The Spear User that Couldn’t Become the Hero 《Protagonist》 Chapter 4

MTL: uniquegasuki
Editor/ Proofreader: (not proofread)

Having successfully activated their fantasy converter, the students were made to wait outside on the school’s sports ground (field).

「Enough, I will just go on live on the savanna……」
「…………」

Eisuke is still in shock that his weapon is a club. Souji offers him no words of comfort; he merely pats the back of Eisuke’s shoulder.
Suddenly, they hear the voices of some male students talking.

「Hey, are you serious.」
「It’s true, that guy is Tendouji-san’s . younger brother.」

Souji wonders who they are talking about. He turns around to look at the face of the young man, but there he sees the girl with the twin-tail hair style and standing beside her is that boy from before.

「What, Tendouji?」

Upon hearing that name, Eisuke raised his head.

「Is that person a celebrity?」

The boy called Ayato is slender and handsome. It wouldn’t be surprising to find out that he is an upcoming star or something of that natural.
However, Eisuke shakes his head no.

「No, that lady-killer isn’t famous or anything. However, his older sister is very famous.」
「Tendouji…… who are they?」
「Do you really not know.」

On the internet, this is common knowledge. While being utterly amazed, Eisuke gives Souji an explanation.

「Tendouji Setsuna (天道寺刹那, てんどうじ せつな)…… 6 years ago, she was the first person to use a fantasy weapon to fight against the C.E.; she is a hero who had protected j.a.pan.」
「Hero?」

For being such a famous person, they were never mentioned in the newspapers or on T.V. Souji truly never heard of her before.

「Well, it can’t be helped as you didn’t have access to the internet. At the time, Tendouji Setsuna was 16 years old. Although humankind was facing a crisis, many people would have protested against the idea of a young girl partic.i.p.ating in the war.」

It is said that against the C.E. the j.a.panese had suffered approximately 2 million casualties.
The j.a.panese had lost 1/5 of their total population. And, the number of civilian casualties had exceeded that of World War II.
It was a critical moment for j.a.pan and they just could let things continue as it was.
And thus, they sent a 16 year of girl with a suspicious weapon onto the battlefield. They tried to cover it up as much as they could.
The government had regulated the flow of information and issued a gag order to the ma.s.s-media.

「However, the information found its way onto the internet. As a result, Tendouji Setsuna, the girl who brought victory to j.a.pan became known as the female sword saint!」

Eisuke thrusts out his smartphone to reveal the magnified picture of a lone girl.
It is a picture of a girl, with long black hair, running through the battlefield with an enormous sword over her shoulder.

「She is beautiful.」
「I know right! Setsuna is super lovely!」

Upon seeing Eisuke’s flaring nostrils, Souji could tell that this was Eisuke’s honest opinion.

「Ontop of being a hero, she is a beauty. Currently, she is a very popular idol on the internet.」
「…………」

Eisuke tightly hugs the picture of the beautiful j.a.panese girl to his chest. Souji who saw this silently took two steps back.

「Hmm, if that was 6 years ago, isn’t she about 22 years old now?」

Upon Souji pointing out the girl’s (woman’s) age, the mood became tense.
And then, Eisuke’s abruptly made a sad expression.

「…… Setsuna-chan is, she is,」
「Eh?」
「Although the information is not credible, 5 years ago, there was a rumor going around that on an operation to defend the citizens, and there were numerous C.E. ……」

In an official report that was leaked, it stated that she was missing. It is possible the girl no longer exist.

「……I see.」

The person who fought with the fantasy weapon is probably dead.
It is possible that someday Souji and the people here might meet the same fate.

「But, because of Setsuna-chan’s efforts the country is presently training young men and young women to help fight the C.E. In other words, she help create A.C.E.」
「She is an amazing person.」

Souji is amazed that a girl the same age as himself kept fighting until she became a hero.

He wondered for what reason did the girl swing her sword? Perhaps, he has already missed his chance to ask her that question.

「So, is that guy Tendoji Setsuna’s younger brother?」
「I don’t know. He somewhat looks like her…… but, for some reason, he annoys me.」

Eisuke along with the other male students were grinding their teeth, when they saw the beautiful girl with the twin tail hair style pus.h.i.+ng her breast up against the blus.h.i.+ng Tendoji Ayato arm.
While they were busy with their pointless chitchat, the test first test for the new students came to a close.
Hos.h.i.+na Kyouko (保科京子) and one of the combat instructors arrived at the sports ground (field). There are about 150 new student present.

「Everyone, congratulations on successfully completing the fantasy converter activating test. Next, we will begin the fantasy weapon operation test――combat trial.」
「「「Ehh!?」」」

Upon her statement, the students let out an astonished voice.
However, Kyouko waves back their confusion.

「Do not worry, no one will get injuries because the converter’s 『phantom・armor (幻子装甲, ファントム・アーマー)』 will prevent you from taking damage. You may not notice it, but your body will be as tough as an armored vehicle.」
「Say what……!?」

The surprised Eisuke slaps Souji’s shoulder.
However, a transparent membrane prevents the slap from going through.

「This could work. With this stable armor and the fantasy weapons, A.C.E. would be the strongest soldier that is capable of battling the C.E.」

When Kyouko sees the student confirming it with one another, she could n’t help but show a gentle smile.

「The phantom armor is due to the effect of your ability as a phantom child―― you could say it is MP. Although it can’t be used when it runs out, while the armor is up it will defend against all attacks, for that reason, it is safe to do a mock battle using fantasy weapons.」

After the explanation, the students felt relieved.

「Now that you have obtained your fantasy weapon, don’t you want to test it out?」

In a way, this is a sort of initiation for new students that have enrolled in A.C.E.

「Now then, decide on who your opponent will be.」

She claps her hand, signaling for them to begin. The bewildered students began to form pairs and lined up in front of Kyouko.

「Souji, do you want to partner up with me?」
「Sorry, maybe next time.」
「Why!?」

Souji felt grateful for Eisuke’s invitation, but he had to refuse. Souji walks away from Eisuke.
Even if it is just for play, Souji is a martial artist. He wants to test the spear against the strongest opponent.
Souji had already decided on the person he wants to challenge.
The hero・Tendouji Setsuna’s younger brother.