Activating the thrusters on the back of the mech, Shiina twisted her body and slashed towards the first Hydra that she spotted.
Controlling the mech took a little to get used to since depending on the settings, it would turn a full 360 degree while she only turned 90 degrees to the right since it wasn’t possible to spin in a circle while in the c.o.c.kpit. However, after the hellish training with Shiro, she was able to get used to this small disconnect she felt with the mech.
However, that was only because this was a common unit rather than a specialised one. The specialised one wouldn’t have this kind of disconnect and would perform better at the cost of higher feedback.
While it was possible to have every mech at the standard of a specialised unit, doing so would take a huge toll on the average pilot and could even kill them if they’re not prepared. This was also why Shiro had Shiina use a standard unit.
Not because it was a demonstration to show that even normal spirits could be strong but rather a day was not enough for Shiina to get used to the specialised unit. Maybe if she was super talented and Shiro had a full week with her without rest but definitely not a day.
{I’ve seen the manual for the specialised unit and you want to fit all of that in within a week? Are you trying to kill the poor girl?} Nimue asked with a forced smile.
‘Fufu~ It wouldn’t kill her. If she squeezes past this barrier she’ll become someone that stands heads and shoulders above the rest in terms of power.’ Shiro smiled smugly.
{‘Fufu~’ my ass! If they don’t squeeze past this barrier they’ll die! Hais, first it’s Silvia and now it’s Shiina.} Nimue sighed.
‘Oh Shiina won’t be the last. When I told Nan Tian I want to make a task force I meant I want to make something similar to the party we have now. While they may not be the same in terms of power, bloodline and so on, the task force should still be able to do tasks for me without me worrying about their safety. Shiina, Oran and Akhess are just the first ones to be integrated into this task force. I’ll be scouting for more members at a later date when they get used to the training and develop more willpower.’ Shiro shrugged before focusing on real life.
Watching Shiina control the mech and unleash a flurry of slashes against the chest of the Hydra, Tiny Shiro floated to her side.
“Hydra’s have increased regeneration depending on how many heads they possess. Cutting the chest will not be sufficient.” Shiro reminded.
“Understood.” Shiina nodded as she flipped the sword into a reverse grip and cleaved up, cutting deeply into the torso and almost split the Hydra in half.
*Sssss!
Hissing in pain, the nine Hydra heads glared towards her and opened their jaws.
Unleashing a poison breath towards the mech, Shiina swiped up with her hand and instantly activated all of the barriers.
This was the feature that she had practiced the most during her 24 hour training since it was what she would rely on to keep her alive when she couldn’t dodge a strike.
As the poison breath collided with the barrier, a bar appeared to her right showing all of the mana that was absorbed from the attack.
“Converting and redistributing.” Shiina said coldly as she jumped back and stabbed the sword into the ground.
Suddenly, a tier 5 magic circle expanded out and 10 orbs of light appeared around the mech. Shooting towards the Hydra, they exploded upon contact as Shiina didn’t hesitate to tap a panel on the right side.
Removing the sword from the ground, she dashed forward as lights started to flicker on the mech’s body.
Frozen Slumber!
Casting the spell that Shiro had taught her, the mech systems assisted with her casting as tier 5 magic circles appeared around the Hydra,
Chains shot out of the magic circles as ice immediately started to form around the Hydra.
“Remember, when you cut off one of the Hydra’s heads, two more spawn in its place. Killing it is no easy task even with the mech assisting you. However, all of the tools that you need are here. You just need to know which one to use.” Shiro smiled but Shiina only shivered since she knew the true meaning!
If you can’t kill it even with everything I have given you then you’re useless!
While Shiro never explicitly said that, her gaze would always pressure you, silently judging your actions in the corner while you can’t say anything back.
Quickly calming herself down, she swiped the right panel and activated the heated edge.
Suddenly, the edge of her sword started to glow with a red hue as each swing would leave a faint trail behind it.
Arriving in front of the Hydra, she cut towards the first head.
*TSSS!!!!!
Searing the flesh, the sword slashed through most of the neck with only a little bit of resistance as Shiina gritted her teeth and gave it another push.
Separating the first head from the body, she could see that it was threatening to regenerate immediately. While the heated edge did slow it down, she estimated that the head will regrow in roughly 30 seconds to a minute.
However, while she was doing this, the other eight heads lashed out towards the mech and tried to chew it to pieces.
Tapping the screen a few times, Shiina dismissed the swords and started to wrestle with the heads manually. While this was happening, a few pieces on the mech started to shift as mana gathered towards it before exploding out with flames. Releasing a shockwave of fire, the Hydra was pushed back as the surface of its skin was charred black before peeling off.
Taking advantage of this gap in defence, Shiina rushed towards the Hydra and summoned another sword.
Cutting off two of the heads quickly, she repeated the process of forcing the Hydra into a corner through the mech’s features, demonstrating her great knowledge of how this mech worked even though she’s only been training with it for a single day.
Soon, the first Hydra was defeated followed by a second then third.
While this was happening, the spirits in the city watched in awe as they would cheer whenever she cut off one of the heads and killed it for good. Both Oran and Akhess were shocked at the amount of knowledge that Shiina had learnt since there was no doubt that the mech had more features and Shiina was picking the best ones to use in that situation.
“Say, was Shiina always good at studying?” Oran asked.
“Not sure but she did say that she liked to be more active than read a book.” Akhess replied.
“Then how the hell did she remember so much in a single day.” Oran asked as Akhess looked at the tiny Shiro hologram in the mech who watched with a smile.
“It must be her highness’ training.” He muttered with traces of fear in his voice.
“Wait, if Shiina was the first to go and we’re all in the top three, doesn’t that mean we’re next?” Oran asked with a shiver down his spine.
“But we don’t have to demonstrate it do we? Surely we’ll get more than just a day to practice.” Akhess reassured but there was no confidence behind his claim.
“Let’s just hope she spares us.” Oran prayed as Akhess agreed.
After killing the fourth Hydra, Shiina was looking a little pale in the face as her breathing was brough.
Panting heavily, the feedback of the mech was taking a toll on her body and Shiro knew this. Looking at the scan of Shiina’s physical condition in the mech, she understood that Shiina wasn’t in any fighting shape after killing four Hydra’s.
“Requesting… permission to retreat.” Shiina said while trying to catch her breath.
“Request accepted. I want you to move back to the initial landing zone and drones will retrieve you and the mech. Asharia will deal with the rest of the nest.” Shiro nodded her head.
Hearing this, Shiina sighed in relief and started to make her way back to the crater that she had created when she first dropped down. Looking at the burning nest, she could see 5 more Hydra’s glaring at her with anger.
However, sensing a surge of mana from the sky, the Hydra’s paused as a single girl was now floating in front of the giant flying fortress.
Seeing Shiro floating in the sky, the people that were looking at the screen were shocked since she was just on the stage not too long ago.
“Now then, I will show you what Asharia is capable of. Normally, I would make Orbital Rail Cannons but not use them to their full power. However, just for you Hydras, I’ll show you why they’re dubbed ‘Orbital’ Rail Cannons rather than just Rail Cannons.” Shiro grinned as her mana flared.
