The Prince of the Yotsuba

by fujin of shadows

Two beings born from darkness and one plunge into the dark. One raise to be the perfect aristocrat. The other raised to be the perfect weapon. The other a jewel from a fallen family. For this three to meet was unlikely, and yet, they met and formed a bond that could not be broken. A Monster, A Goddess, and A Scholar. A Prince, A Princess and An Assassin. {TatsuyaXMiyukixSuzune}

4. Chapter 3b

Second half of chapter three, and with this, first arc ends and Guardian arc would start next chapter…..

I intended to introduced Tatsuya's mother this chapter but I thought to myself, now is not the time…I'll introduced her in the third arc…

By the way, shout out to Yagami 85 and his new Mahouka Fanfiction: New Journey Japan. Excellent fic…

By the way, I have something evil planned for all of you…(Insert mischievous look and evil laugh her)

Review and Enjoy….

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The Prince of Yotsuba

Chapter 3b: Childhood Arc Finale Part 2

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Like normal children, Miyuki considers school as a chore.

Miyuki was, in no shape or form, an incompetent student or a slacker.

In fact, Miyuki was an honor student. She gets excellent grades and she was well liked by most of her teachers.

That being said, Miyuki still considers school as a chore to be done to make her mother happy.

But there are two things that motivated Miyuki to attend school every day. The most important being is that she wanted to get to know her friend, Tatsuya, better and the second reason are the club activities.

Miyuki was a member of the Magic Studies Club.

Normal and ordinary Japanese Magicians would receive formal training when they reach high school. Before then, it is the responsibility of the magician to teach himself/herself the fundamentals of magic and establish a base for his/her skills.

Because of that, many magicians that were born with non-magical parents struggle when they reach high school.

Magicians born with magical parents are often times home schooled during the early years of their magic education.

Some school offers a curriculum in magic training, but it will only cover the most fundamental and the most basic aspect of magic. Those schools will also require the student to pay a very expensive fee.

Seirin Elementary is a well renowned private school but it does not offer a magic curriculum. Instead, it has a magic studies club that teaches not just magic basic and fundamentals, but also advance level magic that will offer their students a glimpse of what Magic High School would be like.

This is one of the few things that Miyuki looks forward to everyday.

Unfortunately though, Tatsuya was not part of the club and prefers to not join any club.

Of course, Miyuki tried to persuade Tatsuya to join her club and she was even successful in bringing him to the facility in which club activities were taking place.

When they arrived though and when Tatsuya got a glimpse of the club, his face showed an emotion that made Miyuki flinch.

It was a look of disgust.

'Aside from you, none of them would be able to succeed as magicians.' Tatsuya left after saying those words, leaving Miyuki very confuse.

Still, Miyuki considers it a victory considering that Tatsuya would always wait for her during club activities.

Miyuki considers that a victory.

At the moment, Miyuki was performing a simple exercise to measure her invocation speed.

Miyuki stood in front of the built-in educational use CAD. The exercise consists of merely operating the said device. Miyuki was required to use the CAD to direct a flatbed car from one end of its track to the other, to be repeated three times.

The purpose of this exercise was to accelerate the flatbed car to the middle of the track, then decelerate to the other end, accelerate from that end back towards the middle, and decelerate to the starting point... To be repeated three times. The activation sequence inputted into the CAD was for these 6 acceleration and deceleration invocations. This was an exercise that develops and measures a magician's basic skill which is speed invocation.

Miyuki considers this exercise as something mundane yet the thought of using her magic was still something that brought her great enjoyment.

With a deep breath, she stepped on the pedal switch to adjust the CAD height, placed her palm on the white, transparent touchpad that sat atop a large box, and began to manipulate the psion flow.

What returned was the sound of the activation confirmation, intermixed with various conflicting noise. Ignoring this, Miyuki began to build the invocation sequence.

Immediately, the flatbed car in front of the CAD shifted forward then returned to its position. This happened three times.

Miyuki ignore this for she did not doubt her magic.

She looked at the timer and smiled with pride as she read 1.35 seconds.

That was already excellent for an eight year, second grader.

But not for Tatsuya.

"You know, you are better than that."

Miyuki turned around at the sound of a familiar voice and her smile brightens even more at the sight of Tatsuya.

"Good afternoon, Tsuyoru-kun." Miyuki greeted cheerfully, as she dropped her impassive façade. With Tatsuya, she could be honest with herself.

"Good afternoon, Shiba-san." Tatsuya greeted back before walking towards her. "You can do better than your previous attempt." Tatsuya told her, a growl escaping his lips.

Miyuki slightly step backed at the sound of her friend's growl.

Tatsuya offered her a small, apologetic sigh. "My apologies, but there are so much wasted Psion in this room that it is giving me a headache." Tatsuya told her before looking around the room.

Truth be told, the room was flooded with light. The light was generated by the fluctuations of the Psions and thus, it was a light only seen by magicians. This was a sign that the activation and subsequent invocation did not consume all Psions, as the leftover Psions created Psion light.

Due to the fact that most people in the room were the very definition of novice and naïve magicians, the left over Psions were very massive causing the inside of the facility to shine extremely bright.

For Miyuki, she did not consider this a hindrance.

For Tatsuya, because of his special set of eyes, the room that he was in was not just headache inducing but it also hurt his eyes.

Of course, Miyuki does not know this fact and merely assume that Tatsuya did not join the club because he has trouble socializing with other children.

"Shiba-san, you are aware that you possess an abnormally high Psion count, am I correct?" Tatsuya asked as he looked at the CAD in front of him and had to resist the urge to destroy the machine due to how poorly it was calibrated. Instead, he placed a single hand on the touchpad of the CAD.

"I am aware of it, yes." Miyuki answered unsurely as she watched her friend operate the machine.

Without any fanfare, the flatbed stumble a total of three times before it moved in a steady pace and in a stable motion.

Miyuki's eyes widen.

For a casual observer, Tatsuya's performance was lackluster. The flatbed's movement was slow compare to Miyuki and even the time was slow, Tatsuya's invocation time was 4.00 seconds flat.

But Miyuki was able to ignore this due to the fact that there was no wasted Psion during the invocation process. Tatsuya did not glow; he did not emit any Psion light, which indicated that he did not waste a drop of his Psion. His Magic Power was expanded to its limit and entirely devoted towards phenomenon rewriting, making for a magic that was calculated down to the last detail.

For Miyuki, it was an amazing and phenomenal sight.

"Shiba-san, may you perform the exercise again?" Tatsuya requested as he gave her a glance.

Miyuki was able to recover from her stupor and nodded, excited to show off in front of her friend. Miyuki was about to operate the CAD to perform the exercise but Tatsuya motioned her to stop.

"Please, give me a moment." Tatsuya told her before taking out a small mobile terminal as well as a small flash drive.

Inserting the flash drive on one the hidden ports of the CAD, Tatsuya summoned a virtual keyboard from his mobile terminal. The virtual keyboard was hovering in front of him. Placing the terminal on top of the touchpad of the machine, Tatsuya started inputting several characters with a typing speed that was, more or less, inhuman.

Miyuki gaped at her friend's typing abilities and was further surprised as several virtual windows appeared in front of him in rapid succession. Because of its speed, Miyuki was unable to see the contents of the window.

Five minute has pass when Tatsuya finally turned off his terminal and remove the flash drive from the device. He then motioned for Miyuki to perform the exercise.

Miyuki stepped in front of the CAD, eyes lingering on Tatsuya, before putting her hands on the touchpad, once again performing the exercise.

Miyuki's eyes almost budge out of her eye sockets as her Psion flowed out of her body.

The conflicting and background noises had disappeared and because of that, her magic was invoked flawlessly.

Miyuki eyes widen considerably when she glanced at the timer.

Her original time was

1.35 seconds.

Now, her time was now a solid 1.00 second.

Miyuki was about to face her friend but halted when she felt a hand on her right shoulder.

"Again," Tatsuya told her firmly.

Miyuki, for some reason, could not help but obeyed.

She performed the exercise again.

Miyuki could not believe how smoothly her magic flowed out of her body.

Instead of her magic power exploding out of her body, her magic power merely flowed out at a single direction, at a single release point.

Miyuki, once again, did not at the flatbed car. Her magic will not fail her,that much she was sure of, especially right now.

Miyuki looked at the timer and she could not help but stare at the timer in utter shock.

Her invocation was faster from 1.00 second to 0.62 milliseconds.

Miyuki stiffened when she felt the breath of her friend caressing her left hair. "With proper equipment and better control of your magic power, that is what you are capable of." Tatsuya whispered as he slowly let go of her shoulder.

For some reason, Miyuki felt a sense of lost when Tatsuya's hand was no longer on her shoulder.

(Break)

Early in the morning, Miyuki stood in front of the stove, knife in hand as she prepared to cook the bento that she intends to give to her friend.

Miyuki does not know much about cooking, just the basics, but to express her growing affection for Tatsuya, she was willing to try and produce a meal that he would enjoy to the fullest.

After all, Miyuki figured that her friend is tired of all the vegetarian meals that he seems to eat everyday during lunch and she knew that he would appreciate the meal that she would make for him.

That's why she would make a good and delicious meal just for him.

Still, Miyuki had trouble carving the whole chicken to pieces and silently scolded herself for not learning any magic that can cut or severe. Miyuki would have been able to carve the chicken with ease with magic.

"Place the chicken on the cutting board with its breast up and hold it steady with a carving fork."

Miyuki turned around, only to see Sakurai watching her in the corner, a smile plastered on her lips. "Lunch for Tatsuya-kun?" Sakurai inquired playfully.

When Miyuki turned her head away from her, desperately trying to hide her blush, Sakurai giggled. "How cute." Sakurai cooed girlishly as she approached the daughter of her primary. "Let me help, I think madam and Tatsuya-kun would appreciate if you were able to make a decent meal without cutting your fingers."

"I can do this myself, Sakurai-san." Miyuki mumbled as she followed Sakurai's advice. "I want to do this myself, for Tsuyoru-san." Miyuki admitted, red currently the most prominent color on her face. Her blush was noticeable considering her pale complexion.

Sakurai smiled at Miyuki, noting the positive effects of having a friend into the young girl before patting her head. "No worries, Miyuki-san, I won't meddle. I'll just give you some advice and point out things that you might miss." Sakurai said reassuringly as she stood a step behind Miyuki.

Miyuki looked at her for a moment before continuing to carve the chicken while Sakurai gives her instructions.

(Break)

Miyuki sat beside Tatsuya, her hands sweaty due to nervousness.

Tatsuya, though noticing this, did not say a word as he continued reading his book, though a single eye of his was currently focused on her. Tatsuya knew that his friend was nervous, the reason escapes him, but he allowed his friend to move at her own pace.

Miyuki knew that Tatsuya was waiting for her to speak but the nervousness that she was feeling was preventing her to speak a single word.

Miyuki was disappointed in herself. She and Tatsuya have been friends for three weeks now. She should not be nervous around him anymore.

"Has Shiba-dono filed a divorce already?" After several minutes of silence, Tatsuya spoke, breaking the ice between them.

Miyuki looked at Tatsuya in surprised following that statement. "A divorce?"

"Yes, a divorce." Tatsuya nodded in confirmation. "I've seen your father and I've seen Shiba-dono. I am quite oblivious to romance and love but I know for a fact that Shiba-dono could have done better for a husband."

Miyuki could only stare at Tatsuya for that random statement that escaped his lips before breaking into a fit of laughter.

Tatsuya looked at his friend with a glint of worry in his eyes.

"Did I say something inappropriate?" Tatsuya inquired cluelessly.

Miyuki shook her head as she muffled her laughter.

"No, Okaa-sama hasn't filed a divorce yet but I'll give it a couple of years before she does." Miyuki answered, her nervousness disappearing.

'To think, Tsuyoru-kun and I have similar thoughts.' Miyuki thought happily.

"Pity, Shiba-dono could do much better than the trash that he has the unfortunate faith of calling a husband." Tatsuya said stoically, much to Miyuki's amusement. "Still, please tell your mother that if she needs a divorce attorney, I know a few that might help her with her case."

"I'll inform Okaa-sama immediately." Miyuki said humorously.

For the second time since they met, Tatsuya gave Miyuki a small smile, his eyes having a spark of warmth as it rested upon her, and, once again, Miyuki could not help but feel ecstatic that those soft eyes are reserve for her and for her alone.

"Tatsuya-kun," Miyuki uttered his name for the first time, and she could not help but noticed how natural his name came out from her lips, how she caressed each syllable of his name, and how pleasant his name sounded when she spoke it.

This scared her a bit.

"Yes Miyuki," Tatsuya did not hesitate to return the favor by calling her by her given name and though his tone remained bland and emotionless, there was tenderness and fondness in his voice as he spoke Miyuki's name and it sounded so sweet in her ears.

With a smile and a small blush, Miyuki handed the bento that she prepared for him. "I made this for you."

Tatsuya looked at the bento box curiously for a minute before taking it from Miyuki's hands.

"Thanks,"

"You're welcome,"

Tatsuya opened the bento box, which revealed a well plated chicken curry rice.

Miyuki watched in anticipation as Tatsuya sampled the food and the sound of him swallowing made Miyuki tense.

Tatsuy looked to be contemplating for a second before looking at Miyuki again with his azure eyes.

"You made this?" Tatsuya inquired curiously.

Miyuki nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

"It's very delicious."

Miyuki released the breath that she did not know she was holding after hearing that.

Her first time cooking for him was a success.

"Miyuki," He called for her suddenly.

"Yes, Tatsuya-kun," Miyuki gazed at him as he set aside the bento box near his book before raising his hands, fingers outstretch.

Tatsuya took a deep breath before activating his magic.

Right before Miyuki's eyes, something spectacular happened.

A portion of the ground beneath them suddenly turned to dust. The dust levitated from the ground to the palm of Tatsuya's hand.

The large quantity of dusk then merged and compressed itself together to form a smooth orb of earth. The orb of earth was at least two feet in diameter.

Then, the orb of earth was enveloped in silver flames.

Miyuki have only seen those silver flames once and now that she had seen those flames again, she could not help but marveled upon the beauty of those glimmering flames.

After five seconds, the silver flames receded.

The orb of earth disappeared from Tatsuya's hands.

In its place was a beautiful necklace.

A brilliant sapphire perfectly cut into the shape of a western dragon.

Silver outlines throughout the surface of the dragon.

It was held by a short gold chain that gleamed with the sun.

It was the most beautiful jewelry that Miyuki have ever seen in her life.

Tatsuya then leaned towards Miyuki before securely locking the necklace around her neck. Miyuki was too stunned to move.

"Thank you for the food. I hope this is an adequate payment." Tatsuya whispered to me, his cold voice sounded very delicate. "And please, don't ask."

Tatsuya returned to his original position and continued with his meal, leaving Miyuki a blushing mess as she mindlessly trace the necklace with her fingers.

What just happened?

(Break)

The time was currently 10:30PM and sufficed to say, eight year old children should be sleeping in their beds, especially in a school day.

Yet, one Shiba Miyuki could not sleep.

Try as she might, the sweet relaxation of slumber could not claim her.

Her mind was flooded with the thoughts of her best friend, Tatsuya.

He was a mystery that she could not comprehend no matter how hard she tried.

An enigma that seems to exists to seduce her.

Miyuki can no longer lie to herself.

She was attracted to her best friend.

How could she not be attracted to him?

His looks and body build might be average, but he was still alluring.

He was also powerful; Miyuki could feel the power that he has, could almost taste it. Tatsuya might have a short leash on his power, might be able to contain the immense power that he has within his finger tips, but Miyuki was sharp enough to know, to the fullest extent, that Tatsuya was beyond terrifyingly powerful.

His aura was intoxicating, Miyuki admitted with a small blush, her body shivering. Tatsuya does not talk much and if he does, it was either to impart knowledge to her or to reply to a topic that he or she brought out, but Miyuki was okay with it. Miyuki was satisfied to be near him because his presence was enough to make her feel safe and at home.

And if anything else, Tatsuya was an interesting person to be around with in general. For an emotionless person, he was complex and an all around interesting person. He was an excellent conservationist and though he was a genius, he was not overbearing.

But the one thing that truly caught Miyuki's attention was her best friend's magic.

Three times, Tatsuya displayed his magic to her, and there were three things that Miyuki learned about her friend whenever he showed her a glimpse of what he is capable of with magic.

First, Tatsuya possesses magic that she had never seen before. Those silver flames, Miyuki could still remember those beautiful flames as clear as day. Those flames do not produce heat and she doubted if those flames could burn but Miyuki knew, if push comes to shove, that those flames were dangerous.

Her best friend was dangerous, that much she was sure of even though she had never seen him in action before.

Second, Tatsuya had complete and masterful control over his magic. This was the most impressive thing about him, in Miyuki's humble opinion. Magicians spend years of their lives training and experimenting to reach the control that Tatsuya has over his magic. To have that level of control over his magic was something unheard of.

And lastly, Miyuki brought out the necklace that her best friend gave her, Tatsuya was capable of making the impossible, possible.

Transmutation, Transfiguration, creating something from nothing, that is impossible even with all the magic in the world.

Yet, her best friend was able to create sapphire, silver, and gold from basically nothing.

And not just ordinary sapphire, silver, and gold, it was high class sapphire, silver, and gold that is worth over three million yen in quality alone.

Magic, it was what makes a Yotsuba a Yotsuba. Magic is what makes the Yotsuba so fearsome.

Miyuki have seen the magic that most of her family has at their disposal and yet, the most impressive magic that she had ever seen belong to someone that was not part of the clan.

With that thought dancing in her mind, Miyuki once again closed her eyes, her thoughts now focused on inducting her friend in her clan as a member.

If Tatsuya becomes a Yotsuba, then he would forever stay by her side.

Miyuki could not think of anything more perfect than the thought of Tatsuya staying by her side forever.

(Break)

It was strange, really it was, but it seems that there was no illusion.

The two most unsociable people in Seirin Elementary were now friends.

The mysterious and violent transfer student, Tsuyoru Tatsuya.

The ice queen with a beauty of an angel, Shiba Miyuki.

This two different people were now friends.

And their peers, those who knew of their reputation, cannot believe it.

The two were completely different from each other and yet, they seemed to be in good terms as well as good friends.

And seemingly, being friends with each other has nothing but good effects on them.

Miyuki was less cold and less distance and she now smiles a lot, only if she was with Tatsuya though.

Tatsuya was less intimidating and his eyes were less creepy, for their classmates anyway.

The two, because of their friendships, seems to be more approachable.

That was proven in a particular day. It was lunch and Tatsuya and Miyuki were eating their meals, having small talks in between, when a small group of their classmates, a group of five, approached them.

Tatsuya and Miyuki paused for a minute to gaze at the five, their eyes and expression not showing anything. The two were used to eating together and alone so having a group approached them, in Tatsuya's reading spot no less, was rather surprising.

"Can we help any you?" Emotionless, bland, cold, and blunt, Tatsuya's voice echoed in the ears of the group causing them to shiver slightly.

A girl with a ponytail took a step forward before speaking timidly "Can we join the two of you?"

Tatsuya and Miyuki raised a brow before exchange looks. The two held each other's gaze for a full second before they faced the five people across them.

"Do as you wish." Miyuki replied dismissively before returning to her meal.

The five hesitated for a minute before they sat across Tatsuya and Miyuki, forming a circle. They all brought out their bentos and proceeded to eat.

For five minutes there was nothing but silence until a boy, a small and thin boy, spoke to Tatsuya.

"Tsuyoru-san, how did you fare in our last quiz in Language?" The boy asked shyly, nervousness evident across his face.

Tatsuya looked at the boy, causing him to flinch. The boy was about to withdraw his question when Tatsuya answered. "It was boring and as expected, I got full marks." Tatsuya answered with a casual shrugged. "If you have your terminal now, I can point out your mistakes and give you some tips. My English is passable after all."

Passable was an understatement, everyone who heard him thought.

Still, the boy who had asked him the question brought out a terminal the size of a Tablet before handing it to Tatsuya.

Tatsuya glanced at the screen before motioning for the boy to come near him.

The boy hesitated for a bit which cause Tatsuya to look at him. "You haven't given me a reason to maim you yet, so you do not have sufficient reason to fear me." Tatsuya told him calmly. "Now come, how do you expect me to point out your mistakes without you seeing your errors?" Tatsuya inquired rhetorically.

Seeing the look that Tatsuya gave him, the boy took a deep breath and approached him. When he was at Tatsuya's left side, Tatsuya started his explanation.

"The verb should be in past tense… This word is both plural and singular… You use the gerund incorrectly in this sentence…" Tatsuya pointed out all the errors in the boy's quiz in his usual tone of voice yet he was conveying it so in a gentle manner in which he does not offend the person who was asking him.

Seeing this sight unfold before them, the other boy in the group of five brought out a terminal of his own and approach Tatsuya.

"Tsuyoru-san, I need some advised in my math homework." The boy spoke as he crawled towards Tatsuya.

Seeing that Tatsuya humored their friends, the three girls in the group also approached Miyuki.

"Shiba-san, you look rather pretty today." The girls did not expect Miyuki to talk back to them, but surprisingly, like Tatsuya, she also humored the girls.

"Thank you, but the compliment should be given to my Okaa-sama. She's the one who taught me my grooming." Miyuki replied while flashing the three girls with a small, pseudo-genuine smile.

The level of loveliness of her smile left the girls star struck.

"Shiba-san, how did you make your hair shine so much?" One of the girls inquired with a daze look.

"Washing it every morning and night is sufficient, though I highly advise against using tools like hair dryer and electrical styling devices. Shampoo and conditioner is enough as long as you stick with one brand to avoid damaging your hair." Miyuki answered with a friendly tone, the coldness in her voice that she usually used whenever she's speaking with her classmates was nowhere to be seen.

"Your skin complexion is so pretty, Shiba-san."

"Avoid eating greasy foods and junk foods. Those foods would damage your skin from the inside."

Throughout the remainder of the lunch break and for the first time, both Tatsuya and Miyuki spoke to their classmates.

(Break)

Tatsuya and Miyuki have a few things in common, with the most prominent being their fondness for darkness.

Tatsuya was born in darkness. Miyuki was born fully aware of the darkness that surrounded her.

They enjoyed being enveloped in darkness, as it gave them a feeling of being at home and protected.

The time was currently 12:30PM and sufficed to say, it was late in the evening and yet, Miyuki was, at the moment, having a nightly stroll.

Though it was late at night and the streets were abandoned, Miyuki still felt safe. The Shiba residence was located in a very isolated location. Only a handful of people were aware of its whereabouts so Miyuki was confident about her safety.

And not to mention, Miyuki was also capable of protecting herself. She was a member of the Yotsuba clan after all, and the Yotsuba would not allow their children to be defenseless. For a Yotsuba, weakness is a sin.

As she walked across the familiar roads, Miyuki could not help but wonder what her mother was doing at the moment.

Shiba Miya was currently out of town for a business trip, and Sakurai came with her, leaving her and her father alone in the house.

Of course, that is as good as leaving Miyuki alone in the house.

Miyuki's father left her after picking her up from school to tend to some business matters, though Miyuki was mad at her father because of that, she did not say anything and allowed the man to leave her unattended to.

If something happened to Miyuki, and the young girl would assure anyone that nothing can harm her, but just in case, the one who would suffer would be her father.

People might say foul things about Yotsuba Maya, but the fact remains that she cared for the Yotsuba clan like no other and she values every member of the clan, especially those with the same blood as hers.

Just the thought of the torture that her aunt would bestow upon her father was enough to make Miyuki cringe.

Pushing those thoughts out of her mind, Miyuki proceeded to enjoy the cold night.

She was a Yotsuba and the Yotsuba were always comfortable in the dark.

After all, they are technically magicians born and bred from darkness; they were the grim reapers of the Japanese Magical Community.

Miyuki could not help but chuckled mirthfully at how much the other clans fear the Yotsuba. True, the Yotsuba is a powerful and secretive clan and Miyuki was also aware that most members of her clan have committed acts that is questionable in terms of morals and ethics, and even some have done acts that were considered inhumane, but they do so to protect Japan's Magic Community.

Somebody will have to do the jobs that others do not want to do, and the Yotsuba's were excellent at that.

The Yotsubas were dark, but not evil. Like all other clans in Japan, whether they be the Ten Masters or lower, the Yotsuba is doing its part in preserving and protecting the community, but unlike the rest, they do so with the mindset of 'by whatever means necessary' and 'whatever it takes'.

And that's the reason why they were so feared.

Sometimes, Miyuki could not help but feel that it was so fitting that she was born with the blood of the Yotsuba.

Her peers avoid her because of her fragile beauty (She is still coming in terms with that).

The other clans feared the Yotsuba because of the darkness that the clan developed to protect the country that they call home.

Miyuki could not help but laugh at how such foolish perceptions would prevent people from interacting with others.

"I wonder what he is doing at the moment." Miyuki whispered while aimlessly walking across the empty streets, her destination unknown even to her.

The guy that she was referring to was Tsuyoru Tatsuya, her best and only friend.

He was the first person to have ever spoken to her without her starting the conversation. Yes, their first conversation was due to the fact that she had stalked (Miyuki would deny that she was stalking him, instead, she would refer it as silent and secret accompaniment) him from their classroom to his now favorite reading spot, but still, Tatsuya was the one who started their conversation.

He was the one, the first person, who told her that she was beautiful, and he was also the one who pointed out that it's because of her beauty that people avoided her.

Tatsuya was the first person who had treated her like a lady, awkward mannerism and etiquette aside.

And he was also her first friend.

Thinking about Tatsuya was refreshing for Miyuki.

As a friend, Miyuki could not ask for a better one than Tatsuya. It has been a month since they become friends and Miyuki enjoyed school now knowing that Tatsuya was always waiting for her. Miyuki relished and valued the quality time that she shares with Tatsuya.

"At such a late night, a Princess should be in bed."

Speak of the devil.

Miyuki turned around, only to see the person that she was thinking of.

Miyuki smiled at the sight of him, but she quickly took note that he was wearing a simple yet elegant suit that made him look rather cute, in Miyuki's opinion that she would never say out loud.

Wearing his casual blank gaze, Tatsuya spoke with an empty tone but there was a touch of fondness that Miyuki was proud that she could detect and happy that it was directed at her. "The night is quite beautiful, don't you agree, Miyuki-san?" Tatsuya inquired politely.

Miyuki looked at Tatsuya with a look of affection before answering. "Quite." Miyuki answer was short and sweet. "May I inquire why you are out in such late hours?" Miyuki asked curiously while making her way to her friend's side.

Miyuki idly wondered why her friend was in this part of town but decided against it and decided to just enjoy his presence.

Tatsuya merely pointed at the house across the horizon. "I am currently taking residence at that house."

Miyuki looked at the building that Tatsuya was pointing at.

They were several meters from the house but Miyuki could tell that the house was a single storey establishment yet it was large enough that the land that it was build upon was enough for three houses to occupy.

Miyuki could not believe that he was living in the same area as her. That was something that she did not expect.

"Do you want to have a sleepover?" That question was another thing that Miyuki did not expect.

Miyuki refocused her gazed on her friend, only to see him casually shrugging. "That house is rather big for me to occupy alone and I do want you to see the inside of my temporary dwelling. Also…" Tatsuya gazed shifted from Miyuki's face to the moon behind her, his eyes locking on the bright moon above. "The darkness tonight is quite enthralling to spend alone."

Tatsuya smiled as he said those words.

Miyuki, though having a vast vocabulary for her age, does not know what enthralling means, but, the sight of the normally expressionless Tatsuya smiling was something Miyuki would call 'enthralling'.

Miyuki, fighting back the blush that threatened to color her cheeks, linked her arms around Tatsuya's, silently giving him an affirmative permission.

Hand-in-hand, Tatsuya escorted Miyuki to his house.

(Break)

Tatsuya knew that he wasn't supposed to feel this way.

Technically, he wasn't supposed to feel anything at all.

His mother conditioned him to be one thing and one thing alone. He was raised to be a monster, to be a killer for her mother's hands to temper.

Tatsuya should not feel anything towards anyone aside from his mother, and yet, the feelings, the affection, and the adoration that he has for Miyuki was undeniable.

Miyuki was the first girl that attracted him and he did not know why.

Miyuki was beautiful, but so is his mother, but Miyuki's beauty was something else for it was able to entice him in a way that his mother never could.

Miyuki's presence was calming and her aura intoxicating.

Miyuki's talent in magic was vast and limitless, and Tatsuya could not help but desire to witness her magic develop.

Everything about Miyuki, everything about her just drew him towards her.

Tatsuya was irrevocably drawn and captivated to her.

Tatsuya shook his head, trying to shake himself awake as he continued to watch Miyuki sleep.

When they arrived in his house, slumber had caught Miyuki and Tatsuya laid her on his bed so that she could sleep.

His bedroom was rather bland. A single king size bed in the center of a large room, beneath a skylight that allowed the light of the moon to shine a ray downed on the bed and it's occupant.

'This was a wonderful dream, a very wonderful dream.' Tatsuya thought as he gazed lovingly at the girl that had unknowingly seduced him in a way that terrified him.

Miyuki lay on his bed, asleep, and she looked so divine that Tatsuya question whether it was possible for someone to look that beautiful. The light of the moon that shined upon her due to the sky light above her merely accentuate her beauty.

Beautiful inside and out and power that can grow limitlessly, Miyuki, in Tatsuya's eyes, was perfection.

And Tatsuya's greatest fear was for that perfection to be defiled.

At that moment, Tatsuya made a conscious decision.

(Break)

Miyuki slowly opened her eyes only to have her hands cover it due to the light of the sun shining down upon her. As her eyes slowly adjust to the light, she noticed that she was not in her room which confused her for a second.

Only for a second as she remembered Tatsuya inviting her for a sleep over and Tatsuya carrying her to his bedroom when they arrived because of her exhaustion.

"I'm sleepy."

"The most comfortable bed in this house is in my bedroom. Allow me to take you there."

Miyuki then recalled Tatsuya taking her in his arms and carrying her to his bedroom bridal style. Miyuki then remembered how comfortable it was to be carried by him and how warm she felt when she was in his arms.

Miyuki blushed furiously as she also remembered falling asleep in his arms due to how comfortable she felt being held by him.

Taking several deep breaths to calm herself, she took in her surroundings.

The bedroom lacked any sort of furniture or decoration, not even a wall clock. There's no cabinet, no T.V, no computer, nothing but flat walls and floor made out of white marble.

Miyuki felt cold and she did not enjoy the coldness that she felt.

Miyuki rose from the bed before checking herself. She was still wearing the clothes that she wore last night, which was a relief. Miyuki trusted Tatsuya but she was aware of what people this day would do to girls with aptitude to magic.

Exiting the bedroom, Miyuki was met with the sight a long and narrowed corridor and like the bedroom that she had exited, the walls and floor were flat.

Miyuki shivered a bit as she crosses the long corridor, hoping that she would stumble upon her friend.

A minute of walking, she stumbled upon the living room.

Like the bedroom, there were no furniture aside from a single couch, two sofas in the size, a medium size glass table, and a wide screen T.V. No other furniture or decorations were in the living room.

Miyuki started wondering whether her friend doesn't know how to decorate or he just wants people that enter his home to feel cold and uncomfortable.

Shaking her head and making a mental note to urge Tatsuya to acquire some furniture, Miyuki decided to explore the house.

If she remembers correctly from last night, Tatsuya's home was a single storey house yet it was build in a space that can occupy three average size buildings.

Miyuki knew that the house was like a maze so finding Tatsuya would be troublesome. That being said, Miyuki knew that Tatsuya won't mind her exploring his house.

With that thought in mind, Miyuki walked across the room and entered another corridor. Crossing the corridor, she found the kitchen, as well as Tatsuya who was currently operating the coffee maker.

The kitchen was the most decorated room in the house so far in Miyuki's opinion. It was filled with many appliances from a blender to a toaster to a set of knives. The refrigerator was gigantic and the stove was rather impressive. A flawless dining set made out of ash wood was the center piece of the kitchen.

'Sakurai-san would enjoy cooking in this kitchen.' Miyuki thought before shaking her head. 'It still needs a bit of work though.'

"Good morning, Miyuki." Without removing his gaze from the coffee maker, Tatsuya greeted her friend.

"Good morning, Tatsuya-kun." Miyuki greeted back as she entered the kitchen.

"You can take your sit over the dining table. The HAR (Home Automated Robot) is just about to serve breakfast. I hope that bacon and eggs would suffice for you."

"It's fine." Miyuki answered as she sat down on the dining table.

Tatsuya quickly followed and sat beside her, two cups of coffee at hand. "I don't know how to make tea or other beverages but I'm decent in making coffee so I hope you don't mind."

"Don't worry, I don't." Normally, Miyuki would prefer milk in the morning and tea in the afternoon. She had never had coffee before, her mother forbidding her to drink the beverage until she was in her teens, but one cup won't do any harm.

Taking the cup of coffee from her friend, she took a sip, and slightly winced as a bitter taste invaded her tongue. The coffee was slight sweet and she could taste a hint of milk in the brew but the bitter flavor was the most prominent taste.

Miyuki put the cup down to the table and watched as Tatsuya drunk half of his cup empty and a look of pleasure momentarily marred his face.

It seems that aside from her, coffee was the only thing who can force an expression from him.

Miyuki does not know how to feel about that.

Minutes later, food was served to the two of them by a pair of HAR. The dish consists of a healthy serving of bacon and eggs, a slice of bread, and a bowl of fruits.

It looked appetizing but it was nothing compare to the meal that Sakurai can produce.

"Thank you for the meal." The two exclaimed before they started eating.

As Miyuki tasted the meal, she could not help but think that the food was inferior in many levels to the food that she used to eat but it was acceptable enough. Pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind, she slowly ate in a steady pace.

Ten minutes into the meal, Tatsuya spoke. "When will Shiba-dono be back from her business trip?"

"Sunday morning, probably." Miyuki answered thoughtlessly.

"Would she mind you staying here for another day?" Tatsuya asked calmly. "I am not comfortable leaving you at the hands of that man that you have the unfortunate fate of sharing the same genes."

Miyuki did not know how Tatsuya develop such a low opinion of her father but did not pay any mind considering that her opinion of her father was also low.

"Okaa-sama would be against it but I think this arrangement would be much more favorable than me being alone in the house." Miyuki answered, liking the idea of being with her friend for a full day. It was a Saturday, and her piano and etiquette classes were cancelled until next year, January. Spending the day with her best friend would be very glorious.

"That is wonderful to hear. I can give you your Christmas presents in advance." Tatsuya said with a nod which took Miyuki out of guard. "I am not sure if I would be in Tokyo by Christmas, mother would probably require me to return home, so it is better for me to give you your presents now." Tatsuya elaborated before finishing his meal.

(Break)

When compared to traditional auxiliary equipment such as magic staves, tomes, or talismans, CADs possessed superior invocation speed, refinement, complexity, and were capable of executing large scale magic. They were the definitive auxiliary equipment in the modern age.

That being said, they weren't universally superior in all categories when compared to traditional auxiliary equipment.

Due to the precise nature of CADs, when compared to traditional auxiliary equipment, maintenance required additional effort.

This was especially the case when dealing with the compatibility between the user's Psion wave motions and the Receive-Release System.

CAD utilized the Psions released by Magicians as raw materials (it may be more appropriate to describe it as the ink for paintings), directed towards the Activation Sequence in the Psion Information Aide, where Magicians then use their own physical bodies as a conductor for reading the Activation Sequence before plugging the result into the magic design. Depending on the quality of CAD maintenance, this could influence the speed of magic invocation anywhere between 50-100%.

In other words, Psions are particles of thought or consciousness made concrete. Their manifestation can be extremely diverse. For every hundred people there would be a hundred different types, and a thousand users would create a thousand types. Every individual has a unique Psion wave motion, so if the CAD wasn't finely tuned to their specific use, the user would encounter difficulty managing the exchange of Psions.

Besides that, there are many essential points that lead to a custom fit CAD.

These would fall under the purview of the Magic Artificers charged with CAD maintenance, and the reason why exceptionally skilled Magic Artificers were seen as coveted treasures.

In addition, the fluctuations of Psion wave motions reflect the growth of the physical body, such as changes as a result of age, and are subsequently affected. In fact, these fluctuations could change daily.

Thus, the ideal situation would call for daily maintenance based on the user's physical status, but CAD maintenance requires equipment that is extremely expensive.

Generally, only the military, police, central government, first class research institutes, famous schools, and well-financed major corporations possess the power and funding for CAD maintenance equipment and related trained personnel, an impossible scenario for small to mid-sized companies or personal use. Magicians in the latter categories resort to using Magic Machine Customization Stores once a month, or Mechanical Service Stores once or twice for scheduled check-ups.

Shiba Miya was the twin sister of the current head of the Yotsuba so acquiring state of the art CAD maintenance equipments was easy for her.

But, for some reason, under the house of Tsuyoru Tatsuya, a state of the art CAD maintenance room could also be seen.

Miyuki could only stare at the room before her. She did not expect her friend to have a CAD tuning equipment on the same level as The Central Government and Research Facility under his home. Miyuki thought that it was only her mother's.

"When mother notices my interest in magic and CAD engineering, she went out of her way to provide me with all the equipments that would make me an excellent Magic Artificer. Compare to the equipment I have back home, this is scrap." Tatsuya informed her before putting a hand over her shoulder.

"Please, trust me to get some measurements." Tatsuya whispered to her as his grip on her shoulder tighten a bit.

That statement was dangerous.

For magicians, allowing someone to take measurements for their CAD calibrations is similar to basically bearing you secrets to someone. Normally, Magicians would not allow even the best Magic Artificer to record their measurements unless there is a contract written for secrecy or other contingency plans to guarantee secrecy and safety.

Miyuki, normally, would only allow her mother to tune and calibrate her CAD.

But, Miyuki, for some reason, could not help but silently concede to the request of her friend.

Miyuki nodded, giving Tatsuya her silent permission.

Tatsuya could only bow his head at the trust that Miyuki bestowed upon her but before Miyuki could move to the scanning bed, Tatsuya closed the distance between them and with no visible effort whatsoever, took Miyuki in his arms and carried her bridal style.

Miyuki's eyes widen, startled by her friend's sudden actions. Because of her surprised, she did not noticed her arms mechanically wrapping themselves around Tatsuya's head nor did she able to resists herself from resting her head on his chest.

His heartbeat was steady and somewhat silent; Miyuki had to put an effort just to listen to the sound of Tatsuya's beating heart.

Miyuki was content to stay in the position that she was in for a while, and Tatsuya seemed to mirror her thoughts as he merely stood still for several minutes before gently laying Miyuki on the bed.

Their faces were inches apart, their eyes met and for the first time, there were similar intensity in their eyes that matches each other.

They could feel each other's breath caressing their lips.

Miyuki's arms lingered for a moment, as if she did not want to let go, but relented and released him.

Tatsuya took several seconds before he went and manned the terminal that operated the scanner bed.

Miyuki lay on the scanner bed, almost unmoving as the scanners took her measurements.

The only thing in Miyuki's mind was how tempting the lips of her best friend were.

Tatsuya had similar thoughts.

(Break)

"Do you trust me?" Tatsuya inquired while aiming an Anti-Magician Rifle at Miyuki.

Miyuki looked at the end of the barrel of the gun before shifting her gaze at Tatsuya before looking at the bracelet-shape CAD that Tatsuya gave her.

Tatsuya had requested her to help test a new spell that he has been developing. The Activation Sequence of the spell was already programmed into the CAD and it just requires Miyuki to use the Activation sequence to invoke the spell.

Looking at the barrel of the gun, Miyuki was still wondering why Tatsuya had a collection of various firearms in his possession, and then once again looking at the CAD on her right arm, Miyuki nodded.

"I trust you." Miyuki stated before sending her Psion into the CAD.

Immediately, in under a second, numerous Hexagonal-shape, white barriers appeared in front and around Miyuki. The barriers were one feet high and they were mesh and weaved together to form a shield all around Miyuki.

Tatsuya smiled at this before firing a volley of high speed bullets at Miyuki.

The bullets were unable to reach Miyuki and merely dropped to ground.

Miyuki was very shocked at this development for the bullets did not smash through the solid barrier. Miyuki saw that the bullets stopped the moment they were about to make contact with the barrier before falling to the ground.

Strangely though, the bullets remained in perfect shape.

Tatsuya smiled as he emptied the rifle of its bullets before casually discarding the gun.

"Pulse your Psion outwards, Miyuki." Tatsuya instructed her.

Miyuki did so as she was told.

Three of the hexagonal shields that blocked the assault rifle collapse and exploded outwards, releasing a blast of energy towards Tatsuya.

Tatsuya smiled widen as silver flames appeared in front of him to block the blast.

A blast of white energy clash with Tatsuya's silver flames.

The result, the two forces cancelled each other out.

Tatsuya smiled with pride as he looked adoringly at Miyuki.

Miyuki though was in shock of what she had done as her hexagonal shields around her disappeared.

Miyuki had only one question.

"What was that?"

Tatsuya answered.

"Wave-Force Armor. Develop by me with you as my ideal user." Tatsuya answered as he approached Miyuki's side and showed her a Tablet shape terminal that showed Miyuki the components of the magic that she had just perform.

"Wave-Force Armor is a Magic that is capable of protecting the caster from lethal damage. The defensive capabilities of the Wave-Force armor comes from the Klein field it deploys. Essentially, it creates a dimensional fold topologically similar to the Klein bottle around the Caster, and whenever a direct attack touches the edge of this Klein field, the energy of this attack is siphoned in the dimensional fold and can later be released in any arbitrary direction."

"That blast earlier on was a blast of kinetic energy that the shield absorbed from the assault rifle."

"Though, a word of warning, the absorbing capacity of this dimensional fold is not unlimited, and the Wave-Force armor will reach saturation and collapse if it absorbs a great enough number of attacks. Furthermore, there is also a limit on how much energy can be absorbed at once: a powerful enough attack may break the shield so it depends on the user to manage the energy that is absorbed by the shield."

"The Wave-Force armor is a magic that can be use in a variety of ways, depending on the user's magic ability and creativity." Tatsuya finished his explanation and allowed Miyuki sometime to process his explanation.

If there was one thing Miyuki knows, it was magic. As a magician, in the practical side of things, she was a genius. Tatsuya's explanation of the magic was clear and concise and thus, Miyuki was able to deduce the pros and cons of the magic. Also, though Miyuki used the magic for the first time, she was able to at least theorize all the possible uses of the magic.

To say that Miyuki was impressed was an understatement.

"This magic, Tatsuya-kun made this magic…" Miyuki said with an awed tone. "It's amazing! It is so amazing!" Miyuki exclaimed admiration and glee evident across her face. "To think that Tatsuya-kun can create such wonderful magic! I am very awestruck."

The compliment from his best friend was music to his ears and the soft smile that graced his lips was a first for Tatsuya. "I'm glad that you like it because that Magic is yours now."

Miyuki was stunned at that revelation.

"W-W-What!?" Miyuki muttered in disbelief.

Tatsuya raised his hand and gently played with a strand of Miyuki's hair. The affection in his eyes and the gentle way that he was holding her hair was enough to cause's Miyuki's heart to skip a beat.

"I'm a Born Specialist Magician, Miyuki." Miyuki was taken a back at that revelation. Not because Tatsuya was a BS magician but because he was opening up to her about his magic, something that Tatsuya had avoided whenever he is speaking to her. "I'm a very blessed BS Magician for that matter because I have three innate magic but that does not change the fact that I am a BS Magician. The only magic that I can perform are the magic that I was born with together with spells revolving around Psion manipulation. Any other magic is beyond my grasped. I might know how other magic works and how to use those magic but I could not use other magic, it is impossible for me invoke other magic." Tatsuya told her slowly while gently caressing her hair.

Miyuki's current appearance at the moment was that of an extremely cute and undeniably adorable pet puppy being shown great affection.

Though Tatsuya's ability to resists her lowered several degrees, Tatsuya continued. "Wave-Force Armor is a magic I develop with you as the ideal caster. In short, I develop this magic for your use alone. You are the only one capable of using this magic to its absolute fullest." Again, Miyuki looked at Tatsuya in surprised from those words.

"I've spent the entire month with you and in that time span, I was exposed to your magic, I was able to fully analyze your magic power and aura. The measurements that I took were the final pieces that I needed to finish the magic."

"Wave-Force Armor is a magic I designed with you in my mind. Your initial display with Wave-Force Armor was magnificent and I would be greatly honored if you accept the magic that I created." Tatsuya bowed his head, as if offering a treasure to royalty.

And in Miyuki's mind, what Tatsuya was offering her was treasure.

A Defensive-type magic of this caliber was nothing less than treasure and to think, the spell was develop by a nine year-old boy with her at mind. Miyuki was stilled baffled as her gazed lingered on the bracelet that contained the Activation Sequence of the magic Wave-Force Armor.

A Magic of this caliber would surely be worthy of the Yotsuba.

Still conflicted, Miyuki spoke timidly. "How much do you want for this magic? Any amount would due."

Regardless of how strong or how powerful that magic is and regardless if it was create for her, it is still created by her best friend and she did not want her friend to part with his creation without proper compensation.

Tatsuya smiled at that remarked. He had expected this.

"I wouldn't be able to convince you to take my gift for free, would I? "

"I would be a horrible friend if I just took a wonderful creation of yours without any payment."

A chuckle escaped Tatsuya's lips. This was a first for him.

"Very well. I would ask two favors from you. Two favors that you must not reject." Tatsuya then took two large steps back from Miyuki.

"Favors?" Miyuki mumbled with an unsure tone before nodding slowly.

Looking at Miyuki in the eyes, Tatsuya took a deep breath. "First, you must not tell anyone about what I am going to show you." Tatsuya asked his first favor and Miyuki nodded, not knowing or caring what her friend was about to show her.

Seeing that confirmation, Tatsuya's entire body was covered with intense silver flames that almost seared Miyuki's eyes.

Miyuki's eyes ache but she did not divert her eyes away from his friend regardless if the silver light was painful to look at.

She did not know what he intended to show her but she would not miss it for the world.

Miyuki, though having trouble seeing, willed herself to watch as the silver flames that surrounded her friend spiraled around him.

Before Miyuki's eyes, the silver flames slowly merged and formed a shape, a silhouette of a creature.

Miyuki could see a set of claws, a large tail, a head of a lizard of some sort, and wings.

When the silhouette of the creatures was completely formed, the silver flames stabilize.

And behold, a fearsome creature stood behind her friend.

It was a dragon.

A genuine dragon!

The dragon was mastodonic and stood at the height of six meters (19.68ft).

The dragon was silver in color.

The dragon was leg-less yet it was able to stand stall thanks to its gigantic tail. The tail had a reddish-black underside and has a double-edged, blade-like shape.

The dragon's muscular upper body and torso was covered with white armor that resembled a plate mail with a strange red crest carve across its chest. Its arms as well was covered with white armor with three sharp, elongated silver blades on its forearm and five sharp, silver claws.

The dragon possesses two gigantic silvery-black wings that were slightly torn in the edges.

The neck of the dragon was somewhat long. It has a triangular head with horns, a pair of large, round eyes with azure sclera and a sharp blade-horn pointing upwards just above his nose. It also possessed razor sharp teeth.

(A/N: Basically Megidramon DIGIMON Tamers just mostly silver in color. Google it)

Miyuki gazed upon the creature. It looked fearsome and magnificent, and she knew that it was very strong and powerful.

Miyuki's gaze then shifted to her friend. The creature was hovering over his friend, in a very protective manner, which is an indication that the dragon was created by his will.

Miyuki knew that the dragon was no illusion. If it was an illusion, Miyuki would have known because of her mind manipulation ability. No, the dragon was not a mirage; it was not a fragment of her imagination, the dragon was real.

The question is, how did her friend summoned the dragon?

"Astral Projection, my prize magic." Tatsuya answered without Miyuki asking the question. "Astral Projection is the magic that allows me to completely dominate Spirit Particles by projecting my consciousness outwards."

Tatsuya raised his hand and touched the chest of the dragon. "Because of Astral Projection, I am capable of creating Information Bodies and solidifying to create Astral Bodies. This my impenetrable shield." Tatsuya informed Miyuki before walking towards her.

"What you see before you is my Avatar, the projection of my consciousness, the crystallization of my consciousness, the source of my most flexible and some of my most devastating techniques." Tatsuya then smiled sadly. "And this is also the proof that I am truly a monster."

"You are not a monster." Miyuki stated after those words escaped Tatsuya's lips. Miyuki looked at the dragon behind Tatsuya.

It was fearsome and magnificent. It was also very terrifying. Miyuki could feel the power emanating from it as well as the viciousness of that the creature possesses.

If it was the projection of Tatsuya's consciousness, then it showed how powerful and how vicious he can be.

Knowing that, Miyuki did not flinch nor did she falter.

Because, regardless of vicious and primal aura that it was radiating, Miyuki could still feel the warmth that she usually feels whenever she was near Tatsuya.

The warmth that made her feels secured and protected, the warmth that never failed to bring her heart joy, the creature before her made her feel those wonderful feelings ten folds.

The Dragon, the creature that Tatsuya created with his silver flames was the crystallization of his consciousness. By showing this to her, Miyuki knew that her friend, that Tatsuya had showed her all that he is.

His darkness and his light.

His strength and his weakness.

The creature before Miyuki was both magnificent and terrifying, two words that perfectly describes her best friend.

"You are not a monster." Miyuki reiterated fiercely and passionately.

Tatsuya could only smile. Those words coming from her sounded so sweet.

"Don't tell." Tatsuya reminded her.

"I won't." Miyuki promised sincerely.

A comfortable silence washed over them as the dragon slowly receded back into silver flames.

Miyuki have seen those silver flames only a few times and yet, she can confidently say that the silver flames that she was seeing at the moment were more beautiful than the other times than she had seen those flames before.

"My second favor, can I take your lips?" It was a random request, a random whim, yet Tatsuya could not think of any other prize than kissing the angelic girl before him.

Unblushingly, unfazed, Miyuki nodded. "You may."

The two moved in concert.

A single arm wrapped around Miyuki's small waist.

A pair of arms wrapped themselves around Tatsuya's head.

They leaned forward and their lips touched.

Miyuki, at that moment, have done something that only a few have successfully done in the history of mankind.

The moment their lips met, an angel had tamed a monster.

A God had found his Goddess.

(Break)

Miya was one of the finest Magicians that the Yotsuba had ever seen. Regardless of her poor health, there was no denying that Yotsuba Miya was a capable and powerful magician.

Her intellect was also commendable. In the history of the Yotsuba, no one can compare to Miya in terms of sheer mind power. Miya singlehandedly build FLT from the ground up and she was the mastermind as well as the driving force of most of the researches being done in FLT. Her long list of achievements as a Magic researcher, Magic Engineer, and Magic Artificer was a testament to her great intellect.

Miya was also a woman of experience. Regardless of her poor health, she still had many battles in her resume. She had fought many and different types of magicians and fighters in her life, weak body and all.

That is why, as she stood in the doorway of her room, she knew that the child standing on the balcony was dangerous.

The first time she had laid eyes on Tsuyoru Tatsuya, Miya knew that the child was powerful and skilled in the art of combat. His very stance, how he presented himself, the aura that he has, and the look that he has, was enough for Miya to know that the child that her daughter befriended was dangerous beyond comprehension.

A child naturally born to be a combat magician, possessing a body carve through countless battles, magic that gives of an abnormal feel, Miya could not understand why her daughter was attracted to such a boy.

"Wonderful night, don't you agree, Shiba-dono?" Tatsuya began, his eyes lingering on the silver moon above before shifting to look at her.

"Agree," Miya replied before entering her bedroom. She closed the door and locked it to avoid anybody else entering as well as to avoid the occupants of the house to see her conversing with Tatsuya."Tell me, why did you break and enter into my house? You could have easily taken the front door."

"This is not a social visit, Shiba-dono. I did not come here to see Miyuki-hime. I came here to speak with you." Tatsuya answered as he closed the door that connected the room to the balcony.

"-hime, that's the first time I heard my daughter being called with that suffix." Miya noted, wondering the degree of affection the child before her has on her daughter. "What is the topic that you want to discuss with me?" Miya inquired carefully, her expression calm and compose.

"I'm surprised that you have not called Sakurai-san to your side. I am rather dangerous."

"I can kill you.' Miya did not doubt her ability to put the child down. If Tatsuya had approached her a year from now, there was no doubt in Miya's mind that Tatsuya would be able to kill her.

But that was a year from now, currently, Miya has the ability to combat Tatsuya and win. Though Miya knows that even if she won, she would also die due to magic exhaustion.

Still, Tatsuya would not attack her, Miya knew that much. Tatsuya was so attached to her daughter that he fears losing the bond that they had developed.

"I admit, that is true. Truthfully, in combat between us, I cannot beat you and my only hope against you is a stalemate. Personally though, I won't lay a finger on you. Miyuki-hime would be very displeased of me if I became the reason for the death of her beloved mother." Tatsuya then adapted a thoughtful look. "Though, I wonder if she would be upset if I kill her father. By the way, Shiba-dono, you could have done better than that trash."

"He was not my first choice for a husband but certain set of circumstances force me to marry him." Miya then tilted her head a bit. "And no, Miyuki-san would not feel anything even if you kill that man. "

"Have you ever thought of divorcing him?"

"Every day since our wedding but I cannot. He knows too much."

"Killing him then."

"He still has his uses, regardless of how small."

"I see, how unfortunate."

"Agree."

That light hearted conversation successfully lightened the mood between the two as the tension between them disappeared.

"Now that that is out of the way, let us discuss the topic at hand." Tatsuya proposed as he grabbed the nearest chair and sat on it.

"Yes," Miya mirrored Tatsuya and also sat into the nearest chair.

They acknowledge the other as intellectuals and they would converse as intellectuals.

"You are dying." Tatsuya started bluntly.

"I am aware of that." Miya replied in a positive.

"Tell me if I am wrong, but you damage yourself when you are young, am I correct? At the time when your magic was still developing, you use your magic excessively with reckless abandon to such extent that you body started taking damage." Tatsuya assumed critically, his eyes gazing upon Miya with an appraising look.

"You have good eyes." Miya confirmed with a nod. "You assumption is correct. What I did when I was young was foolish of me and the result is my life becoming extremely short. That said, this is the compensation for the sin that I had committed."

"I never thought of you to value honor above your own life."

"I killed my younger twin sister when I was young."

Silenced dawn upon them after that statement.

It did not last long though as Tatsuya pressed on with the topic.

"Tell, Shiba-dono, what makes a human being a magician? What is the single, most important component of a magician?" Tatsuya asked calmly.

"My expertise covers Non-Symmetric and Outer-Symmetric Magic. I cannot answer a question that covers magician experimentation or magic origins. I think you are smart enough and knowledgeable enough to know that the origins of magic are still under study and debate."

Magic and its nature can be explained by science.

The origin of magic, what makes a person a magician is a difference story.

Tatsuya uttered one word that earned him the undivided attention of Shiba Miya.

"Magical Circuits." Tatsuya answered his own question before silver flames erupted behind him. The silver flames then formed into a diagram of the human body, the diagram of his body. "Magic Circuits are a pseudo-nervous system that spreads itself through the human body and what qualifies a person to be a magician. Their normal functions are to act as paths that convert Life Force into Energy, but humans learned how to control it and use it to perform magic. Magic Circuits reside within the magus's soul, and what is found on the body is just a physical expression of them that stretches itself throughout the body in a fashion similar to the nervous system." To prove his theory, he showed Miya the layout of the magic circuits in his body, how the magic circuit visibly enmeshed throughout his body, how they form a system that transfer and channel magic energy throughout the body.

It took Miya a moment to process those words. At the current era, the concept of spirits and souls were proven and can be explain by science. The theory that was presented to her was quite sound. Several Magicians worldwide had been dissected in the past to see if there was anything different in their biological or genetic structure when compare to non-magical humans. That dissection yielded zero results.

Now, if the difference lay within the soul of the human beings…

"An interesting theory and it has some merit." Miya commented with a curious voice.

"I could prove my theory to you easily but that is for another day." Tatsuya said before raising his hand. "For the next minute and a half, please forgive me." Tatsuya all but begged her before snapping his fingers.

An enormous silver fireball was hurled from behind Tatsuya towards Miya.

Miya did not attempt to dodge and allowed the silver fireball to hit her.

Fireball did not incinerate her. It did not even burn her.

Instead, a humanoid figure appeared behind her.

The figure was 10 feet high and is covered in a silver hooded cloak of long, ripped black cloth, making it closely resemble wraiths. Its arms were outstretched, revealing grayed and decayed looking limbs.

The humanoid figure held Miya in place.

Miya shivered slightly due to the fact that the appearance of the figure behind lowered the temperature of her room significantly.

Still, her mind was in overdrive.

"So you are capable of combining Information Bodies to create Astral Being."

"That's a ghost actually. Astral Beings have quite a multitude of abilities and are sentience. They're made up of high quality Information Bodies. Ghost on the other are Spirit Beings that are made out of viral Information Bodies. Not capable of independent thought and their purpose is to simply disrupt the Psion flows of magicians or Pushion flows of a designated area." Tatsuya explained before rising to his feet. "You could have dodged that and you could have attacked yourself. You could have made me bleed or you could take my head. Why didn't you?" Tatsuya inquired while approaching.

"You said I should trust you for the next minute and half. Seeing that my daughter is fond of you, I am going to trust you for a minute and a half." Miya then narrowed her eyes. "Past that time though, I am not going to guarantee you living this house alive." Miya warned firmly.

Tatsuya shrugged as he stood in front of Maya. "Good enough I guess." Tatsuya then put a single hand on her forehead. "Bare with me, Shiba-dono, this won't take long." Tatsuya exclaimed calmly before his entire body exploded with Silver flames.

The enormous amount of silver flames then gathered to the hand that was on Miya's forehead before the flames spread throughout Miya's entire body.

The flames were not warm, it did not burn, yet Miya could not help but feel a pleasant sensation coursing through her body. The sensation spread throughout her body, from her skin to her bones to her nerves to every part of her body. It was an interesting experience to say the least but Miya did not lower her guard.

Regardless of the blissful sensation that she was feeling, Miya did not lower her guard. The most prominent though in her mind that that of Tatsuya being extremely dangerous and could take her life at any given opportunity.

A minute had passed and the silver flames resided. Tatsuya removed his hand from Miya's forehead.

As for Miya, an explosion of light, bright enough to illuminate her entire home erupted from her body.

Miya's eyes widen as she gazed at herself. Staggeringly active Psions course through her and around her, and she did not feel any pain.

Which is strange considering that, since she reach the age of 20+, casting the simplest spell caused her pain equivalent of having an iron rod being shoved to her nerves.

Miya, without reigning in her Psion, glanced at Tatsuya questioningly, only to see him on his knees, blood flowing out of his eyes and nose.

"What did you do to me?" Miya inquired.

"I repaired your circuits." Tatsuya explained before wiping the blood off his eyes and nose, letting it stain the carpet in Miya's room. "I don't know what you to yourself but your circuits were so damage that your own magic is collapsing inwardly, causing your body to deteriorate. At the current state of your body and the speed in which your magic is collapsing, you would die at the age of 42, 43 if you 're lucky." Tatsuya stated before standing up, only to be force back down by Miya with an application of weight-type magic.

Miya increase the gravity around Tatsuya, forcing him back down. The fact that she succeeded without a CAD and the fact that she cast the spell without a CAD was an indication to her that one, the magic circuits theory really had more merits than she thought, and two, the damage that she had done to her body when she was young all but disappeared.

"Your body wasn't damage actually. It was your magic that was damage, and because of it, it was affecting your health." Tatsuya, seemingly reading her mind, corrected her before emitting a wave of Psion, breaking the gravity constraints that were forcing him down.

He stood up and the two intellectuals gazed at each other before Tatsuya took several step backs. "I'll be going now, Shiba-dono. I have done what I wanted tonight and I have an execution to perform."

Before Tatsuya could leave, Miya asked a one worded question. "Why?"

Why did you heal me? Why did you prolong my life?

Tatsuya answered with a single statement. "Miyuki-hime would be sad if you die."

(Break)

Combat, for Tatsuya, is the easiest thing in the world.

"Brat, this is a private area, no trespassers!" Two armed men stepped in front of Tatsuya as he walked towards a warehouse in a steady pace.

Tatsuya answered them by blasting them with two enormous silver fireballs.

At impact, the fireballs turned into ghosts and the ghosts pinned the two men to the wall with tremendous force before driving their heads to the ground.

Their skulls shattered and their brains scattered on the pavement.

Tatsuya drew his gun-shape CAD and aimed it at the two headless bodies. He took aim and pulled the trigger twice for each body.

The two bodies disappeared, not a single trace of them, not even blood.

The two ghosts disappeared in a burst of flames while Tatsuya entered the warehouse.

Seventy people were in the warehouse. A third was moving crates around the warehouse while two thirds were seemingly acting as guards.

"Hey you, what are you doing here!?" Tatsuya shifted his gazed on the guard that noticed him. He stared at the man as he readied his rifle.

But before he could point the rifle at him, a stream of silver fire shot towards him. When the fire was close enough, it turned into a massive, serpentine dragon with jagged teeth. It opened its giant mouth before striking the guard, biting half of his body off.

Screams followed this displayed as the people in the warehouse were now aware of his presence.

All the guards surrounded Tatsuya and opened fired at him. The dragon that he created wrapped itself around him, causing the bullets to bounce harmless off of its silver scales.

Shaking his head at their futile attempts to harm him, he raised his Gun-shape CAD before pulling the trigger.

Immediately, everything within ten meters of him was plunge into darkness.

Within the cocoon of darkness, several flashes of light occurred which was seen outside of the cocoon as well.

The darkness resided and Tatsuya stalked forward, uncaring as at least five bodies fell to the ground, their bodies having several holes drilled through them all over their bodies.

Seeing that he was a magician, the guards relentlessly showed him with gunfire, with some even throwing explosives at him.

Their attacks did not reach him as the dragon that Tatsuya conjured spiraled around him, protecting him from all kinds of attacks.

"How useless." Tatsuya whispered before snapping his fingers.

The silver scale of the dragon change color into red. It opened its mouth and released a massive stream of fire into the warehouse. The fire burned everything it touched, whether it be machine or human beings.

The sprinklers immodestly activated and it tried it's best to kill the flames but to no avail.

Seeing the rain of water from above, Tatsuya snapped his fingers again.

The red scale of the dragon change color into cerulean blue. It opened its mouth once again and the water that was quelling the flames suddenly stopped in mid-fall. Another snapped of the finger and the dragon let loose a spine tingling roar. The water droplets combined and formed numerous water pellets the ricocheted all over the room. The water pellets in such a speed that they were able to piece through skin.

Ten men died when the last water pellet dispersed.

Tatsuya continued walking as the silver dragon that he summoned receded into silver flames before disappearing.

Tatsuya, using his sight, was able to determine the location of every single human being in the warehouse.

They were currently panicking.

Rightfully so for he does not intend to let anyone of them leave the place with their lives.

Pointing his CAD upwards, he pulled the trigger. Distorting the pathways of light and photons, he was able to create several narrow beams that rained down throughout the warehouse, piecing and burning through everything it touches.

Distortion was a magic created by combining two of his magic together, Regrowth and Decomposition. Decomposing the dimension before partially repairing them allows him to create a distortion in space.

Twenty men marched in front of him, all of them showering him with bullets.

Tatsuya raised his CAD and pulled the trigger.

The bullets fell to the ground as they lose all the energy that allowed them to move.

Another pull of the trigger, the guns that were aimed at him fell to the ground in parts.

Another pull of the trigger, everything in front of him was suddenly frozen solid. Tatsuya had decomposed all the heat energy in front of him and because of the absent of heat, the water molecules in the air solidified as it easily reached its freezing point.

The men that were bombarding him with bullets were also frozen solid inside and out as their blood and all liquids in their bodies were frozen solid.

Using his sight yet again, Tatsuya could that he was being surrounded, the crates being used as cover.

Tatsuya aimed his CAD upwards and pulled the trigger.

The gravity in the warehouse became distorted. The gravitational force increased significantly as a black orbed measuring three meters in diameter appeared in the middle of room. Everything in the room collapsed and crumbled due to the sudden and significant increase of the gravitational force.

The human beings who were in the warehouse collapsed to the ground as every bone in their bodies collapsed inwards.

Even Tatsuya was no exception as he could feel his bones cracking but his regeneration ability was faster than the ability of the gravity to crush his body.

Seeing that all living beings in the rooms were now dead, he pulled the trigger once again, returning the gravitational force of the warehouse to normal.

The last attack was able to kill everyone in the warehouse but Tatsuya could three men that run out from an office and proceeded to head to the exit.

Tatsuya aimed his CAD and pulled the trigger. A black and white bullet was released from the barrel of his CAD. The bullet hit the wall and it detonated, creating a spatial anomaly that corroded the surrounding space with gravitational waves, freezing and destroying any matter within the anomaly.

This stopped the three men in their tracks.

Tatsuya looked at the three. He quickly identified the two to be magicians and the third to be his target.

The two magicians tried to invoke magician.

Tatsuya did not let them.

Tatsuya was not here for battle.

Tatsuya was here for slaughter.

He aimed his CAD; he pulled the trigger, and destroyed the magic sequence of the spells of the magicians.

Another pull of a trigger, the two magicians collapsed to the ground.

Tatsuya decomposed the oxygen around them and the oxygen in their bodies, and the two quickly died because of oxygen deprivation.

Tatsuya turned to his target, who was cowering as he tried to raise a pistol at him. Tatsuya did not allow that as he decomposed the gun to its components before decomposing the brain of his target.

With that, mission accomplished.

(Break)

At the moment, Tatsuya felt resentment, anger, frustration, and sadness.

This was the first time he felt those set of emotions and the reason were the people that were rotting around him.

The task that his mother gave him was simple. It was so simple that he could have finished his mission several weeks ago.

The long term mission that his mother gave him was both an assassination and an investigation mission.

Tatsuya's mother owns many businesses.

His mother dislikes people who meddle in her businesses.

Apparently, a group of people have started bothering several businesses that his mother owns.

Shipments being attack, files being lost, commodities being stolen, employees being killed, and many more headache inducing troubles forced Tatsuya's mother to deploy him to clean up the trash that has been bothering her.

Tatsuya was special because his mother would only use him whenever she wants to drive a point to her enemies, so it was safe to assume that his mother was irritated with the group of people that had crossed her.

An irritated mother is a dangerous mother.

One month and two weeks, it took Tatsuya that long to assassinate 37 men.

Normally, it would only take him half the time that he had accumulated to finish such a simple mission but Tatsuya stalled and prolonged the duration of his mission to its peak. He did so because he wanted to get to know the anomaly which is Shiba Miyuki.

And for a month and a half, he got to know Shiba Miyuki and he enjoyed every moment of it.

Still, every good thing must come to an end. The person who had completely turned to dusk at his feet was the last of his target.

With him dead, Tatsuya would have no choice but to return home and report to his mother.

And Tatsuya could already imagine the kind of conversation he and his mother would partake.

Still, Tatsuya was determined to return to Tokyo.

He wanted, he needed to see Miyuki grow to be the woman and magician that he know she would be.

Tatsuya knew that Miyuki would grow to be a beautiful woman.

Tatsuya knew that Miyuki would grow to be a powerful magician.

And he wanted to watch her grow. He wanted to witness her growth and his mother would not interfere with his desires.

He would still obey her, but his friendship with Miyuki is now his main priority.

'How strange that Miyuki would affect me like this? How strange that she would affect me this much in such a short period of time?' Tatsuya thought with an amuse chuckle.

Still, removing those thoughts from his mind, he drew his Gun-shape CAD and proceeded to walk out of the warehouse where he had killed over fifty people.

The corpses of those people were nothing more than dusk and the only thing that remains for him to do was to destroy the area in which the crime scene took place. This was common protocol for him whenever he kills more than one person or when he kills in the middle of the city. Tatsuya was confident that there were no evidence that would link him to the place or to the kill but his mother was very paranoid and always ordered him to erase the area in which he had killed to avoid being tracked.

Five city blocks, his mother instructed him.

Shaking his head, he slammed the door of the warehouse shut and looked across the street.

There was a black car parked across the building.

Looking at the car, Tatsuya resisted the urged to groan. The presence of his mother saturated the air to such extent that it was nauseating.

Aiming his CAD to the sky, he pulled the trigger before walking towards the CAR. He ignored to ray of light that descended from the heavens that devour everything within five blocks of the building.

Fortunately, the building was in an abandoned neighborhood, so nobody would have been hurt or have seen the beam of light that suddenly struck the earth.

"As expected from you, young master." A butler that seems to be in his fifties greeted him with a bow.

"The dimensions where Photons travel are easily distorted. That was child's play for me." Tatsuya replied nonchalantly while giving his mother's personal butler an appraising look. "Tell me, what did I do to anger mother? She usually doesn't pick me up for my mission. The last time she did, I was scolded because Indonesia had to erase a village from its map."

The old butler chuckled at those words from his young charge. He remembered that mission quite well. "The madam merely missed you. You took a considerable time in finishing this mission."

"Contrary to what I normally say, I do not fancy being in my room for months just to wait for my chores to be given to me." Tatsuya said as he entered the limousine, his eyes meeting his mother the moment he entered.

"Mother," Tatsuya greeted with a small hint of affection in his voice.

"My darling, it has been awhile."

---

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