Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei

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Japanese time: July 19, noon. Local time: July 18, 4:00 p.m.

A small transport aircraft arrived at the Pearl & Hermes base. This base was built outside the atoll, on an artificial base and a floating pontoon mega platform, so the

base itself didn't have an airstrip. The role of the runway was performed by the aircraft carrier assigned to this base. Therefore, when the aircraft carrier was absent (was on a mission), the base could only accept aircraft capable of landing on water. This aircraft was also supposed to arrive yesterday, but due to the lack of an aircraft carrier, the schedule was shifted by one day.

This small transport aircraft flew here from New Mexico, from the base of Stars. Three days ago, First Lieutenant Spica asked the Stars base to resolve the unusual situation that arose, namely, the Corals crew was forbidden to go ashore immediately after entering the port. Yesterday, while this request was still under consideration, a surprise attack occurred, committed by their own allies, USNA soldiers, like themselves. After receiving a request for help from First Lieutenant Spica, the commander of the base Walker immediately decided to send Major Kevin Antares and First Lieutenant Eliya*

Sargas (both Parasites) from the eleventh detachment. However, the plane that was supposed to deliver these two could not leave, because the runway was absent at the base.

[Japanese transliteration is very harsh. This name has quite a few varieties (Ilya, Elia, (I) Elijah, Eliya), I just chose one of them, since it is completely impossible to understand which one the author intended.]

Lieutenant Spica. Sorry, we're late.

The first person Antares spoke to was Spica, who came to meet him on the deck of the aircraft carrier. At the same time, the base soldiers bypassed them at a great distance.

No, I'm glad you arrived, sir.

Spica understood that Antares also had unexpected obstacles, and didn't blame him.

In addition, Spica herself wasn't one of the victims.

By the way, regarding Commander Vega and Lieutenant Deneb...

The commander and lieutenant fell in battle.

... I see. Sorry.

Antares wasn't particularly familiar with them, but the death of his colleagues was always shocking news. Even for parasites.

He spoke again only after about five seconds.

So what is the situation?

Almost half of Corals team has been lost, but the remaining half have become better treated. Care for the wounded is also up to standards.

The face of Spica hardly changed the moment when she talked about the fact that almost 60 people were victims of this incident. Did she have such a character initially, or did she lose her humanity after becoming a Parasite?

Understood.

Antares also didn't show any emotions on his face about the killed members of the Coral crew.

Lieutenant Spica. I understand that the problems at this base have been resolved?

At this moment, First Lieutenant Sargas joined the conversation.

No, there are still unsolved problems.

Are you talking about the punishment for the surrendered assault squad?

That issue will be resolved in accordance with military legislation.

Then what are we talking about?

Antares returned to the conversation, forcing Spike to give an answer.

We have a relative here who is not connected to our network.

Do you mean that this relative refuses to share consciousness with us?

Sargas didn't hide his surprise.... Of course, by "relative" they meant Parasites. And no misunderstanding between them arose.

Is something like that possible?

Sargas was also a Parasite, so he could not believe it right away that this "relative" could deliberately disconnect from the network of shared consciousness.

...It is a fact. I dont know why this behavior is possible.

However, no matter how hard it is to believe it, it turned out to be true.

And who is he?

Antares asked Spica with a stern expression.

He is our relative of Japanese descent named Kudou Minoru. Raymond Clark brought him aboard the Coral. Now he is at this base.

Spica's voice was a little tense.

All Parasites are separate individuals. Possessing individual consciousnesses, they are also connected at a deep level of consciousness, meaning that they share one whole consciousness. This is a feature of the species of living creatures called Parasites.

It wasn't known what damage could entail the existence of an individual separated from this common connection. Parasites have only recently recognized themselves as a

species and have a very short history. You could even say that they "have no history."

Before that, they had not encountered a Parasite capable of isolating itself from their

"network", so they simply could not ignore the study of this danger.

Spica felt this intuitively. After having listened to her, Antares and Sargas also intuitively understood. That an individual who refuses to be included in their network of consciousness threatens their existence.

... And where is he now?

His companion is unwell and he is now with her in the medical center.

Spica answered the question of Antares. Although she had not communicated with Minoru since yesterday, she continuously monitored his activities.

This companion is also a relative?

No. The girl is human.

One of our relatives fled the country with a human girl...? He seems to have some kind of complicated situation of his own.

Raymond Clark must know the situation of Kudou Minoru.

I see... no, this can't be put off. One of us must get in touch with this Kudou Minoru.

Hearing Antares, Spica frowned.

Kudou Minoru is able to isolate itself from our network at will. Convincing him will be a daunting task.

I understand. There is nothing to be done, we will have to use relatively crude methods. You knew this and patiently watched him while you were waiting for us.

Yes, major.

When Antares and Sargas were still human, they specialized in the magic of mental interference. Having become Parasites, they have not lost their skills. On the contrary, their power of influence only increased.

Spica thought that these two would be able to overcome the mental barrier of Minoru with their magic of mental interference.

Antares and Sargas, who were silently nodding, made up their mind to do so.

July 19, 13:00. Tatsuya arrived at the headquarters of the 101 brigade, located at the base of Kasumigaura. He was asked to come there by phone.

At 9 a.m., he received a phone call from Fujibayashi Kyouko. They only talked about business, but Tatsuya wasn't overly cold in talking to her. He wasnt aware of the details behind Maya's conversation with Kyouko yet, but he knew that they had a private conversation somewhere else after Kudou Retsus funeral. Tatsuya speculated that some kind of agreement has been reached regarding the interference in his pursuit by Fujibayashi Nagamasa.

However, the reason Tatsuya responded to Saekis call was different. He went to the brigade headquarters, believing that it was worth clarifying his position.

Special Officer, thank you for coming.

Tatsuya greeted Saeki, who had clearly shown only the semblance of a smile, not with a salute, but with a slight bow and nod. He was in ordinary casual clothes and without a

hat, so from the point of view of manners everything was in order. According to some (erroneous) tradition, earlier Tatsuya used the standard salute of honor for greetings.

Seeing Tatsuya's current greeting, Kazama, standing next to Saeki, felt the awkwardness of the situation.

Saeki may also have noticed that Tatsuyas behavior is different from what it used to be.

However, she wanted to immediately begin the interrogation she had planned.

Your Excellency Saeki. Im giving up my status as Special Officer effective immediately.

However, Tatsuya spoke first.

...In what sense?

In response to Saeki's question, Tatsuya took an oblong envelope from the inside pocket of his summer jacket and laid it on the desk.

There was a "notice of resignation" labeled on the envelope.

I'm...

Kazama experienced an even stronger sense of awkwardness and inappropriateness from what was used by Tatsuyas universal I than before. But he understood that this wasn't the time to worry about that.

... not a real soldier, so notice may not be required. However, this is my decision.

Saeki removed all expression from her face, looked at the envelope and said:

I can't accept that.

Your Excellency. This is not a "letter of resignation," but a "notice of resignation."

Moreover, at the time I was awarded the rank of Special Officer, no agreement was reached on the duration of my service. I must be free to leave at any time.

So you think that society will accept your excuse of "I don't like my job, so I'm leaving!?

If you are referring to public opinion...

Tatsuya made a completely serious face while responding to Saeki who was unable to

hide her annoyance.

... then isn't compelling a minor to military service contrary to this very public opinion?

...

The clever reasoning in Tatsuya's argument definitely had an effect on Saeki.

... Have you forgotten who you are? You are a Strategic-Class Magician. We cannot let you leave the army arbitrarily.

Why?

Why... Because the state should not leave unattended a destructive force comparable to strategic weapons. You should be smart enough to figure it out without additional explanation.

Saeki no longer hid her annoyance.

Tatsuya, in turn, stopped hiding his cold and indifferent face.

It is not the state that doesn't want to leave Strategic-Class magic unattended, but the government.

...What's the difference?

The government is persistently striving to assert control over weapons in its hands.

While the state attaches great importance to the use of weapons for their benefit.

But it is the government that decides how weapons will be used in the interests of the state.

Usually it is.

Tatsuya calmly agreed with Saeki's argument.... However, he continued immediately.

Decisions on the use of strategic weapons are made at least by politicians, not by the military.

Saeki's face turned slightly red. And the reason for this was anger, not shame.

You mean that I am a military dictator who disregards the opinions of civilians?

These were general considerations. Speaking generally, military force should not belong to just one person. Strategic-Class Magicians, possessing a military force comparable to strategic weapons, are special people who don't fit within the conventional framework.

... Do you mean that you are a person requiring special treatment?

Saeki asked in a mocking tone.

Not special. But specific.

Tatsuya didn't succumb to her provocation. Yes, and could not - because his emotions were clearly limited. In this case, Tatsuya's curse worked as his weapon.

Guided by general criteria, you can't follow in the right or wrong direction. General rules aren't applicable to such unique people, such as Strategic-Class Magicians. Even if I don't have masters, then my magic can still serve for the good of national defense.

Conversely, if they restrict me, I won't always be able to use magic for the sake of the country.... Remember, for example, the fact that brainwashing impairs magical abilities.

Tatsuya spoke out the last sentence in an ironic tone.

... When a Strategic-Class Magician uses his power, no one but the government will be responsible for the consequences. Shiba Tatsuya, you already struck out with your Strategic-Class magic on the territory of another state. Breaking relations with self-defense forces, will you take sole responsibility for such massive destruction?

At the time of October 31, 2095, I was considered a Special Officer and attacked the GAA fleet on the orders of the self-defense forces. I think I shouldn't have to be telling your wise Excellency Lieutenant General Saeki that ignoring the chronology is sophistry.

Even without Tatsuya's statement, Saeki understood that this was a stupid excuse.

I'm not talking about the past, but about the future!

The meaning of her words wasn't completely clear.

Saeki quickly realized that she hadn't said enough to understand her thoughts. Before

Tatsuya pointed this out to her, she continued her refutation attempt, pronouncing the words with a tongue twister.

You just said that you will use Strategic-Class magic for the sake of the state, even if you do not work for the government? I mean, will you take sole responsibility for this?

Your Excellency, this is the reverse order. When it is required to use Strategic-Class magic for the sake of the state, it should be used only after the state... the government will make a firm promise to assume this responsibility. I am not good natured enough to take responsibility instead of the state.

Saeki pierced Tatsuya with her gaze for a while.

She simply looked at him, and didn't try to refute his words.

If this dispute had a judge, then at that moment he must have declared Tatsuya's victory.

Our cooperation lasted almost five years. Thank you for watching over me, all the best.

But Tatsuya didn't come here to argue with Saeki. Honestly, this argument was just a waste of time for him. If Saeki humbly accepted the notice of resignation, then he wouldn't have to deal with it.

Of course, Tatsuya didn't think that Saeki would agree with a smile to his departure from the army.

... Lieutenant Colonel Kazama, detain Special Officer Ooguro.

Saeki gave Kazama exactly the order that Tatsuya was expecting.

In general, Tatsuya thought Saeki would do this from the very beginning.

Commander.

But it wasn't Kazama who was the first to respond to Saekis order.

Major Yanagi requested an order from his immediate commander, who had not yet undertaken anything.

... Yanagi, go ahead.

By order of Kazama, Major Yanagi and his subordinates (soldiers and junior officers) began to move.

This room was pretty small. It was impossible to use large-scale magic.

No, Tatsuya, of course, had the option to destroy this room and escape. But Yanagi and his subordinates, as members of the independent magically equipped battalion, could not ignore the possibility that the office of the commander-in-chief of the brigade in which their battalion was listed would suffer, and that the hostess of this cabinet, Lieutenant General Saeki, would be involved in the take-down. They were forced to attack Tatsuya only with the help of magic that controlled their bodies, and magic that caused damage upon contact.

There were four attackers, including Yanagi. Kazama still has not budged.

The first blow was delivered by Yanagi.

Taking a step forward with his right foot, he lunged forward with his right hand.

It seems that this wasn't an ordinary fighting style, but the first attack from a series of strikes. This blow was aimed at the solar plexus. Tatsuya didn't shy away from this and took the attack with the palm of his left hand.

But Yanagi's right fist continued to press Tatsuya's left arm.

His power was aimed precisely at Tatsuya's center of gravity, and it couldn't be turned aside.

Tatsuya had to put much more effort into his left hand so that this blow wouldn't reach his body.

During this fight between the right fist and the left palm, Tatsuya and Yanagi didn't move.

Yanagi's subordinates took advantage of this and attacked from the left and right.

Tatsuya stepped back with the help of movement magic, maintaining a fighting stance.

Yanagi this time stepped forward with his left foot and lunged forward with his left hand.

This time it was a strike with the base of the palm. Tatsuya didn't shy away from him either.

However, he didn't block it, but accepted it with his torso.

Yanagi's left palm entered Tatsuya's right side. Yanagi frowned at the sensation conveyed to him from his palm.

It was a sensation of a broken rib.

This lunge with Yanagis palm ended in a fracture in Tatsuya.

Yanagi absolutely didn't expect that everything would turn out so simple.

That is why the reaction of Yanagi was late.

The delay was negligible, just one instant. However, during this time interval of less than half a second, Tatsuya's right hand reached Yanagi's face.

It was a blow with the base of the palm, but with the movement of only the arm, without working the lower back.

Such a blow should not have sufficient strength and was usually used only to distract attention. However, Yanagi lost his balance away from him and fell to one knee.

The reason for this was the movement magic activated by using Flash Cast.

Tatsuya's magic set in motion his right hand, causing it to strike Yanagi.

It was a partial imitation of the magic of "Self-Marionette", which Tomitsuka Hagane specialized in. Tatsuya couldn't imitate the Self-Marionette completely, but could reproduce it within the limits of one right hand.

At the very moment that Yanagi was thrown back, Tatsuya no longer had any broken bones. Self-healing through the use of his magic, Regrowth.

Eliminating his damage, Tatsuya took a step forward to finish off Yanagi.

However, he was forced to interrupt the "pursuit."

Three of Yanagi's subordinates from three different sides simultaneously attacked Tatsuya.

These were fighters from a platoon that had undergone special training in melee skills under the leadership of Major Yanagi. Even Tatsuya had poor prospects in a battle of three against one. Before he was completely surrounded, he took a big jump and landed in front of the door.

Now he stood at the front door of the commanders office, albeit with his back to it.

Do not let him run away!

Yanagi shouted to his subordinates, recovering from the damage, after which he got up and also rushed forward.

Saeki pressed something on the desktop console. Remotely locking the door.

The door looked like ordinary wood, but it was only the outward appearance. In fact, it was made of special steel plates glued with decorative wooden panels.

But Tatsuya didn't even reach for the doorknob.

Instead, he moved toward the approaching Yanagi.

Yanagi's right arm moved into Tatsuya's chest.

Tatsuya's right arm moved into Yanagi's chest.

It wasn't like a mirror image, but as if a three-dimensional image was projected in a rotated form. From exactly the same position, they simultaneously carried out exactly the same blows.

A wave of vibration was released from the palm to the heart of the enemy. It was a melee technique using the magic of the oscillation system.

Yanagi won in power.

But there was no significant difference between the results of their strikes.

Both legs cringed.

Yanagi fell to his knees.

But Tatsuya only staggered and stood up straight again. The damage was nullified by his magic, Regrowth.

In order for him to not fall completely, Yanagi leaned on the floor with his left hand, and grabbed his chest with his right. His forehead covered with sweat. Tatsuya went right past him and his subordinates, frozen in place. He headed deep into the room.

To the table of Saeki.

But here Tatsuya's review was blocked.

Kazama stood before him.

Tatsuya didn't even understand when Kazama had time to move.

But Tatsuya didn't stop, but continued to move forward.

And the moment Tatsuya approached Kazama...

Tatsuya's body soared into the air.

And hit Saeki's desk. Hitting the table not from above, but from the side, Tatsuya fell to the floor.

Kazama didn't turn around.

Tatsuya turned to Kazama and stood as if nothing had happened.

?

... To substitute himself in order to inflict damage to the enemy and win?

In response to Kazama's words...

No, that could be called a draw. However, I do have a tool that erases damage. The only difference is this.

Tatsuya spoke in a tone that sets out well-known facts.

If you look closely, you could see that Kazama's legs were trembling slightly. He struggled to keep his body upright, which should have fallen long ago.

At the time of the throw, Tatsuya sent a vibrational wave through the point of capture of his hand.

This vibrational magic was much more powerful than the one sent to Yanagi. Even the so-called Flash Cast doesn't complete activation instantly. When you spend extra time on this, it means that you dont have time to prepare yourself to fall safely. But, you can afford to do such things thanks to the ability of automatic self-healing.

Tatsuya turned and held out his hand toward Saeki.

Saeki instantly grabbed her hand on the handle of the drawer in which the gun lay.

Tatsuya's hand reached the desktop console.

Saeki froze in surprise.

Unlocking the door lock, Tatsuya turned around.

So, your victory over the master wasn't an accident?

Kazama spoke with Tatsuya heading for the door when he passed him.

That was my loss. I'm still not able to defeat master.

Answered Tatsuya as he passed Yanagi.

Yanagi didn't move. More precisely, he could not move.

Tatsuya left the commanders office.

As soon as he closed the door behind him, Kazama collapsed on one knee, and two subordinates rushed to him. The remaining subordinate hurried to Yanagi.

It took about two minutes after Tatsuya left.

Restoring his breath, Kazama rose.

Take Major Yanagi to the clinic.

Understood.

Yanagi obediently leaned on the shoulders of two subordinates, and they left the commander's office.

You are free too.

Understood.

Kazama also released the remaining junior officer. Only two remained in the commanders office - Saeki and Kazama.

... Lieutenant Colonel, have you taken the matter lightly?

Saeki rebuked Kazama in the form of a question.

I didn't give in.

Kazama didn't deny that he was frivolous. Do not kill the enemy, do not destroy the building and interior items. Under such conditions, one cannot become "serious." The same went for Yanagi, and Tatsuya too.

Kazama tried to capture Tatsuya, using all his powers within the limits of what is permitted by the same conditions as the enemy. And as a result, was defeated. For Kazama, to say aloud the excuse I wasn't serious was a shameful act. But the same can be said about the fact that he could not fulfill the order. Therefore, he no longer wanted to argue with a superior officer.

... There is nothing to be done about the fact that he managed to leave. We have no reason to get an arrest warrant. So from now on, it is necessary to strengthen our monitoring of him in order to prevent at least a secret exit from the country.

Saeki already realized that trying to blame Kazama was nothing more than her personal nagging. She left this question unattended, and spoke of a more pressing matter.

Thank you. By the way, Your Excellency, what will you do with this?

Kazama picked up and laid on the table the "resignation notice" that fell to the floor as a result of Tatsuya's collision with the table.

Saeki took this envelope in her hand and silently threw it into the shredder standing next to the table.

Are you sure?

As he himself said, he is not a real officer. From the very beginning, he wasn't properly registered with the self-defense forces, so the notice of resignation in itself is something meaningless.

That is, you will ignore Tatsuyas refusal from the title?

No. Records created on a special basis about "Special Officer Ooguro Ryuuya" will be deleted today.

Saekis decision was unexpected for Kazama. He again asked, Are you sure? This time in order to confirm the intentions of the boss.

Disloyal soldiers are bad for the army. If he says that he doesn't need the support of the army, then let him do what he wants.

Saeki's words were not out of sympathy for Tatsuya. On the contrary, her voice, it seemed, at any moment would start to tremble with anger.

American military base Pearl and Hermes, Northwest Hawaiian Islands. Local time: July 18, 8 p.m.

Minoru came to Minami's medical room. The sun was already completely hidden behind the horizon, but the lighting in the room was turned off. In order to not interfere with Minami's sleep.

She had not slept at all since yesterday, but the time she spent without sleep was very short. Overheating of the magic calculation area exhausts the mind more than the body. She could not normally maintain a state of wakefulness due to a lack of "vitality of consciousness."

At this base was a military doctor. But Minoru didn't even hope for treatment from this doctor. Medicine won't help here. He knew that Minami's condition could not be cured by modern medicine.

The magic calculation area, located in the subconscious area, this "function" of the mind, responsible for the construction of magic, like other human abilities, has certain limitations within which it can work. Continuous processing of requests that go beyond these restrictions will harm not only this function of the mind called the magic calculation area. This disorder of the mind will also be transmitted to the physical body, which in the end can even lead to death. To prevent this, there is a safety valve in the magic calculation area that stops processing beyond the limits of possibilities.

But sometimes the body has a need to demonstrate power that exceeds these strength limits. In such cases, the magic calculation area can momentarily allow processing exceeding the limits. If at this moment the safety valve is so damaged that it becomes impossible to restore it, you can guess that if there is no limiter in the magic calculation zone, processing overload, or the so-called overheating, can easily happen. That was the true nature of the condition effecting Minami.

The magic calculation area, located in the area of the subconscious mind, was still a

"black box" for both magicians and Parasites. At this stage in the development of knowledge of magic, it is impossible to restore this mechanism. The only way to prevent the magician from shortening their life from overheating the magic calculation area with a damaged limiter is to refuse to use magic.

But Minami eventually used magic. In addition, a powerful magic that caused a strong load. Right in front of Minoru.

"If the human mind and body cannot stand the use of magic, then there is no choice but to become a non-human being, more suitable for magic..."

Minoru thought this was the only right choice. With all his intelligence, he could not come up with another solution.

"If it goes on like this, then Minami-san..."

You have no choice but to turn Minami into a Parasite, the voice whispered in Minorus head. And that wasn't the voice of the divided consciousness of the Parasites.

It was the inner voice of Minoru himself, not wanting Minami to die.

But at the same time, another self was also sitting inside him, reproaching him for trying to break the promise he made with Minami. And there was also Minoru inside him, tormenting himself with the question of whether there really were any other ways.

He already had an answer. Any treatment is only a temporary measure. Now, even if the magic is sealed, it won't lead to an improvement in current symptoms.

There is no other lasting solution than to become a Parasite.

"She used magic through my fault."

"If I were more attentive to what was happening around me, then Minami-san wouldn't have had to use magic."

Minoru sat with his head hanging by the bed on which Minami was sleeping, and mentally lamented.

What shall I do...

Minoru pleaded desperately, peering into the emptiness of the darkness.

Minoru suddenly raised his head.

"This answer didn't come from within me."

The magician's perception informed him of such a unfamiliarity.

"Something Dark... This is not ordinary darkness."

This darkness had some kind of altered nature.

It wasn't just a lack of light.

Despite the fact that the lighting in the room was turned off, a few seconds ago it wasn't completely dark here, as it is now.

The light coming in from the corridor, penetrating through the partially open door, as

well as the bed and Minami lying on it, were all slightly distinguishable.

And now nothing was visible at all.

Everything around Minoru was drowned in darkness.

No. He himself was engulfed in darkness.

"... Perception blocking magic!?"

Minoru intuitively sensed that this darkness was a magical attack directed against him.

He tried to determine the identity of the enemy using "Elemental Sight".

But could not "see." Not only could he not see the identity of the enemy, but he couldn't see anything. Even his magical vision was blocked by this darkness.

"It even reaches the mind... No, on the contrary. Does this magic block the enemy's senses directly from the mind?"

Minoru wasn't at a loss. He had a lot of knowledge. Knowledge of the Kudou family, and the knowledge of Zhou Gongjin. Minoru knew of both magic that blocked the five senses, and magic that prevented perception beyond the five senses. For example, his

"Parade" was magic that deceived both of them.

It only obscures the eyes. And it doesnt do any other harm anymore.

If the ability to search for the enemy is blocked, then it's not the end. Minoru decided to erect a barrier against the magic of mental interference and wait for the enemy to make their next move.

I didn't have to wait long.

A voice came from the darkness. It wasn't a simple loud physical voice tearing at his eardrums, but a fierce voice forcibly penetrating directly into his consciousness.

This voice didn't consist of clearly distinguishable words. It had neither Japanese nor English words, nor words from other languages.

It was just a sound conveying meaning directly.

Hear...!

And this voice conveyed such an appeal.

Do not reject...!

And such a call was still present in this voice.

But what should I hear? What should I not reject?

Minoru didn't feel a magical compulsion from this voice, but a banal sense of curiosity.

When he voluntarily directed his consciousness towards this voice, the meaning it conveyed... more precisely, the "intentions" became more specific.

Hear my voice! Hear our voice!

My, ours. This voice belonged to one and several speakers at the same time.

This alone allowed Minoru to understand that the hosts of the voice were Parasites.

Do not reject my consciousness! Do not reject our consciousness!

Minoru "rejected" the assimilation of the shared consciousness of the Parasites using a magic barrier. Applying the magic developed by the Kudou family to subjugate parasite dolls, Minoru ordered the Parasite who lived inside him to not enter the collective consciousness.

This voice was trying to get Minoru to undo this magic.

"There are two magicians."

In addition to the fact that they are trying to drag him into a collective consciousness, he determined from magical waves that more than one magician is attacking with mental interference magic. The enemies worked in pairs. Although "Sight" wasn't available, he was still able to read the properties of the magic used by "touch".

"This magic... it manipulates the mind like powerful hypnosis."

Minoru made this conclusion by analyzing the magic trying to manipulate his mind.

"One of them obscures the "eyes", and the other inspires thoughts."

Continuing to follow this touch, you can even counterattack.

"First, neutralize this "darkness"!"

However, to prevent future confrontations, he decided to teach the opponents a lesson by completely breaking their magic, and, thereby, showing them the difference in strength.

The magic chosen by Minoru was Parade. The original purpose of this magic was to not allow the enemy to catch you, but even when he was already caught in the "Darkness"

trap created by the enemy, he didn't hesitate to choose.

"If the enemy is not Tatsuya-san...!"

Minoru was sure that if the enemy wasn't Tatsuya, then with the help of Parade he would easily be able to hide from them, even if he had already fallen into the hands of the enemy.

And in his thoughts there wasn't a bit of complacency.

hmm?

Is he moving?

In one of the rooms at the Pearl & Hermes base, the voices of two men sounded simultaneously.

The first voice belonged to Major Kevin Antares, and the second to First Lieutenant Eliya Sargas.

Major Antares is the commander of the eleventh detachment of the Stars, and First Lieutenant Sargas is a member of the same detachment, having the rank of the First stellar magnitude class. They were both magicians specializing in magic of mental interference, and both were converted to Parasites as a result of "secondary infection."

When they became Parasites, the magic they knew about best didn't change. On the contrary, they showed a tendency to go even deeper into their specialization.

Antares was good at magic affecting many minds simultaneously, and Sargas was strong at magic that focuses on one target and makes a powerful attack on their mind.

The magic that plunged Minorus mind into "darkness" was created by Antares, and it was called "Nyx*". This magic could be called the trump card of Antares. It intervenes in the ability to perceive the mind, creating an area of hallucinations that blocks visual and auditory information.

[The goddess of the night from Greek mythology. She is Nikta or Nyukta in other translation options. In Japanese transliteration and English spelling - "Nyx".]

Opponents who fall into this area fall into a state where they "do not see, even when they are watching" and "do not hear, even when they are listening." And its effect is not limited to the vision and hearing of the physical body. It covers all information recognized by the mind as visual and auditory. As a result, the magician also becomes unable to recognize information about Eidos, perceived visually, and information about psionic waves, perceived audibly. In other words, not only the five senses, but also the sixth sense is shrouded in darkness.

Antares used this magic to seal Minoru's remote aiming and prevent a counterattack from magic. This provided Sargas with a safe environment to destroy the mental barrier of Minoru. That was their strategy.

As they planned, no counterattack came from Minoru.

Minoru had come so far with this girl and should not have left her so easily. Now, however, he stepped out of the corridor and walked briskly away. At least that was what the magical perceptions of Antares and Sargas told them.

It was hard to think that Minoru would abandon his companion.

The magic Nyx of Antares didn't aim at one specific person. It was intended to affect many people at once, by targeting a specific area of physical space. Minoru realized this and planned to counterattack the enemy magicians, leaving this area and thereby regaining the ability of remote magic aiming.... Which was Antares interpretation of the current behavior of Minoru.

Following the target.

In order not to subject his subordinates to danger, Antares began to move the hallucination zone created by his magic Nyx after Minoru.

Yes, commander.

Sargas also began his pursuit after the moving Minoru as a target for magic.

After Minoru activated Parade, the magical darkness disappeared, and the darkness of the night returned.

The magic that created the darkness wasn't interrupted. The area of effect magic, depriving perception from the mind, shifted away from Minoru. Minoru didn't leave this place, but only moved information about his location. After all, the enemy pursued Minoru informationally, and therefore moved the coordinates of the aiming of magic.

The speed of this reaction indicated a high level of magical skill by his enemies.

But, this high level skill, on the contrary, made them immediately fall for Minoru's trick.

As he expected.

Minoru subsequently activated mental interference magic with psionic light moving through physical space as an intermediary.

The magic was called Phobos. This is a magic that sends psionic light into the enemys magical field of vision, painted in colors that evoke the image of fear itself. There is also a magic called Deimos, which doesn't require an intermediary and sends fear directly, but it wasn't in Minorus repertoire yet.

The effect of Phobos is not lethal. However, people affected by it, regardless of their mental stamina, will be subject to indescribable horror, and their mind will noticeably weaken. Even those who have trained to resist fear cannot escape the fear brought by Phobos. And no matter how hard you try to suppress this fear, it will continue to keep coming from the depths of your mind.

After activating Phobos, Minoru realized that the magic of the voice that attacked his mental barrier before activating Parade was interrupted. The darkness that had previously swallowed Minoru also disappeared. Both magics no longer had any effect on Minoru. But for him, now it only meant that the operators could no longer maintain the magic aimed at the substitute created by his Parade.

Major Antares!? What happened!? Lieutenant Sargas, let me know what happened!?

First Lieutenant Spica screamed in a panicky voice, looking at the two men writhing in agony, who fell to the floor with the chairs they were sitting on. It seemed to her that an attack of convulsions suddenly seized the two.

Was that just now... Phobos?

Moaned Antares, waking up first.

... I agree with you, commander.

Sargas agreed with Antares, clutching his sore head with his hand.

It was a mental interference attack by Kudou Minoru!

Spica's cry implied the question "how is this possible!?" In order to apply magic to an adversary that you cannot see physically, it is necessary to fix the image of the target in the information dimension. And Phobos, in particular, is magic that achieves the result by directly irradiating the enemy with psion light. And we aren't even talking about "Deimos", directly sending images. For a remote attack by Phobos, it is necessary to accurately determine the coordinates of the target through the information dimension. This was impossible to do while in a state of difficulty obscured by the magic of Nyx.

Major Antares, Lieutenant Sargas... well, and Lieutenant Spica at the same time.

At that moment, a mental voice so powerful (not loud) sounded in the minds of these three that it seemed as though their head would crack from it.

Mr. Kudou. Did you want something?

With a grimace, Spica answered him. She decided that it would be better if she answered Minoru, instead of Antares or Sargas who had just attacked him.

I think Raymond hears us too, so I wont repeat it. I do not intend to take control of you.

Spica's heart nearly jumped out of her chest. It happened exactly as she and Antares was afraid of. They could not gain access to Minoru consciousness. No access - so you can not intervene. However, Minoru had access to their

consciousness. If Minoru wants to, he will be able to correct her consciousness, and so that she wont even notice it.

This was "only possible theoretically," but in fact it wasn't known whether in practice one Parasite could take control of other Parasites. However, Spica and other soldiers of the USNA army could not ignore the likelihood that they could fall under the control of the Japanese Minoru.

So never try to get into my head again. I do not want to control anyone. And I dont want anyone to control me.

... Got it. We won't do that again. We apologize for our deed.

Antares answered him.

Apologies are accepted. For my part, I also apologize for my rude behavior.

At this Minoru interrupted his mental connection.

Rude behavior...?

Groaned Antares.

The bitterness of defeat was present in his voice, as well as on the face of Sargas who heard him.

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