Jigglypuff's Diary

Shinichi sat outside and looked at his hands.

There were several distorted metal plates on his hands, each about the size of a business card, each as distorted as the last, and each as varied in color and texture.

They were warped in shape as though someone had forcibly torn them.

The exact origin of these metals remained a mystery, though some were from Earth and others from Falandia.

He had brought them to find if they could be used for trade or negotiation.

“As expected, no change.”

He said to himself and shook his head.

He expected as much, so there was nothing to feel bad about.

As he pocketed the metal plates away, he raised his left arm, on which could be seen his foster in gauntlet mode.

“They got past again!”

“Hey, First-Year!”

Someone called out, but before they could even finish what they were saying, the light bullet shot out from his gauntlets and pierced through the approaching shadow, shooting straight through the crystal in the forehead of the small ape-type raybeast, disintegrating it.

“…Damn,” one of the students said.

“S-Sorry, but there’s just too many of them,” the other student said.

The two Earthling students struggled to keep up against the onslaught of the raybeasts that came at them from every direction.

One of the students found himself apologizing by reflex, but Shinichi just fired another shot.

It passed right between the two students to shoot straight through the throat crystal of a leopard-type raybeast mid-leap.

“Center backs! You’re still in battle. Get your act together and face forward!”

It was not their mistakes or the death of the raybeasts that got the boys moving.

Even the light bullet shooting right between them failed to wake them from their stupor.

But the moment that voice rang by their ears, they moved.

“Raise your weapons and start shooting down those beasts that got past! One by one!”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

“Understood!”

At the sound of that voice, the two positioned at the center back recovered their wits about them, and they readied their weapons.

Calmly and surely, they struck the raybeasts that had gotten past the barrage of light bullets shot by the front and middle guards, and they felled them one after another.

“Everyone, forget about the evaluation for now!
This is a class, and there will be grading, of course, but before anything else, know with your own body–That this is what it means to fight the raybeasts in Garesto!”

On that battlefield where the roar of beasts and the explosions of man-made weaponry filled the air, it was the battle maiden clad in valiant aura that stood out.

Aristel wore her personal exoskeleton, the Blue Flame Type-II, which was shaped less like a combat gear and more like a dress molded from steel.

It was an armor meant to serve as a banner and inspire one’s own forces.

The sight of her soaring through the skies while clad in it was picturesque enough to make one forget for a moment that this was a battlefield.

Yet no one was more attuned to the battlefield than her.

She kept an eye on the whole battlefield while attacking and controlling the bits, the autonomous floating weapons equipped with Gatling cannons, directing them wherever they were needed.

When her tremendous photon output that fueled overwhelming firepower was accompanied with such an all encompassing battlefield awareness, she could overturn even numerical disadvantages, but only to an extent.

“I see. No wonder,” Shinichi muttered.

In a sense, the one who understood her words the most was none other than Shinichi. Though he was participating in this battle only to defend, and he wore a pair of defensive sunglasses, he could still see the whole battlefield, so he could understand.

“If this were a game, it’d be one of those iconic encounters that filled the whole screen that the devs would get lambasted for.”

Shinichi wryly smiled. He couldn’t even find it in himself to sigh.

After all, the surrounding area was completely covered in raybeasts.

It was supposed to be a wasteland littered with rocks, not a trace of greenery, and yet you couldn’t even see the ground now. There were raybeasts everywhere, even the sky.

Winged creatures blocked the world above, while four-legged creatures ran about on the world below.
They bared fangs and claws that shone, letting out roars devoid of life.
It was a number so great, a horde so intimidating, that even when the spawn rate in the academy’s outdoor field had been tampered with, the number of raybeasts here still dwarfed them by many times over.
The raybeasts in Garesto were simply on a different level.

That’s why it weighed heavily on Shinichi–the words that Aristel spoke, and the meaning behind them.

It was a small mercy that the sky and the ground weren’t literally covered completely, though the Foster’s radar did indicate that they were almost being smothered by the number of raybeasts.

Their numbers showed no signs of dwindling. If anything they were increasing due to the sounds of combat.

Aristel had been mowing them down this whole time with her overwhelming firepower, but the raybeasts were relentless.

“Telling us to push through a hellhole like this with just about twenty people is definitely something.”

Well, for Shinichi, this much of a hurdle as soon as they got here was actually on the ‘reasonable’ level. Or rather, the decision could be said to be apt.

After all, with this, the first years will get plenty of actual experience after only knowing about this place through videos, the upperclassmen could shake off the playful mood from the school trip, and finally, for the Garestoians, it was a way to tighten up after becoming a little too relaxed on Earth.

Besides, the task wasn’t simply to advance.

“Make sure to keep up with those in front.”

When the creature beside him slowed down, perhaps intimidated by all the explosions up ahead, Shinichi lightly flicked his finger against its back.

It was a casual flick, just about enough to roll a small pebble, but when it hit the back of that creature, a loud sound clanged as though he’d hit iron, the force reverberating back into him, while the creature itself cried out as though he’d shot it.

“Bwooooh!? Bwooooh!”

Its whole body shook and its head nodded up and down as if to say ‘Understood!’ then it hurried its four-legs along, lurching the enormous box it was pulling along.

That box was a camping trailer of sort for this wasteland. They were transporting it, but it was also their place of rest, an object that they needed to protect.

In other words, this was an escort mission, not just a mere attack against a horde of mindless raybeasts, so they couldn’t just cut through thoughtlessly.

Moreover, this was an improvised team, one thrown together without regard for year or class, so it was really a high-difficulty practical lesson.

Or at least that’s what Shinichi thought, who for various reasons, was acting as the driver atop the creature–atop the Gorad.

The Gorad was one of the few species of wild animals in Garesto, and the only one that the Garestoians had ever succeeded in domesticating.

It was a four-legged creature with a hardened and rugged exoskeleton. With its metallic-black hue, it was menacing to say the least.

From an Earthling’s perspective, it looked just like a rhinoceros clad in steel armor.

Yet despite its thick and heavy legs, it kicked off the ground with such power that it easily reached speeds of over fifty kilometers per hour.

Moreover, it did so while pulling a large trailer that was loaded with relief personnel across an untamed and pathless ground, all by itself.

Its leg strength and power were formidable to say the least. Its hide was tough, and it could smash its way through small rocks with ease.

In a world where raybeasts were rampant, it was only with such physical abilities that it was able to avoid extinction. That in and of itself was a testament to the power of the Gorad.

“Yeahhhh! Faster! Faster! Ha ha! Oh, but don’t dare overtake the ones in front.”

“Bwooooh!”

The gorad that Shinichi rode upon nodded its head as if though to indicate that it understood.

In fact, the way it adjusted its speed so precisely told of its cleverness, though as to how exactly it grasped Shinichi’s intent was a mystery.

It had a pair of round eyes on the sides of its protruding head, and each glistened with moisture.

It was curious if that could be counted as an expression, but its face looked as though it could burst into tears at any moment.

It was the sort of look that would elicit protective feelings in most people, but unfortunately, this poor gorad just had to deal with Shinichi.

Anyone who knew him would know that such an expression could only provoke his sadistic urges.

Fortunately, Shinichi managed to endure such dangerous urges thanks to the goodness in him that advocated for animal protection.

Did he actually have such goodness? Unfortunately, Shinichi wasn’t sure.

“Obuh!?”

Meanwhile, a flash larger than usual erupted ahead followed by an explosion.

The Gorad flinched, but Shinichi just stroked its back and threatened it to maintain pace. Yes, threaten.

Through the slightly dim view of his sunglasses, he confirmed that the wall of raybeasts up ahead had just opened.

“Full speed ahead. Go.”

“Bwoooooh!?!?”

Murmuring softly, he tapped the Gorad’s back lightly.

In the next moment, the gorad let out a thunderous sound. At first it sounded like a terrifying roar, but in context, perhaps it was actually screaming for its life.

No matter, the Gorad kicked off, scattering whatever raybeasts and rocks remained in its path, breaking through into the cleared route.

The center forwards, who had just barely carved open that path with concentrated firepower, were stunned to say the least.

But as expected of academy students, they quickly took to flight and closed the gap, easily matching the Gorad’s rush of over sixty kilometers per hour.

One of them, who was wielding a massive hammer, yelled angrily.

“Nakamura Shinichi! What do you think you’re doing speeding up on your own!?”

“…!”

A very familiar voice resounded in an oddly unfamiliar tone. It was a voice that has left him bewildered since his transfer, dulling his reactions and flustering him, leaving him unable to respond.

This sister of his, however, took his silence for rejection, a rejection of her achievements.

They were a pair of siblings that just couldn’t match wavelengths; a pair of siblings that ever missed the mark when it came to each other.

She blew up.

“Say something!” Youko said.

Fatigue worsened her anger, and she made no attempt to hide her displeasure.

Surprised and confused looks gathered on her, but ignorant of that, she took her anger out on Shinichi, who in turn panicked, eyes swimming about in confusion, but unfortunately for them, the pitch black shades of his sunglasses hid that from view.

“…This guy ran off on his own.”

“Bwo bwoh!”

In the end, Shinichi managed to get his wits about him and lie, a lie that the Gorad supported with a nod on its part.

Gorads raised by human hands were said to be able to understand human speech, so given this one’s origin, its response was not at all unnatural.

But of course, Youko couldn’t accept it.

She herself would never admit it, but as his little sister, she could tell that he was deceiving her.

Truly, a pair destined to not get along.

“Senba-san, that’s a bit too far, I think.”

“It might’ve been sudden, but it wasn’t a problem.”

“Besides, the switch order just came through.”

Perhaps sensing the aggression that lingered about her, the other students stepped in to try and calm her down.

But that only served to add fuel to the fire.

After all, no one here knew why she was so angry, not even herself.

“I know that, but still… I mean, what the heck is up with those sunglasses!? They don’t suit you, and we’re in the middle of training, you know! Are you trying to mess around at such an important time? Take them off!!”

“Ah—ugh!”

And so, emotionally and violently, she pulled off Shinichi’s sunglasses.

For a moment, he just stared blankly, but then, he quickly began to scream.

Blinding gold filled his world, and his eyes shut close at once, hunching forward with one hand to cover his eyes.

Youko paled when she saw her older brother in such distress, but she just stood there frozen.

She didn’t try to help or say anything. She couldn’t.

“What are you two doing?”

Then a voice came directly from above. It was flat in tone but heavy with reprimand.

“Padyuel-senpai!?”

She descended softly without so much as a sound, visor concealing her strict but beautiful face as she glared at Youko and the others.

『Did I not tell you to switch positions!? What are you doing loitering here and picking a fight with the team’s only rider!?』

So, this is what it meant to be scolded harshly by one’s own superior.

Fortunately, Aristel at least sent the scolding via telepathic communication, as it was unwise to yell next to a Gorad, so only the center forwards, Youko and her team, received the scolding.

Youko stood there dumbly, and Aristel grabbed the sunglasses from her and returned them to Shinichi.

“Here.”

“Ah, thanks.”

She touched him gently to make her presence known, then she pressed the glasses into his hand.

Shinichi realized at once what she was doing, so he thanked her and put them back on, all without opening his eyes even once.

“Are your eyes okay?” Aristel said.

“There’s an afterimage, but it should fade quickly. Hah, this world is just too bright.”

Aristel’s words were filled with concern, but the boy just laughed.

Aristel sighed in relief at that and even smiled a little, but almost immediately afterwards, she muttered unhappily to herself about how kind he was.

She knew he was telling her not to make a fuss about it, so she would respect his wishes.

“The center forwards will fall back with me. Don’t delay anymore. We need to complete the handover to Team B.”

“U-Understood!”

Though flustered, the center backs answered right away and exchanged data with the Team B members that have already mobilized.

One by one, they entered through the hatch atop the trailer and disengaged their exoskeletons.

As they shifted into standby mode, they appeared lightly dressed.

Finally, they could rest.

This trailer was a hand-me-down from the military and was equipped with reclining nap pods akin to massage chairs, simple maintenance gear, a radar and comms system, and a spacious lounge and rest area.

It was so full of amenities that it felt far bigger than it looked outside.

It was such that there was space to spare even with nearly ten members of Team A relaxing in their own ways.

Despite that, there was one lady who refused to let her guard down in the slightest.

“Operator, any changes in the hostile readings? Particularly something outside the Foster’s detection range?”

“No, they’re still everywhere as usual, but it seems the earlier group ended up as decoys. Most of the enemy is gathering toward them. As for our route, there aren’t any large clusters at the moment.”

“I see. Then please continue monitoring the situation.”

“Yes, leave it to me.”

After completing the handover to Team B and confirming that the radar showed no troublesome reactions, Aristel let out a breath as if to finally allow herself a moment’s rest.

“Phew.”

“Ah, um, senpai, here.”

At that moment, as if she had been waiting for it, someone handed a towel and a bottle of water to her.

It was Youko. Her long black hair was tied behind her, and she spoke with a voice and expression that suggested she was being apologetic.

Seeing that, Aristel almost smiled, but she kept her composure.

“Thank you.”

Only when she accepted them did she realize she was sweating more than she thought.

The exoskeleton’s protective functions kept it from being too bothersome, but she had clearly exerted herself beyond what it could support.

“Still a long way to go,” she told herself, as she wiped her sweat and quenched her thirst.

“Mm… glug… haa…”

“…”

The sight of Aristel’s glamorous figure glistening from sweat made many students pause.

Even Youko found herself staring, but Aristel just quenched her thirst.

Objectively, such a reaction was understandable.

After all, with her exoskeleton in standby, only the thinnest of armor was deployed, leaving her in an undersuit that clung tightly to her skin.

Of course, that was true for the other students too, but clothes were never the same depending on who wore them.

And Aristel wearing such an outfit drew gazes from men and women alike, leaving them both entranced and bewildered.

Of course, Aristel herself was unaware of this.

“Is something the matter?”

“N-no, it’s just… I’m sorry about earlier.”

Perhaps embarrassed at being captivated by someone of the same sex, or perhaps overwhelmed by the shame of having to explain such a feeling to the person in question, Youko bowed her head.

Of course, before any such feelings, there was something she had to say first.

“I let my emotions get the better of me and disrupted the unity of the group. I’ll accept any scolding, any punishment, and of course any deductions. I’m truly sorry!”

“…You can show consideration in matters like these, and yet…”

“Huh?”

“No, never mind. Very well. In any case, we need to talk. This way.”

Aristel led her to the furthest corner, to a lounge space that no one was using.

With her back turned, Aristel walked ahead. It was just her walking, but somehow, she moved with an elegance and bearing that screamed princess.

Youko almost caught herself staring again, but fortunately, she recovered her wits about her enough to give chase.

But as a result, she didn’t hear the exchange that took place behind her.

“That rumored first-year is even more outrageous than the rumors.”

One of the other students said spontaneously after finally recovering his wits.

He’d changed the subject on purpose because he felt embarrassed about staring so openly. He hadn’t meant to. Really.

But regardless of his agenda, those words were truly how he felt.

“What do you mean?” Another student said.

“He’s the only one who’s been outside this whole time without a break.
There are raybeasts everywhere, but he doesn’t even flinch,” the student explained.

“Now that you mention it, that’s true. I’d heard he was just full of himself, but I guess he does have guts. Then again, he might just be the carefree sort.”

“Nah, his nerves are the real deal. He took out the ones that slipped past the line without breaking a sweat, dropped them with a single shot each. He’s way too composed for a first-timer.”

“I guess being a returnee isn’t just for show, huh.”

“At the very least, his grit and marksmanship aren’t at first-year level.”

“I hear someone who can properly handle the role they’re assigned like he’s doing is prized more than some half-baked high-rankers. Heh. Maybe in a few years he’ll actually be our boss?” The student said half-jokingly.

“No way,” the other student laughed.

The exchange continued a bit more, but eventually, the conversation came to an end, and the two students went their separate ways.