In Atsugi, former Kanagawa Prefecture, at the Mitsuya family's main residence, Moto, Shizuru, and Kana faced each other in the head's study. They stared at a terminal displaying data on the suspicious figure Shizuru and Kana recently encountered.
"Even restrained, surviving Shizuru's Defense Breaker and moving again? Like a fairy-tale monster," Moto said.
"I'd have aimed for the heart if not for the unspoken rule against killing. Why is that?" Shizuru asked.
Shizuru, versed in traditional magic, recognized the target's abilities bordered on superpower rather than magic. Killing without precautions could escalate, so she deferred to command.
Moto replied, "It's not just Parasites; their hosts are troublesome. Video analysis suggests they're from the recent USNA deserter incident."
"Stars deserters, right?" Kana asked.
Such intel was classified, but the Mitsuya, adept at military data collection, obtained it easily, aided by Yugen's Spirit Mirror Carvancle. Moto restricted sharing to operation members, excluding other clans, largely due to Saegusa ties.
"Yes. Yugen reports the current Sirius is here. Not the worst case—Stars fully mobilized—but still," Moto said.
"If that happened, Gramps would gleefully brandish his six-sword style," Kana quipped.
"Could blackout the city," Shizuru added.
Despite Gousan's warnings, the USNA's pride and strategic magic obsession led to the experiment's execution. Gousan's cold response: "Fools should drink my ancestors' nail dirt." The deserters' facilitator likely tied to his old rival.
Beyond strategic magic, a Stars pursuit team was dispatched. Moto's initial reaction was pity.
"Yugen says the Divine Assembly will move, with police, Chiba, and Yoshida families. Mika will act first," Moto said.
"We maintain our Saegusa alliance?" Shizuru asked.
"Yes. Juumonji will be involved, but Yugen's Kagurazaka now. Over-reliance isn't wise," Moto replied.
Moto believed Yugen could resolve it instantly but saw no point in that. Neutralizing the "Vampires"—Stars deserters—was certain.
"When I got Yugen's message, guess what he said?" Moto asked.
"Compensation from the USNA?" Kana guessed.
"'I'll think about it later.' I wish Motoji had his ruthlessness, but that's too much," Moto said.
Magic's global importance demanded harshness to survive. Moto, via Mitsuya's intel, felt the tension, especially post-Yokohama, with nations probing. The USNA's entry without disclosing intent, plus deserters, carried heavy responsibility.
Yugen, an unofficial strategic mage, wielded Mirror Dispersion and Starlight Breaker, transcending modern magic, justifying global caution. Moto mused, "Yugen said he's not fixated on world domination. He accepted Kagurazaka heirship to manage his conspicuous position."
Three years ago, the Yotsuba noticed him, a rumor among clans Moto softly denied. Yugen's relentless training stemmed from past-life experience and inherited memories, fueling his strong attachment to life.
The next day, "Vampire" news flooded media, hyped as serial bizarre incidents, especially at schools. Gossip was human nature, but meddling was another matter—only lunatics rushed into danger. Articles leaned occult for entertainment, ignoring boundaries.
Freedom didn't mean license.
"Family business, huh?" Honoka asked.
"Dunno," Tatsuya replied, glancing at two empty seats.
He'd investigated their identities, and their absence during this uproar sparked suspicion. It was a self-aimed boomerang, undeniable.
"No deaths yet, but how much do you know, Yugen?" Tatsuya asked.
"My sisters were the first attacked," Yugen said.
"They're not dead, right?" Honoka asked.
Tatsuya and Yugen smirked. Their sisters, despite college-age antics, hadn't killed, acting in self-defense. The attacker recovered from incapacitation and fled. Targeting their magic was suicidal against martial-trained sisters.
Miyuki and Himeri approached.
"What's the talk?" Miyuki asked.
"Vampire rumors. Honoka asked if the culprit's dead," Yugen said.
"That'd amplify the occult vibe," Himeri said.
Only Yugen, Miyuki, and Himeri knew details. Last spring and fall suggested a non-zero chance of school attacks. Magic High's security wasn't foolproof. Leo, Erika, and Mikihiko assisted, but adding Mizuki or Honoka was tricky. Miyuki and Himeri, Divine Assembly members, were obvious allies. The Chiba head called Erika "unruly but useful." Yugen and Erika agreed to avoid meddling, especially after Erika's New Year's freeze by Miyuki's smile.
"Yesterday, Shizuku called. Her sleepwear was… bold," Yugen said.
"Even I panicked hearing it. There's a limit, even for you," Honoka said.
Despite being fiancés, Shizuku's sheer negligee (later covered with a cardigan) shocked Honoka, who'd heard her complaints. Yugen's video call versus Honoka's voice call explained her surprise. They chose words carefully in public.
"Anyway, the Vampire case is big over there, mid-South, not West Coast," Yugen said.
"Shizuku heard from a student, not news," Honoka added.
The Divine Assembly shared intel. The student, Raymond Clark, heightened tension. Yugen cautioned Shizuku, Shuji, and Yume to stay minimally alert. Lunchtime cafeteria talk revolved around Vampires. As Magic High students, their interest was natural. Mizuki's "Humanism" concerns made sense.
Third-term seniors often had flexible attendance for college or jobs, including at Magic High. Katsuto and Mayumi, both clan heirs, met in an empty classroom, representing Juumonji and Saegusa. Rivals since entrance, not lovers, their "meeting" wasn't romantic but tied to clan prestige.
"Why here?" Mayumi asked.
"Sorry. It avoids ripples," Katsuto said.
"The Juumonji issue, now Yotsuba meddling… we're in a cold war. If Yugen pressed me, I'd grovel," Mayumi said.
Her involvement with the Juumonji incident weakened her stance against Yugen, a strategic mage. She cursed her father's interference with the Yotsuba. Katsuto smirked.
"Even you bow to Kagurazaka?" he asked.
"Obviously. Dad's mess made Izumi's life harder," Mayumi said.
"Izumi, one of your twin sisters? What happened?" Katsuto asked.
Mayumi sighed. "Izumi was engaged to Yugen, broken off before high school. Valentine's was part, but the Totsuka oversight was key. She's been harsh since… damn Dad."
"That incident…" Katsuto muttered.
The Juumonji's rare move risked three clans' collapse. Katsuto, acting head, bore the brunt. Intended to reprimand Totsuka, the Saegusa head intervened, drawing Juumonji scrutiny.
"Like the Nine Schools, it's depressing," Mayumi said.
"Being told that makes me wonder if I'm not seen as a man," Katsuto said.
"No way. You're top-tier among my guy friends," Mayumi said.
Their rivalry allowed candor, and Katsuto was indeed top-tier, but Yugen likely ranked higher, prompting Katsuto's wry smile.
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