Chapter 69

Saturday, October 29, 2095 AD. Although class was still in session, each class was essentially self study. Aside from the practical skills classes, all the other classes were practically self study anyways, though for Course 2 students, half of their Practical Skills class was also self study, so it wasn't like this was any different than usual. — That being said, the typical class wouldn't be as rowdy as this.

Every so often, an explosion would sound off during Practical Skills, giving off the impression that the "tranquil campus" was blatantly false advertising. Actually, normally there would be some degree of ruckus, but they were usually more organized or settled. The reason for today's insanity was that the entire campus was filled with noise caused by the final examination for the materials required for tomorrow's Thesis Competition.

However, as one of the primary contributors, Tatsuya was in his classroom quietly doing his homework in front of a terminal.

Tatsuya was not concentrating on his homework that had no bearing on tomorrow's preparation because he was procrastinating or had been fired. ...Strictly speaking, high school students leaving their homework to the last day to work on other preparations should still constitute "procrastinating".

His responsibilities for the day included verifying the run time conditions during the dress rehearsal and fixing any errors (all other inspections had been completed). Still, since the integral piece Suzune hadn't arrived, the dress rehearsal went on hold. Yesterday, he received a message saying that "she'll come to school in the afternoon", so there was no need to worry or be concerned, but that meant he had nothing to do for the Thesis Competition preparation.

After the end of the first period, just as he was about to relax and stretch, a sound caught his attention from the front.

Tatsuya didn't turn to Leo, who sat in front of him with his elbows on the back of the chair, but to Erika standing next to him as she called out to him.

"Tatsuya-kun, when do you enter the conference hall tomorrow?"

Although Erika tried her utmost to feign disinterest, her effort was dashed by Leo pricking his ears at the conversation.

These two, what the heck are they planning...? Tatsuya thought with astonishment, but this wasn't anything confidential.

"We meet at 8 AM before the conference hall and the opening ceremony is at 9 AM. The ceremony lasts 30 minutes, so the official contest starts at 9:30 AM. Each team is allotted 30 minutes, there will be a 10 minute break in between, with four teams presenting before lunch break from noon to 1 PM. Five teams will present in the afternoon, so the competition will end around 4:10 PM. Afterwards, there will be evaluations and the awards ceremony, so the expected end will be around 6 PM."

"...So, when will our school be presenting?"

Erika was a little dizzy since her first question received such an overwhelming response, but she finally managed to get it straight.

After failing to thoroughly confound her, Tatsuya simply switched over to an honest answer.

"First High is second to last and will start at 3 PM."

"Then don't you have a lot of time?"

"Indeed. That's why the primary speaker, Ichihara-senpai, is entering the conference hall after noon. Isori-senpai and I will be in early to take care of the equipment and handle any emergencies."

"Hm~. At any rate, you guys will meet up there. What about the demonstration device?"

"The Student Council will arrange for a transportation company. Hattori-senpai will ride along."

"Hattori-senpai, wasn't he going to be Ichihara-senpai's bodyguard?"

"I heard that Saegusa-senpai and Watanabe-senpai are going to get Ichihara-senpai tomorrow. Speaking of which, why do you want to know?"

At Tatsuya's unexpected question, Erika fidgeted and could not come up with a reply.

Sparing a glance at the indecisive Erika, the hitherto silent Leo finally opened his mouth.

"Well, those bodyguards, could we get in on that?"

Seeing the blatantly displeased Erika keeping mum, the contents were likely something the two of them had already discussed ahead of time.

"That shouldn't be a problem... But why would you want to get involved in such an irksome task?"

To Tatsuya, this was an obvious line of inquiry, whereas Leo let out an embarrassed smile.

Tatsuya glanced at Leo, then towards Erika. Leo wore a self-mocking smile as he returned Tatsuya's gaze while Erika sought to dodge Tatsuya's look.

"I already asked for time off from school to train this guy. Wouldn't I look like a complete moron if everything was handled without giving us a chance to shine?"

Her eyes elsewhere, Erika added in an unhappy tone. She appeared to be aware of the unpublished incident at the Special Detention Center and was complaining because she estimated that she missed out because of her absence. Unfortunately, even though Erika wanted to use someone like Lu Gonghu to serve as a punching bag to train Leo, that plan seemed doomed.

"Regardless of your motive, we need all the help we can get. Also, there's no guarantee that nothing will happen."

"Eh? I thought everything was already settled?"

Suddenly, Mikihiko jumped in on the conversation as if he had been eavesdropping the entire time.

There was no need to point out the fact he was listening in on them — if they did, their other friend who was engaged in the same activity may panic and cause a ruckus — so Tatsuya answered the question with this.

"Is there a rule that states incidents happen singularly and by themselves?"

Tatsuya did not inform his friends that the chief suspect for the mastermind of this entire incident, Chen Xiangshan, remained at large. Nor did he plan to do so in the future. His answer remained purely theoretical, but Tatsuya believed that was enough at this standpoint.

"There are people taking aim at the Thesis Competition every year. An example of this would be being ambushed on the way home from the event proper. Even if we handled the incident before the competition begins, that doesn't mean that nothing will occur during the competition itself, correct?"

"Well...

You're right. Then can I also help with security?"

After deeply contemplating those words, Mikihiko was suddenly highly motivated as he made his offer, to which Tatsuya nodded with a smile.

"Then, we're relying on you."

Even if they handled one hurdle, that doesn't mean they can let down their guard. That was only human nature.

Yet, strictly based on the results, Tatsuya undoubtedly was dead wrong at this juncture.

◊ ◊ ◊

The day before the Thesis Competition, Suzune asked for the day off from school and pushed the dress rehearsal to the afternoon before arriving at the hospital.

Hattori tagged along because he was worried that Suzune would run into danger if she ventured alone, hence Mayumi, Mari and Hattori...

At any rate, everyone around her fiercely disagreed, but finally reached the compromise of Hattori accompanying her.

She lightly knocked twice on the sickroom door. "Come in."

A solemn, feminine voice replied from within the room.

Hattori remained in the corridor. The one who met Suzune at the door was a resident doctor at the magic university affiliated First High, Yasuyado Satomi. She must have come earlier to visit Chiaki.

The young girl was sitting in bed with her head bowed. Chiaki didn't even respond to Suzune's arrival.

"Doctor, does Hirakawa Chiaki have any psychological disorders?"

Completely out of the blue, Suzune bluntly directed this question to Dr. Yasuyoda.

"No, there's no sign of psychological trauma that would pose a communication issue. Still, since there's no way to directly diagnose her 'mentality', I cannot say she is entirely healthy."

"It will be fine so long as she can hear my words."

Hearing Yasuyoda's response, Suzune rose to her feet. She went around the bed to stand before the window and spoke to Chiaki with her back facing the young girl.

"Hirakawa Chiaki-san, you are unable to rouse Shiba-kun's interest with your methods."

Suzune's words were oddly calm. She was coldly pointing out the facts without applying any comfort, encouragement, sarcasm, or ridicule.

"Favorable impression is of course out of the question, you cannot stir enmity or even hostility. To him, the current you is nothing more than a face in the crowd."

Most people who heard Suzune's words would accept this simply as the truth. Yet, this was sufficient to bring out her rebuttal.

"So what!"

That, was enough. Suzune was able to successfully tap Chiaki's words and emotions that lurked beneath her combative and resistant attitude.

...Even if it was 100% negative, this was still a crucial first step.

"I know that I'm inconsequential to someone like him. I don't need senpai to point out each and every detail!"

Regardless of whether she was facing Sayaka or Kanon, Chiaki maintained a resistant stance which she also adopted towards Suzune.

However, Suzune had a different reaction compared to those two. "On some level, I believe that your assessment of Shiba-kun is spot on."

Heedless of Chiaki's screams, Suzune continued on with her back facing Chiaki.

"True, he is an arrogant person. He couldn't care less how the mortals cry and sue for help. Forget compassion, he would not even waste his time to ridicule the masses. Even when harassed, he would only dispel the irritation like one shoos away a fly."

Her head lowered, Chiaki bit her lip in frustration. After listening to Suzune's words, she recalled the incidents surrounding recruitment week back in April and more or less understood what she was saying.

At the time she felt that there was nothing they could do for him despite the harassment, but now many high school students like Chiaki realized they were dead wrong.

If he desired so, that man could capture any opponent who dared to use magic to lay a snare for him.

The sole reason he refrained was that he simply had no interest in doing so.

In reality, the level of harm those magic attacks inflicted on him was nothing more than mosquito bites, and she who could not even do that much was lower than even those pests...

In order to hold back the tears of frustration that seemed to well forth from her heart, Chiaki couldn't help but clench her fists to the point that her nails dug into her palm.

Ignoring Chiaki's current state — or simply feigning ignorance — Suzune kept her back to the girl as she continued.

"Hirakawa-san, did you know? During the final examination for the first semester, Shiba-kun received a top score that sowed despair in the hearts of everyone beneath him. Especially in Magic Engineering, where he received an astonishing full marks."

"...What's your point?"

"And the one who received Second Place in the Magic Engineering portion of the exam for Year 1 students is you."

Suzune turned to look at her now. Although her expression remained calm, her eyes were smiling warmly.

"You scored 92 out of a possible 100. Normally, no one would be surprised if you took First Place with that score."

"...And what of it?"

"Unfortunately, you stand no chance of threatening Shiba-kun in any other field. Yet, if restricted solely to Magic Engineering, I believe it is still possible for Hirakawa-san to surpass Shiba-kun."

Chiaki suddenly lifted her head.

Her eyes widened at the same time her "disbelief" transformed into a "may be possible" hope.

"Since three weeks ago, after working alongside him, I noticed that Shiba-kun is much handier with software compared to hardware. Of course, his hardware abilities far exceed those of a high school student, but are certainly not so advanced that the gulf can't be bridged. Although Magic Engineering in Year 1 focuses largely on software, after advancing to Year 2, hardware becomes the focus. I recall that Hirakawa-san specializes in hardware, correct?"

The point Suzune was trying to make was that once she advanced to the Year 2 courses dominated by hardware, she would have a chance for a reversal — that was how Chiaki rationalized this.

A small voice in her consciousness whispered that this was an overly optimistic outlook, but she chose to ignore it.

Seeing the self-destructive attitude fade from Chiaki's face only to be replaced by positive emotions shining from her eyes, Suzune's expression softened.

"If you continue to hold onto that indomitable spirit, I believe one day you can accomplish this."

Suzune did not say what she could accomplish. Nor did Chiaki ask.

There was no need to go into detail here.

An overarching "something" was sufficient as a goal.

"Please come to the conference tomorrow. I believe you will benefit quite a bit."

Suzune's retreating figure from the sickroom was not reflected in Chiaki's eyes.

Maybe she could accomplish something — the anesthesia named "possibility".

After injecting revitalizing medicine into the flagging spirit that may have walked to its doom, a momentous change came over Chiaki's heart.

◊ ◊ ◊

"Err...

Ichihara-senpai? If you don't feel well..."

Seeing the terrible countenance on Suzune's face as she left the room, Hattori asked her in a wavering manner.

"No, there's no need to worry. Just going through a bout of self- loathing right now."

Suzune was not a talented speaker. While she excelled in debating, she generally refrained unless there was a pressing need. Though it must be owned that she was more verbose in Mayumi's company, generally she was a taciturn individual.

Well aware of this, Hattori picked up on the words "self loathing", but wordlessly followed her without asking any further questions.

From Suzune's perspective, she allowed Hattori to accompany her because he was someone who knew how to read between the lines. As she expected, he did not pursue the conversation any longer.

(Seriously...

It looks like I have all the talents necessary for a con man.)

Beneath the calm exterior of her poker face, Suzune repeatedly ridiculed herself.

Rather than trying to help Chiaki pull herself together, her goal was more in line with that she felt it was a great pity Chiaki's talent was going to waste.

Also, she wasn't doing this on behalf of herself or Hirakawa's older sister who was in the same grade.

She was doing this for her alma mater.

The Ichihara Family was an Extra Family that had lost their number.

Now, discrimination against Extra Numbers was officially frowned upon, but that was a recent turnaround that happened twenty years ago. In her parents' generation, discrimination and bigotry ran rampant in their youth. Suzune's father was tragically ostracized in the magical community, hence they always hid the fact that the Ichihara Family was once the Extra "Ichihana" Family from her.

Suzune's childhood always had that shadow hanging over her. Once she reached middle school, she learned of the truth that her father hid from her as well as the reason for it. Possibly because of this reason, Suzune never felt that she belonged to the magical community.

Her first and foremost sense of belonging was to her school, the magic university affiliated First High.

Thus, she felt deeply indebted to Mayumi for giving her this opportunity as well as a powerful sense of school spirit that was second to no one.

During the Nine Schools Competition in the summer, Suzune and the other members of the brass from First High noticed a looming issue with the lack of magic engineers in the underclassmen.

The Year 1 Men's Team obtained unfavorable results not only because of their mentality; Suzune and the others reached an accord on another primary reason.

There were talented individuals like Azusa, Isori, and Tatsuya. But, there were simply too few.

Remove those three, and the skill level dropped like a rock.

Underclassmen, especially the cultivation of magic engineers in the Year 1 students, became the first priority for the last semester that remained to them. In particular, encouraging talented Course 2 students was a focal point.

Course 1 students under direct teacher supervision was another story, but only the Student Council and Club Activities Group could locate quality talent lurking in the Course 2 students who weren't being nurtured by the faculty.

Among them, Hirakawa Chiaki walked into Suzune's line of sight.

A Year 1 student who loitered around with illegal tools. After some digging, she once scored very well in magic engineering and excelled in hardware repair and modification.

Her talents must be put to use for the alma mater.

In order to accomplish this, Suzune arrived at the conclusion that inciting her to compete against Shiba Tatsuya would be the most effective way.

(Oh well, not like this spells misfortune for anyone.)

...Using this sentence to draw her mental struggle to a close, Suzune truly was a young woman who befitted a "cool" description.

◊ ◊ ◊

The conference hall would be in Yokohama this year, so First High's representatives just had to meet up in the morning of the opening ceremony. Last year, the competition was held in Kyoto, so they had to depart the day before and spend the night over there.

For the same reason, representatives of schools in remote locations departed for Yokohama a day or two before and sought lodgings.

Kichijouji Shinkurou, bearing the title "Cardinal George", also did so as one of the representatives for Third High, one of the favorites to win this year.

Third High's representatives would present last. With modern transit's speed and comfort, they could reach Yokohama from Kanazawa even if they left the morning of, but that did not guarantee that nothing out of the ordinary would occur along the way. Thus, the team elected to leave school at noon the day before and spend one night in Yokohama.

"George, it's about time."

"Already? Got it, I'm on my way."

Kichijouji, who was currently reading something wholly unrelated to the Thesis Competition and the subsequent report, responded to Masaki's call and thumbed the power button of the Book Player in his hands.

(Wish I could bring this along. Maybe I could ask for permission...)

The trip to Yokohama took 3 hours.

It was simply too boring to sit there and stare.

Kichijouji reluctantly glanced at his Book Player carrying the unfinished article.

However, the data recorded within had been restricted by the National Magic University and it was forbidden to remove it from the premises.

Any request to borrow the material would undoubtedly be rejected.

With a sigh, Kichijouji forced himself to curtail any lingering attachments (not that there was anything important enough to warrant this overblown statement).

He put the book back on the shelf and stood up after picking up the travel bag by his feet.

The itinerary for Yokohama called for a large bus that could bring their stage device along.

Accurately speaking, they were taking the bus to the loading point, loading the entire bus onto the bullet train (cargo trains that could carry entire buses were now commonplace), and then heading to Yokohama at 600 kilometers per hour, so they would reach their destination without switching rides (mostly).

Although he wasn't exactly normal, he was still a 15 year old high school student. If he didn't have to worry about the other passengers, he probably wouldn't be bored if he could chat with his friends, he thought.

They were probably going to meet that man in Yokohama.

No, they were going to meet again, that was the more appropriate description.

Using the Year 1 student from First High whom they secretly saw as their rival as the topic, he could definitely use the man's young sister to tease his best friend to spend the time, Kichijouji thought with a wicked smile on his face.

◊ ◊ ◊

There was an upper class bar located near the top floor of the skyscraper "Yokohama Bay Hills Tower" that overlooked the Yokohama Harbor. A man and woman were taking in the scenery while raising glasses filled with ruby red fluid to their lips.

"The new wine from this year is quite exquisite."

"A pity I cannot identify the differences in taste. My apologies for wasting the choice wine you provided."

Unlike her usual inconspicuous garb, tonight Fujibayashi paid careful attention to her attire as she charmingly smiled, prompting Inspector Chiba Toshikazu to frantically wave his empty hand.

"No, this wine is a fresh product that the private bar here doesn't care about, so you can bring it into the store as soon as it's ready...

It's not really valuable..."

"Ara, isn't it wonderful to be able to sample this so quickly after its fermented?"

With Fujibayashi tilting her nose closer to the glass as she closed her eyes and slowly twirled the wine in the glass before opening her eyes to reveal a smoldering gaze, Toshikazu could only smile awkwardly.

"...Ah, so long as you like it. Thanks to Fujibayashi-san, the case was finally wrapped up, so please consider this my insufficient gift of appreciation."

"Pot, meet kettle, Mr. Inspector. After all, I couldn't just let them run wild either."

"Is that the Fujibayashi Family's stance? Or is it...

Nay, my apologies."

Noticing the clear eyes watching him without a trace of intoxication, Inspector Chiba recalled his agreement with Fujibayashi.

She only had one condition for providing information integral to the investigation.

And that was to "never ask of her background or goals".

Not asking about her background appeared to be an odd request for

Fujibayashi Kyouko.

She was the daughter of the famous Fujibayashi Family who were renowned for Ancient Magic and the granddaughter of Kudou Retsu, one of the elders from the Ten Master Clans, which was something he knew in the beginning.

On top of this, she added a condition to "never ask for her background", which blatantly implied that she was more than meets the eye.

"Speaking of which, Mr. Inspector. Was the invitation today solely to 'return the favor'?"

"Eh!?"

Seeing the eldest son of the Chiba Family almost spray the contents of his glass all over the place, the young lady of the Fujibayashi Family smiled because of her successful surprise attack.

"If Mr. Inspector is available, I would enjoy his company beyond tonight and even tomorrow."

"Eh, ah, O-Of course! If you don't mind, of course I will accompany you!"

Chiba Toshikazu had not led a life wholly devoid of female company. The Chiba Family's dojo also had female disciples and his sister once fiercely berated him as the "dishonorable and lecherous Kazu-nii" owing to his wild days during his years as a student.

Rather than saying that he wasn't used to associating with women or was inept at dealing with women, it would be more appropriate to say that Fujibayashi was just special.

"Thank you very much. Then, shall we say 8:30 in the morning at the Sakura Town Bus Station?"

"...Morning?"

Inspector Chiba could only stare blankly at the smirking Fujibayashi.

"Are you unaware that tomorrow they are holding the National High School Magic Thesis Competition at the International Conference Hall?"

"No, I do know that..."

"I am acquainted with one of the young men presenting tomorrow, so I have to go cheer him on."

"Ha..."

Although he wasn't going to say this, Inspector Chiba's face seemed to betray his expectations for "I thought you meant something else". Fujibayashi's enticing words naturally led him to interpret her words as "accompany me tomorrow (night)".

Seeing Toshikazu's expression, not only did Fujibayashi not bat an eyelid, her smile remained the same as well.

"Oh, yes, make sure to inform all your subordinates as well. Make sure to prepare not only their CAD, but also weaponry and live ammunition would be of great assistance."

"Fujibayashi-san, what are you..."

The listless expression was swiftly dashed by shock and tightened as if someone had poured cold water on him.

"Of course, let's hope that nothing happens."

After answering Inspector Chiba's question this way, Fujibayashi quietly filled her wine glass.