The human mind is divided into the conscious and the subconscious—or, in broader terms, "Reason" and "Instinct/Emotion." Even within our current understanding of Psions and Pushions, that distinction remains firm. However, from a certain perspective, the act of invoking magic while the underlying mechanism remains vague is nothing short of suicidal. It is like opening a box and peering inside without the slightest clue as to its contents.
Strictly speaking, the "Magic Calculation Area" lacks a concrete definition. Because the act of casting magic relies on subconscious calculations, magicians are forced to depend on intuition. Consequently, even if one can perceive the existence of this area, conscious control over the actual calculation process remains an immense challenge.
Thus, when Yugen realized he had been reincarnated into the world of The Irregular at Magic High School, his first priority was establishing a foundation for basic magical arithmetic. Considering his unique constitution—a permanent "Auditory Enhancement" that would accompany him for life—mastering the nature of Psions and Pushions was imperative. He refused to face powerful foes with the handicap of having to wear earmuffs forever.
Through rigorous observation of the load placed on the Magic Calculation Area during invocation, Yugen discovered a "Gate" deployment sequence. Normally, the "Gate" that outputs a Magic Sequence does not remain open. It closes to prevent an overflow of information from flooding the magician's calculation area. However, this very opening and closing cycle acted as a dampener, weakening one's ability to interfere with Eidos.
There is nothing inherently wrong with utilizing the "Gate" itself. However, ancient civilizations utilized a junction between the magician and the Idea known as a "Linker Core" to unleash magic of overwhelming power. The modern "Gate" system was originally intended only as a specialized output mechanism for physical reinforcement and conscious-domain magic.
Over the long march of time, traditions were lost and history was distorted. The "Linker Core" survived only in a few Ancient Magic lineages, while the "Gate-type" output became the global standard.
To Yugen, the Strategic-Class magic currently wielded by the "Thirteen Apostles" was nothing more than the product of crude "power-playing." Any magic that required massive external computers to function was, in his eyes, a "defective product."
Incidentally, magicians like Gozo or Senhime utilized "Linker Cores" because they had mastered the techniques of Tenjin Magic. To an external Psion sensor, their state during invocation was indistinguishable from that of a modern magician. It was no wonder the world remained unaware.
Returning to the matter at hand.
Setting aside Yugen's specific rank within the National Defense Force, it was certain that Tatsuya would soon be called into action.
"Miyuki and I are members of the 'Jin-go-kai,' so we don't intend to step onto the battlefield unless the situation becomes truly dire... However, as I mentioned earlier, I am keeping the option open to provide long-distance magical support."
"Are you anticipating a simultaneous deployment toward both Hokkaido and Sado?"
"Considering the scale of the fleet reported in our intel, a two-front operation would be madness," Yugen replied. "But honestly, it would give us all the excuses we need if the enemy were to fire a Strategic-Class spell without hesitation."
If Bezobrazov were to launch "Tuman Bomba" toward the Japanese mainland, it would provide a "justifiable reason" to refuse cooperation with him once he inevitably pledged his support to the "Dione Project."
Even if the New Soviet Union and the USNA had formed a cooperative front, trusting the Soviets—who were still playing innocent regarding the Sado incident—was another matter entirely. In fact, if relations between Japan and the New Soviets soured further, it would only increase the burden on the USNA. If Japan could flatly state, "We cannot support a project involving a New Soviet Strategic-Class magician while the threat to our citizens remains unaddressed," it would be a major diplomatic victory.
"Naturally, I'll take measures to prevent casualties, but even I have my limits. In a worst-case scenario, I'm considering destroying the substations near Vladivostok to force a blackout."
"If the enemy relies on calculation computers, cutting their power supply would prevent the invocation of large-scale magic," Tatsuya noted. "Though I imagine they've considered that possibility."
"If it comes to that, I can always carbonize the power lines directly," Yugen added.
If Japan was expected to follow the USNA simply because they were "allies," then it was only fair that Edward Clark—the man who started this mess—be the first to dedicate his entire life to space. Furthermore, since they were forcibly detaching "Torus Silver" from Japan's interests, they would have to compensate for all future national profits lost.
The information that the head of the Ichijou family had fallen to an enemy plot was something the Ichijou themselves likely wanted to keep quiet. However, the news spread through the Twenty-Eight Families and the two Guardian Families in an instant. The accuracy of that information, however, varied wildly from house to house.
When Yugen returned to his room, the indicator on his terminal was blinking. Upon activation, the monitor displayed two people who were Yugen's seniors at school: Katsuto Jyumonji, head of the Jyumonji family, and Mayumi Saegusa, the eldest daughter of the Saegusa family.
"Good evening, Senpai. Have I kept you waiting?"
"No," Katsuto replied. "I was just exchanging information with Saegusa."
"Good evening, Yugen-kun. I assume you've already heard about the Ichijou family?" Mayumi asked.
"Yes. I was just discussing it with Tatsuya and the others."
Knowing that Yugen was currently staying with the Shiba family, Katsuto gave a curt nod as if to say, "I see." Mayumi, on the other hand, looked on with a hint of envy. The contrast between them was striking.
Ordinarily, as a Head and the Chairman of the Master Clan Council, Yugen would be expected to maintain a certain level of formality with the Head of the Jyumonji family. However, since this was an unofficial setting, he chose to speak naturally, reflecting their respective ages.
"So, did you have something you wanted to ask me?"
"Yes," Katsuto said. "I would like to hear your opinion on the unknown attack that struck Lord Ichijou."
"...I'll be blunt. What possibilities have you two considered?"
In response to Yugen's question, Katsuto shared the conclusions he and Mayumi had reached.
Mayumi, who was currently staying with the Mitsuya family, had received data via email from her father, Koichi. After hearing the analysis of the stratospheric platform data, Katsuto suspected the involvement of Bezobrazov's Strategic-Class magic, "Tuman Bomba." However, Mayumi had dismissed the idea, arguing that it wasn't the kind of magic one would waste on a single ship.
Hearing this, Yugen let out a deep sigh. Mayumi was the first to react.
"Yugen-kun? Why the sigh?"
"...Jyumonji-senpai. Am I correct in assuming your theory takes the events of the 1st of this month into account?"
"Yes, it does. Are you saying... that Igor Andreivitch Bezobrazov was indeed behind this?"
"That is almost certainly the case. Our investigation found New Soviet agents infiltrating the Hokuriku region. They attacked with full knowledge that the head of the Ichijou family was on that research vessel."
There were no signs of movement from Leonid Kondratchenko at the Black Sea base, nor were there traces of large-scale magic being invoked from the Ural Mountains westward. On the other hand, magical signatures had been confirmed coming from a room within the Far Eastern Branch of the New Soviet Academy of Sciences in Vladivostok.
"The number of people capable of such precise technique—utilizing a portion of seawater to discharge magic—is limited. While there are those in the Ichijou family who could do it, they have no reason to stage such an attack on themselves. Therefore, the culprit must be from the New Soviet side. Given the requirement for long-range capability and the intel we've gathered, Igor Andreivitch Bezobrazov is the most likely candidate."
"But... would they really use Strategic-Class magic on just one ship?" Mayumi asked.
"It wasn't 'just' a ship, Senpai. Onboard were the head of the Ichijou family—one of the pillars of the Ten Master Clans—and his son, the 'Crimson Prince.' To the New Soviets, they are threats that cannot be ignored."
If asked whether the New Soviets possessed territorial ambitions, the answer was a definitive yes. Most of their coastline was locked in by ice and floes. The existence of an ice-free port was a matter of life and death for their navy; even the old Soviet Union had broken treaties to invade Japan at the end of World War II for that very purpose.
"Even if they didn't expect a certain kill, wounding him is a victory. Even if he survived unscathed, the threat of a second attack would pin him down in Hokuriku out of caution. This was a trap designed with that in mind."
It was unlikely this would escalate into full-scale war. At this stage, the Great Asian Alliance would undoubtedly strike from Central Asia if the New Soviets overextended. Even for Bezobrazov, bombing a vast line stretching from the continent to the Sea of Japan was too heavy a burden to be realistic.
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