Editing Unlimited Fafnir:Brynhildr Valkyries Chapter 2 (section)

===Part 5===

A month later...

At training site number three, the most spacious of them all, the Dragon Subjugation Squad's selection test was under way.

"Just as its name implies, the Dragon Subjugation Squad is a team assembled for the sake of fighting dragons. Planned operations to take out dragons have included the Dragon Subjugation Squad in their calculations."

The one speaking in front of everyone was Haruka-san who stood as both the captain of the Dragon Subjugation Squad and the examination officer.

"This is not a job where half-baked resolve would suffice. Naturally, there are risks involved. Only those capable of striving forward bravely in the face of dragons are eligible to continue."

Haruka-san spoke to us solemnly.

Including Miyako, Lisa-san, Firill-san and myself, there were a total of seven students taking the test.

I glanced around me. No one left. Everyone must have their own reason for fighting.

After confirming that no one was giving up, Haruka-san indicated the target set up in the training site.

"Well then, let the test begin. You will be assessed on only two aspects, namely, your ability to control offensive transmutation and your mobility during flight through the transmutation of air."

Several giant rings were suspended from the training site's ceiling. On the floor was a giant block of iron.

"First, aim at the iron block target and attack while you're on the ground. Next, fly through all the rings then attack the iron block while flying. Rather than attack power, your assessment will prioritize accuracy more. Try to be as swift as possible when moving around."

Attacking from the air...

Hearing that, I began to panic inside. Having exhausted all my efforts on flight training, I had not practiced this at all.

"—Don't worry. Just cross that bridge when you get to it."

As though reading my mind, Miyako spoke softly next to me.

Thanks to her encouragement, I was able to relax a little.

"Having come this far already, all that remains is rising to the occasion."

"Mitsuki, do your best."

Lisa-san and Firill-san encouraged me from behind.

Right—It was a foolhardy attempt to begin with. All I had to do was give it my best.

Mustering my resolve, I clenched my fist tightly.


"Next up—Mononobe Mitsuki of Brynhildr Class!"

"Yes!"

When my turn came, I was the second last to take the test.

Lisa-san and Firill-san had already completed the test with a comfortable margin. Only Miyako and I were left.

"Mitsuki! Relax!"

I nodded at Miyako's encouragement and walked over to the designated spot.

First, I had to launch an attack from this position.

"—Brionac!"

I summoned my fictional armament and nocked an arrow of dark matter.

Imagining an arrow made of compressed air, I poured dark matter into it.

"First Arrow—Forked Wind!"

With a shout, I released the arrow.

This technique was named in a similar manner as Haruka-san's.

As in the case of fictional armaments, naming moves was a way to further strengthen one's imagination.

The flying black arrow of dark matter turned into countless bullets of air, striking the iron block.

Accompanied by the noise of heavy impacts, a large depression appeared on the iron block's surface.

...Thank goodness, I struck the target.

Despite feeling relieved, I could not relax yet. The important part had yet to come.

Passing through the rings suspended from the ceiling was a test of mobility.

"—"

I concentrated and created air in my surroundings. Adjusting the output, I flew up bit by bit.

My flying skill was still far from perfect.

To an observer, my method of flying probably looked very clumsy, but this was the best I could do at my current level.

In any case, I took care not to fall while passing through the rings, one at a time.

So slow—

Although I was aware of that, I still suppressed my impatient feelings while focusing on the task of controlling wind.

With that... the final one was done.

Having passed through all the rings, I looked downwards.

Behind me was the target I had to strike from this location. However, not only was the distance was much farther than for the ground attack but I also had to attack from an unstable posture.

Furthermore, it was very difficult to perform an attack transmutation while simultaneously generating air for flying.

Someone accustomed to flying would be able to focus their mind fully on attacking... But in my case, I had no choice but to divert my attention to both sides.

"...But if I miss..."

I had made my decision. I wanted to obtain power. To this end, I must join the Dragon Subjugation Squad.

I tried my best to adjust my posture and readied the divine bow.

That target was a dragon. The enemy I must defeat. The threat looming over me!


What I recalled from memory was the blue giant that had trampled my hometown.

I had had enough of losing. This time, by my very own hand, I must—!

"Second Arrow—Night Blaze!!"

Pouring in my battle spirit, I released the arrow.

The dark matter turned into a great amount of heat, scorching the air to produce a red glow. However—

"Ah..."

The searing arrow missed slightly, embedding itself into the ground—causing a giant explosion.

I had probably neglected flying the instant I released the arrow. As a result, my posture had gone off-kilter.

"..."

Until this point, no one had missed their mark. In that case, surely I was going to—

Enduring my chagrin, I descended to the ground.

A foolhardy attempt after all...

"Okay, next up is Shinomiya Miyako of Brynhildr Class!"

Taking the test after me, Miyako patted me on the shoulder as she brushed past me.

"Don't worry, Mitsuki."

Miyako finished every task with virtual perfection.

Don't worry... How could I not worry?

Watching her walking back, I sighed in my heart. No matter how you cut it, my results were the worst.

I wanted some quiet time on my own, so I sat down with my knees drawn up to my chest and rested my face against my knees. Very considerately, Miyako and the others did not come over to talk to me.

Finally, I heard Haruka-san's voice.

"Well then, I will now announce the name list of those who passed the Dragon Subjugation Squad test."

"Mitsuki, the list is getting announced!"

Miyako shook me. I already knew the outcome, but I still looked up for the sake of accepting reality.

Although I did not know how many of us were chosen from the top, there was no question that I would be excluded.

"A total of seven participants in the test—Everyone passed. No one failed."

"Eh!?"

I could not help but cry out. Everyone's gaze focused on me.

"Is there a problem, Mononobe Mitsuki?"

Hearing Haruka-san's question, I frantically spoke up.

"U-Umm, you just said that, everyone passed—"

"Indeed, that is correct."

"But I am the only one who missed the second shot... And I also flew very slowly..."

Unable to contain my disbelief, I raised the issue.

"Indeed, you were flying the slowest, but you kept everything under proper control. As for missing the second shot, the iron's surface actually melted from the heat. Although you did not score a direct hit, it was definitely effective as an attack. Hence, I judged that you have achieved minimum standards for passing."

"Then I really..."

"Indeed. Furthermore, every additional personnel is needed for the current Dragon Subjugation Squad. Rather than a test carried out to eliminate people, the purpose of testing was to see the extent our combatants are capable of. Even if you achieved the worst result, you'll still pass as long as you met minimum standards."

"I-Is that how it works...?"

After hearing Haruka-san's explanation, I felt utterly drained.

"See, I said you didn't have to worry, right?"

Lying on the floor beside me, Miyako spoke to me, facing the ceiling.

"Miyako... Did you already know that coming in last could still pass?"

I pouted unhappily and glared at her.

"Hmm, I suppose? But people like us who recently arrived in Midgard usually can't achieve the 'minimum standards' mentioned by Onee-chan. Ultimately, we were only able to pass because we worked hard."

She smiled and spoke.

Presumably to prevent me from getting careless, she had kept secret the fact that there was no upper limit to how many people could pass.

"Seriously... Miyako."

My anger subsided completely and I sighed.

"Congrats for passing!"

Firill-san hugged me from behind.

"With this, every student in Brynhildr Class has enlisted in the Dragon Subjugation Squad."

Lisa murmured happily.

"You girls over there, save the joyous celebration for later. We will begin a simple orientation now."

While our overjoyed emotions were getting the better of us, Haruka-san prompted us with a reminder and we hastily stood at attention.

"S-Sorry."

I apologized to Haruka-san but Miyako whispered to me unrepentantly.

"—We're having a celebration party afterwards, right?"

I nodded firmly to agree with her suggestion.