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| Introduction |
Ichijou Masaki (一条 将輝) is a student of Third High School and the oldest child of the Ichijou Family, which is part of the Ten Master Clans. He is first introduced as one of the lead representatives of their school in the Newcomers' Division in Nine Schools Competition. [1] Even before meeting face-to-face, Masaki and Kichijouji already harbored a sense of rivalry against Tatsuya who served as a technician during the competition and eventually lost their bout against him.[2] On the other hand, Masaki is madly infatuated with Tatsuya's little sister, Miyuki.[3]
Appearance and Personality[]
Masaki is described as someone with a charming visage as well as emit a handsome aura that stands out in a crowd, perfectly matching the description of a "young and handsome warrior" in the archaic fashion. He stands close to 180 cm in height with a thick set of shoulders, a compact waist and slender glabrous legs.
As described by his schoolmates, he is a man whose physical appearance is popular with the ladies. Nonetheless, he rarely shows interest in the opposite sex and usually, females would be the ones that trying to approach him. The only exception seems to be Shiba Miyuki, as he was attracted to her the first time he ever laid his eyes on her during the Nine School Competition, and only ever wants her affection ever since.[3]
When talking to Shiba Miyuki, Masaki becomes anxious and uneasy in her presence (though actually, those are the normal occurrence for almost everyone by her presence). Even though he is accustomed to moving through higher social circles, he never fails to be rattled by Miyuki's flawless etiquette and beauty whenever they interact.[4]
Masaki has a strong fighting spirit especially towards his considered rival, Shiba Tatsuya. In battle, he is calm and analytical even in unexpected situations. He has a high sense of unflappability and is praised for his perspicacious insights, being perfectly capable of managing his own battles as well as look after his comrades.
Because Masaki is part of the Ten Master Clans, he upholds a sense of responsibility to lend his power to the Magic Association in times of need and has immense pressure placed on him by society. [5] He is also chosen to be the future successor of the Ichijou Clan and thus many hold him in high regards, forcing him to always carry himself with dignity. This is also why he relates with Miyuki Shiba whereby both are constantly chased and pressured by their surroundings into acting what is expected of them to do. They are both prodigies and are paragon in their respective magical fields, causing the public to theorise the potential strength of their possible offspring.
Background[]
After enrolling in Third High School, Masaki became a member of the Public Morals Committee at the school. [6]
Ichijou Masaki is the next head of house for one of the Ten Master Clans and possesses the proud title "Crimson Prince."
Three years ago, when the Great Asian Union invaded Okinawa, the New Soviet Union also took military action on Sado, where the young man of a mere age of 13 years volunteered for the front lines and, alongside the current head of the Ichijou Family, Ichijou Gouki, used Rupture to annihilate many enemy soldiers. While the scale of the battle was quite small (to this day, the New Soviet Union denies their connection with the militants that invaded Sado), he was awarded the title "the Crimson Prince of the Ichijou Family" for his exploits. (Here, "Crimson" praised him for the fact that "he was bathed in blood and fought to the last" rather than being a derogatory "bloodthirsty" label.) During this time, he met Kichijouji Shinkurou who became a war orphan because of the invasion that Masaki calls "George". [7]
During the Nine Schools Competition when he was a Year 1 student, Masaki won 1st place in the Newcomers' Division Icicle Destruction Event,[7] but only secured 2nd place with his three-man team in the Monolith Code event of the same division.[8]
His participation in Monolith Code involved him and his team being victorious in consecutive matches that were won with complete landslides due to his sheer power alone. The battles were completely one-sided with Masaki leisurely pacing towards his opponents while they were completely helpless to damage him in any way, either by throwing boulders or using high caliber magic against Masaki. He also can constantly use high ranked magic abilities such as the one shown in the final contest of Monolith Code against Tatsuya and his team, showing another testament of his magic talent, although he seriously suppressed and restricted himself of the power output and fatal abilities used so that he would not accidentally kill a competitor. These are the feats that showcase why Masaki is worthy of being a member of the Ten Master Clans. However, having lost to Tatsuya in the final match, Masaki only secured 2nd place for the Monolith Code event in the Newcomers' Division.[7]
During the Summer Break, Masaki invites George to their home where they discuss their plans and strategies for future competitions after their defeat in the Nine Schools Competition where George advises Masaki to use more surprises and tricks eventhough Masaki's personality would let him. Their talk shifts to Miyuki who Masaki had a dance with but was unable to get her contact number nor start a relationship with her until he redeems himself from his defeat at the hands of her brother to which George assures him that they will avenge their defeat together. [9]
After the war between the New Soviet Union and Great Asian Union, Gouki orders Masaki protect Akane who is to restrain Liú Lìlěi currently at Komatsu Base incase her asylum to Japan is a ruse. [10] Masaki and Akane goes to the Komatsu Base and are introduced to Lìlěi and Lin Yiyi. Masaki argues that Lìlěi should stay at the Ichijou Main House while Lin refuses as it could be a ploy to separate her from Lìlěi. After the meeting, Masaki is surprised that George goes to meet him at the base but immediately notices George's state is the same as the day before he published the Cardinal Codes and is even more surprised that George wants him to test the new Strategic-Class Magic Ocean Blast that he developed for Masaki then the three goes to Kanazawa Naval Base to test the new magic. [11] Masaki and George then goes to Sado Island where Masaki uses Ocean Blast to destroy the invading New Soviet Union Fleet and becomes the newest Strategic-Class Magician of Japan. [12]
Abilities[]
Masaki's Capacity Chart, clockwise. Top: Appearance (5), Top Right: Strength (5), Bottom Right: Martial Arts (5), Bottom: Intelligence (5), Bottom Left: Magic Practical Skills (5), Top Left: Inherent Magic (5).
Ichijou Masaki naturally fits into any leadership role and seems to exude the charismatic aura of a true leader. His abilities and strength are highly regarded and respected among his peers at Third High School to the point one can say he's viewed as the highest standard for them. This obviously made him one of the two aces of his school's team in the Nine Schools Competition.[7]
Being such a renowned individual, his reputation extends beyond the scope of high school. He's even considered a renowned prodigy in the world of magic, where his presence, along with his friend, "Cardinal George", at the same school in the same cohort in the Nine School Competition is considered a coincidence bordering on criminal. For the two of them to team up during Monolith Code was already an invincible combination, at least for the Newcomers Division.[8]
Born into the Ichijou Family, Masaki naturally specializes in medium to long-range bombardment. Since he is a member of the Ichijou Family, using water vapors to initiate explosive attacks is the simplest of tricks for him. For a high-schooler, Masaki is a Magician who already possesses live combat experience. His strength and might both in defense and offense are overwhelming to the point where he can easily nullify very high caliber magic and defeat gifted Magicians without much effort. Masaki can endlessly release powerful, destructive magic from strong Magic Sequences without much trouble; a talent truly worth of praise from critics.[8]
He is also a Magician adept at cyclical breathing. Masaki's talent at shortening the dead time between when one magic ends and another begins when continuously using the same magic is so great that his talent at excelling at this rivals Shiba Miyuki's.[8]
Because Masaki hails from Third High School, a combat focused school, and his previous real-life combat experience, he has a sharpened perception of any situation thrown at him and is able to gauge people's strength and Magical Power rather well. Combined with his gut feelings and natural instincts, Masaki can easily choose the right course of action and strategy in order to survive in combat and defeat his opponent in battle. Even though his knowledge and analytical abilities are more focused on combat and magic, Masaki is still knowledgeable with CADs and is able to analyse one accurately.
It was mentioned that Ichijou Masaki rivals an entire armored battalion's combat strength for point defense situations.[13]
Spells[]
- Anti-Object Barrier - It was strong enough to stop bullets from High Powered Rifles, but unlike Juumonji's barrier which can be created at any shape they want, he can only create one-sided flat surface single layer anti-object barrier.[15]
- Ocean Blast[16] - This magic uses the concept of Chain Casting, utilising additional supporting devices for advanced calculations. This spell is based on combining the spell Rupture with the chain casting process and in addition to turning water into steam, at the moment when steam is created, the power of the steam explosion is further enhanced by accelerating the water vapor molecules to create a powerful explosion.
Trivia[]
- Anime has positioned him as Tatsuya's main rival, several times contrasting them with each other in the opening and official art. At the same time, the original LN more restrained in the image of his role in the plot.
- Ichijou Masaki has striking resemblance to Suzaku Kururugi from "Code Geass".
References[]
- ↑ Volume 3, Chapter 4
- ↑ Volume 4, Chapter 8
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Volume 3, Chapter 4
- ↑ Volume 7, Chapter 9
- ↑ Volume 4, Chapter 4
- ↑ Volume 19, Ichijou Masaki School Change Diary
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Volume 4, Chapter 9
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Volume 4, Chapter 10
- ↑ Volume 5, Friendship, Trust and the Dubious Lolicon
- ↑ Volume 27, Chapter 4
- ↑ Volume 27, Chapter 5
- ↑ Volume 27, Chapter 6
- ↑ Volume 4, Chapter 12
- ↑ Volume 7, Chapter 12
- ↑ Volume 19, Chapter 13
- ↑ Volume 27, Chapter 6