First High School, affiliated with the National Magic University.
It was a beautiful day, and all the new students would attend the entrance ceremony today.
The entrance ceremony had already begun, and a steady stream of new students was making its way to the venue.
Baifeng Uesugi was among them.
"I just can't accept it. Why are you only a reserve student, Brother?"
"You clearly placed first on the entrance exam."
"I shouldn't be the one doing it. It should be you, Brother..."
A long, straight-haired girl in a First High School uniform spoke indignantly to a young man wearing the same uniform.
But anyone observant would have noticed that the school emblems on their shoulders were slightly different.
Baifeng Uesugi heard the familiar voice from a long way off, and its tone was full of discontent.
Looking at Miyuki and Tatsuya Shiba in the distance, Baifeng Uesugi had no intention of going over to greet them.
After all, he had completely changed his appearance. He had used magic to change Baifeng Uesugi's originally white hair and red eyes to the colors of an ordinary person's.
As for why he had done it, naturally, it was to keep the Shiba siblings and Mayumi Saegusa, who attended the same school, from recognizing him.
"Miyuki, practical magic skills are more important here than the written portion."
"Even if I'm a reserve student now, I still managed to get into First High School..."
Tatsuya Shiba's tone was a little calmer.
"Why would you say something so lacking in confidence?"
Hearing how unconcerned Tatsuya Shiba sounded, Miyuki Shiba clenched her fists and said insistently,
"Whether it's academics or physical combat, no one should be able to beat you. Even with magic, if you just used your full strength, Brother..."
"Miyuki."
Tatsuya Shiba called Miyuki Shiba's name sternly, cutting her off, then said calmly,
"Even if you say it, it won't do any good. Do you understand?"
"If Brother Bai Feng were here, he would never say something like that."
Miyuki Shiba's expression dimmed as she spoke.
"Miyuki, do you think if Brother were here..."
"But we haven't seen him since two years ago."
At that, Tatsuya Shiba's voice grew uncharacteristically subdued.
Baifeng Uesugi gave an awkward, bitter smile when the conversation suddenly turned to him.
Three years ago, when he had withdrawn from the battlefield, he was attacked by a group from an unknown faction just after returning to the Saegusa Family. Though they weren't very strong, he discovered that those magicians could cast magic without using CADs.
There had been quite a few of them, and they had launched a surprise attack from hiding, causing the Saegusa Family to suffer heavy losses. What Baifeng Uesugi found hardest to accept about that attack was that
Mayumi Saegusa had shielded Baifeng Uesugi from the enemy's sneak attack and was left gravely injured and unconscious in his arms.
When Mayumi Saegusa fell before him, he realized that after sixteen years together, he had come to see himself as part of this place, unlike before, when he had maintained the indifferent attitude of someone who had transmigrated and knew the plot.
Though those people weren't powerful, they made up for it with numbers. Over the course of a year, they launched twenty-three attacks in total, though none of them succeeded.
But Baifeng Uesugi knew they were targeting him, and as long as he remained with the Saegusa Family or the Yotsuba Family, the people around him were bound to be caught up in it.
He had also tried to find out who was behind the attacks, but even with the combined power of the Ten Master Clans, they couldn't uncover a lead.
In the end, he had no choice but to discuss it with Koichi Saegusa and Maya Yotsuba. He planned to leave the Ten Master Clans temporarily and live on his own for a while.
Although Maya Yotsuba and Koichi Saegusa had strongly opposed it at the time, Baifeng Uesugi's insistence finally left them no choice but to agree to his proposal. They both demanded, however, that he take the initiative to contact the family at regular intervals.
Baifeng Uesugi agreed to that as well.
"Miyuki, even if you turn down the freshman address, I'm a Course 2 Student. I can't take your place on stage."
"You're smart enough to understand that, aren't you?"
Tatsuya Shiba explained.
"That's..."
"That's..."
Miyuki Shiba murmured. Though she wanted to argue, she truly didn't know what to say.
"And, Miyuki, if Brother were here, he'd definitely be happy to see his cute little sister enjoying her moment in the spotlight."
Tatsuya Shiba brought up Baifeng Uesugi to persuade Miyuki Shiba. He knew that whenever Baifeng Uesugi was mentioned, Miyuki Shiba would be easy to convince.
"Really? Brother, would Brother Bai Feng really be happy for me?" Miyuki Shiba asked excitedly.
"But I understand now..."
"I'm very sorry. I said so many selfish things just now. I'll go inside first, then."
Recalling what she had just said, she instantly felt she had gone a little too far and bowed in apology.
"All right, Miyuki. Go on in."
Tatsuya Shiba said.
"Yes. Brother, please enjoy my performance," Miyuki Shiba said with a smile.
"I will," Tatsuya Shiba replied.
After watching Miyuki Shiba enter the venue, Tatsuya Shiba turned around, loosened his tie, and murmured,
"All right, how should I kill time now?"
First High School, a high school affiliated with the National Magic University, was a national policy institution established to train magic technicians. Getting into this high school showed that one was an elite whose magical ability had been proven.
But at this high school...
Tatsuya Shiba looked at First High School before him and pondered.
"Isn't that person a Weed?"
"He's here so early. He's only a reserve, but he's working so hard."
Two students passing by remarked after seeing the school emblem on Tatsuya Shiba's uniform.
"You're a freshman, aren't you? Is there anything you need help with?"
While Tatsuya Shiba was lost in thought, an upperclasswoman came up to him and spoke.
Looking at the upperclasswoman before him, Tatsuya Shiba thought to himself,
An upperclasswoman from Course 1?
The upperclasswoman who had suddenly appeared was none other than Mayumi Saegusa.
Although Baifeng Uesugi knew both of them, Tatsuya Shiba and Mayumi Saegusa had never met.
Baifeng Uesugi also rarely mentioned either of them to the other.
"No, I don't need any help."
Tatsuya Shiba bowed as he replied.
As he bowed, he suddenly noticed the CAD on Mayumi Saegusa's wrist and felt a little surprised.
(P.S. Keep the "power" coming, and the happiness won't stop! As a new author, thank you all for your support. I hope you'll click to request more updates and send some "power."
Give this new author a little more encouragement and motivation. Wishing you all happiness and joy in advance!)