In the inner chamber of Kuju Temple, Yakumo sat in his usual attire, accompanied by another figure.
The man's commanding presence, beyond his impeccably tailored suit, compelled deference. This was Aoba Toudou—a Yotsuba sponsor and shadowy pillar of the nation.
The elder, exuding the aura of a political and economic mastermind, sipped the tea Yakumo had prepared, then set the bowl down gently.
"Yugen Kagurazaka… He could become the linchpin not just for this country, but the world. Perhaps surpassing even Abe no Seimei, root of that family."
"A linchpin, not a deterrent?"
"He's already beyond deterrence. At the Nine Schools Competition, he restrained his power within rules. Though Chihiro made a secret pact with the Mitsuya, she gained the most."
Aoba knew the Kagurazaka's strength best. By adopting Yugen, a potential disruptor of the Ten Master Clans, and naming him heir, he now guarded the nation.
"You've trained him in martial arts and magic. Could you defeat him?"
"Facing him in a death match seals my loss from the start."
After brief thought, Yakumo answered candidly. Yugen mastered Shinkage-ryu at master level, blending modern, ancient, and unknown magics. Tatsuya might stand a chance, but Yugen was too daunting. Still, Yakumo tested his martial prowess.
"Survival would be a victory?"
"I tested him at Kagurazaka request—my full invisibility was pierced. Angering him risks turning Tatsuya and Miyuki against me too."
"'Yotsuba' Miyuki… Secretly engaged to Higashiyama's great-granddaughter, among others. Where is he headed? Endless intrigue."
Yugen avoided unnecessary magic. In spring, he repelled alley foes with martial arts alone. At the Defense Academy demo, only modern magic. At the competition, hybrid ancient-modern spells, power capped by rules.
"Aren't you concerned, Excellency? As guardian of national deterrence, with the Yotsuba changing…"
"If they remained mere weapons, Joushima and Kagurazaka would intervene fully. With four trump cards now, preserving and passing that power is key. I compromised with my father-in-law. Another cup?"
"As you wish."
Aoba often teased Yakumo's tea skills, not for taste but sensing hidden depths—a ironic jab Yakumo noted but ignored.
At the Yotsuba main estate, Maya conversed in her private room with Kazuki Juumonji, head of the Juumonji family.
"How are you faring, Juumonji-dono?"
"My magic rivals my prime. Grateful for the healer introduction, Yotsuba-dono."
"No need. Your son, the acting head, offered excessive thanks."
"Katsuto's straightforward. He likely considered the Joushima too."
Kazuki had suffered declining magic for years. Reluctant to pass the house to Katsuto without full teachings, he approached the Joushima desperately. Genji suggested the Yotsuba might help; Maya, via Miyuki, enlisted Yugen.
The circuitous route evaded Saegusa espionage. Treatment occurred at the Joushima's Gunma estate, under strict secrecy. This call used Spirit Mirror, minimizing interception risks.
"I owe him for saving my mage life. After the recent matter, I consulted Mitsuya-dono privately… I'd like Yotsuba aid in guarding the adjacent Chubu and Tokai regions."
"We're stretched thin with surveillance."
"No issue. It's our duty after spring's rebuke; just consult if needed. Clan ties bar alliances or conspiracies."
Kazuki likely sought Yotsuba intel, beyond Mitsuya's network, to reduce Saegusa reliance.
After light chat, Maya sighed as Hayama appeared, herb tea ready. His timing drew her smile; his intuition was unmatched. He placed the tea and inquired.
"Here, madam. Regarding Juumonji-dono…"
"Kouichi's quite disliked. Though Yugen might hate him most. Exposed identity, overlooked military meddling… Liking that requires masochism."
"Indeed."
Maya knew Yugen hadn't requested Saegusa engagement dissolution. She learned post-March conference, via Miyuki. Still, such hostility was unforgivable. Miyuki once smiled, "Shall I freeze the Saegusa?"—Yugen and Tatsuya calmed her desperately.
Miyuki perhaps aimed to eliminate rival Mayumi too. Maya sighed deeply, unusually.
"Endless troubles. Future gains make it a bargain."
"Yugen-sama gathers fusion research at FLT."
"Unhidden deliberately, to draw notice."
Hayama nodded as Maya sipped. Gravity-controlled fusion development progressed modestly, but Yugen's influence shone brightest. Secret experiments on fusion processes occurred at FLT's CAD Division Three.
"As second-largest shareholder, we must accept his proposals. Hayama, select sites—Kagurazaka will likely join."
"Anticipating project acceleration?"
"Yes. Chihiro's letter warns scrutiny in information sharing."
Frizscalv intel risks were known via Hayama and Mitsuya letters; searches focused on foreign economies, inferring military moves. Analog methods like letters from Joushima and Kagurazaka prevented leaks.
Investigating meant exposure—requiring delicate balance. Maya's smile revealed her competitive streak; Hayama thought, blood tells.
Tatsuya's group joined, boarding the Fleming ship.
Six hours to the Mukojima Islands and Kitayama villa. At 100 knots max (shield reducing air resistance), no fishing. Yugen typed on his terminal.
Miyuki and Shizuku brought drinks and snacks intermittently—per housekeeper Kurozawa's tips to Shizuku.
Intuitive spellcasting needed theoretical grounding, vital for ESCAPES.
"Yugen, new magic?" Leo asked.
"Refinement. For Ichihara-senpai."
Thesis competition-related: Yugen, in magic geometry, was asked by teacher Kazuo Tsuzura for a paper. Mimicking Shizuru's "weapons of mass destruction," he wrote on strategic magic replacing nukes—rejected. Rin, seeing it, requested Coulomb force control refinement; he prototyped it.
"Honoka, know something?"
"Yugen linked five systems in class."
"I did it because I could; writing's straightforward."
(Linking diverse modern systems is impossible normally…)
Current spell reduced Coulomb force to one-billionth—unprecedented. He aimed for one-millionth compromise, reworking.
With basics set, travel time involved group psion control training, teaching Miyuki and Shizuku Tenjin magic basics. Amid early 6 AM departures and naps, Yugen meditated alone on deck.
Mikihiko joined, sitting beside.
"Yugen, need to talk."
"Your adoption?"
"Why… Never mind, dumb question."
Mikihiko knew Yugen's intel prowess; Toudou ties were obvious.
"Grandfather said his daughter—my blood aunt—is his wife. They have kids, but no grandkids."
"Your relatives defy norms."
"Agreed."
On the cruiser deck, alone with Mikihiko, soundproof shield active.
"Worried about Mizuki?"
"N-No… Not like us; not even dating."
"Don't skip steps."
Mikihiko's spirit magic neared advanced attribute levels, surpassing Yoshida traditions.
Adoption was natural, but Mizuki complicated it—a mutant mage from non-mage parents.
"Mizuki's offered adoption by the Ise, Kagurazaka's main branch."
"Why?"
"Her eyes. No guarantees of peace."
The Ise were "star-seers" for foresight; "crystal eyes" needed. To protect Mizuki's weak mage family, Kagurazaka ensured guardianship, even acquiring her parents' workplace.
"Did you prompt it? I'm hands-off."
"No suspicion… Haha, embarrassing, once a 'prodigy.'"
"Power breeds arrogance. If unchanged post-enrollment, I'd crush you."
"Literally."
Yugen converged seven attribute spirits casually. Mikihiko asked.
"Planning new Tenjin magic?"
"Close. Framework's done; refining control… Here, fun technique."
He produced blank paper slips and a pen, infusing psions. Pressing the tip, psion light etched calligraphy-like script.
"CAD?"
"Special pen CAD for divine magic, from a friend. Your psion data's in; usable now. Try?"
"Y-Yeah… Amazing, so easy. Can't use before Dad or brother."
Tenjin rarely needed catalysts; CAD sufficed. Made for Mizuki's self-defense via spirit magic. Reads thoughts, writes spells instantly. Works on walls, floors, even air with user psions.
Projection spell via engraved arrays—world first; emergency only, Mikihiko decided.
"From magic geometry trials; engineer friend built it."
"Sure I can have?"
"Only we can use; tampering explodes—10-meter radius."
"Explosion" meant tiny plasma burst. Security demands risk; power entails responsibility.
Mikihiko, twitching smile, promised careful use. Others triggering? I'd know instantly.
Notes: Aoba's views are consistent, avoiding excess interference due to Gousan. Kazuki's recovery alters arcs, freeing Katsuto (with drawbacks). Big returns demand risks.
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