This chapter is updated by Novels.pl
January 14, A.D. 2096, Shibuya 11:00 p.m.
Late at night on a Saturday, though there were no cars on the street, it was filled with young people.
There were no cars in sight due to the changes in both the traffic system and the customary working hours. The self-driving (auto-pilot) individual transportation trams work around the clock. Besides, in a big city like Shibuya, there is no need to employ these vehicles that are meant for communal use, as by using the motorized sidewalks that have been laid out underground, one can reach the train station easily.
Moreover, in the present age, where infrastructure for working from home has been upgraded, there is no longer any need for one to stay back in the office till late at night. In case of urgently needed work, the current trend in businesses is to settle it at home and submit it back to the company via a private line. Modern offices are places for business negotiations, not places for paperwork. In the first place, as long as one is doing an honest business, the need for deliberately scheduling business negotiations at midnight would disappear.
Shibuya at night is the town of young people where adults’ figures are not seen.
In fact, one cannot see this kind of scene at this time in any town other than Shibuya.
Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Roppongi… Before the war, those towns flourished as shopping districts for young people; but now, seeing young people wandering and gathering late at night is a scene that one would only see here in Shibuya.
During the era of chaos which spanned two decades, at different periods, in Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Roppongi, as a result of the destructive activities caused by the foreigners, together with the extreme devastation caused by the xenophobic activities[1] of the raging native youngsters in response to the foreigners' deeds, emerged widespread vermiculated ruins. Measures for the thorough restoration of public order were taken during the course of reconstruction, and these towns have been rebuilt as fairly dense bustling towns. But, Shibuya was the exception.
Since before the war, the degree of devastation had deepened and the disputes between youngsters intensified, and thus, as a result of being the first to expel the foreigners, in contrast Shibuya had been spared the absolute total destruction that had befallen the other towns. And as the lawlessness of the nights in Shibuya were left alone consequently even now, one cannot flatly assert that one end result is better than the other.
If this was such a lawless area, be it day or night, the "Redevelopment" initiated by the government, and the local municipality who has become very much intolerant to the absence of order as compared to the pre-war days, would probably have proceeded, as one might guess. The current administrative authorities have become considerably strict regarding the restrictions on private rights related to real estate.
However, Shibuya holds completely different façade during daytime and night.
During the daytime, it is a business center where honest company employees busily come and go.
At night, it is a pleasure quarter where youngsters loiter, with the affectation of outlaws.
As they can't round them up at once, it's difficult for the authorities to take the plunge into redeveloping the city.
And on this very evening as well, at the beginning of the New Year, there were many youngsters gathered on the streets making as much of a racket as they wanted, laughing, flirting, and exchanging blows.
Among them, with finely chiseled features, and a sturdy build, a young man’s figure could be seen.
Dressed in a sweatshirt and jumper pulled over it, which was unthinkably light clothing in the deep of winter, Leo was walking with faltering steps in Shibuya in the dead of the night. Although we use the word 'faltering' here, his legs and feet were properly covered in jeans and sneakers. However, judging by the steps he was taking, he seemed to have no specific destination in mind.
Leo had one bad pastime. No, rather than a pastime, it was probably a habit.
The habit of roaming.
Not walking, running, nor shouting, but roaming in the night.
As the dead of the night drew near, he would want to randomly wander about in uncertainty.
Leo thought that this was due to his instincts that have been carved into his body‘s genes.
He is the third generation of the "Burg Folge (Fortress Series)" that was developed in Germany in the initial days, which put the technique of tuning Magicians via genetic manipulation in practical use for the first time in the world.
The Burg Folge was a body tuning technique developed with an emphasis on improving the durability of the body. In those days, in order to raise close quarters combat ability, thought to be the weaker point of magicians, rather than strengthening magic ability, the Burg Folge, which strengthened the physical abilities contained in genes, brought forth a breed of "Super soldiers that can use magic", or "Enhanced humans that can simultaneously use both superhuman physical abilities, and magic technical abilities", both of which were more apt descriptions than calling them tuned magicians.
Although Chimera-fication measures were not included in the tuning methods, it is not difficult for one to imagine that large sized mammals that are much more tenacious than humans had been used as a reference at the inception of the genetic remodeling method.
Not by removing the body’s limiter with external means – it was already known at that time that such a method would have a high probability of damaging an individual's magical technical ability – but by raising the performance of the physical body.
Possibly as a result of that unreasonable genetic remodeling, many among the Burg Folge's first generation died during childhood, and even the majority of those who grew to adulthood went mad and died.
Leo‘s grandfather was one of the few survivors.
Leo had a fear.
Someone looking at him as a person from the outside would be unable to see it, but he has been living his life while carrying that fear deep down in his heart.
He wondered if he would also go mad one day.
With a non-human factor devouring his human factor, he wondered if he would end up losing his senses.
Since he thought that, by releasing his impulses, whether or not he would be able to delay the moment when his creaking heart broke. He tried to be loyal to his own impulses. He knew from example that his grandfather was able to freely live a natural span of life.
That was why he didn’t go against his impulse of "wandering at night".
At the whim of this impulse, underneath the moon, underneath the stars, underneath the jet-black clouds, he was walking aimlessly.
One night in the center of the city, one night in the shopping districts, one night in the suburbs, one night on a secluded mountain. Without destination. On a whim, he chose a road by the mood of the day.
That he came today to Shibuya was merely pure coincidence.
There was a figure of a young man in a dark suit wearing a gray trench coat, which, even though new, had creases here and there.
"Huh? Erika’s older brother, Mr. Inspector?"
The person who just passed by was coincidentally an acquaintance. It was only that, but Leo called out to the young man. –Merely at a whim, since one doesn’t always call out to an acquaintance upon seeing him each and every time.
The next moment, a wave of noise surged towards him.
Leo’s voice was by no means big. It was just enough to call a passing person to stop.
Despite that, gazes one could certainly not call friendly were drawn from both sides of the street.
"You, come with me for a moment."
Responding with a smacked expression was the man who was walking next to "Erika’s older brother". Leo also remembered the face of the man, who was at the age by which it has become a little painful to call a young man. He not only remembered the face, but also the name.
"Inagaki-san, right? What is it all of a sudden?"
Without answering the question, which could also be treated as rude, Inagaki grabbed Leo’s left wrist.
Although shaking it off would be easy, Leo quietly followed Inagaki.
He was brought to a small bar inside of a back alley. Although "BAR" was written on the signboard, it was a store’s appearance that Leo felt did not need the use of western-style characters at all.
"Master, I‘ll borrow the upstairs."
Inagaki called to the proprietor of the shop, who was polishing a glass on the other side of the counter, and went up the stairs at the far end without waiting for a reply. Leo was brought to a cramped small room which was filled only with four chairs placed around a small round table. The doorway being a bulky, airtight constructed door, looking like the hatch of a spaceship, was awfully mismatched to the worn-out interiors.
"I’m still a minor."
Leo said so in a joking manner, forestalling Inagaki, who was on the verge of talking after rotating the handle with both hands, firmly locking the door.
Next to Inagaki, who looked like he chewed on a sour bug, Chiba Toshikazu pleasantly – not in the sense of having fun, but in the sense of deep interest – laughed.
"Saijou-kun, right? You did well to spot us. Even though we should have had properly concealed our presence."
Just with that, Leo understood what Toshikazu was trying to say. "…Have I perhaps interrupted an investigation?"
Toshikazu seemed to be surprised by that good guess.
"Heeh... You’re not just brawn. Well, Erika wouldn‘t support a mere muscle-brain, I suppose."
Though Leo reflexively frowned, aside from whether it was from goodwill or malice, since he was aware of the fact that he was taught techniques, lent specialized weapons, and also supported in various ways, he refrained from rebutting.
"Isn’t Mr. Inspector’s House mistaking the way of raising daughters?"
The counterattack was at best a degree that would be knocked down for abusive language (would be disgusting).
"That’s for sure."
Toshikazu said so with a wry smile. But, contrary to his light tone, the light within his narrowed eyes felt like something deep-rooted.
Sensing danger of having crossed where he shouldn‘t, Leo shut his mouth.
"Don’t mind the investigation. We were just trying to conceal our presence in order to avoid meaningless trouble; it‘s not like we were tailing anyone. Since late at night here, this is a place where the police would draw looks of resentment."
"Looks of resentment, huh... It’s certainly like that."
Leo, looking like he was reminded of something, nodded deeply. That gesture conveyed that he felt sympathy more towards the police than the young people of this town.
If goodwill is turned, the attitude will soften; it’s one of the most basic patterns of interpersonal relationships. (This may not necessarily be true with the opposite sex though.)
Therefore, the glint in Inagaki’s eyes towards Leo became much friendlier.
"Inspector, isn’t it just the right time? Why don’t you ask him 'that'?"
With that alone, Leo naturally didn’t know what "that" was, but he did not urge on an explanation. Leo was calmly watching Toshikazu, who nodded and turned to face him.
"Saijou-kun, what business do you have today in Shibuya?"
"I have no business in particular."
"Hmm, do you often come to Shibuya?"
"No, not often; I only come here occasionally. I also strolled here on New Year’s Eve."
"Two weeks ago, huh… Then, do you know of the strange events that have occurred in the shopping districts?"
Inagaki didn’t stop Toshikazu, who was trying to reveal details of an incident over reporting restrictions. At any rate, Inagaki knew that by tomorrow it would be a "scoop".
"Strange events? I thought that such things happen every day. By the way, Mr. Inspector, weren’t you in charge of Yokohama city? Why are you investigating the incidents of this town?"
"We are members of the Police Department. We’re transferred here and there all over Japan. Because of that, we are now investigating the incident of continuous unnatural deaths in the metropolitan area."
Words which lightly and smoothly flowed out. However, Leo was not misled by his tone.
"Unnatural deaths... Strange murders? And continuously?"
Furrowing his eyebrows, Leo asked. Toshikazu revised his evaluation of Leo upwards without showing any sign of doing so.
"That’s right. Well, since it’s something that will be known by tomorrow…"
Saying that, Toshikazu and Inagaki exchanged looks. Inagaki nodded, and removed from his overcoat pocket a mobile terminal. Opening the folding-type terminal, he brought up the image file on the screen.
Seeing the photo on the terminal, switching in a slideshow, Leo breathed and swallowed his saliva.
"The latest victim was found in Dougenzaka Park three days ago. The estimated time of death is around 1:00AM to 2:00AM."
"Right in the middle of the town!?"
Leo thought that "right in the middle of the town" was a strange expression, but he couldn’t come up with a better wording to properly express his feelings.
–He probably thought that this kind of thing happens in sparsely populated areas.
"Leaving aside the daytime, it would not be strange even if something like this happened in the middle of the town at night. At least in this town."
However, as Toshikazu answered back with a bitter expression, Leo couldn’t help but nod "You’re right". Leo also knew from experience that the present Shibuya had an unusual dual nature.
"Therefore, I would like to ask something; do you happen to know anything about a strange guy? I don’t mind even if it is just rumors that you have heard."
"There are a lot of strange guys loitering around this town in the dead of night. Specifically, what kind of guy do you want to know about?"
To Leo’s justifiable complaint, Toshikazu, knowing that it’s not such a case, leaked a wry smile.
"Certainly, it’s not clear. But, the investigation would have been fairly easy if we knew the criminal’s features…"
Leo was silently staring at Toshikazu, who was pondering "From where should I begin to explain?"
"Well… The victims’ corpses we showed you earlier."
Inagaki did not try to interfere. He also had no intention to stop his superior, who had started leaking secret information of the investigation to a civilian.
"The cause of death for all deaths was unnatural. There was no trace of external injury to find on the seven people."
"There was no injury? Was it poison?"
To the question of Leo, who changed his expression, Toshikazu shook his head.
"The tests of drug reactions are all negative. And even though there is no injury, about ten percent of the estimated blood has been lost from the victims’ bodies."
"All the victims?"
"All the victims."
"I see… That is indeed 'unnatural death'. Rather than strange murders, it’s a strange incident."
Neither being frightened nor feeling uneasy, Leo muttered so in an amazed voice.
"While it may seem a supernatural phenomenon, the incident is reality."
While being amazed at Leo's attitude, Toshikazu returned the original question.
"So, I wonder if you happen to know a guy likely to perpetrate this by imitating something occult. Particularly with foreigners these days, such as strange rumors, which spread out about those guys."
"Foreigners these days, huh…"
From before being asked again, Leo crossed his arms, but before long, uncrossed them with a look of resignation.
"My bad, no one comes up in my mind."
It was a rude, or rather, a muddled tone as if to say "What kind of manners were those?" but without feelings of wonder or hatred.
"I’m stocking up on jokes from a friend."
"Eh, no, it‘s alright. That sort of thing is the job of the police, and it is also not limited to sniffing around and not keeping an eye out."
"But Inspector, it is Shibuya at night, you know? I think that having adults, and moreover, policemen, out to ask various things will be difficult."
"...Well, that might be so, but…"
Even without the need to receive indication again, both Toshikazu and Inagaki actually realized the difficulty of an investigation. Otherwise, they would not go as far as to reveal the secret details of an investigation to a boy who was simply an acquaintance.
"I also don’t intend to stick my nose in the danger. And even if I could see it, I have confidence in my sense of smell."
"Really? Then."
"Inspector!?"
Having said that, making a high school student cooperate in a criminal investigation was going too far and too dangerous. Inagaki hurriedly raised his voice as gesture to stop, but Toshikazu brought out a business card from his breast pocket.
"If you find anything, mail me here. You manually enter for the first time, and it’s automatically updated from the second."
The good sense of Inagaki was ignored by both Leo and Toshikazu. "It‘s really strict. Well then, if I find anything, I‘ll let you know."
Saying so, Leo stood up, with one hand easily turning the airtight lock’s handle that Inagaki had to use two hands to turn, and went downstairs.
◊ ◊ ◊
January 14th, AD 2096, USNA Washington D.C. 11:30 local time. January 15, 01:30 Japan time – Midnight.
Lina, who had gone to bed, was woken up by her housemate Sylvia. "Sylvie, what is it?"
Lina also became a regular officer not less than three years ago; even if reckoning after she took the post of Stars' High Commander, she had a military career of one year and a half. She grew accustomed to being dragged out of bed in case of emergency. Regaining her consciousness in an instant, she requested an explanation from Sylvia in a clear voice.
"It’s an urgent communication from Major Canopus."
To the answer which was returned by Sylvia, Lina silently ran towards the communication device.
"Ben, sorry to have kept you waiting. Excuse me that it’s audio only."
『Likewise, it is I who should say so for disturbing you while you were sleeping』
As far as Lina knew, Benjamin Canopus was a man of common sense even within Stars. Among the first Stars class, he might have the most common sense. He, while being aware of the time difference, in other words, while knowing that here in Japan was midnight, called Lina.
And it could not be for a trivial matter. "I don’t mind. What on earth happened?"
『We’ve found the whereabouts of those who escaped last month.』 "What!?"
The desertion incident of the star-of-the-first-magnitude class of Stars, Alfred Formalhaut, which occurred last month, was not only limited to the scandal of Stars, but also gave a great shock to the USNA executives.
That incident did not end with First Lieutenant Formalhaut’s disposal by Lina’s hands. The fact is that in the same period, seven magicians, and also magic factory masters had escaped from the USNA forces.
Within them, although it was the satellite class of the lowest rank, the members of the Stars were also included. The mission entrusted to Lina by Major Canopus back then was the pursuit and disposal of these fugitives. It was about them, he was saying that, their whereabouts were found out.
"Where is it!?"
『In Japan. After landing at Yokohama, it seems that they are currently hiding in Tokyo.』
"Why in Japan… And moreover, in this Tokyo!?"
Lina turned around in surprise. But Canopus also didn't have the answer to this question. It was not only Lina who asked that question, and it was not only Canopus who could not answer it.
『…The Joint Chiefs of Staff decided to dispatch an additional tracker team.』
"Does the Japanese Government know?" 『No, it’s a secret operation.』
In a pursuit operation of fugitives coupled with espionage and combat in a foreign territory, the impression given to the partner country government was totally different. There was even a possibility that it could be considered as a serious provocative act to sovereignty, and develop into a rupture of diplomatic intercourse. Lina was once again aware of how the Pentagon attached importance to this matter.
『High Commander, we will pass on the instructions from the General Staff Headquarters. The mission currently given to Major Angie Sirius should assume a priority of second degree, and you should give top priority to the tracking of the fugitives.』
Lina, once after taking a deep breath, answered to the communication device.
"Ben. Please convey to the HQ that I accept it." 『Roger. High Commander, take care.』
The communication cut with those words of worry.
"It looks like I won’t be able to sleep any longer tonight", Lina thought.
◊ ◊ ◊
In the classroom at the beginning of the week, the strange murders event was the hot topic.
Sunday morning, every news company came out with what was a veritable festival of articles about the continuous strange murders event in an attempt to compensate for having been out-scooped by the 2nd ranked domestic news site. That their conduct was rather manic, or rather their screws were loose, to the extent that they were trying to make it up to their disappointed subscribers, one could say it was an act of gratitude.
However, because of that, the news quickly spread like wildfire. — But, the main point especially emphasized the occult aspect, agitating the sensation.
"Morning~. Hey, hey, Tatsuya-kun, did you see yesterday’s news?"
However, the only people who understood that they are being agitated, but still dared to take advantage of that, were probably people around Tatsuya’s age. As usual, definitely without being led, the friend who would seem likely to dance upfront was the very first voice that called out.
"News, you mean about the 'vampire'?"
Even though it was obvious, he was just trying to make sure that this was the general etiquette. Then Erika, as he thought, nodded happily.
"About that, it’s after all impossible that it would be done by a single criminal, right? Is it a professional organized crime? My vote is that it is an illegal organization dealing in organs and blood."
Before Tatsuya sat in his chair, she lightly sat on his desk and twisted around and brought her face closer.
At this time, Tatsuya thought 'It's really insignificant, but that body is flexible' which was a really insignificant thing to be thinking about, so he put on a serious look on his face and shook his head.
"If that’s the case, then I don’t understand why only ten percent of blood was extracted."
So as not to cause trouble in vain to the world, it was certain that the authorities wanted to conceal it, but the fact that the victims lost about ten percent of blood had spread to the society along with, stirring up the complaint of the "Vampire event".
"Wasn’t there an intention of killing? Didn’t they think possibly to use the blood for a blood factory if using it efficiently?"
"If it’s the case, then they would not leave the corpses in the town. Besides, it is a mystery that there was no mark that blood was extracted, either."
In the articles, "After extracting blood with a needle, they erased the traces by magic"; although they also assumed magicians were involved, it was impossible to erase the injection mark permanently with a single use of healing magic.
"Hmm, I see… It’s certainly strange that there is no scar."
"As said on TV, is it a homicide by occult means?"
Furrowing her eyebrows from the seat nearby, rather with a somehow nervous expression, Mizuki joined to the conversation.
"Occult means, huh… If there’s really such thing as vampires, then it’s likely to be known long ago."
Modern Magic, in the process of systematization theory, was welcomed by those who conveyed Ancient Magic from the other side of the legendary veil. If the hobgoblins or the like with substance really existed, their existence should have been disclosed along with that of the "wizards". Tatsuya had at least thought so.
"Then is it Tatsuya’s opinion that till the bitter end, it was an act done by humans and not by occult means?"
"What about you, Mikihiko? Do you think that Youkai or demons, those sort of beings are involved?"
He struck back at Mikihiko’s question with the content’s same question.
Mikihiko chimed "Hmm...", shaking his head back and forth.
"…I can’t think that this is the work of a mere human, but I can't make an assertion…"
To the awkward answer of Mikihiko, Tatsuya revealed a nasty smile.
"Speaking of the occult, until just 100 years ago, magic was the prime example of the occult."
Erika promptly leaned forward in excitement.
"Does Tatsuya-kun think that this crime is related to magicians?"
"I haven’t clearly thought about it till that point. Neither the street cameras nor the Psion radars that were installed captured any reactions."
Soon after having finished saying so, Tatsuya, as he has reconsidered, shook his head.
"…However, if it is a high ranked magician, he could trick the radars, and if it is a practitioner able to use a Mental Interference External Systematic Magic, he could also commit the crime in the center of the city without anyone noticing."
"It's unpleasant. It’s good that the Humanism trend doesn’t become stronger."
Mizuki muttered in a gloomy voice.
The current age’s "Humanism", flatly speaking, is a kind of anti- magician movement.
It’s a movement that attempts to ban the use of magic, saying that
"Magic is not a power permitted to humans," which is the essence of the cult ideology for a sub-sect of Christianity.
The assertion "Humans should live with only the power accorded to humans," or perhaps one should say from the public stance named "Humanism", is a party which has been expanding their influence in recent years in the central east coast of America.
If it’s just "stop using magic", then there is no particular harm (many people would agree), but radical elements of Humanism conducted violent acts aimed at the rejection of the very existence of magicians. Even in the USNA they receive their own authorities’ surveillance as a form of anti-crime reserve troops (A violent action, USNA always monitored organizations).
"Now that you mention it, I saw those sheep clamoring for that on the TV "
"Morning, what are you talking about?"
Interrupting Erika’s speech as usual, in the seat in front of Tatsuya — it’s obvious that from the beginning, there was no "homeroom teacher" who would propose a seat change — was Leo.
"Don’t you seem quite late today?"
Raising his hand to greet him, Tatsuya asked so. Judging from the impression of his outward appearance, it may be surprising, but it is unusual for Leo to come at the last minute just before the opening so much without margin (to arrive late).
"Ah- I had a little bit of minor business and ended up staying up late...
Aside from that, what were you talking about?"
"It’s the usual 'Vampire event' we are talking about." Leo frowned at Mizuki’s answer.
A little muttering "Again...?" leaked from his mouth, and at that precise moment, the terminal displays information for the course start. Without time to follow that up, the morning’s idle chatter came to a close.
◊ ◊ ◊
There was no golden haired companion beside Miyuki, who appeared in the school cafeteria.
Tatsuya didn’t feel any doubt or dissatisfaction because he also did not make a separate appointment. Because of that, this question, not that he was that interested, simply came to mind.
"Today you’re not with Lina?"
However, his younger sister’s answer was outside of Tatsuya’s expectations.
"Today, she is absent, Onii-sama. She was in a hurry regarding some business related to her family and the like."
"Hmm...?"
‘Absent just after transferring in from overseas?’ Tatsuya thought, but since he didn’t also know a foreign magician student other than her, he did not assert it to be abnormal. In the first place, if her identity is considered, there should be a lot of things which have priority over school. Besides, there was no way that Lina would have told Miyuki or Honoka reasons more than "House-related". Therefore, Tatsuya did not inquire further.
Erika and Mizuki had displayed concern in her behavior, but — in fact, the difference was that Mizuki was "worried" and Erika was "curious" — more than that, even if he asked Miyuki, he understood that the answer given to them wouldn’t necessarily be the truth. Just like that, as usual, though one person was missing (the person missing being Shizuku, not Lina), the seven people crowded around the table.
"Speaking of that, is Shizuku doing well?" Erika’s line of sight turned towards Honoka.
"Yeah, she seems to be doing well. She also said the lessons are not that difficult."
Without even considering the question, Honoka immediately replied. Due to the present era’s communication infrastructure, the other side of the Pacific Ocean was not such a big distance.
"However, she said that she was surprised that class discussion forms including teachers still remain."
For this episode, everyone showed facial expressions mixed with surprise and interest. Since the system of students going abroad to learn magic has virtually ceased, what kind of teaching was done in foreign countries was a kind of information that was hardly available.
"Then, maybe Lina is perplexed as well in various ways, right?"
"That really doesn’t look like it."
Miyuki, while smiling, denied Mizuki’s concern. In fact, Lina did not appear to be perplexed at the difference of lessons structure between America and Japan. ‘As if from the very beginning, she has only ever attended Japanese Magic High School’, Miyuki secretly revealed a nasty smile.
It was a sexy little devil smile, fortunately no one had noticed it. Her friends’ awareness was rooted to the spot at the next bombshell announcement Honoka brought out.
"We spoke on the phone a little yesterday as well, but Shizuku was also surprised at the news of the 'Vampire event'. Somehow, a similar incident seems to have happened in America as well, she said."
"Eeeh! Is that true?"
"I also asked Shizuku the same thing. It seems to take place not in the West Coast where Shizuku is, but in the central area in the southern part of Dallas."
"It’s the first time I heard of this..."
Having also recently received warnings from his aunt, Tatsuya, who diligently checked the USNA-related news, unexpectedly muttered so in an admiring tone.
"Even on the other side, it seems that they have a tolerably working information restriction. Shizuku also said that it was not from the news that she heard it, but from a well-informed student who happened to be a former exchange student."
Possibly happy at drawing Tatsuya’s attention, Honoka had a bashfully smiling face as she explained.
In the eyes of Tatsuya who nodded, a light strong enough to be said it was just out of curiosity was dwelling.
◊ ◊ ◊
At the time that Tatsuya’s group had been excited with the topic of their friend who was studying overseas, the blond haired and blue eyed high school student who had come to study from abroad was in a secret meeting at the USNA embassy.
"In other words, you say that in Freddy's, no, First Lieutenant Fomalhaut’s cerebral cortex, a neuronal structure never seen in a normal human was formed?"
Though the meeting was encroaching into lunch time, no one there, including Lina, requested a break.
"It may be misleading to say normal human."
The one who answered was a man who, though not wearing the white lab coat, had indeed the appearance of your everyday regular scientist.
"From the results of the autopsy, in Alfred Fomalhaut’s brain, a neuronal structure, which has never been observed in the cerebral cortex of a human so far, magicians included, has been identified. Specifically, a structure similar to a small corpus callosum was formed in the pre-frontal cortex."
Seeing there being many participants revealing an ambiguous expression (of course Lina was also of them), the scientist began to explain once again except this time with a slight lecture tone.
"You know that human brain is divided into the left hemisphere and right hemisphere, right?"
Seeing all the participants nodding, he continued.
"So, the left and right hemispheres are connected by the corpus callosum located in the center of the brain. Conversely, this means that the brain of an ordinary person does not usually have a structure, which only connects the right and left hemispheres of the brain in the center part."
"The pre-frontal cortex is the surface portion of the brain... Originally there should not be a structure which connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain there, right?"
"That’s right. In other words, it means that there is something in First Lieutenant Fomalhaut’s brain that a human should not have."
Lina finally understood why she personally had to come here today. Certainly it’s not something that can be discussed on the phone.
"What kind of function does it perform? I’ve heard before that the pre- frontal cortex is the area closely connected to the ability of thinking and judgment, but... Can the newly formed brain cells affect the mental capability to that extent?"
"We USNA magic researchers believe that the brain is not an independent thinking organ; the real thinking core is the Pushion Information Body; the brain’s role is to receive the information sent from the so-called 'mind', and the communication organ transmits the information of the body to the mind. Although still in the theoretical stage, the possibility is very high."
The scientist, with an ingratiating smile shook his head at the question of the senior officers sitting on the other side.
"If this hypothesis holds, it is conceivable that the new neuronal structure formed in First Lieutenant Fomalhaut’s brain links with unknown mental functions, which was not conventionally downloaded."
The attendee yet again had a confused expression. Among them, Lina, who was still lost in thought, requesting to speak, raised her hand.
"Major, what is the matter?"
Although prompted by the scientist to speak, words would not come out. From her red lips, without attracting the men's eyes, Lina spun her tale after three seconds had passed.
"...Doctor, regarding the unknown mental functions, is there a possibility of the intervention of an external magic?"
The scientist was quick to answer.
"I think what Major Sirius is trying to say is that there is a possibility that First Lieutenant Fomalhaut was being manipulated, but unfortunately, that possibility does not exist. Although there is a hypothesis, there is no doubt to assume that the mind and the body interact one-to-one. Even if one could interfere with someone else’s mind, it wouldn’t be to the extent of affecting the brain’s structure. Besides, a magic which alters the mind’s very structure does not exist."
From the phrase ‘Magic which alters the mind’s very structure’, Lina remembered the legend of one magician. However, that magician was already dead. At the end of twenty years of hospitalization, without being married, and certainly without having children, that one should have left this world.
Lina slightly shook her head, thinking back to the matter at hand.
◊ ◊ ◊
Though it is the afternoon session, the third-year students already had free attendance to school. Taking advantage of the fact that the second-year students were bound in classrooms and practice rooms, two third-year students, a man and a woman, secretly met in an empty clubroom.
However, there was no sweet atmosphere there at all. Despite the fact that both sets of parents regarded the pair as possible marriage partners. (Though one might say that each of them had more than one coupling candidate).
And of course, this secret meeting can only being described as "secret meeting" instead of "date". Katsuto and Mayumi came to this place on behalf of the Juumonji House and the Saegusa House, respectively.
"I wonder why we have to come specifically in a place like this."
"Sorry for that. I judged that it was the least outstanding way. As the Juumonji House, I want to avoid stimulating the Yotsuba as a result, for now."
"There is an ongoing Cold War status between our House and the Yotsuba since last month. Geez, because that sly fox old man did something unnecessary."
Turning towards Mayumi revealing a little grunt of disgust, Katsuto chuckles.
"Even Saegusa can speak in such a way."
"Ara, Sorry. Was it vulgar?"
As Mayumi starting putting on a false coquettish air, Katsuto's chuckles turned into a bitter smile.
"When I’m with you, I sometimes happen to wonder whether or not I’m treated like a man."
"It’s a misunderstanding, you know? Juumonji-kun is, among my acquaintances, the most manly. It's that simple."
"Can’t it grow into a relation between a man and a woman, now?"
"Since the entrance examination, we are rivals of three years."
After each laughed at the other in a hushed tone bout, the two people changed their expression at the same time. Since even while laughing, the heavy feeling of tension was drifting between the two people, one can’t say that the atmosphere changed.
"Juumonji-kun. I will convey the message from my father, no, the Head of the Saegusa House, Saegusa Koichi. The Saegusa House expects a united front with the Juumonji House."
"How hasty. Not a 'cooperation', but suddenly a 'united front', huh."
Cutting his speech, Katsuto requested an explanation with his gaze. Of course, even Mayumi intended to give an explanation so that the other party could understand the circumstances.
"How much do you know about the Vampire event?"
"I don’t know anything beyond what is reported. Our House doesn’t have as many henchmen as the Saegusa House."
To the words that could be taken as Katsuto’s humility, Mayumi’s lips loosened a little.
"Well, matching for a thousand is the motto of the Juumonji House. Whereas in the Saegusa House, as far as I know, it’s only the number that is large."
Mayumi suggestively cuts her words.
And, before being urged by Katsuto, continued like this.
"The victims of the Vampire event are exactly three times of what was reported. Twenty-four victims have been confirmed yesterday."
Even if it’s Katsuto, he could not help being surprised at this. "…Is that only in this Tokyo neighborhood?"
"The metropolitan area of Tokyo, and moreover also concentrated in the urban areas."
Katsuto crossed his arms and was quietly thinking. Mayumi silently waited for him to speak.
"There are victims that the Saegusa House knows that the police don’t know. Moreover, it’s in a limited narrowed area that damage has occurred (the victim is still in place, being locked into a narrow area) … Have the Saegusa officials been victims?"
"It’s half correct. The victims who the police don’t know are all our magicians and those in cooperation with us. Even the victims who are not are proven to be either magicians or those who possess the disposition to magic. For example, like the students of the Magic University."
"In other words."
Katsuto’s expression tinged with dreadfulness. "That means the culprit is targeting magicians, huh."
"…Juumonji-kun, you’re a little scary."
But the stimulus of that expression seemed to be too strong for a high school girl. Apart from whether it was his real intention or acting.
"Hmm… Sorry."
And even if it was an act, it had enough effect to dent Katsuto.
"We don’t know whether there are one or multiple perpetrators of those serial murders; anyway, it is safe to presume that this 'vampire' assumes magicians as targets."
For some reason, by calmly returning to the topic without a follow-up to Katsuto, who started off the melancholy, the true nature of Mayumi showed she was surely a "devilkin" after all.
"In chronological order, first off the Magic University students and staff have been killed, the staff of our House investigating were killed while trying to avenge the previous loss, and meanwhile the victims had also increased, causing this kind of situation."
"Indeed, we can’t ignore it."
Leaving the damage received to the edge of the facial expression from Mayumi, Katsuto nodded deeply.
"Are there not any clues? If it’s someone who possesses ability to injure the Saegusa magicians, we can only consider either enhanced soldiers or magicians. And also, the possibility that it is a foreigner is high. Either someone who entered the country before and after the case outbreak, or a suspicious person among the foreigners who have gone to Tokyo?"
To Katsuto’s inquiry, Mayumi shook her head. It’s likely that the Saegusa also considered the same thing and had already investigated.
"But, speaking of foreigners who entered the country before and after the case outbreak…"
Mayumi had faltered there, but in response to Katsuto's gaze urging her to continue, she hesitantly continued speaking.
"From the USNA, there are a lot of foreign student magicians and Magic Engineers who entered the country. There is also an exchange student in this school, who has come… Juumonji-kun, do you think she is suspicious?"
"I think she is suspicious, but she is probably not the culprit." Katsuto’s reply was immediate.
"I don’t think she is completely unrelated, but may we leave her for the time being?"
"If Juumonji-kun says so…"
Mayumi also did not seriously seem to doubt Lina. To Mayumi, who cast down her eyes as a loss of self-confidence, Katsuto asked something that was bothering him.
"But, if it is such a thing, I think you should cooperate with the Yotsuba."
To the reasonable proposal of Katsuto, It was Mayumi’s turn to frown this time.
"Actually, I think so too, but… this is breaking the unwritten rule here. If Father doesn’t apologize and admit his faults, I think that the fence- mending will be impossible."
"But your father has no intention to apologize to the Yotsuba, huh… though it is understandable given the past discord between Maya-dono and Koichi-dono… However, it is really rare for the Yotsuba to harden their attitude until now."
In the policy of independency if portrayed positively, or the policy of self-centeredness if portrayed negatively that the Yotsuba adopted (though, the independence doesn’t originally have a bad meaning), they had always adopted the stance of not caring about what the other Houses do. Solidly progressing towards improving their own efficiency, ranked with the Saegusa in the top of the Ten Master Clans only by the virtue of their magic power, it was a Clan which can be said to be heretical even among the Ten Master Clans.
Katsuto had sometimes thought what on earth they even did behind the scenes, but even so, that they were showing a clear confrontational attitude that disrupts the clan meeting was as far he knew. Though, he could not say it to Mayumi, it was the Saegusa who substantially brought up the seeds of conflict.
Thinking that "What on earth had happened?" was probably reflected on his face.
"I don’t know the details either, but…"
Mayumi with a bitter feeling reluctantly opened her mouth.
"To a certain section of the Defense Military Intelligence under the patronage of the Yotsuba, that sly fox father seemed to have secretly meddled in. And that was discovered…"
"…I see."
Then, the Yotsuba's firm attitude made perfect sense. To Mayumi, who had a face likely to begin grinding her teeth at any moment, Katsuto could only reply so.
A not too short period of time had elapsed and Mayumi, who finally regained a calm expression, turned again toward Katsuto.
"So, what do you think? Would the Juumonji House collaborate with the Saegusa House?"
To Mayumi who asked once again, Katsuto nodded immediately. "I will cooperate."
"Although it is the usual thing… it is a really pretty straightforward answer."
To Katsuto's reply, with also no trace of doubt, Mayumi bustled with a shocked voice.
"I have said it before. Since I heard the story, even for the Juumonji House, it is not a situation which can be ignored."
Of course, he would not be Katsuto if he was shaken by that.
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