The day after the new students joined the Phalanx Club.

Today is Saturday.

In this world, the custom of “half-days”… where classes are only held for half a day on Saturdays, has already been abolished, and a full two-day weekend system has been introduced even in middle schools.

However, at Sakurajō, that system doesn’t have much meaning.

That’s because most clubs still have practice on Saturdays, and since Sakurajō Academy students are not allowed to be part of the go-home club, most of them still come to school.

Kurato also woke up a bit later than usual and was properly eating breakfast.

For reference, breakfast consisted of tofu miso soup, rice, salted grilled salmon, and stir-fried vegetables.

At Kurato’s request, the stir-fried vegetables included broccoli and chicken breast.

Protein.

He needed to consume a large amount of protein and build muscle quickly, otherwise he would lose in strength to girls again.

Kurato was taking his loss in strength against Kujō-sama quite seriously.

After finishing his meal, Kurato chugged down some milk, and his stomach growled loudly.

He had suddenly changed his diet, and his digestive system was struggling to process the large amount of protein.

When that happened, it tended to make him more prone to passing gas, but it couldn’t be helped.

He just had to wait for his body to adjust to the new diet.

As Kurato struggled, the sound from the television reached his ears.

[Next news. Following the simultaneous terrorist attacks that occurred in Russia, voices of support have been raised from various countries, and in Japan as well, the dispatch of Ground Army PS Units is being considered. Although no official statement has been released yet, the international terrorist organization Agria is believed to be involved, and a United Nations investigation team is expected to enter the area.]

Another grim piece of news.

Just as Yanagi had told him before, in this world, powerful terrorist organizations were rampant, and terrorist attacks were being carried out repeatedly across the globe.

It was rare for information from other countries to reach Japan, but it was probably because Japan’s ground forces were moving to provide support that it had made the news.

If this were historical Russia, they would never allow foreign military forces to cross their borders.

That suggested that relations between countries in this world weren’t particularly bad, but also that they were struggling greatly against Agria.

Another major difference was that Japan had a military.

Without the post–World War II defeat treaties, both Japan and Germany could maintain armies without being attacked by permanent members of the UN Security Council.

‘Well, of course. That absurd system of permanent members didn’t exist in this world to begin with.’

[Next news. At the summit meeting between President Wang of China and President Cunningham of the United States, it was revealed that they plan to significantly increase the proportion of their national military budgets allocated to large-scale Phalanx units this fiscal year. In response, countries around the world have begun reviewing their military budgets, and in the Ichijō administration as well, discussions to increase funding for large-scale Ability combat units are expected soon. Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Ichijō Yukie…]

‘A budget review, huh.’

While checking the wrinkles on his uniform, Kurato turned his gaze toward the television.

A somewhat young woman was passionately speaking amid flashes from cameras.

That woman… or maybe older sister? Or aunt?

She was probably the current Prime Minister of Japan.

She looked to be in her early forties, quite young for a member of parliament, let alone a prime minister.

The chief of staff of the defense minister who appeared next was also quite young.

A woman in her mid-thirties with fiery red hair.

‘Strengthening military power for large-scale Phalanx units, huh.’

Kurato felt a bit of anticipation that the country was focusing on a unit with the same name as the club he was about to join.

Maybe this would help increase the number of club members.

* * *

Saturday practice followed the usual menu.

However, in terms of proportion, there was less basic training and more applied training.

Not only were there role-specific practice sessions, but also applied training that crossed role boundaries.

For example, mock battles between close-range attackers and shield users.

"Soooryaaa!!"

With an energetic shout, a metallic fist struck toward Kurato’s shield.

It was Suzuka’s fist.

Her Magnetokinesis was an Ability that manipulated magnetic fields, gathering nearby metal and coating her fists and legs with it to fight.

At least, that was her basic strategy.

Right now, Kurato and Suzuka were facing each other one-on-one.

Although it was called a mock battle, it was actually training for close-range attackers, meant to teach how to handle fighting against shields.

Because of that, around Kurato, in addition to the supervising senpai observing the training, another shield-user senpai stood by to assist him in case of emergency, watching with a worried expression.

"Kuga! Your attacks are too predictable! Watch the opponent’s shield and look for openings that aren’t being defended!"

Instructions flew from the supervising senpai.

However, Suzuka’s attacks weren’t getting through easily.

The weight of her metal-coated fists made it difficult for her body to keep up.

As a result, Kurato’s shield easily blocked the punches.

Gradually, the rhythm of her punches slowed and eventually stopped.

Breathing heavily, Suzuka leaned against Kurato’s crystal shield.

If she didn’t build stamina as well, showing this state on the frontlines would get her bailed out instantly.

"Damn it. This shield’s too hard."

Suzuka glared resentfully at Kurato through the shield.

Seeing her like that, Kurato gave a small smile.

"That shield will protect you in real combat, you know?"

"Just for now, make it softer."

‘That’s unreasonable.’

Still breathing heavily, Suzuka continued leaning against the shield.

‘Had she forgotten this was training?’

"Kuga! Don’t cling to Kurato-kun! If you’re at your limit, pull back quickly! Next, Fushimi, you’re up!"

While they were chatting idly, the senpai glared sharply and called out.

It seemed Fushimi would be his next opponent.

He could see her sparring near the senpai, her blonde hair bouncing.

"Leader, I’m tired, so can you bring out that shield that goes suu~ like before?"

Despite being called out, Suzuka still clung to the shield and made her request.

Suu~ she meant that stretcher-like shield.

"After practice. Now go before senpai gets angry."

They were still in training, and if they kept fooling around, the senpai would definitely snap.

At Kurato’s warning, Suzuka made a sulky face for a moment, but seemed to realize he was right, pushed herself up, and poked the shield with her index finger.

"You promised."

Finally, Suzuka left the shield.

He had made a strange promise just to get her to leave.

In her place, Fushimi stepped forward.

Around her, something like semi-transparent arms seemed to be visible.

‘Was this Psychokinesis?’

He had seen other psychokinesis users before, but none had manifested their power this clearly.

Was she special, or was it simply because she was B-rank?

When Fushimi stood before him, she narrowed her eyes.

"The senpai said I should pair with you, so I’m doing it, but are you really okay? I’m B-rank and you’re C, right? Wouldn’t it be better to switch with another senpai?"

It seemed she was worried about him.

It was said that even a one-rank difference meant more than a tenfold difference in magic power.

If their mastery levels were similar, it wouldn’t even be a proper match, let alone training.

Her concern was understandable.

Kurato thanked her advice.

"Thank you, Fushimi-san. I’ll do my best, and if it becomes too much, I’ll switch with a senpai."

After he said that, Fushimi thought for a moment.

Then she glanced behind her, saw the supervising senpai urging them on, turned back to Kurato, and dropped her shoulders.

"Can’t be helped. Senpai’s watching, so we gotta do it. I’ll gradually raise the pace, so if it’s too much, say so early."

Rolling her shoulders, the semi-transparent arms moved in sync as she spoke.

When Kurato nodded, saying “Understood,” Fushimi’s mouth curved slightly.

Then the attack began immediately.

Fushimi threw a short punch.

It wouldn’t reach Kurato’s shield, but the semi-transparent arm linked to it slammed into the shield.

Gon!

Impact.

The crystal shield trembled slightly.

There wasn’t a single scratch on it, so it seemed she had held back her magic power quite a bit.

Several such attacks landed, gradually increasing in power and speed.

Seeing this, the supervising senpai raised her voice.

"Fushimi! Stop playing around! You’re B-rank, aren’t you?! What will you do if you can’t even break a C-rank’s shield?!"

At those words, "Haah!?"

Fushimi’s intimidating voice reached only Kurato.

Then she raised her intensity all at once.

Kurato’s crystal shield warped from a single hit and shattered completely on the second.

Her previously semi-transparent arms now had a cloudy white color, making their presence far more solid.

It resembled Kurato’s mithril shield.

Her attacks had probably reached B-rank level.

Keeping those arms out, she charged straight at Kurato.

‘She’s completely snapped.’

All the restraint she had shown to avoid hurting him vanished instantly.

As the fist approached, Kurato quickly generated a mithril shield and blocked it.

This time, the silver-white shield didn’t budge from a single hit.

"Damn it!!"

Grinding her teeth, Fushimi unleashed a rapid barrage of strikes.

Gradually, the mithril shield began to creak and deform.

Then finally, it crumpled and disappeared.

"Yes!"

Fushimi struck a victory pose.