This is gonna be intense (in a competitive sense)
In mid-June, Riri received an encrypted email from General Soga. For Azusa, who had been preparing for the Nine Schools Competition since early June, it was a shock, but she managed to pull herself together and finalize the team selection.
With an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory at stake, Isori was supporting her to prevent any missteps. However, the student council members were expending considerable effort reining in Kanon, who occasionally misunderstood the situation.
While such commotion unfolded at First High School, at the Kagurazaka main residence in Hakone, a young man and woman—Shuji Miyamoto, a second-year at Ninth High School, and Yume Takatsuki, a second-year at Second High School—sat in seiza, bowing before the current head, Chihime.
It was no surprise they were startled by the sudden summons. Chihime, considerate of their studies, would normally avoid calling them abruptly. But there was a compelling reason, prompting her to contact their schools and summon them.
"Please, raise your heads, both of you… Yume, how are things with Shuji?" Chihime asked.
"Well, same as always. If only he'd be a bit more forward like Yugen—ow!" Yume yelped.
"Idiot. My position's way different from Yugen's," Shuji muttered calmly, delivering a light knuckle to Yume's head.
Their long-distance relationship meant they only met face-to-face at the Kagurazaka residence or during Shinkai gatherings. Yume's carefree remark earned her a reprimand, to which Shuji responded coolly.
"I'm Grandmother's prized disciple, while Yugen's her adopted son and the next head of the Kagurazaka family. The expectations on us are different—how could we be lumped together? …My apologies," Shuji said.
"No, no, it's fine. We're all family here," Chihime replied.
The grand hall held only Chihime, Shuji, and Yume. The staff were at their posts, with only a few Nine-Headed Dragon guards present. The head butler, Tadatsume, waited outside.
Chihime kept no guards nearby, as they'd only hinder her in case of an attack.
Chiding Shuji's apology, Chihime unfurled her fan and began to wave it.
"Shuji, Yume, we've received reports from Yugen and the Ise family," she said.
"Yugen, I get, but the Ise family? Not Himeji?" Yume asked.
"Yes. They recently scouted the Ninth-Class Magic Development Institute in Nara," Chihime replied.
"The old Ninth Lab… Given it's the Kuzumi family, I've got a bad feeling, Grandmother," Shuji said.
Shuji and Yume had dealt with Parasites during their time studying in the USNA, collaborating with Shizuku. The Shinkai had shared details of Japan's Parasite Incident, including how the Yotsuba and Kuzumi families split and sealed the Parasites.
For the Yotsuba's Parasites, the Kagurazaka family provided spiritual sealing and control techniques, allowing their use in studying mental structures and magical calculation zones. The Yotsuba's strong barriers made containment feasible and secure.
"Your instincts are correct, Shuji. It seems they've created something called 'Parasidolls,'" Chihime said.
"Parasidolls… Weapons using Parasites?" Yume asked.
"Yes. And it appears they plan to test them at this year's Nine Schools Competition," Chihime confirmed.
"Is the organizing committee out of their minds? Anyone who understands Parasites would know turning them into weapons is insanity," Shuji said.
Both Shuji and Yume were stunned. The six Parasites they neutralized in the USNA (caused by a micro black hole from a lab separate from Dallas, per investigations) weren't a threat to their extraordinary power but were more than formidable for ordinary modern mages. The idea of weaponizing them was madness.
"Besides, there's no event in the Nine Schools Competition where Parasidolls could be used, right?" Yume asked.
"The National Defense Forces' hardline faction against the Great Asian Alliance pushed for changes to some events. Among the new additions is Steeplechase Cross-Country, where they likely plan to deploy the Parasidolls," Chihime explained.
"Steeplechase Cross-Country…?" Yume echoed.
"It's a military training exercise used by armies for mountain and forest drills. Adopting a training that could cause dropouts as a competition—didn't the Magic Association protest?" Shuji asked.
Shuji mentioned the Magic Association because the Ueyama and Kagurazaka families had decided to curb the Defense Forces' influence. As the Nine Schools Competition involved the Japan Magic Association, he was inquiring about the Master Clans' response.
"They sent a formal protest, but the organizing committee, reliant on the Defense Forces for the venue, sided with them. It may be a bit early, but this is the tide of the times," Chihime said.
"Grandmother?" Shuji prompted.
"Shuji, Yume, you two will live at our Tokyo villa," Chihime declared.
"…What?" Shuji blinked.
Yume, thrilled at the prospect of living with her lover, contrasted Shuji's confusion. Closing her fan, Chihime continued.
"And I've already made arrangements, but you'll both transfer to First High School."
Several motives were at play, but Chihime didn't elaborate, simply ordering their transfer. No one realized then that this would prove fortuitous.
July 2, 2096
The Nine Schools Competition committee announced changes to the nine magic high schools. Some events—Speed Shooting, Battle Board, and Cloud Ball—were replaced with Roar and Gunner, Shield Down, and Steeplechase Cross-Country. Additionally, competing in multiple events was prohibited except for Steeplechase Cross-Country, and Roar and Gunner, Shield Down, and Ice Pillars Break allowed solo and pair participation.
"Thanks to Juumonji-san, we're not in total chaos, but limiting multi-event participation hurts," Azusa said.
"Yeah…" Isori agreed.
Their concern stemmed from Yugen and Miyuki, who had won both their events last year, making them critical for overall victory.
Complaining wouldn't help, though. A knock interrupted, and Azusa called for entry. Hattori and Yugen walked in.
"Nakajo, I saw the email. Is it true the competition rules changed?" Hattori asked.
"Yes, well…" Azusa began, explaining the situation.
Hattori thought for a moment before turning to Yugen.
"Kagurazaka, can I leave second-year member selection to you?"
"Sure. I'll leave third-years to you, President," Yugen replied.
After confirming that preliminary selections were in place and only adjustments for the new events and multi-event restrictions were needed, Hattori left. Yugen sat at a workstation, typing. Tatsuya, Miyuki, Izumi, and Ceria watched with interest.
"You guys… whatever. Miyuki and I plan to go solo for Pillars Break. Any objections?" Yugen asked.
"None, Yugen-san," Miyuki replied.
"You're aiming to counter the 'Crimson Prince,' aren't you?" Tatsuya asked.
"Pretty much," Yugen said.
The Ichijo family's Explosion was best suited for Ice Pillars Break. Pairing with 'Cardinal George' in Monolith Code for points was an option, but it lacked impact compared to showcasing magic in Pillars Break.
Given the new rules, even with 'Cardinal George,' the 'Crimson Prince' alone wouldn't secure overall victory.
"For Roar and Gunner, I'm thinking Toya and Ceria for solo," Yugen said.
"Me? That's pretty intense, but okay?" Ceria said.
Ceria's "intense" comment referred to Roar and Gunner's origins. The event paired a rower and a gunner to navigate a watercourse in a non-powered boat, shooting targets along the way. Points were based on time and accuracy. Originating from USNA Marine landing drills, it was less grueling than Ceria's Stars training, making her a near-guaranteed winner.
"If you're worried about intensity, the 'Crimson Prince' and 'Cardinal George' are just as outrageous. So, it's settled," Yugen said.
"Fine, but I wonder what Lina will say when she sees the broadcast…" Ceria muttered.
Toya was chosen for the men's solo to counter Third High's likely 'Cardinal George.' Toya, who occasionally trained with the biathlon club, had the skill to control a board and hit targets, as Shizuku and Honoka attested.
For the women's pair in Roar and Gunner, Eimi would take one role, with Kumiko Kunisaki, a third-year from the boating club, as her partner. Eimi's shooting techniques should suffice. For the men's pair, Yugen considered Morisaki and Igarashi, confident from last year's Monolith Code rookie event.
"The issue is Shield Down. For women, Mibu-senpai and Erika are set, but the men are tricky," Yugen said.
For men, third-years Sawaki and Kirihara, or second-years Juusatsu and Leo, were contenders. Hattori, slated for Monolith Code, was out. Considering Juusatsu's traits, pairing him with Kirihara was ideal, but leaving Leo out felt wasteful. Yugen had an idea, which Tatsuya noticed.
"Yugen, what's on your mind?" Tatsuya asked.
"I'm thinking Leo for the men's pair in Pillars Break," Yugen said.
Leo admitted remote control was his weak point, though he was improving. Monolith Code was less suited to his direct-combat style.
With Dragoon Breath for ranged attacks and enhanced hardening magic, Leo could live up to his grandfather's Fortress Burg Folge moniker. Issues might arise, but Yugen was prepared to involve Shinkai or even the German government to resolve them. The key was choosing Leo's partner, which Yugen left on hold.
"If Leo's defense can translate to Pillars, it'd be strong. How do you plan to handle it?" Tatsuya asked.
"He'll get the hang of it through practice. No holding back," Yugen replied.
At their usual café, Eine Brise, the group gathered: second-year Course 1 students (Yugen, Miyuki, Shizuku, Honoka, Himeji, Ceria, Leo, Erika, Mikihiko), Engineering Course students (Tatsuya, Mizuki, Toya, Sana), and first-year Minami. Izumi wanted to join but was held back by Kasumi.
Mostly second-years, Minami seemed uneasy but stayed.
Mikihiko broke the ice.
"Tatsuya, is it true the Nine Schools events changed?" he asked.
"Yeah. Speed Shooting, Battle Board, and Cloud Ball were replaced with Roar and Gunner, Shield Down, and Steeplechase Cross-Country," Tatsuya said.
Explaining the new events, Tatsuya emphasized Steeplechase Cross-Country's unusual nature. Erika spoke up.
"Hey, Yugen, as deputy head of the club committee, have you finalized the team?" she asked.
"Mostly. I need to align with President Hattori for third-years, but I want Toya and Ceria for Roar and Gunner solo," Yugen said.
"Makes sense, but Ceria for women's solo?" Shizuku asked.
Toya's involvement in the Parasite Incident and Minamitakejima gave him insight into Ceria's background, likely from Lina. Ceria responded.
"It's easier than the training I did over there," she said.
"Ceria's aced the biathlon club's advanced course, so she's not lying," Shizuku added.
Reactions varied, and Tatsuya, knowing Ceria's background, felt cautious relief. Yugen continued.
"Honoka and Himeji for Mirage Bat, Mikihiko for Monolith Code, Miyuki, Shizuku, and I for Pillars Break. I'm thinking Erika for Shield Down and Leo for the Pillars Break pair."
"Him for Pillars Break?" Erika said.
"Don't call me 'him.' But yeah, I'm not great at control magic," Leo admitted.
"It's all planned out, so no worries… Hm? An email?" Yugen said.
Checking his terminal, Yugen's expression darkened. Miyuki noticed.
"Yugen-san, is something wrong?" she asked.
"…Two people most of you know are transferring here tomorrow," Yugen said.
"Most of us? You mean the two from the Kagurazaka meeting?" Tatsuya asked.
The email, from Chihime, stated that Shuji Miyamoto and Yume Takatsuki would live at the Kagurazaka Tokyo villa and transfer to First High. Yugen wasn't sure if this was cause for celebration.
"You're not wrong. But transferring now… probably tied to their families' succession issues," Yugen said.
During New Year's, boys from the Miyamoto and Takatsuki families attacked Yugen. Their heads took it seriously, shifting to merit-based succession. To prevent backlash from branch families, Yugen requested a peaceful resolution.
Shuji, Yume, and Himeji were promised not to be next heads, but their abilities made them top contenders. To avoid future disputes, Chihime likely devised this plan.
"Ugh, don't wanna think about it," Erika said.
"Same here. I hear they're engaged, so Mother might be planning to establish them as a Kagurazaka branch," Yugen said.
Unlike modern magic families, ancient magic families often retained branch systems. The Ueyama family had fewer than ten branches, while the Kagurazaka family was tied to the Ueyama, Naruse, Takatsuki, Miyamoto, and Ise families.
Given Yugen's influence, Shuji and Yume had grown strong. Like Yugen's move from the Mitsuya to the Kagurazaka family, Chihime likely planned to bring them to Kanto and establish a new house.
This shifted the conversation away from the militarized Nine Schools events, which Yugen decided was for the best.
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