First High School's relentless momentum showed no signs of slowing as they led the main competition at the Nine Schools Competition.
In the Rookie Men's and Women's Roar and Gunner events, both teams claimed victory. Kasumi, competing as a shooter in the Women's Roar and Gunner, beamed with pride on the podium. The men's team, led by Tatsuya and Kento, defeated Seventh High to secure the championship. Yugen, serving as Kasumi's engineer, showcased his skills flawlessly.
Men's Shield Down took third place. Women's Shield Down featured Minami and Riri, with Tatsuya and Yugen as their engineers—a near-unfair level of support. They faced little resistance and won effortlessly.
Men's Pillars Break earned second place, while Women's Pillars Break was Izumi's stage. Overjoyed, Izumi clung to Yugen, and neither he nor those around them made any move to stop her.
However, while First High shone, Fourth High's duo—Ayako and Fumiya—also stood out.
In the third day's Rookie Mirage Bat, Ayako used a downgraded version of her signature Pseudo-Teleportation. Even so, she rapidly outpaced First High's junior, who placed second.
"…Yugen-oniisama, did you know about this?" Izumi asked.
"Let's just say I found out by chance," Yugen replied. "Even Izumi couldn't be told the details of their magic."
After Genji and Honami's marriage, Yugen had assisted Gozo in training Yotsuba forces, a covert Ueyama family operation. During that time, he faced Fumiya and Ayako in combat. Using his unique magic, Kaleidoscope, which counters Fumiya's Direct Pain, he knocked Fumiya out. Additionally, his reincarnation perk—Material Index, which constructs magic based on his perception and reasoning—automatically analyzed and refined Ayako's Pseudo-Teleportation. He hadn't told Tatsuya, Miyuki, or even Yotsuba affiliates, so he brushed it off vaguely.
In the Men's Monolith Code, First High, led by Takuma, held strong, but in their direct clash with Fourth High, Fumiya's Phantom Blow—a disguise for Direct Pain—defeated both Third High, a championship contender, and First High. This fueled rumors that "the Kuroba siblings are tied to the Yotsuba," further intensifying speculation.
These rumors likely aimed to divert attention from Tatsuya and Miyuki. Yugen, having outshone the "Crimson Prince" two years running and drawing unwanted attention, wasn't in a position to judge.
Still, First High earned enough points as planned, securing the Rookie Competition championship. This widened their lead over second-place Third High by nearly 300 points. Even if they stumbled in the Steeplechase, strong performances in Mirage Bat and Monolith Code would almost guarantee the overall title.
Yugen was tasked with the CADs for third-year Monolith Code competitors. Though often overshadowed by Tatsuya, his role as a sub-engineer for Shizuku in last year's Rookie Speed Shooting, Miyuki in the main Mirage Bat, and Monolith Code under Tatsuya's endorsement qualified him.
"I'm not Tatsuya, but… if anything feels off, don't hesitate to tell me," Yugen said.
"No, it's more than comfortable. I'm more worried about using it to its full potential," the recipient replied.
"Don't say that, President," Yugen countered.
"I know. But once this Nine Schools Competition ends, it'll be your turn," the President said.
Hattori had explained the vice-president selection process, and Yugen had no objections. Neither Yugen nor Miyuki running for student council president would likely cause a stir. If Miyuki remained an officer, she'd likely defer to Yugen, as she herself had admitted.
"Well, I can't guarantee I'll match Tenmon-senpai or the President, but that's a conversation for after winning the election," Yugen said.
"Yugen, you're the top student in your year. Who could possibly challenge you?" Mikihiko asked.
"Mikihiko, don't say that," Yugen replied.
Unlike the original story, Mizuki handled Mikihiko's adjustments. Skilled at gauging his condition via spirit activity, she used the same method as Kana, who trained her directly. Mizuki's interest in magical engineering made her a rumored partner for Mikihiko.
"They're like an innocent couple. Though, with Kagurazaka and Shiba, it's more like unconscious synergy," Minakami-senpai teased.
"Minakami-senpai, this isn't the time for that…" Mizuki protested.
Behind Mizuki, Sana was "guiding" (or perhaps "egging on") her, causing both Mizuki and Mikihiko to blush.
Initially, Yugen was slated to be Himeri's engineer, but due to her Mirage Bat performance and scheduling conflicts, another engineer took over. At dinner, a relieved atmosphere prevailed. Amid this, Hattori, true to his nature, asked Yugen for confirmation.
"Kagurazaka, I'm truly grateful, but… are you sure?"
"For tomorrow, we'll proceed as discussed," Yugen replied.
With First High's team stronger than in the original story, there was no need for unnecessary risks. The Steeplechase Cross-Country, a grueling military-style event even for adults, warranted prioritizing crisis management.
The issue was the Plus One element already surfacing with Germany, likely affecting the Parasite Dolls. Pixie had detected their wavelengths, but to minimize harm to her, Yugen ensured her abilities would be used sparingly tomorrow. Pixie-related intel came via Tatsuya.
Even with a stronger Tatsuya, there was no guarantee against mistakes. As a precaution, Gozo, the former Ueyama head, would guard the maintenance vehicle. He wanted to assess Pixie himself, and since this was an Army base, his presence would deter unwanted scrutiny.
◇ ◇ ◇
Late the night before the Steeplechase Cross-Country, an unexpected email from a rare contact surprised Yugen. As they were acquainted with Miyuki, persuasion was swift. The meeting place was the hotel rooftop.
"Hey, Yugen-kun. Or should I say, 'Young Master'?" the figure greeted.
"Master Yakumo calling me that means the Senate is involved, doesn't it?" Yugen replied.
"Half-right. They want to drive the demons out of this country," Yakumo said.
"Are they serious? Have they lost their minds?" Yugen retorted.
His reasoning was simple: acting now risked Gu Jie, via Frizscalv, spreading baseless rumors through his channels that "Japan created demons and unleashed them on the world." Rather than take that risk, eradication was an option, but Chihime's request was for "resealing" or rendering the Parasites "unable to detach from gynoids." If needed, Yugen planned to use Synchro with "Alice" to resolve it.
Yakumo, seeming to grasp Yugen's point, scratched his head.
"Chihime-dono apparently shut that down with a single rebuke. Now, to the point: while the Women's Steeplechase is manageable, we can't deploy Tatsuya-kun in the Men's."
"That's actually preferable. I need Tatsuya to stay as Miyuki's anchor," Yugen said.
Unlike before, the Parasites were fused with machines, not humans, enabling movements humans would hesitate to make. Yugen doubted even Tatsuya could emerge unscathed. Even if physical damage was avoided, psion replenishment might not keep up.
"I attended discussions with Tatsuya-kun, Fujibayashi-kun, and Kazama-kun. Kazama didn't warn the brigade commander about the dangers as an ancient magic user. What do you think?" Yakumo asked.
"Major Saeki's lack of ancient magic knowledge is one factor, and there are reasons unique to ancient magic. I don't know the details, but I suspect Major Kazama knows something," Yugen replied.
When gathering Parasite Doll intel, Yugen used Army Weapons Development connections to uncover that significant reserve funds, labeled as "shortfalls in anticipated deposit interest," had vanished from the Defense Army. Tracing the route revealed they flowed to the former Ninth Research Institute.
This intel could cause trouble depending on who received it, so Yugen had shared it with Yakumo beforehand. Only they knew, not even Chihime. Whether Kazama was aware was unclear, but Yugen wondered why he'd hide inconvenient truths. Even if pride prevented him from appearing weak before subordinates like Kyoko or Tatsuya, didn't withholding information hurt him more?
"I don't think Major Kazama is involved with the Parasite Dolls, and he did ask for my help. As for his superior, I'm not sure," Yugen said.
"Oh? Do you have a grudge against Major General Saeki?" Yakumo asked.
"…At last spring's Defense University entrance ceremony, she used authority meant for technical officers to summon us. The report framed it as Major Kazama's doing," Yugen replied.
Yugen didn't seek conflict, but Tatsuya's treatment in the original story resembled a "Patriot decoy." Despite being one of the Thirteen Apostles, using a strategic-class mage as bait soured relations irreparably. Anyone but Tatsuya might have died.
Yugen was starting to feel similarly.
"She may not be a conspirator, but her fixation on Retsu Kudou is strong. Considering the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion's purpose, it's understandable. Regardless, I'll handle the Men's Steeplechase," Yugen said.
"You've prepared Tatsuya-kun's gear quite thoroughly. Did you foresee this?" Yakumo asked.
"I'm not that omniscient," Yugen replied.
His ability to predict stemmed from this world following the original story's flow. Delaying Gu Jie and Zhou Gongjin's defeat preserved that trajectory. Though his interventions caused changes, the broader outcomes remained similar. However, saving "him" early required planning, especially with Minami's drastically altered physical and magical state serving as a potential test case for the world's corrections.
"We've settled on keeping the cover-up and schemes quiet. Any progress with the Rosen issue?" Yakumo asked.
"I spoke with Leo. Surprisingly, they're playing it straightforward," Yugen replied.
Leo initially hesitated but revealed that Ernst Rosen's dismissive remarks about treating Erika like a tool had enraged him. Leo shattered Ernst's barrier but stopped short of physical harm, avoiding an assault charge. Ernst let it slide, so others couldn't press the issue.
Erika, after interrogating Leo, shared the details. The incident tightened security, limiting Ernst's movements.
"They'll likely act after the Steeplechase. The Defense Forces, wary of leaving traces, may loosen security deliberately. Constant infighting is a headache," Yugen said.
Based on this, Yugen had Leo explain. Though hesitant, Leo was informed of Yugen's inheritance rights to Bastian Rosen's estate and Gozo's involvement with Georg Ostburg and Lucas Rosen's defection, tying Yugen to the matter.
Both Leo and Erika, present during the talk, were shocked. When Yugen mentioned the risk of the Rosens forcibly taking Leo, Erika agreed it was plausible. While Erika stepped out to buy drinks, Leo revealed Ernst's comment about "doing whatever he wanted with Erika," which had infuriated him.
As lovers, they should communicate clearly, Yugen advised.
"Since Retsu Kudou's brother—Celia's grandfather—is involved, I've asked Celia for help," Yugen said.
"The Rosens are pitiable, facing two of the world's strategic-class mages," Yakumo remarked.
"Both Celia and I are non-nationally recognized strategic-class mages," Yugen corrected.
Privately, through Gozo's mediation, Yugen had met Germany's head of state and Karla Schmidt, a Thirteen Apostle. He had connections but avoided public action, leaving it to Gozo.
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