Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 10 - Visitor Chapter (II) Page 6

  Even if she could see Michaela descending from the trailer at a distance, Lina didn’t feel anything in particular as she sighed.

  ◊ ◊ ◊

  While it was a specified location, Tatsuya and Miyuki hardly descended from the sky with a violent roar. There was no doubt that the vampire responsible for causing a ruckus in the capital had invaded the school, but in reality, there didn’t seem to be much chaos. The target must be under observation since triggering the security alarms, and employees from Maximilian Devices would follow legitimate channels to enter the school. Reckless actions were forbidden without a valid excuse.

  Neither was continuous observation a good tactic for Tatsuya. This was also the first time that Tatsuya was up against a magical creature and not a Magician.

  Haphazardly initiating combat contained the possibility of revealing classified spells and techniques. Just imagining the cover up and gag orders alone was causing him to feel downtrodden.

  At the very least, things would be facilitated if they knew who was the "vampire" infested by the Parasite. Maximilian Devices operated in teams of six employees. If they moved together as a group, there was no way to identify which one emitted the signal. Even so, causing all of them and any additional witnesses to disappear – in this case, it would be more like "eradicate" – was also out of the question. Hidden in an empty classroom in the science wing, Tatsuya and his sister kept a close eye on the mobile lab near the docking area (the modified trailer used for storage).

  "Lina?"

  Involuntarily, Miyuki said this aloud. Before his sister spoke, Tatsuya was already aware of Lina’s presence tailing the trailer, but now he renewed his attention on the blonde transfer student.

  Today, the day after yesterday – their "duel" occurred near midnight, so anything before dawn was considered to be yesterday – yet here she was attending school like nothing had happened. Special forces from large countries were expected to be made of sterner stuff, but here she was also making careless moves unbefitting her status.

  There was no sign that this was a premeditated action. Her focus was too lax, to the point that she failed to detect their eyes on her. She gave off the impression that she was in the throes of indecision.

  Tatsuya kept an eye on her without any specific reason just as a woman wearing a suit walked towards Lina from her previous position near the trailer.

  Based on Lina’s lip movements, she appeared to have said the name "Mia." Tatsuya assumed that this woman must be the USNA agent sent to infiltrate Maximilian Devices.

  Based on yesterday’s interrogation, Lina said she was hunting for vampires. This wasn’t for appearances’ sake, she actually faced off against them. Yet at the same time, she also said that while they were aware that the deserters fled to Japan, they were unaware of their actual identities. There was a high chance that a vampire was disguised as one of their agents, making their identities that much harder to identify.

  (Hard to imagine that someone like Sirius of Stars would be unable to identify her target even after repeated head-on confrontations with her target……)

  As he thought this, Tatsuya risked using his "sight" to sweep over that woman.

  Immediately afterwards, he felt it. Within his amplified senses, there were traces of another observer searching around.

  A massive amount of "spirits" danced around that woman’s surroundings.

  ◊ ◊ ◊

  In regards to Angelina Sirius’s unexpected request for contact on First High’s campus, Michaela Honda felt a surge of confusion and anxiety. Although they shared the same mission in identifying the mysterious Strategic-Class Magician, Lina and Michaela belonged to different command structures. Lina was her superior in terms of rank, but it was hard to imagine her giving Michaela any sort of order. In this regard, Lina was a little of a purist. Putting it lightly, she wasn’t contaminated by society, and putting it negatively, she was simply stubborn. That being said, Michaela had no idea what Lina would request her help for. Lina was the High Commander of Stars whereas Michaela was simply a technician.

  Even so, there was no way she could ignore her direct superior. Doing so would have been practically screaming she was suspicious. Michaela stepped off the trailer and earnestly tried to assume an air of normality as she walked towards Lina.

  Towards the spirits that kept hounding her, she waved her hands like someone trying to fend off a pest.

  ◊ ◊ ◊

  The sight of the female technician attempting to avoid the spirits that would be invisible to your average Magician solidified Mikihiko’s belief that she was the one.

  "It’s definitely her. There’s no way it could be wrong."

  Hearing Mikihiko’s muffled voice, Katsuto wordlessly nodded.

  "That’s Lina, I think. So…… She’s the leader."

  Her whispers barely containing her fury, Erika already held her equipment in the shape of a wakazashi.

  Although Tatsuya and Miyuki knew this was a misunderstanding, it was perfectly natural for her to make this assumption.

  "There’s a barrier in place that blocks sight and hearing, but they can’t lie to machines……"

  "In that case, let me do something."

  Mikihiko and Katsuto exchanged nods. Behind Mikihiko, Mizuki was completely unable to hide her dismayed expression and shuddered.

  "Erika, not yet."

  "I got it."

  It was true that she was a little distracted, but she still kept her calm while replying. Upon hearing this, Mikihiko threw the talisman he held in his hand. Six strips of paper arrayed in the shape of a fan slid over the ground at a low altitude. The talisman landed after forming a perfect hexagon around the trailer.

  "I’m starting."

  Unlike the theories behind modern magic, the magic he invoked was a wide area magic that inhibited the senses.

  ◊ ◊ ◊

  "Mia…… What’s wrong?"

  Seeing Michaela wave her arms as if she was shooing insects, Lina tilted her head in bemusement.

  There would be no confusion if this was still summer. Nor would it be odd in spring or fall, but this was the heart of winter. Without any hint of warmth, the temperature was bone chilling. Indoors was one thing, but there should be no way that any pests would be flying outdoors.

  "No, it’s nothing."

  Just hearing the voice alone might mean exactly that without any ulterior meaning. Yet, her expression blatantly faltered and, depending on the time and place, that would have been a grievous misstep. That was what Lina believed.

  Lina also believed that exactly what the mistake Michaela made wasn’t important at this point in time.

  Still, she was now forced to indicate to Michaela that they had to leave this place. Although Lina’s instincts screamed at her to verify the source of Michaela’s wavering, logic demanded that she first ensure Michaela safely escaped the vampire’s threat.

  This indecision weighed down Lina’s actions. Fortunately(?), there was no longer any need for her to wrestle with this any longer.

  "—What’s this? We’re surrounded!?"

  The fact that they were encompassed within a wide area magic for sensory inhibition immediately drew Lina’s attention.

  ◊ ◊ ◊

  "Is that a barrier!?"

  Even Miyuki was shocked that the large trailer she was watching suddenly disappeared from view. Seeing his sister turn her head towards him in question, Tatsuya nodded in the affirmative.

  "Must be Mikihiko. Quite an impressive technique, actually."

  "Yoshida-kun?"

  Unrelated to Course 1 or 2 students, Miyuki was unable to hide her surprise that a first year high school student could devise such a complicated and powerful formation that befuddled the senses.

  "Its effects lie in cutting off sight and hearing.

  Looks like it can’t affect physical movement though……"

  He was slightly uneasy at leaving Miyuki in the dark about the proceedings ahead of time, but he coul
dn’t afford to waste the painstaking effort involved in creating this stage. Tatsuya temporarily reestablished connection with the line that previously lay dormant.

  "Saegusa-senpai, this is Shiba."

  "What is it?"

  The response was immediate. She must have remained on the line the entire time.

  "Please turn off the recording devices near the docking area leading towards the practical skills building."

  This would have been an outrageous request even for the daughter of the Saegusa Family if these were the streets, but within the confines of the school, then on some level Mayumi was still able to manipulate everything as she saw fit.

  "Why...... Even if I asked, you probably wouldn’t answer me anyways."

  "Please."

  "Ha…… OK, it’s off."

  If one thought about it for a moment, Mayumi actually coddled Tatsuya very much.

  Then again, Tatsuya pampered Mayumi as well, so this was more like "tit for tat", or maybe "mutually beneficial".

  "Let’s go, Miyuki."

  "Yes, Onii-sama."

  After exchanging a glance, Tatsuya and Miyuki flew out of the classroom window from where they were hiding.

  ◊ ◊ ◊

  Instinct alone enabled her to avoid the white blade that flashed before her eyes.

  Pushing Mia aside, Lina used that push off to flip backwards herself. Though covered in dust, she still pulled out the old information terminal from her inside pocket. As she slid to her side, Lina opened the terminal. A flat, Generalized CAD appeared from within. Erika never hesitated – it was perfectly natural for infiltrators to be equipped with outlandish equipment for surprise attacks.

  Without sparing Lina a glance, Erika sprinted towards the fallen Mia and pointed the sharp end of the wakazashi at her while holding it in one hand.

  "What are you doing, Erika!?"

  Lina activated magic that was designed to blow Erika away.

  That magic encountered a counter magic barrier erected against it – and was blocked from phenomenon alteration.

  "Katsuto Juumonji!?"

  The solemn giant appeared before her when she whipped her head around in shock. Though his physical stature wasn’t overly outrageous to her, his very presence seemed to tower over her.

  Intelligence had identified his strength as something to be wary of ahead of time. Still, after encountering him in the flesh, it was hard not to be awed by the fact that someone of his caliber was lurking around her. During the instant that Lina’s attention was drawn to Katsuto, Erika had already made that final step.

  "Mia!?"

  The desperate cry that bemoaned her comrade’s fate was swiftly replaced by the astonishment one feels when witnessing an unbelievable sight.

  Mia had caught the blade of the wakazashi barehanded. Without using any CAD, her palm was wrapped in barrier magic.

  She had seen that magic before. This was the same magic that the mysterious individual in the white mask employed.

  "What is going on here……?"

  "Lina, can you hear me!?"

  "Silvie?"

  "Thank goodness! I finally got through."

  This wasn’t a conversation held over a communication device. Instead, this was a type of magic that Silvia excelled in. Without using the physical body as a medium, she used aerial vibration to convey her voice. So long as she could lock onto the target, she could ignore any physical obstacle and communicate without transmitters or recording devices no matter how great the distance.

  Strictly speaking, it was more efficient as a method of listening in, but even on its own merit as a transmission tool, signals could be passed along through aerial vibration in the ears without worrying about someone listening in. While there was no hope of listening in private, the magic’s practicality cannot be denied given the lack of time to converse over a receiver.

  "I have uncovered the identity of the individual wearing the white mask from earlier."

  Even with Michaela and Erika keeping each other at bay during their stalemate, Lina’s consciousness was still drawn away by Silvia’s voice.

  "It’s Michaela! The masked individual’s true identity is Michaela Honda!"

  Lina’s mind went blank, if only for an instant.

  "—Mia, so you were the one in the white mask!"

  For Lina, Michaela was simply a teammate. She just so happened to be someone who roomed next to her and occasionally spoke with her over tea.

  Even so, the fact that Michaela was the one who had repeatedly clashed against her struck Lina a heavy blow.

  Still in a standoff with Erika, Michaela glanced at Lina, who wore a rather human expression. Yet, this was no look of protested innocence or regret, but a cold, inhuman gaze of someone warily regarding an enemy.

  "No need to waste your breath at this point!"

  Erika was of the belief that the vampire and Lina were in cahoots. She wholly ignored what she imagined to be Lina’s feigned shouts of dismay and swung her wakazashi at the openings in Michaela’s defense. When she closed in to one step away from her opponent, the horizontal swing Erika directed towards Michaela’s neck level magically changed direction to avoid Michaela’s blocking arm and stabbed towards Michaela’s chest.

  Astounded by this turn around, Michaela could only wear this expression as she looked down towards her chest.

  On some level, this was the expected result.

  Despite receiving training in close quarters combat, Erika was still a Magician.

  While he received martial arts training, Mikihiko was still a magic practitioner.

  In addition to her magical education, Erika was at heart a swordswoman. In the domain of the sword, when wielding blades or fists in combat, Erika’s skills were several levels higher than the Magicians that Michaela had been facing against up until this moment.

  Yet, in the next instant, it was Erika who wore a grim expression. Heedless of the skirt she wore, Erika raised a leg to kick out at Michaela’s waist. She used this push off to extract her wakazashi and leaped backwards to a safe position.

  Michaela slashed with her right arm to dispel Erika’s afterimage. Her fingers curled like talons with a pyramid-like force field around them. Before Erika and Lina’s eyes, the puncture hole in her chest swiftly recovered.

  "Healing Magic!? She can heal that degree of injury instantaneously!?"

  "Looks like we’re up against a real monster."

  In the face of Lina’s dismayed shout, Erika spat out her own response while keeping her eyes glued onto Michaela.

  "Then, how about this?"

  The voice emanated from the trailer’s shadows.

  Accompanied by that voice, the chill of the wintry air sharpened. With perfect precision, the frost roared towards Michaela.

  Michaela was completely frozen without any time to muster a physical or magical response.

  "Miyuki?"

  This astounding sight prompted Erika to relax both her stance and tone. The figure who appeared before her was unquestionably Miyuki, with Tatsuya materializing behind her.

  "What’s going on!? Lina, are you OK!?"

  "I’m fine now, but please dispatch any special forces currently on standby. We may have to force our way out."

  "—Understood. I’ll make the arrangements."

  In response to the agitated queries from Silvia regarding her safety, Lina quietly replied back with her orders.

  Just as Lina and Silvia were conversing, Tatsuya walked before Lina.

  "Offline."

  Lina swiftly said one word and immediately broke off her connection with Silvia. Though this might be meaningless, it was still an effort to hide her trump card. Tatsuya should have witnessed what Lina said, but he never bothered to raise that subject.

  "Lina, she appears to be someone you’re familiar with, but I will be taking over custody."

  Tatsuya said as he walked towards her former neighbor who had been turned into an ice statue.

  "You…… killed the people
from Maximilian Devices?"

  Hearing Lina’s question, Tatsuya formed an expression that was just short of a grimace.

  "No need to assume the worst. I only let them sleep for a little bit."

  The employees from Maximilian Devices weren’t conspirators, given that they were oblivious to Michaela’s true nature. They were simply normal people caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. While a situation where they created a ruckus might create a beneficial opportunity for Lina, she was honestly glad that they would be spared any additional hazard.

  "Just a second here. I’m going to be in a little bit of a bind if you just cart her off."

  In place of Lina, who could only reluctantly back down given her limited options, Erika looked to contest the spoils of war.

  "Though this might seem silly in Tatsuya-kun’s eyes, we have our own reputation to consider. If that woman is truly the one who hurt Leo, then I can’t hand her over even if it’s you, Tatsuya-kun."

  While not overly belligerent, there wasn’t a single bit of wasted effort in the way she held that wakazashi. This was an obvious hint that she could immediately resort to a combat situation with minimal effort.

  Rather, there was no need to scrutinize so carefully, as her eyes told the whole story.

  Erika was 100% serious here.

  "I’m not necessarily going to press custody either."

  Regardless, this was a misunderstanding of epic proportions.

  "Eh?"

  As expected, Erika adopted a bewildered expression as if she had been faked out by Tatsuya’s response.

  "Weren’t you going to investigate that woman and dispose of her?"

  Lina worried her lip at the words "dispose of". She had no right to speak here and her expression clearly showed that she was trying to convince herself of that.

  "All we want is the result of the investigation."