Meanwhile, Tatsuya and Miyuki rode in their family's self-driving car—nominally their father's, but funded by Taurus Silver's earnings. One might question the need for a private vehicle over a commuter, but it prioritized Miyuki's security and status.
"I'm surprised Yugen didn't just eliminate the Parasite," Miyuki said.
"Many would crave that kind of power," Tatsuya replied. "He's likely countering that. I don't believe he's acting out of desire for the Parasite's abilities."
Tatsuya knew Yugen could wield the strategic-class spell "Material Burst," but Yugen had said, "I only studied it for reference. Overusing it would restrict your moves, and I've no interest in combat deployment." Tatsuya trusted him. Yugen's "Starlight Breaker" rivaled "Material Burst" in activation speed, a testament to his prowess.
A world-class strategic mage might be intrigued by the Parasite's psychic powers, but Tatsuya suspected Yugen could dominate them instead. A wry smile crossed his face at the thought.
"Something wrong, Miyuki?" he asked, catching her gaze.
"No, it's just… you smiled wryly," she said.
"Just thinking Yugen's more likely to tame a Parasite than be tamed by it," Tatsuya said.
Indeed, Yugen was already managing "Alice," the Parasite extracted from Sergeant Charles Sullivan. Unaware of this, Tatsuya's half-joking remark drew a soft chuckle from Miyuki.
"He might just pull it off," she said. "By the way, Onii-sama, what about Pixie?"
Miyuki's lack of denial hinted she was growing accustomed to this world's dynamics. Whether that was positive remained unclear.
Tatsuya considered her question. "I discussed it with Yugen. Keeping Pixie at school until I graduate is best. Mizuki, Himeri, Sana, and Yugen vouch for its safety, but moving it now could draw Nanakusa or Kudou attention, which we'd rather avoid."
"That's Yugen-san's main concern, right?" Miyuki said.
The Nanakusa family was manageable, but with Kudou Retsu, the former clan head, in the city, moving Pixie risked his scrutiny. Retsu's reliance on his granddaughter Kyoko's power, and his avoidance of the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, factored heavily. Knowing Kyoko had visited the Mitsuya family, Yugen recommended keeping Pixie on campus.
"With Pixie's kin possibly seeking to reclaim it, keeping it in sight is safest," Tatsuya said. "I'm no Parasite expert, so I'll rely on Yugen's judgment."
Until Tatsuya's own countermeasures were ready, Yugen and others capable of handling Parasites would lead. With that, the car rolled toward its destination.
At nearly the same moment, Yugen used "Mirror Gate" to teleport to a vast Ueyama family training ground—officially a National Defense Force magic site in Okutama. The location allowed for easy cover stories, and Yugen had secured Gozo's approval. He'd informed Ceria of the battle site, though she hadn't arrived. Instead, he sensed multiple unfamiliar presences in the surrounding forest.
(I gave them three days' notice, but letting foreign soldiers in without permission? Really?)
The irony applied to himself, so he kept the thought internal.
The Stardust operatives hadn't detected him, likely due to Yugen's instinctive presence-masking. Ceria had pierced his concealment effortlessly, thanks to her unique ability—a small relief.
"If you're going stealth, at least mask your presence," Yugen muttered.
Raising his left hand and swinging it down, he triggered crushing sounds from multiple points, the ground quaking beneath him. With a clench and release, unconscious figures appeared, bound to trees at the forest's edge with metal ropes.
Using "Phalanx," Yugen had incapacitated the Stardust operatives, then crafted ropes from their gear with Tenjin metal magic, securing them. He'd moved via "Mirror Gate," a technique honed for such moments.
Could "Mirror Gate" be detected? Its core, "Kaleidoscope," was imperceptible to all but the user. Two years ago, Yugen's strategic-class "Mirror Dispersion" infused psions with light, visible from a command room but undetectable by orbital surveillance due to its prismatic reliance on "Kaleidoscope." The "Illusionist," wielder of an invisible strategic spell, earned the title naturally.
As Yugen cast a near-pitying glance at the Stardust operatives, he sensed a presence above. Ceria—dressed as "Polaris"—appeared, holding a large bag.
"That was quick," Yugen said. "Stardust's already down. You ready?"
"Ugh, finally here," Ceria panted. "They're already out? Are we really doing this?"
"As I said, if I'm not worn out, Colonel Balance will suspect something," Yugen replied. "Past-life bonds aside, I'm serious this time."
He held no grudge against his former sister. But as a "Guardian" destined to protect this nation, and with the Charles Sullivan incident in mind, Yugen needed Ceria to wield "Levatein" earnestly.
Clasping his hands, Yugen summoned pale lightning, forming a blade—"Murakumo." Grasping it, the lightning cleared, sending a shockwave outward.
"What's that? Turning into a grim reaper, big brother?" Ceria teased.
"This is its limit for now," Yugen said. "A standard CAD can't handle the output for your 'Levatein.'"
"As expected, you get it," Ceria grinned.
From her bag, Ceria drew a greatsword, less mechanical than a CAD, resembling a fantasy blade. Its edge was deliberately blunted. Infusing it with psions, the blade extended, revealing a high-density psion edge imbued with fire.
"My reincarnation perk—'perceiving all phenomena,'" Ceria said. "Based on FAE theory, this is my crafted 'Levatein.' Can you surpass it, big brother?"
"'All phenomena,' huh?" Yugen replied. "Then perceive all of me, Ceria Polaris."
Yugen wreathed "Murakumo" with the Phoenix, one of the four spirits.
No grudge here. Back then, family ties stopped me from surpassing that "wall." To survive this world, I'll overcome it now.
With resolve, Yugen gripped "Murakumo" and stepped forward. Their weapons clashed, unleashing a shockwave that rippled outward. Two strategic-class mages, wielding extraordinary power, began a "sibling squabble" unprecedented in their past lives.
"This is absurd!" Ceria shouted.
"You're one to talk!" Yugen retorted.
Greatswords typically lacked agility, but "Levatein" was lightweight, its psion blade extending and retracting at Ceria's will. A knight's sword would've been ideal but couldn't withstand her psion pressure—a technological limit. Its fire attribute, likely tied to her grandfather's ancient magic, burned at 6,500°C—solar surface levels. Without FAE theory's physical alteration limits, the forest would've carbonized instantly.
"You're wielding an artificial sun!" Yugen yelled.
"Says the guy beyond human limits!" Ceria shot back.
"Right back at you!" Yugen countered.
The blade's heat activated only on contact, slicing through weapons or CADs like butter. While "Brionac" perfected FAE-based containment, "Levatein" couldn't incorporate it, retaining its original form. Ceria's reincarnation perk brute-forced the containment—a feat beyond reason.
"In our past life, you clung to me and ignored other guys!" Yugen shouted.
"I couldn't help falling for you!" Ceria yelled.
"Saying it cutely won't save you!" Yugen snapped.
"Murakumo" bordered on irrational but had Tenjin magic precedent, unlike Ceria's absurdity. Still, its realization after centuries suggested past mages lacked the concept of honing raw magical power.
They slipped into past-life banter, venting frustrations Yugen hadn't realized he held. The battle raged for over ten minutes.
"You idiot, big brother!!" Ceria screamed.
She swung "Levatein" downward, splitting bamboo. But her psion output surged exponentially, the containment weakening, leaking solar-level heat. The blade groaned, though uncracked.
"Levatein" wasn't built for prolonged combat. Even Yugen found CADs limiting; Ceria faced the same. Strategic-class CADs, military secrets, handled continuous magic but not constant activation.
(That idiot! If this continues, "Levatein's" containment will collapse, causing a forest fire—or worse, a meltdown in Okutama!)
Magic weapons were bound by this world's laws. Pouring irrational power into one for too long was catastrophic. Having provoked her, Yugen had to fix this.
Taking a deep breath, he readied "Murakumo" like an iai draw. Shinonome-ryu's four supreme sword techniques culminated in one: condensing psions to sever all without trace—the Phoenix's final blade.
Shinonome-ryu Sword Saint's Four Supreme Techniques, Hokudan's Final Blade—Phoenix Rending Strike
"Murakumo" clashed with "Levatein," emitting a blinding flash. As it faded, "Levatein" shattered, its psions dispersing, leaving only the hilt. Yugen released "Murakumo" and delivered a knuckle to Ceria's forehead. Her "Parade" spell dissipated, her mask falling.
She crouched, teary-eyed, clutching her head. "F-Fyuu!? W-What was that, big brother… It hurts…"
"You absolute moron!" Yugen shouted. "Think about 'Levatein's' specs before pouring in that power! You nearly melted Okutama!"
Tatsuya had called him an "unfathomable genius," a label Yugen disliked. But stopping Ceria—a force Stars couldn't control—made it fit too well. He sighed inwardly, wondering if this chaotic end suited a farce meant to deceive the enemy.
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