MTLNOVEL Chapter 13: Chapter 12: Spring’s Footsteps
Yugen's Perspective
March 2095, and I'm 15 (born February 14, got it?). Life's been a whirlwind, and all I want is a moment of calm. More on that later.
At FLT's CAD Development Division 3, I work remotely as "Hiroto Kamijo." My Pentagon magic—a 55-digit, five-layered security code shifting every 55 seconds—locks down communications. Installing it across devices in that window is a pain, but it's crucial for secrecy.
I'm the other half of the mysterious [Taurus Silver]. Through Father's connections, Tatsuya scouted Ushiyama, who saw my CAD design talent and pulled me into Tatsuya's specialized CAD project. To avoid scrutiny, we created the [Taurus Silver Project], a team name with paper credentials for cover.
Tatsuya saw through my alias, suspecting "Yugen." I kept my Mitsuya identity under wraps. Too swamped for the Nine Schools Competition, I sent Miyuki an apology letter via Miya, earning some complaints. I sent Tatsuya a gun-shaped CAD blueprint—an upgraded Third Eye Zero with 20 activation sequences. His reply promised a surprising program. "No 'gyafun' yet?" he teased, stealing my line. Is he psychic?
FLT unveiled the Loop Cast System in the customizable Silver Horn and high-end Force Silver, outshining Maximilian Devices and Rozen Magicraft in stability, speed, and safety. Force Silver's capped at 30% of my dual gun CADs, Valkyrie and Odin, co-designed with Tatsuya. Fully unlocked, they rival his overhauled Third Eye.
Mitsuya's arms brokerage keeps growing, now trading with FLT. Only Father knows about [Taurus Silver], boosting overseas deals. The Toyama issue's settled, smoothing ties with the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion.
Genji and Honami's engagement was finalized in March 2093, timed with the Ten Master Clans meeting. Grandpa Gozo adopted Honami from the Watanabe family, descendants of Tsuna Watanabe, to preserve their "Doji Slayer" technique. Her connection with Chiba's second son, met during a dojo visit where I accidentally wrecked the place, sealed the deal. This links Mitsuya with Yotsuba, Watanabe, and Chiba, elevating our status.
Genki, my second brother, joined Ueyama as a son-in-law and earned a swordsmanship mastery license. Shizuru and Kana are in magic university; Mika's studying for it. Shina, a first-year middle schooler, is guarded by Jiro, a capable peer.
As an examinee for First High, I'm summoned post-dinner by Father about exam escorts. "I'd cause a scene, so Kana's handling it," he says.
"Kana-neesan was student council president. She'll draw a crowd," I note. My siblings—Genji, Genki, Shizuru, Kana, and Mika—left legendary records at First High: Genki's unbeaten Monolith Code streak, Shizuru's perfect Cloud Ball score, Kana's fastest Ice Pillars Break, and Mika's two-year championship run.
"They said you inspired them," Father says.
"I didn't do much," I shrug. My training, mimicking fictional characters' moves, got copied, even boosting Father's magic at his age.
The entrance exam, split over two days, was a breeze. Magic engineering was easy, thanks to my CAD work. I cleared practical magic with restraint, though 115ms was overkill. As a Ten Master Clans member, I tested separately to avoid chaos.
Wondering about Tatsuya and Miyuki's exams, a call interrupts. "Evening, Major Kazama. Off-duty?" I ask, noting his casual attire.
"Yeah. Heard you took First High's exam," Kazama replies.
"Waiting on results."
"You'll pass. Mitsuya's a whirlwind," he says.
"More like a tornado. Heard anything about him?" I ask, dodging sibling antics.
"Thought you'd know," Kazama says, surprised.
"You told me to avoid contact. We only swapped private numbers," I reply. I briefed Kazama on [Taurus Silver] orally to trusted allies, wary of wiretaps and Mitsuya's role.
"He's your age, likely testing. Going public?" Kazama asks.
"Have to. Depends on results. Less hassle for you, right?" I tease.
"I get it. Good luck," Kazama says.
I pull a letter from Yotsuba's Maya. Its contents shock and delight me.
Shiba Household
A chilly atmosphere greets the admission notice. Miyuki's upset, her magic leaking as she stares at Tatsuya's exam scores.
"Calm down, Miyuki," Tatsuya says.
"Sorry… but…" she trails off.
"Your high score getting second place shows First High's level," Tatsuya says. His skills don't match the school's metrics, but he's fine passing.
"Your teaching helped," Miyuki says.
"Mother's more responsible. Report to her," Tatsuya replies, now calling Miya "Mother" post-Okinawa.
Spotting the entrance ceremony program, Tatsuya points. "Your top scorer's Mitsuya, Yugen."
"Yugen Mitsuya?" Miyuki confirms.
Tatsuya investigated, wary of Mitsuya's "Untouchable" reputation, like Yotsuba's. Kana and Mika fueled it, but details were scarce.
"You saw them at the Nine Schools Competition?" Tatsuya asks.
"Yeah, I met Kana and Mika by chance," Miyuki says, chatting without mentioning clan ties. "They asked me not to bring up Mitsuya, and I called you my reliable brother."
"Trustworthy?" Tatsuya asks.
"Yep. Mika saw me as a sister, though Kana bonked her," Miyuki giggles.
"Lively sisters," Tatsuya muses.
A Yotsuba call rings. Maya and Miya appear onscreen, surprising them—Miya was supposedly in Izu.
"Not sick anymore, though I was three years ago. Congrats on passing," Miya says.
"Thanks, Mother, Aunt," Miyuki replies.
"Nice intel, Aunt," Tatsuya adds.
Maya smirks. "I have a request. Remember Yugen?"
Miyuki gasps; Tatsuya nods. "He helped us survive."
Miya proposes, "Can he stay with you? There's space."
"I'm fine with it," Tatsuya says.
"Please!" Miyuki beams.
Tatsuya agrees, noting Miyuki's enthusiasm but missing that "Yugen Mitsuya" isn't "Yuto Nagano." Focused on calming her, he doesn't question their intent or Yugen's destination.
"Behave, Tatsuya," Maya teases.
"Understood," he replies, relieved to avoid Course 2 status.
First High Student Council
At First High's student council, Mayumi Saegusa stares at a news article about a deserter's attack on Yokohama Bay Hills Tower, thwarted by a "mysterious brave girl." As a Saegusa, she's worried about anti-mage sentiment and clan disputes.
Mari Watanabe, discipline committee head, chides, "Mayumi, stop slacking."
"I'm not! Rin's handling the work," Mayumi retorts. A male officer's request for document review earns her a smug grin, shutting Mari up.
"What's that?" Mari asks.
Mayumi shows the article. "A brave girl mage stopped a disaster."
"Bold, if reckless," Mari notes, intrigued by her courage.
The blurry image barely shows her outline, but Mari recognizes her. Mayumi pulls up First High's freshman data, revealing Miyuki Shiba, second-ranked admit.
"Reliable addition," Mayumi says.
"You're calling Yugen, the top admit, a problem child?" Mari teases, noting her family's ties to Mitsuya.
"Didn't say that!" Mayumi protests.
Mari knows Mayumi's thrilled about Yugen, despite her denials. Saegusa-Mitsuya tensions, including a broken engagement, fuel her interest. Mayumi's father pushed it, earning her frustration.
Mages marry early for power, but high-status clans like Saegusa limit love matches. Mayumi sees Yugen as a rival, not a suitor, and dismisses Ichijo's younger heir. Mari, sensing her feelings, drops it.
"Want her for discipline?" Mari asks.
"Student council claimed her first. Juumonji wants Yugen for the club union, but unwritten rules make him hesitate," Mayumi says.
Mari spots another detail: a boy subdued the deserter. "Strong enough for discipline, if he enrolls," she says.
Miyuki (second), Yugen (top), a Mutsumuka heir (third), and the mystery boy (Tatsuya) promise an exciting freshman class. Neither Mayumi nor Mari yet know Miyuki and Tatsuya's Yotsuba ties.
Yugen's Perspective (Continued)
Maya's letter throws me. She's arranged for me to stay with Tatsuya and Miyuki at the Shiba household during First High. It's a bold move—tying Mitsuya and Yotsuba closer, but also risky with our clan secrets. I'm thrilled to reconnect with Tatsuya and Miyuki, but nervous about balancing [Taurus Silver], school, and clan politics.
The Toyama incident and Saegusa's misstep have shifted the power dynamic. Yotsuba's oversight of Chubu-Tokai, combined with Mitsuya's rising influence, puts us in the spotlight. My siblings' First High legacy sets a high bar, and Shina's starting to ask questions about my "Nagano" days. Keeping her safe while navigating this minefield won't be easy.
At FLT, Valkyrie and Odin are nearly complete, and the Loop Cast System's success has FLT dominating the global market. Tatsuya's programming for my CADs is flawless, and our partnership as [Taurus Silver] is stronger than ever. But with First High looming, I'll need to juggle school, clan expectations, and the growing interest from other clans—like the Saegusa sisters' chocolates that keep haunting me.
Miyuki's chocolate still lingers in my mind, bittersweet and heavy. Tatsuya's hints about her struggles worry me. Okinawa changed us all, and I'm not sure where this path leads. For now, I'll focus on First High and staying one step ahead of the clans circling me.