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Rescue Chapter is the 30th volume in the Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei Light Novel series.

Synopsis[]

Chasing after Minami, Tatsuya heads towards a USNA military facility! The story reaches even greater heights――!!

Taking Minami, Kudou Minoru escapes from Japan. Along with Parasite Raymond, they head for a USNA military base located in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

On the other hand, Tatsuya, who’s pursuit was blocked by the surprise intervention of Kokonoe Yakumo, hasn't given up on Minami. He promised Miyuki to bring her back.

Where Minoru and Raymond escaped to earlier. Strange enough, the Pearl and Hermes U.S. military base is located near Midway Prison where Major Canopus is imprisoned, whom Lina wants to rescue.

Tatsuya, who has now mastered his new magic "Astral Dispersion" that destroys parasites, secretly attacks the USNA military base in order to rescue Minami and also Canopus…!!

Chapter 1[]

Spoiler

July 13th, early Saturday morning. It was ten minutes before seven o’clock in the morning.

"Are you going to visit Honoka at the hospital, after you have gone home?"

Tatsuya with his usual expression, asked Miyuki as they were heading to First High in his usual voice.

“Yes, as planned.”

Miyuki has a different appearance with bright chestnut-colored hair, light brown eyes, and a different voice, due to Lina’s magic “Parade”, but she speaks in the same tone.

Yesterday, July 12th. Minami was taken out of the country via sea route by Minoru, with help from the parasites from the US military. Tatsuya’s pursuit ended in failure.

However, neither Tatsuya or Miyuki were overwhelmed with disappointment.

“Tatsuya is going too, right?”

Next to Miyuki, Lina, with an appearance differentiating from Miyuki only in hair and eye colour, asks Tatsuya. ———Considering how Lina disguised Miyuki with reference to her own face, it should be described that the current Miyuki and Lina look like two peas in a pod except for their differing colors.

Tatsuya failed to rescue Minami, Lina knows this as well.

However, Lina doesn’t seem to be concerned about Tatsuya’s wellbeing.

It’s not that she thinks that Tatsuya doesn’t care about his failure yesterday.

Lina knew that both Tatsuya and Miyuki might have taken a little mental damage. Nevertheless, ———Neither Tatsuya nor Miyuki had given up.

Lina is aware of that.

“That’s right. Lina would you accompany us?”

“Of course. Honoka is my friend.”

Tatsuya and Miyuki are behaving as they usually do, so I will stick to my same attitude as well.

Lina thought to herself.

◇ ◇ ◇

Miyuki has gained the appearance of another person due to Lina’s magic, in order to deceive the mass media.

On Monday July 8th. A New Soviet Union fleet that sailed south through the Sea of Japan was repelled by Ichijou Masaki’s new Strategic Class Magic “Ocean Blast”.

In itself, Tatsuya had devised a plan and calculated to do just that. However, Kichijouji Shinkurou’s press release directed the mass media to a new hero, this greatly disrupted Tatsuya’s plans.

Kichijouji as the co-developer of “Ocean Blast”, gave Tatsuya’s name to the reporters with absurd honesty. Thanks to that, not only Tatsuya but even Miyuki is in a situation of being exposed to the media.

Fortunately, Tatsuya and Miyuki have yet to be surrounded by reporters and photographers.

The fact that Tatsuya and Miyuki moved to their apartment in Chofu is also concealed by the school. According to records, both of them reside at a single house owned by their father, Shiba Tatsurou. The mass media is now intruding there.

Nevertheless, it is easy to imagine that a reporter who couldn’t get a comment at their home would try to ambush them on their route to First High. In fact, this is already occurring. In anticipation of this, Tatsuya asked Lina to change Miyuki’s appearance to that of another person using “Parade”. Miyuki is headed to school with Lina earlier than usual because it takes time to dispel “Parade”. The magic itself can be released in an instant, but in order to prevent an unspecified number of students from seeing this transformation scene, they must go to the student council room, not the classroom, and cancel the disguise there. For that reason, they go to school ahead of time.

Tatsuya sent Miyuki off and settled down in the dining room. To reiterate, he hasn’t given up on the rescue of Minami, nor has he been driven away or been beaten by Minoru.

This morning, he is going through yesterday’s affairs. No matter what was started, it is still unfinished. (TL note: not too sure on this line.)

(….Minami is proceeding east across the Pacific Ocean. There appears to be no change in course.) While drinking coffee brewed by the home automation, he turns his “Eye” towards Minami’s information. The Eidos of Minami can be traced without any issues.

(Minoru… hasn’t realized that I’m “looking”)

Minoru should be by Minami’s side. Tatsuya traced the “connection” and tried to read Minoru’s Eidos. However, before he could focus, the “figure” of Minoru is out of Tatsuya’s “field of vision”.

(“Ghost Walker?”)

Tatsuya’s “line of sight” was probably changed due to Minoru’s “Ghost Walker”. Minoru seems to be using Ancient Magic of the East Asian Continent, which was inherited from Zhou’s ghost.

Tatsuya therefore stopped his observation for now. Of course, the marker placed on Minami’s Eidos remains, but he doesn’t want Minoru to find out.

If detailed observations continue, it will not be impossible to stop the transport ship that took Minami. However, if he were to damage the body of Minami with an imprudent attack, it would be mistaking the insignificant for the essential. The engine could be destroyed, but if it leads to the result of the ship sinking, the connection with his “eye” could be exposed.

(It’s still morning but ...)

Thinking that as he wanted to go out, he drank the rest of coffee. The destination was 10MC Meeting. He didn't have to wear any specific clothes to attend, but at least formal attire. Since he's still considered a student attending with a school uniform was acceptable too, but he decided to wear a suit.

He put the cup into dishwasher --- He didn't have to push the button because the machine would automatically start working when something to wash is put there --- Tatsuya then headed to his room. But he instead had to detour to the living room.

The phone was ringing.

The time was just before 08:00. Considering the time, maybe this was quite an urgent phone call, or maybe they could only call at this time of day. With that thought, he hesitated on whether to act oblivious.

Tatsuya entered the living room and pushed the accept button.

The person that appeared in phone wall display was Fujibayashi Kyouko wearing her military uniform.

“Good morning, Tatsuya-kun. I'm sorry to call at such a time.”

Fujibayashi started the conversation with a reserved attitude. Judging from that, it seemed there was a particular reason she was calling in the morning.

"Good morning. Is there any urgent business?"

Tatsuya immediately asked in a blunt tone. He didn't have a very amiable expression but that wasn't because he felt offended by the call. That's just his usual way.

“It's not urgent business but …”

Fujibayashi answered heavily.

Tatsuya hinted with a glance to urge her to continue.

Fujibayashi within the wall display appeared restless with her eyes swimming left and right, and without facing Tatsuya directly, then started to talk.

“... I want to apologize about my father. Tatsuya-kun, could I ask for some of your time?”

"Does that mean you want to meet me directly?"

“Yes.”

Fujibayashi finally resolved herself and looked Tatsuya in the eyes.

“The betrayal of my father wasn't something that I want to apologize through the display phone.” Fujibayashi Kyouko's father, Fujibayashi Nagamasa, fought Tatsuya in woods located at Fuji’s mountain base, Aokigahara woods. It was to hinder Tatsuya going after Minoru. The day before, Nagamasa promised Tatsuya to cooperate for catching Minoru, so what he had done was undoubtedly an act of betrayal.

"There’s no need."

Tatsuya as usual just answered bluntly.

“But …”

"I just received the apology, nothing further is needed."

A blunt unreserved line.

Tatsuya's tone too matched his line.

Even so, Fujibayashi didn't cower just with that and wanted to say something. But Tatsuya answered before she was able to do it.

"Leave that aside, how about you visit your father? You know the hospital he's in, right?"

Tatsuya left the defeated Fujibayashi Nagamasa to Kuroba Mitsugu’s henchmen and Nagamasa was brought to Yotsuba's hospital in Chofu. He was currently kept custody there for medical treatment.

“Y-yes. I heard from my mother.”

"It's a lethal wound, but they shouldn't reject visitors."

Even though Nagamasa was kept custody there, Yotsuba didn't have any intention to decline any visitors for him. They had stated the hospital name together with its address by phone last night.

“... I understand.”

Come again after talking with the source of problem, Nagamasa himself. Fujibayashi interpreted that was what Tatsuya meant.

“This time, I'm really sorry for what happened.”

Tatsuya realized Fujibayashi somehow misunderstood him but he didn't have any intention to rectify that.

"It's nothing. Take care."

With that line which could easily be misunderstood, he pushed the button to end the call.

◇ ◇ ◇

Kazama who worked in the Lieutenant Colonel office of Independent Magic Equipped Battalion 101 left the office room without even being able to sit for a considerable time. It's because he received a message from terminal device above his desk to come over.

And currently he's standing in front of Major General Saeki's office desk, the top commander of 101 Battalion.

"Yesterday, in old Yamanashi prefecture, around the western side of Fuji-Kawaguchi lake, police enquired Kudou Soushi."

After the usual exchange, this was the topic that Saeki brought up.

Kazama was slightly surprised hearing that.

"That's the same name of the 2nd son of Kudou."

"That's him."

Kazama confusion then became obvious.

"Why was he in that place? I thought he shouldn't have any leeway to go that far since tomorrow is his Excellency’s Kudou funeral."

The funeral for his Excellency Kudou who was killed by Minoru --- officially it’s mentioned that he passed away because of an illness --- would be held tomorrow at the Kudou's estate. Undoubtedly many people will be coming to mourn. It's not limited to today, yesterday their family also should have been busy preparing.

"It seems that Kudou Soushi helped Kudou Minoru escape and even fought Shiba Tatsuya."

"The Kudou-clan are still connected with Kudou Minoru?"

Based on his tone, Kazama was exasperated instead of surprised knowing that fact.

"It's just circumstantial evidence."

In contrast, Saeki wasn’t surprised or exasperated, and just answered bluntly to Kazama.

"If the police were able to inquiry him, means that Kudou Soushi wasn’t erased by Tatsuya, right?"

"Of course. His magic, Mist Dispersion is designed as classified magic. It's not permitted to be used just because he was obstructed when rescuing a servant."

This time, Saeki's poker face starting to crumble. Her line was a one-sided push of military regulation. To Tatsuya, his priority was different. But Kazama didn't point that out. "If it's like that, he himself understands it well I think ... "

Saeki then sighed.

"... Last night, the fire point on the southern side of the lake, was caused by Mist Dispersion. There's no evidence, but based on analysis of the image captured using infra-red stratosphere platform, it's unmistakably surmised so."

"I never heard of this."

Kazama expression was, complaining why wasn’t he notified of such information. Tatsuya as "Special Lieutenant Oguro Ryuya" is Kazama’s direct subordinate within Independent Magic Equipped Battalion. Even in the end the information would go the highest commander of battalion, before that, it's only natural the information itself should went to him first. That's what Kazama thought.

Saeki understood what Kazama thought and even predicted that.

"Our battalion, won't protect Tatsuya over the violations he committed yesterday."

Moreover, she ignored Kazama's dissatisfaction.

"Recently, his conduct have gone over limit. If he thinks just because he's a Strategical Class Magician he can do whatever he wishes, that notion itself should be rectified."

"I think Tatsuya never misunderstood that ..."

Just because we got a new Strategic Class Magician with Ichijou Masaki, so we have no use for Tatsuya anymore? --- Although Kazama didn't say that.

"By the way, was Kudou Minoru able to slip away from Tatsuya with help of Kudou Soushi?

"Kudou Minoru brought Sakurai Minami, and escaped to Pacific using USNA transport ship."

"So it's instigated by the USNA?"

"Apparently, he got help from parasites within the USNA military."

Parasites within the USNA military with Stars at the center, certainly having their influence is strong. That fact had been known to Japan’s military. Currently only selected people within the intelligence division have hold of that information, but Saeki got the information through her private connections.

"I see."

Saeki never told Kazama about this before, but Kazama didn't show any surprise about that. Saeki didn't expect such a reaction from Kazama, but she didn't ask "you already knew?" either. Since she thought he wouldn't be willingly to say where he got his information, she didn't press further.

"... very likely Shiba Tatsuya too knows how Kudou Minoru escapes. There's a good chance that he knows the destination too."

"Tatsuya has that 'Eye' after all. But is there any problem with that?"

"The destination the ship that brings Minoru is northwest of the Hawaiian archipelago."

"Northwest of the Hawaiian archipelago… . Does your excellency believe and worry that there's chance of Tatsuya attacking Midway?"

"Correct."

Saeki didn't hide it and clearly nodded.

"Major. The Independent Magic Equipped Battalion will not lend any assistance to Shiba Tatsuya attacking Midway."

"Roger. I will relay that to my subordinates."

With Kazama who’s able to discern the right thing, Saeki sighed with relief.

It seems she thinks that he would agree with attacking the USNA base. --- Judging from Saeki's reaction, that's what Kazama thought. That notion was no different that looking at him as a person that prioritized personal feelings more than the nation's advantage, Kazama is dissatisfied with that kind of assessment.

"Is that all?" Because of that, his words were kinda prickly. Kazama didn't even hide his dissatisfaction.

"No. The main topic is different."

From Saeki's tone, she didn't become impatient because of Kazama's attitude. But, more than that, her tone was too calm. "We'll be releasing the Australian magicians that we captured in March, Jasmine Williams and James J. Johnson."

"We are going to extradite them to Australia?"

"Correct."

Kazama didn't ask the reason for releasing both. Since it's the government’s decision, he had no place to question that decision, and he didn't want to lure a snake that can catch the bait by asking for it [TLN: having more problems by asking unnecessary questions]. There's no officially stated officer or soldier from Japan that has become a prisoner in Australia. But maybe they weren't captured as war prisoner but as a criminal. Kazama himself wasn't unrelated to this kind of illegal operations, so he really didn't want to know much about this release. "I'm thinking of assigning you to guard their extradition."

"You actually mean me?"

But both of them knew this had nothing to do about the release of two operative Australian magicians.

"For a day’s task. It should pose no problem for the battalion’s management to handle this."

"Can I ask the date, time and the location?"

"You're going to depart from this base July 14, at 0900. Both prisoners are going to arrive today."

"So it's tomorrow... . Where do we bring the prisoners? To Australia?"

"Iwo island. You will hand over those prisoners there."

"Just handing over, right?"

"It's not a prisoner exchange. But."

With that, Saeki took a sealed letter and gave it to him.

"Deliver this to person who’s incharge. Make sure you personally deliver it to them."

"The person in charge you mentioned, who is this person?"

There's no receiver name in the letter. Kazama's question was obvious.

In contrast to Kazama's question, Saeki's answer wasn't obvious.

"Lieutenant Colonel, you know this person’s name and face."

Currently, in this Battalion’s Command office room was only Saeki and Kazama.

Even so, it's not someone who’s name can be mentioned easily.

"Roger that."

With that, Kazama didn't ask any more questions.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya arrives at the Ten Master Clan conference. They discuss Minoru and the Kudou Family. The Yotsuba Family decides that the Kudou Family doesn’t need to be punished, due to the upcoming funeral.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya had a bitter aftertaste after today's extraordinary meeting of the Ten Master Clans. It was lucky he has not been accused because of the fight with the Illegal IMAP, but the fact of being virtually exposed as the Strategic Class Magician was the untenable result for him, notwithstanding that he was not the one to blame for.

However, it would just make Miyuki worry more if he's going to be in a bad mood. He has headed to the hospital after consciously suppressing such his feelings. Together with Miyuki and Lina, upon their return home from school, he was planning to take a visit to Honoka lying in hospital.

“Hi, Honoka! How you feeling?”

Lina was the first to speak to Honoka as they came into the hospital room.

Tatsuya and Miyuki stood behind her with a delicate lack of expression on their faces.

Actually, Miyuki hadn't talked first because she thought Honoka would be pleased if Tatsuya start the conversation. In the same time Tatsuya, as if he was reading Miyuki's mind, meant to ask about the Honoka's health first.

However...

Lina demolished this programme of action with her energy.

Though she couldn't be blamed for that, because they had no discussion in advance about their roles. As a result, Miyuki and Tatsuya temporary lost their facial expression.

Perhaps Tatsuya and Miyuki were being overcautious.

Without a trace of disappointment, Honoka answered Lina's question in a high-pitched voice while smiling.

“It's alright. Even though this is called "hospitalized", I'm here just for a preventive check-up.”

“I see. That's good.”

Tatsuya entered the conversation after returning to his normal state.

“Tatsuya-san... I'm sorry that I made you worry.”

Honoka was embarrassed, but didn’t hide her smile. Although she didn't think Tatsuya wouldn't worry about her, when he showed his care so openly, she couldn't suppress her joy inside.

“Honoka, you don't have to apologize. But it’s me who should be apologizing. I'm sorry I dragged you into that. I’ve even created problems for Erika.”

Beside the Tatsuya's group, Erika and Shizuku also have come to visit Honoka.

Tatsuya bowed to Honoka first, and made an apology to Erika after that.

“Why would you say something like that, Tatsuya-san! This is not your fault!”

“True. It's those villains whom to be blamed for this. Thankfully, neither Honoka nor Mizuki were injured, so Tatsuya-kun doesn't need to take responsibility, alright?”

Honoka shook her head from side to side vigorously, while Erika was doing this with a faint smile.

“I'm very glad nobody got hurt. I'm talking not only about Honoka and Mizuki, but also about Erika, Saijou-kun and Yoshida-kun.”

Miyuki spoke from the heart. Her words were also meant to prevent Tatsuya from apologizing further.

“Right. Mizuki too didn't go to school today, but it's just a precaution to make sure yesterday's incident won't happen again. As for Leo and Miki... they are able to take care of themselves in some way.”

Like Erika said, Mizuki stayed home today as a safety precaution. While Leo along with Mikihiko aren't here, because they were hesitant of coming into a girl's private hospital room (not a general ward).

“I don't think it's Tatsuya-san fault either, but…”

Shizuku, who remained quiet during the conversation, made the remark which seemed to be an outlier among the talking.

Shizuku fixed her gaze on Tatsuya. There was no trace of a smile on her face.

“I want Tatsuya-san to protect Honoka, in order to ensure this never happens again.”

She had a totally serious tone of voice, without a trace of humor. Her face was absolutely serious.

“U-ugh!?” Honoka gave a cry. Erika and Lina as well couldn't hide their surprise.

Somehow neither surprise nor anger appeared on Miyuki's face. ...There was no smile either.

“Well, I assume you know I am part of the Yotsuba family from the Ten Master Clans.”

In response to Shizuku's query, Tatsuya gave her an answer, that sounded more like a "question" rather than a "statement".

“Yup.”

The one who responded to him was Shizuku, not Honoka. While Honoka herself just fixed her gaze on Tatsuya breathlessly.

“Previously, I'd been planning to separate from the Yotsuba clan in future... Or even to confront them. But now I intend to live as a magician from the Yotsuba family.”

After hearing Tatsuya's last words, for a second Miyuki's face clouds over.

“For Honoka to be under my protection means, she will join the magician staff of the Yotsuba family. She can't live a normal life,as well as remain a normal magician. Nonetheless…”

“I don't mind.”

Gathering her strength, Honoka has given the answer, confirming her acceptance of Tatsuya's words.

There was no hesitation in her eyes directed at Tatsuya.

But after turning it from Tatsuya to Miyuki, a hint of hesitation appeared there.

“But then... Miyuki, is that okay with you?”

Miyuki shifted her gaze upon hearing Honoka.

However, she immediately turned back and looked Honoka straight in the eye.

“To tell the truth... I don't like this. Because Honoka is an attractive girl. While having an objection, I'm glad that we can support Tatsuya-sama together.”

“Miyuki... Yeah, I'll do my best.”

Miyuki and Honoka gave each other a smile. Both had an 'open-mouth smile'. While Miyuki was feigning her smile, smiling Honoka lacked self-confidence. Still, there were no lie in their words as well as their eyes.

“However…”

Miyuki has said this and turned to Tatsuya with a devastating smile.

“Cheating is forbidden, Tatsuya-sama.”

"There was no need to say something like that now", without any change on his face Tatsuya groaned this in his mind.

“There was no need to say something like that now…”

Lina's voice rang out sharply.

As you would expect... The atmosphere was spoiled.

However, there was no one present who did not understand spoiled atmosphere was the result of Miyuki's defiant act.

“ ...Of course.”

Retorted Tatsuya, trying to keep a straight face to the extent possible.

Meanwhile, Honoka's face started already twitching after smiling for such a long time.

“So greedy.”

It was Shizuku who whispered this while standing alongside Honoka.

[Colored Image]

◇ ◇ ◇

7:00 p.m. Today too Lina was having a dinner at the table with Tatsuya and Miyuki. This day, however, she was not simply waiting at the table as usual, but standing in the kitchen with Miyuki. Unfortunately, Lina's mastery was not enough for describing this situation as "cooking together." Rather, Lina was only Miyuki's "sauce-chief"

“ ...I wasn't expecting Shizuku to bring something up like that…”

Wielding chopsticks with great difficulty, Lina spoke to Tatsuya. ...Miyuki, in a rather Spartan manner, did not allow Lina to use a knife and fork instead of chopsticks.

“It was actually a big surprise for me.”

Neither Tatsuya nor Miyuki have asked about the meaning of Lina's words "something up like that". To Shizuku's "request" reflected in the words "I want Tatsuya-san to protect Honoka", Tatsuya responded with his words “I will place Honoka, Erika as well as the others under my protection” . This all was in line with Lina's impression, which she had described with her words "looks like you're going to establish a Kingdom" last evening.

“Rather as a situation, when the other side personally ask for protection fits for you better, right?”

“Yeah. ...But really, I wish the situation has not been so bad to require my protection.”

Tatsuya was probably saying these words to himself, but Lina somehow took it to heart.

“ ...Honoka is an excellent magician. For her, the risk to end up in a dangerous situation therefore is quite high, regardless of Onii-sama.”

“R-right. There are individuals from Govt, non-govt. organizations as well as criminal groups who scour for strong magicians to forcibly make the latter work for them. That's why Honoka should be glad to have protection of Tatsuya.”

As if trying to distract attention, Miyuki and Lina hurriedly started talking. Or rather Lina was the one in a hurry and nervous. Miyuki, obviously, was trying to convince herself with those words.

“ ...Yes, you're right. Moreover, at this point , it's not like I have to start acting right now.”

“...Right. For now it would be better to put Minami-chan first.”

All three of them stopped moving their chopsticks. It looked like the weight of the surrounding atmosphere wouldn't let them go without the answer.

“...I don't know if I should say this, but is it ok you're not chasing Minami right now? You're not gonna give up, are you?”

“Of course I won't give up.”

Tatsuya replied to Lina's question without delay.

There was no hesitation in his words.

Miyuki shook the sadness out of her face.

“I know her location. Now she is... roughly 1200 kilometers eastward from Tokyo. Keeps moving underwater in the Pacific at 35 knots.”

“You know that much!?”

Lina's eyes widened after Tatsuya's last words.

Even chopsticks fell out of her hand.

Miyuki cast a disapproving look at Lina sitting in front of her.

“Sorry. “

Lina murmured this, picked the fallen chopsticks up from a table and put them on a ceramic chopsticks holder.

After confirming that Lina carefully placed her chopsticks the right way, Miyuki turned to Tatsuya and asked:

“When you say underwater, do you mean she's in a submarine?"

Needless to say, Miyuki herself placed her chopsticks on a holder as soon as she stopped eating, following the proper etiquette.

“I don't know such details. This may also be a fully submersible transport vessel. ...What's more important now - food's getting cold. Let's talk while we are dining.”

“ Really.”

“A fully submersible transport vessel? You know quite a lot…”

Miyuki and Lina continued their dinner following by Tatsuya, albeit each of them had a different reaction.

“Keep moving eastward from Tokyo... Toward Hawaii, maybe? Or rather…”

Even if Lina tried to act as if she wasn't thinking of anything else, it was the obvious fact she's been interpreting that info at her own convenience. She was thinking it's a fortunate coincidence that the ship with Minami is heading toward Midway island.

Neither Tatsuya nor Miyuki blamed her for such an indiscretion. Both they knew that Benjamin Canopus, imprisoned on the Midway, is an important person for Lina. She must be worrying about him, like Miyuki and Tatsuya are worrying about Minami.

“Their destination point certainly is neither the main island from Hawaiian archipelago nor Oʻahu island. They are moving toward the Midway island or an Atoll near it…”

It has also been the reason Tatsuya guided this conversation in the direction Lina desired.

“Lina, are there any American army bases northwest from Hawaiian islands?"

Tatsuya had heard from the Mitsuya family there is an American army base located on Pearl and Hermes Atoll. However, he chose to throw Lina a hint asking this question, while trying to draw the attention toward the Midway prison.

“I heard there's a Navy supply base on Pearl and Hermes Atoll.”

Sad to say, Lina's mood was quite serious. She missed the hint from Tatsuya and returned only a straightforward answer.

Miyuki has been staring at Lina with disappointment, in an attempt to get ahold of her with a simple idea "Not this!".

Sitting next to her Tatsuya, at the same time, patiently asked Lina the next question.

“What do you know about it?”

“I haven't inquired about every regional base we had no plans to use. I am not a Navy officer.”

“So, that base should not be very big?”

“I guess. If it was an important base, think I'd remember that.”

"Should I say it to her myself...?"

Tatsuya already had a headache.

Miyuki was just concentrated on her food, escaping this conversation.

“This means a base located far away from the mainland, also not much is known about military staff there? A good place for keeping the kidnapped person there.”

“ ...Tatsuya, do you think the Pearl and Hermes base is their destination point?” — Lina asked Tatsuya shyly.

Tatsuya had no desire to keep beating around the bush all the night.

“I cannot ignore the possibility that the kidnapped person may be in jail on Midway island.”

Lina sighed with relief.

Miyuki casted a glance at Lina. Her eyes were saying: "what a problem child that requires a lot of care". Lina, however, hasn't even noticed Miyuki gave her that look.

Chapter 2[]

Spoiler

July 14th. Kazama and the 101 are traveling with Jasmine and James from Australia.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya, Miyuki and Lina board a VTOL and head to Miyaki Island.

◇ ◇ ◇

British ship arrives at Iwo.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya, Miyuki and Lina arrive at Miyaki Island.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya, Miyuki, Lina and Maya have a conversation about the location of Minami and their plans to rescue her. Maya tells Tatsuya to wait a few days before leaving.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya and Miyuki are brought to a room where Asha Chandrasekhar the developer of Agni-Downburst and Arya Krishna Shastri, a new SCM are waiting. [Image]

◇ ◇ ◇

Hayama was standing behind Maya waiting her orders, while there wasn't any allies behind Lina's back. She felt as though she was completely alone, abandoned at the battlefield without cover.

Moreover, her adversary was a magician known as the "Queen of Night" and "Demon King of the Far East". Though Lina as a Strategic Class Magician was one of the member in the world strongest magicians list. However, Maya was rumored to have a magical ability, "surpassing strategic class magic in a head-to-head fighting" with "no way to protect against it". Lina has been realizing that Maya was not her enemy, nevertheless she couldn't keep cool in a given situation.

“Are you used to living in Japan? This time your position quite differs from the last winter, doesn't it?”

Maya has put a casual face at the same time she started conversation with Lina.

“Yes, everything is fine. Miyuki and Tatsuya are nice to me.”

Lina returned this answer with a smile on her face, after trying to reassure herself, saying "don't be afraid" and "keep cool".

“I appreciate that you agreed to escorting Miyuki-san out.”

“I'm very grateful to you for providing me a shelter, as well.”

“Great...”

Hayama materialized a cup and a glass of tea out from somewhere and put them at a low table. A сup in front of Maya and a glass of iced tea in front of Lina.

“Is iced black tea okay for you?”

“Yes, thanks.”

Right afterward, Lina started sucking her straw. In such a situation under a lot of stress she was really thirsty, there weren't any other thoughts in her head.

As a matter of fact, Lina wasn't a black tea drinker, but even without milk or syrup this drink from Hayama was to her taste. Not because it was sweet - something like this didn't seem to concern her right now. Right now the tea was rather good.

The refreshing drink not only reduced stress, but helped her to relax.

It was a clear psychological trick from Maya.

“I want you to stay as Miyuki-san escort for as long as possible, however...”

There were no water sprays after Maya's words - Lina, instead, swallowed her tea in a gulp.

Luckily, the water didn't pass through her larynx, and it has not resulted in her coughing. Yet to give an answer she's needed to catch her breath first.

“I wonder, Shields-san, what do you plan for your own future? Will you return to USNA, or will you remain in Japan?”

All of a sudden she was faced with a tough call. This question was bothering her a long time already, although only now she was put under such pressure.

“...Last February, Tatsuya said that he would help me if I choose to leave the Stars.”

Maya was showing surprise, widening her eyes slightly. It was kind of her acting, but also she was really surprised. She had never heard of such a thing before this conversation.

“"I don't think I'll ever want to leave the Stars" - was my answer back then. Yet, at this point, I...”

“You are willing to leave them?”

“I don' know. Or rather, I'm at loss now and can't make a choice.”

Lina looked down to her hands on her knees, as if she was trying to gather her thoughts.

“I've not started hating the USNA. Even now I still consider myself as a USNA patriot. But does my country need me...?”

Lina's voice faltered after remembering the day she had to flee from the Stars headquarters.

“You can't get all the answers in one go. That's why it might be better not to rush with the final decision.”

Maya comforted Lina showing her a kind and loving face (at least It was her outside appearance).

“...Thank you a lot.”

“If Shields-san want to become a Japanese citizen in future, I'll arrange it. Shields-san, if you become an adopted child in Japan, is there someone who can object to it?”

“No one... I barely saw my parents from the time of joining the army.”

“You hadn't even talked with them on the phone?”

“Nor on the phone, we haven't even been exchanging mails.”

Lina too was unlucky to have such a family. Both close and distant relatives have chosen to keep a distance from her even before the Army took her away, thinking she's somewhat evil possessing too powerful magic abilities. Adding to the list a beautiful look, this resulted only in lack of familial relationships.

Notwithstanding this, she caught the army's attention when she was only 10 years old. The army took her away shortly after that. Since then, the parents have almost never come to see Lina, which was pretty insensitive behaviour from them. Unless the army with the gov had something to do with it.

...Well, a policy of keeping the official SC magician identity confidential may be one of the reasons.

“So that's what happened. Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up a sore subject for you.”

Maya imagined how complicated Lina relationships were with parents, upon hearing her revelation. That's why there was a sympathy in her voice.

“It's all right. About this question - it's already been decided. So no one will oppose my adoption.”

“I see. As I said before, you can address to me anytime on this matter.”

“Okay.”

Still sitting on a sofa, Lina bowed to Maya.


◇ ◇ ◇

“Mister, what do you think about the current situation with magicians?” - Asha asked this question to Tatsuya.

They've been addressing each other in this manner: Tatsuya was the "mister", Miyuki was the "miss", while Chandrasekhar was the "doctor".

“To be more specific, I'm asking about measures governments are using to control magicians in a given country.”

Having thought about it for a little bit, Tatsuya replied:

“But from a government perspective, don’t you think such measures are working correctly?”

“Precisely "working correctly," however it is only with the qualification that it's a "government perspective".”

Asha could see Tatsuya's logic clearly.

“I see. But every government in every country will always think existing control measures are not enough, even inside the NSU and the GAU.”

“Probably.”

Tatsuya expressed his agreement with Asha's words with a slight nod.

“In contrast, this is something completely unacceptable in the view of magicians.”

“...”

Tatsuya made no comment this time.

It has not affected Dr. Asha Chandrasekhar at all, and she continued explaining her idea further.

“Human rights and magicians’ freedom have tended to be neglected in modern society. Magicians are deprived of even fundamental human rights, which should be sacred and irrevocable in a democratic society, at any rate. When they do have these rights, they’re easily violated and restricted. This situation is most evident when magicians are being used as tools for military applications. In countries without compulsory military service, for instance, conscription for magicians still exists. Magicians are facing discrimination in contrast to non-magicians.”

Tatsuya was listening to Asha's rousing speech in amazement, because she was the scientist who developed the "Agni Downburst" along with numerous other magics for military use, which made magicians valuable for the government. Asha herself was also a magician, but her magical power was too weak so it has no use as a combat force. In other words, she was not one of the magicians the government makes use of, but on the contrary, she was a person from that same government that takes advantage of magicians. Or so was the case up until now.

“On the other hand, non-magician citizen contend that magicians are "dangerous creatures" possessing the power to kill ordinary humans with bare hands, therefore their freedom should be further restricted.”

“But only a small part of anti-magicians are acting like this, aren't they?” - Miyuki interrupted her speech unintentionally. While Tatsuya still kept his silence.

Asha's face started looking gloomy already. There were seemingly not only gloom, but also repressed rage reflected on it.

“After the government's initiative, Germany and France are developing collars, designed to neutralize the wearer with an electric shock after detecting any signs of magic activation. Apparently, after finishing the development, the law would be adopted, making it mandatory for all magicians to wear these collars. Apart from Britain, many European countries would follow suit. That idea will ultimately spread around the world.”

“This can not be true! Such treatment differs not much with livestock, doesn't it!?”

There were both anger and tremble in Miyuki's voice, while on the verge of screaming.

“True. Not even slaves, but mere cattle. Even so, this idea is gaining ground not only among radical anti-magicians, but also among average citizens.”

Asha made no attempt to comfort Miyuki.

“They cannot be allowed to do something like that!”

“Yes, Miss, you're absolutely right. I feel the same way. ...I sought to secure magician status in society by making them an indispensable combat force for the nation, but now I'm having second thought.”

“You have some sort of a specific plan?” - Tatsuya inquired Asha in a calm voice.

“I believe magicians have reached the point where they should assert their rights on their own behalf. Moreover they should associate together outside of national borders, not merely within their own countries.”

“Doctor, you're not one of those people who convinced magicians are the superior race, are you?”

“I'm not. My opinion is a result solely of the emotional aversion to the anti-magician movement doctrine. It is not my intention to conflict with non-magician citizen, but to launch a moderate movement for protecting magician rights and peaceful cohabitation.”

“Cohabitation [併存]? Not coexistence [共存]?” [TLN: The difference is in first logogram, as you can see. Chinese and Japanese have lots of words, writing with a slightly different logogram, that translates the same in English dictionaries. I’ve tried to distinguish their meanings by English “cohabitation” (like animals when sharing the same habitats) & “coexistence”]

“The fear of magicians has resulted in mass hysteria among civilians. Germany and France are good examples of this. Although I do not want to say it, but the current global situation is the result of "Scorched Halloween" which occurred two years ago. That was your strategic class magic, Mister.”

Tatsuya didn’t retort with something like "that wasn't me" in an attempt to deny Asha's words.

“Under the threat of nuclear attack and considering a possibility that it can be triggered not only by the state’s decision, but at the whim of a single person, very few people can make a reasonable judgement. Of course, I'm certain mister is not that kind of unreasonable person. However, there are many people who think otherwise. They are not only uninterested in mister's personality, they don't want to know what he looks like. Uninterested in his origins, as well as his name, they are simply scared of mister, because he's a magician with cataclysmic and devastating power - the very incarnation of death and destruction.”

There was no doubt Asha had hard evidence on Tatsuya being the strategic class magician. Even if she wasn't aware of "Material Burst", she definitely had information on the utilization of the magic, that surpasses strategic nuclear weapons in terms of power. There was no point in interrupting her to say that it’s not true.

“In such a context, it is difficult to expect logical decisions. It is necessary, therefore, to place magicians and non-magicians apart from each other temporarily.”

“But there aren't that many magicians. They will not be able to maintain existing societal standards at an adequate level, while being autonomous.”

“The magicians, more specifically those who can use magic at the practical level, represent only 0.01 % of the adult population. But there are 10 times more who have at least the minimum capacity for magic. It would be a large amount, If we see how this 0.1% of world population translates into numbers. The global population has declined to three billion after World War III, but last year it is estimated to have exceeded five billion. It would be difficult to bring all the people capable of magic together, but if we are able to mobilize at least one-hundredth of them, the result would be 50,000 people.”

“Even if we could mobilize people capable of magic all over the world, it would be impossible to gather 50,000 persons in one place.”

“An organization with 50,000 members, in addition with a certain amount of economic strength, should have a voice that governments throughout the world cannot ignore. Your stellar furnace energy plant, mister, can provide an economic basis for this.”

Asha had finally made it clear what she was looking for. She flew all the way to Japan, because she wanted to use Tatsuya's Stellar Furnace Energy Plant in the struggle for human rights of magicians and the people capable of magic.

However, Tatsuya did not feel any resentment. The goal of his E.S.C.A.P.E.S project, also known as Stellar Furnace Energy Plant Project, was precisely aimed at freeing magicians from their fate of being weapons, and let them play major and essential roles of engineers and manufacturers. As such, Asha’s and Tatsuya’s vision were in accord.

“So what exactly are you planning to do? Transform the International Magic Association into an entity that advocates for magician civil rights?”

Asha had not returned an affirmative reply to Tatsuya's slightly off-topic question.

“Since the International Magic Association has established their role in preventing the use of nuclear weapons, it would be better to found a new non-profit organization to fight for the human rights of magicians. We will also need to introduce a broader definition for describing people capable of magic, in addition to the words <magic constructor> and <magicrafter>. What about using <magian> in contrast to the word <civilian>, for example?” [TLN: Characters are using English words here, formatted in <>]

“Magian... You've added the suffix "an" with the meaning of "human" to the word magic?”

“You are correct, because people usually imagine a Mage Illusionist after the word magian.”

“I see. "Magian". I think it's a good name.”

“And I also think it sounds good. But if we start using this word, what are we supposed to do with the familiar word "magician"? I believe it would be better to use different names for those who can use magic on a practical level and those who can't.”

Tatsuya and Asha reflected upon the question Miyuki had pointed out.

“The Japanese word "magician"[魔法師] is the abbreviation for "magic technician"[魔法技能師]. Well, I suppose we can keep using this word, but...”

“...How about using the word "magist" in place of "magic constructor"? In connection to a magian-technologist.”

“Technologist... Does this refer to the professionals occupying a position within their area of competence?”

“In that case it appeals to the concept of "capable of magic" rather than <magic constructor>. We, Japanese magicians, can easily learn this word.”

The three of them nodded to each other. At that moment, they'd been sharing an image of the future they envisioned in their minds.

Asha straightened her posture and pulled a serious face.

“This is not a question of tomorrow of course, but in a few years I will be ready to establish an International Magian Association. So, mister, I would like to ask for your cooperation in establishing this association.”

“Doctor, I would like to join your Association, should conditions allow.”

“Then I will call upon you again when the time comes.”

Asha and Tatsuya held out their hands.

In contrast to the last time, Tatsuya was holding her hand a little tighter.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya and Miyuki join Lina and Maya in their discussion. Maya asks Tatsuya to explain Astral Dispersion and it’s specifics. [Image]

◇ ◇ ◇

Kazama arrives at Iwo with the Australia prisoners and meets William McCloud. McCloud reads the letter from Saeki and says that he will agree to this treaty if Material Burst is never directed towards the UK.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya, Miyuki and Maya arrive at Retsu’s funeral. Maya has a discussion with Kyouko about coming over to the Yotsuba Family.

◇ ◇ ◇

Hayama asks about Maya’s desire to recruit Kyouko.

Chapter 3[]

Spoiler

July 15th. The Coral arrives at the Hawaiian Islands, but the crew members aren’t allowed to disembark from the ship.

◇ ◇ ◇

July 16th Tatsuya tells Lina and Miyuki that the ship carrying Minami has stopped.

◇ ◇ ◇

July 17th Miyuki is at school when she receives the notice. Izumi and Erika are watching her.

◇ ◇ ◇

Miyuki and Lina arrive home. Tatsuya asks them to change into something nice for a meeting. [Cover Image] They meet Wyatt Curtis, a senator from Virginia and an official of the CIA. He is a relative to Benjamin Canopus. He requests that Tatsuya save Ben, as well as destroy any parasites he encounters. Wyatt will provide a ship for Tatsuya’s travel.

◇ ◇ ◇

July 18th Saeki know that Curtis visited the Yotsuba Family. She plans to summon Tatsuya for a meeting in order to stop him from going to the USNA.

Chapter 4[]

Spoiler

USNA soldiers (non-parasite) storm the Coral. They are using new Crystal Bullets that are effective against parasites. They kill half of the crew and Minami had to use magic in order to protect Minoru from being shot. She collapses from overheating of the MCA and Minoru is distraught that he forced Minami to use magic when he promised she wouldn’t.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya requests a meeting with Aoba through Yakumo. Tatsuya asks if there will be a problem with him still being a deterrent even if he isn’t apart of the 101. Aoba agrees that Tatsuya’s power shouldn’t be influenced by a single person. Aoba asks that Tatsuya not cause too much damage to the USNA and that Minoru is not allowed to come back to Japan. Aoba provides an approved passport for official travel to Tatsuya, reason for approval being 'technological cooperation between Japan and USNA'. In the future he intends to dispatch Tatsuya to USNA temporarily as a Magic Engineer.

Chapter 5[]

Spoiler

July 19th. The USNA Stars parasites have a meeting after arriving in the Hawaiian naval base. They discuss Minoru and decide that he should become a part of their collective consciousness.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya arrives at the headquarters of the 101. Tatsuya hands in his resignation, and Saeki says that as a SCM he isn’t allowed to leave the military. Tatsuya refutes this point, and Saeki asks Kazama to arrest Tatsuya. There is a fight with several members of the 101 including Kazama and Yanagi. Tatsuya beats them all and leaves. [Image]

◇ ◇ ◇

Minoru is visiting Minami in a hospital bed. He is then mentally attacked by the parasites, but he overcomes the attack.

◇ ◇ ◇

The Stars parasites realize that the attack failed. They decide to watch Minami closely because they know how much she means to Minoru.

◇ ◇ ◇

Narrative: About Minoru and how he overcame the mental attack and turned it on one of the USNA parasites.

◇ ◇ ◇

Spica realizes that Minoru is fighting back with mental interference attack.

Chapter 6[]

Spoiler

July 20th. Tatsuya tells Lina and Miyuki that he will be leaving today to go rescue Ben and Minami.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya boards a transport vessel that is supposed to take him out to the Matthew C Perry ship that is going to take him to the USNA. The Japanese coast guard tries to prevent them from leaving when they are struck by Phonon Maser from a helicopter. [Image] Magicians from the Yotsuba Family including Kanata board the damaged ship.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya’s incident is broadcasted all over the news. Miyuki was seen and recorded crying over the injured Tatsuya in the ICU.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya is geared up in his Freed Suit. The attack on his transportation ship was staged. He meets up with Miyuki and Lina. Although it was staged Tatsuya still allowed himself to be injured, Lina complained that Miyuki was still upset about it.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya flies the new Air Car, that looks like an SUV, to the Matthew C Perry. There he meets Katsushige with a team of Yotsuba magicians, who are there to back-up Tatsuya in the case that something goes wrong in the USNA.

◇ ◇ ◇

It is reported to Maya that Tatsuya has arrived safely. Maya asks about Saeki’s movements.

Chapter 7[]

Spoiler

July 21st. Narrative: Summer vacation is coming up for students of Magic High School. Even though Miyuki should be prepping for the NSC, with it being cancelled, and with Tatsuya in the ICU. She will be staying on Miyaki Island.

◇ ◇ ◇

Honoka calls Miyuki and asks if it is okay for her and their friends to come see Tatsuya. They don’t know this attack was staged.

◇ ◇ ◇

Liu is staying at the Ichijou residence. Saeki arrives at the Ichijou residence and talks with Gouki about her plan to propose a treaty to tightly restrict the usage of SCM. Gouki calls for Masaki and Liu and they both agree to the treaty as long as they are allowed to attend school/university. [Colored Image]

◇ ◇ ◇

Liu and Akane have girl talk. Liu admits to liking Masaki, and Akane gives her some advice.

◇ ◇ ◇

Saeki is happy with the outcome of her visit. She wonders about the difference between Tatsuya and Masaki.

◇ ◇ ◇

Kyouko visits her father at the hospital. She meets Yuuka there and asks for her cooperation to expose the misdeeds of Saeki and the military. Her father says that they should obey the strong and agrees with Yuuka. Kyouko agrees to testify about two things, one is allowing the GAU into the country to assassinate Liu. Second is the military funding and the Kudou Family’s involvement in the parasite doll experiment.

◇ ◇ ◇

Mayumi calls Miyuki to ask about Tatsuya. She asks if it is okay to come visit Tatsuya. Miyuki asks Maya for permission and Maya doesn’t mind if the Saegusa Family knows about the staged attack.

◇ ◇ ◇

Saeki talks to Kazama about Tatsuya’s staged attack. Kazama asks if Saeki dropped information to the Information Department about Tatsuya’s abilities. But she doesn’t answer.

Chapter 8[]

Spoiler

July 22nd. Tatsuya’s friends and Mayumi arrive at Miyaki Island. Miyuki informs them of the staged attack.

◇ ◇ ◇

The media along with other foreign agencies are trying to get access to Tatsuya on Miyaki Island in order to get information about his condition.

◇ ◇ ◇

Miyuki and Lina can tell that there are military agents trying to get more information about Tatsuya’s condition.

Chapter 9[]

Spoiler

Tatsuya talks with Curtis before leaving to Midway.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya destroys the outer defense of Midway prison. He is unable to find Canopus from a distance so he breaks into the prison and is able to find him relatively quick. Once he reaches Canopus’s cell he hands him a ring. [Image] The ring was given to Tatsuya by Curtis and is a family ring. Canopus was able to tell that this was organized by his relative and agreed to leave with Tatsuya. He asks for Tatsuya’s help to rescue his men. IMAP has disguised themselves as prisoners and attack Tatsuya but he was able to disable all of them. They rescue Ralph Algol and Shaula. They believe Tatsuya is using Molecular Divider but he doesn’t correct them. Tatsuya disables over 50 guards at the prison. They jump into a car and begin their escape. Tatsuya is throwing grenades out the window while disabling the guards magic so that they can’t block the explosion. [Image] They drive to Tatsuya’s Air Car and he takes them to the Matthew C Perry.

◇ ◇ ◇

Curtis is informed that Tatsuya is returning. He is surprised that he could accomplish it with little damage. A report is sent to the Yotsuba Family, that Canopus has been rescued.

◇ ◇ ◇

Raymond, Minoru and the USNA parasites know that Tatsuya has attacked Midway. They want to bomb Tatsuya but that order is rejected. Minoru suggests that Raymond leave, and that he can’t leave Minami behind. Spica shows up and stabs Minoru in the chest. Minoru instantly heals and destroys Spica along with the USNA parasites that were accompanying her. He absorbs the parasites after they leave the bodies. Minoru decides to leave with Raymond and leaves Minami behind.

◇ ◇ ◇

The other USNA parasites realize that Spica has been killed.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya is headed towards Minami in the Air Car. He disable the weapon systems of all air crafts and ship on his way. The USNA call his Air Car a UFO.

◇ ◇ ◇

The USNA soldiers are panicking over the UFO and are trying to come up with a solution but all of their weapon systems are disabled.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya lands the Air Car on an aircraft carrier and proceeds to negotiate with the crew. However, the parasites attack Tatsuya, so he uses Mist Dispersion to kill them and then uses Astral Dispersion to destroy the parasites.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya speaks to the captain of the aircraft carrier and they come to an agreement that Tatsuya can leave as long as he stops attacking the carrier.

◇ ◇ ◇

Tatsuya finds Minami and is surprised that she is alone. He picks her up after asking if she wants to come home. Tatsuya can tell that Minami doesn't have a parasite, and can also sense that Minoru had used magic here earlier to kill a certain amount of people.

◇ ◇ ◇

The USNA surveillance was only barely able to capture Tatsuya’s Air Car. However, it was decided that the USNA would not shoot this unidentified vehicle because they didn’t want to risk antagonizing Japan. That decision was headed up by Curtis but it was unknown to the other USNA officials.

◇ ◇ ◇

July 24th. Miyuki and Lina are waiting for Tatsuya’s return. Miyuki could tell Tatsuya had arrived and ran off leaving Lina behind. Lina caught up to Miyuki and they took transportation towards the airport terminal. Miyuki welcomes both Tatsuya and Minami home. Minami is surprised to be forgiven but breaks down crying with Miyuki holding her. Miyuki smiles but also has tears in her eyes.

Gallery[]

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