6 The Birth of a Prodigy

The air in the secluded wing of the Yotsuba estate was thick with stillness, a silence so profound that it seemed to absorb even the faintest of sounds. In the center of a spacious, minimally adorned room, Tatsuya, an infant with a mind far beyond his years, lay in his crib. His bright, jewel-blue eyes, wide and curious, reflected the stark, unadorned walls that enclosed him.

"Move, young master," instructed Ms. Hanako, one of the maids assigned to his care. Her voice was devoid of the warmth typically reserved for infants. She nudged a colorful toy with her foot, pushing it tantalizingly just out of Tatsuya's reach.

Tatsuya, his tiny hands reaching out with infantile grace, let out a soft coo. He strained to move, his little arms trembling with the effort, his face scrunching up in determination. Yet, the toy remained a frustrating distance away, just beyond the grasp of his outstretched fingers.

"Again, Master Tatsuya," Ms. Sato, another maid, commanded, her tone sharper, more insistent. "You must reach it, young master."

His brow creased in baby determination, Tatsuya pushed himself forward, his movements awkward. The room seemed to hold its breath with each of his efforts, the soft rustling of his movements underscored by the maids' sporadic, chilly prompts.

'Faster? I'm a baby, not a racecar', Tatsuya thought wryly, an internal chuckle bubbling within his infant form. His adult consciousness found the situation absurdly amusing. He had heard tales of rigorous training in the martial world – the so-called 'murim' – where children were pushed from a young age. But this? This was something else. The Yotsubas didn't just push the envelope; they rewrote the entire postal system.

The room echoed with the soft rustling of Tatsuya's movements, each shuffle and stretch forming a quiet symphony. This was punctuated by the occasional sharp reprimand from the maids. "Faster, Tatsuya-sama," they urged, their words forming a cold cadence in the otherwise silent room.

Ms. Hanako observed with an analytical eye, scribbling notes in her journal. "He shows resolve, but not the expected speed," she commented, her voice clinical.

Ms. Sato nodded, her gaze fixed on Tatsuya. "The Yotsuba expectations are heavy, even for one so young. He must quicken his pace."

The morning light began to filter through the window, casting a gentle glow on Tatsuya's crib. With a final, determined wiggle, he managed to brush the toy with his fingertips. A small triumph, yet in his world of structured demands, it was a moment of victory.

'Take that, Yotsuba training regimen', Tatsuya thought, a sense of infantile satisfaction filling him. The irony wasn't lost on him – an adult's mind in an infant's body, finding humor in the rigorous, often absurd expectations of his prestigious family.

 .......

The dimly lit training room in the Yotsuba estate buzzed with an unusual energy as Tatsuya, an infant in body but not in mind, lay in his crib, his labored breathing a sharp counterpoint to the sterile detachment of Ms. Hanako and Ms. Sato, the maids tasked with overseeing his training.

Bright lights flashed above him in rapid succession, a sensory test designed to gauge his reaction. Each burst of light drew from Tatsuya a startled blink and a soft whimper, his infant body reacting instinctively to the sudden changes.

"Response noted," Ms. Hanako intoned, her pen scratching methodically against the clipboard. Her voice, devoid of warmth, echoed clinically in the room.

"Next sequence," Ms. Sato declared, her finger poised over a remote control. A cacophony of discordant sounds filled the room, a jarring symphony meant to test Tatsuya's auditory resilience.

Well, this is one way to spend a morning, Tatsuya thought wryly as he instinctively turned his head away, trying to escape the intrusive noise. His tiny hands balled into fists, a futile but natural defense against the sensory onslaught. I wonder if the Yotsuba family handbook has a chapter titled 'How to Overwhelm Your Infant'...

The maids, ever impassive, observed and recorded every reaction, their faces betraying no emotion. They were the epitome of Yotsuba professionalism, unwavering in their duty to mold Tatsuya into the heir the family expected.

"His stress levels are slightly above the norm," Ms. Hanako noted, her eyes scanning the readings.

Ms. Sato glanced at Tatsuya, a brief flicker of concern passing over her face before it was quickly masked. "Acknowledged. Proceeding with tactile stimuli."

In the ensuing silence, Tatsuya lay back, trying to catch his breath. His world was a dizzying array of sensations and emotions, far too complex for his age. I''m pretty sure even the most advanced murim clans don't start their training at this age. The Yotsubas really do take the cake.'

Despite the exhaustion that weighed on his tiny frame, Tatsuya couldn't help but find a certain humor in the absurdity of his situation. An adult's consciousness in an infant's body, subjected to a training regimen that was more science experiment than childhood.

 ...........

The Yotsuba estate, typically a bastion of calm and controlled power, was abuzz with a rare, almost palpable energy. In the heart of the estate, nestled within the most protected wing, a new chapter had begun – Miyuki Yotsuba, a child destined to leave her mark on the family's legacy, had been born.

In the grand hall, where the high ceilings and opulent decor echoed the family's status, the Yotsuba elders gathered. Their usual stoic expressions, so often etched with the weight of responsibility and power, now softened into subtle smiles of satisfaction.

Elder Kazuo, his silver hair a testament to his years of service to the family, stood at the forefront. "She possesses extraordinary magical talent," he announced, his voice resonating with a mix of pride and awe. "Her abilities are distinct, entirely different from this thing here."

Beside him, Elder Yumiko, known for her keen insight into the family's magical lineage, nodded in agreement. Her eyes, always sharp and calculating, now shimmered with a rare glint of excitement. "A true prodigy of the Yotsuba unlike this failure right here," she remarked. "She will bring great prestige to our family."

The atmosphere in the hall was electric, each elder acutely aware of the significance of Miyuki's birth. They whispered among themselves, their voices a low hum, discussing the potential and power she represented, the future she could shape for the Yotsuba.

Meanwhile, in a more secluded part of the estate, Tatsuya, a little older now, sat in his nursery, surrounded by his usual entourage of maids. The distant voices of the elders reached him, muffled but laden with a significance he was just beginning to understand.

Ms. Hanako, one of the maids attending him, couldn't contain her excitement. "Miyuki Yotsuba, is truly our perfect heir," she whispered to Ms. Sato. "Her magical prowess is said to be exceptional, unlike anything we've seen she is truly different from us commoners."

Ms. Sato, usually so reserved, nodded, her eyes reflecting the same excitement. "Indeed, she might well surpass all expectations. The family has much to look forward to."

 ........

In the tranquil nursery of the Yotsuba estate, Tatsuya lay in his crib, his baby blue eyes reflective of a mind teeming with the memories and knowledge of his past life. He was not merely an infant; he was a soul reborn, aware and curious about the magical world he had once known only through the lens of a fan.

He remembered from the series "Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei" that Elemental Sight, a rare and powerful ability, was not about seeing magical energies as colors or lights. Instead, it was the ability to perceive and understand the information dimension, to see the structure of Eidos – the fundamental data that composed all things.

Curious to discover if he possessed the same capabilities as the Tatsuya from the anime, he closed his eyes and focused inward. Breathe in, breathe out, he reminded himself, echoing the meditation practices he remembered.

As he concentrated, a sense of expansion filled his consciousness. His awareness seemed to stretch beyond the physical realm, reaching into a deeper layer of reality. When he opened his eyes, the nursery appeared unchanged visually, but Tatsuya could perceive it in a way he never had before.

He no longer saw just the blanket over him but understood its Eidos. He could comprehend its structure, its history, the very essence of its being. It was as if he could perceive the blueprint of its existence.

The air around him, seemingly empty, was a canvas of information. Tatsuya could sense the currents of air, not by feeling them but by understanding their Eidos. He was attuned to the flow of information that made up the world around him.

"This is incredible," Tatsuya thought, a sense of wonder filling his infant mind. "I can perceive the essence of things. This Elemental Sight is like having access to the source code of the universe."

Ms. Sato, observing him, said to Ms. Hanako, "He seems unusually focused today."

Ms. Hanako, always attentive to the young master's needs, replied, "Indeed, it's as if he's seeing something we can't."

Tatsuya, nestled in his crib, was indeed seeing something they couldn't – a deeper reality made accessible through his Elemental Sight. As he explored this newfound perception, a thought suddenly crossed his mind. 'Oh, crap. Will those Yotsuba stalkers be watching me 24/7 now?' I'm going to have to be careful about how I use this ability.

With this Elemental Sight, he could understand the world on a fundamental level. He imagined the myriad ways he could use this to create, to innovate. The possibilities were endless, stretching out before him like an uncharted map.

nestled in his crib, was lost in thought, his baby blue eyes betraying a depth of understanding far beyond his years. The revelation of his Elemental Sight had unlocked a world of possibilities, and his mind, seasoned with the memories of his past life, was already racing with innovative ideas.

'With Elemental Sight, I can perceive the Eidos the power system of this reality, the very blueprint of reality', Tatsuya pondered, his gaze fixed on the mobile spinning above him.

He thought about the potential of combining AI with magic, a concept that was still in its infancy in the world of "Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei." If AI could be developed to understand and process Eidos, it could open up avenues of magical research and application we've never even dreamed of. An AI that could adapt and learn from magical patterns could optimize spell-casting, create new forms of magic, or even predict magical phenomena. 'It's a wonder that no one developed it?' 'It's really fishy'.

But then, a cautious thought crept into his mind. However, delving into AI and magic could attract unwanted attention from the Yotuba. They might see it as a threat, or worse, a weapon to be used immediately. 

Tatsuya, lying in his crib, was deep in contemplation. His newfound ability of Elemental Sight had opened his mind to possibilities that stretched the boundaries of magic and technology. 

There are cameras everywhere, Tatsuya realized, a jolt of surprise coursing through him. His gaze darted around the room, and he could now make out the subtle, almost hidden cameras positioned in every corner, their lenses watching silently. The realization scared the wits out of him. I knew the Yotsubas were paranoid about security, but this is like living in a surveillance state.

His heart, though beating in the chest of an infant, pounded with a mixture of fear and indignation. I'm just a baby, for crying out loud. What could they possibly expect to see? Despite his frustration, Tatsuya understood the gravity of the situation. Being constantly monitored meant he had to be exceedingly cautious about how he explored and experimented with his abilities.

No sudden movements, no obvious experiments, he thought, strategizing his next steps.' I'll have to be clever about this. Maybe I can use these cameras to my advantage, put on a show of being the docile, unsuspecting child while I work behind the scenes.'

As Tatsuya pondered his situation, he realized the extent of the challenge ahead. If I'm going to delve into integrating AI with magic, or any advanced magical research for that matter, 'I'll need to find a way to do it under the Yotsubas' ever-watchful eyes.

 .........

As dusk enveloped the Yotsuba estate, a profound stillness blanketed the sprawling grounds. In a secluded wing, where the days were marked by stringent training and discipline, the shadows lengthened, casting a somber yet serene atmosphere over Tatsuya's room. Tatsuya, exhausted from the relentless regimen, lay in his small bed, his mind echoing with the harsh admonishments of the day. Though his body craved rest, sleep remained elusive, held at bay by lingering adrenaline and an undercurrent of restlessness.

As he lay there, Tatsuya became acutely aware of a new sensation – cramps seizing his muscles, an absurd byproduct of his body's inability to stretch and adapt to the rigorous physical demands. Great, now I'm dealing with cramps, he thought wryly, a hint of amusement in his internal monologue. This body is definitely not used to this level of activity yet.

He felt the cramps in his legs, sharp and sudden, as if his muscles were rebelling against their new regime. His arms, too, were not spared, aching with a dull, persistent pain that made even the slightest movement feel like an ordeal. Tatsuya couldn't help but laugh inwardly at the situation. I feel worse than after running a marathon in my past life. And yet, there's something oddly satisfying about this. 'Am I turning in to a masochist?, No no no.... it's just the satisfaction of a job well done. it's similar to a feeling, I felt in my junior high.'

In the dim corridor outside his room, a silent figure approached, her presence marked by an almost spectral quality. 

Pausing at the door, Maya hesitated momentarily, her hand hovering over the handle. The possibility of retreat flickered across her mind, but with a soft exhale, she steeled herself and pushed the door open.

Inside, the room was bathed in the soft glow of a nightlight. Maya's gaze settled on Tatsuya, his dark hair splayed across the pillow, his small form marked by the shallow, uneven breaths of a child wrestling with sleep.

Maya's gaze settled on Tatsuya, her usually stern expression began to soften, melting into a visage of maternal warmth. It was a rare moment of vulnerability from the matriarch of the Yotsuba family. She stepped closer, her movements slow and deliberate, as if afraid to disturb the tranquil scene.

Tatsuya, unaware of her presence, lay with his dark hair fanned across the pillow. His small chest rose and fell with shallow, uneven breaths, indicative of a child caught in the grip of restless sleep. The soft light accentuated the contours of his peaceful face, casting gentle shadows that danced with each breath he took.

Maya reached the crib and stood over Tatsuya, observing him with a tenderness that seemed alien to her usual demeanor. Her hand, so often used to convey authority and command, now extended with a gentleness that seemed to come from a place deep within her. Her fingers lightly brushed Tatsuya's hair, smoothing it back with a motherly touch that belied the cold facade she so often presented to the world.

In this quiet moment, the room seemed to hold its breath, the air charged with an unspoken acknowledgment of the rare display of affection from the Yotsuba matriarch. The nightlight's soft illumination played off Maya's features, softening the hard lines of her face and revealing a hint of the woman she might have been in a different life – a woman capable of simple, unguarded love.

Then, in a voice barely more than a murmur, Maya began to hum a lullaby. The melody was simple yet soulful, reminiscent of her own childhood, a time when life was less complicated.

"Yurikago no Naka de yume mire Aka-chan wa

Sora takaku Tonde yuke O-tsuki-sama no

Mune no uchi."

Tatsuya, his restless mind slowly succumbing to the soothing melody, felt a sense of peace wash over him. The lullaby, unfamiliar yet inherently comforting, eased the tension in his tiny body, lulling him into a state of relaxation. In this moment, the trials of his training and the expectations placed upon him seemed distant, overshadowed by the simple, pure comfort of the song.

Maya continued to hum, her voice a whisper in the quiet room, a sacred melody that seemed to sanctify the space around them. The nightlight cast a soft halo around her, adding an ethereal quality to this rare display of tenderness.

As the lullaby drew to a close, the room seemed to hold onto the last notes, reluctant to let go of the tranquility they brought. Maya's expression slowly shifted back to her usual stoicism, but the echo of the song lingered, a gentle reminder of the momentary connection shared in the quiet of the night.