Editing Unlimited Fafnir:Volume 1 Chapter 2 (section)

===Part 6===

"Well then, let the test begin to select the Dragon Subjugation Squad for the battle against Basilisk."

Shinomiya-sensei's voice echoed in the vast underground space.

After spending a whole day on special training, I slept especially well and the next day, the test arrived in the blink of an eye.

Like last time, we were gathered in training site number three. Volunteers began the test first.

"I shall show off first."

The first to be tested was Lisa Highwalker. Tossing her long blonde hair, she walked up front.

"Watch, Mononobe Yuu! I will make you understand what is called a gap in levels!"

Perhaps thinking of yesterday's conversation, Lisa stared only at me when she spoke.

The very image of confidence, she walked over there with her chest out and head held high, arriving at the spot to target the diamond.

"Gungnir!"

Lisa's fictional armament was apparently a spear. Holding the golden shining spear at waist height, she aimed the sharp spear tip at the block of diamond.

"Here I go—Pierce, flare!"

The spear tip emitted a brilliant glow, shooting out a flash of light. The light pierced the diamond, boring a hole in the wall behind.

"A-A laser beam..."

Watching from afar, I could not help but mutter in shock. Diamond was not a particularly heat-resistant material, hence attacking with heat was a correct decision. But to instantly bore a large hole in diamond, that firepower was extraordinary.

Rather than a laser, this move would be closer to a positron cannon.

Lisa achieved the task easily and returned to the standby area proudly.

"Hmph."

Lisa leaned her back against the wall, taunting me with her gaze. Her expression seemed to be saying: Just try it if you think you can.

This competitiveness was not a bad thing. Back in my NIFL days, this was commonplace. It filled me with fighting spirit instead.

Next to be tested was the bibliophile, Firill. Gazing at the diamond with tired eyes, she raised one hand in front of her chest.

"Come—Necronomicon."

Firill shaped the dark matter into a book's form and held it on her hand. As though reciting an incantation, she said:

"Aero Blast Quartet."

I heard four consecutive sounds of heavy impacts then shattered diamond fragments scattered in the air.

It was probably four shots of extremely compressed air projectiles, aimed at the exactly same place. A truly astounding show of force.

Apparently, like Iris, she pictured magic to perform transmutation. Judging from this, so-called picturing magic seemed to offer much more freedom than using a weapon.

Then it was Ren. She apparently chose to break diamond instead of participating in the auxiliary test.

"...Mjolnir."

Ren raised her slender arm to the air and lightly spoke the name of the fictional armament to be manifested. Then a hammer several times her body size appeared in her hand.

The hammer could be seen growing gigantic in size, almost reaching the ceiling. Even though I knew in my mind that it was massless dark matter, it was still a strange scene lacking in balance.

That kind of generated volume was extraordinary. Converted into matter, let alone ten tons, it might even reach a hundred times more than that.

"Mm."

Ren then swung the enlarged hammer down. In the process of falling, the hammer grew even larger. Finally, the hammer's tip arrived on top of the diamond.

Then the hammer's tip glowed red and started to materialize. Obtaining mass, the hammer accelerated towards the diamond, drawn by gravity.

Unable to withstand that kind of shock and weight, the diamond shattered.

Ren walked back nonchalantly. Next to step up was Ariella. She walked over to the auxiliary test's position.

"Sensei, I choose this side."

Ariella informed Shinomiya-sensei of her intent to take the shield making challenge. Raising her right hand to shoulder height, she called out sharply:

"Aegis."

Dark matter instantly covered Ariella's right arm. Her fictional armament looked like a gauntlet.

"Deploy shield."

Ariella swung her right arm and yelled. Spherical dark matter instantly appeared over the marked spot 50m away. Like Iris, Ariella seemed to have excellent spatial awareness.

The dark matter gradually turned into a giant wall and not just one, it was a multi-layered structure.

Compared to the thin iron plate I created earlier, it was on a completely different level.

Ariella easily passed the test. When returning, she whispered to me:

"...Show me proof of what you said yesterday."

"Yeah."

I nodded affirmatively.

Because Mitsuki seemed to be standing in the same position as Shinomiya-sensei, supervising the test together, only Iris and I were left.

"So Iris, I'll go first?"

"Sure, good luck! Mononobe, do your best!"

With Iris' energetic blessing, I walked over to the diamond side.

"What... Are you serious?"

Lisa cried out in disbelief. She probably did not expect me to choose the more difficult side.

"I'm serious, because this is the only test which I have a chance of passing."

I smiled wryly at Lisa and answered, then stood in position.

I knew quite well this was very difficult.

But to give courage to Iris who was taking the test next, I hoped I could succeed.

"—Siegfried."

I focused to change the form of the generated dark matter.

Appearing in my right hand was a large-caliber ornamental gun.

This was the fictional armament belonging to me, based on the sketch Mitsuki had given me.

Because the gun's body seemed quite small compared to its caliber, were it a real gun, one would worry whether such a design could withstand the recoil of a shot, but since this was purely dark matter whose shape had been altered, there was no need to worry about practicality.

The gun glowed with faint phosphorescence. Although I was trying hard to keep it in the dark matter stage, due to sensing the image in my mind, the gun's body still caused some slight transmutation.

That was the reason why dark matter, which was supposed to be black, had color after being turned into fictional armaments.

Holding this Siegfried, I was finally standing at Midgard's starting line.

But this fictional armament probably could not be used in the same way as Lisa's and the other girls'.

My dark matter generating capacity was extremely low. To create Siegfried, I had already used almost my entire output.

Even after making their fictional armaments, Lisa and the others still had spare capacity to perform another summoning of dark matter. Consuming the dark matter in the fictional armament would be an emergency measure only used as a last resort.

But I had no choice but to use that emergency last resort. Even by keeping consumption at a minimum, including the amount used to create Siegfried, the amount of dark matter I could fire as bullets was only three shots at most. And firing consecutively was not possible either. Once consumed, even the fictional armament itself would disappear.

That meant I had to repeat the step of creating Siegfried all over again. This dead time could sometimes be fatal in real combat.

Hence, I must use these three shots of dark matter cautiously. However—

It would be pointless to save on consumption here. I had to gather all my dark matter to concentrate in one shot.

I aimed the muzzle at the block of diamond 100m away.

Even so, I did not know if this would bring the result I sought.

Although I had practiced repeatedly before the test, my success rate was below 50%.

Right now, all I could do was try my best. That was all.

Telling myself that, I started to conceptualize the image.

Then I was going to perform the initial transmutation of air.

I chose air not because it was simple but because even a dark matter generating capacity of merely ten kilograms would have a volume of over ten thousand liters once transmuted into air. By compressing that air, it was possible to obtain a massive amount of heat as well as the necessary hardness.

But that also required controlling it well—

"Air Bullet."

I spoke as though tracing out the outline of my mental image.

When performing transmutation, the step of voicing things out was not particularly required, but language would help stabilize the image. For the sake of raising the success rate as much as possible, I had to use words to describe what I was transmuting next.

I slowly increased the pressure on the trigger and transmitted the image over.

Without a sufficient compression ratio, the bullet would not bring out enough power.

Conversely, if the compression ratio was too high, particle collisions would turn the superheated air into plasma, releasing all the energy and disappearing before it struck the target.

I had always performed pure transmutation in the past, so my control of this type of thought-driven power was quite crude.

Fire.

Speaking softly in my mind, I pulled the trigger.

In that instant, the dark matter in the fictional armament was completely transmuted into a bullet of air. Siegfried vanished.

The air bullet that was fired was not supposed to be visible to the naked eye.

But my eyes captured some faint white light.

Crap, did it create plasma?

Then silence spread.

There was no sound of an air bullet striking the block of diamond. The plasmafied bullet probably had not struck the diamond.

"See, all bravado without a plan. It's not too late to start now. I believe you would be best advised to attempt the auxiliary test instead."

Lisa broke the silence and spoke as though boasting of victory.

Shinomiya-sensei nodded too and said as though trying to persuade me:

"Indeed, this test is too difficult for a novice. How about you switch to constructing a shield?"

Even if they said that, a large enough shield was impossible due to my low dark matter generating capacity. Hence, for me, that test was completely impossible to pass.

As much as I hated to admit defeat, this was the best I could do. I could only give up on the test.

"No, I have already—"

I was about to decline Shinomiya-sensei's offer of the auxiliary test.

However, Mitsuki interrupted this time.

"Excuse me, please wait a moment. I believe it is too soon to discuss results."

Mitsuki walked over to the block of diamond with clearly heard footsteps.

Seeing that, Lisa frowned and scolded her.

"Mitsuki-san, have you not given up yet? Even if he is your relative, one would be hard pressed to approve of your prejudice in favoring him."

"I am not favoring him but merely inspecting fairly."

Mitsuki walked while answering, stopping next to the diamond.

Anyone would think it was a failure from a glance, but Mitsuki seemed to have sensed something unusual.

She carefully examined the diamond then turned her head back to us and said loudly:

"Next to the hole bored by Lisa-san, I have discovered an inconspicuous but carbonized portion! Since it is found on the front and back of the diamond, it is very likely the traces left behind by the penetration of a super high-temperature object."

"What..."

Lisa exclaimed in shock but I was equally surprised.

"Oh...?"

Shinomiya-sensei's expression changed and she walked over to Mitsuki.

The two of them conversed at the diamond for a while then returned before me.

"Hmm... There is indeed a carbonized portion but there is no mark on the wall behind... The bullet probably plasmafied only during the instant of penetrating the diamond. Mononobe Yuu, was this an outcome within your expectation?"

Shinomiya-sensei directed her sharp gaze towards me.

"Huh? Oh no... I only did it by chance."

If I claimed it as my own power now, perhaps I might pass the test, but I answered honestly.

What I originally predicted was striking the diamond with the air bullet, shattering it. I did not think of using plasmafication's heat to carbonize the diamond.

Even if I was asked to do it again, due to the difficulty in adjusting the timing and compression, I would probably fail.

"Hmm, that's quite a shame. Judging purely from this one attack, this would be very intricate and efficient transmutation... The probability of causing effective damage to Basilisk is very high. But if you can't do it at will, you have not reached the level required for the Dragon Subjugation Squad."

"Then I guess I failed, after all?"

Hearing me ask that, Shinomiya-sensei crossed her arms and made a troubled look.

"Hmm... But you did succeed during the test after all. In any case, I'll pass you and have you listed as a reserve member. Although you cannot be considered combat potential right now, depending on your future growth, promoting you to take part in the battle against Basilisk is not impossible, so work hard and strive for progress."

"T-Thank you very much!"

My stiff shoulders instantly relaxed then I thanked Shinomiya-sensei.

But when I returned to the standby area, Lisa glared at me like she found things difficult to accept.

"A mere coincidence on one occasion, I shall not approve! And even if you could use that attack in a well-trained manner, the fact of your vast inferiority to me is still clearly evident!"

Lisa pointed at the diamond and declared.

The laser-bored hole was visible clearly even at this distance, but the carbonized hole was almost invisible. This indicated the gap between our firepower.

"Yeah, you girls are amazing, Lisa. I understand that clearly now, after this test. It's true that I am vastly inferior to you girls."

"M-My, you are unexpectedly honest."

Lisa showed surprise on her face as she tilted her head in puzzlement.

"I am accepting results honestly. But though I am a reserve member, since the teacher passed me, it means there are things I can accomplish. As a member of Midgard, I will work hard to assist everyone."

"Hmph... We have no need of your power! Having us is enough."

"But Shinomiya-sensei told me to work hard and improve."

Hearing that, Lisa wavered a little but immediately retorted.

"That is... merely etiquette! The teacher only said that to be considerate for Mitsuki-san's feelings!"

"Considerate for Mitsuki... There's no need, right? Shinomiya-sensei's rank is higher."

I felt speechless but Lisa puffed out her chest and asserted as though she had some kind of proof:

"She must be worried about not getting to eat Mitsuki-san's sweets again! As reluctant as I am to admit it, the sweets Mitsuki-san occasionally makes for us are quite a delicacy! Addictive with just a single bite, even Shinomiya-sensei must find it impossible to resist that kind of temptation."

"Wow... Are Mitsuki's sweets that delicious?"

This was my first time hearing of this. Because the menus were usually left to the housework robots, I did not know that Mitsuki's cooking had improved so much.

Perhaps these sweets were an important contribution to Mitsuki's overwhelming popularity.

Bribery with food... These words crossed my mind.

"Your face suggests you are thinking something rude, you know?"

"...You're overthinking things. But anyway, please confirm your allegations regarding sweets with Shinomiya-sensei herself."

Lisa's grumbling looked like it was going to continue for a long time, so I prepared to leave.

"Wait! Mononobe Yuu! I haven't finished talking yet!"

Getting rid of the persistently harassing Lisa, I returned to my original spot, only to see Iris clapping to greet me.

"Clap clap, Mononobe, congratulations!"

Seeing Iris smiling happily for me as though she had passed the test herself, I suddenly felt embarrassed.

"I only passed as a reserve member. Okay, you're next, Iris."

"Y-Yes... I will do my best!"

Iris stood up and walked over to the block of diamond.

"Just do the same as during training. Give everyone a big surprise. Let them never dare call you a poorly performing student again."

"Yes!!"

Iris looked back and nodded in agreement then reached the spot to aim at the diamond.

After informing Shinomiya-sensei she was not taking the auxiliary test, she manifested her staff of dark matter.

"Caduceus!"

Iris pointed the staff's tip at the diamond then focused. Seeing that, Lisa came to talk to me.

"...Mononobe Yuu."

"What's the matter? If you still want to continue the conversation just now, I'll have to ask you to give me a break."

"No, shelve that conversation for now. What is important now is... Aren't you going to rescue Iris-san? She will surely be blown away again, won't she?"

Rather than sarcastic, her tone was more worried. I smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, that's right, it will probably be blown away—I mean the diamond."

"What... Are you serious? You heard Ariella-san yesterday at the cafeteria, didn't you? Iris-san is hopeless as a poorly performing student. Her memory is poor, she is not smart enough. No matter how hard she tries, she is just a silly kid who is wasting her effort."

Seeing that I had made no move to help Iris, Lisa frantically tried to persuade me.

"Yeah... I guess that might be true. But even while saying that, you're actually observing her quite closely."

"N-Nothing of that sort! We have been in the same class for a year already, so understanding her is only natural. Ever since transferring here, Iris-san has never succeeded in using her power before, even the most basic air bullet also—"

"What Iris wants to do is not transmuting dark matter into air."

I interrupted Lisa.

"Eh... Could it be a transmutation of even greater difficulty? That would be even more impossible!"

"Okay, just watch. You'll surely be surprised."

Saying that, I turned my gaze back to Iris.

She could be heard chanting a spell quietly.

"Come, come, fragments of the Far Beyond—"

Multiple black spheres of dark matter appeared in the diamond's surroundings. Iris' excellent spatial awareness had correct judged the distance of 100m.

Then staring at the diamond, Iris recited:

"—O holy silver, explode!"

The dark matter gathered in a point then turned into mithril shining with silver luster.

It was like how she wanted to create a shield last time. But during transmutation this time, countless bulges appeared on the mithril.

Then the entire thing expanded—It exploded.

BOOM!!

The mithril's sharp fragments were sent flying, accompanied by a silver-white explosion. Mithril of maximum hardness smashed and penetrated the diamond, causing it to break apart.

That destructive power far surpassed my plasma bullet. Because Iris had giving them directionality, the fragments only flew forward.

After the special training after school, we came to understand one thing. As long as Iris was aiming for an explosion, she could control things to a certain extent.

"What a... unique talent."

I said with a wry smile. From a dragon's standpoint, it would be like a mithril grenade suddenly appearing in front of it. This would most likely become a means of attack to inflict definite damage on dragons.

"No way... To think that Iris-san would...?"

Lisa looked at the destroyed diamond, her entire body stunned. Normally expressionless, Firill and Ren also showed surprised looks on their faces.

Ariella stood up to applaud for Iris. She had no patience for those lacking in power but conversely, she would offer her respect if one could win her approval. That seemed to be Ariella's personality.

"Iris Freyja, you pass."

Shinomiya-sensei also seemed to be in a state of surprise as she announced the test result to Iris.

Hearing this, Iris instantly had a smile all over her face. Then turning towards me, she dashed at full speed.

"H-Hey!?"

"I did it! Mononobe!!"

With momentum from her sprint, she hugged me. In order to dissipate the impact, I spun her several times, keeping my balance with much difficulty.

"What are you doing so suddenly—"

I was just about to complain when I saw Iris' face in front of my eyes. Feeling the warmth from her body, tightly pressed against me, I could not help but forget what I was going to say.

"Thank you, Mononobe... Thank you!"

Leaning her face against my chest, Iris kept thanking me.

—Was she that happy?

During this past year, Iris had always been treated as a poorly performing student. I could not imagine what it felt like. Despite a strong will to keep trying, her power did not reach standards. This chagrin was something only Iris herself could understand.

However, the emotional stress accumulated would be quite heavy.

—Anyway, I'll just wait until her emotions calm down.

Although the surrounding gazes concerned me too, I could not bring myself to push Iris away by force. I could only pat her silver hair gently and praise her for passing the test.

"Nii-san, remember what I said about refraining from excessive skin contact—"

Hurrying over, Mitsuki also sighed after seeing the way Iris looked.

"—Thirty more seconds only."

Then Mitsuki feigned indifference and said that.
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