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

Airi Isshiki, Third High's first-year ace, opened with an apology that caught Yugen off guard. Neither harbored anger, and whatever touched a nerve seemed to restore her spirits. Meanwhile, Miyuki's mood soured in inverse proportion, her "scary" smile unnerving even Airi, who reflected, "Did I do something wrong?" As Airi rejoined Third High's group, Yugen apologized to Tatsuya, her handler and foil, who retreated to the wall.

"Honestly, Yugen-san, you're part of the problem, but Onii-sama's no better," Miyuki huffed.

"I don't know how to respond," Tatsuya said. "It's a kind of occupational hazard."

As Miyuki's guardian, Tatsuya's duty was ingrained, a product of years of struggle and effort. Yugen, stuck by Miyuki's side, continued the mixer under envious stares from First High's first-years and others—especially Third High students. He sighed inwardly.

"If they're jealous, they should refine their character," Yugen muttered. "Ulterior motives or petty pride? Real combat blows that away. Where's Tomoya… there?"

"He's backing up Onii-sama," Miyuki said.

Tomoya, who hadn't crossed paths earlier, was with Ami near Tatsuya, seemingly thanking him for reining in Miyuki. Shizuku and Honoka were off "picking flowers." A waitress approached with drinks.

"Care for a drink?" she asked.

"I'll take one," Yugen said. "You pull off the look, Erika."

"Really?" Erika said. "Better praise than Tatsuya-kun's… but you're quite the charmer."

Taking a glass, Yugen caught Erika's mischievous whisper.

"You're stressing Tatsuya out, so I'll eat and behave for now," she said.

"Yugen-san, the guest speeches are coming up…" Miyuki interjected.

"I know everyone important," Yugen said. "No one'll cause trouble. Erika, keep talking, and it's not just 'Hachibun'—it'll be 'Ridge Run.'"

"Haha, I'm out!" Erika fled, laughing.

Yugen's "Hachibun" meant sprinting from Gunma's main temple to Fuji's eighth station for training. "Ridge Run" was an absurd trek across the Akaishi, Kiso, and Hida mountain peaks. The worst was "Ryukyu Run," dashing from Kyushu's tip to Yonaguni Island—a martial arts master or evil anime syndicate vibe, a "human graduation exam." Yugen had endured it, shocking himself and his grandfather, who'd assigned it. I just want to be human (too late).

Erika, sensing danger, bolted. As she left, Shizuku and Honoka returned. Shizuku, having overheard, questioned Yugen.

"Yugen, it sounded like someone would pull that stunt," she said. "Your grandfather?"

"Grandpa's capable," Yugen said. "And one other person."

Onstage, magical luminaries gave speeches. A Ten Master Clans head speaking would be chaos—tempting for one person, but their butler would intervene. Most attendees were elite mages, tested by pranksters like "Master" Gousan Joushima and "Sage" Retsu Kudou. The two, notorious for grandson banter escalating into magical duels, fought without breaking anything, knocking each other out in bizarre handicap matches. Both loved testing youths.

At their first meeting, Retsu used Parade, a Kudou secret, which Yugen barely saw through. Most saw Retsu as the architect of the Ten Master Clans and once the world's strongest mage, a living legend alongside Gousan. Yugen avoided badmouthing them to preserve their mystique.

Retsu's turn came. The venue darkened, spotlights on the stage. A woman in a dress appeared, with Retsu behind her.

"A woman?" Honoka asked.

"I thought the 'Sage' was a man," Shizuku said.

Most, like them, were clueless. It was a weak but venue-wide mental interference spell, subtle enough to evade detection by most, even those with Shizuku and Honoka's perception. The dark stage drew eyes, suggesting a figure. The spotlight revealed a woman, confusing those expecting Retsu—a sleight-of-hand using "gaze guidance."

"Yugen-san, this is…" Miyuki said.

"A prankster, him and His Excellency," Yugen said.

Skilled in mental interference, Miyuki and Yugen noticed the spell's activation. Yugen raised his interference strength, casting a mental barrier around Shizuku and Honoka. They then saw someone behind the woman. Retsu, grinning like a mischievous child, whispered to her. She exited, the venue brightened, and Retsu appeared center stage. Yugen dropped the barrier.

To most, Retsu materialized instantly. He glanced at Yugen and Miyuki, who returned subtle nods.

"First, I apologize for the jest," Retsu said. "That was less magic, more parlor trick. Only seven noticed its mechanics, and one countered it precisely."

His gaze lingered on Yugen, who signaled, "I didn't go that far." The crowd hung on Retsu's words.

"If I were a terrorist with a bomb, only seven would've noticed, and one acted correctly," he said.

Detecting the spell required sharp perception and mental resistance. Yugen, Tatsuya, and Miyuki were among the seven; Mayumi likely another. The other three were unclear. This was less for Yugen and more a test for Tatsuya and Miyuki, midnight's children. Retsu, once their mother's teacher, likely sensed their potential.

"Young mages," Retsu continued, "magic is a means, not an end. My spell was large but weak, yet most of you were swayed, unable to see me. Honing magic is vital, as is effort to grow your power. But that's not enough. A misused great spell loses to a clever small one. Young mages, I await your ingenuity at the Nine Schools Competition."

Silence followed, then a single clap echoed from the center, joined by a young man's voice.

"Brilliant words from the 'Trick Star,'" he said. "But isn't pranking high schoolers a bit much, Retsu?"

"Quiet, and you show up now, Gousan?" Retsu retorted.

A man in his forties appeared in Retsu's gaze, then instantly beside him on stage, stunning the crowd. Yugen clutched his head; Shizuku, knowing the man, shot a deadpan glare.

"Always so loud and dramatic," she said.

"That's high praise for Grandpa," Yugen said. "Miyuki, Honoka, that's Gousan Joushima. Looks forty, but he's Retsu's age."

"He looks barely forty!" Honoka said.

Shizuku confirmed it, leaving Honoka thinking she was dreaming. Miyuki, with a family precedent for age deception, smirked. Retsu stepped aside as Gousan took the mic.

"I'm Gousan Joushima," he said. "Call me a double or whatever, but I'm the real deal. My friend here stole my thunder, but…"

Calling a same-aged peer "old man" was rude, but Retsu grinned at Gousan's audacity.

"I've one thing to say," Gousan continued. "Before looking down on others, check your own flaws. In competition, there are winners and losers. Those who can't assess themselves hit limits fast. The ultimate victor never gives up. I look forward to your spirit in the Nine Schools Competition."

His martial artist words sparked scattered claps, growing venue-wide. As a former recluse, Gousan spoke to himself too, softening Retsu's impact. Retsu's speech challenged the magic community's view of magic as a tool, demonstrating ingenuity over rank. Gousan and Retsu's presence loomed large.

After the mixer, Yugen and Miyuki were in his single room, Yugen kneeling on the bed. Both wore casual sleepwear, but Miyuki's questions led to a grilling about his pre-Okinawa Defense War friendships—mostly with women.

Finished, Miyuki declared, "I'm sleeping with you tonight, Yugen-san."

A man and woman sharing a room was risky, but sharing a bed? Yugen relented, knowing Tatsuya would cave to Miyuki's tears. They lay facing each other, but Miyuki couldn't sleep.

I was careless, she thought. Yugen-san this close… I can't calm down.

Yugen, exhausted from the day's accident and mixer, slept soundly. Miyuki puffed her cheeks, embarrassed for nothing. Had he been awake, things might've differed. Then, a mischievous thought crept in.

Maybe just a kiss… it's a greeting in some cultures… but no, I can't…

Miyuki insisted Yugen was "as important as Onii-sama," not romantic. When brewing coffee or tea at the Shiba house, she claimed it was for "Onii-sama and Yugen-san's joy," but unconsciously prioritized Yugen's taste in her outfits—oblivious to it.

Her turmoil reached Tatsuya, working elsewhere via his Eye.

Yare yare, Miyuki's so dense, he thought.

Miyuki understood Yugen's Ten Master Clans role required broad connections, but seeing him with unknown women soured her mood. This was her first public display. As the year's second-ranked student, her mind was sharp, but Yugen clouded her vision. Love is blind fit perfectly, though she'd deny it.

Yugen's cooking and baking, honed for CAD dexterity under a Yaguma mentor, were "just enough to satisfy his eldest sister and cousin," he'd told Tatsuya. Somehow, they became women-slaying talents. "Shirou-san's wife fell for his cooking," Yugen had mused, puzzled. His charisma didn't help, earning envy from most men.

Exhausted from overthinking, Miyuki fell asleep without acting. Tatsuya sighed in relief, unaware his own words were a boomerang.