Chapter 4: New Employee Interview
Not much has changed.
April 29th. Tookami Ryousuke came back to Japan after 5 years, and this was his first impression after leaving the airport.
It wasn't in a bad way. Tokyo looks as peaceful as it did five years ago.
Looking at the country as a whole, it must have been exposed to the danger of invasion several times over the past five years. Just before he left for the United States, Yokohama, just outside Tokyo, was under attack by an armed guerrilla force. Even after that, Ryousuke had seen news of the invasion from the north.
The USNA, where he lived for five years, was not invaded by any foreign countries, but there were revolts all over the country, and the territory of former Mexico was on the verge of civil war. The cause of the riots was racial, no, it was a conflict of species.
It's the conflict between the Majority, who cannot use magic, and Magians, who can use it. At this point in time, "majority" does not yet mean "the majority of humanity, who cannot use magic," the term "Magian" is not commonly used, but the meaning is the same: the Majority's offensive against the Magians. There are not only legal and non-violent counter attacks against Magians, but also some violent resistance starting to come into view here and there.
The streets of Tokyo, which Ryousuke hadn't seen in five years, showed no signs of invasion or riot. And it's hard for him to believe that this peace will last forever.
Miyuki and Lina are taking the same course at Magic University. Their practical classes are also on the same timetable.
Every Thursday before noon is their free time.
They were having a slightly early lunch at the cafeteria.
The menu here has an unsatisfactory amount for the male students. Today, however, Tatsuya is absent from the university. Choosing the cafeteria is Miyuki and Lina's routine for the days when Tatsuya is away.
Miyuki secures a table and Lina goes to get a tray for two. These roles are not set in stone, they take turns. Today it was Miyuki's turn to wait at the table.
"Miyuki-senpai!"
Miyuki, now alone, is approached by a joyful voice.
"Izumi-chan."
The owner of the voice is Izumi, who was forced to withdraw from the scene yesterday. Although Miyuki calls Ayako "Ayako-san", Izumi is called "Izumi-chan", as a strong request from the person in question. When they reunited in college, Miyuki tried to change her way to address her to "Izumi-san", but Izumi begged Miyuki to call her in the same way as she did in high school.
So far, Izumi is the only university student that Miyuki uses "chan". In this sense Izumi thinks she has become Miyuki's special in a way. Maybe that was Izumi's intention.
"Well, may I join you today?
Her reserved tone is undoubtedly because of yesterday's event.
"Yeah, it' s okay. Tatsuya-sama is off today, too."
Miyuki smiled and nodded, and Izumi's expression brightened in a flash.
"Yes, if you’ll excuse me."
With a bouncy voice that seems to have a musical inflection at the end, Izumi bowed and set her bag onto the vacant seat.
"Miyuki-senpai. Would you like me to go get your order?"
"It's okay, I've asked Lina to."
"I understand. Then I'll go get my own share."
Without wasting any more time, Izumi quickly walked to the order counter.
Miyuki and Lina sit around the same table every day. However, they don't always decide to eat alone. On days when Tatsuya is absent, it's not unusual for them to spend their lunchtime chatting with other female students. Rather, there are few days when it is just the two of them.
Actually, it was not unusual for Izumi to join them. Izumi often talked to Miyuki as if she had won the lottery. Of course, she never forgets to hear when Lina brings up a subject.
They talked so constantly that they seemed to have run out of things to talk about. Towards the end of lunch, Izumi brought up Tatsuya into the conversation.
"Is Shiba-senpai working today?"
"Tatsuya-sama is at the headquarters in Machida for interviews with a job applicant."
"By Machida, you mean in the Magian Company, right?"
Izumi was checking out Tatsuya's ──no, Miyuki's fiancé's information carefully.
"What sort of person is coming for an interview today?"
Izumi's question is answered by a quizzical look from Miyuki and Lina.
"Wha-, what is it?"
"Izumi, you don't know that?"
Even so, Izumi had no idea what to expect.
After Lina exchanged glances with Miyuki, Miyuki gave her consent to Lina with her eyes.
"It's Mayumi who's coming for the Company interview today."
"Onee-sama?!"
It didn’t look like Izumi's surprise was an act.
"……You really didn't know that?"
"Well, my father was talking about that with Ane [8] ……. But it was only three days ago. Even if it's my father, it's so early ……."
Izumi corrected herself with "Onee-sama" to "Ane".
"As expected of the head of the Saegusa family, he works fast."
Miyuki said in an indifferent tone as if she was talking to herself.
"……Um, aren't you angry?"
Izumi fearfully asks Miyuki.
"I'm not going to get mad at you, Izumi."
Miyuki replied with a genuine smile.
The fact that there was not a single strain of pretense in that smile instead made Izumi even more anxious.
"Izumi. Didn't your father mention the reason when he spoke about it?"
"The reason?"
Izumi's consciousness was being pulled by Miyuki's true intentions, but she couldn't simply ignore it if asked.
"Yes. The purpose of sending Mayumi to the Company."
"……He said he wanted to know what Shiba-senpai was trying to do, though."
After hearing Izumi's answer, Lina tilted her head.
"Then why doesn't he ask the person in question directly? Besides, if it' s about the Company's purpose, then Tatsuya's side will announce it right away. Otherwise, there's no point in establishing a corporation. If it has a secret purpose, it's better to keep the organization a secret too. If he wanted to have an outward facade, then Tatsuya already has one. Doesn't the head of the Saegusa family not know that much?"
Once again, Lina's arguments were all plausible. And Izumi felt the same way.
"……I wonder if Mayumi knows about this."
"My father's aim, you mean?"
Lina silently nodded at Izumi's reflexive rejoinder.
"I don't think my sister knows anything about this ……."
Izumi's tone of voice is unsure. The relationship between parent and child in the Saegusa family is cold. Izumi is the one whom Koichi adores the most, but even she feels a wall between her and her father. To Izumi, it doesn't seem that her sister is cooperating with her father's secret plan.
But on the other hand, they could not deny the possibility that the contrary was true. They ──Izumi and Kasumi, are not so much interested in the interests of the Saegusa family or the responsibilities of the Ten Master Clans. They are not willing to give up their privileged situation, but on the contrary, if the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, they could easily abandon their position as 'Saegusa Family's Daughters'.
But their older sister is different. Izumi believes that it is not her brother Tomokazu, but her sister Mayumi who is most concerned with the "duties of the Ten Master Clans". Even if she doesn't want to work for her father, if it is a matter of Ten Master Clans duty, she might follow it. Izumi couldn't deny that possibility.
"I'm curious. …….Miyuki, don't you think so?"
"Yes. It's not that I doubt Saegusa-sempai, but……"
Neither Lina nor Miyuki thought that Mayumi was planning to sabotage them. But they didn't feel reassured by the fact that they couldn't understand her purpose.
"──Miyuki, do you want to go?"
"What? Where?"
"To the Company headquarters in Machida. The interview starts at two o'clock, so there's still plenty of time to get there. Miyuki is the chairman of the board of directors, and I'm on the board of directors as well, even if it's only in name, so it's not surprising that we would be in attendance."
"What about the afternoon lecture?"
"It won't matter to your evaluation if you miss one or more lectures. Even other people have missed lectures because of work."
As Lina said, Magic University students, especially the children of the numbered families are often forced to miss lectures to help out with the work at home. The university understands that and doesn't complain about it unless it's too frequent. ──Yet Tatsuya's absences are so frequent and are overlooked.
"But there's also an experiment this afternoon, you know?"
"If you're worried about the report, why don't you get Tatsuya to help you?"
"To make Tatsuya-sama go through that kind of trouble……"
"Student reports aren't even a boring odd-job for Tatsuya. I don't think it's even a waste of time."
"……You say that. I don't think you're telling me this, but you're not just trying to make things easier on yourself, are you?"
"No, of course not."
As Lina answered, she didn't stutter or bite down on her answer.
But her face twitched for a moment, which Izumi as well as Miyuki didn't overlook.
However, Miyuki did not press that issue.
"──Sure enough, at this rate, I might not be able to pay attention to the class because I'm worried about it."
To tell the truth, Miyuki was more concerned about it than Lina was.
"Um, Miyuki-senpai. Your next lecture is in the auditorium, right? My next hour is free, leave it to me to take up the notes."
Without a moment's delay, Izumi offered to help. In the Magic University, even if you don't register for a class, you won't be barred from it. It's just that if you don't attend a class, you won't gain credits.
"What? It would be hard on you, wouldn't it? I couldn't let Izumi-chan do something like that."
The usual level of classes at Magic University is not that easy to follow. It's questionable whether a sophomore like Izumi will be able to keep up with the lectures of a third year.
"No, it's fine. It's my free time anyway."
"Really……? You don't have to push yourself."
"Yes."
Miyuki did not hesitate any longer. She comprehended Izumi's feelings. ──Whether she accepted it or not.
It didn't take Ryousuke long to look up at the public information about the Magian Company. While his first impression of Tokyo was that it hadn't changed in the last five years, there was a small but definite improvement in the information infrastructure.
(But they are not offering jobs……)
As he suspected, Magian Company was not recruiting any employees. The corporate body who made the official announcement, no, that Shiba Tatsuya and that Yotsuba family is involved in the establishment of this company. Ryousuke had expected that they would hire their family members for the organization even before he came back to Japan.
(For now, Let's take a go at it……. nothing ventured, nothing gained!)
Ryousuke motivated himself with some rough words in his mind and ordered the navigation AI on his portable terminal to search for a route to the Company's headquarters in Machida, which was registered in the Regional Legal Affairs Bureau.
After moving from the nearest individual cabinet station to an unmanned taxi, Ryousuke arrived in front of the Magian Company's headquarters at around 1:50 p.m.
After getting out of the unmanned taxi, Ryousuke was brought to a standstill in front of the building which the navigator indicated as the headquarters of the Magian Company. There was no signboard on the building. He didn't know which floor of this seven-story building was the Magian Company office, or whether the whole building belonged to the Magian Company at all.
He doesn't have any appointments. Ryousuke intended to barge into the company's office unannounced. But, in this situation, he didn't know where to barge in. Even if he wanted to try on every office, starting from the top floor, he didn't even know how to get in the building to begin with.
If he was a seasoned salesman, he would have stepped into the entrance without hesitation. He might have even considered the police incident as a chance to make contact with the company's people ──strictly speaking, Magian Company is a non-profit organization, not a company. But Ryousuke wasn't seasoned, and not even a salesman.
When it came to the rough stuff, Ryousuke had a certain experience with it. But he had dropped out of the university in which he was studying abroad, and the only part-time experience he had outside of FEHR activities was working as a janitor or a security guard, so Ryousuke didn't know what to do in a situation like this.
(Hey, there's no point in thinking about it.)
Anyway, let's enter the building. With that in mind, Ryousuke went to the automatic doors that separated the inside and outside of the building.
Just then, a young woman passed him on his left and stood in front of the door.
The automatic doors opened in both directions.
The woman stopped under the optical sensor and turned to Ryousuke.
She was about the same age as Ryousuke. She was small in stature, but she was a beautiful woman with feminine proportions. And, after seeing her face, Ryousuke recognized her.
(……Without a doubt. It is Saegusa Mayumi of Ten Master Clans)
From Ryousuke's high school days standpoint, as someone who has an actual level of magic skills but didn't enter a high school of magic, she is more than a mere object of admiration, as someone from the same generation──to be more specific, she was a year younger than him── he has mixed feelings about her.
(Why is Saegusa's girl at a Yotsuba family affiliated company?)
While thinking about this, Ryousuke
"You're not going in?"
did not immediately understand the meaning of what Mayumi had said to him.
Mayumi tilted her head at Ryousuke, who was staring at her in silence, and turned her back on him, disinterested in getting any further involvement.
That's when Ryousuke finally came to himself.
"Ah, no, I'm going in!"
Casting a hurried voice at Mayumi's back, he took a quick step and lined up beside Mayumi.
"Um, you're Saegusa Mayumi, right?"
And now Ryousuke speaks to her.
"……Yeah. Indeed I am."
Mayumi's caution was only natural. And Ryousuke was aware of it.
"My name is Tookami Ryousuke. I was one grade above Saegusa-san but I am a failed magician who didn't make into a magic high school."
"Tookami-san, is it?"
Mayumi listens to Ryousuke's self-introduction with a "so what" expression on her face. But as soon as he mutters his surname, her expression suddenly changes as she realizes what's going on.
Ryousuke could read from Mayumi's expression exactly what she had noticed.
"As you may have guessed, my parents are former 'Toogami' Extras."
The Extras are magicians who were developed at the national research institutes of 'Magician Research and Development' that produced Ten Master Clans, but were dismissed because they couldn't meet the expected performance.
The Magician Research and Development Institutes, which existed from the first to the tenth, gave their works a surname that included the number they bore. For example, Ichijou and Itsushiki for the first institute, Futatsugi and Nihei for the second institute, Mitsuya and Mikazuki for the third institute, and so on.
Magicians who were expelled after being judged to be defective products were called "Extras" because they had their numbered surnames removed when they were expelled. A magician who has been dropped from the group of magicians whose surname includes are numbered is called a 'Extra'. Magicians excluded from the elite group are entitled as 'Extras'.
It was customary for magicians who were labeled as defective to be assigned a surname that was similar in reading to their original surname. So, for example, like Ryousuke's, 'Tookami' [9] , which fell from 'Toogami' [10] .
Extras are a sort of taboo for Japanese magicians. They are living proof of the inhumanity of the Magician Research and Development Institutes, and, to the Ten Master Clans who reign over the Japanese magic community, they are proof of the sin of their own people's abandonment. Because they are inexplicably guilty entities, they are the targets of discrimination and avoidance, and their pedigree has led to a vicious cycle of increased guilt.
Nowadays, the sense of discrimination against Extras has faded, and the feeling of guilt is usually buried deep into the subconscious.
While the sense of guilt is hidden, it has not gone away.
It is deeply rooted in the depths of the consciousness and rebounds back to the head at a moment's notice.
"……Tookami-san, why did you come here?"
The reason Mayumi couldn't ignore Ryousuke was because of the guilt she felt. Mayumi has a stronger awareness of the Extras problem than any other Ten Master Clans magician. One of her high school classmates, Ichihara Suzune, who served as Mayumi's treasurer in the First High School Student Council, was also an Extra graduate.
As mentioned earlier, the sense of discrimination against Extras has faded. Still, it hasn't been completely eliminated. The expulsion from the institute is not a story from their distant ancestors, but rather an event from the near past of Mayumi and others parents' generation.
Because there are only a few of them who have been dropped, they have no way to fight back and restore their rights through the use of force by forming a faction. They have no choice but to hide in a corner of the world to avoid being exposed as Extras.
Mayumi thought that Suzune's stance of not being assertive and taking a step back in everything she did, might not only be due to her natural disposition, but also due to the influence of her parents being Extras.
Because of their friendship, Mayumi could not remain indifferent to Extras.
"Are you affiliated with the Magian Company, Saegusa-san?"
Ryousuke was at a loss as he didn't have a foothold in the Company, so he was clutching at straws. The rumor of the Saegusa family's antagonistic relationship with the Yotsuba family was so well known that even Ryousuke, who didn't have a Japanese Magician License, had heard it before. The possibility that the daughter of the Saegusa family was clearly related to the Magian Company, an organization affiliated with the Yotsuba family, was slim in his opinion.
"No, I'd say I'm not involved yet……."
"Yet?"
"As a matter of fact, I'm about to have an interview."
Ryousuke's prediction was correct. Mayumi was not a Company official at the moment. But it was the breakthrough he wanted.
"Would you be willing to take me as well to the interview with you!"
"What?!"
"Please! I want to work here!"
"Even if you say that……. I'm the one being interviewed so……."
Ryousuke is aware that he is asking too much. But it's a foolhardy plan to infiltrate the Company from the start. However, if it was for their "saint", he'd have to pull it off no matter what. That's the duty of the FEHR members.
"Please do something about it!"
Mayumi was puzzled. As much as she wanted to do something about it, Mayumi had no control over the Company. Something impossible is impossible .
But this time, the luck was with Ryousuke.
"How can I help you?"
A voice called from the building's entrance, Ryousuke and Mayumi turned to see two beautiful women, one with black hair and the other with blonde hair.
Ryousuke gasps for breath at their otherworldly beauty. If it wasn't for the subject of his allegiance, the "saint" Rena Fehr, he might have become a victim not only on his consciousness but also on his soul. ──Both of the owners of the beauty made Ryousuke think so. It's no longer an exaggeration to say that this is the 'beauty''s violence.
Their beauty didn't do any damage to Mayumi. It was partly because they were of the same sex, but more so because they were Mayumi's acquaintances. Still, she couldn't help but be struck by a sense of surprise.
"Miyuki-san, Shields-san? Why are you here……?"
Miyuki smiled at Mayumi, who asked a question in the midst of a daze, and gave her an exemplary smile of a lady. ──Her outward appearance was impeccably friendly, but she wore a smile that didn't let one read her true intentions.
"It's been a long time, Saegusa-senpai. Is it strange for me to be here?"
"Eh, no"
Mayumi feels an indescribable pressure on her, and she can't give a proper response as Miyuki's smile deepens.
"Miyuki, that question is really mean"
Lina chastises Miyuki from beside.
"Oh my. Now that you mention it, I guess that's true."
Miyuki blinked two or three times. Shortly thereafter, the pressure that had entangled Mayumi disappeared.
Mayumi let out a covert sigh. It wasn't hostility or malice that was emanating from Miyuki, but it was something that made her inevitably nervous.
"Saegusa-senpai, and who might that be?"
"I am called Tookami Ryousuke!"
Miyuki's question was directed at Mayumi, but Ryousuke snatched the answer away from the side. He had finally attained Miyuki's identity just before this.
"I've returned from Canada because I really wanted to work at Magian Company at any rate!"
Lina frowns at those words, "Americans" nowadays don't call the former Canadian or Mexican territories "Canada" or "Mexico". The usage of those names was avoided because it meant the USNA's segmentation.
But Lina didn't complain. It's relatively common for foreigners from the USNA to inadvertently mention the name of their old country, especially when they are in another country outside the USNA. And this is Japan. Since it's not within the USNA, she didn't do something like sharpen the corner of her eyes out of prudence.
"……At any rate, let's hear the story inside. Please follow me, and Saegusa-senpai, please come in."
Miyuki walks past the reception desk ──which is, of course, unmanned── and proceeds to the elevator in the back. Lina is behind her, followed by Mayumi and Ryousuke at the end of the line.
Ryousuke followed them at the end of the line, accomplishing the infiltration of the company for the time being.
In this seven-story building, Magian Company's offices were only on the sixth and seventh floors. However, other floors are also used by companies affiliated with the Yotsuba family, such as the real estate company that nominally owns Miyakijima on the fifth floor.
The elevator that Miyuki and the others took stopped at the 6th floor.
The order they got off the elevator was the opposite of when boarded.
Walking past Mayumi and Ryousuke again, Miyuki takes the lead and Lina follows next to her.
While walking beside Mayumi, Ryousuke was pondering in his head about Lina's identity.
(There are no openings……)
Miyuki was surprisingly seamless, too, but there were almost no openings to be found that could be taken advantage of in Lina's ──At this point in time, Ryousuke didn't know her name yet── back. It was, at least, beyond Ryousuke reach.
(Ex-military? It's almost as if it's the Stars.)
He didn't have any experience in dealing with the Stars. However, he did have the experience of seeing Stars in action up-close when they were sent to put down a riot in the former Mexican territory. The riot that occurred in April 2097 in Monterrey, a former state of North Mexico, was triggered by an anti-magic group, and Ryousuke and the rest of the FEHR were not involved in it. But they were afraid that their compatriots would be targeted by the angry mob, so they had ridden there with the intention of intervening by force if the situation arose.
The blonde beauty's back reminded him of the masked red haired female officer he had witnessed back then. After returning to the FEHR headquarters, Ryousuke found out that the masked red haired female officer was that Sirius…….
(……This woman, it can't be, is she a prodigy who is a match to Angie Sirius?)
She looked a couple of years younger than himself, but that didn't make him look down on her. Judging from appearances this woman was probably Shiba Miyuki's bodyguard. Even though it is to protect a key figure, who is the next head of the family, it is a dizzying luxury such as using a magician who may be a match to Sirius of the Stars for personal escort.
(So this is the power of the "untouchables" Yotsuba family……)
Ryousuke had to be very careful not to tremble from the shivers of fear.
Miyuki led Mayumi and Ryousuke to a room at the far end of the sixth floor.
"Tatsuya-sama, excuse me."
After unlocking it herself, Miyuki bowed politely in front of the open door.
"Come in. You two, come in too."
Tatsuya was standing right near the entrance. Had he been watching them on the security camera, or had he sensed Miyuki's presence through the door? Either of these could be the case.
Tatsuya's office was a private room. There was a large desk and a chair with a high-back armrest at the back. In front of the desk, there was a lounge suite. It's not that big. It's like a branch president's office or a branch manager's office.
"It's been a while, Saegusa-san."
Tatsuya called her "Saegusa-san", not "Saegusa-senpai". Probably because of his position as the executive director of an incorporated association referring to a candidate for a position in the company.
"By the way, Miyuki, and who might this be?"
Instead of talking to Ryousuke directly, he asks Miyuki about his identity. As Miyuki is the one who brought him to the office, it's only natural for her to answer Tatsuya's question.
"His name is Tookami Ryousuke. Since he was very eager to join the Magian Company, I brought him along to talk to you, if only to see what you had to say."
Tatsuya frowns doubtfully for a moment.
But he quickly erases the wrinkles between his eyebrows and gives Ryousuke a poker face.
"I see. I'll be interviewing Saegusa-san first, so can Tookami-san wait in the other room?"
"Yes"
With no choice but to agree, Ryosuke accepts Tatsuya's instructions with a victorious expression on his face.
"Lina. I'm sorry, but could you take Tookami-san to the common room?"
"Okay"
Lina nodded at Tatsuya's words without a trace of reluctance.
"Follow me."
Then she directed Ryousuke in a rather blunt tone of voice.
"Feel free to sit over there."
Tatsuya offered Mayumi a couch in the lounge suite after Lina and Ryousuke had left the office.
"Excuse me……."
While watching a reserved Mayumi sit down, Tatsuya simultaneously sat across from her.
A moment later, Miyuki sits down next to Tatsuya. Not glued to him, though. They are sitting on two single-seated sofas next to each other. There is a side table placed between the two of them. This is another aspect that has changed since their high school days.
"Once again, it's been a while. The last time was in the party just before Saegusa-san graduated from college, that was about two months ago."
"Yes, that's right"
Mayumi displays a slight bewilderment, possibly because she is not used to being called "Saegusa-san" instead of "Saegusa-senpai" by Tatsuya.
"If I recall correctly, weren't you planning to work at an investment firm after graduation?"
"You're right"
It's not surprising that Mayumi's tone is becoming evasive. It's only been a month since she graduated from college. It's too early to be looking for a new job.
"Why did you decide to switch jobs to our company?"
Knowing as much, it might be deliberately mean for him to be asking this, even though it's a standard question.
"I am interested in your company's activities."
"Interested?"
"Yes. About Shiba-san, who has founded an international association of magicians, or rather, Magians, separate from the Magic Association, trying to do something here in Japan. I didn't want to sit on the sidelines and watch it unfold as a concerned party."
"I see."
Tatsuya gave a wide nod. But he didn't really seem to be convinced.
"Saegusa-senpai."
Miyuki interjects at this point. Addressing Mayumi by the way she did in high school.
"Why don't we speak honestly, just like the old days? Senpai was sent here by your father, Saegusa-dono's instructions, wasn't it?"
Miyuki's use of "Saegusa-dono" is a customary practice among Ten Master Clans. The heads of the other families are often referred to with the suffix "-dono" in their surnames.
Mayumi also didn't want to behave as if being probed for her true intentions.
"Yes. It is like you said, Miyuki-san."
By using her old tone, from her student days, to respond, she expressed her willingness to have an honest conversation.
"I've been ordered by my father to infiltrate the Magian Company."
"For what?"
Tatsuya asks Mayumi in a quiet tone.
"To find out what Tatsuya-kun is scheming."
Hearing Mayumi's answer, Tatsuya let out a sigh.
"……Saegusa-san."
His tone changes to one of reproach.
In response, Mayumi winced in a jolt.
"I don't mind the informal speech, but could you please stop with the 'Tatsuya-kun'? I think I don't need to tell you why, right?"
"I'm sorry, I'll try to be more careful."
Mayumi also felt "maybe it's awkward?". She turned to Tatsuya and immediately apologized.
Tatsuya nodded silently, accepting her apology and then changed the subject accordingly.
"And then, what I'm scheming, you mean? It's not a secret just because we haven't announced it yet, so I can answer that now."
"Eh?"
Mayumi only let surprise slip a surprising feeling to me, but she didn't say "I'll ask" or "I won't ask". Tatsuya, however, continued to speak regardless.
"The Magian Society’s aim is the self-defense of magians' human rights, who are the holders of the magic gift."
Tatsuya dared to use the unfamiliar term "self-defense of human rights" instead of "human rights preservation". This reflects his awareness that he, too, is a Magian and that he, too, is a concerned party to human rights violations committed from the outside, rather than protecting them from a superior perspective. Mayumi understood that with these few words.
"The Magian Company is a non-profit corporation designed to pave the way for those with magical qualities to be able to take an active role in society, even if they don't meet the standards that have been set for them. Specifically, we will handle non-military vocational training projects for wizards and non-military job placement projects."
"For vocational training, job placement?"
At the unexpectedly mundane nature of the project, Mayumi can't help but parrot the question back to herself.
(……Is that it?)
A person from the Yotsuba family, who disregarded not only the Magic Association, but also the Japanese government, formed an independent nation with the Indo-Persian VIPs and set up an international association, and even set up a new corporation to manage it.
The more she thought about it, the more she didn't understand. Mayumi was completely confused.
"Fortunately for the job placement part, I can provide employment opportunities through Stellar Generator……."
But with Tatsuya's subsequent words, the tangled threads seemed to unravel a bit.
"First of all, I want to provide Magians with somewhere where they can learn enough practical knowledge and know-how to be able to set themselves up as technicians."
"……You are, setting up an academy?"
"Yes."
Tatsuya quickly affirmed Mayumi's word-for-word question.
"Apart from Magic University?"
This time, she sounded like she was searching for hidden intentions.
"That's right."
Tatsuya immediately responded affirmingly this question as well.
"At the same time, we do not intend to compete with Magic University. We expect students to have a normal high school diploma for admission, but we also do not intend to exclude Magic University students. Please think of it as a kind of prep school for high school graduates and students."
"And then you will send the graduates of that academy to Stellar Generator?"
Tatsuya shook his head in response to Mayumi's confident question. ──Vertically, not horizontally.
"I'm considering a partnership with a Stellar Generator, but I'm not going to force a career path. It's against the freedom of choice of profession."
That said, for those holders of the magic gift who are not apt enough to work in the field of Magicians, Stellar Generators would seem to be the most attractive place to work. Especially if they have a technical education. The establishment of an educational institution managed by the Magian Company would directly result in the recruitment to the Stellar Generator, who would eventually grow up to become Tatsuya's colleagues, or rather, loyal subordinates……
Mayumi shuddered as she realized what Tatsuya was up to. It's not so complicated of a plan as to be considered of far far sight and deep design. But the more complex a plan is, the more variables there are in it. The simpler the plan, the less likely it is to be affected by misfortune. Mayumi thought that this plot was extremely realistic.
But despite such sober thoughts, one enthusiastic idea was born in Mayumi.
"Shiba-san, no, Executive Director Shiba. Would you allow me to help you with that academy?"
"Even though there are no other plans other than the one I described to you right now?"
Implying that there is no reason to infiltrate the Company, Tatsuya tells her with a quizzical look on his face.
"I don't doubt that. Regardless of my father's intentions, I want to participate in the management of this academy for people who have the magic gift but could not become magicians, no, for Magians."
Mayumi herself has no idea why such enthusiasm has arisen in her.
"Please!"
She was simply driven by that urge and vigorously bowed to Tatsuya.
"……Tatsuya-sama."
Miyuki spoke in a whisper from the side to Tatsuya, who couldn't hide his confusion.
"Saegusa-senpai──Saegusa-san seems to be serious about it. I know that you are highly capable, and I believe that it would be good if you were to assist us."
Tatsuya says it without hiding his surprise. But the change in his expression is so small that those who don't know him well would not notice it. And soon enough, Tatsuya regains his usual poker face.
"The head of the Magian Company is President Miyuki. If she is willing to hire you, I'll accept her decision."
"Thank you very much."
Miyuki gave Tatsuya a small, but nondescript bow and shifted her gaze to Mayumi.
"Saegusa-san, would you be willing to lend your strength to the Magian Company?"
At Miyuki's words, Mayumi gave a full blooming smile and quickly reformed her mysterious expression.
"I will do my best to help you, President Shiba."
"……You can talk to me as you always have."
"I understand, Miyuki-san. I look forward to working with you."
Miyuki and Mayumi started to chat with each other in a moderate but harmonious atmosphere, while Tatsuya got up and sent a message from his desk to Lina to bring Ryousuke to her.
As Lina brought Ryousuke to another room, she stood next to the window, looking at the outside.
She poses as if she doesn't want to have a conversation with Ryousuke, who is sitting in a chair ──not a sofa, but an ordinary employee's office chair.
Ryousuke doesn't seem offended by Lina's attitude. Ryousuke is self-aware that he looks suspicious, and in fact, he's trying to spy on the Magian Company. The suspicion is not unfounded.
On the other hand, Lina's attitude is not out of spite. Nor, of course, from shyness.
(This guy was eyeing me earlier……. He seemed to be trying to do a measure of the enemy's strength.)
Lina could feel his eyes on her back as he measured her combat prowess until they arrived in this room. It wasn't as clear if it was hostile, but it was a gaze that could hardly be described as friendly. It's not the kind of thing you'd point uninvitedly at a member of the group you're trying to join.
(No, …….Didn't he say he wanted to be a colleague?)
Lina remembers what Ryousuke said at the entrance. This young man only said 'I want to work at Magian Company'. He didn't even say "I want to work with you" let alone "I want to be a part of it".
(In some sense, is he the type that can't lie……? While that may be the case it doesn't mean he's a good guy, though)
Personality aside, he was certainly a person to be wary of. . Lina thought from the perspective of an ex-military officer.
Fighting ability, in particular, cannot be underestimated.
Lina's own real non-magical combat skills were by no means high. But in the unlikely event that she's forced into a situation where she can't use magic, she had her close combat skills rigorously trained in Stars.
That's why I know. This guy is pretty good at it.
By the looks of it, Ryousuke is slightly shorter than Tatsuya. He's probably about 180 centimeters tall. Except for his height, he had a very normal build as far as what could be seen from an over clothing observation, and his muscles did not seem to be particularly well developed. However, the way he carried himself was clearly not that of an amateur.
(Unfortunately, with my abilities, I can't say how strong he is.)
As Lina is aware, it's impossible to tell, for example, whether Ryousuke or Tatsuya is stronger, or if they fight without magic, who would win. But without magic, he is probably stronger than her. That was Lina's conclusion. Hence, Lina couldn't relax and couldn't even allow herself to be relaxed.
"Um"
Suddenly, Ryousuke spoke to her and Lina reluctantly turned around. From the start, she didn't take her eyes off him. In her pose, she was looking outside. But, in truth, she was using the reflection of the glass to keep an eye on him. Still, it would be unnatural to remain in the pose of looking out when you're approached. Besides, it's not polite.
In places such as this, Lina is the one who would be described as a virtuous person.
"What is it?"
Lina's response was even more curt than she had intended, but Ryousuke didn't show any sign of caring about it.
"May I ask your name?"
Lina realizes now that she hadn't said her name. She thinks to herself, "Shoot……!" she thought, but she didn't show it in her face.
"It's Angelina Kudou Shields"
"Thank you. It's Shields-san, right? I am…"
"No, it's fine. You must be Tookami Ryousuke, right?"
Lina herself was puzzled by her own blunt tone, but at this point she gave up on correcting it. Perhaps it was an unconscious reflection of the wariness she had been pining for towards the other side.
It wasn't a desirable behavior as Miyuki's bodyguard, but it wasn't like he was someone she needed to take into consideration.
Lina convinced herself of that.
"Yes, that's right. Um, Shields-san."
"What?"
"Can I ask you one more question?"
"You can ask questions, but I may not be able to answer them."
Lina responds in a bothered manner.
The arrogant attitude of a woman who appears to be younger than him may have offended him, as Ryousuke's expression tightens slightly. But he didn't reveal any more emotion further.
"I won't insist for you to answer me."
"Well, then, ask it."
"Shields-san, are you a mercenary of the Yotsuba family?"
"Huh?"
Lina's unintentional dumbfounded voice was not an act.
(What are you talking about, this guy……)
She might appreciate his observation ability to see that she was not a mere young girl and that she was at least at the level of combat power beyond a mercenary employed by the Yotsuba family. But does he really think that the person he just met today would answer such an intrusive question?
"The answer is no. I'm one of the directors of the Company. I don't have the right to represent it, though."
There was no righteousness in that, however Lina answered honestly. She wasn't a mercenary of the Yotsuba family, since the person she was on loan to was Tatsuya personally, not the Yotsuba family.
"But why are you asking me that?"
Did Lina give an honest answer to the question to give it more strength.
Ryousuke actually looked hesitant for a moment, but then opened his mouth as if he felt it was unfair not to answer, as if he was the only one who didn't have a choice.
"I saw with my own eyes the commander of the Stars at the site of a riot in the former Mexican territory before."
(The former Mexican territory……. That time!)
Lina raises her voice in her mind. Lina hadn't forgotten the time she had been dispatched to suppress the insurrection that had occurred in the former Mexican territory in April of 2097. She had stood at the front of the line in the form of Angie Sirius at that scene, keeping her compatriots from running amok and calming the situation down.
"I got a sense from Shields-san that your true strength is as good as the commander at that time……."
(Don't tell me that, this guy realized that I'm Sirius!?)
Lina barely suppressed the agitation under her skin, only to get a quizzical look from Ryousuke's eyes in return.
"I was wondering what on earth, sort of purpose, that the Yotsuba family had to hire a foreign magician that was as good as the commander of the Stars."
(……Looks like he didn't discover my identity, after all.)
Lina gave herself an imaginary pat on chest on her mind as Ryousuke continued, "as good as the Stars," Ryousuke expressed. That meant that he didn't consider Lina a member of the Stars.
"That's not true either"
"What is……?"
"I'm not a foreigner, you know. I'm now a naturalized Japanese citizen."
This was unnecessary information that didn't need to be given, but Lina must have served it up involuntarily in response to her relief.
"Oh, that was it. I'm sorry for being rude."
It's not rude, since the result reinforces the answer "I'm not a mercenary."
(And for that matter, ……why was he even at the site of the riot?)
In fact, it could be said that Lina got more information from this conversation than Ryousuke did.
Lina's suspicions about Ryousuke just got deeper and deeper.
She received a call from Tatsuya just before the silence after their brief conversation turned uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go."
Lina doesn't even try to mend her tone at this point. She turned to Ryousuke once and promptly headed for the exit of the room.
Ryousuke followed behind her so as not to fall behind.
Facing Tatsuya once again, Ryousuke felt tense as if it was too late for backing up now.
(This guy is three years younger than me, if I'm not mistaken……)
It wasn't the tension of the job interview. Having said that, Ryousuke didn't have any burning desire to work for the Magian Company.
Nor did he feel pressured by the title of the strongest magician that surpasses Strategic-Class Magicians, or the title of genius Magic Engineer Taurus Silver.
(Ridiculous. It's totally flawless……. Isn't this guy stronger than those bullshit masters……?)
Ryousuke's inherited 'Toogami' magic has an almost invincible defense once it is activated, but unfortunately it is not suitable for long-term deployment. It' s the same as other magic, in that it is useless for defending yourself if you are caught by surprise. In which case, bringing such a defensive power would be a waste.
In order to learn how to deal with surprise attacks, Ryousuke put more effort into developing his martial arts skills than practicing magic when he was in high school. Devoting himself to the point where he forgot to eat and sleep.
Fortunately, Ryousuke met some strong masters in Hokkaido ──but not good masters── and learned enough skills to approach a level of mastery at a young age.
But, even through such, Ryousuke's eyes couldn't see the extent of Tatsuya's might as a warrior.
Ryousuke was in a state of profound shock. He secretly thought that he could win if he could bring him to a close-combat fight, even if he was a Strategic-Class Magician.
The reason for his tension and shock is from this shake in his confidence. It hadn't reached the point of being shattered yet. Even in the face of Tatsuya, Ryousuke knew he could handle hand-to-hand combat. But he wasn't so sure anymore.
"You don't have to stray so far. Let's talk and try to understand each other first."
(──!!!)
Ryousuke felt dismayed when Tatsuya pointed out that he was feeling overwhelmed. He didn't realize that he had been subconsciously simulating in his head how he would fight against Tatsuya.
They aren't at that stage right now. No, FEHR didn't decide to make Tatsuya an enemy in the first place. He cannot allow himself to fall into an hostile relationship with him at his own discretion.
Ryousuke did his best to calm his mind by remembering the smile of his beloved and respected Rena.
(That smile… I can't let it be clouded because of me.)
He repeated a few quiet, slow, deep breaths. After all that, Ryousuke's mind regained its composure.
"Tookami-san"
Seeing that it was a good moment, Tatsuya spoke to Ryousuke.
(……Did he read my breathing?)
Ryousuke didn't think it was a coincidence. He has been holding the pace completely up to this point.
"Why do you want to join the Magian Company?"
Ryousuke quietly exhaled and blew out the residue of his turmoil.
After calming his mind, Ryousuke pulled the answer he had thought of beforehand from his memory.
"It's because I want to participate in activities to protect the rights of my people in the growing crisis of persecution against the holders of the magic gift"
This isn't a lie to infiltrate the Magian Company. The FEHR, of which he was a member, had the same underlying goal. There was no hesitation in saying it.
"Tookami-san, I understand that you returned from the former Canadian territory in the USNA, but which one of the former Canadian territories?"
He hadn't expected this question, but he didn't feel the need of dodging it.
"Vancouver"
"Wasn't there a political organization in Vancouver called FEHR, which was supposedly dedicated to protecting the rights of magicians, didn't you consider joining that one?"
Ryousuke couldn't help but choke for a moment. He had to do everything he could to hold himself together so that no more agitation would show on his face. It was completely beyond his expectations that Tatsuya would know about the FEHR.
"I still wanted to work in my home country rather than work in the USNA,"
"I see."
Tatsuya didn't seem to doubt Ryousuke's words. But Ryousuke couldn't lose focus. He couldn't read Tatsuya's true intentions, which made him feel impatient again.
"Nevertheless, the Magian Company has no intention of being a political organization. It may not be in line with your wishes, Tookami-san."
This was another unforeseen surprise attack in Ryousuke's eyes.
"So what is Magian Company's business?"
But this time, he quickly shoots back with a rejoinder.
You're here for a job interview, but you didn't even look into it──?
But Tatsuya didn't say that.
Tatsuya repeated the same explanation he gave to Mayumi. And yet she is still in the room. She looks uncomfortable in the spare chair put out by the wall, probably feeling embarrassed now that she had come for an interview without looking at the side and researching the business of the company she was going to join.
"……Is Magical Engineering the only thing you teach at that academy?"
Ryousuke asked after hearing Tatsuya's explanation.
"It's not magical engineering, but the knowledge and methods of applying magic to industrial technology. We are also arranging for related courses on magical engineering and regular chemistry and engineering."
"I'm sure there are holders of the magic gift who are not suited to be technicians."
"That's probably true. But we can't cover everything from the start, and there's a limit to what Magian Company can do on its own. In the future, we'll be partnering with other institutions of specialized education."
"Such as with private military companies, for example?"
At the time of World War III and for a while after the end of the war, the standard in the world for combat magicians was to be enclosed within the national army. However, at a certain point in time, it became possible to allow the existence of combat magicians in the private sphere. Japan's Ten Master Clans is a prime example.
Along with this, Private Military Companies (PMC) made up of magicians have also emerged, albeit in small numbers. Examples of these companies include Britain's 'Unseen Arms' and Spain's 'Soldad Mysterio'. Hanabishi Hyougo, who serves as Tatsuya's butler, also belonged to a private military company 'Unseen Arms'.
These Private Military Companies are also commissioned to train magicians in combat. If he is willing to reach out to train mercenaries and guards, he would naturally look to partner with these companies.
"That's not going to happen."
But Tatsuya's answer was a resounding "no."
"Magian Company will never touch the military side of things. And when I say 'Company', I don't mean that. I mean 'the association of people'."
The word "Company" in English can also mean "Company of infantry", which is what Tatsuya meant when he said "mean".
Ryousuke didn't doubt his words. Within FEHR, Tatsuya is perceived as a person with an extreme dichotomy. On one side, there is "Demon King of Destruction, that caused the Scorched Halloween", and on the other side, there is the "Creative Taurus Silver, the magical engineering genius". Ryousuke had concluded at this stage that Magian Company apparently reflects the creative side of Shiba Tatsuya.
But there's no guarantee that it's not just unsubstantial. Even if it wasn't, it would be impossible for Ryousuke to discern the answer just by listening to him.
"If that's true, then please let me ^{ [11]}work at that school!"
Ryousuke bowed his head vigorously.
He meant to bow in order to complete the task assigned to him by Rena, the leader of the FEHR.
But Ryousuke didn't realize that he had just called himself "Ore".
He was so agitated that he forgot to keep the appearances, and correct his speech style.
FEHR's purpose is to protect the human rights of the holders of the magic gift. But you can't just live off of advocating for human rights. They need jobs to make a living.
Deep down, Ryousuke was aware of that.
The urge that arose in his heart was almost the same as the one Mayumi had felt. Only that he was even less self-aware of its nature than Mayumi was.
"Tookami-san. I have one concern in hiring you."
"What is it?"
Ryousuke turns his passionate, almost seething eyes to Tatsuya.
"You are a Extra of the Ten. Based on your age, the exile happened in your parents' generation, or one generation before that, right?"
"……It was my father who became a Extra."
" I see. Tookami-san, if you have some kind of lingering grudge against the Former Tenth Institute and its associated people, I hope you won't bring that into your work. The Company does not give preferential treatment or cold shoulder to any individual Magian, no matter his or her background. If you demand any kind of special treatment because you have been a victim in the past, we are not going to respond to it. Do you understand that?"
"It's understandable, and I think it's only natural."
Ryousuke immediately agreed in response. There were no lies or tricks there. Originally, Ryousuke didn't have any grudges or an inferiority complex about the fact that he was of a lineage of Extras.
"Splendid."
After going through a few more questions and answers, Tatsuya decided to employ him at the Magian Company.
11:30 PM.
Returning to her room on the top floor of the building that served as Yotsuba family's headquarters in Tokyo, Lina switched on the Encrypted Communication Device.
[Hello, it' s Canopus. Long time no see, Lina]
The correspondent is Benjamin Canopus, her subordinate during her time with the Stars and perhaps her most trusted former colleague, or rather her confidant. His current rank is that of Colonel. He was promoted to the newly created position of Commander-in-Chief of Stars Base and now commands the Stardust Unit, which was previously a separate organization.
In addition, the position of general Commanding Officer "Sirius" is currently vacant in Stars.
"Mornin, Ben. It's been a long time. You' re still early in the morning."
It is 8:30 a.m. in New Mexico, where the Stars Headquarters base is located. It wasn't surprising that he hadn't yet gone to work at the commander's office.
[It's probably the middle of the night over there, right? Was there any trouble?]
"It's not so much to the point of trouble, but……. Ben, I could use your help."
[Please, do not hesitate to say so. I've been told by the General Staff to do my utmost to suit Lina's needs]
These words Canopus said weren't said without thinking, nor were they social pleasantries. The Pentagon ──not the White House── considered the Yotsubas and Shiba Tatsuya to be more important alliance partners than the Japanese Army. Three summers ago, Liam Spencer, who still holds the position of Secretary of Defense, sent his confidant Jeffrey James to meet with Tatsuya and, through him, established a personal connection with Tatsuya.
Spencer was also the leading candidate in the presidential race scheduled for this fall.
From the perspective of modern international politics, Tatsuya's presence is a sort of joker. He can strike a decisive blow anywhere in the world with little or no preparation and without being bound by egregious budgetary constraints. Not that he's a fear monger that brings desperation because of his effectiveness, but he isn't an existence that can be ignored either. A personal connection with Tatsuya is a powerful weapon for politicians, even if it isn't open to the public.
Lina is a tool, for lack of a better word, that the Secretary of Defense Spencer uses to maintain his connections with Tatsuya. It was also the tool that buried itself in Tatsuya's deepest reaches. Ordering the Chief of Staff to cater Lina's needs was a way for Spencer to secure his superiority over his rival.
"I'm sorry for making you indulge me."
[It's okay. Aren't we friends? …….So, what can I do for you?]
"I'd like to ask you to do some research on a certain person."
[Hoh, a research. There was an infiltration by a spy?]
"It could be a spy. That's what I want you to find out."
[I understand. Do you have the name of the subject?]
"The name is Ryousuke Tookami. He is a Japanese man of twenty-three years of age who returned from Vancouver today, Japan time."
In a usual back-and-forth order, he checked his passport used shortly after he was hired by the Magian Company. Lina has also checked the data as an employee - not an employee, but an associate who is a shareholder in the corporation.
[Vancouver? There's a magical supremacist organization there, as I recall]
"He seems like the exchange student we used to infiltrate Japan four years ago."
In January 2096, USNA sent a large number of secret agents to Japan to investigate the identity of the Strategic-Class Magician who caused the "Scorched Halloween". At that time, the USNA offered a mass exchange program to Japan in order to send magicians to Japan, which would normally be restricted from entering the country, and got their consent.
[This man was a college student before he came back to Japan?]
"According to his own declaration, he had dropped out of college and was working as a security guard at a shopping mall just before he returned home."
[It's a common occupation to cover up underground activities. Understood. I'll take care of it]
"I'll send you a copy of the passport as investigation data."
As she said this, Lina sent the image data of the passport from the storage medium she had set in the Encrypted Communication Device.
[I've received it. I'll have it checked out as soon as possible]
"Please."
[I will let you know as soon as I find something]
"Thank you very much. Then, until later."
After finishing the transmission with Canopus, Lina took off her clothes and crawled into bed.
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