The experimental apparatus for the Stellar Reactor was deceptively simple: a spherical water tank resting upon a heavy pedestal. The pumps had already been detached in the radiation lab. A metallic ring, fifteen centimeters wide, encircled the sphere's equator, held in place by four support pillars rising from the base. The water inlet at the very top was sealed by a thirty-centimeter disc, mirrored by an identical plate at the opposite pole.
From the windows of the school building, a sea of students watched the device with bated breath. In nearly every classroom, the curriculum had ground to a halt. Anticipating this, the faculty had proactively canceled all practical lessons for the period, switching instead to terminal-based independent study.
Those who weren't satisfied with a distant view from a window had descended to the schoolyard. Class 2-E was there in its entirety—even those not directly involved in the experiment. They were joined by the former members of last year's Class 1-E and the female representatives from the previous year's Nine Schools Competition. They were not alone; a significant number of teachers stood among them, their eyes fixed on the center of the yard.
"Commencing experiment."
Tatsuya's voice, amplified by the PA system, cut through the air. The chatter in the yard died instantly. Amidst a heavy, expectant silence, Tatsuya gave the signal. The experiment began.
As the final sequence concluded and the Stellar Reactor hummed with stable functionality, Minami withdrew the final layer of the magic—the neutron barrier. She let out a long, slow breath, the tension finally leaving her shoulders.
"Minami. Are you alright?"
"Yes. I'm fine, Brother Tatsuya."
"I see. Good work."
After offering her a word of praise, Tatsuya turned his gaze toward Honoka, Kasumi, Izumi, and finally Miyuki, acknowledging each in turn. Finally, he locked eyes with Isori. They exchanged a brief, meaningful nod. Tatsuya then turned to Azusa, who had spent the entire experiment frantically monitoring a bank of measuring equipment behind him, and handed her the microphone.
"Wait, me?!" Azusa squeaked. She shook her head violently, trying to push the microphone back toward him. "Shouldn't you or Isori-kun...?"
She tried to resist, but she was no match for Isori's encouraging smile and Tatsuya's silent, unwavering stare. Resigning herself to her fate with a face that bordered on tears, she took the mic. She took several deep breaths, steadying her nerves until her expression hardened with resolve. She turned to face the gathered assembly of students and faculty.
"The sustained thermonuclear fusion experiment, centered on Permanent Gravity Control Magic, has achieved all primary objectives," she declared. "The 'Stellar Reactor' experiment is a success!"
A roar erupted—from the yard, from the hallways, from the open windows. It was a wave of sound so violent and enthusiastic it felt like a primal scream, a collective celebration of the potential and the future of magic itself.
"This concludes the experiment," Tatsuya announced, reclaiming the microphone. "We still require manpower for the cleanup. We would appreciate any assistance you can offer."
The moment the words left his lips, students—still riding the high of the success—rushed toward the apparatus, eager to lend a hand.
"It seems we've succeeded," Isori remarked.
"So it seems," Tatsuya replied. "The experiment was the priority, of course, but I think we've provided an excellent... demonstration for our guests."
Tatsuya switched off the microphone. Both he and Isori wore identical, slightly wicked smiles as they glanced toward Councilman Kanda and his entourage. The politicians and reporters stood frozen, utterly overwhelmed by the magnitude of the success and the raw fervor of the students.
"However," Isori added, his tone turning serious, "this succeeded largely because of this specific team. If someone told me to replicate this right now, I couldn't do it."
"I'm in the same boat," Tatsuya admitted. "That's why we'll be spending the coming months ironing out the flaws, won't we?"
"Exactly."
"This time, we ran it as a performance—a counter-measure to Councilman Kanda's own performance. But eventually, I want to see this perfected."
"When that day comes, you can count on my help again," Isori said.
"Thank you. For the sake of the future of all magicians, let's give it our all."
The two men shared a firm handshake before Tatsuya headed off to join the cleanup. Caught in his wake, Isori followed suit.
To celebrate the successful repelling of Kanda and his press corps—and the triumph of the Stellar Reactor—a modest party was organized in the Student Council room.
"Truly, you are a master," Pixie's voice drifted through the room. "Though I could not observe the experiment directly from here, I felt the success through the fluctuations in the psion waves."
"Honestly, Tatsuya-san, you're incredible!" Erika chimed in. "I had no idea the media could be handled so effectively."
"Tatsuya-san, you knew they were coming from the start, didn't you?" Shizuku asked.
Tatsuya nodded simply. "I had word from certain channels. Councilman Kanda is working to narrow the future of magicians—essentially, he wants to make our existence untenable. I decided to flip the script and use him to brighten that future instead."
"Isori and I were certainly surprised when we heard the plan," Azusa added.
"But Tatsuya-kun's experiment was something I would have wanted to help with regardless of the politics," Isori said warmly.
Miyuki watched the upperclassmen praise her brother with an expression of pure, rapturous adoration. Izumi, in turn, gazed at Miyuki with a similarly dazed, smitten look, while Kasumi watched the two of them with an expression of pure exhaustion.
"I wonder if the people who built the device are celebrating too?" someone asked.
"Juumonji mentioned that he couldn't make it to the Student Council victory party," Tatsuya noted. "They're likely making a scene in the Robot Engineering garage or somewhere similar."
"I doubt the Disciplinary Committee or the Club Management Group will mind, just for today," Isori said.
"I certainly don't intend to say anything," Kanon declared, sitting comfortably beside Isori. "I can't speak for Hattori, though."
Shizuku, also a member of the Disciplinary Committee, gave a small nod of agreement. "If things get too out of hand, we'll have to step in, but I suspect even President Hattori will look the other way today."
"Shippou isn't here either, so the Club Management Group should stay quiet," Kasumi noted.
"Was Shippou-kun absent today?" Tatsuya asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
"Apparently something came up at home. Though, who knows if that's the truth," Kasumi replied dismissively.
"Kasumi-chan," Izumi chided, snapping out of her daze. "We don't know the circumstances of the Shippou family. It's wrong to make assumptions."
"Fine, fine," Kasumi muttered.
Despite the minor bickering, the atmosphere in the Student Council room remained warm and harmonious.
"Well then, Madam President," someone called out. "If you would do the honors?"
"Eh?! Me again?!" Azusa cried. "Surely Tatsuya-kun should... oh, very well."
Crushed once more by the weight of silent peer pressure, Azusa raised her glass for the toast. Every person in that room shared the same thought: today, they had successfully held the door open for the future of all magicians.
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