In the top-floor office of the Japan Magic Association's headquarters in Kyoto, a woman sat with a weary expression. Azumi Igarashi, in her thirties and a mother of two, hardly looked the part of the association's president.
"Sigh… A request from His Excellency Kudou is impossible to refuse, but it's giving me a stomachache."
She muttered to herself, the reason clear. Yesterday, the Kudou family had urgently requested a meeting. Azumi had received Retsu, the former head of the Kudou family. Though retired, his reputation as a former National Defense Force officer and one of the Ten Master Clans remained unshaken.
Retsu's request was direct: "Convene an emergency Clan Conference." Coming from the Kudou family alone, it was a tall order, but refusing someone of his stature was out of the question.
Azumi had her suspicions about the cause. The conference request followed a notice sent to some of the Twenty-Eight Clans and Hundred Families from both the Joushima and Kagurazaka families. The topic was obvious.
It centered on Yugen Mitsuya—no, Yugen Kagurazaka, as his legal name now stood. His prowess was undeniable, proven at the recent Nine Schools Competition. Defeating the heir of the Ichijou family in two events was a feat no one could dismiss.
Tomorrow, the emergency Clan Conference would convene. Due to the short notice, over half the clan heads would join via video link, with the Ichijou, Futatsugi, and Kudou families attending in person at Kyoto's headquarters.
The Magic Association wanted to verify the facts, but Azumi dreaded any discord disrupting the Ten Master Clans' unity. Recalling her daughter's engagement to the Rokutsuka clan, she decided to reach out.
"Sorry, Rokutsuka-dono. I know you're busy, but thank you for taking my call."
"No trouble at all, Igarashi-dono. My daughter speaks fondly of yours. What's the matter?"
"Well, actually—"
Azumi hoped to ease her stress by confiding in someone. Perhaps sensing this, Atsuko Rokutsuka listened patiently without interrupting.
After hearing her out, Atsuko offered, "Fortunately, Touya knows Yugen-kun's contact details. I can reach out. May I share this with him?"
"Yes. He's involved, so he'll hear about it eventually."
Azumi knew Katsuto, Mayumi, Mari, and Ami were at the Rokutsuka residence. She hoped they'd grasp the weight of being part of the Ten Master Clans, a parent's wish tucked into her thoughts.
The day after the nomination ceremony, Yugen, dressed casually, was on a video call with Gen, his father. Despite being adopted into the Kagurazaka family, blood ties remained. In public, Yugen had to address Gen as "Mitsuya-dono," a formality that felt awkward, especially toward his own parents. Privately, though, their father-son banter flowed as usual.
"So, that's the situation. How's it going with you, Dad?"
"Calming Mika was tough. She's less upset about you being targeted than the idea of you having multiple wives."
"She's pretty when she's quiet, though."
"…Can't argue with that."
The emergency Clan Conference had Chihiro, Yugen's sister, exasperated. Had Yugen and Genji stayed with the Mitsuya family, they might have rivaled the Yotsuba in prominence, potentially leading to a clash that could weaken both. That was Chihiro's theory.
But reality made that unlikely. The Yotsuba had calmed considerably, their unmatched intelligence-gathering rendering reckless moves unnecessary. With Miyuki now Yugen's fiancée, alliances between the Mitsuya, Yotsuba, Joushima, and Kagurazaka families were feasible.
With Maya and Midnight already formidable mages, and Tatsuya's addition, the Yotsuba naturally stood out. When Miyuki was asked about Tatsuya as the next Yotsuba head, she replied, "If Aunt and Mother push for it, they might. If Onii-sama ran, no one our age would dare compete."
Unlike their parents' generation, their peers viewed Tatsuya without prejudice.
Setting aside the Yotsuba succession, Yugen's call with Gen was less about probing and more about open honesty.
"The fact that His Excellency Kudou proposed this makes me think the current and former Kudou heads are hitting an all-time low in likability."
"By the way, didn't you treat his grandson?"
"Grandfather stopped me, and I agreed it wasn't the right move."
If Yugen had healed him, the current Kudou head might have pushed for a marriage to tie Yugen to their clan. With no suitable women in the Kudou family, they might have pressured Kyoko from the Fujibayashi family. Kyoko, still grieving her fiancé lost in the Okinawa Defense Battle, would've found such a move beyond cruel. Gousan agreed, so no action was taken. Yugen's own reluctance toward engagement at the time played a part, too.
Interference magic affecting psion or spirit information bodies, like "Reinforce," was taboo in modern magic due to its organic interference. Gousan had sternly told the Kudou family to face their reality of sidelining a decent person like Kyoko.
"Kyoko's a good person, but marriage is another matter. My attachment to the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion is temporary anyway. I figured His Excellency knew that."
"Something happen?"
"On the ninth night of the Nine Schools Competition, Major Kazama spoke with me directly. He said His Excellency called Tatsuya 'a pity.' As for me, Kazama hinted he knows more than he lets on."
Yugen clarified he wasn't blaming Kazama. A clear deterrent was necessary, but the military still had those who echoed pre-WWII expansionist ideals. Strategic-class magic and its wielders being reduced to "weapons" was unacceptable. History showed where such arrogance led. Power, magical or not, could corrupt without a disciplined heart, Yugen believed. Without it, one was just a puppet pulling triggers on command. He thought it worth repeating.
"I'm just worried you'll smash the conference table in anger, Dad."
"Truth is, the Saegusa and Kudou families sent inquiries about you without going through the Magic Association. After reading them, I crushed my favorite glass with my grip. Didn't notice until Shirou healed me."
"Oof… (Too late, huh?)"
The inquiries implied that letting someone as powerful as Yugen leave the Ten Master Clans raised doubts about their strength. Gen's sturdy build meant only minor cuts, but Yugen, thinking of replacing the broken glass, spoke calmly.
"Honestly, people who can't handle their own family have no right to lecture us. They claim to seek strength but show double standards with the Yotsuba. No trust there."
"I won't budge from our stance. Talking with you probably saved a table from being smashed."
"Mom approved my handwritten letter. Please review it."
"If you wrote it, it's fine, but I'll check."
The letter outlined potential future events. Yakumo, entrusted with it, could easily outmaneuver others. After scheduling a visit to the Mitsuya estate, Yugen ended the call.
Miyuki appeared, her white dress radiant despite the thin fabric. Yugen frowned slightly.
"Miyuki, I get wanting to look nice, but isn't that dress a bit… sheer?"
"It's fine. I'm not shy with you, Yugen-san."
(Tatsuya, how did you handle this…)
The Magic High School uniform already hugged her figure, but this dress, if wet, might reveal too much. Chihiro likely picked it. Yugen mentally applauded Tatsuya for his restraint.
As Miyuki leaned against him, he let her be. She asked, "Why did you accept becoming the Kagurazaka head? Beyond your father or Chihiro's influence?"
"If I stayed in the Ten Master Clans, it could've sparked a family feud. I wanted Genji-niisan to inherit, and for Honami to find happiness."
Miyuki, aware of Honami via Midnight, smiled softly at Yugen's wish for her happiness despite her future as a clan head's wife.
"Also, the Ten Master Clans' framework was a hassle."
"A hassle?"
"I know you're tied to the Yotsuba, but chasing strength while crushing those who stand out isn't what I want."
Ignoring such flaws led to issues like the Stars incident in the original story. Knowing this, strength was no loss. Genji was mastering Tenjin magic, as were Himeri, Yume, and Shūji. Chihiro was personally teaching Shizuku. Miyuki would learn Tenjin magic for ancient magic countermeasures, with Chihiro's approval.
"Honestly, this country has many enemies. Facing every nation's strategic-class mages is a nightmare, but I won't ignore that possibility. Ironically, a deterrent is necessary."
At Kuju Temple's magic training, Yugen had replicated strategic-class magic, even using Tenjin magic to activate Tuman Bomba without weather conditions. A "super-strategic" spell, capable of wiping out Alaska, was sealed due to its catastrophic potential.
"Staying in the Ten Master Clans would've been a shackle, so I accepted Grandfather and Chihiro's proposal. You're not exactly uninvolved, Miyuki."
"True. But Onii-sama and I can still grow stronger. Fighting Shizuku was enlightening, though you can't favor her too much."
"That was practically an accident."
Marrying the protagonist's sister made Tatsuya his brother-in-law, an "Onii-sama" Yugen was told to avoid calling him, as it made Tatsuya uneasy. Understandable.
Miyuki pressed closer, her floral scent and allure overwhelming for a first-year high schooler.
"Um, Miyuki? You're… pressing against me."
"I meant to. I've considered sneaking into your room at night."
"My rationality's about to combust."
Her face neared, and they shared a light kiss. Her flushed cheeks and sly smile echoed her mother. Yugen recalled an incident three years ago—thankfully still a secret. Or maybe Miyuki knew and was being bold.
"My life's full of assertive women."
"I won't deny it. Oh, one thing…"
Miyuki mentioned kissing Tatsuya's forehead to undo his Oath. Yugen approved, and she replied, "In return, I'll indulge with you a lot." He was, admittedly, soft on her.
"Well then, my princess…"
Miyuki's good mood the next day spoke volumes.
Notes: The original character fits naturally, respecting the timeline of the Juumonji family's tenure. The Mitsuya family prioritizes unity and avoids arrogance, especially after their sons' involvement in Okinawa. Thin clothing? A strategic weapon indeed.
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