Late at night on April 24th, Takuma Shippou, allied with Maki Sawamura in pursuit of a "New Order," returned home after a clandestine meeting.
(It's this late already… The meeting with Maki dragged on.)
It was past 11 p.m. To avoid disturbing the household (including the servants), Takuma had eaten dinner out and informed them he'd be late, so most live-in staff were likely asleep. To avoid waking them, he entered through the side door, unlinked to the chime.
"Takuma-san, the Master is waiting in the study."
But as he removed his shoes, a slightly older man—his father's assistant—called out. The "Master" was Takumi Shippou, head of the Shippou family, and the assistant was likely tasked with waiting for Takuma. Though annoyed, Takuma couldn't ignore it. "Got it," he said, heading to the study.
The Shippou family's public business is investment advisory, specializing in weather derivatives. While agricultural plant systems reduced food business demand, advanced nations rely on solar energy, making weather forecasts—especially sunshine duration—crucial for corporate profit planning. Takumi is called "Master" as a leading expert in annual weather forecasting.
However, Takuma now faced Takumi as a magician of the Eighteen Assistant Clans, rivaling the Ten Master Clans in magical skill.
"Sit."
At Takumi's command upon entering, Takuma sat on the reception sofa. Takumi rose from his desk and sat across from him.
"Takuma, how's high school? Enjoying it?"
The casual question at this hour could seem trivial, but Takuma knew it was a prelude to the main topic. Yet, emotion overpowered reason.
"Dad, I've said it before—high school isn't for fun."
"You're so stubborn. No need to be so tense."
"Why are you so relaxed?!"
Takumi's laid-back attitude ignited Takuma's frustration. Takumi understood the cause, having heard it repeatedly, but his son's obstinacy refused to yield.
"The Ten Master Clans selection is less than a year away! This is our chance, yet if things continue, the fickle Nanakusa will steal the seat, and the Shippou will be stuck in their shadow!"
Takuma's "chance" referred to last spring's emergency clan meeting, which revealed an attempted kidnapping of the Mitsuya family's third son by the Toyama family and the National Defense Army, incurring the Uesugi family's displeasure. This was shared with the Eighteen Assistant Clans, and Takumi informed Takuma to foster his sense of duty as the next head. But Takuma rejoiced, seeing it as a weakening of the Nanakusa's position.
Though the Nanakusa and Juumonji narrowly escaped severe punishment due to the Mitsuya head's leniency, their influence in the Kanto region only slightly wavered. Takumi knew the Nanakusa, the most socially active clan, would likely secure their seat.
"The selection picks ten from the twenty-eight clans."
Takumi predicted that without major missteps, the Mitsuya, Yotsuba, and Nanakusa would be reselected. The Mitsuya's two sons are the Guardian head and next head, and the Kagurazaka heir is among the nation's strongest magicians, making their record undeniable. The Yotsuba's Maya, the era's strongest magician, oversees the Ten Master Clans' protection and surveillance. Despite the recent meeting's outcome, fear of the Yotsuba makes opposing them unwise.
"Obsessing over the Nanakusa is pointless, Takuma. You should know that."
Takumi had raised this before. The current neat alignment of clan numbers is rare; historically, clans with the same number coexisted in the Ten Master Clans. But Takuma never nodded.
"There's meaning! The Saegusa betrayed the 'Three,' stole the 'Seven's' research, became the Nanakusa, and took a Ten Master Clans seat!"
"The Nanakusa were Saegusa before the Ten Master Clans system was established. When the Elders proposed it, they were already Nanakusa, chosen for their superior ability among the twenty-eight."
"That ability came from pilfering the Third and Seventh Labs' research!"
The Nanakusa, final test subjects of the Third Lab's "Multi-Type Multi-Magic Control," left and engaged with the Seventh Lab's near-complete "Group Control," exploiting it brazenly, Takuma shouted.
"Not just us Shippou—Mitsuya, Mikazuki, Tanabata, Nanase—all humiliated by the Nanakusa! Why are you okay with that?!"
If Takuma's claims were true, rumors of an engagement between the Mitsuya's third son and the Nanakusa's third daughter wouldn't exist. Takumi suspected the Nanakusa as the source, but the rumor stopped after last spring's meeting, suggesting a broken engagement. Takumi sighed, facing Takuma seriously.
"Takuma… Are you serious?"
"Of course!!"
"At least the Mitsuya, even if betrayed, refined the Third Lab's 'Multi-Type Multi-Magic Control' independently, now rivaling or surpassing the Nanakusa's influence. And the Nanakusa magicians were test subjects like us."
Takumi's proof lay in the Mitsuya's Nine Schools Competition achievements. The head's second son, eldest daughter, second daughter, third daughter, and third son excelled, especially the latter's victory over the Ichijou's "Crimson Prince," a feat neither the Ten Master Clans nor the Defense Forces could ignore.
Speechless but defiant, Takuma retorted, "…So betrayal and outsmarting are praiseworthy?"
"You're trying to outsmart the Ten Master Clans, aren't you?"
Caught by Takumi's insight, Takuma faltered, frustration silencing him. Takumi sighed; these repeated arguments, worsening lately, reflected an unbroken father-son bond.
"Fine. I called you for another matter."
Takuma thought, "At this hour?" but hadn't specified a return time, only saying he'd be late, so he couldn't argue. Muttering "Sorry," Takumi took it as meant for Takuma's mother, advising him to apologize later before getting to the point.
"Takuma, skip school tomorrow."
"What? Why?"
Takumi's abrupt words sparked suspicion. Addressing Takuma's question about what's happening at First High, Takumi explained plainly.
"Tomorrow, opposition lawmaker Kanda will visit First High for an inspection."
"Kanda, the human rights and anti-magic advocate in the news?"
"Yes, with his media entourage."
"Why?"
Takuma asked, though Kanda's recent actions made his intent clear—confirmation, not curiosity. Takumi's answer matched Takuma's prediction.
"He wants to perform, claiming military and magic high school collusion violates students' rights to refuse magic. I know what you're thinking, but he's a lawmaker. Avoid trouble."
"Dad, I won't pick a fight thoughtlessly, even if I dislike him. I'm not that childish."
Takuma's face showed new irritation at being seen as hotheaded, choosing his words carefully.
"Even if he provokes you?"
"Of course. I won't fall for it easily."
Recalling his near-fight with Kasumi at school, Takuma swallowed the memory, replying hesitantly. Trusting him, Takumi leaned back, pressing further.
"Good. Then take responsibility for your words."
"Got it! That's all?"
Takumi's caution might make anyone doubt Takuma's commitment, but since he affirmed it, Takumi deemed the conditions met to continue.
"This matter is handled by the Nanakusa and Juumonji. Don't interfere."
"The Nanakusa!?"
Despite Takumi's clear explanation, Takuma overreacted to the Nanakusa. Concerned but continuing, Takumi said, "Take responsibility. The Shippou won't get involved… Understood?"
"…Fine!"
Bound by his earlier words, Takuma could only agree.
◇ ◇ ◇
(They're here.)
To most First High students, they were unexpected visitors; to school officials, likely unwelcome. A group of ten or so, arriving in three imposing black cars: Kanda, his secretary, bodyguards, and journalist entourage. They arrived at the start of the fourth period, demanding to meet the principal without an appointment.
Normally, they'd be politely turned away, but a lawmaker's badge allows such audacity—unchanged from the last century. Yugen, watching from behind the door, timed his move.
Inside the principal's office, Vice-Principal Yaozaka faced Kanda's rude demand with a grimace. Using full concealment, Yugen was invisible even to other students.
"Mr. Kanda, as I said, Principal Momoyama is in Kyoto on business."
"So, I'm told to come back like a child's errand?"
Both Yaozaka and Kanda are of similar age, but Kanda's arrogance contrasted with Yaozaka's sweating brow. How many would guess they're peers? And what does such behavior say about manners?
"No one's suggesting that."
"Then, Vice-Principal, I'd like to observe your classes."
"I cannot decide alone. That requires the principal's approval."
As Yaozaka noted, Momoyama was in Kyoto—exactly why Kanda chose today, unaware it was Yugen's plan. Momoyama, in his eleventh year as principal, pioneered First High's magic curriculum and one-course/two-course system. With vast connections, Kanda avoided direct debate, a move both cunning and cowardly.
Kanda aimed to succeed in his performance during Momoyama's absence, while Yaozaka used it to block media access. But Kanda could push through with his authority. Yugen, dropping concealment, knocked and entered, saying, "Excuse me."
All eyes—Kanda's group and Yaozaka—turned to Yugen, a Nine Schools Competition celebrity known to all.
"Ahem… Mi-Mitsuya-kun? Aren't you in class?"
"It's practical training time, but Principal Momoyama contacted me, appointing me as 'acting principal' to handle guests… Nice to meet you, Mr. Kanda. I'm Yugen Mitsuya."
"Ah, yes. I'm Kanda from the Miniken Party, as you likely know. I've heard of you from the Nine Schools Competition."
Yaozaka nearly used Yugen's current surname but recalled their prior meeting and corrected himself. Kanda, sweating, faced a Ten Master Clans member with notable achievements and Defense Forces ties—his target now present.
Yugen's "acting principal" title was pre-approved by Momoyama, who, wary of past incidents like Mika's near-expulsion involving the Uesugi, agreed to avoid conflict with Yugen's current family, the Kagurazaka.
"So, Mr. Kanda, what's the purpose of this unannounced visit, bringing media without permission? Principal Momoyama's message: 'If Mr. Kanda has any conscience, please return another day.'"
Unfazed by their stares, Yugen spoke coldly, especially to Kanda. Though Momoyama wasn't present, Kanda and his group vividly imagined him standing behind Yugen.
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