Oran Knight is out (2/3 chapters for today)
Practice Match! (1)
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**Today’s Diary**
Today is finally the day of the practice match. However, our main objective is to find out how to lose.
The practice match takes place in the practical training area within the academy. Despite being on the academy grounds, it’s as large as a small village.
By the way, I haven’t seen much of everyone’s fighting style. I was stationed in a different location. As for what I was doing…
—
During the practice match, there were no spectators other than the instructors. This was because the other teams were in class. Each team was called in turn during their class period. In contrast, the competition would be accompanied by live commentary.
What this meant was that the situation was communicated through loudspeakers stones set up in several watchtowers in the practical training area, and this could be heard in each classroom. The loudspeakers stone were the latest technology developed in the academy’s research facilities, and they were also being tested for combat deployment. They were quite efficient. Additionally, the classes scheduled on the day of a practice match were purely theoretical. After all, participants couldn’t be exhausted before the match.
Team A, led by Saxon, was called in first thing in the morning.
Oh, by the way, it seemed Team A had adopted the name ‘Earl Crush’.
Roy-kun’s team, which was Team C, was called ‘Blue Shell’.
Earl Crush had an aggressive lineup, while Blue Shell consisted mostly of defensive classmates, so it seemed to fit well. During a break between lectures, I asked Roy-kun, who sat behind me.
“Do you think Saxon’s team will win?” (Lux)
Although Roy-kun and I were from different teams, we had built a good relationship due to our close seating and compatible personalities. Even though Saxon was harsh toward Catrap, he seemed to respect Roy-kun and consulted him about practice and strategies.
Considering that, Roy answered calmly.
“Well, it’s hard to say. The opponents are second-year students. I think Saxon will do his best, but it might be difficult.” (Roy)
“I see. I hope they do well.” (Lux)
“…Lux, you often get mixed up with Saxon, but are you not bothered by it?” (Lux)
Our Catrap team often picked up into conflicts overall, but recently, Saxon’s antagonism towards me had increased. It seemed he was not happy that we achieved the top score in the field cooking training, and that it was me who contributed to that score.
“Well, his words are harsh, but it’s not harassment. He’s just frustrated, so it’s fine.” (Lux)
“Hmm. Lux, you’re quite mature.” (Roy)
I felt a bit shy when praised like that by Roy-kun, who, among my peers, seems the most mature except for the older students like Rick-san.
“Do you think so?” (Lux)
While we were having this conversation, the members of Earl Crush returned. Saxon was clearly in a bad mood, so the results were probably not favorable.
“Team B, Catrap. Prepare and gather in the practical training area.” (??)
We responded with “Yes!” and began preparing.
—
When we gathered at the designated place, there were two instructors in front of us. There were no opponents present.
“Well then, we’ll start the practice match now. Unlike the actual competitive matches, you will be given a handicap. This is ‘it.'” (??)
The instructor pointed to the ground. As the Catrap members looked curiously at the ground, the instructor explained.
The academy had large streets extending from the center towards the north, south, east, and west. In competitive matches, each team waited at one of the streets either the one running north or the one running west which would be determined by a lottery. When the signal was given, teams entered the practical area and begin by securing a base. In other words, securing a base was first come, first served.
“Ideal base securing is crucial to the outcome. Consider your team’s specialty and secure a good location.” (??)
In competitive matches, the outcome was determined solely by the survival of the Knight (Ritter). Even if everyone else was unharmed, if the knight (Ritter) was defeated, the team loses. Securing a base that was easy to defend for the Knight (Ritter) was a common strategy. Preferred locations were elevated positions or places where the back was well-protected. In this practice match, the handicap was that first-year teams would secure their bases before the second-year teams arrive.
“Other rules are the same. The ammunition used is the special rubber bullets that will also be used in the competitive matches.” (??)
These rubber bullets burst upon impact, releasing paint. If hit anywhere on the body, one must declare themselves out and left the field. At the end of the match, a check would be conducted to ensure no paint was on the body. Any team member caught hiding hits would lead to immediate disqualification for the team, with the lowest evaluation given due to collective responsibility.
Moreover, during the competitive matches, many instructors would be watching closely, so attempting to hide hits to delay the game would also result in similar consequences. However, if an instructor considered it a mere oversight like a hit to the heel while running, there would be no punishment if the student leaves the field at the instructor’s instruction.
There were no detailed rules beyond these three principles.
‘If the Knight (Ritter) is hit, the team loses.’
‘If paint is on the body, declare yourself out.’
‘Do not leave the designated area.’
“Alright, then, move out to secure your bases! We will start combat in 30 minutes!” (??)
With the instructor’s declaration, we dashed into the practical training area. One instructor accompanied us. Since no personnel were assigned to the observation towers, several instructors were present within the practical area to monitor our movements.
“What should we do? Should we go for a high position, like on a hill?” (Heinz)
Heinz asked, to which I replied.
“I’d prefer somewhere in the forest. It’s easier for me to move around.” (Lux)
Heinz seemed convinced, and we started searching for a suitable location in the forest. The reason Heinz was convinced was because I wasn’t participating in the battle today. Instead, I would focus on reconnaissance, separate from Sonia, who would act as the Scout.
Following the method taught in Rita-san’s class, Sonia would serve as a decoy, while I would conduct the primary reconnaissance. Sonia would deliberately make herself conspicuous as a scout, allowing me to uncover the movements of the enemy team, especially the status of their Knight (Ritter). By the time we secured an appropriate base and got ready, the time had arrived. Although it was our first actual battle as Team Catrap, even if it was just a practice match, it was a unique exercise in how well we could manage to lose.
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