Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei

Volume 2 - Ch 8

This chapter is updated by Novels.pl

With the end of recruitment week, the various enrollment activities came to a close.

For Tatsuya's class, their technical skills curriculum started to get serious.

Although the actual magical education was done through the various classes, most students already had some sort of background in magic, as (could be) seen through the technical portion of the entrance examination.

This was the basis for how classes were conducted, but even for students with a proper foundation in systemic education, those not adept in combat skills often felt that they could not keep up in class. From a certain perspective, the separation of Course 1 and 2 students was intended to prevent this feeling from negatively affecting the two groups in other words, abandoning one side.

"940 ms. You passed, Tatsuya-kun!"

"Finally... This is the third time already. Thank goodness it's over with."

Tatsuya smiled tiredly at Mizuki, who was excited for him as if she had done it herself.

Currently, Tatsuya's class was practicing technical skills in magic.

Today's lesson involved compiling a single Systematic magic, then activating the magic within the time limit in teams of two.

It involved reading the Activation Sequence, then basing what was read and using the Magic Computation Region in the Magician's subconsciousness to then construct the Magic Sequence and activate it.

This was the system for modern magic.

What happens in this Scheme transforming the Activation Sequences, that could be recorded as numbers by machines, into a form of magic that machines could not create in reality, uses a process known in Information Engineering as "compiling". By quantifying the processes needed for magic invocation, transforming them into Activation Sequences, then using Schemes to revert them back into Magic Sequences, modern magic improved in precision, stability, and variability.

The price was that they sacrificed the speed that comes from only using a few words in "Superpowers".

Since the complicated method for constructing Magic Sequences already exists, this was all that could be done.

However, while the time lag for constructing Magic Sequences could not be reduced to zero, it could be infinitely reduced to near zero.

There is a reason why modern magic emphasizes speed for constructing Magic Sequences.

Originally, CADs were only used as storage for recording Activation Sequence numbers, but they quickly became the method for accelerating Magic activation speed.

For the CADs used in today's class, because they had not been adjusted for individual differences, no additional speed boosting mechanisms were added. The purpose of this class was to use this factory condition CAD to undergo high speed compiling training.

If one member of the duo could not pass, then both students had to remain. Mizuki passed on her first try, but she let out an explosive sigh and patted her chest in comfort at Tatsuya.

"That's quite surprising. Tatsuya-kun really isn't good at technical skills..."

For today's topic, "Single Systematic Single Process" magic, from reading the Activation Sequence entirely to actually invoking the magic, an exceptional Magician would only need 500 ms.

For Tatsuya, who needed three tries to get under the 1000 ms time limit, even the kindest description could not approach exceptional.

"That's surprising... I thought I've said it quite a few times before?"

"It's true that I've heard it a few times... but I've always thought that was just being humble.

Because Tatsuya-kun looks like someone who can do anything, it's hard to believe that you're not fluent with technical skills."

Mizuki tilted her head and expressed her heartfelt amazement, to which Tatsuya could only smile wryly not that there was any other option.

"...It might be a little ridiculous to say it myself, but if I had that level of technical skills, I wouldn't be in this class."

Tatsuya made sure to keep any loathing out of his tone and language. While he did not know how effective it was, Mizuki frankly nodded her head.

"That's true. If Tatsuya-kun were also capable in technical skills... That would give off an overly-perfect, unapproachable vibe."

As she said this, Mizuki expressed a carefree smile.

I wonder if I should smile along with her, Tatsuya thought. "However, Tatsuya-kun... don't you feel, a little unsatisfied?"

"...Towards what?"

Mizuki bent her head, her expression unreadable. It was because of this that Tatsuya was confused as to how to respond to her.

"If you have the talent, but have been evaluated as having no talent, normally this would be quite galling.

If it were me, I wouldn't be surprised if I felt unsatisfied. If I had Tatsuya- kun's level of skill, I would be furious at being called a Weed... but Tatsuya-kun looks like he doesn't care..."

That was quite a difficult question to answer.

Taking Mizuki's personality into account, it was unlikely she would spread negative rumors or speak to others regarding this subject, but if he didn't give her an answer that she could accept, it was possible that she may dig deeper into his business.

"Execution speed is also a talent.

And it's a rather important factor as well.

There are situations where one second can mean the difference between life and death. So my evaluation of being unskilled is not incorrect."

If Mizuki were any other ordinary Course 2 student, this would have been an acceptable answer.

But,

"If this was an actual combat situation, Tatsuya-kun would have some way to improve invocation speed."

She was someone who possessed special "eyes". "...What makes you think so?"

Even knowing that saying so indicated a confession this was true and that he was capitulating, his wavering brain could not think of a better response.

"In the technical portion earlier, each of Tatsuya-kun's three tries looked like you were forcing yourself.

Because my mother is a translator, I'll use this example: it's like someone able to use English to think and reply to an English question was forced to use Japanese to reply, and then translate it back into English.

From the start, Tatsuya-kun abandoned the complete Magic Sequence and started compiling again, right?

When looking at the time, reading the Activation Sequence occurs at the same time as constructing the Magic Sequence.

After seeing that, I thought that.

It can't be that, Tatsuya-kun, for magic of this level, you can construct Magic Sequences without looking at the Activation Sequence?"

To not use Activation Sequences, also known as skipping CADs altogether, and still use magic at the same speed. In regards to this technique, he had strict orders to keep this a secret.

However, it looked like someone saw through this after the first practice. As if his brain had been plunged into cold water, he calmed down.

Despite his wariness being raised to the max and his faltering reaching a peak, these only served to restore him to normal.

For someone who rarely faltered to this extent, this was a good experience for Tatsuya.

"I didn't think that someone could see this far. That's quite an impressive pair of eyes."

This time, it was Mizuki who turned pale. As expected, Mizuki was trying to hide the truth about her own "eyes".

That was a slightly evil way to say it as the corners of Tatsuya's mouth turned upwards. But from Mizuki's reaction, the chances that his own hidden skill set had been discovered had been drastically reduced.

In reality, Tatsuya had another idea. Since she already figured out that he had a technique that bypassed Activation Sequences to use magic, as long as she thought that it wasn't a personal skill but more of a Systematic one, then everything would be fine. So long as he could sate her sense of curiosity, she would have no further problems.

"It's true. For single systems, it's faster to directly construct the Magic Sequence.

This can only be used for magics with few processes. For me, five processes is my limit."

Processes in modern magic has two meanings: the steps that lead to magic invocation, and the components for magic used in phenomena rewriting.

The "five processes in magic" that Tatsuya mentioned here refers to when five magic executions combine to change something.

For example, in order to use magic to transfer an egg from the kitchen to the dining table, this requires four steps: Increase Speed (Acceleration), Movement, Reduce Speed (Reverse Acceleration), and Stop (end of movement).

Movement magic is a type of magic that changes an object's speed and path, so if the Increase Speed process was removed, this would cause the object to speed up without regard to inertia, most likely causing the egg to break up.

If the Movement process was removed and only relied on Increase and Reduce Speed to move the egg, the egg would shoot out in a linear fashion, thus necessitating complex deceleration to manipulate. Thus, even though another process was added, it's actually more simple to use a combination of Speed and Movement magics to manipulate movement.

In comparison, when using magic that blows away an opponent in anti- personnel combat, only one simple process would be enough. The intent is to cause harm to the enemy, so there's no need to reduce the impact incurred.

"I think that five processes would be sufficient for combat-related magic..."

Generally speaking, magic used by civilians required many more processes than combat magic.

Just as Mizuki said, magics that involved one to five processes covered over half of the known combat magics.

"That's because I didn't learn magic for combat reasons.

In order to quickly invoke magic with more processes, Activation

Sequences are still a must, so I'm not unsatisfied with the fact that my lower technical skills have received the appropriate evaluation."

Tatsuya smiled as he said this, then noticed that for some reason Mizuki was staring at him with teary eyes.

Tatsuya suddenly felt that somewhere, somehow, an epic misunderstanding had occurred.

Immediately, the result caused by this misunderstanding was displayed before Tatsuya.

"That's amazing! Tatsuya-kun... you are truly worthy of my respect!"

With her hands in front of her chest, Mizuki's delirious voice said something that (for Tatsuya) could not be ignored after being heard.

"Ha?"

"For most people, they become Magicians simply because they can use magic... but, Tatsuya-kun has his own goals, so he learns magic for that reason..."

"Um, well, while that's true..."

"I, have been enlightened!"

"That..."

"Originally, I learned magic only because I wanted to control this pair of "eyes", and I never considered how to use magic, but from now on, I will seriously consider it!"

Uh? Didn't this woman want to hide her eyes in the first place? While Tatsuya was thinking this, Mizuki's awe inspiring spirit overwhelmed his urge to retort.

"Err, Mizuki-chan?"

"It's true. As long as you have a clear goal, you wouldn't retreat after encountering such feeble attacks.

As long as you can achieve your dream, school grades are merely accessories.

This should be what people pursue in life. People need to endlessly chase their dreams..."

"My word, Mizuki, what are you so excited about?"

Mizuki's soliloquy even while class was ongoing continued until

Erika's retort.

Finally noticing her classmates odd gazes (more like blank stares), Mizuki blushed as she dropped her head.

Seeing Mizuki like this, Tatsuya adopted a solemn expression to mask what he was feeling inside.

A person's hopes and dreams?

It wasn't something as beautiful as that.

From the beginning, he never had a chance at a life that was unrelated to magic.

He didn't become a Magician because he could use magic; he became a Magician precisely because he couldn't use magic.

For him, magic was a curse cast upon him the moment he was born.

Even if it was transformed into something that he could accept, to him, it was still a struggle.

That being said, if it was as simple as people becoming Magicians simply because they could use magic, then it was not surprising that the bottom feeders amongst Magicians would choose to deny magic.

Maybe he had the wrong idea.

Tatsuya suddenly thought this way.

It was time for lunch break.

In the end, even Tatsuya was persuaded to stay.

Persuaded by Erika and Leo's begging. "1060 ms... Good, keep it up. Just a little more."

"S-Still so far... I never knew that 0.1 seconds was such a far distance..."

"Idiot, you don't use 'far' to measure time. You're supposed to say 'long'."

"Erika-chan... 1052 ms."

"Ahhhhh! Don't say it!

I just managed to start thinking positively!"

"I-I'm sorry..."

"No, it's OK, Mizuki.

No matter how desperate reality is, we can't choose to escape from it. This, is our destiny..."

"...Your boring solo acts are none of my business, but it's about time to end this horseplay."

The combination of Erika and Leo could not maintain a friendly relationship for more than a second, even in class.

So they asked Tatsuya for guidance.

"I say, Leo, you're spending too much time aiming.

In this situation, there's no need for precision targeting."

"While I understand that..."

To Leo's lifeless response, Tatsuya nodded sympathetically. "Well, that's true...

There's nothing for it, so you might as well use a little trick. Why don't you settle your aim before reading the Activation Sequence?"

"Uh? Is that legal?"

"That's why it's a trick. There's no benefit to technical expertise, but in this situation it's probably the last idea I can think of, not that I wanted to tell you in the first place..."

"What! Please, Tatsuya! I don't care if it's a masterstroke or a cheat, if it can get me through this, teach it to me!"

As he watched Leo begging with both hands clasped above his head, Tatsuya let out a deep sigh.

"Don't say it like that. It's not like we're cheating or anything.

...Really, I already said that I'm not adept with technical skills. If you need pointers, why not ask an expert?"

"Even if you're not adept, you're still better than me, right?

Also, you are the only one who knows the compiling combination and is able to point out any errors."

"I'll teach you even without the flattery...

Next, it's Erika's turn."

"What, what? I don't care if it's a masterstroke or cheating or whatever, just give it to me!

I'm starving over here."

"I see, so it sounds even worse when the two of you are begging together. Ah~ For Erika... I can't understand where your problem is exactly."

"Eh?"

"To be precise, I don't understand why you made these mistakes. You should be far better at compiling than I am."

"How can this be?! Tatsuya-kun, don't abandon me!"

As he looked at the teary-eyed with some parts acting mixed in Erika with her hands tightly clasped as if in prayer, Tatsuya sighed again.

These two are practically mirror images of one another, Tatsuya thought, but did not say it aloud.

"Got it, Erika. When you're reading the Activation Sequence, put your right hand over your left on the board."

"Eh?"

Upon hearing this, not just Erika, but Mizuki was also confused. "...Is that all there is to it?"

"I'm not completely certain. As for the reason, I'll explain it if it works."

"Oh, hm... let me try."

Erika temporarily set aside her doubt and turned towards the internally installed CAD.

Seeing this, Tatsuya started tutoring Leo.

After the flash of Psion light dissipated, a set of numbers about the size of a large ball appeared above. This was the highest pressure calculated through the casting of single system weight magic. The timer began (stopped?) only after the calculated number exceeded the base limit for pressure.

"1010 ms.

Erika-chan, you improved by 40 ms in one try! You've only got a little more left to go."

"Yes!

It feels like I've got my motivation back!"

"1016. Don't hesitate, Leo. You already know the target location. There's no need to visually check the target each time."

"I-I understand.

Ok, I'll get it this time!"

Tatsuya and Mizuki went to reset the recording devices while Erika and Leo closed their eyes or waved their arms, using a variety of methods to keep up their morale.

At this moment, a nervous voice floated in from behind Tatsuya's back. "Onii-sama, are you busy...?"

The owner of the voice was his own sister, and there was no need to turn around to verify this.

Erika heard footsteps that belonged to more than one person and turned around.

"Miyuki... Along with Mitsui-chan and Kitayama-chan?"

"Erika, don't get distracted.

Sorry, Miyuki. We're almost done. Just give us a second."

"Eh?"

"I understand. I'm terribly sorry, Onii-sama."

Miyuki smiled pleasantly and bowed at Tatsuya's apologetic voice.

Feeling as if the pressure had been multiplied many fold for some unknown reason, Leo furrowed his brows.

The other two followed Miyuki out the doorway. Seeing this, Tatsuya nodded.

"OK, you two, this is it."

Although the voice wasn't loud, it seemed to stifle any objection. "Yeah!"

"OK, let's finish this!"

Their morale at a peak, both of them glanced at the CAD display. "We made it~"

Erika's cheer turned into the bell that finally announced the end of the class.

"Whew... Danke [1], Tatsuya."

Tatsuya raised a hand to acknowledge Leo's thanks, then waved Miyuki in. Her face flushed with happiness, Miyuki walked towards him.

In comparison, Miyuki's classmates were more reserved Mitsui Honoka and Kitayama Shizuku stepped forward with slight smiles on their faces.

"Excellent work, you two.

Onii-sama, I've brought the goods as you instructed... Is this enough?"

Because he was just speaking with Erika and Leo, Tatsuya shook his head at Miyuki's question.

"No, but there's not much time left anyway, so this is perfect. Good work, Miyuki. Mitsui-san and Kitayama-san as well, thank you for lending a hand. I appreciate it."

Even though they had spoken previously, these two were only Miyuki's acquaintances, so in Tatsuya's eyes, they weren't completely friends yet. Thus, his tone was overly formal.

"No! It's nothing at all!"

"Don't worry about it. Despite looking like this, I'm actually quite strong."

Towards Honoka's unexpectedly excited answer and Shizuku's seemingly joking response, Tatsuya once again expressed his thanks and relieved them of their plastic bags.

"Catch."

And tossed the items for Erika and Leo to catch, just like that. "What is it?"

"Sandwiches...?"

The bags contained sandwiches and drinks sold in the school cafeteria.

"If we headed for the cafeteria now, we wouldn't make it in time for the afternoon class."

As he said this, Tatsuya took his prepared bento from Miyuki. "Thank you~ I'm starving."

"Tatsuya, you're the best!"

Smiling wryly at his food-obsessed friends, Tatsuya also took a seat in a nearby chair. At this time, Mizuki's unwary voice drifted to his ears.

"...But, is this okay? Aren't we prohibited from eating in the classrooms?"

"Food is only banned in areas with data terminals.

The school rules don't prohibit eating in classrooms."

"Eh, is that so?"

"Hm, you would know this if you seriously read the school rules. I used to think it was prohibited too, so I was a little surprised," Tatsuya replied, as he pulled out a pair of chopsticks.

Mizuki said "In that case", and reached out a hand. Leo unwrapped the sandwich and took a deep bite. "You didn't care from the beginning."

Erika retorted as she savored the exquisitely made sandwich.

A peaceful table... was actually replaced by several chairs because there was no table as Tatsuya and company started their tardy lunch break.

Miyuki and Team Appreciation also joined in with their drinks. "Miyuki-chan, did you already finish eating?"

"Yes. Onii-sama said to come over after eating."

At Mizuki's concerned question, Miyuki replied with this.

"Eh, I'm a little surprised. I thought Miyuki would say "I won't begin unless Onii-sama picks up his chopsticks!" or something like that."

Erika's comment was accompanied by full blown laughter rather than mere giggling.

From her expression, it was clear that she was purely joking. No one present gave it a serious thought.

Except for one person. "Ah, that's exactly right, Erika.

Normally that would be the case, but today was because of Onii-sama's orders.

Of course, I would never do something on my own that would go against Onii-sama."

"...'Normally' she would..."

"Yep."

"...'Of course'... Eh?"

"Hm, yes?"

A cramp developed in Erika's smile as she watched Miyuki earnestly shake her head. The mood suddenly turned very heavy.

As if seeking to dispel this strange atmosphere, Mizuki spoke up at an unnaturally high volume.

"Miyuki-chan's class is also starting in technical practice, right? What's it like?"

Honoka and Shizuku glanced at one another. It was a pair of concerned expressions.

Without paying heed to her peers' attitudes, Miyuki took the straw away from her mouth as she replied.

"It should be the same as your class, Mizuki. Using a slow machine and tasked with a boring practice like calculation."

The five people apart from Tatsuya revealed shocked expressions.

Her fierce, serpent-like tongue was completely incompatible with her lady- like demeanor.

"You appear very displeased."

"Of course I'm displeased. That kind of exercise is only good for practicing alone."

At her elder brother's teasing words, Miyuki replied in a huff, but her voice was tinged with a flirtatious tone.

"Hm... Even teaching hand over hand is bound to have some good and some bad."

"I admit I'm being treated differently. I'm terribly sorry if I've upset Erika because of this."

"No, I don't mind at all."

At Miyuki's honest apology, Erika lightly waved her hand.

"It's only natural to try and find the students with potential. It's the same with the dojo that my family runs those that have no potential are set aside and forgotten."

"Erika-chan's house is a dojo?"

"A little bit of ancient style kenjutsu, although that's just the side job."

"Ah, that's why..." Mizuki nodded as if she understood something.

She was probably thinking of the time when Erika used a retractable rod to disarm Morisaki's CAD.

"Chiba-san... Thinks that's only natural?" This time, it was Honoka who interjected with trepidation.

"Erika is fine. Actually, please call me that."

"Why are you putting on airs like someone important..." Leo's amazed retort created a perfect buffering moment for Honoka.

"Then, Erika, please call me Honoka."

"OK, OK.

That being said, when you said natural, are you referring to when Course 1 students are supervised by teachers, and Course 2 students can't catch up?"

"...Yeah, that."

Honoka hesitated, then nodded. "If it's that, then of course."

Erika nodded without any hesitation whatsoever.

"Because it's a matter of course, Miyuki and Honoka don't need to be troubled about it?"

"...You're quite calm about it." Leo replied in response to Erika's declaration.

"Ah? Is Leo-kun the one who is unsatisfied with the situation?"

"No, I just feel that there's nothing I can do about it..."

Leo's voice was comparatively lackluster. "I see~.

I don't think that 'there's nothing I can do', I think that 'it's a matter of fact' instead."

Erika's tone was relaxed as she said this. "May I ask your reasoning behind this?" At Honoka's question, Erika tilted her head.

After a short period of silence to collect her thoughts, with her index finger pressed against her temple, she began her reply.

"Hm... Because I've always thought that it's so natural up to this point, so it's hard to explain...

For example, in our dojo, the earliest we would teach any techniques to the students would be at least 6 months after enrollment."

"Oh."

Tatsuya nodded his head with interest.

Question marks floated above the heads of Honoka, Shizuku, and Mizuki.

"In the beginning, the only thing we teach is footwork and practice swings. After we demonstrate once, the rest is up to individual practice.

Afterwards, we start teaching those that look like they've grasped the proper manner of swinging."

"...Then, wouldn't there be students that never improve no matter how much time has passed...?"

"Yes, that has happened."

Erika nodded in response to Honoka's question. "Next, those people have to relentlessly practice.

Second, if your physical body isn't suited for waving a sword, then it would be a waste of time to impart any strong techniques anyways."

"Ah..." Mizuki quietly gasped.

As she watched Mizuki, Erika continued to speak.

"Because of this, the only thing you can do is keep practicing your swings. Watch what other people do, and carve it into your memory.

That is because you're surrounded by specialists of the sword.

You're just wasting your time idling if you wait for someone to teach you.

Only the utterly naive would believe that they could receive lessons from the start.

Whether it's the Sensei or assistants, remember that everyone there is someone currently in training.

Everyone has their own personal training regimen.

Those that cannot learn from the people around them and solely rely on being taught, are utterly delusional."

After she finished speaking, her eyes took on a tempting glint.

As he watched Erika become more animated during speaking to the point of lecturing, Tatsuya felt his spirit soar a bit.

"...Even though your words were pretty badass, but didn't you and I need Tatsuya to teach us just now...?"

"Ouch!

It hurts when you say that."

Erika furrowed her brows at Leo's point, but her relaxed voice didn't change.

"Those are two different things, apples and oranges... Although there have been situations where the tutor and the tutored were of different levels, which usually ends in disaster.

Actually, a real disaster would be where the one being tutored was at a higher level than the tutor."

Tatsuya revealed an evil smirk.

"Alas, I guess today qualifies as a true catastrophe then. Erika's final record was faster than mine by 100 ms." Erika was suddenly covered in cold sweat.

"Uh, no, what I wanted to say wasn't that...

S-Speaking of which, I still don't understand!

Why did overlapping the hands improve my time by so much?"

Forcibly changing the subject.

Everyone knew she was trying to muddy the waters, but if anyone asked too closely then it would be troublesome, so Tatsuya shrewdly let it slide.

"Nothing much. It's actually quite simple. Erika is used to holding the CAD with one hand."

"Uh?" Although Tatsuya's "explanation" had just started, Erika already interrupted the proceedings with more questions.

"How did you know?" was written clearly all over Erika's face, but for Tatsuya, this was something that was immediately discernible. After their conflict with Morisaki Shun and taking into account the shape of the CAD, this was a simple result to arrive at. Ignoring Erika's exaggerated reaction, Tatsuya continued "explaining".

"So I thought, if she put both hands on the CAD board in the classroom, it might be difficult for her to use."

"So that's why you told her to cover one hand with the other, creating a single handed grip..."

Mizuki nodded her head in amazement. She was not the only one with that expression on her face.

"Even though there were some posture problems gripping it with one hand, that didn't matter once she became motivated to grasp it with both hands, meaning the difficulty she encountered was simply a mental block."

"...So that's why. It looks like Tatsuya-kun can see right through me." Erika could not resist a wry smile, causing everyone to burst into laughter. "It feels like I've lost all my energy...

By the way, did Class A use the same CAD?"

"Yes."

Miyuki did not hide her disgust as she nodded, prompting Erika's curiosity. "Just for reference, could you tell me how long you took?"

"Eh? Me?"

Miyuki's eyes widened as she pointed at herself and Erika intentionally nodded in an exaggerated motion.

Miyuki glanced at Tatsuya.

"Go ahead." Tatsuya nodded with a wry smile.

"If Onii-sama says so..." Miyuki hesitated, then agreed.

Mizuki, who was closest to the machines, started setting the measuring equipment.

As if she were preparing to play the piano, Miyuki lightly placed her fingers on the board.

Measurement, start.

The remaining psion light flashed across. Mizuki's face froze.

Losing patience at her friend who wasn't announcing the result, Erika urged her on.

"...235 ms..."

"Uh...?"

"That's insane..."

Their stiff expressions started to spread.

"No matter how many times I hear it, it's still an astounding score..."

"Miyuki's technical abilities are nearing the limit for human reaction speeds."

Even the Class A students could not help but sigh. Only her elder brother didn't seem surprised.

He even looked somewhat disappointed as he wrinkled his brow.

"The old models used for education can only do so much. There's nothing you can do, Miyuki."

"There's no other choice, I have to use these maladjusted Activation Sequence filled with background noise... It's really irritating.

As expected, my real strength can only be revealed by the CADs maintained by Onii-sama himself."

Halfway between throwing a tantrum and being coquettish, Miyuki lay her head against Tatsuya's side. Tatsuya gently patted her head like he was comforting a child.

Everyone who was watching this scene did not tease them like they usually would.

The siblings' strength and words were displayed before their very eyes.

Before the difference displayed by the pair, jealousy was something only idiots would feel.

After school, Tatsuya sat in the cafe and stared blankly at the passing students.

The mixed atmosphere in the room was likely the reason why the majority of the students frequented this place.

According to Mari, the cafe saw the highest amount of traffic shortly after the school term began.

After students familiarized themselves with the campus, they begin to seek out places like club rooms, the central quad, or empty classrooms to spend their spare time.

Well, since the cafe wasn't for profit anyways, the loss in traffic was not a major concern.

The coffee atop the table had already turned cold.

The situation was the exact reverse of their previous meeting.

The only detail that was the same was that someone invited the other person.

Tatsuya was waiting for Sayaka in order to hear the results of her "homework".

Although he was irritated by the spying gaze looking at him, Tatsuya did not make any distinctive motions. Although he was confident that he could detect the target no matter how hard they hid, publicly subduing the target in the middle of the cafe was inadvisable, so he chose to avoid any violent action and merely pretend to calmly wait without detecting anything.

Fifteen minutes after the arranged time. She finally appeared.

"I'm sorry! Did you wait very long?"

"No worries, I got your message anyways." That wasn't merely just being polite.

Tatsuya's terminal did receive Sayaka's message saying that she would be about ten minutes late.

Also, by the time he received the message, it was only five minutes before the appointed time. Since it wasn't as if there was a major change in the arrangement, no matter if it was ten or twenty minutes, it was only waiting. The fact that he thought this way was probably because he had considerable patience.

"Is that so? Thank goodness.

I was just thinking what I was going to do if Shiba-kun left." Sayaka patted her chest in an exaggerated fashion.

Looked like today was also the "cute girl" type.

Tatsuya tilted his head and thought, in her mind, exactly what was supposed to draw his interest?

"What is it?"

Sayaka was befuddled.

Looks like he accidentally expressed his mental thoughts.

"It's nothing. Just that when senpai turns into a 'cute girl', this image greatly differs from the time you're holding a sword."

"Really, you meanie... Stop picking on me." She frantically looked elsewhere.

Tatsuya was unable to determine whether this was her honest reaction or more acting on her part.

Unfortunately, the results were announced before he could arrive at any conclusion.

"I'm sorry."

He smiled in apology. This was his acting.

Even though he didn't have too much confidence in it, that is. "Really... Is Tatsuya's real personality that of a flirt?"

"And not of a Magician, at least, not yet."

Taking a sip of cold coffee, Tatsuya turned around. He wasn't avoiding Sayaka's gaze, but instead, was looking towards the silhouette hidden amongst the plants. "Watanabe-senpai..."

Sayaka sucked in a breath and noticed that figure. But her sound was very light and insufficient to travel to that person.

"Oh, Tatsuya-kun."

The first one to respond was Mari. However, it was obvious that her gaze was reprimanding Tatsuya. If he had not specifically directed his gaze over, then she could have approached without drawing notice since this was the only way she could have erased her own presence.

"I'm not being lazy here."

Mari forced a smile at Tatsuya's reply. It was hard to tell whether Tatsuya's line meant "he was off duty today" or purely a joke.

"Don't worry, it's not like I'm reminding you as a committee member since I'm just passing through."

Now that Tatsuya mentioned it this way, Mari's appearance would seem unnatural. Mari, who did not miss this opportunity to cover this, was quite suave about this as well.

"I apologize if I was bothering the two of you. Mibu, sorry."

"No, it's nothing like that..."

Sayaka's reply to Mari was slightly stiff. Was it because she was nervous responding to an upperclassman, or because of negative feelings towards the Public Moral Committee.

Tatsuya felt that (n)either one was incorrect.

This impression was only strengthened by the powerful gaze Sayaka directed at Mari's retreating figure.

"So regarding what we talked about last time..."

After Mari's silhouette left the cafe, Sayaka finally started talking about the main subject.

Tatsuya was thinking about "Didn't she say that it's in my hands now..." or "She specifically came to observe because..." and "Monitoring would be another thing altogether", but he did not mention them aloud.

"In the beginning, merely expressing our ideas to the school was sufficient."

Her arm shook as she clasped her hands into fists beneath the table. "But, as expected, just this is not enough.

We want the school to improve the way we are treated."

She's in quite deep, Tatsuya thought.

Was she earnest? Or just saying so because he perked her interest? If this created a ruckus, it may lead to the reverse effect.

"In terms of improvement, do you have any concrete changes in mind?"

"That is... Everything in terms of treatment."

"Everything, like actual lessons?"

"...That's also one of them."

"The primary difference between Course 1 and 2 would be the presence of instructors, so is senpai suggesting the school increase the number of faculty members?"

Such a thing was impossible.

Originally, the policy was created precisely because there weren't enough people capable of effectively using magic.

The Course 2 system was a necessary evil to help ensure the number of Magicians and Magic Artificers.

"I didn't plan on taking it so far..."

As expected, the returning comment was a lackluster denial. "Then, are you referring to club activities?

I recall that the Kendo and Kenjutsu clubs have equal access and privileges to the gymnasium?"

According to Tatsuya's investigation yesterday, the surprising result was that the Kendo and Kenjutsu clubs had an equal amount of days in the gym.

"Or, is it problems with the budget?

While it is true that clubs affiliated with magic contests receive a higher amount of funding, based on the results of the budget division, this is something commonly seen in normal high schools as well."

"That... Maybe that is...

Then, Shiba-kun doesn't feel dissatisfied?

Asides from magic technical skills, no matter if it's magic theory, ordinary subjects, physical capabilities, or actual combat ability, even if you surpass the Course 1 students in all of these areas, but are labeled a Weed solely on your poor technical score, are you truly able to resign yourself to that?"

As he watched Sayaka desperately trying to find words to shore up her argument, Tatsuya felt that he was too harsh.

His resignation and regret were completely unrelated to her thoughts.

If you want to change, why don't you use your own thoughts to persuade others?

"Of course I'm not resigned." Then he should,

"In that case!"

"However, I have no reason to change the school." Speak of his own thoughts.

"What?"

"I do not have that many expectations on this state-sponsored school." These were his true thoughts, without a single hint of hypocrisy.

"The only things I want are access to the undisclosed data files stored within the magic universities and related organizations and to graduate from magic high school. Beyond that, I have no further desires."

Sayaka was dumbfounded at Tatsuya's retaliatory response.

"Not to mention that I have no intention of putting the blame for 'using banned words on campus to hurt others' or the immaturity of our peers on the school itself."

From the surface, this comment appearred to critique the incorrect ideology leading Course 1 students to refer to Course 2 students as "Weeds", but in reality, this was a reprimand aimed at those who could not meet their own expectations and sought the easy way out by blaming others for their weakness. Tatsuya let Sayaka clearly understand that.

"Alas, it looks like senpai and I have fundamentally different ideologies." After saying this, Tatsuya rose from his seat.

"Wait... Wait a minute!"

He turned around and glanced at the still sitting or maybe, unable to stand Sayaka, whose face had lost all color, whose eyes searched for support, and raised her head to look at him.

This was definitely not a glare, but an earnest, desperate gaze. "How... can you be so calm?

What is it that supports Shiba-kun?"

"My dream is to develop a Gravity Control-Type Thermonuclear Fusion Reactor.

Learning magic is nothing more than a single stepping stone along the way."

Sayaka's face turned blank.

Most likely, she was utterly unable to comprehend Tatsuya's words.

The realization of a Gravity Control-Type Thermonuclear Reactor, along with the "actualization of Generalized Flying-Type Magic", and the "development of a perpetual motion device based on the model of unlimited inertial expansion" are known collectively as the "Three Great Puzzles of Weight Systematic Magic."

For the future goal of a Course 2 student, this was simply too grandiose of a concept.

Tatsuya did not anticipate a mutual understanding, so he said nothing.

He no longer paid any attention to Sayaka and, once again, turned and left.

A week of peace and quiet passed by.

As he went on patrol as a Public Moral Committee member, he no longer encountered the ambushes that cropped up during the recruitment week. It was a peaceful time, just as Mizuki predicted (?).

Finally, Tatsuya obtained a stable high school life at least, that was how it looked from the surface.

This was nothing more than the calm before the storm.

One day after class.

At this time, students that participated in clubs were heading for the storage compartments to retrieve their uniforms and store their other school equipment, while those that were heading home prepared to leisurely depart.

"Attention, fellow students!"

A roar came across the loudspeakers. "What the hell is going on!"

"Dude, relax. You're annoying enough as it is, don't start yelling too."

"....I think Erika-chan needs to calm down too."

Just when many students were milling about in confusion, "Apologies, fellow students!"

The same speech started again from the loudspeakers. "They probably messed up on the volume the first time."

"No, I'm pretty sure now's not the time to comment on that."

Erika's keen ears picked up on Tatsuya's soft muttering, and immediately retorted.

Erika-chan is the same too, Mizuki thought, but did not verbalize.

"We are, the Aspirants Alliance who wish to abolish the differences within the school."

"Aspirants..."

Tatsuya softly repeated the words he heard delivered by a masculine voice over the loudspeakers. Based on the conversation in the cafe last week, this broadcast was most likely what Sayaka referred to as "an attempt to improve treatment". However, was there a precedent where members of a political club or organization labeled themselves as "aspirants", Tatsuya's thoughts unintentionally went on a tangent.

"Towards the Student Council and Club Management Group, we demand to negotiate on an even footing."

"I say, don't you need to be somewhere?"

Although she didn't hear his unpleasant mumbling, Erika's exuberant voice nagged at the still seated Tatsuya who was staring at the loudspeaker.

"That's true."

While Erika's attitude was, in a way, prudent, Tatsuya didn't say anything because what she said was correct.

"Inappropriate use of the Public Announcement Room is without question. There should be committee members on their way there right now."

Just as Tatsuya said this, a message arrived at the personal terminal he carried in his pocket, and not the data terminal in the classroom.

"Heh, speak of the devil. Then, I'm off."

"Ah, yes, please be careful."

Mizuki rose from her chair and spoke to Tatsuya in a voice filled with unease. Suddenly mindful of his surroundings, Tatsuya took a cursory look around the class. While there were students both in and out of their chairs, very few of them opted to leave the classroom. There were very few students who found the situation interesting like Erika, or, were infected by Leo's curiosity. The majority of the students wore expressions of restlessness and were contemplating if it was appropriate to leave.

"Ah, Onii-sama."

"Miyuki, you've been summoned as well?"

"Yes, the President said to meet in front of the Public Announcement Room."

Tatsuya met up with Miyuki along the way, and headed towards the Public Announcement Room.

However, their pace was not particularly fast. "Is this Blanche's work?"

"Not sure if it's the organization itself, but it matches their modus operandi."

The two of them continued their conversation until they reached the door to the Public Announcement Room together.

Before the doorway, Mari, Katsuto, Suzune, and members of the Public Moral Committee and Club Management Group could be seen.

"You're late."

"My apologies."

Both sides went through the motions for reprimanding and apologies, then started to verify the current situation.

The broadcast was probably curtailed by cutting the power.

Given that they hadn't charged in, the door was likely locked. It appeared that their opponents somehow managed to obtain the Master Key.

"Isn't this blatant criminal activity?"

Using the ends to justify the means, this type of thinking clearly showed that these guys were model "activists".

"Just so.

Thus, we have to be prudent here, so we don't force them into doing something drastic."

Although Tatsuya was speaking to himself, Suzune still replied.

"Even if we approach this prudently, there's no guarantee that they will back down.

I believe that we should take the rougher approach, with the intent of ending this as soon as possible."

Immediately, Mari interrupted.

It looks like we're deadlocked by two competing approaches. For crisis management, this is the worst possible situation.

"What does Club Leader Juumonji think?" Tatsuya's question drew quite a few surprised looks.

Tatsuya himself felt that this question did bring a "who're you to ask questions" feeling, but even then, this was preferable to remaining at an impasse.

It's not like he was an adult.

And he didn't plan on asking adults for assistance in this matter.

"I believe that there's no harm in agreeing to their demands to negotiate.

This is only a more radical attempt at what we've seen in the past. As long as we calmly refute their claims, we should be able to quell this without further concerns."

"So, we just sit here and wait?"

"There's not enough information to make a call at this point.

Although we can't just ignore illegal activity, on the other hand, unless this is a dire condition, damaging school facilities is also a criminal activity.

We've petitioned the faculty to use the security system override to open the door, but they've refused."

In other words, they didn't want to forcibly end the issue. Katsuto's idea ended up paralleling Suzune's proposal.

In that case, there's nothing else they could do except stay there and wait.

At Tatsuya, who saluted briefly before backing away, Mari directed a displeased gaze.

While he was not coerced into action by this gaze, he still took out the portable terminal from his pocket and changed it to calling mode.

The circumstances forced them to wait, but just waiting in perpetuity was no solution.

After five attempts...

"Is this Mibu-senpai? This is Shiba." Whoosh, quite a few looks turned this way. "...So, where are you senpai?"

The number of gazes directed towards Tatsuya increased.

"Ah, so you're in the Public Announcement Room, that's quite... Thank you for your hard work."

Next, Tatsuya furrowed his brows, because a large sound that defied any attempts towards volume control came across the speaker.

Because the voice from the other side was almost entirely covered from the other listeners, they could only guess at the conversation.

"No, I'm not treating senpai like a fool.

Senpai as well, can you please stay calm about the situation... Ah, I'm sorry.

Then, shall we cut to the chase?"

Mari and Suzune, as well as a few others, perked up their ears in order to catch every one of Tatsuya's words.

"Club Leader Juumonji has agreed to negotiate.

As for the opinion of the Student Council President, we haven't confirmed... no, the President has also agreed."

Seeing Suzune's hand signal, Tatsuya immediately made the correction.

"Speaking of which, I would like to first discuss the negotiation site. Details like date and time... Hm, now. Before the school intercedes... No, I will guarantee senpai's freedom. We're not the police, so we have no authority to confine students... Then, that's all."

Tatsuya pulled out the earplugs and replaced the portable terminal into his pocket before turning to Mari.

"Looks like they're going to come out right away."

"Was that Mibu Sayaka just now?"

"Yeah. Earlier, she passed me her personal number to set up a meeting, not guessing that it would come in handy in this situation."

Behind Tatsuya, Miyuki dipped her head slowly. Although it wasn't obvious enough to make anyone think it as unnatural, but Tatsuya immediately understood that his sister was using her long hair to cover her facial expression.

"You do move quickly, do you..."

"You misunderstand."

Tatsuya couldn't tell if Mari's words were going to end in fortune or misfortune. At any rate, Miyuki wasn't someone who couldn't read the mood and would immediately attack Tatsuya's back in a fit of jealousy.

"Compared to that, I think we should prepare a bit."

Tatsuya didn't turn around (to Miyuki), but focused his attention on urging Mari, Suzune, and Katsuto to action.

"Prepare?"

What are you talking about? Mari used this expression to look at Tatsuya. What are you asking about? Tatsuya blankly stared back at Mari.

"I am, of course, alluding to preparations to arrest all the occupants inside.

Given that they managed to steal the keys, it is well within reason that they are also equipped with CADs or other weapons."

"...I say, didn't you say you would guarantee their freedom?"

"I said I would guarantee the freedom of one, Mibu-senpai.

Also, I never mentioned that I was negotiating on behalf of the Public Moral Committee."

Not just Mari, but even Suzune and Katsuto were astounded at Tatsuya's words.

Naturally, there was one exception who lightly scolded Tatsuya. "Onii-sama, you're evil."

"It's a little too late to say that, Miyuki."

"Ho ho, that's true."

However, Miyuki's scolding was delivered with a delighted tone.

"That being said, Onii-sama? Regarding the fact that you specifically saved Mibu-senpai's personal number to your terminal, it's still not too late now for you to tell me every last detail, is it?"

Her face illuminated with by her smile, Miyuki's pleased voice added this onto the end.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

Whether it was just as expected or only a matter of course, Tatsuya was being interrogated by Sayaka.

Including her, there were five people that had taken control of the Public Announcement Room.

As Tatsuya surmised, they all had CADs, but did not prepare any firearms or blades.

From Tatsuya's point of view, despite their determination, the fact that none of them even considered he could be lying, thus ultimately causing them to be treated like amateur wannabes, was a foregone result.

Aside from Sayaka, the four others were all arrested by Public Moral Committee members while she was relieved of her CAD.

This was because Mari took Tatsuya's reputation into account.

Even though Tatsuya himself felt that verbal agreements were hardly binding in the first place.

Sayaka reached out to grab Tatsuya's collar, but her wrists were intercepted by Tatsuya's hands.

After easily countering the hands that were directed towards his collar,

Tatsuya blankly watched Sayaka vent her feelings. "How dare you lie to us!"

Watching the furiously struggling Sayaka, Tatsuya simply relaxed his hands.

Behind Sayaka, who was menacingly approaching Tatsuya, a voice called out.

"Shiba did not lie to you."

Sayaka flinched at the heavy, forceful voice. "Club Leader Juumonji..."

"I have heard your demands. I have agreed to negotiate.

However, listening to your petition and agreeing with your methods, are two different things."

Sayaka's fighting spirit disappeared.

In front of one responsible for managing all extracurricular activities, Katsuto, and his resolve, Sayaka could only swallow her resentment.

"While that's the case, can't we just release them?"

But at the same time, accompanying the above comment, a petite figure imposed herself between Tatsuya and Sayaka.

Her back was to Tatsuya as if to protect him. "Saegusa?"

Katsuto asked in astonishment. "However, Mayumi."

Mari disagreed.

Nonetheless, Mayumi cut right through them. "I understand what you're trying to say, Mari.

But, if we're only speaking to Mibu-san alone, there's no way we can negotiate.

As long as they're still students of the school, there should be no chance that they would run away."

"We definitely won't run!"

At Mayumi's words, Sayaka reflexively responded back.

"I've already spoken with the supervising teachers.

The Student Council will take responsibility for the theft of the keys as well as the unauthorized use of the loudspeakers."

Mayumi lightly sketched out the reason for her tardiness as well as their current situation.

Despite this, Sayaka and her companions did not betray a trace of fear, though if anyone were to weigh the pros and cons, they would come out vastly ahead, Tatsuya thought.

"Mibu-san, regarding the topics that we will be negotiating about, I would like to speak with you in private. Could you follow me, please?"

"...Yeah, no problem."

"Juumonji-kun, I'll take my leave."

"I understand."

"Sorry, Mari, I somehow feel that I stole your thunder."

"Mentally, no, I never felt that way. But in reality, this is how it's supposed to be,

So don't worry about it."

"That's great.

Then, Tatsuya-kun, Miyuki, the two of you can go home now."

"...Then, President, we'll take our leave."

After a short period of time.

The first one to recover was Miyuki.

Following his sister's solemn bow, Tatsuya wordlessly bowed, then left the scene.