New Equipment
Returning to the base, we all had lunch together. The UCIA and Public Security Section 7. It was fun having a meal with a total of nine people. Usually, due to our respective duties, our meal times are all scattered.
Shisei was showing Chris some magic tricks. She probably wanted to apologize in her own way for scaring her so badly. Using her magic power, she was freely manipulating a small flame on the palm of her hand. Chris and Hayama were surprised, but the one most interested in that self-proclaimed magic trick was the Chief.
”Amazing! How do you become able to manipulate it to this extent! Is it something you can do right away!?”
The Chief was excited. Ever since learning of the existence of sorcery, I feel like the Chief is becoming increasingly fascinated by that world. Judging from the data so far, there have been no victims in the Chief’s age group, but I can’t help but worry a little.
After having lunch together, Public Security Section 7 led by Tetsuya left the base. After that, we gathered at the shooting range.
”Oh, everyone’s finally here.”
Hayama was making preparations inside. About four folding chairs were lined up in front of the shooting lanes. As we sat on the chairs, Hayama brought over a rifle from the back with various attachments fitted onto it.
”Well then, let’s begin the explanation. The new assault rifle newly delivered from DARPA. The M7-X1-AWS. It’s scheduled to be the standard rifle we will use from now on. DARPA has specially modified the M7 currently adopted by the US military for anti-AW use. Although it is a prototype.”
”Can I hold it?”
Kamikura stood up from his chair, received the rifle from Hayama, and readied it.
”It’s heavier than a normal M7.”
”Because of the modifications and special attachments, the weight is about 6.2 kilograms when a 20-round magazine is attached. Well, it has various things attached to it. The bullets are 6.8mm. There are standard rounds and special ME rounds. And right now, this one is loaded with ME rounds, but… I want everyone to watch closely.”
Taking the rifle from Kamikura, Hayama pressed something that seemed to be attached to the handguard. Then, an attachment on the side of the rifle’s barrel began emitting a driving sound like it was sucking in air. It took about 5 seconds. The sound stopped.
”This gun surprised me too. Apparently, it absorbs some kind of particles existing in the air and multiplies them when firing the bullet to achieve powerful destructive force and firing rate. The power and range change depending on the charge time, but the time for a maximum charge is 12 seconds. With a 5-second charge, it can draw out 1.3 times the power of a normal M7. A maximum charge makes it 1.5 times. However, that’s if you fire immediately after charging. The charged energy gradually dissipates over time after the charge is complete. The fill rate of the charged energy is displayed on the optical sight mounted on the rail. I’ll test fire it now, so watch.”
Hayama readying the rifle. An intake sound can be heard from the rifle. Then the intake sound stops.
Hayama pulled the trigger. A unique firing sound mixed with a high-pitched tone, much like an optical weapon in a video game, echoed. A bullet tinged with pale blue light was ejected at high speed, and its trajectory drew a line of blue light.
(Some kind of particles in the air… Could this be…)
”Well, that’s about it. By the way, if continuous firing at maximum charge continues, the barrel apparently can’t withstand the heat, deforms, and becomes useless. The energy output can be finely adjusted. Normally, if set to 50%, continuous use is basically no problem. It’s a rifle with a lot of over-technology, but I want everyone to grasp its unique specifications and get used to it.”
Hayama’s explanation came to an end.
”Still, will it be useful in actual combat? For a weapon to be reliable in actual combat, performance is one thing, but solid reliability is the primary concern.”
The Chief stood up and fetched another rifle from the back. Chris, Kamikura, and I also went to get rifles and actually held them.
”It’s kind of amazing~. It even has a huge scope attached, kind of like a rifle from a sci-fi movie.”
What appears to be a trapezoidal large electronic scope on the display section is mounted on the rail system. The moment I held the rifle, the scope powered on. Does it have a pressure sensor on the grip?
”It seems like it’ll be tough until I get used to the weight, but once I get used to it, maybe it’ll be okay…”
I readied the rifle. As Chris said, it will probably take a little time to get used to the weight, but once I do, I feel it won’t be a problem. Perhaps because the weight balance is good, I don’t feel the weight of nearly 6 kilograms that much. However, there is a possibility of long-duration combat operations from now on. It might be better to increase my strength training a bit more. Compared to the HK416, it’s obviously heavier. That is a fact.
Kamikura promptly started firing. I also got into my lane and readied my rifle.
”There should be a small indentation on the left side of the handguard. That’s the charge button. Press it once for a 5-second charge. Hold it down for a full charge. After charging is complete, a highly directional speaker attached to the gun will notify you that the charge is complete.”
<Charge complete. Energy fill rate 50%.>
The voice echoed directly in my head. Then I took aim with the scope and pulled the trigger. Along with a unique firing sound, a blue trajectory flashed. There is less recoil than I thought. The gun’s own weight and the recoil suppression mechanism must be working well; there is considerable stability when firing. The accuracy is also good.
After that, everyone tested the new assault rifle for a while. The Chief had been making complaints at first, but after test firing it, she seemed to like its high accuracy and stability.
We finished our test firing.
”Still, this is… It absorbs some kind of particles in the atmosphere and releases them. Is it possible that a mechanism to absorb Mana and convert it into energy is attached?”
The Chief muttered while staring fixedly at the rifle.
”It’s possible as a possibility. But according to the church, the mechanism for the human body to activate magic is by combining natural particles with the spiritual power inside the body, right? I can’t imagine this gun has spiritual power, so I wonder how it works…”
DARPA is also the site of the most advanced military research in our home country. It was also here that ARPANET, the prototype of the Internet, was developed. Perhaps they have already developed technology that somehow applies natural particles. This prototype rifle probably applies the power of natural particles to fire. The fact that they can develop firearms that apply natural particles at a portable level makes it seem like that research is quite advanced.
”Kamikura-kun, were you――using this kind of weapon in that unit?”
Hayama asked Kamikura.
”No, as expected, something like this wasn’t deployed. The assault rifle I used was the HK416, same as here at the UCIA. In anti-AW combat, the key is how quickly you can strip away the magic power the enemy uses to deploy their Protection Field. They can’t constantly deploy their defensive barriers. In that sense, I think the maximum magazine capacity dropping from 30 rounds to 20 rounds is quite bad, though…”
Kamikura spoke thus.
”Come to think of it, Kamikura. When you entered my dream with Hojo-san and fought ‘Judgement’, what was the logic behind that? You called it Mind Exorcism, but…”
The battle with ‘Judgement’ in the dream. According to Asagiri-san’s story, ”It is a dream, but also reality.” She had said so. If we had died in there, we probably would never have woken up again.
”I heard that only certain High Exorcists can perform that. They invade the target’s dream and directly exorcise the evil nesting in their heart. It depends on the target, but at most two people can invade a dream at the same time. If the guide has the power to perform Mind Exorcism, they say the companion doesn’t need that power. At that time, I asked Hojo, and she invaded your dream――that’s how it was.”
”I see… Even now, the sensation of what happened in the dream remains with me. To be honest, I can hardly think of it as a dream.”
”According to Hojo, she hears that it is a dream, but its aspect as reality is strong. The influence human mental power has on the body is boundlessly immense, and not all of it has been elucidated. The influence a realistic dream that is mistaken for reality has on the body must be that severe.”
A dream, but also reality… The meaning of those words is boundlessly deep…
‘The important thing is to believe in yourself. A strong heart nullifies all attacks, and a kind heart heals everything. Without a strong heart, you will be swallowed up by spiritual entities and all phenomena. Please――do not forget that.’
Asagiri-san’s words. A strong heart nullifies all attacks…
Is such a thing really possible…?
Staring at the amethyst ring I received from Asagiri-san, I couldn’t help but think about such things.
”That ring of yours is pretty, Asami. You got it from Asagiri-san, right? Nice~”
Chris stared at my ring with deep interest.
”Himemiya-san is popular with girls too. Nice. I wonder if a popular phase will ever come for me.”
Hayama said so with a laugh.
”Hayama. Do you want to be popular with women――that badly?”
The Chief’s sharp gaze. For a moment, the surroundings fell silent.
”Ah, no… I just meant that being single all the time is kinda lonely, or rather…”
Hayama floating a strained smile.
”If you want to be popular that badly, I’ll keep you company for the first time in a while. Gather in the training room in 10 minutes. Everyone be prepared.”
As expected, it came to this…
The Chief walking out, Kamikura following suit.
And under the lukewarm gazes from Chris and me, Hayama was floating a subtle smile…