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Gilbert sighed in relief as he saw the professors joining him after boarding the Colossal Mech.

He had received news of the Resistance’s attack just before the Practical Assessment’s Monster Wave began and hurriedly returned to the Academy aboard the Colossal Mech.

The Demia Empire Academy, being a vast territory itself, took considerable time to reach the central area even with the Colossal Mech.

Despite moving immediately after receiving the news of the attack, by the time Gilbert arrived, the Academy was already half-destroyed.

The once majestic Main Hall of the Academy was half-collapsed, with the bodies of faculty and cadets scattered everywhere.

Limbs of people stuck out from the blood-soaked ground, likely unable to avoid the collapsing building walls.

This scene was all too familiar to Gilbert, both in reality and in the game.

In reality, it resembled the streets of a city ravaged by war, and in the game, it mirrored the Main Scenario where the Academy was attacked and left in ruins.

Gilbert clenched his teeth unconsciously as he surveyed the horrific scene, not even noticing the grinding sound.

The grim feeling of cleaning up a battlefield after combat resurfaced. He had worked so hard to prevent the Academy attack, yet it had still happened.

Was this what they called the world’s coercive force?

Gilbert was seething inside but tried to calm himself. His anger at the situation could wait until after dealing with the Resistance.

“Permission required for personal Artificial Spirit use.”

[Permission granted, Cadet Gilbert.]

Since only Academy-issued equipment could be used during the Practical Assessment, he requested permission to use CT-777.

Fortunately, due to the severity of the situation and his rank as a 5th Grade Knight, permission was granted immediately.

Gilbert replaced the core of CT-777, which he had kept near the Cross Guard, with a universal Artificial Spirit.

[CT-777 activation complete. Gilbert, mission setup required.]

“Complete annihilation of the Resistance and rescue of allies. Priority is on rescuing allies.”

[Mission setup complete. Multiple allied signals detected near the 500M forward hangar, along with enemy Colossal Mech signals. Allies confirmed as faculty.]

CT-777 had gathered information during the journey and briefed Gilbert immediately after mission setup. Synchronized with the mini-map, CT-777 marked allied signals in green.

“Are they planning to board Colossal Mechs to stop them?”

[Probability exceeds 80%.]

“First, join the faculty.”

[Confirmed. Providing support.]

Gilbert pulled the Colossal Mech’s controls with all his might, heading towards the hangar. There, a dozen Colossal Mechs were present, and the faculty, making a loud noise, charged towards the hangar.

Realizing the faculty had risked their lives to reach the hangar, Gilbert momentarily increased the Mana Booster’s output.

The pressure from the sudden acceleration filled the cockpit, but Gilbert, having stepped into the realm of superhumans, shook off the pressure with a single breath.

He kicked the Colossal Mech reaching for the professor first. There was no time to draw the Iron Sword, and deploying Magic Armor might endanger the faculty.

The experienced professors, wary of his sudden appearance, continued towards the hangar without stopping. Despite their panic, they hadn’t forgotten their duty.

Truly befitting the professors of the Demia Empire Academy, hailed as the Empire’s finest. After ensuring the professors safely entered the hangar, Gilbert drew his Iron Sword and drove back the Resistance guarding the hangar.

Perhaps due to his recent increase in Mana stats, his Piloting Skill seemed smoother than before. The slight stuttering in movements had disappeared. Though a minor difference, for a Knight like Gilbert who had reached such a level, it was significant.

He wielded the Iron Sword, shimmering with golden Mana, as effortlessly as moving his own body.

Every time he unleashed the Winter Sword techniques taught by Briana, a Colossal Mech fell without fail. Moreover, the Magic Armor, used for suppression, combined with CT-777’s computational power, ensured every shot hit the enemy without a single ricochet, successfully destroying all Resistance Colossal Mechs before the professors could bring out theirs.

[Who are you?]

A professor, arriving late with a Colossal Mech, asked his identity as soon as the communication Magic Channel opened. Without waiting for a response, the video Magic connected, and Gilbert simply showed his face.

[Cadet Gilbert!]

“I just arrived. Do you know the current situation?”

Given the circumstances, he immediately asked for the necessary information. Fortunately, having received updates while heading to the hangar, the professor briefed him promptly.

[Currently, attackers presumed to be the Resistance have appeared throughout the Academy. Professors who quickly boarded Colossal Mechs are engaging, but significant damage has already been done. We will join shortly.]

“Where are Professor Briana or Professor Alexander?”

[Professor Briana’s current location is unknown. However, Professor Alexander seems to have evacuated the cadets and joined the battlefield.]

The Academy’s greatest assets were Swordmaster Briana and Alexander, a retired general once known as the Empire’s Fang. While Briana’s location was unknown, knowing Alexander’s location was a great help.

Though prolonged use of the Colossal Mech would strain his injured body, the likelihood of this attack lasting long was slim.

The Resistance pouring in such large numbers indicated they were aiming for a decisive battle. It was likely they had planned a short-term invasion.

Gilbert quickly considered various possibilities before speaking.

“I will search for Professor Briana while conducting rescue operations. Please support Professor Alexander.”

[Good luck.]

The professors, seemingly sharing Gilbert’s thoughts, headed towards Professor Alexander with their Colossal Mechs. Watching them leave, Gilbert asked CT-777, who was gathering information.

“CT. Can you locate Professor Briana?”

[Currently searching. Location not yet specified.]

“Then, where should I deploy immediately?”

[Where Cadet Ian is. Marking the location.]

Checking the mini-map, Gilbert saw signals of cadets unable to board Colossal Mechs around Ian’s location. Though the exact situation wasn’t clear, seeing over a dozen Colossal Mechs surrounding Ian, Gilbert headed that way.

Even with Fressia, Ian would struggle against so many Colossal Mechs. For Gilbert, handling that many was no easy task either.

Moreover, Ian was fighting while protecting other cadets, limiting his actions. Deciding to assist there first, Gilbert increased the Mana Booster’s output.

[Gil. Need to replace the Colossal Mech. At this rate, operational halt in under 10 minutes.]

“Enough.”

Despite CT’s warning, Gilbert’s eyes burned with determination. At the peak of his focus, nothing was impossible for him.

***

Ian, cutting down the charging Resistance Colossal Mechs, breathed heavily. With Fressia’s support, he managed to handle the relentless Colossal Mechs, but the cadets behind him restricted his movements.

The cunning Resistance, realizing the cadets were trapped, persistently targeted them. This was the third time they deliberately unleashed Magic Armor towards the cadets.

“Damn bastards!”

Blocking the bombardment with a barrier, Ian cursed and panted. The combat speed was so fast that exhaustion set in quickly.

Though Ian had gained combat experience through Monster Waves and punitive forces, high-speed combat against Colossal Mechs was unfamiliar.

The pressure of fighting numerous Colossal Mechs while protecting cadets was mentally taxing. Fressia compensated for his shortcomings, but there were limits.

[Ian, focus!]

“I’m trying!”

As his nerves sharpened, minor mistakes crept in. Though the combat duration wasn’t long, the psychological pressure was immense.

How long has it been since the battle started?

Ian tried to gauge the time while forcing his breathing to steady.

It felt like an hour, but less than 30 minutes had passed. His mental fatigue was high. Fressia, aware of his state, was too busy fending off the Colossal Mechs to tend to him.

[Sword to the left diagonal!]

-Clang!

The moment she stopped briefing to assist Ian, the precarious situation was bound to break. Ian could barely follow the briefings, and even that was becoming difficult.

If I don’t do something, it’s over…!

Fressia felt frustration and helplessness.

Currently, she could do nothing. Coldly assessing, Ian was at his limit. Even with Fressia’s perfect support, if the Knight couldn’t handle the Colossal Mech, her limits were clear.

But giving up wasn’t an option. If Ian stopped at his limit, it would be irreversible.

She sought ways to break the situation to save Ian, discarding the impossible and focusing on the feasible.

But even these came with conditions, relying mostly on luck.

“Ugh!”

[Ian!]

Blocking two of the three Iron Swords, one still struck. Fortunately, it didn’t hit the cockpit, but the leg area was severely damaged, impairing mobility.

Quickly deploying a Mana Barrier, it seemed unlikely to withstand another concentrated barrage. Fressia anxiously called Ian’s name, but no solution emerged.

The Mana Barrier was being chipped away in seconds.

The moment of true limit had arrived.

“Damn it! Damn it!”

Ian shouted at the approaching death, his hands trembling, his mind blank.

[Mana Barrier’s at its limit!]

“Damn it all!”

Even cursing, which he rarely did, Ian clenched his eyes shut. The red-lit Colossal Mech screen and distant explosion sounds felt surreal.

It was the moment both Ian and Fressia were about to give up.

[Supporting.]

A blunt voice as soon as the connection was made.

Ian’s eyes snapped open, and Fressia realized the best option she had hoped for had arrived.

[Gilbert!]

A voice filled with irrepressible joy.

Ian spotted Gilbert tearing through the Resistance Colossal Mech formation.

And a question arose.

Why isn’t Fressia calling Gilbert a punk?

Ian’s face twisted in confusion.

 

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