On Monday, First High School was buzzing with the news of Retsu Kudou’s passing. The other Magic High Schools were undoubtedly experiencing something similar. Retsu Kudou was a symbolic figure revered as Sage in the Japanese magic community.
When Tatsuya arrived at school just before noon, the conversation around the lunch table was mainly focused on Retsu.
“I had no idea he was sick,” Mizuki whispered.
Honoka turned to Tatsuya. “Did you know?”
“No, I didn’t,” Tatsuya said. “I had only seen him over visiphone lately, but he seemed to be just fine.”
The Kudou family publicly announced that Retsu had died of illness. It made sense. There was no way they could say Minoru had become the monster that killed his own grandfather.
“I see…” Honoka murmured.
Erika turned to Tatsuya, “Will you and Miyuki attend the funeral?”
Both Miyuki and Tatsuya were taken aback by this question.
“We have not received a formal invitation yet,” Miyuki said. “Why do you ask?”
“Well, you are the heir to a member of the Ten Master Clans.” Erika shrugged. “I think it makes perfect sense for you to be invited to the funeral.”
“I can see that.” Leo nodded knowingly. “And Tatsuya is Miyuki’s fiancé, so he would be invited, too.”
“I’ll go if I’m invited,” Tatsuya said. “I owe General Kudou a favor from the Nine School Competition two years ago.”
Retsu had helped him out when he confronted the tournament organizers about the Electron Goldworm cast on Miyuki’s CAD.
During the next Nine School Competition, on the other hand, Retsu had caused Tatsuya a world of trouble. But there was no need to mention that now.
“Oh, right…” Shizuku chimed in nostalgically.
She seemed to immediately recall the incident from the Nine School Competition two years ago. Miyuki surely remembered it as well, but it was only Shizuku who spoke up.
The others were probably avoiding the subject. They were sensitive to the fact that this year’s event had been canceled and that Tatsuya was somewhat responsible for that decision.
Erika, however, seemed completely oblivious and pressed the topic further. In fact, she exhibited a completely different kind of sensitivity altogether.
“After what happened with Sage, this year’s Nine School Competition might have been canceled anyway out of respect,” she said.
“Actually, it probably would have gone on despite General Kudou’s death,” Tatsuya interjected. “He loved the Nine School Competition.”
When there were just ten minutes left until lunch was over, the group stood up from the table and began to exit the cafeteria all together. This was when Erika called out to Tatsuya and Miyuki.
“Can I have a moment, you two?”
“What is it?” Miyuki asked.
Erika wrung her hands. “Well…”
It was immediately clear she didn’t want to talk in front of the others. Even Mikihiko could tell.
“You can use the disciplinary committee room,” he interjected. “No one should be there right now.”
“Okay.” Tatsuya nodded. “What do you think, Miyuki?”
“That sounds fine to me. Will that work, Erika?”
Erika obviously didn’t refuse.
“Yeah, thanks.”
The disciplinary committee office was empty, as Mikihiko had said. Miyuki used her student council president ID card to unlock the door.
Once they were inside, Miyuki cast a soundproof field and she, Tatsuya, and Erika sat down at a long table. The table was neat to a fault, just as Mikihiko liked it. This was in stark contrast to how things had been when Tatsuya had first joined the committee.
“We don’t have much time, so I’ll get straight to the point,” Erika began, before continuing, “Miki told me about tonight.”
Miyuki turned to Tatsuya next to her.
Not seeming particularly surprised, Tatsuya replied, “I see.”
Tatsuya hadn’t told Mikihiko about Miyuki’s plans for this night. So, of course, Erika couldn’t know about them, either.
Erika turned to Miyuki. “What will you do?”
“I plan to stay by Minami’s side until my brother returns,” Miyuki responded.
“Are you worried about Minoru?” Erika asked.
“Yes.”
“Me too.”
Erika sighed, not for dramatics but to prepare herself for what she was going to say next. She knew she was pushing boundaries.
“Do you mind if I join you?” she said.
“In Minami’s hospital room?” Miyuki asked, surprised.
“Yeah.”
“Tonight?”
“Yeah.” Erika nodded before quickly adding, “Leo will be with Miki. Miki’s guard will be down when he’s casting the necessary spell.”
Tatsuya hadn’t heard anything about this. Leo and Mikihiko were probably planning to discuss things after school.
“Does Leo understand what he’s getting himself into?” Tatsuya interjected.
“Of course he does,” Erika asserted.
This might have been presumptuous on her part, but Tatsuya unquestionably treated her as Leo’s spokesperson.
“Well, if you’re sure, I’m happy to accept help from both of you,” he said.
Erika had been expecting resistance from Tatsuya, so his answer made her feel both surprised and relieved. She shifted her gaze to Miyuki.
“So what do you say?”
“Erika,” Miyuki replied slowly, “I am not as used to fighting as Tatsuya is. If something happens, I may not be able to protect you. Are you all right with that?”
“I don’t want you to protect me. I’m going to protect you,” Erika said.
“Well…” Miyuki hesitated before turning to her brother. “Tatsuya, what do you think?”
“Erika should be fine,” Tatsuya replied, glancing at her. “Besides, she really seems to want to do this.”
“You bet I do,” Erika said with a fearless smile.
Tatsuya was just bluffing. He didn’t think Minoru would take action so soon after what had happened the previous day. If there was any real risk, it would affect Mikihiko and Leo instead.
✦ ✦ ✦
That night, the sky was unusually clear enough to see the stars—a rare event nowadays. The moon was still nowhere to be seen and wouldn’t appear until around midnight.
Tatsuya was in a large park’s parking lot, two blocks away from Zama Base. The lot was on the side opposite the base, making it impossible to see Zama from where he stood.
Although Tatsuya had believed what Erika said about Leo, he was somewhat surprised to see him with Mikihiko as promised.
“Are you really sure about this, Leo?” Tatsuya asked.
“You didn’t ask that to Mikihiko,” Leo said with a disgruntled frown. “You don’t have to double-check with me.”
“To be honest, I wish I didn’t have to involve Mikihiko in this, either,” Tatsuya replied.
“But you need my skills,” Mikihiko interjected.
“Well, yeah,” Tatsuya admitted reluctantly.
Despite Tatsuya’s tone, Mikihiko seemed pleased to hear that his help was valued.
“If Mikihiko is fine about being here, I am, too,” Leo said. “Besides, I’m less likely to become a target than he is.”
Since Mikihiko used remote spells, this put him at greater risk of being hit by a magic counterattack. That said, if an enemy traced the magic back to him and decided to retaliate, Leo would inevitably be drawn into the battle as well.
“All right. You win.” Tatsuya sighed.
He knew it would be pointless to argue any further. Leo had already expressed his resolve after school. Besides, Leo’s willingness to protect Mikihiko while the latter’s consciousness was focused on the base was enormously helpful. In fact, at this moment, Tatsuya trusted Leo even more than the Independent Magic Battalion.
“I’m counting on you, Mikihiko,” Tatsuya said. “As for you, Leo, take care of Mikihiko.”
“You got it, boss,” Leo saluted.
“Thanks, Leo,” Mikihiko said.
Tatsuya swung his leg over his electric motorcycle, Wingless, a vehicle developed by the Yotsuba family and equipped with short-distance flight abilities. The combat suit he had on wasn’t his standard Moval Suit, but the Yotsuba family’s flying combat suit, the Freed Suit.
Tonight’s mission was officially unconnected to the 101st Brigade. While reinforcements from the Independent Magic Battalion were on emergency standby, their orders were to remain hidden unless a true crisis unfolded.
“See you later,” Tatsuya said.
He slid his helmet’s visor over his eyes and started up the bike.
✦ ✦ ✦
The USNA military transport plane had just landed at Zama Base and was slowly taxiing on the runway. As a precaution, Fujibayashi had checked the flight logs beforehand to confirm it was the only USNA military aircraft that landed today. In fact, this was the only USNA military plane to arrive within the past week.
Great timing, Tatsuya thought as he drove adjacent to the base.
He used his Elemental Sight to observe the situation. There were clearly parasites aboard the plane. Unlike Minoru, they did not conceal their distinctive psion wave patterns. Or maybe they just couldn’t.
Four parasites in total, Tatsuya noted. That’s fewer than expected. But it looks like one is much stronger than the others.
Determined to resolve things before the parasites even disembarked from the plane, he activated Wingless’s flight function.