As Miyuki calmed down, Mikihiko's deliberate cough eased the chaotic atmosphere. Seizing the moment, Yugen shifted the conversation to another topic related to the entrance ceremony—the new student representative for this year.
"So, I haven't met this year's student representative," Yugen said.
"Same here," Tatsuya replied.
Yugen knew the school handled most aspects of the entrance ceremony. Except for Azusa two years ago, recent student representatives were all from the Ten Master Clans, and this year it was someone from the Juumonji family, not the Nanakusa or Shippou. The school's cautious approach to handling Ten Master Clans members was understandable.
"What? Even you, Yugen, a former Ten Master Clans member, haven't met her?" Kanon asked.
"From what I've heard, she was adopted into the Juumonji family during spring break, so I have no prior acquaintance. She's definitely of Juumonji blood, though."
The new representative had taken the entrance exam for the Magic High School and passed, but her parents' sudden death led to her adoption by the Juumonji family after some twists and turns. This caused a last-minute change to the ceremony's printed pamphlets, keeping Yugen busy with related tasks.
Listening to Kanon and Yugen, Isori recalled something. "Her former surname was Soga, right? Could she be related to General Soga of the National Defense Forces?"
"A relative, yes. I confirmed it with General Soga himself," Yugen said.
"You're casually connected to the commander-in-chief of the Defense Forces? That's an impressive network, Yugen," Kanon remarked.
"My family, the Mitsuya, has ties to the Defense Forces. That's all," Yugen replied succinctly, avoiding further probing. Strictly speaking, his connection came from being a special officer in the Defense Forces, but that touched on classified matters he couldn't discuss.
Last night, Katsuto had sent a rare email, asking Yugen to look after his younger sister, Riri, who was joining the school. The request included teaching her the strength expected of a Ten Master Clans member, despite her short time in the family. Yugen agreed, though he wasn't sure how convincing he could be, having been part of the Ten Master Clans for only a few months himself.
Riri was a unique blend of "Ten Master Clans" and "Defense Forces relative." Likely, the Yokohama Incident's altered events—preventing proof of collusion between the Magic High School and the military through Tatsuya—resulted in this "adjustment." If the Nanakusa family continued their media manipulations, it could lead to a rift between them and the Juumonji family. The attempted kidnapping by the Toyama family had already strained relations, though the Parasite Incident's cooperation had salvaged things. Further conflict risked national instability and had to be avoided.
"Like a broken machine, maybe smashing it will fix it," Yugen muttered.
"Did you just say something dangerous?!" Honoka shot back sharply.
Yugen's slip of the tongue created an indescribable atmosphere in the student council room. Realizing his mistake, he bowed his head to the table in apology. Tatsuya later teased, "You admitting a mistake? Maybe it'll snow tomorrow." Yugen retorted that he had no intention of causing a natural disaster, though he briefly considered using Tenjin magic to summon unseasonal snow—before dismissing it to avoid trouble.
"I'll introduce you after school. Unlike Katsuto-senpai, she seems kind," Honoka said.
"Haha, that's a bit harsh on Katsuto-senpai," Isori replied.
Tatsuya privately agreed. Katsuto's imposing physique and mature demeanor were impeccable for a Ten Master Clans member. But to someone timid like Azusa, he might seem intimidating.
Isori's follow-up calmed Azusa's flustered reaction, and they agreed to ensure the after-school meeting went smoothly.
After School
The meeting with the new student representative was meant for the six student council members—Azusa, Tatsuya, Miyuki, Isori, Celia, and Honoka—but Yugen was roped in, likely as a deterrent due to his former Ten Master Clans status. Though he doubted trouble would arise with someone Azusa viewed positively, he reluctantly agreed at Hattori's request.
"Introducing this year's student representative, Riri Juumonji," Azusa said.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Riri Juumonji. I'm still learning, but I look forward to your guidance," Riri said with polished courtesy, rivaling Miyuki's grace. Despite her short time as a Juumonji, her refined manners likely stemmed from her Defense Forces family background.
Her serious demeanor gave way to a different side when speaking with Honoka. "You're Mitsui-senpai?! Your Battle Board final against Shijukuin was thrilling!"
"Thanks! Are you a Nine Schools Competition fan?" Honoka asked.
"My friends say so," Riri replied.
Unlike Katsuto's stoic presence, Riri showed age-appropriate enthusiasm. As introductions continued, it was Tatsuya's turn.
"Student council vice-president, Tatsuya Shiba," he said.
"Nice to meet you, Tatsuya-senpai. My brother mentioned you. I remember you teamed with Yoshida-senpai and Mitsuya-senpai as an attacker in last year's Monolith Code. Sorry for using your first name!"
"No worries. It avoids confusion with my sister," Tatsuya said. "And yes, this is the Magical Engineering Department's emblem."
Miyuki was delighted by Riri's praise and interest in Tatsuya's department. Riri showed no condescension, likely due to Katsuto's fair assessment of Tatsuya. Her enthusiasm for the Nine Schools Competition shone through with Miyuki too.
"Student council vice-president, Miyuki Shiba. Since my brother and I share a surname, feel free to call me Miyuki," she said.
"Nice to meet you, Miyuki-senpai. Your 'Inferno' in Pillars Break and mastering the new flight magic in Mirage Bat were amazing!" Riri said.
"Thank you, Riri," Miyuki replied with a smile.
Riri's compliments carried a youthful charm, overshadowing her Ten Master Clans status. After introductions, she noticed Yugen.
"Are you…?"
"No longer a student council member, but I'll introduce myself. Last year's representative and deputy head of the club alliance, Yugen Kagurazaka. Formerly of the Mitsuya, a Ten Master Clans family. Call me whatever you like," Yugen said.
"Nice to meet you, Kagurazaka-senpai. My brother said you're among the strongest of our generation," Riri said.
What did Katsuto tell her? Yugen thought. He knew his strength but felt "strongest" was an exaggeration. His combat experience was limited to Celia, Lina, and Ralph, and his magic had instinctively countered Bezobrazov's strategic-class magic—not a true duel. "Strongest" wasn't a title he could claim.
"Sounds exaggerated, but nice to meet you, Riri-chan. Is 'chan' okay?" Yugen asked.
"It's fine. I look forward to working with you," Riri replied.
Had the representative been Takuma, tension might have lingered. Riri's newness to the Ten Master Clans and her friendly demeanor made the meeting pleasant, leaving a positive impression on the student council.
Post-Meeting
After the meeting, Yugen parted ways with Tatsuya and Miyuki, heading to the Kuho Temple. Climbing the steps slowly, he sensed an illusion spell—five presences, none belonging to Yakumo. The projectiles lacked physical or magical lethality, but a sixth, faintly malicious one stood out. Using Tenjin magic, "Thunder Dispersion," Yugen targeted the illusion and kinetic energy, dissolving the decoys. A real shuriken, unblunted, fell powerlessly before him as Yakumo appeared, his defensive spell disrupted.
"You broke my trick so easily. Impressive, Kagurazaka heir," Yakumo said.
"Don't use me as a practice dummy for your Tatsuya games," Yugen retorted.
Yakumo had used the ninja technique "Fire Shadow" to create decoys and "Mirage Cloak" to mask his attack, evidenced by buried crystal and wooden talismans. Yugen's faint detection of killing intent allowed him to counter with Tenjin magic, unlike Tatsuya's "Elemental Sight," which might have been fooled.
Yakumo admitted a 70% chance of deceiving Tatsuya. Yugen had planned to use "Thunderbolt" and "Lightning Order" for a Mach 9 gravity attack, "Surface Lotus: Ninefold Tower," if Yakumo closed in—a spell too deadly for humans, though Gozo claimed Yakumo could survive it. Yugen knew such magic would obliterate most opponents, and Gozo's resilience was abnormal, possibly making him a tougher foe than Tatsuya.
Yakumo, sweating, admitted his instincts warned against closing in. Yugen wondered what grudge Gozo held against Yakumo, possibly tied to teasing Gozo's late wife—a story for another time.
At the temple's veranda, Yugen sipped tea and asked Yakumo about encrypted data sent earlier. "Was it routed through Yokohama?"
"Confirmed. USNA humanists in Nagoya were guided by Zhou Gongjin via Yokohama's Chinatown. Their long-range communication using necromancy is formidable," Yakumo said.
Yugen had provided "Pentagon," an ultra-compressed encryption system, to "Nine Dragons," copied from "Frizskalv" using "Yata Mirror." He'd also asked Yakumo to investigate domestic activities. Zhou Gongjin and Gu Jie's necromantic communications were already tracked via "Spirit Turtle" logs, unnoticed by them.
"Pentagon," unbreakable even by USNA's Echelon, was ironically named after their Defense Department. "Frizskalv" at Kagurazaka's estate meant Gozo would act if Gu Jie entered Japan. The USNA's potential interference was a concern, requiring swift action.
"Gu Jie's entry isn't confirmed, but he's targeted me and the Yotsuba since spring. I'll erase him completely," Yugen vowed, noting Gu Jie's necromantic obsession with revenge.
"About the other matter?" Yugen asked.
"Easy. Kagurazaka's details are known only to a few in magical and political circles—equivalent to the Uesugi family's status," Yakumo replied.
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