Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 04 - Nine Schools Competition (II) Read online

  She was confident her own ability could compensate for the speed of processing.

  However Tatsuya's Sequences made detailed settings unnecessary.

  Rather than making up for her shortcomings, the concept was to maximize her advantages.

  The intent capitalized on her processing power to continuously trigger a Sequence at high speeds, and her capacity to build large Magic Rituals.

  The result was the CAD she now held in her hand.

  She had been surprised at him being able to connect an auxiliary aiming system to a general type CAD, but she had been even more surprised at the Activation Sequence speed.

  In terms of processing speed, general CADs lose out to specialized ones.

  This was not so much common sense, but rather a matter of structure.

  General and specialized CADs differ both in their hardware and software.

  The difference between them, between a dedicated processor and general processor, is similar to the difference between a dedicated supercomputer and a general one.

  Comparing CPU performance in terms of speed, a generic type will never be the equal of a specialized type. This difference in level can usually be felt clearly.

  And yet — this CAD demonstrated speed no less to that of a specialized CAD.

  (5 more seconds)

  —A target came flying.

  —She pulled the trigger.

  —Magic activated.

  —And the target shattered.

  This processing speed, even when compared with the specialized CAD used during the preliminaries, showed almost no difference.

  Tatsuya had said the trick was because 'it was limited to only two Sequences'.

  Since it had been designed exclusively for the competition, he was able to use a trick that would not be viable for daily use.

  Shizuku could not understand the detailed theory.

  She didn't think it necessary.

  Magic was a tool.

  The CAD was also a tool.

  A tool just needs to be usable.

  Any more than that, could be left to the experts.

  The last two targets weren't shattered by the 'Air Mine', but by Loop Cast Convergence magic.

  "Perfect."

  Confirming her performance aloud, Shizuku gave a smile of triumph.

  ◇◇◇

  Noon.

  Inside First High School's tent, a jubilant atmosphere filled the air.

  "That was brilliant, Tatsuya-kun! What an amazing achievement!"

  Having been patted and slapped on the back countless times, Tatsuya was growing tired. Just as Mayumi's slender figure suggested there was no actual pain involved, but her persistence was certainly wearying.

  "......Pres, please calm down a little."

  Making eye contact with Suzune in a plea for assistance, she immediately began to remonstrate with Mayumi.

  Quite the dependable senpai — if not for the fact that she had gone along until being asked for help, making her feel rather more like a 'partner in crime'.

  "Ah, I'm sorry."

  Perhaps having too much fun and finally coming to her senses, Mayumi immediately stopped the slapping. ......but it didn't seem like she intended to let him go anytime soon.

  "Still, that was truly astounding! We took all first, second and third places!"

  "......the winner, runner-up and third place are all contestants, not me."

  "Of course Kitayama-san, Akechi-san, and Takigawa-san were also amazing! Everyone did so well!"

  At the Student Council President's broad smile, the 1st Year women's Speed Shooting team bowed in unison with a happy 'thank you'.

  "But at the same time, your own achievements are no less. They were without a doubt spectacular."

  Although without Mayumi's sheer energy, Mari also joined in the praise with a good natured face.

  "Uh, thank you very much."

  "It's not like this is a contest. As the engineer who significantly contributed to our contestants' monopoly of all the placings, you should have your share of the recognition."

  At Mari's words, Shizuku and the others nodded deeply.

  "I couldn't believe it myself."

  "My magic suddenly became so good, it was like an illusion."

  Unlike Shizuku, the other two added their own comments.

  Shizuku simply nodded as if everything was a matter of course.

  "Especially concerning the magic Kitayama-san used, there has been an approach from the Universities to officially adopt it into the 'Index'."

  However, at Suzune's words Mayumi's eyes widened, Mari was lost for words and Shizuku stiffened.

  The official name of the Index is the 'National Magic University Compiled・Magic Encyclopedia・Index of True Names'.

  For a magic to have its proper name recorded in the encyclopedia the National Magic Universities are creating, in this context, means the magic would not be considered a subset of any existing magic, but officially recognized by the Universities as an entirely new branch of magic.

  To researchers engaged in the development of magic in Japan, this was the one single honor they all strove for.

  However—

  "I see. Then, please submit Kitayama-san as the developer's name."

  "What!? No way!"

  At Tatsuya's utter lack of interest, Shizuku drew close in a hurry.

  "That was Tatsuya-san's original magic!"

  "......It's normal for the developer name of a new magic to be registered as the name of the first user is it not?"

  Distancing himself from Shizuku's pleas, Tatsuya replied with no tension.

  "Hm......excessive humility is also unpleasant you know?"

  At Mari's chiding, accompanied by a slightly chilling glance, Tatsuya simply shook his head reluctantly.

  "It's not humility."

  "Then what is it?"

  "I just don't want the shame of having my name registered as the developer of a magic I can't even use."

  Certainly, if one is known as the developer of a new type of magic, they are often asked for demonstrations.

  If one is 'unable to use' a magic they developed themselves, suspicions would arise that maybe the magic was actually developed by others.

  Tatsuya's reason was not unjustifiable, but......

  "......Just how then did you manage to confirm the operative readiness of a magic you can't use?"

  Building up a magic by theory alone is surpassingly non-standard but, even if it were possible, to let another use a magic that was not tested and verified as functional was the work of a mad scientist who ignored all the risks, and it was extremely immoral.

  "It's not like I can't use it at all. It's just that it would take me far too much time to set up, to the point it's not really at the level you could say I can truly 'use' it."

  "Well well, Mari, Tatsuya-kun, let's not quarrel over such a thing now."

  Seeing Mari preparing more ammunition to throw at Tatsuya's comeback, Mayumi intervened between the two.

  "We're finally back to a good start. Tatsuya-kun, please help the other competitors just as much."

  As Mayumi tapped his shoulder with a smile, Tatsuya gave a modest bow.

  ◇◇◇

  The performance of First High School’s women's Speed Shooting team had created a stir in the other schools.

  There was an enthusiastic feeling of 'we can win this year' throughout the Nine Schools Tournament, especially Third High School, who thought of the accident in the women's Battle Board 'we feel bad for them, but this is a chance!' — While such thoughts may seem excessive, they were shared amongst the others.

  "So Masaki, First High's performance, you don't think it was due to the personal skill of those girls themselves?"

  Of the twenty people gathered — all the 1st Years of the Third High School Newcomer’s Battle contestants —

  "It has to be said, the magical power of the winner, that Kitayama girl, is astounding. I'm sure she would have won either way. But the
other two, I don't feel were anything special. If the results had been decided by magical power alone, I'm sure they wouldn't have gone so far as to claim second and third place as well."

  "Not to mention that the advantage in Battle Board lies with us this year, seeing how I think First High only has one 1st Year in it with a particularly high level."

  The results of the Battle Board so far had seen the two guys from Third High School both qualify, and of the two girls they sent forth one had qualified. By contrast only one of the men from the three First High School sent qualified, and the one girl they sent qualified too.

  "It's as Jouji says. We don't lose out in terms of the quality of our contestants. If that's so, there must be some other factor."

  "Ichijou-kun, Kichijouji-kun......what do you think it is?"

  At the question from the girl who had lost to First High in the semifinals of the Speed Shooting, both Ichijou and Kichijouji made eye contact, confirming their suspicions.

  "It's probably, their engineer."

  Kichijouji responded out loud.

  "The engineer for their women's Speed Shooting team is probably quite the ace."

  "I concur. Jouji, the device that winner girl used......did you notice?"

  "Yeah......that was a general purpose wasn't it."

  Kichijouji's answer, aside from the two of them, made a considerable impact on the other Third High 1st Years.

  "No way......I mean, it had auxiliary sights attached right?"

  "That's right! I've never heard of a general purpose device shaped like a rifle either!"

  "That's true. Whichever maker's catalogue you look through, you'd never find anything like that would you?"

  At the objections being raised, Ichijou remained somber.

  "......certainly, something like that has never commercially appeared. However, examples of general devices with integrated sighting aids do indeed exist."

  "You gotta be kidding......"

  At Ichijou's words, stunned voices floated through the air.

  In fact a strong air of disbelief permeated throughout, until Kichijouji came out with his own support.

  "It's new technology, only just announced in Dusseldorf last summer."

  "Just last summer!? That's freakin' state of the art!"

  "Yeah, I didn't know either until I looked into it for this thing."

  "Not even Ichijou knew, there's no way we would......"

  An uncomfortable silence followed. Surprise, anxiety, doubt......and awe.

  "......Kichijouji-kun sure knows a lot though. As expected of our brain."

  The words of that female competitor were intended to loosen up the heavy atmosphere.

  But Kichijouji remained unmoved.

  "Sure......but, the prototype unveiled in Dusseldorf was not meant to be a practical model. The operation was sluggish, accuracy was low — from a technical standpoint it was simply an experiment that had been cast aside."

  Kichijouji knotted his brow as he replied, his voice bitter.

  "The device the winner First High's Kitayama-san used however fully combined the strengths of the speed and accuracy of a specialized type with the versatility of a general type. If that was all the work of one engineer......that's not the level of a high school student anymore. It's almost monstrous."

  "Masaki, for you to describe someone that far......"

  "It's physically impossible for a single engineer to be responsible for every competitor though......"

  "Competitions that guy is responsible for in the future are likely to be beastly. It's very likely our devices will be handicapped by at least two or three generations."

  At Kichijouji's ominous speculation, silence reigned amongst the gathered teammates.

  ◇◇◇

  Tatsuya, who was at this moment receiving such unjust treatment from the athletes in their rival schools without any knowledge (obviously) after finishing a late lunch proceeded to the girls' Battle Board course.

  Planned for the afternoon were the fourth to sixth races.

  Honoka would appear in the sixth. If he only needed to keep his appointment with her, there should be no need to come so early.

  "Ah, Shiba-kun, what's the matter?"

  At the sight of him accompanied by Miyuki and Shizuku, Azusa tilted her head. Her posture was so similar to a squirrel holding a nut that despite his melancholic mood, he couldn't help but twitch a smile.

  At his careless chuckle he consciously tried to tighten his lips, but there wasn't enough tension. In resignation, he relaxed.

  "......You were making fun of me just now weren't you?"

  "Not at all. I was just impressed by Nakajou-senpai's diligence."

  "......You really are making fun of me aren't you?"

  Being glared at with those half-lidded eyes so much like a child sulking forced Tatsuya to look away to hold back his laughter.

  "......It's fine, I don't care."

  Azusa kept glaring at him for a while, then with a sigh, muttered to herself.

  This was probably something she went through every day.

  Somehow, her figure also exuded an air of melancholy.

  Leaving her like that would make one feel terrible.

  "—I really wasn't making fun of you."

  "......Really?"

  "Really."

  "Really really?"

  "Really."

  Being looked at with suspicion — due to the height difference, straight up — by Azusa, Tatsuya showed a strong front.

  Seeing that proud bearing, Azusa finally seemed to relent (was she fooled?) and smiled.

  "Alright. Because I believe in Tatsuya-kun."

  Saying so as she laughed at him, she drifted over to his side.

  Tatsuya knew without even looking.

  The image of Miyuki's eyebrows rising floated into his mind.

  (Ooh boy......)

  It seemed his sister would be in a pretty bad mood tonight as well, he sighed to himself — although he couldn't resent her for it, it did pain him a little inside.

  —That aside.

  "So, what's the matter? There's still two more hours before Mitsui-san's match."

  "I felt rather uncomfortable outside, so I came here for some shelter."

  As Azusa tilted her head again, next to Tatsuya, Miyuki laughed.

  "......Onii-sama is too concerned."

  At those questioning eyes, Miyuki's tone suggested 'it can't be helped'.

  "They've become very motivated, so I'm sure the end result will be just fine."

  On his other side, Shizuku reassured him.

  "Ah, ahhh, is that what it is......"

  Guessing the circumstances immediately, Azusa was pretty sharp too.

  The monopoly of Shizuku and the others had been the subject of praise even throughout lunch.

  Not just the executives, but the seniors who had the day off and had been watching that day went to compliment the three, yet the number of people who also went on to mention Tatsuya's achievements were not inconsiderable.

  At that, the men's Speed Shooting team had begun burning with an extraordinary rivalry.

  That in itself, as Shizuku said, was not undesirable.

  If they become fired up and increase their desire for victory, as long as they aren’t idle, it works as a plus.

  However, being stared at with eyes that seemed to burn with vengeance for their dead father, made you want to tell them to get a life.

  Of course, to say such a thing out loud would lead to a fight. In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, he had come to the competition venue as early as possible.

  The location of the Nine Schools Tournament was the southeast area of the Fuji Armed Forces Training Grounds. While it's called an area, the Fuji training grounds were huge to begin with, and simply moving between venues would end up being a considerable hike. Without that much land, it would be impossible to prepare for areas such as the Battle Board course and the Monolith Code battlefield.

  The Battle Board
course was a winding flume circuit of approximately three kilometers.

  With two sets for the two genders, as well as the spectator stands meant that quite a bit of land was needed just to make this course.

  When considering moving around the venue, the Battle Board course had been constructed right at the edge of the area provided for the Nine Schools Tournament in order to avoid having to bypass that large course on the way to other venues, and it can safely be said that there were no competitors from other events around such as those participating in the concurrent men's Speed Shooting.

  "I could also have gone back to the dorm, but I decided since I'll be coming here anyway I might as well see if there's anything I could help with."

  "Really!?"

  It wasn't just Azusa who raised a cry.

  Perhaps overhearing from somewhere, Honoka suddenly came flying out from the competitor's area.

  "Then please, by all means! Have a look at my CAD!"

  Recently, under the influence of Tatsuya, Honoka had also began calling her device not 'Assistance' but 'CAD'. At Honoka's momentous leap Tatsuya had almost laughed out loud again. Tightening his face against the impulse, he scolded Honoka.

  "Hey, come on Honoka. That way of speaking is kinda rude to Nakajou-senpai you know?"

  Honoka's attitude, and her words just now, couldn't help but be taken as some level of dissatisfaction at Azusa's work.

  "Eh, ah, I'm very sorry!"

  Honoka lowered her head in a hurry.

  "Don't worry about it. I know you didn't mean it in that way."

  Azusa shook her head with a dry smile.

  Her tone was almost sisterly.

  Resisting his urge to laugh this time was a difficult task.

  The average time for a Battle Board round was about 15 minutes.

  However, the loading and unloading of the boards as well as the inspection of the waterway, as well as the repair of areas damaged by magic meant more time was needed to prepare for each race.

  Allowing for that, as well as extra time to give leeway, meant the competition schedule for Battle Board had been organized into blocks of one hour.

  The final race would begin at 3:30 in the afternoon. Already, players were moving to the starting positions. The too long wait time was not good for tense nerves, and there were many instances of competitors ending up being unable to utilize their full strength (every year, such examples would occur for both genders in both the 'real' finals and the Newcomers division), but possibly because of the chatter Honoka had shared with Miyuki and Shizuku before the match, she seemed in great condition as she stood poised upon her board.