The National Magic University was built on the site of the former Nerima Army Base, integrated into the expanded Asaka Base. The land was repurposed for the university's construction, though in truth, the base's integration was hastened to accommodate the university's development plan.
As an aside, an urban legend claims that during the base's demolition, intense lightning and thunderous roars echoed—whether true or not remains unclear.
Perhaps due to its establishment process or the recognition of magic's utility post-World War III, about 40% of Magic University graduates pursue careers in the military or related institutions. Some argue this is biased, but given the societal demand for magicians, it's hardly unnatural.
That said, the university itself doesn't enforce a militaristic atmosphere. Dress codes are lenient unless overly flamboyant (at most, students might receive peer warnings), making it freer than magic high schools.
At a campus café, amid numerous couples, two women sat across from each other.
"…It's all couples around us."
"I get how you feel, but don't say it out loud."
Wearing a T-shirt, an open-front hoodie, and jeans with a languid air was Mika Mitsuya, the youngest daughter of the Mitsuya family and a second-year at Magic University. Opposite her, in a button-up shirt, a fine-knit cardigan, and a subdued flare skirt, was Kana Mitsuya, the second daughter and a third-year, who chided Mika while glancing at her tablet. Mika peeked and saw articles on anti-magic sentiment.
"These are everywhere lately. Have they forgotten last year's incident?" Mika remarked.
"No helping it. Not everyone's as strong as we are," Kana replied.
The "incident" Mika referenced was the Yokohama Incident. Both Mika and Kana had repelled the Great Asian Alliance's attack as volunteer forces. Combined with the recent Parasite Incident, the tense domestic and international climate made anti-magic articles—often tied to claims of magicians' human rights—more prominent. Mika muttered, staring at Kana's tablet.
"This feels like some scheming tanuki stirring things up."
"Any proof?" Kana asked.
"My gut. Also, the opposition seems divided based on these articles."
Normally, vague hunches are risky, but Kana trusted Mika's sharp intuition. During her magic high school days as a disciplinary committee member, Mika had instinctively sniffed out and stopped bullying of second-course students by first-course students. Her near-divine accuracy was something she herself rarely doubted.
Still, Mika knew that as direct heirs of the Ten Master Clans, the issue exceeded their ability to handle directly.
"I can't do much about it… Should we ask Father?" Mika suggested.
"That's probably best—oh?" Kana noticed a gaze directed at them. Turning, she saw Katsuto and Mayumi, freshmen, approaching together. Mika grinned and teased Mayumi.
"Well, well, Mayumin (Mika's nickname for Mayumi) on a date with Kacchan (Katsuto's nickname)? Showing off, huh?"
"Mika-san! Don't say that, even as a joke!" Mayumi protested.
"Katsuto-kun, you've got it rough. Mika, make room," Kana said.
"My apologies," Katsuto replied courteously, sitting in the seat Mika vacated, with Mayumi beside him. Mika, who had teased them but made space, sat next to Kana.
It looked like two women interrogating a couple, but all four were tied to the Ten Master Clans, central to magician society's order. Kana activated a soundproof field (permitted within the university) and asked, "So, what's up? About the recent anti-magic articles? Or… the Saegusa family's involvement?"
Kana's question, informed by Mika's hunch, was confirmed by Mayumi's slight flinch and a ripple in her psion flow, detected by Kana's "Elemental Sight." Katsuto followed up, "Kana-dono, I spoke with Saegusa earlier, and it seems Saegusa Koichi is tied to this anti-magic campaign."
"(As Mika suspected…) So, you're here to consult us?" Kana asked.
"Yes. An emergency Clan Conference is set soon, proposed by Mitsuya and Yotsuba, per my father. We wondered if you knew anything," Katsuto said.
Kana pondered. Given recent events, it was plausible that Humanist sympathizers—like opposition MPs claiming magicians' rights—might visit magic high schools or the university unannounced, criticizing curricula as overly militaristic. Setting that aside, she replied, "Sadly, neither Mika nor I have heard anything from Father. But…"
"Any leads?" Katsuto pressed.
"After I spoke with Yugen on the phone, he left the next day, dressed to meet someone important. He's likely involved. Mayumi, has Yugen visited the Saegusa family this month?"
"Yes, actually. Last night, Yugen came to our house as a representative of the Kagurazaka and Mitsuya families," Mayumi admitted.
This surprised not only Kana but also Mika and Katsuto. Mayumi had apparently forgotten to mention Yugen's visit, though she'd been told about it.
"Saegusa, that's news to me," Katsuto said.
"Sorry, Katsuto-kun. I was shocked enough that Father was fueling anti-magic sentiment," Mayumi apologized.
"Fair enough… Kana-nee, shouldn't we contact Yugen instead of Father?" Mika suggested.
Kana nodded, quickly typed an email, and received a reply within a minute. "Yugen says to meet at this location."
"Whoa, that's the fancy restaurant my friends were talking about!" Mika exclaimed.
Yugen had chosen a high-end restaurant in a Tokyo skyscraper, booked a year in advance. A dress code was expected, and the women—except Katsuto—moved swiftly.
"Mayumin, skip your next lecture for family reasons," Mika declared.
"What? Just like that!?" Mayumi gasped.
"No guarantee our dresses will fit. We're going to the Saegusa house now! Sorry for the noise, Kacchan," Mika added.
"No worries. I'll handle the bill and prepare myself," Katsuto said, leaving with the check.
"Hold on, Katsuto-kun!?" Mayumi called, but Mika and Kana whisked her away.
Katsuto's considerate act was typical, but his imposing high-schooler physique and Ten Master Clans status—plus rumors of being Mayumi's "partner"—kept women at a distance, despite his thoughtfulness.
◇ ◇ ◇
At a renowned Tokyo restaurant, Yugen had previously met Remi Yasutomi of the "Nine Dragons." Securing a meeting room with the Kagurazaka name was surprisingly easy, though such rooms were reserved for high-profile figures like cabinet ministers. Dressed in a suit, Yugen was checking his tablet when a waiter approached and bowed.
"Pardon, Kagurazaka-dono. Mika Mitsuya-sama, Kana Mitsuya-sama, Mayumi Saegusa-sama, and Katsuto Juumonji-sama have arrived."
"Please guide them here. Serve the meal once everyone's seated."
"Understood."
This was a personal meeting at Kana's request, but their respective clan heads might pry for details. Thus, Yugen would treat it as a discussion among Mitsuya, Saegusa, and Juumonji representatives. As the waiter left, Yugen saw Katsuto in a sharp suit, as expected, but was momentarily speechless at the sight of his sisters and Mayumi in dresses and makeup.
Kana and Mika's attire wasn't overly flashy, but Mayumi's crimson dress, low-cut to reveal her figure, was striking. Her curves were accentuated, to say the least.
"Juumonji-senpai, Kana-neesan, Mika-neesan, and Saegusa-senpai, thanks for coming. Quick question, Saegusa-senpai—what's with that dress? Trying to seduce someone?" Yugen asked.
"Um, Mika-san picked it…" Mayumi mumbled.
"What? Mayumin, you were thrilled to choose it for Yugen," Mika teased.
"Mika-san!?" Mayumi protested.
Clearly, Mika had egged Mayumi on. Yugen glanced at Katsuto and Kana. "So, Kana-neesan, Juumonji-senpai, you have questions about recent events and my visit to the Saegusa family last night?"
"Correct," Kana confirmed.
"I heard the gist from Saegusa, but it feels like both Saegusa and Kagurazaka are hiding something. Can you share?" Katsuto asked.
"I'll answer what I can. First, let's enjoy the meal," Yugen suggested.
No alcohol was served, but they savored the cuisine. During tea, Yugen began, "My visit to the Saegusa family was because my network uncovered that they were fueling anti-magic sentiment to prevent public unity. I didn't demand they stop but held Saegusa Koichi accountable."
"Doesn't that amount to stopping it, Yugen-kun?" Mayumi asked.
"Public opinion is a race to the first mover. Anti-magic sparks have existed for over a year—like last spring's Yokohama Bay Hills Tower incident."
Spreading rumors is easy; quelling them is hard. Fear of magic, a power few possess, is natural. Koichi might boast about it, but Yugen kept his tone age-appropriate—mostly.
"Once ignited, clumsily extinguishing it risks backlash. Ideally, you let it smolder out, but the instigators are mainlanders," Yugen explained.
"Mainlanders… Kagurazaka, you mean the Great Asian Alliance?" Katsuto asked.
"Not entirely wrong. The enemy aims to weaken Japan and the Alliance, manipulating media from behind the scenes."
Specifically, Zhou Gongjin and his master, Gu Jie, likely want to drag Yotsuba into the open for revenge. Yugen sighed at their "old fool" tactics.
"…Japan, sure, but the Alliance too?" Mika asked.
"The enemy is like Alliance spies without patriotism—Blanche, No-Head Dragon at the Nine Schools Competition, Chen Xiangshan and Lü Ganghu at Yokohama, the Parasite Incident, and now media manipulation. They're all connected."
Mutual destruction isn't the goal, but inciting public opinion drains national strength. Blanche and No-Head Dragon, funded lavishly, were dismantled as "international terrorists."
"Yugen, are they targeting Yotsuba for revenge?" Mika asked.
"Broadly correct, but beyond that, it's Grandfather's domain, so I can't elaborate," Yugen replied.
"Gouzo-dono, then… I'll keep it to myself," Katsuto said.
"Appreciated," Yugen nodded.
Gouzo had declared he'd "guide his friend to rest," refusing to yield to Yugen. Defeating a man who could catch sniper bullets or missiles with his fingers was unthinkable.
Back to the point.
"Saegusa Koichi's motive is, frankly, stalker-like obsession with a past lover—wanting Yotsuba Maya, the current Yotsuba head, to acknowledge his 'Saegusa power.' He'll even fuel anti-magic sentiment for it."
"What!?" Mayumi gasped.
"…I want to cry," she added.
Even Saegusa's daughter was unaware of Koichi's driving force. While the Ten Master Clans vie for dominance, Koichi's tactic of undermining others to elevate himself left Mayumi reeling. Katsuto, equally baffled, asked, "Is that true?"
"Fact. For example, during the Parasite Incident, Saegusa took over a Yotsuba-linked military intelligence section. You knew?" Yugen asked.
"Yes, Saegusa told me," Katsuto confirmed.
It didn't hurt Yotsuba—they could get intel from Mitsuya if needed. Saegusa's takeover was convenient, as Yotsuba avoided military entanglement.
"Also, last New Year's, the Toyama family's near-abduction of me. Saegusa blocked Juumonji's intervention due to Koichi's fear of Mitsuya-Yotsuba ties post-Okinawa. Saegusa-senpai, heard anything?" Yugen asked.
"Yes… Father admitted it when I asked. That tanuki makes enemies everywhere," Mayumi sighed.
Worse, Koichi's "balancing the Ten Master Clans" excuse was tacitly approved by Retsu Kudou. In the original, Koichi nearly lost his clan's status for allying with Zhou Gongjin via Nagura, but Kudou's own Zhou ties saved him. Yugen wouldn't let that repeat but would ensure accountability.
The others were stunned. A childish desire to be acknowledged by Maya was unimaginable, especially for Mayumi, who clutched her head.
"Putting Father's nonsense aside, how will you make him take responsibility?" Mayumi asked.
"You were there, so you know. We'll have opposition MPs claiming magicians' rights visit the magic high school unannounced, with media, for pre-election stunts. Since Koichi fueled this, it's fitting," Yugen said.
Saegusa's wide connections and anti-magic funding make it feasible. They'll draw in MPs and media.
"We've cleared it with the school and rigged the day's classes. Kana-neesan, Mika-neesan, you know Professor Smith, right?" Yugen asked.
"Yeah, he was my seminar TA last year," Kana said.
"Planning something big?" Mika asked.
"Not wrong, but I can't reveal details. It'll be undeniable, even for non-magicians."
Whether Kasumi and Izumi join the demonstration depends on them, but Mitsuya, Yotsuba, and Ueyama will lead. Azusa, the student council president, will spearhead, with Kei assisting. Kana and Mika's involvement ensures safety and Mitsuya's prominence. The official reason—"a joint experiment by Magic University and First High"—is unproblematic.
Kana and Mika's presence overshadows Kasumi and Izumi, a necessary cost for Saegusa. Using First High's "Untouchable" reputation, though unsatisfying, is strategic.
The demonstration will be recorded and pitched to media. "Some anti-magic outlets may ignore it, but that's fine. We're just providing the story, not forcing it," Yugen said.
Freedom of speech means coercive pressure would be criticized as censorship. It's a subtle "request," testing journalists' integrity.
"Saegusa-senpai, you mentioned Koichi's media buyout plan. Related?" Mayumi asked.
"I can't elaborate, but it could expose enemies via Zhou Gongjin's funding," Yugen replied.
The buyout targets Zhou's funds through groups like Shinkoukai. Electronic banking makes hiding large sums impossible. Overwhelming buyouts render Zhou's investments unrecoverable, prompting his backers to act—like No-Head Dragon's collapse.
"At the Clan Conference, we'll discuss this. Post-demonstration, Mitsuya, Yotsuba, Ueyama, and Kagurazaka will handle everything," Yugen said.
"So, Saegusa only lures MPs and media?" Katsuto clarified.
"Exactly. Articles still risk student harm. Not all magicians are resilient to public opinion. Saegusa will compensate for that. I've ensured the current夫人 won't let them refuse," Yugen said.
Magic skills can falter from minor emotional wounds. Koichi's focus on Saegusa's interests is clan-like, but he must bear full responsibility.
"Why Yotsuba's involvement?" Kana asked.
"Yotsuba caught a USNA Humanist and anti-magic media meeting in Nagoya, detaining all involved, which uncovered this. We're coordinating with them," Yugen explained.
The university president, First High's principal, and the Magic Association's chair will jointly protest to Saegusa post-demonstration. Gouzo will confront Retsu Kudou directly.
"No objections," Mika said.
"As Mitsuya's representative, we won't protest Saegusa," Kana added.
"Juumonji won't either, given the conference. Saegusa, agreed?" Katsuto asked.
"Yes… I'm truly sorry for Father's trouble," Mayumi said.
Unspoken was the plan's core: targeting not just domestic but USNA, European, and Australian anti-magic media, exposing their contradictions while promoting "Taurus Silver's" achievements—a paper on "resident gravity-control magic for sustained nuclear fusion power." Published under FLT, it credits Taurus Silver, though FLT denies the name's legitimacy. Yugen secured the Prime Minister's backing for this, a necessary "accomplice" for national interest.
"Listening to you, Yugen, you feel like you're from another clan," Mika said.
"If we do nothing, those weakening Japan win," Yugen replied.
"How much can I tell Father?" Kana asked.
"Everything except Saegusa's obsession with Yotsuba," Yugen said.
Revealing that risks Yotsuba's wrath. Only Ten Master Clans members, all tight-lipped, were present. Mayumi, closest to the issue, dreaded it but admitted, "Selling a fight to Yotsuba isn't sane, but I wouldn't put it past that tanuki…"
All agreed Koichi's fixation was their shared secret. The demonstration's formal request would follow, and the meal-meeting concluded.
Notes: Some parts are shocking but kept secret due to their implausibility. Anyone would be speechless. Even I am.
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