Chapter 27

Chapter 27 Yuuji and Erika head to the massive Gymnasium building that was located beside the main school building. On the way, Yuuji asked Tatsuya if he could help him patrol the outdoor exhibition area while he accompanied Erika, which he agreed to. A lot of students gathered within the massive gym. While most gymnasium buildings in Japan doubled as a ceremony hall, the First Highschool had more than enough funds to separate these two buildings and built it specially for their intended purposes. In fact, this was only one of the small gymnasiums. There were still larger gymnasium buildings and others like this one. Sport clubs exhibitions were held here, including the club Erika wanted to see; the Kendo Club. It was easy enough for them to find it by following the clashing sound of bamboo swords called shinai, which was normally used in kendo, and made their way there. But on their way, they noticed a crowd gathering at a certain area. “Hm? What’s happening there?” “I’m not sure. Let’s check it out.”Reêad latest novels at novelhall.com Yuuji quickly made his way there, followed closely by Erika right behind him. They pushed through the crowd, and at the center, they found Aika standing at the center of male students, all of them laying on the ground unconscious. “Aika?” She was speaking through her device when she noticed Yuuji and quickly made her way to him. Her previous serious expression was no longer present. Only the beautiful smile that Yuuji frequently saw and loved. “Yuuji~! Why are you here~? Ah, Erika too! What are you two doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be patrolling the outdoor exhibition area?” “I asked Tatsuya to replace me for a while.” “Eh? Why?” “A-Ah, that was because of me! This guy scared me, so I’m having him accompany me here.” “Hm?” Aika looked at Yuuji confusedly, but before she coulda ask him what happened, Yuuji went first. “Anyway, what happened here? Why are all of them unconscious?” “Them? That’s because they’re hitting on me.” “Ah...” Aika explained to them what happened, and as she did, Yuuji couldn’t help but smile helplessly. With everything considered, Aika is the last girl you’d want to try and hit on. She’s extremely powerful, both physically and magically, and she had already given her heart, body, and soul to the love of her life, her dream came true. It was virtually impossible for her to be tempted by the words of horny boys. But even after her continuous rejection, they still bothered her and even tried to touch her. So before they could do it, she cast a spell, similar to the one Tatsuya cast in his duel with Hanzo but to an area around her, causing all of them to fall to the ground instantly. Yuuji sighed in relief inwardly. There were a lot more powerful and dangerous spells he programmed into her CAD for her safety, so he was truly relieved that she used that one instead of the ones that would destroy the ground along with their bones. And he was also relieved that she had taken care of the problem. Or else... The things he would do to them for daring to touch his beloved would be worse than anything she could’ve done. “I see... I’m glad you’re okay. But next time, please call for me, okay?” “Hehehe~ I know~ But it’s really no problem this time~ I wasn’t the one in danger, after all~?” Yuuji let out a small sigh and smiled helplessly. But on the other hand, Erika was in shock. Because of her nonchalant and friendly attitude, Erika sometimes forgot how powerful she actually is. To knock out more than five guys all at once with a single spell, without hurting any of them... She was unbelievably skilled. I don’t think even I could do that... She was saved by Yuuji because she couldn’t escape those students from before without hurting them. But Aika was able to do it very easily. She’s really amazing... “Have you told the Chairwoman about this?” “I have~ She praised me and told me she’ll deal with them~!” “Alright.” Yuuji then turned towards the spectators and raised his voice. “Everyone! You may return to your activities now! The Disciplinary Committee shall deal with this matter!” Immediately, everyone began breaking out and left after hearing Yuuji’s authoritative tone. Soon, other members of the Disciplinary Committee came and took the six unconscious guys to the medbay before asking Aika for a detailed report for them to bring back to the Chairwoman. After she concluded the matter, Aika turned towas Yuuji and Erika once again with a wide smile. “Hey~ Can I join you too~? I’m tired of being approached all the time, so let’s go together~!” “Of course. What about you, Erika?” “Sure! The more the merrier.” --------------------------------X-------------------------------- The three went up to the balcony where they could see the entirety of the gymnasium and watched the kendo exhibition, which was currently in session. For Yuuji and Aika, who only had surface level knowledge of the martial art, the exhibition the Kendo club was performing was quite impressive. When compared to the level of the kendo club in Kuoh Academy, Aika could easily tell the difference in skills between them. So watching them was quite exciting, even though they are aware that these spars are scripted. Yuuji glanced at Erika, who was leaning on the railing and resting her head on her hand. “You seemed bored.” “Well, it’s just boring. Trying so hard to look good sparring, and then delivering a predetermined blow. It’s just a staged sword fight.” “It’s an exhibition geared for publicity. This should be par for the course, isn’t it? A true martial arts battle is, after all, a battle for life and death. It’s not something that should be shown to the public.” “...You’re cool about it, aren’t you?” Erika glanced at Yuuji and observed him closely. His remark wasn’t one she’d expect from a regular student. “I’m just saying the truth as it is. Nothing more.” Just then, a loud groan of pain resounded from below and the three immediately turned to it. On one of the arenas, a group of people in white kendogi gathered, holding one of them who seemed to be injured. On the opposite side, a group of people in black kendogi also gathered, creating a tense atmosphere of confrontation between the two. “There’s still more than an hour before the Kenjutsu Club is up, Kirihara-kun! Why can’t you wait until then?” A beautiful ponytailed girl spoke, confronting the man in black who was holding a shinai to his shoulder. “This is not what I expected, Mibu. Since you can’t put your abilities on display sparring with such a newbie, I just thought a little collaboration was in order.” “You’re the one who forced him to challenge you! What collaboration is that!” “But it was the Kendo Club who struck first.” “Because you provoked us, Kirihara-kun!” Yuuji, Aika, and Erike who was watching from above began to focus their attention there. “Yuuji.” “Ah, I know...” It was the “event”. The event that started the Blanche arc in the anime... Yuuji silently activated his CAD, pre-casting some spells, and got ready. “Oh, this is starting to get juicy.” “Do you know those two, Erika-chan?” “Well, not personally, but... The girl is Mibu Sayaka. The year before last, she was second place in the National Junior High Kendo Tournament for girls. The guy, on the other hand, is Kirihara Takeaki. He won the Kanto Region Junior High Kenjutsu Tournament that was held the year before last. Oh, looks like it’s about to start.” Both Sayaka and Takeaki began to square off with their shinai, and the rest of the members from their group backed away to give space. “Don’t worry, Mibu. This is a kendo demonstration. I’ll do you a favor and not use any magic.” “Do you think you stand a chance against me with just swords skills? You, Kirihara-kun, coming from the spell-dependent kenjutsu club, a match for a member of the Kendo Club who focuses solely on honing sword skills?” Yuuji and Aika activated their recording device and watched the progression of the event. “Focus solely on honing sword skills? Big words you’re saying, huh Mibu? I’ll be happy to show you then. What it means to battle in a dimension beyond the limits of physical ability... The sword skills of kenjutsu!” Takeaki charged with his shinai, raised high into the sky, and Sayaka followed. Then, in an instant Sayaka’s shinai hit his right shoulder that would’ve resulted in fatal injury, while Takeaki’s shinai only landed on her left arm. “...” “If this was a real sword, then you would’ve been fatally wounded. As for me, your strike stopped short of the bone. Accept your defeat.” “If it was a real sword? You disappoint me.” “I’ll be heading off.” “Oh~! Take care~” “Eh? Where is he going...?” Yuuji began to walk through the balcony and stood closer to the arena from above. “Mibu, is that what you want? To fight me with real swords? If that’s the case, then I’ll oblige you... I’ll take you on with a real sword.” Just like how Tatsuya taught him, Yuuji immediately used elemental sight the moment Takeaki reached for his CAD and read the activation sequence of the spell he was using. “You’re saying it as if dealing with a regular sword is easy...” Mizuki couldn’t help but comment. Her eyes widened in amaze. “Hehe~ it sure is for Yuuji~! After all, Kirihara-senpai couldn’t even get into range for a swing before he was tossed into the air.” Aika puffed up her massive chest proudly, causing it to jiggle plentifully. “Really? Then those rumors about seven or more people floating in the air are true...” “It’s true... I saw it with my own eyes... They’re floating alright. Or rather, I’ve been on the receiving side once...” Leo and Mizuki looked at Yuuji with widened eyes while Erika sighed helplessly. “I haven't mastered the art of nullifying magic sequences like Tatsuya, after all. And I can’t use Cast Jamming yet, so restraining them before they could do anything was better for me.” Yuuji could already cast Gram Demolition and Gram Dispersion, and he was also working on creating a spell that created an armor that would dispel any magic that hit it. He could’ve used those two nullifying spells, but with all the people around him, using one of the two most powerful nullifying magic which he considered a secret weapon would only be a last resort. He had also never tried using the dual CAD technique to cast Specific Magic Jamming Tatsuya used in the anime and he also didn’t have two CADs with him. So he did the next best thing. “Cast Jamming?” “Don’t you need some kind of special rock to do that? Anti... something.” “It’s antinite, Erika-chan. If I remember correctly, it’s extremely expensive.” Yuuji turned to look at Tatsuya for him to answer. “Antinite is a military resource. It’s not a matter of price. It’s not something a civilian can get his hands on.” “Eh? But Yuuji-kun said...” Mizuki turned towards Yuuji. “Aaahhh... Well... Can I tell them, Tatsuya?” Erika, Mizuki, and Leo tilted their head confusedly. “Sure. Though, please keep it off the record.” “Hm? Is it some sort of a big secret? “Well... What I was referring to when I said Cast Jamming is simply an application of the theories behind Cast Jamming. It’s a Specific Magic Jamming.” “...Hm? Does that kind of magic exist?” “Probably not... Wait, doesn’t that mean that you, theoretically, came up with a new type of magic?” “All credit goes to Tatsuya. I myself am learning from him.” “Wow...” “I think that “stumbling upon it by accident” is more apt for a term.” Tatsuya smiled wryly at the stares of awe he’s receiving from the three. “When you try to use two CADs at once, the psion waves interfere, and in most cases, magic doesn’t activate. And so, you launch a magic sequence that causes one CAD to jam the other, and with the other CAD, you launch an activation sequence that has the opposite effect. The activation sequences are thus reproduced and amplified, and Psion signals are released as Non-systematic Magic. By doing so, you can block an activation sequence of the same type up to a point.” “Are you serious...” Erika, Mizuki, and Leo all sighed in amaze after listening to Tatsuya’s explanations. “That is why I couldn't use it back then. I didn’t have two CADs with me, and I’ve never tried it before. Even though I can read activation sequences at launch, I won’t be able to reproduce the Psion signals to block his activation sequence. So, I just lift him up and restrain him that way.” “I see... But why does it have to be off-record? If you patented it, you could’ve raked in big profits wouldn’t you, Tatsuya?” “For one thing, this technique still hasn’t been perfected. Moreover...” Tatsuya glanced towards Yuuji. “Mm. It’s the fact that you’ll be able to block magic without Antinite.” “That’s right.” “Hm? What’s the problem there?” “You idiot, of course it’s a huge problem! If an easily-acquired technique to nullify magic spells were to spread, it would shake the very foundation of society!” Erika said before raising her voice near the end. If a technique to nullify magic is accessible to the public, then those who seeked to overthrow the current ruling society of magic users would gain a tremendous weapon. The very foundation of society, built upon the superior military power of magic, would be shaken to its core. “Antinite isn’t a realistic threat yet due to its low output. But it’s a different case with this technique. Until a method to counter it is discovered, I can’t go public about this.” “That’s amazing... To think you’ve thought it through this far already.” “I think you’re overanalyzing a bit too much, brother. In the first place, the ability to read your opponent’s activation sequences during launch isn’t something just anybody could do. Aside from you, Aika, and Yuuji-kun, I can’t think of anyone else who could do such a thing.” “Ehehehe~ Isn’t that just like Tatsuya, though~? He’s such a worrywart, isn’t he~?” “Well, I for one agree with Tatsuya. If we could do it, there’s no reason why nobody else in the world could do it, and they might be a problem if they were to use this technique for stupid things.” “Exactly.” Tatsuya looked at Yuuji with a smile. “Well, let’s just forget about these things and have fun! I’ll treat you guys to the next order of dessert, but only if you ordered it in the next minute!” “Eh? I want to order! Another tiramisu, please!” “Seriously?! Ah, me too! One strawberry parfait, please!” “U-Uhm, a-a cheesecake please!” “Let me in on this too! Another set of sandwiches, please!” --------------------------------X-------------------------------- Early morning, before class. It was another day in the New Members Invitation week where clubs vyed for new promising members to join their clubs. And once again, Yuuji was surrounded by female members from various clubs. There were even those from a female-only club who were willing to make an exception especially for him, causing tears of blood to flow from the guys who saw it. But just then, he got a transmission from the Student Council. He listened to it in the midst of fending off the perverted hands of these girls and their chirpings. “A brawl has broken out in Gymnasium No. 1. All available Disciplinary Committee officers are asked to head to the scene.” Yuuji immediately realized what this was. This is that event! Before he could reply to it, he heard Tatsuya’s voice through the transmission. “This is Shiba, first year. Understood.” Alright, at least he’s going there now... “Uhm... Please forgive me, but there is something I need to do. Please excuse me.” “Eh~ Is it that urgent~? If it’s not, then you can just let others do it~ How about you come with me to our tea ceremony club~? It’s located on the third floor, far from any classes you know~? We can... learn a lot about tea ceremonies together...” “No! Come with me to the tennis club, Tsubakihara-kun! It’d be such a waste for someone of your physique to just sit around and drink tea!” “Then come to the basketball club! We’ll gladly teach you if you ca- Ah!!! Tsubakihara-kun!” Yuuji broke through the crowd of women slightly more forcefully than he wanted and quickly made his way to the back of the school. But when he finally arrived, he only found Tatsuya standing with his back to him, looking off into the treeline. “...Was that him?” “Ah... I didn’t catch him...” “Tch... If only I arrived sooner...” If he were there, he could’ve caught him and restrained him with his gravity magic, and perhaps rooted this problem from their school more easily. “Don’t mind it. This is still well within our calculations. We might not be able to root out the entire thing if we were to simply catch one before we could trap the others.” “...You’re right. So we’re sticking to the plan?” “Yes. We’ll let everything happen as it would’ve been, and limit the number of casualties. It would be much more complicated and dangerous if we were to mess with the events too much.” “Okay. Then, good luck with your rendezvous with Mibu Sayaka-senpai. Make sure you play dumb.” Yuuji smiled and patted Tatsuya’s shoulder. “I will.” AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please comment your thoughts~! I would love to hear what you think about it~!!!! Also, if you'd like to read additional chapters ahead and get a pdf version (Light & Dark), please feel free to check out my at /verglasx ~!!