There are seven prestigious magic high schools in Japan. The best out of all of them was Hortensia Magic High School—a school that would always place in 1st place in the Seven Star Tournament.
Their practical and written exams were exceptionally hard. It was designed so only the best magicians could get into the school.
Usually, such a thing would be unacceptable as a school but, it's because they place first at the Seven Star Tournament all the time that they're allowed to do it.
In the student council office, the president, Haruto Ando, sat down. He was the first of the four powerhouses.
"Now, we'll be starting our debriefing on the Seven Star Tournament."
"Do we even need to? We'll win, anyway."
A boy said. His name was Asuma Koseki, one of the four powerhouses of Hortensia. He was a second-year.
Haruto sighed.
"We're not so sure about that this year."
"What do you mean?"
Another girl asked. Katie Miyami grimaced as Haruto spoke.
"Well, this year, I'd say the opponent to look out for is Auralia Magic High School."
"Auralia? That nobody school? They only have that one Kyouya girl and the heir to the Sasaki Family and that's it."
"No, actually, this year, they have a World Magician with them."
The entire room broke out into conversations. Haruto silenced everyone by raising his hand. He cleared his throat.
"Ayato Kyouya, a first year, was announced a World Magician a few days ago. He's the youngest World Magician in the world. I've confirmed with both the Association and the Council, who set this tournament up."
Asuma slammed his fists together.
"Alright! I'd have no less! I want to see how powerful a World Magician is!"
"Idiot, you don't. People aren't made World Magicians by mistake."
Katie told him. Her father worked in the Mage Association so she would know better than anybody. She addressed the entire table.
"I doubt they'd let a World Magician participate in the tournament without some sort of handicap though. The Council would have to decide on it."
"It'd be nice if Aya-chin didn't participate as a whole."
Another girl said in a lazy voice. It was Ayaka Satsuki, she was one of Yukina's aides during the Midnight Banquet.
"Aya-chin? You know Ayato Kyouya, Satsuki?"
Haruto asked.
She timidly nodded her head. A shaky smile formed on her lips.
"He's the real deal. I went to a special event held by the Kyouya Family during Golden Week. I saw it with my own eyes. Ayato Kyouya defeated around 150 capable mages in 10 minutes without sustaining a serious injury."
Everyone stayed silent. It was like the air itself was heavy from the mention of Ayato's power.
"If you don't believe me, ask Yoru-chin over there. He's from the Kyouya Family."
Sitting nearer to Haruto was a first-year named Yoru Kyouya. He was in the fight against Ayato but never managed to display his skills because Ayato used his Deconstruction to knock people out.
He nodded.
"Yeah... I don't even think all of the school teams together could beat him if he was serious."
Yoru confirmed.
"We just need to pray that the handicap is a good one for us."
Sakura Chibana said. She's another one of the four powerhouse magicians in Hortensia. Sakura is a senior.
"But still, it's interesting isn't it?"
A white-haired boy asked. The final powerhouse was Shiroki Shirogane, a scion of the Shirogane Family and Yukina's younger brother. He was a freshman.
"I'm sure everyone else from the other schools is thinking what Haruto was thinking. How do they compare to a World Magician? It'll ultimately depend on what they decide to handicap him. It'll most likely be the use of his magic as a whole, including his Magic Seal."
He explained.
Ayaka didn't like how comfortable Shiroki felt. It was only her and Yoru who had felt the power of Ayato before. She wanted to win as much as possible.
"Even without his Magic Seal, his use of martial arts is incredible. He managed to knock a lot of the Kyouya Family magicians out with a single punch. He was swift and efficient."
Shiroki glared at Yoru, who was the one who gave advice. Ayaka sighed in relief when she found out that Yoru had the same feeling of discomfort that she had.
"Speaking of Magic Seal, what is his Magic Seal, Yoru? Do you know from your fight with him?"
Sakura asked. The boy nodded.
"He explained it to us. His Magic Seal is Deconstruction and Reconstruction. I'm not sure how it works but he can use it while touching you or at range. However, it takes a little time for him to use it from a distance."
Due to adaptation and evolution, there's an extra vein that connects the mana nexus to the body of a magician. It isn't needed, however, if disconnected, the mana in the body explodes on the inside, making the magician unconscious.
Within range, as long as Ayato has a bit of time, he can disconnect that vein. That's only if their body is not guarded with dense mana.
Asuma swallowed his saliva.
"That sounds intense..."
"What? Getting cold feet since you're a close-ranged fighter, Asuma?"
Katie teased Asuma. She poked him with her elbow. His face flushed red.
"N-no way! I'll beat that guy any day!"
"Don't be so delusional."
She answered seriously. He shivered in the face of her cold tone.
Haruto sighed as he thought about Ayato.
"We'll just have to pray that the Council gives him a heavy handicap."
"Still, who would've thought that someone like him would appear now? He must be some sort of monster."
Sakura breathed, laying against the back of her chair. Yoru furrowed his brow. He made up his mind.
"You see..."
He spoke. Everyone looked over at him. He wasn't sure whether to say it or not, but he steeled himself.
"It's the Kyouya Family's fault that he became a World Magician."
"If you can, explain, Yoru."
Haruto suggested. He nodded.
"Have you all heard of the Magical Rampage Theory? Well, there's a less popular one that isn't exactly true. It's called the Disaster Fear Theory. My mother was the one who published it. She used Ayato Kyouya as an example."
"I've heard about it. It never got accepted by the Association or Council, right?"
Katie questioned Yoru. He shook his head.
"No, it didn't. It was a theory that the more perilous the situation a young magician is put under, the more their abilities of magic improve. Ayato was in constant danger for 10 years. Almost every day, there was someone trying to kill him. It's possible that the theory doesn't apply to anyone but him."
The others in the room didn't understand what Yoru was trying to say. Only a few did. Shiroki was the next to speak.
"So, you're saying that—using this theory—Ayato Kyouya was able to evolve into a World Magician."
"Yes, since he was being constantly hunted and lived in fear of death for 10 years."
That was what made Ayato different from the rest of them. Haruto scowled, disturbed. He understood. Ayato would be a formidable opponent, not because he was powerful but because he is no longer afraid of death.