"Tio is with Rein-san right now. She said if she gets some magic power and rests a little, she'll be fine soon."
"Okay..."
"I'm glad you're not hurt, too."
Einhart nodded weakly at Nove's words.
Einhart, who had been taken to the infirmary, woke up right away. In the very end, Elemiya's attack, after she had returned to her senses, was just enough to shave off the last of Einhart's life.
She had no major injuries, and the match ended safely.
Indeed, it would have been a different story if she had taken one of the 'Iron Arm' attacks in the middle. Nove was relieved about that point.
Having woken up and fully calmed down, Einhart deeply regretted her failure today.
"I was so caught up in my past today... I forgot everything: my duty as a competitor, the people around me, and even that Shō-san was here to watch today. I was supposed to have received everyone's dreams...!"
"Don't apologize. It's not your fault. The little ones wouldn't blame you, either. Shō wouldn't get angry, right?"
Nove pulled Einhart, who was on the verge of tears, into a hug by the shoulder.
"Besides, I've become too dependent on you guys, who get stronger with every practice, who get the crowd excited in matches, and who are the cool upperclassmen the little ones look up to."
Einhart and Kirin were both competing for the first time, yet they were looking out for Vivio and the others who were younger than them.
Thanks to that, Nove, who was also a first-time competitor, was able to focus on her own work. She thought to herself that if she had been more composed, she might have been able to provide some care.
"Today's defeat isn't just yours. It's also my defeat as a leader."
Einhart was held in a rough embrace, but she didn't resist and just cried.
"Mm-hmm. If Nove is here, Einhart-chan will be fine."
"Mikaya-san?"
"Hm? Oh, it's you. Did you also come to cheer up Einhart-chan?"
"The same could be said for you, Mikaya-san."
Shō, who had been secretly sneaking in, arrived at that moment. Shō, who was not a tournament official, would be immediately kicked out if he was found.
But the same went for Mikaya, whose match was already over.
Mikaya, as a top player, might get off with a slap on the wrist compared to Shō.
"With you and Nove here, she's in good hands. Well then, I'll go cheer up the other person."
Mikaya, who had been listening from behind the door, moved her back away from the wall she was leaning against.
She waved lightly and left.
---------
After seeing Mikaya-san's back, I secretly peered into the infirmary.
The only people inside were Einhart and Nove-san. It seemed there was no permanent staff. They might have stepped out to be considerate of the defeated player, but it was convenient for me.
It took a lot of courage to speak up to two people hugging and crying, but there was no point in staying here forever.
I apologized in my heart and entered the room.
"Einhart, Nove-san."
"Huh, ah, Shō-san...?"
"Ah, you! Why are you here?!"
The two of them were very flustered by my appearance.
"I was worried about Einhart."
"Well, I guess that makes sense...!"
Nove-san moved away from Einhart at an incredible speed and crossed her arms. Her face was red, but she seemed to want to keep her composure.
Behind her, Einhart was wiping her tear-stained eyes.
I guess my timing was bad.
"Well, since Einhart looks fine, I'll be going."
I was certain that Einhart would recover from this. I was satisfied just to confirm that she didn't have any major injuries.
"You idiot! Don't worry about me! Come on, you came all this way to see her, didn't you?"
Nove-san came behind me and pushed my back.
But this wasn't out of kindness; 90% of the reason was to hide her embarrassment.
"Well, I'm off! Kirin has a match! Einhart, let's keep working hard! Shō, you go back to the stands before Kirin's match! See ya!"
I was left alone with Einhart. If she said it was okay, I wouldn't hold back.
"Einhart, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. I'm a little tired, but I'm not hurt."
"I see."
She had used her magic to the limit and even activated Assimilate. It was only natural that she would be tired. In fact, I was glad it was just that.
In the original story, it took her much longer to use Assimilate. It was amazing that she activated it in such a short time after getting it... but she probably couldn't use it freely.
Judging from the match, it didn't seem like she activated it on her own will. It was far from a state of clear-mindedness.
But maybe I should have explained it a little better. I had tried not to interfere with the parts of the story that were the same as the original, so I didn't say anything this time.
If I had known this would happen, I should have said something. Even though I didn't know how effective it would have been.
"I'm sorry. I should have given you more advice."
"No, it's my fault for being inexperienced. But in the end, everyone, and most of all, your cheer, Shō-san, helped me."
"My cheer?"
"Yes. I heard it during the champion's chokehold."
"That's impossible. You couldn't have heard it during the match."
"It's true! I don't know why, but I really heard it... Ah!"
Einhart seemed to realize something and her face turned pale.
As I wondered what was wrong, Einhart bowed her head with a surge of energy.
"I-I'm so sorry! The Gundam you gave me is broken...!"
"Oh, that."
Einhart bowed her head again and again.
Indeed, due to the damage from the match, the Build Burning had become a wreck, as if it had been through a final battle. It was to the point where she might have been stronger fighting without it.
I had explained my ability to Einhart. It wasn't an item I had spent money on, and if anything, I felt like I had gotten it thanks to Einhart.
Until now, I hadn't been able to maintain the MS I had obtained, but just recently, or rather, this morning, that problem was solved... thanks to Alterna last night.
---------
MS Repair Dock (Diorama Sphere)
A facility where you can maintain the MS you have obtained.
If you store it here, it will be automatically repaired.
You can repair it instantly by consuming gacha spins.
You can also speed up the repair by using a separate item called 'Haro (for repair)'.
Presence Concealment EX (During the Act)
During an act with a woman, you will not be intervened by any third party. Even if you do it outside, you will not be noticed.
---------
It was thanks to these items.
If I put the Build Burning in the MS Repair Dock (Diorama Sphere), it would probably be fine.
When I tried taking the Build Burning and putting it in the dock, a repair notification came to my phone. It showed a remaining repair time of one week. That means it takes about a week to repair it from that state of complete destruction.
In other words, no matter what condition an MS is in, I can now repair it.
As for Presence Concealment EX (During the Act), well, I probably got that because I was doing it outside.
I'm sure it will come in handy someday.
When I told her that the MS could be repaired, Einhart let out a sigh of relief.
"That's good. I heard that once an MS is broken, it can't be fixed."
"Well, it was a coincidence. The timing was just right."
"...? ...Did you... have sex with someone... after you had sex with us?"
Einhart gave me a look of suspicion.
It wasn't exactly a look of accusation, but she didn't seem pleased.
"It's not that. I knew it was going to happen. I knew there were many other people who liked you, Shō-san, and that you would respond to them."
"Yeah."
I accepted Einhart's words. No matter how much I tried to justify it, it was the truth.
"Then... if you could... do it with me as well..."
Einhart said that in a voice that was barely a whisper.
"That's the ultimate compliment for a man."
"Ah, no! You must be busy, Shō-san! And you have to consider other people, too!"
Einhart's face turned bright red as she waved her hands.
You'd never guess she was in such a fierce battle just a moment ago. Einhart, who used to be so serious. I guess that's the power of a middle schooler's libido...
"Honestly, I'm fine now! Please go cheer on Kirin-san!"
"Okay, okay. I'll do that."
There wasn't much time left until Kirin's match. As Einhart said, I went back to the stands.
---------
"I did it again..."
After the match, Elemiya, who was in the shower, muttered.
"I decided not to use that in official matches..."
She was supposed to have sealed the Eraser technique. It was a technique that symbolized the 'essence of Elemiya'. Unlike when she was a child, it rarely came out unless something serious happened, but in a battle like today's, which brought out something from the depths of her being, it would show itself.
If used properly, it was a killing blow, and even with the non-lethal setting, it could lead to serious injury depending on the situation.
The reason she couldn't stay away from battle was because of the 500 years of memories she held within her.
"Since that girl dodged it, it didn't turn into a big deal... But if it had hit, I would have... again..."
She remembered the memories from last year.
Mikaya's crumpled hand and the stretcher being carried away. Elemiya was in a daze, and regardless of that, Elemiya's victory was announced.
"(I've been saved and guided by so many people... But I wonder if I've changed at all since that time...)"
She put her hand on the wall and let the shower water run over her head.
"Hmm? What, you're still here? That's a long shower."
"Ah, boss..."
The person who came into the shower room was Harry Tribeca. She started using the shower next to her.
"Huh? What about your match?"
"That's long over. The little one from yesterday had more fight."
"Haha, I see..."
"Just as I thought, you're spacing out."
"...Mm."
While washing her hair, Harry spoke.
"Don't tell me you're regretting using the Eraser, are you?"
"That's..."
"I'm telling you, and I've told you before, you're the opponent we're all going to defeat someday, and our goal is you, 'Iron Arm' and all. Do you understand that?"
"That's..."
You can't eat your words.
It was natural for the techniques shown in an official setting to become a goal. For others, the champion's full power was the 'essence of Elemiya.'
If she didn't use it when she fought in a match, and she lost without using it, it would mean she was 'holding back.'
"I think so, too."
Another woman entered the shower room.
"Mika-san?!"
It was Mikaya, wearing jeans and nothing but a wrap on her upper body. And in her hand, she held...
"(A sword?!)"
Elemiya wrapped a towel around her body and faced her.
It was in a carrying bag, but there was no mistaking it. To bring something like that into this place...
"There's also the feeling that I want the person who defeated me to be a strong fighter."
Mikaya crouched down and placed her hand on the bag.
"Hey! W-Wait, Mika-san!"
"Is this the time for that, Zeke? You're already in Mika-san's range, you know?"
Harry, who wasn't the target, said it nonchalantly. Elemiya understood that, of course. But she couldn't understand why she was being suddenly attacked.
"(But she's already in a stance. I'm not wearing any armor. I'll be cut—)"
"Gah!"
The next moment, a sword-drawing technique that seemed to cut through space was unleashed. At the same time, Elemiya's arm was imbued with magic.
She erased the approaching slash from below, as if to parry it.
"...Ah."
"The 'essence of Elemiya' state that your body reflexively activates when it feels its life is in danger. It must be a precious gift from your ancestors, right?"
The thing that rolled around was the tip of a bamboo sword—the part of the blade that had been erased from the middle.
"(A bamboo sword... Mika-san's killing intent made it look real...)"
"Whatever its origin, we're aiming for all the power you possess. As a fighter, everyone is prepared for injury."
Mikaya shook her right wrist, which had been destroyed in the past.
"I will definitely win next time by surpassing your full power and technique. Everyone who has lost to you must think that. Of course, I do, too."
Just as much as that, there was a reason she didn't want Elemiya to be down.
"Besides, Einhart-chan is carrying the same pain as you. You know that, right?"
"Th-That's..."
Indeed, during the match, she had thought that she would become the one to guide, just as everyone had guided her.
"Then you shouldn't be wavering."
"...Yes."
"...That's good."
Mikaya, who seemed satisfied, was about to leave the place, but then she stopped.
"Ah, that's right. I forgot."
She stopped and turned back as if she had just remembered.
"I couldn't fight you in this tournament. So think of this as a reveal of my full recovery."
"Huh...?"
Elemiya didn't understand the meaning right away... but right after that, the towel she was holding against her chest loosened.
"Oh, what a divine skill."
"Huh?! Whaaaaaaat?!"
Harry said it nonchalantly, but Elemiya, who had been cut, was in a terrible state.
She thought she had defended against the slash, but somehow, only the towel had been sliced.
"Haha, Einhart-chan is already awake. Hurry up and get dressed. Otherwise, Victoria will give you a lecture next."
"...Okay~."
Elemiya, squatting and covering herself, answered with a flushed face.
--------------------------------------------
🚀 Want Early Access (80+Chapters ahead ) & Bonus Content?
"Loving this story so far? You can read ALL chapters RIGHT NOW by joining my P4tr3on!
✨ Unlock instant access to the full completed novel
✨ No waiting for daily updates
✨ Support your favorite degenerate author (that's me!)
Only $5.99 for the full experience!
🔗 Check my profile for the Link!!