you? Are you nervous about today's match?"
"Not at all. It's not a fight to the death. Why would I be so nervous about a match where it's okay to lose?"
Normally, I'm more of a sore loser, but when it comes to a fight, it's a different story. I'm going into this with the mindset of focusing on gaining experience, and a win would just be a bonus. Like I keep saying, nobody's going to die.
If I don't get too worked up and just stay relaxed, I should be able to pass the test. Judging by Yagami-san's tone back then, this test is probably mostly a formality.
"Hmph... I don't like that attitude at all. It makes me feel stupid for taking this seriously."
I am taking it seriously. I'm just not doing it with the intent to kill.
"What's wrong? Are you going to offer a prize or something?"
"If it motivates you, maybe a penalty game would be better..."
She really loves this kind of thing. But a little side bet definitely makes things more interesting.
"Let's see... Oh, have you seen the team assignments yet?"
"Yeah, I saw them."
Takamachi-san sent them to me last night.
Team A
Nanoha, Erio, Lutecia, Vivio, Subaru, Rio, Aria, Yami, Chlo, Kirin, Sakura, Akari
Team B
Teana, Fate, Nove, Einharuto, Caro, Corona, Shō, Yukina, Asuna, Kurumi, Riko, Tina
Saber and the others aren't included because they're my Servants. That is, they're my personal fighting force. By the way, my skill as a Master is just enough to allow my female Servants to manifest. It can't be helped since I summoned them as girls.
"We're on different teams, right?"
"That's right. So it's based on which team wins?"
"Bingo!"
With this many people, it's unlikely there will be many one-on-one fights. A one-on-one would be too much in my favor anyway. But I'm not strong enough to take down the entire opposing team by myself. The outcome will depend on the overall strength of the team and the strategy. This girl really thought this through.
But since I've already shown I'm willing to play along, I can't back down now.
"What are we betting?"
"Hmm..."
Lutecia grinned.
"How about the person on the losing team has to tell everyone who their crush is?"
"Wha—"
—Whaaaaaaaaaaaat!
Tell everyone who my crush is? No matter who I say, or how I answer, it's going to cause trouble!
Whoa, whoa, careful. I almost let it show on my face. Anyway, the term "crush" can be interpreted in so many ways. I almost mistakenly thought it meant a romantic crush. Sometimes you have to be cunning.
"Of course, I mean in a romantic sense."
"Ah, I see."
She's sharp.
"You'll accept the bet, right?"
"...Yeah, fine. I just have to win, after all."
I'll take her up on it. This kind of thing adds a good amount of tension.
"Hehe, do you think it'll be that easy? I've got Nanoha-san on my team, you know?"
"Ugh..."
I've heard about her shelling ability. Thinking about her unleashing that kind of firepower, she's probably stronger than a half-baked Servant. The name "Ace of Aces" isn't just for show.
But...
"No problem. I'll take her down."
"Ooh, you said it. I'm looking forward to it."
With the right strategy, we can win with our team members. Even if she's an ace, she's not a goddess. She can't take on everyone at once.
Wait a minute.
"It's one thing for me, but you have to say it too, don't you?"
"Of course."
"You have a crush?"
That was incredibly rude of me to ask.
"Hey now... if I told you here, it wouldn't be a match, would it? But don't worry, I won't try to weasel my way out of it."
And so, a small wager was made.
---------
At the exact same time Shō was making a bet with Lutecia, the girls who had come with him were getting ready in the Section 6 locker room.
If they were just changing, it might have been a lovely scene, but with a rapier, a small sword, and Yukikazura leaning against the lockers and walls, there was a palpable tension in the air.
In terms of clothing, Asuna was wearing not only her bulletproof uniform but also protective gear to guard her vitals, while Riko was laying out so many weapons it made you wonder where she hid them all.
Aria had her prized twin blades and twin guns stored in the scabbard on her back and the holsters on her thighs.
Akari also seemed motivated, changing into special-order shoes made of a material that absorbs sound and impact.
Yami simply changed her outfit, switching from her bulletproof uniform to her familiar battle dress.
Yukina only needed to pick up Yukikazura to be ready.
The ones who didn't need much preparation were Kurumi, Chlo, and Tina. They could handle everything with their abilities. Their outfit changes happened in an instant, as if by transformation.
In the end, Aria and Yami had declined to join the Bureau, and Chlo and Tina couldn't due to age restrictions. So, for them, this was really just for fun.
This meant that Chlo and Tina, who aren't as much into fighting, didn't have much reason to get fired up.
"Ugh, I'm just not motivated... Why are we even doing a mock battle?"
"You're not?"
"I'm not! If there's nothing to gain when it's over, what's the point? It's just tiring! I want a reward. No, a reward should be given to me!"
Chlo flailed her arms and legs like a spoiled child.
"Why don't you ask big brother for something? Like, what's for dinner tonight?"
"Hmm, good point... Maybe I should ask him to take me somewhere as a reward for trying hard...?"
"Oh, I want to go to the pool! August is supposed to be busy, so maybe now is a good time."
Asuna's words made Chlo tilt her head.
"Huh, what are you talking about? It's going to be just big brother and me, of course. No way am I going in a big group. He won't pay attention to me, and besides, this is my reward."
At her words, several of the girls shook their heads in disagreement. What are you even saying, they seemed to be thinking.
"That's, you know?"
"R-Right! If it's just you, Chlo-san, it might just end up tiring out Senpai instead!"
"Yukina, what do you think I am? What do you think I'm going to do?"
No one responded to Chlo's exasperated question. This was now hostile territory for her.
"Besides, I don't agree with the term 'reward' either. Shouldn't I also be given a reward for doing housework all the time?"
"Riko knows a good shop, so I'd love to go together."
"Wait, Kurumi and Riko too! Stop it! You're just getting in each other's way!"
"And why is everyone assuming big brother is going to give us a reward...?"
Tina voiced the obvious question, but her words didn't reach the heated girls.
Although, if Shō were asked to go somewhere, he'd happily do it, and if they asked for a reward, he'd happily give them one.
"Is everyone ready—what are you all doing?"
Sakura, dressed in her Bureau uniform, opened the door and entered. She had sensed the ominous atmosphere filling the locker room.
"Mato-san."
"Tina-chan, what's going on?"
Sakura's expression turned serious at the sight of a battle about to break out before the match. When Tina explained the situation, Sakura sighed.
"Sigh, and to think this is what it was all about... Well then, there's a perfect event for that right in front of us, isn't there? An event to determine who is number one."
The perfect event she was referring to, of course, was this one.
"How about this mock battle? 'The person who is the last one standing' gets the reward prize. Oh, and of course, it has to be the person on the winning team. Otherwise, people might start ambushing their own teammates. Well, then again, that would certainly result in failing the exam, and then you wouldn't be able to work together at the Bureau. So if you want to go for a short-term gain, feel free."
"But why are we assuming we're going to get a reward...?"
Tina started to say, then closed her mouth. She's a sniper. Positionally, if she plays it smart, she has a high chance of being the last one standing.
"What if more than one person is left at the end?"
"In that case, all of them get to go, together."
"Hey, you all, if you do that..."
Aria interjected.
"Then you don't have to participate."
"...I didn't say that. I'm just saying I'm going to win anyway."
Aria rejects Riko's proposal. Her lips were pouting as she looked away.
And so, a small bet was also made among the girls.
---------
Everyone has gathered. Outside, the Section 6 staff members are watching during their break.
There are so many people. If we don't strategize well, it's going to be a free-for-all.
And for some reason, the girls are radiating killing intent. Even on the same team, they're wary of each other, creating a tense atmosphere.
"Everyone's here! Okay, Nove-san, the match producer, you're up!"
"Wha! M-Me?!"
Suddenly nominated by Takamachi-san, Nove-san blushed and fidgeted with her bangs.
"Um, as explained in the email, this is a field match divided into two teams. Life points will be managed by an official life counter. When your life reaches zero, you become incapacitated... If all members of a team reach zero life, that team loses."
The magic in Lyrical Nanoha has a convenient "non-lethal setting." This converts damage from attacks into a magical shock, allowing them to inflict damage without causing injury.
This non-lethal setting is often a source of jokes in this world's stories, implying a lack of resolve or an inability to harm others.
But putting that aside, the life counter is a convenient device that can quantify and count that shock.
It seems that high-end ones can even artificially reproduce the pain and physical injuries (like broken bones and bruises) by reacting to the parts of the body that are hit and the attack itself.
And it seems our attacks this time will also be on the non-lethal setting. I don't know the principle behind it. It's probably an action by a god (the author).
The location is a city map constructed by Lutecia using Layered Construction. Since it's inside a barrier, attacks won't leak outside. Unless something major happens, of course.
With Nove-san's explanation finished, the two teams separated to opposite ends of the map. The map is roughly five kilometers on each side. At this distance, if a line of sight is available, you could be shot at from anywhere. We can't let our guard down from the start.
Everyone is in their combat gear, fully prepared, and waiting for the signal to start. One minute remaining until the match begins.
Our team, Team B, was getting a final briefing from our leader, Teana-san.
"Since there are a lot of us, be careful of ambushes from the side even in one-on-one fights. Some of you might end up in a one-on-two situation, but don't overdo it in that case. Just focus on not getting taken out."
A projection of Yagami-san, who isn't participating this time, appears in the air. For some reason, there's a gong behind her.
"Alright everyone, let's get fired up—the match starts now!!"
With a signal from a gong struck by Galyuu, several paths were laid out across the battlefield.
---------
"Wing Road!!"
"Air Liner!!"
As soon as the match started, Nove and Subaru's magic activated. Blue roads made of magic were laid out all over the battlefield. This is a spell that creates platforms in the air. With this, warriors who can't fly can also fight in the air.
Shō and the others stepped onto the paths all at once.
No need for tricks at the beginning. It's a head-on collision.
"Shō-san, I'm with Vivio-san!!"
"Understood! I'll—!!"
I realized a barrage was coming from in front of me and jumped to the side. The opponent wasn't really aiming. It was just a diversion. We're facing the "Ace of Aces" on the other team. Mid and long-range shelling is her specialty. Even a glancing blow will take away life.
And there's not just one opponent.
"We're your opponents."
Aria, with her pink twin tails swaying in the wind, held up two handguns. The two guns in her hands were different from the ones everyone was used to seeing (since she's always firing them at home).
"Hey, are you two ganging up on me? An S-rank Butei?"
"We know your strength well. Rank means nothing. We won't let our guard down."
"That's right. I'm going to pay you back for what you did before."
The ones who stood in my way were Aria and Yami. Aria stood imposingly on a translucent path set in the air, looking down at me, while Yami flew through the air with the white wings she had sprouted from her back.
"Geez, Shō-kun is so popular even at a time like this."
"Riko...!"
Riko landed lightly behind me with her usual playful demeanor. She pressed her body against mine, causing the ripe fruit pushing up against her bulletproof uniform to bulge softly.
Aria glared at Riko.
"This reminds me of the plane in April."
"The situation is quite different from back then, though."
The Butei Killer incident was a nostalgic one. That was also a case that strayed quite a bit from the original story.
"Sorry, Aria. Riko stole your partner."
"...You've got some nerve, Riko...! Shō! Don't you get all gooey either!"
"I'm not!"
Why is Aria so aggressive today? Or, is this just how she always is?
Aria bared her fangs, her grip on her guns tightening. Riko, as if being pulled by her, put on her 'dark' smile.
"Come and play with me, Holmes."
"I'll make you beg for mercy, Riko!"
Their tension was at its peak.
I took out the Super Space Holy Sword and prepared for battle.
"Then I'll pay you back for the incident back in May."
"You mean my pants?"
"I wasn't thinking about it until you brought it up...!"
The first time Yami and I met was also the first time we fought. Back then, I managed to defeat her by taking her by surprise.
I wonder how it will go this time. At the very least, I don't plan on using 'that method' in front of so many people.
I'm standing near the center of the battlefield. If I look further in, I can see Takamachi-san. And beyond her, my opponent for the bet, Lutecia.
Everyone has scattered onto the battlefield and is starting to face off against their initial opponents.
The ground battle tournament has begun.
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