"Going to school…"
Just those words alone felt so nostalgic, so impossibly distant.
Yotsuba Mahiro never imagined that someone like him—locked away for most of his life—would ever step foot in a school again. And yet, here he was.
Not just in any school, but in the year 2095, standing at the gates of First High School, the most prestigious academy affiliated with the National Magic University.
Of course, with the Yotsuba Family pulling the strings and with his own strength, the so-called entrance exam had been less than an afterthought. Passing was inevitable.
And so, beneath the fluttering petals of cherry blossoms, Mahiro took his first steps onto the school grounds.
"Then, Mahiro-nii, Miyuki will go prepare for the freshman speech at the opening ceremony."
The soft, angelic voice pulled him from his thoughts. He turned, and there she was—
Shiba Miyuki.
Her figure was graceful, her presence almost ethereal, like a snow spirit come to life. With her delicate features, flawless proportions, and the way the white uniform hugged her form perfectly, she seemed more like a doll crafted by divine hands than a human girl.
Following quietly behind her, as if protecting her back, was her older brother, Shiba Tatsuya.
That's right.
Maya-sama, in her usual cryptic and cruel way, had arranged for Mahiro to live next door to the Shiba siblings.
(Honestly… baka okaa-sama. Did she think it amusing to throw him into the orbit of Shiba Tatsuya—this so-called Heaven's Chosen Dragon who even the Yotsuba feared? Was it some kind of provocation? Or perhaps, some twisted form of entertainment?)
Mahiro sighed inwardly as the siblings departed.
Almost immediately, he felt the stares.
Countless eyes lingered on him, especially from the female students gathered at the entrance. Whispered voices carried with the spring breeze, and more than one girl peeked at him with undisguised curiosity.
But Mahiro didn't flinch. He was used to this.
After all, he wasn't bragging when he thought this way—he truly was the Yotsuba Family's most successful adjustment. In terms of raw appearance alone, he was flawless. His features were sharp but refined, his body slender yet strong, his entire presence radiating something both dangerous and captivating.
Absolutely handsome.
Not inferior in the slightest to Kudou Minoru, the prodigy adjustment of the Kudou Family.
"Still… where should I go to kill time now?" Mahiro murmured, tilting his head back.
Above him, the sky stretched endlessly blue, cherry blossoms dancing like falling snow.
For someone who had spent nearly his entire life locked in the Fourth Research Lab on Miyakijima, the open air felt both freeing and… alien. He had his "freedom," yes, but it was strange—like a prisoner suddenly told his sentence was over. He didn't quite know what to do with it.
And in that fleeting moment of confusion—
"You should be a freshman, right? Do you need any help?"
A gentle, melodic voice cut through his thoughts.
Mahiro blinked, refocusing his gaze. Standing before him was a girl he hadn't noticed approach.
The first thing that drew his attention was the pristine uniform, the neat skirt fluttering lightly in the breeze. Two locks of silky black hair framed her chest, drawing his eyes upward to a face so delicate it almost seemed unreal. Her eyes, a striking shade of wine-red, shimmered like jewels under the sunlight.
She was, without question, beautiful.
If there was any flaw, it was her height—she was petite, barely 155cm. Yet somehow, that only enhanced her charm, invoking a protective instinct. A faint fragrance lingered between them, soft and sweet, making Mahiro's sharp instincts stir uneasily.
"Thank you. But I'm fine," he replied with a polite shake of his head.
"Is that so?" The girl smiled faintly, her expression as gentle as spring sunlight. "Well, if you ever run into trouble, don't hesitate to ask. I am Saegusa Mayumi, Student Council President of First High.… please take care of me."
Her words were calm and soothing, yet carried an undeniable charm. And with her doll-like face paired with that petite yet elegant figure, she radiated a dangerous combination of innocence and allure.
An angel's purity, fused with the temptation of a succubus.
…No, wait.
This wasn't ordinary beauty.
Mahiro's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of recognition sparking. (Aha… so that's it. A touch of charm magic, subtle but effective. Clever senpai.)
Even so, he composed himself quickly. Taking half a step back to create space, Mahiro bowed politely.
"Nice to meet you, Saegusa-senpai. I'm Yotsuba Mahiro. … yoroshiku onegaishimasu."
"…Eh!?"
Her soft exclamation rang louder than expected, drawing the attention of several passing students.
Yotsuba?!
The moment his surname left his lips, Mayumi covered her mouth with one hand, her crimson eyes widening in shock.
"E-Excuse me, is there something wrong?" Mahiro asked, tilting his head.
"No, no, it's just… I was surprised." She hesitated, staring at him intently. "Mahiro-kun… are you truly of that Yotsuba Family?"
Mahiro gave a dry chuckle. "I don't think anyone would dare impersonate a member of the Ten Master Clans, do you? Besides, Saegusa-senpai, with your resources, you could check in an instant."
Her name was Saegusa, not Nanagusa, and unlike a "weed," she was the legitimate daughter of the powerful Saegusa Family. A true princess among magicians.
And yet her surprise was genuine.
The Yotsuba Family had always carried an air of danger. Within the Ten Master Clans, they were whispered about as shadowy, heretical, and frightening. After the death of Yotsuba Genzō, the family's previous head, the Yotsuba had even been dubbed "the Untouchables."
And yet, one fact was widely circulated:
The current head, Yotsuba Maya, was unable to bear children. Which meant that the next heir had to be chosen from among the branch families.
So then… where did this boy, Yotsuba Mahiro, suddenly appear from?
Her curiosity sparked like a flame. Mayumi stepped forward ever so slightly, her gaze sharpened with interest. She wanted to see this Yotsuba more clearly, to measure the presence hidden behind his composed face.
But Mahiro, without the slightest flicker in his expression, shifted one step back—maintaining a courteous yet firm distance.
Fufu… interesting.
Mayumi's lips curved. His subtle retreat didn't annoy her in the slightest; on the contrary, it fanned her curiosity even further.
Her own abilities, her beauty, and her charms often caused ripples wherever she went. Many boys at First High, whether they admitted it or not, found themselves entranced by her. But Yotsuba Mahiro… his reaction was different. Not a blush, not a flinch—only a polite step back.
For some reason, she wanted to tease him.
"Ne, Mahiro-kun" she sang lightly, tilting her head with playful sweetness, "shall we go to the auditorium together? The entrance ceremony will start soon."
Her tone was casual, but even the way she shifted his title—from "Yotsuba-san" to "Mahiro-kun"—was deliberate.
Mahiro resisted the urge to sigh. Walking beside this dazzling Saegusa princess would certainly draw attention, and attention was troublesome. Still, refusing her openly would be worse. So he nodded. "Very well."
The two began walking side by side, their pace synchronized.
"Speaking of Saegusa-senpai—"
"Ah-ah, just call me Mayumi, no need to be so formal," she interrupted with a wink.
"…Very well then. Senior Mayumi, was there something you wished to ask me?"
Handsome? Yes, Mahiro knew he was not lacking in appearance. But he was not so narcissistic to believe that his looks alone could sway someone like Saegusa Mayumi.
"Nothing important," Mayumi answered, one eye closing mischievously. "I just wanted to know—how do you feel about First High so far?"
Mahiro paused, considering seriously. "It's very good. The scenery is beautiful. The campus is vast and impressive."
Compared to the desolate Mishima Island… or the ominous halls of the Fourth Research Institute… this place was practically a paradise.
But then his gaze hardened slightly. "Although, there is one flaw. The gap between students feels a little too wide."
"Hm?" Mayumi followed his eyes, puzzled—until she understood.
Just ahead, a student with the eight-petaled emblem of Course 1 glanced disdainfully at a passing classmate without it. His lips curled in contempt.
"Tch… just a weed."
Mayumi's brows furrowed. Even she, born into privilege, couldn't fully hide her distaste at the arrogance. Mahiro's words had indeed carried meaning…