It was less than three weeks before the competition festival.
　In addition to practicing for the physical race that I was participating in, I was also accompanying Gran in her training.

"No, no, no, no, ......!

　Gran roars and activates "Fixation".
　Over the course of several minutes, a large weapon slowly appeared in front of Gran's eyes.

"All right, it's done!

　Gran exclaimed with a sense of accomplishment.
　I looked at the huge weapon in front of me and asked.

"Is that a ...... hammer?

"Yes!　On the first day of the festival, there's a sledgehammer competition, right?　When I saw the hammer used in it, it hit me.

　What Gran created with Fixation was a giant hammer.
　Sledgehammers are competitions in which the team that deals the most damage to a target magical object wins. During the competition, each team is given a giant hammer, which is so massive and heavy that most players are unable to use it.

　Gran's weapon, an imitation of a hammer that is not intended to be used by normal people, was also too massive for normal people to handle. The head was wider than the height of an adult man. It looks like it could crush even a large boar like a bug.

I intend to use it as a weapon for mid-range combat. For close combat, you can just hit them directly.

"...... You're right. In the case of Gran, he can do well with empty hands. There's no need to prepare any special weapons for close combat.

　Gran is also thinking of his own way of training.
　I affirmed that idea.

I'll swing it around lightly.

　Gran told me briefly, and with every muscle in his body flexing, he swung the hammer.
　Unfortunately, he wasn't using the hammer perfectly. Occasionally, the weight of the hammer swung him around.

　This time, however, the focus was on using "fixation" to respond flexibly, not on mastering martial arts. This is a great way to get the most out of your time in the field. He probably learned how to use a hammer before he showed it to me.

It's powerful, but it's also ...... sturdy. It's got A-grade stamina.

In addition to the fact that it takes time to prepare, unlike the Twite, you can't control the details like expanding and contracting parts of it.

　Gran's magic power is Magic Output (Power) C, Magic Speed (Speed) D, Magic Stamina (Stamina) A, and Magic Control (Control) E. Because of its low speed, it takes time to prepare, and because of its low control, it can't change shape in real time. However, Gran has enough magical stamina to compensate for these shortcomings. The fact that it can create weapons with such high durability is a threat.

"And if you swing this thing down with all your might--

　Gran raises the hammer above his head and swings it down with great force.
　The earth shuddered and the sound of an explosion rang out. The training ground shakes, and from outside, you can hear the surprised voices of the students.

What do you think?　Don't you think that's a good shot?

"Yeah. It could easily crush an ordinary defense.

"Heh, now I have two winning patterns. One is to get as close as possible and hit him. The second is to swing this hammer down.

　I nodded to Gran, who said happily.
　But...

"You'll have to be creative to hit it.

"Yeah. Well, I've been thinking a lot about that.

　"Well, I'm thinking about it a lot," Gran said somewhat deceptively.
　If he doesn't answer, it's probably because he wants to hide his hand from me, the ...... hawk.

I'm not sure how easy it is to change players in a wargame after all this time.　Gran used to say that he wanted to be able to pull down the current team members. ......

In the event that you've got a lot of time, you may want to take a look at the following tips. I'm sure the hawks have had similar battles, right?　As long as there is a precedent, our leader has decided to consider it.

　That precedent must be Zeke. Zeke also had a mock war with two of his students for participation in the wargame, and successfully won the right to participate.

Do you think you can win?

"Maybe. I'm going to train a little harder before I try, just in case.

　Unlike his usual cheerful demeanor, the current Gran is not careless or careless.
　The only reason I'm teaching Gran is so that he can participate in the wargame. If you can achieve your goal, you don't need to probe any further.

"So, are you practicing anything too, Twight?

　The question came to me unexpectedly, and I paused for a moment before opening my mouth.

"Why do you think so?

No, I peeked in on the hawks' practice a little while ago, but they weren't there. I was wondering what you were doing.

...... Well.

　Basically, the hawk group and the lion group are supposed to train separately until the end of the competition festival, but as long as they stay in the same school building, they will inevitably bump into each other. But since they are in the same school building, they are bound to run into each other. Since Gran is concentrating on her training at the moment, it's probably just a coincidence that she saw you.

"Just as well. Gran, why don't you take it for a while?

"Sure.



　I've been showing the results of my practice to Professor Sylphia on a regular basis, but I'd like to hear the opinions from the perspective of the students participating in the competition.

　Gran activates "Rage". As usual, it was a flawless move. Gran, who has an E rank in magic control, is not very good at controlling magic power without wasting it. ...... Perhaps he has used Rage more than any other. He's very skilled.

"Let's go!

　Gran's Rage would withstand it without any problem.
　After adjusting the power to some extent, I thrust out my fist at Gran.

　Just before my fist made contact with Gran's body.
　There was a dull popping sound.

"HEBU--!

　Gran let out a scream and was blown away.
　I ran over to Gran, who bounced lightly on her buttocks.

"I'm sorry. I was a little too strong.

"No, no, I'm fine. You're not hurt.

　"No, I'm fine. I'm not hurt." Gran replied to my concern with a puzzled look on her face.

You didn't put much effort into it, did you?　I'm not sure what to do. It's not just a punch, it's a shock, like a big monster hitting you in the body. ......

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.
　I don't answer Gran's question, I tell him.

"It's a trade secret.

"Oh, come on. You know how I fight, so why don't you tell me?

I'm sure you're hiding something important.

"d*mn, you found out.

　Gran says happily.
　As I ruminated on Gran's thoughts in my brain, I sorted out the advantages and disadvantages of the new technique.

　A blow that can break the guard is a big deal. However, the power of the attack is dispersed because it is a surface attack instead of a point attack. That's why Gran said that the impact was like a slap, even though he had hit her.

"Two-eight. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

"......, sure.　

　Gran and I both activate Rage at the same time.
　It's good training for me to go toe to toe with Gran. It's a different kind of scary than Elysia's.

"You're getting better.

　He called out from behind me, and Gran and I released our stances.
　The one standing in front of us was Mira-Opstein, a girl with short-cut black hair. She is a member of the student council and the leader of the hawk group.

　Beside her were two men and two women.
　She didn't recognize them, but the badges on their ...... chests gave her an idea of who they were.

"...... Student Council?