Chapter 36
Book 3
We arrived early morning of the island's local time.
That's weird... we left Floating City at noon... then we went past the International Date Line.... Nope, I can't wrap my head around it.
"It's my first time experiencing this phenomenon as well. I did not realize how confusing it is to feel the difference between time zones when you move over a long distance so quickly...."
"It really is... Anyhow, we gotta reset our clocks for now."
The island we disembarked on is about as large as Japan's Ishigaki island.
It mainly houses buildings for an international research facility that often invites a huge amount of people to test their research, which is one of the goal for this boot camp.
"Well then, I have to go and attend the staff meeting. Let us meet up at the lodging later."
"Okay. See you later."
We saw Ixia-san off and went to our assigned hotel.
They all looked tired likely from jet-lag... But we probably have to bear it in until nighttime... Gotta reset our inner clock if we want to attend the` boot camp right.
Each school is given a whole floor of a lodging building. Jen-sensei is briefing us in a lounge area in the main building right now.
"Well done enduring the long trip guys. It's six in the morning here and there will be a gathering at five in the evening. The boot camp will start for real the day after tomorrow to give your body time to adapt."
That's a relief honestly. Starting tomorrow would be tough. It's my first time crossing over the IDL.
"The three main training menus in this boot camp will be the combat training held inside a cutting edge Environment Reproduction field, a rally held at the outdoor practice field and the sparring matches against top league battlers. You may not engage in a personal fight unless it is a formal match."
Environment Reproduction? What's that. And top class battlers huh... Wonder what they're like.
When I asked her for detail, she said, 'It can make your body heavier and stuff like that.' Sensei you should've gathered more info on that kind of things.
It's that maybe? The thing that came up in a certain tale about gathering seven balls... A facility that can alter gravity.
While I was lost in thought, Kaname raised his hand...
"Jen-sensei. Is it true that the pro battler, 'Rouhi Kiryuu' is attending the boot camp this time?"
All the students here including Ichinose-san broke into a rustle when that name came out of his mouth.
Who that. I'm not surprised about all the things I don't know about this world anymore.
"You sure know your stuff. Yes, that's true. But you'd better not have the bright idea of getting him be your personal instructor. Just think yourself lucky if you got the chance to engage in a few matches with the guy."
"Yup, I'd be satisfied if I could catch a glimpse."
Kaname looks excited. Afterward, we introduced ourselves to one another.
Sure enough, Class S students looked obviously displeased when us, Class SS got our turns.
"Why am I dead last again."
"It just happens, I tell you. That's enough getting to know each other. You have free time until evening. Be sure you don't sleep too long or else you'd have a hard time tomorrow."
I immediately went and secured Kaname.
"Hey so, is that Rouhi guy famous?"
"Huh, you don't know him Yuuki? He's said to be the world's strongest battler in modern time. A Chinese-American who doesn't belong to any team, instead specializing in individual games. He uses a different weapon in every match yet a master of every one of them. He's apt to be called the strongest player."
"Hee! So you're telling me we could see him fight here."
"Yea, I look forward to it as well. Once in the past, he paid a visit to our family dojo. The assistant instructor at the time, my elder brother could barely hold a candle to him. Fumu... I wonder how far could I hold out against him now."
Ichinose-san seemed so excited she even joined our conversation midway. That sounds fun.
Now that we're all briefed up, I'm making my way to the west building that houses staff member lodging and facility including the infirmary where Ixia-san is in charge of. Ichinose-san and Kaname are following me for some reason.
"I feel like I would doze off if I am left to my own device. Do you mind?"
"Same here. Sit down and I bet I'd wander into dreamland."
"Hahaha... Can't say I'm not super sleepy myself. West should be... over there."
I immediately relied on a modern gadget for directions. I mean they got a bar code for the map app printed on the brochure you know. Man, this facility's huge.
At the reception hall of the west building, they're already cleaning up the reception hall. According to a staff member, the briefing was over already and each school body had left for their assigned facility.
"Ah, this mark is our infirmary. wonder if Ixia-san's in there."
"I see, it's close by the training field. No wonder the infirmaries are all here."
I'm seeing plenty of students from other schools walking around.
I guess they'd rather do some activities than lose to the sleepiness.
As we were about to reach the infirmary around the corner, Ixia-san's voice could be heard.
"Don't you understand a word I said? It's one thing if you are injured from training but I shall not administer medicine for that reason. Please consult to the nurse in charge of your school."
"Eeh, what's the big deal? Our nurse's a grandma y'know. Which school are you from onee-san? Won't you make me some dodgy drug? A strong sleeping drug, that kinda stuff, y'know?"
"I refuse. Please don't act spoiled just because you're a child. Leave."
"Hnn... Nope. Let's get all chummy. Why don't you sing me a lullaby in my room."
Whoa whoa, which host club didja haul your ass from.
Guy's got the typical tanned skin and bleached blond hair as he's occupying the space in front of Ixia-san's infirmary.
We're told not to engage in a personal fight outside matches, but I dunno about this one. Will I get arrested if I off this guy, I wonder.
"...Good grief, calm yourself now. I shall handle this."
"Yup, please. Yuuki-kun, cool your jet, okay."
"OKOK Kaname. Hey, quit tickling my armpits."
Ichinose-san walks up to the playboy.
"Excuse me, could you refrain from making a scene in our infirmary. The nurse is troubled. Perhaps I should deem this as an attempt to obstruct Schwein School? I see that you're... a student of GraSchool Asia Branch. I will get in touch with the instructor in charge."
"Oh, you're a cutie! You tellin' me you're a Scwhein student? Wanna have a chat in this infirmary?"
"I will not. The exit is over there."
"...Fine fine, I'm leaving. 'Scuuse me ladies..."
Kaname went in as he left, followed by me. We closed the door behind us and contacted that guy's school.
Someone yelled outside then someone else came by and took the guy away.
"Thank you for your aid. I was unsure how to treat students who won't listen."
"Ixia-san, I think you can just knock those types out and throw them outside."
"Sasahara-kun, no that won't do. Let's see, there is no telling what would someone like that do when you're alone with them. You should go to a public place and consult with someone."
Personally, I'd go for the balls and make him undergo sex change.
Aah, hope I could get a chance to spar with him and slaughter him in a convenient spell formula breakdown accident."
"...Your inner voice is leaking, Yuuki-kun."
"Oops."
"Sasahara-kun... I get where you're coming from, but please try not to cause trouble, okay?"
"Fumu. Yuuki, are you in a bad mood because you're feeling drowsy? How about we have tea together to improve that. Would you two care to join as well?"
"Ah, I'd be glad to."
"Yes, I would like to. Sasahara-kun, you should compose yourself."
Oh I am calm and composed. I just wanna beat him half to death when I bump into the guy later.
Someone knocked on the infirmary door while we were relaxing and enjoying a not-afternoon tea time.
We opened the door to find a male student from Class S with a swelled up face.
"This is... It's from a blunt force trauma. I believe this was done by another individual. Am I wrong?"
"...No you're not."
"Oy oy, we're not allowed to get into personal fight y'know... What happened."
"You guys are Class SS... What did you all do? A student from another school came to mess with us out of nowhere. Just cause we're Scwhein School. Dammit... Which school is that guy from."
"For reference, was it a tanned blond guy that gives off a bad vibe?"
"That's the guy. Do you know him?"
We talked about what happened earlier and apologized because we might have been the cause.
"...You guys are not to blame. That guy was messing with a girl from our class. I tried to stop him and got a beating instead... I can't believe there's someone out there who'd so easily resort to violence."
"Well, I agree on that. We'll report this to Jen-sensei."
Looks like we're gonna have a bigger problem than an infighting between Scwhein students.
We went to talk with Jen-sensei and found out about something disturbing. The schoolgirl that guy messed with is going back to Japan tonight... What did he do.
"And, he got off scot-free?"
For some reason, Jen-sensei is talking to me about this privately.
"...Yea. The victim student won't say a word about it... Hey, Sasahara, if you ever get a chance to have a mock battle with that guy... Make sure you don't deal damage that outstrips the Spell Formula capacity and incapacitate him, okay?"
"Hn, got it. That's a hint."
"No, I'm giving you a warning. Even if it was an accident, my duty would oblige me to fault you. I might get a bit angry. Don't do it, you hear me."
"Oh yeah, I know I get it. Boy... there sure are all kinds of students."
"That school's all about merit. Practical test reulst is everything while theoretical and interview results take a backseat. That kind of humans will naturally find their way in."
Putting aside the reason why she went out of her way to bring that up in my private room, I'll go ahead and keep her warning in mind. Jen-sensei... She's in a foul mood.
"Sasahara. You've got... some sort of connection with Chairwoman, don't you?"
"No?"
"That's why she often summoned you."
"You're prying now, Sensei. I get how you feel, but this discussion is over."
"Aa, my bad... Dammit, I wanna kill that brat for real. She's a student under my care in this boot camp... If only I'd stayed with her..."
She took the word out of my mouth, I couldn't bring myself to join the gathering.
I had dinner together with Ixia-san in the hotel's restaurant.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
Day two. We're given another free time today. Yesterday I couldn't sleep until nighttime due to what happened and managed to reschedule my waking cycle.
We're allowed to engage in outdoor training for students like me so here I am outside.
As expected of Hawaii, the sky is blue, the sun is dazzling and the greenery around the outdoor training field feels so refreshing.
"Seems like you're doing just fine, Ichinose-san"
"Yes, I have quickly adapted to the time difference. As for Kaname-kun..."
"Kaname is still in dreamland in his room. Looks like he couldn't get a wink of sleep."
"Hm, I see. But... you appear to be in high spirit today, Sasahara-kun."
"Hn, well yeah. That piece of shit is here too, would be nice if I could get a match in."
Yep. That piece of shit had already made his move on the girls in the training field.
Another student tried to stop him and fought him in a match but he got badly beaten instead.
"He's strong. Is that an Otherside Move?"
"It is. The man has talent and competency yet look at the way he acts. How deplorable."
"Maybe he's a son of some bigshot? Isn't it weird how they didn't even give him a warning?"
"Hn, I suppose. In that case, I'll go set up bait. Sasahara-kun, the rest is in your hands."
"Got it."
If I were to interpret Jen-sensei's word last night, she wanted me to get rid of that guy.
Damage gets converted to stamina consumption, huh. Then I'm just gonna knock him out before he could give up. Then I'll keep attacking like I'm none the wiser.
That piece of shit readily bit on Ichinose-san's bait it seems.
They talked a bit before coming this way.
Once they got here--
"Hee, this twerp is your classmate? You're gonna fight me if I beat him up, yeah?"
"Yeah. You know about me, do you not? I cannot accept a duel so readily. This will serve as a test."
"Nice. Your dojo wouldn't let me in, see. I'mma gonna get back at them by doing their daughter in. You gotta have a lil' talk with me at the hotel tonight if I win, no escape."
"Eh, what? That's the reason for my fight?"
"Yeah. It works, does it not?"
I was imagining I'd butt in when he's harassing Ichinose-san and get into a fight! Then again, I can't imagine Ichinose-san taking a harassment lying down. She's too gallant for that.
"Get over here, twerp."
"Cool it, primate. I'mma crush your balls to smithereens you ain't ever getting cocky again. Don't even think ya gonna get outta this with all yer limbs intact. Say yer' goodbye to social media presence cuz your sorry weeping faces are gonna get plastered all over the net, ain't no more walking around in peace. Yer gonna lose so bad your parent gonna give you up."
"Wha!?"
"Sasahara-kun!?"
The return of flaming player. It's been so long since I spewed foul words, it's refreshing.
I moved into the field and readied my weapon device before he could cut me down in that spot.
This blond primate lunged at me before the start signal was even given.
His weapon is a hammer-type device. Judging from his match earlier, he could swing that around as fast as a one-handed sword. I bet he's the same type as me, a Physical Boost specialist.
He's yelling out stuff while rushing here, but this is not a match.
"It's an execution."
I unleashed 'Gale Gash' right away, sapping away his stamina, prompting him to fall down.
I cut him up to stop his falling and did another 'Gale Gash' in the air.
Using more of that move would be a waste of mana, so I shot countless Wind Blades in the air and added seven quickdraw slashes as he fell his way back to the ground. That was when the sound of something breaking resounded around me.
"Dash!"
I acted like I didn't notice that as I unleashed a dash slash. The sensation in my hand felt different as I returned my katana into its sheath.
"Stop! What happened here! The field's spell formula is broken!"
"Carry the student! There doesn't seem... to be any injury but his mana might have been damaged."
Gotta be the lifeguards. Several grown ups came to check on the guy before quickly carrying him away on a stretcher.
But the moment those lifeguards had their attention diverted, the students present here started taking pictures of the knocked out guy with their smart terminals. Man, how many people did you offend anyway.
"You, come with us. Let's hear the circumstances."
"Yes, I understand."
"Sasahara-kun... You overdid it. There is a limit to everything."
"Uh... I had no idea these spell formulas could break."
They brought me to a facility where I was supposed to give my excuse to the person in charge.
"I would have never guessed that one attack was all it took to finish the match. I thought only the best students got selected in this boot camp... I should have held back."
"And you're saying that you didn't realize that he had fainted when you continued your attack?"
"Yes. He was gripping his device hard so I thought for sure it was a feint to stage a counterattack, hence I didn't let up. From my understanding, he managed to defeat many students before his match with me so I didn't think that was enough... Apparently, that was a miscalculation on my part."
The man in charge is unexpectedly young but he's already got some gray hair among the blond strands.
He's not casting suspicion with his eyes, merely asking me the course of event to which I calmly reply.
"We have found that there's no inconsistency in your testimony. That student did have record on numerous victorious. However... Was your match with him truly a coincidence? He had a little feud with students from your school yesterday."
"Ah, something to do with Class S yeah. But I don't really talk with that class, so I'm in the dark about that... More importantly, if the spell formula could get broken in the middle of a match, does that mean our class can't go all out here? If that's true, then I don't think I can train here. I should head back."
"No... That was our mistake. We set the parameters lightly because we didn't think students would have a serious match today. We won't blame you on the fact that you dealt damage to your opponent. I should have mentioned that sooner."
"Is that so, that's a relief. That was such a shock. I thought it'd make me a murderer."
"Yeah, you have our apologies. Fortunately his life is not in danger. But I'm not sure if he can continue this boot camp."
"Really... I wronged him..."
I said the lie with a bare face. The man wouldn't tell me the detail but judging from how hesitant he is I'm guessing the truth would come as a shock to a student like me.
In other word, the injury was serious.
I thought from the bottom of my heart. 'Ah, wish he had died.'
"! What's this, did they set the AC temp too low? It's all clear now, you're free to leave. However... We can't leave you unpunished if only for appearance's sake. I believe the instructor in charge will press to have you under house arrest. That'd make things easier on your guilty conscience as well, no? Worry not, we won't make you waste your time in this boot camp. We'll let you borrow a new VR device still in development. Train with the device and write a report on its use. That will be your punishment."
"Oh... Isn't that too much of a preferential treatment? Are you sure... It's supposed to be a house arrest."
"Hahaha... Then, you could do us a favor and not spread the word about the spell formula breaking, perhaps? Especially to school authorities."
"...I understand."
I see. Of course they'd rather keep up the face of an entire organization over a single student. Also, this is supposed to be a punishment but I'm super intrigued by that VR device.
In a private room? Does that mean... it's a portable VR device? Isn't that pretty much a game console?
At any rate, I got off virtually scot-free.
"...Sasahara, welcome back."
"I'm back Jen-sensei. They put me under house arrest."
"Yes, you can't leave your room for three days... You're such an outstanding student. I pretty much instilled you. And now you'd waste this rare opportunity to train in a boot camp."
"Actually no. They're lending me the newest equipment, you see. I'll be training in my room and write a report on it. That's my punishment."
Jen-sensei was waiting for me with a gloomy look inside my room.
"I'm not fit to be an educator. I have a violent temper, am sloven, have favorites, and all that. I'm sorry, Sasahara. I should've done that myself."
"But I love people like you, Sensei. If it were up to me, I'd take care of that PoS in some dark alley. Guy dared to woo someone's guardian. Besides this house arrest is a reward to me. Latest VR device? I get to play around with a new tech that's yet to be even made public all for myself, it's the best."
"...Sasahara, tell me when you wanna eat something while you're in there. I'm gonna bring 'em to you. Call me if you feel lonely, okay?"
"There you go again treating me like a kid. I'd be fine I swear. You're gonna get busy starting tomorrow right, Sensei? Put your back into it."
This woman might really be unfit to be an educator.
She's more like a children gang boss, a student council president or an elder sister you can rely on.
Besides, it was entirely on me for interpreting her word that way.
Well even if she meant that... I ultimately acted on it.
In fact, I might erase that guy for real if she never brought up that idea.
"You see, Sensei. I'm not actually that good of a kid you all think I am. If Sensei never talked to me that night... I might have killed that guy for real."
I won't just sit back if anyone badmouth my family or those related to family.
Single parent, no parent, raised by grandparents, and finally alone.
Children are cruel. They didn't stop to think when they said stuff like, 'his parents must have abandoned him', or 'his father probably committed suicide'.
But I made them all shut up. Every single of them until it became a non issue.
"No harm no foul on you, Sensei okay? Don't concern yourself over it."
"...Okay. I'll inform Ichinose and Kaname on this matter at least. See you around in three days."
Man... It's been so long since I went wild. I need some sugar intakes.
Afterward, I holed myself up in the room for three days straight training with VR.
I had to install the devices on eight spots including on the ceilings and on the ground, put a curtain on the window to block light and once the room was pitch black, turning the device would form a wireframe where I could start my training.
I could then shoot around and cast magic but it's all optical illusion.
The room turns back into normal once I turn off the VR device. I get a slight vertigo afterward, but that's all.
Honestly, it didn't feel like a house arrest at all and more like a man cave with a game console thanks to this VR device.
"I'm returning this. I've written a list of things I wish to be improved for the maker in this memory card. Please have a look."
"Yes, thank you. I'll send them over to the research group. You have our gratitude for your cooperation."
Once I gave a box with the VR device to a woman in white robe, Kaname came over.
"I guess I should say, good job in here? So Yuuki-kun, how does the air outside feel after so long?"
"Hm, I think I'm starting to miss a different menu from the room service ones. I'm so done with pizzas and hamburgers."
"I've been having those all this time too, but I dunno if I'll ever get tired of them. I love that stuff."
"I mean you're a glutton, Kaname."
I asked Kaname about the training they had so far in the past three days as we made our way to the dining room.
They have all sorts of menus here probably because people from all over the world come here.
I used this chance to order real Chinese food before resuming my conversation with Kaname.
"Hee...! Then we're gonna have mixed training with those battlers from today on."
"Yep. Honestly, the training up until yesterday was only useful for non Scwhein Students. Practicing with Arariel and Koune-san would have been far more fruitful for us. The majority of Schwein students ended up giving advice too."
"Well... I can imagine. But, doesn't Shousuke put up a good fight?
"He does yeah. There were a few other students as strong. Can't they use a stricter selection on these students?"
"Agreed. I bet there's plenty of troublemakers besides that man."
"There are yeah. But every school started doing crackdowns on their students after that incident."
That's good news. I think interviews are a necessary process in some way.
Not like I'm one to talk though.
"Let's go to the indoor training field once you're done. Today they have pro battlers as instructors. There's a lot of them but I want to have a match with Player Rouhi if I get the chance. I bet there's gonna be a long queue, I wanna get there quick."
"Aye aye. You look real restless, Kaname. That's rare."
"Fufu, sure am. Now finish that chili sauce shrimp quick, will you."
"Hey, hey no pushing..."
I mean this shrimp is way too good. It's gigantic... and crispy.
The indoor training field is about the scale of a dome stadium, around half of all boot camp students are here.
Looks like plenty of students prefer to train outside... Guess they're not interested in battlers?
I'm curious about top league battlers, so here I am. Even Kaname insisted on me going.
Speaking of which, Chief Nishida's assistant, Sakata-san or something? I think he was a former battler.
"Whoa, I see both active battlers and former battlers who joined Underworld Survey teams here. I can't believe this boot camp managed to gather so many of them."
"Student aside, are you saying that they've got both the connections and the capital to bring these people here?"
"Un. Who cares about students."
"You better keep that to yourself."
One man walked up and acted as a representative to explain the program.
"You will now engage in training matches. Students who wish to have a match with us may step up but we reserve the right to change them with the next student at any time. You may think that's too strict so feel free to drop the idea that we'll give every one of you personal guidance. Us instructors will stand by at our own field, you may head to the instructor you want."
"Hee, that's quite spartan. So, which one's your favorite, this player Rouhi?"
"That one, over there. The rightmost man. Let's head there, quick."
It's an Asian man you could mistake for a Japanese man.
Hm? Huh? He looks somewhat familiar.
Half of the students here were already crowding toward player Rouhi.
No surprise everybody got the same idea. Unfortunately we got in the middle of the line.
Wait... Ichinose-san is way ahead of us in the queue.
"Haha, that's quite a long line. First, let's exchange a blow. Just so you guys know, I'm unsparing. I don't teach students who don't meet my criteria. Let's start... with you."
No doubt about it, I've seen this fella somewhere before. Where was it again....
He said, 'Next' while I was lost in thought. Eh? It's over already?
"Hold it! We've only exchanged one blow with our swords!"
"Yup. That's enough. I'm sorry to say but you're not quite ready yet to receive my lesson."
"But!"
"You may leave now. You're next up, okay?"
He harshly cut off the student before he could finish speaking.
But... he's probably telling the truth.
"Next."
"Oh boy, talk about strict... Is this really gonna work."
"Look, the student this time managed to hold out nicely... He got seven hits in."
True enough, player Rouhi gave some advice to the third student.
Hm? Isn't that a Class S student of Scwhein School.
"Next."
"That's so nice... hope I could get him to teach me. Wonder how many hits I could get in."
"I mean it's you Kaname-kun, I bet you'll held out pretty long."
"I sure hope so."
Student after student kept falling out while we were having a chat.
Ichinose-san finally got her turn.
"Oh Mikoto-kun, long time no see. How's your onii-san doing?"
"I'm glad to see you again, Rouhi-san. My brother has not returned yet since a year ago. He did mention that he was trying to reach the Underworld's depth."
"I see... Well then, take up your sword, Mikoto-kun. Think I'll go with a katana type this time."
Player Rouhi has been changing his weapon to match the student's weapon he has a match with.
Looks like he's really able to wield any and all weapons.
And then... His match with Ichinose-san began.
"Whoaa... That girl's been at it for five straight minutes."
"She said she's from Ichinose Family. She's too awesome, can't believe she's the same age as us."
Both me and Kaname stayed locked on in Ichinose-san's match while other students were having a commentary.
Ichinose-san went all out swinging her katana while player Rouhi kept parrying her attacks and countered back.
Their push-pull dynamic was too exquisite. It's like they're safely dancing with their katanas.
"...Let's stop here. Mikoto-kun, you've gotten stronger. The last time we clashed blades was four years ago. I believe your swings, aim and footwork are already on the same level as mine."
"Thank you very much."
"Your kinetic vision is worthy of praise as well. You must be blessed with excellent sparing partners. Just one thing... you're still lacking in moment-to-moment ad-lib. That slowed down your reaction to my move. That results in excessive stamina usage. You should... let's see, forget about your dojo teaching for the time being. I feel its theory might have been ingrained too deeply in you."
"...Very well. My gratitude for your lesson."
...He's strong. Same level? That's a lie. The bangle on his wrist. That's the same bangle I got from Chief Nishida that let you switch around limiter level.
There's no doubt he's not at full power. Otherwise, there's no explaining him looking all fresh even though Ichinose-san is all sweaty and losing her breath.
"...Such a frustrating feeling. You two witnessed that didn't you? That's player Rouhi. The zenith is too far away a journey... I must strive even harder."
"Hmm, but holding on for five minutes is still pretty amazing."
"Haha, is that right. I shall take a rest on the bench... My hands feel numb."
...Even Ichinose-san turned weak-kneed.
World's strongest... Wonder how far could I hold out against him with the same limiter level I have at school grounds.
Before I realized, most of the students lining up were gone probably getting fainthearted after watching Ichinose-san's match.
Kaname's turn came up.
"Player Rouhi! I'm a huge fan of yours! I'll be in your care!"
"Oh? Aren't you... the amateur champion last year! I watched your match! I'm glad I get the chance to spar with you."
"It's an honor! Let's do this!"
The off-tone Kaname took up his halberd and his weapon device in both hands.
He's gonna go with that style from the get go huh.
"Dual halberd is it, you don't see that often."
"Yes!"
Their match began.