Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 21 - Prologue of Disturbance (I)

  CHAPTER ONE

  This news reached Japan at about 7 am on April 1, 2097.

  Tatsuya and Miyuki arrived yesterday from Okinawa, watched an emergency news release sitting at the dinner table.

  - ... This is not an April Fool's joke?

  - The usual third-rate jokes would be more appropriate. - Frowning, Tatsuya answered Miyuki, who asked in a frightened, unbelieving voice.

  Using the remote control, Tatsuya divided the monitor screen in the dining room into 4 parts. Each part of the screen showed news with subtitles on different channels. Everywhere it was talking about the same bad news.

  - ... Apparently, it's still not a joke.

  The area of Santa Cruz in the territory of the former Bolivia in South America, local time on March 31, 17:00. In a battle between the Brazilian army and independent armed guerrillas, which continued uninterruptedly for three months, the embattled Brazilian army used Strategic Class Magic "Synchronized Linear Fusion".

  - The scale of the explosion is estimated at several kilotons? ... The problem is, in what situation was the magic used. If around a mountain or a desert, then the damage was limited only by the fighting forces.

  "What if they used it near urban areas or refugee camps ...?"

  - In this area there are often fights, therefore there should not be many civilians.

  Immediately after Tatsuya answered Miyuki, the news showed an official message from the Brazilian army.

  - ... The epicenter of the explosion was in the center of the ghost town, in which guerrillas were based. About 1000 dead, only members of the armed partisan organization became victims. - Tatsuya read the text from the screen with a grim face. His face was not pale, but his eyes expressed despair. Under the fixed gaze of Miyuki and Minami, who are looking at this uneasy expression, Tatsuya continued his evasive tone in an uncharacteristic manner. - I did not think that "Synchronized Linear Fusion" would be released for such a quantity of enemy.

  - ... Then, the actual number of victims ...

  - At the moment I can only say that there are more of them. However, there is no doubt that among the victims there are not only the guerrillas of the battle.

  - How so!? Miyuki was indignant at Tatsuya's suggestion. Sitting opposite, Tatsuya stretched out his right hand and laid it on Miyuki's left hand. Miyuki did not become enthusiastic, as usual in such a situation. But to some extent the anxiety passed.

  - Because the division of guerrillas combat forces and civilians in this case is ambiguous. For example, in the regular army, supply teams are also considered to be a combat force, but people providing partisan supplies are generally classified as civilians. - Having said this, Tatsuya raised his hand from Miyuki's hand to her head.

  "Even if we worry about them, there's nothing we can do now." - Tatsuya slightly patted Miyuki's hair. It was a rough movement with such a gentle hand. Fixing her hair, Miyuki looked at Tatsuya relaxed and clearly was happy. Seeing that Miyuki had calmed down, Tatsuya again looked at the monitor showing the news.

  "Despite everything, Brazil seems to have easily recognized the use of Strategic Class Magic ..." Tatsuya muttered, talking to himself. It was just an expression of doubt, but for Miyuki it sounded like an ominous prediction that "an era is coming when Strategic Class Magic will be used quite often." Miyuki felt the chill run over her back growing into a small tremor all over her body.

  ◊ ◊ ◊

  9 am. Tatsuya, Miyuki and Minami came to school, despite the fact that there were spring holidays. Although Tatsuya was worried about getting further information about the use of Strategic Class Magic, but, unfortunately, they had a planned schedule. Because of their stay in Okinawa until yesterday, the meeting to prepare the entrance ceremony for the school was postponed.

  With the graduation of previous high school students, and with the start of the new academic year, in a few days Tatsuya and his peers will become pupils of the third, final year. In October of last year, the new school board of First High was, as usual, assembled from the most well-known and top-ranking students on the list of pupils.

  But this did not mean that Tatsuya had strong emotions about this. He did not have to suffer a sense of responsibility, like Miyuki. He could only hope as much as possible that there would be no problems.

  When they entered the school board room Tatsuya, Miyuki and Minami were already expecting Izumi, Kasumi and a first-grader who will represent the newcomers of this year. Kasumi was as a replacement for the head of the disciplinary committee, who could not come.

  It seems that the representative of the newcomers, Mitsuya Shiina, was familiar with Izumi and Kasumi for a long time, because they were talking lively when the three entered, headed by Tatsuya.

  "Miyuki-senpai, have not seen each other!" Ah ... Today you are beautiful, as always ... No, you have become much more beautiful ...

  But at the same moment, when Izumi noticed Miyuki's appearance, she jumped up from the chair she was sitting on.

  "Good morning, Izumi-chan." Thank you for doing various things in my absence. - Miyuki was taken by surprise by the enthusiastic greeting of Izumi, but she could skillfully reply with gratitude with a smile on her face.

  "Miyuki-senpai, these are undeserved words of praise!" Ah, is it true that such happiness happened to me? ... - These were not just words, Izumi was literally ready to faint.

  "Izumi-chan, you're exaggerating." - Miyuki smiled and lightly rebuked Izumi. Miyuki knew already from personal experience, what it is not to stop, until she herself will say a couple of such words.

  "Kasumi-chan, and good morning to you." Thank you for your work on replacing Yoshida-kun.

  - Good morning, President, Shiba-senpaii, Sakurai-san. "Unlike the twin sister in the clouds, Kasumi responded with a polite greeting to the proper junior high school student. After Tatsuya's and Minami's answer, amidst the awkward silence that arose, Miyuki drew attention to the new one.

  - Good morning. It's nice to meet you, Mitsuya-san. I am Shiba Miyuki, the president of the school board of First High.

  - Good morning. My name is Mitsuya Shiina. Nice to meet you. - Shiina with a strain on her face bowed to the wide-smiling Miyuki. Dark brown lush airy hair slightly jumped, and it became clear that she was wearing headphones. Raising his head with a face expressing the cry "A ~ ...!", Shiina tried to remove her headphones in panic. But Miyuki took the initiative.

  - All is well. I know about your situation.

  - ... Sorry. I will make sure that this does not stand out at the inauguration ceremony. "She looked shyly, looking at the floor. However, not only Miyuki, but also Tatsuya and Minami did not blame her for being impolite for wearing headphones before the high school students she had just entered. Not even talking about Kasumi and Izumi, whom she had known before, everyone here knew about the "situation" of Shiina.

  Shiina does not listen to music or radio. Her headphones are some kind of earplugs. These "headphones" were made in the style of a head hoop with ears covering the ears. However, unlike the usual closing ears from the external sounds of the headphones, these had built-in microphones on the outside of each cup, and the speakers inside. She used this device because she was not able to withstand loud sounds.

  It was slightly different from hypersensitivity. In her case, the rumor was really beyond the limits of just sensitivity. Shiina will hear in the form of sound, even the smallest air swing, which can never be heard by ordinary people.

  Like Mizuki's hypersensitivity to pushions, her "symptom" manifeste
d itself with the development of magical power, so it is believed that it is associated with magical susceptibility.

  However, unlike Mizuki, Shiina perceives not psion or pushion waves, but a real physical sound.

  She does not have problems with controlling magical feelings.

  The magic scientists who diagnosed her came to the conclusion that "she is constantly unconsciously using magic that amplifies hearing," but there was no sign of magic. And attempts to suppress the amplified hearing magically ended with side effects, like blocking all magical perception.

  Such a solution would be suitable for normal daily life, but for a magician this was a significant drawback.

  Eventually, having received sound isolating headphones, which with the help of a microphone and a speaker automatically adjust external sound to an acceptable level, Shiina was able to combine everyday life with the life of a magician.

  When Shiina goes to official events, she uses headphones hidden in her hair with a neck strap. However, the built-in microphone and speaker still have a certain weight and load their ears for a long time, so using headphones with a head hoop is still easier for her.

  - At the admission ceremony it will be better to wear something that is not striking. But for the usual daily wearing at school, I think, is quite suitable. In our school there is no person, including teachers, who would reproach you for this. So do not worry, including right now.

  - Yes ... Thank you very much, Shiba-senpai.

  Tatsuya picked up the words to smoothly translate the conversation to the topic of the meeting. He also had a goal to say that you can use headphones "permanently". Since this was a delicate topic, which, if the words were not chosen correctly, could sound too harsh, he decided not to let Miyuki say it.

  However, Shiina seems to have embraced Tatsuya as caring about her, and bowed with an apologetic smile. In Tatsuya's eyes, this bow was, although not the same as that of Miyuki, but still pretty handsome.

  And yet, Tatsuya's speech was able to remove some of Shiina's anxiety from the thought "I'm to blame." The preparatory meeting for the opening ceremony, which began after that, was held in a peaceful atmosphere.

  - I think that this speech is quite suitable as an official response.

  - Good. - Shiina agreed with Miyuki's words.

  Her expression was hard to read, because she was not used to such things.

  - If you are not sure what to remember, then you can take the text with you.

  - No, it's okay ... probably.

  "Miyuki-senpai, there will be no problems." Because Shiina-chan has a good memory.

  She smiled modestly after these words of Izumi. Thus, the meeting with Shiina continued smoothly and ended in two-thirds of the planned time. Probably because during the absence of Miyuki, Izumi was well prepared. She also had a good grasp of the routine, and did not have to repeat what she had already said. Apparently, she had already heard in advance from Kasumi and Izumi about what would be discussed at this meeting.

  She is also from the Ten Master Clans, but of a different age. Shiina seems to be quite familiar with Kasumi and Izumi, probably because the main houses of their families are located in the same central district of the capital. Shiina has a rather big age difference from the other brothers and sisters of the Mitsuya family, so perhaps she had more motivation for new acquaintances with her peers.

  Thus, the meeting with Shiina ended at 11 o'clock. But for Miyuki and other high school students there was still much to do at the school. And for Shiina today's responsibilities are over.

  "Shiina-chan, good work." That's enough for today.

  "Actually, Shiina and I were going to have dinner together, but it's still a bit early."

  After Izumi's words, Kasumi said this with the expression "what a nuisance" and smirked at Shiina. To which Shiina responded with her tense smile.

  "Um ... I did something in honor of meeting all of you ..."

  Saying this, Shiina took out a picnic basket from the sports bag that was next to her.

  Shiina opened the lid of the basket. There lay piled in perfect order "pancake sandwiches" the size of a palm, each of which was wrapped in a separate sheet of paper. For convenience, so that the contents could protrude and not spoil the hand, round pancakes were folded in half, covering themselves with a filling in the form of cream and fruit.

  - Uwaa, today also looks appetizing! "As Kasumi, who was cheered up, noticed, and the shape, color, and swirling smell skillfully evoked the appetite.

  "Shiina-chan is really good at making sweets." - said Izumi, smiling with a glance in the basket. - Miyuki-senpai, she put so much effort, do you want to try?

  "If you do not mind, of course." - After the words Izumi offered Shiina with a timid smile.

  Seeing Tatsuya showing her eyes with consent, Miyuki said:

  "Thank you, Mitsuya-san." Then, if you suggest, I'll try.

  She took a pancake and brought it to her mouth.

  - Delicious. - Miyuki smiled at Shiina, and there was not a trace of her cream on her lips and teeth from the freshly baked pancake.

  "Um, Shiba-senpai, do you want to?" Or do not you like sweet things? - A slightly reddened Shiina suggested to Tatsuya.

  - I'll try.

  Tatsuya took a pancake and ate it in two bites. Tatsuya's face which was covered with chocolate cream, had received a napkin from Pixie to wipe his lips, and a drink to wash it down, at least did not show that he was overzealous. Stress from the face of Shiina passed.

  - Minami, try too.

  After Tatsuya's words, Minami stretched her hand to the basket. And as if at a signal, after that Izumi, Kasumi and Shiina herself had taken from the basket a "pancake sandwich."

  ◊ ◊ ◊

  Realizing that the anxiety was in vain, and the home-made sweets were unexpectedly popular, Shiina walked from school with an easy gait. Her thoughts, before meeting with Miyuki, filled with tension and anxiety, were now full of optimism in the spirit of "We got along unexpectedly well."

  "Perhaps from the very beginning it was not worth it to be afraid that this president of the school council is the heir of the Yotsuba family."

  Even entering the same Ten Master Clans, the Yotsuba family was considered exceptional. The world community of the family Yotsuba and Saegusa are regarded as two equivalent pearls of the magical world of Japan, but Yotsuba still outperforms in real magical abilities. The Saegusa family only looks like it's standing with the Yotsuba shoulder to shoulder because of their ability to solve political issues by numerical superiority. ... All this Shiina heard from her older sisters and brothers.

  That's why she was so afraid of the first meeting with Miyuki, imagining what a terrible witch she would turn out to be.

  Miyuki's appearance Shiina had seen before. She attended the Nine Schools Competition in the past and the year before.

  However, her too beautiful appearance caused Shiina's impression "I don't think she's human." And too strong magic inspired fear of the kind "she is beyond the limits of humans."

  In January of this year, when Shiina learned that Shiba Miyuki actually is in directly related with the Yotsuba and is an heiress, she was not at all surprised at this. On the contrary, she was completely convinced of this. The heiress of the "Demon of the Far East" should be a true "Demonic Princess". This and similar thoughts naturally came to mind.

  However, during the face to face conversation this impression seemed completely inappropriate. Not to mention beauty, elegance and greatness were not at all like ordinary people. It was the image of a princess, no, even a queen. Shiina did not feel today any demonic evil, which fear she was prejudiced. Except for incredible beauty and strength, everything else was normal. She was discouraged, not seeing the eccentric characteristic of powerful magicians.

  But concern about relations has not completely disappeared. Another person from the Yotsuba, Tatsuya, evoked from her an incomprehensible sense of fear and m
ystery. However, Shiina felt that he, too, was not a threat to her.

  "Until we become enemies."

  "It will be very good if you manage to make friends with them."

  "While the Mitsuya family does not commit any foolishness against the Yotsuba family, there's nothing to fear."

  Having come to this conclusion, Shiina relaxed.

  After all the anxiety and stress, she was even a little in high spirits.

  - Shiina. - She almost jumped from surprise when she was called after she left the school gate.

  - Saburou-kun ...!

  She could not avoid the increased tone of voice, although otherwise unseemly behavior was not noticeable.

  "Shiina, good work." - However, it seems, it did not worry the guy with long hair who called her, which was now a rare phenomenon. At least, he showed no excitement.

  "Have you waited all this time?" I told you that you can come home sooner.

  - You finished faster than expected. Besides, I, like security, cannot leave you as a mistress, and go home.

  "The guards say, despite the fact that ..." Shiina looked puzzled at the looking sullen fellow.

  The name of this guy is Yaguruma Saburou. She and Shiina were born with a difference of 2 days and are close friends of childhood since birth. By the way, Shiina was born before.

  The Yaguruma family has a lineage of magicians of ancient magic, but for more than 30 years they have been maintaining a mercenary relationship with the Mitsuya family. Because of their birthday, it was decided that the boy Saburou will become an escort for Shiina. However, this agreement was canceled even before entering the high school of magic.

  Because the magical power of Saburou did not develop to the expected level.

  Together with Shiina, he became a pupil of First High. However, he entered the second course.

  Saburou's parents advised their son to enter another, ordinary school. Saburou has one older brother and one older sister, but they both did not attend magic high school. The magic of the Yaguruma family from the very beginning did not meet the requirements of the formation of modern magic.