Kirihara's premonition headed in the direction he least desired and struck his fragile but earnest hope.
"Then, according to Onii-sama, that earlier incident was not accidental......?"
His sister frowned as she asked this question, to which Tatsuya subtly nodded in reply as he pushed the cart forward.
"The vehicle's trajectory was too unnatural and the investigation yielded the expected results. There were remnants of magic left on the vehicle."
Tatsuya modulated his volume to avoid eavesdroppers and Miyuki emulated her older brother's soft tones.
"But I didn't see anything......"
While the literal meaning of those words were a denial, Miyuki never doubted her brother for a moment.
She had a front row seat to the "accident" from the start.
And until the last moment, she never felt a trace of the other side using magic.
Her brother was different. Miyuki could only see the "present", but all of the "past" were within her brother's purview.
Miyuki knew that if her brother had determined "there were remnants", then that was the truth of the matter.
"At the time, they used small scale magic within the tightest time frames possible, which is a high level technique designed to avoid leaving remnant psions from the Magic Sequence at the scene. Our opponent was likely an agent who had undergone specialized training, which is all the more pitiful given that he was a sacrifice."
"A...... sacrifice?"
That sentence had an ominous meaning, causing Miyuki's voice to be weaker than she intended.
"Magic was used three times during the incident, first the magic that burst the tire, second the magic that caused the vehicle to spin, and the last to apply force diagonally upwards in order to use the protective railing as a launch pad.
All three were cast within the vehicle in order to hide the fact that they used magic. In reality, most of the Magicians on hand didn't detect this, including you as well. 'At the time', I was also unaware, that's how well this was played. Especially the last technique, for the Magician to be aboard a spinning vehicle and still be able to pinpoint the exact moment of impact with the railing must have required intense training."
"Then, the one who used magic was......"
"The culprit is the Magician in the driver's seat. In other words, a suicide attack."
Miyuki stopped short and lowered her head.
Her shoulders were slightly trembling.
"How despicable......!"
This was not an expression of sadness, but fury.
His sister did not bear a misguided sense of compassion towards the criminal, but a deep sense of anger at the mastermind who gave the order. Satisfied, Tatsuya nodded.
"Criminals and terrorists originally are the scum of the Earth, and their leaders are rarely the type to gamble with their own lives, which can easily be seen from this example. There would be no end if we became enraged every time this occurred. Besides, I'm more concerned with the intent behind all of this."
Tatsuya gently patted his sister's back a few times to comfort her, then resumed pushing the cart forward.
Miyuki swiftly followed behind.
—And stopped not ten steps away.
A young lady sitting on a couch near the wall waved at them. She wore a pair of shorts and braided sandals that showed off her toned legs, as well as a vest that clearly revealed both shoulders.
Tatsuya also came to a stop alongside Miyuki and glanced over at his friend who then stopped waving and rose from the sofa. She apparently mistook this location for a tropical beach resort.
"It's been a week, how have you guys been?"
"Hm, not bad...... Speaking of which, Erika, why are you here?"
"To cheer you guys on, of course."
After a short exchange of greetings, Miyuki asked in a bewildered manner, to which Erika replied frankly.
Of course, Miyuki anticipated this sort of answer but was also unable to accept it.
"But the competition starts two days from now."
"Yep, I know."
Erika's personality veered towards that of a mischievous child who delighted in teasing others, often making it very hard to get to the point.
"Miyuki, I'm leaving first. Erika, see you around."
Tatsuya immediately elected to abandon further questioning and, leaving Miyuki and Erika in the lobby, moved the overflowing push cart towards the room reserved for the technician team.
"Ah, uh, see you later...... Hold it, at least let me say hi?"
"Sorry, the senpais from the technician team are waiting for Onii-sama. So why are you here two days early?"
Miyuki apologized on behalf of her brother before asking further.
"Tonight's the meet and greet, right?"
"............"
"............"
"............So?"
Miyuki waited for Erika to reply, but she felt that no matter how long she waited, she still wouldn't get a full answer, so Miyuki was forced to change the subject.
"I should probably caution you. Unrelated personnel are not permitted access to the dinner, and that includes students."
"Ah, don't worry, we got that covered."
"Ah? You said......"
"Erika, the key to the room...... Eh, Miyuki-san?"
Miyuki wanted to ask "You said something about having it covered?", but was interrupted by a voice of an approaching young lady.
"Mizuki, you came too?"
"Miyuki-san, good afternoon...... What is it?"
Mizuki heard Miyuki questioning Erika and warmly greeted her, but noticed that Miyuki was staring at her in place of a greeting, causing her to smile awkwardly.
"......Quite conspicuous."
"Uh...... really?"
Mizuki glanced at herself uneasily. Today, she was wearing an upper garment with thin shoulder straps plus a skirt that was several inches higher above the knees. For some people, she was probably more tempting than Erika.
On first impulse, Miyuki thought something like "Did everyone mistake this for a summer resort?".
"Erika said not to dress too conservatively, so......"
"Is that so......"
Miyuki wanted to say a few choice words to Erika, but seeing her feign ignorance and turn her head, Miyuki gave this up as a lost cause.
Miyuki could now sympathize why her brother often sighed when dealing with Erika.
"Mizuki, I'm saying this for your benefit, but you might want to get changed. The getup is adorable and suits you perfectly, but I think there's a better time and place."
However, Miyuki didn't just smile and nod. Her personality was slightly more righteous than her brother, and more obstinate as well.
"Is that...... so? ......Really?"
"Yes, you should."
Mizuki peered at Erika as she asked her, while Miyuki also watched Erika as she nodded in assent.
"Eh~ Really~?"
Erika finally stopped play acting and disagreed with a huff.
"Speaking of room keys, where are you guys staying?"
......This time, it was Miyuki's turn to ignore that sally.
"Yes."
Mizuki answered while Erika was fuming by the side, but she didn't press Miyuki.
During the past four months, Erika learned from their mutual interactions that this beautiful young lady that looked like she would show leniency towards even bugs possessed a strong and ruthless personality.
"I can't believe there are barred rooms...... No, even more importantly, it's amazing how the hotel actually let you guys stay. I thought ordinary people are barred from access......"
"Here's where you call on your connections."
Her mood restored, Erika revealed the answer without any guilt whatsoever, forcing Miyuki to burst into laughter.
"That's the Chiba Family for you."
While her tone was still joking, Miyuki was in no way paying superficial praise, but actually touching upon the truth.
Just as the Ten Master Clans bear the numbers one through ten in their names, the primary families within the Hundred Families such as Chiyoda, Isori, all bore numbers beyond 11 in their names. The size of the number had no correlation with the strength of the family, but the very fact that one possessed a number in their surname directly equated to a superior bloodline and was an excellent indicator of an individual's potential as a Magician. Magical families that have a number in their names are collectively known as the "Numbered Family System" (This is only one way of estimating ability. Even in First High's Student Council, only Mayumi herself came from the "Numbered Family System").
Erika came from the Chiba Family, which was one of the primary families within the "Numbered Family System".
The Chiba Family was renowned for using personal Speed and Weight Magic in close quarters combat. The Chiba Family's strength lay not in the fact they could adeptly use spells, but in the new system they pioneered for the training and development of close combat Magicians.
Presently, of the Magicians serving as policemen or infantry in the military, it was rumored that half of them were directly trained under the Chiba Family's system. This was the case for the navy and air force as well. Any unit that could encounter close combat situations often petitioned the Chiba Family for training.
If solely dependent on connections within active duty troops, the Chiba Family's influence may eclipse that of the Ten Master Clans.
"But is that OK? I thought Erika loathed using the family as backup......"
"I dislike other people simply seeing me as a 'daughter of the Chiba Family'. Connections are made to be used, it's your loss if you ignore it."
If this was anyone else, this answer could cause a combative atmosphere, but because the two others were Miyuki and Mizuki, they didn't take it to heart.
"Hehe, you're right. Now, I should go organize my luggage. I don't know how you guys are a part of this, but I'll see you at dinner."
Miyuki walked towards the elevator with Erika waving at her and Mizuki looking on.
"Hey, Erika, can't you carry your own bags?"
"Shibata-san, I have your baggage over here. I apologize for bringing it without permission, but there were too many people at the counter."
Halfway there, Miyuki heard two young men call out to Erika and Mizuki.
One of the voices was familiar, but the other was completely foreign.
So it wasn't two girls, but two pairs of men and women.
Miyuki secretly smiled without stopping or turning her head.
Speaking of which, why is it that Miyuki's bus arrived two days before the competition begins?
That was because of the banquet being held in the evening.
Since this was a high school event after all, no alcoholic beverages were served. The buffet-style banquet without any prearranged seating for the contestants about to battle it out was almost like a miniature opening ceremony. Compared to the festive aura of the previous years, anxiety reigned supreme this year.
"In reality, I really didn't want to attend......"
As the Student Council President, this was something that Mayumi couldn't and shouldn't say, so Tatsuya politely struck that from the record.
Technician teams were auxiliary members, but counted as official members for the purposes of actual on site activities, so they were also obligated to attend. Tatsuya, who was ill at ease with reception events like banquets, privately agreed with Mayumi's sentiment.
The dress code for the banquet was each school's uniforms, so they didn't have to worry on that account. That being said, the borrowed suit didn't fit him very well, which raised his resistance towards attending.
"Should we have purchased a new one......?"
His fidgeting had been noticed after all.
Miyuki furrowed her brows in concern as she watched Tatsuya.
"It's nothing, don't worry about it. Sorry for making you worry."
This sequence thoroughly shamed Tatsuya, as it was getting difficult to tell who the older sibling was. In addition, this was an official event with mandatory attendance, so one shouldn't complain that they were uncomfortable or displeased.
"No, Onii-sama, please don't say that."
She probably noticed the minute adjustments to Tatsuya's expression and realized that he had wiped out his depressed mood.
Miyuki smiled happily.
"OK, those siblings over there can stop flirting."
The slightly teasing words caused Tatsuya to glance aside — strictly speaking, he had to glance downwards — to see Mayumi stifling her smile as she watched them.
"I can't believe you said flirting...... What's this?"
On the Internet, Tatsuya had read that some young women have been afflicted with a malady that causes them to see all interactions between different genders as romantic interactions. Truth be told, Tatsuya had several people around him suffering from the same illness, so he really didn't want to broach that subject.
However, Mayumi seemed to be up to her old tricks and only wanted to needle him a little.
Tatsuya had long since accustomed himself to not receiving a straight answer, but still used his eyes to prompt Mayumi to respond.
But Mayumi's gaze wasn't resting on Tatsuya, rather on someone beside him.
At the sight of her trying not to burst out into laughter, Tatsuya followed her line of sight and......
"Miyuki...... Why are you so embarrassed all of a sudden?"
His sister ducked her head in shame.
"Everyone, let's go."
Mayumi retracted her teasing attitude and urged everyone onward, her mood excellent for some unknown reason.
On some level, Tatsuya was irritated that he had turned into a device for mood improvement, but upon seeing Mayumi's retreating figure move away with lighthearted footsteps, he suddenly thought "Ah, forget it".
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