The transport of magic engineering equipment, including experimental devices, occurred during lunch break. Typically, Jennifer, the Magic Engineering Department's instructor, would oversee this, but this time, Hatsuraku took charge, with Yugen assisting. Jennifer was busy reviewing Tatsuya's extracurricular activity application, including the magic usage list.
"Thanks, Kagurazaka-kun. I never expected FLT to provide a Stellar Furnace prototype," Hatsuraku said.
Nuclear fusion research persists despite the focus on natural energy, but weight-system magic faces numerous challenges. Tatsuya's flight magic—resident gravity-control magic (publicly credited to Taurus Silver)—was a breakthrough.
"You seem thrilled, Hatsuraku-sensei," Yugen noted.
"Your sisters are exceptional magicians and attended my lectures. You're included in that, of course. You've shocked me plenty," Hatsuraku replied.
Previously, when Hatsuraku assigned a multi-process magic circle task, Yugen crafted one enabling 100 processes within a meter. His reason? "I did it because I could." Hatsuraku could only wryly smile at such audacity.
"I heard you're planning something interesting?" Hatsuraku probed.
"That's confidential, please," Yugen replied.
"I get the hint," Hatsuraku said.
As a somewhat controversial figure at Magic University, Hatsuraku suspected Tatsuya and Yugen were scheming but chose not to pry, hoping to learn more if involved. A woman approached, someone Yugen recognized, and handed a tablet to Hatsuraku.
"Please check and sign for the equipment delivery," she said.
"All in order," Hatsuraku confirmed.
"Thank you. Long time no see, Kagurazaka-san," she said.
"Been a while, Mikaela-san," Yugen replied.
This was Mikaela Hongou, who confronted Tatsuya during the Parasite Incident. Post-incident checks confirmed no parasite traces remained, but unlike Charles Sullivan, she hadn't undergone Tenyou Shouran reconstruction. Her magic calculation area expanded, making her a stronger magician. To keep this from the USNA, she was recruited to FLT's CAD Development Division 3 under Ushiyama, poised to become deputy chief soon.
"How's it going?" Yugen asked.
"It's tough, but I'm managing. Oh, please give this to Touya-kun…" Mikaela said.
"Got it. I'll pass it along," Yugen assured.
"Thank you. I'll be going," she said.
During spring break, Mikaela, post-recovery, thanked Touya and confessed to him—while Ami was present. A potential crisis was averted when Ami embraced her, even endorsing polygamy, startling Touya. Yugen pocketed the note (later given to Touya) and saw Mikaela off. Soon after, Tatsuya emailed that the extracurricular activity was approved, with Hatsuraku supervising.
◇ ◇ ◇
After school, the student council members for the activity, supervisor Hatsuraku, external liaison Yugen (vice-president of the club federation), and two collaborators gathered.
"Pardon me," said Kana Mitsuya.
"Hey, long time, Hatsuraku-sensei!" chirped Mika Mitsuya.
(Onii-chan, isn't the Mitsuya family a bit monstrous?) Ceria whispered to Yugen, sensing their presence. Yugen muttered back, "You're one to talk, with Lina and all." Setting that aside, Hatsuraku spoke first.
"I reviewed the experiment procedure. It's an intriguing approach. I showed it to them, and they confirmed safety is assured," Hatsuraku said, glancing at Kana and Mika, who nodded. He'd heard from Jennifer about their exceptional university research, even as high school prodigies.
"How will we assign the magic?" Hatsuraku asked.
The experiment required gravity control, Coulomb force control, gamma-ray filter, neutron barrier, and fourth-state phase shift. A sixth technique, the Mitsuya family's secret "Flat Drive Filter" from Air Ride Burst, was added with Kana and Mika's help. This filter blocks energy and molecular movement due to temperature and pressure differences, enabling temperature control within a sphere. Its complex calculations require Mitsuya training—specifically Yugen's psion control. Tatsuya, informed of it, remarked, "Only you could churn out such techniques." Yugen found that unfair.
With Riri and Ceria on the student council, technique assignments had flexibility, though device operation left little margin.
"For the gamma-ray filter, I'd like Honoka," Tatsuya said.
"Me!?" Honoka gasped.
"You're best with electromagnetic waves. Can I count on you?"
"I'll do my best!" Honoka said, motivated by Tatsuya's trust and her optical vibration expertise. Tatsuya turned to Ceria.
"I considered Isori-senpai for Coulomb force control, but I'd like him to assist Nakajou-kaichou. Ceria, can you handle it?"
"Got it. I've suppressed Aneki's magic with Coulomb control plenty," Ceria said.
"Understood, Shiba-kun," Isori agreed.
Ceria's confidence stemmed from countering Lina's Reverse Heavy Metal Burst. Having faced Heavy Metal Burst's power, Tatsuya trusted Ceria, Lina's twin. Isori, considering Azusa's personality, agreed.
"For the neutron barrier, I'd like Riri," Tatsuya said.
"Understood, Tatsuya-senpai," Riri replied.
Tatsuya suspected Juumonji's Phalanx included a neutron barrier, and Riri's prompt response confirmed it.
For gravity control, Kana spoke before Tatsuya. "Tatsuya-kun, a moment?"
"Yes?" Tatsuya replied.
"Miyuki's handling gravity control, right? I have something to show you," Kana said, pulling a tablet from her bag and operating it briefly before handing it to Tatsuya. His eyes widened. Yugen peeked and groaned in awe.
"Kana-neesan, that's incredible," Yugen said.
"High praise from you," Kana replied.
Kana had single-handedly adapted Taurus Silver's flight magic gravity-control technique for fusion. Yugen planned to refine it later, but Kana's work saved him effort, though his intuition suggested further tweaks could reduce strain.
"Tatsuya, what do you think? The standard gravity control works, but…" Yugen asked.
"No reason not to use it. Kana-san, may I have the activation sequence data?" Tatsuya asked.
"Sure. I was asked to cooperate fully," Kana said.
Miyuki would use Kana's gravity-control technique, with Kana assisting and operating equipment, leaving Mika to handle the Flat Drive Filter. The remaining fourth-state phase shift needed a user. Yugen, reserved for troubleshooting, couldn't participate. Izumi raised her hand.
"May we handle it?" Izumi asked.
"We, meaning you and Kasumi?" Tatsuya clarified.
"Yes. I may lack the skill alone, but together, we can contribute," Izumi said.
Combining techniques is complex, surprising most in the room. Only Hatsuraku, Tatsuya, Yugen, and Ceria remained unfazed. Izumi tensed, but Ceria broke the mood.
"Relax, Izumi-chan. I get it—my twin sister and I can do the same," Ceria said.
"Really!? …Sorry for tensing up," Izumi replied.
Only twins like the Shields sisters or Saegusa twins could manage such feats. Ceria's words eased Izumi's nerves and softened the room's skepticism. Ceria winked at Tatsuya, signaling to proceed, and he gave a wry smile.
"Hatsuraku-sensei, Mitsui-san, Shields-san, and Saegusa-san aren't fully briefed. I'll explain for clarity," Tatsuya said, detailing the experiment. Though Azusa, Isori, Miyuki, and Yugen knew it, no one looked bored.
"The Stellar Furnace is technically immature, but with this team's cooperation, I'm confident we can succeed in this experiment, one of the three great weight-system challenges," Tatsuya concluded.
Thus, Tatsuya and Yugen's Stellar Furnace took its first step.
◇ ◇ ◇
Yugen handled external coordination but was busy adjusting equipment during preparations. The prototype, designed by him, had all parts replaced with new ones—or rather, restored to new via Tenyou Shouran, a near-cheating method. Activation sequences were tailored to users, with Yugen optimizing the neutron barrier for Riri's psion waves. To onlookers, it was just rapid scrolling and typing.
"Yugen, a drink," Tatsuya said, offering coffee.
"Thanks," Yugen said, taking a sip.
"Sorry. I can't help much with hardware," Tatsuya said.
"It's our respective strengths. Don't worry," Yugen replied.
At school, Tatsuya excelled in CAD and activation sequence adjustments, serving a year as a disciplinary committee member despite being a second-course student. Programming experimental devices risked exposure, so Yugen handled most of it.
"It needed refining anyway. This is convenient," Yugen added.
Preparations extended three days but were limited to student council members, volunteers, Kana, and Mika for confidentiality. The sisters got seminar approval as an extracurricular "basic fusion experiment research," technically accurate. Volunteers, mainly from the Magic Engineering Department with Tatsuya ties, included Chiaki and Takanotsume, who offered help, and Mizuki, who joined. Kento, who idolized Tatsuya, participated. Leo handled heavy lifting, while Erika, Shizuku, and Mikihiko occasionally brought refreshments.
Most adjustments were pre-done, minimizing prep time. Heavy and light water for fusion were supplied via Kagurazaka connections. Chikage's casual, "A ton each should do, right?" drew a strained smile from Yugen.
At the emergency Clan Conference, Chikage explained Saegusa's anti-magic opinion manipulation, then outlined the strategy to counter future Great Asian Alliance invasions and military moves by the New Soviet Union, Australia, and USNA. The Ten Master Clans unanimously approved, with Mitsuya, Yotsuba, Ueyama, and Kagurazaka (nominally including Saegusa and Juumonji for Kanto ties) handling follow-ups. In truth, Mitsuya, Yotsuba, Ueyama, and Kagurazaka would take the lead. Those questioning the benefits might be akin to new-world gods if they realized it.
Notes: Mia's situation will be addressed later. Riri's inclusion assigns her the neutron barrier, with Ceria handling Coulomb force control instead of Isori, easing Azusa's burden. Kana's activation sequence is partly a courtesy to Yugen. Tatsuya programs for thesis competitions but is more a supervisor here (not the strongest reason). The sequel novel revealed a character's alias differing by one kanji from my original character—shocking but fitting.
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