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

In the seat ahead of Kanami, who was venting to Mari about missing a bus ride with her fiancé Kei, Toya and Tsugumi shared wry smiles. Aware of the tense atmosphere behind, they avoided overt affection.

"Sorry for my selfishness," Tsugumi said.

"No worries. First time seeing Vice-President Hattori so flustered by the President," Toya replied.

"It's well-known among third-years," Tsugumi noted.

Mayumi was the source. Tsugumi, only hearing secondhand, grew close to her after dating Toya, though Mayumi's probing often earned Mari's scolding. Hattori's reputation came from the mountaineering club leader initially, but Tsugumi later learned more from third-year giants and seniors. Toya, dragged by second-year Sawaki to the Magic Martial Arts Club, recalled the incident with a grimace.

"Never expected a challenge right off," Tsugumi said. "The head's somber carry-off was something."

"I went because Mayumi mentioned a commotion," Toya said.

"That senior's face? Unforgettable. I get it, though," Tsugumi added.

Three months ago, Toya headed to the mountaineering club and saw Sawaki with the leader. Recognizing Sawaki from freshman week, Toya greeted him. Sawaki invited him to observe the Magic Martial Arts Club. Multiple club memberships were allowed, but Toya, training in karate for fitness and mentored by an "eccentric monk" for nighttime body techniques, wasn't keen on martial arts.

"The leader said you cleared the advanced training course on day one, so I got roped into observing," Toya explained.

There, Hattori sparred. Sawaki brought Toya, a first-year Ten Master Clan scion, prompting Hattori's sharp glare. Despite intending only to watch, Toya was persuaded into a mock battle. A crowd formed, and Toya muttered, "Not a spectacle…"

The matchup—second-year star versus first-year elite—drew eyes. Tsugumi worried as Mayumi, Mari, and Katsuto watched. The fight, close-combat only, saw Hattori's self-acceleration countered by Toya's heat-sensing precision, dodging every move. When Mayumi distracted Hattori, Toya's short-range strike knocked him out. Not a clean victory, Toya sighed deeply.

Katsuto, saying, "Time to refocus," carried Hattori off with Mayumi's approval. Only they knew what followed.

"No one else noticed, but I can't call it a fair win," Toya said. "They're listening, right?"

"Busted," Mari admitted.

"We saw it. Tsugumi looked ready to jump in," Kanami teased.

"Mari, you're one to talk!" Tsugumi shot back.

Kanami, Tsugumi, and Mari, all from Hundred Families, had lovers—Kanami and Tsugumi as fiancées with schoolmates, bonding across grades.

"Tsugumi gets me!" Kanami exclaimed.

"Of course, we're friends!" Tsugumi replied.

"Toya, you've got it rough," Mari said.

"I'm used to it," Toya shrugged.

Mari mentored Toya, two years her junior, on romance, though her mutual pre-dating love with her partner left its effectiveness unclear.

Yugen, mildly exasperated, sat behind Mari, next to Miyuki, with Shizuku and Honoka across the aisle and Katsuto behind. Male students' jealous glances at Yugen beside Miyuki were silenced by his glare at a first-year teammate.

"Can't catch a break. Still sulking?" Yugen asked Miyuki.

"You and Onii-sama didn't need to wait in the heat," Miyuki huffed.

"I was liaison, Tatsuya checked attendance. No big deal," Yugen said. "If we collapsed, we'd ask you to nurse us."

"I'd care for you wholeheartedly! I know you two are like that," Miyuki said, understanding but unappeased.

Yugen patted her head. "Tatsuya's earnestness is something to be proud of."

Miyuki softened, but Yugen winced as Shizuku pinched his side. "Dense," she muttered.

Honoka laughed awkwardly.

Kanami shouted, "Danger!"

An off-road vehicle on the opposite lane had a punctured tire, veering toward the bus. Toya yelled, "Slow the bus! It's coming our way!"

The vehicle hit the median, flipping over it. The bus braked sharply, throwing Shizuku onto Yugen, who steadied her. The car slid closer.

"Blow it away!" Kanami shouted.

"Erase it!" Morisaki yelled.

"Idiots, stop!" Mari barked.

Several students, including Kanami and Morisaki, unleashed chaotic magic, creating a psion storm akin to [Cast Jamming]. Shizuku, recovering (blushing slightly), couldn't join. Mari called to Katsuto.

"Juumonji!"

"Defense is doable, but this psion storm makes suppression tough," Katsuto said, showing rare panic.

Miyuki intervened. "I'll handle the fire. Yugen!"

"Toya, slow it down?" Yugen asked.

"Can do!" Toya replied.

Yugen drew 'Valkyrie,' nullifying the chaotic magic with a shot. Miyuki cooled the vehicle to extinguish flames without freezing or suffocating. Toya converted its heat to air resistance, slowing it. Katsuto's barrier was ready but unneeded—the car stopped.

"Nice, Miyuki. Excuse me," Yugen said, jumping out the window.

Using 'Valkyrie,' he froze the fuel system and melted the door's hinges, removing it to extract the driver, already dead.

Driver's license… 'those guys,' huh? Yugen sighed. His [Osiris Sight]—a reincarnation perk with instant memory—recalled the name from prior intel, linked to "those involved." His [Memory Rise] converted memories into digital data, a byproduct inspired by sensing stones, once used to share aerial footage with Major Kazama.

He could hack satellites with [Yata no Kagami] but opted for subtlety. To avoid traffic, Yugen lifted the car with gravity control, disguised as flight magic for appearances.

Tatsuya ran up, recognizing the spell. "Just looks like lifting. The driver?"

"Dead. Not an accident. Three of us noticed," Yugen said.

"You and me, but who else?"

"Toya. He called for the bus to stop, likely sensing minimal magic output."

Toya's Ten Master Clan instincts ensured a smoother stop, preserving the car. Removing the door prioritized rescue, likely unpunishable.

Shizuku's accidental closeness led to her apologizing, "Sorry my chest isn't like Honoka's." Honoka blushed. Yugen replied, "Not your fault, blame the car." Truthful enough.

A man approached. Tatsuya tensed, but Yugen recognized him. "Toshikazu-san, been a while."

"Chiba Toshikazu. Tatsuya, he's Erika's brother," Yugen reassured.

"Shiba Tatsuya," Tatsuya introduced.

"Job's off-duty, but here we are," Toshikazu said.

"You'll get chewed out by Inagaki and Erika," Yugen teased.

Toshikazu tasked Inagaki with passenger statements and asked Yugen to move the car and body aside. Yugen agreed, letting Tatsuya handle the driver to avoid his 'decomposition' approach.

The delayed departure, possibly timed by 'No-Head Dragon' operatives, hinted at a layered scheme. Yugen, moving the car to the roadside, pondered how many layers awaited.