August 15, 2095. In the grand hall of the Kagurazaka family's main estate, several figures dressed in formal attire knelt in two rows, forming a path to the innermost seat. There, the current head, Kagurazaka Chihime, wore a jūnihitoe, a twelve-layered kimono rarely donned. Though its weight would typically require multiple attendants for an adult woman to move, Chihime walked lightly and sat without aid, her effortless grace hinting at the immense power of the Kagurazaka head.
"…So, the headship designation ceremony begins," Shuji murmured, clad in a haori hakama. Gifted in Tenjin magic, Shuji, from the Kagurazaka branch Miyamoto family, had become Chihime's disciple to avoid his family's succession disputes. Through this, he met Yume and Hime.
Yume, in a kimono beside him, muttered, "I'm glad my sister and brother aren't here, but I don't need weird expectations… We've got Shuji."
"No comment okay?" Shuji replied.
Shuji and Yume were lovers, and since Chihime made them fiancés, Shuji had been tasked as Yume's straight man and brake—a role he half-accepted as the price of love. Their banter paused as a figure in haori hakama entered, prompting them to bow.
It was Yugen, the designated next head of the Kagurazaka family. Today's ceremony formally announced him to the main and branch families, including the Ise. Kneeling silently a few meters from Chihime, Yugen bowed deeply.
"The 107th head of the Kagurazaka family, Kagurazaka Chihime, hereby declares: I adopt Mitsuya Yugen as my son, naming him Kagurazaka Yugen, the 108th head. Yugen-dono, do you accept?"
"I humbly accept. I shall uphold the Kagurazaka's strength and serve this nation," Yugen replied.
Though the Kagurazaka valued tradition lightly, some rituals persisted. Chihime might wish to discard them, but her heritage bound her. Present were Kamiizumi Genji (head) and his wife Chiri, the heads of the Ise, Takatsuki, and Miyamoto families, Chihime's disciples Hime, Yume, and Shuji, fiancées Miyuki and Shizuku, and Mikihiko, attending due to his ancient magic ties.
Absent members were likely enjoying Hakone's hot springs. Unlike Yugen's past-life Hakone, the town's exterior resembled old warehouses due to Kagurazaka influence, though modern shopping malls thrived inside—a reflection of Chihime's taste.
After the ceremony, Chihime called Yugen, Genji, Shuji, Yume, Hime, Miyuki, and Shizuku. Sensing the context, Chiri left with Mikihiko.
"Now, the Kagurazaka's Shinshoukai can finally move forward," Chihime said.
"Shinshoukai?" Yugen asked.
"Yes. A group of exceptional magicians from seven houses—Kamiizumi and Kagurazaka—serving as the nation's guardians: the Shinshou (Divine Generals)."
Led by Yugen, with Genji as deputy, the Shinshoukai comprised Hime (Ise), Shuji (Miyamoto), Yume (Takatsuki), Miyuki (Higashiyama/Yotsuba), and Shizuku (Naruse/Kitayama). Unlike the Ten Master Clans, bound by constraints despite gathering the "strongest," the Shinshoukai aimed to elevate elite magicians beyond such limits, enabling extralegal actions. Though dormant recently, Yugen and Genji's presence revitalized it. Miyuki's inclusion, as a Yotsuba direct descendant, was a nod to the Ten Master Clans, allowing her to act freely without their public constraints.
"Will Miyuki and Shizuku learn Tenjin magic?" Yugen asked.
"It's ideal. For Shizuku-chan, we must first undo my sister's spell," Chihime replied.
"A spell?" Shizuku asked, skeptical.
Miyuki seemed unaware, suggesting Tatsuya might be too. Yugen had sensed a seal on Shizuku's magic calculation area but deemed it unwise to tamper with. Chihime placed a hand on Shizuku's head, a flash of psion light flickering. Shizuku swayed, supported gently by Miyuki.
"Sorry, Miyuki," Shizuku said.
"It's fine," Miyuki replied.
"Shizuku-san's calculation area is now fully functional. I entrust their training to you, Yugen," Chihime said.
"Understood. It's my duty as Shinshoukai leader," Yugen agreed.
Yugen alone had mastered all Tenjin magic. While Genji could activate Amaterasu and others had some proficiency, their elemental aptitudes made Yugen the best teacher. Chihime left, implying they should bond through discussion.
"Let's introduce ourselves. As Shinshoukai leader, I'm Kagurazaka Yugen, former Mitsuya third son, next head, and acting head. Call me Yugen outside formal settings—I hate stuffiness," he said.
"Got it, Yugen!" Yume chirped.
"Too casual… But I get why Grandmother likes you," Hime said.
Yugen didn't deny his unconventional nature. A reincarnator, his ability drove him to explore this world's magic, though he claimed it explored itself. Speaking within a Tenjin magic soundproof barrier, he handed special communicators to all but Genji. Miyuki's sparkling eyes suggested she guessed their maker. Discussing Taurus Silver countermeasures was inevitable.
"Likewise, former Mitsuya second son, Shinshoukai deputy, and Kamiizumi head, Kamiizumi Genji. Call me casually too. Normally, the elder leads, but Yugen's stronger," Genji said.
"Brother, I'm still just a Shin'in-ryuu master equivalent, without a formal license, unlike you," Yugen noted.
"Grandfather nearly made you grandmaster. Me and the other masters stopped him," Genji said.
"…Thanks."
A Kagurazaka as Shin'in-ryuu grandmaster would complicate things, Genji explained, to Shuji's agreement, hinting at swordplay-related succession issues.
"I get that. Shinshoukai fourth seat, Miyamoto Shuji, Miyamoto third son. Call me Shuji," Shuji said.
"Miyamoto, the Niten-ryuu swordsmanship family?" Yugen asked.
"Yeah, and some ninjutsu. Your clean moves stung," Shuji admitted.
"I dabbled in ninjutsu as martial arts, and at First High, I trained under Yakumo-sensei," Yugen replied.
Mentioning Yakumo, Shuji's eyes lit with envy. Yakumo's fame reached Kyushu, amplified by his master. Yugen's training at Yakumo's was mostly magical, though Yakumo tested him with projectiles and combat, which Yugen countered with Shinba (Heart Blade).
"Wow, Yakumo-sensei? Shinshoukai fifth seat, Takatsuki Yume, Takatsuki second daughter. Call me Yume. Also, Shuji's fiancée—pyon!?" Yume yelped as Shuji bopped her.
"Be serious, idiot," Shuji scolded.
"Comedic duo?" Yugen teased.
"Or a comedy couple?" Miyuki added.
"Don't interpret it like that," Shuji groaned.
Yume's rapport with Erika suggested kindred spirits. The Takatsuki managed and guarded Izumo Shrine, with Yume's exceptional talent nearly making her Yugen's fiancée candidate—her bond with Shuji was a relief. Supporting them was part of Chihime's instructions.
"Shinshoukai third seat, Ise Hime, Ise eldest daughter and Yugen-sama's third fiancée candidate," Hime said.
"Third! Hime, spill!" Yume demanded.
"…Yugen, tough spot," Genji sympathized.
"Thanks," Yugen said, wryly smiling at his brother's shared plight.
The final introductions followed.
"Shinshoukai sixth seat, Shiba Miyuki, niece of the Yotsuba head. I'm honored to join such skilled magicians," Miyuki said.
"Seventh seat, Kitayama Shizuku, related to the Naruse. Pleased to meet you," Shizuku added.
Miyuki's openness stemmed from Chihime's prior briefing on her fiancée status and the Shinshoukai. Yugen, Hime, and Genji (via Gouzou) knew, but Shuji and Yume were stunned.
"Ten Master Clans direct? But with the leader and deputy ex-Ten Master Clans, it's not shocking," Shuji said.
"Yeah. The Yotsuba part surprised me, but her vibe matches the current head," Yume noted.
"That's it?" Miyuki asked, tilting her head.
The Yotsuba's past deeds were daunting, but the Guardians' houses concluded they "exacted a just price." Shuji and Yume's reactions reflected this Guardian perspective.
"Miyuki, that's the Guardians' mindset. The Yotsuba's actions were grave, but they showed future magicians' potential. Some can't see that clearly, though," Yugen explained.
"Don't overthink it. We here won't judge you as 'Yotsuba,'" Genji added.
"Yugen-san… Should I call you 'husband'?" Miyuki teased.
"Too soon. Stick to normal," Yugen replied.
Until the formal announcement, slip-ups could be risky, especially with Saegusa's sharp intuition. Yugen and Miyuki, as student council members, interacted often. He doubted Masaki's confession to Miyuki would succeed—his support for it was near-zero.
"The communicators mean trouble's coming?" Shuji asked.
"The Great Asian Union's moving. Yokohama's Chinatown sees constant illegal entries," Yugen said.
"Yokohama's the Thesis Competition venue this year," Miyuki noted.
Chinatown's autonomy and refugee policies limited police reach, a fact Yugen learned from Suzuka and Inagaki during the Nine Schools incident. Zhou Gongjin was unlikely to act directly, but the GAU's special forces, led by the "Man-Eating Tiger" Lü Ganghu, were a threat. A disguised Australian transport ship—likely a GAU warship—was docked at a military port, suggesting British involvement via Australia, despite the Commonwealth's dissolution. The original novel's Ozone Circle strategic magic supported this.
Gu Jie or Zhou Gongjin might be orchestrating, but national-level actions exposed vulnerabilities. Eliminating both completely was necessary, though Zhou's influence tied to the Kudou. Deviating from the original novel, Yugen prioritized methodical action to avoid chaos, acknowledging his processing limits.
"The GAU's the main actor, but the USNA, New Soviet Union, and Western EU—Britain included—may be complicit. I'm tempted to unleash a solar-converged beam," Yugen said.
"Can you do that, Yugen-kun?" Yume asked.
"I can now. It'd be strategic-class, though," Yugen replied.
"Saying it so casually… Good call stopping Grandfather," Genji said.
Yugen's upgraded Mirror Dispersion was a localized strategic magic, directing shockwaves upward to minimize collateral damage. His入学式 long-range mass projection tested directivity, and Meteor Line refined convergence. His urge to "unleash" was half-joking, earning Genji's wry smile—no one wanted new enemies.
"Won't you declare as a strategic-class magician?" Miyuki asked.
"My spells are too complex for that. It'd just confirm what's known. I didn't train for the Defense Forces," Yugen said.
His excessive self-defense power was undeniable, but he didn't seek conflict. Some might call it too much for a small nation, but it deterred threats to loved ones. Joining the Defense Forces checked the domineering Toyama family, who'd faced consequences. Gouzou, retired but Shin'in-ryuu grandmaster, moved freely—too late for others to realize. Healing Mio to full health drew attention to her strategic magic, sparking her feelings for Yugen.
"A temporary Master Clans meeting's coming, likely about me," Yugen said.
"Why discuss you, outside the Ten Master Clans?" Shuji asked.
"They want my power. If I returned to Mitsuya, it'd spark succession disputes—only an idiot wouldn't see that. If they know and still push, they're malicious," Yugen replied.
In Mitsuya's power balance, Genji was capable, but his younger siblings excelled. Shina would likely become exceptional. Thus, Genji joined Kamiizumi, Yugen the Kagurazaka, and Shizuru married into the Yatsushiro. Shina might follow. Post-Nine Schools, Jirou had his long hair cut short by Genji, and Shina's feelings toward him softened—though her brother complex persisted.
"I've got friends in Saegusa and Kudou, but that's separate. Overlooking harm or directing killing intent isn't endearing," Yugen said.
"Even I'd struggle with that," Miyuki admitted.
"Same," Shizuku echoed.
Despite the Mitsuya's restraint, criticism was absurd. Yugen's Kagurazaka blood and demonstrated power silenced opposition.
"Ichijou, Yotsuba, Rokutsuka, and Juumonji will likely stay civil. I hope Father doesn't smash a table in anger," Yugen said.
"He's Shin'in-ryuu mid-level, right?" Genji recalled.
Only Yugen had felt Gen's killing intent among the siblings—a fist scarier than magic. Gen mastered Round Order, an enhanced Nine Loader Yugen developed for the Mitsuya head, storing up to twelve spell sequences for instant activation. Yugen sighed inwardly at this physical shift from the original.
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