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Attendance Number 11: Gloria Ratt
(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)
**Today’s Diary**
In recent days of classes, I’ve come to understand that for us first-years, physical conditioning is the main focus during afternoon field training. We do a lot of running, push-ups, digging holes for shelter, learning how to build barricades. Basically, learning tasks that seem fit for low-level soldiers on a battlefield.
There have been some exercises involving guns since the first day, but it seems physical conditioning comes first. Given the wide range of ages in our group, the physical training programs are detailed, and I can imagine the instructors have a tough job.
Since I used to run around in the mountains near my village and drag prey back to the village, my physical and muscle strength were praised as above average. Maria, who has been strangely fond of me lately, complains every time. By the way, among Team B, Ratt-kun has the most stamina.
But Ratt-kun’s nickname is “Loser Ratt”.
—
During lunch with the familiar Team B members, Ratt-kun always finished eating first. That day, Maria, who was a shy person and rarely initiates conversation, surprised everyone by actively talking to me. She was carefully folding the paper wrapping the sandwich, saying, “Thank you for the meal!”. While others were amazed, Heinz interrogated Maria, asking if something had happened, but Maria, who didn’t like talking about herself, just smiled vaguely.
The focus shifted towards me, but since there was a risk of being resented by the real culprit, I also vaguely replied, “Just a little”. To change the subject, I turned to Ratt-kun, who caught my eye.
“Ratt-kun, you always finish eating quickly.” (Lux)
“Is that so? Maybe because I have many siblings.” (Ratt)
“I have a younger sister too, but I guess having many siblings makes you eat faster.” (Lux)
“Yeah, that might be it. Relax and enjoy your meal, by the time you take the second bite, all the delicious stuff will be gone.” (Ratt)
I’ve never had food disputes with my sister, so I can’t imagine it at all, but maybe it’s like that?
“Does Lux-kun have a sister?” (Sonia)
Sonia, who was sitting next to me, suddenly asked, and the conversation somehow shifted to talking about my sister.
—
The next day’s practical training was focused on running. Each of us had a set number of laps to complete before we could take a break. Among them, those who ran until the end were the Spearmen (Lancers).
Despite their name suggesting they charge with spears, Lancers were actually quite different. The magical cores we used as bullets came in three sizes. Normally, the magical cores I used were small. The size of a fist would be a medium size core and for the large size, it was large enough to be carried in the arm. Medium and larger cores were packed with energy, causing them to explode upon impact, that would release powerful energy.
The guns that shot such bullets… or rather, cannons that resemble large spears were shot by those called Lancers. As the most powerful portable weapons, Lancers boasted tremendous destructive power, but it wasn’t easy to operate.
Firstly, the weapon was heavy, so physical strength and endurance were essential. They couldn’t be fired in rapid succession and running out of bullets (magic energy) was common. They were not suited for close combat. There were countless drawbacks, but the destructive power of a single shot was still overwhelming. By the way, large magical cores were handled by a type of soldier called Artillery (Gunner), but currently, they were not effectively utilized at the academy, so there were hardly any Gunners here.
In Class 1-C, there were three Lancers, one in each of the ABC teams.
Among them, Ratt-kun was the one who ran all the way to the end. Honestly speaking, he wasn’t very fast, but I admired how he calmly ran while everyone else was lying down at the training ground, panting. With a slightly chubby figure, making a thumping sound with each step, he finished the final lap when the instructor called out, “That’s enough!”.
As Ratt-kun returned, the instructor commended him, saying, ” Your speed is still an issue, but your endurance is the best in your class. Keep up the good work”, Ratt-kun, then, returned to Team B.
Saxon, the leader of Team A, who had been watching with apparent disinterest, muttered loud enough for Ratt-kun to hear, “Even though he’s just a Loser Ratt, he won’t hit anything anyway”. Heinz, about to protest, was calmed down by Ratt-kun himself saying, “It’s okay”. Then he turned towards me and asked, “Lux-kun, I have a small favor to ask later. Could I have a moment of your time?” I replied, “Sure,” and he nodded, wiping off sweat as he said, “Later”.
On our way back to the classroom after training, Heinz grumbled.
“Ratt says that, but Saxon really gets on my nerves.” (Heinz)
So, I asked the question that I had always wanted to ask.
“Why does Saxon always pick on us like that?” (Lux)
The answer Heinz gave me as we returned was this.
“It’s not exactly a grudge, but it goes back to how teams were formed in class. Saxon has decent grades and comes from a well-off family. He aims to graduate with outstanding achievements in inter-team competitions during his studies.
When the teams were formed, those like Saxon who were eager to aim for top grades quickly formed Team A. Following them was Team C, led by Ronan, a relatively calm leader who dislikes the aggressive atmosphere that Saxon brings.
And then there’s our Team B. As you know, Maria is quiet and frankly not fond of fighting. Naturally, laid-back people and those who didn’t fit into Teams A or C ended up here. To put it bluntly, it could be seen as a gathering of losers, though that’s a bit hard to argue against.” (Heinz)
So, I understood why Team B only had 7 members, while Teams A and C each had 10. There were apparently two more classmates who were late enrolling and me, so that would finally balance out the numbers. Heinz’s interpretation was that Saxons wasn’t happy about Team B doing well, as they consider them to be inferior to them.
… Nobles are surely troublesome in various ways.
(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)
—
After school that day, I was at the shooting range with Ratt-kun.
“I’m sorry to ask you to come along.” (Ratt)
Ratt-kun apologized.
“It’s alright, I was free anyway.” (Lux)
I replied.
For some reason, Maria also tagged along. After the observation, she said she would check on the cat’s condition. Ratt-kun’s request was for me to teach him how to aim with a gun.
“Since Lux-kun is a sniper, I thought you could teach me the tips for aiming.” (Ratt)
The dishonorable nickname “Loser Ratt” apparently stemmed from issues with his accuracy. When students first enrolled, the class underwent an ability test, and based on the results, the homeroom teacher structured the curriculum. The Lancer’s test consisted of an endurance test and an accuracy test.
Ratt-kun excelled in the endurance test held earlier, but he became the subject of ridicule during the accuracy test. The accuracy test involved shooting at targets starting from average distances, moving further if hit, and closer if missed, with results based on hits. In Ratt-kun’s case, all shots missed, not even hitting the nearest target.
“I’m not sure if I can give advice, but could you show me once?” (Lux)
After being urged, Ratt-kun raised his lance. Everything seemed normal, and he looked quite composed. The lance didn’t use a trigger, but rather a switch on its handle, which when pressed, shot the bullet. However, in the next moment, as if preparing for the impact of a dummy bullet, Ratt-kun crouched slightly and fired the lance while swinging it from bottom to top. Naturally, the bullet flew off in the wrong direction.
“How was that?” (Ratt)
As if nothing unusual had happened, Ratt-kun turned towards me.
“How was that… huh?” (Maria)
That was when Maria came to my rescue.
“We’ve pointed this out before, but it seems like Ratt-kun doesn’t realize he’s swinging the lance. It’s like his strength unconsciously takes over.” (Maria)
That was certainly…
With my arms crossed, lost in thought, I came up with just one strategy.
“I don’t know if it will work, but do you want to give it a try?” (Lux)
—
Several days later in the morning, Ratt-kun rushed over to the classroom and exclaimed, “I hit it! I hit it! Thank you!” as he shook my hand.
“Really?! That’s great!” (Lux)
Seeing Ratt-kun literally jumping for joy, I couldn’t help but feel happy too.
What I proposed was a method of “shoulder-mounted shooting”. Back when I used to hunt, in situations where there was no room for error, like aiming for prey on cliffs in the mountains, I occasionally used this method.
You place the rifle on your shoulder, press it against a wall behind you, stabilize it with one hand, and shoot. It’s quite an acrobatic shot that I only used in desperate situations.
However, it seemed like Ratt-kun was exerting too much force with his dominant arm while shooting, so I thought a more cramped posture might actually help him hit the target. Placing it firmly on his shoulder would stabilize his posture as well. At first, he seemed hesitant and struggled with the shot, but he felt some progress within himself and said, “I’ll practice a bit”, yesterday. And so, he gradually improved, becoming proficient enough to hit the target about every other shot.
Classmates watched in amazement at Ratt-kun making such a commotion.
Since that day, no one has called Ratt-kun “Loser Ratt” anymore.
—
Author’s Note: Ratt’s first way of firing was like moving a shovel, and the way he fired from his shoulder was like firing a bazooka.
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