Editing Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 2 Episode 1 (section)

===Part 5===

The afternoon class was a practice of battle form.

They headed to the practice field away from the school building and dormitory, changed into their dress gears and wore Machine Dragons.

“Well then, today, we will mainly focus on the practical skill training for the campus selection battle, which will be held two weeks later.”

When all the members of the class lined up, Instructor Raigree’s dignified voice resounded in the wide practice field.

The ruins where ancient weapons and technology slept were not places where anyone could readily investigate.

The right and opportunity to excavate the ruins were formalized by an international agreement several years ago, and the national tournament results would decide who would have the ruins investigation rights.

Plainly speaking, the country which left the better results in the tournament could acquire more investigation rights.

The off campus tournament was held once every several months.

The campus selection battle in order to choose participants for it was going to begin soon.

Therefore, it seemed that it was scheduled to do training for actual fighting today, but––

“…Today three Drag-Knights have come from the capital’s army as temporary instructors. Everybody, do not miss this opportunity, and properly learn.”

By Instructor Raigree’s introduction, the men entered the practice field.

Men wearing the regular army overcoat on their dress gears.

Their age was probably almost the same as Instructor Raigree, about twenty to thirty years.

The female students leaked whispering voices at the army’s temporary instructor who was a man with a stern face standing at the vanguard of the other two.

“This is the first time. To think that “males” from the capital would be involved in such a lesson––”

“…In the first place, this was not in the schedule, right?”

“There are many people with a somehow cute face. Well, it isn’t to the extent of our Prince.”

“Or rather, isn’t it disgusting? How they stare at us––”

When the female students were embarrassed being fixedly stared at as they were wearing dress gears which tightly fitted to their bodies––

“Hou. As expected, coming here was the right choice.”

The man with a stern face standing at the vanguard smiled wryly as he looked at the embarrassed students.

It appeared that this man was the leader among the three.

“The Royal Military Academy for only female students established not long ago. Indeed, it looks like it’s dependent on the New Kingdom’s permissive system to women and usually does lukewarm training.”

“That is because they are still receiving an education curriculum.”

Instructor Raigree calmly replied.

Judging from her businesslike tone and expression, the visit of these temporary instructors was not originally scheduled, and even Lux could guess the fact that it was not expected.

But then, what was the reason why these men expressly came for?

“No, no, Raigree-dono. We, adults must teach them the severity of battle as early as possible. No matter how high the Machine Dragon aptitude value’s average was judged to be, in the end there is no way that a woman can rival a man, so––”

The muscular man with a rustic impression broadly grinned and said as to pick a fight.

Then, the lean man beside him stepped forward.

“That’s right. If you get carried away because of that level of military exercise in the capital –– two weeks ago, you’ll have difficulty in the future. There is just a handful of strong student Drag-Knights after all. I will also use this opportunity to firmly teach you the severity of a battle.”

To the tone of the sticky man, the students’ expression stiffened.

“But, I would like you to refrain from dangerous behavior. They are still students after all.”

As Instructor Raigree resolutely said so,

“Of course, we will be careful. However –– formal training might be somewhat harsh for these weak girls though.”

In contrast, the men said so unapologetically.

And, within a strange atmosphere slightly different than usual, the practice began.

Beginning from the Machine Dragon’s operation check, they advanced to basic skills practice such as barrier deployment, flight or acceleration and the like, and even extended to shooting by armaments and close range hand-to-hand fighting.

But at this point, it had already become something different from the usual practice.

“Hey, you bastard! With such slow movements, you can’t even become a target on the battlefield!? Are you making fun of me? Huh!?”

“What’s wrong!? Are you already tired? Do you think you can handle a Machine Dragon with this level?!”

“Don’t be naive! Don’t ask anyone! Think by yourself and redo it!”

About ten minutes after the start.

The temporary instructors in question were instructing the female students with quite rough methods.

Even Instructor Raigree who watched it attentively looked like she couldn’t somehow settle down.

“What the hell does this mean…?”

As Lux, who was taking a break, muttered as he watched the situation from the audience seating––

“It seems that there has also been something like this before.”

“Eh––?”

Krulcifer who was behind him before he knew it muttered so calmly.

Both of them were not wearing Machine Dragons now.

Since a Drag-Ride’s continuous use had a great burden on the body, they were divided into several groups in the middle of practice and two short breaks were established for each.

“––May I sit next to you?”

“Ah… yes”

When Lux nodded, Krulcifer quietly sat down beside him.

And, she fixedly stared at the practice field and opened her mouth.

“Those temporary instructors are nobles belonging to the army of the Capital, and it seems that they have wanted to come to this Royal Military Academy since some time now.”

It seemed that Krulcifer, who belonged to the Knight Squadron that was the guerrilla unit of students, had also heard many times about such hidden circumstances.

“But, aren’t there already Instructor Raigree and men instructors in the academy? And yet, why––”

The instructors had already been acknowledged as guides who endorsed the New Kingdom’s ideas.

‘‘And yet, why have they expressly come here?’‘

“To put it plainly, people don’t change so easily.”

With a tone mixed somewhere with resignation, Krulcifer said.

“What do you mean––”

“I’m a foreign student from another country, but I know at least this country’s history.”

History –– in other words, the Old Empire’s government system.

She was probably speaking about the trend and system of androcracy.

“They want to shake the predominance of women. They don’t like the fact that women stepped into the area called Drag-Knight which was the men’s privilege in this country. It’s natural that such people would come over. No, if anything, a person like you may be rare. Former Imperial Prince.”

Krulcifer jokingly said, but Lux did not laugh at it.

Since there was such a long history, it was natural that there were “men” like them.

Rather, although they did not take a conspicuous attitude, there were probably many people who were thinking so inwardly.

(I thought I understood at least this much, but––)

“Besides, this incident this time is surely their revenge.”

“…? What do you mean?”

“You know about the fact that the third-year students had gone for practice to the Capital last month, right? It seems that during that practice, the Academy's strongest third-year student, Celis-senpai had completely crushed the faces of the Drag-Knights over there. With her overwhelming strength.”

“…………”

Celestia Ralgris.

A daughter of a Duke House and the Academy's strongest girl famous for being a man-hater.

It seemed that she was also ostensibly calm, and she had a personality of not needlessly showing off her strength, but she was looked down upon by the men of the army, and had mercilessly beaten her opponents up in the practice.

Therefore, it was more likely that several men of the army in the Capital that had their pride crushed forcibly screwed in and carried out this matter of temporary instructors.

“Isn’t that–– just venting their anger?”

Since they could not hold a candle to Celestia, they used the pretext of instruction to work the other inexperienced female student Drag-Knights hard.

‘‘If that’s true––’’

“Of course. It’s just a rumor, and half is my guess; but such a rumor doesn’t seem to be groundless.”

Saying so, Krulcifer slowly stood up while turning her gaze to the practice field.

“Break time is over. Shall we go, too?”

“Yes…”

Lux and Krulcifer returned to the practice field side by side.

And they resumed training.