Yugen and Tatsuya's talk was the day before; now, Yugen was in the dojo assigned to the light athletics club.
Dressed in a kendo gi instead of uniform, a short sword-like blade at his waist. Five straw mats stood a meter apart. He gripped the hilt and drew.
The mats sliced cleanly, upper halves falling neatly. Yugen hadn't moved; the short blade couldn't reach even one. More shocking: the sword had no blade.
Sheathing the "blade" as if it existed, he examined the cuts. Sensing eyes—no hostility—he turned to Mikihiko and Mizuki.
"Someone's launching formulas, huh… Mikihiko, you want the origin's location?" Yugen asked.
"Yeah. For Shibata-san's peace, and my curiosity on countermeasures," Mikihiko replied.
Mainland formulas attacked the school's defenses. Yugen countered with a tracing formula.
"Counter-formula? Different from counter-magic?" Mizuki asked.
"Formula—as in 'shikigami.' Mainland calls them 'manifestations.' Types vary; this fixes the formula-user link to trace the source."
Magic isn't just alteration; preservation exists too. From Kagurazaka's secret texts, mastered for tracing. Under investigation now.
"Keep it from Tatsuya and others. Mikihiko, obviously; Mizuki, as an ancient magic heir, I'm telling you."
"Huh? Yugen, what do you mean? Shibata-san, you know?" Mikihiko asked.
"Um, the Ise head visited recently, adopting me. My parents agreed, surprisingly," Mizuki said.
"So Himeri and Mizuki become stepsisters, me her stepbrother," Yugen added.
"Really… Wait, that sword has no blade? Like Chiba's secret arts?" Mikihiko noticed.
"Part of 'Kokoha' training," Yugen replied.
'Master Tenjin users manifest their soul as armament—Tenjin Reiso.'
From the secret text's final page. Tenjin magic shines with soul blades, purging evil.
Realizing this shocked me—barely manifested yet. Past-life manga/novels came to mind, head in hands.
"How's your eye control, Mizuki?"
"Strong light still bothers, but it's calmer. Training daily," Mizuki said.
"Mizuki and I improved deployment speeds. Want to punch my arrogant past self," Mikihiko added.
Post-enrollment, second-course averages shaved 300ms. Tatsuya from 940ms to 610ms—a leap. But one stood out.
"Leo's amazing—450ms single-step," Mikihiko said.
"Class swap possible," Yugen noted.
Leo's growth undimmed: "Plenty stronger out there; keep grinding." Spring's first-course dismissal fueled him. Erika's 700ms mid-range was solid, but she envied.
"I'll clean up. Go ahead home," Yugen said.
"Got it. Tell Tatsuya and others," Mikihiko replied.
"See you tomorrow."
Alone, no presences, Yugen extended his left hand forward. Exhaling, he whispered:
—Pierce the blue heavens, 'Murakumo.'
Pale lightning formed a sword from his hand. Gripping, he slashed light away—a silver-blue blade and hilt emerged. Sweeping the mats, they vanished cleanly.
Finishing, he dispelled the Tenjin Reiso and changed, leaving the dojo.
Summer break's end brought another hassle: the principal's office. Yugen faced Principal Momoyama Azuma and Vice-Principal Yaosaka. No grudges, but Momoyama tried expelling sister Mika—worrying little, as she's tough, but it irked Kana and the Joushima.
Their sweat? Kimono-clad Chihiro Kagurazaka beside Yugen. He sighed inwardly.
"As lettered, he's Kagurazaka now," Chihiro said. "Past forgotten, but if issues… understand, Momoyama-boy?"
"…Yes."
Chihiro (84) outaged Momoyama (70). As Guardian, she eclipsed mage families. Outsiders saw a girl humbling authority. Exiting, her facade cracked.
"If not Mika-chan, no serious talk. That brat should nurture youth, not sideline them."
"Barrier or not, bold outside the office," Yugen noted.
Registry updated, "Kagurazaka Yugen" ID in pocket. Bowing to Chihiro, he entered 1-A.
Name change spread—no "numbered," underestimated. Himeri's transfer amplified. Magic highs focus modern; ancient users attend regular schools, home-training. Mikihiko's dual rare.
Ancient families secretive—Yugen now understood.
Provokers came; killing intent silenced. Morisaki held back—Monolith Code debt? Homeroom explained Kagurazaka status, paling provocateurs. Self-inflicted; avoided entanglement.
"Don't want trouble… Kids?" Yugen muttered.
"Yugen's mentally ancient," Shizuku jabbed.
"Know, but don't say," Yugen replied.
Reincarnation aged him past 30 mentally, Gousan's exploits adding more. Roof lunches avoided cafeteria hassles. September chill loomed.
Afternoon practice: 1-A's five-groups. Mine? Girls—Miyuki, Shizuku, Honoka, Himeri. Touya managed Morisaki's group. Glares annoyed; I CAD-touched, 15-step spell in 105ms.
"105ms?!" Honoka gasped.
"Slow," Yugen said.
"Fast enough!" Miyuki countered.
"Absurdity incarnate," Shizuku quipped.
Her barbs stung; "punishment"—lap pillow. Punishment, sure—wanted it, no denying.
Context: Miyuki (221ms), Shizuku (292ms), Honoka (306ms), Himeri (228ms) same steps.
After school, council prepped assembly. Data done; Azusa's presidency on track.
Next year? Doubtful, Yugen told Miyuki typing.
"Why?"
"Tradition: I'd run, but head eyes me later."
Aniki topped entry but club-headed due to dynamics. No male ban, but girls appeal superficially. Presidents: Shizuru, Kana, Mika, Mayumi. Katsuto wants me club-side. Ex-clan, but beating "Crimson Prince" proved worth. Hattori's skilled but lacks Katsuto's presence.
"Wind won't release Tatsuya. Mika-neesan might lecture new/old chairs."
"Yugen-kun, avoid?" Mari asked.
"Here, Chairman? Too late."
Mika avoided post-grad meddling but left thorough handovers, advising successors. Persistent issues frustrated. Messy pre-us committee room proved it.
"Out of registry, but blood-tied. Just 'do best' from me."
"Harsh… By the way…"
"Same address."
"Good. Close with Kitayama, Shiba… Dating?"
Expected; discussed with Miyuki—no fluster. Cheer evident. Answered Mari.
"Who knows? No experience. Books vs. reality—you know, Chairman."
"Fair… Dodged well."
"Imagination."
Mayumi, Hattori, Rin, Azusa absent, consulting Katsuto on Mayumi's limit-lift. Club involvement unnecessary.
"Riot? Wind fits. Here, Chairman?"
"Cleared with Mayumi. Benefits clubs."
"How?"
CAD carry for select leaders eases Wind's load. Recruitment chaos—my experience—showed reliance flawed. Hattori's second-course aide factored.
"Mibu-senpai?" Yugen asked.
"Yes."
Reassignments rare. Early year, Hattori, Azusa, Kei topped. Summer exams shook:
Hattori Gyoubu Nakajou Azusa Kirihara Takeaki Mibu Sayaka
Growth echoed Yugen's claims, especially Sayaka overcoming inferiority. Her exclusion held (Tatsuya's engineer later).
Cause: Light athletics. Kirihara vibration-focused, psion overactive; flexibility suggested via heavy weak-area use. Sayaka emulated Mari despite differing strengths, clogging psions; cleared.
Modern magic's "broader than superpowers" implies no weaknesses. Reality: environments don't match potential. Clans maintain education—a strength. Many second-course could excel trained. Pre-stage neglect systemic, moral-tangled.
Magic high benchmark: 1000ms single-step. Top gap under second—achievable focus. Leo, Erika, Mizuki potential? Mikihiko transformed, omitted.
Back.
"Post-spring, Mibu's key," Katsuto said. "Kirihara conflicted."
"Onii-sama?" Miyuki asked.
"Hattori'd hate sharing; no club for Tatsuya."
Year factions formed per boards/SNS. Yugen led largest—top first-course, half second-course. No formation memory.
Key: 1-A me, Miyuki, Shizuku, Honoka, Touya; 1-E Tatsuya, Leo, Mikihiko, Erika, Mizuki, Himeri. Annoying rumor, but harmless yet—watch/wait.
"Tatsuya's capable; Chiyoda'd beg Nakajou tearfully."
"You restructured database and say that?" Miyuki teased.
"Arrangement, doesn't count."
Tatsuya faced: Counselor Haruka consulted third-year Koharu, anxious post-Mirage Bat, dropping thesis. Led to sister Chiaki contact. Mind control risks affection-to-hostility. Chiaki pawn? Uncertain.
"Surprised Miyuki silent," Yugen said.
"Onii-sama undervalues," she replied.
"Agreed, but Mayumi's touchiness spikes."
"Fanclub's annoying."
Assembly day.
Mayumi's proposals passed. Tatsuya's Koharu talks led Yugen escorting Mayumi, fending fanclub non-magic. As kin to ex-presidents, no easy target like second-course Tatsuya.
Trouble: Azusa's speech heckled by anti-second-course; fans clashed, ignoring warnings. Wind, maybe clubs, would act. Yugen sighed, knowing eruption.
"Silence!" Miyuki echoed.
Psions raged; Yugen grabbed shoulders, dispersing.
"Stop. Freeze the hall? Vent later, calm."
"Sorry, Yugen-san…"
Power amplified by Tenjin/psion training—accepted risks. His anger cooled hers—not coldly, but fearfully.
Mic grabbed, Yugen spoke.
"Didn't want this, but: Seniors, role models? Bickerers/instigators—claim magehood?"
Recalled three president sisters' endurance.
National elite, prideful. Maturity lags skill. Yugen imperfect, but superiority/inferiority mocks effort.
"Who decreed first-course elite? Why brand second-course spares? Magic by license tests meaningless? Former president: 'Know strength first. Fail, waste time.' Seniors forgot in months?"
First-course top 100; second bottom. Teacher gaps widen. Second self-study, like Tatsuya/Mikihiko, lineage-aided. Non-lineage lack—failure. Government/school shirk second-course fostering. Avoided meddling; changes inevitable.
Venting internal makes sense but fuels friction. Educators ignoring? Unfit.
No rebut—pressure silenced. Light intent overwhelmed; Mayumi sweated.
"Complaints? Open. Mock battle? I'll take. That's all. Nakajou-san, continue."
"Y-Yes!!"
Tatsuya: "Aiming king?"
"Not style. Leading? Capable ones."
Unfitting heir, but no overextension.
"What vote?" Mari eyed results.
Total: 554. Azusa: 184—presidency secured.
Miyuki groaned. Tatsuya sighed. Yugen drained.
"Yugen 200; Miyuki 170," Mayumi said.
"Fine mistaking me, but why count?" Miyuki protested.
Not names—Miyuki's "Queen"/"Snow Queen." Valid, no duplicates.
"Yugen's 'Overlord-sama,' 'Emperor,'" Mari added.
"King? Emperor? Treasonous," Yugen said.
"Wrong nitpick," Tatsuya quipped.
Joking, but queen paired king. Vote: "Marry Queen, idiot couple." Handwriting known—revenge.
Miyuki teary, clung—culprit wanted. Intent guessed; soothed.
"Calm, Miyuki. Revenge pointless. Queen to them, my princess."
"Yugen-san…"
Head stroked, tight hug, content. If ended.
Mayumi back-hugged.
"No lovey, Yugen! Big sister here!"
"Saegusa-senpai?!" Miyuki snapped.
"You…" Tatsuya groaned.
Sandwiched, calm—proud no reaction. Mari's fist dislodged; Miyuki smiled, staring.
(Sigh.)
(Rough, Yugen.)
(Thanks, Tatsuya.)
Night, bath Miyuki (towel) ambushed. Unspeakable, no fallout—swear.
Lonely past "wasn't bad." This decent, but crave peace, Yasu○-sensei… No? Harsh…
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