Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 07 - Yokohama Disturbance Chapter (II)

by Sato Tsutomu

  Katsuto was able to use his senses and the changes in spatial distribution to grasp physical movement and changes.

  Through those senses, Katsuto detected that a massive physical object, though not as large as a building but sufficient to be gigantic by human standards, had vanished in an instant.

  Katsuto had never encountered such a change in phenomenon on such a scale with this degree of stability.

  Rather than being threatened by this feeling, curiosity prompted Katsuto to halt searching for people who hadn't fled and leaped towards the scene where matter dissipated.

  Seeing that massive body, it was hard to imagine that he was also very adept in high speed Move-Type Magic. Leaving Kirihara behind at the original location, he slid through the sky through his leap and arrived at the outer wall of the resting area thanks to his momentum.

  Was this fortunate or unfortunate?

  For Mayumi and Mari, this was definitely fortunate.

  As to what Katsuto thought himself, there was no way to know without asking him.

  Just as he arrived Katsuto was subjected to a warm welcome from the guided missiles.

  Katsuto's response was almost pure reflex.

  He instantaneously erected several physical barriers that were impermeable to air particles and could handle temperatures exceeding 20000 degrees.

  The shock waves from the missiles that mysteriously detonated in mid air didn't even scratch the outer walls covered by Katsuto's barrier.

  Katsuto looked in the direction where the shock waves that detonated the missiles came from.

  There was an army captain standing on an open top military car carrying something that looked like a missile launcher.

  "Super Sonic Launcher...... Are you from 101?"

  Katsuto called out towards the military vehicle headed his way. (Although it seemed a little odd, he was still a high school student, so he addressed the adult in a respectful tone.)

  The car must be equipped with a fusion mechanical system and slid soundlessly forward until the captain descended with a picturesque smile and saluted Katsuto.

  "JSDF 101 Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, Captain, Sanada Shigeru. As expected of the heir of the Juumonji Family, you do know about us. Please excuse my rudeness."

  Katsuto's brow twitched.

  Such a simple reaction was exemplary mental fortitude for an 18 year old young man.

  "Excuse me. I think both sides have much to discuss."

  "......I should be the one apologizing."

  "A thousand apologies. Then, my lord heir of the Juumonji Family, let's go inside."

  Sanada said as he headed for the conference hall.

  Katsuto had no idea what the man needed from him, but since this soldier knew about the hidden family situation surrounding the Juumonji Family, he was not someone Katsuto could let his guard down around.

  The two men advanced one after another into the nearest entrance of the conference hall.

  ◊ ◊ ◊

  Fujibayashi did not come alone.

  Behind her figure decked out in combat fatigues (she was not wearing a dress and brand name shoes but long pants and boots), another man in his prime wearing the uniform of the JSDF with a major's pins came in.

  This major came before the bemused Tatsuya, who stood there stiffly, and came to a halt with his hands behind his back.

  "Special Lieutenant, your information classification has been temporarily disabled."

  Standing by his side, Fujibayashi spoke to Tatsuya.

  Confusion vanished from Tatsuya's face as he came to attention and saluted the man in front of him.

  At that pose, everyone besides Miyuki, including the recently entered Katsuto, could only gape in shock.

  The soldier returned Tatsuya's salute, saw Katsuto's figure, and walked towards him.

  "I am JSDF Major Kazama Harunobu. I apologize for being unable to reveal my unit."

  Sanada already reported their unit designation earlier, so Kazama only said this because he was aware that Mayumi and Erika might hear this.

  "So you must be that Major Kazama. I am the Juumonji Family's representative to the Master Clan Conference, Juumonji Katsuto."

  In response to Kazama's self introduction, Katsuto also revealed the name known throughout the world of Magicians.

  Kazama saluted and turned to place both Katsuto and Tatsuya into his line of sight.

  "Fujibayashi, please explain to everyone the current situation."

  "Yes, sir. Currently, our forces stationed at Tsuchiya are engaging the enemy invaders. Also, we have battalions advancing from Tsurumi and Fujisawa. The Kantou branch of the Magic Association has also formed volunteers to aid in the defense."

  "Thank you. Then, Special Lieutenant."

  After issuing a concise thank you to Fujibayashi, Kazama called out "Special Lieutenant" as he turned to Tatsuya.

  "We have just received orders. Owing to special circumstances, our unit that was originally advancing to Tsuchiya are also to aid in the defensive effort. Under special assignment regulations of the JSDF, you are also mobilized."

  Mayumi and Mari both opened their mouths but Kazama silenced them both with a look.

  "The JSDF requests and requires that everyone here keep the Special Lieutenant's position confidential. This is a classified secret concerning national defense, so please understand."

  Compared to the severe words and solemn tone, the strength of that gaze was sufficient to cause Mayumi, Mari, and Kanon to abandon all resistance.

  "Special Lieutenant, the Mobile Suit you designed has already been prepared on the trailer. Let's hurry."

  Tatsuya nodded at Sanada's words and briefly turned to his friends.

  "My apologies, but it's just as you heard. Everyone head to the shelter with the senpais."

  "Special Lieutenant, my squad and I will provide protection for everyone here."

  Fujibayashi added in her two cents to Tatsuya as he bowed his head to his friends.

  Although their numbers were few, Tatsuya was deeply appreciative that she was able to delegate precious assets for his friends and to the major for doing his utmost to accommodate him.

  "Thank you, Lieutenant."

  "Understood. Do your best out there, Special Lieutenant."

  Saluting Fujibayashi, Tatsuya followed Kazama outside.

  Setting aside the peers he apologized to, Tatsuya didn't mention anything about the upperclassmen. Maybe it was because they could read the atmosphere or simply out of shock, but no one called out to Tatsuya regardless of whether they were his peers or upperclassmen.

  "Onii-sama, please hold."

  However, his sister Miyuki called out to him, a myriad of emotions warring across her face.

  Reading the inquisitive look from Tatsuya, Kazama nodded and left first.

  Miyuki stood before Tatsuya and stretched her hands out towards his face.

  Her aim was not to detain him.

  Miyuki knew about his standing and duties just as well as Tatsuya himself.

  What Miyuki feared most was to get in Tatsuya's way.

  Currently, there was an objective that Miyuki sought to accomplish.

  She did not possess the authority to do so.

  Yet Miyuki opted to bear the full responsibility on her own discretion. She already made up her mind to remove her brother's shackles.

  Tatsuya read that determination from his sister's eyes.

  Greeting his sister's upraised gaze, Tatsuya's expression was bewildered, understanding and grateful as he nodded before falling to one knee before Miyuki. —Just as a knight bows before his princess.

  Miyuki held that face in both hands and lifted her brother's face, whose eyes were closed, towards herself.

  Miyuki bent at the waist.

  And bestowed upon her brother's forehead,

  A deep kiss.

  After his sister's lips departed, the hands pressed against his face fell away and Tatsuya bowed his head once more.

  Transfo
rmation descended immediately.

  A violent array of photons, enough to sear the eyes, burst from Tatsuya's body.

  These were no photons, but psions wrapped in physical light.

  Tatsuya opened his eyes and rose to his feet.

  Staggeringly active psions coursed around him.

  The conqueror has come, armored by the storms and commanding lightning.

  Although that violent array of light retracted, the voluminous psions still swirled calmly around him.

  Anyone would have lurched one or two steps away from Tatsuya, but Miyuki only smiled benignly, lifted her dress and dropped into a deep curtsey.

  "May you conquer all before you."

  "I'm off."

  With his sister's emotional eyes watching him, Tatsuya stepped onto the Yokohama streets that had been transformed into a battlefield and went off to war.

  Chapter 11

  The conflict between the group of First High students and faculty (including outside personnel) that headed for the shelter via the underground tunnel and the armed guerrillas in the tunnel drew to a close.

  The number of evacuees totaled nearly 60 people.

  Since that attack came after First High's presentation came to an end, the number of students who came to show their support had reached a peak.

  Azusa mentally lamented this unfortunate turn of events, but as the Student Council President, she had to put on a brave front no matter what happened.

  Ahead of them was the sound of gunfire and shock waves.

  That was the sound of Sawaki taking down the enemy guerrilla armed with guns at the forefront.

  Under everyone's combined efforts, the primary weapons such as assault rifles and semi-automatics had been successfully nullified.

  Azusa also used magic to solidify the air in the muzzle to cause an explosion that took out two guns and their respective users.

  The result lay before her eyes.

  Despite being a tunnel, this wasn't a hole excavated in the previous century. There were plenty of lights illuminating the way.

  Along the bloodsoaked underground passage, several irregulars lay on the ground.

  Normally, she would try to avoid looking at this tragic sight. However, out of duty as the student representative, Azusa forcibly stifled her terror.

  She had no experience in magic combat skills or tactical squad command.

  Even if she didn't say anything, the security personnel selected from the Club Activities Group and Public Moral Committee wouldn't allow any guerrilla to approach their group.

  Azusa fought down the bile rising in her throat and beheld Hattori and Sawaki arriving to rout the guerrillas. All she could do was watch them with her eyes, such was her duty.

  Likely because of the sparse number of enemies, there were fortunately no fatalities on their side.

  However, Magicians were not immortal.

  They will bleed if cut, die if shot.

  Magic defenses were not omnipotent either. If the bullet's kinetic energy surpassed magic's ability to alter the Eidos, then the magic barrier would be penetrated.

  They endured that sort of risk to serve as our living shields. She believed that to turn her eyes away from these comrades who protected individuals like herself who were inept in combat would be a betrayal of the highest order.

  Azusa carefully scrutinized Sawaki as he used his fists and feet to take down the guerrillas that swarmed from all directions as well as Hattori who stood behind him to provide covering fire with magic.

  The guerrillas who burst out from cover were also crushed by Sawaki effortlessly.

  Their opponents were irregulars of East-Asian descent, so there was no way to immediately tell them apart from normal civilians.

  Anyone holding a large weapon like an assault rifle could immediately be identified as hostile, but guerrillas that stalked forward with hidden combat knives or combat knives were hard to differentiate from the average civilian. Hence Sawaki abandoned any and all attempts at telling them apart.

  He fortified his defenses and struck down anyone who raised a hand at him.

  He was only able to rely on this rough strategy because of the superlative sturdiness of his defenses.

  Convergence Move-Type Combination Magic "Air Armor".

  Setting the first 3-5 centimeters of air around his body as the target, he rendered the surface of his skin to be smoother and lowered the angle of physical penetration so he could avoid high speed bullets with low mass.

  This was not solely magic or physical skills, but a combination of the two which produced the speed and technique necessary to carry out this practically suicidal strategy.

  A newly appeared enemy swung a broadsword at him.

  Repeatedly activating magic, Sawaki cast personal acceleration magic on himself.

  The speed of his fists approached sonic speed.

  Surrounded by compressed air, his fist broke the sound barrier.

  With a boom, the guerrilla went flying.

  This sort of overkill successfully impeded fresh enemies.

  Earlier, repeated threats appeared to serve no effect.

  Still, just as physical stamina is limited, human inner strength is also limited. Sawaki's blow caused the soldier to collide with the irregular behind him, forcing both of them to collide solidly with the wall and slide to the ground. Seeing this, the guerrillas' morale finally started to crumble.

  As Sawaki disengaged the magic armor, his ill-natured classmate was hurtling steam blocks charged with electricity at the fleeing enemy presence.

  ◊ ◊ ◊

  Fujibayashi's squad had two all-terrain vehicles and there were eight people including Fujibayashi. Although the unit was small enough to barely rate as a squad, every member looked highly competent.

  "Mayumi, I'm sorry to say...... That I cannot accommodate everyone on board."

  With an apologetic expression, Fujibayashi informed Mayumi, who appeared to be awed by each soldier's battle hardened aura.

  "Ah, no, we originally decided to evacuate on foot......"

  "Is that right. But wouldn't that be too far, and where do you plan to evacuate towards?"

  She was speaking to Mayumi and not Katsuto because they were old acquaintances, but Mayumi earnestly wished that she was discussing this with Katsuto. Under these conditions, Katsuto undoubtedly would field the questions better than she would.

  "The unit from Tsuchiya is using Nogeyama as a base and are engaged in sweeping for guerrillas in squads.

  We still cannot ascertain what the camouflaged vessel in the hillside docks is up to, but they'll probably unload mechanized forces soon. This way, the shoreline will turn into the center of the battlefield, so I recommend that you evacuate inland."

  "Then...... As we planned, I think the shelter near the station will probably be better."

  Mayumi said in slight bewilderment as she glanced at Katsuto.

  "Agreed. That would be preferable."

  Seeing Katsuto nod in assent, Mayumi let out a relieved expression.

  At this, Fujibayashi smiled with slight interest, but this action went undetected, even by Mayumi.

  "Then we will provide cover with the car in front, so just follow along at your own pace."

  After saying this, Fujibayashi approached one of the vehicles with Mayumi and Mari right behind her.

  "Lieutenant Fujibayashi."

  However, Katsuto didn't move and called out to Fujibayashi from behind.

  "What is it?"

  Fujibayashi didn't delay and immediately turned around.

  As if she expected to be called on to stop.

  "I know this is a rather willful request, but can you lend me a car?"

  That's insane, all the students from First High thought when they heard this. There were only two cars. Also, the cars were not only for carrying people but also for storing ammunition as well.

  "Where do you want to go?"

  This was not the time to allow independent action. Still, Fuj
ibayashi did not immediately reject Katsuto's request and asked him the reason for this course of action.

  "To the side branch of the Magic Association. Although I'm only a surrogate, I am still a representative of the Master Clans Conference and must fulfill my responsibilities as a member of the Magic Association."

  That was a voice from the depths of his abdomen. Unlike the shallow youngsters with heroic fantasies, his voice was the voice of someone who was resolved to carry his burdens.

  "Understood."

  Fujibayashi replied frankly.

  "Sergeant Tateoka, Corporal Otowa. Escort Juumonji to the Kantou branch of the Magic Association."

  With no regard to Katsuto's bewilderment, she gave orders to two subordinates and lent him a car. Next, she raised her voice towards Mayumi and company as they stood next to the other vehicle.

  "Quick, get on board. We can't let you guys waste any more time."

  ◊ ◊ ◊

  The representatives and supporters from Third High elected to use the bus that carried them here for evacuation.

  "Why is it so far......"

  "That's just how the street is designed; what can you do?"

  The bus was waiting in a parking garage reserved for large vehicles that was far from the conference hall. Hearing Masaki's complaints, Kichijouji seriously scolded him.

  The very fact that they decided not to stay the night and arranged for the driver to wait on station ahead of time was worthy of cheer.

  In terms of distance it was slightly closer than heading for the docks where the evacuation ship was, so Kichijouji felt that complaining about this sort of thing would invite divine retribution.

  What was concerning was that the southern side of the parking garage was significantly closer to the docks where the camouflaged enemy vessel was moored. However, the militant students of Third High encouraged one another with ideas of "sticking it to the treacherous invaders" as they advanced.

  Apparently, they were enraged that they had been forced to disarm (?) earlier on stage.