DanBall Senki Wars Mini-Novel Shinrai ‘Trust’ Part 2
Focus: Sixth Platoon
Pages 1-7
One week had passed since Muraku had been inaugurated as Captain.
With Muraku’s strength added to the already powerful players Vanessa and Mikhail, out of all of Rossius, the 6th Platoon was performing spectacularly.
It was on that particular day…
While sipping on a Swallow Cafe ice-cream soda, Kageto wore a disgruntled expression.
“What is it, Kageto?” Vanessa looked at Kageto curiously. Kageto ignored her and began to pick at the scoop of ice cream floating on top of his ice-cream soda.
Vanessa and Mikhail had both recognized Muraku’s competency as the new Captain, and it wasn’t long before they started following his orders. Kageto, however, was different.
‘Why did he have to say that to me…’
It had happened that day directly after War Time had finished. Muraku had called Kageto to a halt, and said what he had to say.
“I have faith in your skills as a mechanic. Still, you lack passion.”
Those were words that stabbed at his heart. Up until now, while Vanessa had returned with a damaged LBX many times due to her rough playstyle, Mikhail usually returned with his LBX relatively unharmed - so their budget pretty much balanced out.
And every time Vanessa did return with a damaged LBX, Kageto did his utmost to repair it. He couldn’t do much more than that. Kageto knew this was his weak point, and it caused him great pain.
“What’s this? Is the Brown Mustang growing soft?”
“Hey!”
“What do you mean?” Vanessa looked at Kageto with a scowl.
“It’s nothing you two would understand.” At this, Kageto stood up, left the change for his drink on the table, and left the cafe.
It had been one year since he’d entered Kamui Daimon with the desire to become a mechanic. As one of the most respected mechanics in his class, he also often gave his peers advice, as well as reliably fulfilling his role of manoeuvring the craft carrier during War Time. Though he dutifully carried out his repairs every day, recently he hadn’t been working on anything special. It wasn’t that he was neglecting his role as a mechanic, but Muraku’s comment tugged at his heart - their new captain had uncovered his weak point.
“I don’t care if that asshole’s our Captain. Though both Vanessa and Mikhail were pretty quick to start eating out of the palm of his hand…”
As he trudged down the path towards Swan Manor, Kageto took out his CCM and glanced at the screen. He pulled up his plans for the Double Tornado System, a new function for the LBX Gunther. Though at this point in time it was currently impossible for an LBX to use this function, Kageto was working on it. Although a long time had passed since he’d started making this plan, he wasn’t any closer to realizing it.
‘Who would be able to work this kind of LBX?’ While the Double Tornado System would bring the LBX’s capabilities to the next level, it would be very difficult to control, and he wasn’t sure that even Vanessa or Mikhail would be able to control it. But then, Muraku appeared.
Muraku would probably be able to control the new LBX he was thinking about. But Muraku’s words still rang in his ears. Kageto wanted to make such a high-functioning LBX that not even Muraku could use it.
When he reached Swan Manor, he closed the screen on his CCM, and with determined resolution he looked up at the building.
‘I’ll make this for sure. A new kind of LBX…’
---
Kageto spent all of his free time working on the development for this new LBX. Of course, he didn’t neglect any of his duties in between. He still had his pride as a mechanic after all. After all, if Vanessa and Mikhail ended up getting LOST due to his negligence, there was no meaning in any of this. But Kageto was quickly beginning to wear himself out.
‘Kageto, don’t push yourself so hard.’ Mikhail, his roommate, addressed him. Startled at his voice, Kageto looked out the window to see daylight was already streaming in.
‘You’re up early, Mikhail.’ Kageto closed his notebook and stretched.
‘I think it’s stranger that you’ve been awake all night.’ Mikhail said, looking concerned. Kageto appreciated that Mikhail was worried about him. But, if he stopped here, he felt he would regret it.
‘I just need a little bit longer until I can finish it.’
“Wouldn’t it be better to just use the lab?” While saying this, Mikhail rested his hand on Kageto’s shoulder. Smiling at his sympathy, Kageto gently rejected the idea.
“Sure, if I could use the lab I could definitely finish this right away. But this is a battle between me and Muraku. I wouldn’t accept outside help. Besides, there’s a waiting list for the lab. It’ll be awhile before us second years can use it.”
In response, Mikhail lightly lowered his hand.
“Well then...”
Kageto stood up and left the room, intending to head to the canteen for breakfast. While he was leaving, he happened to come across Muraku.
“… What?”
“…”
When he looked more closely, he saw that Muraku was holding two cartons of orange juice in his hands.
“When you’re tired, sweet things can have an effect.”
“… I don’t need you to be concerned about me. I can take care of myself.” After he said this, Kageto left Muraku’s side and headed downstairs.
With every day that passed the weather grew cooler, a sure sign that the intense heat of summer was soon about to be replaced by a refreshing autumn breeze.
In no time at all, it was going to be a year since Hoshihara Hikaru had transferred to Kamui Daimon Comprehensive Academy.
‘Ohh, I’m so annoyed!’
The Second World battles for the day had ended and Hikaru and his three classmates, Izumo Haruki, Hosono Sakuya and Kashima Yuno were walking home from school.
‘What’s annoying?’ Haruki asked Yuno.
‘That recently I can’t seem to win against high-ranking players during Ranking Battles at all!’
‘Oh, really?’ Sakuya looked at Yuno while adjusting his bag over his shoulder.
‘Yup. Especially like, Rinko - recently she’s become crazy strong!’
‘Yeah, Rinko’s always wanted to be a player.’
‘That’s it!’ Yuno nodded fervently. ‘Now that Rinko’s become a player too, her Orvane has become seriously strong!’ Yuno looked so frustrated she was practically in tears.
‘But when it comes to Ranking Battles, isn’t Hikaru in first place?’ Haruki suddenly changed the topic to Hikaru, who after a brief pause looked at Yuno and said bluntly: ‘The reason Rinko’s become strong is through her own hard work. Yuno should learn from her.’
‘Oh, you’re awful!’ Yuno reproached Hikaru. ‘When a girl is in despair, you could at least toss her a kind word or two!’
‘That’s nonsense…’ Hikaru ignored the other three and continued to walk.
‘Well, Hikaru’s not the type of person to do that.’ Sakuya gave a wry smile while following Yuno. ‘Yuno, do you do your own LBX maintenance by yourself?’
‘Nope, Kyouka does it for me.’
At these words Haruki and Sakuya face-faulted. ‘...You don’t do your own maintenance?’
‘No. I mean, it’s not like I wanna be a mechanic.’
‘What a perfect example of ‘Yuno-like’ behavior.’
‘What exactly do you mean by that?’ Yuno snapped at Haruki’s words.
‘Exactly as I said. Don’t get me wrong.’
‘I’m asking you just what exactly do you mean by that?’
‘You two, calm down!’ Without a moment’s delay, Sakuya intervened.
After the incident at Kamui Daimon island concluded, peace returned to the island. Near half of the students left the island, and for a while a heavy atmosphere wafted over the remaining students. But that soon came to pass.
The kids left on the island recovered and got back on their feet. Certainly they’d endured a harsh fight, but the ones who chose to stay on the island were people who vowed to protect the future of LBX. The had to support the rebirth of Kamui Daimon, and they even now were doing their best to live every day to the fullest.
‘Speaking of which, about today’s ranking battle.’ Sakuya said to Hikaru.
‘What is it?’
‘Didn’t the movement of Val Sparos’ left elbow feel kinda strange?’
Hikaru opened his eyes wide. ‘Yeah.’
‘I thought so. I thought its fist’s movement was a little bit different than usual, could it be that its response is one second late?’
‘...That’s probably it. I noticed during battle, but I thought it was just my own control over it was slow.’
‘Got it. Bring your LBX to my room later so I can adjust it.’
‘As expected of our genius mechanic!’ At Sakuya’s words, Yuno looked at him in admiration. ‘Just by looking at an LBX’s movements you can understand exactly what’s wrong, I could never do that!’
‘It’s not an easy thing to do.’ Haruki also nodded.
‘O-oh, really?’ Suddenly praised, Sakuya’s face turned red.
‘Speaking of Rinko, she’s dating Muraku now, right?’ Yuno suddenly changed the subject. The story of Muraku and Rinko’s relationship was still a hot topic among the girls.
‘H-hey! Don’t suddenly say strange things like that!’ Sakuya stuttered in a huff. Being able to joke around like this was proof that peace had returned to the island. The four friends slipped past Duck manor’s gate and headed into the front hall.
‘Oh, welcome home.’ Tome-san, who was sweeping the front porch, raised her head.
‘Thanks, Tome-san!’ Yuno gave her the first greeting, with Hikaru following her.
‘Thank you very much.’
‘You’re as stiff as ever, aren’t you? ‘Thanks’ is fine you know!’
‘Ha…’ Hikaru awkwardly lowered his head. A long time had passed since he began dorming at the Duck Manor, but no matter how long passed Hikaru would never get used to Tome-san. Or rather, the familiarity of how everyone who lived on this island interacted with each other was something Hikaru would never get used to. It was something he had never experienced before.
‘Well, I suppose it’s fine. Hurry up and put your bags away and get changed. It’s already dinner time.’
When Hikaru arrived at the cafeteria, most of the students who lived at the dorm were already sitting down. A lot of students had left the island after the incident but, one by one students transferred to the academy, and there were many new faces at Duck Manor.
‘Hikaru-san!’
One of these transfer students, Saegusa Yuuto was looking this way and waving his hand. Hikaru sighed deeply. One year below him and a member of the former Porton, Yuuto was an opponent who had previously been defeated by Hikaru in a local LBX tournament. After that, he followed in Hikaru’s footsteps and entered Kamui Daimon Comprehensive Academy. All in spite of knowing about the incident that had happened here some months previously.
Hikaru felt a hand on his shoulder. When he turned around Haruki was standing there with Sakuya was beside him.
‘Yuuto’s the same as ever.’ Sakuya said while smiling weakly. ‘Well, I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be liked so much.’
‘You could say it’s Hikaru’s natural charm.’ Haruki added, slightling raising his eyebrows.
‘Enough with the jokes.’
‘Alright, let’s go. Looks like we’re last.’ Sakuya took Haruki and Hikaru’s arms and pulled them towards the queue. When he looked back at Yuuto, he noticed the boy was still smiling widely at him. Sitting beside him was the former Porton’s class president, Okita Hinako, who slapped him.
‘Hey, that hurt!’
‘Quiet grinning like an idiot when you’re eating dinner!’
‘I am against violence!’
‘You’re so noisy! Listen properly to what your senpai is telling you!’
‘What? But we’re the same age!’
‘I was the first to enter this school, idiot!’
‘It’s ironic that an idiot is calling me an idiot!’
She mumbled to herself while rummaging through the mound of LBX in the container, enthusiastically looking for usable junk parts. The silver, heart-shaped pendant she wore shone in the sunlight.
The number of damaged LBX had greatly increased after the incident at Kamui Daimon. The used LBX container was already full to the brim, but the yearly clearance wasn’t for another while. Though it went against the school rules, eager mechanics were happy to take advantage of the opportunity to rummage through the mountains of spare parts.
Lying idly amongst the mound of discarded units and parts were LBX that had been lost - in other words LBX units that had taken so much damage in battle that they could no longer be restored. However, while these damaged units themselves couldn’t be restored, it was possible they still had some functioning parts, such as core memories and batteries. If a mechanic could find parts like these that hadn’t taken too much damage, that was considered a huge success.
‘Ah…!’
She picked up an LBX unit.
‘Wow, This was one of the LBX used by the World Savers, wasn’t it?’
This unit, which was called Gordo, was one of the core LBX units of the World Savers. The LBX of choice for the youths who invaded the Second World during the Kamui Daimon incident,, Gordo was a powerhouse. It seemed that the container she was rummaging through housed LBX used formally by the World Savers. This unit’s body and chest were severed from its lower half, with wiring crudely poking out from underneath. She placed it back in the mound.
‘Wow! I’ve never seen this LBX before…’
She gazed at this unfamiliar unit. Its body was short and stout, and didn’t look much like anything special. But, from the screws arranged on its legs and back, she understood that it was a high-tech unit, and could even function underwater.
‘Amazing! ...I’ve never seen an LBX that could be specially designed for fighting underwater…’ This was quite an impressive LBX to find.
The girl quickly detached the LBX’s armor frame, and looked underneath it.
‘No way!?’
The corebox was completely intact. The motor, core memory, battery, and even the CPU were all undamaged. The corebox was packed to the brim with various parts she’d never even seen before. She smiled, looking satisfied.
‘Yup…! With this guy, we can win in the Ranking Battles!’ She quickly synched the LBX with her CCM. The LBX’s camera started to glow. The info from the synchronization began to flow onto the screen of her CCM. Then, something strange happened. Her CCM began making strange noises.
‘Yeah, this was a bad idea!’
However within seconds, the synchronization process with her CCM ended safely, and the LBX began to move.
‘...Don’t scare me like that!’
She quickly tossed the LBX into the tool bag she wore around her hips. Her treasure-hunting mostly over, she closed the lid of the container.
‘Huh?!’
Suddenly a black shadow jumped out of the container. Before she had time to register what was happening it dashed away at lightning speed, quickly slipping under the fence surrounded the LBX mound and disappeared into the middle of the thicket.
‘...A mouse…?’ Without putting too much thought into it, she left the LBX mound behind her and made her way back to her dorm.
Shinrai ‘Trust’ Part One - A Mini-Novel about the Sixth Platoon
Notes: FINALLY! I started translating this months ago, but lost interest. I’m currently on a super DanSen high so I HAD to finally finish it.
This was different from a magazine translation - this was a novel translation, so it involved being more creative with words to make it read like a novel. I REALLY hope I did a good job. Vanessa’s battle in the forest against the Arabista forces was particularly difficult to understand and translate, so it’s probably full of mistakes. But the conversation and communication between the Sixth Platoon members - I spend ages searching for the right words. I LOVE this platoon so much.
This is part one - part two focuses on Kageto slowly growing to trust Muraku and the birth of the Violet Devil.
If even one DanSen fan reads this I will be satisfied but I guess I translated it mostly for myself. And as practice for the Inazuma GO novel I will eventually translate...
Shinrai ‘Trust’ Part One
In the corner of the classroom, a girl reclined back in her seat, legs resting on top of her desk, as she stared at the screen of her CCM (Control and Communication Manipulator) - bored.
From her appearance one would assume she was born in Southern Asia, as she stood out conspicuously even amongst her classmates. Her dark indigo hair was gathered into a thick plait, and only her light colored pupils expressed her hidden resolution.
Her name was Vanessa Gala, a class 1 second year student of Kamui Daimon Comprehensive Academy. She was feared as the Brown Mustang by certain students.
However, she also had another nickname: ‘Captain Killer’.
Rossius Sixth Platoon - Vanessa’s platoon. Their war record was not bad by any means.
However, for some reason one by one every newly appointed captain came and then left. One captain became lost, another expressed a wish to be transferred to a different platoon out of his own free will.
Within the classroom, students were scattered around in small groups, but kept their distance from Vanessa’s seat. This wasn’t surprising. The sixth platoon’s newest captain, who had been appointed not even two weeks ago, had become LOST during yesterday’s War Time.
“Another one bites the dust.”
“Just how many people have there been?”
“Those guys are nothing but trouble…”
Vanessa heard them whisper in hushed voices. Even though she’d planned to pay no attention to their conversation, it was still unpleasant to her ears. Still, it wasn’t as if she particularly cared.
“Vanessa.”
The boy sitting in the seat beside her addressed her. He was a member of the same sixth platoon, Mikhail Rourke.
“I thought you had more guts than that.”
She knew what Mikhail was going to say. Take it easy. But she couldn’t do that. In War Time the danger of being LOST and expelled went hand in hand with combat. She couldn’t care less if a captain got himself LOST due to his own inability to give decent commands. Smiling wryly at Vanessa’s words, Mikhail answered her.
“Please don’t bully the new captains so much. Do you understand?”
Mikhail sounded just like a mother scolding her child. Vanessa turned her gaze towards him.
“Oh, please. You didn’t like that captain either, did you?”
“That’s not true at all. I believe he was trying his utmost.”
At Mikhail’s words, Vanessa huffed and once again dropped her gaze to her CCM. As she did, this time the boy sitting on her other side, their mechanic Kiba Kageto, opened his mouth.
“Vanessa thinks captains are nothing but a nuisance, and she’s too stubborn to change her opinion.” He teased her with a weak smile.
“You got it! There’s no way I’m following orders from a useless captain.”
Mikhail and Kageto looked at each other. Mikhail continued to smile wanly. Kageto sighed in disappointed.
“What if-”
Mikhail once again engaged Vanessa in conversation.
“-you were the next captain?”
This time Vanessa laughed at Mikhail’s words.
“No way! If that was the case, I’d have been given the order a long time ago!”
“I wonder what kind of guy is gonna come next?”
Kageto mumbled.
“Who knows? I’m praying it’s gonna be a decent guy with a lot of battle experience more than anything.” Vanessa replied, looking up from her CCM.
At that the classroom door opened. The homeroom teacher for the Class 1 second years entered the room, followed by a boy. Vanessa turned her sharp gaze towards this boy. She did this every time a newly assigned captain came, in order to determine his character and evaluate whether or not he was worth following orders from. Up until now, all of the captains had been startled by her intense gaze and usually faltered. This time Vanessa intended to do the same thing. However, this boy didn’t react at all and just kept walking.
“Well, it looks like this guy’s either stupid or just stubborn.”
While she was thinking this, she crossed her legs and folded her hands under her chin, waiting for the homeroom teacher to speak.
“Well then, everyone, I’d like to introduce your new classmate, Houjou Muraku-kun.”
At the middle-aged homeroom teacher’s introduction, Muraku lightly bowed his head.
“He will become the new captain for the sixth platoon. Vanessa, Mikhail, Kageto. Please support Houjou-kun.”
“Sensei.”
At that Vanessa raised her hand.
“Please tell us his past war record.”
The homeroom teacher was silent for a moment, before stroking his chin and beginning to talk.
“He has no past war record, since he’s only just transferred here.”
Vanessa looked shocked.
“What?!”
At this, Mikhail also stood up.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand. Why is a guy with no war record all of a sudden becoming our captain?”
“You’re leaving our fate to him? Aren’t you at least able to transfer in a guy from another class?”
“That’s right! I don’t want to do maintenance for a guy like that.”
Vanessa and Kageto continued Mikhail’s protest.
“This was Krosky-sensei’s judgement.” At this, the homeroom teacher sighed before continuing to speak. “The sixth platoon has no sense of order at the moment. Don’t you three have any self-awareness?”
This shut all of them up completely.
“Anyway, he will become your captain. You will communicate willingly with him.” At this the homeroom teacher turned back to Muraku.
“Your seat is over there.”
“Understood.”
Without saying anything else, Muraku passed through the desks over to a free seat and sat down.
---
The students were gathered in Rossius’ control room. Vanessa was still bristling with irritation as she listened to Krosky speak.
‘We have received information that Arabista plan to invade the Far East domain of Rossius’ territory. Platoons 6, 12 and 88 will defend against their attack.’
‘Yes, sir.’ The three platoon Captains answered in response. Naturally one of them was Muraku.
Why did this guy have to become our captain…? The briefing continued, regardless of Vanessa’s feelings, until it became time for War Time to start. Just as they left the control room, Vanessa called Muraku to a halt.
‘Hey!’
When he turned around, Vanessa let Muraku know exactly how she felt towards him.
‘I refuse to accept you as our Captain.’
‘...’
‘Well, don’t you have anything to say?’
‘Well then, what should I do in order for you to accept me as your Captain?’
‘There’s nothing you can do!’
‘So what are you going to do during War Time? Ignore all of my orders and fight on your own terms?’
‘Obviously!’
‘Very well. But no matter how long you keep this up, you’re not going to improve yourself at all.’
That annoyed her. Those were fighting words.
‘...I’ll show you.’
‘What was that?’
‘During today’s War Time I’m going to eliminate Arabista all by myself! All you need to do is shut up and watch!’
After her declaration, Vanessa began to run towards the Control Pod room. Mikhail and Kageto rushed after her. Giving their retreating figures a cursory glance, Muraku too began to slowly walk after them.
---
‘All systems go. 180 seconds to War Time. All players please enter battle position.’
Following the system announcer, Vanessa set her partner Gunther into the LBX Shooter.
‘Who would follow orders from a guy like that…’ Grumbling to herself, she opened the communication window. ‘Vanessa Gala, Gunther check.’
‘I heard that.’ Mikhail appeared on the monitor. ‘What you’re saying is correct. All we can do is see what he has to offer.’
At this, Kageto entered the chat.
‘In any case, he is our Captain now. We have to cooperate with him.’
‘I guess.’
‘Mikhail, Kageto, once we reach the designated battleground, let me go ahead with the Riding Armor. You guys be Muraku’s opponent.’
‘Wait, you’re not seriously going to…?’
‘What did I say? I’m going to annihilate the enemy. In the meantime, you guys stop Muraku from entering the battlefield.’ At this point Muraku entered the chat.
‘Houjou Muraku, Gunther check.’ As soon as he spoke, Vanessa felt a surge of anger. Why did this creep have to use the same LBX as her?
‘Muraku, I won’t call you Captain.’
‘...I never asked you to.’
‘Well, whatever. I’ll show you what I can do.’
‘...I’m looking forward to it.’
The way he answered without any change in his expression infuriated Vanessa. She immediately closed the chat.
---
Whilst looking at the monitor that had just been shut off, Muraku - as if nothing had just happened - called Kageto over the chat.
‘Kiba Kageto.’
Since he’d been called, Kageto had no choice but to answer him.
‘Yes?’
‘Do we have a spare set of sabres?’
‘Huh?’ Kageto replied without thinking.
‘I’m asking you if we have a spare set of sabres?’
‘Yeah, sure we do. In the craft carrier.’
‘Understood.’ With a one-word response, Muraku prepared for landing.
---
The Rossius Union’s enormous territory spread from the West to the East. The East division was under the 6th Platoon’s jurisdiction, moving to the place where Rossius bordered Jenock and Arabista. According to Commander Krosky’s information, the enemies were planning an invasion from the sky by the Arabista borders. The platoons had to scout the area before the enemy craft carriers arrived. That’s where Vanessa was headed.
‘Kageto!’
‘Affirmative.’
The bottom of the craft carrier opened and Vanessa’s Gunther aboard a Riding Saucer descended. The Control Room noticed this immediately and contacted them.
‘6th Platoon, what are you doing?’
‘...’
Vanessa ignored this.
‘Respond, 6th Platoon!’ At this Muraku cut into the chat.
‘Control Room, this is the 6th Platoon. We’re sending out one unit in order to scout the enemy’s movements.’
‘!’
Vanessa was taken back. This Captain, just what on earth was he playing at? Her head became clouded with suspicion.
‘This is the Control Room, affirmative. Report back on Arabista’s movement.’
‘6th Platoon, affirmative. Vanessa, send us your report as soon as you can.’
‘...Tch!’ Without replying to Muraku’s order, Vanessa piloted her Riding Saucer towards the country’s border.
---
As she neared the border’s coastline, Vanessa cautiously observed her surroundings. She didn’t see anything that could be an enemy. That went for both the airspace and above ground was also clear. There didn’t seem to be anything to be concerned about.
‘What’s going on? Did our secret intelligence get false information again?’
Recently, the Rossius Union’s secret intelligence were getting quite a lot of false information, and every time they did Rossius platoons were sent dashing about all over the place. It seemed like this time once again false info had been received. Bearing this in mind, Vanessa had just placed her hand on the gear stick.
A beam of light broke through the water’s surface. A second later, it hit her Riding Saucer.
‘What the-?’
Before she had time to question what was going on, her Riding Saucer had already began to crumble. Taking a look out over the coastline, one by one Arabista LBX units - Jirant - were coming from the water’s surface to land.
‘They weren’t coming from the air at all!’
Rounding on Vanessa’s routed LBX, the enemy units began to fire. Vanessa hurriedly instructed her Gunther to dismount from the Riding Saucer, and the minute she did it exploded from the impact of the guns. As soon as she landed, she lost her balance, teetering across the earth. And that was when she dropped her hand rifle.
‘Shit!’ Vanessa made her LBX dash behind the shadow of a rock near the coastline.
(Shit, I can’t do a thing to attack them without a weapon! … I’m in big trouble.)
Gritting her teeth, she desperately tried to think of a plan when the communication window opened again.
‘Vanessa, what’s your situation?’ It was Kageto.
‘I messed up. Arabista didn’t come from the air, they came from the water. My Riding Saucer’s out of action and I’ve lost my weapon.’
‘What did you just say?’
‘I’m hiding right now, but I don’t know when they’re going to find me.’
At this, Mikhail also entered the chat.
‘How many enemy units are there?’
Vanessa check the monitor to see how many enemies were caught on the radar.
‘Nine. All Jirant. I can’t confirm what kind of weapons they’re using, but there is a sniper.’
‘Can you get out of there?’
‘I think if I move they’ll catch me.’
‘Understood. We should get there soon too. Until then, try to wait it out and respond to any communication.’
When the chat ended, Vanessa looked out over to the enemy units milling around in front of her eyes. She had no weapon and she was at a serious disadvantage in numbers. Going into battle in these circumstances would be like dashing into the hornet’s nest, the best possible outcome getting a Break Over. The worst possible outcome was getting LOST.
(Is my battle really gonna end here…?)
As much as she wanted to stick it to Muraku, dashing out onto the battlefield by herself was probably just reckless. The thought crossed her mind that it was possible Muraku tolerated Vanessa’s defiance because he knew something like this would happen. That way if Vanessa became LOST, Muraku might peacefully settle into the 6th Platoon.
Faced with a dangerous situation, Vanessa found herself unable to think anything but negative thoughts.
(This is bad, now of all times I’ve gotta stay calm and move.)
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then let it back out. When she opened her eyes once again, she focused on the enemy LBX.
The Arabista Captain’s LBX started to move. Almost as if he were the head of special forces or something, he began making his way up the mountain. He knew Vanessa’s unit was still alive, and he was looking for it. An army of Jirant, the Captain’s unit in the middle of the pack, was heading her way.
‘At this rate I’m done for…’
Vanessa made up her mind and dashed out from under the shadow of the rock. She turned towards a forest she could see a lit bit farther ahead and made her Gunther run for it. At this sudden movement, the Jirant instantly began to shoot. Vanessa began to sweat.
‘Shit, I don’t want to lose here!’
She yelled, making her Gunther dash left and right as he ran. Suddenly its left leg was hit by one of the enemy’s bullets, and Gunther flipped head over heels. But the hit wasn’t fatal and it managed to dash into the forest and the bullets only collided with the forest of trees.
‘That was close…’
When she took a deep breath and looked over her surroundings, she could see the Captain of the Jirant and the others heading towards her.
‘...Alright.’
Vanessa thought for a moment, then grabbed hold of a branch that lay in front of her.
The Jirant pack entered the forest while carefully surveying their surroundings. With 6 units defending the front of the pack, the units proceed into the forest. 3 units made up the rear defense. If an enemy ambushed them, the 6 units in front would defend. This was their formation for entering a territory like a forest.
They continued along the dirt road, careful not to slip in the mud. Vanessa’s Gunther, covered in mud, aimed her stick at one of the enemy Jirant and threw it at its gun, which slipped out of its hand at the impact. Straight away, Gunther tackled the Jirant and punched it - once, twice, three times - resulting in a Break Over.
Noticing something was wrong, the rest of the enemy LBX took aim in her direction and began to fire. Vanessa picked up the fallen Jirant’s gun and made her way out of that area, followed by a shower of bullets.
‘Taking out just 1 unit really doesn’t make much difference…’
She had her LBX slip into a low pit, careful not to show her face as the enemy approached and began to shoot blindly until she was out of bullets, then threw away the gun. She took a deep breath as she lay in hiding. The sound of approaching LBX echoed all around her. When she confirmed it on the radar, she saw another unit heading towards her. She was weaponless. Preparing herself for the worst, Vanessa
Gazed at the monitor. She couldn’t confirm her location on the radar.
Suddenly she found herself face to face with an enemy unit. She thought she’d let her judgement slip, but the enemy unit must have been tailing her. It aimed its gun at her unit’s chest.
‘I never saw you coming…!’
Resigning herself to her fate, she shut her eyes.
Suddenly, a white shadow descended from the sky. Clutching a sabre in both hands, the unit began its massacre of the Jirant pack.
‘Good job hanging in there.’
(Muraku…!)
She felt something like anger rise inside her. There was nothing worse than the very person she wanted to show up be the one to save her. However, Muraku wasn’t concerned with how she felt, and immediately dashed into the pack of enemy units. Wielding a sword in both hands, one by one he began to take down each enemy. He would take an attack from the enemy units with the sword in his right hand, and with the sword in his left hand he would penetrate them. When one enemy was defeated he quickly turned to the next.
(He’s so fast…)
There were no flaws in his movement - it was beautiful. He deftly dodged an oncoming attack from both sides, causing both units to crash into each other. It was like he could predict the enemy’s attack.
‘Vanessa, are you okay?’
When she heard his voice and turned around, she found Mikhail’s Glerior in a ready to battle position, his gun aimed to fire.
‘Respond!’
‘Oh, I’m fine.’ Vanessa responded, relieved, all the while watching Muraku’s battle. Muraku’s unit swiftly sliced the final enemy in two, an action followed by a large explosion. In no time at all, he’d taken down 8 enemy units without a single word.
‘He’s crazy good…’
‘Yeah…’
Mikhail was also momentarily stunned by Muraku’s battle.
‘So this is… our new Captain?’ As Vanessa continued to watch Muraku’s battle, her heart swelled with pride.
---
When War Time ended, Vanessa made her way over to Muraku’s Control Pod. Without saying a word, Muraku climbed out of the pod and stood in front of Vanessa.
‘...What?’
‘...I guess I can accept you as our Captain.’ As embarrassing as it was, she had to admit it. Even it hadn’t been for him, she would have probably been LOST today. That was a fact.
‘Is that so.’ Saying no more than this, Muraku turned and began to walk away from the control pods.
‘What the hell is his problem?’ Kageto said bitterly.
‘...Vanessa…’ Mikhail looked anxious. However, Vanessa looked completely refreshed.
‘Doesn’t matter. He’s our Captain after all.’ When Vanessa said this with a smile, the two boys exchanged baffled glances.
‘That guy is the new Captain for the 6th Platoon.’ Seemingly saying this to reassure herself rather than anyone else, Vanessa turned to watch their new Captain walk away.
-An unnamed girl wearing a heart-shaped pendant necklace is searching through the dumpster of discarded LBX parts and finds one still in perfect working condition
-Yuno, Sakuya, Haruki and Hikaru are walking home after class. Something called the Ranking Battle system has been introduced.
-Rinko is no longer just a mechanic - she is now also an LBX player, and a very strong one at that to Yuno’s dismay
-It’s revealed Yuno doesn’t do her own customization on her LBX, she leaves it up to Kyoka. Yuno says she’s not a mechanic so she doesn’t need to.
-Hikaru is top of these Rank Battles
-They arrive back at the Duck Manor, and Hikaru greets Tome-san formally, which she scolds him for. Hikaru’s not used to living so closely with others like at Kamui Daimon
-Many new transfer students have come to the school
-One of them is Yuuto, a huge fanboy of Hikaru and the newest member of Porton
-They eat Japanese-style food for dinner always - if they want Western style food they have to order it for lunch or eat it at Swallow cafe
-First Platoon tease Haruki about acting like a Dad
-Student Council is made up of Haruki, Muraku, Kagetora, Hinako and Sakuya. Yuno and Suzune are sitting in on the meeting. The meeting is about the budget for the sCHOOLFESTIVAL
-The budget is decided based on who has the most amount of high-ranked members for Rank Battle
-Yuno’s worried because they’re a small group, and Rossius has the most students so obviously they’ll have the biggest budget
-Muraku declares if everyone in Jenock tries to take down Hikaru’s spot from number 1 rank they’ll all move up in rank. He says he hasn’t battled Hikaru in a long time, plus he’s been holding back so he wants a proper battle
-Haruki is like, muraku why are you like this we are trying to discuss the budget for the school festival can you not turn the whole class against hikaru
-lmao
-i love muraku
-what was i talking about
-also apparently vanessa and hikaru battle a lot and he always wins and they fight about it
