A truck vanishes into dust in an instant. The driver, flung from the obliterated cab, rolls across the ground and slams into a wall. Only metal and resin powder, scattered by inertia against the conference hall's wall, remains as proof of the transport's existence. The wall's exterior bears faint scratches, but its interior remains unscathed.
The world, however, isn't kind enough to let such an event go unnoticed.
"…What was that?" Mayumi asks, voice trembling.
Tatsuya suppresses a grimace. As feared, Mayumi saw it. Following his gaze, she likely used her perception magic, Multi-Scope, to peer beyond the wall.
Fortunately—or perhaps merely delaying the inevitable—he doesn't need to answer. Mayumi, still extending her vision, pales at a new sight. A swarm of small missiles streaks toward them. Tatsuya, also tracking them with his expanded field of view, sees it too.
It seems the invaders have marked those remaining in the venue as a dangerous force, Tatsuya muses. While part of his mind calmly analyzes, another weaves magic to intercept the rain of portable missiles.
But he doesn't need to act. Multiple magical barriers form along the room's outer wall, and a sonic boom from the side detonates the missiles mid-air.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," a voice calls from outside.
Tatsuya and Mayumi snap their focus back to their physical sight. A woman enters the waiting room, as if timed perfectly.
"Eh? Wait… Kyoko-san?" Mayumi stammers.
"Been a while, Mayumi-san," Kyoko replies with a smile, then turns her gaze to Tatsuya.
She isn't alone. Behind her, clad in a field uniform, enters a middle-aged man in National Defense Army attire, bearing a major's insignia. He stands before a stunned Tatsuya, hands clasped behind his back.
"Special Lieutenant, information restrictions are temporarily lifted," Kyoko says.
Confusion fades from Tatsuya's face. He straightens, saluting the man. Everyone except Miyuki—along with Katsuto, who enters with Sanada—stares in shock.
The officer returns Tatsuya's salute, then notices Katsuto and approaches him.
"Major Kazama Harunobu, National Defense Army. I'd prefer not to disclose my unit," he says.
Kazama's introduction comes after Sanada had already revealed it to Katsuto, but his caution is for Mayumi, Erika, Airi, and others' ears.
"So you're that Major Kazama. Katsuto Juumonji, acting representative of the Juumonji family for the Master Clans Conference," Katsuto replies, using his formal title as an eighteen-year-old high schooler addressing a superior.
Kazama gives a small bow, then shifts to face both Katsuto and Tatsuya.
"Fujibayashi, brief them on the situation," he orders.
"Yes, sir. Our forces are currently engaged with the invading army at Hodogaya. One battalion each from Tsurumi and Fujisawa is en route. The Magic Association's Kanto Branch has also formed a volunteer militia for self-defense," Kyoko reports.
"Well done. Now, Special Lieutenant," Kazama says, turning to Tatsuya.
"Given the extraordinary circumstances, my unit, previously deployed to Hodogaya, has been ordered to join the defense. Under Special Operations regulations, you are also ordered to mobilize."
Mayumi and Mari start to protest, but Kazama's piercing gaze silences them.
"The Defense Forces require secrecy regarding the Special Lieutenant's status. This is a matter of national security," he states.
His commanding presence quells resistance from Mayumi, Mari, Kanon, and Airi.
"Special Lieutenant, your Movable Suit is ready on the trailer. Let's move," Sanada adds.
Tatsuya nods, turning to his friends. "Sorry, you heard him. Evacuate with the seniors."
"I'll escort them with my team," Kyoko offers.
Grateful for her and the major's consideration in sparing elite forces for his friends, Tatsuya bows. "Lieutenant, thank you."
"Understood. Good luck, Special Lieutenant," Kyoko replies.
Tatsuya salutes her and follows Kazama. No one—upperclassmen or peers—stops him, whether out of respect or shock.
"Onii-sama, wait!" Miyuki calls, her face resolute.
Tatsuya pauses, and Kazama nods, moving ahead. Miyuki knows his role and duties as well as he does. Her greatest fear is becoming a burden.
She lacks authority for what she's about to do, but she's decided to act on her own responsibility. Seeing her resolve, Tatsuya kneels. Miyuki cups his face, tilting it toward her as she closes her eyes. Bending down, she kisses his forehead. As her lips and hand withdraw, Tatsuya lowers his head.
A blinding surge of light particles erupts from his body.
"Do your utmost," Miyuki says, her gaze heavy with emotion.
"I'll conquer," Tatsuya vows.
Sent off by his sister's fervent eyes, Tatsuya marches into the war-torn streets of Yokohama.
With him gone, Mayumi and Airi turn to Kyoko, an old acquaintance.
"What's that about?" Airi asks.
"Oh, Tatsuya-kun? We're in the same unit," Kyoko says lightly.
"Since when do you know him?" Mayumi presses.
"Hmm… longer than you or Airi, let's just say," Kyoko replies vaguely.
Dissatisfied but silenced, they're pulled back to reality by Mari's words: "Argue later. Don't want Tatsuya-kun scolding us for lagging behind, do we?"
Her warning spurs the group, mostly girls, to evacuate swiftly.
------------------------------
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