Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 2 - Enrollment (II) - Chapter 10.2

Sayaka's mind was a blur as she watched what was going on in front of her.

In front of the only terminal that could access the highest level of research — restricted research — in this country, her companions — members of "Blanche" — were currently hacking into the system.

Half a year ago, they were introduced by Tsukasa, the ace of the men's kendo team. For some reason, Tsukasa did not bring Sayaka to Egalite, to which he was affiliated, but to Blanche instead.

Originally, Sayaka had no intention of bringing their activities outside of campus, nor did she have any wish to participate in any lawbreaking activity. The only reason she saw them was out of consideration for Tsukasa, who often took care of her. Tsukasa's older brother, who was the head of Blanche's Japan branch, told her many things, such as how the differences on campus caused by magical talent could not be resolved. Despite knowing this, Sayaka's foremost worry remained how Course 2 students were treated differently on campus.

In truth, Sayaka really wanted to attend the forum. Not only did she want to attend, but she also dreamt of expressing her opinions. It was only because she was familiar with the details of this mission that she allowed Tsukasa to persuade her otherwise.

What the heck was she doing? -- Sayaka thought. Taking the keys without permission, being the accomplice to a break-in... Was this really what she should be doing?

Her thoughts were headed in an uncomfortable direction. Realizing this, Sayaka quickly gathered herself back onto the mission in front of her.

However, our goal is to abolish the differential treatment brought on by magic, so why do we need the most cutting edge magical research?

Tsukasa's older brother said that publicizing the research results was the first step to abolishment.

(That being said, wouldn't it be meaningless to publicize magic theories to people who can't use magic...?)

The questions that were chasing each other around in her mind once more came to the forefront.

For people who couldn't use magic, magic theory had no point whatsoever.

On some level, magic theory was grounded in scientific theory, thus separating it from other mind-based disciplines like theology.

If people who wanted the most advanced magic research data truly did exist, wouldn't they be the ones who could use magic...?

(No, research data that can benefit people who can't use magic must exist, and it is hidden here...)

This was the reason she must follow. This reason allowed her to continue on the path she was currently on.

However, no matter how many times she repeated it in her heart, she still couldn't fully accept those words.

"... Okay, it's open."

Someone chattered softly.

He hurriedly brought out a Solid Cube used for storage.

Her companions — Sayaka detected a strong sense of "desire" imprinted on their faces, causing her to avert her eyes.

Towards the door.

So, she was the first one to notice.

"The door!"

Hearing her outburst, the other members turned to look.

Before their very eyes, the square doors broke apart and collapsed into the room.

"Impossible!"

The dismayed gasps that they let out were, based on the situation at hand, actually quite conservative.

Objects that have been fortified have eidos that are much harder to manipulate. Even dual reinforced doors that could withstand a krak missile could be destroyed by magic.

However, to accomplish that it usually required a complicated Magic Sequence that repeatedly used Mass and Vibrate Magics to dissolve the door. No one could accept that a dual reinforced armor door could be silently destroyed like this.

The men froze at this sight that so thoroughly impugned their general understanding of the world. At this moment, the recording Solid Cube shattered in their hands.

Immediately afterwards, the hacking terminal dissolved as if caught in a time warp that swiftly returned it into its component parts.

Following that, the signal from the Device also halted, rendering the Browsing Room into a dormant state.

"I suppose it's more appropriate to refer to you as industrial spies? Your plans end here."

A familiar figure casually declared this as he strode forward with pistol-shaped Specialized CAD in his right hand that flashed silver with every step.

Behind him, a slim figure gracefully followed him with a terminal-shaped CAD held in one hand.

Neither sibling allowed a trace of excitement to grace their features, causing them to forget that they were in the middle of a crime scene.

"Shiba-kun..."

Sayaka softly whispered while someone raised a right hand.

It wasn't a gesture of surrender. It was a male companion pointing a gun at her kohai.

This man wasn't a student from First High.

He wasn't a student at all.

He was someone who came along on behalf of Tsukasa's older brother their leader.

This companion who had been specifically recommended by their leader was obviously intent on committing murder.

Sayaka let out a soundless scream of terror.

She wanted to stop this, but was unable to cry out. Her hands were frozen.

She was going to become an accomplice to murder; Sayaka was so terrified that she shrugged into a ball.

However, the bullets that could easily take life were not spat out of the barrel.

His right hand tightly gripped the pistol, no, the pistol was stuck to his hand.

The man's right hand was covered in purple swelling.

"Please desist from any more foolish actions. For me to be merciful towards those that intend Onii-sama any harm, I don't think I can do that."

Her voice was deathly quiet, and equally solemn.

It was like she was a completely different person.

She gave off an aura of invincibility, as if any act to defy her would be fruitless.

Just hearing her voice caused resistance to crumble.

This time, it was Tatsuya's cruel words that drifted into the ears of a terrified Sayaka.

"This is reality. Mibu-senpai."

"Eh...?"

"A world where everyone can be treated equally is inherently impossible. If there were truly an equal world that completely discounted talent and adaptability, then everyone should receive an equally cold reception from the world.

In truth, Mibu-senpai already knows this, right?

No one is capable of treating everyone equally. That only exists in carefully crafted lies in order to mislead others."

Sayaka's originally despairing visage tightened.

In the blank eyes of her kohai standing before her, she could detect a tiny trace of --

"Mibu-senpai, you were only being used so they could steal the unpublished research data stored by the magic universities. This is the truth behind your lofty ideals."

-- Pity?

"Why? Why did it turn out like this?"

The moment she realized this, the complex emotions within Sayaka burst forth.

"Is it wrong to eliminate the differences?

Is it wrong to dream of equality?

The differences truly exist here!

This can't just be my misunderstanding.

I truly was despised.

I was exposed before their scornful stares.

And I heard all their stupid names for me.

To remove all of these, is there something wrong with that?

Aren't you the same?

They compared you against your sister's superlative talents too.

You have also gone through that degradation.

You have also been labeled an idiotic fool!"

Sayaka's screams seemed to spring forth from within.

From within the well of her soul.

Yet, none of these piteous cries reached Tatsuya. His heart did not resonate with those words. That was because to Tatsuya, "these things" were simply acceptable aspects of reality.

So Tatsuya merely understood the literal "meaning" behind her words as well as the "phenomenon" she was screaming about. Here was a young lady in despair. That was the only thing he took away.

The pity that Sayaka thought she saw in his eyes, were merely the delusions brought upon her by her extreme wretchedness.

Sayaka's screams did not reach the young man's heart — but passed into the heart of the young woman standing next to him.

"I will never despise Onii-sama."

She calmly said.

However, this voice contained enough emotion to quell Sayaka's screams — an emotion of raw fury, hidden beneath the layers of calm.

"Even if every other human being insults, slanders, despises my brother, the love and respect I bear for Onii-sama will never change."

"... You..."

Sayaka was unable to speak.

Before Miyuki's proud declaration, Sayaka was not only struck speechless, but rendered unable to think as well.

"The love and respect I bear do not come from the strength of one's magic.

In the eyes of the world, my magic is many times greater than Onii-sama's.

Even then, these things will not influence the love and respect I bear towards Onii-sama in the slightest.

Before my feelings towards Onii-sama, all of these things become trivial and meaningless.

That is because I know that this only constitutes a small part of Onii-sama."

"..."

"Anyone can insult Onii-sama?

To me, this is truly insufferable effrontery.

?

It is true that there are ignorant fools that vilify Onii-sama.

But at the same time, when compared with the number of such trash, there are just as many, no, many more people who acknowledge Onii-sama's transcendent talents.

Mibu-senpai, you are truly a pitiful person."

"What did you say?"

Her volume rose slightly.

But it was a lifeless voice. It was a voice devoid of both feelings and thoughts.

"Aren't there people that acknowledge you?

Is magic the only way people see you?

No, that's impossible.

I know of at least one person who doesn't do this.

Do you know who that is?"

"..."

"Onii-sama has acknowledged you.

Your swordsmanship, your beauty."

"... These are only appearances."

"Exactly, these are just appearances.

But, isn't this a part of senpai as well, senpai's charisma and sense of individuality?"

"..."

"Of course, appearances are only natural.

Including the two meetings at the cafe and the time in front of the Public Announcement Room, this is the fourth time you've spoken with Onii-sama.

You've only met him four times, how much did you expect him to understand?"

"That..."

"In the end, more so than anyone else, you were the one who saw yourself being treated differently.

More than anyone else, you were also the one who viewed yourself as an inferior student and derogatorily used the term 'Weed' towards yourself."

Her words were undeniable.

No urge to repudiate this argument emerged.

This reprimand struck Sayaka like a terrible blow, causing her mind to go blank.

Just as her mind ground to a halt,

Just as she was about to abandon the will to go on,

This soulless shell allowed the devil's soft hiss to worm in.

No, in this case, it was more like the puppeteer's light whispers.

"Mibu, use the ring!"

It came from a cowardly man cowering shamelessly behind a 16 year old girl.

This man suddenly shouted out.

Accompanying this scream, his wrist also swung downwards.

A small spark ignited, along with dense white smoke.

At the same time, there were several piercing sounds that could not be heard.

It was the background noise from the Psions.

They were attempting to stop magic from invoking by using Cast Jamming - Sorcery Disruptor.

In the smoke, three separate sets of footsteps could be heard.

Tatsuya reached out twice.

And struck twice with the palm of his hand into the smoke.

With his eyes completely closed.

There were two meaty sounds of impact, along with the sounds of two bodies hitting the floor.

"Miyuki, stop!"

When Tatsuya gave out this order.

The Magic Sequence Miyuki designed swiftly morphed into another object.

It gathered the white smoke together like a tornado.

The dust clouds were compressed to the size of ping pong balls, then fell to the ground locked inside triangular ice blocks that materialized out of thin air.

Now that vision was no longer obstructed, the room revealed three men lying on the ground.

One of them was rolling around on the ground, trying to fight back the hideous pain of frostbite.

Two others bore bruises on their faces and lay there unconscious.

"Onii-sama, it is alright to let Mibu-senpai go?"

Miyuki wondered aloud.

She had no doubts regarding whether Tatsuya had any ulterior motives.

In Miyuki's mind, there was little chance for Tatsuya to develop any relationship with women that surpassed sibling banter.

Miyuki also clearly understood that Tatsuya was not the type to bring personal feelings into the mix.

"I don't doubt your skills, but there is always the possibility of a mishap when vision is obstructed.

I don't want you to run that risk, so let Erika handle Mibu-senpai."

The fastest point of egress from here would inevitably lead directly to Erika on the first floor. Given Sayaka's current state, she was in no condition to seek alternate routes.

"I don't think Erika has any vested interest in this..."

"Perhaps, if her opponent were anyone other than Mibu-senpai."

Miyuki didn't really comprehend what it meant to fixate on your opponent.

For her, combat was something to be avoided initially, but if pressed, victory overrode all other concerns.

It didn't matter who her opponent was.

For her opponent's identity, a simple label of "enemy" was sufficient, anything else became meaningless.

That being said, from a purely intellectual perspective, she acknowledged that there were people out there who placed special meaning on who their opponents were.

"Is that so? If it's Erika, then there should be no problems."

So let's leave Sayaka to Erika, Miyuki thought as she moved forward to help her elder brother bind the thieves in a way usually reserved for terrorists.

Sayaka was now entirely relying on her subconscious for movement.

The Antinite ring was her trump card when the time came to escape.

Having gone through the education for "Magisters", she knew the nature and limits of Cast Jamming.

No, in regards to the knowledge surrounding this ring, Sayaka knew more about it than your average Magician.

This ring did not possess the power to strike down other Magicians.

It only had the power to interfere with magic through Cast Jamming. Aside from providing a method for avoiding magic attacks, there was no other purpose.

You cannot defeat that 1st Year student.

At that time, I witnessed glorious techniques that I'd never seen before.

When their leader gave her this ring, he repeatedly cautioned her with the above warning.

This ring is used solely for running away.

The deeply imprinted scene in her brain and the echoes of those powerful words reverberated in her ears, prompting her limbs to keep moving.

There were no footsteps behind her.

No one was following her.

In her heart, she understood that her companions had been taken down.

However, her paralyzed mind would not allow her to make the conscious decision to go back and help them.

Her mind consumed by the failure of their plan and the subsequent urge to flee the campus to their temporary base, Sayaka fled through the corridors and headed straight down the stairs.

At that moment, her feet came to a dead stop.

"Senpai, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

A young woman — probably a 1st Year student, given that she called her "senpai" — was smiling before her with both hands held behind her back.

"... Who are you?"

Her wariness forced out a sound.

However, that 1st Year student's cheery expression didn't dim in the slightest.

"1st Year, Class E, Chiba Erika.

I want to confirm something just in case. You are Mibu Sayaka-senpai, who took silver in last year's National Middle School Women's Kendo Competition, correct?"

The words struck Sayaka like an invisible blow.

The darkest corners of her consciousness and the deepest depths of her heart stung as if struck with a shinai.

"... And what of it?"

Suppressing the sudden pain, Sayaka replied back.

"It's nothing, nothing at all.

I just wanted to be sure."

Erika kept her hands behind her back.

However, there were no weak points anywhere on her body.

Her slim figure was incapable of blocking the corridor entirely, but there were no detectable "gaps" for a person to pass through anywhere.

And on top of that... Were the hands hidden behind her back empty?

Is she really not holding anything?

"... Suddenly showing up here. You aren't planning to let me pass."

There was no sign of pursuit to her rear.

Be that as it may, given the man in question, concealing his presence was probably a piece of cake.

Sayaka reined in her anxious emotions and strove to speak in an even manner.

She knew that her chances of breaking through unharmed were zero from the beginning.

"Where are you going?"

"That's none of your business."

"You don't want to answer... is that right?"

"Yes."

"Negotiation breakdown."

Erika happily declared.

Although the words seemed a little farfetched, but Sayaka knew very well that she never planned on letting her go in the first place.

Sayaka quickly glanced left and right.

Unfortunately, she didn't have a weapon on hand.

While she was equipped with a CAD, she would have to yield her Cast Jamming in order to use magic.

A silvery gray rod appeared in the corner of her vision.

It was a stun baton that belonged to one of Sayaka's companions.

The baton was a little shorter than what she was accustomed to, but it would serve as a suitable replacement for her usual weapon.

Sayaka slowly lowered her center of gravity.

She concentrated all her strength into her feet.

And abruptly sprang away.

After grabbing the stun baton on the ground, Sayaka fell into a crouch to greet the other woman.

On the other hand, Erika just stood there gaping at Sayaka's antics.

"There's no need to be in such a hurry, I was going to give you time to locate a weapon..."

Sayaka flushed.

This wasn't a solo performance! In an effort to hide the awkwardness and embarrassment brought on by her actions, Sayaka glared at Erika and shouted,

"Get away from there! Otherwise you're going to get hurt!"

"Self defense established! Well, I never intended to use that excuse anyways,"

Erika said in a very excited tone as she brought her hands from behind her to the front.

Her right hand held a retractable police baton, while the left carried an actual short-sword.

Following that, she casually tossed the weapon in her left hand to one side.

"Shall we begin, senpai?"

Erika raised her right arm.

Sayaka also took a combat stance. Her weapon was pointed directly at her opponent, her right hand placed above her left.

On one side, Sayaka with the central two-handed style. On the other, Erika in a half curved stance with the one-handed style.

The match started in a flash.

Contact was made between the blades, but their swings emitted no sounds.

The instant she saw movement, Erika swung her baton at Sayaka's neck.

Sayaka furiously raised her arm.

She dashed backwards, reflexively adopting a defensive posture as she was barely able to take this blow. At the same time, her opponent had already looped to her rear.

To parry the next blow, Sayaka instinctively raised her baton.

The shock of the blow reverberated down the stun baton into her hand. Sayaka was more than ready to close into melee range but her opponent had already retreated out of range.

"Personal Speed Magic...?"

Sayaka softly murmured.

Erika did not reply.

"... Just like Watanabe-senpai?"

However, her next words stopped Erika cold.

Although it was only a momentary hesitation, that was sufficient to shift the momentum.

Erika, who once again advanced, was forced to stop by the piercing noise that filled the corridor.

This was Psion noise, noise that normal ears could not hear.

Seeing Erika's face contort in discomfort, Sayaka immediately charged.

She would not give her opponent an instant to catch her breath.

Face, face, forearm, abdomen, diagonal slash, uppercut, face, reverse diagonal slash...

This series of sword strikes was obviously not developed solely for kendo training, as it included several techniques from ancient kendo styles.

Her attack was as swift as fire.

Just as the proverb F?rinkazan dictated, her attack was as fierce as flame.

At some point, the Psion noise disappeared.

The reason behind this was obvious.

In order to activate Cast Jamming, a constant influx of Psions into the Antinite was required.

If the influx of Psions stopped, the noise would stop as well.

The noise that originally filled the room gradually died away.

Because Sayaka had thrown everything she had into her blows, maintaining Cast Jamming was frankly impossible.

So long as one was capable of using magic, no matter how fierce or powerful the attack was, nothing could match the speed of magic.

While she clearly knew this, Erika didn't plan on using magic.

She probably didn't have the time to design a Magic Sequence.

Erika was a Course 2 student that didn't excel in compiling technical skills.

Even so, Erika's CAD was a specialized model that was fortified for high speed combat and possessed a form that Erika was well accustomed to.

In addition, her Engravement Magic was a type that could still channel Psions even under the effects of Cast Jamming.

If she could create enough separation, then she would be able to use magic attacks.

However, Erika didn't try to break away, nor did she press forward.

In direct opposition to the high praise of the fierce flame, Sayaka's attack could only be described as fairly clumsy.

On the other hand, Erika was using precise and fluid motions to defuse each of her opponent's attacks.

Her eyes betrayed no trace of agitation.

Her breath remained perfectly even.

The first one to start breathing raggedly was actually Sayaka, who had expended all her energy on the attack.

The momentum reversed in an instant.

The attacker and defender roles were swapped.

Erika sidestepped her opponent's final blow, then immediately retaliated against Sayaka's motionless stun baton.

The stun baton, which was by design more fragile than bokkens or staves, snapped upon impact to its base.

"..."

Sayaka stared weakly at the police baton pointed at her.

Her eyes still burned with her fighting spirit.

"Please pick it up."

Erika said without moving her weapon.

"..."

Unable to comprehend her words, Sayaka made no response.

"Pick up the short-sword on the ground and show me your true strength.

I will shatter the feminine illusion that binds you."

Sayaka ignored the police baton before her eyes and bent her knees.

She picked up the short-sword that Erika discarded, then once again fell into a stance.

Afterwards, Sayaka remembered something, fell out of her stance and put her left hand atop her right.

She removed the flashing bronze ring on her right hand.

And threw it to the floor.

"I don't need to rely on that.

I will use my own strength to break your technique."

Sayaka removed her uniform jacket.

At First High, female students wore sleeveless gowns beneath their uniform jackets.

Sayaka's arms were exposed from the shoulder down, which guaranteed her complete freedom of movement.

Sayaka turned the edge of the blade skywards.

Slashing with the back of the blade was a method that completely disregarded the structural properties of the weapon, and only served to increase the risk of the blade breaking.

Even with this disadvantage, Sayaka was unwilling to allow her hesitation towards murder to dull the speed of the blade's tip, hence she assumed this position.

"I understand."

They stood in the ready position facing one another.

"Your techniques seem to come from the same style as Watanabe-senpai."

"Do not speak of my blade in the same sentence as that woman's sword. We are on completely different levels."

Each side exchanged one sentence, heralding the start of the verbal spar.

Thereafter, silence dominated the scene.

Silence turned into anxiety, and anxiety turned to urgency.

Just as the urgency reached a crescendo, Erika's figure vanished.

The exchange was over in an instant.

The crisp sound of metallic contact rang out.

It was practically impossible for the naked eye to discern, but Sayaka truly managed to defend herself against one of Erika's magically accelerated attacks.

She managed to hold off the "longsword's" first attack.

The short-sword slid from Sayaka's nerveless hands.

Subsequently, Sayaka pressed her right arm and fell to one knee.

"My apologies, senpai.

That's probably a fracture."

"... The bone cracked.

It's fine. I don't think you were holding back."

"Yes, senpai, you can hold your head up high.

That's because you forced a woman of the Chiba Family to go all out."

"I see... So, you're a member of the Chiba family."

"That's the truth of the matter.

By the way, Watanabe Mari is a disciple of our family as well.

I was the one who oversaw her certification.

In terms of pure swordsmanship, I am the superior one."

Hearing this, Sayaka finally smiled.

It was a brief, carefree smile.

"Is that so...?

I say, although the loser has no right to ask for a boon, could you call a stretcher for me?

I feel like, my consciousness, is fading, ah..."

Sayaka crumpled to the ground.

Erika carefully scooped her up.

She softly whispered into the ears of the unconscious Sayaka.

"Don't worry, senpai.

Because your gentle kohai will take senpai away from here."