Chapter 31
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Defeating the Blade Tail
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Abel was confident he could take down the Blade Tail on his own.
Among those participating in this practical training, there were surely others who felt the same.
But even so, perfectly defeating the Blade Tail by pooling their strength was no easy task.
Because each had walked a different path in life and fought in their own unique way.
To fight well as a group, they had to overcome those 'differences' and achieve harmony.
Having this kind of practical class at the start of the semester was probably meant to drive that lesson home.
However, there was something even the professors hadn't anticipated.
-Rian! Forward!
The fact that none of it was a problem at all for Abel, the one appointed leader.
Kwaaang-!
The Blade Tail's sharp attack was halted by Rian's shield.
Having concealed its power until now, the Blade Tail launched desperate attacks now that its ambush had failed.
The Blade Tail knew as well. That if it lost its momentum like this, it wouldn't survive.
Whooooung!
The saw-like tail cleaved through the air with a sinister whine.
Iolin dodged the attack by a hair's breadth, then fell back entirely instead of swinging her weapon again.
At its core, this battle took the form of a 'rotation tactic.'
Rather than seeking a quick finish, the goal was to wear down the Blade Tail's strength as much as possible before closing in for the kill.
It was a strategy everyone had agreed on, since it let them all demonstrate their skills evenly, without anyone stealing the spotlight.
The battle was unfolding perfectly.
-This can't be the end, right?
Yet Lupus's voice, directed at Abel, carried notes of disappointment and regret.
A smile tugged at Abel's lips.
Because he could read Lupus's mind all too clearly.
Lupus might call him master and obey now, but it was a beast that couldn't be tamed easily.
A beast that would rip through its iron cage and break free at the first chance.
Lupus was no creature to handle with half measures.
"No way."
That was why Abel responded to Lupus in a resolute tone.
"It's just getting started. Watch closely."
Abel raised his sword with his one remaining arm, then shouted.
-Now it's my turn!
At his words, Rian pulled back without a moment's hesitation.
He had already proven himself amply, it seemed—there was no lingering attachment in his movements.
He had shouldered the defense almost single-handedly against the Blade Tail, after all.
Kwaang!
With Rian—who had thwarted every assault—out of the way, the Blade Tail moved to unleash a barrage as if it had only been waiting.
But Abel gave it no such opening.
Kung!
Kicking off the ground, Abel charged ahead and swung at the Blade Tail without pause.
Kwang!
The Blade Tail, poised to strike May from behind, twisted around in haste to block Abel's sword.
Twin tails then lashed out at Abel's remaining shoulder and flank.
Kwagagagak!
Abel batted them aside with a single stroke.
Professors and cadets alike widened their eyes in shock at the display.
It was merely one motion, yet they sensed something had shifted.
Whooooung!
The Blade Tail swiped with its forepaw.
Abel ducked low, then whipped his sword upward.
The tail strikes traced erratic, blistering paths, but Abel parried them effortlessly.
Attack after attack was blocked, wounds piling up on the Blade Tail's body.
Because Abel wasn't facing it alone.
Kagagagak!
May carved across the Blade Tail's back as she passed, while Iolin hammered one spot on its leg in rapid succession.
Everyone figured it would wrap up smoothly from here.
Kung-!
Then the Blade Tail contorted in that eerie way once more.
Just like at the start, when it had blasted Rian—who held the shield—flying with one blow.
Abel knew exactly what it heralded.
The Blade Tail earned its intermediate Gigadeus Fragment rank thanks to its unique ability: 'Heavy Strike.'
A momentary surge of strength several times its normal power.
Saaak!
Abel saw the creature's body twitch unnaturally.
Left unchecked, it would inflict heavy casualties again.
But having foreseen it, Abel seized the initiative.
'Shadow Step.'
Right before the strike launched.
Abel's Gigant blurred forward at impossible speed, slamming its sword into the Blade Tail's exposed side.
Kwaaaang-!
The massive body recoiled as if flung.
Rather than celebrate the solid hit, Abel pursued the hurtling Blade Tail at once.
Chwaaaaak!
The leg-mounted armament, Blessing of the Wind, fired, thrusting Lupus ahead. The gap vanished in a blink.
The sequence was breathtakingly swift, graceful.
"Huuk."
As others gaped in awe, Abel exhaled a scalding breath.
The flung Blade Tail righted itself, stabbing wildly with its razor tail.
A fearsome counter in any normal scenario.
But with his sync rate pushed to the brink, Abel felt no dread.
Sync rate was a Gigant rider's most vital asset.
The higher it climbed, the fuller the expression of one's innate prowess.
Even the finest knight couldn't pilot a Gigant with a low sync rate.
Still, raw sync rate didn't guarantee victory.
There was a saying everyone knew.
-No matter the sync rate, your own skill sets the ceiling, right?
It held water, mostly.
A sky-high sync rate meant little if the rider lacked the chops.
But that was merely the general rule.
What happened when sync rate broke past 100—120, 150?
What might an S-rank sync unleash?
Kwaaang-!
The tail cratered the earth.
The very spot Abel had occupied moments before. But he was already airborne.
To Abel's eyes now, the world crawled in slow motion.
He knew the power of peak sync rate.
When it hit that extreme.
Pilots transcended unity with their Gigant, achieving feats beyond human limits.
Like this.
Whooooung-!
Time, already dilated through the Sage's Crown, ground even slower.
Pshuuuk!
The hovering Gigant plunged earthward on Blessing of the Wind.
The Blade Tail lunged mid-descent, but Guardian's Shield—now unfurled—deflected every blow.
Three armaments synced, every skill unleashed at once.
Abel's blade clove all barriers, sinking into the Blade Tail's brow.
Kwadduduk!
Metal-hard hide rent, the thrashing beast slumped lifeless.
Only then did Abel drop his focus.
The world snapped back to speed; agony wracked him, knees buckling.
His skull pounded like it might burst, his flesh seared like molten slag.
Teeth clenched, Abel locked his stance on steady legs.
A message bloomed before his eyes.
[You have perfectly completed the mock battle by taking the leader role!]
[You have excellently completed the linked quest, so the reward is enhanced.]
[As reward, 'Enhancement Material' is given.]
[You have personally finished off the intermediate Gigadeus Fragment.]
[Influence greatly increases.]
[You have left a deep impression on many with your outstanding skill.]
[Influence greatly increases.]
Smiles came easy at such tidings.
But the final message blindsided even Abel.
[The 'Crest' reacts.]
As it appeared.
A white orb lifted from the Blade Tail's corpse, streaking to him.
It pierced Lupus's plating, materialized in the cockpit, and sank into Abel's chest.
"Kuuk."
Scorching pain twisted his face.
Yet the next message wiped it blank, pain forgotten.
[Absorbing part of the intermediate Gigadeus Fragment Blade Tail's ability.]
[Physical abilities slightly increase.]
[Acquired skill 'Heavy Strike.']
The first glimpse of something he hadn't even known existed.
* * *
Post-battle.
Every cadet Gigant was hauled to the workshop. The fierce clash had damaged them all.
Observers cleared out as the machines moved.
Once settled, Jacqueline assembled the cadets.
"Plenty of shortcomings."
Her tone had reverted to the courteous formality of lectures.
The critique, however, cut deep.
"Daniel, your movements reeked of thrill-seeking. Stamina or not, squandering it like that on a real field means burning out mid-fight. Hena..."
She dissected each cadet in turn.
Abel included.
"Abel, you know you overextended at the end."
"Yes."
"You want to prove yourself—I get it. But moderation is key."
"I'll remember."
Feedback he'd foreseen entirely. Action taken eyes-wide-open to it.
Jacqueline, aware, said no more.
After the critique, she steadied her breath.
"Internalize what I said. Improve. Now, final grades."
A smile ghosted her lips mid-sentence.
"Perfect scores across the board."
Eyes bulged.
Jacqueline pressed on, smiling.
"First live drill, team combat—yet you synced beyond expectations. Leader Abel positioned his team flawlessly; members obeyed to the letter."
Stiff faces softened, then glowed.
She elaborated briefly, wrapping on a high note.
"You all shone. Can't wait to see more. Stay grounded, keep pushing. Clear?"
"Yes-!"
"Rest up. Dismissed."
Jacqueline departed; cadets waited till she was distant to murmur.
"Whew. Tougher than expected."
"Yeah. Abel's heads-up helped, but that ability still threw me."
Rian and Jun chimed; Daniel nodded along.
"Even in the Gigant, every clash jarred my hands. Insanely durable."
"Blindingly fast too. Never thought it'd juke the cannon so easy."
Hena grumbled.
The magic cannon dodge clearly rankled.
Iolin spoke up.
"Abel. How many armaments at the end? All at once?"
Gazes locked on him.
Abel smiled awkwardly.
"Three."
"Three? Already juggling three in the heat of battle?"
"Not at once. In sequence."
"Tomato, to-mah-to!"
Topic fully his now, Abel edged rearward.
Maybe bolt? Then—
"Cadet Abel?"
Familiar voice; he turned to a waving woman.
Scarlett.
"Fancy a chat? About our deal last time."
Additional reward time.