Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume SS - Chapter 3.2

Chapter 2 – Discussion 

The night of Saturday the twenty-fourth of December. Unconcerned with Christmas Eve, Lina is in her personal room on the base. 

It is not because the members of Stars are isolated from society. Those with families are not few, and even many of those who are unmarried have lovers. Provided that the other party’s background has been checked rigorously. 

However, Lina does not have a special someone to spend time together with at Christmas. And as to her family, relationships with them were essentially severed when she enlisted in Stars. 

Team members with special people to send Christmas together, and a High Commander who has no one like that. 

And then, there is a base which they are not able to leave empty. 

Lina passing the time on housekeeping duty was only natural. 

Just in case, the mess hall did produce a Christmas menu, but from the start Lina did not have and friends the same approximate age. This is not her own fault, it is one-hundred percent circumstantial. Her identity as one of the nation’s officially recognised strategic-class magicians is one of the military’s most classified secrets. Her human relationships are almost completely within the Stars, and there is little interaction with other units within the military. And then, with regards to her position within Stars, she is the High Commander. This causes her to be kept at a distance by those of the same sex and generation, whilst being feared by the opposite sex. 

That tendency is the same for not only those in their teens but is also the same in those who are in their early twenties. In fact, of those she can get along with, there are only a few exceptions even within those who are in their late twenties and over. 

Nevertheless, there are some splendid people to socialise with as friends, if you do not mind the difference in years, and thanks to that her personality had not warped strangely. Though Christmas is called a special day, she had resigned herself to the plight of being left alone for dinner again this year, but Lina has not let it get to her. 

However, a surge of loneliness arising cannot be helped. After finishing dinner, Lina returned to her room for the sake of distracting her mind and her conscious quickly turned towards the unusual mission that was soon to begin. 

Once again, Lina became troubled. 

What would be appropriate to wear? And… 

(In the first place, what should I even wear to one of Japan’s Shinto Shrines……?) 

The scenario had nothing written down other than ‘an inexperienced foreigner.’ (At any rate, I wish they’d prepared instructions that were more concrete……) 

Lina was not acquainted with the writer’s name or face, so she could not air a complaint. 

At that moment, an electronic sound echoed inside the room unexpectedly, causing Lina to flinch as a shiver to ran down her spine. 

Looking over her shoulder, she saw the videophones incoming call light was flashing. It was as though it was responding to her mind’s inner voice. 

It made her feel a little uneasy, but she was not able to ignore it. She does not know if it is a mission or not. So, Lina put on the mask and transformed into Angie Sirius. On top of that, she stood in front of the camera and corrected her posture as she pushed the receiver button. 

“Hello?” 

“Hello, Lina. Are you in good health?” 

However, it was not necessary to transform into Angie. On the monitor was one of the few people who knew the connection between Angie Sirius and Lina who was projecting her image, and who spoke to Lina from within the terminal’s screen with a very friendly expression and tone. 

“Abby!?” 

The person who had called was a woman of about twenty years of age, and also an old friend. 

Stars Technical Advisor, Doctor Abigail Stuart, PhD. A developer of tactical magic weapons and strategic-class magic used by ‘Angie Sirius’, as well as Lina’s friend who meets up with her to share a meal together several times a year. 

“What are you doing? And without any warning.” 

As she was saying that, Lina was releasing her transformation. 

“Wait a moment.” 

But then, there was a call for restraint from Abigail. 

“If you could, can you call out “Metamorphose!” as you release the magic? And raise your voice a little to give the impression you lost your advantage.” 

“……Why am I saying it in German?” 

“Isn’t it more like a spell if it isn’t your native language?” 

“……Are there plans to make voice recognition equipment?” 

“Hmmm, pretty much. Also, can you use magic to radiate all the colours of the rainbow simultaneously with the cancellation of the disguise?” 

“Why do such a thing?” 

“Might a situation not arise where you need to camouflage the moment of the transformation?”  

“Yes…… But that’s not really going to help.” 

Lina’s thoughts were full of doubt, but as to the content of the request itself, it would not take much effort. 

“Metamorphose!” 

Not without some embarrassment, Lina raised her voice, and clad in a rainbowcoloured light, returned to her original form. 

“Good Job! Good Job, Lina.” 

Abigail is feeling great as she smiles and points her raised thumb towards Lina. 

“The reverse pattern of transformation as well, the inversion would be great.” 

“Reverse pattern? Inversion?” 

“Oh, you’re fine not to worry about it.” 

In truth, this did not seem like something she would have to worry about, but in the presence of Abigail’s smile, which had an intensity approaching madness, she could not say anything. 

She got the feeling that she would not be able to press her for any more than this. 

“……Abby, it’s unusual for you to call, is it not?” 

Lina, her mind having regrouped, changed the topic. 

She is in the Stars Headquarters is located on the outskirts of Roswell, in the State of New Mexico, which is in the south-eastern portion of the former United States of America. On the other hand, the research laboratory given to Abigail is located in Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, which is in the north-western portion of the former United States of America. Due to their mutual employment, it is not a distance where it is easy for them to meet up. 

Especially for Lina who, due to the nature of her duty, does not know when she will be ordered to deploy, and with her dispatch area reaching over the entire country. It is easier to find a convenient time on Abigail’s side because she is allowed, to some extent, to research as she pleases in the research laboratory she was given. 

Therefore, on the occasions when the two meet, it is usually a telephone call from Lina’s side. So, as she is saying, for Lina to receive a telephone call from Abigail’s side is unusual. 

“Lina, are going to Japan?” 

Wherever she had heard it from, it appeared that Abigail had called because she had heard that Lina was going to a foreign country. For ordinary soldiers it is normal to be stationed in a foreign unit, but it is very rare nowadays for a highlevel magician to be sent to a foreign country. All the more so if it is the most powerful domestic combat magician, the ‘Sirius’. 

“You’re calling me because of that?” 

“Will it be long?” 

“Eh?” 

The sudden question left her bewildered for a moment, but Lina quickly realised what Abigail was asking. 

“The duration hasn’t been specified…… And I cannot be away from Stars for an extended period of time, so I think it won’t be longer than two or three months.” 

“That’s true, isn’t it.” 

From inside the monitor, Abigail’s expression looked somewhat relived. 

That she was worried about that ——Lina was happy she felt that way. 

That she thought to discuss her concerns was likely the result of her heart being touched by the sentiments of a close friend a few years older. 

“That’s right! Abby, there is this thing that I need some advice on.” 

“What?” 

Lina confided in Abigail about the plan for the purpose of approaching the target which was drawn up by the Intelligence Division. 

“But as for a concrete method in which to do it, I just don’t understand. To begin with, I’m worried about what kind of appearance would be beneficial? It’s an infiltration mission, so I thought it wouldn’t be a good idea to be conspicuous.” 

Inside the monitor, Abigail’s eyes were twinkling brightly. It was like that of a mad scientist, or possibly it was a light of impropriety similar to that of a criminal who takes delight in people’s reactions to their crimes. 

But to her misfortune, Lina failed to realise that. 

“Hmm, hmm.” 

The corners of Abigail’s mouth raised in enjoyment. Her expression was like that of a mischievous young boy. 

“I think that this plan is too impatient. I think it’s too beta to cause trouble for the other party abruptly on the first meeting.” 

“……I don’t know if I’d call it beta, but if I think about it then certainly this plan does say to trouble the other party from the first meeting.” 

“That’s right. And is such a person were to then suddenly make an entrance into the sphere of their daily lives immediately after that, then wouldn’t the other party think that it were suspicious, I wonder?” 

“I see…… Then, what do you think I should do?” 

“At first, wouldn’t it be enough to simply get the other party to remember your face?” 

“To remember me, is it……? How in the world do I do that?” 

“In Lina’s case, I think it would be fine to just pass each other by.” 

“That will work, will it?” 

Lina is a girl of peerless beauty. But, due to taking employment which had no relationship to her face and figure, her self-awareness of her own beauty is presently weak at best. She knew that her outward appearance attracted the public notice, but she did not understand the powerful potency which it had. 

“Just anxious about that then?” 

“Umm, I guess……” 

“Is that so? Oh, that’s right……” 

Abigail hits her hand at those words. Such a playful gesture suits her. 

“Since we’re talking about it, are you worried about what clothes to wear?”  

“Yes, that’s right. Even if we are just passing each other by, what kind of appearance would be beneficial……?” 

“I wonder if a kimono would be good.” 

“Kimonos are Japan’s native attire, are they not? With my appearance, wouldn’t wearing a kimono give a mismatched impression?” 

Lina also tentatively understands from her research that they are similar to Sunday best clothes. Her concern was based on that. 

“Appearance? Do you mean as in your hair colour and eye colour? 

“That’s right. Moreover, they seem difficult to walk in……” 

“Ah, if I’m not mistaken then for an ordinary kimono, you won’t be able to wear one if you want to walk normally.” 

“It is, isn’t it?” 

Lina voices her understanding in an unreliable tone. 

“However, it’ll be alright. There are various kinds of kimono.” 

When Abigail told her that with confidence, Lina’s eyes sparkled with hope. 

“What kinds are there!? Please teach me!” 

“Of course, it’s all good. I’ll send you a document with pictures attached afterwards.” 

“Thank you so much Abby! And for the first contact scenario as well, I’ll reexamine it the way you have advised.” 

“Ah, that’s great. It’s important to hear a specialist’s opinion, however, make the final decision yourself. That way you can finish without any regrets.” 

“I understand.” 

Lina and Abigail nod to each other through the camera. 

“Oh, that’s right, this delicious tofu sweets shop just opened in Kenbridge.” 

These few words caused the conversation’s atmosphere to smoothly change. 

“Is your obsession tofu this time? Abby’s health mania style hasn’t changed has it…… If you are worried about calories so much, I think it’s okay to not have sweet things in your diet.” 

The gloom had disappeared from Lina’s face. 

“Lina, what are you saying!? If it completely misses the point of having meals as well as desserts, then it doesn’t matter how healthy one’s body is does it?” 

After this, Lina and Abigail broke into the sweet discussions which young women seem to universally prefer. 

◇ ◇ ◇ 

After finishing the telephone call with Abigail which had brought a temporary reprieve to the loneliness of a Christmas alone, Lina proceeded to go through the document she had received from her. 

“There really is a variety……” 

Her inner monologue leaked out unintentionally. Rather than being amazed by the anime cosmetic designs, Lina had serious admiration for the abundant variation. ——To tell the truth, what Abigail had sent was a portion of her cosplay album selected from her collection, but Lina, who was ignorant of the subculture, did not understand the difference. 

(As I thought, the shorter the hem, the better……) 

Lina’s mental picture of Japanese clothing is that of the super-tight long onepiece style. Unsightly behaviour such as falling over with her legs entangled in the hem, the mere thought of it was enough to make her face turn red. She disliked the military’s tight skirt to the extent that she wears the slacks from the formal uniform exclusively. Although she keeps knee-length skirts at a distance, when it comes to tight ankle-length one-pieces and the like, she does not have the self-confidence to wear them at all. 

On that point, the Kimonos in the photographs included in Abigail’s document all seemed to have a short length that she would be able to walk and run normally in. The points were also high as a result of the footwear being pumps rather than geta or zori. 

(What about this design, using this style of orthodox design……) 

(With my hair colour, a flashy colour it would be better…) 

(The obi…… Ah! I can do it myself if I go with this one.) 

Lina is also a young woman. Before she realised it, she had become engrossed in selecting her clothes.