Seyla's First Step

"Fighter 1 is approaching! We can't outrun it with our speed and maneuverability! Fighter 2 will arrive shortly after!"

Fubuki, serving as the shield for the civilian ship Omega, is at a disadvantage against fighters.

"I understand. First, I'll eliminate Fighter 1."

Seira switched the gatling guns at the rear and bottom of the ship to auto mode, combining them with the anti-air guns to enter automatic defense mode, then focused solely on operating the gatling gun at the ship's bow.

Without even aiming, she targeted the fighters being pursued by the automatic defense system and deployed a curtain of beam fire to intercept them.

The automatic defense system locks onto targets and attacks automatically, but high-maneuverability fighter jets are likely to detect the lock-on and evade.

Seira turned this to her advantage, predicting where the automatic defense would corner its target, and deliberately fired her manually operated gatling gun without locking on, scattering beams to lure the enemy into the barrage.

"Fighter one down."

Her aim was true.

The fighter jet, caught in the barrage, exploded into fragments.

A standard tactic used by experienced fire-control operators—Seyla likely learned it from manuals, but executing it successfully on the spot was no small feat.

"Immediately engage fighter two—wait, enemy vessel D approaching from port side! Not a space torpedo—no, a missile launcher's anti-ship missile. Engaging... Target acquired, firing!"

Marks' trick had activated, but Seira handled it calmly.

In such a tense situation, choosing a missile over the slower, less accurate space torpedo was the right decision.

Indeed, the assessment confirmed a hit.

A direct hit on enemy vessel D, struck head-on as it approached.

"Assessment: Enemy vessel D destroyed."

Shinonsuke had no complaints about the decision, and Marks, who had been overseeing the training scenario, seemed subtly disappointed.

Seyla remained alert.

"Fighter two, handle enemy vessels E, F, and G. Mirina, stay clear of the civilian vessel Omega and head toward the remaining enemy ships."

"Understood, but are you sure? You'll be leaving the escort target vulnerable."

"Don't worry. It won't take long."

Mirina nodded and turned right.

Seyla peered through the scope, targeting enemy ship F, which had sustained critical damage and was losing maneuverability.

"Target locked on enemy ship F... Main cannon, fire!"

The main cannon of Fubuki pierced enemy ship F.

With this, enemy ships sunk: 6, severely damaged and unable to move: 1, enemy aircraft shot down: 1.

An outstanding result for training.

"Alright! Training complete."

The target aircraft remain, but destroying them all would be a waste.

Shin nosuke declared the training complete.

"Understood."

"Yes, I understand..."

Even though it was training, they had been under intense stress for several hours.

By the time they realized it, both Milena and Seira were drenched in sweat.

"Milena, take over ship control."

"Understood. You have control."

"I have control. Marks, retrieve the remaining target drones."

"Understood."

Having recovered the target drones, Fubuki turned around and headed back.

As Shinnosuke returned to the Central Colony of the Sirius Stellar Province, he reviewed the training session.

Seira's performance as a gunnery operator was impeccable.

However, that was only the result of training against target drones.

"Seira is also excellent as a fire control operator. She could probably obtain her certification immediately. However..."

"I understand. Training is training, not actual combat. In real combat, my mistakes could endanger the entire crew. Besides, during today's training, I sank and heavily damaged seven simulated enemies and shot down fighter aircraft. If this were real combat, I would have taken the lives of dozens of people."

Ciel understands it perfectly, and seems mentally prepared as well.

That should be enough for now.

Shinnosuke nodded.

"To handle firearms as a sailor means carrying that burden."

"That's right. But I believe that applies equally to anyone working as part of a destroyer's crew, and I've always considered myself to have carried the same burden as a crew member on Shinnosuke's ship. The only difference is that I've never personally taken on the responsibility of carrying out actions myself—until now. So, as a member of the destroyer's crew, I've decided to take on the same, genuine responsibility as all of you."

Seyla is clearly making her choice with full awareness, taking another step forward as a sailor in her own right.

Since Seyla has already accumulated sufficient work experience to qualify for the certification exam, she should be able to obtain her certification without issue after completing just two or three more training sessions.

A choice made with one's own hands—and with full resolve.

If she's made up her mind, there's no reason Shinosuke should stop her.

This is entirely Seira's own choice, and her growth as a sailor.

Back home, she'll face another busy routine.

Seira doesn't have time to pause.