Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 09 - Visitor Chapter (I) Page 12

  "Spectral form?"

  It appeared that the term spectral form didn’t register, seeing as how Leo could only parrot back the pronunciation. On some level, this wasn’t Leo’s fault, since it was due to neither "spiritual form" nor "soul vessel" being terms used in modern magic, rather than Leo being too slow to pick them up.

  "Spectral form refers to the information body that is shaped like the physical body, except that it links the physical flesh with your spirit."

  Mikihiko used his fingertips to trace a large "spectral form".

  "The key to the spectral form is life, or life force. Monsters that devour the flesh and blood of man are rumored to prey on the life force that is taken with the flesh."

  "In other words, while vampires suck blood, what they’re really looking to do is sucking away the life force?"

  Mikihiko nodded with a tight expression at Erika’s words.

  "Vampires drink blood and ghouls consume flesh, but since they weren’t material beings in the first place, they should only be interested in life force. At least, if what the elders in Ancient Magic told me is to be believed."

  "Based on that line of reasoning, it shouldn’t be surprising to run into a vampire who relies on sucking out the life force, huh."

  Tatsuya murmured at Mikihiko’s words.

  In response, Mikihiko nodded once more.

  "If I can examine Leo’s spectral form, I think I should be able to find out. ……Honestly speaking, I was never convinced that this vampire incident was caused by normal human beings. It always seemed like something more than just serial homicides, and not just because there was no trace of blood being sucked out. My instincts as an Ancient Magic user tell me this, except I have no proof. Precisely because it was only my gut feeling, I never told everyone about Parasites. However, now even Leo has been attacked."

  "Go ahead Mikihiko."

  Leo overrode Mikihiko’s self-incriminating words. Mikihiko took a long second to process the meaning behind this concise phrase.

  "……Are you sure?"

  "Yeah. Actually, it’s more like I’m requesting you do so. There’s no way to respond if we don’t understand the cause."

  Leo’s underlying meaning also contained forgiveness. In response to this degree of trust, Mikihiko’s expression tightened once more as he reached his hand towards the bag next to his feet.

  Wielding bona fide talismans created with black ink on paper, Mikihiko used traditional mediums that even Tatsuya came across for the first time to verify Leo’s status, and failed to disguise his shock. More likely, he never even thought of doing so in the first place.

  "How should I say this…… While Tatsuya is also in a league of his own, Leo, are you really human……?"

  "Hey, how polite of you."

  It was another thing altogether as a joke, but when faced with those words spoken in dead earnest, even Leo wasn’t able to laugh it off.

  Leo’s mood was plainly affected.

  However, Mikihiko was already astounded enough to miss this completely, or more like he wasn’t even able to detect this.

  "No, but…… How are you still up and about? The average Magician would be unconscious if so much life force was devoured."

  "Setting aside exactly what life force is, can you also detect how much is missing?"

  Tatsuya’s expression showed how impressed he was, to which Mikihiko replied back with a neutral smile and a nod.

  "That’s because the spectral form and the physical body possess the same shape.

  Since the capacity size is a given, the original amount of life force compared to the current level is more or less detectable."

  Mikihiko squinted his eyes and once again gave a measuring look at Leo.

  "Currently at Leo’s life force level, forget even crawling, the average person wouldn’t even be able to remain conscious. To be able to sit up and still converse like this, his physical capability must be astounding."

  For Mikihiko, this was something that just popped out.

  However, the phrase "astounding physical capability" struck Leo in the heart because of his genetic modifications to raise physical prowess.

  "Probably. My body is specially designed."

  Even so, Leo kept up his smile. He didn’t plan on causing a fuss at someone who unknowingly caused him harm.

  "At any rate, right now I feel powerless because that masked woman ate my life force. Is that how it goes?"

  Leo suppressed the fluctuations in his heart and asked.

  "I think so, but……."

  "But?"

  "……Since this was during combat and they have the ability to consume life force on contact, there should be no reason to suck blood. While I have no idea how they can take blood without leaving any wounds but…… Why is this Parasite wasting additional time and energy doing something extraneous like sucking blood?"

  Even Tatsuya had no answer to Mikihiko’s query. In truth, this was because blood was lost instead of being sucked away, so right now they had no way of arriving at the truth.

  Visiting hours came to a close and five people left the sickroom.

  The five people were Tatsuya, Miyuki, Mikihiko, Honoka, and Mizuki.

  Erika said she had to meet up with her brother Toshikazu and stayed behind.

  Although none of the five understood those words at their literal meaning, again, none of them verbalized this.

  "Speaking of which – Mikihiko."

  "Hm?"

  Suddenly being called on, Mikihiko turned from his conversation with Mizuki and switched over to Tatsuya.

  Miyuki and Honoka flanked Tatsuya.

  While they weren’t holding onto his arms, the physical distance was close enough to make no difference.

  Let all the popular men burn. Except there was no way of knowing whether Mikihiko was truly thinking this.

  No matter what Mikihiko thought, it was unlikely that Tatsuya would pay heed to it.

  "There was one detail I forgot to ask."

  Actually, he intentionally failed to ask this question out of concern for listening devices. Even for someone other than Mikihiko, getting Tatsuya to cough up dangerous information was extremely difficult.

  "What is it?"

  "In regards to creatures like demons and Parasites, do they occur frequently?"

  Even though they weren’t eating, Mikihiko almost gagged.

  Owing to Tatsuya’s nonchalant tone, Mikihiko listened in with only a casual mood, only to hear a rather profound question.

  "……No, they are really rare. While in the stories they exist in hiding ready to do evil, those are largely Magicians pretending to be dark creatures. For example, our side believes they have determined the true identity of the infamous spirit at Mt. Oyama to be a practitioner from the Middle East."

  Unconsciously, Mikihiko was stroking his chin just like someone in a "contemplating posture".

  "The chances of a Magician running into a real spirit is about…… Maybe one in ten generations. Even so, those encounters are usually something accidentally stumbling into our world. Real incidents of spirits harming humans that necessitated immediate extermination from Magicians probably occur only once every several hundred years across the globe.

  At the end of the day, the last time on record that Japan exterminated a true spirit was probably when Yusanari Abe exorcised the nine-tailed fox nine hundred years ago."

  "Yet, this vampire incident was probably done by a 'real spirit'."

  "I believe so."

  "Do you think this is a coincidence?"

  "While I cannot say for certain, but the probability is near zero……"

  Mikihiko’s reply was extremely prudent.

  "As history has progressed into the modern age, incidents of spirit activity have been on the decline. I am unwilling to believe that this incident came out of nowhere."

  After hearing Mikihiko’s response, Tatsuya softly said "Indeed."

  After making sure that Tatsuya’s group left and Ka
ya returned to the room, Leo collapsed back onto the bed in exhaustion. Although Erika was still in the room, he had already pushed himself to the limit.

  "……Meh, I already know everything anyways.

  There’s no need to keep bluffing any longer, OK? You’ve already worked really hard."

  "……I’ll just…… Take that as an honest…… Compliment."

  "It was an honest one. Compliment, I mean."

  Seeing Leo painfully close his eyes, Erika revealed a warm smile.

  "Um, Erika-san…… Is my brother really going to be fine?"

  Still, seeing this interaction, Kaya didn’t seem to find anything funny.

  "No worries. I’ve already called the best doctor the Chiba Family knows of. I know it can be a little difficult for you to understand since you’re not a Magician, but life force exhaustion requires more time to recuperate than physical exhaustion. All of the necessary recovery procedures have been done already. Afterwards, the best medicine would be plenty of bed rest, so he’ll be fine after a while."

  Kaya shook slightly at being identified as a mundane. Though Erika noticed this, she didn’t espouse any comforting words from her mouth.

  "Then, I’m headed off to my brother’s place. If you need anything, please don’t hold back and call the nurses, my brother’s subordinates, or even myself."

  Erika gave a cursory bow to Kaya and excused herself from the sickroom.

  Leo had no intention of chiding Erika for her attitude.

  "Young mistress, can you show a little mercy?"

  The moment she entered the room that was listening in on Leo’s sickroom, Inagaki called out to Erika.

  Although his words were vague due to several omitted words, Erika knew exactly what he was talking about. That being said, Erika also held those words in contempt.

  "I don’t plan on requesting any Magician to take care of him. It doesn’t matter if it’s our parents or siblings, they’re all a hassle to deal with. I think keeping this degree of relationship here would be enough. Speaking of which…… You heard what was said in there."

  The last sentence was directed towards Toshikazu.

  Erika’s oldest brother was sitting with his back to a chair and both hands clasped behind his head before he brusquely peeled off his ear set and straightened up.

  "It was very interesting. Then, assuming the second son of the Yoshida Family is spot on with his theory, Erika, what do you plan on doing?"

  "Under these circumstances, it doesn’t matter if he’s correct."

  How tedious, Erika’s condescending gaze seemed to accuse Toshikazu as he sat on the chair.

  "Even for a moment, that guy counts as a member of the Chiba style and is one of our own. In addition, I personally instructed him in the art of the sword, so he technically counts as my first disciple. No master could just stand by while their disciple took a beating."

  "What a cold line of reasoning."

  "There’s nothing there, so stop fishing. Even if they don’t exist, there’s plenty of reason to accept the fight. I have no idea whether the vampire is male or female, they were the one who gave the offense. All we have to do on this side is accept."

  Even her brother Toshikazu had no idea if she was being truthful or prevaricating.

  The only thing for sure was that Erika was dead serious, that’s all.

  ◊ ◊ ◊

  At the same time that Tatsuya was visiting Leo, Lina arrived at the Tokyo branch for Maximilian Devices. This was where Michaela Honda was working under the alias Mia Honda, and also one of the secret meeting grounds for the unit hunting for the deserters.

  Even if not to the degree of magic university students, it wasn’t particularly rare to see magic high school students visit CAD manufacturing sites. A letter of introduction from the embassy and First High’s uniform enabled Lina to pass through all security and enter a conference room, where she met the two Stardust members she rescued last night in the nick of time, who were dressed in tight skirts and tunics.

  "Major, thank you for the help last night."

  "At ease."

  Lina gestured for the two saluting members to sit before she also took a seat on the sofa. After closing her eyes and breathing deeply out, a pair of golden eyes opened beneath flaming red hair.

  A completely different color than Angelina Kudou Shields, and a completely different face.

  Still, neither of the two Stardust members betrayed any surprise on their faces. This golden eyed young girl with a cold face was their Angie Sirius.

  "You two, what is the extent of your injuries from last night?"

  "Mostly healed. It will not affect our mission."

  Hearing the hunters refer to themselves as mere tools, Lina, no, Angie Sirius wrinkled her brows, but that only served to deepen the cruel impression on her cold features rather than betraying her displeasure.

  "Is that right. Then give me your sit rep."

  "Yes, ma’am."

  Lina herself felt that those words didn’t convey the complete picture, but it looks like the other side got the hint.

  "After picking up the trail on Demus Second, we utilized Cast Jammer based on the target’s profile. However, Cast Jammer failed to have any effect on Demus Second."

  "Did he affect Cast Jammer’s operation?"

  "Negative, Cast Jammer was functioning normally. Based on Demus Second’s words, he no longer requires a CAD."

  "No longer requires a CAD…… Does that mean Sgt. Sullivan has achieved spiritualization?"

  "I concur."

  In response to Lina’s suspicion, the hunters replied in the affirmative.

  "The current Demus Second did not need a CAD to use Trajectory Alteration."

  "So no other magic was used."

  "Affirmative."

  "In addition, Demus Second possesses superior physical capabilities compared to our augmented bodies."

  That the deserter’s physical prowess had increased was fresh intelligence. Lina slightly turned this over in her head before carefully asking the two of them the next question.

  "Has Sgt. Sullivan’s psion wave signature changed?"

  "At least, we’re still able to identify it."

  "During my pursuit of Sgt. Sullivan, I suspect he made contact with his comrades. However, I was unable to observe that person’s psion wave signature."

  "……My apologies. We detected no other psion wave signature save for the Major and Demus Second."

  Lina closed her eyes and considered this for a moment.

  "……Looks like our old data is no longer reliable. From today onward, continue surveillance on any deserters that you found the trail for and do not engage. Wait for me to arrive before engaging."

  "Yes, ma’am."

  Returning the salute of the two Stardust members who had risen to their feet, Lina exited the conference room.

  In the halls of the Tokyo branch for Maximilian Devices, Silvia was waiting for Lina.

  "High Commander, this way."

  Hearing this, the red-haired, golden-eyed Lina followed Silvia. Their destination was the women’s changing room for the employees.

  "This way, Major. I’ve already ascertained the premises are empty."

  Following Silvia after she unlocked the door, Lina swiftly glanced around the changing room and only let out a sigh of relief after hearing the lock on the door click home.

  Her hair and irises changed color.

  The red hair turned blonde and the golden eyes returned to their azure hue.

  "As expected, this way is much easier. Compared to keeping 'Parade' up, hiding the ability to use magic is much harder."

  "Major, there’s no time. Please change before the employees return."

  Silvia immediately started nagging the relaxed Lina.

  Lina shrugged her neck and started speaking to Silvia as she was changing.

  "Looks like the pursuit unit couldn’t identify the psion wave signature of the person in the white mask either."

 
"Really…… Looks like there are massive individual power level differences between the deserters."

  Maybe it was because she already had a premonition of what Lina was going to say, but Silvia’s voice wasn’t very amazed. Still, a dismayed aura hung around her shoulders.

  "Speaking of which, why are they attacking the Japanese?"

  Dressed in her underwear, Lina asked Silvia as she reached for her First High uniform.

  "What do you mean by why?"

  Unable to ascertain the intent of the question, Silvia returned a confused question.

  "They are currently being pursued. Normally, wouldn’t they try to hide their presence as much as possible?"

  "Ah, so that’s what you mean."

  At this point, Silvia finally understood what threw Lina for a loop. What Lina really wanted to ask was why the deserters were running the risk of revealing their location in order to attack Japanese people.

  "I don’t know either, except……"

  "Except what?"

  After changing her stockings for a pair of underpants and in the middle of putting on her gown, Lina urged her to keep speaking.

  "I just feel that there is a connection between this and the new power they have been granted."

  "New power…… You mean the vampire’s ability to remove blood without leaving any wounds?"

  With the outer jacket and gown in place, Lina kept up her questions while fussing over her hair.

  "While I’m not sure if we should call them vampires, but…… Lina, what are you doing?"

  Just as Silvia was trying to organize her thoughts, her gaze once again drifted over to Lina.

  Only to find the beautiful young woman with blond hair using both hands to lightly lift the two sides of her inner gown before the mirror as she struck a few poses.

  "Eh, no, this is......"

  Seeing her superior officer quickly recover her posture and drop her head while blushing the entire way, Silvia could only heave a deep sigh.

  Chapter 6

  The swung fist impacted another one.

  The physical positions switched in an instant, with offense and defense seamlessly switching between one another.

  Tatsuya and Yakumo were engaged in their daily morning bout.