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

While the Nine Schools Competition's preparations hummed publicly, Yugen had woven a secret web for three years. As the Great Asian Alliance chased leaked Okinawa invasion data—stripped of Yugen and Tatsuya's traces—he cleansed Japan's media of corruption.

Posing as "insider leaks and Public Safety tips," he fed pro-magic Diet members lists of Alliance spies, excluding Zhou Gongjin's allies. Lawmakers rushed the Anti-Espionage Law, enacted two years later, trapping fleeing spies in Saegusa and Juumonji nets. Other nations' spies waited, but Yugen prioritized order, easing USNA inquiries with Japan's "ally" status. Countermeasures for misuse were set—no issues.

This purge could ripple to Clan Conferences or youth meetings, but Yugen focused on a solid foundation, eliminating only necessities to avoid interference.

The goal: inflate the Nine Schools Competition into a media titan. Limited to cable due to its Defense Force base venue, Yugen pushed the network to sell rights to national stations. Ads and highlights would drive cable subscriptions for full coverage. A Tokyo press center, distant from the venue, offered real-time updates, pitched to Major Kazama as "Defense Force goodwill."

Yugen stayed hidden, nudging the Saegusa via Gouzou. Their patriarch, craving Ten Master Clans prestige, excelled at media games. Tracing Yugen's hand would force his retirement under Ueyama wrath. Gouzou, needing Saegusa power, ensured mutual oversight—a calculated balance.

Yugen also curbed Shippou Takuma and Sawamura Maki's infighting. Through the Magic Association (Saegusa), he offered Maki's father's company a live-stream deal. For Takuma, a celebrity debut to boost Shippou's image. Ambitious Takuma agreed, backed by Maki, securing his fall film debut. Yugen advised delaying romance until university to avoid a "reverse Hikaru Genji" scandal. No problems.

Takuma, despite his status, got no mercy. The Mitsuya gave only to the sincere; enemies faced ruthless reprisal. Reincarnated, Yugen lived by this—and always would.

Separately, a curse-laden letter from the USNA president arrived via the Ueyama. A head of state ranting in a sealed letter was odd. Summoned to the Mitsuya house three days prior, Yugen locked it in his mansion's safe—too risky for the Shiba household. Posing as a non-mage until high school, he'd traveled freely, meeting the president via Gouzou. When betrothal to his granddaughter—also General Kudou's—was proposed, Yugen knocked him out with a joint lock, sparking an international incident. The vice president apologized, citing the president's obsession. Yugen's feat earned praise, though he thought, I'm Japanese. Was she a twin's sister? Trouble loomed.

Outside the athletes' hotel, Miyuki whispered, eyes scanning for listeners, "It wasn't an accident?"

Tatsuya nodded, voice hushed. "The car's arc was unnatural. How'd you catch it, Touya?"

"Saw the 'second' one by chance," Touya said, leaning in. "Magic spun it sideways, aiming for our lane. The 'third' hit perfectly."

"I sensed nothing," Miyuki said, eyes sharp.

"Like Touya," Yugen said, voice low. "Event modification traces were obvious."

Miyuki, watching the "accident" from the start, missed the magic. Yet all three confirmed it. Touya's perception startled her, his grin noting her shock. "Rokutsuka's heat interference," Touya said. "I sense instant magic and predict heat motion. Knew it'd clear the median."

"Foresight, huh?" Yugen said, smirking.

"Sort of," Touya said. "I'm the only Rokutsuka who can."

Touya's candor, trusting Yugen, Tatsuya, and Miyuki, drew wry chuckles. "Tire puncture, car spin, guardrail jump—minimal output, high skill," Tatsuya said. "Driver's suicide attack."

"Vile!" Miyuki snapped, her glare fierce, anger at the order's cruelty.

Yugen patted her back, easing her rage, though he bristled at being her pacifier. Tatsuya watched, content. "Terrorists don't balk at inhumane tactics," Tatsuya said. "Suicide orders are rare."

"After April, I'm over this," Touya muttered.

"Same," Tatsuya said. "Touya, check on Ami."

"Right," Touya said, dashing off.

The trio entered the hotel, pausing at a girl in a bold, beachy outfit on a lobby sofa, the air buzzing with tension. She waved. "Yo, been a week!"

"Erika, why here?" Miyuki asked, voice cool.

"Cheering, duh," Erika grinned, unfazed.

"We're going," Tatsuya said. "Erika, later."

Tatsuya hurried to a tech meeting, leaving Erika pouting. "A hello wouldn't kill him," she huffed.

"He's swamped," Yugen said dryly. "Erika, here for family business?"

"Haha, nailed it," Erika said, tossing her hair.

Yugen knew the Chiba's ties dragged in Mikihiko, Leo, and Mizuki. Keeping it vague, he avoided public airing. Erika, grateful, replied lightly. Mizuki rushed up. "Erika-chan, the key—Yugen-san, Miyuki-san?"

"Hey, Mizuki," Miyuki said.

"Yo," Yugen said, staring. Mizuki's bold outfit clashed with her shy nature. He apologized, eyeing Erika. "Your work?"

"Erika said formal was bad," Mizuki mumbled, flushed.

"Change," Miyuki urged. "Cute, but wrong vibe."

"Really?" Erika groaned.

"You're staying here?" Yugen asked. "Military facility—Chiba connections, Erika?"

"Bingo," Erika said. "Ten Master Clans guy gets it."

Yugen knew the Chiba via his Ueyama roots, masters of the Thousand Blades style with deep police and military ties. "You hate family clout," he said.

"Not clout," Erika said. "Being 'the Chiba daughter.' Connections are tools."

"Got it," Yugen said. "Same here."

Their bond ignored family names. Erika called him "another dimension's guy," earning a sigh. True enough, he thought, reincarnated.

"Competition's in two days," Miyuki said.

"Tonight's mixer," Erika said. "We're in."

"Got it," Yugen said. "Gotta unpack—"

"A wooden bear?" Mizuki gasped, spotting a carved bear on a pedestal, its plaque gleaming.

Yugen read it and froze. Miyuki, Erika, Leo, and Mikihiko crowded around, the latter two exchanging introductions. "This 'Harunobu' brings luck?" Erika read. "What's that?"

"Know anything, Yugen-san?" Mizuki asked.

He couldn't confess. Carved from a fallen tree in a fit of entrance ceremony spite, launched to Fuji with magic—a military secret. Negative emotions turning positive? Bizarre. "Military buddy mentioned it," he said. "Dropped at Fuji."

"What's that mean?" Leo muttered, touching it. A faint hum pulsed, reacting to his psions, leaving him dazed.

"Leo?" Mikihiko asked.

"Nothing," Leo said. "Felt… nice."

"No way," Erika scoffed, touching it. Her psions sparked a soft hum, unseen by Miyuki. "Erika-chan?" Mizuki asked.

"Nothing," Erika said, flustered. "Just calming."

"I want luck," Mizuki said, touching it. Her psions triggered a faint hum. She gasped but claimed no change.

"Hey, Mikihiko," Erika said. "Can you check it?"

"It's Mikihiko!" he snapped. "I'll try, no promises."

Using spirit magic discreetly, Mikihiko saw all-element spirits swirling—a Spirit Beacon, a "power spot" defying norms, amplified by Fuji's aura. He kept quiet. "Nothing," he said. "Maybe another force."

He wouldn't claim it—too powerful for him.

"Miyuki and I have unpacking," Yugen said. "Later."

"Yeah," Mikihiko said, distracted.

None grasped the bear's true power—not even Yugen, its maker.