The Untouchable of Magic High School – A New God Enters the Game

The Yoshida family, masters of Spirit Magic (called Jingi Magic per their Tenjin Chigi doctrine), includes Mikihiko, a "prodigy." Yugen, acquainted with Mikihiko's father, met him years ago. Back then, Mikihiko's arrogance was undeniable. Contact faded this year.

Mikihiko, now a second-course student in Class 1-E at First High with Tatsuya, likely faced a setback affecting his magic. But that's not the point.

"Tatsuya, playing matchmaker now?" Yugen teased.

"What are you on about? When did you get here?" Tatsuya sighed.

After school, Yugen sensed intense psion waves from the lab building. There, he found Tatsuya, Mizuki, and Mikihiko. Mizuki looked puzzled; Mikihiko seemed uneasy. Yugen guessed it was about his lineage.

"No lectures or threats, Mikihiko. Why so jumpy? Mad I hid my real name?" Yugen asked.

"You know Mikihiko?" Mizuki asked.

"Before he met Erika. He was…" Yugen started.

"Stop!" Mikihiko interrupted. Tatsuya explained: Mikihiko's Spirit Magic practice was disrupted by Mizuki, and Tatsuya intervened.

"I visited 1-E often but missed you. My fault, and Erika's. Take a breather—magic mirrors your mental state," Yugen advised.

"You're too much," Mikihiko muttered.

"No deep dive. I'll keep calling you Mikihiko. Mess up, and it's Erika's nickname for you."

"I'll behave, just don't! Nice to see you, Yugen," Mikihiko said.

Practice discreetly, Yugen warned, and they parted. Joining Tatsuya and Mizuki to meet others, Tatsuya asked, "Yugen, do you use Spirit Magic?"

"Yeah. Shin'nyoryu's secret and public arts include it. Secret's Yin-Yang-based; public's tied to religion."

"Yin-Yang and spirits? I thought it was more about shikigami," Mizuki said.

Yin-Yang and Five Elements philosophies underpin Yin-Yang magic, observing nature's changes for omens. Shin'nyoryu's Spirit Magic, learned by its founder from Kyoto nobles, is a guarded secret. Public arts from Shingon and Tendai sects are shareable.

"Catalysts were needed, but modern CADs enable activation. Shin'nyoryu's flexible. Not for casual use," Yugen said.

Secret arts include catastrophic spells—pyroclastic flames, terrain alteration, floods. Yugen traced them to Abe no Seimei, Yin-Yang's pinnacle. Names like Minamoto no Yoshitsune or Sugawara no Michizane as superhumans? No surprise.

"Master mentioned public arts," Tatsuya noted.

"Shin'nyoryu's a magic library," Yugen said.

"Wild stuff. I'll pretend I didn't hear," Mizuki said.

Common knowledge for ancient magic users, Yugen learned it as a precaution, mainly using recognition interference. His unnoticed approach—due to five years of ingrained stealth—posed issues, to be explained later.

With under two weeks until the competition, preparations were set.

Main Team: Mayumi's fired up for Women's Speed Shooting and Cloud Ball, partly for last year's revenge, evident after Mari's scolding. Mari mastered Mika's Battle Board technique, reserved for Seventh High. Mirage Bat's ready. Hattori's polished for Battle Board, praised by Mika. Ami Igarashi got tailored sequences via Azusa. Kirihara's motivated for Men's Cloud Ball, likely to impress Sayaka, but third-years demand caution. Katsuto and Kanami are set for Ice Pillars Break; Kei's improved skills keep Kanami competitive. Katsuto ensures Monolith Code's solidity.

Rookie Team:

Speed Shooting: Toya, Morisaki, Shizuku, Eimi, Kazumi are ready. Third High's Cardinal George and Shiori Juunanya are concerns, but Tatsuya's strategies are in place.Battle Board: Mika trained Takasuke between Mari's sessions; Tatsuya supports Honoka. Normal performance should yield results. Keiko Shijukuin's a threat.Cloud Ball: Toya's unmatched—Fuji summit jogs are rare. Subaru and Nanami are prepped, supported by Kei and Azusa.Ice Pillars Break: Yugen's confident after practice. He chose Miyuki's white kimono and scarlet hakama—shrine maiden vibes. She loved it; Tatsuya relented. Miyuki, Shizuku, Eimi are set. Miyuki got a vibration-acceleration sequence; Eimi got [Invisible Bullet] for George. Shizuku declined extras.Monolith Code: All three compete in dual events, risking fatigue. Yugen's focused, but Morisaki's pride and Takasuke's issues could falter against Third High. Rinne's tactics are set, with contingencies for non-grassland areas.

Yugen's outfit? He hopes for Mitsuya's mercy—likely from his mother or brother, or the Yatsushiro family. CADs and sequences, including grandpa's knowledge, are ready. Let fate decide.

August 1, 2095

First High's team headed to Fuji Training Ground's southeast area. Arriving two days early prioritized practice field access for distant schools and a networking event that night. First High's own facilities dulled the urgency, possibly sparking envy.

"Surprised Kanami didn't complain," Yugen said.

"She gets her position," Mari replied.

"Magic's chains are heavy," Yugen noted.

Tatsuya's line stung, but Yugen kept quiet. Near the bus, Tatsuya checked attendance, Yugen liaised with stragglers, and Mari accompanied them. Mari used a parasol; Yugen and Tatsuya blocked sunlight with a thin light-wave vibration and barrier magic combo.

"Clever. Light-wave vibration?" Mari asked.

"Plus barrier magic. Alters light refraction to block sun. Less psion cost than single-process," Tatsuya explained.

"Lower cost for composite? That's odd," Mari said.

"Mika did similar," Yugen shrugged.

Post-practice, Mari dropped honorifics for Mika, fitting their families' ties and Mika's personality. Last June, Motoharu and Honami wed privately, with Mari catching the bouquet—predictable, but tough for Erika, her boyfriend's sister.

Other Ten Master Clans got written wedding notices, citing regional tensions. Yotsuba's Maya sent congratulations via Fumiya and Ayako Kuroba. Yugen handled it, knowing them. Fumiya, disguised as a girl for tailing, was shocked by Yugen's Mitsuya status. Maya likely knew, but their father blocked the info.

"Didn't expect a Mitsuya," Fumiya said.

"Had reasons to hide it. Let's stay friends despite the complexities," Yugen replied.

Ayako asked, "How'd you know it was Fumiya?"

Yugen calmed Fumiya's panic. "Didn't want to embarrass him." Fumiya offered "big brother"; Yugen declined, insisting on friendship, denying any "pretty boy" fetish. Ayako stifled laughter.

Tatsuya's supposed to handle this stuff.