Volume 21, Chapter 3

The seventh of April, 2097, late evening after the First High entrance ceremony. Tatsuya visited the headquarters of the Independent Magic Equipped Battalion.

Last night he received a call. Despite the fact that Tatsuya openly complained about a really tight schedule, looking insane when Fujibayashi from the monitor screen said that there is an important conversation that cannot be transmitted over the telephone line, he had to go there. Returning home from the admission ceremony, Tatsuya immediately went to Kasumigaura on his favorite electric bike.

The base of Kasumigaura was shrouded in an atmosphere of activity. Despite the late time, people and vehicles came and went.

Even in the usually crowded headquarters of the Independent Magic Equipped Battalion, on the way to the commander's office, he met several officers and soldiers. In addition to this, Tatsuya felt that people are actively moving around this building. As if preparing for an invasion is under way.

"No, it's clearly not" as if "" , "thought Tatsuya before asking permission to enter the commander's office.

- Please, come in.

"Do not" enter ", but" please, come in "?"

Perhaps there could be only another formulation, which has no deep meaning.

However, for some reason, Tatsuya was concerned about this insignificant difference.

- I'm sorry.

Tatsuya temporarily hid this feeling of apprehension, and went forward to Kazama.

"I'm sorry that at such a time, and so urgently." However, given the importance of this case, I found it necessary to explain everything personally.

- Explain?

-Yes. First of all, please. - Kazama pointed to the sofa pulled out from the storage state.

Tatsuya without hesitation sat on the edge of the three-seater sofa. Kazama stood up, walked around the table, went to Tatsuya and sat opposite him.

-Our battalion, - Without any entry, Kazama immediately moved on to the main topic. - Tomorrow morning operates in Hokkaido.

"The impression of preparing for action was not a mistake" , - Tatsuya thought, but refrained from interrupting Kazama's speech.

-We are an advanced group. Depending on the situation, all brigade troops can be sent.

But when he heard of such an inevitable situation, he could no longer remain silent. In addition, he thought that nothing would be inappropriate.

"Does that mean there are signs of an invasion?"

-That's right.

-Do you think that the case in Sado was a diversion?

Under the case in Sado, Ichijou's wounded Gouki was trapped on a suspicious ship.

-Correct. We believe that this time the aim of the New Soviet Union is to invade Hokkaido.

-We?

"As you thought, this is the opinion of Commander Saeki."

"Really" , "Tatsuya agreed in his mind.

"The headquarters prediction for the purpose of the enemy was probably divided between Hokuriku and Hokkaido, so far Hokuriku is the majority? That is why the order to be nominated as support was issued not to the Tohoku division, but to the brigade 1-0-1 with its strong mobile unit" - Tatsuya understood.

"In this situation, we will lose contact with you for some time." If there is a situation like the Yokohama incident, then it will be difficult to help.

- I understand you.

Indeed, if something happens like what happened 2 years ago, without the help of Kazama it will be very painful. Tatsuya also agreed with this.

But Kazama would not call Tatsuya, only to warn him about it. Tatsuya understood this and expected the following words.

-In addition, depending on the situation change, it may be possible that we will ask for your cooperation.

In the words "there may be a possibility" Tatsuya felt some unnaturalness.

-Do you suggest that I go to Hokkaido?

-No, I'm talking about the case when we ask you to give your power from here .

On this phrase, he realized the reason why Kazama speaks with such caution.

-Are you talking about "Material Burst"?

-Not only about "Material Burst". Commander Saeki took into account the possibility of covering the attack with ultra-long magic with the help of the Third Eye.

-Got it.

This "understood" meant "awareness," not "consent." Tatsuya will not get help from the battalion. The battalion uses the power of Tatsuya. That's what happens if we simplify and generalize what Kazama said. In principle, this is the original essence of the army. However, now they were not in that position.

"Since I am also a member of the Independent Magic Equipped Battalion, I will act if I get the order."

Tatsuya stood up and saluted Kazama.

His words were not a lie. However, the phrase "at the moment" was omitted. Kazama, without getting up, nodded to Tatsuya. In the person looking at Tatsuya from the bottom of Kazama it was evident that he understood the missed phrase.

During the meeting between Kazama and Tatsuya, they were not alone. Behind Kazama, the commander's assistant Fujibayashi stood during the talking the whole time, without uttering a word. Conducting an outgoing Tatsuya, Fujibayashi hesitantly spoke only when the door completely closed, and there was no risk of being heard.

"... The commander, maybe it was worth explaining the situation to Tatsuya-kun?" Now he may feel distrust of us.

- Do you mean that we betrayed Tatsuya?

Such a radical approach of Kazama frightened Fujibayashi. But she did not stop.

"I do not think I was betrayed, but perhaps he feels that he can be abandoned."

"Abandoned?" In general, you're right.

- Commander ...

There was a note of reproach in Fujibayashi's voice, because she believed that this rash remark would not be true.

"I'm sorry."

"Although no one else heard them, Kazama also thought that it was inappropriate. So he apologized. - However, this is the originally conceived distance between the army and the Ten Master Clans. Despite Tatsuya's return to the main ranks of the Yotsuba family, our relations with him continued unchanged.

"I do not think there are any inconveniences here." He is an extremely valuable military force.

-A Strategic Class Magician, which in Japan there are only two, and around the world, according to rough estimates, about fifty. Of course, its power is indispensable for the defense of Japan. That's why we need to keep extra distance.

The words of Kazama did not convince Fujibayashi. This was evident from her behavior. However, this topic was not raised for the first time in the current conversation between them. With Sanada, Yanagi and Yamanaka, this has already been discussed many times.

"We've become too close to Tatsuya." During the recent operation in Okinawa, the harmful influence was obvious. Since we are too close, we rely too much on Tatsuya's strength, which should be our joker. If he were not there, we would not have been able to easily find the enemy main forces and neutralize their agents.

"... And that's why we should not have friendly relations with Tatsuya-kun?"

-It was normal, while Tatsuya was just a guardian in the Yotsuba. However, since the Yotsuba family recognized Tatsuya as a main member, we could not ignore the possibility of "seceding" from Tatsuya. When the interests of the Yotsuba family and the army conflict, tell me, will Tatsuya choose the army?

"... Even Yotsuba cannot do without state protection." Tatsuya-kun understands this. I do not think that he will choose that way to confront the state.

- If the interests of the state and the army will, as usual, coincide.

Fujibayashi realized that her reasoning was only a substitute for concepts. Therefore, when she was told this, the desire to object was lost.

-Take, for example, a preemptive strike by Strategic Class Magic. This, of course, can be realized in the interests of the army. But this will not necessarily be in the interest of the state. "Material Burst" is a weapon with absolute superiority not only in its strength, but also in speed and range, however, destroying enemy troops, we only worsen the situation around our country.

This is possible not only in theory. For example, in South America, despite the fact that the Brazilian army has defeated the armies of all surrounding countries, but even now, when all states except Brazil have disintegrated, it cannot avoid permanent regional conflicts. That is why it is said that the war that swept the whole world once, in South America, has not ended until now.

"The most terrible thing is that with the deepening of our friendship with Tatsuya, the army leadership increasingly harbors the illusion that "Material Burst" can be used at any time. With the use of "Synchronized Linear Fusion", the psychological barriers that inhibit the use of Strategic Class Magic have become even weaker. If we do not keep a distance from Tatsuya, then surely there will be those who want to use "Material Burst".

Kazama spoke in a tone that resembled a teacher explaining to students.

"... But should not we at least tell Tatsuya-kun our real intentions?"

This was the only thing that Fujibayashi could object, because Kazama had the same concern about real intentions.

"To cause Tatsuya to distrust the army?" I think it's a good idea that it's better to take it on than to give a bad impression about the whole army.

The conversation ended in the same place as those similar to him, which occurred during the last few days.

? ? ?

At the same time, when Tatsuya visited the headquarters of the Independent Magic Equipped Battalion, Katsuto had a private conversation with Saegusa Tomokazu. The meeting place chosen was an elite restaurant in the center of Tokyo. It was an institution often used by big politicians and businessmen, but correct sitting on tatami in the room, Katsuto absolutely did not feel inappropriate. He waited at the ebony table for only one minute. Then Tomokazu appeared.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting." Said Tomokazu, bowing, and sat opposite Katsuto. It seemed that he was uncomfortable, it seems, unlike Katsuto, he was unaccustomed to formal sitting on the floor.

"Please relax your legs and sit as comfortable." - Immediately said Katsuto.

- Thank you. Then, I will take advantage of your proposal ...

Tomokazu got up from his knees and sat cross-legged. Katsuto himself remained in a formal pose on his knees. Because of the initial difference in physique, the figure of Katsuto towered over Tomokazu. However, neither Katsuto nor Tomokazu showed that they are worried about this.

After exchanging a few simple phrases and refreshing themselves with soft drinks, both immediately went into the discussion mode. This does not mean that they did it simultaneously. The first to begin was Katsuto.

-Saegusa-san. I heard from your younger sister that you want to discuss something with me.

-Really. Let's get down to business. Juumonji-san, how do you think, how do we deal with the current wave of hostility toward magicians?

Katsuto expressed surprise at this delicate formulation of Tomokazu, slightly raised his eyebrows.

-Not just what I think about this, but how do I think about it? In other words, Saegusa-san, do you think that you need to actively combat the anti- magic movement?

-Right. - Tomokazu directly recognized this, not denying and not evading. It can be said that in this area he was not very similar to his father Koichi. "When some damage is done, we lose position and can no longer catch up."

"You mean that irreparable things can happen if you turn a blind eye to aggressive propaganda against magicians?" Which crisis in particular, do you think can happen?

"I fear that, in addition to acts of terrorism superior to what happened in

Hakone, kidnappings and murders of children who have not yet mastered magic can begin.

-Do you think that people who are not magicians will also be drawn into waves of crimes?

-Yes. - confirmed Tomokazu and again asked the same question Katsuto. - What should we do to avoid this?

"... I cannot think straightaway." No, I do not think I can come up with a good countermeasure alone, even taking time to think it over. "Honestly, without pretense," Katsuto confessed. This was expected, given his character.

-Actually, I do not know either. "However, the fact that Tomokazu surrendered so quickly and easily, even for Katsuto, who knew a little the temperament of Saegusa Tomokazu, was quite unexpected. "It will be too difficult to develop countermeasures alone." Even if you come up with a good idea, it will not be possible to implement it by the forces of one family.

-... Indeed, we cannot separately combat the current anti-magic movement.

Tomokazu showed relief on his face after hearing Katsuto's consent.

"It's not an actor's game, he's not as strong as his father Koichi, so unlike Koichi, he can be trusted" , "thought Katsuto.

"I think that to solve this problem, we need to bring together not only the Ten Master Clans, but also most other magicians, and join forces in response.

-Saegusa-san believes that we should organize a general meeting of the Japan Magic Association?

-No. Tomokazu shook his head at Katsuto's question. "Even if we suddenly gather a large crowd, we cannot reach conclusions beyond the general theory." In addition, even if we gather people at the level of heads of families, it will be impossible to conduct a fruitful discussion without knowing each other's intentions.

"So, what are you talking about?" I think if people representing the point of view of each of the families does not participate, the probability of ending the discussion with a simple idea will be higher.

In response to Katsuto's reasoning, Tomokazu nodded strongly, showing something like "I thought so."

-Therefore, I think, how about collecting not the heads of families or people of their age, but the youth of the age of the announced heirs? Starting, primarily with the "28 Houses", how about increasing the participants by connecting the "Numbers" from a hundred families?

"Not a bad idea" , - thought Katsuto.

From the position of the head of the family, Katsuto understood how his thinking style had changed. He realized that now he first thinks not about the optimality and the best outcome, but about whether realization is possible at all. Simply put, his flexibility of thinking has worsened.

The idealist's thinking can completely ignore the possibility of implementation, which will increase the risk of confusing the situation. Therefore, if we collect direct descendants of the main lines of families who, not being limited in thinking by the heads of their families, will be able to not be distracted by the possibility of implementation, then by combining their minds, they may be able to give constructive proposals for the Conference of the Master Clans. Although the idea was not bad, at the same time it seemed too vague.

"If it's about the next chapters of families, then I do not fit that requirement."

Tomokazu was very surprised at these words.

-No, since Juumonji-san is young, but if the essence is the gathering of young people ...

-So, you determine the acceptability of participation by age? Then, below what age do you plan to set a limit? Of course, Saegusa-san suits the requirements, does not it?

-Y-yes. Indeed ... For example, will we take those who are under 30 years of age?

-If up to 30 years, then, for example, Mutsuzuka-dono has the right to participate, and Yatsushiro-dono no longer falls into the list?

Sweating with a cold sweat, Tomokazu somehow managed to gather his thoughts.

-Somewhere there should be a restriction? Yatsushiro-dono has a younger brother-san in the next assistants, so I think there will be no problems.

-I believe that, of course, the restriction is necessary. Katsuto nodded with a serious face. But this answer did not help Tomokazu relieve tension. - I understood. I will help you as much as I can. - However, after hearing the continuation, Tomokazu instantly relaxed.

?? ?

The day after the admission ceremony at First High was generally calm, but sometimes you could see the puzzled ignorance of the newcomers.

It would be a lie to say that he was not worried about the piercing looks of the new first-years who came to the school, because two years ago he himself was in that position. Thinking about this, Tatsuya kept self-control. Speaking of agitation, it was only for the time of waiting for a practical experiment, and it will naturally disappear when its turn comes.

It's been the second year since the founding of the Faculty of Magic Engineering, on which Tatsuya was registered. Last year, teachers were not appointed until the last moment, and the curriculum was not fully approved. Therefore, last year's first years during the period of class review (excursion) did not conduct a single lesson. Although this year and for the first time met visitors in this way ..., but even Tatsuya did not expect that he will meet so many newcomers.

First High was initially in good balance collecting candidates for magicians and magical engineers. It was a simple coincidence that in Mayumi's generation there were so few candidates for magical engineers. However, "good balance" in this case means "not a critical number in terms of the overall ratio," because the number of magical engineers in the total number of people with magical abilities is less than magicians who are considered "not magical engineers."

Even the first years who came to study, not all sought to become magical engineers. Nevertheless, the fact that the Faculty of Magic Engineering attracted this attention was undoubtedly for the most part due to the influence of the "Stellar Furnace" experiment conducted last year.

Thinking about this, Tatsuya waited his turn. The task of this practical lesson was to create a tin ball of the correct form with the help of a previously constructed sequence of magic, without changing it during execution. This is an exercise to create a sequence of magic that encompasses all processes from beginning to end.

Here is the sequence of creating the shape of the ball. Melt the tin, neutralize gravity, and with the help of surface tension, the shape of the ball is formed by itself. Without distorting the resulting spherical shape of the liquid tin, cool it until it hardens. Done.

However, gravity, which must be neutralized, is not only earthly gravitation. Although the gravity emanating from the mass of the experimenter and the observers can be ignored, one cannot ignore the attraction of the sun and the moon.

Since after a complete blockage of the Earth's attraction, the ball ceases to participate in the rotational motion, then we must also correct this moment, maintaining a relative shift in rotation around the Earth.

Also, to prevent distortion of the shape by air currents and other defects, it is necessary to make a vacuum around the liquid tin.

If the cooling process is not uniform, there will be a difference in the shrinkage coefficient, and here too, distortion may occur.

Instead of rewriting the information in "being a ball of the right form", recycling the substance into the shape of the right ball in a given sequence is advanced training that teaches magic control accuracy.

In total, there were five experimental setups. Each student was given 10 minutes each. During this time, you need to write an activation sequence in the editor, program the CAD, run the magic and complete the experiment. Composite modules are prepared for building the activation sequence, but students can freely choose to use or not use them.

Since the content of the assignment was previously reported, the students prepared their activation sequences in advance. However, it was forbidden to bring them to the practice room. Students must create magic by writing an activation sequence using their memory and mind.

Creating an activation sequence in the editor was displayed on a large screen hanging from the ceiling. But then you might think that this will help others cheat by spying, but the school thought this up, and organized the students in the order where those from whom the best results are expected are at the end of the list. Even if you try to imitate, having peeked at someone else's activation sequence, then as a result, magic is not activated due to a logical failure. If someone has the skills to be able to replicate the sequence, the idea of the school was to evaluate such an ability as excellent craftsmanship.

Tatsuya was in the very last group. He watched the actions of classmates 45 minutes from the beginning of the lesson.

Although this does not mean that the information from the students was not useful, but he prepared his activation sequence yesterday. Now, if you add new ideas, things can only get worse.

When the presentation of the metal balls made by the previous group was completed (the accuracy of the finished tin ball is the most significant in the scoring), Tatsuya went to the installation for the experiment.

Unintentionally, he glanced around the location of the fact-finding exercise. Either the atmosphere was such, or the game of reason, but it seemed to him that the number of first years was constantly growing.

An electronic signal indicated the beginning of the task. If you finish within the allotted time, the speed does not affect the estimate, however, in order to ensure fairness, since a time limit is set, the editor is locked until a signal sounds.

Tatsuya began, as usual, to enter the activation sequence using only the keyboard. He was not in a hurry.

He knew that for today's task, the established ten minutes would be enough.

On the monitor, symbolic lines of the activation sequence floated before him. The same picture in real time was displayed on a large display suspended from the ceiling.

A little commotion began. Although among the newcomers and there were no inconsiderate people who raised their voices too loud, but even this behavior could not be called good manners. Also among the voices came the silent warning voice of the teacher.

In addition, among the whisperers were not only visited by a group of spectators. The voices of classmates were also mixed with this noise. Classmates, who had to have seen many times already, that like Tatsuya writes the activation sequence, apparently were tempted by the behavior of first years.

These slightly confused thoughts Tatsuya immediately threw out of his head. Eliminating unnecessary information from consciousness, he invested all his resources in the construction of magic.

Tatsuya's fingers on the keyboard stopped. A large display that controls its installation for the experiment showed the process of copying the activation sequence from the editor to the CAD, in the form of a 3D strip.

Tatsuya was the fastest of the last group of five people in achieving readiness for using the activation sequence. From the experimental installation one away from him, Tatsuya's profile drilled Hirakawa Chiaki's annoyed gaze, but he completely ignored it, and activated the CAD.

The skills required for this task (as well as for the tasks of the Faculty of Magic Engineering in general) are not speed, not power, and not the interference strength in an event. A ability to accurately build complex sequences of magic.

Of course, this does not mean that the power and interference strength is completely unnecessary, but they can only add the process of acceleration to the magic sequence. Although the magic sequence will be longer (not much), but since the theme of the task is not the speed of magic activation, therefore, the extra time spent should not be a problem.

The tin bar, lying two meters in front of Tatsuya, took off, began to melt and lose its shape. Becoming liquid, the metal immediately took a spherical shape. Beginners from the viewing spots stared at this process. The other four of the final group have also switched to the stage of magic activation, but the eyes of the freshmen were chained to Tatsuya's model.

From the table next to Tatsuya's experimental setup, there was a metallic echo - this tin, formed into a sphere, has already returned to the table. The first to complete the magic was Tomitsuka. Tatsuya's model was still in the process of cooling.

Even when the second person (Chiaki) finished, Tatsuya did not show impatience. This experiment originally assumed that you cannot change anything in the middle of the process. After activating the magic, the student who started it can only look. Tatsuya silently looked at the metal ball, hardening in a weightless vacuum.

The solidification of the tin ball completed, it returned to the stand on the table. There was no sound of falling. This indicated that the process was completely controlled by magic until the ball returned to the table. Tatsuya finished today's task with the third in the last group of five, with the remaining time of one minute and thirty seconds.

? ? ?

This year at class 3E, Jennifer Smith became the practice instructor again. The practice ended before the end of the allotted time, and Jennifer called Tatsuya into the teaching room.

"Shiba-kun is also in the school board, so I will speak briefly.

Now almost the end of the fifth lesson. Immediately after this, after classes, Tatsuya will have to go to the school boardroom. Jennifer was aware of this.

"It's still early for this, but what topic would Shiba-kun like to voice in the Thesis Competition this year?"

She was referring to the "National High School Magic Thesis Competition ", which is held on the last Sunday of October. This year it will be on October 27th. It is still very time-consuming, and a meeting for the representative of the school will be held only in June. Therefore, the question was not hasty.

-I have not decided yet. "That's why Tatsuya was not at all surprised and answered so briefly. He had not even decide whether to participate at all in the Thesis, but now there was no need to mention it. Although with Magic already had to apply for a qualifying meeting, this did not mean that he could easily reject this proposal.

-Here's how? Great.

-Excellent?

"Excellent, that did not start training, or what?" , - could not understand the essence of Tatsuya. His question was completely justified, although he just asked again.

Jennifer did not show excitement, probably because, to some extent, she predicted that the meaning would be called into question. It would be nice if she explained everything in detail from the very beginning, however, she may have her own plans.

-Yes. In fact, I can say to Shiba-kun.

-This is due to the choice of topic for theses competition?

-That's right.

Prior to this moment, Tatsuya's expectations had already been reduced to two options.

Either she will ask you to choose a specific question related to the "Stellar Furnace" (Magic sequences for a thermonuclear fusion reactor with constant gravity control), or ask not to touch the theme of the "Stellar Furnace" at the Competition altogether.

-Please, choose a topic other than "Stellar Furnace", as a theme for the Contest.

Waiting Tatsuya worked at 50%.

- Got it.

Jennifer looked with suspicion on the quickly agreeing Tatsuya.

- ... You do not even ask the reason?

"I fully understand the danger of the Stellar Furnace." I thought that this would be an unacceptable topic for the Contest.

- Really? Apparently, my intervention was superfluous.

In fact, Tatsuya had other motives, but the current explanation convinced Jennifer.

It is unacceptable for dissertations announcements at the Competition. Tatsuya actually thought so. However, not because it is dangerous. "Stellar Furnace" was the central link in the plan for the release of magicians, on which Tatsuya was thinking. He was worried that imitators might appear and patent before him.

-By the way, it seems that Kento-kun was transferred to Magic Engineering, just as he wanted. Though late, but congratulations. - In these words, Tatsuya did not have a deep meaning. He just wanted to change the subject. In addition, although he said "By the way", but having the authority as a member of the school board to see the list of students, Tatsuya knew about the transfer to Magic Engineering of Jennifer's son, Kento, back in early March, when the results of the transfer exam in Magic Engineering appeared.

-Thank you. "Apparently, because it touched on Jennifer's son, she smiled, losing her usual unflappable expression. - Even this year there was a high passing score, and in the next exam competition will increase even more.

This unexpected speech by Jennifer contained information unfamiliar to Tatsuya. It was just chatter, but his curiosity was awakened.

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