Moments Earlier.
At the competition venue's parking lot, large buses and armored vehicles stood—owned by the 101st Brigade, Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion. A man in army uniform, seated in a driver's seat, muttered softly.
"Major's rough on us," Sanada said.
"For once, I agree," Yanagi replied.
Sanada and Yanagi, key battalion members, hadn't expected to guard the thesis competition venue while preparing for tomorrow's Movable Suit demo. Fujibayashi's intel revealed a threat far beyond jest. At 3:30 PM, black smoke and explosions confirmed it.
"Things'll get busy. Yanagi, your suit's ready—go wild," Sanada said.
"Work-fast as always," Yanagi quipped.
Sanada's wry smile met Yanagi's trust. Yanagi donned his Movable Suit, casting magic at approaching soldiers. Though less adept than "them" in movement or magic, Yanagi pressed on. Sanada prepped his supersonic launcher for missiles, overseeing suited teammates.
Back in the hall, Yugen's group faced rattled attendees shaken by the earlier blast. Heading to a suitable figure to calm them, they met Mayumi approaching.
"Yuu-kun… that outfit?" Mayumi said.
"No time to explain, and priorities differ. Nakajou-senpai—Pupil Council President—use your magic to calm this," Yugen urged.
"Me!?" Azusa gasped.
Tatsuya's group, unaware of Azusa's magic, showed confusion. Mayumi questioned.
"Yuu-kun, how do you know Ah-chan's magic?"
"I see individual magics. I swear not to disclose if Nakajou-senpai uses it… if Saigusa-senpai agrees," Yugen replied.
"Me!? Well, I was going to ask that anyway…" Mayumi said, flustered.
Only Tatsuya and Miyuki sensed no exaggeration in Yugen's words. After hesitation, Azusa activated her pendant CAD, casting [Azusa Yumi], an emotion-interference magic resetting the crowd's state to calm. Mayumi explained evacuation (Yugen briefed her during Azusa's pause). Schools began evacuating.
"We'll dispose of the demo device. Presidents, evacuate via the back," Yugen said.
"What about you, Yuu-kun?" Mayumi asked.
"Piles of tasks. This outfit's not for show," Yugen replied.
The enemy's terror-like actions verged on war. Only minimal personnel could stay—ideally, Honoka, Mizuki, Leo, Erika, and Mikihiko would leave. Yugen could dismantle the device alone, but splitting with Tatsuya was faster. A comm interrupted.
"Commander, Sixth and Seventh seats' gear delivered. Awaiting at Conference Room 13."
"Understood. Shizuku, Miyuki, go ahead," Yugen said.
"Got it. Honoka, be careful," Shizuku replied.
"Y-Yeah, you too," Honoka said.
"Onii-sama, I'll step out," Miyuki added.
"Stay sharp, even if it's safer," Tatsuya said.
After quick comms, Shizuku and Miyuki left. Yugen moved to proceed, but Mayumi and Mari, now joined, halted him.
"Wait, Yuu-kun. Why do Kitayama-san and Miyuki follow your orders?" Mayumi asked.
Yugen appreciated the question not sparking to Tatsuya. Like father, like daughter, he thought—saying it might redden Mayumi's face in anger. He met her gaze.
"Personal question, or Saigusa proxy?" Yugen asked.
"As proxy," Mayumi replied after a pause.
A natural query for a Ten Master Clan protecting mages. Yugen answered firmly.
"Do you know 'Godo Kai,' Saigusa-senpai?"
"The anti-mage unit known to few Clans, like 'Stars'… no way," Mayumi gasped.
"No further details. Same for them," Yugen said.
A warning against interference—for Shizuku, Miyuki, even Tatsuya—and a jab at Saigusa's probing. The Imperial Palace Police, under the Police Agency, nominally oversee Godo Kai, but true authority lies with the Emperor's designated houses—Joushima and Kagurazaka. Interfering requires imperial consent, a global taboo given Japan's 2,000-year authority.
"Evacuation routes aren't fully safe. Senpais, cover the rear to Tokyo. Honoka, Mizuki, you too," Yugen said.
"I'm fine!" Honoka insisted.
"My power might help. I'll stay," Mizuki added.
"Fine. Mikihiko, guard Mizuki. Honoka, Tatsuya?" Yugen asked.
"Me!?" Mikihiko exclaimed. "…Fine, I'll protect her."
"Best option," Tatsuya agreed.
Roles set, Yugen and Tatsuya tackled the demo device. Mayumi, watched by Mari and joined by Suzune, stood frozen. Mari questioned.
"Mayumi, what's 'Godo Kai'?"
"An anti-mage unit under Imperial Palace Police, separate from their chain of command. Members' info is fully classified," Mayumi explained.
"From Yuu-kun's words, that's the gist," Suzune added.
Mayumi's father revealed Godo Kai's critical secrecy, under strict gag orders. Yugen's partial disclosure burdened Mayumi, Mari, and Suzune with confidentiality, even from family.
"His words were a direct jab at our house. That sly old man's piling on my troubles…" Mayumi muttered.
"Let's move. Shiba-kun can handle the device," Suzune urged.
Suzune's words were apt. Students, even battle-hardened, had limits. Mari questioned Suzune's trust in Tatsuya.
"You trust him that much?" Mari asked.
"He handled security. A self-destruct program's plausible," Suzune replied.
"That's beyond high school level," Mari said.
No such program existed, but Tatsuya's "anything goes" reputation defied Mayumi, Mari, and Suzune's judgment. They followed Azusa out.
Tatsuya's group, after dismantling the device, followed Yugen to a room where Shizuku and Miyuki wore similar combat attire.
"Shizuku, Miyuki, those outfits…" Tatsuya said.
"Like Yugen's… you mentioned 'Godo Kai.' That's it, right?" Erika asked.
"Police connections pay off, huh? Spot on, Erika," Yugen replied.
"Seriously… another thing I can't tell Aniki or that lousy dad," Erika groaned.
Erika, tied to the Police Agency, knew of Godo Kai and reeled at a classmate's involvement. Even Leo, her frequent sparring partner, gave a wry smile at the gravity.
"I heard it's an Imperial Palace Police unit… Miyuki, you okay with this?" Leo asked.
"Absolutely, Onii-sama. It's tough, but I'm resolved to support Yugen-san," Miyuki replied.
Her stubbornness, inherited from parents and brother, was unstoppable. Tatsuya resolved to fulfill his guardian role, turning to Yugen.
"Got it. This room looks like a conference space but has heavy security," Tatsuya noted.
"VIP room for royals or PMs, doubling as an emergency shelter and command hub. Hence, I called them here," Yugen said.
Kazama and Kyoko, in field uniforms, appeared for strategy alignment. Yugen spoke.
"Greetings. I'm Kagurazaka Yugen, Godo Kai Commander. Pleased to meet you, though you'll bear secrecy obligations under the National Secrets Act," Yugen said.
"Major Kazama Genzo, Defense Force. Affiliation withheld for reasons," Kazama replied.
Kazama masked unease with experience, responding formally. Kyoko, pre-informed, was unfazed. She realized her relative was in Godo Kai.
"Special Lieutenant, information restrictions lifted given the situation," Kazama said.
Tatsuya saluted. Only Yugen and Miyuki weren't shocked among peers. No time to linger, Kazama addressed Kyoko.
"Fujibayashi, brief the situation."
"Yes. Non-mages fully evacuated from Yokohama. Enemy split to the venue and Bay Hills Tower. Advance units repelled by our elites and volunteers. Students and staff evacuating to Tokyo," Kyoko reported.
Supplement: Kazuki Juumonji led bridge defenses with Clan heads, and a Defense Force net guarded Tokyo Bay to prevent a fiery catastrophe. Godo Kai defended the Magic Association at Bay Hills, with Yugen's kin—experts in Taoist arts—deployed to trap Chen Xiangshan.
"Special Lieutenant, HQ orders elimination of 'unidentified' enemies. Our main force leads. You're ordered to deploy, with all present bound by secrecy. Kagurazaka-dono, agreed?" Kazama asked.
"Fine. Godo Kai's already engaging at Bay Hills with Mitsuya cooperators. Please understand," Yugen replied.
Not using Ten Master Clans was unthinkable. Yugen's cooperators—world-class mages from their school days—earned Kazama's approval.
Miyuki approached Tatsuya, who knelt. Her lips touched his forehead, unleashing a torrent of silvery psions from him. Seconds felt like minutes. Freed, Tatsuya stood, telling Miyuki, "I'll conquer," before facing Yugen.
"Ahead lies hardship. My help's meager, but it's yours," Yugen said.
"Same to you," Tatsuya replied.
Their fists bumped—a promise born of mutual understanding.
Tatsuya left with Sanada. Kazama faced Yugen.
"Kagurazaka-dono, what about them?" Kazama asked, eyeing the group.
"Tokyo's safer, but they're sharper than expected. I plan to head to Bay Hills. We captured an enemy trailer for transport," Yugen said.
The abandoned trailer lacked self-destruct spells, perfect for use. The driver issue was simple.
"Convenient, as we're heading there. Defense is the concern," Kazama said.
"I'll handle it. Senpai, focus on driving," Yugen replied.
"Got it," Katsuto agreed.
Katsuto, with trailer experience, was tapped for emergency driving. He hesitated over Leo's group but agreed, valuing extra firepower post-spring's incident.
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