Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 11 - Visitor (III) - Chapter 17.1

Chapter 17

Even though she had no way to view the spirits' true bodies, Lina sensed that 'that' had perished. The mass of 'information' had stopped — frozen, then crumbled. If being able to manipulate Psions within the dimension of information is the norm for magicians, there was no way a magician of the highest calibre like the 'Sirius' would not notice the collapse of such a high number of Psions.

"Lunar magic.....?"

And although she herself could not use Mental Interference magic, by using her magic sensitivity it was possible to guess from the result what sort of magic had been used.

Lunar magic is what English speaking magicians use to refer to a particular branch of mental interference magic, that which specifically targets and directly damages the spirit, and is named for one of the most famous Outer-systematic mental attack magics 'Lunar Strike'.

Lunar Strike, of the magics outside the Mental Interference system, unusually has its processes formulated out; since it is used by Stars of the 'First Class stars' rank then in the event that they became the enemy, the method of counteracting it was taught.

Naturally Lina had seen Lunar Strike countless times and thus although it was her first time seeing Cocytus and she did not fully understand its mechanisms, she was able to deduce that it had caused fatal damage to the spirit.

That, and that the caster had been Miyuki.

"Lunar magic of this power......Miyuki, you......no, just what are you two siblings?"

Still on the ground, Lina muttered.

If she had used this magic during their duel......thoughts like that did not fully materialise in her mind. Shock still took up too much of her thought processes for now.

Actually, Miyuki was in a similar state.

Half lost in ecstasy, she was still firmly held in Tatsuya's embrace. In addition to that she had gone all out with her magic for the first time in a while, as well as having seen the world through Tatsuya's eyes; she was likely still drunk with it all.

The two who were previously in a bad mood were now in a state of chaos; this was a chance. Tatsuya took the communication unit from his ear and switched it off.

"Lina, do not reveal what you saw just now."

Looking down at her, his voice was low and intimidating.

"W-What, suddenly......"

If she had been her normal self, such overbearing methods would have been counterproductive. But as Tatsuya expected, Lina was not her normal self.

She had been under enormous stress, and now with the disappearance of the target which had been such a tense load on her she had fallen into a state of collapse. It was a perfect condition for 'persuasion'.

"In return, we'll pledge to keep the identity of Angie Sirius secret. This applies not just to me and Miyuki, but everyone else involved in the incident today."

Lina gave no reply.

Blue eyes jittered between Tatsuya's. Gradually, he could see cognitive processes coming back.

Duty.

Suspicion.

Defensiveness,

Vindication.

Various thoughts flickered through her eyes, as within her (psychologically) rationalisation dawned. Tatsuya wasn't particularly skilled in psychoanalysis nor was he a telepath so he wasn't perfectly clear, but he intuitively knew that Lina was trying to convince herself somehow.

Her conflict didn't last very long.

"I have no choice in the matter do I?"

"It's not like that."

Tatsuya refuted her resigned words. He didn't elaborate on the consequences of her refusing either however.

Suspicion nurtures anxiety. Those unspoken words, or rather his unspoken action, were the final push.

"Fine......if it keeps you quiet, it's not a bad deal for me. I'll remain silent about you two. ......No one will listen to what I have to say anyway."

That last phrase was mouthed quietly, so Tatsuya didn't hear. He didn't ask for clarification.

He was carrying Miyuki who was still limp; when she suddenly came to and started wriggling around he told her 'calm down' as they turned away from Lina.

Only faced away, not moving.

Immediately before Lina could call out in suspicion to Tatsuya,

"Lina."

Tatsuya called out to Lina instead.

"Is there something else?"

From her words alone it could be interpreted that Lina was still annoyed, but her voice was not as sullen as her words.

The air of being cornered a while ago had disappeared.

"If you wish to retire from the Stars......"

"Eh?"

"If you ever wish to quit being a soldier, I think I could help. No, it's not that I have any power, but there are people I know who could be of service."

"Tatsuya? Just, what are you saying?"

Lina didn't angrily burst out 'it's none of your business' or laughed out 'don't be a fool'.

"It's not that I particularly want to quit the Stars......to stop being 'Sirius'."

She simply answered in wonder.

"I see."

Without looking back, Tatsuya curtly replied, then began to walk.

"Wait, Tatsuya! Why did you say such a thing!?"

Not turning around to Lina who called out in a loud voice,

"Sorry, I said something strange."

He merely spoke those words, and proceeded on.

The mechanical doll accompanying him likewise took no notice of Lina.

Only Miyuki, still held in Tatsuya's arms, looked back over his shoulder, giving Lina an anxious look.

As Tatsuya's form disappeared into the dark night, Lina returned to herself with a sigh.

Realizing she had simply been motionlessly staring at Tatsuya's back, she rose from the ground in a hurry.

Why had her eyes been so resolutely following his back......the moment such thoughts entered into her mind, Lina vigorously shook her head.

(It's just because he said something so weird. That's obviously it!)

Unconsciously, she had been fixed on his form all the while.

As soon as she was aware of her own actions, she also became aware of her flushed cheeks and the racing of her heart.

The fact was that she had merely been dragged into a 'misunderstanding' of her own making, but having in a sense fallen into his trap Lina was in no position to make a sober objective analysis. She was now being held captive in a psychological state similar to the suspension bridge effect.

In order to deflect the mortifying thought of 'love' from her consciousness, Lina desperately searched for anything else to think about. As a result, her mind fixated on his last question.

Tatsuya's puzzling proposal.

Wondering just why would he say such a thing, Lina tilted her head.

Was it because her face, her form, being attacked by monsters and having to dispose of her fellow countrymen, seemed to be in pain?

If that was the case then he was mistaken, Lina thought.

Being forced to turn her hand against her 'family' certainly caused her chest to ache.

Yet Lina believed her actions were merciful. That she was bringing them salvation.

She had long since learned that humans' dignity was something precious.

—It was difficult work, yet someone had to do it.

—She would not run from it.

—If a powerful magician fell to evil, then the only one who could oppose them was the strongest, Sirius, in other words only she herself......

(......Only she herself?)

Having never thought the matter over, Lina's thinking now stumbled.

Disposing of those fallen magicians before they gave birth to new victims. As the strongest, she was indeed the most suited for the task.

There had been no doubt in her mind — until now.

She now knew that was not an absolute.

Even if she didn't do it, those two would.

Even if she hadn't put herself through all the pain, the guilt of killing her brothers, those two would—

(I see......that's why I was so lost, so impatient.)

The cobwebs which had clouded her mind for most of the month now melted away as if the sun had dawned.

Even if she herself doesn't do it, someone else would.

For Lina, it was like discovering something unimaginable.

She realized that her future she had thought to be decided, unchangeable, was something she could choose for herself. The straight road she had always thought lay before her suddenly branched — and with it came both anxiety and hope.

Having finally awakened from her illusion, Lina stayed wrapped in confusion for a while.

Tatsuya's destination was the location of the two previously sealed Parasites. But someone had already gotten there first.

Two groups faced each other.

One was a black-clad group, led by an old man deeply wrinkled with years yet standing firm.

The other was also black-clad, led by a young lady in a black one piece dress.

Although facing each other, it didn't mean they were hostile. The group led by the girl, at any rate, showed no hostility towards the group led by the old man. That was probably because the girl, their leader, herself showed no hostility towards him.

Rather, the girl looked at the old man with respect. —At least, apparently.

"Your Excellency Kudou, it is an honor to see you."

The girl came forward and curtsied gracefully. Despite the elegance, however, there was no modesty. The light within her eyes was far too strong for that.

"My name is Kuroba Ayako. I am but a lowly member of the Yotsuba, and I serve at our Head, Maya's, convenience."

Raising her head, Ayako gave a playful smile.

A provocative yet withdrawn, enigmatic smile.

As expected, however, Kudou Retsu did not rise to the bait.

"A representative of the Yotsuba, is it. You seem solid, despite your youth. It appears you already know about me. Or should I introduce myself regardless?"

Close — although not in terms of friendliness — with Maya, Kudou was publicly of the same status, a fellow Head of one of the Ten Master Clans. The way he said 'Yotsuba', and the way he now looked upon Ayako who was of age with his grandchildren, was as an 'adversary'.

"No, that will not be necessary."

A light befitting his intentions dwelled within Kudou's eyes. Yet before that, Ayako's cutesy yet fearless attitude didn't break.

"By the way Your Excellency, we don't have much time, so there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

At her hasty, or rather determined, attitude, the Kudou elder showed no sign of discomfort. He didn't think things were as rushed as that, but since he also wished to conclude things quickly he went along with it.

"Go ahead."

"My thanks."

At the old man's liberality Ayako gave another theatrical bow, then looked straight into his eyes.

"I'm afraid that Your Excellency's objective, the beings called Parasites sealed here which you had intended to bring back, have also been tasked to be retrieved by us as per my Head's orders."

"Hou."

The light in Kudou's eyes increased in sharpness and intensity.

At that light a hint of trepidation crept into Ayako's face, yet she rebounded with a firm smile immediately.

"—By happy circumstance, however, there appear to be two sealed vessels. How about this, one for Your Excellency, and one for us?"

Maintaining her firm smile, Ayako looked into the old man's eyes and awaited his answer.

Kudou laughed unexpectedly.

Loudly, and in enjoyment.

"Oh my......indeed. And you are yet but a junior high student."

Ayako had not told Kudou her age. His words implied that he had already pre-investigated her before she ever introduced herself.

There was no sign of disturbance in Ayako this time. It was her attitude that it was little wonder Kudou Retsu would have examined even a Yotsuba pawn such as herself.

Having herself known that Kudou Retsu would be taking to the field, that he would know of her was no surprise.

"Very well. Let us get along and go with one each."

"Thank you very much, Your Excellency."

Without changing her expression, Ayako patted her chest in relief.

She had no illusions as to her own magic strength. While she was not restricted in her magic like Tatsuya, she was not as universal as Miyuki either. She was a magician with defined strengths and weaknesses. And short range, direct combat magic was decidedly not one of her strengths.

She did not believe for a moment she could have hoped to take on one who was once lauded as the 'world's most skilled'.

Ayako gave silent thanks that by chance there had been two.

And—

(Tatsuya-san, I was able to perform my duty safely thanks to you.)

Even if Tatsuya hadn't agreed to cooperate, there wouldn't have been a time to request it anyway; Ayako slyly muttered in her mind.

In Tatsuya's arms, Miyuki huddled.

However much she pleaded, Tatsuya would not put her down. Miyuki was not particularly petite for a lady, and was of a moderate weight. However much Tatsuya was trained there was no way the weight would not eventually be felt, but Tatsuya's arms cradling Miyuki wavered not in the slightest. Rather, he was carrying her so carefully that Miyuki did not feel any swaying despite the unevenness of the ground.

From their everyday conduct and behaviour, Miyuki would be the natural suspect for initiating skinship. However, Miyuki didn't now even cling to Tatsuya's neck; she merely clasped her hands to her chest and withstood embarrassment.

The silence was painful.

Not bitter; yet, her chest ached.

It felt as if her breathing would stop, and her heart would burst — from the perspective of others it would no doubt be a surprising 'overreaction', but Miyuki herself was desperately searching for 'something to talk about' in her overheating mind.

"Onii-sama, about Lina?"

This was what came out.

Tatsuya had shown beyond ordinary care towards Lina. At least, far beyond that of a mere friend.

Because she understood, truthfully Miyuki had not wanted to bring the topic up with her brother.

But now nothing else came to mind.

"Yeah?"

"Lina......did she seriously take Onii-sama's words to heart?"

Besides, Miyuki was also worried about her.

"I don't know. There's no way I could. I'm not her after all."

Somewhere under Tatsuya's tone was the feeling that it was unnecessary meddling.

Of course Miyuki knew her brother's words had been anything but. Even in Miyuki's eyes, the impulsive yet good-hearted Lina was ill-suited for the military. It may have not been her place, but looking at Lina she felt extremely conflicted.

"Lina has her own circumstances. Not being able to find her way is not something limited to her alone."

"Yet Onii-sama, you had reached out to her right......? Why?"

"Why, what?"

Miyuki was well aware that they were stepping into uncharted territory. If they were to stop, it had to be now.

But Miyuki did not stop.

"Onii-sama......why did you feel you had to help Lina? Is it because......you have special feelings concerning her?"

Tatsuya's eyes widened upon hearing his sister's words, but it was only for a moment.

"You seem to be misunderstanding things in various ways......"

Tatsuya gave a wry smile. But his expression wasn't very serious. At least, he seemed to be trying to answer his sister's question in good faith.

"As you say, this is the first time I've interacted with someone like Lina. Until now, everyone in the military was much older than me, and they had all chosen their path."

One by one, he carefully went over the misconceptions.

"The feelings I have towards Lina are not the kind you think. Bluntly speaking, I simply think it'd be convenient in the future if Lina were to leave the Stars. If possible not just exit the army, but move here. Naturalising as a Japanese citizen would be best."

No lies could be felt in Tatsuya's words. This close together, they could sense each other. Miyuki was confident she would be able to detect any falsehood in her brother's speech.

"Of course, it's not like I feel no sympathy. In a sense, Lina and I are very similar. You could say that we're in the same category."

Tatsuya's eyes were far away.

"Both Lina and I were placed 'where we are now' by no will of our own. And although I can at least say that I 'selected' to come to First High, Lina probably didn't even have that trivial choice."

Although his eyes were fixed on Miyuki, his gaze was somewhere further.

"I took the choice I was not granted. I discarded the 'role' I had been assigned, and leaped from the stage I was given. If Lina had hoped for something similar, as someone who was in the same place as her I thought I would like to lend her my strength......"

As Tatsuya hesitated, his eyes shifted their focus back to Miyuki and he smiled uncomfortably.

"In any case, it seems it was rather, unnecessary?"

There was a reason for the turbulence in Tatsuya's tone.

Up to now Miyuki had been huddled in Tatsuya's arms, yet now she embraced him tightly

Without thinking, Tatsuya released his hold on his sister.

That being said he didn't suddenly drop her but gently let her down, probably something subconsciously ingrained into his body.

Even as she touched the ground, Miyuki's arms never left Tatsuya's neck.

"It wasn't unnecessary...... Onii-sama's care will definitely someday, someday soon, reach Lina."

Tatsuya felt his sister's words flow into him, seeping into his chest.

"I mean, after this incident, Lina must definitely be *doubting who she is now*. She's a bit simple, but Lina is a smart girl. Having been this deeply involved with Onii-sama, there's no way no questions would enter her mind."

"'Simple' is rather cruel."

Miyuki looked up, and moved her arms to Tatsuya's shoulders.

The siblings laughed together, then peacefully walked side by side.

Despite being a machine, or due to being a machine, having read the mood(?) Pixie had turned into a literal doll, and followed in silence.

Even the heartwarming air between the siblings couldn't help but change upon seeing this.

The place where they had first sealed the Parasites was empty. The two sealed Parasites had been taken away by someone.

"I'm sorry, Tatsuya-san......I didn't intend to look away."

"......Tatsuya-san, I'm so sorry!"

"Tatsuya, please don't blame Shibata-san and Mitsui-san. I can guarantee that they didn't slack off. I didn't notice at all that the sealed 'vessels' had been taken away. Even though it was my seal......"

"You guys, don't blame yourselves. I don't mind at all."

Hearing that completely discouraged voice, that self-hating voice and that regretful voice issuing from the communication device, Tatsuya strove to reply with a bright tone.

"Tatsuya-san......"

They possibly misunderstood it as him trying to cheer them up. Tatsuya's attitude had not merely been out of consideration towards them; he truly wasn't concerned.

......He was amazed however.

"We got blindsided, but all it means is that they one-upped us this one time. We hadn't really considered what to do with them after the capture anyway, so there's no point being caught up in it forever."

As Tatsuya said, they hadn't made any plans about what to do 'after the capture'. They had only vaguely considered 'maybe we'll ship them off to Mikihiko's place', as they themselves had no use for the sealed Parasites whatsoever.

Meaning, the ones who had carried them off at least had something to do with them. If it were them, all they might end up doing was accidentally release the Parasites.

(But, well......were they aiming for this?)

"Onii-sama?"

It seemed she was misunderstanding his silence. At Miyuki's anxious inquiry, Tatsuya shook his hand in reassurance.

From his state, Miyuki knew Tatsuya was making a guess as to who the culprits were. If he traced back, he could probably track them down, she thought.

—Certainly, Tatsuya had used his 'vision'. He knew approximately what had happened here.

However, before that, one of the 'culprits' had left a message here for Tatsuya.

The reason he was so listless was primarily because of that.

A gust of wind blew, and stirred up the dead leaves not stuck to the soil.

Mixed amongst them were black feathers [10] , probably from a crow, that were captured by Tatsuya's own two eyes.

When Tatsuya rejoined the duo of Erika and Leo, both Naotsugu and the Sword Corps had already withdrawn.

They patted each other's backs, didn't pry deeply into what had happened, and went back.

Pixie was left in the school garage.

In order to enter the school after jumping the fence they had to return to the main gate, but neither Leo nor Erika said 'it's a bother, I'm going home'.

After joining with Mikihiko and the others, the seven of them left school as a group.

Such a large group leaving school at this time received no little suspicion from the gate guard as they exited, but they had prepared an excuse beforehand, and thanks to the dazzling smiles from the girls they left without a severe questioning.

And so, the long night ended.

The events of tonight, the people, demons and spirits, signaled the dawn of a new history in the contention of those who vied from the shadows, yet Tatsuya himself was little aware of this at the time.

Epilogue

The excitement could be heard floating on the wind. The grounds of First High School were full of joyful voices. If he strained his ears, it was possible to hear crying voices mingled in with them as well, but those were not necessarily unhappy ones.

In contrast, the cafeteria was barren. There were scattered figures whose number was less than the fingers on both hands. By the way, this did not mean that the students here were playing hooky from classes in session.

Today was the graduation ceremony.

Tatsuya was not using a paper cup; he sipped his coffee from a proper ceramic cup and placed the cup down directly on the table without a saucer (it hadn't had a saucer from the start).

And, he looked down on the multipurpose watch that most magicians did not use.

The time indicated that the ceremony itself was already over.

Those voices were probably the graduates leaving the site of the graduation ceremony, Tatsuya surmised.

Afterward, parties would be held in two small gyms. It gave off an unpleasant feeling that even at a time like this the first and second course students were segregated, but it might be that the people themselves felt more relaxed this way.

To be correct, normally this was not the most suitable thing. But second course students might be somewhat tentative when they were with first course students and first course students might not celebrate as much (primarily, about their entering Magic University) in the presence of the second course students. Because there was no difference between the food, drinks and other stuff, it was probably unnecessary to quibble about the different locations, Tatsuya thought.

However, due to the separated locations, it certainly took more people to do the labor than it should have. Because the contractors assigned to make the facilities and the cafeteria staff that prepared the food for the two sites received an extra bonus, they probably wouldn’t complain about the ‘superfluous work,’ but on the other hand, the Student Council hosting the graduation parties was on the top of the list of people complaining loudly about the superfluous work.

It was probably understandable.

Tatsuya was waiting for Miyuki, who was extremely busy with the management of today’s graduation parties.

It should be added — so that there are no misunderstandings — that he had offered to help with the preparations and management.

And had been repeatedly refused.

Azusa and the rest had clearly wanted the help.

However, Miyuki had determinedly refused Tatsuya’s assistance.

"There is no reason to bother Onii-sama with this matter!"

With this emphatic objection to even asking him for the slightest bit of help, Azusa could do nothing but refuse him.

Well, even without his sister’s excessive consideration(?), for many of the first course students and not too few second course students, Tatsuya’s presence would be slightly awkward.

He was the owner of abilities and achievements that cast doubts on the distinction between the first and second course.

For the third years, he was the rock that threw their final year into confusion. Not taking part was probably the correct move.

Naturally, when it was finally decided that he would not help out with today’s parties, there were people who indirectly said things similar to "this is all for the better" and sometimes(?) Mayumi was there when it happened and for some reason she blatantly steamed.

Mayumi had safely been accepted by Magic University. With her proven abilities and achievements, this could be thought of as inevitable; however, even with the damages from ‘vampires’ abruptly ceasing since that night, she unmistakably had to work harder because she couldn’t give the entrance examination her undivided attention.

She would, from April on, study at Magic University with Suzune and Katsuto, who had also been accepted — as was only proper.

Mari had not taken the exam for Magic University. She would be going to the Defense College. She did not give a reason. However, it seemed that she did not inform Mayumi beforehand and he had seen Mayumi make some harsh jibes to Mari about that — perhaps, she was hiding her loneliness.

The Magic University and the Defense College were not really that far apart; if they wanted to meet, they would be able to do so at any time; still, to have the friend — the pair might not like to call each other friends, but everyone else had been labeling them that for some time — you thought was going to attend the same school with you go to a different school instead was probably not something that can be accepted easily.

Speaking of going to the Defense College—

"Shiba."

As Tatsuya was thinking that, a voice called out to him.

"Kobayakawa-senpai, hasn’t the party started already?"

This was the very person he had been thinking of.

"Ah, well it has, but I heard from Mari that you were here."

The magic abilities of Kobayakawa had never recovered from the incident at the Nine Schools Competition, even with therapy that risked her life. There was no loss to her sensitivity to magic, but she could not use magic as long as the suspicion ‘that she couldn’t use magic’ was not eradicated.

It seemed that Kobayakawa had resolved to quit school in October.

However, with only half a year left, even if she transferred to a liberal arts or science high school, she clearly would not have enough time to prepare to graduate and prepare for college. It seemed that after transferring, she intended to spend a year as a Ronin and search for a new career path.

"Do you need me for something?"

"Ah, that is, what…naturally, it is difficult to speak of it face to face... But, it’s necessary. I want...to say thank you to you."

Tatsuya was comparatively earnest when he looked inquiringly at the red-faced, obviously embarrassed, Kobayakawa.

"I haven’t done anything that I deserve Kobayakawa-senpai’s thanks for."

"That’s not true!"

In the highly unpopulated cafeteria, Kobayakawa’s raised voice echoed pretty well. She was not expecting that, and from her downcast head, Tatsuya could see her face becoming slightly redder.

"The suggestion about a path that could make the best use of magic sensitivity and my knowledge about magic even if I couldn’t use it was yours, right?"

Tatsuya instantly started to scowl but didn’t out of consideration for Kobayakawa’s feelings.

"Did Watanabe-senpai let it slip..."

Even so, he could not hide the disgust in his voice.

"Don't say it like that. I forced Mari to spit it out."

"I asked Watanabe-senpai to pretend it was her own idea, yet she told you anyway."

All the third year female representatives to the Nine Schools competition, including Mari and Mayumi, had worried about Kobayakawa. Mari, who had narrowly escaped a similar incident, could not help taking it personally. Kobayakawa’s accident had led to the incident involving Hirakawa Chiaki in October, which only increased Mari’s worries.

After that incident, Mari had grumbled idle complaints at Tatsuya. She understood it was not his responsibility, but although she prefaced her complaints with that, the gist of her grumbling was ‘was there really no way to prevent Kobayakawa’s accident.’

Tatsuya had an answer for those doubts.

The answer was ‘he couldn’t.’

He was not all knowing and all powerful. And even if the ‘all powerful’ was omitted, he was far from ‘all knowing’. It was all he could do to use his observation power to cover the area around himself and Miyuki and take care of the duties he was responsible for, therefore he did not have the freedom to look after others. It was the same for the other members; because neither Kobayakawa herself nor Hirakawa Koharu (the elder of the Hirakawa sisters) who was responsible for her CAD had been aware of the trick, nobody else had caught it either.

However, it would be awkward to just coldly cut her off like that. So Tatsuya had sent their theoretical discussion down another route.

Tatsuya had heard from Fujibayashi a number of times that there was a dearth of tactical staff that understood how to take magic into consideration for tactical planning. Because there were so few people with a talent for magic, they were normally sent to the frontlines, so inevitably in an actual battle, the staff managing the tactical planning from the rear were all non-magicians who had only a theoretical understanding of magic.

If someone who was a superb magician but could not use magic for some reason was added to the tactical staff, then it would be much easier for the magicians on the frontlines to do their work than it was now. That was the idle complaint from Fujibayashi, who had seen the problems from both the front lines and in the rear, to Tatsuya. He had relayed that to Mari without naming who he had heard it from.

"Well, she tried to keep it from me. But, it didn’t seem like Mari was all that interested in hiding it."

"Geez, that girl..."

"I am glad she told me."

Kobayakawa’s sincere words interrupted Tatsuya’s statement expressing his annoyance.

"I wasn’t aware of it myself, but until I heard those words I was in a state of despair. I said ‘do you think this will defeat me,’ but it was a bluff, thinking that way was only to fool myself into not admitting that I already felt defeated."

Kobayakawa’s eyes watered; she was probably remembering how she was back then.

"But, when I heard that news from Mari, I felt like my eyes were truly opened. I thought 'this is the road I must follow.' This way I would not be left behind alone; it gave me hope that I would not be cut off from my fellow students that I had walked the road to become a magician with. In the eleventh hour, my life path suddenly changed; I thought that if I tried hard for just half a year, I could pass."

Kobayakawa’s face was once again red, undoubtedly she was embarrassed by the statements coming from her mouth.

Tatsuya did not feel the statements he heard were particularly embarrassing, but,

"So, Shiba, no, Shiba-kun, thank you."

Kobayakawa’s tone changed to a polite one as she bowed deeply.

Tatsuya was not so impudent as to sit while he was bowed to.

He got up from his chair and clicked his heels together.

Kobayakawa was not the only one who lifted her head up at the sudden sound of the clicked shoes; he accumulated the gazes of all of the small number of students in the cafeteria, but Tatsuya ignored that as something not worth paying attention to as he delivered the salute of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion.

"Shiba-kun..."

"Kobayakawa-senpai. It is trite, but good luck."

As he answered her with a salute, Tatsuya said that without embarrassment or laughter.

Tears swelled in Kobayakawa’s eyes once more however, and she nodded with a smile without crying.

"Senpai, the party has started."

"Yes, it has. Well then, goodbye. Good luck to you too!"

As she said goodbye and trotted off, Tatsuya sat down.

Mysteriously, the lukewarm coffee did not taste inferior.