Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 03 - Nine Schools Competition (I)

by Sato Tsutomu

  "Oh?"

  Leo gasped, not because the magic was activating, but because the effects of inertia far exceeded his expectations.

  "Haha, it's actually floating, how incredible!"

  Leo revealed a childlike smile and swung the "sword" that had less than one half of the blade still attached.

  The other half of the blade floating in midair mimicked his motion and swung in a similar arc.

  "Three, two, one......"

  "Whoa......."

  Leo stopped upon hearing Tatsuya counting down.

  "Zero."

  With the end of the countdown, the blade swiftly reconnected with the "broken" blade and reformed into a complete "sword".

  "Tatsuya, that was a complete success."

  Leo was wearing a thoroughly delighted expression as he raised a thumb, whereas Tatsuya mirrored his gesture.

  "Still, I'm impressed that you could come up with something like this. Detaching the blade from the hilt, then using Fortifying Magic to solidify its position and 'shoot' out the blade. I still can't believe I just did that. Now I know Fortifying Magic can also operate by separating objects."

  "That is because the core concept behind Fortifying Magic is stabilizing relative positions, and if you ignore all the stereotypes, you find that objects don't have to be physically connected to one another. In addition, the operational form of this CAD is more like 'extension' rather than being 'shot out'.

  The blade will only elongate in a linear fashion, since the middle segment is empty space."

  "I never thought about that, I'll just treat this like a really~ long sword."

  Just as Leo said, this weaponized calculation device wasn't like other long range system weapons that required additional energy to control, but was simply matching the motion of the blade while flying at a set distance until the magic lost effect.

  "Speaking of which, why did the blade come back? I didn't activate any other magic."

  "Oh, that's simple. That's an electric current reaction-type recall alloy, so it only separates the moment an electric current is applied to break the connection."

  Leo nodded to signify his understanding, since this was a popular design in the modern era.

  "So if a large force is applied during the state where magic isn't supplied, this could easily be broken."

  "That's not a problem, we just have to store it in a scabbard when not in use, right?"

  "That's true, shall we perform live tests on dummies? Or test the fluctuations during separation?"

  "Tatsuya, while this thing is separated, is the length adjustable?"

  "That's not impossible, but exceedingly difficult. Currently, the Activation Sequence tied to the activation button on the hilt is set as a constant, but that can be easily changed to a variable. The challenge lies in that whenever the length needs to be adjusted, a new magic needs to overwrite the previous one."

  "Is that the case?"

  "If the return speed could be increased, then there's no need to concern ourselves with the changing distances in between. After all, a real sword can't elongate itself halfway through the slashing motion."

  "Yet Erika seems to be able to accomplish that feat. What do you plan to do?"

  "Well...... Let's do a dummy test first."

  "Got it."

  Tatsuya manipulated a control mechanism that was slightly larger than a notepad and called up three man-sized straw dolls from the ground.

  "......Oldschool."

  "......I wonder whose hobby this is?'

  Even though regenerating products had become mainstream in modern society, the oddly outdated design still prompted the two of them to exchange a helpless glance.

  "Regardless...... In terms of sheer specs, they'll do as slashing targets."

  "Straw dolls don't have any "specs"...... But there's no other choice."

  Leo slapped his face lightly with his empty left hand to focus himself, then fell into a stance against the straw dolls.

  He thumbed the power switch.

  The blade flew into the sky.

  Leo swung the weapon with all his strength.

  Ahead of his right arm, the detached blade built up rotational momentum to a respectable speed before smashing into the straw doll.

  "Lot of strain on the arm."

  Leo looked like his hand had gone numb, but he lightly swung the restored medium length, sword-like weaponized calculation device as he voiced his thoughts.

  "That's because while the flying part is physically small and despite the fact that speed can supplement strength somewhat, inertia still remains an issue, so you need extra arm strength to compensate."

  "No wonder. So in actual combat, I would need to apply more strength into each of my swings."

  Leo acknowledged Tatsuya's explanations with a nod of his head and aimed at the next target.

  As he watched Leo fall into another combat stance, Tatsuya thought:

  (Indeed, even after applying an actual blade, a slight increase in weight would be perfect for combat conditions. Still, this level of power would be appropriate for competition venues.)

  The thought circulating in Tatsuya's mind was the restriction on direct contact during "Monolith Code". This weaponized calculation device had a flying blade, so it bypassed this restriction.

  (......Not that there's any connection here.)

  While he claimed this was strictly a toy, he was still actively considering practical applications. Tatsuya could only secretly laugh at himself.

  Chapter 7

  It's the third day of the Nine Schools Competition.

  The Men and Women's "Icicle Destruction" and "Battle Board" were being held today, making this the biggest hurdle of the first half of the Nine Schools Competition.

  The players from First High that had advanced thus far included two men in "Icicle Destruction", two men and women in "Battle Board", and one woman in "Icicle Destruction".

  This was not going according to plan, but was still within the acceptable combat parameters.

  "Hattori-senpai is on first for the Men's Team, Watanabe-senpai is in the second round for the Women's Team, Chiyoda-senpai is set for the first round, and Group Leader Juumonji is scheduled for the third round......"

  Tatsuya felt a headache forming as he surveyed the schedule.

  Even if the start of the contest didn't coincide perfectly with the schedule, he could only watch either Hattori's or Kanon's event.

  (Though Hattori-senpai probably doesn't want me to watch him compete......)

  That being said, Miyuki and Hattori were both part of the Student Council, so not watching Hattori's contest was still a problem.

  "Ah, found you, Tatsuya-kun!"

  Still, Tatsuya no longer had to concern himself with this, or maybe he no longer had to concern himself period.

  "President, what's the matter?"

  "I was hoping you could help."

  Mayumi dragged Tatsuya towards the engineering vehicles.

  ◇◇◇

  "Onii-sama, it's about to start!"

  In the end, Tatsuya barely got away in time to catch the start of Mari's event.

  Mari had dropped by when Tatsuya was working and specifically reminded him: "You are going to come watch me, right?" If he stayed away after that, even if he was just a little tardy and missed the opening segment, he would never hear the end of it.

  Tatsuya thanked his little sister and friends for saving him a spot, then turned to look at the starting line.

  Looks like he made it just in time.

  Mari was wearing her customary headband with her hair fluttering as she adopted the set position.

  There were a total of three contestants in the semifinal round, which would run for two matches.

  The winners of the two matches would advance to the final round where they would duel one another.

  The two others were tense with anxiety, but Mari fearlessly awaited the starting signal.

  The "Get Set" whistle sounded.

&nb
sp; The audience was dead silent.

  After a split second, the second whistle rang out.

  The race was on.

  The first one out the gate was Mari.

  Unlike the preliminary round, the one in second was right on her heels.

  The player in third was only slightly further behind.

  "They're tough......!"

  "No wonder they're known as 'Seventh High of the Waves'."

  "I remember that they had the same team in last year's finals."

  The billowing waves on the surface were clear evidence that their magic was interfering with one another.

  Generally, Mari would use her position in the lead to take advantage of the waves to disrupt her opponent behind her, hereby achieving greater effect than the sum of its parts, but the player from Seventh High adeptly maneuvered her board to compensate for her disadvantage in magic.

  The three players threaded through the snaking aqueduct and rounded the tight corner neck to neck.

  After passing through there, they entered a passage that couldn't be seen from the observation deck, so now the action had to be watched through the television screens.

  Tatsuya glanced towards the widescreen TV that was displaying the images from the sharp turn.

  "Huh?"

  A small oddity onscreen grabbed his attention.

  "Ah!"

  So Tatsuya accidentally missed this moment.

  Screams erupted from the stands.

  Tatsuya frantically looked back.

  The player from Seventh High had completely lost her balance.

  "Speed Burst?"

  Someone shouted out.

  That's certainly what it looked like.

  The player's board wasn't gripping the water's surface.

  As if in full flight, the player from Seventh High was gliding across the water's surface and was about to slam straight into the railing.

  —Under the assumption that no one was in the way.

  Mari, who had just finished decelerating and was ready to sprint ahead, was directly in the path of the trajectory.

  Mari faced the railing.

  Even so, she still kept her head turned behind her, likely because she detected the oncoming presence from the rear.

  Her following action, could only be described as superlative.

  Mari canceled her forward acceleration and switched to parallel rotational acceleration, using the waves crashing back from the walls of the aqueduct and her own magic to spin the board halfway around.

  Next, she used multiple recalculations to use two new magics and prepared to receive the out of control Seventh High player.

  First she used Move-Type Magic to fling away the player's board and then applied Weight-Type Inertial Neutralization Magic to prevent herself from crashing into the railing after catching the other player.

  This would have been enough to avert disaster.

  If the water's surface didn't suddenly dip.

  It was only a minute difference.

  However, Mari was in the middle of a high level technique to achieve a 180 degree turnaround.

  Mari wasn't a surfing expert, she was just using superb magic and personal buffing to change her stance. The moment her flotation faded, her balance was destroyed as well.

  Which in turn caused the activating magic to fizzle.

  She successfully redirected the other player's board that was hurtling towards her legs.

  But the Inertial Neutralization Magic didn't activate, which sent the player from Seventh High careening into Mari.

  The two of them slammed into the railing together.

  Shrill shrieks sounded from all around the stands.

  Immediately, a flag rose to signal a halt to the competition.

  Tatsuya couldn't help but rise to his feet.

  Mari was sandwiched between the railing and the player from Seventh High.

  It looked like she wasn't able to successfully erect any protective measures.

  "Onii-sama!"

  Completely pale, Miyuki was gazing up at him.

  "I'll go take a look, you guys stay here."

  Tatsuya had received military and guardian training since youth, which more than qualified him for minor surgical operations.

  "Understood."

  Tatsuya's steady voice allowed Miyuki to realize that everyone going to take a look would only add to the panic, so she waved her hands to signal their friends to take a seat and nodded her assent towards Tatsuya.

  Tatsuya charged down the observation deck and threaded through the dense crowds as if performing a magic trick.

  ◇◇◇

  She did not wake very quickly.

  There seemed to be a thick cloud hanging over her consciousness, so it was difficult to grasp her surroundings.

  What was she doing here......?

  This was the first question that flashed across Mari's mind as she awoke.

  "Mari, are you awake? Do you know who I am?"

  An evil friend — even at this time in the privacy of her mind, Mari still didn't apply the term "friend" — could be seen in front of her face.

  Mari knew the literal meaning of the question, but was unable to comprehend why the question was asked, so she murmured in confusion—

  "Mayumi, what are you talking about? Why would you ask......"

  —Halfway through her sentence, Mari recalled the reason why Mayumi asked the question as well as her current predicament.

  "So I'm in the hospital......"

  "Yes, the hospital at Susono Base. Thank goodness...... Looks like there was no mental damage."

  "How long was I out?"

  There was still a dull throbbing coming from the back of her head, which allowed Mari to realize that she didn't fall asleep, but was forcefully knocked unconscious after failing to erect defenses in time.

  "Since just after noon. Ah, don't get up yet."

  Mari wanted to sit herself up, but Mayumi quickly pushed her back down.

  She didn't apply a lot of strength, but Mari's physical mobility was reduced to less than half.

  "Your ribs are broken and while they've used magic to reconnect them, they still need some time to stabilize. I think you know very well that healing magic is ultimately only an emergency measure."

  "There's only the outward appearance of recovery during the stabilization period, rather than instantaneous recovery — don't worry, I know at least that much."

  Mari took the words right out of Mayumi's mouth as she murmured to herself and sank back down onto the bed.

  "How long will I be out?"

  "At least a week for a full recovery, though you are cleared for daily activities after one day of bed rest. Still, to be on the safe side, you are forbidden from strenuous activity for the next ten days."

  "Hey, then......!"

  "You'll have to withdraw from "Mirage Bat" too. There's nothing we can do about that."

  "Is that so......"

  Mari sighed and closed her eyes.

  She reopened them after a short interval.

  "What was the conclusion of the contest?"

  "The instigator from Seventh High was banned as punishment with Third and Ninth High advancing to the finals. Kobayakawa-san was highly motivated, so I think we have a chance to seize Third Place."

  "Kobayakawa is more than capable so long as she doesn't mentally handicap herself."

  "Indeed. By the way, the player from Seventh High didn't suffer major injuries, so your efforts weren't wasted."

  "......It doesn't really count as helping if I'm seriously injured myself."

  Mari scowled as she was complaining, though her "pretense" at negativity drew a light laugh from Mayumi.

  Mayumi averted her head and feigned ignorance.

  "On the Men's Team, Hattori-kun advanced to the finals, but Murakami-kun just barely missed out. Juumonji-kun and Kanon-san both advanced to the single elimination portion of 'Icicle Destruction' on their respective sides."

  "So I'm the only
one who couldn't fulfill her end of the bargain......"

  "It's not your fault. Mari, you made the right decision. If you didn't halt your acceleration, you might have been able to narrowly avoid the collision and advance to the finals, but...... The player from Seventh High would likely have suffered serious injury to the point that her life as a Magician might be over, that's how dangerous her situation was. Tatsuya-kun also concurs."

  "......Hey, why are you bringing up this guy's name now?"

  "Because he was the one who escorted you here and stayed on station while you were undergoing treatment."

  "What?"

  "Well, of course we didn't leave it all to Tatsuya-kun himself...... Shocked?"

  Mayumi sported a grin while Mari turned around with a miserable expression on her face.

  It was precisely because she felt a tight knot unraveling inside her that Mayumi's grin irked her even more.

  "Naturally, men wouldn't be present while ladies are changing, so he obediently waited in the corridor while treatment was ongoing. But you better thank him later on. He arrived practically at the same time as the emergency response teams and helped bring you to shore. He also spotted your fractures in one glance and gave the orders for treatment."

  "......Who the devil is this guy?"

  Mari's eyes were wide with amazement while Mayumi nodded deeply.

  "How should I put this, he seems very adept at dealing with accidents and victims...... Speaking of which, what's your status?"

  "Why are you asking this now...... I have a small headache, but that's a strictly physical injury, and my head is clear."

  "Looks like there's no trauma...... In that case, let me get this over with now."

  "?"

  Mayumi pinned the still befuddled Mari with a serious look.

  "What's with the sudden serious attitude?"

  "Mari...... At that time, were you hindered by an outsider's magic?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "Just as Mari was about to catch the player from Seventh High, did you lose your balance because a third party maliciously used magic to disrupt the water's surface? This is what I want to express."