Zhou Gongjin had fled Yokohama's Chinatown—or rather, was driven out in pursuit. His impact on Japan's mage society, from the Master Clans Conference to the government, could no longer be ignored.
September 23, 2096, Sunday
Yugen stepped into the innermost room of the Chinese restaurant Zhou had used as his base. As expected, Zhou, wary of leaving traces, had removed evidence of his dealings with Gu Jie—specifically, the corpse used as a tool.
"Even Zhou Gongjin avoids leaving unnecessary traces. But there's evidence of others besides the Kuroba entering here… Counterintelligence Division Three?" Yugen mused.
The Kuroba's recent raid had collected most data and searched the premises, but Yugen detected signs of another group's presence. Using Osiris Sight of Tenjin, he confirmed they were from the Defense Forces' Intelligence Department—specifically, Counterintelligence Division Three.
If a division heavily influenced by the Saegusa family was involved, it was almost certainly under the current head's orders. Confronting him would likely yield denials, claiming the division acted independently.
"Despite Mother's warnings to stay out, they still move… This must be part of the 'corrective force,'" Yugen muttered.
In the original timeline, at the end of the Double Seven Arc, Koichi leveraged Nakura to secure Zhou's help with media manipulation, suppressing anti-magic propaganda. Using economic might to buy major media and exploiting continental political donation issues, they silenced anti-magic rhetoric, sidelining not only the Saegusa but also Zhou. While the Saegusa and Juumonji families gained prestige for the spring stellar furnace experiment, the Mitsuya and Yotsuba families claimed the real achievements, leaving some understandably dissatisfied.
"The issue is how far I can act," Yugen said.
Capturing Zhou Gongjin wasn't the problem. The challenge lay in his protectors: a magical society of traditionalist ancient mages called the Traditionalists.
As a leading Yin-Yang ancient magic family, the Kagurazaka prioritized protecting the Imperial Family. When the Imperial Court moved to Tokyo, they abandoned their original base for Hakone. Other ancient mages viewed this variably, some deeming it heretical.
Back when Yugen bore the Mitsuya name, a Ten Master Clans family, it might've been different. Now, as the Kagurazaka's next head and acting head, he operated within ancient mages' unique network, distinct from the modern-magic-focused Master Clans Conference. They likely knew of Mototsume, the Ueyama's current head, too.
This could escalate far beyond Yakumo's involvement—potentially into a full-scale war between the Guardians and the Traditionalists.
"I don't want conflict for its own sake, but to orthodox ancient mages, they're more of a nuisance," Yugen said.
However, this also offered an advantage: it concealed the Yotsuba's ties to Tatsuya and Miyuki. Many witnessed Yugen interacting closely with the Kuroba during the Nine Schools Competition, and last year's event revealed his Ten Master Clans heritage. While Fumiya and Ayako's Yotsuba connection drew attention, Yugen's shift to an ancient magic family could frame Tatsuya and Miyuki, newcomers to mage society, as his acquaintances or subordinates.
"I won't lose sight of the core issue. Zhou Gongjin must be eliminated, both to make him bear the consequences and to draw Gu Jie into the open," Yugen declared.
Based on the former Fourth Research Institute's sponsorship, the Kagurazaka and Shiba families—by extension, the Yotsuba—were contracted, so public recognition wasn't an issue. Still, Yugen hoped to avoid unnecessary uproar.
◇ ◇ ◇
Returning to the Shiba household after investigating Chinatown, Yugen noticed two unfamiliar pairs of shoes. Tatsuya, who rarely stayed home on Sundays, was present, suggesting visitors tied to the Yotsuba.
Miyuki hurried to greet him.
"Welcome back, Yugen-san," she said.
"I'm back, Miyuki. We have guests?" Yugen asked.
"Yes, Fumiya-kun and Ayako-chan," Miyuki replied.
Entering the living room, Yugen was greeted by Fumiya and Ayako, returning their greetings. This was their third meeting this year.
"It's not been long since the Nine Schools Competition, but you both look well," Yugen said.
"Yes, you seem in good spirits too, Yugen-san," Fumiya replied.
"I heard Miyuki-oneesama was upset," Ayako teased.
"That's sorted out," Yugen said.
Miyuki flushed at their exchange, showing a rare shy side despite her usual boldness. As Yugen and Miyuki sat, Ayako handed him an envelope.
"What's this?" Yugen asked.
"From the Head, for you," Ayako said.
It was distinct from what Tatsuya held. Setting aside its deviation from the original story, a letter from the Yotsuba head to the Kagurazaka's acting head piqued Tatsuya and Miyuki's curiosity. Yugen neatly opened it, scanned the contents, and looked at Fumiya and Ayako.
"A request to capture Zhou Gongjin, with Tatsuya's involvement and my assistance…" Yugen said.
"Is it difficult, Yugen-san?" Miyuki asked.
"Before last year's Nine Schools Competition, it wouldn't have been. But now, as a full-fledged ancient mage from a leading Yin-Yang family, it's complicated," Yugen replied.
Another letter inside, akin to a message from his mother, Chihime, the Kagurazaka head, approved cooperation as a Yotsuba sponsor and noted she'd coordinate with ancient mages in Kyoto and Nara. Unlike the original story, Yakumo, head of Kuzuryu, wouldn't act recklessly, but as next head, Yugen felt the need to set boundaries—though the same applied to himself.
"With Mother involved, refusing isn't an option… Should I talk to Yakumo-sensei too? What about you, Tatsuya?" Yugen asked.
"I want to take the request. Is that okay?" Tatsuya replied.
Tatsuya seemed eager to assist Fumiya and Ayako at Maya's behest. But, per Fumiya's intel, it could inconvenience not just Tatsuya and Miyuki but also Minami and Yugen, their housemate. Tatsuya appeared concerned about this.
"It's fine. You're practically the head of this house, so I, the freeloader, have no say… Why the skeptical looks?" Yugen said.
"Sorry, Yugen-san. After spring, it feels like you hold the reins," Ayako said.
"Ayako-chan… Anyway, I understand," Yugen replied.
The media manipulation was delegated to the Saegusa to avoid backlash against the Yotsuba, with political interference as part of it. Yugen had no intention of seizing control of the Shiba household or meddling in Tatsuya's affairs, especially romance, which he left to Miyuki, his closest kin.
Shizuku and Miyuki moderated their support for Honoka, while Celia, Lina's kin, remarked, "It's their issue. I don't want to meddle and end up in hell."
"Take care on your way back," Yugen said.
"…" Fumiya tensed.
"Y-Yes…" Ayako replied.
Yugen's parting "advice" rattled the Kuroba siblings, though they managed smiles as they left. Back in the living room, Tatsuya questioned Yugen.
"Their reaction suggests they were being tailed and told not to shake them," Tatsuya said.
"Likely. By the way, I set a shikigami barrier around the house. If ancient mages try spying, it'll counterattack automatically," Yugen said.
"When did you do that?" Miyuki asked.
"Since I started staying here. I told Tatsuya privately," Yugen replied.
Using Tenjin Invocation, Yugen assigned Kirin, one of the Four Spirits, to detect and counter intruders around the Shiba household. Initially, he considered Ryujin, but after the Okinawa incident, Blanche, and strategic mage concerns, he opted for a top-tier shikigami. With Zhou gone, Reiki was no longer needed in Chinatown and now guarded Maya's Hakone villa. The psion cost, drawn from ambient psions, barely burdened Yugen.
Yugen had mastered god-level Tenjin Invocation, initially expecting only limited divine aid. Stepping into divine territory as a human risked self-destruction, so he'd prepared for a cost. Yet, upon invocation, spirits flooded to form a servitude contract—an incident he kept between Chihime, Gozo, Mototsume, and Yakumo. Yakumo called it an "Abe no Seimei-level feat," which Yugen preferred to ignore. Mikihiko, upon hearing, said, "It suits you."
"It'll let me stick close to you, Tatsuya, but first, I need to win the Club Activities Alliance presidency election," Yugen said.
To ease the Disciplinary Committee's overwork, last year's student assembly approved CAD-carrying rights for not just the student council president but also the Club Activities Alliance president for select senior members. Consequently, the presidency now required an election like the student council president's, needing student trust for its expanded authority.
For the election, Miyuki was the sole candidate for student council president, and Yugen for the Club Activities Alliance presidency, making it a trust vote.
Yugen's sister, Shizuru, noted that student council presidents were typically female, and Club Activities Alliance presidents male, though no formal tradition existed—just a trend tied to the roles' natures.
"Disciplinary Committee chair will likely be Mikihiko or Shizuku," Yugen said.
"Shizuku's been grumbling about the rumors," Tatsuya noted.
"I've heard plenty of that," Yugen replied.
Returning to Zhou's capture, this opponent might challenge Tatsuya more than past foes. Despite Tatsuya's refined psion control, spell speed, and techniques, facing an ancient mage would be a first.
"This mission might be long-term. Leaving the house occasionally will affect Minami, and you, Yugen," Tatsuya said.
"I'm fully aware. With the Thesis Competition in Kyoto, trouble's inevitable. Some might challenge the 'Kagurazaka' name," Yugen replied.
Ancient mages weren't monolithic, evident in factions like the Orthodox and Traditionalists. Even families like the Toudou, who guided ancient mages, couldn't oversee all, leaving stray mages akin to modern magic's Extra dropouts.
Some viewed the Kagurazaka and Ueyama families favorably, others with hostility. As humans, mages held varied emotions, making such divisions natural. Openly opposing them, however, invited retaliation.
"A clan that abandoned Kyoto, the old capital, for Kanto to protect the Imperial Family over centuries—how other ancient mages view that choice varies. I only know it from books, being a descendant," Yugen said.
"So, to tradition-valuing ancient mages, you're heretics?" Tatsuya asked.
"Mother said as much herself," Yugen replied.
To preserve influence in Kyoto, they could've left a branch family, but only the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Yasaka Shrine, and the Asuka family, part of Kuzuryu, remained. The Imperial Family's move to Tokyo predated the Traditionalists by over a century, and they accepted the Kagurazaka's departure. The Kudou family and former Ninth Research Institute disrupted this balance, sparking ancient mage conflicts.
Some might resent the Kagurazaka, believing their departure gave the "Nine" an opening, though such reasoning was self-serving. A rift existed between Retsu, the former Kudou head, and Chihime, but Yugen hadn't inquired why.
"Not just Mother, but I'm stuck with their grudges too… Are the Kudou just natural troublemakers?" Yugen said.
"Worldwide, you're probably the only one our age who'd say that about Retsu Kudou," Tatsuya replied.
"You should be angrier, Tatsuya. You got dragged into the Parasite Doll mess," Yugen said.
"Exactly, Onii-sama," Miyuki agreed.
"Miyuki-neesama…" Minami murmured, taken aback.
The Kudou's succession disputes, Lina and Celia's failed strategic mage capture, and Parasite incidents—in the original story, Kousen's killing of Retsu could've engulfed the Kudou family. Tatsuya gave an impressed look, Yugen retorted with exasperation, Miyuki agreed forcefully, and Minami muttered hesitantly.
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