"The afternoon session of the Gonpetition is the Target Strike! Contestants will compete for accuracy by throwing balls at a target fifty meters away."
The circular target measured three meters in diameter and was marked with concentric rings.
Inside the three-meter circle were three smaller rings measuring two meters, one meter, and thirty centimeters respectively. Each awarded a different number of points. Hitting the outermost three-meter circle earned 10 points. The two-meter ring was worth 30, the one-meter ring 60, and the central thirty-centimeter bullseye granted 100 points.
Each unit was allowed one practice throw followed by three official attempts. The final score would be the sum of their two highest-scoring throws.
The practice round began first, with the contestants taking turns according to their entry numbers.
"The practice round for all contestants has concluded! We'll start with Number 1, Stahl Ritter! On your mark... and it's away! That’s 30 points!"
While it was difficult to get the hang of the throw after just one practice attempt, Stahl Ritter managed to hit the target right out of the gate. The hits were easy to track, as the balls left blue marks upon impact.
"Next is Number 2, Zaberer. The throw... 30 points!"
"Both Number 1 and Number 2 managed a hit. Quite impressive."
While it seemed like high scores might continue, Numbers 3, 4, 5, and 6 all failed to score in succession.
"It truly is a difficult challenge, isn't it?"
I can't see them clearly from here, but those balls don't look perfectly round. Reiko, can you tell?
Yes, Father. They are irregularly shaped.
There was a reason for that. Since the balls were designed to leave a mark on the target, they were constructed with an iron ball at the core, wrapped in cloth soaked in ink. For the record, the second round used red ink and the third used black. Because of this uneven construction, the balls were subject to significant air resistance, making it a challenge to hit the intended mark reliably.
"Number 15, 10 points!"
"Number 16, 10 points!"
Gradually, a few more contestants began to score points on their first official throw. Then came Number 40.
"30 points! That's the third contestant to score 30 points!"
As expected, Donald Callow’s Alte Krieger has excellent performance, Jin thought.
Then came the one Jin was watching most closely: Number 41.
"Another 30 points! That makes four!"
As I thought, I can't let my guard down around this one either...
Jin’s vigilance intensified.
"Now for the second round! This time, we'll start with Number 41!"
Phantom gripped a red ball and threw.
"Oh! 100 points! A bullseye!"
Its learning capacity is certainly impressive...
The fact that it wasn't just quick to acquire specific physical techniques but could also adapt to projectile physics suggested the processing power of its control core was immense. Jin found himself wishing he could get a closer look and analyze its internal structure.
The trials continued.
"Yes! It did it! Number 40, Alte Krieger, 100 points!"
It seemed Alte Krieger had also significantly improved its accuracy on its second attempt. Furthermore, Number 35, Iron Warrior, scored 30 points, while Number 16, Blue Knight, also secured 30. The top-tier golems were starting to find their mark consistently. Number 2, Zaberer, and Number 1, Stahl Ritter, both scored 60 points.
"Like it or not, this is the final round—the third attempt!"
The order reset to Number 1, using the black ink balls.
"So close! Number 1, Stahl Ritter, unfortunately stays at 30 points!"
With 30 on the first throw, 60 on the second, and 30 on the third, the top two scores were added: 30 + 60 = 90. That became Stahl Ritter's final score.
"Number 2, Zaberer, another 60 points!"
"Number 16, Blue Knight, 30 points!"
"Number 35, Iron Warrior, scores 60 points!"
"Number 40, Alte Krieger—ah, too bad! 60 points!"
Though it had hit the bullseye previously, this particular ink ball seemed poorly weighted; its trajectory wavered, and it finished with 60 points.
Finally, it was Number 41's turn.
"The throw is away!...It did it! Another 100 points! Simply incredible!"
At that moment, Phantom's first-place victory was set in stone.
The final standings were as follows:
1st Place: Phantom — 100 + 100 = 200 points 2nd Place: Alte Krieger — 100 + 60 = 160 points 3rd Place: Zaberer — 60 + 60 = 120 points 4th Place: Stahl Ritter — 30 + 60 = 90 points 4th Place: Iron Warrior — 30 + 60 = 90 points
The fourth-place position was a tie. Meanwhile, the fan-favorite Blue Knight finished in 8th place with 60 points.
"Now that the Target Strike is over, today's events have concluded....Tolf-san, our expert commentator, the top contenders have really begun to stand out."
"Indeed. Since those at the bottom have zero points, it will be very difficult for them to make a comeback from here."
"Tomorrow we have the Free Performance and the Mock Battle. We have a lot to look forward to."
"Yes. The Free Performance in particular will showcase the unique craftsmanship of each creator."
The time was nearing 4:00 PM.
"It's about time to end today's broadcast. Our commentator has been Tolfedest, better known as Tolf, and I, Emsaston, your host MC."
"We'll see you again tomorrow."
Thus, the first day of the Gonpetition came to a close.
"Hmm..."
Jin sat on a sofa in the provided VIP room, deep in thought.
"Jin-nii, what are you thinking about? Why don't you take a break?"
Elsa arrived, carrying a glass of deep-red fresh juice.
"Oh, thanks. I was parched."
"Mm."
Taking the juice from Elsa, Jin drained half of it in one go.
"Phew, that's good. I've never tasted this before."
"It's called 'Grenard.' Apparently, it's made from a fruit called 'zakuru' that grows here in the Celuroa Kingdom."
Elsa explained that because the juice was naturally quite tart, it was tempered with sugar. Since sugar was an expensive commodity, it was classified as a high-end beverage.
"It’s sweet and sour. Very good."
"Hmm, but it has sugar in it, right? I bet the original juice is incredibly sour..."
He was right. The zakuru was a fruit very similar to the pomegranate found in modern Japan.
After finishing the rest of the glass, Jin thanked Elsa and continued.
"...So, about that. I noticed something earlier. That Number 41 that entered as a wildcard—it’s probably different from the one that appeared in the Kingdom of Egerea."
He voiced the realization that had struck him during the day's competition.
"Eh? Why... Oh, the 'weight'?"
Jin nodded.
"Exactly. I didn't sense it using Gravity Magic, either. That thing is just a little heavy; it's not five times heavier than it looks."
"...Does that mean there are multiple mysterious golems?"
"That's exactly what I've been trying to figure out."