Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 02 - Enrollment Chapter (II)

  Casting Assistant Device

  Shorthand: CAD. Also known as Device, Assistance, Houki. They vary greatly and exist in two types: general purpose and specialized. Activated in order to cast incantations and charms, mudrā, magic spells; an alternative to the traditional techniques and means found in magic textbooks, it’s an essential device required in order to master modern day magic. Activation ritual speed, and amount of information deployable, is decided by the CAD’s hard disk ability; just how much the refinement and effectiveness of activation can be expanded by is dependent on the performance of the software built into the CAD. Even an inferior performance CAD, by simplifying the activation ritual, can increase the power of the magic processing section, but that is a high level skill and in general, the processing power of the CAD is the primary constraint on how fast magic can be activated.

  The general purpose CAD places emphasis on diversity; regardless of the combination of systems it can install up to 99 kinds of activation rituals. The bracelet form is the most widely used, but mobile computer type ones are also in circulation, and they are preferred by senior magic masters who dislike having both hands occupied while operating.

  Specialized CADs emphasize speed at the expense of diversity, and aiming support integrated subsystems are mainstream. The system combination allows the installation of the same activation ritual up to 9 times. They often take the form of handguns and rifles. In the barrel where ammunition would normally go auxiliary sighting systems are incorporated, and CADs with extended “barrels” have had their auxiliary sighting function enhanced. The one possessed by Shiba Tatsuya, a tuned up Silver Horn model “Trident”, is one of these.

  Chapter 6

  Just before the school gates close, in the club headquarters.

  "The situation is concerning the Kenjutsu Club’s barging in on the Kendo Club’s demonstration for new members."

  Tatsuya, having witnessed and experienced the event, provided details concerning the attempted brawl — including how after Mibu Sayaka and Kirihara Takeaki started arguing, he had stepped in their struggle and personally challenged the Kenjutsu club — to the three people standing before him.

  "Even so, after taking on more than ten opponents, it’s a wonder you’re still so well."

  Facing him to the right, the Student Body president, Saegusa Mayumi.

  "To be exact there were fourteen people. As expected of Kokonoe-sensei’s disciple I guess."

  In the centre, the one who in a sense is his boss, the Public Morals Committee chief, Watanabe Mari.

  Laughing interestedly — not in the sense of 'strange', but in the sense of 'amusing' — while commenting made her words rather ironic. Though her expression was somewhat insincere, she's probably praising him.

  What most impressed Mayumi and Mari (?) was, after overpowering Kirihara, Tatsuya had only defended against the frenzied mob of Kenjutsu club members without attacking. However, Tatsuya had not shown off any techniques worth praising.

  He seemed to have the skill of an average high school student, but they didn’t know of what level.

  That was why those attackers fared that much worse than the Yakumo temple students — they had no idea he could manage fourteen opponents at once and sustain no injuries and how valuable that was.

  Instead, Tatsuya’s awareness was focused on the 3rd Year male student, on the left side.

  It’s likely that he is the Club Management Group Leader, Juumonji Katsuto. Bearing the number '10' in his name, the eldest child of the Juumonji house.

  (He looks pretty steep alright…)

  Standing up, he was about 185 cm. That alone didn’t make him a big man to be looked up upon.

  Rather, it was the thick chest and broad shoulders and the rippling muscles, easily recognizable even under a uniform.

  It wasn’t just his physical features; every element that makes up a human seemed to be condensed in him, giving his character an incredibly heavy sense of presence.

  As expected of one who stands alongside Mayumi and Mari as part of the First High School Big Three, Tatsuya thought, understanding just from his appearance and impression.

  "You didn’t see the incident’s beginning circumstances?"

  Being questioned by Mari, who had changed her expression, Tatsuya snapped back to reality. Once again, he recalled the event of the report he had just finished and replied affirmatively to her question.

  "That’s right. Whether Kirihara-senpai had provoked the Kendo club or the Kendo club had earlier caused some grievance against the Kenjutsu club, we cannot say for certain."

  What he had seen was from the point when Mibu and Kirihara had been quarreling. Along with Erika, they were behind the stands and were about to exit the gym when they heard the buzz of an argument breaking out, but they hadn’t heard the contents. By the time he had waded through the crowd and arrived on the scene, both Mibu and Kirihara were at swords’ points already.

  "Is that why you didn’t act straight away?"

  That question was from Mayumi.

  Katsuto seemed to have assumed the listener’s position.

  "I intended to intervene only if I deemed things became too dangerous. If they only ended up bruising each other, that’s a problem between themselves."

  Tatsuya answered Mayumi’s question conditionally.

  As Mayumi said, Tatsuya had initially taken the attitude of a bystander since he didn’t know who he should stop.

  You could possibly say that he had the option to simply stop both, but since that would result in him gaining the reputation and notoriety of defeating both of them, that case wasn’t considered.

  However, that wasn’t the only reason. The duties requested of him by the Public Morals Committee was the prevention of magical violence. Neither Kirihara nor Mibu, when they started sparring, had used magic. Had Kirihara not used the magic "Sonic Blade", it’s likely that Tatsuya would have simply watched until the end.

  "…Well it’s fine. It’s certainly a fact that we don’t have the personnel to intervene in every fight."

  The trouble during recruiting was how club headquarters generally handled things. Mari’s remark was based on that, so neither Mayumi nor Katsuto objected.

  "Then, what did you do with Kirihara?"

  "Kirihara’s collarbone was fractured, so I handed him over to the Health Committee. That level of injury was easily healed rapidly with magic. He admitted his error in the infirmary, so I didn’t judge any further action to be required."

  The truth was that while the blow Kirihara sustained from the shinai cracked the bone, it was Tatsuya’s slam that broke it. Tatsuya didn’t feel the need to add such an extraneous detail.

  And as Mari had not actually seen Kirihara’s condition, there would be no way to tell.

  "Hm… very well. Prosecution is left to the discretion of the apprehender, after all."

  Nodding at Tatsuya’s words, Mari turned her eyes towards Katsuto.

  "It’s as you heard, Juumonji. As the Public Morals Committee head, I don’t intend to bring this matter to the Disciplinary Committee."

  "I’m grateful for your leniency. To have used a highly lethal magic such as Sonic Blade in such a place. Even though no one got hurt, we had thought that a suspension at least was unavoidable. I’m sure the person in question himself realized that. We’ll give him a full lecture, and make sure he takes this lesson to heart.

  "We’ll leave it to you."

  Katsuto gave a light bow, which Mari returned.

  "But, is the Kendo club satisfied with that?"

  "They share the same of
fense of provocation. They’re in no position to make a fuss."

  Mari brusquely dismissed Mayumi’s concern. Mayumi didn’t refute her. This was a matter under the jurisdiction of the Public Morals Committee chief; the Club Management Group Leader accepted it, and the Student Body president didn’t object. With this, the incident is closed.

  Tatsuya paid no attention to the exchange. It was not his job to combat the smoldering fires of discontent.

  "Chief, I’m sorry for being discourteous."

  By that, Tatsuya was signaling to Mari that he wanted permission to leave.

  "Ah, before that, there’s one thing I want to confirm."

  Mari also had no intention of detaining Tatsuya from his duties (although that would probably be it for today), so her question was brief.

  "Was Kirihara the only one who used magic?"

  "That is correct."

  Tatsuya answered Mari’s question simply.

  To be precise, Kirihara was the only one who successfully activated magic, is what he should have said, but Tatsuya had no intention of going into such a detailed explanation.

  "I see. Thanks for your hard work."

  Receiving permission, Tatsuya turned around and left the club headquarters.

  ◇◇◇

  After coming out of the club headquarters, Tatsuya turned to head towards the Student Council room.

  Sunset was only a little while away.

  However skilled one is at magic, it was improper for a girl to go out alone at this time, and Miyuki had earlier requested Tatsuya to return home with her.

  His plans were to meet her halfway along the road.

  The club HQ was in a building separate from the main buildings the Student Council room was in.

  In order to get from HQ to the Student Council room, it was necessary to leave the campus for a moment (although there was no need to change shoes; the phenomena known as indoor shoes were rarely seen anymore) and walk around to the main entrance, but there were already some familiar faces waiting there.

  "Ah, good work~"

  "Onii-sama."

  Erika called out first, but it was Miyuki who rushed over to him.

  The others stared amazed at that unexpected agility.

  "Thanks for all your efforts. Today was rather tiring wasn’t it."

  "It wasn’t a big deal. Good work today as well, Miyuki."

  As Miyuki stood before him with both hands clasped to her bag in front of her, Tatsuya, with a fond look, gently stroked her hair two, three times.

  Miyuki half closed her eyes in pleasure as she gazed up at her brother, and their eyes met.

  "I realize that they’re siblings, but you know…"

  As they walked towards the two, with an embarrassed expression, Leo muttered to himself.

  "It’s almost like a scene out of a painting…"

  Beside him, Mizuki, with her face red, stared at the two as if to devour them.

  At that, Erika narrowed her eyes towards Leo and Mizuki.

  "Hey, you guys… just what are you expecting from those two?"

  Shrugging exaggeratedly with both hands extended from her body, shaking her head leisurely from side to side would have looked rather contrived normally, but somehow suited Erika.

  "As you said, they’re siblings right?"

  Her expression, along with those lines, seemed to bring the two back to their senses. In a panic, Leo and Mizuki reacted to that incident in an absolutely eloquent manner.

  "D-D-D-D-Don’t say such obvious things! I, I wasn’t expecting anything at all!"

  "Y-Y-Yeah that’s right, Erika-chan! D-Don’t say weird things!"

  "…Yes yes, I’ll leave it at that."

  Most likely, if not for Erika’s chaffing retort, both Leo and Mizuki wouldn’t have known where to stop with their misunderstanding.

  Unaware of Erika’s lone struggle, Tatsuya at long last took his hand from his sister’s head and turned to the three.

  Miyuki, with a reluctant expression, followed her brother.

  Seeing that expression, one would definitely get weird delusions.

  However, Tatsuya made no such colorfully suspicious guise and, with a sincere face, called out to his friends apologetically.

  "Sorry, I’ve kept you guys."

  The delicate atmosphere dispelled, Leo shook his head with a crisp smile.

  "Don’t be so distant, Tatsuya. There’s no need to apologize."

  "I just came from the end of club orientation. I haven’t been waiting at all you know."

  Mizuki agreed with a soft smile, and also insisted that she didn’t require an apology.

  "She’s also just come from her club. Don’t worry about it."

  Erika laughed mischievously as usual, and gave a biting remark.

  Leo, Mizuki, and Erika; each of the three greeted Tatsuya with their own smiling face.

  Tatsuya immediately perceived that their words were contrary to the truth, but he didn’t want to waste their thoughtfulness.

  "Since it’s this late already, why don’t we go eat? If it’s under 1000 yen each, it's on me."

  The current value of currency was worth around twice what the denomination would have been 100 years ago.

  For a high school student, 1000 yen was a bit more than usual, but still reasonable.

  Instead of swallowing his apology further, he offered an invitation.

  There wasn’t anyone here who didn’t understand that, or felt the need for any unnecessary reserve.

  ◇◇◇

  On the next day of the entrance ceremony, the five talked about the days happenings — clubs they joined, boring housekeeping matters, people who asked their names in an attempt to hit on them, all sorts of experiences, but in the end the topic that drew the most interest was the drama involving Tatsuya.

  "That 2nd Year, Kirihara, he used a rank B lethal magic didn’t he? It’s a wonder you weren’t hurt."

  "Even though you say it has lethality, in the end, Sonic Blade is a magic with limited application. Apart from having an untouchable blade, it’s pretty much no different from a sharp sword. It’s not such a difficult magic to deal with."

  Responding to a visibly impressed Leo, Tatsuya replied in a tired manner.

  "But, didn’t you stop someone using it seriously with just your bare hands? Wasn’t that dangerous?"

  "It’s fine, Mizuki. If it’s Onii-sama, there’s no need to worry."

  "You’re considerably calm about this aren’t you, Miyuki?"

  As Miyuki reassured the now somber Mizuki, Erika drew attention to her unnatural confidence.

  "Certainly, I can only praise Tatsuya-kun’s prowess in being able to handle more than 10 opponents in melee, but Kirihara-senpai’s weapon was by no means a blunt sword. Rather, it’s more like he ended up slipping out from the midst of all those people.

  Miyuki, weren’t you worried at all?"

  Being accused by Erika, Miyuki’s reply was simply,

  "Of course not. There is no one at all who can defeat Onii-sama."

  An answer without the slightest hesitation.

  "—Uhhm…"

  Even Erika could only be at a loss for words.

  She had seen Tatsuya’s techniques up close at that time.

  Even through her eyes, Erika could tell that Kirihara’s swordsmanship was flawless. And Tatsuya should also have realized that the cutting edge was not inferior to that of a real sword. Not only that, Tatsuya hadn’t tensed any part of his body — that showed that he hadn’t felt any anxiety or fear even on a subconscious level — and had reached up faster than Kirihara could bring down the shinai, grabbed the hilt and slammed him down by the wrist with essentially Aikijutsu. No, rather than Aikijutsu, it might be called No Swords style.

  It was no exaggeration to say that such techniques are on the level of an expert. Long before his current age, Tatsuya had already mastered enough techniques to be called, if not a master, then something very close. Yet even with that, Erika wasn’t able to just co
nfidently shrug things off without worrying.

  "…I don’t mean to doubt Tatsuya-san’s ability, but Sonic Blade is far from just a normal sword; I mean it emits ultrasonic waves, doesn’t it?"

  "Come to think of it, I’ve heard of something similar. There’re practitioners who wear earplugs in order to block out ultrasound. Although, you’d have to be prepared for that from the start."

  "That’s not it. It’s simply that Onii-sama’s Taijutsu is superior."

  Miyuki laughed lightly as she replied to Leo and Mizuki’s concerns.

  "Countering magic rituals is Onii-sama’s specialty."

  Erika immediately latched onto Miyuki’s words.

  "Countering magic rituals? Not just Data Fortification or Zone Interference?"

  "Yes."

  Looking between Miyuki who was nodding proudly and Tatsuya who was chuckling with a look of "it can’t be helped", Erika could only mutter in shock with an admiring expression.

  "That’s got to be an amazingly rare skill."

  "That’s right. Or at least, it’s not something taught at high school. And even if you’re taught, that doesn’t mean anyone can do it. Erika, just after Onii-sama jumped out, do you remember an illusion as if the ground shook?"

  "Ye~ah, it wasn’t such a big deal for me, but it seemed like there were numerous students suffering symptoms similar to severe motion sickness. Come to think of it, it wasn’t just at the start, but also fluctuated during the course of the battle…?"

  "That was Onii-sama’s doing. Onii-sama, you used Cast Jamming, didn’t you?"

  Faced with Miyuki’s broad smile, Tatsuya could only sigh in resignation.

  "I’m unable to match you as always, huh."

  "Oh come on. If it’s about Onii-sama, Miyuki knows everything."

  "No no no no."

  Leo interrupted the two as they exchanged smiles and laughter.

  "That’s not a conversation between siblings is it? In fact that goes beyond the level of lovers."

  "You think?" "Is that so?"

  After a second, faced with Tatsuya and Miyuki who were in perfect harmony, Leo fell flat onto the table.