Free Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei - Volume 03 - Nine Schools Competition (I) by Sato Tsutomu Page B

Suzune was explaining right now. Normally, this was something that was taught during the first semester of 3rd Year, which was why Azusa wasn't familiar with the subject. That being said, to hear the term "Counter Magic" and not be hopelessly lost, Azusa's knowledge was broad indeed.
    "However, this is still a worthwhile theory."
    Azusa's emotions bounced between zealous and gloomy. Suzune smiled at her in a gentle and comforting manner.
    "To cancel magic the moment its effects manifest, I believe this is the correct approach."
    "That's true. Because of the need to rewrite the activated magic, the necessary interference strength becomes a vicious cycle."
    Following Suzune, Mayumi also supported Azusa's theory.
    "No one has proposed this until this point, but if a new magic can be activated the moment the currently active magic is stopped from affecting the phenomenon, then there shouldn't be a need for stronger interference strength. . . . . . Given that the target is flying in the air, the delay between magics must be reduced to zero, so if a Specialized CAD was used, then in theory the next magic should be activated before the target starts dropping. . . . . ."
    Mayumi seemed to be muttering to herself, then abruptly made an "Eh?" sound as she turned her head.
    "But if it's just removing the effects of magic, shouldn't someone have attempted this long ago? In the end, this is like working with 'Zone Interference' after the fact."
    At Mayumi's question, Suzune pulled up the search function on the public workstation located in the Student Council Room.
    "Give me a second. . . . . . Last year, England attempted a massive experiment based on the same conceptual design the President spoke of. They wanted to use 'Post-Event Zone Interference' to create a practical Flying-Type Magic."
    Suzune swiftly located the news articles on magic that contained the information she wanted.
    "Then, the result was?"
    The inquiring voice was a little high pitched — likely caused by the excitement bubbling out of her, which proved that Mayumi was still a high school student beyond all doubt.
    "Complete failure. According to the report, in comparison to the normal situation where magic is repeatedly used, this method only served to increase the demand for interference strength at a geometric rate."
    ". . . . . . Is that so. . . . . ."
    At Suzune's report that so betrayed (? ) her hopes, Mayumi drooped in disappointment.
    "Did they cite a reason?"
    "No, the article wasn't that detailed. President, why do you think it happened?"
    When asked by Suzune, Mayumi pointed her index finger at her chin and let out a "Hm!" sound as she considered this.
    "The previous magic should've stopped functioning by then. . . . . . Tatsuya-kun, what do you think?"
    The reason Mayumi had asked Tatsuya was to buy time for her to organize her thoughts.
    She didn't actually expect him to answer.
    "The English experiment provided by Ichihara-senpai has a basic conceptual error."
    Thus, Tatsuya's decisive answer completely caught Mayumi offguard.
    ". . . . . . Where is the error?"
    Astounded, Mayumi was barely able to ask her question. Neither boastful nor proud, Tatsuya calmly began his explanation.
    "Magic Sequences that have not fulfilled their ending requirements will naturally fade with time, but will remain with the target Information Body. When a new magic nullifies the previous magic's effects, the previous magic looks to be canceled, but in reality is merely being overwritten."
    Mayumi, Suzune, Azusa, and even Mari were now staring at Tatsuya outright, but Tatsuya remained unmoved by the pressure of their gaze. He remained expressionless and his tone did not change in the slightest.
    "Let's assume the previous magic is called Magic Sequence A, while Magic Sequence B is used to nullify the other one.
    With the activation of Magic Sequence B, Magic Sequence A loses its phenomenon effect ability. However, even if Magic Sequence A loses its effect, it still remains with