Self-reliance as a ship operator

"Damage rate has exceeded thirty-five percent."

Rina's voice echoes across the bridge.

Ira's calculations had gone awry, not only due to Zany's Pirate Killer but also because Shinnosuke's combat vessel had joined the pursuit.

"Who would've thought you'd put up such a fight! But I'm not going down here!"

As a result, the damage to A884 had surpassed expectations.

"Just a little further to the target destination."

"Aah! He's about to snap! But I'll make it to the end—just wait until the target destination! Until then, I'll have to hold on!"

Ira's stress had reached its peak.

Unaware that Ira's anger was boiling over, Zany was riding high on confidence, while Shinosuke remained steadfast, refusing to let up until the very end.

Though their motivations differed, the two shared the same goal and were acting in perfect alignment.

"Final touch—don't let him get away! Shinnosuke, can you block the target's path? If you slow it down, I'll finish it off!"

"Understood, I'll try."

Shinosuke accelerated further, overtaking A884 and circling around in front of it.

On A884's bridge, the crew had also spotted the enemy vessel blocking their path.

"Aira, the enemy ship is blocking our way."

"So what's your point?"

Aira paid no mind to Rina's words.

No, I'm not sure if that's a bit dangerous...

I'm fine. I'm not going to budge just because I scattered that tiny fighter ship.

"But if that's the case, then Shinosuke-kun..."

It's Shinosuke who's blocking my path—he's the one at fault!

Ira pushed the throttle lever further.

The final sprint is here.

Shin nosuke, run away!

Rina's voice reached Shinosuke too late, echoing futilely across the bridge.

Shinosuke, blocking A884's path just as planned.

"Could it really be... he's charging straight in?"

Trembling at A884's unrelenting speed, showing no sign of slowing.

At that moment, Shinosuke distinctly heard.

"Run away, or I'll send you flying!"

"Shinosuke-san, please run!"

The voices of Ira and Rina coming from A884, which shouldn't have had a communication line open.

"Wha—what?!"

Shinosuke hastily dodging, Ira forcefully breaking through.

"Shinosuke! Don't run away!"

At the target point, Zany's Pirate Killer continues tracking A884.

"No way, it was seriously scary! Ira's eyes were dead serious!"

Though Shinosuke was panicking and babbling incoherently, he still reversed course and began chasing after the two ships.

The target point was drawing near.

A884's damage rate was at 38 percent—barely holding on.

"Once we reach the target point, we're done, right?"

"Yes. Once we pass the checkpoint, all scenarios end."

"Then we don't have to endure it anymore?"

"Yes... Wait, what?"

A884 sped through the target point.

"Alright, we've won!"

"Scenario complete."

Immediately after, Zarny's artillery struck, bringing the damage rate to 42 percent—but in the very end, Andy and Ira's victory was secured.

Ira reversed the A884.

"Aaaah! Damn it, almost had him!"

Zarny gritted his teeth, having narrowly missed capturing the A884.

"Unfortunately, that's just how it goes. But still, Andy's team achieved their training objective. This turned out quite well, all things considered."

Sunny's Pirate Killer slowing down and Shinnosuke's combat vessel locked in battle.

At that moment, Sunny noticed an unusual presence.

"…Hey, why's the A884 heading this way?"

『Huh?』

Shinnosuke and Sunny were certain this time they heard it clearly.

The voice of Ira and the others echoing through the forcibly connected communication line.

『You two! How dare you do whatever you please!』

"Aira-san, don't shoot! If you must shoot, at least lower the output a bit!?"

"Hey! Is A884's main cannon even aiming this way?"

"It's not just the main cannon! They're all glaring at us from various angles! I don't know what's going on, but it's bad. We should run away!"

"You're not getting away! Full broadside barrage!"

"Shinnosuke, run away! Please!"

"Why me, Shinnosuke specifically?!"

"It doesn't matter! I'm getting out of here!"

Zany and Shinnosuke turned and fled.

With Ira furious and the tide of battle reversed, an extended engagement had begun.

About one hour past the scheduled end time.

Dug's shield ship and Beetle arrived at the target location.

"What are they doing?"

"Shouldn't the training be over by now?"

Dug and the others tilted their heads in astonishment at the unexpected drill they witnessed.

Since Dug had been too slow to participate in the final chase, he had luckily escaped unscathed.

It took Ira a full two hours to exhaust herself chasing and tormenting Shinosuke and Zany, who were running around in panic.

Even if they ever became space pirates, Shinosuke and Zany had firmly engraved in their hearts one promise: never to attack Ira's ship.

Once Ira had finally calmed down and the training was truly over, Andy and the others returned to Central Colony.

"Thank you so much for your help this time."

Andy and Ellen bowed deeply before Shinosuke and the others who had assisted with the training.

"Well, there's no other pirate as spiteful as this one, so you can be confident, can't you?"

"Confident, yes—but don't get cocky. It'd be best, if possible, to start with joint missions alongside other escort ships. We'll always be here if you need advice."

Andy receiving advice from Ira and Zany.

"Thank you. Also, I'll consider adding more machine guns, as Shinosuke suggested."

Shinosuke nodded in response to Andy's words.

With that, Andy's training had successfully come to an end.

Shinosuke had already seen Seira.

"You did great, Seira. Well done."

"Yes. Thank you."

Seira smiled, encouraged by Shinosuke's praise.

Shinosuke then led Seira to the front desk where Rina was waiting.

"Mr. Shinosuke. Thank you for your cooperation with this training. Also, the paperwork has been completed."

Rina looks at Seira as she speaks.

"Procedures? What procedures?"

In front of Seira, who tilts her head in confusion, Rina hands her two cards.

"Congratulations, Seira. You've completed the required 1,000 hours of sea service and 300 hours of duty needed for crew certification. We're issuing you a crew certification and a registration certificate with the Free Merchant Ship Association."

What was handed over was a fourth-class crew certification issued by the Salius District Harbor Authority of the Acnelia Galactic Federation, and a registration certificate from the Free Merchant Ship Association, bordered in black.

"Eh? But, um, I haven't actually been on Shinnosuke's ship for that long yet..."

Indeed, it hadn't been that long since Seira had been hired as an apprentice crew member under Shinnosuke—but there was a reason for this.

Unlike a maritime school, which must manage many students and conduct training voyages in small groups, actual work on merchant ships often involves voyages lasting over a week per trip, inevitably leading to steadily accumulating duty hours.

Although Seira had been aboard Shinnosuke's Cerberus for only about two months, she had spent most of that time on voyages with the Cerberus.

And now, having served aboard Andy's escort vessel, she had finally fulfilled the required time needed to obtain her qualification.

From now on, Seira was recognized as an independent sailor.

"Today marks the end of your apprenticeship with Serah. From here on, Serah, you’ll be free to make your own choices about your life, taking full responsibility yourself."

"Wait, what?"

"There are countless options beyond dangerous escort vessels—passenger ships, cargo ships, sightseeing vessels, and more."

"Wait, does that mean... you're telling me to get off Shinosuke's ship?"

"That's one of the options available."

"Um, I—"

"What's the matter, girl? Did you finally get your license? If so, you're just in time—why don't you join our ship?"

"What are you talking about? There's no way a girl would willingly board a ship full of rough, gruff guys like you. If you want company, why not come aboard my A884? We can be pals—just the two of us, girls."

"Then, what about our Beetle?..."

Suddenly, Zany and Ira approach Seira with a recruitment offer.

"Um, I... Shinnosuke, please help me~!"

Shinnosuke and Lina watch Seira, overwhelmed by attention from everyone.

"Are you not going to help her?"

"It's Seira's choice to make. The right to choose one's profession is legally recognized, after all."

Shinnosuke smiled.