After Frenda Seivelun finished explaining everything about the Talent Workshop, the room fell into stunned silence.
"…Magic…?"
And not just magic—
Magic reproduced through science.
Even espers could learn it?
The implications alone were enough to send a chill down anyone's spine.
Then—
Excitement exploded.
"If that's true… then our strength could increase a lot, right?"
Kinuhata Saiai leaned forward, eyes shining.
"This sounds super amazing! Let's go check it out!!"
Even the usually lethargic Takitsubo Rikou seemed more alert than usual.
"…I'm interested."
At last, Mugino Shizuri spoke.
"…Fine."
Her tone was calm—but sharp.
"In that case, let's go meet this new boss of ours."
Without waiting for a reply, she stood up and walked toward the exit.
"Let's move."
...
The four members of ITEM stood before the facility.
Without hesitation, Mugino stepped forward—
—and tried to walk straight in.
Big mistake.
No authorization.
No access.
The defense system activated instantly.
Mechanical sounds echoed as security robots deployed one after another.
An alarm blared throughout the facility.
...
"…Oh?"
Sitting beside Aiba Asagi, Izumi raised an eyebrow as the alarm rang.
It didn't take long for him to figure out what was happening.
"…So she's the violent type, huh."
Outside—
Mugino didn't hesitate.
"Out of my way!"
A surge of emerald light erupted from her hand.
BOOM—
The robots were obliterated instantly.
Watching through the system, Izumi rubbed his chin.
"Breaking my property the moment she arrives…"
"That won't do."
"If I don't discipline her a little, I'll lose face."
With that, he vanished.
...
"Seriously… what a troublesome place."
Mugino clicked her tongue.
Behind her, Frenda shrank slightly.
"U-Um… Mugino…"
"This might be bad…"
"Izumi-sensei is definitely going to come after us…"
Mugino snorted.
"So what?"
"If he wants to be our boss, he better prove he's worth it."
"I don't follow weaklings."
Then—
A voice echoed behind them.
"Destroying things the moment you arrive… how unruly."
The atmosphere froze.
Mugino's pupils shrank.
She tried to move—
—but couldn't.
Her body refused to respond.
Not just her.
Frenda.
Takitsubo.
Kinuhata.
All of them—
Frozen.
Even their esper abilities… wouldn't activate.
Like a ghost, Izumi stepped into view.
Calm. Composed.
Dominant.
"…What a troublesome group."
His gaze landed on Frenda.
"Especially you."
"You just left, and now you're back causing trouble?"
"Have you prepared yourselves for punishment?"
A wicked smile spread across his face.
Frenda panicked instantly.
"W-Wait! I can explain—!!"
Kinuhata nodded frantically.
"T-This is super scary…! We can explain too!! Please don't be mad!!"
The difference in power was overwhelming.
They couldn't even resist.
Mugino gritted her teeth.
"Damn it…!"
"So this is your trick?!"
"If you've got guts—let me go and fight me head-on!!"
Izumi raised an eyebrow.
"…Oh?"
"You're questioning whether I've got guts?"
A dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.
"…Then I suppose I'll have to teach you a proper lesson."
Snap.
With a single sound—
The world shifted.
The four girls were instantly transported into a massive room within the facility.
Izumi stepped forward, stopping in front of Mugino.
He reached out and lightly pinched her cheek.
"Honestly… if you were a bit more gentle, you'd be quite charming."
"But that temper of yours?"
"…Needs fixing."
Mugino's confidence finally cracked.
"W-What are you doing?!"
"Let go of me!!"
Izumi didn't answer.
He had his own way of dealing with people like her.
If they wouldn't submit—
Then he'd make them submit.
Completely.
Thoroughly.
...
Some time later—
Izumi sat down nearby, looking satisfied.
"…Now then."
"I assume you all understand who's in charge?"
The four girls lay in disarray, completely defeated.
Their voices overlapped in chaotic protest.
"Y-You're… super indecent…!! Hentai!!"
"Just you wait… I'll kill you someday…"
"Uuu… it hurts… you're awful… I misjudged you…"
"…Pain…"
Izumi waved it off casually.
A bit excessive?
Maybe.
But effective.
Very effective.
His gaze swept across them, and he nodded in satisfaction.
Then—
Snap.
"Alright."
"Let's talk."