General

That Close Combat Competition, or whatever you call it... Do I register as a contestant here?

Are you the Eastrise representative? I've heard a lot about General Firentia's reputation.

It's just a title imposed on me by others. Her Majesty asked me to participate in the competition, so I don't know anything about the process or arrangements. Please walk me through it.

Of course. Ahem, this fighting competition has its roots in the old no-limits gladiator fighting, a ritual of fighting for glory with your life, but because of its brutality...

Skip the tedious history, I'm not interested.

Uh... Anyway, over time, close combat has become a one-on-one tournament with a large number of participants and strict rules.

This competition is held in the name of the Premier, so it is the biggest of its kind in history. The competition is scheduled to run for three full days.

Do I need to fight for three days in a row? Heh, that's interesting. (At least it will help relieve the boredom of having nothing to do during the Sports Meet.)

Well, technically it's not a continuous fight...

It doesn't matter. Just tell me what's next and if there's a fight to participate in.

(Is this the stage for the first battle? Hm... This feels pretty random, but whatever.)

Hey, where's my opponent? It should be time for the match! I'm ready to fight with all my might!

Um, don't you know that the first battle is a test without an opponent?

Uh...

Huh?!

Because of the large number of participants in the competition, we will use special equipment to test your speed, strength and reflexes.

All you have to do is hit the robot in front of you, and it will automatically collect your data. If you exceed the average, you will advance to the next round.

(What the hell is this? Is this really a fighting competition? Isn't fighting supposed to be fair and straightforward?)

Contestant Firentia?

Uh... Nothing. (Since this is a competition, it may be different from what I'm used to. I'll just bear with it since it's a small place.) When will the test start?

If you are ready, we can start now. Please follow the instructions and hit the targets one by one.

The test is over! ...Ah, your overall index is excellent, and you have passed the first round of testing straight away.

Hah... The tests won't all be like this later, will they?

No, no, the next one will be a real fight. Please take a break and we will arrange an opponent for you as soon as possible.

I've been waiting for almost ten minutes. Why hasn't the next match been arranged yet?

Our apologies, the committee is now calculating your ability band and overall rating based on your performance, so it will take some time.

Band...? Overall rating? What's all this?!

In order to make the competition fairer and to separate the matches by strength, we make a comprehensive evaluation of the players' performance in various competitions and assign a level.

The levels go from Black Iron, to Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Pure Crystal. The higher the rating, the more powerful you are.

There's no such fancy stuff on the battlefield... Being able to defeat the enemy and survive is the highest rating.

T-These are the rules after all...

Ah... Forget it. It's useless to rage against you guys. Let me know when you've found me an opponent. I'll go someplace else and waste some time.

Contestant Firentia, are you leaving the competition area?

I want to relax for a while.

Alright. Please use a secret spell here for us to record your physical state in case there is any use of prohibited drugs, or procurement of beneficial secret spells outside.

I'm not going to do such a thing! Damn it, if I had known this would be such a hassle, I wouldn't have come even if they offered vacation time.

Finally out of there... Hm?

What an obvious killing aura. Can you not suddenly approach from behind while I'm trying to relax, General Firentia?

You're Babs? The one who fights dirty?

Hey! It's not polite to slander someone right off the bat! I'm the Nebu representative in this close combat competition, so I'm your opponent at the very least.

So you're also... Don't you think this competition is strange? Those boring ranking rules... I've never heard of it before on the battlefield.

This is an ''entertainment event'' after all. Fighting is not the main purpose of the competition. There are also the ratings, national honor, and other additional elements.

It's too complicated, I don't understand and don't want to understand.

Anyway, I will try to show my true strength as much as I can, and you will also show your true ability, right? I hope we can take this opportunity to fight it out.

Well, I'll be waiting for you on the battlefield. There's finally something to look forward to in this boring competition.

I heard that my opponent is ready?

Yes, this is the person. He is ranked as Gold level two...

Eek! W-Why is a person of General Firentia's level only a Silver 5th rank?! I-I didn't hear about this!

Blame this weird tier system.

Ugh! Damn it, since this is how things are, I'm just going to give it all I got!

You can't even take a hit. Let's get you out with the next move!

W-Wait! I want to use my level privileges!

Your level privileges? Uh, what nonsense is that? Forget it, I'll shut you up.

Contestant Firentia, stop. Let your opponent finish stating his intention!

...Huh?!

Level privileges are part of the competition, and contestants are entitled to use them during fights.

Yes, that's right! I want to use my level privileges! I'm transferring half my points to Firentia in exchange for not counting the result of this match a win or loss!

This will lower you to the Silver 3rd ranking... This match has been stopped, and Contestant Firentia will advance to the next round.

Phew... At least I'm still in the competition...

Hey! You guys, what the heck is this? Not counting it as win or loss? Are you kidding me?!

Come back here! Our fight isn't over!

Because your opponent stopped the match, you gained far more points than if you had beaten him outright. This is an advantage for you!

Humph... Who the heck wants that? He can't even fight in a dignified manner, and only plays with the rules. You have no right to decide the result of the competition like that!

Waah! Y-You... I'm not in the match right now! You're breaking the rules by hitting me!

AAAARGH! Aaaaaah! THIS IS SO ANNOYING!

Stop, Firentia.

Huh? You're stopping me too?

...Have you noticed? Your emotions right now are not normal. You don't normally lash out like this, and give up on future chances to fight.

Normally? We didn't really interact before, did we? I know... You're trying to mess with my head and stop me from enjoying the fights, huh?

Tsk... No choice then. Come on, Firentia. Let's talk in the only way you're familiar with so you can calm down.

Heh! That's more like it. Take this, Babs!

Hahaha! This is the way! A blood-pumping fight, simple rules! Only a winner and a loser!

It was a good fight!

So, have you calmed down yet?

Your fighting style reminds me of an old friend.

Let's call it a day, warrior of Nebu. We have our own fight.

... Haven't you had enough excitement?

You got hurt, Firentia.

Mhmm? When...?

Enough, Firentia. Have you not figured out who I really am?

Aren't you Babs? No... This tone of voice, I remember it's...

...Zawa? Where is the real Babs?

I've dealt with that ''fake''... But that's not important. This battle is a trap to get you to explode emotionally and make you lose control.

We're now, already, trapped, Ugh, damn it. Did ''it'' notice me already?

What in the world are you talking about? No, wait... When did I start participating in this competition? Is this... a competition area?

Remember... You... right now... sense of abnormal... resist it... I will solve it right aw...

Zawa? Zawa! ...She suddenly disappeared. Right at the end, she wanted to tell me... that she's going to solve it all?

Ugh... My eyes... Damn it... Looks like I can only... wait... Zawa... do it...

Contestant Firentia? Contestant Firentia! Do you hear me?

Huh? When did I get in the fighting ring?

Are you asleep or something? Anyway, after hearing that you've defeated quite a few opponents, there's a seeded player who wants to fight you.

So I'm here to get your confirmation. Will you accept her challenge?

(What's going on...? I can't remember what happened before. But...)

It's not in my character to not fight when there is a fight to be had. I accept the challenge.

Very well. Let's inform the opponent to come over right away!

Well? You didn't expect that the challenger would be me, right?

...It really is Your Majesty. Why have you suddenly...

Humph! I've always wanted to fight you, but I've never had the chance.

In the name of the Sports Meet, let me examine you personally and see if you are worthy of the appointment!

Oh... Okay! I'll give it my all even if it's not for proving myself!

S-So strong... The Premier is actually this powerful?!

What, is that all you got?

Ha! Of course not! If that's the case, I'll also...

Don't get carried away by the heat of the moment. Remember, the feeling that you have sensed for a long time is the only reality.

Huh?! Who's talking to me?!

You're spacing out and not attacking?

...No, wait. Come to think of it, The Premier... specializes in the secret arts, and can't possibly be better at close combat than me, a soldier.

Also, shouldn't she be receiving diplomats from various factions right now?! Why would she appear in the ring?!

...Looks like the illusion customized for you is easy to break so long as you do not indulge in the atmosphere of battle.

I remember now. Someone warned me about this strange feeling...

It's too late to use subtle tactics. Forced reset, start!

...That was close. Making them the index to reboot the world is almost going to fail, huh... Time to get in touch with that real core person.

Can you help me transport some things to a nearby storehouse, please?

What are you talking about as soon as you come up? You're the manager of the Great Library... Miss Zawa, right?

I'm a soldier, but it's not in my job description to do manual labor. I have other things to do later, so you can ask someone else.

..What if I said that I could provide you with some treasured battle records in the future? These things can be hard to collect outside of the Eastrise Library.

...Deal! Tell me what you want transported.

...

It's you, huh? That manager Zawa talked about. She asked me to move some things out... It's no problem, right?

...

(That's weird, she's just nodding and her eyes are dull... Is she really still alive?)

It's these boxes, right? Make it quick and then get Zawa to hurry up and give me those battle records.

Okay, this is the place Zawa said, right? The stuff is here, I'll just... Huh, there's a note stuck on this box... I'll open it and take a peek.

Stay away from battle and think about something other than combat.

What does she mean by this? Wait, speaking of which... am I still competing? Why does it feel like I've experienced some failure or success?

The individual has detected anomalies again... Things like this are becoming more frequent.

You're... Your Majesty?! No, I remember I fought with you once... That was in...

...Restart.