"Disperse, Mist!"
[Target successfully eliminated.]
[Activation time: 68ms]
[Deviation: 0]
[Evaluation: Pass]
The cold, mechanical voice echoed through the laboratory of the Fourth Research Institute.
At the center of the testing grounds, as the swirling dust gradually settled, a bare-chested young man slowly emerged.
His frame appeared slender, yet his muscle definition was strikingly pronounced.
His strikingly handsome features—so refined they seemed almost artificially crafted—stood out even more.
The only thing that slightly disrupted this perfection was his eyes.
Dark, profound, yet brimming with human warmth.
His name was Yotsuba Mahiro.
Though, to be precise, "Yotsuba" was merely his affiliation—he had never been formally acknowledged by the main family.
And Mahiro? He was originally a transmigrator.
He had just been heading out to buy something when he was violently introduced to the concept of "getting isekai'd by truck-kun."
Good news: He wasn't sent to Warhammer or Dark Souls.
Bad news: He was sent to The Irregular at Magic High School, a world where magic was pushed to its limits through technology.
Fortunately, he was reborn into one of the Ten Master Clans.
The Ten Master Clans were the ruling families of Japan's magical society.
Comprising the Ichijou, Futatsugi, Mitsuya, Yotsuba, Itsuwa, Mutsuzuka, Saegusa, Yatsushiro, Shippou, and Juumonji families, they formed the core of the magical world.
Of course, there were other candidates beyond these ten.
Unfortunately, he was reborn into the Yotsuba family.
And the Yotsuba family's Magical Engineering Development Research Institute was even more inhumane.
Aside from being abbreviated as the "Fourth Research Institute," it was also known as the "Institute of Death."
Which was exactly where he stood now.
But the worst part? He had a mother who constantly wanted him dead—
"Ara ara, Mahiro, you truly are as outstanding as ever."
Speak of the devil.
Just hearing that spine-tingling voice was enough to know it was his so-called "cheap mom."
A raven-haired beauty through and through.
With enviably thick hair that still looked voluminous even when tied into a ponytail.
Aside from the outrageously ample bosom, there was her snow-white complexion, the teardrop mole at the corner of her eye, those alluring crimson lips, the elegance of her movements reminiscent of a noblewoman, and that bewitching, queenly aura...
These were almost all unique trademarks of this woman.
And this enigmatic woman, who often wore an elegant smile, was none other than his so-called "cheap mother"—
The head of the Yotsuba family, Yotsuba Maya.
"Oh, long time no see. How rare for you to visit me, Head of the Yotsuba."
Mahiro's tone was dripping with frivolity and teasing, devoid of any courtesy.
Especially the deliberately emphasized form of address.
This particularly displeased Hayama, the butler following Maya, who was already over 70 years old.
But before he could voice his reprimand, Maya had already stepped forward.
The crisp sound of her slender high heels tapping against the floor accompanied her languid, coquettish voice.
"What a disobedient child. Even I would feel hurt if my own child treated me this way~"
"Oh? That's a shame. I don't see any sign of you being hurt at all."
"My, my, such a naughty child deserves punishment, you know?"
No sooner had she spoken—
A pitch-black "Night" rapidly spread from beneath Maya's feet.
In the blink of an eye, it enveloped the entire experimental site within her Night Barrier.
Brilliant, shimmering stars emerged within the darkness.
The pure white ceiling transformed into a moonless night sky, with streaking meteors tracing arcs of flowing light.
It was as if the real night sky had descended.
This was the trump card that earned this woman the title "Queen of the Night"—
The Aggregate Magic, "Meteor Stream."
Under the witch's control, the twinkling stars in the night sky abruptly halted their motion, transforming into countless beams of light that shot toward Mahiro.
"Parade."
Faced with this witch who attacked without hesitation, Mahiro didn't hesitate either, immediately activating his magic.
The next moment, all the beams struck his body.
Yet, bizarrely, the light passed right "through" him as if he were intangible!
A faint shift crossed Yotsuba Maya's expression, her eyes revealing a hint of something inscrutable—perhaps expectation, perhaps pride.
But it lasted only a fleeting moment before her usual enigmatic, elegant smile returned.
"My, my, you've improved, Mahiro. I never expected your 'Parade' to have reached such a level of mastery."
"Oh? How does it compare to your teacher, Kudou Retsu?"
"Parade" was not a spell native to the Yotsuba.
The Yotsuba family specialized in mental interference magic.
"Parade," on the other hand, was an illusionary magic belonging to the information manipulation category—originally a secret art of the Kudo family.
Yet, by sheer happenstance, he had stolen it with a single glance.
In truth, even Maya's "Night" was something he had long since mastered, memorized down to the last detail.
In fact, he had at least ten different plans to kill this woman before him.
But there was no need for that.
Killing this witch would bring him no benefit whatsoever.
Not to mention, she was, nominally at least, his mother.
Though for the two of them, that title was little more than a formality.
"Heh."
Facing his question, Maya didn't answer directly. Instead, she crossed her arms and chuckled lightly, "Being proficient is good, but don't use this magic casually when you're out and about. It could bring trouble to the Yotsuba."
"Out and about?"
Mahiro's gaze at the woman gradually turned peculiar. "You're willing to let a 'monster' like me leave the Fourth Research Institute?"
It had been fifteen years since he arrived in this world.
Yet the number of times he'd stepped outside could be counted on one hand—not even ten trips in total.
Essentially, his entire life—food, clothing, shelter, and transportation—had been confined to the Fourth Research Institute on Shijima Island. Even days spent basking in sunlight were rare.
Apart from Yotsuba Maya of the main family, the branch families all regarded him with fear, as if he were a tiger.
And now she was talking about going outside?
Was she joking?
"Don't put it that way."
Rarely.
Maya swayed her graceful figure, stepping closer to him with elegant movements. She raised her head and gazed at him "affectionately."
"No matter what, you're still my child. And you're already sixteen—it's time for you to go out and see the wider world."
"...What exactly are you planning?"
He didn't believe this witch could be so kind-hearted. "Aren't you afraid I'll bolt the moment I step out of the Yotsuba gates?"
"You won't."
Maya stepped forward, her violet gem-like eyes reflecting his image.
"I'm your mother. I believe you wouldn't do that. Besides, I'll assign you a 'supervisor,' and I'll also check in with you regularly."
Ah, there it was—that familiar, unsettling tone.
"So? What kind of scheme are you plotting now?"
"Nothing much. I just want you to go to school."
"Oh... Wait, what???"
***
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