Yugen met Tatsuya's group, Himeri, Yume, and Shuji. After introductions and lunch, he taught them psion control techniques. Given their organic interference, secrecy was paramount.
"Ugh, can't tell my family…"
"Same here…"
Erika and Mikihiko, mindful of their sharp-eyed fathers, focused on control training. Yugen noticed Leo's awkwardness and called out.
"Leo, what's wrong?"
"It's… I get the image, but something feels off."
"Hm. Picture wringing sweat from your whole body."
Sensing the issue, Yugen placed a hand on Leo's back. As Leo followed, a torrent of psions erupted, startling everyone, including Leo. With guidance, he stabilized it.
"That was wild," Honoka said.
"Leo, feeling okay?" Yugen asked.
"Yeah… Actually, lighter."
Psion circulation isn't just for magic control—it clears blockages affecting body and spirit. Overaccumulated psions, common in convergence magic users, need regular release. Shin'in-ryu uses hardening magic followed by cross-system training to purge excess.
Nobutsume Kamizumi, the founder, likely grasped this instinctively—a natural prodigy.
"…Got it," Leo said.
His "overactive" psions caused the surge; clearing them smoothed his control, evident in his resumed practice. Erika, however, looked miffed.
"Why him…"
"Erika-chan, your control's slipping," Mizuki noted.
"I know!"
Mizuki, a beginner, was outpacing Erika in control. Impressive, but another stood out. Yugen glanced at Tatsuya.
"Honoka, Shizuku, Himeri, Yume, Shuji, Miyuki—all impressive, but Tatsuya, you're the fastest learner."
"Got the knack," Tatsuya replied.
"Naturally, it's Onii-sama," Miyuki beamed.
Only the original protagonist could inspire such confidence. This wasn't a quick skill, so daily practice was set—easier as a Kagurazaka.
Dinner was in the estate's dining hall, a blend of traditional Japanese and modern flair. A single large table, cushioned tatami seating, felt aristocratic yet distinctly Japanese. Present were Yugen, Tatsuya's group, Himeri, Yume, Shuji, Chihime, and two familiar faces.
"I'm Kamizumi Mototsugu, new Kamizumi head, invited by Kagurazaka's head."
"I'm Kamizumi Chisato, his wife. We met at the Nine Schools, so not long ago."
To Yugen, they were his brother and cousin; as Kagurazaka's heir, Mototsugu became his adoptive cousin. Chihime explained their presence.
"You modern magic students may not realize, but we ancient magic practitioners closely watch you. Not to intimidate, mind you."
"Mother, vague words breed misunderstandings," Yugen said.
"True. I'd rather avoid pointless conflicts," Chihime agreed.
Pleased at being called "Mother," she continued. Resolving mage issues shouldn't be bound by modern or ancient divides. Appointing a Ten Master Clan heir like Yugen as an ancient magic head was ideal—his skills and lineage were flawless. Inviting Tatsuya's group was for introductions as Yugen's friends. Chihime's age reveal drew stunned looks, as if beholding something otherworldly.
Post-dinner, Yugen met Mototsugu and Chisato. Once brothers, they were now ancient magic "Guardians." Mototsugu grinned.
"Didn't expect you'd outrank me as Kagurazaka's acting head, huh?"
"Genji-nii's set to inherit Mitsuya. Returning would stir trouble, and I'd rather avoid clan disputes."
"Your abilities play a part?" Chisato asked.
Genji was top-tier among peers, but Mototsugu and Yugen surpassed him as Mitsuya mages. Chisato knew this, nodding at Yugen's response.
"Us returning would just drag things down. I'd rather not deal with those trying to undermine Mitsuya," Mototsugu said.
"Jyuuzan, mainly. If they use Jirou or Shina, they won't see tomorrow," Chisato added.
"Harsh, but they're like my siblings. I'm not stingy," Yugen said.
"Guys… Fine, I'd make sure they can't even moon-gaze," Mototsugu agreed.
Their threats targeted only those harming family. After heavy punishment, one hoped for peace, but military intelligence lingered. "Purging" might be inevitable.
"About the test—anything said?" Mototsugu asked.
"Just 'don't refuse.' Know something?"
"…Just do your best," he said, pityingly.
Chisato's blush and Mototsugu's look suggested that kind of test. Yugen prayed it wasn't.
Mototsugu shifted topics.
"You taught your friends your training. Why?"
"Thesis comp's one thing, but future threats—like continental sorcery or Parasites—require ancient magic knowledge. Grandpa and Mother likely positioned us as heads for this."
Original story knowledge aside, the Great Asian Union's moves, led by Zhou Gongjin (behind spring and summer incidents), loomed. Parasites added concerns. Strengthening friends was a strategy to avert the worst.
"Secrets stay hidden, but the Union moves this fall via Zhou. Winter brings eastern tensions. We can't afford layered chaos," Yugen said.
"Zhou sounds resurrected. A nation's move depends on their agent. 'Man-Eating Tiger' might show. Why not eliminate now?" Mototsugu asked.
"'Hoshimi' predicts USNA issues post-Union. Better to handle one at a time."
Elimination was tempting, but careful dismantling was wiser. Ancient magic training countered not just the Union and USNA but also Kudou, the most ancient magic-savvy clan.
"USNA, huh? We'll need caution with Kudou," Chisato said.
"Kamizumi and Kagurazaka may share ancient techniques with Yotsuba, Nanakusa, Juumonji. Mitsuya's fine, but I'll talk to Yatsushiro via Grandpa," Mototsugu added.
Post-Parasite, Kudou's moves were critical. Modern magic couldn't handle everything, so preparations were discussed. Yugen made another proposal.
"Above Zhou is Gu Jie, 'Jeed Haigu,' one of the Seven Sages—Grandpa's nemesis. When he moves, I want minimal civilian harm."
"Then use Kagurazaka's hotel chain," Chihime interjected.
She suggested funneling targets to their Izu hotels, including Hakone.
"Is that okay?"
"Against the Seven Sages, we need prep. They're survivors who'd use foreigners as test subjects. Oh, and this is for you, Yuu-kun."
Chihime handed over a communication device, secretly delivered but of dubious origin. Yugen recognized it.
"Frizskalv's dedicated terminal?"
"Yes. I used it once; felt clear malice prying into our data. Haven't since. Handle it as you see fit."
Tenjin magic could obscure terminals, but integrating it into electronics wasn't practical. 'Pentagon' required mages; a non-mage crypto system was needed. Edward Clark's probe into Taurus Silver was unclear. Yugen tossed the terminal skyward, aimed 'Odin,' and vaporized it.
"Was that okay?" Mototsugu asked.
"Better than it falling to others. I know Frizskalv's encryption strength."
Yugen handed Mototsugu and Chihime audio receivers packed with secret tech, requiring personalization. Built on 'Pentagon,' they outclassed military encryption. Chisato declined, citing Mototsugu.
Yugen explained Taurus Silver's impact, understood by Kamizumi and Kagurazaka. FLT sent three warnings to media spreading unverified Taurus Silver info, ignored for ratings. This justified legal action for overreach or interference, a step toward thwarting USNA's Dione Plan and ESCAPES Project, leveraged via Gousan's middle school contacts.
"Fits you as Taurus Silver's half. We'll use these for contact," Mototsugu said.
"Appreciated."
Kamizumi-Kagurazaka communication was set.
After talks, Yugen returned to his room. Four futons were laid out, spacious despite their number. Showered, he changed into provided sleepwear, slipped into a central futon, and succumbed to exhaustion.
(Plenty left to solve, but a breather for now…)
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