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Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 04 - Nine Schools Competition (II)

Page 32

by Sato Tsutomu


  Katsuto's standing was even more unique.

  Not only was he a direct descendant, but, unlike Mayumi, he was also the heir of the Juumonji Family.

  Among all the students in the Nine Schools Competition, only Masaki could stand on equal footing with Katsuto.

  "Two days ago, didn't Tatsuya-kun defeat Ichijou-kun?"

  "......So what?"

  Katsuto's question wasn't "why are you bringing this up", but "so what".

  Nay, in reality his question was a mere formality.

  "The Ten Master Clans stand at the pinnacle of this country's Magicians.

  Magicians who bear the name of the Ten Master Clans must be the strongest Magicians in the country."

  Mayumi's voice contained an ironic tone. The ideas she was expressing were not her own, but came from her father, and by extension were the "doctrine" handed down by the clan meeting. She probably believed otherwise, but right now the clan meeting's "doctrine" overrode her own personal philosophy.

  "Even a high school game cannot allow people to suspect that the power of the Ten Master Clans is anything but absolute. That's probably what they're driving at."

  "But, that match can't simply be dismissed as fun and games."

  The rebuttal was only words, but the tone was relaxed and light.

  "In other words, the clan meeting asked for a match to aggrandize the might of the Ten Master Clans, did I get that right?"

  "Yes...... I just don't want to force such a ridiculous burden onto Juumonji-kun."

  "Nay...... Rather, this is a duty that naturally falls to the next heir of the Juumonji Family like myself. Sorry for causing you so much worry."

  "That's nothing really......"

  Likely due to her terrible mood, Mayumi rarely cut loose with a barrage of sincere grousing.

  "Seriously, this is ludicrous...... Even if Tatsuya-kun was a side branch, so long as he had the bloodline of the Ten Master Clans, then he wouldn't be embroiled in this third-rate farce......"

  Katsuto didn't comment on Mayumi's complaints.

  "Just leave it to me."

  He didn't show any outward sign of emotion as he calmly replied.

  ◇◇◇

  First High was against Third High for the Monolith Code finals.

  The back stories behind this match up were legion, to the point that it could even be called a "fateful showdown", but the finals were even more one-sided than the semifinals.

  Maybe it was just karma.

  Everything Masaki did to Eighth High in the Newcomers Division was returned with interest.

  The setting for this match was the "Valley".

  From the get go, anything that utilized the terrain, such as flying icicles, falling rocks, or even boiling spray, was sent hurtling towards Katsuto in an endless stream.

  However, Katsuto's barrier reflected all the attacks.

  Every motion vector was reversed.

  Electromagnetic waves (including light) were refracted.

  Molecular oscillation was adjusted back to a stable value.

  Psion intrusion was denied.

  All attacks were obstructed by the multi-layered defensive barrier.

  Nothing could stop Katsuto's advance.

  Multi-layer Move-Type Defensive Magic "Phalanx".

  This magic, while putting the real value of the Magicians from the Juumonji Family on full display, was not simply a sustained magic barrier, but a multi-layered barrier that continuously refreshed itself.

  This was just like a dense formation of heavy infantry that marched as one to increase the group's defensive power and then translate that power into offense.

  Once the foremost rank of soldiers fell, the next rank would immediately fill in and maintain the defense. This magic inherited the name from that ancient formation and displayed defensive prowess and suffocating pressure worthy of its lofty name.

  Katsuto was situated in a narrow arena as he steadily advanced step by step towards the enemy's position.

  The players from Third High couldn't ignore or avoid him.

  If they let up on the attack, surely they would be instantly engulfed by a decisive attack......

  Each step increased the pressure a little more, forcing them to cling onto that belief and urged them to press the assault.

  Though they were unable to penetrate that wall, they should still have exhausted the defender somewhat. Yet compared to the three panting players from Third High, there was nary a sign of fatigue on Katsuto's part.

  When there were only a paltry 10 meters or so between the two sides, Katsuto finally came to a stop.

  He stopped his slow, plodding advance, and bunched all his energy together to kick off the floor.

  A boulder-like body flew through the air while parallel to the ground.

  He cast Speed·Move Magic on himself, then adopted a shoulder tackle position as he crashed into the enemy players. His impermeable barrier remained active the entire time.

  One of the players from Third High was sent flying by the sudden impact against this indomitable barrier.

  Katsuto's gigantic frame didn't stop for even a second before changing course for the next enemy.

  Before this insurmountable barrier and the overwhelming interference strength attached to it, magical defenses and momentum shifting became meaningless.

  The players from Third High were helplessly smashed aside as the Monolith Code finals drew to a close.

  This complete victory served to crown First High's overall victory with a fresh crown of laurels.

  Seeing Katsuto raise his hands in response to the applause, Tatsuya and his friends also applauded, but were all unable to speak.

  Dominant was no longer sufficient to describe what just happened.

  Besides terrifying and tremendous, no other words would suffice.

  The tactic itself was simple.

  Simple enough to describe this as a trial by brute force.

  Yet that magic — was not "simply" brute force.

  He continuously cycled between the Four Great Systems and Eight Major Types at irregular intervals while creating new barriers — an awe-inspiring "difficult" brute force.

  "Amazing...... So that's the Juumonji Family's 'Phalanx', eh......"

  Besides ordinary expressions, even Miyuki had nothing left to say.

  This showed that she was shocked by what just happened.

  He could understand that sentiment.

  But disagreed with her words.

  "No...... I doubt that's the original 'Phalanx'."

  Multi-layered Defensive Magic "Phalanx" was practically another name for the Juumonji Family.

  However, most people never got a chance to catch a glimpse of this magic.

  That's because, in general, there was no need to create a barrier that defended against all major systems and types of magic.

  Under the condition that multiple Magicians were attacking the same target, more attacks would lead to an increase in the variability in the types of attack magic and increase the risk for magic interference. All of this was well known.

  It wasn't that Tatsuya had beheld this magic before.

  In the earlier match, the multi-layered barrier that Katsuto cast did include magic from all systems and types of magic.

  That truly was "Phalanx".

  Still, Tatsuya wasn't able to accept this conjecture so easily.

  "That final attack...... It's hard to imagine that was the original purpose of the 'Phalanx'."

  Rather than calling this a leap of logic, this was closer to his intuition.

  Even if he believed that the real Phalanx was reserved for something far more terrifying.

  "If Onii-sama says so, then that must be how it is. In that case...... Juumonji-senpai certainly has an intimidating power."

  Tatsuya agreed.

  While he was clapping in appreciation, Tatsuya suddenly felt Katsuto's eyes sweep over him.

  Katsuto raised his fist to the heavens and basked in his victory.
/>   Tatsuya saw that, for an instant, Katsuto's gaze matched his own and, in that instant, he revealed a wide smile.

  I am stronger than you — that was the declaration Tatsuya read from Katsuto's eyes.

  The grace of kings that forced one to their knees without resorting to brute force.

  But at the end of the day, that was only political sophistry.

  Before battle was even joined, the awesome might of absolute terror that forced their opponents to abandon their swords and any hope of resistance was the true mark of kings.

  Katsuto, he who returned the cheers of victory, understood the value of that power and how to utilize it. He carried the majesty of a monarch.

  Chapter 14

  In stark contrast to the atmosphere two weeks ago (or to be exact 12 days ago), the hall was filled with a peaceful air.

  While it's easy to proclaim a neutral spirit, it's not so easy in practice, and it would be a lie to say that there were none with the thoughts of victory or defeat occupying their mind.

  But now, the fierce competitions of the past 10 days were over.

  The dress code for the festivities was their usual uniforms.

  Once again forced to take up his ill-fitting blazer, he thought, "At least if it comes to dancing will this be better?" A thought which had ended up similar to that of digging his own grave.

  "Popular, huh?"

  Coming up to him with an evil smile was Mari, who had been officially discharged one day earlier.

  "Thank you. To tell the truth, I'd far rather be taking it easy."

  As if saying it couldn't be helped, Tatsuya glanced over at his sister, who was surrounded by a crowd two, three layers deep.

  Fellow students, event organizers, base officials who provided the venue, the executives of companies that sponsored the tournament.

  Those were inevitable, but with the inclusion of media professionals (production companies, commercial companies, talent agencies) also dressed up as officials, it made one feel like asking what's the big idea? to the organizers of the party.

  Truthfully he would have liked nothing more than to forcefully put those noisy and rude people away, but with a shrewd (frosty?) look, Suzune had warned him against such an approach, so he kept a low profile for the moment.

  "I'm not talking about your sister."

  Hearing Tatsuya's natural reply, Mari chuckled sadly.

  "The one I'm referring to is you, Tatsuya-kun."

  From Mari's point of view, Tatsuya made a tired face.

  Although nowhere comparable to the crowd around Miyuki, Tatsuya had been constantly sought out from the start as well.

  Most of them were unacquainted adults.

  It wasn't that he had never seen them before.

  Due to his work at his father's company, despite his age, he knew the faces of businessmen quite well.

  Still, it was only on the level of a "high school student".

  As a resident of the laboratory, he was not necessarily involved on the business side, but compared to general employees in the same industry he had far more contact than "just a little".

  Of those who had come to talk with him, he knew more than half of them by sight.

  "Wasn't that the president of Rozen's Japanese branch? This would be the first time he talked to a high school student huh?"

  "I wouldn't know. It's also my first time here at the Nine Schools Competition after all."

  "Fair enough."

  As Mari gave her wicked grin, Tatsuya felt a twinge of annoyance. —In the threshold of around 80% or so.

  "......Well, there's no helping it. I don't know why you're so reluctant, but just as you can tell a fake gem simply by looking at it, when you see the real deal you can immediately tell that too."

  "......"

  "Don't put on such a dissatisfied face. The dance is about to start soon. From there on, it's students only. Just be patient a little longer."

  Tapping his shoulder, Mari walked over to the drinks table.

  She seemed to be in a good mood for some reason.

  Far more impressive was that despite pushing herself as always even after being wounded, she now seemed to have made a full recovery.

  (So a lover has that kind of effect huh......)

  Although he himself had no experience, Tatsuya couldn't help but say so to himself.

  Around a minute after that, she left the party with Naotsugu, and Tatsuya uncharacteristically was left to ponder on such things.

  Doing so, he felt like sighing.

  To be certain, very soon, the time allocated for adults to work their tricks on the innocent would be over.

  Yet even so his mind was heavy. The reason was the dance.

  Truth be told, students like Tatsuya were the exception.

  As the bigwigs left, the venue seemed to relax, and a carefree atmosphere filled the air.

  The soft sound of wind and string instruments began to flow.

  At the enthusiasm of the organizers who had prepared an evening of live music, the young men immediately responded.

  Making full use of the trials they had gone through, they took the hands of the girls they had grown closer to, and proceeded to the center of the hall.

  It was unfortunate they weren't in dresses, but such a fact was utterly irrelevant to them.

  The common dress code for the girls of the nine schools was a silk organdy inner gown (worn under their jacket), which fluttered gently as they moved.

  As expected, Miyuki was being swarmed by boys both from school and from without.

  It seemed no one was capable of staying away.

  Because she was surrounded up until the last minute, she probably hadn't been able to get a single word out.

  Unlike Tatsuya, Miyuki had been firmly taught manners on how to act at a ball ("it's not a 'dance party'!"), so provided proper procedure was observed she was unlikely to refuse a dance partner (naturally, that didn't mean she'd dance with just anyone), but rather it seemed the boys were being embarrassed on their own.

  From within that crowd, Tatsuya's familiar face became visible to Miyuki.

  Or rather than saying familiar face, it might be better to say companion.

  Leaving the wall, Tatsuya advanced to the edge of the crowd.

  He was by no means slender, but he skillfully slipped through the press to stand by Miyuki's side.

  "It's been two days huh, Ichijou Masaki."

  "Ah, Shiba Tatsuya."

  The two exchanged easygoing(?) greetings.

  They didn't consider themselves friends, yet at the same time, they didn't think that they needed stiff formalities either.

  "Is your ear alright?"

  "It's fine, it's nothing worth being concerned about."

  "Is that so."

  At Tatsuya's (intended) politeness, Masaki returned a quip which could hardly be called amiable. Well, for him who suffered defeat in what by all means should have been a victory, he couldn't really be expected to happily accept concern from the winners. Although his tone was ambiguous, it certainly held a dismissive air.

  Becoming aware of Miyuki's cold gaze turned in his direction, Masaki's heart sank in dismay.

  "Eh, ah...... Ah? Shiba!?"

  He suddenly called out Tatsuya's last name, causing Tatsuya to make a "is this guy alright?" face.

  "Are you, her brother!?"

  Masaki's words caused Tatsuya no end of weariness.

  "......Are you telling me you only realized just now? Seriously?"

  His amazed face implying "I think I understand?", Masaki stood frozen.

  A modest laugh was heard.

  Covering her mouth, Miyuki turned away.

  "......Ichijou-san, you weren't able to tell Onii-sama and I were siblings?"

  Miyuki's voice as she spoke to Masaki, as she suppressed her laughter, seemed somehow happy.

  "Eh, no, that um...... yes."

  As Masaki gave up trying to find an excuse, Miyuki looked on with a smile.

  He was
n't quite sure what had caught her interest, but it seemed to him that Ichijou had suddenly become sensible in Miyuki's eyes.

  That being said, it only meant he was now considered on the level to be a possible dance candidate.

  "You can't just stay standing here forever, so Miyuki, why don't you go dance with Ichijou?"

  At Tatsuya's words (or more precisely the "dance with Ichijou" part), Masaki looked up sharply.

  His eyes shone in anticipation.

  After Miyuki's giggling bout subsided, she tilted her head in Masaki's direction as if asking "what will you do?".

  "Could you please......accompany me for two songs?"

  With a reverential voice, Masaki bowed deferentially to Miyuki.

  "Please take care of me as well."

  Returning the bow, Miyuki took Masaki's proffered hand.

  As he took his position, Masaki's face was glowing as he nodded to Tatsuya in thanks.

  Seeing that, Tatsuya thought "what a mercenary guy".

  The romantic comedy(?) Masaki was acting out was no concern to Tatsuya. (As long as Miyuki was "alright" with it.)

  That was why he was able to accept it so easily.

  When it came to himself however, even in the best of conditions, he was unable to deal with such things.

  At this moment, catching a glimpse of his hesitant shifty form, he was acutely aware of his own immaturity.

  "Sir, at a time like this, it's best for the man to take the lead."

  Honoka alone was too much for him to handle, how could he be blamed for wanting to run away from this whole mess? He wanted to complain to this newcomer. —But that didn't come out.

  "Erika......why are you a waitress?"

  "But I've been doing this since the beginning."

  Tatsuya's complaint was airily brushed aside.

  Leo and Mikihiko, as participants, had been invited to the party. Both Erika and Mizuki, perhaps treated as part of the staff, were along as well. But the four of them weren't participating, preferring rather to attend as part-time workers.

  Mikihiko was as per his wishes(?) working in the kitchen, but Erika was moving up and down the hall dressed in a fluttering waitress costume.

  "......Then I really don't think you should be wasting time in a place like this."

 

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