As Yugen returned to his room at the Shiba household and changed into casual clothes, his terminal chimed with an incoming video call. It had been a while since he'd received a call from the person assigned to this ringtone, and he connected the call, placing the receiver to his ear.
The face on the screen was a familiar one to Yugen, none other than Shinkuro Kichijoji, a second-year at Third High School and someone Toya considered a rival. Judging by his attire, Shinkuro had shed his school uniform jacket.
"Been a while, Cardinal George. First direct call since the end of last year?" Yugen said.
"That's right. And you don't have to call me that—George is fine," Shinkuro replied.
"Just a bit of courtesy, but alright, George. You're in your uniform, so is this urgent?" Yugen asked.
"Well, I'm at the Ichijo residence right now. Shoma's stepped away to clear up a misunderstanding," Shinkuro explained.
According to Shinkuro, he and Shoma had been discussing the changes to the Nine Schools Competition events. However, Shoma was distracted, his thoughts consumed by his feelings for Miyuki, making the conversation unproductive. Akane, bringing drinks, overheard part of Shoma's words and misinterpreted them (apparently thinking Shoma and Shinkuro were planning to dance together as a pair). Shoma had rushed after her to clear up the confusion.
"Hey, George, just a random thought," Yugen said.
"What's up, Yugen?"
"I'm guessing Shoma's going to barge into Akane-chan's room without knocking and end up getting slapped," Yugen said.
"…That's not entirely implausible," Shinkuro replied.
Both Yugen and Shinkuro knew Shoma's tendency to act impulsively in unexpected situations, often forgetting restraint. Shinkuro couldn't help but think Yugen's prediction might not be far off.
"Putting that aside, what's on your mind?" Yugen asked.
"You've heard about the changes to the Nine Schools events, right? I wanted to know what you think," Shinkuro said.
"No doubt the National Defense Forces are meddling. Since the Nine Schools Competition borrows part of their training grounds, it's easy for them to exert influence," Yugen replied.
The competition partly aimed to ease public fear of magic, so shifting to more combat-oriented events wasn't surprising. Other magic high schools likely shared this view. Given that the Fuji training grounds were loaned out for the event, the Defense Forces' involvement was straightforward.
"Still, after this spring's incident, the Japan Magic Association would want to avoid militarized events. George, can you ask Shoma to have the Ichijo family look into it?" Yugen asked.
"Is it really worth going that far?"
"Steeplechase Cross-Country, frankly, isn't a competition for high schoolers. It goes against the spirit of the Nine Schools, which is about showcasing magical ingenuity," Yugen said.
Roar and Gunner aside, Shield Down was essentially a restricted version of Monolith Code, a redundant magical combat event. Yugen couldn't fathom why it was included, a thought sparked by recalling Katsuto's performance in last year's Monolith Code. As for Steeplechase Cross-Country, its forest setting made visibility worse than Monolith Code, rendering it the least suitable for showcasing magic. An athletics field event with magic would have been more visually appealing.
While Yugen could investigate himself, Colonel Sakai, who commanded during the Sado invasion, was part of the hardline faction against the Great Asian Alliance. The Ichijo family's connections would be the quickest way to gather intel, even if they weren't directly involved, as they could access faction information. They agreed to share findings at the Nine Schools' social gathering and ended the call.
Later, Shinkuro sent an email describing Shoma's red cheek, marked by a "crimson maple" from Akane's slap. As Yugen had predicted, the situation unfolded exactly as expected, and he couldn't help but laugh.
July 3, 2096
The morning after the Nine Schools Competition changes threw the magic high schools into confusion, in the command room of the 101st Brigade of the National Defense Army in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture, Major General Hiromi Saeki summoned Major Harunobu Kazama, commander of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion.
Their relationship dated back to the Daietsu War, when the Great Asian Alliance's invasion of Vietnam failed due to USNA and New Soviet intervention. Saeki, then an intelligence staff officer, supported Kazama, who fought in guerrilla operations. Four years ago, during the Okinawa Defense, Saeki's plan led to the 101st Brigade's formation, with her as its first commander. She promoted Kazama, previously sidelined as a lieutenant, to major and appointed him battalion commander.
Though their interactions were brief, they spoke candidly. The Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion tested new magical equipment and tactics, while the 101st Brigade aimed to establish magical forces independent of the Ten Master Clans, with Kazama as its cornerstone.
The topic was, naturally, the Nine Schools Competition, which the Defense Forces couldn't ignore.
"Major Kazama, are you aware of the changes to this year's National Magic High School Goodwill Magic Competition—the Nine Schools?" Saeki asked.
"I was informed yesterday," Kazama replied.
Kazama expected his subordinates, Special Lieutenants Ryuya Oguro (Tatsuya) and Tatsumi Kamijo (Yugen), to participate. While Tatsuya might not compete, he'd likely support his sister as an engineer.
Kazama found it surprising that Saeki, who seemed uninterested in non-combat magic events, brought it up but waited for her to continue. Saeki pressed a button, and a chair emerged from the wall behind Kazama, signaling a long discussion. Kazama unfolded it and sat.
"So, Major, what do you think of the changed events?" Saeki asked.
"They're undeniably military training exercises," Kazama replied.
"That's a bit blunt, but I largely agree," Saeki said.
Both saw the changes as a natural outcome of the Defense Forces' intervention, spurred by last fall's Yokohama Incident, which reaffirmed magicians' utility.
"The Magic Association only put up token resistance to this request," Saeki said.
"That person didn't resist?" Kazama asked.
"His Excellency Kuzumi did not object," Saeki replied.
Kazama found it odd that Retsu Kuzumi, who seemed likely to oppose Steeplechase Cross-Country, acquiesced, but Saeki's words refocused him.
"Major, Army General Headquarters has requested our brigade's cooperation with this Nine Schools Competition," Saeki said.
"A request, not an order?" Kazama noted.
The issue wasn't the request itself. Despite their security role last year (and monitoring Tatsuya), why the 101st Brigade was approached first demanded scrutiny. Saeki added context.
"And it's directly from General Soga. I see no reason to refuse, but… what's your take?" she asked.
"It could be concern for his kin, but I suspect there's more to it," Kazama said.
"I think so too," Saeki agreed.
Even General Soga, the army's commander-in-chief, wouldn't choose the 101st Brigade just to protect family. Given the event's nature, a magically adept battalion's cooperation made sense, but this felt like a warning—or harassment—to both the Magic Association and Saeki.
"After this spring's incident, the military leadership isn't pleased with the Magic Association's growing influence," Saeki said.
"Finally waking up?" Kazama replied.
Saeki's remark sounded like a complaint, but Kazama interpreted it as the military recognizing the risks of relying on the Ten Master Clans. Her satisfied expression confirmed this. However, strategic magic still necessitated clan involvement.
"I'll accept the request, but I'm ordering your battalion to stand by," Saeki said.
"Understood. I'll stand by until further orders, but may I ask a question?" Kazama said.
"Of course," Saeki replied.
"What's the specific reason for the standby order? It affects the troops' morale," Kazama asked.
He'd braced for a deployment order, but Saeki's standby directive required clarity for the battalion's sake. After a moment's thought, Saeki explained.
"As I mentioned, His Excellency Kuzumi not only didn't oppose but actively supported the changes. He showed particular interest in Steeplechase Cross-Country, requesting a shift from representative to all-participant format and a longer, broader course," she said.
"That's surprising," Kazama replied.
Kazama knew Retsu's desire to protect young magicians from military exploitation. Yet, a longer Steeplechase course increased dropout rates and risked ending magicians' careers. Retsu's shift seemed out of character, but Kazama doubted such a pivotal figure would change so suddenly.
"So, you believe there's an ulterior motive behind His Excellency's actions? And… Lieutenant Fujibayashi is involved?" Kazama asked.
"I don't think that person would change so easily. And, bad news for you, Major, but the Fujibayashi family is aligning with the Kuzumi family's plans. Keep a close eye on Lieutenant Fujibayashi's movements," Saeki said.
"Understood," Kazama replied.
He didn't doubt Kyoko's character, but her family's involvement made the standby order logical. He raised no objections.
Leaving the command room, Kazama's thoughts shifted from his deputy to the two special lieutenants—Yugen and Tatsuya. As special officers, especially Yugen, who was restricted from combat as a condition of his role, their likely participation in the Nine Schools raised questions about informing them. Saeki hadn't mentioned "Special Lieutenant Oguro" or "Special Lieutenant Kamijo," suggesting secrecy.
(Still… Tatsuya aside, Yugen might already be moving.)
Beyond his role as the 101st Brigade's special staff officer, Yugen was the Kagurazaka family's next head. Last spring, at the Intelligence Department's (Toyama family, registered as "Tooyama" in the military) request, Saeki had ordered Yugen's deployment, an issue still lingering. During the Parasite Incident, Yugen led the charge and unilaterally withdrew the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion's cooperation, citing a desire to keep the Parasites' existence from Retsu via Kyoko (Kazama was unaware Yugen was in Kanto then).
(Could His Excellency Kuzumi have gained something from the Parasite Incident and plan to test it at the Nine Schools?)
Retsu's active involvement in the new events sparked a grim suspicion in Kazama—a worst-case scenario tied to the Parasite Incident. It remained speculative, and with his battalion on standby due to Kyoko's involvement, Kazama felt no obligation to contact them. Yet, losing their trust through such omissions was undesirable.
Moreover, if Yugen and Tatsuya faced this worst-case scenario, failing to inform them could lead to a catastrophic outcome. Kazama couldn't ignore that risk.
(If that's the case, Yugen and Tatsuya will definitely act. If His Excellency anticipates this… no, that's beyond my purview.)
Using the two as a contingency for Retsu's actions made sense, but Yugen, unlike Tatsuya, wouldn't take kindly to it. Yugen had shared details of last summer's Master Clans meeting, and if those impressions lingered, Kazama worried for the Kuzumi family's future—and Kyoko's family by extension. Still, his role was limited to military matters, a boundary he reaffirmed as he pondered.
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