Yugen Mitsuya's first-round Ice Pillars Break match ended, shifting the crowd from silence to fevered excitement. The monitor blared with the announcer's passionate commentary. In the VIP room, a heavy atmosphere lingered. Faces showed dismay or awe. Amid this, Maya Yotsuba, the Yotsuba patriarch, rose with her enigmatic smile.
"Excuse me," she said, gliding toward the exit.
Mio Itsuwa, eldest Itsuwa daughter and one of the Thirteen Apostles, followed. "I'll take my leave as well."
Hayama opened the door, letting Maya and Mio exit before closing it slowly.
Left behind were Gokyo Ichijo, Koichi Saegusa, and Retsu Kudou—all acquainted with Yugen from his "Yuto Nagano" days.
Gokyo's daughter, Akane, admired Yugen, who had subdued his son's rudeness, earning the Ichijo's gratitude. The Ichijo also owed the Mitsuya for prior notice during the Sado invasion. Marrying Akane to Yugen was a possibility Gokyo considered.
Koichi's daughter had been engaged to Yugen, but his rivalry with the Yotsuba led to a misstep, dissolving the engagement and earning her disdain. He respected Yugen for mobilizing the Ueyama, a feat few could achieve.
Retsu had tested Yugen with Parade at the Kudou estate, only for Yugen to see through it instantly, thanks to his Shin-Inryu training. Retsu couldn't fully gauge his skill, especially with Gozo present. Yugen's bond with Retsu's frail grandson, close in age, stirred mixed feelings.
"How does Saegusa-dono see him?" Gokyo asked.
Yugen's match didn't reveal everything, but his dominance was clear. Gokyo's son, Shogo, had won his first-round match with Explosion, a Ten Master Clans hallmark. Yugen, however, nullified attacks, used hardening magic for precise multi-control, and vaporized all enemy pillars simultaneously—a world-class feat. Gokyo saw it as a counter to Explosion, sweating coldly.
"His skill was known, but not to this extent," Koichi admitted.
The Saegusa, famed for versatility, respected Yugen. Koichi, a renowned mage, had been intrigued by Yugen's sister, Mika, who defeated his daughter last year. Yugen's match sparked greater interest—and fear. Five of the Mitsuya's six public children showed exceptional talent, a threat beyond dismissal for the Saegusa.
Yet, Yugen lacked interest in succeeding the Mitsuya, and the current heir, though less skilled, was competent. Koichi knew from Retsu that the Ueyama and Kagurazaka controlled Yugen's marriage. The Yotsuba couldn't interfere easily, given Gozo's ties to their late former patriarch and Maya. The broken engagement with Izumi was a blow, Koichi mused silently.
"With the Yotsuba and Mitsuya rising, his allegiance could shift the Ten Master Clans' balance," Koichi said.
"I understand," Gokyo nodded.
Yugen's prowess was undeniable. Gokyo saw him rivaling Katsuto's Phalanx or Mayumi's precision shooting. His presence demanded attention from all clans—Ichijo, Saegusa, Kudou, Yotsuba, Itsuwa, Juumonji, and absent Futatsugi, Rokutsuka, and Yatsushiro. His ties to all patriarchs heightened this.
"How do you view him, Excellency?" Gokyo asked Retsu.
"As Koichi said, it's not about succession. He matches or surpasses my grandson," Retsu replied, inwardly noting his bias toward his grandson.
Despite his grandson's top-tier skill, Yugen rivaled the entire Ten Master Clans' elite. Retsu estimated a 30% win rate against him. Gozo's affection, as a covert strategic mage, confirmed this. Yugen's unique betrothal likely reflected Mototsume's understanding of his impact on clan dynamics.
The crowd's fervor contrasted with the VIP room's tense air.
Relieved after his first-round win, Yugen, in a tracksuit to save time, headed to watch Miyuki's 12th match. Shizuku, avoiding strategy leaks, joined Honoka and Erika. Watching with them risked upsetting Shizuku, but the monitor room might upset Miyuki. A voice interrupted.
"Yugen-kun," Kyoko Fujibayashi called.
"Fujibayashi-san, Yamanaka-san. Here for the next match?" Yugen asked.
Kyoko and Yamanaka, in casual clothes, nodded. "Others were rattled by your match," Yamanaka teased.
Yugen gave a wry smile, suspecting military inquiries but feeling conflicted. "Can I watch with you?"
"I thought you'd be with Tatsuya," Kyoko said.
"I'd love to, but circumstances," Yugen replied.
His standout performance necessitated avoiding disputes and keeping Shizuku's strategies from Miyuki, especially after their training. Watching with Shizuku might also provoke Miyuki. He emailed both, joining Kyoko and Yamanaka in the military section, grateful for their ties to the Mitsuya. A student among adults stood out, but he accepted it.
"I don't feel great about it," Yugen muttered, frustrated with the military, particularly the Toyama incident. Two incidents this year alone—if they targeted Shina, he, Mototsume, Chisato, Shizuru, Kana, Mika, and Yugen would act, with Gozo and Mototsume's tacit approval.
Seven years ago, meeting Tsukasa, Yugen sensed her "appraising" gaze. He avoided Third Research, focusing on Ueyama training. Judging him as "human" or not was deranged, a view from his past life. The military's reliance on magic while sidelining mages was unacceptable. Mages weren't mere weapons; their morality defined their power, unlike AI driven by human intent. Mages were people, not tools.
"I get your point," Yamanaka said reluctantly.
"Yamanaka needs to rethink his approach to Tatsuya," Kyoko added sharply.
Yamanaka, avoiding rebuttal, changed the topic. "He's handling his sister, the second-ranked freshman?"
"Yes, she read the response at the entrance ceremony," Yugen said.
"Must've drawn a crowd of boys," Kyoko teased.
Yugen recounted Tatsuya's vivid retelling of the ceremony, as if from Miyuki's perspective. Her disinterest in others and Tatsuya's attentiveness explained it. Yugen had questioned Tatsuya's perfect recall of classmates' words, earning a "habit" excuse and a strained smile.
"Half the course-one boys swarmed her, but she found it annoying," Yugen said.
"Typical Miyuki," Kyoko laughed.
"Quite the talent," Yamanaka mused.
"Stop. If the military tries anything, Tatsuya and I will seriously intervene," Yugen warned.
Yamanaka grimaced, realizing the loss of two covert strategic mages. Kyoko offered no support.
"Does Tatsuya, or you, have feelings for Miyuki?" Kyoko asked.
"I won't deny it, but I'm focused on winning now," Yugen said, turning to the field.
The player announcement echoed, halting further talk as Kyoko focused on the match.
Note: New story is out, if you want to check it out.
Search --> Transferred to Kivotos, I Solve Everything with My Fists
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