Volume 14, Chapter 2

This chapter is updated by wuxiaworld.eu

September 29, Saturday. This year, both the general student body meeting and the election of the student body president finished without drama. In order to prevent invalid ballots like last year’s in the ceremonial election, from this year on, disposable short‐range wireless cards were distributed when the students entered, the cards were adapted to become voting apparatus when they got to their seats. As in most years there was only one candidate, ‘Approved’ and ‘Opposed’ buttons had been provided on the card. It was designed to transmit which button was pressed so that the votes could be tallied.

Once the electronic message was sent, the cards were thrown away. The electronic tags on the cards were developed enough to be called cheap but it was still more expensive than paper. Was this truly necessary expenditure for a simple high school election was a natural thought. However, with the donation of the cards from a company affiliated with the Kitayama clan, the problem was resolved and this method was adopted. Consequently, Shizuku’s family made a belated expansion into the commercial field of academic magic by effectively securing a foothold at First High.

Putting aside those adult considerations, the new method of electronic voting allowed real time results, and so Miyuki was invested into the office of Student body president with a roughly one hundred percent ‘approved’. No one was hitting ‘opposed’ even as a joke, was this adoration or fear… It was too difficult to determine which it was.

“And so, let us celebrate Miyuki’s inauguration as student council president. Cheers!”

At Erika’s prompt, every one hoisted up their soft drink glasses up. The chorus of cheers came from the relatives, friends and kouhai that had assembled at Einebriese; essentially from: Tatsuya, Leo, Mizuki, Mikihiko, Honoka, Shizuku, Minami, Izumi, Kasumi and Kento. Kasumi didn’t hang out with Tatsuya’s group all that much but today Izumi had dragged her.

“Well. It’s inevitable to call it inevitable.”

No one contested the comment Erika made immediately after the toast.

“Of course! It’s unthinkable for anyone other than Miyuki‐senpai to be First High’s student council president! No one else is fit to represent the school in ability! Talent! Beauty! Elegant deportment! The results were a heavenly judgement!”

Instead of a person the remark, there was an extremely agitated underclassman.

“Uh, oh really?”

The seated Miyuki cringed severely at the aggressive enthusiasm. Kasumi felt like throwing in the towel at her younger twin’s shameful behavior so she sipped her drink as if it had nothing to do with her.

“Miyuki, have you decided who the officers are?”

While everyone else‐‐‐even Tatsuya‐‐‐was hesitating to speak, Shizuku gallantly asked the question or rather she was completely ignoring Izumi.

At her words, Izumi gazed at Miyuki even more fervently. Honoka was also deeply interested but her eyes flickered back and forth between Miyuki and Tatsuya evenly.

Miyuki was aware of both of their gazes but, she pretended she wasn’t aware of either‐‐‐especially Izumi’s‐ ‐‐as she answered Shizuku’s question.

“I thought I would ask Izumi‐chan to be vice president”

Izumi’s cry of joy was indistinguishable from a scream; naturally, even more embarrassed Kasumi shut her mouth and pretended the scene had nothing to do with her harder.

“I am still deciding about the other officers. I think I want Honoka’s help as well but…..”

As she spoke, Miyuki cast a flickering look not at Honoka but at Tatsuya.

It might have been due to Miyuki’s display of hesitation, neither Shizuku nor Honoka ventured more questions.

Although there were some rambunctious female students, generally speaking, the party remained peaceful and respectful of the cafe’s ambiance until it ended. Since it was Saturday, they left the shop before sunset. That being said, when Tatsuya and the girls arrived at their house the western sky had turned from dark bright red to indigo.

Appetizers had accompanied the cuisine they had ordered at Einebriese but they were eating a suitable quantity. Tomorrow was Sunday and neither Tatsuya, Miyuki nor Minami had had dinner yet today.

Miyuki and Minami started a slight tiff over who would pour the tea but, Tatsuya’s authoritative declaration of ‘Today is a celebration for Miyuki after all’ made Miyuki return from the kitchen, a measure that incited a temporary peace, and sat down next to him fairly close.

Minami entered the living room carrying a tray when she saw them together her eyebrows twitched in surprise. However, she said nothing, she showed no more emotion, she placed milk tea in front of Miyuki and coffee in front of Tatsuya and stood to the side of the table.

Tatsuya did not even tell Minami to ‘sit’ today. Rather, he intended to release her from her housework and ask her to leave the room. However, Miyuki wished to discuss something with Minami and spoke to her before taking her teacup.

“Minami‐chan.”

“Yes, Miyuki‐neesama.”

“By the way, I wish you to join the student council as the secretary, Minami‐chan.”

Minami’s expression did not overtly change but, her body stiffened as if under pressure. And even people other than Tatsuya would notice that she was unmistakably keeping herself from trembling.

“...agreed”

The tone was more stiff than humble as she gave Miyuki a very short reply.

If she spoke honestly, Minami would probably be resisting the idea of joining the student council. However, she also understood being attached to the student council was somewhat convenient for fulfilling her duties as a guardian. Her half‐hearted reply just now was a sign of her inner conflict.

“That’s right. It would also be useful to get around the CAD restrictions. Minami should become a student council officer.”

“You’re right, Onii‐sama.”

Tatsuya supported Miyuki’s idea and Miyuki happily bridged the gap between them.

Watching the distance between her sibling masters become near zero, Minami realized that it would be futile to say anything.

Tatsuya might have been reluctant‐‐‐Miyuki was probably even more reluctant‐‐‐but the siblings were unable to end the day with only this type of peaceful problem. After teatime was partly over, Tatsuya went to his own room and got that phone to make a phone call. The number he called was a direct line to the Yotsuba clan head. However, Maya did not answer the phone.

[Tatsuya‐dono, I am sorry but this is inconvenient for Okusama right now]

He was so informed by Hayama who answered instead; the brusque explanation did not even say what she was doing. Apparently, she was pretending to be out, Tatsuya thought.

However, he did not feel like asking why. It was unnecessary to inform Maya of tonight’s business directly. It was good to have an alibi when informing her of his business. Giving an apologetic message to Hayama was a smoother way of fulfilling his purpose than talking to Maya.

“So then, will you pass on a message to Obaue regarding the duty I undertook the other day”

[Please go on.]

Hayama might have anticipated the request, his agreement was rather prompt.

“I wish to borrow help from the Kudou clan to search for the target. I have already arranged for a meeting with the former Kudou clan head through the Fujibayashi clan.”

[Ohhh…]

He could not discern just from the voice whether Hayama was actually surprised or merely pretending to be surprised. It was doubtful that he could tell even if he saw his face.

[You are not asking the Independent Battalion for aid; you are asking help from Kudou‐kakka?]

“Wherever the original request came from, I believe it is best to avoid asking aid from the military regarding Yotsuba business.”

[You don’t mind asking a favor from the Kudou clan?]

“There is a high probability that this Zhou is allied with the ‘Traditionalists’, right? If that is so, then a good plan would be to ask for aid from the clans of ‘nine’ who have a long standing antagonistic relationship with the ‘Traditionalists’. Besides, the Kudou clan owes us a personal favor over last month’s incident. If the time between receiving the favor and repaying the favor gets too long, things get uncomfortable; I believe it is best if the scales get balanced before that happens.”

Hayama’s amused laugh could be heard from the receiver. This was apparently genuine amusement. He hadn’t particularly aimed for this to happen thought Tatsuya as he apathetically waited for Hayama’s reply.

[Despite your youth, you understand the ways of the world quite well, Tatsuya‐dono.]

It might be called a benefit of maturity, Hayama quickly recovered from his fit of laughter. He did not conceal his amusement, however.

[Certainly, asking for aid from the Kudou clan at this time is a wise choice in many respects. Fine. I will inform Okusama.]

“Please do so.”

Despite knowing it wouldn’t be seen, Tatsuya bowed his head to the transceiver.

[As a condition for getting help, detailed reports are not necessary. Since the other party is military and one of the Ten Master clans, I will inform Okusama to leave this matter to Tatsuya‐dono’s discretion.]

After firing off his big parting shot, Hayama cut off the connection.

◊ ◊ ◊

Hayama, who had spoken to Tatsuya with the receiver in speaker mode, hung up the phone and bowed deeply to the wall opposite the desk.

“It is as you heard, Okusama.”

Tatsuya’s deduction about Maya’s being out was right on the mark. However, for her to be in the same room listening to him speak was completely beyond his expectations.

Maya had been forcibly keeping her mouth shut for a while. Apparently, stifling her laughter had been an extreme hardship. Perhaps she was aware that Hayama addressing her meant that the phone call was over, she let out a laugh that was unbecoming of a lady.

Even faced with the tarnishment of his mistress’s dignified manner, Hayama’s deferential attitude did not change. Not only did he not verbally admonish her, he did not direct even a shard of disapproval with his eyes toward Maya.

However, Maya might have felt uncomfortable under his stoic gaze, her laughter soon faded away.

“Please forgive me, Hayama‐san. What Tatsuya‐san said was so adorable, I couldn’t restrain myself.”

Maya used a handkerchief to wipe away the few tears that had leaked from her eyes. Thus, her expression switched to complete seriousness.

“Who on earth has been filling up that boy with such twisted wisdom?”

And Maya cocked her head with a serious expression.

“I am not aware of any error in Tatsuya‐dono’s stated reasoning.”

“In one aspect, he’s correct but it’s not normal.”

Hayama avouched a defense of Tatsuya. Perhaps, for that reason, Maya replied with a disinterested tone and look.

“Although ordinarily, an exchange of favors would deepen bonds.”

“Tatsuya‐dono does not need bonds born from an exchange of favors, right.”

“Ah, youth.”

Hayama neither agreed nor disagreed with those words. However, sensing her frivolity was inviting censure, Maya changed the subject.

“By the way, how is the search for Zhou Gongjin going? I wonder if there are any new clues.”

The quick change of topic did not faze him; there was no hesitation in Hayama’s reply.

“There are no new clues. Unfortunately, there’s been nothing since he fled after the small scale battle near Kyoto’s Sanzen‐in at the end of last month.”

“So that’s where we lost his trail. Since it would be undesirable for a foreign magician to incur the wrath of a famous temple like Sanzen‐in in this country…...the ‘Traditionalists’ are probably at work behind the scenes.”

Maya murmured in a disgusted tone. I have heard that they say that in order to protect the traditions of ancient magic, they have combined their schools. However, actually while this band of ancient magicians known as the ‘Traditionalists’ cooperated with the former Lab 9 for their own purposes for the childish reason of not getting the results they wanted, they hold a grudge against the clans of ‘9’ who they mistakenly blame, prompting their unprincipled and disorderly acts of hostility and harassment. Maya hated their childish mentality in a way that was different from their hatred towards the clans of ‘9’.

“Okusama, is it alright not to pass this information on to Tatsuya‐dono?”

“No need. Mitsugu san is thoroughly investigating the vicinity of Oohara, right? Besides, that man is probably not going to stay in the same area for long.”

Hayama bowed his head acknowledging his mistress’ point.

◊ ◊ ◊

Tatsuya’s daily pattern had recently become to spend evenings at Yakumo’s temple on the practical development of a new magic, have early morning practices after he awoke, he had school afterwards if it was a weekday, and if it was a weekend developing the theory of the new magic.

Today, Sunday, September 30th. On this day as well, after breakfast, Tatsuya secluded himself in the underground lab to wrestle with the problem of debugging the new magic.

“...no problem with the process that produces Baryon. From the beginning, it was something that could be done based off just the analysis and maintaining the necessary standards of speed and uniform composition is possible.”

He was not murmuring a monologue without thinking, he was doing it consciously. Tatsuya was so far at the end of his rope right now that if he did not voice his ideas, they wouldn’t settle in his mind.

“Next, there are no problems with the movement type spell according to the simulation. It is essentially the same as the movement of gas after all. There is also the trick of using Lorentz power like Lina but, considering the nature of FAE, moving it directly by magic is probably faster.”

Tatsuya sighed deeply. In the end, these were his only conclusions.

“As I thought, the key is structuring it so the movement type magic finishes within the time meant by FAE?”

After using analytical magic, he concluded he had to complete the movement type magic in the minuscule amount of time before the laws of physics regained its coercive power. For just outputting the magic sequence, he had an advantage over a normal magician due to his ability to flashcast. However, in order to complete the magic, interference power was essential. For Tatsuya who originally only had interference power for ‘Analytical’ use and ‘revival’ use, this was a serious problem.

Tatsuya felt that he needed to change his mood so he went up one floor around noon.

He perceived the abnormality immediately after he finished ascending the stair. When he examined the inside of the house, there was a non‐human presence.

“A synthetic body? No. An artificial spirit?”

Artificial spirit was the name, modern magic assigned to a certain type of ‘sequence’ (a shikigami or a shiki). ‘Spirit’ was a natural phenomenon that accompanied a psion information body described by the information dimension that continued to remain as an independent psion information body after applicable phenomenon terminated. This man made ‘spirit’ developed by processes mainly induced by ancient magic techniques for creating independent information bodies was an ‘artificial spirit’. However, all independent information bodies with the potential to be subjugated that can be summoned by a ‘sequence’ were not manufactured by these techniques; psion information that possessed a naturally developed pushion information body as a core that could be captured and enslaved were rather numerous.

The independent information body stopped in midair as if it was clinging to the overhang of the house’s wall. These spells were the same as the protective spells to keep out intruders on First High’s outer wall. That being said…

(Since I don’t know what kind of data it’ll be able to glean.)

Tatsuya did not think his knowledge of magic sequences was complete. The ‘Shiki’ could be equipped with a function he didn’t know of, he could not ignore the possibility that it could search the inside of the house from outside the wall of defensive spells.

Once again, Tatsuya directed his ‘eye’ through the walls to the artificial spirit.

He analyzed the structural information.

The independent information body was constructed of nothing but psions.

The lack of a pushion core meant it was an artificial spirit as he thought. And so like a magic sequence, he could analyze it completely.

Tatsuya extended his right hand toward the artificial spirit. There was no CAD in that hand.

“Variable input: locked on structural data of the artificial spirit.”

Instead of outputting an activation sequence from a CAD, the magic sequence construction process surged from the data center of Tatsuya’s magic calculation area and sent it into the actualization sector.

“Magic sequence projection: ‘Dissection’ activate”

An invisible flash burst.

The bonds that formed the construction information of the artificial spirit were all completely severed; the psion information body became a chaotic clump of psions and was engulfed by the information dimension.

Just as he opened the door to the living room, Miyuki exhorted Tatsuya.

“Onii‐sama, what on earth was that just now?”

Even though it was labeled exhorting, Miyuki was not angry with Tatsuya; the foremost emotion on her face was anxiety.

“You know what happened just now?”

Tatsuya expressed his astonishment. Apparently, Miyuki sensed his usage of ‘dissection’. His concern over the detection of his magic usage seemed to be in one respect an expression of his pride in not having easily detectable magic but Tatsuya had no such conceit. Minami who had trailed after Miyuki when she came out clearly did not understand the siblings’ conversation.

“I didn’t sense it well enough to say that I know what happened but… I feel as if Onii‐sama used ‘dissection’.”

“Aah. An artificial spirit was examining the inside of the house.”

Tatsuya hadn’t intended to inform her himself but he also didn’t intend to conceal it so, he answered yes to his sister’s question and explained the situation.

“Perhaps, it’s related to the job you accepted last month.”

“Is this the deed of the person called Zhou Gongjin?”

“Maybe an underling, It’s probably the work of compatriots of those who are sheltering him.”

After he said that, Tatsuya let out an unusually clear sigh.

“Fumiya and his sister were followed?”

Miyuki and Minami’s eyes widened at his murmur.

“Can’t be… a tail would not be permitted with Ayako‐chan around.”

Miyuki’s shock even overcame her firm belief that everything Tatsuya said was correct but Minami did not have the latitude to feel doubt.

“It could have been done deliberately.”

“Ayako‐chan purposely let someone tail her to this house!?”

Psions coiled around Miyuki.

It was a harbinger of a magic explosion.

However, Miyuki was maturing. Before she unconsciously actualized magic, she intentionally clamped it down. Tatsuya’s eyes narrowed as he watched the process.

“I think it was slightly different. Most likely Ayako ….no, not just Ayako but Fumiya as well might have been forbidden to act against the tail even if they spotted them.”

Listening to her brother’s guess restored Miyuki’s calm but not be any means completely.

“By who… that shouldn’t be considered. For what reason.”

“I can’t get the truth without asking but, they might intend to use me as a decoy.”

“They dare!?”

“Miyuki, don’t be angry. I said we can’t know the truth without asking, right.”

“But…”

Miyuki had already fallen into the trap of ‘not considering any alternatives’. However, Tatsuya did not rebuke her for that.

“Besides, it is reasonable to use me as a decoy. The opponent this time is an opponent capable of gravely injuring Kuroba Mitsugu. Even though it’s in hand, they don’t know it’s a pestle. Having me who won’t fall to anything but a fatal wound bear the full brunt is not a mistake tactically.”

So don’t be angry about it, Tatsuya smiled. “Onii‐sama!”

However, this reply indicated Miyuki wouldn’t permit any more of this decoy stuff.

“Please, do not talk anymore about carelessly risking your body! It’s not alright as long as you don’t die or as long as no wounds remain, even you should understand that!”

The unthinkable menacing look from Miyuki halted any excuses from Tatsuya. “Please, Onii‐sama think about how I will feel before you let yourself get injured!”

“...sorry.”

Tatsuya somehow squeezed out an apology,

“Minami, sorry for making you wait. You have made the preparations for lunch, right?” Then he changed the subject and addressed Minami.

“Yes, Tatsuya‐oniisama. Please come into the dining room, you too Miyuki‐oneesama.” Minami did not consider ‘troubling Tatsuya a little’; she was genuinely a good obedient girl.

◊ ◊ ◊

Tatsuya analyzed the human construct spirit aka the shikigami and around that time.

“Uuhhaa!?”

In a small park about five hundred meters from Tatsuya’s house, a male around thirty sitting on a bench suddenly let out a high‐pitched noise.

The male sitting next to him flusteredly looked right to left several times. The attention obstruction barrier, he had put up, was functioning normally. While they knew that their images and voices did not register into anyone’s memory, even so he whispered ‘What happened?”.

“The shikigami was erased…”

“Erased? Not reversal or theft?”

“Neither, I think.”

The man being questioned turned his head to the left and right a number of times as he said ‘I don’t know why’.

“The feedback from the Shikigami abruptly disappeared.”

“Are you saying a person in that house used an obscure Buddhist unraveling incantation?”

“Wrong! …no, I don’t know.”

His confusion reaching it’s peak, the man who had made the high pitched sound calmed down somewhat.

“I don’t feel the signal the spell emits. It’s the same for you, right?”

“That, well, it’s true but…”

This pair of ancient magicians had divvied up the job of searching of Tatsuya’s house between them. One manipulated the shikigami and the other maintained the security. The one in charge of security in order to prevent injuries caused by a ‘reversal’, in addition to the barrier spell, deployed a magical radar to detect signs of magic.

“However, there shouldn’t be a way to spontaneously dissolve a shikigami without interfering by that arcane art, right? I don’t believe your control of the shikigami faltered.”

“Of course not! But…..”

His expression once again confused, the man turned his head while it was still aimed downward. A shadow suddenly fell on the ground his gaze was aimed at.

The two men looked up in surprise. Their shock was from the fact that there was a sign that someone had clearly approached them without them being aware of it while they had a barrier to keep people approaching them up, however, that shock over the enemy shadow turned to wariness and belligerence.

The person standing before them was wearing buddhist garments. He was wearing an overhanging wicker hat and monk’s stole and had a vajra bell in one hand.

The men knew from their investigation of the target of the friendly relationship between the Shiba siblings and Kyuuchou temple. The fact that the famed Kokonoe Yakumo was the master of Kyuuchou temple had been deeply etched into their minds since they had taken on this duty. The pair’s eyes met instantly, they chose flight over a pre‐emptive strike.

The instant their hips rose, as if he had anticipated that moment, the monk standing before the pair rang the vajra bell.

The clear timbre resounded at the pair from three directions.

With shocked expressions, the man seated on the left looked left and the man seated on the right looked right.

Two monks identical to the one in front were waving vajra bells in exactly the same manner.

The pair who had started to stand lost power in their legs.

By the moment the pair realized they under a spell, their minds were already halfway unconscious.

◊ ◊ ◊

Tatsuya visited Kyuuchou Temple to borrow the underground training room and was promptly invited into a room in the monks’ quarter when he arrived. It was the same room; he had met with Yakumo to consult with him on the Parasite Doll matter in. Yakumo sat down at the same time as Tatsuya and started the conversation without a preamble.

“It seems like you’re entangled in another troublesome matter.”

With just that, Tatsuya was aware that this was about today’s shikigami incident.

“I’m sorry, have I caused you difficulties?”

If you thought about it then Yakumo's usage of long distance monitoring spells in broad daylight on those who could be said to be under his protection in a nearby city wasn’t something his pupils are going to observe without saying anything.

“Many of my pupils have an abundance of hot blood.”

While smiling wryly, Yakumo answered yes to Tatsuya’s question indirectly.

“So then, what happened this time?”

Perhaps Tatsuya had to answer in some way but, as to be expected, he was puzzled about how to answer. However, that was only for a minuscule period. He decided to take the middle path between answering and not answering.

“I think this trouble is related to the work I took on.”

“Work? For Kazuma‐kun?”

“No, the work did not come from the military.”

Yakumo’s eyes narrowed as they remained in their smiling state. As he smiled. a strong light was emitted from his eyes.

“Is it alright to ask about the details of this work?”

“There’s a good chance that it will become a job in the Kyoto district. So, I think it's best if I don’t cause you more trouble, Master.”

Yakumo’s lips twitched up slightly. The light in his eyes abated, the slight smile became his usual one.

“You don’t need to be so diffident. There is somewhat of a connection to the ‘traditionalists’.”

It was unexpected that Yakumo was the one who brought up the name of ‘traditionalists’ but Tatsuya’s conviction was that his family’s search for the magician did not fall under Yakumo’s purview.

“As I thought, this is related to the group of ancient magicians called ‘traditionalists’.”

“They are not called that, they have merely claimed the name…”

Yakumo’s display of fastidiousness was cute to Tatsuya but he refrained from showing it.

“Therefore, Master must not lend a hand. A civil war between fellow ancient magicians is no joke.”

There was no one within the nation’s ancient magicians’ that took the name of ‘traditionalists’ lightly. From the beginning, the ancient magicians who claimed the name ‘traditionalists’ were not particularly loyal to the traditional training regimes, they had cooperated with the former Lab 9 because they desired the know‐how of modern magic. For those who had continued to strictly defend their traditions, it was shameless of them to claim the mantle of ‘traditionalists’. Many of the magicians attached to the Traditionalists were employed in covert operations, so the number of magicians who knew not much more about the faction than the name who proclaimed ‘the Traditionalists must be purged’ is not small.

“Aw nuts, I’m still far from enlightenment.”

Perhaps he recognized that the hostility he felt was unlike him, Yakumo let out an embarrassed smile.

“Are the guys who were peeking at my house still secured here? There’s still a little something I wish to ask them?”

“It’s impossible today.”

Yakumo answered Tatsuya’s question with a penetratingly cold smile.

“I’m a little tired today. I’ll go take a rest in a quiet place now.”

Of course, Tatsuya was not overwhelmed by that level of pressure. He continued to ask polite questions with an amiable smile.

“Is that so? Then won’t you at least tell me of their background?”

“Oh, those guys are wild magicians employed by the ‘Traditionalists’.”

“Wild?”

Doubtfully, Tatsuya repeated the word.

“Do you mean free magicians?”

“You can call them that also.”

“There are people like that in this country?”

Magicians were a scarce human resource; all of them from the good to the bad were under a country’s control. Tatsuya himself was an exception in that he was not under governmental control but people like him were corralled in general under the private combat power of the twenty‐eight families, the Ten Master Clans system could be called an indirect form of government management. It was a novel surprise for Tatsuya that a magician with practical skills could be unaffiliated with an organization.

“There are. There are a quite a few people who can’t acquire the skills of modern magic but can use unique skills.”

“...so you mean there are quite a few free magicians on the ancient magic side?”

“Well. I don’t know the exact number but, I believe it’s not a small number.”

In short, for this job, this meant he could potentially be taking on more magician opponents than he had supposed before now. In his head, Tatsuya revised the level of difficulty upward.

Common Era 2096, October 1. The inauguration of the new student council of the First High School attached to the National Magic University. Members: President Shiba Miyuki, Vice President Saegusa Izumi, Treasurer Mitsui Honoka, Secretary Sakurai Minami and Secretarial Chief Shiba Tatsuya.

Of course, there were objections to the enigmatic post of Secretarial Chief. The Staff Room that normally interfere with the student council’s granting of positions asked ‘What the heck is this?’. The default organization of student councils in schools was ‘President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary’. There was no ‘Secretarial Chief’ post, however, Miyuki repelled all opposition with a smile that neither agreed nor disagreed and made the statement, ‘the official nickname of Secretarial Chief is Secretary’. Not one person was able to make the reasonable objection that there was no reason for the ‘Secretarial Chief’ to be nicknamed secretary.

It was also a fact that a multitude of students wanted Tatsuya to remain a student council officer. If Miyuki went out of control, the only one who could stop it was Tatsuya. That was something acknowledged by the third and second year students, and if Tatsuya was driven off the student council, they would be able to see Miyuki go out of control with their own eyes.

The significance of this morning to the student council of First High was fraught with fear of political dictatorship but the dominated students looked happy while appearing that they wished for a little rescue. A dictatorial system run by an Idol might be a good way to put it. For the dictator, it was a type of paradise.

Of course, Miyuki didn’t have a desire to dominate, much less aspirations of becoming a dictator. The truth was she was reluctant to even take up the duties of student council president. Her true unadulterated feeling was ‘wouldn’t it be great if Onii‐sama became student council president’. And, would fall into dangerous supplemental delusions such as ‘If that happened then I would go all out doing anything for him, vice president, secretary, tea server, anything’; if anyone asked.

Anyway, Miyuki did not want Tatsuya in a subordinate position to herself. That was in spite of the pointed reminders from the Yotsuba clan of what their relationship was, it was unendurable for her. So, she created the unusual title of ‘Secretarial Chief’ to elevate him a little in order to reach a compromise inside herself.

Anyway in these circumstances, all objections and logical arguments about Tatsuya’s title of Secretarial Chief were silenced in one hour at the lunch break and another hour after school by Miyuki’s persuasive power and peace was finally restored to the student council room.

The timing was probably calculated. The newly inaugurated Club Activities Head and the newly appointed Public Morals Chief came into the Student Council room together.

“Umm, I am looking forward to working well together this year.”

“I am looking forward to working with you as well, Yoshida‐kun.”

Miyuki replied to the nervous Mikihiko who never lost his stiffness while attempting a friendly attitude with a smile filled with affection.

Betraying the expectations of the majority that Kanon’s successor would be Shizuku, Mikihiko was chosen to be the new Public Morals Chief. The Public Morals Chief was elected from and by the nine‐committee members; this time it was a close contest with five votes for Mikihiko and four votes for Shizuku. Incidentally, Mikihiko voted for Shizuku and Shizuku voted for Mikihiko. There was an attempt to halt Mikihiko’s assumption of the office of Public Morals Chief because he was a former second course student but the majority of the committee members yielded to the outstanding force of Shizuku’s aura of ‘ I don’t want that bothersome job’.

Therefore Shizuku abandoned the nervous Mikihiko and engaged in animated girl talk with Honoka like “Isn’t it great that Tatsuya‐san is remaining on the Student Council?”

“Uh, huh…..”

This was the first face to face between the student council president and the newly elected public morals chief, they discussed the problem of choosing public morals committee members to replace the retirees but, as it happened at this time, the student council had yet to make the three recommendations from the second years so that they would stay on the public morals committee so, Mikihiko’s part of the conversation was really over with the greeting. Apparently, there were some procedural concerns to take care of so, Mikihiko had some time to kill. He and Tatsuya went to a corner of the room with an isolated terminal emplaced.

“What’s up, Tatsuya?”

Mikihiko thought Tatsuya’s posture indicated something was going on so, he sat down on the chair in front of the terminal and whispered the question to Tatsuya who was standing to the side.

“First, take a look at this for me.”

He didn’t answer the question directly, Tatsuya manipulated the terminal’s keyboard with one hand.

The monitor displayed a string of characters and a graph.

“An activation sequence?”

It was an activation sequence in machine code not converted into psion signals but it was translated into model language that was easy for people to understand and a graph.

“Is this….a description of an activation sequence that constructs a shikigami? You were lucky to find such rare data.”

“It was by chance. What I wanted to ask is if shikigami construction differs by school or something like that.”

It seemed like Mikihiko assumed that he pulled it out of some library. He didn’t say that he had created this analysis himself, he was indirectly inquiring about the origin.

“Of course, there are. What’s more, there are easy to spot peculiarities. For example, this….should be a

Shugendou school. The occultist using this shikigami is likely a member of the Shugendou Touzan group, unmistakably.”

“Are there factions in Shugendou?”

“I’d call the schools rather than factions, no, sects? A Shugendou descended from Shingon Buddhism.”

“Shingon Buddhism? I thought shikigami were Onmyou spells, mage arts and the like, but, are there spells that support shikigami in the esoteric buddhist teachings?”

Mikihiko’s face had a somewhat proud look as he nodded his answer to Tatsuya’s naive questions.

“There are. Practitioners linked to the esoteric buddhist teaching call them, Gohou though. They are in essence the same.”

Just then, Mikihiko casually returned his eyes to the monitor and a “Oh?” look surfaced.

“What’s this? The way it’s arranged is unusual and weird…”

After looking at the monitor for a while, Mikihiko looked up at Tatsuya with a look of comprehension.

“I see, I understand why you’re being so sneaky, Tatsuya. You pulled this data out of an underground website, right?”

“Why do you think so?”

Tatsuya’s question was purely a request for an answer but, Mikihiko nodded with a “Got it, got it” look.

“After all, isn’t this shikigami clearly for bugging and surveillance?”

“Really?”

Tatsuya’s single word meant “Limited utility in shikigami are distinctive?” however,

“It’s clearly made to be used for illegal purposes.”

Mikihiko made a more restrictive interpretation.

“Oh. A dangerous thing. It was correct to consult with you, Mikihiko. I’ll erase this data.”

“Yes, that’s the best thing to do.”

Tatsuya’s casual flattery made Mikihiko smile in good humour.

Mikihiko returned to public morals headquarters to draw up the patrol record‐‐‐it had been a very long time since a public morals chief had personally drawn up the patrol record‐‐‐it was nearly time for the school gate to close, the new club activities chairman was the next to come and say hello.

“Igarashi‐kun, congratulations on assuming the club activities chairmanship.”

“Uh, huh. Thank you, President.”

The new chairman’s nervousness really went up in front of Miyuki.

“In order for the smooth management of the student council affairs, we depend on the cooperation of the club management committee for many things. I am looking forward to working with you.”

“My‐myself included! I believe I will be using the help of everyone in the student council in various matters. I look forward to working with you, as well.”

Izumi who was watching the meeting between Miyuki and Igarashi from not far away, murmured “he looks somewhat unreliable” to Honoka who was next to her. Honoka’s only answer was a pained smile.

“New Chairman Igarashi‐senpai seems kind of timid, no rather he seems docile.”

While continuing to work, Izumi casually, as if she just happened to think to mention it, reported her impression of New Chairman Igarashi to Miyuki.

“I wonder why? He did seem extremely tense.”

“Tense?”

Izumi’s voice was filled with extreme doubt.

“Miyuki do you know Igarashi?

Tatsuya threw a lifeline to Miyuki who was puzzled on how to respond to Izumi’s overly candid reaction.

“Yes, our classes are different but despite him being someone with superior practical skills, I’ve worked with him countless times on the data management side. However, I think Honoka and Shizuku know him better. I’m certain that they are in the same club.”

Receiving an eye‐signal from Miyuki, Honoka opened her mouth.

“He is the younger brother of last year’s girl’s biathlon club president, Igarashi‐senpai.”

“Because he is not inclined to any specialized magic, his performance records in competition aren’t all that great but, in terms of ability alone, he can’t be criticized.”

“Ability alone?”

Sensing the implications in Shizuku’s statement, Tatsuya parroted her words into a question.

“Igarashi‐kun, how should I put it…...calling him timid doesn’t seem quite right but, at critical moments.”

A tendency to hesitate. That trait meant that if he was driven into a corner and had to take a reckless chance to get out, he would self‐destruct…..a good way to put it might be to say his disposition meant he fared poorly in competitions.

“So he’s more of a staff officer or a second in command. Not really suited for leadership.”

After Honoka had painstaking chosen somewhat mild words to critique him, Shizuku spoiled it with her severe evaluation.

“Come to think of it, why isn’t Tomitsuka‐kun the new chairman?”

Mikihiko posed the question after the work of the public morals committee was done and he once again came to the student council room.

“The gossip beforehand made it seem like Tomitsuka‐senpai was a sure thing?”

Perhaps because she's so familiar with him as a fellow public morals member, Kasumi readily chimed in her agreement with Mikihiko’s comment.

“Hattori‐senpai probably felt differently.”

By implicitly pointing out that, it was for the Club Management Group to decide who would be chairman, Miyuki pressed them to cease their anti‐Igarashi gossip.

◊ ◊ ◊

There was a brief pause from the student council president’s election until the student council officers were appointed and then, the preparations for the Thesis Competition went full throttle. Even though in the Kyoto exhibition, the realm of pure theory had the upper hand, the Thesis Competition still required a presentation of magic, which meant they had to rapidly work on preparing the devices for the performance.

However, unlike last year, the place where they were making stuff was not mainly in the school courtyard but the lecture hall. The great clamor of last year’s production was reduced in volume to make the uproar a comparative shadow of the previous year. Silent figures could be seen constructing elaborate blueprints.

While Tatsuya was watching, Isori direct the construction of the ‘Projection type Magic Circle’ from the second floor of the lecture hall, he met with Mikihiko regarding security.

“‐‐‐so I believe it will be alright, if we don’t just select from the public morals committee, instead we’ll solicit for volunteers extensively and select guard members from them as usual.”

“Of course. Since the public moral’s committee only has nine people and that’s not enough to work well. I think you’ll have a lot of people interested in guarding the site not just guarding the representatives.”

“I believe the person in overall charge of security this year is Hattori‐senpai?”

“Senpai is in an online conference with the persons in charge of the other schools’ security forces.”

“The other schools haven’t expressed any dissatisfaction about a First High student being in charge overall for two years in a row?”

“That’s fine. The overall security chief is dispatched by the school which won Monolith Code in the Nine Schools Competition seems to be an unwritten rule.”

“Eh, that’s how it goes.”

“Juumonji‐senpai being the chief last year wasn’t just because he was a member of the ten master clans.”

The ones who interrupted Tatsuya and Mikihiko’s conversation were Leo and Erika. They had been quiet up until then to keep from interfering but the insider info made them speak without thinking.

“Ahh, it’s the first time I’ve heard of it as well.”

“The truth is I didn’t know until recently as well. It’s not something known without being told.”

However, Tatsuya and Mikihiko didn’t seem to mind and just made a show of teasing them.

“Then, which one are you going to take care of for me, guarding or security?”

“So my cooperation is taken as a given?”

“Of course. I’m counting on you.”

The impudent comments only made Tatsuya smile without a word and he didn’t bother to pretend that he was going to turn down Mikihiko’s request. He had come to speak to Mikihiko for the sake of cooperation between the student council and the public morals committee; however, he was also ready to lend his own personal efforts.

“Okay. How about I take on site security?”

The place called Kyoto was convenient for reasons other than the work after all.

“Then, I’ll help you out there as well.”

What could he be thinking; Leo had suddenly raised his hand when he heard that.

“If I become site security, I’ll need to do a preliminary inspection.”

‐‐‐no, what he was thinking was quite obvious.

“Eeh, since I’m going to Kyoto with Tatsuya‐kun, you’ll join the guards. That’s your strong point right, being a meat wall?”

Just then, Erika voiced a different opinion in a tone that did not sound at all joking.

“Aren’t meat walls just for getting hit and stabbed! Don’t say anything so whacked!”

“Sometimes being hit is a choice.”

Naturally, the second half was shocking. However, the earnest Mikihiko was bothered by the first half of the comments.

“Erika….you intend to go and stay overnight in Kyoto?”

“That’s what I said, so?”

Going on a round trip in a day between Kyoto and Tokyo was not absolutely impossible, now. For business purposes, it was a rather normal schedule. However, this was a preliminary security inspection, not just the site, the Kyoto conference center and its environs, but a wide area around them had to be inspected. Last year’s incident comes to mind quickly but, conversely, since it was just last year, no one would expect to catch them off‐guard so quickly.

“By that…..you want to go on an overnight trip with Tatsuya…?”

“Id‐idiot…!”

For some reason the suspicion that she might be taking a trip for a one night stand did not make Erika’s face turn red but white.

“Wh‐what?”

That threatening look so desperate and forceful as if her life was in danger caused Mikihiko’s tongue to tangle, unfortunately. Just then, he was overpowered by what he thought as Erika’s excessive response but, when he heard her reasoning, the blood drained from Mikihiko’s face as well.

“What would I do if Miyuki heard that!? She wouldn’t let it go as a joke!”

Mikihiko busily looked hither and thither. Furthermore, his eyes were those of someone on a battlefield. To say he looked like he was in a life and death struggle was not a grandiose exaggeration.

It wasn’t let it go as a joke, it was that she wouldn’t let it go even though it was just a joke. That wouldn’t mean that she was taking their frivolous talk seriously but, rather that she wouldn’t forgive them for saying such a thing even when she knew they were joking. That wasn’t just a distinct possibility, that was unmistakably how it would go, thought Mikihiko. Was there already an absolute zero cold front bearing down on them already….Mikihiko earnestly feared there was.

However, such nakedly fearful vigilance was reckless behavior.

“...You guys, just what are you thinking about my sister?”

Mikihiko and Erika’s necks gave off squeaks as they whipped their heads toward the voice they heard.

Before their eyes as they looked behind them was Tatsuya with a penetratingly cold smile on his face.

“Good grief… your loose talk took years off my life, Miki.”

“My name is Mikihiko…”

The voice, Mikihiko whipped out to make his usual protest, lacked its usual vigor. The truth was Mikihiko was engulfed by sympathy for Erika and it was not for the first time.

They were not directly harmed by Tatsuya, of course. He had just turned an ice cold stare on the pair. However, just that was enough to make Mikihiko fall under the delusion that his life was being whittled away.

It was not the cold of snow and ice. It was the cold of a keen sharp blade. It came directly from its threat to one’s existence.

Erika was in a similar state; her face looked completely drained and exhausted.

“I think you were both irresponsibly rude, Erika, Mikihiko.”

From their friends’ attitudes, they probably hadn’t been cleared from suspicion, yet. Tatsuya was yelling his dissatisfaction with his disappointed face. The flattening intimidating look was already gone but no one needed to be told that he was in ill humor. Not just, the interested parties, Erika and Mikihiko but Leo, the innocent bystander strongly felt the need to change the subject.

“We‐well, wouldn’t it be alright if all of us were site security? Chiyoda‐senpai is going to be clinging to Isori‐ senpai as she guards him, right and Kitayama is going to be attached to Nakajou‐senpai, right?”

Practically, nothing had happened and he probably considered it childish to stay angry. Tatsuya was the one who responded to Leo’s tactful attempt.

“Not just Shizuku. Chikura‐senpai and Mibu‐senpai are also cooperating with her to guard Nakajou‐senpai.”

Seeing Tatsuya respond positively to the change of conversation, Erika and Mikihiko breathed sighs of relief. No, actually they did not do that‐‐‐the pair did not actually perform the act‐‐‐it was just clear from seeing the tension disappear from their manner.

“Kei‐senpai should be fine enough even without a guard.”

“Kirihara‐senpai has volunteered to be Minakami‐senpai’s guard.”

Mikihiko followed up Erika’s comment by alluding to who would be guarding the other representative, Minakami Carey. Hearing those words, for some reason Leo let out a groan.

“Minakami‐senpai… does that guy really need a guard?”

Apparently, he couldn’t understand why there was talk of attaching Kirihara‐senpai to Carey.

“Even in our school he’s someone that is counted close to the top of the possessors of superior combat power, right? Mikihiko who has been on a team with him should be the most well informed, though.”

As Leo had stated, Carey, Hattori and Mikihiko had united as members of this year’s Monolith Code team to seize victory for First High. In bouts, he had displayed the defensive power of an iron wall and was a strong player who hadn’t allowed his opponents to interfere with the monolith he defended even once.

“Minakami‐senpai has extensive knowledge of a lot of individual magics. That’s why he was able to completely block his opponents’ attacks in Monolith Code, he correctly grasped the opposing players’ magic in the first shot and from the second shot on, he was able to counterbalance it with his excellent magic that’s the incredible skill he possesses.”

A magic spell cannot interfere with a magic spell. Information fortification kept the phenomenon stable (the transformed event) as it advanced, it was a technique that caused the opponent’s magic to end in a misfire, area interference worked on targeted zone by ‘using event interference power to forbidding the transformed contents to change’ by brushing aside the opponent’s phenomena interference power, it never interferes with the opponent’s magic spell.

However, results were based on the effects the magic induced, in case where that magic interfered with an actual physical phenonomen ultimately it remained a physical phenomenon. Because it is possible of course to have the results of alteration to counterbalance each other. For example, if ‘a clod of air that decreases pressure through magic’ is placed inside the trajectory of a compressed air bullet the compression cannot be maintained. In short, the magic has been neutralized. This phenomenon is called magic counterbalancing. If one’s interference power is greater than their opponent’s then it was possible to calculate magic that would blot out the blowback phenomena alteration but, if the interference power is only a little higher than, the restoration power would overcome the counterbalancing effect.

However, in order to effect magic counterbalancing on purpose then, you had to correctly predict the magic that would be used including the coordinates of the event modification. Counterbalancing magic effects was an ‘easy to say, hard to do’ technique.

“A guy whom a magic won’t work on if he’s seen it once? How cool.”

“A guy who won’t let any magic he’s seen once get by him? How cool.”

Although Leo said it like it was a joke in a jesting tone, he knew enough to recognize it was a high level skill. “Hahaha, for that reason Minakami‐senpai is really much better at theory.”

While Mikihiko joined Leo in laughing at his childish joke, his answer did not really answer the question. Erika was the one who offered an answer to the question, did Carey really need a guard.

“In short, Minakami needs a tank to take the first hit of magic.”

“Oh. Got it!”

Both Erika who had never let go of the idea of a ‘meat wall’ and Leo who had just gotten the concept now “Erika‐chan… Leo‐kun.”

Got pierced by the cold glare of Mizuki.

◊ ◊ ◊

The switch in public mass transit to small individual vehicles was not limited to trains. It had become normal in metropolitan areas to use an AI taxi to go between one’s own home and the neighborhood station. When going to the station from their homes, citizens ID were used to call a commuter to their home; when returning home from the station, they caught an empty car in the commuter‐boarding zone. On street corners without a commuter‐boarding zone, you could use a smartphone to access the public transit network to summon the nearest empty car.

Tatsuya’s household acted typically for their area, they used commuters to and from their home and the station. If they could have used magic then it wouldn’t be necessary, however, the legal restrictions on the use of magic were unfortunately excessive. Modern society was still not that tolerant toward magicians.

Tatsuya, Miyuki and Minami, all worked very late on preparations for the Thesis competition and were just now waiting in front of the station for a commuter to come under a purple stained sky.

It was not unusual for there not to be an empty car in front of the station. It just meant that there were not more commuters in use than were needed. In short, it would be a worldly excess.

Besides, the allocation of commuters was linked to the cabinet operation, Waiting over 5 minutes was rare. In short, enough were provided so that users would not feel it was inconvenient.

Actually, Tatsuya and the rest had only been waiting around 2 minutes. They had already entered a request for a commuter into the dedicated line in front of the station. Tatsuya and the others were pausing temporarily in the waiting zone about 10 meters away from the off‐loading zone where a male had apparently been dropped off in the zone about 30 seconds before. The door automatically closed, Tatsuya watched the cab slowly near the parking lot without moving onto the road‐‐‐and placed his right hand in his pocket where he was hiding his CAD.

Minami looked up at Tatsuya’s face with startled eyes, flustered she turned her eyes to the commuter. At the end of her line of sight, before the door of the stopped train’s door opened, a psion wave emitted from within the train car.

Before Tatsuya took out his CAD, Minami erected a cylindrical heat‐resistant barrier against physical objects. The objects of her protection were herself and Miyuki. She had not put Tatsuya inside the barrier because it would hinder his movements. This was the result of half a year’s practice.

However, the deluge of the psion wave from inside the car was not meant to activate magic.

It was to chaotically broadcast an overlapping echo of psion noise. It did not have an obstructing effect on magic like cast jamming. Instead, the density, which was slightly higher than cast jamming, was high enough to hamper the ability to perceive magic and discern psions. It would probably be appropriate to call it a psion smokescreen.

(An artificial spirit self‐destructed!? Like a psion time bomb!)

Miyuki and Minami were thrown into confusion by the unexpectedness of this type of surprise attack; Tatsuya saw through the nature of this attack at once.

(If this is a magical smokescreen then the next move)

“Minami, ‘Downward Whirlwind’.”

“Ye‐Yes!”

Minami activated the magic at virtually the same time as Tatsuya gave the order. A fierce spray of water arose from the rotation of the fountain‐‐‐‐no, the water of the fountain all changed into a spray of water, instantly it was transformed to a thick fog. Afterward the area was obscured by thick fog, which would unmistakably be troublesome to get rid of even by magically rousing the wind. Because microscopic drops of water under their foe’s influence mingled with the air of the atmospheric current that was the target for manipulation.

Nevertheless, Minami had activated her magic before the fog reached them. Manipulating air currents with a high concentration of microscopic drops of water mixed in had a high degree of difficulty due to the fact that the target is always out of sight to the practitioner, after the shot is fired, the obscuring fog should not interfere with the magic.

As a result, swirling whirling air was drawn from the upper atmosphere down to the surface by the magic of ‘Downward Whirlwind’. Minami was in the eye as the whirlwind blew around her; before the trio’s eyes, the obstructing fog was blown away by the whirlwind at once.

At once, they saw a small lean male blown out of the stopped commuter and meet the eyes of Tatsuya who headed up the trio. The man grasped a small crossbow in his hand; his eyes were wide with shock. It seemed that he had not anticipated the smokescreen being instantly destroyed by magic. However, being flabbergasted by the unexpected was a sign of inexperience. All it did was give your opponents an opening.

Tatsuya would not overlook that. Tatsuya adroitly bent his right leg aiming at the small man while he was temporarily defenseless.

He landed a roundhouse kick.

He knocked the crossbow out of the man’s hand.

Tatsuya bent his leg and switched to a sidekick.

The small man with an aching belly was sent into the commuter behind him in a bent over stance. He crashed into the train and might have hit his head; there was no sign of any attempt to stand up. His mind was too hazy or he might be unconscious.

It seemed like the safety was already off, the crossbow shot off the dart as it hit the road. However, fortunately, the dart only hit the road and no one was hurt.

As his right leg hit the ground, Tatsuya felt psions waver to construct a magic sequence from his right hand side. He swiftly turned to face that direction. The spell trace was emanating from the man who had fallen by the commuter.

Tatsuya, who was about to take out his CAD this time, stalled the movement.

Before Tatsuya could respond, Miyuki’s counterattack landed.

Presumably, the man had been the one to start constructing a spell first. However, Miyuki was actually the one to first activate a spell.

The man activated a spell. Tatsuya’s ability to observe information bodies caught the projection of the magic sequence aimed one meter over Miyuki’s head. And he also ‘saw’ that magic sequence fall apart without doing anything.

“Onii‐sama. Was that recorded just now?”

Miyuki’s question referred to whether their foe’s magic had been recorded by the psion wave sensors installed with the street cameras; in short, she was asking whether the excuse of legitimate self‐defense had been established.

“Maybe, anyway even if it wasn’t recorded, it’s fine since there are witnesses.”

Tatsuya’s answer signaled his approval of Miyuki’s attack. He was in front of the station and there were at least 4 spectators that had been aware of the psion wave of the development of the first magic sequence. Their faces were recorded in his memory. Because they were magicians, they should have been able to see the exchange of blows.

As the siblings made their verbal exchange, the man released a spell for the third time.

All of it was blocked by Miyuki’s interference zone.

The man begun to construct a spell for the fifth time. Not for the purpose of attacking, the spell was for escape. Their male opponent turned on his heel.

“Do not flee.”

The quiet proclamation was from Miyuki. Instantly, the man faded from sight; immediately, the color returned and like a puppet whose spring was cut, he collapsed before he could move.

Tatsuya squatted by the man’s flank and checked his pulse. Next, he placed his hand in front of the nose, for now he was continuing to breathe albeit weakly.

“Looks like, there won’t be any after effects. Your skills have improved, Miyuki.”

What she had used was a spell that lowered her opponent’s body temperature and took away the ability to move one’s body. Lowering body temperature by only a few degrees without inflicting after effects was a very difficult technique but this time she skillfully spread it out over the area to keep it from being excessive. Miyuki replied to her brother’s praise with red stained cheeks that said ‘thank you very much’. His mind had been in such a state of confusion, he had not even assumed a defensive posture; the man’s face though was horrible. The beautiful girl was getting flustered and blushing in front of the man she had left grazed, bruised and with a bleeding nose. From the bystanders’ point of view, it was an extremely surreal scene.

Of course, the injuries Tatsuya had inflicted on the small man with his flying kicks were more serious. After binding his arms and legs so he wouldn’t escape, Tatsuya left him on the road, hence in terms of ‘brutality’, Tatsuya was unmistakably in the winner’s circle.

“Tatsuya‐niisama.”

There was no way Tatsuya would administer first aid to a person who attacked them, he quickly arose from the man’s side at Minami’s call.

“Please, look at this.”

“I expect it is a sacred purifying arrow.”

Tatsuya calmly muttered this while looking at the crossbow dart that Minami was holding in her hand and proffering up to him to see.

“...do you know?”

He did not display the slightest sign of surprise but this was probably a curiosity to Minami. The reflexive question was essentially incomplete.

“No, I just got a look at it when I sent him flying.”

Minami did not go ‘In that second!?’ in surprise. She had been raised by the Yotsuba as a maid who was a Guardian candidate. She had seen many aberrant people in the Yotsuba training course. Rather her scale of normal was set close to abnormal. For her, Tatsuya’s physical prowess was pretty much in the normal category.

Tatsuya had only glanced at it once but Miyuki examined the ‘Sacred Arrow’ closely.

“It’s used in Ancient Magic; as a tool to prevent the usage of magic?”

“To be exact, it is a tool to prevent the using of magic as an intermediary to SBs. It doesn’t have much effect on types of magic that infuse the magic sequence as a target directly.”

Hearing Tatsuya’s explanation, Miyuki canted her head

“Could they think we are Ancient magicians?”

“Unlike a genuine sacred arrow, this arrow has the ability to wound or kill when it strikes but……”

Tatsuya muttered cynically while looking at the sharpened arrowhead. The shaft and arrowhead were formed as a single object with the only distinctive trait visible the genuine bird feather used in the sacred arrow; all the other features appeared to be normal for a quarrel to be used in a crossbow. However, from looking at the sheer compression of wood in the shaft, charms (Shingon, invocations) had been written on shaved wood, rolled up like a thin paper scroll, and made into a compressed material.

While it was called a ‘Sacred Arrow’, it’s users were not limited to magicians connected to Shintoism. ‘Text’ was a commonly used medium for spell tools among ancient magic users.

“Like I thought his hypothesis is that our offensive spells use SB magic. If he did not attack us because he mistook us for someone else then for some reason we’ve been mistaken for ancient magicians.”

At that point, Tatsuya notices a voice saying ‘Police’ nearing them.

“Let’s return to this topic later.”

The incident had occurred in front of the station closest to their home. There were numerous witnesses and the street cameras had also recorded everything. Running away would be idiotic.

Thinking of the time in which he would be held for questioning, Tatsuya let out a huge sigh.

The police released them about one hour later. Even so, that could be said to be rather quick. From the start, their status as victims had not been doubted; as expected, this was due to the data from the street cameras and psion wave sensors.

“Aw nuts, it’s so darn late.”

Looking only at the time, it couldn’t be really called ‘late’ yet. However, the psychological fatigue made it feel like the time was much later.

That was true for more than Tatsuya.

“You are right….I should start preparing dinner immediately.”

Fatigue also coated Miyuki’s voice as she replied.

“Miyuki‐oneesama, that’s my job.”

Minami’s tone of voice was also strangely dull. Even so, she steadfastly proclaimed her kitchen rights, either from stubbornness or from diligence. Probably, from both.

“Really? Then, please do so.”

“Got it.”

While Miyuki easily surrendered with a feeble look, Minami went and stood in the kitchen without changing clothes.

“Onii‐sama, I have to prepare for tomorrow.”

However, she turned around in surprise at the next statement. Minami’s face had a slightly sour cast. Tomorrow was the day they would visit the Kudou house in Ikoma. She was between a rock and a hard place, with regard to her duty: “It was only an overnight stay but, shouldn’t she be helping with that as a maid?”, “However, I have to get started on dinner immediately…”

“You probably don’t need to hurry so much. How about both of you change? It will be alright if you wait until after dinner to prepare for tomorrow.”

“Yes, Tatsuya‐niisama. We will do it that way.”

For Minami who was in dire straits, Tatsuya’s words were a lifeline.

“It’s a directive from Tatsuya‐niisama. Let’s do as he says, Miyuki‐neesama.”

She did not give Miyuki time to speak up, Minami shooed her mistress to the second floor.

In the end, Miyuki and Minami only shared the preparations for the trip that were for Tatsuya; the pair took care of themselves afterwards. While he watched the excited pair merrily exchanging opinions in front of his own closets, Tatsuya only made an ‘it’s inevitable’ smile.

Later, Tatsuya begun discussing the recent attack with the pair when they sat for their postponed teatime in the living room.

“Those guys just now were unmistakably ancient magicians. Not just the Sacred Arrow but the spell cast on that guy to let him escape, the transparency transformation spell did not interfere by light reflection or light refraction; it was mental interference magic that made recognition of one’s own existence trivial. It is the same type of magic that Kudou Retsu used at last year’s Nine Schools Competition’s opening ceremony.”

“Then it is someone under the thumb of the Kudou clan?”

Tatsuya shook his head at Miyuki’s question.

“A Kudou clan practitioner would not mistake us for Ancient Magicians. Rather, they are probably underlings of ‘the Traditionalists’ who are fiercely hostile to them.”

“The ‘Traditionalists’ that Fumiya spoke of… That’s an extremely grandiose name but, what on earth kind of tradition are they advocating?”

Miyuki canted her head in puzzlement. Anyone who did not know of the source of the name of the ‘Traditionalists’ would unmistakably think that.

“There might not be a particular meaning.”

Tatsuya turned his head at the scathing point Minami made with a wry smile and a ‘Oh?” look on his face.

“It seems like Minami knows of the ‘Traditionalists’.”

“Yes. I was taught about all about them since they are one of the Magic Societies the main family has to monitor. The ancient magicians who feel betrayed by the former Lab 9 might be assembling for the purpose of avenging themselves on the Ten Master Clans.”

She displayed no sign of unsurely in her manner, so she definitely knew of them as surmised.

“I think saying their goal is vengeance would be an overstatement but, the rest matches what I know.”

Of course, they differed slightly in their perception but this was due to the difference in how the information was transmitted to them so it could be called inevitable.

“So then, the reason we were mistaken for ancient magicians…..Miyuki do you remember the artificial spirit that investigated our house a few days ago?”

“Yes, you mean Sunday?”

“It seems that Master’s disciples caught the culprits for us.”

“I see….so you mean it’s because we have been mistaken for Yakumo‐sensei’s underlings.”

Miyuki nodded with a look of understanding. However, on the other hand, Minami looked unconvinced.

“What is it, Minami‐chan? You know of Yakumo‐sensei of course?”

Miyuki’s perceptive skills were not sharp but she noticed and ‘Don’t hold back to be polite, if there’s something you want to ask’ was implicit in her prompting.

“Yes, I know of him… but, why would Yakumo‐sensei detain the magicians who were searching the house?”

The light in Minami’s eyes showed her doubt went beyond simple puzzlement and into suspicion. Miyuki did not comprehend what was weighing on her mind but Tatsuya understood.

“No, Minami you are mistaken. Neither I nor Miyuki have accepted Master’s patronage.”

Minami would probably consider not just being taught martial arts by Yakumo‐sensei but being under his patronage to be a form of betrayal of the Yotsuba clan.

“One of Master’s favorite things to do is to proclaim himself more a shinobi than a monk. I dare say that as a ‘Shinobi’ he probably can’t ignore anyone sniffing around his garden and the like. Even if he wasn’t looking for them.”

“It’s that kind of thing?”

Apparently, she finally understood the explanation. Suspicion vanished from Minami’s eyes.

“Thanks to today’s attack, I know two things.”

They had cleared up the odd suspicions; they were now on to the main topic.

“First, I know that we have clearly become a target of the traditionalists.”

Tension ran through Miyuki and Minami’s faces.

“The other thing, I know is that our enemy is unaware of our background.”

Miyuki successfully suppressed her surprise but, Minami let out a small ‘ah!?’.

“It’s fairly certain that Fumiya and Ayako were tailed. If they know Fumiya and Ayako are ‘Kuroba’ then they would know that, the Kuroba clan is connected to the Yotsuba clan. At the very least, Zhou Gongjin would seem to know that the Kuroba are in charge of the Yotsuba’s covert operations.”

Tatsuya seemed to find something amusing about this point; he made a small smile.

“Onii‐sama?”

“Oh, sorry. I said ‘Yotsuba’s covert operations’, the expression implied that the Yotsuba undertook non‐ covert operations and that made me smile. Pay it no mind.”

Tatsuya shook away his idle thought and returned to the main subject.

“In short, while they know that our house was visited by people related to the Yotsuba clan; they don’t know that we are related to the Yotsuba clan. So, they think we are nothing more than magician subordinates of the Yotsuba. Since if they thought we were Yotsuba magicians then, they would not expect us to have the charms and tools of ancient magicians.”

“In short… they believe that we are ancient magicians employed by the Kuroba who are Yotsuba subordinates, right?”

This question burst out of Minami. Although it was faint, she sensed danger.

“That is the way it is. Even though they know of our existence, they don’t know who we really are. They don’t know why the Kuroba chose us as accomplices.”

“So that….means that there is a possibility that they’ll attack people other than us?”

Miyuki’s eyes widened slightly at Minami’s pronouncement and Tatsuya’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Right, we cannot ignore the possibility that Erika, Mikihiko or the others might become targets. There’s even the possibility that Honoka or Mizuki might become hostages.”

“Shouldn’t we request protection for them from Obasama or Kuroba‐san?”

Miyuki was relatively calm because Tatsuya was unflustered. Even so, it was understood that it was an emergency situation. That the suggestion that they might rely on Maya was proffered without hesitation was proof.

“We shan’t rely on Obaue. We might intend to ask for protection but, end up using them as bait”

“Then Sensei.”

“I get the feeling it would be costly but… we might have to.”

Tatsuya drained the contents of his cup and stood up.

“I’m going to Master’s place.”

He might have intended to go there anyway to practice his new magic, Tatsuya seemed about to leave immediately. His attaché case with his experimental CAD inside was already to go in the vestibule.

“Please go to bed before me. Shut the doors tightly”

He took his CAD Trident out of the vestibule storage cubby and put it on, and as Miyuki and Minami watched him put on a thin sweater, they called out.

“Understood.”

Seen off by the pair speaking and bowing as one, Tatsuya opened the vestibule door.

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