NOVEL WEB Chapter 31: Chapter 30: Tensions of Trust and Treachery
Yugen's bombshell leaves the room reeling. Mari reacts first, incredulous. "Are you insane? Challenging both the Saegusa and Juumonji families?"
Mayumi's face darkens. "Mari, our families bear some responsibility."
"What do you mean?" Mari demands.
Before Mayumi can elaborate, Katsuto, acting head of the Juumonji family, explains. "The Toyama family, one of the Eighteen Assistant Houses, tried to kidnap Yugen. The Saegusa and Juumonji families knew the National Defense Forces were involved but looked the other way. That infuriated the Uesugi family."
"Katsuto, that's…" Mayumi falters.
"Saegusa, Watanabe, you're not blameless either," Katsuto continues, turning to Yugen. "You're involved because of your family's ties. What's your demand?"
"It's more a request," Yugen clarifies. "If a major Blanche incident occurs, I want the Saegusa and Juumonji families to take the lead."
"That's the plan," Katsuto says. "But why frame it as a request?"
"Because after I was attacked by Egalité members, the Mitsuya family wants to formally request, via the Japan Magic Association's Kanto Branch, that your families spearhead the operation to dismantle Blanche's Japan branch."
In the original story, Katsuto joined the operation reactively. Yugen's plan is deliberate: make the Saegusa and Juumonji families accountable, showcasing the Ten Master Clans' strength against an anti-magic terrorist group. If First High is attacked, the government and Magic Association will label it a "heinous terrorist act targeting future magicians and technology." Students like Soma or Sayaka Mibu involved with Blanche would face no formal punishment, only thorough counseling—a form of "judicial bargaining." Brainwashing might absolve them entirely.
"But some will act alone," Yugen adds. "If First High students join the operation, they'd be selected from the student council, club federation, or disciplinary committee."
"You can't ask students to risk their lives," Mayumi protests.
"The committee agrees," Mari adds. "That's beyond a student's role."
Yugen nods. "I only need the pretext. Worst case, I'll act alone. I'm not relying on anyone."
"Then I'm the only one who can move," Katsuto says. "Saegusa and Watanabe may need to stay at school, depending on the situation. But do you really expect it to escalate that far?"
Katsuto's skepticism is fair. Even with anti-magic radicals among the students, a large-scale incident feels unlikely. Yugen shares a guarded piece of intel. "Keep this quiet, but Blanche has acquired Anti-Knight tech from Ukrainian-Belarusian separatists, backed by a major sponsor. It's been smuggled into Japan."
"Anti-Knight? You mean Cast Jamming?" Mari gasps.
"How'd you get that intel?" Mayumi asks. "Even the Mitsuya family can't easily access Eastern European networks."
"My own channels," Yugen says. "I can't reveal how."
His knowledge, bolstered by the original story, is backed by his unique magic: Yata no Kagami, an electronic and radio interference spell. It bypasses global security systems, accessing any network without a trace. Experiments confirmed it can tap even the world's top interception systems—leaving Yugen stunned. He's shared a downgraded version with trusted Defense Forces contacts.
Katsuto's tone sharpens. "Cast Jamming resistance is rare, and combat-experienced students are even rarer. Fine, we'll prepare. We already knew Egalité members are among the students."
"That helps," Yugen says. "If it's resolved peacefully, I'll tell Gramps to stand down."
Mayumi sighs. "You're really something else, Yugen."
"I'd say all three of you are the outliers," Katsuto quips.
"Mari, that's harsh!" Mayumi retorts. "You're just as bad!"
The tension breaks, and Yugen and Katsuto exchange wry smiles.
The next day, in the student council room, Mari grins mischievously, grilling Tatsuya about a rumor. "Tatsuya, is it true you sweet-talked Mibu?"
Miyuki had mentioned Sayaka approaching Tatsuya at the cafeteria when Yugen wasn't around.
"It's not like that," Tatsuya says, deflecting. "And 'sweet-talk' isn't the right term for a lady like her. It's bad for my sister's upbringing."
"Brother, you know my age, right?" Miyuki teases, a faint smile on her lips.
Mari presses on. "Oh? I heard Sayaka was blushing while talking to you."
A chill fills the room—Miyuki's doing. Her bento and tea freeze solid, her aura unmistakably inherited from their mother. Azusa shrinks back, visibly intimidated.
"Brother, what exactly did you discuss with Mibu-senpai?" Miyuki asks, voice icy.
"Magic!?" Azusa squeaks.
"Miyuki's interference is something else," Mayumi mutters, poking her bento. "No need for AC in summer."
"Sorry, went too far," Mari admits.
A gentle breeze sweeps through, thawing the chill. Yugen, patting Miyuki's head, soothes her. "Calm down, Miyuki. Let's hear Tatsuya out."
"Sorry, Yugen-san," she murmurs.
"You suppressed that without a CAD?" Tatsuya notes, impressed.
"Yeah," Yugen says. "Low-spec CADs slow me down, so I use custom ones."
Yugen carries four CADs: two Force Silver Customs (Valkyrie and Odin), a portable terminal CAD, and a hidden sword-integrated CAD—all unique, one-of-a-kind models. Suppressing Miyuki's magic without one earns a nod of gratitude from Tatsuya, who then addresses Mari about Sayaka.
"It was about disciplinary committee point-chasing," Tatsuya explains. "My sister might lean one way or another, but the role demands high regard from the council, clubs, and faculty."
"Yugen's right," Mari agrees. "Sayaka's off-base."
"But the committee does hold power," Mayumi adds. "Some see it as overreach. Or rather, someone's spreading that narrative."
Specifically, Egalité members are fueling rumors against the committee. Mari recalls her sister Mika, the former chair, detaining ten percent of second-course students for trouble—possibly Egalité-related.
Tatsuya stands, voicing a suspicion. "Those spreading the rumors… like Blanche?"
Mari startles. "How do you know that name!?"
Her reaction is telling—practically an admission. Azusa tilts her head, confused by "Blanche." Yugen muses that Mika's defiance against the principal stemmed from understanding the school's lax anti-magic education. She once grumbled, "Blind agreement gives me a headache. Zealots' claims are practically a religion."
Accepting only what's convenient and rejecting what isn't leads to decline. Anti-magic ideology denies magic but, in extremes, mirrors "nuclear annihilation advocates." Their selfish violence brands them as vile terrorists.
"Information spreads," Yugen says. "Tatsuya knowing isn't surprising. The issue lies with those hiding anti-magic agendas. The government's response is less inept, more spineless."
"Harsh, Yugen," Tatsuya notes.
Compromise emboldens them, escalating conflicts. Yugen's past life taught him about loud, baseless groups—Blanche is just another. Affirming a magic-based society creates disparities, as humans aren't uniform in ability, birthing anti-magic ideologies. Yet, strategic-class magicians are vital for national survival. Blanche's "humanitarian" claims are blind to reality.
"This is a state-run school," Yugen adds. "Its policies align with government will. The student council president's job is a tough balancing act—deserves some sympathy."
"Comforting me, Yugen?" Mayumi asks.
"He's the one cornering you," Mari points out.
"Cornering and covering his tracks," Katsuto laughs. "A master playboy. Mayumi's already charmed."
"Mari!" Mayumi protests.
Another chill—stronger this time—emanates from Miyuki, reacting to both Yugen's actions and Mari's words. "Yugen-san, a playboy… a heartbreaker…"
"Stop, stop!" Yugen interrupts. "Calm down! Wait, is that jealousy mixed in!?"
Her interference intensifies, and Yugen struggles to contain it. Tatsuya, unfazed, sits and faces Mari. "I'm waiting for answers."
"You sure we shouldn't stop them?" Mari asks.
"I'd rather not be an ice sculpture tomorrow," Tatsuya replies. "Besides, I worry about my sister's future."
"Cool as ever, even in a freezer," Mayumi quips.
"…I'm used to it," Tatsuya says, his detached tone masking a wry acceptance.
The seniors exchange bitter smiles.
Later, Tatsuya lends a hand to calm Miyuki, and Yugen buys a cake to lift her spirits. He could've made one, but that risked complicating things, so he holds back.
"I'm not so cheap that a cake fixes my mood," Miyuki huffs. "Got that, Yugen-san?"
"Even after eating eighty percent of a whole cake?" Yugen teases.
"Ugh… you're so mean," she pouts.
Back at the Shiba household, they enjoy the cake after dinner. Their banter feels natural, though they're not a couple. Watching them, Tatsuya wonders if he, with his muted emotions, could ever share such moments. For now, he smiles at their warmth.