Yotsuba Miya's condition at the time was so horrific that even the unrelated people present wanted to weep for her. Her body was covered in scars, her clothes were in tatters, and most heartbreaking of all were her eyes, as lifeless as the dead.
At the time, Yotsuba Miya had no desire to live in her eyes at all.
They said the Yotsuba family head at the time—Yotsuba Miya's father—had been furious and had even asked the Japanese government to declare war on the Asia-Pacific Union.
But that was simply impossible. The rescue mission for Yotsuba Miya had also been intended to protect Japan's leading position in modern magic.
That way, Japan could avoid incurring excessive losses. Starting a war would have been another matter entirely. Japanese magicians were strong, but their small numbers were what limited the country's power.
The odds of losing a war against the Asia-Pacific Union were far greater than the odds of winning, so there was no way Japan could declare war on them.
When Yotsuba Genzo received the news, he didn't make a scene. He accepted the facts very calmly.
Just when everyone thought the matter had come to an end, news came out the following day that the Yotsuba family's magicians had all disappeared.
Then, half a month later, the YD Cult of the Asia-Pacific Union announced its own destruction, and the surviving half of the Yotsuba family's magicians all returned.
Although the Yotsuba family had suffered heavy losses in that operation, its willingness to face an entire nation's state religion with the strength of a single clan made it a taboo subject in Japan's magical community.
"Besides, you, Young Master Koushu, are already a miracle. Perhaps the Yotsuba Family has found a way to create a perfectly adjusted individual!"
"After all, the Yotsuba Family has been researching adjusted individuals ever since that incident, in order to strengthen their combat capabilities," Kuki Ken added after a moment's thought, his expression impassive.
Chapter 22: At the mercy of your own thoughts
"I told you, I'm an exception!"
Of course, Koushu didn't say those words aloud.
"Compared to Shiba Miyuki, I think Shiba Tatsuya is more worthy of attention." Retsu Kudou pointed at Shiba Tatsuya.
"Yes, Grandpa. I also think there's something very suspicious about Shiba Tatsuya."
"He clearly has considerable ability, yet he's always reluctant to show it."
"Even if a young man doesn't like to show off, he shouldn't constantly put himself down. Shiba Tatsuya always gives me the impression that he's hiding something."
Koushu nodded in agreement with Retsu Kudou's opinion.
"I heard you fought Shiba Tatsuya yesterday. What was your impression?"
"Nothing particularly special. I just felt that he had a great deal of combat experience. He must have seen a lot of real combat."
Koushu thought for a moment, then continued, "But according to his younger sister, he learned all his fighting techniques from Master Kokonoe."
"On that point, what he said was true."
"But I also uncovered something else, Ken."
At his order, Kuki Ken immediately brought up another file and sent it over.
"His other name is Ooguro Ryuya."
"He serves in the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion of the National Defense Army 101st Battalion as a special lieutenant."
"That's all I've been able to find so far. I haven't been able to fully investigate his military service record."
Kuki Ken sounded somewhat regretful.
Koushu waved his hands repeatedly. "Please don't say that, Grandpa Kuki. Finding out this much in such a short time is already impressive."
"Besides, I haven't had any direct conflict with the Shiba Siblings, so there's no need to rush."
Koushu genuinely meant what he said. Kuki Ken had nearly uncovered everything about the Shiba Siblings in just one afternoon. It was only natural that he couldn't get information from the military.
The file also stated that Shiba Tatsuya's military records were protected at the S level.
The Kudo Family had considerable influence in the military, but not enough to let them casually access S-level files.
"Then how should I treat the Shiba Siblings from now on, Grandpa?"
The fact that the Shiba Siblings were hiding their true circumstances was already enough to show that the Yotsuba Family was plotting something. Besides, he knew his grandfather had always wanted to weaken the Yotsuba Family to balance the Ten Master Clans.
So he wanted to find out what Retsu Kudou thought about how he should treat the Shiba Siblings, and decide on his own attitude toward them.
"Well..."
Retsu Kudou tapped the armrest of his chair, his fingers striking the wood with a crisp sound.
"Koushu, just treat them according to your own thoughts."
"If you think they're worth getting to know, then you can be friends with them."
"You don't need to worry too much about us adults."
Retsu Kudou smiled kindly. His grandson was both talented and intelligent, and though he was a magician and the next head of the Kudo Family, Retsu still hoped he could enjoy a good high school life before taking on all these unavoidable burdens.
A helpless smile tugged at Koushu's lips. It was precisely Retsu Kudou's attentive care that had gradually opened his heart and allowed him to accept the fact that Retsu was his family.
"I understand. I'll think it over carefully."
After ending the call with Retsu Kudou, Koushu sprawled across the sofa. Even for him, taking in so much information all at once was a little hard to process.
"I'll talk things over with the siblings when I get the chance. I feel like there might be room to work something out between them and the Yotsuba Family."
Koushu thought it over and made up his mind.
"Of course, I'll wait until Grandpa has uncovered more specific information before deciding what to discuss."
His uneventful days lasted only a few more days. Today, Koushu heard something very interesting in class—so interesting that he almost wanted to use acceleration magic to get straight to the Student Council room and find out the truth.