Alicia (1)
Valkyrie Central Headquarters' training facility, the Training Area. Every kind of equipment was set up here to test and hone a Valkyrie's skills. From basic physical training grounds and shooting ranges to combat training rooms stocked with all sorts of battle dummies, simulation rooms using virtual reality, and even vast swimming pools for aquatic operations.
The Training Area was no exaggeration—a massive theme park built purely for skill improvement.
"It's really happening? Alicia and Senior Leira are sparring…?"
"I heard Senior Leira suggested it first?"
"This'll be fun! Who do you think will win?"
"One-on-one? Probably Alicia…."
One of the facilities in the Training Area was the arena. Built exclusively for Valkyrie duels, it was one of the most popular spots. Valkyries, born to fight Erosion Species, had strong competitive spirits by nature. It was only natural they'd flock to an arena where they could sort out who was superior.
Lots of eyes on us….
Having learned that much from my terminal, I glanced around. The arena let anyone watch the fights. Valkyries were peering at us from all over. Alicia and I were both well-known, after all. Word of our spar must have spread, drawing spectators.
Whatever. I'm going to win anyway.
I ignored the crowd and focused ahead. About fifteen steps away stood Alicia. Her outfit was surprisingly cute—a skirt falling to her ankles, sleeveless top exposing her shoulders, thick combat boots, and an axe bigger than she was clutched in her hands. Her flame-red hair, like boiling magma, was tied back in a ponytail. She glared at me with fierce eyes.
Alicia looks adorable in her special combat gear…. If only her expression were a bit softer.
What she wore was special combat gear—a battle suit designed to draw out a Valkyrie's full power. It meant she was taking this spar seriously. Naturally, I'd changed from workout clothes into my uniform too. It clung tightly, revealing every curve—uncomfortable, but strangely, wearing it made power surge through my body. No wonder they fought in these.
Still… Alicia's way stronger than me.
Even before the fight, sizing up her presence told me that. An aura around her, hard to put into words… but instinct screamed she was superior. Like standing before a starving lion.
Alicia sized me up too, her cute face twisting as she spoke.
"You think that pathetic strength can provoke me? You worthless princess."
Alicia's pissed….
It made sense. She was A-rank; I was B-rank. Even within the same rank, skill gaps existed—but a whole rank apart? Victory was near impossible. Yet I'd challenged her first. She must feel insulted.
The shield will keep me from dying… but I need to stay sharp.
Arena fights required special shields. Simple effect: if it detected an impact the user couldn't withstand, it deployed a one-use defensive barrier. Activation meant instant loss. Alicia wasn't malicious despite her trash talk—she wouldn't attack post-shield. But impacts you could take? Those hit full force. Better avoid them.
"I'll make sure you can't get out of the infirmary for a while."
"Oh dear, scary. Go easy on me, please?"
"Hah, too late for regrets!"
Clank! Alicia's folded axe blade spun open. Her dedicated weapon, responding to her will. Just entering combat mode radiated overwhelming presence.
I transformed my weapon too—a flat, pure-white gun that looked like a toy. Its name: nailgun. A tool that fired nails.
Yes. Just like Alicia's axe was hers, the nailgun was the one assigned to the Leira I'd possessed. Not some construction-site toy, though—this packed enough punch to pierce thick concrete.
"Dieeee!"
"You can't just yell 'die' at someone!"
Alicia kicked off the ground, charging straight at me. No feints, no tricks—just brutal honesty. Her momentum felt like a tank at full speed. Up close, I'd be crushed. I raised my nailgun to check her advance.
Aim for the legs!
Bang! Bang! Nails screamed past supersonic speeds toward her legs. Direct hits would've shredded muscle. But Alicia didn't slow. She angled her axe like a shield, deflecting them all.
As expected of an A-rank tanker class… amateur attacks won't cut it.
In the original game, Gray Valkyrie, there were four classes: Tanker, Dealer, Supporter, Specialist. Alicia was a Tanker—and a dealer-type with high damage to boot. I was a ranged Dealer with meager stats. I could not let her close the distance.
Have to blind her…!
I fired at her face. The instant she blocked with her axe, I rolled aside. She thundered past where I'd stood. I shot at her exposed back, but she spun with her axe, batting it away.
"Running away!"
"If I take a hit from you, Alicia, I'll die!"
"That's why you should just die quietly!"
She reset her stance, axe forward, closing in. My leg shots were blocked again. As distance shrank, I aimed for her face once more.
"Same trick…!"
"Ngh…?!"
This time was different. Sensing the eye shot, she twisted aside. Even if hit, it'd glance her shoulder. She watched my every move. No wonder they called her a genius—same ploy wouldn't work. Murderous intent poured off her.
No choice. I extended my left hand.
"Blue Thunder!"
"Tch!"
Kaboom! A deafening roar as blue lightning erupted from my palm. Leira's innate Valkyrie ability. Simple: shoot lightning.
Judging it unwise to tank head-on, Alicia backed off.
Didn't want to use it yet… got careless.
But I couldn't smile. I'd burned one of five uses. Leira's ability was trash—meager shocks, limited to five shots. No wonder she languished at B-rank. Still stronger than the nailgun, but I hated wasting them early.
What's done is done. Penalty for underestimating her.
Alicia was strong. A-rank elite for a reason. Worlds apart from my B-rank. Bad matchup too. A war of attrition? I'd lose.
But I had original knowledge. Alicia's fatal flaw right now. Exploit that, and I'd win.
Cute but annoying brat… I'll shatter your spirit and make you call me big sis…!
Situation still unfavorable. Wary of the lightning, she circled me like a wolf, stepping nimbly. I watched intently, ready to react.
"Taaaaah!"
Crunch. The sturdy floor cratered as she charged, red ponytail whipping. I fired to check her. But unlike before, she exposed her body fully.
Grazing hits? She'll tank them!
Solid judgment. Her skin shrugged off pistol rounds. Plus regeneration in battle. Trading minor wounds for a quick finish.
Of course, I'd anticipated it.
"Guh… hurts…?!"
Thud. The grazing nail suddenly veered, slamming into her side.
Stunned by the pain, she faltered. I seized the gap, backing away to reset distance.
How? Simple. Nailgun nails were special conductive alloy. I'd charged one with electricity on launch, guiding it.
Leira rarely trained here, so she'd never imagined this trick. A solid poke at her blind spot.
"Don't underestimate me, please."
"You worthless princess… with this…?!"
Face twisted, she clawed the wound, yanking out the nail. Blood dripped, but she'd heal fast.
Wanted to nail her neck… too precise for me.
Cheers erupted from the stands. They'd expected me to fold instantly. Me drawing first blood? Shock.
But no leisure on my face. Far worse off than it looked. Stamina drained, and nail tricks wouldn't work twice.
I stared at her seriously.
"Alicia, get serious."
"…What?"
"You haven't used your innate ability once. Do I not warrant it?"
"Th-that's… No need against a worthless princess!"
She sounded anxious. She'd never planned to use it. My words hit home.
Time to push harder.
"Hiding an insurance policy?"
"Insurance?"
"If I win like this, you can say 'I would've won with my ability.' That's the excuse, right?"
"Whaaat?! D-don't make me laugh! As if I'd lose to you…!"
"I won't fight you again. Even if you beg, saying 'I'd have won with my ability,' I won't."
"Urghhh… Y-you…!"
Got her.
Her face flushed crimson. Angry? At being mocked by the weakling she'd dismissed? I sealed it.
"Alicia, you're lame."
"Aaaargh! You! I'll kill you!"
Whoosh! Blazing flames swirled around her furious form. Flame Realm. Her innate ability, enveloping her in fire.
I shielded my mouth from the heatwave. Couldn't hide the smile.
I win.
This was my only path to victory. Operation: Turn Alicia into a Dried Squid.