Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei

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August 10th, the day after the private meeting with USNA Secretary of Defense assistant, Jeffrey James.

About Minami's case, the USNA authorities were asked to search for Minoru. For now, all that there was to do was wait.

Tatsuya, who thought it would be too rushed to return to Miyakijima today, was working on establishing an industrial manufacturing method for the magical rRelic for storage of magic sequences in a laboratory in the basement of the building, which also served as the Tokyo headquarters of the Yotsuba family.

It was about 11 o'clock in the morning, three hours since he began working, when Miyuki called from the top floor by the indoor phone.

"There was a phone call from Honoka just now."

When Tatsuya asked her what she needed, Miyuki cut him off. From Miyuki's expression, the phone call did not seem to be about bad news.

"The Defense Force will assist in the Monolith Code exchange battle."

It was good news, but it was a bit surprising. To be clear, Tatsuya felt like he almost showed it in his face.

Did the Armed Forces suddenly change their attitudes because they learned that Tatsuya had contacted senior USNA government officials? Are they afraid that he would turn over to America?

Tatsuya thought it was ridiculous. It would be uncomfortable if he thought it would be so simple for him to change camps just by being murmured a bit of sweet words, and it would be even more displeasing if the Defense Force thought that he would be cheerful about this.

"I think it's good news. If we can start preparing now, it looks like everything will be ready by the end of the month."

However, Tatsuya did not express his thoughts, and gave the camera a suitable smile for the situation.

"Yes. So I also want to go and help with the preparation."

"Are you going to attend school?"

"Yes. Shouldn't I?"

"Of course I don't care. Will you go now?"

The Miyuki on the screen was changing into a uniform.

"I planned to do that."

"Okay, I'll be back to my room soon."

Tatsuya would naturally accompany Miyuki.

Miyuki understood on the spot what he meant.

"No, Lina will come to school with me. It will be better if Onii-sama doesn't go out too much."

"Really"

Miyuki's remark was logical. It was still only six days after the defense battle at Miyakijima. If he carelessly went out to town, he would be shamelessly hounded by self-proclaimed journalists.

"I don't think you need to be worried because I'll go to school by car instead of by a cabinet."

"Okay. Then please do so."

This building was the Tokyo headquarters of the Yotsuba family. Even if Tatsuya didn't drive, there was always a driver for the next head, Miyuki, available.

"Make sure to call when you are on your way home."

"Understood. Off I go."

It had been less than a week since Tatsuya's message to the world that he had the power to fight against enemy nations. It would be a nuisance to others, rather than himself, to go to school in this situation. It was a rational decision to avoid following along, and he knew that Miyuki was not evading him.

So it was ridiculous to think of her "distancing away from her brother."

In his head, he understood when he was being stupid.

"Hey, Miyuki. I don't know the details, but what was canceled and what was decided in the first place?"

Inside the car, heading for First High, Lina asked Miyuki.

Lina returned to Japan in late June. By that time, it was already decided that the Nine Schools Competition would be cancelled.

She studied in Japan from January to March last time she came. Lina didn't know about the Nine Schools Competition. It's not surprising that she did not understand the situation.

"The event that was canceled was "Nine Schools Competition" and the official name is "Nationwide Magic High School Athletics Competition". It was held every year at this season, but it was canceled this year.''

"Why?"

"Do you remember the attack on a Great Asian Union base in the beginning of May by an armed guerrilla?"

"The Niger Delta Liberation Army conducted the attack, right? I remember."

Lina was still a part of the military then and remembered the incident well.

"The magic used in that attack, "Active Air Mine", was developed by Onii-sama and was first shown at the Nine Schools Competition two years ago."

"Eh. Just because of that?"

Lina was not surprised. She knew that, for Tatsuya, to develop one or two new tactical-class magics was a piece of cake.

"It was said that a competition that spreads dangerous magical techniques used by armed guerrillas is dangerous, so it should stop. It was during the time when the inhumane massacre by large-scale magic was loudly criticized. Fearing public backlash, this year's Nine Schools Competition was canceled."

"What's that? He is not to blame! The person who used the magic is responsible for the deaths. No, the one who ordered the use of the magic is, and Tatsuya has no responsibility in the first place. I've heard that it was military officers of the Great Asian Union who were killed and injured in the first place. I don't want to side with guerrillas, but it's weird to treat it as if it was a civilian victim."

Lina was indignant as if it was an attack on herself. No, "as if it was", as a Strategic-Class Magician it's not like the feeling was strange to her.

"I think it's exactly as Lina said, but the public opinion is emotional."

Miyuki explained that it was not something that can be reasoned with.

Lina could read between the lines.

"So, instead of the canceled Nine Schools Competition, there was a talk about us having a Monolith Code exhibition game between the nine schools. I asked for cooperation from various places, but it wasn't going well. Until yesterday."

"I wonder if I can tell Erika that."

"Hey, Lina, don't do that."

Leo returned to Lina, who had been standing on the side in a relaxed manner. Despite being away for over a year, Lina was already accepted as a "colleague" among Tatsuya's circle of friends.

"Then, I will see you later. I presume Miyuki-san will also attend the preparatory meeting."

"Yes, I plan to do so."

"See you."

Miyuki smiled a little and Lina waved her hand lightly.

The other response was not from Leo, but his companion.

Lina, who was seated, looked at Leo's back as he was leaving and asked, "What is the preparatory meeting?"

"Today's agenda is player selection."

It was Izumi who returned the answer. Of course, the other four did not ignore Lina, she just responded the fastest.

"It hadn't been decided yet, right?"

Miyuki's mutter was her soliloquy rather than asking why.

"I didn't know if such a meeting could really be held."

But perhaps she interpreted it as a question, Honoka replied from the side. The seats were arranged in the order of Izumi, Miyuki, and Honoka on the aisle side, and Kasumi, Lina, and Shizuku on the other side.

"Did you postpone the selection?"

Lina's voice had a critical nuance.

"I was practicing as a temporary member."

Shizuku argued that she interpreted it as "Is it okay to not practice?"

"Isn't that member okay?"

"The Monolith Code is three people per team. Two or more teams are required to practice."

"Oh, that's right. Then you decide the regular from that."

Lina's guess was natural, but Honoka didn't shake her head.

"It's not decided that way. Some students couldn't participate in the practice due to various reasons."

The faint gaze directed at Lina swayed toward Miyuki.

"And Tatsuya?"