"Tatsuya, someone is looking for you," a female senior called out, her voice breaking his train of thought.
"Who is it?"
"If I remember correctly, he was the one who participated in the Monolith Code competition alongside you."
"Leo? Or perhaps Mikihiko?"
"I can't quite recall his name," she admitted with a sheepish tilt of her head. "But he's quite the handsome one—with skin so fair and pale he could almost be mistaken for a girl."
"I see. Thank you, Senpai," Tatsuya replied politely, earning a delighted, fluttering smile from the upperclassman.
"Onii-sama, Miyuki shall accompany you."
"Alright. Let's go together."
The two of them stepped out of the meeting room and headed into the hallway, where they found Mikihiko waiting restlessly.
"Tatsuya!"
"Calm down. What's happened? You look as though you've seen a ghost."
"This is bad... I can feel them. They're here."
Tatsuya's gaze sharpened. "What did you say? They?"
Mikihiko nodded, his expression turning deathly serious.
"That's strange. Why haven't I sensed anything?" Tatsuya mused, his analytical mind already spinning.
Mikihiko shook his head helplessly. "I have no idea. You're the genius here; I was hoping you could find the reason yourself."
Tatsuya let out a heavy, weary sigh. "Fine. Where exactly are they?"
Mikihiko stiffened, a look of sheer embarrassment washing over his face as he froze in place. "Forgive me... but I haven't pinpointed their exact location yet."
"Huh?"
"Mikihiko-kun, is it truly impossible for you to track them?" Miyuki asked, her voice tinged with genuine curiosity.
Mikihiko offered a bitter, apologetic smile and shook his head again. "Unfortunately, no..."
"My apologies. Perhaps Shibata-san might be able to help."
Tatsuya nodded, agreeing with Mikihiko's assessment. "Fair enough. Where is Mizuki now?"
"We were at the spectator stands earlier. I was in such a panic that I... well, I forgot to bring her along."
Tatsuya and Miyuki stared at him, their expressions turning utterly blank. The weight of their silent judgment was so heavy that Mikihiko didn't even dare to lift his head.
"It can't be helped then. Let's go find Mizuki."
"But Onii-sama, what about the competition?"
"My duties are finished for the time being. I'm sure it won't be a problem as long as we aren't gone for too long. Mikihiko, lead the way."
"Right!"
"Tatsuya-san!" Mizuki's face lit up the moment she saw him, her eyes bright and welcoming. She seemed to completely overlook the dejected Mikihiko standing right next to him.
Rather than offering any comfort, Erika decided to pour salt on the wound by teasing Mikihiko on purpose. "Don't look so down, Miki; at least I haven't forgotten you're here."
"Pipe down!"
"Ha ha ha ha..." A ripple of light laughter spread through the group.
Once the amusement died down, Tatsuya turned to Mizuki with a focused gaze. "Mizuki, tell me. What do you see?"
"It's... terrifying. There are black tentacles spreading everywhere," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
"Are you serious?!" Erika cried out in shock.
Tatsuya's expression grew grimmer than ever. "It seems we'll need reinforcements."
"Who? Are you going to call the Ten Master Clans?"
Tatsuya shook his head at Erika's question.
"Then who?"
"They are friends of mine who have traveled from a very distant place. I'll need all of you to cooperate with them."
Erika shot a quick glance at Miyuki. The younger sister had narrowed her eyes, her gaze flickering with a mix of suspicion and intense curiosity. Ignoring the questioning looks from the group, Tatsuya contacted the maid tasked with looking after his guests.
"They'll be here shortly."
Miyuki tugged gently at the sleeve of Tatsuya's uniform. "Onii-sama... who are these people? Are they acquaintances of mine?"
"No. This will likely be your first time meeting them."
"...Tell me, Onii-sama. Are there any women among them?"
The atmosphere shifted instantly. The temperature seemed to plummet the moment the question left Miyuki's lips. Tatsuya awkwardly scratched his cheek, giving a small, hesitant nod.
"I see. So Onii-sama has female friends that I know nothing about... How interesting..." Miyuki's eyes went hollow, and a bone-chilling, icy aura began to radiate from her.
Erika watched the scene with sharp, narrowed eyes, while Mizuki's eyes grew watery, looking like fragile glass about to crack. Mikihiko and Leo simply shrugged at each other, their expressions saying, 'Yep, we saw this coming.'
"You guys..." Tatsuya could do nothing but keep his grievances to himself. Not that he was the type to hold a grudge—he just wanted to "remember" this moment for later.
It didn't take long for the guests to arrive, escorted by a maid from the Yotsuba family. As expected, their presence turned heads immediately. Passersby whispered in awe at the ethereal beauty of Aiz, Testarossa, and Kurumi.
However, some people began to whisper in confusion about the lone male in the group, whose appearance was remarkably ordinary—verging on plain. This was none other than Misumi Makoto, the abnormal human who now possessed magic power rivaling that of a Goddess.
"Tatsuya-sama, I have brought the guests as requested."
"Excellent work. You may go."
"Understood." The maid bowed deeply to Miyuki before departing.
"My, my~" Kurumi was the first to speak, her tone laced with a playful yet sharp sarcasm. "While we were left to die of boredom, it seems you were busy enjoying yourself in such... charming company~"
"Quite the sinful man, aren't you? Though, I can't say I mind..." Testarossa added, her words dripping with ambiguity. Thanks to her, Tatsuya received a glare from Miyuki that was cold enough to freeze the sun.
"..." Aiz remained silent, but her golden eyes were fixed intently on Tatsuya and Miyuki.
On the other hand, Makoto looked utterly dejected, his spirit seemingly crushed by the realization that he was the only one in this group of elites with an "ordinary" face.
"Ahem. My apologies for the sudden summons," Tatsuya began, trying to steer the conversation back to the task at hand. "The situation is unpredictable, so I'm hoping for your cooperation."
"Ara~ ara~, we've been waiting for this for a while now~."
"I just hope they don't disappoint."
"I'm ready whenever you are."
"Me too."
To be continued...Anvanced Chapter patreon.com/AgamYupi02