Chapter Summaries

Tatsuya pursued Zhou Gongjin in Kyoto and Nara at Yotsuba Maya's request, with help from Kudou Minoru. After Zhou killed Nagura, whom Saegusa Kouichi had sent to silence him, Mayumi began investigating her bodyguard's death.

• The Kuroba Twins delivered a letter from Yotsuba Maya requesting Tatsuya's help in capturing Zhou Gongjin.
• Tatsuya visited the Kudou Family in Nara and met Kudou Minoru.
• Minoru led Tatsuya and the others to a Traditionalist stronghold sheltering Zhou Gongjin, where ancient magic users and Taoists opposed them.
• Saegusa Kouichi ordered Nagura to assassinate Zhou Gongjin to conceal their collusion.
• Zhou Gongjin killed Nagura in a battle on the banks of the Katsura River in Kyoto.
• Mayumi began seeking the truth after learning of her bodyguard's death.

Mayumi asked Tatsuya to help uncover the truth about Nagura’s murder, which she suspected was linked to the Yokohama Disturbance, and Tatsuya agreed to examine the Kyoto crime scene and Nagura’s belongings. As Tatsuya prepared for the trip, Maya and Hayama discussed his developing magic and his role in Miyuki’s guardianship, while Honoka accepted that she would stay in Tokyo rather than risk holding him back.

• Mayumi told Tatsuya that her father knew Nagura had been sent to Kyoto on secret work, and she wanted to learn who had killed him.
• Mayumi connected Nagura’s recent Chinatown visits to the Yokohama Disturbance, and Tatsuya agreed to accompany her to the crime scene and ask to see Nagura’s belongings.
• Tatsuya told the student council that Mayumi wanted to join his Kyoto inspection, and Hattori, Honoka, and Mikihiko encouraged him to make time for her.
• Maya questioned Hayama about Tatsuya’s new magic, and Hayama told Kuroba Mitsugu that the Yotsuba were testing Tatsuya as Miyuki’s guardian despite knowing he felt no loyalty to them.
• Shizuku asked Honoka whether she wanted to go to Kyoto, and Honoka admitted she did but chose to stay in Tokyo because she feared becoming a burden to Tatsuya.

Tatsuya, Miyuki, Minami, and Minoru searched Kyoto for Zhou Gongjin and the Traditionalists while Mikihiko, Erika, and Leo investigated near the Thesis Competition venue. The investigation ended in a violent attack by ninjutsu users and a continental magician, and Ichijou Masaki joined the group after destroying a dangerous water golem.

• Tatsuya and his companions traveled to Kyoto, where Minoru met them and guided them toward the Thesis Competition venue.
• Tatsuya concluded Zhou Gongjin was more likely hiding in a crowded part of Kyoto, and he, Miyuki, Minami, and Minoru set out to search likely Traditionalist bases.
• Mikihiko, Erika, and Leo detected nine attackers in the woods, fought off their ninjutsu, and incapacitated them.
• A continental magician sent water puppet shikigami to attack the group, and a giant Xiangliu golem used a corrosion curse against the injured ninjutsu users.
• Ichijou Masaki destroyed Xiangliu with a sudden psion attack, and Mikihiko led him, Erika, and Leo to the dead magician, whose body had suffered the backlash of his broken spell.

Tatsuya investigated Nagura’s murder with Mayumi and Masaki, then fought off a group of ancient magicians in Arashiyama. After returning to the hotel, he agreed to use Elemental Sight to examine Minoru’s Psion Body, but the brief attempt left him sweating and Miyuki concerned.

• Minoru developed a fever and stayed at the hotel while Minami cared for him, and Tatsuya joined Miyuki and Masaki for the investigation with Mayumi.
• At the police evidence room, Tatsuya concluded that a Phantasmal Beast likely caused Nagura’s fatal wound and explained how it differed from a Golem.
• At Nagura’s death site, Tatsuya led the group toward Zhou Gongjin’s hiding place, where ancient magicians ambushed them and the group subdued their attackers.
• Tatsuya and the others gave statements to the police, then returned to the hotel, where Fujibayashi told them Minoru’s illness might stem from his Psion Body.
• Tatsuya used Elemental Sight to examine Minoru’s Psion Body at Fujibayashi’s request, then reassured Miyuki when she saw how badly the effort affected him.

Tatsuya learned that Zhou Gongjin was hiding at the National Defense Army Uji Second Supply Base and joined forces with Masaki and the Kuroba Family to capture him. Zhou appeared to burn to ashes after his escape was stopped, and Tatsuya returned to the hotel to report the operation’s completion.

• Tatsuya met Fumiya and Ayako, confirmed Zhou Gongjin was hiding inside the Uji Second Supply Base, and decided to infiltrate it despite Fujibayashi’s warning.
• Tatsuya recruited Masaki, and the two entered the base as Fumiya and Ayako’s group prepared to intercept Zhou outside.
• Zhou used Captain Hatae and his company to divert the base’s forces, then escaped through the south gate as Tatsuya and Masaki fought off the troops and destroyed their weapons and tanks.
• Minoru, Ayako, and Masaki hindered Zhou’s escape, and Tatsuya cornered him by the Uji River after detecting Nagura Saburou’s blood embedded in him.
• Masaki used Rupture to disable Zhou’s legs, but Zhou burst into flames and vanished, leaving Tatsuya convinced he had not escaped.
• Tatsuya returned to the hotel, thanked Fumiya and Ayako, and asked Fumiya to report the mission’s completion to Hayama.

Tatsuya told Mayumi that Nagura’s killer had died, then watched Minoru present Second High School’s thesis on Mental Interference Magic and win the 2096 Thesis Competition. At the Yotsuba residence, the family heads debated Tatsuya’s performance and postponed their final judgment until the New Year Celebration.

• Tatsuya told Mayumi that Nagura’s killer had taken his own life, and Mayumi thanked him for avenging Nagura.
• Miyuki pressed Tatsuya to explain what Mayumi meant by what had happened that night.
• Isori led First High School’s presentation on Engraving-Type Magic, which received strong applause.
• Minoru replaced Second High School’s ill presenter and presented a hypothesis about Mental Interference Magic, earning thunderous applause and victory for his school.
• Maya described Tatsuya’s successful assignment to the Yotsuba family heads, who debated his abilities and deferred their final decision until the New Year Celebration.