What's a high school summer break supposed to be? Hanging out with friends, savoring normal happiness—that's the baseline. Chasing excess leads to ruin. As a mage, restrictions abound, but thanks to Grandfather, boredom was never an issue… though some memories I'd rather not relive.
In Brazil, I met Miguel Diaz, a strategic-class mage who treated Grandfather like a mentor, having learned martial arts from him years ago. When local government-backed guerrillas attacked, I crushed them with Shinkage-ryu techniques. Grandfather, enraged, stormed the local government. I got stuck placating frantic Brazilian officials.
Later, regional governments surrendered to Brazil. The guerrillas were rogue mages hired by locals, with USNA pulling strings. South America unified as SSA (South-land States of America), and Miguel, plus the first SSA president, awarded me their highest honor. Absurd. I let Grandfather take credit, ensuring even Echelon III only sees his name. No USNA president would dare cross him.
Summer homework? Exempt due to the Nine Schools Competition, where my stellar grades boosted my evaluation. For second-course students, I finished assignments during spectator breaks, witnessing Mizuki's newfound toughness—likely from Erika's influence. She's showing interest in Mikihiko, but that's for later.
"Major Kazama, sir."
"Glad you made it, Yugen. Take a seat."
At Kasumigaura Base's Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion headquarters, my "Special Major Uejou Tatsumi" office is bare-bones, used minimally but comfortable enough. I gave Kyoko a spare key for secure information handling, purely professional.
My visit was to share Kagurazaka family updates. Though no longer a Ten Master Clan, household matters are delegated to them, but personal mage and technician procedures require identity verification. My accounts use "Uejou Kouto" for anonymity, common in business to avoid economic fallout.
Dressed casually, I wasn't reprimanded. Kazama saw my new status—equal or above his—as a non-regular officer, making military lectures misplaced.
"I got the letter from the Kagurazaka family. I expected Joushima ties, but their heir? Shocking."
"How will I be handled moving forward?"
"That's why I called you. Too big for a phone call."
Kazama slid a white envelope across the table. I read the letter, exhaling. It detailed Special Major Uejou Tatsumi's new role.
"Special Staff to the 101st Brigade… focused on intelligence?"
"Exactly. Also, you're promoted to Special Major General, likely for the Toyama incident and entrance ceremony compensation."
"Not aiming for military glory, but understood."
The brigade leader, a weak mage but not a full one, likely wants to counter clan dependency criticism by integrating a former clan member. As a Guardian and Kagurazaka heir, I must manage both modern and ancient mage communities, plus my clan fiancée.
"My engagement's secret, but I'll show clans some consideration. Don't expect me under your command, though."
"Fine by me. General Saeki agrees. Losing you or Tatsuya, strategic-class mages, would hurt national interests."
As God's Society leader and Kagurazaka proxy head, even Kazama, an ancient mage, respects my authority. My new rank matches a brigade leader, and I'm an unofficial strategic-class mage. Neither of us nitpicks interaction.
Talk shifted to the Great Asian Union, particularly Zhou Gongjin and Chen Xiangshan.
"Gouhu Lu and Xiangshan Chen… Domestic agents aiding them?" Kazama asked.
"Zhou Gongjin. Not the Three Kingdoms' Zhou Yu, but his real name. He tried eliminating me during the Blanche incident."
I shared intel but ensured Zhou and his backers were sidelined. Leaking Headless Dragon's hideout to the Pentagon targeted USNA's hidden masterminds.
I also moved on media, using Kagurazaka-affiliated consultants to acquire major stakes in TV and publishing. No media ignores major shareholders. Funds came from deals with Headless Dragon's betting ring—about 50 billion States dollars (~5.5 trillion yen). Grandfather muttered, "This scheming reminds me of that idiot son… but I won't play his game." He meant Aoba Toudou, a realization for later.
"Anti-magic movements took resources, but they're stalled for at least a year," I said.
"I knew it, but even combined, we couldn't beat you," Kazama replied.
USNA's panic is known; anti-magic factions, even among Stars' mage kin, persist. I won't overly fault them.
"If the New Soviet Union, Australia-cum-Britain, and USNA join the Great Asian Union against us, I'll handle them."
"Focus on the Union then. Realistic plan."
Sparing the Saegusa and Kudou was for their roles in Yokohama and Osaka against foreign agents. With less than three months, manpower gaps are tough. Zhou's escape route was left open as a choice.
I warned involvement means ruin. Escape routes are set. The Yotsuba, with future gains secured, don't need aggression, per Maya's call with Gen, relayed while with Miyuki. Their refined intel-gathering is unmatched.
"I don't want a fight, but at the conference, Saegusa and Kudou grilled my status. Dad snapped, 'Want us to clash with the Yotsuba?'"
"Your presence is that big. Even without strategic magic, your control techniques are world-class."
A side note: I met the USNA president, a nationalist kin to a past-life real estate tycoon president. Their resemblance made me blurt his name. That aside, venting to Kazama about Retsu's conference proposal was stress relief. He smirked bitterly.
"My secret engagement to Tatsuya's sister means deals were made behind closed doors. I get their complaints, but more fiancées would give me ulcers."
"Thought you were carefree, but you're surprisingly delicate," Kazama said.
"Kudou might've pushed Lieutenant Fujibayashi as a fiancée."
Even Retsu wouldn't, but Makoto might, Kazama sighed. My uniqueness aside, a political marriage after Kyoko's loss three years ago would scar her.
"On another note, Sanada says the 'Movable Suit' is done, using Tatsuya's data and your defense academy demo moves."
"My moves could cripple most people."
"Sanada knows. It's assist-heavy for anyone but you or Tatsuya."
Tatsuya's flight magic device integrates, but the suit's villainous mask kills any appeal. I'll wear it only in dire need. The original story's design screamed malice—effective for fear, but needlessly demonic.
The Ogasawara Islands are managed by the Kagurazaka family. Even clans have territorial limits, and Defense Force coordination complicates things. Wealthy investors building villas on depopulated islands made Kagurazaka the real estate overseer.
Why do I know? Upon my heir designation, I was given ownership of several islands to learn the head's duties, managed by Chihiro since I'm a minor. Villas, malls, and military facilities generate enough rent to live comfortably. Yin-Yang arts, tied to feng shui, draw those chasing luck.
"Is your adopted family richer than ours?" Shizuku asked.
"Maybe," I replied.
"Why don't you know?" Erika pressed.
"Joushima has dojos across Kanto, a Tokyo villa, and a Hokkaido training ground. They're carpenters and builders by trade. Your family's big too, Erika, with a cruiser."
"That's for training, not fun. It rides terribly."
My Joushima stay was for martial arts and magic, not their finances. They amassed wealth during the cluster wars' construction boom. Shinkage-ryu alone doesn't sustain them, so I helped with their trade, once shocking them by carrying steel beams without machines.
"I was at Joushima to learn Shinkage-ryu, not to marry in. Nearly got roped into being headmaster, but Genji-niisan stopped it."
"I get the hassle. Same at my place," Erika said.
"Tough life," I added.
Today, we're beach-bound, hosted by Shizuku at her family's villa. Arriving first, I chatted with Erika and Shizuku. Honoka was guiding Tatsuya's group, prompting Shizuku's quip: "Hope Honoka doesn't get lost fangirling over Tatsuya." Honoka panicked.
"Being a Guardian is hard to grasp unless you're one. When the prime minister bowed to me, I faked a smile to cope."
"Never met the PM. Finance Minister, yes," Shizuku said.
"That's a big shot! You're both impressive," Erika exclaimed.
Shizuku's father connects her to business tycoons, and Erika's swordsmanship ties her to police and security brass. No ordinary mage families.
A captain-like figure approached—Shizuku's father, Ushio Kitayama, my potential father-in-law.
"Yugen-kun, been a while. Since the New Year's party?"
"Long time, Ushio-san. My name's changed twice, but I hope for good ties ahead."
From "Yugen Nagano" to Yugen Mitsuya, then Kagurazaka. Shizuku's secretly named second wife-to-be. The Kitayama, a wealthy family, knew the Kagurazaka's influence, shocked by a letter from Shizuku's mother's Naruse family.
Miyuki and Shizuku's engagements were shared with Tatsuya's group, vaguely to obscure Yotsuba ties.
"As a mage outclassed and betrothed, I should bow, but we're even. My wife wants to see you."
"Mom wanted to come, but I stopped her," Shizuku said.
"Yugen, got a thing for older women?" Erika teased.
"Don't say that in front of family, Erika. I'm not into that."
I learned recently the Naruse are a Kagurazaka branch. I met Shizuku's mother at Joushima and parties, where she said, "I wish you'd be my son." My catching Grandfather's thrown bokken impressed her.
It's flattering, but I wish she'd said it privately. Honoka gave a wry smile, and Shizuku, blushing, mumbled, "Mom, don't say that." Her son said, "Be my big brother." Marrying Shizuku would make it so.
"Tatsuya agreeing so easily… will spears fall tomorrow?" Erika said.
"Don't say that to him. I'll have Grandfather send you to Ryukyu for 'human graduation' if you spill."
"You're the least human," Erika shot back.
"Haha… you okay?" Ushio asked.
"I'll accept it as fate."
Erika asked about Miyuki, but I stayed at Kagurazaka's for a night due to legalities requiring guardian consent. Their Tokyo villa exists, but I'll remain a Shiba houseguest. Chihiro said, "As first wife candidate, learn to care for the head." Soundproofing was added to the Shiba home—not for that, I hope, but parental care. The Mitsuya cover costs, so no worries.
Notes: Yugen crushes flags decisively. The SSA's formation, backed by strategic-class magic, alarms USNA. Any move risks Grandfather's "one-strike" (lightning) on the White House. The grass is always greener, indeed.
---------------------------------------------
🚀 Want more?
📖 On Patreon you can read 20+ chapters ahead, plus there will be exclusive stories available only there.
💖 If you'd like to support me, check it out: patreon.com/Greyhounds
🔓 Patreon will always stay ahead of the public release — and some stories won't be published anywhere else.
✨ All support is completely optional — even if you don't join, I'm still grateful to have you here reading!