You’re Right, They’ll Expel Me if I Run into the Store with a Weapon!! - Chapter 60: Well, Shall We Begin?

In the Third District, a super-huge stadium.

With the capacity to hold hundreds of thousands, and equipped with a dome transformation facility, it’s the largest arena in the Combat College.

There are three such super-huge stadiums in the Third District.

Viewed from above, they appear connected in a triangular shape by three massive walkways.

These stadiums occupy a major portion of the Third District’s land.

Today, those who were lucky enough to win the spectator seat lottery have gathered there.

Even with its colossal size, it’s impossible to accommodate all those who wish to enter each year.

The promotion is one of the grand events of the Combat College, and many wish to witness it from the stands of the stadium.

Therefore, entry tickets were distributed via a lottery system.

Those who won the lottery watch from the stadium, while those who did not can watch from theater rooms within the school buildings.

This grand event of the Combat College, the promotion, was watched by many.

On this day, filled with various emotions, students bearing bright expectations appear in the three stadiums.

◆

In a parking lot located outside the stadium, numerous tents have been set up using the space. Inside one of these tents, Shiori and her companions begin their preparations.

While Kaika and Sorato donned black combat suits, Shiori was the only one in the Combat College’s uniform.

However, this uniform had several differences from the one she usually wore.

She had black knee and elbow pads, and her fists were covered with rubber gloves.

Hidden underneath the uniform was a thin protective gear made from reinforced material, covering from the neck to the thighs, and even the uniform itself used reinforced material.

For this event, to make the presence of a strong participant clear, Shiori was to wear a combat suit modeled after the uniform.

This was mainly for the consideration of first-time participants and those who were not familiar with Shiori’s face.

It was a declaration from the organizers that if you challenge, come prepared.

Between the jacket and the white shirt, she inserted two black pistols into the holster, and magazines as well.

A special piece of equipment received from Haruna was stored in a pouch covered by the jacket at her waist.

With this, Shiori was ready.

“Kaika, Sorato, did you get to rest well yesterday?”

“Perfectly! I immersed myself in manga in bed for the first time in a while!”

“As you advised, I properly took a rest.”

The two, dressed in black combat suits, replied with satisfaction.

“Shiori-san seems to be in a good mood as well,” Kaika noted.

With a smile in her eyes, Shiori gently stroked something at her lower back with her right hand, lifting the corners of her mouth.

“I’ve found a reason why I absolutely must win.”

“Absolutely?”

“Yes, that’s why I will win.”

Returning her hand, Shiori stood up from the chair, slung a small backpack over her back, and said,

“Shall we go then?”

The three stadiums are enveloped in excitement.

Among them, one stadium in particular roars with exceptionally loud cheers.

The reason lies in the commentary booth situated at a high position in the spectator stands.

Seated there is a young man in a white shirt with black hair, the second-ranked individual proudly represented by the Japanese branch of the Combat College.

“Hey hey! I’m Amano Kozaki, in charge of commentary and BGM for this promotion event! Greetings from the first stadium!”

His appearance and abilities are highly popular, earning him the bold title of “prince” from many women.

This influence was evident in the enthusiasm present even before the event started.

In the other two stadiums, where he was not physically present, his image was shared on large holographic monitors floating in the air.

Next to him sat a girl in the combat academy uniform.

“I’m also tasked with commentary, Moriko Kojima. Pleased to meet you… Um, Kozaki-senpai, what do you mean by ‘in charge of BGM’?”

“Huh? BGM means BGM! Well, let’s just say it’s something to look forward to!”

With that, Amano addressed the excited audience, looking straight into the camera.

“Alright! Let me explain about this promotion event!”

The monitors then switched to display the battlefield stage used for this event.

“This time, we’ve made various changes, including the rules! This year’s promotion is different because we’re using areas from District 77 to 80!”

Cheers erupted.

The displayed image showed city buildings indistinguishable from a typical urban landscape, parks with forests, shopping malls, and even a giant lake with cruise ships floating on it.

“The experimental blocks being used this time have, as their name suggests, been utilized for various experiments. We’ve completed all the necessary inspections and maintenance, so you can compete to your heart’s content!”

Amano’s excitement spread throughout the stadium, igniting a dancing frenzy of enthusiasm.

“Now, let’s move on to explaining the key points of this event.”

The monitor then showed ammunition, a small combat knife, towers, and collar chokers lined up.

“You know that the use of firearms and blades is permitted! But you might be thinking it’s dangerous, right? To give you peace of mind, although you probably already know, let me explain again!”

The equipment used in the event, including firearms and blades, employs specific bullets and blades.

A chemical substance, dubbed “Fake Mass,” was created from combat ability data by a researcher.

Upon contact with special particles, the Fake Mass instantly disintegrates into nano-sized particles and turns into gas.

This substance is used in the bullets and blades.

For blades, a wearable device that constructs Fake Mass is distributed, allowing for immediate reconstruction even after disintegration.

Special particles are applied to all participants before the match, adhering to their entire body.

These particles, developed from ability data, are harmless to the body and cannot be removed without a specific method.

Fake Mass is ineffective on skin or clothing covered with these particles.

Intentionally targeting areas where particles cannot adhere, such as the eyes, is prohibited.

“In other words, the likelihood of injury from Fake Mass equipment is very low! Getting hit is comparable to a punch from a professional boxer, so don’t worry about firearms and blades!”

Amidst scary terms, the audience was reassured by the handsome young man’s smile. Then, Amano moved on to the next explanation.

“Next, let’s talk about those towers! You’ve probably seen the iron towers scattered throughout the area in the rulebook. Intentionally destroying them is prohibited.”

These sharp-pointed iron towers, standing twenty meters tall, were placed all around the area.

The rulebook only mentions that intentional destruction of the towers is prohibited, with further explanations to be provided by the commentators.

“Why shouldn’t they be destroyed, Kozaki-senpai?”

“I’ll explain that once the event starts! It’ll be more fun that way!”

Moriko blushed at the handsome young man’s smile. Amano, teasing with his statement, smiled at the camera.

“Now, let’s talk about the collar chokers!”

The choker, a device of a size that does not hinder neck movement, has three functions.

The first measures the impact of particles, analyzing where the Fake Mass particles disintegrate upon contact and measuring injuries.

The second checks physical condition, measuring physical damage.

The third confirms elimination. If the wearer touches the collar for ten seconds or an opponent touches it for three seconds, they are eliminated from the event.

Thus, the collar measures injury damage and, if combat incapacity criteria are met or elimination is confirmed, the participant is retired.

“If someone attacks a retired participant, they should expect a punishment more severe than expulsion.”

While bright, Amano’s words carried a sharpness that slightly cooled the audience’s excitement.

However, he quickly clapped his hands to regain attention.

“If retirement is confirmed, a large mechanical drone on standby at the scene will immediately come to the rescue, so fight without hesitation while adhering to the rules! We have medical staff on standby!”

His reassuring words reignited the audience’s excitement.

As the overview came to an end, Amano continued to speak brightly and cheerfully.

“All participants possess combat abilities! You’re free to use them in various situations, but excessive attacks and leaving an opponent on the brink of death are prohibited. The judgment on this will be made by the staff, including the commentators, according to the fight!”

Combat using human enhancement and abilities was the main focus of previous events.

Participants are generally free to fight seriously, but warnings and cautions are issued based on power disparities and circumstances.

“Participants will be given small walkie-talkies for warnings, so please follow the staff’s instructions!”

Amano’s voice, resonating throughout the stadium, reached all the prepared participants.

“It’s almost time, isn’t it, Moriko-chan?”

“Yes, the opening ceremony is about to begin!”

Her voice caused the stadium to shake significantly. Not just the stadium, but almost the entire Combat College was enveloped in excitement.

Then, the monitor displayed the closed entrance gate.

“Now, let’s begin the long-awaited grand event, the promotion entrance ceremony!”

The girl’s declaration was met with cheers, and amidst the shaking space, the gate opened.

◆

“It’s starting…”

A few minutes after the announcement of the start of the entry, Sorato, who is in the team’s waiting room, mutters softly with a nervous expression on his face.

“It’s still the first stadium. We are in the third stadium, so it will be dozens of minutes before it’s our turn,” Kaika says, and indeed, the place where Shiori and the three of them are located in one of the three stadiums, the third stadium.

The entrance of the players is divided into three locations, and they are carried out in the order of one, two, and three.

And then, as the previous champion and the bearer of the title of ranker, Shiori’s team’s entrance was to be the last, as wished by the organizers.

And then,

“The oath, we…”

Shiori mutters as she reads aloud.

As a result of her position, Shiori was chosen for this tournament’s player oath.

“Don’t you get nervous, Shiori-san?”

“Hm? I’m not nervous. Rather, I think of it as a class.”

“A class?”

“It’s not a fight to the death, but a slightly larger joint exercise. It’s easier to think of it that way.”

“As expected of a ranker…”

Feeling anew the difference in experience and ability, Shiori once again shifts her gaze to the paper.

But then, her terminal, which was placed on the bench, vibrates.

Once again breaking her concentration, she puts the terminal to her ear.

“Yo, Shiori, how are you feeling today?”

“I’m fine, Haruna Hazama.”

The caller was Haruna. While Shiori was paying attention to the newly received equipment, she interacted with Haruna through voice.

“Are you at the stadium now?”

“I am. And in an amazing place.”

“An amazing place?”

As Shiori questions with a smile evident in her voice, Haruna reveals her location.

“The VIP seats!”

“How did you… what did you do?”

“Just contributed to this event’s success~”

The VIP seats are special seats that only certain individuals can enter, primarily reserved for principals and teachers. To have a friend in those seats was an unbelievable fact.

While doubting this reality, the call gets noisy, and the voice quality changes.

“Hey, Shiori-kun, are you doing well?”

“Doctor, yes, I’m in good physical and mental condition.”

The Doctor, with his suspicious way of speaking, inquires about Shiori’s condition.

To which Shiori responds with a confident and bright voice.

“That’s good to hear. I’m expecting a great battle.”

“Thank you very much.”

“Make sure to use that equipment!”

As Haruna’s voice came through, the Doctor’s question about “that equipment” was murmured.

However, before she could learn more, the call was cut from the other side, and Shiori turned off her terminal’s power.

“Shiori-san, who is Haruna?”

With Kaika’s question behind her, Shiori stores her terminal and other valuables in a locker and locks it.

“A friend I can trust… I guess.”

She makes odd equipment but has never given me equipment that betrayed my expectations.

Realizing once again that she has equipment prepared by Haruna, Shiori faces Kaika and Sorato.

“Are you both ready?”

“No problem!”

“I’ll do my best.”

Kaika, with a bright voice, and Sorato, with a slight sweat on his forehead.

Looking at the two of them, Shiori strengthens her resolve anew and turns it into words.

“Let’s survive together! Our goal is only one, to win!”

With a smile, she sets a determined goal, further strengthening the two’s desire for victory.

“The player entrance is finally coming to a climax! The next players will be the last to enter!”

As the presence they had been waiting for is about to appear, a huge cheer echoes through the third stadium.

“Everyone knows them! The team that is about to enter includes that person! The previous champion and a bearer of rank! Now, what kind of battle will they show us this time?”

The commentator, with a flushed face, Shimamoriko, screams with great excitement.

“Entrance~~~!”

The team that appears from the gate is a trio.

As they march in, the names of the three members are displayed on the monitor.

Among those names, one in particular causes a significant stir among the audience.

With Shiori leading, followed by Kaika and Sorato, their entrance excites the spectators.

“Shiori Himeji! Kaika Uchida! Sorato Makoto! A team of three! Indeed, their aura is different!”

As the excitement voltage reaches its maximum, Shiori and her teammates confidently advance to the spacious area where the players are lined up.

A few seconds later, they stop walking and stand in front of the stadium’s largest giant monitor.

Next, Shiori steps forward alone and takes a microphone handed to her by a staff member.

“Oath! We, the players, with great gratitude to our instructors and fellow teammates who support us daily, vow to give our all with fairness and dignity!”

—To win no matter what.

—For Haruna, who gave us strength.

—For the team that wanted to team up with me.

—To be acknowledged by him, watching from somewhere.

The schoolgirl with shining eyes packs various thoughts into her gaze.

Adding the date and her name at the end of the oath, Shiori lowers the microphone.

“~~~~!”

Then what follows is applause and cheers, breaking the silence.

The feelings of the audience are transmitted to the players and excitement dwells in their eyes.

“That was a wonderful oath! Thank you, Shiori-san! —Now! We will move to the experimental area.”

“Wait a moment.”

“Huh…?”

A sudden interruption occurs amidst the excitement.

The one who made the interruption was Amano, sitting next to him.

“We have an announcement from the organizing side.”

“Eh, there was…?”

With a girl muttering questions beside him, Amano uses awkwardly formal language.

With feelings he can barely conceal, the good-looking young man continues his words.

“Due to a mistake made by me, Kozaki Amano, there was an error in the participant registration list, and a team that was supposed to enter did not. I deeply apologize for this mistake.”

As Amano bows his head through the monitor, comforting voices from the audience begin to rise, “Don’t worry about it!” “It’s okay!”

It was a scene made possible by Amano’s personal virtue.

“Let’s start over, and we will resume the player entrance ceremony from the gate of the first stadium. —So! This time for real, the last team’s entrance!”

Finally, with a full smile, the voice filled with excitement reaches its peak and echoes throughout Combat College.

The audience, also offering comforting feelings towards Amano, once again sends applause and cheers.

It was the sight of two figures swaying in their uniforms.

Side by side, they emerged straight from the shadows of the gate into the view of the audience.

The whirl of excitement that had been echoing throughout the stadium turned into voices of confusion at the sight of these two, and eventually, silence prevailed.

Was it because their appearance was recognized?

Was it because their names were known?

Or was it because participants wearing the same uniforms as Shiori had appeared?

The images and names displayed on the monitor seemed to freeze time itself.

It was a scene no one had anticipated.

An unimaginable spectacle was there before them.

“Now for the introduction! The team consists of only two people, but their skills will be proven on the battlefield! Don’t you think it’s the most exciting combination?”

A loud voice boomed through the silence, affirming the reality of the scene.

In the gaze of the audience.

In the gaze of the participants.

In the gaze of Amano.

The two stopped their advance.

“Ogino Hiroki and Uchimoriya Suzuko, the tag team!”

“Hey… Hiroki… Why are you with that girl?”