Mahouka Koukou no Re Volume 23 - Ch 1

This chapter is updated by Novels.pl

The end of April, 2097. The exact date and ti isn't recorded. First of all, it should be ntioned that this eting wasn't sothing 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 imdiate 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 who was the attacker. You cannot think of anyone else, but Shiba Tatsuya of the Yotsuba family."

And the truth.

Indeed.

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

The leadership of the Intelligence Departnt 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 Departnt, they usually didn't make decisions so quickly. The collection of evidence and data was only a formality.

But this eting was a eting of the secret leadership of the Intelligence Departnt of the National Self-Defense Forces . Such informal etings were held only with special need. This eting 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 imdiately?" One of the votes in response to the Inukai's proposal asked about a more strict asure.

"The idea that he's extrely 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 departnt on Special Issues rose. The Division for Special Issues was a unit whose existence was concealed even within the Intelligence Departnt, which itself was famous for its high secrecy. It was an irregular organization, which at one ti consisted of one to thirteen departnts.

"I want to add sothing about Shiba Tatsuya. There is unconfird 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 Departnt was absent at this eting. 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 mber 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 statent. No, not just him. For a while, the room was plunged into a heavy silence.

"... So you an 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 a magician who created "Scorched Halloween," it would not be easy to get rid of him.

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

Onda responded to Inukai, who has the sa position as the head of the departnt 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 confird that he's a mber of an organization that is above the law.

The Deputy Director cald 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 mbers 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 experintal 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 on her face. Kazama face also tensed.

"Major Onda called yesterday."

"Major Onda ... Who is this?"

As a mber of the military system, Kazama constantly watched the news about military personnel. He couldn't say that he rembered everything, but he was sure of his knowledge of senior officers. But he didn't rember anyone with the na "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 Departnt. 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 available to the Intelligence Departnt. This is because of the attack on the secret intelligence camp."

"... Do they want to kill 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 Departnt, and Saeki was building stupid plans.

"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 Departnt 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 Departnt has recognized the Special Officer as a dangerous elent 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 gas, 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 sa ti. 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 Departnt 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 beco a thing of the past. Miyuki and Minami, who were in a separate incident at about the sa ti 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 mbers 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 ti 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 requirents, 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 dia 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 ti. Even Tatsuya's knowledge, who is directly involved in CAD developnt under the pseudonym Taurus Silver, didn't cover the latest models of the released equipnt. It can be said that at the mont 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 t 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 mbers 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, soone made a sound that sounded like a muffled cry, but to until the end of the news no one said anything.

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

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

"Yeah." Shizuku confird Honoka statent.

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

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

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

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

But the view of society, that is, of the entire world, will only beco 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 volu 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 governnt troops and opposition forces. The activities of these powerful countries of the world, whether it is the hidden manipulation of the local 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 beco much smaller. The competition between the forces of the Great Asian Alliance and France in the area of the Gulf of Guinea resembled a ga 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 ard forces that proclaid themselves to be the next generation of the international terrorist group ND (the Movent 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, was undoubtedly one of the true answers.

"So, there are other reasons?"

The question was asked not Miyuki, but Izumi. It still couldn't be said that she had beco open with Tatsuya. Usually she didn't start talking to him first, but this ti 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 nad Liu Li Lie."

"I was interested in that mont in the news too. This ans that the reason was an announcent of the new officially recognized state Strategic Class Magician?"

"The aning 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 imdiately 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 ans, if Liu Yunde is dead, then Liu Li Lie is his successor?"

"The official announcent 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, but instead we have another Strategic Class Magician."

"Sabotage against France, and demonstration to the whole world?" Muttered Izumi with an understanding face.

Even after joining with Leo, Erika and other third-graders, when they went to 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." The 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 mber 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 ard groups and drew attention to the legitimacy of using Strategic Class Magic, but it also found a place to advertise the new "Apostle."

In the first news, only the gender and na of "Liu Li Lie" was listed. When the Great Asian Alliance revealed that it 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 sohow 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

that recognition by an official of the state is a good situation for her." Erika spoke in a slightly annoyed tone, probably because she rembered about the incident with children of the sa age who were victims of magical experints conducted in Japan so ti 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 nurous victims buried in the darkness, this exposed girl in so 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 their na 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 an that adults will be more motivated when they see that such a young girl is trying so hard?"

Probably, she herself regretted that so ti ago she showed irritation. Therefore, she courteously said Tatsuya's words more simply.

"Well, sothing 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 announcent 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 the Strategic Class Magic?"

For so 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, and not for direct killing people."

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

"Thunderclap Tower is a magic ford 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 ?".

Mikihiko responded to this look. If soone said that there was no intention of showing themselves 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, causing serious damage to electrical equipnt 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 sa."

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 ti. It is unlikely that they could build a high-tech city there. I think the main equipnt that could be damaged by EMP weapons is equipnt for extracting resources."

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

"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 positions. Using unmanned automatic weapons provided by France, local hostile ard groups have already occupied more than half of the territory."

These words were sufficient for Leo to understand sothing.

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

"They gave priority to neutralizing drones, sacrificing mining equipnt." Mikihiko ca to the sa conclusion.

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

"The motive for using Thunderclap Tower on its territory is counterasures against unmanned weapons. However, don't even ntion 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 forgetten 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 dical 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.