29 Chapter 27 101 Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion (2/2)

”Moving on, are there limits to the amount of changes you can make to a Magic Sequence?”.

”Yes. I can only change the direction and output of a Magic Sequence. Even I can't change the spell fully while it has already been activated”.

Takemi lied to them and hoped they bought it. Everything he said was true except for the fact that he downplayed the Mystic Eyes of Empyrean by a lot. Like a lot! Changing and infinite number of outcomes for a single one was a little bit more than making a spell stronger after all.

”And the box? What's inside?”.

”My CAD. I picked it up today”.

Kyouko included, ”He got it from Four Leaves. It's a specialized CAD, although I haven't seen it yet”.

”Open it”, ordered Kazama.

Takemi nodded and placed the case down and his hand on the scanner.

”User: Takemi Mikazuchi”.

”Ding! ID confirmed. Access granted. Releasing Varuna Astra and Agni Astra”.

This also drew some more raised eyebrows although most of them looked rather amused than confused.

Takemi lifted the lid up and swung the case around to face Kazama and the rest. The above average man stepped forward and his eye lit up.

”Where did you get one of these! These were just released a few days ago!”.

He looked to Takemi for permission, who in turn nodded and the name picked it up, rather surprised by the weight and design.

”I was the one who asked for it to be designed this way. FLT created their ”Midnight” series after this model”.

The man nodded and then frowned and looked at Takemi.

”Does this CAD have generalized settings?”.

”Yes, I was also asked by the designer to deliver some combat data so that he could use it to fine-tune the CAD so that it fit my preferences more. He told me that for now, I would have to use a rather basic software, built for all round usage”, explained Takemi. He refrained from using Tatsuya's name and was prepared to Ushiyama's before the Major General spoke up.

”Mikazuchi!”.

Takemi straightened his back and faced him with his hands behind his back.

Kazama sat down and gestured to the name standing beside him and said, ”I don't want to be here all day Captain Sanada... Here is Captain Yanagi Muraji. He will be assessing you in today's assessment. If you are injured, Major Yamanaka will heal you, although loss of limb or attacks that inflict more damage than the human body can handle are prohibited. Am I understood!”.

Takemi and Yanagi saluted before the two of them made their way to the side door in the control center and down a flight of stairs to a change room.

”Don't hold back Takemi-san. Major General Kazama and the others will be watching, and will determine many things by this fight”.

Takemi turned and saw that Yanagi had changed from his white uniform to a casual one before leading Takemi to a massive arena. It was around 200 meters by 200 meters and was probably a a little less than a hundred meters tall. It was completely surrounded by concrete walls, save the single glass panel, from which he could see the Major General and the rest standing by.

The P.A. System rang out, ”Mikazuchi. You have to survive Yanagi's onslaught for as long as you can. Begin in exactly sixty seconds”.

The was a crack on the P.A. before it cut out and Takemi instantly took out Varunastra and lodged the sheath in his belt earning a raised eyebrow from Yanagi.

”Sanada. What is that? Is it a CAD?”.

The man, who looked above average responded, ”Yes. Although it is a CAD and contains Magic Sequences, it's main purpose is for storage. The ”Midnight” Series, developed by FLT, makes use of two CADs being used individually. The main one, the one in Mikazuchi-sans hand is most likely the one he uses to cast Magic”.

Kazama didn't say anything but just nodded his head slightly.

”What do you expect from him? I want your honest opinions”.

”I don't think he's on the same level as our ”other” Special Officer, however in direct combat without the Third Eye I think they might be equal”, Said Kyouko.

”Maybe, Fujibayashi-san. But if his Eyes do work the same way as he said, he wouldn't miss most long-range Magic. He might just retreat and attack Yanagi from a distance”, said Yamanaka while resting his head on his hand.

”I don't think he'll last very long, especially with a CAD like that”.

The Major General looked at Sanada and waited for him to continue,

”His CAD is designed not just for Magic, but also close range combat. If he's up against Yanagi-san, then I don't believe that he will last long even with the assortment of Magic available to him”.

Everybody in the room frowned but nodded at Engineers words.

”If his CAD was a little more tuned to his combat style, and had a lot more specialized Magic I believe Mikazuchi-might win. But if he gets to close...”.

”He'll lose, I know.... it's why I chose Yanagi to test him”.

Kazama said, directed at no-one in particular, he looked down at his watch and said over the P.A.

”Time's up.... Begin!”.