"Finally, it has begun. The tutorial."
Despite walking for over 60 minutes, no one was encountered.
The virtual combat field was an area of Shinrin with a diameter of 10 kilometers.
Mahoro Academy itself occupied a vast expanse of land, boasting the size of a town-level area.
Drones and surveillance cameras were visible everywhere.
"I guess this is what they call a spectator seat. This is amazing. How much did they spend?"
I thought it was just a simulated battle for the tutorial, but the amount of money spent was abnormal.
"Well, it's like a kind of festival."
I didn't have the opportunity to take out the training rapier borrowed from senior Jude.
"Sigh... it's so peaceful."
I slowly observed until I found the first villager while walking through the forest.
The weather was sunny, and the sound of a river's babbling could be heard in the distance.
"Come to think of it, you can have lunch even in this virtual space, can't you? This is a crazy dimension."
I took out the churro I had bought just before entering and took a bite.
"It's delicious."
I sat on a makeshift stump and had a slightly late lunch.
If I encountered Kazane first, I'd just lose quickly.
Otherwise, well, I'd have to take care of them.
If they were strong, it might be a bit of a struggle...
As I was thinking about that.
"What should I do?"
I stood up from the stump.
I found the first villager.
"Hey. You have a face I've never seen before."
The big man exuded confidence with intimidating words.
He was trying to intimidate me.
"Oh, hi there."
I nodded lightly.
The big man was over two meters tall, with a great sword in his right hand.
Now, who was he again?
I just thought that there was such a character.
I probably have never used it before, and I'm not even sure if I had it.
Who was it again?
I remember the strong and main characters, but when it comes to minor characters, there are so many that I can't remember their names or characteristics.
"Are you underestimating me by having a leisurely lunch?"
He had a look of disbelief.
"No, no, I'm serious. I'm just a little hungry."
"It's fine for the 15th loser to be someone like you. Mahoro's genius, Sumasshu, will be your opponent."
The big man who called himself Sumasshu wrapped his great sword with magical power.
A genius? Who is?
You?
No, no, no.
I've never seen him before.
Someone who claims to be a genius himself.
I almost burst out laughing.
Is he waiting for me to make a sarcastic comment?
Should I make one?
"What's wrong, lower-classman? Are you intimidated by me?"
What does he mean?
"I've become a little too strong in the past few months. Don't worry, I'll cut you up nicely."
Oh, okay.
That's right.
It seems like the guy who calls himself a genius really thinks he's a genius.
Sigh
Should I have some fun with him?
"Sumasshu-san, right? I see. I understand that you want to fight. Let's do this."
I put my hand on the scabbard of my slender sword.
·
·
·
"Yo, what's up?
"I'm too weak. #Hashtag. Gotta tweet sumashu (smash) and act weak."
As a warm-up, I tried using my skills in swordsmanship and utilizing my expertise in rapier techniques, without needing to use magic or arts, since my owned skills automatically activate.
I was thinking about whether Moridori-san had woken up yet and what to have for dinner tonight.
That being said, I realized that wind-based magical attacks were quite powerful. Since I cannot use release-type magic, having a long-range attack is definitely convenient. Wind-cutting Kamaitachi (scythes) that synchronize their blade shape to the trajectory of the sword are useful.
However, my adaptation to magic that utilizes gusts of wind needs improvement.
Firstly, it's easy to tell where the Kamaitachi will go based on the trajectory of the sword.
Secondly, it's simply a matter of insufficient training in swordsmanship techniques. The trajectory of the sword can be roughly predicted by the positioning of the stepping foot and the motion of swinging the sword.
Furthermore, since there is wind pressure, some vibration is created in the air, which can be detected by the rustling of trees or the presence of sand. If you can read the flow of the air, you can deal with it even if you cannot see it.
Well, I can see it to some extent with the initial movement of my magical power, but it's not a big deal.
As for magic, it takes a long time to charge.
Time is essential, and it must be done at a speed that seems to have time to spare. A one-second time lag is fatal in the game. Even if it's only 0.5 seconds or 0.1 seconds, it's still fatal. It's better not to have such a thing at all. Training to make the most of time is essential.
Lastly, I tried to unleash what seemed to be a big move, but there were too many gaps.
The calculation of the CT (cooling time) for reloading the big move was not done properly.
This is particularly bad.
In cases where a high-power move is used, it can take a lot of time.
To reduce the time, use a skill or an art, sprint by feinting or using evasion, or use a fake or other magic to deceive the opponent.
Not leaning behind cover is a failing grade.
It's like standing there like a scarecrow.
In short, I'm just a "small fry."
After impaling the scarecrow's head with the tip of my sword, I found myself at a loss for what to do next.
"Huh? What's going on here?" I asked, looking at Sumasshu lying motionless on the ground.
It seemed like he wasn't dead, however. Then, after a brief delay, an announcement played, declaring him "unconscious."
A magic circle appeared, and Sumasshu was transported away, disappearing from the spot.
"Oh, I see. That's how this system works," I thought, momentarily concerned that I might have killed him.
"That's not good for my heart."
"Well then, should I take a stroll until my objectives are complete?" I said, excited to finally meet the protagonist, Kazane.
"I'm not going to lose until I win," I declared. After all, I'd come here to practice losing.
"Fu fu fu. This is getting interesting," I added.
Suddenly, a thrown knife flew at me and exploded right in front of my face.
"Hey, is it over already?" the person who had thrown the knife murmured from behind me.
I took advantage of the sand and dust kicked up by the explosion to move behind my attacker.
"Um, senior. You might want to work on your aim," I advised the person who had thrown the explosive knife.
In return, I delivered a thunderous strike with my sword, severing their head from their body.
"Thanks for your help," I said as the head hit the ground with a thud.
"Wow, that was weak," I thought. "Well, it's just a tutorial battle against weaklings anyway."
"Why were they so weak?" I wondered. "Ah, well. Whatever."
At any rate, I'll just keep taking them down until I finally encounter the protagonist. My encounter rate is finally increasing, so let's move on quickly.