Chapter 4
Kuroba Mitsugu was the head of the Kuroba branch of the Yotsuba family, he was the darkness of the darkness itself. In his life he had lost many things but he always has his pride as a Yotsuba, his children and guilt in his heart for trying to kill the newborn baby of his cousin.
And his children's desire to be like the child that he tried to kill is something he does not want to happen, first that child helped his daughter by keeping her from losing her number and becoming a servant and from the magic that child thought it's no overstatement that she established her name, Kuroba Ayako, as a distinguished Magician among the Yotsuba.
Next he gave them the ultimate magic of disintegration which form the world's current knowledge should not even be possible but he saw that with his own eye the power of absolute destruction that he feared the child for being used by his own children and that child regaining the his status as the possible next hair of the Yostuba family.
This child regained his emotions that were destroyed by using his cousin's mental design interference magic by using his absolute creation and he gained the ability to use systematic magic as well.
He gave back Maya san's memory of the past and without affecting her mental state "healed" her.
He healed Miya san's body that was lost due to using her magic at a young age.
He healed and improved the lives of the guardians of the yotsuba and made the clan even more powerful.
Recently he stopped the invasion of the GAA using his strategic level magic "material burst" which converts mass into energy directly and now an entire nation is afraid of even uttering his name fearing him as the demon of okinawa and the destroyer Mahesvara.
That child he tried to kill now stands as the absolute pillar of the Yotsuba main house, an absolute weapon of the queen of night. This is was their hope and dream, their prayers for a magician who would stand as the pinnacle of the magician race and be the absolute protector of the clan he was one that would protect them from the unreasonableness of the world the greatest sin of the Yotsuba clan but also it's absolute protector.
And now Mitsugu has come to terms with the fact that most likely that child will be the one leading the clan in the future. So Misugu swore to himself that he will get over his guilt and fear of that child and treat him the way he is supposed to be treated not as a weapon but a child, not as a disaster waiting to happen but as the magician that they all had hoped for, not as the destroyer of the world but as the protector of their clan.
But change takes time and he was sure one day he will be able to face his fear of that child.
This was the innermost secret of the head of the house Kuroba, Kuroba Mitsugu.
Year 2095 A.D
Tatsuya was sitting in his mother's private study. This is a place where only 3 people have been allowed into, Hayama san, his Okaasama and himself.
He could remember the days in his childhood before his emotions were removed, crying in his Okaasama's lap because of how everyone treated him and his non stop training and after his operation he could remember his Okaasama talking to him about regular things and being treated as a normal child by her.
She was the one that was there for him when he had nothing and now that he has everything he will give his absolute obedience to his Okaasama.
Recently after being trained by the CAD developer and his Obaue he along with the developer in the 3rd division of FLT created the silver series which are considered to be the greatest achievement and put FLT as the leader in CAD development his identity was hidden by using the allies Torus silver name.
"Sorry for making you wait Tatsuya kun " Okasama said
"No problem Okaasama"
"So how is your stay with niisan going"
"Its is fine though I would prefer to live alone"
"Nonsense you won't take a guardian, you won't agree to body guards I know that you are more than capable of protecting yourself but your now a candidate to be the head you should at least give into some of the clans rules some of the family still fear staying with niisan is a simple solution that problem as well"
"I want to abolish the whole guardian system and you take me to take a guardian?"
"Well that is going to take time now isn't it not everyone has your powers and not everything can simply be overturned by your unstoppable power we may have the name of untouchables but we are far from that"
"..."
"I know that this is a problem for you but at least you don't have to do house work" she said giggling
"Alright Okaasama"
"So how is your work in the 3rd division going I heard that apparently your a genius magic engineer who even surpass nisan"
"Everything is going fine there everyone is really helpful and I enjoy creating new magic to help with my plan"
"The plan to make magician from the just weapons of war to giving them other opportunities that is a good goal and I have been making some changes in countries politics with that in mind but like I said it will take time and there aren't really any other streams for magician to branch into yet"
"Well I am working on that to"
"Alright then what are you going to do about your high school entrance exam?"
"Well about that I don't want to be in the first course and have to deal with teachers after all Miyuki is going to be the freshman representative so i was going to join the second course and enjoy my freedom for sometime"
"You know if you became the freshman representative i would be happy and I won't have to be looked down by niisan" she said while wiping away a fake tear
"Okaasama you and I both know noone is looking down on you and I don't want to have to deal with that hassle and this way I could change this idiatic second course system also"
"Maybe but her daughter will be the top of the class and you will be a spare. I won't be able to brag about that…."
"..."
"Alright so than what do you need from me"
"What is going to happen to obaue's husband?"
"Well that is for niisan to decide we will follow her wishes"
"Alright"
After that they talked for sometime and had lunch together before Tatsuya returned to the shiba residence in the city.
"Welcome back Tatsuya kun!"
Said a happy voice
"I am back honami san "
"Welcome back Tatsuya san"
"I am back Miyuki"
"How was your visit to the main house"
Tatsuya turned to the living room and bowed to his aunt
"It was fine Obaue, Okaasama just wanted to know about my plans for high school"
"What is your plan for high school?"
"Well I plan to enrol in the second course and work on research"
"Alright then how do you plan to fool the measurement tool in first high"
"Well I will have to slow down the activation speed that is not that much of a problem since sensei has taught me how to control my activation speed concisely"
"For someone who claims that he never teaches you anything he sure does show you how to do all of his ticks"
"It is to be expected after all he is his favourite disciple"
Said Miyuki
Tatsuya could only smile wryly as his aunt Kokonoe yakumo, his martial arts teacher only allows him to be a sparring partner as he is not undergoing monk training. Since Tatsuya isn't his disciple, Yakumo can't teach any new magic. But when Tatsuya asks for magic related advice, he often hints what to do, by using a related magic or a process, during their sparring matches.
"Well that is all good and well what about your next project as silver?"
"I have been working on a gravity controlled flying type magic and it's taking some time to complete"
When he said that everyone went quiet as gravity controlled flying type magic is one of the 3 great puzzle of the the wight systematic magic and is thought to be theoretically possible and practically impossible.
Miya knew her nephew is one of the greatest magic engineer of his time and already surpassed her in terms of skill and as the one who oversees all of FLT's operations she wanted to know about his progress they talked about that for sometime
Miyuki could only stare at her cousin and her mother as they talked about the magic she is skilled at maintaining her CAD and normal technologies but she often wondered if she is the one normal one in her family. She had already started to get close to her cousin after Okinawa, she had even gone to some of his training with yakumo. She doesn't understand her own feelings yet.
After completing dinner and everyone else had gone to sleep Tatsuya sat in the living room thinking about the day when his aunt showed up
"Aren't you going to sleep already"
"No obaue I was just thinking"
"Alright" then she sat on the sofa opposite him.
"Obaue, what are you going to do about your husband?"
"Well… what did Maya say"
"Okasama said she will leave the decision to you and they will follow whatever you decided"
"I have done my duty to the clan and gave a child so being in this marriage is useless inform Maya that we should go through with a divorce and let him stay as a figurehead for the company"
"As you wish"
"Well than tomorrow we have a long day ahead of so go to sleep and get some rest"
"Alright obaue"
Saying that he left and went to sleep.
The next day after completing the entrance exam as he wanted and getting into the course 2 they returned home.
On Day of the entrance ceremony after splitting up from his cousin. Tatsuya started walking around while referring to the campus map displayed on his mobile terminal, beyond a row of trees, which were positioned in such a way that they couldn't escape his field of vision, he spotted a bench in the courtyard.
They were probably roped in by the management of the entrance ceremony to help out. That is, the current students (upperclassmen to the young man) who were passing by the young man a small distance away. All of them had the same eight-petaled flower emblem on the left side of their chests.
As they passed by, a trail of artless, ill-meaning words escaped around their backs.
—Isn't that kid a Weed?
—He's early... he sure is enthusiastic for a reserve.
—In the end, he's just a spare.
A conversation, which he didn't really want to hear, flowed into his ears.
The word, Weed, refers to a Course 2 student.
The students who have the emblem design of an eight-petaled flower on the left breast of their blazers are called "Blooms," while the Course 2 students who don't have that are likened to weeds that have no blooming flowers, and are sneered upon as "Weeds."
"Are you a new student? It's almost time for the ceremony."
"Thank you, I'll be on my way."
"I'm impressed. A screen type?"
"Our school disallows the use of virtual display terminals. Despite this, it's regrettable that many students still use the virtual display type.
However, you are using the screen type even before enrolling into the school."
"The virtual type is not suitable for reading."
"Instead of watching animation, you read huh? This is even rarer.
I also prefer book-based information to animation-based ones, so I'm kind of happy."
"Ahh, I beg your pardon. I'm the student council president of the First High School, Saegusa Mayumi. Written as 'seven grass,' read as Saegusa. Nice to meet you."
After hearing that name he had to take a step back in his mind the first person he meets is the student council president and moreover she is Saegusa, Tatsuya knew of the history between his mother and Saegusa and he was also not particularly interested in involved with a Saegusa. So
"I'm, no, my name is Shiiba Tatsuya."
"Shiiba Tatsuya-kun... I see. You are that Shiiba-kun huh..."
The eyes of the student council president went wide with surprise, after which, she nodded meaningfully.
"Among the teachers, you have been quite a hot topic,"
"Out of a hundred marks, the average mark of all seven subjects in your entrance exam was ninety-six. Especially outstanding were Magic Theory and Magic Engineering. Even though the average mark of those who passed was no more than seventy, you received a perfect grade without a hitch for both subjects that had essay-based questions. It's an unheard of record high."
"Those are merely paper test results. They are just data inside an information system It's about time... please excuse me."
In the end, Tatsuya, who did nothing, adjusted and sat himself upright on the hard seat and closed his eyes. Just as he was about to slip into a nap,
"Er, is the seat beside you occupied?"
A voice called out.
He opened his eyes, and just as he thought, the voice had been directed at him.
As expected from the voice, it was a female student.
"Help yourself."
"I'm Shibata Mizuki. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Shiiba Tatsuya. Nice to meet you too."
she was wearing glasses, it could be because it was her hobby, a fashion accessory, or due to—
(Over-sensitivity to spirit particle emission, huh...)
"I'm Chiba Erika. Nice to meet you, Shiba-kun."
"Nice to meet you too."
The voice of the young woman sitting beside Mizuki cut off Tatsuya's thoughts.
(But still, Chiba huh... another numbered one?[3] I didn't know that the Chiba House had a daughter by the name of "Erika," but it's possible that she's of collateral descent…)
Miyuki's orientation address was outstanding as expected.
"Shiiba-kun, which class are you in?"
"Class E."
On hearing Tatsuya's reply,
"Yay! We are in the same class."
Erika hopped up and down happily. She seemed to be overdoing it but,
"I am in the same class as well."
"What shall we do? Shall we go take a look at our homeroom as well?"
"Sorry. I'm meeting up with my cousin."
"Could your cousin be... the representative of the freshmen, Shiba Miyuki-san?"
A nod from Tatsuya was enough to confirm the answer to that question.
"Tatsuya san sorry for the wait"
"Hello Shiba-kun. We meet again."
Behind Miyuki was the student council president
"Tatsuya san they are…"
"This is Shibata Mizuki-san. And that is Chiba Erika-san. We're in the same class."
"I see... isn't it a little too soon to be dating your classmates?"
"There's no way that could happen, right, Miyuki? We were just chatting while waiting for you.
You are being rude to both of them, aren't you?"
"Good day, Shibata-san, Chiba-san. I am Shiba Miyuki.
I'm also a freshman just like Tatsuya san, so I look forward to being in your care."
"I am Shibata Mizuki. Same here, I also look forward to being in your care."
"Nice to meet you. You can just call me Erika. Can I call you Miyuki?"
"Yes, please do. It'll be hard to distinguish between cousin and I from our family name."
"Miyuki. Are you done with your business with the student council? If you are not, I can kill some time myself, you know?"
"It's fine."
The one who had replied to Tatsuya's question and suggestion was the other party.
"I'm here just to say hello for today.
Miyuki-san... may I call you that as well?"
"Ah, yes."
As Mayumi addressed her, Miyuki nodded, her unreserved smile replaced by a solemn expression.
"Well then Miyuki-san, we'll catch up on another day."
"Well, since we are all here, why don't we go have a cup of tea?"
"Sounds great! There seems to be a nice cake shop around."
In other words, it was a tea time invitation.
"You didn't check up on where the school entrance ceremony would be held, and yet you know where a cake shop is?"
"Of course! It's something important, isn't it?"
The "cake shop" that Erika brought them to was in fact a "French cafe with delicious dessert." They took their lunch there and spent some time chatting merrily (it was the three girls talking, and Tatsuya was only listening), and by the time they got home, it was close to evening.
"Welcome back Miyuki san, Tatsuya kun"
"How was your first day at school?"
"It was fine but Tatsuya san seems to already got some girlfriends "
"I already told you that they are my classmates Miyuki"
Looking at them arguing like an old couple only made Honami smile wryly.
"Sorry I had to miss your speech Miyuki san i had some urgent work that couldn't be postponed"
"No problems okaasama this just a speech"
Miyuki knows that her parents are going through a divorce and her mother is very busy. So she did not care that much about the school that speech anyway.
"Would you both like something to drink?"
"Sounds good. I would like a coffee then."
"Same for me"
"Tastes really good."
"Thank you Honami san"
The next morning Tatsuya and Miyuki went to the Temple were his master lives they Tatsuya was running using acceleration magic and Miyuki was using a pair of rollerblades and controlling them using magic to go at a speed of 60 mph
"Miyuki kun good morning"
"Good morning sensei"
"Is that the uniform of the First high school?"
"Yes, we had the entrance ceremony yesterday."
"I see I see. Mmm, it's nice."
"... Today, I have come to inform you about our entrance ceremony. But I believe you already know..."
"That brand-new green uniform, neat and clean, has some sort of hidden charm."
"..."
"Almost like a flower bud that is about to open, a shoot about to sprout.
Ah yes... moe, this is truly moe! Mrmph?"
Thwak, the sound of an arm chopping down.
"Master, you're frightening Miyuki. Could you please calm down a bit?"
"…Not bad, Tatsuya-kun. Taking me from the back, hah."
Weaving his arm in a figure 8, it was enveloped by a fist just as it was about to reach the side.
As Yakumo effortlessly somersaulted forwards, aiming a kick at the back of Tatsuya's head, Tatsuya deftly spun around and dodged.
The gap between the two closed.
A sigh rose from the spectators.
At some point in time, those two had been surrounded by a large circle of people.
Yakumo and Tatsuya exchanged blows again.
It was not just Miyuki whose hands were clenched in anxiety.
"It's possible that I'm unable to beat Tatsuya-kun in pure martial arts already..."
There was unmistakable admiration. If any other student had been around, envy would have been inevitable. Indeed, the disciples waiting on Yakumo were directing a mixture of jealousy and envy at Tatsuya upon hearing those words.
"I can't say I'm terribly gratified by those words, considering you just demolished me earlier..."
"That's only natural, Tatsuya-kun. I am your master after all, and I have faced you in an arena where I am dominant. You are still fifteen. If I had fallen to someone who's only half my age, all my disciples would be running out on me."
"I believe Tatsuya san should be more honest. It's rare to be praised by sensei, so I think you should take this opportunity to laugh proudly."
"...I think that would make me look just a bit like a prick..."
Both Yakumo and Miyuki were laughing happily, and even Tatsuya was not so stubborn as to not chide himself and join in.
From course regulations, disciplinary regulations and rules concerning the use of facilities to admission associated events, automatic activity guides and the curriculum for the semester, countless flashes of information scrolled through his head as he operated the terminal with just the keyboard, and when he looked up, it was into the face of a male student looking back at him from the seat in front with wide eyes.
"...It's not like I have a problem with you watching me, but..."
"Eh? Ahh, my bad. It's something pretty rare, so I ended up staring."
"Rare?"
"I'm pretty sure it's rare now, right? This is the first time I have seen someone only using keyboard input."
"If you're experienced, this method is faster. Although between this, visual pointers, and neural assistance, it's also the least accurate."
"Yeah. The speed is amazing. That should be enough to keep you comfortable for quite a while, right?"
"No... possibly a part-time job at best."
"That so...?
Whoa, I haven't introduced myself yet.
I'm Saijou Leonhart. My father's a half and my mother's a quarter, so while I look Japanese, my name is Western, and my specialty is Convergent Systematic Reinforcement magic. My desired course is to hone my body and become either riot police or a mountain corpsman.
You can call me Leo."
"I'm Shiiba Tatsuya, but Tatsuya's just fine."
"Ok, Tatsuya.
So, what magic do you specialise in?"
"My practical skills are severely lacking, so I'm planning on becoming a Magic Engineer."
"I see... no wonder you look so smart."
"Eh, what's this? Shiba-kun, you want to become a Magic Artificer?"
"Tatsuya, who the heck is this random guy?"
At the sight of Erika bounding up with all the tension of one who's snooping around for a scoop, Leo pointed and asked with some distaste. "Wha, calling someone a 'random guy' all of a sudden? Not to mention pointing? How rude, how rude! How absolutely rude! This must be why you're not popular!"
"The hell? The rude one here is you! Just cos you're slightly good looking, don't get all stuck up!"
"Looks are very important y'know? Although I suppose someone as sloppy and wild looking as you wouldn't understand.
And what's with that slang, that kind of thing is from the wrong century. Why don't you get with the times~?"
"Wha, wha, wha..."
Erika had a scornful sneer on her face, while Leo was speechless and sputtering.
"...Erika-chan, please stop. You went a bit too far."
"Leo, just drop it. You're both wrong and further arguing will be pointless."
Both Mizuki and Tatsuya intervened, in an attempt to dispel the volatile air.
"...If Mizuki says so."
"...Got it."
The two of them averted their eyes while they turned around.
Tatsuya thought that with their similar strength of mind and unyielding nature, they were actually rather compatible.
As the first bell rang, the students began to dissipate and make their way back to their own seats.
"—Orientation begins in five minutes, so please wait at your desk. Students who have not yet inserted their ID card, please do so as soon as possible—"
After the school day completed Tatsuya and the group wanted to go but
"Tatsuya san…"
"Don't apologize, Miyuki. You aren't at fault in the least."
"Yes, but... will you stop them?"
"...That'd be counterproductive."
"...You're right. Still, putting Erika aside, for Mizuki to have that kind of personality was...unexpected."
"...I agree."
Watching from a step back — or in other words, directly in front of the siblings, was a group of new students glaring at each other with a volatile atmosphere simmering between them. One group was composed of some of Miyuki's classmates, and the other was, needless to say, Mizuki, Erika, and Leo.
"Won't you all stop being such poor losers? Miyuki-san has said she wishes to go with her cousin . It's not the place for any of you to say otherwise, is it?"
"We've asked her!"
That was one of Miyuki's male classmates.
"That's right! We're sorry for Shiba-san, but we just want a little more time!"
That was one of Miyuki's female classmates.
At their selfishness, Leo gave a hearty laugh.
"Ha! That's just self-justification. Find a better time for it."
Erika also retorted with a smile and edged sarcasm.
"If you really had asked, maybe you would've had her consent from the start?
You've ignored Miyuki's intentions and didn't consult her or anything. There are rules for that. You're high school students already, don't you know anything?"
Erika's words and attitude, designed to purposely offend the other party, as expected, affected one male student in particular.
"Shut up! Another class, much less Weeds, has no right to interfere in matters concerning us Blooms!"
"We are all the same freshmen. You guys are Blooms, but right now just how are you any better than us?"
"...If you want to know just how much better, I can show you."
"Hah, interesting! By all means, show us!"
"Then I will!"
The only ones allowed to carry a CAD in the school were senior members of the student council and certain committee members.
The use of magic off campus was tightly regulated by law.
However, the mere possession of CAD off campus was not restricted.
That student wasn't just spouting lip service.
The finesse with which he drew his CAD, along with the speed with which he took aim, were the movements of someone accustomed to fights between magicians.
"Tatsuya san!"
Even before Miyuki had finished her cry, Erika's baton hit the students hand and broke the CAD into pieces.
"At this distance, the body moves faster."
"I'm serious. Whether you were going to engage or not, I can tell from your stance.
You seem like an idiot, but your arm speaks otherwise,"
"...Are you making fun of me? You're making fun of me right to my face?"
"That's why I said you look like an idiot, right?"
Forgetting the 'enemy' before them, as the two engaged in another comical confrontation but the one who recovered fastest was Miyuki's classmate who was facing them. it was the female student behind who was running her fingers across her bracelet shaped general CAD.
But before she could a single glare from Erika and Tatsuya stopped her in her tracks
"Go ahead try it at least it was only the CAD was broken this time, whatever might happen the next time fufufu.."
"You really should listen to her it's not a good idea to test her skill, that hit will not only break your CAD but also your hands"
Tatsuya said having already reached his limit for stupidity for a day.
"Stop right there! Using attack magic on others for any reason other than self-defence is not just a violation of school rules, it's a criminal offence!"
"You are students from 1A and 1E, aren't you?I will hear you out. Please come along."
A hard, even cold voice came from the girl next to Mayumi. According to the introduction of the Student Council during the entrance ceremony she was the 3rd year Public Moral Chief, Watanabe Mari.
"I just saw that girl trying use magic to attack"
"Even if you call it an attack, all she intended to fire was a flash of blinding magic. It wasn't on a level where it could have caused blindness or impairment."
"Hoou... it seems you're somehow able to read the activation sequence before it's deployed."
"I'm no good at practicals, but I'm confident in my analyses."
"Well she would have never activated the magic anyways if you want you could ask the son of the Morisaki family over there he was one that activated the magic and was about to attack, are do you think some course 2 students could defeat the great course 1 students"
Erika leo all snickered at this statement, Miyuki on the other hand deeply her eyes she already knew about her cousin's knack for making enemies.
"Can we leave now there if you want you could check if I had used magic are not using the psion detectors" Erika stated
"As my cousin said, this was all really just a misunderstanding. We are very sorry for bothering you all, senpai."
Without the slightest deceit, she gave a deep bow, and as if the miasma was dispelled Mari looked away.
"Mari, it's fine already. If its as Tatsuya kun stated then we only have to talk to Masaki kun right let's just leave the matter"
"...Since the President has said so, I will refrain this time. I don't want there to be a second time."
But after one step, she stopped and asked a question back to them.
"Your name?"
As her head turned, Tatsuya's appearance was reflected in her long narrow eyes.
"First year class E, Shiiba Tatsuya."
"I'll remember that."
Holding back his tongue just before he almost instinctively let slip a 'no problem', Tatsuya swallowed a sigh.
"I'm Mitsui Honoka. I'm sorry for saying all those things earlier."
She suddenly bowed, fully honest, and Tatsuya was rather embarrassed.
This girl, who earlier wasn't hiding her elitism, to say the least, seemed to have gone about a complete turnaround.
"Thank you for protecting me. Morisaki-kun waved it off, but it's thanks to Onii-san that it didn't become a huge issue."
"...It was nothing. Although, please stop with the Onii-san. We're same year students."
"I understand. Then, what should I call you..."
"Tatsuya is fine."
"...Alright.
And so, um..."
"...What is it?"
At the rapid eye contact, Miyuki stood before Honoka.
"...Is it alright to go together with you to the station?"
After that
"It seems all your friends are also just like you Tatsuya san?"
"Eh what"
"Well even before now he had no problem making enemies and you both are just the perfect fit for him"
"We are nothing alike" shouted Leo and Erika at the same time.
"Tatsuya-kun... Are you acquainted with the President?"
"We met for the first time before the entrance ceremony... So, yes."
In regards to Mizuki's question, Tatsuya was just as confused as she was.
"It certainly didn't look like a first meeting."
"It's as if she intentionally sought you out."
"Well we surely didn't make a good impression anyway so let's just let it go"
The next morning
"Tatsuya-kun, good morning~. And Miyuki as well, good morning."
"Good morning, President."
"I would like to speak with Miyuki about a few things... May I walk with you to school?"
"Hm, if it's quite alright..."
"Oh, it's not like the topic is a secret. Or do you prefer to talk at a later time?"
"Is the subject you wish to speak about related to the Student Council?"
"Hm, I meant to find an opportunity to speak with you in detail. Do you have any plans during lunch break?"
"I plan on eating in the cafeteria."
"With Tatsuya-kun?"
"In that case, why not join me in the Student Council Room for lunch? If you don't mind bentos, the room has an automatic meal dispenser."
"...The Student Council Room is equipped with the Dinner Server Module?"
"If it's the Student Council Room, it's not a problem if Tatsuya-kun tags along as well."
"...Speaking of problems, there is one. There appears to be some conflict between myself and the Vice-President. I'm terribly sorry."
"...I understand. Miyuki and I will be intruding on you then."
"Excellent. Then the details can wait until later. I'll wait for the two of you."
Even though they were all headed towards the same school, the footsteps of the five who watched Mayumi leave became quite heavy indeed.
Tatsuya sighed.
Lunch break quickly arrived.
"Welcome. Don't mind us, please come in."
"Please sit. We can talk while we eat."
"Introductions were exchanged at the enrollment ceremony, but just in case, let's go over this again. To my side is our Accountant, Ichihara Suzune, also known as Rin-chan."
"...The only one who calls me that is the President."
"The two of you should know the one on Rin-chan's side, right? This is the Chair of the Public Moral Committee Watanabe Mari."
Mari didn't say anything, but her not taking exception to anyone would be natural.
"And following that is our Secretary, Nakajou Azusa, also known as A-chan."
"Student Council President... Please don't call me 'A-chan' in front of the underclassmen. I have my position to think of too."
"The last one would be Vice President Hanzou. And that makes up all the members of the Student Council Committee."
"Which I am not part of."
"Oh yes, Mari is not a member of the Student Council. Ah, the preparations are complete."
"It's about time we get to the point."
"Just as our school places heavy emphasis on self determination, the Student Council has been granted vast powers within the confines of the school. Not only our school, but most public high schools also adopt a similar method."
"There is an annual tradition to invite the 1st Year representative to the Student Council, with the intent of training them to become the successor. Hopefully, the 1st Year representative will be elected to be the next Student Council President. Although it is not a guarantee, this has been the case for the past 5 years."
"So... Miyuki, I hope you can enter the Student Council."
"Are you willing to accept?"
Miyuki will join the current Student Council with the title of secretary, is that acceptable?"
"Yes, I will work hard to fulfill my duties. Please look after me."
"The roster for the Public Moral Committee still has one empty spot that has not been filled."
"Why don't you join shiiba kun"
Coinciding with Mayumi's delighted outburst, Tatsuya let out a dull surprise.
"Yes, there's no problem with the Public Moral Committee. Mari, the Student Council nominates Shiiba Tatsuya as Public Moral Committee member."
"Wait a minute! Shouldn't you take into account my thoughts on the matter? Also, you haven't told me what the duties of a Public Moral Committee member consists of."
"Isn't that wonderful, Tatsuya san."
"No, Miyuki... Please wait a little before giving off that 'Then it's decided' look in your eyes... Just in case, let me clarify a few things."
"Clarify what?"
"According to the earlier explanation, the Public Moral Committee member's mission is to halt any conflicts upon discovery, correct?"
"Well, that's true. We also intercede on non-magical conflicts."
"Also, if magic was used, our intervention is mandatory."
"If possible, it'd be best if the conflict was resolved prior to use of magic."
"That's my point! My technical grade is terrible, and on top of that, I'm a Course 2 student"
"It's not a problem."
"What are you saying?"
"In competitions of power, I will handle it... Lunch break is almost over. Let's save the rest for after school, any objection?"
"...I understand."
"Then we'll meet again here."
"Tatsuya, how did the Student Council Room feel?"
While waiting in line to use the CAD, Leo asked after poking Tatsuya in the back.
"Turned into an intriguing conversation..."
"Intriguing?"
Erika, who was in front of Tatsuya in the line, also turned around to ask.
"They asked me to join the Public Moral Committee. How could it suddenly turn out this way?"
Tatsuya and Erika both tilted their heads. Truth be told, the only way to describe it would be "how could things turn out this way".
"You're right. It is pretty sudden."
Leo also agreed that it was quite unexpected.
"But isn't it great to be scouted by the Student Council?"
"Great? Isn't this merely a complementary bundle for my little sister?"
"Well, well, let's stop with all that self-depreciation. So, what does the Public Moral Committee do anyway?"
After hearing Erika's question, Tatsuya repeated what he heard from Azusa. Hearing that, all three pairs of eyes widened.
"Quite the troublesome task..."
After the class Tatsuya entered the student council room with Miyuki
"Excuse us"
"I am the Vice President, Hattori Gyoubu. Shiba Miyuki, welcome to the Student Council."
"Well, let's be off." Mari said
"Where to?"
"Public Moral Committee headquarters. There's a lot of things you need to see firsthand to understand. It's located directly underneath this room. That being said, they're both connected."
"...That's quite the strange design."
"I thought so too."
"...That's quite the strange design."
"I thought so too."
"Is something the matter, Hattori Gyoubushoujou Hanzou?"
"Please don't address me by my full name!"
"Watanabe-senpai, the topic I wanted to speak with you about is precisely regarding the replacements for the Public Moral Committee."
"What?"
"I object to you appointing this 1st Year student to the Public Moral Committee."
"What is this nonsense? The one who nominated Shiiba Tatsuya-kun is President Saegusa. Even though it was verbal, the right of appointment remains with her alone."
"I have heard that the receiving party has not agreed. Despite the nomination, the matter is unofficial until he personally agrees."
"That is up to Shiiba Tatsuya-kun himself. The President has already elaborated on the decision of the Student Council. The final decision is his, not yours."
"There is no precedence for appointing a Weed to the Public Moral Committee."
"That's a taboo term, Vice President Hattori. A taboo term as banned by the Public Moral Committee. You have a lot of nerve using that in front of me, the Chair of the Public Moral Committee."
"You can ban that term all you want. Do you plan on punishing a third of the entire student body? The difference between Blooms and Weeds is something that is written into the school system and acknowledged by the school itself. The source of the difference between Blooms and Weeds is the difference in ability. Public Moral Committee members are responsible for the task of subjugating students that break school rules. A Weed with inferior abilities is incapable of accomplishing that task."
"It is true that the Public Moral Committee is ability-based, but ability comes in many forms. If we need to use strength for suppression, that's what I'm here for. Even if I'm up against 10 or even 20 opponents, I can handle them alone. In this school, the only people that can go 1 on 1 against me are President Saegusa and Club Management Group Leader Juumonji. According to you, the people with low combat capability are unnecessary. So, do you plan to challenge me, Vice President Hattori?"
"This isn't my problem. It's about his ability to adapt."
"Did I not say that ability comes in many forms? Tatsuya-kun can read the activation sequence and thus accurately predict the magic being invoked with his eyes and brain."
"...What did you say?"
Reading the activation sequence. This by all rights should be impossible.
For Hattori, that was "common sense".
"In other words, even before the magic has been invoked, he already knows what magic his opponent is using."
"...But, if he ran across an actual crime scene, and was unable to stop the magic invocation..."
"In that case, it would be beyond a 1st Year Course 1 student anyways"
"President... as the Vice-President, I object to appointing Shiiba Tatsuya as a Public Morals Committee member.
While I accept that Chair Watanabe has got a point in her assertion, the original mission of a Public Morals Committee member is to uncover and subjugate the school rule breakers.
A Course 2 student who is lacking in magic ability can't perform the duties of a Public Morals Committee member. Such a misplaced appointment will surely damage your reputation as the President.
Please reconsider." Before MIyuki could even say anything the problem…..
Tatsuya had already reached a level of irritation that he had every reached so
"Well then why don't you prove your case Vice-President"
"What do you mean?"
"Lets have match to test my abilities to your heart's content"
"Don't be too conceited, for a mere reserve!"
"Then you should have no problem beating me should you, well how about this let's keep a wager if I lose I will withdraw from the school itself 'when' you lose you will have to give a public apology to all second course students is that ok for you"
The people who were lost for words from the surprise request were not limited to Hattori, alone.
Mayumi, and also Mari, looked at the two of them in dumbfounded amazement from the unexpected daring retaliation.
"...Fine. I'll give you a good lesson on what it is to know your place."
Without a moment's delay, Mayumi interjected.
"As the Student Council President, I authorise the formal mock battle match between 2nd Year Class B, Hattori Gyoubu and 1st Year Class E, Shiba Tatsuya."
"On the basis of the Student Council President's declaration, as the Chair of the Public Morals Committee, I recognize the match between the two of you as a legitimate extracurricular activity in abidance of the school rules."
"The time of the match will be thirty minutes from now, at the third practice room. The match will be a private one, and I authorise the use of CADs by both sides."
"It's just the third day of school, and my cat is going to be out of the bag, huh..."
Tatsuya grumbled just before the door to the third practice room
"That's why you should keep a cool head well he deserved it anyway"
The voice of Miyuki came in indignation.
"This is surprising."
Upon opening the door, this was the line said to him.
"What is?"
The one who was receiving Tatsuya at the door, was the appointed judge for this match, Mari.
"I was referring to your unexpected enthusiasm at fighting. I thought you were one who wasn't bothered by the remarks of others."
"I thought it was the job of a Public Morals Committee member to stop personal fights."
"This is not a personal fight. It's a formal match.
"Well, are you confident?"
"Hattori is skilled enough to be among the top five in our school. If I have to say, he's more inclined towards group battles, and individual fights are not his specialty, but still, there is hardly anyone who can win against him one-on-one."
"No problem"
"Are you not using a CAD"
"No using a CAD will be bullying"
"Physical attacks are forbidden"
"I know "
"You are pretty calm... I've lost a little confidence."
Hattori wore a traditional bracelet-shaped Generalized CAD.
Tatsuya took a stand with his hand in a fighting pose
Waiting for Mari's signal.
The simulation room returned to complete silence.
Just as that silence was about to fill every corner of the room...
"...Begin!"
The "formal match" between Tatsuya and Hattori officially began.
The moment that happened Tatsuya punched the air in a mili second and Hattori keeled over.
Victory was decided in an instant.
The entire match lasted less than 5 seconds, and could be appropriately described as an instant win.
"...Winner, Shiiba Tatsuya."
Mari cautiously announced the name of the winner.
There was not a trace of joy on the winner's face.
That expression was appropriate for someone who had merely arrived at the expected result.
He gave a short bow, then walked towards the table that held the CAD cases.
It wasn't just his posture; he was wholly uninterested in his victory.
"Wait."
"That movement right there... Did you preemptively input a Speed Ability?"
"The fact that that is impossible...I think Senpai is more aware of that than anyone."
"That wasn't magic, that was a bona fide physical technique."
"I can testify to that as well. That is Tatsuya san's physical technique. Tatsuya san's was mentored by Kokonoe Yakumo-sensei."
Mari almost fainted. For someone as versed in combat as she was, the name Kokonoe Yakumo brings forth two emotions: absolute fear or absolute awe .
"Was that attack also Ninjutsu? I thought I saw the release of Psion wave motions."
"You're correct. The attack was not Ninjutsu, but based on Psion wave motions. The foundation of that Psion motion wave came from Oscillation-type Basic Single System Magic."
"Given that, I still don't understand how you knocked out Hanzou."
"Causing him to faint was enough."
"Faint? How did that happen?"
"For Magicians, Psions can be discernible just like visible light and sound waves. This is a mandatory skill for magic, but the side effect is that when Magicians are exposed to unexpected Psion wave motions, they frequently misinterpret that their bodies are swaying. This misunderstanding directly affects the physical body. The reasoning behind this is very similar to hypnotic suggestion, where people under hypnosis are induced into thinking they suffered 'burn injuries', then find out that the physical symptoms reflect their thinking. During the match, I used this illusion of 'swaying motions', causing him to feel an extreme case of seasickness."
"If your technical speed is so high, how come your technical score is this low?"
"That was not because of speed i just used 3D motion to create compound waves from different angles at the same place it's just multivariable quantitative processing"
"It doesn't matter if it's multi-variable quantitative processing speed, calculation scale, or even interference strength. None of these are subjects that are assigned a grade."
"Magic is the ability to lie to the world if you are good at that a simple spell can create more power than anything, it all a matter of perspective "
"...The evaluation of magic technical skills only includes Invocation Speed, the scale of the Magic Sequence, and phenomena rewriting ability. I see now, so the test is not capable of completely measuring a person's ability..."
"Hanzou-kun, are you alright?"
"I'm fine!"
"Well shall we go to the Public morals committee"
"Yes fine then"
After being introduced to a few of the public morals committee members Tatsuya knew that the place is not the problem but the mindset of the students to change that he will need this power.
After dinner, in the basement that had been converted into a CAD maintenance room, Tatsuya turned around upon hearing the only other occupant in the house speak.
"Excuse me. Tatsuya san, I was hoping you could adjust my CAD..."
"Are the settings incompatible?"
"No i just wanted to change a few activation sequences"
"Binding-Type Activation Sequence... I want to increase the types of Anti-Personnel Combat Magics."
"You know that you could just freeze them right"
"I know"
"Very well if that want you want then that's fine"
And the tuning completed and Tatsuya returned to his work.
Next day the school only had one topic to discuss the public apology of the vice president to all the course 2 students.
"Well that was fast" Erika said as she snickered.
"You don't disappoint do you Tatsuya" said leo
"It's nothing he was just going on and on about how course 1 us superior to course 2 so I just gave him a reality check, If it was a real combat he would have died if had fought either of you"
"Well how can you say that" Mizuki asked
"Mizuki the first day if Erika wanted she could have sliced through Morisaki's hand and i don't think anyone in first year can take one of leo's punches and stand"
"..." Mizuki was speechless for some time.
"Training for magic school and combat training is very different" Said Erika
"Well then if all of you free why don't we go and check out the clubs"
"Sorry I have already selected a club and I have to go there"
"Me too.."
"Well then Tatsuya kun it's just you and me it seems"
"Alright then"
After that they promised to meet up during his petrol.
"Why are you here?!"
That was how the reunion started.
"Aren't you acting a bit rude?"
Tatsuya sighed and said that with a tired voice, but this caused only more agitation.
"What!"
He seemed like he was about to lunge forward, but,
"Shut up you newcomer."
A quick roar from Mari made Morisaki Shun stand upright and close his mouth.
"This is an official meeting for the Disciplinary Members, so every person here is a member of the Disciplinary Committee. At least get that through your head before you shout out like that."
"I apologize!"
How pitiful; Morisaki's face showed tension and fear. He was brought in only two days ago by Mari. Not only that, he was still feeling heat from being reprimanded from the Student President, a heavy burden for a serious new student such as him.
"Are they even useful?"
Formally, that question was pointed to both Tatsuya and Morisaki, but by the way his eyes looking at Tatsuya's left chest showed that it was directed only towards him.
Something like this was expected of Tatsuya, so he just let Mari handle everything. But Mari, on the other hand, already had a fed up look on her face when she was looking at Okada.
"If you want to know go and ask Hatori"
"I've seen Shiba's skills with my own eyes and Morisaki is also pretty competent with his device manipulation. He just had bad luck with his opponent."
"We will be concluding this meeting. The patrols will be done according to plan. Does anyone have any objection with this?"
After that she gave them the badge and camera that members use during their petrol
"Question."
"Go ahead."
"May I use the CADs that I found in the Committee room?"
"…I don't mind, but why? Those are pretty old models."
"They may be older models, but those CADs are high-class items mainly used by professionals."
He gave an unexpected answer with a bitter smile.
"…Is that right? …And we've been treating those things as trash all this time. I see, now I know why you were so particular about cleaning up the place."
"*Cough* Well, in that case use it however you want. It's just collecting dust in the room anyway."
"Understood. In that case, I'll borrow two of them."
"Two? You really are an interesting person."
After that he went to join Erika as promised
"Erika"
"…Sorry."
"I'm sorry for being 10 minutes late for our meeting time. But, being late and not being at the promised location are two different things."
"Ack… sorry."
After going around for some time they came to the kendo club demonstration were trouble was about to begin.
As Tatsuya and Erika watched, a confrontation between a kendo club and kenjutsu club began.
And when Magic was about to be use Tatsuya stepped in to stop that
Before he jumped in, Tatsuya activated his CADs on both arms (using his Psion as "hands" to press the switches) and transferred his Psion within them. He used those CAD to shoot out an intricate web of Psion waves, a type of Non-Systematic magic that he used.
By now, there were many spectators who held their mouths because a symptom similar to motion sickness spread across the crowd.
Kirihara's shinai and Tatsuya's arm intersected, but there weren't any sounds of the shinai hitting meat.
The sound that came out was the sound of a body falling to the floor.
After the spectators recovered from the sound and sickness, they were able to finally see what was going on.
And what they saw was Kirihara on the ground while Tatsuya was keeping him there, by holding his left wrist and using his knee to push down on his shoulder.
"Who's that?"
"I've never seen him before."
"Is he a new student?"
"Look at it, he's a Weed."
"What the hell is a Weed doing?"
"But that thing on his armband—"
"Wait, I heard a rumour that someone from Course 2 made it into the Disciplinary Committee."
"What? Seriously? A Weed in the Disciplinary Committee?"
"This is Tatsuya within the 2nd gymnasium. I have apprehended one student. He seems to be injured so please bring a stretcher just in case."
"Hey, what are you doing?!"
"I am apprehending Kirihara-senpai because of improper use of magic."
Tatsuya dutifully answered the yelling individual. Well, technically, his eyes were still focused on Kirihara below him so even if it was dutiful it wasn't exactly respectful. Depending on how you look at it, it seemed like he was looking down on his opponent.
And that's exactly how the upperclassman Kenjutsu member took it.
"Hey, you! Stop looking down at me you damn Weed!"
He started lunging forward to grab Tatsuya in the chest. A single chop knocked him out
Tatsuya was in the middle of it, getting ready to take the Kenjutsu members head on.
Well, not necessarily "head on" as in counter attacking; all he did was dodge and parry the attacks the "Blooms" unleashed on him.
Tatsuya's movements were not graceful; they were solid, or even certain if there is a right word for it. It's almost as if he could tell the order the upperclassmen were going to attack from all directions; all he made were the minimal necessary movements. He stayed calm during the ordeal and showed no signs of being cornered. When they cooperated to drive him in a corner, he merely did a feint and had them hit each other; when they came at him like a wall, he skillfully wove his way through it.
Even though more than 10 people were attacking him at once, they weren't even able to disrupt his breathing, let alone stop him in place.
The Blooms understood in anger that this insolent Weed wasn't attacking back not because he couldn't, but because he didn't even need to.
This caused the rest of the Kenjutsu members to activate their CADs in anger.
And at that moment all of the people in the gymnasium except Erika were put under an enormous amount of pressure. She knew that this magic literally pussing everyone to their knees and this is a very high level technique.
This was lords haki. This is a technique in which the user uses their psions and manifests them in the form of an aura and miniplate them as they see fit; this requires utmost control of one's psion. Even Erika with all her years of training could not do this yet.
Next he had to give a report to the disciplinary committee which is the student council president, public morals committee chef and the clubs management leader
The club management leader is jumanji katsudo and he is also from the ten master clan.
They wanted to know about his magic and after giving them a brief explanation he was dismissed
At home he had to explain what happened to his aunt and mother thus his first week of school ended.
