Hybrid x Heart Magias Academy Ataraxia Volume 1 - Ch 4

Kizuna furtively observed Aine from behind the cover of a building.

His objective to learn more about Aine had led him to shadow her for the past three days, meticulously watching her movements. To be blunt, his actions amounted to stalking.

It was currently the afternoon break. Aine had departed from the school, heading towards a park to enjoy a bento she had purchased en route.

Kizuna concealed himself behind a digital signage display lining the street, attempting to get a clear view of the situation.

He knew that afterward, Aine would return to the classroom with minimal time, as usual. Post-school, she would proceed to the command headquarters for training and practice. Upon finishing, she would head straight back to the dormitory, not venturing out again for the rest of the day.

Just following her around isn't yielding any clues.

What sort of clue are you seeking?

UWAA!

A voice suddenly called out from behind him, startling Kizuna.

H-Himekawa!?

Himekawa Hayuru stood there, hands placed firmly on her hips.

What on earth are you doing, Hida-kun?

No, no. This is, uh...

Hayuru let out an amazed sigh.

I had heard rumors of a student stalking another, and it turns out to be you...

This is a misunderstanding! I haven't done anything I need to feel guilty about!

What is it you wish to know about Aine-san?

Eh?

Himekawa leaned out from behind the digital signage display, her gaze fixed on Aine.

I, too, have harbored questions about her for some time. Her usual speech is difficult to categorize as that of a normal person, and most notably, her excessive fixation on battle. That obsession of hers has veered far off the proper path.

As a fellow member of Amaterasu, I am concerned. Is there anything that can be done to assist her? Surely you share this sentiment, correct?

Kizuna nodded emphatically.

When did Himekawa first encounter her?

I believe it was during the high school entrance ceremony. I recall sensing the presence of an exceptionally beautiful girl at that time. Aine-san already had a Core fully installed within her then.

Is that so? Then, does anyone know of Chidorigafuchi from her middle school days?

No. Aine-san did not attend middle school. She was admitted directly into high school. It appears no one knows her from before.

Was it impossible to uncover more than this?

No,

Given that she had a Core installed, there should certainly be some clue connected to that.

Kizuna proceeded to the laboratory of Heart Hybrid Gear, known as the [Nayuta Lab].

{Hida Kizuna, what is your purpose here?}

Upon entering the laboratory, he found Shikina Kei intently focused on a console resembling a cockpit.

May I obtain information regarding Chidorigafuchi's past?

{An authorization for information release is required. Chidorigafuchi Aine's data is classified at a high level. It cannot be accessed with Hida Kizuna's current authorization level.}

No, even non-critical information would suffice. For instance, details such as her birthplace or her elementary school.

{All such information is classified as secret. Disclosure is not permitted.}

What is the meaning of this?

Even though I possess the authority to access everyone's personal details, including their measurements and real-time locations? Then who exactly can view Chidorigafuchi's information?

{The sole individual possessing such authority within Ataraxia is Hida Reiri.}

So, it's Nee-chan.

Understood. I'll ask Nee-chan. She's likely at the command headquarters, right?

There's no need for that.

The door to the room swung open, and Hida Reiri, her long black hair flowing behind her, entered.

Nee-chan!

Kizuna, you wish to know about Aine's past?

Yes. I do.

Why?

I'm worried about her. There's something troubling me, though I can't articulate it clearly, and it's incredibly frustrating.

No, that's not it.

That wasn't the reason.

Perhaps, I'm feeling irritated. That girl doesn't consider others, nor herself, nor even the possibility of her own death.

[A worthless worry, isn't it?]

Everything inside that girl's head is focused solely on acquiring an even more powerful weapon. She likely views concerns like ours as utterly trivial.

[What I cannot forgive the most is my own low combat ability.]

She isn't striving to enhance her combat strength for the sake of survival. I don't understand her. Because I fail to grasp her motives, it irritates me.

[I see. It seems this is pointless, isn't it.]

Her sorrowful reflection was momentarily visible in his eyelids.

That's precisely why I want to know about her!

Reiri crossed her arms, listening intently to Kizuna's words.

Very well. I shall enlighten you.

Really!?

However, even the information we possess regarding Chidorigafuchi Aine is limited. Please understand this.

Kizuna nodded in silence.

This matter began seven years ago. In Tokyo, not the one on Megafloat, but on the mainland. Near the Imperial Palace, there's a canal known as Chidorigafuchi. A report was received about a girl found floating there. That girl was subsequently taken in; that was...

Thats Chidorigafuchi?

Correct. The girl found in the hospital, who awoke with no memories, had no idea why she was in such a place. She couldn't recall where she came from or who she was. She didn't even know her own name; that was her condition.

So, she has amnesia?

Reiri nodded.

There were no external injuries, and the condition was diagnosed as temporary shock. However, even after that, there was no sign of her memory returning.

But didn't Chidorigafuchi's family search for her? Surely there were missing person reports?

There was nothing. Apparently, the police conducted a search, but Aine's family couldn't be found. Her appearance suggested she was around ten years old, so elementary schools across Japan were checked, but not a single clue surfaced.

Then, perhaps she was from overseas?

Inquiries at the Immigration Bureau also yielded no results.

Then, where on earth did Chidorigafuchi come from?

The girl herself was remarkably normal and healthy. Medical examinations showed no issues. However...

Reiri frowned.

There was just one peculiar point: her aptitude for Heart Hybrid Gear was abnormally high.

Abnormally? Is Chidorigafuchi that skilled?

Lately, she's been surpassed by Yurishia and Himekawa. Her Zero's strength lies in close-range combat, but it's at a disadvantage when facing enemies at a distance. It's not that her talent is inferior, but the disparity in gear aptitude has led to significant differences in battle outcomes.

So that's how it is.

In any case, the one who recognized that girl's high aptitude was our mother.

Kizuna's heart felt a pang of unease.

Mother took Aine into her care. It was also our mother who named her Chidorigafuchi Aine. Subsequently, Aine was made to participate in the research and development of Heart Hybrid Gear.

And then, all this time?

That's right. She spent her days in this laboratory, essentially a test subject.

What about her schooling?

She only began attending school in high school.

I see, so she only started a semblance of a normal life in high school.

That was when the practical application tests commenced.

Then that girl.

Since childhood, she was confined to this lab,

Constantly treated as a test subject,

All by herself,

Her only companions were the Heart Hybrid Gear and Professor Hida Nayuta.

Exceptional talent.

But she was outmatched by her rivals.

What happened next?

Suddenly, an alert window materialized. The entire room was engulfed in crimson floating windows and alarms.

Kei! What's happening?

{Enemy attack. An enemy warship has appeared two hundred kilometers ahead of Ataraxia.}

What's the enemy's scale?

{One battleship approximately two thousand meters long. Around thirty warships under one thousand meters, half of which appear to be aircraft carriers, with the rest being escort vessels.}

What!

Even Reiri was stunned into silence.

It was an unprecedentedly large fleet.

While they had encountered enemy ships before, there had invariably been only one at a time. Even so, each encounter resulted in significant damage.

And now, there were thirty ships.

To face such a massive fleet, this might well be the first time since the decisive battle on the mainland during the Second Another Universe Conflict. If they were forced into combat under these circumstances, it was highly improbable that either Ataraxia or Megafloat Japan could survive intact.

Kei, establish a connection with the command room! There's no time to return there; I'll take command from this location.

{Roger.}

The alert windows vanished, replaced by numerous windows displaying the battle network and information about Megafloat Japan.

All these elements congregated like a school of fish in the room's center, interconnected organically to form a cohesive system. The walls, ceiling, and floor all transformed into monitors, displaying the exterior of Ataraxia.

Kizuna observed the enemy fleet projected on the wall.

A black battleship, appearing to cleave the blue sky, floated ominously. Intricate patterns, neither words nor discernible shapes, glowed on its hull.

It was a fantastical vessel, clearly constructed with technology far beyond human understanding.

Its design bore no resemblance to principles of fluid mechanics or aerodynamics. Its width was considerable, and gun turrets were aimed in all directions. It evoked the image of a medieval European fortress or castle, somehow suspended in the sky alongside its formidable defensive walls.

The sight of such a massive object effortlessly traversing the sky was nothing short of absurd.

{Connection with the command room is established. The time lag is approximately ten milliseconds. You will be able to issue commands as if I were the command room.}

Kei slightly raised her head. Her gaze met Reiri's, and they exchanged a silent nod.

The evasion course for Ataraxia needs to be calculated.

Kei's hands moved with incredible speed across the console.

{The enemy fleet is likely approaching from the direction of Solomon. Ataraxia's evasion course has been calculated. We are now accelerating northwest at full speed to escape.}

How much time remains until the enemy encounter!

{If the current trajectory holds, we will be within the enemy fleet's firing range in fifteen minutes.}

The enemy fleet's flagship, a colossal battleship measuring two kilometers in length, was magnified on the screen, its gun turrets prominently displayed.

{The primary threat will be the main cannon of this massive battleship. Continuous bombardment from it could lead to the sinking of Megafloat Japan.}

Reiri clicked her tongue in frustration.

All members of Amaterasu, respond!

In answer to Reiri's call, the faces of Aine, Himekawa, and Yurishia appeared in newly opened windows. Observing their surroundings, it appeared the three were situated within a classroom.

Do you understand the gravity of the situation? Then, all personnel, sortie!

{Roger that!}

The three saluted and terminated the communication link.

Reiri turned to Kei, her voice sharp.

Activate all defensive systems for Ataraxia and across the entirety of Megafloat Japan!

{Roger.}

Reiri pulled a holographic operating window towards herself. From within it, she selected a broadcast icon intended for all of Ataraxia.

Attention all students! This is not a drill or a school event; this is genuine combat! Demonstrate the results of your training against those from another universe!

The display showing the interior of the school depicted students rising from their seats and evacuating classrooms. They dispersed throughout Ataraxia, heading to their assigned departments to fulfill their duties. The technology department commenced checks on Ataraxia's defensive installations, while the combat department prepared to engage the enemy with weaponry.

Ataraxia, now in a combat state, underwent a dramatic transformation. Buildings retracted their shutters, and vital facilities were moved underground. Conversely, combat emplacements emerged from beneath the surface.

Streets opened, revealing unmanned aircraft that launched, utilizing the straight thoroughfares for takeoff. Camouflaged structures retracted to expose particle cannons, which began their charge sequence, spitting electrical discharges. The ground in a park split open like a stage curtain, revealing medium-range missiles poised for launch.

Alright, time for me too!

Kizuna, who was about to head out, was halted by Reiri.

Wait, Kizuna. You are to remain here.

W-Why!?

Your intervention would be meaningless at this moment. For now, stay put.

Just why is it meaningless!? I can handle threats like Category-C magic weapons!

That is precisely why. Currently, the magic weapons of Class-C and below, which you are capable of confronting, have not yet appeared. Furthermore, exposing yourself to the direct firepower of enemy warships with your current mobility would be tantamount to suicide.

Kuh

If the enemy deploys their landing units, that will be your designated time to act. Until then, prepare yourself.

Kizuna's gaze was fixed on the projections of Himekawa, Yurishia, and Aine displayed on the massive monitor.

The three of them had already equipped their Heart Hybrid Gear and were en route to intercept the enemy fleet.

Himekawa was intently studying the data streaming from the battlefield network, her focus so intense it seemed she might burn a hole through the screen.

This is the first time I've encountered a warship of such immense size, and such a large fleet... Truly, can we defend Megafloat until the very end, considering the future of Ataraxia and everyone rests upon our shoulders?

A voice heavy with dejection emanated from Himekawa.

That's hardly like you, Hayuru. Well, perhaps we'll be alright if we simply give it our all?

In contrast, Yurishia's tone was cheerful. She appeared unconcerned, as if the situation were merely a game after school.

Aine-san, are you alright?

Aine was equipped with a heavy machine gun slung over her back, a multitude of ammunition magazines adorning her waist. In her hand, she held a Barrett M82A1 anti-materiel rifle, its barrel hanging downwards.

You ask if I'm alright? I fail to comprehend the intent behind your question.

Ah, no. The battleship's bombardment will be intense, so please don't push yourself too hard. Aine-san, your specialty is close-quarters combat, so you should follow after us.

Such assistance is unnecessary.

Aine stated coldly to Himekawa.

The enemy fleet, visible in the distance, was steadily growing larger.

Before the three, Reiri's holographic window materialized.

{Listen carefully. Your objective is to destroy the enemy's flagship, the two-kilometer-class battleship. Fifteen more minutes remain until that vessel enters Ataraxia's firing range. Prior to that moment, neutralize the enemy's main cannon!}

Reaally, the commander says that so easily.

Yurishia let out a deep sigh.

At that moment, a glint of light, the unmistakable sign of an aircraft, appeared directly in front of Yurishia and the others.

Moreover, it doesn't appear we'll be able to reach the enemy ships without difficulty.

Fifty Category-B Albatross magic weapon groups, launched from the aircraft carriers, were now approaching their designated location.

Well then, we'll deal with all of them at this moment!

Yurishia halted her movement.

The Differential Frame mounted on her back shifted its energy distribution, transitioning from propulsion to offensive power.

Golden light surged across the gear's surface, channeling energy into the particle cannon.

With the Differential Frame fully deployed, the particle cannon's muzzle aligned forward, directly facing the approaching Albatross squad.

Aine and Himekawa, who had advanced ahead, veered left and right, skillfully evading Yurishia's firing line and drawing the Albatrosses' attention.

Energy was building within the particle cannons' muzzles.

At that critical juncture, the Albatrosses unleashed a volley from their bayonets.

"Yurishia-san!"

Himekawa glanced back towards Yurishia.

Yet, Yurishia remained motionless, showing no intention of deviating.

The light bullets from the bayonets whizzed past, narrowly missing Yurishia.

The twin particle cannons pulsed with energy, charged to their absolute limit. The muzzles radiated an overpowering, unrestrainable glow.

"GOOOOOO-!"

Accompanied by a blinding flash, a concentrated beam of light erupted from the Differential Frame.

The particle cannon's intense radiance momentarily carved a path through the Albatross formation.

As if controlled by the beam's trajectory, the Differential Frame swept horizontally, the light tracing a devastating line across the enemy squadron.

Obliterated in quick succession, the Albatrosses detonated, following the particle cannon's path.

In an instant, half of the approaching enemy force disintegrated into fragments of pure light.

"Thank you for that opening attack--!"

Himekawa surged forward, engaging the remaining units.

"Blades!"

The massive swords, hovering freely behind her, launched forward. Describing wide arcs, they circled through the dissipating explosion smoke.

Albatrosses emerged from the lingering haze, their sights fixed on Himekawa. Raising their bayonets, they prepared to attack.

Himekawa drew the sword from her hip.

However, she was currently unarmed of any projectile weaponry.

The distance to the oncoming Albatrosses was approximately three hundred meters—far beyond her sword's reach.

Just then, the Albatrosses' bayonets spat fire.

In that exact moment, Blades pierced through the Albatrosses' chests.

The Albatrosses exploded violently, their internal mechanisms exposed.

Continuing their high-speed assault, the Blades that had severed the magic weapons turned their attention to their next targets.

They descended upon the Albatrosses from above, bisecting them from head to crotch with clean, devastating cuts.

The Blades, dancing freely in the aerial combat, inflicted a brutal toll on the magic weapons, one after another. These were weapons that displayed unmatched prowess in mid-range engagements.

However, their operation demanded extreme concentration. As a consequence, Himekawa herself was left vulnerable, unintentionally exposed.

Himekawa, who had been hovering in place, was suddenly attacked by an Albatross from behind.

"!!"

Noticing the threat, Himekawa spun around, her sword raised defensively.

The Albatross's sword swung downwards.

Fierce sparks erupted from the impact.

A roar came from the...