Chapter 116

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Leo, chasing after Tatsuya, saw the flashes of thunder and psion light and from the battle and suddenly froze. With almost no delay, Miyuki immediately stopped as well. Pixie, in the body of a machine, took a few steps to come to a halt.

"Saijou kun, careful."

"That's my line."

Leo spoke in a joking tone, but his eyes were already sweeping left and right.

"We're surrounded.....or something. It seems like it if nothing else. I'm empty handed for now, but what should we do Miyuki san?"

He had no far-sight or infrared perceptions. He had done no particular training either, but observing his surroundings he could vaguely make out the signs of others' maneuvers .

"Let's intercept."

Miyuki's reply was short and straightforward. "...That's pretty aggressive."

Leo's reaction wasn't quite as enthusiastic.

"Is that so? But there's nothing to be afraid of you know? Even if things get out of hand, Onii sama will come over and help immediately."

"Ah~, of course, of course."

Her reasoning was very cute however.

His eyes narrowed as he unintentionally muttered. "Though, I don't want to bother Onii sama either..."

As Miyuki debated back and forth to herself, she called out to Pixie. "Pixie, stay behind me.

"Yes."

Turning towards the thicket on the left, Miyuki gave instructions. Ordered by Tatsuya to obey Miyuki, Pixie complied with minimal verbosity and moved into position.

The mobile terminal CAD in Miyuki's left hand was already on standby. As Leo wondered just when she had reached for it, he found himself looking at her with admiring eyes once again.

To his credit, his gaze didn't remain fixed indefinitely.

He was an 'unconcerned' type, but even if not Miyuki herself would have ignored without noticing the eyes of any save Tatsuya.

Her awareness was already focused on the enemy.

Miyuki's fingers moved smoothly. The thumb of her left hand gripping the CAD danced across the force feedback panel.

There was no warning.

The air of the forest gleamed. Glittering shards of ice formed on trunks and branches and fell to the ground. It was a phenomenon known as thin ice, or diamond dust. February, inland, in a forest at night; needless to say it would normally be impossible given the conditions.

There were none who mistook it for a natural occurrence however.

It was a magic which formed an area of diamond dust in a 100 metre radius instantaneously. This was neither an offensive nor defensive magic however. Unsure of the intent of the other party, Miyuki was merely declaring her territory.

By merely forming a thin layer of interference, the weather had changed. In the Yokohama incident of October, Mari had evaluated Miyuki's magic as 'worthy of Tactical level'.

Strictly speaking, that was incorrect. Miyuki's magic wasn't 'worthy of' tactical. It was tactical.

Miyuki's magic abilities, rather than enhancing an effect, was more specialised towards suppressing an area.

--Power sufficient to, even unintentionally, dye the world white as far as the eye could see--

That was Miyuki's magic.

In this situation, Leo was truly impatient.

To him, a fight was the means by which 'talks' were resolved.

Like in Yokohama, in a situation where it was clear the opponent had no interest in words, strength would immediately become the 'mediator'.

If it was the enemy who had underestimated them and come over, he would not be stingy in 'correcting' them with his fists.

If it was an acquaintance in trouble, he would 'lend a hand' in a rough violent manner.

It may be called 'uncivilised', but fighting had always been a staple of negotiating.

In the face of Miyuki's power however nevermind their claim; the enemy's very existence would be blown away.

Rather than a cat toying with a mouse, it would be more like an elephant crushing ants.

They would be far too pitiful to be considered opponents. That was against Leo's style.

"Miyuki san, I'll take these chumps on. Just back me up until Tatsuya arrives!"

In this darkened frozen world, a focused fighting spirit blazed forth.

There was no hostility, only willpower. No negative feelings, simply purpose.

The other party were professional fighters incomparable with typical city thugs, yet nonetheless he threw down the gauntlet before Miyuki. His mind was probably already made up.

"Oh? Then, I'll leave things to you."

At Leo's words, Miyuki lightly stepped back.

The frigid air permeating the forest however lingered. Like I'll lose to these guys, Leo psyched up.

From the shadow of the trees and thickets, men in field uniforms wielding large knives materialised one after another.

After around ten, the newcomers ceased.

No more flashes had been seen in the direction they had been heading towards, and the din of battle was no longer audible. It seemed things had settled one way or another.

"Panzer."

Muttering 'hurry up, Tatsuya' in his mind, Leo spoke the voice command to deploy his activation sequence.

Ironically, that became the signal.

Wordlessly, soundlessly, one of the encircling soldiers sprang forth. Fast! Leo barely had time to think before the knife thrust.

He repelled it with his left arm.

Both Leo and the soldier were startled. Yet neither of them lost a beat.

The soldier's free left hand shot towards Leo's face.

Although he had a bit of time Leo followed his instincts and immediately threw himself to the right.

A shockwave hammered the side of his face. Eardrums--stable. Vestibular system--minor damage.

While checking damage received, Leo rolled over and sprang up. He really would have liked to distance himself further, but his opponent was not so permitting.

The moment he was on his feet, the knife was already flashing in. If he had still been on the ground, the knife would have approached from above and it would have been checkmate.

The blade was aimed at his shoulder--it seemed the opponent was not intent on killing a fellow Japanese high school student--and Leo intercepted it with his arm.

The 'penetration' magic on the knife clashed with the 'fortification' magic on the faux leather sleeve.

The knife having failed to strike Leo's skin, he proceeded to slam a fist into the soldier's chin. It was a superb left hook.

The power of the strike, strengthened by genetic manipulation then further by relentless training was enough to knock out the seasoned soldier in a single blow. The movement of the other nine soldiers, however, was not affected.

Without a moment's pause, more knives came flashing in from both sides. Just one had been barely manageable, and now there were two of them. Furthermore, the lengths of the blades were different.

Even a master swordsman would have found it difficult to deal with that combination of blows. And despite his superhuman reflexes and however fast his reactions were, Leo was no master swordsman. In order to learn to wield Usuba Kagerou, in the short period of time Leo spent in the Chiba dojo, he had acquired the sword ability of a black belt. But there were limits. The rich soil of his capabilities could only do so much against the storm.

Trusting in his magic, Leo focused on the enemy to his left.

He shut out the sight of the knife approaching from the right.

Sliding under the slim sword aimed at his clavicle, he sprang up and swung his left arm around.

The impact of Leo's punch on the opponent's nose was almost simultaneous with the sound of blade ringing on blade.

"—Thanks for the assist."

Leo's flicker punch had merely grazed the enemy's face, and was far from decisive.

The attacking two soldiers jumped back out of reach. One of them was empty handed.

The knife he had held was stamped firmly under Leo's foot. "You seemed like you were in trouble."

What had knocked it out of his hand was Erika's sword.

"Well, even if I hadn't jumped in it seems Miyuki was ready to cover you."

Looking back, Leo saw Miyuki merely return a faint smile. If Erika hadn't arrived in time, it was likely the enemies' arms would have been frozen solid.

Leo felt an involuntary shudder. "Where's Tatsuya?"

Trying to suppress the feeling, he changed the subject.

"He's having fun with the guys who were circling around back." Erika purposely replied in a loud voice.

As per her intention, the soldiers seemed rather agitated. "Miyuki, Tatsuya kun said for you to link up with him." "What about Pixie?"

Still on the sidelines, Miyuki replied to Erika's message in a slightly flustered voice.

--Although this was not the time to be laughing, Erika couldn't help but feel a laugh coming up her throat.

"Pixie will assist us. Pixie, instructions should have come from Tatsuya kun already right?"

"As per, Master's orders, authorisation for use of psychic powers, confirmed"

"And there it is. Miyuki, just leave this place・to・us."

Despite the situation, Erika was perfectly content to make a show. "Then, please take care."

Miyuki's reply was brief, then she left without looking back.

"Ahh~h...do you even know where he is? Well, that would be rather insensitive." "You two over there."

Leo's face too was different from before, a fearless expression welling up.

Although he himself was desperately trying to suppress it. "Now then...it's been left to us, so shall we clean up?"

Aware of the change in Leo, and deliberately not pointing it out, Erika gripped Mizuchimaru. At that moment.

"No, that's enough. Erika, sheathe your sword." A new player appeared on the stage.

Erika sharply drew a breath.

The tall shadow who came out from the darkness of the artificial forest was,

"Jikeiue..." (Respectful term of address for second eldest brother)

Erika's second eldest brother, Chiba Naotsugu.

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The reason Tatsuya called Miyuki to his side was not purely because he was worried about her. Of course such an element always existed, but consciously at least the reason was different. He had perceived a situation occurring beyond Leo and Erika's abilities to deal with. In order to handle it, Miyuki's powers would be necessary. And the situation he had predicted had occurred.

Right behind him, Miyuki gasped. –Devastation was spread out before.

In front of Tatsuya, in twos and threes, lay the fallen bodies of the defence forces. Although they didn't know, these were the combatants sent by the Kudou.

This was not Tatsuya's handiwork.

Rather it was the Parasites, now engaged in battle with Lina. "Lina, get back!"

"Useless talk!"

Tatsuya was not merely watching either. He was in the midst of the engagement as well.

Lina was attacking a group of Parasites head on. Their number was six. Factoring in the number of opponents cleared up already, it was more than the amount calculated by Pixie.

If they had been six ordinary opponents, the fight would have been over. The name of Sirius wasn't just for show, and as the one whose main mission was the hunter of rogue magicians 'Sirius'' specialty could be said to be magic combat. Normally, these numbers could never trouble 'Sirius' to this degree.

Yet Lina was struggling. If Tatsuya had not been constantly decomposing the magic raining down upon her, she may have been done already.

Lina's greatest weapon was her activation speed.

Faced with that overwhelming speed, most opponents would be defeated without being able to lift a finger. That was Lina's specialised style. Even her habit of arming herself with handguns was to match this.

The Parasites however could work magic by just literally thinking it. Magic born of images.

Without the need of activation sequences or other such media, it was like a 'psychic power'.

While this was a strength to them, it was also their weakness. The variation in what they could exercise was limited. It seemed there was a limit in the images monsters could visualise too, although for reasons different from humans.

One of the merits of modern magic was increasing variation. In return for sacrificing speed, an increase in stability and diversity was achieved. Countless experiments and practical situations had proved this was a beneficial trade off. That was why development had progressed so far in this direction.

However while it was a boon to those in small groups or alone by allowing a limited number to respond to a range of situations and focus their efforts, in cases like 'burn the enemy in sight' speed was definitely a more important factor.

CADs were tools developed to satisfy both diversity and speed. Even amongst CADs however the existence of the specialised type, which traded variation for speed, showed just how major a factor it was.

Both the three Parasites earlier, and the six now.

The advantage couldn't be said to be something simple like double.

According to Lanchester's square law, the war potential of an attacking group in terms of firepower was equivalent to the number of soldiers (or weapons, or combat units) squared. Relating this to combat magic, per unit time the number of magic attacks three could output against one was 9:1, or a difference of eight; in this case the potential magic difference between six and two was 36:4, or a difference of 32.

Such a difference could only mean trouble.

The reason Tatsuya and Lina could face off against that numerical advantage was because they could overturn the difference in potential magic difference per unit time. As it stood however they could not take the initiative, and both Tatsuya and Lina were forced to focus on defence. Tatsuya in particular had his hands full simply decomposing all the magic coming at them.

He had summoned Miyuki because he had guessed this situation beforehand.

"Miyuki!"

"Yes, Onii sama!"

Those were all the words the two needed.

Simply by calling her name, Miyuki knew what her brother required of her.

From Miyuki's body, or more precisely from the coordinates where Miyuki's body was present a torrent of heavy interference power was released.

Zone Interference.

With no definite event modification goal, it was anti-magic solely for disabling other magic.

A magic which prevents others from modifying events. A technique to shut down all other magic except your own.

Lanchester's square law was established for cases where attacks were scattered and interspersed. It couldn't be applied to that overwhelming pressure.

Miyuki's Zone Intereference made the area a magic null zone.

In the face of that both Tatsuya and Lina switched to narrow, high density magics.

Their interference strength was only enough to counteract Miyuki's.

Mounting a direct attack against Miyuki under her zone would have been difficult even for these two, but otherwise despite significant reductions in number and speed they were still able to activate magic.

The interference power of the Parasites however couldn't compare to those two, or rather the three of Tatsuya, Miyuki and Lina.

Tatsuya and Lina continued to activate magic in succession.

Lina's magic targeted six. Tatsuya's magic targeted 12. Half of Tatsuya's shots were meant to break down the magic of Lina, who was aiming to kill the Parasites' hosts, but his Gram Dispersion was only in time to dissolve half of Lina's magic sequences.

As a result.

Three of the Parasites were hit by Lina's magic and slain,

While three of the Parasites were pierced by Tatsuya's magic and self- destructed.

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Magicians of the blade.

This was the second name given to those of the Chiba house, for the close combat techniques combining swordplay and magic.

Using magic in close combat was not something unique to the Chiba.

The Martial Magic Arts developed by Stars, prior to their separation from the Marine Corps was probably earlier. As if to counter the USNA, the New Soviet Union developed hand to hand magic techniques blanketed under the name Commando Sambo (although this had by now fallen into disuse).

During the tumultuous formation of the Indo-Persian Union, in the northern regions centred around Delhi, traditional Jamadhar daggers were given modern redesigns and used as weapons.

But as far as it was known close combat techniques used with magic developed outside of Japan had all been created around assisting 'ranged magic' and firearms. The main idea was, while advancing, to output attacks comparable to firearms while exerting defence against opposing firearms.

On the other hand the 'sword arts' practiced by the Chiba lay in using techniques to augment the main system of close combat. By casting on oneself to close the distance from ranged weapons to hand to hand, then attacking with swords which were superior at that distance to both knives and bare hands, the opponent would be quickly subdued. These skills, excelling in both surprise and stealth were a great advantage in guerrilla warfare and antiterrorist operations for both the Japanese military and police.

The swords techniques themselves had not been devised by the Chiba. At the same time military applications for magic were being studied in Japan, various magicians had been experimenting with the idea of combining swords and sorcery. The Chiba had simply structured it to be easy to learn.

By organising it to be simple to pass on however, 'techniques' became 'arts'. This was groundbreaking for its transmission. The previous head of the Chiba was praised as the 'modern (Kamiizumi) Nobutsuna', and for their achievement the Chiba house became respectfully known as the 'magicians of the blade'.

In the background, it was said that up to 70-80% of the magicians in the army and riot police were learning the Chiba blade arts.

Amongst those were the guerrilla infantry platoon of the defense forces First division, the 'Sword Corps'. They belonged to the Kudou faction, but at the same time they were a close combat unit using short ranged magic and swords and amongst other infantry units, had received training from the Chiba for longer.

To them, the Chiba were like their master. Although they knew nothing about Erika, who was not publicly acknowledged, they naturally knew about Naotsugu who was famous as the 'Chiba Kirin'. Not just know; the commander of the squad had been personally introduced to the sword through Naotsugu.

And so,

"Assistant instructor..."

The reason they had frozen the moment Naotsugu arrived onto the scene was for that reason.

In terms of military rank, the squad commander as a regular officer outranked the student Naotsugu.

Right now however, the hierarchy was martial.

Naotsugu stepped through their unmoving ranks, and stood to face Erika.

Erika appeared daunted.

However, she immediately rallied and looked back strongly.

Even if it was bravado, for both Erika and Naotsugu, this was a milestone.

Erika had directed her sword at Naotsugu.

This didn't mean they were literally pointing blades at each other. Both of their swords were still aimed at the ground.

Yet everyone could sense that the two were at knifepoint.

Naotsugu was aware that this sister of his, born of a different mother, had always been relying on him.

He had considered this understandable.

Children were not so strong that they could live without depending on anyone—he had always thought so. To him, there were none who were forceful enough to 'become an adult without needing anyone else'.

Normally, these would be the parents. Parents are the ones a child unconditionally relies on.

But for Erika, this was not the case. Her mother was weak, and her father had not been content to play that role from the start.

In truth, Naotsugu also hated his father. The reason he was so absorbed in what Erika called 'frivolous' pursuits was partially due to the spite he felt towards their father. Why had this man's brothers and sisters, looking at he who abandoned his obligations as a parent, not found anything strange with it. Rather, as the head of one of the Hundred Families, it had been seen as something natural.

It may have been then that he felt sympathy for this half-sister of his. In the family he alone had been gentle with her, spoiled her, encouraged her, and raised her to be able to stand on her own two feet.

It seemed the time for his sister to finally become an adult had come, Naotsugu thought.

He experimentally released a blast of sword pressure. While it was a spiritual technique, when used by a highly skilled practitioner it could actually manifest cut skin and blood flow along with the illusion of being cut.

Erika deflected Naotsugu's sword pressure with pressure of her own. By deflecting, rather than dodging, she was declaring she could face him straight on.

Involuntarily, a smile drifted onto Naotsugu's expression.

He raised his right hand.

When it appeared he was lifting his weapon, his sword was already swinging towards Erika.

It wasn't that he had acted faster than the eye could see.

By minimising preceding actions and blurring the line between preliminary act and the true act, he achieved this 'earliness'. This was a phantom blade technique , which took advantage of the blind spot in the opponent's recognition. A skill realised by merely moving his limbs, the sword of the genius.

Erika's blade intercepted that slash of Naotsugu's.

He had intended to stop his blade in the beginning, but now he held the course. Countering Naotsugu's 'earliness', by her outstanding senses and reaction rate, was Erika's 'speed'.

A clear smile now broke out onto Naotsugu's face. The tension colouring Erika's eyes darkened.

She gripped her sword two handed against the sword Naotsugu had swung with one, and pushed back hard.

Abruptly, the pressure disappeared.

Without a moments delay, Erika caught herself.

Not bothering to correct their posture, the siblings faced each other again.

Then Naotsugu turned around and faced away.

Wary of a surprise, Erika slipped a slight 'opening' into her stance. Yet no blow came to take advantage of that opportunity. "Jikeiue...?"

Naotsugu did not respond to his sister, and instead raised his sword towards the sword corps.

Dismay filled their faces.

They took positions, but their reactions were notably duller than Erika's.

--He held no fondness for them.

The smile on Naotsugu's face disappeared.

"National Defence Academy special warfare technology research division, Reserve second lieutenant Chiba Naotsugu."

Keeping his sword raised, Naotsugu declared his name, rank and affiliation. (By the way to achieve the rank of second lieutenant while still in school, and a sophomore at that, regardless of being in reserve was exceptional even for a magician and could only come through having true achievements.)

"I am currently carrying out my mission of escorting civilians who have become the target of terrorists. Please state your name, rank and affiliation!"

At Naotsugu's apparent about-face, Erika exchanged glances with Leo.

"If you have been mobilised for the purpose of harming civilians, that will be construed as an act of rebellion against democracy. I will oppose you with all my might."

Listing the Ten Master Houses and the Hundred Families under democracy was really stretching it. They pursued the interests of magicians more than that of the general public after all.

Those were Erika's thoughts upon hearing Naotsugu's speech, and Naotsugu himself felt so too.

There was no hesitation in the aura he now emitted however.

With the addition of Naotsugu's blade, the situation had shifted into a stalemate.

The confrontation between Naotsugu and the Sword Corps was interrupted by an explosion of Psions a short distance away.

"Erika, Leo, take care!"

"That's the Parasite's true body!"

Slightly blurred from the speed of speech, an impatient voice flew from the communication device.

They were Mikihiko's and Mizuki's voices. As a warning, it was incomplete.

"Jikeiue! It seems the Parasites true body is heading towards here!" Erika however deduced what the two were trying to say.

The ones who became warier as a result of Erika's words were probably the Sword Corps.

All things considered, the probability Naotsugu had not received a full briefing on the Parasites was high.

Erika was both impatient and hesitant as to whether she should try to explain their threat or not.

Spreading her awareness in all directions right down to the level of her feet, Erika turned to face Naotsugu.

At that moment, whether because she had perceived accurately or by chance.

The ground behind Erika exploded. A figure leaped up from amongst the raining sand and debris.

"Earth release!?"

It was Leo who cried aloud. Of the techniques commonly known as the 'art of five releases', one of the first-class schools of Ancient magic, Ninjutsu, was particularly adept at using the five elements of 'wood', 'fire', 'earth', 'metal' and 'water' as a medium for reconnaissance, flight and ambushes. That variation was a duality of ninjutsu and Japan itself, but after ninjutsu and it's 'art of five releases' became famous, internationally all magic using these five elements came to be blanketed under the terms 'wood release', 'fire release', 'earth release', 'metal release' and 'water release'.

In short, just because this attack came from underground did not automatically make it actual ninjutsu. It was just as likely this was Ancient magic from the continent. There was no time to ponder that now however.

The target of the emerging man was not Erika but the one opposite her, Pixie.

A blade resembling a thick hatchet swung down upon Pixie from the underground assailant.

"Shield!"

Leo jumped in front of her. The hatchet the man had swung took Leo in the left arm, and was caught in the protector of his CAD.

"Leo, that's a Parasite!"

Hearing Mikihiko's warning, Leo whipped his arm around and flung both the hatchet and Parasite away.

After his bitter experience, he made sure not to touch the thing's body directly. But even Leo's strength was not enough to disarm it. The Parasite brandished the hatchet again.

The monster's feet however never kicked off the ground. A sword was pierced through it's chest.

Erika, having impaled the Parasite with Mizuchimaru, wore a faint smile as if saying 'wups'. Perhaps she remembered Tatsuya's entreaty not to kill. She had opposed his words at the time, but it still was what it was.

The attack had not only come from the ground. The moment Naotsugu's attention had been diverted by the events occuring behind Erika's back, a soldier had sprang from behind the sword corps with blade in hand.

That he appeared like a soldier was an illusion. Dressed in a navy blue costume indistinguishable in the darkness, the man had deprived a sword corps soldier of his weapon and rushed towards Pixie. The leap was assisted by weight systematic magic. The man's body didn't make a parabola with the ground, and closed in on Pixie faster than gravitational acceleration.

The blade held overhead never fell. In the middle of his spring, the man was knocked aside by a kick from Naotsugu.

The flying jump kick was so brilliant it was hard to remember that Naotsugu was actually a swordsman. The beautiful form wouldn't have been out of place in a karate dojo poster. Erika had always accused Naotsugu of wasting time with 'frivolous magic', but evidently he had been involved in various other aspects such as martial arts as well.

A murmur arose from the sword corps. The soldier whose blade had been taken was collapsed. He had likely received an attack by this man. The feedback from the kick had been considerable, but Naotsugu carefully walked towards the man now lying on the ground. He had been hidden carefully enough that even Naotsugu had not noticed him before the attack. There was no such thing as too much precaution.

Such attentiveness was quickly rewarded.

When Naotsugu reached a distance of three steps away, the man's body suddenly burst. Naotsugu jumped back, but he was inevitably caught up in the spraying gore.

At this unforeseen development, Naotsugu was at a loss. Behind him, Erika and Leo also frowned. The sword corps were stunned. Everyone in that place did not notice the Psion wrapped Pushion mass which issued from both the impaled man and the ruptured body.

"Pixie, link up with me!"

Breaking the spell was Tatsuya's rough voice issuing through the communication devices.

"Of course."

Pixie turned to the direction of the Psion explosion, the direction that Miyuki had headed towards and where Tatsuya was likely right now, and began running.

"Honoka, please follow Pixie."

From the voice communicators set to group communication mode, Tatsuya's voice flowed again.

"Got it!"

Honoka's voice was terse.

"Erika and Leo, don't move from there. Tell the people there likewise."

"Eh...right."

"O, ok."

Erika and Leo replied in voices suggesting they had not yet fully recovered.

Overhead, the two Psion and Pushion lumps chased after Pixie like clouds blown by the wind.

◊ ◊ ◊

"Honoka, please follow Pixie."

"Got it!"

Receiving Tatsuya's instructions, Honoka wasted no time.

--Immediately after acknowledging however, she realised she didn't know exactly what it was she was meant to be doing.

It was quite a Honoka-ish moment, but her subsequent action was just like her as well. Being told to 'follow', she decided to monitor her status for now and trained her optical magic towards Pixie.

Although that was easier said that done. She lucked out.

Despite there being various interpretations for those words, Honoka decided to open the Psion circuits which linked her to Pixie.

◊ ◊ ◊

There had been a total of 12 Parasites drawn to this world.

One currently inhabited the integrated auxiliary housework humanoid robot, the Humanoid Home Helper '3HP' Pixie.

Two had been sealed in today's battles.

Four had had their hosts killed by Lina, and one by Erika, releasing them.

Four more had self destructed, being likewise released.

A total of nine had lost their hosts, and that was the number of Parasites gathering here now. In their true body, the spirits were drawn to Pixie.

They were all Pushion bodies from the same dimension of information.

Originally, all 12 had been of one 'consciousness'.

Having their true body exposed, they were now trying to return to one existence.

The nine Parasites had coalesced already.

Whilst sharing the consciousness of one, yet possessing nine wills, they were an amorphous Pushion mass.

That structure of one stem branching into nine, if one possessed 'eyes' capable of 'seeing' Pushions, they no doubt would have thought of one of the most famous spirits of this country, albeit with one head extra.

And it was attempting to capture one more.

Spreading their nine necks, they resembled a 'serpent' bent on devouring Pixie.

Pixie fortified her barrier of 'will', and endured the storm.

That will, what drove 'her' now, was something imparted to her by the human who could be called her 'mother'. Even now these feelings from her 'mother' flowed into her matrix of Pushions, mixing in.

The will that she was not one of 'those'.

The will that she was not her own.

The will that she existed for 'him'.

A single individual's will would not normally be able to oppose 'those'. But Pixie's 'mother', Honoka, was not normal.

She was a descendant of the 'Elements'. The blood of the Element of 'Light' flowed through her veins.

The Elements were those magicians who had first practitioned magic in this country, before the development of the Numbers.

Before the organisation and classification of the four systems and eight types, a classification based on the traditional attributes of 'earth 'water' 'fire' 'wind' 'light' and 'thunder' had been used. The Elements had developed in accordance with this concept.

Upon the establishment of the four system eight type classification however, the developments of those magicians following the traditional attributes became regarded as inefficient, and the development of the Elements ceased.

This could be said to be one of the frequently questioned episodes of the secret history of magic development.

However, the Elements also innately inherited gifts separate from magic--or were given.

During the dawn of magic research. When fears and superstitions of those against magic ran rampant.

The authorities who practiced Elements development, being labeled as 'sorcerers' and 'witches', took it upon themselves to show that they would not be a threat. They had scientists incorporate into them genes compelling absolute obedience to their leaders.

Is this characteristic inheritable?

That is a question which is still unanswerable even now, vexing both psychologists and geneticists alike.

Even identical twins will grow up to have very different personalities. In light of this fact, it could be concluded that 'personalities are not inheritable'.

On the other hand if one goes back long enough through parent and child, grandparents and grandchildren, great grandparents and great grandchildren and so on, undeniable similarities begin to show which cannot be explained away by simple 'environmental factors'.

With this challenge the authorities had given to them, the genetic engineers took whatever steps they could.

As a result--although it cannot be said whether it was for the better or worse--the 'descendants of the Elements' have a high ratio of expressing a certain trait.

That is, dependency.

It was very commonly observed that they would have one specific person, usually of the opposite sex, that they would greatly attach to and rely on.

The descendants of the Elements themselves believed that their destinies were written in their genes.

Perhaps, using that as an excuse, was their way of accepting their reliance on another.

The 'dependency' that they felt was not the publicly perceived emotional 'weakness'

Some scholars have claimed that there was a more appropriate word for that 'dependency'.

That is, 'loyalty'.

An unshakable faith, that 'I am theirs'.

That was more than strong enough to push back the coalescing synergetic will of the spirits.

◊ ◊ ◊

The point where Tatsuya had been fighting the Parasites, and the point where Erika had been confronting Naotsugu.

Pixie's battle against 'that', and withstanding 'that's attack, was right in the middle of the two.

Reaching that place, Tatsuya saw the shape of the nine-headed dragon rearing its heads as if to devour Pixie.

He could not comprehend the Pushion information structure. But he knew there was 'something' there. He could *see* it.

Nine Pushion information information bodies were joined together at the base. And branched into nine, that interface was attempting to capture Pixie. That was sufficient to resemble a nine-headed dragon in his mind.

"What is that!?"

Lina, who had for some reason followed Tatsuya, exclaimed in shock. "You can see it?"

"It's not...that I can see it, but I can sort of understand it. Some massive 'power' is pressing on that doll. Tatsuya, just what is that?"

"The result of you not listening to Onii sama."

It was Miyuki who responded to Lina. That blunt, frigid voice silenced Lina for the time being.

"Even though Onii sama had told you not to kill them, you just mindlessly slaughtered the Parasites hosts and now the bodies are rampaging free. Lina, how do you intend to solve this misconduct?"

Figured she wouldn't stay quiet at that.

"What misconduct! I was simply fulfilling my duty!"

"Then please settle the cleanup yourself. Can you? Even if unlike Onii sama, you have no idea how to solve things nonviolently?"

Ever since the combat earlier, a dangerous air had been simmering between these two beauties.

This was just a continuation of that. "I'll do it! Just watch!"

Casting caution to the winds, Lina took the challenge. "Hey, Lina."

However one looked at it, she had to be stopped. It was far too reckless for someone who had no idea how to begin countering the thing to just jump in.

Thinking that, Tatsuya called out in a pacifying tone. "Shut up! Tatsuya, you keep quiet!"

For what good it did.

"I absolutely must make this mission a success! If not, then just why am I even here!"

The tantrum Lina threw was directed not only against Tatsuya. Hearing her cry, he himself realised that.

'Here' was not simply this location. Rather right here, right now she stood not as 'Angelina Shields' but as 'Angie Sirius'--that was what she meant.

At some point Lina's hair had reverted to gold, and her eyes to blue. Her 'Parade', which had not faltered even under Miyuki's heavy Zone Interference, had been released.

She was giving her all as 'Angelina Shields' to fulfill her mission as 'Angie Sirius'. Trying to be a 'Sirius'.

Glimpsing the heavy burden on her, Tatsuya was hesitant to follow up.

In that moment, Lina launched a magic attack of her own.

A veritable barrage, shot after shot ravaged the air and encountered empty space.

That was only natural.

Lina's magic was meant to modify physical events. She was simply not equipped with magic to fight an information body.

'That's awareness turned towards Lina.

In Tatsuya's vision, the nine head were now arrayed against her. No sooner than that, a storm of magic fell.

It was all Tatsuya could do to try and bring them down.

When they had fought the Parasite information body at First high, only one person had been possessed and there was only one spirit.

That had already been difficult. Now there were nine.

He could not expect to weather the storm.

No, on the contrary, there was no way that he alone could have stemmed the onslaught from 'that'.

Behind him, Miyuki was maintaining a supportive interference area over the place where 'that' existed. But even though Miyuki could 'sense' the Pushion information bodies, she could not 'see' them. Because of that, the interference area had to be loose. If she increased the field to cover all possibilities, it would interfere with Tatsuya's own magic.

That barely tenable situation continued, yet it was far too risky for the allied forces to relent even a little.

He felt a squeeze on the back of his jacket. Miyuki was also uneasy.

Although they knew that having lost their hosts the Parasites were now 'consuming' magic and had to run out of power at some point, not knowing just how much longer they had to hold out sapped their willpower considerably.

At this rate, Miyuki may end up the same way as Lina.

Because of her recklessness, Lina was now locked down under a shell of Data Fortification.

Not being able to launch an effective attack from their end was too big a handicap.

Magic which interfered with physical events was useless. Physical attacks were completely out of the question.

If possible, mental magic might-- (--There's no choice.)

Clenching his teeth, Tatsuya decided to throw the dice. "Mikihiko, can you see the situation?"

"Yes. I'm assembling a seal as fast as I can, so please hold out a bit longer."

The voice which answered from the communication unit was even more hurried than Tatsuya's.

"What is the likelihood that your seal could suppress this?" The reply came after a pause.

"...Honestly speaking, not even fifty percent."

His confession was anguished.

Hearing Mikihiko's answer, Tatsuya did not think any less of him. In a direct confrontation, Tatsuya knew that he was not someone who would make rash promises.

"Mikihiko, just temporarily is fine. Could you suppress it for 10 seconds?"

At Tatsuya requesting for the first time, not just Mikihiko but but everyone listening in on the communication gasped.

With no backup or proof, it was just a simple plea. In a (bad) sense, it was blind faith.

Yet it was not something he would do if he did not trust them. "...Got it."

At least, that was what Mikihiko felt.

"For 10 seconds, I'll keep it down no matter what. I'll signal, so Tatsuya please do your own thing."

He had a plan, and he needed 10 seconds for it.

In order to secure that time, his own power would be necessary. Mikihiko was inspired by the trust Tatsuya was placing in him. "Tatsuya san, I'll also help!"

Honoka's firm voice followed Mikihiko's.

It was not in rivalry. There was one simple intent, that she wanted to be his strength.

"Alright. Mikihiko, on you."

"OK...3, 2, 1, now!"

As he shouted, Mihiko unleashed his Anti-demon・Garuda flame.

The 'flame' expanded around 'that'--the nine-headed dragon the Parasites had combined into, and wrapped around the information bodies. It was like two serpents fighting each other.

Beneath them, Pixie was mentally pushing 'that' back. The Psion bonds holding Pixie were being replenished as fast as they were being consumed. Honoka saw that the Psions had almost completely captured Pixie's lower half.

Of course, Tatsuya wasn't just silently watching.

At the signal from Mikihiko, Tatsuya stretched out his arm not holding his CAD.

That arm,

Took hold Miyuki's waist,

And pulled her in close.

"----!" A silent scream. Or maybe a cry of delight.

In that instant both Miyuki's Zone Interference and Tatsuya's Gram Dispersion ceased, but Mikihiko and Honoka,

As promised kept 'that' at bay.

Held in Tatsuya's arms, with an expression of astonishment on her face, Miyuki looked up at him.

As his sister looked up, Tatsuya himself moved in closer. As their foreheads touched, and their eyes melted together, As their noses touched, and their lips came closer and closer, "Miyuki, *look*!"

Tatsuya whispered firmly to Miyuki.

An invisible light flowed from him to her. An invisible light flowed from her to him. Between them, their auras pulsed.

"I see it, Onii sama!"

It may have been that those were not words spoken from the mouth, but enounced from the heart.

Their communication lasted but an instant. More than half of the 10 seconds still remained. Tatsuya's left hand held Miyuki's head to his chest. Both of Miyuki's arms were wrapped around him. Tatsuya's right hand, pointed at 'that'.

Within Miyuki's consciousness, the figure of 'that' was now clearly discernible.

Tatsuya's ability to 'see' information bodies. Miyuki took Tatsuya's 'sight' to view 'that', Released their seal, and unleashed her inherent magic.

Outer systematic・Mental Interference magic, 'Cocytus'.

Magic to freeze the spirit.

Miyuki's magic struck the spirits themselves, stilling the Pushion information bodies--

--and bereft of a vessel, 'that' shattered into nothingness.