Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei

That Monday there was an impression that First High School was dyed with the news of Kudou Retsus death. Most likely it was the same in other Magic High Schools as well. Kudou Retsu, honored as the Patriarch, was a symbolic existence in Japans magical world.

Tatsuya went to school before noon, and even at the lunch table with his friends the topic was solely about Kudou Retsu.

I didnt know he was ill...

After Mizukis muttering,

Tatsuya-san, did you know?

Honoka brings up the topic to Tatsuya.

No, I didnt know. I only saw him on the Visiphone nowadays, but he didnt look particularly in bad shape.

Retsus cause of death was announced as death from illness. Thinking about it, it seems natural. There is no way they could announce that his grandson became an inhuman evil spirit and that he was killed by that grandson.

I see...

Tatsuya-kun, Miyuki, will you attend the funeral?

To Erikas question, not only Miyuki but also Tatsuya opened their eyes wide.

I havent got such conversations yet...Why me?

After all, Miyuki, youre a member of the Ten Master Clans as well, and a successor to boot? I dont think its strange to be invited to the funeral

Ah, she will be. Especially since she is Tatsuyas fiance.

Leo nodded in agreement to Erikas point.

If Im invited, I will attend. I have a connection with his Excellency Kudou since he helped me in the Nine Schools Competition the year before last.

When Tatsuya cracked down on the tournament management committee member who was setting Golden Electron Silkworms on Miyukis CAD, he received a request from Retsu. Thats what hes talking about.

Actually, in the following, that is, last years Nine Schools Competition, Retsu created a lot of trouble, but it is something that shouldnt be said and it is unnecessary to bring it up now.

Ah, that matter...

Shizuku instantly recalled the matter of the year before lasts Nine Schools Competition.

Miyuki, of course, as well as Honoka should remember it too, but only Shizuku verbalized it so.

It is probably best to avoid talking about the Nine Schools Competition. This years Nine Schools Competition was cancelled and Tatsuya couldnt say he was unrelated to that.

This years Nine Schools Competition may have been cancelled anyway. In a way, it would serve as mourning to the Patriarch.

However, there are girls unrelated to such concerns here. No, maybe Erika may have shown concern in another way.

Wouldnt it be the opposite? His Excellency loved the Nine Schools Competition.

Tatsuya thought about it and answered Erikas words like that.

There is still time left in the lunch break, but everyone in Tatsuyas group stood up from their seats. When they left the cafeteria in one group,

Miyuki, can I have a minute? Tatsuya-kun as well.

Erika called out to Tatsuya and Miyuki.

What?

Just a minute.

Erika dodged Miyukis question.

It was quickly understood that it was something difficult to talk about in front of everyone.

You can use the Public Morals Committee Headquarters. There shouldnt be anyone there right now.

Mikihiko inserted his words from the side.

He showed signs of knowing a little about what Erika is doing.

Understood. Miyuki.

Yes, Onii-sama. Erika, is that okay?

Miyuki nodded to Tatsuya and asked Erika.

Its fine.

Naturally, Erika didnt object.

As Mikihiko said, there was nobody in the Public Morals Committee Headquarters.

The unlocked the door with Miyukis Student Count President ID card, and Erika, Miyuki, and Tatsuya went inside in that order.

Miyuki set up a soundproof field with the entire room as a target.

The three sat ahead of the chiefs table. The table being clean is probably due to Mikihikos personality. It was completely different from when Tatsuya joined the committee.

We dont have much time left, so Ill keep it brief.

Erika started,

I heard from Miki about tonight.

Miyuki turned around and looked at Tatsuyas face, who was sitting next to her. Tatsuya didnt really look surprised and responded with just a I see.

Miyuki, what will you do?

Tatsuya did not tell Mikihiko how Miyuki will spend the evening. As such, Erika also didnt know.

Im going to accompany Minami-chan until Onii-sama makes his return.

Caution against Minoru?

Yes.

Me too.

Erika placed one breath then. Not for dramatic purposes, but to get over her hesitation.

Is it fine if I go?

She knew she was asking too much from them.

You mean, visit Minami-chan?

Uh huh.

Tonight?

Yes.

After nodding, Erika continued talking rapidly.

Leo will be by Mikis side. He will be defenseless while using the technique.

Tatsuya didnt hear this detail from neither Mikihiko nor Leo. Perhaps they were both planning to discuss it after school.

Do you understand what youre going to do?

Of course.

It could be said that Erikas eagerness was speaking here, so Tatsuya naturally treated Erika as Leos replacement.

If you really understand, then Ill gladly borrow your abilities.

Erika, who expected Tatsuyas opposition, felt surprised and relieved.

Erika turned her eyes from Tatsuya to Miyuki.

And you, the same?

Erika. I am not used to fighting like Onii-sama. If something happens I cant protect you, are you still okay with it?

I have no intention of being protected. More like the opposite.

...Onii-sama, what shall we do?

Miyuki entrusted the decision to Tatsuya.

If Erika doesnt have a problem with it, I guess.

Tatsuya looked at Erika.

Looks like youre ready.

Of course.

Erika responded to Tatsuyas provocations with a fearless smile.

Though Tatsuya was just bluffing. Tatsuya thinks Minoru wont move so soon after yesterday.

If there was any risk, it would be with Mikihiko and Leo.

That night had a starry sky, which is unusual nowadays.

The moon had not yet come out. Todays moonrise was close to midnight.

Tatsuya was in a parking lot of a big park separated from Camp Zama by two roads. The side opposite to the base. Of course, he cant see Camp Zama from this location.

Leo, are you really fine?

He didnt doubt it, but Leo really came together with Mikihiko.

You didnt ask Mikihiko, why are you so concerned about me?

Leo was unsatisfied by Tatsuyas question.

I didnt really want to drag Mikihiko into this either.

But you need my power, right?

Mikihiko asked, and Tatsuya reluctantly admitted with a yeah.

In contrast, Mikihiko delightfully said so.

If theres no problem with Mikihiko, Im fine too. Since only Mikihiko is at risk, I wont be a target.

Certainly, Mikihiko is in danger of receiving counter-magic due to the use of long-distance magic, a kind of technique that could even be called a ritual. But if the magic is tracked and counterattack units attack, Leo too will become involved in the battle.

It cant be helped.

Tatsuya also knew that it was useless to discuss things here. He had verified Leos intentions after school.

Besides, if it was to protect Mikihiko in the middle of putting his consciousness in the base, Tatsuya was sure it would be helpful. As far as Tatsuya is concerned, Leo can be trusted more than the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion right now.

Mikihiko, Im relying on you. Leo, do your best for Mikihiko.

Yeah, leave it to me.

Okay, I will.

Tatsuya mounted the bike. The two-wheeled electric Wingless furnished with short distance flight capabilities that was developed by the Yotsuba Family. He is not wearing the combat uniform Mobile Suit, he has Yotsuba Familys flight uniform Freed Suit. Tonights operation is officially unrelated to the 101st Brigade. Reinforcements will be sent from the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, but only when its really time for them to take action, until then they are to stay hidden.

See you later.

Tatsuya closed his helmets visor and took off on the bike.

The USNA armys transport plane was just arriving. It slowly moved on the runway. Just to be sure, Fujibayashi had checked the arrival and departure records just before, and today no American army planes landed except this one. Even looking up to the past week this was the only one.

(The timing is nearly perfect.)

The parasites are surely on that plane. Like Minoru, they didnt hide the characteristic Psion wave pattern. Or maybe they cant?

(Four parasites altogether. Surprisingly few. Only one is projecting high magical power...?)

Tatsuya, who was observing with Elemental Sight while driving along the road horizontal to the base back and forth, activated the flight function of Wingless to settle things before the parasites disembark the transport plane.

In the transport aircraft that landed on Camp Zama was Commander of the Stars 3rd Unit, Alexander Arcturus.

(Have we been seen...?)

Inside the taxiing plane, Arcturus talked to himself. He didnt produce words. It was a monologue within his mind.

He felt a glance right after landing. But, that glance had no direction.

For remote viewing, the force of the flow can be sensed with the glances direction.

If he is observed with a familiar, that familiar will be the source of the glance.

There is also the strangely named Multi-Scope, which makes it possible to observe without blind spots from various angles, but that is similar to setting up countless relay cameras in the air. It is the same as being observed by several familiars at the same time, so it is not directionless.

But, in the glance Arcturus is vaguely feeling right now, the component from where could not be found at all. Not from any direction.

He is just being observed.

As if a god or a demon was staring at him...

That glance was likely the reason he had become distracted.

What is that!?

A bike!?

Arcturus was unaware of the approaching strange flying object until a fellow passenger raised his voice.

A small silhouette was reflected on the outboard monitor.

While the alert system was automatically processing night vision and zooming in, that object was drawing closer to the plane before their eyes.

A single silhouette of a person sitting on the soaring bike.

That silhouette firmly stepped on the bikes steps, stretched his knees, and pointed something like a pistol towards the plane.

Suddenly, a hole is opened in the plane.

The rider jumped from the bike.

The bike jumped over the transport aircraft and the rider dove into the plane with the hole in the wall.

Abruptly, the alarm rang inside the plane.

Tatsuya flew towards the transport plane with his bike and drew out the pistol-shaped Specialized CAD from the holster on his suit.

?

The Silver Horn Custom Trident.

He invoked Decomposition using his favorite CAD.

He opened a hole on the surface of the planes wall just big enough for Tatsuya to fly in.

Tatsuya switched Wingless to autopilot and jumped into the hole he had opened.

He landed on the floor on the plane with a lightly lowered back. Right afterwards, the hole on the planes wall vanished.

It was repaired with Regrowth.

Of course, he locked himself in the room so the parasites could not get out.

The American soldiers inside the plane are cowering without moving, hopeless in this situation.

The same for the parasites.

Tatsuya rushed to the parasite closest to his position.

Both CADs were returned to their holsters.

A short, thin, needle-like knife was held in his right hand. Small patterns were engraved in the short blade.

Tatsuya aimed at the parasite, who broke free of its fright-induced paralysis.

Tatsuya pushed out his left fist, not the knife.

Just before impact, he opened the fist he was holding tight.

At zero distance, he hit the parasite with Armor-Piercing Psion Bullet.

The parasite screamed and convulsed.

Tatsuya then stabbed the knife on his right hand directly below the left clavicle.

It came...!

Mikihiko muttered in the park two roads away from the base.

The sealing tool he had prepared sensed the reaction that was cast into the parasites body.

A thin dagger like the needle Tatsuya was holding. That ritual implement made the blade a charm.

On Mikihikos left hand he was holding a folding fan which was a charm that paired with the dagger.

Mikihiko pulled out the reacting charm with his right hand and invoked the sealing technique.

The convulsing parasite suddenly stopped moving, like a marionette whose strings were cut.

The parasite tumbled to the floor with the knife still tabbed below its clavicle.

The Psions in the body were disturbed by Armor-Piercing Psion Bullet, and the sealing technique was used while the link between spirit and body was wavering. The newborn parasite had no way to oppose.

Even if the knife is taken out, the sealing technique carved to the bone and burned in the flesh cant be removed.

If there was no caster with more magic skill than Mikihiko, the parasite will sleep in a state of suspended animation.

Did their colleagues scream undo the soldiers paralysis?

The American soldiers who were squatting stood up all at once.

They pointed their guns, with no hint of hesitation on their faces.

Tatsuya decomposed more than twenty assault rifles and submachine guns at the same time.

Suddenly losing their gun, a vacuum was once again born in the heart of the American soldiers.

With that opportunity, Tatsuya processed a second parasite.

Convulsions and exhaustion repeat once again. The sight of sealing.

Then, the only owner of magic abilities Tatsuya was on the lookout for started moving.

Arcturus was unable to understand what was happening in front of him.

The hole made on the plane suddenly disappeared like it was just a dream or an illusion.

But the intruder who jumped through that hole did not disappear.

Instead of disappearing, they sealed the Stardust member, who had just become his comrade, so fast it could be called instantly.

The Stardust have experimental bodies and are just waiting for their deaths.

By becoming a parasite, they would have escaped their inescapable deaths.

That is, lose the parasite and they are as good as dead.

Friendly soldiers who came with him pointed their gun at the intruder.

They are not parasites. But from their perspective, the intruder has killed their brothers the ordinary soldiers didnt understand their sealed condition thus he is a terrorist.

The number of guns pointing at him is no less than twenty. He cant escape the small cabin. Even if that riding suit has bulletproof features, there is no way he would be safe when shot by dozens of bullets at point-blank range.

But at that moment, powerful magic ran through the cabin.

The ability wasnt just strong. The magic was powerful as well as accurate, efficient and artistic.

More than twenty assault rifles and submachines guns scattered into parts. The magazines were also rolling on the floor spitting out their bullets. From the muzzles, not a single shot was fired.

Arcturus was once again letting a comrade die, more due to fascination with the magic than the unexpected development.

A second comrade was sealed.

Arcturus took out his tomahawk and slashed at the intruder.

Its job was mid-range combat with Dancing Blades. Arcturus Spirit Magic is by nature for searching enemies, remote controlling weapons and anti-Mental Interference Type Magic, not for direct attacks. Fights in such confined spaces were his weak points as a magician.

But he is not a delicate wizard who can only use magic.

He was invincible at hand-to-hand combat using his Tomahawk until he enlisted in the Stars.

He rushed in, seized the opportunity and swinged the tomahawk down.

He didnt think he would kill him in one blow, but he thought he couldnt avoid it with that timing either.

However, not only did the intruder dodge it, he vanished from Arcturus line of sight.

Arcturus turned around.

Perhaps he was trying to protect himself.

What Arcturus saw was the scene right after the needle-like dagger was stabbed below the left clavicle of a third comrade who held a large knife on his right hand, as he had violent spasms.

As things stand, the last comrade will be sealed.

The sealing magic is not being used by the intruder in front of me.

Even if I beat this guy, the seal wont be stopped.

These thoughts ran across Arcturus mind in an instant.

Arcturus threw his tomahawk.

The tomahawk broke through the planes wall, and rose to the sky.

Tatsuya turned his head towards the signs of strong magic.

The third persons seal was completed without him doing anything else. It was natural for him to be cautious of the magic the last parasite launched.

The magic released by the fourth person was not attacking Tatsuya.

Incredibly, the fourth parasite threw his tomahawk and it went through the planes wall, disappearing in the night sky.

Tatsuya was worried about what the fourth person was trying to do. However, there was no time to track the fourth persons thrown tomahawk with Elemental Sight.

Drawing out a combat knife, the fourth person attacked.

The opponent is Stars 3rd Unit Commander, Alexander Arcturus.

Turning his attention while unleashing Elemental Sight, this information was reflected in Tatsuyas eyes.

Like Lina and Minoru, he doesnt have the ability to camouflage the Information Body.

Tatsuya attacked Arcturus knife with a knifehand strike.

In addition to the CADs in its holsters, the Freed Suit has a completely thought-operated CAD.

The point-blank range Decomposition converted Arcturus knife to sand.

Another soldier came from the back. Not a parasite, not a magician, a regular soldier.

Tatsuya turned around, intersected that soldier and threw him towards Arcturus.

Arcturus caught the soldier.

Tatsuya put a penetrating shockwave on his fist and released it towards the soldiers back. Even martial arts masters can do the same thing, but Tatsuyas technique is an imitation that is used together with magic.

However, the power is the same even if it is an imitation.

The large 185cm Arcturus staggers backwards.

Tatsuya grabbed the soldiers nape with his right hand and threw him away, then pushed out his left hand to Arcturus, who is still suffering from the backlash.

In his hand was Armor-Piercing Psion Bullet.

Arcturus body starts convulsing.

With his right hand, Tatsuya drew a fourth dagger and thrust it below Arcturus collarbone.

However, Arcturus left hand blocked it.

Armor-Piercing Psion Bullet was definitely working. Regardless, Arcturus didnt lose his fighting strength.

Contrarily, he began to collect plasma in his right hand.

An Ancient Magic lightning strike.

Done this way he should receive the electric shock himself, but perhaps he is relying on the parasites durability.

Before the lightning attack could be fired from Arcturus right hand,

Tatsuyas left hand once again hits Arcturus solar plexus.

Arcturus body made a great jump.

From his right hand, the sparks of the electrical discharge disappeared.

Tatsuya raised Arcturus left hand with his right hand and stabbed the knife before the guards came back.

The operation of the sealing technique was confirmed.

Without confirming the result with his eyes, Tatsuya escaped from the transport aircraft by opening a hole in its floor.

Something is coming!

Mikihiko raised his tense voice.

Leo mobilized his own five senses before he asked what?.

His ears caught the sound cutting the wind.

A flying object getting closer at high speed.

Though its high speed, its not as fast as a bullet or a missile. Still, it exceeds 200km/h.

Faster than a ball hit by a baseball bat. Is it slightly faster than a high-speed tennis serve?

Leo adapted to the objects speed from experience and judged it.

Leos eyes understood its true nature before Mikihiko could.

Its a rotating Tomahawk.

He also kept the hidden soldiers who were suddenly appearing in the corner of his eyes.

Leo did not wait for them.

It was an instinctive action to stand up in front of the tomahawk with Mikihiko to his back.

It was not his survival instincts.

It was his fighting instincts.

Siegfried!

Leo roared.

He pushed out both hands along with the roar.

With that hand, the tomahawk Alexander Arcturus Dancing Blades was caught!

Leo grabbed the weapon strengthened by the Ancient Magicians thoughts with his body hardened by Siegfried.

Leos body invulnerability magic overcame the trump card of Arcturus, who serves as the Commander for the Stars 3rd Unit.

After confirming by the resistance in his hands that the tomahawk had completely stopped, Leo fell with his back to the ground.

He still didnt let go of the tomahawk he was holding with the top of the handle and part of the blade.

Mikihiko was not looking at Leo who had become his shield.

He was concentrating on sealing the parasite.

That is surely because he was convinced that Leo would protect him.

Thus, Arcturus and three other parasites who tried to invade from Camp Zama were sealed.

An American army aircraft carrier stopped at the Yokosuka Naval Base.

The evening entry was to practice arrivals and departures at night, and the Japanese side was notified in advance.

But, there are things they did not notify.

Cutting edge two-seat fighter VTOLs arrived with the aircraft carrier.

The Japanese army didnt know that it was aircraft launched from a very large submarine with a flight deck.

The Japanese army didnt know that the three two-seater fighters carried female officers who were neither RIO [26] nor WSO [27] in the back seat.

The names of those girls who transferred to the aircraft carrier from the large submarine were,

Charlotte Vega.

Zoe Spica.

Leila Deneb.

After Lina left the USNA, female officers of the parasitized Stars infiltrated Yokosuka Naval Base in the evening of Monday, July 1st, 2097.

Afterword

How was the 26th Volume, Invasion Chapter? Did you enjoy it?

This time, the protagonist Tatsuya had more of a supporting role. In the end, the protagonists battle is shown, but even here Mikihiko has the highlight scene, shared with Leo.

Minoru showed splendid participation in this volume. Successive battles, great enemies stood in his way, feelings of frustration due to fleeing from a fight, a confrontation with a blood relative and its tragic conclusion...All elements of a protagonist. Originally, Tatsuya was a supporting character that watched over the protagonists rather than being the protagonist, a character who is a leader and acts as a wall that the protagonist must surpass, and it seems that this tendency is increasing more and more.

Though, like a protagonist, Tatsuya is diligent in his training. Grasping victory at the end with great effort, acquired with the collaboration of his friends. Isnt it truly heroic?...You dont think so? (lol)

Well, I also didnt settle on grabbing victory in a true sense. The conclusion of the great effort, friendship, victory formula will develop from now on, so please look forward to it.

Lets stir up some strange complaints.

In the 26th Volume, new characters appeared.

Officer Karasawa.

He wont play an active part in the story from now on.

...No, I know that I would like to put a straight man, but Officer Karasawa was a character from an Ayako spinoff that was discarded. This time, as soon as I noticed I needed a named extra, I pulled him out of the recycling box.

The idea of the magic department spinoff was already started by Fumiyas & an original characters Shiba Tatsuya Assassination Plan, but Ayakos & Karasawas pseudo-mystery was conceived at the same time. Frankly speaking, while thinking about this and that for the creation of Shiba Tatsuya Assassination Plan, I thought things like if Fumiya appears in a spinoff, Ayako should too. It is not correct to say discarded, given that there was no intention of publicating it in the first place.

The first episode of Shiba Tatsuya Assassination Plan will be open to the public on the official site at the same time as this volume releases. The plan is for the serialization to last 11 episodes. The site address is as follows, so please take a look when you have time. Dengeki Bunko will also release soon.

https://tsutomusato.jp/

Now, next is the 27th volume, which should be published later this year if I dont fall into a slump. The subtitle is Sudden Change. As the name says, there will be quick developments.

The end of the series is also in sight. For your continued support until the end, thank you very much.

Thank you very much for buying and reading this time too.

(Satou Tsutomu)

Translation Notes

[1] main-gauche: A type of parrying dagger which often had guards curved towards the blade to trap the enemys blade and prevent it from slipping into the defenders hand. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parrying_dagger#Main-gauche

[2] Sai: Traditional Okinawan (other oriental countries also used it) melee weapon with curved guards. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sai_(weapon)

[3] (ripping demon) seems to be the Japanese equivalent for the word ripper, used to refer to serial killers who mutilate their victims with bladed weapons.

[4] Anki - A small weapon that is easy to hide. Used in Chinese martial arts. https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9A%97%E5%99%A8

[5] Cats paw - A type of Japanese anki. Used mainly by ninjas in assassinations. Its name comes from its shape. https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%8C%AB%E6%89%8B

[6] In the original script, the author uses , a baseball move where the pitcher (Walker) throws the ball (deal) to a fielder (Canopus) to tag a base runner (illegal bargain) out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickoff.

[7] Air Car - ; Air - ; Atmosphere - ; Sky - ; Compressed air - Its not naming fraud because it uses different characters that can also mean air.

[8] Randori freestyle martial arts https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randori

[9] Flags are triggers that leads to future events, more often used in videogame terminology.

[10] - is seal, can be sphere/ball when read as dama or gem/precious stone when read as gyoku. In this case, the gyoku reading is explicitly used in the script, hence Seal Gem.

[11] In Buddhism, Dharmapala() are gods that protect the dharma. The term used here is , hence Protector https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmapala

In Buddhist philosophy, dharma is a term for phenomena

[12] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fierce_deities

[13] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikky%C5%8D

[14] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shugend%C5%8D

[15] The term translated in this conversation as dedication roughly means figure out or devise but can also mean dedication to spiritual improvement. The analogous Chinese word means any skill that requires patience, energy and time to complete.

[16] Artillery battery, not electric battery.

[17] Illusion techniques

[18] Tatami mat size slightly differs by region and time when the house was built, but in general, the standard tatami mat has a width of about 91cm and the length of about 182cm. Two tatami mats make a square with an area of slightly above 1.8 m2.

[19] Original script has , which literally translates to reverse the palm. This is an idiom for changing ones attitude or ways of thinking. In this case, Miyuki scolds Tatsuya for being mean, then immediately changes her mind. Tatsuya then displays his wry smile, reinforcing her former belief that he was being mean.

[20] Pan is a board used in Qi Men Dun Jia, an ancient Chinese divination method. /2014/08/history-and-background-of-qi-men-dun-jia.html

[21] Qi Men Dun Jia and Ghost Walker are both read Kimon Toukou, just with different characters.

[22] She tried to say , which reads akireta() but pronounced akkireta() instead.

[23] An equivalent English expression would be nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[24] (twilight, can be translated literally as time for meeting evil spirits) and (time of great calamity) are both read the same way Oumagatoki. In Japanese superstition, it is believed that people encounter youkai during this time of the day. /oumagatoki/

[25] Kurokawa Shiroha: Kuro means black, Shiro means white. The line in Japanese reads kuro da ka shiro da ka hakkiri shiro and could be translated literally as black or white, make it clear.

[26] Radar Intercept Officer

[27] Weapon Systems Office