The Intrepid was synchronized with Tatsuya's Elemental Sight, filtering the information dimension to display only the precise data he needed. This seamless fusion of science and magic—selecting data transmitted via magic in real time according to individual thoughts—represented a realm of technology beyond even Tatsuya's own imagination.
Yugen had analyzed the attack vectors in advance and provided extensive backup. Unsurprisingly, a safety net had also been set up for Tatsuya in case of unforeseen circumstances. That backup had already been placed inside the school disguised as an ordinary, non-Magician student—a fact kept hidden even from Miyuki and Minakami under the rationale that 'there is no guarantee unexpected variables won't occur.' Tatsuya had readily agreed with the logic.
When Tatsuya directed his Elemental Sight toward the city streets, he spotted Yugen—disguised as Tatsuya himself—methodically neutralizing soldiers in the park. The fact that Yugen had perfectly replicated mannerisms Tatsuya wasn't even consciously aware of having served as a stark reminder of how terrifying he would be as an enemy. Fortunately, as the husband of his cousin and his genetic second cousin, he was a reassuring ally.
"Well then, time for me to make my move."
If he let a 'no men allowed' rule or superficial decorum stand in his way during an emergency, he wouldn't be able to protect the people he cared about. Reassuring himself with that thought, he moved out to eliminate the intruders.
◇ ◇ ◇
Though there was a minor ten-minute delay, the attackers were dealt with effortlessly. Tatsuya rendezvoused with Miyuki and Minakami, but just then, a female student named Tsunashima stepped forward from the group.
As Tsunaga, one of the guards, moved to greet her, Tatsuya sensed hostility and shoved Tsunaga aside just as Tsunashima attempted to take an uninvolved student hostage. Tsunashima's misfortune, however, was that the student she targeted happened to be Yugen's insurance policy—Laura Curtis, disguised as a Japanese girl via Parade.
Even though Laura had lost her memories, she was still a fully-fledged Magician. Furthermore, during her amnesia, she had received instruction in both magic and Ryukyu Karate from Mai Moto and Mitsuya. As a result, Tsunashima had her knife instantly slapped away before being knocked unconscious cold by Laura. The display left not only Miyuki and Minakami speechless, but even Tatsuya—who had been briefed on the situation—couldn't help but look caught off guard.
"Ah! I did that out of habit..." "...(Yugen mentioned this beforehand, but perhaps his insurance was a bit unnecessary after all.)"
However, a question lingered in Tatsuya's mind from the brief encounter. It wasn't about the fight with the soldiers, but what occurred right after he shoved Tsunaga aside—despite being unconscious, Tsunaga had deployed a magic barrier.
Projecting a barrier like Phalanx from a distance was something Tatsuya had witnessed during the Nine Schools Competition two years ago, so the concept itself wasn't strange. While an unconscious person spontaneously casting magic was unheard of, using an arbitrary individual as a medium to remotely deploy a barrier was not entirely impossible.
The real issue was the existence of a technique that could force magic execution regardless of the target's consciousness.
Afterward, the intruders who had breached the school were taken into custody by the police. Since the perpetrators were Magicians, Toshikazu inevitably took command of the scene. A female police officer who was also a Magician took charge of questioning the students.
"I suppose we should call this a misfortune, Shiba-kun?" "I believe that's an accurate way to put it, Toshikazu-san. May we leave the rest of the matters in your hands?" "Yeah. Be careful on your way home."
The actual questioning was handled not by Tatsuya himself, but by Yugen disguised as him (having been fully briefed on the details by Tatsuya). Toshikazu recognized it as an unavoidable measure and promised to visit the school on a later date if further details were needed, ensuring their studies would not be disrupted.
After boarding the automated vehicle with Miyuki and Minakami and driving a short distance, Yugen deactivated Parade, returning to his original form. Seeing this, Miyuki offered him words of appreciation.
"Thank you for your hard work, Yugen-san." "Thanks, Miyuki. Though it wasn't really that much effort."
The Defense Forces' Intelligence Department had been suppressed by the Kuroba unit, and their custody was handed over to Yakumo. Though their ultimate fate was dumped entirely onto Yakumo's shoulders, he had publicly assured them that no disadvantage would fall upon their side, so Yugen deemed the matter settled.
With this, the request from Seiha Todo was complete, though work still remained.
"Yugen-sama, does this bring things to a temporary close?" "It would be best if that were the case."
In the grand scheme of things, a mere section of the Defense Forces like the Intelligence Department had no authority to police the order of society, nor did the Toyama family—one of the Ten Master Clans—possess such a right. Even though the agreements between the Master Clans Conference, the government, and the Defense Forces had been overhauled, exercising such rights was an entirely different matter.
Even if Tsukasa had acted out of personal conviction or in her capacity as Sergeant Tsukasa Toyama of the Intelligence Department, it could hardly be said that she acted with the exemplary judgment required to serve as a benchmark for other Magicians.
Holding her accountable for those actions was something that would definitively have to wait until after resolving the commotion scheduled for this weekend.
◇ ◇ ◇
On the night of April 18th, Yugen was on a call with Mayumi in his apartment room. Her reason for calling was that she wanted to 'meet and talk' with Tatsuya and Miyuki.
"Well, I assume this is regarding the recent conference, but shouldn't you contact the two of them directly? Surely you have their numbers, Mayumi-senpai." "...You know, you could just drop the honorifics." "Regardless, I never know who might be listening."
Mayumi's reasoning was that she wanted to apologize on behalf of her elder brother, who had made remarks that damaged the standing of Tatsuya and Yugen's fiancée, Miyuki. She felt it was proper to consult Yugen first as someone close to them both. This decision had been made collectively by Mayumi, Mari, Ami, and Katsuto.
Even a soundproofing field only provided physical isolation, leaving the risk of communication content being intercepted via electronic signals. While Yugen understood her caution in not poking a sleeping stick, he looked at Mayumi—who still seemed displeased at being called 'senpai'—with a serious expression.
"Setting that aside, putting Katsuto-senpai to the side, is the actual offender, Tomoichi Saegusa, going to be attending this meeting?" "I don't intend to let him anywhere near it. I have a bad feeling my brother would just try to scheme something foolish again."
While an apology should ideally come from the perpetrator himself, Mayumi had offered to handle it as her 'final act of filial piety toward her family' before drawing a line. Since they would inevitably clash at the conference anyway, it was merely a matter of whether the lecture came before or after.
"Fair enough. I'll pass the message along to Tatsuya and Miyuki myself. This Saturday at 5 PM, at the (ryokan/restaurant) in Akasaka—that works for you?" "Yes, please. Are you not coming, Yu-kun?" "I see no reason to get dragged into a dispute over a conference I didn't even attend. Please resolve it among the actual parties involved."
If the conflicted parties could talk it out and reach an understanding, that was for the best. Besides, if his predictions were correct, trouble was bound to break out on that day, so he was planning to spend the time watching Jiro's training at school for the first time in a while.
"Parties involved... but Yu-kun, you're not exactly an outsider to this either, are you?" "I'd rather avoid stepping in and becoming the cause of future strife."
Having given advice to Tatsuya, he wasn't entirely an outsider, but based on what he heard from Toya regarding the conference, Tatsuya had intentionally drawn the room's hostility without using Yugen's name. While Yugen understood it was done out of consideration for their debts and mutual obligations, he couldn't help but wish Tatsuya would learn to relax a little more.
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