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1CHAPTER 1
2The end of April, 2097. The exact date and time isn't recorded. First of all, it
3should be mentioned that this meeting wasn't something that is kept in the
4official records.
5"These are the details of the attack on the camp in Nanso, given in Sergeant
6Tooyama's report."
7Director Inukai, the immediate superior of Tooyama Tsukasa, sat down
8having finished reading the report of his subordinate.
9"So, the identity of the attacker couldn't be established?"
10"Correct. We couldn't verify this" Inukai instantly answered the question of
11one of those present. "However, based on the circumstances it is obvious
12who was the attacker. You cannot think of anyone else, but Shiba Tatsuya of
13the Yotsuba family."
14And the truth.
15Indeed.
16There were voices of agreement with Inukai's opinion. And on the contrary,
17there were no votes of disapproval for hasty conclusions.
18The leadership of the Intelligence Department of the National Self-Defense
19Forces gathered here to decide whether Tatsuya was involved in the attack
20on the secret camp in Nanso, which contained illegal agents from the USNA.
21Although this was true, they would not object even to false accusations.
22Even in the Intelligence Department, they usually didn't make decisions so
23quickly. The collection of evidence and data was only a formality.
24But this meeting was a meeting of the secret leadership of the Intelligence
25Department of the National Self-Defense Forces . Such informal meetings
26were held only with special need. This meeting wasn't officially held, so theevidence wasn't needed. This was the place where they subjectively judged
27whether a particular person or organization is harmful to the country as a
28whole.
29"I believe that Shiba Tatsuya is a dangerous person and needs more
30surveillance."
31"Should he not be eliminated immediately?" One of the votes in response to
32the Inukai's proposal asked about a more strict measure.
33"The idea that he's extremely dangerous is true, but he undoubtedly has a
34rare, irreplaceable fighting power. Even if the Yotsuba family is behind him,
35his power, superior to the magic of the Tooyama family, is very attractive."
36Continuing his speech Inukai, the Director of the first department on Special
37Issues rose. The Division for Special Issues was a unit whose existence was
38concealed even within the Intelligence Department, which itself was famous
39for its high secrecy. It was an irregular organization, which at one time
40consisted of one to thirteen departments.
41"I want to add something about Shiba Tatsuya. There is unconfirmed
42information that should be paid attention to."
43"Oh. And what is it Director Onda?"
44The Deputy Director showed interest in these words and encouraged him to
45continue. The Director of the Intelligence Department was absent at this
46meeting. The Deputy Director who was present was also a person not
47disclosed to the public.
48"I think you all already know that the Yotsuba family, to which Shiba Tatsuya
49belongs, is in a cooperative relationship with the 1-0-1 Battalion."
50After Onda's words, those sitting at the table nodded.
51"So what?" The Deputy Director showing that he's also aware, called on him
52to continue.
53"Shiba Tatsuya, as a member of the 1-0-1 Battalion, may be the magician
54who destroyed the seaport of Zhenhai at the end of October of the yearbefore last."
55... "Scorched Halloween" ...?
56The Deputy Director, whose existence was kept a secret, was the one who
57deals with the shadow affairs of the National Self-Defense Forces . Therefore
58as expected he couldn't remain calm after this statement. No, not just him.
59For a while, the room was plunged into a heavy silence.
60"... So you mean that Shiba Tatsuya is that Strategic Class Magician?" Replied
61Inukai. Although his daily illegal activities forced him to hide from society,
62but even he understood the importance of the Strategic Class Magicians for
63national defense. He thought that if Shiba Tatsuya is a magician who created
64"Scorched Halloween," it would not be easy to get rid of him.
65"This isn't confirmed. But even if Shiba Tatsuya is a Strategic Class Magician,
66we cannot ignore him as a threat."
67Onda responded to Inukai, who has the same position as the head of the
68department as he did, and the only one who didn't show shock on his face.
69"More precisely, we must not lose sight of the fact that disproportionate
70force is concentrated in the hands of one person. This is my opinion."
71Excluding military terms from his speech, he confirmed that he's a member
72of an organization that is above the law.
73The Deputy Director calmed down under the influence of this unshakable
74position.
75"... As you said. For Shiba Tatsuya we will designate a re-education policy."
76"I support."
77"I think it's reasonable."
78After the Deputy Director's decision, words of approval were heard from
79members of the assembly one by one,â—Š â—Š â—Š
80End of April, Kazama's division returned to the headquarters of the 1-0-1
81Battalion from Hokkaido.
82"Lieutenant Colonel Kazama reporting all 195 of my subordinates have
83returned to base."
84"Everyone has returned safe and sound."
85The Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, which was under the command
86of Kazama, was positioned as a separate tactical unit called the battalion,
87but in terms of the number of soldiers it was only the size of 2 companies.
88And about half of the personnel were sent to this task. The number of
89people who returned to the base, voiced by Kazama, coincided with the
90number of people sent to the task. In other words, there were no victims.
91Hearing the report of Lieutenant Colonel Kazama about the return of all
92people to the base, the battalion commander Lieutenant-General Saeki
93responded with relief on her face. The loss of soldiers in combat is an
94integral part of war, and there isn'thing better than the fact that there was
95zero lost.
96Due to the positioning of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion as an
97experimental unit using magic weapons and magic tactics, it also contained
98many magicians with special abilities. Regardless of the system of moral
99values, the significance of these talented people was much higher than that
100of people from other divisions. Although she knew the situation from the
101daily reports, but confirming the return of everyone with her own eyes,
102Saeki was really relieved.
103"Lieutenant-Colonel, give the returned soldiers a three-day leave. With
104permission to exit the base."
105"Many thanks. The guys will be happy."
106Standing at the "free" bar Kazama slightly softened in the face. Saeki
107nodded 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
108Kazama with all seriousness on her face. Kazama face also tensed.
109"Major Onda called yesterday."
110"Major Onda ... Who is this?"
111As a member of the military system, Kazama constantly watched the news
112about military personnel. He couldn't say that he remembered everything,
113but he was sure of his knowledge of senior officers. But he didn't remember
114anyone with the name "Major Onda."
115"Major Onda is the head of Special Issues."
116"The Special Issues Section of the Intelligence Service ...?"
117Saeki didn't have the right to give orders directly to the Intelligence
118Department. And the Directors of intelligence units have no obligation to
119report to Saeki. In other words, the "connection" was private. That is, Major
120Onda is one of Lieutenant-General Saeki's sources of information. So
121Kazama interpreted the information received. Perhaps Onda also uses Saeki
122as a source of information.
123"So, what did Major Onda say?"
124Saeki answered Kazama's question honestly and without superfluous
125introduction.
126"Special Officer Ooguro is included in the list of purge targets available to
127the Intelligence Department. This is because of the attack on the secret
128intelligence camp."
129"... Do they want to kill Special Officer?"
130Despite the fact that Kazama didn't raise his voice, his intonation conveyed
131the feeling "I cannot believe it."
132"Not to execute. It seems that a decision was made to seize him and conduct
133re-education work."
134"That is nonsense." Kazama put it like it wasn't an Intelligence Department,and Saeki was building stupid plans.
135"Really. Re-education ... No, in this case there is no need to correct this
136word. Although brainwashing has a high probability of damaging your
137magical abilities."
138"Your Excellency, I beg to differ."
139Not understanding what Kazama wants to say, Saeki called with her eyes to
140continue.
141"It may be possible to assassinate the Special Officer. But to capture him is
142absolutely impossible. It's okay if only the Intelligence Department is
143destroyed, but in the worst case, the whole of Tokyo will drown in a sea of
144fire."
145Narrowing her eyes, Saeki looked at Kazama with a stern gaze. As if
146suspecting that Kazama himself is planning a large-scale diversion.
147"... The Special Officer can go that far?"
148"Your humble servant believes that the very fact that the Intelligence
149Department has recognized the Special Officer as a dangerous element is
150justified. He's the greatest egotist. The Special Officer cannot sacrifice
151himself or his loved ones for the sake of the country or citizens. He's from
152the category of people who are not at all suitable for the role of military."
153"He's perfect in his abilities, and in character as the Lieutenant-Colonel
154said." Saeki had no objection to the words about Tatsuya's lack of
155motivation in the service.
156"But their realization of the degree of danger is much too naive. Even
157without the use of Material Burst, Special Officer is capable of destroying an
158average city in one night."
159"You value the Special Officer highly, don't you?"
160"If there was a final boss in the real world, like in stories and games, it would
161definitely be him."
162"The final boss? Then where is that brave hero who will end this story with ahappy ending?"
163"Such a person has not appeared yet. Therefore we should not provoke him,
164at least until such a hero appears."
165Saeki and Kazama sighed at the same time. And they exchanged tense
166smiles. They thought it was funny how they seriously discussed the
167concepts, like the final boss and the hero.
168"We will pass your opinion to the Intelligence Department through Major
169Onda. I don't know how much it will help. ...Thanks for the help. Lieutenant-
170Colonel, you are free."
171"Understood"
172Kazama saluted Saeki and left her office.
173â—Š â—Š â—Š
174Second of May, after school hours.
175Not knowing that his friends consider him the King of Demons, Tatsuya
176returned to everyday life.
177Not only him. The clash that occurred in the last week of April during the
178incident with the abduction of Shiina, was resolved as a misunderstanding
179due to lack of communication, and for First High this incident has already
180become a thing of the past. Miyuki and Minami, who were in a separate
181incident at about the same time as the kidnapping, didn't tell anyone else
182about it so as not to cause unnecessary anxiety.
183As is usually the case after school hours, the members of the Student
184Council, including Tatsuya, were engaged in the usual affairs of the Student
185Council. Starting yesterday, in addition to normal work, the Student Council
186has started preparing for the Nine Schools Competition. They haven't yet
187received a list of competitions for this year so they were only engaged inbasic preparations, so that time wasn't wasted like last year, when
188unexpected changes occurred.
189Tatsuya was looking through the CAD catalog for the competition. The CAD
190characteristics used in the competitions was limited. According to the
191requirements, the performance of the hardware had to be in a strictly
192limited range. Since there were no restrictions on the software unlike the
193hardware, the key factors determining victory or defeat were the speed of
194reading from the media and the convenience of using the OS.
195Like the change in the competition last year, the limitations for CAD's could
196also change. But early information gathering wasn't a waste of time. Even
197Tatsuya's knowledge, who is directly involved in CAD development under
198the pseudonym Taurus Silver, didn't cover the latest models of the released
199equipment. It can be said that at the moment Tatsuya was enjoying the
200current work of the Student Council.
201"Master" There was a voice interrupting this work. Pixie spoke to Tatsuya by
202voice, not telepathy.
203"What?" Answered Tatsuya, without taking his eyes off the screen.
204" I • received • important • news."
205"Important news?"
206Tatsuya turned to Pixie.
207"News related to • Strategic • Class • Magic."
208Tatsuya turned his gaze and his eyes met with Miyuki, who also raised her
209head to Pixie's voice.
210"Bring it up on the wall."
211Following Tatsuya's order, Pixie displayed a recorded news release on a
212large wall-mounted display. Not only Tatsuya, but all the members of the
213Student Council gathered in front of the screen to look at it.
214However, interest on their faces quickly gave way to a touch of seriousness.
215During the video, someone made a sound that sounded like a muffled cry,but to until the end of the news no one said anything.
216"So this time Africa ...?" The first one who said her thoughts aloud was
217Izumi.
218"The Gulf of Guinea, the Nigerian Delta region ... At the moment this area is
219actually under the control of the Great Asian Alliance."
220"Yeah." Shizuku confirmed Honoka statement.
221"This is a conflict zone. The probability of using it there was higher than, for
222example, in Europe or in North America ..."
223Tatsuya, apparently, also wasn't able to suppress in himself thoughts like
224"this cannot be."
225The news release told about the fact of numerous victims from using the
226Strategic Class Magic "Thunderclap Tower" in the area of ​ the Nigerian Delta.
227And also about the statement of the army of the Great Asian Alliance which
228admitted this.
229The use of Synchronized Linear Fusion in South America has indeed
230weakened the psychological barriers to using Strategic Class Magic.
231But the view of society, that is, of the entire world, will only become
232tougher from this. And not just a passive outlook. A wave of criticism from
233around the world rolled into Brazil after its army used "Synchronized Linear
234Fusion." Even now a month later, the volume of criticism has not decreased.
235And despite this, the Great Asian Alliance didn't even try to hide the use of
236Strategic Class Magic. On the contrary, they themselves announced the use
237of "Thunderclap Tower". As if they boasted to the rest of the world about
238their military successes.
239"Was it a deterrent against France?"
240"Apparently, that was the main goal." Tatsuya nodded at Miyuki's question,
241adding a clarification.
242During the Third World War, the strongest forces of the world rushed to
243Africa in search of resources. In the local countries there were bothgovernment troops and opposition forces. The activities of these powerful
244countries of the world, whether it is the hidden manipulation of the local to
245fuel a war, or a direct invasion to "guarantee" the hidden resources in the
246ground, ultimately destroyed all the countries of the African continent.
247Even now when more than 30 years have passed since the end of the Third
248World War, conflicts there continue, although they have become much
249smaller. The competition between the forces of the Great Asian Alliance and
250France in the area of ​ the Gulf of Guinea resembled a game in reverse, when
251a large number of independent small groups of local tribes were dispersed
252throughout the region.
253The Nigerian Delta region has been under the control of the Great Asian
254Alliance for several years. But in the past few months, certain armed forces
255that proclaimed themselves to be the next generation of the international
256terrorist group MEND (the Movement for the Liberation of the Nigerian
257Delta), having received support from France, began to threaten the
258domination of the Great Asian Alliance in the region.
259Deterring France's support was the goal of this Strategic Class Magic, was
260undoubtedly one of the true answers.
261"So, there are other reasons?"
262The question was asked not Miyuki, but Izumi. It still couldn't be said that
263she had become open with Tatsuya. Usually she didn't start talking to him
264first, but this time her curiosity overpowered her.
265"Strategic Class Magic "Thunderclap Tower" was used. However, the user of
266the magic declared by the Great Asian Alliance wasn't Liu Yunde, but a
267certain girl named Liu Li Lie."
268"I was interested in that moment in the news too. This means that the
269reason was an announcement of the new officially recognized state Strategic
270Class Magician?"
271"The meaning is definitely in the notification, because it was already
272impossible to hide it."
273"What is there to hide?"Not only Izumi bowed her head inquiringly. On Honoka and Shiina too,
274question marks were lit over their heads.
275"Liu Yunde didn't show up at official events for more than a year. Last year,
276he was absent even at the annual military parade, which he had previously
277invariably visited. Since then, among the people associated with army
278affairs, there were rumors of his death, and as a result, they could no longer
279hide it."
280Tatsuya learned about the death of Liu Yunde in "Scorched Halloween"
281almost immediately after the incident. However, the Great Asian Alliance did
282its utmost to hide this information. Therefore, he conducted his explanation
283without going beyond the level of knowledge of ordinary people.
284"That means, if Liu Yunde is dead, then Liu Li Lie is his successor?"
285"The official announcement of the existence of a Strategic Class Magician is
286a deterrent. This is a demonstration by the Great Asian Alliance: "Although
287Liu Yunde is dead, but instead we have another Strategic Class Magician."
288"Sabotage against France, and demonstration to the whole world?"
289Muttered Izumi with an understanding face.
290Even after joining with Leo, Erika and other third-graders, when they went
291to Eine Brise, the main topic of discussion was the Strategic Class Magic used
292in Africa.
293"But doesn't this provoke neighboring countries?" Asked Erika
294"It's probably done deliberately." The so-called deterrence is needed to
295intimidate other countries.
296When Tatsuya went to answer, Mikihiko did it for him. Although he wasn't
297suited to such words because of his mild nature, but it wasn't uncommon for
298modern schoolchildren to express themselves in a similar manner.
299"A new member of the Thirteen Apostles is only 14 years old? Even youngerthan us ..."
300Less than an hour after the first report, the Great Asian Alliance provided
301information to the press, containing details. Although the bulk of this report
302condemned the inhuman behavior of hostile armed groups and drew
303attention to the legitimacy of using Strategic Class Magic, but it also found a
304place to advertise the new "Apostle."
305In the first news, only the gender and name of "Liu Li Lie" was listed. When
306the Great Asian Alliance revealed that it was a fourteen-year-old girl,
307everyone was very surprised.
308"The age is also surprising, but that such a small girl is a Strategic Class
309Magician ..."
310"Indeed. Although in another country there may be reasons, but it somehow
311does not fit in my head ..." Mizuki agreed with the words of the frowning
312Honoka.
313"I think the poor thing just has to do what the grown-ups say. It seems to
314me that recognition by an official of the state is a good situation for her."
315Erika spoke in a slightly annoyed tone, probably because she remembered
316about the incident with children of the same age who were victims of
317magical experiments conducted in Japan some time ago. There is no doubt
318that such tragedies occurred all over the world, and not only in Japan and
319the Great Asian Alliance. Among the numerous victims buried in the
320darkness, this exposed girl in some ways was lucky.
321" I was surprised that she was shown."
322Before Erika's words were drowned in the minds of others, Shizuku moved
323the interest in another direction.
324"Right. Despite the fact that usually private information about the Strategic
325Class Magicians is hidden, now they have published not only their name and
326age, but also her photo."
327Although Miyuki's intention behind backing Shizuku was to avoid depressing
328topics, but as she said, the publication of Liu Li Lie's appearance aroused
329surprise at everyone."Only if this girl really is the user of "Thunderclap Tower."
330After Tatsuya's words, not only Miyuki and Shizuku froze with their mouths
331open. Apparently, everyone forgot about the possibility that the girl,
332represented as Liu Li Lie, could be a figurehead.
333It seems that the army of the Great Asian Alliance is going to make her a
334symbol for the sake of morale.
335"You mean that adults will be more motivated when they see that such a
336young girl is trying so hard?"
337Probably, she herself regretted that some time ago she showed irritation.
338Therefore, she courteously said Tatsuya's words more simply.
339"Well, something like that." Understanding her feelings, he answered her
340with a tight smile.
341"So, the Great Asian Alliance recognized the death of Liu Yunde, in order to
342strengthen the image of the "brave girl who wants to succeed her
343grandfather"?
344"But we don't know if she's really his granddaughter." Erika responded to
345Mikihiko showing an evil grin. In the official announcement of the Great
346Asian Alliance, it was pointed out that Liu Li Lie is the granddaughter of Liu
347Yunde.
348"Returning to our conversation..." Leo said, after which Mikihiko urged him
349to continue, asking "what is it?".
350"... Is it true that there were 800 victims?" At first not daring to speak, but
351having decided to after Mikihiko's question, Leo expressed his question. "It's
352hardly a lie, that there were almost no civilians in the zone of the fierce
353fighting. But isn't that number too low? Well, you know, for the Strategic
354Class Magic?"
355For some reason they all looked at Tatsuya.
356"Compared to Synchronized Linear Fusion, there will be fewer victims.
357Because Thunderclap Tower is a magic used for the destruction of factoriesand infrastructure, and not for direct killing people."
358"Thunderclap Tower is magic, causing something like a storm with thunder
359and lightning?" Mizuki asked with a puzzled face.
360"Thunderclap Tower is a magic formed from two different types of magic.
361The first magic causes an avalanche(?) of electrons above the target area.
362The second magic intermittently and unevenly lowers the electrical
363resistance in the target area."
364Even after Tatsuya's words, Mizuki remained with an uncomprehending
365face. Tatsuya looked at Mikihiko, on his face was the question "Can you
366explain for me?".
367Mikihiko responded to this look. If someone said that there was no
368intention of showing themselves on Mizuki's good side, it would be a lie.
369"In simple words, the magic that causes the avalanche(?) of electrons is the
370process of creating the electricity necessary for lightning, and an uneven
371drop in resistance is a process that establishes resistance to a level when a
372dielectric breakdown occurs. As a result, lightning strikes are generated
373continuously, occurring at short intervals in different places."
374"... In other words, is it magic that throws lightning left and right?"
375With a serious face Mizuki looked at the explaining Mikihiko, trying not to
376lose a word, but in the end it was difficult to say how much she understood.
377"Right. You've got it right."
378But Mikihiko was soft, with her "evaluation." In this case it was difficult to
379understand whether this understanding was limited to just Mizuki, or to all.
380"A feature of Thunderclap Tower is that it pays more attention to the
381number of strikes, not the strength of each strike."
382Mikihiko looked at Tatsuya. When he nodded his eyes, Mikihiko felt
383relieved. Apparently he wasn't very confident in his knowledge.
384"... Instead of throwing one heavy-duty lightning bolt, with the help of a
385single magic cast, this energy is distributed over a wide space. For lightinfantry, this is a nightmarish magic, but if you take action against electricity,
386then fatal injuries can be avoided. But this magic has a different effect,
387surpassing all expectations."
388"Destruction of infrastructure?"
389"Yes. The lightning strikes that occur at short intervals signify a
390discontinuous oscillation of the electromagnetic field in this region.
391Moreover, for all objects in this region the resistance level is reduced to the
392state of breakdown of the dielectric. By omitting a detailed explanation,
393Thunderclap Tower is magic, causing serious damage to electrical equipment
394on a large scale."
395"In other words, the true essence of the Thunderclap Tower a magical EMP
396weapon?" Leo said.
397"The principle is different, but the effect is virtually the same."
398Although their conversation with Mizuki was interrupted, Mikihiko didn't
399show that he was disturbed.
400"There were few victims, because the direct damage factor is rather weak.
401As I understand it this is the main reason. That's why there is another
402question."
403"What question?"
404"This is a conflict zone, where the struggle for control has been going on for
405a long time. It is unlikely that they could build a high-tech city there. I think
406the main equipment that could be damaged by EMP weapons is equipment
407for extracting resources."
408"I don't know the details, but I believe it is."
409"But now the mining enterprises are under the control of the Great Asian
410Alliance? Wouldn't they themselves suffer from EMP weapons? Why did
411they use magic that would cause them losses?"
412Not knowing what to say, Mikihiko asked Tatsuya for help with a look.
413Tatsuya didn't panic or complain, but simply spoke."Recently there have been reports that in the Nigerian Delta region, the
414Great Asian Alliance began to lose positions. Using unmanned automatic
415weapons provided by France, local hostile armed groups have already
416occupied more than half of the territory."
417These words were sufficient for Leo to understand something.
418"Unmanned automatic weapons ...? So, therefore ...?"
419"They gave priority to neutralizing drones, sacrificing mining equipment."
420Mikihiko came to the same conclusion.
421However, these two didn't receive a higher score from Tatsuya.
422"The motive for using Thunderclap Tower on its territory is countermeasures
423against unmanned weapons. However, don't even mention that this magic
424also has the strength to kill. It will easily take the lives of those soldiers who
425don't have proper protection from the electricity, let alone civilians in
426ordinary clothes.
427The faces of Leo and Mikihiko tightened. They had forgetten that the
428number of human casualties wasn't zero.
429"So, the real number of victims ... exceeds the announced number?"
430"Another problem with the Thunderclap Tower is that it also paralyzes
431medical facilities." Most likely there are a lot of those who, although they
432didn't die instantly, but they will not be able to receive help ... " With a grim
433expression, Tatsuya answered Miyuki's timid question.
434CHAPTER 2
435Two years ago, at the Nine Schools Competition in 2095, Shizuku used the
436magic "Active Air Mine" developed by Tatsuya. With this magic, Shizuku took
437the crown of the Newcomers Division Speed Shooting. As a new magic,"Active Air Mine" was to be recorded in the National Magic University
438Compiled Magic Encyclopedia Index of True Names.
439However, Tatsuya, who at the time had such a low status in the Yotsuba
440family that he was ignored and considered a freeloader, couldn't become
441the center of attention, and suggested registering Shizuku as a developer of
442"Active Air Mine."
443But Shizuku would not agree with the proposal to take someone else's
444achievement. Eventually, the recording of the "Active Air Mine" was made in
445an incomplete form, with a note "the developer is unknown."
446In January of this year the recording of this magic was at last officially
447registered. Tatsuya received the status of "son of the head of the family"
448and "the groom of the next head of the family," so he no longer had to hide.
449But at the same time, Tatsuya himself didn't take any active steps to expose
450himself to the light. The truth was that ever since the National Magic
451University realized that Tatsuya was the real developer, they were gradually
452approaching the disclosure of the truth. After the announcement of
453Tatsuya's bridegroom, the next head of the Yotsuba family, probably
454someone at the National Magic University remembered what happened and
455realized the circumstances. At the very beginning of the year, they called
456Tatsuya to get permission. They tearfully pleaded with him, referring to the
457fact that the magic has been stored for so long in an unfinished form, and
458eventually Tatsuya surrendered and gave his consent.
459That's why today he felt that agreeing to use his name was a good decision.
460"Well, at least that will not end up disturbing Shizuku." he thought as he
461saw the news this morning.
462Tatsuya's place like last year, was near the window into the corridor. There
463was still time left before classes began, and classroom class 3E was filled
464with whispering students looking at Tatsuya.
465Pushing the upper half of her body through the window leading to the
466corridor, Erika glanced into the classroom. The students with whom she met
467her eyes turned away in confusion. Looking around the room with a gloomy
468look, Erika looked at Tatsuya."These conversations about the fact that armed guerillas used Active Air
469Mine, is it true? The destructive power was Tactical class. I didn't think that
470the magic could have such power output." From Tatsuya's side of the
471blackboard spoke Mikihiko who came here from his class, but not out of
472curiosity, but because he was worried about Tatsuya.
473"Active Air Mine does not have an upper power limit. Although there is a
474relationship between scale and speed, but depending on the magician the
475power can be higher. I appreciate your concern, but judging by the condition
476of the corpses, this magic was used." Tatsuya replied in an indifferent tone.
477Mikihiko's face darkened, and the whisper in the room became more active.
478Obviously, the topic of classmate whispers was news, which this morning
479was spread by the media.
480Two days ago, the use of the Strategic Class magic in Africa caused
481numerous deaths. In the summaries of the Great Asian Alliance controlling
482this region, the number of victims, as of yesterday is close to 900 people.
483Although it was already possible to say that the scale of the losses is quite
484large, but the Western media speculated that the losses among local people
485alone could exceed 3000 people.
486Armed guerrillas can also be considered part of the "local residents". Also,
487those who can be called terrorists, and not guerillas, like to hide among
488residents. However, it was also obvious that most of these people were still
489ordinary civilians.
490And last night they took revenge. The military base of the Great Asian
491Alliance in Central Asia was attacked by armed guerillas.
492Responsibility for the attack was assumed by the organization "Army of
493Liberation of the Nigerian Delta" (EAND: Emancipation Army of the Nigerian
494Delta). It was the armed forces that proclaimed that they were continuing
495the case of the international terrorist organization "Movement for the
496Emancipation of the Nigerian Delta" (MEND: Movement for the
497Emancipation of the Nigerian Delta).
498Given the coincidence in time, it seems that EAND planned an attack on the
499military base of the Great Asian Alliance long before, regardless of the use ofthe Strategic Class Magic Thunderclap Tower. The answer to that
500indiscriminate attack was only a visible cause. But as a result, a sneak attack
501actually became an act of revenge.
502In a statement reporting a successful attack, the key figure in the battle was
503a girl from the west coast of the Gulf of Guinea, a magician named Effia
504Mensah. And the magic she used was the same "Active Air Mine."
505"Active Air Mine is magic that destroys solid objects with the help of
506vibration zones, in which compression waves are created. A person who falls
507into such a vibration zone will have all their bones shattered into, and he will
508die by turning into a soft bag filled with bloody porridge." Now that it was
509confirmed Effia Mensah was the first person to use this magic against
510people.
511"Although Tatsuya-kun is the developer of the magic, aren't the victims the
512responsibility of the participants in that conflict? Tatsuya-kun isn't
513responsible for this."
514Erika bit her tongue in irritation. Because among the classmates with
515confused faces, Tatsuya had one exception.
516"... The moral responsibility for creating inhuman magic lies just on him.
517"Oh really?" Erika's caustic remark answered in a menacing tone. This forced
518the speaker of those words, Hirakawa Chiaki to turn away also.
519"Erika, stop it."
520Tatsuya stopped Erika whose eyes were dangerously lit. The students sitting
521near Chiaki, fussed.
522"Moral responsibility ...? The dynamite of Nobel, the atomic bomb of
523Einstein. You can give a bunch of examples." Muttered Leo in a bored voice.
524"Although those who say so, will have increased now ..."
525In this place, there was no one who could refute these words.â—Š â—Š â—Š
526"You insist that the National Magic University isn't responsible, right?"
527"The Magic Encyclopedia Index of True Names is only a collection of magical
528science research, and the National Magic University only plays the role of a
529research organization."
530On the television screen, a representative of the National Magic University
531responding to the arrogant reporter's questions, spoke in a firm voice, but
532his face expressed that he was almost ready to surrender under the pressure
533of the enemy.
534"So, you mean that the responsibility lies with the student of First High, who
535developed this murderous magic?"
536The representative turned pale and began to protest.
537"The First High student does not bear responsibility!"
538However this panicky voice wasn't completely knocked down by the
539aggressive attitude of the reporter.
540"In fact, this magic, developed by a student of a magic high school for the
541use in the Nine Schools Competition, claimed the lives of more than a
542hundred people."
543"This was a military attack. Responsibility is borne by armed guerillas who
544used magic as a weapon, not a developer of magic."
545"Is this true?"
546"... What do you mean?"
547The reporter broke into a broad smile, showing that this moment was
548exactly what he was waiting for.
549"Even among conventional weapons, all sorts of treaties forbid things such
550as poisonous gases or expansive(?) bullets. At the international level, any
551inhumane weapon is considered illegal.""Active Air Mine isn't a weapon!"
552Realizing that the reporter wants him to say this, the representative of the
553university again changed their face. But even his heightened tone couldn't
554stop the reporter's language.
555"But in fact it was used as a weapon."
556"This ... This means that the responsibility is borne by those who used it."
557"But if it has the word "mine" in the title, does that not mean that it was
558originally understood that it can be used as a weapon?"
559The representative of the university couldn't answer the reporter's
560question, to which he had been directing this conversation from the very
561beginning. Modern magic was originally designed as a weapon. The magic
562written in the Magic Encyclopedia was inherently suitable for military use,
563and it was difficult to call Active Air Mine an exception to this rule.
564"The consensus opinion of the international community lies in the fact that
565the possession and development of inhumane weapons is illegal. In order to
566avoid accusations of inhumanity from the world community to our country,
567shouldn't the University pay more attention to proper guidance over its
568students and the students of the magic high schools assigned to it?"
569"Our University believes that in the case of the magic developed by the
570Japanese used in the armed conflict in Central Asia, the responsibility lies
571with the party that used it."
572In the end, the representative of the university was able to complete the
573interview with just such an argument.
574"Onii-sama, is it true that the international community isn't allowed not only
575to own, but also to develop inhuman weapons?"
576As an exception, this Sunday, a press conference was held at the National
577Magic University. It seems that the University decided that such a quickreaction is necessary in this case. Immediately after the end of this live
578interview, Tatsuya, who was watching it at home in the living room, was
579asked this question.
580Miyuki, who was watching TV with him asked. It's been 4 months already
581since they publicly ceased to be a brother and sister, but Miyuki's Onii-sama
582expression was absolutely not going to disappear anywhere. Recently, you
583could often see the defiant behavior which according to her attitude to this
584was read: "If no one hears, then it's okay."
585"Who knows. Although the prohibition of possession is an obvious fact, but
586is it possible to completely prohibit the development of new types of
587weapons? After all, whether it's an inhumane weapon cannot be
588determined until it exists."
589"You mean that you cannot say whether it will be inhumane until it is
590actually used for the first time?"
591"You can tell that it will be a weapon, even at the design stage without using
592it. Because it is done for a specific purpose."
593Turning to the interrogated Miyuki, Tatsuya shook his head with a smile.
594"But when something is developed as a weapon, usually a lot of details are
595kept secret until the end of the manufacturing process. Because usually
596there is a certainty that if you publish details before the end of the project,
597then it will not be approved due to the recognition of inhumane weapons."
598"Ah, that's the way it is."
599"But in the case of magic, the situation may be different. For example, in the
600case of the airplane: it wasn't designed as a weapon, but can be used as a
601weapon. But if we exclude early cases of military use, modern aircraft are
602not used for battles, unless it is specially designed military aircraft. But in the
603case of magic, depending on the abilities of the magician even if he does not
604think to use it for military purposes, it can become both a simple weapon of
605murder and a weapon of mass destruction."
606Tatsuya sighed slightly."To tell the truth, I didn't even think that there was another magician who
607can cope with this magic. Yes, and at such a time. I'm really glad that in the
608end it didn't affect Shizuku."
609In Tatsuya's words, with these thoughts resignation was felt. But Miyuki
610didn't understand with what exactly he resigned himself. Therefore, she
611couldn't decide how to respond to these words.
612â—Š â—Š â—Š
613If you think about it logically, then Tatsuya isn't responsible for the fact that
614the soldiers and personnel of that military base of the Great Asian Alliance
615were victims. But in society there have always been people who, at least in
616the short term, don't behave according to logic. However, even though
617Tatsuya understood this he didn't expect that this would cause much
618influence.
619After school hours, Friday, May 10, 2097.
620"Guys, please listen."
621When she returned from the teacher's room, without sitting down and even
622before she left the doorway turned to the others as soon as she entered the
623Student Council Room. Everyone immediately realized that it was a serious
624matter.
625Tatsuya, Honoka, Izumi, Minami, Shiina. Looking around the five people,
626Miyuki continued to speak with a face that showed that she could barely
627restrain herself from crying.
628"A message came from the committee for the Nine Schools Competition.
629The Nine Schools Competition for this year has been canceled."
630Miyuki's voice trembled slightly. But we can say that it behaved perfectly.
631Honoka and Izumi cried out in shock, and Minami and Shiina were frozenspeechless.
632"... Miyuki, can I have a look at the message?" "Even Tatsuya needed a few
633seconds to react to this.
634"Yes ... wait a little." Still standing at the door Miyuki awkwardly went to her
635place. "... Here it is."
636After waiting for Miyuki to finish moving her fingers over the terminal,
637Tatsuya opened the document file copied to the general catalog of the
638Student Council.
639The other four, coming out of the daze, following Tatsuya, also opened the
640shared document.
641"...All clear. So, it's still my fault?" Tatsuya said sighing.
642"This isn't true!" Miyuki suppressed her emotions. It was anger that filled
643her.
644"This is an outrageous false accusation! Onii-sama does not bear any
645responsibility at all!"
646Simultaneously with the cry, the temperature in the room fell sharply.
647Miyuki not only stopped playing her role, but even forgot about controlling
648her magic.
649"Miyuki, calm down."
650Tatsuya didn't raise his voice, because he realized that this anger was
651because of him. But this does not mean that he didn't do anything. He
652stretched forward the index and middle fingers of his left hand folded
653together, and slightly waved them from right to left. The room suddenly
654returned to its original state. The frost that covered the windows
655disappeared without a trace, not even leaving condensation.
656"Rewind ...?" whispered Shiina. However not only she, but all five girls
657including Miyuki heard an illusory sound, like a tape rewinding. This was a
658side effect of Tatsuya's use of "Regrowth" which reversed the raging cooling
659magic 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
660all of its processes, the world itself returned to its original state, as if
661rewinding the phenomenon of cooling. The illusory sound that the girls
662heard was the noise of psion waves born when the reversed causal
663relationships created in the information dimension collided with the normal
664causal stream.
665"... I'm sorry, Tatsuya-sama."
666The realization that Tatsuya had to spend energy on her out-of-control
667magic, finally cooled Miyuki's head. She calmed down, as if the evil spirit
668that had possessed her had left.
669"But Tatsuya-sama does not bear any responsibility." The Nine Schools
670Competition was canceled due to the irresponsibility of the tournament
671committee. Indeed, in the last few days there has been a lot of criticism
672associated with the Nine Schools Competition, but wasn't it because of last
673year's changes?
674"That's right! The argument about Active Air Mine was only a little at the
675very beginning! Now the critics mostly focus on the strong military flavor
676that was present at last year's tournament!"
677The attempts to console Miyuki and Honoka were related to a wave of
678hysteria in search for "responsibility for the creation of inhuman magic"
679which was raised in the media on Monday, the day after the press
680conference of the National Magic University. In particular, the adoption of
681"Steeplechase Cross-Country" as a competition at last year's tournament
682was criticized as being too militarized for high schools at the National Magic
683University.
684There were certain reasons for this criticism. The "Steeplechase Cross-
685Country" was a training course used by the military in which they competed,
686comparing the results of their training.
687And not only "Steeplechase Cross-Country". "Shield Down" was a
688competition organized for close combat training. " Rower and the Gunner"
689from the Navy training program had an even stronger military flavor than
690"Battle Board." The competitors themselves also had a feeling that the NineSchools Competition was leaning towards the training of future soldiers.
691Such a change in the mood of the critics was undoubtedly the work of the
692media. Tatsuya also thought so. It was difficult to say whose work it was.
693Perhaps Shizuku's father put his hand to this before his daughter became a
694victim of the media. Or are these companies that manufacture conventional
695weapons trying to prevent magic from becoming a substitute for
696conventional weapons by trying to stop the military use of magic?
697If the latter, then we can say that their plan was crowned with success.
698As a result, the attacked tournament committee voiced their thoughts that
699they regret that "magic invented for healthy competition was used by the
700armed forces" and announced the decision to cancel the tournament this
701year in order to conduct a review of the information management system of
702the National Magic University.
703"... Really. Sorry that I made you so excited."
704Tatsuya accepted the arguments of Miyuki and Honoka and apologized for
705his words. More precisely, he pretended to apologize.
706â—Š â—Š â—Š
707Hearing the bad news about the cancellation of the Nine Schools
708Competition, not all students considered that in the cancellation of this
709major event the naiveté of the management system, which allowed the
710abuse of magic, is to blame. On the contrary, the students who agreed with
711the committees explanation for holding a review were undoubtedly very
712few.
713"Shippou, did you hear?"
714During club activities, Takuma was spoken to by his classmate and
715teammate Senkawa. These two were team mates in Monolith Code for the
716newcomer's division of last year."If you are talking about the cancellation of the Nine Schools Competition,
717then I heard." Takuma answered trying to look calm. But on the contrary the
718unnatural intonation of his voice was oozing disappointment.
719"We have another year, but you can only feel sorry for sempai. For them
720this is the last year of school and they thought they would have another
721opportunity."
722"True ..." Takuma replied with a not very interested tone. Senkawa however
723didn't notice in this Takuma's message of "let's not talk about it."
724"Listen, this cancellation it's only for this year right?"
725"If they only need to revise the information management system, next year
726will everything be all right?"
727"The truth. I would like it to be so." Senkawa honestly said in response to
728Takuma's words. "But still, using the information management system as an
729excuse? The truth is that if they don't eliminate the system of competitive
730competition and don't limit the use of magic, then next year, too, there may
731be difficulties?"
732Takuma's face twitched. Senkawa took this as an agreement with his
733opinion.
734"The magic made by a high school student would usually never be used in a
735war. Shiba-sempai most likely also didn't expect anything like this."
736"... Shiba-sempai isn't responsible for the cancellation of the Nine Schools
737Competition." Takuma's voice was more irritated than he had planned. And
738the answer itself was a surprise for Senkawa. He hurried to apologize.
739"I don't think that sempai is to blame either. Now that you said that, I
740realized that he was only a victim of the media. But, you know ... "Senkawa
741glanced at Takuma's expression.
742"But what?"
743Takuma urged Senkawa to continue, and Senkawa had to do it without
744changing his face."What if Shiba-senpai knew about the possibility of using that magic for
745military purposes? Or that it could give such an effect."
746Takuma again twisted his face not from Senkawa's words, but from
747remembering the photographs of the victims published by the Grand Asian
748Alliance. It was quite a terrible sight receiving a high age rating, but Takuma
749was able to see these photos on the personal website of a single journalist.
750"With the abilities of Kitiyama-senpai, she could have won "Speed Shooting"
751even without creating that magic. Did Shiba-senpai overdo it? From this
752point of view, it seems somehow ... reckless.
753Since Takuma was silent and didn't agree, Senkawa's speech was getting
754quieter towards the end, and as a result he hesitated. But it wasn't because
755Takuma didn't approve Senkawa's opinion.
756The fact was that everything was just the opposite, but Takuma didn't tell
757this to his friend.
758â—Š â—Š â—Š
759In First High there were relatively many students sympathizing with Tatsuya.
760The students of First High didn't forget that Tatsuya made a significant
761contribution to the overall victory last year and the year before. For this
762reason, there was doubt in their minds whether they should criticize
763Tatsuya.
764However, it is quite obvious that in other schools the situation was
765completely different.
766"Masaki!"
767"Ichijou-senpai!"
768The headquarters of the disciplinary committee of Third High. Despite the
769fact that Masaki wasn't the head of the disciplinary committee, all thestudents, including the nominal head of the committee, believed that the
770head of the disciplinary committee of Third High was "Ichijo Masaki." Even
771the president of the Student Council recognized him as the head of the
772entire Third School. Probably just because the president of the Student
773Council was a girl who wasn't part of the 28 Houses, or the Hundred
774Families, Masaki could be considered even higher.
775But back to the main topic.
776At the headquarters of the disciplinary committee, where Masaki spent his
777time waiting for work (the Disciplinary Committee of Third High didn't focus
778on patrolling like at First High, but worked in the form of responding to
779reports from students), two students burst in: his classmate, and Kokhai a
780year younger.
781"What happened, you two?"
782They were both his teammates at last year's Nine Schools Competition.
783Kokhai was a student who hoped to become a team ace in the tournament
784next year.
785"Is it true that the Nine Schools Competition was canceled!?"
786Hearing the question of a classmate, Masaki sighed.
787"True. I just heard too."
788"They canceled it because of that guy from First High!"
789When any pupil of Third High spoke of a certain "boy from First High", it
790always referred to Tatsuya. Having received bitter experience in the Nine
791Schools Tournaments last year and the year before last, in Third High they
792began to consider Tatsuya as the main villain.
793"This isn't true. To prevent the magic published in the Nine Schools
794Competition from falling into the hands of armed guerillas or terrorists, the
795information management system will be revised."
796Masaki also thought of Tatsuya as a "guy who is irritating." Cooperation in
797the affairs of Zhou Gunzin and Gu Jie gave rise to small signs of friendlyrelations, but for Masaki Tatsuya was still a rival.
798But that's why the unfair treatment of Tatsuya as a villain didn't coincide
799with Masaki's opinion. For him it was an indisputable fact that Tatsuya was a
800"bad guy", but he felt that it would be cowardly to ignore the false
801accusations of such an enemy that should be defeated in a fair battle.
802However, the classmate and the Kokhai were not attached to Tatsuya in the
803same way as Masaki.
804"But this revision became necessary because this guy created inhuman
805magic?"
806"Right. Whatever the excuses, the main reason is this asshole!"
807"Therefore, they didn't hesitate to use Tatsuya as a target, to which they
808concentrated disappointment and irritation.
809"Maybe it's an excuse ..."
810For Masaki, all the pupils of Third High were "allies", and Tatsuya was "the
811enemy." He couldn't decide to defend Tatsuya before a classmate.
812"Ichijou-senpai, please forgive me. But why is it because of this one guy that
813we all have to give up the Nine Schools Competition?"
814"Indeed. For example, it was possible to not cancel the tournament but to
815hold it without the participation of First High. As a last resort, you could just
816forbid that guy to participate."
817"No, they couldn't do that. Such discrimination would be criticized in the
818media."
819Thinking that excluding Tatsuya from the tournament alone is an unheard-of
820exaggeration, Masaki with a reserved expression called on the guys to be
821more careful in terms.
822"P-understandable. How many more problems is he going to deliver to us?"
823"Whatever genius engineer he's called, does he really think that he will be
824forgiven of everything he's done?"However, the true meaning of Masaki's words wasn't passed on to a
825classmate or to Kokhai.
826Similar conversations have occurred in the other magic high schools.
827But none of the schools sent protests to First High. Each school made an
828official statement that there is no direct link between the cancellation of the
829Nine Schools Competition and the military use of Active Air Mine. However,
830the next day, on Saturday, when details about the cancellation of the Nine
831Schools Competition became known to everyone, attacks against Tatsuya
832spread among students of all magic high schools.
833And the news that flew in from America, as if to drive Tatsuya even further
834into a pit, from which not to get out.
835CHAPTER 3
836The main theme of the morning news release on Sunday, May 12, was the
837announcement of an international project, held in Los Angeles, at 13 o'clock
838local time.
839The speaker was Edward Clark. He was an engineer from a government
840agency known as the NSA: National Security Agency. In his statement it said
841that the NSA is calling for cooperation from all countries of the world.
842In fact, nothing has been done and America has just launched an
843international project alone.
844It was called "Project Dione". It consisted in realizing the dream of
845terraforming Venus with the help of resources from Jupiter and its satellites
846using magical technologies.The diameter of Venus is equal to 0.95 of the diameter of the Earth. Gravity
847is equal to 0.9 of the earth. From these indicators, it looks much more
848suitable for human settlement than Mars. However the thick atmosphere of
849Venus, consisting of carbon dioxide and having clouds of sulfuric acid, had a
850high temperature due to the greenhouse effect. Many considered such
851conditions too complex for attempts to change them. As a result, most
852space exploration programs switched to Mars.
853But from the perspective of a settlement colony, Venus remained
854preferable to Mars, because of Mars remoteness from the Earth and low
855gravity, which adversely affects the human body.
856"With the help of magic technology to implement the extremely complex
857terraforming of Venus's atmosphere which was too difficult for conventional
858technology." This was the essence of "Project Dione.
859Edward Clark voiced the names of nine people who, besides him are
860necessary for the implementation of "Project Dione." In this list were not
861only scientists. The names of the president of Maximilian Devices, Paul
862Maximilian, and the president of Rosen MagiCraft, Friedrich Rosen, were
863also mentioned.
864That is, the cooperation of the two largest manufacturers of magic
865equipment was requested which was quite reasonable regardless of the
866possibility of obtaining this cooperation. The likelihood of obtaining the
867cooperation mentioned in the list of William MacLeod and Igor Andreivitch
868Bezobrazzoff, the world-famous "Apostles", was even lower, but their
869names could also be understood on the list.
870The reason why the Japanese media drew attention to the project, which
871was only at the planning stage, was the tenth person on the list, whose
872name wasn't named.
873After voicing the names of nine people, Edward Clark looked at the camera
874and said:
875"There is another technical specialist, whom we very much want to see on
876the project. We cannot give a real name, because according to the laws of
877the country of residence, he's still considered a minor. I can only say thatthis is a Japanese high school student, who acts under the pseudonym
878"Taurus Silver"."
879"This is an unpleasant situation ..." Tatsuya muttered in an unhappy voice,
880watching the morning news recording, sitting on the sofa in the living room.
881The morning, which from the very beginning was far from good, became
882even worse.
883Seated next to him, Miyuki looked at him with concern in her eyes. But she
884couldn't decide to speak. No, it seems that she simply didn't know what to
885say.
886"... I'm sorry, Miyuki." Looks like I made you worry too much. Noticing
887Miyuki's eyes, Tatsuya said and turned to her with his usual soothing smile
888on his face.
889However, this smiling face immediately froze. Miyuki's cheeks were
890shedding tears.
891"......"
892Now it was Tatsuya's turn to shut up, not knowing what to say.
893"P-I'm sorry."
894In a hurry, Miyuki tried to wipe the tears with her fingers. A clean
895handkerchief was stretched from behind her.
896"Thank you, Minami-chan."
897Miyuki looking back to thank Minami, took the handkerchief from her, but
898instead of wiping her tears, she simply dabbed it to her face, putting it to her
899eyes.
900"... Miyuki?" Tatsuya timidly called her name.Miyuki slightly lowered her handkerchief. Her face, looking out from under
901the bangs, was bright red.
902"I apologize. To so suddenly cry ... I acted like a child ...?"
903It seems that Miyuki was ashamed for showing her tears like this.
904"No, I don't consider you a child ... but what, has happened?"
905Miyuki removed the handkerchief from her face. Her face still showed signs
906of redness.
907"Um ... Onii-sama. No, Tatsuya-sama." Correcting her appeal to Tatsuya,
908Miyuki involuntarily looked away. "I'm asking you ... don't make yourself
909smile in front of me."
910"I would not ..."
911Tatsuya couldn't finish the words of justification. Because he knew that he
912does not know how to lie well.
913"I also understand that Tatsuya-sama was in a difficult situation. I cannot
914help but understand Tatsuya-sama."
915"Really ..."
916"Maybe I cannot do anything ... But, Tatsuya-sama, at least share your
917problems with me. Because I'm no longer your sister, but your bride."
918Miyuki glanced sideways and looked at Tatsuya's expression. Although she
919didn't say anything strange, she was ashamed of her words.
920Usually in such a situation, he would just tenderly embrace her without any
921reason.
922But he didn't know how this would affect her in her current state.
923At such times, you cannot let her lose control over herself, or you can lose
924your life.
925These were Tatsuya's reflections, looking at the shy Miyuki.Thanks to Miyuki, Tatsuya's mood improved, but that didn't mean that the
926problems that had fallen on him disappeared. On the contrary, from now on
927he will have to deal with them.
928"... What matters most is ..." In response to Miyuki's request, Tatsuya began
929to explain to her the current situation. "... that they could recognize the
930identity of Taurus Silver. And on this we cannot do anything."
931"Erasing the memory of Edward Clark will not make sense ...?"
932"Right. We should think about what to do in a situation where the world has
933learned that I am Taurus Silver."
934"You cannot accept Edward Clark's invitation?"
935"I cannot. To find out Edward Clark's true purpose, we need to study the
936content of "Project Dione" ... But whether or not it will benefit magicians, in
937my current position I cannot go to the USNA."
938"... And if both of you-yourself will allow, what will you choose?"
939"Even if both are allowed, I'm not going to leave you."
940Miyuki turned away with a red face. Because of her recent statement "I'm
941no longer your sister, but a bride," she perceived the opposite sex in Tatsuya
942more than usual.
943Tatsuya wasn't puzzled by Miyuki's different behavior. He already knew for
944himself that his words were rather embarrassing. You cannot help that she
945cannot cope with her shyness, being in a state where she's firmly aware of
946herself as a bride, and not her usual younger sister.
947But if I apologize, the awkwardness will only increase. Tatsuya decided not
948to look at Miyuki shivering with shame and continued to speak.
949"Although I am not interested in international projects of non-military magic
950... Let's start by organizing the information we have.""... I'll take a look."
951The information provided by Edward Clark had a brief project plan. Tatsuya
952ran his eyes through the original document, and Miyuki read the translated
953text.
954Minami placed a cup of freshly brewed tea in front of them. As if on a
955signal, Tatsuya and Miyuki simultaneously looked up from the electronic
956paper with the details of the project.
957"... The so-called Dione, it does not seem to be Saturn's companion "Dione",
958but the goddess of Greek myths."
959"Right. Wife of Zeus, who gave birth to Aphrodite. From that version of the
960myth, where Aphrodite is born from sea foam."
961"Zeus is Jupiter. Aphrodite is Venus. So this is ... a project of a goddess who
962will revive Venus with Jupiter's resources?"
963"I think you're right. In my opinion, this project in itself makes sense for
964humanity, but ..."
965Tatsuya again looked at the electronic paper and frowned. The project
966consisted of four stages.
967The first stage was launching into space materials and finished equipment,
968using Weight and Acceleration magic. It is the gravity of the Earth that
969becomes the biggest obstacle in the construction of large-scale structures in
970space. To deliver massive objects into orbit, powerful rocket engines with
971high thrust are required. To use extraterrestrial resources, the first
972equipment for construction and production must be delivered from Earth.
973For this purpose, it wasn't planned to create high-thrust rockets, but with
974the help of Weight and Acceleration magic ​ to help existing rockets deliver
975massive objects into space.
976This has been done before. Before the war there was a project to create a
977platform in space shooting massive hypersonic shells that would become a
978new strategic weapon, to replace nuclear weapons. The project's bottleneck
979was the thrust of rocket engines. In order to be considered strategicweapons, it was necessary to use a large number of massive shells. It was
980necessary either to develop a rocket engine with high thrust capable of
981delivering such a mass into orbit, or launch conventional missiles many
982times. The cost was unacceptable, even under the pretext of replacing
983nuclear weapons.
984Then it was thought to put two magicians in the rocket, which will use
985Weight and Acceleration magic. One person reduces gravity for the entire
986rocket, including cargo (rockets with massive projectiles and components for
987the construction of the platform), and the other adds to the acceleration
988force of the rocket engine. The US, the predecessor of the USNA, with the
989help of this method, in fact, was able to put into orbit a strategic military
990satellite that was to become a platform for launching missiles.
991However this scheme was abandoned after the launch of just one strategic
992military satellite. All twelve magicians involved in six missile launches
993carrying 30 missiles and spare parts for the satellite were killed in orbit.
994Not as a result of an accident. No, this definitely should be called an
995accident, because in addition to the magicians no more people died, neither
996among the pilots, nor among the technicians. The use of magic in conditions
997where an object weighing 600 tons for a short period of time strongly varies
998mass and gravity, caused the magicians magic calculation zone to overload.
999Nevertheless, a new solution has already been invented on this issue.
1000Although it has not yet been proven in terms of value, it was obvious that
1001the experiments will prove successful. This part of the project didn't cause
1002any concern to Tatsuya.
1003The second stage consisted in using magicians to extract from the asteroid
1004belt the necessary metal resources for the project.
1005The "Project Dione" required a large amount of nickel, and it could be
1006obtained from "Class M asteroids". In addition to nickel, most of the metal
1007resources needed to create space equipment could be obtained in space
1008without using resources extracted from the earth's interior. However,
1009extraction of resources in a space with zero gravity has one significant
1010drawback: fuel (propellant) will be spent for any, even minimal, movement.In this project, it was proposed to solve the problem of the propellant, using
1011Move-type magic for work in outer space. Indeed, using Move-type magic it
1012will be possible to freely move asteroids and other small celestial bodies,
1013using the main ship as a starting point. It would be nice if a magician who
1014worked for a long time as a miner would join the project to work in the
1015asteroid belt located far from the Earth.
1016The third stage consisted in using magic to collect hydrogen from Jupiter and
1017transport it to Venus. It was planned to use the Sabatier reaction, in which
1018hydrogen reacts with carbon dioxide, resulting in water and methane. This
1019scheme will not only bring water to the dehydrated Venus, but also reduce
1020the carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere. And nickel is the catalyst for
1021this reaction.
1022In orbit around Venus will be placed tethered (cabled to the surface)
1023satellites, and on the cables will be fixed nickel special shaped containers.
1024The hydrogen delivered from Jupiter will be loaded into the main module of
1025the satellite and sent along the pipe-shaped cable down into the nickel
1026containers. Near the surface of Venus is a fairly high temperature and
1027pressure, so the Sabatier reaction, using nickel as a catalyst, will occur
1028without the addition of additional heat and pressure.
1029When a sufficient level of water is reached in the atmosphere of Venus, it
1030will be possible to start producing oxygen with genetically modified algae.
1031According to the proposed scheme, magicians are placed in the orbits of
1032Jupiter and Venus, where using a combination of Movement and
1033Acceleration magic will control the process of sending cargo ships from
1034Jupiter with hydrogen and the process of receiving them on Venus.
1035However, water (water vapor) and methane are gases that cause an even
1036stronger greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide. As carbon dioxide
1037decreases, the high temperature of Venus will become even higher.
1038Therefore, from the surface of Callisto, one of the Galilean satellites, ice will
1039be cut out, sent to Venus and discharged into its atmosphere, thereby
1040lowering its temperature. The fourth point of the list suggested the use of
1041magic to cut and transport these giant blocks of ice.Since the combination of concentrated sulfuric acid and ice works as a
1042cryogen, it was expected that the atmosphere of Venus will be effectively
1043cooled when a large amount of ice is thrown into it. It was assumed that this
1044would be sufficient to complete the first stage of the terraforming of the
1045atmosphere of Venus, even if the production of water according to
1046Sabatier's reaction does not go with the expected efficiency.
1047However, these schemes of the third and fourth stages required that
1048magicians live in the orbits of Jupiter and Venus. In order to continuously
1049send cargo ships and ice blocks for a long time while overcoming the gravity
1050of Jupiter, a considerable number of magicians were required. Venus also
1051required the presence of many magicians, since tethered satellites for
1052effective work would not be 1-2, but many more. Magicians sent to Jupiter
1053and Venus will not be able to return to Earth for many months, or even
1054years. This also involved magicians sent as space miners in the second stage.
1055"I knew it was ..."
1056"Is there something wrong?"
1057Still frowning, Tatsuya nodded at Miyuki's question.
1058"Maybe I'm exaggerating. More precisely, I would prefer for it to be so ... But
1059it seems to me that the goal of this project is the expulsion of magicians
1060from the Earth, who are a threat to people."
1061"Expelling them ... into space?"
1062There was no sense of danger in Miyuki's voice. It seems that she has not yet
1063really understood the situation.
1064Perhaps it was inevitable. As a result of social upheavals caused by global
1065cooling, and the subsequent war, the development of space technologies
1066has stopped, and at the moment was at the same level. And manned space
1067flights ceased to be carried out from the first half of the 21st century.
1068Even representatives of the elite profession of the "astronaut" stopped
1069flying into space. Therefore, the parts about sending magicians to space,
1070undoubtedly, are difficult to immediately grasp."Naturally, officially it will be the exploration of the cosmos. But the
1071magicians involved in this project will not be able to return to Earth for a
1072very long time. Even if they return due to exhaustion, they will be sent back
1073again as soon as their condition improves."
1074Tatsuya spoke without taking his eyes off the electronic paper, and without
1075looking up.
1076"Devote your whole life to exploring the cosmos. I think this is a wonderful
1077way of life. But I ..."
1078Tatsuya plunged deep into his thoughts, never looked at Miyuki.
1079â—Š â—Š â—Š
1080The next morning (Monday). Class 3A.
1081There was already more than half, but less than 2/3 of the students. Miyuki
1082had not yet appeared in the class.
1083Pupils in the classroom, gathered in groups of friends, chatted about
1084different things. In this sense, high school students of magic were the most
1085ordinary high school students.
1086Students who discuss the cancellation of the Nine Schools Competition are
1087very few. Not because they didn't care, but because they tried to avoid the
1088feelings associated with it. After all, the user of the problem magic "Active
1089Air Mine" was present in this class, and class A students understood well
1090that Tatsuya's help to achieve a common victory last year and the year
1091before last. In this class there were many participants in those competitions,
1092so nobody wanted to choose this topic for discussion.
1093But this does not mean that they had nothing to talk about in return for this.
1094Many students discussed yesterday's news about the USNA space
1095exploration project.Honoka and Shizuku were no exception.
1096"Shizuku, is that really true?"
1097"Is this?"
1098"Well, it's ... The fact that Taurus Silver is really a high school student from
1099Japan."
1100Like Honoka, interest in Taurus Silver's real identity was very high among
1101high school students.
1102And suddenly it turns out that the ingenious engineer of magic hiding his
1103identity is in fact the same as they are a high school student.
1104"You cannot immediately say that this is a lie. For example, there is
1105Kichijouji-kun."
1106In the field related to the study of magic, there were no people who didn't
1107know the famous pioneer of the "Cardinal Code", a third-grade student from
1108Third High, Kichijouji Shinkurou. He made his discovery when he was only 13
1109years old. But since that time he had not had any special achievements, and
1110the name of Kichijouji Shinkurou couldn't even get close to the name of
1111Taurus Silver, who created flight magic, which was the solution to one of the
1112"Three Great Puzzles of Magic."
1113Shizuku's theory was that having Kichijouji Shinkurou from Third High as an
1114example, we can say that there isn'thing strange in making Taurus Silver a
1115high school student.
1116"Listen, Shizuku ..."
1117They were old friends. Shizuku understood that Honoka herself couldn't say
1118this, and decided to help her.
1119"What?"
1120Therefore, Shizuku decided to not hesitate to start talking to Honoka.
1121"Taurus Silver ... this is Tatsuya-san?"
1122"It is a possibility."It was an instant response. Honoka stared at her with wide-open eyes.
1123"What happened?"
1124"... I didn't expect to get such a quick response ..."
1125"It's just that I also thought so recently."
1126Shizuku again gave an immediate response.
1127"So I thought? Do you mean that I thought so when I heard that Taurus
1128Silver is a high school student?"
1129"Yeah."
1130Shizuku nodded, completely unconcerned, after which she thought that
1131replying only would be too impolite, and with a little delay added a short
1132explanation.
1133"If Taurus Silver is a Japanese high school student, then I can only think
1134about Tatsuya-san."
1135"... Indeed, it looks like you're right."
1136Honoka made a pensive face.
1137"So ..., ...!"
1138But Honoka couldn't finish speaking. When she saw Miyuki entering the
1139class, she immediately closed her mouth.
1140"Good morning."
1141"Good morning Miyuki."
1142Shizuku responded first to Miyuki's morning greeting.
1143"Good morning Miyuki.
1144Honoka followed her example. Before Miyuki, she was never able to voice
1145her fear that Tatsuya would leave for America.â—Š â—Š â—Š
1146Tatsuya slipped into his class at the very last moment before the beginning
1147of the lesson. However, after reading the message that came to the student
1148terminal, he had to get up right after he sat down.
1149"Tatsuya-san, what happened?"
1150Mizuki, sitting next to Tatsuya as usual, asked with suspicion in her voice. At
1151this school there was no such thing as changing places when going to the
1152next grade."
1153"I was called to the teacher's room. So I went."
1154Mizuki's face darkened. In addition to Mizuki, other classmates who also
1155heard Tatsuya's response followed him with uneasy glances.
1156"It's good that I didn't tell the truth," Tatsuya thought, looking at that
1157reaction. Because in fact he was summoned not to the teacher's room but to
1158the principles's office.
1159In the office of the principle three people waited for Tatsuya: the director of
1160Momoyama, the vice principle Yaosaka, and the teacher from class 3E,
1161Jennifer Smith.
1162Momoyama was sitting at a large desk, Yaosaka was standing at the side of
1163the table, and Jennifer was standing diagonally behind Yaosaka.
1164I'll get straight to the point. There is one thing that I want to confirm."
1165When Tatsuya stood in front of the table, Momoyama spoke, skipping the
1166introduction.
1167"Shiba Tatsuya-kun. Are you Taurus Silver?"
1168"... How did you decide this?"Instead of answering Momoyama's question, Tatsuya answered the question
1169with a question.
1170Although this was unthinkably rude behavior for the relationship between
1171the student and the principle, but Momoyama somehow didn't show that
1172this affected his mood. This attitude was because he had previously
1173assumed that Tatsuya would not respond.
1174Through the American embassy, ​ I received a letter from the NSA, the
1175National Security Agency of the USNA. Yesterday an embassy employee
1176brought it straight to my house."
1177Momoyama wasn't only the director of First High, but also the universally
1178recognized authority of magical education. As a civilian, he wasn't engaged
1179in diplomacy. It was rather unusual that an embassy employee brought a
1180letter of diplomatic content to a simple civilian.
1181But Tatsuya didn't move his eyebrows when he heard this. Momoyama was
1182also calm about the impudent behavior of the 18-year-old boy.
1183The views of Tatsuya and Momoyama collided with each other. Figuratively
1184speaking, it wasn't throwing sparks in looks, but pressure on each other.
1185Vice principle Yaosaka who was looking at the side of this confrontation
1186between two people, turned a pale face.
1187"Here is this letter."
1188Momoyama took out a white envelope from the drawer of the table and laid
1189it on the table.
1190"Here is written request "To make sure that Taurus Silver, Mr. Tatsuya Shiba
1191was able to take part in Project Dione." The National Security Agency of the
1192USNA has come to the conclusion that you are Taurus Silver, and requests
1193your participation in the project."
1194"Principle. I'm still a high school student at this school. I'm not going to
1195interrupt my studies halfway."
1196Tatsuya didn't answer the question "Are you Taurus Silver?". He deliberately
1197ignored this part, and fundamentally refused to participate in the project, orrather rejected it.
1198"A pupil of our school is invited to an international magical project. I believe
1199that you are honored."
1200Momoyama broke off for a moment and looked at Tatsuya with a
1201particularly strong gleam in his eyes.
1202"And not only me. The Director of the National Magic University is of the
1203same opinion. If you take part in the NSA project, you will be counted as
1204graduated from school and granted the right to enter the National Magic
1205University. If you cannot attend the University due to the employment in the
1206project, then during the period of participation in the project you will
1207receive the marks automatically, and if participation in the project will reach
1208four years, then you will automatically receive a diploma."
1209"Is this an official decision?"
1210"It's not officially decided yet, but I guarantee you this with my name and
1211status."
1212Before Tatsuya could answer, Momoyama turned to Jennifer.
1213"Smith-sensei. Shiba-kun after all already has the knowledge and skills
1214sufficient for the graduation of our school, is that correct?"
1215"It is as you say."
1216Jennifer replied in a reluctant tone.
1217"Even last year's "Stellar Furnace" experiment is enough to evaluate Shiba-
1218kun, who has already reached the level of a graduate of the National Magic
1219University."
1220"Understood."
1221Momoyama nodded to Jennifer and looked again at Tatsuya.
1222"Shiba-kun. Do you yourself not think that you're wasting your time here,
1223the level of which is much lower than yours?"
1224"I don't consider education at this school useless.""Don't be modest."
1225Momoyama didn't find Tatsuya's words insincere.
1226"I understand that you cannot make a decision so quickly. Fortunately, the
1227NSA didn't set a specific deadline for an answer. Shiba-kun, from now on you
1228are released from school, but in return, think it over."
1229"... Does this mean that you are suspending me from classes?"
1230Tatsuya asked Momoyama in a deliberately calm tone.
1231"It's not punishment. You can as before use school equipment at your
1232discretion. Even if you don't attend classes, they will be counted towards
1233you as attended including practical classes. Periodic tests and practicals too
1234are not necessary. All of them will be counted as passed with an A score."
1235Momoyama spoke not particularly demanding gratitude, but in a simple
1236indifferent tone."
1237"I understand. Give me time to think, please."
1238Thus, pretending that he cannot give an answer, Tatsuya was able to earn
1239some time.
1240â—Š â—Š â—Š
1241Returning from the director's office, Tatsuya began to study with such a
1242face, as if nothing had happened. The last lesson before dinner was practical
1243exams, but Jennifer didn't look at him with a suspicious glance, but also
1244made a face as if nothing had happened.
1245The first actions, other than the usual ones, he took only after class during
1246the beginning of the school council."
1247"Miyuki, I need to talk to you about something.""Understood. Will it be ok here?"
1248"Yes. I want the others to hear too."
1249"At Miyuki's question, meaning whether they need to move to another
1250place, Tatsuya replied that it is also ok. Miyuki was puzzled not
1251understanding what Tatsuya wanted to do, so she decided to listen first to
1252what he would say. She rose from the desk of the president of the Student
1253Council and went to the discussion table.
1254Tatsuya sat opposite Miyuki. Honoka, Izumi and Shiina, sitting in their seats,
1255turned to the side of the table, and Minami stood diagonally behind Miyuki.
1256Pixie got up from her chair in the corner of the room and brought tea for
1257those who sat at the table. Tatsuya could clearly seen from his place that
1258Minami was upset by this, although her expression didn't change at all.
1259"So, Tatsuya-sama, what did you want to talk about?" Waiting for Pixie to
1260step back from the table, Miyuki began. All present strained their ears to not
1261miss Tatsuya's answer.
1262"This morning I was summoned to the director's office, where they informed
1263me that I had been released from school."
1264"Why!?" Miyuki stood up and leaned over the table, leaning on it with her
1265hands.
1266Not just Miyuki. Honoka also jumped up from her chair.
1267"The reason I will explain at home. I was told that this isn't a suspension or a
1268ban on going to school. The truth is that they don't seem to want me to go
1269to school for a while."
1270"... The reason for suspension?"
1271Miyuki sat back down. With great effort to calm down, she asked to
1272continue the story.
1273"That's right."
1274"... Is it because of the cancellation of the Nine Schools Competition?" Izumiinserted her own question.
1275"This isn't a direct reason, but it could be part of it."
1276"Then the direct reason, really ..."
1277From the still standing Honoka, words broke out that couldn't be
1278understood, it was a question or a conversation with herself. Honoka
1279thought "Since Tatsuya-san is Taurus Silver, he was invited to the American
1280project?". This was absolutely the right answer, but when Tatsuya looked at
1281her with a glance inviting her to continue talking, she waved her head with
1282the words "No, nothing" without asking anything. Tatsuya decided not to
1283press on Honoka and turned back to Miyuki.
1284"Perhaps, on this issue, the "family" will also be able to tell us something."
1285Not only Miyuki and Minami, but also Honoka, Izumi and Shiina realized
1286that when he mentioned the "family", he meant the Yotsuba family.
1287"I cannot deny the possibility that I will not be able to attend school for a
1288while. Therefore, I want to leave the position of a member of the Student
1289Council."
1290The Student Council room was covered by a veil of silence.
1291Miyuki was silent, Tatsuya was waiting for her answer.
1292Izumi looked silently at Miyuki, and Honoka on Tatsuya.
1293Shiina flicked her eyes from Miyuki to Tatsuya and back, and Minami stood
1294with her eyes on the floor.
1295To replace the cooled tea, Pixie came over to pick up the cups. Minami,
1296quickly figuring out, served a new tea for Tatsuya and Miyuki. Then she
1297came back behind Miyuki with a satisfied smile.
1298"...I understand." At last, breaking the silence with pain in her voice, Miyuki
1299squeezed out the answer. "But if you stop being a member of the Student
1300Council, you cannot wear a CAD at school. I believe that even at least
1301nominally, it's better to remain a member of the school council.""But then it will not make any sense."
1302"No one will not complain."
1303Miyuki talked about abuse for personal purposes. Tatsuya first was going to
1304reproach her. However, seeing the tragic sight of Miyuki, ready to cry at any
1305time he abandoned this idea.
1306"...I understand. We'll do it like you said."
1307In fact, the order in the school for Tatsuya was absolutely irrelevant.
1308â—Š â—Š â—Š
1309I managed to sort things out with the Student Council, but Tatsuya and
1310Miyuki had other problems that still had to be solved.
1311"Both of you, sorry for the late call."
1312It was impossible to keep silent to Maya about the letter received by
1313principle Momoyama from the National Security Agency of the USNA.
1314Picking the most suitable time, Tatsuya called the main house.
1315"It's okay. Do you've important business?"
1316Looking at the expression on Maya's face, Tatsuya felt slight discomfort.
1317Because it seemed to him that Maya isn't pretending, but really does not
1318know what business he called about. Trying to be much stronger than usual,
1319so that thoughts don't affect the expression on the face, Tatsuya answered
1320Maya's question.
1321"Yes. I think this is a serious situation."
1322Having said this as an introduction, Tatsuya continued before Maya said
1323anything.
1324"Principle Momoyama of First High, vice principle Yaosaka, and a teachernamed Jennifer Smith discovered the identity of Taurus Silver. It seems that
1325it was written in a document sent to principle Momoyama from the National
1326Security Agency of the USNA through the American embassy.
1327".... Does this apply to that recent "project"?
1328Maya answered with a slight delay. It also proved that this information was
1329unexpected for her.
1330"That's right."
1331"Tatsuya-san, you didn't ... confirm it, did you?"
1332To the question "Are you Taurus Silver?" Tatsuya cannot just answer "True."
1333Maya realized this in the middle of her question.
1334"No. However, it still does not make sense."
1335Even if Tatsuya denies it, both Momoyama and Yaosaka will still believe the
1336NSA. And not only they. Many people who know Tatsuya after hearing the
1337statement that "the real personality of Taurus Silver is Shiba Tatsuya,"
1338immediately admit that this is true. Not because the NSA is an institution of
1339the American government. By now, Tatsuya has already shown too many
1340abilities that point to this.
1341"Really ... Although this is much earlier than planned, we will have to give up
1342hiding the identity of Taurus Silver."
1343Maya on the videophone's screen took a pensive look. Tatsuya didn't say
1344anything and patiently waited for her to speak.
1345"... By the way, did Momoyama-sensei say anything else?"
1346Tatsuya told all about the conditions offered to him by Momoyama.
1347"Momoyama-sensei seems to be doing this to avoid interference by
1348politicians and the media in the affairs of the school administration
1349regarding the'ssue of Tatsuya-san's position."
1350"I also think so."
1351Maya's assumptions about Momoyama's motives coincided with Tatsuya'sassumptions.
1352"I see ... Tatsuya-san, it's best for you not to visit First High for a while."
1353"Do you want to keep me under house arrest in the main house?"
1354After the Yokohama incident, for using Material Burst, Tatsuya already
1355received direct instructions from Maya to stay in the main house for a while.
1356Tatsuya asked, thinking that this time would be the same, but Maya shook
1357her head on the screen.
1358"I would not say that this is a "house arrest". Since after all tomorrow,
1359annoying noise will begin to increase around you? I don't think that such
1360things will violate your judgment, but is it not annoying? Therefore, I think to
1361cool the public's fervor, you need to pretend that you are punished with
1362house arrest."
1363Tatsuya couldn't just take and honestly believe Maya's words. He felt that
1364behind these words something was hidden, although he couldn't say what
1365exactly.
1366But Tatsuya couldn't disagree with the opinion that the public needed time
1367to cool down, so he nodded with the words "I completely agree."
1368"Escape", contrary to the negative image of this word, was often an effective
1369way of solving problems. And "patience", on the contrary, tended to lead to
1370such concepts as "surrender," "submit," "acquiesce." And in the current case
1371too, rather than clinging to First High, it is better to temporarily escape to
1372wait for a change in the situation.
1373But for this ...
1374"I don't mean that you need to start right away tomorrow. Since you and
1375Miyuki-san will be separated for a while, then you need to make some
1376preparations."
1377This is exactly what Tatsuya was thinking now. Only he was released from
1378school, and Miyuki couldn't miss school with him.
1379If it will be a short period, less than a week, this has happened more thanonce. However, this time there was a chance that this could drag on for a
1380month or more. Although he could "watch" her from afar, but he couldn't
1381stop worrying that Miyuki and Minami would be left alone in this house.
1382Maya on the screen looked at Miyuki standing next to Tatsuya, then
1383diagonally behind her from Minami, then looked back at Tatsuya.
1384"We'll leave the security in the school at Minami-chan. Although Tatsuya-san
1385may be worried ..."
1386Looking directly at the camera, Tatsuya shook his head.
1387"No. I realize that Minami's abilities are impeccable."
1388Minami's cheeks were slightly pink. Knowing that Tatsuya never throws
1389words into the wind, she was greatly encouraged by the trust shown to her.
1390"I see. Then, Minami-chan, I rely on you."
1391"Leave it to me, madam." Inspired by Minami. Maya nodded in satisfaction
1392to Minami from the videophone screen.
1393"For the road to school and back we will provide additional people. It's not
1394that I doubt the abilities of Minami-chan..."
1395"I understand." Minami nodded with a submissive face. She didn't have so
1396much self-confidence to say "I'm enough alone."
1397"The problem is at night. When there are only two of you, if you're attacked
1398during sleep, there is no guarantee that you will not make a mistake."
1399Neither Tatsuya, Miyuki, nor Minami had any objections to Maya's words.
1400Even if they had thoughts like "There's nothing to worry about," it was silly
1401to provoke Maya with such useless persistence. All three understood this
1402perfectly.
1403"Miyuki-san."
1404"Yes."
1405"Though it's troublesome, but, I wonder, could you move to Chofu?"Maya spoke with Miyuki, because these were measures for her.
1406Speaking about Chofu, do you mean that building?
1407"Indeed."
1408Answering Miyuki's question, Maya nodded with a smile.
1409"This building was built as the headquarters of the Yotsuba family in the
1410metropolitan area, so I planned that Miyuki would move there in the near
1411future. Although the schedule has greatly accelerated, there is now a good
1412opportunity. Move next Sunday. I will organize the necessary preparatory
1413activities."
1414Everything happened too quickly. Miyuki thought so, but replied to Maya in
1415an obedient tone.
1416"I understand."
1417Maya knew that Miyuki would not mind, so she immediately went on to the
1418following instructions.
1419"Tatsuya-san, when you finish the move, go to the villa in Izu."
1420"Is there a Yotsuba base in Izu?"
1421The first thing that Tatsuya thought was "is it normal that it will not be the
1422main house?". But being afraid to "wake up famously", he didn't voice this
1423question. Instead, Tatsuya asked what is in Izu.
1424"Ara, I thought Tatsuya-san should know?"
1425Despite the fact that Maya deliberately showed surprise, Tatsuya didn't
1426begin to voice the idea that came to his mind, but silently waited for the
1427continuation of her words.
1428"There is a villa in Chofu that your mother used for rest, isn't it?"
1429"Have you not got rid of it yet?"
1430"I didn't get rid of it. Because it was your mother's favorite villa."
1431Tatsuya didn't think that someone in Yotsuba's family appreciates suchfeelings. But he immediately rethought it.
1432For the sake of one girl, they declared war on a whole country, and took
1433revenge at the cost of half the family's lives. In a family like Yotsuba, the
1434sentimentality, in which personal memories are carefully preserved, was
1435important (or, I might say, appropriate).
1436"We will arrange for everything to be transported on Sunday. We will
1437organize the research equipment on site so that you can work."
1438"What preparations have already been made if they can install workstations
1439and equipment for customization in just a week? Maybe this villa was
1440actually an external research base?"
1441Such thoughts came to Tatsuya's mind, but he doubted whether they should
1442be voiced.
1443"We will do as you say."
1444Showing obedience, Tatsuya bowed to the image of Maya on the display.
1445â—Š â—Š â—Š
1446When she finished her telephone conversation with Tatsuya, Maya finished
1447her cup of tea with a pleased face, after which the smile disappeared.
1448She held out a cup to bring back her table. However, before the cup touched
1449the saucer, she threw it into the air.
1450Immediately after this, the room was covered by "Night".
1451It wasn't darkness. It was the night sky on which the stars shine.
1452And the stars fell.
1453Falling stars from all directions rushed towards the tea cup.
1454The night was gone, room lighting returned, and the splinters of the cup fellto the floor.
1455"Someone, take it away." There was an unruffled voice from behind Maya.
1456With the words "Yes, immediately", a maid appeared in the maid's clothes,
1457with a broom and a shovel in her hands. Quickly removing the fragments of
1458the cup, the maid retired from the room.
1459As soon as she closed the door behind her, Hayama moved into Maya's field
1460of vision.
1461"Madam, can I get you some more tea?"
1462"No, I don't need it anymore."
1463In Maya's voice, there was no longer the temper that was before the use of
1464the "Meteor Shower."
1465"This time the USNA beat us."
1466"... It looks like that." With reluctance in her voice, Maya answered
1467Hayama's words.
1468"As Hayama-san said, it seems that I relied too much on Hliðskjálf. It's a pity
1469that the system isn't available at this time."
1470Maya twisted her lips in a mockery of herself.
1471"No, madam. I believe that in this case we would not be able to prevent this,
1472even if we knew in advance what they are planning. Our hands will not reach
1473the state institution of the USNA."
1474"... are we not able to kill Edward Clark?"
1475"There's no point in that."
1476"... I see. I should stop talking insincerely and pretend to be strong?"
1477Even if it was possible, she would not have given the kill order. She admitted
1478this when Hayama pointed it out to her.
1479"Madame. My humble opinion is that you should give special emphasis to
1480disabling Hliðskjálf at such a time."Hearing Hayama's remark, Maya slightly rounded her eyes.
1481"That is, there is some connection between Edward Clark and Hliðskjálf?"
1482"Hliðskjálf is a system of hacking the global message interception system
1483Echelon III. One should take into account the possibility that the staff of the
1484National Security Agency of the United States of America is involved."
1485"...Right. Although this should not be a factor having a direct impact on the
1486situation, I will bear this in mind."
1487Hayama respectfully said this to Maya.
1488CHAPTER 4
1489The next morning. After the fight, in which they gave their best as never
1490before, Tatsuya asked Yakumo for a respite.
1491"I don't mind. You are not my disciple, so you don't need to worry about
1492such formalities. You can stop at any moment and at any time you can call
1493me to fight if I'm free, of course."
1494"Thank you very much, Master."
1495Although he was just told that he wasn't a student, Tatsuya still said
1496"master." Yakumo didn't rebuke or correct him. The usual grin on his face,
1497was there too.
1498"However, I want to ask about the situation. As I thought, the reason is the
1499US space exploration project?"
1500Yakumo's expression was full of curiosity. Here Tatsuya had to grin, but he
1501was able to suppress the urge before his lips began to bend. The situation he
1502faced was serious. When he thought about it, he didn't laugh."That is a direct reason. For some time, I will be sent under "house arrest" to
1503a villa in Izu."
1504Although Maya said that this isn't true, Tatsuya still felt this as a house
1505arrest. Continuing, Tatsuya told and about moving to Chofu.
1506"I see. It will be far away from here."
1507"This isn't an insurmountable distance. If you don't mind, I'd like to continue
1508training after finishing house arrest."
1509"Of course I don't mind. Hmm..." After an immediate answer, Yakumo
1510brought his hand to his chin and chuckled slightly.
1511"By the way, Tatsuya-kun, aren't you going to worry about Miyuki-kun? Izu
1512and Chofu are not at one step from each other, you cannot move
1513immediately."
1514"It would be a lie if I say that I will not worry, but Miyuki should not miss
1515school."
1516"Even if the Yotsuba family organizes her protection, there will not be
1517anyone who compares to your abilities with you. It will take some time to
1518solve this problem ... So I will also look after it."
1519"I will be much calmer if you do this ... But why did you decide to do this?"
1520Tatsuya isn't a disciple of Yakumo. He himself said it recently. If the
1521relationship between Tatsuya and Yakumo does not even reach the
1522connection between teacher and student, the relationship between Yakumo
1523and Miyuki does not go beyond mere acquaintance.
1524However, he immediately regretted thinking that it wasn't worth asking.
1525Before Yakumo began to answer Tatsuya's question, the corner of his mouth
1526curved upward, as if saying "I've been waiting for it."
1527"Because I don't want to die yet."
1528"... What do you mean?"
1529"If God forbid something happened with Miyuki-kun, you will destroy thewhole world? I'm not sure that I can survive in the flame of nuclear fission."
1530Tatsuya didn't know what to say. He could only keep silent, clench his teeth,
1531and bitterly on his face.
1532If something bad happens with Miyuki.
1533And if this time he does not have time.
1534He didn't have the confidence that he would not do anything with the world
1535that took him from Miyuki.
1536â—Š â—Š â—Š
1537On this day, Tatsuya didn't show up in the classroom.
1538He came to school. But he stayed in the library from the early morning,
1539without even stopping for lunch. He left the library and met with Miyuki only
1540when it was time to go home.
1541Tatsuya's friends also refrained from approaching him. Even Erika didn't
1542intervene in the trip of Tatsuya and Miyuki home. These two were
1543accompanied only by Minami walking behind them.
1544The next day the situation didn't change.
1545And the day after that, too.
1546"Something bad is coming, is it not?"
1547Thursday, after school. 30 minutes before the closing of the cafe. This voice
1548has sounded from someone from a group of people in this cafe.
1549"It's not good ... are you talking about Tatsuya?"When asked by Mikihiko, Erika gave him a look in which it was read: "Of
1550course, what a stupid question?".
1551"Because of the exemption he does not have problems?
1552"Yes ... He said that the director personally freed him from his studies."
1553Honoka, who joined them after the end of the Student Council, answered
1554Leo's question.
1555"And the truth is, it isn't good."
1556"Err?" Shizuku-san, what is it?
1557Mizuki bowed her head inquiringly, hearing the words of Shizuku, who
1558apparently simply ignored the general flow of discussion.
1559"Tatsuya-san does not need to go to school anymore."
1560Shizuku answered directly. Without unnecessary embellishments, she clearly
1561pointed out the situation. Mizuki widened her eyes and covered her mouth
1562with both hands. Honoka lowered her eyes sadly.
1563"... That is, Shiba-senpai will not come to school anymore?"
1564Not only third-grade students were gathered here. Kasumi, forced to come
1565for as company with Izumi, and feeling uncomfortable here, dared to voice
1566something that no one else would have said.
1567"I think he will return when the situation calms down."
1568"B-true!"
1569Honoka supported the responding Shizuku. Her voice sounded as if she was
1570clinging to the last hope.
1571"But will this situation improve?"
1572Erika's words spoken with anxiety in her voice, looked like a burning fire. Or,
1573it can be said, on a block of ice, because the face of Honoka froze.
1574"Erika! Don't say that!" said Mikihiko. It wasn't a loud scream that would
1575have been heard by other groups of people, but in other words, besides"shouting at someone" it was hard to name.
1576"Mikihiko, calm down." Those who tried to ease Mikihiko were Leo, not
1577Erika. Erika didn't say anything wrong. I also cannot imagine that the current
1578situation will improve within a month or two.
1579"I understand that! But you can at least not say it out loud!"
1580"Because it shocked Mizuki and Mitsui? I think you should not do this."
1581"... Are you saying that you don't care if Tatsuya-kun does not appear in
1582school anymore?"
1583"Leo tried to protect Erika. But it was Erika who was the one who stopped
1584him.
1585"I care. Even if Tatsuya leaves school, we will not cease to be his friends."
1586Erika silently slapped her eyes. Honoka and Mizuki had similar expressions.
1587"... In such situations, you are indeed completely unbearable." Erika
1588muttered in an angry voice. "Even a simple fool can sometimes say well."
1589"Hey ... is that praise or insulting?"
1590Narrowing his eyes, Leo stared at Erika.
1591"Who knows ~. I just sounded the facts."
1592However, Erika, showing that she'sn't up to this matter, turned away in a
1593defiantly daring manner.
1594"This girl ..."
1595"Stop! Leo, you, too, calm down." Feeling signs of impending anxiety,
1596Mikihiko stopped Leo.
1597"It seems to me that the friendship of Saijou-senpai is truly worthy of
1598respect." Picking up at the right time, Izumi wedged into Erika deadlocked
1599conversation. "I would not want Shiba-sempai to drop out of school either."
1600With a look of surprise on her face, Kasumi stared at Izumi. Even cowering in
1601the environment of the sempai, Shiina made a puzzled face.But they both made a mistake.
1602"If Shiba-senpai leaves school, then Miyuki-senpai will grieve ..."
1603Kasumi whispered to herself: "I thought so ...".
1604"It's clear! Then everything is in order."
1605"Er, what's clear?"
1606Shizuku banged her fist in the palm of her hand, as if she had made some
1607discovery, and Honoka asked her to tell more.
1608"If Tatsuya-san is expelled, then Miyuki will also leave school."
1609Hearing Shizuku's suggestion, Izumi turned pale.
1610"But Tatsuya-san will not allow Miyuki to drop out of school."
1611The complexion of Izumi immediately returned to normal.
1612"Right! If this is for the sake of Miyuki-sempai ..."
1613"Then Tatsuya-san will not leave school either."Shizuku finished for Izumi.
1614"... But if he does, then in the current situation with him something can
1615happen?"
1616In the approaching atmosphere of the "happy ending" Saburou's timid
1617words were heard. The mood at the table fell again below ground. Saburou
1618shrank under the strict look of Shiina, in which "what are you talking about
1619!?" was read.
1620For some time they sat in awkward silence, the atmosphere gradually
1621worsened, and suddenly the cafe monitor switched to news.
1622After listening to some of the news Leo muttered. "Hey-hey ... are they
1623serious?"
1624Although there were still other groups of people in the cafe, apart from
1625them, there were no complaints from anyone. Most likely, everyone thought
1626the same way he did.The news was broadcast from Moscow.
1627The screen showed a leading scientist of the Academy of Sciences of the
1628New Soviet Union, and in combination with the officially recognized state
1629Strategic Class Magician, one of the "Thirteen Apostles", Igor Andreivitch
1630Bezobrazzoff.
1631The news release showed an interview with him.
1632"Dr. Bezobrazzoff, please tell us, what prompted you to decide to participate
1633in the American "Project Dione"?"
1634As the Secretary-General said earlier, I also believe that the terraforming of
1635Venus is important beyond conflicts between states. For more than a
1636century, mankind has been afraid of the problem of overpopulation. In the
1637near future, a catastrophe between all of humanity may begin, which will
1638lead to the weakening of mankind. Expansion of the habitat zone is the only
1639solution to this problem that awaits mankind in the future.
1640* [A word is used, meaning "Director, Director". At the moment it isn't clear
1641who specifically he meant. And also it isn't clear what is called the "main" in
1642the NEW SOVIET UNION. Therefore, let there be a secretary-general, while
1643in the text there will be something explained.]
1644"That's why the doctor decided to actively participate in this project?"
1645"I do this because a technology called "Magic", instead of being used in
1646battles between friends-people, should be used to open the way for
1647mankind to the future."
1648"If the project is really started, then the situation may arise that the doctor
1649will be forced to leave our country in order to work in America. Did the
1650government agree to this? If the doctor who is a Strategic Class Magician
1651leaves the country for a long time, there may be concern about the defense
1652of the country."
1653"Our peace-loving government promised full cooperation with the project
1654for the development of Venus, even if it leads to a decrease in defensecapabilities. However, there is one delicate problem: where to place the
1655research base. And as I understand, this location has not yet been
1656determined."
1657"Do you mean that there is even such an opportunity that the research base
1658will be located not in America, but in our country, in the New Soviet Union?"
1659"Of course, this is also possible. But my personal opinion is that, most likely
1660the new base will be deployed in a neutral territory, or in a place where
1661there is no outside political control."
1662"So you can expect significant conflicts already at the stage of choosing the
1663location of the project base?"
1664"This is a grandiose project that has no analogues in the history of mankind.
1665In addition to the location of the main base, many more problems can be
1666expected. But we believe that we can reasonably overcome all this. I would
1667like, in addition to the already announced consent to participate in the
1668project of Lord William MacLeod and Mr. Maximilian, other people joining
1669the project including Herr Rosen, as well as the young man from Japan,
1670known as Taurus Silver. If we join forces, we will be able to overcome all
1671difficulties on the way to the future of mankind."
1672"Dr. Bezobrazzoff, thank you very much for your time."
1673Then the news release switched to a detailed review of the "Project Dione".
1674The views of schoolchildren, glued to the screen, finally broke away from
1675him.
1676"... What is this 'our peace-loving government'? Hell, he's mocking me."
1677Erika elegantly spit out the words. At the heart of her words were thoughts
1678about the incident with the invasion of Sado 5 years ago. Simultaneously
1679with the invasion of the Great Asian Alliance in Okinawa, unidentified armed
1680forces landed in Sado. The attack was repulsed by an army of volunteers
1681gathered by the Ichijo family, after which a hypothesis was put forward that
1682detachments of the New Soviet Union were the enemy.
1683The New Soviet Union didn't admit that it was their work. But among the
1684Japanese, few people believe that the New Soviet Union is innocent. Giventhis incident, Erika's reaction to the phrase about the "peace-loving
1685government of the New Soviet Union" didn't seem strange to anyone.
1686"Regardless of the atrocities of the government of the New Soviet Union in
1687the past, we must admit that Dr. Bezobrazzoff's speech was quite
1688convincing."
1689Mikihiko didn't think Erika was right either. However, he decided to focus
1690on the fact that the current problems should be treated separately from the
1691incidents of the past.
1692"A Strategic Class Magician will leave his country to take part in non-military
1693activities ... Very bold, isn't it?"
1694"As Yoshida-senpai said, these words were for persuasiveness. The fact that
1695the New Soviet Union agreed to participate, showing that it is serious about
1696the peaceful use of magic."
1697After Kasumi expressed her thoughts, Izumi also expressed her own, turned
1698out to be rather unfriendly.
1699"Do you think that he's pretending?" Leo asked with a wry smile. However,
1700he quickly removed the smirk and frowned. "Bezobrazzoff's participation in
1701the American project from the New Soviet Union is a fact. I don't know how
1702seriously he will participate, but for America the New Soviet Union is a
1703hostile country. Because they even announced cooperation, Japan, as an
1704ally, will now find it difficult to refuse, will it not?"
1705"... And the truth.
1706"The Magic Association will want Taurus Silver to announce his
1707participation.... Voluntarily."
1708" Shizuku unconditionally agreed with Leo's guess, and behind her Mikihiko
1709developed this idea.
1710"I wonder if everything is all right with Tatsuya-san..."
1711Although Honoka muttered to herself, it was quite loud. The first days of
1712Shiina and Saburou, who had no connection in their minds between Tatsuyaand Taurus Silver, without understanding the meaning of Honoka's words,
1713exchanged glances with an inquiring expression.
1714â—Š â—Š â—Š
1715Tatsuya, Miyuki and Minami, who left the school before their friends,
1716looked at this news recording.
1717"Is this really Bezobrazzoff from the Thirteen Apostles?" Was the first thing
1718Miyuki asked after watching the news.
1719Strategic Class Magicians hid their personal data to avoid attacks. A Strategic
1720Class Magician openly appearing on TV disagreed with Miyuki's common
1721sense.
1722"It can be a front man."
1723Tatsuya didn't feel wrong in the fact that in this situation, Bezobrazzoff
1724appeared before the media. But he also couldn't fully trust the information
1725that came from the New Soviet Union.
1726"But it's real or fake, it's not the biggest problem at the moment."
1727"What do you mean?"
1728Tatsuya looked into the eyes of Miyuki, looked back at the screen and
1729turned on the recording of the interview of Bezobrazzoff from the very
1730beginning.
1731"It is important that the New Soviet Union demonstrated its position in
1732cooperation with the USNA plan."
1733Steadily staring at the subtitles of the interview, Tatsuya continued with a
1734voice as if trying to convince himself.
1735"The Great Asian Alliance and Indo-Persia are strong states, but the axis of
1736world power is still the American-Soviet confrontation. The center on whichthe modern world community is focused is the conflict between the New
1737Soviet Union that returned after the Third World War and slowly but surely
1738is increasing its national power vs the United States.
1739"Yes. I understand this part."
1740The basic international structure was part of the secondary school
1741curriculum. The excellent student Miyuki had no gaps in the subjects of the
1742general education course.
1743For the sake of "Project Dione" the New Soviet Union made an exception in
1744the struggle for power of the international community. At this stage, it does
1745not really matter if the New Soviet Union really contributes to the project.
1746Since such a hostile country as the New Soviet Union announced its
1747cooperation, the friendly countries will not be able to ignore Project Dione."
1748Tatsuya came exactly to the same conclusion as Leo and Mikihiko.
1749"... Perhaps the New Soviet Union and the USNA are in collusion in this
1750matter."
1751Perhaps the reason that his guess was one step behind the truth wasn't a
1752problem of the intellect, but a problem of character.
1753"But what is the goal of uniting the efforts of the United States and the New
1754Soviet Union?" Miyuki asked, bowing her head. She didn't show a negative
1755reaction to Tatsuya's own guess. If common sense and Tatsuya's opinion are
1756put on the scales, then it was obvious to Miyuki that the second would
1757outweigh the first.
1758"Even by the strength of the conventional army, both quantitatively and
1759qualitatively, the USNA and the New Soviet Union are far superior to all
1760other countries. The Great Asian Alliance has not yet recovered from the
1761damage received in the fall of the year before, so it is temporarily forced to
1762take the position of the catch-up.
1763Although Tatsuya himself was the one who caused this damage to the fleet
1764of the Great Asian Alliance, he said that this does not concern him.
1765"Magic is more of an individual power, and the strength of a state is anordinary military force supported by political power and economic power.
1766Economic power begins to talk about itself in situations where nuclear
1767weapons are actually prohibited. Countries with a weak economy, including
1768Japan, cannot resist the USNA and the New Soviet Union by an ordinary
1769army."
1770"... Do you think that the economic scale of Japan is so small?"
1771"The economic potential that can be invested in the creation of weapons is
1772far behind USNA and New Soviet Union."
1773Tatsuya softly refuted Miyuki's involuntarily expressed doubt.
1774"The world still retains such a shaky form that many small countries haven't
1775yet been absorbed by the strongest countries, only because of the presence
1776of a factor like magic. In the current situation, small countries cannot resist
1777strong countries without the weapons, known as magic. In this sense, we
1778cannot unequivocally deny the military application of magic..."
1779Tatsuya aspired to the non-military use of magic. His goal was to free the
1780magicians from the role of being part of the military system. Tatsuya was
1781forced to admit that he agreed with the fact that magic weapons make
1782sense.
1783"... In other words, the purpose of the USNA and New Soviet Union is to
1784weaken the magical military potential of other countries by collecting the
1785strongest magicians in the project?"
1786Although not yet perfect, she began to understand what is now troubling
1787Tatsuya. Miyuki asked her question, ignoring his last sentence.
1788"... If you think about it, it all adds up." Briefly answering, Tatsuya again
1789plunged into his thoughts.
1790In the dialogue with Miyuki, he realized the weakness of his plan. It was a
1791problem he had not realized before.
1792Free magicians from fate to be a living weapon. In this basic concept, there
1793were no errors. He couldn't agree with the reality in which magicians are
1794spent to use as weapons.But what happens if in the military area qualified magicians no longer suffice
1795because of the active promotion of the use of magic in the economy? What
1796happens if cheap and powerful magic weapons disappear?
1797Small countries cannot resist large and strong countries anymore?
1798There will come a time when big countries will swallow up everything small,
1799and a handful of large countries will rule the world.
1800Tatsuya could only imagine a future in which the whole world will again be
1801drawn into the quagmire of regional conflicts.
1802"So, you still need some kind of deterrent ...?"
1803He himself was the owner of an absolute weapon of mass destruction.
1804In whatever direction the future moves, he will inevitably bear notoriety.
1805Perhaps, it was on that evening that Tatsuya made this decision.
1806â—Š â—Š â—Š
1807When this top-secret transatlantic communication session was conducted,
1808guarded by the Echelon III subsystem, it was late at night in Japan.
1809"Lord MacLeod we haven't seen each other for a long time. The last time we
1810talked this way was about 5 years ago, if I remember correctly."
1811When the speakers appeared on each other on the monitors, Bezobrazzoff
1812spoke first.
1813"It seems like that. Long time no see, Dr. Bezobrazzoff. However, I think I
1814mentioned this before, but I'm not a "lord." I was only made a knight."
1815Responding to Bezobrazzoff's greeting, MacLeod spoke in such an indifferent
1816tone that it wasn't clear, he was serious, stubborn or joking.
1817"Sir William. Should you speak so hard? Since this isn't an officialconversation, there are no problems with the title of "Lord MacLeod",
1818right?"
1819Clark seems to have taken it as a joke. He slightly rebuked MacLeod. He
1820wasn't going to seriously criticize MacLeod, he was only concerned with the
1821fact that Bezobrazzoff didn't break the long-awaited conversation, spoiling
1822the general mood.
1823But Bezobrazzoff himself reacted to Clark's concern.
1824"Thank you very much for your concern, Dr. Clark. I believe this is our first
1825conversation?"
1826"That's right. Glad to meet you, Dr. Bezobrazzoff. My name is Edward Clark."
1827The greetings of these three have ended.
1828"Dr. Clark, I'm sorry to move right away, but is it true what you said earlier?
1829The fact that the Strategic Class Magician who used the "Great Bomb" is
1830Taurus Silver, and Taurus Silver's true personality is a Japanese high school
1831student." Bezobrazzoff asked Edward Clark impatiently.
1832That is correct. The official name of the "Great Bomb" in Japan is "Material
1833Burst". It seems that this is the magic of direct conversion of mass into
1834energy.
1835"Direct conversion ...?"
1836"And really, very interesting. But right now there is no point in discussing
1837this system, is it?"
1838MacLeod tried to politely hold back Bezobrazzoff, who showed strong
1839interest.
1840"... That's right. There is no point in discussing the hypothesis when there is
1841absolutely no data on it."
1842Bezobrazzoff relatively easily retreated by accepting MacLeod's proposal.
1843"It is supposed that "Material Burst", like the "Tuman Bomba" of the doctor,
1844can aim at any point of the globe on the basis of data from a reconnaissancesatellite.
1845"This is a threat that violates the world military balance."
1846MacLeod agreed with Clark's words. Bezobrazzoff ignored Clark's hint, "I
1847know the Tuman Bomba mechanism, too."
1848"We don't know how far "Material Burst" will go. However, we can expect
1849that it will not reach Earth from the orbit of Jupiter."
1850"So, Dr. Clark's plan to drive Taurus Silver to Jupiter?"
1851"Yes, you understand correctly." Clark responded to Bezobrazzoff's question
1852with an important tone. "The Ganymede stage of "Project Dione" is planned
1853to be carried out in conjunction with the use of the achievements of Taurus
1854Silver. For the sake of the future of mankind, he will spend the rest of his life
1855on Ganymede."
1856"Dr. Clark. When will you disclose the identity of Taurus Silver?"
1857"I'll tell you when we meet directly."
1858"... All right. I'll wait with impatience."
1859"Where will the talks take place?" MacLeod turned to Clark.
1860"I planned to conduct them in the neutral waters of the Atlantic Ocean. I
1861thought that it would be better if everyone were on equal terms."
1862"The meeting of the three countries will take place on a ship?" Bezobrazzoff
1863asked Clark.
1864"We have already sent the Enterprise to the designated area. I wanted to
1865invite the two of you to get there by plane."
1866"The Enterprise ...?" Bezobrazzoff muttered with interest.
1867The Enterprise (USS Enterprise) was a new aircraft carrier, inheriting the
1868traditional name for the USNA military ships. Despite the absence of an
1869atomic reactor, its energy subsystem provided comparable power and
1870duration of operation. The mystery of this system attracted the attention of
1871the whole world."I get it. I'll get there by air."
1872"I, perhaps, will do so as well." Following Bezobrazzoff, MacLeod agreed.
1873"Thank you very much. Then, we'll discuss a couple more details ..."
1874At the initiative of Clark, the conference call lasted another 30 minutes.
1875â—Š â—Š â—Š
1876After the uprising in Mexico in April, several minor riots occurred in the
1877USNA. However none of them reached the situation to need to send
1878suppression troops. The espionage mission in Japan continued, but on a
1879much smaller scale. In addition to this, there were no other missions outside
1880the country at the moment, so the "Star" magician subunit, directly
1881subordinated to the Joint Directors of Staff of the USNA army, was simply
1882engaged in daily training.
1883Today she had planned to train all day. However, finishing the morning
1884exercises and going to the buffet Lina was stopped by the assistant
1885commander of the base and asked to go with him to the commander's
1886office.
1887Major Sirius arrived.
1888Lina, being in the guise of Angie Sirius, saluted Colonel Paul Walker the base
1889commander. Lina was the head commander of Stars, but on this base the
1890highest rank was with the base commander Walker. Walker, one might say,
1891was responsible for watching the Stars battle magicians.
1892"Major Sirius, you've an order from the General Staff."
1893"Understood!"
1894Lina dropped her hand and stood in the rest position "quietly, hands at the
1895seams.""You're going to Washington, DC, where you'll meet Dr. Edward Clark. After
1896that, accompany the doctor as a guard on the Enterprise, which is now in
1897neutral waters of the Atlantic Ocean."
1898"I understand."
1899"An important meeting on "Project Dione" is planned on the Enterprise.
1900Other participants in the meeting are William MacLeod and "Igniter"
1901Bezobrazzoff."
1902On Lina's face, surprise first arose, then understanding.
1903Despite the fact that it will be in neutral waters, but allowing on board the
1904warship officially recognized Strategic Class Magicians of another country.. it
1905was something that is very hard to believe. But if the participants of the
1906meeting are from the "Thirteen Apostles", then the presence of the same
1907"Apostle" Lina for the balance was clear.
1908"I think I should not mention that this meeting should be kept secret until its
1909completion."
1910"I understand, Colonel." After Walker reminded the distracted Lina, she
1911hastily gave an answer.
1912â—Š â—Š â—Š
1913The movement began not only in America, Britain and the New Soviet
1914Union. Vanity(?) has also risen in Japan.
1915Unfortunately, it wasn't a spontaneous movement, but a forced attempt to
1916show a reaction to an outside situation.
1917The chairman of the Japanese Magic Association was usually selected from
1918among the Hundred Families. Elections were held annually in June, and in
1919July the new chairman took office. Despite the absence of restrictions on re-
1920election, this post didn't bring any benefit, so after more than three years onit no one has been replaced(?).
1921The current chairman, appointed in July last year, was named Tomitsuka
1922Hitsui. This was the mother of the third-year student from First High,
1923Tomitsuka Hagane. Despite the death of her husband, Tomitsuka's family
1924didn't remain only as part of the wife's side.
1925The Chairman of the Magic Association must reside at the headquarters in
1926Kyoto. On the other hand, the Tomitsuka family is based on the eastern
1927coast of Tokyo Bay. For this reason, the duties were divided in such a way
1928that the husband's side deals with family business, and the affairs of the
1929Magic Association are the wife's side.
1930In June last year, Tomitsuka Hitsui put forward her candidacy for the post of
1931chairman with a light feeling that "this will be a normal day-to-day job." But
1932now she clutched her head, cursing last year's self.
1933On Sunday, when Edward Clark from America announced "Project Dione"
1934there wasn't such a depressing feeling. Because then it seemed that even for
1935USNA it would be difficult to invite magical scientists from other countries.
1936And the fact that other countries will lend their "Apostles" was estimated as
1937an absolutely impossible event.
1938So thought all the employees of the Magic Association, not just Tomitsuka
1939Hitsui.
1940However, yesterday, from the New Soviet Union, from the main enemy of
1941the United States, came a notice of consent from "Apostle" Bezobrazzoff to
1942participate in the project. As a result, it was no longer possible to delay the
1943answer.
1944According to the concept of using magic for peaceful purposes to open the
1945way for the future of mankind, there was no objection from the beginning.
1946The anti-magic movement received wide support among people, drawing
1947attention to the fact that magic is a dangerous weapon that kills and maims
1948non-magicians.
1949Peaceful use of magic not only contributed insignificantly in the form of
1950extinguishing fires or preventing floods, but also appeared as a large project,which in the future will bring prosperity to humanity. It was an extremely
1951effective tool, which must strike back at the anti-magic movement.
1952You don't need to successfully complete the project, you don't even need to
1953implement it. The mere fact that the project exists can be an argument
1954against an anti-magic movement. Magicians can avoid the current difficult
1955situation.
1956Considered a friendly country, Japan will not be able to refuse to participate
1957in the project, for which even the two warring countries have joined their
1958efforts. It is no longer possible to postpone the decision. It should be sent as
1959soon as possible to a high school student, known under the pseudonym
1960Taurus Silver.
1961In truth, Hitsui knew the identity of Taurus Silver. It was written in a letter
1962sealed with an old-fashioned wax seal, which was brought to her by an
1963employee of the USNA Embassy.
1964Hitsui lifted her head, lowered earlier in confusion, and removed her hands
1965from her head. If you just grieve, this will not help the case. There was no
1966suitable hero who could take on the current problems. She herself, too,
1967didn't have the appropriate social status to enter the role of the heroine of
1968the tragedy.
1969She decided to use the special right of the chairman of the Japanese Magic
1970Association, which her predecessors had never used.
1971Convening a Conference of the 10 Master Clans.
1972Using special dedicated lines, Hitsui summoned the heads of the families of
1973each of the Ten Master Clans to participate in an online conference.
1974Did the heads of families of the Ten Master Clans expect a call from the
1975Magic Association?Just one hour after the call, the heads of each of the families appeared on
1976the monitor for Hitsui's conferences: Ichijou, Futatsugi, Mitsuya, Yotsuba,
1977Itsuwa, Mutsuzuka, Saegusa, Shippou, Yatsushiro and Juumonji.
1978"Yotsuba-dono, please accept my thanks for that time."
1979"Ichijo-dono, have you already recovered?"
1980"Thanks to you, I fully recovered."
1981"I'm happy for you. So, chairman, for what problem did you collect us here?"
1982Futatsugi Mai, wedged into the conversation between Ichijo Gouki and
1983Maya, called on everyone to pay attention to the ignored Hitsui.
1984Hitsui, feeling as if bathed in icy water, thanks to Mai was able to pull herself
1985together.
1986"... Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for responding so quickly,
1987despite your business."
1988"Because it was an emergency call. I would like to ask you to tell us what is
1989this "emergency situation"?"
1990Saegusa Koichi's impassive voice asked a sarcastic question.
1991Under this pressure it seemed that Hitsui was going to cry. She wasn't at all
1992a weak-willed woman, but she wasn't used to confrontations that looked
1993like a fight with sharp swords.
1994"Yes. As you all probably already guessed, it will be about a project for the
1995development of Venus, proposed by the engineers of the USNA."
1996"Clinging to her sense of responsibility as chairman, Hitsui somehow
1997managed to move on to the main topic."
1998"Yesterday, when the New Soviet Union announced its participation in the
1999project, the Japanese Magic Association also had an urgent need to react to
2000this."
2001"And so is the Association? Edward Clark, after all asked for the participation
2002of individuals?" Shippou Takumi asked in a tone like a scientist."Officially yes, but one of them nominated was a Japanese?" Yatsushiro
2003Raizou answered with a crooked smile.
2004"This is American arrogance. We don't have to obey." Mutsuzuka Atsuko
2005spat out words with an expression and a voice, as if she were going to vomit.
2006"But most likely it will not work. " Trying to hold back the nervousness,"
2007Hitsui said. The monitor still showed those faces staring at her. And it wasn't
2008just Atsuko. Instead of falling into despair, Hitsui spoke, becoming serious.
2009At present, magicians are faced with unreasonable criticism, claiming that
2010they are enemies of humanity. This is just primitive propaganda of anti-
2011magic activists, but the Strategic and Tactical class magic, successfully used
2012one after the other, has seriously increased the credibility of such
2013propaganda.
2014The desktop monitor clearly showed how the eyes of all heads of families
2015simultaneously moved. On such a small screen it was difficult to perceive,
2016but it was obvious that Maya gathered the gazes of everyone. Everyone
2017realized that the "Tactical class magic" which increased the credibility of
2018anti-magic propaganda" is "Active Air Mine" developed by Tatsuya.
2019"Dr. Clark's" Project Dione "can be good material for demonstrating that
2020magic serves humanity not only for military purposes. The headquarters of
2021the International Magic Association is preparing to express its full support
2022for "Project Dione". I also heard that the Associations of America, Britain and
2023the New Soviet Union are also planning to publish their press releases.
2024Germany is also discussing with the government of the USNA the possibility
2025of participation, not limited to just one company Rozen MagiCraft. With this
2026development, Japan simply cannot stand aside."
2027"I can understand the chairman's haste, but what exactly do you want to
2028do? Find Taurus Silver and get him to join?" With a meticulous expression on
2029his face, asked Itsuwa Isami. The year before last he had to bitterly send his
2030daughter to the battlefield only because she was a "Strategic Class
2031Magician". Since then, he has been disgusted with such a manner of doing
2032things, when all the burden is shifted to one person for the sake of
2033preserving honor."... Actually, he does not need to be looked for."
2034Hitsui also didn't consider it a good thing to force people to suffer for a
2035simple justification. On the contrary, this feeling led her to the tactics "I'd
2036better get dirty in the mud."
2037"Taurus Silver ... Yotsuba-sama, is this your son?"
2038In Maya's silent gaze aimed at the camera, the question "How did you
2039decide this?" Was read.
2040"I received a letter from the American Embassy. Taking into account that
2041he's a minor, they refrained from disclosing his name, but in return we were
2042asked to help persuade Taurus Silver, that is, Mr. Tatsuya Shiba."
2043"Sounds like blackmail." Gouki murmured.
2044Not only he openly expressed his disgust.
2045"To be honest, Momoyama-sensei from First High also mentioned this."
2046However, the person closest to the one in question, Maya was calm, like no
2047one else present.
2048"I leave this decision to Tatsuya's own judgment."
2049Maya smiled from the screen when she answered.
2050Hitsui was almost the same age as Maya, but it took her a few seconds to
2051suppress a shiver in her voice.
2052"... That is, Yotsuba-sama isn't going to participate in the conviction?"
2053"This is a question that will affect his entire life."
2054In an amiable voice, Maya hinted that this isn't a territory that can be
2055claimed.
2056"If the conversation was just about that, I'd like to say goodbye."
2057And she showed that she takes the position of refusal from further
2058discussion."... Thank you very much for your time."
2059"In that case, all the best."
2060The face of Maya disappeared from the monitor.
2061"I'm sorry, I'll finish this too."
2062"Then I too."
2063Following the example of Maya, Mutsuzuka Atsuko and Yatsushiro Raizou
2064dropped out of the online conference.
2065Seven of the ten remaining heads of families, on the contrary, were not in a
2066hurry to leave the conference.
2067"This may indeed be a matter of his life, but I would like to see a debt to the
2068Japanese magical world also taken into account." Saegusa Koichi muttered
2069in a disgruntled voice. It was difficult to understand, if he was saying it to
2070himself or complaining to someone.
2071"You say that this isn't the case when they ask the opinions of the person
2072himself?" Shippou Takumi asked in response to these words.
2073"For the magicians of the Ten Master Clans, it is inevitable to sacrifice
2074yourself to some extent. The daughter of Itsuwa-dono has health problems,
2075but still participated in the military sortie in the year before last. Itsuwa-
2076dono, your daughter didn't go to the front on her own, is it not?"
2077"This is so ..."
2078This question was difficult to answer negatively. Itsuwa Isami could only
2079vaguely mumble the consent.
2080"But if you give the son of the Yotsuba family to this foreign planetary
2081terraforming project, won't this be a big loss for national defense?"
2082"I don't know what kind of magic Shiba Tatsuya-san can use, but I think that
2083the way of thinking, in which the magician directly connects with military
2084force, will lead us to trouble. At present, the main threat not only to the
2085Japanese 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,
2086then consideration of this issue should be considered the highest priority."
2087Hitsui answered the question raised by Gouki.
2088"Although it is undesirable, but perhaps the best solution would be for Shiba
2089Tatsuya-dono to go to America." Futatsugi Mai said sighing.
2090Votes against this decision were not heard.
2091"However, who will convince Shiba Tatsuya-dono? As I understand it, you
2092cannot expect this from Yotsuba-dono."
2093The problem voiced by Mitsuya Gen caused silence for a while.
2094"Juumonji-sama ... You are personally acquainted with Shiba Tatsuya-san,
2095are you not?"
2096Hitsui's words were spoken in despair. It was impossible to break the will of
2097others alone with the connection of the senpai with the kohai, in order to
2098change the personal opinion. In addition, if it was necessary to have a
2099personal acquaintance, then the son of Hitsui herself, Tomitsuka Hagane
2100wasn't only a fellow student of First High, but even a classmate of Tatsuya. It
2101was a much closer relationship than Katsuto, who finished school in the
2102spring of last year.
2103"... I don't know if Shiba Tatsuya-dono will listen to my words, but I'll try to
2104talk to him."
2105However, Katsuto agreed to take up this difficult task.
2106"... Are you sure?"
2107"To begin with, we'll just talk. I cannot promise a positive result." Katsuto
2108answered Koichi's question.
2109Koichi couldn't understand what exactly Katsuto was up to when he agreed
2110to take up negotiations with Tatsuya.CHAPTER 5
2111"And yet ... it's a bit sad." Miyuki said while leaving the door of a typical
2112private house.
2113"We will not sell this house. We can return at any time."
2114Miyuki nodded in response to Tatsuya's consoling words.
2115"Tatsuya-sama, Miyuki-sama, if you don't mind, I think it's time to go."
2116A humble voice was heard from behind the two of them.
2117Tatsuya turned around and saw Hanabishi Hyougo standing there wearing a
2118black suit and white gloves.
2119"Understood. Miyuki, Minami, let's go."
2120Tatsuya nodded to Hyougo and turned to his companions. The two girls
2121responded with "Yes" and "I'm listening" and they followed Tatsuya.
2122Today was the day of the move in order to strengthen Miyuki's protection.
2123From the house nominally owned by their father, to the building in Chofu,
2124which is the Tokyo headquarters of the Yotsuba family.
2125A large sedan was parked in front of the house. All the necessary luggage
2126has already been transported. The furniture was organized on the spot, so
2127under the luggage there were clothes and accessories, as well as personal
2128training terminals.
2129Data from the laboratory on the ground floor has also been moved to the
2130underground research center of the Tokyo headquarters building.
2131The data has been moved, not copied. This "private laboratory" will be
2132completely destroyed in a few days.
2133Miyuki and Tatsuya sat in the backseat, then Minami boarded the passenger
2134seat. Although it wasn't a limousine, the legroom was spacious, and it didn't
2135seem that there wasn't enough space behind the driver's seat.Making sure that everyone sat down, Hyougo took the driver's seat. The
2136sedan moved smoothly from its place. They traveled from Futu* to Chofu. At
2137such a short distance, the driving time on the private car and in the booth of
2138the electric train was approximately the same. Of course, if you take into
2139account the time of the trip from the station, the car was faster.
2140*If memory serves me right, we were told for the first time where their
2141house was. Futu and Chofu are next to each other, only 5 km. Both at the
2142same time in 20-25 km to the west of the center of Tokyo.*
2143Hyougo skillfully drove the car. Considering the features of the car, there
2144was also no shaking or inertia. During this short comfortable trip, neither
2145Tatsuya nor Miyuki said a word. Minami was silent as usual. Hyougo also
2146read the atmosphere and was silent.
2147The car stopped at the buildings underground parking. It was a garage built
2148on the style of the usual type underground parking, but equipped with
2149automatic checking devices. The parking spaces marked with white lines had
2150induction sensors for automatic parking.
2151This way please.
2152At Hyougo's invitation they entered the elevator. This elevator goes directly
2153to the entrance to the "apartment" where Miyuki will live from now on, and
2154no one except Tatsuya and Miyuki can use it without a special key.
2155"During a state of emergency, it can be used to descend to other floors"
2156Hyougo added with a moderate smile. It seems that at the same time they
2157could only be used to get to the first floor, underground parking garage, the
2158roof and to this apartment. On the roof was the helipad, which they'd used
2159the other day.
2160The provided accommodations are luxurious. The furnishings were elegant
2161and tasteful and Miyuki liked it at first sight.
2162"Tatsuya-sama, are you staying here tonight?"asked Hyougo.
2163"No, I will go to the villa as soon as the preparations are completed."
2164From today on, Miyuki will live here. Minami will live with Miyuki as herservant and guard.
2165However, Tatsuya, following Maya's instructions, will go to the villa in Izu.
2166This isn't yet Tatsuya's home.
2167The main reason that Miyuki was sad about leaving the old house, wasn't
2168that she left a familiar house, but that she would live apart from Tatsuya for
2169a while.
2170"I'll handle this while you rest for a couple of hours."
2171Bowing respectfully, Hyougo left the room.
2172Tatsuya led Miyuki to the living room and sat her on the sofa.
2173In fact, the preparations for the move to Izu have already been completed.
2174But Hyougo, who understood what was what, offered a two-hour
2175postponement. Tatsuya and Miyuki both guessed this.
2176To move to Izu, a familiar vertical takeoff and landing plane (VTOL) was
2177prepared.
2178The flight took about 30 minutes. The reason for this slow flight speed was
2179crowded airspace. In the near future, jokes about "traffic jams in air traffic"
2180will be made.
2181As expected, the villa was in the mountains. Izu used to be an air defense
2182base during the war, but afterwards was converted into a golf course. Even
2183before the war it was quite far away. This place was ideally suited for the
2184role of a "quiet" environment where no one will be disturbed.
2185"Mother ... that is, the stepmother was treated in such an uncomfortable
2186place?"
2187Without thinking, Tatsuya asked Hyougo a question which came to mind.
2188But he corrected himself, calling Miya "stepmother", because now his real
2189mother is Maya.
2190"I heard that for Miya-sama it was necessary to have a quiet environment."
2191Tatsuya immediately understood the meaning of Hyougo's abstract answer.The point was that for her all sorts of psion noises, emitted by large clusters
2192of people, were a heavy load. Tatsuya once again realized that Miya often
2193overpowered herself for her children. But he couldn't understand if it was
2194for his own sake or for Miyuki's.
2195Hyougo led Tatsuya to the villa. Inside the building, everything was
2196prepared to live without any problems. The laboratory was fully equipped
2197like the house in Futu.
2198"Please call me at any time if you need anything." I will deliver it as soon as
2199possible. In addition, the "Freed Suit" and "Wingless" were delivered here so
2200you can freely use them.
2201The "Freed Suit" is a flying combat suit disguised as an ordinary riding suit,
2202and "Wingless" is an armored motorcycle with the function of connecting to
2203the "Freed Suit". They will be useful not only if he's attacked by an armed
2204opponent, but also for a simple exit into the city.
2205"Many thanks."
2206"You're welcome. Please rest easy here."
2207"Thank you for your concern."
2208"Then, on this I ask you to excuse me."
2209Hyougo went outside to VTOL.
2210Completely alone in this building, Tatsuya heard the sound of spinning
2211blades moving off.
2212â—Š â—Š â—Š
2213The USNA's large aircraft carrier the Enterprise was anchored 500
2214kilometers east of Newfoundland, in the neutral waters of the AtlanticOcean. It belonged to the 2000-foot class, because it was about 600 meters
2215long. The attention of the whole world was attracted by the technology that
2216allows this giant without a nuclear reactor to move, yet be twice as large as
2217the largest pre-war aircraft carriers with nuclear reactors.
2218Immediately after this ship was commissioned 4 years ago, it was suspected
2219of having a nuclear reactor. However a short distance survey conducted by
2220the International Magic Association, showed that it is clean. Given the
2221circumstances under which the International Magic Association was
2222founded, it possessed a technology absolutely reliable in detecting nuclear
2223fission reactions. The Association has never been able to find traces of the
2224use of nuclear energy.
2225Further examination could be carried out only by getting inside the ship, but
2226USNA policy does not allow anyone to conduct inspections on their facilities
2227or warships. As a result, the power plant of the Enterprise is still a mystery.
2228A small plane was approaching this giant aircraft carrier. It was a high-speed
2229transport aircraft with 4 fighter escorts. Apparently, they didn't have the
2230function of vertical landing, as in VTOL or STOVL.
2231" Bezobrazzoff is on this plane ..." Lina mumbled to herself, dressed in the
2232official Stars uniform (but without a mask), watching the approaching
2233airplane with golden eyes.
2234"Apostle" of the New Soviet Union, Igor Andreivitch Bezobrazzoff. The
2235owner of the nickname "Igniter" and the user of the Strategic-Class Magic
2236"Tuman Bomba."
2237Before his appearance on a television interview a few days ago, his
2238appearance was considered a military secret of the New Soviet Union, but
2239the USNA army knew him. Bezobrazzoff's location was also carefully
2240monitored, although not always.
2241He was a member of the New Soviet Union's Academy of Sciences, as well
2242as an influential authority in the field of modern magic education. We can
2243say that in such conditions it was impossible to hide his appearance and
2244location.However, the true essence of Bezobrazzoff's Strategic-Class Magic "Tuman
2245Bomba", has not yet been established. Not just the system of magic, even its
2246effect wasn't clear. Only its name "Tuman Bomba" and the fact that it causes
2247damage in an explosion over a very wide area. And also that it killed the
2248previous Sirius in the armed conflict between the USNA and the NSS in the
2249Bering Strait 8 years ago.
2250For Stars, he was a fateful magician, and for Lina an opponent standing on
2251the road to the title of the strongest in the world. But that chance will not
2252come if Bezobrazzoff takes part in "Project Dion."
2253The plane went to land. The approach procedures for aircraft carriers
2254haven't made significant progress over the past 150 years. Aircraft without
2255vertical landing functionality use a combination of an angular deck and a
2256brake hook clinging to the brake cable.
2257Even the 600-meter deck isn't enough to ensure that only the reverse thrust
2258brakes are enough to land. Although take-off technologies have made
2259significant progress, landing technologies are limited by the need to mitigate
2260the load from cable braking.
2261"... Was the brake hook not be released?"
2262Lina felt a strange discomfort from the sight of this approaching aircraft,
2263and immediately realized its cause.
2264This wasn'ticed not only by Lina. The sound of voices rose on the deck.
2265"The brake thrust is too weak!"
2266"It will fall ...!"
2267The cries of the aircraft carrier's staff were heard.
2268To prevent an accident, Lina activated her CAD. The next moment the plane
2269was enveloped by psion light. It was an non-physical light born of excessive
2270psions, emitted by the activation of magic.
2271But Lina's magic has not yet been activated.
2272"This magic was activated from inside!?"Lina noticed that the magic that acted on the transport plane was launched
2273from the cockpit of this plane.
2274The landing gear touched the deck. A small braking jet smoothly reduced
2275the speed, which would have been impossible normally.
2276"Inertia and acceleration reduction, but in order to so smoothly
2277decelerate..."
2278From the moment of contact it usually requires about 1000 meters to stop,
2279but now this distance has dropped to 100 meters. And it didn't look
2280unnatural at all.
2281"Where does this precise control ...?"
2282The enterprise boasts dimensions that can be called "gigantic", but that
2283does not mean that there's no pitching. There is also wind. Lina believed
2284that she herself would not be able to brake as accurately as possible
2285considering all these factors.
2286"This is the "Igniter"... his abilities were above all expectations."
2287Lina didn't doubt that this magic was the work of Bezobrazzoff.
2288Soon after Bezobrazzoff, MacLeod's plane arrived. Then the tripartite
2289negotiations began.
2290In this room were: Edward Clark, Igor Andreivitch Bezobrazzoff, William
2291MacLeod and the fourth man, Lina in the image of Angie Sirius. Lina was
2292assigned to Clark, because he was an ordinary person who cannot use
2293magic.
2294Bezobrazzoff and MacLeod are Strategic-Class magicians.
2295Hinting that "it would be better for Clark's guard to be a Strategic-Class
2296magician" MacLeod requested Angie Sirius's presence in the negotiations.
2297"Dr. Clark. As you promised, please tell us the identity of the JapaneseStrategic-Class magician, Taurus Silver."
2298This was the first phrase spoken at the meeting. Bezobrazzoff suddenly
2299turned to Clark.
2300Lina shuddered at the news.
2301Now "Angie Sirius" was without a mask. Therefore, the other three could
2302easily see her surprise.
2303"Doctor Clark, have you hidden this information from your side as well?"
2304There wasn'ticeable surprise in MacLeod's voice. From the unexpected
2305reaction Angie, even Bezobrazzoff showed impatience. However, this didn't
2306affect the development of the situation.
2307"I recently received evidence of the person." Clark responded with an
2308obvious lie, then continued:
2309"The real name of Taurus Silver is Shiba Tatsuya. He's from the direct line of
2310the Yotsuba."
2311Then they discussed the primary plan of action, and the meeting ended
2312without much debate.
2313With the successful conclusion of the meeting, Lina's mission was over, but
2314there was still some time before the departure of the aircraft to take her
2315home. To occupy this time, she wandered through the Enterprise, with
2316permission from the ship's captain.
2317She "examined the neighborhood" only nominally, because all her
2318consciousness was now captured by one person who wasn't here.
2319"Tatsuya ... is the Strategic-Class magician that caused "Scorched
2320Halloween?"
2321Lina didn't remember what Clark, Bezobrazzoff and MacLeod were talking
2322about after that. She didn't forget it, the conversation just didn't get to hermemory from the very beginning.
2323From the meeting there were only scrappy memories. Perhaps it would be
2324reasonable to say that she couldn't follow the course of the conversation
2325because of this shocking information.
2326The magic that was burnt out the southern tip of the Korean peninsula in
2327October of the year before was called "Material Burst."
2328Shiba Tatsuya is the user of this magic.
2329The real name of "Taurus Silver", the ingenious magic engineer who
2330developed the flying magic, is also "Shiba Tatsuya."
2331"And it's true, because from the very beginning there was such an
2332assumption!"
2333In January of last year, Lina was sent to Japan to determine the identity of
2334the so-called "Great Bomber," the Strategic-Class Magician who summoned
2335"Scorched Halloween," and then deal with them. Tatsuya was a candidate
2336for the identity of the "Great Bomber," which Lina was instructed to follow.
2337The investigation and conclusions of the Intelligence Department of the
2338USNA army were correct.
2339"But Tatsuya never showed such behavior ..."
2340"Tatsuya's magic was completely different ..."
2341Thinking about it, in the mind of Lina arose the "other I", quietly arguing
2342with herself.
2343"He didn't show such behavior? This is quite obvious. At least from the fact
2344that he was a head taller, as an opponent. ""Was Tatsuya's magic different? He just didn't have to show the Strategic-
2345Class Magic. "
2346"I didn't even know that he was from the direct line of the Yotsuba line."
2347"Tatsuya deceived me."
2348"... True, I was deceived by deceiving myself."
2349But even with such thoughts, she didn't have a feeling of surprise or regret.
2350However, along with these thoughts came the realization of different
2351things.
2352The sympathy she felt for Tatsuya.
2353And Tatsuya's sympathy for her.
2354This, of course ...
2355"... Sympathy for like-minded prisoners of fate to be weapons."
2356Lina waved her head, trying to shake out the endlessly arising negative
2357thoughts.
2358"Ah ..."
2359At that moment, her consciousness finally returned to reality.
2360"It's bad ... I wandered into the restricted area ..."
2361Lina scolded herself for her gloomy thoughts. She decided to assign the
2362responsibility of this to security officers, who somehow didn't stop her.
2363In any case, she should leave this compartment immediately. As the
2364commander-in-chief of Stars, Lina had the right to access most of the secret
2365information. However, the existence of rights and their actual use are two
2366different things. There is always a good reason why information is marked as
2367secret. When someone puts his nose into secrets which he shouldn't know,
2368it's like suicide.
2369She went too far."What are these psion waves ..."
2370Forgetting that she wanted to leave this place as quickly as possible, Lina
2371frowned.
2372She didn't feel the psion waves until she entered this compartment. It
2373seems that in the walls there are grids of induction stones built-in that
2374weaken psion waves.
2375For a moment, Lina thought that this was a way to conceal the nuclear
2376reactor, but then realized that she was mistaken. Induction stones convert
2377psion waves into an electrical signal. The side effect is the attenuation of
2378psion waves so that these waves can no longer be detected. However,
2379induction stones didn't possess the ability to absorb or reflect radiation.
2380"Magic? But here ..."
2381When thoughts of forbidden nuclear energy were gone, another suspicion
2382arose in her mind.
2383Magic is used by one person. It is in principle impossible for several
2384magicians to cooperatively activate one magic.
2385Magicians with this ability are very rarely born. But even in those cases, no
2386more than 2-3 people can join together to summon magic.
2387But the psion waves that Lina felt now were ...
2388"... More than ten people, maybe about twenty ..."
2389So many magicians have invested their efforts in one magic.
2390"How to understand this? The coercion of magicians to use magic is
2391prohibited by military regulations."
2392While communicating with the developers of "Brionac", Lina heard about
2393the experiments conducted during the war where they tried to cause large-
2394scale magic by creating forced connections between many magicians. The
2395experiment, which was conducted jointly with the Japanese army (Japan was
2396a closer ally than now), was found to be unsuccessful, and the data on it had
2397to be destroyed.The recognized reason for the failure was the self-destruction of magicians,
2398who became "guinea pigs". There began to be cases one after another of
2399dulled thinking, which led to their inability to perform actions to maintain
2400their own life. Lina was told that this was due to the forced connection of
2401the minds. So she was told not to play with group magic.
2402But that wasn't all. It was just Lina's intuition, but this magic loaded all the
2403components of the activation sequence into the magicians and forcibly
2404activated the spell. This technology which ignores the will of the magician
2405and makes him part of the magic machine, contradicted the USNA military
2406statute of the army which guarantees the observance of the rights of
2407servicemen ...
2408"... The magic itself is simple enough it only rotates the flywheel."
2409"But to continue to perform this routine action for a long time should be
2410difficult because of accumulating stress ..."
2411"More than ten magicians are involved because the mass of the flywheel is
2412quite large and its rotation speed is quite high."
2413"Really!?" Lina unknowingly said it out loud.
2414"Is this ... a power generation system!?"
2415"Is this really the secret of the Enterprise's power plant !?"
2416Lina covered her mouth with both hands, so as not to let go of the new
2417unconscious screams, and looked around in panic.
2418No one was around.
2419The surveillance cameras seemed to be functioning, so she should have
2420been seen when she was in a state of confusion and mistakenly entered the
2421forbidden compartment.
2422Lina convinced herself of this and quickly headed back to the exit.Lina and Clark were coming back on the same plane.
2423Work as a security guard ended at the end of the meeting, but preparing
2424another plane to return to the mainland was inefficient in terms of costs.
2425Therefore it was inevitable that they became fellow passengers before
2426Washington.
2427"Major Sirius, you've done a good job."
2428"Thank you." Lina laconically answered Clark.
2429She was in such a mood that she didn't want to talk to anyone right now.
2430She just wanted to remove the "Parade" disguise and sleep, not thinking
2431about anything. She tried hard so that her voice didn't sound sarcastic.
2432It seems that Clark was wise enough not to show that he was concerned
2433about Lina's behavior.
2434"Major I think I should repeat it once more, but don't reveal the secret
2435identity of Taurus Silver to anyone, including Colonel Walker and Colonel
2436Balance." He said, not paying attention to Lina's mood.
2437"... I have to report everything that happened."
2438"It's all right, Major. No one can blame you for this."
2439Clark wasn't a soldier. He was a scientist from the National Science Agency
2440of the United States. In his position he couldn't influence the army's system
2441of rewards and punishments. Lina wanted to point out to him indignantly.
2442"If Taurus Silver learns that his identity was revealed by the major, then he
2443in turn can reveal the true identity of the major."
2444However, Lina's language was numb with the words Clark said.
2445"Where did you hear this ..."
2446Lina was able to squeeze out a few words.
2447"I think it was a big mistake for the military when they contacted the major
2448and Silver. You are still young. Emotional change is inevitable."Clark said this without a smile on his face. He hinted that he knew what Lina
2449was doing in Japan, even more than the army knows. Then he said
2450something that made Lina completely shut up.
2451"By the way, besides the identity of Silver. The truth about the Enterprise is
2452also not worth reporting."
2453CHAPTER 6
2454On Monday, Tatsuya stopped coming to First High.
2455Although he was still considered a pupil of First High, his absence caused a
2456reaction in various unexpected places.
2457Somewhere in Tokyo. The conference room, the location of which will never
2458be revealed, gathered people responsible for the dark side of the
2459Intelligence Department of the National Self-Defense Forces.
2460It seems that the high school student mentioned earlier began to live
2461separately ...
2462"Is this our chance? Unlike in the city there won't be a problem of many
2463people involved."
2464"Please wait."
2465Suddenly, someone jumped up from their chair, leaned forward and spoke.
2466"Chief Inukai, what is it?"
2467The one who wedged himself into the conversation was Chief Inukai the
2468direct commander of Tooyama Tsukasa. Of all those present, he was themost aware of Tatsuya's danger.
2469"We can send enough combat forces, so the other side is in an environment
2470where he cannot hold back. I consider an unprepared attack a risky
2471business."
2472"Is it a trap?"
2473"No I don't think so, but have you forgotten that the enemy is the Yotsuba
2474clan, who are called "Untouchables". It's likely that they have prepared
2475something for this situation."
2476"I agree." Onda, the head of the department for special issues expressed his
2477approval of these words.
2478"Despite the sufficient fighting strength of the garrison of the Nanso camp,
2479you know what the result was. Although the roles of the attacker and the
2480defender will change, I believe that we still should not take it on ourselves
2481alone."
2482"Chief Onda, do you've someone who will help you?"
2483"I would not call it help, but as a result there's something we can use."
2484"Any special circumstances?" Inukai asked Onda in a mysterious voice.
2485"It seems that the head of the Juumonji family will arrive soon in Izu as a
2486representative of the Magic Association." Turning to Inukai, Onda personally
2487gave extracted information.
2488"I don't know why he's going there, but I believe this is about that "project".
2489Having changed the wording, he told it to everyone in the form of a "guess".
2490So Onda concealed his lies. He knew that Tatsuya was Taurus Silver, and
2491Katsuto was going to convince him to participate in the project. He didn't
2492disclose it to people from the same Intelligence Department as himself.
2493"The Magic Association seems to be interested in the project of the USNA.
2494Do they want to try to persuade Yotsuba to take part?"
2495The chief of another department expressed his opinion. None of thosepresent associated the names of Tatsuya and Taurus Silver with each other.
2496All of them highly appreciated Tatsuya's fighting abilities, because they
2497knew about it firsthand. But they didn't know about Tatsuya's intellect and
2498technical skills. Therefore, they couldn't connect a high school student and
2499an outstanding magic engineer with each other.
2500"...ok. This is our chance." The deputy director, who has the highest status
2501among those present nodded in agreement. The Yotsuba's position with
2502their refusal to cooperate was apparent even at the previous meeting.
2503The previous meeting was referring to the April meeting of young people
2504from the 28 Houses. Regarding the current situation, she had nothing to do
2505with it. But what the deputy director pointed out wasn't a conclusion, but
2506rather a good guess, because the facts superficially matched.
2507"There is a high probability that a fight between Shiba Tatsuya and the head
2508of the Juumonji family will occur. And if these two fight, then Juumonji
2509Katsuto wins. Is that correct, Chief Inukai?"
2510"Yes." Inukai confidently nodded to the deputy director's question. Sergeant
2511Tooyama ... The Tooyama family came to the same conclusion.
2512Despite being among the 28 Houses, Tooyama's family has never been a
2513part of the Ten Master Clans. It's never even become a candidate.
2514But if we're not talking about the simple combat use of magicians, but
2515about their use in military affairs as a whole, they will be on a par with the
2516Yotsuba and Juumonji. The Intelligence Department of the National Self-
2517Defense Forces was confident of this.
2518Military magicians are capable of more than just fighting. Included in their
2519official duties is analysis of combat strength and tactics, and the Tooyama
2520family of the 28 Houses is the only family among the "Numbers" whose
2521people have been trained in the army since birth.
2522Of course, the head of the Juumonji family will not kill Shiba Tatsuya. But
2523after losing to Juumonji Katsuto, Shiba Tatsuya will have been weakened
2524and be unable to resist."And the Juumonji family will not resist the Self-Defense Forces."
2525Inukai agreed with the deputy director.
2526"In that case, let's make our move when the Juumonji family acts. We will
2527also send Sergeant Tooyama, but this time not as Shiba Tatsuya's opponent
2528in order to eliminate any possible protection organized by the Yotsuba
2529family."
2530"Got it."
2531Inukai's reply was a small indication of indecision.
2532"Don't worry, Inukai. The Yotsuba family seems to be confident in Shiba
2533Tatsuya's fighting power. Because of that, they will not put their strongest
2534fighters on guard. The most powerful will be focused on protecting his bride.
2535The Deputy Director turned to Onda.
2536"I think that everything is as you said." Onda said respectfully nodding to the
2537deputy director.
2538â—Š â—Š â—Š
2539"I apologize. ...What?" Shiina said doubtfully after entering the Student
2540Council Room after class.
2541"What's wrong, Shiina-chan?" Izumi asked Shiina, turning from her
2542workplace.
2543"Oh, no, I just ... did something happen to Pixie ...?"
2544As Shiina said, Pixie who was always waiting in the corner of the Student
2545Council Room, was missing.
2546"Because she's Tatsuya-sama's property" Minami answered while taking outnapkins from the cleaning box (a drawer with various cleaning supplies,
2547mounted in a multifunctional vacuum cleaner).
2548Shiina didn't offer to help wiping Minami's table. During the month of
2549joining this school and working with the Student Council, she learned that
2550Minami does not throw off work to the younger ones, as is customary.
2551"Pixie was sent to Tatsuya-sama to take care of his daily needs."
2552Entering into the already open door Miyuki said that instead of a greeting,
2553perhaps she heard Minami's words from the corridor.
2554"Miyuki-sempai, today we will try together!"
2555"Let's work together, President. Um, so that means ..."
2556In contrast to Izumi's always enthusiastic reaction, Shiina inclined her head
2557with a misunderstanding on her face.
2558"Hya!"
2559Before Miyuki could respond, a hand came at Shiina from behind causing
2560her to scream and jump from surprise. Shiina turned around in a hurry and
2561saw Shizuku shaking her head with a reproachful look.
2562"Kitayama-sempai ..."
2563"Shiina-chan, this is because of Tatsuya-san, do you understand?" Honoka
2564whispered while standing next to Shizuku. Thus, Shiina guessed the
2565situation.
2566It was the next day after that Sunday, when she was separated from
2567Tatsuya. As usual Miyuki spent time in class, and as usual with the Student
2568Council.
2569The students of First High who don't interact with Tatsuya in any way, saw
2570Miyuki the same as always. Friends with whom she had long been
2571acquainted, on the way from school also didn't see any differences."Miyuki, um ... are you okay?"
2572But as expected from friends, they could feel something "strange."
2573For example, Erika was in another class and wasn't involved in the affairs of
2574the Student Council. They spent much less time together than that of
2575Miyuki's classmates, but she was able to discover that "something is wrong
2576here," not only because of her observation skills.
2577"Yes, everything is in order. Thank you, Erika."
2578Miyuki also understood her friend's attention and didn't complain to her.
2579Miyuki wasn't ashamed to admit that she was lonely without Tatsuya. It was
2580natural for her, because she lived for Tatsuya's sake and his presence was
2581vital to her.
2582Miyuki thought that these friends have long understood this, so there is no
2583reason to try to hide it.
2584"Where's Tatsuya-san now? If this isn't a secret..."
2585"I don't think there will be any problems if I tell you." Miyuki replied shyly to
2586Honoka. "He retired to a villa in Izu. I wonder if he can at least rest there a
2587bit?"
2588"Izu? ... If not for these annoying circumstances, then I would be enviable."
2589"But Tatsuya went to this villa precisely because of these annoying
2590circumstances, right?"
2591"Shut up. I already knew. You're so unpopular because you don't know how
2592to not talk too much."
2593Leo joked over Erika's words, which were either serious, or a joke. But Erika
2594immediately responded with her horseshoe.
2595"Che ...! These are unnecessary worries. Although not as much as Tatsuya,
2596but I like girls too. Is it true, Sakurai?" (?)
2597Today in the cafe not only third-graders gathered. With the addition of thetrio from the second year of training, Kasumi, Izumi and Minami, as well as
2598couples from the first year of training, Shiina and Saburou, they now formed
2599a fairly large company.
2600Leo turned to Minami, because she was from the same "Mountaineering
2601Club" as him. Due to her work in the Student Council she almost never
2602showed up there, but she did the work of the "manager" there, for example,
2603periodically they brought onigiri made by the cooking club.
2604"... Yes, probably."
2605Minami gave a noncommittal answer to Leo's question, which read a clear
2606desire for agreement.
2607"Ah ~, well, no. Use your power in this situation? I didn't know that you were
2608like that..."
2609"What !?"
2610Ignoring the resentful protesting Leo, Erika turned to Minami.
2611"Minami, it's not necessary to cover him only because he's the president of
2612the club."
2613"Yes ..."
2614Minami with confusion on her face looked alternately at Erika and Leo.
2615"Erika. Saijou-kun, too, don't embarrass Minami-chan."
2616Erika and Leo immediately exchanged glances, after which Miyuki bowed at
2617the same time. Thus, Minami was able to avoid embarrassment with
2618Miyuki's help.
2619"Tatsuya-san will not come here even on Sunday?"
2620Mizuki's question changed the general mood again. But there was no
2621awkward pause. Miyuki just shook her head with a sad smile on her face.
2622"I think he will not be able to return to Tokyo for some time because there
2623are a lot of annoying people here.""Can we visit him?" Honoka asked having received a confidence boost after
2624hearing Mizuki.
2625"It's not known whether circumstances will allow this." Miyuki answered
2626reflectively.
2627"It is clear ..."
2628"Unwanted guests can come to him."
2629Kasumi and Izumi reacted to those words
2630"Sempai, this means ..."
2631"That it's likely."
2632Miyuki turned to the twin-kohai with a kind smile on her face.
2633"Izumi-chan, Kasumi-chan, if this happens, if the "guests" are people from
2634your family, then don't bother your father or brother."
2635"Miyuki-senpai! I'll be on your side no matter what!"
2636Izumi began to protest with passionate zeal. Kasumi, sitting next to her,
2637couldn't hide her embarrassment.
2638"Izumi-chan, you're embarrassing Kasumi-chan."
2639"Kasumi-chan! You're on my side, aren't you?"
2640"Well ... Of course I'm on Izumi's side, but ..."
2641Kasumi's face became even more embarrassed.
2642"Izumi-chan."
2643With a bitter smile on her face, Miyuki approached and stood between
2644Izumi and Kasumi.
2645"You don't have to do anything, okay? Because neither Tatsuya-sama nor I
2646are going to be at odds with Izumi-chan's father."
2647"... I understand."It was her weakness before Miyuki's charm. Izumi couldn't go against
2648Miyuki's request, which was said in words that cannot be misinterpreted.
2649"Miyuki, it's useless to deter us."
2650Turning, Miyuki saw on Erika's face a really mischievous smile.
2651"I would not want you to do something reckless ..."
2652"Aren't you going to do something reckless?"
2653Erika looked like she had nothing to do with it. To this quite obvious facial
2654expression, Miyuki could only respond with a vague smile.
2655â—Š â—Š â—Š
2656At the National Magic University there was no such thing as interest circles.
2657But there are club activities. Most sports clubs had coaches and suffered
2658from an overabundance of participants. In most cases, the career of a
2659magician requires physical strength and mobility, but in the curriculum there
2660is no physical training, so additional classes are important.
2661However, not all students attended the clubs. After all club activity wasn't
2662mandatory. Katsuto who in high school was the leader of the Club
2663Management Group, was among those at the National Magic University who
2664didn't join any club.
2665Katsuto who is the head of the Juumonji family, decided to return home as
2666soon as possible. Few people went home at this time. Today he'd lingered
2667with the preparation of practice reports, and it was already quite late.
2668Concerned that his affairs were delayed by this unplanned accident, Katsuto
2669walked to the station at an accelerated pace.
2670"Juumonji-kun!"He heard a voice behind him calling out to wait.
2671It was a familiar voice that he recognized without turning around. Speaking
2672frankly, it was a person who often interfered with his plans, but for some
2673reason, regardless of family affairs she was the one who could stop him.
2674And now Katsuto stopped and looked back.
2675"Juumonji-kun!"
2676"Saegusa. I hear you, don't shout like that."
2677Mayumi caught up and stopped before Katsuto and smiled shyly. It felt like
2678she had closed one eye and showed her tongue, even though she didn't
2679really do it.
2680"Sorry to keep you."
2681"It's nothing. So what do you want?"
2682Without any introduction, he asked about the case.
2683Such a rude response wasn't because he didn't treat Mayumi like a woman.
2684It just showed that for Katsuto she's a woman with whom he feels at ease.
2685"I wanted to ask you something. Can I go in the same cab with you?"
2686"Aren't we going different directions?"
2687"It's just an extra 20 minutes home. It's okay."
2688The modern system of public transportation for short distances is "personal
2689booths on an electric train" was based on a direct connection between the
2690stations on which loading and disembarking was done. There was no such
2691thing as "loading a passenger halfway between stations".
2692But that didn't mean that you cannot go together. If you're lucky, and there
2693is no customer waiting for your booth at the destination station, the
2694remaining passenger will be able to continue to his station. Even if there are
2695other passengers on the station, you just have to wait a bit in the queue.
2696The level of privacy inside such personal booths has been perfected. It isalmost impossible for a conversation inside the booth to be heard by
2697someone from outside. Entrepreneurs and even simple couples use this
2698feature of the electric booths of an electric train for conducting private
2699conversations.
2700Mayumi's invitation to go together was also meant to hold a private
2701conversation. However, the first destination was the station closest to the
2702Saegusa family house.
2703"Juumonji-kun is such a gentleman."
2704"Naturally."
2705At Mayumi's giggles, Katsuto responded with an acidic face.
2706"So, what did you want to talk about?"
2707Immediately after Katsuto's question, the smile faded from Mayumi's face.
2708"Juumonji-kun, you're going to meet Tatsuya-kun, aren't you?"
2709"Did you hear about this from your father?"
2710"Yes, but he didn't say why you're going to meet him."
2711Katsuto leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes and crossed his arms over
2712his chest.
2713" I cannot tell you."
2714"Thank you. I just realized why."
2715Katsuto opened his eyes. Mayumi winked at him.
2716"This could only be because of a Japanese high school student. And all these
2717attempts at secrecy indicate exactly who just as I thought."
2718Mayumi said her conclusion without saying a single name. Katsuto was
2719silent.
2720"Listen, Juumonji-kun."
2721"... What?"Katsuto reluctantly responded, because in Mayumi's voice there were signs
2722that she would ask something obvious.
2723"Will you take me with you?"
2724Katsuto looked at Mayumi with wide-open eyes, but immediately looked
2725back and asked "... Why?"
2726"I don't think Tatsuya-kun will obediently accept the request."
2727"... Well, I think so too."
2728"But it's unlikely that after this, Juumonji-kun will simply go home empty-
2729handed."
2730"......"
2731"I don't think that Juumonji-kun will lose to Tatsuya-kun. Tatsuya-kun is
2732strong, but he certainly will not be able to reach Juumonji-kun."
2733"And what?"
2734"But I think that Tatsuya-kun will not be defeated so easily either. With
2735Tatsuya-kun's healing magic, he may not stop until he dies."
2736"Shiba's healing magic... is that strong?"
2737Katsuto straightened his crossed arms and looked at Mayumi.
2738"Yes. More specifically, it's not really a treatment."
2739Mayumi caught Katsuto's gaze, and looked into his eyes.
2740"So let me go with you to prevent such an outcome."
2741"You say you want to help me convince Shiba?"
2742"I'm not going to get in your way."
2743Looking up from Mayumi, Katsuto took a deep breath.
2744"If only to participate in the negotiations ... It is true if you are present
2745everything can be resolved peacefully. You are more familiar with Shiba than
2746I am.""It sounds a little strange when you're talking about a close acquaintance ...
2747So when will you go to Tatsuya-kun?"
2748"If Shiba isn't busy, I thought about next Sunday." I'll be in my car, so I'll
2749take you straight out of the house."
2750"Ara, thank you."
2751Mayumi smiled and turned forward. From this moment, there was no more
2752talk between them, but an awkward atmosphere in the booth didn't arise.
2753â—Š â—Š â—Š
2754The day after returning from the security mission on the Enterprise, Lina
2755looked quite sluggish during training.
2756"Commander-in-Chief. You seem to be feeling bad? How is your health ...?"
2757"No, it's nothing like that. I'm sorry I was so sloppy Ben."
2758Having finished training and on the way to the barracks she met Stars
2759number Two officer Canopus, who addressed her with a serious face.
2760"No, everybody has black and white stripes in his life ... Has anything
2761happened to you?"
2762"Yes. It wasn't like me, I was nervous in front of those two "Apostles",
2763Bezobrazzoff and MacLeod."
2764"It wasn't a battlefield, but a meeting place. There's nothing wrong with
2765being mentally exhausted from trying to prevent an error in front of foreign
2766guests."
2767"... Ben? Are you saying that I'm too inexperienced?"
2768"Oh, no, what are you saying?"Canopus immediately looked away. Lina felt pressure in her temples.
2769"The first thing is to get some rest Commander-in-Chief. Well, I'll go now."
2770Canopus showed a reassuring smile and left. Seeing the retreating figure,
2771Lina thought that she couldn't afford to do it, no matter how much she was
2772asked to. She turned and walked to her room.
2773Thanks to Canopus she felt much better, but she still couldn't get it off her
2774mind. Even after taking a shower, she didn't feel refreshed.
2775She was aware of the reason. The fate of the magicians she saw on the
2776Enterprise affected her feelings.
2777Prior to this, Lina didn't experience much discomfort or dislike of how
2778magicians were treated as a weapon. Prior to that, she'd strongly considered
2779this question when she was in Japan when she collided with Tatsuya, Miyuki
2780and their friends ... no, when she collided with Tatsuya.
2781Lina was sitting in front of the mirror, wrapped only in a towel. She barely
2782realized what she was doing she was so absorbed in her thoughts.
2783"Tatsuya wasn't against the fact that magicians were forced to fight."
2784"Tatsuya wasn't against magicians becoming soldiers."
2785"Tatsuya didn't say that he was against magicians becoming weapons."
2786"Tatsuya was against continuing to be a soldier."
2787Listening to her thoughts, she remembered something. One thought
2788occurred in Lina's mind.
2789"What is Tatsuya striving for? A world in which magicians don't need to
2790become weapons."
2791"Maybe I'm remembering wrong? Tatsuya didn't say anything like that."
2792However, she felt that this thought was correct. The idea that Tatsuya seeks
2793to create a society where magicians are not forced to become weapons.
2794When she returned from Japan and was far from Tatsuya, she felt no doubtabout this matter. She began again to think that using magic in combat is
2795quite natural for magicians in the army. Therefore, she thought that the idea
2796of ​ a "world in which magicians aren't forced to be a weapon" is some kind of
2797delusion.
2798She became a soldier of her own free will. Magicians play the role of
2799weapons of their own free will. Regardless of how it looks from the outside,
2800magicians have the freedom to choose.
2801" I thought so before."
2802"Or so I imagined it."
2803"But there ..."
2804"That Enterprise system ..."
2805"As Tatsuya said ..."
2806"Right. I need Tatsuya ..."
2807Reaching out to the videophone, Lina froze in this pose.
2808"What was I trying to do?"
2809"Warn Tatsuya?"
2810"About what?"
2811"The fact that Bezobrazzoff and MacLeod are targeting him?"
2812Lina's forehead broke out in sweat after just taking a shower, and an
2813unpleasant chill ran down her back.
2814"Ha, ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha ..."
2815The laughter that escaped from Lina's lips was half-unconscious.
2816"What the hell was I trying to do?"
2817If it wasn't for this laughter, she would be panicking right now.
2818It's good that she remembered Tatsuya.But she won't be allowed to warn Tatsuya, because this will be considered
2819leaking military secrets. The phone in her room is clearly tapped, so it cannot
2820be used.
2821"This shocked me so much."
2822"Finding out that magicians are used like spare parts, as fuel ..."
2823"I thought I understood the limitations of the military's freedom."
2824"I thought I agreed with that."
2825"Tatsuya ..."
2826"That's why you said that, huh?"
2827Lina remembered the words spoken at the parting that night.
2828("If Lina wants to leave Stars ...")
2829("If you want to stop being a soldier ...")
2830"Tatsuya: Did you know that I'm not fit to be a soldier ...?"
2831All these thoughts of Lina were now unconscious for her.
2832She got up and went to the bathroom again to wash away the sweat and
2833keep warm.
2834She took off the towel and put herself under a hot shower.
2835By this time Lina didn't even remember what she was thinking while sitting
2836in front of the mirror.
2837CHAPTER 7
2838Tatsuya received a message from Katsuto on Wednesday night.The message asked whether it would be convenient for him to meet on
2839Sunday. And it came from the main Yotsuba house. This meant that the
2840request for the meeting wasn't based on the sempai and kohai relations
2841from First High, but was the request of the Juumonji family of the Ten
2842Master Clans to the Yotsuba family of the Ten Master Clans.
2843"Tatsuya-oniisan, is this an urgent matter?" Kuroba Fumiya asked Tatsuya
2844from the couch at the villa.
2845At this point Pixie brought two coffees. Tatsuya paid it no attention and
2846answered Fumiya's question.
2847"No. The head of the Juumonji family is asking permission to come here on
2848Sunday. It was an electronic message transmitted through the main house.
2849Have you heard anything about this Fumiya?"
2850"No, nothing ..."
2851Tatsuya reached for a cup of coffee and his eyes advised Fumiya: "Drink
2852before it gets cold."
2853Fumiya stretched out his hand towards the table with his manicured nails,
2854and with his other hand pushed back the medium length hair hanging over
2855his cheek, and took a sip with his lipstick covered lips.
2856"I see. It's very rare for Fumiya and Ayako to act separately.""Nee-san also wanted to see Tatsuya-Niisan, but it was an order."
2857Fumiya returned the coffee cup to the table. The skirt was a little wrinkled
2858when he leaned toward the table, and the movement with which he
2859adjusted it was completely automatic.
2860"Then tell me what order brought you here? Coming in this fashion was also
2861part of the order?"
2862At Tatsuya's words "in this fashion", Fumiya's cheeks flushed. This look
2863made him more attractive than most high school students.
2864"This is because many people now know my face ..."
2865"Yes indeed. It would be bad if you contacted me while showing your real
2866face."
2867It was understandable. Fumiya became widely known after the Nine Schools
2868Competition last year. It seems that his connection with Yotsuba was no
2869longer a secret, but apparently the main house had not yet planned to
2870officially recognize Fumiya.
2871Fumiya who wasn't fond of dressing in women's clothes could only be pitied.
2872"So?" Tatsuya turned to him and asked again.
2873Before speaking, Fumiya straightened his back.
2874"The likelihood of this villa being attacked increased."
2875"The Self-Defense Forces?" Tatsuya ask, arching an eyebrow.
2876"Yes."
2877Fumiya couldn't remain as calm. His pretty, well-groomed face was very
2878tense.
2879"Fumiya, did you only come to tell me about this?"
2880Fumiya decided that Tatsuya was trying to tell him "don't be afraid."
2881"More about that ... the Yotsuba family cannot send reinforcements."Fumiya squeezed the hem of his skirt in his hands. He assumed that Tatsuya
2882would be angry.
2883"It's quite natural."
2884"Ha?" But he couldn't understand what Tatsuya said.
2885The reason is because it's not an internal conflict between the Ten Master
2886Clans. It isn't a good idea to deal with the Self-Defense Forces right now.
2887Putting the family in danger for my sake alone is obviously an unprofitable
2888action.
2889"Tatsuya-Niisan... you agree with that !?" Fumiya lost his calm at Tatsuya's
2890cold-blooded logic,.
2891"Why are you shaking?"
2892Tatsuya said that instead of "why are you worried". At those words Fumiya
2893noticed that his hands were shaking, not because he was very worried. He
2894realized that he was seized by fear.
2895"All I have to do is deal with this alone."
2896Tatsuya spoke as if explaining an elementary mathematical rule, like 2x2 =
28974.
2898Fumiya's eyes opened wide and his mouth opened slightly. Although he
2899didn't want to, his white teeth and pink tongue, peeping out of the slightly
2900opened lips that were glistening with lipstick, seemed tempting for a man's
2901gaze.
2902For a moment Tatsuya looked with pity at his younger cousin who radiated
2903an indescribable maiden charm. But immediately his face returned to a cold-
2904blooded expression.
2905"Fortunately, I have a suit and a motorcycle."
2906It wasn't a simple suit. It was an original flying armored suit developed by
2907the Yotsuba family, and was created to work in conjunction with an armored
2908motorcycle. Fumiya knew that these things were brought to this villa."Besides, my Torus, Trident and Lance Head were also brought. And in this
2909mountainous woodland I feel at home, and I cannot feel other people's eyes.
2910If there is an opponent of the "Imakasina *" or "Daitengu" class, then that is
2911another conversation, but until that happens I'm not going to be defeated."
2912[In Volume 19, Todo Aoba called Yakumo "the reincarnation of Kasin-koji".
2913"Imakasin" roughly means "Modern Kasin" or "Kasin of our days."]
2914The mentioned Torus is a CAD with full mind control, Silver Torus. Trident is
2915his favorite CAD in the form of a pistol, Silver Horn custom modification of
2916"Trident".
2917And Lance Head is a device for CAD to use the "Baryon Lance."
2918Indeed if Tatsuya has such equipment, then until such opponents as
2919"Imakasin" = Kokonee Yakumo or "Daitengu" = Kazama Harunobu appear,
2920then victory is guaranteed to him. Fumiya was sure of this.
2921Even if there are dozens of enemies. Even if there are hundreds of enemies.
2922Fumiya realized that his trembling had stopped.
2923Next to the villa was a taxi. It was the car that Fumiya used (in his female
2924disguise).
2925Anyone would have thought that if the taxi had been waiting all this time,
2926the fee would be huge, but Tatsuya didn't think so. He also didn't think that
2927the car was rented. He realized that the driver was from the Kuroba family
2928was wearing his black suit.
2929Tatsuya watched Fumiya who was wearing a wide-brimmed hat exit the
2930Villa.
2931"I deleted the data from the hidden cameras, so you can safely go home."
2932"I'm sorry to trouble you with this."
2933Fumiya bowed with a grateful air. In his behavior, there was absolutely nodiscomfort from wearing women's clothes.
2934When Tatsuya said that he "destroyed the data," he meant that he erased
2935the data from the cameras hiding in the vicinity of " spying lovers " (most
2936likely these are people from the military Intelligence Department). Because
2937with the help of a photo you could identify him with facial recognition
2938software, regardless of the fact that he's wearing women's clothes. Fumiya's
2939women's disguise was a method of deceiving only the unaided eye. And his
2940wide-brimmed hat was to hide from the view of the reconnaissance satellite
2941and cameras on the stratospheric platforms.
2942"Since that message came to me through the main house, then mother
2943should also know its contents. Although I will send a copy of the answer to
2944the main house, but I would like you to verbally convey that I am going to
2945respond with an offer to meet the Juumonji family."
2946"I understood. Tatsuya-oniisan, then see you."
2947"Yes. Thank you for your concern."
2948Fumiya smiled in response to Tatsuya's gratitude.
2949Scenes with farewell hugs and kisses on the cheek didn't occur.*
2950*Joke of humor from the author. In Japanese, the negation follows at the
2951end of the sentence. Therefore, in the original, the phrase sounds like this:
2952"Fumiya hugged Tatsuya and kissed his cheek on farewell ... no, it didn't
2953happen."*
2954â—Š â—Š â—Š
2955At the same time that Fumiya was talking to Tatsuya, Ayako was visiting
2956Miyuki in the apartment in Chofu where she'd recently moved.
2957"I heard that you move here on Monday, but it seems that you've alreadyfinished moving in."
2958Ayako, sitting on the living room turned to Miyuki sitting opposite.
2959These apartments were even more spacious than their previous separate
2960house, and they had a great cozy living room.
2961There wasn't very much luggage, and Minami-chan helped me a lot.
2962Miyuki responded to Ayako's flattery by glancing at Minami, who brought
2963tea and sweets.
2964"She's pretty skillful, although we're the same age."
2965Minami bowed to Ayako's praise and said in a low voice, "Thank you."
2966Minami also understood that Ayako's words were only formal courtesy.
2967After finishing serving tea, Minami left the room, closing the door behind
2968her.
2969Miyuki and Ayako turned at the same time.
2970"Ayako-chan, I wonder what brought you to us today?"
2971"Today I am a simple messenger, Miyuki-oneesama."
2972Two girls exchanged smiles where there was a barely noticeable mixture of
2973tension.
2974Now that there was no Tatsuya and Fumiya, who usually limited them. It
2975seemed that the spirit of rivalry would grow forever, but Miyuki still looked
2976away.
2977She looked away at the table, took an elegant cup from the tray with an
2978elegant movement, and took a sip of not very hot tea. With a slight lag
2979behind her, Ayako in the same refined manner, scooped out a piece of jelly
2980pastry with a fork.
2981"Did both of you need something?" Miyuki asked after waiting for Ayako to
2982finish eating.
2983"Yes, that's right." Ayako answered, silently returning the fork to the saucer."Then tell me."
2984"The probability that in the coming days the Self-Defense Forces will try to
2985capture Tatsuya-san have increased."
2986"Why?" Miyuki calmly reacted to Ayako's bold statement about "capture."
2987"Aren't you surprised?" Ayako also spoke in an unsurprised voice.
2988"Because it was quite predictable. Unlike Tatsuya-sama, I don't trust the
2989Self-Defense Forces."
2990"I don't think Tatsuya-san became a member of the Independent Magic-
2991Equipped Battalion, because he trusts them."
2992"Right. But if he met friendly people there, his feelings could change to some
2993extent, couldn't they? Because Tatsuya-sama didn't lose all his emotions."
2994Ayako, who wasn't expecting Miyuki to talk about Tatsuya's lost emotions,
2995couldn't find the words for an answer. Nevertheless, Ayako quickly took
2996herself in hand and moved on to the main topic of her visit today.
2997"Details of the date and time will be reported once we've determined the
2998Self-Defense Forces plans. But that's all we can do."
2999"... Can you express yourself more clearly?"
3000"In other words, it means that neither the main family nor the side branches
3001can help with anything other than information."
3002"That's what Aunt Maya decided?"
3003"Yes."
3004"Understood ..."
3005Along with this word, the temperature in the room fell sharply.
3006The tea on the table froze, and the surface of the jelly was covered with ice
3007cake.
3008The cooling phenomenon wasn't limited to this, the ice also began to
3009appear on Ayako's clothes and hair."Ayako-chan, if you don't really resist it, you'll freeze, won't you?"
3010Quiet, kind, soft, like freshly fallen snow, Miyuki reported the obvious.
3011"Please continue as long as you wish."
3012Although her pale lips trembled, Ayako answered in a firm, strong-willed
3013voice.
3014"I see." Said Miyuki and the temperature in the room quickly recovered.
3015"... Miyuki-sama, what's going on !? Miyuki-sama !?"
3016There was an intense knock at the door and a desperate voice from Minami.
3017"Minami-chan, you can come in."
3018"I'm sorry!"
3019Minami entered the living room and lost the gift of speech from the
3020horrifying picture before her. Everything in the room was covered with
3021water condensation. Only a small area around Miyuki was untouched. Sitting
3022across from Miyuki, Ayako's clothes and hair were completely drenched, and
3023her face was completely pale.
3024"Minami-chan, lead Ayako-chan to the bathroom. I'll dry this room."
3025"S-listen. Ayako-sama, please follow me."
3026"Thank you."
3027Following Minami's invitation, Ayako stood up. She obediently followed
3028Minami, but stopped in front of the door, as if she had planned it in
3029advance.
3030"Miyuki-oneesama."
3031"What?" Miyuki responded to Ayako's call in a cold voice, and there wasn't a
3032drop of guilt.
3033"The way it was, it was like head-sama.""... As I mentioned earlier, the Yotsuba will not send reinforcements to
3034Tatsuya-san. The only one who can help Tatsuya-san is you."
3035Ayako turned her back on Miyuki.
3036"I understand."
3037Miyuki only responded after Ayako had already disappeared behind the
3038door.
3039"Ayako-sama, are you sure you don't need help?"
3040Minami asked because once they entered the bathroom dressing room,
3041Ayako slowed her pace, and barely seemed to be able to stand on her feet.
3042She was showing that clothes might be difficult to remove herself. In such a
3043situation, Minami would have offered to help, even if the behavior of the
3044maid had not been imprinted in her mind.
3045"Everything is fine. Thank you for your concern."
3046"... Then I will prepare a change ofclothes. Please let me know if you need
3047anything."
3048"Thank you. I will be grateful to have something to change into." Ayako said,
3049after which she undressed, went into the bathroom and closed the door
3050behind her.
3051This door between the dressing room and the bathroom wasn't translucent,
3052as in some houses, but completely concealed what was happening in the
3053bathroom. From the dressing room it was impossible not only to see
3054someone in the bathroom, but it was also impossible to hear any sounds
3055from there. Therefore, Ayako letting hot water out of the shower, settled
3056down on the floor with relief.
3057"It was the power of Miyuki-oneesama ... And she wasn't even serious ..."
3058Despite the fact that she kept a calm face, tears appeared in her eyes.That cooling wasn't even a conscious activation of magic. It was magical
3059power running wild. Despite this, the cold created by Miyuki didn't have a
3060direct impact on Ayako's body.
3061Naturally, Ayako defended her body with data fortification. And yet Miyuki's
3062wild magic completely surrounded Ayako's body, separated from her by a
3063distance of not more than the thickness of the skin.
3064The ice was caused not by the condensation of water from the hair itself,
3065but by drawing moisture out of the surrounding air. The same thing
3066happened with the clothes.
3067And her own magical defense was helpless against this phenomenon ...
3068"It wasn't just a phenomenon modification..."
3069"It was as if the world had voluntarily submitted to Miyuki-oneesama."
3070"It was a magic that seemed to have charmed the mind of the world itself,
3071captivated it and took it under direct control ..."
3072It was something supernatural, different from the magic that Ayako knew.
3073Such a crazy idea arose in her head. Despite the hot shower, Ayako's body
3074felt a cold shiver.
3075â—Š â—Š â—Š
3076Thursday, end of May.
3077Lieutenant Colonel Kazama of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion
3078received a phone call from Tatsuya.
3079"Sorry to tear you away from work, Lieutenant Colonel Kazama. This is Shiba
3080Tatsuya."
3081"... I thank you for your cooperation in Okinawa."Kazama correctly understood the sense that the speaker on the other side
3082of the phone line introduced himself as "Shiba Tatsuya." He guessed that
3083this meant that he didn't call as "Special Officer Ooguro" of the Independent
3084Magic-Equipped Battalion, but as a magician of the Yotsuba family.
3085"So, what business did you call about?" He followed up with a leading
3086question.
3087"I heard that the Self-Defense Forces plan to attack me. Is it true?"
3088This unfriendly question was asked in a completely formal tone, as if an
3089artificial intelligence said it.
3090"This isn't entirely true."
3091Kazama didn't need to answer honestly, and had no intention to do it
3092either, but for some reason, answering Tatsuya's question, he couldn't
3093pretend that he didn't know anything.
3094"Then what is the truth?"
3095"The Intelligence Department of the Self-Defense Forces has set its eyes on
3096you. This is the will of the Intelligence Department, and not the decision of
3097the army."
3098After answering, Kazama thought about what if he had come under Mental
3099Interference magic but immediately rejected it.
3100And the reason wasn't that Tatsuya cannot use Mental Interference magic.
3101He realized that his speech was because of his guilt for passively watching
3102while Tatsuya was in a quandary, as well as unconscious calculation that it
3103was better to speak in some degree honestly to keep Tatsuya.
3104"In other words, it's an Intelligence Department rebellion?"
3105[The word used, which means rebellion, rebellion, betrayal, betrayal.]
3106With his tough statement, Tatsuya finally drove him into a corner.
3107"... You can say so."
3108But Tatsuya's words were not wrong. Kazama had to admit this.Yes, Tatsuya attacked a secret army facility. For this he can in some sense be
3109considered a criminal, and if you consider that he's a "special officer", then
3110he can be considered a rebel.
3111However the use of military force without permission to control a civilian is
3112a serious violation. If I consider Tatsuya a rebel, then his crime should be
3113considered in a military court. As Tatsuya said, the fact that the Intelligence
3114Department independently sent out combat force without proper regular
3115procedures was certainly a rebellion.
3116"In that case, if I defend myself, it will not be a problem for the brigade, will
3117it?"
3118This time, Kazama didn't know how to answer.
3119The Intelligence Department's plan contradicted both the law and the army.
3120If it leaks to the media, then the army will get a great deal from them, and
3121the leadership will have to resign in full force. If Tatsuya himself wants to
3122keep it a secret, then we must go to meet him.
3123However, it will be bad if it looks as if the 1-0-1 brigade gave the go-ahead
3124for the destruction of the executive detachment of the Intelligence
3125Department. "If there were three people it is already a faction" this meant
3126that there were no organizations free from factional struggle. And the Self-
3127Defense Forces were no exception to this rule.
3128The reputation of the 1-0-1 brigade was due to the high skill of the brigade
3129commander, and Lieutenant General Saeki helps to avoid interference by
3130bureaucrats and politicians, but there is still a weakness in terms of inter-
3131factional relations. There are even attacks inherent in patriarchal society
3132that Saeki takes too much on herself for being a woman, saying she cannot
3133be trusted.
3134Considering that Saeki is among the most influential people of Self-Defense
3135Forces, it is necessary to avoid the possibility that she will be blamed for
3136everything.
3137"There will not be any problems for the Independent Magical-Equipped
3138Battalion."In the end, Kazama was able to give an answer only within the limits of his
3139responsibility.
3140"... I think you understand that the battalion cannot support you. We would
3141like you to do it on your own."
3142"Of course, I understand."
3143For a moment, Kazama had a feeling that Tatsuya had a cruel, inhuman
3144smile.
3145"It's enough for me that the lieutenant colonel understands the situation.
3146Sorry to trouble you."
3147"Yes. I wish you a good battle ... huh, that is, good luck."
3148There was no need to wish that the battle was strong enough. Tatsuya's
3149victory was predetermined. However, it was necessary luck that this victory
3150didn't worsen the situation even further.
3151The video call was cut short before Tatsuya answered Kazama.
3152Kazama decided to forget Tatsuya's surreptitious smile.
3153The videophone on his desk had the function of automatically recording
3154conversations. If he now includes the reproduction of this conversation, he
3155will be able to understand whether this sinister smile was an illusion, as if
3156turning him into another person.
3157So Kazama, without trying to confirm this, just pressed the delete record
3158button.
3159â—Š â—Š â—Š
3160Thursday, during lunch. Katsuto sat alone drinking coffee in the cafeteria of
3161the National Magic University when Mayumi showed up."Can I sit next to you?"
3162"Of course. Sit down."
3163After answering, Katsuto noticed that on Mayumi tray there isn't anything
3164but a cup of tea.
3165"Saegusa, have you already had lunch?"
3166Katsuto already had a bite, but he realized that he did it pretty quickly. At a
3167dinner party food is usually slowly eaten while conversing, but when he's
3168alone, he eats fast.
3169Today it was so. He just finished eating in the dining room and moved to the
3170cafeteria for coffee.
3171But even if women usually eat less, it was still too fast.
3172"Third lecture was canceled, and I went to the canteen early to avoid the
3173crowd during break."
3174"I see."
3175Students of the National Magic University study diligently, because they
3176have a lot to learn. The same applies to Katsuto. In the morning he has
3177absolutely no spare time. In the afternoon there is free time, but this is the
3178privilege of students who have a family job.
3179"Juumonji-kun, I'm talking about the situation that we discussed earlier."
3180When Mayumi sat down, she immediately switched to the main topic.
3181Although this haste wasn't typical for her, it seems that she didn't want
3182anyone to suspect that she would stay here for a long time.
3183"I received the answer yesterday. Consent was received, as expected." The
3184specific names were not mentioned, but there was no need to explain that
3185the" thing "mentioned was Tatsuya's consent. "So far, everything is going
3186well. Will you be ready at 9 o'clock in the morning?"
3187"That's fine. Will the meeting be in the afternoon?" In Mayumi's voice it was
3188read that it was unexpected for her."He's still a schoolboy. It will not be a meeting with alcohol. In that case, it's
3189better not to come back later."
3190Katsuto sounded reason was quite reasonable, and Mayumi didn't have any
3191doubts.
3192"But there may be a need to use force? Isn't it better to go after dark?"
3193Katsuto didn't stop Mayumi, who said such dangerous words. All the
3194students around them knew that Katsuto is the head of the Juuonji family of
3195the Ten Master Clans, and Mayumi also has a direct line of kinship with one
3196of the Ten Master Clans. The fact that the Ten Master Clans are going
3197somewhere to "use force" wasn't unusual.
3198Although the main reason was that they were surrounded by a sound
3199insulation field, because of this not even neighboring tables heard them.
3200"In the dark, you can make unforeseen errors."
3201Mayumi shuddered, realizing what Katsuto had said.
3202"Juumonji-kun ... you're pretty serious about this, aren't you?"
3203"Indeed, for Tatsuya the probability of victory will increase if instead of an
3204open area it is dark or there are lots of obstacles to hide behind." Katsuto
3205will naturally avoid such a situation. Due to his manner of speech, Mayumi
3206felt that Katsuto was going to crush Tatsuya with all his power.
3207"This is an opponent, that should be treated seriously." Katsuto answered in
3208a resolute voice at Mayumi's question.
3209"Ah ... He's 100% serious ... I cannot possibly cope with one ..." Sweating
3210with a cold sweat (though in the imagination), Mayumi thought.
3211â—Š â—Š â—ŠOn Friday, Miyuki spent the day (even in class) thinking about what she
3212learned from the message from Ayako last night.
3213"The day after tomorrow ..."
3214"The report referred to the date when Tatsuya would be attacked by the
3215Self-Defense Forces. But other than that, there was something else."
3216"If it's only the Self-Defense Forces, Onii-sama, Tatsuya-sama will not lose."
3217"But if they join Juumonji-sempai ..."
3218The message from Ayako said that the Self-Defense Forces would attack
3219during Katsuto's visit.
3220"If the fight is one-on-one, he will surely defeat the Juumonji-senpai, but ..."
3221Miyuki took the opposite opinion of Mayumi about the relationship
3222between the strength of Tatsuya and Katsuto. She didn't doubt that Tatsuya
3223was the strongest, and that he would win. But Miyuki also understood that
3224Tatsuya isn't invincible.
3225If Katsuto and the Self-Defense Forces unite, then it's impossible to ignore
3226the possibility that Tatsuya, in the end may faint from overloading the Magic
3227Calculation Zone.
3228"But even if they don't unite, then having exhausted his strength after the
3229battle with Katsuto he can make an unforeseen mistake."
3230"... Still, I'll go too."
3231Miyuki made this decision while working at the Student Council.
3232Maya didn't tell Miyuki that she should not go to Tatsuya.
3233However, the attempt to go to Tatsuya's aid can be regarded as a protest
3234against the order that they should live separately.
3235Ayako then told Miyuki: "Miyuki-oneesama, the only one who can help
3236Tatsuya-san is you", but these were the words of Ayako herself. These
3237words, on the contrary, should be understood in the sense that Maya does
3238not want anyone to help Tatsuya.But still Miyuki had no choice but to help Tatsuya.
3239"... That's right, I didn't have to worry about it from the beginning."
3240It does not matter what they think and what they want, Maya, the Yotsuba
3241family, the Self-Defense Forces, the country, the whole world.
3242Tatsuya. He's the meaning of her existence. Miyuki once again reminded
3243herself of this.
3244Miyuki was going to the station in the company of Honoka, other members
3245of the Student Council, Shizuku and Kasumi from the disciplinary committee,
3246as well as Shiina and Saburou, when a voice called out behind her.
3247"Ara, Erika and the others are just now going home? Today we stayed late,
3248and I thought that everyone else had already left."
3249As Miyuki said, today the student council work continued until the school
3250closed. The day was long and it was still light, but in the winter at this time
3251the sun would have already gone done. Almost all students, including those
3252engaged in club activities, stayed at school until late.
3253"The patrol drove us out."
3254"We were studying for tests on the cafeteria terrace and didn't even notice
3255how the time flew by ..."
3256After Erika's scattered response, Mizuki shyly continued the explanation in
3257response to Miyuki's question.
3258"Indeed, exams are coming up." Miyuki nodded when she heard Mizuki's
3259answer.
3260Regular exams in magic high schools were conducted on both magical
3261theory, and magical practice. Items from the regular course (not related to
3262magic) were evaluated daily without any written tests. In the third year of
3263school, nothing has changed.Since Mizuki was taking the magic engineering course, the content of her
3264tests was slightly different, but the tests for the first and second course were
3265exactly the same, so it's no surprise that Mikihiko, Erika and Leo worked
3266together.
3267"And I have never studied group training."
3268Shizuku's joke was inaccurate. That is, there wasn't enough words. More
3269specifically, it was supposed to be: "I have never stayed in school after
3270school to work in a company of friends."
3271"My grades have been improving lately and I've been thinking, maybe I
3272should try to go to the National Magic University?"
3273Leo was speaking shyly, not at all worried about such things, that Shizuku's
3274phrase lacked words.
3275"I don't think I want to go to the National Magic University, but if this idiot
3276gets there and I don't, then I'll be a little ashamed. This inflames the spirit of
3277rivalry in me."
3278Erika, as usual, inserted her own joke.
3279"Who did you call an idiot!"
3280"I just wanted to become a smart man? How rude."
3281"Yes, yes, Erika-chan and Leo-kun, let's finish your love quarrel."
3282Mizuki climbed into this comic verbal skirmish between Erika and Leo.
3283Mikihiko, in turn, has decided "not to come nearer to danger".
3284"This isn't a lovers quarrel!"
3285"Erika-chan, you're smart enough, so if you start learning as early as
3286possible, then you will succeed."
3287Mizuki completely ignored Erika's cry.
3288"Shibata-senpai, it was ..." Kasumi said admiringly, and Izumi nodded
3289strongly beside her."... I've already told you. I'm not going to go anywhere after school."
3290Erika probably decided that if she argued further, things would get worse,
3291so she answered seriously.
3292"My father sent me to high school, and I couldn't object. Well, it turned out
3293to be the right decision, and I'm even a little grateful for that."
3294Mizuki looked at Erika with a look in which she tried to convey the message
3295"You don't need to be embarrassed ...". Erika, of course, pretended not to
3296notice.
3297"After graduation, I thought I'd go on a "warriors journey."
3298"What?"
3299"A warrior's journey?" Following the surprised Mizuki, repeated Honoka.
3300"Yeah. I don't want to learn magic, but the real old Kenjutsu styles. I've
3301saved some money and I want to first visit all the master swordsmen of
3302Japan, and then of the whole world ... yes, somehow."
3303At the end, Erika laughed, apparently in order to hide her embarrassment
3304but no one else laughed.
3305"... But can't you do that after graduating from the National Magic
3306University?" Miyuki asked.
3307"Err? No, I don't think so. After graduating from university, I'll be quite
3308grown up." Erika waved her hands in front of her panic stricken face.
3309"I don't think that age is important. This is a wonderful dream. If Tatsuya-
3310sama allows it we can help so you don't have to waste time working on it."
3311"No, no, no, and again no!"
3312Erika seemed to be getting even more nervous. She probably wanted to
3313escape far away.
3314"I also think that this is a wonderful dream."
3315"And I. Also I can become a sponsor.""No-no-no-no-no-e-e-e ... By the way, Miyuki."
3316Honoka and Shizuku continued to embarrass Erika, so she decided to
3317change the subject.
3318"Is it possible to go to Tatsuya-kun this Sunday? Not just me, but all of us?"
3319Erika's words were desperate, and she was followed by Mizuki with relief on
3320her face.
3321"When we studied a little bit earlier, we came up with this idea."
3322"We are not on any business, but simply ..."
3323"Simply, I wanted to see ..."
3324Continuing for Mizuki, Mikihiko and Leo explained the circumstances.
3325Miyuki felt that tears would appear before her eyes.
3326The Yotsuba family still uses Tatsuya. In addition to illegal activities, it
3327receives a solid profit from Taurus Silver.
3328Tatsuya has also contributed much help to the Self-Defense Forces. It is no
3329exaggeration to say that in October of the year before last, the attack by the
3330Great Asian Alliance was largely repelled thanks to the help of Tatsuya.
3331Tatsuya greatly increased the reputation of First High. No one could tell if
3332the school could have won first place in points in the Nine Schools
3333Competition last year without Tatsuya's participation. And the year before
3334last, a lot of victories in the Nine Schools Competition were obviously due to
3335Tatsuya's achievements. The Thesis Competition didn't yield any results, but
3336last year's experiment "Stellar Furnace" compensated for it.
3337Although Miyuki didn't consider this prejudiced, it was also not her
3338favoritism. She without a doubt had her own opinion on the contributions
3339he's made.
3340The core of these achievements were an indisputable fact.
3341But, contrary to all this,Neither the Yotsuba family,
3342Neither the Self-Defense Forces,
3343Neither the school,
3344No one was going to defend Tatsuya.
3345And for the school it was generally a way to take the initiative to "shoot
3346back" from attacks.
3347Nevertheless, these friends still ...
3348"...Excuse me. But this Sunday another guest is coming to see him."
3349Therefore, Miyuki thought that we should not involve them in this.
3350Restraining her tears, and not even showing that she was ready to cry, she
3351answered with a reserved face.
3352Hearing this answer, Erika narrowed her eyes.
3353"Is this 'guest' undesirable?"
3354Miyuki smiled and shook her head.
3355"I cannot say exactly ... but this guest is Juumonji-senpai."
3356With embarrassment on her face (apparently, this was due to a sense of
3357guilt for saying something she should not have said), Erika mumbled "Ah ~,
3358Juumonji-senpai ...".
3359"Therefore, Erika. Please don't even think about doing something strange."
3360Erika nodded obediently at Miyuki's warning.
3361â—Š â—Š â—ŠRaymond S. Clark. A guy who liked to use the title of " Seven Sages" for the
3362sake of fun, was now in a bad mood. It was because he could no longer play
3363with his favorite toy, Hliðskjálf.
3364It wasn't that he couldn't use it. His terminal was still working.
3365But the other 6 terminals stopped working when the system administrator
3366turned them off. As a result, he couldn't enjoy peeking at what information
3367other users gather.
3368But that wasn't all. The fact that he alone could use a system equivalent to
3369clairvoyance completely destroyed the thrill of the game. No matter what he
3370did, there were no penalties for him. Look and listen as much as you want.
3371This was no different from when a child is alone with only with his
3372imagination to play with.
3373So it's boring.
3374So Raymond asked his father Edward Clark the developer and administrator
3375of Hliðskjálf, to return the right to use the system to the others.
3376However, Edward didn't do this and told him to "Wait a bit".
3377Raymond didn't argue him. He was well aware that it's better to give up
3378right away.
3379Instead, Raymond began to look for a new way to play his game.
3380To make it more exciting.
3381The most exciting part of his game with Hliðskjálf was when he played the
3382role of an "advisor" in the "vampire incident". Although he sometimes
3383played the role of "accuser" or "rescuer," but in such cases he never felt
3384himself part of a global incident.
3385He wanted to experience again that same excitement ... no, he wanted to
3386experience something more exciting.
3387And something else.
3388Since he couldn't experience the thrill associated with the risk of usingHliðskjálf, this time he decided to take this risk on himself.
3389Except for one exceptional case, Raymond identity has never been revealed.
3390In addition, the risk of exposing his identity was almost zero.
3391But he decided to break this ban.
3392These were Raymond's thoughts.
3393Naturally, he wasn't going to do something as foolish as exposing his face
3394for show.
3395He was going to change his face and voice with a computer system, and
3396check how much he could hide his identity.
3397The "Apostle" of his country, Angie Sirius can change her appearance with
3398magic.
3399How much will he be able to become with this system?
3400Raymond couldn't suppress this and similar mischievous childish thoughts.
3401CHAPTER 8
3402Saturday evening.
3403The villa where Tatsuya lived had an unexpected guest.
3404Feeling their approach with "Elemental Sight" which he wouldn't confuse
3405with anything, Tatsuya got up from the workstation and went to the parking
3406lot in front of the entrance.
3407A large sedan with tinted windows stopped smoothly. A young man came
3408from the driver's seat. Simultaneously with it, from the left rear passenger
3409place there was a girl.The young man was Hanabishi Hyougo. The girl is Sakurai Minami.
3410After leaving, Minami remained standing, holding the door. Hyougo
3411shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
3412Soon after holding Minami's hand, a beautiful girl emerged from the back
3413door, as if coming from another world.
3414Miyuki raised her head and her black silky hair swung. Tatsuya and Miyuki's
3415eyes met.
3416"Onii-sama ...!"
3417With a voice full of emotion, Miyuki clung to Tatsuya's chest.
3418Tatsuya gently caught Miyuki's body, gently hugged her and whispered in
3419her ear.
3420"You still came."
3421"I wanted to see you so badly Onii-sama ..."
3422"Me too. ... But Miyuki, you were wrong to come here."
3423After Tatsuya's words, Miyuki's body quivered slightly, and she reluctantly
3424backed away from him.
3425"... Tatsuya-sama and I haven't seen each other for a long time."
3426Miyuki completely forgot that Hyougo was there. But even without him, in
3427this situation it isn't known where the eyes and ears can hide. With a
3428reserved face, she bowed to Tatsuya.
3429"Right. Even though it's been less than a week, it seems like we haven't seen
3430each other for a long time."
3431This response with undisguised emotions was quite unusual for Tatsuya.
3432Having sent Hyougo away after asking him to return tomorrow night,
3433Tatsuya led Miyuki and Minami inside the villa.Each of them had a small bag of luggage. In actuality the villa wasn't just
3434prepared in advance for Tatsuya's needs, but also changes of clothes for
3435Miyuki and Minami.
3436Preparing for the trip here, Minami showed disgust on her face when she
3437heard about it from Miyuki.
3438Her personal clothes were placed where she herself does not live, in
3439addition to the place where a person of the opposite sex lives, almost no
3440different from her own age. Although she didn't seriously think that he
3441would be interested in her underwear, she couldn't do anything to get rid of
3442this unpleasant discomfort.
3443Miyuki it seems didn't care at all.
3444That's why their bags were so light, but when they entered the house, Pixie
3445took them both. Both Miyuki and Minami were strongly against Tatsuya
3446carrying them. More specifically, the non-humanoid robot-porter, managed
3447by Pixie politely took their luggage.
3448Since the bags were taken away, there was no need to go to the bedroom.
3449So the two girls, following Tatsuya's invitation, sat on the living room sofa.
3450"You haven't had dinner yet have you? Let me prepare something."
3451Hearing this from Tatsuya, Minami immediately jumped from the sofa.
3452"Tatsuya-sama, I'll cook."
3453Her voice was relatively calm, but her eyes were shining with enthusiasm.
3454Seeing this, Tatsuya immediately refused to discourage her.
3455"... Understood. Pixie, switch the equipment in the kitchen to manual
3456mode."
3457" I refuse."
3458Pixie's answer was completely unexpected.
3459If this were due to the impossibility of executing an order (for example,
3460there is no connection with the system), then this could be understood. Butit was an obvious lie, since it's known that she has the ability to access the
3461switch to manual mode. But if this is so, then this should apply to some kind
3462of malfunction. According to their programming, no machine can resist the
3463orders of the owner. Realizing that Pixie isn't a simple machine, Tatsuya
3464again gave the order.
3465"It is forbidden to refuse. Pixie, switch the equipment in the kitchen to
3466manual mode. This is an order."
3467"Does the master prefer food cooked by this person?"
3468Tatsuya felt a headache. After coming to this villa he felt that Pixie had a
3469little increased awareness of her "personality". Although she had just
3470expressed her opinion against Tatsuya's order for the first time, but before
3471that there were many cases when she did something, like making a decision
3472herself before Tatsuya gave her any order.
3473But that's why you couldn't give her too much freedom.
3474"It's not about preferences. Pixie, it was an order."
3475"... I am obeying."
3476Perhaps it was only Tatsuya's imagination, because such a function wasn't
3477built into it, namely the displeased voice Pixie had answered when she
3478switched the kitchen equipment into manual mode.
3479"All right. Pixie, enter standby mode."
3480"Yes."
3481It was already 100% imagination that Pixie looked upset while walking to her
3482place in the corner of the room, where she sat on a chair and froze like a
3483doll.
3484In contrast to this, Minami happily went to the kitchen. Tatsuya and Miyuki
3485decided to pretend that they didn't hear her whisper "I won."After preparing the meal, serving Tatsuya and Miyuki, cleaning and washing
3486dishes, preparing the bath and bed, Minami, at last, showed that she was
3487satisfied. Recalling that facial expression with a desire to serve the master,
3488Tatsuya brought Pixie out of the waiting mode and left the rest of the work
3489for her. There wasn't any remaining housework, but there was still a security
3490issue, so Pixie didn't complain.
3491With this, everything will be fine. Tatsuya mentally scolded himself for being
3492"distracted," and turned his gaze to Miyuki, sitting relaxed on the opposite
3493side.
3494They were not in the living room or in the dining room.
3495They sat opposite each other at a table on the balcony. (The table was taken
3496to the balcony with the same kind of non-humanoid robot as the robot-
3497porter. This villa used many different robots, but Pixie was the only
3498humanoid among them type.)
3499It was already after 9 pm, but it wasn't cold outside even in light clothes.
3500The peninsula of Izu is a mountainous area and it's near the end of May so it
3501wasn't hot or cold. The temperature was just perfect and the breeze was
3502refreshing, unlike the urban area.
3503Miyuki narrowed her eyes and held the hair fluttering in the wind. She had a
3504strange face, but it seems that the change of the location has improved her
3505mood.
3506"Tatsuya-sama, this is a pretty nice place."
3507"Indeed. Another enjoyable season."
3508Penetrating the darkness of the night, the light emanating from the room
3509fell on Miyuki's white skin. Black silky hair swaying in the wind flowed like
3510flickering stars, and pearly black eyes glittered with their mysterious light.
3511After one glance at Miyuki, the sense of reality weakened. It was impossible
3512to believe that it exists in the same world as you. Even Tatsuya is now deep
3513in this feeling.
3514"This inhuman beauty, is it divine or diabolical?""... Tatsuya-sama, when you look at me like that ... it's embarrassing ..."
3515Miyuki's voice restored Tatsuya's composure.
3516Miyuki, sitting on the other side of the table, blushed, lowered her eyes and
3517fingered her knees.
3518Tatsuya finally realized that he was staring at Miyuki, forgetting about
3519everything.
3520"Sorry. I looked around."
3521"But that you ... look at you? This is ..."
3522Miyuki finally blushed and froze. Tatsuya realized that his restraint was
3523broken.
3524He realized that the one that wanted to meet the most was not Miyuki, but
3525himself.
3526Tatsuya thought that this is a serious problem, when emotions cannot
3527restrain themselves. At the same time, he felt jealous of people around the
3528world, because the enjoyment of this beauty wasn't limited to them alone.
3529"You're right, I'm sorry. Since I apologized, could you show me your face?"
3530"... Yes."
3531Miyuki slowly lifted her face, which still remained blushed. Her raised eyes
3532met Tatsuya's gaze, and she looked away shamefacedly.
3533"... I need to talk seriously with you about something."
3534In fact, Tatsuya also felt uncomfortable, but fortunately, it wasn't difficult
3535for him to suppress his emotions.
3536"... It's good."
3537What was the feeling in this voice?
3538Miyuki looked steadily into Tatsuya's eyes, although there were still signs of
3539redness around her eyes."Did you come today because you know about tomorrow?"
3540"That's right."
3541Miyuki sighed and asked in return.
3542"And you, Tatsuya-sama, do you know about the fact that not only
3543Juumonji-sempai will come tomorrow?"
3544"Yes. Fumiya told me."
3545"Here's how ..."
3546There was a brief silence.
3547"... Miyuki. I don't want you to do anything dangerous."
3548"I know."
3549Again a short pause.
3550"I will not get involved in the battle between Tatsuya-sama and Juumonji-
3551senpai."
3552"The purpose of Juumonji-sempai's visit is a conversation."
3553"Tatsuya-sama you too must understand that this isn't the only thing that
3554will occur."
3555"Yes ... probably."
3556Tatsuya sighed.
3557The sigh wasn't because of the predicament, but because of the expectation
3558of an imminent collision.
3559Tatsuya acknowledged Katsuto as a strong enemy whom he didn't want to
3560fight if there was a choice.
3561"Tatsuya-sama."
3562"What?"
3563"Juumonji-sempai will use that secret technique?""Who knows, because it shortens the life of the magician."
3564The two recently learned about the trump card of the Juumonji family.
3565After Katsuto took Tooyama Tsukasa under his protection, the Yotsuba main
3566house realized that the clashes with Katsuto couldn't be avoided and told
3567them the secret of the Juumonji family. For this they remained debtors to
3568Maya.
3569"If he uses it, then I think that even for Tatsuya-sama the battle will be
3570difficult."
3571"Miyuki. You got permission from Maya?"
3572Tatsuya already knew what Miyuki would say.
3573"No, this is my own decision."
3574"Stop it. This is my personal battle. It will be hard to convince her."
3575" There's no need to persuade them. I want it myself. I'll take responsibility
3576for myself."
3577"Miyuki, calm down."
3578"I'm calm, Tatsuya-sama. No, Onii-sama ..."
3579Miyuki's perseverance was enough to prevent Tatsuya from inserting a
3580single word in response.
3581"In the end, I'm only the younger sister of Onii-sama. After becoming the
3582next head of the Yotsuba family, I will marry the son of the current head. I
3583will no longer have the opportunity to be associated with Onii-sama like just
3584now ..."
3585Miyuki broke off because she realized she was going to cry.
3586"Even if I deserve Maya-sama's anger, I want to at least something to be
3587useful to Onii-sama."
3588Miyuki hesitated only for a moment. Then she sent her determined eyes to
3589Tatsuya."Onii-sama. I will remove your seal."
3590"Miyuki, what are you ...?"
3591Not "Release" but "Remove."
3592"I meant exactly what I said. I want to make sure that Onii-sama is never
3593again troubled by this limit imposed by other people.
3594"No, wait. This, of course, isn't impossible, but ..."
3595Tatsuya got up, not even trying to hide that he was nervous.
3596"It puts a heavy load on users. Not only on those who are sealed, but also
3597those who maintain the seal. Correct Onii-sama?"
3598However the determination on Miyuki's face made Tatsuya sit back down.
3599Tatsuya's "Material Burst" is sealed with the Outer-Systematic Mental
3600Interference magic "Pledge" by Tsukuba Toki the head of the Tsukuba
3601family, a side branch of the Yotsuba family. In Tatsuya's case it not only
3602blocks his greatest weapon, but his magical power is cut in half.
3603"Pledge" is a magic that prohibits specific decision, and limiting the magical
3604power is just a side effect.
3605The unique feature of this magic is that in order to maintain the effect of
3606mental intervention, the magical power of more than just the user
3607themselves is needed.
3608When you try to prohibit something, it's meaningless if this effect can
3609manifest only when you look at the object. Even prison guards don't watch
3610prisoners constantly. In addition it's considered inefficient if one magician
3611can control only one person.
3612Therefore the "Pledge" of a couple of people, the user himself and the
3613subject of use, is usually supported by the magic power of a third person. If
3614the decision-making constraint is non-permanent, then the use subject can
3615do it himself. In the case where it is sometimes necessary to temporarily
3616release the restriction, the third party that's close to the subject provides
3617the magical power.In the latter case, the "key" for the temporary removal of the restriction is
3618transferred to a third party that provides magical power.
3619When using this key in the user's mind, the "prohibited" entry is rewritten to
3620"temporarily released". To return the "prohibited" status you must again
3621perform the ceremony, in which the owners "key" is reinstalled using the
3622reactivation switch for the original user.
3623In Tatsuya's case, Miyuki is the owner of the "key". If Miyuki does not
3624reactivate it then Tatsuya's seal will be removed, but the effect of releasing
3625"Pledge" is temporary. As long as Miyuki continues to supply "Pledge" with
3626magical power, the seal will gradually gain strength, so leaving it can be
3627dangerous for Tatsuya.
3628Tatsuya's "Material Burst" was impossible to contain with the magical power
3629of only Tsukuba Toki. For this reason, in the "Pledge" imposed on Tatsuya,
3630the condition that "the Magic Calculation Zone be connected to Miyuki" was
3631added. This is the so-called bilateral relationship between Tatsuya and
3632Miyuki in their "Pledge." And that part of the "Pledge", which is imposed on
3633Miyuki herself, can also be temporarily taken down by the "key" she owns,
3634and which she supports with her magical power.
3635"Pledge" is arranged so that if you stop the supply of magical power from
3636Miyuki, then the effect of the magic will naturally disappear in a short time.
3637However, in the depths of Miyuki's consciousness, the rule "to supply Pledge
3638with magical power" is set forcing her to do this.
3639Miyuki's words about the "heavy load on users" was not exactly accurate.
3640After all, the user in this case was Tsukuba Toki. And the damage from the
3641load will be given to Miyuki who was forced to supply the magic power for
3642"Pledge" and maintain the seal.
3643"... I'm glad you want me to be in perfect condition. But still, a temporary
3644release will be enough. Don't take risks of negative consequences from the
3645removal of "Pledge."
3646"No, Onii-sama. Miyuki cannot stand it any longer. The fact that I am Onii-
3647sama's shackles. I cannot accept the fact that Onii-sama isn't comfortable
3648being my fault."Miyuki spoke the same way she did on New Year's Eve. As Miyuki said, she
3649couldn't stand it anymore.
3650I can't tolerate the Yotsuba's family, who even though they've recognized
3651Tatsuya as a member of the main family, but in an emergency situation, she
3652can easily give it up.
3653Yes, they supply information. But what will that give? The information
3654makes sense when you can cope with the approaching threat in the form of
3655an attack. What the Yotsuba family is doing now looks like someone telling
3656you that a rocket is flying to your city, and says that it's impossible to
3657intercept it.
3658Of course, Tatsuya isn't a helpless civilian. He has the means to resist. There
3659are abilities, but the strength of one person has its limits.
3660The Yotsuba family must have enough strength to help Tatsuya. They are
3661not called "Untouchables" for no reason. They must have the strength to
3662resist even the government. And despite all this, he's forced to fight alone,
3663moreover, he's restrained by his shackles. Such cruel treatment angered
3664Miyuki to the core.
3665"All right, enough."
3666These were Miyuki's sincere thoughts.
3667"If Maya-sama wants Onii-sama to protect himself with only his power ..."
3668In Miyuki's eyes, which were blacker than the clear night sky, a colorless fire
3669was lit. With this look, she stared Tatsuya right in the eye.
3670"Then I would like that Onii-sama always had his real power."
3671Miyuki got up from her chair. To begin with, she wanted to make a
3672temporary withdrawal of the seal.
3673"...I understand" said Tatsuya and got up from his chair. However, he didn't
3674kneel before Miyuki.
3675"If so, then I, too, accept your determination." ...Come with me." Tatsuya
3676said and went inside the villa."Y-yes."
3677Miyuki realized that she was distracted by her own enthusiasm.
3678Disappointed, she followed Tatsuya. In the living room expected by Minami
3679and out of Pixie's standby mode.
3680"Minami. Take a bath with Miyuki."
3681Not knowing how to respond to such an unexpected order after the tension
3682experienced a moment ago, Miyuki simply stood in wide-eyed silence.
3683"Together ...?" With embarrassment on her face, Minami repeated,
3684implying that she does not understand the true meaning of the order.
3685"Yes. There is enough space In the bathtub for two people. Help Miyuki
3686thoroughly clean up. But don't use any fragrances or other things with
3687scents this evening."
3688"Yes ..."
3689"Pixie will prepare a change of clothes for Miyuki."
3690"... In other words, I should help Miyuki-sama change into ready-made
3691clothes?"
3692"That's right."
3693"Yes, Tatsuya-sama. Miyuki-sama, with your permission please follow me."
3694Minami didn't understand why Tatsuya had ordered this. But the order is an
3695order.
3696In addition, taking care of Miyuki is exactly what Minami wanted. Usually
3697Miyuki refuses this, but now, using Tatsuya's order as an argument, Minami
3698can "serve" her ...
3699Fortunately for Minami, she managed to drag Miyuki into the bathroom
3700before the sense of the conversation began to come up.Quite "taking care" of Miyuki, Minami sent her to stay in the bath, and
3701quickly washed herself. When they came out together from the bathroom,
3702Miyuki looked completely exhausted, and Minami was in high spirits with a
3703sense of accomplishment.
3704The clothes prepared there came as a surprise to Miyuki and Minami.
3705"Minami-chan, is this a white kimono ...?"
3706"White kimono ..."
3707Miyuki held in her hands an unfolded white kimono, the same as worn by
3708Shinto priestesses.
3709"... And here we seem to have a red hakama."
3710"... It looks like it."
3711Nearby lay a bright red hakama skirt, which can be called a symbol of the
3712priestess costume.
3713"It seems that there's no underwear under the kimono ... This means that I
3714need to wear this white kimono right away?"
3715"If you directly follow the words of Tatsuya-sama, it seems so."
3716"That's right."
3717With her face expressing "nothing can be done", Miyuki slipped her hand
3718into the white sleeve. The sensation of the fabric was unexpectedly soft and
3719pleasant.
3720Then she put on a red hakama. It felt like a normal skirt to the ankle, but
3721wearing it without any underclothes was somehow embarrassing.
3722When they came out of the bathroom, Tatsuya entered. While he was in the
3723bathroom, they began to dry their hair.
3724It takes some time to dry Miyuki's long hair. Especially if we take into
3725account Tatsuya's current request "not to use things with a scent." Tatsuya
3726left the bathroom at about the same time that hair care was being
3727completed."Miyuki, can I enter?"
3728"Yes, please."
3729Standing in front of the mirror, Miyuki turned to the door.
3730Tatsuya was in white clothes with short sleeves. On the clothes there were
3731no patterns or drawings. Completely ordinary white fabric.
3732"Miyuki, follow me. Minami, you can rest now."
3733Again, without explaining anything, Tatsuya turned his back.
3734Miyuki and Minami exchanged glances, after which one of them followed
3735Tatsuya.
3736Tatsuya led Miyuki to a room in the traditional Japanese style.
3737On the floor of the tatami was laid a red square carpet, and on each corner
3738stood a saucer with salt, poured in the form of a hill.
3739In the middle of the carpet lay a wooden stand. On this stand was a white
3740jug and two small cups of white porcelain.
3741Tatsuya sat down on his knees in front of this stand.
3742"Miyuki, please sit down."
3743Following Tatsuya's invitation, Miyuki sat on the opposite side of the stand.
3744"Now I will explain the nature of "Pledge."
3745The sudden words made Miyuki involuntarily straighten up even more,
3746although she was already sitting upright.
3747"If we're not talking about the effect, but about how the Tsukuba family's
3748"Pledge" is arranged, then this is a spell that forces someone to use the
3749magic that the spell user wants. Forcing them to use magic to control
3750someone's mind. You can call it magic, interfering in the processes of other
3751magic. Thus, it is ineffective for use by those who are not magicians."Miyuki nodded her understanding.
3752Because of its nature of interference in the processes of magic, "Pledge" is
3753established in the deep layers of consciousness, next to the "Gates". We can
3754say that this system is close in that sense to "Gatekeeper."
3755"To the "Gatekeeper", developed by Onii-sama?"
3756"Right. "Pledge" is a spell that makes use of magic, and "Gatekeeper" is a
3757spell that prohibits using magic. Naturally, their systems are similar."
3758Miyuki nodded once more.
3759"Therefore "Pledge" can be eliminated using "Gatekeeper."
3760Tatsuya took the cup from the stand and handed it to Miyuki. Embarrassed,
3761Miyuki took it. With his free hand, Tatsuya removed the lid from the jug,
3762took it and turned to Miyuki.
3763"Is this ...?"
3764"Don't worry, it's not alcohol."
3765Miyuki was embarrassed not because she thought he offered her alcohol.
3766The thing is, she thought that this is the ceremony of "San-san-kudo" *.
3767*San-san-kudo (3-3-9) is a ceremony that is conducted at the time of
3768marriage. The newlyweds alternately make 3 sips from 3 cups with sake.*
3769Although three cups of different sizes should be prepared for San-ku-kudo,
3770but the atmosphere here was suitable.
3771Miyuki timidly set the cup and Tatsuya poured a clear liquid.
3772Miyuki put the cup to her face. There was no smell.
3773She gathered all her resolve and drained the whole cup in one gulp ... After
3774which her face finally relaxed. Because the liquid didn't have any taste
3775either.
3776"Onii-sama ... what is this?"This water is highly purified. Although it is impossible to achieve a level of
3777ultrapurity(?) due to contact with the container and air, but this is the
3778closest to that level of purity, excluding all other pollution factors.
3779Tatsuya passed the jug to Miyuki, and she poured water into Tatsuya's cup.
3780"Um ... Is that a farewell bowl of water?"
3781"Farewell bowls of water" meant the ritual of parting. Miyuki's voice
3782trembled a little. Not only her voice, but both hands holding the jug
3783trembled as well.
3784"No, it's different. Unless in case the use of clean water will not be an
3785excessive difficulty?" Answered Tatsuya, having drunk clean water from the
3786cup.
3787"Yes, really ..."
3788Miyuki stopped trembling. Tatsuya returned the cup to the stand. After
3789that, Miyuki first put the jug on the stand, and then the cup.
3790"It was a ritual to cleanse the body. Of course it's only symbolic. By
3791accepting a pure substance, we increase the purity of the body and mind. If
3792you look for the necessary pure substance, suitable for eating or drinking,
3793and while not harmful to the body, then water is the best candidate."
3794Tatsuya pushed the stand aside. Now there were no obstacles between
3795Tatsuya and Miyuki.
3796"To interfere with "Pledge" located in the deepest layer of consciousness,
3797we also need to get in touch on the deepest level."
3798"Onii-sama ...?"
3799What is this, a joke? She wanted to ask, but ...
3800"What?"
3801"...!"
3802She saw Tatsuya looking at her with an absolutely serious look, and her
3803mind completely emptied, and her face turned red."Er, this is my ... first time ... and if possible, it's better on the futon ..."
3804Turning and trembling all over, Miyuki tried to complain with a thin voice.
3805Tatsuya's face petrified. Expression of the face showed absolute surprise.
3806"... I'm sorry!" Tatsuya suddenly bowed low.
3807"... Um, Onii-sama?" Miyuki asked after she timidly turned her head back
3808and saw Tatsuya.
3809"Please forgive me for misleading you with an ambiguous phrase."
3810Tatsuya raised his head and met his eyes with Miyuki. There was shame in
3811his eyes, which was very rare.
3812"Speaking about the deep level of contact, it was meant in the spiritual
3813sense ... In this case physical contact will disturb the mind and will
3814interfere."
3815It took a second in order for Tatsuya's words to leak into Miyuki's mind.
3816After that second, Miyuki tried to run away while covering her face with her
3817hands. Tatsuya quickly reached out and grabbed Miyuki's shoulder.
3818"Let go, please! Onii-sama, I beg you!"
3819"It's my fault! So calm down!"
3820If he let her go now, then this problem will drag on for a long time ...
3821Tatsuya had that feeling, and he desperately tried to reassure Miyuki.
3822Miyuki managed to regain peace after only 10 minutes of Tatsuya's
3823persuasion.
3824"...I apologize. For this unsightly behavior ...""... No, I must apologize."
3825Tatsuya and Miyuki met with a glance. At first both were embarrassed, but
3826in the end, their faces became serious.
3827"Let's start, Onii-sama." Miyuki was the first to speak.
3828"Ok, we will."
3829Tatsuya moved closer to Miyuki. When the distance became such that their
3830knees touched each other, their eyes met again.
3831I will now explain the spell.
3832"Yes."
3833"After releasing the seal, Miyuki will cease to supply "Pledge" with magical
3834power."
3835"Yes."
3836"The "Pledge" spell will increase its activity, achieving the purpose of the
3837Pledge. At this time, the true form of magic hiding in the deep layers of
3838consciousness will become visible."
3839"Yes."
3840"Then I attack it with my "Gatekeeper". Though it's in a state mixed with
3841consciousness and because I'm not able to use Mental Interference magic, I
3842cannot get it. However, if the magic sequence appears then I can
3843"decompose" it."
3844"Yes. I rely on you, Onii-sama." Miyuki said while nodding. Staring Tatsuya
3845directly in the eyes, she rose a little. Putting her hands on his shoulders to
3846keep her balance, she put her lips to his forehead.
3847A flood of psion light erupted. In a raging psion vortex, the power came out
3848of Miyuki's hands.
3849Tatsuya hugged Miyuki tightly. The warmth and softness of Miyuki's body,
3850separated only by a thin white cloth, were transmitted to Tatsuya. But he
3851wasn't even excited feeling it.Hugging Miyuki, who was breathing heavily, Tatsuya sent his "Eye" into her.
3852He concentrated his mind.
3853Reason is the area that its "Eye" cannot reach. Suffering from excessive
3854concentration that almost deteriorates the mind, Tatsuya directed his
3855"Elemental Sight" at something that he should not be able to "see."
3856You cannot "see" the mind. But you can "see" the psion information body.
3857Tatsuya was looking for hidden magic in Miyuki that didn't belong to her,
3858and finally found it. His Elemental Sight aimed at the growing strength of the
3859magic sequence of "Pledge."
3860Tatsuya activated gatekeeper.
3861This is the "Scattering spell" that targets the "Gate" (this is a kind of "exit"
3862from the subconscious area from which magic sequences are released) of
3863the magician. "Gram Dispersion" decomposes the psion information body,
3864so that it can be called magic, which is a natural enemy of magic.
3865Even if magic affects the mind, its true form isn't an information body built
3866of cells, but a psion information body. Therefore, it will not be able to avoid
3867" Gram Dispersion."
3868Having manifested to begin fulfilling Pledge, the sequence of the magic of
3869the "Pledge" showed its true form and was destroyed by Tatsuya's magic.
3870Tatsuya got his freedom.
3871CHAPTER 9
3872Sunday, morning.
3873As promised Katsuto came by private car to pick up Mayumi from the
3874Saegusa mansion.Katsuto had an impressive car. Size, power, reliability, everything was
3875present.
3876Mayumi stared dazedly at this car, which looked as if it had been in the
3877armed conflicts zone of Central Asia.
3878"Juumonji-kun. Did the Self-Defense Forces sell this to you?"
3879This is a normal commercial vehicle.
3880This SUV really wasn't made to order, nor was it a converted car. It was a
3881special limited edition model modification of an original model, but it was a
3882purely commercial model car. Even if its design was copied from military
3883vehicles.
3884But Katsuto, subjected to unfair accusations, also had something to ask
3885Mayumi about.
3886"More importantly Saegusa, why haven't I heard from you that Watanabe
3887was going too."
3888The look coming from Katsuto, who asked almost the exact same question
3889as last month, was slightly more intense than usual.
3890Mari, standing next to Mayumi, nodded with a face saying "say something
3891else."
3892Mayumi pulled a feigned smile, as if saying "what, for example!".
3893"So what? Mari also worries about our kohai."
3894"Hey! Don't say it as if I signed on at will!" Complained Mari, who was taken
3895by surprise at such a shift of responsibility. However, even these words of
3896protest couldn't hide the obvious lie.
3897"You are yourself Mari, don't be shy about it."
3898"Well, you ..."
3899Mari couldn't find the words to answer the pretending friendly Mayumi.
3900"Instead of arguing, let's go! We will not waste time." Taking advantage ofthe pause, Mayumi offered to continue what they were here for.
3901"That's right ..."
3902"Nothing is planned for today, but it certainly will be a waste of time if you
3903quarrel here", thought Katsuto and returned to the driver's seat.
3904With a satisfied face, Mayumi climbed onto the rear passenger seat. Mari
3905followed Mayumi with a resigned face.
3906â—Š â—Š â—Š
3907Mayumi who had set off to Izu in such a triumphant mood, quickly came
3908down to earth and was on the way to becoming depressed.
3909"I refuse." This was Tatsuya's answer.
3910These words were addressed to Katsuto sitting opposite Tatsuya in the villa.
3911Next to Tatsuya was Miyuki. Her expressionless face turned aside to
3912Mayumi who sat next to Katsuto. Under the pressure of Miyuki's gaze,
3913Mayumi was unable to maintain even the usual polite smile.
3914"Why?"
3915Terrible voice Katsuto Tatsuya, but Mayumi involuntarily almost jumped
3916from the sofa.
3917Neither Tatsuya nor Miyuki showed any reaction to such a powerful voice.
3918"I must ask this. Why do you think that I should participate in "Project Dion"
3919Juumonji-senpai?"
3920Tatsuya refused Katsuto's request to participate in the American "Project
3921Dion."
3922"Shiba, two years ago I told you that you must join the Ten Master Clans.""Yes, I remember."
3923"The Ten Master Clans is part of the system of mutual aid for the magicians
3924of this country created by Elder Kudo."
3925"I think this isn't part of the system, but its management link, but ... I
3926understand it too."
3927"I believe that those who have great power, those who have exceptional
3928abilities, also bear the responsibility."
3929Tatsuya silently waited for him to continue.
3930"Most magicians don't have much power. If you limit yourself to brute
3931force, most magicians cannot compete with ordinary people who don't
3932know magic, but have studied martial arts."
3933"So it seems because of different methods of evaluation. In addition, those
3934magicians who don't serve in the army or the police are considered ordinary
3935civilians."
3936"What a sophistry ..." Mari mumbled in an irritated voice, sitting on the side
3937opposite to Mayumi of Katsuto.
3938However, Tatsuya ignored this statement and Katsuto didn't care either.
3939"Nnon-magicians think that magicians are a different race, and this isn't
3940limited to our country alone. This can be seen by looking at what is
3941happening around the world."
3942"But not everyone thinks so. Let's skip that part for now."
3943Tatsuya's gaze called out for him to continue.
3944"I completely disagree with the idea that magicians are a different race from
3945people. Don't forget the fact that magicians are a minority. Magicians should
3946be friends and help each other. In this sense, I believe that the Ten Master
3947Clans system created by the elder is correct.
3948"If this mutual assistance by magicians doesn't lead to contempt and
3949exclusion of people who cannot use magic, then I also think that it iscorrect."
3950"... Do you mean that magicians look down on those incapable of magic, like
3951some elite class looks at commoners?" Mari asked sitting next to Katsuto.
3952The question clearly read the subtext "you think too much."
3953"In the near future it could become true." This time Tatsuya didn't ignore
3954Mari.
3955"Shiba. Entering the Ten Master Clans, you should also give a helping hand
3956to those same magicians." Katsuto ignored both Mari's question and
3957Tatsuya's answer.
3958"Dear head of the Juumonji family. Sorry for being rude, but Tatsuya-sama is
3959a direct descendant of the head of the Yotsuba family." Miyuki said. After
3960talking with Tatsuya last night, Miyuki finally admitted that for the rest of
3961the world "Tatsuya-sama" is her fiancé.
3962"I know successor-donor of the Yotsuba family. But I think that the Ten
3963Master Clans is a duty, not a pedigree."
3964Katsuto returned his gaze to Tatsuya.
3965"Magicians who have great power, should help the weak magicians. Public
3966opinion of magicians has been declining every day pushing magicians into a
3967corner. Everything comes to the fact that they will slander us and say that
3968wars only occur because magicians exist."
3969Katsuto interrupted his speech and looked at Tatsuya's reaction. Seeing that
3970Tatsuya didn't change his expression at all, he continued.
3971"I'm not going to blame you for that Tactical Class magic. That would be an
3972obvious mistake."
3973"Tactical Class Magic" was referring to the use of the "Active Air Mine" by a
3974rebel girl in Central Asia. Although this incident led to the cancellation of the
3975Nine Schools Competition which caused a wide-spread public reaction
3976among magic high schools students, but Tatsuya didn't feel a drop of guilt
3977from the very beginning, so now he didn't brow. Katsuto continued to talk
3978while feeling that he had miscalculated a little."However if you take part in "Project Dion" then we can show everyone that
3979magic isn't just for war. After the New Soviet Union's declaration of
3980participation in the project, Japan can be considered as lagging behind in the
3981peaceful use of magic. We can no longer turn a blind eye to the spread of
3982slander against magicians in our country. Effective measures are needed."
3983"I can understand your concerns Juumonji-sama, but why Tatsuya-sama?
3984There are professors at the National Magic University who are world-
3985renowned authorities."
3986Katsuto hesitated to answer Miyuki's question. He understood that this was
3987a fair argument. You cannot force one high school student to solve national
3988problems. And yet he tried to give an answer, feeling his debt as the head of
3989the Juumonji family of the Ten Master Clans.
3990"That's because, Miyuki-san ..."
3991But then Mayumi spoke, ahead of Katsuto.
3992Katsuto should no longer carry this burden alone. I will take it upon myself
3993to become Miyuki's opponent. This was the course of her thoughts.
3994"... Edward Clark said that Tatsuya-kun is Taurus Silver."
3995"What!?" Mari showed a powerful reaction to Mayumi's words.
3996Miyuki only frowned slightly. Tatsuya's face didn't have any noticeable
3997movement.
3998"Even if it's supposedly ..." Miyuki quietly retorted.... "Tatsuya-sama and is
3999Taurus Silver, then what of it?"
4000"Er ...?" Mayumi looked at Miyuki with an uncomprehending face after
4001saying something completely unexpected.
4002"Even if Tatsuya-sama is Taurus Silver, this does not change the fact that he's
4003a minor high school student."
4004Silencing Mayumi with these words, she continued on:
4005"Besides, the Yotsuba family isn't going to admit that Tatsuya-sama isTaurus Silver."
4006It was a hint that if they decided that Taurus Silver's real identity is Tatsuya,
4007then they should be prepared for a total confrontation with the Yotsuba
4008family.
4009Miyuki was prepared to simultaneously fight the Saegusa and Juumonji
4010families. But Mayumi wasn't ready to provoke a comprehensive conflict
4011between the Saegusa and Yotsuba families. That was the difference
4012between them at that moment.
4013"Shiba." Katsuto's voice interrupted the silence. "Do you still stubbornly
4014refuse to take part in the project?"
4015"I do. This project has ulterior motives."
4016"And this is a good reason why the magicians of this country will be in a
4017difficult situation?"
4018"I don't mind if you think that way."
4019From the confrontations of Tatsuya and Katsuto sparks sprang.
4020"I understand. ... If you don't want it that way, then it's inevitable."
4021Katsuto stood up.
4022"Shiba, let's go outside."
4023Tatsuya stood up, looking Katsuto in the eye.
4024"Juumonji Katsuto, are you serious?"
4025Whether from Mayumi, or from Mari, a cry was heard.
4026The air around him began to get colder. The reason for this wasn't Miyuki. It
4027was the coldness of steel emitted by Tatsuya.
4028"The situation cannot wait. Your refusal isn't accepted."
4029Whether from Miyuki, or Minami heard a restrained groan.
4030Katsuto's body exerted pressure, as if exceeding the gravity of the Earthseveral times.
4031"Fine."
4032Tatsuya completely discarded the politeness of kohai towards the sempai.
4033"Pixie, my CAD."
4034"Yes, Master."
4035On Tatsuya's order, Pixie went to the case with the CAD.
4036"I'll go on ahead."
4037Katsuto turned his back on Tatsuya and left. He had absolutely no fear of
4038being attacked from behind. Minami hastily ran to open the front door.
4039"Saegusa-sempai, Watanabe-sempai."
4040Tatsuya softened his voice a little. Thus, these two woke up from their
4041stunned state.
4042"You also need to prepare. Please, go on ahead."
4043"Do you mind if we help Juumonji-kun ...?"
4044"It's too late to think about it, isn't?"Tatsuya responded coldly to Mayumi's
4045question.
4046"You're very arrogant. Won't you regret it?"
4047"Regardless of what happens, I will not regret it."
4048On Mari's malicious remark, Tatsuya responded in the same tone as before.
4049"... Mari, let's go." Mayumi stood up and turned to Mari.
4050"Alright .... Tatsuya-kun, don't forget about those words." Mari said and
4051followed along with Mayumi.The three led by Katsuto stood near the SUV and waited for Tatsuya.
4052Tatsuya left the villa with Miyuki and Minami. He headed towards Katsuto,
4053but didn't stop as he passed by.
4054"Follow me. We can damage the villa from here." Tatsuya said, passing
4055Katsuto.
4056When Miyuki and Minami passed by, Katsuto followed them with a small
4057interval. Mayumi and Mari also excitedly went after Katsuto.
4058â—Š â—Š â—Š
4059In the shadows of the trees, someone was hiding and watching the
4060developing events between Tatsuya and Katsuto. This man waited until
4061Mari, who was last, went far enough, then brought his wrist with a
4062wristwatch to his mouth.
4063The rat said "Shiba Tatsuya left the villa. Currently heading to a private golf
4064course."
4065There was a built-in microphone in the strap of the wristwatches
4066communication device.
4067The Boar said "Understood. Stop observation and reunite with the main
4068unit. From the built-in dummy glasses of the speaker of the communication
4069device, the answer of his accomplice was heard.
4070"Can't I check the destination?"
4071Monkey is observing the area of the​a closed golf course, and if they turn at a
4072fork then Bird is waiting in the other direction.
4073The rat said "Understood."
4074The person using the code name Rat was a secret agent of the special affairsunit of the National Self-Defense Forces Intelligence Unit.
4075The detachment planning to attack Tatsuya today consisted mainly of the
4076counterintelligence unit to which Tooyama Tsukasa belonged. However to
4077ensure they didn't lose sight of Tatsuya in the mountains, observers from
4078the special affairs unit were also involved.
4079The other day, Rat made a mistake when the data from the photo of the girl
4080who visited Tatsuya was damaged. On that issue, it was concluded that this
4081was a camera hardware failure, and no one accused the Rat himself.
4082But to the Rat living in the world of shadow operations for more than 10
4083years, it was very worrying.
4084Although he was able to recover from the memory a portrait of the girl
4085visiting Shiba Tatsuya, but it wasn't suitable for performing facial recognition
4086to reveal their disguise. In fact, they haven't yet been able to establish the
4087identity of this beautiful girl, from whom a strange sense of unfriendliness
4088emanated.
4089For the Rat, today's mission was a struggle to regain his honor. He really
4090wanted to continue monitoring until the destination was determined.
4091However, an order was given, and he had no choice. As he was ordered, he
4092left the place to join the main squad.
4093Because his head was in the clouds, he didn't notice that someone was
4094watching him.
4095â—Š â—Š â—Š
4096On the Izu Peninsula there were many golf courses that were confiscated
4097during the last World War for use as air defense positions. They would be
4098returned to the original owners after the war ended. But among them therewere also golf courses, the management companies of which refused to
4099receive them back, comparing the costs of restoration and possible income.
4100After the statutory compensation payment, such golf courses became state
4101land, but they remained untouched after the anti-aircraft guns were
4102removed from their positions.
4103Tatsuya brought Katsuto to one of these closed golf courses.
4104Here they won't need to be distracted by concerns that the buildings will be
4105damaged.
4106Tatsuya stopped, turned around and said to Katsuto.
4107"Is it alright that we're in such an open place?"
4108The point of Katsuto's question was that he considered provocation as an
4109invitation to become an enemy in an open area.
4110"Juumonji-dono wants excuses?"
4111Tatsuya's response was a standard phrase, but it seems to have worked.
4112"...Good. Shiba, I leave the first move for you."
4113Simultaneously with those words, Katsuto's barrier magic was deployed and
4114the battle between them began. Katsuto's words were also another
4115provocation: "Try and break my defenses if you can."
4116Unlike him Tatsuya didn't show any desire to continue fighting with words
4117alone. In this situation, it is better to express your thoughts with magic.
4118In Tatsuya's right hand appeared a CAD in the form of a pistol. A moment
4119later, the customized Silver Horn "Trident" was already fired at Katsuto.
4120Around Katsuto a lot of violent outbursts arose.
4121It was a light invisible to the unaided eye. However everyone present was
4122an excellent magician. There were no people who couldn't see these bursts
4123of psion light.
4124There were 18 flashes from Tatsuya attacks, and none of these attacksreached Katsuto's body.
4125"Zone Interference", "Data Fortification" and "Psion wall"?
4126"It's commendable that you saw this, but I cannot be defeated with one
4127glance."
4128Tatsuya's words were only for distraction, but this plan was easily revealed.
4129Tatsuya again activated decomposition magic.
4130Psion Wall as the name suggests is a magic that surrounds the user's body
4131with a wall of high density psions. Although this magic looks similar to the
4132barrier version of contact gram demolition, but unlike Tomitsuki's innate
4133defense, this structure is created by artificial compression of psions.
4134Therefore, it can be decomposed by Tatsuya's magic.
4135However, immediately after decomposing the Psion wall, a dome of
4136powerful Zone Interference magic appears in the way. If you expand the
4137Zone Interference Magic, then the shield comes up from the Data
4138Fortification.
4139Even if you break it, then a new Psion Wall is coming. Zone Interference
4140magic. Further it was expected Data Fortification, but again there was Zone
4141Interference magic. A Psion Wall. Data Fortification. Zone Interference. Data
4142Fortification. A Psion Wall. A Psion Wall. Zone Interference. Data
4143Fortification...
4144Thus, three different anti-magic protections were created one after
4145another.
4146Since they weren't created at the same time, you couldn't erase them in
4147one go.
4148Due to the lack of a pattern it was impossible to prepare the necessary
4149sequence of several decomposition magics in advance.
4150If several barriers of the same kind are created simultaneously, then Tatsuya
4151can process them as one magic sequence. In other words, he can
4152decompose them at the same time. This isn't limited to magic sequencesand psion information bodies. If there are objects with a simple structure
4153and the same properties, then it can recognize them as a single "set" and
4154perform the decomposition of one "set" rather than each object separately.
4155However, Katsuto's barriers were created one by one, using the destruction
4156of the already deployed barrier as a signal to create the next barrier. But
4157Tatsuya cannot decompose what does not exist yet.
4158When you find out what will be created, you can destroy the structure that
4159creates this.
4160But every time this structure, which serves as a "factory," is destroyed, it is
4161reproduced again. If this happens at the same speed as Tatsuya, then his
4162decomposition will not be able to overtake it.
4163He already knew that his magic was very poorly compatible with the
4164defensive version of Phalanx. Now Tatsuya realized this as a fact.
4165The outbreaks of psion light accompanying the destruction of barriers
4166ceased. In order to overcome the situation as quickly as possible, Tatsuya
4167stopped his attacks for an instant.
4168Immediately after this, a two-dimensional wall flew towards Tatsuya.
4169Magic, which is designed to crush the target, continuously striking with
4170impermeable barriers to the substance.
4171The attacking version of Phalanx.
4172And it has already been activated. It already existed. And if it exists, then
4173there is no sequence of magic that Tatsuya cannot decompose.
4174Tatsuya one "shot" erased all 24 layers that make up this magic barrier.
4175"Hou ..."
4176Katsuto exclaimed out loud, and he grinned. Although he realized that the
4177Attack Phalanx was completely incompatible with Tatsuya's magic, he
4178showed no concern.
4179Katsuto sat down for a bit. Through his Elemental Sight, Tatsuya saw thatKatsuto's Magic Calculation Area was lit by intense psion light.
4180Overclocking of the Magic Calculation Area.
4181Ichijou Gouki the head of the Ichijo family showed signs last month of
4182overheating. Once upon a time, Yotsuba Genzo, the former head of the
4183Yotsuba family also lost his life from overheating.
4184"Attack ...!"
4185Tatsuya got ready. Katsuto's huge body flew.
4186Unfolding the anti-object barrier in a spherical shape in addition to the anti-
4187magic barrier, Katsuto turned into a cannonball and flew forward. Tatsuya
4188extended his left hand forward.
4189From this palm shot a stream of highly compressed psions.
4190Gram Demolition.
4191Having broken the anti-object barrier surrounding Katsuto, and passing
4192through his Zone Interference, the stream of psions demolished the
4193Acceleration magic.
4194However.
4195While Katsuto's body was still in the air, the Acceleration magic and the
4196anti-object barrier were restored. No, they were reactivated.
4197Katsuto was approaching. On the verge of the collision, Tatsuya successfully
4198destroyed the anti-object barrier. ... But he couldn't neutralize the
4199Acceleration magic. Katsuto's shoulder struck Tatsuya's shoulder.
4200"Tatsuya-sama!" This involuntary cry came not from Miyuki, but from
4201Minami.
4202Tatsuya's body was thrown back, and he fell in the overgrown weeds.
4203Miyuki clenched her lips, but looked patiently at Tatsuya.
4204While falling Tatsuya Flash Cast Move-type magic to gain some distance
4205from Katsuto. Katsuto didn't pursue.It wasn't because he had already recognized his victory, but because his goal
4206was to force him to surrender.
4207"Did you even use magic?" Tatsuya muttered, rising.
4208After he was thrown back, Tatsuya noticed that just before the blow,
4209Katsuto used Fortification magic on his jacket shoulder.
4210"There is no reason not to use it."
4211Katsuto again released light from the emitted surplus psions.
4212Overclocking the magic calculation area, leading to its overheating. Tatsuya
4213knew that Katsuto was doing it consciously.
4214The trump card of the Juumonji family "Overclocking". *
4215[Here the author writes in English "overclock", and in previous mentions it is
4216written in Japanese, but the literal translation there is "excessive
4217activation."]
4218This is a magical technique that allows you to temporarily surpass your own
4219limits by increasing the activity of the magic calculation area and also
4220temporarily increasing your magical power.
4221This is a magical tactic that allows you to win at the cost of a lifetime as a
4222magician.
4223This was a curse that haunts the "Capital's Final Defense" that isn't allowed
4224to lose.
4225Juumonji Kazuki, the previous head of the Juumonji family, lost his magic
4226ability due to the frequent use of overclocking. And it happened right in
4227front of Katsuto. And yet he used this technique to defeat Tatsuya.
4228Tatsuya decomposed the anti-object barrier flying towards him, and
4229avoided the blow, taking a step to the side. But before Katsuto flew past, his
4230anti-object barrier was redeployed and greatly expanded. Tatsuya was
4231struck again.Katsuto approached Tatsuya lying on the ground. Katsuto's right foot
4232pressed down from above. Under his shoe, an anti-object barrier was
4233deployed duplicating the shape of the sole.
4234Tatsuya escaped this attack at the last moment. However, when he
4235managed to climb to one knee, Tatsuya received a fist from Katsuto. More
4236precisely, it was an attack by the attacking version of Phalanx from a very
4237close distance.
4238Tatsuya wanted to decompose it, but the fist approaching directly behind it
4239was wrapped in an anti-object barrier and Zone Interference. The Zone
4240Interference prevents the activation of magic for all but its user. Tatsuya's
4241hand which had blocked Katsuto's fist bent in an unnatural direction.
4242Tatsuya jumped back to avoid the full force of the punch. By the time his
4243feet touched the ground, traces of a fracture were gone. However,
4244immediately after landing his feet weren't firmly on the ground enough to
4245make the next jump.
4246If he had a few fractions of a second more, he could have dodged this.
4247However, Katsuto didn't give him even that much time.
4248Katsuto's shoulder struck Tatsuya again. Tatsuya's body was thrown back
4249almost 10 meters.
4250You don't fly away, even when you're hit by a car. The force of the impact
4251was probably equivalent to the impact of a heavy truck.
4252Tatsuya was lying on the ground with blood spattered around him. It was
4253obvious to see that he had severe internal injuries.
4254"Tatsuya-kun!" There was a cry from Mayumi, who should be considered an
4255enemy.
4256Miyuki clenched her fists and pressed them to her chest, but silently
4257restrained herself while keeping her eyes on Tatsuya.
4258Katsuto extended his right hand toward Tatsuya.
4259"Hey, stop it!"Ignoring Mari's cry, Katsuto released an attacking version of Phalanx in the
4260direction of Tatsuya who was still lying face down. The two-dimensional
4261barrier, capable of crushing an armored car, flew towards Tatsuya. However,
4262just before touching him the 32-layer barrier disappeared.
4263"What...?" Katsuto said in astonishment. He didn't think that Tatsuya still
4264had the strength to resist.
4265Tatsuya's hands moved. Pushing away with both hands, he lifted his upper
4266body. And, finally, slowly got up.
4267There were no traces of blood around his mouth and the blood spots had
4268also disappeared within the overgrown weeds.
4269"Shiba. This is your "Regrowth"? ..."
4270Katsuto couldn't hide his surprise. However, he quickly regained his
4271composure and deployed the defensive version of Phalanx.
4272Tatsuya didn't say anything. His expression didn't show any emotion. It was
4273completely lacking in humanity.
4274Tatsuya's left hand stretched towards Katsuto. This hand held the CAD in the
4275form of a pistol. But it was slightly different from the one that was in his
4276lowered right hand.
4277At the far end of the CAD on its "muzzle", something similar to a sharp spike
4278was attached. A metal spike 15 cm in length.
4279What is this premonition? Katsuto couldn't decide whether to go on the
4280attack. He tried to jump to the side, but Tatsuya pulled the trigger faster.
4281No one, including Katsuto, could see what happened.
4282But everyone realized that magic was used.
4283"Ghuu ..."
4284Katsuto fell to his knees."Juumonji-kun !?"
4285"Juumonji !?" Mayumi and Mari shouted.
4286With his right hand, Katsuto squeezed what remained of his left arm. The
4287arm was charred at the elbow, the part below the elbow was torn off and it
4288was lying on the ground.
4289"What did you ... do?"
4290He didn't have to answer. Katsuto knew this, but couldn't help but ask.He couldn't help but ask about what could penetrate his barrier.
4291"Baryon Lance."
4292However, contrary to Katsuto's expectations, Tatsuya replied.
4293"It's anti-magic magic that decomposes the spearhead into electrons,
4294protons and neutrons, after which the electrons are absorbed by protons
4295and a neutron beam is released."
4296"A neutron beam ...? This is a weapon with radioactive contamination,
4297banned by the International Magic Association!" Katsuto overcome the pain
4298and accused Tatsuya.
4299"There is no radiation contamination. No radioactive substance are left.
4300Leaving the fact that the attack was carried out, all the neutrons used for the
4301attack returned to their original position."
4302"Regrowth ...?"
4303"That's right."
4304Tatsuya again aimed "Baryon Lance" at Katsuto. This time directly at his
4305heart.
4306"Juumonji-dono, give up."
4307"......"
4308"Your Phalanx cannot stop my Baryon Lance."
4309Tatsuya explained how the Baryon Lance works to encourage Katsuto to
4310surrender.
4311"Juumonji-kun!"
4312Mayumi activated her CAD. But the activation sequence was frozen during
4313the output.
4314"This is Miyuki-san !?"
4315Mayumi looked angrily at Miyuki."Counter-magic "Freeze Gram." Saegusa-sempai, you cannot use your CAD."
4316Miyuki said calmly. Her peaceful face radiated a feeling of love and kindness.
4317"In that case!"
4318For a modern magician a CAD is an indispensable tool, but this does not
4319mean that it is mandatory for the activation of magic. From the very
4320beginning, modern magic evolved from the supernatural ability to distort
4321reality only by the power of thought. Magicians with great magical power
4322can use magic that they're familiar with even without CAD. This requires
4323only a "spell" of autosuggestion, which stimulates the Magic Calculation
4324Area to create a magic sequence. It takes more time to activate the magic
4325without a CAD.
4326Set: decreasing entropy • density control • phase transition • condensation
4327• transformation of the form of energy • acceleration • sublimation: input!
4328Perform a modification of the phenomenon! Magic "Dry meteor"!
4329If you are able to clearly define a concept with words, and introduce this
4330concept into yourself, then you don't need to say it out loud.
4331But when you're in front of the enemy, it's too slow to do so. This is
4332equivalent to being under attack all this time. Modern magic discarded
4333casting tools and chose CADs to avoid this.
4334However, Miyuki didn't attack Mayumi while she was casting the spell.
4335Because she didn't need to. Dry meteor wasn't activated.
4336"Such a strong Zone Interference... "
4337"It's useless. I will not let you interfere with Tatsuya-sama." Miyuki
4338announced
4339Mari ran in silence. In her hand was a battle knife drawn from somewhere.
4340She decided that since magic won't work then she needs to neutralize
4341Miyuki with physical weapons.
4342The idea was correct. If Miyuki was alone. If Minami corresponded to her
4343appearance as an innocent girl.Minami stood beside Mari in the way. A gun barrel was pointed at Mari.
4344"Watanabe-sama. Please drop your weapon."
4345Even in this situation, Minami was polite. Mari clenched her teeth.
4346Pistols pose a threat to magicians, and even more so in the current situation
4347when it's impossible to use magic because of Miyuki's Zone Interference.
4348The way Minami held the gun in her hand obviously said that she was used
4349to it, and there were no gaps in her defense.
4350Mari didn't say that it wasn't fair or cowardly. She herself only had a knife,
4351and this girl hid the gun. She understood her naivety. Mari's own pride didn't
4352allow her to turn away from there.
4353"Juumonji! No matter how impressive it was, in the end it's a neutron ray!
4354You can defend yourself with your neutron barrier!"
4355Instead, she shouted a "don't give up" speech at Katsuto.
4356But Katsuto continued to remain motionless on his knees.
4357"Unfortunately, the neutron barrier will not protect against Baryon Lance."
4358"What!?" Mari was surprised.
4359"He's bluffing, Juumonji-kun! The neutron barrier is a suitable magic. You
4360can completely stop the neutron beam" Mayumi cried.
4361To this argument, Tatsuya returned a mysterious answer: "That's why." No,
4362it can be more precisely expressed by these words: "His answer was a
4363mystery for Mayumi and Mari." Because Katsuto already understood the
4364meaning of his words.
4365The neutron beam has a very high penetrating power. Since the properties
4366of the substance are reflected in the "information", information is also
4367embedded in the neutrons Eidos that its penetration power is high.
4368Magic is a technology that interferes with a phenomenon through
4369information. It is difficult to block a neutron beam with magic, which is
4370informationally designated as "having a high penetrating power". With itthere is a definition of "difficult to block."
4371At the dawn of its appearance, modern magic was primarily aimed at
4372preventing disasters caused by nuclear fission reactions. Blocking neutron
4373beams was also an inevitable theme in modern magic. A lot of research
4374resources have been poured into the search for ways to block neutron
4375beams using magic.
4376The result of these studies was the Neutron barrier. This is a perfected
4377magic whose only purpose is to block neutron beams.
4378To block neutron beams, magicians don't use any other magic except the
4379Neutron barrier. This is the only magic that is suitable for blocking neutron
4380beams. Since the magic has already been perfected, no further spells have
4381been researched, so there is no other example of a spell capable of stopping
4382a neutron beam at this time.
4383The same can be said about the magicians of the Juumonji family.
4384Among the wide range of magic barriers included in Phalanx, only the
4385Neutron barrier can stop neutron beams. Since the only useful spell is
4386known ahead of time, then it cannot escape the fate of being destroyed by
4387Tatsuya, because there is no magic that he cannot "decompose."
4388In addition to the process of converting the substance of the "Spear tip"
4389into a neutron beam and the process of neutron return by "Regrowth",
4390there is one additional process in Baryon Lance that is responsible for the
4391"decomposition" of the neutron barrier.
4392Even if you defend yourself with the help of Zone Interference, this won't
4393change anything. The neutron barrier is destroyed simultaneously with the
4394neutralization of the Zone Interference and then the neutron beam reaches
4395its target.
4396Katsuto had already used the Neutron barrier. The protective version of
4397Phalanx is a magical defense that "can withstand any type of attack." In
4398addition to protecting against high-speed objects, spraying liquids,
4399penetrating gases, sound waves, electromagnetic waves, gravitational
4400waves, psion waves, and so on, it also includes a barrier against neutronrays.
4401And Tatsuya's Baryon Lance passed through this defense. Both Tatsuya and
4402Katsuto knew that trying to repeat would lead to the same result.
4403"... I admit defeat."
4404"Juumonji-kun !?"
4405"Juumonji!?"
4406Under the screams of Mayumi and Mari, Katsuto got up and raised his right
4407hand, showing that he was surrendering.
4408â—Š â—Š â—Š
4409Watching the battle through binoculars, the intelligence agent code-named
4410"Monkey," was shocked by such an ending. The Intelligence Department
4411expected Katsuto to win after 2 strikes. After that, they planned to kidnap
4412the weakened Tatsuya.
4413He hurriedly turned on the communication device. It was shut down
4414because of fear of being detected by radio wave detectors. This, as well as
4415the use of the old-fashioned purely optical binoculars these days, was a
4416precaution against the accidental detection of observers.
4417And even turning on the communication device, he didn't do anything
4418careless, like sending a voice. He only sent pre-determined signals.
4419The answer came quickly. Permission to interfere.
4420His soul dropped to his heels. He was a weak magician, and his morale was
4421destroyed by the battle he had just seen. This isn't a level which they can
4422cope with.
4423"Monkey" belonged to the special issues unit. They couldn't rely on theTooyama family magic like the counterintelligence unit, even though they
4424belong to the same Intelligence Department. He didn't think that the magic
4425of the Tooyama family, not even one of the Ten Master Clans would help
4426against the magician of the Yotsuba family.
4427But an order is an order. The monkey rose to go to the main unit. He
4428reassured himself that he wasn't good enough to be ordered to shoot at this
4429monster. He cautiously stepped back so that the figures of Tatsuya and the
4430others disappeared behind the trees, and then turned around, without
4431looking away from that place.
4432At that moment a multicolored stream swept into his eyes. Light particles of
4433all shades of color that a person can discern have filled his entire field of
4434vision and moved chaotically. His mind went off in an attempt to escape
4435from this insane glimmer.
4436â—Š â—Š â—Š
4437Tatsuya and Katsuto looked at each other. Katsuto's left arm has already
4438been restored to its original state by Tatsuya's "Regrowth."
4439"Shiba. What are you going to do with me?" Katsuto asked for the terms of
4440his surrender.
4441"You leave empty-handed and don't return with such conversations
4442anymore." This was Tatsuya's only condition.
4443"... Understood."
4444Katsuto decided that it would be appropriate. More precisely, he
4445understood that as the loser he couldn't object.
4446"Shiba. As I said earlier, the situation has reached a state where you cannot
4447delay any longer."He couldn't help but say this.
4448"The Magic Association will announce that you are Taurus Silver, despite the
4449fact that this will irritate the Yotsuba family. And when this happens, public
4450opinion will force you to take part in the project."
4451Tatsuya didn't say anything. It was clear that Katsuto didn't return to the
4452previous conversation, but approaches him from the other side.
4453"If you refuse to participate in the project after that, you can hardly
4454continue to remain in the Japanese magical community, no, in this whole
4455country. I'm sure that even Yotsuba-dono will not be able to protect you."
4456"Even if this happens, I cannot participate in Project Dion." Tatsuya
4457answered without hesitation.
4458"Why !?" The cry of Mayumi was filled with a misunderstanding emanating
4459from the depths of the soul.
4460"Why are you so stubbornly refusing!? Going to America doesn't mean that
4461you will become a guinea pig there, or you will work for free! In a sense
4462Tatsuya-kun you are the official international representative of Japan.
4463Invited to the project. And "Project Dion" itself is trying to solve the
4464difficulties facing the future of mankind! How can you talk about refusing,
4465setting yourself apart from all of Japan!"
4466"The main advantage of the peaceful use of magic is that magicians
4467themselves should enjoy it." Tatsuya answered Mayumi in the same tone as
4468he had answered Katsuto's words before that. Mayumi became entangled in
4469this game of words.
4470"...What do you mean?" Mari asked when Mayumi couldn't find the words.
4471"Project Dion" has a hidden purpose behind it."
4472"What?"
4473"The official goal is the terraforming of Venus. A hidden goal is the expulsion
4474from the Earth of those magicians who are considered a threat."
4475"...In what sense? Tatsuya-kun, what are you saying ...?" Mayumi wondered."The more I think about "Project Dion", the more I'm sure that this project is
4476intended more to achieve the hidden goals."
4477"Explain it to us."
4478Tatsuya decided to respond to Katsuto's request.
4479"According to "Project Dion", in the orbit around Venus, in the asteroid belt,
4480close to the surface of Jupiter, on Ganymede a satellite of Jupiter, many
4481magicians would be placed directly at the stages of the project. Given the
4482current space flight technology, those who will do this work, will not be able
4483to return to Earth for a long time. Even if there is a certain work schedule,
4484then most likely you will have to return to your place of work immediately
4485after recovery.
4486"It's unlikely that it will be so bad ..."
4487"Magicians who meet the requirements of the project are too few in
4488comparison to the number of people required."
4489Tatsuya rejected Mayumi's objection.
4490"Magicians who are abandoned for the implementation of the projects
4491stages will be victims for the sake of the future of mankind. The scheme in
4492which magicians are used as tools is no different from the current situation,
4493when magicians are used as weapons."
4494â—Š â—Š â—Š
4495Receiving instructions from the special affairs unit agent who was watching
4496the battle between Tatsuya and Katsuto, the Tatsuya abduction unit,
4497prepared by the Intelligence Department, began to move.
4498Among them was Tooyama Tsukasa. She was shocked by Katsuto's defeat,
4499but managed to not show it on her face.Tsukasa's intuition whispered to her to abandon the operation and retreat.
4500However, the current operation was the decision of the deputy director of
4501the Intelligence Department. She didn't have the authority to stop this
4502operation.
4503"Katsuto-san does not seem to have lost his fighting power ... the young
4504lady from the Saegusa family will also give us strength in the event of an
4505emergency."
4506Deceiving herself with such consolations, she silently moved forward along
4507with the rest of the capturing squad.
4508The goal (Tatsuya) is on a closed golf course.
4509Tsukasa and her associates approached not from the side of the road
4510leading to the golf course, but from the mountains surrounding him. Finally,
4511from the top of the mountain they could see the goal. This moment was the
4512beginning of the battle. At that moment, when they stepped on the densely
4513overgrown hillside of the trees, their caution increased extremely.
4514Suddenly, a stream of chaotic color appeared in front of the Intelligence
4515Department agents. The light particles at first glance seemed to shimmer in
4516a random order, actually depicted a color pattern that caused people to fall
4517asleep.
4518Half of the attacking team fainted. The remaining half somehow managed
4519to avoid this fate with the help of Tsukasa's instantly deployed personal
4520magic barriers that were capable of blocking light magic.
4521The lieutenant appointed the commander of this attack called for the
4522restoration of positions. However, out of more than thirty people in the
4523platoon, fewer than twenty remained capable. Of the three officers, there
4524was only one left on his feet.
4525Due to the collapse of the command system, the detachment was
4526disorganized.
4527She took advantage of this moment for a surprise attack.
4528From the slope the figure of a small-looking woman rushed at them. No,their small size was an optical illusion. It was a girl with a medium height for
4529a woman.
4530No one had time to blink an eye. She paid no attention to disturbing tree
4531branches and overcame the distance between them approached the lead
4532soldier, and waved her weapon with a sparkling silver gleam.
4533This weapon was a sword. Her blade stopped, crashing into the individual
4534shield placed by Tsukasa.
4535However, the soldier, who didn't have to get a chopping blow, still fell.
4536"This is that previous hypnotic magic!"
4537At the moment when the barrier switched to anti-object mode, light magic
4538attacked a friendly soldier knocking them asleep. Watching him fall, Tsukasa
4539couldn't hide her confusion.
4540But the commanding lieutenant didn't understand this trick, and he didn't
4541hesitate with the decision.
4542"Fire!"
4543By order of the lieutenant, the assault rifles were aimed at the girl. However,
4544before they had time to open fire, the girl was overshadowed by a guy with
4545a large build.
4546There were the sounds of gunfire and most of the shots hit the guy's body,
4547but he didn't fall. There was no blood either. The bullets bounced off him.
4548"High-powered rifle detachment!"
4549The lieutenant's voice was close to screaming, but his decision was right.
4550Pushing aside the conventional assault rifles, 4 soldiers with high-powered
4551rifles designed specifically to fight magicians readied their guns.
4552The thunder roared, but wasn't not shots of high-powered rifles, nor the
4553sounds of real thunder. A deafening roar shook the air around him.
4554Tsukasa's individual shields protected against sound wave attacks and none
4555of the soldiers received significant damage from this rumble.But this prevented the execution of the order.
4556The rumble didn't just happen once. As if someone was beating a drum, the
4557sounds that shook the air were repeated again and again, as if the god of
4558thunder descended from the ancient paintings.
4559Even their bodies were shaking so the soldiers didn't notice that it wasn't
4560just air that was shaking. Suddenly the ground under them cracked.
4561The cracks ran in all directions. Trees began to fall, exposing their roots. The
4562cracks were shallow. But that was enough to cause chaos in the soldiers
4563ranks.
4564"Retreat! Exit the forest!"
4565After the lieutenant gave the order, the rumble suddenly stopped.
4566Intelligence officers rarely participated in open area group battles. Usually
4567their field of activity is the urban area. Even when it was planned that there
4568would be a firefight, operations were usually designed with one or two
4569agents, no more. So their running retreat could be called unorganized.
4570Their legs tangled in the grass. It seemed like the grass itself wrapped
4571around their feet.
4572Many of them couldn't stay on their feet and fell.
4573Tsukasa couldn't understand this confusing situation. Although she had
4574information about the positions of the allies still on their feet, she lost the
4575coordinates of the falling soldiers, because they disappeared from her field
4576of vision.
4577The individual shields provided by Tsukasa disappeared at the same time she
4578lost sight of the soldiers.
4579The rain of lightning struck them, despite the fact that they were in a dense
4580forest. Lightning came not from the sky, but from the spaces between the
4581trees.
4582We can say that the soldiers who managed to run out of the forest found
4583themselves in a slightly better situation than their colleagues, who had fallenunder the lightning. They probably just regretted it.
4584On top of them came shells with immobilizing nets, to be sure that none of
4585the intelligence agents escaped.
4586Tsukasa was left alone in the woods and bit her lip when she saw this scene.
4587Her personal barriers didn't miss bullets, bombs, or poisonous gases.
4588However, they don't give the protected partner superhuman physical
4589abilities.
4590When the entire shield is covered in a net, they cannot escape or resist.
4591Tsukasa couldn't even think that these nets, designed to suppress rebels,
4592could be a natural enemy of her magic.
4593So, there was only one left.
4594A sword girl with a katana, Chiba Erika turned to Tsukasa.
4595Tsukasa knew about her approach and about the fact that the way of
4596retreat has already been blocked.
4597"Chiba Erika-san?"
4598"Yes that's right." Erika answered shortly. It wasn't expected by Tsukasa's
4599talkativeness.
4600"I am from the National Self-Defense Forces, Sergeant Tooyama Tsukasa."
4601"Yes? Clearly."
4602Tsukasa tried to determine whether Erika's disinterested behavior was a
4603real or an acting game, but it didn't work out.
4604"Chiba Erika-san. We were actually on a mission."
4605To begin with, Tsukasa decided to attack with words, ignoring the sword
4606aimed at her.
4607"Hmm, so what?"
4608"Attacking, injuring, interfering in official state affairs, breaking the law on
4609carrying weapons ... all these accusations can be applied to you after you'vestopped us."
4610Erika took a deep breath, keeping her eyes on Tsukasa.
4611"You don't study at all, do you?"
4612It seems that Erika wasn't even a little scared.
4613"What do you mean?"
4614"Even if you are a soldier of Self-Defense Forces, you need permission and
4615notice to carry weapons with you outside the base and practice grounds.
4616You've a firearm with which there was no notice. Therefore, it is you who
4617violated the law by carrying weapons, not us."
4618"... You know quite a lot for a schoolgirl."
4619"You used guns without permission during those so-called exercises, didn't
4620you? The police were extremely unhappy about this."
4621"But you yourself are not a policeman?"
4622"There are real policemen outside the forest. Although I can say that you
4623already know this."
4624Saying the last words in a slightly disgruntled voice, Erika lowered her hand
4625with the sword. But from this, she didn't have any weaknesses.
4626Without any action, she was in the "Intangible Pose" *.
4627[Another translation option: "Intangible state". Although it sounds pathetic,
4628but it's only a pose in kenjutsu, closed from attacks from all directions.]
4629"The police can request cooperation from civilian magicians to confront the
4630magician-criminals. This is a fairly well-known exception for us, magicians,
4631isn't it?"
4632A smile appeared on Tsukasa's face. This smile didn't carry in itself anything
4633that could be called emotion.
4634"Therefore, please obediently let yourself be seized. Or do you want to have
4635a little painful experience?""At the moment Erika finished speaking, Tsukasa activated a magic barrier.
4636After that she instantly activated move-type magic. The target of the magic
4637was herself."
4638Erika didn't panick at all, took a step to the side, avoided Tsukasa flying over
4639her and hit her body flying past her in the torso.
4640With a sonorous metallic echo, the sword broke. The blade couldn't stand
4641the stress from striking Tsukasa's barrier.
4642After that, Tsukasa tried to escape to the side of the mountain. But before
4643that her way was blocked by Leo.
4644In the jump Tsukasa took the pose of a shoulder attack. Leo fortified the
4645position of his body relative to the ground to meet this attack.
4646Tsukasa hit Leo's body.
4647Leo didn't move a millimeter, and Tsukasa jumped back. As a result, the
4648effect of the move-type magic was cancelled.
4649Erika ran smoothly at Tsukasa.
4650At the same time, she had a stable posture, as if she was walking on a flat
4651highway, and not making her way through the cracks and roots of trees.
4652Tsukasa got the impression that she would not be able to evade the
4653movement to the left, to the right, or backward.
4654The only thing she could do was to protect herself with a barrier.
4655To be able to move at any time and not to run into obstacles, Tsukasa built
4656a flat barrier in front of her body.
4657Erika swung her broken sword. The rest of the blade didn't reach Tsukasa
4658nor her magic barrier.
4659"She didn't calculate the length of the broken blade, it's unexpected luck,
4660and it's a chance" Tsukasa thought.
4661Erika remained in a pose with the sword lowered. More accurately, she froze
4662in it. She saw Tsukasa intending to run sideways from her, she startedmoving, taking the first step with her right foot.
4663The knee of this leg lost its strength and buckled. This didn't just happen
4664with the right foot, but the left leg also suddenly collapsed. Strength
4665disappeared from the whole body.
4666Tsukasa's body collapsed to the ground.
4667Erika came out of the fighting stance. Tsukasa looked up at her.
4668At this point, Tsukasa finally noticed that Erika's broken sword had instead
4669of a material blade, a psion blade that looked like heat shimmer.
4670The hazy shimmering blade has disappeared.
4671"Ethereal Hidden Sword Technique - Kirikage" Erika muttered
4672At that moment Tsukasa lost consciousness.
4673â—Š â—Š â—Š
4674"... The plan where magicians are used as tools is no different from the
4675current situation, when magicians are used as weapons. I would never
4676submit to something like that."
4677Tatsuya's announcement suppressed Katsuto, Mayumi and Mari. All present
4678understood that Tatsuya is refusing "Project Dion" not because of simple
4679stubbornness.
4680"... But!"
4681Tatsuya's determination was clear. His convictions were understandable,
4682but that's why Mayumi couldn't remain silent. With tears in her eyes, she
4683couldn't stop her cry.
4684"Even if Tatsuya-kun's reasoning is correct! Tatsuya-kun will lose his homeanyway! Tatsuya-kun will suffer in isolation!"
4685Tatsuya should not become a victim. It was the cry of Mayumi's heart.
4686Mayumi wanted to convey the idea that it would be better to pretend that
4687he's participating, even if it's a lie to the people of America, Japan and the
4688whole world. But the voice that came from the forest didn't allow Mayumi
4689to finish speaking.
4690"Tatsuya-kun won't be isolated."
4691Tatsuya and the rest were now on the smooth field of the former first hole
4692of the closed golf course. To the right was a mountain that preserved the
4693original terrain.
4694From the dense forest that covered the mountain slope, came four familiar
4695people.
4696Erika. Leo. Mikihiko. Honoka.
4697Mizuki and Shizuku also clearly were somewhere nearby, although they
4698didn't show themselves."Because he has us."
4699Leo carried a woman on his shoulder. Seeing who it was, Katsuto frowned.
4700"She's familiar to Juumonji-senpai, isn't she? Could you take care of her?"
4701Leo fearlessly approached Katsuto and put Tsukasa on the ground next to
4702him.
4703"W-we will not allow Tatsuya-san's isolation!"
4704Honoka was tense and couldn't hide her fear, but still collected all her will
4705to say so.
4706Mikihiko, the last to speak looked Katsuto directly in the eye and said.
4707"We are Tatsuya's friends. No, not just friends. I owe Tatsuya so much that I
4708will never be able to repay him. Even if Tatsuya becomes a criminal, I will not
4709turn against him for anything. I will not allow Tatsuya's isolation."
4710"Hey hey, Mikihiko. What obligations? We're friends. No other reason's
4711needed."
4712Leo wrapped his arm around Mikihiko's neck in a friendly manner.
4713"You're right" Mikihiko said with a strained smile.
4714Katsuto lifted Tsukasa from the ground and turned to Tatsuya.
4715"Shiba. You've good friends. I'm a bit jealous."
4716Katsuto turned around and went to the off-road vehicle left by the villa.
4717"Juumonji-kun, wait!"
4718Mayumi hurried after Katsuto.
4719"Well well. Still lost."
4720Mari shrugged and followed Mayumi.
4721With a puzzled face, Tatsuya looked at his friends. All of them wore
4722embarrassed smiles. Only Erika tried to turn away, but she couldn't hide asmiling face.
4723Tatsuya turned to Miyuki. Tears flowed from her eyes, and she tried to wipe
4724them with her fingers.
4725CHAPTER 10
4726Monday, morning.
4727Tatsuya was left alone again in the Izu villa. Last night Miyuki returned to
4728her new home in Chofu before it got too late.
4729He ate Pixie's cooked breakfast and watched the news channel on TV even if
4730most of it he ignored. It felt as if Miyuki were still sitting at the table in front
4731of him.
4732This morning breakfast should have ended as usual. But this morning the TV
4733gave disappointing news.
4734"This is a special news item."
4735Hearing the speaker's alarmed voice Tatsuya raised his head.
4736"Please watch this video message first."
4737The focus of the on-screen picture shifted to the large monitor to the side
4738of the announcer. The monitor turned on and displayed the upper body of a
4739suspicious looking person. At first glance it was difficult to understand
4740whether it was a man or a woman. Not only was their sex indeterminable,
4741but also their age and race.
4742This man was wearing a gray robe with a hood draped over, and his face was
4743covered with a white plastic mask.
4744The voice of a mysterious person from the monitor's speakers wastransmitted in the studio.
4745"I am one of the Seven Sages. With your permission, I'll be called Sage
4746Number One. "
4747The voice clearly went through electronic processing, and even using
4748supercomputers the original voice cannot be restored.
4749"I would like to tell the truth to the people of Japan."
4750Despite his fluent Japanese, Tatsuya thought he wasn't Japanese.
4751Thinking about this and the name "Seven Sages," he remembered the face
4752of one guy. A guy from the " Seven Sages" who sent a videotape at the end
4753of the vampire incident. The name of the guy who was friends with Shizuku
4754while studying abroad, it seemed to be Raymond Clark.
4755"Clark ..."
4756Tatsuya clung to this name, but first of all he decided to see what will
4757happen next in the news.
4758"I wish that the proposed "Project Dione" can be started as soon as possible.
4759For this reason, I also hope for Taurus Silver's participation from Japan. "
4760Three people were connected to each other in Tatsuya's head.
4761Edward Clark.
4762Raymond Clark.
4763The identity of this mysterious person.
4764I want the participation of Taurus Silver, that is, Mr. Shiba Tatsuya.
4765The true identity of this mysterious person, "Sage Number One" is Raymond
4766Clark.
4767Raymond Clark is a relative of Edward Clark.
4768"Taurus Silver is Mr. Shiba Tatsuya, a third-year student from the National
4769Magic University Affiliated First High. People of Japan. I want you to
4770persuade Mr. Shiba Tatsuya."The video message has ended.
4771Raymond Clark's participation was unexpected for Tatsuya. He didn't take
4772into account that Raymond would interfere.
4773He was preparing countermeasures in case the Magic Association discovers
4774the identity of Taurus Silver.
4775He had measures in case of pressure from the government.
4776He even considered measures if Edward Clark's patience ran out.
4777But all these measures will not work in the circumstances.
4778Tatsuya realized that he's been hunted into a corner.
4779(To be continued in the "Escape" ark)
4780AFTERWARD
4781After the afterword there will be a few more explanations and a storyline,
4782don't forget to read if you don't read the afterwords:
4783• Explanation of the magic of Erika, Honoka and Mikihiko from Chapter 9-2
4784• An explanation of how these guys got there at all
4785It was the 23rd volume in the series, "Isolation." Did you like it?
4786"Isolation" was an episode I wanted to write as quickly as possible, even
4787from the start of my work on this story.
4788The name "Isolation" was given from the very beginning of the writing of
4789this volume, but the basis leading to the culmination has not changed untilthe very debut of this volume.
4790In short, the main idea was confrontation with "Katsuto, the strongest
4791enemy at the moment." The new magic "Baryon Lance" was conceived for
4792use here.
4793This episode, among other things, also had to lead to some reflection. When
4794I wrote (Continuation in ...), along with a feeling of complete exhaustion, I
4795got the idea "I finally wrote it ...".
4796Just because I have never written so well. All the prerequisites for the
4797planned confrontation of those two turned out to be bricks ...
4798As a result, there were very few corrections. For example, when I wrote an
4799episode with Fumiya's women's dressing, I remarked: "Didn't he show his
4800face in the Nine Schools Competition ...?", So I had to rewrite it a little. ...
4801Well, it really was fun.
4802As you probably already knew, this arch "Isolation" is one of the
4803culminations of the entire series "The Untrucky Apprentice in the School of
4804Magic." But this isn't the highest culmination.
4805The current confrontation was, one might say, a conflict between the allies.
4806But real enemies are others. Perhaps the readers already had an idea who
4807could become an enemy, corresponding to the "final boss". ... Even if you
4808think so, you are waiting for one more "this is the turn."
4809Events in history will continue to heat up.
4810While the main stream of the story is being written, there are also aspects
4811in it that make it unintentional to describe the circumstances and disclose
4812the details behind them. This may seem correct for short novels, but with
4813my writing style, I cannot deny my feeling of lack of explanation. Therefore, I
4814think that I will just add further what I had to miss in this volume. Although
4815many probably don't like superfluous text, I'll still add a few pages after the
4816afterword.
4817This volume presented a fictional plan for the development of Venus, called
4818the "Project Dion." Hiago Naoyuki-sama from JAXA, Sakurai Naoko-sama
4819from the Japan Space Forum, as well as the author of scientific articles,Kashiwai Isana-sama provided me with a lot of valuable information on this
4820issue. In addition, Kashiwai-sama introduced me to the science fiction writer
4821Fuji Taiyo. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to
4822you.
4823I write this afterword right before the movie is released. I myself haven't
4824watched the preliminary show. Although I have only information from the
4825production stage, but I'm sure it will be an interesting sight. It will be an
4826exciting movie, worthy of large screens of cinemas. Everyone who came to
4827the cinema, how do you like it? I believe that you were satisfied.
4828The name of the next volume is "Escape" *. I think it will be "Escape (part
48291)".
4830[The author's name is written in English. Given his love of ambiguous
4831phrases, it is still unclear how to translate this, "escape," "flight," "salvation."
4832Given the explicit hint of E.S.C.P.E.S, I think it's better to leave it in Latin.]
4833Ranobeh version of the movie, I'll probably finish it sooner. I'm going to
4834write a "full version", which also includes scenes cut from the theatrical
4835version. However, we haven't yet decided how we will publish this. I'll let
4836you know as soon as it's decided.
4837So, I sincerely hope to meet you again in the next volume, "Escape". And
4838maybe the next will be "The Girl Calling the Stars (full version)."
4839© Shadow Cross Section
4840Concerning Erika's "Techniques of the Hidden Sword," Kirikage (literally the
4841Shadow Section). You could see her for the first time in the theatrical version
4842of "The Girl Calling the Stars". I imported a new magic into the novel,
4843created specifically for the theatrical version of the film.
4844It refers to non-systemic magic. Having an immaterial blade created from
4845compressed psions, it can cut the psion information body inside the human
4846body.
4847The psion information body, which is the target of the attack, isn't the Eidosof the human body, but something similar to a form-watching image formed
4848in a natural way, repeating the contours of the body in the material world.
4849There is no strong connection with the essence of Eidos, but advanced
4850masters of martial arts control their body, moving first this "image-watching
4851image."
4852The cut of the shadow is, it might be said, a dirty trick that uses the surprise
4853effect and cuts the "shadow" of the enemy, depriving him of control of the
4854body.
4855This technique Erika studied as a means of attacking the psion information
4856body, since she had no means against the Parasites in the ark "Guest." It was
4857a secret technique that only the head of Chiba's family, Chiba Joyiro, could
4858use. But my father didn't teach her. She was able to comprehend it herself,
4859having studied the secret texts.
4860© Magic, lulling a detachment of capture from the Intelligence Department
4861The light that put the intelligence squad moving through the forest to attack
4862Tatsuya was the magic of Honoka's "Hypno-Eye."
4863It was an improved version of The Evil Eye that Honoka already used to lull
4864intelligence officers in volume 11, page 134. Instead of specializing in the
4865magical "sleepy" effect, parameters such as power, range, and number of
4866targets were raised.
4867© Cracked earth and lightning bolts attacking the capture unit from the
4868Intelligence Department
4869It was the same magic that Mikihiko used against Kichijouji on the Novelty
4870Division's Monolith Code. This is a combination of magic from "Earthquake,"
4871"Split Earth," "Wild Hair," and "Descendant of Thunder."
4872© The reason that Erika and the others were present where this "raid" was
4873conducted
4874Why Erika and others were able to defeat Tsukasa and the capture squad
4875from the Intelligence Department?I missed the explanation for this, because I thought that it would have a bad
4876effect on the tempo set at the end of the volume, but after Katsuto, Mayumi
4877and Mari left, there was such a conversation in the villa's living room.
4878"By the way, Erika, those people who came with you are SMAT from the
4879police?"
4880M? Yes, that's right.
4881"It's not an accident, is it?" How did you know that today the Self-Defense
4882Forces will come here?
4883"And we didn't know that it would be Self-Defense Forces ... Miyuki's
4884behavior was a bit unnatural, and I realized that something will happen
4885today."
4886Uh, my behavior?
4887"Miyuki, you said then that Juumonji-senpai will come today to keep us,
4888isn't it?"
4889Y-yes.
4890"I mean, did you've to say this?" You could just say, for example, "this isn't
4891the time." But if Juumonji-senpai comes to talk with Tatsuya-kun, then is it
4892not necessary to keep it a secret?
4893Ah ...
4894Then I just obediently agreed. But I realized that something will happen
4895there. I thought that unwanted guests could come in and collect people
4896from the dojo.
4897With such a prehistory, Erika came to Izu with a squad of police special
4898forces, assembled from the students of the Chiba dojo.
4899This concludes the additional materials. See you in the next volume
4900"Escape."