The final stage of Monolith Code was set to take place in the "Canyon Stage." Mayumi had come to the waiting room to inform Katsuto, partly for other business as well.
"Sorry for catching you like this," Katsuto said, slightly self-conscious about his casual attire.
"Don't worry about it. It's not like you're naked or anything," Mayumi replied breezily.
Though Mayumi seemed unfazed, Katsuto couldn't help but feel a bit awkward. Normally, it might be the other way around—girls fussing over appearances—but since Mayumi didn't care, Katsuto let the matter drop.
"My father sent a coded email from the Ten Master Clans," Mayumi said, shifting to business.
"And?" Katsuto prompted.
"Judging by your reaction, you haven't gotten one," she observed.
"Coded emails from the Ten Master Clans take time to decrypt," Katsuto replied.
In truth, there was another reason Katsuto hadn't received the email, but Mayumi, unaware of this, took his explanation at face value.
"Fair enough. The content's about… well, Ichijou lost to Tatsuya-kun, right? Even if it's just a high school competition, they're saying it's undesirable for the Ten Master Clans' strength to be questioned."
"That match was hardly something you could dismiss as 'play,'" Katsuto countered, his tone serious.
"I know, but…" Mayumi trailed off, her gaze drifting as if she could hear her own irritation. "If Tatsuya-kun were even distantly related to the Ten Master Clans, we wouldn't have to deal with this third-rate farce. It's honestly ridiculous."
"It can't be helped," Katsuto said evenly. "Demonstrating the supremacy of the Ten Master Clans, the pinnacle of this country's magic society, is necessary. And as the next head of the Juumonji family, it's my duty to do so."
"They're only making us do this because they don't want to acknowledge Tatsuya-kun," Mayumi muttered, her frustration clear. "Even the old master seems to recognize him, so they should just give up and accept it already…"
Listening to Mayumi's complaints with an impassive expression, Katsuto made a mental note to confirm something with Tatsuya later.
The Monolith Code final was Katsuto's stage to dominate. Proving the Ten Master Clans' strength was part of it, but even without the email, he likely would've won single-handedly. His teammates, Hattori and Kirihara, stayed back to guard their Monolith, while Katsuto charged into enemy territory alone—a strategy that played to his strengths.
"That's the Juumonji family's Phalanx, isn't it? Incredible power," Honoka remarked, awestruck.
"It doesn't seem like the usual way to use Phalanx… but it's definitely impressive," Tatsuya noted, his voice calm but analytical.
Using the multi-layered mobile barrier magic Phalanx, Katsuto was slamming into opponents with devastating force. Though the magical barrier prevented it from counting as a direct attack, Tatsuya sensed it wasn't the spell's intended purpose.
(It feels like he's showing off his power… That email Hayama-san sent must be the reason,) Tatsuya thought.
As a member tied to the Four Leaves family, one of the most powerful among the Ten Master Clans, Tatsuya had received an email with nearly identical content to Mayumi's. Normally, such a message would go to Miyuki, but Hayama, ever perceptive, had sent it to Tatsuya instead.
(The Ten Master Clans are that desperate to stay at the top, huh? Not that I'm one to talk…)
Understanding that his victory over Ichijou had prompted Katsuto's display of dominance, Tatsuya gave a wry smile.
"Hm? Something wrong, Tatsuya-kun?" Erika asked, catching his expression.
"No, I just feel a bit sorry for the other team. It's bad luck to have to face Juumonji-senpai," he replied.
"True…" Erika agreed.
"Even Hattori-senpai and Kirihara-senpai are strong, but Juumonji-senpai is on another level," Honoka added.
"Yeah, but I don't think pity's necessary," Shizuku said. "It's a competition, after all."
Erika nodded in agreement, while Honoka and Shizuku continued the commentary. Tatsuya nearly let another wry smile slip but kept it hidden behind his ironclad poker face.
"Even with the overall championship decided, they probably want to win Monolith Code too, right?" Leo chimed in.
"But if that's the case, wouldn't it be fine without Juumonji-senpai?" Mikihiko added.
Tatsuya decided to humor their misguided speculation. "They kept Juumonji-senpai in reserve until the semifinals. Maybe he wanted to cut loose in the final. Plus, it could be about showing an overwhelming gap, like we did with our strategy."
Having incapacitated all opponents, Katsuto raised his right hand triumphantly. For a fleeting moment, his gaze seemed to meet Tatsuya's, convincing Leo and Mikihiko of Tatsuya's explanation.
"But, well, third-years versus first-years—there's bound to be a power gap," Leo said.
"Exactly. You were just a substitute, Tatsuya, so no need to overthink it," Mikihiko added.
"I'm not overthinking it…" Tatsuya replied, feigning a touch of embarrassment to play along.
His act fooled Honoka and Shizuku, who offered comforting words, but Miyuki, who knew his true feelings, didn't react with her usual fiery jealousy as she watched them.
Later, as Tatsuya stepped away from the group to help with cleanup, Miyuki seized the chance to visit his room.
"Onii-sama, about earlier… Does it have to do with the Ten Master Clans?" she asked, her voice low.
"You caught that, huh?" Tatsuya replied. "Hayama-san's email clued me in. Apparently, my win over Ichijou caused a stir at the Ten Master Clans' meeting."
"But you're part of the Ten Master Clans too…" Miyuki began.
"I'm an outsider in their eyes," Tatsuya cut in. "And that's not something we can make public."
"…I'm sorry," Miyuki said, shrinking in on herself, ashamed for forgetting.
"It's not your fault," Tatsuya reassured her. "Besides, Aunt knows and attended the meeting, so she's just as complicit."
"But I won't stand for anyone insulting you, Onii-sama!" Miyuki declared, her voice rising with indignation.
"Calm down," Tatsuya said, lightly tapping her head before gently ruffling her hair. "It's not time for that yet."
Her anger melted away as if it had never been, and Miyuki leaned into his touch, her demeanor softening.
"The dance party's coming up," Tatsuya said. "I could skip it, but you have to go."
"You're absolutely attending, Onii-sama," Miyuki insisted. "You were the key to our rookie tournament victory, after all."
"I'm barely involved. I only competed in one event," he protested.
"You underestimate yourself too much!" Miyuki countered, her voice fervent. "It was your strength that led us to win the rookie tournament, and that momentum carried First High to the overall championship!"
Tatsuya couldn't call her words "exaggerated" without risking another outburst, so he held his tongue, knowing how she'd react.
"Shall we go, then?" Miyuki said, her tone brightening. "Honoka and Shizuku are probably waiting."
"I'm not exactly great with lively crowds…" Tatsuya muttered.
Miyuki tugged his arm, undeterred by his excuses. Knowing resistance was futile, Tatsuya sighed and fell into step beside her, heading toward the hall.
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