Chapter 322

“Just do as usual.”

“P-p-p-p…!”

Ulrike held her neck with a face that looked like she was about to faint. I grabbed her shoulder and nodded.

“Right, Luise. Just do as usual.”

“It hasn’t even been a week since we took this on…! What do you mean as usual! No! What is this all of a sudden! Why verify our method?!”

I realize again that she is just as loud as Elias. Watching a high school student twisting her whole body and dying next to me… although I sympathized, I couldn’t help but feel my energy draining away. Before my soul escaped further, I smiled and lightly held her cheeks.

“Luise.”

Only then did Ulrike shut her mouth.

“Even if you make a mistake, we’ll handle everything, so calm down first and let’s go in.”

“…….”

Ulrike, blinking her eyes, nodded slowly.

“Okay.”

Ding―!

[Favorability +1]

‘Now…?’

Thanks…. Though there’s no mission to raise favorability. Still, seeing this pop up, she must have stabilized. I quickly let go of her hands and changed the topic slightly.

“Still, it’s a relief that the 98th class A team seniors go first, right?”

“That’s true. I’m a bit worried they might shoot guns abruptly again this time… but at least it’s Mimesis.”

They probably will shoot. That’s the secret to time reduction.

I led Ulrike and other friends to sit on the training ground chairs that looked similar to a stadium. Elias, whose teeth were chattering—not from cold or fear, but judging by his expression, his blood seemed to be boiling with competitive spirit—cast a sound-proofing Spell as soon as I sat down and said.

“It depends on how we do today. Right? It’s flustered because it’s sudden.”

“Yeah. Everyone probably has a rough guess on what method the 98th class A team uses.”

So the most important thing here is proving our ability.

Regarding murder, not only the 98th class A team but the entire government is an accomplice. This was something I thought from the beginning too. It is safe to say that there is no Mage among these who has an antipathy towards killing Berserkers. Because they view Berserkers as monsters harming the safety of subjects rather than as humans. Saying murder is bad in this situation is meaningless. There is no one sitting here who doesn’t know that mur’der’ is bad.

Shall I think about the history of the world I lived in? Just a little past this era, arguments that the birth of ‘wrong’ people must be prevented became rampant in the US and Germany. Massive sterilization surgeries on criminals and the mentally deficient were carried out. Only then can people born as their children avoid lifelong unhappiness, and the spread of impure genes in the nation can be prevented—this was the logic of eugenics in the early 20th century. There is no need to say more about how much strength this logic gained from confirmation-biased research. Crucially, the people who participated in this decision-making process were not a group of psychopaths excited by murder. It’s not surprising. Don’t we know that Eichmann was a good person to his neighbors?

The reason they don’t see Berserkers as people is not much different from our history. Since the standard of human is set, Berserkers have already become beings below human standards. I am dealing with the 98th class A team and Albert Mecklenburg on the surface, but in reality, I have to deal with their entire ethical view. That is why I must make the entire Special Operations Command my side.

“Can we stay here too?”

The 98th class C team leader came to the side of the 98th class A team preparing for the game in the distance and said. Mecklenburg glanced at him and replied lightly.

“Do as you please.”

“Must be nice, having the best performance?”

“…….”

At the C team leader’s playful question, Mecklenburg answered with a smile and led his team members down to the training ground.

[3, 2, 1. Starting.]

The Mimesis announcement sound wasn’t much different from the school’s. It was natural since professors made it. A forest and field were seen in the view appearing like a round screen in front of eyes. Elias sitting next to me whispered.

“Oh. It’s the countryside. This is exactly Leo’s field.”

I nodded.

The six Mages didn’t group in twos but were in different places in a hexagonal shape. The Grade 3 Berserker, who had been running from the start, ran down the hill almost flying while screaming without giving time to prepare. It was a speed faster than when Mages usually run with Magic Power in their legs. The six Mages of the 98th class A team also ran following him, trying to maintain formation. Two Mages right next to the Berserker spun their Wands and changed them into Staffs.

‘Those two take the first strike and at the same time… act as pivots.’

That side holds the center, and two each in front and back still holding Wands prepare for irregular moves. Erich Reichenau was behind the Berserker and Mecklenburg was in front. Since these two are the most outstanding people in this team, the dispersion was understandable.

I analyzed their movements and replied to Elias’s whisper.

“For that 98th class, this kind of plain field is actually a minus.”

Only with obstacles does the Berserker slow down, and an opening to surround the Berserker is created.

Therefore, since they fell into this disadvantageous field, the direction of the 98th class’s action actually became clear. They will create obstacles on the spot.

Mecklenburg’s unique ability, as far as I know, is the ability to manipulate the movement of water. It’s better to understand it as telekinesis that only works on water. Due to the risk of Vitriol diffusion, it’s an ability not compatible with Berserker disposal. And Erich Reichenau—the 98th class vice-leader—has a unique ability similar to Mecklenburg, but slightly different in that this side can freeze liquids.

Bang―!!

Erich Reichenau stomped on the ground. From there, the floor seemed to harden, and soon even the Vitriol the Berserker spilled on the floor froze. The reason their secondary damage is small must be partly thanks to this. If absorbed into the soil, they have to call a Divine Power Mage or dig up at least 10cm depth of soil and discard it, but if frozen like this, they just have to detach the Vitriol and discard it.

‘Why don’t they freeze the Berserker too.’

I thought so, but the answer was simple. He cannot catch up with the speed the Berserker runs, and cannot properly guess the direction either. Going a bit further, he is not skilled in wide-area magic. Even if he freezes it, the moment the Berserker’s foot touches the ground was too short. Seeing what he does, it seems he has never properly deployed his ability without using the ground as a medium. He could consider freezing the water inside the body, but tha talso seems impossible.

‘…It is true that such unique abilities are difficult to use on moving bodies unless skilled. More than that… surprisingly, they move focusing on defense rather than attack.’

Since that guy took charge and made us do push-ups every time, inwardly an image was formed that he would act out the most in the field too, but he focuses on defense instead. Of course… it was the same that the other five didn’t attack aggressively either. Everyone sitting here would know the reason.

Recalling the names and reputations I investigated, I asked.

“Who is Nina Mackensen? Do you know?”

“That orange-blond over there whose hat flew away… probably?”

Elias answered roughly. A lanky New Human who alone had no hat swung a Staff. A barrier wall appeared along the direction the Berserker ran. Nina Mackensen pulled the Staff back sharply and….

Immediately, the barrier tilted and covered the Berserker. The Vitriol was so strong that the barrier’s Magic Power melted down like water immediately, but no one panicked. Others’ barriers overlapped on top of it several times. Perhaps the concentrated offensive of six was a bit burdensome, the Berserker changed strategy. His thick leg stomped the floor. At that moment, what we heard was an artificial explosion.

Bang―!

A team member other than Albert Mecklenburg shot all six cartridge rounds at the Berserker’s leg. This time, a scream was heard from the fourth shot.

Mecklenburg snapped his fingers. In the blink of an eye, Mecklenburg, who was about 200m away, was standing stepping on the Berserker. Although it wasn’t clearly visible because the Vitriol made the vicinity entirely black, Mecklenburg reinforced his Body Veil, kicked the Berserker lying on the side screaming to face the sky, and when I blinked again, his Staff had already struck the heart.

Beep―

“…3 minutes 17 seconds.”

Ulrike’s dazed voice was heard. Following that, the announcement sound also said 3 minutes 17 seconds.

I see the 98th class A team members lightly clapping their hands. While silence close to stillness continued in the 98th class B team and 101st class seats, exclamations close to vague praise implying it was acknowledgeable burst out from all teams of the 91st class. Since there was a big difference in class years, they didn’t seem to regard them particularly as competitors. Though not everyone would be so relaxed.

‘…Right, fast.’

It has to be fast. Since they utilized tools.

Except for dawdling for 10 minutes when trying to demonstrate to us, they would have handled most cases quickly like this. First, as I felt when holding the revolver in my hand, that cartridge is an artifact. If it were a regular bullet, it would have melted and disappeared in Vitriol immediately. They must have compressed a tremendous amount of Magic Power into a cartridge the length of a finger joint, and therefore, it became possible not only to hinder the flow of Magic Power circulating in the Berserker’s body but also to burst the flesh. Its power is no different from shooting a metal lump cartridge into Old Human flesh.

‘Hmm….’

There must be a part where this point can be utilized somehow…. Thinking that, I looked at the 98th class A team returning to the stadium.

As expected, the 91st class A to C teams didn’t seem to have much objection. I focused on their conversation.

“…Certainly, they use firearms exceptionally actively. But I don’t think that speed will come out just because everyone uses firearms… though.”

“We’ll know once we try. It was a formation trained centering on firearms entirely; maybe the reason we couldn’t utilize firearms properly was because we used firearms as an auxiliary means to magic.”

“Right, it’s the simplest to copy. Push with quantity, suppress, and break the core.”

“They said the 101st class didn’t receive firearms. Being D-Class doesn’t mean their skills are actually bad, but those kids lack actual combat experience, and even if that vice-leader friend plans strategies a bit….”

From then on, a sound-proofing Spell was cast.

Shall I predict what words will follow? I’ll predict ‘Wouldn’t it be enough just to see the 98th class?’ as the most likely. Perhaps my friends’ thoughts weren’t particularly different, their expressions were gradually hardening. As always, only Tsheringen and Narce wore ambiguous smiles whose intentions were unknown. Elias, who was glaring only forward, rested his chin on his hand and said.

“This is serious.”

From the start, they created this place to see the 98th class A team’s method. The thought of seeing even the 101st class’s method was in an ambiguous position from the beginning. Since the 98th class A team didn’t deviate much from what they expected, there was no reason for the 91st class to react particularly negatively.

“Shoulders feel too heavy….”

Ulrike tilted her head and slowly stood up from her seat. Even if it felt that way since the situation wasn’t very friendly, right now we had no choice but to clash.

Although I came down thinking so grimly, of course, my friends didn’t go according to my will.

“Of all places! Of all places, the city center! We never finished quickly in the city center other than the countryside!”

Elias shouted waving both hands. Fortunately, the broadcast hadn’t started yet, so it wouldn’t be transmitted outside the Mimesis. Even while Leo pressed his shoulder with force, Elias pointed around and shouted.

“And it’s a main road! People! Evacuation! Carriages!”

“Okay, I get it….”

Although he’s solving everything with words, I can feel well what he wants to say. The 98th class received a quiet countryside field and finished without needing to protect private houses, but we can’t because it’s not like that, so it’s unreasonable. It’s fine. Anyway, most people evacuated as soon as the report came in. Instead, we have to be careful not to break the building windows.

‘First, I should consider it fortunate that it’s outdoors at least.’

Because we don’t have to let one of our friends’ unique abilities rot. Elias is just saying this due to dissatisfaction, but he isn’t a friend who gets flustered easily.

“Guys.”

I said scanning the field.

“We don’t have to do unconditionally like the 98th class A team seniors. We don’t need to aim for under 3 minutes. It’s natural that the time taken into consideration varies depending on the field.”

“So.”

“Don’t dwell on time.”

“Is this horse or fart…. We were called here second because we used a little more time.”

“…….”

At least I saw Ulrike, who was standing behind rubbing her hands together, holding back laughter at Elias’s playful remark. Right, if the tension was relieved in this way…. I scoffed, pretended to flick Elias’s forehead, and put a finger to my lips meaning to be quiet. Friends who became serious immediately gathered around me.

“Leo.”

I said looking at Leo standing on the opposite side. It meant to entrust the command authority. Handing over command authority to the vice-leader in front of everyone watching could be a matter of hurt pride, but Leo nodded. After receiving permission, I spoke to my friends immediately.

“There will be a problem if we advertise our method as usual.”

“Right. The reason we could reduce the time far below average so far wasn’t because there was a special element but thanks to our efficient teamwork.”

Tsheringen grasped my intention and answered. I smiled and agreed.

“Right. So let’s not forget this. We are here right now to teach the seniors. The method that looks most intuitive and efficient will be adopted here.”

“…….”

“Currently, we don’t have a point that everyone can easily follow. On the other hand, the 98th class A team seniors possess the simplest and easiest tool called firearms. Now it’s obvious who will be adopted.”

Heike had an expression of no particular thought with her eyes half-open as usual, and other friends also just hardened the muscles around their mouths without showing much reaction. Ulrike became serious alone according to her personality. However, even if not expressed, everyone probably recognizes our problem like Ulrike.

Having raised the problem, it was time to present the answer immediately. I made eye contact with all my friends and spoke calmly.

“So, from now on, we will benchmark the 98th class A team.”

***

[3, 2, 1. Starting.]

Beep―

Albert Mecklenburg sat in his seat and looked at the stadium.

He could now end the tiresome arguing with the 101st class. There was no one here who didn’t know that the future where everyone would train in the 98th class A team’s way was not far off.

However, since it wasn’t over until it was over, he was willing to watch the 101st class’s movement.

The Mimesis was currently illuminating a city center somewhere in the Empire. Looking everywhere, houses and shops are lined up. Two, two, two, one. The Berserker, seeming unable to think where to go because there were rather many things, looked around wildly. The 101st class torn in four directions centering on the Berserker still wandering around is visible.

Which side among these will move first?

Mecklenburg’s gaze turned to Narce Farnese. As if that was a signal, the friend from the Papal State struck his Staff down. At the sight that followed, Mecklenburg had to hold back laughter.

Divine Power that seemed blinding covered the entire city center illuminated by the Mimesis. Following that, Askanian’s red Magic Power wrapped the sky. Now the Vitriol cannot go out of Askanian’s dome. The reason the secondary damage amount at the scene handled by the 101st class is small probably lies with these two juniors.

“Everyone must have practiced light adaptation a bit. And that side… is definitely Askanian. Right?”

The C team leader sitting next to him stared at Mecklenburg and tilted his head. Mecklenburg nodded instead of answering. The size and height of the dome were extraordinary. Maintaining that throughout the time while carrying out attacks separately, that is impossible with ordinary skill or ordinary Magic Power amount. If it’s a person around Adrian Askanian’s level… maybe.

As the Divine Power touched, the Berserker screamed and started running along the main road. At the same time, I saw the city center being dyed green. Plants covered the windows and doors of buildings entirely. Askanian opened his mouth immediately.

[Who can count the clouds by wisdom, or who can tilt the water jars of heaven, when the dust hardens into a mass and the clods stick together!]

Bang―

At Askanian’s special Magic Formula, the floor undulates and moves. No, the Vitriol piled on the floor clumped into a human shape and rushed at the Berserker. Something like animal screams constantly scratched the eardrums. In the meantime, two Junkers ran toward the Berserker with swords from the opposite side.

“Resembles Adrian. How is it, is the personality similar too?”

“…….”

“You’re not on good terms with that junior, right? If not, let me do something about it.”

This was the biggest problem of the Imperial Mages’ Association. Because most people in the same class are friends who have been together since the Third Academy, there were times when they spoke rudely. Mecklenburg ignored the C team leader’s voice and analyzed their movement.

‘The intention must be to disperse the Berserker’s attention.’

Clumsy. Since this way only provokes the Berserker’s anger, if it were Adrian Askanian, he wouldn’t have made such a choice. Are they dawdling like this because there is a way to prevent secondary damage? Rather, if Narce Farnese used a Magic Formula utilizing Divine Power, they could finish it quickly, so what is the reason for not using it….

‘I understand well the reason for not relying on Divine Power.’

Because that is the 101st class’s unique ability. Leonard Wittelsbach’s plant manipulation ability is also a unique ability, but there are Mages who can use unique abilities well in other teams too. While it is true that Leonard Wittelsbach’s ability is amazing, general unique abilities are considered inter-team differences that can be sufficiently considered, whereas Divine Power is not. They probably thought it would be difficult to appeal the 101st class’s method if they used Divine Power when looking for a disposal method for all Mage teams to benchmark.

But it’s hopeless. Already, the 101st class has no universal and effective method to appeal to the 91st class.

Bang―

[Graaaaaack! Aaaaack!]

‘Already 2 minutes have passed while doing this.’

Mecklenburg tapped the chair armrest with his finger. It seems they failed to come out even close to 5 minutes already; what do they intend to do? Mecklenburg fixed his gaze on Askanian.

Askanian, acting leisurely for some reason, counted the number of floors with his fingers and created a veil in the air. Askanian, who quickly stepped on it and jumped onto the roof of the building, knelt on one knee and took off his hat. He adjusted the Magic Power with the tip of his Wand, then smiled. A bell-shaped Magic Power lump one and a half finger joints long was created at the tip of his Wand. Red light Magic Power constantly sparked around like fire. Such sparking Magic Power is a form possible when rolling Magic Power most dynamically, but outwardly, the lump he made was static above all else. Mecklenburg narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at the lump Askanian made.

“…….”

Wait. It didn’t take long to recall what shape that Magic Power resembled. Askanian, who had been quiet all along, opened his mouth in a low voice.

[Elias.]

Even though he called ‘Elias’, the Mages waiting divided into three branches of the road drove the Berserker in one direction as if they were Berserker drivers. Hohenzollern stepped up onto the roof just like Askanian and jumped across it.

‘Ha.’

What’s important right now is not Hohenzollern’s movement or anything. He intends to mimic a revolver cartridge by gathering Magic Power right now? Sure, good attempt. Whether an individual can imitate the artifact cartridge issued by the government, and even if it goes through a Wand, the optimal medium for magic, it’s doubtful whether that aggregate can inflict damage as much as when going through a revolver, but even if it succeeds, it’s laughable. Having actively opposed the use of firearms until now….

Rumble― Bang―!!

To commit the same act now?

“…!”

Mecklenburg frowned at the roar heard for the first time since the start. The team Mages sitting around also pulled their heads back and crumpled their expressions. Along with the roar, the screen turned entirely white. Following the sound of the Berserker inhaling breath roughly, the scream stopped, and the screen hasn’t returned yet. Then the sound of someone striking down with a Staff was heard. Only then was the Berserker’s pain-filled cry heard again.

[…Aaaaaack! Cough….]

Beep―

[3 minutes 31 seconds elapsed.]

“…….”

Mecklenburg looked at the screen expressionlessly.

The time elapsed is still less for us. However, everyone knew that these few seconds were not important.

“You rolled them with firearms, and now you’re marked by that Askanian too.”

The C team leader’s laughter-mixed voice was heard. Even if the screen turned white at the decisive moment, having been active this long, we couldn’t be unaware of the progress process. The C team leader knew what Askanian and the 101st class did, and it was the same for Mecklenburg.

The sound of 91st class Mages talking is heard.

“He installed a veil and smashed it right in front of the eyes. Correct?”

“Looks like it.”

Using Elias Hohenzollern’s vast Magic Power amount to install a veil, and immediately after it was installed, Askanian probably inflicted concentrated damage in a short time using that Magic Power shown to us earlier. Intense light and noise, attack striking the body as the veil made of mighty Magic Power shatters, vibration scattering senses all over. Since several sensory organs would have been destroyed depending on the Berserker, one must attack as many senses as possible in a single blow. He used the fact that the revolver bullet I use is essentially an aggregate of Magic Power, but decisively, he didn’t use it on the Berserker’s body. Because if shot directly into the Berserker’s body, it works in a similar way to a bullet and has the possibility of leaving permanent injury other than Magic Power on the Berserker.

However, the current conversation of the 91st class is not the core at all. They guessed wrong.

Askanian presented the easiest method to disturb the five senses of a high-risk Berserker around Grade 3 at once. This point is fundamentally important to the 91st class now, and regarding the agenda of ‘unification of Berserker disposal method’. Although the 101st class didn’t use firearms, they subdued the Berserker in a short time similarly to using firearms in a way anyone can follow.

It wouldn’t have been difficult for anyone to calculate up to here. In short…. Mecklenburg stared only forward and said in a low voice.

“Simple.”

And the decisive problem was that the situation now required becoming simple somehow.

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