The next morning, after control training and breakfast, Shirou summoned Yugen. In the study, Gen and Chihime awaited.
"Morning, Father, Mother."
"Morning. We're about to discuss the aftermath. Sit."
"Understood."
Though part of the Kagurazaka family, formality felt awkward here. Gen spoke casually, and Chihime didn't mind. Yugen sat beside her as she began.
"First, regarding Sirius' magic tech, we made a pact with Angie Sirius. Celia Polaris, her support, should know by now... but that duel was intense."
Chihime proposed a Miyuki-Lina duel for fairness. Tatsuya weakened 'Oath' constraints, boosting Miyuki's control. Already high in psion capacity, her control and casting speed soared, enhanced by Yugen's Tenjin magic training.
Lina fought fiercely, but Miyuki, trained in Shinkage-ryu swordsmanship, matched her physically. In the magic duel, Lina's plasma 'Muspelheim' met Miyuki's secret spell from Yugen: ancient composite interference magic 'Zero Niflheim.'
'Zero Niflheim' generates a zero-acceleration field from pure cardinal code, freezing molecular motion and event alteration in the info dimension within a designated area. Incorporating Tenjin's 'Ice Binding,' it can freeze mental states. Developed with Miyuki's 'Cocytus' input, it's nearly identical in feel.
"Did Tatsuya stop it?"
"Yes. Angie Sirius risked mental freezing. Precise intervention, though... You taught him?"
"Somewhat."
'Zero Niflheim' lacks formula concealment, so Tatsuya's 'Gram Dispersion' countered it. Teaching him paid off. Tatsuya, seeing the activation, was exasperated at his sister's whims.
Lina agreed to a 'Parade' pact. Chihime could access USNA info easily. She then eyed Yugen, sensing odd waves from his crystal.
"I feel a strange wave from you, Yugen. What happened?"
"...Hard to believe, but I'll explain."
Unable to hide, Yugen revealed Alice's existence in the crystal and its origin. Gen smirked; Chihime, fanning herself, smiled, hinting at past similar events.
"Too many unknowns, but Tenjin magic revives not just the host but the parasite too."
"Like the founder's texts... Trustworthy?"
"Subordination contract exists. We'll see."
Trust was hard, but absorbing USNA's unmanageable asset was viable, like烈 in the original. Multiple contracts could complicate things, so Yugen planned to keep Alice and consider breaking others' if separated similarly.
"You've been world-shaking since arriving."
"I'm no entrepreneur or ex-US president. Fame's just trouble. I'm just Taurus Silver's external collaborator and minor shareholder."
It was Sunday. Tomorrow, Maximilian Devices' staff, including sales engineer Mia Hongo (Mikaela Hongou), would join CAD equipment delivery. She was at the micro black hole experiment, possessed by one of eight parasites in Japan—a key figure ahead.
"By the way, only you two know, but Exelia Kudou Shields might be like me."
"Really?"
"Her words suggested it. She cast magic beyond human reflex speed at school. Only circumstantial evidence, but she saw through my concealed presence as an 'existence.'"
Yugen hadn't noticed then, but felt 'seen' like with 'Osiris Sight' or 'Elemental Sight.' Normally, his disguise could be pierced with effort, but she saw his 'existence' clearly.
With this evidence, Exelia's likely a reincarnator with Mahouka knowledge. Unverified, it's just speculation.
"Possible, not certain. She seemed aware of parasites, so keep it in mind."
"If true, what's your move?"
"Too tough to handle. Already a hassle."
Exelia's in Sirius and Stars' framework, likely feared by USNA's Joint Chiefs, maybe even the Pentagon, given her troubled recruitment. As Kudou Ken's granddaughter, the current Kudou head likely exploits her.
"Too much for you?"
"I won by surprise. Unrestrained, we'd raze the city."
Yugen's psion capacity could fire 100+ max 'Starlight Breakers' with mild fatigue. Celia instantly cast 'Dancing Star,' 'Parade,' and 'Molecular Divider,' surpassing Lina's ability. A clash would be catastrophic.
He sighed inwardly at their nuclear-level threat.
"Tomorrow's school equipment delivery includes Maximilian staff—all USNA military. Think they can fool us?"
"Gouza said you sent the president a letter?"
"Handwritten, direct. Magicians are hard to control; the president's struggling."
USNA military had untraced info on Japan's strategic magic and parasites. Yugen's 'Tenjin Sight' pinpointed three: NSA's Edward Clark, Seven Sages' Gu Jie, and Edward's son, Raymond Clark—all with 'Frizskal' access. Yugen hacked it via 'Yata no Kagami,' tracing sources.
If enemies use info, Yugen counters with info.
"Patriotism's admirable, but it screws allies. Why can't they see power prevents New Soviet or Asian Union dominance? Nuclear control obsession?"
Yugen's 'Mirror Dispersion,' 'Starlight Breaker,' Tatsuya's 'Material Burst,' Gouza's 'Hell End Dragon,' and Mio's 'Abyss'—five strategic magics (excluding Yugen's foreign ones), all but 'Abyss' globally targetable. Fear's understandable.
Yugen's optimizing 'Starlight Breaker' for versatile combat. Only Tatsuya knows, calling him "beyond genius." Regrettable.
Stars' pride and USNA's self-proclaimed world management—selfish lawbreaking post-WWII—costs Japan. Attacking the president's "friend" for strategic magic neutralization is absurd.
Both sides clash rationally, but wielding power for balance invites lawless interference. Yugen questioned if he alone felt they should ditch the "rule of law" facade.
USNA birthed modern magic but claiming "world manager" irked him, slipping into casual speech. Gen and Chihime smirked.
"Your magic shakes the world."
"I've no intent to threaten peace."
Yokohama's spark was New Soviet's, ignored ultimatum, using 'Tuman Bomba' on 'Igniter.' Yugen wanted reparations.
Fearful nations send magicians on selfish whims. How mad must one be to see this kindly? The world isn't for self-serving nations.
In the original, the "Dione Plan" exiled Tatsuya to space. Without Miyuki's control, his 'Material Burst' could derail Jupiter into Earth—insane, but possible.
"USNA's response?"
"Upper brother said the president ordered military restraint, but prideful brass continue both missions."
"Stars and USNA sinking with their prideful ship?"
Strategic magic neutralization and parasite tracking continue, per Chihime via Gouza. Human sanity's questionable.
Yugen left after the talk. Chihime faced Gen.
"Gen-dono, 'Guardians'—Kagurazaka and Uesugi—won't rely on USNA. Same for the Master Clan Conference."
"Naturally. My daughter mastered Uesugi magic, but the opponent's tough."
Against mental realm foes, modern magic needs mental interference. Gen approved Yugen's underground facility use.
"If true, Exelia could hinder Yugen."
"I heard about school. He's the only one who can handle her."
Only Gen, Gouza, and Chihime know Yugen's past life. His impossible experiences shocked them. Magicians rarely marry for love; Gouza and Chihime's were semi-arranged.
Suppressing someone above Angie Sirius is tough. Tatsuya could, but exposing 'Decomposition' or 'Regrowth' risks big downsides.
"If she's friendly, pulling her to us via USNA deal?"
"Another sigh for Yugen."
Gen knew Yugen's five fiancée candidates: Miyuki and Yuka (Yotsuba), Shizuku (Kitayama), Himeka (Ise), Keiko (Yotsuinin). Despite Kagurazaka ties, marrying into Ten Masters and Hundred Families amused Gen.
Civil law bans polygamy, but Kamikai's extralegal status resolves it. Their role includes breeding elite magicians, so strategic magician genes are prioritized. Incest is taboo to preserve power.
"Mio from Itsuwa's proposed as Yugen's fiancée. Ichijou and Saegusa might follow."
"Possible."
Itsuwa's eldest, Ichijou's, and Saegusa's third daughter like Yugen. Saegusa's eldest is openly affectionate. Gen, hearing of premarital relations, couldn't deny, given his past.
"Last New Year, he handled three calmly. He could handle more. The fiancées have it rough."
"(Blood runs true... Sorry, Yugen, good luck.)"
Gen, lustful, fathered seven Miyaba kids. He sighed, half-apologizing to Yugen.
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