**Obliviousness Goes On, How Far?**
The day after Tatsuya accepted the mission to capture Zhou Gongjin, Monday.
One month until the *National High School Magic Thesis Competition*. Last year's chaos with the Great Asian Alliance terrorists didn't deter students; rather, it fueled their drive for redemption. But at First High, one topic overshadowed the competition.
"No repeat of last year's mess, right?"
"No way. Voting's unnecessary. Even with rivals, Shiba and Kagurazaka would crush it," a second-year boy said.
"Shiba's so cool… Damn, if Kagurazaka wasn't around…"
"Give it up. He shut down Third High's *Crimson Prince*. We're no match," another replied.
Or among third-year girls:
"Who'll be officers? Kagurazaka's club federation head, keeping Shiba in check," one said.
"If last year's chaos happens again…"
"Shiba's brother is kinda hot, but Kagurazaka's a heartthrob. I want him as a little brother—or maybe call him *Onii-sama*," another giggled.
"You're an upperclassman!" her friend chided.
The upcoming student council president and club federation head elections dominated discussions. Even in the cafeteria, these talks reached Tatsuya and his group during lunch.
"Good thing Miyuki's not here," Touya said.
"Uncharitable, but I agree," Tatsuya replied.
Yugen, Miyuki, Honoka, Shizuku, Himeki, and Celia ate in the student council room to avoid attention, but Tatsuya's fame as Miyuki's brother and an engineer drew eyes.
"No arguing with Touya," Tatsuya muttered.
"Last year's top vote-getters are running for president and club head. If trouble brews, Yugen'll silence it wordlessly," Erika teased.
"Hey… Well, it's not impossible," Leo conceded.
"Indeed," Sana agreed.
First-years were unaware, but second- and third-years knew last year's election details. A riot would face Yugen's expressionless suppression.
"Likely, Tatsuya-san's stuck as an officer," Mikihiko said.
"Sorry, Tatsuya, but I think so too," Touya added.
"Mizuki, Mikihiko… I get it," Tatsuya sighed.
Until mid-year, Yugen, as deputy club head, doubled as Miyuki's limiter for the student council. With President Azusa, Club Head Hattori, and Disciplinary Head Kanon in agreement, Yugen's role as limiter persisted as club head. To manage, he structured the organization to function without him for non-critical tasks, inwardly sighing heavily. With Yugen unable to babysit Miyuki constantly, Tatsuya's recruitment as an officer was inevitable.
"Giving up quick, Tatsuya-kun? Can't beat Miyuki?" Erika teased.
"Not that, but dumping most of the burden on Yugen just irks me," Tatsuya replied.
Previously, Tatsuya wouldn't have phrased it so, but after delegating much of the Nine Schools' Parasite Dolls response to Yugen, he'd changed. Miyuki would be thrilled, Tatsuya thought, chuckling inwardly.
Similar talks unfolded in the student council room. Honoka's question drew a weary response from Miyuki.
"I said I haven't decided! The election hasn't even happened; I've no right to choose," Miyuki snapped.
"She's right. But, Honoka, you're just dying to know Tatsuya's next move," Celia said, glancing at Pixie while serving tea.
Pixie's situation, known via Yugen, was sensitive, even for Celia regarding Lina, and kept secret. Yugen also glanced at Pixie, and Honoka blushed, looking down.
"Honoka, I get the urgency, but Tatsuya'll be involved with the council one way or another," Yugen said.
"R-Really?!" Honoka exclaimed.
"He's too prominent to back out now. Plenty of precedents," Yugen replied.
He thought of his siblings, whose Ten Master Clans fame and achievements made retreat impossible. Tatsuya, tied to the magic engineering department's creation, couldn't withdraw, especially with Miyuki as president. CAD carry permissions might pull him into club leadership, but that depended on election results.
"What about you, Yugen-kun? Picked your club members?" Kanon asked.
"Like Miyuki, I'm not confirmed yet, Chiyoda-senpai. I've made offers, though," Yugen replied.
Club vacancies from graduating third-years would be filled by first-years, with Yugen prioritizing combat ability, including magic engineering and Course 2 students. Some Course 1 students might object, but Yugen's "deterrent" reputation silenced dissent. Hattori, the current head, included Sayaka, a Course 2 student, for combat skills, setting a precedent Yugen followed.
Honoka, still reeling from Pixie's thought formation, was comforted by Shizuku and Himeki. Isori and Kanon watched warmly, while Kasumi and Izumi, unaware of last year's events, tilted their heads.
"Yugen-nii, why's Mitsui-senpai like that?" Kasumi asked.
"Her hidden feelings were bared before her crush," Yugen said.
"Ouch, that's embarrassing," Izumi replied.
Due to the parasite issue, Yugen framed it as a romantic mishap for the uninformed duo, who nodded. It wasn't a lie—minus Pixie, Honoka's feelings were exposed. Her face buried in the table, her red ears betrayed her.
Unaware of Honoka's state, the cafeteria group shifted to the thesis competition. Tatsuya, a substitute presenter last year, was expected by Erika to join again post-stellar furnace experiment.
"Tatsuya-kun, not entering the thesis competition?" Erika asked.
"No deep reason. My theme's not ready for presentation," Tatsuya said.
His FAE-based combat magic tied to his unique abilities, so he couldn't disclose it. It wasn't ready, making his excuse technically true.
"Tatsuya-kun's one thing, but Yugen? No way," Erika said.
"Yeah, we're too influenced by him to push it," Leo agreed.
Erika meant to discuss Yugen's absence from the competition but realized his view of modern magic as "flawed" would make any paper too controversial. Leo, benefiting from Yugen, concurred.
"Hasn't Isori-senpai asked for support?" Sana asked.
"Not yet. I doubt I'll be needed," Yugen replied.
Having grasped all cardinal codes last summer, Yugen's provided magic built on them. His ability to create magic surpassing modern and ancient types made the competition a liability for unwanted attention. As club head post-election, he'd be assigned to security, making presenter status unfair.
"The competition alternates between Yokohama and Kyoto, with different evaluation biases. Yokohama favors technical themes, Kyoto pure theory—like *Cardinal George* or Kana-senpai's code theory," Yugen said.
"So, not Tatsuya's strength," Leo noted.
"Still, Tatsuya's beyond high school level in theory," Sana added.
The talk continued until the afternoon bell.
◇ ◇ ◇
In the original, Tatsuya used Kyoko's private number, upsetting Miyuki for two days. Though not directly involved, Tatsuya would brief Miyuki and Minami later. From Yugen's room, he connected to Kyoko via ultra-compressed communication.
"Kagurazaka here. Sorry for the late call," Yugen said.
"Yugen-kun, Tatsuya-kun… Your prior notice screamed trouble," Kyoko replied.
"Don't say that…" Yugen sighed.
The sensitive case used *Pentagon*, far securer than Tatsuya's voice-only encryption. Kyoko's cautious tone confirmed her care. Yugen's email only requested she clear her schedule for a night call to avoid censorship.
"Your encryption tech is drool-worthy, Yugen-kun. Every intelligence agency would kill for it. *Electron Sorceress* pales in comparison," Kyoko said.
"Another time. This is about Tatsuya's case," Yugen replied.
"Tatsuya-kun's?" Kyoko asked.
"Yes. We need help with His Excellency Kudou," Tatsuya interjected.
The request was for Kyoko Fujibayashi, granddaughter of former Kudou head Retsu, not Lieutenant Fujibayashi of the 101st Brigade's Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion. Hearing Tatsuya, Kyoko pondered, then asked.
"A private meeting with His Excellency?" she said.
"No issue, but why not Yugen-kun directly? You'd know Grandfather's private number," Kyoko said.
"Frankly, if a Kagurazaka openly engages, it risks a 'civil war' even the Master Clans couldn't stop. As a Fujibayashi, an ancient magic house, you'd understand," Yugen said.
"! …Right, I forgot you're no longer Ten Master Clans," Kyoko replied.
Yugen aiding Tatsuya was rational via Yotsuba-Kagurazaka ties, but negotiating openly with the Kudou could be seen as favoritism, sparking conflict between orthodox and traditionalist ancient mages—a full-blown "civil war."
Unshared with Tatsuya and Kyoko, Major General Saeki, learning of the Nine Schools' Parasite Dolls, had secretly negotiated with the current Kudou head to resume production at the old Ninth Lab, per Ise family reports. Publicizing this now could aid Zhou's escape. Yugen shared this only with Chikihime, Yakumo, and Mototsugu. If Saeki overreached to control Yugen or Tatsuya, General Soga would intervene. Her proven skills would shift her to Hokkaido's frontlines against the New Soviet.
"So, Tatsuya-kun's job is family-related?" Kyoko asked.
"Yes. Tracking and capturing a continental sorcerer who fled Yokohama," Tatsuya said.
"I see. The Defense Forces struggle with him. If you're handling it, Lieutenant Fujibayashi welcomes it… Still immune to sarcasm, huh?" Kyoko teased.
"Demanding that of Tatsuya's too harsh… On another note, as Lieutenant Fujibayashi, I have a request," Yugen said.
"Oh, you too? I can't match your enemy analysis maps," Kyoko said.
Yugen's tactical-strategic foresight outshone even Defense Forces standards, a fact Tatsuya knew, making Kyoko's jab clear.
"Not that far. If that sorcerer barricades in a Defense Forces facility, as *Divine Assembly*, I'll authorize Tatsuya to infiltrate for enemy elimination. Keep that in mind," Yugen said.
"He'd rely on the Defense Forces?" Kyoko asked.
"He has ties there. Last fall's clash with the Alliance's special forces involved a relic, a factor in Tatsuya's fight," Yugen said.
Kyoko likely knew of the relic replication from that clash, so Yugen spoke openly.
"The Defense Forces aren't monolithic. Some dislike modern magic or the Ten Master Clans. With military figures open to continental mages, he'd have reason to turn to them," Yugen added.
"…Got it. I'll check Grandfather's availability. Email okay?" Kyoko asked.
"Fine. Use the battalion's encryption," Tatsuya replied.
After a pause, Kyoko curtly ended the call. Yugen shot Tatsuya a deadpan look.
"Tatsuya, are you trying to charm Kyoko too?" Yugen asked.
"No, that wasn't my intent… Though I might've fueled her suspicions," Tatsuya said.
"That blank-sender email before the Nine Schools, plus her sarcasm? She'd think that," Yugen said.
"…"
Light novel protagonists effortlessly captivate others, and Tatsuya was no exception, unwittingly drawing attention. Yugen, aware he was no better, rubbed his temple and sighed deeply.
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