Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 23 - Isolation - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The end of April, 2097. The exact date and time isn't recorded. First of all, it should be mentioned that this meeting wasn't something that is kept in the official records.

"These are the details of the attack on the camp in Nanso, given in Sergeant Tooyama's report."

Director Inukai, the immediate superior of Tooyama Tsukasa, sat down having finished reading the report of his subordinate.

"So, the identity of the attacker couldn't be established?"

"Correct. We couldn't verify this" Inukai instantly answered the question of one of those present. "However, based on the circumstances it is obvious the attacker was. We cannot think of anyone else, but Shiba Tatsuya of the Yotsuba family."

"And this is the truth."

"Indeed."

There were voices of agreement with Inukai's opinion. And on the contrary, there were no votes of disapproval for hasty conclusions.

The leadership of the Intelligence Department of the National Self-Defense Forces gathered here to decide whether Tatsuya was involved in the attack on the secret camp in Nanso, which contained illegal agents from the USNA. Although this was true, they would not object even to false accusations.

Even in the Intelligence Department, they usually don't make decisions so quickly. The collection of evidence and data was only a formality.

But this meeting was a meeting of the secret leadership of the Intelligence Department of the National Self-Defense Forces . Such informal meetings were held only with special need. This meeting wasn't officially held, so the evidence wasn't needed.

This was the place where they subjectively judged whether a particular person or organization is harmful to the country as a whole.

"I believe that Shiba Tatsuya is a dangerous person and needs more surveillance."

"Should he not be eliminated immediately?" One of the votes in response to the Inukai's proposal asked about a more strict measure.

"The idea that he's extremely dangerous is true, but he undoubtedly has a rare, irreplaceable fighting power. Even if the Yotsuba family is behind him, his power, superior to the magic of the Tooyama family, is very attractive."

Continuing his speech Inukai, the Director of the first department on Special Issues rose. The Division for Special Issues was a unit whose existence was concealed even within the Intelligence Department, which itself was famous for its high secrecy. It was an irregular organization, which at one time consisted of one to thirteen departments.

"I want to add something about Shiba Tatsuya. There is unconfirmed information that should be paid attention to."

"Oh. And what is it Director Onda?"

The Deputy Director showed interest in these words and encouraged him to continue. The Director of the Intelligence Department was absent at this meeting. The Deputy Director who was present was also a person not disclosed to the public.

"I think you all already know that the Yotsuba family, to which Shiba Tatsuya belongs, is in a cooperative relationship with the 1-0-1

Battalion."

After Onda's words, those sitting at the table nodded.

"So what?" The Deputy Director showing that he's also aware, called on him to continue.

"Shiba Tatsuya, as a member of the 1-0-1 Battalion, may be the magician who destroyed the seaport of Zhenhai at the end of October of the year before last."

"...Scorched Halloween...?"

The Deputy Director, whose existence was kept a secret, was the one who deals with the shadow affairs of the National Self-Defense Forces .

Therefore as expected he couldn't remain calm after this statement. No, not just him. For a while, the room was plunged into a heavy silence.

"...So you mean that Shiba Tatsuya is that Strategic Class Magician?"

Replied Inukai. Although his daily illegal activities forced him to hide from society, but even he understood the importance of the Strategic Class Magicians for national defense. He thought that if Shiba Tatsuya is the magician who created "Scorched Halloween," it would not be easy to get rid of him.

"This isn't confirmed. But even if Shiba Tatsuya is a Strategic Class Magician, we cannot ignore him as a threat."

Onda responded to Inukai, who has the same position as the head of the department as he did, and the only one who didn't show shock on his face.

"More precisely, we must not lose sight of the fact that disproportionate force is concentrated in the hands of one person. This is my opinion."

Excluding military terms from his speech, he confirmed that he's a member of an organization that is above the law.

The Deputy Director calmed down under the influence of this unshakable position.

"...As you said. For Shiba Tatsuya we will designate a re-education policy."

"I support."

"I think it's reasonable."

After the Deputy Director's decision, words of approval were heard from members of the assembly one by one.

End of April, Kazama's division returned to the headquarters of the 1-0-1

Battalion from Hokkaido.

"Lieutenant Colonel Kazama reporting all 195 of my subordinates have returned to base."

"Everyone has returned safe and sound."

The Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, which was under the command of Kazama, was positioned as a separate tactical unit called the battalion, but in terms of the number of soldiers it was only the size of 2

companies. And about half of the personnel were sent to this task. The number of people who returned to the base, voiced by Kazama, coincided with the number of people sent to the task. In other words, there were no victims.

Hearing the report of Lieutenant Colonel Kazama about the return of all people to the base, the battalion commander Lieutenant-General Saeki responded with relief on her face. The loss of soldiers in combat is an integral part of war, and there isn'thing better than the fact that there was zero lost.

Due to the positioning of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion as an experimental unit using magic weapons and magic tactics, it also contained many magicians with special abilities. Regardless of the system of moral values, the significance of these talented people was much higher than that of people from other divisions. Although she knew the situation from the daily reports, but confirming the return of everyone with her own eyes, Saeki was really relieved.

"Lieutenant-Colonel, give the returned soldiers a three-day leave. With permission to exit the base."

"Many thanks. The guys will be happy."

Standing at the "free" bar Kazama slightly softened in the face. Saeki nodded at his words, closed her eyes and sighed slightly. Opening her eyes,

Saeki, one of the best strategists in the Self-Defense Forces, looked at Kazama with all seriousness. Kazama also looked tense.

"Major Onda called yesterday."

"Major Onda... Who is that?"

As a member of the military system, Kazama constantly watched the news about military personnel. He couldn't say that he remembered everything, but he was sure of his knowledge of senior officers. But he didn't remember anyone with the name "Major Onda."

"Major Onda is the head of Special Issues."

"The Special Issues Section of the Intelligence Service...?"

Saeki didn't have the right to give orders directly to the Intelligence Department. And the Directors of intelligence units have no obligation to report to Saeki. In other words, the "connection" was private. That is, Major Onda is one of Lieutenant-General Saeki's sources of information.

So Kazama interpreted the information received. Perhaps Onda also uses Saeki as a source of information.

"So, what did Major Onda say?"

Saeki answered Kazama's question honestly and without superfluous introduction.

"Special Officer Ooguro is included in the list of purge targets for the Intelligence Department. This is because of the attack on the secret intelligence camp."

"...Do they want to kill the Special Officer?"

Despite the fact that Kazama didn't raise his voice, his intonation conveyed the feeling "I cannot believe it."

"Not to execute. It seems that a decision was made to seize him and conduct re-education work."

"That is nonsense." Kazama put it like it wasn't an Intelligence Department.

"Really. Re-education... No, in this case there is no need to correct this word. Although brainwashing has a high probability of damaging your magical abilities."

"Your Excellency, I beg to differ."

Not understanding what Kazama wants to say, Saeki called with her eyes to continue.

"It may be possible to assassinate the Special Officer. But to capture him is absolutely impossible. It's okay if only the Intelligence Department is destroyed, but in the worst case, the whole of Tokyo will drown in a sea of fire."

Narrowing her eyes, Saeki looked at Kazama with a stern gaze. As if suspecting that Kazama himself is planning a large-scale diversion.

"...The Special Officer can go that far?"

"Your humble servant believes that the very fact that the Intelligence Department has recognized the Special Officer as a dangerous element is justified. He's the greatest egotist. The Special Officer cannot sacrifice himself or his loved ones for the sake of the country or citizens. He's from the category of people who are not at all suitable for the role of military."

"He's perfect in his abilities, and in character as the Lieutenant-Colonel said." Saeki had no objection to the words about Tatsuya's lack of motivation in the service.

"But their realization of the degree of danger is much too naive. Even without the use of Material Burst, Special Officer is capable of destroying an average city in one night."

"You value the Special Officer highly, don't you?"

"If there was a final boss in the real world, like in stories and games, it would definitely be him."

"The final boss? Then where is that brave hero who will end this story with a happy ending?"

"Such a person has not appeared yet. Therefore we should not provoke him, at least until such a hero appears."

Saeki and Kazama sighed at the same time. And they exchanged tense smiles. They thought it was funny how they seriously discussed the concepts, like the final boss and the hero.

"We will pass your opinion to the Intelligence Department through Major Onda. I don't know how much it will help... Thanks for the help.

Lieutenant-Colonel, you are free."

"Understood."

Kazama saluted Saeki and left her office.

Second of May, after school hours.

Not knowing that his friends consider him the King of Demons, Tatsuya returned to everyday life.

Not only him. The clash that occurred in the last week of April during the incident with the abduction of Shiina, was resolved as a misunderstanding due to lack of communication, and for First High this incident has already become a thing of the past. Miyuki and Minami, who were in a separate incident at about the same time as the kidnapping, didn't tell anyone else about it so as not to cause unnecessary anxiety.

As is usually the case after school hours, the members of the Student Council, including Tatsuya, were engaged in the usual affairs of the Student Council. Starting yesterday, in addition to normal work, the Student Council has started preparing for the Nine Schools Competition.

They haven't yet received a list of competitions for this year so they were only engaged in basic preparations, so that time wasn't wasted like last year, when unexpected changes occurred.

Tatsuya was looking through the CAD catalog for the competition. The CAD characteristics used in the competitions was limited. According to the requirements, the performance of the hardware had to be in a strictly limited range. Since there were no restrictions on the software unlike the hardware, the key factors determining victory or defeat were the speed of reading from the media and the convenience of using the OS.

Like the change in the competition last year, the limitations for CAD's could also change. But early information gathering wasn't a waste of time. Even Tatsuya, who is directly involved in CAD development under the pseudonym Taurus Silver, didn't know the latest models of equipment. It can be said that at the moment Tatsuya was enjoying the current work of the Student Council.

"Master" There was a voice interrupting this work. Pixie spoke to Tatsuya by voice, not telepathy.

"What?" Answered Tatsuya, without taking his eyes off the screen.

"I • received • important • news."

"Important news?"

Tatsuya turned to Pixie.

"News related to • Strategic • Class • Magic."

Tatsuya turned his gaze and his eyes met with Miyuki, who also raised her head to Pixie's voice.

"Bring it up on the wall."

Following Tatsuya's order, Pixie displayed a recorded news release on a large wall-mounted display. Not only Tatsuya, but all the members of the Student Council gathered in front of the screen to look at it.

However, interest on their faces quickly gave way to a touch of seriousness. During the video, someone made a sound that sounded like a muffled cry, but until the end of the news no one said anything.

"So this time Africa...?" The first one who said her thoughts aloud was Izumi.

"The Gulf of Guinea, the Nigerian Delta region... At the moment this area is actually under the control of the Great Asian Alliance."

"Yeah." Shizuku confirmed Honoka statement.

"This is a conflict zone. The probability of using it there was higher than, for example, in Europe or in North America..."

Tatsuya, apparently, also wasn't able to suppress thoughts like "this cannot be."

The news release told about the fact of numerous victims from using the Strategic Class Magic "Thunderclap Tower" in the area of the Nigerian Delta. And also about the statement of the army of the Great Asian Alliance which admitted this.

The use of Synchronized Linear Fusion in South America has indeed weakened the psychological barriers to using Strategic Class Magic.

But the view of society, that is, of the entire world, will only become tougher from this. And not just a passive outlook. A wave of criticism from around the world rolled into Brazil after its army used

"Synchronized Linear Fusion." Even now a month later, the volume of criticism has not decreased.

And despite this, the Great Asian Alliance didn't even try to hide the use of Strategic Class Magic. On the contrary, they themselves announced the use of "Thunderclap Tower". As if they boasted to the rest of the world about their military successes.

"Was it a deterrent against France?"

"Apparently, that was the main goal." Tatsuya nodded at Miyuki's question, adding a clarification.

During the Third World War, the strongest forces of the world rushed to Africa in search of resources.

In the local countries there were both government troops and opposition forces. The activities of these powerful countries of the world, whether it was hidden manipulation to fuel a war, or a direct invasion to

"guarantee" the hidden resources in the ground, ultimately destroyed all the countries of the African continent.

Even now when more than 30 years have passed since the end of the Third World War, conflicts there continue, although they have become much smaller. The competition between the forces of the Great Asian Alliance and France in the area of the Gulf of Guinea resembled a game in reverse, when a large number of independent small groups of local tribes were dispersed throughout the region.

The Nigerian Delta region has been under the control of the Great Asian Alliance for several years. But in the past few months, certain armed forces that proclaimed themselves to be the next generation of the international terrorist group MEND (the Movement for the Liberation of the Nigerian Delta), having received support from France, began to threaten the domination of the Great Asian Alliance in the region.

Deterring France's support was the goal of this Strategic Class Magic attack, was undoubtedly one of the true answers.

"So, there are other reasons?"

The question was asked not by Miyuki, but Izumi. It still couldn't be said that she had become open with Tatsuya. Usually she didn't start talking to him first, but this time her curiosity overpowered her.

"Strategic Class Magic "Thunderclap Tower" was used. However, the user of the magic declared by the Great Asian Alliance wasn't Liu Yunde, but a certain girl named Liu Li Lie."

"I was interested in that moment in the news too. This means that the reason was an announcement of the new officially recognized state Strategic Class Magician?"

"The meaning is definitely in the notification, because it was already impossible to hide it."

"What is there to hide?"

Not only Izumi bowed her head inquiringly. On Honoka and Shiina too, question marks were lit over their heads.

"Liu Yunde didn't show up at official events for more than a year. Last year, he was absent even at the annual military parade, which he had previously invariably visited. Since then, among the people associated with army affairs, there were rumors of his death, and as a result, they could no longer hide it."

Tatsuya learned about the death of Liu Yunde in "Scorched Halloween"

almost immediately after the incident. However, the Great Asian Alliance did its utmost to hide this information. Therefore, he conducted his explanation without going beyond the level of knowledge of ordinary people.

"That means, if Liu Yunde is dead, then Liu Li Lie is his successor?"

"The official announcement of the existence of a Strategic Class Magician is a deterrent. This is a demonstration by the Great Asian Alliance: 'Although Liu Yunde is dead, we have another Strategic Class Magician.'"

"Sabotage against France, and a demonstration to the whole world?"

Muttered Izumi with an understanding face.

Even after joining with Leo, Erika, and other third-graders at Eine Brise, the main topic of discussion was the Strategic Class Magic used in Africa.

"But doesn't this provoke neighboring countries?" Asked Erika

"It's probably done deliberately. This so-called deterrence is needed to intimidate other countries."

When Tatsuya went to answer, Mikihiko did it for him. Although he wasn't suited to such words because of his mild nature, but it wasn't uncommon for modern schoolchildren to express themselves in a similar manner.

"A new member of the Thirteen Apostles is only 14 years old? Even younger than us..."

Less than an hour after the first report, the Great Asian Alliance provided information to the press, containing details. Although the bulk of this report condemned the inhuman behavior of hostile armed groups and drew attention to the legitimacy of using Strategic Class Magic, it also found a place to advertise the new "Apostle."

In the first news, only the gender and name of "Liu Li Lie" was listed.

When the Great Asian Alliance revealed that she was a fourteen-year-old girl, everyone was very surprised.

"The age is also surprising, but that such a small girl is a Strategic Class Magician..."

"Indeed. Although in another country there may be reasons, but it somehow does not fit in my head..." Mizuki agreed with the words of the frowning Honoka.

"I think the poor thing just has to do what the grown-ups say. It seems to me that recognition by an official of the state is a good situation for her."

Erika spoke in a slightly annoyed tone, probably because she remembered about the incident with children of the same age who were victims of magical experiments conducted in Japan some time ago. There is no doubt that such tragedies occurred all over the world, and not only in Japan and the Great Asian Alliance. Among the numerous victims buried in the darkness, this exposed girl in some ways was lucky.

"I was surprised that she was shown."

Before Erika's words were drowned in the minds of others, Shizuku moved the interest in another direction.

"Right. Despite the fact that usually private information about the Strategic Class Magicians is hidden, now they have published not only her name and age, but also her photo."

Although Miyuki's intention behind backing Shizuku was to avoid depressing topics, but as she said, the publication of Liu Li Lie's appearance aroused surprise at everyone.

?

?

"Only if this girl really is the user of 'Thunderclap Tower.'"

After Tatsuya's words, not only Miyuki and Shizuku froze with their mouths open. Apparently, everyone forgot about the possibility that the girl, represented as Liu Li Lie, could be a figurehead.

"It seems that the army of the Great Asian Alliance is going to make her a symbol for the sake of morale."

"You mean that adults will be more motivated when they see that such a young girl is trying so hard?"

She herself regretted that some time ago she showed irritation, probably.

Therefore, she courteously said Tatsuya's words more simply.

"Well, something like that." Understanding her feelings, he answered her with a tight smile.

"So, the Great Asian Alliance recognized the death of Liu Yunde, in order to strengthen the image of the 'brave girl who wants to succeed her grandfather'?"

"But we don't know if she's really his granddaughter." Erika responded to Mikihiko showing an evil grin. In the official announcement of the Great Asian Alliance, it was pointed out that Liu Li Lie is the granddaughter of Liu Yunde.

"Returning to our conversation..." Leo said, after which Mikihiko urged him to continue, asking "what is it?".

"...Is it true that there were 800 victims?" At first not daring to speak, but having decided to after Mikihiko's question, Leo expressed his question.

"It's hardly a lie, that there were almost no civilians in the zone of the fierce fighting. But isn't that number too low? Well, you know, for Strategic Class Magic?"

For some reason they all looked at Tatsuya.

"Compared to Synchronized Linear Fusion, there will be fewer victims.

Because Thunderclap Tower is a magic used for the destruction of factories and infrastructure, not for directly killing people."

"Thunderclap Tower is magic, causing something like a storm with thunder and lightning?" Mizuki asked with a puzzled face.

"Thunderclap Tower is a magic formed from two different types of magic. The first magic causes an avalanche of electrons above the target area. The second magic intermittently and unevenly lowers the electrical resistance in the target area."

Even after Tatsuya's words, Mizuki remained with an uncomprehending face. Tatsuya looked at Mikihiko, on his face was the question "Can you explain for me?".

Mikihiko responded to this look. If someone said that he had no intention of trying to be on Mizuki's good side, it would be a lie.

"In simple words, the magic that causes the avalanche of electrons is the process of creating the electricity necessary for lightning, and an uneven drop in resistance is a process that establishes resistance to a level when a dielectric breakdown occurs. As a result, lightning strikes are generated continuously, occurring at short intervals in different places."

"...In other words, is it magic that throws lightning left and right?"

With a serious face Mizuki looked at the explaining Mikihiko, trying not to lose a word, but in the end it was difficult to say how much she understood.

"Right. You've got it right."

But Mikihiko was soft with her "evaluation." In this case it was difficult to understand whether this understanding was limited to just Mizuki, or to all.

"A feature of Thunderclap Tower is that it pays more attention to the number of strikes, not the strength of each strike."

Mikihiko looked at Tatsuya. When he nodded his eyes, Mikihiko felt relieved. Apparently he wasn't very confident in his knowledge.

"...Instead of throwing one heavy-duty lightning bolt, with the help of a single magic cast, this energy is distributed over a wide space. For light infantry, this is a nightmarish magic, but if you take action against electricity, then fatal injuries can be avoided. But this magic has a different effect, surpassing all expectations."

"Destruction of infrastructure?"

"Yes. The lightning strikes that occur at short intervals signify a discontinuous oscillation of the electromagnetic field in this region.

Moreover, for all objects in this region the resistance level is reduced to the state of breakdown of the dielectric. By omitting a detailed explanation, Thunderclap Tower is magic that causes serious damage to electrical equipment on a large scale."

"In other words, the true essence of the Thunderclap Tower a magical EMP weapon?" Leo said.

"The principle is different, but the effect is virtually the same."

Although their conversation with Mizuki was interrupted, Mikihiko didn't show that he was disturbed.

"There were few victims, because the direct damage factor is rather weak. As I understand it this is the main reason. That's why there is another question."

"What question?"

"This is a conflict zone, where the struggle for control has been going on for a long time. It is unlikely that they could build a high-tech city there.

I think the main equipment that could be damaged by EMP weapons is equipment for extracting resources."

"I don't know the details, but I believe that is the case."

"But now the mining enterprises are under the control of the Great Asian Alliance? Wouldn't they themselves suffer from EMP weapons? Why did they use magic that would cause them losses?"

Not knowing what to say, Mikihiko asked Tatsuya for help with a look.

Tatsuya didn't panic or complain, but simply spoke.

"Recently there have been reports that in the Nigerian Delta region, the Great Asian Alliance began to lose their positions. Using unmanned automatic weapons provided by France, local hostile armed groups have already occupied more than half of the territory."

These words were sufficient for Leo to understand something.

"Unmanned automatic weapons...? So, therefore...?"

"They gave priority to neutralizing drones, sacrificing mining equipment." Mikihiko came to the same conclusion.

However, these two didn't receive a higher score from Tatsuya.

"The motive for using Thunderclap Tower on its territory is countermeasures against unmanned weapons. However, don't forget that this magic also has the strength to kill. It will easily take the lives of those soldiers who don't have proper protection from the electricity, let alone civilians in ordinary clothes."

The faces of Leo and Mikihiko tightened. They had forgotten that the number of human casualties wasn't zero.

"So, the real number of victims... exceeds the announced number?"

"Another problem with the Thunderclap Tower is that it also paralyzes medical facilities. Most likely there are a lot of those who, although they didn't die instantly, but they will not be able to receive help... " With a grim expression, Tatsuya answered Miyuki's timid question.