by Sato Tsutomu
"Setting aside the emotional perspective of the problem, capacity enhancers like Sorcery Boosters also pose a threat to the military. Since the North American Intelligence Agency (NAIA) shares this view, they have already reached out to Internal Affairs. Mibu extends his thanks, Tatsuya."
Kazama supplied this final piece as the conversation drew to an end.
◇◇◇
Once Tatsuya arrived at the spectator stands and began looking for an empty spot, a small block of ice came hurtling towards him from the front.
He frantically caught the ball of ice and, by the time he lowered his hand, his eyes caught Miyuki looking back at him.
Abandoning all pretense of not noticing her, Tatsuya obediently advanced to the front row where an empty seat waited for him.
"......Such a violent greeting."
"That's because Onii-sama pretended not to notice us!"
......Tatsuya had no rejoinder for that.
Well, the real reason he pretended not to notice was to avoid doing anything else that would draw attention to himself from the audience, but he clearly understood that this excuse would not fly with his sister.
Still, that reason was largely for Miyuki's benefit. Given the expressions on the faces of their peers and upperclassmen, this was most definitely not the case for them. —Lukewarm expressions of pity would please no one.
"Oh, the players are coming."
"You were just in time, Tatsuya-kun."
The one who answered Tatsuya wasn't Miyuki, but Honoka who was sitting on her other side. Miyuki was busy putting on a smiling face to dispel the lukewarm gazes sent their way. In order to make up for the lost opportunity to speak, she edged closer to Tatsuya as she sat down.
The first match of the elimination round pitted First High against Ninth, coincidentally the same line up as the Newcomers Division.
Ninth High likely hoped to avenge their defeat here. All three players displayed high morale.
In comparison, First High's three players presented three different images.
Katsuto remained impassive, Tatsumi's thoughts remained a mystery, while Hattori wore a serious expression as he eyed the enemy team with a challenging glint in his eyes.
Their completely normal appearance brought on an aura of reassurance.
"Compared to us, they certainly give off a relaxing feel...... Such is how people are on another level."
"Nonsense! I never doubted that Onii-sama would triumph!"
"Your group performed admirably, Tatsuya-kun! You were all courageous and honorable in the extreme."
Tatsuya didn't mean anything in particular with his comment, but he was a little lost when they provoked immediate words of reassurance or encouragement.
Still, they kept their voices down since the match was about to begin in order to avoid attention, but that didn't guarantee they would be successful all the time. That's why they say watch what you say (?). Mindful of this, Tatsuya chased away these distractions from his mind and concentrated all his attention on the match.
—Shizuku staring at him with a displeased expression may also have played a small part in that.
—Unrelated to this drama, the match began.
The match took place in a Karst-like "Boulder" setting.
With the starting buzzer, Hattori emerged out of First High's territory.
With a liberal mix of Leaping Magic, he stormed towards the enemy territory with a speed that simply couldn't be done with pure legwork.
Ninth High's response was extremely sluggish.
Displaying high morale counted in their favor, but First High seized the initiative.
Seeing their blazing fervor, Ninth High probably planned to launch a preemptive strike.
However, with their opponent's unexpected charge, their delayed response was filled with doubt.
They debated over whether they should immediately take out the attacker and capture a numerical advantage.
Or, should they leave the retaliation to the defender and proceed towards the enemy territory as planned.
First High's objective was precisely to sow the seeds of doubt in their minds.
Hattori stopped halfway between the two areas and began to release magic towards the three players from Ninth High who were still dragging their feet.
With the rising air currents, white mist formed over the heads of the players from Ninth High. The mist swiftly coalesced and fell downwards as if unable to support its own weight.
Hail formed from dry ice crashed downwards.
Convergence·Release·Move Compound Systematic Magic "Dry Blizzard".
This was the basic form of the spell that Mayumi used during Speed Shooting.
This magic took the heat energy (latent heat) released when lowering carbon dioxide to solidifying temperature and turning solid and transformed it into the kinetic energy for dry ice pellets, so the higher the temperature, the greater the velocity. Released from the outer periphery of the defensive perimeter — boulders provided no cover from dry ice pellets released directly overhead. Since they were all wearing protective helmets, ice blocks the size of the fingertip wouldn't cause any major injury, but multiple hits could lead to a mild concussion.
At the current rate, their inability to retaliate would lead to their demise, so one of the players from Ninth High spread out a magical protective barrier over their heads to protect them — an imaginary obstruction that would reduce the speed of the descending particles to zero.
The shield formed by that player would only reduce the speed to zero once. After the particle came to a stop in the air, gravity would once again pull it down to the earth. The dry ice Hattori created was formed from freezing the surrounding air and causing the moisture to solidify so they would fall to the earth like a drizzle on top of the players from Ninth High and the surrounding boulders. Once the misty air absorbed the released carbon dioxide, this formed a continuous layer of fog.
Due to the boulders surrounding the immediate area, it was very difficult for the fog to migrate anywhere other than Ninth High's position.
Even though the fog wasn't thick enough to hinder visibility, having the entire body suffused in wet, cold air was certainly going to be unpleasant. Another player started venting the air current in hopes of dispelling the side effects of Dry Blizzard.
However, Hattori had already activated his next magic.
His spell used the friction caused by slightly vibrating the dust particles in the ground to alter the electrical current in the dirt, then amplifying and releasing the charge.
While one of the Year 1 students from Eighth High also attempted the same type of magic in a similar setting, the sheer strength and practiced motion of the same spell were like night and day.
A crescent shape seeming to trace Ninth High's magic defensive perimeter began to glow in an area that was roughly five meters wide.
Countless flashes of light intermixed with one another like a herd of small snakes swarming forward.
Regardless of whether it was the ground mixed with sand, the loosely growing grass, or even the rolling stones, anything covered by the fog of carbon dioxide became charged by the moisture.
The electric snake outside the magic defense barrier ignored the magic and dove straight for the player from Ninth High.
Compound Magic, "Slithering Thunders".
Compound Magics are not simply magics that have multiple spells woven into one Magic Sequence. Rather, it is a combination of the effects of multiple magics where the aggregate whole provides a greater effect than the sum of its parts.
Hattori was not renowned for using exceptionally strong magic, unparalleled processing speed, or multi-casting. Instead, Hattori was an incredibly versatile Magician who could stably choose from an assortment of magic to fit any scenario; herein lay his advantage.
With so many different assortments at his disposal, Compound Magic greatly benefited from his versatility, and was a perfect method to bring out Hattori's potential.
&n
bsp; One of the three players from Ninth High leaped into the air to escape the electric current.
Unfortunately, the players responsible for the defensive barrier overhead and venting the air currents were half a beat slow in switching to Leaping Magic.
The electric light ensnared the players' feet.
Even though the protective boots were insulated, the protective vest itself was not. (High insulation would hamper air permeability.)
The fog that was inundated with carbon dioxide clung to the players' bodies.
The player who was wielding wind magic was able to quickly switch targets and sought to use the wind to blow away the moisture in order to lessen the blow. Unfortunately, his compatriot who was holding the magic defense barrier wasn't so fortunate and suffered a direct hit from "Slithering Thunders".
Next to the player who collapsed on the ground, his companion fell to one knee.
He gave up on his immobile leg and maintained this position to wield his CAD.
Someone cried out in pain in the air.
The player who had leaped into the air to avoid the electric attack was struck by an invisible hammer and crashed back to earth.
Tatsumi Koutarou, who used Single Systematic Magic but specialized in interference strength, had cast Speed-Type Magic on him. By instantly applying downwards gravitational pull, the opposing player immediately hit the deck.
At the same time, the player from Ninth High activated Convergence Magic.
It was unknown whether he was unaware of his companion's predicament or whether this was as expected of a team that advanced to the elimination round.
Hattori was the target of the compressed air pellets being fired. Besides special circumstances like being underwater or in a vacuum, air existed in almost every scenario, hence its combat application was a popular choice.
Thanks to the rules limiting attack options and destructive power, Monolith Code largely favored compressed air pellet attacks.
The highly compressed air pellets that formed outside of Hattori's defensive perimeter — shattered into pieces against an invisible wall that materialized before Hattori.
Hattori was not the cause of that.
That was Katsuto casting "Reflector" from 400 meters behind him.
This Area of Effect Magic ignored solids, fluids, and gases and created a force field that reversed motion vectors.
Compared to normal Targeting Magic, Area of Effect Magic was even more challenging.
The difficulty comes from the blurring of the lines.
The difference between changing a target's properties and the properties of an empty space was practically nonexistent. The difficulty arises when trying to differentiate between which areas needed to be rewritten and which areas cannot be.
For targets such as walls, ceilings and railings, the partitions can be seen easily. However, trying to create a distinction in the outdoors for a special location was many times more difficult.
Still, if this was offensive magic, the difficulty can be lessened by setting targeting parameters within the Activation Sequence.
On the other hand, defensive magic was restricted in that it had to fulfill all the conditions without knowing the nature and distance of enemy attacks as well as having limits on area, volume, and shape.
Such as a shield to protect yourself.
Or a wall to defend your teammates.
By setting the Magician as the origin, a respective distance could be plotted to the target.
Generally, this was as far as one got.
However, Katsuto set Hattori as the protective target in an outdoor setting with no reference points without the need for supporting tools. He had created a perfect "Reflector" from 400 meters out.
This was an outstanding spatial awareness.
The Juumonji Family took the next step to hone their natural talents in spatial awareness. Their ability to wield multiple types of Area of Effect defensive magic has earned them the title "Stonewall".
Hattori activated his next magic.
Against the attacks from Ninth High, he didn't even bother to defend himself.
The construction of this Magic Sequence was wholly dependent on Katsuto's unquestionable ability to defend him from enemy attack.
The dust on the ground took to the skies.
Sand was sent spiraling into the air by the wind.
Ten meters ahead of Hattori, the dust storm grew in strength and speed as it advanced upon the opposing player before falling upon him in fury.
Speed·Convergence Compound Magic, "Linear Sandstorm".
With the first dust particle raised into the air as the center, this Area of Effect offensive magic constructed layers and layers of complexity around the center as it spun around.
The converging sandstorm knocked the player from Ninth High to the floor.
◇◇◇
"That match was at an incredibly high level......"
Tatsuya used the ending signal as a BGM and said in exhilaration.
The match itself was a completely one-sided affair.
His comment on level was in regards to the magic used as well as its application.
Especially Hattori, whose skillful use of magic techniques was enough to prompt him to hope "Miyuki learns a thing or two from him". (He didn't say "he could learn something", because he had arrived at the conclusion that he was incapable of imitating that level of skill.)
Tatsuya never overly underestimated Hattori. Even though he had defeated the man in a match, that was only because he seized the initiative and got under his guard. Tatsuya recognized this from a completely objective perspective.
Compared to Magic Power, his magic application was even more skillful. Tatsuya already had an inkling of this given his many opportunities to see Hattori in action.
Still, that earlier display of might honestly exceeded his expectations.
(I am still a long ways off from getting an accurate read on others......)
"Next match will be the finals."
Utterly ignorant of Tatsuya's mental struggles, Honoka innocently opened up.
For her, it was only natural that the Student Council Vice President boasted great skill.
The word "natural" shook Tatsuya out of his reverie.
Isn't it only natural to not read others accurately? He was only a high school student after all.
Tatsuya's mental status was still stuck in his persona as the Special Lieutenant from the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion from last night and it was only now that he reverted to the high school student Shiba Tatsuya.
"The finals begin at 1 PM, and it's a little early for lunch......"
"Will you take us for a few cold drinks, Onii-sama?"
"Agreed. Ice cream would be even better."
Hearing Miyuki's suggestion, Shizuku swiftly assented.
He had no duties as a technician today.
Nor did he have to worry about any hindrances from any criminal organizations.
Occasionally, it wasn't bad to indulge in the life of a high school student — Tatsuya thought and made his decision.
"I saw a concession truck earlier, would that be acceptable?"
"Yes, let's go!"
Tatsuya tossed aside any thoughts regarding how others would see one young man leading three beautiful young ladies and led Miyuki and company to the ice cream concession area.
◇◇◇
The finals for Monolith Code was set for the "Valley".
In order to pass along the board's decision, Mayumi visited the players' resting area.
Surely a simple matter like passing the word along didn't necessitate the Student Council President's appearance.
In reality, if that's all there was, Mayumi probably wouldn't show up in person.
"Juumonji-kun, are you here?"
After speaking into the intercom near the entrance, someone immediately replied with "Right away".
Shortly afterwards, Katsuto appeared wearing a vest and protective leggings as h
e used his head to raise the cloth hanging over the doorway.
"Apologies for my wardrobe."
"Don't worry. It's not like you're indecent."
Katsuto was covered in the scent of alcohol.
And not because he was drinking.
That must be because his deodorant contained alcoholic content. He delayed coming out immediately probably to spare Mayumi the scent of sweat clinging to him. While he wasn't a feminist of any sort, he was undeniably a gentleman. It was just like Katsuto to notice all the small details without mentioning anything aloud, Mayumi thought.
"So, what is it?"
Mayumi had set aside her official business and was busy ruminating over nonsensical things when Katsuto's question shook her back to reality.
"The setting for the finals has been decided. Can you come with me for a minute?"
If this was all there was, one sentence would have been sufficient.
Yet, Katsuto didn't ask "why" or "what for" as he quietly followed behind Mayumi.
Mayumi led Katsuto to the same room where she spoke with Tatsuya three days ago.
Just like three days ago, she erected a soundproof barrier and started speaking quietly with the already seated Katsuto.
"Father sent a coded missive. Apparently, this is the directive from the clan meeting."
"Ho?"
"Looks like Juumonji-kun hasn't received it yet, right?"
"Correct."
Though Katsuto's response was unexpected, but coded missives from the clan meetings generally took a considerable time alone to decipher. The Juumonji Family must have felt that even though this was the break time between matches, the captain being absent for a long period of time would rouse suspicion. That was Mayumi's take on the situation.
Mayumi and Katsuto were on a different footing than the other members on the team.
This difference was not because they were the Student Council President and Club Group Leader, but because their social standing was inherently different.
Mayumi was a direct descendant of one of the current Ten Master Clans.