October 29, 2095 AD. 12:15 am.

  Within a private room of a luxurious ese restaurant in Yokohama’s a city, two men sat on opposite sides of the polished wooden table, sitting on a fortable floor chair with immensely soft cushions.

  On the low table, a tray with a crystal chalice of pold and whisky kept inside a volumetric fsk-shape maroon bottle sat at the ter of the table iweewo while they had a shot gss within arm’s reabsp;

  However, Xiang Shan hadn’t poured himself a gss of the alcohol served. In such a dire situation, he was in no mood for such a thing.

  “Mr. Zhou. I’ve been notified that my home try will be sending us a warship. Thanks to you, we unch our operation.”

  Zhou Gong Jin, the slender man who helped special ops members of the Great Asian Union e into Yokohama, listened with his eyes closed as he shook his shot gss in a circle, swirling his whisky and the pold that had submerged into the bottom.

  “I’m hoo have been able to assist you.”

  “However, fortune seemed to have deserted us and my sed-in-and has fallen into the enemy’s hands.”

  Zhou Gong Jin pced his gss bato the table upon hearing the news. His thin lips curled into a small frown as his brows furrowed slightly.

  “Truly, that could only have been the worst of luck. To think that Master Lu would be…”

  “It’s a colossal disgrace, but all the same, our try his soldier.”

  A still silence fell upon the room. Zhou Gong Jin took a sip of his pleasantly sweat whisky, knowing what kind of words would soon e out of the special ops captain’s mouth. And the words came as he expected.

  With a bow, Xiang Shan made his request.

  “I wonder if you help us with this?”

  “Ah, of course I , my lord.”

  He smiled ever so softly, like a friend ready to help out his rade in times of desperate need.

  “As it turns out, Master Lu is scheduled to be transported to the fners’ prison in Yokosuka tomorrow.”

  “Is that true?”

  A ray of hope began to alight in Xiang Shan’s eyes. Losing Lu Gong Hu, an S-ranked magi whose prowess has been proven time and time again to be invaluable to the Great Asian Union in battle, would be no small loss for his try. Without him, the power they’ve amassed would take a massive blow, spelling disaster for the eion.

  At this point, his rescue may be even more important than their inal pn.

  “Yes, the timing couldn’t be better. And in exge, if I may put it that way… during tomorrow’s operation, if you could stay away from this city…”

  A solemn nod. Xiang Shan readily agreed to his request in exge for his assistance.

  “But of course. I’ll see to it that this atown is spared from harm as much as possible. That said, our number oarget, the Kanto Branch of the Magic Association, is located right near atown. Not only that, but if we’re going after the magis heading to the Thesis petition and their research data… Some skirmishing will be unavoidable.”

  The risk of harm onto atown outlined by the special ops captain was uandable. Given they wouldn’t simply let the invaders e and steal data, battle and skirmishes would most definitely happen.

  However, a smile never left Zhou Gong Jin’s tenance.

  “I am grateful for your sideration.”

  -------------------------------X--------------------------------

  October 29, 2095. 10:31 am.

  It was supposed to be a normal css day for most students of First High. But, with the Annual Thesis petition happening the day after, most csses ended early to let those who would be participating in the petition, both directly or supp, prepare a ready for the big day.

  Tatsuya css’s lessons have just ended as well. But as he was about to head out to meet up with Yuuji and Aika before heading to where Hirakawa Koharu, Suzune, and Isori Kei were, Erika suddenly approached him.

  “Tatsuya, you, Aika, and Yuuji will be arriving at the ventioer tomorrow at 8 o’clo the m, right?”“That’s right. The petition starts at 9, so we’ll be arriving at 8. The first high’s turn oage would be around three, if I’m not mistaken.”

  “Hm… So you’re all meeting up there after all, uh?”

  Sitting close to each other’s seat, Mizuki, Mikihiko, and Leo also listened in to their versation with great i sihey’ll also be going to the petition as guests.

  “What about the demo device?”

  “Hm? Did you not hear from the student cil president or Yuuji?”

  “No?”

  Erika tilted her head. She tried recalling all the things they talked about i few days when Mayumi came to stay ht in their mansion, but all she could remember were Yuuji’s sweet whispers and Aika encement to “attack” him with her femininity. Even Mayumi wasn’t spared by their teasing.

  “The student cil hired a transport pany. And I heard from Ichihara-senpai that Yuuji is also helping with its acquisition. Why do you ask?”

  “O-Oh, well… It’s just…”

  Then, Leo suddenly ied himself into the versation.

  “Hey, regarding the guard detail for that demo devid stuff… Could you let us help out, too?”

  A look of fusion briefly appeared on Tatsuya’s expression. But they were soon repced by an expression of realization.

  “Do you want to show off the results of your special training?”

  “Ah?! H-How did you know?”

  “Yuuji had shared stories about how Erika has beeing you into shape, literally.”

  “Guhh…”

  “A-Ahahaha…”

  Erika ughed weakly. She… She did go all out with the guy’s training so he could help her, Yuuji, and Aika iroubles to e, so Tatsuya’s words were ly an exaggeration.

  “Don’t worry. You will have your time. Because I don’t think nothing’s going to happen anymore.”

  “Huh? But I thought the i was already resolved.”

  Mikihiko questioned. In his knowledge, the academic spy culprit, Sekimoto Isao, has been apprehended, and the unknown soldier who came to the detentioer to, most likely, get rid of a potential leak in the form of the third-year high school boy has also beeed by Yuuji, Mayumi, Mari, and Tatsuya. The is should all have been resolved.

  “It’s not as if these is are a one-and-dohing. The Thesis petition is targeted every year, so troubles might still happen during the event.”

  “I see…”

  “Mm, Aika had said something to that effect as well. Though she doesn’t seem worried in the least, so I thought she was just kidding. But now that I think about it, that does seem pusible.”

  Erika muttered as she fell into a thought. Almost everything Yuuji and Aika predicted had been true thus far. So, despite her joking tone, Erika still took her words seriously.

  Except for the sexual harassment that came out of those lips…

  “In that case, will you let me on guard duty too?”

  “If there’s anything I do, please let me know as well. I will be happy to help.”

  Mikihiko and Mizuki both volunteered.

  “Alright. But as for now, cheering for our school’s team from the audience will be enough.”

  “Eh?! Why are we just audiences’?!”

  Leo pined. Erika was also unsatisfied by just being an audience member. She wao at least be with Yuuji and Aika during the event ahem out with the security detail.

  But to stop his outburst, Tatsuya raised his hand, gesturing to him to let him tinue.

  “If there’s some kind of i, no one will pin if the audience helps pick up the pieces. That’s where you e in.”

  “I see… Help, huh?”

  Now, the four new security detail “volunteers” let out a smile in satisfa. And Erika couldn’t wait to surprise Yuuji with her appearan the event.

  --------------------------------X--------------------------------

  Dressed in a beautiful wine red dress, Fujibayashi Kyouko sat with a gss of delectable wine in a high css restaurant and a ral, yet beautiful, smile on her face. Before her, totally mesmerized by her appearance was Erika’s eldest brother, was Chiba Toshikazu in a full suit with a gss of wine before him as well.

  “What a sweet aable smell.”

  “I’m gd you like it. Thanks to you, it looks like we’ll be closing this case soon. So this is my way of thanking you personally.”

  “...Ior, did you invite me here today just to thank me?”“H-Huh?”

  Her smile grew, but she didn’t let her teasing smile surfa her expression. After all, although the full grown ior had a cute rea, she exclusively saved her teasing side for her adorable “little brother” who had the cutest rea. She would only show any other man aside from him her professional side, that of a soldier, and save her woman, sisterly side for him.

  Unfortunately, even her ral smile and words alone were able to send the heart of the single man in his mid-twenties fluttering in anticipation.

  “If you’re avaible tomorrow, I’d like to request your pany tomorrow as well.”

  “H-Huh? Um… S-Sure! If you’re okay with me, then I’d be gd to!”

  Assuming a more serious expression and saluting, Toshikazu gave the ravishing woman before him his promise.

  “Thank you very much. Then how’s eight-thirty tomorrow m at Sakuragicho Station?”

  “What? M?”

  “Tomorrow, they’ll be holding the National High Sagic Thesis petition at the Iional ventioer. Are you not aware of it?”

  “No, I’m aware of that, but…”

  “Two boys and one girl I’m acquainted with will be taking part, so I’d like to go cheer them on. And if possible, please ask your subordio join us too.”“...”

  Kyouko tio swirl her wine gss, letting the vintage red wine i move around in a slow vortex, as Toshikazu looked at her in shobsp;

  “If you could also e equipped with ons and live ammo guns, that would be a huge help.”

  “Ms. Fujibayashi… What’s brewing underh all of this…?”

  “...Nothing, of course. Or at least, that is what I’m hoping for.”

  --------------------------------X--------------------------------

  October 30, 2095. 8:35am. Yokohama Iional ventioer.

  The day of the National High Sagic Theory Thesis petition had finally arrived.

  The student representatives from all nine magiiversity affiliated high schools of Japan had gathered in the Yokohama Iional ventioer to present and publicize their work, and for some lucky ones, get their works known iionally.

  It is a as prestigious as the Nine Schools petition held earlier in the year, though not as spicuous. While the NSC requires 52 students from each school to participate as their representative, the Thesis petition only requires three. It is also the literary plement to the NSC’s practical test of magibsp;

  Thus, for those who aim to be a magigihis event was sidered even more important than the NSC. With many individuals reted to the Magiiversity and the magic theory unity attending, it was the students’ ce for their o be known.

  However, although Yuuji had been deeply involved with First High’s Thesis petition preparations and close with his school’s representatives, his mind was focused more on the events that would happen during the petition.

  The Yokohama Disturbance arc… It has begun and the climax of the arc would happen in this venue. Although he, Aika, and Tatsuya had been preparing as much as possible, he was still… nervous.

  This wouldn’t be the first time that he’ll be troubled by terrorists, but the scale between what would happen here would be much more than what had happened during the NSbsp;

  He would be dealing with a literal invasion from another nation… Specifically, the Great Asian Union. In his world, such a thing would’ve been beyond what a high school student like him should be dealing with. But now… he will be dealing with the invaders along with his friends.

  He couldn’t help but muse what life would bring to him…

  And… his current situation was also something he didn’t expebsp;

  Within the First High School’s meeting room, Fujibayashi Kyouko had e to visit in her civilian’s clothing. Ihe room were Tatsuya, Miyuki, Aika, and him, all of them sitting on a couch together.

  Tatsuya and Miyuki sat on one side, while Yuuji and Aika sat oher side of Kyouko. But uhe first two, they weren’t sitting… upright.

  Aika was happily hugging her “Kyouko-nee” aing her pet her hair. Oher hand… Yuuji's face was being squished against the side of her chest as she held the back of his head and pulled him towards her.

  It was “siblings’ bonding time” as the “Ele Sorcerer” referred to it as, and Aika was certainly enjoying hugging her “big sister”. But Yuuji couldn’t help but think of it as humiliation since she was doing it right in front of Tatsuya and Miyuki, who was looking at him awkwardly.

  “Miyuki, it’s been a while~”

  “Y-Yes… It has been a while… I don’t think we’ve met sihat day in February…”

  “Ms. Fujibayashi, are you sure it’s alright for you to be visiting the First High’s green room?”

  Tatsuya asked.

  “T-That’sh right… Kyouko-nee… are you sure you stay he- MMMPH!”

  “Oh, it’s fine~ As a teical officer, there’s nothing strange about me visiting you, the students who unveiled such dazzling skills at the NSC~”

  Kyouko said with a little giggle as she strengthened her grip on Yuuji’s head a him from esg, leaving Yuuji in pure embarrassment and nervousness as she pressed his head to her breasts.

  “All right, enough with the pleasahe mobile suit we discussed has been pleted. Lieutenant Sanada told me to let you know that they’ll be delivering here by tonight.”

  Pausing from petting Aika’s head, Kyouko took out a small chip from inside her bzer’s pocket and held it up, showing it to Tatsuya and Yuuji.

  “They finished already? Impressive, as always.”

  “And one more thing… This i doesn’t look like it’s over just yet.”

  Kyouko’s voice turned solemn as the heavy premonitioed on her heart, causing her voice to deepen and her grip on Yuuji’s head to lessen, allowing him to look up to her troubled fabsp;

  “Kyouko-nee… Did you enter any trouble?”

  She looked down with a smile aed her handsome little brother’s head. She pced the chip she took out oable before her.

  “Take a look at this for more information. I’ve taken some precautions myself, but… You never know. A battle might be brewing.”

  “Uood. We’ll be sure to be prepared.”

  “Mm. We’ll be careful, Kyouko-nee.”

  “Good. If anything happens… I’ll be ting on you.”

  “Of course.”

  “Uhn~! Leave it to me, nee-!!!”

  --------------------------------X--------------------------------

  12:00pm. Yokohama Iional ference ter.

  “Sekimoto Isao was after the Thesis petition materials. Today, after interrogating him further, we learhat he’d been subjected to mind trol. The anization that’s using Sekimoto and the others tet the thesis might take drastic measures.”

  Within the security headquarters, Kirihara Takeaki and Hattori Hanzo stood before Juumonji Katsuto, who was sitting behind the rge desk with dots resting on it, and Yuuji, who was standing by his side with a gss tablet in his hand.

  “Saegusa-senpai wished for you and Tsubakihara to keep a close eye oe as much as possible.”

  “... It seems like your premonition is ing true once again, Tsubakihara.”

  Yuuji let out a sigh and shook his head. Things were getting bad, as he expected. And by this time, he assumed that Kyouko-nee had also gotten intel about Lu Gang Hu’s escape during his relocation to prison.

  Things were really asding to the climax, after all…

  “Ah… Unfortunately. How are the distributions of the bulletproof vests?”

  Yuuji asked, turning his attention towards Hattori and Kirihara.

  “Everyorolling the site has one equipped already, and we have some on reserves as well.”

  “That’s great. But if you , have not only the patrolling members, but all other members of the Joint Security Detail wear bulletproof vests as well.”

  ““Uood.””

  “Thank you. For now, please monitor the perimeter of the venue a immediately bayself or Juumonji-senpai if you see anything wrong. And please… be careful. I’m sure you’ve noticed, but… things don't seem right now.”

  “Ah… I think so as well. I came to check out the venue a week ago, but there seems to be too many fners around here now.”

  “You think so too, Hattori?”

  Hattori nodded his head to Kirihara.

  “How about you, Kirihara?”

  Juumonji asked.

  “Yes, sir. pared to the ventioer, the atmosphere iy seems strangely more menag.”

  “Yeah… I feel that too…”

  Yuuji shook his head with a helpless smile. Things were indeed about to go down from now on…

  “Chairman, although I will have to leave the headquarters and protect Hirakawa Koharu-senpai as her personal bodyguard, I will keep my liive for the ey of the event. Please don’t hesitate to call on me if you enter any trouble.”

  Yuuji turowards Juumonji in a soldier-like manner and looked at him with grave seriousness in his eyes.

  And with a simir graveness in his eyes, Juumonji nodded.

  “Mm. I’ll be ting on you.”

  Yuuji nodded bad turowards the Kendo club captain and student cil vice president.

  “If my premonition is right and something did happen, the danger you enter might be on a whole different level than the NSt. So please be careful on your patrol.”

  “Alright. You too. If they’re going to attack the Thesis petition for data, you, who will be proteg our school’s representatives, might be in the most danger.”

  “That’s right. You take care of yourself.”

  “I will. Good luck.”

  VergsX