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

At the post-ceremony meet, Yugen's blunt "rookie boys are an afterthought" stunned the first-year girls. Shizuku eyed him. "You sure about saying that?"

"Not ideal, especially in front of Nakajo-senpai," Yugen admitted.

"Too late!" Azusa exclaimed.

Yugen didn't retract his statement. He'd surveyed competitors across schools, concluding the boys could win three events, girls around three. Trained by Gozo to memorize magic lineages, he knew his peers' capabilities. "Only surprise threats remain, but Third High's the real rival."

"Crimson Prince" Ichijo Masaki, "Cardinal George" Kichijoji Shinkuro, "Éclair Airi" Isshiki Airi, plus Shiori Juunanya and Keiko Shijukuin—Ten Master Clans, Eighteen Assistant Houses, and Hundred Families. A headache-inducing lineup. Yugen knew Masaki, Shinkuro, and Keiko's magic traits.

"Even winning one event, if they dominate second, we lose the rookie title. We must sweep Women's Speed Shooting and Ice Pillars Break," Yugen said.

"Seriously?" Eimi gasped.

"Dead serious. It's the only way. You've got a plan, right, Tatsuya?"

"That's what I'm figuring out. You're pushing it," Tatsuya replied.

Yugen, assisting tech staff, was ready for bold moves. Three manual-tuning engineers, including Tatsuya, could max out competition CADs. A student council-ordered, regulation-compliant CAD was ready too.

"First I've heard of that!" Miyuki said.

"No surprise. Only Mayumi, Katsuto, and I saw the paperwork. Mayumi approved instantly," Yugen explained.

It was an alibi. FLT sent Silver Blossom Series CADs for promotion via First High's council, shared only with Mayumi and Katsuto. Yugen leveraged his status. Tatsuya caught on; Azusa didn't.

Practice kicked off the next day. Players and staff were all-in, while others envied from classrooms. Media buzzed with Nine Schools coverage, withholding player photos until the event due to privacy. Second- and third-years, plus Third High's Masaki, Shinkuro, and Airi, stole the spotlight.

Rinne, browsing articles, mused, she's probably competing…

Her Ichihara family, once Ichihana of the Thirty Clans, was stripped of status after opposing the Sado invasion defense three years ago. Protected by the Juumonji, they lived normally. Rinne's branch moved to Kanto via Gozo's son; the main branch fell. Her cousin joined the Juunanya, a Hundred Family. They cut contact post-incident, respecting separate paths. Rinne suspected her cousin's participation and asked Mayumi.

"What? Juunanya's girl?" Mayumi mumbled, mouth full.

"Swallow first. Seven Grass daughters shouldn't be so unrefined," Rinne scolded.

In the new Speed Shooting practice field's lounge, Mayumi, a three-time champion, was fired up. The previous day's demo against Kana—a literal quick-draw duel—ended 100-99, 98-100, 100-100 (tied to milliseconds). Kana matched Mayumi despite a two-year break, showcasing her skill.

Kana's harsh words at the selection didn't break Mayumi—her father's tenacity shone. Mayumi, mentored by Kana as a first-year, saw her as a master. She accepted Kana's tough love but struggled to embrace it.

"No big deal, just us here. Juunanya? Yeah, a first-year at Third High. Your friend?" Mayumi asked.

"Sort of. You know my family's history, right?" Rinne replied.

"I know some. Detailed stuff? Ask that tanuki dad of mine."

Mayumi's bluntness aside, she was right. Her father, Koichi, knew all Clan Conference decisions, but not all reached Mayumi. Her brothers might know, but she avoided owing them. "What's your plan?" Mayumi asked.

"I'll respond if she reaches out, but it won't be like before. I'm Extra, she's Hundred. I'll be cautious," Rinne said.

"Don't put yourself down. I trust you, Rinne," Mayumi insisted.

"Convincing, coming from a president whose height stopped growing but not her figure," Rinne teased.

"Hey! I'm over my height, but it still stings! Are you mad!?" Mayumi protested.

Labeled "Elfin Sniper," Mayumi loathed the nickname, yet media hyped her for a three-peat. As Seven Grass heiress, her fame drew "Onee-sama" calls from both genders. Rinne noted Mayumi's crush on a boy, despite her faltering engagement, but as an Extra, she saw it as someone else's issue.

"I'm not mad, just exasperated. Yugen probably doesn't mind height, but you've got competition," Rinne said.

"You're harsh lately," Mayumi pouted.

"Mika-senpai said you slack if pampered. Push hard. Want Yugen's photo from Mika as a reward?"

"Let's do this!" Mayumi cheered.

Rinne found Mayumi's transparency refreshing but knew she'd look like the younger sister beside Yugen—a thought she saved for later.

At the Battle Board practice field, Mari, in a wetsuit, rested. Mika offered a cold sports drink, startling her with a cheek tap.

"Eek! Mika, don't scare me!" Mari yelped.

"Sorry, but hydrate or you'll crash this afternoon," Mika said.

Mari grudgingly drank. Mika, also in a wetsuit, sat beside her. Former and current disciplinary committee chairs, cousins via Mika's brother, and rivals in Battle Board.

"Last year was a close win," Mika said. "No honorifics—we're like cousins."

"If you'd competed, it might've been different," Mari replied.

"Pointless what-ifs. I skipped Battle Board since Shizuru was in Women's Ice Pillars Break. My selfishness couldn't cost the team."

Mika respected the third-years' skill, opting for Cloud Ball and switching to Ice Pillars Break to fill Kana's spot. Mari saw it as "dodging victory," sparking tension last year.

"I get it. Team leaders compromise for the win," Mari admitted. "Last year's loss taught me my immaturity."

In the Women's Battle Board final, Mari won narrowly against water-strong Seventh High, aided by their mistake. Reviewing Mika's old footage, Mari saw her drift the board like a racecar—a risky move tossing riders due to resistance and centrifugal force. Mika fixed her and the board's position, using four water-flow movement/acceleration sequences at the fins and front, mimicking tires. Mari's hardening magic to lock positions was inspired by Mika.

"There's a way to improve," Mika said. "Want to try my technique? With your four-way multi-casting, it's doable, but…"

"But?" Mari asked.

"It's taxing. I use four extra multi-casts to ease the strain. For you, it's a three-time daily limit. More, and your bones break. Still in?"

Mari glared. "Think I'd back down?"

"Knew you wouldn't. You're hungry for strength. We'll practice at low speed to reduce strain. I'll stop you if needed. Three times max."

"Got it. Let's start, Big Sis."

"No mercy, Little Sis," Mika grinned.

Mari's fighting spirit blazed, a cornerstone of First High's strongest generation.