Chapter 1: Fake Relationship
Part 1
"Nii-san, what the hell are you thinking about?"
With a voice of anger and confusion, Airi let out a big sigh.
"Because of you, my classmates asked me non-stop, 'did your brother find a lover?'..."
"Sorry about that Airi, but please endure it for a while."
(Now I know how Rook feels when he is being scolded by his sister...)
"I'm really sorry…"
Saying so, Ben stood up with a tired face.
Here was the site of the Royal Military Academy, in one of the girl dormitory's room.
Ben, who finished eating dinner after the end of the "Ben Monopoly Contest", had been called by his not-little sister Airi in order to handle a certain request of the academy.
Since he was told that it was an important request, he hurriedly went to Airi's and Nokuto's room, but what was awaiting him was his little sister's sermon.
"In the first place, why didn't you come directly to my place? If you did so, we would have settled it between us siblings, and it wouldn't have become such an event."
Airi seemed quite displeased by the behavior of her big brother who did not seek her help.
There seemed to be also many people in the girl's dormitory, so it was certainly a blunder that the choice of escaping to Airi's room did not occurred to him, but-
"However, personally, I was surprised. I thought that Krulcifer-san asking Ben-san out was unlikely, considering her character."
Nokuto calmly said her opinion.
"So Nii-san, what kind of happy time are you going to spend with her from now on?"
"The happiest of times, of course."
To the request of Krulcifer who won the "Ben Monopoly Contest", the agreement of "becoming her lover" for one week was established.
After Ben explained his situation to the two girls,
"Well, Nii-san is already at age afterall..."
"Yes. Be that as it may, Ben-san seems certainly weak to a girl's aggressiveness though."
"Hey!? Even though it was about to be settled with much trouble, why do you say such a thing again!?"
''As expected even Nokuto is a very difficult girl to deal with.''
As Ben was once again troubled, Airi lightly cleared her throat and stood up.
Relieved, Ben left the room.
"I heard that it's a request at the school site. But it's night, so be careful."
When he was outside of the girl's dormitory with Airi, the neighborhood was already covered with a jet black curtain.
"It is good and all that you enjoy your school life, but please do not forget. About our "plan"––"
As they were now both alone, Airi said so as she remembered.
"Ah, yes. I know."
He intended to consult her a little about something, but in the end, he hesitated to talk about it.
"Phew"
While walking along the lawn within the academy as he followed after Airi, Ben sighed softly.
It was about Krulcifer that he was troubled.
(What may I do to behave like her boyfriend?)
''I mean, I haven't move on still with the last relationship I've been."
The "true request" which was told by Krulcifer after that lover declaration.
Ben hung his head as he was troubled by that request which was on a whole other level from the odd jobs he had done so far.
Part 2
"I want you to act as my lover."
About ten minutes after he was asked of that in the waiting room.
Ben who was called to the deserted rooftop of the academy was hearing about the details from Krulcifer.
"Pretend to be your lover?"
"Yes, that's right. I want you to play that role for one week starting today."
"B-But, why should I do such a thing––"
As Ben was perplexed at Krulcifer who said so indifferently, she explained the situation in detail.
Krulcifer was an Earl's daughter of the large country of the North –– the religious country Ymir, and a foreign student in the academy.
One of the reasons why she came to this New Kingdom to study was because she had an important goal to achieve.
"In short, a political marriage of convenience."
『During attendance at school, conclude an engagement with a high ranking noble in the New Kingdom. ––Or get married.』
Such instructions had been given to Krulcifer by the Einvolk House which was her home.
Making connections with an influential person holding a strong position in the New Kingdom.
She was enrolled in this academy not only to learn knowledge and technique as a Drag-Knight, but also with such an intention since the beginning.
"That's. Such a thing is"
''Isn't it too selfish?''
''No matter how much the Einvolk House is a prestigious noble family, to let Krulcifer go alone to a foreign ground and burden her with such a duty''
As Ben unintentionally started to say so,
"As usual, you said something that is unlikely for a former Prince."
"Marriages between nobles are 90% like that. It's no use even if you mind it."
She asserted in a curt tone.
"…"
About that, Krulcifer was right.
A marriage between nobles was basically like that regardless of nationality.
Ben who had been in the Imperial Court as a Prince of the Old Empire before, understood it only too well.
''But still, it's strange.''
"But then, why do you want me to pretend to be your lover?"
"To put it plainly, I want to avoid trouble to the limit. Until I achieve my personal goal––"
"Personal goal?"
Not answering Ben's question, Krulcifer continued.
"Several days later, it's scheduled that a messenger will be dispatched to this Fort City by the Einvolk House which is my home. In order to confirm and report the progress of my engagement––"
In short, it seemed to be about a "lover role" in order to deceive the messenger coming over.
A man who was of noble lineage as well and also had a connection with Krulcifer.
Ben seemed to have been chosen based on the above conditions.
"Therefore, I will have you behave as my lover for one week from today on. So, is it all right?"
"B-But, I don't know if you will like me..."
"Oh my? Actually, I don't mind your behaviour as long as it is pleasant."
"I-I don't mean that––"
As Ben was flustered,
Besides, it can't also be just with anyone, right? You have seen my shameful side––"
Slightly blushing, Krulcifer softly smiled.
"!?"
Suddenly recalling her figure in underwear in the waiting room, Ben's face became red.
"If you say that you won't take responsibility no matter what, then I will tell everyone about your peeping."
She whispered so with a mischievous tone.
At her tone of voice which tickled his earlobe, Ben gave up immediately.
"Fine."
"Thank you. I like that honest side of yours."
To Ben who hung his head, Krulcifer replied with a smile.
"I will be troubled if the fake lover thing was leaked to someone, so until this week passes, we will keep this matter secret. Can you promise that?"
"Understood. But we can take this relationship seriously if you want..."
"G-Good answer. Then –– from today on, you are my lover. Please take of me, Ben-kun."
Krulcifer blushed from Ben's reply.
To Krulcifer's smile, Ben returned an awkward smile.
Thus, the agreement was established.
Part 3
"This place is…? Is there such a place in the underground of the library?"
A place which he didn't even know the existence of let alone entered due to odd jobs.
Over there, not only bookshelves, but also an iron work unit, a furnace for sublimation as well as countless experimental devices lined up.
At the same time, there was also the smell of acrid chemicals.
"Please, keep this place's existence secret, Nii-san. It's also a small laboratory after all."
"Laboratory?"
Though Ben asked back, he thought that it was just a hidden room because of the technology this Universe had.
The Drag-Knight's Atelier where Lisha acted as the chief.
If Lisha's Atelier had a structure somewhere reminiscent to a blacksmith's, this place seemed just like an Atelier of an alchemist.
As he followed Airi while holding such an impression,
"I was waiting here, you see."
Principal Relie Aingram was in front of a small table.
"Good evening, Ben-kun. Do you properly look after Philphie? Or –– have you already attacked her?"
"No, I still haven't, ha."
Ben replied with an indescribable expression.
By Relie's arrangement, Ben was staying even now in the same room as Philphie, her little sister, in the girl's dormitory.
As Ben blushed when recalling it––,
"Principal. Why don't you leave your teasing of Nii-san for another time and begin the talk?"
cough*, deliberately clearing her throat once, Airi said so.
"Well, that's also right. Then, I will ask you not to speak about what I'm about to tell you from here on."
When Relie said so, she placed a small metal box on the table and inserted a key in the lock.
"It's fairly secure, eh."
As Relie opened the box while nodding back, it could be seen.
"Don't tell me, this is––"
What was inside the box was a strange-shaped golden flute.
"Yes, it's the thing which the former Imperial Guards Knight Squadron Chief Velvet, who attacked this city two weeks ago, held."
This flute possessed the power to summon and control the mythical beasts –– Abysses which appeared from the ruins.
Ben and the "Knight Squadron" witnessed it and fought with them just the other day.
"By the way, I reported it to the top brass, but I was told by Her Majesty Queen Raffi to have you study it while advancing the analysis here as this place is closer to the ruins."
" "
"It seems that Velvet confessed that he bought this from a foreign merchant. He says that it's called "horn". Do you know anything about this, Ben-kun?"
"No. It's also the first time for me to see it up close like this. But––I can observe for a while.."
Ben transformed into Grey Matter and start observing it.
"Nii-san, what the..." Airi was in disbelief on what she saw, her "Nii-san" transform into a mini grey humanoid.
"Airi, that's your 'Nii-san' for you." Relie jokingly replied.
"Hmm. It belongs to an ancient civilization, judging from the carvings... It also functions like a battle horn, to gather Abysses and I think it also functions as a key... But i'm not sure about it."
As Grey Matter finished his explanation, Both Relie and Airi was dumbfounded but immediately understood it.
While engraving her words into his heart, Ben received the horn.
"By the way, Principal."
"Oh, it's fine if you call me Relie at such times. Otherwise, I don't mind even if you call me sister-in-law––"
Smiling wryly to Relie who teasingly said so, Ben asked what had been bothering him.
"Ms.Relie. I'm not yet a member of the "Knight Squadron". I may not be granted permission to accompany the ruins' investigation."
"Don't worry about it. I will give only you a special permission for accompanying after all. There is also the achievement of having saved Lisha-sama, so I don't think anyone will be against it."
" "
''She is good as usual when it comes to preparation at such times.''
"However, can I have you keep this matter still secret to other students? It's a fairly important issue after all."
"Yes."
As he replied with a slight tension, the three of them went up the stairs of the basement.
"Besides, also regarding the ruins' investigation, I want results for the new layer soon. As a matter of fact, also for that child."
Turning a somewhat distant look into empty space, Relie muttered so.
After having parted from Relie, Ben went out of the library along with Airi.
With no trace of anybody in the neighborhood, a pale moonlight was illuminating the path to the girl's dormitory.
"What about that device, Nii-san?"
Doesn't knowing what to say, Ben replied. "It just fell from the sky and I luckily found it."
Airi, not buying his explanation, stopped asking about it.
"It may be only today that I can be with Nii-san in this way. You will have Krulcifer-san from tomorrow on after all."
"Airi, I don't think you should think about it."
To Airi's words which posed as a joke, Ben replied so while smiling wryly.
"But, please be careful. Especially–– of her."
"By her you mean Krulcifer? She's amazing in various ways, but I don't think she's a bad person."
"Maybe. It's just a woman's intuition. It's somehow bothers me. Not only the fact that she is a foreign student from Ymir, but it's also as if she is hiding something––"
To Airi's mutter, Ben walked while looking puzzled.
When they returned to the entrance of the girl's dormitory, they decided to part ways there.
"Well, Airi. See you later."
"Yes. Please be careful, too, Nii-san. I have discussed with them for the time being."
"Hmm...?"
"No, it's nothing, Nii-san."
Leaving behind a meaningful smile, Airi left.
It was the usual Airi, but Ben noticed her last concern said in a stronger tone.
The obtained horn and ruins' investigations which aren't progressing.
Though just to a few people, The "Black Hero's" real identity was revealed though, Relie and Lisha are still the only ones who .
The time which had stopped began to move little by little.
Part 4
"Hey, Ben-kun. May we eat lunch together?"
"Of course, we're 'lovers' right?"
The next day at lunch break.
When Ben was thinking about the ruins' investigation, Krulcifer came over to his seat.
Acting as her "lover" for one week.
For Ben who knew of that agreement, this was certainly natural; but as expected when being invited by a beautiful girl like Krulcifer, it makes one's heart beat fast.
"Ah, so Krulcifer-san wasn't joking after all."
"Yes, to think that that girl was so assertive She's serious."
The classroom was astir and the female students raised their voices so unanimously.
(Not good, this conversation attracts attention too much!)
As Ben confusedly stood up and was about to leave the classroom,
"Hey both of you, wait a minute."
Lisha suddenly stood in front of Ben and Krulcifer.
The New Kingdom Princess with blond hair tied to the side and deep crimson pupils.
In this academy, she was given treatment in no way different to that of other students, but as expected the students' attention gathered.
"What do you want?"
"I have to talk to Ben a little, not you. So, you don't mind if I also accompany you to the dining room, right?"
"Ah, if it's only that––"
Before Ben could agreed,
"Sorry, but I will have to refuse."
Krulcifer calmly said so.
"Today, I want to talk with him, just the two of us. He became my "lover" for one week, so I have at least such a right, haven't I?"
(She's kinda reluctant, huh...)
"Guh"
Lisha's face became stiff.
"Well then, excuse us. Princess"
Krulcifer pulled Ben out of the classroom.
"Guh, I'll remember this!"
While hearing Lisha's frustrated voice, the two people walked down the corridor.
As the foreign student Krulcifer and the man Ben sat down together on the seats of the dining room, just that was enough to attracted attention very much.
(As expected, I'd better pay extra attention to her...)
Ben slowly ate lunch while thinking about such a thing.
Part 5
"Kyaaaaaaaaah!?"
It happened when Ben and Krulcifer returned to the practice field and was about to begin training. One female student wearing a Machine Dragon was shot down in the air and struck the ground.
The present training was a mock battle of combat form, a composition of one-on-one between fellow students, but––,
"Hahaha! As expected, it's only this level, huh! You aren't worthy of the glorious reputation of officer cadets."
A triumphant voice could be heard from the man with a muscular body standing still in mid-air.
Three men came over as temporary instructors.
Under the pretense of "guidance", they forcibly constrained mock battles with students.
Men should basically be inferior to women in Machine Dragon aptitude value, but they utterly defeated the girls by many years of experience and exercise performance.
"I would like you to restrain such dangerous behaviors!"
Raigree glared at the man in mid-air and tried to remonstrate him in a strong tone.
"Raigree-dono, too, will you stop pampering them? We are only teaching them the severity of battle in this way. If the thought of 'they are women, so go easy on them' is rooted, then there will be no future for this country's military force."
But the men's faces, far from reflecting, revealed smiles of mockery.
"Kuh!"
"U-Um Sensei. I'm not injured in particular, so––"
The somewhat mature girl, who was just knocked down, got up.
Although she said so, her expression was still depressed.
"Hey, please stop it! What are you temporary instructors doing since some time now?! Launching a surprise attack which we haven't even learnt in class and continuing to pursuit the student who fell down, such a thing–– can't be called training!"
As a girl with a serious expression who equipped a Wyrm said so and stood in the way,
"Hou, as expected of young ladies who grew up spoiled by the New Kingdom system. You seem to want to say that we should care about you because it's training for battle. Hahahahaha! You're all to stay for supplementary lessons after school today, I will be affectionate with you plenty enough!"
The man with a stern face laughed loudly and the other men also laughed as they followed.
"Then, I will be your opponent!"
"All right. Come."
The female student, who spoke sharply, came slashing with her blade head on. However,
"Haa! It's only that?"
"Eh!?"
The moment when the Wyrm's blade came slashing, the instructor took distance by skillfully pulling back and aimed at the wrist armor which swung completely.
The blade held by the girl was quickly sent flying and it pierced the ground of the practice field.
"You've not got enough training. Young lady."
"P-Please wait a minute! My weapon is––"
When the man was about to swing downward his weapon to the girl who drew back frightened––,
A Drag-Ride's arm parried and topped his hand.
"Ngh? What is it now?"
Breaking in was Ben wearing his Wyvern.
"I'm sorry to interfere your little game."
With a calm expression and tone, he lightly bowed his head first.
"What are you planning, you bastard? In the first place, why is a man here––"
When the man emitted a question, he glared at Ben.
"Hmm... I wonder why."
His gaze focused on Ben's characteristic silver hair and black collar,
"Haa! I was wondering who it was, but it's just the Chore Prince of the Old Empire, huh. Why are you in such a place? Were you entrusted with a weeding job?"
He said so as he treated Ben with contempt.
"No, due to some circumstances, I commute now here as a student. Setting that aside, could I replace you for instruction? I'll teach her what you can't."
"Eh?"
As Ben told so to the man, the girl with a too serious expression showed a surprised face.
Of course, he did not make such a promise. It was just an excuse he thought of just now.
"What did you say?"
The man in front of Ben and the other two men turned openly displeased expressions towards Ben.
No, they were glaring at Ben with clear hostility.
Even so, Ben not even daunted, answered with a cool face.
"And –– also all the girls present here. I had a prior engagement to teach them how to operate a Drag-Ride after school, so supplementary lessons won't be necessary."
"Don't get carried away, brat. We're the instructors from the army! You lowly criminal and fallen Prince!"
To Ben's indifferent tone, the temporary instructor revealed anger.
The atmosphere of a critical situation drifted and Ben was surrounded by the three men.
"Let's see––. Then, shall we settle it with a duel?"
The male temporary instructor with a stern face which seemed to be the leader said so.
"You've to show the proof whether you really have enough skill to replace us. If you've any complaint, take back your earlier words––"
"I don't mind."
Ben readily nodded.
The surrounding female students who were watching the course of events became astir.
The male leader knitted his brows as he got angry at Ben's reaction,
"But, we have been fighting continuously, so we're more exhausted than you. Therefore, we will have you attached gyves of weight on your Machine Dragon, but is that still all right with you?"
When Ben nodded at his question, the men smirkingly laughed.
The three men also are people ranked to some extent in the Capital's tournament.
They knew about the fact that Ben was a Drag-Knight good at defense called the "Weakest Undefeated".
But, on top of the peculiarity of battles where he does not attack by himself, if you also put the difference between the number of people and a handicap, they estimated that they would easily defeat him.
Beat up those who oppose as an example and make the female students who watched it surrender.
The aim of the man who was dyed with the Old Empire's ideology was transparent and visible to Ben.
"All right. We will slightly tamper with your Drag-Ride."
"Go ahead."
The temporary instructors began to attach parts for weights that were in a corner of the practice field to Ben's Wyvern.
Seeing that, Lisha who was on break also ran up.
"Ben, is it all right? If you want, I can fight instead––"
"You'd better stop it. I think that if you who is a princess beat them up, it will be somewhat troublesome––. So this time, let's leave it to me."
"But––"
"It'll be all right. Please, leave it to me."
While Ben replied so, the attachment of parts for weight was over.
"Kukuku. With this, we're even. Then, shall we start the match?"
He then attached his secret device to his Omnitrix.
The men laughed and made the female students who were on the practice field step back to the edges
Seeing the situation, the female students raised trembling voices.
"Hey, what is this? No matter how you look at it, it's unfair!"
"Aren't the weight parts attached almost to the limit!? Such airframe–– can't even properly fly with that overweight."
"Even if it's Ben-kun, like that––"
They forcibly attach parts for weights to Ben's Wyvern which already had armor with thick weights.
Even someone with little knowledge of Machine Dragon maintenance would judge that it would be impossible to control the overweight.
"It's something that you approved. You'll surely have no complaint, won't you?"
"Yeah."
The three men burst into laughter at Ben's reply.
"You fool" "This guy doesn't seem to understand Machine Dragons" "Well it's fine, we will fully teach him"
And the lean man who drove a Wyvern approached Ben.
"Let's see. Then, I will test mobility which is the basics of a Drag-Ride. Of how many times I can sneak behind him within five minutes––"
Though it was common in all fights, taking the opponent's back was a basic tactic.
Especially in a fight between fellow Wyvern that mainly assumed air battles, it could be said that how many times one could attack the defenseless back that had weak barrier was the key to victory.
But, Ben on whom, weights were attached to the extent that it could be called overweighed, was already in a situation of certain defeat.
Then, the muscular man using a Wyrm folded his arms and looked down at Ben.
"Then, I guess I'll test the evasion technique. Let's test which one of us can fend off more attacks in actual combat."
Finally, the male leader who operated a Drake set up a sniper rifle and laughed.
"Then, I will test attacking. It's a match about which one can hit more than the other. Oops, there's probably not much time left for practice, so let's the three of us test him all at once."
Stirring voices leaked from the female students in the audience seating.
"Army men. I will let you all taste defeat."
Instructor Raigree knitted her brows to the confrontation which could not even be called a decent match, but the men ignored her and turned to Ben.
"Hey, if you grovel on the ground now and apologize, I don't mind stopping. Ingratiating yourself to people is your specialty, isn't it? Dear Prince."
"If you've already decided the match format, can we begin know? You are making me wait."
"What?"
To Ben's calm words, the lean man revealed an uncanny look.
"Hahaha. Don't pretend to be tough and show off. The current you can't even take off from the ground––"
When the lean man showered scornful laughter, the back wings of Ben's Wyvern shone.
It released wind from the jet hole and rose from the ground.
Small cheers leaked out from the female students in the audience seating.
"W-What?"
The lean man's eyes were opened wide in shock.
Originally, it should be enough weight to not be able to decently move let alone fly, but Ben applied Terraspin's aerokinesis to lift off.
"Please, give the signal. Instructor."
"Is it all right?"
Instructor Raigree asked with a dubious face.
But, seeing Ben nod without hesitation, she sent a signal to the official in charge in the audience seating.
"Mock battle, start!"
Shortly after, the signal of the battle starting was given.
A moment later, the three temporary instructors began to move.
"Haa! You fool!"
Chasing Ben who flew in a somewhat low altitude, the lean man also flew.
Exactly as his words said "mobility test", he came aiming at Ben's back.
Regardless of the fact that they both used Wyvern, there is a big difference in speed due to the gives of weight (handicap).
"Ha, what's wrong? What's wrong?! Were you energetic only at the beginning?!"
Although Ben was able to fly, as expected the man, who stuck on the back of Ben who could not gather speed, raised his voice and laughed.
Far from turning around and taking his opponent's back, it looked like running away by flying straight was the best Ben could do.
The lean man who saw that became more arrogant.
"Fall down! You fallen Prince!"
The moment when the man who pressed hard on Ben's back was about to slash with his blade––
"Wha!?"
The Wyvern of Ben who had his back turned, effortlessly evade it using XLR8's speed.
As a result, the man was dumbfounded.
"How can he evade it with that much weight!?"
(The device is working as I expected, huh.)
"Gah!?"
Without overlooking his defenseless back, Ben's lightning slash knocked him down.
The lean man, still wearing his Wyvern, violently crashed onto the ground and the wall.
"––––"
At the dust which rose up, and the sound, the audience seating of the practice field fell silent.
"That is... no way."
When Lisha was amazed, Krulcifer beside her also nodded.
The students with the ability level to know that were speechless, and the other students raised shouts of joy.
"Hmm. As expected, my eyes weren't wrong. All right, I shall make him join the "Knight Squadron" as soon as possible, a-and as for that other request––"
"That's good and all, but right now, he's my lover."
"Ngh!"
When Krulcifer and Lisha mutually clashed with their gazes,
"Don't get carried away! You brat!"
The muscular man wearing the Wyrm raised an angry voice and set up his cannon.
Due to the load of weight parts, the mobility of Ben's Wyvern was extremely reduced but not to the point that they think.
Furthermore, since flight took up energy, he should not be able to fully stretch a barrier.
By focusing all the energy in a single blow of the main armament, he could certainly make Ben unable to continue fighting.
The man who planned so fired the cannon aiming at Ben.
"...!"
But, Ben countered it using Bloxx's blocks fired from the cannon on his Wyvern's left arm.
The man changed his aim and continued shooting a second, and then a third time, but the result was exactly the same.
"W-Why?! How can you shoot so accurately and deflect the attacks?"
"It's because your aiming was relatively simple."
As Ben answered indifferently, the muscular man became speechless.
The truth is, Ben is using Brainstorm's intelligence as an AI to successfully predict the attacks.
While the muscular man was flustered, the male leader wearing the Drake ground his teeth with his sniper rifle still set up.
He was 300 Mel away from one edge of the practice field where Ben fought.
From that safety zone where he could never receive the opponent's counterattack, he intended to one-sidedly snipe at Ben whose attention was attracted by his two comrades, but––,
"What the hell is happening––?"
In a state of overweight where it was originally impossible to operate, Ben had conducted himself more than equally against three machines of the Capital's army as opponents.
The Wyvern of the lean man was flown by Ben as his back was taken by Ben, and the Wyrm's cannon was altogether flipped by Ben's cannon, too.
And, although he aimed at Ben with his sniper rifle, his attacks were all evaded by movements which, while in low speed, did not let him focus his aim; and not even one of his attacks hit.
To that too much unreal spectacle, he felt irritation and shiver.
The men intended to bully Ben who defied them.
"But –– like this, it's as if!"
The Drag-Knights of the army, even though there were three, were led around by the nose by the officer cadet Ben who bore a tremendous handicap.
"Aren't we the ones who have been humiliated?!"
That humiliation caused the man to make a certain choice.
Part 6
"Gee, it's fascinating as usual, eh. Ben-cchi's movements––"
Tillfarr of the Triad, who was the person in charge of deploying a barrier before the audience seating muttered so while watching the fight.
While the other female students raised cheers, Tillfarr, Ben's classmate who was also a member of the guerrilla unit, "Knight Squadron", was analyzing the progress of the battle relatively calmly.
"Why was Ben-cchi able to take the back of the opponent's Wyvern so easily? Even though his speed should have been far inferior due to the overweight––"
"Let's just say it's on his flight style."
To Tillfarr's mutter, Krulcifer who was directly behind her in the audience seating answered so.
"Eh? What do you mean by that?"
If he took a rising trajectory while advancing, he would become temporarily slower than his opponent; and then by descending while being subjected to the influence of the gravity, he could approach the opponents more quickly.
"As such, it's a quite advanced technique, but you can't help but say that pulling it off in that overweight state is nothing short of a miracle."
"At this rate, Ben's victory is determined. That evil trio. It's your reward for having underestimated him. They doesn't even know what Ben has..."
As she was pleased with this situation, Lisha contentedly folded her arms.
"It's amazing, Ben-kun."
"He is much stronger than the Drag-Knights of the army!"
The female students' voices began to leak so, and the outcome was certainly determined.
But––,
"No. I am afraid there is still one concern."
Krulcifer stared at the practice field with calm eyes and drew out the Sword Device from the sheath at her waist.
It was not her personal Divine Drag-Ride Fafnir's, but a Wyvern's for practice.
"Hey? What do you intend to do?"
To the question of Lisha who looked puzzled, Krulcifer answered with her usual smile.
"A little help. To my –– lover, that is."
Part 7
Only several minutes since the start of the mock battle.
One of the three temporary instructors, the Drake with the attack role could not catch the Wyvern of Ben who was flying skillfully.
But, covering his two comrades which were exhausted, the male leader made a certain resolution.
『Your getting carried away ends here. Fool! 』
"…!"
When Ben noticed it, the man said.
He spoke narrowing down the dragon voice which was the communication function between fellow Machine Dragons only to Ben.
『Do you understand? Don't dodge it.』
With a smile filled with dark emotions, the man said so.
"…?"
While cocking his head in puzzlement, Ben set up his sword in mid-air and braced himself.
At that moment––,
"Kyaaaaaah!"
The atmosphere of the practice field burst, and the light bullets shot by the sniper rifle reached the audience seating behind Ben.
"Uah!"
The student who was in charge of widely stretching the barrier in the audience seating –– Tillfarr, one of the Triad, received a direct hit and lost her balance.
The female students of the audience seating that were relieved at Ben's odds held their breath in tension.
"Oops, sorry. It doesn't hit you easily, so I anticipated your next movement; but I ended up missing."
Unlike until a while ago when Ben was moving continuously, he was now static in mid-air.
There was no way that a Drag-Knight of army would miss in these 300 Mel which was the distance of the rifle's range.
(He aimed not at me, but at everyone behind me––)
『When I said not to dodge, it also includes not to defend yourself. The next time, we'll attack you with the three of us. If you try to dodge again––』
The male leader grinned, and at the same time, his two comrades who were heavily breathing also set up their cannons. The three men wanted to defeat Ben by shooting simultaneously at one point.
If he were to either dodge or defend against it, they would probably intend on crashing their simultaneous attacks on the female students of the audience seating behind him.
If the student in charge of the barrier was to receive the three men's simultaneous attacks, she wouldn't be able to defend against them.
"I understand."
With a tone of resignation, Ben, still floating, undid his stance.
(I'll just knock you all down using Atomix's nuclear blasts...)
As Ben prepared to charge his cannons,
"Wha!?"
"Eh––?"
Krulcifer wearing a Wyvern went down to the stage of the practice field. As she fired only one shot towards the blue sky, she set up her rifle again and fearlessly laughed.
At the same time, the bell rang and the mock battle ended.
"It's a shame –– but it looks like it's time-out. The match is over."
"D-Don't joke with us!?"
The men who were thinking that they were about to defeat Ben unanimously raised flustered voices.
"A little more and it would have been our victory! Letting it end like this without settling it is––"
"Is that so? In that case, what about having a match with me next?"
"Wha!?"
The men were flustered at the sudden challenge from the girl.
"It's clear that you weren't able to knock him down, but it isn't like I don't understand your feelings of wanting to settle it by all means. Therefore, I will be your opponent. This time –– let's do a battle of sniping at each other."
"Y-You little girl––!?"
"A match of only a minute, the condition will remain a three-to-one fight. If you're fine with that, then let's begin."
To the smile of Krulcifer as if seeing through all, the temporary instructors revealed irritation.
It would have gotten nowhere if they continued being led around by the nose by Ben like this.
As each of them held their weapons, they rushed onto Krulcifer.
"Krulcifer, what are you thinking!?"
Ben said to her in panic, but Krulcifer returned only a smile, quickly set up the rifle in her hand and shot.
"Ough!?"
"What!"
A dreadful quick shot, whose alignment is determined almost instantly in one stroke, in addition, regardless of firing in three directions, the abnormal speed and precision sent the armaments in the opponents' hands flying.
Moreover, when she shot the confused opponents' feet and broke their stance, she shot at the Force Core from the slight opening in the barrier.
Being accurately struck on the weak point, the three men's Machine Dragons stopped their function.
"N-No way Impossible!?"
Although the opponents were also caught off guard, the men of the army were at a loss for words at that skill which sniped at the three moving Machine Dragons in a flash from a position at the very limit of the range.
"It looks like you also have no qualifications to teach attack techniques. With that said, should they be in such a place? Sensei."
"Yes, you're right. This match is Ben Acadia's victory."
At the same time as Instructor Raigree gave the judgment, the audience seating was wrapped in cheers.
"And one more thing––, you temporary instructors will let me hear about your story later. It's a big problem for soldiers of the New Kingdom to purposely aim at students in the audience seating. You have no qualifications to act as instructors."
"Guh!"
The three temporary instructors who were beaten left the practice field while grinding their teeth.
With this––, they would not get close to the academy for a while.
As Ben who heaved a sigh of relief got down to the ground, Instructor Raigree who drove out the temporary instructors came before him.
"Ben Acadia. I shall express my thanks this time, but do not act rashly all by yourself."
In a calm tone with no anger, Instructor Raigree said.
"Yes."
As Ben cancelled his armor while answering, he approached Krulcifer.
"Was it unnecessary help?"
"No, you've been a big help."
To the words of Krulcifer who revealed a smile, Ben returned so.
"You have predicted up to the fact that they would aim at the girls in the audience seating after all. "
"At that time –– you would have stood out more and more."
As though she saw through it all, Krulcifer muttered.
"Don't worry about it. Half of the reason was because I want you to know my ability, so I only poke my noise into this."
"Then, what about the other half––?"
"Because I didn't want you to be stolen by everyone –– what if I said that?"
Saying so, Krulcifer turned a meaningful look sideways.
There, their classmates who had been watching the mock battle until now were closing in.
"You did it! I feel good thanks to you! Ben-kun."
"Hey, hey. Like you said a while ago, you'll teach us after school, right? Sensei."
"That's right. By all means, I would like you to properly instruct us."
Ben was surrounded by the girls released from the violent temporary instructors, who had smiles of relief and joy.
"E-Errr Um, saying that I will teach was a figure of speech..."
Of course, it was an excuse to resist the temporary instructors.
The girls should also understand that, but still they wanted to say so.
Thus, as Ben was troubled as to what to do––,
"I'm sorry. But, I already have a plan with him today. It's me who has won the contest, so I will have you let me speak out my selfishness this time."
As Krulcifer said so, she entwined her arm to Ben's.
"Wait, Krulcifer?"
The swelling of the girl's chest lightly touching him, Ben panicked.
It was softer than expected even from the dress gear.
"Kyaaaaah", his classmates who saw that raised their voices further.
" "
At the audience seating of the practice field drifted the "case closed" atmosphere.
Lisha, still wearing the Divine Drag-Ride Tiamat was gazing at Krulcifer and company on the practice field.
"I-I was completely late"
Lisha also moved a moment later than Krulcifer, but she saw through the fact that the student in charge of stretching the barrier was likely to be attacked and summoned Tiamat, but
"It's strange even though I was supposed to help Ben at this place––"
It had been settled in no time with Lisha not forcing her way through.
Tillfarr who was beside her smiled wryly as she saw Lisha's whole body tremble.
"WWell, it can't be helped. Lisha-sama has also saved everyone properly, so I'm grateful to you."
Patting the armor which Lisha wore, Tillfarr gave words of thanks.
"It's bad, it's bad At this rate, my partner will be––"
While grumblingly muttering, Lisha cancelled her connection and stood on the practice field.
"Hey, Tillfarr. You said that you were grateful to me, right?"
"Eh!? Well, kind of"
"Then, let's begin a strategy meeting! Let's think of a way to take back my partner!"
As Lisha declared so, she found Philuffy who was standing nearby and approached her.
"I will also have you cooperate, airhead girl. There are a lot of things I want to ask you about Ben."
"I don't mind."
Philuffy seemed not that much interested, but did she think of something , she agreed by nodding.
"Then, we will begin today after school. You will gather at my atelier."
Lisha decided so and ended the talk.
"I don't really think that Bi-chan has forgotten. About the two of us."
On the side, Philuffy muttered in a subdued voice.