Volume 6 - CH 7(4/5)
Accidents were unavoidable during the course of magic training. Every year, several magic high school students would withdraw from school owing to accidents in training that led to the complete loss of magic. In a similar vein, so long as the perpetrator did not commit a heinous crime, expulsion was not a punishment granted often. While the crime Sekimoto committed was malicious in nature, it still remained at the attempted phase. Thus, Sekimoto's punishment was dependent on how repentant he was. Parole officers keep members of society with unique skills in the special detention centers to evaluate their progress, but students are still able to visit them.
"Eh~."
There was no way Erika was ignorant of this.
"That permission slip rests in the hands of the Public Moral Committee, I believe."
It was because Erika didn't want to use the legal methods that she proposed an alternate method that smacked of criminal activity.
"Regardless of how you put it, it's easier than trying to sneak into the detention facility."
However, Tatsuya frankly vetoed Erika's proposal.
Thus, after school in the Public Moral Committee HQ. "No."
Kanon simply and clearly rejected the proposal to visit Sekimoto. "......Can you give a reason?"
Since Kanon's reply was too concise, Tatsuya wasn't even sure where to begin.
"No is no."
Kanon stubbornly stuck with the word "No". Maybe this was her being emotional, but she appeared to be afraid that if they got into a debate she would be persuaded in the end.
"What I want to know is, why not? The permission slips for visiting the detention center are evaluated by the Chair of the Public Moral Committee or Student Council President, but the ultimate decision rests with the school. There's hardly any persuasive strength in just handing down a unilateral no."
Hearing Tatsuya's reply, Kanon furrowed her brows, a clear sign of her irritation. Her chilly attitude until this moment was blatant enough to cause people to wonder "if something had ticked her off" or some other ulterior reason. Yet, she couldn't just simply back down before Tatsuya, so Kanon's strategy seemed doomed from the onset.
"......Because this is going to be very troublesome."
Seeing no possible way to continue, Kanon reluctantly replied.
"Based on what......
First, what would be troublesome?"
Of course, this excuse wouldn't fly with Tatsuya. It was only natural that he would ask Kanon.
"Can you guarantee that nothing will happen with you guys just running around!?"
For some reason, Kanon's reply was a shrill question of its own.
"Seeing as you guys are all ignorant, allow me to put it bluntly! Shiba- kun, this sort of trouble always appears in your surroundings, yet you are either unaware or believe that you are blameless, but trouble still finds you on its own. With how busy we are right now, please stop creating trouble for everyone right now!"
Despite the stretch in logic, Kanon's words bore an indomitable force. —Also, Tatsuya was aware that Kanon's words weren't entirely wrong.
"Kanon, saying that about Tatsuya is going too far."
At this time, Mari, who had rarely popped into HQ due to her hectic schedule, arrived to break up the dispute.
"At any rate, Tatsuya-kun is still involved with the issue at hand. It stands to reason that he would want to understand the comings and goings."
"But, Mari-senpai."
"Well, OK, Kanon, it's not like I don't understand what you're driving at."
Do you really understand? Tatsuya thought. Nonetheless, since Mari was helping him out, he wasn't going to actually complain.
"Fortunately, Mayumi and I planned to visit Sekimoto tomorrow, so we can have him accompany us."
"Well......
If it's with Mari-senpai."
Looks like Kanon isn't someone that is overly stubborn as she reluctantly agreed with Mari's proposal.
"Is that OK, Tatsuya-kun? Coming along with your senpais, that is."
Truth be told, he wasn't satisfied completely, but seeing as this was Kanon more or less backing down, Tatsuya expressed his agreement in the end.
? ? ?
In a room with no windows, Chiaki sighed. Honestly, she was quite bored.
Despite her status as an invalid, she wasn't injured. No, though she did suffer injury, it wasn't to the extent that warranted a stay in the hospital. Within the extent of her own feelings, she didn't feel that she was injured to the point that required bed rest.
She was stuck in this sickroom not because she was injured or ill, but for other reasons.
For her, this was like a luxurious prison.
Of course, she knew that her presence here was entirely her fault, hence she didn't complain about her loss of freedom. But this was simply too boring. Naturally, she wasn't demanding television, wireless terminals, models or other luxury items, even unconnected cheap e-books would do. Even if entertainment was out of the question, even physical activity would do. Anyway, she couldn't just sit here doing nothing.
Earlier, about two hours ago, the nurse who checked in on her said "visiting hours are canceled today". Supposedly, this was because someone attempted to break in yesterday. Likewise, it wasn't the fire alarm but the riot alarm linked to the police that rang out yesterday, so it must have happened.
Regardless, it wasn't like anyone was going to visit her — her older sister must hate her because of this — so canceling visiting hours didn't affect her much, so there was no need to worry. In reality, Chiaki surmised that the target of the "break-in" was herself because the door to this sickroom had been damaged. Obviously, she wasn't asleep during that time, so she knew this even if she didn't like it. In Chiaki's eyes, "those guys" were trying to silence her. However, there was nothing she could do about that and Chiaki had already given up. She was only their collaborator and not one of their companions. Since Chiaki understood this, the other side must think so too. It was perfectly understandable that they would silence her in order to prevent a leak.
In truth, her mood had already reached a "do as you will" phase. Right now, she wasn't even sure why she bore such intense enmity towards "that guy". Maybe rotting away in this empty, white sickroom was the best ending for her, Chiaki ridiculed herself.
At this time, someone knocked on the door. In spite of Chiaki's muddled state, she still had a grasp of her mental facilities. The afternoon check up was already over and she hadn't pressed the button for a nurse. There shouldn't be anyone coming to see her, and didn't the nurse say today's visiting hours were canceled?
The knocking continued despite her amazement, so Chiaki frantically
—without thinking much — pressed the remote door control. "How are you feeling? Miss Hirakawa?"
The one who came in was thoroughly unexpected — but she had a premonition, if someone was to come see her, it definitely would be this person.
"Mr. Zhou."
Once, Chiaki was unable to keep watching her sister wallow away in pain and despair, thus forcing her to flee onto the streets one night. At that time, it was this person who comforted her with kind and gentle words. The person who told her that they shouldn't have suffered like this and reinforced her dark thoughts. The person who prodded her to vengeance, not through murder, but to right a wrong. The person who allowed her to vent those pent up feelings. The person who gave her the tools of her vengeance.
The savior who saved Chiaki's fragile heart stood before her with a bouquet of flowers in hand.
"Why...... did you come? Visiting hours are canceled today......"
Gifts were no longer necessary, as there were a mountain of things she needed to apologize for. Chiaki utterly loathed how she was bound by these tedious emotions. Especially after saying those words, she wished she could slap herself.
"I used a few tricks."
Saying this, Zhou winked in a childish fashion, but his action wasn't particularly irritating.
"Tricks......
As in magic?"
"No, no, it's a little different than magic."
Based on her own understanding, Chiaki interpreted trick to mean magic.
Yet, Zhou shook his head at Chiaki's question.
"Even without magic, humans are still able to pull off a few miracles. Well, calling it a miracle is a bit of a stretch."
Zhou smiled once more and Chiaki finally managed to recover her wits (according to her).
"Then, Mr. Zhou, I...... You helped me so much, but I couldn't do anything."
Before Chiaki could get started with her apology, Zhou dropped the bouquet before her.
For some reason, the bouquet was filled with a mesmerizing beauty that managed to capture her attention with its brilliant luster.
"All of that is unimportant."
Zhou's voice seemed to come from far away.
Chiaki stared blankly at the bouquet and lent her ears to Zhou's words. "If you feel regret."
Chiaki's eyes were glazed.
"If you feel the burden is too heavy."
Her consciousness was entirely dominated by Zhou's voice. "Then just forget about me."
"Forget......?"
Chiaki involuntarily spoke these words; she wasn't even aware what she was saying.
"Yes, just forget about me."
"Forget...... Is it OK to forget......?"
Under Zhou's guidance, Chiaki allowed herself to forget. "Yes, all you have to do is forget."
"Understood...... I will forget......"
Chiaki gave herself the order to forget.
? ? ?
October 25th, the Tuesday after school. Tatsuya, Mari, and Mayumi went to the Hachiōji Special Detention Center where Sekimoto was held. There were only five days until the Thesis Competition, so this was really the busiest last leg of the preparation phase, but since Tatsuya's tasks were proceeding smoothly, he was able to spare two or three hours away from preparations.
In reality, Erika, Leo, and Mikihiko also wanted to tag along, but that was a little inconvenient for the upperclassmen. Mari only had reservations regarding Erika alone, but it was a little too challenging for innocent high school boys to associate with unfamiliar female upperclassmen. —Actually, the permission slip that Tatsuya handed in only had three spots anyway. Speaking of which, Miyuki was completely tied down with Student Council business, so she could only send the three of them off with an unsmiling "beautiful smile".
While there were all sorts of procedures at the door, there wasn't any hassle beyond the door. After handing them a LPS terminal as a guide, there wasn't even a staff member to accompany them, which was most likely the result of Mayumi leaning on the "Saegusa" name. Of course, Tatsuya wasn't certain of the veracity of that, nor did he wish to comprehend the reason behind their special treatment.
The room Sekimoto was held in wasn't a "cell" and there wasn't anything like metal windows or something like that. It was actually more like a second-class room in a hotel. Even then, there was a hidden room that could observe the contents of that room.
Mayumi and Tatsuya both entered the hidden room. Mari would be the only one to face off against Sekimoto. Although Mari was the one who proposed this arrangement, neither Mayumi nor Tatsuya voiced any disagreement. Tatsuya knew very well that even if Sekimoto proved to be violent, Mayumi was confident she could control him from the other room, although Sekimoto's talent was but a tiny fraction of Mari's own.
From the hidden room, they saw Sekimoto without any restrictive shackles. Of course, he was forbidden from leaving the room. Sitting obediently on the side of the bed, he was wearing simple clothes not out of place during a hospital check up. He probably had undergone a thorough full body search, so the chances he carried hidden weapons or a CAD was absolutely zero.
Under Tatsuya and Mayumi's watchful gaze in the other room, the door leading to that room opened. Needless to say, this was Mari. Sekimoto, nonplussed at the opening door, revealed his astonishment at this. However, in the next instant, his eyes were wary and suspicious. Sekimoto detected a hint of danger when Mari appeared by herself.
"Watanabe...... Why are you here?"
Subconsciously, Sekimoto rubbed at his left wrist from his seat on the bed, probably involuntarily looking for his confiscated CAD. Although his voice did not waver, it was filled with a nameless dread.
"Obviously, I'm here to understand the situation."
Likely due to his service as a Public Moral Committee member, Sekimoto knew what Mari was capable of. He must be downright terrified of Mari's ruthlessness.
"So......
Even you can't use magic here."
Sekimoto's accusation was correct. This was the place to detain adolescent Magicians who broke the law. Though there were no automatic anti-magic devices like "Cast Jamming" installed here, there were still devices that could detect magic invocation. Once magic usage was confirmed, disarming gas would be released along with rubber bullets from machine guns, followed by security bursting in wearing full protective gear.
"Is that so?"
—On the condition that the surveillance system was working properly.
Sekimoto finally comprehended the reason why Mari couldn't help but smile.
"We don't have much time. Just tell me the important details."
Seeing Mari's teasing grin (in Sekimoto's eyes), Sekimoto frantically stopped breathing. —But it was already too late, halting his breathing was insufficient to avoid magic.
Sekimoto's consciousness suddenly dipped into the fog. He wasn't even aware that he had succumbed to Mari's attack before starting to answer Mari's question.
"Is she using scents to control his mind?"
Tatsuya was perfectly clear on what Mari did after watching from the hidden room.
She was using various scents to directly provoke emotions and memory. This theory had already been medically proven in the previous century. Commercial aromatherapy relied on the powerful effects on emotions caused by smells.
Using the ventilation system, Mari sent perfume wafting through the nose into the olfactory cells, hereby combining a scent that lowered mental resistance and another which controlled the consciousness to create a literal truth serum.
"Tatsuya-kun, is this the first time you've seen this?"
Mayumi was not surprised that Tatsuya could see through Mari's technique. Taking Tatsuya's diverse knowledge in magic, Mayumi felt that this was perfectly natural. She was likely more amazed that he had served in the Public Moral Committee for half a year and had never witnessed Mari used this technique.
"This is truly the first time. Wouldn't blatantly using this sort of magic land her in a heap of trouble?"
Mayumi nodded at Tatsuya's words. "Just as you say." Magic usage has been heavily restricted by the law, not to mention this sort of brainwashing ability. If used recklessly surely this would come under fire from "collective reasoning" and "civic duty".
Despite his ongoing conversation with Mayumi, Tatsuya never lost sight of Sekimoto's "confession" for a second. What aroused his interest was Sekimoto confessing that "after obtaining the data from the presentation device, he planned to investigate Shiba's private possessions". When Mari asked for why, Sekimoto answered with "the Magatama relic".
"......Tatsuya-kun, do you have something like that?"
Mayumi asked him with wide eyes. "No, I do not have such a thing."
While Mayumi's question hinted at all sorts of underlying questions, honestly answering the question would only create more problems for Tatsuya.
"But......"
"Probably because recently I was researching things related to the "Philosopher's Stone". Maybe this is where he got mixed up?"
Mayumi also knew that he did use this excuse a few days before the election for the Student Council President, hence she didn't pursue the issue. Still, this wasn't because she entirely believed Tatsuya's words, but more because this wasn't the right time to do so.
Just as Tatsuya was let off from this easily debunked lie, the alarm sounded for the Hachiōji Special Detention Facility rang out.
The reactions from all three of them upon hearing the alarm were incredibly swift. After pressing the still befuddled Sekimoto down onto the bed (not to let him rest), Mari charged out of the room. At the same time, Tatsuya and Mayumi also exited from their chamber.
"Looks like we have illegal intruders."
Mari's voice trembled slightly in surprise. Thanks to the assault on the hospital affiliated with the magic university yesterday, the police in western Tokyo were on high alert. Although the mobile defense force (National Guard) that were the highest form of security hadn't been mobilized, the number of patrols today had increased by fifty percent. Likewise, this Hachiōji Special Detention Center was also twice as alert as usual. Only someone who truly had some skills or was a complete moron would charge in now. —Mari's gut leaned towards the former.
"Tatsuya-kun, do you know where they are coming in from?"
Hearing Mayumi's question, Tatsuya removed the LPS terminal and fiddled with it. The flip open display showed a 3D map for the evacuation route. They could estimate the intruder's point of entry based on the route.
"They seem to have come in through the roof. They might have used a flier or a spring loaded mechanism. Currently they are near the east wing of the third floor."
At Tatsuya's words, Mayumi's gaze drifted towards an unknown location. She had activated her Sensory Systematic Magic "Multi Scope" to its largest extent and looked in the direction Tatsuya indicated.
"......Found them. Nice work, Tatsuya-kun. There are four intruders, each armed with high power assault rifles."
High power rifles were mandatory weapons against Magicians. The explosiveness and flying speed of their rounds were three to four times higher than normal rifles and could even penetrate defensive magic. The surplus in strength could only be produced by highly skillful manufacturing. There was no way the average gangster or terrorist could get their hands on one.
"Security is setting up a defense line near the platform of the stairs using the terrain."
"The entrance to the corridor has been blocked by blast doors."
As Mayumi was reporting the current situation, Tatsuya pulled up the 3D projection for the building map. The three of them were on the first floor in the central building. Although there was no cause for alarm based on the current situation......
"Their target is here."
Half a beat after Tatsuya twisted his head to look towards the upper levels, Mari also watched the entrance warily.
"What? Ah!"
Mayumi had no idea what put the two of them on guard, but in the next instant.
Directly before their eyes, the figure of a large man appeared. He was taller than Tatsuya by a head and approached nearly 185 cm. His muscular physique didn't betray a hint of sluggishness, like a large carnivore advancing forward. Still, the man appeared to be using some sort of technique, since his aura and appearance were both faint. Despite his appearance before them, he seemed to disappear if they stopped paying attention, so he must have arrived here using some sort of invisibility spell. Of course, Mari had a deep impression of this man.
"Lu Gonghu!"
Mayumi didn't seem to comprehend Mari's soft whisper, so her facial expression didn't change much. On the other hand, Tatsuya kept a grim visage on his face. Although he had heard of this individual, after Mari calling out his name, this was the first time he had met the man face to face. —Of course, he was well aware of the man's reputation.
Advancing forward, Lu's eyes stopped on Tatsuya and company. Specifically, his eyes rested on Mari.
"I believe we should be beating a retreat at this time, but looks like it's too late for that."
Tatsuya said in a light tone as he stepped in front of the other two. As he prepared to walk towards Lu, Mari grabbed his shoulders. "I'll take him on. Tatsuya, you protect Mayumi."
From Tatsuya's perspective, this was a ridiculous arrangement. True, Mari boasted first class magic combat ability as a Year 3 magic high school student. However, Lu Gonghu's close combat magic level was "beyond first class". She had no chance of victory in a head to head confrontation. Their chances of victory were definitely higher if a "regular" like himself took the field.
"Mari, be careful."
Unexpectedly, Mayumi voiced her support for Mari's tactical assessment. Still, this wasn't the time to continue this conversation, so Tatsuya obeyed.
"I know he's no small fry."
Mari stretched her left hand slightly forward and, as if to pat her dress, swatted downwards before raising her hand again. With a sound, the normally straight pleat dress made from ultra thin fabric was massively raised, revealing a pair of tights that outlined delicious curves along with the leather holder along one thigh. A 20 cm long rod was removed from this leather holder.
The hem of her dress fell back down to obscure Mari's pair of mesmerizing legs. Maybe he had been caught up by the sight, but Lu didn't fall into a combat stance until Mari raised her left hand.
Lu Gonghu tilted his upper body forward with both hands dangling in front of him. His fingers were slightly curved, giving his body the impression that it was ready to pounce at any given moment.
Yet, the first to act here was neither Mari nor Lu Gonghu, but Mayumi standing off to one side.
The instant mist seemed to cover the walls to the left and right and the ceiling, countless white pellets swarmed towards Lu Gonghu. Lu Gonghu pounced forward, but over half of the ice pellets still struck his body.
However, Lu was not harmed by this barrage. His entire body was covered by Steel Qigong and managed to repel the incoming ice pellets. His momentum didn't decrease in the slightest as he charged towards Mari. Mari raised her 20 cm blade to meet him.
A dull metallic sound rang out as Mari stopped Lu's outstretched right arm. Afterwards, Lu's head massively tilted backwards as a 20 cm edged leaflet sheared by his face. The weapons in Mari's hand included a 20 cm long handle, two 20 cm long short blades, and another small short blade attached to a string.
At this time, Mayumi's second attack descended. Lu leaped backwards to a safe distance. His instincts were correct. The floor and neighboring wall where he just stood were peppered with numerous pellet marks. Mayumi's second attack was harder and even more precise than the first one, with superior speed and penetrating power.
For the first time, a human expression came across Lu's face, an expression called mystification. He knew that he wasn't at full power due to the injury in his side. Still, that a few students, and female high school students at that, were able to hold him off rather begged disbelief. Nonetheless, Lu's bewilderment only lasted a second. He canceled the magic that suppressed his aura and focused entirely on the battle at hand.
Lu erected several layers of psion information bodies around his entire body. Tatsuya could see that both his layers of information bodies and physical barrier magic were of the same nature. Earlier, his entire skin was covered by a high density of psions, which was the same as fortifying the Eidos of the skin. However, now he switched over to barrier magic. After Mayumi released her third shot, this attack was blocked by Lu's physical barrier. Afterwards, he closed in on Mari with lightning speed, to which Mari raised her dual-edged blades to counter, but it didn't seem likely that she could hold him with that pair of blades against the strength of that barrier magic.
At the point of impact with Mari, Lu's figure disappeared.
Mari frantically pivoted to the right, an action that was entirely based on her instinct, but fortunately this was the right choice.
Unfortunately, she wasn't going to make it in time.
Lu Gonghu had passed by Mari's short sword and got behind her.
Mari mentally called out "Mayumi!", but there was no time for her to actually verbalize this.
Just as Lu came face to face with Tatsuya, who was standing directly in front of Mayumi — a storm of psions devoured him.
Gram Demolition.
Seeing that Lu Gonghu had transferred his Data Fortification magic to a physical barrier, Tatsuya used a continuous stream of compressed psion particles to shred Lu's armor.
Lu's eyes were filled with shock.
Now, Mayumi's shooting magic activated once more.
Lu's reaction sustained his high reputation as "beyond first class".
He swiftly recovered from the shock that came from the destruction of his barrier Steel Qigong, and immediately erected Steel Qigong for Data Fortification. However, while Mayumi lowered the number of shots, she had raised the strength of each shot accordingly. Now, Lu Gonghu's hastily erected Steel Qigong was no longer able to completely deflect Mayumi's shooting magic.
Taking hits from the pellets, Lu was forced to halt his footsteps due to the impact from the large number of psions disrupting his senses. Now, even Mari was closing in from behind.
The twin blades in her left hand released a small short blade that flew towards Lu's head.
Mari's right hand suddenly hurtled some sort of black dust towards Lu Gonghu.
Lu immediately covered his eyes and ears.
The black dust seemed to cover his head and quickly dissipated after emitting a faint light.
Lu's large frame started to rock back and forth. Under the effect of Mari's Absorption-Type Magic, the rapidly "burning" carbon particles were restricted from interacting with heat and light, but quickly interacted with oxygen. The result was that much of the oxygen was converted into carbon dioxide. In a flash, the air became thin around Lu Gonghu's position.
Mari wielded the thin string in her left hand like a weapon. Along the direction of the swing, the string emitted the repulsion edge "Pressure Slash". Also, there was more than one. The twin blades falling upon the head also emitted "Pressure Slash" along the edges of the blades. The thin string in Mari's hand had exceeded the speed of her twin blades thanks to the application of Gravity-Type acceleration magic. Even Tatsuya wouldn't be able to dodge all three attacks at the same time, and the "Devouring Tiger" Lu Gonghu was no exception. Although Lu managed to evade the repulsion blade in Mari's hand, the other two struck him in the shoulder and back. Even with Steel Qigong sustaining him, he was in a state of oxygen deprivation after sustaining Mayumi's magic shooting, and the barrier wasn't operating at full strength. Thus, the two blades landed direct hits to his body. Although he was able to avoid major bone fractures, the blades still sank into his flesh, leaving two long cuts. Under the impact of Mari's direct attacks, Lu keeled over.
Cavalry was a role that always arrived late to the party. Only in movies do they appear in the nick of time.
Thus, reinforcements from security only arrived after Lu had been subdued. The four security officers beheld the scene where a young man was knocked down by twin blades and revealed astonished expressions, but upon closer examination of the uniforms the three students wore, they quickly bound Lu Gonghu tightly. Chances were high that these people knew of Mayumi as well.
Running counter to Tatsuya's estimation, they were not questioned by the authorities. Again, this might have been caused by the power coming from the name "Saegusa", though Tatsuya wasn't going to complain. He was already incredibly thankful that he didn't have to waste any more time, a thought that Mayumi and Mari must also share. By the time the three of them were conversing, they had already left the premises.
After leaving through the front door of the detention center, Mari somewhat hesitantly approached Tatsuya.
"Tatsuya-kun, uh, although you may know now, but please don't speak of what you just saw."
Naturally, Tatsuya had no way of making heads or tails of what she meant with just those words.
"In regards to not speaking of this, are you referring to senpai's weapon? Or the fact that senpai can wield 'Dojigiri'?"
Tatsuya asked this to verify the conversation topic, but when Mayumi and Mari heard his question, they both sighed in unison.
"So you really do know about it......"
"Tatsuya-kun, so you are omniscient after all......"
Based on the ladies' indecisive appearance, Tatsuya inferred that they must be talking about the "Dojigiri".
"It's not that I know everything......
Isn-->>