by Sato Tsutomu
"…Aahhh! Why are you always…"
She started mumbling something but thankfully, she stopped harassing Tatsuya, so he was able to focus his attention on the swordsman.
He was about the same size as Tatsuya, but he seemed to have a spring-loaded body. He had a shinai in his hand but no armor on. He was going to ask people around him what was going on, but it didn’t seem like he needed to.
"The Kenjutsu club is scheduled to perform an hour later Kirihara! Why can’t you wait?!"
"Wow, how can you say that Mibu? I was just trying to help you guys out since these weaklings you got here don’t seem to be advertising your Kendo club effectively."
"By forcing him to have a practice round with you?! I can’t believe you’re saying things like that! If the Disciplinary Committee finds out that you used violence on an upperclassman, you’re not the only one who’s going to be in trouble!"
"Violence you say? Hey, hey Mibu, don’t be exaggerating things here. I just used my shinai to hit his helmet. If that guy’s part of the Kendo club, he shouldn’t be going unconscious over something like this. Besides, he was the one who started it anyway."
"It’s because you provoked him!"
There wasn’t much meaning to have a dispute when their weapons are pointed at each other, thought Tatsuya, but since it made things clear what was going on, it was convenient for him.
"Seems like fun."
Erika mumbled on the side, Tatsuya wasn’t sure if she was talking to herself or not. But he could tell from her tone that she was excited.
"This is much more interesting than that little rehearsal that we just saw."
"Do you know those two?"
"Well, I don’t personally know them."
Seeing as how she responded to his question, it doesn’t seem like she was talking to herself.
"I just remembered about the girl. Her name is Mibu Sayaka. The year before last, in the National Middle School Kendo Tournament, she placed second in the entire country. She was cheered by the media as the Beautiful Swordswomen for awhile."
"…But she placed second, right?"
"Well... the champion’s looks were… you know."
"I see."
That’s the media for you.
"The guy’s name is Kirahara Takeaki. The year before last he placed 1st place in the Kanto Middle School Kenjutsu Tournament. A real champion."
"He didn’t participate in the Nationals?"
"The Nationals for the Kenjutsu tournament only start from High school since there are much less competitors for that one."
Well that’s right, nodded Tatsuya in agreement.
Kenjutsu is a sport that combined sword techniques with magic, so the basic prerequisite to do Kenjutsu is to be able to use magic. Even though technology has come a long way in assisting people in using magic, only 1 in 1000 middle schoolers were probably able to use it in a practical setting. Even in adulthood, only 1 in 10 are able to maintain that level of magic. Even though some of them are Course 2 students within the schools, outside of school, they’re basically elites.
"Oh, looks like it’s starting."
Tatsuya was able to feel the atmosphere reaching its breaking point.
Just as a precautionary measure, he took out his armband and attached it to his left arm. The student next to him was surprised, but he glared at him after seeing there wasn’t anything on his left chest. But Tatsuya’s attention was focused on the two.
The female swordswoman was hesitant in attacking an opponent with no armor on. But, as long as they faced their swords at each other and had no intent on backing down, there was no choice but to fight.
It seemed like Kirihara was going to make the first move.
"Don’t worry Mibu, it’s only a demonstration for the Kendo club. I won’t use any magic on you."
"Do you think you can beat me with technique alone? You, Kirihara from the Kenjutsu club who heavily relies on magic, and me, from the Kendo club who relies on nothing but technique?"
"You talk pretty big Mibu. I’ll show you. The Kenjutsu technique is used to fight past the body limitations!"
That was the signal of the fight.
Kirihara lunged forward and swung his shinai towards her head.
The sounds of shinais beating each other echoed in the room, followed by screams that came seconds later. The spectators couldn’t tell what was going on. They could only listen as bamboo and bamboo hit one another; sounds so violent that it almost sounded metallic. Most were only able to imagine the intense fighting taking place.
—Excluding a small number of people.
"Impressive. The female Kendo students are at a pretty high level. If this is how good the second place is, then how strong was the champion?"
Tatsuya let out a breadth of admiration towards Sayaka’s skill.
"No, she’s completely different from when I last saw her. I can’t believe how much she’s improved in only 2 years…"
Even though she let out a surprised look, Erika hid her face as she licked her lips while she let out a combative aura.
The two were momentarily locked in place, but they quickly pushed each other and jumped back to make space between one another.
Some took a breath while others gasped for it. The spectator’s reactions were split in two.
"I wonder which will win…"
Erika asked in a quiet voice.
"Mibu-senpai seems like she has the upper hand."
Tatsuya answered in a whisper.
"The reason?"
"Kirihara-senpai is avoiding the head when he attacks. That first move he made was a bluff because he knew that she was easily going to take it. Besides, he’s limited by not being able to use his magic. In terms of technique alone, Mibu-senpai is much better."
"Agreed. But, the question is, can Kirihara-senpai hold himself in until the end?"
"Oooooooooooooooo!"
First time during the match, Kirihara let out a roar while lunging forward and attacks from both opponents struck head on.
"Is it a draw?"
"No, it’s not."
Kirihara’s shinai skimmed Sayaka’s left arm while Sayaka’s shinai was stuck in his right shoulder.
"Ugh."
Kirihara used his left hand to push away her shinai and dove back.
"He lost because he tried to change his aim in the middle of the attack."
"I see, so that’s why he seemed to waver in his attack. It was the perfect timing to make it a draw… but I guess he couldn’t cut off his feelings."
Tatsuya and the others weren’t the only ones who knew the match was over.
Seated towards the front of the crowd were members of the Kendo club and the Kenjutsu club. The Kendo members let out a sigh of relief while the Kenjutsu members clenched their teeth in anger.
"If this was a real fight, then this would have been a mortal wound. The attack you made on me didn’t even reach my bones. Just admit your loss."
Sayaka let out a declaration of victory in a graceful pose.
But, Kirihara distorted his face while listening. Is his swordsman side admitting his loss despite what he’s feeling otherwise?
"He…heheheheh."
He suddenly started letting out a hollow laugh. Did he admit his defeat? It didn’t seem that way.
Tatsuya’s sense of danger shot up within him. The only person who sensed this more than Tatsuya was the one who was standing in front of Kirihara — Sayaka.
He recovered his stance, pointed his weapon at her, and looked sharply at her.
"A real fight, you say? If this was a real fight, you wouldn’t even be able to cut me. Mibu, do you really want to have a real fight? Then… I’ll show you what a ‘real fight’ is!"
As Kirihara activated his CAD using his right hand, screams came from the crowd of spectators.
There was a screeching sound that echoed the room, like someone was scratching a panel of glass. There were some who even kneeled down with pale faces.
Kirihara jumpe
d forward and swung his shinai down.
He had the same speed, but he wasn’t using as much strength as before. Regardless, Sayaka jumped back.
The attack didn’t even hit; it barely grazed her. But her chestplate was cut open, just by getting grazed by a shinai.
The thing that increased its cutting power is a close combat Vibration Magic, "Sonic Blade".
"How’s that Mibu?! This is a ‘real’ fight!"
As he was about to make another swing towards Sayaka, Tatsuya jumped in front of him.
Before he jumped in, Tatsuya activated his CADs on both arms (using his Psion as "hands" to press the switches) and transferred his Psion within them. He used those CAD to shoot out an intricate web of Psion waves; a type of Non-Systematic magic that Tatsuya uses.
By now, there were many spectators who held their mouths because a symptom similar to motion sickness spread across the crowd.
Kirihara’s shinai and Tatsuya’s arm intersected, but there weren’t any sounds of the shinai hitting meat.
The sound that came out was the sound of a body falling to the floor.
After the spectators recovered from the sound and sickness, they were able to finally see what was going on.
And what they saw was Kirihara on the ground while Tatsuya was keeping him there, by holding his left wrist and using his knee to push down on his shoulder.
◇◇◇
Within the gymnasium, a.k.a "Arena", what broke silence was whispers of hostility.
"Who’s that?"
"I’ve never seen him before."
"Is he a new student?"
"Look at it, he’s a Weed."
"What the hell is a Weed doing?"
"But that thing on his armband—"
"Wait, I heard a rumor that someone from the Course 2 made it into the Disciplinary Committee."
"What? Seriously? A Weed in the Disciplinary Committee?"
The whispers originated from the Kenjutsu club and spread from there (from both boys and girls). Within the crowded circle, half stared at Tatsuya with hostility, while others simply gazed while holding their breath.
In this hostile atmosphere, Tatsuya coolly (while holding Kirihara down) took out his communication device in his mobile terminal. His cool face didn’t seem like a bluff; it seemed like he was used to being the bad guy in most situations.
"This is Tatsuya within the 2nd gymnasium. I have apprehended one student. He seems to be injured so please bring a stretcher just in case."
He didn’t speak in a loud voice, but his voice echoed through the crowd.
After the realization of what was happening sunk in, a member of the Kenjutsu club took a step forward and started shouting at Tatsuya.
"Hey, what are you doing?!"
He must be confused, asking meaningless questions like that. Actually, it might not be a question but more like a threat.
"I am apprehending Kirihara-senpai because of improper use of magic."
Tatsuya dutifully answered the yelling individual. Well, technically, his eyes were still focused on Kirihara below him so even if it was dutiful it wasn’t exactly respectful. Depending on how you look at it, it seemed like he was looking down on his opponent.
And that’s exactly how the upperclassman Kenjutsu member took it.
"Hey, you! Stop looking down at me you damn Weed!"
He started lunging forward to grab Tatsuya in the chest.
Tatsuya quickly let go of Kirihara and stepped back. He took a look at Kirihara and saw that his consciousness was still hazy from the fall so it looked like he wasn’t going to be running away anywhere. After making that judgment, he focused his attention on the (oncoming) upperclassman in front of him.
Other Kenjutsu members were becoming angered by Tatsuya’s attitude of acting coolly like his opponents weren't even a threat. The upperclassman facing him clenched his teeth to a point where you could hear it grind.
"Why is it only Kirihara?! Mibu over there is as guilty as he is! She was the one to continue the fight!"
The statement came from the crowd. It was a criticism that was shot toward Tatsuya and it was also made to support the upperclassman. But Tatsuya didn’t even budge and said,
"As I said before, I’m apprehending him for the improper use of magic."
Again, with a calm voice he dutifully answered.
You should’ve just ignored them… thought Erika, and at that point, her concerns became real.
"Stop messing around!"
The upperclassman was filled with rage again and lunged toward Tatsuya.
Tatsuya avoided the attacks like a bullfighter in a ring, but this just made things worse.
Now the upperclassman was throwing his fists at him, but Tatsuya was still dodging those.
No matter what the upperclassman did he wasn’t able to touch Tatsuya. Not only was empty handed combat Tatsuya’s specialty, but the upperclassman was also making crude movements because of his rage.
Tatsuya was taking light steps to dodge his opponent’s brash punches. Just when Tatsuya stopped moving because the upperclassman stopped from fatigue, two more members from the Kenjutsu club attacked Tatsuya from behind.
Just when Erika was about to shout "Behind you!", Tatsuya spun around and tangled the two members together. The two Kenjutsu members ran into each other and rolled to the ground.
Silence filled the room again. It was completely silent in the arena.
If there were any sound effects at this moment, it would be the sound of a boiling point reaching its peak.
Because in the next moment, the entire Kenjutsu club started attacking Tatsuya.
Screams arose from the crowd and everyone who wasn’t involved (including the Kendo members) started running away to avoid the brawl.
Sayaka was the only one in the crowd who stepped forward to help Tatsuya.
"Wait, Mibu."
A 3rd Year upperclassman from the same Kendo club grabbed her wrist.
"Ah, Tsukasa-senpai."
She resisted for a moment, but when she saw the person who grabbed her wrist, she let him pull her away from the scene. Her face was overcome with guilt from running away from the fight, but she couldn’t let go of the 3rd Year Kendo Male Club President’s hand.
As the Male Club President took Sayaka away from the brawl, Tatsuya was in the middle of it, getting ready to take the Kenjutsu members head on.
Well, not necessarily "head on" as in counter attacking; all he did was dodge and parry the attacks the "Blooms" unleashed on him.
Tatsuya’s movements were not graceful; they were solid, or even certain if there is a right word for it. It’s almost as if he could tell the order the upperclassmen were going to attack from all directions; all he made were the minimal necessary movements. He stayed calm during the ordeal and showed no signs of being cornered. When they cooperated to drive him in a corner, he merely did a feint and had them hit each other; when they came at him like a wall, he skillfully wove his way through it.
Even though more than 10 people were attacking him at once, they weren’t even able to disrupt his breathing, let alone stop him in place.
The Blooms understood in anger that this insolent Weed wasn’t attacking back not because he couldn’t, but because he didn’t even need to.
This caused the rest of the Kenjutsu members to activate their CADs in anger. But when they lit it up to shoot up magic towards him, nothing happened.
Whenever Tatsuya looked in their directions, they were filled with motion sickness and their blocks of Psion dissipated into thin air.
The Kenjutsu members cursed as they couldn't understand what was going on, but they merely proceeded to attack Tatsuya with their fists.
All the while, Sayaka didn’t notice that her Male President was observing the situation out of curiosity.
Afterword
Everyone, nice to meet you. Satou Tsutomu here.
Thank you very much for picking up this book.
This "Mahouka Koukou no Rettou
sei" that became my debut work in a novel-posting site since October 2008 was edited and revised in the published serialization.
This work was written entirely as a hobby, then received an offer to be published out of luck.
It was started from an email I received from the great administrator of the novel-posting site.
That email was sent by the people from ASCII Media Works, and the text transmitted was a words of invitation, "We want to discuss the terms for publication."
To be honest, I doubted my eyes.
Entertainment novel is my number one hobby.
I also love reading and writing.
Therefore, as an entertainment novel writer, I had the desire to publish my works in the stage of books since long ago.
While being a salaryman who will never get promoted, I applied this novel that I wrote in my spare time to the publisher's rookie of the year award.
However, this kind of thing was allowed precisely because "Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei" was freely published on the web by an amateur and a self-evaluated work.
Dealing with a reputable publisher is an adventure isn't it~?
I remembered how I wished that this was somebody else's problem.
Actually, the aforementioned publisher's award I applied to was Dengeki Novel Prize by ASCII Media Works, but my competition entry was easily defeated.
If you allow me to make an excuse, it was because I had to tightly compress the amount of sentences of this work into half due to the application's regulation.
I even felt, "Isn't this unreasonable?"
But I accepted my defeat.
"The world is not that sweet" is one of the few useful lessons I learned in my life as a salaryman.
However, an "unexpectedly nice" event also occurs in life once in a while.
After a chat started with a usual greeting with the person from editorial department of Dengeki Bunko that I met (although probably keeping his name secret is unnecessary, I will call him M-sama in accordance to the custom(?)).
I was really surprised when asked, "Aren't you 'XXXX'-san who wrote 'XXXX'?".
The work that I applied to Dengeki Novel Prize was this work, although they shared some settings, the style of the SF was completely different, moreover the pen name was also written using kanji notation of an English-American name by the phonetic equivalent.