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Chason Base, Palmian Kingdom. October, 64 A.U.
Project Valfreyja
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In the span of several weeks, the Pixy Team did several more exercises. They did all combinations of types and teammates at least once. The data on Ames's ability was more than suffice.
He was a great magic armor pilot.
But the main problem still needed to be solved. They still couldn't analyze why was Ames different, despite pouring all their resources. For that reason, Ames was once again called by the research forces.
"On the front of developing non-mage magic armor, we've been stagnant."
"I'm sorry."
"Ah ah... it wasn't your fault~"
It really wasn't there was nothing anyone could do at that moment. The thing that they are trying to understand. It was just simply bigger than any human.
"So we're thinking of a workaround, a compromise if you will. Even if we don't understand, we can replicate your ability, still."
"Is that why all of these cables and steels...?"
Ames was hooked into a strange machine, even after reassurance he still thought it could kill. More scary, several parts of the machine resisted his head's free will.
"We target your brain. I want to assure you it's fine, but you will feel it."
"Thanks, Nensa."
The longer it took for them to calibrate their machine, the more Ames wanted to squeal.
"W-what is this for, exactly?"
"Easy~ We couldn't understand how you do you. So we're trying to create more yous!"
"Eh!? But cloning magic isn't real?"
"No no no. Professor didn't mean cloning. Well, I mean... We're trying to duplicate your brain?"
"Brain..."
"We don't know how you do it. We just know that you can do it. So, we're making a program based on you. An AI version of you. With that inserted in magic armors non-mages will be able to use them."
"That is clever! It will also provides a hint on my condition-"
"All done! Let's start!"
"Eh? Professor, wait. No noooooo AAAHHH!"
---
BOOM! BOOM!
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RUMBLE
"Is this really normal around here?"
"That's what they say. Those people experienced when it comes to this base, don't worry, boy!"
Ames had become close enough to talk with Loclynn even outside of work.
There was no test to do that day. Or more precisely, the tests got halted. There was an attack on the base. Emergency alerts and procedures had been quickly put in place. But there was almost no sign of fear on the soldiers' faces.
"It happened now and then. It had been some times from the last one in this case."
But to newcomers like Ames, it still made his heart race. But, in every crisis, lies a great chance. In this case, the opportunity to do real combat and not just test.
---
"I'm not sending you!" Cpt. Lyto denied the team's request.
"You are strictly TEST pilots. Losing you or the armors will set the project back so far!"
"But that only goes for the new guy, your superstar."
"What did you just say, lieutenant?" Lyto didn't appreciate the tone of Pommeline's talk. And Ames being the target of her grudge was still constant.
"SIR! I also request to go out there. We need combat data for the AI program, sir! From what I heard, this kind of attack happened all the time, so it would be relatively saver!"
"..."
Ames fought back on Lyto. Something that neither the captain nor his teammates would have thought.
They would think he just trying to butter them up. Or maybe just like them, he was out for elves' blood. He could even simply truly believe what he spoke.
In reality, Ames just wanted the attack to end. The boy was the kind of person who would do anything to end his discomfort. Or in that particular case, his fear.
---
"Team Pixy, listen carefully. You are only to do a BOMB RUN, nothing more. There are four of you leaving the base. There better be four of you left when you come back! Watch each other's back! Good luck, soldiers."
With the captain's little pep talk finished, Team Pixy was officially cleared to go.
The Pixies took off two at a time. There were only two magic armor launching facilities. They are new tech, after all, so nobody could whine. They went with number designation and climbed from there.
VHIip...
Pixy 1 Pommeline and Pixy 2 Kyle launched.
VHIip...
Loclynn and Ames followed behind.
Their task was made simple by design. They would go to the Chason Base's east side. They would move up so they and the main northern wall would be aligned. Once aligned, they would go along the wall's line.
Along the way, the attackers, they would find.
"Valfreyja, this is Pixy 1. We're on the position assigned. Beginning the run."
"Copy that, Pixy 1. Begin the run." Even in an actual mission, Nensa performed just fine.
They were taking quite the heights. Altitude at three thousand meters high. In that altitude, finding the enemies would be easy, unless you're blind.
"Visual contact with the target. Moving to drop."
"Confirmed, move to drop."
While they used bomber-plane lingo, they didn't actually use bombs of any kind. Including Ames, they were four sage-level mages combined.
"FIRE!"
BOOM!
The magic rifles they were using were specially made prototypes. Taking in mind the enhancement on general spellcasting the magic armors could give. The rifles were made with variable output with adjustable mights.
On the maximum output setting, the spell is imbued with explosives. The magic beam produced will explode right on contact.
BOOM!
But the star of the day got the new magic rifle outshined. It was Kyle.
"Show new guy your strength, Pixy 2!"
"Will do!"
Tallying every combat exercise performance, Kyle was in definite last. The reason was his sealed specialty, he wasn't outclassed.
His specialty was in line with most mages, his spellcast. Throughout the HAFF, he was well-known as the highest-ranked caster. Not only his spells were strong, but the time he cast was also fast.
"[FIRE BALL]!"
Even a simple spell resulted in a massive blast. His innate spellcasting abilities were enhanced by the magic armor, resulting in the great magic mass.
---
"This is Pixy 1, first run is completed. We're circling back."
"Copy that, Pixy 1."
Team Pixy did a U-turn at the west edge of the base's wall. But before they ever did another run, troubles.
"PIXY 1, There's something on our 10!" Ames was the one to notice it first.
"?" Pommeline relied much more on her mana detection. There were too many elves on the attackers' side, camouflaging the trouble. That was why she was late to notice them.
"NO! No no no no... IT'S ADDERS! THEY HAVE THEIR OWN MAGIC ARMORS!"
It was a squad of four magic armor MAS-22 Adders. They were coming to intercept the Pixies.
"ABORT! GET OUT OF THERE!"