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1	CHAPTER 1
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7	The end of April, 2097. The exact date and time isn't recorded. First of all, it should be mentioned that this meeting wasn't something that is kept in the official records.
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9	"These are the details of the attack on the camp in Nanso, given in Sergeant Tooyama's report."
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11	Director Inukai, the immediate superior of Tooyama Tsukasa, sat down having finished reading the report of his subordinate.
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13	"So, the identity of the attacker couldn't be established?"
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15	"Correct. We couldn't verify this" Inukai instantly answered the question of one of those present. "However, based on the circumstances it is obvious who was the attacker. You cannot think of anyone else, but Shiba Tatsuya of the Yotsuba family."
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17	And the truth.
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19	Indeed.
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21	There were voices of agreement with Inukai's opinion. And on the contrary, there were no votes of disapproval for hasty conclusions.
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23	The leadership of the Intelligence Department of the National Self-Defense Forces gathered here to decide whether Tatsuya was involved in the attack on the secret camp in Nanso, which contained illegal agents from the USNA. Although this was true, they would not object even to false accusations.
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25	Even in the Intelligence Department, they usually didn't make decisions so quickly. The collection of evidence and data was only a formality.
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27	But this meeting was a meeting of the secret leadership of the Intelligence Department of the National Self-Defense Forces . Such informal meetings were held only with special need. This meeting wasn't officially held, so the evidence wasn't needed. This was the place where they subjectively judged whether a particular person or organization is harmful to the country as a whole.
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29	"I believe that Shiba Tatsuya is a dangerous person and needs more surveillance."
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31	"Should he not be eliminated immediately?" One of the votes in response to the Inukai's proposal asked about a more strict measure.
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33	"The idea that he's extremely dangerous is true, but he undoubtedly has a rare, irreplaceable fighting power. Even if the Yotsuba family is behind him, his power, superior to the magic of the Tooyama family, is very attractive."
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35	Continuing his speech Inukai, the Director of the first department on Special Issues rose. The Division for Special Issues was a unit whose existence was concealed even within the Intelligence Department, which itself was famous for its high secrecy. It was an irregular organization, which at one time consisted of one to thirteen departments.
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37	"I want to add something about Shiba Tatsuya. There is unconfirmed information that should be paid attention to."
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39	"Oh. And what is it Director Onda?"
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41	The Deputy Director showed interest in these words and encouraged him to continue. The Director of the Intelligence Department was absent at this meeting. The Deputy Director who was present was also a person not disclosed to the public.
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43	"I think you all already know that the Yotsuba family, to which Shiba Tatsuya belongs, is in a cooperative relationship with the 1-0-1 Battalion."
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45	 After Onda's words, those sitting at the table nodded.
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47	"So what?" The Deputy Director showing that he's also aware, called on him to continue.
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49	"Shiba Tatsuya, as a member of the 1-0-1 Battalion, may be the magician who destroyed the seaport of Zhenhai at the end of October of the year before last."
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51	... "Scorched Halloween" ...?
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53	 The Deputy Director, whose existence was kept a secret, was the one who deals with the shadow affairs of the National Self-Defense Forces . Therefore as expected he couldn't remain calm after this statement. No, not just him. For a while, the room was plunged into a heavy silence.
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55	"... So you mean that Shiba Tatsuya is that Strategic Class Magician?" Replied Inukai. Although his daily illegal activities forced him to hide from society, but even he understood the importance of the Strategic Class Magicians for national defense. He thought that if Shiba Tatsuya is a magician who created "Scorched Halloween," it would not be easy to get rid of him.
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57	"This isn't confirmed. But even if Shiba Tatsuya is a Strategic Class Magician, we cannot ignore him as a threat."
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59	 Onda responded to Inukai, who has the same position as the head of the department as he did, and the only one who didn't show shock on his face.
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61	"More precisely, we must not lose sight of the fact that disproportionate force is concentrated in the hands of one person. This is my opinion."
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63	Excluding military terms from his speech, he confirmed that he's a member of an organization that is above the law.
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65	The Deputy Director calmed down under the influence of this unshakable position.
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67	 "... As you said. For Shiba Tatsuya we will designate a re-education policy."
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69	"I support."
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71	"I think it's reasonable."
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73	 After the Deputy Director's decision, words of approval were heard from members of the assembly one by one,
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85	 End of April, Kazama's division returned to the headquarters of the 1-0-1 Battalion from Hokkaido.
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87	"Lieutenant Colonel Kazama reporting all 195 of my subordinates have returned to base."
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89	"Everyone has returned safe and sound."
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91	 The Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, which was under the command of Kazama, was positioned as a separate tactical unit called the battalion, but in terms of the number of soldiers it was only the size of 2 companies. And about half of the personnel were sent to this task. The number of people who returned to the base, voiced by Kazama, coincided with the number of people sent to the task. In other words, there were no victims.
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93	 Hearing the report of Lieutenant Colonel Kazama about the return of all people to the base, the battalion commander Lieutenant-General Saeki responded with relief on her face. The loss of soldiers in combat is an integral part of war, and there isn'thing better than the fact that there was zero lost.
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95	 Due to the positioning of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion as an experimental unit using magic weapons and magic tactics, it also contained many magicians with special abilities. Regardless of the system of moral values, the significance of these talented people was much higher than that of people from other divisions. Although she knew the situation from the daily reports, but confirming the return of everyone with her own eyes, Saeki was really relieved.
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97	 "Lieutenant-Colonel, give the returned soldiers a three-day leave. With permission to exit the base."
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99	"Many thanks. The guys will be happy."
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101	 Standing at the "free" bar Kazama slightly softened in the face. Saeki nodded at his words, closed her eyes and sighed slightly. Opening her eyes, Saeki, one of the best strategists in the Self-Defense Forces, looked at Kazama with all seriousness on her face. Kazama face also tensed.
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103	"Major Onda called yesterday."
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105	"Major Onda ... Who is this?"
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107	 As a member of the military system, Kazama constantly watched the news about military personnel. He couldn't say that he remembered everything, but he was sure of his knowledge of senior officers. But he didn't remember anyone with the name "Major Onda."
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109	"Major Onda is the head of Special Issues."
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111	"The Special Issues Section of the Intelligence Service ...?"
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113	 Saeki didn't have the right to give orders directly to the Intelligence Department. And the Directors of intelligence units have no obligation to report to Saeki. In other words, the "connection" was private. That is, Major Onda is one of Lieutenant-General Saeki's sources of information. So Kazama interpreted the information received. Perhaps Onda also uses Saeki as a source of information.
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115	"So, what did Major Onda say?"
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117	 Saeki answered Kazama's question honestly and without superfluous introduction.
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119	"Special Officer Ooguro is included in the list of purge targets available to the Intelligence Department. This is because of the attack on the secret intelligence camp."
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121	 "... Do they want to kill Special Officer?"
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123	Despite the fact that Kazama didn't raise his voice, his intonation conveyed the feeling "I cannot believe it."
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125	"Not to execute. It seems that a decision was made to seize him and conduct re-education work."
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127	"That is nonsense." Kazama put it like it wasn't an Intelligence Department, and Saeki was building stupid plans.
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129	"Really. Re-education ... No, in this case there is no need to correct this word. Although brainwashing has a high probability of damaging your magical abilities."
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131	 "Your Excellency, I beg to differ."
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133	 Not understanding what Kazama wants to say, Saeki called with her eyes to continue.
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135	"It may be possible to assassinate the Special Officer. But to capture him is absolutely impossible. It's okay if only the Intelligence Department is destroyed, but in the worst case, the whole of Tokyo will drown in a sea of fire."
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137	 Narrowing her eyes, Saeki looked at Kazama with a stern gaze. As if suspecting that Kazama himself is planning a large-scale diversion.
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139	 "... The Special Officer can go that far?"
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141	 "Your humble servant believes that the very fact that the Intelligence Department has recognized the Special Officer as a dangerous element is justified. He's the greatest egotist. The Special Officer cannot sacrifice himself or his loved ones for the sake of the country or citizens. He's from the category of people who are not at all suitable for the role of military."
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143	 "He's perfect in his abilities, and in character as the Lieutenant-Colonel said." Saeki had no objection to the words about Tatsuya's lack of motivation in the service.
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145	 "But their realization of the degree of danger is much too naive. Even without the use of Material Burst, Special Officer is capable of destroying an average city in one night."
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147	 "You value the Special Officer highly, don't you?"
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149	"If there was a final boss in the real world, like in stories and games, it would definitely be him."
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151	"The final boss? Then where is that brave hero who will end this story with a happy ending?"
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153	"Such a person has not appeared yet. Therefore we should not provoke him, at least until such a hero appears."
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155	 Saeki and Kazama sighed at the same time. And they exchanged tense smiles. They thought it was funny how they seriously discussed the concepts, like the final boss and the hero.
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157	 "We will pass your opinion to the Intelligence Department through Major Onda. I don't know how much it will help. ...Thanks for the help. Lieutenant-Colonel, you are free."
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159	"Understood"
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161	 Kazama saluted Saeki and left her office.
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173	 Second of May, after school hours.
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175	 Not knowing that his friends consider him the King of Demons, Tatsuya returned to everyday life.
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177	 Not only him. The clash that occurred in the last week of April during the incident with the abduction of Shiina, was resolved as a misunderstanding due to lack of communication, and for First High this incident has already become a thing of the past. Miyuki and Minami, who were in a separate incident at about the same time as the kidnapping, didn't tell anyone else about it so as not to cause unnecessary anxiety.
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179	 As is usually the case after school hours, the members of the Student Council, including Tatsuya, were engaged in the usual affairs of the Student Council. Starting yesterday, in addition to normal work, the Student Council has started preparing for the Nine Schools Competition. They haven't yet received a list of competitions for this year so they were only engaged in basic preparations, so that time wasn't wasted like last year, when unexpected changes occurred.
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181	 Tatsuya was looking through the CAD catalog for the competition. The CAD characteristics used in the competitions was limited. According to the requirements, the performance of the hardware had to be in a strictly limited range. Since there were no restrictions on the software unlike the hardware, the key factors determining victory or defeat were the speed of reading from the media and the convenience of using the OS.
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183	 Like the change in the competition last year, the limitations for CAD's could also change. But early information gathering wasn't a waste of time. Even Tatsuya's knowledge, who is directly involved in CAD development under the pseudonym Taurus Silver, didn't cover the latest models of the released equipment. It can be said that at the moment Tatsuya was enjoying the current work of the Student Council.
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185	"Master" There was a voice interrupting this work. Pixie spoke to Tatsuya by voice, not telepathy.
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187	"What?" Answered Tatsuya, without taking his eyes off the screen.
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189	" I • received • important • news."
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191	"Important news?"
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193	 Tatsuya turned to Pixie.
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195	"News related to • Strategic • Class • Magic."
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197	 Tatsuya turned his gaze and his eyes met with Miyuki, who also raised her head to Pixie's voice.
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199	"Bring it up on the wall."
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201	 Following Tatsuya's order, Pixie displayed a recorded news release on a large wall-mounted display. Not only Tatsuya, but all the members of the Student Council gathered in front of the screen to look at it.
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203	 However, interest on their faces quickly gave way to a touch of seriousness. During the video, someone made a sound that sounded like a muffled cry, but to until the end of the news no one said anything.
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205	 "So this time Africa ...?" The first one who said her thoughts aloud was Izumi.
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207	"The Gulf of Guinea, the Nigerian Delta region ... At the moment this area is actually under the control of the Great Asian Alliance."
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209	"Yeah." Shizuku confirmed Honoka statement.
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211	"This is a conflict zone. The probability of using it there was higher than, for example, in Europe or in North America ..."
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213	 Tatsuya, apparently, also wasn't able to suppress in himself thoughts like "this cannot be."
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215	 The news release told about the fact of numerous victims from using the Strategic Class Magic "Thunderclap Tower" in the area of the Nigerian Delta. And also about the statement of the army of the Great Asian Alliance which admitted this.
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217	 The use of Synchronized Linear Fusion in South America has indeed weakened the psychological barriers to using Strategic Class Magic.
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219	 But the view of society, that is, of the entire world, will only become tougher from this. And not just a passive outlook. A wave of criticism from around the world rolled into Brazil after its army used "Synchronized Linear Fusion." Even now a month later, the volume of criticism has not decreased.
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221	 And despite this, the Great Asian Alliance didn't even try to hide the use of Strategic Class Magic. On the contrary, they themselves announced the use of "Thunderclap Tower". As if they boasted to the rest of the world about their military successes.
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223	"Was it a deterrent against France?"
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225	"Apparently, that was the main goal." Tatsuya nodded at Miyuki's question, adding a clarification.
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227	 During the Third World War, the strongest forces of the world rushed to Africa in search of resources. In the local countries there were both government troops and opposition forces. The activities of these powerful countries of the world, whether it is the hidden manipulation of the local to fuel a war, or a direct invasion to "guarantee" the hidden resources in the ground, ultimately destroyed all the countries of the African continent.
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229	 Even now when more than 30 years have passed since the end of the Third World War, conflicts there continue, although they have become much smaller. The competition between the forces of the Great Asian Alliance and France in the area of the Gulf of Guinea resembled a game in reverse, when a large number of independent small groups of local tribes were dispersed throughout the region.
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231	 The Nigerian Delta region has been under the control of the Great Asian Alliance for several years. But in the past few months, certain armed forces that proclaimed themselves to be the next generation of the international terrorist group MEND (the Movement for the Liberation of the Nigerian Delta), having received support from France, began to threaten the domination of the Great Asian Alliance in the region.
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233	 Deterring France's support was the goal of this Strategic Class Magic, was undoubtedly one of the true answers.
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235	"So, there are other reasons?"
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237	The question was asked not Miyuki, but Izumi. It still couldn't be said that she had become open with Tatsuya. Usually she didn't start talking to him first, but this time her curiosity overpowered her.
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239	"Strategic Class Magic "Thunderclap Tower" was used. However, the user of the magic declared by the Great Asian Alliance wasn't Liu Yunde, but a certain girl named Liu Li Lie."
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241	"I was interested in that moment in the news too. This means that the reason was an announcement of the new officially recognized state Strategic Class Magician?"
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243	"The meaning is definitely in the notification, because it was already impossible to hide it."
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245	"What is there to hide?"
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247	 Not only Izumi bowed her head inquiringly. On Honoka and Shiina too, question marks were lit over their heads.
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249	"Liu Yunde didn't show up at official events for more than a year. Last year, he was absent even at the annual military parade, which he had previously invariably visited. Since then, among the people associated with army affairs, there were rumors of his death, and as a result, they could no longer hide it."
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251	 Tatsuya learned about the death of Liu Yunde in "Scorched Halloween" almost immediately after the incident. However, the Great Asian Alliance did its utmost to hide this information. Therefore, he conducted his explanation without going beyond the level of knowledge of ordinary people.
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253	"That means, if Liu Yunde is dead, then Liu Li Lie is his successor?"
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255	"The official announcement of the existence of a Strategic Class Magician is a deterrent. This is a demonstration by the Great Asian Alliance: "Although Liu Yunde is dead, but instead we have another Strategic Class Magician."
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257	"Sabotage against France, and demonstration to the whole world?" Muttered Izumi with an understanding face.
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263	 Even after joining with Leo, Erika and other third-graders, when they went to Eine Brise, the main topic of discussion was the Strategic Class Magic used in Africa.
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265	"But doesn't this provoke neighboring countries?" Asked Erika
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267	 "It's probably done deliberately." The so-called deterrence is needed to intimidate other countries.
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269	 When Tatsuya went to answer, Mikihiko did it for him. Although he wasn't suited to such words because of his mild nature, but it wasn't uncommon for modern schoolchildren to express themselves in a similar manner.
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271	"A new member of the Thirteen Apostles is only 14 years old? Even younger than us ..."
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273	 Less than an hour after the first report, the Great Asian Alliance provided information to the press, containing details. Although the bulk of this report condemned the inhuman behavior of hostile armed groups and drew attention to the legitimacy of using Strategic Class Magic, but it also found a place to advertise the new "Apostle."
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275	 In the first news, only the gender and name of "Liu Li Lie" was listed. When the Great Asian Alliance revealed that it was a fourteen-year-old girl, everyone was very surprised.
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277	 "The age is also surprising, but that such a small girl is a Strategic Class Magician ..."
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279	"Indeed. Although in another country there may be reasons, but it somehow does not fit in my head ..." Mizuki agreed with the words of the frowning Honoka.
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281	 "I think the poor thing just has to do what the grown-ups say. It seems to me that recognition by an official of the state is a good situation for her." Erika spoke in a slightly annoyed tone, probably because she remembered about the incident with children of the same age who were victims of magical experiments conducted in Japan some time ago. There is no doubt that such tragedies occurred all over the world, and not only in Japan and the Great Asian Alliance. Among the numerous victims buried in the darkness, this exposed girl in some ways was lucky.
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283	" I was surprised that she was shown."
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285	 Before Erika's words were drowned in the minds of others, Shizuku moved the interest in another direction.
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287	"Right. Despite the fact that usually private information about the Strategic Class Magicians is hidden, now they have published not only their name and age, but also her photo."
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289	 Although Miyuki's intention behind backing Shizuku was to avoid depressing topics, but as she said, the publication of Liu Li Lie's appearance aroused surprise at everyone.
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293	"Only if this girl really is the user of "Thunderclap Tower."
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295	 After Tatsuya's words, not only Miyuki and Shizuku froze with their mouths open. Apparently, everyone forgot about the possibility that the girl, represented as Liu Li Lie, could be a figurehead.
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297	It seems that the army of the Great Asian Alliance is going to make her a symbol for the sake of morale.
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299	"You mean that adults will be more motivated when they see that such a young girl is trying so hard?"
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301	 Probably, she herself regretted that some time ago she showed irritation. Therefore, she courteously said Tatsuya's words more simply.
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303	 "Well, something like that." Understanding her feelings, he answered her with a tight smile.
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305	"So, the Great Asian Alliance recognized the death of Liu Yunde, in order to strengthen the image of the "brave girl who wants to succeed her grandfather"?
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307	 "But we don't know if she's really his granddaughter." Erika responded to Mikihiko showing an evil grin. In the official announcement of the Great Asian Alliance, it was pointed out that Liu Li Lie is the granddaughter of Liu Yunde.
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309	"Returning to our conversation..." Leo said, after which Mikihiko urged him to continue, asking "what is it?".
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311	"... Is it true that there were 800 victims?" At first not daring to speak, but having decided to after Mikihiko's question, Leo expressed his question. "It's hardly a lie, that there were almost no civilians in the zone of the fierce fighting. But isn't that number too low? Well, you know, for the Strategic Class Magic?"
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313	For some reason they all looked at Tatsuya.
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315	"Compared to Synchronized Linear Fusion, there will be fewer victims. Because Thunderclap Tower is a magic used for the destruction of factories and infrastructure, and not for direct killing people."
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317	"Thunderclap Tower is magic, causing something like a storm with thunder and lightning?" Mizuki asked with a puzzled face.
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319	"Thunderclap Tower is a magic formed from two different types of magic. The first magic causes an avalanche(?) of electrons above the target area. The second magic intermittently and unevenly lowers the electrical resistance in the target area."
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321	 Even after Tatsuya's words, Mizuki remained with an uncomprehending face. Tatsuya looked at Mikihiko, on his face was the question "Can you explain for me?".
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323	 Mikihiko responded to this look. If someone said that there was no intention of showing themselves on Mizuki's good side, it would be a lie.
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325	"In simple words, the magic that causes the avalanche(?) of electrons is the process of creating the electricity necessary for lightning, and an uneven drop in resistance is a process that establishes resistance to a level when a dielectric breakdown occurs. As a result, lightning strikes are generated continuously, occurring at short intervals in different places."
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327	"... In other words, is it magic that throws lightning left and right?"
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329	With a serious face Mizuki looked at the explaining Mikihiko, trying not to lose a word, but in the end it was difficult to say how much she understood.
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331	"Right. You've got it right."
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333	But Mikihiko was soft, with her "evaluation." In this case it was difficult to understand whether this understanding was limited to just Mizuki, or to all.
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335	"A feature of Thunderclap Tower is that it pays more attention to the number of strikes, not the strength of each strike."
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337	 Mikihiko looked at Tatsuya. When he nodded his eyes, Mikihiko felt relieved. Apparently he wasn't very confident in his knowledge.
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339	"... Instead of throwing one heavy-duty lightning bolt, with the help of a single magic cast, this energy is distributed over a wide space. For light infantry, this is a nightmarish magic, but if you take action against electricity, then fatal injuries can be avoided. But this magic has a different effect, surpassing all expectations."
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341	"Destruction of infrastructure?"
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343	"Yes. The lightning strikes that occur at short intervals signify a discontinuous oscillation of the electromagnetic field in this region. Moreover, for all objects in this region the resistance level is reduced to the state of breakdown of the dielectric. By omitting a detailed explanation, Thunderclap Tower is magic, causing serious damage to electrical equipment on a large scale."
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345	 "In other words, the true essence of the Thunderclap Tower a magical EMP weapon?" Leo said.
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347	"The principle is different, but the effect is virtually the same."
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349	 Although their conversation with Mizuki was interrupted, Mikihiko didn't show that he was disturbed.
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351	"There were few victims, because the direct damage factor is rather weak. As I understand it this is the main reason. That's why there is another question."
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353	"What question?"
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355	"This is a conflict zone, where the struggle for control has been going on for a long time. It is unlikely that they could build a high-tech city there. I think the main equipment that could be damaged by EMP weapons is equipment for extracting resources."
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357	"I don't know the details, but I believe it is."
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359	"But now the mining enterprises are under the control of the Great Asian Alliance? Wouldn't they themselves suffer from EMP weapons? Why did they use magic that would cause them losses?"
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361	 Not knowing what to say, Mikihiko asked Tatsuya for help with a look.
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363	 Tatsuya didn't panic or complain, but simply spoke.
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365	"Recently there have been reports that in the Nigerian Delta region, the Great Asian Alliance began to lose positions. Using unmanned automatic weapons provided by France, local hostile armed groups have already occupied more than half of the territory."
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367	 These words were sufficient for Leo to understand something.
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369	 "Unmanned automatic weapons ...? So, therefore ...?"
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371	 "They gave priority to neutralizing drones, sacrificing mining equipment." Mikihiko came to the same conclusion.
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373	 However, these two didn't receive a higher score from Tatsuya.
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375	"The motive for using Thunderclap Tower on its territory is countermeasures against unmanned weapons. However, don't even mention that this magic also has the strength to kill. It will easily take the lives of those soldiers who don't have proper protection from the electricity, let alone civilians in ordinary clothes.
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377	 The faces of Leo and Mikihiko tightened. They had forgetten that the number of human casualties wasn't zero.
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379	"So, the real number of victims ... exceeds the announced number?"
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381	 "Another problem with the Thunderclap Tower is that it also paralyzes medical facilities." Most likely there are a lot of those who, although they didn't die instantly, but they will not be able to receive help ... " With a grim expression, Tatsuya answered Miyuki's timid question.
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387	CHAPTER 2
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393	Two years ago, at the Nine Schools Competition in 2095, Shizuku used the magic "Active Air Mine" developed by Tatsuya. With this magic, Shizuku took the crown of the Newcomers Division Speed Shooting. As a new magic, "Active Air Mine" was to be recorded in the National Magic University Compiled Magic Encyclopedia Index of True Names.
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395	 However, Tatsuya, who at the time had such a low status in the Yotsuba family that he was ignored and considered a freeloader, couldn't become the center of attention, and suggested registering Shizuku as a developer of "Active Air Mine."
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397	 But Shizuku would not agree with the proposal to take someone else's achievement. Eventually, the recording of the "Active Air Mine" was made in an incomplete form, with a note "the developer is unknown."
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399	 In January of this year the recording of this magic was at last officially registered. Tatsuya received the status of "son of the head of the family" and "the groom of the next head of the family," so he no longer had to hide. But at the same time, Tatsuya himself didn't take any active steps to expose himself to the light. The truth was that ever since the National Magic University realized that Tatsuya was the real developer, they were gradually approaching the disclosure of the truth. After the announcement of Tatsuya's bridegroom, the next head of the Yotsuba family, probably someone at the National Magic University remembered what happened and realized the circumstances. At the very beginning of the year, they called Tatsuya to get permission. They tearfully pleaded with him, referring to the fact that the magic has been stored for so long in an unfinished form, and eventually Tatsuya surrendered and gave his consent.
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401	 That's why today he felt that agreeing to use his name was a good decision.
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403	 "Well, at least that will not end up disturbing Shizuku." he thought as he saw the news this morning.
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405	Tatsuya's place like last year, was near the window into the corridor. There was still time left before classes began, and classroom class 3E was filled with whispering students looking at Tatsuya.
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407	 Pushing the upper half of her body through the window leading to the corridor, Erika glanced into the classroom. The students with whom she met her eyes turned away in confusion. Looking around the room with a gloomy look, Erika looked at Tatsuya.
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409	"These conversations about the fact that armed guerillas used Active Air Mine, is it true? The destructive power was Tactical class. I didn't think that the magic could have such power output." From Tatsuya's side of the blackboard spoke Mikihiko who came here from his class, but not out of curiosity, but because he was worried about Tatsuya.
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411	"Active Air Mine does not have an upper power limit. Although there is a relationship between scale and speed, but depending on the magician the power can be higher. I appreciate your concern, but judging by the condition of the corpses, this magic was used." Tatsuya replied in an indifferent tone. Mikihiko's face darkened, and the whisper in the room became more active. Obviously, the topic of classmate whispers was news, which this morning was spread by the media.
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413	 Two days ago, the use of the Strategic Class magic in Africa caused numerous deaths. In the summaries of the Great Asian Alliance controlling this region, the number of victims, as of yesterday is close to 900 people. Although it was already possible to say that the scale of the losses is quite large, but the Western media speculated that the losses among local people alone could exceed 3000 people.
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415	 Armed guerrillas can also be considered part of the "local residents". Also, those who can be called terrorists, and not guerillas, like to hide among residents. However, it was also obvious that most of these people were still ordinary civilians.
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417	 And last night they took revenge. The military base of the Great Asian Alliance in Central Asia was attacked by armed guerillas.
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419	 Responsibility for the attack was assumed by the organization "Army of Liberation of the Nigerian Delta" (EAND: Emancipation Army of the Nigerian Delta). It was the armed forces that proclaimed that they were continuing the case of the international terrorist organization "Movement for the Emancipation of the Nigerian Delta" (MEND: Movement for the Emancipation of the Nigerian Delta).
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421	 Given the coincidence in time, it seems that EAND planned an attack on the military base of the Great Asian Alliance long before, regardless of the use of the Strategic Class Magic Thunderclap Tower. The answer to that indiscriminate attack was only a visible cause. But as a result, a sneak attack actually became an act of revenge.
422
423	 In a statement reporting a successful attack, the key figure in the battle was a girl from the west coast of the Gulf of Guinea, a magician named Effia Mensah. And the magic she used was the same "Active Air Mine."
424
425	"Active Air Mine is magic that destroys solid objects with the help of vibration zones, in which compression waves are created. A person who falls into such a vibration zone will have all their bones shattered into, and he will die by turning into a soft bag filled with bloody porridge." Now that it was confirmed Effia Mensah was the first person to use this magic against people.
426
427	 "Although Tatsuya-kun is the developer of the magic, aren't the victims the responsibility of the participants in that conflict? Tatsuya-kun isn't responsible for this."
428
429	Erika bit her tongue in irritation. Because among the classmates with confused faces, Tatsuya had one exception.
430
431	"... The moral responsibility for creating inhuman magic lies just on him.
432
433	"Oh really?" Erika's caustic remark answered in a menacing tone. This forced the speaker of those words, Hirakawa Chiaki to turn away also.
434
435	"Erika, stop it."
436
437	 Tatsuya stopped Erika whose eyes were dangerously lit. The students sitting near Chiaki, fussed.
438
439	 "Moral responsibility ...? The dynamite of Nobel, the atomic bomb of Einstein. You can give a bunch of examples." Muttered Leo in a bored voice. "Although those who say so, will have increased now ..."
440
441	 In this place, there was no one who could refute these words.
442
443
444
445
446
447	â—Š â—Š â—Š
448
449
450
451
452
453	"You insist that the National Magic University isn't responsible, right?"
454
455	"The Magic Encyclopedia Index of True Names is only a collection of magical science research, and the National Magic University only plays the role of a research organization."
456
457	On the television screen, a representative of the National Magic University responding to the arrogant reporter's questions, spoke in a firm voice, but his face expressed that he was almost ready to surrender under the pressure of the enemy.
458
459	"So, you mean that the responsibility lies with the student of First High, who developed this murderous magic?"
460
461	 The representative turned pale and began to protest.
462
463	"The First High student does not bear responsibility!"
464
465	 However this panicky voice wasn't completely knocked down by the aggressive attitude of the reporter.
466
467	"In fact, this magic, developed by a student of a magic high school for the use in the Nine Schools Competition, claimed the lives of more than a hundred people."
468
469	"This was a military attack. Responsibility is borne by armed guerillas who used magic as a weapon, not a developer of magic."
470
471	"Is this true?"
472
473	"... What do you mean?"
474
475	 The reporter broke into a broad smile, showing that this moment was exactly what he was waiting for.
476
477	"Even among conventional weapons, all sorts of treaties forbid things such as poisonous gases or expansive(?) bullets. At the international level, any inhumane weapon is considered illegal."
478
479	"Active Air Mine isn't a weapon!"
480
481	 Realizing that the reporter wants him to say this, the representative of the university again changed their face. But even his heightened tone couldn't stop the reporter's language.
482
483	"But in fact it was used as a weapon."
484
485	"This ... This means that the responsibility is borne by those who used it."
486
487	"But if it has the word "mine" in the title, does that not mean that it was originally understood that it can be used as a weapon?"
488
489	 The representative of the university couldn't answer the reporter's question, to which he had been directing this conversation from the very beginning. Modern magic was originally designed as a weapon. The magic written in the Magic Encyclopedia was inherently suitable for military use, and it was difficult to call Active Air Mine an exception to this rule.
490
491	"The consensus opinion of the international community lies in the fact that the possession and development of inhumane weapons is illegal. In order to avoid accusations of inhumanity from the world community to our country, shouldn't the University pay more attention to proper guidance over its students and the students of the magic high schools assigned to it?"
492
493	"Our University believes that in the case of the magic developed by the Japanese used in the armed conflict in Central Asia, the responsibility lies with the party that used it."
494
495	 In the end, the representative of the university was able to complete the interview with just such an argument.
496
497
498
499
500
501	"Onii-sama, is it true that the international community isn't allowed not only to own, but also to develop inhuman weapons?"
502
503	 As an exception, this Sunday, a press conference was held at the National Magic University. It seems that the University decided that such a quick reaction is necessary in this case. Immediately after the end of this live interview, Tatsuya, who was watching it at home in the living room, was asked this question.
504
505	Miyuki, who was watching TV with him asked. It's been 4 months already since they publicly ceased to be a brother and sister, but Miyuki's Onii-sama expression was absolutely not going to disappear anywhere. Recently, you could often see the defiant behavior which according to her attitude to this was read: "If no one hears, then it's okay."
506
507	"Who knows. Although the prohibition of possession is an obvious fact, but is it possible to completely prohibit the development of new types of weapons? After all, whether it's an inhumane weapon cannot be determined until it exists."
508
509	"You mean that you cannot say whether it will be inhumane until it is actually used for the first time?"
510
511	"You can tell that it will be a weapon, even at the design stage without using it. Because it is done for a specific purpose."
512
513	 Turning to the interrogated Miyuki, Tatsuya shook his head with a smile.
514
515	 "But when something is developed as a weapon, usually a lot of details are kept secret until the end of the manufacturing process. Because usually there is a certainty that if you publish details before the end of the project, then it will not be approved due to the recognition of inhumane weapons."
516
517	 "Ah, that's the way it is."
518
519	"But in the case of magic, the situation may be different. For example, in the case of the airplane: it wasn't designed as a weapon, but can be used as a weapon. But if we exclude early cases of military use, modern aircraft are not used for battles, unless it is specially designed military aircraft. But in the case of magic, depending on the abilities of the magician even if he does not think to use it for military purposes, it can become both a simple weapon of murder and a weapon of mass destruction."
520
521	 Tatsuya sighed slightly.
522
523	"To tell the truth, I didn't even think that there was another magician who can cope with this magic. Yes, and at such a time. I'm really glad that in the end it didn't affect Shizuku."
524
525	In Tatsuya's words, with these thoughts resignation was felt. But Miyuki didn't understand with what exactly he resigned himself. Therefore, she couldn't decide how to respond to these words.
526
527
528
529
530
531	â—Š â—Š â—Š
532
533
534
535
536
537	 If you think about it logically, then Tatsuya isn't responsible for the fact that the soldiers and personnel of that military base of the Great Asian Alliance were victims. But in society there have always been people who, at least in the short term, don't behave according to logic. However, even though Tatsuya understood this he didn't expect that this would cause much influence.
538
539	 After school hours, Friday, May 10, 2097.
540
541	"Guys, please listen."
542
543	When she returned from the teacher's room, without sitting down and even before she left the doorway turned to the others as soon as she entered the Student Council Room. Everyone immediately realized that it was a serious matter.
544
545	 Tatsuya, Honoka, Izumi, Minami, Shiina. Looking around the five people, Miyuki continued to speak with a face that showed that she could barely restrain herself from crying.
546
547	"A message came from the committee for the Nine Schools Competition. The Nine Schools Competition for this year has been canceled."
548
549	 Miyuki's voice trembled slightly. But we can say that it behaved perfectly.
550
551	 Honoka and Izumi cried out in shock, and Minami and Shiina were frozen speechless.
552
553	 "... Miyuki, can I have a look at the message?" "Even Tatsuya needed a few seconds to react to this.
554
555	 "Yes ... wait a little." Still standing at the door Miyuki awkwardly went to her place. "... Here it is."
556
557	 After waiting for Miyuki to finish moving her fingers over the terminal, Tatsuya opened the document file copied to the general catalog of the Student Council.
558
559	 The other four, coming out of the daze, following Tatsuya, also opened the shared document.
560
561	"...All clear. So, it's still my fault?" Tatsuya said sighing.
562
563	"This isn't true!" Miyuki suppressed her emotions. It was anger that filled her.
564
565	"This is an outrageous false accusation! Onii-sama does not bear any responsibility at all!"
566
567	Simultaneously with the cry, the temperature in the room fell sharply. Miyuki not only stopped playing her role, but even forgot about controlling her magic.
568
569	 "Miyuki, calm down."
570
571	 Tatsuya didn't raise his voice, because he realized that this anger was because of him. But this does not mean that he didn't do anything. He stretched forward the index and middle fingers of his left hand folded together, and slightly waved them from right to left. The room suddenly returned to its original state. The frost that covered the windows disappeared without a trace, not even leaving condensation.
572
573	"Rewind ...?" whispered Shiina. However not only she, but all five girls including Miyuki heard an illusory sound, like a tape rewinding. This was a side effect of Tatsuya's use of "Regrowth" which reversed the raging cooling magic of Miyuki. As a result of the return of the information related to the "temperature" in the room to the state before the magic activation, ignoring all of its processes, the world itself returned to its original state, as if rewinding the phenomenon of cooling. The illusory sound that the girls heard was the noise of psion waves born when the reversed causal relationships created in the information dimension collided with the normal causal stream.
574
575	 "... I'm sorry, Tatsuya-sama."
576
577	 The realization that Tatsuya had to spend energy on her out-of-control magic, finally cooled Miyuki's head. She calmed down, as if the evil spirit that had possessed her had left.
578
579	 "But Tatsuya-sama does not bear any responsibility." The Nine Schools Competition was canceled due to the irresponsibility of the tournament committee. Indeed, in the last few days there has been a lot of criticism associated with the Nine Schools Competition, but wasn't it because of last year's changes?
580
581	"That's right! The argument about Active Air Mine was only a little at the very beginning! Now the critics mostly focus on the strong military flavor that was present at last year's tournament!"
582
583	 The attempts to console Miyuki and Honoka were related to a wave of hysteria in search for "responsibility for the creation of inhuman magic" which was raised in the media on Monday, the day after the press conference of the National Magic University. In particular, the adoption of "Steeplechase Cross-Country" as a competition at last year's tournament was criticized as being too militarized for high schools at the National Magic University.
584
585	 There were certain reasons for this criticism. The "Steeplechase Cross-Country" was a training course used by the military in which they competed, comparing the results of their training.
586
587	 And not only "Steeplechase Cross-Country". "Shield Down" was a competition organized for close combat training. " Rower and the Gunner" from the Navy training program had an even stronger military flavor than "Battle Board." The competitors themselves also had a feeling that the Nine Schools Competition was leaning towards the training of future soldiers.
588
589	 Such a change in the mood of the critics was undoubtedly the work of the media. Tatsuya also thought so. It was difficult to say whose work it was. Perhaps Shizuku's father put his hand to this before his daughter became a victim of the media. Or are these companies that manufacture conventional weapons trying to prevent magic from becoming a substitute for conventional weapons by trying to stop the military use of magic?
590
591	If the latter, then we can say that their plan was crowned with success.
592
593	 As a result, the attacked tournament committee voiced their thoughts that they regret that "magic invented for healthy competition was used by the armed forces" and announced the decision to cancel the tournament this year in order to conduct a review of the information management system of the National Magic University.
594
595	 "... Really. Sorry that I made you so excited."
596
597	 Tatsuya accepted the arguments of Miyuki and Honoka and apologized for his words. More precisely, he pretended to apologize.
598
599
600
601
602
603	â—Š â—Š â—Š
604
605
606
607
608
609	 Hearing the bad news about the cancellation of the Nine Schools Competition, not all students considered that in the cancellation of this major event the naiveté of the management system, which allowed the abuse of magic, is to blame. On the contrary, the students who agreed with the committees explanation for holding a review were undoubtedly very few.
610
611	 "Shippou, did you hear?"
612
613	 During club activities, Takuma was spoken to by his classmate and teammate Senkawa. These two were team mates in Monolith Code for the newcomer's division of last year.
614
615	"If you are talking about the cancellation of the Nine Schools Competition, then I heard." Takuma answered trying to look calm. But on the contrary the unnatural intonation of his voice was oozing disappointment.
616
617	 "We have another year, but you can only feel sorry for sempai. For them this is the last year of school and they thought they would have another opportunity."
618
619	"True ..." Takuma replied with a not very interested tone. Senkawa however didn't notice in this Takuma's message of "let's not talk about it."
620
621	"Listen, this cancellation it's only for this year right?"
622
623	"If they only need to revise the information management system, next year will everything be all right?"
624
625	"The truth. I would like it to be so." Senkawa honestly said in response to Takuma's words. "But still, using the information management system as an excuse? The truth is that if they don't eliminate the system of competitive competition and don't limit the use of magic, then next year, too, there may be difficulties?"
626
627	 Takuma's face twitched. Senkawa took this as an agreement with his opinion.
628
629	"The magic made by a high school student would usually never be used in a war. Shiba-sempai most likely also didn't expect anything like this."
630
631	"... Shiba-sempai isn't responsible for the cancellation of the Nine Schools Competition." Takuma's voice was more irritated than he had planned. And the answer itself was a surprise for Senkawa. He hurried to apologize.
632
633	 "I don't think that sempai is to blame either. Now that you said that, I realized that he was only a victim of the media. But, you know ... "Senkawa glanced at Takuma's expression.
634
635	"But what?"
636
637	 Takuma urged Senkawa to continue, and Senkawa had to do it without changing his face.
638
639	"What if Shiba-senpai knew about the possibility of using that magic for military purposes? Or that it could give such an effect."
640
641	 Takuma again twisted his face not from Senkawa's words, but from remembering the photographs of the victims published by the Grand Asian Alliance. It was quite a terrible sight receiving a high age rating, but Takuma was able to see these photos on the personal website of a single journalist.
642
643	"With the abilities of Kitiyama-senpai, she could have won "Speed Shooting" even without creating that magic. Did Shiba-senpai overdo it? From this point of view, it seems somehow ... reckless.
644
645	Since Takuma was silent and didn't agree, Senkawa's speech was getting quieter towards the end, and as a result he hesitated. But it wasn't because Takuma didn't approve Senkawa's opinion.
646
647	The fact was that everything was just the opposite, but Takuma didn't tell this to his friend.
648
649
650
651
652
653	â—Š â—Š â—Š
654
655
656
657
658
659	In First High there were relatively many students sympathizing with Tatsuya. The students of First High didn't forget that Tatsuya made a significant contribution to the overall victory last year and the year before. For this reason, there was doubt in their minds whether they should criticize Tatsuya.
660
661	 However, it is quite obvious that in other schools the situation was completely different.
662
663	"Masaki!"
664
665	"Ichijou-senpai!"
666
667	The headquarters of the disciplinary committee of Third High. Despite the fact that Masaki wasn't the head of the disciplinary committee, all the students, including the nominal head of the committee, believed that the head of the disciplinary committee of Third High was "Ichijo Masaki." Even the president of the Student Council recognized him as the head of the entire Third School. Probably just because the president of the Student Council was a girl who wasn't part of the 28 Houses, or the Hundred Families, Masaki could be considered even higher.
668
669	 But back to the main topic.
670
671	 At the headquarters of the disciplinary committee, where Masaki spent his time waiting for work (the Disciplinary Committee of Third High didn't focus on patrolling like at First High, but worked in the form of responding to reports from students), two students burst in: his classmate, and Kokhai a year younger.
672
673	 "What happened, you two?"
674
675	 They were both his teammates at last year's Nine Schools Competition. Kokhai was a student who hoped to become a team ace in the tournament next year.
676
677	"Is it true that the Nine Schools Competition was canceled!?"
678
679	 Hearing the question of a classmate, Masaki sighed.
680
681	"True. I just heard too."
682
683	"They canceled it because of that guy from First High!"
684
685	When any pupil of Third High spoke of a certain "boy from First High", it always referred to Tatsuya. Having received bitter experience in the Nine Schools Tournaments last year and the year before last, in Third High they began to consider Tatsuya as the main villain.
686
687	"This isn't true. To prevent the magic published in the Nine Schools Competition from falling into the hands of armed guerillas or terrorists, the information management system will be revised."
688
689	 Masaki also thought of Tatsuya as a "guy who is irritating." Cooperation in the affairs of Zhou Gunzin and Gu Jie gave rise to small signs of friendly relations, but for Masaki Tatsuya was still a rival.
690
691	But that's why the unfair treatment of Tatsuya as a villain didn't coincide with Masaki's opinion. For him it was an indisputable fact that Tatsuya was a "bad guy", but he felt that it would be cowardly to ignore the false accusations of such an enemy that should be defeated in a fair battle.
692
693	However, the classmate and the Kokhai were not attached to Tatsuya in the same way as Masaki.
694
695	"But this revision became necessary because this guy created inhuman magic?"
696
697	"Right. Whatever the excuses, the main reason is this asshole!"
698
699	"Therefore, they didn't hesitate to use Tatsuya as a target, to which they concentrated disappointment and irritation.
700
701	"Maybe it's an excuse ..."
702
703	For Masaki, all the pupils of Third High were "allies", and Tatsuya was "the enemy." He couldn't decide to defend Tatsuya before a classmate.
704
705	"Ichijou-senpai, please forgive me. But why is it because of this one guy that we all have to give up the Nine Schools Competition?"
706
707	"Indeed. For example, it was possible to not cancel the tournament but to hold it without the participation of First High. As a last resort, you could just forbid that guy to participate."
708
709	"No, they couldn't do that. Such discrimination would be criticized in the media."
710
711	Thinking that excluding Tatsuya from the tournament alone is an unheard-of exaggeration, Masaki with a reserved expression called on the guys to be more careful in terms.
712
713	"P-understandable. How many more problems is he going to deliver to us?"
714
715	"Whatever genius engineer he's called, does he really think that he will be forgiven of everything he's done?"
716
717	 However, the true meaning of Masaki's words wasn't passed on to a classmate or to Kokhai.
718
719
720
721
722
723	 Similar conversations have occurred in the other magic high schools.
724
725	 But none of the schools sent protests to First High. Each school made an official statement that there is no direct link between the cancellation of the Nine Schools Competition and the military use of Active Air Mine. However, the next day, on Saturday, when details about the cancellation of the Nine Schools Competition became known to everyone, attacks against Tatsuya spread among students of all magic high schools.
726
727	 And the news that flew in from America, as if to drive Tatsuya even further into a pit, from which not to get out.
728
729
730
731
732
733	CHAPTER 3
734
735
736
737
738
739	The main theme of the morning news release on Sunday, May 12, was the announcement of an international project, held in Los Angeles, at 13 o'clock local time.
740
741	 The speaker was Edward Clark. He was an engineer from a government agency known as the NSA: National Security Agency. In his statement it said that the NSA is calling for cooperation from all countries of the world.
742
743	 In fact, nothing has been done and America has just launched an international project alone.
744
745	It was called "Project Dione". It consisted in realizing the dream of terraforming Venus with the help of resources from Jupiter and its satellites using magical technologies.
746
747	 The diameter of Venus is equal to 0.95 of the diameter of the Earth. Gravity is equal to 0.9 of the earth. From these indicators, it looks much more suitable for human settlement than Mars. However the thick atmosphere of Venus, consisting of carbon dioxide and having clouds of sulfuric acid, had a high temperature due to the greenhouse effect. Many considered such conditions too complex for attempts to change them. As a result, most space exploration programs switched to Mars.
748
749	 But from the perspective of a settlement colony, Venus remained preferable to Mars, because of Mars remoteness from the Earth and low gravity, which adversely affects the human body.
750
751	"With the help of magic technology to implement the extremely complex terraforming of Venus's atmosphere which was too difficult for conventional technology." This was the essence of "Project Dione.
752
753	 Edward Clark voiced the names of nine people who, besides him are necessary for the implementation of "Project Dione." In this list were not only scientists. The names of the president of Maximilian Devices, Paul Maximilian, and the president of Rosen MagiCraft, Friedrich Rosen, were also mentioned.
754
755	 That is, the cooperation of the two largest manufacturers of magic equipment was requested which was quite reasonable regardless of the possibility of obtaining this cooperation. The likelihood of obtaining the cooperation mentioned in the list of William MacLeod and Igor Andreivitch Bezobrazzoff, the world-famous "Apostles", was even lower, but their names could also be understood on the list.
756
757	 The reason why the Japanese media drew attention to the project, which was only at the planning stage, was the tenth person on the list, whose name wasn't named.
758
759	 After voicing the names of nine people, Edward Clark looked at the camera and said:
760
761	"There is another technical specialist, whom we very much want to see on the project. We cannot give a real name, because according to the laws of the country of residence, he's still considered a minor. I can only say that this is a Japanese high school student, who acts under the pseudonym "Taurus Silver"."
762
763
764
765
766
767	"This is an unpleasant situation ..." Tatsuya muttered in an unhappy voice, watching the morning news recording, sitting on the sofa in the living room. The morning, which from the very beginning was far from good, became even worse.
768
769	 Seated next to him, Miyuki looked at him with concern in her eyes. But she couldn't decide to speak. No, it seems that she simply didn't know what to say.
770
771	 "... I'm sorry, Miyuki." Looks like I made you worry too much. Noticing Miyuki's eyes, Tatsuya said and turned to her with his usual soothing smile on his face.
772
773	However, this smiling face immediately froze. Miyuki's cheeks were shedding tears.
774
775	"......"
776
777	Now it was Tatsuya's turn to shut up, not knowing what to say.
778
779	"P-I'm sorry."
780
781	In a hurry, Miyuki tried to wipe the tears with her fingers. A clean handkerchief was stretched from behind her.
782
783	"Thank you, Minami-chan."
784
785	Miyuki looking back to thank Minami, took the handkerchief from her, but instead of wiping her tears, she simply dabbed it to her face, putting it to her eyes.
786
787	 "... Miyuki?" Tatsuya timidly called her name.
788
789
790
791	Miyuki slightly lowered her handkerchief. Her face, looking out from under the bangs, was bright red.
792
793	"I apologize. To so suddenly cry ... I acted like a child ...?"
794
795	It seems that Miyuki was ashamed for showing her tears like this.
796
797	"No, I don't consider you a child ... but what, has happened?"
798
799	Miyuki removed the handkerchief from her face. Her face still showed signs of redness.
800
801	"Um ... Onii-sama. No, Tatsuya-sama." Correcting her appeal to Tatsuya, Miyuki involuntarily looked away. "I'm asking you ... don't make yourself smile in front of me."
802
803	"I would not ..."
804
805	Tatsuya couldn't finish the words of justification. Because he knew that he does not know how to lie well.
806
807	"I also understand that Tatsuya-sama was in a difficult situation. I cannot help but understand Tatsuya-sama."
808
809	"Really ..."
810
811	"Maybe I cannot do anything ... But, Tatsuya-sama, at least share your problems with me. Because I'm no longer your sister, but your bride."
812
813	 Miyuki glanced sideways and looked at Tatsuya's expression. Although she didn't say anything strange, she was ashamed of her words.
814
815	Usually in such a situation, he would just tenderly embrace her without any reason.
816
817	But he didn't know how this would affect her in her current state.
818
819	At such times, you cannot let her lose control over herself, or you can lose your life.
820
821	These were Tatsuya's reflections, looking at the shy Miyuki.
822
823
824
825
826
827	Thanks to Miyuki, Tatsuya's mood improved, but that didn't mean that the problems that had fallen on him disappeared. On the contrary, from now on he will have to deal with them.
828
829	"... What matters most is ..." In response to Miyuki's request, Tatsuya began to explain to her the current situation. "... that they could recognize the identity of Taurus Silver. And on this we cannot do anything."
830
831	"Erasing the memory of Edward Clark will not make sense ...?"
832
833	"Right. We should think about what to do in a situation where the world has learned that I am Taurus Silver."
834
835	"You cannot accept Edward Clark's invitation?"
836
837	"I cannot. To find out Edward Clark's true purpose, we need to study the content of "Project Dione" ... But whether or not it will benefit magicians, in my current position I cannot go to the USNA."
838
839	"... And if both of you-yourself will allow, what will you choose?"
840
841	"Even if both are allowed, I'm not going to leave you."
842
843	Miyuki turned away with a red face. Because of her recent statement "I'm no longer your sister, but a bride," she perceived the opposite sex in Tatsuya more than usual.
844
845	Tatsuya wasn't puzzled by Miyuki's different behavior. He already knew for himself that his words were rather embarrassing. You cannot help that she cannot cope with her shyness, being in a state where she's firmly aware of herself as a bride, and not her usual younger sister.
846
847	But if I apologize, the awkwardness will only increase. Tatsuya decided not to look at Miyuki shivering with shame and continued to speak.
848
849	"Although I am not interested in international projects of non-military magic ... Let's start by organizing the information we have."
850
851	 "... I'll take a look."
852
853	The information provided by Edward Clark had a brief project plan. Tatsuya ran his eyes through the original document, and Miyuki read the translated text.
854
855	 Minami placed a cup of freshly brewed tea in front of them. As if on a signal, Tatsuya and Miyuki simultaneously looked up from the electronic paper with the details of the project.
856
857	"... The so-called Dione, it does not seem to be Saturn's companion "Dione", but the goddess of Greek myths."
858
859	"Right. Wife of Zeus, who gave birth to Aphrodite. From that version of the myth, where Aphrodite is born from sea foam."
860
861	"Zeus is Jupiter. Aphrodite is Venus. So this is ... a project of a goddess who will revive Venus with Jupiter's resources?"
862
863	"I think you're right. In my opinion, this project in itself makes sense for humanity, but ..."
864
865	Tatsuya again looked at the electronic paper and frowned. The project consisted of four stages.
866
867	The first stage was launching into space materials and finished equipment, using Weight and Acceleration magic. It is the gravity of the Earth that becomes the biggest obstacle in the construction of large-scale structures in space. To deliver massive objects into orbit, powerful rocket engines with high thrust are required. To use extraterrestrial resources, the first equipment for construction and production must be delivered from Earth.
868
869	For this purpose, it wasn't planned to create high-thrust rockets, but with the help of Weight and Acceleration magic to help existing rockets deliver massive objects into space.
870
871	 This has been done before. Before the war there was a project to create a platform in space shooting massive hypersonic shells that would become a new strategic weapon, to replace nuclear weapons. The project's bottleneck was the thrust of rocket engines. In order to be considered strategic weapons, it was necessary to use a large number of massive shells. It was necessary either to develop a rocket engine with high thrust capable of delivering such a mass into orbit, or launch conventional missiles many times. The cost was unacceptable, even under the pretext of replacing nuclear weapons.
872
873	 Then it was thought to put two magicians in the rocket, which will use Weight and Acceleration magic. One person reduces gravity for the entire rocket, including cargo (rockets with massive projectiles and components for the construction of the platform), and the other adds to the acceleration force of the rocket engine. The US, the predecessor of the USNA, with the help of this method, in fact, was able to put into orbit a strategic military satellite that was to become a platform for launching missiles.
874
875	However this scheme was abandoned after the launch of just one strategic military satellite. All twelve magicians involved in six missile launches carrying 30 missiles and spare parts for the satellite were killed in orbit.
876
877	Not as a result of an accident. No, this definitely should be called an accident, because in addition to the magicians no more people died, neither among the pilots, nor among the technicians. The use of magic in conditions where an object weighing 600 tons for a short period of time strongly varies mass and gravity, caused the magicians magic calculation zone to overload.
878
879	Nevertheless, a new solution has already been invented on this issue. Although it has not yet been proven in terms of value, it was obvious that the experiments will prove successful. This part of the project didn't cause any concern to Tatsuya.
880
881	 The second stage consisted in using magicians to extract from the asteroid belt the necessary metal resources for the project.
882
883	 The "Project Dione" required a large amount of nickel, and it could be obtained from "Class M asteroids". In addition to nickel, most of the metal resources needed to create space equipment could be obtained in space without using resources extracted from the earth's interior. However, extraction of resources in a space with zero gravity has one significant drawback: fuel (propellant) will be spent for any, even minimal, movement.
884
885	 In this project, it was proposed to solve the problem of the propellant, using Move-type magic for work in outer space. Indeed, using Move-type magic it will be possible to freely move asteroids and other small celestial bodies, using the main ship as a starting point. It would be nice if a magician who worked for a long time as a miner would join the project to work in the asteroid belt located far from the Earth.
886
887	The third stage consisted in using magic to collect hydrogen from Jupiter and transport it to Venus. It was planned to use the Sabatier reaction, in which hydrogen reacts with carbon dioxide, resulting in water and methane. This scheme will not only bring water to the dehydrated Venus, but also reduce the carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere. And nickel is the catalyst for this reaction.
888
889	 In orbit around Venus will be placed tethered (cabled to the surface) satellites, and on the cables will be fixed nickel special shaped containers. The hydrogen delivered from Jupiter will be loaded into the main module of the satellite and sent along the pipe-shaped cable down into the nickel containers. Near the surface of Venus is a fairly high temperature and pressure, so the Sabatier reaction, using nickel as a catalyst, will occur without the addition of additional heat and pressure.
890
891	When a sufficient level of water is reached in the atmosphere of Venus, it will be possible to start producing oxygen with genetically modified algae.
892
893	 According to the proposed scheme, magicians are placed in the orbits of Jupiter and Venus, where using a combination of Movement and Acceleration magic will control the process of sending cargo ships from Jupiter with hydrogen and the process of receiving them on Venus.
894
895	However, water (water vapor) and methane are gases that cause an even stronger greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide. As carbon dioxide decreases, the high temperature of Venus will become even higher. Therefore, from the surface of Callisto, one of the Galilean satellites, ice will be cut out, sent to Venus and discharged into its atmosphere, thereby lowering its temperature. The fourth point of the list suggested the use of magic to cut and transport these giant blocks of ice.
896
897	 Since the combination of concentrated sulfuric acid and ice works as a cryogen, it was expected that the atmosphere of Venus will be effectively cooled when a large amount of ice is thrown into it. It was assumed that this would be sufficient to complete the first stage of the terraforming of the atmosphere of Venus, even if the production of water according to Sabatier's reaction does not go with the expected efficiency.
898
899	However, these schemes of the third and fourth stages required that magicians live in the orbits of Jupiter and Venus. In order to continuously send cargo ships and ice blocks for a long time while overcoming the gravity of Jupiter, a considerable number of magicians were required. Venus also required the presence of many magicians, since tethered satellites for effective work would not be 1-2, but many more. Magicians sent to Jupiter and Venus will not be able to return to Earth for many months, or even years. This also involved magicians sent as space miners in the second stage.
900
901	"I knew it was ..."
902
903	"Is there something wrong?"
904
905	 Still frowning, Tatsuya nodded at Miyuki's question.
906
907	"Maybe I'm exaggerating. More precisely, I would prefer for it to be so ... But it seems to me that the goal of this project is the expulsion of magicians from the Earth, who are a threat to people."
908
909	"Expelling them ... into space?"
910
911	There was no sense of danger in Miyuki's voice. It seems that she has not yet really understood the situation.
912
913	Perhaps it was inevitable. As a result of social upheavals caused by global cooling, and the subsequent war, the development of space technologies has stopped, and at the moment was at the same level. And manned space flights ceased to be carried out from the first half of the 21st century.
914
915	Even representatives of the elite profession of the "astronaut" stopped flying into space. Therefore, the parts about sending magicians to space, undoubtedly, are difficult to immediately grasp.
916
917	"Naturally, officially it will be the exploration of the cosmos. But the magicians involved in this project will not be able to return to Earth for a very long time. Even if they return due to exhaustion, they will be sent back again as soon as their condition improves."
918
919	 Tatsuya spoke without taking his eyes off the electronic paper, and without looking up.
920
921	"Devote your whole life to exploring the cosmos. I think this is a wonderful way of life. But I ..."
922
923	 Tatsuya plunged deep into his thoughts, never looked at Miyuki.
924
925
926
927
928
929	â—Š â—Š â—Š
930
931
932
933
934
935	The next morning (Monday). Class 3A.
936
937	 There was already more than half, but less than 2/3 of the students. Miyuki had not yet appeared in the class.
938
939	Pupils in the classroom, gathered in groups of friends, chatted about different things. In this sense, high school students of magic were the most ordinary high school students.
940
941	Students who discuss the cancellation of the Nine Schools Competition are very few. Not because they didn't care, but because they tried to avoid the feelings associated with it. After all, the user of the problem magic "Active Air Mine" was present in this class, and class A students understood well that Tatsuya's help to achieve a common victory last year and the year before last. In this class there were many participants in those competitions, so nobody wanted to choose this topic for discussion.
942
943	But this does not mean that they had nothing to talk about in return for this. Many students discussed yesterday's news about the USNA space exploration project.
944
945	 Honoka and Shizuku were no exception.
946
947	 "Shizuku, is that really true?"
948
949	"Is this?"
950
951	"Well, it's ... The fact that Taurus Silver is really a high school student from Japan."
952
953	Like Honoka, interest in Taurus Silver's real identity was very high among high school students.
954
955	And suddenly it turns out that the ingenious engineer of magic hiding his identity is in fact the same as they are a high school student.
956
957	"You cannot immediately say that this is a lie. For example, there is Kichijouji-kun."
958
959	 In the field related to the study of magic, there were no people who didn't know the famous pioneer of the "Cardinal Code", a third-grade student from Third High, Kichijouji Shinkurou. He made his discovery when he was only 13 years old. But since that time he had not had any special achievements, and the name of Kichijouji Shinkurou couldn't even get close to the name of Taurus Silver, who created flight magic, which was the solution to one of the "Three Great Puzzles of Magic."
960
961	Shizuku's theory was that having Kichijouji Shinkurou from Third High as an example, we can say that there isn'thing strange in making Taurus Silver a high school student.
962
963	"Listen, Shizuku ..."
964
965	They were old friends. Shizuku understood that Honoka herself couldn't say this, and decided to help her.
966
967	"What?"
968
969	Therefore, Shizuku decided to not hesitate to start talking to Honoka.
970
971	"Taurus Silver ... this is Tatsuya-san?"
972
973	"It is a possibility."
974
975	It was an instant response. Honoka stared at her with wide-open eyes.
976
977	"What happened?"
978
979	"... I didn't expect to get such a quick response ..."
980
981	"It's just that I also thought so recently."
982
983	Shizuku again gave an immediate response.
984
985	"So I thought? Do you mean that I thought so when I heard that Taurus Silver is a high school student?"
986
987	"Yeah."
988
989	Shizuku nodded, completely unconcerned, after which she thought that replying only would be too impolite, and with a little delay added a short explanation.
990
991	"If Taurus Silver is a Japanese high school student, then I can only think about Tatsuya-san."
992
993	"... Indeed, it looks like you're right."
994
995	 Honoka made a pensive face.
996
997	"So ..., ...!"
998
999	 But Honoka couldn't finish speaking. When she saw Miyuki entering the class, she immediately closed her mouth.
1000
1001	"Good morning."
1002
1003	"Good morning Miyuki."
1004
1005	 Shizuku responded first to Miyuki's morning greeting.
1006
1007	"Good morning Miyuki.
1008
1009	Honoka followed her example. Before Miyuki, she was never able to voice her fear that Tatsuya would leave for America.
1010
1011
1012
1013
1014
1015	â—Š â—Š â—Š
1016
1017
1018
1019
1020
1021	Tatsuya slipped into his class at the very last moment before the beginning of the lesson. However, after reading the message that came to the student terminal, he had to get up right after he sat down.
1022
1023	"Tatsuya-san, what happened?"
1024
1025	Mizuki, sitting next to Tatsuya as usual, asked with suspicion in her voice. At this school there was no such thing as changing places when going to the next grade."
1026
1027	"I was called to the teacher's room. So I went."
1028
1029	Mizuki's face darkened. In addition to Mizuki, other classmates who also heard Tatsuya's response followed him with uneasy glances.
1030
1031	"It's good that I didn't tell the truth," Tatsuya thought, looking at that reaction. Because in fact he was summoned not to the teacher's room but to the principles's office.
1032
1033
1034
1035
1036
1037	In the office of the principle three people waited for Tatsuya: the director of Momoyama, the vice principle Yaosaka, and the teacher from class 3E, Jennifer Smith.
1038
1039	Momoyama was sitting at a large desk, Yaosaka was standing at the side of the table, and Jennifer was standing diagonally behind Yaosaka.
1040
1041	I'll get straight to the point. There is one thing that I want to confirm."
1042
1043	When Tatsuya stood in front of the table, Momoyama spoke, skipping the introduction.
1044
1045	"Shiba Tatsuya-kun. Are you Taurus Silver?"
1046
1047	"... How did you decide this?"
1048
1049	Instead of answering Momoyama's question, Tatsuya answered the question with a question.
1050
1051	Although this was unthinkably rude behavior for the relationship between the student and the principle, but Momoyama somehow didn't show that this affected his mood. This attitude was because he had previously assumed that Tatsuya would not respond.
1052
1053	Through the American embassy, I received a letter from the NSA, the National Security Agency of the USNA. Yesterday an embassy employee brought it straight to my house."
1054
1055	Momoyama wasn't only the director of First High, but also the universally recognized authority of magical education. As a civilian, he wasn't engaged in diplomacy. It was rather unusual that an embassy employee brought a letter of diplomatic content to a simple civilian.
1056
1057	But Tatsuya didn't move his eyebrows when he heard this. Momoyama was also calm about the impudent behavior of the 18-year-old boy.
1058
1059	The views of Tatsuya and Momoyama collided with each other. Figuratively speaking, it wasn't throwing sparks in looks, but pressure on each other. Vice principle Yaosaka who was looking at the side of this confrontation between two people, turned a pale face.
1060
1061	"Here is this letter."
1062
1063	Momoyama took out a white envelope from the drawer of the table and laid it on the table.
1064
1065	"Here is written request "To make sure that Taurus Silver, Mr. Tatsuya Shiba was able to take part in Project Dione." The National Security Agency of the USNA has come to the conclusion that you are Taurus Silver, and requests your participation in the project."
1066
1067	"Principle. I'm still a high school student at this school. I'm not going to interrupt my studies halfway."
1068
1069	Tatsuya didn't answer the question "Are you Taurus Silver?". He deliberately ignored this part, and fundamentally refused to participate in the project, or rather rejected it.
1070
1071	"A pupil of our school is invited to an international magical project. I believe that you are honored."
1072
1073	Momoyama broke off for a moment and looked at Tatsuya with a particularly strong gleam in his eyes.
1074
1075	"And not only me. The Director of the National Magic University is of the same opinion. If you take part in the NSA project, you will be counted as graduated from school and granted the right to enter the National Magic University. If you cannot attend the University due to the employment in the project, then during the period of participation in the project you will receive the marks automatically, and if participation in the project will reach four years, then you will automatically receive a diploma."
1076
1077	"Is this an official decision?"
1078
1079	"It's not officially decided yet, but I guarantee you this with my name and status."
1080
1081	Before Tatsuya could answer, Momoyama turned to Jennifer.
1082
1083	"Smith-sensei. Shiba-kun after all already has the knowledge and skills sufficient for the graduation of our school, is that correct?"
1084
1085	"It is as you say."
1086
1087	Jennifer replied in a reluctant tone.
1088
1089	"Even last year's "Stellar Furnace" experiment is enough to evaluate Shiba-kun, who has already reached the level of a graduate of the National Magic University."
1090
1091	"Understood."
1092
1093	Momoyama nodded to Jennifer and looked again at Tatsuya.
1094
1095	"Shiba-kun. Do you yourself not think that you're wasting your time here, the level of which is much lower than yours?"
1096
1097	"I don't consider education at this school useless."
1098
1099	"Don't be modest."
1100
1101	Momoyama didn't find Tatsuya's words insincere.
1102
1103	"I understand that you cannot make a decision so quickly. Fortunately, the NSA didn't set a specific deadline for an answer. Shiba-kun, from now on you are released from school, but in return, think it over."
1104
1105	"... Does this mean that you are suspending me from classes?"
1106
1107	Tatsuya asked Momoyama in a deliberately calm tone.
1108
1109	"It's not punishment. You can as before use school equipment at your discretion. Even if you don't attend classes, they will be counted towards you as attended including practical classes. Periodic tests and practicals too are not necessary. All of them will be counted as passed with an A score."
1110
1111	Momoyama spoke not particularly demanding gratitude, but in a simple indifferent tone."
1112
1113	"I understand. Give me time to think, please."
1114
1115	Thus, pretending that he cannot give an answer, Tatsuya was able to earn some time.
1116
1117
1118
1119
1120
1121	â—Š â—Š â—Š
1122
1123
1124
1125
1126
1127	Returning from the director's office, Tatsuya began to study with such a face, as if nothing had happened. The last lesson before dinner was practical exams, but Jennifer didn't look at him with a suspicious glance, but also made a face as if nothing had happened.
1128
1129	The first actions, other than the usual ones, he took only after class during the beginning of the school council."
1130
1131	"Miyuki, I need to talk to you about something."
1132
1133	"Understood. Will it be ok here?"
1134
1135	"Yes. I want the others to hear too."
1136
1137	"At Miyuki's question, meaning whether they need to move to another place, Tatsuya replied that it is also ok. Miyuki was puzzled not understanding what Tatsuya wanted to do, so she decided to listen first to what he would say. She rose from the desk of the president of the Student Council and went to the discussion table.
1138
1139	Tatsuya sat opposite Miyuki. Honoka, Izumi and Shiina, sitting in their seats, turned to the side of the table, and Minami stood diagonally behind Miyuki.
1140
1141	Pixie got up from her chair in the corner of the room and brought tea for those who sat at the table. Tatsuya could clearly seen from his place that Minami was upset by this, although her expression didn't change at all.
1142
1143	 "So, Tatsuya-sama, what did you want to talk about?" Waiting for Pixie to step back from the table, Miyuki began. All present strained their ears to not miss Tatsuya's answer.
1144
1145	"This morning I was summoned to the director's office, where they informed me that I had been released from school."
1146
1147	"Why!?" Miyuki stood up and leaned over the table, leaning on it with her hands.
1148
1149	Not just Miyuki. Honoka also jumped up from her chair.
1150
1151	"The reason I will explain at home. I was told that this isn't a suspension or a ban on going to school. The truth is that they don't seem to want me to go to school for a while."
1152
1153	"... The reason for suspension?"
1154
1155	Miyuki sat back down. With great effort to calm down, she asked to continue the story.
1156
1157	"That's right."
1158
1159	"... Is it because of the cancellation of the Nine Schools Competition?" Izumi inserted her own question.
1160
1161	"This isn't a direct reason, but it could be part of it."
1162
1163	"Then the direct reason, really ..."
1164
1165	From the still standing Honoka, words broke out that couldn't be understood, it was a question or a conversation with herself. Honoka thought "Since Tatsuya-san is Taurus Silver, he was invited to the American project?". This was absolutely the right answer, but when Tatsuya looked at her with a glance inviting her to continue talking, she waved her head with the words "No, nothing" without asking anything. Tatsuya decided not to press on Honoka and turned back to Miyuki.
1166
1167	"Perhaps, on this issue, the "family" will also be able to tell us something."
1168
1169	 Not only Miyuki and Minami, but also Honoka, Izumi and Shiina realized that when he mentioned the "family", he meant the Yotsuba family.
1170
1171	"I cannot deny the possibility that I will not be able to attend school for a while. Therefore, I want to leave the position of a member of the Student Council."
1172
1173	The Student Council room was covered by a veil of silence.
1174
1175	Miyuki was silent, Tatsuya was waiting for her answer.
1176
1177	Izumi looked silently at Miyuki, and Honoka on Tatsuya.
1178
1179	 Shiina flicked her eyes from Miyuki to Tatsuya and back, and Minami stood with her eyes on the floor.
1180
1181	To replace the cooled tea, Pixie came over to pick up the cups. Minami, quickly figuring out, served a new tea for Tatsuya and Miyuki. Then she came back behind Miyuki with a satisfied smile.
1182
1183	"...I understand." At last, breaking the silence with pain in her voice, Miyuki squeezed out the answer. "But if you stop being a member of the Student Council, you cannot wear a CAD at school. I believe that even at least nominally, it's better to remain a member of the school council."
1184
1185	"But then it will not make any sense."
1186
1187	"No one will not complain."
1188
1189	Miyuki talked about abuse for personal purposes. Tatsuya first was going to reproach her. However, seeing the tragic sight of Miyuki, ready to cry at any time he abandoned this idea.
1190
1191	"...I understand. We'll do it like you said."
1192
1193	In fact, the order in the school for Tatsuya was absolutely irrelevant.
1194
1195
1196
1197
1198
1199	â—Š â—Š â—Š
1200
1201
1202
1203
1204
1205	I managed to sort things out with the Student Council, but Tatsuya and Miyuki had other problems that still had to be solved.
1206
1207	 "Both of you, sorry for the late call."
1208
1209	It was impossible to keep silent to Maya about the letter received by principle Momoyama from the National Security Agency of the USNA. Picking the most suitable time, Tatsuya called the main house.
1210
1211	"It's okay. Do you've important business?"
1212
1213	Looking at the expression on Maya's face, Tatsuya felt slight discomfort. Because it seemed to him that Maya isn't pretending, but really does not know what business he called about. Trying to be much stronger than usual, so that thoughts don't affect the expression on the face, Tatsuya answered Maya's question.
1214
1215	"Yes. I think this is a serious situation."
1216
1217	Having said this as an introduction, Tatsuya continued before Maya said anything.
1218
1219	"Principle Momoyama of First High, vice principle Yaosaka, and a teacher named Jennifer Smith discovered the identity of Taurus Silver. It seems that it was written in a document sent to principle Momoyama from the National Security Agency of the USNA through the American embassy.
1220
1221	".... Does this apply to that recent "project"?
1222
1223	Maya answered with a slight delay. It also proved that this information was unexpected for her.
1224
1225	"That's right."
1226
1227	"Tatsuya-san, you didn't ... confirm it, did you?"
1228
1229	 To the question "Are you Taurus Silver?" Tatsuya cannot just answer "True." Maya realized this in the middle of her question.
1230
1231	"No. However, it still does not make sense."
1232
1233	Even if Tatsuya denies it, both Momoyama and Yaosaka will still believe the NSA. And not only they. Many people who know Tatsuya after hearing the statement that "the real personality of Taurus Silver is Shiba Tatsuya," immediately admit that this is true. Not because the NSA is an institution of the American government. By now, Tatsuya has already shown too many abilities that point to this.
1234
1235	"Really ... Although this is much earlier than planned, we will have to give up hiding the identity of Taurus Silver."
1236
1237	 Maya on the videophone's screen took a pensive look. Tatsuya didn't say anything and patiently waited for her to speak.
1238
1239	"... By the way, did Momoyama-sensei say anything else?"
1240
1241	Tatsuya told all about the conditions offered to him by Momoyama.
1242
1243	"Momoyama-sensei seems to be doing this to avoid interference by politicians and the media in the affairs of the school administration regarding the'ssue of Tatsuya-san's position."
1244
1245	"I also think so."
1246
1247	Maya's assumptions about Momoyama's motives coincided with Tatsuya's assumptions.
1248
1249	"I see ... Tatsuya-san, it's best for you not to visit First High for a while."
1250
1251	 "Do you want to keep me under house arrest in the main house?"
1252
1253	After the Yokohama incident, for using Material Burst, Tatsuya already received direct instructions from Maya to stay in the main house for a while.
1254
1255	Tatsuya asked, thinking that this time would be the same, but Maya shook her head on the screen.
1256
1257	"I would not say that this is a "house arrest". Since after all tomorrow, annoying noise will begin to increase around you? I don't think that such things will violate your judgment, but is it not annoying? Therefore, I think to cool the public's fervor, you need to pretend that you are punished with house arrest."
1258
1259	Tatsuya couldn't just take and honestly believe Maya's words. He felt that behind these words something was hidden, although he couldn't say what exactly.
1260
1261	But Tatsuya couldn't disagree with the opinion that the public needed time to cool down, so he nodded with the words "I completely agree."
1262
1263	"Escape", contrary to the negative image of this word, was often an effective way of solving problems. And "patience", on the contrary, tended to lead to such concepts as "surrender," "submit," "acquiesce." And in the current case too, rather than clinging to First High, it is better to temporarily escape to wait for a change in the situation.
1264
1265	But for this ...
1266
1267	"I don't mean that you need to start right away tomorrow. Since you and Miyuki-san will be separated for a while, then you need to make some preparations."
1268
1269	This is exactly what Tatsuya was thinking now. Only he was released from school, and Miyuki couldn't miss school with him.
1270
1271	If it will be a short period, less than a week, this has happened more than once. However, this time there was a chance that this could drag on for a month or more. Although he could "watch" her from afar, but he couldn't stop worrying that Miyuki and Minami would be left alone in this house.
1272
1273	Maya on the screen looked at Miyuki standing next to Tatsuya, then diagonally behind her from Minami, then looked back at Tatsuya.
1274
1275	"We'll leave the security in the school at Minami-chan. Although Tatsuya-san may be worried ..."
1276
1277	Looking directly at the camera, Tatsuya shook his head.
1278
1279	"No. I realize that Minami's abilities are impeccable."
1280
1281	Minami's cheeks were slightly pink. Knowing that Tatsuya never throws words into the wind, she was greatly encouraged by the trust shown to her.
1282
1283	"I see. Then, Minami-chan, I rely on you."
1284
1285	"Leave it to me, madam." Inspired by Minami. Maya nodded in satisfaction to Minami from the videophone screen.
1286
1287	"For the road to school and back we will provide additional people. It's not that I doubt the abilities of Minami-chan..."
1288
1289	"I understand." Minami nodded with a submissive face. She didn't have so much self-confidence to say "I'm enough alone."
1290
1291	"The problem is at night. When there are only two of you, if you're attacked during sleep, there is no guarantee that you will not make a mistake."
1292
1293	Neither Tatsuya, Miyuki, nor Minami had any objections to Maya's words. Even if they had thoughts like "There's nothing to worry about," it was silly to provoke Maya with such useless persistence. All three understood this perfectly.
1294
1295	"Miyuki-san."
1296
1297	"Yes."
1298
1299	"Though it's troublesome, but, I wonder, could you move to Chofu?"
1300
1301	Maya spoke with Miyuki, because these were measures for her.
1302
1303	Speaking about Chofu, do you mean that building?
1304
1305	"Indeed."
1306
1307	Answering Miyuki's question, Maya nodded with a smile.
1308
1309	"This building was built as the headquarters of the Yotsuba family in the metropolitan area, so I planned that Miyuki would move there in the near future. Although the schedule has greatly accelerated, there is now a good opportunity. Move next Sunday. I will organize the necessary preparatory activities."
1310
1311	Everything happened too quickly. Miyuki thought so, but replied to Maya in an obedient tone.
1312
1313	"I understand."
1314
1315	Maya knew that Miyuki would not mind, so she immediately went on to the following instructions.
1316
1317	"Tatsuya-san, when you finish the move, go to the villa in Izu."
1318
1319	"Is there a Yotsuba base in Izu?"
1320
1321	The first thing that Tatsuya thought was "is it normal that it will not be the main house?". But being afraid to "wake up famously", he didn't voice this question. Instead, Tatsuya asked what is in Izu.
1322
1323	"Ara, I thought Tatsuya-san should know?"
1324
1325	Despite the fact that Maya deliberately showed surprise, Tatsuya didn't begin to voice the idea that came to his mind, but silently waited for the continuation of her words.
1326
1327	"There is a villa in Chofu that your mother used for rest, isn't it?"
1328
1329	"Have you not got rid of it yet?"
1330
1331	"I didn't get rid of it. Because it was your mother's favorite villa."
1332
1333	Tatsuya didn't think that someone in Yotsuba's family appreciates such feelings. But he immediately rethought it.
1334
1335	For the sake of one girl, they declared war on a whole country, and took revenge at the cost of half the family's lives. In a family like Yotsuba, the sentimentality, in which personal memories are carefully preserved, was important (or, I might say, appropriate).
1336
1337	"We will arrange for everything to be transported on Sunday. We will organize the research equipment on site so that you can work."
1338
1339	"What preparations have already been made if they can install workstations and equipment for customization in just a week? Maybe this villa was actually an external research base?"
1340
1341	Such thoughts came to Tatsuya's mind, but he doubted whether they should be voiced.
1342
1343	"We will do as you say."
1344
1345	Showing obedience, Tatsuya bowed to the image of Maya on the display.
1346
1347
1348
1349
1350
1351	â—Š â—Š â—Š
1352
1353
1354
1355
1356
1357	When she finished her telephone conversation with Tatsuya, Maya finished her cup of tea with a pleased face, after which the smile disappeared.
1358
1359	She held out a cup to bring back her table. However, before the cup touched the saucer, she threw it into the air.
1360
1361	Immediately after this, the room was covered by "Night".
1362
1363	It wasn't darkness. It was the night sky on which the stars shine.
1364
1365	And the stars fell.
1366
1367	Falling stars from all directions rushed towards the tea cup.
1368
1369	The night was gone, room lighting returned, and the splinters of the cup fell to the floor.
1370
1371	"Someone, take it away." There was an unruffled voice from behind Maya. With the words "Yes, immediately", a maid appeared in the maid's clothes, with a broom and a shovel in her hands. Quickly removing the fragments of the cup, the maid retired from the room.
1372
1373	As soon as she closed the door behind her, Hayama moved into Maya's field of vision.
1374
1375	"Madam, can I get you some more tea?"
1376
1377	"No, I don't need it anymore."
1378
1379	 In Maya's voice, there was no longer the temper that was before the use of the "Meteor Shower."
1380
1381	"This time the USNA beat us."
1382
1383	"... It looks like that." With reluctance in her voice, Maya answered Hayama's words.
1384
1385	"As Hayama-san said, it seems that I relied too much on Hliðskjálf. It's a pity that the system isn't available at this time."
1386
1387	Maya twisted her lips in a mockery of herself.
1388
1389	"No, madam. I believe that in this case we would not be able to prevent this, even if we knew in advance what they are planning. Our hands will not reach the state institution of the USNA."
1390
1391	"... are we not able to kill Edward Clark?"
1392
1393	"There's no point in that."
1394
1395	"... I see. I should stop talking insincerely and pretend to be strong?"
1396
1397	Even if it was possible, she would not have given the kill order. She admitted this when Hayama pointed it out to her.
1398
1399	"Madame. My humble opinion is that you should give special emphasis to disabling Hliðskjálf at such a time."
1400
1401	Hearing Hayama's remark, Maya slightly rounded her eyes.
1402
1403	"That is, there is some connection between Edward Clark and Hliðskjálf?"
1404
1405	"Hliðskjálf is a system of hacking the global message interception system Echelon III. One should take into account the possibility that the staff of the National Security Agency of the United States of America is involved."
1406
1407	"...Right. Although this should not be a factor having a direct impact on the situation, I will bear this in mind."
1408
1409	Hayama respectfully said this to Maya.
1410
1411
1412
1413
1414
1415	CHAPTER 4
1416
1417
1418
1419
1420
1421	The next morning. After the fight, in which they gave their best as never before, Tatsuya asked Yakumo for a respite.
1422
1423	"I don't mind. You are not my disciple, so you don't need to worry about such formalities. You can stop at any moment and at any time you can call me to fight if I'm free, of course."
1424
1425	"Thank you very much, Master."
1426
1427	Although he was just told that he wasn't a student, Tatsuya still said "master." Yakumo didn't rebuke or correct him. The usual grin on his face, was there too.
1428
1429	"However, I want to ask about the situation. As I thought, the reason is the US space exploration project?"
1430
1431	 Yakumo's expression was full of curiosity. Here Tatsuya had to grin, but he was able to suppress the urge before his lips began to bend. The situation he faced was serious. When he thought about it, he didn't laugh.
1432
1433	"That is a direct reason. For some time, I will be sent under "house arrest" to a villa in Izu."
1434
1435	Although Maya said that this isn't true, Tatsuya still felt this as a house arrest. Continuing, Tatsuya told and about moving to Chofu.
1436
1437	"I see. It will be far away from here."
1438
1439	"This isn't an insurmountable distance. If you don't mind, I'd like to continue training after finishing house arrest."
1440
1441	"Of course I don't mind. Hmm..." After an immediate answer, Yakumo brought his hand to his chin and chuckled slightly.
1442
1443	"By the way, Tatsuya-kun, aren't you going to worry about Miyuki-kun? Izu and Chofu are not at one step from each other, you cannot move immediately."
1444
1445	"It would be a lie if I say that I will not worry, but Miyuki should not miss school."
1446
1447	"Even if the Yotsuba family organizes her protection, there will not be anyone who compares to your abilities with you. It will take some time to solve this problem ... So I will also look after it."
1448
1449	"I will be much calmer if you do this ... But why did you decide to do this?"
1450
1451	Tatsuya isn't a disciple of Yakumo. He himself said it recently. If the relationship between Tatsuya and Yakumo does not even reach the connection between teacher and student, the relationship between Yakumo and Miyuki does not go beyond mere acquaintance.
1452
1453	However, he immediately regretted thinking that it wasn't worth asking. Before Yakumo began to answer Tatsuya's question, the corner of his mouth curved upward, as if saying "I've been waiting for it."
1454
1455	"Because I don't want to die yet."
1456
1457	"... What do you mean?"
1458
1459	"If God forbid something happened with Miyuki-kun, you will destroy the whole world? I'm not sure that I can survive in the flame of nuclear fission."
1460
1461	Tatsuya didn't know what to say. He could only keep silent, clench his teeth, and bitterly on his face.
1462
1463	If something bad happens with Miyuki.
1464
1465	And if this time he does not have time.
1466
1467	He didn't have the confidence that he would not do anything with the world that took him from Miyuki.
1468
1469
1470
1471
1472
1473	â—Š â—Š â—Š
1474
1475
1476
1477
1478
1479	On this day, Tatsuya didn't show up in the classroom.
1480
1481	He came to school. But he stayed in the library from the early morning, without even stopping for lunch. He left the library and met with Miyuki only when it was time to go home.
1482
1483	Tatsuya's friends also refrained from approaching him. Even Erika didn't intervene in the trip of Tatsuya and Miyuki home. These two were accompanied only by Minami walking behind them.
1484
1485	 The next day the situation didn't change.
1486
1487	 And the day after that, too.
1488
1489
1490
1491
1492
1493	"Something bad is coming, is it not?"
1494
1495	Thursday, after school. 30 minutes before the closing of the cafe. This voice has sounded from someone from a group of people in this cafe.
1496
1497	"It's not good ... are you talking about Tatsuya?"
1498
1499	When asked by Mikihiko, Erika gave him a look in which it was read: "Of course, what a stupid question?".
1500
1501	"Because of the exemption he does not have problems?
1502
1503	"Yes ... He said that the director personally freed him from his studies."
1504
1505	Honoka, who joined them after the end of the Student Council, answered Leo's question.
1506
1507	"And the truth is, it isn't good."
1508
1509	"Err?" Shizuku-san, what is it?
1510
1511	Mizuki bowed her head inquiringly, hearing the words of Shizuku, who apparently simply ignored the general flow of discussion.
1512
1513	"Tatsuya-san does not need to go to school anymore."
1514
1515	Shizuku answered directly. Without unnecessary embellishments, she clearly pointed out the situation. Mizuki widened her eyes and covered her mouth with both hands. Honoka lowered her eyes sadly.
1516
1517	"... That is, Shiba-senpai will not come to school anymore?"
1518
1519	Not only third-grade students were gathered here. Kasumi, forced to come for as company with Izumi, and feeling uncomfortable here, dared to voice something that no one else would have said.
1520
1521	"I think he will return when the situation calms down."
1522
1523	"B-true!"
1524
1525	Honoka supported the responding Shizuku. Her voice sounded as if she was clinging to the last hope.
1526
1527	"But will this situation improve?"
1528
1529	Erika's words spoken with anxiety in her voice, looked like a burning fire. Or, it can be said, on a block of ice, because the face of Honoka froze.
1530
1531	"Erika! Don't say that!" said Mikihiko. It wasn't a loud scream that would have been heard by other groups of people, but in other words, besides "shouting at someone" it was hard to name.
1532
1533	"Mikihiko, calm down." Those who tried to ease Mikihiko were Leo, not Erika. Erika didn't say anything wrong. I also cannot imagine that the current situation will improve within a month or two.
1534
1535	"I understand that! But you can at least not say it out loud!"
1536
1537	 "Because it shocked Mizuki and Mitsui? I think you should not do this."
1538
1539	"... Are you saying that you don't care if Tatsuya-kun does not appear in school anymore?"
1540
1541	"Leo tried to protect Erika. But it was Erika who was the one who stopped him.
1542
1543	"I care. Even if Tatsuya leaves school, we will not cease to be his friends."
1544
1545	Erika silently slapped her eyes. Honoka and Mizuki had similar expressions.
1546
1547	"... In such situations, you are indeed completely unbearable." Erika muttered in an angry voice. "Even a simple fool can sometimes say well."
1548
1549	"Hey ... is that praise or insulting?"
1550
1551	Narrowing his eyes, Leo stared at Erika.
1552
1553	"Who knows ~. I just sounded the facts."
1554
1555	However, Erika, showing that she'sn't up to this matter, turned away in a defiantly daring manner.
1556
1557	"This girl ..."
1558
1559	"Stop! Leo, you, too, calm down." Feeling signs of impending anxiety, Mikihiko stopped Leo.
1560
1561	"It seems to me that the friendship of Saijou-senpai is truly worthy of respect." Picking up at the right time, Izumi wedged into Erika deadlocked conversation. "I would not want Shiba-sempai to drop out of school either."
1562
1563	With a look of surprise on her face, Kasumi stared at Izumi. Even cowering in the environment of the sempai, Shiina made a puzzled face.
1564
1565	But they both made a mistake.
1566
1567	"If Shiba-senpai leaves school, then Miyuki-senpai will grieve ..."
1568
1569	Kasumi whispered to herself: "I thought so ...".
1570
1571	"It's clear! Then everything is in order."
1572
1573	 "Er, what's clear?"
1574
1575	Shizuku banged her fist in the palm of her hand, as if she had made some discovery, and Honoka asked her to tell more.
1576
1577	"If Tatsuya-san is expelled, then Miyuki will also leave school."
1578
1579	Hearing Shizuku's suggestion, Izumi turned pale.
1580
1581	"But Tatsuya-san will not allow Miyuki to drop out of school."
1582
1583	The complexion of Izumi immediately returned to normal.
1584
1585	"Right! If this is for the sake of Miyuki-sempai ..."
1586
1587	"Then Tatsuya-san will not leave school either."Shizuku finished for Izumi.
1588
1589	"... But if he does, then in the current situation with him something can happen?"
1590
1591	In the approaching atmosphere of the "happy ending" Saburou's timid words were heard. The mood at the table fell again below ground. Saburou shrank under the strict look of Shiina, in which "what are you talking about !?" was read.
1592
1593	 For some time they sat in awkward silence, the atmosphere gradually worsened, and suddenly the cafe monitor switched to news.
1594
1595	After listening to some of the news Leo muttered. "Hey-hey ... are they serious?"
1596
1597	Although there were still other groups of people in the cafe, apart from them, there were no complaints from anyone. Most likely, everyone thought the same way he did.
1598
1599	 The news was broadcast from Moscow.
1600
1601	 The screen showed a leading scientist of the Academy of Sciences of the New Soviet Union, and in combination with the officially recognized state Strategic Class Magician, one of the "Thirteen Apostles", Igor Andreivitch Bezobrazzoff.
1602
1603	 The news release showed an interview with him.
1604
1605	"Dr. Bezobrazzoff, please tell us, what prompted you to decide to participate in the American "Project Dione"?"
1606
1607	As the Secretary-General said earlier, I also believe that the terraforming of Venus is important beyond conflicts between states. For more than a century, mankind has been afraid of the problem of overpopulation. In the near future, a catastrophe between all of humanity may begin, which will lead to the weakening of mankind. Expansion of the habitat zone is the only solution to this problem that awaits mankind in the future.
1608
1609	* [A word is used, meaning "Director, Director". At the moment it isn't clear who specifically he meant. And also it isn't clear what is called the "main" in the NEW SOVIET UNION. Therefore, let there be a secretary-general, while in the text there will be something explained.]
1610
1611
1612
1613	"That's why the doctor decided to actively participate in this project?"
1614
1615	"I do this because a technology called "Magic", instead of being used in battles between friends-people, should be used to open the way for mankind to the future."
1616
1617	"If the project is really started, then the situation may arise that the doctor will be forced to leave our country in order to work in America. Did the government agree to this? If the doctor who is a Strategic Class Magician leaves the country for a long time, there may be concern about the defense of the country."
1618
1619	"Our peace-loving government promised full cooperation with the project for the development of Venus, even if it leads to a decrease in defense capabilities. However, there is one delicate problem: where to place the research base. And as I understand, this location has not yet been determined."
1620
1621	"Do you mean that there is even such an opportunity that the research base will be located not in America, but in our country, in the New Soviet Union?"
1622
1623	"Of course, this is also possible. But my personal opinion is that, most likely the new base will be deployed in a neutral territory, or in a place where there is no outside political control."
1624
1625	"So you can expect significant conflicts already at the stage of choosing the location of the project base?"
1626
1627	"This is a grandiose project that has no analogues in the history of mankind. In addition to the location of the main base, many more problems can be expected. But we believe that we can reasonably overcome all this. I would like, in addition to the already announced consent to participate in the project of Lord William MacLeod and Mr. Maximilian, other people joining the project including Herr Rosen, as well as the young man from Japan, known as Taurus Silver. If we join forces, we will be able to overcome all difficulties on the way to the future of mankind."
1628
1629	"Dr. Bezobrazzoff, thank you very much for your time."
1630
1631	 Then the news release switched to a detailed review of the "Project Dione". The views of schoolchildren, glued to the screen, finally broke away from him.
1632
1633	"... What is this 'our peace-loving government'? Hell, he's mocking me." Erika elegantly spit out the words. At the heart of her words were thoughts about the incident with the invasion of Sado 5 years ago. Simultaneously with the invasion of the Great Asian Alliance in Okinawa, unidentified armed forces landed in Sado. The attack was repulsed by an army of volunteers gathered by the Ichijo family, after which a hypothesis was put forward that detachments of the New Soviet Union were the enemy.
1634
1635	The New Soviet Union didn't admit that it was their work. But among the Japanese, few people believe that the New Soviet Union is innocent. Given this incident, Erika's reaction to the phrase about the "peace-loving government of the New Soviet Union" didn't seem strange to anyone.
1636
1637	"Regardless of the atrocities of the government of the New Soviet Union in the past, we must admit that Dr. Bezobrazzoff's speech was quite convincing."
1638
1639	 Mikihiko didn't think Erika was right either. However, he decided to focus on the fact that the current problems should be treated separately from the incidents of the past.
1640
1641	"A Strategic Class Magician will leave his country to take part in non-military activities ... Very bold, isn't it?"
1642
1643	"As Yoshida-senpai said, these words were for persuasiveness. The fact that the New Soviet Union agreed to participate, showing that it is serious about the peaceful use of magic."
1644
1645	 After Kasumi expressed her thoughts, Izumi also expressed her own, turned out to be rather unfriendly.
1646
1647	"Do you think that he's pretending?" Leo asked with a wry smile. However, he quickly removed the smirk and frowned. "Bezobrazzoff's participation in the American project from the New Soviet Union is a fact. I don't know how seriously he will participate, but for America the New Soviet Union is a hostile country. Because they even announced cooperation, Japan, as an ally, will now find it difficult to refuse, will it not?"
1648
1649	"... And the truth.
1650
1651	"The Magic Association will want Taurus Silver to announce his participation.... Voluntarily."
1652
1653	" Shizuku unconditionally agreed with Leo's guess, and behind her Mikihiko developed this idea.
1654
1655	"I wonder if everything is all right with Tatsuya-san..."
1656
1657	Although Honoka muttered to herself, it was quite loud. The first days of Shiina and Saburou, who had no connection in their minds between Tatsuya and Taurus Silver, without understanding the meaning of Honoka's words, exchanged glances with an inquiring expression.
1658
1659
1660
1661
1662
1663	â—Š â—Š â—Š
1664
1665
1666
1667
1668
1669	 Tatsuya, Miyuki and Minami, who left the school before their friends, looked at this news recording.
1670
1671	"Is this really Bezobrazzoff from the Thirteen Apostles?" Was the first thing Miyuki asked after watching the news.
1672
1673	Strategic Class Magicians hid their personal data to avoid attacks. A Strategic Class Magician openly appearing on TV disagreed with Miyuki's common sense.
1674
1675	"It can be a front man."
1676
1677	Tatsuya didn't feel wrong in the fact that in this situation, Bezobrazzoff appeared before the media. But he also couldn't fully trust the information that came from the New Soviet Union.
1678
1679	"But it's real or fake, it's not the biggest problem at the moment."
1680
1681	"What do you mean?"
1682
1683	Tatsuya looked into the eyes of Miyuki, looked back at the screen and turned on the recording of the interview of Bezobrazzoff from the very beginning.
1684
1685	"It is important that the New Soviet Union demonstrated its position in cooperation with the USNA plan."
1686
1687	 Steadily staring at the subtitles of the interview, Tatsuya continued with a voice as if trying to convince himself.
1688
1689	"The Great Asian Alliance and Indo-Persia are strong states, but the axis of world power is still the American-Soviet confrontation. The center on which the modern world community is focused is the conflict between the New Soviet Union that returned after the Third World War and slowly but surely is increasing its national power vs the United States.
1690
1691	"Yes. I understand this part."
1692
1693	 The basic international structure was part of the secondary school curriculum. The excellent student Miyuki had no gaps in the subjects of the general education course.
1694
1695	For the sake of "Project Dione" the New Soviet Union made an exception in the struggle for power of the international community. At this stage, it does not really matter if the New Soviet Union really contributes to the project. Since such a hostile country as the New Soviet Union announced its cooperation, the friendly countries will not be able to ignore Project Dione."
1696
1697	 Tatsuya came exactly to the same conclusion as Leo and Mikihiko.
1698
1699	"... Perhaps the New Soviet Union and the USNA are in collusion in this matter."
1700
1701	Perhaps the reason that his guess was one step behind the truth wasn't a problem of the intellect, but a problem of character.
1702
1703	"But what is the goal of uniting the efforts of the United States and the New Soviet Union?" Miyuki asked, bowing her head. She didn't show a negative reaction to Tatsuya's own guess. If common sense and Tatsuya's opinion are put on the scales, then it was obvious to Miyuki that the second would outweigh the first.
1704
1705	"Even by the strength of the conventional army, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the USNA and the New Soviet Union are far superior to all other countries. The Great Asian Alliance has not yet recovered from the damage received in the fall of the year before, so it is temporarily forced to take the position of the catch-up.
1706
1707	Although Tatsuya himself was the one who caused this damage to the fleet of the Great Asian Alliance, he said that this does not concern him.
1708
1709	 "Magic is more of an individual power, and the strength of a state is an ordinary military force supported by political power and economic power. Economic power begins to talk about itself in situations where nuclear weapons are actually prohibited. Countries with a weak economy, including Japan, cannot resist the USNA and the New Soviet Union by an ordinary army."
1710
1711	"... Do you think that the economic scale of Japan is so small?"
1712
1713	"The economic potential that can be invested in the creation of weapons is far behind USNA and New Soviet Union."
1714
1715	Tatsuya softly refuted Miyuki's involuntarily expressed doubt.
1716
1717	"The world still retains such a shaky form that many small countries haven't yet been absorbed by the strongest countries, only because of the presence of a factor like magic. In the current situation, small countries cannot resist strong countries without the weapons, known as magic. In this sense, we cannot unequivocally deny the military application of magic..."
1718
1719	Tatsuya aspired to the non-military use of magic. His goal was to free the magicians from the role of being part of the military system. Tatsuya was forced to admit that he agreed with the fact that magic weapons make sense.
1720
1721	"... In other words, the purpose of the USNA and New Soviet Union is to weaken the magical military potential of other countries by collecting the strongest magicians in the project?"
1722
1723	 Although not yet perfect, she began to understand what is now troubling Tatsuya. Miyuki asked her question, ignoring his last sentence.
1724
1725	"... If you think about it, it all adds up." Briefly answering, Tatsuya again plunged into his thoughts.
1726
1727	In the dialogue with Miyuki, he realized the weakness of his plan. It was a problem he had not realized before.
1728
1729	Free magicians from fate to be a living weapon. In this basic concept, there were no errors. He couldn't agree with the reality in which magicians are spent to use as weapons.
1730
1731	But what happens if in the military area qualified magicians no longer suffice because of the active promotion of the use of magic in the economy? What happens if cheap and powerful magic weapons disappear?
1732
1733	Small countries cannot resist large and strong countries anymore?
1734
1735	There will come a time when big countries will swallow up everything small, and a handful of large countries will rule the world.
1736
1737	Tatsuya could only imagine a future in which the whole world will again be drawn into the quagmire of regional conflicts.
1738
1739	"So, you still need some kind of deterrent ...?"
1740
1741	He himself was the owner of an absolute weapon of mass destruction.
1742
1743	In whatever direction the future moves, he will inevitably bear notoriety.
1744
1745	 Perhaps, it was on that evening that Tatsuya made this decision.
1746
1747
1748
1749
1750
1751	â—Š â—Š â—Š
1752
1753
1754
1755
1756
1757	When this top-secret transatlantic communication session was conducted, guarded by the Echelon III subsystem, it was late at night in Japan.
1758
1759	"Lord MacLeod we haven't seen each other for a long time. The last time we talked this way was about 5 years ago, if I remember correctly."
1760
1761	When the speakers appeared on each other on the monitors, Bezobrazzoff spoke first.
1762
1763	"It seems like that. Long time no see, Dr. Bezobrazzoff. However, I think I mentioned this before, but I'm not a "lord." I was only made a knight."
1764
1765	Responding to Bezobrazzoff's greeting, MacLeod spoke in such an indifferent tone that it wasn't clear, he was serious, stubborn or joking.
1766
1767	"Sir William. Should you speak so hard? Since this isn't an official conversation, there are no problems with the title of "Lord MacLeod", right?"
1768
1769	Clark seems to have taken it as a joke. He slightly rebuked MacLeod. He wasn't going to seriously criticize MacLeod, he was only concerned with the fact that Bezobrazzoff didn't break the long-awaited conversation, spoiling the general mood.
1770
1771	But Bezobrazzoff himself reacted to Clark's concern.
1772
1773	"Thank you very much for your concern, Dr. Clark. I believe this is our first conversation?"
1774
1775	"That's right. Glad to meet you, Dr. Bezobrazzoff. My name is Edward Clark."
1776
1777	The greetings of these three have ended.
1778
1779	"Dr. Clark, I'm sorry to move right away, but is it true what you said earlier? The fact that the Strategic Class Magician who used the "Great Bomb" is Taurus Silver, and Taurus Silver's true personality is a Japanese high school student." Bezobrazzoff asked Edward Clark impatiently.
1780
1781	That is correct. The official name of the "Great Bomb" in Japan is "Material Burst". It seems that this is the magic of direct conversion of mass into energy.
1782
1783	"Direct conversion ...?"
1784
1785	"And really, very interesting. But right now there is no point in discussing this system, is it?"
1786
1787	MacLeod tried to politely hold back Bezobrazzoff, who showed strong interest.
1788
1789	"... That's right. There is no point in discussing the hypothesis when there is absolutely no data on it."
1790
1791	Bezobrazzoff relatively easily retreated by accepting MacLeod's proposal.
1792
1793	"It is supposed that "Material Burst", like the "Tuman Bomba" of the doctor, can aim at any point of the globe on the basis of data from a reconnaissance satellite.
1794
1795	"This is a threat that violates the world military balance."
1796
1797	MacLeod agreed with Clark's words. Bezobrazzoff ignored Clark's hint, "I know the Tuman Bomba mechanism, too."
1798
1799	"We don't know how far "Material Burst" will go. However, we can expect that it will not reach Earth from the orbit of Jupiter."
1800
1801	"So, Dr. Clark's plan to drive Taurus Silver to Jupiter?"
1802
1803	"Yes, you understand correctly." Clark responded to Bezobrazzoff's question with an important tone. "The Ganymede stage of "Project Dione" is planned to be carried out in conjunction with the use of the achievements of Taurus Silver. For the sake of the future of mankind, he will spend the rest of his life on Ganymede."
1804
1805	"Dr. Clark. When will you disclose the identity of Taurus Silver?"
1806
1807	"I'll tell you when we meet directly."
1808
1809	"... All right. I'll wait with impatience."
1810
1811	"Where will the talks take place?" MacLeod turned to Clark.
1812
1813	"I planned to conduct them in the neutral waters of the Atlantic Ocean. I thought that it would be better if everyone were on equal terms."
1814
1815	"The meeting of the three countries will take place on a ship?" Bezobrazzoff asked Clark.
1816
1817	"We have already sent the Enterprise to the designated area. I wanted to invite the two of you to get there by plane."
1818
1819	"The Enterprise ...?" Bezobrazzoff muttered with interest.
1820
1821	The Enterprise (USS Enterprise) was a new aircraft carrier, inheriting the traditional name for the USNA military ships. Despite the absence of an atomic reactor, its energy subsystem provided comparable power and duration of operation. The mystery of this system attracted the attention of the whole world.
1822
1823	"I get it. I'll get there by air."
1824
1825	"I, perhaps, will do so as well." Following Bezobrazzoff, MacLeod agreed.
1826
1827	"Thank you very much. Then, we'll discuss a couple more details ..."
1828
1829	At the initiative of Clark, the conference call lasted another 30 minutes.
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835	â—Š â—Š â—Š
1836
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841	After the uprising in Mexico in April, several minor riots occurred in the USNA. However none of them reached the situation to need to send suppression troops. The espionage mission in Japan continued, but on a much smaller scale. In addition to this, there were no other missions outside the country at the moment, so the "Star" magician subunit, directly subordinated to the Joint Directors of Staff of the USNA army, was simply engaged in daily training.
1842
1843	Today she had planned to train all day. However, finishing the morning exercises and going to the buffet Lina was stopped by the assistant commander of the base and asked to go with him to the commander's office.
1844
1845	Major Sirius arrived.
1846
1847	Lina, being in the guise of Angie Sirius, saluted Colonel Paul Walker the base commander. Lina was the head commander of Stars, but on this base the highest rank was with the base commander Walker. Walker, one might say, was responsible for watching the Stars battle magicians.
1848
1849	"Major Sirius, you've an order from the General Staff."
1850
1851	"Understood!"
1852
1853	Lina dropped her hand and stood in the rest position "quietly, hands at the seams."
1854
1855	"You're going to Washington, DC, where you'll meet Dr. Edward Clark. After that, accompany the doctor as a guard on the Enterprise, which is now in neutral waters of the Atlantic Ocean."
1856
1857	"I understand."
1858
1859	"An important meeting on "Project Dione" is planned on the Enterprise. Other participants in the meeting are William MacLeod and "Igniter" Bezobrazzoff."
1860
1861	 On Lina's face, surprise first arose, then understanding.
1862
1863	Despite the fact that it will be in neutral waters, but allowing on board the warship officially recognized Strategic Class Magicians of another country.. it was something that is very hard to believe. But if the participants of the meeting are from the "Thirteen Apostles", then the presence of the same "Apostle" Lina for the balance was clear.
1864
1865	"I think I should not mention that this meeting should be kept secret until its completion."
1866
1867	"I understand, Colonel." After Walker reminded the distracted Lina, she hastily gave an answer.
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873	â—Š â—Š â—Š
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879	The movement began not only in America, Britain and the New Soviet Union. Vanity(?) has also risen in Japan.
1880
1881	Unfortunately, it wasn't a spontaneous movement, but a forced attempt to show a reaction to an outside situation.
1882
1883	The chairman of the Japanese Magic Association was usually selected from among the Hundred Families. Elections were held annually in June, and in July the new chairman took office. Despite the absence of restrictions on re-election, this post didn't bring any benefit, so after more than three years on it no one has been replaced(?).
1884
1885	The current chairman, appointed in July last year, was named Tomitsuka Hitsui. This was the mother of the third-year student from First High, Tomitsuka Hagane. Despite the death of her husband, Tomitsuka's family didn't remain only as part of the wife's side.
1886
1887	 The Chairman of the Magic Association must reside at the headquarters in Kyoto. On the other hand, the Tomitsuka family is based on the eastern coast of Tokyo Bay. For this reason, the duties were divided in such a way that the husband's side deals with family business, and the affairs of the Magic Association are the wife's side.
1888
1889	In June last year, Tomitsuka Hitsui put forward her candidacy for the post of chairman with a light feeling that "this will be a normal day-to-day job." But now she clutched her head, cursing last year's self.
1890
1891	On Sunday, when Edward Clark from America announced "Project Dione" there wasn't such a depressing feeling. Because then it seemed that even for USNA it would be difficult to invite magical scientists from other countries. And the fact that other countries will lend their "Apostles" was estimated as an absolutely impossible event.
1892
1893	 So thought all the employees of the Magic Association, not just Tomitsuka Hitsui.
1894
1895	However, yesterday, from the New Soviet Union, from the main enemy of the United States, came a notice of consent from "Apostle" Bezobrazzoff to participate in the project. As a result, it was no longer possible to delay the answer.
1896
1897	According to the concept of using magic for peaceful purposes to open the way for the future of mankind, there was no objection from the beginning. The anti-magic movement received wide support among people, drawing attention to the fact that magic is a dangerous weapon that kills and maims non-magicians.
1898
1899	Peaceful use of magic not only contributed insignificantly in the form of extinguishing fires or preventing floods, but also appeared as a large project, which in the future will bring prosperity to humanity. It was an extremely effective tool, which must strike back at the anti-magic movement.
1900
1901	 You don't need to successfully complete the project, you don't even need to implement it. The mere fact that the project exists can be an argument against an anti-magic movement. Magicians can avoid the current difficult situation.
1902
1903	Considered a friendly country, Japan will not be able to refuse to participate in the project, for which even the two warring countries have joined their efforts. It is no longer possible to postpone the decision. It should be sent as soon as possible to a high school student, known under the pseudonym Taurus Silver.
1904
1905	In truth, Hitsui knew the identity of Taurus Silver. It was written in a letter sealed with an old-fashioned wax seal, which was brought to her by an employee of the USNA Embassy.
1906
1907	Hitsui lifted her head, lowered earlier in confusion, and removed her hands from her head. If you just grieve, this will not help the case. There was no suitable hero who could take on the current problems. She herself, too, didn't have the appropriate social status to enter the role of the heroine of the tragedy.
1908
1909	She decided to use the special right of the chairman of the Japanese Magic Association, which her predecessors had never used.
1910
1911	Convening a Conference of the 10 Master Clans.
1912
1913	Using special dedicated lines, Hitsui summoned the heads of the families of each of the Ten Master Clans to participate in an online conference.
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919	Did the heads of families of the Ten Master Clans expect a call from the Magic Association?
1920
1921	 Just one hour after the call, the heads of each of the families appeared on the monitor for Hitsui's conferences: Ichijou, Futatsugi, Mitsuya, Yotsuba, Itsuwa, Mutsuzuka, Saegusa, Shippou, Yatsushiro and Juumonji.
1922
1923	"Yotsuba-dono, please accept my thanks for that time."
1924
1925	"Ichijo-dono, have you already recovered?"
1926
1927	"Thanks to you, I fully recovered."
1928
1929	"I'm happy for you. So, chairman, for what problem did you collect us here?"
1930
1931	Futatsugi Mai, wedged into the conversation between Ichijo Gouki and Maya, called on everyone to pay attention to the ignored Hitsui.
1932
1933	Hitsui, feeling as if bathed in icy water, thanks to Mai was able to pull herself together.
1934
1935	"... Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for responding so quickly, despite your business."
1936
1937	"Because it was an emergency call. I would like to ask you to tell us what is this "emergency situation"?"
1938
1939	Saegusa Koichi's impassive voice asked a sarcastic question.
1940
1941	Under this pressure it seemed that Hitsui was going to cry. She wasn't at all a weak-willed woman, but she wasn't used to confrontations that looked like a fight with sharp swords.
1942
1943	"Yes. As you all probably already guessed, it will be about a project for the development of Venus, proposed by the engineers of the USNA."
1944
1945	"Clinging to her sense of responsibility as chairman, Hitsui somehow managed to move on to the main topic."
1946
1947	"Yesterday, when the New Soviet Union announced its participation in the project, the Japanese Magic Association also had an urgent need to react to this."
1948
1949	"And so is the Association? Edward Clark, after all asked for the participation of individuals?" Shippou Takumi asked in a tone like a scientist.
1950
1951	"Officially yes, but one of them nominated was a Japanese?" Yatsushiro Raizou answered with a crooked smile.
1952
1953	"This is American arrogance. We don't have to obey." Mutsuzuka Atsuko spat out words with an expression and a voice, as if she were going to vomit.
1954
1955	"But most likely it will not work. " Trying to hold back the nervousness," Hitsui said. The monitor still showed those faces staring at her. And it wasn't just Atsuko. Instead of falling into despair, Hitsui spoke, becoming serious. At present, magicians are faced with unreasonable criticism, claiming that they are enemies of humanity. This is just primitive propaganda of anti-magic activists, but the Strategic and Tactical class magic, successfully used one after the other, has seriously increased the credibility of such propaganda.
1956
1957	 The desktop monitor clearly showed how the eyes of all heads of families simultaneously moved. On such a small screen it was difficult to perceive, but it was obvious that Maya gathered the gazes of everyone. Everyone realized that the "Tactical class magic" which increased the credibility of anti-magic propaganda" is "Active Air Mine" developed by Tatsuya.
1958
1959	 "Dr. Clark's" Project Dione "can be good material for demonstrating that magic serves humanity not only for military purposes. The headquarters of the International Magic Association is preparing to express its full support for "Project Dione". I also heard that the Associations of America, Britain and the New Soviet Union are also planning to publish their press releases. Germany is also discussing with the government of the USNA the possibility of participation, not limited to just one company Rozen MagiCraft. With this development, Japan simply cannot stand aside."
1960
1961	"I can understand the chairman's haste, but what exactly do you want to do? Find Taurus Silver and get him to join?" With a meticulous expression on his face, asked Itsuwa Isami. The year before last he had to bitterly send his daughter to the battlefield only because she was a "Strategic Class Magician". Since then, he has been disgusted with such a manner of doing things, when all the burden is shifted to one person for the sake of preserving honor.
1962
1963	"... Actually, he does not need to be looked for."
1964
1965	Hitsui also didn't consider it a good thing to force people to suffer for a simple justification. On the contrary, this feeling led her to the tactics "I'd better get dirty in the mud."
1966
1967	"Taurus Silver ... Yotsuba-sama, is this your son?"
1968
1969	In Maya's silent gaze aimed at the camera, the question "How did you decide this?" Was read.
1970
1971	 "I received a letter from the American Embassy. Taking into account that he's a minor, they refrained from disclosing his name, but in return we were asked to help persuade Taurus Silver, that is, Mr. Tatsuya Shiba."
1972
1973	"Sounds like blackmail." Gouki murmured.
1974
1975	Not only he openly expressed his disgust.
1976
1977	"To be honest, Momoyama-sensei from First High also mentioned this."
1978
1979	However, the person closest to the one in question, Maya was calm, like no one else present.
1980
1981	"I leave this decision to Tatsuya's own judgment."
1982
1983	Maya smiled from the screen when she answered.
1984
1985	 Hitsui was almost the same age as Maya, but it took her a few seconds to suppress a shiver in her voice.
1986
1987	"... That is, Yotsuba-sama isn't going to participate in the conviction?"
1988
1989	"This is a question that will affect his entire life."
1990
1991	In an amiable voice, Maya hinted that this isn't a territory that can be claimed.
1992
1993	"If the conversation was just about that, I'd like to say goodbye."
1994
1995	And she showed that she takes the position of refusal from further discussion.
1996
1997	"... Thank you very much for your time."
1998
1999	"In that case, all the best."
2000
2001	The face of Maya disappeared from the monitor.
2002
2003	"I'm sorry, I'll finish this too."
2004
2005	"Then I too."
2006
2007	Following the example of Maya, Mutsuzuka Atsuko and Yatsushiro Raizou dropped out of the online conference.
2008
2009	Seven of the ten remaining heads of families, on the contrary, were not in a hurry to leave the conference.
2010
2011	"This may indeed be a matter of his life, but I would like to see a debt to the Japanese magical world also taken into account." Saegusa Koichi muttered in a disgruntled voice. It was difficult to understand, if he was saying it to himself or complaining to someone.
2012
2013	"You say that this isn't the case when they ask the opinions of the person himself?" Shippou Takumi asked in response to these words.
2014
2015	"For the magicians of the Ten Master Clans, it is inevitable to sacrifice yourself to some extent. The daughter of Itsuwa-dono has health problems, but still participated in the military sortie in the year before last. Itsuwa-dono, your daughter didn't go to the front on her own, is it not?"
2016
2017	"This is so ..."
2018
2019	This question was difficult to answer negatively. Itsuwa Isami could only vaguely mumble the consent.
2020
2021	"But if you give the son of the Yotsuba family to this foreign planetary terraforming project, won't this be a big loss for national defense?"
2022
2023	"I don't know what kind of magic Shiba Tatsuya-san can use, but I think that the way of thinking, in which the magician directly connects with military force, will lead us to trouble. At present, the main threat not only to the Japanese magical world, but also to magicians around the world, is the anti-magic movement that began with the idea of "Humanism", isn't it? If so, then consideration of this issue should be considered the highest priority."
2024
2025	Hitsui answered the question raised by Gouki.
2026
2027	"Although it is undesirable, but perhaps the best solution would be for Shiba Tatsuya-dono to go to America." Futatsugi Mai said sighing.
2028
2029	Votes against this decision were not heard.
2030
2031	"However, who will convince Shiba Tatsuya-dono? As I understand it, you cannot expect this from Yotsuba-dono."
2032
2033	The problem voiced by Mitsuya Gen caused silence for a while.
2034
2035	"Juumonji-sama ... You are personally acquainted with Shiba Tatsuya-san, are you not?"
2036
2037	Hitsui's words were spoken in despair. It was impossible to break the will of others alone with the connection of the senpai with the kohai, in order to change the personal opinion. In addition, if it was necessary to have a personal acquaintance, then the son of Hitsui herself, Tomitsuka Hagane wasn't only a fellow student of First High, but even a classmate of Tatsuya. It was a much closer relationship than Katsuto, who finished school in the spring of last year.
2038
2039	"... I don't know if Shiba Tatsuya-dono will listen to my words, but I'll try to talk to him."
2040
2041	However, Katsuto agreed to take up this difficult task.
2042
2043	"... Are you sure?"
2044
2045	"To begin with, we'll just talk. I cannot promise a positive result." Katsuto answered Koichi's question.
2046
2047	Koichi couldn't understand what exactly Katsuto was up to when he agreed to take up negotiations with Tatsuya.
2048
2049
2050
2051
2052
2053	CHAPTER 5
2054
2055
2056
2057	"And yet ... it's a bit sad." Miyuki said while leaving the door of a typical private house.
2058
2059	"We will not sell this house. We can return at any time."
2060
2061	Miyuki nodded in response to Tatsuya's consoling words.
2062
2063	 "Tatsuya-sama, Miyuki-sama, if you don't mind, I think it's time to go."
2064
2065	 A humble voice was heard from behind the two of them.
2066
2067	 Tatsuya turned around and saw Hanabishi Hyougo standing there wearing a black suit and white gloves.
2068
2069	"Understood. Miyuki, Minami, let's go."
2070
2071	 Tatsuya nodded to Hyougo and turned to his companions. The two girls responded with "Yes" and "I'm listening" and they followed Tatsuya.
2072
2073	 Today was the day of the move in order to strengthen Miyuki's protection. From the house nominally owned by their father, to the building in Chofu, which is the Tokyo headquarters of the Yotsuba family.
2074
2075	 A large sedan was parked in front of the house. All the necessary luggage has already been transported. The furniture was organized on the spot, so under the luggage there were clothes and accessories, as well as personal training terminals.
2076
2077	 Data from the laboratory on the ground floor has also been moved to the underground research center of the Tokyo headquarters building.
2078
2079	 The data has been moved, not copied. This "private laboratory" will be completely destroyed in a few days.
2080
2081	 Miyuki and Tatsuya sat in the backseat, then Minami boarded the passenger seat. Although it wasn't a limousine, the legroom was spacious, and it didn't seem that there wasn't enough space behind the driver's seat.
2082
2083	 Making sure that everyone sat down, Hyougo took the driver's seat. The sedan moved smoothly from its place. They traveled from Futu* to Chofu. At such a short distance, the driving time on the private car and in the booth of the electric train was approximately the same. Of course, if you take into account the time of the trip from the station, the car was faster.
2084
2085	*If memory serves me right, we were told for the first time where their house was. Futu and Chofu are next to each other, only 5 km. Both at the same time in 20-25 km to the west of the center of Tokyo.*
2086
2087	 Hyougo skillfully drove the car. Considering the features of the car, there was also no shaking or inertia. During this short comfortable trip, neither Tatsuya nor Miyuki said a word. Minami was silent as usual. Hyougo also read the atmosphere and was silent.
2088
2089	 The car stopped at the buildings underground parking. It was a garage built on the style of the usual type underground parking, but equipped with automatic checking devices. The parking spaces marked with white lines had induction sensors for automatic parking.
2090
2091	This way please.
2092
2093	 At Hyougo's invitation they entered the elevator. This elevator goes directly to the entrance to the "apartment" where Miyuki will live from now on, and no one except Tatsuya and Miyuki can use it without a special key.
2094
2095	"During a state of emergency, it can be used to descend to other floors" Hyougo added with a moderate smile. It seems that at the same time they could only be used to get to the first floor, underground parking garage, the roof and to this apartment. On the roof was the helipad, which they'd used the other day.
2096
2097	 The provided accommodations are luxurious. The furnishings were elegant and tasteful and Miyuki liked it at first sight.
2098
2099	 "Tatsuya-sama, are you staying here tonight?"asked Hyougo.
2100
2101	"No, I will go to the villa as soon as the preparations are completed."
2102
2103	 From today on, Miyuki will live here. Minami will live with Miyuki as her servant and guard.
2104
2105	 However, Tatsuya, following Maya's instructions, will go to the villa in Izu. This isn't yet Tatsuya's home.
2106
2107	 The main reason that Miyuki was sad about leaving the old house, wasn't that she left a familiar house, but that she would live apart from Tatsuya for a while.
2108
2109	 "I'll handle this while you rest for a couple of hours."
2110
2111	 Bowing respectfully, Hyougo left the room.
2112
2113	 Tatsuya led Miyuki to the living room and sat her on the sofa.
2114
2115	 In fact, the preparations for the move to Izu have already been completed. But Hyougo, who understood what was what, offered a two-hour postponement. Tatsuya and Miyuki both guessed this.
2116
2117	To move to Izu, a familiar vertical takeoff and landing plane (VTOL) was prepared.
2118
2119	 The flight took about 30 minutes. The reason for this slow flight speed was crowded airspace. In the near future, jokes about "traffic jams in air traffic" will be made.
2120
2121	 As expected, the villa was in the mountains. Izu used to be an air defense base during the war, but afterwards was converted into a golf course. Even before the war it was quite far away. This place was ideally suited for the role of a "quiet" environment where no one will be disturbed.
2122
2123	"Mother ... that is, the stepmother was treated in such an uncomfortable place?"
2124
2125	Without thinking, Tatsuya asked Hyougo a question which came to mind. But he corrected himself, calling Miya "stepmother", because now his real mother is Maya.
2126
2127	"I heard that for Miya-sama it was necessary to have a quiet environment."
2128
2129	 Tatsuya immediately understood the meaning of Hyougo's abstract answer. The point was that for her all sorts of psion noises, emitted by large clusters of people, were a heavy load. Tatsuya once again realized that Miya often overpowered herself for her children. But he couldn't understand if it was for his own sake or for Miyuki's.
2130
2131	 Hyougo led Tatsuya to the villa. Inside the building, everything was prepared to live without any problems. The laboratory was fully equipped like the house in Futu.
2132
2133	 "Please call me at any time if you need anything." I will deliver it as soon as possible. In addition, the "Freed Suit" and "Wingless" were delivered here so you can freely use them.
2134
2135	 The "Freed Suit" is a flying combat suit disguised as an ordinary riding suit, and "Wingless" is an armored motorcycle with the function of connecting to the "Freed Suit". They will be useful not only if he's attacked by an armed opponent, but also for a simple exit into the city.
2136
2137	"Many thanks."
2138
2139	"You're welcome. Please rest easy here."
2140
2141	"Thank you for your concern."
2142
2143	"Then, on this I ask you to excuse me."
2144
2145	 Hyougo went outside to VTOL.
2146
2147	 Completely alone in this building, Tatsuya heard the sound of spinning blades moving off.
2148
2149
2150
2151
2152
2153	â—Š â—Š â—Š
2154
2155
2156
2157
2158
2159	 The USNA's large aircraft carrier the Enterprise was anchored 500 kilometers east of Newfoundland, in the neutral waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It belonged to the 2000-foot class, because it was about 600 meters long. The attention of the whole world was attracted by the technology that allows this giant without a nuclear reactor to move, yet be twice as large as the largest pre-war aircraft carriers with nuclear reactors.
2160
2161	 Immediately after this ship was commissioned 4 years ago, it was suspected of having a nuclear reactor. However a short distance survey conducted by the International Magic Association, showed that it is clean. Given the circumstances under which the International Magic Association was founded, it possessed a technology absolutely reliable in detecting nuclear fission reactions. The Association has never been able to find traces of the use of nuclear energy.
2162
2163	 Further examination could be carried out only by getting inside the ship, but USNA policy does not allow anyone to conduct inspections on their facilities or warships. As a result, the power plant of the Enterprise is still a mystery.
2164
2165	A small plane was approaching this giant aircraft carrier. It was a high-speed transport aircraft with 4 fighter escorts. Apparently, they didn't have the function of vertical landing, as in VTOL or STOVL.
2166
2167	 " Bezobrazzoff is on this plane ..." Lina mumbled to herself, dressed in the official Stars uniform (but without a mask), watching the approaching airplane with golden eyes.
2168
2169	 "Apostle" of the New Soviet Union, Igor Andreivitch Bezobrazzoff. The owner of the nickname "Igniter" and the user of the Strategic-Class Magic "Tuman Bomba."
2170
2171	 Before his appearance on a television interview a few days ago, his appearance was considered a military secret of the New Soviet Union, but the USNA army knew him. Bezobrazzoff's location was also carefully monitored, although not always.
2172
2173	 He was a member of the New Soviet Union's Academy of Sciences, as well as an influential authority in the field of modern magic education. We can say that in such conditions it was impossible to hide his appearance and location.
2174
2175	 However, the true essence of Bezobrazzoff's Strategic-Class Magic "Tuman Bomba", has not yet been established. Not just the system of magic, even its effect wasn't clear. Only its name "Tuman Bomba" and the fact that it causes damage in an explosion over a very wide area. And also that it killed the previous Sirius in the armed conflict between the USNA and the NSS in the Bering Strait 8 years ago.
2176
2177	 For Stars, he was a fateful magician, and for Lina an opponent standing on the road to the title of the strongest in the world. But that chance will not come if Bezobrazzoff takes part in "Project Dion."
2178
2179	 The plane went to land. The approach procedures for aircraft carriers haven't made significant progress over the past 150 years. Aircraft without vertical landing functionality use a combination of an angular deck and a brake hook clinging to the brake cable.
2180
2181	 Even the 600-meter deck isn't enough to ensure that only the reverse thrust brakes are enough to land. Although take-off technologies have made significant progress, landing technologies are limited by the need to mitigate the load from cable braking.
2182
2183	 "... Was the brake hook not be released?"
2184
2185	 Lina felt a strange discomfort from the sight of this approaching aircraft, and immediately realized its cause.
2186
2187	 This wasn'ticed not only by Lina. The sound of voices rose on the deck.
2188
2189	"The brake thrust is too weak!"
2190
2191	"It will fall ...!"
2192
2193	The cries of the aircraft carrier's staff were heard.
2194
2195	 To prevent an accident, Lina activated her CAD. The next moment the plane was enveloped by psion light. It was an non-physical light born of excessive psions, emitted by the activation of magic.
2196
2197	But Lina's magic has not yet been activated.
2198
2199	 "This magic was activated from inside!?"
2200
2201	 Lina noticed that the magic that acted on the transport plane was launched from the cockpit of this plane.
2202
2203	 The landing gear touched the deck. A small braking jet smoothly reduced the speed, which would have been impossible normally.
2204
2205	 "Inertia and acceleration reduction, but in order to so smoothly decelerate..."
2206
2207	 From the moment of contact it usually requires about 1000 meters to stop, but now this distance has dropped to 100 meters. And it didn't look unnatural at all.
2208
2209	 "Where does this precise control ...?"
2210
2211	 The enterprise boasts dimensions that can be called "gigantic", but that does not mean that there's no pitching. There is also wind. Lina believed that she herself would not be able to brake as accurately as possible considering all these factors.
2212
2213	 "This is the "Igniter"... his abilities were above all expectations."
2214
2215	 Lina didn't doubt that this magic was the work of Bezobrazzoff.
2216
2217
2218
2219
2220
2221	Soon after Bezobrazzoff, MacLeod's plane arrived. Then the tripartite negotiations began.
2222
2223	 In this room were: Edward Clark, Igor Andreivitch Bezobrazzoff, William MacLeod and the fourth man, Lina in the image of Angie Sirius. Lina was assigned to Clark, because he was an ordinary person who cannot use magic.
2224
2225	 Bezobrazzoff and MacLeod are Strategic-Class magicians.
2226
2227	 Hinting that "it would be better for Clark's guard to be a Strategic-Class magician" MacLeod requested Angie Sirius's presence in the negotiations.
2228
2229	"Dr. Clark. As you promised, please tell us the identity of the Japanese Strategic-Class magician, Taurus Silver."
2230
2231	 This was the first phrase spoken at the meeting. Bezobrazzoff suddenly turned to Clark.
2232
2233	 Lina shuddered at the news.
2234
2235	 Now "Angie Sirius" was without a mask. Therefore, the other three could easily see her surprise.
2236
2237	 "Doctor Clark, have you hidden this information from your side as well?"
2238
2239	There wasn'ticeable surprise in MacLeod's voice. From the unexpected reaction Angie, even Bezobrazzoff showed impatience. However, this didn't affect the development of the situation.
2240
2241	"I recently received evidence of the person." Clark responded with an obvious lie, then continued:
2242
2243	"The real name of Taurus Silver is Shiba Tatsuya. He's from the direct line of the Yotsuba."
2244
2245
2246
2247
2248
2249	 Then they discussed the primary plan of action, and the meeting ended without much debate.
2250
2251	 With the successful conclusion of the meeting, Lina's mission was over, but there was still some time before the departure of the aircraft to take her home. To occupy this time, she wandered through the Enterprise, with permission from the ship's captain.
2252
2253	 She "examined the neighborhood" only nominally, because all her consciousness was now captured by one person who wasn't here.
2254
2255	 "Tatsuya ... is the Strategic-Class magician that caused "Scorched Halloween?"
2256
2257	 Lina didn't remember what Clark, Bezobrazzoff and MacLeod were talking about after that. She didn't forget it, the conversation just didn't get to her memory from the very beginning.
2258
2259	 From the meeting there were only scrappy memories. Perhaps it would be reasonable to say that she couldn't follow the course of the conversation because of this shocking information.
2260
2261	 The magic that was burnt out the southern tip of the Korean peninsula in October of the year before was called "Material Burst."
2262
2263	Shiba Tatsuya is the user of this magic.
2264
2265	 The real name of "Taurus Silver", the ingenious magic engineer who developed the flying magic, is also "Shiba Tatsuya."
2266
2267	 "And it's true, because from the very beginning there was such an assumption!"
2268
2269	 In January of last year, Lina was sent to Japan to determine the identity of the so-called "Great Bomber," the Strategic-Class Magician who summoned "Scorched Halloween," and then deal with them. Tatsuya was a candidate for the identity of the "Great Bomber," which Lina was instructed to follow. The investigation and conclusions of the Intelligence Department of the USNA army were correct.
2270
2271	 "But Tatsuya never showed such behavior ..."
2272
2273	 "Tatsuya's magic was completely different ..."
2274
2275	 Thinking about it, in the mind of Lina arose the "other I", quietly arguing with herself.
2276
2277	 "He didn't show such behavior? This is quite obvious. At least from the fact that he was a head taller, as an opponent. "
2278
2279
2280
2281	 "Was Tatsuya's magic different? He just didn't have to show the Strategic-Class Magic. "
2282
2283	 "I didn't even know that he was from the direct line of the Yotsuba line."
2284
2285	 "Tatsuya deceived me."
2286
2287	 "... True, I was deceived by deceiving myself."
2288
2289	 But even with such thoughts, she didn't have a feeling of surprise or regret.
2290
2291	 However, along with these thoughts came the realization of different things.
2292
2293	 The sympathy she felt for Tatsuya.
2294
2295	 And Tatsuya's sympathy for her.
2296
2297	 This, of course ...
2298
2299	 "... Sympathy for like-minded prisoners of fate to be weapons."
2300
2301	 Lina waved her head, trying to shake out the endlessly arising negative thoughts.
2302
2303	"Ah ..."
2304
2305	 At that moment, her consciousness finally returned to reality.
2306
2307	 "It's bad ... I wandered into the restricted area ..."
2308
2309	 Lina scolded herself for her gloomy thoughts. She decided to assign the responsibility of this to security officers, who somehow didn't stop her.
2310
2311	 In any case, she should leave this compartment immediately. As the commander-in-chief of Stars, Lina had the right to access most of the secret information. However, the existence of rights and their actual use are two different things. There is always a good reason why information is marked as secret. When someone puts his nose into secrets which he shouldn't know, it's like suicide.
2312
2313	 She went too far.
2314
2315	 "What are these psion waves ..."
2316
2317	 Forgetting that she wanted to leave this place as quickly as possible, Lina frowned.
2318
2319	 She didn't feel the psion waves until she entered this compartment. It seems that in the walls there are grids of induction stones built-in that weaken psion waves.
2320
2321	 For a moment, Lina thought that this was a way to conceal the nuclear reactor, but then realized that she was mistaken. Induction stones convert psion waves into an electrical signal. The side effect is the attenuation of psion waves so that these waves can no longer be detected. However, induction stones didn't possess the ability to absorb or reflect radiation.
2322
2323	 "Magic? But here ..."
2324
2325	When thoughts of forbidden nuclear energy were gone, another suspicion arose in her mind.
2326
2327	 Magic is used by one person. It is in principle impossible for several magicians to cooperatively activate one magic.
2328
2329	 Magicians with this ability are very rarely born. But even in those cases, no more than 2-3 people can join together to summon magic.
2330
2331	 But the psion waves that Lina felt now were ...
2332
2333	 "... More than ten people, maybe about twenty ..."
2334
2335	 So many magicians have invested their efforts in one magic.
2336
2337	 "How to understand this? The coercion of magicians to use magic is prohibited by military regulations."
2338
2339	 While communicating with the developers of "Brionac", Lina heard about the experiments conducted during the war where they tried to cause large-scale magic by creating forced connections between many magicians. The experiment, which was conducted jointly with the Japanese army (Japan was a closer ally than now), was found to be unsuccessful, and the data on it had to be destroyed.
2340
2341	 The recognized reason for the failure was the self-destruction of magicians, who became "guinea pigs". There began to be cases one after another of dulled thinking, which led to their inability to perform actions to maintain their own life. Lina was told that this was due to the forced connection of the minds. So she was told not to play with group magic.
2342
2343	 But that wasn't all. It was just Lina's intuition, but this magic loaded all the components of the activation sequence into the magicians and forcibly activated the spell. This technology which ignores the will of the magician and makes him part of the magic machine, contradicted the USNA military statute of the army which guarantees the observance of the rights of servicemen ...
2344
2345	 "... The magic itself is simple enough it only rotates the flywheel."
2346
2347	 "But to continue to perform this routine action for a long time should be difficult because of accumulating stress ..."
2348
2349	 "More than ten magicians are involved because the mass of the flywheel is quite large and its rotation speed is quite high."
2350
2351	"Really!?" Lina unknowingly said it out loud.
2352
2353	 "Is this ... a power generation system!?"
2354
2355	 "Is this really the secret of the Enterprise's power plant !?"
2356
2357	 Lina covered her mouth with both hands, so as not to let go of the new unconscious screams, and looked around in panic.
2358
2359	 No one was around.
2360
2361	 The surveillance cameras seemed to be functioning, so she should have been seen when she was in a state of confusion and mistakenly entered the forbidden compartment.
2362
2363	 Lina convinced herself of this and quickly headed back to the exit.
2364
2365
2366
2367
2368
2369	Lina and Clark were coming back on the same plane.
2370
2371	 Work as a security guard ended at the end of the meeting, but preparing another plane to return to the mainland was inefficient in terms of costs. Therefore it was inevitable that they became fellow passengers before Washington.
2372
2373	 "Major Sirius, you've done a good job."
2374
2375	"Thank you." Lina laconically answered Clark.
2376
2377	 She was in such a mood that she didn't want to talk to anyone right now. She just wanted to remove the "Parade" disguise and sleep, not thinking about anything. She tried hard so that her voice didn't sound sarcastic.
2378
2379	 It seems that Clark was wise enough not to show that he was concerned about Lina's behavior.
2380
2381	 "Major I think I should repeat it once more, but don't reveal the secret identity of Taurus Silver to anyone, including Colonel Walker and Colonel Balance." He said, not paying attention to Lina's mood.
2382
2383	"... I have to report everything that happened."
2384
2385	 "It's all right, Major. No one can blame you for this."
2386
2387	 Clark wasn't a soldier. He was a scientist from the National Science Agency of the United States. In his position he couldn't influence the army's system of rewards and punishments. Lina wanted to point out to him indignantly.
2388
2389	 "If Taurus Silver learns that his identity was revealed by the major, then he in turn can reveal the true identity of the major."
2390
2391	 However, Lina's language was numb with the words Clark said.
2392
2393	"Where did you hear this ..."
2394
2395	 Lina was able to squeeze out a few words.
2396
2397	 "I think it was a big mistake for the military when they contacted the major and Silver. You are still young. Emotional change is inevitable."
2398
2399	 Clark said this without a smile on his face. He hinted that he knew what Lina was doing in Japan, even more than the army knows. Then he said something that made Lina completely shut up.
2400
2401	"By the way, besides the identity of Silver. The truth about the Enterprise is also not worth reporting."
2402
2403
2404
2405
2406
2407	CHAPTER 6
2408
2409
2410
2411
2412
2413	On Monday, Tatsuya stopped coming to First High.
2414
2415	 Although he was still considered a pupil of First High, his absence caused a reaction in various unexpected places.
2416
2417
2418
2419
2420
2421	 Somewhere in Tokyo. The conference room, the location of which will never be revealed, gathered people responsible for the dark side of the Intelligence Department of the National Self-Defense Forces.
2422
2423	It seems that the high school student mentioned earlier began to live separately ...
2424
2425	 "Is this our chance? Unlike in the city there won't be a problem of many people involved."
2426
2427	 "Please wait."
2428
2429	 Suddenly, someone jumped up from their chair, leaned forward and spoke.
2430
2431	"Chief Inukai, what is it?"
2432
2433	 The one who wedged himself into the conversation was Chief Inukai the direct commander of Tooyama Tsukasa. Of all those present, he was the most aware of Tatsuya's danger.
2434
2435	 "We can send enough combat forces, so the other side is in an environment where he cannot hold back. I consider an unprepared attack a risky business."
2436
2437	"Is it a trap?"
2438
2439	"No I don't think so, but have you forgotten that the enemy is the Yotsuba clan, who are called "Untouchables". It's likely that they have prepared something for this situation."
2440
2441	"I agree." Onda, the head of the department for special issues expressed his approval of these words.
2442
2443	 "Despite the sufficient fighting strength of the garrison of the Nanso camp, you know what the result was. Although the roles of the attacker and the defender will change, I believe that we still should not take it on ourselves alone."
2444
2445	"Chief Onda, do you've someone who will help you?"
2446
2447	 "I would not call it help, but as a result there's something we can use."
2448
2449	 "Any special circumstances?" Inukai asked Onda in a mysterious voice.
2450
2451	"It seems that the head of the Juumonji family will arrive soon in Izu as a representative of the Magic Association." Turning to Inukai, Onda personally gave extracted information.
2452
2453	 "I don't know why he's going there, but I believe this is about that "project".
2454
2455	 Having changed the wording, he told it to everyone in the form of a "guess". So Onda concealed his lies. He knew that Tatsuya was Taurus Silver, and Katsuto was going to convince him to participate in the project. He didn't disclose it to people from the same Intelligence Department as himself.
2456
2457	"The Magic Association seems to be interested in the project of the USNA. Do they want to try to persuade Yotsuba to take part?"
2458
2459	 The chief of another department expressed his opinion. None of those present associated the names of Tatsuya and Taurus Silver with each other.
2460
2461	 All of them highly appreciated Tatsuya's fighting abilities, because they knew about it firsthand. But they didn't know about Tatsuya's intellect and technical skills. Therefore, they couldn't connect a high school student and an outstanding magic engineer with each other.
2462
2463	"...ok. This is our chance." The deputy director, who has the highest status among those present nodded in agreement. The Yotsuba's position with their refusal to cooperate was apparent even at the previous meeting.
2464
2465	 The previous meeting was referring to the April meeting of young people from the 28 Houses. Regarding the current situation, she had nothing to do with it. But what the deputy director pointed out wasn't a conclusion, but rather a good guess, because the facts superficially matched.
2466
2467	"There is a high probability that a fight between Shiba Tatsuya and the head of the Juumonji family will occur. And if these two fight, then Juumonji Katsuto wins. Is that correct, Chief Inukai?"
2468
2469	"Yes." Inukai confidently nodded to the deputy director's question. Sergeant Tooyama ... The Tooyama family came to the same conclusion.
2470
2471	 Despite being among the 28 Houses, Tooyama's family has never been a part of the Ten Master Clans. It's never even become a candidate.
2472
2473	 But if we're not talking about the simple combat use of magicians, but about their use in military affairs as a whole, they will be on a par with the Yotsuba and Juumonji. The Intelligence Department of the National Self-Defense Forces was confident of this.
2474
2475	 Military magicians are capable of more than just fighting. Included in their official duties is analysis of combat strength and tactics, and the Tooyama family of the 28 Houses is the only family among the "Numbers" whose people have been trained in the army since birth.
2476
2477	Of course, the head of the Juumonji family will not kill Shiba Tatsuya. But after losing to Juumonji Katsuto, Shiba Tatsuya will have been weakened and be unable to resist.
2478
2479	 "And the Juumonji family will not resist the Self-Defense Forces."
2480
2481	Inukai agreed with the deputy director.
2482
2483	 "In that case, let's make our move when the Juumonji family acts. We will also send Sergeant Tooyama, but this time not as Shiba Tatsuya's opponent in order to eliminate any possible protection organized by the Yotsuba family."
2484
2485	"Got it."
2486
2487	Inukai's reply was a small indication of indecision.
2488
2489	 "Don't worry, Inukai. The Yotsuba family seems to be confident in Shiba Tatsuya's fighting power. Because of that, they will not put their strongest fighters on guard. The most powerful will be focused on protecting his bride.
2490
2491	 The Deputy Director turned to Onda.
2492
2493	"I think that everything is as you said." Onda said respectfully nodding to the deputy director.
2494
2495
2496
2497
2498
2499	â—Š â—Š â—Š
2500
2501
2502
2503
2504
2505	"I apologize. ...What?" Shiina said doubtfully after entering the Student Council Room after class.
2506
2507	 "What's wrong, Shiina-chan?" Izumi asked Shiina, turning from her workplace.
2508
2509	 "Oh, no, I just ... did something happen to Pixie ...?"
2510
2511	 As Shiina said, Pixie who was always waiting in the corner of the Student Council Room, was missing.
2512
2513	"Because she's Tatsuya-sama's property" Minami answered while taking out napkins from the cleaning box (a drawer with various cleaning supplies, mounted in a multifunctional vacuum cleaner).
2514
2515	 Shiina didn't offer to help wiping Minami's table. During the month of joining this school and working with the Student Council, she learned that Minami does not throw off work to the younger ones, as is customary.
2516
2517	"Pixie was sent to Tatsuya-sama to take care of his daily needs."
2518
2519	Entering into the already open door Miyuki said that instead of a greeting, perhaps she heard Minami's words from the corridor.
2520
2521	"Miyuki-sempai, today we will try together!"
2522
2523	 "Let's work together, President. Um, so that means ..."
2524
2525	 In contrast to Izumi's always enthusiastic reaction, Shiina inclined her head with a misunderstanding on her face.
2526
2527	"Hya!"
2528
2529	 Before Miyuki could respond, a hand came at Shiina from behind causing her to scream and jump from surprise. Shiina turned around in a hurry and saw Shizuku shaking her head with a reproachful look.
2530
2531	"Kitayama-sempai ..."
2532
2533	 "Shiina-chan, this is because of Tatsuya-san, do you understand?" Honoka whispered while standing next to Shizuku. Thus, Shiina guessed the situation.
2534
2535
2536
2537
2538
2539	 It was the next day after that Sunday, when she was separated from Tatsuya. As usual Miyuki spent time in class, and as usual with the Student Council.
2540
2541	 The students of First High who don't interact with Tatsuya in any way, saw Miyuki the same as always. Friends with whom she had long been acquainted, on the way from school also didn't see any differences.
2542
2543	 "Miyuki, um ... are you okay?"
2544
2545	 But as expected from friends, they could feel something "strange."
2546
2547	 For example, Erika was in another class and wasn't involved in the affairs of the Student Council. They spent much less time together than that of Miyuki's classmates, but she was able to discover that "something is wrong here," not only because of her observation skills.
2548
2549	"Yes, everything is in order. Thank you, Erika."
2550
2551	 Miyuki also understood her friend's attention and didn't complain to her. Miyuki wasn't ashamed to admit that she was lonely without Tatsuya. It was natural for her, because she lived for Tatsuya's sake and his presence was vital to her.
2552
2553	 Miyuki thought that these friends have long understood this, so there is no reason to try to hide it.
2554
2555	 "Where's Tatsuya-san now? If this isn't a secret..."
2556
2557
2558
2559	"I don't think there will be any problems if I tell you." Miyuki replied shyly to Honoka. "He retired to a villa in Izu. I wonder if he can at least rest there a bit?"
2560
2561	"Izu? ... If not for these annoying circumstances, then I would be enviable."
2562
2563	 "But Tatsuya went to this villa precisely because of these annoying circumstances, right?"
2564
2565	"Shut up. I already knew. You're so unpopular because you don't know how to not talk too much."
2566
2567	 Leo joked over Erika's words, which were either serious, or a joke. But Erika immediately responded with her horseshoe.
2568
2569	"Che ...! These are unnecessary worries. Although not as much as Tatsuya, but I like girls too. Is it true, Sakurai?" (?)
2570
2571	 Today in the cafe not only third-graders gathered. With the addition of the trio from the second year of training, Kasumi, Izumi and Minami, as well as couples from the first year of training, Shiina and Saburou, they now formed a fairly large company.
2572
2573	 Leo turned to Minami, because she was from the same "Mountaineering Club" as him. Due to her work in the Student Council she almost never showed up there, but she did the work of the "manager" there, for example, periodically they brought onigiri made by the cooking club.
2574
2575	"... Yes, probably."
2576
2577	 Minami gave a noncommittal answer to Leo's question, which read a clear desire for agreement.
2578
2579	"Ah ~, well, no. Use your power in this situation? I didn't know that you were like that..."
2580
2581	"What !?"
2582
2583	 Ignoring the resentful protesting Leo, Erika turned to Minami.
2584
2585	"Minami, it's not necessary to cover him only because he's the president of the club."
2586
2587	"Yes ..."
2588
2589	 Minami with confusion on her face looked alternately at Erika and Leo.
2590
2591	"Erika. Saijou-kun, too, don't embarrass Minami-chan."
2592
2593	 Erika and Leo immediately exchanged glances, after which Miyuki bowed at the same time. Thus, Minami was able to avoid embarrassment with Miyuki's help.
2594
2595	"Tatsuya-san will not come here even on Sunday?"
2596
2597	 Mizuki's question changed the general mood again. But there was no awkward pause. Miyuki just shook her head with a sad smile on her face.
2598
2599	 "I think he will not be able to return to Tokyo for some time because there are a lot of annoying people here."
2600
2601	 "Can we visit him?" Honoka asked having received a confidence boost after hearing Mizuki.
2602
2603	"It's not known whether circumstances will allow this." Miyuki answered reflectively.
2604
2605	"It is clear ..."
2606
2607	"Unwanted guests can come to him."
2608
2609	Kasumi and Izumi reacted to those words
2610
2611	"Sempai, this means ..."
2612
2613	"That it's likely."
2614
2615	 Miyuki turned to the twin-kohai with a kind smile on her face.
2616
2617	"Izumi-chan, Kasumi-chan, if this happens, if the "guests" are people from your family, then don't bother your father or brother."
2618
2619	"Miyuki-senpai! I'll be on your side no matter what!"
2620
2621	 Izumi began to protest with passionate zeal. Kasumi, sitting next to her, couldn't hide her embarrassment.
2622
2623	"Izumi-chan, you're embarrassing Kasumi-chan."
2624
2625	 "Kasumi-chan! You're on my side, aren't you?"
2626
2627	 "Well ... Of course I'm on Izumi's side, but ..."
2628
2629	 Kasumi's face became even more embarrassed.
2630
2631	"Izumi-chan."
2632
2633	 With a bitter smile on her face, Miyuki approached and stood between Izumi and Kasumi.
2634
2635	 "You don't have to do anything, okay? Because neither Tatsuya-sama nor I are going to be at odds with Izumi-chan's father."
2636
2637	"... I understand."
2638
2639	 It was her weakness before Miyuki's charm. Izumi couldn't go against Miyuki's request, which was said in words that cannot be misinterpreted.
2640
2641	"Miyuki, it's useless to deter us."
2642
2643	 Turning, Miyuki saw on Erika's face a really mischievous smile.
2644
2645
2646
2647
2648
2649"I would not want you to do something reckless ..."