First High's dominance continued unabated at the Nine Schools Competition.
The rookie Men's and Women's Roar and Gunner events both ended in victories. Kasumi, competing as a gunner in Women's Roar and Gunner, beamed proudly on the podium. The Men's event saw Tatsuya and Kento crush Seventh High for the win. Yugen, serving as Kasumi's engineer, showcased his skills flawlessly.
Men's Shield Down took third. Women's Shield Down, with Minami and Riri, backed by Tatsuya and Yugen's elite engineering, won effortlessly with minimal action.
Men's Pillars Break took second, while Women's was Izumi's stage. She hugged Yugen in joy, and neither he nor those around stopped her.
However, Fourth High's duo—Ayako and Fumiya—also shone. In the third day's rookie Mirage Bat, Ayako's downgraded Pseudo-Teleportation still outpaced First High's junior, securing second.
"Did you know about this, Yugen-nii-sama?" Izumi asked.
"Found out by chance. Even you can't be told the magic's details," Yugen replied.
After Hajime and Honami's wedding, Yugen assisted Gozo in training the Yotsuba unit, facing Fumiya and Ayako. His Kaleidoscope countered Fumiya's Direct Pain, knocking him out, while his reincarnation perk, Material Index, auto-analyzed Ayako's Pseudo-Teleportation, refining it. He kept this from Tatsuya, Miyuki, and the Yotsuba, brushing it off.
In Men's Monolith Code, First High, led by Takuma, held strong, but Fumiya's Phantom Blow, masking Direct Pain, defeated both Third High's favorite and First High, fueling rumors that the Kuroba siblings were Yotsuba affiliates. This likely aimed to divert attention from Tatsuya and Miyuki—a tactic Yugen, who'd outshone the "Crimson Prince" two years running, couldn't criticize.
First High clinched the rookie championship, leading Third High by nearly 300 points. Even a Steeplechase mishap wouldn't jeopardize victory if Mirage Bat and Monolith Code scores held.
Yugen handled CADs for third-year Monolith Code players. Overshadowed by Tatsuya, he'd been Shizuku's sub-engineer in last year's rookie Speed Shooting, Miyuki's in main Mirage Bat, and earned Tatsuya's approval for last year's rookie Monolith Code.
"Not as good as Tatsuya, but tell me if anything feels off," Yugen said.
"It's more than perfect. I'm worried about using it fully," Hattori replied.
"Don't say that, President."
"I know. But after this, it's on you."
Hattori had briefed Yugen on his vice-president nomination, with no objections. Yugen doubted a fuss would arise over whether he or Miyuki ran for student council president. Miyuki had said she'd likely decline and push Yugen to run.
"I can't guarantee I'll match Tenmonji-senpai or you, but I'll focus on winning the election first," Yugen said.
"Yugen, you're top of the class. Who could beat you?" Mikihiko asked.
"Don't say that," Yugen replied.
Unlike the original, Mizuki handled Mikihiko's adjustments, using her spirit sensitivity to monitor his condition, trained by Kana's Elemental Sight method. Mizuki's interest in magic engineering made her Mikihiko's rumored partner.
"They're like a shy couple. Unlike Yugen and Tatsuya's instinctive synergy," Minakami-senpai teased.
"Not the time, Minakami-senpai," Mizuki said, blushing with Mikihiko.
Yugen was initially set to engineer for Himeri, but her Mirage Bat performance and scheduling conflicts led to another engineer. At dinner, relief filled the air. Hattori, ever cautious, checked with Yugen.
"Really grateful, Kagurazaka. You sure about this?"
"For tomorrow, we'll proceed as planned," Yugen replied.
With First High stronger than the original, unnecessary risks were avoided. Steeplechase Cross-Country, a grueling military exercise, prioritized crisis management. The Plus One factor from Germany likely affected Parasite Dolls. Pixie sensed their wavelengths, but Yugen limited her use to protect her, per Tatsuya's intel.
Even an enhanced Tatsuya wasn't guaranteed to avoid mistakes, so as insurance, Gozo, Ueyama's former head, guarded the work vehicle. Gozo wanted to assess Pixie, and being on an army base, his presence deterred prying.
◇ ◇ ◇
Late the night before Steeplechase Cross-Country, a rare email surprised Yugen. The sender, known to Miyuki, was quickly persuaded. The meeting spot was the hotel rooftop.
"Hey, Yugen-kun. Or should I say 'Young Lord'?" Yakumo said.
"Calling me that means the Senate's involved, right?" Yugen replied.
"Half right. They want to purge demons from this country."
"Are they serious? Have they lost it?"
Yugen's retort stemmed from a simple risk: such actions could let Gu Jie, via Frithskjálfr, spread false claims that Japan created and unleashed demons. Yugen would opt for annihilation, but Chikihime's request was re-sealing or locking Parasites in gynoids, possibly via Alice's Synchronization.
Yakumo, understanding, scratched his head.
"Chikihime shut them down. Now, the main issue: Tatsuya can't compete in Men's Steeplechase, though Women's is fine."
"That's preferable. Tatsuya needs to be Miyuki's anchor."
Unlike before, Parasites were fused with machines, not humans, enabling ruthless moves. Yugen doubted Tatsuya could win unscathed, as psion replenishment wouldn't keep up.
"I attended talks with Tatsuya, Fujibayashi, and Kazama. Kazama didn't warn the brigade leader about ancient magic's risks as a practitioner. Thoughts?"
"Saeki's unfamiliarity with ancient magic is one thing, but there's likely a reason specific to it. Kazama might know something."
Investigating Parasite Dolls via Army Weapons Development connections revealed significant unaccounted reserve funds funneled to the former Ninth Lab, listed as "deposit interest shortfalls." Yugen shared this with Yakumo, unknown even to Chikihime, making it a secret between them.
Whether Kazama knew was unclear, but Yugen wondered why he'd hide inconvenient truths. Even if pride kept him from looking weak before Kyoko or Tatsuya, silence could backfire.
"I don't think Kazama's involved with Parasite Dolls, and he asked for my help. His superior, though, I'm not sure about."
"Oh? Got a grudge against Major General Saeki?" Yakumo asked.
"Last spring, at the Defense Academy's entrance ceremony, Saeki used authority meant for technical officers to summon me. Reports pinned it on Kazama."
Yugen didn't seek conflict, but Tatsuya's original treatment as a Patriot Decoy—using a strategic mage as bait, even one of the Thirteen Apostles—soured relations. Anyone but Tatsuya might've died. Yugen felt similarly.
"She's not necessarily complicit, but her fixation on Retsu Kudou makes sense, given the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion's purpose. Anyway, I understand about Men's Steeplechase."
"You prepared Tatsuya's gear thoroughly. Did you foresee this?"
"I'm not that omniscient," Yugen said.
His foresight came from the world following the original's flow. Delaying Gu Jie and Zhou Gongjin's defeat preserved that. Interventions caused changes, but major outcomes stayed similar. For the future, saving him early was critical.
Minami's drastically altered state—body and magic—was a test case for world corrections. If changes triggered effects, her transformation was key.
"I'll stay quiet on the cover-up and schemes. Any progress on the Rosen issue?"
"Talked to Leo. Surprisingly straightforward."
Leo initially resisted discussing his clash with Ernst Rosen, who treated Erika like a tool, enraging him. Leo broke Ernst's barrier but stopped short of physical harm, avoiding assault charges since Ernst let it slide.
Erika extracted the story from Leo. After the incident, security tightened, limiting Ernst's moves.
"They'll likely act after Steeplechase. The Defense Forces will loosen security to avoid traces. Constant infighting is a headache."
Yugen had Leo explain, revealing Yugen's Bastian Rosen inheritance rights and Gozo's involvement with Georg Ostburg and Lucas Rosen's defection, tying Yugen to the issue. Leo and Erika were shocked, but Erika agreed on the risk of Rosen's forced abduction. When Erika stepped out for drinks, Leo shared Ernst's comment about "having Erika as he pleased," which infuriated him.
As lovers, they should communicate clearly, Yugen advised.
"Retsu Kudou's brother, Ceria's grandfather, is involved, so I asked for her help."
"Poor Rosens, facing two unofficial strategic mages," Yakumo said.
"Ceria and I are just that—unofficial," Yugen replied.
Privately, Gozo facilitated meetings with Germany's head of state and Karla Schmidt of the Thirteen Apostles, giving Yugen connections. To avoid attention, he left it to Gozo.
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