Kazuma noticed the sudden shift in Gaby's mood and quickly stepped in with a friendly grin. "Don't mind him, Yoshirata. Gaby's just curious because he's always working on something. He's a bit of a perfectionist and likes to know everything about everyone."
Yoshirata felt uneasy under Gaby's sharp, intense stare. It wasn't just curiosity—it felt like Gaby was trying to see through him, as if he were studying a puzzle he couldn't solve.
"Hey, Gaby, you're scaring Yoshirata with that look," Kazuma teased, waving his hand to break the tension.
"Haha, it's fine, Kazuma," Yoshirata said with a nervous chuckle. He scratched the back of his head, trying to appear more confident than he felt. "I'm not hiding anything. My power isn't much of a secret anyway." He paused and took a deep breath before continuing, "My power is Beast Tamer, but... I can't really control it yet. The only time it worked was when I was in danger. Since then, I've been trying to use it, but nothing happens."
"Hmph, so you're basically useless," Gaby scoffed, turning away with a shrug. He went back to fiddling with the strange device on his desk, ignoring everyone else as if they were invisible. "I hope they don't put us on the same team tomorrow."
"Hey, Gaby, that's a bit harsh, don't you think?" Kazuma frowned, his smile fading slightly.
Gaby didn't even look up. "I'm just stating the facts," he said coldly, his fingers tapping away at the gears and wires in front of him. It was clear he was already done with the conversation.
Kazuma turned back to Yoshirata, his voice gentle and reassuring. "Don't let him get to you, Yoshirata. Gaby might sound rude, but he's actually a good guy deep down. He just doesn't show it often. I hope you can still be friends with him."
Yoshirata took a deep breath and nodded. "No, it's okay. He's right, in a way. Not being able to control my power makes me feel weak, but I won't let that hold me back. I'm going to become the strongest magus ever," he said, his eyes shining with determination.
The room fell silent for a moment before Kazuma started clapping enthusiastically. "I like your spirit!" he shouted. "You can achieve anything if you believe in yourself!"
Richard and Richmond joined in, clapping and nodding in agreement. Even though Gaby remained focused on his work, the other boys seemed genuinely impressed.
"You've got guts, Yoshirata," Richard said with a shy smile. He pushed his glasses up, his nervousness showing as he tried to make eye contact. "I'm not great with talking to people, but I can tell you're serious about your goals."
Kazuma threw an arm around Yoshirata's shoulder with a big grin. "See? You're already making friends here. And don't worry about Gaby—he's always like that when he's focused on his inventions. He's one of the best Golem Creators in our year, even if he acts grumpy."
Yoshirata leaned closer to Richmond and whispered, "Does he always shout and act this energetic?"
Richmond sighed with a small smile. "Yes, Kazuma's the loudest one in our group. He's all brawn and enthusiasm, but he means well. He's got a good heart, even if he's a bit over the top."
Kazuma heard Richmond's comment and laughed out loud. "Hey, I might be loud, but it's because I want to lift people's spirits! Right, Yoshirata?"
"Right," Yoshirata replied with a grin. "I think I'm going to fit in just fine here."
Kazuma gave a thumbs-up, while Richmond nodded approvingly. Richard smiled shyly, and even Gaby, though still busy with his device, seemed to glance up for a split second, as if acknowledging Yoshirata's presence.
Yoshirata took a moment to look around the room again. It was a large, cozy space filled with mismatched furniture and various magical gadgets lying around. The walls were decorated with posters of famous warriors and spellcasters. On one side, Gaby's workbench was cluttered with tools, gears, and pieces of half-built golems. Richmond's desk was covered in blueprints and sketches of new magical devices he was planning to invent. Richard had stacks of books piled up high, each one filled with notes on spells and ancient techniques.
"So, this is where I'll be staying, huh?" Yoshirata muttered to himself, feeling a wave of excitement wash over him. It wasn't just a room,it felt like a place where he could belong.
"Yep!" Kazuma replied, overhearing him. "This is your new home, and we're your new family ".
Yoshirata's heart swelled with a mix of nervousness and hope. He hesitated for a moment, looking at his new friends who had welcomed him so warmly. "Family, you say?" he asked, his voice soft but filled with a cautious kind of hope.
"Yes, you are!" shouted Kazuma, throwing his hands in the air like he had just announced the arrival of a hero.
"I'm amazed how he doesn't get embarrassed saying stuff like this," Gaby muttered, giving Kazuma a disgusted look. He rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed with Kazuma's enthusiasm.
"That's because his brain is made of pure brawn and muscle, with no room for common sense," Richmond chimed in, laughing out loud. He slapped his knee as if he'd just told the funniest joke of the year.
"Hey, it's not nice to say that, guys," Richard said quietly, his tone gentle. He glanced nervously at Kazuma, clearly worried that the teasing might have gone too far.
Yoshirata watched the four of them bicker and laugh together, their voices filling the room with a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. It was like watching a family argue, not out of spite, but out of a comfort that only came from knowing each other well. He felt a smile tug at his lips as he thought, "A new family, huh? That wouldn't be too bad."
Richmond noticed Yoshirata's distant look and gave him a friendly pat on the back, snapping him out of his thoughts. "That's the spirit," Richmond said with a wink. "We've got your back too, Yoshirata."
"Yeah," Richard added softly, stepping closer with an encouraging smile. "We'll help you figure out your Beast Tamer power. There's plenty of time for training, and we'll figure it out together."
Kazuma flashed his signature wide grin, almost blinding with its brightness. "That's the attitude I like! Welcome once more, Yoshirata!"
"Thanks, guys," Yoshirata replied, a soft grin spreading across his face.