Alone in his room, Yugen typed on a foldable terminal, reflecting on the Kasumi-Shippou incident. Tatsuya mentioned a freshman, Kento, was caught in the robotics-motorcycle club dispute. Despite Tatsuya's self-assessment, his growing admirers impressed Yugen.
Why did this happen now, unlike last year when Mayumi, Mari, and Katsuto led without issue? In the original story, Kasumi acted rationally, yet trouble arose. Yugen messaged Kasumi via chat app, and she detailed the incident.
"When I arrived, Tatsuya-senpai, Riri-chan, Juumonji-senpai, and Shippou were there," Kasumi wrote.
She consulted Tatsuya and Riri, learning the student council deemed the dispute negligible. As Shippou was a probationary executive, Kasumi sought Juumonji's judgment, a logical move.
"As a disciplinary committee member, I tried to stop the fight. I wanted to check with Juumonji-senpai, but Shippou snapped, 'This is club alliance territory, get out,'" Kasumi explained.
Her logic was sound—student disputes fall under the disciplinary committee, but nine members can't cover nearly 600 students (fewer for club issues). During recruitment week, CAD restrictions loosen, so the student council and club alliance assist. Kasumi, understanding this, tried to approach Juumonji, but Shippou grabbed at her, which she dodged.
"I said, 'I just want to confirm with Juumonji-senpai,' but he insisted, 'Nanakusa has no place here. Picking a fight?' I admit I got heated," Kasumi added.
Yugen thought Shippou was clearly the aggressor. Since Kasumi showed remorse, he didn't press further but warned her about Shippou's hostility toward the Nanakusa. Tatsuya and Miyuki confirmed her account.
When asked about the Shippou head, Yugen noted his pragmatic approach, unlike Shippou's recklessness, and suggested asking Mayumi for details. A short-tempered head wouldn't lead a Ten Master Clan.
(Evidence secured. Conditions mostly met. The last piece…) Yugen thought.
His terminal displayed a nuclear fusion experimental device blueprint, beyond the Magical Engineering curriculum. FLT had succeeded with a smaller version, and now Yugen was refining a larger one for durability.
Anti-magic humanist campaigns, investigated by the Nanakusa and Juumonji, viewed magic as unnatural, advocating only "natural" powers. This contradicted ancient magic and superpowers, as groups like Blanche twisted logic for their benefit. Magic, a technology altering physical laws, inherently clashed with their "natural only" stance, rendering their argument incoherent.
Why the Nanakusa, via Koichi, used media manipulation to undermine the Yotsuba baffled Yugen, especially since Koichi suffered from foreign schemes. Raising Nanakusa's value, as the Mitsuya did to gain influence, seemed wiser. Yugen acknowledged the irony of his critique.
The Nanakusa's prowess, built on Third Lab's "Multi-Type Multi-Magic Control" and Seventh Lab's "Swarm Control," was undeniable. Yet, Shippou's resentment and Koichi's childish tactics against the Yotsuba risked fracturing the Ten Master Clans.
(The Nanakusa likely know of Zhou Gongjin's media schemes, and he knows they know. The question is their connection,) Yugen mused.
In the original story, their link emerged later, but this world might differ. The final concern would dictate Yugen's approach to the Nanakusa.
Shutting off his terminal, Yugen grabbed a device and called his father, Gen Mitsuya, via the living room phone.
"Long time, Dad," Yugen said.
"Yugen, been a while. Using a landline means something's up?" Gen replied.
"Yeah, some things. Are you free tomorrow?"
Yugen sent data via the device, which Gen checked. The call, staged as a casual father-son chat, aimed to mislead eavesdroppers.
"Tomorrow's tough. Urgent business. This month's packed," Gen said.
"No worries. Golden Week, then," Yugen replied.
"That'd help."
Gen's refusal was prearranged, ensuring the plan proceeded. He only said a one-on-one meeting was difficult. After casual school talk, Yugen ended the call, activating "Yatamirror" to scan for Nanakusa agents near the Shiba residence.
(A few Nanakusa operatives. This needs careful steps, Yugen thought.)
Even without "public opinion" as a target, clan infighting would only amuse Zhou Gongjin, Kuze, or Western powers like the USNA, Yugen grumbled.
April 14, 2096. Yugen sat in a private room at a high-end ryotei, a Kagurazaka-affiliated establishment frequented by elites. Dressed in a suit for the formal setting, he was joined by Gen, fresh from yesterday's call.
"Yugen, you're early. Or rather, Kagurazaka-dono," Gen said.
"No issue, just family here," Yugen replied.
Gen sat beside him, sighing. "I read everything. You serious?"
"I wouldn't send it otherwise. The board's set," Yugen said, sensing another arrival.
"Sorry for the delay, Kagurazaka-dono. First time, Mitsuya-dono," the Prime Minister said.
"A pleasure, sir. I'm Gen Mitsuya, head of the Mitsuya," Gen replied.
Yugen had summoned the Prime Minister and Gen. Ten Master Clans meeting politicians was frowned upon, but Yugen's plan required their cooperation. They dined, Yugen opting for tea due to his age. After small talk, the Prime Minister spoke.
"I read your letter. Can I proceed as outlined?" he asked.
Communication risked interception, so Yugen used a secure letter only the Prime Minister could read, assigning him a critical task. Opposition gains could amplify military-magic school collusion claims.
"Yes, that's your domain. Mitsuya-dono, secure unanimous consent at the emergency clan meeting. I've got Ichijou, Futatsugi, Yotsuba, Itsuwa, Rokutsuka, and Yatsushiro's approval. Persuade Nanakusa, Kudou, and Juumonji. I'll attend as a Kagurazaka if needed," Yugen said.
"Understood," Gen replied.
The meal ended in two hours, and they parted. The Nanakusa aimed to split public opinion, but it was a temporary fix. Suppressing humanists was tough, but the USNA had proven a method.
Returning to the Shiba residence, Yugen noticed familiar shoes and found Fumiya and Ayako in the living room.
"Fumiya, Ayako-chan," Yugen greeted.
"Long time, Yugen-san," Fumiya said.
"Thanks for having us," Ayako added.
Miyuki informed Yugen the bath was ready. He changed into casual clothes and returned. Fumiya and Ayako, dressed for sleep, were staying over, with Minami preparing the guest room.
"Yugen-san, I told Tatsuya-nii and Miyuki-nee, but USNA humanists are infiltrating," Fumiya said.
"Yeah, and Koichi Nanakusa and Retsu Kudou are tied to anti-magic media campaigns," Yugen replied.
"Exactly," Fumiya confirmed.
Koichi drove the campaigns, while Kudou merely acquiesced, prioritizing clan interests. The Juumonji would likely protest soon. "The military collusion claim is absurd. Their logic's broken. Last year's Magic University grads, pre-Okinawa, Sado, and Yokohama, aren't tied to this," Yugen said.
Media and opposition cited Magic and Defense University grads' military employment rates, ignoring that only 700-800 of 1,000-1,100 Magic High graduates (from nine schools) enter Magic University, with 350-400 joining the military—less than a third. For First High, roughly 40-50 per year, or 70 including Defense University, equate to three of eight classes.
Defense University trains for military roles, but Magic University grads choose freely. Laws ban military service for those under 18 except in emergencies. Comparing last year's Magic University and First High grads is flawed, as pre- and post-incident contexts differ, exposing the media's shallow agenda.
"If every Magic High student joined the military, their argument might hold. Tatsuya, help me hit the anti-magic crowd hard," Yugen said.
"Eliminate someone?" Tatsuya asked.
"Not that extreme. I'll bring FLT's experimental device to First High. Convince the student council and disciplinary committee. I'll handle external persuasion," Yugen replied.
Tatsuya grasped the plan—Resident Gravity-Controlled Continuous Thermonuclear Fusion Reactor. FLT's stabilized, simplified version had ample safety margins. "It's for the Dione Plan counter—ESCAPES Plan's first step. Miyuki, I'll need your help," Yugen declared.
A public unveiling, not a fleeting topic but a "meteor" to disrupt energy sectors and a "litmus test." Only Tatsuya, besides Yugen, realized "Taurus Silver" had solved another of magic's three great challenges—weight-related magic, including flight.
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