Part 3
Touma observed the massive training facility, surrounded by containment barriers and observation platforms.
The students from the Research Division had been granted permission to attend the class— a rare opportunity to witness firsthand how the EXOs worked and how combat tactics against the Nulvoid were executed.
Hina walked beside him, eyeing the structure with curiosity.
—This place looks more like a stadium than a classroom.
—Yeah, but instead of soccer, they play with mech suits and plasma weapons —Touma replied with his usual sarcasm.
Just before entering, Touma reached into his pocket.
—Damn… I left my phone in the classroom. I have to go get it —he sighed—. You go ahead, I'll be back in a sec.
Hina nodded, not particularly concerned.
Meanwhile, the Research Division students were being guided to an elevated section, offering a full view of the arena.
From there, they could see the combat students warming up, syncing their EXO suits, and checking their gear.
The sound of engines powering up and energy barriers snapping into place filled the air.
Touma ran back toward the classroom, but just as he exited the stadium, a sharp sound rang through his Astra Lens.
—Proximity alert! —announced Ellie's voice.
—What does that mean, Ellie? —Touma asked, not slowing down.
Before he could get an answer, a firm hand grabbed his shoulder and brought him to a sudden stop.
—Hey, kid. Where do you think you're going?
Touma turned and found himself face-to-face with a tall man, dark-skinned, broad-shouldered, and wearing an expression of complete disinterest.
—Class is about to start. Don't try to sneak out.
—Excuse me? I'm from the Research Division, and I—
—Yeah, yeah, I've heard that excuse before.
Before he could defend himself, the man shoved him effortlessly toward the locker rooms.
Touma tried to protest, but the guy had the strength of a bull, and resisting only made him look more suspicious.
Once in the locker room, the instructor pointed to a man of Chinese descent, serious expression, and perfectly upright posture.
—Zhao, get this kid a training EXO. Says he was trying to slip away.
Zhao simply nodded and walked to a metal rack, pulling out a triangular object the size of a backpack.
He placed it on Touma's back, and within seconds, a swarm of nanobots emerged, wrapping around him completely and forming a lightweight suit. Small turbines deployed from his back.
A wristband materialized over his sleeve, into which Zhao inserted a glowing white cell.
—These are training EXOs. Anyone with an Astra Core can sync with them —he said in a monotone.
Touma looked at his hands, feeling the light pressure of the suit on his body.
—Not bad…
—It'll boost your physical capabilities a little and let you fly. But they're not built for actual combat—no protection.
Before he could even process what was happening, Zhao handed him a metallic cylinder.
—Your weapon for this demo is a low-power plasma sword. It prevents serious injuries, but it's still going to hurt if you don't dodge.
[Combat Assignment: Confirmed]
Zhao gave him a sudden shove in the direction of the arena.
[Accessing database…]
[Opponent confirmed: Akari Tsubasa]
[Astra Core: Level 3 – Win record: 100%]
[Number of defeats: 0]
[Good luck!]
Ellie's voice echoed in his ears with a teasing tone.
—If I were you… I'd run.
Touma blinked, incredulous.
—Huh?
From the observation area, Hina stared in shock as the name Kisaragi Touma appeared on the screen, right next to Tsubasa Akari.
—Wait… what?
She blinked several times, thinking it was a system glitch.
—No, no, no… this can't be real…
In the center of the arena, a girl with short, fire-red hair and bright amber eyes stood waiting with her arms crossed.
She cracked her knuckles with excitement.
—Awesome! I finally get to train with someone!
[Real-time analysis – Threat Level: HIGH]
Immediately, a pressure wave burst from her body, kicking up dust around her. The air vibrated so intensely that Touma had to brace himself just to stay upright.
—Ellie… any ideas? —he asked, voice tense.
—May the goddess Minerva protect you —she replied, still in her usual mocking tone.
—That doesn't exactly inspire confidence…
—Alright. Akari is a special-class fighter. Her strength increases the longer the fight drags on.
[Recommended options:]
Take a hit and surrender.Hand over control of the EXO and activate auto-pilot.
Touma frowned.
—You can operate the EXO?
—Let's just say I'm a bit more advanced than you think. But I need your authorization.
Touma didn't hesitate.
—Got it… Authorization granted.
[Assuming control of EXO…]
[Link activated.]
The instructor gave the signal to begin, and Akari charged forward like a runaway train.
[Evasive mode activated]
Against all odds, Touma's body moved with surprising agility, dodging the first strike with a perfectly executed side roll.
The EXO responded with surgical precision—far more than he could ever manage on his own.
—This suit is amazing! I need to get one of these…
[Threat detected – Incoming attack]
Before he could celebrate, Akari spun on one foot and launched a punch straight at his torso.
[Plasma shield materialization – Activated]
A shield formed in his free hand just in time to block the strike.
[Shield integrity: 73%]
Akari didn't stop. Her movement was relentless—blow after blow, chained together with brutal precision. Touma could barely stay on his feet, deflecting as best he could with the shield.
[Shield integrity: 42%]
[Shield integrity: 25%]
—This… isn't going to last much longer…
In front of him, Akari wore a smile filled with pure, almost childlike excitement.
—So thrilling. I've never fought someone who could hold out this long.
[Energy levels rising]
[Combat aura intensifying]
Her energy surged, as if the sheer fun of battle fueled her strength.
Touma swallowed hard.
—This… is getting bad.
[Deploying Plasma Sword]
Without wasting time, Touma pushed forward and launched himself at Akari, plasma sword activated.
[Real-time analysis – Pattern shift detected]
Akari's amber eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected Touma to go on the offensive.
By instinct, she raised her arms into a defensive stance, stepping back while deflecting his strikes with quick, precise movements.
—I knew it! You're exceptional!
[Energy surge in progress]
Her excitement transformed into physical momentum, and her red aura grew even stronger, wrapping around her body with an intimidating glow.
[Warning: Critical point approaching]
With a single strike, Akari shattered Touma's plasma sword.
[Warning: EXO integrity compromised]
Before he could react, she threw one final punch with all her strength, landing it squarely in his torso.
The blow sent him flying backward, crashing into the arena wall.
[EXO offline – Function terminated]
The nanobots instantly deactivated, returning to their dormant state. Touma was back in his school uniform, feeling the full weight of defeat.
He let out a sigh as he struggled to sit up.
—What a strong girl…
Akari approached cautiously, as if unsure of what to say for the first time.
—Are you okay?
Touma gave her a sideways smile, still sore.
—Yeah, don't worry. You're incredibly strong.
Akari looked away for a moment, slightly nervous.
—And… doesn't that scare you?
Touma blinked, then let out a soft chuckle.
—Are you kidding? I think it's amazing. I wish I had half your strength… you're really impressive.
Akari fell silent.
For as long as she could remember, people avoided her. She was always the girl who was too strong, the one no one wanted to face twice.
But Touma hadn't shown fear. He didn't look away. He didn't step back.
—Would you fight me again?
Touma stood up and stretched slowly.
—Of course. I mean, I'm not from the Combat Division…
Akari pouted slightly.
—That's a problem…
—I'd need another EXO, but if I can get one, I'd be happy to try again.
Akari's eyes sparkled with excitement. She extended her hand with a bright smile.
—Yay! That'd be awesome!
Touma grabbed her hand to pull himself up, and at that moment, Akari felt a faint thump in her fist.
It wasn't pain. It was emotion.
After so long… she had finally met someone who didn't avoid her after a fight.
Touma brushed the dust off his uniform with a kind smile.
—Kisaragi Touma. But you can just call me Touma. Nice to meet you.
Akari pointed to her chest confidently, bursting with her usual energy.
—I'm Tsubasa Akari. You can call me Akari—no need to be formal!
Her smile was wide. Genuine.
—Hehehe.
Laughing together, the two walked toward the locker rooms.
That night, Touma lay flat on his back in bed, unable to move a single inch.
—Damn… that fight's hitting me hard now…
—Hehehe, that's normal, Touma-sama.
Ellie's teasing voice echoed in his Astra Lens.
—Your body's not used to extreme physical exertion. And now that it's cooling down… you're feeling every inch of the accumulated punishment.
Touma let out a long sigh, too drained to argue.
And so, a battered Kisaragi Touma survived his first day of classes at Seisen… fully aware that, at this academy, anything could happen.