Chapter 4
Friday, May 31, 2097.
Since the morning, numerous media representatives have rushed to the main office of Four Leaves Technology.
Needless to say, their goal was a press conference held by "Taurus Silver". The meeting was to begin at 10 o'clock, but as the crowd of reporters and operators met in front of the building could interfere with traffic and other people's work, the venue was opened earlier, at about 9 o'clock.
Even traditional large newspapers, usually without any interest in the magic industry, organized several groups in the very first rows.
Although many of their colleagues had a conceited relationship, but for a third-party observer, these colleagues were no different from the usual.
Their indiscriminate conversations died down when the staff responsible for communication with the media came to the podium. The reporters, holding their breath, watched the FLT
employees perform last checkups of the microphone and lighting.
The digital clock in the conference room showed 10 o’clock. The front door of the conference hall opened, and Tatsuya and Ushiyama came to the podium.
Under the clicks of the shutters Tatsuya stood in front of the microphone. The chairs on the podium were not used.
Behind Tatsuya hung a big screen. On it appeared the description
"Stellar Furnace Energy Plant Project".
The conference room was filled with noise. These were voices expressing doubt as to why the presentation of a new business project is taking place. Not paying attention to the confusion of the assembled, the responsible employee announced the beginning of the press conference.
"I am Shiba Tatsuya, and I am responsible for the development of software for Taurus Silver projects."
"I am Ushiyama Kinji, and I am responsible for the development of hardware for Taurus Silver projects."
The noise immediately increased. Media representatives gathered here firmly believing that that this young man (although he was still a schoolboy, the appearance of Tatsuya can be expressed by the word "young man", and not "boy") in the suit was the real identity behind Taurus Silver. But this man in the working jumpsuit also called himself Taurus Silver. In the media camp, chaos began.
"...Uh, Taurus Silver is not the name of one developer."
As the reporters did not follow with questions, Ushiyama continued to speak.
"It’s the name of the development team, consisting of him and me.
We have already updated the personal information about the applicants, and you can confirm it at the patent office."
"...Why did you deceive the people so much?" When at last a hand was picked, one of the female reporters asked this. In fact, they were insensible words, which lacked respect for the interlocutor.
"We weren't going to cheat. Often applications for patents are filed under the name of the firm, and even now it is common practice to keep confidentiality of personal information about the individual members of the group."
"B-but Taurus Silver is regarded as a brilliant engineer, who in just 1
year has advanced the development of CAD software by 10 years, and your company did not deny it, right?"
"We have never confirmed excessive statements like 'brilliant engineer'
and other things like that."
The reporters had nothing to say to this irrefutable answer by Tatsuya.
"The reason for the confidentiality of personal information was that the Youn- *... That Shiba is a minor. For that same reason, we refused to hold an interview."
Ushiyama continued nervously.
[He almost misspoke, beginning to say, "Young master.]
The privacy of minors in the present period was a stable social principle.
The media couldn't go straight against it.
"Does this mean that what the mysterious man named 'The First Sage'
said in that message, was only half true?" Another reporter delicately changed the subject, asking another question.
"Because Taurus Silver is the name of the team consisting of me and Ushiyama, the message that Taurus Silver is me, Shiba Tatsuya, is misinformation."
Tatsuya changed his first-person address to "Watashi" to seem impolite to this media representative. After all, the content of the answer was a direct attempt to quarrel with him.
"Misinformation on TV?"
"The news showed information different from the truth. That's called misinformation, isn't it?"
"But the fact that you are Taurus Silver is true!"
There was a piercing hysterical scream from another part of the conference room.
"...it was mentioned earlier that Taurus Silver is not the name of one person."
Tatsuya turned to this reporter and answered him with a calm but seemingly brazen voice. Objecting voices stopped.
"However, it is also true that we have caused confusion among people around the world."
Here Ushiyama took advantage of the moment, and his awkward voice wedged in to the conversation.
"Therefore, here and now, we are announcing the correct information regarding Taurus Silver."
The conference room was noisy again.
"...What do you mean?"
"It means that we are terminating our activity as Taurus Silver." In this sense, Tatsuya returned the obvious answer to the brave question.
"Does that mean you're stopping CAD development?" The question came from a reporter from a single publication firm familiar with the magic industry.
"Ushiyama will continue to develop CADs, and I'll do another thing."
Tatsuya said this and pointed his hand at the screen behind him.
"This is a new project for the organization and supply of Energy for industrial and domestic needs, using a Stellar Furnace, or in other words a thermonuclear reactor, which works with Gravity Control-Type Magic."
Journalists began to talk indiscriminately within their groups. Tatsuya silently stared at them until the noise died down.
"The design of the installation is not new." Tatsuya said this, so order could return to the conference hall. Representatives of the press did not interrupt his explanation.
"...the installation is planned to be built on a remote island or on the sea surface. With the help of the power generated by the Stellar Furnace reactor, hydrogen will be produced from the sea water, which will be further sent to land. We hope that together with the process of hydrogen production, we will contribute to the purification of the marine environment by removing harmful substances from sea water."
A simple animation appeared on the big screen showing the mechanism of the installation. Comments on the animation were not told by Tatsuya, but by an FLT employee.
After the animation was finished, the conference room filled up with loud noise. A correspondent from an industry magazine raised his hand as an interested person.
"...Are you not going to send electricity directly from the thermonuclear reactor?"
?
?
"I think that many will be concerned about the stability of the Stellar Furnace reactor, so first we decided to build a plant at a sufficient distance from the urban area. Therefore, taking into account the loss in the transmission of electricity at the far distance, I designed the scheme of converting it into hydrogen fuel."
"I think that a significant number of magicians will be needed for the operation of a thermonuclear reactor."
It was said by a reporter from a publication directly related to magic.
"You're right. Magicians participating in this project will be transferred to the island or floating base, on which the plant with the presented installation will be located."
"...Are you going to create an independent State of magicians!?"
This question was asked by a reporter from a newspaper that was usually set up to be negative towards magic.
"Because of its peculiarities, the plant will not be able to function with only one magician. The staff will include many non-magician engineers."
"...In other words, do you mean that a minority of magicians will rule the majority of ordinary personnel?"
"...The plant will be operated in compliance with all laws and regulations."
Tatsuya could not restrain his habit of fighting for magicians. However, he now gave a textbook answer, and at the present stage, when there was no specific data, no one could continue to make false accusations.
"How do you respond to the request for participation in 'Project Dione'?"
This was a "cover fire", the question was asked in a provocative voice by a reporter from the same company as the previous one.
"The request from the National Scientific Agency from the USNA was about the participation of a schoolboy, calling himself Taurus Silver.
But a little earlier, 'Taurus Silver' ceased to exist, so I can no longer respond to this request.”"
"These are empty excuses!" The reporter reflexively shouted in response to the brazen words of Tatsuya.
Tatsuya himself considered it an empty excuse, so he was not embarrassed by this exclamation.
"Did Mr. Edward Clark from the National Science Agency require me to participate?"
This objection was also prepared in advance. It was a counterattack that the reporter would not be able to answer with "Yes."
"But it's obvious that Mr. Clark meant you when he was talking about Taurus Silver."
However, the reporter still persisted.
"Is that so?"
Tatsuya knew what the reporter said was true, but for the rest it was not so obvious. Tatsuya did not answer with "Yes" or "no", he just answered with a question. The reporter was just speculating. So when he was asked, "Is that so?", he had nothing to say.
"Even if another invitation comes from the Dione project, I won't be able to accept it. The project of a plant with the Stellar Furnace reactor has already moved to the stage of choosing the place for construction. I don't have time to participate in other major projects." Tatsuya summed it up.
Tatsuya’s press conference was broadcasted live on TV.
Speaking of TV, it was meant not to be covered by many large radio channels. Rather than a small cable news channel. The target audience of this channel were magicians and people interested in magic. It broadcast various news related to magic, and was also known as the channel, broadcasting absolutely all Nine School Competitions.
Kudou Minoru, who missed school because of his poor health, watched this broadcast, sitting on his bed in his room.
"Tatsuya-san is so amazing..." said Minoru while sighing when the broadcast was over. He turned the TV off and went to bed. There was a whirlpool of admiration for Tatsuya in Minoru’s thoughts.
He also admired the plan for the energy plant with the nucleus in the form of the "Stellar Furnace" (at the press conference, Tatsuya did not use the name "Project ESCAPES").
He admired the power with which Tatsuya was able to overcome the pressure of what made him an enemy to the world, and used the heightened attention for his own purposes.
Minoru envied Tatsuya to the depths of his soul.
Tatsuya did not give up and, freely and unrestrictedly, use his wisdom and power to fight society and the world.
And he, in comparison with this, only lies on this cramped bed, watching other people's affairs. Which is unfortunate.
Minoru was thinking. That if he only had a healthy body...
Minoru was sure that he was not inferior to Tatsuya in mind or magic.
This was in no way overconfidence by Minoru.
Minoru assessed his abilities after he saw Tatsuya’s abilities. His ability was recognized not only by himself. "His grandfather, Kudou Retsu, also cherished his talent.
He successfully avoided feeling poorly at the Thesis Competition of last year (although Tatsuya was in it but did not present), Minoru won there, beating Isori Kei from First High and Kichijouji Shinkurou from Third High.
When he remembered the Thesis Competition, he went through his memories, one after another. The memories of the events that took place less than a month before the contest came back to him.
About how they first fought together the next day, October 7th.
The next time they met was two weeks later, October 20th.
The day afterwards, he was bedridden from the heat and made it uncomfortable for them.
On October 27th. Having closed Zhou Gongjin’s escape route, he believed that he managed to repay the debt that he owed from when he got ill.
Minoru remembered that entire day. After all, this was the first time since his birth that he was useful to someone. So Minoru remembered this day...
With these memories in his thoughts, Minoru did not notice how he fell asleep.
In his dream he returned back to that day, October 27, 2096.
There was a guy in on the other side of Uji Bridge. In the dream, Minoru observed himself from a stranger’s view.
From the car on which he stood, sparks and fire poured out.
Right before the engine exploded, he jumped out of the car and looked intently at Minoru.
Minoru realized that he was Zhou Gongjin. This is what the dream looked like from his view. He escaped along the Uji river, going in a downward direction.
Then he was attacked by a “Girl” that suddenly appeared with a bob hairstyle.
Despite the fact that this was a dream, he could clearly feel strong pain.
These memories, they should have not been known by Minoru. This experience he should not have experienced.
Before him, Ichijou Masaki appeared, and behind him, Tatsuya.
Maybe he's rebuilding this scene in his imagination based on reports from the incident? Minoro was covered in cold blood, despite the fact that he was in a dream.
Masaki’s attack tore the inside of his shins of both legs. This time there was no pain.
"I will not perish. Even if I die, my existence will continue!"
He thought he said this with his voice. Undoubtedly, one who dies like this, holding such a thought, usually will wander in the world of the living as a ghost. Minoru felt sympathy, having personally experienced the last moments of Zhou Gongjin’s life.
But the dream was not over. Zhou Gongjin's consciousness continued.
Zhou Gongjin sailed up the Uji River.
Suddenly the dream came from Minoru’s point of view. Zhou Gongjin's ghost was approaching him.
"Become one with me!" Zhou Gongjin shouted and flew at Minoru, who was standing on the Uji bridge.
The surrounding landscape had disappeared. The bridge also vanished from under his feet. Minoru hung in the air over the river.
Minoru realized that this was no longer a dream about the events that occurred 7 months ago, but an event that is actually happening in the present time.
Memories of the events of that time somehow brought him here.
More than six months later, Minoru realized that Zhou Gongjin’s ghost drew his attention.
"Become mine!"
The fingers from both of Zhou Gongjin’s hands pierced his chest.
Although it is better to say "plunged". Something invaded him.
Although Minoru was aware of this, he was surprisingly calm.
Even for himself, it was unexpected that he was not afraid of this
"evil spirit" trying to capture him. He didn't have to be afraid because he knew what to do.
Minoru quickly understood this. The thing that was trying to swallow him was of the same essence and nature as the parasites.
He was an undisputed genius and the strongest user of magic in the Kudou family. His brothers and sisters did not realize it. And his father apparently would not admit it. But his grandfather certainly understood it.
By the age of 16, Minoru had already mastered all the magic of the Kudou family.
"Go away, Ghost."
Minoru used Mental Interference Magic. In this dream, magic is not used on something physical, that’s why his magic was still going to work.
Coming out of Minoru’s "body", like the wind, a stream of luminous particles burst out, and with this force, which was like a hurricane, blew Zhou Gongjin’s "body" away.
In the world of Minoru’s dreams, he and Zhou Gongjin were both in ghost bodies. Their minds existed in the form of ghosts.
He cannot be blown away using psions, like with "Zone Interference", but Mental Interference Magic makes it possible to both attack and defend.
Zhou Gongjin’s hands were separated from his "body". They were immersed in Minoru’s body to the wrist and were submerged to the part from where they were torn off.
"Give me your body."
Not frightened, Zhou Gongjin again flew to Minoru.
"Although it's not usable and a naughty body, I can't give it away.”
Minoru activated the following magic. From the darkness, lightning of all colors of the rainbow appeared and surrounded Zhou Gongjin’s ghost body. In this world, magic was called, which was worth thinking about. Minoru felt more freedom compared to the real world.
"Give it to me..."
The Phantom body of Zhou Gongjin was now dark in several places, his once graceful appearance was now covered with black spots, and the body was lacking some parts.
"...I'm sorry, Zhou Gongjin. But it's time to finish this."
Minoru owned all the magic of the Kudou family. And together with this magic, came the methodology to create a Parasite Doll. Including the binding parasite Loyalty spell.
"Obey Me, Ghost. Become my food."
Minoru held Zhou Gongjin in his hands and he activated the magic for enslaving Parasites.
The usual loyalty spell is arranged in such a way that if you comply with certain conditions, compensation is provided. The compensation used in the production of Parasites is to supply the Parasites with Psions which are necessary to them.
The condition for this is absolute obedience. In case of disobedience, the parasite is deprived of already absorbed Psions and needs to submit again.
The compensation offered by Minoru is an existence within him. And the condition is to be preoccupied. In other words, using the loyalty spell, Minoru "ate" Ghost Zhou Gongjin.
"...Good work. Thank you for your knowledge."
Minoru felt like the "secret knowledge" associated with "Demons”
accumulated by Zhou Gongjin became his own.
Minoru in his sleep showed an "Angelic" smile. This smile undoubtedly belonged to a messenger looking from heaven to earth, filled with beauty, haughty and devoid of humanity.
Tatsuya expressed his gratitude to Ushiyama, who accompanied him during the press conference, he thanked the staff that drafted the venue, and was going to leave the main office.
He didn’t want to run into his father. He had no desire to meet him, and his father obviously did not want to either. This assumption of his father's feelings was not a mistake.
Because it was not a subordinate of his father that stopped Tatsuya, who changed his clothes in the locker room and went to the underground parking, trying to avoid the reporters at the main entrance, but by a woman calling herself a member of the Magic Association.
"Is this going to be a long conversation?"
Tatsuya has no particular bad feeling towards the Magic Association, but he asked because he wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.
And he did not underestimate the ability of the press to sniff around.
"It won't take long. I just need to get your answer..." The employee timidly answered Tatsuya's question. The Magic Association sent not a man but a young woman to give Tatsuya a better impression.
But it clearly had the opposite effect. She was frightened by the sight of Tatsuya, as if she had very meager experience's with men (meaning no sexual experience). When a person has no special tendencies, this is only used to offend.
But Tatsuya also became awkward, because he had no hobbies like scaring women for fun.
"In that case, get in the car."
But when he offered the employee of the Magic Association this, it was impossible to fully say that this act was not a manifestation of revenge.
"Tomorrow afternoon...?"
The request of the Magic Association was that they wanted him to meet Edward Clark at the Magic Association, who is going to arrive in Japan tomorrow.
"Yes! In the afternoon, at any time that is convenient for Shiba-san!"
The employee begged Tatsuya in a desperate voice. Looking at her condition, it was not possible to say, that she is not accustomed to men, but it is possible to say that it is difficult to talk to men, or she could even have androphobia [fear of men].
What was the Magic Association’s purpose for choosing such a woman? This was an obvious mistake in choosing roles.
"It's a pretty sudden invitation."
"I'm sorry, please!"
The car was on autopilot, but Tatsuya was sitting in the driver’s seat, according to the rules. And the employee of the Association was holding the door of the front passenger seat.
Tatsuya decided to finish this conversation quickly, but not out of compassion, but because of her irritating behavior.
"There's nothing to be done. Then I’ll be there tomorrow at 14:00, at the Kanto branch."
"Is that fine?"
"I can't afford to refuse, can I?"
These words were not an attempt to bargain, but Tatsuya’s true feelings.
Though not officially, Edward Clark asked for a meeting as a representative of the USNA government. He decided in advance, that at the end of the meeting, refusing to meet could have negative consequences in diplomatic relations. Tatsuya was not so arrogant or childish as to ignore it.
"T-T-thank you very much!"
The employee exaggerated her emotions too much. Tatsuya was no longer able to tolerate this irritation. He stopped the car on the side of the road and he kicked her out.
Tatsuya went to First High. Initially, he planned to go there immediately from the main office of FLT. Although he did take a long route, he still had the feeling that it took too much time.
He changed everything but his jacket into his school uniform in the locker room at FLT. After changing the jacket from a business suit to the long jacket of the school uniform, Tatsuya went not to the classroom, but to the principal’s office. There he told the school staff that he wanted to meet with the principal.
It was almost noon, the lunch break was about to start. Usually, if student asked to meet with the director at such a time, they will only be reprimanded and kicked out of the office. But, as expected, the staff of First High knew about the Tatsuya’s situation. In the current situation, not knowing his circumstances would be strange.
Was the director's schedule accidentally free at that moment, or did he send someone away when he heard about the visit? Tatsuya got into the director's office very quickly.
"Thank you very much for taking the time for me, even though I came so suddenly."
First of all, Tatsuya politely thanked him.
"I was watching the broadcast." Director Momoyama suddenly changed the topic. "Did you refuse to participate in project Dione because you had something on your mind when you told me?"
But once Momoyama asked this, it was easier for Tatsuya to answer.
"Right."
"...The project of a power plant with the Stellar Furnace reactor... Don't you have a shorter version of the name?"
"...Given the planned location of the plant, it is unofficially called the
'Project for the extraction of marine resources and the elimination of harmful substances from the coastal zone of the Pacific', or abbreviated
'Project Escapes' from the first letters of the words from the phrase in English: 'Extract both useful and harmful Substances from the Coastal Area of the Pacific using Electricity generated by the Stellar furnace.'.
"ESCAPES? This name cannot be used officially."
Momoyama quickly realized that this name contains the hidden meaning of "Escape for magicians from military use."
"Yes. That is why at the press conference I called it a 'project for a power plant based on a stationary Stellar Furnace'."
"Hmm... So how far have you gotten in this project?" Momoyama asked, looking at Tatsuya standing in front of his desk. Standing there, most of the students would respond with a trembling voice.
"...We have already started the actual implementation. It's not a sham to escape from the Dione project."
Momoyama really suspected that this was a pretext for not participating in the Dion project.
"...I believe you."
In itself, the word 'believe' was not proof of what he really believes with all his heart, but Momoyama still said this to Tatsuya.
"Thank you very much."
Although you’re not involved in Project Dione he did not express this directly.
"Now on to the condition of exemption from classes..."
"Release from classes is not canceled."
Momoyama interrupted Tatsuya’s speech.
"I can guarantee your graduation. And a recommendation to the University of Magic too. So you should focus on Project ESCAPES."
"...Are you sure?"
The words of Momoyama sounded too suspicious to Tatsuya. The exemption from the classes originally provided by Tatsuya was done under the pressure of the USNA to make him participate in the Dione Project. Now that Tatsuya has officially refused, Momoyama no longer had to treat him in any special way.
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