After parting with Rimiera-senpai, I wandered around the bazaar, but there was nothing in particular that caught my eye.
Well, it’s not that there was nothing, but given my financial situation, I realized it was completely impossible for me.
Even a second-hand Armed Gear would cost over two platinum coins. Since this was the academy’s bazaar, the price was likely reasonable, but normally it would cost about four platinum coins.
A used and modified Armed Gear from a graduate costs roughly the same as a shiny new one bought with G-gear.
I can’t say for certain which is better. Both have pros and cons.
But, based on my preference, I think I’d prefer a new one. A machine that has other people’s habits ingrained in it seems difficult to ride. Plus, I feel like it would be filled with all kinds of memories, and I wouldn’t be able to use it freely.
That being said, my goal should be to save up G-gear and buy a new one.
According to Carol, if I just keep winning regular [Star Duel] (and keep progressing), the prize money from G-gear alone should be enough to buy one by the time I’m in second year.
By the way, based on Zelda-senpai’s record in her first year, it seems she could afford one before summer break. She was the one who got recommended for the [Machinist War Ragnarok] slot in her first year... So, of course, she could afford one.
I also got a look at her battle record, and once that senpai accumulated enough stars to challenge higher-ranked opponents, she would immediately take them on and rise to the top.
She seemed fully intent on climbing all the way to the top. It seems she didn’t quite make it to the top spot as a first-year, but still, she was in the top 9, which is incredible... Of course, she remained undefeated until she reached S-rank. After that, she lost to the current leader once. It makes sense—S-rank must have some serious players.
Come to think of it, Rimiera-senpai is also S-rank... The S-rank includes ranks one to nine.
I wonder if I’ll ever fight Rimiera-senpai? No, probably not. She’s an upperclassman. For me, a first-year, I’d have to make progress like Zelda-senpai to even challenge her. By that time, she’ll have graduated... I wonder if it could happen in an unofficial match?
I’ve heard there are such events for demonstrations. Was it during the sports festival or the cultural festival?
Either way, I won’t even get chosen as an opponent unless I get stronger, so the task doesn’t change.
“Alright! I’ll do this!”
“Ah!?”
As I was pumping myself up on the bed, I heard Lirisha’s flustered voice through the wall from where she was working on her model.
“Wait, Nero-san!? Don’t suddenly yell like that! I made a mistake with the paint!”
“Hah? Well, if you messed up, do you want me to buy that kit for you?”
“I won’t sell it! Seriously, this is what happens when country folks...!”
“Country folks have nothing to do with this!” Damn it, that was supposed to be mine...! Why did I have to throw out a rock-paper-scissors challenge back then...?
I hope the next bazaar will have rare models again. This time, I’m definitely going to get one.
“Unlike Armed Gears, Frame Gears show the user’s intuition and thoughts through their movements. Additionally, due to resonance from their unique magic power, they can read the user’s thoughts and trace their movements. In other words, what’s important here is your image. Basically, if you can’t perform a move, don’t expect it to be easy to do with a Frame Gear either. The reason why knights skilled in combat were selected as the first Frame Gear pilots in the early stages was partly because of this.”
In the lecture for the virtual Frame Gear exercises, I was listening intently to the teacher’s words.
Finally, I would be able to move a Frame Gear (although it was a virtual model). I couldn’t afford to miss anything.
The teacher in charge of both the theory and practical classes for the virtual Frame Gear was, as Carol and the others had talked about during the entrance ceremony, [Swan], or Professor Sofie Swordwreck.
She was in her late twenties, with long silver hair and a slender, tall frame. She was an impeccable woman. I think she’s from the neighboring Belfast Kingdom.
“Also, each Frame Gear has its own characteristics, and it’s important to choose a machine that suits you. You can understand that well by looking at the famous Valkyrie series, which was piloted by the queen consort.”
As she said this, Professor Sofie started playing a video on the classroom’s monitor.
First, a silver-colored machine appeared on the screen.
The sniper-focused Frame Gear, “Brunhilde.” A machine with mirrored armor that blends into the surroundings and specializes in long-distance sniping using a sniper rifle.
Next came a flaming red machine.
The assault-focused Frame Gear, “Gerhilde.” A machine that specializes in hand-to-hand combat, with pile bunkers mounted on both arms capable of crushing any armor.
Then, a blue machine.
The aerial combat transformable Frame Gear, “Helmwiege.” A machine that can transform into a flying form, capable of flying freely. Its high-speed performance is nearly impossible to capture.
A yellow machine appeared next.
The defense-focused Frame Gear, “Ortlinde.” It combines with three support machines to form the giant Frame Gear, “Ortlinde Overload.” The power it unleashes is immeasurable.
A purple machine appeared.
The light infantry Frame Gear, “Schwertreite.” A machine that specializes in close-quarters combat with a sword. The speed at which it strikes is nothing short of divine.
An orange machine appeared.
The heavy infantry Frame Gear, “Siegrune.” Another close-quarters combat machine primarily using a sword. It excels in defense, with strong protective capabilities.
A green machine appeared.
The guerilla warfare convertible Frame Gear, “Waldraute.” By swapping out four different weapons, it can adapt to any situation, a versatile multi-type machine.
Lastly, a black machine appeared.
The annihilation artillery Frame Gear, “Grimgerde.” A heavy assault Frame Gear designed for one-on-many battles. No one can stand before its full barrage of “Full Burst.”
Finally, a cherry-colored machine appeared.
The support Frame Gear, “Rosweisse.” A support-type machine capable of enhancing the attack power, mobility, and defense of allied Frame Gears through the singing magic cast from its symphonic horns on both shoulders.
These are the Frame Gears piloted by the Queen Consort, who led Brunhild to become the world’s greatest magical city. Even those unfamiliar with Frame Gears know these nine machines.
Despite being built three hundred years ago, it’s said that no machine has surpassed these models since.
It’s said that they are currently stored underground in Brunhild Castle, but I wonder if that’s true.
“As you can see, Frame Gears are divided into various types. Eventually, each of you will need to find a machine that suits you, but that’s a matter for the future. Today, you’ll learn the basics of the Frame Gear. First, I’ll explain the structure of the Frame Gear. The ‘Ether Liquid’ that circulates through the entire body of the Frame Gear, this...”
While listening to the teacher’s explanation, I moved my pen across my notebook. Hmm... This is quite difficult. There are some parts I don’t fully understand. I’ll have to ask Carol and the others later.
Somehow, we managed to finish the theory lessons by noon, and in the afternoon, the long-awaited practical exercises would begin. Finally, we would be able to ride a Frame Gear! Though, only in virtual space.
While eating the daily lunch special in the academy’s cafeteria, we chatted about the afternoon’s class.
“We’ll be using our own Frame Gears for the afternoon exercises, right?”
“The one we got during the entrance ceremony. By the way, Nero, what Frame did you choose?”
“Lightning. What about you, Shelly?”
“I was torn, but in the end, I chose the Clock Frame. I want a sniper-type machine.”
Clock Frame... It’s the precision movement-type machine frame, right? For a sniper-type, precision is necessary, after all.
“What about you, Carol?”
“I’m going with the Ritter Frame. If you make it too specialized, it’ll be hard to use.”
A balanced type. I was also considering that one. The easier-to-use type lets you adapt more flexibly.
“I chose the Mystic Frame.”
I threw a sharp comment at Lirisha, who had suddenly appeared in front of me.
“I didn’t even ask... And why are you here?”
“I was invited by Carol. It would have been rude to refuse such an invitation.”
Damn you, Carol, for doing unnecessary things.
Next to Lirisha was Lara. Apparently, she was also invited by Carol. High communication skills...
As Lara stopped drinking her soup, she turned to ask Lirisha.
“Since it’s a Mystic Frame, does that mean you’re focusing on magical combat?”
“No, I’m aiming for a heavy artillery battle type with firearms. I have fire, wind, and earth attributes.”
“Three attributes!? That’s amazing!”
Huh? What’s the connection between magic and firearms? I thought you needed to install a “Gear Spell” to use magic in a Frame Gear?
“Using fire magic to shoot real bullets is advantageous. Wind magic works the same way. You can control the speed and direction of the projectiles. Earth magic can increase the hardness of armor or create special projectiles.”
Carol explained my confusion. I see. That makes sense.
“If you have wind magic, couldn’t you have gone for a transformable flying type instead?”
“I considered that, but a custom Frame seemed difficult. Also, I prefer a more composed Frame Gear like ‘Grimgerde.’”
As Shelly said, if you have wind magic, it seems advantageous for flight, but if it’s a matter of preference, then that’s that.
I chose Lightning, Carol went with Ritter, Shelly picked Clock, and Lirisha chose Mystic. We’re all over the place.
I wonder what Lara chose? Could it be Titan Frame? No, for her...
“I’m going with the Custom Frame.”
“As expected.”
For Lara, aiming to be a Magic Engineer Meister, the Custom Frame was the obvious choice. It’s highly versatile, but that also means it’s difficult to balance. If you’re not careful, the machine might end up being weaker than if you didn’t modify it at all.
“I can’t really modify it much yet, but I want to try out different things. I’m thinking of things like combined transformations, or just making the arms longer, multi-arm, multi-leg models, or a tank-type lower half. Oh, and animal-type ones would be good too!”
Hmm, isn’t that a bit too free? She’ll probably end up making something strange just because she had the idea... As much as I want to see it, I’m not sure if I do...
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