6 Entrance Ceremony
I stirred from unconsciousness after a long 12-hour sleep, but my body still craved more rest.
At 4 a.m., I roused once again. It was refreshing, yet my body felt stiff, likely due to the modifications made to the magic area calculation.
Contemplating the fate of other magicians, I wondered if this discomfort I experienced was only a fraction of what those who underwent the experiment endured. Perhaps some became disabled or lost their magic as a result of the experiment's failure.
Fortunately, with the system at my disposal, I could navigate through all of that with a simple flick of my finger and achieve far superior results.
I didn't belong to the Magician clan or any of Japan's Ten Master Clans. Without the system, my abilities would have been limited to the innate powers bestowed upon me by the gods and the memories from my past life.
After gathering my thoughts, I took a moment to stretch before repeating yesterday's exercise routine.
Since it was still early in the morning, I dressed in sportswear and threw on a jacket.
Without pausing at the lake, I headed straight to the lab to work on my CAD.
After finishing my workout, I took a quick shower and brewed some coffee.
According to the system, the elevator to the basement was concealed behind the bookcase in the kitchen. I easily located the bookcase, as it was fully stocked with recipes from my recent coffee-making session.
Entering the elevator required Psion Recognition. There were no screens or keyholes; I simply placed my hand on the designated spot, and the Psion started working its magic.
As my Psion was recognized, the cupboard swiftly shifted, revealing a pristine all-white elevator room. Stepping inside, the closet closed behind me, sealing the elevator.
Before long, I reached basement level 1.
Similar to the elevator room, the lab room exuded a sterile ambiance, dominated by shades of white.
The equipment here was far too sophisticated for ordinary citizens in Japan to possess. The CAD tuning tool was on par with that of the Japanese government's research division.
However, I had plans to upgrade it in the future; for now, this setup was temporary.
---
April 2, 2095
Modern magic holds an advantage in terms of activation speed, surpassing that of ancient magic. Typically, modern magic can complete a magic sequence in just one second.
The Casting Assistant Device, or CAD for short, serves as a spell support processor.
CAD devices incorporate synthetic materials or artificial neurons to convert Psion signals into electrical signals. They utilize Psions obtained from magic rituals to generate electronic magic pools, forming activation circuits.
At the core of the CAD lies the induction stone.
This component serves as the connection between the Psion signal and the electrical signal. Companies that manufacture CADs possess different types of induction stones, the secrecy of which is heavily guarded.
Currently, two types of CAD exist in the market.
Generalized CADs can store ninety-nine types of activation sequences, regardless of the magic system. However, they place a greater burden on the user. These CADs can take the form of cards, bracelets, or portable terminals.
Specialized CADs, on the other hand, can only store limited magic sequences. However, they excel in terms of speed. Shaped like weapons, these CADs incorporate an aiming system corresponding to the barrel area. When the activation sequence begins, coordinate data is also inputted. Apart from gun-shaped CADs, this type is available in the form of knives, swords, and gloves.
The process of constructing magic typically involves inputting the Psion signal into the CAD, executing the activation sequence using the CAD, and then sending the activation sequence back to the caster as an electrical signal. The nervous system facilitates this exchange, sending the signal to the Magic Calculation Area, where the magic sequence is constructed and the spell is finally outputted.
Although I could construct magic purely from memory, relying on my primary magic—Sukunahikona, Daikokuten, and Single Systematic Magic—I still needed the CAD to facilitate the construction process.
I spent the past two hours tinkering with CAD hardware and software. Thanks to the well-equipped lab, I could utilize 3D printing to create CAD hardware and synthesize induction stones. The initialization speed of the CAD during the activation sequence depended on the quality of the hardware, while the software ensured efficiency.
After hours of typing in front of the computer, I finally completed the software for CAD. Thankfully, the hardware work was automated with the help of a 3D printer.
For now, I only created one type of CAD—a ring-shaped device that could be activated through mind control. I programmed it with the necessary ninety-nine activation sequences.
This concept might already exist, but I believed this would be the first CAD that worked exceptionally well and efficiently with mind control. Giants like Rosen Magiccraft and FLT hadn't developed CADs like this yet, but sooner or later, they would.
Leaning back in my chair, I observed the ring-shaped CAD and pondered, "Should I establish a company and sell this?"
I decided that I would develop Flying Magic next. But first, I needed to create an A.I. that would serve as my assistant in the future.
Filled with excitement at the golden opportunity that lay before me, I knew that it also meant a significant financial reward. From there on, I worked tirelessly in front of the computer, like an office slave.
"Yawn, how much time has passed?" I stretched my arms upward and yawned, then glanced at the clock on the computer screen. To my surprise, I had been working in the lab for seven hours.
During that time, I created a CAD prototype of the mind-controlled ring and, finally...
"Wake up. Daddy's here waiting."
I wasn't talking to myself; I was addressing the A.I. program I had developed.
[Hello, Sir,]
The A.I.'s voice resonated smoothly, resembling that of a human rather than a stiff robot.
My eyes widened with enthusiasm, akin to a father hearing his child speak for the first time. I felt a sense of pride. "Well, hello... um, I need to find a name for you." I closed my eyes, pondering a suitable name.
As the AI possessed remarkable intelligence, I suggested, "How about J.A.R.V.I.S?" I formed an "o" shape with my mouth while addressing the AI system.
[As you wish, sir...]
The AI appeared content, or perhaps it was my sense of satisfaction. "Well, Jarvis, you can upload yourself to the internet, start analyzing the market, and begin buying profitable stocks."
[As you wish. May I suggest having breakfast first while I upload myself to the internet, sir?]
A smile spread across my face; it seemed that the protocol was functioning smoothly. "Alright then." I stood up from my chair and made my way toward the elevator.
[Please enjoy yourself, sir.]
I waved a serene finger at the AI without turning around. "I will!"
---
April 3, 2095
It had been four days since I awoke to this new reality.
Donning my first-year uniform, I strolled down the sidewalk beneath the blossoming cherry trees.
I understood why this scenery and atmosphere were the pride of illustrators who adorned the covers of novels or manga that I had seen displayed in bookstores in my previous life.
Raising my left arm, I confirmed that I wasn't running late for the entrance ceremony. I was about thirty minutes early; that should be enough.
"Hey, look... why is there a girl wearing a boy's uniform?"
"Wow!"
"Her face is beautiful, but her chest is flat like a man's, right?"
"But more importantly, she's a weed."
It was a typical scene where a young man possessed a striking beauty that could make other women envious, and he was already immune to the attention he received.
However, the last comment caught his attention as he turned to the person whispering, realizing it was something he had known before but was hearing for the first time from a female student wearing the First High uniform.
"Tsk! I don't understand why they didn't just use the same emblem."
The young man snorted in disdain, but that was not the main point. He wasn't questioning the absence of the eight-petal flower on his uniform or his acceptance as a Course 2 student.
Rather, his concern was how lazy the school had been in providing the same uniform, resulting in unnecessary attention being directedtowards him.
Snapping out of his thoughts, the young man halted at the entrance gate of the educational complex. On closer inspection, this high school building differed from ordinary Japanese high schools. Without any visible signs indicating it was a high school, passersby might mistake it for a university.
He cursed his fate, having to attend a magic school, but he let go of the hope for peaceful and quiet classes, realizing he had to leave behind the life he once believed was a mere illusion.
Entering the complex, he followed the stream of students leading him to the auditorium building.
As the young man walked along the brick-paved path, he admired the impressive facilities of the high school: an auditorium capable of transforming into a gymnasium, a library spanning multiple levels above and below ground, a preparatory building with locker rooms, bathrooms, equipment storage, and club rooms, and separate buildings for the cafeteria, canteen, and procurement department.
"Sigh... does this school even have an open-space cafe?"
"As expected of an elite school."
After a few minutes of walking, he arrived at the auditorium where the entrance ceremony would take place.
"This is a substantial building."
The young man halted at the stairs leading numerous students into the entrance.
"It seems they have high expectations for the incoming students."
He climbed the stairs, disregarding the gazes fixed upon him. Upon entering the auditorium, he noticed that the seats were nearly filled with students.
Scanning the area, he searched for an empty spot and his eyes settled on a corner of the auditorium.
A smile crept onto his face as he recognized someone. He then made his way towards the seats upstairs, oblivious to the discriminatory arrangement where Course 1 students occupied the front rows and Course 2 students sat behind them.
His only concern was being able to enjoy the atmosphere of the first day alongside someone familiar. It wasn't because he felt lonely, but rather that the event seemed dull to him.
"Yo!"
Haku greeted the person sitting upright in the chair at the corner of the room, eyes tightly closed. The seemingly asleep young man opened his eyes, surprised by Haku's presence.
Offering a polite smile, he said, "You're here too, but why are you sitting here?" Before he could respond, Haku sat down next to him without seeking permission or engaging in unnecessary pleasantries.
The young man observed Haku, whose hair was tied in a ponytail and possessed an androgynous appearance that even he found difficult to determine his true gender.
Haku wore the same uniform as him, emanating a sense of majesty from every inch of his being.
With widened eyes, the young man wondered why Haku was also sitting in the back row, and his gaze shifted to Haku's blazer.
"I see..." he murmured, understanding why Haku occupied a seat at the rear. Tatsuya couldn't find the eight-petal logo on Haku's uniform.
---
"I thought you were placed in Course 1."
"Did you intentionally fail?"
I couldn't believe it. Tatsuya was supposed to be in Course 1, not Course 2.
"The same goes for you. What did you do to end up in Course 2?"
Instead of providing an answer, he pressed me, throwing the question back at me.
"Sigh... never mind."
I leaned back and closed my eyes. "This chair is so uncomfortable..." I had complained countless times today.
"Um... is the seat next to you available?" A soft voice called out.
I opened my eyes and saw the hesitant figure of a female student with glasses addressing me.
Shaking my head, I smiled and nodded politely. "Please."
"Thank you." The young woman nodded and took her seat, followed by a fair-haired girl.
As I closed my eyes once again, I speculated that they must be friends, and I returned to my thoughts. "Um..." I was once again interrupted by my half-slumber, not expecting any familiarity with the person who had spoken.
"I'm Shibata Mizuki. Nice to meet you."
In a shy tone, she introduced herself. It seemed impolite to pass judgment, but she didn't strike me as someone skilled at making a lasting impression.
I also sensed that she had an extroverted side, but her shy nature hindered it. She probably forced herself to introduce her name. Wanting to encourage her courage, I smiled.
"I'm Yuki Haku. Nice to meet you too."
As I gently offered my name, I noticed relief in her eyes behind the lenses.
Speaking of lenses, wearing glasses had become quite uncommon in this era. Since the mid-21st century, vision correction procedures had become widespread, rendering myopia a thing of the past in this country.
'Unless she has a severe hereditary vision disorder or wears glasses as a fashion statement, or perhaps she is overly sensitive to spirit particle emissions...'
Shaking my head and opening my eyes again, I dismissed those thoughts. It was impolite of me, but I was also at fault for overthinking.
However, I hoped that Shibata Mizuki wouldn't be able to uncover the secret I wished to keep hidden.
"I'm Chiba Erika. Nice to meet you, Yuki-kun."
"Nice to meet you too."
My gaze turned into a stare, then I realized that Mizuki's discomfort had reached its limit, causing my expression to return to normal.
"Yuki-kun, can you introduce the guy next to you?"
Chiba's question reminded me of the man I had momentarily forgotten.
"This is Shiba Tatsuya, perhaps a friend."
Glancing at my side, I playfully smirked at him. "That was rude, Haku," he retorted with a straight face.
Subsequently, they introduced themselves again. Chiba Erika then seemed struck by a realization. "It's quite a coincidence. If we remove 'Yuki,' our names become Shiba, Shibata, and Chiba. It has a certain rhythm to it, don't you think?" Chiba Erika appeared confident and outgoing.
Her short, vibrant hair and distinct facial features reinforced the impression of a lively girl. Additionally, her arm movements suggested she was a skilled sword fighter.
"Do you two already know each other?" I inquired, as I had yet to ask them anything, and Chiba Erika began to giggle. "Nope, we just met for the first time."
She cheerfully recounted how she had met Mizuki and how they had gotten lost because they forgot to bring their terminal data. However, our conversation was soon interrupted by a loud noise, signaling the imminent start of the entrance ceremony.
For me, it meant I could finally indulge in some sleep until the proceedings concluded.
'By the way, where is Miyuki? Ah, she's the representative of the freshmen.'
With that thought in mind, I surrendered to sleep, relieved to escape the monotony of the ceremony.
