Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - 𝕁𝔸𝔼𝔾𝔼ℝ

Ch. 18 - Foreign Affairs

There was an instance of a few days that Hiro had not been at the school following the NSC's conclusion. It had been fairly unknown as to why he had been absent however- Mayumi had covered for him and explained it was for work purposes. Tapping. A constant sound within the command rooms of multiple countries except this one was different. "We've infiltrated the Yokohama Magic Association," a mildly toned voice said as a heftier voice then stated bluntly. "Good." Cheng Xiangshan, a special forces operator of the Great Asian Union, makes his presence known as he begins leading an operation. This was a preemptive effort to weaken the Japanese for the damage they caused years ago during the Okinawa incident. Hiro was all too aware of the infiltration however, would not act unless the GAU committed a violent act against the Japanese on their own soil. His hands tapped across a keyboard within a command facility, one affiliated with the JDSF as he began to push into every instance of hacking and large-scale movement within the country.

Of course, the JDSF themselves had been indirectly tapped, and quickly resolved the issue before it became a further burden. Hiro stood up and began to walk out of the command room just to reach a meeting room which was full of old and new government and military officials alike. Some could recognize who the young man was, and of course some couldn't recognize who he was. The cloak he wore had long sleeves that flowed when he walked, as well as an O-Katana sheathed to his left hip. "It's good to see that you're as vigilant as ever, spike mage." the oldest and highest ranking official spoke up. "We fear that an attack may be coming from an unknown enemy nation- and we would like to ask your support in defense of our country when the time comes once again." Hiro looked up to him with his red eyes peering out from under the hood. "I have my own loved ones here.. so I do indeed understand why you ask, and I do accept it. Now the issue becomes the fact that I am not required to follow war-time laws." His bold statement caused one of the younger officials to shoot up from his seat, "That-!" he spoke as a gaze then shot over from Hiro to him.

"Sit. I'll explain." He began to step closer to the table, setting a hand on it. "The spike mages have never been bounded by war-time laws, hence the atrocities seen in World War Three." pacing around the table, he continued explaining. "All of the war crimes committed by countries all had at least one spike mage involved.. most of them at least. We are charged by emotion, and have the inability to let loved ones go if things run sour." he explained to the officials in the room. "Although I am the newest and only spike mage, I can still feel the blood on the hands of the spirit that inhabits me. It never fades. Dahan being one such incident as well." Hiro then pulled out a chair and sat down, letting the rest of the officials converse as he gained stares. "In the defense of my home, I will not stand idly by and let them have their way. Especially after the leakage of my escape from Eastern Germany." over the recent years, more and more information has been leaked to the creation of a spike mage or- "Jaeger" in this case. This meant that if a nation were to attack they'd likely pull out everything they possibly can to jam any sort of magic.

"Thus, there will come a time where I am needed all around the world, and not just in Japan." He looked down at the table. "I trust the magic equipped battalion as they trust me, and if it did boil down to it, I'd agree to be pushed into it for the sake of national security." Hiro was being completely honest with the officials in the room, there were things that he did care about. "Spike mages are both benevolent and malevolent species of men and women that look and work much like humans however, with different cores to their personality and magical function. Which also means that in between the benevolence and malevolence, lies compassion." He explained further as he then took a breath, "I have connections to too many in this country for it to fall, and I have someone who still doesn't know how far my compassion expands to them. It pains me to realize that they will think of me differently after a defense that involves me, and it pains me that my true nature has only broken once."

The spike mage then stood up and placed his hand on the table again, causing a crystallization to form on the surface of it. "If this attack does come, which it most certainly will considering what they're after for the second time.. I'll have to break this limiter manufactured specifically by the Yotsuba collaborating with the Saegusa, and when it breaks, my full extent will be released." Hiro then looked at a screen behind all of them and smiled as a defined amount of magical usage began to flare up on the screen. "I will do what is necessary. Until then, I will reside with my 'family' and the Yotsuba girl. There is nothing more I require than that." as to which he gained a verbal reply from the highest ranking. "It's not like we could prevent you anyways... you are indeed one of the most formidable men on this planet. Go and do as needed, I thank you for offering your assistance." which gained a nod from Hiro as he walked out and ensured that he did not arrive at the Saegusa residence with his cloak and weapon.

As he entered the door, he saw his three sisters. Mayumi was the eldest out of all of them, with Izumi and Kasumi being the youngest. Hiro was considered the middle brother of the Saegusa. Both Izumi and Kasumi walked up to him and gave him a light hug, it had been quite awhile since he had seen the two anyways. "Oh! Hiro." Mayumi chimed, "Dinner had already been made.. there's some in the kitchen if you would like any!" he knew that she would be cheerful as always however, something did indeed bother him and it was noticeable. "Is something wrong?" she asked as a feigned smile appeared across Hiro's face, "Nothing at all. I'm just tired from work." he said as his legs then began to move, being released by the two younger sisters. "Remember that the thesis competition is tomorrow!" she exclaimed lightly as he was already about half way down the hall. His hand slipped onto the handle to his room as he entered and shut it behind him. Hiro made his way over to his bed, where he would climb in and begin to fall asleep.

Eventually when he did fall asleep, Maelstrom appeared in his mental plains once again. "We both.. share a common goal, yes?" as to which Hiro asked, "Protection our loved ones." which made Maelstrom nod. "Let us teach the GAU what it means to break a deal with a spike mage when they strike." they both agreed on this as the young man then fully fell asleep inside of his mental plain, where he had the possibilities flood his mind and every single possible outcome. One of them appealed to him the most and it was dictated that he would do everything in his power to make that dream a reality for all. To protect those he himself loves, and to protect even those who wish them harm, for humanity to expand as a whole.