Volume 2, Chapter 8

With the end of recruitment week, the various enrollment activities came to a close.

For Tatsuya's class, their technical skills curriculum started to get serious.

Although the actual magical education was done through the various classes, most students already had some sort of background in magic, as (could be) seen through the technical portion of the entrance examination.

This was the basis for how classes were conducted, but even for students with a proper foundation in systemic education, those not adept in combat skills often felt that they could not keep up in class. From a certain perspective, the separation of Course 1 and 2 students was intended to prevent this feeling from negatively affecting the two groups — in other words, abandoning one side.

? ? ?

"940 ms. You passed, Tatsuya-kun!"

"Finally... This is the third time already. Thank goodness it's over with."

Tatsuya smiled tiredly at Mizuki, who was excited for him as if she had done it herself.

Currently, Tatsuya's class was practicing technical skills in magic.

Today's lesson involved compiling a single Systematic magic, then activating the magic within the time limit in teams of two.

It involved reading the Activation Sequence, then basing what was read and using the Magic Computation Region in the Magician's subconsciousness to then construct the Magic Sequence and activate it.

This was the system for modern magic.

What happens in this Scheme — transforming the Activation Sequences, that could be recorded as numbers by machines, into a form of magic that machines could not create in reality, uses a process known in Information Engineering as "compiling". By quantifying the processes needed for magic invocation, transforming them into Activation Sequences, then using Schemes to revert them back into Magic Sequences, modern magic improved in precision, stability, and variability.

The price was that they sacrificed the speed that comes from only using a few words in "Superpowers".

Since the complicated method for constructing Magic Sequences already exists, this was all that could be done.

However, while the time lag for constructing Magic Sequences could not be reduced to zero, it could be infinitely reduced to near zero.

There is a reason why modern magic emphasizes speed for constructing Magic Sequences.

Originally, CADs were only used as storage for recording Activation Sequence numbers, but they quickly became the method for accelerating Magic activation speed.

For the CADs used in today's class, because they had not been adjusted for individual differences, no additional speed boosting mechanisms were added. The purpose of this class was to use this factory condition CAD to undergo high speed compiling training.

If one member of the duo could not pass, then both students had to remain. Mizuki passed on her first try, but she let out an explosive sigh and patted her chest in comfort at Tatsuya.

"That's quite surprising. Tatsuya-kun really isn't good at technical skills..."

For today's topic, "Single Systematic Single Process" magic, from reading the Activation Sequence entirely to actually invoking the magic, an exceptional Magician would only need 500 ms.

For Tatsuya, who needed three tries to get under the 1000 ms time limit, even the kindest description could not approach exceptional.

"That's surprising... I thought I've said it quite a few times before?"

"It's true that I've heard it a few times... but I've always thought that was just being humble.

Because Tatsuya-kun looks like someone who can do anything, it's hard to believe that you're not fluent with technical skills."

Mizuki tilted her head and expressed her heartfelt amazement, to which Tatsuya could only smile wryly — not that there was any other option.

"...It might be a little ridiculous to say it myself, but if I had that level of technical skills, I wouldn't be in this class."

Tatsuya made sure to keep any loathing out of his tone and language. While he did not know how effective it was, Mizuki frankly nodded her head.

"That's true. If Tatsuya-kun were also capable in technical skills... That would give off an overly-perfect, unapproachable vibe."

As she said this, Mizuki expressed a carefree smile.

I wonder if I should smile along with her, Tatsuya thought. "However, Tatsuya-kun... don't you feel, a little unsatisfied?"

"...Towards what?"

Mizuki bent her head, her expression unreadable. It was because of this that Tatsuya was confused as to how to respond to her.

"If you have the talent, but have been evaluated as having no talent, normally this would be quite galling.

If it were me, I wouldn't be surprised if I felt unsatisfied. If I had Tatsuya- kun's level of skill, I would be furious at being called a Weed... but Tatsuya-kun looks like he doesn't care..."

That was quite a difficult question to answer.

Taking Mizuki's personality into account, it was unlikely she would spread negative rumors or speak to others regarding this subject, but if he didn't give her an answer that she could accept, it was possible that she may dig deeper into his business.

"Execution speed is also a talent.

And it's a rather important factor as well.

There are situations where one second can mean the difference between life and death. So my evaluation of being unskilled is not incorrect."

If Mizuki were any other ordinary Course 2 student, this would have been an acceptable answer.

But,

"If this was an actual combat situation, Tatsuya-kun would have some way to improve invocation speed."

She was someone who possessed special "eyes". "...What makes you think so?"

Even knowing that saying so indicated a confession this was true and that he was capitulating, his wavering brain could not think of a better response.

"In the technical portion earlier, each of Tatsuya-kun's three tries looked like you were forcing yourself.

Because my mother is a translator, I'll use this example: it's like someone able to use English to think and reply to an English question was forced to use Japanese to reply, and then translate it back into English.

From the start, Tatsuya-kun abandoned the complete Magic Sequence and started compiling again, right?

When looking at the time, reading the Activation Sequence occurs at the same time as constructing the Magic Sequence.

After seeing that, I thought that.

It can't be that, Tatsuya-kun, for magic of this level, you can construct Magic Sequences without looking at the Activation Sequence?"

To not use Activation Sequences, also known as skipping CADs altogether, and still use magic at the same speed. In regards to this technique, he had strict orders to keep this a secret.

However, it looked like someone saw through this after the first practice. As if his brain had been plunged into cold water, he calmed down.

Despite his wariness being raised to the max and his faltering reaching a peak, these only served to restore him to normal.

For someone who rarely faltered to this extent, this was a good experience for Tatsuya.

"I didn't think that someone could see this far. That's quite an impressive pair of eyes."

This time, it was Mizuki who turned pale. As expected, Mizuki was trying to hide the truth about her own "eyes".

That was a slightly evil way to say it as the corners of Tatsuya's mouth turned upwards. But from Mizuki's reaction, the chances that his own hidden skill set had been discovered had been drastically reduced.

In reality, Tatsuya had another idea. Since she already figured out that he had a technique that bypassed Activation Sequences to use magic, as long as she thought that it wasn't a personal skill but more of a Systematic one, then everything would be fine. So long as he could sate her sense of curiosity, she would have no further problems.

"It's true. For single systems, it's faster to directly construct the Magic Sequence.

This can only be used for magics with few processes. For me, five processes is my limit."

Processes in modern magic has two meanings: the steps that lead to magic invocation, and the components for magic used in phenomena rewriting.

The "five processes in magic" that Tatsuya mentioned here refers to when five magic executions combine to change something.

For example, in order to use magic to transfer an egg from the kitchen to the dining table, this requires four steps: Increase Speed (Acceleration), Movement, Reduce Speed (Reverse Acceleration), and Stop (end of movement).

Movement magic is a type of magic that changes an object's speed and path, so if the Increase Speed process was removed, this would cause the object to speed up without regard to inertia, most likely causing the egg to break up.

If the Movement process was removed and only relied on Increase and Reduce Speed to move the egg, the egg would shoot out in a linear fashion, thus necessitating complex deceleration to manipulate. Thus, even though another process was added, it's actually more simple to use a combination of Speed and Movement magics to manipulate movement.

In comparison, when using magic that blows away an opponent in anti- personnel combat, only one simple process would be enough. The intent is to cause harm to the enemy, so there's no need to reduce the impact incurred.

"I think that five processes would be sufficient for combat-related magic..."

Generally speaking, magic used by civilians required many more processes than combat magic.

Just as Mizuki said, magics that involved one to five processes covered over half of the known combat magics.

"That's because I didn't learn magic for combat reasons.

In order to quickly invoke magic with more processes, Activation

Sequences are still a must, so I'm not unsatisfied with the fact that my lower technical skills have received the appropriate evaluation."

Tatsuya smiled as he said this, then noticed that for some reason Mizuki was staring at him with teary eyes.

Tatsuya suddenly felt that somewhere, somehow, an epic misunderstanding had occurred.

Immediately, the result caused by this misunderstanding was displayed before Tatsuya.

"That's amazing! Tatsuya-kun... you are truly worthy of my respect!"

With her hands in front of her chest, Mizuki's delirious voice said something that (for Tatsuya) could not be ignored after being heard.

"Ha?"

"For most people, they become Magicians simply because they can use magic... but, Tatsuya-kun has his own goals, so he learns magic for that reason..."

"Um, well, while that's true..."

"I, have been enlightened!"

"That..."

"Originally, I learned magic only because I wanted to control this pair of "eyes", and I never considered how to use magic, but from now on, I will seriously consider it!"

Uh? Didn't this woman want to hide her eyes in the first place? While Tatsuya was thinking this, Mizuki's awe inspiring spirit overwhelmed his urge to retort.

"Err, Mizuki-chan?"

"It's true. As long as you have a clear goal, you wouldn't retreat after encountering such feeble attacks.

As long as you can achieve your dream, school grades are merely accessories.

This should be what people pursue in life. People need to endlessly chase their dreams..."

"My word, Mizuki, what are you so excited about?"

Mizuki's soliloquy — even while class was ongoing — continued until

Erika's retort.

Finally noticing her classmates odd gazes (more like blank stares), Mizuki blushed as she dropped her head.

Seeing Mizuki like this, Tatsuya adopted a solemn expression to mask what he was feeling inside.

A person's hopes and dreams?

It wasn't something as beautiful as that.

From the beginning, he never had a chance at a life that was unrelated to magic.

He didn't become a Magician because he could use magic; he became a Magician precisely because he couldn't use magic.

For him, magic was a curse cast upon him the moment he was born.

Even if it was transformed into something that he could accept, to him, it was still a struggle.

That being said, if it was as simple as people becoming Magicians simply because they could use magic, then it was not surprising that the bottom feeders amongst Magicians would choose to deny magic.

Maybe he had the wrong idea.

—Tatsuya suddenly thought this way.

?? ?

It was time for lunch break.

In the end, even Tatsuya was persuaded to stay.

—Persuaded by Erika and Leo's begging. "1060 ms... Good, keep it up. Just a little more."

"S-Still so far... I never knew that 0.1 seconds was such a far distance..."

"Idiot, you don't use 'far' to measure time. You're supposed to say 'long'."

"Erika-chan... 1052 ms."

"Ahhhhh! Don't say it!

I just managed to start thinking positively!"

"I-I'm sorry..."

"No, it's OK, Mizuki.

No matter how desperate reality is, we can't choose to escape from it. This, is our destiny..."

"...Your boring solo acts are none of my business, but it's about time to end this horseplay."

The combination of Erika and Leo could not maintain a friendly relationship for more than a second, even in class.

So they asked Tatsuya for guidance.

"I say, Leo, you're spending too much time aiming.

In this situation, there's no need for precision targeting."

"While I understand that..."

To Leo's lifeless response, Tatsuya nodded sympathetically. "Well, that's true...

There's nothing for it, so you might as well use a little trick. Why don't you settle your aim before reading the Activation Sequence?"

"Uh? Is that legal?"

"That's why it's a trick. There's no benefit to technical expertise, but in this situation it's probably the last idea I can think of, not that I wanted to tell you in the first place..."

"What! Please, Tatsuya! I don't care if it's a masterstroke or a cheat, if it can get me through this, teach it to me!"

As he watched Leo begging with both hands clasped above his head, Tatsuya let out a deep sigh.

"Don't say it like that. It's not like we're cheating or anything.

...Really, I already said that I'm not adept with technical skills. If you need pointers, why not ask an expert?"

"Even if you're not adept, you're still better than me, right?

Also, you are the only one who knows the compiling combination and is able to point out any errors."

"I'll teach you even without the flattery...

Next, it's Erika's turn."

"What, what? I don't care if it's a masterstroke or cheating or whatever, just give it to me!

I'm starving over here."

"I see, so it sounds even worse when the two of you are begging together. Ah~ For Erika... I can't understand where your problem is exactly."

"Eh?"

"To be precise, I don't understand why you made these mistakes. You should be far better at compiling than I am."

"How can this be?! Tatsuya-kun, don't abandon me!"

As he looked at the teary-eyed — with some parts acting mixed in — Erika with her hands tightly clasped as if in prayer, Tatsuya sighed again.

These two are practically mirror images of one another, Tatsuya thought, but did not say it aloud.

"Got it, Erika. When you're reading the Activation Sequence, put your right hand over your left on the board."

"Eh?"

Upon hearing this, not just Erika, but Mizuki was also confused. "...Is that all there is to it?"

"I'm not completely certain. As for the reason, I'll explain it if it works."

"Oh, hm... let me try."

Erika temporarily set aside her doubt and turned towards the internally installed CAD.

Seeing this, Tatsuya started tutoring Leo.

After the flash of Psion light dissipated, a set of numbers about the size of a large ball appeared above. This was the highest pressure calculated through the casting of single system weight magic. The timer began (stopped?) only after the calculated number exceeded the base limit for pressure.

"1010 ms.

Erika-chan, you improved by 40 ms in one try! You've only got a little more left to go."

"Yes!

It feels like I've got my motivation back!"

"1016. Don't hesitate, Leo. You already know the target location. There's no need to visually check the target each time."

"I-I understand.

Ok, I'll get it this time!"

Tatsuya and Mizuki went to reset the recording devices while Erika and Leo closed their eyes or waved their arms, using a variety of methods to keep up their morale.

At this moment, a nervous voice floated in from behind Tatsuya's back. "Onii-sama, are you busy...?"

The owner of the voice was his own sister, and there was no need to turn around to verify this.

Erika heard footsteps that belonged to more than one person and turned around.

"Miyuki... Along with Mitsui-chan and Kitayama-chan?"

"Erika, don't get distracted.

Sorry, Miyuki. We're almost done. Just give us a second."

"Eh?"

"I understand. I'm terribly sorry, Onii-sama."

Miyuki smiled pleasantly and bowed at Tatsuya's apologetic voice.

Feeling as if the pressure had been multiplied many fold for some unknown reason, Leo furrowed his brows.

The other two followed Miyuki out the doorway. Seeing this, Tatsuya nodded.

"OK, you two, this is it."

Although the voice wasn't loud, it seemed to stifle any objection. "Yeah!"

"OK, let's finish this!"

Their morale at a peak, both of them glanced at the CAD display. "We made it~"

Erika's cheer turned into the bell that finally announced the end of the class.

"Whew... Danke [1], Tatsuya."

Tatsuya raised a hand to acknowledge Leo's thanks, then waved Miyuki in. Her face flushed with happiness, Miyuki walked towards him.

In comparison, Miyuki's classmates were more reserved — Mitsui Honoka and Kitayama Shizuku stepped forward with slight smiles on their faces.

"Excellent work, you two.

Onii-sama, I've brought the goods as you instructed... Is this enough?"

Because he was just speaking with Erika and Leo, Tatsuya shook his head at Miyuki's question.

"No, but there's not much time left anyway, so this is perfect. Good work, Miyuki. Mitsui-san and Kitayama-san as well, thank you for lending a hand. I appreciate it."

Even though they had spoken previously, these two were only Miyuki's acquaintances, so in Tatsuya's eyes, they weren't completely friends yet. Thus, his tone was overly formal.

"No! It's nothing at all!"

"Don't worry about it. Despite looking like this, I'm actually quite strong."

Towards Honoka's unexpectedly excited answer and Shizuku's seemingly joking response, Tatsuya once again expressed his thanks and relieved them of their plastic bags.

"Catch."

And tossed the items for Erika and Leo to catch, just like that. "What is it?"

"Sandwiches...?"

The bags contained sandwiches and drinks sold in the school cafeteria.

"If we headed for the cafeteria now, we wouldn't make it in time for the afternoon class."

As he said this, Tatsuya took his prepared bento from Miyuki. "Thank you~ I'm starving."

"Tatsuya, you're the best!"

Smiling wryly at his food-obsessed friends, Tatsuya also took a seat in a nearby chair. At this time, Mizuki's unwary voice drifted to his ears.

"...But, is this okay? Aren't we prohibited from eating in the classrooms?"

"Food is only banned in areas with data terminals.

The school rules don't prohibit eating in classrooms."

"Eh, is that so?"

"Hm, you would know this if you seriously read the school rules. I used to think it was prohibited too, so I was a little surprised," Tatsuya replied, as he pulled out a pair of chopsticks.

Mizuki said "In that case", and reached out a hand. Leo unwrapped the sandwich and took a deep bite. "You didn't care from the beginning."

Erika retorted as she savored the exquisitely made sandwich.

A peaceful table... was actually replaced by several chairs because there was no table as Tatsuya and company started their tardy lunch break.

Miyuki and Team Appreciation also joined in with their drinks. "Miyuki-chan, did you already finish eating?"

"Yes. Onii-sama said to come over after eating."

At Mizuki's concerned question, Miyuki replied with this.

"Eh, I'm a little surprised. I thought Miyuki would say "I won't begin unless Onii-sama picks up his chopsticks!" or something like that."

Erika's comment was accompanied by full blown laughter rather than mere giggling.

From her expression, it was clear that she was purely joking. No one present gave it a serious thought.

—Except for one person. "Ah, that's exactly right, Erika.

Normally that would be the case, but today was because of Onii-sama's orders.

Of course, I would never do something on my own that would go against Onii-sama."

"...'Normally' she would..."

"Yep."

"...'Of course'... Eh?"

"Hm, yes?"

A cramp developed in Erika's smile as she watched Miyuki earnestly shake her head. The mood suddenly turned very heavy.

As if seeking to dispel this strange atmosphere, Mizuki spoke up at an unnaturally high volume.

"Miyuki-chan's class is also starting in technical practice, right? What's it like?"

Honoka and Shizuku glanced at one another. It was a pair of concerned expressions.

Without paying heed to her peers' attitudes, Miyuki took the straw away from her mouth as she replied.

"It should be the same as your class, Mizuki. Using a slow machine and tasked with a boring practice like calculation."

The five people apart from Tatsuya revealed shocked expressions.

Her fierce, serpent-like tongue was completely incompatible with her lady- like demeanor.

"You appear very displeased."

"Of course I'm displeased. That kind of exercise is only good for practicing alone."

At her elder brother's teasing words, Miyuki replied in a huff, but her voice was tinged with a flirtatious tone.

"Hm... Even teaching hand over hand is bound to have some good and some bad."

"I admit I'm being treated differently. I'm terribly sorry if I've upset Erika because of this."

"No, I don't mind at all."

At Miyuki's honest apology, Erika lightly waved her hand.

"It's only natural to try and find the students with potential. It's the same with the dojo that my family runs — those that have no potential are set aside and forgotten."

"Erika-chan's house is a dojo?"

"A little bit of ancient style kenjutsu, although that's just the side job."

"Ah, that's why..." Mizuki nodded as if she understood something.

She was probably thinking of the time when Erika used a retractable rod to disarm Morisaki's CAD.

"Chiba-san... Thinks that's only natural?" This time, it was Honoka who interjected with trepidation.

"Erika is fine. Actually, please call me that."

"Why are you putting on airs like someone important..." Leo's amazed retort created a perfect buffering moment for Honoka.

"Then, Erika, please call me Honoka."

"OK, OK.

That being said, when you said natural, are you referring to when Course 1 students are supervised by teachers, and Course 2 students can't catch up?"

"...Yeah, that."

Honoka hesitated, then nodded. "If it's that, then of course."

Erika nodded without any hesitation whatsoever.

"Because it's a matter of course, Miyuki and Honoka don't need to be troubled about it?"

"...You're quite calm about it." Leo replied in response to Erika's declaration.

"Ah? Is Leo-kun the one who is unsatisfied with the situation?"

"No, I just feel that there's nothing I can do about it..."

Leo's voice was comparatively lackluster. "I see~.

I don't think that 'there's nothing I can do', I think that 'it's a matter of fact' instead."

Erika's tone was relaxed as she said this. "May I ask your reasoning behind this?" At Honoka's question, Erika tilted her head.

After a short period of silence to collect her thoughts, with her index finger pressed against her temple, she began her reply.

"Hm... Because I've always thought that it's so natural up to this point, so it's hard to explain...

For example, in our dojo, the earliest we would teach any techniques to the students would be at least 6 months after enrollment."

"Oh."

Tatsuya nodded his head with interest.

Question marks floated above the heads of Honoka, Shizuku, and Mizuki.

"In the beginning, the only thing we teach is footwork and practice swings. After we demonstrate once, the rest is up to individual practice.

Afterwards, we start teaching those that look like they've grasped the proper manner of swinging."

"...Then, wouldn't there be students that never improve no matter how much time has passed...?"

"Yes, that has happened."

Erika nodded in response to Honoka's question. "Next, those people have to relentlessly practice.

Second, if your physical body isn't suited for waving a sword, then it would be a waste of time to impart any strong techniques anyways."

"Ah..." Mizuki quietly gasped.

As she watched Mizuki, Erika continued to speak.

"Because of this, the only thing you can do is keep practicing your swings. Watch what other people do, and carve it into your memory.

That is because you're surrounded by specialists of the sword.

You're just wasting your time idling if you wait for someone to teach you.

Only the utterly naive would believe that they could receive lessons from the start.

Whether it's the Sensei or assistants, remember that everyone there is someone currently in training.

Everyone has their own personal training regimen.

Those that cannot learn from the people around them and solely rely on being taught, are utterly delusional."

After she finished speaking, her eyes took on a tempting glint.

As he watched Erika become more animated during speaking to the point of lecturing, Tatsuya felt his spirit soar a bit.

"...Even though your words were pretty badass, but didn't you and I need Tatsuya to teach us just now...?"

"Ouch!

It hurts when you say that."

Erika furrowed her brows at Leo's point, but her relaxed voice didn't change.

"Those are two different things, apples and oranges... Although there have been situations where the tutor and the tutored were of different levels, which usually ends in disaster.

Actually, a real disaster would be where the one being tutored was at a higher level than the tutor."

Tatsuya revealed an evil smirk.

"Alas, I guess today qualifies as a true catastrophe then. Erika's final record was faster than mine by 100 ms." Erika was suddenly covered in cold sweat.

"Uh, no, what I wanted to say wasn't that...

S-Speaking of which, I still don't understand!

Why did overlapping the hands improve my time by so much?"

Forcibly changing the subject.

Everyone knew she was trying to muddy the waters, but if anyone asked too closely then it would be troublesome, so Tatsuya shrewdly let it slide.

"Nothing much. It's actually quite simple. Erika is used to holding the CAD with one hand."

"Uh?" Although Tatsuya's "explanation" had just started, Erika already interrupted the proceedings with more questions.

"How did you know?" was written clearly all over Erika's face, but for Tatsuya, this was something that was immediately discernible. After their conflict with Morisaki Shun and taking into account the shape of the CAD, this was a simple result to arrive at. Ignoring Erika's exaggerated reaction, Tatsuya continued "explaining".

"So I thought, if she put both hands on the CAD board in the classroom, it might be difficult for her to use."

"So that's why you told her to cover one hand with the other, creating a single handed grip..."

Mizuki nodded her head in amazement. She was not the only one with that expression on her face.

"Even though there were some posture problems gripping it with one hand, that didn't matter once she became motivated to grasp it with both hands, meaning the difficulty she encountered was simply a mental block."

"...So that's why. It looks like Tatsuya-kun can see right through me." Erika could not resist a wry smile, causing everyone to burst into laughter. "It feels like I've lost all my energy...

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