Magic.
This product of fairy tales was systemized as an actual technology at the dawn of the
21st century.
Due to the drastic climate cooling that began circa the year 2030, the food supply dwindled.
Multiple factions fought over energy sources, and in 2045, World War III broke out, lasting
for 20 years.
The population plummeted to a mere 3 billion.
The fact that this conflict didn't escalate to a thermonuclear war was entirely due to
global solidarity of the world's magic technicians.
The 21st century is now drawing to a close.
Under these tenuous circumstances, every nation is competing in the race to develop magicians.
Transforming into a demon, my brother will stalk across the battlefield.
And he'll do it for my sake alone.
And I wonder how or when I could ever return such a favor to him.
How can I possibly ever repay him for doing that for me?
When, like now, even my life itself was a priceless gift I owe to my brother.
Attention! Rehearsals for the matriculation ceremony will soon commence. All parties concerned are...
This is unacceptable! Why? Why are you a reserve, brother?
After all, it was you who scored highest in the entrance exams.
There's no reason it should be me, then. When you were the one who...
Miyuki. In this place, practical magic carries more merit than paper test scores.
Even as a reserve, I'm lucky to be accepted at first high school.
Come on now, how can you be such a pushover?
In both studies and Taijutsu, nobody comes close, much less outdoes you.
Even in magic, normally you-
Miyuki!
Flatter me all you want, but it doesn't change a thing.
Don't you understand?
I... I'm sorry, you're right.
Just look at you.
Always getting mad on my behalf.
It's very endearing, and it always picks me up when you do that.
Stop lying.
What you're really doing, brother, is scolding me and you know it.
I'm telling the truth, and just like you always have my best interests at heart, I care about
your well-being also.
Oh, my goodness.
But, brother, is it ever coming from you?
We may be taking that the wrong way, but whatever.
Miyuki, even if you turned down that opportunity, you wouldn't be replaced by a Course 2 student
like me.
You're smart enough to know that, right?
Well, yeah, I guess.
And besides, Miyuki, I can't wait for it.
Let your good-for-nothing big brother see his sweet kid sister in all her glory.
What?
Good for nothing?
You are anything but that brother.
But fine, very well.
I apologize if I was being selfish before.
Alright then, I'll be going.
Off you go.
Goodbye.
Oh, and don't forget, come and see me.
Sure.
Now then, how am I gonna kill some time here?
National Magic University Affiliated First High School.
The very fact that you've been approved to enroll
at this prestigious state-run institution
for training magic technicians
makes you one of the elite few
whose rare talent in magic has been acknowledged, right?
But at this school, there are.
- Hey, isn't that Kettleweed?
- Yeah, and you're so early.
Someone's excited just to be a reserve.
You're a new student, right?
Yeah.
Is there anything at all I can help you with?
A course for an upperclasswoman?
No.
I'm fine, thanks.
A C.A.D.?
Fair enough.
Oh, by the way, I'm the president of the Student Council.
I'm Mayumi Sayagusa.
It's written Nanakusa, but it's read as Sayagusa.
Nice to meet you.
Numbers and a Saigusa no less. I'm my name is Tatsuya Shiba
Tatsuya Shiba. Oh, I see. So you're
Am I interrupting course not if you'll excuse me, please
aware of discrimination and those being discriminated against.
Excuse me. The seat next to you, is it taken?
Oh, no. Go ahead.
Thank you very much.
Um, hi. By the way, my name is Mizuki Shibata.
It's very nice to meet you.
Glasses, huh?
I'm Tatsuya Shiba. It's nice to meet you too.
And I'm Erika Shiba. It's a real pleasure, Tatsuya.
Likewise, I'm sure.
This is a pretty cool coincidence here, don't you think?
What is?
Well, you know. I mean, Shiba, Shibata, and Chiba, right?
Our names are so close, they practically rhyme.
Hey, you're right.
I see.
Kind of awesome, isn't it?
Yeah, totally. I can't believe this is...
Chiba, huh?
Numbers again.
Unbelievable.
We will now begin the matriculation ceremony for the National Magic University-affiliated First High School.
Next up, the newly enrolled students' address.
The incoming class's representative, Miyuki Shiba.
As the bright sunlight streams gently in and the cherry blossoms flutter and cascade down on this gorgeous
Hopeful spring day. I'm happy my wish to attend the National Magic University affiliated first high school has come true
On behalf of all the eager incoming students and overflowing with the pride of being a member of first
Hey, Shiba, you want to come check out her homeroom with us?
Sorry, I'm supposed to meet up with my sister. What sister?
So by any chance would your sister be Miyuki Shiba the girl representing this year's new incoming class?
That's right. What then are you guys twins?
Yeah, we do get that a lot. But no we aren't my birthday's in April and my sister's is in March
Still I'm impressed that you put that together
Yes, your demeanor or should I say more like your aura those intense commanding gazes of yours are eerily similar
She's just as I suspected
If you can read someone's true aura so clearly then you must have really great eyesight
Hypersensitive to spare particle emission risky to let her observe me any further my secret would be
There you are! I'm sorry to keep you waiting.
No, that was quick.
Well, hello there. So, we meet again.
By the way, brother, are you already on the dating circuit?
Of course not, Miyuki. How silly.
These girls are two of my new classmates.
That was a rather rude assumption, you know.
you know my sincere apologies nice to meet you I'm Miyuki Shiba I'm Mizuki
Shibata it's a real pleasure to make your acquaintance too and I'm Erica Chiba
just call me Erica can I call you Miyuki of course please do hey Miyuki you're
pretty chill so Miyuki are the people from the student council done with you
Oh, it's all right
All we did today was introduce ourselves to her but president. Hey Miyuki. Yes, ma'am
Don't worry. We'll get into the details another time
You too Shiva
We'll have a chat soon
President wait
Sorry, that was strange, I know.
This is all my fault.
No need for you to apologize to me.
Thank you, brother.
Um, if the moment's over, how about we all head out now?
I'm going to make some coffee, brother.
Do you want a cup?
Sure.
That'd be great.
Miyuki.
Yes?
Is something bothering you?
Just now, I got a call from those people.
To toast my admission, they said.
Oh, you mean the old man in Sayuri?
Okay, so...
What about you, then? Did they say...
No change there.
Really?
You mean...
They didn't even send you a single email?
Ugh, those people...
Take it easy.
I'm sorry.
I guess I kind of lost my head for a moment.
Instead of helping out with the company the way Dad wanted me to,
I blew him off and did this.
I get why he's angry about it, so it doesn't really bother me.
If you say so, brother, you do have your reasons.
*
Ah, Miyuki.
Mr. Yakumo?
*
Ah! Mr. Yakumo, would you please not sneak up on me like that?
Well, you must remember I'm a shinobi.
Sneaking up on people is second nature to me like breathing.
Being a ninja isn't a profession in this day and age.
Uh-uh-uh, I'm not a ninja, but again I'm rather a time-honored shinobi.
A ninjutsu user.
I'm well aware that you're the sole heir to all kind of time-honored traditional ancient magic users.
Which then begs the question, why would you...
Is that the first high uniform you're wearing?
Yes.
Matriculation was yesterday.
I didn't realize that.
Mmm, yeah, pretty sweet.
In fact, I came here today to let you know that I have enrolled.
Mmm.
Uh, sir?
That new uniform exudes youthful innocence,
but its sheer purity can conceal a certain sensuality.
Sir, I don't think that--
Almost like a flower, but on the verge of bursting into bloom.
A bud just coming into its own.
That's right, Moe.
Very Moe-yummy.
Master, you've clearly rattled Miyuki.
So would you mind toning it down a little, please?
Good for you, Tatsuya.
Take my back and see what happens!
Man, I may not stand a chance against Tatsuya if it's strictly taijutsu.
All right, come on.
Brother, my goodness, are you all right?
Yeah, I'm totally fine.
I'm sorry.
I got your nice new skirt all dirty.
Don't give it another thought.
My clothes as well, thanks.
Oh please, it's nothing. I'm happy to do it.
to do it anyway brother how about we go get some breakfast now mr. Yakumo you're welcome to join us
Oh what are you doing Tatsuya? confirming the curriculum and registering for classes
at breakneck speed don't mean to butt in man it's just kind of rare to see people
using the keyboard to enter stuff you know once you're used to it it's faster
yeah well anyway I'm Leonhart Saejo call me Leo I specialize in convergence type
fortifying magic I'm Tatsuya Shiva but you can just call me Tatsuya okay Tatsuya
so what are your signature magic spells my practical skills kind of suck so I
I want to become a magic engineer ah
Well you do present as a pretty brainy guy
You're an aspiring magic engineer Shiva. Hey, dude. Who are you? Oh? You did not just call me dude tacky
It's no wonder you're single what the hell, okay?
Now who's being tacky don't think you can get away with it just because you're slightly cute looks matter, and you know
That might not be clear to a lame guy who thinks the wild look means looking like a total slob
Why?
Erica, please!
Leo, back off, okay? We've gotta go.
You too, Erica. That was a little too far.
Why is that with the teacher?
That was so much fun. You know, touring all the workshops.
I'm studying to be a magic engineer too, so I got a lot out of that.
Yeah, that was pretty productive, wasn't it?
I wonder if I'm up to such painstaking work. Geez, I don't know.
Of course you're not. It's totally beyond you.
Say what? Wait a sec, why are we all eating lunch together?
I was just having lunch with Mizuki and Tatsuya. You invited yourself.
Brother!
Miyuki.
Do you mind if I sit here with you?
Here, you can come sit next to me, Miyuki.
Okay, thanks Erika.
Uh, who's she?
My kid sister, Miyuki.
Oh?
Nice to meet you.
Miyuki!
Let's sit somewhere else, okay?
You shouldn't bother them.
But, I'd like to sit here and...
Huh? Miyuki.
You shouldn't share a table with a bunch of weeds.
What?
Lines need to be drawn between course one and course two.
too what was that Miyuki I'm done eating so I'm heading out now anyway
hey Tatsuya hold up man just give it up and go away already will you there's
something pressing we want to discuss with her that's all please don't start
apologizing Miyuki all right but I besides didn't you hear me you can say
she's going home with her brother what do you think you're doing trying to
split these two apart you have no right
Miyuki why are you in such a panic no no no I'm not remotely panicking am I
another question isn't an answer this matter only concerns one a low-rent
Weeds like you don't get to consort with Blooms!
We're all new students here, remember?
Who do you think you are making such a claim?
How superior to us Weeds could you Blooms be?
Not looking good.
You wanna know how superior we are?
Find out.
Intriguing.
Then by all means, why don't you go ahead and show us?
Alright then.
I will damn well show you.
This is how much better we are!
You go to hell!
No, brother, wait!
At close range. It's just faster to fight physically, if that makes sense.
I don't disagree with you, but I think you should know you were about to smash my hand too damn it
No, I would never do that. Oh
Yeah, laugh it up
ridiculous
dirty wheat
It's alright besides
"Hoonaka!"
"That's quite enough!"
"Unless they're in self-defense, head-to-head magic attacks are acts of criminality."
"I'm Mari Watanabe and you're done!
I'll be taking your statements now.
All of you come with me."
"Brother, I..."
"Sorry about that.
Just horseplay that got out of hand."
"Is that really what happened?"
"Yes.
The Morisaki clan is famous for their quick-draw technique,
So I thought I'd ask him to show me so I'd be aware for future reference
But it was just so realistic that I couldn't stop myself from making a move
Fine then would you care to explain to me why that girl was about to activate an attack type spell when we arrived?
That was just a flash spell nothing to worry about and its potency was considerably suppressed
How interesting I see you possess the ability to read activation sequences as they're being launched
I like many practical skills, but I am fairly adept at analysis.
And apparently subterfuge as well.
Subterfuge? Oh no, far from it.
I'm just, after all, a Course 2 student.
National Magic University-affiliated First High School.
The very fact that you've been permitted to enroll at this school
makes you a member of the elite whose rare talent in magic has been acknowledged.
But at this institution?
From the very first day on, you're either a high achiever or a near failure.
I'm not sure if I'll ever get to know you, but I'm still trying to get to know you.
Hey, what do you think? (What do you think?)
I'm not sure if I'll ever get to know you, but I'm still trying to get to know you.
[Music]
♪♪