Practical Combat Training

(Ceruno)

The training ground was an open dirt field located behind the teaching building, similar to a regular school playground. However, considering that actual combat on a playground would cause damage, they opted not to build a playground at all and simply created a large open field instead.

This practical course is designed for true beginners.

The Chinese temporary class had more than sixty students, and more than half of them were magical girls who had never even fought in a debut battle. After all, it was a school, so this was reasonable. Many of them became magical girls but never got to experience real combat because of a lack of opportunities or their inability to overcome their fears.

In this situation, the magical girl will gradually lose her compatibility with the Crystal and eventually lose the ability to transform.

That's a loss.

Every magical girl is a precious force against "the Other Side," so Principal Xiao Yi's recruitment direction is basically aimed at these real "new magical girls," at least to train them to the level of being able to go to the battlefield.

In the practice arena, Teacher Bai Ze called these real newbies over to him and said something, then looked at Miluno and me from afar and winked with a grin.

She wouldn't want me and Miluno to fight the freshmen, would she?

"Miluno ~ Ceruno ~ Come lend a hand, how about we give the students some practical training?"

Really.

"But we're students too, aren't we?"

Miluno frowned, clearly not wanting to get involved in such troublesome matters.

"Then just treat it as practice between students! Besides, aren't you better at fighting than most of the teachers?"

Miluno has consistently ranked near the bottom of the Power Rankings, but in recent weeks she has climbed into the top five, proving herself to be stronger than most magical girls.

Although the list itself is meaningless, it's just an entertainment list.

"Understood. If Ceruno has no objections..."

Oh right! I also have to take on a dozen or so freshmen?

While the new students might be less adept at using magic, the power of their magic is not necessarily weak. I'm not familiar with each of their individual spells, and I'm still a bit unsure about dealing with so many of them at once...

"If you're too scared, then let me do it!"

Thunderous Resonance stood next to me and even took out his Megaphone.

"All you newbies can come at me! I'll be your opponent!"

There are only two words to describe our leader from Skyreach Dormitory: "Arrogant." However, her sonic magic is an indiscriminate area-of-effect attack, so she certainly has the right to be arrogant.

"No!"

Miss Bai Ze, however, stood with her hands on her hips and objected.

"Quanyin, I organized this combat training to inspire everyone's fighting spirit, not for you to bully others. Ceruno and Miluno are better able to control their strength, so it's more suitable for them to do it. We can't exactly go after Heat Haze, can we?"

That's definitely not appropriate...

Rather than saying I can control my strength, it's more accurate to say I lack direct offensive power.

"Got it? Let's give it a try."

He donned his Battle Dress and summoned his magic wand, holding it in his hand.

"Alright, recruits! Try to break through my lines first!"

I summoned a giant Solidified Bubble.

The newbies were very enthusiastic, spontaneously forming groups and standing face-to-face with Bai Ze, Miluno, and me. The training ground was quite large, so there was no need to worry about crowding.

"Then I'll be the referee!"

With Thunderous Resonance, he flipped and leaped onto the leading platform.

Announcement: "Live-fire exercise! Begin!"

While I'm really looking forward to seeing Miluno and Miss Bai Ze fight, I dare not underestimate these newbies. Their magic is unknown to me, and I could easily fall victim to it if I'm not careful...

Boom--

Wow?!

A jumble of magical missiles rained down on my bubble. Perhaps because my opponents were newbies? I didn't think their magic could penetrate my bubble, and although this was unfounded confidence, it only amplified my magic.

Therefore, they were completely unmoved.

There wasn't even a ripple on the surface of the bubble, let alone a crack.

Perhaps I'm the legendary player who dominates weaker opponents?

Buzz--

However, a very faint buzzing sound came from behind.

I noticed it from the beginning; that girl Xiaoling sneaked in on the other side of me without a word, clearly trying to use teleportation magic to break through my protective bubble.

With a swift movement and a flick of his wand, he locked the arm that had grabbed her into the Bubble Membrane, while the rest of her arm remained outside the defensive bubble...

Before he could even laugh at her, a cloud of smoke, obscuring his vision, billowed out from the teleportation spell that was still active.

This isn't magic, it's ninjutsu!

I put Bubble Membrane over myself; whether it's an illusion or poison, I need a layer of close-fitting protection.

"Now, Sister Extinction!"

A dark energy wave descended from above— Miss Extinction's magic, capable of absorbing physical strength and weakening people... My bubble couldn't stop it?

No, this was summoned from inside the bubble!

Fortunately, there was a thin membrane that prevented them from directly contacting my body and thus from absorbing my energy... but I should fight back now.

I used bubbles to untangle the tentacles wrapped around my body, then activated Teleportation Halo at Xiaoling's feet, causing her to fall in front of me.

"Huh?"

The one-armed girl still looked bewildered.

"Xiaoling, shall we start by targeting you?"

"Sister Ceruno, what do you want to do?"

The Bubble Membrane covered her body and solidified.

Now, she could do nothing but blink and breathe; even if she wanted to speak, her mouth had no room to move.

While my magic lacks direct offensive power, it excels in defense and control...

"Um?!"

The next second.

My head fell to the ground.

I actually lost to Xiaoling.

This girl said that her magic had conditions for being used on others, but I didn't expect it to be a remotely cast spell.

This is the downside of fighting unknown magical girls; magic is always unpredictable, and it's easy to lose if you're not careful.

"Xiaoling, I've already popped the bubbles, so you should probably put my head back in now, right? This feeling is terrifying!"

His head was being held in Miss Extinction's arms;

But her body was being hugged by Xiaoling as a pillow.

Even though my head and body are separated, I can still feel myself being hugged. Xiao Yi is treating me like a doll. Miss Extinction's Battle Dress is a thin style, so being hugged like this by her is bound to cause brainwaves.

"That won't do, this is the reward the victor deserves... Hehe, I've heard that Ceruno- neechan feels amazing when you hug her, and it's true!"

"So, the condition for activating your magic is hostility?"

"Huh? Hmm, more or less?"

What? The answer was still vague, but she definitely hadn't used magic on Miss Extinction.

So, it seems Xiaoling's magic is actually quite powerful?

Miluno won without a doubt; even if they let her win, no newbie could even touch the hem of her shirt.

Miss Bai Ze's magic is hardening, making it difficult for physical attacks to work. Even a kick to her can harden her shoes and socks, leaving them in a deformed state and making them difficult to move.

In the end, was I the only one who lost?