Mock Battle (1)
Aizen Arclight's rumor of developing a new weapon spread like wildfire in no time.
Gilford, who heard the report a bit late, stared at one of his underlings—no different from a subordinate—with a face like his eyes might pop out at any moment.
"Th-that bastard's making another one besides that monster?!"
"Yes, he said it's to counter enemies that even the Cyclops can't handle alone... and now he's even consulting the professors...."
Gilford clutched his head. The memory of his crushing defeat in the duel—where he'd thought victory was assured after all that preparation—tormented him anew.
I'm in this state, but that guy's...!
Gilford ground his teeth unwittingly, scanning his surroundings.
After his loss in the duel against Aizen—a match he'd pushed through as a prince of the Vespa Kingdom, even bending the rules outrageously—his faction, united solely to take down Aizen, had evaporated into thin air. No one sought his favor anymore, and many believed his position could crumble at any moment.
On the flip side, Aizen had drawn envy back then for having Noel and Mina by his side, but now people whispered that befriending him might open doors to Noel, Mina, and even Erica Phoenix lately. They were all eyeing their chances.
Aware that his standing was at risk, Gilford had schemed using his remaining political leverage to sabotage Aizen somehow. But the target had vanished to Phoenix County right after the duel, making interference impossible—and he'd returned proving his brilliant exploits and the Cyclops' tactical value.
And that's flipped the entire palace atmosphere...!
The palace had originally backed the Abatus Count family's bio-weapons: artificial chimeras. More precisely, it was the Abatus family's ploy to extend influence into the military, pushed by palace officials and court nobles in their camp, funneling all support their way.
Court mages and a few nobles had protested for fairness toward Aizen, warning that this favoritism risked the palace stooping to thuggish tech theft. But outgunned in influence, their voices were drowned out.
Now, however, the winds had shifted. A few weeks ago, the Phoenix Border Count had lavished praise on the Cyclops and expressed intent to purchase more. His endorsement of Aizen had leveled the power balance overnight.
For Gilford, whose maternal Abatus family was now in emergency mode, there were no countermeasures. Any attempts at checks had been deftly parried by Aizen's silver tongue.
Both Gilford and the Abatus Counts had lost their offensive momentum for the time being, while Aizen became the envy of the nobility.
"I hear the Phoenix Border Count's thinking of assigning Erica to him outright. Rumor has it they're practically living next door...."
"Then Noel's basically... and the Saintess too?"
"Those three are at Aizen's workshop every day. Cleaning there might mean seeing him daily...."
"Lord Aizen is the savior of the Alchemy Department!! He spread potatoes to save the stomachs of the poor—repay him by building what he desires!!"
"The Alchemy kids were already off their rockers, but now they're even worse. ...But hanging around there means spotting Aizen, right...?"
With Aizen joining Alchemy, whispers even suggested people were debating transferring departments right then. Gilford's aides were subtly sending reconciliation letters, urging him to make nice.
"We have no more ways to oppose him."
Gilford had no moves left, and the Abatus family simmered in unease. To survive, he'd swallow even needles if needed.
"Send someone immediately. After buying Cyclops units, snag this new wonder too. Offer whatever price. No—I'll go myself. Where is he?"
With even his maternal clan's power shaky, Gilford planned to act personally. One aide brightened slightly and spoke up.
"The man's at the duel arena today."
"Duel? With who?"
"It's a mock battle, apparently. So...."
Flipping through the academy newsletter, the aide nodded and continued.
"Opponent's Professor Reina."
****
The duel arena where he'd once clashed with Gilford. Aizen piloted the close-combat tech demonstrator slowly toward the center.
"It's been a while since I've used this arena."
"A while" was a stretch—it was only once—but it had ample space for Cyclops movement, low risk of stray destruction, and the ground was still unrepaired from Gilford's deep trap pits. Perfect spot.
He checked the sword made for close quarters and the makeshift shield, then raised them. For safety, the blade was dulled to avoid piercing Cyclops armor. While inspecting the manipulator arm and waiting, thudding footsteps echoed from the opposite side.
Soon, a lightly browned Cyclops—unlike his unpainted one—strode into view.
"Mine's not painted yet, but you've already got yours done, Professor?"
"I paid top coin for it—why wouldn't I get this service?"
Reina's voice crackled through the speaker. Having piloted it en route to Phoenix County, she handled it with surprising skill, positioning opposite him.
Grumbling dissatisfaction, she raised the weapon in one hand.
"A one-handed axe, huh. You're not messing with me, right?"
"Daggers didn't cut it cost-wise."
From close-combat tests in the Cyclops, small blades like daggers proved useless against foes big enough to warrant melee. Back then, it was a test for heat metal, hence dagger-shaped, but against a one-eyed giant, it barely scratched.
It drew blood, sure—useful there—but fell short for lethal wounds. Lacking tech to boost portability yet, he'd convinced Mina for an axe upgrade—at least viable. For the space navy vibe, of course; she needn't know.
"He seemed to have something up his sleeve back then, but I played along."
"No loss for you, so you let it slide."
He ignored the chatter from Mina and Noel via the intercom, thrusting the shield forward and raising his sword against Reina.
She claimed unfamiliarity, yet smoothly lifted her axe.
"You'll fix any mock battle damage for free, right?"
"Of course."
"Help with the manual? And lend it for my tests each completion? All as contracted?"
"I don't exploit people for free."
Even pre-fight, banter flew. Not a deathmatch—just data gathering—no need for tension....
"Mock battles let you legally thrash students, huh...."
Probably. Tension spiked.
"Then—begin!"
Fun-loving Professor Isarina, who'd tagged along, gave the signal. Aizen surged shield-first; voices rose—not just Mina, Noel, Erica, but Alchemy students too.
"It's moving—moving! A golem with friction-reducing coating!"
"Faster than standard Cyclops! Our research paid off!"
True to "tech demonstrator," it incorporated Alchemy tech—like Rodellini's friction-cut coating on joints, despite his "useless" claims.
Mass production would skyrocket costs, but for experiments, try everything.
"Maxed investment for close combat—that's this baby."
Reina's Cyclops charged too, but lagged. Reduced joint friction boosted this one's mobility, outpacing her.
His bladeless sword swung at her head—and though slow, she ducked diagonally, ramming with her shoulder.
"Huh?"
"You underestimated me too much, Aizen!"
Reina's spirited voice rang as the tech demonstrator toppled backward. Jetpack firing, he retreated; her axe grazed the cockpit mid-pullback.
Dulled blade or not, the precision chilled.
"Thought I was dead!"
"You wanted realism, so I targeted the cockpit spot. Sorry if I spooked you...."
Her voice flowed; the mono-eye glowed.
"Looks can deceive—I'm a knight, Aizen. Kingdom Top 5, 'Undefeated' title, unbreakable anywhere."
Axe aimed, her Cyclops advanced slowly.
"Don't forget who I am just 'cause I'm in this machine, Aizen."
Knowing death wasn't on the table, tension still chilled his spine. Even in steel giants, knights remained knights.