Kanata will be attending the Officer Curriculum.
Waking up in a luxurious bed felt strangely unsettling. My own bed in Room 666, or even Mai Shiranui’s coffin, suits my nature better, cheap as they may be. I really am a commoner, aren’t I? After showering and getting dressed, I headed to the buffet for breakfast. The Officer Curriculum starts today. I have to learn what I need to learn. No matter what else, I need to eat first; my body’s fuel efficiency isn’t great.
The Shangri-La Hotel’s buffet, unlike the cafeteria in the Rose Garden, had an elegant ambiance with classical music playing. The clientele was different too; no Russians shoveling washbasin-sized beef bowls, not at this hour. Last night’s party had been filled with so much talk that I barely tasted my food. Today, I’ll enjoy the breakfast of a first-class hotel.
“Boobies, comrade. You’re eating a lot again.”
“Boobies. A body is capital, after all.”
Tatiana-san, who had just raised her fist to punch me, managed to restrain herself, her knuckles trembling.
“You two, please refrain from that embarrassing greeting while we’re in Ligrit.”
“Aye aye, Tatiana-san. You looked quite elegant yesterday. A feast for my eyes.”
“You were laughing behind my back, weren’t you? It was a disaster, having to show off my dancing, which I’m not used to.”
The comrade who speared a sausage with his fork grinned.
“She was terrible, wasn’t she? How many times did you step on your dress hem?”
“That’s because your lead was bad, Axel!”
“Don’t blame it on others. You’re just clumsy. You’re nimble with your hands, but your footwork is atrocious.”
“Hmph, it can’t be helped. I’m a woman with no connection to high society.”
They danced together after all that. They seem to get along well.
“Comrade, you have the future curriculum starting today, don’t you? I’ll give you a ride to the Joint Operations Headquarters.”
“It’s a rare day off, I shouldn’t trouble you. I’ll just catch a taxi.”
“Nonsense, it’s on my way to the city, don’t be shy.”
“That’s right, Kanata, if you’re shy, it’ll rain.”
It seems Tatiana-san has the impression that I’m a pushy person. Given I’m not used to Ligrit, I should accept my comrade’s offer out of kindness.
I was taken from the hotel to the Joint Operations Headquarters in a rental car borrowed from my comrade.
“See ya, comrade. Study hard.”
“Learn well. Now, Axel, first we’re going to the tool shop. Let’s go, let’s go!”
“Seriously? First thing in this big city is a tool shop? How unromantic.”
I waved at the departing car and looked up at the Joint Operations Headquarters building. It’s huge, it could rival the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. After informing the receptionist of my purpose, I was directed to the conference room, which served as a classroom, following the floor’s guidance. Blue arrows appeared on the floor, and as I walked, the arrows advanced. Ah, science has progressed so much. The system is designed so that by following them, I’ll arrive at my destination. I followed the arrows, took the elevator, and got off on the fifth floor. The arrow disappeared at the entrance to the conference room. The display on the door read “Future Curriculum Venue,” so this must be the place. Touching my finger to the fingerprint scanner, the door opened quietly. The classroom was quite large, with seating for about a hundred people. Quite a few soldiers were already seated. Nameplates were placed on the seats, so it seemed my seat was already assigned. I’d prefer to be in the back if possible.
This seating arrangement is strange. It’s not alphabetical, nor by the stroke order of characters. This is going to make finding my seat difficult. … I understand, so that’s how it is. On the left side of the classroom sat individuals who looked like they came from good backgrounds, and across the aisle, on the right side, sat individuals with the look of those who had been through actual combat. This means my seat is on the right. As I searched for my seat from the aisle, I heard hushed voices from behind me. Should I turn on my directional hearing?
“Hey, why is that guy not wearing a military uniform?”
“Idiot, that’s a military uniform. From the Asura Unit.”
“The Asura Unit!? The one rumored to be full of thugs?”
“Shut up, they can hear you. He’s apparently a dangerous guy called Kenrou.”
“Don’t even try to get involved with him. We live in different worlds, after all. And there’s even the ‘Woman of Absolute Zero’ here. Are they planning to hold a thug soldier exhibition?”
‘Woman of Absolute Zero’? So, there’s someone else here with a title besides me…
“The ‘Woman of Absolute Zero’? Who is it?”
“The tall Russian woman sitting in the corner over there.”
“Her? I saw her earlier, she was quite striking. I’d want to be with her for a night, or every night.”
“Forget it, she’s like a rabid dog that bites anyone. Don’t. Stop your gossip. You don’t know who’s listening with directional hearing, such careless people.”
“Indeed, the worlds I live in are different from yours and yours. Do not come to this side, ever. Weak soldiers are a nuisance.”
The voice belonged to a beautiful blonde woman seated in the backmost seat on the right, among the combat veterans. Just as I thought, it’s no use crying over spilled milk. They say the tongue is the cause of misfortune. The soldier known as the ‘Woman of Absolute Zero’ had short blonde hair, was considerably large for a woman, standing at least 180cm. Her voice was distinctive, beautiful and resonant, but cold, no, it was a voice of absolute zero, fitting her title. The group, shivering under her icy tone, stood up. …Trouble already? I haven’t done anything, so why is this happening? I’m not directly involved, so it’s best to stay out of it.
“This is unacceptable. We are elites and should be in positions of leadership.”
“And you call us weak soldiers? Don’t get carried away just because you’ve achieved a few battlefield successes.”
“Take back what you just said, and we’ll overlook it.”
…Here come the mob of three again. They’re everywhere, aren’t they. The blonde beauty stood up too. Just as I thought, she’s tall, must be around 180cm. She stepped into the aisle and beckoned to the three awkwardly below. She’s clearly capable, with eyes that have seen many battles. But the mob of three, with their pride, didn’t back down. Honestly, young masters, don’t you realize the difference in power? I’m standing in the middle of the aisle, caught between the young masters and the ‘Woman of Absolute Zero’. I’m truly an unlucky man. Should I just back down? No, I don’t want to get involved, but I should stop this. …This woman has eyes that could kill.
Oh well. I grudgingly stepped between them.
“Stop it, we’re comrades in the Alliance Army, aren’t we?”
The blonde beauty looked down at me and spat venomously.
“Hmph. Do you really think these losers are your comrades? If so, you’re too naive.”
I don’t. I just want to avoid unnecessary trouble. …In that case, I shouldn’t have gotten involved. It seems I’m an overly meddlesome person. Life is full of new discoveries.
“Hey, you! How dare you say whatever you please after listening to us!”
“Our exclusive trainers say we have a talent for martial arts!”
“There’s a limit to our gentlemanly behavior. You’d be wise to know your place.”
The blonde beauty cracked her neck, her face filled with defiance.
“Know my place? Are you speaking to a mirror?”
…Here’s another talent that could conquer the world in the realm of verbal abuse. The mob of three resorted to physical action. They must think three of them can handle this. Or are they truly clueless about their own limits? As I tried to stop them, the blonde beauty grabbed my right hand, intending to twist and throw me. I instinctively rolled forward, absorbing the impact, and got back on my feet. By the time I stood up and assumed a stance, two of the young masters had been taken down. They’re fast. Were they truly unaware of their limits? One had his shoulder dislocated, screaming, while the other clutched his solar plexus, vomiting stomach acid. The last one is looking at me for help. Hey, where did all that bravado go? What a pain.
“That’s enough, isn’t it? If you continue, I’ll be your opponent.”
The blonde beauty pierced me with her absolute zero gaze. It was cold, but… her eyes seemed to be smiling. She’s enjoying this!
“Yes, then I won’t hold back… Here I come!”
A kick with her long legs flew at me, and I ducked to evade. She stopped in mid-air and switched to a heel drop, which I blocked by crossing my arms. She uses quite a variety of leg techniques, but Marika-san’s leg techniques are nothing short of this! As I tried to grab her leg and throw her, the blonde beauty, while her kicking leg was still held, kicked me with her supporting leg. I released my grip and created distance. The blonde beauty, using both legs for offense, performed a handstand and used only her arm strength to leap up and assume a stance. Her body control is remarkable. And judging by the force of her kicks, she’s a heavyweight.
“As expected of Kenrou of the Asura Unit. You’re different from the usual riff-raff.”
Saying that, she assumed a forward-leaning stance. Alert for a tackle. Well then, now that it’s come to this, let’s gather some information. If I can avoid a personal fight with words, that would be best.
“That’s an unusual fighting style. What is it called?”
“Kontra. Kontrataka, you don’t know?”
It means ‘counterattack’ in Lusian. Like Systema, the Russian military martial art from my previous world?
“I don’t. By the way, I have a proposal.”
“What is it? Isn’t it too early to beg for mercy?”
“I don’t mind fighting, but could you make it a practice session for combat techniques? That way, we won’t be interrupted, and I won’t have any issues hurting you to my heart’s content. Honestly, someone like you doesn’t scare me at all. However, my superior, Marika-san, told me not to cause trouble. Marika-san is scary.”
“You were a subordinate of Marika of the Scarlet Eye. You may stand down, under certain conditions.”
“What conditions?”
“If I win, let me fight Marika of the Scarlet Eye. I want to see the power of the Alliance’s Ace.”
“Agreed, it’s a piece of cake.”
“Oh my, are you really making such a decision without consulting your terrifying superior?”
“It’s fine. Because it says, ‘If you win,’ I’ll let Marika-san fight you.”
After a moment of silence, the blonde beauty understood the meaning of my words and gritted her teeth.
“You have quite a bit of confidence, Kenrou. I hope it’s not overconfidence.”
“…I am Sergeant Kanata Amakake. What is your name?”
“I am Sergeant Shion Ignatiff.”
Shion Ignatiff. I wish I could have met this blonde beauty under more friendly circumstances.
Waking up and posting, then immediately going back to sleep, an easy job. (lol)
