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

  Tatsuya smiled as he said this, then noticed that for some reason Mizuki was staring at him with teary eyes.

  Tatsuya suddenly felt that somewhere, somehow, an epic misunderstanding had occurred.

  Immediately, the result caused by this misunderstanding was displayed before Tatsuya.

  "That's amazing! Tatsuya-kun... you are truly worthy of my respect!"

  With her hands in front of her chest, Mizuki's delirious voice said something that (for Tatsuya) could not be ignored after being heard.

  "Ha?"

  "For most people, they become Magicians simply because they can use magic... but, Tatsuya-kun has his own goals, so he learns magic for that reason..."

  "Um, well, while that's true..."

  "I, have been enlightened!"

  "That..."

  "Originally, I learned magic only because I wanted to control this pair of "eyes", and I never considered how to use magic, but from now on, I will seriously consider it!"

  Uh? Didn't this woman want to hide her eyes in the first place? While Tatsuya was thinking this, Mizuki's awe inspiring spirit overwhelmed his urge to retort.

  "Err, Mizuki-chan?"

  "It's true. As long as you have a clear goal, you wouldn't retreat after encountering such feeble attacks.

  As long as you can achieve your dream, school grades are merely accessories.

  This should be what people pursue in life.

  People need to endlessly chase their dreams..."

  "My word, Mizuki, what are you so excited about?"

  Mizuki's soliloquy — even while class was ongoing — continued until Erika's retort.

  Finally noticing her classmates odd gazes (more like blank stares), Mizuki blushed as she dropped her head.

  Seeing Mizuki like this, Tatsuya adopted a solemn expression to mask what he was feeling inside.

  A person's hopes and dreams?

  It wasn't something as beautiful as that.

  From the beginning, he never had a chance at a life that was unrelated to magic.

  He didn't become a Magician because he could use magic; he became a Magician precisely because he couldn't use magic.

  For him, magic was a curse cast upon him the moment he was born.

  Even if it was transformed into something that he could accept, to him, it was still a struggle.

  That being said — if it was as simple as people becoming Magicians simply because they could use magic, then it was not surprising that the bottom feeders amongst Magicians chose to deny magic.

  Maybe he had the wrong idea.

  —Tatsuya suddenly thought this way.

  ◇◇◇

  It was time for lunch break.

  In the end, even Tatsuya was persuaded to stay.

  —Persuaded by Erika and Leo's begging.

  "1060 ms... Good, keep it up; just a little more."

  "S-Still so far... I never knew that 0.1 seconds was such a far distance..."

  "Idiot, you don't use 'far' to measure time; you're supposed to say 'long'."

  "Erika-chan... 1052 ms."

  "Ahhhhh!

  Don't say it!

  I just managed to start thinking positively!"

  "I-I'm sorry..."

  "No, it's OK, Mizuki.

  No matter how desperate reality is, we can't choose to escape from it. This, is our destiny..."

  "...Your boring solo acts are none of my business, but it's about time to end this horseplay."

  The combination of Erika and Leo could not maintain a friendly relationship for more than a second, even in class.

  So they asked Tatsuya for guidance.

  "I say, Leo, you're spending too much time aiming.

  In this situation, there's no need for precision targeting."

  "While I understand that..."

  To Leo's lifeless response, Tatsuya nodded sympathetically.

  "Well, that's true...

  There's nothing for it, so you might as well use a little trick. Why don't you settle your aim before reading the Activation Sequence?"

  "Uh? Is that legal?"

  "That's why it's a trick. There's no benefit to technical expertise, but in this situation it's probably the last idea I can think of, not that I wanted to tell you in the first place..."

  "What! Please, Tatsuya! I don't care if it's a masterstroke or a cheat, if it can get me through this, teach it to me!"

  As he watched Leo begging with both hands clasped above his head, Tatsuya let out a deep sigh.

  "Don't say it like that. It's not like we're cheating or anything.

  ...Really, I already said that I'm not adept with technical skills. If you need pointers, why not ask an expert?"

  "Even if you're not adept, you're still better than me, right?

  Also, you are the only one who knows the compiling combination and is able to point out any errors."

  "I'll teach you even without the flattery...

  Next, it's Erika's turn."

  "What, what? I don't care if it's a masterstroke or cheating or whatever, just give it to me!

  I'm starving over here."

  "I see, so it sounds even worse when the two of you are begging together.

  Ah~ For Erika... I can't understand where your problem is exactly."

  "Eh?"

  "To be precise, I don't understand why you made these mistakes.

  You should be far better at compiling than I am."

  "How can this be! Tatsuya-kun, don't abandon me!"

  As he looked at the teary-eyed — with some parts acting mixed in — Erika with her hands tightly clasped as if in prayer, Tatsuya sighed again.

  These two are practically mirror images of one another, Tatsuya thought, but did not say it aloud.

  "Got it, Erika. When you're reading the Activation Sequence, put your right hand over your left on the board."

  "Eh?"

  Upon hearing this, not just Erika, but Mizuki was also confused.

  "...Is that all there is to it?"

  "I'm not completely certain. As for the reason, I'll explain it if it works."

  "Oh, hm... let me try."

  Erika temporarily set aside her doubt and turned towards the internally installed CAD.

  Seeing this, Tatsuya started tutoring Leo.

  After the flash of Psion light dissipates, a set of numbers about the size of a large ball appears above. This is the highest pressure calculated through the casting of single system weight magic. The timer begins only after the calculated number exceeds the base limit for pressure.

  "1010 ms.

  Erika-chan, you improved by 40 ms in one try!

  You've only got a little more left to go."

  "Yes!

  It feels like I've got my motivation back!"

  "1016. Don't hesitate, Leo. You already know the target location. There's no need to visually check the target each time."

  "I-I understand.

  Ok, I'll get it this time!"

  Tatsuya and Mizuki went to reset the recording devices while Erika and Leo closed their eyes or waved their arms, using a variety of methods to keep up their morale.

  At this moment, a nervous voice floated in from behind Tatsuya's back.

  "Onii-sama, are you busy...?"

  The owner of the voice was his own sister, and there was no need to turn around to verify this.

  Erika heard footsteps that belonged to more than one person and turned around.

  "Miyuki... Along with Mitsui-chan and Kitayama-chan?"

  "Erika, don't get distracted.

  Sorry, Miyuki. We're almost done; just give us a second."

  "Eh?"

  "I understand. I'm terribly sorry, Onii-sama."

  Miyuki smiled pleasantly and bowed at Tatsuya's apologetic voice.

  Feeling as if the pressure had been multiplied many fold for some unknown reason, Leo furrowed his brows.

  The other two followed Miyuki out the doorway.

  Seeing this, Tatsuya nodded.

  "OK, yo
u two, this is it."

  Although the voice wasn't loud, it seemed to stifle any objection.

  "Yeah!"

  "OK, let's finish this!"

  Their morale at a peak, both of them glanced at the CAD display.

  "We made it~"

  Erika's cheer turned into the bell that finally announced the end of the class.

  "Whew... Danke, Tatsuya."

  Tatsuya raised a hand to acknowledge Leo's thanks, then waved Miyuki in.

  Her face flushed with happiness, Miyuki walked towards him.

  In comparison, Miyuki's classmates were more reserved — Mitsui Honoka and Kitayama Shizuku stepped forward with slight smiles on their faces.

  "Excellent work, you two.

  Onii-sama, I've brought the goods as you instructed... Is this enough?"

  Because he was just speaking with Erika and Leo, Tatsuya shook his head at Miyuki's question.

  "No, but there's not much time left anyway, so this is perfect. Good work, Miyuki. Mitsui-san and Kitayama-san as well, thank you for lending a hand. I appreciate it."

  Even though they have spoken previously, these two were only Miyuki's acquaintances, so in Tatsuya's eyes, they weren't completely friends yet. Thus, his tone was overly formal.

  "No! It's nothing at all!"

  "Don't worry about it. Despite looking like this, I'm actually quite strong."

  Towards Honoka's unexpectedly excited answer and Shizuku's seemingly joking response, Tatsuya once again expressed his thanks and relieved them of their plastic bags.

  "Catch."

  And tossed the items for Erika and Leo to catch, just like that.

  "What is it?"

  "Sandwiches...?"

  The bags contained sandwiches and drinks sold in the school cafeteria.

  "If we headed for the cafeteria now, we wouldn't make it in time for the afternoon class."

  As he said this, Tatsuya took his prepared bento from Miyuki.

  "Thank you~ I'm starving."

  "Tatsuya, you're the best!"

  Smiling wryly at his food-obsessed friends, Tatsuya also took a seat in a nearby chair. At this time, Mizuki's unwary voice drifted to his ears.

  "...But, is this OK? Aren't we prohibited from eating in the classrooms?"

  "Food is only banned in areas with data terminals.

  The school rules don't prohibit eating in classrooms."

  "Eh, is that so?"

  "Hm, you would know this if you seriously read the school rules. I used to think it was prohibited too, so I was a little surprised." Tatsuya replied, as he pulled out a pair of chopsticks.

  Mizuki said "In that case", and reached out a hand.

  Leo unwrapped the sandwich and took a deep bite.

  "You didn't care from the beginning."

  Erika retorted as she savored the exquisitely made sandwich.

  A peaceful table... was actually replaced by several chairs because there was no table as Tatsuya and company started their tardy lunch break.

  Miyuki and Team Appreciation also joined in with their drinks.

  "Miyuki-chan, did you already finish eating?"

  "Yes. Onii-sama said to come over after eating."

  At Mizuki's concerned question, Miyuki replied with this.

  "Eh, I'm a little surprised. I thought Miyuki would say "I won't begin unless Onii-sama picks up his chopsticks!" or something like that."

  Erika's comment was accompanied by full blown laughter rather than mere giggling.

  From her expression, it was clear that she was purely joking. No one present gave it a serious thought.

  —Except for one person.

  "Ah, that's exactly right, Erika.

  Normally that would be the case, but today was because of Onii-sama's orders.

  Of course, I would never do something on my own that would go against Onii-sama."

  "...'Normally' she would..."

  "Yep."

  "...'Of course'... Eh?"

  "Hm, yes?"

  A cramp developed in Erika's smile as she watched Miyuki earnestly shake her head. The mood suddenly turned very heavy.

  As if seeking to dispel this strange atmosphere, Mizuki spoke up at an unnaturally high volume.

  "Miyuki-chan's class is also starting in technical practice, right? What's it like?"

  Honoka and Shizuku glanced at one another.

  It was a pair of concerned expressions.

  Without paying heed to her peers' attitudes, Miyuki took the straw away from her mouth as she replied.

  "It should be the same as your class, Mizuki. Using a slow machine and tasked with a boring practice like calculation."

  The five people besides Tatsuya revealed shocked expressions.

  Her fierce, serpent-like tongue was completely incompatible with her lady-like demeanor.

  "You appear very displeased."

  "Of course I'm displeased. That kind of exercise is only good for practicing alone."

  At her elder brother's teasing words, Miyuki replied in a huff, but her voice was tinged with a flirtatious tone.

  "Hm... Even teaching hand over hand is bound to have some good and some bad."

  "I admit I'm being treated differently. I'm terribly sorry if I've upset Erika because of this."

  "No, I don't mind at all."

  At Miyuki's honest apology, Erika lightly waved her hand.

  "It's only natural to try and find the students with potential. It's the same with the dojo that my family runs — those that have no potential are set aside and forgotten."

  "Erika-chan's house is a dojo?"

  "A little bit of ancient style kenjutsu, although that's just the side job."

  "Ah, that's why..." Mizuki nodded as if she understood something.

  She was probably thinking of the time when Erika used a retractable rod to disarm Morisaki's CAD.

  "Chiba-san... Thinks that's only natural?" This time, it was Honoka who interjected with trepidation.

  "Erika is fine. Actually, please call me that."

  "Why are you putting on airs like someone important..." Leo's amazed retort created a perfect buffering moment for Honoka.

  "Then, Erika, please call me Honoka."

  "OK, OK.

  That being said, when you said natural, are you referring to when Course 1 students are supervised by teachers, and Course 2 students can't catch up?"

  "...Yeah, that."

  Honoka hesitated, then nodded.

  "If it's that, then of course."

  Erika nodded without any hesitation whatsoever.

  "Because it's a matter of course, Miyuki and Honoka don't need to be troubled about it?"

  "...You're quite calm about it." Leo replied in response to Erika's declaration.

  "Ah? Is Leo-kun the one who is unsatisfied with the situation?"

  "No, I just feel that there's nothing I can do about it..."

  Leo's voice was comparatively lackluster.

  "I see~.

  I don't think that 'there's nothing I can do', I think that 'it's a matter of fact' instead."

  Erika's tone was relaxed as she said this.

  "May I ask your reasoning behind this?"

  At Honoka's question, Erika tilted her head.

  After a short period of silence to collect her thoughts, with her index finger pressed against her temple, she began her reply.

  "Hm... Because I've always thought that it's so natural up to this point, so it's hard to explain...

  For example, in our dojo, the earliest we would teach any techniques to the students would be at least 6 months after enrollment."

  "Oh."

  Tatsuya nodded his head with interest.

  Question marks floated above the heads of Honoka, Shizuku, and Mizuki.

  "In the beginning, the only thing we teach is footwork and practice swings. After we demonstrate once, the rest is up to individual practice.

  Afterwards, we start teaching those that look like they've grasped the proper manner of swinging."<
br />
  "...Then, wouldn't there be students that never improve no matter how much time has passed...?"

  "Yes, that has happened."

  Erika nodded in response to Honoka's question.

  "Next, those people have to relentlessly practice.

  Second, if your physical body isn't suited for waving a sword, then it would be a waste of time to impart any strong techniques anyways."

  "Ah..." Mizuki quietly gasped.

  As she watched Mizuki, Erika continued to speak.

  "Because of this, the only thing you can do is keep practicing your swings. Watch what other people do, and carve it into your memory.

  That is because you're surrounded by specialists of the sword.

  You're just wasting your time idling if you wait for someone to teach you.

  Only the utterly naive would believe that they could receive lessons from the start.

  Whether it's the Sensei or assistants, remember that everyone there is someone currently in training.

  Everyone has their own personal training regimen.

  Those that cannot learn from the people around them and solely rely on being taught, are utterly delusional."

  After she finished speaking, her eyes took on a tempting glint.

  As he watched Erika become more animated during speaking to the point of lecturing, Tatsuya felt his spirit soar a bit.

  "...Even though your words were pretty badass, but didn't you and I need Tatsuya to teach us just now...?"

  "Ouch!

  It hurts when you say that."

  Erika furrowed her brows at Leo's point, but her relaxed voice didn't change.

  "Those are two different things, apples and oranges... Although there have been situations where the tutor and the tutored were of different levels, which usually ends in disaster.

  Actually, a real disaster would be where the one being tutored was at a higher level than the tutor."

  Tatsuya revealed an evil smirk.

  "Alas, I guess today qualifies as a true catastrophe then.

  Erika's final record was faster than mine by 100 ms."

  Erika was suddenly covered in cold sweat.

  "Uh, no, what I wanted to say wasn't that...

  S-Speaking of which, I still don't understand!

  Why did overlapping the hands improve my time by so much?"

  Forcibly changing the subject.

  Everyone knew she was trying to muddy the waters, but if anyone asked too closely then it would be troublesome, so Tatsuya shrewdly let it slide.