On the third day of the Nine Schools Competition, the meeting room assigned to Third High was alive with celebration for Saho's runner-up finish. Amid the congratulations, Saho managed a "Thank you," but his expression remained clouded. Noticing this, Watarase approached him.
"You don't look thrilled, senpai," she remarked.
"Watarase…" Saho sighed. "It's just… finding out there was another third-year rivaling Watanabe's caliber caught me completely off guard. Honestly, making it to the finals was pure luck. Did you see Igarashi's technique in the final?"
Watarase nodded. "Yeah. A spell that lets you run on water like it's solid ground? Even Kichijoji said he'd never heard of anything like it."
Even the famed "Cardinal George" had been utterly blindsided. For Saho, who'd competed in the match, reaching the finals felt like a stroke of fortune. To think another third-year could match Mari's prowess was nothing short of astonishing. The enthusiasm from those around him—"Third High's got the edge in the rookie events!"—did lift his spirits, but Saho couldn't shake the feeling that this was far from over.
"By the way, Watarase, do you know anything about Igarashi? The name suggests a main branch of the Hundred Families, right?"
"Igarashi Ami…" Watarase paused. "I heard from Airi that she's engaged to the younger brother of the current Rokutsuka family head."
"Engaged?" Saho's eyes widened.
The Rokutsuka name was familiar to Saho—basic knowledge for any mage hoping to survive in this world. If someone from that clan had taken an interest in her, it was no surprise she wielded such skill. Saho let out a heavy sigh, and Watarase wondered if she'd said too much. Meanwhile, the first-year team members were buzzing about Mari's withdrawal.
"With Watanabe out of Battle Board, and her being a star in Mirage Bat, isn't this, like, divine intervention?" one said.
"This year, Third High's sweeping both the rookie and overall competitions!" another chimed in.
(If Kazuko were here, she'd probably scold them: "Rejoicing in someone else's misfortune will bring you bad karma,") Watarase thought wryly.
Watarase quietly thanked the heavens that Airi, Kanna, and Kazuko weren't present. Airi was busy tuning up for Cloud Ball, while Kanna and Kazuko were finalizing preparations for the rookie Speed Shooting and Battle Board events. Watarase knew better than to share what she'd just heard.
Then, a breaking news alert flashed across the monitor.
"We have an update: First High has submitted first-year Miyuki Shiba as a replacement for the injured Mari Watanabe in the main Mirage Bat event. Miyuki Shiba, who entered First High as the second-ranked student and excelled in the recent term-end exams…"
Watarase noticed Shoki staring at the screen, or rather, at Miyuki's image, utterly captivated. She sighed to herself.
"What's wrong, Watarase?" Saho asked.
"Nothing," she replied, brushing it off.
Even the "Crimson Prince" wasn't immune to missteps, she thought. But with First High fielding another Ten Master Clans member in the same event—and one Watarase had no intel on—the competition was daunting. More than that, her intuition as a young woman whispered, "That crush of yours isn't going anywhere…" She knew Shoki struggled with women, despite his confident facade. Whether her gut feeling was right, though, remained to be seen.
Meanwhile, after the meeting where Miyuki's participation in Mirage Bat was confirmed, Yugen received a summons. The caller was his father, Hajime Mitsuya, and the meeting place? A hot spring in the hotel's basement.
"Didn't expect this kind of summons," Yugen muttered.
"Don't sweat it," Hajime said with a grin. "A little father-son bonding never hurt."
"I get it, but still…"
Both had borrowed swimsuits and were now in the sauna. Yugen, though lean, was well-trained, but Hajime's robust physique belied his fifty-something years. Their close bond with Gozo, despite no blood relation, might owe something to that imposing build.
"Yugen," Hajime began, "you still haven't told anyone about your… situation?"
"Nope. I thought you might've let the family in on it."
"No way I'd do that. One wrong move, and you'd be suspected as a 'Parasite.' We've confirmed you're not, but still…"
Yugen's situation—that his soul wasn't the original occupant of this body but a reincarnated one—was a secret known only to Hajime in this world. Hajime had understood, thanks to a connection with an old-style magic practitioner, Mikihiko's father.
"The rookie events start tomorrow," Hajime said, eyeing Yugen. "You look like you've got something on your mind."
"Yeah… I've been thinking about what it means to be part of the Ten Master Clans."
Yugen understood the importance of showcasing strength at the Nine Schools Competition. Mayumi and Katsuto had already surpassed the high school level, and Yugen might be in the same league. But his question drew a wry smile from Hajime.
"That's a tough one," Hajime admitted.
"Even for you, the clan head?"
"Especially for me. The Ten Master Clans stand at the pinnacle of this country's mages, a symbol of our power. But wielding that power comes with constraints. It's a hassle, but it's the responsibility of the strong."
The Mitsuya family had endured humiliations from the Toyama, another of the Twenty-Eight Families. Yugen had shattered that dynamic, even causing a blunder for the Toyama and the National Defense Force. Yet, Hajime had a caveat for the Nine Schools Competition.
"The Nine Schools Competition is child's play to clan heads," Hajime said. "But as a Ten Master Clans member, you must be the strongest. I've told Mototsume, Shizuru, Kana, and Mika the same. It's expected of you as a competitor."
"Grandfather said something similar," Yugen replied. "So, if I end up facing the Ichijo heir and win, is that a problem?"
With Yugen competing in Pillars Break and Monolith Code, a clash with Shoki, the Ichijo prince with a nickname and real combat experience, was likely. Yugen, however, lacked public achievements and wasn't in line to inherit the Mitsuya headship. Though the Ichijo head viewed him favorably, this was a different matter. To avoid scrutiny, Yugen had shared techniques with Toya, who faced no Ten Master Clans opponents. Hajime chuckled at Yugen's question.
"I figured you'd go all out," Hajime said. "Surprisingly cautious of you."
"I don't plan to hold back. Doing so would cast doubt on the Ten Master Clans' power."
"Exactly. Don't worry about who you're up against. Show them the might of the Mitsuya, a pillar of the Ten Master Clans. That's all I'll say."
So, full effort was fair game—though strategic-level magic was obviously off-limits. Then, Hajime's gaze shifted, a new question in his eyes.
"By the way, got anyone you like? Your stepfather's worried you're not interested in women."
"I'm not that eccentric," Yugen shot back. "I'm interested, alright."
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