Yotsuba Clan Household – Late Evening, 2102
The grand hall of the Yotsuba Clan's main household stood in quiet, imposing elegance. The walls were lined with traditional wood paneling, ancient calligraphy scrolls, and subtle enchantments woven into every beam and pillar. Despite its beauty, the room felt heavy, shadowed by the weight of what was to come.
A large round table dominated the center, its surface gleaming beneath the dim overhead lights. Seated around it were figures of influence—some clad in formal clan attire, others in the crisp, sharp uniforms of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).
The mood was tense. Conversations were low, calculated, edged with uncertainty. This wasn't a gathering for formality. It was a council of urgency.
---
Tatsuya and Miyuki were the last to enter.
Their presence drew immediate glances from those already seated—curious, expectant. Tatsuya, as calm as ever, stepped forward, his sharp eyes scanning the room, while Miyuki followed at his side, her posture graceful but alert.
Katsuto Juumonji sat at the head of the table, his towering frame rigid, his arms crossed firmly over his chest. The leader of the Juumonji Clan radiated authority, his sharp eyes locked onto Tatsuya as he approached.
On one side of the table, Erika Chiba lounged in her seat, arms crossed, an uncomfortable frown on her face. Leonhard Saijo sat beside her, his usual confidence dulled beneath a furrowed brow. Across from them, Mayumi Saegusa looked serious, her usual playfulness absent.
And surrounding them were high-ranking members of the JSDF, their crisp uniforms flawless, their expressions grim. The badges on their chests marked them as leaders of Japan's strategic defense forces.
Tatsuya's gaze lingered briefly over the scene, reading the tension, understanding it before a single word was spoken.
He inclined his head slightly in greeting, his voice calm. "Juumonji-san."
Katsuto's nod was sharp, final. "Take a seat, Shiba."
Tatsuya sat without hesitation, Miyuki gracefully taking the seat beside him.
---
The silence that followed was suffocating, heavy with unspoken thoughts.
And then Katsuto's voice broke the stillness. Deep, unwavering.
"This isn't a routine meeting."
He glanced around the table, eyes cutting through each person present, lingering on the JSDF officers.
"We are here because Japan's security is in question."
The words dropped like stones into water, sending ripples through the room.
Leonhard's brow furrowed, his voice low. "Security? From what?"
A JSDF officer spoke next, his tone clipped and professional. "Unusual movements. South of our borders. Increased maritime activity. Reports of unknown military vessels. New airspace breaches."
Mayumi's eyes narrowed, thoughtful. "Foreign?"
The officer nodded. "Yes. But no official declaration."
Erika leaned forward, arms resting on the table, her gaze sharp. "Is it the USNA? The NSU?"
The officer shook his head. "No. That would be expected." His pause was long, deliberate. "It's… the Imperial Federal Republic of the Philippines."
The room shifted. A wave of tension swept through the gathered leaders.
Tatsuya's eyes narrowed, his expression calm but sharp. "IFRP."
Miyuki's fingers tightened in her lap, her usually composed expression faltering for the briefest moment.
"The Imperial Federal Republic of the Philippines…" she murmured, her voice quiet, hesitant. "I thought that was just a rumor."
Katsuto exhaled sharply, arms crossed over his broad chest. "So did many of us. But reality doesn't wait for skepticism. The IFRP is real, and they've already reshaped Southeast Asia in ways no one thought possible."
Miyuki's eyes flickered with uncertainty, then firmed. "And the source of this intelligence?"
A JSDF officer sitting across from them straightened, his uniform crisp and marked with insignia that denoted him as part of Japan's military intelligence division. His tone was clipped, professional. "The USNA Intelligence Network."
At that, the room stiffened.
Even Tatsuya's gaze sharpened slightly. The USNA wouldn't share intelligence lightly.
Mayumi leaned forward slightly, her usually playful demeanor absent. "The USNA told us?"
The officer nodded. "They intercepted several classified communiqués between IFRP command centers—leaked from sources embedded within their own occupied territories. What was once speculation has now been confirmed. The IFRP is not just a rogue state. They are an expanding empire."
Leonhard scowled, rubbing his chin. "That doesn't make sense. The USNA rarely involves itself in regional politics unless it directly threatens them. Why would they be monitoring IFRP movements so closely?"
Tatsuya spoke, his voice calm, controlled. "Because they know what the IFRP is capable of. More than we do."
The JSDF officer nodded. "Exactly. According to the USNA's assessments, the IFRP has developed advanced strategic magic and hybrid military forces unlike anything ASEAN ever fielded. That's how they took down Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia in months, not years."
Miyuki's eyes widened slightly. "They defeated entire nations that quickly?"
Katsuto's jaw tightened. "Not just defeated. Crushed."
Silence lingered in the room for a moment.
Then Erika scoffed, though there was no humor in it. "And we're supposed to believe they'll just stop at Indonesia?"
The JSDF officer shook his head. "No. The USNA believes Japan is next."
A heavy weight settled over the table.
Mayumi exhaled slowly. "So what you're saying is… we don't have the luxury of thinking this is just a distant threat anymore."
"Exactly," Katsuto confirmed, his tone firm. "This isn't just another foreign power posturing. The IFRP has been silent about Japan, but their movements don't lie. They are positioning themselves, testing our defenses, waiting for the right moment. We must assume they are planning for invasion."
Tatsuya listened, his mind already running calculations. He understood military tactics well enough to see the logic. The IFRP had proven itself as an unstoppable force against ASEAN. Their magicians were unconventional, their tactics ruthless, and their conquest absolute.
Tatsuya's fingers remained steepled under his chin, his gaze unwavering. His mind was already processing the situation, breaking it down into components—strategic positioning, military logistics, and magical combat effectiveness.
The IFRP had already proven itself against ASEAN, but Japan was different. If an invasion was inevitable, then understanding the enemy's origins and capabilities was the first step in determining how to counter them.
His voice was as calm as ever, but direct. "Tell me everything we know about them. Their origins. Their structure. Their capabilities."
The JSDF officer leading the intelligence briefing adjusted his uniform slightly, his expression grim but focused.
"The Imperial Federal Republic of the Philippines was officially established in 2098, five years ago following the collapse of ASEAN. It was formed under the rule of the House of Mendez, spearheaded by its Supreme Commander, Aurelio Mendez III."
Mayumi frowned slightly. "That name… wasn't he a former high-ranking officer in the old Philippine military?"
The officer nodded. "Yes. Before the reformation of their government, he was involved in advanced military restructuring programs. Some reports even indicate he had access to experimental magic research before the transition into the IFRP."
Erika scoffed, arms crossed. "Great. Another dictator with an empire complex."
Katsuto, however, remained serious. "It's more than that. His conquest was methodical. He didn't just take over—he rewrote the entire structure of governance and military control. The old Philippines ceased to exist. What replaced it is something entirely different."
Tatsuya narrowed his eyes slightly. "Explain."
The officer continued, "Unlike traditional nation-states, the IFRP is structured like an imperial war machine. They don't operate under a democratic system. Their government is ruled by the Ten Imperial Family Households, each overseeing a different aspect of the empire—military intelligence, economic control, espionage, diplomacy, scientific research, and elite combat divisions."
Miyuki's expression darkened slightly. "A ruling class built entirely on military supremacy… then their magicians must be highly specialized."
The officer nodded. "Correct. Unlike Japan, where magic is primarily academic and institutional, the IFRP trains their magicians under a military doctrine from birth. Every magician within the empire belongs to a structured hierarchy. Their magic is weaponized at every level of their society."
Leonhard leaned forward, his usual bravado tempered by unease. "So basically, they don't just train elites. They mass-produce soldiers who use magic."
The officer's silence was confirmation enough.
Mayumi exhaled. "No wonder ASEAN fell so quickly. They weren't just facing a military invasion—they were facing an entire population trained for war."
Tatsuya absorbed the information, but his mind was still missing key pieces. "And their capabilities? Their combat effectiveness?"
The officer exchanged a glance with his colleagues before pulling up a digital projection of IFRP military forces. The screen flickered to life, displaying key figures, unit structures, and known strategic assets.
"First, their general combat forces— the Imperial Legions. This is their standard infantry, but unlike most modern military forces, their foot soldiers are integrated with active magic support units. Their magicians function as frontline combatants, not just support."
Erika's brow furrowed. "That sounds inefficient. Most armies keep magicians in specialized units, not mixed in with regular infantry."
The officer shook his head. "For traditional nations, yes. But for the IFRP, it's a doctrine of total combat efficiency. Every soldier is expected to wield magic in some form—whether through reinforcement spells, combat casting, or anti-magic suppression."
Katsuto nodded grimly. "A force where every individual is both a soldier and a magician. It removes the need for a distinction between mundane and magical warfare."
Tatsuya remained impassive. "And their elite forces?"
The officer pressed a command, and the screen shifted to highlight key IFRP military divisions.
"The Tamaraw Cavalry—one of their most feared units. These are mounted magicians using cybernetically enhanced Tamaraws—genetically modified war beasts designed for speed, endurance, and brute force."
Leonhard blinked. "Wait. They're riding magic-infused war buffalo into battle?"
The officer nodded grimly. "And it works. Their cavalry specializes in shock assaults, anti-armor warfare, and spell-based skirmishes. Against traditional infantry or even mechanized units, their effectiveness is unmatched."
The JSDF officer straightened slightly, his expression still grim but composed.
"The Tamaraw Mounted Division is more than just cavalry. It's a fully integrated mobile warfare unit, designed for high-speed engagements, urban breakthrough tactics, and rapid redeployment. And it's not just career soldiers. Many of their elite mounted magicians are students—female students—who volunteered for frontline combat."
That got a reaction.
Mayumi's brow furrowed. "Students? Volunteering for active warfare?"
The officer nodded. "The Imperial Military Academies of the IFRP are structured differently from ours. They don't train students for the military—they train them as part of the military. Their brightest young magicians are not just test subjects or potential recruits. They are weapons in active use."
Erika scowled, her arms crossing tighter. "That's insane. They're throwing kids into war?"
"Not just throwing," the officer clarified. "They're willingly enlisting. The Tamaraw Mounted Divisions in particular have an overwhelming number of female combat magicians—many of whom joined not out of coercion, but personal ambition."
Miyuki's eyes narrowed. "Personal ambition?"
Katsuto exhaled, his voice steady. "It's a matter of national identity for them. In the IFRP, magic is war. Their culture glorifies battlefield excellence, and many of these volunteers see frontline combat as proof of their worth—a way to rise through the ranks of their empire."
Tatsuya listened, his mind absorbing the implications. "And the Tamaraw Spellcasters specifically?"
The officer continued, "Among the Tamaraw Mounted Divisions, the Mounted Magic Corps is one of the most feared units. These are high-speed spellcasters who fight while riding cybernetically augmented Tamaraws—fusing cavalry combat with long-range artillery magic."
He pressed a button on the holographic display, shifting the image to show a group of young IFRP magicians in military academy uniforms, each seated on enhanced Tamaraws outfitted with mana conduits and CAD-linked targeting systems.
"They specialize in hit-and-run bombardments, laying down destructive area-of-effect spells while remaining highly mobile. Their firepower is equivalent to mobile artillery, but their speed makes them significantly harder to counter."
Leonhard scowled, rubbing his jaw. "Fast, highly destructive, and unpredictable. That's a bad combination for us."
Miyuki's expression remained composed, but concern flickered in her eyes. "And these… students? How powerful are they?"
The officer hesitated for a moment before answering. "Some are equivalent to our best high school magicians. Others, however… have battlefield experience that rivals our top military personnel."
Erika's eyes widened slightly. "You're saying they're kids, but they already fight like hardened soldiers?"
"Exactly," the officer confirmed. "The IFRP doesn't just train them with simulations. Their students undergo live-fire combat drills, real-world operations, and even direct combat deployments during conquests. Many of these girls have already fought in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea—and they've survived."
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Mayumi sighed, rubbing her temples. "That means we won't just be facing a trained army—we'll be facing fanatical young magicians who've already seen bloodshed."
Tatsuya remained still, calculating. "Names? Commanders? Known aces?"
The officer changed the projection again, this time displaying several key individuals, their portraits and battle records marked in the IFRP's imperial insignia.
"Trixie Andalucía Saavedra—Captain of the Anti-Tank Tamaraw Cavalry. A tactical prodigy known for ambush warfare, equipped with a Mana Railgun and Explosive Lance Launcher. She was responsible for several decisive battles in the conquest of Indonesia."
"Andrea Cervante Fernandez—A reckless battlefield spellcaster from 7th High in Diliman, IFRP. Specializes in fire-based magic and mounted bombardment tactics. She's known for high-speed engagements and aerial bombardment while riding an enhanced Tamaraw."
"Paul Van Legaspi—Supreme Commander of the Tamaraw Battalion. Unlike most student magicians, he is a hardened veteran of the ASEAN conquest. Leads the largest formation of mounted combat magicians in the IFRP."
Miyuki's fingers curled slightly. "They have multiple leaders. Trained. Experienced. That means they're organized."
Katsuto's expression hardened. "More than organized. They are a force designed to overwhelm."
Leonhard exhaled, shaking his head. "And what's worse? They actually believe in what they're doing."
The officer nodded. "The volunteers of the IFRP military academies are some of the most devoted warriors in their empire. Their mentality isn't 'forced service'—it's glory through war. To them, battle isn't just survival. It's prestige."
Mayumi's expression darkened. "So we're fighting kids who want to kill us."
Tatsuya remained silent, his mind still piecing together countermeasures. If Japan fought the IFRP using conventional doctrine, they would lose.
The officer continued, his tone serious. "And these Tamaraw units? They'll likely be the first wave if the invasion begins."
The words hung in the air like a sentence waiting to be carried out.
Miyuki turned toward her brother, her expression searching. "Onii-sama…"
The room remained tense, the weight of the revelation hanging heavily over the gathered leaders.
Mayumi shook her head, exhaling in disbelief. "Students or not, this is insane. You're telling me these girls—these so-called 'volunteers'—are leading the charge into real war zones, and the IFRP treats them like full-fledged soldiers?"
The JSDF officer's expression remained grim. "The IFRP sees no distinction between student magicians and career soldiers. Their education and training are fully integrated into the military structure. The moment they are deemed combat-ready, they are deployed."
Erika scoffed, her arms crossed, her voice dripping with skepticism. "Come on. Just because they wear those fancy National Magic University-affiliated school uniforms doesn't mean they're legitimate soldiers. We've all worn those same uniforms. That doesn't make us war veterans."
Leonhard nodded, frowning. "You're telling us these 'students'—just because they train hard and ride those damn war buffaloes—are somehow battle-hardened soldiers?"
The officer's gaze darkened. "No."
He pressed a command on the holographic console, shifting the display once more. This time, footage played—combat footage, raw and unfiltered.
The screen flickered, displaying helmet-cam footage from Indonesian resistance fighters. The image shook violently, explosions and gunfire filling the scene. A squad of Indonesian troops took cover behind burning debris, their rifles flashing as they fired toward an unseen enemy.
Then—movement.
A blur of black and red. A student magician in an IFRP uniform, riding a fully-armored Tamaraw, her CAD-activated gloves sparking with mana energy as she unleashed a wide-area incendiary spell.
The firestorm ripped through the defensive line, igniting everything in its path.
Screams filled the audio feed.
Then another student, a girl wielding a mana railgun, galloped through the flames, firing precise armor-piercing shots into the remaining enemy vehicles.
The Indonesian forces didn't stand a chance.
The screen cut to black.
The room fell into silence.
The officer turned back toward the group, his tone flat and cold. "That was taken from the Indonesian defense forces before Jakarta fell. These weren't career soldiers. These were students."
No one spoke for a moment.
Erika, arms still crossed, gritted her teeth, her expression dark. "…You're kidding me."
Miyuki's fingers clenched slightly. "They fought with precision. No hesitation. No second-guessing."
Katsuto exhaled deeply, his hands pressing against the table. "Because to them, war is second nature. They were raised in it."
Leonhard shook his head, still struggling to process what he had seen. "This… this isn't normal. We trained for competitions. We trained to support national defense. But these kids? They fight like they've been doing it for years."
Mayumi's voice was quieter but sharper. "Because they have been."
The JSDF officer nodded. "From their first year in secondary school, IFRP student magicians undergo real combat training. They don't simulate warfare. They participate in it. When they graduate, they are already veterans."
Miyuki took a slow breath, regaining her composure. "And their commanders? The ones leading them?"
The officer switched the display again.
The face of Gabriella Aurelia Mendez appeared on the screen, her silver hair neatly braided, her amber eyes cold and analytical. The insignia of the Imperial Military Academy of Intramuros was visible on her uniform collar, a reminder that she, too, was once a student—and now the most feared military strategist in the IFRP.
The officer's voice was firm. "Their greatest military leaders came from these schools. This is not just a military force. This is an education system that breeds warlords."
The JSDF officer, his expression unreadable, took a slow breath before delivering the final blow.
"And the worst part?" he said, voice edged with something almost grim. "The entire student body of the IFRP's National Magic University Institutes—every academy, every division—is being mobilized for the invasion."
The words hit harder than any battlefield footage could.
Mayumi's hand tightened into a fist, her usual easygoing demeanor gone. "All of them? You're saying it's not just their elite forces anymore? They're throwing every single one of their magic students into a full-scale invasion?"
The officer nodded. "Every military academy under the IFRP is being deployed. They've begun final preparations. The entire system is shifting into full wartime operations."
Leonhard exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "So it's not just a war with their army… it's a war with their entire magical education system."
Miyuki, her hands clasped in her lap, stiffened slightly. "They don't just train their students for war. They are the war."
Katsuto's brow furrowed, his massive hands resting against the table. "Then the invasion of Japan is not just a military offensive. It's a graduation exercise."
Erika's face darkened. "That's insane. We train for competitions. For research. For controlled environments. These students? They're training to wipe us off the map."
The officer turned back to the display, the screen now showing multiple IFRP military academies, their students lined up in full combat uniforms, their weapons and CADs fully integrated into the standard war doctrine of the empire.
"By the time they step onto the battlefield, they will already be conditioned for war."
Katsuto's expression remained grim, his arms folded across his broad chest. The JSDF officers exchanged glances, their hesitation obvious. They knew something—something that the Ten Master Clans didn't yet understand.
Tatsuya noticed immediately. His sharp dark eyes flickered toward the ranking officer in the room. "There's more. You're holding something back."
The lead JSDF officer exhaled, then pressed a command on the holographic console.
The screen flickered, shifting once more. A single figure appeared, standing at attention in full Imperial Military Dress.
A young woman with silver hair neatly braided, her amber eyes cold and calculating. The crest of the IFRP adorned the sleeve of her high-collared uniform, a stark symbol of imperial authority.
Gabriella Aurelia Mendez. The Sword of the Empire. The Emperor's Daughter.
The JSDF officers watched the reaction around the table carefully.
Mayumi's eyes narrowed. "Who is she?"
The officer's voice was calm but edged with weight. "Gabriella Aurelia Mendez. The Supreme Commander's daughter. The Empire's most powerful field commander. And the reason the IFRP's conquests have been so swift and absolute."
Miyuki's breath caught slightly. "The daughter of the Emperor?"
Katsuto frowned. "We've never heard of her before. Why is she only now becoming relevant?"
The JSDF officer changed the screen. This time, combat footage played—aerial surveillance from the invasion of Indonesia.
The footage was chaotic—explosions tearing through defenses, IFRP Tamaraw-mounted divisions charging through artillery fire.
Then, suddenly—a massive ripple in space.
A distortion. A flash of gold light.
And then, an entire IFRP battalion materialized behind enemy lines—perfectly positioned, without delay, without warning.
The Indonesian forces never stood a chance. Their defenses, already crumbling, shattered instantly.
Mayumi's face paled slightly. "That's…"
The officer didn't let her finish.
"That is her Strategic-Class Magic."
The screen flashed again, displaying classified military reports from USNA intelligence.
Imperial Gate – The Strategic-Class teleportation magic of Gabriella Aurelia Mendez.
Classified as a military-grade teleportation system, allowing instantaneous redeployment of entire regiments. Capable of mass-transporting troops, equipment, and war machines across battlefields with pinpoint precision.
Silence.
Erika stared at the screen, her hands curled into fists. "You're telling me she can just… move an entire army wherever she wants? Like it's nothing?"
The JSDF officer nodded grimly. "That is why the IFRP has conquered entire nations in months. She moves their forces faster than any defense can react. Their enemies are overrun before they even have a chance to reorganize."
Leonhard leaned forward, his expression darkening. "So what you're saying is... if she's leading the invasion of Japan…"
The officer's voice was absolute. "Then nowhere in Japan is safe. Our defensive lines mean nothing. Our cities can be infiltrated in an instant. And once they begin their assault, we will never know where they will strike next."
Mayumi's face tightened, her hands clutching the fabric of her dress.
Miyuki's fingers pressed against her temple, her usual smirk completely gone. "That's just cheating."
The JSDF officer who had been leading the briefing shifted the holographic display once more.
"This isn't just a difference in military doctrine. It's a difference in culture. The IFRP does not distinguish between academic magic and military magic. Their female students—just like their male counterparts—are raised to fight, kill, and conquer."
The screen flickered, and a still image appeared.
Three IFRP female students stood in an urban battlefield, clad in National Magic University-affiliated school uniforms, similar to Miyuki's, their skirts stained with dirt and blood.
But unlike Japan's students, these girls were built for war.
The image showed them ganging up on an Indonesian soldier, their expressions focused, unreadable, devoid of hesitation.
One girl held a physical CAD spear, its energy edge crackling with raw mana, as she drove it into the soldier's stomach, pinning him against a wrecked vehicle.
Another wielded a short sword, infused with a kinetic amplification spell, her form perfect, disciplined, a trained duelist's stance.
The third, holding a handgun CAD, aimed directly at the soldier's head, no fear, no hesitation—just execution.
The image froze, capturing the moment just before the final kill shot.
No mercy. No restraint. No fear.
Silence.
Erika's face twisted in disgust. "That's… sick."
Leonhard clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "They don't fight like students. They fight like… like assassins."
The officer's voice remained cold. "Because that's what they are."
The display continued, shifting through several more images of IFRP female combat magicians, all in school uniforms, all engaged in close-quarters combat, firefights, and urban sieges.
The officer continued, his tone unwavering. "Unlike Japan, their female magicians aren't trained to support combat operations. They are the combat operations."
"IFRP female students wield a combination of close-combat weapons, ranged CADs, and magic-infused melee techniques.
They are trained in urban warfare, jungle combat, infiltration tactics, and squad-based engagements."
Miyuki's expression tensed, her fingers tightening on the edge of her uniform. "So they don't just rely on magic. They use everything—physical strength, weapons, combat tactics."
The officer nodded grimly. "Correct. Unlike Japan's students—who focus on structured magic theory and technical refinement—the IFRP's students train for kill efficiency. They are tacticians, assassins, and front-line warriors all in one."
Mayumi crossed her arms, her usual playfulness completely gone. "So we're going to fight a bunch of teenage war machines in school uniforms. That's just wonderful."
Katsuto's deep voice rumbled, cutting through the conversation. "Then our students are at a disadvantage."
The JSDF officer didn't hesitate. "A complete disadvantage."
The display changed again, this time showing a side-by-side comparison of Japan's female students versus the IFRP's female student combatants.
Japan's Students are Primarily CAD-focused magicians, specializing in structured defensive or technical magic, trained for competition, not war.
IFRP's Students are Multi-disciplinary fighters, trained in magic, melee combat, firearms, and battlefield tactics, prepared for direct lethal engagements.
The atmosphere in the room darkened, the weight of the conversation settling like an unseen force over the gathered leaders. The JSDF officer took a slow breath before continuing, his tone cold and deliberate.
"That's not all."
He pressed a command on the console, and the holographic display shifted again.
The screen flickered, revealing more combat footage—not just of a few student magicians, but of entire battalions.
This wasn't just an elite force.
This was an entire army of IFRP female students, dressed in school uniforms similar to Miyuki's, but outfitted for war—tactical harnesses, armored plating, custom-modified CAD holsters, and military-grade weaponry.
Jakarta – Urban Combat Recordings (2089)
Dozens of IFRP students from different campuses moved in synchronized squads, advancing through burning streets, their assault rifles discharging controlled bursts of gunfire.
Others rode Tamaraws, maneuvering around enemy barricades, using mounted siege weapons to obliterate Indonesian armored vehicles with high-impact mana projectiles.
A team of IFRP female magicians cleared a building, moving through shattered concrete halls, their CADs glowing with spell formations as they systematically eliminated Indonesian defenders in brutal close-quarters combat.
Some wielded melee CAD weapons—magic-infused bayonets, short swords, spears—cutting through resistance with precision and training that rivaled professional soldiers.
And then—the most chilling scene.
The camera panned to a squad of Indonesian resistance fighters, cornered inside a destroyed government building, their breathing heavy, their rifles shaking as they tried to hold the line.
Then, from the smoke—three IFRP female students emerged, their school uniforms stained with battle, their CADs glowing ominously.
One raised her assault rifle, firing three controlled shots into the chest of an Indonesian soldier—killing him instantly.
Another used her CAD to amplify her speed, closing the distance in a blink, driving a mana-infused knife into the throat of the next soldier before twisting the blade with cold precision.
The last IFRP student calmly pressed the barrel of a CAD-enhanced handgun against the forehead of the final Indonesian fighter, who was pleading for his life.
The IFRP student pulled the trigger without hesitation.
A single gunshot.
The screen froze on that image.
The Briefing Room, Silence
No one spoke.
No one could.
The footage was indisputable. Undeniable.
Japan's most powerful magicians—Katsuto Juumonji, Mayumi Saegusa, and even Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba—sat frozen, their minds struggling to process the scale of what they had just witnessed.
This wasn't just a military division.
This was an entire generation of student magicians trained for total war.
Even Mayumi—who had seen battle firsthand—felt her stomach turn. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her usual composure shattered. "This… this isn't possible…"
Katsuto, who had always been the calm, immovable force of the Ten Master Clans, finally spoke. His voice was low, cold.
"They… they fight like professionals. No, worse. They fight like veterans."
Miyuki's hands trembled slightly in her lap. "They didn't hesitate. Not even for a second."
Erika, normally quick to throw out a joke, sat stiff, her fists clenched tightly. "That's not war. That's butchery."
Leonhard leaned back, shaking his head slowly, as if trying to process the absolute brutality of what he had just seen. "And these are students… just like us?"
The JSDF officer exhaled, nodding. "Yes. And that's what makes them so dangerous."
He gestured to the still image, his voice flat, emotionless.
"This is what Fourth High School students in the IFRP are doing. These girls, no older than the students you train, are executing soldiers, fighting as if they were elite commandos, riding genetically modified war beasts into battle—and winning."
Another officer stepped forward, his voice equally grim.
"To them, this is normal. Killing is normal. War is normal. They do not hesitate, because hesitation is weakness. And weakness does not exist in the IFRP."
A cold chill swept through the room.
Tatsuya closed his eyes for a brief moment, his mind calculating, piecing together everything they had just been shown. The cold, brutal reality of the IFRP's conquest was undeniable, but the why still eluded him.
When he finally spoke, his voice was calm, deliberate, and sharp as a blade.
"There's a pattern here."
All eyes turned to him. Miyuki, Mayumi, Katsuto, Erika, Leonhard, and the JSDF officers—each of them, waiting for his assessment.
Tatsuya exhaled slowly, his hands resting against the table as he leveled his gaze at the officers.
"The IFRP has expanded rapidly—too rapidly. Southeast Asia was not weak, yet every nation fell in weeks, months at most. Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia… all conquered with minimal resistance. We are supposed to believe that these were mere military victories?"
He let the question hang, his gaze scanning the faces around him.
The JSDF officer leading the briefing hesitated before responding. "It was not just their military. Their tactics were… overwhelming. The IFRP's strategy was unlike anything ASEAN forces had faced before."
Tatsuya's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Then explain something to me."
His tone shifted—cold, analytical, merciless in its logic.
"Vietnam has one of the strongest militaries in Southeast Asia. Thailand had a well-established air force and urban combat capabilities. Indonesia had a navy that was supposed to counter external threats. Yet all of them fell within months. A force, no matter how strong, does not move through entire nations that quickly without resistance."
"So what happened?"
Silence.
The officers glanced at each other, reluctant to speak.
Tatsuya continued, his voice unwavering.
"The footage you showed us makes one thing clear—this was not just a war. It was an extermination. They didn't just defeat enemy armies; they obliterated them. They didn't just capture cities; they executed the defenders. So I'll ask again—what really happened during the conquest of ASEAN?"
A long pause.
Finally, one of the senior JSDF officers sighed, his expression heavy. "You already know the answer."
Tatsuya's gaze didn't shift.
The officer exhaled and pulled up a new classified military report, the contents far more disturbing than the previous briefings.
The screen flickered, revealing post-conquest reports from Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. Satellite images, ground intelligence, and leaked IFRP communications.
And then—civilian casualty numbers.
"Seventy-five percent of Vietnamese government officials were executed after Hanoi fell."
"The Thai royal family was completely purged following the collapse of Bangkok."
"Entire Indonesian resistance cells were wiped out within days of IFRP occupation."
Mayumi's eyes widened slightly, her voice quiet. "…A purge."
Miyuki covered her mouth slightly, her fingers tightening. "…They weren't just conquering. They were eliminating opposition."
Leonhard gritted his teeth, his fist clenching against the table. "This isn't war. This is genocide."
Katsuto's expression darkened, his voice low. "So this is why the ASEAN nations fell so quickly. It wasn't just superior military strategy. They weren't given a chance to fight back."
Tatsuya leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze locked onto the officers.
"And yet no one did anything to stop them."
The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.
The JSDF officers remained silent.
Tatsuya continued, his voice like cold steel.
"The USNA knew. They had intelligence on the IFRP's movements. They saw the pattern. And yet, they did nothing."
"The world watched as ASEAN burned—and they allowed it."
The JSDF officer finally responded, his tone laced with frustration. "It wasn't that simple. The IFRP's speed caught everyone off guard. By the time intelligence agencies confirmed the scale of their operations, it was already too late."
Tatsuya tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable.
"That's a convenient excuse. But let's assume you're right."
He gestured toward the display, the horrific war reports still visible.
"If the world was caught off guard, then why is no one intervening now? Why hasn't the USNA or the NSU deployed forces to counter the IFRP?"
"Why is Japan standing alone in this fight?"
Another silence.
Finally, the highest-ranking JSDF officer in the room spoke. His voice was heavy, resigned.
"Because no one wants to fight a war they can't win."
His words carried a finality that silenced the room.
"The USNA and the NSU have both acknowledged the IFRP's dominance in Southeast Asia. They have no intention of engaging them directly. They will not intervene."
"So that's the answer. This isn't just a war between Japan and the IFRP. It's a test. The world is watching, no one will stop the IFRP from expanding beyond Southeast Asia."
Leonhard exhaled sharply. "It's always like this. Japan is always forced to defend itself alone."
The heavy silence that followed Leonhard's words was shattered instantly.
Miyuki slammed her hands against the table, the sharp crack echoing through the room like a gunshot.
Her violet eyes burned with fury, her usual graceful composure breaking apart.
"Then why didn't we prepare!?"
Her voice shook with frustration, but it wasn't out of fear. It was anger.
"Why did we waste years believing we were untouchable?! Why did we allow ourselves to become complacent?! Why did we act as if magic was just a tool for research and competition—while another nation was raising an army of magicians trained to kill?!"
The room tensed, no one daring to interrupt her.
Miyuki's fists clenched, her fingers trembling against the polished wood.
"We spent our youth in First High, learning, competing, refining our skills for technical excellence! We treated magic like a discipline, like an intellectual pursuit! But the IFRP? They spent those same years turning their students into soldiers, into killers, into war machines!"
She turned her glare to the JSDF officers, her voice sharp and demanding.
"Why are their students—children just like us—capable of going head to head with military personnel while our brightest magicians are still being trained for controlled duels and academic competitions?! Why is Japan the only nation that refuses to accept that magic is no longer just a science—it is a weapon!?"
No one answered.
No one could.
Miyuki exhaled sharply, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to keep her emotions in check.
But she wasn't done.
"We had years to prepare! Years to recognize that the world was changing! And we did nothing. We watched as ASEAN burned. We watched as entire nations fell! And we still treated it as if it wasn't our problem!"
She turned to Katsuto, to Mayumi, to Erika, to Leonhard, her voice quivering with fury.
"We should have seen this coming. We should have known that Japan would be next. We should have been ready."
Her voice shook, not out of fear—but out of the realization that everything they once believed in had been an illusion.
Tatsuya, who had been watching silently, finally moved.
He stood up.
The movement was slow, deliberate, but it carried weight.
Miyuki froze, her anger still burning, but her brother's presence cut through it.
Tatsuya's dark eyes met hers, calm, unshaken, yet commanding.
"Miyuki."
His voice was low, firm, absolute. Not a reprimand. Not an argument.
Just Tatsuya.
Miyuki's breathing slowed, her hands still clenched, but her trembling began to subside.
She looked at him, searching his face, waiting for him to say something that would make sense of all this.
Tatsuya exhaled quietly, his voice as even as always.
"You are right."
The room stilled.
"Japan should have prepared."
His words carried no emotion, only fact.
"We should have known the moment the IFRP made its first conquest. We should have realized that magic was no longer a shield—it was a sword. And yet, we remained passive. Because we believed war would never reach our shores again."
He turned his unreadable gaze to the JSDF officers.
"Because of that belief, we now stand on the edge of destruction."
The officers remained silent.
Tatsuya looked back at Miyuki, his voice softening slightly, but still firm.
"But we cannot afford regret. Not now."
Miyuki looked away, still tense, but slowly regaining control.
Tatsuya's voice remained steady.
"What matters now is what we do next."
The room shifted, the weight of his words settling over everyone present.
There was no point in lamenting the past.
The air in the briefing room remained tense, but the initial shock had begun to settle. Reality had been accepted—they were heading into war, whether they wanted to or not.
Tatsuya's gaze remained steady, his voice calm but firm.
"We know that girls don't know what war is when war has never reached Japan—not since the Great Asian Union's invasion. But you, Miyuki… you stood up, not just as a magician, but as an heir. As someone who sees the truth."
Miyuki's anger had cooled, but emotion still lingered in her violet eyes. She looked at her brother, her voice softer now.
"Onii-sama…"
Before she could say more, Erika leaned forward, her hands resting on the table, her usual smirk replaced by something sharper.
"Yeah, no one's getting left behind in this. Me and Leo? We're ready. We've been ready. We knew the moment the IFRP made its first move that the war would come here eventually."
Her eyes flicked toward Miyuki. "You're right to be angry. Japan should have prepared. But now, we make up for it. And when the time comes? We will kill. Because that's the only way to keep our people from being killed."
Leonhard nodded firmly, his expression grim but determined.
"That's right. Those bastards won't get an inch. We've fought before. We know what it means to be in a real battle. We know what it feels like."
Katsuto, who had been silent, finally spoke, his deep voice unshaken.
"And that means we are not like them."
The room fell silent as everyone turned toward him.
Katsuto's massive arms remained crossed, his expression unreadable.
"The IFRP's student magicians fight because they were raised for war. They kill because they were trained to kill. Their victories are absolute because they do not question their orders."
His sharp gaze swept over the room, landing on each person—Miyuki, Tatsuya, Erika, Leonhard, Mayumi, the JSDF officers.
"We do not fight for conquest. We do not fight to expand our borders. We do not fight because we were commanded to."
"We fight because we choose to."
His words were heavy, powerful.
"And that is why we will not lose."
Mayumi let out a breath, shaking her head slightly.
"You really know how to get all dramatic, huh, Juumonji?"
But her usual sarcasm wasn't in her tone. Instead, she smirked, the fire back in her eyes.
"Still, you're right. This war isn't going to be about who's stronger. It's going to be about who's more determined to survive."
She leaned back, crossing her arms.
"And I'd bet everything I have that Japan isn't going down without a fight."
The action alone drew attention, because Tatsuya rarely made speeches. He rarely needed to. But this time, as he looked at everyone around the table, his dark eyes unwavering, they knew he was about to make his stance clear.
His voice was calm, steady, but there was something different this time. A sharp finality behind his words.
"If they want Japan, they need to get through me first."
Silence.
Tatsuya let it sink in before continuing.
"We've seen what the IFRP has done to the southeast asia. We've seen what their student magicians are capable of. We know they fight without hesitation, without restraint. And we know that no one outside of Japan is going to stop them."
"But that doesn't mean we let them win."
His gaze swept the room, locking onto each of his friends, allies, and the officers present.
"We are not the same as the IFRP. We do not fight because we were ordered to. We do not fight for conquest. We fight because it is our choice. And we fight because Japan belongs to us—not to them."
His tone never rose, never wavered, but the weight behind his words pressed into everyone in the room.
"If they come for Japan, if they think they can take it without resistance, then they will see the truth."
He looked directly at the officers now, his voice absolute.
"We will push them back. I will push them back. No matter what it takes."
Miyuki exhaled softly, watching him, feeling the certainty in his words.
Katsuto's expression hardened, his nod slow but firm. "Then we stand with you."
Erika grinned, cracking her knuckles. "Like I'd let you have all the fun. Anyone who wants Japan is going to have to go through all of us."
Leonhard smirked slightly, shaking his head. "Tatsuya's right. If they think they're walking into Japan without a fight, they're in for a rude awakening."
Mayumi, arms crossed, sighed dramatically, but there was a sharpness in her eyes now. "Guess there's no helping it, huh? Fine. War it is. Let's make sure they regret setting foot here."
The JSDF officers exchanged glances, and then the highest-ranking one nodded.
"Then we begin immediate mobilization. We will integrate Japan's strongest magicians into direct combat training. We will update our defenses, countermeasures, and prepare a strategy to stop the IFRP before they ever land on our soil."
___
The night sky stretched over the Yotsuba estate, a vast canvas of deep blue, illuminated by the soft glow of distant city lights. A cool breeze whispered through the open balcony, rustling the curtains behind them.
Tatsuya stood at the edge, his gaze cast toward the horizon. His posture was calm, composed, but his mind was anything but still. Calculating. Anticipating. Preparing.
Miyuki stood beside him, her hands resting gently on the balcony railing. The moonlight reflected softly off her dark hair, her usual composed expression tinged with something subtler tonight—uncertainty.
For a while, neither of them spoke. The quiet between them wasn't awkward—just natural, the way it always had been.
Miyuki leaned against the balcony railing, gazing at the distant cityscape. The wind gently tousled her hair, but her mind was elsewhere.
"It feels like forever since we were just students at First High."
Tatsuya, standing beside her, hands in his pockets, gave a small nod.
"Twelve years."
Miyuki sighed softly. "Has it really been that long? It doesn't feel like it."
Tatsuya glanced at her. "A lot has changed."
Miyuki turned to look at him, tilting her head slightly. "Do you ever miss those days?"
Tatsuya was silent for a moment. Did he? The days at First High had been busy, filled with conflict, battles, and politics, but there had been moments of peace, too. The quiet days spent with their friends, the competitions, the times when things had been simpler—even if only slightly.
"Not really."
Miyuki rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Of course you'd say that, Onii-sama."
She turned back toward the view, her voice more thoughtful now. "I wonder how everyone is doing now… Mayumi, Katsuto, Erika, Leo, Honoka, Shizuku… it's been a while since we were all together."
Tatsuya nodded slightly. "Most of them are still involved in the magic world in some way. Mayumi's still dealing with clan matters, Katsuto is leading the Juumonji family, Erika and Leo went their own way. They keep busy."
Miyuki hummed softly. "I suppose we all did."
She paused for a moment, then let out a small laugh. "Remember how Erika used to tease me all the time? Or how Leo would always try to challenge you, even though he knew he had no chance?"
Tatsuya's lips curved ever so slightly, something that could almost be called amusement. "It never stopped him from trying."
Miyuki smiled. "And Honoka… I bet she's still the same. She probably gets flustered just hearing your name."
Tatsuya didn't respond, but the silence spoke for itself.
Miyuki sighed dramatically. "You were so dense back then."
Tatsuya glanced at her. "And?"
Miyuki just shook her head, laughing softly.
For a moment, it felt like old times, just the two of them, talking about their past, about their friends, about a time when the world wasn't on the brink of war.
But reality was never that kind.
Miyuki's voice softened. "Do you think we'll ever have a chance to go back? To just… live without war looming over us?"
Tatsuya didn't answer immediately. His gaze remained on the horizon, his mind running through possibilities, outcomes, probabilities.
"Unlikely."
Miyuki sighed, but she wasn't surprised by his answer.
"I thought you'd say that."
Miyuki leaned slightly against the balcony railing, her fingers brushing over the cold metal.
"We've been together for so long, haven't we, Onii-sama?"
Tatsuya, standing beside her, calm as always, nodded slightly.
"Since birth."
Miyuki let out a soft laugh, not in amusement, but in nostalgia. "That's not what I meant."
She turned to him, her violet eyes reflecting the city lights below.
"I meant ever since First High, ever since the Great Asian Union invasion. It's always been us, side by side, fending off whatever threat came our way."
Tatsuya remained silent, but he understood what she meant.
Twelve years since they had stood on the battlefield together, since they had watched Japan endure the Great Asian Union's aggression, since they had proven that magic alone could change the course of war.
"And now," Miyuki continued, "there's another thing rising. Another force trying to challenge us."
Tatsuya's gaze didn't waver, his voice calm. "Yes."
Miyuki sighed softly. "Sometimes, it feels like we never get a chance to breathe. Every time we think Japan is safe, another threat appears."
Tatsuya glanced at her, his expression unreadable.
"That is the reality of the world."
Miyuki smiled faintly, shaking her head. "You always say that, Onii-sama. But even you must think it's tiring sometimes."
The wind whispered through the trees, carrying the faint scent of the ocean beyond the estate. The night stretched vast and endless above them, the stars barely visible against the glow of the distant city.
Miyuki took a slow breath, then, without hesitation, she stepped forward.
Her arms wrapped around Tatsuya, her fingers gently gripping the fabric of his coat.
"Onii-sama… no matter what happens, promise me that we'll always be together."
Tatsuya didn't pull away. He never had to think about his answer.
"That will never change."
Miyuki's eyes softened, and she rested her head lightly against his shoulder. "Even if the war reaches us? Even if everything changes?"
Tatsuya placed a hand on her back, the gesture subtle but certain. "Even then."
For a while, they stood there, silent, unmoving, lost in the rare stillness of the moment.
Finally, Miyuki spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Sometimes, I wish we could just live like this forever."
Tatsuya's eyes remained fixed on the horizon, his mind already calculating the coming battles, the strategies, the unavoidable war.
"If only the world were that simple."
Miyuki let out a small, tired laugh. "I know."