CH 8: PARTY(2)

What was the best way to make an unforgettable impression? Blast them with power.

Previously our house was in a position between noble and upstart. We had a foot in each side and people respected us… Until My parents died.

How could the Karino family still stand when there was no one at the helm? What more, Mamako couldn't be too controlling or she would be accused of trying to manipulate us.

In short we were in a pretty shitty situation. Or we would have been if it was still in my world. This world though, had another way to judge people.

Mana.

Mana was one of the ways people were judged nowadays. For the physically weak humans, the sole way to equal the other races was to have a large quantity of mana.

What more, anyone with a certain quantity of mana could even apply for a noble title on the other side.

Mana was the proof of one's talent and potential.

---

The moment I entered, I could feel it. Everyone in the room stopped to look at me.

Then, the retaliation was immediate. Mana surged from all over the room as every last of them urged the power inside of them and blasted it out.

The previously peaceful atmosphere all but vanished as the pressure steadily grew larger.

On the side I could see some of the young people of my age sweating buckets, while some of them looked like they were about to faint.

In high society, blasting one's own mana was seen as rude and a sign of provocation. More precisely it was a challenge. If I had to put it into words, I basically entered the room while screaming, "Bring it on bitches!!!"

Yeah, not the best way to make friends.

This was their answer. If I failed to support their combined pressures and showed weakness, I would be seen as a bragging brat that didn't understand his own limits. Making our already precarious situation even worse.

But…

'There is no way I am going to lose.'

I was still lacking. Some few weeks of training wouldn't transform me into a badass fighter. Frankly in a straight fight, any of the adults here would crush me like an ant.

But, this wasn't a straight fight. We were just comparing mana.

I lacked many things. But mana?

I could feel a grin form on my face as I thought about my stats in mana.

'I have a shit ton of mana!!'

*Rumble!!*

The moment I thought so, I immediately doubled my pressure. The grin on my struggling to not stretch wider. As a fan of anime, this scene was basically something out of my wet dreams.

Tens if not hundreds of people releasing their mana in order to counterattack mine. The earth trembling and the walls quaking. Some people shivered as they were slowly unable to deal with it, while some others frowned as they decided to bring out more.

The situation slowly but surely entered a stalemate. A careful balance that could crumble at any moment. Then, like a lie

*Whoosh*

The mana suddenly vanished as it was taken back. Then, with the brightest smile I could manage, I spoke with a measured tone,

"Good evening everyone. I, Akira Karino, prepared this feast tonight in order to celebrate my coming out of coma. I am happy to say that I am now in perfect health."

I walked towards a table near me and took a glass of wine before raising it towards them.

"Here in front of everyone, I swear that the Karino house will not fall in my generation. But I am still an inexperienced young boy and I am bound to make mistakes. I hope that all of you will support and guide me towards success. Tonight, I drink for a bright future."

Saying so, I tilted my glass before downing the wine in it in one go.

"For a bright future!!"

The people present, followed my track as they repeated my words.

Of course I wasn't naive enough to think that it wasn't enough. All I showed was my potential as a fighter. This wasn't some kind of xianxia. The Karino family was first and foremost a family of business. It didn't matter how powerful I was if my management was shit. Still, this was sufficient for now. I didn't need to be in a hurry.

All that mattered was that I had sent a simple message through my actions.

'The heir of the Karino family was now awake, and he wasn't a fucking pushover.'

It was then,

+30 affection points with Saeko for showing your power.

+30 affection points with Yumeko for making a risky gamble.

+### affection points with Anna for making her wet.

Wut?