The second Monolith Code match between First High and Fourth High was halted due to a building collapse. In the medical tent, Yugen watched Morisaki and Takasuke's treatment, unflinching. Katsuto and Mayumi arrived.
"Mitsuya… you okay?" Katsuto asked.
"Yes, but I couldn't prevent Morisaki and Takasuke's injuries," Yugen replied.
They avoided fatal wounds, but Morisaki had a fractured left arm and Takasuke a broken right leg. Magic healing reduced recovery to two days, though both had bruises and cuts. Yugen's reflexive barrier and Phase Shift Armor left him unscathed, but he failed to shield all debris due to the unexpected second Battering Ram—unforeseen from his original story knowledge.
"You're not at fault. We owe you," Morisaki said.
"If not for you, we'd be out—or worse," Takasuke added.
Yugen grimaced, guilt-stricken. Mayumi chuckled softly.
Yugen turned to Katsuto. "Chairman, what about my flagrant violation?"
"In emergencies, it's excused. I'll head to the committee to discuss, including your case," Katsuto replied.
Yugen recounted the incident calmly. Katsuto and Mayumi were shocked at the dual Battering Ram spells—deliberate, lethal, and aimed at Yugen, a Ten Master Clans heir.
"That they only got fractures is a miracle," Katsuto said. "Saegusa, handle the rest."
"Yugen, can we talk in the tent?" Mayumi asked.
A single Battering Ram indoors elevates lethality to Rank A, breaching regulations. Yugen nodded at Mayumi's suggestion. Inside the tent, seniors marveled at his unscathed state. Suzune hid her shock.
Miyuki, Shizuku, and Mika, the former president acting as their overseer, appeared.
"Siba-san, Kitayama-san, and Mika-san," Yugen greeted.
"How's everyone?" Miyuki asked.
"Yugen's unharmed. The others have fractures and injuries," Suzune explained, briefed by Katsuto.
Miyuki sighed in relief, Shizuku nodded knowingly, and Mika, ignoring her own audacity, was exasperated by Yugen's resilience.
"Unscathed? Rin-chan, where's Yugen?" Mika asked.
"With the chairman, discussing the incident," Suzune replied.
"This is serious," Mika noted.
In the tent's rear, Mayumi and Yugen sat across a table, soundproof field active.
"Impressive," Yugen remarked.
"I'll take the compliment," Mayumi smiled. "Do you think this connects to the earlier incident?"
"If both carried near-murderous intent, it's likely," Yugen said.
He suspected the No-Head Dragon but, bound by Kazama's gag order on the pre-tournament thief, didn't elaborate. Committee involvement was probable, given investigation results.
"No detection magic before the match, so it's unlikely Fourth High's doing," Yugen said.
"Are you suspecting the committee?" Mayumi asked.
"Partially. Humans can err. If it's the thief's work, the committee's negligence is at fault," Yugen replied.
He avoided absolutes, focused on survival during the incident. With Mototsugu and Chikime present, they likely noticed something, so Yugen saw no need to stand out.
"My flagrant violation is fact. I leave Monolith Code decisions to you, Chairman," Yugen said.
"What?" Mayumi blinked.
"The chairman's negotiating relief measures," Yugen explained.
"You figured that out without being told," Mayumi marveled.
Katsuto, as Ten Master Clans proxy, likely took responsibility for the attack on Yugen. Accepting any outcome, Yugen braced for Katsuto's likely insistence to compete, showing Ten Master Clans' strength. He didn't pry into Mayumi's plans for the team.
Miyuki and Shizuku rushed to Yugen as he returned.
"Yugen-san!" Miyuki called.
"Sorry for worrying you. I'm fine, no injuries," Yugen said.
"I couldn't imagine you badly hurt, but that collapse was intense," Shizuku said, recalling Yugen's grueling Shin-Yin-Ryu training.
Yugen restrained from patting their heads with seniors present. Tatsuya arrived, curious but composed.
"Rest more, Tatsuya," Yugen suggested.
"I'm fine. What happened?" Tatsuya asked.
"Building collapse at Monolith Code's start. Others have fractures, but manageable," Yugen said.
He omitted his own state, knowing Tatsuya's Eyes would see through lies. Tatsuya nodded, confirming Yugen's safety.
"Not natural. Magic?" Tatsuya asked.
"Battering Ram. Beyond mere interference," Yugen replied.
"Tatsuya-kun, come to the back," Mayumi interjected, likely to ensure Mirage Bat wasn't affected.
Mika hugged Yugen. "Thank goodness. I'd have stormed the committee if you were hurt."
"Ow, Mika-neesan," Yugen winced.
"Just skinship," Mika teased.
Miyuki and Shizuku pulled Yugen away, each grabbing an arm, dragging him off like an alien abductee.
"Where am I being taken?" Yugen asked.
"Your room," Miyuki said.
"Time to talk," Shizuku added.
Under envious and jealous gazes, Yugen was led away. Mika, smiling, called out, "Don't make girls cry, Yugen!"
He couldn't retort, given his history.
VIP Room
A heavy air filled the VIP room. Two committee members sat sweating, the chairman stood downcast. Motoharu, Gozo, and Retsu glared, while Mototsugu and Chikime, who apprehended them, stood firm. Shizuru smiled, but her eyes burned with rage.
"Committee members casting Battering Ram is deplorable," Mototsugu declared.
Before the collapse, Mototsugu and Chikime detected the spell and detained the culprits. Defense University students used weighted magic to lighten debris. The committee denied involvement, but Battering Ram sequences in their CADs—meant only for rescue spells—left them pale. Mototsugu's whispered No-Head Dragon accusation broke their resolve. He dragged them to the VIP room.
Retsu spoke calmly, but the act was tantamount to attempted murder against the Mitsuya and Ueyama families, escalating to a challenge against all Ten Master Clans.
"My son and his friends nearly died. The committee's untrustworthy," Motoharu said.
"Attacking my grandson is laughable. But we can't stop the tournament," Gozo added, rising and heading out.
"Where to, Gozo?" Retsu asked.
"An errand," Gozo replied.
"Take my grandchildren," Chikime said.
Gozo's fury promised retribution. A young woman in modern attire, holding a fan, entered—Chikime.
"Chikime!? Why are you here?" Retsu exclaimed.
"To aid Gozo. Take Shuji and Yume. Show those fools a dragon's wrath," Chikime said.
Gozo smirked and left swiftly. Chikime entered, fanning herself.
"We can't trust the committee alone. I propose redirecting some Magic and Defense University security to check players' regulations. They're reliable," Chikime said.
"What!?" the chairman gasped.
"No refusals. This is a Ueyama and Kagurazaka 'request.' University heads and the Magic Association president agree," Chikime declared.
The "request" was undeniable, even for the prime minister. The committee chairman couldn't object.
"Us?" a committee member stammered.
"I'll inform Kana and Mika. Kana's Eyes will catch any cheating," Chikime said.
"It's settled. Retsu, judge them harshly," Chikime said, leaving.
The committee members fainted, likely from Chikime's doing. Katsuto entered, sensing trouble.
"What happened, Your Excellency?" Katsuto asked.
"Those fainted committee members cast Battering Ram," Retsu explained, detailing the events. He declared Yugen's flagrant violation an emergency response, ensuring no penalties for First High.
"Given the situation, First High can use substitute players. Any objections, Chairman?" Retsu asked.
"None, Your Excellency," the chairman replied.
"It's an exception, Tenjuji-dono. Allow some flexibility," Retsu said.
"Thank you," Katsuto bowed, grateful for Retsu's backing. To win, he'd need his strength. Katsuto returned to First High's tent.
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