April 17th, 3:00 PM.
An emergency Clan Conference, convened by the Mitsuya, Yotsuba, and Kagurazaka families, was about to begin. Each clan head joined online, but the instigator, Kagurazaka Chikage, current head of the Kagurazaka family, participated from the Yokohama branch of the Japan Magic Association. Unable to wear a traditional single-layer kimono in Yokohama, she donned a sharp ladies' suit, exuding the aura of a savvy businesswoman, enhanced by her commanding presence.
Most clan heads bore serious expressions. By unwritten rule, the eldest should chair the meeting, typically Kudou Makoto of the Kudou family. However, an even older figure's presence made him hesitate. Sensing this, Chikage began.
"My gratitude for making time despite the sudden request. My son, Yugen, the next head, proposed this, and I'm fully informed. Now, Saegusa, I'd like details on this matter. No secrets—be prepared."
"Understood. I've sent written details, but I'll explain here. Anti-magic sentiment—or rather, Humanism—has grown vocal, denying magicians' rights. The influence of the USNA's magician-hunting movement since last winter cannot be ignored," Koichi Saegusa replied.
Following Chikage's prompt, Koichi explained how Humanist rhetoric against magicians had surged in Japan. Yatsushiro Raizou, head of the Yatsushiro family overseeing Kyushu, and Yotsuba Maya, head of the Yotsuba family overseeing Tokai and Chubu, added their insights.
"It's unclear if related, but similar phenomena are observed in Hakata, Nagasaki, and Sasebo," Raizou said.
"In Nagoya, we found USNA Humanists posing as civilians to stir public opinion. We dealt with it swiftly, so it's not as severe as in Kanto," Maya added.
"Kyushu and Nagoya too? That's news," Koichi said.
Movements in Hakata, close to Tsushima and the Great Asian Alliance, and in Nagasaki and Sasebo, facing the East China Sea, prompted heightened Yatsushiro vigilance. The unexpected Nagoya information from Yotsuba drew the clan heads' attention. Surprised by similar trends in both east and west, Koichi continued.
"To resume, this movement must be quelled, at least temporarily. To suppress this irrational rhetoric, there are two methods. One, speech suppression, is obviously out. The second is to let the rhetoric burn itself out."
All agreed the first method was unthinkable. Mitsuya Gen, head of the Mitsuya family, questioned Koichi sharply.
"Saegusa-dono, doesn't that just embolden Humanists? It seems you're only accelerating anti-magic sentiment via media. What's your plan?"
"Your concern is valid, Mitsuya-dono. I've taken measures with that in mind," Koichi replied.
Given magic's role in power dynamics, the Ten Master Clans maintain distance from politics, leaving some heads skeptical of Koichi's explanation. Chikage, muttering internally that it was understandable, pressed Koichi.
"Eloquence risks making enemies, but I'll let it slide. So, Saegusa, what was your next step? Don't tell me you planned to contact 'that person,' as Yugen feared?"
"…Without his later proposal, that was highly likely," Koichi admitted.
Chikage saw through Koichi's plan to divide but not silence public opinion—a process Saegusa alone couldn't achieve, as her calculations confirmed. Facing her piercing gaze, Koichi confessed honestly. Ichijou Gouki, head of the Ichijou family overseeing Hokuriku and San'in, inquired.
"Kagurazaka-dono, who is 'that person'? If possible, tell us. They could become an enemy of the Ten Master Clans."
"…Very well. My brother-in-law says it's time to speak. This figure is tied to a significant feud for Yotsuba and Saegusa," Chikage said.
Noting the understanding looks from Maya and Koichi, the "parties" involved, Chikage fanned herself and continued.
"Your generation—Ichijou, Mutsuzuka, Yatsushiro—may have heard from predecessors. Thirty-two years ago, Yotsuba's revenge against the Kunlunfang Institute and Dahan… a surviving disciple is a mastermind. And don't be shocked—he's been involved in every incident from last spring to this winter, including Minami-Takanotsume."
"What!?" Gouki gasped.
"We confirmed a Great Asian Alliance submarine near the Ogasawara Islands. The Navy's negligence has kept me busy," Chikage added.
During the Parasite Incident, the USNA heightened vigilance against Japan, making Stars' involvement unwise. However, a USNA military sinking of an Alliance submarine was confirmed, and Stars' presence on Minami-Takanotsume was known via Lina. Investigations revealed Zhou Gongjin and Gu Jie orchestrated Stars' actions. Isami Itswa, head of the Itswa family overseeing Shikoku, reacted to Chikage's revelation.
"Gu Jie, also known as Jiedo Heigu, a Kunlunfang survivor and one of the rumored 'Seven Sages' in the USNA. I was once a Sage but have no contact with the others, including him," Chikage said.
"What are these 'Seven Sages'?" Futatsugi Mai, head of the Futatsugi family overseeing Hanshin and Chugoku, asked.
"I don't know the selection criteria. Some eccentric unilaterally named me a 'Sage.' They used a voice changer and never showed themselves—utterly bothersome. I rejected the title," Chikage replied, her tone languid.
While tracking Zhou Gongjin, Chikage avoided tight surveillance to prevent him from going underground. Her Sage revelation shifted attention, as intended. The Sages are operators of Echelon III's backdoor system, Frizzskalvr, but revealing this risked international issues, so she deflected. Knowing Yotsuba held a Frizzskalvr terminal, Chikage steered the discussion to avoid probing, earning a grateful look from Maya.
"Saegusa, per my son's visit and contract, I'll yield the counteroffensive's name to you and Juumonji," Chikage said.
"No objections, but what's your reasoning?" Koichi asked.
"Simple. As a father, take responsibility for the children's squabble. Even as a victim, Saegusa's actions could be seen as 'usurping' from one perspective."
Only Kagurazaka, Ueyama, Mitsuya, and Yotsuba know of the planned magic high school demonstration. By framing Saegusa and Juumonji as leading it (justified by their student council members), Chikage anticipated the Shippa family's eldest son might object out of envy. With Yugen, Tatsuya, and Miyuki at the school, countermeasures, including against Shippa's "Million Edge," were feasible. The current Shippa head respects Saegusa, but their son's views may reflect a broader sentiment—an iceberg's tip. Chikage's core intent was to urge Koichi to confront Saegusa's past, with the contract voidable if he failed, prompting a serious, downward glance from him.
Juumonji Kazuki, head of the Juumonji family overseeing Kanto and Izu with Saegusa, interjected, not to defend but to clarify.
"Kagurazaka-dono, my daughter enrolled as freshman representative this year, but she's only investigated anti-magic sentiment independently."
"I've heard of your son's sincerity from Yugen. This is partly a reward and tied to my personal bond with General Soga. Thank your son and daughter, not me," Chikage said.
"Understood. My deepest thanks," Kazuki replied.
"Saegusa, agreed? Your name is assured, but the response falls to us guardians, approved by the Prime Minister, His Majesty, and my brother-in-law," Chikage said.
"Understood," Koichi replied, bowing respectfully.
Chikage, noting Koichi's deference and avoiding seeming like the sole villain, snapped her fan shut dramatically, pointing it at the clan heads on the monitors.
"The current situation allows no hesitation. We have no time for Humanist nonsense or past grudges. We'll overlook Saegusa's media manipulation. A vote seems unnecessary, yes, Yotsuba-dono, Mitsuya-dono?"
"Yotsuba, as an instigator, has no objections," Maya said.
"Likewise, Mitsuya has none," Gen agreed.
Starting with Yotsuba and Mitsuya, Ichijou, Futatsugi, Itswa, Mutsuzuka, Yatsushsubscribe
System: Name to You, Reality to Us
The demonstration preparations against MP Kanda and the media were progressing smoothly. Though nervous about tackling one of the three major weight-system magic challenges, the experiment's coordination was seamless, thanks to Yugen's equipment adjustments and assistance from Kana and Mika. Since it wasn't a full-scale experiment like a thesis competition, only the mechanism needed showcasing, with magic and modification strength pre-calculated.
On Tuesday, April 24th, the final rehearsal took place in the radiation lab. A high-pressure, heat-resistant transparent resin spherical tank was filled with a mix of heavy and light water in equal ratios. With Kana and Mika absent due to university commitments, Yugen handled the Flat Drive Filter deployment.
"Let's begin, Miyuki," Tatsuya signaled.
Miyuki activated gravity control. Kasumi and Izumi deployed the fourth-state phase shift, while Honoka and Riri handled the gamma-ray filter and neutron barrier, respectively. Tatsuya confirmed their activation with his "eyes" before proceeding.
"Focus fixed," Miyuki reported.
"Ceria," Tatsuya called.
"Electromagnetic repulsion neutralization, start," Ceria replied.
After confirming Ceria's magic, Yugen deployed the Flat Drive Filter. The final safety valve released, and members at the equipment called out checks. Tatsuya glanced at Yugen.
(A magic isolating internal and external air without interfering with other magic… He said it needs refinement, but this single spell will change the world's common sense.)
To Tatsuya, it was "incomplete," but a magic immune to interference was uncharted territory in modern magic. The Mitsuya family's secrecy made sense. It enabled fusion reactions without leaking temperature effects, turning dreams into reality. Still, hurdles to practical fusion power remained. Tatsuya eyed the glowing tank, calmly envisioning his dream's first step.
The rehearsal ended successfully. For a mere experiment, the results were satisfying, but the real event loomed tomorrow. Yugen, catching his breath, approached Tatsuya.
"No issues?" Yugen asked.
"Better than expected. When did you conceive that magic?" Tatsuya replied.
"That? Came up during Grandfather's absurd world tour," Yugen said.
Inspired by Gouzo's challenge to climb Everest without gear or oxygen, Yugen devised a magic to sustain surrounding air long-term, leveraging his reincarnation perks. Testing in Japan revealed its non-interfering trait. After rigorous analysis, the Flat Drive Filter was born. To avoid scrutiny, Yugen framed it as a product of frantic travel experiments with Gouzo—technically true.
"Your absurdity is inherited," Tatsuya remarked.
"With Grandfather, Moses' sea-parting would be child's play," Yugen quipped.
Their equally absurd grandfathers aside (Tatsuya only knew his from predecessors' tales, having died before his birth), Azusa and Isori handled cleanup, so Tatsuya and the others left the lab. Yugen discreetly tossed a talisman to the floor, which melted away.
Miyuki, Honoka, Ceria, Izumi, Kasumi, and Riri followed Tatsuya and Yugen in sequence. At the student council room, Shizuku, on guard duty despite being a disciplinary committee member, spoke up.
"Good work, Shizuku," Tatsuya said.
"Nothing happened," Shizuku replied.
"Good… Shizuku," Tatsuya said.
"I know," Shizuku replied, catching Yugen's glance and words—her close friend and former fiancé. She retrieved a wrapped gift from Honoka's bag, handed it to her, and positioned her facing Tatsuya. Honoka, blushing intensely, squeezed her eyes shut and offered a small box.
"Th-this is your birthday gift, Tatsuya-san! I chose it carefully, so please accept it!"
"Of course, I'll take it," Tatsuya said, offering his best smile.
A shutter sound drew his gaze to Yugen holding a device, with Miyuki smiling warmly beside him.
"Why'd you take that?" Tatsuya asked.
"Nothing shady. Just coloring a page of your youth," Yugen replied.
"…Don't spread it around," Tatsuya said.
Honoka was already pestering Yugen for the photo, likely at Miyuki's behest. Even Tatsuya couldn't demand its deletion, only pleading against mass sharing. Shizuku spoke up.
"Tatsuya-san, are you free Sunday? We want to throw you a birthday party. Okay?"
"What time?" Tatsuya asked.
"6 PM," Shizuku replied.
Knowing Taurus Silver via Shinkoukai, Shizuku timed it around FLT's Division 3 fully thought-controlled CAD meeting. Tatsuya agreed, noting he'd confirm with Minami later. As Shizuku's business concluded, Ceria approached, offering a wrapped box.
"Tatsuya, this is from Aneki for your birthday," Ceria said.
"Lina? I never told her my birthday… Fine, tell her thanks," Tatsuya replied.
"Got it," Ceria said.
(Ceria-senpai's sister…) Kasumi muttered.
(Angelina Shields, the exchange student, right?) Izumi whispered back.
Lina likely learned Tatsuya's birthday via personal data from the incident—clearly misused, but Tatsuya let it slide. Miyuki noted Lina hadn't probed about Tatsuya, raising slight doubts. Still, he was grateful. Ceria's choice to give it now, not at the party, suggested tact, and Tatsuya didn't press. Kasumi and Izumi's whispers were a brief aside.
"It's checked for anything dangerous," Ceria added.
"For reference, was there an issue?" Tatsuya asked.
"Once, Grandfather's gift had a bug. I ripped it out and looped chalkboard-scratching noises at close range. It wasn't him directly, but still," Ceria said.
Likely a precaution against unwanted attention, Ceria's shocking revelation sparked sympathy in Tatsuya. She referred to Ken as "Grandfather," distinguishing him from her other grandfather, the President, whom she called by name or title. Her words left others sweating coldly.
Notes: Normally, the Kudou head would chair, but due to tensions with the "Nine" family, old magic practitioners, and Kagurazaka-Kudou relations, Makoto hesitated, so Chikage reluctantly led. This ties to Kyoto arc antics. The name-reality split ensures Juumonji, sharing Kanto-Izu oversight with Saegusa, gets credit to mitigate Saegusa's actions, with General Soga's name as justification. It also fuels those hostile to Saegusa.
A simple question: despite last year's Nine Schools Competition, the magician exclusion movement briefly stalled, only for Defense Force radicals to gain traction later. Zhou Gongjin's doing again? (Like blaming everything on Golgo13, but his escape to a military base is suspicious.)
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