"What is it?"
"Do you think he noticed us?"
"I don't know..."
The two of them had researched Tatsuya Shiba, the next head of the Yotsuba, as thoroughly as their resources allowed. However, as expected of the "Untouchable" Yotsuba, specific information regarding his specialized magic was non-existent. Even the intelligence from MacLeod only confirmed his status as a Yotsuba scion.
Operating without knowing the enemy's full capabilities wasn't new to them. They had fought countless shadow wars with minimal intel. But this mission felt different—heavier. To Jasmine and James, it felt eerily similar to the "Asian man and boy" capture mission they had botched years ago.
"There was no sign of pursuit. No trace of magic being used... Jay, are you sure nothing happened?"
"Jazz, what's wrong?"
When Jasmine used James's nickname instead of his rank, it was a sure sign of her agitation. Though she was only a year younger than him, she currently looked as vulnerable as her physical appearance suggested.
"I don't know... I didn't feel a ripple of magic. But why do I feel so uneasy? It's as if a noose has been tightened around my neck without me seeing who holds the rope. I haven't felt this way since... that mission."
Years ago, acting on orders from the Australian high command, they had attempted to kidnap foreign nationals within their borders. They had been optimistic; if things went south, Jasmine's Strategic-Class magic, 'Ozone Circle,' could neutralize any threat.
Instead, they had been toyed with. The targets would be in their sight one moment and gone the next. When Jasmine finally lost patience and triggered 'Ozone Circle,' it was dismantled in an instant. In that moment, she had felt a terror so cold it was as if a gun barrel were pressed against her forehead.
"Jazz, calm down. He didn't lay a finger on us. I can guarantee that... Jazz, maybe we should pull the plug on this one?"
It took Jasmine a few seconds to process James's suggestion of a full withdrawal.
"...Don't be ridiculous. The order to execute has already been given."
"That's exactly why! This mission is toxic. One of the primary targets is the head of the Kagurazaka family—the same 'kid' we failed to kidnap years ago."
Jasmine went pale. The revelation hit her like a physical blow. Dealing with a Yotsuba mage was dangerous enough, but realizing that Daniel Liu's person of interest was the same boy who had humiliated them years ago changed the math entirely.
"How did you... no, now isn't the time for blame. We've received the order. We can't just back out."
"We are the only ones here," James countered. "That means we hold tactical command on the ground. If we predict a catastrophic escalation, we have the authority to abort."
James was right. Their chances of success against an unknown Yotsuba powerhouse and a Kagurazaka head who had already defeated them once were abysmal.
"...We can't prove for certain that the boy was the one who caused the failure years ago," Jasmine whispered, her pride warring with her instinct. "Besides, nothing concrete has happened yet."
"I suppose... Sorry. Forget I said anything."
"Consider it forgotten."
Jasmine understood James's fear perfectly—she shared it. But she was a mage of the Australian military. Her ego wouldn't allow her to be scared off by a child who hadn't even lived half as long as she had. Not again.
The West Side New Island commemorative gala officially began.
As the doors to the ballroom swung open, the crowd in the lobby began to filter in. In social circles like these, there were two schools of thought: the subordinates enter first to clear the way, or the VIPs enter last to make an impression. Tonight, the latter was the trend.
Yugen, one of the primary figures of the evening, felt a presence behind him. He didn't tense up; the aura was familiar.
"Nagano-dono... ah, excuse me, it is Kagurazaka-dono now. It has been a long time."
"President Bresteiro. It is good to see you and the First Lady in such high spirits."
President Deacca Bresteiro of the South American Federation stood there with his wife and a young girl of about ten. Yugen knew the presidential couple was childless, and the girl's features suggested Eastern European heritage.
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