WebNovels

Chapter 163 - Chapter 162: Balancing Magic and Civilian Control

The next morning, after control training and breakfast, Shiro summoned Yugen to the Mitsuya estate's study. Gen and Chihime were there.

"Morning, Father, Mother," Yugen said.

"Morning. Sit, we're discussing the aftermath," Gen replied.

"Understood," Yugen said, sitting beside Chihime.

As a Kagurazaka, formalities felt awkward in private. Gen and Chihime didn't mind. Chihime began.

"Regarding Sirius's magic tech, I made a pact with Angie Sirius. Celia Polaris likely knows by now. But the duel was intense," she said.

Chihime proposed a Miyuki-Lina duel for fairness. Tatsuya weakened Oath's limits, boosting Miyuki's control. Her high psion capacity, improved control, and Tenjin magic training from Yugen outmatched Lina's combat prowess. Miyuki's swordsmanship, honed by Shinkage-ryu, matched Lina physically. In the magic clash, Lina's high-plasma Muspelheim faced Miyuki's Zero Niflheim, a spell Yugen secretly shared.

Zero Niflheim, built from pure cardinal code, created a zero-acceleration field, freezing molecular and information dimension activity, even mental levels, using Keppyo Tokai elements. Developed with Miyuki's Cocytus data, it mimicked its activation.

"Tatsuya stopped it?" Yugen asked.

"Yes, or Angie Sirius risked mental freezing. Apt response, but you knew?" Chihime said.

"Taught him," Yugen replied.

Zero Niflheim lacked spell concealment, making it vulnerable to Tatsuya's Gram Dispersion. Teaching him paid off. Tatsuya was exasperated, noting Miyuki's selfishness. The pact with Lina covered Parade. Chihime could access USNA intel easily. She then eyed Yugen, sensing the crystal's odd wavelength.

"Yuu-kun, I feel a strange vibe. Something happen?" she asked.

"Might sound crazy, but I'll explain," Yugen said.

Unable to hide, he revealed Alice's existence in the crystal and its origin. Gen gave a wry smile; Chihime, fanning herself, smirked, hinting at past similar events.

"Too many unknowns, but Tenjin magic revives both host and Parasite," Yugen said.

"Like the founder's texts. Trustworthy?" Chihime asked.

"Binding contract exists. I'll assess further," Yugen replied.

Trust was hard, but absorbing a USNA-unmanageable entity was viable, mirroring Retsu's original actions. Multiple transformations could complicate contracts, so Yugen planned to keep Alice close and nullify others' bindings if needed. Entrusting her to others might require secrecy.

"You keep shaking the world," Gen said.

"I'm no entrepreneur or president-turned-tycoon. Fame's a hassle. I'm just Taurus Silver's 'external collaborator and shareholder's kin,'" Yugen quipped.

Today was Sunday. Tomorrow, Maximilian Devices' reps, including sales engineer "Mia Hongou" (Mikaela Hongou), a Parasite host from the micro-black hole experiment, would join CAD equipment delivery—a key figure in future events.

"Father, Mother, I suspect Exelia Kudou Shields might be like me," Yugen said.

"True?" Gen asked.

"She implied I'm a reincarnator. Her spell speed beat human limits at school, and she saw through my concealed presence, which even Tatsuya struggles with," Yugen said.

He hadn't noticed then, but felt Osiris Sight or Elemental Sight-like detection. Normally, his concealed presence was findable with effort, but she saw his "existence" clearly. Evidence suggested Exelia was a reincarnator with Mahouka knowledge, though unverified.

"It's just likely, not confirmed. She seemed aware of Parasites, so keep it in mind," Yugen said.

"If true, your plan?" Gen asked.

"Not easily handled. She's already trouble," Yugen replied.

Exelia, integrated into Stars and Sirius, likely intimidated USNA's Joint Chiefs and Pentagon. Her recruitment faced heated debates. As Kudou Ken's granddaughter, the current Kudou head could exploit her.

"Even you can't handle her?" Chihime asked.

"I won by surprise. Unrestrained, we'd raze Tokyo," Yugen said.

Yugen's psion capacity could fire over 100 max Starlight Breaker spells with mild fatigue. Celia's instant Dancing Star, Parade, and Molecular Divider showed superior calculation and psion capacity. A clash would be catastrophic, like nuclear devastation.

"Tomorrow's school equipment delivery includes Maximilian staff—all USNA military. Think that fools anyone?" Yugen said.

"Gousan said you sent the president a letter?" Gen asked.

"Handwritten, direct. Mages defy civilian control, so he's struggling," Yugen replied.

His investigation, via Tenjin's Eye, traced unclear USNA strategic magic and Parasite intel to Edward Clark (NSA), Gu Jie (Seven Sages), and Raymond Clark, all with Frithskjálf access. Yugen hacked it via Yatamirror, securing their sources. Counter deception with information.

"Patriotism's admirable, but it burdens allies. If Japan lacks power, New Soviets or Great Asian Alliance exploit it. Why can't they see? Is it their nuclear-control legacy?" Yugen said.

Japan held five strategic magics: Yugen's Mirror Dispersion and Starlight Breaker, Tatsuya's Material Burst, Gousan's Hell End Dragon, and Mio's Abyss. Excluding Abyss, all could target any Earth point, explaining global fear. Yugen was refining Starlight Breaker for versatility, known only to Tatsuya, who called him an "unfathomable genius." Annoying.

USNA's pride as modern magic's birthplace and Stars' arrogance harmed Japan. Attacking the president's "friend" was law-breaking hypocrisy. USNA mirrored its predecessor's selfishness.

Clashing over principles, intervening under "power balance" pretexts, they should ditch their facade, Yugen thought, slipping into casual speech. Gen and Chihime smiled wryly.

"Your magic shakes the world," Chihime said.

"I've no intent to disrupt global peace," Yugen replied.

Yokohama's conflict was sparked by New Soviets, ignoring ultimatums, using Igniter and Tuman Bomba. Yugen wanted reparations. Sending mages out of fear was madness—how many loose screws justified it? The world wasn't for selfish nations.

In the original, the Dione Plan exiled Tatsuya to space. Without Miyuki's control, his Material Burst could hurl Jupiter at Earth—a divine, insane feat Yugen believed Tatsuya capable of.

"USNA's reaction?" Yugen asked.

"Gousan said the president ordered restraint, but military pride persists. Both missions continue," Chihime replied.

"Stars and USNA will sink with their prideful 'mudboat'?" Yugen said.

Identifying and neutralizing strategic mages and tracking Parasites continued, a choice questioning human sanity. Yugen left the discussion. Chihime turned to Gen.

"Gen-dono, Guardian—Kagurazaka and Juumonji—won't rely on USNA, including the Ten Clans," she said.

"Naturally. My daughter wields Juumonji magic, but the foe's formidable," Gen replied.

Mental realm threats required mental interference magic. Gen approved Yugen's underground facility use for this. He didn't deny Chihime's blunt words.

"Yuu-kun plans a decisive strike, but Exelia might be an obstacle," Chihime said.

"I heard about school. He's the only one who can handle her," Gen said.

Only Gen, Gousan, and Chihime knew Yugen's past-life. His impossible experiences, rare for mages due to political marriages, stunned them. Suppressing someone above Angie Sirius was near-impossible, except for Yugen. Tatsuya could, but exposing Decomposition or Regrowth risked backlash.

"If she's friendly, we could sway her from USNA," Chihime said.

"More sighs for Yugen," Gen replied.

Gen knew Yugen's five fiancée candidates: Miyuki and Yuka (Yotsuba), Shizuku (Kitayama), Himeri (Ise), and Kazuko (Shijuukuin). Even for a Kagurazaka, marrying from Ten Clans and Hundred Families amused Gen.

Civil law banned polygamy, but Divine Assembly membership resolved it. The group trained elite mages and successors, prioritizing strategic mage genetics. Members were exempt from marriage laws, barring medical taboos like incest.

"Mio from Itsuwa is proposed as Yuu-kun's fiancée. Ichijou and Saegusa might follow," Chihime said.

"Plausible," Gen nodded.

Itsuwa's eldest, Ichijou's daughter, and Saegusa's third daughter favored Yugen. Saegusa's eldest was openly affectionate. Gen, with similar premarital experiences, couldn't object.

"Last New Year, he handled three fiancées calmly. He could manage more, but they'll struggle," Chihime said.

"(Blood runs true… Sorry, Yugen, endure it)," Gen sighed, reflecting on his own vigor, which blessed Mitsuya with seven children.

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