njWJEP9k

1
2	"Aren't you going to do something reckless?"
3
4	 Erika looked like she had nothing to do with it. To this quite obvious facial expression, Miyuki could only respond with a vague smile.
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10	â—Š â—Š â—Š
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16	At the National Magic University there was no such thing as interest circles.
17
18	 But there are club activities. Most sports clubs had coaches and suffered from an overabundance of participants. In most cases, the career of a magician requires physical strength and mobility, but in the curriculum there is no physical training, so additional classes are important.
19
20	 However, not all students attended the clubs. After all club activity wasn't mandatory. Katsuto who in high school was the leader of the Club Management Group, was among those at the National Magic University who didn't join any club.
21
22	 Katsuto who is the head of the Juumonji family, decided to return home as soon as possible. Few people went home at this time. Today he'd lingered with the preparation of practice reports, and it was already quite late. Concerned that his affairs were delayed by this unplanned accident, Katsuto walked to the station at an accelerated pace.
23
24	"Juumonji-kun!"
25
26	 He heard a voice behind him calling out to wait.
27
28	 It was a familiar voice that he recognized without turning around. Speaking frankly, it was a person who often interfered with his plans, but for some reason, regardless of family affairs she was the one who could stop him.
29
30	 And now Katsuto stopped and looked back.
31
32	"Juumonji-kun!"
33
34	"Saegusa. I hear you, don't shout like that."
35
36	 Mayumi caught up and stopped before Katsuto and smiled shyly. It felt like she had closed one eye and showed her tongue, even though she didn't really do it.
37
38	 "Sorry to keep you."
39
40	"It's nothing. So what do you want?"
41
42	 Without any introduction, he asked about the case.
43
44	 Such a rude response wasn't because he didn't treat Mayumi like a woman. It just showed that for Katsuto she's a woman with whom he feels at ease.
45
46	 "I wanted to ask you something. Can I go in the same cab with you?"
47
48	"Aren't we going different directions?"
49
50	"It's just an extra 20 minutes home. It's okay."
51
52	 The modern system of public transportation for short distances is "personal booths on an electric train" was based on a direct connection between the stations on which loading and disembarking was done. There was no such thing as "loading a passenger halfway between stations".
53
54	 But that didn't mean that you cannot go together. If you're lucky, and there is no customer waiting for your booth at the destination station, the remaining passenger will be able to continue to his station. Even if there are other passengers on the station, you just have to wait a bit in the queue.
55
56	 The level of privacy inside such personal booths has been perfected. It is almost impossible for a conversation inside the booth to be heard by someone from outside. Entrepreneurs and even simple couples use this feature of the electric booths of an electric train for conducting private conversations.
57
58	 Mayumi's invitation to go together was also meant to hold a private conversation. However, the first destination was the station closest to the Saegusa family house.
59
60	"Juumonji-kun is such a gentleman."
61
62	"Naturally."
63
64	 At Mayumi's giggles, Katsuto responded with an acidic face.
65
66	"So, what did you want to talk about?"
67
68	 Immediately after Katsuto's question, the smile faded from Mayumi's face.
69
70	 "Juumonji-kun, you're going to meet Tatsuya-kun, aren't you?"
71
72	 "Did you hear about this from your father?"
73
74	"Yes, but he didn't say why you're going to meet him."
75
76	 Katsuto leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.
77
78	" I cannot tell you."
79
80	"Thank you. I just realized why."
81
82	 Katsuto opened his eyes. Mayumi winked at him.
83
84	"This could only be because of a Japanese high school student. And all these attempts at secrecy indicate exactly who just as I thought."
85
86	 Mayumi said her conclusion without saying a single name. Katsuto was silent.
87
88	"Listen, Juumonji-kun."
89
90	"... What?"
91
92	 Katsuto reluctantly responded, because in Mayumi's voice there were signs that she would ask something obvious.
93
94	 "Will you take me with you?"
95
96	Katsuto looked at Mayumi with wide-open eyes, but immediately looked back and asked "... Why?"
97
98	 "I don't think Tatsuya-kun will obediently accept the request."
99
100	"... Well, I think so too."
101
102	 "But it's unlikely that after this, Juumonji-kun will simply go home empty-handed."
103
104	"......"
105
106	"I don't think that Juumonji-kun will lose to Tatsuya-kun. Tatsuya-kun is strong, but he certainly will not be able to reach Juumonji-kun."
107
108	"And what?"
109
110	 "But I think that Tatsuya-kun will not be defeated so easily either. With Tatsuya-kun's healing magic, he may not stop until he dies."
111
112	"Shiba's healing magic... is that strong?"
113
114	 Katsuto straightened his crossed arms and looked at Mayumi.
115
116	"Yes. More specifically, it's not really a treatment."
117
118	 Mayumi caught Katsuto's gaze, and looked into his eyes.
119
120	 "So let me go with you to prevent such an outcome."
121
122	 "You say you want to help me convince Shiba?"
123
124	 "I'm not going to get in your way."
125
126	 Looking up from Mayumi, Katsuto took a deep breath.
127
128	"If only to participate in the negotiations ... It is true if you are present everything can be resolved peacefully. You are more familiar with Shiba than I am."
129
130	 "It sounds a little strange when you're talking about a close acquaintance ... So when will you go to Tatsuya-kun?"
131
132	 "If Shiba isn't busy, I thought about next Sunday." I'll be in my car, so I'll take you straight out of the house."
133
134	"Ara, thank you."
135
136	 Mayumi smiled and turned forward. From this moment, there was no more talk between them, but an awkward atmosphere in the booth didn't arise.
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142	â—Š â—Š â—Š
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147
148	 The day after returning from the security mission on the Enterprise, Lina looked quite sluggish during training.
149
150	 "Commander-in-Chief. You seem to be feeling bad? How is your health ...?"
151
152	"No, it's nothing like that. I'm sorry I was so sloppy Ben."
153
154	 Having finished training and on the way to the barracks she met Stars number Two officer Canopus, who addressed her with a serious face.
155
156	"No, everybody has black and white stripes in his life ... Has anything happened to you?"
157
158	"Yes. It wasn't like me, I was nervous in front of those two "Apostles", Bezobrazzoff and MacLeod."
159
160	"It wasn't a battlefield, but a meeting place. There's nothing wrong with being mentally exhausted from trying to prevent an error in front of foreign guests."
161
162	 "... Ben? Are you saying that I'm too inexperienced?"
163
164	 "Oh, no, what are you saying?"
165
166	 Canopus immediately looked away. Lina felt pressure in her temples.
167
168	 "The first thing is to get some rest Commander-in-Chief. Well, I'll go now."
169
170	 Canopus showed a reassuring smile and left. Seeing the retreating figure, Lina thought that she couldn't afford to do it, no matter how much she was asked to. She turned and walked to her room.
171
172	 Thanks to Canopus she felt much better, but she still couldn't get it off her mind. Even after taking a shower, she didn't feel refreshed.
173
174	 She was aware of the reason. The fate of the magicians she saw on the Enterprise affected her feelings.
175
176	Prior to this, Lina didn't experience much discomfort or dislike of how magicians were treated as a weapon. Prior to that, she'd strongly considered this question when she was in Japan when she collided with Tatsuya, Miyuki and their friends ... no, when she collided with Tatsuya.
177
178	 Lina was sitting in front of the mirror, wrapped only in a towel. She barely realized what she was doing she was so absorbed in her thoughts.
179
180	 "Tatsuya wasn't against the fact that magicians were forced to fight."
181
182	 "Tatsuya wasn't against magicians becoming soldiers."
183
184	 "Tatsuya didn't say that he was against magicians becoming weapons."
185
186	 "Tatsuya was against continuing to be a soldier."
187
188	 Listening to her thoughts, she remembered something. One thought occurred in Lina's mind.
189
190	 "What is Tatsuya striving for? A world in which magicians don't need to become weapons."
191
192	"Maybe I'm remembering wrong? Tatsuya didn't say anything like that."
193
194	 However, she felt that this thought was correct. The idea that Tatsuya seeks to create a society where magicians are not forced to become weapons.
195
196	 When she returned from Japan and was far from Tatsuya, she felt no doubt about this matter. She began again to think that using magic in combat is quite natural for magicians in the army. Therefore, she thought that the idea of a "world in which magicians aren't forced to be a weapon" is some kind of delusion.
197
198	 She became a soldier of her own free will. Magicians play the role of weapons of their own free will. Regardless of how it looks from the outside, magicians have the freedom to choose.
199
200	 " I thought so before."
201
202	 "Or so I imagined it."
203
204	 "But there ..."
205
206	 "That Enterprise system ..."
207
208	 "As Tatsuya said ..."
209
210	"Right. I need Tatsuya ..."
211
212	 Reaching out to the videophone, Lina froze in this pose.
213
214	 "What was I trying to do?"
215
216	 "Warn Tatsuya?"
217
218	 "About what?"
219
220	 "The fact that Bezobrazzoff and MacLeod are targeting him?"
221
222	Lina's forehead broke out in sweat after just taking a shower, and an unpleasant chill ran down her back.
223
224	"Ha, ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha ..."
225
226	 The laughter that escaped from Lina's lips was half-unconscious.
227
228	 "What the hell was I trying to do?"
229
230	 If it wasn't for this laughter, she would be panicking right now.
231
232	 It's good that she remembered Tatsuya.
233
234	 But she won't be allowed to warn Tatsuya, because this will be considered leaking military secrets. The phone in her room is clearly tapped, so it cannot be used.
235
236	 "This shocked me so much."
237
238	 "Finding out that magicians are used like spare parts, as fuel ..."
239
240	 "I thought I understood the limitations of the military's freedom."
241
242	 "I thought I agreed with that."
243
244	 "Tatsuya ..."
245
246	 "That's why you said that, huh?"
247
248	 Lina remembered the words spoken at the parting that night.
249
250	 ("If Lina wants to leave Stars ...")
251
252	 ("If you want to stop being a soldier ...")
253
254	 "Tatsuya: Did you know that I'm not fit to be a soldier ...?"
255
256	 All these thoughts of Lina were now unconscious for her.
257
258	 She got up and went to the bathroom again to wash away the sweat and keep warm.
259
260	 She took off the towel and put herself under a hot shower.
261
262	 By this time Lina didn't even remember what she was thinking while sitting in front of the mirror.
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267
268	CHAPTER 7
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273
274	Tatsuya received a message from Katsuto on Wednesday night.
275
276	The message asked whether it would be convenient for him to meet on Sunday. And it came from the main Yotsuba house. This meant that the request for the meeting wasn't based on the sempai and kohai relations from First High, but was the request of the Juumonji family of the Ten Master Clans to the Yotsuba family of the Ten Master Clans.
277
278	"Tatsuya-oniisan, is this an urgent matter?" Kuroba Fumiya asked Tatsuya from the couch at the villa.
279
280	At this point Pixie brought two coffees. Tatsuya paid it no attention and answered Fumiya's question.
281
282	"No. The head of the Juumonji family is asking permission to come here on Sunday. It was an electronic message transmitted through the main house. Have you heard anything about this Fumiya?"
283
284	"No, nothing ..."
285
286	Tatsuya reached for a cup of coffee and his eyes advised Fumiya: "Drink before it gets cold."
287
288	Fumiya stretched out his hand towards the table with his manicured nails, and with his other hand pushed back the medium length hair hanging over his cheek, and took a sip with his lipstick covered lips.
289
290	"I see. It's very rare for Fumiya and Ayako to act separately."
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294	"Nee-san also wanted to see Tatsuya-Niisan, but it was an order."
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296	 Fumiya returned the coffee cup to the table. The skirt was a little wrinkled when he leaned toward the table, and the movement with which he adjusted it was completely automatic.
297
298	 "Then tell me what order brought you here? Coming in this fashion was also part of the order?"
299
300	 At Tatsuya's words "in this fashion", Fumiya's cheeks flushed. This look made him more attractive than most high school students.
301
302	"This is because many people now know my face ..."
303
304	"Yes indeed. It would be bad if you contacted me while showing your real face."
305
306	 It was understandable. Fumiya became widely known after the Nine Schools Competition last year. It seems that his connection with Yotsuba was no longer a secret, but apparently the main house had not yet planned to officially recognize Fumiya.
307
308	 Fumiya who wasn't fond of dressing in women's clothes could only be pitied.
309
310	"So?" Tatsuya turned to him and asked again.
311
312	 Before speaking, Fumiya straightened his back.
313
314	"The likelihood of this villa being attacked increased."
315
316	 "The Self-Defense Forces?" Tatsuya ask, arching an eyebrow.
317
318	"Yes."
319
320	 Fumiya couldn't remain as calm. His pretty, well-groomed face was very tense.
321
322	"Fumiya, did you only come to tell me about this?"
323
324	 Fumiya decided that Tatsuya was trying to tell him "don't be afraid."
325
326	"More about that ... the Yotsuba family cannot send reinforcements."
327
328	 Fumiya squeezed the hem of his skirt in his hands. He assumed that Tatsuya would be angry.
329
330	"It's quite natural."
331
332	 "Ha?" But he couldn't understand what Tatsuya said.
333
334	The reason is because it's not an internal conflict between the Ten Master Clans. It isn't a good idea to deal with the Self-Defense Forces right now. Putting the family in danger for my sake alone is obviously an unprofitable action.
335
336	 "Tatsuya-Niisan... you agree with that !?" Fumiya lost his calm at Tatsuya's cold-blooded logic,.
337
338	"Why are you shaking?"
339
340	 Tatsuya said that instead of "why are you worried". At those words Fumiya noticed that his hands were shaking, not because he was very worried. He realized that he was seized by fear.
341
342	 "All I have to do is deal with this alone."
343
344	 Tatsuya spoke as if explaining an elementary mathematical rule, like 2x2 = 4.
345
346	 Fumiya's eyes opened wide and his mouth opened slightly. Although he didn't want to, his white teeth and pink tongue, peeping out of the slightly opened lips that were glistening with lipstick, seemed tempting for a man's gaze.
347
348	 For a moment Tatsuya looked with pity at his younger cousin who radiated an indescribable maiden charm. But immediately his face returned to a cold-blooded expression.
349
350	"Fortunately, I have a suit and a motorcycle."
351
352	 It wasn't a simple suit. It was an original flying armored suit developed by the Yotsuba family, and was created to work in conjunction with an armored motorcycle. Fumiya knew that these things were brought to this villa.
353
354	"Besides, my Torus, Trident and Lance Head were also brought. And in this mountainous woodland I feel at home, and I cannot feel other people's eyes. If there is an opponent of the "Imakasina *" or "Daitengu" class, then that is another conversation, but until that happens I'm not going to be defeated."
355
356	 [In Volume 19, Todo Aoba called Yakumo "the reincarnation of Kasin-koji". "Imakasin" roughly means "Modern Kasin" or "Kasin of our days."]
357
358	The mentioned Torus is a CAD with full mind control, Silver Torus. Trident is his favorite CAD in the form of a pistol, Silver Horn custom modification of "Trident".
359
360	 And Lance Head is a device for CAD to use the "Baryon Lance."
361
362	 Indeed if Tatsuya has such equipment, then until such opponents as "Imakasin" = Kokonee Yakumo or "Daitengu" = Kazama Harunobu appear, then victory is guaranteed to him. Fumiya was sure of this.
363
364	 Even if there are dozens of enemies. Even if there are hundreds of enemies.
365
366	 Fumiya realized that his trembling had stopped.
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371
372	 Next to the villa was a taxi. It was the car that Fumiya used (in his female disguise).
373
374	 Anyone would have thought that if the taxi had been waiting all this time, the fee would be huge, but Tatsuya didn't think so. He also didn't think that the car was rented. He realized that the driver was from the Kuroba family was wearing his black suit.
375
376	 Tatsuya watched Fumiya who was wearing a wide-brimmed hat exit the Villa.
377
378	 "I deleted the data from the hidden cameras, so you can safely go home."
379
380	 "I'm sorry to trouble you with this."
381
382	 Fumiya bowed with a grateful air. In his behavior, there was absolutely no discomfort from wearing women's clothes.
383
384	 When Tatsuya said that he "destroyed the data," he meant that he erased the data from the cameras hiding in the vicinity of " spying lovers " (most likely these are people from the military Intelligence Department). Because with the help of a photo you could identify him with facial recognition software, regardless of the fact that he's wearing women's clothes. Fumiya's women's disguise was a method of deceiving only the unaided eye. And his wide-brimmed hat was to hide from the view of the reconnaissance satellite and cameras on the stratospheric platforms.
385
386	"Since that message came to me through the main house, then mother should also know its contents. Although I will send a copy of the answer to the main house, but I would like you to verbally convey that I am going to respond with an offer to meet the Juumonji family."
387
388	"I understood. Tatsuya-oniisan, then see you."
389
390	"Yes. Thank you for your concern."
391
392	 Fumiya smiled in response to Tatsuya's gratitude.
393
394	 Scenes with farewell hugs and kisses on the cheek didn't occur.*
395
396	*Joke of humor from the author. In Japanese, the negation follows at the end of the sentence. Therefore, in the original, the phrase sounds like this: "Fumiya hugged Tatsuya and kissed his cheek on farewell ... no, it didn't happen."*
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402	â—Š â—Š â—Š
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407
408	 At the same time that Fumiya was talking to Tatsuya, Ayako was visiting Miyuki in the apartment in Chofu where she'd recently moved.
409
410	 "I heard that you move here on Monday, but it seems that you've already finished moving in."
411
412	 Ayako, sitting on the living room turned to Miyuki sitting opposite.
413
414	 These apartments were even more spacious than their previous separate house, and they had a great cozy living room.
415
416	There wasn't very much luggage, and Minami-chan helped me a lot.
417
418	 Miyuki responded to Ayako's flattery by glancing at Minami, who brought tea and sweets.
419
420	 "She's pretty skillful, although we're the same age."
421
422	 Minami bowed to Ayako's praise and said in a low voice, "Thank you." Minami also understood that Ayako's words were only formal courtesy.
423
424	 After finishing serving tea, Minami left the room, closing the door behind her.
425
426	 Miyuki and Ayako turned at the same time.
427
428	 "Ayako-chan, I wonder what brought you to us today?"
429
430	"Today I am a simple messenger, Miyuki-oneesama."
431
432	 Two girls exchanged smiles where there was a barely noticeable mixture of tension.
433
434	 Now that there was no Tatsuya and Fumiya, who usually limited them. It seemed that the spirit of rivalry would grow forever, but Miyuki still looked away.
435
436	 She looked away at the table, took an elegant cup from the tray with an elegant movement, and took a sip of not very hot tea. With a slight lag behind her, Ayako in the same refined manner, scooped out a piece of jelly pastry with a fork.
437
438	"Did both of you need something?" Miyuki asked after waiting for Ayako to finish eating.
439
440	"Yes, that's right." Ayako answered, silently returning the fork to the saucer.
441
442	 "Then tell me."
443
444	"The probability that in the coming days the Self-Defense Forces will try to capture Tatsuya-san have increased."
445
446	"Why?" Miyuki calmly reacted to Ayako's bold statement about "capture."
447
448	 "Aren't you surprised?" Ayako also spoke in an unsurprised voice.
449
450	"Because it was quite predictable. Unlike Tatsuya-sama, I don't trust the Self-Defense Forces."
451
452	 "I don't think Tatsuya-san became a member of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, because he trusts them."
453
454	"Right. But if he met friendly people there, his feelings could change to some extent, couldn't they? Because Tatsuya-sama didn't lose all his emotions."
455
456	 Ayako, who wasn't expecting Miyuki to talk about Tatsuya's lost emotions, couldn't find the words for an answer. Nevertheless, Ayako quickly took herself in hand and moved on to the main topic of her visit today.
457
458	"Details of the date and time will be reported once we've determined the Self-Defense Forces plans. But that's all we can do."
459
460	"... Can you express yourself more clearly?"
461
462	 "In other words, it means that neither the main family nor the side branches can help with anything other than information."
463
464	"That's what Aunt Maya decided?"
465
466	"Yes."
467
468	"Understood ..."
469
470	 Along with this word, the temperature in the room fell sharply.
471
472	 The tea on the table froze, and the surface of the jelly was covered with ice cake.
473
474	 The cooling phenomenon wasn't limited to this, the ice also began to appear on Ayako's clothes and hair.
475
476	 "Ayako-chan, if you don't really resist it, you'll freeze, won't you?"
477
478	 Quiet, kind, soft, like freshly fallen snow, Miyuki reported the obvious.
479
480	 "Please continue as long as you wish."
481
482	 Although her pale lips trembled, Ayako answered in a firm, strong-willed voice.
483
484	"I see." Said Miyuki and the temperature in the room quickly recovered.
485
486	 "... Miyuki-sama, what's going on !? Miyuki-sama !?"
487
488	 There was an intense knock at the door and a desperate voice from Minami.
489
490	 "Minami-chan, you can come in."
491
492	"I'm sorry!"
493
494	 Minami entered the living room and lost the gift of speech from the horrifying picture before her. Everything in the room was covered with water condensation. Only a small area around Miyuki was untouched. Sitting across from Miyuki, Ayako's clothes and hair were completely drenched, and her face was completely pale.
495
496	"Minami-chan, lead Ayako-chan to the bathroom. I'll dry this room."
497
498	"S-listen. Ayako-sama, please follow me."
499
500	"Thank you."
501
502	 Following Minami's invitation, Ayako stood up. She obediently followed Minami, but stopped in front of the door, as if she had planned it in advance.
503
504	"Miyuki-oneesama."
505
506
507
508	"What?" Miyuki responded to Ayako's call in a cold voice, and there wasn't a drop of guilt.
509
510	 "The way it was, it was like head-sama."
511
512	 "... As I mentioned earlier, the Yotsuba will not send reinforcements to Tatsuya-san. The only one who can help Tatsuya-san is you."
513
514	 Ayako turned her back on Miyuki.
515
516	"I understand."
517
518	 Miyuki only responded after Ayako had already disappeared behind the door.
519
520
521
522
523
524	 "Ayako-sama, are you sure you don't need help?"
525
526	Minami asked because once they entered the bathroom dressing room, Ayako slowed her pace, and barely seemed to be able to stand on her feet. She was showing that clothes might be difficult to remove herself. In such a situation, Minami would have offered to help, even if the behavior of the maid had not been imprinted in her mind.
527
528	"Everything is fine. Thank you for your concern."
529
530	"... Then I will prepare a change ofclothes. Please let me know if you need anything."
531
532	"Thank you. I will be grateful to have something to change into." Ayako said, after which she undressed, went into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.
533
534	This door between the dressing room and the bathroom wasn't translucent, as in some houses, but completely concealed what was happening in the bathroom. From the dressing room it was impossible not only to see someone in the bathroom, but it was also impossible to hear any sounds from there. Therefore, Ayako letting hot water out of the shower, settled down on the floor with relief.
535
536	 "It was the power of Miyuki-oneesama ... And she wasn't even serious ..."
537
538	 Despite the fact that she kept a calm face, tears appeared in her eyes.
539
540	 That cooling wasn't even a conscious activation of magic. It was magical power running wild. Despite this, the cold created by Miyuki didn't have a direct impact on Ayako's body.
541
542	 Naturally, Ayako defended her body with data fortification. And yet Miyuki's wild magic completely surrounded Ayako's body, separated from her by a distance of not more than the thickness of the skin.
543
544	 The ice was caused not by the condensation of water from the hair itself, but by drawing moisture out of the surrounding air. The same thing happened with the clothes.
545
546	 And her own magical defense was helpless against this phenomenon ...
547
548	 "It wasn't just a phenomenon modification..."
549
550	 "It was as if the world had voluntarily submitted to Miyuki-oneesama."
551
552	 "It was a magic that seemed to have charmed the mind of the world itself, captivated it and took it under direct control ..."
553
554	 It was something supernatural, different from the magic that Ayako knew. Such a crazy idea arose in her head. Despite the hot shower, Ayako's body felt a cold shiver.
555
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560	â—Š â—Š â—Š
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565
566	 Thursday, end of May.
567
568	 Lieutenant Colonel Kazama of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion received a phone call from Tatsuya.
569
570	"Sorry to tear you away from work, Lieutenant Colonel Kazama. This is Shiba Tatsuya."
571
572	 "... I thank you for your cooperation in Okinawa."
573
574	 Kazama correctly understood the sense that the speaker on the other side of the phone line introduced himself as "Shiba Tatsuya." He guessed that this meant that he didn't call as "Special Officer Ooguro" of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, but as a magician of the Yotsuba family.
575
576	 "So, what business did you call about?" He followed up with a leading question.
577
578	"I heard that the Self-Defense Forces plan to attack me. Is it true?"
579
580	 This unfriendly question was asked in a completely formal tone, as if an artificial intelligence said it.
581
582	"This isn't entirely true."
583
584	 Kazama didn't need to answer honestly, and had no intention to do it either, but for some reason, answering Tatsuya's question, he couldn't pretend that he didn't know anything.
585
586	"Then what is the truth?"
587
588	 "The Intelligence Department of the Self-Defense Forces has set its eyes on you. This is the will of the Intelligence Department, and not the decision of the army."
589
590	 After answering, Kazama thought about what if he had come under Mental Interference magic but immediately rejected it.
591
592	 And the reason wasn't that Tatsuya cannot use Mental Interference magic. He realized that his speech was because of his guilt for passively watching while Tatsuya was in a quandary, as well as unconscious calculation that it was better to speak in some degree honestly to keep Tatsuya.
593
594	"In other words, it's an Intelligence Department rebellion?"
595
596	 [The word used, which means rebellion, rebellion, betrayal, betrayal.]
597
598	 With his tough statement, Tatsuya finally drove him into a corner.
599
600	"... You can say so."
601
602	 But Tatsuya's words were not wrong. Kazama had to admit this.
603
604	 Yes, Tatsuya attacked a secret army facility. For this he can in some sense be considered a criminal, and if you consider that he's a "special officer", then he can be considered a rebel.
605
606	 However the use of military force without permission to control a civilian is a serious violation. If I consider Tatsuya a rebel, then his crime should be considered in a military court. As Tatsuya said, the fact that the Intelligence Department independently sent out combat force without proper regular procedures was certainly a rebellion.
607
608	"In that case, if I defend myself, it will not be a problem for the brigade, will it?"
609
610	 This time, Kazama didn't know how to answer.
611
612	 The Intelligence Department's plan contradicted both the law and the army. If it leaks to the media, then the army will get a great deal from them, and the leadership will have to resign in full force. If Tatsuya himself wants to keep it a secret, then we must go to meet him.
613
614	 However, it will be bad if it looks as if the 1-0-1 brigade gave the go-ahead for the destruction of the executive detachment of the Intelligence Department. "If there were three people it is already a faction" this meant that there were no organizations free from factional struggle. And the Self-Defense Forces were no exception to this rule.
615
616	 The reputation of the 1-0-1 brigade was due to the high skill of the brigade commander, and Lieutenant General Saeki helps to avoid interference by bureaucrats and politicians, but there is still a weakness in terms of inter-factional relations. There are even attacks inherent in patriarchal society that Saeki takes too much on herself for being a woman, saying she cannot be trusted.
617
618	 Considering that Saeki is among the most influential people of Self-Defense Forces, it is necessary to avoid the possibility that she will be blamed for everything.
619
620	 "There will not be any problems for the Independent Magical-Equipped Battalion."
621
622	 In the end, Kazama was able to give an answer only within the limits of his responsibility.
623
624	 "... I think you understand that the battalion cannot support you. We would like you to do it on your own."
625
626	"Of course, I understand."
627
628	 For a moment, Kazama had a feeling that Tatsuya had a cruel, inhuman smile.
629
630	"It's enough for me that the lieutenant colonel understands the situation. Sorry to trouble you."
631
632	"Yes. I wish you a good battle ... huh, that is, good luck."
633
634	 There was no need to wish that the battle was strong enough. Tatsuya's victory was predetermined. However, it was necessary luck that this victory didn't worsen the situation even further.
635
636	 The video call was cut short before Tatsuya answered Kazama.
637
638	 Kazama decided to forget Tatsuya's surreptitious smile.
639
640	 The videophone on his desk had the function of automatically recording conversations. If he now includes the reproduction of this conversation, he will be able to understand whether this sinister smile was an illusion, as if turning him into another person.
641
642	 So Kazama, without trying to confirm this, just pressed the delete record button.
643
644
645
646
647
648	â—Š â—Š â—Š
649
650
651
652
653
654	 Thursday, during lunch. Katsuto sat alone drinking coffee in the cafeteria of the National Magic University when Mayumi showed up.
655
656	"Can I sit next to you?"
657
658	"Of course. Sit down."
659
660	 After answering, Katsuto noticed that on Mayumi tray there isn't anything but a cup of tea.
661
662	"Saegusa, have you already had lunch?"
663
664	 Katsuto already had a bite, but he realized that he did it pretty quickly. At a dinner party food is usually slowly eaten while conversing, but when he's alone, he eats fast.
665
666	 Today it was so. He just finished eating in the dining room and moved to the cafeteria for coffee.
667
668	 But even if women usually eat less, it was still too fast.
669
670	"Third lecture was canceled, and I went to the canteen early to avoid the crowd during break."
671
672	"I see."
673
674	 Students of the National Magic University study diligently, because they have a lot to learn. The same applies to Katsuto. In the morning he has absolutely no spare time. In the afternoon there is free time, but this is the privilege of students who have a family job.
675
676	"Juumonji-kun, I'm talking about the situation that we discussed earlier."
677
678	 When Mayumi sat down, she immediately switched to the main topic. Although this haste wasn't typical for her, it seems that she didn't want anyone to suspect that she would stay here for a long time.
679
680	"I received the answer yesterday. Consent was received, as expected." The specific names were not mentioned, but there was no need to explain that the" thing "mentioned was Tatsuya's consent. "So far, everything is going well. Will you be ready at 9 o'clock in the morning?"
681
682	"That's fine. Will the meeting be in the afternoon?" In Mayumi's voice it was read that it was unexpected for her.
683
684	 "He's still a schoolboy. It will not be a meeting with alcohol. In that case, it's better not to come back later."
685
686	Katsuto sounded reason was quite reasonable, and Mayumi didn't have any doubts.
687
688	 "But there may be a need to use force? Isn't it better to go after dark?"
689
690	 Katsuto didn't stop Mayumi, who said such dangerous words. All the students around them knew that Katsuto is the head of the Juuonji family of the Ten Master Clans, and Mayumi also has a direct line of kinship with one of the Ten Master Clans. The fact that the Ten Master Clans are going somewhere to "use force" wasn't unusual.
691
692	 Although the main reason was that they were surrounded by a sound insulation field, because of this not even neighboring tables heard them.
693
694	"In the dark, you can make unforeseen errors."
695
696	 Mayumi shuddered, realizing what Katsuto had said.
697
698	 "Juumonji-kun ... you're pretty serious about this, aren't you?"
699
700	 "Indeed, for Tatsuya the probability of victory will increase if instead of an open area it is dark or there are lots of obstacles to hide behind." Katsuto will naturally avoid such a situation. Due to his manner of speech, Mayumi felt that Katsuto was going to crush Tatsuya with all his power.
701
702	"This is an opponent, that should be treated seriously." Katsuto answered in a resolute voice at Mayumi's question.
703
704	 "Ah ... He's 100% serious ... I cannot possibly cope with one ..." Sweating with a cold sweat (though in the imagination), Mayumi thought.
705
706
707
708
709
710	â—Š â—Š â—Š
711
712
713
714
715
716	 On Friday, Miyuki spent the day (even in class) thinking about what she learned from the message from Ayako last night.
717
718	 "The day after tomorrow ..."
719
720	 "The report referred to the date when Tatsuya would be attacked by the Self-Defense Forces. But other than that, there was something else."
721
722	 "If it's only the Self-Defense Forces, Onii-sama, Tatsuya-sama will not lose."
723
724	 "But if they join Juumonji-sempai ..."
725
726	 The message from Ayako said that the Self-Defense Forces would attack during Katsuto's visit.
727
728	 "If the fight is one-on-one, he will surely defeat the Juumonji-senpai, but ..."
729
730	 Miyuki took the opposite opinion of Mayumi about the relationship between the strength of Tatsuya and Katsuto. She didn't doubt that Tatsuya was the strongest, and that he would win. But Miyuki also understood that Tatsuya isn't invincible.
731
732	 If Katsuto and the Self-Defense Forces unite, then it's impossible to ignore the possibility that Tatsuya, in the end may faint from overloading the Magic Calculation Zone.
733
734	 "But even if they don't unite, then having exhausted his strength after the battle with Katsuto he can make an unforeseen mistake."
735
736	 "... Still, I'll go too."
737
738	 Miyuki made this decision while working at the Student Council.
739
740	 Maya didn't tell Miyuki that she should not go to Tatsuya.
741
742	 However, the attempt to go to Tatsuya's aid can be regarded as a protest against the order that they should live separately.
743
744	 Ayako then told Miyuki: "Miyuki-oneesama, the only one who can help Tatsuya-san is you", but these were the words of Ayako herself. These words, on the contrary, should be understood in the sense that Maya does not want anyone to help Tatsuya.
745
746	But still Miyuki had no choice but to help Tatsuya.
747
748	 "... That's right, I didn't have to worry about it from the beginning."
749
750	 It does not matter what they think and what they want, Maya, the Yotsuba family, the Self-Defense Forces, the country, the whole world.
751
752	 Tatsuya. He's the meaning of her existence. Miyuki once again reminded herself of this.
753
754
755
756
757
758	 Miyuki was going to the station in the company of Honoka, other members of the Student Council, Shizuku and Kasumi from the disciplinary committee, as well as Shiina and Saburou, when a voice called out behind her.
759
760	"Ara, Erika and the others are just now going home? Today we stayed late, and I thought that everyone else had already left."
761
762	 As Miyuki said, today the student council work continued until the school closed. The day was long and it was still light, but in the winter at this time the sun would have already gone done. Almost all students, including those engaged in club activities, stayed at school until late.
763
764	 "The patrol drove us out."
765
766	"We were studying for tests on the cafeteria terrace and didn't even notice how the time flew by ..."
767
768	 After Erika's scattered response, Mizuki shyly continued the explanation in response to Miyuki's question.
769
770	"Indeed, exams are coming up." Miyuki nodded when she heard Mizuki's answer.
771
772	 Regular exams in magic high schools were conducted on both magical theory, and magical practice. Items from the regular course (not related to magic) were evaluated daily without any written tests. In the third year of school, nothing has changed.
773
774	Since Mizuki was taking the magic engineering course, the content of her tests was slightly different, but the tests for the first and second course were exactly the same, so it's no surprise that Mikihiko, Erika and Leo worked together.
775
776	"And I have never studied group training."
777
778	 Shizuku's joke was inaccurate. That is, there wasn't enough words. More specifically, it was supposed to be: "I have never stayed in school after school to work in a company of friends."
779
780	 "My grades have been improving lately and I've been thinking, maybe I should try to go to the National Magic University?"
781
782	 Leo was speaking shyly, not at all worried about such things, that Shizuku's phrase lacked words.
783
784	"I don't think I want to go to the National Magic University, but if this idiot gets there and I don't, then I'll be a little ashamed. This inflames the spirit of rivalry in me."
785
786	 Erika, as usual, inserted her own joke.
787
788	 "Who did you call an idiot!"
789
790	"I just wanted to become a smart man? How rude."
791
792	"Yes, yes, Erika-chan and Leo-kun, let's finish your love quarrel."
793
794	 Mizuki climbed into this comic verbal skirmish between Erika and Leo. Mikihiko, in turn, has decided "not to come nearer to danger".
795
796	"This isn't a lovers quarrel!"
797
798	"Erika-chan, you're smart enough, so if you start learning as early as possible, then you will succeed."
799
800	 Mizuki completely ignored Erika's cry.
801
802	 "Shibata-senpai, it was ..." Kasumi said admiringly, and Izumi nodded strongly beside her.
803
804	 "... I've already told you. I'm not going to go anywhere after school."
805
806	 Erika probably decided that if she argued further, things would get worse, so she answered seriously.
807
808	 "My father sent me to high school, and I couldn't object. Well, it turned out to be the right decision, and I'm even a little grateful for that."
809
810	 Mizuki looked at Erika with a look in which she tried to convey the message "You don't need to be embarrassed ...". Erika, of course, pretended not to notice.
811
812	 "After graduation, I thought I'd go on a "warriors journey."
813
814	"What?"
815
816	 "A warrior's journey?" Following the surprised Mizuki, repeated Honoka.
817
818	"Yeah. I don't want to learn magic, but the real old Kenjutsu styles. I've saved some money and I want to first visit all the master swordsmen of Japan, and then of the whole world ... yes, somehow."
819
820	 At the end, Erika laughed, apparently in order to hide her embarrassment but no one else laughed.
821
822	 "... But can't you do that after graduating from the National Magic University?" Miyuki asked.
823
824	 "Err? No, I don't think so. After graduating from university, I'll be quite grown up." Erika waved her hands in front of her panic stricken face.
825
826	"I don't think that age is important. This is a wonderful dream. If Tatsuya-sama allows it we can help so you don't have to waste time working on it."
827
828	"No, no, no, and again no!"
829
830	 Erika seemed to be getting even more nervous. She probably wanted to escape far away.
831
832	"I also think that this is a wonderful dream."
833
834	"And I. Also I can become a sponsor."
835
836	"No-no-no-no-no-e-e-e ... By the way, Miyuki."
837
838	 Honoka and Shizuku continued to embarrass Erika, so she decided to change the subject.
839
840	"Is it possible to go to Tatsuya-kun this Sunday? Not just me, but all of us?"
841
842	 Erika's words were desperate, and she was followed by Mizuki with relief on her face.
843
844	"When we studied a little bit earlier, we came up with this idea."
845
846	"We are not on any business, but simply ..."
847
848	"Simply, I wanted to see ..."
849
850	 Continuing for Mizuki, Mikihiko and Leo explained the circumstances.
851
852	 Miyuki felt that tears would appear before her eyes.
853
854	 The Yotsuba family still uses Tatsuya. In addition to illegal activities, it receives a solid profit from Taurus Silver.
855
856	Tatsuya has also contributed much help to the Self-Defense Forces. It is no exaggeration to say that in October of the year before last, the attack by the Great Asian Alliance was largely repelled thanks to the help of Tatsuya.
857
858	 Tatsuya greatly increased the reputation of First High. No one could tell if the school could have won first place in points in the Nine Schools Competition last year without Tatsuya's participation. And the year before last, a lot of victories in the Nine Schools Competition were obviously due to Tatsuya's achievements. The Thesis Competition didn't yield any results, but last year's experiment "Stellar Furnace" compensated for it.
859
860	 Although Miyuki didn't consider this prejudiced, it was also not her favoritism. She without a doubt had her own opinion on the contributions he's made.
861
862	 The core of these achievements were an indisputable fact.
863
864	 But, contrary to all this,
865
866	 Neither the Yotsuba family,
867
868	 Neither the Self-Defense Forces,
869
870	 Neither the school,
871
872	 No one was going to defend Tatsuya.
873
874	 And for the school it was generally a way to take the initiative to "shoot back" from attacks.
875
876	 Nevertheless, these friends still ...
877
878	"...Excuse me. But this Sunday another guest is coming to see him."
879
880	 Therefore, Miyuki thought that we should not involve them in this.
881
882	 Restraining her tears, and not even showing that she was ready to cry, she answered with a reserved face.
883
884	 Hearing this answer, Erika narrowed her eyes.
885
886	"Is this 'guest' undesirable?"
887
888	 Miyuki smiled and shook her head.
889
890	 "I cannot say exactly ... but this guest is Juumonji-senpai."
891
892	 With embarrassment on her face (apparently, this was due to a sense of guilt for saying something she should not have said), Erika mumbled "Ah ~, Juumonji-senpai ...".
893
894	 "Therefore, Erika. Please don't even think about doing something strange."
895
896	 Erika nodded obediently at Miyuki's warning.
897
898
899
900
901
902	â—Š â—Š â—Š
903
904
905
906
907
908	 Raymond S. Clark. A guy who liked to use the title of " Seven Sages" for the sake of fun, was now in a bad mood. It was because he could no longer play with his favorite toy, Hliðskjálf.
909
910	 It wasn't that he couldn't use it. His terminal was still working.
911
912	 But the other 6 terminals stopped working when the system administrator turned them off. As a result, he couldn't enjoy peeking at what information other users gather.
913
914	 But that wasn't all. The fact that he alone could use a system equivalent to clairvoyance completely destroyed the thrill of the game. No matter what he did, there were no penalties for him. Look and listen as much as you want. This was no different from when a child is alone with only with his imagination to play with.
915
916	 So it's boring.
917
918	 So Raymond asked his father Edward Clark the developer and administrator of Hliðskjálf, to return the right to use the system to the others.
919
920	 However, Edward didn't do this and told him to "Wait a bit".
921
922	 Raymond didn't argue him. He was well aware that it's better to give up right away.
923
924	 Instead, Raymond began to look for a new way to play his game.
925
926	 To make it more exciting.
927
928	 The most exciting part of his game with Hliðskjálf was when he played the role of an "advisor" in the "vampire incident". Although he sometimes played the role of "accuser" or "rescuer," but in such cases he never felt himself part of a global incident.
929
930	 He wanted to experience again that same excitement ... no, he wanted to experience something more exciting.
931
932	 And something else.
933
934	 Since he couldn't experience the thrill associated with the risk of using Hliðskjálf, this time he decided to take this risk on himself.
935
936	 Except for one exceptional case, Raymond identity has never been revealed.
937
938	 In addition, the risk of exposing his identity was almost zero.
939
940	 But he decided to break this ban.
941
942	 These were Raymond's thoughts.
943
944	 Naturally, he wasn't going to do something as foolish as exposing his face for show.
945
946	 He was going to change his face and voice with a computer system, and check how much he could hide his identity.
947
948	 The "Apostle" of his country, Angie Sirius can change her appearance with magic.
949
950	 How much will he be able to become with this system?
951
952	 Raymond couldn't suppress this and similar mischievous childish thoughts.
953
954
955
956
957
958	CHAPTER 8
959
960
961
962
963
964	Saturday evening.
965
966	 The villa where Tatsuya lived had an unexpected guest.
967
968	 Feeling their approach with "Elemental Sight" which he wouldn't confuse with anything, Tatsuya got up from the workstation and went to the parking lot in front of the entrance.
969
970	 A large sedan with tinted windows stopped smoothly. A young man came from the driver's seat. Simultaneously with it, from the left rear passenger place there was a girl.
971
972	 The young man was Hanabishi Hyougo. The girl is Sakurai Minami.
973
974	 After leaving, Minami remained standing, holding the door. Hyougo shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
975
976	 Soon after holding Minami's hand, a beautiful girl emerged from the back door, as if coming from another world.
977
978	 Miyuki raised her head and her black silky hair swung. Tatsuya and Miyuki's eyes met.
979
980	"Onii-sama ...!"
981
982	 With a voice full of emotion, Miyuki clung to Tatsuya's chest.
983
984	 Tatsuya gently caught Miyuki's body, gently hugged her and whispered in her ear.
985
986	"You still came."
987
988	 "I wanted to see you so badly Onii-sama ..."
989
990	"Me too. ... But Miyuki, you were wrong to come here."
991
992	 After Tatsuya's words, Miyuki's body quivered slightly, and she reluctantly backed away from him.
993
994	 "... Tatsuya-sama and I haven't seen each other for a long time."
995
996	 Miyuki completely forgot that Hyougo was there. But even without him, in this situation it isn't known where the eyes and ears can hide. With a reserved face, she bowed to Tatsuya.
997
998	 "Right. Even though it's been less than a week, it seems like we haven't seen each other for a long time."
999
1000	 This response with undisguised emotions was quite unusual for Tatsuya.
1001
1002
1003
1004
1005
1006	 Having sent Hyougo away after asking him to return tomorrow night, Tatsuya led Miyuki and Minami inside the villa.
1007
1008	 Each of them had a small bag of luggage. In actuality the villa wasn't just prepared in advance for Tatsuya's needs, but also changes of clothes for Miyuki and Minami.
1009
1010	 Preparing for the trip here, Minami showed disgust on her face when she heard about it from Miyuki.
1011
1012	 Her personal clothes were placed where she herself does not live, in addition to the place where a person of the opposite sex lives, almost no different from her own age. Although she didn't seriously think that he would be interested in her underwear, she couldn't do anything to get rid of this unpleasant discomfort.
1013
1014	 Miyuki it seems didn't care at all.
1015
1016	 That's why their bags were so light, but when they entered the house, Pixie took them both. Both Miyuki and Minami were strongly against Tatsuya carrying them. More specifically, the non-humanoid robot-porter, managed by Pixie politely took their luggage.
1017
1018	 Since the bags were taken away, there was no need to go to the bedroom. So the two girls, following Tatsuya's invitation, sat on the living room sofa.
1019
1020	 "You haven't had dinner yet have you? Let me prepare something."
1021
1022	 Hearing this from Tatsuya, Minami immediately jumped from the sofa.
1023
1024	"Tatsuya-sama, I'll cook."
1025
1026	 Her voice was relatively calm, but her eyes were shining with enthusiasm. Seeing this, Tatsuya immediately refused to discourage her.
1027
1028	 "... Understood. Pixie, switch the equipment in the kitchen to manual mode."
1029
1030	" I refuse."
1031
1032	 Pixie's answer was completely unexpected.
1033
1034	 If this were due to the impossibility of executing an order (for example, there is no connection with the system), then this could be understood. But it was an obvious lie, since it's known that she has the ability to access the switch to manual mode. But if this is so, then this should apply to some kind of malfunction. According to their programming, no machine can resist the orders of the owner. Realizing that Pixie isn't a simple machine, Tatsuya again gave the order.
1035
1036	"It is forbidden to refuse. Pixie, switch the equipment in the kitchen to manual mode. This is an order."
1037
1038	"Does the master prefer food cooked by this person?"
1039
1040	 Tatsuya felt a headache. After coming to this villa he felt that Pixie had a little increased awareness of her "personality". Although she had just expressed her opinion against Tatsuya's order for the first time, but before that there were many cases when she did something, like making a decision herself before Tatsuya gave her any order.
1041
1042	 But that's why you couldn't give her too much freedom.
1043
1044	"It's not about preferences. Pixie, it was an order."
1045
1046	"... I am obeying."
1047
1048	 Perhaps it was only Tatsuya's imagination, because such a function wasn't built into it, namely the displeased voice Pixie had answered when she switched the kitchen equipment into manual mode.
1049
1050	"All right. Pixie, enter standby mode."
1051
1052	 "Yes."
1053
1054	It was already 100% imagination that Pixie looked upset while walking to her place in the corner of the room, where she sat on a chair and froze like a doll.
1055
1056	 In contrast to this, Minami happily went to the kitchen. Tatsuya and Miyuki decided to pretend that they didn't hear her whisper "I won."
1057
1058
1059
1060
1061
1062	 After preparing the meal, serving Tatsuya and Miyuki, cleaning and washing dishes, preparing the bath and bed, Minami, at last, showed that she was satisfied. Recalling that facial expression with a desire to serve the master, Tatsuya brought Pixie out of the waiting mode and left the rest of the work for her. There wasn't any remaining housework, but there was still a security issue, so Pixie didn't complain.
1063
1064	 With this, everything will be fine. Tatsuya mentally scolded himself for being "distracted," and turned his gaze to Miyuki, sitting relaxed on the opposite side.
1065
1066	 They were not in the living room or in the dining room.
1067
1068	 They sat opposite each other at a table on the balcony. (The table was taken to the balcony with the same kind of non-humanoid robot as the robot-porter. This villa used many different robots, but Pixie was the only humanoid among them type.)
1069
1070	 It was already after 9 pm, but it wasn't cold outside even in light clothes. The peninsula of Izu is a mountainous area and it's near the end of May so it wasn't hot or cold. The temperature was just perfect and the breeze was refreshing, unlike the urban area.
1071
1072	 Miyuki narrowed her eyes and held the hair fluttering in the wind. She had a strange face, but it seems that the change of the location has improved her mood.
1073
1074	 "Tatsuya-sama, this is a pretty nice place."
1075
1076	 "Indeed. Another enjoyable season."
1077
1078	 Penetrating the darkness of the night, the light emanating from the room fell on Miyuki's white skin. Black silky hair swaying in the wind flowed like flickering stars, and pearly black eyes glittered with their mysterious light.
1079
1080	 After one glance at Miyuki, the sense of reality weakened. It was impossible to believe that it exists in the same world as you. Even Tatsuya is now deep in this feeling.
1081
1082	 "This inhuman beauty, is it divine or diabolical?"
1083
1084	"... Tatsuya-sama, when you look at me like that ... it's embarrassing ..."
1085
1086	 Miyuki's voice restored Tatsuya's composure.
1087
1088	 Miyuki, sitting on the other side of the table, blushed, lowered her eyes and fingered her knees.
1089
1090	 Tatsuya finally realized that he was staring at Miyuki, forgetting about everything.
1091
1092	 "Sorry. I looked around."
1093
1094	 "But that you ... look at you? This is ..."
1095
1096	 Miyuki finally blushed and froze. Tatsuya realized that his restraint was broken.
1097
1098	 He realized that the one that wanted to meet the most was not Miyuki, but himself.
1099
1100	 Tatsuya thought that this is a serious problem, when emotions cannot restrain themselves. At the same time, he felt jealous of people around the world, because the enjoyment of this beauty wasn't limited to them alone.
1101
1102	 "You're right, I'm sorry. Since I apologized, could you show me your face?"
1103
1104	"... Yes."
1105
1106	 Miyuki slowly lifted her face, which still remained blushed. Her raised eyes met Tatsuya's gaze, and she looked away shamefacedly.
1107
1108	 "... I need to talk seriously with you about something."
1109
1110	 In fact, Tatsuya also felt uncomfortable, but fortunately, it wasn't difficult for him to suppress his emotions.
1111
1112	 "... It's good."
1113
1114	 What was the feeling in this voice?
1115
1116	 Miyuki looked steadily into Tatsuya's eyes, although there were still signs of redness around her eyes.
1117
1118	 "Did you come today because you know about tomorrow?"
1119
1120	 "That's right."
1121
1122	 Miyuki sighed and asked in return.
1123
1124	 "And you, Tatsuya-sama, do you know about the fact that not only Juumonji-sempai will come tomorrow?"
1125
1126	"Yes. Fumiya told me."
1127
1128	"Here's how ..."
1129
1130	 There was a brief silence.
1131
1132	 "... Miyuki. I don't want you to do anything dangerous."
1133
1134	"I know."
1135
1136	Again a short pause.
1137
1138	 "I will not get involved in the battle between Tatsuya-sama and Juumonji-senpai."
1139
1140	"The purpose of Juumonji-sempai's visit is a conversation."
1141
1142	 "Tatsuya-sama you too must understand that this isn't the only thing that will occur."
1143
1144	"Yes ... probably."
1145
1146	 Tatsuya sighed.
1147
1148	 The sigh wasn't because of the predicament, but because of the expectation of an imminent collision.
1149
1150	 Tatsuya acknowledged Katsuto as a strong enemy whom he didn't want to fight if there was a choice.
1151
1152	"Tatsuya-sama."
1153
1154	"What?"
1155
1156	"Juumonji-sempai will use that secret technique?"
1157
1158	"Who knows, because it shortens the life of the magician."
1159
1160	The two recently learned about the trump card of the Juumonji family.
1161
1162	 After Katsuto took Tooyama Tsukasa under his protection, the Yotsuba main house realized that the clashes with Katsuto couldn't be avoided and told them the secret of the Juumonji family. For this they remained debtors to Maya.
1163
1164	"If he uses it, then I think that even for Tatsuya-sama the battle will be difficult."
1165
1166	"Miyuki. You got permission from Maya?"
1167
1168	 Tatsuya already knew what Miyuki would say.
1169
1170	"No, this is my own decision."
1171
1172	 "Stop it. This is my personal battle. It will be hard to convince her."
1173
1174	" There's no need to persuade them. I want it myself. I'll take responsibility for myself."
1175
1176	 "Miyuki, calm down."
1177
1178	 "I'm calm, Tatsuya-sama. No, Onii-sama ..."
1179
1180	 Miyuki's perseverance was enough to prevent Tatsuya from inserting a single word in response.
1181
1182	"In the end, I'm only the younger sister of Onii-sama. After becoming the next head of the Yotsuba family, I will marry the son of the current head. I will no longer have the opportunity to be associated with Onii-sama like just now ..."
1183
1184	 Miyuki broke off because she realized she was going to cry.
1185
1186	 "Even if I deserve Maya-sama's anger, I want to at least something to be useful to Onii-sama."
1187
1188	 Miyuki hesitated only for a moment. Then she sent her determined eyes to Tatsuya.
1189
1190	 "Onii-sama. I will remove your seal."
1191
1192	"Miyuki, what are you ...?"
1193
1194	 Not "Release" but "Remove."
1195
1196	 "I meant exactly what I said. I want to make sure that Onii-sama is never again troubled by this limit imposed by other people.
1197
1198	"No, wait. This, of course, isn't impossible, but ..."
1199
1200	 Tatsuya got up, not even trying to hide that he was nervous.
1201
1202	"It puts a heavy load on users. Not only on those who are sealed, but also those who maintain the seal. Correct Onii-sama?"
1203
1204	 However the determination on Miyuki's face made Tatsuya sit back down.
1205
1206	 Tatsuya's "Material Burst" is sealed with the Outer-Systematic Mental Interference magic "Pledge" by Tsukuba Toki the head of the Tsukuba family, a side branch of the Yotsuba family. In Tatsuya's case it not only blocks his greatest weapon, but his magical power is cut in half.
1207
1208	 "Pledge" is a magic that prohibits specific decision, and limiting the magical power is just a side effect.
1209
1210	 The unique feature of this magic is that in order to maintain the effect of mental intervention, the magical power of more than just the user themselves is needed.
1211
1212	 When you try to prohibit something, it's meaningless if this effect can manifest only when you look at the object. Even prison guards don't watch prisoners constantly. In addition it's considered inefficient if one magician can control only one person.
1213
1214	 Therefore the "Pledge" of a couple of people, the user himself and the subject of use, is usually supported by the magic power of a third person. If the decision-making constraint is non-permanent, then the use subject can do it himself. In the case where it is sometimes necessary to temporarily release the restriction, the third party that's close to the subject provides the magical power.
1215
1216	 In the latter case, the "key" for the temporary removal of the restriction is transferred to a third party that provides magical power.
1217
1218	When using this key in the user's mind, the "prohibited" entry is rewritten to "temporarily released". To return the "prohibited" status you must again perform the ceremony, in which the owners "key" is reinstalled using the reactivation switch for the original user.
1219
1220	 In Tatsuya's case, Miyuki is the owner of the "key". If Miyuki does not reactivate it then Tatsuya's seal will be removed, but the effect of releasing "Pledge" is temporary. As long as Miyuki continues to supply "Pledge" with magical power, the seal will gradually gain strength, so leaving it can be dangerous for Tatsuya.
1221
1222	Tatsuya's "Material Burst" was impossible to contain with the magical power of only Tsukuba Toki. For this reason, in the "Pledge" imposed on Tatsuya, the condition that "the Magic Calculation Zone be connected to Miyuki" was added. This is the so-called bilateral relationship between Tatsuya and Miyuki in their "Pledge." And that part of the "Pledge", which is imposed on Miyuki herself, can also be temporarily taken down by the "key" she owns, and which she supports with her magical power.
1223
1224	 "Pledge" is arranged so that if you stop the supply of magical power from Miyuki, then the effect of the magic will naturally disappear in a short time. However, in the depths of Miyuki's consciousness, the rule "to supply Pledge with magical power" is set forcing her to do this.
1225
1226	 Miyuki's words about the "heavy load on users" was not exactly accurate. After all, the user in this case was Tsukuba Toki. And the damage from the load will be given to Miyuki who was forced to supply the magic power for "Pledge" and maintain the seal.
1227
1228	 "... I'm glad you want me to be in perfect condition. But still, a temporary release will be enough. Don't take risks of negative consequences from the removal of "Pledge."
1229
1230	 "No, Onii-sama. Miyuki cannot stand it any longer. The fact that I am Onii-sama's shackles. I cannot accept the fact that Onii-sama isn't comfortable being my fault."
1231
1232	 Miyuki spoke the same way she did on New Year's Eve. As Miyuki said, she couldn't stand it anymore.
1233
1234	 I can't tolerate the Yotsuba's family, who even though they've recognized Tatsuya as a member of the main family, but in an emergency situation, she can easily give it up.
1235
1236	 Yes, they supply information. But what will that give? The information makes sense when you can cope with the approaching threat in the form of an attack. What the Yotsuba family is doing now looks like someone telling you that a rocket is flying to your city, and says that it's impossible to intercept it.
1237
1238	 Of course, Tatsuya isn't a helpless civilian. He has the means to resist. There are abilities, but the strength of one person has its limits.
1239
1240	 The Yotsuba family must have enough strength to help Tatsuya. They are not called "Untouchables" for no reason. They must have the strength to resist even the government. And despite all this, he's forced to fight alone, moreover, he's restrained by his shackles. Such cruel treatment angered Miyuki to the core.
1241
1242	 "All right, enough."
1243
1244	 These were Miyuki's sincere thoughts.
1245
1246	 "If Maya-sama wants Onii-sama to protect himself with only his power ..."
1247
1248	 In Miyuki's eyes, which were blacker than the clear night sky, a colorless fire was lit. With this look, she stared Tatsuya right in the eye.
1249
1250	 "Then I would like that Onii-sama always had his real power."
1251
1252	 Miyuki got up from her chair. To begin with, she wanted to make a temporary withdrawal of the seal.
1253
1254	"...I understand" said Tatsuya and got up from his chair. However, he didn't kneel before Miyuki.
1255
1256	 "If so, then I, too, accept your determination." ...Come with me." Tatsuya said and went inside the villa.
1257
1258	 "Y-yes."
1259
1260	 Miyuki realized that she was distracted by her own enthusiasm. Disappointed, she followed Tatsuya. In the living room expected by Minami and out of Pixie's standby mode.
1261
1262	 "Minami. Take a bath with Miyuki."
1263
1264	 Not knowing how to respond to such an unexpected order after the tension experienced a moment ago, Miyuki simply stood in wide-eyed silence.
1265
1266	 "Together ...?" With embarrassment on her face, Minami repeated, implying that she does not understand the true meaning of the order.
1267
1268	"Yes. There is enough space In the bathtub for two people. Help Miyuki thoroughly clean up. But don't use any fragrances or other things with scents this evening."
1269
1270	"Yes ..."
1271
1272	"Pixie will prepare a change of clothes for Miyuki."
1273
1274	 "... In other words, I should help Miyuki-sama change into ready-made clothes?"
1275
1276	"That's right."
1277
1278	"Yes, Tatsuya-sama. Miyuki-sama, with your permission please follow me."
1279
1280	 Minami didn't understand why Tatsuya had ordered this. But the order is an order.
1281
1282	 In addition, taking care of Miyuki is exactly what Minami wanted. Usually Miyuki refuses this, but now, using Tatsuya's order as an argument, Minami can "serve" her ...
1283
1284	 Fortunately for Minami, she managed to drag Miyuki into the bathroom before the sense of the conversation began to come up.
1285
1286
1287
1288
1289
1290	 Quite "taking care" of Miyuki, Minami sent her to stay in the bath, and quickly washed herself. When they came out together from the bathroom, Miyuki looked completely exhausted, and Minami was in high spirits with a sense of accomplishment.
1291
1292	 The clothes prepared there came as a surprise to Miyuki and Minami.
1293
1294	"Minami-chan, is this a white kimono ...?"
1295
1296	"White kimono ..."
1297
1298	 Miyuki held in her hands an unfolded white kimono, the same as worn by Shinto priestesses.
1299
1300	"... And here we seem to have a red hakama."
1301
1302	"... It looks like it."
1303
1304	 Nearby lay a bright red hakama skirt, which can be called a symbol of the priestess costume.
1305
1306	 "It seems that there's no underwear under the kimono ... This means that I need to wear this white kimono right away?"
1307
1308	 "If you directly follow the words of Tatsuya-sama, it seems so."
1309
1310	 "That's right."
1311
1312	 With her face expressing "nothing can be done", Miyuki slipped her hand into the white sleeve. The sensation of the fabric was unexpectedly soft and pleasant.
1313
1314	 Then she put on a red hakama. It felt like a normal skirt to the ankle, but wearing it without any underclothes was somehow embarrassing.
1315
1316	 When they came out of the bathroom, Tatsuya entered. While he was in the bathroom, they began to dry their hair.
1317
1318	 It takes some time to dry Miyuki's long hair. Especially if we take into account Tatsuya's current request "not to use things with a scent." Tatsuya left the bathroom at about the same time that hair care was being completed.
1319
1320	"Miyuki, can I enter?"
1321
1322	"Yes, please."
1323
1324	 Standing in front of the mirror, Miyuki turned to the door.
1325
1326	 Tatsuya was in white clothes with short sleeves. On the clothes there were no patterns or drawings. Completely ordinary white fabric.
1327
1328	 "Miyuki, follow me. Minami, you can rest now."
1329
1330	 Again, without explaining anything, Tatsuya turned his back.
1331
1332	 Miyuki and Minami exchanged glances, after which one of them followed Tatsuya.
1333
1334
1335
1336
1337
1338	 Tatsuya led Miyuki to a room in the traditional Japanese style.
1339
1340	 On the floor of the tatami was laid a red square carpet, and on each corner stood a saucer with salt, poured in the form of a hill.
1341
1342	 In the middle of the carpet lay a wooden stand. On this stand was a white jug and two small cups of white porcelain.
1343
1344	 Tatsuya sat down on his knees in front of this stand.
1345
1346	"Miyuki, please sit down."
1347
1348	 Following Tatsuya's invitation, Miyuki sat on the opposite side of the stand.
1349
1350	"Now I will explain the nature of "Pledge."
1351
1352	 The sudden words made Miyuki involuntarily straighten up even more, although she was already sitting upright.
1353
1354	"If we're not talking about the effect, but about how the Tsukuba family's "Pledge" is arranged, then this is a spell that forces someone to use the magic that the spell user wants. Forcing them to use magic to control someone's mind. You can call it magic, interfering in the processes of other magic. Thus, it is ineffective for use by those who are not magicians."
1355
1356	 Miyuki nodded her understanding.
1357
1358	Because of its nature of interference in the processes of magic, "Pledge" is established in the deep layers of consciousness, next to the "Gates". We can say that this system is close in that sense to "Gatekeeper."
1359
1360	 "To the "Gatekeeper", developed by Onii-sama?"
1361
1362	"Right. "Pledge" is a spell that makes use of magic, and "Gatekeeper" is a spell that prohibits using magic. Naturally, their systems are similar."
1363
1364	 Miyuki nodded once more.
1365
1366	"Therefore "Pledge" can be eliminated using "Gatekeeper."
1367
1368	 Tatsuya took the cup from the stand and handed it to Miyuki. Embarrassed, Miyuki took it. With his free hand, Tatsuya removed the lid from the jug, took it and turned to Miyuki.
1369
1370	 "Is this ...?"
1371
1372	 "Don't worry, it's not alcohol."
1373
1374	 Miyuki was embarrassed not because she thought he offered her alcohol.
1375
1376	 The thing is, she thought that this is the ceremony of "San-san-kudo" *.
1377
1378	*San-san-kudo (3-3-9) is a ceremony that is conducted at the time of marriage. The newlyweds alternately make 3 sips from 3 cups with sake.*
1379
1380	 Although three cups of different sizes should be prepared for San-ku-kudo, but the atmosphere here was suitable.
1381
1382	 Miyuki timidly set the cup and Tatsuya poured a clear liquid.
1383
1384	 Miyuki put the cup to her face. There was no smell.
1385
1386	 She gathered all her resolve and drained the whole cup in one gulp ... After which her face finally relaxed. Because the liquid didn't have any taste either.
1387
1388	"Onii-sama ... what is this?"
1389
1390	This water is highly purified. Although it is impossible to achieve a level of ultrapurity(?) due to contact with the container and air, but this is the closest to that level of purity, excluding all other pollution factors.
1391
1392	 Tatsuya passed the jug to Miyuki, and she poured water into Tatsuya's cup.
1393
1394	 "Um ... Is that a farewell bowl of water?"
1395
1396	 "Farewell bowls of water" meant the ritual of parting. Miyuki's voice trembled a little. Not only her voice, but both hands holding the jug trembled as well.
1397
1398	"No, it's different. Unless in case the use of clean water will not be an excessive difficulty?" Answered Tatsuya, having drunk clean water from the cup.
1399
1400	"Yes, really ..."
1401
1402	 Miyuki stopped trembling. Tatsuya returned the cup to the stand. After that, Miyuki first put the jug on the stand, and then the cup.
1403
1404	 "It was a ritual to cleanse the body. Of course it's only symbolic. By accepting a pure substance, we increase the purity of the body and mind. If you look for the necessary pure substance, suitable for eating or drinking, and while not harmful to the body, then water is the best candidate."
1405
1406	 Tatsuya pushed the stand aside. Now there were no obstacles between Tatsuya and Miyuki.
1407
1408	"To interfere with "Pledge" located in the deepest layer of consciousness, we also need to get in touch on the deepest level."
1409
1410	"Onii-sama ...?"
1411
1412	 What is this, a joke? She wanted to ask, but ...
1413
1414	"What?"
1415
1416	"...!"
1417
1418	 She saw Tatsuya looking at her with an absolutely serious look, and her mind completely emptied, and her face turned red.
1419
1420
1421
1422	"Er, this is my ... first time ... and if possible, it's better on the futon ..."
1423
1424
1425
1426
1427
1428	Turning and trembling all over, Miyuki tried to complain with a thin voice.
1429
1430	 Tatsuya's face petrified. Expression of the face showed absolute surprise.
1431
1432	 "... I'm sorry!" Tatsuya suddenly bowed low.
1433
1434	 "... Um, Onii-sama?" Miyuki asked after she timidly turned her head back and saw Tatsuya.
1435
1436	"Please forgive me for misleading you with an ambiguous phrase."
1437
1438	 Tatsuya raised his head and met his eyes with Miyuki. There was shame in his eyes, which was very rare.
1439
1440	"Speaking about the deep level of contact, it was meant in the spiritual sense ... In this case physical contact will disturb the mind and will interfere."
1441
1442	 It took a second in order for Tatsuya's words to leak into Miyuki's mind. After that second, Miyuki tried to run away while covering her face with her hands. Tatsuya quickly reached out and grabbed Miyuki's shoulder.
1443
1444	 "Let go, please! Onii-sama, I beg you!"
1445
1446	 "It's my fault! So calm down!"
1447
1448	 If he let her go now, then this problem will drag on for a long time ... Tatsuya had that feeling, and he desperately tried to reassure Miyuki.
1449
1450
1451
1452
1453
1454	 Miyuki managed to regain peace after only 10 minutes of Tatsuya's persuasion.
1455
1456	 "...I apologize. For this unsightly behavior ..."
1457
1458	 "... No, I must apologize."
1459
1460	 Tatsuya and Miyuki met with a glance. At first both were embarrassed, but in the end, their faces became serious.
1461
1462	 "Let's start, Onii-sama." Miyuki was the first to speak.
1463
1464	"Ok, we will."
1465
1466	 Tatsuya moved closer to Miyuki. When the distance became such that their knees touched each other, their eyes met again.
1467
1468	I will now explain the spell.
1469
1470	"Yes."
1471
1472	"After releasing the seal, Miyuki will cease to supply "Pledge" with magical power."
1473
1474	"Yes."
1475
1476	"The "Pledge" spell will increase its activity, achieving the purpose of the Pledge. At this time, the true form of magic hiding in the deep layers of consciousness will become visible."
1477
1478	"Yes."
1479
1480	"Then I attack it with my "Gatekeeper". Though it's in a state mixed with consciousness and because I'm not able to use Mental Interference magic, I cannot get it. However, if the magic sequence appears then I can "decompose" it."
1481
1482	"Yes. I rely on you, Onii-sama." Miyuki said while nodding. Staring Tatsuya directly in the eyes, she rose a little. Putting her hands on his shoulders to keep her balance, she put her lips to his forehead.
1483
1484	 A flood of psion light erupted. In a raging psion vortex, the power came out of Miyuki's hands.
1485
1486	 Tatsuya hugged Miyuki tightly. The warmth and softness of Miyuki's body, separated only by a thin white cloth, were transmitted to Tatsuya. But he wasn't even excited feeling it.
1487
1488	 Hugging Miyuki, who was breathing heavily, Tatsuya sent his "Eye" into her.
1489
1490	 He concentrated his mind.
1491
1492	 Reason is the area that its "Eye" cannot reach. Suffering from excessive concentration that almost deteriorates the mind, Tatsuya directed his "Elemental Sight" at something that he should not be able to "see."
1493
1494	 You cannot "see" the mind. But you can "see" the psion information body. Tatsuya was looking for hidden magic in Miyuki that didn't belong to her, and finally found it. His Elemental Sight aimed at the growing strength of the magic sequence of "Pledge."
1495
1496	 Tatsuya activated gatekeeper.
1497
1498	 This is the "Scattering spell" that targets the "Gate" (this is a kind of "exit" from the subconscious area from which magic sequences are released) of the magician. "Gram Dispersion" decomposes the psion information body, so that it can be called magic, which is a natural enemy of magic.
1499
1500	 Even if magic affects the mind, its true form isn't an information body built of cells, but a psion information body. Therefore, it will not be able to avoid " Gram Dispersion."
1501
1502	 Having manifested to begin fulfilling Pledge, the sequence of the magic of the "Pledge" showed its true form and was destroyed by Tatsuya's magic.
1503
1504	Tatsuya got his freedom.
1505
1506
1507
1508
1509
1510	CHAPTER 9
1511
1512
1513
1514
1515
1516	Sunday, morning.
1517
1518	 As promised Katsuto came by private car to pick up Mayumi from the Saegusa mansion.
1519
1520	 Katsuto had an impressive car. Size, power, reliability, everything was present.
1521
1522	 Mayumi stared dazedly at this car, which looked as if it had been in the armed conflicts zone of Central Asia.
1523
1524	"Juumonji-kun. Did the Self-Defense Forces sell this to you?"
1525
1526	This is a normal commercial vehicle.
1527
1528	 This SUV really wasn't made to order, nor was it a converted car. It was a special limited edition model modification of an original model, but it was a purely commercial model car. Even if its design was copied from military vehicles.
1529
1530	 But Katsuto, subjected to unfair accusations, also had something to ask Mayumi about.
1531
1532	 "More importantly Saegusa, why haven't I heard from you that Watanabe was going too."
1533
1534	 The look coming from Katsuto, who asked almost the exact same question as last month, was slightly more intense than usual.
1535
1536	 Mari, standing next to Mayumi, nodded with a face saying "say something else."
1537
1538	 Mayumi pulled a feigned smile, as if saying "what, for example!".
1539
1540	"So what? Mari also worries about our kohai."
1541
1542	"Hey! Don't say it as if I signed on at will!" Complained Mari, who was taken by surprise at such a shift of responsibility. However, even these words of protest couldn't hide the obvious lie.
1543
1544	 "You are yourself Mari, don't be shy about it."
1545
1546	 "Well, you ..."
1547
1548	 Mari couldn't find the words to answer the pretending friendly Mayumi.
1549
1550	 "Instead of arguing, let's go! We will not waste time." Taking advantage of the pause, Mayumi offered to continue what they were here for.
1551
1552	 "That's right ..."
1553
1554	 "Nothing is planned for today, but it certainly will be a waste of time if you quarrel here", thought Katsuto and returned to the driver's seat.
1555
1556	 With a satisfied face, Mayumi climbed onto the rear passenger seat. Mari followed Mayumi with a resigned face.
1557
1558
1559
1560
1561
1562	â—Š â—Š â—Š
1563
1564
1565
1566
1567
1568	 Mayumi who had set off to Izu in such a triumphant mood, quickly came down to earth and was on the way to becoming depressed.
1569
1570	"I refuse." This was Tatsuya's answer.
1571
1572	 These words were addressed to Katsuto sitting opposite Tatsuya in the villa.
1573
1574	 Next to Tatsuya was Miyuki. Her expressionless face turned aside to Mayumi who sat next to Katsuto. Under the pressure of Miyuki's gaze, Mayumi was unable to maintain even the usual polite smile.
1575
1576	"Why?"
1577
1578	 Terrible voice Katsuto Tatsuya, but Mayumi involuntarily almost jumped from the sofa.
1579
1580	 Neither Tatsuya nor Miyuki showed any reaction to such a powerful voice.
1581
1582	 "I must ask this. Why do you think that I should participate in "Project Dion" Juumonji-senpai?"
1583
1584	 Tatsuya refused Katsuto's request to participate in the American "Project Dion."
1585
1586	 "Shiba, two years ago I told you that you must join the Ten Master Clans."
1587
1588	 "Yes, I remember."
1589
1590	 "The Ten Master Clans is part of the system of mutual aid for the magicians of this country created by Elder Kudo."
1591
1592	"I think this isn't part of the system, but its management link, but ... I understand it too."
1593
1594	 "I believe that those who have great power, those who have exceptional abilities, also bear the responsibility."
1595
1596	 Tatsuya silently waited for him to continue.
1597
1598	 "Most magicians don't have much power. If you limit yourself to brute force, most magicians cannot compete with ordinary people who don't know magic, but have studied martial arts."
1599
1600	 "So it seems because of different methods of evaluation. In addition, those magicians who don't serve in the army or the police are considered ordinary civilians."
1601
1602	 "What a sophistry ..." Mari mumbled in an irritated voice, sitting on the side opposite to Mayumi of Katsuto.
1603
1604	 However, Tatsuya ignored this statement and Katsuto didn't care either.
1605
1606	 "Nnon-magicians think that magicians are a different race, and this isn't limited to our country alone. This can be seen by looking at what is happening around the world."
1607
1608	"But not everyone thinks so. Let's skip that part for now."
1609
1610	Tatsuya's gaze called out for him to continue.
1611
1612	"I completely disagree with the idea that magicians are a different race from people. Don't forget the fact that magicians are a minority. Magicians should be friends and help each other. In this sense, I believe that the Ten Master Clans system created by the elder is correct.
1613
1614	"If this mutual assistance by magicians doesn't lead to contempt and exclusion of people who cannot use magic, then I also think that it is correct."
1615
1616	"... Do you mean that magicians look down on those incapable of magic, like some elite class looks at commoners?" Mari asked sitting next to Katsuto. The question clearly read the subtext "you think too much."
1617
1618	"In the near future it could become true." This time Tatsuya didn't ignore Mari.
1619
1620	"Shiba. Entering the Ten Master Clans, you should also give a helping hand to those same magicians." Katsuto ignored both Mari's question and Tatsuya's answer.
1621
1622	"Dear head of the Juumonji family. Sorry for being rude, but Tatsuya-sama is a direct descendant of the head of the Yotsuba family." Miyuki said. After talking with Tatsuya last night, Miyuki finally admitted that for the rest of the world "Tatsuya-sama" is her fiancé.
1623
1624	 "I know successor-donor of the Yotsuba family. But I think that the Ten Master Clans is a duty, not a pedigree."
1625
1626	 Katsuto returned his gaze to Tatsuya.
1627
1628	 "Magicians who have great power, should help the weak magicians. Public opinion of magicians has been declining every day pushing magicians into a corner. Everything comes to the fact that they will slander us and say that wars only occur because magicians exist."
1629
1630	 Katsuto interrupted his speech and looked at Tatsuya's reaction. Seeing that Tatsuya didn't change his expression at all, he continued.
1631
1632	 "I'm not going to blame you for that Tactical Class magic. That would be an obvious mistake."
1633
1634	 "Tactical Class Magic" was referring to the use of the "Active Air Mine" by a rebel girl in Central Asia. Although this incident led to the cancellation of the Nine Schools Competition which caused a wide-spread public reaction among magic high schools students, but Tatsuya didn't feel a drop of guilt from the very beginning, so now he didn't brow. Katsuto continued to talk while feeling that he had miscalculated a little.
1635
1636	"However if you take part in "Project Dion" then we can show everyone that magic isn't just for war. After the New Soviet Union's declaration of participation in the project, Japan can be considered as lagging behind in the peaceful use of magic. We can no longer turn a blind eye to the spread of slander against magicians in our country. Effective measures are needed."
1637
1638	 "I can understand your concerns Juumonji-sama, but why Tatsuya-sama? There are professors at the National Magic University who are world-renowned authorities."
1639
1640	 Katsuto hesitated to answer Miyuki's question. He understood that this was a fair argument. You cannot force one high school student to solve national problems. And yet he tried to give an answer, feeling his debt as the head of the Juumonji family of the Ten Master Clans.
1641
1642	 "That's because, Miyuki-san ..."
1643
1644	 But then Mayumi spoke, ahead of Katsuto.
1645
1646	 Katsuto should no longer carry this burden alone. I will take it upon myself to become Miyuki's opponent. This was the course of her thoughts.
1647
1648	 "... Edward Clark said that Tatsuya-kun is Taurus Silver."
1649
1650	 "What!?" Mari showed a powerful reaction to Mayumi's words.
1651
1652	 Miyuki only frowned slightly. Tatsuya's face didn't have any noticeable movement.
1653
1654	 "Even if it's supposedly ..." Miyuki quietly retorted.... "Tatsuya-sama and is Taurus Silver, then what of it?"
1655
1656	 "Er ...?" Mayumi looked at Miyuki with an uncomprehending face after saying something completely unexpected.
1657
1658	 "Even if Tatsuya-sama is Taurus Silver, this does not change the fact that he's a minor high school student."
1659
1660	 Silencing Mayumi with these words, she continued on:
1661
1662	 "Besides, the Yotsuba family isn't going to admit that Tatsuya-sama is Taurus Silver."
1663
1664	 It was a hint that if they decided that Taurus Silver's real identity is Tatsuya, then they should be prepared for a total confrontation with the Yotsuba family.
1665
1666	 Miyuki was prepared to simultaneously fight the Saegusa and Juumonji families. But Mayumi wasn't ready to provoke a comprehensive conflict between the Saegusa and Yotsuba families. That was the difference between them at that moment.
1667
1668	"Shiba." Katsuto's voice interrupted the silence. "Do you still stubbornly refuse to take part in the project?"
1669
1670	"I do. This project has ulterior motives."
1671
1672	"And this is a good reason why the magicians of this country will be in a difficult situation?"
1673
1674	 "I don't mind if you think that way."
1675
1676	 From the confrontations of Tatsuya and Katsuto sparks sprang.
1677
1678	"I understand. ... If you don't want it that way, then it's inevitable."
1679
1680	 Katsuto stood up.
1681
1682	"Shiba, let's go outside."
1683
1684	 Tatsuya stood up, looking Katsuto in the eye.
1685
1686	"Juumonji Katsuto, are you serious?"
1687
1688	 Whether from Mayumi, or from Mari, a cry was heard.
1689
1690	 The air around him began to get colder. The reason for this wasn't Miyuki. It was the coldness of steel emitted by Tatsuya.
1691
1692	 "The situation cannot wait. Your refusal isn't accepted."
1693
1694	 Whether from Miyuki, or Minami heard a restrained groan.
1695
1696	 Katsuto's body exerted pressure, as if exceeding the gravity of the Earth several times.
1697
1698	"Fine."
1699
1700	 Tatsuya completely discarded the politeness of kohai towards the sempai.
1701
1702	"Pixie, my CAD."
1703
1704
1705
1706	"Yes, Master."
1707
1708	 On Tatsuya's order, Pixie went to the case with the CAD.
1709
1710	"I'll go on ahead."
1711
1712	 Katsuto turned his back on Tatsuya and left. He had absolutely no fear of being attacked from behind. Minami hastily ran to open the front door.
1713
1714	"Saegusa-sempai, Watanabe-sempai."
1715
1716	 Tatsuya softened his voice a little. Thus, these two woke up from their stunned state.
1717
1718	"You also need to prepare. Please, go on ahead."
1719
1720	 "Do you mind if we help Juumonji-kun ...?"
1721
1722	 "It's too late to think about it, isn't?"Tatsuya responded coldly to Mayumi's question.
1723
1724	 "You're very arrogant. Won't you regret it?"
1725
1726	 "Regardless of what happens, I will not regret it."
1727
1728	 On Mari's malicious remark, Tatsuya responded in the same tone as before.
1729
1730	 "... Mari, let's go." Mayumi stood up and turned to Mari.
1731
1732	"Alright .... Tatsuya-kun, don't forget about those words." Mari said and followed along with Mayumi.
1733
1734
1735
1736
1737
1738	 The three led by Katsuto stood near the SUV and waited for Tatsuya.
1739
1740	 Tatsuya left the villa with Miyuki and Minami. He headed towards Katsuto, but didn't stop as he passed by.
1741
1742	"Follow me. We can damage the villa from here." Tatsuya said, passing Katsuto.
1743
1744	 When Miyuki and Minami passed by, Katsuto followed them with a small interval. Mayumi and Mari also excitedly went after Katsuto.
1745
1746
1747
1748
1749
1750	â—Š â—Š â—Š
1751
1752
1753
1754
1755
1756	 In the shadows of the trees, someone was hiding and watching the developing events between Tatsuya and Katsuto. This man waited until Mari, who was last, went far enough, then brought his wrist with a wristwatch to his mouth.
1757
1758	 The rat said "Shiba Tatsuya left the villa. Currently heading to a private golf course."
1759
1760	 There was a built-in microphone in the strap of the wristwatches communication device.
1761
1762	The Boar said "Understood. Stop observation and reunite with the main unit. From the built-in dummy glasses of the speaker of the communication device, the answer of his accomplice was heard.
1763
1764	"Can't I check the destination?"
1765
1766	 Monkey is observing the area of thea closed golf course, and if they turn at a fork then Bird is waiting in the other direction.
1767
1768	The rat said "Understood."
1769
1770	 The person using the code name Rat was a secret agent of the special affairs unit of the National Self-Defense Forces Intelligence Unit.
1771
1772	 The detachment planning to attack Tatsuya today consisted mainly of the counterintelligence unit to which Tooyama Tsukasa belonged. However to ensure they didn't lose sight of Tatsuya in the mountains, observers from the special affairs unit were also involved.
1773
1774	 The other day, Rat made a mistake when the data from the photo of the girl who visited Tatsuya was damaged. On that issue, it was concluded that this was a camera hardware failure, and no one accused the Rat himself.
1775
1776	 But to the Rat living in the world of shadow operations for more than 10 years, it was very worrying.
1777
1778	 Although he was able to recover from the memory a portrait of the girl visiting Shiba Tatsuya, but it wasn't suitable for performing facial recognition to reveal their disguise. In fact, they haven't yet been able to establish the identity of this beautiful girl, from whom a strange sense of unfriendliness emanated.
1779
1780	 For the Rat, today's mission was a struggle to regain his honor. He really wanted to continue monitoring until the destination was determined.
1781
1782	 However, an order was given, and he had no choice. As he was ordered, he left the place to join the main squad.
1783
1784	 Because his head was in the clouds, he didn't notice that someone was watching him.
1785
1786
1787
1788
1789
1790	â—Š â—Š â—Š
1791
1792
1793
1794
1795
1796	On the Izu Peninsula there were many golf courses that were confiscated during the last World War for use as air defense positions. They would be returned to the original owners after the war ended. But among them there were also golf courses, the management companies of which refused to receive them back, comparing the costs of restoration and possible income.
1797
1798	 After the statutory compensation payment, such golf courses became state land, but they remained untouched after the anti-aircraft guns were removed from their positions.
1799
1800	 Tatsuya brought Katsuto to one of these closed golf courses.
1801
1802	Here they won't need to be distracted by concerns that the buildings will be damaged.
1803
1804	 Tatsuya stopped, turned around and said to Katsuto.
1805
1806	 "Is it alright that we're in such an open place?"
1807
1808	 The point of Katsuto's question was that he considered provocation as an invitation to become an enemy in an open area.
1809
1810	"Juumonji-dono wants excuses?"
1811
1812	 Tatsuya's response was a standard phrase, but it seems to have worked.
1813
1814	"...Good. Shiba, I leave the first move for you."
1815
1816	 Simultaneously with those words, Katsuto's barrier magic was deployed and the battle between them began. Katsuto's words were also another provocation: "Try and break my defenses if you can."
1817
1818	 Unlike him Tatsuya didn't show any desire to continue fighting with words alone. In this situation, it is better to express your thoughts with magic.
1819
1820	 In Tatsuya's right hand appeared a CAD in the form of a pistol. A moment later, the customized Silver Horn "Trident" was already fired at Katsuto.
1821
1822	 Around Katsuto a lot of violent outbursts arose.
1823
1824	 It was a light invisible to the unaided eye. However everyone present was an excellent magician. There were no people who couldn't see these bursts of psion light.
1825
1826	 There were 18 flashes from Tatsuya attacks, and none of these attacks reached Katsuto's body.
1827
1828	"Zone Interference", "Data Fortification" and "Psion wall"?
1829
1830	"It's commendable that you saw this, but I cannot be defeated with one glance."
1831
1832	 Tatsuya's words were only for distraction, but this plan was easily revealed. Tatsuya again activated decomposition magic.
1833
1834	 Psion Wall as the name suggests is a magic that surrounds the user's body with a wall of high density psions. Although this magic looks similar to the barrier version of contact gram demolition, but unlike Tomitsuki's innate defense, this structure is created by artificial compression of psions. Therefore, it can be decomposed by Tatsuya's magic.
1835
1836	 However, immediately after decomposing the Psion wall, a dome of powerful Zone Interference magic appears in the way. If you expand the Zone Interference Magic, then the shield comes up from the Data Fortification.
1837
1838	 Even if you break it, then a new Psion Wall is coming. Zone Interference magic. Further it was expected Data Fortification, but again there was Zone Interference magic. A Psion Wall. Data Fortification. Zone Interference. Data Fortification. A Psion Wall. A Psion Wall. Zone Interference. Data Fortification...
1839
1840
1841
1842	 Thus, three different anti-magic protections were created one after another.
1843
1844	 Since they weren't created at the same time, you couldn't erase them in one go.
1845
1846	 Due to the lack of a pattern it was impossible to prepare the necessary sequence of several decomposition magics in advance.
1847
1848	If several barriers of the same kind are created simultaneously, then Tatsuya can process them as one magic sequence. In other words, he can decompose them at the same time. This isn't limited to magic sequences and psion information bodies. If there are objects with a simple structure and the same properties, then it can recognize them as a single "set" and perform the decomposition of one "set" rather than each object separately.
1849
1850	 However, Katsuto's barriers were created one by one, using the destruction of the already deployed barrier as a signal to create the next barrier. But Tatsuya cannot decompose what does not exist yet.
1851
1852	 When you find out what will be created, you can destroy the structure that creates this.
1853
1854	 But every time this structure, which serves as a "factory," is destroyed, it is reproduced again. If this happens at the same speed as Tatsuya, then his decomposition will not be able to overtake it.
1855
1856	 He already knew that his magic was very poorly compatible with the defensive version of Phalanx. Now Tatsuya realized this as a fact.
1857
1858	 The outbreaks of psion light accompanying the destruction of barriers ceased. In order to overcome the situation as quickly as possible, Tatsuya stopped his attacks for an instant.
1859
1860	 Immediately after this, a two-dimensional wall flew towards Tatsuya.
1861
1862	 Magic, which is designed to crush the target, continuously striking with impermeable barriers to the substance.
1863
1864	 The attacking version of Phalanx.
1865
1866	 And it has already been activated. It already existed. And if it exists, then there is no sequence of magic that Tatsuya cannot decompose.
1867
1868	 Tatsuya one "shot" erased all 24 layers that make up this magic barrier.
1869
1870	"Hou ..."
1871
1872	 Katsuto exclaimed out loud, and he grinned. Although he realized that the Attack Phalanx was completely incompatible with Tatsuya's magic, he showed no concern.
1873
1874	 Katsuto sat down for a bit. Through his Elemental Sight, Tatsuya saw that Katsuto's Magic Calculation Area was lit by intense psion light.
1875
1876	 Overclocking of the Magic Calculation Area.
1877
1878	 Ichijou Gouki the head of the Ichijo family showed signs last month of overheating. Once upon a time, Yotsuba Genzo, the former head of the Yotsuba family also lost his life from overheating.
1879
1880	 "Attack ...!"
1881
1882	 Tatsuya got ready. Katsuto's huge body flew.
1883
1884	 Unfolding the anti-object barrier in a spherical shape in addition to the anti-magic barrier, Katsuto turned into a cannonball and flew forward. Tatsuya extended his left hand forward.
1885
1886	 From this palm shot a stream of highly compressed psions.
1887
1888	 Gram Demolition.
1889
1890	 Having broken the anti-object barrier surrounding Katsuto, and passing through his Zone Interference, the stream of psions demolished the Acceleration magic.
1891
1892	 However.
1893
1894	 While Katsuto's body was still in the air, the Acceleration magic and the anti-object barrier were restored. No, they were reactivated.
1895
1896	 Katsuto was approaching. On the verge of the collision, Tatsuya successfully destroyed the anti-object barrier. ... But he couldn't neutralize the Acceleration magic. Katsuto's shoulder struck Tatsuya's shoulder.
1897
1898	 "Tatsuya-sama!" This involuntary cry came not from Miyuki, but from Minami.
1899
1900	 Tatsuya's body was thrown back, and he fell in the overgrown weeds. Miyuki clenched her lips, but looked patiently at Tatsuya.
1901
1902	 While falling Tatsuya Flash Cast Move-type magic to gain some distance from Katsuto. Katsuto didn't pursue.
1903
1904	 It wasn't because he had already recognized his victory, but because his goal was to force him to surrender.
1905
1906	 "Did you even use magic?" Tatsuya muttered, rising.
1907
1908	 After he was thrown back, Tatsuya noticed that just before the blow, Katsuto used Fortification magic on his jacket shoulder.
1909
1910	"There is no reason not to use it."
1911
1912	 Katsuto again released light from the emitted surplus psions.
1913
1914	 Overclocking the magic calculation area, leading to its overheating. Tatsuya knew that Katsuto was doing it consciously.
1915
1916	 The trump card of the Juumonji family "Overclocking". *
1917
1918	 [Here the author writes in English "overclock", and in previous mentions it is written in Japanese, but the literal translation there is "excessive activation."]
1919
1920	 This is a magical technique that allows you to temporarily surpass your own limits by increasing the activity of the magic calculation area and also temporarily increasing your magical power.
1921
1922	 This is a magical tactic that allows you to win at the cost of a lifetime as a magician.
1923
1924	 This was a curse that haunts the "Capital's Final Defense" that isn't allowed to lose.
1925
1926	 Juumonji Kazuki, the previous head of the Juumonji family, lost his magic ability due to the frequent use of overclocking. And it happened right in front of Katsuto. And yet he used this technique to defeat Tatsuya.
1927
1928	 Tatsuya decomposed the anti-object barrier flying towards him, and avoided the blow, taking a step to the side. But before Katsuto flew past, his anti-object barrier was redeployed and greatly expanded. Tatsuya was struck again.
1929
1930
1931
1932	 Katsuto approached Tatsuya lying on the ground. Katsuto's right foot pressed down from above. Under his shoe, an anti-object barrier was deployed duplicating the shape of the sole.
1933
1934	 Tatsuya escaped this attack at the last moment. However, when he managed to climb to one knee, Tatsuya received a fist from Katsuto. More precisely, it was an attack by the attacking version of Phalanx from a very close distance.
1935
1936	 Tatsuya wanted to decompose it, but the fist approaching directly behind it was wrapped in an anti-object barrier and Zone Interference. The Zone Interference prevents the activation of magic for all but its user. Tatsuya's hand which had blocked Katsuto's fist bent in an unnatural direction.
1937
1938	 Tatsuya jumped back to avoid the full force of the punch. By the time his feet touched the ground, traces of a fracture were gone. However, immediately after landing his feet weren't firmly on the ground enough to make the next jump.
1939
1940	 If he had a few fractions of a second more, he could have dodged this. However, Katsuto didn't give him even that much time.
1941
1942	 Katsuto's shoulder struck Tatsuya again. Tatsuya's body was thrown back almost 10 meters.
1943
1944	 You don't fly away, even when you're hit by a car. The force of the impact was probably equivalent to the impact of a heavy truck.
1945
1946	 Tatsuya was lying on the ground with blood spattered around him. It was obvious to see that he had severe internal injuries.
1947
1948	 "Tatsuya-kun!" There was a cry from Mayumi, who should be considered an enemy.
1949
1950	Miyuki clenched her fists and pressed them to her chest, but silently restrained herself while keeping her eyes on Tatsuya.
1951
1952	 Katsuto extended his right hand toward Tatsuya.
1953
1954	 "Hey, stop it!"
1955
1956	 Ignoring Mari's cry, Katsuto released an attacking version of Phalanx in the direction of Tatsuya who was still lying face down. The two-dimensional barrier, capable of crushing an armored car, flew towards Tatsuya. However, just before touching him the 32-layer barrier disappeared.
1957
1958	"What...?" Katsuto said in astonishment. He didn't think that Tatsuya still had the strength to resist.
1959
1960	 Tatsuya's hands moved. Pushing away with both hands, he lifted his upper body. And, finally, slowly got up.
1961
1962	 There were no traces of blood around his mouth and the blood spots had also disappeared within the overgrown weeds.
1963
1964	"Shiba. This is your "Regrowth"? ..."
1965
1966	 Katsuto couldn't hide his surprise. However, he quickly regained his composure and deployed the defensive version of Phalanx.
1967
1968	 Tatsuya didn't say anything. His expression didn't show any emotion. It was completely lacking in humanity.
1969
1970	 Tatsuya's left hand stretched towards Katsuto. This hand held the CAD in the form of a pistol. But it was slightly different from the one that was in his lowered right hand.
1971
1972	 At the far end of the CAD on its "muzzle", something similar to a sharp spike was attached. A metal spike 15 cm in length.
1973
1974	 What is this premonition? Katsuto couldn't decide whether to go on the attack. He tried to jump to the side, but Tatsuya pulled the trigger faster.
1975
1976	 No one, including Katsuto, could see what happened.
1977
1978	 But everyone realized that magic was used.
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984	"Ghuu ..."
1985
1986	 Katsuto fell to his knees.
1987
1988	"Juumonji-kun !?"
1989
1990	"Juumonji !?" Mayumi and Mari shouted.
1991
1992	 With his right hand, Katsuto squeezed what remained of his left arm. The arm was charred at the elbow, the part below the elbow was torn off and it was lying on the ground.
1993
1994	"What did you ... do?"
1995
1996	 He didn't have to answer. Katsuto knew this, but couldn't help but ask.
1997
1998
1999
2000	 He couldn't help but ask about what could penetrate his barrier.
2001
2002	"Baryon Lance."
2003
2004	 However, contrary to Katsuto's expectations, Tatsuya replied.
2005
2006	 "It's anti-magic magic that decomposes the spearhead into electrons, protons and neutrons, after which the electrons are absorbed by protons and a neutron beam is released."
2007
2008	 "A neutron beam ...? This is a weapon with radioactive contamination, banned by the International Magic Association!" Katsuto overcome the pain and accused Tatsuya.
2009
2010	"There is no radiation contamination. No radioactive substance are left. Leaving the fact that the attack was carried out, all the neutrons used for the attack returned to their original position."
2011
2012	"Regrowth ...?"
2013
2014	"That's right."
2015
2016	 Tatsuya again aimed "Baryon Lance" at Katsuto. This time directly at his heart.
2017
2018	 "Juumonji-dono, give up."
2019
2020	 "......"
2021
2022	"Your Phalanx cannot stop my Baryon Lance."
2023
2024	 Tatsuya explained how the Baryon Lance works to encourage Katsuto to surrender.
2025
2026	"Juumonji-kun!"
2027
2028	 Mayumi activated her CAD. But the activation sequence was frozen during the output.
2029
2030	"This is Miyuki-san !?"
2031
2032	 Mayumi looked angrily at Miyuki.
2033
2034	"Counter-magic "Freeze Gram." Saegusa-sempai, you cannot use your CAD." Miyuki said calmly. Her peaceful face radiated a feeling of love and kindness.
2035
2036	"In that case!"
2037
2038	 For a modern magician a CAD is an indispensable tool, but this does not mean that it is mandatory for the activation of magic. From the very beginning, modern magic evolved from the supernatural ability to distort reality only by the power of thought. Magicians with great magical power can use magic that they're familiar with even without CAD. This requires only a "spell" of autosuggestion, which stimulates the Magic Calculation Area to create a magic sequence. It takes more time to activate the magic without a CAD.
2039
2040	Set: decreasing entropy • density control • phase transition • condensation • transformation of the form of energy • acceleration • sublimation: input! Perform a modification of the phenomenon! Magic "Dry meteor"!
2041
2042	 If you are able to clearly define a concept with words, and introduce this concept into yourself, then you don't need to say it out loud.
2043
2044	But when you're in front of the enemy, it's too slow to do so. This is equivalent to being under attack all this time. Modern magic discarded casting tools and chose CADs to avoid this.
2045
2046	 However, Miyuki didn't attack Mayumi while she was casting the spell. Because she didn't need to. Dry meteor wasn't activated.
2047
2048	"Such a strong Zone Interference... "
2049
2050	"It's useless. I will not let you interfere with Tatsuya-sama." Miyuki announced
2051
2052	 Mari ran in silence. In her hand was a battle knife drawn from somewhere. She decided that since magic won't work then she needs to neutralize Miyuki with physical weapons.
2053
2054	 The idea was correct. If Miyuki was alone. If Minami corresponded to her appearance as an innocent girl.
2055
2056	 Minami stood beside Mari in the way. A gun barrel was pointed at Mari.
2057
2058	"Watanabe-sama. Please drop your weapon."
2059
2060	 Even in this situation, Minami was polite. Mari clenched her teeth.
2061
2062	 Pistols pose a threat to magicians, and even more so in the current situation when it's impossible to use magic because of Miyuki's Zone Interference. The way Minami held the gun in her hand obviously said that she was used to it, and there were no gaps in her defense.
2063
2064	 Mari didn't say that it wasn't fair or cowardly. She herself only had a knife, and this girl hid the gun. She understood her naivety. Mari's own pride didn't allow her to turn away from there.
2065
2066	 "Juumonji! No matter how impressive it was, in the end it's a neutron ray! You can defend yourself with your neutron barrier!"
2067
2068	 Instead, she shouted a "don't give up" speech at Katsuto.
2069
2070	 But Katsuto continued to remain motionless on his knees.
2071
2072	"Unfortunately, the neutron barrier will not protect against Baryon Lance."
2073
2074	"What!?" Mari was surprised.
2075
2076	"He's bluffing, Juumonji-kun! The neutron barrier is a suitable magic. You can completely stop the neutron beam" Mayumi cried.
2077
2078	 To this argument, Tatsuya returned a mysterious answer: "That's why." No, it can be more precisely expressed by these words: "His answer was a mystery for Mayumi and Mari." Because Katsuto already understood the meaning of his words.
2079
2080	 The neutron beam has a very high penetrating power. Since the properties of the substance are reflected in the "information", information is also embedded in the neutrons Eidos that its penetration power is high.
2081
2082	 Magic is a technology that interferes with a phenomenon through information. It is difficult to block a neutron beam with magic, which is informationally designated as "having a high penetrating power". With it there is a definition of "difficult to block."
2083
2084	 At the dawn of its appearance, modern magic was primarily aimed at preventing disasters caused by nuclear fission reactions. Blocking neutron beams was also an inevitable theme in modern magic. A lot of research resources have been poured into the search for ways to block neutron beams using magic.
2085
2086	 The result of these studies was the Neutron barrier. This is a perfected magic whose only purpose is to block neutron beams.
2087
2088	 To block neutron beams, magicians don't use any other magic except the Neutron barrier. This is the only magic that is suitable for blocking neutron beams. Since the magic has already been perfected, no further spells have been researched, so there is no other example of a spell capable of stopping a neutron beam at this time.
2089
2090	The same can be said about the magicians of the Juumonji family.
2091
2092	 Among the wide range of magic barriers included in Phalanx, only the Neutron barrier can stop neutron beams. Since the only useful spell is known ahead of time, then it cannot escape the fate of being destroyed by Tatsuya, because there is no magic that he cannot "decompose."
2093
2094	 In addition to the process of converting the substance of the "Spear tip" into a neutron beam and the process of neutron return by "Regrowth", there is one additional process in Baryon Lance that is responsible for the "decomposition" of the neutron barrier.
2095
2096	 Even if you defend yourself with the help of Zone Interference, this won't change anything. The neutron barrier is destroyed simultaneously with the neutralization of the Zone Interference and then the neutron beam reaches its target.
2097
2098	 Katsuto had already used the Neutron barrier. The protective version of Phalanx is a magical defense that "can withstand any type of attack." In addition to protecting against high-speed objects, spraying liquids, penetrating gases, sound waves, electromagnetic waves, gravitational waves, psion waves, and so on, it also includes a barrier against neutron rays.
2099
2100	 And Tatsuya's Baryon Lance passed through this defense. Both Tatsuya and Katsuto knew that trying to repeat would lead to the same result.
2101
2102	"... I admit defeat."
2103
2104	"Juumonji-kun !?"
2105
2106	"Juumonji!?"
2107
2108	 Under the screams of Mayumi and Mari, Katsuto got up and raised his right hand, showing that he was surrendering.
2109
2110
2111
2112
2113
2114	â—Š â—Š â—Š
2115
2116
2117
2118
2119
2120	 Watching the battle through binoculars, the intelligence agent code-named "Monkey," was shocked by such an ending. The Intelligence Department expected Katsuto to win after 2 strikes. After that, they planned to kidnap the weakened Tatsuya.
2121
2122	 He hurriedly turned on the communication device. It was shut down because of fear of being detected by radio wave detectors. This, as well as the use of the old-fashioned purely optical binoculars these days, was a precaution against the accidental detection of observers.
2123
2124	 And even turning on the communication device, he didn't do anything careless, like sending a voice. He only sent pre-determined signals.
2125
2126	 The answer came quickly. Permission to interfere.
2127
2128	 His soul dropped to his heels. He was a weak magician, and his morale was destroyed by the battle he had just seen. This isn't a level which they can cope with.
2129
2130	 "Monkey" belonged to the special issues unit. They couldn't rely on the Tooyama family magic like the counterintelligence unit, even though they belong to the same Intelligence Department. He didn't think that the magic of the Tooyama family, not even one of the Ten Master Clans would help against the magician of the Yotsuba family.
2131
2132	 But an order is an order. The monkey rose to go to the main unit. He reassured himself that he wasn't good enough to be ordered to shoot at this monster. He cautiously stepped back so that the figures of Tatsuya and the others disappeared behind the trees, and then turned around, without looking away from that place.
2133
2134	 At that moment a multicolored stream swept into his eyes. Light particles of all shades of color that a person can discern have filled his entire field of vision and moved chaotically. His mind went off in an attempt to escape from this insane glimmer.
2135
2136
2137
2138
2139
2140	â—Š â—Š â—Š
2141
2142
2143
2144
2145
2146	 Tatsuya and Katsuto looked at each other. Katsuto's left arm has already been restored to its original state by Tatsuya's "Regrowth."
2147
2148	"Shiba. What are you going to do with me?" Katsuto asked for the terms of his surrender.
2149
2150	"You leave empty-handed and don't return with such conversations anymore." This was Tatsuya's only condition.
2151
2152	 "... Understood."
2153
2154	 Katsuto decided that it would be appropriate. More precisely, he understood that as the loser he couldn't object.
2155
2156	"Shiba. As I said earlier, the situation has reached a state where you cannot delay any longer."
2157
2158	 He couldn't help but say this.
2159
2160	"The Magic Association will announce that you are Taurus Silver, despite the fact that this will irritate the Yotsuba family. And when this happens, public opinion will force you to take part in the project."
2161
2162	 Tatsuya didn't say anything. It was clear that Katsuto didn't return to the previous conversation, but approaches him from the other side.
2163
2164	 "If you refuse to participate in the project after that, you can hardly continue to remain in the Japanese magical community, no, in this whole country. I'm sure that even Yotsuba-dono will not be able to protect you."
2165
2166	 "Even if this happens, I cannot participate in Project Dion." Tatsuya answered without hesitation.
2167
2168	"Why !?" The cry of Mayumi was filled with a misunderstanding emanating from the depths of the soul.
2169
2170	"Why are you so stubbornly refusing!? Going to America doesn't mean that you will become a guinea pig there, or you will work for free! In a sense Tatsuya-kun you are the official international representative of Japan. Invited to the project. And "Project Dion" itself is trying to solve the difficulties facing the future of mankind! How can you talk about refusing, setting yourself apart from all of Japan!"
2171
2172	"The main advantage of the peaceful use of magic is that magicians themselves should enjoy it." Tatsuya answered Mayumi in the same tone as he had answered Katsuto's words before that. Mayumi became entangled in this game of words.
2173
2174	"...What do you mean?" Mari asked when Mayumi couldn't find the words.
2175
2176	"Project Dion" has a hidden purpose behind it."
2177
2178	"What?"
2179
2180	 "The official goal is the terraforming of Venus. A hidden goal is the expulsion from the Earth of those magicians who are considered a threat."
2181
2182	"...In what sense? Tatsuya-kun, what are you saying ...?" Mayumi wondered.
2183
2184	"The more I think about "Project Dion", the more I'm sure that this project is intended more to achieve the hidden goals."
2185
2186	"Explain it to us."
2187
2188	 Tatsuya decided to respond to Katsuto's request.
2189
2190	"According to "Project Dion", in the orbit around Venus, in the asteroid belt, close to the surface of Jupiter, on Ganymede a satellite of Jupiter, many magicians would be placed directly at the stages of the project. Given the current space flight technology, those who will do this work, will not be able to return to Earth for a long time. Even if there is a certain work schedule, then most likely you will have to return to your place of work immediately after recovery.
2191
2192	"It's unlikely that it will be so bad ..."
2193
2194	"Magicians who meet the requirements of the project are too few in comparison to the number of people required."
2195
2196	 Tatsuya rejected Mayumi's objection.
2197
2198	"Magicians who are abandoned for the implementation of the projects stages will be victims for the sake of the future of mankind. The scheme in which magicians are used as tools is no different from the current situation, when magicians are used as weapons."
2199
2200
2201
2202
2203
2204	â—Š â—Š â—Š
2205
2206
2207
2208
2209
2210	 Receiving instructions from the special affairs unit agent who was watching the battle between Tatsuya and Katsuto, the Tatsuya abduction unit, prepared by the Intelligence Department, began to move.
2211
2212	 Among them was Tooyama Tsukasa. She was shocked by Katsuto's defeat, but managed to not show it on her face.
2213
2214	 Tsukasa's intuition whispered to her to abandon the operation and retreat. However, the current operation was the decision of the deputy director of the Intelligence Department. She didn't have the authority to stop this operation.
2215
2216	 "Katsuto-san does not seem to have lost his fighting power ... the young lady from the Saegusa family will also give us strength in the event of an emergency."
2217
2218	 Deceiving herself with such consolations, she silently moved forward along with the rest of the capturing squad.
2219
2220	 The goal (Tatsuya) is on a closed golf course.
2221
2222	 Tsukasa and her associates approached not from the side of the road leading to the golf course, but from the mountains surrounding him. Finally, from the top of the mountain they could see the goal. This moment was the beginning of the battle. At that moment, when they stepped on the densely overgrown hillside of the trees, their caution increased extremely.
2223
2224	Suddenly, a stream of chaotic color appeared in front of the Intelligence Department agents. The light particles at first glance seemed to shimmer in a random order, actually depicted a color pattern that caused people to fall asleep.
2225
2226	 Half of the attacking team fainted. The remaining half somehow managed to avoid this fate with the help of Tsukasa's instantly deployed personal magic barriers that were capable of blocking light magic.
2227
2228	 The lieutenant appointed the commander of this attack called for the restoration of positions. However, out of more than thirty people in the platoon, fewer than twenty remained capable. Of the three officers, there was only one left on his feet.
2229
2230	 Due to the collapse of the command system, the detachment was disorganized.
2231
2232	 She took advantage of this moment for a surprise attack.
2233
2234	 From 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 a woman.
2235
2236	 No one had time to blink an eye. She paid no attention to disturbing tree branches and overcame the distance between them approached the lead soldier, and waved her weapon with a sparkling silver gleam.
2237
2238	 This weapon was a sword. Her blade stopped, crashing into the individual shield placed by Tsukasa.
2239
2240	 However, the soldier, who didn't have to get a chopping blow, still fell.
2241
2242	 "This is that previous hypnotic magic!"
2243
2244	 At the moment when the barrier switched to anti-object mode, light magic attacked a friendly soldier knocking them asleep. Watching him fall, Tsukasa couldn't hide her confusion.
2245
2246	 But the commanding lieutenant didn't understand this trick, and he didn't hesitate with the decision.
2247
2248	"Fire!"
2249
2250	By order of the lieutenant, the assault rifles were aimed at the girl. However, before they had time to open fire, the girl was overshadowed by a guy with a large build.
2251
2252	 There were the sounds of gunfire and most of the shots hit the guy's body, but he didn't fall. There was no blood either. The bullets bounced off him.
2253
2254	 "High-powered rifle detachment!"
2255
2256	 The lieutenant's voice was close to screaming, but his decision was right.
2257
2258	 Pushing aside the conventional assault rifles, 4 soldiers with high-powered rifles designed specifically to fight magicians readied their guns.
2259
2260	 The thunder roared, but wasn't not shots of high-powered rifles, nor the sounds of real thunder. A deafening roar shook the air around him. Tsukasa's individual shields protected against sound wave attacks and none of the soldiers received significant damage from this rumble.
2261
2262	 But this prevented the execution of the order.
2263
2264	 The rumble didn't just happen once. As if someone was beating a drum, the sounds that shook the air were repeated again and again, as if the god of thunder descended from the ancient paintings.
2265
2266	 Even their bodies were shaking so the soldiers didn't notice that it wasn't just air that was shaking. Suddenly the ground under them cracked.
2267
2268	 The cracks ran in all directions. Trees began to fall, exposing their roots. The cracks were shallow. But that was enough to cause chaos in the soldiers ranks.
2269
2270	"Retreat! Exit the forest!"
2271
2272	 After the lieutenant gave the order, the rumble suddenly stopped.
2273
2274	 Intelligence officers rarely participated in open area group battles. Usually their field of activity is the urban area. Even when it was planned that there would be a firefight, operations were usually designed with one or two agents, no more. So their running retreat could be called unorganized.
2275
2276	 Their legs tangled in the grass. It seemed like the grass itself wrapped around their feet.
2277
2278	 Many of them couldn't stay on their feet and fell.
2279
2280	 Tsukasa couldn't understand this confusing situation. Although she had information about the positions of the allies still on their feet, she lost the coordinates of the falling soldiers, because they disappeared from her field of vision.
2281
2282	 The individual shields provided by Tsukasa disappeared at the same time she lost sight of the soldiers.
2283
2284	 The rain of lightning struck them, despite the fact that they were in a dense forest. Lightning came not from the sky, but from the spaces between the trees.
2285
2286	 We can say that the soldiers who managed to run out of the forest found themselves in a slightly better situation than their colleagues, who had fallen under the lightning. They probably just regretted it.
2287
2288	 On top of them came shells with immobilizing nets, to be sure that none of the intelligence agents escaped.
2289
2290	 Tsukasa was left alone in the woods and bit her lip when she saw this scene. Her personal barriers didn't miss bullets, bombs, or poisonous gases. However, they don't give the protected partner superhuman physical abilities.
2291
2292	 When the entire shield is covered in a net, they cannot escape or resist. Tsukasa couldn't even think that these nets, designed to suppress rebels, could be a natural enemy of her magic.
2293
2294	So, there was only one left.
2295
2296	 A sword girl with a katana, Chiba Erika turned to Tsukasa.
2297
2298	 Tsukasa knew about her approach and about the fact that the way of retreat has already been blocked.
2299
2300	"Chiba Erika-san?"
2301
2302	"Yes that's right." Erika answered shortly. It wasn't expected by Tsukasa's talkativeness.
2303
2304	"I am from the National Self-Defense Forces, Sergeant Tooyama Tsukasa."
2305
2306	"Yes? Clearly."
2307
2308	 Tsukasa tried to determine whether Erika's disinterested behavior was a real or an acting game, but it didn't work out.
2309
2310	"Chiba Erika-san. We were actually on a mission."
2311
2312	To begin with, Tsukasa decided to attack with words, ignoring the sword aimed at her.
2313
2314	 "Hmm, so what?"
2315
2316	 "Attacking, injuring, interfering in official state affairs, breaking the law on carrying weapons ... all these accusations can be applied to you after you've stopped us."
2317
2318	 Erika took a deep breath, keeping her eyes on Tsukasa.
2319
2320	 "You don't study at all, do you?"
2321
2322	 It seems that Erika wasn't even a little scared.
2323
2324	"What do you mean?"
2325
2326	"Even if you are a soldier of Self-Defense Forces, you need permission and notice to carry weapons with you outside the base and practice grounds. You've a firearm with which there was no notice. Therefore, it is you who violated the law by carrying weapons, not us."
2327
2328	"... You know quite a lot for a schoolgirl."
2329
2330	 "You used guns without permission during those so-called exercises, didn't you? The police were extremely unhappy about this."
2331
2332	 "But you yourself are not a policeman?"
2333
2334	 "There are real policemen outside the forest. Although I can say that you already know this."
2335
2336	 Saying the last words in a slightly disgruntled voice, Erika lowered her hand with the sword. But from this, she didn't have any weaknesses.
2337
2338	 Without any action, she was in the "Intangible Pose" *.
2339
2340	 [Another translation option: "Intangible state". Although it sounds pathetic, but it's only a pose in kenjutsu, closed from attacks from all directions.]
2341
2342	"The police can request cooperation from civilian magicians to confront the magician-criminals. This is a fairly well-known exception for us, magicians, isn't it?"
2343
2344	 A smile appeared on Tsukasa's face. This smile didn't carry in itself anything that could be called emotion.
2345
2346	 "Therefore, please obediently let yourself be seized. Or do you want to have a little painful experience?"
2347
2348	 "At the moment Erika finished speaking, Tsukasa activated a magic barrier. After that she instantly activated move-type magic. The target of the magic was herself."
2349
2350	 Erika didn't panick at all, took a step to the side, avoided Tsukasa flying over her and hit her body flying past her in the torso.
2351
2352	 With a sonorous metallic echo, the sword broke. The blade couldn't stand the stress from striking Tsukasa's barrier.
2353
2354	 After that, Tsukasa tried to escape to the side of the mountain. But before that her way was blocked by Leo.
2355
2356	 In the jump Tsukasa took the pose of a shoulder attack. Leo fortified the position of his body relative to the ground to meet this attack.
2357
2358	 Tsukasa hit Leo's body.
2359
2360	 Leo didn't move a millimeter, and Tsukasa jumped back. As a result, the effect of the move-type magic was cancelled.
2361
2362	 Erika ran smoothly at Tsukasa.
2363
2364	 At the same time, she had a stable posture, as if she was walking on a flat highway, and not making her way through the cracks and roots of trees.
2365
2366	 Tsukasa got the impression that she would not be able to evade the movement to the left, to the right, or backward.
2367
2368	 The only thing she could do was to protect herself with a barrier.
2369
2370	 To be able to move at any time and not to run into obstacles, Tsukasa built a flat barrier in front of her body.
2371
2372	 Erika swung her broken sword. The rest of the blade didn't reach Tsukasa nor her magic barrier.
2373
2374	 "She didn't calculate the length of the broken blade, it's unexpected luck, and it's a chance" Tsukasa thought.
2375
2376	Erika remained in a pose with the sword lowered. More accurately, she froze in it. She saw Tsukasa intending to run sideways from her, she started moving, taking the first step with her right foot.
2377
2378	 The knee of this leg lost its strength and buckled. This didn't just happen with the right foot, but the left leg also suddenly collapsed. Strength disappeared from the whole body.
2379
2380	 Tsukasa's body collapsed to the ground.
2381
2382	 Erika came out of the fighting stance. Tsukasa looked up at her.
2383
2384	 At this point, Tsukasa finally noticed that Erika's broken sword had instead of a material blade, a psion blade that looked like heat shimmer.
2385
2386	 The hazy shimmering blade has disappeared.
2387
2388	"Ethereal Hidden Sword Technique - Kirikage" Erika muttered
2389
2390	 At that moment Tsukasa lost consciousness.
2391
2392
2393
2394
2395
2396	â—Š â—Š â—Š
2397
2398
2399
2400
2401
2402	"... The plan where magicians are used as tools is no different from the current situation, when magicians are used as weapons. I would never submit to something like that."
2403
2404	 Tatsuya's announcement suppressed Katsuto, Mayumi and Mari. All present understood that Tatsuya is refusing "Project Dion" not because of simple stubbornness.
2405
2406	"... But!"
2407
2408	 Tatsuya's determination was clear. His convictions were understandable, but that's why Mayumi couldn't remain silent. With tears in her eyes, she couldn't stop her cry.
2409
2410	 "Even if Tatsuya-kun's reasoning is correct! Tatsuya-kun will lose his home anyway! Tatsuya-kun will suffer in isolation!"
2411
2412	 Tatsuya should not become a victim. It was the cry of Mayumi's heart.
2413
2414	 Mayumi wanted to convey the idea that it would be better to pretend that he's participating, even if it's a lie to the people of America, Japan and the whole world. But the voice that came from the forest didn't allow Mayumi to finish speaking.
2415
2416	"Tatsuya-kun won't be isolated."
2417
2418	 Tatsuya and the rest were now on the smooth field of the former first hole of the closed golf course. To the right was a mountain that preserved the original terrain.
2419
2420	 From the dense forest that covered the mountain slope, came four familiar people.
2421
2422	 Erika. Leo. Mikihiko. Honoka.
2423
2424	 Mizuki and Shizuku also clearly were somewhere nearby, although they didn't show themselves.
2425
2426
2427
2428	"Because he has us."
2429
2430	 Leo carried a woman on his shoulder. Seeing who it was, Katsuto frowned.
2431
2432	 "She's familiar to Juumonji-senpai, isn't she? Could you take care of her?"
2433
2434	 Leo fearlessly approached Katsuto and put Tsukasa on the ground next to him.
2435
2436	 "W-we will not allow Tatsuya-san's isolation!"
2437
2438	 Honoka was tense and couldn't hide her fear, but still collected all her will to say so.
2439
2440	 Mikihiko, the last to speak looked Katsuto directly in the eye and said.
2441
2442	 "We are Tatsuya's friends. No, not just friends. I owe Tatsuya so much that I will never be able to repay him. Even if Tatsuya becomes a criminal, I will not turn against him for anything. I will not allow Tatsuya's isolation."
2443
2444	"Hey hey, Mikihiko. What obligations? We're friends. No other reason's needed."
2445
2446	 Leo wrapped his arm around Mikihiko's neck in a friendly manner.
2447
2448	"You're right" Mikihiko said with a strained smile.
2449
2450	 Katsuto lifted Tsukasa from the ground and turned to Tatsuya.
2451
2452	"Shiba. You've good friends. I'm a bit jealous."
2453
2454	 Katsuto turned around and went to the off-road vehicle left by the villa.
2455
2456	"Juumonji-kun, wait!"
2457
2458	 Mayumi hurried after Katsuto.
2459
2460	"Well well. Still lost."
2461
2462	 Mari shrugged and followed Mayumi.
2463
2464	 With a puzzled face, Tatsuya looked at his friends. All of them wore embarrassed smiles. Only Erika tried to turn away, but she couldn't hide a smiling face.
2465
2466	 Tatsuya turned to Miyuki. Tears flowed from her eyes, and she tried to wipe them with her fingers.
2467
2468
2469
2470
2471
2472	CHAPTER 10
2473
2474
2475
2476
2477
2478	Monday, morning.
2479
2480	 Tatsuya was left alone again in the Izu villa. Last night Miyuki returned to her new home in Chofu before it got too late.
2481
2482	 He ate Pixie's cooked breakfast and watched the news channel on TV even if most of it he ignored. It felt as if Miyuki were still sitting at the table in front of him.
2483
2484	 This morning breakfast should have ended as usual. But this morning the TV gave disappointing news.
2485
2486	"This is a special news item."
2487
2488	 Hearing the speaker's alarmed voice Tatsuya raised his head.
2489
2490	"Please watch this video message first."
2491
2492	 The focus of the on-screen picture shifted to the large monitor to the side of the announcer. The monitor turned on and displayed the upper body of a suspicious looking person. At first glance it was difficult to understand whether it was a man or a woman. Not only was their sex indeterminable, but also their age and race.
2493
2494	 This man was wearing a gray robe with a hood draped over, and his face was covered with a white plastic mask.
2495
2496	 The voice of a mysterious person from the monitor's speakers was transmitted in the studio.
2497
2498	"I am one of the Seven Sages. With your permission, I'll be called Sage Number One. "
2499
2500	 The voice clearly went through electronic processing, and even using supercomputers the original voice cannot be restored.
2501
2502	 "I would like to tell the truth to the people of Japan."
2503
2504	 Despite his fluent Japanese, Tatsuya thought he wasn't Japanese.
2505
2506	 Thinking about this and the name "Seven Sages," he remembered the face of one guy. A guy from the " Seven Sages" who sent a videotape at the end of the vampire incident. The name of the guy who was friends with Shizuku while studying abroad, it seemed to be Raymond Clark.
2507
2508	 "Clark ..."
2509
2510	 Tatsuya clung to this name, but first of all he decided to see what will happen next in the news.
2511
2512	"I wish that the proposed "Project Dione" can be started as soon as possible. For this reason, I also hope for Taurus Silver's participation from Japan. "
2513
2514	 Three people were connected to each other in Tatsuya's head.
2515
2516	 Edward Clark.
2517
2518	 Raymond Clark.
2519
2520	 The identity of this mysterious person.
2521
2522	I want the participation of Taurus Silver, that is, Mr. Shiba Tatsuya.
2523
2524	 The true identity of this mysterious person, "Sage Number One" is Raymond Clark.
2525
2526	 Raymond Clark is a relative of Edward Clark.
2527
2528	 "Taurus Silver is Mr. Shiba Tatsuya, a third-year student from the National Magic University Affiliated First High. People of Japan. I want you to persuade Mr. Shiba Tatsuya."
2529
2530	 The video message has ended.
2531
2532	 Raymond Clark's participation was unexpected for Tatsuya. He didn't take into account that Raymond would interfere.
2533
2534	 He was preparing countermeasures in case the Magic Association discovers the identity of Taurus Silver.
2535
2536	 He had measures in case of pressure from the government.
2537
2538	 He even considered measures if Edward Clark's patience ran out.
2539
2540	 But all these measures will not work in the circumstances.
2541
2542	 Tatsuya realized that he's been hunted into a corner.
2543
2544	 (To be continued in the "Escape" ark)
2545
2546
2547
2548
2549
2550	AFTERWARD
2551
2552
2553
2554
2555
2556	After the afterword there will be a few more explanations and a storyline, don't forget to read if you don't read the afterwords:
2557
2558	 • Explanation of the magic of Erika, Honoka and Mikihiko from Chapter 9-2
2559
2560	 • An explanation of how these guys got there at all
2561
2562
2563
2564	It was the 23rd volume in the series, "Isolation." Did you like it?
2565
2566	 "Isolation" was an episode I wanted to write as quickly as possible, even from the start of my work on this story.
2567
2568	 The name "Isolation" was given from the very beginning of the writing of this volume, but the basis leading to the culmination has not changed until the very debut of this volume.
2569
2570	 In short, the main idea was confrontation with "Katsuto, the strongest enemy at the moment." The new magic "Baryon Lance" was conceived for use here.
2571
2572	 This episode, among other things, also had to lead to some reflection. When I wrote (Continuation in ...), along with a feeling of complete exhaustion, I got the idea "I finally wrote it ...".
2573
2574	 Just because I have never written so well. All the prerequisites for the planned confrontation of those two turned out to be bricks ...
2575
2576	 As a result, there were very few corrections. For example, when I wrote an episode with Fumiya's women's dressing, I remarked: "Didn't he show his face in the Nine Schools Competition ...?", So I had to rewrite it a little. ... Well, it really was fun.
2577
2578	 As you probably already knew, this arch "Isolation" is one of the culminations of the entire series "The Untrucky Apprentice in the School of Magic." But this isn't the highest culmination.
2579
2580	 The current confrontation was, one might say, a conflict between the allies. But real enemies are others. Perhaps the readers already had an idea who could become an enemy, corresponding to the "final boss". ... Even if you think so, you are waiting for one more "this is the turn."
2581
2582	 Events in history will continue to heat up.
2583
2584	 While the main stream of the story is being written, there are also aspects in it that make it unintentional to describe the circumstances and disclose the details behind them. This may seem correct for short novels, but with my writing style, I cannot deny my feeling of lack of explanation. Therefore, I think that I will just add further what I had to miss in this volume. Although many probably don't like superfluous text, I'll still add a few pages after the afterword.
2585
2586	 This volume presented a fictional plan for the development of Venus, called the "Project Dion." Hiago Naoyuki-sama from JAXA, Sakurai Naoko-sama from 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 issue. In addition, Kashiwai-sama introduced me to the science fiction writer Fuji Taiyo. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to you.
2587
2588	 I write this afterword right before the movie is released. I myself haven't watched the preliminary show. Although I have only information from the production stage, but I'm sure it will be an interesting sight. It will be an exciting movie, worthy of large screens of cinemas. Everyone who came to the cinema, how do you like it? I believe that you were satisfied.
2589
2590	 The name of the next volume is "Escape" *. I think it will be "Escape (part 1)".
2591
2592	 [The author's name is written in English. Given his love of ambiguous phrases, it is still unclear how to translate this, "escape," "flight," "salvation." Given the explicit hint of E.S.C.P.E.S, I think it's better to leave it in Latin.]
2593
2594	 Ranobeh version of the movie, I'll probably finish it sooner. I'm going to write a "full version", which also includes scenes cut from the theatrical version. However, we haven't yet decided how we will publish this. I'll let you know as soon as it's decided.
2595
2596	 So, I sincerely hope to meet you again in the next volume, "Escape". And maybe the next will be "The Girl Calling the Stars (full version)."
2597
2598	 © Shadow Cross Section
2599
2600
2601
2602	Concerning Erika's "Techniques of the Hidden Sword," Kirikage (literally the Shadow Section). You could see her for the first time in the theatrical version of "The Girl Calling the Stars". I imported a new magic into the novel, created specifically for the theatrical version of the film.
2603
2604	 It refers to non-systemic magic. Having an immaterial blade created from compressed psions, it can cut the psion information body inside the human body.
2605
2606	 The psion information body, which is the target of the attack, isn't the Eidos of the human body, but something similar to a form-watching image formed in a natural way, repeating the contours of the body in the material world. There is no strong connection with the essence of Eidos, but advanced masters of martial arts control their body, moving first this "image-watching image."
2607
2608	 The cut of the shadow is, it might be said, a dirty trick that uses the surprise effect and cuts the "shadow" of the enemy, depriving him of control of the body.
2609
2610	 This technique Erika studied as a means of attacking the psion information body, since she had no means against the Parasites in the ark "Guest." It was a secret technique that only the head of Chiba's family, Chiba Joyiro, could use. But my father didn't teach her. She was able to comprehend it herself, having studied the secret texts.
2611
2612	 © Magic, lulling a detachment of capture from the Intelligence Department
2613
2614	 The light that put the intelligence squad moving through the forest to attack Tatsuya was the magic of Honoka's "Hypno-Eye."
2615
2616	 It was an improved version of The Evil Eye that Honoka already used to lull intelligence officers in volume 11, page 134. Instead of specializing in the magical "sleepy" effect, parameters such as power, range, and number of targets were raised.
2617
2618
2619
2620	 © Cracked earth and lightning bolts attacking the capture unit from the Intelligence Department
2621
2622	 It was the same magic that Mikihiko used against Kichijouji on the Novelty Division's Monolith Code. This is a combination of magic from "Earthquake," "Split Earth," "Wild Hair," and "Descendant of Thunder."
2623
2624	 © The reason that Erika and the others were present where this "raid" was conducted
2625
2626	 Why Erika and others were able to defeat Tsukasa and the capture squad from the Intelligence Department?
2627
2628	 I missed the explanation for this, because I thought that it would have a bad effect on the tempo set at the end of the volume, but after Katsuto, Mayumi and Mari left, there was such a conversation in the villa's living room.
2629
2630	 "By the way, Erika, those people who came with you are SMAT from the police?"
2631
2632	M? Yes, that's right.
2633
2634	 "It's not an accident, is it?" How did you know that today the Self-Defense Forces will come here?
2635
2636	 "And we didn't know that it would be Self-Defense Forces ... Miyuki's behavior was a bit unnatural, and I realized that something will happen today."
2637
2638	Uh, my behavior?
2639
2640	 "Miyuki, you said then that Juumonji-senpai will come today to keep us, isn't it?"
2641
2642	Y-yes.
2643
2644	 "I mean, did you've to say this?" You could just say, for example, "this isn't the time." But if Juumonji-senpai comes to talk with Tatsuya-kun, then is it not necessary to keep it a secret?
2645
2646	Ah ...
2647
2648	Then I just obediently agreed. But I realized that something will happen there. I thought that unwanted guests could come in and collect people from the dojo.
2649
2650	 With such a prehistory, Erika came to Izu with a squad of police special forces, assembled from the students of the Chiba dojo.
2651
2652	 This concludes the additional materials. See you in the next volume "Escape."