The media buyout operation began before the magic high school experiment. By noon, the Kagurazaka Group announced a public takeover bid (TOB) for over 50 media companies, totaling over 40 trillion yen, shaking political and business circles. Plans to acquire major media in the USNA, UK, Australia, and the Indian-Persian Federation were revealed, officially to "eliminate biased views against magicians, avoid global nuclear war, and secure a media platform for proactive magician advocacy." Company executives were rattled, but with interest-free loans as bait and rent hikes as a whip, refusal was impossible.
Protests against the unconsulted visit by opposition lawmaker Kanda to the magic high school were sent, signed by First High's principal, the magic university president, the Magic Association president, and the defense academy president, to Kanda, his journalists' outlets, and the Nanakusa family. Claims of Defense Forces brainwashing were deemed baseless, obstructing youths' futures, narrowing their choices, and, given global tensions, risking national interests—an act threatening the nation's survival, met with firm protest.
FLT, which provided experiment equipment, published a paper on Resident Gravity Control Magic Sustained Thermonuclear Fusion Power Generation on its site in 20 languages, translated entirely by Yugen using his Language Comprehension cheat.
The Emperor's "words," broadcast across domestic TV and internet, opposed anti-magician trends, declaring all born in this nation as equal citizens, magic or not, and crediting magic for maintaining independence without nuclear weapons. This addressed both non-magicians and magicians: magic is a recognized power but must only protect, never harm, "heartful" compatriots. First High's first-course superiority and second-course inferiority reflect the magician-non-magician dynamic in this world.
Parliament was embroiled in donation scandals tied to the Great Asian Union, splitting the Miniken Party and affecting other opposition parties. Pro-Great Asian Union ruling party members were also exposed. With scandal-level stories, even non-acquired media shifted focus, reducing anti-magician articles to barely one per 100.
This purge left lawmakers genuinely prioritizing national interests—a favorable outcome.
"Yugen, Dad wants to talk."
"Figured as much."
Via Shizuku, Ushio inquired about the buyouts. Yugen explained they were to genuinely protect magicians' rights. As the Kagurazaka and Uesugi families led, companies uninvolved in anti-magician rhetoric could retain contracts. Ushio was satisfied, with details to be discussed at Tatsuya's birthday party at the Kitayama residence.
The next day, April 26, anti-magician articles plummeted, replaced by positive coverage of the magic experiment. Seeing inspired students, Yugen felt his efforts worthwhile. Leo showed interest in Ernst Rosen's TV interview, but Erika and Mikihiko stayed silent. Knowing their circumstances, their restraint was kindness, but it screamed "they know something."
"Erika, Mikihiko, come to the dojo after school. No refusals."
"…Huh?"
"What…?"
If they're sulking, Yugen would retrain their spirit—a Gouzou lesson, for better or worse, he mused. It was an off day, with Tatsuya and Miyuki not on student council duties and Mikihiko free from discipline committee patrols, so it beat boredom. This was the Double Seven arc—Riri added a twist, but Takuma acted predictably, as expected.
"That's it for today."
"Ugh…"
"Pushing it hard…"
After training, Yugen stood unfazed, while Erika and Mikihiko slumped on the dojo mats, exhausted from basic Shinkage-ryu swordsmanship training: running with an activated psion body, deactivating it upon foot contact to hone psion control precision. Shinkage-ryu's initial transmission requires sustaining this for 30 minutes. This trains instantaneous psion convergence for advanced techniques, enabling minimal psion use at specific points. Currently, Erika and Mikihiko leaked psions externally, needing to master leak-free activation.
A communicator beeped. Yugen answered, hearing Miyuki's voice.
"Yugen-san, where are you?"
"Light exercise dojo. What's up?"
"Well…"
Miyuki explained that Takuma and Kasumi nearly started a private duel with CADs, stopped by Shizuku and Morisaki. Shizuku used area interference to block their magic, surprising them as a non-Ten Master Clans member. Takuma resisted, trying to force magic, so Morisaki knocked him out. Both were now at the discipline committee for questioning.
"Got it. Why me?"
"In this situation, you're more suited than Riri-chan."
"…Alright. I'll change and head to the student council room."
He wouldn't judge Ten Master Clans' conduct, but stopping their chaos required equal or greater skill. A peer dispute could lead to Takuma's expulsion, too heavy for Riri. Hanging up, he saw Erika and Mikihiko, now standing, looking curious.
"Erika, don't stir trouble."
"I'm not crazy enough to meddle in clan fights. Right, Miki?"
"Agreed. And it's Mikihiko."
Yugen changed, locked the dojo, and used a high-frequency leaping spell to cross the school roof to the student council room. There, Tatsuya had just received mock battle permission from Azusa. Miyuki and Izumi were likely at the discipline committee.
"Yugen. And Erika and Mikihiko."
"No time before the gate closes. Prioritize that. I'm an outsider here."
Tatsuya nodded, heading to the discipline committee via the direct stairs. Yugen's words weren't dodging responsibility—Hattori, the committee head, was handling it, limiting even the deputy head's input. Riri approached, bowing.
"Sorry, Kagurazaka-senpai. I should've stopped them…"
She was near Takuma and Kasumi but hesitated to reveal Phalanx. Shizuku and Morisaki intervened, averting trouble. Yugen shook his head, understanding Riri's newness to the Ten Master Clans and that Katsuto-level actions weren't expected.
"Not your fault, Riri-chan. You haven't mastered choosing the right magic at the right time. That comes with experience."
"I agree," Erika interjected. "I'm Chiba Erika. This is Yoshida Mikihiko, aka Miki."
"Don't make that my nickname. Ahem… I'm Mikihiko Yoshida. Nice to meet you, Juumonji-san."
"I'm Riri Juumonji, student council treasurer. I've heard about you from my brother."
As introductions wrapped up, Azusa spoke.
"Kagurazaka-kun, you'd better hurry, or the mock battle will start."
"Right. I'm an outsider, but I'll leave the place to you."
Without asking which practice room, Yugen followed the psion flow to locate the battle, moving confidently. Erika asked.
"My family's Hundred Families, so I don't get the Twenty-Eight Clans. Are this year's first-years strong?"
"They wouldn't dominate top grades otherwise."
"Juumonji, Shippou, and the Nanakusa twins, right?"
This year's first-years stood head and shoulders above others. Last year, Yugen, Miyuki, and Touya—Ten Master Clans affiliates—dominated beyond that, with Tatsuya also drawing faculty interest.
At the second practice room, Tatsuya briefed Kasumi, Izumi, and Takuma on rules. The door's sound drew glances, but Yugen's "focus on the battle" look redirected them. Unlike last year's third practice room battles with Tatsuya, Hattori, Yugen, and Katsuto, this long, vertical space used no-touch rules for mixed-gender battles, with Miyuki as witness and Tatsuya as referee. Takuma's expression, as Tatsuya warned of rule violations, screamed, "Try stopping me."
"He's underestimating Tatsuya, isn't he?"
"Can't help it. Tatsuya's true strength isn't easily gauged."
By magic high school standards, Tatsuya was second-course level initially but had superhuman magic theory, two unconventional unique magics, strategic magic, and neutralization mastery. Erika's point was valid, but Mikihiko noted Tatsuya's true power wasn't easily seen.
Yugen closed his eyes, ignoring both sides. Shizuku, now beside him, spoke.
"Thinking?"
"Not thinking—just saw the battle's outcome. Don't want to blurt it out."
Takuma's Million Edge medium was at his feet—a state alteration spell turning paper into razor blades and a group control spell. Unbeknownst to him, Million Edge's lethality rank rises in confined spaces. Its optimal use is assassination in sealed rooms without firearms, blades, or CADs, delivering fatal wounds. Bringing such a spell to a pride-driven fight, risking killing, was tantamount to underestimating Tatsuya. A foul loss to demean his opponent might be Takuma's aim, but claiming "strongest" that way was a nuisance.
As Yugen leaned against the wall, arms crossed, Shizuku stood to his right, and Miyuki, appearing suddenly, to his left, asking:
"Yugen-san, who'll win?"
"At best, Shippou's foul loss. At worst, both lose by foul. That's it."
"No clear winner?"
"Nope. If Takuma faced you, Shizuku, or Seria, it'd be different."
Miyuki's Zero Nibelheim, Shizuku's Phonon Tears or Surround Airmine, Seria's Muspelheim—all could counter Million Edge. They could block Takuma's magic with area interference, no need for big moves.
Seria, now beside Shizuku, asked:
"But, big brother, bringing Million Edge to hurt dignity or a girl's skin?"
"Don't say that. The Nanakusa, once Saegusa, didn't just stick to Multi-Type Multi-Magic Control but engaged Group Control to gain their status. The 'Seven' houses see it as stolen."
Yugen felt this deeply. At New Year's, Kagurazaka branch family heirs, despite his legitimate lineage as the head's sister's grandson, suspected him of clan takeover due to his Ten Master Clans status, drawing hostility. If he faced such enmity, the Nanakusa likely faced tenfold. He had no desire to delve deeper.
"You went through that, Yugen?"
"This New Year's. The branch heads groveled, promising to disinherit and reeducate the heirs. Not my domain, so I told them to do as they pleased."
Chikage told the heirs, "If you object to my chosen successor, show superior skill now." They fled pitifully. Shusaku and Yume later apologized. Similar friction occurred when they were named Chikage's disciples, met with the same challenge. Chikage remarked their heirship chance was "as likely as a Big Bang creating another universe." Practically zero, Yugen thought, keeping silent.
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