With Koharu withdrawing from the Thesis Competition, Suzune, Izumi, and their advisor, Hannoura, discussed her replacement.
"Logically, Sekimoto-kun, the runner-up, makes sense," Hannoura said.
"No," Suzune said firmly. "His approach and claims clash too much with mine."
"But, Ichihara-senpai, who could tackle this topic on short notice?" Izumi asked.
Suzune paused, considering. She knew even a backup would struggle with the topic and might hinder more than help.
"May I?" Hannoura interjected.
"What is it, Hannoura-sensei?" Suzune asked.
"Hirakawa-kun suggested a replacement," Hannoura said.
"A suggestion?" Suzune said.
"She wanted to at least propose a stand-in," Hannoura explained.
"I see," Suzune nodded.
Suzune understood Koharu's withdrawal, having been at the incident with Kobayakawa. Rumors of Koharu quitting school had circulated, so stepping back from the competition wasn't surprising.
"Who did Hirakawa-senpai suggest?" Izumi asked.
"Shiba-kun," Hannoura said.
"Shiba-kun…" Suzune echoed.
She recalled Tatsuya's conversation with Sayaka in the first term. His research aligned closely with their theme.
"Shiba-kun could handle it on short notice," Suzune said. "But others have volunteered too…"
"No," Suzune decided. "Shiba-kun's the one. Reject the others."
"Ichihara-senpai, you have a plan?" Izumi asked.
"His research matches our theme, and I want to see his approach," Suzune said.
Izumi nodded, trusting Tatsuya's capabilities. As a Course 1 student, he respected Tatsuya's skills without bias.
"Let's contact him—oh, he's out of range," Izumi said, checking his device.
"He's been in the restricted archives lately," Suzune said. "No signal there."
"Right… Chiyoda was complaining about that," Izumi said.
Kanon had griped to Izumi that Tatsuya handled patrols and minimal paperwork but was never around when needed.
"I'm curious what he's researching," Hannoura mused.
Suzune and Izumi nodded. The archives held obscure, rarely used texts—few students bothered with them. What was Tatsuya digging into?
"Shall we fetch him?" Izumi asked.
"Let's ask Shiba-san," Suzune said. "She'll likely get what he's researching too."
Izumi gave a wry smile at Suzune's cunning idea.
Tasked by Suzune, Miyuki eagerly headed to the archives. With council work mostly done, she'd been restless, and this errand was a welcome chance to see Tatsuya.
"Onii-sama, are you here?" she called.
"Over here," Tatsuya replied, not moving from the terminal.
Miyuki approached, knowing his focus. "What are you researching? You've been down here a lot."
"The Emerald Tablet," Tatsuya said.
"You've been studying alchemy texts," Miyuki noted.
"I'm after the Philosopher's Stone," Tatsuya clarified.
"The Philosopher's Stone… Are you trying material transmutation?" Miyuki asked.
"No, that's near impossible," Tatsuya said. "I'm not touching it."
Miyuki swelled with pride. Her brother had solved sustained flight magic—one of weight-based magic's three great challenges. She believed he could crack any problem.
"The Philosopher's Stone is said to store magic sequences," Tatsuya explained.
"Store magic sequences?" Miyuki interjected, intrigued.
Tatsuya, unfazed, elaborated. "I've found a way to sustain nuclear fusion with gravity control magic. But if a magician must constantly cast it, it's pointless—just turning them from weapons to components. A system shouldn't bind magicians. We need to extend magic duration to days or create a mechanism to activate sequences without a magician. Both are experimental, but the latter's safer."
Sustained gravity control for fusion reactors was another of the three great challenges. That Tatsuya had a solution thrilled Miyuki, though she restrained her urge to brag, staying composed.
"So you're researching the Philosopher's Stone for that," Miyuki said.
"By the way, what's your errand?" Tatsuya asked, a touch embarrassed.
Miyuki's eyes lit up. "Ichihara-senpai needs you."
"Where?" Tatsuya asked, powering down the terminal.
He knew further research was impossible today and multitasked to save time—and spare Miyuki trouble.
"Magic Geometry Room, at Hannoura-sensei's desk," Miyuki said.
"Got it," Tatsuya said.
He'd heard from Haruka and Koharu about her withdrawal and suspected Suzune's summons was related.
"Miyuki, return this key for me," Tatsuya said, handing it over.
"Of course," Miyuki replied, beaming with joy at his trust.
Tatsuya hurried to the Magic Geometry Room. Miyuki, glowing, returned to the surface. Her radiant expression reportedly caused several student collisions in the library.
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