October 29, 2095, Saturday.
Normally, magic high schools hold classes, but Yugen and Himeji weren't there. They were at the Kagurazaka family's annex near the Imperial Palace and Kasumigaseki—officially a former imperial family's residence for palace police.
In the grand hall, five figures met.
"As discussed, tomorrow's moves proceed," said Genji Joushima, Godo Kai's second seat and Joushima head.
Godo Kai planned to clear non-mages from Yokohama by event day. Chinatown received no warning—its self-claimed extraterritoriality left unchecked, a tactic leveraging its status.
"If they avoid Chinatown, it suggests collusion with supposed traitors. They're already using each other, tripping over themselves," Yugen, Godo Kai's first seat and Kagurazaka heir, said.
"Old enemies stay enemies. Zhou Gongjin and his superior see them as pawns," Shuji Miyamoto, fourth seat, spat.
All knew Zhou and a "Seven Sages" figure above him, uncovered by Nine Dragons.
"Those two met in Chinatown at dawn. Mainland fleet dispatched—revenge for three years ago?" Yugen said.
"When… how'd you catch that?" Shuji asked.
"Nine Schools' shikigami network in Chinatown. Grandfather's hotel roof explosion was a great distraction," Yugen replied.
"Maintaining shikigami is taxing…" Yumeyume Takatsuki, fifth seat, and Himeji Ise, third seat, gave wry smiles.
Tenjin magic demands vast psions and control for shikigami. Even Abe no Seimei managed twelve; Yugen's feat drew awe.
"Just Reiki monitoring Chinatown. Finding Zhou's no easy task," Yugen said.
"Four Spirits-level summoning surpasses Grandmother…" Himeji murmured.
Higher-level summoning defies normal mages. Four Spirits control stunned them.
"You all have skill," Yugen said.
"Even combined, we can't match you," Shuji replied.
Yugen, annoyed at the tangent, refocused as Godo Kai leader. Urgent: Great Asian Alliance's special forces-led Yokohama invasion.
"They'll hold the line, stealing tech from the Magic Association's databank. Lu Ganghu's transfer to Yokosuka's foreign prison is set for tomorrow—political meddling," Yugen said.
"Ignore it?" Genji asked.
"No bandwidth. Plus, we need Lu and Chen alive," Yugen replied.
Elimination's easy, but they're "living witnesses" to sever the Alliance and Gu Jie's ties, trapping him in America. Yugen continued.
"Juumonji and Chiba mobilized via police. Ichijou's aiding coastal defense—not the head, but Juumonji's leading," Yugen said.
"What about Saigusa?" Shuji asked.
"Didn't ask. They'd pry secrets. Requested via family," Yugen replied.
Phalanx widens options, securing evacuation routes. Saigusa, via Mitsuya, supports student evacuation. Mayumi's presence ensures legitimacy; neglecting students would tarnish the Ten Master Clans.
"Saigusa might dig your strength's secret. Safe?" Yumeyume asked.
"Legit strength-seeking's fine; ulterior motives aren't. I'll settle it with Saigusa if needed—not to destroy," Yugen said, quelling worried looks.
Strength-seeking's fine, but suppressing Yotsuba's out. Yugen'd shift media control to Kagurazaka if needed. Personal fondness doesn't sway current head's actions. Overreactions unwanted—Chihiro and Gousan cover his tracks.
"Could raise a storm but don't?" Genji asked.
"First phase: Shuji, Himeji, Yumeyume, Genji-nii, hold it. I'm tied to venue security, handling explanations," Yugen said.
Alliance special forces (first phase), mainland fleet (second), and third-phase signs abroad detected. Yugen showed a folded terminal with translated Russian ciphertext.
"What!?" Shuji gasped.
"Real?" Himeji asked.
"Detailed analysis of Moscow-Vladivostok ciphertext. High probability. 'Igniter' in Vladivostok—only I can handle him," Yugen said.
Igor Bezoobrazov, New Soviet strategic mage, in Vladivostok. No optimism; Yugen alerted Ichijou for max alert. Worst case: long-range snipe from Yokohama.
Gousan could act, but his strategic magic's revival is secret, and age might downplay threat. Like three years ago, Yugen and Tatsuya would move.
"Grandfather's magic suits defense. I'll handle it," Yugen said.
"Quick grasp," Genji nodded.
Bezoobrazov's Tuman Bomba clashes poorly with Gousan's Hell End Dragon. The latter, Tenjin-based, dominates information bodies, unleashing trillion-volt lightning. It "devours" modern magic's event alteration, damaging casters/objects. Worse than Yotsuba Genzo's Grim Reaper.
Vladivostok, New Soviet Science Academy Far East Branch.
Strategic mage Igor Bezoobrazov was there. Intelligence predicted Japan-Alliance conflict—possibly unilateral truce breach from three years ago. Officers pushed "re-invasion," sending hundreds, outnumbering last time. Bezoobrazov, Europe-focused, was sent as "failure insurance."
(Troublesome military… but an opportunity.)
Bezoobrazov investigated Okinawa's defense, intrigued by the strategic magic vanishing an Alliance fleet—dubbed "Titania" by the Alliance. Identity unknown, but he anticipated their emergence.
Leonid Kontrachenko, another strategic mage, agreed via prior call but voiced concerns.
"Doctor, curiosity's fine, but be ready to cut losses," Kontrachenko said.
"Beyond 'Abyss'?" Bezoobrazov asked.
"That, and 'Titania's' full scope remains unseen."
Bezoobrazov nodded. Japan's three-year peace obscured the mage; the government never confirmed strategic use. No traces remained, defying external probes. Even USNA lacked data; rumors questioned the mage's existence.
Rumors imply truth. Bezoobrazov and Kontrachenko assumed strategic magic. The fleet: outdated, "disposal" disguised as venting. Quantity over quality compared to Sado.
"Your thoughts?" Bezoobrazov asked.
"Wild guess, but stronger than 'Unchained,'" Kontrachenko said.
Unchained—Gousan Joushima. Bezoobrazov knew little; Kontrachenko, much. Forty years ago, Gousan's strategic magic wiped Kontrachenko's fleet, then bested him without magic. Gousan's Dahan feats with Yotsuba were legendary; his retirement relieved Kontrachenko.
"Vladivostok lost if careless?" Bezoobrazov asked.
"Without resolve, soldiers don't return. My view," Kontrachenko replied.
"Noted," Bezoobrazov said.
Sado's invasion wasn't acknowledged; this "re-invasion" framed as "New Soviet deserters." Full return equals perfect venting.
(Worst case, this facility erased…)
Bezoobrazov eyed the military port's routine prep, thoughts his own.
Tokyo, Michelin-starred restaurant's top-floor private room.
"Not to your taste, Yugen-kun?" Remi Anshuku, First High's nurse, asked, dolled up across from Yugen in a tailored suit—Chihiro's pick, politician-grade.
"Grandfather and Mother have finer palates. Booking a year-out three-star restaurant's shocking enough, Anshuku-san," Yugen replied.
Post-Godo Kai, Yakumo arranged a Nine Dragons meet here, forcing Yugen's new suit.
"Kagurazaka sponsors this. Perfect for Nine Dragons' secret meetings," Remi said.
"Overdressed for a meeting. Like a marriage interview," Yugen quipped.
"Parents might intend that. I've heard of you from Haruka… maybe I'll make a move," Remi teased.
Nine Dragons: Shizuku's Naruse engagement; Shijukuin pushed Konoko. Three fiancées "insufficient" per trials. Yugen pondered his role. Miyamoto/Takatsuki avoided marriage ties due to Godo Kai; Yatsushiro's Mitsuya ties helped.
"Your looks could draw anyone," Yugen said.
"Mages face political marriages. Your parents' case is rare," Remi replied.
"Understood. Yotsuba's similar," Yugen said.
Last-minute meeting, hinted overnight (Yakumo's amusement). Told Tatsuya/Miyuki "family business." Remi, Haruka's caretaker and Yakumo's subordinate, gave Kagurazaka school access.
"Parents pressure me. Probably on your fiancée list," Remi said.
"Resigned tone," Yugen noted.
"Better than strangers," Remi replied.
Gousan/Chihiro's firm stance meant three fiancées optimistic. More than ten? No joke. Flirting's normal, but Yugen wanted human reactions.
"Grandfather/Mother guaranteeing three's dust-level," Yugen said.
"Am I claimed?" Remi teased.
"Don't paint me a lust monster," Yugen shot back.
Joking aside, business. Remi's terminal shared USNA data. Yakumo's foreign probes showed predictable moves—fortunate.
"They're delaying troops. Defense Force uninformed. New Soviets?" Remi asked.
"Grandfather's channels. If 'Igniter' uses Tuman Bomba, I'll handle," Yugen said.
Yokohama's escalated Okinawa repeat. Tatsuya's Material Burst likely needed. New Soviets require Yugen; Ichijou/Defense can't handle strategic mages.
"Checked Chiaki. Mind control lifted. She wants to apologize to Tatsuya, but no comp," Remi said.
"Good. Half-skilled mages are liabilities in danger," Yugen replied.
Nine Dragons confirmed Chiaki's mainland mage brainwashing—Zhou's work. Kana sensed "existence cloaking" during her incident.
"As Godo Kai leader, your debut's intense," Remi said.
"Trouble magnet nearby. If peace's denied, I'll make them suffer worse than death," Yugen said.
Grandiose to others, but Yugen's strength surpassed his own reckoning. Remi, smiling, didn't yet grasp it.
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