"Minoru is gone." Tatsuya, having returned to Minami’s room, only said this.
Zone Interference prevents the use of magic, but does not block magical waves. Even Miyuki’s Zone Interference works that way. Both Miyuki and Minami felt the battle between Tatsuya an Minoru was fierce.
But Minami did not ask Tatsuya to explain the battle in detail.
Tatsuya told Maya about the attack by Minoru directly at the hospital and requested reinforcements for protection, and he then returned home.
Miyuki brought coffee to Tatsuya, who was leisurely sitting on the couch in the living room.
Pixie wasn’t here. When he returned to First High on Tuesday, Tatsuya returned her there.
Sipping the coffee, Tatsuya returned the cup to the table. This feeling of fatigue that he felt, seems to have been the result of his life force being pulled out, but it only lasted for one moment.
"Onii-sama, are you all right...?" Miyuki asked worriedly.
She was standing on the other side of the low table, with the empty tray clinging to her chest.
"The fight was fierce, but i'm okay."
Tatsuya did not try to conceal that the fight was difficult.
"Was he a strong opponent because he became a parasite?"
"Yes. The original Minoru already had an excellent activation speed, but by becoming a parasite, it became even faster. And his regeneration ability brings a good amount of problems."
"His regeneration ability?"
"Yes. During the battle at First High, a parasite, pretending to be Lina’s colleague, also had this ability."
"The parasite that Lina called 'Mia'? Right, if I remember correctly she had a very powerful self healing ability."
"The regeneration ability, which Minoru had, is either at the level of the parasite, or may even surpass it."
"Mhh... Indeed, that is problematic."
The beautiful face of Miyuki became gloomy when she said this.
"But what is really bothersome are not the abilities inherited from the parasite, but also the strength that Minoru already had. But also the strength of one more person."
"His primordial strength and... Another man's strength?"
"Yes."
Tatsuya’s forehead became wrinkled. Excluding when he does it consciously, it was unusual for Tatsuya to make such a face.
"Minoru has Elemental Sight. I had suspected it for a long time, and today I was convinced of it."
By using magic with the opposite effect of that magic that Tatsuya used originally with Flash Cast, Minoru was able to neutralize the effect of Tatsuya’s magic.
It wasn't a coincidence. And it wasn’t really a prediction. Tatsuya realized that this was the result of reading the magic sequence emitted by the enemy.
"But then!"
Miyuki, though surprised, didn’t say words like "that cannot be". And she also did not ask something like "Is that so?". Tatsuya said he "was sure of it". Neither consciously nor unconsciously, Miyuki had any doubt.
"...Onii-sama. Who is the other person you were talking about...?"
Just at that moment, her consciousness was filled with another question.
"I do not know how he did it, but Minoru somehow was able to get the knowledge and magic skills of Zhou Gongjin."
Tatsuya answered, and did not hesitate.
"Zhou Gongjin? You mean that Zhou Gongjin!?"
"Yes."
"You mean that Minoru-kun... For example, found a book on magic left by Zhou Gongjin, and he studied its contents?"
Miyuki interpreted Tatsuya’s words in terms of common sense. If you think in that way, you won’t become confused as quickly. However, Tatsuya was not going to hide the facts.
"No. Using simplistic expressions, I think that Minoru was able to swallow up the ghost of Zhou Gongjin."
Miyuki covered her mouth with one hand. Not both of them, because the other hand pressed the tray to the chest.
"...Does the Kudou family even have such magic?"
Tatsuya negatively shook his head to the question of Miyuki, intently staring at him.
"They should not have had the magic to unite with the ghost. This is contrary to the goals of modern magic. But the magic that makes a spiritual body you subordinate could have been used."
Tatsuya briefly interrupted her and pulled an easy-to-understand example out of his memory for Miyuki.
"For example, the Parasite Dolls. To finish this humanoid weapon, they needed a magic that could control the true body of the parasite. Using this kind of magic, Minoru could have absorbed the residual thoughts of Zhou Gongjin.
"'Ghost Walker', which he used in today's fight, was the exact same as the one used by Zhou Gongjin.
"I understand..."
Frankly speaking, it was hard for Miyuki to believe that it was possible to swallow the ghost of a magician who had died a few months ago.
But if that's what Tatsuya says, Miyuki could believe it.
"...We must take countermeasures. Magic of the former Ninth Laboratory, Continental Ancient Magic and the superpower of a
'parasite'. An adversary who combines all these forces will be very difficult to fight using the usual methods."
Tatsuya frowned, making a dull expression on his face.
"I also have to tell Elder Kudou about Minoru. Aunt-sama doesn't seem to want to talk about it, so I have to tell him myself. In addition, we will need the help of the Kudou family."
He had already had to allocate resources to confront Project Dione, and then there was another problem. Naturally, Tatsuya felt disheartened.
Miyuki stood and looked at Tatsuya with an anxious gaze.
Tatsuya’s worry, that Maya would not allow him to share the importance information about Minoru, was in vain.
Monday, June 17th.
The day after the senseless battle between Tatsuya and Minoru. Tatsuya was summoned to the Kanto branch of the Magic Association.
Today was not about trying to convince Tatsuya to join Project Dione.
He was asked to attend an emergency conference of the Ten Master Clans as an observer. No, perhaps it was better to call him a witness.
In the conference hall of the Yokohama Bay Hills Tower, where the Kanto branch of the Magic Association was located, only 2 people were present, Tatsuya and Katsuto. Katsuto treated Tatsuya as a person from the Yotsuba family and addressed him in the professional way.
Katsuto acted as if they had never fought, when the fight had just occurred the last Sunday of the previous month. However, this behavior could also indicate that Katsuto had not fully digested the events that had happened.
In any case, this formal attitude was mutual from the side of Tatsuya.
There are ten people on the screen of the Kanto Branch. There are also ten regular members of the Master Clans Conference.
One of them, Katsuto, was present in this conference room and was not included in the image on the screen. Tatsuya, of course, was too.
In addition to the nine Family Heads of the Ten Master Clans, there was one other person. And his name was Kudou Retsu.
By reducing any formal greetings to a minimum, they immediately moved to the main issue.
"It's not that I don't trust you, but I want to ask you again."
Ichijou Gouki, who had just returned from his sickbed, made some remarks with a vigorous voice and didn't even look like he had been sick.
The question was given to Tatsuya.
"Is it true that Minoru-dono of the Kudou Family became a parasite?"
"He said so in person. When I confronted him, he had become one with a parasite."
The ten people on the screen reacted in three ways: one person would express their surprise, another person didn’t show any emotion, and the other showed their sadness.
"...And the fact that the goal of Minoru-dono is a magician, submissive to the Yotsuba family, named Sakurai Minami-jou, is also true?"
"...Minoru-dono's aim is a magician under the Yotsuba family, Sakurai Minami-jou?"
This question came from Mitsuya Gen who was surprised.
"I also heard this clearly from his mouth."
"That... is there any special relationship between Minoru-dono and Sakurai Minami-jou?"
Tatsuya answered "I do not know" to Takumi Shippou's question. In fact, he could guess what it was about but he didn't hear it from those two people themselves. Minami would have probably given the same answer as Tatsuya even if she was asked directly. What she thinks of Minoru, as of now, there is no doubt that Minami would be in a state of embarrassment.
"Let's put Minoru-dono's motive aside for a moment."
Then, Saegusa Kouichi spoke.
"The problem is that Minoru-dono changed into a parasite and is targeting a magician of the Yotsuba Family, which is a massive problem. What I'm worried about is where the parasite that Minoru-dono possesses came from."
"Certainly. The parasites could have invaded Japan again, but if there was a source in the country, a crisis could occur and the damage could expand if it was left alone."
Itsuwa Isami agreed with Kouichi.
"...That is-"
"Last time."
Kudou Retsu tried to answer with bitterness in his voice. But before he could answer, Tatsuya talked over him.
"When the parasites had invaded the country, I sealed two parasites with the help of my friend, because at that point in time, the means to ultimately destroy the parasites was unknown, yet those two were taken by someone. I'm sorry, but I'm guessing that is the source of the problem."
"You don't know who took them?"
"Negative."
Tatsuya wasn't frightened by Kouichi's question, for he fought with a single word.
"Did you not investigate it?"
"Tokyo is not a territory of the Yotsuba Family"
Kouichi nodded to Tatsuya's clear answer.
"At that time, parasites were dealt with in collaboration with Mayumi-jou of the Saegusa Family, the Juumonji Family, and Erika-jou of the Chiba Family. We also shared information on the sealed parasites that were robbed with each other."
"I certainly have heard about it."
As Katsuto testified as a party, Kouichi gave up his pursuit any further.
If Mayumi had heard it, it would be the responsibility of the Saegusa Family.
"I have one in hand."
Here, an unexpected line of words came from Maya.
"Because Tatsuya was in a battle with the rest of the parasites, I arranged for the collection, however, I could only secure one."
"...Did you not tell Tatsuya this?"
Futatsugi Mai asked with a seemingly mocking tone.
"Because I want Tatsuya to concentrate on his studies."
All of them knew this was a lie but only murmured their complaints.
"We received a report from Tatsuya and confirmed the status of our parasite just in case, and there was nothing wrong with it."
Thus insisting on her innocence.
"Then, is there a high possibility that the remaining one is the source of this infection?"
"It is dangerous to hurry to a conclusion. Regarding the source of the infection, the information that we have is still too little."
Yatsushiro Raizo put a stop to Mutsuzuka Atsuko's question in advance.
"I think the concerns of Saegusa-dono and Itsuwa-dono are reasonable, but shouldn't we prioritize dealing with the known problems now?"
"I agree. I believe that is the correct way." Raizo pointed this out and Atsuko nodded.
"I understand the problem is the treatment of Minoru."
"...I'm sorry for my grandson, but if he turns out to be a parasite, I can't leave things be."
"That's right."
Kudou Retsu nodded with an expression that showed he was trying to suppress his emotions. His son Kudou Makoto, doesn't have such a resolute attitude.
Minoru's father, the Head of the Kudou Family is Makoto, who instead on participating in the conference, is ostensibly saying that he is busy dealing with matters within the Kudou Family. However, the truth is probably that Makoto judged that this was a difficult talking point.
"It has been confirmed that, when a parasite loses their host, they will fly away in search of a new host."
Tatsuya gathered their attention.
All of the participants should know this fact, but the majority of the faces showed expressions that they were reminding themselves again.
"Well, is it necessary to mobilize magicians who can attack a mental body?"
Was said by Gouki.
"Is it not safer to disable Minoru-dono without killing him?"
Takumi made a strong objection.
"I agree with that opinion."
The former supported Takumi's opinion.
"Does Tatsuya-dono know the method used for sealing?"
Isami asked him on the screen.
"I will offer the know-how."
Before Tatsuya could answer, Retsu offered his help.
"Sensei will?"
"Excuse me, where did Sensei learn how to seal parasites?"
Hearing Isami ask this, Gouki reflexively asked Retsu. Doubt remains in Gouki's eyes. This could be understood even through the screen.
"From a teacher of course. The procedure that our family uses for sealing parasites, was taught to me by Sensei."
Maya put a bit of water in her mouth.
Gouki's eyesight was easy to understand and his sharpness was reduced.
"The countermeasure when capturing Minoru-dono is a measure that will be explained by Sensei, but when can we use this measure..."
Mai tried to change this worn out mood.
"Minoru-dono's aim is Sakurai Minami-jou. Is it okay to think like this?"
"I think that his final goal is Minami."
Tatsuya returned an affirmative answer to Mai's question, with a strong implication.
"Well, then it would be effective to put up a net in the vicinity of Minami-jou at Tokyo's hospital."
Kouichi boldly presented a plan to make Minami a decoy.
"Well, that's fine. We will arrange the protection of Minami."
Instead of protesting against it, Maya returned an answer that revealed a clear smile. It was a polite way of saying "There is no need to borrow the power of the Saegusa Family regarding an escort".
Kouichi frowned when heard this.
"Yotsuba-dono, I want our family to give you a hand with security."
Whether Katsuto was reading the atmosphere or not, he gave an incomprehensible offer.
"If you want to, it'll be outside of the hospital."
"That's fine."
"By all means."
Leaving Kouichi outside of the matter, the conversation between Maya and Katsuto continued to be coherent.
"What shall the rest of us do?"
"The final aim of Minoru-dono is believed to be Sakurai Minami-jou, but there is also a good chance of him returning back to the Kudou Family."
Takumi responded to the issue raised by Atsuko.
"Minoru has been concealing his whereabouts since yesterday. He has not returned back to the Kudou Family, but it cannot be said that he will not return." Takumi pointed this out.
"Obviously, I will catch him if he shows up. I will not harbour him."
"I am not really worried about such a thing." Mai answered the words of Retsu with a soothing tone.
"Minoru was anxious about certain aspects relating to his health, originally he was an extremely excellent magician. I can't predict how much of Minoru's power has transformed after becoming a parasite. If it's okay, I think I will also dispatch some people from my family."
Thus Mai offered to dispatch reinforcements to Retsu.
"If it’s necessary, I will do so as well."
Thus Gouki took advantage of this as well.
"I am grateful. Well then Futatsugi-dono, may I ask for your help? I would also appreciate it if Ichijou-dono could lend me a helping hand with reinforcements."
"Certainly."
"I understand."
Retsu lowered his head on the screen, followed by Mai and Gouki.
"The Yotsuba Family shall guard Sakurai Minami. The Saegusa Family shall proceed to capture Minoru-dono. The Juumonji Family shall guard the outside the hospital of Sakurai Minami-jou. The Futatsugi Family shall send reinforcements and be the primary reinforcements, and the Ichijou Family will act as the secondary reinforcement to the Kudou Family. Is it okay for each house to remain on alert?"
A voice of approval was given to Katsuto's words one after another.
The Ten Master Clans’s course of action was decided.
The clean-up of the conference hall was left to the staff of the Magic Association. Tatsuya and Katsuto left the hall together and headed for the elevator.
They didn’t walk side by side, Tatsuya walked one step diagonally behind Katsuto.
He wasn't walking right behind him to avoid getting into his blind spot.
So it was as a result of Tatsuya not wanting to show any hostility to Katsuto.
They didn't talk to each other. They just walked in silence.
They really had nothing to talk about. It would not have been odd if one of them had died in the battle if the other had acted differently. Not even a month had passed since then. Because they weren’t hostile to each other, it could be said that they were acting like grown ups. Or was it because they were used to these kinds of battles?
However, their silence was broken by a woman hiding in their blind spot just before the elevator.
"Juumonji-kun, Tatsuya-kun, has the meeting come to an end?"
"Saegusa... Why are you here?"
Despite the fact that Mayumi herself was a party in the current conflict, she spoke without a care in the world.
"Because I'm interested."
Katsuto felt a headache growing when he heard the abstract answer of Mayumi. Tatsuya was feeling the exact same thing.
"The meeting has ended."
"That was pretty fast. What did you decide?"
"Ask your father", Katsuto wanted to say. But they have known each other for a long time, so he knew that she was not a woman who would retreat after hearing something like that.
"... It's better not to talk about it here."
"Then let's go to a guest room."
In the Kanto branch of the Magic Association (as well as in the headquarters in Kyoto), several private rooms were prepared for negotiations with an elevated level of secrecy. Despite the fact that Mayumi was not a frequent guest here, she was still familiar with them.
"Tatsuya-kun, too."
Even without continuing, Tatsuya realized what Mayumi was saying. He didn't have any urgent business today. Miyuki was still going to be at school for quite some time, so he had a lot of free time.
"... Okay."
Tatsuya was not "glad" about it, but he still accepted Mayumi’s invitation.
"Tatsuya-kun, I hope you'll be satisfied with black tea?"
"Thank you."
Entering the guest room, the first thing Mayumi did was to brew tea.
She just asked Tatsuya about her favorite drink, and didn’t need to ask Katsuto.
Although Tatsuya felt the temptation to ask for something else, he showed prudence in order not to create unnecessary hassles.
Mayumi put 3 cups of black tea on the table and sat down herself. Her place was opposite Katsuto and near Tatsuya.
"Drink up or it will go cold."
Hearing the advice that sounded more like coercion, Tatsuya and Katsuto took their cups and brought it to their mouths. The black tea, brewed by Mayumi, had become tastier compared to her school years.
For her, this was like a ritual of satisfaction. Mayumi put her cup on the table, because she was in a good mood.
When all the cups were returned to their saucers, Katsuto looked at the Mayumi.
"So, what do you want to know?"
"Everything." Mayumi answered Katsuto.
"Saegusa, do you know what the subject of the meeting was?"
"Minoru-kun has become a parasite."Mayumi responded to Katsuto’s question without any delay.
"That's why you discussed countermeasures against him, didn't you?"
When Mayumi showed that she understood the situation, her voice was calm. Tatsuya was alerted by this.
"Do you really understand the meaning behind these countermeasures?
You're pretty familiar with Minoru-dono, right?"
Looks like Katsuto was also worried it.
"Of course I understand."
Mayumi calmly answered the question without showing any angry reluctance to answer.
"I also took part in the fight against the parasites the last time. Although I didn't really benefit much from it."
In that last sentence, her tone was a little disgruntled. But besides that, Mayumi spoke cold bloodedly.
"...Knowing that Minoru has become a parasite, you can guess what was decided, right?" Instead of Katsuto, who was dwelling in his confusion, Tatsuya spoke.
"Catch Minoru-kun, seal him, extract the parasite, and deal with it, right? But how are you exactly going to catch him?"
Tatsuya and Katsuto exchanged views. With these views, they agreed that it is possible to tell Mayumi about this, and also who would be the one to tell her. Katsuto.
"...We will capture Minoru-dono by ambushing him when he comes to kidnap Sakurai Minami-Jou."
“Are you going to do that, Juumonji-kun?“
"No. Saegusa-dono took on this role."
"Mhh my family...?"
The calm expression on her face disappeared. After showing her discontent with her lips, she quickly corrected her polite smile.
"Sakurai Minami-san, is she Kasumi-chan’s classmate, 'Sakurai-san'?"
"Yes. Minami is your younger sister’s classmate."
In his response, Tatsuya used "Younger sister" instead of "Kasumi", which is how he usually referred to her.
"To use a girl who is in her second of year of school as bat? Tatsuya-kun, does that suit you?"
Mayumi looked at Tatsuya with a condemning look.
"Minoru will come to Minami regardless of our intentions."
"Inside of the hospital where Sakurai-jou rests, will be people of the Yotsuba family, people from the Juumonji family will patrol outside of the building. So you do not have to worry about Sakurai-jou’s safety."
Katsuto added Katsuto to Tatsuya’s explanation.
"But if security is so tight, will Minoru-kun even show up?"
"If that’s the case, we'll just have to figure out a different plan." Katsuto responded clearly to Mayumi’s fears.
"Yes..."
Although her response sounder cold, it seemed she was somewhat satisfied.
"So, Juumonji-kun and Tatsuya-kun will work together to solve this problem?"
Katsuto frowned without even trying to understand her intentions.
She loves to stick her nose in other people’s business, Tatsuya thought, and in her mind, she must be smiling.
"...It isn’t limited to just this problem, The Juumonji and Yotsuba families are partners in the form of the Ten Master Clans. Our temporary conflicts should not grow into permanent ones."
"Yes..."
The same answer as the other one. But unlike last time, Mayumi was smiling.
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