Soon enough, it was August, and it was once again time for the Nine Schools Competition. Now having won for the past four years running, First High knew that they would have some big targets on their backs. In fact, the competition was fierce just to be named to the team that year – particularly on the girls' side. This was particularly true with the Speed Shooting event, as not only were Shizuku and Eimi trying for another run, but the Saegusa twins were also competing for a spot, as well as Lina, who decided to try her luck in this event despite the competition. She saw it as her best shot, with her military background. In the end, while all five of them performed well, only three could be named to the team. While the competition was close, it was Shizuku, Lina, and Kasumi Saegusa chosen for this event.
As the school's top student, Miyuki was once again chosen to defend her titles in the Ice Pillars Break and Mirage Bat events. She would be joined by Shizuku and Minami in the Ice Pillars Break, while Honoka and Izumi would be competing alongside Miyuki in the Mirage Bat event. Honoka, meanwhile, maintained her spot as the top First High entrant in the girls Battle Board event, while Subaru did the same for the girls Crowd Ball event and would be joined by Kasumi.
On the boys' side, Daniel once again qualified for both the Battle Board and the Crowd Ball events, while Tatsuya would once again be competing in the Monolith Code event, reuniting the original 'dream team' with Mikihiko and Leo as his teammates. In addition, Tatsuya would once again be serving the girls as their engineer for most of their events, making sure that he engineered everything possible for both Miyuki and Honoka. In addition, Mayumi was once again present for the competition, cheering on Daniel and both her sisters, as well as her old high school in general.
The competition itself was once again intense, and First High's bid to win the overall points competition was not coming easy. Daniel did his part, however, as he once again won the Battle Board event (this time winning himself), and dominated the Crowd Ball event on his way to an easy victory. When the Crowd Ball event ended, he met up with Airi, who had once again dominated the event on the girls' side, and once again the crowd present clamored for another match between the two dominant players. "One more time?" Daniel asked Airi. She gave a determined smile and said, "Bring it!" They then made their way to the main court to give the crowd what they wanted. Once again, they played a very intense, fast, and close match, and once again regulation ended with the score tied. As it was their final year, they decided to play for keeps this time and went to an extra period.
Throughout the period, the score remained close, with neither Airi nor Daniel giving the other an inch. Towards the end of the period, Airi hit a shot that initially looked like it would be out of Daniel's reach. However, Daniel raced as fast as he could and made a lunge at the ball, desperate to hit it back before he crashed to the ground as the buzzer sounded. When he opened his eyes a few moments later, Airi was standing above him, giving him a sad smile. She then held out her hand, saying, "Congratulations – well played." As Daniel took her hand and got himself up, he caught a glimpse of the scoreboard and saw that he had been victorious – by a single point. He then gave Airi a friendly hug and said, "Thanks. You did great today. Good luck the rest of the competition." As they exited the court, the crowd gave them a standing ovation for playing a terrific match.
As for the other events, First High mostly continued its winning ways, though not at the same level of dominance as the past couple of years. In the Speed Shooting, Lina surprised everyone by defeating Shiori in the semi-finals, setting up a championship match with Shizuku, who had won the last two years running. In the third-place match, Shiori was able to pull off a small upset of Kasumi, ensuring at least some points for Third High in the event, while Lina's military experience as well as her training with Daniel paid off as she scored a narrow victory over Shizuku in the finals. In the Ice Pillars Break event, Shizuku once again made the podium, taking third place. However, the story of the event was the matchup between Miyuki and Ayako. While Ayako was definitely impressive, and was even able to destroy a few of Miyuki's pillars, it was not enough as Miyuki successfully defended her title. Still, a second-place finish for Fourth High in the main event was quite an accomplishment for that school.
In addition, Toko was determined to make an important gain for Third High and finally catch Honoka in the girls Battle Board event, as they met again in the final race. However, with Tatsuya now serving as her primary engineer and with her feelings for Tatsuya fully realized, Honoka was able to reach a whole new level during the competition and beat out Toko once again for first place, despite Toko's obvious improvements.
Similarly, the Mirage Bat event had all three First High entrants competing in the finals, though first place was really between Miyuki and Airi once again. While Honoka was able to secure a third-place finish like she had the previous year, Airi's hard work at trying to catch Miyuki really showed, as they were constantly within a couple points of each other during the final match. As the time was winding down, the score was tied as both Miyuki and Airi raced towards what appeared to be the last light orb projection in sight, each determined to get there first and get the match victory. Coming from opposite directions, they appeared to reach the orb simultaneously as the light flashed, obscuring everyone's view of the action momentarily. When the buzzer sounded, they looked up at the scoreboard, and Miyuki had been awarded the point, getting to the orb a fraction of a second before Airi, and maintaining her title in the event.
In the end, the competition between First High and Third High was so close that the overall victory came down to the competition's final event – the Monolith Code. Once again, Ichijo and Cardinal George would be leading the Third High team, while Tatsuya, Mikihiko, and Leo teamed up once again representing First High. Each team cruised through the preliminaries and the semi-finals before meeting up in the final round for the third year in a row. The two teams were very familiar with each other by now, and they pulled out all the stops to beat each other. In the end, however, Tatsuya's superior tactical skills, combined with his engineering abilities, the improved abilities of his friends, and their impeccable teamwork allowed First High to come out on top once again, claiming the event and the overall victory for First High once again.
Later that evening, as their friends were enjoying the farewell banquet with the food, music, and dancing, Daniel and Tatsuya were chatting when Miyuki received a phone call. When she saw the caller identity, she gave a look of shock and concern before excusing herself to go out into the halls to take it. While everyone else figured Miyuki could handle things and would let them know otherwise, Daniel could feel a mass of negative emotions swirling through her mind, and Tatsuya knew her to the point where he knew that something about this call was not right. "Should we check up on her?" Daniel asked. Tatsuya nodded in response before the two of them excused themselves in order to catch up to Miyuki.
When they finally found her, she was standing in the hallway close to the elevators and away from the crowds. They couldn't make out what she was saying, but definitely heard the tone of her voice – a concerned, worried, and confused one. She hung up just as they reached her, at which point Tatsuya asked if everything was alright. Miyuki hesitated for a moment before stating, "That was Aunt Maya." This alarmed both Daniel and Tatsuya, as Daniel asked, "What exactly did she want to talk to you about?" Miyuki's face gave an even more concerned look as she answered, "She said that she was coming here – tonight. She said that I should be ready to 'embrace my destiny' tonight."
This further alarmed the two boys, especially Tatsuya, as he stated, "This is exceedingly unusual for her. She rarely ever goes out from the mansion, let alone somewhere so public." Daniel nodded and said, "She's up to something. Any idea what?" Both of the siblings shook their heads, and Daniel could tell that they were being truthful. He then suggested that Tatsuya get their cousins so that they could discuss the situation in private. "Based on what you've said about their roles in the family, they may know something." Tatsuya nodded before hurrying off, while instructing Daniel to take Miyuki to their room. "I'll bring Ayako and Fumiya to the room," Tatsuya explained.
Several minutes later, as Daniel and Miyuki sat waiting, the door opened to find Tatsuya coming in with Ayako and Fumiya in tow. When they all sat down, Miyuki told her cousins about the phone call she received from Maya. The twin cousins' eyes widened – Daniel could tell that they did indeed know something. Fumiya then turned to his sister and exclaimed, "You've got to tell them!" Ayako shook her head and replied, "It isn't our place to question the head of the family." Fumiya immediately replied, "Tell them! Or I will." As Ayako sighed, surprised by the gumption her brother was showing, Tatsuya asked her intently, "What's going on Ayako?"
Ayako hesitated for a moment before starting, "I don't know for sure, but for some time now, she's been working in secret to grow her network of allies outside the Yotsuba clan. In addition, she's been sending me and Fumiya on intelligence-gathering missions for several months now that involve gathering information on the other families in the Ten Master Clans, as well as some of the more powerful other families in the numbers system." Daniel then asked, "Has she said what this is all for?" As Ayako again hesitated, Fumiya jumped in with an answer. "No, but she has been saying some strange things lately – things like seeing the Yotsubas take their rightful place atop Japanese magical society. I thought we were already at the top of Japanese magical society, so I didn't know what to make of it."
Daniel then turned to Tatsuya and asked rhetorically, "Gathering allies and information on possible adversaries. What does that say to you?" Tatsuya thought about this for a moment before his eyes widened and he replied, "A coup?" Daniel nodded, stating, "I had a feeling she was planning something big, but nothing like this." Miyuki, Ayako, and Fumiya gasped in shock at what Tatsuya and Daniel were implying, as Miyuki asked, "Do you really think Aunt Maya would go that far?"
Daniel sighed and said, "While I'm not 100 percent sure, I'm sure enough. Think about it – almost every other major figure in Japanese magic society is here tonight, including master Kudou himself. What better way to make a sweeping power grab than by coming here tonight and asserting it herself?" Miyuki had to admit that Daniel's theory made sense. Plus, her aunt was ambitious, and she had been accumulating power behind the scenes for years now.
Fumiya then got up and stated, "We've got to do something! I know we're members of the Yotsuba clan, but this is going way too far! We have to warn someone before she gets here, and maybe this coup can be stopped before it happens." Tatsuya nodded immediately in agreement and Daniel quipped, "Well said. I think our best option is to find master Kudou and tell him ourselves. I suspect he knows your true identities already, and he will believe you if you tell them." All of them agreed to the plan – even Ayako, although she was still quite hesitant and afraid of going against the family.
As they raced downstairs, they heard a commotion coming from the direction of the main ballroom. By the time they got there, the group was met by Minami and a middle-aged man whom Ayako and Fumiya seemed to recognize. "Father!? What are you doing here?" Fumiya asked. The man then smiled and said, "Ah! Ayako! Fumiya! You're here – good." He then saw who was behind them and added, "And you brought your cousins and the Jedi here – excellent. That will save us time." He then began to lead them inside the ballroom. "Come," he said, "You must all bear witness." Ayako then turned to her father and asked, "Bear witness to what?" He then answered, "To the ascension of the Yotsubas as the rightful leaders of Japan's magical society." Daniel cringed inwardly as he heard this. 'Damn!' he thought. 'We're too late!'
When they got inside, everyone was gathered along the sides of the room as Maya Yotsuba stood center stage with the spotlight firmly on her. Daniel could see Minami whispering something to Miyuki before Miyuki gave a gentle but firm hug. 'Minami was probably apologizing for what's going on,' Daniel thought. Moments later, Mayumi, Honoka, and Shizuku came running towards them with looks of both worry and relief on their faces. "Thank goodness you're alright!" Mayumi exclaimed as she reached Daniel. "She just came in here with a bunch of other people and took us hostage," Honoka explained. As Daniel looked at the scene, he could see master Kudou and Lina on stage on their knees as they were surrounded on all sides by magicians of the Yotsuba family. "Just what is going on?" Shizuku asked worriedly.
Maya then turned her head towards their group and gave an evil smile before stating, "Ah, good! My nieces and nephews are finally here." She then walked towards them as the room began to fill with murmurs at what she had just said. When she came to Ayako and Fumiya, she said, "Ayako, Fumiya, my best intelligence operatives. Thanks to you two, I have the information I need to put my plan into action." Ayako looked down in sadness while Fumiya was holding back his anger. Daniel could tell that neither of them were happy that their work went towards this purpose. He also saw Minami in the background with her head lowered, ashamed that she was a part of her lady's scheme – even if unwittingly.
Maya then turned towards Miyuki and said, "And Miyuki, as the future head of the Yostuba family, I'm so glad that you're here to see this." Mayumi then interjected, "Wait a minute! Are you saying that Miyuki and Tatsuya are…?" Maya cut her off, replying, "Yes. Miyuki and Tatsuya are the children of my late sister, Miya. And as the most powerful Yotsuba magician in her generation, it will be Miyuki who will be the head of the family someday as my successor." The crowd gasped at the revelation, especially the First High contingent on the other side of the room. While Tatsuya furrowed his eyes in angry annoyance, Miyuki looked down in sadness at her true identity being discovered like this. "What's wrong, Miyuki?" Maya seemed to ask, "You should be thrilled with the future I've secured for you."
"Damn you, Maya!" a voice called out. Everyone turned, and the source was none other than master Kudou. Maya then cackled and walked back toward him before stating, "You old fool. For years, I've watched as you've allowed renegades to run wild and our way of life to come under threat by non-magic ingrates! Face it – you're weak! Under my order, I will ensure the future of Japanese magic society. No one will dare try to threaten us again!"
Another voice then cried out, "You won't get away with this!" Maya then turned to the source of the shout before smiling evilly and walking towards the man. "Oh? Is that so, Gouki Ichijo?" Daniel noted this and thought, 'Must be Masaki's father.' Maya then continued, "As it so happens, I have gathered quite a bit of information on you and your family that I don't think you would want to become public." She then turned to the rest of the audience and announced, "I also have information on all of the Ten Master Clans, as well as many of the other numbers families. If you don't want to be publicly disgraced, I suggest you all fall in line."
There were many cringes of anger in the room, but no one dared to make a move out of fear of what information she might have. "Now then," Maya said, "If everyone agrees, I will immediately become the head of the Japanese magic association, and the Yotsuba clan will be the ruling family from here on out. Under me, I will make sure that only the strongest magicians will represent us and our country when it comes to magical prowess!" As she turned around the room, she added, "Unless, of course, someone wishes to challenge me."
While there were more murmurs heard throughout the room, it seemed that no one was willing to challenge the 'Queen of the Night,' as her magical prowess was both known and feared in the magical community. However, Daniel refused to stand by and do nothing while Maya took control of the magic association and all of Japan's magical society. Plus, Maya didn't have any information on him that he could possibly be worried about. He then stepped forward and declared for all in the room to hear, "I will challenge you!"