01x03 - Enrollment Part III

[bunniefuu]

JANUARY 17, 2096

Is he to the right?

Or the left?

KYUCHOJI TEMPLE

Boy, you had me on the ropes.

Master, what was that just now?

I didn't think you would break
my Cocoon Water Mirage.

That wasn't one of your
usual illusion arts, was it?

You realized that?

Your odd ability to read a spell at a glance
is a true threat to your opponent.

But there's a way to use it against you.

Was it the illusion you just used?

Cocoon Water Mirage is a spell designed
to deceive the eyes of things not of this world.

Master, you just said,
"the eyes of things not of this world"?

It's not only humans we're up against.

In fact, it's not rare
to fight supernatural beings.

But my friend, an Ancient Magic user,

said that encountering actual demons
was an extremely rare thing.

You've already had
one or two experiences yourself.

The magic you modern magicians call "SB Magic"...
What does it use as a medium?

I think you understand.

What you modern magicians call
"spiritual beings" or "spirits" are not of this world.

So, these spirits that are just independent
information bodies cut off from phenomena

are not of this world?

To be precise, they might be better called
"things without life or flesh."

Master, can I ask you one more question?

Go ahead.

According to Modern Magic,

spirits are independent information bodies
derived from natural phenomena.

So, if parasites can feed off a person's
ethereal body and change the person's properties,

what information bodies
would they be based on?

I don't know the origin of these wraiths
or what you call "parasites."

They interfere with people's minds,

so I'd think they're based
in spirit phenomena.

Information organisms
originating in the mind?

Just as spirits originating
in physical phenomena

drift through a shadow world
back to back with this one,

the wraiths originating
in mental phenomena

might come from the shadow world
back to back with our mental world.

That's my own unadulterated theory.

Sorry to call out of the blue, Shizuku.

That's okay. What's up?

Um, Tatsuya wants to ask you something.
I'll let you talk to him.

Sorry to call you so late.

I was going to send you an email at first,

but it's easier to make myself clear
talking face-to-face.

No problem. It's only 8 PM here.

So, what is it?

Honoka mentioned that a vampire is making
a mess of things over there, too.

I'd like you to fill me in
on any details you have.

It's still just treated
as an urban legend in America.

Or at least, the media doesn't cover it.
Has something happened there?

Something like a vampire attacked Leo.

What?

Don't worry. He'll be okay.

Leo personally drove off the vampire.

But he happened to take damage
from their strange ability,

and he's recuperating in the hospital.

Thank goodness.

I see. That's why you want to know
what's happening here.

Yeah. But you don't have to investigate.
Whatever you can find from asking around is fine.

But you think America has some clues, right?

Sort of, but to be honest...

I believe the criminal behind the vampire incident
came here from America.

So, I really want you
to stay away from anything dangerous.

Don't take any chances, Shizuku.

0K3)'-

I'll play it safe.

So, be patient and don't expect much.

JANUARY 20, 2096 / UDAGAWACHO, SHIBUYA WARD

Miki, which way?

This way, huh?

I really think it'd be better
to team up with Jumonji and Saegusa.

Miki!

Let's go!

Coming!

Which way, Silvie?

Right at the next corner, Commander!

Roger that!

Claire, Rachel, head Sullivan off!

- Yes, ma 'am!
- Yes, ma 'am!

I can't stop this dagger
that's been activated with a movement spell!

She's out of my league-

Miki, you take the one in the coat!
I'll bring down the masked one!

I'm your opponent.

How fast is she?

Here I come!

Her swordsmanship is first-rate.

Her magic abilities are top-notch.

Other than bruises,
Leo didn't have any physical wounds.

Then...

this creep either used
a blunt weapon or bare hands.

In that case...

Bridal Veil!

A barrier? Or weakening?

A barrier! Then, Thunder Child!

You're mine!

Strange. The flash should only be
for a second, but it's still there.

Don't tell me...

Emission-Type Magic?

I won't make it!

Tatsuya?

I have the data
of the colors and contours,

but all other information is missing.

What is this?

She escaped.

VISITOR ARC III

Did you retrieve Sergeant Sullivan's body?

Yes, we have it.

And have you determined the identity
of the other one I was pursuing?

I'm sorry.

We successfully extracted
the Psi-wave pattern,

but it didn't match any of the data.

Not a fugitive, then?

Or the Psi-wave patterns
have been altered.

My guess is the latter.

Understood.

Trace the pattern we picked up.

Yes, ma 'am.

Nobody told me Erika was that strong!

And Tatsuya used some crazy skill or magic
to disable my spells!

Are all high schoolers in Japan like that?

Aunt...

I apologize for calling so late.

It's fine, but also unusual
for you to call me, Tatsuya.

Actually, there's one thing I'd like to ask you
and one request I wish to make.

Ask away.

Then, if I may...

Aunt Maya, would you please tell me
how the Kudou Family's Parade spell works?

Oh my, Tatsuya...

Parade is the Kudou Family's secret technique.

Why would you think
I'd know its mysteries?

You studied under General Kudou
for a time, Aunt.

Even if you don't know the magic sequence,
maybe you know the gist.

Is the anti-magic spell "Parade"
used for duplicating and processing parts

related to your own Eidos'
outward appearance...

then projecting it onto yourself
to temporarily alter your physical appearance

while also substituting any magical interference
aims with their own disguised Eidos

to block the usage of magic
on your real body?

I had thought you, of all people, would know
that transformation magic is impossible.

If all you want to do
is alter your appearance,

you can do it by using Light Interference-Type
Magic, though it's not true transformation.

The issue lies in that Light Interference-Type
Magic can't fool my eyes.

Brother, you don't mean there was someone
who could keep their identity secret from you, do you?

That's not all.

It caused my Mist Dispersion to miss.

HOW?

Even if Mist Dispersion didn't work,

Trident should've been no problem.

Aunt, it seems that this case
is more than we can handle.

So, I would like to request reinforcements.

Very well. Things seem to be shifting
past the scope of our expectations.

I give you permission
to contact Major Kazama.

Thank you.

Oh, that's right, Tatsuya...

I do recall hearing
that the Old Master's younger brother...

was more skilled at using Parade
than he was.

JANUARY 21, 2096

CROSSFIELD CLUB ROOM 2

I apologize for asking you here.
I know you're busy.

Not at all. But what can I do for you?

Did you know that based
upon the Ten Master Clans' decision,

the Saegusa Family and Jumonji Family are
cooperating to investigate the vampire murders?

I've heard something to the effect.

I'll get right to the point.

Tatsuya, will you help us?

You two are aware that Saijo from Class 1-E
was attacked, right?

I'm not the only one who wants to know
what in the world is going on.

Even if we find the criminal
and hand them over,

this ordeal isn't over,
and we won't feel safe.

Do we have just one perpetrator,
or is it a group?

Is this a personally motivated crime
or something infectious?

Until we have these answers,
we can't write it off as "case closed."

How much do you know about the situation?
How do you plan on solving it?

Unless you tell me that, I can't help you.

If you promise to help us,
I'll tell you what we know.

Understood.

I'll help you.

Does that mean
you'll join our search team?

You may take it as such if you wish.

Roger.

Then, I'll tell you
everything we know at this point.

I see.

Then, there are more
vampire victims than we thought.

Yes. We believe we're dealing
with multiple vampires.

Multiple?

That's bad news.

The expanded range
special investigation team from the police

is also helping us
track down the vampires,

but there's a third faction
interfering with our efforts.

Be careful of them, too.

Roger that.

So, what do you want me to do?

Would you accompany us?
If possible, from tonight-

No.

Shiba should work on his own.

If you find any clues, report them to us.

Understood.

It's so helpful that Major Kazama let us
use the stratospheric security camera.

Brother, are you going?

Be good and wait here for me.

I will await your return tonight.

I'll definitely need your help soon.

And when I do...

Yes. Then, we'll be together.

That's a promise, Brother.

Who could it be at this hour?

UENO PARK

VISITOR ARC IV