On the morning of Tuesday, July 3rd—only a day after the announcement that had thrown the nation's magic high schools into a state of bewildered chaos—Major General Hiromi Saeki sat in the commanding officer's office of the National Defense Land Army's 101st Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion in Tsuchiura. Before her stood Major Genshin Kazama.
Major General Saeki was a fifty-nine-year-old female officer, a brilliant tactician who had spent her career in the General Staff. Because her shocks of white hair could appear silver depending on the light, her subordinates whispered of her as the "Silver Fox." However, at a glance, her appearance was more akin to a kindly elementary school principal than a cunning predator.
In this office, the two had shared many conversations that could never be uttered in public—discussions that smelled of gunpowder and conspiracy. This morning, Saeki began with a question.
"Major Kazama, are you aware that the events for this year's National Magic High School Goodwill Magic Convention—the Nine Schools Competition—have been overhauled?"
"I was aware there were movements to that effect. Has it been officially decided, then?"
"You're being slow for a Major. The formal notification was sent to every magic high school yesterday."
Saeki remained seated as she handed a stack of documents to Kazama, who stood at attention in the 'at ease' position. For a moment, the only sound in the room was the rhythmic rustle of paper. Kazama reached the final page with practiced speed, then looked up, his eyes silently prompting her for the objective.
"Your impressions?" she asked.
Understanding that she was still setting the stage, Kazama played along. "This is a curriculum for military drills."
"I might hesitate to be so blunt, but I am in total agreement. This overhaul is a direct consequence of last year's Yokohama Disturbance. The National Defense Force has rediscovered the utility of magicians as a primary combat force, and they are now exerting pressure to cultivate that talent at the student level."
"Even without knowing the facts, I suspect most will interpret it exactly that way," Kazama noted.
"The Magic Association offered only token resistance to the military's demands," Saeki added.
Kazama cast a skeptical look at his superior. "He... didn't resist?"
"Elder Kudou did not oppose it. In fact, the National Defense Land Army General Headquarters has approached our battalion to provide 'cooperation' for the competition. Based on this request, I am placing the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion on standby."
"Understood. We will remain ready until further orders."
"There may be more to Elder Kudou's uncharacteristic cooperation than meets the eye. It appears the Kudou and Fujibayashi families are moving in lockstep on this matter. I want you to keep a very close eye on your adjutant."
"Understood. And... regarding Special Lieutenant Ooguro?"
At the mention of Tatsuya's military persona, Saeki's smile sent a brief chill down Kazama's spine.
"He is a precious asset. Should anything happen, I will show no mercy—not even to Elder Kudou. However, for now, your unit is on standby. There is no need to inform the Special Lieutenant of these developments yet."
"Understood."
As Kazama exited the office, he felt a flicker of sympathy for both Kyoko Fujibayashi and Tatsuya.
As expected, the changes to the competition had plunged First High into utter turmoil. Once the official website published the full details, the campus became a sea of students oscillating between excitement and despair. The Student Council bore the brunt of it.
Between explaining the changes to every club and painstakingly cross-referencing the rulebooks for each venue to see what was now permitted or banned, the day was a marathon. By the time they passed through the school gates, every member of the council looked haggard—Tatsuya and Miyuki included.
Even with the resilience of youth, such exhaustion wasn't easily shaken off. Yet, Miyuki never faltered in her devotion to Tatsuya's comfort. She refused to yield the task to Minami, brewing a fresh pot of coffee with even more care than usual. She placed the cup before Tatsuya with a smile that betrayed not a hint of her own fatigue.
"Thank you, Miyuki. It's been a long day. Come here."
Tatsuya was sitting on the three-seater sofa rather than his usual armchair. He patted the cushion beside him.
"Yes, Brother!"
Miyuki's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before a look of pure joy transformed her face. She sat beside him, radiating happiness, but the moment was cut short as Minami approached with a conflicted expression.
"Tatsuya-sama, you have received an email. However... there is no sender listed."
"No sender?"
Tatsuya pulled up the encrypted message on a wireless console. He launched the decoder, his eyes scanning the strings of text as they translated into legibility. The encryption was a standard used by the National Defense Land Army. Tatsuya only knew one person who would send such a thing while masking their identity.
"This... this can't be real?" Miyuki whispered, having leaned in just enough to see without being intrusive. The information was that appalling.
"Testing new weaponry... I can't take it at face value, but I can't dismiss it either," Tatsuya mused. "The military's involvement is a given, but the anonymity makes it suspicious. Mixing an obvious truth with a plausible lie is the oldest trick in the book."
"Brother, what will you do?"
Miyuki felt a pang of frustration at her inability to offer a clever solution. She knew her role was to be his confidante, to ensure he didn't shoulder the burden alone, but it felt insufficient.
"I'll consult with my Master first thing tomorrow morning," Tatsuya decided.
"Shall I get you a refill on your coffee?"
"Thank you, Miyuki. I'd appreciate that."
Once he was sure Miyuki had disappeared into the kitchen, Tatsuya beckoned Minami closer and spoke in a low voice.
"Minami, forward this email to Hayama-san. Use the highest level of encryption."
"Yes, Tatsuya-sama. At once."
"I'm sorry to drag you into this, Minami."
"Please, do not apologize. I came to this house to serve you and Miyuki-sama. You need only give the word, and I will see it done."
Tatsuya watched her walk away to fulfill his command, then let out a small, weary sigh. The peaceful after-school life he had sought was now officially a distant memory.
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