Chapter 3: Brilliant Blue Flash.
Even though the match had yet to begin..... I am already drenched in my own sweat. It was not because the silver IS which I don is hot but....
I think I had bitten more than what I can chew.
Cecilia Alcott is a Valkyrie, part of IS Respond force assigned to Japan....
That probably explained why she has her own personal IS, as to why she is in ISA... Well, she needs to maintain her skill as well as getting academic qualification needed for an Officer rank.
To make things worse, I just received the Nishiki this morning, there was absolutely no time to practice using it.
And not to mention....
I did not expect a large crowd watching the match watching how I screw up.
“Will you be alright?” Houki asked with a concerned look on her face. Houki had been a great help during the preparation period, helping me to brush up my rusty sword technique.
“Don’t worry.” I gave assuring smile but I think it turn out a little...crooked... because Houki still looked as worry as ever.
I closed my eyes to calm myself down.
‘Do your very best in everything you do.’
Sister’s word echo in my head.
“Orimura Fuyuki, Nishiki Custom, taking off.”
I fired up the thruster and flew towards to exit.
Toward the vast blue sky.....
====
“Oohh.... Nasty. Even though Nishiki has yet to start, it already received damage. I guess jumping straight into IS battle for a beginner is still too much.”
The MC announced.
I slowly stood up and gave a thumb up to everybody signalling them that I am alright. How the heck does this thing fly anyway?
Just in case you are wondering what happened: After exiting the hangar, I fall from the platform. Flying an IS is much harder than I imagined.
A window popped up with Cecilia face on it. Obviously she did not look very please
“You are mocking me, Aren’t you?”
She asked in a cold and chilly voice.
I looked at her high up on the sky. She is wearing a blue IS with six wings, giving it an seraphim look.
“Just a minor setback on my part...” I sheepishly admitted.
“But...I will not lose...not to people like you.” I added using my most determined and serious voice. “I will use this power to protect everybody!” I declared as draw the IS katana.
“You protecting everybody? Don’t make me laugh!” Cecila launched four Blue Rain drones on her wings.
[Blue Rain]
I now know why the unit was called Blue Rain....
The Drones were hell to deal with. Other than the ability to fire a beam, they are capable fire beams in different direction like a shotgun... from the outside perceptive of the battle. It must have looked like it is raining blue beams of doom.
I have been spending quite some time trying to dodge their attack. I tried to take one of them down but.... the moment I tried, other Units will target and fire at me, forcing me to dodge hence losing the opportunity to take out one unit.
As long as they are active, I could not get anywhere near Cecilia.
However, I noticed something interesting: While Cecilia is controlling the drones, She does not fire her Rifle.
Nothing ventured, nothing gain.
No pain, no gain.
Time to try out that technique.
I sheathed the sword or rather I cause the Sword to dematerialize by putting it back into the bracket on the side of the skirt armor.
I took up the drawing sword stance.
The Warning windows were screaming at me as the Drone locked on to me.
It would be over soon.
With the image of every thurster in the IS being fired.
I charged toward Cecilia...
===
*Cecilia’s POV*
I was in shocked when Orimura suddenly flew towards me from the ground. I tried to activate the beam bayonet on my rifle but he was too fast.
Ignition Boost!
I have underestimated him! I did not expect the Amateur to know such an advanced technique.
I crossed my arms, bracing for impact but... nothing.
I open my eyes.
No damages to shield energy? What has happened?
I turned around and find the Sliver IS floating above me.... with its IS katana glimmering.
I smirked upon realization of what had happened.
An Amateur is still an amateur after all.
I wasted no time and fired missiles on him.
==
*Fuyuki POV*
.....I missed.
Actually I didn’t miss but....I forgot to take into account the delay in calling a weapon once it has dematerialized.
I turned around and charged towards Cecilia again but it was too late, she fired four missiles at me. I tried to evade the missile but they have homing function, evading them is not a good solution.
Luck for me, there is a drone nearby which was not firing at me. Apparently, Cecilia did not issue any order to it yet.
Taking advantage of the inactive Drone, I grabbed the Drone. Cecilia noticed and commanded other drone fired at me but I cut down their beam with my IS sword before flinging the drone in my hand towards one of the missile.
*KABOOM*
The Missile exploded releasing thick smoke. Because I was too close to the explosion, I took a little damage to my shield energy but lucky for me, the explosion took out another missile, leaving two of them behind.
I can’t let the smoke obscure my vision, I still have two homing missiles locked on to me! I quickly flew out of it and with thanks to the visibility, I could continue to run away from the other two missiles.
I tried to repeat the same tactic but find no Drone in sight because Cecilia had recalled all the drone units.
Based on the previous explosion and the distance between the two missiles.....
A CHANCE!
My hand instinctively tried to grab on to something by my side, only to remember that there is something missing. No wanting to waste the window of opportunity, I threw the IS katana at one of them.
The Missiles threat were no more but I lost my only weapon.
=
*Cecilia’s POV*
While Orimura is struggling with the homing missile, I am preparing for my final attack.
I closed my eyes. My hands were trembling.
“Calm yourself Cecilia, you can do it.”
The warning alarm forced me to open my eyes. Orimura has taken one of my drone. I quickly command other Drones to attack but he stopped all the attack and destroyed two of the missiles using the Kidnapped Drone.
All is still going according to plan...in spite of losing one of my drones.
“How about this then...” I recalled all drone units. I need them for my grand finale after all.
Just wait for it...
Wait for it...
Orimura destroyed the missiles, while he is still in the cloud of smoke, I set all Blue Rain drone into close-combat mode and sent them towards Orimura...then I activated the beam bayonet and charged.
=
*Fuyuki POV*
Just like what I did previous, I flew out of the smoke. It was a good move because Cecilia sent her drones at me again. I used the left shoulder shield to block the attacks but I was shock.
The drones were using beam blade instead of firing beam at me....
The Beam blades are not strong enough to penetrate/damage the energy shield at all... but they are struck on to my armor like...
Trackers.
No wonder the missile release so much smoke. They are not normal missile but smokescreen!!
Sure enough, a blue flash zipped through the smoke and towards me. I used the right shoulder shield, braced for impact. Cecilia hit the shoulder shield with the beam bayonet on her rifle but much to my horror. That beam bayonet is not just a normal beam weapon...
SHIELD PERIECE!!!
I screamed in my head as the force of the impact sent me plunging into the ground....My shield energy plunging towards zero... but most importantly.....
How did I manage to do it?!
How the hell did I manage to get the IS in the air?
Few second before I crash, I caught a glimpse of something familiar among the spectators...It looked like....that metal Rabbit ear.....
But before I could use the Hyper Sensor to zoom in, I crashed into the ground, causing a small carter.
Thanks to the PIC, I was unharmed from the crash landing.
Now without my IS, I quickly stood up. But without IS’s enhancement, human vision is too limited to spot that metal bunny ear from my current position.
‘Probably my imagination...’
==
“So! It has been decided! Miss Alcott shall be our new class rep!” The Teacher announced.
“Congratulation...” I extended my hand toward her. Cecila hesitated for a moment. With everybody watching her, she extended her hand to hold mine.
Her hand was cold and trembling.
With one firm shake, she quickly retracted her hand and take a few step away from me.
“Minami-Sensei, I can’t do this alone. I still have my obligation as Valkyrie to fulfil so I require an assistant to assist me in performing my duty as the class rep.”
“I see...So who do you select as your assistance.”
“This ‘Gentleman’ over here.” Cecilia held her palm towards me.
“I am pleased that you choose me to be your assistant...I will not disappoint you.”
I walked towards Cecilia, holding Cecilia’s hand to her hand. Just as expected, she quickly pulled her hand away violently and took a few steps away.
“D-don’t worry, I-I don’t have much expectation from you anyway.” Her voice is trembling.
==
It had been a long and crazy day. I lay on my bed completely wasted.
That familiar ring tone rang. I wearily picked up the phone.
“Hihi! This is the Great Genius Idol Tabane!”
The annoying voice made me jumped up to my feet.
“That match provided some interesting data..... I guess I was wrong to assumed that you use the same sword style as your sister.... As my apology.....I got a present for you.... Please go outside.”
That great Genius hung up as soon as she finished.
‘What is it this time?’
I wondered. I went toward the door and open it. I was just about to leave when I tripped over something....
A metal carrot.
‘What with the obsession with Bunny?’
I thought as I touched the carrot. The carrot opened up and revealed... an over-sized scabbard. I knew it. This Tabane was present during the match.
.....
........
’ WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THIS!!!’
I shouted in my head.
===
Cecilia tilted her head as she dry her long hair with a towel.
‘May be not all guys are bad afterall...’
She quickly shook her head as if to shake the thought away.
‘NO! They are a bunch of sexist ego-maniac jerk!’
Cecilia reminded herself.
‘But.... ‘
“I will use this power to protect everybody!” She recalled what Orimura said.
“... I just can’t hate him after all...”