Volume 17, Chapter 1

January 2nd, 2097 A.D., the news that had spread from the Magic Association early into the New Year had produced a big shock among related parties.

The person who made such an announcement was one of the Family Heads of the Ten Master Clans, Yotsuba Maya, from the Yotsuba Family.

The included contents were the chosen heiress of the Yotsuba Family, as well as the engagement of the next Family Head.

It meant that the Yotsuba Family was moving forward to the next generation. Shiba Miyuki was named as the next Family Head of the Yotsuba, and unexpectedly, Shiba Tatsuya was also chosen as her fiancé. Both pieces of news became a major announcement for the next era of Japan's Magic Community.

However, this news didn't just place expectations on the 'New Era'. Anxiety and shock rippled through those who knew about Tatsuya and Miyuki. Leaving out the fact they were both related to the Yotsuba Family (in some way) which they had hidden up until now, it was revealed they were also not real siblings. The emotional rivalry among the girls and boys had, perhaps, seen this as a 'bolt from the blue', which was a natural outcome with the events as they were.

Among those to be jarred from this was the Ichijou Family's eldest son from the Ten Master Clans, Ichijou Masaki.

? ? ?

January 2nd, 4 P.M., Masaki came back from the New Year’s Ritual and went to his father’s parlor after being summoned.

It was rare for Masaki's father to be around the house at this time. He was usually moving around the seabed looking for resources for his mining company, as that was the official family business. Otherwise he would be overseeing the training of Magicians under the Ichijou Family, hence he wouldn't return home before dinner. However, during the first three days of the New Year, he had to receive greetings as the Head of the Ichijou Family of the Ten Master Clans. For better or worse, his obligation as a Family Head required him to stay put in the house.

The Ichijou Family’s Mansion has a Western-style partitioned structure, and the room to greet the guests was located at the end of a long hallway attached to a parlor which was designed according to Japanese-style architecture, like a Samurai-styled mansion.

Masaki arrived in front of his father’s parlor, and knelt down in the hallway before knocking on the door rather than suddenly barging into the room.

“It’s me, Masaki.”

“Come in.”

He received a rough response from the other side of the sliding door. The voice was unlike Masaki's who had the tone of a young nobleman, but it was not an uncouth voice. Rather, it had a wild vibe to it that you could feel in your belly regardless of the volume.

“Excuse me.”

He opened the sliding door while kneeling down, and soon after entering the room, he knelt down again. It might appear as excess politeness between parent and child, but it suits the good behavior and sensibility of Masaki.

On the other hand, his father, Gouki, who was wearing a haori hakama with the family crest hanging on his chest, broke his posture by attaching his elbow to his foot. He looked like a ‘Lord’ in a popular drama which was set in the late Showa Era, but Gouki was spared from scrutiny for his rough attitude.

Masaki sat in front of his father. They didn’t resemble each other well for a parent and child. The Ichijou Family’s son and daughters take after their mother, and that was a widely known fact.

Gouki was 42 years old this year, and if he was to be described in one word, it would be ‘manly’. His whole body was overly tanned, and on his head was short and cropped hair, all acquired due to the long time he spent under intense sunlight. His appearance suited his dignity quite appropriately for his age. In contrast, his body did not appear to age as much, his muscles were firm, albeit not voluminous, but toned and edgy. Despite his harsh features, he left a strong yet tasteful impression.

“Well, don’t be so uptight.”

That was the first sentence he offered to his son, who was sitting with an upright attitude from the very beginning.

“Then, I won’t hold back.”

He was dressed up throughout the New Year —— with his student uniform —— so Masaki followed his father’s recommendation and relaxed his posture. Gouki did not like formal manners, but he still exercised some degree of distinction. Whoever it may be it, as a member of the Ten Master Clans, or as the Ichijou Family Head, any human being must exercise the appropriate behavior. Now, as soon as he asked his son to ‘not be uptight’, he was acting as Masaki’s father, instead of the Head of the Ichijou Family.

“Masaki. It’ll be hard to answer this question honestly to your parent when you’re at this age, but please make your best effort.”

“What happened? Is it something serious?”

It was unusual for Gouki to give such a prelude. He was usually a cut-to- the-chase, blunt-to-a-fault kind of person. Especially towards his own son. Masaki was naturally mystified.

However, Masaki also decided to go along with him, since he was already there.

“You really need to answer honestly. Do you know a girl named Shiba Miyuki?”

“Wh-why are you asking such a thing!?”

Masaki spoke in a panicky voice, which indicated that he had a positive answer to the question given.

“Do you, Masaki?”

However, Gouki wanted a clearly worded answer, so he asked Masaki again straightforwardly.

“..I know her.”

He still didn't know what his father was thinking. After being persistently asked, Masaki decided to answer obediently.

“When and how did you meet her?”

Masaki almost shouted 'Why do I need to answer a question like this for my father?'. Although he had it on the tip of his tongue, Masaki held back, realizing the act would be meaningless. His father may have an assertive personality, but he wouldn't say something like that without reason.

“At the Nine Schools Competition, two years ago. I’ve known her since the Opening Ceremony. I got to know her during the Celebration Party when I got to be her dance partner.”

"So you had an eye on her first. Since she didn't reject your offer to dance, at the very least you weren't disliked by her."

He didn't have enough information from just that, and his frank guess of the situation made Masaki's face grow hotter. However, this was still just testing the waters.

“Then, do you like Miyuki-jou?”

In the following instance, an intense stare emitted from Gouki, and Masaki seemed to skip a heartbeat.

“Wha-what are you talking a----!?”

“I asked you, are you in love with her?”

“Why do you need to ask me such a question!?”

His tongue was tied due to his agitation, so Masaki's speech didn't come out well and was similar to a scream. This time, he was unable to suppress his feelings.

“Approximately 30 minutes ago, I received a message from the Yotsuba via the Magic Association.”

Gouki answered his son’s question with a grave tone. He would never, ever, tease his son about love, and neither would he ridicule him.

“From the Yotsuba?”

He immediately told Masaki about it. The word ‘Yotsuba’ which came out of Gouki’s mouth made Masaki disrupt his cool consciously.

“What business does the Yotsuba have with the Ichijou?”

“It’s not only between the Family Heads. The Yotsuba Family announced to the Ten Master Clans, the 18 Assistant Houses, as well as the Hundred Families. It is some sort of a greeting towards the major houses of Japan's Magic Community.”

“Greeting? How amusing, for that unfriendly Yotsuba Family to do such a thing.. What exactly is happening that would make them send such a greeting?”

Masaki and Gouki stared into each other’s eyes for a while. Masaki made sure that there were no lies in the information that his father was about to deliver, and he confirmed that Gouki was prepared to tell Masaki the truth.

“The Yotsuba Family has named their next Family Head. She is a First High sophomore student, Shiba Miyuki.”

“Shiba-san is, from the Yotsuba, the next Head..?”

Despite keeping his polite tone, Masaki was deeply shaken. The fact that Miyuki was a Member of the Yotsuba Family, on top of the fact she was of a close lineage that would be appointed as the next Family Head. A fact that he’d never dreamt to hear rocked Masaki’s heart hard.

Gouki kept his strong gaze upon Masaki while continuing to retell the story upon Masaki’s drifting consciousness.

Soon after, a bigger bomb was dropped on Masaki.

“Masaki, the Yotsuba named Shiba Miyuki as the next Family Head. Additionally, it was announced that Shiba Miyuki is engaged to her cousin, Shiba Tatsuya.”

“Shiba-san is engaged..?”

Masaki was stunned in surprise. However, he only needed a short time to realize the details of the fact.

“Cousin, you said? Shiba-san and Shiba Tatsuya are supposed to be siblings!”

Gouki nodded lightly to his son’s words.

“I have also confirmed about that fact. Certainly, they were supposed to be siblings up to now. However, the truth seems to point out that they are cousins.”

“Seems?”

Despite his overflowing upsetness, his father’s words were still a problem. He recognized an unnatural part.

“Shiba Tatsuya is Yotsuba Maya’s son who was born via artificial insemination from her egg. Please read carefully, his family registry data was modified at the end of last year.”

Gouki was also displeased about this fact.

“Certainly, it is a plausible tale. At the very least, there is no evidence that Yotsuba-dono did not tell a lie. However, there is no evidence that what Yotsuba-dono said is the truth either.”

“Dad, do you think.. that the Yotsuba are lying?”

Masaki's voice came out sounding like he was almost sniveling.

“That’s not the main problem right now.” However, Gouki shook off his son’s accusation.

“Whether they are siblings or cousins, it’s still no good for close relatives to marry each other. The genes of Magicians in this country are at stake. Marriage between close relatives might compromise their genes, so it must be avoided. It’s a natural responsibility of the Ten Master Clans towards the nation.”

Masaki changed his legs' positioning, and broke his posture unconsciously.

"This was a one-sided decision by the Yotsuba Family. Even so, they can't ignore that the possibility exists. That's why I asked you. Masaki, do you like Shiba Miyuki-jou? Are you in love with her?"

Gouki stared hard at Masaki. He has strong eyes, which might even stay open without blinking even in the midst of a raging ocean. However, Masaki had no reason to be afraid of them.

“Yeah. I’m in love with Shiba-san. It was love at first sight.”

Masaki had no reason to feel guilty about his feelings.

“I see.”

Gouki nodded in satisfaction after eliciting a confession from his son.

“Then, as a parent, I should assist with realizing your feelings. Oh, don’t worry. The Ichijou Family can still be inherited by Akane. You are free to go as the son-in-law without refrain.”

“Dad?”

Masaki was confident that his love for Miyuki was earnest. He was convinced his feelings were real.

“First of all, we must force the current engagement to stop. To do so, shall we express the wish from our side now?”

“Wait a minute, Dad!”

However, for his parent to convey his feelings before he had any chance to say it by himself simply felt wrong to Masaki.

“There’s no time to wait. The other party has announced to the world that they have been engaged.”

However, after seeing the 'don't be a loser' look in his father's eyes, Masaki was unable to say anything to his father's unreasonable argument.

? ? ?

January 3rd. The previous day, the Yotsuba Family sent an engagement announcement to the main Magic Families of Japan, and the Ichijou Family made an objection via the Magic Association.

Yet, the one who felt the most intrigued was not the Yotsuba Family, but rather the Head of Saegusa Family, Saegusa Kouichi.

Ichijou Gouki sent a written rejection to the Magic Association as displayed on the electronic paper, and Kouichi read it with a thin smile.

(You’re bold as usual..)

Kouichi and Gouki have been old friends since they were young. Although they didn’t have a very close relationship, they didn’t particularly hate each other, either. Since they have completely different personalities from the other, it was natural for them to be distant. They were more suited to be called acquaintances.

Furthermore, the age gap between them was adding to the reason that the relationship between them didn’t turn hostile. Kouichi was six years older than Gouki. When they first met, Kouichi was a university student while Gouki was still a middle school student. Perhaps, that was the reason why Kouichi couldn’t shake off the image that Gouki was ‘a time consuming naughty little brother’, and did not feel any hostility towards him. Even with this objection, Kouichi felt like saying ‘you’re doing another reckless thing again’.

(One wrong step and the Ichijou Family will be exposed to crossfire criticisms.)

The Ten Master Clans was set to be of equal allies to each other, and not in any position that could interfere with the internal situations of the other families. There is likely to be damage to valuable genes due to close-relative marriages, so regardless of the justification, it was not allowed to deny the engagement of other families.

However, if the situation affected himself, then it was a different story altogether.

This time, the ones who opposed this engagement of the Yotsuba's next Family Head was not just the Family Head of the Ichijou Family. Together with his opposition of the engagement between cousins who have monozygotic twin mothers, he also proposed to engage the eldest son of the Ichijou Family, Ichijou Masaki, to the Yotsuba's next Family Head, Shiba Miyuki.

Proposing an engagement to a party who had already decided on a fiancé would normally be seen as a hint towards illicit love. However, in this case, the main underlying reason was to avoid the risk of impairing the genes of excellent Magicians.

The fact that the Ichijou Family was interfering with the Yotsuba Family’s next Family Head due to Gouki's support of his son’s love was unknown to Kouichi. It would impossible for Kouichi to come out with such a gamble for the love of his children, but the Gouki he knew of from the past would be able to do so.

(However, it doesn’t really matter with this kind of timing.)

The fact that Shiba Miyuki was going to be named as the next Head of the Yotsuba Family, and that Shiba Tatsuya would be chosen as her fiancé were already deduced by Kouichi.

Despite being a freshman, Shiba Miyuki had mastered high-end magics like ‘Inferno’ and ‘Niflheim’, and she also exercised an unknown deadly magic during the Yokohama Disturbance. The range of that magic and the effect of which were unknown as an interpersonal magic, but its power was comparable to the ‘Meteor Shower’ from what the Saegusa Family Researchers have predicted.

Then, Shiba Tatsuya, who holds the strongest counter-magic and unidentified Decomposition Magic as well as a miraculous kind of magic. Kouichi also received a report that Tatsuya was likely to be the Strategic-Class Magician who caused the ‘Scorched Halloween’ incident. Moreover, he was closely related with the JSDF 101st Battalion, which was said to be the world’s first Flight Combat Independent Magic Battalion.

Kouichi also knew beforehand that the two were related to the Yotsuba. Although he didn’t know that Shiba Tatsuya was Maya’s son, he only knew that there was no concrete evidence that Shiba Miyuki was a daughter of Miya. When these two individuals become the center of the Yotsuba Family, the other 27 Houses constituting the Ten Master Clans- 18 Assistant Houses might become useless in terms of suppressing the Yotsuba Family, even as a group. It was not known to Kouichi, but Kudou Retsu had similar fears.

Regarding the appointment of Shiba Miyuki as the next Head of the Yotsuba Family and that Shiba Tatsuya was chosen as her fiancé, Kouichi was responding impatiently to this news. He thought that Tatsuya and Miyuki were siblings (although they are siblings), and if one of them were to leave the Yotsuba Family, perhaps it would be Tatsuya. Although it wouldn’t be enough to completely weaken the Yotsuba Family, Kouichi thought that it would keep the domestic power balance of persuasion power over time. ——Of course, it also meant that he would set a trap to get that persuasion power.

That was why when Maya announced that Shiba Tatsuya was not Shiba Miyuki’s brother, and that the both of them were engaged, Kouichi was taken aback by his complete miscalculation. It didn't matter whether they were real siblings or not since he couldn’t extort such a precise inspection of them, since published news is the truth. If they do get married in the future, Shiba Tatsuya would become an unwavering pillar of the Yotsuba, together with Shiba Miyuki. Kouichi was afraid of the time when that reality would be realized.

When that happened, there wouldn’t be any more ways of stopping them. The fact that they already sent out an announcement through the Magic Association regarding the formal engagement meant that they could no longer be stopped. Kouichi was chewing bitterly, but——

(There is still that method, huh.)

Although Gouki’s reaction was rude, it was not reckless. He knew that Gouki had calculated at least that much. Yet, given Gouki’s nature, Kouichi concluded that the greater possibility was that Gouki did it based on his intuition rather than thinking it through.

However, there was no doubt it was a valid move.

Kouichi immediately called his daughters to the living room.

Kouichi was wearing a suit while his daughters gathered wearing glamorous, long-sleeved kimonos. Although they were not wearing the furisode willingly, the three of them nevertheless wore the clothes. It wasn't due to their parent's preference either. Such a factor wasn't non- existent, but their getups were primarily done to entertain the visitors. While the eldest son of the Saegusa Family had the role of entertaining the guests, the three daughters had the role of guiding guests. On a side note, Mayumi's mother was estranged with pretext of medical treatment.

“Otou-sama, what’s the matter?”

Mayumi suddenly asked Kouichi who sat across from her. Although she was dressed up in a furisode every year during this time, she was not so amiable this year despite the kimono that she put on.

“I haven’t told you about this, but yesterday I received an announcement from the Magic Association, from the Yotsuba Family to the Ten Master Clans, the 18 Assistant Houses, and the Hundred Families.”

“Not only the 28 Houses, but the Hundred Families as well? Was it such an important announcement?”

With Kouichi’s suggestive words, Izumi did not show any tense response in contrast to her sister, and showed up as per her father’s order.

Looking at Izumi who got quite interested in the topic despite her reluctance to listen to her father’s story, Kouichi nodded with satisfaction. His youngest twin daughters were cute, even Izumi when viewed from an adult’s point of view, and seemed to sweeten Kouichi as well.

“It is important. To the Yotsuba Family, and to you all as well.”

“To us as well?”

Mayumi raised her question with a louder voice. Kouichi paid no heed to her.

“The Yotsuba Family’s next Family Head is named to be First High Student, Shiba Miyuki-jou.”

“Ehh!?”

The one who raised her voice was Mayumi. Izumi, on the other hand, widened her eyes while holding both of her hands tightly. Kasumi remained relatively calm, although she had a hard time believing the news so suddenly.

Mayumi, who had the closest relationship with the Shiba siblings in her family, originally had the notion that Tatsuya was from a Family as an ‘Extra with the Number Four’ at best. However, the three of them never imagined in their wildest dreams that Miyuki was a Member of the Yotsuba Family.

“Also, it was announced that Shiba Miyuki-jou is engaged to a student from First High, Shiba Tatsuya-kun.”

“Huh!?”

“It can’t be!”

“Even if they’re from the Yotsuba Family, siblings still can‘t marry each other, right?”

Izumi remained speechless, while Mayumi started to sound like she was screaming, before Kasumi asked her to remain calm.

“They are actually cousins.”

“Cousins?”

Kasumi was not as upset as her sisters due to her calm personality, but she had little fondness for Tatsuya and Miyuki. Kouichi, who understood his daughters' temperaments, was able to understand this. Kouichi also knew that Izumi is attracted to Miyuki’s beauty.

That was why the point of Kouichi's interest was Mayumi’s violent upsetness.

“Shiba Miyuki-jou’s mother is Yotsuba Miya-san. Shiba Tatsuya-kun is the son of the current Family Head, of Yotsuba Maya-san who was born from a frozen egg cell of hers.”

“Tatsuya-kun is.. the son of the Yotsuba Family's Head?”

Kasumi decided to focus her sight downward rather than to watch her sister stunned. The twin sisters seemed to have decided to leave them alone for the mean time since they had nothing to say as well.

“On the contrary,”

However, the sharp tone in Kouichi’s voice continued, and Kasumi was aware of the voice of her father.

“The Ichijou Family's Head, Ichijou Gouki-dono, has challenged the engagement of the two from the Yotsuba Family through the Magic Association.”

“The Ichijou Family has?“

Mayumi made a confused face after listening to her father.

“That’s right. He didn’t only go against the engagement, but he also proposed the engagement between his eldest son, Masaki-kun, and Miyuki-jou to Maya-dono.”

“Is that so?“

Mayumi seemed to have overcome her upsetness. She tried to mull over some behind-the-scene speculation of the engagement of the eldest son of the Ichijou Family and the Yotsuba Family's next Family Head.

“Mayumi, has some idea come to mind?”

There was no evidence seen that Mayumi was shocked to the unexpected ‘new facts’ about Tatsuya and Miyuki anymore. Her speed of regaining her composure was evaluated as an advantage for Kouichi.

Rather than taking an interest in what Mayumi knew, Kouichi asked the question to get her comments on the matter, as he wanted to know what she was thinking since she was able to regain her composure in such a short amount of time.

“No, it’s nothing important. I was simply reminded that Ichijou Masaki- kun has a strong favor towards Miyuki-san.”

“I see. Mayumi, I wonder, when did you notice that?”

“The Nine Schools Competition from two years ago, during the after party. I am pretty sure I’m not the only one who has noticed this.”

However, unexpectedly, the content of what she said was helpful for Kouichi. Apparently, the motive of the Ichijou Family Head seems to be helping the romance of his son.

“I see. Hence, rather than acting from the political arena, he chose to consider his son’s feelings.”

Kouichi couldn’t consider the same thing as Gouki. He would never take any action that would disadvantage the Saegusa Family for the sake of his daughter’s love. However, he understood the principle behind Gouki’s actions well, more than his daughters.

“By the way, how do you see Shiba Tatsuya-kun? Mayumi, what do you think about him?”

Being questioned by Kouichi, Mayumi’s eyes began to show a hint of anxiety.

“Even if you ask me.. I think he’s an excellent junior.”

Kouichi did not miss the fact that his daughter was slightly blushing when Mayumi tried to answer him blandly.

“How about you, Kasumi?”

“I have very little contact with Shiba-senpai so my knowledge is only on the surface. I only know that he is someone who excels greatly in Magic Engineering.”

Kasumi said so in a vague manner, before she turned her eyes to Izumi.

“I think Izumi knows better than I, since she’s working with him in the Student Council.”

“I see.”

Kouichi moved his eyes towards Izumi.

“Izumi, what do you think of Shiba Tatsuya-kun?”

Izumi changed her hollow eyes instantly when her name was called. She understood what the question was about, so she was not pretending to answer seriously, but had a naturally firm countenance.

“..I think Shiba-senpai.. is someone who can’t be measured by normal standards.”

“Really”

The one who showed a hint of surprise was not only Kouichi. Kasumi revealed her surprised look to Izumi, while Mayumi turned her body to Izumi with rounded eyes.

Without flinching from the attention she brought on herself, Izumi continued her words and returned a straight gaze to Kouichi’s face.

“I believe you remember that the First High conducted a Stellar Furnace experiment last April.”

“Ah, if I remember correctly, Shiba Tatsuya-kun was the one who had the initiative to do so.”

It was an event which overturned Kouichi’s plan to damage the Yotsuba’s reputation in the public’s eyes. He wouldn’t easily forget it.

“At the last Nine Schools Competition, Shiba-senpai contributed greatly as a member of the Technical Staff. Even during the previous year's Nine Schools Competition, Shiba-senpai also introduced Flight Magic which had just been published just before the Nine Schools Competition had started for the Mirage Bat event.

Kouichi also knew about this, but he directed his sight to Mayumi for confirmation.

“It’s true. He did implement the Flight Magic to the specified CAD. He also developed a new magic which has been recorded in the Magic Index.”

“This year, he was selected to improve high level magics such as Invisible Bullet and Phonon Maser.”

Mayumi further added to Izumi’s testimonies. “That’s something else.”

What his daughter said were all known to him, yet he looked naturally surprised, as if he was hearing this for the first time.

"However, what I find unfathomable about Shiba-senpai, is that on the surface he doesn't appear to see any of his actions as achievements."

Izumi did not end her comment there.

“Shiba-senpai.. and us, are seeing a different world.. While he lives here, he's fundamentally living in a different world.. Sometimes, I get this kind of feeling.”

“Is that because he has a similar special vision like Mayumi?”

“..I don’t know. Sorry, Otou-sama, it’s just a vague feeling.”

Izumi looked down as she was not able to explain her feelings properly. Kouichi stared at Mayumi.

Mayumi also shook her head, hinting that she had no idea.

Although Izumi’s impression of Tatsuya had piqued Kouichi’s interest, she missed a fact in her conclusion. Kouichi decided to temporarily shelve his curiosity.

“Then, what do you think of him as the opposite sex?”

Izumi turned her face up due to the unexpected question, while opening her eyes wide due to the surprise.

“He’s not someone that I could lay my hands on! ..It’s regrettable, truly regrettable.”

“Izumi, what do you mean?”

Suddenly, Izumi’s calm and collected appearance crumbled down, Kouichi looked rather anxious than worried at this sight.

“From my point of view, Shiba-senpai seems to be very manipulative.. Even if he’s rather suitable for Miyuki-senpai, still..”

“Izumi, do you know what you are trying to say? Even for me, this is quite a surprise you know?”

It seemed like Kasumi had forgotten that her father was watching her, she involuntarily turned to Izumi with a surprised face.

With an uncomfortable face, Kouichi cleared his throat.

Kasumi and Izumi shivered as if shocked by electricity, and aligned their downcast heads shyly.

“Mayumi, how about you? How do you think of Shiba Tatsuya-kun as a member of the opposite sex?”

Kouichi went about without scolding Kasumi and Izumi —— who were now, hesitant to continue their comments —— then proceeded with Mayumi.

“Even if you ask me..”

Even though it was expected that she would be asked this, Mayumi’s eyes wandered around in a panic. However, despite her nervousness, there wasn’t a hint of dislike to be seen.

There wasn’t even a tinge of a troubled expression either.

“Shiba Tatsuya-kun is two years younger than Mayumi, but that much shouldn’t cause any significant problems. Especially considering his position as the son of the current Head of the Yotsuba Family, the age gap is balanced out.”

“About that, he has a very mature air around him..”

If everything fell in place neatly as Kouichi planned, this might go well. Aligned with Gouki’s pace, he might be able to destroy Maya’s plan.

“Mayumi, if you have such -->>

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