A.N. Right. So I decided to continue this, and it's going to cover CS3 and CS4. As some of you have mention, it is a large stretch of plot, so I can't in good conscience promises that I'll finish, but I'll do my best.
After the signature tsundere slap of asserting main heroine status, Instructor Rean had us bring out our weapons so we can familiarize ourselves with each other's weapons. Currently, Kurt is explaining his dual-sword Vander style.
Speaking of Kurt…
The more I think about it, the more it makes sense that he is the protagonist of the sequel, and Jessica was supposed to be in his harem instead of Instructor Rean's. I always thought that if Jessica were intended to be Instructor Rean's harem member, it would be sort of redundant.
See, in the old Class VII, there is this girl named Laura S. Arseid, and if seen from a character bloat perspective, having her and myself in the same harem would be catering to the same character archetype in these isekai / fantasy harems, the princess-knight aka kishi-hime archetype
I always thought that maybe originally Jessica was supposed to have a more 'shrinking violet' personality to fit with the kouhai archetype to contrast with Laura who is more confident. But even then, our backgrounds and looks are way too similar.
Our hair colors are about the same shade of blue for one, and we both came from a martial noble family. Both of our families ruled over a small town and had been given the rank of Viscount as recognition of our martial arts and military services. The Arseids are more prestigious and famous than the Schleidens, but the similarity still holds.
It makes more sense if we consider that this is the sequel, and Jessica was supposed to be Laura's expy—a callback to a character from the prequel. If my observations were right, Laura was the secondary heroine in Instructor's Rean harem and the main heroine was a blonde tsundere named Alisa Reinford, heiress to the Reinford company.
I look at Juna, which unfortunately notices and starts scowling at me.
Yes. The pieces fit. Kurt is somewhat similar to Instructor Rean, while Juna and myself are supposed to be expies of Alisa and Laura respectively.
"…Jessica, it's your turn."
Oh. Looks like Kurt is done.
I bring out my spear.
"Another archaic weapon? Does everyone in Erebonia still lives in pre-Orbal Revolution or something?"
I ignore Juna. Propagating this rivalry between us will just cement me into the secondary heroine role further.
"My weapon is a spear. It doesn't hold any special properties of note, but it is of adequately high in quality. I fight primarily in close-range combat utilizing the Schleiden spearmanship techniques, which focus on debilitating enemies and then delivering fatal blows. Aside from that, incorporating the battle orbment, I have some affinity with some supportive arts. Although, I suppose that would be a moot point currently since I only own quartzes for the first ARCUS, and they are not compatible with ARCUS II."
In other words, assuming that I have the same spec as the original Jessica, in-game she is probably a debuffer/status inflicter with a focus on critical attacks. Basically, a utility with some decent damage potential depending on how the player builds them.
Instructor Rean nods, "As I understand it, once the school year starts, you should be able to fill a requisition to the school for ARCUS II quartzes through your homeroom teacher—which I suppose would be me. As for now though, we have to make do with only master quartzes I'm afraid."
Well, I'm requisitioning some utility and support quartz as soon as possible. Those are quite helpful, typically in RPGs I play mage or wizard, so I had hoped to be some sort of magic caster when I was first reincarnated. Unfortunately, Jessica doesn't have enough affinity with Arts to actually deal decent damage, so I'm stuck casting buffs and debuffs most of the time.
But for the time being, I suppose as he said, I'm stuck with only master quartz.
I turn to Instructor Rean, "Understood, Instructor. Would you happen to know what the master quartz you gave me does? I didn't manage to look at it in detail before the professor activated the trap door."
Instructor Rean shook his head, "No, actually. I just arrived here today, so unfortunately they didn't brief me much. But this is a good opportunity for all of us to find out."
He flips his ARCUS II, "Everyone, please look at your ARCUS II screen, you should be able to find the 'Orbment' and navigate to master quartz from there."
I flip my ARCUS II open. It's neat that this one can store digital information and display them on a screen. The previous one didn't have those features, so we're stuck with opening manuals if we want to know what a set quartz would do."
On the screen, my master quartz information is displayed. It's called Brynhildr, manufactured by the Reinford Company, with the element of mirage.
Huh. Brynhildr, well…there were some Norse mythology names already in this setting like Thors and Heimdalr, so I guess shouldn't be surprised.
As for the elements…in this world magic is divided into seven elements. Four basic elements of earth, water, fire, and wind as well as three higher elements of time, space, and mirage. Monsters have vulnerabilities and immunities to certain elements from the four basic ones, while the higher elements would always be neutral to monsters.
Usually anyway, apparently back during the civil war there are areas of abnormalities where those rules don't apply, but I never joined their excursion to those areas.
Back then, the master quartz I used is 'Murakumo' which belongs to the time element. It helps me in aiming at fatal or vulnerable target areas and striking those areas harder. I wonder if this one is similar.
After skimming through the information on the screen…It pretty much is about the same. Aiming assistance at vulnerable or fatal target areas, but its ability to amplify my strikes to those areas is contingent on whether the enemies are already suffering from afflictions of any form.
Currently, it's weaker than Murakumo, but it appears that as it got more attuned through battles, eventually its damage potential is better.
As for arts contained…There are two at the moment. Analyze and Saintly Force. Well, at least they're keeping the name of the arts between the ARCUS version so I don't have to relearn them. So arts to gather information from the enemy and what is essentially a buff. Not bad
"All right. Has everyone taken a look at their master quartz?"
I nod, as the others also give Instructor Rean their confirmation.
Instructor Rean nods, "Good. Remember that master quartz confers strong special effects on you, so it's essential to pick one that suits your fighting style. If you find out about other master quartz that you think would fit your fighting style better, please tell me so I can see if it can be requisitioned."
He then turns to Juna, "Let's continue. Juna, what about you?"
She takes out a pink, mechanical dual side-batons that she holds in both hands. I honestly have no idea what that is, and from their comments neither do the rest of us.
Juna looks smug, probably feeling good that the backward erebonians don't recognize it.
"These are gunbreakers—special tonfa with guns installed. Developed by the one and only CGF. They can switch between melee and midrange firing."
So basically, they're gunfas. Okay.
"Intriguing weapons."
"The Crossbell Guardian Force, right?"
Huh. Judging from the contemplative looks on Altina and Instructor Rean's faces there's more to this. Well…whatever not my business. Still planning to transfer out from this main cast class so nope.
Instructor Rean gives Juna a nod, "Good to know. We'll see how well they work in action today. You do seem to know your way around them."
"O-of course I do! I trained with them at the police academy."
Juna then throws me and Kurt—though primarily Kurt a smug look, "And they'll be way more useful than a couple of weapons as old as the Great Collapse."
Ah, you see, but we Erebonians found these old weapons useful, which is why they're now probably teaching how to use them at Crossbell Military Police Academy…is what I'd like to say, but I already decided not to play into this heroine rivalry trope, so I hold my tongue.
Kurt has no such reservation though and just gives her a bored unimpressed look.
To which Juna responds by turning her head away and going, "H-hmph."
Ah, tsundere. Can't wait until she goes 'i-it's not like because I like you or anything. B-baka!'
"We'll see where everyone stands once we've engaged in actual combat.", Instructor Rean said almost resignedly.
Get used to it instructor. This is just standard tsundere and her love interest routine. Though…you're probably familiar with this by now.
Instructor Rean turns to Altina, "You're up next, Altina."
"Understood."
Juna interrupts her, "Hold up. There's something I've been wondering for a while now. I know you guys said something about her being involved in the civil war earlier, but still…Who lets a kid enroll at a military academy?"
Someone who knows she's part of the intelligence division…and that her robot packs quite the punch. Trust me, I know from first-hand experience, especially after she kidnapped me and the princess during the civil war.
"She claimed to be with the intelligence division, but surely she won't be joining us in battle?"
Kurt seems worried, that's nice of him but there's really no need. Wait hold on, in this scenario is Altina the designated little sister character? …Oh come on. I know that the white-haired little sister type is a staple, like Illya from Fate or Koneko from DxD, and there's a girl named Fie Clausell on the old Class VII. But surely not?
"There is no need for concern. My physical age is approximately 14 years old. I am no small child."
Kurt, if you're going for her route I'll lose all respect for you. Don't you dare.
"Ph-physical age? No, you're definitely small."
Altina ignores Juna and continues, "I also have my weapon—the basis for my admittance into the intelligence division."
She puts her right hand up, and the black robot appears behind her.
"Wh-what the hell?!"
"This explains that black shadow I saw earlier."
Yeah, I suppose it's surprising for Kurt and Juna who are seeing it for the first time. Like the Einhel Keep, with its sleek design, shaped like a sword or maybe an inverted exclamation mark, with balls as joints connecting its head and two arms, the black robot looks like it belongs to the Sci-fi genre instead of the magitech this world is supposed to be.
"Claiomh Solais—a combat shell. The latest version of a line of special weaponry. Further details are classified. Suffice to say, it will contribute to our overall fighting strength."
Right. That was the name. I want to say that it's…from Irish myth or something? I'm not sure, but pretty sure I read the name in fantasy novels, and the Fate franchise I think.
"Umm…are things like that normal in the empire?"
"Certainly. It's the usual Tuesday.", I reply sarcastically.
Ah, damn it, that was on reflex because Juna had been irritating me from the start. Here she goes.
Juna starts to glare daggers at me.
She's currently more agitated at Kurt because of the boobs-in-face incident, so I really should take this chance to try burying the hatchet.
"Sorry. What I meant was that no, this is not standard-issue equipment. Aside from Altina, I've only ever seen one other person using it."
Juna seems caught off guard by my apology, she then turns her head away from me.
"Who asks you?! Hmph!"
I was trying to be nice!
…Okay. Calm down. That's just the typical tsundere reaction. Whatever.
Instructor Rean tries to play peacemaker, "I'm…sure you have question Juna, and you too Kurt. But let's save them at another time all right? By the way, this is my weapon."
He draws his sword.
"Of course. The tachi is used by students of the Eight Leaves One Blade school."
Kurt recognized it. Well, it's no wonder.
The Eight Leaves One Blade school…is a swordsmanship style founded by the Sword Hermit, Yun Ka-fai by drawing from various eastern sword styles, those that master the style are referred to as Divine Blade and are said to understand the nature of all things. It's relatively new, but it has gained a reputation among martial arts practitioners due to the skill of its founder as well as many of its students, especially the Divine Blades.
In other words…cool anime sword style if I ever heard one. Which fits Instructor Rean since he is—or was at this point—the protagonist.
"…Er! I mean, just like the sword Arios used."
I think Juna was saying something before mentioning Arios, didn't quite catch that though. Oh well.
Instructor Rean smiles at her, "Right, it's not an imperial-style sword, it came from the east. Haha. I guess the Divine Blade of Wind is pretty famous in Crossbell, huh?"
Right. Arios, the Divine Blade of Wind. He used to operate in Crossbell, but currently, there's an arrest warrant from the Erebonian Government because he colluded with terrorists. That's the official reason anyway, who knows what the real reason is.
Juna scowls, "A lot's happened, but he still has plenty of fans. Even when a certain empire has made him a wanted man."
"Yeah…I suppose so.", Instructor Rean added awkwardly
Oof. Tough luck Instructor, I guess your harem protagonist charm doesn't work on Kurt's harem.
Instructor Rean turns to the door which presumably would lead to the rest of the area, "That covers everyone, then. Let's be on our way. We're currently on floor B1. If we make it back up to ground level, this little trial will be over. I'll give you some tips along the way on combat, how to use arts, and your ARCUS units. Follow me, and proceed carefully and deliberately."
I guess he decided there's just no winning that fight, yeah I have the same thought. Let's just let Kurt deal with his tsundere love interest.
The first few monsters we encountered were relatively easy to deal with, especially with Instructor Rean coordinating our attacks. He has not fought any of the monsters himself, but I can see that he's ready to step in anytime he thinks we need it.
He also has taken off his glasses, so they are fake.
"Ugh! These things are so gross!"
Juna complained from somewhere behind me as she shoots at one of the monsters with her gunfa—sorry, gunbreakers—, killing it.
Well, considering we're currently facing some sort of mollusk with tentacles I'm inclined to agree with her. According to my analyze art, they are called Juicy Organ…who names these things?
The one juicy organ left decides to go after me and strike with its tentacles.
I sidestep to the right to dodge it and thrust my spear into its left side, making it recoil. I have no intention of allowing a juicy organ turns this into some weird tentacle hentai.
I jump a few steps backward, it's near-death but not enough for a decisive strike. I'll wait for its next attack to provide an opening and then strike another blow
"I'll finish it!"
Kurt charges from my left at the juicy organ at full speed. Wait, no! He's leaving himself open for a counterattack!
"Kurt, wait! It's not down yet!", I yelled at him
The juicy organ lashes at him with its tentacles. Kurt looks surprised but composes himself quickly and ready himself to roll sideways to dodge.
Before he could do so, however, a hail of bullets from behind us hit the juicy organ stopping its attack and making it recoil, allowing Kurt to run his swords through it and kill the monster.
"Haha, well? How's that?!"
It's Juna, and she sends us an extremely smug smile. Probably because she just bailed Kurt out of that situation.
"Their suppressive fire capabilities are impressive."
Altina remarked after performing her little…dance? Twirl? Whatever you call the motion she makes every time she dematerializes Claiomh Solais.
"But the trade-off is that the gun functions lack the same power the batons have. I suppose it's all about how you use them. They're very versatile weapons."
On Earth, Instructor Rean's assessment of what was pretty much a semi-automatic gun being less deadly than a baton would be absurd. But this is an anime world so…
Juna looks at Kurt and me expectantly. Well, might as well take this chance to stop the rivalry.
"I concur. From a flexibility and utility standpoint, the gunbreakers are quite exquisite."
She gives me an unimpressed look, "Geez. Concur? Exquisite? You really are a princess."
"…My apologies, this is simply how I speak normally."
Listen, lady, that's just how I was brought up and taught to use this world's language. If you understand English then I can speak more casually, but alas.
"Oh…is that so? Well, are you hurt, princess? You didn't break your nails or anything did you?", Juna replied to me mockingly
…Ok. I know I said that I want to avoid the rivalry. But there's a limit, belittling my combat ability is that limit. I didn't go through the harsh training just to be belittled. Talk to me again once your childhood friend's father leaves you in a forest overnight for survival training when you were nine.
"Why, thank you for the concern. However, as I'm sure you notice from some of your instructors in Crossbell Military Police Academy…we erebonians are quite resilient.", I smiled at her, making sure to emphasize the word 'Military', as it was added by the Erebonian Government.
If looks could kill, I'd be dead.
"Okay…that's enough. Uh…What do you think of the gunbreakers, Kurt?"
Instructor Rean tried to change the subject, but knowing Kurt, the Instructor had just steered it in the wrong direction.
"Well…It is more impressive than I'd imagined."
Juna turns to Kurt, "Hah! So you admit it."
Oh Juna, you sweet tsundere summer child. You still have a lot to learn about your designated love interest.
"I was speaking strictly about the weapons. Their wielder is a separate matter entirely."
Yep. About what I was expecting from Kurt, he's not saying it just because he's mad at Juna either, he genuinely thinks that.
Juna's eyes narrow, "Tell me, does one of your fancy sword moves involve pulling your head out of your ass?"
Oh, that was good. Sick burn. Downside the tsundere is kinda annoying, upside her banters with Kurt are really entertaining, definitely grade-A popcorn material.
"Um…now, now you two..."
Instructor Rean looks like he needed a hard drink. Sorry Instructor, but as a teacher in an anime school, this is probably just par for the course.
He coughs, "In any case. Good work, everyone. Although… Kurt, you misjudged the timing when you try to assist Jessica earlier."
"Yes, Instructor. I was too hasty, my apologies. As I lack the practical experience to adequately judge whether the monster was still able to fight, I should have waited for a cue from Jessica who was engaging it in combat."
Instructor Rean looks pleased that Kurt owned up to his mistake, "That's right. It's good that not only do you realize that but also have come up with a solution for next time. Did you perhaps try to follow up on her attack out of habit?"
Kurt nods, "Yes, that's exactly it. We occasionally teamed up against our fathers during training, so I just responded on reflex. Although, gauging a monster is far harder than humans."
"That's fine, you'll learn through experience. But, the reason I brought it up was that this is a good time to tell you about the primary feature of ARCUS."
Ah…so that's what Instructor Rean is driving at, "Are we going to start using the link system, Instructor? I was wondering why we're not using it."
He nods, "That's right, Jessica. I was hoping to ease you guys in for a bit, but I think it's about time to use the link system."
The link system. Is the main feature of the ARCUS that distinguishes it from previous battle orbments. It creates a sort of emphatic link through orbal resonance between two people. Well, they could form links between more than two people, but it's unsustainable and you can only use it for an occasional short burst of coordinated team attack.
That's why its primary function is to allow two people to coordinate their movements seamlessly. For example, earlier Kurt rushes in because he thought that the enemy was at death's door. With the Combat link, my observation that it's not yet down would be relayed through the link and he would instinctively know that it's not yet the time to went for the kill.
And yes, depending on the relationship between the people involved, the link becomes stronger allowing for better coordination and more seamless information flow. In short, a link is truly a weaponized power of friendship.
The fact that Erebonia actually weaponized friendship is a bit disturbing if you think about it. It sounds like something a villain from a dystopian future in a novel would do. Then again with a name like Erebonia, I suppose it's to be expected. Erebus or Erebos is the Greek deity that is the personification of darkness.
"…and that covers what links are."
I mostly tune out Instructor Rean's explanation, it functions almost the same as the first ARCUS, though apparently, ARCUS II can use links to a greater magnitude depending on the relationship between the users.
Huh. A guy from a certain game developer company would probably sell it as 'ARCUS II, now with 16x the friendship power'…or something like that. Damn it, I wish I got to play the sixth game before I died.
"Understood. How should we divide the link setup considering we have five people?"
Good point, Altina. Well, considering Juna is the main heroine and Kurt is the protagonist, it's only fitting that they should be paired together.
"There's really only one possible combination at this stage. For one, I'm not going to link with anyone since I quite like the formation we have right now with you guys doing the fighting and me standing by for backup. It'll be good training for the four of you."
Instructor Rean then narrows his eyes at Juna, Kurt, and me.
"…And considering the…'altercations' between the three of you, the only possible combination is Juna with Altina and Kurt with Jessica."
Or not. It makes sense. I did hear from the old class VII that if the people forming links had problems with each other, not only would it be weaker but it could also break in the middle of a battle, ruining the formation and endangering everyone.
Ah well, Juna will switch to the kind mode aka dere mode part of tsundere soon enough so she can form links with Kurt. Hopefully
With links, the next few encounters were a breeze. Ah truly, the weaponized power of friendship prevails again.
Though, seriously. ARCUS is a really powerful tool. It's easy to chalk it up to the 'power of friendship' trope, but the ability to seamlessly coordinate in unison is nothing to scoff at. There is a reason why well-coordinated formations have been an integral part of the military for a long time, like the famous phalanx formation for example, or why the army places a huge emphasis on stripping individuality and acting as one unit.
ARCUS manages to assist in achieving well-coordinated formations to a mythical level and amplifying the existing chemistry and unity that's already there. Not to mention, through ARCUS you can always feel your partner and thus have this sense of safety because you know they have your back, in an army that'd probably improve morale.
So…yes, the concept of using bonds between people to make them strong may sound corny, but it works. I suppose there is a reason why Reinford is one of the largest orbal technology companies.
Case in point, this huge monster crab thing we're currently fighting, or a fate spinner as my analyze art informed, is supposed to be a decently strong monster, but with links, it barely scratched us.
Suddenly, I feel a tug from the link informing me of the fact that the fate spinner is about the leap at me. Prompted by the link, I dash to the right just as the fate spinner pounces past me.
See? Another win for the weaponized power of friendship.
The fate spinner growls, seemingly frustrated that it can't get a clean hit in. It bends its knee and pounces again, this time towards Kurt.
"Brionac, fire."
A red laser coming from Claiomh Solais hit the monster straight in the head, interrupting the course of his jump and forcing it to fall to the ground.
"All right! Nice one Altina!"
Juna is already waiting down below and strikes the fate spinner with her gunbreakers the moment it landed.
Kurt comes from its right, swinging his swords in rapid motion, "There!"
Once more prompted by the Combat link, before he finishes his swing I am already there and thrust my spear, piercing the chitinous hide of the fade spinner. Just one more hit.
…And Kurt finishes it with a stab to the head.
I withdraw my spear from inside the fate spinner. Ugh…not looking forward to cleaning all these viscera later.
Kurt looks at me, "Excellent work. You've improved."
"Well, I can't keep up with you otherwise."
I allow myself a smile, if there's one thing unchanged from my old life, it's that I am quite competitive. I remember my first serious fight with a friend in my first life was over a math question.
Instructor Rean approaches us, "Not bad. You guys seem to have gotten the hang of using the combat link."
Juna looks at her ARCUS in amazement, "Combat link is really something else. I can't believe something this advanced is already usable in actual combat."
She then looks at me, then at Altina, "You two seem already familiar with it."
"Both of us have experience with the previous model. The fundamentals and basic functionalities are about the same.", I answered her.
Well, Altina has vastly more combat experience with ARCUS than myself though.
Altina nods, adding her own take to mine, "Yes. They are functionally quite the same. ARCUS II is merely the perfected version of the previous model, which is made possible due to the tests run by Instructor Rean and his classmates two years ago."
"On top of everything else, you helped make this too?"
Don't be surprised Juna, they're the main cast of a JRPG they do everything from finding lost items to killing god.
"No. Not just me, my whole class can take credit for that. We weren't the only ones that take part in the operational tests, either. For example, Jessica."
Uh…I mainly used it to spar with you guys except for that one time in Karel Imperial Villa…and that whole thing in Ymir which ended with Altina kidnapping the princess and me. But I suppose those still technically count.
"H-Hmph…for someone called the Ashen Chevalier, you're pretty humble, aren't you?"
I actually think he hates the Ashen Chevalier title. But yes Juna, he belongs to the nice guy protagonist archetype rather than the cocky hot-blooded one.
"I…don't really think that has anything to do with it.", said the aforementioned nice guy protagonist.
Kurt tugs at my sleeve and whispers, "Is he really the Ashen Chevalier, the 'hero of Erebonia'?"
I raise one of my eyebrows, "Yes. Why do you ask?"
"Nothing, I was just expecting someone with more…presence, I suppose. Someone like Viscount Arseid."
"That's…an unfair comparison, very few people can compare to Viscount Arseid."
This is true, Kurt and I only saw him in the passing when we were kids and even back then we can feel that the Viscount has reached the apex of swordsmanship, beyond the rest of us mere mortals. I met the Viscount again during the civil war for a bit and he really is one of those larger-than-life figures.
Instructor Rean seems to notice us as he looks in our direction.
"Is there something you want to ask, Jessica? Kurt?"
"Nothing, Instructor.", Kurt decided to answer for the both of us.
Instructor Rean smiles, "Is that so? Well, don't hesitate to ask if you have any."
And with that last remark, we decided to continue our incursion into the keep.