Chapter 3: The Path to Power

Tatsuya P.O.V

Age: 6

Heavy breathing, throbbing muscles, and shortness of breath: to many people these are marks of a job well done but to me these are faults and flaws I should not show in such a short time. Training under the guardians of the Yotsuba I am put through extreme amounts of physical, mental, and emotional conditioning. All this my Mother says is necessary for me. Any other child would have cried and complained, begging to stop, but something inside me felt a sense of joy and excitement at the mere thought of combat. This made me not only determined but elated at the chance to slaughter others if meant I would become stronger and protect the ones I love in the process.

It was as soon as I could understand others that Mother told me of my most destructive abilities… I honestly could not care less if this world were to fall apart and if I could I would destroy this pile of dirt, but I do not wish to upset Mother so I held back.

Returning to my training I readied myself for the sparring to come next, the other guardians came to me charging using magic to augment their strength for a while… this did nothing to affect the outcome. Inches away from me I jump and was over them in an instant coming from behind I knocked the first one out with a kick that sent him across the dojo and through the wall. The second of my punching bags turned round almost instantly and with the magic still in effect he sought to slam his fist into my face but as soon as I was in arm's reach I decided to test one of my less destructive but just as lethal magical abilities.

Less than an inch to my face I severed his hand from his arm using Fission and in less than second blood covered my face and the fool was on the ground gripping where his hand use to be attempting to stop the bleeding. Mother told me before not to cut up our guardians as we still lack a sufficient number of the Sakurei series to fill our ranks so I will heal him when this is over. The last and maybe the most pathetic of the three simply looked at me with shock and frozen in fear… So I rushed him and buried my hand into his gut accidentally killing him.

With training done for the day I used Regrowth to heal the two still living and ordered them to dispose of the their dead colleague and clean up the mess made, they bowed respectfully "Yes Tatsuya-sama." They spoke in union.

I retreated to my bedroom and prepared to shower to wash away the blood and grime I had accumulated on my body during training.

Entering the shower I felt a sense of relief as the hot water washed over me lifting away any tension I had accumulated in my training. Exiting the shower and wrapping my lower half I call on a wind and fire spirit to blow me dry almost instantly. I then noticed a letter on my bed written using parchment not paper this immediately told me it was from mother and not Hayama, I still do not see the need to send letters when she could just as easily and quickly write a message on her terminal and send it to mine.

Dressing into my casual wear which consisted of black sweat pants and shirt of the same color which would normally be accompanied by a pair of slippers but deciding against it and going barefoot. Sitting on my bed I began to read the content of the letter.

"My dearest and most beloved Son." I groaned internally at mother's writing habits "I have wonderful news for you, in the coming week we are going to be visited by your Oba-san and dear little Miyuki-chan and their guardian Honami will be coming with them as well. This proves to be a relief due to your inability to listen when I say DO NOT kill your training dummies, at least with Honami you will be obligated to hold back because I doubt you would want to hurt someone so close to your beloved Miyuki." The bottom of the letter had an arrow, that was an obvious indication for me to turn the letter over. Doing so I found further text from mother "P.S. Be a dear and accompany your sweet and beautiful Mother for subber this evening. Sincerely Maya."

Looking at the clock next to my bedding I saw it was half-past the seventh hour and knowing the servants would only ever seek to disappoint mother if they had a death wish so I think it best that I prepare as quickly as possible. Knowing mother she would want me to dress well but not over so I settled on a black button down shirt and pleated dress pants with dress shoes of the same black coloring.

Leaving my room I made my way to the dining room of the estate when I turned a hall to find two individuals one older and one significantly younger but from a distance this was all I could assume without use of my elemental sight. Looking at the time I knew that if I had let curiosity take me that I would be late for dinner with mother and for some reason this was not as ample enough a reason as it once was for me not to do something.

Curiosity taking I could hear what sounded like a scolding, hearing things such as "You will be lucky to lose only your life if you continue to disappoint in this way." and "If Maya-dono knew of this she would have you sent out into the mountain to be left out to die in the cold." This proved to be very unsettling to me as that last comment assured as to who the older figure was head maid of the Yotsuba household Shirakawa infamous among the younger generation of Yotsuba servants for being a little… overly devoted to the family, so much so that even Hayama-san has had to reel her back into place when it looked like she would kill one of the children for misstepping whilst going through their training and duties.

Looking at the servant in question I saw a young girl cowering in the presence of Shirakawa it took only a second of examining her facial features to figure out she was one of the sakurai. She looked as though she could had been Honami-sans daughter or niece which confirmed her status as a sakurai clone and seeing as I have already come this far in analysis I might as well involve myself. Clearing my throat I made my presence known to the two Shirakawa turned around and upon seeing who it was that interrupted her scolding her face softened and she bowed deeply "Tatsuya-sama how may I be of service?" speaking in a manner that portrays her utmost respect for me. Rising again I looked behind her to see the young sakurai's face change from one of fear to one of amazement and her eyes gleaming with astonishment, looking back to the elder maid "What has the sakurai done to upset you so Shirakawa-san." Asking in a polite manner, aside from being the son of the clan head and the most likely candidate to succeed her I am both infamous and well loved among the servants of the Yotsuba for being more… appreciative than the rest of the clan excluding mother, oba-sama, Miyuki, and the Kuroba twins Ayako and Fumiya.

Smiling Shirakawa scoffed the slightest bit "You need not worry yourself over such trivial matters Tatsuya-sama, I will handle this poor excuse for a sakurei." Looking back at the girl the astonishment in her eye's was replaced by fear, not wanting to see a future servant of one of the Yotsuba but cut down by what I assume was a mistake I decided to aid her. "I am afraid Shirakawa that it is my concern." I spoke with authority and it had the desired effect of knocking her off her feet her eyes widening in what was either shock or surprise and her breath hitching in her throat.

Composing herself "This girl has been nothing but trouble and a disappointment as a Yotsuba servant and potential guardian." in her voice was the devotion to the clan that Hayama so often needed to correct.

Feeling a sense of sympathy for the young girl I made the choice to help her "Shirakawa your loyalty and dedication to the clan and to my mother are appreciated but I would ask that you overlook her mistakes for today as a favor to me."

She hesitated before speaking "As you wish Tatsuya-sama." this showed she wished to object to my request which is not really a request just a pleasantry to make her think she has a choice in the matter… I am still a Yotsuba after all I need to play the part.

She bowed before walking away I kept my eye on her until she turned a corner, when I was certain she was out of earshot I turned my attention to the young sakura who was on her knees bowing to me like I was a god. I know that this was meant to show great respect and gratitude but it honestly only made me uncomfortable "On your feet sakurei you don't have to bow to me."

Rising almost jumping to her feet she looked at me with gratitude in her stare "Your kindness and humility is legendary Tatsuya-sama, that you would intervene on behalf of a simple servant only gives validation to your caring for the servants of the family and this one is not worthy of such kindness."

Looking at her I noticed she was quivering a small amount but still noticeable, perhaps she was just as fearful of me as she was devoted to the clan which is a common sentiment I imagine given my "habit" of accidentally killing my guardian punching bags a sentiment such as this must be built with any servant above and below her age class.

Not wanting to have to deal with the possible repercussion of all servants thinking I will kill them at a moment's notice I think it best I start to change my "habit" with the guardians and servants "What is your name?" I asked thinking befriending one of them would at the very least mend any of the damage I have done to my image amongst them.

She gasped looking at me with shock and disbelief before answering "Minami… Sakurai Minami, Tatsuya-sama." She bowed as she finished her sentence as though she had to pay respect repeatedly whenever something out of the ordinary is asked of her.

"Tell me then Sakurai Minami do you have any friends?"

She looked down as though this were an interrogation "The duty of any faithful servant to the Yotsuba is to put the clan above all personal desires so I never had the time for such things or any of the other children really." she said this sounding depressed all of a sudden.

It actually saddened me a little, personally I could go my entire life with my mother as my only company and companion and still die happily. But seeing someone else who was never even given the opportunity to explore the wonders of life and may not for years to come played on the little feeling of sympathy that I actually was able to process.

A small but noticeable tear came onto the edge of Minami's eye, I reached up and wiped it away before it could drop "No need for tears Minami. Tell me do you wish your life could be different? Where you could live free from all forms of controls and live as you see fit?" I spoke in a soft tone so as not to intimidate her into silence or a false response.

"It is not this ones place to…"

"Stop" I interrupted her "You are not an object Minami you are your own person" I gently placed my hands onto both her shoulders "Please if it has to be an order tell me what you truly believe and think of your situation. Don't be afraid to speak call it cruel, unfair, monstrous of the Yotsuba for putting you and other children through anything of the sort that you must to simply serve us" I told her all this hoping she would not be afraid to speak.

"I… I do not regret the life that has been given to me" Looking into my eyes she was without fear and did not lack in conviction which genuinely surprised me. Human nature often dictates that we should be against anyone or anything that would seek to guide and dictate how we life our life but it's as though this Minami found solace in the way her life has played so far "It makes me wonder, How does Honami-san feel about the fact she has never had the freedom of choice to anything in her entire life?" My internal thoughts distracted me to point Minami had to snap her fingers to get my attention back.

Looking at the time I find I have spend 20 minutes between helping Minami and now "I apologize for having to cut this short Minami but I already late for dinner with mother."

At the very mention of my mother the color from Minami's face dropped and she began to shake with fear and uncertainty "Oh no I have distracted you from an obviously more important task with Maya-dono no less. Please forgive me and my transgressions i will gladly accept any punishment that I have earned." She back down on her nears speaking with fear and worry dripping on her voice.

"Minami you do not have to worry I made my choice and mother will not kill let alone punish a guardian in training for my decision." I hoped this would calm her down and to an extent it had the desired effect.

She rose from the ground the fear from her eyes had almost vanished before she bowed to an impressive 90 degree angle as not many children her age are so flexible "Arigatōgozaimashita

Tatsuya-sama" gratitude and relief were evident in her voice.

I turned to leave preparing to hear what I assume will be a lecture from mother on the principle of keeping people waiting and how it shows bad character and a lack of attention to important business.

"Before I leave Minami I would like you to know that you have found a friend in me and that you do not need to fear anything anymore" not waiting for her response I took my but before I could get completely out of range I could make out Minami mumbling something along the lines of "He is… My friend? Thank you Tatsuya-sama."

With that I made my way in earnest to the dining room no doubt mother has been waiting for quite some time and will be upset with me which is a very rare site truth be told.

Reaching the outside of the dining room I felt a bit off as though something was not as it seemed. Mother had prohibited me from using elemental sight in a room she was occupying if it were not an emergency situation mainly from and her words "It gives me an unfair advantage over mother dearest" and being the obedient son I am I have not used it in such a manner since.

Yet I could not help but feel as though their was some form of anomaly that I could not let go of this disturbed feeling… even if it means upsetting mother further than I already have by not being prudent in my arrival.

Triggering the psion sequence mentally I activated my elemental sight and what I saw next filled me with joy in the sight of…

(A/N): And cliffhanger who is the mysterious figure that sits in wait with Miya, You are gonna need to comment and follow me and the story to find out.

Love all you guys for commenting this story has been a rapid success for me and it fills me with joy and pride to see such a fanbase for Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei and hope you ride it out with me to the end.

Until next time this is Carbuncle signing off and don't forget to check out Prince of the Yotsuba if you haven't already by fujin of shadow it will blow you away such a great story.

Peace and love to you all.