Kanda and his journalists clearly wanted to pin it on military indoctrination or being magicians. However, except in emergencies, laws prohibit conscripting minors for military service. Most Defense Forces members chose their path under the constitutional right to "freedom of occupation."
Various reasons may drive them, but Yugen believes the core is their unwavering resolve.
"It's simple—patriotism. Magic or not, those with a strong will to protect their homeland, including myself, fought tirelessly to preserve this nation's peace."
In the Okinawa Defense Battle, Yugen and Tatsuya, in Sado, the Ichijou family led by the "Crimson Prince," and in Yokohama, the "Divine General Assembly" including Yugen, repelled foreign forces. Yet, this was only possible because of those who fought with full commitment. Without a genuine desire to protect the nation, it wouldn't have happened. Some may hold corrupt intentions to sell out the country, but Yugen believes those with patriotism far outnumber them.
"Magicians' aptitude for military roles and strong will to protect the nation heavily influence graduates' career paths. About 45% of last year's magic university graduates joined Defense Forces-related fields, reflecting that resolve."
"Isn't that due to societal pressure or military coercion?"
"Some choose magic engineering, avoiding military roles. Others pursue police, firefighting, medical, or disaster relief. Today's experiment was for the future they aim for."
Not all who join the military become magician-soldiers. Some, lacking sufficient magic skills, serve as regular soldiers, while others enter non-combat roles like logistics. For police, examples include Erika's brother Toshikazu and Inagaki, a Chiba school disciple, often treated as versatile troubleshooters. Firefighting demands magic for rescues in tough conditions or emergency aid, and many magicians join the "Kokutsai Rescue Team," established post-Third World War for large-scale disaster relief, akin to the former Self-Defense Forces or Coast Guard. In medicine, new magic-based medical technology announced last fall has spurred magicians from magic universities to enter healthcare.
Thus, heads of the Twenty-Eight Clans or Hundred Families are free from the yoke of military magicians. Their involvement would make them defense linchpins, explaining the creation of independent units like the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, not reliant on the Ten Master Clans. However, nearly all strategic magics in this nation tie to the Ten Master Clans, meaning their absence could jeopardize independence—a reality even anti-magic advocates, potentially labeled "traitors," must face.
"Magic high schools train 'magic technicians.' How they contribute to society with their experience and knowledge is their choice. Comparing percentages alone is absurd."
"But 65% of last year's First High graduates went to magic university!"
"There are nine magic high schools nationwide, with 1,200 students per grade. First High is less than 20% of that, and its magic university enrollees are about 10% of the total. Most importantly, why equate high school and university graduates? That's disrespectful to both, their students, and staff. Retract it immediately."
Anyone should know the distinct roles of high school and university. Their argument implies magic high schools and universities offer identical education—an insult to students, faculty, and leaders of both.
"But 45% of magic university graduates joined the military or related fields!"
"Then you know how many aspired to be magician-soldiers. You wouldn't irresponsibly claim all did, right?"
Even without attending magic high school, some achieve notable results, enter magic university, and join military fields. Those aiming for military careers often choose the defense academy for a faster track, with magic university as a fallback. They want to paint all 45% as aspiring magician-soldiers, but reality isn't so convenient. They cherry-pick percentages to manipulate public perception.
Magic high school faculty are appointed by the magic university, and neutral Principal Momoyama would never allow militaristic staffing. If the military coerced, faculty like Nijuura or Jennifer—shunned by the university—wouldn't exist. If militarism were imposed, second-course students without dedicated instructors would be prime targets, but that's not happening, proving their logic flawed. If they admitted fear of "invisible forces," it'd be easier to address, but do they grasp the strict restrictions on magic use?
"There's talk of government managing magic."
"Unnecessary. The Ten Master Clans' order, licensing, lethality rankings, usage restrictions, and monitoring systems already exist. Tighter control would mean taxpayers funding magicians."
"What!?"
Journalists clung desperately, but they understood nothing. Magic is a systematized technology, but it requires magicians. Managing magic means managing magic factor holders, already under strict controls like travel bans. Further legal constraints would demand robust legal protections in return.
If the government managed magic, it'd have to grant the Ten Master Clans, who relinquished authority, at least nominal power. Without it, forcing control risks magicians turning magic against the government. The Yotsuba's past revenge, where dozens of magicians toppled a nation, exemplifies this. If the Twenty-Eight Clans led a coup, the nation could become magician-dominated overnight. The Ten Master Clans' purpose is to protect magicians' rights against state overreach, making government control a direct conflict.
Granting authority risks a system where few magicians dominate non-magicians. Guardians, with two clans retaining authority, prevent this from spreading to other magical families.
Fear of invisible forces is understandable, but their stance isn't. A world without magicians would face nuclear annihilation or magicians in space declaring themselves "new humanity," annihilating "old humanity" non-magicians. A USNA magic society with such ideologies suggests this possibility—like a sci-fi anime plot, Yugen thought bitterly, realizing this reborn world is reality, not fiction or manga.
"Let me be clear: your logic equates non-magician soldiers to physical killing machines. That's outrageously rude to this nation's youth. Stop imposing such nonsense and learn the world's reality."
Can magician society tolerate being managed by a government representing the non-magician majority? The government, formed by majority-elected lawmakers, lacks the power to suppress magicians' capabilities. Suppressing them risks magicians fleeing to other nations, weakening the country—a delight to hostile forces.
Instead, accept some influence and negotiate for non-magicians' benefits—a role lawmakers undertake. Politicians and bureaucrats are near "losing tickets," but high income and comfort are their rewards, depending on their mental fortitude.
"Enough!"
"Even a Ten Master Clans member has lines not to cross!"
Journalists berated Yugen's words as tyrannical, but before Kanda could intervene, Yugen spoke with a chilling, almost freezing tone.
"I see. Your true stance is that magicians aren't citizens but 'weapons,' needing no rights. Your claim of liberating and protecting magicians is mere 'prattle' for your convenience. I understand why you equate magic high school and university graduates—'weapons' need no distinction."
Kanda sweated coldly, as did his journalists. Intending to champion magicians' rights, they were framed as exclusionists. They forgot Yugen was acting principal, misled by appearances and failing to listen.
Yugen had no obligation to warn them. Without waiting for excuses, he declared:
"Your words and ideologies will be reported verbatim to the Ten Master Clans' heads, including the Mitsuya head, and the Japan Magic Association, with formal protests to your media outlets. And don't forget, I'm First High's acting principal today. I'll report everything to Principal Momoyama upon his return and to the magic university's president."
This firm stance showed his seriousness. He knew each journalist's outlet despite their anonymity. Protests would be drowned out by rapid media buyouts, leaving no room for their delays. In the original, Nijuura handled it with connections, but now the clan meeting, Japan Magic Association, First High, magic university, defense academy, and political/business sectors will issue protests. The Emperor's "words," broadcast nationwide, will cap the second phase—a dynamite drop into a valley. Next, leaking Miniken Party and mainland donation ties, discussed by ruling party members, will delay elections and weaken the opposition. Some ruling party members, also tied to such donations, will face scrutiny, resulting in a "mutual loss."
"N-No, that's…"
"Any objections? Surely, Mr. Kanda doesn't share their views?"
"Nonsense! Today's experiment was highly meaningful, contributing to societal prosperity."
"Good."
If labeled an exclusionist, Kanda risks being grouped with his party's radicals, alienating the magician community and ensuring election loss. As Kanda finished his strained praise, Yugen displayed his device.
"Mr. Kanda, may I share your words with the experiment team? They'd be encouraged."
"Y-Yes, fine. If it motivates the students, all the better."
Kanda bowed slightly, saying, "No need to see us off," and left with his secretary, bodyguards, and journalists. At a distance, Yugen used Kaleidoscope to track Kanda and Auditory Enhancement to speak directly to him.
"Mr. Kanda, my voice is for you alone, so bear with me. Think of this as my monologue."
Kanda stopped, startling his group, but calmed them, claiming lingering agitation, and continued to the entrance as Yugen spoke.
"I forgot to mention, I'll report this to the Uesugi and Kagurazaka families. My maternal grandfather is Gouzou Uesugi, and his sworn sister, the Kagurazaka head, is my mother. Ask Miniken Party veterans about 'Guardians'… That's all. Safe travels."
Cutting Auditory Enhancement but using Kaleidoscope, Yugen saw Kanda sweat at Gouzou's name. The Mitsuya-Uesugi marriage was internal, less known to non-magicians. Gouzou's feats as a magician and martial artist earned titles like "21st-century Demon King Lule" or "the man who defeated the parody site Acyclopedia." Being raised by him made Yugen an anomaly, enduring it via reincarnation's cheat—not a model for others, nor desired. As Kanda's black cars left, Yugen deactivated Kaleidoscope, sighed, and headed to the school building.
◇ ◇ ◇
Yugen returned but didn't go to class, heading to the radiation lab to retrieve something. Raising his left hand, a talisman emerged from the floor, settling in his palm. Unlike spirit magic, it bore Western-style magical patterns—a Memory Clock for reading and storing memory data within a designated range, derived from analyzing relic preservation functions via reincarnation perks during Defense Forces work. Upgraded from the Yokohama Incident's relic, it required heavy concealment and encryption for security.
As Yugen infused psions, the talisman glowed, flooding him with data on Kanda and his group—too much for most brains, but manageable for Yugen and Tatsuya. (Despite my warning, Koichi Nanakusa leaked my Okinawa Defense Battle involvement. I don't want to owe him, but he's a sly "tanuki.")
Koichi's foresight in using "Yugen Mitsuya" was impressive, though Yugen wouldn't praise him directly. The Nanakusa won't meddle in media responses, as they'll face unavoidable issues. Takuma skipped school for "family matters," likely ordered by the Shippou head. But with Kasumi and Izumi, key experiment members, so prominent, they'll stand out.
Sensing someone, Yugen pocketed the talisman as the lab door opened, revealing Isori.
"Oh, Yugen-kun, perfect timing."
"Something up?"
"We can't exclude the biggest contributor from the commemorative photo. I was about to call you."
"Biggest contributor… Fine, I'll join."
Isori had left to contact someone, holding a communication device. Being hailed as a contributor despite using his sisters felt awkward, but with photo permission granted, Yugen accepted the consequence. Inside, preparations were set, with Azusa inexplicably kneeling at the center.
"Why are you kneeling?"
"Uh, Kana-san and Mika-san…"
"The student council president should be prominent."
"Exactly."
With former presidents Kana and Mika present, Azusa couldn't resist. The president shouldn't be sidelined, hence her position. Kana and Mika flanked Azusa to prevent escape. To Kana's left sat Honoka and Riri; to Mika's right, Seria and Kasumi. Behind Kana and Honoka stood Isori and Tatsuya. Yugen stood behind Mika and Seria, flanked by Miyuki and Izumi. Expected, but this photo, sent as "media data," would spark varied reactions—good and bad—spreading Yugen Kagurazaka's name globally. The photo session ended in a relaxed atmosphere.
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