Curiosity naturally gravitates toward the unusual.
Starting with Erika, Leo, Honoka, Shizuku, Toyama, Sana, Mizuki, Mikihiko, Himeri, and Ceria joined the group. It wasn't uncommon to meet up after school, but gathering during the morning commute was rare—especially for Shizuku, who hadn't been with them since before her study abroad last December.
Though the faces were familiar, their uniforms varied. Mizuki, Sana, and Toyama wore blazers with the eight-gear emblem of the Magic Engineering course, like Tatsuya's. Leo, Erika, and Mikihiko sported First High's eight-petal crest on their chests.
"Mikihiko, how's the Course 1 uniform treating you?" Tatsuya teased.
"Don't poke fun, Tatsuya," Mikihiko replied, half-smiling. "Though I bet Leo and Erika are less used to it than I am."
"Don't call me out like that," Leo grumbled. "After last year's mess, it's hard to feel settled in this role."
"I'm not thrilled either," Erika added. "Sitting next to those self-proclaimed 'elites' gives me chills."
Tatsuya's jab drew a wry smile from Mikihiko, who seemed quietly pleased. When he turned the topic to Leo and Erika, also newly transferred to Course 1, both looked visibly worn out, even this early in the morning.
The reason was understandable. The day after last year's entrance ceremony, a clash between Course 1 and Course 2 students erupted (largely instigated by Course 1). As frontline players in that conflict, Leo and Erika likely resented being lumped in with "those people."
"Their pride is flimsier than paper," Yugen said. "One puff, and it's gone. Show them real strength, and they'll shut up—or prove themselves fools."
"Only you could say that, Yugen," Mikihiko replied. "Breaking human speed limits with multi-step magic isn't exactly human."
Last year, in their first magic class, the task was to complete a five-step object reciprocation spell via CAD in under 1000ms. Annoyed by prying eyes, Yugen pushed the CAD's psion limit. Finding the built-in spell sequence too slow, he bypassed it with "Lightning Order," casting the spell in 94ms. Classmates and the instructor were floored.
"I'll admit I overdid it," Yugen said. "But if Course 1 students are so proud, they should work harder than Course 2 by a factor of ten."
"That's harsh, Onii-chan," Ceria said, sweating. "Don't you think?"
"Harsh? Course 1 gets the advantage of instructors," Yugen countered. "If they lose to Course 2, they're just not trying hard enough."
Ceria tried to rein him in, but Yugen's logic was undeniable. Unlike Course 2, which relied on self-study, Course 1 had direct instructor support. Failing to leverage that meant they'd never become true magicians, even after graduating.
Tatsuya and his group weren't typical Course 2 students, and Leo and Erika, originally Course 2 in the source material, had reached Course 1-level skill thanks to Yugen's influence. Mizuki, while not combat-focused, had mastered self-defense magic. Their academic success in magic theory was their own effort. Failing to acknowledge that would make any magician preaching "self-discipline" weep in their grave.
"You're extra sharp today," Erika noted. "Something up?"
"Maybe the looming threat of someone picking a fight," Yugen replied.
"Would that be the Saegusa or the Shippo?" Mikihiko asked.
"Mostly the latter."
This year, students from the Saegusa, Shippo, and Juumonji clans (four, including Minami) were enrolling. The earlier gaze, aimed at Yugen and Miyuki, prompted his burst of killing intent. The Saegusa's attention likely stemmed from last year's freshman representative role, but for Shippo's heir, second in rank, targeting Miyuki required a strong motive. Likely, Maki had fed Takuma lies about Tatsuya and Miyuki's deep ties to the Saegusa, knowing Takuma's near-hostile rivalry with them blinded him to her manipulation.
"That gaze felt like someone fed him stories about Saegusa connections," Yugen said. "I'm on good terms with Mayumi, Kasumi, and Izumi, but I haven't forgotten the Saegusa overlooking the Toyama abduction attempt. Honoka, watch yourself."
"Me?" Honoka squeaked.
"With your personality and... assets, plenty of guys will try to get close," Shizuku teased.
"Shizuku!" Honoka yelped.
Yugen had friendly ties with Mayumi, Kasumi, and Izumi, but the Saegusa's failure to intervene in the Toyama abduction attempt lingered. Though resolved, he knew they'd weaken the Yotsuba if given the chance, and he was aware of Zhou Gongjin's ongoing media manipulations. Had Yugen been targeted, the fallout would've rippled beyond the Mitsuya to the Uesugi, Kagurazaka, Chiba, Fujibayashi, Yotsuba, Itsuwa, Ichijo, and even Kudou families. Even Katsuto or Retsu Kudou couldn't have shielded the Saegusa, potentially leading to worse than clan dissolution.
The Uesugi rarely invited other schools during New Year's, but Kagurazaka astrological divinations likely prompted invitations to the Thousand Blades school and Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion. Assembling such overwhelming forces made sense given Gozo's anger—though his doting grandfatherly side was undeniable.
If Shina were manipulated after such a painful lesson, Genji and his five siblings, backed by the Defense Army, were ready to crush the culprits. Yugen planned to let Jiro play the prince rescuing the princess.
"As the new vice-president of the Club Activities Council, I won't be around often," Yugen said. "Tatsuya, you're on support duty."
"Got it," Tatsuya replied.
This year, Tatsuya moved from Disciplinary Committee to student council vice-president, while Yugen became vice-president of the Club Activities Council, decided by Azusa, Kanon, and Hattori. Shizuku was tapped for the council's recommendation slot, and Mikihiko for the student council's Disciplinary Committee slot. The intent was to avoid factionalism, a concern from last year's violent student council election. Yugen and Miyuki had no such factional mindset, but Hattori, advised by Katsuto, pulled Yugen from the student council. Tatsuya now had to cover Miyuki's support, previously Yugen's role. As a compromise, Azusa kept Yugen's ID card authentication active, making him a de facto council collaborator.
Ceria stayed on as student council secretary, while Yugen appointed Leo and Erika as vice-president assistants, a decision made without prior consent but justified by last year's remarks from Mari. Hattori reluctantly agreed, seeing the value in including former Course 2 students. Leo and Erika outwardly grumbled but weren't truly upset, a fact Yugen noted but kept quiet. Toyama had a hand in their nomination.
◇ ◇ ◇
The Magic Engineering classroom was E-Class, so Yugen, who often visited last year, felt at ease. Class assignments placed Yugen, Miyuki, Himeri, Shizuku, and Honoka in A-Class, with Ceria, Mikihiko, Leo, and Erika in B-Class. For Leo and Erika, former Course 2 students, the curious stares from peers were grating. Their focus on those gazes over being in the same class was understandable.
"We're not zoo exhibits," Erika muttered.
"People can't help staring at something rare," Yugen said.
"True, but still…" Leo trailed off, unconvinced.
With Yugen and Shizuku seated next to each other due to alphabetical order, their spot naturally drew a crowd. Yugen gently rebuked Erika, but Leo's grumbling tone showed his frustration. The unprecedented Course 2-to-Course 1 transfer drew attention, especially since all three—Leo, Erika, and Mikihiko—ranked high in the year-end exams. Erika's transfer also boosted the Chiba family's reputation.
The year-end exam results (combined magic practical and theory scores) were:
Yugen Kagurazaka (1-A)
Miyuki Shiba (1-A)
Exceria Kudou Shields (1-A)
Toyama Rokutsuka (1-A)
Himeri Ise (1-A)
Honoka Mitsui (1-A)
Mikihiko Yoshida (1-E)
Leonhardt Saijo (1-E)
Angelina Kudou Shields (1-A)
Mizuki Shibata (1-E)
Erika Chiba (1-E)
Tatsuya Shiba (1-E)
Shizuku was absent due to her study abroad, but the friend group dominated. The top 12 were within a dozen points of each other. Lina and Erika's lower ranks stemmed from weaker theory test scores. Tatsuya's second consecutive 100th place sparked suspicions he was aiming for it, prompting a weary sigh from him.
"Didn't expect Toyama and Sana to go for Magic Engineering," Erika said.
"Toyama always wanted to be a magic engineer, and Sana was interested too," Yugen replied.
Erika was surprised that top Course 1 students would switch to Magic Engineering, especially friends. But choosing to specialize in a field offering such opportunities was natural. Not all magic high school students aimed to become combat magicians. Last year's graduates showed 55% joined the Magic University or Defense Academy, often tied to the military. Some decried this as collusion, but modern magic's origins as a nuclear deterrent made the connection inevitable. Claiming otherwise was misguided, as magic high schools and universities were state institutions, and enrollment was voluntary. Sana, an ancient magic user not required to attend, proved this.
"Tatsuya's probably glad to have familiar faces," Yugen said. "What do you think, Miyuki?"
"I doubt Brother minds, but having Mizuki, Sana, and Toyama-kun isn't a bad thing," she replied firmly to Mikihiko's question.
The warning bell rang, and they headed to their classes.
◇ ◇ ◇
The first period was course registration, but regular classes began in the second. Magic high school's dense curriculum made opening-day lessons expected. The Magic Engineering instructor, Jennifer Smith, an USNA-native who naturalized 18 years ago, was a deputy instructor in Kana and Mika's Magic University lab, per their accounts. When Yugen ran into her in the hallway, her intrigued expression—likely from Kana and Mika's stories—drew a wry smile. Miyuki and Shizuku's subtle displeasure was unmistakable.
At lunch, Yugen visited the student council room. The 2096 First High leadership meeting sounded grand, but Hattori Gyobu Shojo Hanzo, the Club Activities Council president, was absent. Despite the student council, Disciplinary Committee, and Club Activities Council uniting for the new term, Hattori's feud with Tatsuya—or rather, his inability to accept him—stemmed partly from Mayumi's influence. Hattori's unspoken feelings for her, complicated by their magical lineage, held him back. To Yugen, it was a trivial issue, making him the natural stand-in as vice-president.
The lunch meeting included Azusa (president), Isori, Kanon, Honoka, Shizuku, Ceria, Tatsuya, Miyuki, Mikihiko, and Yugen—ten in total. The large group fit comfortably thanks to a new conference table, installed when Lina and Ceria were around. Kanon clung to Isori, and Honoka seemed to want the same with Tatsuya but hesitated, noting Miyuki, Shizuku, and Ceria's careful distance from Yugen.
Lunch proceeded amiably, with Pixie (3H-P94), now managed by Tatsuya and stationed in the council room per her "wish," serving coffee and tea tailored to each person's taste. Initially, talk centered on the new Magic Engineering course, but by mid-break, it shifted to the upcoming entrance ceremony.
"Rehearsal after school today?" Mikihiko asked.
"Not quite," Yugen replied. "It's more a meeting. The reply speech rehearsal is twice—during spring break and just before the ceremony, focusing on logistics, not recitation. Last year, though, some meddling adults forced Miyuki into a near-impromptu speech."
Mikihiko's question drew Yugen's response, laced with a jab at the Defense Academy demo. The group sweated at the barb.
"Yugen, your tongue's leaking venom," Shizuku said.
"I know, but it's true. I really feel bad for Miyuki," Yugen said.
"It's fine. I know it wasn't your fault," Miyuki replied.
"Yugen's rough, but pulling off an impromptu speech like that is impressive, Shiba-san," Kanon said, her tone implying most would've stumbled.
Azusa, face-down on the table, muttered, "Sure, I was awful…"
"Something happen?" Honoka asked.
"Let's not, for her honor," Isori interjected.
Azusa, the freshman representative two years ago, likely fumbled her speech from nerves. To preserve her dignity, Yugen accepted Isori's request to drop it. Kanon, realizing her gaffe, frantically covered for Azusa, who was near Isori, hopefully avoiding further embarrassment.
"Freshman representatives always get nervous," Yugen said. "Not that Miyuki's perfect delivery was normal."
"Please, Yugen-san. I was nervous being suddenly picked for the speech," Miyuki said, placing her hands on his knee and leaning close.
Yugen patted her head lightly, signaling the watching eyes with a glance. Blushing, Miyuki returned to her seat. Kanon and Ceria smirked knowingly.
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