Now that the framework of the penalty was set, I had no intention of lightening it, even if he showed signs of submission. If an apology solved everything, we wouldn't need the police. Besides, as soon as this matter was settled, we had to begin the total overhaul of the Master Clan system.
The requests from the Yotsuba and Juumonji were within my expectations. If we gave the Saegusa nothing to do, they might try to outmaneuver us again. In that case, having them monitor the Humanists—even if kept away from the main plot—was a sufficient role.
"Since Grandfather and Mother 'drastically pruned' the branch families of the original Saegusa (Mitsue) line, we couldn't very well let the current Saegusa go unpunished. I intend to give Retsu Kudo several important tasks as well. As the Elder of the Japanese magic world, he must pass everything down to the next generation without leaving any lingering resentment. I can't let him be soft on his own pupils."
Regarding the ancestral Saegusa (Mitsue) line—the lineage of the Third Institute's test subjects—Chisato had systematically stripped their power during the Yotsuba's revenge, resulting in the death of nearly 70% of the clan.
Despite the backing of the Todo and Kashiwa families, their conduct, which hinted at inciting a civil war, was deemed unforgivable, and they were purged without mercy. The purge was led by ancient magic users of Esoteric Buddhism and Shugendo who respected the Kagurazaka family; apparently, Yakumo—who was just a boy then—had participated as well. (It's easy to forget given his appearance, but his actual age is in the 50s). One might question men of the Buddha committing the taboo of murder, but in this country's history, such things are hardly unprecedented.
The only remaining members of that Saegusa branch were the moderates and pacifists. To atone for the sin of inciting civil war, they relocated to the Amami region. The head of the house at the time had requested it, saying, "If we remain close, some may still look toward the Kagurazaka with thoughts of revenge. We wish to atone in isolation on the islands." As a result, the Yamanashi region fell under the Kagurazaka's jurisdiction, placing the sacred Mount Fuji entirely within our domain.
As for Retsu Kudo, his list of merits and sins was far too long. First, his involvement with the Kuki and Kuzumi families—as well as the Kudo family itself, which had fallen to the Eighteen Assistant Houses—was to be terminated. His influence within the Magic Association was also banned.
However, he would continue his role as a magic consultant for the National Defense Force, a duty he was expected to fulfill "at the risk of his life." While the military was being reorganized, this was a safeguard against any rise in anti-Master Clan sentiment. Some officers might grimace, but they needed to understand that "not relying on the Ten Master Clans" and "hating the Ten Master Clans" were two very different things.
Additionally, he was to hammer every secret of the Kudo magic into Lena and Celia, the granddaughters of Ken Kudo. With Minoru gone, the survival of the Kudo magical legacy was in doubt; this was insurance. While there was a risk of technical leakage to the USNA, Celia was a given, and Lena was moving toward naturalization as a Japanese citizen, so I saw no issue.
"So, you're letting Ichijou participate as well..."
"Dealing with Masaki is a pain, but if I don't settle it early, it'll become even more of a headache later."
In my past life, it was the same: romantic troubles are the ultimate nuisance. In my previous life, the object of those troubles was my brother (or perhaps cousin, as it turned out Celia and I were related), which made it worse. Back then, I stepped back and cut my lingering attachments. But this time, I won't be backing down.
I mean, if he liked her that much, he should have just confessed. He didn't because he was terrified of rejection, even while assuming that as the heir to a Master Clan, it shouldn't be difficult.
In my case, I confessed, but I won't deny it felt like a rigged game because I already knew exactly how Miyuki felt about me. Even if I had been rejected, I was prepared. In that case, Tatsuya would have had the exhausting job of soothing Miyuki—or at worst, she might have attacked me. Then again, being "attacked" by her was probably just a matter of sooner or later.
Regardless of what Masaki thinks of Miyuki, her impression of him is not good. He should realize the cause himself, but he doesn't even make the effort to investigate it. Love can't bloom like that.
Does he honestly think that if he catches a terrorist, she'll fall for him? What kind of convenient shonen-manga logic is that? At the very least, he'd need to literally put his life on the line to protect her—not that I'd recommend it, given the high risk.
Honestly, look at me. I just tried to choose a route that didn't make Tatsuya an enemy; I tried to get along with him while building a good friendship with Miyuki. Instead, I ended up with Miyuki falling for me, her mother Miya falling for me, and her aunt Maya demanding a physical relationship in exchange for recognizing the engagement.
I've visited various places, including other Master Clans, and whenever I take a policy of "not getting too close" and "knowing my place," people just end up more interested in me. Akane, Izumi, and Yuuka are all examples of this. It makes me wonder if the boys in this world are just severely lacking in basic manners. I understand and accept that this is my own fault, but I really want to ask Masaki: "Do you have any idea how much work this is?"
"I've spoken with Principal Momoyama of First High and Principal Maeda of Third High. They agreed that using the Magic University's data lines, Masaki can take classes at First High and have them credited at Third High without any issue."
Since not all Magic High Schools run on the same curriculum (the school's culture reflects in their syllabus), we can't cover everything, but the Principal of Third High decided this was better than vague home study. He will relay this to the head of the Ichijou family.
Apparently, based on the precedent set by Lena and Celia's study abroad, he will be transferred into Class 2-A. Honestly, it felt like a personal attack. Shoving him into the same class as an engaged couple—Momoyama clearly knows exactly what he's doing.
"…I wonder if the class placement is partly spite for what happened with Sister Mika."
"Surely he's not that childish… though I heard he was once furious at Mika's bluntness."
That was back when Mika was a student at First High. As the Disciplinary Committee Chair, she had suppressed the bullying of Course 2 students—complete with the use of prohibited slurs—and was summoned by the principal. Momoyama had deemed Mika's attitude "unbefitting of a First High student" and tried to expel her, but Kana got Gozo involved, and the matter was dropped.
Since then, Mika's evaluation of Momoyama had hit rock bottom. "What 'authority on magic education'?" she'd say. "There's no authority in someone who maintains a school system that encourages bullying and discrimination." At her graduation ceremony, Mika, as the student representative, had ignored her prepared speech and declared: "Do not get complacent just because you are Course 1. Do not belittle yourselves just because you are Course 2. If you strive to carve out your own destiny, the results will follow." She then walked off the stage, leaving the then-Student Council President, Mayumi, with a strained smile.
"But she wasn't wrong," Yugen remarked. "The problem is that too many Magic High School students lack any sense of patience or perspective."
"True enough..."
They've only just taken their first step as magicians by entering the school, yet they act like elites from day one. It's baffling. I've experienced it firsthand, but the sheer arrogance of looking down on Course 2 students before they've even begun serious study is absurd.
In a school fantasy novel, you'd expect this from a Duke's son. In the original world, Morisaki was the poster child for that. But there's no reason for his followers to act so high and mighty. I want to ask them: "Are you from some ancient, prestigious lineage?" If not, they're looking down on others solely because of a standardized test score.
"Acting like an elite just because you got into a Magic High School… you didn't even pass a grueling national exam like a high-level civil servant. How can they be so arrogant? If they're so amazing, they should go write a thesis that shocks the world like 'Cardinal George' did."
"Coming from you, that has a painful amount of weight," Mototsugu sighed.
This isn't limited to magic, but there's no such thing as a shortcut to mastering any skill (barring excessive 'cheats'). Even world-class athletes and artists go through blood-soaked effort to gain their unique weapons.
"That reminds me. During last year's Thesis Competition, Professor Tsuzura asked me to submit a paper. I showed him one titled 'Three Flaws in Modern Magic,' and he fainted."
"…Of course he fainted."
The three points Yugen had touched upon in that paper were:
The fundamental Cardinal Codes are not 16 types, but 64 in total, including Systematic and Non-Systematic magic.
The structural configuration of continuous-type Magic Barriers.
Magical Power (Psions/Pushions) is not a fixed constant; it can be increased through specific actions.
If that paper were shown to the USNA—the current authority on modern magic—it would cause a national panic. No, as Mototsugu thought just hearing the titles, it would throw the entire world into chaos.
Upon waking up, Professor Tsuzura had immediately shredded the paper. His reasoning: "This is beyond my ability to handle, and it's too dangerous to let anyone else see."
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