1234,

[Notice regarding the large-scale live-fire simulation training for the first quarter to enhance combat capabilities]

 

 

"What's this?"

 

 

There were many students gathered around the bulletin board, so I went to check what they were looking at, and I found a notice with this content.

 

 

"The target is... all first-year students. Second-year students will act as the opposing force... and the commander rank will be selected from the third-year students..."

 

 

In short, it felt like a mock local battle where everyone from each grade was brought in and used.

Based on my understanding, it felt like something I had experienced a few times in my previous life.

 

 

"Is it starting already this year?"

 

 

Saki was standing behind me before I knew it.

 

 

"Saki. Do you know what this is?"

 

 

"I've only heard about it from the seniors, so I don't know much. But they say it's the closest training to actual combat, so I'm looking forward to that."

 

 

"So this is why Moe has been so busy lately."

 

 

Miyako and Miyu, who had arrived at some point, were also looking at the notice on the bulletin board with me.

 

 

"What do you mean Moe is busy because of this?"

 

 

"M-Moe is our squad's operator and also in charge of supplies... And she has a lot of other things she's i-in charge of... That's what I heard..."

 

 

"I'm a little worried..."

 

 

Anyway, now that I knew about this, I couldn't just stand idly by.

We spent our time attending classes more diligently than usual to prepare for the training.

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

Time passed, and the day of the live-fire simulation training arrived.

As soon as the loud emergency siren rang in the morning, all first-year students gathered in the main building's briefing room as previously announced.

The seniors, who seemed to be third-year students, explained the outline, objectives, and precautions of the operation to us.

 

 

"The objective of this operation is to recapture the industrial complex occupied by the second-year... enemy forces."

 

 

SRT Special Academy's school building itself wasn't large, but it had a very large site created for training in various situations.

On the screen in front of us, a map was projected, consisting of a city area, an industrial complex, and the surrounding field environment of the back mountain.

Well, if this were an actual game, it would feel like urban warfare, indoor warfare, and outdoor warfare, respectively.

 

 

When the third-year senior manipulated the pointer in her hand, the screen changed to show various equipment.

...The only tanks I knew from Blue Archive were outdated tanks from the World War II era, like the Crusader or the Tiger, but the equipment shown on the screen was much more advanced, from the modern era.

Thanks to this, I could once again feel the level of SRT.

 

 

"However, the enemy is not only mobilizing equipment in the industrial complex but also spreading out widely throughout the entire area to strengthen their defenses. Therefore, the key to this operation is not simply to suppress the industrial complex but to somehow break through its subordinate defense forces."

 

 

After the presentation ended, the first-year students gathered under the third-year team they would be commanded by to prepare for deployment.

I thought I had seen them somewhere before, but I didn't pay it any mind.

 

"Nice to meet you. I am Yukino, the commander of FOX Squad, who will be in charge of the three first-year squads: RABBIT, RHINO, and REINDEER."

 

 

I looked around briefly and saw two other first-year squads besides our RABBIT Squad.

The third-year senior, who introduced herself as Yukino, cleared her throat for a moment and continued.

 

 

"My squad will be responsible for pushing back the enemy forces' front line in the city area. I will not be taking any questions regarding this."

 

 

Yukino gave a sign to the pink-haired student standing next to her by nodding.

 

 

That was when it happened. A tremendous gust of wind and a loud noise came from above and hit us.

A familiar voice came through the radio.

 

 

<<RABBIT 3 has arrived at the rendezvous point~. Everyone, hurry up and get on board.>>

 

 

"First-year students! Hurry up and board the helicopter!"

 

 

Tonight, we dine on the corpses of our enemies. Our commander said so.

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

1:00 PM, above the mock city area.

 

 

"We have arrived at the target point! Descend in order and deploy as previously briefed!"

 

 

""" Roger―! """

 

 

After quickly descending using rappelling, we rechecked our equipment and deployed to the engagement area according to the orders of FOX Squad.

 

 

<<RABBIT 3 to all units. There is an enemy armored vehicle in the fountain square that you will come across if you follow the main road.>>

<<FOX 1 to all squads. While RHINO Squad draws the enemy's attention, REINDEER and RABBIT will go around and suppress high-threat targets first. After that, moment-to-moment decisions will be left to each squad leader. Over.>>

 

 

<<RHINO 1, receiving loud and clear.>>

<<REINDEER 1, receiving loud and clear.>>

 

 

"RABBIT 1, receiving loud and clear. Alright, let's go, everyone. RABBIT 2, 5, and I will move to the east intersection and destroy the enemy armored vehicle. RABBIT 4, please provide cover fire from the rear."

 

 

"Roger."

 

 

"Roger... I'll do my best."

 

 

"...Roger."

 

 

My body entered a state of tension, and my blood flow started to speed up.

I tried not to show it as much as possible, but Miyako seemed to notice my condition right away.

 

 

"...RABBIT 5? You don't look well. If there's any problem, we should retreat..."

 

 

"No, I'm fine. I'm just a little nervous."

 

 

Haa, huff― I stabilized my body once again through deep breathing and advanced with Miyako and Saki to the point where the target was.

 

 

<<RABBIT 4 to RABBIT 1, I-I've identified the target beyond the intersection. Should I shoot?>>

 

 

"Please wait a moment. ...You should see a machine gunner. Take out that gunner first, and if possible, take out other riflemen one by one."

 

 

<<RABBIT 4, confirmed. I'll shoot.>>

 

 

As soon as the radio communication ended, a short gunshot was heard from behind, and the enemy machine gunner was knocked unconscious by Miyu's bullet to the head.

 

 

"RABBIT 2, let's advance! RABBIT 5 needs to find a spot to snipe the armored vehicle, so we need to provide cover!"

 

 

"Roger, I've been waiting. Well then, shall we go!"

 

 

As soon as Miyu's shot hit, Saki and Miyako opened fire on the enemies, protecting the path I was going to take.

While the two of them were drawing attention, I was able to enter a closed building on the first floor and secure a good position.

 

 

"RABBIT 5, sniping position secured! I'll destroy the target right away!"

 

 

How long has it been since I was ordered by someone instead of ordering someone?

 

 

I deployed the bipod of the anti-tank rifle, lay flat on the asphalt floor, and held my breath.

And from the direction of the square beyond the range, the armored vehicle appeared to provide fire support.

Keeping the armored vehicle in my sight, I waited slowly, carefully, for the perfect timing.

 

 

"Gotcha."

 

 

I was aiming for the driver's seat of the armored vehicle, specifically the side with the thinnest armor.

When the armored vehicle entered the most vulnerable angle, I pulled the trigger.

 

 

-Boom!

 

 

A powerful flame erupted from the muzzle, sending a 20mm armor-piercing round flying.

The bullet hit almost immediately, piercing the armor of the armored vehicle with a metallic sound.

The armored vehicle stopped moving. It was clear that the driver had been taken out with a single shot.

 

 

But it wasn't over yet. The machine gun turret on top of the armored vehicle started to rotate slowly.

 

 

I didn't stop at one shot and fired until the magazine was empty.

When the magazine was finally empty, the armored vehicle was in a miserable state.

 

 

"RABBIT 5, target silenced! The armored vehicle has been completely destroyed!"

 

 

I informed the other squad members of the news and reloaded the magazine to prepare for the next shot.

 

 

<<This is RABBIT 1, we confirmed it too! The square is clear, so let's move!>>

 

 

"Roger, I'll be there soon!"

 

 

I slung the anti-tank rifle over my shoulder and started to move busily to the place where the other squad members were waiting.

Then, I heard Miyu's urgent voice through the radio.

 

 

<<Th-This is RABBIT 4! I just confirmed that there is an enemy sniper ambushed in the square, b-be careful everyone...!>>

 

 

-Bang.

 

 

Before Miyu's radio communication could finish, an enemy sniper's bullet pierced through my abdomen.

 

 

"Urgh!"

 

 

My mind momentarily shook.

 

 

I clutched the area where I was hit and staggered.

 

 

I could see blood on my hands.

 

 

I lost strength in my body and fell onto the desert sand.

 

 

My subordinates, who found me from across the street, rushed towards me, who had been hit by an enemy sniper.

 

 

Those idiots. I kept telling them to be careful when an enemy sniper was confirmed.

 

 

The last thing I saw was my squad members supporting me and moving me before my vision went dark.