Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 13.5 - SS - Chapter 3.1

SS 3: I could do it alone

In 2096, when preparations were underway for the Tournament of nine schools, sudden changes in the ongoing competitions dragged students from all high schools of magic into a whirlpool of chaos.

But when the participants started training for new competitions, among the innovations they were more confused not by the new events themselves, but by the introduction of a new pair format.

Saturday, July 7, 2096, after school. Chiyoda Kanon, chosen by the representative of the First School in the pair "Destruction of the Ice Pillars", was in a very bad mood.

And the reason was not even that she was forced to be temporarily separated from her beloved and beloved Isori Kay.

No, this, of course, right now also greatly worsened her mood. However, another and the main reason was the results of training matches held to prepare for the Tournament of nine schools.

Although they were called "matches", but it was just an intra-school practice. Probably more accurately you can call it "training in the form of a match." In these matches, the Canon-Shizuku team that was selected for the doubles competition opposed one Miyuki selected for the individual competition. These matches were held in an outdoor pool located on the territory of an artificial forest. At the moment, the score in the matches was: 0 wins and 4 losses.

Four wins for Miyuki and four defeats for the Canon-Shizuku couple.

At the moment, ice pillars were being prepared for the fifth match. And the preparation was not done by the support team members, but by the direct participant in these matches - Miyuki.

At first, the remnants of the ice pillars broken in the previous match were heated and melted. But instead of creating a heat source, the pool was simply filled with cold water, the temperature of which is above zero degrees - the melting temperature of ice.

Further, 24 water columns were formed by the magic of the movement system. The magic of a movement system is the magic that changes the coordinates of an object. Having indicated the coordinates in three dimensions, it is possible to make the water take the form of quadrangular pillars, as if filling vessels of this shape with themselves.

And these pillars instantly froze. For an absurdly short period of time, ice pillars 1x1 meter thick and 2 meters high were formed, 12 pieces on each side, at equal distances from each other.

These ice pillars looked as if they were cut out of the ice, and at the same time they had exactly the same size and shape. Looking at this perfectly smooth surface, Canon wondered in amazement whether it was necessary to go so far for training. However, she could not hide her awe before the magic power of Miyuki. How high should her suitability be for magic so that 24 columns of ice, each weighing 1.83 tons, are instantly formed and placed in their places? The canon could not even imagine what scale of magical abilities, and what force of intervention in the phenomenon must be in order to be able to do this. It seemed to her that her head would explode, she should even imagine the amount of information that is necessary to form and line up such a number of objects.

And Miyuki did it before every match against them. And after that she won a clear victory every time. Even one such defeat greatly pressured the nerves, and now there were already four in a row. Not only Canon, but anyone would be in a bad mood.

“Onii-sama, the preparation is complete.”

- Well done. Please take your position.

The second half of his speech was mainly for Canon and Shizuku. Miyuki was already heading towards her "platform" (a small wooden platform similar to the turrets used at festivals), which they used now as elevations for the Pillars Destruction players. Tatsuya did not even offer Miyuki a break.

It was the same as saying that she is the adversary of Canon so, between things. Of course, neither Tatsuya, nor Miyuki thought of anything like that, but Canon had just that feeling.

She could no longer lose.

This time she will strike back.

Despite the fact that in four matches the Canon was not able to destroy a single pillar that was under the protection of Miyuki, by the beginning of the fifth match her morale had flared up more than in a real battle.

The fifth match is over. Canon's gloomy mood reached the limit. She went and sat on a folding chair and turned her back revealingly and began to look in the opposite direction from Tatsui, who was studying the records of the past five matches.

Despite such childish behavior, she could only sympathize. After all, in the fifth match, they lost to Miyuki, without destroying any of her ice pillar. For all five matches, for all these five complete defeats, they did not break a single ice pillar. The Canon in charge of the attack simply had no choice but to behave this way after such a result.

While Miyuki and Shizuku, still standing in their positions, looked at each other with confusion with their “what to do?” Glances, Tatsuya calmly spoke, as if not paying attention to the angry Canon being exposed.

“Chiyoda-senpai is on the attack, Shizuku is on the defensive.” I do not think that such tactics are completely hopeless.

In general, Tatsuya, for his part, did not look towards the Canon. He set up CAD for Canon with an eye on the results of training matches.

In fact, this was also one of the reasons for the dissatisfaction of the Canon. By “this,” I did not mean that Tatsuya did not look at Canon, but that he took part in setting up her CAD.

In pair competitions, each participant received a separate engineer. In the women's doubles, Destruction of the Ice Pillars, Isori was responsible for the Canon. Tatsuya was appointed engineer Shizuku and singles Miyuki.

Because of the three people participating in the women's Destruction of the Ice Pillars (one in singles plus two in doubles), Tatsuya was in charge of two, he was assigned to oversee the training for this competition. Of course, in the end, Canon will be engaged in setting up CAD for Isori, but Tatsuya was the one who would collect the necessary data for this during training in order to transmit it to Isori.

Canon herself understood that this was reasonable. What Isori was good at was theoretical. In the field of practical skills, he was more inclined to what he specialized in - designing and making magic symbols using engraving magic. In truth, he was not very good at setting up CAD, not to mention even improving activation sequences. Canon understood this, and didn’t really want to strain Isori with the tuning work.

However, her mind was clouded with thoughts that she could not be with her beloved. Especially from the sight of Miyuki, who behaved in front of Tatsuya, like a spoiled little girl, Canon had thoughts like "why should it be Shiba-kun, not Kei!"

“You mean we didn't lose in magic?” And then what are we wrong about?

Therefore, she spoke in a too rude, even hostile tone.

- You were not mistaken, you just have a bad interaction. But this is normal, because you only work together the first day.

But Tatsuya did not seem to notice this explosion of anger emanating from the Canon in his direction. He only expressed in a calm tone what he wanted to say. But this was not because he acted like a gentleman, but because he was simply not worried about the psychological state of the Canon. Tatsuya had a rational point of view that Canon should not take care of the state, but Isori.

The opposite of "love" is "indifference." Although the proverb “from love to hate is one step”, it follows that the flip side of “friendliness” is not always “indifference,” but people almost always feel “indifference” directed at them exactly like “hate”. Tatsui's indifference caused Canon even more annoyance.

“... And what did we do wrong?”

Canon's tone of voice was already prickly like porcupine needles, but Tatsuya’s reaction did not change. It was a monotonous, as if machine voice.

“The senpai magic coverage area and the Shizuku Data Strength zone overlapped a bit.”

Hearing the words of Tatsui, Shizuku went to the Canon and bowed.

- Sorry, senpai. That's my fault.

Miyuki looked at Shizuka in surprise, who said that.

As Miyuki saw, it was just the opposite. Shizuku first imposed a separate Data Strengthening on each ice pillar in its half. But then, when the vibrational magic of Canon began to work not only in half of Miyuki, but also spread a little to their own half, Shizuku switched Data Strengthening from the overlay mode to individual columns to the covering mode for the entire area - their half of the pool.

However, Shizuku didn’t react at all to Miyuki’s look, and Tatsuya agreed with Shizuku’s apology.

- Right. To counter the magic of Miyuki used in the area, you have expanded the goal of fortification to your entire half of the pool. However, Data Strengthening is, after all, magic that is best applied to individual objects, rather than to an area. In “Destruction of the Pillars” you will not lose until at least one pillar is intact, so you should also pay attention to reducing the goals of Strengthening Data.

Listening to the advice that Tatsuya was giving to Shizuku, Miyuki thought that her brother was also able to understand what she understood. Moreover, his words seemed to take into account the psychological state of Canon.

Shizuku understood everything that was happening just like Miyuki. She apologized to Canon from the very beginning for the same reason.

- Yeah, I get it.

Therefore, Shizuku could so easily agree with too strict indications of a mistake. She, on the contrary, was glad that in the end everything happened in accordance with her intentions to solve everything peacefully.

Of course, that is precisely why now on the face of Shizuku, usually supporting an image of complete equanimity, a charming smile surfaced, with which she resembled a puppy waiting to be stroked. As if enchanted by this smile, Tatsuya also smiled slightly.

Miyuki instantly squeezed between Tatsuya and Shizuku with a smile on her face.

“Onii-sama, do you have any advice for me?”

Shizuku returned her usual expressionless face to hide her awkwardness.

Tatsuya showed a mixture of an ordinary and bitter smile, making the expression "there is nothing you can do about it."

“Miyuki, I will give you advice if you lose.” But I will punish you if you approach the battle through your sleeves and lose intentionally.

- You will punish ... K-of course, I will not lose on purpose. It will be rude to senpai and Shizuku.

Miyuki, who answered Tatsuya in a slightly offended tone, had a slightly reddened face.

The canon seemed that the surrounding atmosphere was poisoned, and that these two did not look like lovers (Tatsuya and Miyuki were a brother and sister, not a bride and groom), but rather the owner and his beloved dog. Seeing this picture expressing Miyuki and Shizuku’s feelings for Tatsuya, which turned right in front of her eyes, Canon mentally smiled and thought: “Can I keep my patience right up to the competition?”

Apparently, she herself did not understand that she had already shown hostile behavior towards Tatsuya.

◊ ◊ ◊

- Oooo, how evil I am!

The evening of the same day. The canon broke into Isori's room, pouring out the discontent accumulated over the day.

- Canon, what happened?

No matter how much the lovers understand each other at a glance, only with this phrase of her could he understand anything. Therefore, the issue of Isori was quite obvious.

- Kay, you just listen!

Canon seemed to be waiting for this question, and impatiently clung to Isori.

- He's laughing at me! This Shiba-kun! It really freaks out!

- Shiba-kun? - Asked Isori in a doubtful voice. Tatsuya, whom he knew, would not engage in such useless stupidities as aimless provocations.

- Yes! I'm talking about today's workout!

Saying this as an introduction, Canon talked about the events that happened in training, and about those five defeats in a row.

“It was my fault that the areas of application of magic overlapped each other!” This boob did not notice my mistake! He thought that I would be delighted that he would put the blame on Kitayama-san !? Is he laughing at me !?

“... I think Shiba-kun showed such concern.”

“How annoying it is when they try to take care and satisfy you because you are a woman!”

“I think he didn’t care about you, Canon.”

- Uh !?

Feeling that with these words her fiancé was not just trying to calm her down, Canon looked at Isori with a bewildered face. This unexpected reaction of the groom made her burning excitement instantly cool.

“Perhaps Shiba-kun was afraid to create an awkward atmosphere.” No not like this. He was afraid that the training would be delayed if an awkward atmosphere was created. Because Shiba-kun was very concerned about the loss of time due to changes in competitions.

Even Canon could understand such an explanation, stating that the awkward moment between her and Shizuku from Miyuki could negatively affect the continuation of the training. Nevertheless, it was unpleasant for the Canon that Isori took the side of Tatsui in this matter.

- Not only Shiba-kun is concerned about such a busy schedule. And I, and Kay, and Hattori-kun, and Nakajo-san - we are all worried. No, I think Nakajo-san is most worried about the schedule.

- You're right.

Isori did not object to the words of Canon. And did not ignore her words, just assenting. With a serious expression on his face, he looked directly into Canon's eyes, holding back the reflex urge to object to something.

- I believe that among all of us, Shiba-kun most seriously thinks about new competitions, new rules, and about ways to win them by any means. This year, Shiba-kun is responsible for the women's pair "Destruction of the ice pillars", the women's single "Destruction of the ice pillars", the women's pair "Rower and Shooter", the men's pair "Shoot down the Shield", the men's single "Shoot down the Shield", the male "Rower and Shooter of the "beginners 'division, women's" Shooting Down the Shield "of the beginners' division," Fancy Stars "," Monolith Code ", the female" Cross with obstacles ". These are ten different events and eleven competitors for which he is responsible. None of our six technicians from the 2nd and 3rd years of training have more work than him. I have a lot of work too,

- Yes, the difference is only 3 people.

Isori, with a smile, ignored the Canon objection. Because he knew that Canon herself understood that this was a meaningless argument.

- This is all because Shiba-kun wants to build the training regimen as efficiently as possible. Look at this.

Isori reached out and pulled a sheet of electronic paper from a desk drawer. And the Canon showed it.

- ... Oh. Everything is so detailed.

It showed detailed Canon data measured after each training match.

“While we were still at school, Shiba-kun sent it to my terminal.” I was impressed how everything is perfectly structured here. You can easily understand what settings you need to make by just looking at this data.

At this point, Canon had already stopped complaining. Even for her, poorly versed in magical engineering, it was clear that if she continued, she would look stupid.

“Therefore, it seems to me that no hasty conclusions should be made ... because Shiba-kun did not make fun of you, Canon.” I am absolutely sure of that. He is such a person who will not do meaningless things.

In fact, Isori could not understand why Tatsuya was in a hurry and tried to buy time. The only thing he could understand was that Tatsuya was trying at an urgent pace to organize the means to win the Nine School Tournament.

But most importantly, this was enough to convince the Canon.

◊ ◊ ◊

Sunday morning, July 15th. In training for the Tournament of nine schools, interrupted by intermediate exams and continued from yesterday, the Canon-Shizuku pair still continued to lose to Miyuki.

Canon knew that the reason for this was herself. Her "Mine Spring" slightly touched the first row of ice pillars of their own half of the playing field, so Shizuk had to spend magical power not only on strengthening data on temperature effects, but also on strengthening data on vibration effects. Therefore, even with her power to intervene in the phenomenon, she could not defend herself against Miyuki’s magic.

As for their success in the attack, then, finally, they stopped losing, without destroying a single pillar. Isori's special vibration pattern, combining both horizontal and vertical vibrations, was optimal for breaking ice pillars. But even he could not completely stop Miyuki.

At the moment, in their best attempt, 3 out of 12 pillars were destroyed. And on the side of the Canon during this time, all the pillars were destroyed. This pace was even faster than in the match between Shizuku and Miyuki in last year’s rookie division. Miyuki has also grown since then, but Shizuku has not remained the same. The current result was worse than a one-on-one confrontation, undoubtedly because the Canon simply interfered with Shizuku.

The canon has never been particularly strong at precisely controlling the magic coverage. Her power, speed and endurance were excellent, but there were problems with accuracy. She knew perfectly well about her weak point. And everyone else knew that too. Honestly, Canon was not at all suitable for working in pairs, but the “Inferno” Miyuki was magic, showing all its power in singles. Miyuki showed superiority in both power and speed, so there was no choice but to put the Canon in doubles.

This year, Canon wanted to refuse to participate in the Tournament of nine schools at the stage of selection of participants.

- Let's take a break. - Tatsuya offered to rest.

Not caring that kokhai was looking at her, Canon hung her head gloomily.

“Chiyoda-senpai, you need to change your mindset.”

Tatsuya came up and, without any introduction, spoke to the Canon, who sat down on a bench to catch her breath.

- Way of thinking?

She saw him coming to her, so the fact that he spoke to her did not take her by surprise.

“Shizuku, listen too.”

Tatsuya began his explanation for the Canon who looked up at him and for Shizuku, who was looking at him long before that.

“Actually, I didn’t want Chiyuku-senpai, but Shizuku to change her mindset.” However, victory in the "Destruction of the ice pillars" can be won only by destroying all the pillars in half of the opponent. It's okay if only one column of ice remains on its side.

- I understand. - said the Canon. Shizuku nodded silently.

Canon won first place last year with just such tactics. There was no point in repeating this for her.

“In that case, stop protecting all the pillars.”

- ... You say that you must completely abandon the defense? - asked Shizuku. Canon was unable to respond quickly, because she was busy deliberating on why he had suddenly suggested such a thing.

“Partly, of course.” Do not completely give up protection.

- Oh, it’s what. - Answered the choir Canon and Shizuku. Moreover, both of them in the same manner spoke this word slowly and stretched, which sounded rather strange. Miyuki could barely contain her laughter and maintain a neutral expression.

- And more specifically ...

As if caring for Canon and Shizuku, Tatsuya, without even browing, began to explain his plan.

- Forget about the first two rows, and focus Data Strengthening on the back row of four pillars.

Tatsuya looked at Shizuka. She nodded in response to his gaze.

- Chiyoda-senpai, do not think about your half of the field and concentrate on half of the opponent’s field.

“And if I did this all this time?”

Canon stared Tatsuya directly into her eyes.

“Then do it better than now.”

Tatsuya did not back down.

- ... I get it.

In truth, Canon was not sure she could focus entirely on the attack. She was very worried that her magic could interfere with the magic of an ally.

Canon decided for herself that if protective magic is not used on the first two rows of pillars, then she can not worry that her magic will interfere with protection. No matter how clumsy she was, her attacks would not touch the very back row in their own half of the field. Canon felt such relief as if the mountain had fallen from her shoulders.

- In addition, I believe that from this moment you need to stop training the three of us.

“Onii-sama, may I ask what is the reason?”

In the dull silence, only Miyuki was able to respond to this sudden suggestion. But even this time she could not understand her brother’s plan.

Of course, Tatsuya was going to explain the reason, even if no one asked.

- Still, the doubles and singles are fundamentally different from each other. In doubles, if there is no good interaction between partners, then the pair will be weak. In singles there is no such problem. You should get used to simpler ways to win, given the inherent weaknesses of working in a pair. Otherwise, in a real competition, unforeseen problems may arise.

Tatsuya suggested changing the training format not only because of Miyuki.

- On the other hand, in doubles competition, the key point is also the use of errors of the enemy’s interaction, especially in attack. You have to feel it during training.

This time, Canon nodded obediently, as if indicating that she had realized the importance of what was said.

“Then maybe arrange a training session against the guys?”

Tatsuya nodded with a slight smile to Miyuki, confirming that her guess was correct.

- Yes. Now I go to them to discuss this. Please forgive me for my temporary absence. Continue training according to the old plan.

- Good.

- Yeah.

- I get it.

Three replies came from three girls who bowed slightly to Tatsuya.

- The engineer of the male singles is Isori-senpai, so from now on, I and senpai will take turns watching the workouts. - Added Tatsuya and went to the training building.

Miyuki made a displeased face from this phrase, and Canon, on the contrary, was noticeably cheerful.

◊ ◊ ◊

Sunday, July 22. Tatsuya and Miyuki had warned in advance that they would only appear after training because they had an important business. In the morning, the training for the members of the Destruction of the Ice Pillars pair began under the leadership of Isori.

“Shizuku, I’ve come to support you.”

- Ah, Honoka.

Honoka was a member of the "Illusory Stars", and her engineer, of course, was Tatsuya. Although you can train without an engineer, but alone she lacked enthusiasm and concentration.

In the pool, support team members created ice pillars. When Miyuki was doing this, it seemed that it was easy to do, but observing how hard it was for other students, you begin to understand how much Miyuki was superior to them in magical power.

“How are you doing here?” Already used to new tactics?

Shizuku showed a barely perceptible bitter smile in response to Honoka's questions.

Someone other than Honoka might not have noticed this.

But Honoka was easily able to understand that her best friend had problems.

- The magic itself is easy, but there is a feeling that something is wrong ...

- The feeling that something is wrong? Is it some kind of discomfort due to the fact that you can’t protect your ice pillars?

- Yeah. I know that it doesn’t depend on whether you lose or win, but still ...

“Shizuku, I know you don't like to lose.” Don't you just like your ice pillars breaking?

Honoka giggled, and Shizuku turned away from her.

Shizuku's complexion did not change at all, but in Honoka's eyes the face of her best friend looked reddened.

While they were talking, the preparation of the ice pillars was over.

- Take a position. - Asked Isori. Shizuku got up from the bench.

- I'm off.

- Hold on, Shizuku. ... By the way, where is Chiyoda-senpai?

- Over there.

Honoka looked where Shizuku was pointing with her eyes. There was a Canon clinging to Isori's hand.

“Miyuki wouldn’t be able to.”

Shizuku joked lazily. Indeed, no matter how much Miyuki showed her close relationship with Tatsuya, she never allowed herself to hug and cling to him in front of everyone. It might not be appropriate to compare the brother with sister and the groom with the bride, but in this sense, Miyuki seemed more restrained than the Canon.

Not that the contemplation of this flirting of lovers caused them negative emotions.

- Ahaha ... I even envy a little ...

Looking at the Canon, Honoka unconsciously let out her true feelings.

- In bo-oh!

And Shizuku issued a battle cry to raise morale.

Although it was a match of guys against girls, but if you look at one match, then in this competition the difference between the sexes will not be noticeable. The division into women's and men's competitions was made taking into account the fatigue accumulating over several matches. Therefore, in training, no one has an advantage.

And still...

The result of this match for the guys left an unpleasant aftertaste.

- Victory!

On the opposite side of Canon, exultantly showing the V sign, the defeated duo of the guys gritted their teeth in frustration.

- Canon, you don’t have to behave like this in training.

The canon showed V not to a pair of opponents, but to Isori. Although Canon was considered the owner of an arrogant character, she was not so insensitive. But this did not cancel the fact that she celebrated the victory right in front of the opponent. The fact that she lacks tact was not even denied by her fiance Isori.

- La adno.

After the rebuke, Isori Canon shrugged. However, her face showed more fun, rather than guilt of a scolded man.

It would be nice if she at least learned a little from this situation. Now, not only the lover of jabbering jokes Shizuku, but everyone around about this couple came up with the idea that they are "a shockingly sweet couple."

“Shizuku, good work.”

The preparation of the battlefield began again, and Shizuku returned to the bench. In fact, she was supposed to get data for her CAD, but Isori was currently engaged in Canon. Also...

- It was delicious! As expected.

As Honoka said, Tatsuya’s defense tactics were fully justified. And Shizuku did not feel that while Tatsuya was missing, any settings needed to be changed.

Isori also limited himself to a couple of comments for Canon, and did not take any measurements or adjustments. The female side looked quite relaxed compared to the male couple, where both the participants and the engineers, in complete turmoil and running around, tried to do something and change something.