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

In a secluded mountain estate, grand as a sacred shrine, a woman in a kimono sat at the head of a vast hall. Her long black hair and exquisite beauty were a masterpiece. Opposite her, Yugen's mentor, Yakumo Kokonoe, knelt in a jinbei.

"Raise your face, Yakumo," she said. "I seek no formality. Hence your simple attire?"

"I distinguish gods from mortals," Yakumo replied. "A monk from Eizan's temple wouldn't face the Kamo and Abe Onmyo master in robes. Forgive my casual dress, Lady Chihiro Kagurazaka, bearer of 'Tsukuyomi.'"

Chihiro hid a smile behind her fan, her soft tone disarming. Yakumo grinned back.

"You've grown silver-tongued," she teased. "This house isn't so rigid with guests… So, Yakumo-san, you met him—Yugen. Your thoughts?"

"Even I shivered," Yakumo said. "He's a dragon not to be provoked. Probing his depths invites ruin."

"Unusual words for Kashin Koji's successor," Chihiro remarked.

"Yet sincere."

Yakumo, worldly ties forsaken, spoke frankly at Chihiro's behest. Investigating Yugen was her request, known to the Kagurazaka and Joushima families. The Kagurazaka, above the Ten Master Clans, commanded deference from Japan's elite. Their influence, with the Joushima's, had saved the nation in the Third World War.

"You, ever elusive, speak so plainly," Chihiro said. "His odds?"

"Three in ten, at best, if he wields that fully," Yakumo said. "I see why Gousan favors him."

Yakumo's estimate factored in Yugen's potential mastery of Tenjin Magic, a New Shadow Style secret also wielded by the Kagurazaka. To ancient magic users, the Kagurazaka and Joushima were untouchable Onmyo masters, beyond even traditionalist factions.

"Why probe Yugen?" Yakumo asked. "He's a renowned mage's heir with Joushima blood."

"Curious?" Chihiro smiled.

"I value my life," Yakumo quipped.

"No need to pry. I wanted you to know."

Chihiro shared her intent, and Yakumo, grasping Yugen's position, gave a wry smile.

Kazama handled the intruders, to be probed by the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion. Yugen and Tatsuya agreed to discuss it the next day, the competition's first. The intruders targeted a First High vehicle with guns, an attempt thwarted to avoid disrupting the event. Yugen emailed his sisters, security staff, as a precaution, with Kazama's consent.

Yugen confirmed with Gousan that Tenjin Magic was permitted in the competition. Gousan's vague "use it freely" troubled him. Tenjin Magic, tied to ley lines, could trigger Fuji's eruption at its foothills. Terrain-altering or high-level mental interference spells were banned; mental domination carried too many risks. Attribute and shikigami magic, like adjusted Ice Pillars Break, remained viable, possibly to counter the Ichijou's "Explosion." Yugen sensed Gousan's intent was clear: use it.

Pensive, Yugen watched the Nine Schools Competition begin.

The National Magic High School Goodwill Magic Tournament, the Nine Schools Competition, opens. Over ten days, main and rookie events unfold. Can First High claim a third consecutive victory, or will Third High stop them?

Over 100,000 spectators attended, millions more via media, boosted by enhanced coverage—Mayumi's father was unusually pleased, she griped.

Day one featured Speed Shooting qualifiers to finals and Battle Board qualifiers, schedules varying by match duration.

"The president goes first," Tatsuya said. "Watanabe-senpai's third race, Igarashi-senpai sixth. Convenient, Touya?"

"She held back in practice," Touya replied. "Watching her now helps."

"Botch the qualifiers, and it's Shizuru-neesan's yoga," Yugen muttered.

At the women's Speed Shooting venue, Mayumi's performance loomed. Her practice yoga sessions had ensnared most main team members—except Mari, training with Mika—and first-year girls. First-year boys, spared by Yugen, watched Miyuki endure, earning Shizuru's praise.

"That yoga's effective but brutal," Yugen said. "Muscle pain's gone, but no thanks."

"I get Honoka," Miyuki said. "How'd you survive? I barely did."

Katsuto's yoga session drew screams as Shizuru "corrected" his frame. Revived, he felt lighter, mandating the men's team join. Shizuru and Kana, certified magical therapists, had Gousan's help to qualify.

"Training with Yugen helped my flexibility," Miyuki said.

"Basic stuff," Yugen shrugged.

Seated in general stands for a better view—Touya, Tatsuya, Miyuki, Yugen, Shizuku, Honoka—Speed Shooting tested precision on 30-meter clay targets. Twenty-four competed in qualifiers, top eight advancing to a duel-style tournament with 100 red-and-white clays.

"Big magic works in qualifiers, but finals need precision," Tatsuya said.

"President Mayumi uses one tactic throughout," Shizuku noted.

Touya and Shizuku, rookie entrants, nodded. Leo, Erika, Mikihiko, and Mizuki joined, taking rear seats. Introductions followed.

They studied aerial destruction, but Erika scoffed at the crowd ogling Mayumi, the "Elfin Sniper," whose competition attire drew cheers.

"We'll face that spotlight," Yugen teased. "Touya, you'll get hardcore fans."

"Don't!" Touya begged.

"Yugen's as dashing as Third High's Ichijou," Erika grinned. "Girl fans await."

Miyuki smiled, Shizuku glared, both pinching Yugen. "I'm average," he winced.

Erika whispered to Tatsuya, "Not dating?"

"Nope," Tatsuya sighed. "They need to figure it out."

"Could get messy," Erika mused.

A buzzer hushed the crowd. Mayumi's flawless qualifier performance—perfect score, no misses—drew screams. She waved, goggles off, her smile aimed at Yugen, who raised a hand reluctantly.

"You're a catch, snagged by the 'Elfin Sniper,'" Leo teased.

"Not happy," Yugen muttered. Mayumi's charm was undeniable, but her sugarless Valentine's chocolate was bitter torture. Her sisters' chocolates saved him; his White Day cookie barrage was petty revenge.

"Sugarless chocolate?" Mizuki gasped.

"Near-pure cocoa," Honoka said.

The bitter memory lingered, a hidden stress for Yugen.