Modern magic succeeded in increasing activation speed by limiting itself to altering physical laws and omitting the thought processes inherent to ancient magic. Because magic researchers at the time were biased toward the military sector, they prioritized seizing the initiative over the opponent.
Simply preventing nuclear fission reactions or defending against highly penetrating neutrons was a major factor in causing hesitation over nuclear weapon use. Yet, the old United States' ambition to greedily control nuclear weaponry remains smoldering to this day.
"In short, you are suggesting a transformation of existing modern magic... How intriguing."
"Mother, I do not believe this is a matter to be discussed in terms of 'intrigue.'"
The success of nuclear deterrence led to a streamlined, single-unit structure for magic—significantly severing continuity between different spells. Natural concepts found in ancient magic, such as 'attributes' and 'spirits,' clashed with modern magic precisely as a side effect of eliminating the process of thought.
For instance, while flight techniques in ancient magic select their users, continuous execution allows for stable flight. On the other hand, flight magic in modern magic merely achieves stability because machines assist with the gap before the next spell while defining termination conditions.
The roughly 40% error margin between the gravity control Yugen used and the gravity control sequence Tatsuya had assembled boiled down to a difference in magical knowledge: Yugen had adopted a construction method close to ancient magic, whereas Tatsuya relied primarily on modern magic structures.
"Yugen-san. For instance, can a magician like Tatsu-kun still use magic normally?"
"They can. That has already been verified through experimentation."
Originally, an innate, unique magic occupying the magic calculation area wouldn't occur naturally. If that conventional theory held true, Miyuki—who possesses Cocytus—would be suffering from the exact same dilemma, yet she shows no such signs. The occupation of the calculation area by a spell meant that the calculation area itself had to function as a sort of engraved magic sequence.
The basis for Yugen's conclusion stemmed from none other than Yugen himself. Abnormal auditory perception via magic sensory awareness was, phrased differently, nothing less than "calculation area occupation through sound information reinforcement." Having mastered control over it after much trial, he had gained considerable leeway in his magical capacity.
"Actually, I kept this from Tatsuya as well, but part of the control training was designed to adapt Tatsuya's peculiar calculation area so it could be utilized for other magic."
"...It's true that since I started training under Yugen, I've become able to use magic I previously couldn't cast properly. You really are a genius."
"Please stop, Tatsuya... Ahem, excuse me. We got off track."
To Tatsuya's praise, Yugen responded as if to say, "I didn't do anything special," while Maya let out a soft smile and Miyuki gazed at Yugen with admiration. Realizing the conversation had strayed too far, Yugen cleared his throat exaggeratedly and redirected the focus back to the youth conference.
"At any rate, I have an important meeting scheduled with the government, so I will leave the outcome of the youth conference to the participants. Even as a novice, having the Master Clans Conference Chairman present might stifle the debate."
"My, how kind of you. But are you sure that is wise?"
"I have already briefed Tatsuya on the anticipated concerns."
Maya's remark carried a subtle tone suggesting she knew the Saegusa family was plotting something. Reading between the lines, Yugen explicitly stated that countermeasures were already in place.
"I've already caught wind that the eldest son of the Saegusa family is planning something, and I've spurred on my brother, who is technically family. It should be easy to pull him to our side when trouble arises."
"Thank you, Yugen-san. Oh, Tatsuya-san, I believe I will have a job to request of you before that meeting."
"A job? Is this... a request on behalf of the Yotsuba family?"
After thanking Yugen, Maya brought up assigning Tatsuya a task as if suddenly remembering, prompting Tatsuya to ask with a hint of doubt.
"The client won't be the Yotsuba family—that is, myself—but rather the National Defense Force."
"I see. Am I right to interpret this as assistance in intercepting the New Soviet Union forces?"
"Correct. You're so quick to catch on, which is a huge help as expected of my son... though you could pretend not to know for once."
"..."
Faced with his mother pouting on the monitor, the son stood bewildered on how to react. He could read her intention to pamper him, but knowing "how on earth to handle it" was unchartered territory for Tatsuya, making his reaction somewhat inevitable.
Seeing Tatsuya looking slightly troubled, Yugen turned to Maya.
"Maya-san, do you believe the New Soviet Union will deploy the Strategic-Class Magic, Tuman Bomba?"
"Precisely, Yugen-san. Furthermore, I believe the magic used near Moscow earlier this month, as well as the attack on the Ichijo family, was also Tuman Bomba. What is your view?"
"My view aligns almost nine times out of ten with your deduction... I see, your goal is to have Tatsuya face it directly to analyze the Strategic-Class Magic."
Tatsuya's magical analysis capabilities were unmatched. Piercing straight through her intention to analyze Tuman Bomba—the only spell among the Thirteen Apostles whose precise mechanics remained unclear—prompted a smile from Maya.
"Nothing gets past you, Yugen-san."
"Do you believe Tuman Bomba works by using magic to generate massive quantities of oxyhydrogen gas and igniting it all at once?"
"It appears to be a fuel-air explosive using oxyhydrogen gas, though the core mechanism remains a mystery to me. Regardless, if they used it off Sado Island, there is no reason they wouldn't use it at the Soya Strait along their invasion route."
Having used it once in Moscow, Bezobrazov undoubtedly understood the risk of exposure. Furthermore, Bezobrazov had previously used Tuman Bomba in the Bering Sea to eliminate the STARS Commander-in-Chief at the time, "William Sirius."
If wide-area bombardment was possible, converged bombardment should be as well. Knowing this through his original world knowledge, Yugen had already devised countermeasures. Still, he intended to share them without hesitation should Tatsuya seek help.
"We can't use Tatsu-kun's Material Burst, of course, but I am betting that Gram Dispersion or Mist Dispersion can handle it."
"Understood."
"Well then, Tatsuya, Miyuki-san, I look forward to seeing you both on Sunday."
While Tatsuya and Miyuki bowed, the call with Maya disconnected.
With the call ended, Tatsuya, who had been standing the entire time, sank into the sofa with a somewhat rough motion. Yugen and Miyuki exchanged glances, shared a gentle smile, and sat down on the empty sofa.
"Good work, Tatsuya. Well, from Maya-san's perspective, it's a rare parent-child conversation."
"I understand that, logically. Still, you said some quite bold things back there, Yugen."
"Did I? Considering ESCAPES, there are elements that current modern magic cannot explain, so we have to codify them early on."
Even accounting for the existence of Relics, current modern magic wouldn't be able to explain everything, leading to uproars from the USNA or the UK. Factoring in underground criminal organizations making moves, it would be useless unless they made their stance clear early.
Just as Mizunami brought over coffee, Yugen accepted a cup, took a sip, and resumed speaking.
"On that note, I have one report to share. Tatsuya, do you remember Raymond Clark?"
"Ah. The person who sent the video mail during the 'Parasite' incident?"
"His father is a researcher for a government agency named Edward Clark. It seems he fears our Strategic-Class Magic and is plotting to banish us to space."
"To space?"
Miyuki expressed doubt before anger, simply because exiling the two solely for being Strategic-Class Magicians lacked any persuasive weight. Furthermore, both were still underage high school students, and even within the USNA, those aware of Yugen and Tatsuya's true identities were extremely limited.
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