Just as in the original story, a grand banquet was held to welcome the students arriving from the nine magic schools.
As the Prince of the Yotsuba, Tatsuya immediately became the focal point of every gaze the moment he made his entrance with Miyuki by his side.
"I knew it... the Yotsuba Prince really is in a league of his own compared to ordinary magicians like us."
"Of course he is. I've heard whispers that he's the strongest young mage in existence, standing even above the Crimson Prince, Ichijou."
"It's not just his overwhelming magical prowess; Prince Yotsuba possesses the kind of looks that could make any man burn with envy."
"You're right about that. To be perfectly honest, he is exactly my ideal type of husband."
"Don't even bother dreaming. Prince Yotsuba already has a queen standing right beside him. Your level is far too low to even think about competing with her, so don't go hoping you can ever stand by his side."
"I know, I know! I was just joking around!"
"Hmph! You sounded plenty serious to me. I bet everyone here was thinking the exact same thing."
"Shut it! Even if that were true, it's none of your business!"
As the hall grew increasingly noisy with gossip and bickering, Tatsuya let out a helpless, weary sigh. Without a word, he released a surge of his own psions into the surroundings.
An invisible, heavy pressure—one that could only be perceived by fellow magicians—rippled through the entire ballroom. The sudden weight in the air caused the chatter to die down instantly. Once the commotion had settled, Tatsuya immediately retracted the psion waves that had been cloaking his body.
It was worth noting that such a feat could only be performed by someone possessing a truly monstrous psion capacity. While Miyuki was capable of mimicking the technique after receiving direct tutelage from Tatsuya, she could only maintain it for a fleeting moment due to the limits of her own psion reserves.
Watching the scene unfold, Mayumi and Mari eventually approached him.
"Tatsuya, couldn't you at least try to hold yourself back a little?" Mari asked, her voice laced with exasperation.
"Hold back? I thought I already was," Tatsuya replied flatly.
"Ugh..." Mari found herself defeated by his very first retort.
"Tatsuya-kun really is incredible. Releasing that much psion pressure still seems like child's play to you." Unlike Mari, Mayumi had approached him solely to offer her praise.
A faint smile played on Tatsuya's lips as he gave a small, satisfied nod in response to Mayumi's compliment. Suddenly, his gaze shifted, turning sharply toward the stage.
"Prince Yotsuba... please, have mercy and give this old man a little breathing room," Kudou Retsu said, his tone sounding quite strained.
"I haven't done anything. I was simply looking in your direction." Tatsuya offered a casual, nonchalant smile as he responded to Retsu's plea.
Kudou Retsu could only manage a bitter smile before proceeding to give his welcoming address to the gathered students.
In a departure from the original story, Retsu did not perform his usual small demonstration of magic. Truth be told, he had every intention of doing so, but he found himself completely paralyzed by Tatsuya's piercing gaze. Even for someone as legendary as Kudou Retsu, standing under Tatsuya's watch made him feel like nothing more than an ant trapped in the palm of a giant.
On the surface, Retsu appeared composed, but internally, his heart was trembling with a deeply hidden fear.
'What a terrifying child... On his own, he is already more formidable than the entirety of the Ten Master Clans combined,' Retsu muttered to himself as he retreated toward his private chambers.
Makoto: Tatsuya, what exactly did you just do?
Tatsuya Yotsuba: You didn't notice? Seriously?
Makoto: Is there something wrong with that? I was busy trying to break up a fight between Mio and Tomoe, so I didn't see things very clearly.
Tatsuya Yotsuba: I simply dismantled his magic before it could even activate.
Makoto: How did you manage to do that without leaving a single trace?
Tatsuya Yotsuba: Let's just call it a specialized skill.
Makoto: ...
Tatsuya Yotsuba: By the way, what were Mio and Tomoe fighting about this time? Don't tell me they were bickering over who gets to take your virginity? It sounds like you're going to have a very busy night.
Makoto: As if! They were busy arguing over who gets to be the leader while I'm away!!! Don't go making wild guesses like that!
Tatsuya Yotsuba: Right, I get it. Anyway, I have a bit of advice for you.
Makoto: Advice?
Tatsuya Yotsuba: As a leader, you need to be firm. But as a man, you need to be more sensitive to the feelings of women like Tomoe and Mio.
Makoto: ...
Time Eater: Indecisive men are quite annoying, if you ask me.
White: I actually quite like them—but only as toys to play with.
Sword Princess: I'm not a big fan of indecisive men either.
Tatsuya Yotsuba: There you have it, straight from the three queens of this group. What do you think?
Makoto: I understand... I'll do my best to give them a proper answer.
Tatsuya Yotsuba: Good. Just don't take too long.
Makoto: I'll try.
Tatsuya Yotsuba: How are the rest of you faring with your preparations?
Time Eater: Ara ara~ I'm ready to head out whenever you are.
White: I've been ready for a while now.
Sword Princess: Same here. Since I'll be visiting a modern world, I've even prepared some specially made clothes for the occasion.
Tatsuya Yotsuba: Excellent. I'll be summoning you all shortly, so stay ready. Makoto, you still need a bit more time, right?
Makoto: Yeah, I'll contact you as soon as I'm set.
To be continued...Anvanced Chapter p*tre*n.com/AgamYupi02