4-27: How the Weak Fights II (2/4)

4-27: How the Weak Fights II (2/4)

Before any of them could have time to be shocked, the earth shook.

It was like an earthquake, but everyone knew it wasnt one because they knew the culprit all too well.

Spread out! Shinichi said.

As they tried to catch their footing while the earth shook, Shinichi gave out a command.

To the students surprise, they actually carried out his orders immediately and successfully.

Apparently, the events these past few days had already programmed them to reflexively obey Shinichis commands.

Ah!

However, there was one troublesome exception.

She() alone hadnt been receiving Shinichis detailed orders to the same extent as the others.

Although Shinichi had entrusted her with some errands now and then, he let her do things as she pleased.

To make things worse, she was standing right at the center of the entire group because she was the core of the skills group.

Run!

Kyaa!?

And because she had even gone out of her way to push aside the students that responded a little slower than the others, the little time she couldve used to run had been completely used up.

In the next moment, the sand worm rose up from the ground they were standing on and Tomoe was sent flying.

KyaAAaa!?

Safina-senpai!!

Like the leaves of a tree, Tomoe was easily sent into the air with her screams.

Stones and broken lumps of earth were sent flying along with her, and then by coincidence, the sand worm reached out for her with its giant open maw.

Eek!

Unlike the real exoskeletons, the simple exoskeletons (protectors) couldnt fly, so it wasnt possible for her to move in the sky.

Seeing those teeth arranged like a ring on that massive maw reaching for her, Tomoe couldnt help but scream.

With how big the sand worm was, it was doubtful that her protector would be able to protect her.

She shrunk her body and braced herself for impact, but Suddenly, she was pulled.

H-Huh? What!?

It felt like something had suddenly coiled around her and pulled her from the side.

While Tomoe was still processing what had happened, the sand worms mouth passed by that spot in the air where she was at just a moment ago.

You okay? Shinichi asked.

Huh? Tomoe said.

When Tomoe saw where she was, a wave of deja vu hit her.

A gentle but common face was near her and the arms supporting her felt right as home.

The warmth and that throbbing sound she felt from her ears felt pleasant.

Although she had yet to process what had happened, her mind told her that she was safe here.

This has to be a new record, though. Never thought Id embrace the same girl three times in a row this quickly.

She had yet to realize that she was being princess-carried by Shinichi again.

A teasing smile appeared on his face. I did take care not to hurt you when I used the Snake Belly Sword, but I should still ask. Any injuries?

! Nope! I didnt let even a single one of them get hurt! Tomoe said.

There was genuine concern behind those eyes looking at Tomoe.

In the face of those eyes looking straight at her, perhaps because of the distance between them or perhaps simply out of embarrassment or maybe to get back at him, or maybe all of the above, she replied with the same thing he told her earlier.

I see. That is annoying, Shinichi said.

Maybe, just maybe, the foster mightve landed in the hands of the one person who shouldve never gotten it, Tomoe said.

He was not merely flexible, unscrupulous, and absurd, no, he had a completely different perspective and application of Garestos technology.

In a sense, he did not have the common sense(restraint) that everyone else had.

But of course he didnt. He was someone from before the cultural interaction between the two worlds began.

Although perhaps it mightve been more because he had been exposed to Falandias magic which prioritized versatility.

Ku ku, youre probably right, Shinichi said.

Regardless, the person himself seemed to like how Tomoe put it and laughed.

If youre aware, then restrain yourself, will you? Tomoe said as they all landed some distance away from the crater.

Although they had managed to escape from a predicament, there was a complicated color on their faces.

Sigh, now what? Look, everyones looking weirdly at their fosters because of you.

Everyone had started looking strangely at their fosters upon landing, and Tomoe glared at Shinichi for that.

These students have been using these fosters as light weapons all this time, but never did they think that they would be capable of producing the same destruction as heavy weapons.

Fools who dont even know how terrifying their weapons are are nothing but third-rate, isnt that right, Spirit Practitioner?

D-Dont tell me you did this on purpose?

Shinichis lips curved into a smile, but even as Tomoe quivered before that fearless face, he didnt deny it.

When Tomoe was still a child, the very first thing her mother taught her about spiritual techniques was that fear.

Her mother thoroughly taught her that spiritual techniques could easily kill people when handled poorly.

Thats why she understood why it was important for Shinichi to teach the dangers of the fosters.

But that was only if they werent in the middle of a war.

But at this rate theres a chance everyone might stop being able to fight!

Although the students here were weak, they were currently being carried by their high morale.

It would be problematic if they were to become fearful of the weapons they were using now.

At least consider the time and place, she glared at Shinichi, but the latter just shrugged.

Sorry, but I hate bothersome jobs.

Huh?

As his incomprehensible excuse left Tomoe speechless, he grabbed that thing that rolled over to where the students were squatted over.

It was also charred black because it had been caught up in the earlier explosion.

I see. Thats why there are A Rank raybeasts in a place like this.

The object no longer maintained its original shape, but it was clearly a part of a man-made object.

As Shinichi examined it, he seemed to have figured out what it was.

Just how long have they been preparing? Its all useless, though, Shinichi said.

Hey, what have you been going on about for a while now? Things about bothersome jobs and preparing Tomoe said.

Oh, nothing. It just means that Im about to get all the bothersome things together and solve them all in one fell swoop. A giant explosion had just blown away a giant raybeast. The sound and impact from that explosion should reach quite the distance, so What do you think will happen next?

That smile from before the same smile that a child would make when coming up with mischief was seated snugly on Shinichis face.

Tomoe didnt understand what he was getting at, but she had a bad feeling all the same.

What do you mean what will happen Tomoe asked.

Hey! Whats with this crater!? What happened here!? A voice yelled.

It means that some stupid snakes will come rushing out even though no ones poked them yet. Just like this, Shinichi said, but unlike him, everyone else was shocked.

The three shadows that had descended were all wearing blue exoskeletons meant for military use.

The Gaen Volunteer Army(terrorists) had boldly shown themselves in front of the students, not knowing that they had already become acquaintances of the overall head supervisor representative.

Theyre looking down at us Ku ku.