The Relic—an artifact defying past technology, better called an Oopart. Anti-Knight falls in this category.
In the Shiba living room, Tatsuya set down a jade magatama relic forced on him by Sayuri. Miyuki, serving coffee for three, eyed it curiously; Yugen looked skeptical.
Noticing, Tatsuya recalled Yugen's Defense Force tech advisor role and asked, "Yugen, know this relic?"
"Know it? I helped analyze it for the military."
Yugen's parsing skills made him a key figure in relic and Oopart analysis, though he couldn't admit leading it. Frankly, one leak could upend military balance. His vague report on this magatama was deliberate—to deflect attention. He hadn't known it was this relic.
"First I'm hearing this…" Miyuki said.
"Military secret. Can't delve into details," Yugen replied.
The magatama stores magic formulas and, with special methods, absorbs external psions. Replicated with specific formulas, it could power magic weapons usable by non-mages—a self-inflicted risk from his vague reporting.
"All I know is it stores magic formulas, per observation. Only the lead knows more," Yugen said.
"I see. So her claims were true," Tatsuya mused.
"By the way, Shizuku's email said you're a thesis sub-member?" Yugen asked.
Tatsuya replaced Koharu, who quit, recommended by Rin. During spring, Sayaka summoned Tatsuya to the cafeteria; Rin was present, likely monitoring. Tatsuya had no intent to confront her.
"Yeah. I heard from Ichihara-senpai your sister caused a stir. Including you…" Tatsuya said.
"Had to avoid selection. Now I'm stuck with venue security," Yugen replied.
Four generations back, Shizuru's weapon utility paper was rejected pre-review. Kana's dual papers on mass destruction alternatives and basic code had one rejected. Mika's education reform ignored, rejected. Yugen heard this from them directly.
Not for attention—Nine Schools success already drew envy. Outlandish submissions ensured fair rejections to dodge scrutiny.
Yugen's words? A flag for trouble.
Thesis competition security involved nine magic high schools' representatives, led by the Monolith Code champion school. Leading a small team doesn't guarantee large-scale command, but this year was fine.
"That's the security outline. Kagurazaka, will you join?" Katsuto, ex-club head and security leader, asked. His Juumonji Phalanx suited protection.
Yugen bowed. "Yes, senpai. But if family matters arise, I may act independently. Acceptable?"
"Honestly, thought you'd refuse."
"Trouble hits every competition. I just want this one smooth, lending what strength I can."
"Your 'strength' makes most seem like dust…" Katsuto muttered.
Trouble was likely, but official security minimized complications and legitimized "assistance" against troublemakers. Kirihara grimaced at Yugen's words; Hattori gave a wry smile.
"Figure of speech, Kirihara-senpai. What's the plan?" Yugen asked.
"I'll handle other schools. Kagurazaka, you're 'freelance' on the day. Until then, train the team as you can," Katsuto said.
Train them up—likely due to this year's poor Nine Schools male results. It aided Yugen's prep, so he nodded.
"We'll train them. Go all out," Katsuto said.
"Understood. Survive, Hattori-senpai," Yugen teased.
"Y-Yeah… (Sawaki'd love this, but most will break mentally first…)" Hattori thought.
Katsuto, main Monolith Code champion, and Yugen, rookie champion, were daunting. Some might relish it, but most would crack, Hattori mused.
Three days before thesis submission, Yugen studied in his room—knowledge was instant, but prep was mood-driven. A knock interrupted; Tatsuya entered.
"What's up? Home system hacked?" Yugen asked.
"No, it's fine. Why assume that?" Tatsuya replied.
"After your incident, I figured military targeting," Yugen said.
Shiba security rivaled the world's best. Shallow hacks yielded nothing; deep ones needed multiple Echelon III-class supercomputers. Critical data stayed offline—useless to pry, revealing only generic mage household info.
"Security's intact. Reverse-traced, but they cut off. Couldn't pinpoint. Got any leads?" Tatsuya asked.
"You want me to trace the address?"
"If it were easy, I wouldn't ask. Pros are tough. No guesses?"
Traces lingered, traceable with effort. Tatsuya might ask Haruka next. His family could eagerly spill, but he avoided burdening them—or pride held him back.
"About your case—Captain Sanada had me analyze the sniper's rifle. Great Asian Union standard, special forces spec," Yugen said.
"Same group, then?" Tatsuya asked.
"Major Kazama agrees. Foreign rifles shouldn't slip in easily. If it escalates, 'Lieutenant Kuroba' might step in."
"I see."
Three years ago, in Okinawa, they annihilated Union soldiers and ships. Those obsessed wouldn't quit. Material Burst or the new Third Eye Eclipse might be needed.
Yugen touched a case on his desk, muttering, "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form."
'Password authenticated.'
Vein and voice recognition unlocked it. Inside: two black pistol CADs, dragon-reliefed. Tatsuya's curiosity faded seeing them.
"For your military ops, no restrictions. Named Bahamut, matches my Valkyrie and Odin. Since Trident's known at school, this avoids issues," Yugen explained.
Trident for daily use, Bahamut for military. Both top-tier Four-Silver series, seamless for Tatsuya. FLT designed the frame; systems drew from Trident feedback, tailored for Tatsuya's magic.
"Hope nothing disrupts the competition," Yugen said.
"Sounds like you're jinxing it," Tatsuya noted.
"Sorry. If it's state-backed, I'll take the relic post-analysis or route it through the battalion."
"Got it. Sorry for the hassle."
Tatsuya's curiosity didn't outweigh his guardian duty to Miyuki—danger could spill over. FLT was an option, but Yugen was safer given the attackers' profile.
"Here's a storage to test. Enhanced Mist Dispersion startup. Not for daily use, but collect data," Yugen said.
"Buster Mist Dispersion"—decomposes to proton/electron/neutron, rebuilds, and rapid-burns to limit neutron scatter. Looks like combustion erasure. Pre-set hydrogen-oxygen reconstruction uses Tuman Bomba processes. Molecular construction is unreleased tech, a hint for future Baryon Lance.
As a military secret, no deadline was set—unpredictable usability.
"Additional lead: talked with Erika's brother Kazuo. Illegal entries in Yokohama and Yokosuka. He suspects they're targeting the competition," Yugen said.
Hitting the Magic Association's Yokohama server is near impossible. Yugen fortified its security—only Echelon III-class could breach, with countermeasures for Electronic Silkworm.
"I'll leave what to share to you. I'm staying out," Yugen said.
"Why?" Tatsuya asked.
"No time. Advice: keep escorts minimal."
Yugen would face the "invasion army" frontline. "No time" meant limited official aid and avoiding liabilities—flee or stay away. A lethal fight wasn't for the unprepared, though many mages' overzealous justice annoyed him, self-awarely.
"You saying that suggests trouble. I won't press," Tatsuya said.
"Thanks. Focus on the competition. I'll take rough stuff consults."
Post-talk, Yugen contacted someone via terminal—its meaning known only to him.
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