With work becoming somewhat more manageable, I should be able to update every three days for a while.
It’s been five days since we visited the Flug Beast Duchy. This morning, I’m in Alka’s grassland, adjusting MARS.
The prototype visor that Mako is in charge of and the overcoat that Flam is handling are complete. The barrier I created based on Ludia’s idea is also functioning normally.
“Yamato, are you ready?”
“Yes, I’m ready anytime.”
“Then let’s begin.”
“Please.”
I put on the visor and the overcoat and stepped inside the barrier.
Mako is in charge of operating MARS. She’s about to activate it and set the magic stones.
The magic stones we plan to use this time are from an I-N Rank Monster, a Goblin; a P-I Rank Monster, a Great Blade Fish; and an M-I Rank Monster, an Abyss Fall.
Although our preliminary tests confirmed they could be used with A-rank monsters, I felt their movements were a bit sluggish.
M-rank monsters, one rank lower, seemed fine. So, for this test, I decided to skip A-rank monsters and use those that inhabit Amister in large numbers, which I often hunted, and M-rank monsters of a higher tier.
“Ah, there it is.”
First, we’ll start with the Goblin, which is likely to be used most frequently.
The barrier is deployed, but this is also within the range where illusions can be projected. If things get bad, I can escape outside the barrier.
In reality, one can be saved by escaping their territory, but this is just training. When MARS is put into practical use, we must ensure that people don’t think they can escape and be saved.
“How is it, Yamato?”
“The visor displays my name, race, and level, as well as the monster’s name and rank. There’s a virtual life bar too, but I wonder if it’s just a guideline.”
“Attack power varies between individuals. And with high-rank monsters, most people die in a single hit, so it’s probably safest to consider it a rough estimate.”
“What about the Goblin’s attacks?”
“Actually, I’m not sure about that. It might be because the target is a Goblin, but it seems like the attacks are landing on me, so I think it’s okay.”
The phantom Goblin has been attacking me continuously since earlier.
Its attack speed feels the same as a real Goblin, or perhaps slightly faster, but that can be attributed to individual differences.
However, perhaps because I am an Element Human, the life bar on the visor doesn’t budge at all.
I can vaguely feel something hitting the overcoat, but I’m not entirely sure.
“I understand what you want to say.”
“Besides, even Ancient Classes can nullify attacks from Rank I monsters. It’s natural that a Goblin’s attack has no effect on an Element Human like Yamato.”
“Well, it’s a test, and I expected this to happen.”
As Mako, Ludia, and Flam said, attacks from monsters of Rank S and below, if not completely nullified, can be significantly reduced by Ancient Classes.
So, I knew that the Goblin’s attacks, being only Rank I-N, would not affect me.
The reason I chose to use a Goblin’s magic stone was that I believe Rank I monster magic stones are the most likely to be used in practice.
Rank T monsters are so weak that even children with single-digit levels can defeat them, and Rank I monsters, the next tier up, are basically the same.
However, higher-tier Rank I monsters like Wolf Species and Rank I-U are too much for newly registered rookie hunters. And with Rank C monsters, even experienced hunters can’t afford to be careless.
Therefore, for combat training at the General Academy, since students are generally in their early teens, Rank I would be the most suitable choice.
While they pose no threat to us, they are a genuine threat to ordinary people. Thus, their use frequency will likely be high, serving to familiarize students with them.
“I know you’re trying your best, but it’s hardly a reference when your opponent is Yamato.”
“A mere Goblin. Let’s move on to the next one, Yamato.”
“Alright.”
For now, we’ve confirmed that the Goblin’s movements are not significantly different from the real thing. Shall we try the next magic stone?
Drawing the Azure Silver Sword – Pale Green, I swung it horizontally and the phantom Goblin was cut in half.
Its internal organs scattered, but I don’t think such reproduction is necessary.
However, it might be needed, so for now, I’ll leave it as is.
“Next is the Great Blade Fish.”
“In the preliminary test, aquatic monsters could move within the barrier, but with this setup, we’ll feel like we’re underwater.”
“That’s the problem. However, higher ranks include flying monsters, and since this is just a trial, I think we’ll proceed with this for now. Of course, I will make improvements.”
Ludia completed the barrier, but I also felt the issue.
Only Undines, Water Dragons, Dragonians, and Dragonewts can fight underwater. Also, we would have to deactivate transformation magic, but this barrier only reproduces the environment with illusions. If we did that, especially Undines would become immobile.
While I agree with improvements, Memoria is facing the Raso Bay, so it might be better to do it sooner rather than later. Still, I think it’s a good opportunity to fight aquatic monsters, so I believe this setup is acceptable.
Whoa, here it comes.
“This reminds me of the Krater Labyrinth.”
“Yes. In a way, that place is similar to this barrier.”
When Mako and Flam pointed it out, I realized that the waterfall in the second level of the Krater Labyrinth had its passages covered in water.
Monsters would attack not only from the sides but also from above, but confronting them in a similar manner to this barrier was also common, so I can confidently say this is sufficiently useful.
The Great Blade Fish charged straight at me.
“Guh!”
Even though it’s a phantom attack and I won’t be injured, wearing the overcoat means I’ll still feel the impact.
I wasn’t blown away, and the life bar on my visor only decreased by about 10%. Still, the impact was unexpected, and it surprised me.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. I was surprised by the impact, which was more than I expected, but my life bar hasn’t decreased much, so if I reinforce my magic power a bit more, I should be able to reduce the damage.”
“Even a P-I rank monster only deals that much damage to an Element Class, huh?”
“It’s hard to tell if it’s 10% or only 10%.”
I agree.
An Ancient Class would likely take more damage, and a High Class might even suffer a fatal blow. Perhaps others should try it later.
“That’s certainly possible, but Rika-sama can’t participate. You know that, right?”
“I know, I know.”
Among the Wing Crest High Classes are Yuri, Aria, Ed, Marina, Fiana, Camellia, Carol, Marisa, Viola, Julia, and Mirei. Ed, Marina, and Fiana are Crafters, so they’re the first to be excluded.
Yuri is the Lord, and Aria is registered as a Hunter but is a mage, making her unsuitable for testing.
Carol, Marisa, Viola, and Mirei are close to becoming Ancient Classes. That leaves Camellia and Julia.
Since this is combat training, it would be better to ask Camellia, who is a Hunter.
Rika, one of my wives, is also High Class, but like Yuri, she is the Lord. More importantly, she discovered she was pregnant yesterday. I can’t have her fight, even with phantom monsters.
Without the overcoat, the impact wouldn’t be felt, but just facing a monster could be stressful for her. So, she’s not even a candidate.
“Camellia, right? Wasn’t she level 52?”
“She’s level 53 now, after fighting an Orc Prince in the last mountain hunt.”
Many High Classes are now over level 50, so that’s about the average for High Classes.
“I’ll ask her during dinner. Ah, it’s over.”
“Understood.”
Even while talking, I can now defeat a Rank P-I monster without issue. I cut it in half head-on and the fight was over.
“Alright, last one. Here we go.”
“Understood.”
Finally, it’s the M-I Rank Monster, Abyss Fall.
It’s an abnormal species of Leo, one of the strongest species in Helios Orb, alongside dragon species.
As expected, with this rank, there’s a high chance of not only taking damage but being defeated, even for an Element Class. But that’s part of the test, so I have to take the first hit.
The Abyss Fall approached me while using water-attribute magic, and its movements were indeed fast, and its water-attribute magic was sharp!
High-level water-attribute magic can penetrate or cleave not only human bodies but also divine metal. The Abyss Fall’s water-attribute magic has about that much power.
Perhaps that’s why the impact from the overcoat was significant, and my life bar dropped by as much as 30%.
“In reality, I would probably recoil from the impact, but as a phantom, that’s impossible.”
“Not being able to recoil is tough, but I guess I’ll have to accept it as training. Besides, if an Element Class loses 30% of their life bar, a High Class or Normal Class would be defeated in one hit. So, it might not be that big of a problem?”
“That would be true if it were a one-hit kill. If the hit landed in a bad spot or a vital point, even an Ancient Class could suffer a fatal injury, so they wouldn’t risk taking a hit.”
That’s true, but it’s impossible to replicate that level of detail. Especially since impacts alone can cause severe internal damage. It would be counterproductive to become incapacitated during training.
“You son of a bitch!”
Facing the Abyss Fall, I have to go all out. My life bar was reduced by 30% in a single hit. This barrier is for testing and has a radius of only about 5 meters. My preferred high-speed combat is difficult to employ here, and my life further decreased by 10%.
“Ah, I should have made the barrier a bit wider.”
“This is for testing, and it will actually be installed at the General Academy’s Coliseum. I think a width like this will make it easier for people who fight the way you do, Yamato.”
Indeed.
But this has also been good training for me.
Until now, I could fight using ample space, including the air. However, this barrier is a semicircle with a radius of 5 meters. Leaving the barrier resets the life bar and the phantom, so it’s incompatible with speed-based tactics unless I’m trying to escape.
In the end, I generated Wing Bit Liberators and rained down Ice Edge Javelins to finish it off, but filling almost the entire area within the barrier can only be described as brute force, which defeats the purpose of combat training.
“As expected, even with an M-I rank monster, it seems tough for an Element Class.”
“If I could fight the way I normally do, it wouldn’t be an issue, but it’s difficult in confined spaces. However, for training purposes, I think it’s quite useful.”
Even if it was brute force, it proved useful in a pinch, so I’ll consider the experience worthwhile.
“For now, I think this is complete. Since it will be installed at the General Academy’s Coliseum, we will rarely use magic stones from high-rank monsters.”
“They might use them for trial runs. There are bound to be children who overestimate their abilities, so I think it’s perfect for breaking their pride.”
“Even around Rank G would suffice, in my opinion.”
“Even Rank S would be more than enough, wouldn’t it?”
Except for Raus and the others, all new students are Normal Class. Indeed, even Rank S or Rank G would be more than enough of a threat.
“But is this really complete? There’s still plenty of room for improvement, so the research will continue, right?”
“Yes.”
Although it has reached a provisional completion, we cannot use monsters Rank A and above for combat training, so continuing is natural.
However, with this, I can finally register with the Crafter’s Guild. I couldn’t have reached completion on my own.
Therefore, I intend to make MARS a joint development project between myself, Mako, Flam, and Ludia.
After Camellia tests it, it will be installed at Memoria General Academy.
