Editing Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 1 Chapter 4 (section)

===Part 4===
 
The origin of the screams that Akasuki could hear from the second arena was near Miu who was in first arena. The shrill cry originated from an extremely frightened female classmate.
 
The reason why they were screaming was in front of their eyes. Miu, Kuzuha and Chikage all stared blankly at the not-so-distant object.
 
A giant bird taller than a person—Cockatrice. Its body was 5 meters long. This was the training opponent for the team battle that Miu and the others were supposed to face.
 
However, the size of the giant bird was not the reason for the screams. In fact, the Cockatrice was a common opponent for a small team combat training.
 
“Why…!”
 
Miu’s expression was extremely serious. Along with Kuzuha and Chikage she took a few steps back, to maintain a distance from the Cockatrice. The atmosphere of the first arena had completely changed. The previous light-hearted atmosphere had instantly disappeared.
 
—Before the beginning of training, the combat instructors had specially warned them of the precautions.
 
A real Cockatrice was a monster with the ability of petrification. To make it closer to its real nature, they had specially configured attacks from its beak to cause a state of paralysis. Aside from Miu, the other students had already experienced many times of live combat training, so they were tired of the instructor’s reminder. Thus the combat training soon started.
 
At the beginning, Miu and her classmates were prevailing. The magician type students stood far away and activated magic attacks, while the warrior type students dodged the claws and used the weapons in their hands to directly attack it. Everybody was constantly changing their positions, trying to find the most favorable attack angle and surround the Cockatrice. The giant bird was already a familiar combat opponent, so everybody had already worked out a method to achieve victory. Everyone thought that they would easily defeat the enemy this time again.
 
However, after dealing a certain amount of damage to the giant bird, the situation quickly changed. The Cockatrice’s reaction speed suddenly rapidly increased, and two female warrior type students had already become its sacrifices. The Cockatrice easily dodged the attacks from a dead angle, and instantly went around to the back of the two female’s students. Under the attacks of the claws of the Cockatrice, the two students immediately lost consciousness.
 
“—Retreat! Quickly find cover!”
 
The combat skills instructor’s reaction was very swift. A normal training program could not have this type of reaction, and the combat skill instructor immediately noticed the severity of the situation. But there were several male students who had defeated other monsters and didn’t listen to the instructions, and confidently stood in front of the Cockatrice. Perhaps they were bored of the same training program, and wanted to prove their strengths. These male students courageously fought the Cockatrice.
 
However, the results exceeded their expectation. Magic chants were useless, even weapons could not cause it any harm. Even if they used all their power, the results were the same.
 
They were deeply appalled and faced an attack from the Cockatrice’s beak.
 
“Guuu…!”
 
The male student, who was holding a sword, took a few steps back, attempting to avoid it, but was shot in the right shoulder. His entire body fell onto the ground, causing dust to float around.
 
Luckily, he had managed to retain his consciousness, but as the paralysis was about to start, he probably could not re-enter the battlefield. Just when everyone felt sorry for him, the male student who had received the attack suddenly became a stone statue. This caused everyone to notice that the terror wasn’t just with the Cockatrice’s speed, but also the dangers involved. Everyone understood how urgent the situation was, and understanding turned into fear, which of course was followed by an incoming large scream.
 
“I…Instructor, How did this happen!”
 
Miu concentrated and turned her head to ask the instructor, but only to see an anxious and puzzled look on his face. The combat skills instructor’s fingers were constantly sliding on the control system’s crystal ball.
 
“I…I don’t understand! The emergency suspension program cannot be activated, the system is out of control! Looks like someone has forcibly changed the data of the Cockatrice and made it much more powerful.”
 
The instructor had an incredulous expression.
 
“But it should be safe to say that after being harmed by it, at most it should cause only a temporarily paralysis. The original role was to make a hypnotic suggestion to a person’s mentality… In addition, the barrier is working fine, so it should not cause substantial harm to the body.”
 
“Mmm—!”
 
Miu was no longer listening to the instructor’s explanation. Since the instructor was not clear about the current situation, she should not waste any time on him. Miu had more important things to do, that is to buy time for the others to take cover.
 
“…Wind!”
 
Miu activated her long prepared magic. The atmosphere replied to Miu’s summons, and multiple wind blades formed near the ceiling. Followed by a swing of her staff, the wind blades traced a beautiful arc and headed towards the Cockatrice. All the blades hit the target, but—
 
Miu gasped. The moment the wind blades hit the Cockatrice, it immediately dissipated into fog.
 
… It was actually completely unaffected by it…!
 
Miu’s attack revealed her own position, and the Cockatrice’s attention suddenly focused onto her body. The giant bird’s sharp claws pressed onto the floor, it tilted its huge body forward and headed to Miu swiftly. It was hard to imagine that such a huge Cockatrice actually had such an alarming speed. Miu and the Cockatrice were separated by roughly 20 meters, but this kind of distance didn’t mean much to the Cockatrice.
 
… Not good, I have to hurry and avoid…!
 
In peril, Miu twisted her waist and attempted to dodge the enemy’s attack. But after giving it a thought, she gave up on this idea. Kuzuha and Chikage were both standing next to her, and behind her she also had the instructor and the other students. She must think of a way to protect them. Thus Miu began to chant her magic. The AD on her wrist could shorten the chanting time, so a simple wind magic should still make it in time. Miu planned on making everyone fly up into the air and avoid the enemy’s attack. At this moment, the approaching Cockatrice suddenly stumbled and fell to its side. A closer look showed the Cockatrice’s right leg fell into a several meter deep hole, as if it had fallen into a trap.
 
“…Direct magic attacks do not have any effect, but this kind of tactics seem to still be working.”
 
Kuzuha coldly said.
 
“If that’s the case, let me try it as well.”
 
The fallen Cockatrice suddenly had a large water block covering its head. The ball-shaped water block emerging from midair stole away the Cockatrice’s ability to breathe. Its huge body tried to stand up, but the water block seemed to have its own consciousness, always covering the head of the Cockatrice. The water block also gradually expanded. Finally it covered the entire body of the Cockatrice, creating a water cage for the Cockatrice to be imprisoned in.
 
“Ah ha, looks like it really is effective.”
 
The long range attack really worked. Chikage smiled proudly and immediately turned to Miu.
 
“Are you okay?”
 
“Ah, thank you.”
 
Miu stared at the two people, her face in disbelief.
 
…Why did I think that I had to do everything by myself…?
 
Deep down, Miu regarded those two as people she had to protect, but this was obviously only Miu’s thinking. In fact, Kuzuha and Chikage’s strength was comparable to herself. Both were reliable partners.
 
“Magic being useless is no problem, but even the petrification effect came out…Izumi, what do you think?”
 
“I’m guessing the system went out of control, therefore affecting the meaning of causing harm to a human body.”
Chikage supported her chin, and replied to Kuzuha’s question.
 
“The Cockatrice created by the training program should only cause paralysis on the mental level, but this kind of paralysis does not cause harm to the human body. The system will follow the student’s abnormal condition to make a judgment. If the system accepted petrification as part of an abnormal condition, then the events that happened today should be reasonable.”
 
“If that is true, then our current situation may not be very optimistic.”
 
Kuzuha glanced at the petrified male students.
 
“If the barrier determined that petrified students are normal stones—“
 
“T…Then won’t it…!”
 
Miu was surprised. According to the assumptions given by Kuzuha, a petrified body could possibly be destroyed and was excluded from the protection of the barrier. The body’s damage was not the issue anymore; they could die instantly on the scene.
 
“How do we return them to normal?”
 
Miu was very anxious, but Chikage only gently nodded.
 
Based on past experience, as long as you beat the Cockatrice, the training course will come to an end, and the paralysis effect should also disappear—
 
After saying half of what she wanted to say, Chikage suddenly shut up. Miu and Kuzuha didn’t understand why but followed Chikage’s gaze and looked forward, and immediately their faces paled.
 
“Impossible…”
 
Both of them could hardly believe what they are seeing.
 
The imprisoned Cockatrice was rapidly expanding in the water cage.
 
Its sharp eyes stared directly at the three of them.
 
Miu and the others immediately entered their battle postures. The other female students screamed.
 
The Cockatrice suddenly broke through Chikage’s water cage.
 
All of this happened almost simultaneously.
 
“Damn, it failed!”
 
Chikage snarled, angry at her own misjudgment.
 
“It isn’t afraid of magic, but rather it can absorb magic!”
 
The Cockatrice’s body rapidly grew. From the original 5 meters, it swelled to 7 or 8 meters. The personality became more violent and it used its deadly petrification as an attack.
 
A symbol of fear was rapidly ascending in front of their eyes.
 
“—!”
 
Everyone issued a high-pitched scream and attempted to flee from the scene, but the Cockatrice’s deafening roar swallowed the wails, shaking the atmosphere. The Cockatrice opened its wings and released countless feathers. Under the influence of the strong wind, the Cockatrice’s feathers fluttered everywhere, turning into sharp arrows.
 
“Waaaaaa…!”
 
Miu hurriedly activated her wind defence magic, placing Chikage and Doumoto under her protection.
 
She could not worry about the others and could only watch as the fleeing students got hit by the feathers, and in the presence of the trio, turned into cold hard statues.
 
“Impossible…”
 
…Its feathers also have the ability of petrification?
 
When Miu had fallen into despair, the Cockatrice approached and raised its giant claws.
 
“~~!”
 
The sharp claws collided with the defensive barrier. Even Miu who was in the barrier could clearly feel the huge impact. Miu grinded her teeth and endured it.
 
Noticing its claws being bounced back, the Cockatrice was slightly shocked. It immediately launched a second wave of attack. The huge beak and claws took turns and continued an endless stream of attacks.
 
“…Uh! …Ah!~~ Ah!”
 
Miu tried to defend against the giant bird’s attack at all costs, but the situation where they were evenly matched would not last long. The Cockatrice’s attacks became heavier each time, and Miu felt that she was slowly lacking.
 
…Could it be that it is absorbing my defensive barrier’s magic power?
 
Her foreboding really became true. The Cockatrice’s body gradually swelled. Miu had no other option; if she removed the defensive barrier, it meant revealing them directly to the threat of the giant beak and claws. Even if they were lucky enough to avoid the attacks from the beak and claws, it was unlikely that they would be able to avoid the fluttering feathers, and at that time, it would still be the end for them. Kuzuha and Chikage also seemed to carry similar thoughts, but they could only frown and desperately think of countermeasures. As the Cockatrice’s attack power became stronger and stronger, Miu’s internal magic power rapidly decreased, and finally she could not withstand it anymore.
 
“…Ah!”
 
Both of Miu’s legs gave out and she had no power in her body. Her magic power was completely depleted and the wind defensive barrier also vanished. But the Cockatrice did not stop its attack. She could only watch as its neck went down slightly and the petrification attack from the beak pierced the air. Miu, who was completely powerless, had no response as countermeasures.
 
At this moment, Kuzuha and Chikage stood in front of Miu.
 
“—Hmm!”
 
“Take this…!”
 
The two of them simultaneously created a earth and water barrier, forming a brand new defensive barrier. Under the effects of the two barriers, they managed to withstand the first wave of attack from the Cockatrice.
 
However, the earth and water defensive barrier also collapsed.
 
“Ah—!”
 
“It can’t be…”
 
The two of them exclaimed. Miu was feebly lying on the floor, her heart filled with remorse. The barrier was created by her, it blocked the Cockatrice, but at the same time, her own magic power was absorbed completely, turning into the Cockatrice’s strength.
 
“Quickly escape…!”
 
Unfortunately, she was a step too late. Kuzuha and Chikage did not even have the chance to catch their breath, and the Cockatrice’s giant claws pierced the air once again.
 
The two of them attempted to re-activate the defensive barrier, but it was too late. The unformed earth and water barrier was not its opponent. A strong impact made the two of them fly away like broken kites. After rolling on the floor a few times, they lost consciousness. The amount of damage they received was far more than what their mental state could withstand.
 
“Chikage…! Class rep…!”
 
Miu struggled to get up. Even if she had no power in her body, she would still bravely raise the holy spear and face off against the over 10 meters tall Cockatrice, in order to protect the unconscious Kuzuha and Chikage — The first friends she made in her life.
 
… I won’t let you get away with this, monster…!
 
“Guuu…”
 
After gripping her hands slightly, she suddenly fell to the ground weakly.
But the Cockatrice did not give any mercy. She watched as the giant claws swept towards her rapidly.
 
Although she knew it was impossible, Miu still held gritted her teeth and raised her holy staff, attempting to block off the attack from the Cockatrice. She would definitely never give up. She stared straight at the sharp claws, her eyes unblinking.
 
Suddenly, a figure jumped in between.
 
“—”
 
As it was so sudden, Miu’s eyes widened in surprise. The familiar silhouette was in front of her eyes, a wide, strong, confident male’s back. He did not even open his mouth, but his back told her everything.
 
—Don’t worry, I’m here now.
 
She watched as he calmly raised his left hand.
 
After a huge noise erupted, the Cockatrice’s giant claws were firmly blocked.