&hi'uku's shrill girlish oice was truly sleepy. The di##erence between the mental conditions o# the pair haing this telephone conersation was truly ineitable. The #act that the one who spoke her own #eelings #or her was not a human but, a maid droid possessed by a parasite did not com#ort Honoka at all.
&hi'uku's shrill girlish oice was truly sleepy. The di##erence between the mental conditions o# the pair haing this telephone conersation was truly ineitable. The #act that the one who spoke her own #eelings #or her was not a human but, a maid droid possessed by a parasite did not com#ort Honoka at all.
&hi'uku's shrill girlish oice was truly sleepy. The di##erence between the mental conditions o# the pair haing this telephone conersation was truly ineitable. The #act that the one who spoke her own #eelings #or her was not a human but, a maid droid possessed by a parasite did not com#ort Honoka at all.
---Hey, dont you think its terrible? I was publicly humiliated,
publicly humiliated. The agitation in the shrill girlish oice was obious and the response to it was, !"Thats the #ourth time, already.$ This oice that was also girlish was truly sleepy. The di##erence between the mental conditions o# the pair haing this telephone conersation was like the di##erence in temperature between mid winter and mid summer. Howeer, that might be ineitable. %nly Honoka had reason to be agitated and &hi'uku had a reason to plead to be allowed to sleep. Honoka was agitated #or a reason. Her hearts secret longings had been e(posed. )ot *ust the likes and loes that resided in hersel# could be called #or#eit, een to hersel# that thought #elt like it might be a little too serious #or this era. +lthough the yearnings she hersel# couldnt oice being spoken #rom anothers mouth was humiliating enough, Honoka had been e(posed not *ust in #ront o# the one she was thinking about but a gallery o# people, so her #eeling o# such sel#- conscious torment was ineitable. The #act that the one who spoke her own #eelings #or her was not a human but, a maid droid possessed by a parasite did not com#ort Honoka at all. That doesn,t matter, because I hae been so humiliated. Honoka demanded that her #riend com#ort her in a sullen oice. The sight o# Honokas pouty pro#ile made the &hi'uku in the middle o# the screen sigh lightly. !I understand that so please understand my position. -hat time do you think it is right now?$ %n the other hand, &hi'uku had good reason to make the demand ,I want to sleep. It was simply the time, no actually it was the time di##erence. To emphasi'e &hi'ukus remark, a clock with three hands #illed the display. The classic +rabes.ue design short hand was pointing between I/ and /. Tokyo and 0erkley 12ali#ornia3 hae a seen hour time di##erence. I# it nine thirty pm in Tokyo then, it was #our thirty am in 0erkley. !4lease cant this wait at least two hours?$ It could be said that it was per#ectly natural #or &hi'uku to ardently grumble. 5en now, the eyelids on both eyes looked *ust about to close. )aturally, Honokas #ace turned apologetic and her shoulders hunched. I did wait #or an hour already but" -hen she heard the e(cuse, &hi'ukus sleepy eyes twinkle and this time she sighed her acceptance. !That trait o# yours has changed ery little oer the years""$ Im always, always troubling you"" !6oure not a bother"..as long as you pay attention to the time.$ 7h"..Im sorry. 8a'ing across the screen at Honoka who had no more e(cuses, &hi'uku sighed one more time. This time she probably shook o## her sleepiness with the sigh, while her eyes were no more than hal# open, her #ace was pretty steady. !Howeer, something good might come out o# this.$ The oice lacked much in#lection---as usual and her pronunciation had become distinct. -hat? -hat? Theres nothing good about this9 +s she thrust away &hi'ukus words o# com#ort, Honoka #orgot how de*ected she had been until now and ehemently chewed out &hi'uku. !0ut, you werent able to speak those words yoursel#, right?$ Howeer, &hi'uku wasnt *ust carelessly using the word ,good. :aybe because o# her tone or perhaps it was the way she put it into words, Honokas protests were taken out with a single shot. !-ill you acknowledge that you hae dependent tendencies?$ &uch tendencies" Honoka re#le(ie tried to deny it but, perhaps she didnt think she could deny it een to hersel#. Her words o# rebuttal #aded out part way thru and she aerted her eyes #rom &hi'ukus eyes which were peering her intently through the screen---to be e(act, her eyes were only partly open. !Honoka, how many years do you think wee been hanging out together.$ &hi'uku deliered one last shot to make sure in a gently instructie tone. "0ut, I cant help it. Honoka acknowledged &hi'ukus point with a oice that was both de#iant and resigned. I am descended #rom ,5lements a#ter all. Is een personality in#luenced by genetics?, &hi'uku thought with her usual doubt, howeer, een i# she debated it, it would be meaningless. 0esides, she understood debate wasnt really necessary. !-anting to rely on someone is neither good or bad. )ot eeryone is a leader that takes the initiatie without relying on someone and I think they #unction in the world .uite well.$ -hen her #riends words did not berate her, Honokas ga'e still showed indecision, but it had returned to normal. !-hat I want to say is Tatsuya-san is a rather good person #or Honoka to rely upon.$ Their eyes met through the camera, &hi'uku speaking as i# she was care#ully giing detailed instructions. 6ou think"so? &hi'uku nodded without a .ualm o# hesitation to Honokas tremulous .uestion. !I beliee Tatsuya basically does not only do part o# what someone wants. Instead, he is a person who precisely answers someones desires.$ 6ou mean i# I do not speak clearly, he wont understand me? !Thats right. 0esides he is certainly ingenuous.$ 7m, by that"? The answer &hi'uku made to Honokas oh so timid .uestion was, !5en i# he does do what you say, he wont #orce you to do anything se(ual, is what I mean.$ &uch directness---could be critici'ed as lewdness. Honokas #ace became red in the twinkling o# an eye. &till beneath the red #ace, a glimpse o# a little regret could be seen. !Honoka maybe you want to be a little more #orce#ul in how you approach him.$ &hi'uku9 Honoka raised her oice and glared at the screen. Howeer, in there was only a look on &hi'ukus #ace that said ,0ut, its the truth. 5nough9 5en though she turned her #ace away with a sulky look, "" ""&hi'uku. +s e(pected the one who gae in and spoke #irst was Honoka. -hat should I do? !The only thing you can do is keep moing #orward.$ &hi'uku did not hae a wealth o# romantic e(periences. ;ather her e(periences could be called meager compared to other teenage girls around the same age in their country in this era. 5en so, she dared to gie her #riend who was trapped in a ma'e caused by thinking too much, a kick in the posterior with simple assertions. 5en now, I intend on doing all I can to keep moing #orward but" !<ust intending is #utile. 6our rial is too strong.$ 0y rial"? !/ictory oer :iyuki would di##icult.$ :iyuki? 0ut :iyuki and Tatsuya-san are= !&iblings. &o?$ &hi'uku dismissed Honokas common sense rebuttal with one word. That simple ,so was packed with the nuance o# ,I know that. -hat does that matter. 0ut, that, that is" -ith a shocked look, Honoka shook her head at the camera. Howeer, to the eyes o# &hi'uku who had been #riends with Honoka #or a long time, she did not look like had actually receied a shock. !Honoka, theres no way you are going a#ter Tatsuya-san *ust because you want to hae se( with him.$ %-%# course not9 -ell, theres no way that I am completely uninterested in that but" &hi'uku #rom her side o# the screen was looking at Honoka who had started #idgeting with eyes that said ,what is this person saying. Howeer, i# she remained silent, &hi'uku was the one who was going to #eel uncom#ortable. &hi'uku #orcibly cut o## this part o# the conersation. !0lood ties only inter#ere with things like that. I# youre satis#ied with *ust being with someone, blood connections wouldnt be an obstacle. I would like to ask :iyuki something.$ "-hat? &he asked that .uestion with a look"..that said she did not want to ask but, she couldnt not ask. !How she thinks about Tatsuya.$ "+nd? !>oes she loe him.$ 7h".o# course". Her #ace was pale but, she did not want to shriek, so instead she murmured it with a sigh. !I did not mean #ondness, I meant loe.$ "%h? !I meant the #eelings a girl has #or a boy. )ot simply as ,his little sister.$ ? )eertheless, the supplementary in#ormation &hi'uku proided put her in a .uandary on how to interpret her words. !Howeer".$ Howeer? -hen &hi'uku hesitated, Honoka pressed her to continue by repeating her words back to her in a di##erent tone o# oice. !I think een i# she o##icially wont een admit it een to hersel# that :iyuki does indeed like Tatsuya-san as a girl likes a boy.$ &he continued her statement with a decisie supposition that showed no hesitation. &hi'uku also thinks". +lthough &hi'ukus logic ran a little 1?3 counter to wordly commonsense, Honoka wasnt raising ob*ections. !6es, there#ore, I think you should take her on be#ore she admits it to hersel#.$ -hat do you mean? Honoka was not #eigning innocence when she asked the .uestion. !0e#ore :iyuki becomes serious, Honoka-san should become Tatsuya- sans number one.$ Howeer, some words #ormed images, the words :iyuki become serious had such a strong #uture potential that the image #illed Honokas mind. &uch a thing, is impossible" !+t this time, its wrong to gie up. This was a disaster but I think you can use it to attract him.$ &hi'uku delicately instilled the will to win into the whispering hunched oer Honoka---she hersel# was #ired up to do this---by giing her encouragement. +ttract Tatsuya? !6es. &omehow you hae to coney all your #eelings to him.$ -ont I be annoying"" !Itll be alright. Tatsuya certainly wont #eel that youre a burden$ Howeer, those words were not merely #or reassurance. It was a strange thing to hae #aith in but &hi'uku earnestly belieed it was true. ? ? ? +bout the same time when &hi'uku was lighting a #ire under Honoka. Tatsuya was con#ronting @ina who had trans#ormed into ,+ngie &irius. Aire-like hair and gold colored eyes. Her entire appearance changed down to her #acial #eatures and height, no matter how much you looked at her, she didnt look like the same person as @ina. 5en without the concealing mask, there was probably no one who didnt already know who would connect ,+ngie &irius and ,+ngelina &hields. )ot as long as they thought the mask was meant to conceal her identity by concealing her #ace. Tatsuya care#ully e(amined her #orm. There was no way he had spent this past hal# o# a month playing around. He had practiced against 6akumos ,2lothed making a pile o# countermeasures to the in#ormation altering magic ,4arade. 4erhaps it was a result o# that training. The e##ect o# @inas ,4arade now stopped at outward appearance, he understood the coordinate in#ormation was not going to be rewritten. -ith this resistance, een i# the coordinates were #alsi#ied, Tatsuya thought he keep her in his 2+>s sight. )aturally, he couldnt be optimistic. This only a##ected @inas appearance, this was not the time to take things easy or be careless. ;ather, there was probably no room #or error. 7ndoubtedly, he couldnt guarantee that he had the necessary magic power to keep the coordinate in#ormation #rom being rewritten. 1In short, the magic took that much o# his capacity.3 The 7&)+ armys most elite magician battalion, ,&tars gae the code name ,&irius to their head. )amely, the magician who possessed the strongest magic power. This girl must hae all the resources #or that magic that power#ul concentrated in her. The glittering striations o# the attack on Tatsuya and 2hiba )aotsugu had cleaed the darkness o# the night. That attack was probably in #act a high energy plasma beam. I# it was then the name o# the magic she had per#ormed was--- 14robably, without a doubt. That was ,Heay :etal 0urst.3 The strategic magic o# +ngie &irius o# the Thirteen +postles was ,Heay :etal 0urst. &he trans#ormed heay metals into high energy plasmaB the magic disseminated ampli#ied solar ions oer a wide area by the use o# creating gas and electromagnetic repulsie #orce and increased high pressure . Incidentally, there were more than a #ew users o# magic that changed materials into plasma other than ,+ngelina &irius. Howeer by only ioni'ing atoms, the complete body o# the plasma that sprung #orth would not produce the neutrali'ing electric repulsie #orce. +ngelina &irius was the only one who used ,Heay :etal 0urst with that speed and scale, because only she could actually do the process that emitted the atoms to #orm the cloud and maintain the manu#acture o# plasma. )eertheless, ,Heay :etal 0urst was supposed to be a magic that e(pelled high energy plasma in all directions #rom ground 'ero. >espite that, the plasma that attacked 2hiba )aotsugu was a beam with directionality. 1Its not *ust being condensed. The e##ectie range"..the scope o# the dissemination is also being controlled.3 4lasma had strayed away #rom )aotsugu yet none o# the buildings in the street around him had been destroyed because the plasma hadnt reached them. -as it accompanied a magic se.uence that made it lose plasma energy a#ter it e(ceeded its target, maybe she established a power point that would sere as a plug to stop the beam at a terminus. How was she able to do that? He couldnt tell #rom only seeing it one time but, perhaps--- 1Is it that ,sta##?3 He had neer seen that sta## be#ore in @inas hands so, that was a good possibility. :aybe but no, undeniably that was a 7&)+ deeloped casting assistant deice. I# he wasnt in this spot, he would probably be praising the e(cellence o# this techni.ue. 1)eertheless, right now this has the highest threat potential.3 He hadnt attained comprehension o# the plasma stream control system but it wasnt as i# he hadnt understood anything. I# he ,obsered it one more time then he would be able to make a counter- measure. -as he being optimistic about obseration? Tatsuya immediately repudiated that speculation himsel#. Tentatieness at this time would do him no good. Instead, it would become a problem. 1I# he took a direct blow, would he hae enough resere power remaining to counterattack?3 +gainst signi#icant physical attacks, Tatsuya possessed reial ability that he did not control but, all he could do was ,reie, he could not ,block. The lack o# control depended on the leel o# in*ury, not the #re.uency o# use. The beam *ust now was as #ast as the speed o# light. -hich was #ar #aster than the speed o# sound which is why lightning is seen be#ore thunder is heard. The speed o# light is probably about a hundred times the speed o# sound. Howeer in the present interal, the distance o# si(ty meters was spanned in less than two milliseconds. -hich is the same as being instantaneous. It looked like eading it was impossible. )eertheless"".. 1-ith the actual body moing at such speed, een i# the gas was ery diluted, a strong shockwae should occur. &ince that was not happening, meant that she had to hae prepared some kind o# tool be#orehand to keep that #rom happening.3 I# he could sense the creation o# the ,path then his body could aoid the targeting sights. Tatsuya #ully mobili'ed his senses and scowled at @ina. In the darkness broken by the street lights, @ina *ust aerted her eyes #rom Tatsuyas #ield o# ision, abruptly turned back, made another .uick turn back and smiled weakly. &he was clearly initing him. Tatsuya was pu''led. -ithout a doubt it was a trap but i# it was a trap then Tatsuya was already in its *aws. 5en i# he did not take her initation, he did not think she would let him return sa#ely. I# he couldnt een eade his adersarys aim then a gun#ight at this location was out o# the .uestion. 0e#ore the ga'e o# Tatsuya who was still deciding what he should do, @inas #eet lightly kicked o## the roads sur#ace. That broke through his indecision. -hile she ran or rather leaped, the deep red hair was growing distant at a rapid pace. He le#t behind )aotsugu whose conulsions had brought him to a standstill and inoking the same graity control that @ina had, Tatsuya pursued that back. ? ? ? @t. &irius has made contact with the target9 ;esponse? )one9 The secret command room that had been proided at the <apanese branch o##ice o# the 7&)+s dummy corporation had #allen into the state o# a certain type o# panic. The capture operation had undergone changes beyond their control #rom the ery #irst stage but, something like that would not cause /irginia 0alance limbs to shake. The interention o# a combatant who was apparently an agent o# the <apanese army was rather predictable. The cause was something di##erent. @inas arbitrarily leaing her station had begun the panic. -hile the &tars commander, ,&irius had been gien the right o# independent moement, she had iolated military regulations by not reporting it. Howeer, now the operation #or the team was in progress. This was not a situation where asking permission be#ore you did anything was a good thing. +lso, 0alance had le#t the usage o# 0rionac up to @inas personal *udgment but setting it o# in the middle o# the street was e(tremely une(pected. The target has begun pursuit o# @t. &irius. +t the report o# the new in#ormation, a little bit o# calmness was returned to the mood o# the control room. -hen she considered the cleanup o# this operation including the retrieal o# &tardust, her head started to hurt. )eertheless, #or the time being, they were back on track. ---That was all @t. 2ol. 0alance was going to think about. 1It might be that I must completely suspend the operation".3 &ummon the outside broadcast an. The colonel e##ectiely kept her true irritation out o# her oice when she gae the command to the operator. ? ? ? -ithin the initing light that could be seen all oer the city, there was a passage where the light was interrupted. + nightlessness o# the city o# Tokyo had gien it a name, the 'one where the black sky becomes a white background. The park he had been inited to was also at the threshold o# the lights. )o, it might be better to call it a acant lot not a park. The hedges were maintained but, there were no play areas or benches. There were no more than token street lights positioned in it. 4erhaps, in the war period, it had been public land maintained as a disaster preention 'one but the redeelopment process had probably neglected it. 0eneath those sporadic street lights, @ina reealed her golden hair. +boe her head, darkness hung oer her like a cap. Arom the beginning o# this night, it hadnt been possible to see the moon or the stars in the cloudy sky but he understood that it wasnt *ust that #rom one glance. %ptical type magic was being used to obstruct sureillance satellites and stratosphere plat#orm cameras. Here, he was in the lair o# the enemy. 0ecause he knowingly leapt into the enemys trap, he was not surprised or #lustered *ust now. ;ather what was une(pected to Tatsuya was that no traces o# magic was being used other than concealment magic. 1>o they hate inter#erence #rom #ellow magicians""3 In short, the magic @ina was using was a techni.ue so adanced that letting her attack alone was more e##ectie than a mass attack where she would be #orced to consider #riendly troops. 2ancelling the illusion was probably done so she could concentrate her mind on the attack se.uence. 1<ust like I thought, it is ,Heay :etal 0urst.3 CTatsuya.C <ust as he #inished recon#irming his impression o# the name o# her attack, @ina opened her mouth. I didnt think you would come here so nonchalantly. 0ecause, being #ollowed so persistently is a bother. Hearing his arrogant reply, @ina made a cruel smile. 6oure .uite con#ident. 0ut that is oerly pretentious at a time like this. @ina #ace Tatsuya with the sta## she was holding interposed between under her arm and her hand. Tatsuya, surrender. I dont know what means you use to dispel the e##ects o# magic but you cannot dispel the e##ects o# this 0rionac. To @ina, her statement was nothing more than a simple surrender demand. 10ri-on-nac"..0rionake? %r ,0rionac?3 )eertheless, @inas words gae the #inal piece to the nearly complete pu''le o# the beam within Tatsuyas mind. The name had meaning to him. +#ter the name completed the pu''le, part o# many o# its attributes were reealed. His mind was taken with inspection o# his ideas, Tatsuya #orgot to reply to @inas demand. @ina took that #or a re#usal. &he cannot be slandered as being hasty. &he had carelessly #orgotten to establish a time limit on a reply but, not replying to a surrender demand according to tradition meant re#usal. @ina gripped the hori'ontal crosspiece that *utted out o# one side o# the sta##. That part without a doubt sered as the same #unction as the grip o# a pistol. +long the long thin eighty centimeters o# the lower two thirds o# the 0rionac, a double heli( o# psion light ranB in the wider #orty centimeter cylinder upper third o# the 0rionac in #ront o# the grip, a magic se.uence was instantly constructed. Tatsuya who perceied it inoked 8ram >ispersion and---reali'ing it would be too late suspended it. The tip o# the cane glittered. + thin ray o# light was s.uee'ed out and gra'ed Tatsuyas right arm. >espite it only being gra'ed---Tatsuyas right arm #rom the elbow down was carboni'ed and blown away. His body was twisted by the attack. Tatsuya did not resist that #orce, he used it to propel himsel# behind the hedges. @ina released her hand #rom the grip, and charged like the 0rionac was a spear or something. -ithin that interal, she hori'ontally swung it at the hedges Tatsuya was hiding in. The lie wood caught #ire here and there. The hedges were only shrubbery. The plasma did not reach Tatsuya who was behind them. 0e#ore the eyes o# Tatsuya who was hal# kneeling with his right shoulder lowered to conceal the right side o# his body, a #antastic glowing plasma sword disappeared. 0rionac"..the label is 0rythonic. It is one o# the weapons o# ,@leu the light god o# 2eltic :yth. >oes the title mean it is a reproduction o# the mythical weapon? -hile he was in that posture, Tatsuya .uestioned @ina who was walking toward him. The oice was not blurred with pain, his resistance to pain was probably high, @ina thought. 5(tensie training against torture was not unusual #or special #orces. 6oure worrying about that? )ow, when you are at a critical *uncture between liing and dying. -ithin the sta##, the magic se.uence was again instantly inoked. The congealed metal dust was disintegrated into high energy plasma by the magic. The phenomenon known as high energy plasma was created by magic but, the container it was bound in changed shape in accordance to @inas thoughts. +s an incandescent blade crackling with electricity was thrust at the tip o# his nose the #inal piece slid into place within Tatsuyas mind. It bothered me. 4eople like to gie names with meaning. 0rionac was a spear that sent a spear tip shaped #orm o# penetrating light bursting out o# it at #oes, perhaps it could called a bullet o# light that was #reely thrown about like a spear. +lthough, in this case, #reely probably takes a lot o# guts. 6ou copied a weapon o# myth, a reproduction o# the mythical weapon 0rionac. To actuali'e the theory o# A+5""". <ust what can be e(pected #rom the technical might o# the 7&)+. 7ntil then @ina hadnt been interested in the statements she was hearing #rom Tatsuya but her eyes widened at the phrase ,A+5 and her #ace sti##ened. "How do you know about the theory o# A+5? &eeing @inas astonishment, Tatsuya also looked surprised. Its probably not all that strange. 0ecause the A+5 theory originally was espoused #or a short time in a *oint laboratory belonging to <apan and +merica. That was a secret lab9 Aurthermore, the documents #rom that lab were disposed o#9 )eertheless, they were not actually destroyed. Isnt the reproduction o# the mythical weapon you hae in your hands the best proo# o# that? -hile Tatsuya peered at the 0rionac @ina had, A+5---Aree +#ter 5(ecution. That name con*ured deep emotions. In <apanese, it is called the theory o# controlling phenomenon a#ter it had been created but Aree +#ter 5(ecution is a better way o# e(pressing it. The phenomenon produced as a result being trans#ormed by magic is already a phenomenon that was not originally in this world, immediately a#ter trans#ormation the shackles o# the laws o# physics are loose. 4erhaps it would be better i# I changed it to a short time lag e(ists between when the laws o# physics reasserts itsel# a#ter an eent produced by magic. The totally inappropriate e(planation made in a lecturing tone created a mysterious oid in the middle o# this battle to the death. +ccording to the theory o# A+5, i# plasma constructed by magic which is supposed to scatter chaotically can be easily gien directional moement then een without #lash #ree'ing, plasma can go #rom a super heated state to normal temperature #or an arbitrary period o# time rendering it harmless. It is restrained #rom scattering naturally because maintaining #i(ed state is also possible. That is the method. @ina had #orgotten about interrupting Tatsuyas long winded speech and had *ust grasped 0rionac,s hasp. )eertheless, i# you use the time lag in the law o# physics presupposed by the A+5 theory, it is only an instant. It is considered impossible #or a magician who has *ust made the inocation to add new conditions to the newly constructed phenomenon. +t this point, Tatsuya made a mid-shrug like e(pression with his #ace. Thats true. Theres less than a milli-second to de#ine the phenomenon which isnt possible #or a human. +nd his #ace showed a completely sincere wonder. To do that""within a containment barrier isolated #rom the in#luence o# the worlds physical laws, magic is e(ecuted to e(pand that gap in the law o# physics. This was a mani#estation o# the emotions o# the boyish part o# Tatsuya, who desired to #ollow the path o# science. I humbly praise this person. To braely eade the law o# physics. The person who constructed ,0rionac is a true genius. Tatsuya9 @ina who had been listening to Tatsuyas words suddenly raised her oice. &he had gotten rid o# the plasma sword, and was once again poised to bombard him as she gripped 0rionac when she interrupted Tatsuya. ---It the oice o# someone #orcibly reing up their lost combatie will. I will say it once more. &urrender9 6ou cant use your special techni.ues with one arm. 6ou no longer hae any way to win9 @istening to @inas wail, Tatsuya made a cruel smile. The smile was so inhuman that it made her shudder and didnt seem to be made by the same being who had shown her a di##erent smile *ust a little while ago. I# you are able to capture me what do you want to do to me? Howeer, despite the look on his #ace, Tatsuyas oice was not cold, :aybe e(periment on me? -ith a rather sweet snare, he gently laid bare the wickedness o# humans. @ike those guys? 7nhappily, @ina was sharp enough to understand that by those guys he meant &tardust. The combination o# stress and shock made @inas #ace pale. )aturally""I re#use to become a guinea pig. Then dont moe until I come to get you9 The tip o# the 0rionac was at point blank range and aimed at his raised knee. Into that gun barrel, Tatsuya thrust his gun shaped 2+>, the custom &iler Horn, Trident. -ith the right arm that was supposed to be blown away. That arm9? @ina shrieked. 4artly due to her shriek, her se.uence inocation was slow. Tatsuya had already drawn his magic. The ,gun barrel o# the thrust out 2+>---the aiming assistance deice lead him to the target within the barrier containment unit. -ithin the reproduction o# a mythical weapon in the part that was supposed to be #illed by the power o# the 7&)+s strongest magician ,&irius, the dissolution magic :ist >ispersion was inoked. :etal particles changed to gas at normal temperature #orce#ully burst #rom 0rionacs mu''le. >ue to the pressure #rom the gas, the Trident went #lying #rom Tatsuyas right hand. Howeer, the impact it had on @ina was greater. The thing she was holding so tightly back#ired. The unintended backlash blew @ina and the pieces o# the 0rionac backward. The shock o# being slammed to the ground caused the 5idos rein#orced armor that protected @ina to #luctuate. +#ter picking up the Trident, Tatsuya inoked ,;estoration. He reconstructed the relatie coordinate in#ormation using the data on 2+> construction and his own body as re#erence points, the Trident returned to his hand in repaired condition. Tatsuya #ired si( shots o# his ,dissolution but it had no e##ect on @inas magic barrier, it persisted in sticking to her limbs. +t the *oints o# both arms and legs, he was able to drill thin holes large enough to put a needle through. The #our microscopic scars caused @ina intense pain e.ual to haing a #ile whittle directly on her neres. &he didnt hae time to cry out in pain be#ore, her mind blew a circuit. Her mind was swallowed by a white darkness. ? ? ? @ina"" +#ter #inishing his task, Tatsuya returned to where @ina was, he looked down on her body which still lay limp on the ground unconscious and murmured to her knowing she wouldnt be able to hear him. It would be better i# you .uit the army as soon as possible. He had been saed by her so#tness in the skirmish that had *ust taken place. 5en only giing consideration to the battle power, Tatsuya should hae had a much more di##icult struggle. +s her #irst shot had reduced his right arm to cinders, he interrupted 8ram >ispersion in order to aoid receiing greater damageB i# he destroyed the in#ormation that coalesce it into a beam, the plasma would disperse. He had lost #rom the moment the beam had started coalescing, and i# there had been wider dispersion o# plasma when she #ired then Tatsuya probably wouldnt hae *ust lost only his right arm as much as hal# his body could hae been burned away. %# course, een i# it was, his body would probably be instantly restored howeer, that had become his winning moe without the sleight o# hand with his right arm, he wouldnt hae been able to launch a surprise attack. Arom the beginning o# the bombardment he had to aoid inter#ering with @ina in order to curb consecutie damage by using the e(tra time to construct how the ,path was created. 5en i# he #ollowed the path o# the shot by the shockwae it produced, without a doubt he would hae been gien enough damage to hinder his counterattack. >uring the time the hedges were mowed down also, he also shouldnt hae aoided receiing damage. >espite the #act that in order to take away the enemys ability to resistance, the accumulation o# damage was a cornerstone. The long conersation on the theory o# A+5 wasnt necessary. There was absolutely no reason to disturb @ina by reealing the operating principle o# the secret weapon. In the last attack, she hadnt aimed at the legs, the power had been regulated to stop be#ore the underlayer o# the skin burned. 0y changing the orientation o# the 0rionac, she had lost critical time. It was not the time lag #rom being surprised by the restoration o# his right arm but rather the time lag produced by moing 0rionac that was actually the #atal one. &tars 2ommander ,&irius""I dont think the *ob is suitable #or you. Tatsuya muttered the words as he picked up @ina. Chapter 14 -hen she opened her eyes, the scene that #illed her ision was a ceiling D a ceiling that she seemed to recall belonged to the large cargo truck that sered as their mobile base. The dank, stale air caused her skin to #eel clammy. &till, i# placed under the bitter cold, this would probably result in a cold, though complaining about the canned air right now would be pure decadence"" @ina thought. %nly hal# awake, @ina sureyed her surroundings. Though there wasnt any particular intent behind her actions"" In her heart, the sense o# unease was growing. This wasnt normal. The moment that crossed her mind, her sleepiness anished. Theres no one here"" 8ien that she was now #ully awake, it was unbelieable that she couldnt recall how this came about. Though the ehicle was a large cargo truck that boasted the utility o# something that can be drien on a camping trip, they werent here #or #un and games. +n incident must hae occurred to prompt them all to leae. The ery #act that @ina had been de#eated was stunning. 4ersonnel could easily hae been mobili'ed #or obseration as well as a search and rescue mission. &till, it was plainly impossible #or eeryone to be absent. 1-hat is the reason #or this?3 0ased on her perspectie, abandoning the mobile base was unthinkable. In that case, who could possibly cause them to= &uddenly struck by a thought, @ina hustled to the control panel that operated the obseration cameras. &he remembered that the interior o# the ehicle was monitored EF hours a day. -hile she #elt that this setting was a little out o# date, this was still a iable method to recoer her memory. +t any rate, she turned back the record GH minutes. --%nly to be greeted by a blank monitor. 15h?3 @inas *aw dropped at the une(pected result and immediately #ell into a sheepish smile since no one was watching her. &he assumed that she had made a mistake manipulating the controls. %nce again, she care#ully ad*usted the record #or GH minutes ago. --+s e(pected, there was nothing. &he commanded the machine to rewind at F times the speed. &he een swapped the speed. The rewound time changed to G hour ago, then two hours, een three hours. )o matter what she did, the end result was the same. The recording had been erased. @ina #rantically e(amined the data that was not attached to the monitor, only to #ind the cache had been wiped. -ith a #urious e(pression, @ina hammered at the keys be#ore suddenly laying her hands on the keyboard. Though her #ingers and palms stung, her inner agitation #ar outweighed these triial matters. 1;ight, I need to report this to 2ontrol""3 7n#ortunately, @ina was once more thrust into a pit o# #rustration. The entire communication console had been damaged by a cleer techni.ue that could not be identi#ied #rom the outside. &he hit the console twice, then thrice be#ore slumping powerlessly into the chair. Her hands had grown numb and were slightly heated. @ina care#ully raised her hands to check #or any in*uries. @uckily, she wasnt bleeding anywhere. How childish would it be #or her to in*ure hersel# in the throes o# a tantrum? The #act that her display o# anger wasnt recorded allowed @ina a small sight o# relie#. %nce she calmed down D she reali'ed another detail that made her een more uneasy. Theres no sign o# any"" 4ain, wounds? &he ran her hands oer both legs, then crossed her arms to check the shoulders and wrists. 0ut, the wound that brought her hideous pain and caused her to lose consciousness had anished. )ot only was the in*ury gone, her clothing remained unblemished, nor was there any trace o# blood. -hat is going on here""? +ll o# a sudden, @inas mind was starting to lose touch with reality. ---hich one was the truth? --Had she truly been in*ured? ---ere they trying to make me unable to tell the di##erence? --:aybe, they were"" 12ould this be, )on-&ystematic :agic"" :ental +ssault?3 12ould it be"" That we hae made a terrible mistake?3 1Tatsuya isnt a :agician who employs matter to energy conersion magic, but a :agician with outstanding compatibility with :ental Inter#erence &ystematic :agic"" +n Illusionist?3 1""I# thats true, then much can be e(plained.3 1The truth behind the charred arm reerting to its original #orm could be e(plained i# I saw the illusion o# an arm being burnt.3 1@ikewise, he might hae broken through 4arade because he has a higher degree o# compatibility with illusions.3 1I# purely in terms o# direct application o# :ental Inter#erence &ystematic :agic, then the nulli#ication o# :uspelheim also makes sense.3 1&ince magic re.uires #ine control, een i# I didnt notice, once the mind has been sent o## kilter then the magic would #i''le as well. This is much easier than destroying the magic itsel#.3 1+#ter all, Tatsuya is the disciple o# a nin*a renowned #or his skill in Illusion :agic. That Tatsuya himsel# is also a nin*a is much more probable.3 +ll o# this ran across @inas muddled mind. ? ? ? Tatsuya had no way o# knowing whether @ina persisted in her misguided way o# interpreting the clues 1not that it made much o# a deal, since he only #i(ed her limbs and clothes3 in a way that bene#itted him. 2ompared to that, he had other pressing matters to handle. There was still EH minutes until he had to pick up :iyuki. I# possible, he wanted to ensure all the arrangements were in place. Inside the automatic car, Tatsuya actiated the heaily encrypted communication line. Ho, i# it isnt Tatsuya-dono. Has something happened? Hayama-san, my apologies #or calling at such an hour. The one who answered was the 6otsuba Aamilys butler, Hayama, though he was more o# 6otsuba :ayas personal butler. This line was a hotline that led directly to :aya. It is not too late in the eening, but un#ortunately the madam has other urgent business and cannot come to the phone. Aorgie my discourtesy. 0ased on the time, she must be bathing. + de#inite miscalculation. This isnt something that re.uires repentance. +ccording to my recollection, this must be the #irst time you hae called in #rom your side. Things must be grae. <ust as the old butler pointed out, this was the #irst time Tatsuya actiated this hotline. In truth, asking the 6otsuba #or help riled Tatsuya and was something he tried to aoid at all costs, but this wasnt the time to be stubborn. This was a situation wholly unlike )o Head >ragon or the inasion o# the 8reat +sian +lliance, where strength alone was enough to carry the day. Hayama, who stood at the core o# the 6otsuba Aamily, undoubtedly had access to more in#ormation and clues than Tatsuya did. Howeer, in order to tap into that power, tradition dictated that Tatsuya personally e(plain the situation at hand. In reality, we were *ust under attack #rom a 7&)+ s.uad. The #irst attack was beaten back thanks to intercession #rom the second son o# the 2hiba Aamily, 2hiba )aotsugu, but damage #rom &tars High 2ommander +ngelina &irius rendered him unable to continue. +#terwards, I engaged &irius= --+#ter striking down @ina, Tatsuya couldnIt een a##ord wasting time on restraining her as he walked towards the parking lot at the parks edge. )ot that there was any need #or him to do so. 5en i# @ina recoered consciousness, moement was impossible. +ssuming she could block out the pain, under her current state with the neres responsible #or moement seered, standing or crawling were both out o# the .uestion. He had attacked @inas limbs precisely #or this reason. Aurthermore, i# she had been trained in the ery beginning to #eel no pain, then she wouldnt hae #allen unconscious in the #irst place, thus Tatsuya concluded that @ina wasnt likely to awaken any time soon. Thus, his #irst priority was the enemys reseres. 2urrently, the @ight 1light wae oscillation type3 :agic oerhead that was blocking any sight was still in e##ect. This was the obious approach since there were no worries about recording @inas real isage. 6et, at the same time, this implied that the reseres were #orced to come here directly. 0ecause the 7&)+ military would neer abandon &irius. In order #or them to retreat, they must dispatch a unit to recoer @ina. This time #rame was precisely the opening #or Tatsuya to slip through. The enemy should be e(pecting Tatsuya to strike at this time and be appropriately on guard. +#ter all, they had witnessed him striking down &irius. )eertheless, leaing the resere #orce alone was not an option #or Tatsuya. It wasnt like he could e(ecute @ina. Though he could not kill her, at the ery least he could still restrain her. &till, killing or capturing her posed ma*or issues o# their own. Tatsuya had already buried one o# the international &trategic-2lass :agicians known as the GJ +postles. Though it was not Tatsuyas intent to do so, he had already #undamentally upset the worlds balance. The a#tershocks o# him wiping out another &trategic-2lass :agician that balanced the international balance o# power were simply unimaginable. Howeer, the support personnel were another story altogether. In regards to those who plainly bore him enmity D they were possibly an organi'ation that sought to capture him #or use as an e(perimental sub*ect. These people sought nothing less than his destruction. Aor such opponents, mercy was not re.uired. They re.uired a reminder o# the cost when it came down to tangling with Tatsuya in the shadows. Though he was unable to concentrate on the resere #orce during his stando## with @ina, now that he reached out with his senses once more, he #ound that they were still in their original positions and hadnt moed yet. +#ter the shocking turnaround with their trump card taken out, they were probably still waiting #or orders #rom command. There was no other e(planation #or their delayed reaction. +lthough this was per#ectly plausible, Tatsuya #elt that this was too naKe. In the eent o# a tactical retreat, #orming a combat s.uad was o# utmost priority. He should say they had too much hubris. %# course, 1This was the time that he should be thank#ul #or their oersight.3 I# the enemy had launched an all-out #rontal assault, it was plain that he might hae succumbed be#ore the #orce o# numbers. +#ter intentionally creating a situation where @ina would s.uare o## against Tatsuya G-on-G, he could only say that they had too much hubris on their side. %n the other hand, the enemy might hae also taken into consideration that they couldnt cause a spectacle in another nations capital. ;egardless, #or Tatsuya, this was an e(cellent opportunity to take adantage o#. &kipping the time needed #or proper aim, Tatsuya used his own ability to lock on be#ore clicking the trigger on his 2+>. The targets were the electronic e.uipment in the cargo truck. The #irst shot struck the communication line, the second #ell on the power supply leading to the camera systems on the outside, and the third landed on the power supply #eeding the cameras in the interior. %riginally, magic wasnt a techni.ue that could be properly employed against electrical e.uipment. Aor that, he had to thank Au*ibayashi and &anadas in#luence. Though any personal communication deices were still operable, Tatsuya had no time #or such things as he laid a hand on the cargo trucks door. The door wasnt locked. )or was there any biological eri#ication #or anti-the#t preention. Instead, he was greeted by a hailstorm o# bullets. :aybe it was thanks to high .uality silencers or special ammunition, but there were practically no sounds o# gunshots. Aor Tatsuya, who stood in the doorways shadow, it was more like the dulled open and release o# an assault ri#le. Howeer, the gunshots .uickly stilled. That was because the decomposition o# weapons was one o# the magics he was most well ersed in. :en leaped out #rom the car door brandishing knies. +ctiation &e.uence #illed the cars interior. 2lose .uarters combat #rom the #ront #ollowed by Alying-Type e.uipment support in the rear D the situation looked to be a magical assault. &lightly traditional, but undoubtedly an e##ectie tactic. )aturally, that was under the assumption that Tatsuya was unable to discern his opponents +ctiation &e.uences. &o long as he acted during the deployment phase o# the +ctiation &e.uence, psion bullets would be su##icient een i# he didnt use decomposition. Tatsuya reached out with his empty le#t hand. In his le#t hand, he created the basic #orm o# the compressed psion bullet, Aar &trike, that he had been #uriously training. )ot only did he target the deeloping +ctiation &e.uence, but mercilessly included the caster as well. Tatsuya saw the +ctiation &e.uence shatter into pieces. Though the enemy :agicians were able to de#lect the psion backlash, the damage su##ered #rom the psion bullet rendered them unable to prepare the ne(t spell. %# the three combat personnel who leaped #orward, two were already staggering. Aar &trike a##ected the astral #orm rather than the physical #orm, the soul to be speci#ic. -hile it was more e##ectie against human beings trained to use their willpower to control the physical body, e(perts in chi utili'ation would be able to de#lect or aoid the attacking psion bullets. In other words, it was super e##ectie against hal#-assed :agicians who #ailed to properly learn how to control their physical #lesh. The a#orementioned hal#-assed :agicians were hanging on because they didnt want to lose #ace in #ront o# Tatsuya. The last remaining :agician appeared to be a belieer in the +sian arts o# discipline. + simple, straight #orward #ight actually made it more di##icult. Tatsuya sei'ed the initiatie #irst. He e(changed the 2+> in his right hand #or the dagger-shaped e.uipment that belonged to @ina and tightened his grip. He swung his right arm #rom the le#t shoulder #orward and hurtled the blade towards the center o# the chest belonging to the enemy who had not been a##ected by Aar &trike. The une(pected throwing attack was launched at e(tremely close range. The tra*ectory o# the dagger was such that in*uries could not be aoided een i# blocked. +s e(pected o# an e(pert, the man elected to choose to aoid the blow. 6et, the mans easie maneuer #ell along Tatsuyas calculations. 4recisely because the action was too logical, planning #or it also became easier. The man raised his le#t shoulder and leg while the right arm holding the dagger swung outwards #rom the inside, causing the hurtled dagger to #ly past his #lank. 0ased on his posture with the right arm e(tended outwards swung down toward his le#t #lank, the ne(t attack was not going to come #rom the blind spot at his right back, but #rom lower below. Tatsuya kicked out with his right leg. &eeing the piot #oot during the throwing motion make such an irregular moement, the man was unable to hide his shocked e(pression. The mans right hand that was warily held in a tight #ist and had *ust returned due to the centri#ugal #orce o# his moement took Tatsuyas kick dead on. The man didnt lose the dagger in his grip. 0iting back the sudden pain #rom the kick on his wrist, he planned on striking down Tatsuyas kick. I# the piot #oot proided the blow, then that #oot must hae been used to *ump. In reality, Tatsuya was currently in a state with both #eet o## the ground. I# the #orce o# his blow had been blocked, then no matter how agile Tatsuya was, his sense o# balance would be compromised. D I# this #ight was going to be decided on pure physical blows alone. This time, Tatsuya actiated the 8raity 2ontrol-Type :agic lurking ahead o# time in the magical calculation area. Aor a continuous J seconds, the a(is would alter oer ten times during the Alying-Type :agic. +#ter his right leg had been blocked, Tatsuya continued to rise in the air without touching the ground and deliered a roundhouse kick with his le#t leg. This time, the man didnt een hae time to react. The le#t heel struck the back o# the mans neck directly. + heay sound came #rom the impact as well as the #eeling o# a solid hit. This was a sound Tatsuya was well #amiliar with, the sound o# bones breaking under a kick. The mans body #lew sideways. >ictated by inertia, Tatsuyas body slid towards the le#t. + blade pierced his a#terimage. The weapon was thrown by one o# the two companions accompanying the man who had success#ully de#ended against Aar &trike. Though he was still under the in#luence o# Alying-Type :agic, Tatsuyas #eet still touched the ground. He used magic to lessen the #orce o# contact. +t a speed beyond the human body D at least a speed that Tatsuya could not achiee, Tatsuya rushed towards the two o# them. The 2+> he held in his right hand had already been returned to its holster when he whipped out the dagger. +#terwards, he didnt use magic to slow himsel# down but used the #orward leaping moement to harness the kinetic energy. +t the same time he launched o## the ground, he sent his right arm that was #ueled by inertia and the kinetic energy straight into the enemys chest. This was not a #ist, but a palm strike directed towards the enemys heart position. 7pon being struck, the man was li#ted bodily #rom the ground and went #lying. Tatsuya lowered his height slightly and once more made contact with the ground on his #eet. Alying-Type :agic was still actie #or another second. +#ter he *umped two meters into the air, the sound o# oncoming bullets could be heard #rom behind him as they #ell where he stood earlier. The shots came #rom within the ehicle. The assailant must hae picked up another #irearm to replace the deconstructed assault ri#le. )onetheless, adopting that tactic at this stage was #ar too late. Tatsuya pulled out a gun #rom his waist. This was not the handgun-shaped 2+> he usually held, but a real gun that he also took o## o# @ina. He turned in mid-air and returned a gi#t o# lead towards the shooter poking out #rom the window. +#ter Tatsuyas bullets pierced his chest, the mans body slid #rom the window back into the car. Immediately, Tatsuya landed atop the third man. His right #oot stamped on the shoulder while his le#t #oot snapped the collarbone as it landed. His body, #ree o# any more magical in#luences, landed behind the third man *ust like that. The ensuing rain o# bullets that splashed around his body was a clear sign o# how panicked the opposing shooter was. Though it was di##icult to hit the enemy taking coer in the car, there was thank#ully only one opponent le#t. +#ter using gun#ire to suppress the enemy and charge into the car, Tatsuya sureyed the situation and couldnt help but #eel a little let down. 0esides the two who had been shot and killed, there were two other men knocked unconscious on the #loor. 0ased on the 2+>s on their wrists, both o# them should be supporting :agicians. It appeared that Aar &trike had a #ew unintended e##ects. This also rein#orced that 6akumos training was particularly e##ectie. +s insurance, Tatsuya stomped on eery mans chest to check #or any reaction be#ore hurtling the bodies o# the slain and unconscious out the car. &ince @inas gun had a small mu''le, the bodies luckily didnt show any ma*or wounds. Though eeryone had a #ew holes on their bodies, not a whole lot o# blood escaped. +#ter making a copy o# all the records on board, Tatsuya set about wiping all the onboard machines. +#ter taking into consideration that the ne(t group o# guests would clean up a#ter him, Tatsuya did a cursory *ob wiping away the blood and e(ited the ehicle. Throughout this entire se.uence, Tatsuya pretended that he was obliious to the mysterious indiidual spying on him. =-hen I carried +ngie &irius oer to the ehicle, there was no trace o# the sub*ugated resere #orce. -ere they taken by the obserer? I assume they decided that this outweighed my continued obseration, since by the time I returned, the immobile 2hiba )aotsugu had also disappeared. +#ter listening to Tatsuyas situation report, Hayama adopted a contemplatie posture. 8ien that there was no way to see i# he was putting on an act, this could only be chalked up as an older mans e(tensie e(perience. @ooks like our obserer is closely connected to the &aegusa Aamily. The &aegusa Aamily? +re you sure its not the 2hiba Aamily? Tokyo belongs to the &aegusa Aamilys *urisdiction. -e hae also caught wind o# Loichi-samas subordinates taking certain actions. Loichi-sama was the head o# the &aegusa Aamily, so Tatsuya naturally understood that this was re#erring to &aegusa Loichi. The names o# the arious heads within the Ten :aster 2lans were common knowledge among <apanese :agicians. @imiting the usage o# magic to a minimum and primarily relying on close .uarters combat to settle the issue are both born o# the #act that you are aware that o# the sureillance, but ultimately this was something to be aoided i# possible gien the obserer. )one o# the string o# eents that started since +pril were instigated by Tatsuya. He had always become embroiled in the eents because he had been dragged in. ;egardless, Tatsuya was ery cogni'ant that a guardian like him being so conspicuous was not a wise course o# action, so he demurred. &till, we are also aware that Tatsuya-dono has not done anything worthy o# blame. +lthough protecting one o# the candidates #or the ne(t head o# house, :iyuki-dono, is your mission, you are de#initely not the only one assigned to this task. 5en i# she is not yet by :aya- samas side, it is #ar too early #or the other #amilies to be aware o# :iyuki-donos position. %# course, gien that this is Loichi-sama, he may already hae caught on"" 2aught on must re#er to the idea that Tatsuya was someone a##iliated with the 6otsuba Aamily. Tatsuya was inwardly impressed that this was still caught on and not a growing concern. In spite o# this, we cannot allow them to sei'e any eidence that would moe beyond speculation. Tatsuya-dono, please trans#er the copied data oer to me. I will begin handling the 7&)+ military side. The light words that dropped #rom Hayamas mouth sounded like a proud boast to Tatsuyas ears. In terms o# numbers, the 6otsuba Aamily were plainly outnumbered by the &aegusa and Ichi*ou Aamilies. 6et, their combat prowess were comparable. In G-on-G con#rontations, the 6otsuba would hae the adantage. >espite their limited numbers, they were more than capable o# becoming the counterterrorism trump card and carrying out actions that went beyond the reach o# the law that the goernment needed. In terms o# black ops and assassinations, none among the )umbered Aamilies could match the 6otsuba Aamily. &o long as we dont leae an opening #or the <&>A to interene, Loichi-sama shouldnt be able to intercede directly. The other agents were another story altogether, but at least Hayamas words were trustworthy. +t the same time he hit the switch #or the communication line, Tatsuya bowed deeply be#ore the camera. ? ? ? The instant she saw Tatsuyas #ace as he arried to pick her up, :iyukis eyes widened in shock. >id something happen? )o, nothings the matter. Though the response was immediate, :iyuki understood ery well that those were only super#icial words meant to coer the situation. %nii-sama, you arent hurt right? +ll o# a sudden, :iyuki hugged Tatsuya tightly. This actually threw Tatsuya #or a loop. )o, :iyuki, please calm down a little. I cant possibly calm down9 This smell"" %nii-sama, you #ought against @ina, right9? +nd, it wasnt one-on-one, right9? 6ou smell like you #ought against ten people at least9 <ust as Tatsuya could use sight to capture in#ormation, so too could :iyuki detect in#ormation through touch. Howeer, :iyuki was more capable than that, as she could also use smell to receie knowledge that was practically instinct. +lthough Tatsuya carried no traces o# physical in*uries, he still carried the scent o# battle. 4lease, Im asking you to settle down a little. Haing someone #eel concern oer him was something worth cheering about, but there was no way to conerse i# she could not calm down. 6ou should know that no one is capable o# leaing a mark on me. +nyone else might hae been bemused by those words, but :iyuki immediately grasped the meaning within. 8radually, her e(citement settled. Aie seconds later, she had entirely calmed. ""%nii-sama, my sincere apologies #or my display. )ot only was she apologi'ing erbally, but een his sisters body was huddled together in embarrassment. Tatsuya couldnt help but smile D maybe he #elt a smile was the only proper way to respond D and slightly shook his head. )o worries. I was the one who caused you to worry. &uch a thing"" %# course a sister would be concerned #or %nii- samas sa#ety. %# course? Though that .uestion #lashed across Tatsuyas brain on re#le(, he was well aware that oicing that aloud was taboo. It was nothing more than a thought. True, #eeling concern #or others was a matter o# course, but :iyukis #eror was slightly atypical. )aturally, theres no way @ina could beat you no matter how she challenged you. Thats because theres no one in the world who can beat %nii-sama. +s he watched his sister sprout her usual #erent words, Tatsuya sel#- consciously watched her with slightly colder eyes. +s long as :iyuki belieed in him, he had to meet that e(pectation no matter the cost. This thought truly e(isted somewhere in his heart, an understanding born o# both determination and pride. 6et, at the same time, his own ob*ectiity that was completely unrelated to this understanding saw that this was #ar too dangerous. I# not #or the #act that his opponent was an emotionally immature young lady o# GM years, i# both sides had brought their #ull might to bear, he might hae been the one who #ell in the end. Howeer, een i# he wasnt relieed o# his duties, it would be terrible i# his principle detected this sort o# de#eatist thinking. -hich is why, more than eer, he needed to present an indomitable #ront. &o long as you are waiting #or me, I will bow to no one. 5(cept, these words seemed a little oerkill. ;ather, the presentation was a tad oerkill. Tears #ormed at the corners o# :iyukis eyes. &eeing the warm ga'e :iyuki directed towards him, Tatsuya reali'ed that he had made a tactical error. )onetheless, there was no way #or him to take back the words he spoke. )ay, een i# he could erase them, this situation was beyond his control. In addition, :iyuki was in a state that went well beyond any easy means o# de#using. 1""%h well, still better than being mercilessly interrogated.3 ;ight now, Tatsuyas mind was #illed with escapist thoughts. ? ? ? 0y the time @ina returned to her apartment, it was already the second day. Aurthermore, it wasnt immediately a#terward but #ar later. +t the ery least, the sun hadnt risen when she returned home, so at least she could draw a little com#ort #rom that. -hile all o# her e.uipment had been con#iscated, #or some ine(plicable reason 0rionac was still with her, so personal sa#ety wasnt going to be an issue. 7n#ortunately, since her communication deice had been taken away, there was no way to call a car to pick her up. Aurthermore, since she always used electric currency, she wasnt carrying her purse. 5en more importantly, in order to preent any inestigation on her combat operation, she didnt bring any personal items either. Thanks to that, een EF hour public transportation was denied to her, #orcing her to walk all the way home. &ince her &peciali'ed and 8enerali'ed 2+> were both gone, Alying- Type :agic and high speed mobility magic were both inaccessible. 0y the time she #inally arried at the apartment she lied at thanks to intermittent @eaping techni.ues, @ina was practically on the erge o# tears. I# anyone had been un#ortunate enough to witness her state, @ina might hae #ired with 0rionac on re#le( out o# incredible shame. Thanks to biological identi#ication, @ina managed to get inside without much trouble. +t the same time she breathed out a sigh o# relie#, #ury roused within her. 1>o you hate me or something, Tatsuya9?3 Arom an ob*ectie perspectie, @ina had a mountain o# reasons to complain about him. 5en so, the ma*ority o# them came #rom her emotions. In the end, thanks to her military training, she broke through these #eelings and remembered what her priorities were. Airst, she opened the signal to the command center. Howeer, no matter how she signaled, she #ailed to receie a reply. 2old sweat dripped down @inas back. In order to dispel the dark premonition in her heart, @ina #uriously shook her head. &he tried using the communicator in her room once again to call the command center. 5arlier, she still bore hope that the signal wasnt going through, but as she repeatedly called out, this hope #lickered and died. -hat happened to the colonel, @ina couldnt help but think. @ina swi#tly e.uipped hersel# with 2+>s and other weapons, told hersel# to buck up, then *umped o## the balcony into the night sky. Her destination ahead o# her was the skyscraper that housed their secret command center. 0y the time she discoered that the place was abandoned, it was well a#ter an hour since she began her thorough search. ? ? ? The ne(t morning. The news on the teleision reported that a small 7&)+ essel was #ound in <apanese waters and had been rescued by the <apanese )aal >e#ense Aorce a#ter said essel was le#t adri#t a#ter su##ering mechanical #ailure. Howeer, the news #ailed mention as to why a high ranking o##icer stationed at the Tokyo embassy was on board. +dditionally on that day, the beauti#ul trans#er student at Airst High continued to call in sick on account o# physical in#irmity. Chapter 15 +s he ate break#ast while watching the morning news, Tatsuya noticed that he was unconsciously nodding along and hurriedly stopped his head motions. Aortunately, :iyukis eyes were drawn to the teleision, so she remained obliious to Tatsuyas odd moements. :echanical #ailure? 0ut I didnt see any #orecast regarding hurricanes or thick #og. :iyukis skepticism arose #rom the news that a small +merican naal essel dri#ted within <apanese territorial waters. Its hard to imagine that machines will hae such a large breakdown, so it probably has something to do with the motor. In this age o# automated machinery, the chance that this is caused by human #ailure while moing in the wrong direction is slim. &eeing the pose his sister struck as she simply 1?3 accepted his word as truth while nodding along, he couldnt help but #eel that his soul was being corrupted. D%# course, Tatsuya was sel#-aware enough to know that was nothing more than a misconception. %n the other hand"" 15en i# this is %ba-samas direct order, the e(ecution speed is simply too .uick.3 0ased on the time that the dri#ting essel had been taken under protection and cross re#erenced against the time Tatsuya contacted Hayama, #orget hal# a day, the entire episode #rom attack to clean-up was completed in barely hal# that time. In other words, they were currently embroiled in secret war#are while their #ighting strength was highly restricted, but their opponent was a nations pro#essional army. This was no militia #ound in small deeloping countries, but most likely the elite o# the elite #rom a ma*or superpower. )o matter how capable the 6otsuba agents were, this was an unbelieable operation tempo. In short, 10y the time I made contact, they had already distributed their assets.3 In regards to e(actly what their plans were, that he was not priy to. :aybe this was a natural coincidence, or perhaps they had planned on not inter#ering in the #irst place. )or was it impossible that they simply wanted to see Tatsuya bow down to them and re.uest #or aid. 1;egardless o# what it is, its not like I #eel like I owe them anything.3 )o matter what the background was, Tatsuya was satis#ied so long as the end result was moing in the positie direction. :iyuki intentionally portrayed her agreement to the motor mal#unction e(planation while she sneaked a peek at her brothers isage. Her brother didnt seem to notice anything out o# the ordinary #rom her. -hile these small motions that misled her brother strained her, she also wanted to keep a #ew things #rom her brother on occasion. :iyuki deposited the utensils and dinnerware in the kitchen and le#t the cleanup to the H+; 1Home +utomation ;obot3 be#ore heading upstairs to her room to change. &tanding in #ront o# the mirror, :iyuki gae a small sigh. :iyuki didnt een need to watch the news to know something was a#oot. +s usual, a#ter Tatsuya le#t #or his morning training a#ter break#ast. :iyuki receied a phone call #rom :aya. The contents in#ormed her that the 7&)+ troops threatening Tatsuyas surroundings hae been dealt with. &till, :iyuki remained unaware o# which speci#ic members in the 6otsuba Aamily conducted the operation. Thus, the only person whom :iyuki coneyed her thanks to was :aya. >espite knowing that these were methods to keep tabs on her, :iyukis gratitude was heart#elt. In addition, :iyuki re.uested that :aya, who typically did not look upon her brother and hersel# with #aor, to keep all o# this #rom Tatsuya. 1How wily I am"" I# %nii-sama knew the truth about this, then he must think Im a terrible girl""3 %n one hand, :iyuki wished to preent Tatsuya thinking o# her as a dolt o# a child. 2oncurrently, on the other hand, she tried her utmost to ensure Tatsuya didnt iew her as a smart child. Arom the bottom o# her heart, :iyuki didnt want to be weigh down her brother. 6et at the same time, the one thing she absolutely abhorred was #or her brother to beliee my little sister doesnt need me anymore. %nce she became the head o# the 6otsuba Aamily and was #ully independent"" %nce he came to that conclusion, her brother may depart #rom her side. 5en i# he wasnt leaing, he would probably still keep his distance. That, was the nightmare that eer tormented :iyuki. :iyuki and Tatsuya were siblings by blood. +s she grew older, leaing her brother was a matter o# course, *ust as he would naturally grow apart #rom his sister. :iyuki also understood that one day she must marry. &he would be #orced to accept someone other than her brother as her husband. Though this was against :iyukis wishes, society and this country called <apan would neer allow her not to do this, so long as she was a talented :agician with hereditary genes boasting power#ul magical .ualities. This was not something #ar o## in the distant #uture, but something looming rather closely. In the modern age, :agicians were re.uired to marry early. This was especially the case #or #emale :agicians, so that they could marry .uickly and bear children. The reason behind this was that the sooner a :agician was born generation-wise, the greater the tendency #or him or her to wield innately power#ul magic. &cientists re#erred to this as magic seeping into hereditary genes. The di##erences between the greatest :agicians o# each generation werent obious, but the aerage power leel was on the rise. Their parents generation surpassed their grandparents generation, *ust as they too surpassed their parents. -hile this would leel o## sooner or later, eeryone was still bound by the oerwhelming urge to bring #orth the ne(t generation as .uickly as possible. It wasnt strange #or #emale students who applied #or magical uniersities to suddenly drop out to raise children. :utations with unstable li#e e(pectancies were not under this restriction, but een now, well into the second or third generations, there was still a duty in the eyes o# the public to bear children at a young age. Their mother marrying late and their aunt who maintained her stead#ast resole to remain single were both e(ceptions, though accepted only because o# inescapable physical reasons. :iyuki was the picture o# per#ect health, so none o# those reasons applied. )ot to mention that she was seen as the ne(t head o# the 6otsuba Aamily, a bearer o# e(ceptional genes. In reality, she wouldnt do anything o# that nature with any boy sae her brother. These were :iyukis true #eelings. )o, the real truth o# the matter was that she detested all the other boys e(cept #or Tatsuya. It wasnt a biological issue, so something like dancing was still acceptable. Howeer, in :iyukis heart, the only who was allowed to touch her was Tatsuya. The only who could do as he wished with her was Tatsuya alone. The re#lection in the mirror was that o# hersel# clad in her underwear. +s she looked upon hersel#, :iyuki couldnt help but think. These #ingers and this hair, lips, bosom, the secret places that no one was allowed to see, all were aailable #or Tatsuya to touch i# he willed it so. I# it was Tatsuya, she was willing to do anything. --)o matter i# it was her body or heart, eerything that she was belonged to %nii-sama= This was :iyukis truth, a wish that came #rom the bottom o# her heart akin to prayer. 6et, :iyuki also knew that these #eelings would neer come to pass. That was what she thought. 15en i# Im *ust a lamentable little sister"" )o, it would be een better i# I seem like an unreliable, lamentable little sister. I# this will allow me to stay by %nii-samas side #oreer""3 +s she thought this, she also worked hard to ensure she was not resented by Tatsuya +ll o# this summed up the conundrum :iyuki was #aced with. ? ? ? +#ter stepping into the classroom #or 6ear G 2lass 5, Tatsuya noticed the atypical atmosphere and swept his ga'e back and #orth. He immediately #ound the reason. The arrangement o# the EN seats in the class were normally musically arranged with boys and girls mi(ed together. Tatsuya sat behind @eo, :i'uki sat to his le#t D and the source o# the turmoil came #rom one row across #rom the seat ne(t to the window. Auming, 5rika sat there looking out the window. >ispleasure seemed to oo'e out o# her ery being as she sat in that posture. 1-ell"" I guess that cant be helped.3 Tatsuya had a clear grasp on the source o# the displeasure. 0ased on that adoring look #rom last summer, it was ery hard her to accept what happened last night. Tatsuya"" 5rika-chan, whats going on? + oice called out to Tatsuya a#ter he swept a .uick glance oer 5rika be#ore sitting down. -hile watching Tatsuyas #ace, :i'uki kept hal# her mind on 5rika. 5en i# it wasnt OHP or QHP o# her attention on 5rika, the only thing she could acutely pick up was that Tatsuya knew something. 0ased on the looks #rom :ikihiko and @eo that looked like :i'ukis own, they also noticed. Howeer, there were things in this world that Tatsuya was unable to answer een i# asked. +t the ery least, he couldnt say @ast night, 5rikas second brother was de#eated by @ina. -hat is going on here? In the end, Tatsuya had no choice but to play dumb. %ne o# his #riends positie points was that they wouldnt #uss #or too long. Their reasons di##ered in that this was :i'ukis nature, while :ikihiko and @eo had personal e(periences with things that they didnt want other people to know. &till, it was ineitable #or them to be subtly in#luenced by this unnatural atmosphere. The uncom#ortable mood continued on, to the point o# the rare occasion where the #ie classmates separated during lunch D the word classmate was used intentionally because :iyuki and Honoka were usually included in the mi(. +ny change in the situation came about a#ter school. <ust as he told his sister last night, Tatsuya swi#tly negotiated 1in secret3 with the holder and priately borrowed 4i(ie. This was not #or amusement purposes, but #or an interrogation, e(cept that the storage room belonging to the ;obotics 2lub wasnt suited #or that enture. That being said, her garb was simply too eye-catching #or walt'ing around campus. He also wished to aoid any rumors or suspicions 1o# his interests3, and with his ob*ecties in mind, being conspicuous was simply no good. Thus, Tatsuya #irst ordered 4i(ie to change into a girls uni#orm. The uni#orm was actually a costume #or humanoid models that :ayumi borrowed #rom the +rts 2lub. There was some concern that the di##erences in the human skeletal structure and the machines design may inter#ere with changing clothes, but the JHs body proed to be more #le(ible than imagined, so both acts o# remoing clothes and changing were possible. Though the lines in the lower hal# o# the body were somewhat unnatural, but Tatsuya had already planned ahead by preparing a uni#orm that was one si'e larger so this detail wasnt as obious. +nyone who passed by along the halls would only assume that she was a #emale student. D<ust in case, it should be stated that Tatsuya had no peculiar #eelings while watching a humanoid robot changing clothes. +#ter all this, Tatsuya brought 4i(ie to an empty room in the labs and began his interrogation. &etting aside the awkwardness o# hearing a oice reerberate through his head and #eeling the mysteriously burning hot ga'e that had nothing to do with optics coming #rom its optics, Tatsuya began his .uestioning. The .uestions he asked pertained to the ampire incident. In particular, the ictims clearly bore no sign o# in*ury, yet an unbelieably massie amount o# blood was missing #rom their bodies. Ruestions regarding this mechanic and the motie behind it. These were the topics that drew Tatsuyas attention eer since he heard about this incident. -ere 4arasites responsible #or remoing the blood #rom the ictims? 1165&.33 -hy did you need blood #rom liing humans? 110lood loss was not our intent. That is the side e##ect o# #ailed reproduction.33 4lease gie a more detailed e(planation. 11%ur reproduction process begins by separating a part o# ourseles and transplanting that portion into the body o# a potential host. The separated portion will absorb the psions and pushions in the blood to grow, thus replacing the lost blood within the #lesh o# the essel.33 Hold on"" ;eplacing blood with yoursel#? +s in#ormation bodies, you shouldnt hae energy. -here does the energy #rom the replaced blood go? 11It is consumed by the body during the assimilation process. I# assimilation #ails, then it would be trans#ormed into gas and e(pelled out o# the body along with the separated portion.33 I see, so thats how it works"" 2ontinue. 11I# entry into the #lesh is success#ul, then we are able to tap into the astral #orm o# the in#ormation body.33 :utual use o# body the in#ormation body and the material #orm, much like the theory behind magic. 11The astral #orm is the route that leads to the spirit. %nce a connection has been made between the astral #orm and the essels spirit, then reproduction ia assimilation has succeeded. 7n#ortunately, there are currently no e(amples o# such success.33 ;eason being? 117nknown. I would like to know as well. Aor reason, only that #eeling remains in my heart.33 ""How many o# your companions are in this country? 11+t the time I took re#uge in this essel there were si(.33 2an 4arasites communicate amongst one another? 1165&.33 -hat is your communication range? 11+nywhere within this countrys borders would be possible.33 -here are the other 4arasites currently located? 11@ocations unknown. &ince residing in this body, the link to my companions has been seered.33 4i(ie neer hesitated when answering Tatsuyas .ueries. There was no way to di##erentiate e(pressions on that #ace, but her cognitie pattern appeared to be in high spirits. This, at least, didnt seem like a misconception on his part. 5(actly how accurately emotions could be coneyed across telepathy and to what degree those #eelings could be disguised were both uncertain, but the #eeling being sent across seemed like genuine happiness that she was able to assist Tatsuya. >espite the callousness o# this statement, it was undeniably chilling to be perceied in a positie light by a monster. &till, all o# this could be rela(ed when one recalled that the host was an ob*ect and not a human being. He made a clear distinction between the two, so this was nothing more than both sides using one another, thus he proceeded without a guilty conscience. +s the two o# them sat alone 1to be precise, more like one person and one machine3 in the classroom, 5rika entered the classroom during the lull in the interrogation. Tatsuya-kun, may I come in #or a second? There was no way o# telling i# she calculated that this was per#ect time to make an entrance a#ter eaesdropping or this was pure coincidence. 8ien that this was 5rika, nothing would be awry een i# she oerheard anything. Then again, since the .uestion and answer session was done ia telepathy, no one could oerhear them no matter how hard they tried. He had no complaints about the sudden re.uest #or entry. &ince this wasnt his room and he wasnt changing, there was no need to re.uire people to knock. Howeer= I dont mind i# you want to ask me something, but please rein in that killing intent o# yours a little. Im not entirely blind, you know. --He honestly wished she would calm down a little. +h, sorry. 5rika hersel# seemed to be obliious to that matter. &he blushed in embarrassment a#ter Tatsuya pointed it out. )o, so long as you understand. &he truly appeared to be unaware, seeing as how the porcupine-like aura that clung to 5rikas body gradually #aded into thin air. In other words, she had added those emotions into the mi(. He couldnt help but #eel that she shared a #ew points o# similarity with his sister, so he had to earnestly suppress the wry grin threatening to leak #rom his lips. 4i(ie, lock the door. 7nderstood. &witching with 4i(ie, 5rika stood be#ore Tatsuya. >espite his encouragement #or her to take a seat, she declined to do so. 5rika maintained her standing position as she looked down at Tatsuya as he sat in his seat. &ince he understood the #eelings running through her, Tatsuya didnt press the issue. &o, what did you want to talk about? 6ou already know. <ust the anticipated conersation? 5(actly"" @ast night, a brother o# mine engaged in a disgrace#ul per#ormance. 5rikas response was within e(pected parameters, but Tatsuya had more than one answer prepared ahead o# time. Thats it? +t any rate, this comes #irst. I see, so some things come #irst. <ust as Tatsuya was about to say this, 5rika continued on. -ho was the other guy? There was no small talk inoled as she asked her .uestion directly. &peaking o# which, seeing as how she didnt een wait #or an e(planation o# the opponent inoled, she must be ery agitated. 7&)+ :ilitary, &tars High 2ommander, +ngie &irius. In response, Tatsuyas answer was also decisie and direct. :aybe it was because she didnt e(pect him to answer immediately, a cloud o# con#usion gathered around 5rika. &o, what are you going to do a#ter hearing that? Taking adantage o# 5rikas momentary bemusement, this time it was Tatsuya to raise a .uestion. That sort o# thing"" >o you een need to ask? &he appeared to be a little shocked at the direct .uestion out o# the blue, but she immediately #ired back with a #ierce look on her #ace. I can surmise what course o# action you hae in mind, but"" I recommend you gie up, 5rika. +re you saying that its impossible #or me? This was not the unconsciously e(pressed #ury #rom be#ore. Tatsuya didnt een bat an eyelid as he absorbed this intentional display o# wrath. It is impossible. )ot because o# talent, but #rom a results perspectie. ""-hat do you mean? The #irst hal# o# that that phrase was still buoyed by #ury, but the latter hal# was switched #or astonishment. 6ou saw the news this morning, correct? It doesnt matter i# it was the images or the words. I did. -hich one are you talking about? The news about the small 7&)+ essel le#t adri#t. That one"" 6ou cant mean? How astute o# you. 7pon seeing the change in 5rikas #acial e(pression, Tatsuyas words were not simple courtesy, but honest praise. Though this remains a mere possibility"" 0ut &irius will likely not appear again. 5en i# both sides remain in a stando##, there is no bene#it to be gained here #or either side. 5rika didnt hae an answer or re*ection #or Tatsuyas suggestion. Tatsuya-kun"" In comparison, she was staring in all seriousness at Tatsuya as i# she beheld a completely unidenti#iable stranger. -ho".. -hat are you""? )o, not as i#. &he actually saw him as an enigma. That sort o# thing, at least #or my #amily"" That is beyond the 2hiba Aamily. Is that so? Tatsuya wasnt playing dumb here, but he had no other options at this point. )ot *ust our #amily. This is de#initely impossible #or #amilies like Isori, 2hiyoda, and Tomitsuka. I dont know e(actly how this happened, but the only ones capable o# getting that kind o# result would be the Ten :aster 2lans. +nd een then, only"" I beliee thats #ar enough, correct? + lineage o# incredible power. + #amily whose power base surrounds the capital, or a #amily who has #ree reign to act regardless o# territory or *urisdiction. &he couldnt stop speaking. 5rika, enough. ;emoing the Ichi*ou Aamily station in the north"" Then there is only &aegusa, <uumon*i, or"" 6otsuba. Tatsuya-kun, you cant possibly be"" &ilence9 +h9 5rika shut her mouth not because o# coarseness o# Tatsuyas oice or the olume, but the intent mi(ed within. +ny #urther would only result in things getting awkward #or eeryone. Tatsuya calmly made that declaration. 5rika was not lacking in e(perience when it came to walking though the alley o# death. &he was not #alling .uiet because she was oerawed by his manner. ;ather, her e(tensie e(perience told her to do so. 5specially because she was about to recklessly cross oer the line. ""Im sorry. +s long as you understand. The phrase was similar to the ones be#ore. +s usual, his tone was light. Howeer, cold sweat dripped down 5rikas back. 5rika, een i# you wanted to #ind out who &irius is, there is nothing #or it now. Thus, lets *ust end things here. ""6oure right. &he understood that hal# the reason why Tatsuya changed the sub*ect was #or hersel#, so 5rika acknowledged Tatsuyas proposal. Then, lets hear what else you wanted to know. I assuming it has something to do with the 4arasites remnants. &pot on, though this doesnt really merit praise. 6ou wouldnt be Tatsuya i# you couldnt discern things to this leel. Ainally, she had regained her usual sel# at least #or appearances sake, which must mean she was aware o# it now. -ere those words o# yours actually praise? +t the ery least, Im not demeaning you, right? >uring this acting se.uence, 5rika was gradually resuming her typical state. This high degree o# resiliency was .uite admirable. Its not like I planned on leaing things alone. 6ou can count on me to let you know i# I hear anything. +s he said this, Tatsuya directed a look at 4i(ie that was #ull o# undercurrents. 5rika also sneaked a peek at 4i(ie be#ore the corners o# her mouth twitched upwards in a satis#ied manner. >e#initely, %L? In response, I will also be open about this and not hold anything back. It was precisely 5rikas personality to add a corollary to this part o# their agreement now. +h, agreed. This was appropriate distance when it came down to his relationship with her. Then, Tatsuya-kun, sorry #or bothering you. +h, and please coney my regards to your older brother. The hand 5rika e(tended towards the door shook #or a bit, but 5rika .uickly le#t the room as i# nothing had happened. Tatsuya had no #urther remarks #or that. ? ? ? +#ter leaing the classroom where she had the secret conersation 1?3 with Tatsuya, 5rika .uickly walked down the hall. +#ter returning the sparsely populated e(perimental building to the main #loor, 5rika leaned back against the wall o# the corridor. +nd heaed a giant sigh o# relie#. +s i# #inally reali'ing how deep o# a hole she was in, cold sweat ran down her temple. Thinking back on what happened, she couldnt help but think she was behaing strangely today. )ormally, she would neer do something so silly like stepping on a tigers tail. --&cratch that, rather than calling that a tigers tail, more like the untouchable scales o# a dragon. --Thanks to that, she knew clearly. --&he een knew the things that she didnt need to know. 1""How terrible.3 5rikas lips curled into a sel#-depreciatie smile. %nce she drew back the curtain and witnessed what was going on, a lot o# things suddenly made sense. %riginally, 5rika didnt agree with that person who een called on her second brothers assistance to #ind out about Tatsuya. &he thought that, as one o# Tatsuyas companions, she should obstruct such a thing. &he had planned on sa#eguarding Tatsuyas secret. )ow, #or some reason, she wasnt *ust wanting to protect but being #orced to protect. This was not to say that i# 5rika leaked the secret that Tatsuya would come down on her with a engeance. 1I get the #eeling that een i# I let it slip, Tatsuya would *ust laugh and #orgie me.3 &till, eerything had a what i#, which prompted some serious consideration on 5rikas part. There was no way she was going to put that to the test. <ust Tatsuyas ability alone would be incredibly di##icult, and on top o# that D though that only remained a possibility. 1+hSSSS ""Im so con#used. &eriously, I shoulde let sleeping dogs lie.3 -hy the heck did she say that, 5rika wordlessly complained to hersel#. )ow that she thought about it, there was a sense that she was being led around. 1Thats ridiculous"" Thats pushing it too #ar no matter how eil Tatsuya-kuns personality is.3 5rika resolutely smiled to blow away all those hanging concerns. &he was #uriously backpedaling away #rom the notion that he was capable o# doing e(actly that. ? ? ? 1"">id that back#ire on me?3 Tatsuya thought to himsel# as he kept staring at the door a#ter 5rika le#t. He had considered the possibility that 2hiba )aotsugus interention yesterday was the result o# the 2hiba Aamily *oining the &aegusa Aamily, or more appropriately, the recon anguard dispatched by <&>A intelligence bureau a#ter being goaded on by the &aegusa Aamily, but this appeared to hae nothing do with 5rika. &till, this may be as simple as 5rika being not in#ormed. 1Aorget it. They would catch on sooner or later.3 In the end, 5rika had already witnessed all sorts o# things. )ot only had she seen his powers, but also :iyukis 2ocytus. 0ased on her outstanding instincts, all o# this was simply a matter o# time regardless. 10ased on the end result, we still pulled her in anyways.3 This deelopment was not something that Tatsuya planned #or in his scenario, but it was #ine in his book so long as the result was alright, he thought. Typically, it was impossible to keep a secret without a #ew conspirators. There were situations where the person in .uestion simply could not coer eerything by themseles. &trictly speaking, that was because those who sought these secrets acted behind the backs o# the person in .uestion. +t that time, the ideal scenario was #or the seeker to run into a third party that happened to be the conspirator. Tatsuya unilaterally drew the curtain on this incredibly sel#ish monologue. 4i(ie. 116es, :aster.33 Tatsuya more or less understood that when conersing with 4i(ie using telepathy, they were communicating with concepts rather than words. The image being sent oer was then translated into words by the receiing side. 5en while wearing a serants garb, being called :aster by someone wearing the same school uni#orm still threw him out o# sorts. &till, this was how the other entity #elt and once this became a habit during their telepathic communication, there was nothing he could do about it. )onetheless, Tatsuya was glad that at least the term hadnt translated into something like :y @ord or :ilord. +#ter all, this was his personal pre#erence when it came down to language. &ince she 1?3 used a mobile #orm o# telepathy, Tatsuya belieed that she was unaware o# this. &he was probably doing this a#ter reading the behaioral patterns based on the names recorded in the electronic brain, Tatsuya thought as he moed be#ore her. 0e#ore taking hold o# this body, you guys appeared to #unction like a group towards a common ob*ectie. -ithin your group, was there an entity that sered as a leader? 11There is no one among us who #unctions in the capacity o# a leader.33 Then how do you maintain group cohesion? 11&trictly speaking, all o# us are not independent bodies. -e are both indiiduals and the whole body. -hile we possess the ability to think critically, we also share our consciousness.33 In other words, one mind e(ists in a state with multiple cognitie processes? 11)ot cognitie processes. I think it would be more appropriate to describe this as an incompletely independent cognitie process in the subconscious being gathered by a higher leel o# cognition.33 I understand. Howeer, in that case, i# the subconscious has di##ering agendas, wouldnt the higher leel lose cohesion? 117nder the condition that the li#e #orm is set as the host, then it is impossible to completely aoid being in#luenced by the hosts most #undamental desires. %ur actions are determined when surial instincts and reproductie impulses reach an accord within the consciousness.33 @i#e e(tension and producing more companions. Ruite simply really #or li#e #orms seeking surial. 11Indeed. -e will abide by the li#e #orms greatest desire then proceed along with surial and reproducing as our goals.33 &ince there is a uni#ied consensus within the group, does the group proide assistance #or ob*ecties that lie outside o# surial and replication? 11>espite achieing general consensus, we still possess indiidual sense o# sel# that reciprocates the hosts personal desires on our own. Howeer, that is under the condition that the oerall ob*ectie holds the priority, so I think its *ust as :aster beliees.33 I see"" Tatsuya #ell into a reerie a#ter speaking. %ne reason that she #ailed to interrupt him any #urther could be that she wasnt human in the #irst place, or the #act that her host was pure machinery. Then, the current you is something that e(ists outside o# the general consensus, an almost heretical e(istence. I# a dissent appeared in your group, wouldnt you be eliminated? 11-e do not hae the desire to root out dissenters. Howeer, once they determine that I may pose an obstacle to their ob*ectie, they may elect to launch a pre-emptie attack.33 I see"" I hae one other .uestion. ;ight now, you said that you are cut o## #rom contact with the rest o# your comrades, but can you detect their presence? 11That is possible i# the target shows high actiity. %n the other hand, my current state is one such that they can also detect my presence i# were in the same area.33 Is that so? Tatsuya #ell into a thought#ul posture be#ore immediately giing new orders. 4i(ie, return to the trailer, change into your original uni#orm and enter sleep mode. I will #ind you later. 117nderstood. 5(ecuting standby orders.33 4i(ie primly, or rather sti##ly, bowed be#ore moing towards the garage. Tatsuya mentally selected the e.uipment he needed, #irst returned home, then went to the &tudent 2ouncil to pick up :iyuki. In the year EHQN, the world had grown smaller. Howeer, the gap between :agicians and mundane humans was the e(act opposite. :agicians had receied o##icial recognition a#ter early deployment and action in the scattered national territorial disputes and were heaily restricted #rom leaing the country e(cept on goernment business. Aor :agicians, the world had shrank to within the countrys interior. %n the other hand, mundane humans could take #ull adantage o# the adancements in transportation technology. @and, sea, and air trael had all become streamlined and more e##icient, so people could #reely trael internationally. )ow, getting to the other side o# the world was a simple matter o# one .uick #light in a matter o# hours, remoing the need to switch #lights. 2ompared to one hundred years ago, the world had indeed become smaller. +#ter e(periencing con#licts across the world, eery country paid care#ul scrutiny to potential illegal immigrants who loitered within the countrys borders #or too long. In comparison, the current trend was that short stays #rom #oreign traelers were on the rise. This was made blatantly obious by the sight o# #oreigners walking along the streets o# Tokyo. %n the eastern bank o# the rier, no <apanese person would #ind it odd #or young men o# &panish or mesti'o ancestry walking with young women o# e.ually mi(ed ethnicities at dusk. )one o# the citi'ens would hae #ound it strange #or the three o# them to walk into the large, somewhat out o# #ashion hospital. There were beds laid out in the hospitals basement. 7sually, this would be considered on par #or the course, but these beds usually wouldnt appear in a hospital. The bedspring wrapped within the black leather was practically useless, so rather than calling this a bed, this was more like a long, rectangular bo(. The arious beds werent arranged in one row or split into two rows o# #our or #ie, but a hapha'ard arrangement o# all Q beds. +top each bed lay a young male, each with a #ace #rom 5ast +sian descent. +ll nine o# them had pale #aces as they slept on beds with no pillows without a single chest rising or descending. They appeared to be corpses, or in a near death-like state. The basement only contained the Q silent young men as well as the three men and women o# mi(ed descent who *ust entered. + white male stood in the gap #ormed by the beds set up with the head #acing inwards. &tanding in the darkness, he almost seemed like a necromancer. The mesti'o male checked his watch and raised an arm as i# waiting #or something. +#ter appro(imately ten minutes, the man looked towards the young woman standing on the other side o# the ring o# beds. This appeared to be some sort o# signal as the woman nodded and raised both hands be#ore her #ace. The man repeated the same motion. 0etween the man and woman who were #acing one another, the white male clapped his hands while his #ootsteps emitted noise. The clapping continued. The steps continued as well. The young man and the woman *oined the white male in clapping while the sound o# their pacing around the ring continued. +s the young man and woman switched positions, the white male gae a louder clap. 0e#ore the sound #aded, the silent bodies rose #rom bed. %ne body, then another. 5ight o# those preiously in a near death-like state had reied #rom their black beds. In the darkness o# the basement, there was the sound o# an insects wings #lapping, e(cept this e(isted in the mental landscape instead o# the material world or the Idea. I# translated into a human language= 1IT-e hae #inally reawakened.3 1:yT%ur numbers hae decreased again.3 1+nother personTone was lost?3 1+re there enough essels?3 1)egatie. The #acilitator has procured them #or us *ust as you see.3 1The 2hinese spiritualists are .uite capable.3 1Ho, at least they surpass meTour leels.3 1The desire #or li#e on the cusp o# death. The consciousness has been suspended.3 10ut ITwe hae also learned #rom this. )ow we know how to moe #rom host to host.3 15en i# the essel is destroyed ne(t time, actiities can still resume a#ter a short delay.3 1It should be easy to replace the missing personTone.3 1@ets go reclaim myTour missing companion.3 1@ets #ind myTour companion.3 --This was the contents o# that conersation. This was the conersation held between the three bodies who had come #rom oerseas and the eight monsters who had reawakened #rom their slumber. ? ? ? +#ter returning home, Tatsuya headed #or the phone instead o# changing #irst. ;ather than using the telephone with the large screen in the liing room, he used the secured line in his own room. +ny power usually resered #or e(ternal purposes was instead dierted to encryption on the phone that Tatsuya used to call Hayama, the butler #or the 6otsuba Aamily. ;ight now, he was barely in time #or the appointment he arranged ahead o# time by mail. 6oure *ust on time, Tatsuya-dono. Hayama-san, much thanks #or last eening. 0oth sides skipped the small talk. Tatsuya was matching Hayamas tempo. ;ather than saying the old butler was in a hurry because o# his schedule, Tatsuya got the impression that the old man had something he wanted to say. +s I said last night, theres no need to thank me. +#ter all, protecting :iyuki-sama is the second highest priority #or us in the 6otsuba Aamily. Hayama-san, saying you say that so lightly puts me in a small .uandary. There are no issues so long as the time #rame and opponents are made clear. :ore importantly, I am di##erent #rom that person in that Im not brae enough to tangle with Tatsuya-dono. He appeared to hae enough time to engage in some small talk. That being said, Tatsuya didnt hae much time on his end. Though he had speci#ically re.uested a secure line, he still wanted to coney critical in#ormation as .uickly as possible. DIn addition, Tatsuya wasnt sure what he was going to do i# Hayama brought up the conersation he had seeral months ago with +oki. &o, what did you need to talk to me about? 6ou could not send this ia mail nor was there time to meet in person, so I conclude that this in#ormation must be ital. %h yes, thats right. Hayamas oice sounded like he *ust remembered this. Howeer, anyone could hae noticed that this was nothing but theatrics based on the oice intonation alone een i# they didnt Hayamas personality. Tatsuya-dono, in regards the to the monster incident, the Jrd >iision will be mobili'ed. I *ust wanted to coney this to you. Third >iision"" <&>A Intelligence 2ounterintelligence >epartment Jrd >iision? I beliee that interesting unit is a##iliated with the &aegusa camp, correct? +#ter Tatsuya said this, a chuckling sound could be heard oer the receier. I dont think they would want someone like you #rom the Independent :agic-5.uipped 0attalion calling them interesting, but it is indeed that Jrd >iision. :y interests do not lie in the direction o# eradicating the source. In other words, the &aegusa Aamily is using the Jrd >iision to inestigate the 4arasite"" )o, capture them instead? Though I wanted to say that you are as sharp as always, but we are still unclear on their ob*ectie. 7n#ortunately, it is most likely aligned with what Tatsuya-dono *ust said. How troublesome, Tatsuya thought #rom the bottom o# his heart. This was originally a complicated incident with multiple #actions already inested, now a new player had *oined the #ray. Aurthermore, the &aegusa camp had a decidedly di##erent perspectie than :ayumi. Thank you ery much #or this aluable in#ormation. &till, he was not allowed to *ust reset the board and try again. )o matter how di##icult it was, reality di##ered #rom games, and do oers were not an option. I #elt that this was necessary a#ter taking :iyuki-samas sa#ety into consideration. 4lease do not #orget this, Tatsuya-dono. I will keep that in mind. Indeed, they could not destroy the world that :iyuki lied in. Though there was no need #or Hayamas e(tra reminder, Tatsuya accepted the comment without resistance. ? ? ? &een oclock in the eening. +ll the students had long returned home, and the only lonely souls still occupying the school were a #ew o# the #aculty members. The school gates had been locked and, until the ne(t day, access was strictly denied to all but a small group o# e(ceptions. Teaching supplies, products #or the campus store, and #oodstu##s #or the ca#eteria were all largely brought through the back door to the underground passage be#ore sundown. The only ones allowed access were a hand#ul o# #aculty members, security guards #rom a contracted security company, engineers working on maintenance that could only be done at night, indiiduals with special dispensation #rom the school, and select members #rom the &tudent 2ouncil. This power that seemed a mite oerkill een #or student goernment was adopted last year while :ayumi was &tudent 2ouncil 4resident. This was a huge help in that there was no longer a need to submit a re.uest with alid reasons to the #aculty. This was also especially use#ul #or situations where the reasons could not be stated aloud. Tatsuya had already made arrangements on the way home be#ore he arried there, and was now carrying the package that arried at home on his back be#ore heading #or school. Arom the security guard at the door, he receied J I> cards issued to isitors that only allowed night time access a#ter a con#irmation number #rom the &tudent 2ouncil was inputted. This was designed so that anyone not carrying a alid I> at night would trigger the security alarm as a suspicious indiidual. +s to why there were J cards, well, one o# them was obiously #or himsel#. The second one was #or :iyuki. :iyuki receied the I> card with a satis#ied smile. +t #irst, Tatsuya neer planned on bringing :iyuki along. The original plan called #or :iyuki to watch the house. 7n#ortunately, :iyuki added on a condition when issuing the night time access number. &he said she wanted to come along. The power to issue access con#irmation lay within the hands o# +'usa, the &tudent 2ouncil 4resident. Howeer, *ust as the rumors went, the real power in the &tudent 2ouncil was the /ice 4resident and not the 4resident. +ppro(imately three hours ago, this was on #ull display in #ront o# Tatsuya. +#ter #ailing to conince his stubborn little sister otherwise, Tatsuya was #orced to ac.uiesce. :iyuki, along with one other. The third card was handed to Honoka, who met him at the station. This may not need to be said, but *ust as with :iyuki, no, een be#ore :iyuki, Tatsuya neer planned on bringing Honoka along. The reason eerything turned out like this was because Honoka was also present when the .uestion about the access con#irmation came up in the &tudent 2ouncil ;oom. Indeed, he could only blame himsel# #or being careless. %n top o# that, een i# he could re#use her, he couldnt tell her the real reason with +'usa and Isori eaesdropping on them. He still might hae been able to deny Honokas re.uest, but he could not go through with this a#ter :iyuki threw in her support. +dditionally, unlike :iyuki, Honoka receied the I> card #rom Tatsuya with a petri#ied e(pression on her #ace. The reason he re.uested the access card was to inestigate the odd behaiors in the JH-4QF model. )eertheless, the real reason Tatsuya wanted to bring 4i(ie outside was to bait the 4arasites. He knew something a#ter .uestioning 4i(ie multiple times, and that was the 4arasites wont leae 4i(ie alone. +lthough this knowledge was nothing more than speculation, Tatsuya had con#idence in that line o# thinking. I# the general consensus lost contact with a component, they should attempt to recoer that piece. Tatsuya *udged that in order to accomplish this, they had to make contact somehow. He had no way o# locating the 4arasites, though he didnt need to do that actiely. D7ntil yesterday, that is. &ince 4i(ie had been possessed by the 4arasite, he could not wash himsel# o# the whole deal. There was a much bigger problem with handing oer 4i(ie in that state, and when compared to all that, he wanted to wipe out the 4arasites een more. He had originally planned on #ighting the 4arasites again, which was precisely the reason why he asked to train with 6akumo. 4i(ie was nothing more than the impetus that changed a reactie stance to a more proactie one. Tatsuya wasnt planning on taking out all the 4arasites tonight. &till, he belieed that i# they could lure out one or two, then that would lead to clues regarding the rest o# them. +#ter taking into account the danger inoled with this course o# action, Tatsuya probably should hae decisiely #orbidden :iyuki and Honoka #rom accompanying him. In all likelihood, Tatsuya was probably numb to the danger o# too many things. -hile strategi'ing tonights actiities, he neer planned on proceeding alone. 0ased on his e(periences to this point and contemplating the necessity o# this moe, he petitioned 5rika and :ikihiko #or support. It was only thanks to their help that he was able to allow :iyuki, who was in the know, and Honoka, who was somewhat o# a participant, to come along. Airst Highs school rules re.uired students to wear their uni#orms be#ore or a#ter class, but this restriction was li#ted when isiting the campus at night. %n the sur#ace, this was because the I> card had a built in transmitter so there was no need to wear a uni#orm, but in reality, the underlying intent was to preent students #rom wandering around on the streets a#ter hours in their uni#orm. This was a matter o# risk aoidance D better to hae less incidents than more incidents D #or the school. 7nderstanding this, Tatsuya complied with that wish and wore the same combat-use *acket he usually wore. :atching her brother, :iyuki wore a hal# coat, sweat pants, and a pair o# high boots #or mobility. 6et, Honoka still wore her uni#orm underneath her *acket. This caused one to ponder i# she was #ully aware o# what they were about to do tonight, but Tatsuya wouldnt be Tatsuya i# he did something so blatant like e(pressing that thought aloud. Honoka, did you not go home today? :iyuki was the one who gently asked the .uestion on her brothers mind. 5h? )o, I did go home. Honoka lied alone in a rented room that was much closer to school than the siblings residence. It was #airly implausible #or her to not hae enough time to change. Is"" wearing a uni#orm, going to be a problem""? -ell, its not going to be a problem"" 0ut it might be a little inconenient. Though scolding words were to be aoided, they were planning on running into trouble tonight. Aurthermore, Honoka seemed to hae missed that memo. I# he knew this was going to happen, he should hae e(plained more care#ully, Tatsuya thought with a hint o# regret. %nii-sama, would it be better #or Honoka to #irst stop by her apartment? :iyuki wanted to dispel the glum atmosphere. -e can wait #or her downstairs while Honoka changes. :iyuki probably wasnt doing this to help her rial. :ost likely, she was presenting a solution to Tatsuyas pu''lement. Thats true. Its too late #or us to isit"" I# Honoka is %L with it, lets go. %# course not9 I, uh, would neer mind i# you came to isit. I# you hae time, please drop by. Howeer, while completely unrelated to :iyukis thoughts, this was something that Honoka dearly wished #or. +nd so, while this drama was playing out, the three o# them arried at the garage #or the ;obotics 2lub. The door was locked o# course, but things like locks were designed to be easily disabled #rom within. Tatsuya pulled out his portable terminal and engaged short range communications be#ore sending out a recognition signal that he prepared ahead o# time. The response was practically immediate. 11>id you call #or me, :aster?33 + simple doors thickness, een a heaily rein#orced armored door that was completely out o# place on this #limsy looking e(terior, was not going to a##ect telepathy. %pen the door #or me. 117nderstood.33 Immediately a#ter the response, the door to the garage opened. )ot #ar inside, the silhouette o# a doll wearing a maid uni#orm dropped into a deep curtsey. 5en with a monster dwelling inside, the basic behaioral modules were still actie. %nce 4i(ie raised her head, Tatsuya remoed the #irst thing #rom the bag. 4i(ie, put this on. 5en i# it was late at night, no, on some leel precisely because it was late at night, there was no way they could bring her around like this 1in her maid getup3. -hateer the case, any reason #or wearing a maid uni#orm was no good. Aor this operation, Tatsuya #irst had to prepare a set o# clothing #or 4i(ie. It appeared that orders o# this e(tent did not re.uire a erbal response. +ll o# a sudden, 4i(ie began remoing her dress. Tatsuya treated this entire process as i# it was all a matter o# course. This is already the second time he has seen her changing clothes a#ter school, and since he had no interest in treating humans and dolls in the same light, to him 4i(ie changing clothes was the same thing as li#ting the hood on an automatic car. %nii-sama? -hy are you *ust watching9? Howeer, it appeared that it was a little di##icult #or :iyuki to come around to his line o# thinking. @ikewise, Honoka seemed to share that sentiment based on her disapproing ga'e. -hat are you talking about, :iyuki? 4i(ie is a robot. + robot that happens to be a girl9 )o, humanoid actually, and not precise enough to emulate the human body"" <ust as Tatsuay said, the JH was designed to be a humanoid robot indistinguishable #rom human beings a#ter putting on clothes, but the portions and lines hidden beneath the clothes could not possibly compare with a human #emale. The parts on a doll used #or deiant purposes would be a little more pronounced. The torso gae the impression o# a woman wearing a skin-colored leotard, but that only e(tended to the waist. The portion #rom the waist to the leg showed lines that clearly belonged on a robot, and een wearing tights oer that could not hide the #act she wasnt human. That was the reason why the disguise inoled a long dress. &till, #or the two young ladies, sub*ectiity trumped ob*ectiity. :iyuki #orcibly turned Tatsuya around while Honoka stood protectiely between 4i(ie and the other two. Though he #elt that this was a little ridiculous, it wasnt like he wanted to peep. 7ntil the moment the two o# them gae the %L, Tatsuya obediently kept his back to them. Tatsuya, its %L now. >espite Honokas words, Tatsuya checked :iyukis e(pression *ust in case be#ore turning around. The clothes that Tatsuya brought included a standard windbreaker *acket with high elasticity as well as knee length skirt that coered the lines. + scar# was wrapped twice around her neck. + hat to coer the #acial #eatures was not proided on purpose. The legs were wrapped in a thick pair o# leggings and boots, which sered to hide the #ine details while improing the purchase on the #eet. DThese were all suggestions he took #rom the #emale o##icer responsible #or clothing in the Independent :agic-5.uipped 0attalion. Honoka produced a brush out o# nowhere and started organi'ing 4i(ies hair. 4i(ie didnt seem to care in the slightest as she stood there without moing. This was declaring that, no matter how she looked on the outside, she was *ust a doll and not a human. Tatsuya did not hae such high demands #rom 4i(ie. +s long as she could moe about on the streets without suspicion, that was more than su##icient. %n that point, 4i(ies current appearance was passable. 4i(ie, #ollow me. +s i# declaring the onset o# hostilities, Tatsuya made this declaration He gae a lo#ty order as i# commanding a slae. 2ompletely apathetic. ? ? ? 5rika stood in #ront o# her brothers room in a da'e. Aor her, this was une(pected beyond the une(pected. &he couldnt beliee she was still so weak in some areas. +lthough she wasnt nerous when coming to her mothers house, she still tried her utmost to aoid her #ather and older sister. There was no con#lict with those two, but she also wanted to dodge her oldest brother. Thank#ully, her eldest brother shouldnt hae returned at this hour yet. +t any rate, .uickly handling the issue and then retreating #ar away #rom here to her own room was the best bet, so stalling in the hallways was the worst possible choice. &econd brother, its me, 5rika. &he encouraged hersel# to strike up a conersation. 2ome in. There was a tiny delay be#ore a response was heard. The sound was neither displeased nor welcoming. Instead, the unpleasant aura must already hae been retracted. &triking down the urge to do an about #ace, 5rika opened the door. -hat is it, coming here at this hour? )aotsugu sat in a chair at the writing table. He turned in his chair and #aced his upper body towards 5rika. Howeer, 5rika noticed that the bed behind the writing table showed signs o# someone *ust in bed recently. +lthough this was the opposite situation #rom last night, 5rika didnt open her mouth to scold him. Theres *ust a #ew things I wanted to talk to you about. 5rikas tone was slightly hesitant. Her change was brought about by the #orced smile that #loated across )aotsugus #ace. 8o ahead. )aotsugus response was a little hal#-hearted, almost as i# it was like Ill listen *ust because its you. 6et, this didnt lesson 5rikas load in the slightest, since something else seemed to be on his mind. %nii-san, hae you heard o# a unit called the GHGst Independent :agic-5.uipped 0attalion? -hy do you know that name, 5rika? 5rika was a little hurt by )aotsugus nonchalant attitude and rallied to utter those words, words that immediately captured all o# )aotsugus attention. +ctually"" %nce she got here, 5rika was again #illed with doubt, but there was no other way to go about it. The person %nii-san was protecting is actually my classmate, &hiba Tatsuya-kun. He happens to be one o# the soldiers #or the Independent :agic-5.uipped 0attalion. -hat did you *ust say""? 5rika was trembling with hesitation, i# not outright #ear, as she said this, to which )aotsugu was unable to hide his shock. Im terribly sorry. %riginally, I should hae passed this along seeral days ago when you asked, but because o# someone called :a*or La'ama, I was unable to do so because o# a gag order related to classi#ied national security reasons. :a*or La'ama""? D+s in >aitengu La'ama Harunobu9? >aitengu? This time it was 5rikas turn to tilt her head in surprise at her brothers words. Aor the appropriate :agician, and also to oerawe their opponents by bolstering their name, sometimes an e(aggerated alias was called #or, but >aitengu was too uni.ue een #or that. It was so oerblown that it seemed impossible. >oes %nii-san know about :a*or La'ama? 6eah"" In #orests or mountainous terrain, he is globally acknowledged to be one o# the #inest +ncient :agic users. @ikewise in the realm o# paratroopers, he is still renowned as one o# the great commanders in the country. )aotsugus e(pression and oice were interlaced with e(citement and awe. >o you know the about the /ietnamese 2on#lict? In that war, the &outh /ietnamese +rmy that was trying to wage guerilla war#are against the 8reat +sian +lliance that was encroaching into the Indian 4eninsula and the Lorean army dispatched by the 8reat +sian +lliance were so #ear#ul o# him that they treated him like >eath or the deil himsel#. 7pon hearing her brothers words, 5rika knew that he had #orgotten eerything in #ront o# him and merely sighed as i# to say -hat am I going to do with you"" :any were those who martyred themseles on the path to glory by going that e(tra mile. :aybe one day, this sort o# thinking will drie this country to destruction. 5en though this wasnt something that a young woman like her should consider, 5rika couldnt help but ponder this in her head. ;umor has it that the Independent :agic-5.uipped 0attalion is under :a*or La'amas direct command"" In that light, all o# these rumors that smack o# urban legends make sense. Aurthermore, i# &hiba Tatsuya-kun is a member o# that out#it, then that power unbe#itting his age could also be e(plained. <ust as 5rika seemed to be lost in her own world, )aotsugu also appeared to be talking to himsel#. Thanks to this, 5rikas attention was drawn back to her original goal. %nii-san, I made contact with :a*or La'ama during the 6okohama Incident. I# not #or that emergency, I may not hae been able to stumble across &hiba-kuns secret. 5en then, I #elt that this was a huge secret. HmS"" The Independent :agic-5.uipped 0attalion carries all the characteristics o# black ops. Haing a high school student *oined them as an irregular must contain a ery special reason. I broke regulations by in#orming %nii-san about &hiba-kuns situation, so please keep that in mind. In other words, 5rika is telling me to stop poking into his a##airs, correct? Indeed. The #allout #rom poking that hornets nest should be something that not only %nii-san, but the 2hiba Aamily as a whole would want to aoid. @ikewise, that nest may contain a giant swarm o# poisonous hornets. Hm"" Thats true, you hae a point there, 5rika. Howeer, although hes a student, I belong to the army. I cannot disobey a direct order. Then, can you pretend to obey orders? I# you pretend to be his guard, then under situations where he gets attacked, then you can appear and sei'e control o# the situation. I see"" I understand. Then lets proceed along these lines. ""Aortunately, she was able to conince her brother without dropping the name 6otsuba. 2oncealing her uneasy e(pression, 5rika bowed and le#t )aotsugus room without catching his eye. +#ter returning to her own room, 5rika read the message that was #lashing on the in#ormation terminal atop her desk be#ore murmuring +oyama 2emetery, eh? &he didnt sit in the chair directly and immediately peeled o## her clothes and threw them aside. This was not something a young lady should be doing, but she was also taking this opportunity to get rid o# the depression she #elt while trying to conince )aotsugu. +#ter putting on the composite rubber under armor with bulletproo#, anti-piercing and other .ualities, she put on a leather biker *acket and shorts. &he wore protectors that did not disrupt her mobility oer her knees and pulled a pair o# clothes oer her hands that had thin, composite #ibers oer the palm and #inger areas. +#ter eri#ying the contents in her *acket pocket, 5rika picked up her weapons and headed #or the threshold. The shorts and long rubber boots appearance highly suited her #iery appearance, but her destination wasnt the night li#e. )ot #ar #rom her, 5rikas personal guard awaited her. In this recent ampire incident, they were the core elements o# the 2hiba Aamilys personnel and sered as 5rikas hands and #eet in this operation. 2ome. 5rika coldly uttered those words. 6et no trace o# displeasure was shown by the men as they #ollowed in her #ootsteps. ? ? ? Honokas place was a single person apartment #or rent. The total area was supposed to be G @>L, but with a small dining area in the kitchen, the total area was less than G @>L. 5en with the liing room and bedroom separated #rom one another, this was something that was absolutely re.uired #or young girls. 5en i# the boy was Tatsuya, she wasnt willing #or someone to open the door and immediately get a glimpse o# her bedroom. In the liing room, Tatsuya was en*oying tea with :iyuki. 4i(ie had been halted #rom e(ecuting her routine behaioral pattern when Honoka #rantically prepared tea in time. The coarse tea that was brought out was likely Honokas personal #aorite. Honoka hersel# was changing in her room. The soundproo#ing was e(cellent, but #or some reason, there appeared to be some sort o# nerous aura emanating #rom Honokas side. %# course, the siblings knew that #eigning obliiousness here was what propriety demanded. -hen they #inally caught sight o# Honoka, the siblings *ust #inished the tea. &orry #or the wait9 Aull o# igor, Honoka appeared dressed in the pretty much the same #ashion as :iyuki. Her upper body was coered by a large hal# coat. 0eneath the *acket, a sweater with a high collar could be seen. Howeer, the bottom hal# was not coered by sweats but a combination o# mini-dress and thick- soled shoes. Her skirt had a circular hem and her shoes were the type that reealed her ankles due to the heels. The skirts length was per#ectly coered by the large hal# coat, which gae the impression that she wasnt wearing anything under the coat. This was a getup that was sure to draw attention D rather, this was a getup that was supposed to catch the eyes o# boys. &till, it wasnt without any practicality. Honokas leggings retained heat ery well and the #abric was woen with #ibers that improed durability. Tatsuya knew that the same type o# #ibers were used #or *ackets deployed in combat operations. +#ter e(amining her #rom head to toe, he nodded lightly. -ell then, lets be o##. There was no way to tell how Honoka interpreted Tatsuyas nodding motion, but her smile was #it to melt as she tagged behind him. In her hair, she wore the pair o# crystals Tatsuya brought her. 0oth Tatsuya and :iyuki as well as Honoka hersel# missed the brie# instance where 4i(ie was drawn to that #lash o# light. %nii-sama, where are we o## to now? +#ter getting their tickets and boarding the escalator to the station, :iyuki posed this .uestion to Tatsuya a#ter seeing that no one was about. :iyuki would #ollow him regardless o# where their destination was, but that did not mean she cared not where they were going. +oyama 2emetery. Honoka was the same in terms o# interest, but her #ace paled at Tatsuyas response. Taking the hour into consideration, #aor and trust were two di##erent things, but there was nothing to be done. %nly a decidedly small minority among young ladies would be able to emulate :iyukis ability to not bat an eyelid. + test o# courage in the wrong season"" could not possibly be the reason. Is it something like ghosts or demons will appear there? How astute o# you. Though care#ully controlled, Tatsuya seemed to be slightly pleased a#ter con#irming his sisters speculation. )aturally. Thats because its something %nii-sama is thinking about. In e(cellent spirits, :iyuki replied back with a smile. This pricked something in the depths o# Honokas heart. 7m, Tatsuya, isnt the place closed at this time""? Two days ago, she may hae endured the pain and wilted. Howeer, on that eening two days ago, her close #riends power#ul encouragement reerberated in Honokas consciousness, no, her heart. &tanding on the higher step o# the escalator, Honoka inter*ected hersel# into the conersation. :iyuki wore an +ra? e(pression, but Tatsuya seemed unru##led. -e should be able to enter, though its not like we would be hampered een i# we could not enter. &o long as we get close, they should come out and meet us. Thats the reason we brought 4i(ie along. The results o# 4i(ies interrogation told Tatsuya that the other 4arasites were unlikely to accept her current e(istence. Aor li#e #orms that synchroni'ed with other creatures, a 4i(ie who had lost the drie #or reproduction was something to be eliminated. &ince their numbers were so #ew, they should attempt to retriee her #rom that mechanical prison. %nce the two #undamental impulses like sel#-de#ense and species preseration kicked in, then their plan o# action should be .uite similar to humans. 5en i# were about to get caught, Im sure Honoka would do something, right? Her %ptical 2amou#lage ability was not mere rumors but something that Tatsuya had personally witnessed. Tatsuya also knew that this was a power#ul, high leel techni.ue that was #ar beyond the 7&)+ militarys support personnel to imitate with their >ark 2urtain. Honoka was a :agician who could entirely shroud her presence. That being said, this was *ust a turn o# the phrase #or Tatsuya. In reality, Tatsuya neer considered the possibility that they would be #orced to obscure themseles. Howeer. Tatsuya also didnt #ully comprehend something else. Honoka was going to take that *oke o# his completely seriously. @eae it to me. Thanks to the titanic misunderstanding Tatsuya created, Honoka was now completely #ired up and bursting with con#idence as she replied back in a warm tone while patting her chest. ? ? ? @ocated underground beneath a medium-si'ed building within a corner o# Ichigaya, the <&>A Intelligence Jrd >iision set up their head.uarters. I# the main o##ice located in the >epartment o# >e#ense was a #aUade #or the central head.uarters #or the <&>As intelligence work, then this basement was undeniably one o# the central head.uarters hiding behind that mask. &ince this was central head.uarters, re#erring to it was one o# the seemed a little odd, but this was the product o# risk management to preent a crisis like being paraly'ed with the #all o# head.uarters #rom occurring. %# course, this caused seeral serious side e##ects that came with the territory with being an irregular organi'ation and le#t great #laws. It was only natural #or an intelligence organi'ation to hae a side where the right hand has no idea what the le#t hand is doing, but this was incredibly blatant here. @acking initiatie was still e(cusable, but with each department haing their own patron, it was also true that each #ollowed their own special interests to the point o# disunity. The <&>A intelligence diisions contained ma*or unity issues. The obseration target is moing towards the center o# the city. Target is accompanied by the sister and two others. The sponsor o# this basement came #rom one o# the primary #inancial groups in the #ield o# electronics manu#acturing and at the same time was the second largest military supplier in the country. Aurthermore, this group was deeply entwined with the &aegusa Aamily, to the point that the statement could be made that the real patrons o# the Jrd >iision was actually the &aegusa Aamily. 2urrently, they were #ollowing the will o# the head o# the &aegusa Aamily and not in concert with the &aegusa and <uumon*i +lliance spearheaded by :ayumi and company. 2omparing images on #ile"" %ne o# them is a 6ear G student at the )ational :agic 7niersity +##iliated Airst High, :itsui Honoka. 2lassmate, eh. -hat an odd interest, bringing the sister along on a date. The tone that belonged to the man who appeared to be in charge sounded mocking, but #rom a di##erent perspectie, it may hae also sounded a little biased. The other person is".. )o, not a human. @ooks to be a Humanoid Home Helper #rom the 4QF series. + H+; model? -here do they plan on going with that in tow? Hae we gotten into the ehicles guidance system? &ir, the protection is ery stout"" :y terrible apologies9 In response to his subordinates practically tear#ul reply, the one in command did not issue any more reprimands. He understood ery well that i# the public transportation system could be so easily hacked, then terrorism would run rampant in the streets. 2hie#, the ehicle that the target is on board has changed direction. +kasaka"" )o, +oyama? The chie# murmured as he watched the monitor display the estimated destination #or the a#orementioned ehicle be#ore issuing new orders. >ispatch agents disguised as police to the +oyama Tunnel. Aake an arrest on charges o# the target using magic and capture them. +mid the replies o# the order being acknowledged and being trans#erred to arious receiers, the chie# continued to obsere the monitor. ? ? ? 2olonel /irginia was stretched out in e(haustion in the rented apartment 1more like condominium3 #ully e.uipped with #urniture that the embassy rented #or e(tended stays. Though it was only a temporary command center, they had still been breached. In addition, despite the battle had not concluded on a kidnapping, they still put on a shame#ul display o# being le#t adri#t until another nations essel rescued them. This was a huge blow against her record and #uture career. &urprisingly, the o##icers #rom the homeland stationed at the embassy #ailed to blame her. This disgrace e(tended #ar beyond her alone and included the special #orces dispatched as guards #or the temporary command center and the nay belonging to the sei'ed essel 1#or that matter, the 7&)+ nays pride su##ered an een more grieous blow than she did3, so she knew that it was impossible #or them to blame her. Howeer, een beyond that, she still had the energy #or #urther rumination. 6et, she was unable to deny that they had su##ered a huge de#eat. It was only a#ter she raised her head at the une(pected ringing o# the speaker phone that she noticed it was late into the night. &he een heard the #emale o##icer on guard duty answer the phone. /irginias ears detected a sharp intake o# breath #rom the #emale o##icer. 5(cuse me. The #ootsteps that approached the room she occupied as well as the oice that re.uested permission to enter had both been knocked askew out o# shock. 2ome in. /irginia ad*usted her posture and mentally reminded hersel# to speak clearly. &he could not allow her subordinates to witness her weakened state D her brand o# leadership inoled not inesting additional interpretations and emotions. The door to the room was care#ully opened. + tall young woman in #ull uni#orm saluted be#ore her eyes. Her guard was selected #or martial prowess oer appearance or o##icial record and possessed superlatie ability and courage. Indeed, /irginia rated her highly enough that she belieed that last nights outcome may hae been di##erent had she been present at her side. )onetheless D she currently stood there sti##ly and pale-#aced. Aeeling that something was awry, /irginia rose #rom the so#a. -hat is it? &omeone has re.uested to meet you #ace to #ace, 2olonel. -hat""? /irginia residing at this location was highly classi#ied. I# someone #rom the military 1#rom the 7&)+ military3 came to see her, her guard wouldnt be so #lustered. @ikewise #or anyone #rom the embassy. In other words, the isitor had broken through the 7&)+ militarys in#ormation lockdown and was an outsider who knew that she was here and re.uested an audience. 7nwilling to een issue orders to her sergeant, /irginia manipulated the remote hersel# to put on the display #rom the main liing room. The image that was re#lected contained a poor young girl wearing elegant lace with a curious e(pression on her #ace. This utterly astounding sight caused /irginia to #ree'e #or a solid N seconds. ""-ho the heck is that? /irginia #inally rebooted her consciousness and detected the two sturdy men standing behind the young girl. %ne o# them care#ully carried what must be the young girls coat, so they must sering her, or een guardians. The person that these people who were plainly no ordinary plebeians were guarding was most likely that young girl o# tender age. >espite knowing that she should be on guard, /irginia could #eel her sense o# reality being eroded. Her name is +yako Luroba. The sergeant spoke. 5en /irginia could not #ault her gulping motion a#ter hearing the ne(t #ew words. &he claims to be an emissary #rom the 6otsuba Aamily. How wonder#ul it is to meet you, :s. /irginia. :y name is +yako Luroba. 4ardon my intrusion, but today I come on behal# o# the 6otsuba Aamily. The young girl greeted /irginia in #luent 5nglish. Howeer, she discarded any military re#erences to superior o##icers. 8ien her per#ect grasp o# the 5nglish language, it was impossible to beliee that she was un#amiliar with those terms. In short, this was intentional. 0roadcasting her own name and surname was likely also intentional. I am 2olonel /irginia 0alance, 7&)+ :ilitary <oint 2hie#s o# &ta##. 5(cuse my rudeness, but I wanted to ask something prior to our conersation. +ra, what is it? I will answer i# I am able. &he was likely younger than :a*or &irius, but this young girl #ar outstripped her at the negotiation table. Though still immature, she was still superior to the 7&)+ :ilitary High 2ommander with all o# her e(periences. This was no simple girl be#ore her eyes. /irginia care#ully engraed that in her heart. 6ou said 6otsuba Aamily"" +re you re#erring to that 6otsuba? &he spoke in an abstract #unction *ust in case that there was an error. Howeer, in regards to this ague line o# .uestioning, the young girl laughed merrily. Indeed, that 6otsuba. Today, I come on behal# o# 6otsuba :aya, head o# the 6otsuba among the Ten :aster 2lans with a re.uest. 5en though she was mentally prepared that this wasnt a mistake, simply accepting such a boldly stated truth was no easy task. The 6otsuba o# <apan. Aor those who walked with magic, this was the untouchable land. 5specially #or people who wielded magic #or military purposes. They were not like :a*or &irius in that one person bore the absolute destructie might to challenge an army. The e(istence o# the 6otsuba Aamily lay in the entirely opposite direction. ;ight now 1at least #or now3, they were subserient to the <apanese goernment, but i# they suddenly morphed into terrorists, they were held as indiiduals who could pull the trigger on -orld -ar I/. %n the magic side, #or such a 'ealous organi'ation, they were not raised up as something worthy o# respect, but o# complete and utter #ear. ;e.uest, is it? Indeed. I sincerely hope that you will hear me out. -hat is it? It was only now that /irginia noticed that they had not sered tea. Howeer, this was #ar too late to o##er re#reshments. /irginia concentrated all o# her #ocus on what the young girl was about to say. Then please e(cuse me. -e would like to use :s. /irginias hand to halt the inter#erence on our countrys :agicians. """" There was no need to say this, but inter#erence re#erred to clandestine operation she was in command o#. The inestigation and protection 1in short, abduction3 o# <apans undisclosed &trategic-class :agician as well as his or her nulli#ication 1assassination3. %# course, she had anticipated that this girls re.uest D the 6otsubas demand. In essence, this was the most likely outcome. 6et, to hear someone utter a phrase #ar coarser than please stop in their re.uest temporarily robbed her o# the ability to respond. :s. /irginia, you appear to be someone who understands what sort o# system my countrys Ten :aster 2lans is. To put it plainly, i# you dont know then I will tell you. Irked by that tone, /irginia nodded her head at the same time. There was no point in playing dumb. %ur head, 6otsuba :aya, dislikes your meddling. 6our country and mine are allies, and neither wishes to sow the seeds o# war. ""Is that a threat? 6ou will open #ire i# we do not stop? +yako neglected to reply to /irginias .uery and once again laughed merrily. :s. /irginia, was last night rest#ul? &o you were the ones who did that9? 0y the time she caught hersel#, /irginia had already risen #rom the so#a and leaned #orward. I# the table was any smaller, she may hae already sei'ed the young girls collar. -hat are you re#erring to? I only asked because I thought that your comple(ion was a little unhealthy, thats all. Though her words were out o# concern, no trace o# that emotion could be detected on her #eatures. The young girl continued to smile. &he made no attempt to hide the #ace that signi#ied she had complete con#idence that she knew eerything. :s. /irginia, please calm down. I# possible, we would like to #orm a #riendly relationship with you, :s. /irginia. 6ou dare to say a #riendly relationship""? :aybe it was only because the young girl oiced it aloud, but /irginia reali'ed that capturing her now at this point in time would pose no bene#it whatsoeer. This only sered to in#uriate /irginia #urther as she sat back down. :s. /irginia is well aware o# the 6otsubas power. @ikewise, we too understand :s. /irginias power ery well. Her emotions were about as dark as possible, but logic commanded /irginia to listen to the young girls words. The young girl who claimed to speak on behal# o# the head o# the 6otsuba was not talking about the 7&)+ militarys strength or the might o# &tars, but saying she knew about /irginias power. That meant"" %ur head said that i# :s. /irginia can arrange #or this incident to end here, we will neer #orget this personal #aor that you hae bestowed on us. +lso, our head said that should there be an opportunity in the #uture, we would like to lend :s. /irginia a hand as well. This was certainly a tempting o##er. I# she was on personal terms with the 6otsuba, then she had more than enough to reclaim her lost position in the military and then some. &he had personally tested their prowess the night be#ore. +s usual, the young girl maintained her smile. +#ter weighing both sides on a scale, logic won. DThe side o# logic named ambition. 2olonel /irginia, #aced with a deils contract in the #orm o# a beauti#ul young girl, decided to sign. ? ? ? +long the way #rom +oyama &tation to the street side walkway, Tatsuya #elt the eyes #astidiously obsering him the entire time. Aurthermore, it wasnt *ust one or two. 0ased on his conersation with Hayama be#ore leaing the house, Tatsuya had already predicted that he was going to be under obseration. That being said, the amount o# personnel heartily inested into this enture surpassed his e(pectations. They may be aware o# the siblings connection to the 6otsuba Aamily or were merely in the guessing phase, but it was also possible that this large #orce was deployed to ward against the 6otsuba Aamily #rom interening. In the end, een with the support o# the &aegusa Aamily, Tatsuya did not beliee that this national intelligence group would dare incur the wrath o# the 6otsuba Aamily directly. &o they dont care about the 6otsuba Aamily"" Internal +##airs, 4ublic &a#ety, and the Intelligence >epartment should hae been aware o# the incident that embroiled the siblings mother and aunt in their youth. 2ompletely uncaring o# the #act that they could be drawn into a rampage o# reenge heedless o# the target, there was utterly incredible that they could hae #orgotten such a harsh reminder in the last EH to JH years. )ot to say the might o# the 6otsuba Aamily D might that hinted at in#luence but was more along the lines o# iolence D was #ar greater now than it was in the past. Tatsuya curtailed his train o# thought there. )ew eyes were added to the mi( that were obsering him. )ew, alien, eyes. Those were the ga'e that came #rom inhuman, monstrous eyes. Aor pro#essional intelligence o##icers, being ordered to obsere three high school students and a single H+; model certainly de#lated those receiing the orders, but still went along with it belieing that there was no other recourse. -ith the e(perience underneath their belt, they also had a side where they were increasingly going easy on the target. There were a #ew among them who always gae it their all under any circumstance and neer let down their guard while diligently handling their task, but despite the similarities between going easy and sloth, they were #undamentally di##erent. -hile going easy bears a somewhat negatie impression, this was also a matter o# pacing onesel#. There was no need to inest all GHHP when a mere NHP could get the *ob done. 2ompared to the usual GHHP, this missions di##iculty only re.uired NHP o# their power to accomplish, so they only used NHP. Though they might be a little slow o## the draw in the beginning, in the end, they still managed to accomplish more things. Habit was also an ability. Howeer, it was also true that there were adantages as well as disadantages. Aor the elite intelligence agents mas.uerading as police o##icers, shadowing and obseration were their most common tasks. They relied on their bounti#ul e(perience to selectiely #ocus their attention, hereby creating an opening. The mission they receied was to immediately #ake an arrest when the obseration target used magic and thus subdue and abduct them. Aor this, they were issued measuring deices to detect magic. Howeer, the change on the deice only occurred directly a#ter a cry o# alarm put eeryone on guard. --The mens ision were assailed by a tide o# #lashing lights. + thoroughly une(pected pre-emptie strike. + hostile act utterly without precursor. Their will to retaliate was submerged beneath the roiling waes o# those #lashing lights. Tatsuya-kun, I hae caused the people obsering us to #all asleep. 8ood work. &eeing an elated Honoka report her accomplishment, een Tatsuya #ound it hard to preent his #ace #rom becoming oerly sti##. The alien ga'es were drawing closer. Inhuman"" )o doubt about it, it was the 4arasite. -ith them as opponents, human obserers were too great a hassle. 7sing magic at will on the open streets was illegal in the #irst place. +nyone who eyed someone else with such dogged persistence could not possibly be the aerage ciilian or real public serants, which only compounded the di##iculty because their usage o# magic was not authori'ed. The reason why Tatsuya communicated the location o# the obserers to his companions was to warn them against using magic hapha'ardly prior to shaking o## their pursuers. In truth, Tatsuya was going to say it aloud. 2ompared to that, howeer, Honokas actions outstripped him in speed. 5en i# were about to get caught, Im sure Honoka would do something, right? Honoka had made a rather broad interpretation to Tatsuyas phrase. In reality, her heart #airly sang that This is the #irst time Tatsuya is asking my assistance9 &ince there was always a side o# her that tended to daydream, neither Tatsuya nor :iyuki ob*ected to this, but it was een greater today than usual. +s a :agician, @ight-based magic was Honokas specialty. &he was particularly adept at manipulating light. +#ter in.uiring the obserers location #rom Tatsuya, she used the magni#ication o# light re#raction to eri#y this be#ore suddenly unleashing a brilliant #lare o# light be#ore her opponents eyes. 0rainwashing magic, the light o# 5il 5ye. -hen Tatsuya noticed this, he was seriously getting worried. &ince he had hinted #or her to simply let them sleep, Tatsuya had allowed her to actiate her magic, though to be brutally honest, he wasnt con#ident that this was the right decision. :agic that contained hypnotic e##ects was *udged to be the same leel as magic that brought direct harm to the physical body and was considered to be an innately icious magic. I# they had been caught by real policemen, then they wouldnt *ust be let o## with a warning. +dolescence would not spare them #rom real punishment D something along the lines o# using magic #or community serice. The magic she used was the same as the leader #rom the 0lanche terrorists, but both her speed and accuracy #ar surpassed him though she had e(ecuted it against F di##erent people. 0eing capable o# using 5il 5ye was something praiseworthy, but Tatsuya immediately #elt that they needed to relocate .uickly. @ets get out o# here be#ore their companions arrie. +s e(pected, bringing Honoka along was a complete disaster"" Ainally reali'ing this, Tatsuya .uietly in#ormed his other companion. ? ? ? -hat a troublesome young lady"" +s she watched the monitor #or the obseration system along the streets D primarily composed o# street cameras, there were also deices to detect poisonous gases, illegal high e##iciency electric waes and the psion detectors #or unauthori'ed usage o# magic, Au*ibayashi couldnt help but sigh. Thats still a wonder#ul techni.ue. I# I recall correctly, she is called :itsui Honoka, correct? The oice that came #rom behind her spoke solely on the meritorious alue o# a :agician. In regards her grand#athers words that bore no ulterior meaning, Au*ibayashi sighed again. Thats true, &o#u-sama. &he is a 6ear G student #rom Airst High, :itsui Honoka. 2ould the :itsui who e(cel in that system o# magic belong to the bloodline carries the 5lement o# @ight? That remains unknown. &hould I inestigate? %h hardly, theres no need to inestigate speci#ically #or that reason. -hen asked by his granddaughter, 5lder Ludou chuckled happily and shook his head. &peaking o# which"" Though the outstanding indiiduals hae been called outstanding and the uni.ue hae been labeled uni.ue, he certainly has a group o# #ascinating people gathered around him. )ot *ust on abilities alone. There are .uite a #ew children with interesting personalities as well. 2asually throwing out those insulting words, Au*ibayashi slipped on a pair o# thin gloes #or calculation purposes be#ore her #ingers came into contact with the touchscreen and danced oer the controls. The obseration system based on system alone was stubborn in both so#tware and hardware, but in comparison, operation was a piece o# cake. 7nrestricted recordings could easily be taken adantage o# by malicious indiiduals or those lurking in the depths o# the goernment. %nce restricted to being operated by hand, such a ponderous obseration system would be too di##icult to manipulate. Including this ampire incident, in order to be aboe blame #or any use o# magic, a #ew actions were re.uired to ensure that select portions o# the data were not le#t #or the &aegusa and 2hiba Aamilies. :ayumi was responsible #or the leading in#ormation control, but with the e(ams coming up, her task was delegated to Au*ibayashi. Howeer, Au*ibayashis approach was to e(clude all others and operate the controls hersel#. 7nlike :ayumi, Au*ibayashi was also working to hide the #act that the daughter o# the &aegusa Aamilys head was being used as a cats paw, since she knew that the head was secretly obsering all o# this behind his daughters back. Lnowing the reason #or it, so there was no way she could leae this task to others. &ince she was not operating as a hacker and as a legitimate operator o# the system, this was easier on her than usual, but at the same time she #elt a little out o# whack behind the controls. &till, there was nothing she could do about that. &ince she was #iguratiely being relied upon and realistically doing her duty, she could go about as she pleased like she typically would. )ot to mention the #act that her grand#ather was right behind her. 0oth she and the one who sent her 1in other words, the one who planned #or her substitution3 were not e(pecting 5lder Ludou to be obsering here. +s to why he was here, Au*ibayashi wasnt going to ask that. Though he was her grand#ather, they were not that close. +s a member #rom the Au*ibayashi Aamily, she had taken heed not to e(press any close relationship with the elder o# the Ludou Aamily. In addition, i# sparks did #ly between the &aegusa and 6otsuba Aamilies, it would be unsurprising #or Ludou ;etsu to act and put out the #lames. Au*ibayashi Lyoukos grand#ather was one o# the #ew priy to &hiba Tatsuyas real identity. &hould I say birds o# a #eather #lock together"" %r maybe theyre cut #rom the same cloth. ;egardless, he is de#initely a star who is a #ar cry #rom being normal. Indeed. @ooks like the manipulated might actually turn out to be the manipulator. Au*ibayashi *oined in as she continued to watch the monitor. I# she turned to see her grand#athers #ace, then she may hae noticed the deeper meaning behind his words. Howeer, she #ailed to do so. 0irds o# a #eather. 2entered round the Independent :agic-5.uipped 0attalion headed by La'ama, she was also included among that number. )eertheless, whether #ortunate or un#ortunate, her grand#athers message was not passed along to the granddaughter. ? ? ? <ust as they e(pected, they could not enter +oyama 2emetery. &till, there was no need to do so. +long the high wall built a#ter the war 1a tactic employed against disrespect#ul people snapping pictures o# the dead3, the three #ashionable 1?3 youngsters and one machine were taking a walk at night when they detected auras approaching #rom the #ront and back. 11:aster, three 4arasites are coming.33 Tatsuya stopped upon hearing 4i(ies telepathy. The reason why they used telepathy instead o# the bodys speakers was to draw in the 4arasites. He had also ordered 4i(ie to telepathically communicate with :iyuki and Honoka. +t pretty much the same time Tatsuya halted, the two girls also came to a stop and drew near Tatsuyas sides. Though the two o# them were una#raid, their #aces betrayed their unease. Tatsuya himsel# was not be immune to an(iety, so he was not displeased with their attitude. +s prearranged, Tatsuya pressed the button on his terminal that actiated the beacon. Through the 84&, he located his position and passed it along to 5rika and :ikihiko. Immediately, they would hasten towards here with the members o# the 2hiba Aamily in tow. %nce they had prepared their ambush as planned, they would start capturing the 4arasites. &till, based on their opponents situation, Tatsuya was #iguring on waiting #or rein#orcements. Tatsuya pulled his #aored siler machine #rom a pocket on the le#t side. His right hand carried the pistol-shaped &peciali'ed 2+> Trident as he naturally allowed his hands to dri#t downwards, waiting #or humans possessed by demons to approach. +s i# protecting Tatsuyas back, :iyuki stood there with her back to him and a terminal-shaped 2+> in her hand. 4ressing her right hand to the bracelet-shaped 2+> worn on her le#t hand, Honoka stood at Tatsuyas side as she altered between looking #orward and back. &eeing these trustworthy silhouettes around him, Tatsuya unconsciously smiled. In a thoroughly une(pected area, his an(iety eased. The source o# his an(iety was that he was worried about putting these two girls in danger. %nce he reali'ed that there was nothing to worry about #or these two, his an(iety dissipated. &ettling himsel#, he directed his ga'e toward the area illuminated by the street lights. Three #igures walked towards them. Their #ootsteps were #ree o# hesitation. <ust as 4i(ie had said, the 4arasites appeared to hae #ound 4i(ies location. )either side #ired the #irst shot as both sides shrank the distance between them een #urther. -hen they came within range o# identi#ying their clothing, the two o# the 4arasites came to a halt. The last remaining one continued to plod #orward towards Tatsuya. +s their #eatures became less murky, the sense o# awkwardness grew steadily. The source o# this awkwardness was swi#tly unraeled. That was because the in#ormation presented by the eyes was di##erent #rom the in#ormation relayed by the skin. He wore a plain windbreaker coat and striped pants. The coat was unable to hide the physi.ue and the #ace was not coered. 5yes, mouth, ears, hands, and #eet all did not e(ceed normal parameters. >espite being plainly human in appearance, there was no aura o# humanity. &o this was what a demonic aura truly was. +s Tatsuya care#ully scrutini'ed the target, the gap between him and 4arasite continued to close, until they were close enough to hear each others oice and see each others e(pression. &hiba Tatsuya, we need to speak with you. &ince Tatsuya was not planning on speaking, it was within his scenario #or the other side to initiate communications. This was a stable situation #or a conersation 1wording was another problem altogether3, so eerything was still within e(pected boundaries. &till, the other side calling out his name came as somewhat o# a shock. -hat should I re#er to you as? In reply, this was how Tatsuya responded. )o words came #rom the open mouth belonging to the man possessed by the 4arasite. This sort o# blank staring was actually .uite human- like, Tatsuya thought. The personality may hae been taken oer, but the emotional base remained unaltered. :aybe, using the term taken oer may be erroneous. 0ased on the in#ormation he got #rom 4i(ie, 4arasites only carried the original consciousness. 4ut it another way, this was as #ar as their emotions could deelop. It was possible that the 4arasites sense o# sel# had not taken oer the human host, but had merged with the human to create a new personality. Tatsuya renewed his own understanding. :arte. In regards to the contemplatie Tatsuya, the 4arasite gae this concise answer. In regards to how to re#er to him, he had replied to this .uestion with his own name. Tatsuya knew enough to know that this was either the &panish or Italian word #or :ars. That made sense. Though they had a #luent grasp o# <apanese that may be misleading, closer inspection reealed that their #acial structure was that o# 2aucasians. Haing neer lied out o# the country, Tatsuya only had a theoretical grasp, but the man be#ore his eyes appeared to carry distinctie #eatures #ound on @atinos in +merica. His name was a call sign, no, there was an OHP or QHP chance that was a call sign, so re#erring to onesel# as :arte wasnt surprising. Howeer, Tatsuya was unaware that there were 4lanet and &atellite 2lasses within the organi'ation called &tars. He assumed that the title o# &tars was the literal de#inition o# a #i(ed star. Thus, he only understood that :ars re#erred to the 4lanet-2lass :agician :arte within &tars, and not the hosts *ealousy, obsession, and eny that came within someone #rom the 4lanet-2lass who trained to be a substitute but still #ailed to be one o# the &tars. &o, :r. :arte, or should I re#er to you as &enor :arte? -hat do you need to talk about? There was no deeper meaning behind that .uestion. Aor Tatsuya, :arte was nothing but a simple label. -hich was why he #ound his opponent being enraged by this mere words, he only though this was because the man had been cut o##. Thats :ister, 0oy. +#ter being re#erred to as 0oy by the 4arasite named :arte, Tatsuya #elt that the mans attempt to ridicule him was a clear sign he was losing his composure. -ell, what is it? In order to continue biding time, Tatsuya didnt care that he had to continue this proocation, but since his comrades were getting #idgety, he elected to push the conersation #orward. ""&hiba Tatsuya. -e bear no ill will towards you all. Aor :r. :arte, it appeared that calling him by his #ull name was more appropriate than re#erring to him as 0oy. &till, that detail was unimportant to Tatsuya 1he neer anticipated any oertures toward politeness3. Thats a little too ague #or me to understand. -ho is this we you speak o#? -ho are you re#erring to and what do you mean by ill will? 2ompared to that, what the other side was trying to coney was #ar more critical. =Arom this point #orward, we >emons do not plan on any hostile action towards you <apanese :agicians. 1&o they call themseles demons......3 )ot deil, ghost, or specter, but demon. This was how they saw their own e(istence. &ince he neer heard that term #rom 4i(ie, they must hae discussed be#orehand to decide a term that humans can re#er to them as. Tatsuya wanted to break into a wry chuckle because he knew that there were people who re#erred to his >ecomposition :agic as >emon ;ight. The primary reason #or that was because he usually actiated his >ecomposition :agic at whateer his right arm pointed to, but he was not endeared to the 4arasites because o# this. &o? Is there anything else? In regards to the short comment #rom the 4arasite known as :arte 1the sel#-proclaimed >emon3, Tatsuya also had a #ew things he wanted to say. 0ut #irst, it was probably best #or the other side to #inish speaking #irst. +s the price #or keeping us #rom seeing you as enemies, we hope that you will turn that robot oer to us. Tatsuya must hae imagined 4i(ies body shiering. +#ter all, a robot had nothing to do with biological reactions. ""I say, :r. :arte. 4lease elaborate a little more on that. 5en i# I gae her to you, why do you want her? I cant answer that i# you dont e(plain it clearly. I dont think I need to e(plain, do I? 6ou are the ones who should hae no reason to protect that robot. -e will decide whether there is a reason or not. :arte #rowned upon hearing Tatsuyas response. +#ter considering that his physical appearance and age were di##erent, that displeased e(pression wasnt that strange any more. ""Its in order to #ree our companion trapped within that robot. Hearing this, Tatsuya intentionally tilted his head. &o a robot cant be a host? :artes e(pression grew solemn. I dont know how you guys think, but we are li#e #orms. Aurthermore, our connection with each other #ar surpasses you humans. In regards to saing a companion who is a li#e #orm but trapped with a li#eless essel, is that something that is beyond you humans to grasp? Howeer, both the oice and tone were both reined in. )o, I can understand. Tatsuya answer was *ust as decisie. 6et in this instance, :artes answer was much like what he learned #rom 4i(ie earlier and could not rouse Tatsuyas interest. Arom another perspectie, that also meant 4i(ies words were trustworthy. The .uestion and answer phase could stop here, Tatsuya thought as he continued to speak in order to buy time #or the trap to be prepared. 0ut, how will you go about that? >estroy the body. %nce the host has been lost, then another host can be #ound. I see"" &o thats how it is. 4i(ie, do you wish to be #reed #rom there? 11I do not, :aster933 Tatsuya wasnt seriously asking. 5en i# possessing a li#eless body, once it has e(pressed a desire #or sel#-preseration, Tatsuya wasnt going to agree to hae it destroyed. -ithin the three #undamental processes o# all robots D they were #orbidden #rom harming humans, obeyed humans, and were able to de#end themseles so long as the #irst two were not broken D the JH was a iable tool. 5(cept, the telepathically e(pressed re*ection was #iercer than he anticipated. 11I am mysel#. :y only wish is to something possessed by the :aster. That is who I am.33 )ot only did she possess the original sel#-preseration instinct, she had her own will to boot. 11)o matter what I was originally, #rom where my core desires came #rom, all o# these things are no longer important to me. I loathe the idea that I will no longer be mysel#.33 4i(ies telepathy was sent not only to Tatsuya and the three 4arasites, but to Honoka and :iyuki as well. Honoka bit her lip. :iyukis lips turned into a grin. There you hae it, %nii-sama. Ruite so. + grin also appeared on Tatsuyas lips. +ma'ingly, a wry chuckle was not bubbling up at that une(pectedly passionate speech. Aor reason, Tatsuya didnt plan on aoiding the thoughts pro*ected #rom the demon dwelling in the robot. Then, I think you can already guess this sides answer"" 0e#ore giing a decsiie answer, I hae two or three .uestions I would like to ask. 6ou are more #oolish than we imagined, &hiba Tatsuya. -e are disappointed in you"" /ery well, ask your .uestions. 6ou said earlier that you bore no ill will towards :agicians, correct? -hy did you say :agicians and not humans? There was no answer to that .uestion. )o, he had asked that .uestion with a mocking smirk on his #ace. I# we agreed to your condition, then you >emons would no longer stand against :agicians. Then, what about humans who arent :agicians, what about them? """" +#ter destroying 4i(ies body, what kind o# host are you looking #or? )o, theres no need to answer. I already know. ......&o you are a little cleer beneath that stubbornness. :arte shrugged at the steely ga'e in Tatsuyas eyes and the two girls who #ell into combat stances. 2annot understand. -e already said that we will not #ight you, so how are you still dissatis#ied? <ust as we demons cannot coe(ist with humans, you :agicians are also an alien e(istence to humans. Huh? Tatsuya emitted a #alse sound o# surprise during the 4arasites sudden speech. Howeer, that speech was nothing more than in#lammatory remarks. Tatsuya would neer beliee any words uttered by that #alse tone was worth considering. :y host is also a :agician. +s he said this, he patted his chest in an e(aggerated manner. There was a chance that the man was someone who worked as an inciter prior to being possessed by a 4arasite. In that case, the call sign :arte didnt suit him. The name :ercury was #ar better #or him. 2ompletely heedless o# Tatsuyas cold ga'e, the 4arasites speech grew in #eror. &o I know as well. How :agicians are treated by humans. How are they treated? Aor humans, :agicians are both tools and lab e(periments. Humans will neer care about the :agicians #eelings. They only use them as tools because o# magic and lab animals in order to create more magical power. Though he #elt like he had heard this speech somewhere be#ore, Tatsuya still decided to allow the 4arasite to #inish. In regards to the humans who only seek to use you, what reason do you hae to protect them? 6ou hae no such duty. 6ou hae your own will and dreams, do you not? Tatsuya locked his eyes on :artes #ace a#ter he #inished his speech. )o matter how earnestly :arte stared at Tatsuya, Tatsuya only replied with a ha o# a sigh. Hardly, the ones being used arent *ust the :agicians. In response to the host with the malicious 4arasite, Tatsuya spoke in a tone that had pro#ound meaning. How should I say this......? I #eel like Ie heard those lines #rom a book somewhere. Then, his lips turned into a mocking smile. To see humans as nothing but #oolish"" 6ou are the true #ool. Aury #lickered in the mans eyes. -as that the 4arasites emotions or the hosts #eelings? 0ulling oer whateer :arte wanted to say, Tatsuya continued. 6ou will not harm us :agicians. That sounds all well and good, but you hae already harmed my companions. :y #riends, who are :agicians. In regards to this, you hae #ailed to utter a single apology, so where do you suppose I will dredge up the reason to beliee your words about not harming us? Theres no di##erence between this and respecting the human rights o# :agicians. )ot to mention using these empty words to swap with us as i# trying to con us out o# something. 5en shamelessness should hae a limit. +#ter speaking this long wind o# words, Tatsuya seemed to become bored and once again #ell into a mocking smile. 2ome to think o# it, I haent told you our earlier answer yet. The answer, is no. 0oy"" 4lease dont say youll regret this or something clichVd like that? I would be too ashamed to be your opponent. Lilling intent #illed :artes eyes as he waed his right arm. + small dagger appeared #rom his pocket. 0ased on the buttons on the hilt, this was no ordinary dagger and must carry some sort o# contraption. The other 4arasites held similar daggers in their hands. &eeing this, Tatsuya chuckled coldly. -ell, thats easy to understand. Then, allow us to simpli#y things as well. Tatsuya sneered theatrically. Throw down your weapons and surrender .uietly. 6ou will not su##er should you do so. I guarantee you all a happy li#e as e(perimental animals. 6ou"" wretched hound o# the humans9 The 4arasite who had possessed the body o# the human was in turn consumed by the strong desire in the human host. 4ossessed, being possessed, ad in#initum. :ost likely, the :agician known as :arte must hae #iercely hated the humans who controlled him prior to his possession. That was the natural conclusion one arried at a#ter hearing the #ury in his roar. -ithout any +ctiation &e.uence, the precursor #or magic appeared. &o it was true that 4arasites did not need +ctiation &e.uences or incantations to cast magic. Howeer, on this point, Tatsuyas side was pretty much the same. Aaster than the 4arasites magic could materiali'e, Tatsuyas >ecomposition shattered the in#ormation bodies that were trying to change reality. The ability that dominated all :agicians, the power to decompose the in#ormation bodies. That magic, 8ram >ispersion, was *ust as use#ul on the spells o# inhuman creatures. &oundless and without light, a silent means o# attack and de#ense. 6et :arte, who planned on using magic #irst be#ore attacking, was completely be#uddled when the magic une(pectedly #i''led. Tatsuya was not going to miss that opportunity. He #ired at the *oints o# all #our limbs and :arte rolled on the #loor. 5en with a 4arasite possessing them, there was no way #or them change the structural composition o# the human body. 5en i# they #elt no pain, the limbs were rendered immobile once the *oints were seered. Tatsuya pointed his empty le#t hand at the 4arasite on the road. I# the human essel was destroyed, they will #ly away seeking a new host. They would also sel#-destruct and #lee i# #ro'en by :iyukis magic. 4arasites didnt need +ctiation &e.uences, so een an immobile body was probably still able to cast magic. In order to completely nulli#y a 4arasite, he needed to delier direct harm to the mental in#ormation body. Tatsuya tightly clasped the compressed block o# psions in his palm. 7n#ortunately, there was no guarantee that he would succeed. ;egardless, there was no hesitation in Tatsuya. I# this didnt work, then they had to wait #or the sealing specialists who understood +ncient :agic to arrie. ;ight now, hesitation held no merit #or him. Imbuing the concept o# ;e*ection inside his hand, Tatsuyas le#t hand stabbed towards the 4arasite. The compressed block o# psions shot #orth like a cannonball towards the 4arasites chest. )ot the brain, the heart. This was the result based on the in#ormation he receied #rom 4i(ie and a#ter a lengthy discussion with 6akumo. They did not attach themseles to the human bodys organs, but to the human spirit. In that sense, there was no di##erent striking anywhere on the body. 8ien that, he might as well seek the deepest connection and aimed #or the heart that proided #uel #or all cellular actiity. The result was #ar more dramatic than he imagined. @ike a shrimp leaing the sa#ety o# the ocean, the 4arasites body started to iolently spasm. 0ouncing like cra'y. The body that the 4arasite had inaded was re*ecting it. Tatsuyas will had been in*ected into the 4arasite and was re*ecting the 4arasite *ust as the 4arasite was re*ecting it. %nii-sama9 +las, they did not hae the leisure to saor this. Aorced into a corner, :iyuki called out. Howeer, Tatsuyas eye neer le#t :iyukis side. The moment danger approached :iyuki, Tatsuya would notice een without her calling out. 5(actly what was be#ore him when he turned around, )e(t to where :iyuki had #ro'en not *ust the #our limbs and clothes o# her opponent, but also used Wone Inter#erence to #orestall her opponents magic, Honoka was under siege #rom the small blades connected to some sort o# deice. &ering as her shield, 4i(ie was weathering the blows on her behal#. Honoka9 Im #ine9 +s i# re*ecting Tatsuyas o##er o# support, Honoka replied back in sti## tone. + power#ul light dwelt in Honokas eyes. That burning light that dwelt there declared that she was not going to a stumbling block. That light was in Honokas eyes, <ust as it was in her hair decorations. Tatsuya #elt the psion waes spike dramatically. That was the harbinger o# a massie increase in mental energy. )ot magic. This was something more direct, the inter#erence o# the mind. Immediately, + #urious psychic blast was released #rom 4i(ie. +s a price #or its lack o# #ine-tuned control, the coarse #orm that was released carried the #urious might to batter all phenomena. 5en :iyukis erected Wone Inter#erence was shaken. +mong the currently liing :agicians, een the Wone Inter#erence belong to one o# the ery best, :iyuki, had been shaken. Tatsuya #ormed a new psion bullet and shot it into the 4arasite that was #ighting his sister. %nce again, the dance #rom the re*ection e##ect occurred. 6et now, Tatsuya and :iyukis attention was no longer there. 4ure motion alteration inter#erence strength D so called psychokinesis, had *ust been released at that ery spot. Honoka, who was still in a da'e #rom the sudden release o# power#ul psion waes, and 4i(ie, who stood there in a protectie stance. %# the 4arasite who stood against them, it had long been blown out o# sight. ? ? ? &hocked beyond words by the display on the monitor, Au*ibayashi only recoered her wits once she heard the delighted chuckle #rom behind her and turned around. ""Ho, neer thought that I would witness something so #ascinating here. 0ehind the swiel chair, 5lder Ludou coughed as he spoke with a tone that seemed to be looking #or e(cuses at his granddaughters glare that he was not acting his age. >id the JH release that last burst o# psychokinesis? I neer heard that we hae already deeloped robots capable o# using psychic powers. Au*ibayashi was sitting in #ront o# the control panel #or the psion wae detector. There was no way to hide the readings displayed on the monitor in #ront o# her. ""I neer heard o# it either. Arom a technological standpoint, I thought that was impossible. Indeed. -ith the current technology, neither magic nor psychic powers can be mani#ested by machinery alone. In other words, there is something other than machinery inside that JH. """" + light sound that could be interpreted as either a sigh or a sob leaked #rom Au*ibayashi. Is there a monster on that robot? """" Though I hae receied reports on the 4arasites, I didnt hear about this detail. -e hae not receied a report about this either. This was only spoken o# in priate conersations. )o, no. 5lder Ludou waed his hand as i# to com#ort his granddaughter, who had replied back in a sti## manner. Lyouko, I am not scolding you. That was not my standpoint #rom the ery beginning. I am *ust highly interested. Au*ibayashis poker #ace caed in. The source o# her #luctuating emotions lay directly be#ore her ga'e. It had been a ery long time since she saw the shadow o# ambition #litting across her grand#athers #ace. I neer imagined that robots could be used in this way"" ? ? ? The usual Au*ibayashi would hae already noticed. Howeer, right now she was acting in the capacity o# an operator and not a hacker, so today she could only manipulate the system according to the rules. 7nder those conditions, een the 5lectron &orceress would be hard pressed to catch obserers who were acting beyond the systems de#ensie capabilities. The obserer who had *ust beheld the scene, 6otsuba :aya, remoed the display monitor #rom her eyes be#ore leaning back deeply into the chair and closed her eyes. This lasted appro(imately GH seconds. +#ter placing the display monitor back into a drawer in her desk, she picked up the bell and so#tly shook it. The crisp sound reerberated in the room that she alone inhabited. >id you call #or me, madam? %pening the door, :ayas butler and con#idante, old Hayama, appeared. 2all +oki here #or me please. 7nderstood. ;espect#ully bowing, Hayama the butler once more le#t the room. This time, a short moment elapsed. Though there was no sound o# any #ootsteps, an an(ious presence drew closer be#ore the sound o# knocking could be heard. 2ome in. 5(cuse me. Hayama replied in a solemn oice. The an(ious presence came #rom his side. The one who came in was a butler #ar younger than Hayama 1though still older than :aya3 in his prime. &orry #or calling you so late, +oki. )o problem at all. &o long as the madam gae the summons, I, +oki, will immediately be at your side een i# I was on the other side o# the world. +oki had not learned how to per#orm Alash &tep D in short, no one had accomplished instant teleportation D so immediately was physically impossible, but gien that his e(aggerated #ashion o# speaking was typical #or him, neither :aya nor Hayama paid any e(tra attention to it. Though this is ery sudden, there is something I wish to hae immediately. +s you wish. +oki was the #inancial manager who was responsible #or oerseeing all o# the 6otsuba Aamilys assets. He belieed that being able to delier on these demands was the ery purpose #or his e(istence, so while there were a #ew problems with his personality, his abilities in both the legal and illegal #ields were undeniably outstanding. &wi#tly purchase the rights #or the JH-4QF on lend to the :agic 7niersity +##iliated Airst High. :oney is no issue. >o this by any means possible. :aya saying money is no issue wasnt surprising, but she rarely said directly by any means possible. I# that is too di##icult, #ind a way #or the current owner to be unable to trans#er ownership rights. In particular, do not allow the other #amilies #rom the Ten :aster 2lans to get ahold o# it. >o not be concerned about the price inoled #or this task. This was the #irst time in +okis recollection that she een handed out speci#ic instructions in the eent o# #ailure. 7nderstood. Aor an instant, +oki waered there, but that #ailed to e(tend to his oice as he bowed respect#ully. +s +oki #rantically le#t, :aya turned towards the waiting Hayama by her side and gae him a searching ga'e. "">ont you hae something to say? 6et in the end, :aya was unable to pierce Hayamas poker #ace and urged him to speak. I know it is not my place"" He was still going to ask despite knowing this, so Hayama started speaking while bending at the waist. Though this *ust the customary phrase that obsered decorum, that particular tone told :aya that this was not going to be a pleasant conersation. &houldnt you be a little more prudent about using Hlidsk*al#? 5en so, she couldnt tell him to recant those words D or suggestion. The honest suggestion was *ust as bitter as she anticipated, but :aya #ailed to #rown or become enraged. +s the operator, :aya D along with the other M operators who also had access rights D knew that there was more than *ust mere bene#its better than anyone. =That is a product o# pure science. Aurthermore, at least when compared with magic, the risk o# those black bo(es is still lower. :aya-sama, I wasnt re#erring to that. Hayama decisiely cut short the twisted counter argument that she hersel# knew rang hollow. :aya wore an e(pression indicating she wished to change the sub*ect. Aurthermore, when it comes to black bo(es, we dont een know where the real Hlidsk*al# is located. <ust because it has not lied to us yet does not guarantee that will not happen in the #uture. Hayamas opinion de#initely had a point. @ikewise, :aya was conscious o# the danger een i# he hadnt pointed it out. Thats true"" Hayama, lets proceed with your idea. ;ecently, I hae been too reliant on that ability to gather in#ormation. It would be a shame to abandon such a use#ul #unction. This is only a #oolish thought on my part, i# its Tatsuya-dono, he may be able to #igure out where the real location o# Hlidsk*al# is. %nce connected to the real one, complete dominance o# Hlidsk*al# may also be possible. Hayamas words completely caught :aya by surprise. In order to #ully comprehend his meaning, :aya contemplated this #or a while be#ore #inally shaking her head. Its still too early. +s to what e(actly was too early, the answer le#t that to ones imagination. Hayama bowed deeply be#ore leaing :aya and .uitting the room. ? ? ? -hat a mess"" In response to the words that inoluntarily slipped #rom Tatsuyas mouth, :iyuki raised her head #rom where she was taking care o# the da'ed and #ainting Honoka. )ow that you mention it"" Thats kind o# true. %nii-sama, should we leae here #or now? &ince the response was so natural, Tatsuya was practically on the erge o# nodding. 1"")o, thats actually %L.3 I# he continued to beliee that it was natural #or someone to grasp the situation that .uickly, sooner or later he was due #or a comeuppance. Howeer, right now there were other things to worry about. There was that gigantic psychic blast #rom *ust now. That reaction was undoubtedly noticed throughout the +oyama and +kasaka regions. &oon, unwanted guests would arrie in droes. The 4arasites that had been struggling #uriously a moment ago had now .uieted down in e(haustion. <ust in case, he had bound their wrists, but as to what practical purpose that sered, een Tatsuya didnt know. +t least, so long as the essel wasnt destroyed, they werent able to #lee the hosts physical #lesh, but their opponent could still sel#-destruct as a last resort. 1Thats true"" I# only we had some sort o# techni.ue #rom +ncient :agic.3 Tatsuya-kun9 &orry were late9 &peak o# the deil, scratch that, *ust as he thought about that person, their oice rang out. +bout time they arried. &till, Tatsuya wasnt going to scold them #or being slow since they were also using their methods to search #or the 4arasites. Its not like they were being la'y about it, so there was nothing to complain about. Indeed"" There was nothing to complain about een i# they arried at a time when all the iolence had ended, Tatsuya mentally stressed to himsel#. 7m...... Tatsuya? -hy do I get the #eeling that your e(pression is a little terri#ying? :y attitude is *ust a little belligerent. )o, I dont know about belligerence, but somehow I dont #eel thats the reason"" +#ter sweeping an oer the strangely 1?3 petri#ied :ikihiko, Tatsuya began conersing with the e(tra indiidual who was not planned to appear. @eo, so you came as well. +h, since I *ust recoered, might as well add me to the mi(. >ont #orce yoursel#. )ow, 5rika"" Hm? -hats up? +s he spoke to 5rika, who was watching the capties with a solemn ga'e, Tatsuya une(pectedly spoke in a calm oice. +lthough we are #orced to leae this area as soon as possible, can you prepare a way to transport these three? &eeing that none o# them made any heart pounding actions, Tatsuya rela(ed a little and began talking about the things on his mind. Tatsuya casually glanced around him to #ind the two motorcycles that the three o# them arried on. D+s to who sat with who, Tatsuya wasnt able to see that. 5h, why? ;eacting to Tatsuyas words, 5rika took on a perple(ed e(pression. -hat do you mean why, 5rika? Tatsuya wasnt the one who said that. 7nable to hide his agitated isage, :ikihiko .uickly interrupted their talk. >id you not #eel that shockwae? +#ter releasing such a ridiculous amount o# magic, I doubt the ones arriing here will be normal policemen. Though I really want to say that Ie resigned mysel# to that #rom that start"" That would trouble Tatsuya-kuns group. 0esides #rom a #ew looks snuck in between, this was the usual 5rika. +t the ery least, neither @eo nor :ikihiko noticed anything di##erent. &o, will it be %L i# we carted them to storage shed at :ikis house? The storage shed that 5rika spoke o# was obiously not a literal storage shed. It was not one o# the 2hiba Aamilys #acilities, but transported to a restrictie #ield operated by the 6oshida Aamily speci#ically designed to seal the 4arasite. -ill that be alright, :ikihiko? 5h? %# course. )ow that you mention it, that was our *ob all along. %ur re#erred to +ncient :agic users. He probably meant sealing demons was the mission o# the onmyo*i 1the 6oshida Aamily were o# the &hinto sect and not actual onmyo*i3. Then :iki and I along with @eo will take oer here. Tatsuya-kun, you guys should get going #irst. -hy? >uring that time, I can wait here. Im *ust a tagalong9? Ignoring @eos #urious roar #or the moment, Tatsuya asked in ama'ement. 5rika seemed to hae a hard time #inding the right words. Tatsuya, well, uh"" Tatsuya #ollowed the stammering :ikihikos ga'e. +head o# him stood 4i(ie was a slightly ripped dress as well as Honokas #igure with seeral large rents in her hal#coat. ""Ill call the car. I think that would be best. +nd thus, Tatsuya le#t the scene to 5rikas group. ? ? ? The siblings home was within the 'one o# automated control, but Honokas apartment was *ust outside the area #or automatic ehicular control. +#ter using the in#ormation terminal to summon the automatic car, there was no way to take Honoka home. In the end, the #our o# them got on the light rail at the station. 5en with their rather shocking attire, thank#ully they did not receie any undue attention in the city. +t least, not any more than anticipated 1when accompanied by :iyuki, being completely inconspicuous was #rankly impossible3. Tatsuyas group got into a section with #our seats on the train. 7m, Tatsuya-kun"" &ince the act o# boarding the train was so ery natural, it wasnt until a#ter the train departed that Honoka had a .uestion. 5en i# they were going in the same direction, they couldnt get o## hal#way between stops"" Ill take you home. 7pon hearing him utter the words she earnestly wished him to say but was unable to ask him do so, een the multiple instances o# Honoka trying to be polite were unable to hide her radiant e(pression. There was no way to alter seating arrangements in the cabin that the #our o# them sat in. :iyuki sat ne(t to Tatsuya, with Honoka sitting directly across #rom him. Tatsuya glanced oer at 4i(ie sitting diagonally across #rom him 1#or some reason, she was being treated as a customer rather than cargo3, be#ore turning his eyes back to Honoka since she had #allen .uiet #rom the beginning. "...%nii-sama, its probably about time to say something, otherwise I dont think Honoka can hold it in any longer? &eeing Honokas an(iety spike a#ter Tatsuya looked at her, :iyuki spoke up #rom his side. +h, my apologies. Tatsuya appeared to be unaware. +#ter being pushed into a tight spot by his sister, Tatsuya acknowledged his error with an apologetic look on his #ace. Thank you #or all o# your hard work tonight, you three. The words o# praise were only the icebreakers, and proo# o# this was that 4i(ie had been included within. &till, this may be because he taken into consideration that 4i(ie had also contributed .uite a bit, but gien that Tatsuya didnt di##erentiate between humans and robots, this sentence clearly wasnt gien too much thought. &o, Honoka. How should I put this""? +re you #eeling a little strung out? There was no need to say this, but the ne(t line was obiously an in.uiry. Though somewhat con#used at the sudden .uestion, Honoka still shook her head. ;eally"" 4i(ie, i# you are e(hausted"" That phrase seems a little out o# place. >o you notice any o# the psions or energy reseres that make up your body being consumed? 112onsumption is within naturally recoerable parameters, :aster.33 I see"" %nii-sama, is something lingering on your mind? )ot to the point o# lingering"" +#ter shaking his head at his sister, Honoka once more looked towards Honoka. 5arlier, when 4i(ie released that power#ul burst o# psychokinesis"" Honoka, do you hae any idea what happened? "")o, what are you re#erring to? Honokas eyes were #illed with unease as she asked this. True, the in#erences behind this line o# .uestioning was an(iety inducing. That being said, o# course Tatsuya had no intention o# #anning the #lames o# uneasiness. I would like you to calm down and listen to me care#ully. The #act that this had descended to the point where an intentional icebreaker was re.uired troubled Tatsuya himsel# to no end. The instant 4i(ie released that burst o# psychokinesis, psions were proided #or 4i(ie #rom Honoka. 5h? Honokas *aw dropped at Tatsuyas words. ""&o Honoka was proiding energy #or 4i(ie? )o, it didnt #eel like that. In a rare showing, the oice Tatsuya used to answer :iyukis .uestion was not #illed with con#idence. This is similar to the process where psions are inputted into the 2+> in order to deploy the +ctiation &e.uence. :ight hae been something like priming"" %r maybe een resonance. Honoka darted a #ear#ul look at 4i(ie. 4i(ie D the JH-4QF unit with a 4arasite on board, paid little heed to that. That being said, there was no way to tell the real situation since there was no change in e(pression. + :agician trans#erred psions to a machine. This phenomenon itsel# was per#ectly #amiliar to Tatsuya, no, to modern magic users as a whole. Howeer, that was a phenomenon that occurred with machinery constructed according to the systems deeloped by magic engineering to do it this way. That #unction was not installed on the JH. ;obots do not hae powers beyond those granted to them by humans. 0y themseles, they were unable to learn new #unctions. This phenomenon"" :ust hae not hae been caused by 4i(ies mechanical body, but by her real body instead. +ny other e(planation was too outlandish. It was per#ectly natural #or Honoka to #eel uneasy and a#raid. :i'uki did say this be#ore"" That there is some sort o# connection between Honoka and 4i(ie. Aurthermore"" &uddenly, Tatsuya stopped speaking. Aaced with her hesitant older brother wearing a bitter e(pression on his #ace, :iyuki responded with an alarmed look. +s i# needled by an unspoken .uestion, Tatsuyas #ace seemed to gie up the struggle and continued speaking. ""Aurthermore, the medium inoled appears to be Honokas hair decorations. Huh? Honoka was waering between surprise and #ear earlier, but now she was entirely astounded. +stonishment was not restricted to her alone. :iyuki was also scrutini'ing the rubber bands holding Honokas hair with great attention. To be precise, it should be the crystal within. +s to how this occurred, I hae no idea"" Honoka caressed the crystals in hair decorations with both hands. This was an unconscious reaction that didnt hae any ulterior motie inoled. Howeer, Tatsuyas hypothesis was immediately proen by the ensuing reaction. %n 4i(ie, in the middle o# the torso area, a spiritual light emerged. The light was not blinding. Arom a isual perspectie, the strength was about the same as a lantern. &till, gien the suspicion about their mutual connection, this coincidence was a little too per#ect. Tatsuya and :iyukis eyes both #ell upon those hair decorations. Honoka coered her hair decorations with both o# her hands. This was as i# she was terri#ied that they would be taken away #rom her. The cause can be set aside #or now"" + method to control that needs to be #ound #irst. Tatsuya spoke in a tone that one used to com#ort wary little animals. -ariness turned into surprise as Honoka returned his look. Tatsuyas eyes dri#ted #rom Honoka to 4i(ie. +t any rate, bringing 4i(ie back looks to be the right idea. ? ? ? The high school #orce led by Tatsuya and company were not the only ones actie tonight. The &aegusa and <uumon*i #orce were inactie since Tatsuya had neglected to in#orm :ayumi and Latsuto about this action, but the many people in the 2hiba #orce were actiated on 5rikas orders. In spite o# this, the sole reason that 5rikas group was the only one to arrie was because they were the strongest unit o# those mobili'ed tonight. 5rika, @eo, :ikihiko. Though their indiidual assessment was not spectacular, their combat capabilities towered oer their peers. This was not *ust restricted to high school students, but adults as well. 5en e(cluding techni.ues associated with weapons, their indiidual prowess was still in the top tier. Howeer, since this was an independent action, they were stuck in a situation where they had to guard the bound 4arasites while awaiting eacuation"" 5(cept unwanted guests #ound them be#ore their getaway ehicle. Hey, what are you guys doing9? Two young men wearing police uni#orms parked an automatic ehicle 1e.uipped with a motor3 near the streetlight be#ore running oer and shouting out a .uestion. &eeing these two, :ikihiko reealed a harried e(pression and @eo pouted in irritation, whereas 5rika remained silent but retaliated with a belligerent ga'e. -hat is this9? 6ou guys should be high school students. -hat the heck is going on here9? &eeing the two men lying on the ground with their wrists bound behind their backs, the taller one shouted shrilly. In truth, this was probably a policemans natural reaction upon #inding citi'ens bound at night while lying on the ground. )o, thats *ust"" Aeeling that this was a legitimate .uestion, :ikihiko was #rantically looking #or e(cuses. +rent you guys the ones who should be saying who you are? Howeer, 5rikas riposte bulled right oer that .uestion. -hat did you say9? Hey, 5rika9 Aaced with une(pected resistance, the mens rage seemed to intensi#y while :ikihiko turned an unbelieable look at her. :ikihiko. + hand reached out to grab his shoulder. -hen :ikihiko turned his head, he #ound @eo standing there with a highly entertained smile. >idnt you hear me? I will ask again. -ho are you? 5rika snorted at the intimidating glares shooting out #rom beneath the police caps. >ont you know? There shouldnt be any policemen in this area because such an order was gien. That idiot older brother o# mine cant possibly slip up at this *uncture. There was no eidence to support 5rikas words. I# #aced with real policemen, this wasnt a *oke that should be bandied around. In spite o# this, the young men in #ront o# her blatantly #altered. -hat nonsense is this? The #altering was wiped clean in an instant, but 5rika didnt miss that brie# second. It wouldnt hae mattered een i# there hadnt been a reaction. Thats because her words were not *ust braado. I# you wanted to disguise yoursel#, you should hae chosen to be plainclothes detecties. In that case, hearing you out wouldnt hae been an issue. 5rika was highly e(aggerating about the hearing you out part. The taller young man was about to e(plode at her, but his colleague stopped him. They switched places and the slightly shorter man stepped #orward. %# the two, this one was shorter but #ar bulkier, and the intimidation #actor was a lot higher. @ooking #or an e(cuse to #lee is useless. 6ou are suspected o# assault. @ets take a walk. HeyS. &o youre playing it out to the end. )onetheless, 5rika was completely #earless. &he continued to leel a dismissie, challenging glare at them. +las, I captured these two on the spot during an attempted rape. I beliee this constitutes a citi'ens arrest. Thus I am waiting #or the real police to show up. There is no room #or counter#eit policemen to appear here, un-der-stand? :ikihiko could only watch in admiration at his childhood #riend reply so #lippantly with a ery logical argument. 5en someone knowing this was a con would be misled. D-hich was why he was a beat slow in detecting the hidden presence around him. :iki9 :ikihiko9 -ithout a sand D that was not an e(aggeration, there literally was no sound D a black shadow attacked #rom aboe his head. The attack came #rom the wall surrounding the cemetery, and by the time :ikihiko reali'ed this, it was already too late to meet the attack. :ikihiko #elt the blow land on his shoulder. +#ter being knocked #lying the sudden attack, he subconsciously took action to recoer himsel#. @eo raised his arm to the leel o# his head and to meet the oncoming downward swing o# a rod. <ust the sound alone was enough to tell the might behind this strike and a normal person would undoubtedly su##er broken bones #rom this, but @eo took the blow as i# it was nothing. )ot only that, as his opponent touched the ground, he immediately retaliated with an iron #ist o# his own that #airly seered the air around him. Tch9 7n#ortunately, his #ist barely brushed against the ambushers body be#ore being retracted. In the #lickering street light, :ikihiko say an arc o# lightning. That man was apparently wearing a coat that shocked an opponent with high oltage electricity on contact. 4ressing his #ist, @eo leaped back a step. He saw the man wielding the rod prepare to pursue. @eo, get out o# there9 :ikihiko took the opportunity to swing his le#t wrist down. He used his customary hand to grab the #an-shaped 2+> that #ell out o# his sleee. <ust as :ikihiko was about to release magic to support @eo against the man attacking him, an ob*ect came #lying #rom the #lank to strike his 2+>. Though the 2+> didnt #all, the spell had still been interrupted. The ob*ect that had inter#ered with :ikihikos spell traced a loop be#ore returning to its original position. He #inally reali'ed that it was a boomerang o# some sort, which would then automatically return to the hand o# the thrower. %# course, it that was *ust a simple boomerang, there would be no way #or it to return once it came into contact with the target. This must be some sort o# magical weapon. +#ter taking an une(pected *olt o# electricity, @eo rolled back on the street to aoid the downward blow o# the rod be#ore pulling back and resetting his posture. :ikihiko didnt hae the leisurely time to worry about @eo. There was more than one enemy. He heard the 4sh sound o# compressed air being released and two connected cannonballs that looked like soda cans #rom a while ago came #lying towards him #rom the street. :ikihiko used the seal o# the wind to meet the cannonballs. The cannonballs stopped in mid-air. Howeer, in the ne(t instant, a net was deployed #rom the cannonballs and rushed towards :ikihiko. %n the eight points o# the octagon, there were miniature rockets to replace the arrested momentum. -hat the hell is that9? Those were :ikihikos undisguised #eelings. The speed wasnt all that impressie, but he had no idea what trickery lay within that net. :ikihiko used a @eaping spell to dodge the net. 7n#ortunately, there were shadows waiting #or him in the sky. The human silhouettes hurtled round throwing weapons. @ike a game o# chess, this was the per#ect arrangement. +ny normal :agician would hae been checkmated right there. 6et, the current :ikihiko was a #ar cry #rom normal. He had already recoered the strength that earned him a reputation as a child genius and had een progressed #urther. In mid-air, :ikihiko used the air as a *umping board to @eap again and aoid the attacks o# the three round pro*ectiles and their master. &till in the air, :ikihiko looked down upon the head o# the man wielding a thin, long ob*ect D most likely a whip o# some sort. Ainally, it was :ikihikos turn. He e(tended his bent leg. His #oot came into contact with the mans #orehead. The action itsel# became the seal to actiate magic. Through the point o# contact between #oot and #orehead, a web o# lighting spread out and encapsulated the mans body. %nce more stepping o## the wind, :ikihiko landed on top o# the wall. There, he looked #or @eo and 5rikas #igures. @eo had recoered #rom that early surprise attack. Aacing the opponent wielding the rod, he was engaged in a #ierce battle using his bare hands. The reason why he had not su##ered any in*ury #rom the electric attack was probably because he wrapped himsel# with something. The other man also had a certain degree o# skill, but in terms o# speed and power, @eo was superior. The problem was 5rika. The two who #irst struck up a conersation werent ery adept at acting, but their #ighting skills were .uite capable. )o matter how he put it, 5rika actually had to de#end against their attacks. They must be wearing special armor beneath their uni#orms, though the uni#orms themseles may also be custom made. &till, durability alone was insu##icient to stand against 5rikas sword strikes. 5ach time they came into contact with 5rikas sword blows, something would #litter o## the sur#ace o# the clothes. -arily, 5rika continued to slowly press her attack #orward. I# the weapon she held was any longer, then she probably wouldnt need so much time. 7n#ortunately, the weapon she had today was a short rod that could morph into a waka'ashi. 5rika was aoiding dust that was most likely some sort o# poison, so there was no chance she could close into close .uarters. Thanks to him sei'ing a higher antage point, :ikihiko #inally noticed something. The three o# them were being slowly pulled away #rom the bound 4arasites. In addition, the distance between the three o# them was also growing. I# this continued, the capties may be taken away be#ore support arried. 5en i# this was pushing it a little, they had to take care o# this .uickly. The ne(t instant a#ter he made up his mind, no, it was likely their enemy had also *udged that they couldnt hold out much longer. In terms o# timing, :ikihikos assessment and their opponents *udgment were o# an accord. The enemy was one step ahead. They heard the sound o# something #alling to the ground. @eo kicked aside his opponent while 5rika unleashed a chain o# ra'or sharp blows to pull away #rom her opponent. 8et down9 The same time that call rang out, a cocoon o# air wrapped around 5rika and @eo. That was the de#ensie barrier :ikihiko had deised. The e(plosie that had #allen #rom aboe detonated be#ore coming into contact with the ground and unleashed a thick smoke that obscured the street lights. The sound o# heay metallic ob*ects #alling continued. :ikihiko called the wind to blow apart the smoke. They immediately #ound out what had happened. :etallic arms trailing down #rom the sky grabbed the 4arasites bodies and swi#tly retracted. The source o# the lines came #rom a pitch black #lying ship hiding in the night sky that had appeared at some point in time. The silence o# it all was astounding, and there was no sign o# magic being used. -ithout a sound and any sign o# magic waes, none o# them had noticed the unidenti#ied #lying ship #lying oerhead. The body o# the capties anished into the ship. :ikihiko saw 5rika ready hersel# to slash upwards. Though her slashes were not the same leel as &trateigc-2lass :agic, she might be able to shatter the #uel compartment and cause a crash. 5rika, stop9 Howeer, thanks to :ikihikos interention, 5rika reluctantly stood down. &he also knew ery well that it would be a catastrophe i# the #lying ship crashed here. -hile their attention had been drawn away by the #lying ship, their ambushers shadows also disappeared. )eedless to say, the counter#eit policemens party were o# the same a##iliation with the #lying ship. -hat a headache"" :ikihiko nodded as i# in complete agreement, to which 5rika responded with a particularly brilliant smile. &o what are we going to tell Tatsuya-kun? :ikihiko was asking @eo #or help. @eo shrugged when :ikihiko looked at him. Its already so late, I dont think we should trouble him, right? @eo shrugged again at :ikihikos ga'e. Ha, youre right. +t this hour, might as well tell him tomorrow. Their hollow laughter was mi(ed into the slight wind that blew towards the center o# the city at night. ? ? ? -e hae captured the specimen. This was the head.uarters o# the <&>A Intelligence >epartment Jrd >iision located in the basement o# one o# the buildings in Ichigaya. 7pon hearing the report #rom the deployed stealth airship, the assistant director in charge o# this entire operation D this department did not employ the <&>As ranking system and used entirely #alsi#ied ranks D nodded as his e(pression seemed to sigh in relie#. Though there were a #ew surprises, we still accomplished our ob*ectie. -hen the agents disguised as policemen had been knocked unconscious by mere high school students and a H+;, the #irst thing that #lashed across his mind was demotion. )ow that he may hae aoided ruining his superiors mood, the assistant director could rela(. He knew ery well that the specimen they had captured was the ampire that disturbed the peace, but he was unaware that the real identity o# the ampires were actually :agicians who had been possessed by monsters called 4arasites. )or was he aware that one o# the captured ampires was a retired soldier #rom the 7&)+ born in :e(ico and that the reason #or his retirement was that he lost his magic due to an in*ury su##ered during training. The assistant director had simply been ordered to capture a specimen o# the ampires. The reason why they were obsering Tatsuya was because the higher ups told him there was a higher probability they would come into contact with the ampires i# they shadowed Tatsuyas group. Though as to why a high school student, despite being known as :agician larae, would hae a link to ampires, that reason was beyond him. His subordinates being instantly nulli#ied immediately dispelled the preconception that they were *ust high school students, but the mystery in regards to why high school students were so strong only deepened. &till, it looked like they would no longer hae to trouble themseles with ridiculously strong high school students. That was the reason why the assistant director could breathe a sigh o# relie#. Their task was only to temporarily sa#eguard the specimen. +ny procedures beyond that were done by his superior, the director. %ne o# the tricks to the organi'ations continual surial was not .uestioning their superiors tasks. The re.uest #or obtaining the specimen didnt come #rom the goernment but #rom their sponsors, and the assistant director was somewhat aware that the real client was that particular #amily #rom behind their sponsor, but he really didnt want to know. +s ordered, transport the target to the icebo(. <ust in case, up the dosage. +#ter ordering his subordinate to use low temperature anesthesia used to induce hibernation on :agicians to nulli#y the 4arasites be#ore moing them to the #acility, the assistant director returned to his seat to report to his superiors the result o# his mission. ? ? ? That damnable Loichi, still so enamored with intrigue. Its practically part o# his personality now. <ust listening to the words may gie the impression that this was a complaint, but a#ter hearing her grand#ather utter this phrase in a highly entertained oice, Au*ibayashi pretended not to hear anything. The sudden intrusion o# the Jrd >iisions stealth cra#t shocked Au*ibayashi, but she dealt with the a#ter e##ects as swi#tly as usual. &he immediately used the #lying ships wireless signal to pinpoint the organi'ation it was a##iliated with. @ikewise, in#iltrating the connection to the basement in Ichigaya was *ust business as usual. +s e(pected o# someone whose talents earned her the name 5lectron &orceress. &ir, what is &aegusa-sans goal here? &he chose to the word sir and not grand#ather here to obsere protocol while on the *ob. Ludou ;etsu understood this, so he didnt make a point oer the #ormal re#erence o# sir. Im not priy to what Loichi is thinking. Though I do hae a #ew guesses on worst possible scenarios. That being said, he had no intention o# playing along with his granddaughters speech pattern as 5lder Ludou continued to speak as i# addressing kin. -orst, eh""? Hm. Louchi knows that :aya is interested in the 4arasites, so he may hae wanted to sei'e control o# it. The lady #rom the 6otsuba Aamily has e(pressed interest? In the 6otsuba Aamily, the side branch Luroba Aamily is responsible #or gathering intelligence. Aurthermore, the Lurobas apparently adopted assassination against the 4arasites and inestigated .uite a #ew things a#terwards. + side branch responsible #or gathering intelligence"" The 6otsuba Aamily is certainly uni.ue. -ell, the EO #amilies were originally *ust like side branches #or the deelopment and research o# :agicians. Indeed, no other #amily besides the 6otsuba Aamily has adopted the side branch system. 5lder Ludou wore a sel#-depreciating smile as he probably recalled his own origins. Au*ibayashi made no attempt at any third rate words o# com#ort and merely waited #or her grand#athers ne(t words. &etting that aside"" Lnowing that the 6otsuba hae an interest in the 4arasites, Loichi would then act. That guy will want to surpass the 6otsuba by any means possible. How tragic it is that the demon #rom JH years ago has still not been e(orcised yet"" In Au*ibayashis eyes, the way 5lder Ludou said this was as i# he himsel# was reisiting the past. Lnowing that wasnt a ery pleasant recollection, she used a slightly stronger tone to recall her grand#ather #rom his memories. &o what are we going to do? -hat do you mean by going to do? I beliee that allowing the Intelligence >epartment Jrd >iision to go rogue isnt a wise course o# action. Thats true"" I# they were able to handle it any better, leaing them alone wouldnt be a problem. +s Au*ibayashi predicted, 5lder Ludou had returned #rom the world o# his memories and his mind was #ully #ocused on the present. Lyouko, can you anonymously leak some intelligence to the 6otsuba? I think I can. Then that should be enough. :aya will think o# what to do #rom here on out. &aegusa Loichis plot would be #oiled by the 6otsuba. Lnowing the backstory, Au*ibayashi #elt that this was a cruel punishment. &till, Au*ibayashi had no intention o# disagreeing with her grand#athers proposal as she immediately turned back to the controls. ? ? ? +#ter seeing Honoka home and returning 4i(ie to the original garage, by the time Tatsuya and :iyuki arried home, it was already late into the night een though the date hadnt changed yet. That being said, #or the siblings age, this wasnt a particularly late hour. Though they had not engaged in #ull scale combat, the neres were still stimulated that there was no sign o# sleepiness. %nii-sama, its :iyuki, can I bother you #or a moment""? It was a rare occurrence indeed #or Tatsuya to be in his own room studying a sub*ect other than magic instead o# being in the lab in the basement a#ter eating dinner and taking a bath. The primary reason why he let :iyuki into his room was because neither o# them could sleep. +t this time, Tatsuya appeared to be trying to use the books to lull him to sleep. Though it wasnt entirely appropriate #or siblings to isit the bedroom 1pretty much a priate room3 at this hour, Tatsuya #elt that speaking with :iyuki might improe his mood a little. &ure, come in. Then, Im coming in. Tatsuya naturally leaned oer the monitor that sered as the tables sur#ace as he heard the sound o# a door closing coming #rom the entry way. ""&o, what is it? The oice was neither high nor low and was *ust a simple .uestion being oiced. In spite o# this, an unnatural lull still mani#ested. :iyuki didnt immediately reply to her brothers .uestion as she obediently sat on the bed. 5en so"" + series o# .uestions started churning through Tatsuyas brain. --)ot too long ago, his sister still #aored pa*amas. ---as her current appearance the result o# &hi'ukus recent appearance taking root? ;ight now, the pressing issue was the style o# :iyukis pa*amas. %b*ectiely speaking, she was currently wearing a nightgown. Technically, she had a small *acket draped oer the outside and the gown was neatly #astened. Howeer, #rom the chest to the knees, the barest hints o# snowy white #lesh could be seen through the thin layer o# silk, #illed with mesmeri'ing temptation. 1Thank#ully Im the only one who saw that"" Isnt she a little lacking in the sel#-consciousness that young ladies usually possess?3 +s her brother, Tatsuya was highly concerned about his sisters lack o# wariness, --yet whether this was truly right or wrong, there was un#ortunately no *udge present to determine the outcome. %n the other side, :iyuki appeared to be highly pleased with her brothers blank stare and an embarrassed smile graced her #ace. &till, that isage swi#tly altered to one o# seriousness. Hae I interrupted %nii-sama #rom studying""? Hardly. :iyuki, you know that such things are not necessary #or me. +nyone else would hae #elt a surge o# disgust at those words, but there was no sign o# eny, ama'ement or praise #rom :iyuki as she took those words as per#ectly natural. Tatsuya rose #rom his position be#ore the table and walked to the bedside be#ore taking seat beside :iyuki. %# course, there was a de#inite distance between them. 6et, #rom the side and not the #ront came a look that clearly said >id you hae something to say? that urged :iyuki onward to oice her hesitant, stuttering .uestion. %nii-sama"" :iyuki is really con#licted right now. 2on#licted? >espite knowing that something was on :iyukis mind, this was still a sudden .uestion. Tatsuya repeated part o# :iyukis sentence and kept his eyes #astened on her, yet she #ailed to raise her eyes to her brother. ;ight now, I completely dont understand, what magic is".. -hat we :agicians are"" 0emusement coered Tatsuyas #ace. He was completely not e(pecting such a pro#ound .uestion. ;ather than belonging to the #ield o# magic studies, it may be more appropriate to say this came #rom the realm o# psychology. -hile he didnt #eel that he was unable to .uestion, Tatsuya didnt hae an option that was appropriate enough to answer :iyukis .uestion. -hat makes you think that? ;egardless, Tatsuya prompted her to continue speaking. Arom a #undamental perspectie, magic and super powers are one and the same. %nii-sama knows this better than anyone else when it comes down to theory or practical application. I think knowing that better than anyone else may be a stretch"" 0ut go on. 4arasites D demons also know how to use magic. -hen comparing the magic they use with the ones we cast, there is nothing di##erent besides the procedure. True. :iyukis hands were tightly clasped on top o# her knees, but she suddenly twisted around towards Tatsuya. 4lacing her hands in the space between Tatsuya and hersel#, she leaned #orward towards Tatsuya. Her eyes were #illed with unease. I hae been wondering whether thats"" the result o# demons possessing :agicians. -as the demon using the :agicians mind to cast magic? Terror lay in the depths o# that unease. 6et, a#ter seeing the power 4i(ie used and %nii-samas ensuing e(planation, I hae #ound that I am in error. +re you re#erring to the psychokinesis #rom that time? 6es. There was another lull until the conersation resumed. :iyuki was a#raid o# erbali'ing the rest. &he was terri#ied o# the idea that her theory would be rein#orced i# she trans#ormed her speculation into words. That was the #eeling Tatsuya got #rom her. Telepathy is the ability to communicate #rom one consciousness to another. The original 4arasite that is akin to a spirit #orm was capable o# this, so thats nothing surprising. -hen I heard that she used psychokinesis to create #acial e(pressions, I also thought nothing o# that matter. Tatsuya #elt that :iyukis #ace was getting closer. The waering emotions in her eyes were becoming more obious. 6et, that burst o# psychokinesis"" -hile rough in design that de#initely still was :oe-Type :agic. +nd that magic was actiated a#ter resonating with Honoka, right? ""6es. Tatsuya answered with some hesitation. Though that answer was a little dubious, Tatsuya was practically certain that the phenomenon between Honoka and 4i(ie was nearly as those who with close blood ties, much like the resonance rarely obsered in :agicians who are identical twins D a phenomenon that occurred when the magic calculation area o# one o# them is stimulated, the other ones magic calculation area becomes more actie as well. JH"" +s a machine, it does not hae the power to wield magic. Howeer, 4i(ies psychokinesis was not the power o# the host, but a power that came #rom the monster, the 4arasite. :iyuki lowered her head when she #inished. Immediately, she brought her eyes back to him as i# she was about to break into tears. &ince magic is practically the same as psychokinesis, does that mean demons hae the same power that we :agicians do? Tatsuya #inally understood the root o# his sisters unease. -hy is magic called magic? ""2ould it be that our power originated #rom them? :iyukis #ace drew een closer. &he was close enough that he could #eel her breathing. +t this time, Tatsuya stood up #rom the bed. &uper#icially, he looked to be aoiding :iyuki, but the reality was #ar di##erent. Lneeling in #ront o# :iyuki, Tatsuya caught :iyukis eyes. :iyuki".. 6oure oerthinking this. :iyuki rotated her so#t, #le(ible body and used her arms to support her leaning body. &he took in Tatsuyas ga'e D and stored it within her heart. 8ently taking hold o# his sisters shoulders, Tatsuya gradually shi#ted his sisters leaning body to the proper position bit by bit. -hile magic is re#erred to as the law o# demons in <apan, the word magic in 5nglish contains the connotation #or ability o# sages. :iyuki gae a small ah sound. +s to where the power o# magic came #rom, that is currently unknown. :agic &e.uences rewrite other in#ormation bodies to bring about phenomenon alteration, and though we understand this system, e(actly why is this change possible and why the magic calculation area in the human subconscious is able to do so are still enigmas. Tatsuya wore the con#used e(pression o# a master berating a student making a mental error despite being more talented than himsel# as he smiled. Aor that matter, we cannot een guarantee that magic is something created by :agicians. It would be too great a leap in logic to say that since demons can use magic, then there must be a connection between :agicians and demons. Thats true"" Aurthermore, the real identity o# the 4arasite could be said to be independent in#ormation bodies that originated #rom the human psyche. &ince they came #rom the human consciousness, then its power should come #rom humans. It would be #ar more appropriate to say the power o# demons come #rom humans instead o# saying that the power o# :agicians come #rom demons. I see"" %nii-sama is completely right. The an(iety in :iyukis eyes #aded away into nothing. Tatsuya got the impression that :iyuki seemed to hae understood a tad too .uickly, but this was still more constructie than doubt, so there was no reason to ruin her mood. 6ou were thinking that you are kin to demons and not humans, and that is why you couldnt sleep, right? Tatsuyas words did carry any in#lection that poked #un at his sister. Howeer, as i# a button had been pressed, :iyuki blushed een more #uriously than usual. Aro'en to the point that she #orgot to een coer her #ace, :iyuki rebooted and swi#tly turned to #ace the wall. &played out oer the bed in an odd position, she #aced the wall without budging an inch. Theres no need to be that embarrassed"" Tatsuya thought to himsel#, but he did acknowledge that his sisters current state was adorable. In that case"" He stealthily moed his lips ne(t to :iyukis earlobe as he spoke so#tly. 7ntil you #all asleep. &he was so adorable that it roused Tatsuyas mischieousness. +s e(pected, :iyukis body gae a huge start. It was as i# she was ready to #ly to the ceiling. &hould I stay by your side? :iyuki slowly turned her head around, blushing the entire time. +s she watched Tatsuya with abashed and tender eyes, she spoke in a #eathery tone. ""2an you hold my hand? %erdid it, Tatsuya thought. Tatsuya had no authority to deny her. 7ntil :iyuki #ell asleep, Tatsuya sat on the bed tightly clasping :iyukis pearly white hand. Aortunately, :iyuki immediately departed #or dreamland. His sisters happy, slumbering #ace was Tatsuyas greatest reward. 5en so, it was hard to hide his mental e(haustion. 2are#ully walking away and turning o## the light, Tatsuya le#t :iyukis bedside. &ilently closing the door, he walked towards his own room. Hal#way back, Tatsuya reali'ed something. 5en :iyuki, who had receied higher education as a :agician, had thought that there was a connection between :agicians and demons instead o# #ocusing on magic alone. &he took :agicians #or something inhuman. I# someone well ersed in magic like :iyuki thought so, then those who were un#amiliar with magic and were not :agicians themseles could hardly be #aulted #or seeing :agicians as demonic. It would hardly be surprising i# they thought :agicians were not .uite human, or #rankly something inhuman altogether"" ? ? ? The ne(t morning. -hen Tatsuya got to school, he immediately dragged 5rika, @eo, and :ikihiko out o# the classroom. Though he saw that :i'uki watched them with nerous eyes, he neer gae her an opportunity to rescue them. Their destination was the roo#. )ot only was it the coldest time in the morning, not a single person was on the wind-e(posed roo#top. Tatsuya didnt want to stay too long himsel#. 6ou guys hae something to tell me. The three people on the roo#top werent intentionally keeping .uiet. Howeer, seeing that their #riend had speci#ically called them up here and spared them the small talk, no one could knock Tatsuya #or losing his patience een i# his tone was a little an(ious. The three o# them glanced at each other and all wore resigned e(pressions. +s their e(pressions clearly showed that they had gien up, they wordlessly determined who was going to be their spokesperson with high speed. Tatsuya, um, actually"" The one who spoke with trepidation, or maybe in a sel#-de#eating manner, was :ikihiko. +re you saying that you guys let the 4arasite get away? Though Tatsuya *umped the gun because he wanted to get this oer with .uickly, he couldnt help but sight when he saw :ikihiko raise his head in shock as i# he had heard o# something impossible. Im not going to be upset i# thats all it is. +lthough its going to be a little di##icult to recapture".. 0ut theres nothing to be done i# it already got away. Though he didnt hide his disappointment, this wasnt a completely unsalageable situation. <ust as Tatsuya e(pressed his stance and was about to return to the warm classroom, )o, thats not it, Tatsuya9 :ikihiko #rantically grabbed a hold o# him. 6eah, its not like they got away".. -ell, technically they did get away"" 0ased on those mutually e(clusie words, his #riends hadnt gotten to the important part, so Tatsuya turned his ga'e on to @eo. They were taken by someone else. -ere they that strong? Tatsuyas reaction to @eos answer was a little di##erent than the usual approach to this situation. Howeer, the detail that Tatsuya cared about the most was precisely this one. They had been in the same close #or almost a year. In Tatsuyas eyes, the three o# them had the power now to match any #rontline combat :agician and maybe een the members o# the Independent :agic- 5.uipped 0attalion. %# course, they still couldnt take on La'ama or 6anagi 1without Trident, een Tatsuya couldnt de#eat them3, but they could de#initely hold their own against the rank and #ile. -hile it was un#ortunate that we #ailed, but #rom a strength perspectie, they werent particularly capable opponents. They did hae e(ceptional gear. Thats the #irst time I ran into someone wearing a *acket that could numb an enemy on contact. They also had durable armor that scattered dust on impact. I# only I had a longer weapon yesterday. )o wonder. That sort o# e.uipment was certainly uni.ue, but then again, that made it easier to identi#y the enemy. In the end, they een got on a black airship and #led. That was #rustrating. %L, we should be thank#ul that nothing more serious happened. Hearing Tatsuyas words, or more like a#ter hearing Tatsuyas words, 5rika couldnt help but turn a Hm? look on Tatsuya. Tatsuya-kun, dont tell me you already know who they are? &ort o#. I neer made direct contact with them be#ore, but I think I can guess. -ho are they? +#ter considering the nature o# the answer, it wouldnt be strange that saying something and not saying something both held merit. <&>A Intelligence >epartment 2ounterintelligence Jrd >iision. -ith that sort o# interesting e.uipment and een a stealth airship #or transport, it must be the Jrd >iision. Tatsuyas answer was ery direct. )or did there appear to be any sign he was holding back. It may be that not only 5rika, but een @eo and :ikihiko had become embroiled in his a##airs. >oes"" Tatsuya know that because hes a member o# the Independent :agic-5.uipped 0attalion? +h? 5en so, I dont recall telling 5rika the unit I belong to"" +t someone pointing out something they didnt remember, 5rika shook her head. ""I see, you heard #rom :iyuki. +#ter seeing something like that, theres no way I wouldnt ask. The item 5rika was re#erring to was probably the :oable &uit. >espite uncoering Tatsuyas identity, 5rika still hadnt connected Tatsuya to the &corched Halloween yet. &ince we were engaged in #ull blown combat with the inading #orce, a clearly di##erentiated chain o# command couldnt be aoided. &till, I do hope you will keep that a secret. I know. I dont want to be arrested #or espionage. 2ompromising the )ational &ecrecy +ct was synonymous to being suspected o# spying. The ma*ority o# the citi'ens protested that this inasion o# priacy in the latter hal# o# the preious century, so <apan had since returned to being a normal country. Hey, since you know who our opponents are, you wouldnt happen to know where they carted those guys o## to, right? 5rikas mood rebounded .uickly as she asked in a hope#ul oice. 7n#ortunately, -ithout knowing their ob*ectie een I cant be sure. Tatsuya #rankly shook his head. That was how reality was. True"" %ur opponent is a goernment organi'ation, so they must hae multiple hideouts. Thats because theres a budget, though its not ine(haustible. &till, theyre probably like a wily rabbit that has three di##erent hiding holes. <ust as :ikihiko said, this time their opponent was a goernment organi'ation. In terms o# #ighting assets at their disposal, they were on a #undamentally di##erent leel than #oreign #orces that had illegally inaded their soil. They had always en*oyed home #ield adantage, but this time that was trans#erred to the other side. :eh, its not like we hae to worry too much. This wouldnt hae ended een i# you guys had taken care o# the interlopers #rom last night. -e also know that the 4arasites are onto 4i(ie. -e *ust hae to lay a snare that cannot be stolen #rom us ne(t time. Tatsuya wore an eil smile as he reassured the three o# them. D>espite the kind words, 5rika, @eo, and :ikihiko all backed away #ear#ully #rom that e(pression, but Tatsuya seemed not to care. @ets table this here. Hurry back to the classroom be#ore we #ree'e here. Though no one present would #eel that this chill would be anything serious, at the end o# the day, cold was cold. )one o# the three raised any ob*ection as they #ollowed behind Tatsuya going indoors. ? ? ? 2oincidentally at the same time that Tatsuya and 5rikas group were haing a chat on the roo#top, 2olonel 0alance also receied a phone call on her end. Im terribly sorry #or bothering you so early in the morning, :s. /irginia. Its you again. The image that appeared on the screen was the #ace she saw yesterday. The GN-year old young lady who claimed to be the spokesperson o# the 6otsuba, Luroba +yako. This morning, she was still wrapped in silk and lace. &chool"" )o, e(cuse me. 5(cept while she was #ul#illing her duties, 2olonel 0alance was pretty much a moralist. That was why she was on the erge o# telling o## a young girl who plainly was o# the age that she should be in school but was eidently engaged in non-school related actiities this morning. Thank you #or caring. Leenly discerning what /irginia was thinking, +yako reealed a per#ectly polite smile. &till, :s. /irginia need not worry. I hae long since obtained the necessary credits to graduate. &ince /irginia was not aware o# the <apanese middle school system, there was no way #or her to *udge i# +yako was lying. )o, I was the one who said something pointless. &o do you hae news on your end? 2olonel 0alance was only obsering the #orms by asking this .uestion. &he honestly was not e(pecting to receie any worthy intelligence on the #irst day. Indeed. +ctually last night, the <&>A Intelligence >epartment 2ounterintelligence Jrd >iision captured a 4arasite. ;ight now, we hae con#irmed that one o# them was a #ormer :agician o# the 7&)+ military. The head told me that I should bring this to :s. /irginia o# this and I hae done so. 0ring this ia phone was a slight problem. &till, 0alance wasnt planning on wasting breath on that, since the in#ormation that was *ust proided to her #ar outweighed that. +re the 4arasites on the moe again? Aamily members hae reported that 4arasites who hae lost their essels #ound new hosts. These should be the people who captured one. +t the same time she said this, +yako trans#erred encrypted documents to 2olonel 0alances terminal. +#ter reading the table o# contents #or the documents that automatically decrypted themseles, she eri#ied that one o# the contained personal in#ormation with a picture attached. There are J captured 4arasites. +mong them, this is the only one we hae currently identi#ied. I# you wish, I can also in#orm you o# the location they are being held captie. <ust looking at the table o# contents was not su##icient to clari#y why this retired :agician was so important, but leaing him alone was not an option #or 2olonel 0alance. 4lease do so, :s. Luroba. 7nderstood. The young lady in the picture bowed as the in#ormation was sent oer. -ithout losing decorum, 2olonel 0alance gae a simple thank you be#ore hanging up and immediately e(amined the documents. 2olonel 0alances e(pression turned dark. &he turned towards an encrypted line speci#ically prepared #or her and swi#tly sent out a message. The message contained orders to prepare #or mobili'ation tonight. The recipient o# that message was :a*or +ngelina &irius. ? ? ? The #irst sub*ect o# the day was 8eneral &tudies. &tudents were allowed to read and work on problems, though some students chose to listen to music in order to enhance their studying. Tatsuya had always allowed the te(t to scroll on its own, so today he brought his earphones. He would listen to the synthesi'ed music while thinking about .uestions that had nothing to do with school. It was true that he heard about the 2ounterintelligence Jrd >iisions name and uni.ue #eatures #rom the Independent :agic-5.uipped 0attalion. 6et, this wasnt like it was incomprehensible #or a branch o# the Intelligence >epartment. -ithin the Intelligence >epartment, they were the diision that had the closest relationship with the &aegusa Aamily. They were a detachment that had participated in this action as the hands and #eet o# the &aegusa Aamily. To be precise, they should be a unit that had mobili'ed with the &aegusa Aamilys support in the background, which was how Tatsuya speculated this opposing #orce to be. &till, this turnout #elt rather surreal to Tatsuya. He was working under the assumption that this incident happened under the &aegusa Aamilys orders. 7sing a stealth airship as the centerpiece to #orcibly take the 4arasites seemed a little too iolent. Tatsuya wasnt that #amiliar with the modus operandus o# the head o# the &aegusa Aamily, &aegusa Loichi, hence why he was unable to discern the &aegusa Aamilys moties. Howeer, i# this sort o# high stakes gambling was the &aegusa Aamilys style, they would hae con#licted with the 6otsuba Aamily a long time ago. &o in the end, who was it that plotted this se.uence o# eents? There was also the possibility that this wasnt the will o# the &aegusa Aamily and simply the 2ounterintelligence Jrd >iision going rogue. 18ien that the army has disobeyed their hidden backer and acted on their own"" Then his motie must lie around some goal that is connected with the armys e(istence.3 Then what is the army a#ter? +s the iolent organi'ation dedicated to protecting the country, the armys sole purpose was to directly meet another countrys direct oerture o# iolence. The nature was too comple( to e(plain in one or two sentences. Howeer, #rom the sur#ace, the armys intent was glaringly obious. The armys sole goal is ictory. +ll other goals were secondary to that. There were many paths to ictory, and #ailing where they were supposed to #ail was also a #orm o# ictory. )o matter what, eerything was #ine as long as they won. +nything a#ter winning was the business o# politicians. The army only had to worry about how to sei'e ictory. Thus, the army would pursue power. +n intelligence unit that belieed itsel# a cut aboe the norm and going rogue would undoubtedly pursue strength as its goal. Thinking along those lines, a chill ran down Tatsuyas spine. It couldnt be that the Jrd >iision was trying to harness the 4arasites D the demons #or military purposes? That was #ar too dangerous, Tatsuya couldnt help but think. %ne o# the key indictments that painted :agicians in a negatie light within the 7&)+ was the accusation that :agicians summoned demons to this world. Though the agitators blamed military ambition as the reason behind summoning the demons, the slander here was obious. Howeer, using 4arasites #or martial purposes would only gie more ammunition to the anti-:agician #action. 1)o, the end result would be the same i# the Ten :aster 2lans were plotting behind the scenes.3 ;egardless o# whether the 2ounterintelligence Jrd >iision went rogue or were operating under orders #rom the &aegusa Aamily, Tatsuyas renewed consideration placed them both at the same degree o# risk. + mere pup like him may hae no business doing so, but a warning shot needed to be #ired across the &aegusa Aamilys bow. Though this was de#initely going to inconenience :ayumi as she was preparing #or a test, he really needed to #ind some time to talk. The moment the thought crossed his mind, he used his personal terminal to send set up a meeting with :ayumi. --Though his brain may say that this would inconenience her, Tatsuya really didnt care that this would make it tough #or :ayumi. +#ter sending a message to :ayumi in the middle o# class, he got a reply back within one minute. +lthough the message was #lagged as urgent"" 1Isnt that person supposed to be a test taker?3 There wasnt too much time until the test began. Though there was no danger o# her #ailing, he still couldnt help but think Is this really a good idea #or a test taker?. %h well"" +ny #urther thought on this matter was minding someone elses business. &ince she could reply to urgent messages immediately, she must hae no complaints on the matter. +#ter ruminating oer this, Tatsuya opened the mail. The message Tatsuya sent oer was 2an I see you within the ne(t two days to talk about something? :ayumis reply was 2ome immediately to the &tudent 2ouncil ;oom. 5en though she was able to #reely come and go #rom school, she still came to school o#ten. Aurthermore, her current location was not the classroom or the library, but the &tudent 2ouncil ;oom. ""Is this really a good idea? Test taker? Tatsuya thought #rom the bottom o# his heart. &ince Tatsuya was the one who reached out #or a meeting, o# course he was the one who wanted to handle the situation as soon as possible, hence why Tatsuya was walking directly #or the &tudent 2ouncil ;oom. Though this was bona #ide ditching school, cheating the monitoring system was di##icult but hardly impossible. Tatsuya used the I> card that someone he didnt now set up #or #ull access and opened the door. 4robably because this was still class time, :ayumi was the only one in the room. +#ter e(changing greetings D :ayumi thought that was enough whereas Tatsuya had to consider #or a moment about the right attitude D Tatsuya sat down across #rom :ayumi and immediately coneyed what had happened. ""This is the situation. I think that airship belongs to the Intelligence >epartment 2ounterintelligence Jrd >iision that is rumored to be connected with the &aegusa Aamily. +s to e(actly why they wanted to capture a 4arasite, I hae no idea. Howeer, it is e(tremely dangerous i# they plan to use the 4arasite #or military purposes. Though I do not know i# they can be completely destroyed, sealing them would probably be the best bet. 2ounterintelligence Jrd >iision? Though not an adult, een I as a member o# the &aegusa Aamily do not know about this. Tatsuya-kun, Im ama'ed that you are in the know #or something like this. I would greatly appreciate it i# you would not ask me #or my sources. ""-ell, Tatsuya-kun seems to hae a lot on his plate so I wont ask. 2ompared to that, can you tell me why you went a#ter the 4arasite alone? I #elt that i# senpais side also sent men, they would be too wary to come. Is that all there is? :ayumi watched Tatsuya playing dumb with a highly displeased e(pression on her #ace. Ill let it go #or now"" 6et, be#ore the completely unperturbed Tatsuya, she was about to shrug her shoulders but stopped the motion hal#way. Tatsuya-kun wants me to try and persuade my #ather, correct? &o that the 4arasite captured by the Intelligence >epartment can be returned to 5rika-chan and her group. Though this hardly mattered, at some point :ayumi started to re#er to 5rika as 5rika-chan, something that would hae prompted a highly unwilling look on 5rika hersel# is she were present 1:i'uki was allowed to do so, but no one else3. Then again, he could neer get used to :ikihiko being called :iki, so this must be what it means by what goes around, comes around. ""Tatsuya shook his head to dispel the random thoughts and replied with I didnt ask you guys to return it in response to :ayumis .uestion. Ill be blunt. I# the reason #or keeping the 4arasites turns out to be something other than e(perimentation and that their usage as military tools is discoered, hereby haing a negatie e##ect on :agicians, I will ensure that the organi'ation responsible pays dearly #or this. Ruite the terri#ying declaration. Though the oice contained some degree o# surprise, her ga'e seemed to signi#y an unspeakable hatred that sort o# talk. +#ter taking into the consideration what is happening in the 7&)+, such a threat is necessary. :ayumi also knew that discrimination against :agicians was growing worse day by day oer there. I# a similar situation broke out in the much smaller <apan, things might turn into bloodshed at a much #aster rate. ""I understand. I will talk to my #ather, but I cannot guarantee anything, so please dont be too hope#ul. +#ter all, unlike <uumon*i- kun, Im not the heir to the &aegusa Aamily. :ayumis last words threw Tatsuya #or a loop. ""-hat? )o"" Its *ust that its surprising that the &aegusa Aamily turned out to be so patriarchal. -hat is Tatsuya-kuns #amily like? This may be because she was shy or simply being sulky. Tatsuya was a little unclear about the meaning behind :ayumis reaction. &till, there was no reason to answer. +#ter re#lecting brie#ly, Tatsuya approached :ayumis .uestion in a state o# mind much like someone playing a penalty game. %ur #athers in#luence isnt something that is a part o# our lies, since he currently moed into his second wi#es condo. :ayumis eyes started dri#t all oer the place. &eeing such an innocent side o# :ayumi that was so easily #lustered by something like this, Tatsuya couldnt help but think that shes not that much older than we are. Though she o#ten acts like an adult, she de#initely couldnt be called a mature woman. The only di##erence is that shes not a loer but a second wi#e now. How mature. Thats *ust giing up. +nd i# being an adult means giing up"" Then I dont een want to think about it. Tatsuya answered :ayumi with a completely de#eated tone. 5en a bad premonition will occasionally miscalculate. In regards to Tatsuyas theory about the <&>A Intelligence >epartment using the 4arasite, that was sadly not going to happen. &till, it was hard to say whether this constituted being #ortunate. The ne(t morning. The 2ounterintelligence Jrd >iisions espionage detention center was raided. The captured 4arasites hae been e(ecuted. That was what was written on the message :ayumi passed along. Chapter 16 --The Intelligence 0ureauIs #acilities were attacked, and the contained 4arasite had been killed-- Tatsuya suppressed the urge to immediately contact :ayumi with a detailed report, instead going to the bathroom #or the time being. ;insing o## the sweat #rom his regular training under the shower, he considered his ne(t moe. :iyuki still hadnIt been told. He had *ust come back #rom 6akumoIs temple. This was per#ectly routine, and *ust because he had checked his mail be#ore entering the shower she shouldnIt hae in#erred anything #rom it. 1)o...... ItId be useless to try and hide it.3 &hould he *ust keep .uiet, Tatsuya considered, then immediately re*ected the idea. He wouldnIt be able to keep anything #rom his sisterIs sharp intuition ery long. +nd it would be one thing i# it were completely unrelated, but :iyuki was *ust as inoled in this matter as Tatsuya was. >eciding to not sneak around and openly come clean to his sister, Tatsuya e(ited the shower. TatsuyaIs #ingers #lew oer the console o# the workstation in the basement. I# it were to be described in words, it wouldnIt be IbrilliantI, but IaccurateI, and I#astI, rather like his personality. It was a &aturday, so they only had a #ew morning classes. 0ut i# the inestigation ended up dragging out, Tatsuya had considered skipping. In that case, it would be something natural #or him 1he himsel# considered it to be InaturalI.3 In :iyukiIs case, it would be something natural #or her, as well 1to her howeer, it would be more due to InecessityI3, and since skipping today would hae been entirely o# her own #ree will, she had waered until the last minute. Aortunately, he #ound the data they were looking #or immediately. +lthough he was unauthorisedly accessing the >e#ense Aorces serer, the resistance o# the local system 1local here meaning, not standalone, but merely localised3 against the hacking program made by the I5lectron &orceressI Au*ibayashi Lyoko was decidedly inade.uate. 2ompartmentalising in#ormation in this way as a risk countermeasure meant that, whilst speci#ic sections may be ulnerable, leaks would not impact the wholeB it had both merits and demerits. -ell, since it had led to a #aourable result #or Tatsuya this time, he could a##ord to be grace#ul. The ideo which was recorded therein, contained something shocking. )ot in the sense o# ruthlessness or cruelty causing a physiological impact, but that the identity o# the one who had gone and caused eerything had a considerable impact on the siblings. 7nder the coer o# darkness, a petite #igure inaded. Illuminated by the light o# the alarms was a masked, #laming haired girl. -ith a single glare o# her golden eyes, the plain clothed soldiers were blown away, then she proceeded to care a complicated pattern #our times towards the door. +s she then stepped aside, the door crashed down. %n the other side was a small room. The width was about enough to #it two single beds, and the low ceiling was E metres tall. %n the #ar side were three bunk beds. >epried o# moement, in a strait*acket, legs tightly bound, a man was lying on top o# the third bed. -hile he looked di##erent due to being completely pale, #rom his #ace he was unmistakably the 4arasite who had identi#ied as :arte. + pale mist emitted #rom the girlIs mouth. It seemed the room was kept rather cold. In her hand, the kni#e had been replaced by an automatic pistol. The single shot she #ired hit :arte right in the chest. +ll o# a sudden, the manIs body combusted. The source o# the #lame had likely been the bullet. It was probably a magic which bla'ed on the condition the bullet stopped inside the targetIs body. The #lame haired girl, +ngie &irius, #ired more shots into the top and bottom beds. 2learly, this was a killing with no regard #or recoering the IcontentI. The ob*ectie had been not merely to erase the IcontainerIB it was an Ie(ecutionI. -hile watching the girl calmly walk away o## the camera, Tatsuya sighed unconsciously. He knew that &iriusI tasks included the neutralisation o# rogue magicians. He also knew per#ectly well that humane treatment #or magicians was all *ust empty talk, but he couldnIt help sighing nonetheless. The entire a##air was highly un#ortunate. In#licting the role o# a merciless killer on a GM year old girl, *ust what were the 7&)+ military brass thinking. 5en the :a#ia was more considerate in their personnel selection. This was no di##erent #rom religious and #undamentalist nuts who droe boys and girls to terrorism in the name o# holy war. C%nii sama, that was...... @ina wasnIt it?C :iyuki had been in#ormed o# &iriusI secret, I4aradeI. &he could tell #rom that rough image that the killer was &irius-- @ina. C4robably.C :iyuki seemed to be in shock, but Tatsuya could #ind no words to soothe her. There was nothing he could say about the murder itsel#. He didnIt beliee he was .uali#ied to do any such thing. He himsel# had undertaken missions he could not reeal, and amongst the dirty work to be done, assassination could be said to be one o# the more cleaner acts. +t the same time howeer, it was lonely dismal work. 7nless there was a great compatibility in terms o# personality, it would be #ar too heay #or a teenage girl. 7nable to bear the weight, her heart would break down little by little. +nd #rom what Tatsuya had seen, @ina was no killer. Arom the oice and look :iyuki gae him, she was o# the same opinion. +t this rate, there may come a time when she is lost to the darkness. Aortunately1?3, what happened ne(t was #urther shocking enough to blow such melancholy away. +ll o# a sudden, another #igure walked into the monitor screen o# the Third 2ounterintelligence >iisionIs ideo serer Tatsuya was hacking into. -ith blond hair and blue eyes, the young man appeared to be an +nglo-&a(on. He looked childish, but his age was probably around that o# TatsuyaIs. Holding her hands to her mouth :iyuki let out a sound o# dismay, but Tatsuya remained calm. This workstation had been intended #or hacking, and was completely isolated #rom the other systems as well as running on a dedicated line. There were no mics in the room, nor cameras. &ound and isuals could only #low one way, so there was no way o# obsering this place #rom the other side o# the connection. CHello, you can hear me right? IIll speak on the assumption you can.C &ure enough, the youth re#lected in the monitor began to speak without attempting to establish communication. C@etIs start o## with introductions. :y name is ;aymond &age 2lark. %ne o# the I&een &agesI.C :iyukiIs hands, which had at some point #ound their way to TatsuyaIs shoulders, tensed. Tatsuya was aware that the sensation included tenseness o# his own. CIIe heard about you #rom TearX...... )o, &hi'uku. )ice to meet you, Tatsuya.C (*The kanji for 'Shizuku' means 'teardrop' ) It seemed this boy was a #ellow student o# &hi'uku in her e(change. Aurthermore, someone she had proided in#ormation to. I# &hi'ukuIs in#ormation source had been @inaIs mentioned I&ageI, little wonder een o##-record in#ormation could be accessed. 0ut, *ust what was his purpose? 8oing as #ar as to e(pose himsel# to Tatsuya. There was always the possibility it was a ideo dummy, but TatsuyaIs intuition told him it was the real ;aymond &age 2lark. C@etIs speak bluntly. ...... +h, thatIs a pretty nice phrase.C ;aymond was speaking <apanese. I&peak bluntlyI was #luent, i# not a bit incorrect. There was nothing IbluntI about his speaking anyway. CThe one who told +ngie &irius about this place was me.C Tatsuya re#le(iely wanted to point out Iyour use o# idiom is completely wrongI, but there was no way to coney that un#ortunately. There was no doubt that Ithis placeI re#erred to the Third 2ounterintelligence >iision. C&ince be#ore I said anything, she already knew about this place, anyway.C The hell is that, Tatsuya thought. 6ouIre not telling someone anything i# they already knew. %nce again, there was no opportunity to retort. Tatsuya decided to see the ideo through to the end. C+nd now, IIe got something special #or you.C I5(clusie newsI was pretty in#ormal <apanese. It was as i# he had been learning <apanese #rom some news room. CI think itIs something youIll be .uite interested in. The price is my repayment to you #or watching, is what IId like to say but since weIre wrapping up IIll gie it to you #ree.C +lthough Tatsuya knew he couldnIt hear, he still muttered IitIs not like I asked youI under his breath. That was all he had time to spare howeer. CThe anti-magician moement currently raging in the &tates, and which is about to spill oer into <apan was orchestrated by one o# the &een &agesY <iedo &age Heigu.C 0eing hit with this news all o# a sudden, een Tatsuya couldnIt suppress his surprise. C<iedo Heigu, aka 8Z <iV. + stateless 2hinese, and leader o# the international terrorist organisation I0lancheI. The boss o# that 0lanche <apan branch branch leader whom you caught, Tsukasa.C +s the names lined up one a#ter the other, CHe was also the preious leader o# the international crime syndicate I)o Head >ragonI, and his grandson ;ichard is a senior in that same group. -ithin the organisation he is re#erred to as the I0lack &ageI , or I0ig :an HeiguI. Tatsuya was trans#i(ed to the screen. C+h, so you know, *ust because weIre both &ages doesnIt mean we hae any connection to each other. The &een &ages isnIt the name o# some group, but rather re#ers to the seen operators who hae access to Hli[sk*\l#.C It wasnIt like conersation--.uestions were possible, yet he willed him to hurry up. Hli[sk*\l#...... He had only heard a rumour o# it once. It was a rumour, no more seemingly more real than an urban legend, yet it was true, apparently. -as this the same thing as that which he had heard in the rumour? CHli[sk*\l# isC -ith impeccable timing as i# reading TatsuyaIs thoughts, ;aymond proceeded to describe it. C+n additional e(tension o# the global obseration system I5chelon IIII. ItIs a backdoor into 5chelon III, so I suppose you could think o# it as a hacking tool which allows you to lurk within the system? -hat would you say Tatsuya?C I-hat would you sayI he asks, een though there wasnIt the slightest chance o# an answer. %# course ;aymond was per#ectly aware o# that as well, so he continued without waiting #or one. C+s #or where Hli[sk*\l# itsel# is located, not een us operators know. It may een be that itIs simply a program, with no physical hardware to be #ound.C ;aymond shrugged on screen. The gesture looked like it came straight out o# some anime. C+nyway, Hli[sk*\l# collects in#ormation #rom all oer the world with an e##iciency surpassing 5chelon IIIIs main system and brings it to the operators. The operators seem to be chosen by the system itsel#, and there seems to be no discernible selection criteria. +pparently itIs completely random.C ;aymond mimicked twirling a pipe. He was probably rather disappointed he had #orgotten to bring an actual prop. CTo try and think o# something they hae in common, I suppose itId be the #inancial security to access adanced in#ormation systems on their own? ItIs not like youId need to be a millionaire or something, in terms o# <apan or the &tates something along the lines o# the standard o# liing o# an aerage middle class would be enough.C This was completely unbelieable. That was TatsuyaIs impression #rom ;aymondIs e(planation so #ar. <ust what were the creators o# Hli[sk*\l# thinking. It was inconceiable that they were merely hackers doing this #or the pleasure o# it. C-ell to be honest, itIs not much o# a system. Hardware wise Hli[sk*\l# is completely dependent on 5chelon III, and itIs merely the data processing which is more e##icientB it canIt access data which is in storage since itIs merely an interception system. 0y the way, thereIs a system guard in place which preents saing any o# the results to some e(ternal storage. The in#ormation which can be obtained is limited by the brain o# the operator. +t best, itIs something which grants in#ormation gathering capabilities, and allows its operators to take the name o# I&ageI.C 5en with *ust that though, it was a serious threat. It could be said now that all data o# importance was moed through a network o# some kind. <ust, what data were there which wasnIt communicated at least once. C)ot to mention, using Hli[sk*\l# poses a risk to its operators. In order to streamline the search, Hli[sk*\l# uses two agentsY Huginn and :uninn. The search history o# the operator is recorded in :uninn. +nything one operator searches #or will be known to all the other operators. The reason I know o# <iedo Heigu is due to :uninn.C +t this point, Tatsuya thought I%h myI. Theoretically speaking, that would mean it was possible the identity o# ;aymond 2lark was known to <iedo Heigu as well. C>ue to the loss o# the <apanese branches o# both 0lanche and )o Head >ragon, Heigu lost the means to meddle with <apan. The reason Heigu sent the 4arasites to <apan was to cause an escalating turmoil, under coer o# which, he could rebuild his bases o# operations.C In the ideo, ;aymond had dropped his per#ormance. It seemed this was a serious matter to him. CI hae come to the conclusion that his aim is the elimination o# magic #rom society. I# he can push out magic technology, magically underdeeloped countries like the 8reat +sian +lliance can een the balance o# military power at a stretch. They would be dominant in a non-magical world, and I beliee that is what Heigu and those who are behind him are plotting.C +lthough seemingly oerdramatic, Tatsuya concluded it was logical as a whole. It had been TatsuyaIs own #eeling that the 8reat +sian +lliance seemed to want to eradicate magic technology. CThat is not a world I desire. ...... ItIs #ine i# you laugh and call me a romanticist, but I truly beliee that magic is something which will lead to the adancement o# mankind.C +lthough he knew there was no way the other side could hear, Tatsuya couldnIt help a spit-take. &omehow, a #undamental part o# the boy *ust didnIt seem to match with that opinion. C+nd so, #rom here on out, IIll try and continue proiding in#ormation you may #ind necessary. Tatsuya &hiba--&trategic class magician, 8od o# >estructionIThe >estroyI.C +t that e(aggerated nickname ;aymond bestowed upon him, Tatsuya #rowned with all his might. -->onIt gie me a name that sounds like the boss o# some crappy ideo game. -as it possible that this boy was an IotakuI o# uniersal language. C-e may hae gone *uust a bit oer time. To summarise, #or this matter I o##er my help in the destruction o# the 4arasites.C Hardly *ust a bit, Tatsuya thought, but the monitor didnIt switch o##. C+bout the in#ormation on <iedo Heigu. ItIs up to you i# youIll beliee it or not. -hether youIll trust what IIm about to tell you right now is up to you as well. I# you do howeer, IId like you to repay me by completing a #ew tasks.C Aor a moment, ;aymond was silent. )ot in the sense o# dramaticism, but #rom what was re#lected in the screen due to tension. CTomorrow, the night o# Aebruary GQth your time, all actie 4arasites will be drawn to the back outdoor training grounds o# Airst High. IId like you to destroy them there.C )o eidence had been presented, but by this stage Tatsuya was already prepared to take ;aymond up on his o##er. C6ou should note that IIe already relayed this in#ormation to +ngie &irius as well. -hether to cooperate or not, is once again all up to you.C He wasnIt particularly thrilled about this gesture o# consideration, but un#ortunately there wasnIt e(actly any way to ob*ect either. ;aymond spoke no #urther, then the monitor suddenly went dark. +n e(hale was heard oerhead. :iyuki appeared to hae been holding her breath. Tatsuya had been too. C&eems that weId better leae soon i# we donIt want to be late.C ;ising and looking back, Tatsuya called :iyuki along. ? ? ? 6ear G 2lass 5Is Epm class was practical. +lthough itIs called a class, as usual there was no teacher present. &tudents *ust operated their 2+>s on their own #ollowing guidance shown on the wall monitors. The students themseles were already #amiliar with this, and there was now an ease due to being #ree #rom a teacherIs eyes. %# course there were those who simply gae upB whether one did so or continued perseering was up to the indiidual. :ost o# the boys kept it up. In order to keep not raise attention @eo was delayed in arriing to the practice roomB looking around and seeing the #igures o# :ikihiko, 5rika and :i'uki he proceeded inside. C...... 6ouIre late, @eo.C CRuiet you.C -hile :ikihikoIs oice had so#tened considerably as o# late, his reproo# contained a hint o# sharpnessB @eo responded with a #earless grin. That grin soon switched to an Ioh?I e(pression. C-hat about Tatsuya?C To his in.uiry, :i'uki replied CIt seems he has a isitor?C Her tone was rather .uestioning since :i'uki was unsure as well. C/isitor? +t school?C +s @eo echoed with raised eyebrows, :i'uki could only return a ague smile. C:ore importantly, letIs get this oer with.C 5rika spoke up #rom the side in a care#ree oice. >iscernible underneath her indi##erent tone was a warning not to step into priate matters. C6ouIre right. TodayIs task seems like itIll be .uite challenging.C &aying so, :ikihiko began setting his 2+>. 5rika considered it someone elseIs business, :i'uki was slightly an(ious, and @eo #elt a slight twingeB their smiles each contained their own respectie #eelings. :eanwhile Tatsuya, with his moody poker#ace, was sitting on a so#a in the drawing room. +cross #rom him sat a middle-aged man in a lu(ury suit. His e(pression was plain moody. +s those two displeased isages #aced each other, it was unlikely either would attempt a conersation. The one who ran out o# patience #irst, haing being #orcibly called out o# class, was Tatsuya. C+oki san, would you please state your business?C His tone couldnIt be said to be polite, neermind his wordingB the temper eident in +okiIs seemed to step up a notch. +oki as well, since it was Tatsuya, couldnIt help letting his #eelings show. +s the one who dealt with the underground economy and guarded the 6otsuba treasury #or oer ten years, +okiIs mask shouldnIt hae a single crack, neermind going as #ar as to impair his speech. +oki should hae known more than anyone, how letting his emotions out like this would impair his mission. 0ut the hierarchy o# the 6otsuba had been too deeply ingrained into him, &uch consciousness had turned no #ew people into idiots. C...... IIm in the middle o# class at the moment, so i# thereIs nothing important I will e(cuse mysel#.C C-ait.C +t TatsuyaIs ultimatum, +oki #inally opened his mouth. 2onsiderably reluctantly too. CThe other day, you purchased a JH-4QF, did you not?C The business-like way o# speaking +oki adopted was understandable. Tatsuya #ound it humorous, but didnIt laugh. &uch petty retaliation was, in all likelihood, *ust his way o# coping. CTo be e(act, it was the day be#ore yesterday.C In the same way, Tatsuya responded in a business-like manner. 7n#ortunately, his resole would be lost almost immediately. CThe madam wants it. -eIll reimburse you twice the amount, so please hand it oer immediately.C Tatsuya rapidly stood up, and con#irmed with a sharp ga'e there were no eaesdroppers. &ince there was always e.uipment #or the obseration o# magical power in magic high schools he could not use his I5yesI #reely, but his naked eyes were also trained #or such a #eat. In any case, there had been none listening in to their talk. Tatsuya took out #rom his pocket, his mobile terminal, and connected a cable into it, holding out to +oki the other end. Thinking about it--no, een i# you didnIt this was pretty presumptions behaiour, but realising Tatsuya wasnIt about to say anything +oki with a #rown nonetheless took the cable and plugged it into his own terminal. C+oki san, are you sick?C The #irst message he sent oer was this une(pected thing. +okiIs re#le(ie reaction was to get angry, but sensing the unusual pressure emitting #rom the other side he inadertently kept himsel# under control. CToday is a &aturday. I# you had waited *ust #our more hours you could hae called me somewhere with no people. -hy would you run the risk o# discussing House matters in the drawing room o# a public school? IIm sure you know itIs an order #rom my +unt that my links with the #amily are to be kept absolutely secret.C @arge cracks began to appear in +okiIs mask o# calm. The edge o# his lips was trembling #inely. His comple(ion was also pale. Tatsuya knew there must hae been reasons #or such carelessness. +oiding places :iyuki would be, presering hierarchy, all could account #or such unreasonableness. +oki should hae realised Tatsuya would see through all that. +nd yet, the moement o# his pen as he wrote a reply was the only answer. CI would *ust like to carry out madamIs orders as soon as possible. :ore importantly, please bring out the JH right now. I can leae straight a#ter.C CThereIs no way I can do that. 5en i# I trans#erred ownership to you, the loan agreement with Airst High would still be in e##ect. The reason I brought the JH-4QF in the #irst place was to preent it being taken away by a third party. I will take responsibility #or it mysel#. 4lease tell +unt that.C +okiIs #ace shi#ted #rom red to blue. This generally signaled an incoming tantrum. C+re you going to disobey your orders?C +t TatsuyaIs stinging words howeer, +oki de#lated. &eeing this change in him, Tatsuya stood up. He *udged there was no longer any reason #or him to remain. C-ait. )o, please wait.C It seemed +oki didnIt intend to leae *ust yet. @ooking closely, the arrogance, which had earlier #illed his #ace, no, his entire body had disappeared. Tatsuya didnIt think #or a moment he was haing some sort o# e(istential reelation. @ooking in his eyes howeer, his attitude had completely changed. CI apologise sincerely #or my conduct earlier.C &aying so, +oki bowed low to Tatsuya. He was still seated on the couch, but there was no misunderstanding that he really was apologising. C4lease raise your head, +oki san.C +s he spoke, Tatsuya returned to his seat. It didnIt mean he was responding to +okiIs sincerity. In the #irst place, Tatsuya didnIt #eel much sincerity at all. Howeer, he was interested in what +oki had to say which would cause him to become so serious. CTatsuya kun, rather, Tatsuya dono, itIs e(actly as you say. &ince the loan agreement was a prere.uisite #or the purchase, it stands to reason that you cannot *ust take it away. IIm sorry #or asking something so unreasonable.C CItIs #ine.C +s +oki bowed again, Tatsuya inclined his head to match. He replied with *ust that because what +oki had stated was so obious, anything he said could end up being construed as sarcasm. In any case, the #act that he didnIt consider it a problem anymore seemed to hae been coneyed to +oki, who raised his head without prompt this time. CI would *ust like you to understand this. :adam isnIt asking #or your JH because sheIs taken some #ancy to it. It seems she thinks itId be necessary #or some kind o# research.C CI understand.C CI wonIt impose on you any #urther. +gain, I realise you must #eel the need to keep that near at hand. I# at any point you #eel like letting go o# it howeer, please consider handing it oer to madam. In that case, I will o# course proide appropriate compensation.C It wasnIt hard reading the lines behind +okiIs proposal. It seemed whateer the case, his +unt didnIt want 4i(ie #alling into someone elseIs hands. CI# youIre willing to accept, we will be happy to the promised amount, plus an additional GHP o# what you spent eery year.C C5ery year?C He didnIt think theyId go this #ar. It was still only a drop in the bucket #or the 6otsuba, but #rom global rates it was a princely sum. C6es, eery year. &peci#ically, we would like to make contractual conditional purchase reseration with you which automatically renews eery year.C )ot *ust a erbal promise, but een a contract. 0oth to Tatsuya, and the 6otsuba, GHP o# the purchase amount was peanuts. The purpose o# the contract then, was more #or Tatsuya to keep his end o# the bargain. In other words, claiming ownership. It was an o##er behind which the seriousness o# the 6otsuba-- o# :aya could be glimpsed. C+s IIm sure you know, IIm still a minor.C CI will relay things to your #ather.C :eaning that +oki would sort through the legal details himsel#. C8ot it. I donIt mind.C There was no disadantage in +okiIs proposal #or Tatsuya. ;ather than #urther harming his image in the iew o# his obstinate +unt, itId be better to make a compromise here Tatsuya thought. ? ? ? Haing accompanied +oki all the way to the entrance, Tatsuya went back to the practice rooms. +lthough hal# o# the two hour class had passed already, he #elt he should still be able to make attendance. His #eet stopped howeer be#ore he entered the corridor. C@ina.C The #ace o# the trans#er student, whom he hadnIt seen #or a while, was notably worse #or wear. There were no physical cues such as gaunt cheeks or bags under the eyes isible. It was impossible to #ind any sign o# aderse health. 0ut her luster had gone. &he was holding on to her usual act, and someone who knew little about her would hae been #ooled yet by her utterly gorgeous looks. 0ut someone who was #amiliar with her--een i# only to TatsuyaIs degree--would notice the absence o# the oer#lowing spirit which had truly made her shine, and the di##erence was palpable. It seemed the mental #atigue was stacking up. &he must be under immense pressure. )ow howeer the shadows added a #rail transience to her beauty, and increased her charm in a di##erent way #rom usual. 5en Tatsuya who normally took little interest in a girlIs appearance--or rather, was utterly accustomed to them, couldnIt help but #eel admiration. CTatsuya.C )onetheless, it wasnIt to the point his reactions were delayed. +t his name being called, he ad*usted his ga'e to look into those sapphire eyes. C>id you hear?C C6eah.C They were talking about the in#ormation obtained #rom the &age. The one which said that tomorrow night, the 4arasites would be led to the outdoor training grounds in the back. Their words were brie#, but the intent was #ully receied by both o# them. C>o you know who it was?C C)o.C &o it appeared he had not shown @ina his #ace, Tatsuya in#erred #rom that answer. It made sense. I# the 7&)+ army became aware o# the &ageIs identity, they would stop at nothing to hunt down that eritable #ount o# knowledge. CI see, thatIs a pity.C CI suppose. )ot that it matters.C 2utting to the chase, @ina looked at Tatsuya with challenging eyes. CTatsuya.C Airm and bright. + ga'e with as strong a will as that night they were killing each other. CI will not hold back.C He already knew, but Tatsuya #ound himsel# realising again. ;egardless o# his own pre#erence, an alliance had not been an option #rom the ery beginning. CI know. The worlds we lie in, are completely separate a#ter all.C TatsuyaIs answer was a classic 1old #ashioned3 line o#ten #ound in romance noels 1or moies3, synonymous with a #arewell. The reason he chose such an easily misunderstood line was because o# those secretly listening in. @ina isibly swallowed her retort. -ith *ust a little delay, she seemed to hae noticed TatsuyaIs intention. &ome colour howeer had returned to @inaIs pale comple(ion. &omehow, Tatsuya #elt that the red now dying her cheeks held a di##erent meaning #rom be#ore. C&uch an idiot9C &pitting those words out, she spun around on her heels, +nd it was impossible to tell whether she was simply playing along with TatsuyaIs act, %r i# those had been @inaIs true #eelings. Tatsuya was clear o# one thing now howeer. ---ith a sigh o# acceptance, he reigned himsel# to a detention practical a#ter school. ? ? ? 6otsuba main house. +s Hayama sered a#ternoon tea, an electronic sound denoted an incoming call. &eeing :ayaIs nod, Hayama picked up the classic oice communication terminal and pressed it to his ear. C+oki. ......&o, you #ailed. ......It is a #act it seems you were unable to carry out :adamIs orders. -ell, such circumstances cannot be helped. ......I do no beliee there is any hurry. Tatsuya dono is unlikely to change his agreement oer something o# this degree. ....../ery well. I shall in#orm :adam. ......8ood work.C C......-hat news #rom +oki san?C +#ter Hayama set down the terminal, :aya asked. -ith a look o# not wishing to hae to coney unpleasant news, Hayama bowed to :aya. C+pologies, :adam. -e were unable to procure the JH.C The #ailure had been +okiIs. 0ut as the head butler, Hayama could be said to be +okiIs superior. +okiIs bungle was his shame to bear. :ayaIs answer held neither #orgieness nor reproach. CTatsuya sanIs name had come up.C -hat she took interest in was this point. CTatsuya dono had purchased the JH.C +s Hayama answered, a wry smile appeared on his #ace. C+pparently Tatsuya dono did not wish #or it to #all into the hands o# others. He has entered into an ownership lend-lease agreement with Airst High.C &till, that had been the ne(t best alternatie had :aya not been able to get ahold o# 4i(ie itsel#. C......I wonder i# he knew. %r was it *ust coincidence?C CI do no know.C :ayaIs e(pression was slightly pu''led. 0ut she immediately cleared her mind. C......-ell, i# Tatsuya san can take good care o# it I donIt mind.C C+oki has said that i# Tatsuya dono eer decides to let go o# it, we are contracted to purchase it.C C6es, that would be good.C Hayama #aced :aya and bowed lightly. +lthough :aya had not blamed +oki, much less Hayama #rom the beginning, he nonetheless showed his gratitude #or her leniency towards the mismanagement. C&till, it really would hae been nice to hae a sample on hand......C +t :ayaIs mutter Hayama, with a look suggesting Iwe should *ust leae things beI spoke up. C:adam, IIm sure there is no need #or me to say this, but itIs best to hae as little as possible to do with those creatures.C :ayaIs ironic smile was a reminder she was loely still. C0ecause theyIre rather distaste#ul?C C+s you will.C CTheyIre ery important sponsors a#ter all.C +t :ayaIs sly smile, Hayama #rowned. CI know what you want to say, Hayama san. I hae no intention o# causing discord. I only do this because I beliee that obtaining a I4arasiteI is necessary #or the 6otsuba.C C>oes :adam beliee then that studying the 4arasite, will bring us closer to the mysteries o# :ental Inter#erence?C C6es. <ust what e(actly is the mind, is a .uestion the 6otsuba hae been endlessly pursuing. ItIs said that the 4arasites are indiidual mental in#ormation bodies. In#ormation on substance, structure, location......een i# only a little, it should gie us hints as to the true nature o# the mind.C 7nderstanding :ayaIs reasoning, Hayama bowed. :aya returned to the original topic. C0y the way, what are the moements o# the other spirits?C C+ccording the the report #rom Lurobane dono earlier, the spirit which had been purged yesterday night has already been resurrected.C C+lready? ThatIs .uite early.C CThere must hae been a reason #or the rush. Lurobane reported it seemed the spirits were preparing #or battle.C CI see......any idea against possibly whom?C Aloating on :ayaIs #ace as she .ueried Hayama was a barely repressed smile. C<udging #rom their modus operandi, they will be aiming #or their compatriot trapped in the doll.C C+t this point itIs not so much that trouble #inds him, but almost as i# he goes a#ter trouble himsel#.C )eedless to say, :ayaIs words re#erred to her nephew.The person in .uestion would no doubt iolently protest that, but here there was no one who oiced dissent. C>o you know when it will be?C CLurobane dono anticipates it will be tomorrow night, around Airst High school.C CIt would still be prudent to keep an eye on the surroundings then......alright, please organise a group. The leader can be......+yako chan should be #ine. The goal isnIt a #ight a#ter all.C C2ertainly.C Hayama clapped his hands, calling #or a maid to sere :aya in his place, be#ore heading towards the communications room to relay :ayaIs orders. ? ? ? +lthough it was not a relatiely late hour, &aegusa :ayumi was a e(aminee. Today was Aebruary GOth, &aturday. %ne more week until the entrance e(ams #or magic uniersity. Her chances o# not making it were practically 'ero, yet nonetheless it was a #act she had little time #or much else. That the Iampire incidentsI had seemingly subsided #or now was good news #or her mental state. :aking up on her weak areas in the school library, by the time she returned home the day had almost passed. 0eing welcomed back by a slightly timid young serant, :ayumi immediately noticed. CIs Aather back?C C6es, mIlady.C 0eing well trained the maid didnIt #umble her words or the like, but :ayumi could perceie that what had #rightened her was her #ather. 1To scare a young girl like this......Aather, *ust what are you doing?3 +lthough she #elt irritation in her heart, to display it would only disturb the sta## more. C+lright.C :ayumi smiled at the maid, then proceeded to her own room. +t that time in his study, the household head &aegusa Loichi turned a #ace #illed with ill-concerned #rustration to his con#idant )akura. C......&o youIre saying, the one who inaded and killed the 4arasite the Third 2ounterintel diision had captured was the &tarsI &irius?C CThere is little doubt.C In the light o# his masterIs anger, there was no trace o# #ear in )akuraIs #ace. -hile he was courteous, unlike the interactions between Hayama and :aya, there was a business-like aspect to be #ound. )akura was not a #amily member o# the &aegusa, and would be more aptly described as a mercenary. He was not ine(tricably bound to LoichiIs side. &ometimes he was assigned as a guard #or children, such as with :ayumi, or sometimes sent to accomplish missions which lay outside the law such as intel gathering. That was how he was treated by Loichi, as an 5(tra number. C0ut een #or the &tarsI &irius, #or them to simply walt' in and kill the prisoner so easily is too much. The Intel diision wasnIt slacking o## either. 2ould your source hae been mistaken?C +s Loichi spoke with disgust, )akura calmly rebutted. CThe Intel diision o# the de#ence #orces is by no means incompetent. Had we been the ones to attempt an in#iltration o# the Third 2ounterintel diisionIs building, we would not hae #ound the security to be lacking. ;ather, itIs simply that the &tars are *ust that good. ThereIs a reason theyIre known as the most power#ul #orce o# magicians in the world to date.C 0eing spoken to as i# been chided as a child, LoichiIs e(pression became increasingly sullen. )ot to the point o# losing it and yelling at )akura howeer. C&ir, i# I may be so bold, I beliee itIs time we cut our losses. The bene#its to the &aegusaIs continued inolement in this diminish by the day.C C......6ouIre right.C Loichi calmly considered )akuraIs calm adice. CIt seems the Ludou are also moing in this matter. I had considered asking them to supplement our depleted #orces, but pulling out may be #or the best.C C+s you say.C CTell our dispatched members to return to their normal duties. )akura, dismissed.C C5(cuse me.C +s Loichi began operating an encrypted communication terminal by himsel#, )akura le#t the study. ? ? ? +> EHQM, Aebruary EQth, &unday. 5ight 4arasites would be moing. Tatsuya did not unilaterally trust this in#ormation #rom across the sea. He had endlessly researched regarding a boy named ;aymond 2lark amongst the students in &hi'ukuIs e(change school. The #ace on the photo stored in the school serer was the same that which had appeared in the ideo. 0ut that alone did not guarantee ;aymond 2lark was telling the truth. <ust as you would not dismiss all anonymously supplied in#ormation as #alse, you wouldnIt trust all in#ormation *ust because it had been supplied by someone who gae their true identity. )onetheless Tatsuya had gone oer the speci#ied location--the outdoor training #ield o# Airst High. This was because he had no other signi#icant leads. He awaited, leaing things in the hands o# chance. 5en i# it ended up being #alse and he wasted the day, it wasnIt much o# a big deal. In the e(ceptionally large grounds behind the school was an arti#icial #orest. To be technical that was also part o# Airst High, but it was di##icult to tell where the arti#icial #orest came to an end and the natural #orest began. 5specially so at night. The time was almost ]pm. :aybe it didnIt .uite .uali#y as night yet. 7nlike in the inner city howeer where bright lights eclipsed the darkness, in this #orest with no street lamps in sight it wouldnIt be wrong to think it was nearing night#all. To preent trespassers entering by mistake, a high #ence surrounded the training grounds. I# a normal citi'ens wandered in and was hit by magic shot during training, it would be all kinds o# problematic. Howeer een without the #ence, it was unlikely any locals would enter. It was well known within the neighbourhood that this was the practice #ield o# Airst High. 0esides there were no households around unrelated to the magic high school. -hen Airst High had been established here, the goernment had o##ered compensation to trans#er residence to all those who were unrelated to magic, who couldnIt use magic, or who wanted nothing to do with magic. +ll those who remained knew ery well the risk o# setting #oot in that #ield. That was also why there was no particular security system. There was nothing to steal considering it was *ust an arti#icial #orest, so there was no pressing need to keep out intruders. C2an you get oer it?C @ooking up at the three metre high #ence, Tatsuya in.uired his companions. The only direct entrance in was a back gate #rom Airst High, so haing e(ited the school the only way in was scaling the #ence. 5ntering #rom outside was simple, but entering #rom inside would re.uire dealing with the schoolIs di##icult to deceie monitoring system. -hile systems were o# course in place to detect thiees entering #rom the training grounds, i# suspicious people entered not only #rom outside but inside as well there would be #ar more cause to inestigate. C%# course, %nii sama.C C)o problem.C C&omething like thisIll be a piece o# cake9C +t TatsuyaIs words :iyuki, 5rika and @eo replied in the a##irmatie. CIt is possible.C @ast o# all, the one to whom the .uestion had originally been posed to, 4i(ie, answered. TatsuyaIs companions tonight were these three, and one doll. --%riginally, Tatsuya had not planned on bringing :iyuki. 5rika as well, since she had been inoled thus #ar, had only been supposed to be in#ormed o# eents. 0ut he knew that knowing about such eents, there was no way theyId simply wait .uietly at home. -hen leaing :iyuki had tagged along as i# it were only natural, and at the speci#ied time 5rika had casually *ust turned upB at both these times Tatsuya had not protested. He knew that resistance would only be a pointless e(ercise in #utility. ;ather he had gien up, and immediately set about incorporating his #riends into his strategy. Turning his #ocus to the training grounds again, he #elt the air o# the #orest stir. The other plays seemed to hae gone up the stage already. -hilst pretending to operate his 2+>--he didnIt #orget to keep con#identiality at this stage--he pulled the se.uence #or I@eapI #rom his memory and *umped oer the #ence. +mongst the shadows o# the #orest, the #our^one moed as a single entity. They did not spread out to search #or the target. In an area o# this si'e, in this darkness, separating would hae little bene#it and only run the risk o# them being de#eated indiidually. 5en i# that hadnIt been the case, it had been proen in +oyama that regrouping under such circumstances would be an arduous task. It wasnIt impossible that the opponents wouldnIt be coming out on alert, but een so there was no sense risking it. I# they couldnIt #ind the 4arasites like this, they would simply come back tomorrow and search steadily again. )ot to mention, Tatsuya had the #eeling that they would appear. It was not a prediction. )or an in#erence. +lthough he had no basis, Tatsuya was certain as he cloe through the trees. The light o# their torches only illuminated a small part o# the ground, but there were none who stumbled amidst the dead branches and tree roots. 4ossibly because there were no new tracks whilst straining their eyes they simply proceeded on at the same pace as i# it were day, #or about GN minute. CTatsuya san, please stop.C Arom the communications deice #itted to his ear, the oice o# :i'uki came through. In con#erence mode, the words reached all o# their headsets. CJO degrees to the right o# your current direction, I can see the aura o# 4arasites.C Instead o# accompanying Tatsuya and the others, :i'uki was on a roo#top oerlooking the training grounds proiding naigation with her IeyesI. CI see them too9 Two men and a woman, three in total.C 7sing the aura :i'uki had spotted, HonokaIs magic applied to a camera actiated. The image a.uired ia optical magic was as clear as those taken #rom close range in broad daylight, and was deliered to the groupIs terminals ia wireless. I# not #or the uni.ue talents :i'uku and Honoka possessed as magicians, a search scheme o# this type would be impossible. Haing determined that their utility was indispensable to the mission tonight, :ikihiko had been assigned as an escort #or the two. :ikihiko himsel# had not been unhappy with this placement. He understood #ull well how important his role was, and knew that he was per#ectly suited #or the *ob. C+h9 Arom the opposite direction, a masked girl is approaching the 4arasites9C HonokaIs report rang in. -ith the 4arasiteIs aura becoming isible, it seemed @ina had sprung the attack. Tatsuya signalled with his hands. :iyuki, 5rika, @eo and 4i(ie nodded. The ne(t moment, Tatsuya became a gale bla'ing through the #orest. 5rika #ollowed right behind him whilst @eo, checking side to side, started running with :iyuki and 4i(ie. ? ? ? TatsuyaIs group, the band o# 4arasites, as well as @ina and her backup team. 8athered in this #orest right now were these three #orces, both Tatsuya and @ina thought. Tatsuya knew that there was a #action in the de#ense #orces who wished to capture a 4arasite, but he recognised they were under the in#luence o# the &aegusa. 0eing warned through :ayumi, with the 6otsuba undoubtedly moing to keep them in check and haing receied a large blow #rom I+ngie &iriusI, Tatsuya determined that they should been in pretty bad shape. +t least, they would be in no condition to inter#ere tonight. In #act howeer, under the shade o# the trees, a di##erent group approached both Tatsuya and @ina. They were a guerrilla in#antry platoon o# the de#ense #orces Airst diision, specialising in close combat, known as the I&word 2orpsI. +s the name implied they did not use #irearms, but were a group which launched surprise attacks using sword type deices. Their mobilisation was due to a range o# circumstances, what with Tokyo being under the Airst diisionIs *urisdiction, the nature o# the mission re.uiring coert action, as well as them being under the in#luence o# the Ludou. )o, that last reason may hae been the biggest o# all. Tatsuya was not omniscient. &omething unknown couldnIt be calculated #or, and naturally the wrong response would result. That the Ludou elder would be interested in the 4arasites as weapons, and that he could assemble a #orce in only three days, was not something he could hae hae known. +nd #urthermore, there was another. ;ather, one more person. %ne shadow, tracking the &word 2orps. )ow, within the training grounds o# Airst High, these #ie powers raced towards their ineitable collision. ? ? ? +s the &tars captain ,&irius, the mission must be #ul#illed. 7nderpinning @ina now, was this pride alone. It wasnt as i# she had known no setbacks be#ore coming to <apan. In the *uenile education program proided by the 4entagon, she had gotten only 2s in algebra and biology. In the combat class, within the same group, there were monstrously deeloped #emale soldiers o# the same age who she *ust couldnt seem to beat. &he had not done well in pilot training either. 0ut she had neer once lost in magic. The captain o# &tars, +ngie &irius. %ne o# the most power#ul magicians in the world. 5eryone had praised her, and she had supreme con#idence in her skills hersel#. 0ut here in <apan. &he had lost to those siblings. The #irst battle had been o# her choosing. Haing withdrawn in her own time, it had been a ,success#ul retreat. The second time she had #altered in the #ace o# Tatsuyas ,kamika'e attack, and though she had lost to the ambush, een though strategically she was de#eated she had not been bested by magic. In the single combat with :iyuki which #ollowed howeer, it was her de#eat. In spite o# the aderse conditions, @ina did not think o# them as an e(cuse. In a head on clash, she had lost to :iyuki. That de#eat had #urther spurred her #ighting spirit. 7n#a'ed, she had owed indication. Howeer, In that #ight #or redemption, @ina had been hammered by Tatsuya. @uring him out into a one-on-one, een going as #ar as to pull out ,0rionac, she had still lost. 5en as she #elt chagrin towards him, there was neither enmity or resentment. -here Tatsuya had put @ina to shame was not in the speed o# her restraint. The #ight itsel# had been ery #air. ;ather, she had the adantage. &he had lost to Tatsuya not *ust in terms o# magic skill, but also in coniction""@ina accepted that. 0ut without a doubt, that de#eat had shaken her to the core. &he was one o# the most power#ul combat magicians in the world, &irius. There#ore she had been selected as the captain o# &tars, the position which cared neither #or age nor gender but was gien to the 7&)+s strongest based on power alone. In the case said magician wasnt in the army, een i# plotting and subter#uge was re.uired they would be conscripted in as the &tars captain and ,&irius. The chances o# those de#eats leaking out to the world at large was slim. In the #irst place both Tatsuya and :iyuki, as well as those who had accompanied them, were keeping .uiet. Tarnishing the name o# &irius was not their goal. 6et een i# nothing was known to others, she had to #ace the #act she lost with dignity. In order to redeem hersel#, @ina had to demonstrate her abilities and #ul#ill her duties as ,&irius. I# she were to be able to continue as &irius. Aor the sake o# the girl within her who was lost the moment she had taken the &irius name, +ngelina &hields. ? ? ? -hen Tatsuya had closed enough to see with his own eyes he saw @inaB masked, #laming haired and golden eyed taking on the three 4arasites alone. +lthough the 4arasites could cast magic without the need #or actiation se.uences, merely thinking it into being, @ina wasnt giing an inch. In terms o# attack ratio, @ina was dishing out seen blows #or eery three the 4arasites managed to get in. I# it werent #or one o# the 4arasites haing a dangerous ability, the battle may hae been een more skewed The ability was pseudo-teleportation. In terms o# magic, it combined comple( inertial dampening and high speed moement techni.ues. 0y using the trees #or mobility, it was possible to moe in three dimensions, popping up and #iring o## magic. The magic attacks held low inter#erence power, and were nothing be#ore @inas magical might, yet she could not merely do nothing and eery time she raised de#ensie magic, some o# the attacks #rom the other enemies would get through. Tatsuya *udged the situation in an instant. He had no intention o# assisting @ina, but Tatsuya halted, and aimed ,>ecomposition at the 4arasite using teleportation. :any magicians aim magic using the #ie senses. 5en when using perceptions outside the #ie, their aim would be the location o# the target. That was normally. Tatsuya howeer could aim at the in#ormation itsel#. 5en i# the location o# the target changed rapidly, as long as the in#ormation itsel# was recognisable the aim would not be hindered. The pseudo-teleportation had no e##ect on Tatsuya. @eae it to me9 That wasnt the case *ust #or Tatsuya howeer. 2atching up to the now stationary Tatsuya, then passing him, 5rika actiated inertia control. The pseudo-teleportation held a threat only i# the opponents hands, #eet, and aboe all eyes could not keep up. %n the other hand, i# the opponents speed e(ceeded that o# the operator, such three- dimensional maneuers were merely wasted acrobatics. 5rika grasped the Isori house made and Tatsuya ad*usted 1not that she asked him to3 downsi'ed ersion o# I%rochimaruI, the integrated 2+> armament I:i'uchimaruI, and accelerated straight ahead. Her destination was e(actly where the 4arasite, who had *ust kicked o## a tree trunk, would land. -ith e(traordinary dynamic ision, her body control not lost een under the e##ect o# an inertial canceling techni.ue, her #ootwork propelling her #orwards without any wasted motions, she was able to calculate the e(act moment the opponent would hit the ground. In terms o# magic power, the 4arasite was probably ahead. 0ut 5rikaIs might as a martial artists oerturned the di##erence. 5rika swung :i'uchimaru. -ithout an ounce o# hesitation, the honed blade cut the 4arasite down. Tatsuya modi#ied the aim o# his partial decomposition, shooting out the limbs o# another 4arasite which was now aiming a telekinetic attack at 5rika, and as she deliered the #inal blow he held out his le#t hand towards the #resh corpse. :ikihiko would maintain a barrier which preented the 4arasites #rom e(iting their hosts. He had set up a simple altar on the roo# o# the school building. The reason :ikihiko was positioned on the roo#top was not only to escort :i'uki and Honoka, but also because he could pro*ect remote barriers. The e##ects o# the barrier were imper#ect howeer. It wasnIt a matter o# :ikihikoIs skill, it was a #undamental #law o# the techni.ue itsel#. %riginally, barriers could not be constructed like this. +s long as the host suried, the 4arasite could not #lee #rom itIs essel. In other words, once the hosts died the 4arasites were #ree to escape. 5en i# they could secure the bodies, they could not contain the 4arasites themseles. 0e#ore 5rika #ully killed the 4arasite, it was necessary to process it. + mass o# psions shot #rom TatsuyaIs palm, and ripped the psions away #rom the body o# the 4arasite. )o, a closer image would not be IrippedI but rather IscatteredI. Tatsuya, :iyuki and :ikihiko had e(amined the results o# preious engagements, and deduced that the 4arasiteIs were a core o# 4ushion in#ormation bodies with a thin layer outsideB schematically speaking analogous to a #ibrous layer o# 4sion in#ormation bodies coating a 4ushion centreB this led to the hypothesis that they consumed 4sions wheneer they used magic. >estroying the 4ushion body itsel# was di##icult #or Tatsuya. That had been proen twice now. He had discoered howeer that he could cripple them. +nd while :ikihiko would hae di##iculties sealing a 4arasite alone, when stripped o# magical resistance and weakened it was a di##erent story. C:ikihiko9C Tatsuya called out into the hands-#ree headset. It wasnIt necessary. Thanks to HonokaIs optical magic and :i'ukiIs IeyesI, :ikihiko was already #ully aware o# eents transpiring in the #ield. :ikihiko IseeingI what was happening, and calling down a bolt o# lightening #rom the heaens, was almost simultaneous with TatsuyaIs call. The lightening struck the dead body o# the host, and seared the skin black. ;emaining on the skin were cared a series o# characters and regular geometrical patterns. C)ice shot9C 5rika shouted out with delight. In TatsuyaIs sight, the no in#ormation was leaking #rom the host body. Howeer, he didnIt share 5rikaIs *oy *ust yet. He #ired more shots at the 4arasite he had disabled. The body o# the host, le#t to itIs biological response was #lailing around wildly. +nother #lash o# sealing retribution struck down. The body, hit by TatsuyaIs 4sion bullets, stopped moing. That made two 4arasites sealed. +t the edge o# his ision, di##erent thunder roared. ;ather than +ncient lightning, it was a blit' o# modern magic. He saw a body charred by @inaIs magic. It was probably already *ust an empty shell. C%ne escaped. :i'uki, do you hae it?C CIIm sorry, keeping track o# eerything #rom here is......C -hen he re#le(iely in.uired into the headset, the answering tone was apologetic. Thinking about it this was naturalB as :i'ukiIs ision couldnIt e(tend to that which she couldnIt physically see, she couldnIt enlarge and iew distant ob*ects. CI see. &orry, I asked something unreasonable. >onIt mind it.C Aollowing up to :i'uki, Tatsuya turned to @ina and 5rika with a bitter look. C+ngie &irius.C That she was upset behind her mask was not an illusion o# TatsuyaIs. C-hat.C 0ut this time, she seemed willing to talk. Her oice had changed as well, was this another e##ect o# I4aradeI? CTry not to kill them until theyIre sealed. The cleanup will be troublesome.C &he was momentarily at a loss #or words. &he intuitiely understood that Tatsuya hadnIt said ItroublesomeI simply to look badB he truly did simply iew a personIs li#e and death as a IhassleI. --)ot that it changed @inaIs answer. CItIs not my problem. I am merely here #or the deserters.C -hile she had consciously changed her tone, it was still possible to tell #rom her intonation Tatsuya thought. %# course, what he said was completely di##erent. CThe duty o# &irius is it......well, thatIs why we want to seal the bodies. %neIs escaped.C CThat is not included in my mission.C &tubborn as eer. +nd negotiating with someone unwilling to listen had neer been TatsuyaIs strong point. His stance had always been Ii# you donIt want to listen then #ine do what you like, and so will II. Howeer, he had to get her to listen in this case. Tatsuya perseered as he suppressed the urge to heae a sigh. C:ission you say, but the one you killed *ust now seems like an +sian born and bred. -as he really a deserter?C Tatsuya wasnIt completely certain that wasnIt the case. It was a blu## really. 0ut @ina was clearly upset. His guess appeared to hae hit the mark. C......5en i# not a deserter, he was guilty o# aiding them.C 6et een now, her stubbornness re#used to relent. CIIll say it again, the 4arasites are no concern o# mine. +ll IIm here #or is to #ul#ill my role as &irius.C &aying so, @ina disappeared into the #orest. Holding back an urge to shrug, Tatsuya turned to 5rika. C&o she came out, that &irius.C 5rika came leaping oer. Lnowing that she smiled without holding a grudge oer the eents o# three days ago, Tatsuya could be smile wryly in turn. +#ter her grin o# triumph passed, the smile anished, CThat was......@ina wasnIt it? +lthough she looked completely di##erent.C +nd 5rika asked with a straight #ace. CI# she looked completely di##erent, why would you think so?C CHer actions, I guess. The way she moed and carried hersel#, itIs all so #amiliar.C C8ood point......C Tatsuya had to admit 5rikaIs powers o# obseration. The illusory magic I4aradeI which changed eerything #rom #ace to build had been seen through by something so triial. &till, he couldnIt be stuck in admiration #oreer. CI think you understand already, but keep it a secret. That being said, IId like to apply what I said to @ina to you as well.C C>onIt kill em?C C6es. 6ou heard the e(planation. +s long as the host doesnIt die, the 4arasites cannot escape #rom within them. -e put up a barrier to preent escape, but neutralising without killing is still the best way to make sure.C TatsuyaIs re.uest was reasonable. 5rika understood that. CIIm sorry. ItIs un#air on you Tatsuya kun, but I canIt do that.C Howeer, 5rika--5rika shook her head. C%ne who is prepared to kill by the sword, must also be prepared to be killed. Thinking about that moment......I *ust canIt purposely prolong their pain without killing them.C The reason was completely di##erent #rom @ina howeer. It was personal, and her true #eelings. CItId be di##erent i# they could be saed without killing them, but sealing them is the same as killing them isnIt it? &o een i# theyIre no longer human, I want to take them down without drawing out their su##ering.C There was no nerousness in 5rikaIs e(pression, or her eyes. Her determination howeer was resolute. C8uess it canIt be helped.C Lilling was an absolute to Tatsuya. -hether one was killed a#ter being in#licted with su##ering or not, the end result o# being killed did not changeB this was TatsuyaIs reasoning. He didnIt try and sway 5rika howeer. /alues were an indiidual matter. &ome o# which did not bear anotherIs meddling. C-ell, IIll *ust hae to work e(tra hard.C That e(terminating the 4arasites would re.uire such contradictory commitment didnIt cross TatsuyaIs mind. ? ? ? @eo, chasing a#ter Tatsuya, saw the #lashes o# thunder and psion light and #rom the battle and suddenly #ro'e. -ith almost no delay, :iyuki immediately stopped as well. 4i(ie, in the body o# a machine, took a #ew steps to come to a halt. C&ai*ou kun, care#ul.C CThatIs my line.C @eo spoke in a *oking tone, but his eyes were already sweeping le#t and right. C-eIre surrounded.....or something. It seems like it i# nothing else. IIm empty handed #or now, but what should we do :iyuki san?C He had no #ar-sight or in#rared perceptions. He had done no particular training either, but obsering his surroundings he could aguely make out the signs o# othersI maneuers . C@etIs intercept.C :iyukiIs reply was short and straight#orward. C......ThatIs pretty aggressie.C @eoIs reaction wasnIt .uite as enthusiastic. CIs that so? 0ut thereIs nothing to be a#raid o# you know? 5en i# things get out o# hand, %nii sama will come oer and help immediately.C C+hS, o# course, o# course.C Her reasoning was ery cute howeer. His eyes narrowed as he unintentionally muttered. CThough, I donIt want to bother %nii sama either......C +s :iyuki debated back and #orth to hersel#, she called out to 4i(ie. C4i(ie, stay behind me. C6es.C Turning towards the thicket on the le#t, :iyuki gae instructions. %rdered by Tatsuya to obey :iyuki, 4i(ie complied with minimal erbosity and moed into position. The mobile terminal 2+> in :iyukiIs le#t hand was already on standby. +s @eo wondered *ust when she had reached #or it, he #ound himsel# looking at her with admiring eyes once again. To his credit, his ga'e didnIt remain #i(ed inde#initely. He was an IunconcernedI type, but een i# not :iyuki hersel# would hae ignored without noticing the eyes o# any sae Tatsuya. Her awareness was already #ocused on the enemy. :iyukiIs #ingers moed smoothly. The thumb o# her le#t hand gripping the 2+> danced across the #orce #eedback panel. There was no warning. The air o# the #orest gleamed. 8littering shards o# ice #ormed on trunks and branches and #ell to the ground. It was a phenomenon known as thin ice, or diamond dust. Aebruary, inland, in a #orest at nightB needless to say it would normally be impossible gien the conditions. There were none who mistook it #or a natural occurrence howeer. It was a magic which #ormed an area o# diamond dust in a GHH metre radius instantaneously. This was neither an o##ensie nor de#ensie magic howeer. 7nsure o# the intent o# the other party, :iyuki was merely declaring her territory. 0y merely #orming a thin layer o# inter#erence, the weather had changed. In the 6okohama incident o# %ctober, :ari had ealuated :iyukiIs magic as Iworthy o# Tactical leelI. &trictly speaking, that was incorrect. :iyukiIs magic wasnIt Iworthy o#I tactical. It was tactical. :iyukiIs magic abilities, rather than enhancing an e##ect, was more specialised towards suppressing an area. --4ower su##icient to, een unintentionally, dye the world white as #ar as the eye could see-- That was :iyukiIs magic. In this situation, @eo was truly impatient. To him, a #ight was the means by which ItalksI were resoled. @ike in 6okohama, in a situation where it was clear the opponent had no interest in words, strength would immediately become the ImediatorI. I# it was the enemy who had underestimated them and come oer, he would not be stingy in IcorrectingI them with his #ists. I# it was an ac.uaintance in trouble, he would Ilend a handI in a rough iolent manner. It may be called IunciilisedI, but #ighting had always been a staple o# negotiating. In the #ace o# :iyukiIs power howeer neermind their claimB the enemyIs ery e(istence would be blown away. ;ather than a cat toying with a mouse, it would be more like an elephant crushing ants. They would be #ar too piti#ul to be considered opponents. That was against @eoIs style. C:iyuki san, IIll take these chumps on. <ust back me up until Tatsuya arries9C In this darkened #ro'en world, a #ocused #ighting spirit bla'ed #orth. There was no hostility, only willpower. )o negatie #eelings, simply purpose. The other party were pro#essional #ighters incomparable with typical city thugs, yet nonetheless he threw down the gauntlet be#ore :iyuki. His mind was probably already made up. C%h? Then, IIll leae things to you.C +t @eoIs words, :iyuki lightly stepped back. The #rigid air permeating the #orest howeer lingered. @ike IIll lose to these guys, @eo psyched up. Arom the shadow o# the trees and thickets, men in #ield uni#orms wielding large knies materialised one a#ter another. +#ter around ten, the newcomers ceased. )o more #lashes had been seen in the direction they had been heading towards, and the din o# battle was no longer audible. It seemed things had settled one way or another. C4an'er.C :uttering Ihurry up, TatsuyaI in his mind, @eo spoke the oice command to deploy his actiation se.uence. Ironically, that became the signal. -ordlessly, soundlessly, one o# the encircling soldiers sprang #orth. Aast9 @eo barely had time to think be#ore the kni#e thrust. He repelled it with his le#t arm. 0oth @eo and the soldier were startled. 6et neither o# them lost a beat. The soldierIs #ree le#t hand shot towards @eoIs #ace. +lthough he had a bit o# time @eo #ollowed his instincts and immediately threw himsel# to the right. + shockwae hammered the side o# his #ace. 5ardrums--stable. /estibular system--minor damage. -hile checking damage receied, @eo rolled oer and sprang up. He really would hae liked to distance himsel# #urther, but his opponent was not so permitting. The moment he was on his #eet, the kni#e was already #lashing in. I# he had still been on the ground, the kni#e would hae approached #rom aboe and it would hae been checkmate. The blade was aimed at his shoulder--it seemed the opponent was not intent on killing a #ellow <apanese high school student--and @eo intercepted it with his arm. The IpenetrationI magic on the kni#e clashed with the I#orti#icationI magic on the #au( leather sleee. The kni#e haing #ailed to strike @eoIs skin, he proceeded to slam a #ist into the soldierIs chin. It was a superb le#t hook. The power o# the strike, strengthened by genetic manipulation then #urther by relentless training was enough to knock out the seasoned soldier in a single blow. The moement o# the other nine soldiers, howeer, was not a##ected. -ithout a momentIs pause, more knies came #lashing in #rom both sides. <ust one had been barely manageable, and now there were two o# them. Aurthermore, the lengths o# the blades were di##erent. 5en a master swordsman would hae #ound it di##icult to deal with that combination o# blows. +nd despite his superhuman re#le(es and howeer #ast his reactions were, @eo was no master swordsman. In order to learn to wield 7suba Lagerou, in the short period o# time @eo spent in the 2hiba do*o, he had ac.uired the sword ability o# a black belt. 0ut there were limits. The rich soil o# his capabilities could only do so much against the storm. Trusting in his magic, @eo #ocused on the enemy to his le#t. He shut out the sight o# the kni#e approaching #rom the right. &liding under the slim sword aimed at his claicle, he sprang up and swung his le#t arm around. The impact o# @eos punch on the opponents nose was almost simultaneous with the sound o# blade ringing on blade. =Thanks #or the assist. @eos #licker punch had merely gra'ed the enemys #ace, and was #ar #rom decisie. The attacking two soldiers *umped back out o# reach. %ne o# them was empty handed. The kni#e he had held was stamped #irmly under @eos #oot. 6ou seemed like you were in trouble. -hat had knocked it out o# his hand was 5rikas sword. -ell, een i# I hadnt *umped in it seems :iyuki was ready to coer you. @ooking back, @eo saw :iyuki merely return a #aint smile. I# 5rika hadnt arried in time, it was likely the enemies arms would hae been #ro'en solid. @eo #elt an inoluntary shudder. -heres Tatsuya? Trying to suppress the #eeling, he changed the sub*ect. Hes haing #un with the guys who were circling around back. 5rika purposely replied in a loud oice. +s per her intention, the soldiers seemed rather agitated. :iyuki, Tatsuya kun said #or you to link up with him. -hat about 4i(ie? &till on the sidelines, :iyuki replied to 5rikas message in a slightly #lustered oice. --+lthough this was not the time to be laughing, 5rika couldnt help but #eel a laugh coming up her throat. 4i(ie will assist us. 4i(ie, instructions should hae come #rom Tatsuya kun already right? +s per, :asters orders, authorisation #or use o# psychic powers, con#irmed +nd there it is. :iyuki, *ust leae this placetous. >espite the situation, 5rika was per#ectly content to make a show. Then, please take care. :iyukis reply was brie#, then she le#t without looking back. +hhSh""do you een know where he is? -ell, that would be rather insensitie. 6ou two oer there. @eos #ace too was di##erent #rom be#ore, a #earless e(pression welling up. +lthough he himsel# was desperately trying to suppress it. )ow then""its been le#t to us, so shall we clean up? +ware o# the change in @eo, and deliberately not pointing it out, 5rika gripped :i'uchimaru. +t that moment. )o, thats enough. 5rika, sheathe your sword. + new player appeared on the stage. 5rika sharply drew a breath. The tall shadow who came out #rom the darkness o# the arti#icial #orest was, <ikeiue"" (Respectful term of address for second eldest brother) 5rikas second eldest brother, 2hiba )aotsugu. ? ? ? The reason Tatsuya called :iyuki to his side was not purely because he was worried about her. %# course such an element always e(isted, but consciously at least the reason was di##erent. He had perceied a situation occurring beyond @eo and 5rikas abilities to deal with. In order to handle it, :iyukis powers would be necessary. +nd the situation he had predicted had occurred. ;ight behind him, :iyuki gasped. D>eastation was spread out be#ore. In #ront o# Tatsuya, in twos and threes, lay the #allen bodies o# the de#ence #orces. +lthough they didnt know, these were the combatants sent by the Ludou. This was not Tatsuyas handiwork. ;ather it was the 4arasites, now engaged in battle with @ina. @ina, get back9 7seless talk9 Tatsuya was not merely watching either. He was in the midst o# the engagement as well. @ina was attacking a group o# 4arasites head on. Their number was si(. Aactoring in the number o# opponents cleared up already, it was more than the amount calculated by 4i(ie. I# they had been si( ordinary opponents, the #ight would hae been oer. The name o# &irius wasnt *ust #or show, and as the one whose main mission was the hunter o# rogue magicians ,&irius specialty could be said to be magic combat. )ormally, these numbers could neer trouble ,&irius to this degree. 6et @ina was struggling. I# Tatsuya had not been constantly decomposing the magic raining down upon her, she may hae been done already. @inas greatest weapon was her actiation speed. Aaced with that oerwhelming speed, most opponents would be de#eated without being able to li#t a #inger. That was @inas specialised style. 5en her habit o# arming hersel# with handguns was to match this. The 4arasites howeer could work magic by *ust literally thinking it. :agic born o# images. -ithout the need o# actiation se.uences or other such media, it was like a ,psychic power. -hile this was a strength to them, it was also their weakness. The ariation in what they could e(ercise was limited. It seemed there was a limit in the images monsters could isualise too, although #or reasons di##erent #rom humans. %ne o# the merits o# modern magic was increasing ariation. In return #or sacri#icing speed, an increase in stability and diersity was achieed. 2ountless e(periments and practical situations had proed this was a bene#icial trade o##. That was why deelopment had progressed so #ar in this direction. Howeer while it was a boon to those in small groups or alone by allowing a limited number to respond to a range o# situations and #ocus their e##orts, in cases like ,burn the enemy in sight speed was de#initely a more important #actor. 2+>s were tools deeloped to satis#y both diersity and speed. 5en amongst 2+>s howeer the e(istence o# the specialised type, which traded ariation #or speed, showed *ust how ma*or a #actor it was. 0oth the three 4arasites earlier, and the si( now. The adantage couldnt be said to be something simple like double. +ccording to @anchesters s.uare law, the war potential o# an attacking group in terms o# #irepower was e.uialent to the number o# soldiers 1or weapons, or combat units3 s.uared. ;elating this to combat magic, per unit time the number o# magic attacks three could output against one was QYG, or a di##erence o# eightB in this case the potential magic di##erence between si( and two was JMYF, or a di##erence o# JE. &uch a di##erence could only mean trouble. The reason Tatsuya and @ina could #ace o## against that numerical adantage was because they could oerturn the di##erence in potential magic di##erence per unit time. +s it stood howeer they could not take the initiatie, and both Tatsuya and @ina were #orced to #ocus on de#ence. Tatsuya in particular had his hands #ull simply decomposing all the magic coming at them. He had summoned :iyuki because he had guessed this situation be#orehand. :iyuki9 6es, %nii sama9 Those were all the words the two needed. &imply by calling her name, :iyuki knew what her brother re.uired o# her. Arom :iyukis body, or more precisely #rom the coordinates where :iyukis body was present a torrent o# heay inter#erence power was released. Wone Inter#erence. -ith no de#inite eent modi#ication goal, it was anti-magic solely #or disabling other magic. + magic which preents others #rom modi#ying eents. + techni.ue to shut down all other magic e(cept your own. @anchesters s.uare law was established #or cases where attacks were scattered and interspersed. It couldnt be applied to that oerwhelming pressure. :iyukis Wone Intere#erence made the area a magic null 'one. In the #ace o# that both Tatsuya and @ina switched to narrow, high density magics. Their inter#erence strength was only enough to counteract :iyukis. :ounting a direct attack against :iyuki under her 'one would hae been di##icult een #or these two, but otherwise despite signi#icant reductions in number and speed they were still able to actiate magic. The inter#erence power o# the 4arasites howeer couldnt compare to those two, or rather the three o# Tatsuya, :iyuki and @ina. Tatsuya and @ina continued to actiate magic in succession. @inas magic targeted si(. Tatsuyas magic targeted GE. Hal# o# Tatsuyas shots were meant to break down the magic o# @ina, who was aiming to kill the 4arasites hosts, but his 8ram >ispersion was only in time to dissole hal# o# @inas magic se.uences. +s a result. Three o# the 4arasites were hit by @inas magic and slain, -hile three o# the 4arasites were pierced by Tatsuyas magic and sel#- destructed. ? ? ? :agicians o# the blade. This was the second name gien to those o# the 2hiba house, #or the close combat techni.ues combining swordplay and magic. 7sing magic in close combat was not something uni.ue to the 2hiba. The :artial :agic +rts deeloped by &tars, prior to their separation #rom the :arine 2orps was probably earlier. +s i# to counter the 7&)+, the )ew &oiet 7nion deeloped hand to hand magic techni.ues blanketed under the name 2ommando &ambo 1although this had by now #allen into disuse3. >uring the tumultuous #ormation o# the Indo-4ersian 7nion, in the northern regions centred around >elhi, traditional <amadhar daggers were gien modern redesigns and used as weapons. 0ut as #ar as it was known close combat techni.ues used with magic deeloped outside o# <apan had all been created around assisting ,ranged magic and #irearms. The main idea was, while adancing, to output attacks comparable to #irearms while e(erting de#ence against opposing #irearms. %n the other hand the ,sword arts practiced by the 2hiba lay in using techni.ues to augment the main system o# close combat. 0y casting on onesel# to close the distance #rom ranged weapons to hand to hand, then attacking with swords which were superior at that distance to both knies and bare hands, the opponent would be .uickly subdued. These skills, e(celling in both surprise and stealth were a great adantage in guerrilla war#are and antiterrorist operations #or both the <apanese military and police. The swords techni.ues themseles had not been deised by the 2hiba. +t the same time military applications #or magic were being studied in <apan, arious magicians had been e(perimenting with the idea o# combining swords and sorcery. The 2hiba had simply structured it to be easy to learn. 0y organising it to be simple to pass on howeer, ,techni.ues became ,arts. This was groundbreaking #or its transmission. The preious head o# the 2hiba was praised as the ,modern 1Lamii'umi3 )obutsuna, and #or their achieement the 2hiba house became respect#ully known as the ,magicians o# the blade. In the background, it was said that up to ]H-OHP o# the magicians in the army and riot police were learning the 2hiba blade arts. +mongst those were the guerrilla in#antry platoon o# the de#ense #orces Airst diision, the ,&word 2orps. They belonged to the Ludou #action, but at the same time they were a close combat unit using short ranged magic and swords and amongst other in#antry units, had receied training #rom the 2hiba #or longer. To them, the 2hiba were like their master. +lthough they knew nothing about 5rika, who was not publicly acknowledged, they naturally knew about )aotsugu who was #amous as the ,2hiba Lirin. )ot *ust knowB the commander o# the s.uad had been personally introduced to the sword through )aotsugu. +nd so, +ssistant instructor"" The reason they had #ro'en the moment )aotsugu arried onto the scene was #or that reason. In terms o# military rank, the s.uad commander as a regular o##icer outranked the student )aotsugu. ;ight now howeer, the hierarchy was martial. )aotsugu stepped through their unmoing ranks, and stood to #ace 5rika. 5rika appeared daunted. Howeer, she immediately rallied and looked back strongly. 5en i# it was braado, #or both 5rika and )aotsugu, this was a milestone. 5rika had directed her sword at )aotsugu. This didnt mean they were literally pointing blades at each other. 0oth o# their swords were still aimed at the ground. 6et eeryone could sense that the two were at kni#epoint. )aotsugu was aware that this sister o# his, born o# a di##erent mother, had always been relying on him. He had considered this understandable. 2hildren were not so strong that they could lie without depending on anyone=he had always thought so. To him, there were none who were #orce#ul enough to ,become an adult without needing anyone else. )ormally, these would be the parents. 4arents are the ones a child unconditionally relies on. 0ut #or 5rika, this was not the case. Her mother was weak, and her #ather had not been content to play that role #rom the start. In truth, )aotsugu also hated his #ather. The reason he was so absorbed in what 5rika called ,#riolous pursuits was partially due to the spite he #elt towards their #ather. -hy had this mans brothers and sisters, looking at he who abandoned his obligations as a parent, not #ound anything strange with it. ;ather, as the head o# one o# the Hundred Aamilies, it had been seen as something natural. It may hae been then that he #elt sympathy #or this hal#-sister o# his. In the #amily he alone had been gentle with her, spoiled her, encouraged her, and raised her to be able to stand on her own two #eet. It seemed the time #or his sister to #inally become an adult had come, )aotsugu thought. He e(perimentally released a blast o# sword pressure. -hile it was a spiritual techni.ue, when used by a highly skilled practitioner it could actually mani#est cut skin and blood #low along with the illusion o# being cut. 5rika de#lected )aotsugus sword pressure with pressure o# her own. 0y de#lecting, rather than dodging, she was declaring she could #ace him straight on. Inoluntarily, a smile dri#ted onto )aotsugus e(pression. He raised his right hand. -hen it appeared he was li#ting his weapon, his sword was already swinging towards 5rika. It wasnt that he had acted #aster than the eye could see. 0y minimising preceding actions and blurring the line between preliminary act and the true act, he achieed this ,earliness. This was a phantom blade techni.ue , which took adantage o# the blind spot in the opponents recognition. + skill realised by merely moing his limbs, the sword o# the genius. 5rikas blade intercepted that slash o# )aotsugus. He had intended to stop his blade in the beginning, but now he held the course. 2ountering )aotsugus ,earliness, by her outstanding senses and reaction rate, was 5rikas ,speed. + clear smile now broke out onto )aotsugus #ace. The tension colouring 5rikas eyes darkened. &he gripped her sword two handed against the sword )aotsugu had swung with one, and pushed back hard. +bruptly, the pressure disappeared. -ithout a moments delay, 5rika caught hersel#. )ot bothering to correct their posture, the siblings #aced each other again. Then )aotsugu turned around and #aced away. -ary o# a surprise, 5rika slipped a slight ,opening into her stance. 6et no blow came to take adantage o# that opportunity. <ikeiue""? )aotsugu did not respond to his sister, and instead raised his sword towards the sword corps. >ismay #illed their #aces. They took positions, but their reactions were notably duller than 5rikas. --He held no #ondness #or them. The smile on )aotsugus #ace disappeared. )ational >e#ence +cademy special war#are technology research diision, ;esere second lieutenant 2hiba )aotsugu. Leeping his sword raised, )aotsugu declared his name, rank and a##iliation. 10y the way to achiee the rank o# second lieutenant while still in school, and a sophomore at that, regardless o# being in resere was e(ceptional een #or a magician and could only come through haing true achieements.3 I am currently carrying out my mission o# escorting ciilians who hae become the target o# terrorists. 4lease state your name, rank and a##iliation9 +t )aotsugus apparent about-#ace, 5rika e(changed glances with @eo. I# you hae been mobilised #or the purpose o# harming ciilians, that will be construed as an act o# rebellion against democracy. I will oppose you with all my might. @isting the Ten :aster Houses and the Hundred Aamilies under democracy was really stretching it. They pursued the interests o# magicians more than that o# the general public a#ter all. Those were 5rikas thoughts upon hearing )aotsugus speech, and )aotsugu himsel# #elt so too. There was no hesitation in the aura he now emitted howeer. -ith the addition o# )aotsugus blade, the situation had shi#ted into a stalemate. The con#rontation between )aotsugu and the &word 2orps was interrupted by an e(plosion o# 4sions a short distance away. 5rika, @eo, take care9 Thats the 4arasites true body9 &lightly blurred #rom the speed o# speech, an impatient oice #lew #rom the communication deice. They were :ikihikos and :i'ukis oices. +s a warning, it was incomplete. <ikeiue9 It seems the 4arasites true body is heading towards here9 5rika howeer deduced what the two were trying to say. The ones who became warier as a result o# 5rikas words were probably the &word 2orps. +ll things considered, the probability )aotsugu had not receied a #ull brie#ing on the 4arasites was high. 5rika was both impatient and hesitant as to whether she should try to e(plain their threat or not. &preading her awareness in all directions right down to the leel o# her #eet, 5rika turned to #ace )aotsugu. +t that moment, whether because she had perceied accurately or by chance. The ground behind 5rika e(ploded. + #igure leaped up #rom amongst the raining sand and debris. C5arth release9?C It was @eo who cried aloud. %# the techni.ues commonly known as the Iart o# #ie releasesI, one o# the #irst-class schools o# +ncient magic, )in*utsu, was particularly adept at using the #ie elements o# IwoodI, I#ireI, IearthI, ImetalI and IwaterI as a medium #or reconnaissance, #light and ambushes. That ariation was a duality o# nin*utsu and <apan itsel#, but a#ter nin*utsu and itIs Iart o# #ie releasesI became #amous, internationally all magic using these #ie elements came to be blanketed under the terms Iwood releaseI, I#ire releaseI, Iearth releaseI, Imetal releaseI and Iwater releaseI. In short, *ust because this attack came #rom underground did not automatically make it actual nin*utsu. It was *ust as likely this was +ncient magic #rom the continent. There was no time to ponder that now howeer. The target o# the emerging man was not 5rika but the one opposite her, 4i(ie. + blade resembling a thick hatchet swung down upon 4i(ie #rom the underground assailant. C&hield9C @eo *umped in #ront o# her. The hatchet the man had swung took @eo in the le#t arm, and was caught in the protector o# his 2+>. C@eo, thatIs a 4arasite9C Hearing :ikihikoIs warning, @eo whipped his arm around and #lung both the hatchet and 4arasite away. +#ter his bitter e(perience, he made sure not to touch the thingIs body directly. 0ut een @eoIs strength was not enough to disarm it. The 4arasite brandished the hatchet again. The monsterIs #eet howeer neer kicked o## the ground. + sword was pierced through itIs chest. 5rika, haing impaled the 4arasite with :i'uchimaru, wore a #aint smile as i# saying IwupsI. 4erhaps she remembered TatsuyaIs entreaty not to kill. &he had opposed his words at the time, but it still was what it was. The attack had not only come #rom the ground. The moment )aotsuguIs attention had been dierted by the eents occuring behind 5rikaIs back, a soldier had sprang #rom behind the sword corps with blade in hand. That he appeared like a soldier was an illusion. >ressed in a nay blue costume indistinguishable in the darkness, the man had depried a sword corps soldier o# his weapon and rushed towards 4i(ie. The leap was assisted by weight systematic magic. The manIs body didnIt make a parabola with the ground, and closed in on 4i(ie #aster than graitational acceleration. The blade held oerhead neer #ell. In the middle o# his spring, the man was knocked aside by a kick #rom )aotsugu. The #lying *ump kick was so brilliant it was hard to remember that )aotsugu was actually a swordsman. The beauti#ul #orm wouldnIt hae been out o# place in a karate do*o poster. 5rika had always accused )aotsugu o# wasting time with I#riolous magicI, but eidently he had been inoled in arious other aspects such as martial arts as well. + murmur arose #rom the sword corps. The soldier whose blade had been taken was collapsed. He had likely receied an attack by this man. The #eedback #rom the kick had been considerable, but )aotsugu care#ully walked towards the man now lying on the ground. He had been hidden care#ully enough that een )aotsugu had not noticed him be#ore the attack. There was no such thing as too much precaution. &uch attentieness was .uickly rewarded. -hen )aotsugu reached a distance o# three steps away, the manIs body suddenly burst. )aotsugu *umped back, but he was ineitably caught up in the spraying gore. +t this un#oreseen deelopment, )aotsugu was at a loss. 0ehind him, 5rika and @eo also #rowned. The sword corps were stunned. 5eryone in that place did not notice the 4sion wrapped 4ushion mass which issued #rom both the impaled man and the ruptured body. C4i(ie, link up with me9C 0reaking the spell was TatsuyaIs rough oice issuing through the communication deices. C%# course.C 4i(ie turned to the direction o# the 4sion e(plosion, the direction that :iyuki had headed towards and where Tatsuya was likely right now, and began running. CHonoka, please #ollow 4i(ie.C Arom the oice communicators set to group communication mode, TatsuyaIs oice #lowed again. C8ot it9C HonokaIs oice was terse. C5rika and @eo, donIt moe #rom there. Tell the people there likewise.C C5h......right.C C%, ok.C 5rika and @eo replied in oices suggesting they had not yet #ully recoered. %erhead, the two 4sion and 4ushion lumps chased a#ter 4i(ie like clouds blown by the wind. ? ? ? CHonoka, please #ollow 4i(ie.C C8ot it9C ;eceiing TatsuyaIs instructions, Honoka wasted no time. --Immediately a#ter acknowledging howeer, she realised she didnIt know e(actly what it was she was meant to be doing. It was .uite a Honoka-ish moment, but her subse.uent action was *ust like her as well. 0eing told to I#ollowI, she decided to monitor her status #or now and trained her optical magic towards 4i(ie. +lthough that was easier said that done. &he lucked out. >espite there being arious interpretations #or those words, Honoka decided to open the 4sion circuits which linked her to 4i(ie. ? ? ? There had been a total o# GE 4arasites drawn to this world. %ne currently inhabited the integrated au(iliary housework humanoid robot, the Humanoid Home Helper IJH4I 4i(ie. Two had been sealed in todayIs battles. Aour had had their hosts killed by @ina, and one by 5rika, releasing them. Aour more had sel# destructed, being likewise released. + total o# nine had lost their hosts, and that was the number o# 4arasites gathering here now. In their true body, the spirits were drawn to 4i(ie. They were all 4ushion bodies #rom the same dimension o# in#ormation. %riginally, all GE had been o# one IconsciousnessI. Haing their true body e(posed, they were now trying to return to one e(istence. The nine 4arasites had coalesced already. -hilst sharing the consciousness o# one, yet possessing nine wills, they were an amorphous 4ushion mass. That structure o# one stem branching into nine, i# one possessed IeyesI capable o# IseeingI 4ushions, they no doubt would hae thought o# one o# the most #amous spirits o# this country, albeit with one head e(tra. +nd it was attempting to capture one more. &preading their nine necks, they resembled a IserpentI bent on deouring 4i(ie. 4i(ie #orti#ied her barrier o# IwillI, and endured the storm. That will, what droe IherI now, was something imparted to her by the human who could be called her ImotherI. 5en now these #eelings #rom her ImotherI #lowed into her matri( o# 4ushions, mi(ing in. The will that she was not one o# IthoseI. The will that she was not her own. The will that she e(isted #or IhimI. + single indiidualIs will would not normally be able to oppose IthoseI. 0ut 4i(ieIs ImotherI, Honoka, was not normal. &he was a descendant o# the I5lementsI. The blood o# the 5lement o# I@ightI #lowed through her eins. The 5lements were those magicians who had #irst practitioned magic in this country, be#ore the deelopment o# the )umbers. 0e#ore the organisation and classi#ication o# the #our systems and eight types, a classi#ication based on the traditional attributes o# Iearth IwaterI I#ireI IwindI IlightI and IthunderI had been used. The 5lements had deeloped in accordance with this concept. 7pon the establishment o# the #our system eight type classi#ication howeer, the deelopments o# those magicians #ollowing the traditional attributes became regarded as ine##icient, and the deelopment o# the 5lements ceased. This could be said to be one o# the #re.uently .uestioned episodes o# the secret history o# magic deelopment. Howeer, the 5lements also innately inherited gi#ts separate #rom magic--or were gien. >uring the dawn o# magic research. -hen #ears and superstitions o# those against magic ran rampant. The authorities who practiced 5lements deelopment, being labeled as IsorcerersI and IwitchesI, took it upon themseles to show that they would not be a threat. They had scientists incorporate into them genes compelling absolute obedience to their leaders. Is this characteristic inheritable? That is a .uestion which is still unanswerable een now, e(ing both psychologists and geneticists alike. 5en identical twins will grow up to hae ery di##erent personalities. In light o# this #act, it could be concluded that Ipersonalities are not inheritableI. %n the other hand i# one goes back long enough through parent and child, grandparents and grandchildren, great grandparents and great grandchildren and so on, undeniable similarities begin to show which cannot be e(plained away by simple Ienironmental #actorsI. -ith this challenge the authorities had gien to them, the genetic engineers took whateer steps they could. +s a result--although it cannot be said whether it was #or the better or worse--the Idescendants o# the 5lementsI hae a high ratio o# e(pressing a certain trait. That is, dependency. It was ery commonly obsered that they would hae one speci#ic person, usually o# the opposite se(, that they would greatly attach to and rely on. The descendants o# the 5lements themseles belieed that their destinies were written in their genes. 4erhaps, using that as an e(cuse, was their way o# accepting their reliance on another. The IdependencyI that they #elt was not the publicly perceied emotional IweaknessI &ome scholars hae claimed that there was a more appropriate word #or that IdependencyI. That is, IloyaltyI. +n unshakable #aith, that II am theirsI. That was more than strong enough to push back the coalescing synergetic will o# the spirits. ? ? ? The point where Tatsuya had been #ighting the 4arasites, and the point where 5rika had been con#ronting )aotsugu. 4i(ieIs battle against IthatI, and withstanding IthatIs attack, was right in the middle o# the two. ;eaching that place, Tatsuya saw the shape o# the nine-headed dragon rearing its heads as i# to deour 4i(ie. He could not comprehend the 4ushion in#ormation structure. 0ut he knew there was IsomethingI there. He could XseeX it. )ine 4ushion in#ormation in#ormation bodies were *oined together at the base. +nd branched into nine, that inter#ace was attempting to capture 4i(ie. That was su##icient to resemble a nine-headed dragon in his mind. C-hat is that9?C @ina, who had #or some reason #ollowed Tatsuya, e(claimed in shock. C6ou can see it?C CItIs not......that I can see it, but I can sort o# understand it. &ome massie IpowerI is pressing on that doll. Tatsuya, *ust what is that?C CThe result o# you not listening to %nii sama.C It was :iyuki who responded to @ina. That blunt, #rigid oice silenced @ina #or the time being. C5en though %nii sama had told you not to kill them, you *ust mindlessly slaughtered the 4arasites hosts and now the bodies are rampaging #ree. @ina, how do you intend to sole this misconduct?C Aigured she wouldnIt stay .uiet at that. C-hat misconduct9 I was simply #ul#illing my duty9C CThen please settle the cleanup yoursel#. 2an you? 5en i# unlike %nii sama, you hae no idea how to sole things noniolently?C 5er since the combat earlier, a dangerous air had been simmering between these two beauties. This was *ust a continuation o# that. CIIll do it9 <ust watch9C 2asting caution to the winds, @ina took the challenge. CHey, @ina.C Howeer one looked at it, she had to be stopped. It was #ar too reckless #or someone who had no idea how to begin countering the thing to *ust *ump in. Thinking that, Tatsuya called out in a paci#ying tone. C&hut up9 Tatsuya, you keep .uiet9C Aor what good it did. CI absolutely must make this mission a success9 I# not, then *ust why am I een here9C The tantrum @ina threw was directed not only against Tatsuya. Hearing her cry, he himsel# realised that. IHereI was not simply this location. ;ather right here, right now she stood not as I+ngelina &hieldsI but as I+ngie &iriusI--that was what she meant. +t some point @inaIs hair had reerted to gold, and her eyes to blue. Her I4aradeI, which had not #altered een under :iyukiIs heay Wone Inter#erence, had been released. &he was giing her all as I+ngelina &hieldsI to #ul#ill her mission as I+ngie &iriusI. Trying to be a I&iriusI. 8limpsing the heay burden on her, Tatsuya was hesitant to #ollow up. In that moment, @ina launched a magic attack o# her own. + eritable barrage, shot a#ter shot raaged the air and encountered empty space. That was only natural. @inaIs magic was meant to modi#y physical eents. &he was simply not e.uipped with magic to #ight an in#ormation body. IThatIs awareness turned towards @ina. In TatsuyaIs ision, the nine head were now arrayed against her. )o sooner than that, a storm o# magic #ell. It was all Tatsuya could do to try and bring them down. -hen they had #ought the 4arasite in#ormation body at Airst high, only one person had been possessed and there was only one spirit. That had already been di##icult. )ow there were nine. He could not e(pect to weather the storm. )o, on the contrary, there was no way that he alone could hae stemmed the onslaught #rom IthatI. 0ehind him, :iyuki was maintaining a supportie inter#erence area oer the place where IthatI e(isted. 0ut een though :iyuki could IsenseI the 4ushion in#ormation bodies, she could not IseeI them. 0ecause o# that, the inter#erence area had to be loose. I# she increased the #ield to coer all possibilities, it would inter#ere with TatsuyaIs own magic. That barely tenable situation continued, yet it was #ar too risky #or the allied #orces to relent een a little. He #elt a s.uee'e on the back o# his *acket. :iyuki was also uneasy. +lthough they knew that haing lost their hosts the 4arasites were now IconsumingI magic and had to run out o# power at some point, not knowing *ust how much longer they had to hold out sapped their willpower considerably. +t this rate, :iyuki may end up the same way as @ina. 0ecause o# her recklessness, @ina was now locked down under a shell o# >ata Aorti#ication. )ot being able to launch an e##ectie attack #rom their end was too big a handicap. :agic which inter#ered with physical eents was useless. 4hysical attacks were completely out o# the .uestion. I# possible, mental magic might-- 1--ThereIs no choice.3 2lenching his teeth, Tatsuya decided to throw the dice. C:ikihiko, can you see the situation?C C6es. IIm assembling a seal as #ast as I can, so please hold out a bit longer.C The oice which answered #rom the communication unit was een more hurried than TatsuyaIs. C-hat is the likelihood that your seal could suppress this?C The reply came a#ter a pause. C......Honestly speaking, not een #i#ty percent.C His con#ession was anguished. Hearing :ikihikoIs answer, Tatsuya did not think any less o# him. In a direct con#rontation, Tatsuya knew that he was not someone who would make rash promises. C:ikihiko, *ust temporarily is #ine. 2ould you suppress it #or GH seconds?C +t Tatsuya re.uesting #or the #irst time, not *ust :ikihiko but but eeryone listening in on the communication gasped. -ith no backup or proo#, it was *ust a simple plea. In a 1bad3 sense, it was blind #aith. 6et it was not something he would do i# he did not trust them. C......8ot it.C +t least, that was what :ikihiko #elt. CAor GH seconds, IIll keep it down no matter what. IIll signal, so Tatsuya please do your own thing.C He had a plan, and he needed GH seconds #or it. In order to secure that time, his own power would be necessary. :ikihiko was inspired by the trust Tatsuya was placing in him. CTatsuya san, IIll also help9C HonokaIs #irm oice #ollowed :ikihikoIs. It was not in rialry. There was one simple intent, that she wanted to be his strength. C+lright. :ikihiko, on you.C C%L......J, E, G, now9C +s he shouted, :ihiko unleashed his +nti-demon8aruda #lame. The I#lameI e(panded around IthatI--the nine-headed dragon the 4arasites had combined into, and wrapped around the in#ormation bodies. It was like two serpents #ighting each other. 0eneath them, 4i(ie was mentally pushing IthatI back. The 4sion bonds holding 4i(ie were being replenished as #ast as they were being consumed. Honoka saw that the 4sions had almost completely captured 4i(ieIs lower hal#. %# course, Tatsuya wasnIt *ust silently watching. +t the signal #rom :ikihiko, Tatsuya stretched out his arm not holding his 2+>. That arm, Took hold :iyukiIs waist, +nd pulled her in close. C----9C + silent scream. %r maybe a cry o# delight. In that instant both :iyukiIs Wone Inter#erence and TatsuyaIs 8ram >ispersion ceased, but :ikihiko and Honoka, +s promised kept IthatI at bay. Held in TatsuyaIs arms, with an e(pression o# astonishment on her #ace, :iyuki looked up at him. +s his sister looked up, Tatsuya himsel# moed in closer. +s their #oreheads touched, and their eyes melted together, +s their noses touched, and their lips came closer and closer, C:iyuki, XlookX9C Tatsuya whispered #irmly to :iyuki. +n inisible light #lowed #rom him to her. +n inisible light #lowed #rom her to him. 0etween them, their auras pulsed. CI see it, %nii sama9C It may hae been that those were not words spoken #rom the mouth, but enounced #rom the heart. Their communication lasted but an instant. :ore than hal# o# the GH seconds still remained. TatsuyaIs le#t hand held :iyukiIs head to his chest. 0oth o# :iyukiIs arms were wrapped around him. TatsuyaIs right hand, pointed at IthatI. -ithin :iyukiIs consciousness, the #igure o# IthatI was now clearly discernible. TatsuyaIs ability to IseeI in#ormation bodies. :iyuki took TatsuyaIs IsightI to iew IthatI, ;eleased their seal, and unleashed her inherent magic. %uter systematic:ental Inter#erence magic, I2ocytusI. :agic to #ree'e the spirit. :iyukiIs magic struck the spirits themseles, stilling the 4ushion in#ormation bodies-- --and bere#t o# a essel, IthatI shattered into nothingness. Chapter 17 5en though she had no way to iew the spirits true body, @ina sensed that IthatI had perished. The mass o# Iin#ormationI had stopped--#ro'en, then crumbled. I# being able to manipulate 4sions within the dimension o# in#ormation is the norm #or magicians, there was no way a magician o# the highest calibre like the I&iriusI would not notice the collapse o# such a high amount o# 4sions. C@unar magic.....?C +nd although she hersel# could not use :ental Inter#erence magic, by using her magic sensitiity it was possible to guess #rom the result what sort o# magic had been used. @unar magic is what 5nglish speaking magicians use to re#er to a particular branch o# mental inter#erence magic, that which speci#ically targets and directly damages the spirit, and is named #or one o# the most #amous %uter-systematic mental attack magics I@unar &trikeI. @unar &trike, o# the magics outside the :ental Inter#erence system unusually has its processes #ormulated outB since it is used by &tars o# the IAirst 2lass starsI rank then in the eent that they became the enemy, the method o# counteracting it was taught. %# course @ina had seen @unar &trike countless times and thus although it was her #irst time seeing 2ocytus and she did not #ully understand itIs mechanisms, she was able to deduce that it had causes #atal damage to the spirit. That, and that the caster had been :iyuki. C@unar magic o# this power......:iyuki, you......no, *ust what are you two siblings?C &till on the ground, @ina muttered. I# she had used this magic during their duel......thoughts like that did not #ully materialise in her mind. &hock still took up too much o# her thought processes #or now. +ctually, :iyuki was in a similar state. Hal# lost in ecstasy, she was still #irmly held in TatsuyaIs embrace. In addition to that she had gone all out with her magic #or the #irst time in a while, as well as haing seen the world through TatsuyaIs eyesB she was likely still drunk with it all. The two who were preiously in a bad mood were now in a state o# insanity1?3B this was a chance. Tatsuya took the communication unit #rom his ear, and switched it o##. C@ina, do not reeal what you saw *ust now.C @ooking down at her, his oice was low and intimidating. C--what, suddenly......C I# she had been her normal sel#, such oerbearing methods would hae been counterproductie. 0ut as Tatsuya e(pected, @ina was not her normal sel#. &he had been under enormous stress, and now with the disappearance o# the target which had been such a tense load on her she had #allen into a state o# collapse. It was a per#ect condition #or IpersuasionI. CIn return, weIll pledge to keep the identity o# +ngie &irius secret. This applies not *ust to me and :iyuki, but eeryone else inoled in the incident today.C @ina gae no reply. 0lue eyes *ittered between TatsuyaIs. 8radually, he could see cognitie processes coming back. >uty. &uspicion. >e#ensieness, /indication. /arious thoughts #lickered through her eyes, as within her 1psychologically3 rationalisation dawned. Tatsuya wasnIt particularly skilled in psychoanalysis nor was he a telepath so he wasnIt per#ectly clear, but he intuitiely knew that @ina was trying to conince hersel# somehow. Her con#lict didnIt last ery long. CI hae no choice in the matter do I?C CItIs not like that.C Tatsuya re#uted her resigned words. He didnIt elaborate on the conse.uences o# her re#using either howeer. &uspicion nurtures an(iety. Those unspoken words, or rather his unspoken action, were the #inal push. CAine......i# it keeps you .uiet, itIs not a bad deal #or me. IIll remain silent about you two. ......)o one will listen to what I hae to say anyway.C That last phrase was mouthed .uietly, so Tatsuya didnIt hear. He didnIt ask #or clari#ication. He was carrying :iyuki who was still limpB when she suddenly came to and started wriggling around he told her Icalm downI as they turned away #rom @ina. %nly #aced away, not moing. Immediately be#ore @ina could call out in suspicion to Tatsuya, C@inaC Tatsuya called out to @ina instead. CIs there something else?C Arom her words alone it could be interpreted that @ina was still annoyed, but her oice was not as sullen as her words. The air o# being cornered a while ago had disappeared. CI# you wish to retire #rom the &tars......C C5h?C CI# you eer wish to .uit being a soldier, I think I could help. )o, itIs not that I hae any power, but there are people I know who could be o# serice.C CTatsuya? <ust, what are you saying?C @ina didnIt angrily burst out IitIs none o# your businessI or laugh out IdonIt be a #oolI. CItIs not that I particularly want to .uit the &tars......to stop being the I&iriusI.C &he simply answered in wonder. CI see.C -ithout looking back, Tatsuya curtly replied, then began to walk. C-ait, Tatsuya9 -hy did you say such a thing9?C )ot turning around to @ina who called out in a loud oice, C&orry, I said something strange.C He merely spoke those words, and proceeded on. The mechanical doll accompanying him likewise took no notice o# @ina. %nly :iyuki still held in TatsuyaIs arms looked back oer his shoulder, giing @ina an an(ious look. ? ? ? +s TatsuyaIs #orm disappeared into the dark night, @ina returned to hersel# with a sigh. ;ealising she had simply been motionless staring at TatsuyaIs back, she rose #rom the ground in a hurry. -hy had her eyes been so resolutely #ollowing his back......the moment such thoughts entered into her mind, @ina igorously shook her head. 1ItIs *ust because he said something so weird. ThatIs obiously it93 7nconsciously, she had been #i(ed on his #orm all the while. +s soon as she was aware o# her own actions, she also became aware o# her #lushed cheeks and the racing o# her heart. The #act was she had merely been dragged into a ImisunderstandingI o# her own making, but haing in a sense #allen into his trap @ina was in no position to make a sober ob*ectie analysis. &he was now being held captie in a psychological state similar to the suspension bridge e##ect. In order to de#lect the morti#ying thought o# IloeI #rom her consciousness, @ina desperately searched #or anything else to think about. +s a result, her mind #i(ated on his last .uestion. TatsuyaIs pu''ling proposal. -ondering *ust why would he say such a thing, @ina tilted her head. -as it because her #ace, her #orm, being attacked by monsters and haing to dispose o# her #ellow countrymen, seemed to be in pain? I# that was the case then he was mistaken, @ina thought. 0eing #orced to turn her hand against her I#amilyI certainly caused her chest to ache. 6et @ina belieed her actions were merci#ul. That she was bringing salation. &he had long since learned that humanIs dignity was something precious. --It was di##icult work, yet someone had to do it. --&he would not run #rom it. --I# a power#ul magician #ell to eil, then the only one who could oppose them was the strongest, &irius, in other words only she hersel#...... 1......%nly she hersel#?3 Haing neer oerthought the matter, @inaIs thinking now stumbled. >isposing o# those #allen magicians be#ore they gae birth to new ictims. +s the strongest, she was indeed the most suited #or the task. There had been no doubt in her mind--until now. &he now knew that was not an absolute. 5en i# she didnIt do it, those two would. 5en i# she hadnIt put hersel# through all the pain, the guilt o# killing her brothers, those two would-- 1I see......thatIs why I was so lost, so impatient.3 The cobwebs which had clouded her mind #or most o# the month, now melted away as i# the sun had dawned. 5en i# she hersel# doesnIt do it, someone else would. Aor @ina, it was like discoering something unimaginable. &he realised that her #uture she had thought to be decided, unchangeable, was something she could choose #or hersel#. The straight road she had always thought to lie be#ore her, suddenly branched--and with it came came both an(iety and hope. Haing #inally awakened #rom her illusion, @ina was kept wrapped in con#usion #or a while. ? ? ? TatsuyaIs destination was the location o# the two preiously sealed 4arasites. 0ut someone had already gotten there be#ore. Two groups #aced against each other. %ne was a black clad group, led by an old man deeply wrinkled with years yet standing #irm. The other was also black clad, led by a young lady in a black one piece dress. +lthough #acing each other, it didnIt mean they were hostile. The group lead by the girl, and any rate, showed no hostility towards the group led by the old man. That was probably because the girl, their leader, hersel# showed no hostility towards him. ;ather, the girl looked at the old man with respect. --+t least, apparently. C6our 5(cellency Ludou, it is an honour to see you.C The girl came #orward and curtsied grace#ully. >espite the elegance howeer, there was no modesty. The light within her eyes was #ar too strong #or that. C:y name is Lurobane +yako. I am but a lowly member o# the 6otsuba, and I sere at our Head, :ayaIs, conenience. ;aising her head, +yako gae a play#ul smile. + proocatie yet withdrawn, enigmatic smile. +s e(pected howeer, Ludou ;etsu did not rise to the bait. C+ representatie o# the 6otsuba, is it. 6ou seem solid, despite your youth. It appears you already know about me. %r should I introduce mysel# regardless?C 2lose--although not in terms o# #riendly--with :aya, Ludou was publicly o# the same status, a #ellow Head o# one o# the Ten :aster 2lans. The way he said I6otsubaI, and the way he now looked upon +yako who was o# age with his grandchildren, was as an IadersaryI. C)o, that will not be necessary.C + light be#itting his intentions dwelled within LudouIs eyes. 6et be#ore that, +yakoIs cutesy yet #earless attitude didnIt break. C0y the way 6our 5(cellency, we donIt hae much time, so thereIs something IId like to discuss with you.C +t her hasty, or rather determined attitude, the Ludou elder showed no sign o# discom#ort. He didnIt think things were as rushed as that, but since he also wished to conclude things .uickly he went along with it. C8o ahead.C C:y thanks.C +t the old manIs liberality +yako gae another theatrical bow, then looked straight into his eyes. CIIm a#raid that 6our 5(cellencyIs ob*ectie, the beings called 4arasites sealed here which you had intended to bring back, hae also been tasked to be retrieed by us as per my HeadIs orders.C CHou.C The light in LudouIs eyes increased in sharpness and intensity. +t that light a hint o# trepidation crept into +yakoIs #ace, yet she rebounded with a #irm smile immediately. C--0y happy circumstance howeer, there appear to be two sealed essels. How about this, one #or 6our 5(cellency, and one #or us?C :aintaining her #irm smile, +yako looked into the old manIs eyes and awaited his answer. Ludou laughed une(pectedly. @oudly, and in en*oyment. C%h my......indeed. +nd you are yet but a *unior high student.C +yako had not told Ludou her age. His words implied that he had already pre-inestigated her be#ore she eer introduced hersel#. There was no sign o# disturbance in +yako this time. It was her attitude that it was little wonder Ludou ;etsu would hae e(amined een a 6otsuba pawn such as hersel#. Haing hersel# known that Ludou ;etsu would be taking to the #ield, that he would know o# her was no surprise. C/ery well. @et us get along and go with one each.C CThank you ery much, 6our 5(cellency.C -ithout changing her e(pression, +yako patted her chest in relie#. &he had no illusions as to her own magic strength. -hile she was not restricted in her magic like Tatsuya, she was not as uniersal as :iyuki either. &he was a magician with de#ined strengths and weaknesses. +nd short range, direct combat magic was decidedly not one o# her strengths. &he did not beliee #or a moment she could hae hoped to take on one who was once lauded as the IworldIs most skilledI. +yako gae silent thanks that by chance there had been two. +nd-- 1Tatsuya san, I was able to per#orm my duty sa#ely thanks to you.3 5en i# Tatsuya hadnIt agreed to cooperate, there wouldnIt hae been a time to re.uest it anywayB +yako slyly muttered in her mind. ? ? ? In TatsuyaIs arms, :iyuki huddled hersel#. Howeer much she pleaded, Tatsuya would not put her down. :iyuki was not particularly petite #or a lady, and was o# a moderate weight. Howeer much Tatsuya was trained there was no way the weight would not eentually be #elt, but TatsuyaIs arms cradling :iyuki waered not in the slightest. ;ather, he was carrying her so care#ully that :iyuki did not #eel any swaying despite the uneenness o# the ground. Arom their eeryday conduct and behaiour, :iyuki would be the natural suspect #or initiating skinship. :iyuki now howeer didnIt een cling to TatsuyaIs neckB she merely clasped her hands to her chest and withstood the shame. The silence, was pain#ul. )ot bitterB yet her chest ached. It #elt as i# her breathing would stop, and her heart burst--#rom the perspectie o# others it would no doubt be a surprising IoerreactionI, but :iyuki hersel# was desperately searching #or Isomething to talk aboutI in her oerheating mind. C%nii sama, about @ina?C This was what came out. Tatsuya had shown beyond ordinary care towards @ina. +t least, #ar beyond that o# a mere #riend. 0ecause she understood, truth#ully :iyuki had not wanted to bring the topic up with her brother. 0ut now nothing else came to mind. C6eah?C C@ina......did she seriously take %nii samaIs words to heart?C 0esides, :iyuki was also worried about her. CI donIt know. ThereIs no way I could. IIm not her a#ter all.C &omewhere under TatsuyaIs tone was the #eeling that it was unnecessary meddling. %# course :iyuki knew her brotherIs words had been anything but. 5en in :iyukiIs eyes, the impulsie yet good-hearted @ina was ill- suited #or the military. It may hae not been her place, but looking at @ina she #elt e(tremely con#licted. C@ina has her own circumstances. )ot being able to #ind her way is not something limited to her alone.C C6et %nii sama, you had reached out to her right......? -hy?C C-hy, what?C :iyuki was well aware that they were stepping into uncharted territory. I# they were to stop, it had to be now. 0ut :iyuki did not stop. C%nii sama......why did you #eel you had to help @ina? Is it because......you hae special #eelings concerning her?C TatsuyaIs eyes widened upon hearing his sisterIs words, but it was only #or a moment. C6ou seem to be misunderstanding things in arious ways......C Tatsuya gae a wry smile. 0ut his e(pression wasnIt ery serious. +t least, he seemed to be trying to answer his sisterIs .uestion in good #aith. C+s you say, this is the #irst time IIe interacted with someone like @ina. 7ntil now, eeryone in the military was much older than me, and they had all chosen their path.C %ne by one, he care#ully went oer the misconceptions. CThe #eelings I hae towards @ina are not the kind you think. 0luntly speaking, I simply think itId be conenient in the #uture i# @ina were to leae the &tars. I# possible not *ust e(it the army, but moe here. )aturalising as a <apanese citi'en would be best.C )o lies could be #elt in TatsuyaIs words. This close together, they could sense each other. :iyuki was con#ident she would be able to detect any #alsehood in her brotherIs speech. C%# course, itIs not like I #eel no sympathy. In a sense, @ina and I are ery similar. 6ou could say that weIre in the same category.C TatsuyaIs eyes were #ar away. C0oth @ina and I were placed Iwhere we are nowI by no will o# our own. +nd although I can at least say that I IselectedI to come to Airst High, @ina probably didnIt een hae that triial choice.C +lthough his eyes were #i(ed on :iyuki, his ga'e was somewhere #urther. CI took the choice I was not granted. I discarded the IroleI I had been assigned, and leaped #rom the stage I was gien. I# @ina had hoped #or something similar, as someone who was the same place as her I thought I would like to lend her my strength......C +s Tatsuya hesitated, his eyes shi#ted their #ocus back to :iyuki and he smiled uncom#ortably. CIn any case, it seems it was rather, unnecessary?C There was a reason #or the turbulence in TatsuyaIs tone. 7p to now :iyuki had been huddled in TatsuyaIs arms, yet now she embraced him tightly -ithout thinking, Tatsuya released his hold on his sister. That being said he didnIt suddenly drop her but gently let her down, probably something subconsciously ingrained into his body. 5en as she touched the ground, :iyukiIs arms neer le#t TatsuyaIs neck. CIt wasnIt unnecessary...... %nii samaIs care will de#initely someday, someday soon, reach @ina.C Tatsuya #elt his sisterIs words #low into him, seeping into his chest. CI mean a#ter this incident, @ina must de#initely be Xdoubting who she is nowX. &heIs a bit simple, but @ina is a smart girl. Haing been this deeply inoled with %nii sama, thereIs no way no .uestions would not enter her mind.C CI&impleI is rather cruel.C :iyuki looked up, and moed her arms to TatsuyaIs shoulders. The siblings laughed together, then peace#ully walked side by side. >espite being a machine, or because o# being a machine, haing read the mood 1?3 4i(ie had turned into a literal doll, and #ollowed in silence. ? ? ? 5en the heartwarming air between the siblings couldnIt help but change upon seeing this. The place where they had #irst sealed the 4arasites was empty. The two sealed 4arasites had been taken away by someone. CIIm sorry, Tatsuya san......I didnIt intend to look away.C C......Tatsuya san, IIm so sorry9C CTatsuya, please donIt blame &hibata san and :itsui san. I can guarantee that they didnIt slack o##. I didnIt notice at all that the sealed IesselsI had been taken away. 5en though it was my seal......C C6ou guys, donIt blame yourseles. I donIt mind at all.C Hearing that completely discouraged oice, sel#-hating oice and regret#ul oice issuing #rom the communication deice, Tatsuya stroe to reply with a bright tone. CTatsuya san......C They possibly misunderstood it as him trying to cheer them up. TatsuyaIs attitude had not merely been out o# consideration towards themB he truly wasnIt concerned. ......He was ama'ed howeer. C-e got blindsided, but all it means is that they one-upped us this one time. -e hadnIt really considered what to do with them a#ter the capture anyway, so thereIs no point being caught up in it #oreer.C +s Tatsuya said, they hadnIt made any plans about what to do Ia#ter the captureI. They had only aguely considered Imaybe weIll ship them o## to :ikihikoIs placeI, as they themseles had no use #or the sealed 4arasites whatsoeer. :eaning, the ones who had carried them o## at least had something to do with them.I# it were them, all they might end up doing was accidentally release the 4arasites. 10ut, well......were they aiming #or this?3 C%nii sama?C It seemed she was misunderstanding his silence. +t :iyukiIs an(ious in.uiry, Tatsuya shook his hand in reassurance. Arom his state, :iyuki knew Tatsuya was making a guess as to the culprits. I# he traced back, he could probably track them down she thought. --2ertainly, Tatsuya had used his IisionI. He knew appro(imately what had happened here. Howeer be#ore that, one o# the IculpritsI had le#t a message here #or Tatsuya. The reason he was so listless was primarily because o# that. + gust o# wind blew, and stirred up the dead leae not stuck to the soil. :i(ed amongst them were black #eathersX, probably #rom a crow, and were captured by TatsuyaIs own two eyes. *Kurobane () - black feather just like the name Kuroba ? ? ? -hen Tatsuya re*oined the duo o# 5rika and @eo, both )aotsugu and the &word 2orps had already withdrawn. They patted each otherIs backs, didnIt pry deeply into what had happened, and went back. 4i(ie was le#t in the school garage. In order to enter the school a#ter *umping the #ence they had to return to the main gate, but neither @eo nor 5rika said IitIs a bother, IIm going homeI. +#ter *oining with :ikihiko and the others, the seen o# them le#t school as a group. &uch a large group leaing school at this time receied no little suspicion #rom the gate guard as they e(ited, but they had prepared an e(cuse be#orehand, and thanks to the da''ling smiles #rom the girls they le#t without a seere .uestioning. +nd so, the long night ended. The eents o# tonight, the people, demons and spirits, signaled the dawn o# a new history in the contention o# those who ied #rom the shadows, yet Tatsuya himsel# was little aware o# this at the time. Epilogue The e(citement could be heard #loating on the wind. The grounds o# Airst High &chool were #ull o# *oy#ul oices. I# he strained his ears, it was possible to hear crying oices mingled in with them as well but, those were not necessarily unhappy ones. In contrast, the ca#eteria was barren. There were scattered #igures, whose number was less than the #ingers on both hands. 0y the way, this did not mean that the students here were playing hooky #rom classes in session. Today was the graduation ceremony. Tatsuya was not using a paper cup, he sipped his co##ee #rom a proper ceramic cup and placed the cup down directly on the table not on a saucer 1it had not had a saucer #rom the start3. +nd, he looked down on the multipurpose watch that most magicians did not use. The time indicated that the ceremony itsel# was already oer. Those oices were probably the graduates leaing the site o# the graduation ceremony, Tatsuya surmised. +#terward, parties would be held in two small gyms. It gae o## an unpleasant #eeling that een at a time like this the #irst and second course students were segregated but, it might be that the people themseles #elt more rela(ed this way. To be correct, normally this was not most suitable thing. 0ut second course students might somewhat tentatie when they were with #irst course students and #irst course students might not celebrate as much 1primarily, about their entering :agic 7niersity3 in the presence o# the second course students. 0ecause there was no di##erence between the #ood, drinks and other stu##, it was probably unnecessary to .uibble about the di##erent locations, Tatsuya thought. Howeer, due to the separated locations, it certainly took more people to do the labor than it should hae. 0ecause the contractors assigned to make the #acilities and the ca#eteria sta## that prepared the #ood #or the two sites receied an e(tra bonus, they probably wouldnt complain about the ,super#luous work but, on the other hand, the student council who was hosting the graduation parties was on the top o# the list o# the people complaining loudly about the super#luous work. It was probably understandable. Tatsuya was waiting #or :iyuki who was e(tremely busy with the management todays graduation parties. It should be added so that there are no misunderstandings that he had o##ered to help with the preparations and management. +nd been repeatedly re#used. +'usa and the rest had clearly wanted the help. Howeer, :iyuki had determinedly re#used Tatsuyas assistance. There is no reason to bother nii-sama with this matter9 -ith this emphatic ob*ection to een asking him #or the slightest bit o# help, +'usa could do nothing but re#use him. -ell, een without his sisters e(cessie consideration 1?3, #or many o# the #irst course students and not too #ew second course students, Tatsuyas presence would be slightly awkward. He was the owner o# abilities and achieements that cast doubts on the distinction between the #irst and second course. Aor the third years, he was the rock that threw their #inal year into con#usion. )ot taking part was probably the correct moe. )aturally, when it was #inally decided that he would not help out with todays parties, there were people who indirectly said things similar to this is all #or the better and sometimes 1?3 :ayumi was there when it happened and #or some reason she blatantly steamed. :ayumi had sa#ely been accepted by :agic 7niersity. -ith her proen abilities and achieements, this could be thought o# as ineitable howeer, een with the damages #rom ampires abruptly ceasing since that night, she unmistakably had to work harder because she couldnt gie the entrance e(amination her undiided attention. &he would #rom +pril on study at :agic 7niersity with &u'une and Latsuto who had also been accepted as it was only proper. :ari had not taken the e(am #or :agic 7niersity. &he would be going to the >e#ense 2ollege. &he did not gie a reason. Howeer, it seemed that she did not in#orm :ayumi be#orehand and he had seen :ayumi make some harsh *ibes to :ari about that---perhaps, she was hiding her loneliness. The :agic 7niersity and the >e#ense 2ollege were not really that #ar apart, i# they wanted to meet, they would be able to do so at any time still, to hae the #riend---the pair might not like to call each other #riends but, eeryone else had been labeling them that #or some time--- you thought was going to attend the same school with go to a di##erent school instead was probably not something that can be accepted easily. &peaking o# going to the >e#ense 2ollege--- &hiba +s Tatsuya was that, a oice called out to him. Lobayakawa-senpai, hasnt the party started already? This was the ery person he had been thinking o#. +h, well it is but I heard #rom :ari that you were here The magic abilities o# Lobayakawa hae neer recoered #rom the incident at the )ine &chools 2ompetition een with therapy that risked her li#e. There was no loss to her sensitiity to magic but she could not use magic as long as the suspicion ,that she couldnt use magic was not eradicated. It seemed that Lobayakawa had resoled to .uit school in %ctober. Howeer, with only hal# a year le#t, een i# she trans#erred to a liberal arts or science high school, she clearly would not hae enough time to prepare to graduate and prepare #or college. It seemed that a#ter trans#erring, she intended to spend a year as a ;onin and search #or a new career path. >o you need me #or something? +h, that is, what"naturally, it is di##icult to speak o# it #ace to #ace".. 0ut, its necessary. I want".to say thank you to you Tatsuya was comparatiely earnest when he looked in.uiringly at the red #aced obiously embarrassed Lobayakawa. I haent done anything that I desere Lobayakawa-senpais thanks #or Thats not true9 In the highly unpopulated ca#eteria, Lobayakawas raised oice echoed pretty well. &he was not e(pecting that, and #rom her downcast head, Tatsuya could see her #ace becoming slightly redder. The suggestion about a path that could make the best use o# magic sensitiity and my knowledge about magic een i# I couldnt use it was yours right? Tatsuya instantly started to scowl but didnt out o# consideration #or Lobayakawas #eelings. >id -atanabe-senpai let it slip".. 5en so, he could not hide the disgust in his oice. >ont say it like that. I #orced :ari to spit it out I asked -atanabe-senpai to pretend it was her own idea, she told you anyway +ll the third year #emale representaties to the )ine &chools competition including :ari and :ayumi had worried about Lobayakawa. :ari who had narrowly escaped a similar incident could not help taking it personally. Lobayakawas accident had lead to the incident inoling Hirakawa 2hiaki in %ctober which only increased :aris worries. +#ter that incident, :ari had grumbled idle complaints at Tatsuya. &he understood it was not his responsibility but, although she pre#aced her complaints with that the gist o# her grumbling was was there really no way to preent Lobayakawas accident. Tatsuya had an answer #or those doubts. The answer was ,he couldnt. He was not all knowing and all power#ul. +nd een i# the ,all power#ul was omitted, he was #ar #rom ,all knowing. It was all he could do to use his obseration power to coer the area around himsel# and :iyuki and take care o# the duties he was responsible #or, he did not hae the #reedom to look a#ter others. It was the same #or the other members, because neither Lobayakawa hersel# or Hirakawa Loharu 1the elder o# the Hirakawa sisters3 who was responsible #or her 2+> had been aware o# the trick, nobody else had caught it either. Howeer, it would be awkward to *ust coldly cut her o## like that. &o Tatsuya had sent their theoretical discussion down another route. Tatsuya had heard #rom Au*ibayashi a number o# times that there was a dearth o# tactical sta## that understood how to take magic into consideration #or tactical planning. 0ecause there were so #ew people with a talent #or magic, they were normally sent to the #rontlines, so ineitably in an actual battle, the sta## managing the tactical planning #rom the rear were all non-magicians who had only a theoretical understanding o# magic. I# someone who was a superb magician but could not use magic #or some reason was added to the tactical sta## then it would be much easier #or the magicians on the #rontlines to do their work than it was now, was the idle complaint Au*ibayashi who had seen the problems #rom both the #ront lines and in the rear to Tatsuya. He had relayed that to :ari without naming who he had heard it #rom. -ell she tried to keep it #rom me. 0ut, it didnt seem like :ari was all that interested in hiding it 8ee', that girl". I am glad she told me Lobayakawas sincere words interrupted Tatsuyas statement e(pressing his annoyance. I wasnt aware o# it mysel# but, until I heard those words, I was in a state o# despair. I said ,do you think this will de#eat me but it was a blu## , thinking that way was only to #ool mysel# into not admitting that I already #elt de#eated Lobayakawas eyes watered, she was probably remembering how she was back then. 0ut, when I heard that news #rom :ari, I #elt like my eyes were truly opened. I thought this is the road I must #ollow. This way I would not be le#t behind alone, it gae me hope that I would not be cut o## #rom my #ellow students I had walked the road to become a magician with. In the eleenth hour, my li#e path suddenly changed, I thought that i# I tried hard #or *ust hal# a year, I could pass Lobayakawas #ace was once again red, undoubtedly she was embarrassed by the statements coming #rom her mouth. Tatsuya did not #eel the statements he heard were particularly embarrassing but. &o, &hiba, no, &hiba-kun, thank you Lobayakawas tone changed to a polite one as she bowed deeply. Tatsuya was no so impudent as to sit while he was bowed to. He got up #rom his chair and clicked his heels together. Lobayakawa was not the only one who li#ted her head up at the sudden sound o# the clicked shoes, he accumulated the ga'es o# all o# the small number o# students in the ca#eteria but, Tatsuya ignored that as something not worth paying attention to, as he deliered the salute o# the Independent :agic-5.uipped 0attalion. &hiba-kun". Lobayakawa-senpai. It is trite but good luck +s he answered her with a salute, Tatsuya said that without embarrassment or laughter. Tears swelled in Lobayakawas eyes once more howeer, she nodded with a smile without crying. &enpai, the party has started 6es, it has. -ell, bye. 6ou, too good luck +s she said goodbye and trotted o##, Tatsuya sat down. :ysteriously, the lukewarm co##ee did not taste in#erior. ? ? ? %nii-sama, sorry #or making you wait -hen the liely oice called out to him, Tatsuya took his eyes o## the portable in#ormation terminal he was in the midst o# writing a paper on and looked up. Tatsuya-kun, what are you writing? The one who had called out to him and made him look up was not :iyuki, it was a broadly grinning :ayumi with the roll o# her diploma---as e(pected, the school used paper---clasped to her breast. Im *ust writing some notes related to lengthening the time o# continuous magic by systematic assistance ".um, I didnt think it was a #ruitless topic like that Tatsuya stopped be#ore replying to :ari who looked at him with a stunned look and simply lightly shrugged his shoulders. He thought about complaining to her about the Lobayakawa incident but, today was their day. -ith that thought in mind, he restrained himsel# #rom triial sniping. :ore importantly, why are all o# you together? I didnt think either &aegusa-senpai or -atanabe-senpai wouldnt hae been inited to the a#ter party Arom behind the backs o# the #emale students who were looking at each other, Latsutos #ace abruptly appeared. -e thought we would say goodbye to you be#ore that "thats thought#ul o# you. I# you hadnt purposely come to see me, I was going to come and say my goodbyes a#terwards %h, really? 0ecause Tatsuya is hiding away #rom the parties here, I thought you would pretend not to know us and leae 5en though, he knew that :ayumis sullen #ace and outpouring o# complaints were an act, Tatsuya still #elt like he had to gie her an e(planation. I am not een a member o# the student council, so I shouldnt show up at the graduation party, right. 5specially the #irst course party -hat9 &uddenly an intense e(clamation interrupted the e(planation Tatsuya was #raming. + shiny blonde head o# hair pushed through the graduates to appear in #ront o# Tatsuya. -hy was I who am not een a proper member o# the student council made to help with the party, when its alright #or Tatsuya, a member o# the public morals committee, to do nothing9? The one who #lared up at Tatsuya and insolently spelled out her workload was @ina. ".public morals committee members are not student council members. 0esides, although it is only temporary arent you a member o# the student council I *ust dont get it9 @ina was probably not all that bothered by the graduates stares. In #ront o# the bewildered :ayumi and the others, @ina was as usual. Hey, @ina dont say rude things to %nii-sama +nd, she was #aced1?3 with the usual speech o# :iyukis loe #or her brother. )o, perhaps it should be said that it was :iyukis usual loe #or her brother speech. 6ou are a temporary member o# the student council and %nii-sama is a member o# the public morals committee, this was all settled be#ore the preparations #or the party started. In the #irst place, why are you grumbling about it now, werent you all #ired up? Tatsuya did not know what she meant by ,#ired up but, un.uestionably @ina turned red be#ore the ga'es she had accumulated. :iyuki, what do you mean by #ired up? Tatsuya did not hae the option o# ,not daring to ask what happened, at this place. Tatsuya, its nothing9 -ell, as you know it would be deplorable to gie a temporary o##icer o# the student council, @ina, the type o# work that would take a lot o# time so, we put her in charge o# todays entertainment but".. :iyuki9 5en i# we said entertainment, we didnt say she had to do some kind o# per#ormance, it would hae been alright i# all she did was get olunteers #rom the graduates and the other students but :iyuki, dont talk9 @ina apparently misunderstood :iyuki, please9 >ont say it9 @ina desperately tried to interrupt :iyukis discourse but, the amused :ayumi and :ari cleerly blocked her moements. &o? :iyuki was looking at @ina distracted by the desperation in her oice, howeer, at Tatsuyas prompting, she readily switched her ga'e back to her brother. &he took the stage as the lead singer o# the band. &he stood up there and sang about ten songs, she was ery enthusiastic 6es, it was an e(tremely #ine per#ormance. )ot in#erior to a pro#essional talent :ari added to :iyukis e(planation and, Its true. &hields-san is a ery good singer. +n incredible oice In a not all that complimentary tone, :ayumi praised @inas singing. 7rk" @ina looked down red #aced in shame. It was not an angry #ace, it was clearly an embarrassed #ace. @ooking at that made Tatsuya #eel like smiling. I see"youe made some good memories, @ina ".I dont care +side #rom @ina, the people let out genial laughter at her speaking rudely and turning away. ? ? ? 1That was the last, I saw o# @ina3 +#ter graduation was oer, @ina didnt come to school. -hen he asked :iyuki, she had gien class + the e(planation o# ,she was busy with preparations to return home. )one the less, he thought a withdrawal order had probably come in since that incident. 5en so, until that day, @ina had continued attending school and she probably hadnt done it to #ul#ill her assigned role o# high school student or prepare #or the graduation party. It could be that she did it so she could en*oy the li#e o# a high school student a little. ---as he looked at the arrial and departure delay announcement, Tatsuya mused oer that. The day be#ore yesterday, the third .uarter had ended. In short, his #irst year o# his high school li#e had ended. Tatsuya grades were predictable. His marks in theory were e(tremely good. His marks in technical were pretty bad. His combined marks was in the lower part o# the middle. Howeer, he wasnt bothered by that. In that year, he had continued to get entangled in arious troubles but, he had steadily approached his goal. 2ontrary to his e(pectations, he was able to build good #riendships. 5en taking into account the negatie aspect o# getting inoled in a string o# incidents, it could be said to be an e(cellent #irst year. Today, he had come to the Tokyo 0ay #loating international airport to welcome one o# those #riends back. %# course, he was not alone. :iyuki and Honoka were to his le#t and rightB @eo, 5rika, :ikihiko and :iyuki sat across #rom him. The plane, &hi'uku was on, was supposed to arrie in a little less than an hour. <ust as I thought it takes time to get here #rom the +merican mainland Arom Tatsuyas le#t, :iyuki spoke to him and, It seems like it takes a military plane less than #our minutes to cross the 4aci#ic %cean so why does it take this long #or a ciilian plane? on his right side, Honoka .uestioned him. Thereupon, The engines are di##erent. 0ecause military planes can go aboe the stratosphere. &a#ety and economy are a priority #or ciilian planes @eo inter*ected #rom directly across #rom him, %h my, youre well in#ormed. >espite being a barbarian a horse could kick 5rika teased. -hy you @eo, restrain yoursel# 5rika-chan, you too stop constantly teasing him +nd :ikihiko and :i'uki interceded into their stri#e, well, they usually did. <ust then, Tatsuya spotted a #amiliar gleam o# gold in the crowd o# people in the lobby. His #riends looked up at Tatsuya who .uickly stood, wondering what was up. :iyuki promptly stood up also. +lthough, a little slower she had also spotted the same thing as Tatsuya. :iyuki #ollowed Tatsuya who had walked away with a short announcement o# I wont be long. + #lustered Honoka also stood up but, #or some reason 5rika who was seating directly in #ront o# her grabbed the sleee o# her spring coat. Honoka, dont inter#ere. 0ecause it is #arewell to a rial 0e#ore the ga'e o# 5rika who was impolitely twisting around in her seat, @ina who o# course hadnt #led a#ter being spotted by Tatsuya walked toward the siblings hersel#. Tatsuya, :iyuki hae you come to see me o##? -hen they had approached close enough to speak in a normally, @ina spoke #irst. -ell. :eeting you here was a coincidence @inas momentary brooding completely disappeared, as she let out a genuine laugh. Howeer, she did not #eel completely the same as she had been. + shadow o# doubt could be seen in her eyes that hadnt been there when she had *ust barely arried in <apan. That showed that in this brie# period she had become more mature. %h my? >id I not say I was departing today -e didnt hear you say it :iyuki #inished o## @inas e(aggeratedly mild be#uddled banter in one blow. 5en so :iyuki wasnt in a bad mood, she was smiling in an wry way. -ell, *oking aside. I am obliged #or the aid o# you two @inas smile became bra'en as she said it, >on,t you mean, we,e caused you trouble and Tatsuya smoothly denied it. Im the one the one who is in trouble. "youre an unbending person to the end, Tatsuya 6ou wouldnt be happy i# I went easy on you @ina".. 0esides, this isnt the end, right? @ina shrugged her shoulders at Tatsuyas .uestion. I think it might be. I dont think I am able to easily leae my own country @inas oice showed tinges o# acknowledging a pain#ul truth. Howeer, to erase that, 0ut, this is not the last time :iyuki inter*ected with emphatic words. :iyuki &o I shall not say goodbye, @ina ""..:iyuki what was that, it sounded like a con#ession? @ina widened her eyes as she stared at :iyuki with a #ace that had grown mischieous. Hmm, I suppose it might be a type o# con#ession. 6ou are my rial, @ina :iyuki was undisturbed by the remark and mad that declaration in an unwaering oice. 6ou will surely reach out to take %nii-samas hand someday. 6ou will surely become %nii-samas ally. +nd that will begin our true competition. +nd so, I will not say goodbye. 7ntil we meet again, @ina @inas eyes widened, again. +nd this time her gentle smile was like the sun matching the color o# her eyes and hair. I cant understand what you said ery well, but".. :iyuki surely it will be as you said. )ow, I hae the premonition as well. 7ntil we meet again :iyuki, Tatsuya Im back %ne hour a#ter @ina disappeared into the gate, these were &hi'ukus #irst words. -elcome back, &hi'uku %er the back o# the moist eyed Honoka who was embracing her which she was patting to soothe her, &hi'uku directed her eyes to Tatsuya. -elcome back, &hi'uku. Im glad you came back sa#ely yes Her curt replies hadnt changed #rom be#ore her study abroad but, &hi'uku, your aura has changed Thats true. It has become more grown uppish +s :iyuki and 5rika said, the aura coating her body had become #airly mature. >id you undergo some kind o# sin#ul e(periences? 5rika-chan9? The one who responded to the broadly grinning 5rikas *ibes was :i'ukiB &hi'uku, the one under attack, only tilted her head slightly. It was unchanged #rom what had been the normal commotion, howeer, a stronger sense o# composure could be #elt. Tatsuya-san hmm? +#ter Honoka #inally released &hi'uku #rom her embrace and allowed her to step away #rom her, &hi'uku walked in #ront o# Tatsuya and looked up at his #ace. I hae many things I want to talk about. I also hae been gien many messages #rom ;ay. -ill you listen? 8ood. I will certainly listen 4erhaps, her souenirs #rom +merica were a lot o# insights. That was what Tatsuya thought. ? ? ? Their talk with &hi'uku took a pretty long time. 5en so, they werent able to #inish discussing eerything. They could not discuss ;aymond 2larks message in #ront o# their other #riends. 1It might be necessary to take her up on her initation to her house".3 In order to relate the remaining message, &hi'uku had inited Tatsuya and :iyuki to her own house. To go to the great industrialist, Litayama 7shios priate residence without their other #riends. 5en #or the 6otsuba, this was not a minor thing to hae. Howeer, they could not choose to not accept the initation. The in#ormation she had returned with was necessary to decide their #uture course o# action. Tatsuya was ree(amining the predetermined conclusion once again in the liing room o# his own home. +t that time, the bu''er rang. + shocked cry #rom :iyuki who had answered the door intercom reached Tatsuyas ears. :iyukis #ace displayed surprise and impatience when she came to Tatsuya. 7m, %nii-sama, theres a guest". &hould I meet the guest? Tastuya had got up because he thought it was some kind o# uninitiated guest, howeer--- )o, I didnt inite her but,"..the guest is &akurai :inami-chan who I met at the 6otsuba main house what""? Tatsuya also remembered that girl maid. &akurai Honami. The #ormer :etropolitan 4olice &4 who was his late mothers 8uardian. The woman who had poured loe out to the two siblings as easily as i# she was an elder sister or a relatie. Three years be#ore in the summer in that battle in %kinawa, the augmented magician had lost her li#e protecting Tatsuya. The girls #eatures were completely like the person the siblings could neer #orget. &he was a isitor completely une(pected to een Tatsuya. In #ront o# Tatsuya with :iyuki at his side was a girl in a spring like pastel one piece dress. +#ter &akurai :inami politely bowed, she passed a single enelope to Tatsuya. Tatsuya inited :inami to sit and sat down on the so#a himsel#. +s she watched, he cut the seal and sent his eyes to the letter inside prompted by her ga'e. +s he continued to read, Tatsuya #elt like an illusionary pain was spreading in his mouth. The sender was 6otsuba :aya. +#ter the per#unctory seasonal greeting, the letter read thusY This Sprin!" #inami chan will be enrolled in $irst %i!h school& 'n re!ards to this" please !i(e #inami chan accommodations in )our home& She has become a !ood housekeeper" she alread) possesses enou!h skill& *ou must need help around the house" after all )ou purchased a maid robot" ri!ht+ 'n an) case" )ou and #i)uki-san both are !oin! to be bus) with (arious thin!s now that )ou two are becomin! second )ear hi!h school students& She has been informed that she will work as a li(e-in maid so" please do not ha(e an) scruples about orderin! her about& ,lso" ' intend to ha(e #inami chan learn the work of a -uardian& ,s her senpai" please teach her man) thin!s. He #elt like he could hear his +unts high pitch laugh #rom the #ace o# the page. Tatsuya #olded up the letter and returned it to the enelope then placed it on the tableB perhaps, she could tell something #rom his behaiour, :iyuki said %nii-sama? to him in an an(ious oice. Tatsuya took one deep breath and passed the letter to :iyuki. +#ter a small wait, the sound o# air being gulped emitted #rom :iyukis throat. :inami stood ne(t to the wall #acing her as i# she was waiting #or :iyukis eyes to leae the letter. I am a noice but, please accept me. +s %ku-sama stated, please use me to the #ullest :inami deeply lowered her head. 5en though they understood she was the linchpin o# an inasion #rom :aya, neither Tatsuya nor :iyuki could re*ect a girl who had the same #ace as Honami. +rmored behind his poker #ace, Tatsuya could do nothing more than nod at his +unts bitterly ironic ,present. ---In +pril the new school year would began and it would be een richer in mayhem than the preious one--- That unwelcome premonition would not disappear #rom its resting place in Tatsuyas chest. !The end o# the #irst year olumes$ The Ojou sama Magnificent(? !a" off Common Era 2095, November 2 nd . Throughout the nation, a triumphant mood was #elt. The eening o# the day be#ore yesterday, the news had reported that the de#ense #orce had eliminated the 8reat +sian +lliances #orward base and armada with their secret weapon. The latest news #lowing through the liing room late yesterday eening was that )orth Tokyo had asked -ashington to put out #eelers as an intermediary o# peace. This deelopment had occurred way too .uickly, so there were those who did not consider the report to be all that reliable, but only a small percentage o# the population maintained the ability to make unru##led *udgments. :uch o# the population had abruptly become commentators on military a##airs = boys who would normally hae no interest in politics talked about diplomacy and pragmatic power politics in loud oices at schools. To the girls apparent shock, disapproing glares at a time like this had no power to restrain them. This was not limited to school. &ighing at the high spirited, irresponsible celebrity on the screen, &aegusa :ayumi switched the teleision o##. The current time was ten a.m. &ince today was a weekday, she would usually be at school at this time. Howeer, students o# eery magic high school inoled in the 6okohama incident had continued to be gien a break #rom school since yesterday, and Airst High &chool was no e(ception. +s someone preparing to take her e(ams at the beginning o# the new year, taking a break #rom being drilled on the sub*ects she was studying certainly caused complicated #eelings in her heart, but she wasnt someone who had been inoled *ust because she was at the scene. :ayumi had been actually inoled, so it was good #or her to take a break. =7n#ortunately, she could not rela(. _%-<ou-sama, please #orgie this interruption o# your rest`!G$ &he reali'ed that she had turned o## the T/, right? The e(tremely good timing o# the housekeeperIs oice that could be heard #rom the intercom was mere coincidence = :ayumi was #ully aware o# that een as she mused oer the possibility. Ill open the door right now. &he replied as she stood up #rom her chair. +ctually, she could hae unlocked it by giing a command to the oice recognition inter#ace o# the Home +utomation ;obot, but #or no particular reason, :ayumi opened the door hersel#. In #ront o# the door was the housekeeper in charge o# looking a#ter :ayumi. 5en now, there is an e(tensiely supported subculture o# people who wear a uni#orm and are called a word starting with : and ending in >. "-ell, the skirt was cal# length, the collar concealed the region below the neck, and there were no large uncoered parts in the back, so this was a #unctional uni#orm. 0esides, in this house, the e(istence o# a housekeeper wearing this kind o# uni#orm is not strange in the least. +#ter all this time, there was no way it should #eel unusual at all. -hat is it? :ayumi asked the housekeeper, who was about hal#way into her twenties. >anna-sama has summoned you. -hen she heard this, :ayumi grimaced slightly. I+gain?I she thought. >espite being .uestioned on what happened oer and oer *ust yesterday" while :ayumi grumbled in her mind, the ne(t words made her tilt her head. He is waiting in the reception room. 5en though it was described as a head tilt, this was a priate gesture made only in her mind. =The reception room? )ot the &tudy? That was a .uestion that :ayumi had. Is there a guest? It seems so. It could not be said that they had been together #or a long time, but roughly speaking, it was her companions *ob to be e(tremely help#ul to :ayumi. Arom the short e(change, :ayumi understood that the woman did not know the guests name. 4lease in#orm him that I will come a#ter I change my clothes. &hall I help you change your clothes? +#ter considering it #or a moment, :ayumi immediately made an intuitie decision. :odern #ashion did not present many opportunities to wear dresses that could not be put on by onesel#. It will be alright. I will present mysel# in properly #ormal attire. In short, the housekeeper had probably been ordered to make sure o# that. +s usual, the housekeeper respect#ully bowed and withdrew when :ayumi gae her answer. ? ? ? The tailored one piece dress she wore was in a light color, with an ankle length skirt that protruded slightly near the icinity o# the thigh. +#ter she ad*usted the lace on the hem, :ayumi knocked on the door o# the reception room. 5nter. The oice that seemed to come #rom the room was her #athers recorded oice #rom a speaker installed within the decorated wood door. The recorded oice was almost indistinguishable #rom his liing oice and told #amily members that they needed to be #ormal. +pparently, todays guests were people they couldnt be ery open with. 4ardon me. -earing her usual two layer thick mask o# a lady, :ayumi uttered the clichV phrase in a low tone and slowly entered the room. -ith her eyes cast down, she peeked at the guests #aces. The man and woman seated in #ront o# her #ather, both had #aces she knew. 5en so, they were not the type o# ac.uaintances she particularly welcomed. )onetheless, she did not particularly hate them either. Howeer, she did not show any o# her true #eelings as she stood beside her #ather with a smiling #ace and made a grace#ul bow to their guests. -elcome, Hiro#umi-san. :io-san, it has been a while since I last saw you. 0e#ore the girl replied, the young man stood up. )eertheless, the woman with the appearance o# a young girl remained seated. +nd no one raised their eyebrows at this. They were not maintaining poker #acesB neither :ayumi nor her #ather, Louichi, considered this disrespect#ul. +s #or why the woman, Itsuwa :io, wasnt sitting on a so#aB she was sitting in a wheelchair. Howeer her brother, Itsuwa Hiro#umi, seemed to #eel guilty about itB een though they didnt consider it rude, his return greeting was slightly inarticulate. I hope we haent called at a bad time, :ayumi-san. 4lease hae a seat. +#ter all, :io-san is already seated. Thank you ery much, :ayumi-san. I am sorry #or waiting so long between isits. It #elt like the person being discussed, :io, had become de#iant instead, when she answered :ayumis words with a laugh and a cherubic smile. -hile Hiro#umi seated himsel# lightly on the so#a, as she asked him to, :ayumi was gripped with the same doubt, Is this person really older than me? that she always #elt when she was #ace to #ace with :io. It was an indisputable #act that Itsuwa :io had turned twenty-si( this year. Howeer, wheneer the actual person was in her #ield o# ision, she couldnt help wanting to doubt that truth. Her height was only an inch or two shorter than :ayumis ownB howeer, their #igures were completely di##erent. Her body could be described in one word = undeeloped. There wasnt much about her body that could be called ,womanly. To be truth#ul, she could still moe her legs. 0ut because o# her e(tremely weak constitution, her body could not endure walking #or a long period. &he started using a wheelchair around the time she turned twenty, howeer, because her body had been too weak to e(ercise #or a long enough period o# time. Her appetite was small, which meant that she didnt get enough nourishment, which made her body weak in a icious circle. Her undeeloped #igure was a result o# that. There was ery little bulge in her chest area that could be seen while she was clothed. 2alling her completely #lat wouldnt be much o# an e(aggeration. Her hip area was also as thin as a young girls. :ios body looked like it belonged to someone around the age o# thirteen. Her #acial #eatures matched the youth#ul appearance o# her body. Her style o# clothing completely #it her physical #eatures, and somehow gae o## no hint o# ,womanliness. Howeer her childish looks didnt matterB :io hadnt made any outings a#ter she had graduated #rom college and had made special arrangements to take most o# her college classes online, so why on earth had she come here today? &ecretly, in her mind, :ayumi was scratching her head in pu''lement with the thought o# ,I dont think she is merely accompanying Hiro#umi by any means, though. -e came to say goodbye to you, today. -hen :io broke that news, :ayumis ga'e clouded with disbelie# = or to be correct, she was mysti#ied by the preceding statement. +re you returning to your #amilys main estate? To conceal any obious turmoil = but she had no need to #eel upset = :ayumi replied with a .uestion. The Itsuwa clans main seat was in the 5hime pre#ecture, but because :io needed to commute to uniersity, she had le#t and come to Tokyo to lie her li#e in one o# their other residences. 0ecause her younger brother, Hiro#umi, started college *ust a#ter she graduated, the two lied together. I will return to the main houseB howeer, be#ore that= :io cut o## her words in a #ormal manner to hide her inner laughterB Hiro#umi was purposely changing his e(pression, bringing his brows together sullenly. -e will be going to the #ront. The Aront" youre going into battle9? -hen the meaning o# the words, The Aront, sunk into her brain, :ayumi raised her oice without thinking. =4lease e(cuse my rudeness. 0ut why" :ayumi promptly apologi'ed #or her impropriety and looked at :io and her #ather with con#used eyes. The public announcement will be made ne(t week, but the o##icial decision has been made. The answer came #rom her #ather. :io and her brother are going to stay #or a while at the &asebo )aal baseB #rom there they will go west with the nay by sea. Their destination is something we dont knowB howeer, their purpose is to urge the 8reat +sian +lliance to conclude a peace treaty by making a show o# #orce. "It probably doesnt need to be said, but until the o##icial announcement is made, not a word to anyone. 6es, I understand that. :ayumi readily agreed with her #athers admonishment. )aturally, she was only agreeing to the ,not a word to anyone part. &he understood the reason why the military would deploy :io. The woman was one o# only thirteen publicly acknowledged &trategic :agicians in the world, o# which there were said to be probably less than #i#ty total, the rest o# whom were hidden. The <apanese goernment publicly admitted to haing only one user o# &trategic 2lass :agic. The womans &trategic 2lass :agic ,+byss was a speciali'ed naal attack, but it could also be used e##ectiely on land. <ust by haing her accompany them, they should be able to apply tremendous pressure on the enemy. Howeer, een so, she #elt that it wasnt a ery rational moe at this time. The #ore#ront o# the inasion had been launched against the 6okohama coastal region and the militarys actions at the time had wreaked haoc on the Lorean peninsula, which had actually brought an end to the %ctober JGst stage o# the con#lict. +s long as they werent going to pursue territorial concessions, a counter inasion was already strategically unnecessary. There was no need to say that she #elt the demerits o# going as #ar as to sending :io out #or seeral weeks in her condition, een with all the thorough preparation, were greater than the merits. It was not clear enough to put into words in her mind, but :ayumi #elt a general uneasiness. I will also be going with my elder sister. He was probably gripped with similar #eelings o# dissatis#action. Howeer, this was a goernment decision which the head o# the Itsuwa clan accepted, and could not be oerturned by Hiro#umi. He was someone who could be chosen as the ne(t head o# the Itsuwa clan, but he was not yet the ,ne(t headB at this stage, the situation could not be changed by any ob*ections he raised. His decision to at least accompany his elder sister in order to help her showed in Hiro#umis #ace. The truth is... 4erhaps desiring to change the ambience brought about by her brothers mood, :ios tone switched to a *oking one. I did want to see :ayumi-san become my brothers bride howeer. This certainly resulted in a change in the mood. =)onetheless, it was in the opposite direction o# what she intended. This remark, un#ortunately, continued the preious topic and no one laughed at what was commonly called a ,death omen type o# *oke. )ee-san. "Im sorry. -ithin the increasingly serious atmosphere, :io gae a mourn#ul cry and become completely crest#allen. +h, well, well take up that conersation once again when Hiro#umi- kun returns. >ue to his #eelings o# responsibility as a host, Louichi promptly coered up the ga##e and returned the weak smile to :ios #aceB as a result o# the paucity o# choices #or their e(pressions, :ayumi and Hiro#umi went e(pressionless. There was a reason :ayumi did not gie a ,its been a while to Hiro#umi. This was the reason :ayumiIs thoughts scattered when it turned out that :io was not simply accompanying Hiro#umi. Hiro#umi was one o# the candidates to become :ayumis betrothed. Howeer, since Hiro#umi wasnt the eldest child o# the Itsuwa 2lan, it might be better to say :ayumi was one o# the candidates to become Hiro#umis betrothed. They were both direct descendants o# the Ten :aster 2lans and close in ageB one was an heir and one was the eldest daughter o# the main #amily with an elder brother who was the principal heir = the conditions could be called .uite #aorable. To tell the truth, the conditions were the same with the <uumon*i clans Latsuto, and Louichi was thinking about which one he wanted to marry :ayumi o## to. 1The Ichi*ou clans :asaki was e(cluded because he was younger than :ayumi.3 %# course, the people in .uestion had their own opinions on the matter and there were other arranged marriage talks that hadnt .uite become engagementsB howeer, :ayumi and Hiro#umi o#ten dined together and went to the theater together in a #amily setting with both the &aegusa and Itsuwa clans. =>espite the e(pectations o# the adults, the pair themseles werent interested, hence the mutual poker #aces. Howeer, always ,silently going along only made their moods worsen, which was something :ayumi knew .uite well. 0y the way, when do you leae? -ith the redirected #low o# conersation, a relieed atmosphere that could not .uite be concealed arose = :ayumi was dissatis#ied with this weakness = and Hiro#umi answered. -e go to &asebo at the end o# this weekB I heard that the ship departs Ariday o# ne(t week. +s #or :ayumi, while she was preoccupied with her unhappiness, she did not #orget to learn the details. Those are certainly .uick arrangements" -ell, please take care. -e will await your sa#e return. Impeccably disguised behind her cats mask, :ayumi leaned #orward in her seat. Thank you. :ayumi turned her ga'e to her own toes and considered that they were probably done with her. 0e#ore we leae to go to the #ront, could we hae :ayumi-sans assistance" Hence when she heard Hiro#umi say this, it was a little di##icult #or her to control the speed with which she looked up. :y assistance? -hile implicitly e(pressing the opinion that ,there is nothing I can do #or you, she deliberately tilted her head in a childish manner. Her rock-like classmate would probably pay it no mind and her mature = she would call him ,impertinent = underclassman would see through it and look at her with pretended boredom, but Hiro#umi .uit trying to conceal his unrest and let his eyes water. )o, rather than assistance, we want you to lend us your insight. Howeer, it didnt work on :io. -as it because her e##ect was predictably weaker on her own se(, or maybe because :io looked so young hersel#, that she saw her as an ,older woman. :ayumi-san has already been in#ormed, which will make this a .uick conersation. -e dont hae enough time #or a preliminary inestigation. Thats true. I understand. :io appeared distressed to her core, with her hand on her cheek. 2ertainly, her speech and manner inoked some #eeling that she was an older woman. )eertheless, the impression that she was a child oerreaching hersel# was strong = she roused amusement rather than interest. Howeer, that did not make :ayumi rela(B she concealed her wariness as she agreed with :io. C:agic is resisted by magic. :agicians by magicians. That, I think is surely what we hae in common. Hiro#umi continuedB receiing his sisters support, 1?3 his calm had returned. 0y ,in common, he un.uestionably meant between <apan and the 8reat +sian +lliance. -ith that interpretation, :ayumi waited #or his ne(t words. I will be accompanying my sisterB the other side has undoubtedly reali'ed this. :ayumi concurred with Hiro#umis statement and displayed her agreement. In the #irst place, the <apanese side had no intention o# concealing :ios deploymentB besides :io and Hiro#umis #ull identities, their membership as o##icers deployed in war and capabilities were well known. &o under the circumstances they were e(pected. In order #or a checkmate to be e##ectie, you had to let your opponent know about it. In other words, a secret weapon is not good material to get your adersary to negotiate a compromise. The other side understands it is at a disadantage in naal combat with )ee-sans +byss. There#ore, we anticipate a counter attack combining aerial combat power with magic. The :oement type-&trategic 2lass :agic ,+byss was a magic capable o# creating a spherical depression capable o# e(tending #rom a #ew tens o# meters to seeral kilometers. /essels caught within the magical 'one at sea slide down the steep walls o# water, tumbling aboutB then, upon cancellation o# the magic, are swallowed up by massie waes as the sea returns to a hori'ontal plane. The hemisphere can be created up to a kilometer in depth, easily catching submerged submarines as well. I# the distance between the two adersaries was too close, the water moements could cause damage to ones own side as well. The &trategic :agic :io possessed, with its great range, could be called the natural enemy o# naal power. Howeer, at the same time, :ios ,+byss was completely powerless against an air #orce. &he couldnt inoke it without a continuous water sur#ace, and to use it on land, she had to know be#orehand that there was a subterranean source o# water she could use = there were arious conditions #or its use. -ith the enemys battle #ormation that Hiro#umi spoke o#, she had no other option. The air #orces will be le#t to the <>&AB we must think how to deal with the magicians. This was also a #act she could not dispute. In #orm and substance, the magician community headed by the Ten :aster 2lans within <apan = whether they were magicians attached to the goernment, attached to the military, attached to a ciilian institution, modern magicians or sorcerers o# ancient magic = were sel# reliant. The magicians who would probably be accompanying the military were included in that ,we. :ayumi-san, did you see our magician allies repulse the enemy and enemy magic at 6okohama? I would like you to tell us about the aspects o# the enemy magic you saw and the e##ectie magic that was used against it. +ctually, this was a di##icult, dangerous .uestion. &he did not doubt the necessity o# proiding in#ormation and she would not re#use to do things she could not re#use to do. =That was how it was. "5en though I saw enemy magic, I was always in the rear, and the only time I actually crossed swords with them was when I was attacking #rom a helicopter. +ctually she had directly contributed to the destruction o# a tank twice, but :ayumi was not intentionally lying. It simply had not le#t an impression. He did not doubt :ayumis wordsB howeer, Hiro#umi was not satis#ied with her answer. Then you were assisting with the ciilian eacuation until the end. 0y ,ciilian,, he meant the non-magicians. :agicians were recogni'ed as a special e(istenceB usually :ayumi #elt sorry #or both sides o# the narrow iew that people that werent magicians were powerless. Howeer, this was not the time to point that out. Til the end would be wrong, but" while I was waiting #or the copter, students #rom my year and below held them o##. Then cant you introduce us to these people? The Airst High &chool students who actually #ought against the 8reat +sian +llianceIs magicians. -hen Hiro#umi said it, right away he came to mind. The mature, impudent, yet reliable underclassman. The #irst year who changed a gigantic truck into dust, was encased by glittering psions, and used a miraculous healing method. )onetheless, immediately a#terward, nearly simultaneously, the recalled words )ational &ecret paraly'ed her tongue. :ayumi-san? The #altering :ayumi was being e(amined by :ios suspicious eyes. :io was not the only one looking at her suspiciously. Hiro#umi = and anyway her #ather = were looking at her with doubt, and :ayumi recogni'ed their impatience. +h, no" thats right. I# you isit the <uumon*i #amily, I think you will hear a thorough report. >o you mean Latsuto-kun" Hiro#umi was by no means an unpleasant personB naturally he was a nice boy, but :ayumi had #elt #or some time that actually meant a little too agreeable. &he knew Hiro#umi #elt in#erior and competitie with the boy two years younger than him and understood it to be natural. Howeer, at this point in time, she didnt #eel displaying *ealousy was all that praiseworthy. =)ot only that, but letting a younger #emale discern it. The ,passable grades she had put #or him on one sheet o# the report card in her heart were all insincere. The others, who should be use#ul" would probably be the Hundred Aamilies -atanabe :ari, Isori Lei, and 2hiyoda Lanon. I will contact them all #or you. 4lease do. -ell, i# all you do is #ind #ault with your associate, you will not #eel good either. :ayumi gae them the names and promised to set up the meetings in a businesslike #ashion. ? ? ? +#terward, she called :ari, Lei and Lanon right then and there 1Latsuto wasnt home3, she set up appointments with all o# them and, along with her #ather, saw the Itsuwa siblings o##. :ayumi really wanted to sigh when they le#t, but peeping at her #athers #ace told her it would be a little while be#ore she was set #ree. :ayumi, I want to talk a littleB you dont mind do you? +s she had e(pected, *ust as she returned #rom the hotel si'ed porch to the entrance hall you could probably dance in, Louichi called out to :ayumi to stop. @ets talk in the study. He .uickly walked away without waiting #or an answer. Louichi presented an outward appearance o# an elite businessman o# the middle o# the last century. +nyone would say his health was #ragile = his #ace was more sociable than digni#ied and the tone o# his oice was gentle to match that, but like all the other heads o# the Ten :aster 2lans, no member o# his #amily would disagree with &aegusa Louichi. +nd it was not :ayumis style to take a meaningless rebellious attitude. -hile wearing a long sleeed sti## one-piece that she normally wouldnt wear, :ayumi trailed a#ter her #athers back. The study had a classic bookcase, a massie desk, and a single leather chair. Louichi promptly sat down, #orcing :ayumi to listen to her #athers words while standing. &ince this is what he always did, :ayumi was not bothered by it. There were no #irst year students in the list o# names you gae :ayumi. Louichi broached the sub*ect with his daughter who was standing about two meters away #rom him without preliminaries. >idnt I hear that the daughter o# the 2hiba 2lan and the second son o# the 6oshida 2lan played an actie role? :ayumi murmured ,;accoon!J$ >ad in her head. Louichis physi.ue was more #o( than raccoon and more wol# than #o(, howeer, :ayumi was con#ident that her #ather couldnt tell what she was thinking #rom her outer appearance. >espite that, they are still #irst years, so I didnt think they could e(plain things well to Hiro#umi-san and :io-san. 1)eertheless, he probably got the details #rom )akura-san.3 -hile watching her #ather murmur II see,I :ayumi thought that. In general, this is the same as the harsh cross-e(amination she receied *ust yesterdayB his persistence was more hunting dog than raccoon, she cursed in her head. Howeer, didnt they make unthinkable great strides #or #irst years? 5specially that girl who also played a ery actie role in the )ine &chools 2ompetition= 6ou mean :iyuki-san? Thats right, &hiba :iyuki-kun. &he #elt like the #rames o# the lightly tinted glasses he wore #or show were emitting a sparkling light. These spectacles were supposedly to conceal the #act that his right eye was a #alse eyeB howeer, because they didnt contain any special gimmick #or doing so, :ayumi had her doubts about that. &he seemed like a ery e(cellent girl. + ice president in the newly seated student council and, i# all goes properly, she will become student council president like you, :ayumi. 6es, shes a ery e(cellent child. In addition to being a ery beauti#ul child. %h, thats what she looks like in :ayumis eyes? >o you mean een #rom a #emales perspectie? 6ea, I think :iyuki- sans beauty is obious to either se(. Louichis lips twitched a little. )o trace o# lust could be seen in the le#t eye inside the glasses. &uch a thing especially sparked :ayumis wariness. 0e that as it may" managing to use magic o# such high degree o# di##iculty as ,In#erno and ,)i#lheim" Id like to meet her once. 2ant you introduce her to our #amily? +aah" Ill hae to ask about that. Thats right, couldnt you ask about that #or me? 2ome to think o# it, Im #airly certain that :iyuki has an elder brother? >idnt you say that he helped you out :ayumi, at the )ine &chools 2ompetition? This is a good chanceB I will gie him my thanks at the same time = it would be good i# you inited both o# them. The polite smile would not let her read what was going on in his head. The tinted lenses would not let her catch the anticipation in his pupils. =Howeer, she had known him since she was born. &he was already eighteen years old = their relationship was no longer one where only one side #ound the other transparent. 1This was what he was aiming at"93 2ertainly, :ayumi had made )akura promise to keep the secret in the helicopter. The episode concerning Tatsuyas special magic hadnt reached her #athers ears. Howeer, she didnt think he had not told him anything. &he was not that optimistic. )akura was a sly old #o( = he had probably gien his employer hints without breaching his agreement to keep it secret, and her #ather, who was a eteran o# countless battles, would be able to ac.uire much in#ormation #rom that. Her #ather was suspicious o# him = &hiba Tatsuya. +dditionally, it seemed to be about ,something unknown een to hersel#. -ithin :ayumi, the desire to #ind out also smouldered, but een now, the #eeling that she should aoid touching this mystery was still stronger. &he unconsciously #eared touching this mystery would destroy their current relationship. Ill try asking" It took eerything she had to make that answer. ? ? ? The head o# the &aegusa 2lan secluded himsel# #or a while in the study, looking at the desk, when the small sound o# a knock on the door caused him to look up. 5nter. The door to the study was di##erent #rom the door to the reception roomB it didnt hae a speaker built into it. +ccording to common sense, a .uiet sound like a whisper shouldnt pass through the massie door and walls #rom the hallway. Howeer, the knock didnt repeat and the door opened without a sound. The one who entered was an elderly man with care#ully brushed white hair, )akura the butler. 6our report? The .uestion was a little too #ragmentary, but )akura walked closer as his master indicated and respect#ully o##ered a memory card. Louichi set the paper card with the data printed in a detailed pattern on the micrometer leel into the scanner and called up the decoded document to the wide display on the desk. The GHG Independent :agic-5.uipped 0attalion" bothersome. 2ertainly, this is the unit the 6otsuba are 'ealously approaching? It seems they are in #re.uent contact, but their goal is unknown. I think there is only one reason we would hae #or contacting the military? -hen Louichi said ,we, he wasnt limiting himsel# to the &aegusa 2lan or the Ten :aster 2lans = he meant all the magicians in the country in general. The magicians o# this nation did not want status. The Ten :aster 2lans endorsed by the nation were prohibited #rom ac.uiring #ormal political power. Instead, there was administration, the military, the police and the #inancial worldB in arious aspects, the ones who held political power needed the sponsorship o# magical skills to continue their personal power base. To not be treated as disposable tools, to be tools that continued to be used, they had made themseles indispensable tools and had risen to the position o# serants who manipulated their masters. Aor this purpose, ,to be able to continually be used by them, it was necessary ,to become necessary and temporary alliances were needed. In order to gain that, ability was not enough. + sharp sword produced a #ear in the wielder that its blade would be turned against him. The temporary alliances were relationships o# mutual trust that they would not be betrayed. I# a magician had contact with the military, then it was to ac.uire and maintain that trustB less with the aim o# constructing that relationship than to solidi#y it. &uch thinking was, #or someone who understood the position o# magicians, common sense. Howeer, )akura did not nod his agreement with his masters words. The commander in chie#, :a*or 8eneral &aeki, established the Independent :agic-5.uipped 0attalion with the aim o# haing a magic-e.uipped military #orce independent #rom the Ten :aster 2lans. The commanding o##icer, :a*or La'ama, when commander in chie# Ludou retired #rom military serice, was known as a person who disapproed o# the Ten :aster 2lans. Howeer heretical the 6otsuba 2lan is, I think that it would be di##icult to win oer his battalion. Louichi raised his brows at )akuras words. "Thats the #irst Ie heard o# this. Thats because the Independent :agic-5.uipped 0attalion did not touch the &aegusa 2lans interests. The .uestion o# Iso why do you know about thisI was not drawn out o# Louichis mouth. IAor the sake o# this inestigationI was the only e(cuse he would receie. 0esides, een though the man had sered him #or a long time, Louichi did not think o# )akura as a member o# the &aegusa. +nd that was surely the same #or that man as well. "&o then, why do the 6otsuba remain in contact with the Independent :agic-5.uipped 0attalion? His .uestion was on a di##erent matter. +nd immediately a#ter he asked it, Louichi had an answer #rom himsel#. 4erhaps it is as >anna-sama thinks. )akura did not hae any mind reading skills. Louichi didnt hae any such skill either. )eertheless, without making certain, )akura was con#ident that Louichi had made the same con*ecture he himsel# had. Louichi took the card released #rom the scanner between his inde( and middle #ingers and lightly #licked his hand. The paper card he let #ly #lared with light be#ore instantly burning up. 0e#ore he disposed o# the ashes in the wastebasket, )akura bowed and turned his back. ? ? ? +t the edge o# the &aegusa mansions e(tensie grounds, there was a long, narrow, rectangular, cube-shaped building. This simple but not rustic building was the &aegusa #amilys priate shooting range. 5en i# its called the &aegusa #amilys, the range was actually built #or :ayumi. Aie years be#ore, when :ayumi took her #irst trophy in a national leel tournament, it had been built in commemoration o# that. :ayumi who had been piled with mentally draining things #rom the morning onward, immediately a#ter lunch, came to this shooting range and had already been at it #or three hours. >eterminedly, she shot targets with a long, narrow, cane-shaped speciali'ed 2+> with a handle. 4ierce. >estroy. 7nlike using an actual gun, #iring with magic did not cause a recoil that would hurt her hands but the mental #atigue was naturally harsh. )eertheless, to the e(tremely gloomy :ayumi, this #atigue warmed her heart. -ithout worrying about the pace, she earnestly #ired, and be#ore she knew it, she had depleted the stock o# targets. &he cast her eye at her watch and was surprised by how much time had passedB she placed her 2+> on the rack and started to put eerything else away. =+#ter she started. %nee-chan, IIm back9 Howeer, when she took o## her in#ormation blocking goggles, she receied an embrace #rom behind that she was unprepared #or = a change o# plans was unaoidable. Kasumi-chan" don/t cause problems for nee-sama b) jumpin! at her suddenl)&0 8ee', I'umi, you are such a nag. That/s because Kasumi-chan is so ill-mannered&0 The problem was only a simple stumble and she was immediately released 1Lasumi was torn o## o# :ayumi3 #or which she was, to be #rank, grate#ul #or. Lasumi-chan, I'umi-chan, welcome home. >uring the twins usual spat = that is play#ul bickering = :ayumi restored her posture and came to them. ''m back" nee-sama&0 The girl who politely bowed with her hands together was the younger twin, &aegusa I'umi. + #eminine girl with hair in a straight bob that went to her shoulders. The one who had embraced :ayumi was the elder o# the twins, :ayumis younger sister and I'umis elder sister, &aegusa Lasumi. &he was the opposite o# I'umi, a tomboyish girl with short hair. They were mono'ygotic twins, but because their tastes and manners were completely opposite, ordinarily you wouldnt mistake one #or the other. -hat are you practicing? Its not an actual physical bullet :oement magic. /irtual Aield magic? 1irtual ,rea 23pansion 4enetration ma!ic" ri!ht+ nee-sama has been practicin! this ma!ic often" latel)&0 Howeer, they shared a similar sharp sensitiity toward magic. +nyone would say that :ayumiIs sensitiity towards the practice was superior to her ability with theory, but the twins were the type o# magician that had the same orientation as her. Their ability to discern the identity o# inoked se.uences might be een greater than :ayumis own. <ust now, they had perceied the magic she had used correctly #rom the bullet hole that remained on the target. :ayumi spoiled the twins too much because they were adorable, and the pair adored :ayumi in return. Howeer, lately = perhaps due to their ages = she had noticed them being a little insolent. 5e(ertheless" nee-sama has certainl) been poundin! awa) a lot&0 I'umis sharp eyes perceied the lack o# remains o# the targets, causing her to speak out in a slightly astonished tone. Then, Hiro#umi-san came? Lasumi answered in a smirking oice. %nee-chan, you de#initely get in a bad mood when Hiro#umi-san comes. Her unwaering e(pression disappearedB :ayumi had not thought anyone could see what she was trying to hide. +t any rate, these two were .uite perceptie. %r perhaps I am more easy to read than I belieed, thought :ayumi, becoming a little depressed. I dont think Hiro#umi is all that bad a person. %e isn/t a bad person" but that/s all he is& Such an unreliable person is not suitable for nee-sama&0 I'umi, your scoring is too harsh. %kay, what kind o# person would be alright, how about Latsuto-kun? Hey, Lasumi-chan, <uumon*i-kun and I arent particularly= Thats right, hes not de#icient in good looks but the un#ortunate point about him is that he wouldnt e(actly try to understand a maidens heart. -hy did = :ayumi sincerely thought this = Latsutos name come upB :ayumi hurriedly tried to #i( her younger sisters ,misunderstanding, but neither I'umi nor Lasumi was listening. @ets see, how would I go about making the right guy #or her" +nyway, I thinks its only natural that a guy wouldnt understand a maidens heart since we dont understand what guys are thinking. Lind9 6oure being too kind, Lasumi-chan9 Its enough that a maiden understands a mans heart a#ter they become loers9 In order to make a maidens heart his, #irst the man must understand the maidens heart. C+ maidens heart", #ine. &o, what would be necessary other than good looks?C @oe, absolutely" I# theres a sudden hurdle thats too high, a #ierce true loe should awaken, right. -ee been together since birth, but I didnt know you were this much o# a romanticist 1spelled as person with the mindset o# a little girl3, I'umi. I thought you were only being rigid. I #eel like you meant something else when you said ,romanticist" well, enough about that. 0esides, I am not a romanticist" Lasumi- chanB you *ust dont care enough about this stu##. -hateer, IIm not ery girlish anyway. &o, a#ter all, who is allowed to be loed by %nee-chan? &omeone like Hattori-san? Lasumi-chan9 How do you know Han'ou-kuns name9? +ppearing out o# nowhere 1actually shed been there #rom the start3, :ayumi was between them because she couldnt *ust silently listen to these words. :ayumi had absolutely no recollection o# introducing Hattori to her younger sisters. %# course, we would know about any annoying bugs bu''ing around %nee-sama I'umi-chan, I dont beliee it, you two haent been spying on me, hae you9? It doesnt..., its none o# your business who I date or anything else9 -rong, %nee-chan. I'umi and I hae school, so theres no way we can go around spying on you, so there9 16oue been using other people to do it9?3 &he was only screaming in her mind, so o# course it could not be heard by other people. Howeer, perhaps the twins could hear it somehow, but :ayumi couldnt see them acting like they did #rom their behaior. 0esides, Lasumi-chan and I worry about %nee-sama? In spite o# %nee-sama being so beauti#ul, youe neer had a boy#riend and youre already eighteen" 6oure een about to graduate high school. Its not that I cant, my social standing" &he was aware that saying she *ust hadnt made one sounded ery much like an e(cuse. 5en worse, a #airly ,wretched e(cuse or perhaps a ,pathetic kind o# e(cuse. Hey, arent you two in the same boatB a#ter all, you two haent dated anyone either. &o she tried to rapidly change the sub*ectB howeer, :ayumi was not aware that this was also a pretty piti#ul comment. =7ntil her sisters counterattack. &o what, I'umi and I are still #i#teen. +s #or loe con#essions, I receied two today. They were politely re#used. ,This e(perience is not all that uncommon. 6oure rigid, I'umi. -ouldnt it be all right to try dating them #or a little while. Lasumi-chan is too cruel. 7ndoubtedly, all o# Lasumi-chans boy#riends dont think o# Lasumi-chan as ,a mere #riend" I# you keep up with that la( behaior, sooner or later something bad will happen. -ell aware o# her own patheticness, :ayumi #ell into a depression to the 08: o# her sisters conersation. ? ? ? November 4th. +t last, it was the noon break o# the #irst day o# restarted classes. 4resident = I mean, :ayumi-san. 6ou seem a little tired. -orried looks were being directed at :ayumi, who was isiting the student council room to help deal with the #ollow-ups, by +'usa. Hmm, a bit. 0ut Im #ine. -ouldnt it be better i# you waited till ne(t week" Today was Ariday. There was lessons on &aturday as well, but third years didnt actually hae to attend school, and the number o# them doing sel#-study at home today and tomorrow was not small. I thought I could not endure becoming een more worn out. I see. &o you le#t and came to school? +'usa tilted her head, staring in pu''lement at :ayumis reply. -ell, coming to school because staying home was een more e(hausting was probably something other people could not understand. &he #elt e(plaining would be somewhat embarrassing. Thus, :ayumi did not answer +'usas .uestion and yawned a small ,aah with one hand coering her mouth. &he #olded both arms on the table. Then, rested her cheek on them. &he #elt that +'usas eyes widened when she suddenly laid down and began to do'e, but :ayumi paid her no mind and began breathing like she was soundly asleep. #fter$or%