Oran Knight is out (1/3 chapters for today)
Third Round (2): Each Person’s Intentions
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The battle with Saras-senpai’s team began.
I ran down the stairs alone, separating from everyone who was intercepting the opponent from the fortified base on the rooftop. In my hands was a semi-custom sniper rifle made by Mobil Company. It was Bianca’s spare rifle.
Yesterday, Bianca lent it to me when I was about to borrow a random spare rifle from the armory. When I asked if it was okay, Bianca gave me a reply.
“That’s the spare rifle you used last time, Lux, so it’s not a problem. I haven’t even used it much myself. Besides, it’s better to use a gun you’ve used at least once before, right?” (Bianca)
I was very grateful for her words, so I decided to borrow it. Normally, it was rare for Snipers to borrow and lend their guns, so this was something I was really grateful for. As Bianca mentioned, I had used this gun during our previous practice, so I had a reasonable understanding of its performance.
When I reached the first floor, I paused to check my surroundings.
Looking toward the opposite building, Sonia signaled with her hand as if to say “No enemies spotted yet”. I replied with a “Thank you” hand signal. Then, I darted out onto the main street before slipping into a nearby alley. I could have stayed with Sonia and waited downstairs from the start. However, considering the opponent, anything could happen. To be safe, I went up to the rooftop first, even if it was troublesome. After all, there was always the possibility of Saras-senpai suddenly engaging in a rooftop shootout.
I ran through the alley and checked the streets running north, central, and south along the east-west axis. Finally, I watched from the shadows of the southernmost street. There were no enemies advancing along this street. This meant they were likely coming from the northern street.
Deciding what to do, I boldly stepped out onto the southern street and fired a smoke round into the sky from the middle of the road. The bullet rose into the sky, spewing white smoke as it went. Although this was not the intended use for the smoke round, I doubted the opponent would ignore it entirely.
If Saras-senpai came, that would be best. If not, I’d deal with the soldiers who came to investigate while continuing to search for Saras-senpai.
—
“White smoke has risen! It looks like Lux has started.” (Ratt-kun)
Ratt-kun, who was scouting the southern street, reported this. Hearing those words, Heinz and Maria exchanged glances and nodded.
They were surprised when Lux suggested a mid-range shootout with Salas-senpai, but they thought Lux probably has a chance of winning. They were fully aware that this wasn’t his usual fighting style. Even so, they trusted the ability of this boy, Fort Lux, more than anything.
Even if Saras-senpai ignored the smoke round, other students would surely investigate. If that happened, Lux would take them down. Certainly, surely. If Lux could hold down the opponent’s main force, the battle would be decided here in this location. If they could weaken the enemy here, they could launch a counteroffensive. After much deliberation, they concluded this was their only path to victory.
Reflecting on this, Heinz let out a chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” (Maria)
“I was just thinking how strange it is that we’re using our heads this much to win before the finals.” (Heinz)
When Heinz first enrolled, he never imagined things would turn out this way.
Heinz joined this team for a simple reason. Searching for the Duke Lengrad’s journal was easier in a team that lacked motivation.
In reality, this team was a collection of misfits, A timid Knight (Ritter), a poor aiming Spearman (Lancer), a struggling Scout, a Heavy Trooper (Armor) who wanted to play it safe, an Engineer (Tech) with little stamina, and Heinz himself. It was remarkable they had gathered such a hopeless group.
Heinz had heard that capable students from his homeland (Remnos) would join as guards. However, adding one or two skilled members wouldn’t change much. At least, that was what he thought until Lux arrived.
When Heinz first met Lux in the dormitory cafeteria, he thought Lux seemed absent-minded. He seemed like someone suited for an unmotivated team. Before Fol-sensei could even suggest it, Heinz encouraged Lux to join. For Heinz, having more unskilled members was welcome. It saved time on team practice, which he could use to search for the Duke Lengrad’s hidden chamber.
To that end, Heinz had cozied up to Maria, the Knight (Ritter), and secured a position as the strategist for the commander. And yet…
The first thing to change after Lux joined was Maria. Her timid demeanor began to fade, and she started to show her true self. Other members were influenced by Lux as well to varying degrees. The turning point was the first semester interclass competition. The victory against the upperclassmen in that match seemed to alter Catrap’s destiny. Everyone gained a bit of confidence, just a little, but it was enough to grow stronger. Lux even uncovered Heinz’s true identity.
He was a strange one. Normally so absent-minded, yet suddenly sharp. It felt like being sniped from an unseen location.
“They’re here, on the main street!” (Hana)
Hana’s words brought Heinz back to reality.
Looking down from the edge of the roof, Heinz saw several enemies emerging from the northern alley.
“Ratt-kun!” (Heinz)
Before Heinz could call, Ratt-kun was already at his side.
The opponents were still searching for their base. Based on their previous match in the urban stage, they had realized that the enemy base could be somewhat narrowed down by the referee’s blank shot.
“Well, let’s start.” (Heinz)
Ratt-kun shouldered his spear-like gun and took aim. The signal to start the skirmish at this location would be fired by Ratt-kun’s shot.
“All right, I’m counting on you.” (Heinz)
Hearing Heinz’s words, Ratt-kun assumed his unique posture and fired the first round toward the street.
—
1-C Classroom.
“It’s started…” (Saxon)
Saxon muttered while listening to the broadcast of the Catrap versus Eagle match.
“You lent Lux your gun, Bianca?” (Roy)
Roy asked. Bianca silently nodded in response.
“Bianca, your brother is on the opposing team, right? Which side do you think will win?” (Will)
Will asked casually.
Bianca turned to face Will and responded with a cool smirk, raising only one corner of her lips.
“Well… probably…” (Bianca)
The battle was racing toward its climax.
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