The students murmured and argued, their voices a tense buzz of speculation as the wall of flames completely obscured the arena. A ripple of genuine worry passed through them at the possibility of something insidious from the new student.

Then, the roaring wall began to die down, dimming from a blaze to a shimmer, then to nothing.

The scene it revealed was silent and stark. Ryuji knelt in the centre, head bowed. Cradled carefully in the crook of one arm was the unconscious form of Rinko. With a closer look, a slow, steady drip of blood falling from Ryuji’s face, striking the floor below.

Then, slowly, he raised his free arm high into the air. His hand clenched, then formed a single, thumbs-up. He lifted his head to face the crowd, twin trails of blood streaming from his eyes and nose, painting a stark mask of pain over his features.

He took a deep, shuddering breath, gathering the air to shout through the hurt. “I-I’VE WON! ARE YOU ALL ENTERTAINED?!”

A stunned silence followed, then the arena erupted in uneasy murmurs.

“What the hell was that?”

“Creepy…”

“Did he just yell at us? Talk about a sore winner.”

“Forget winning, he looks like he’s about to pass out.”

A mix of frustration and pain-induced delirium coursed through him, clouding his thoughts. He now felt a flush of embarrassment for his earlier shout but pressed on regardless, carefully gathering Rinko into both arms and lifting her in a princess carry.

Ryuji walked slowly across the arena…

“That is enough!” Murasaki ordered.

He stopped, turning slowly toward her. “It’s all right. I’ll take her to the infirmary.”

“In that state?”

“I used it for less than thirty seconds. The backlash shouldn’t be that severe.”

Murasaki eyes widen, that isn’t severed? Blood practically pouring out his face.

“It isn’t severe. Don’t worry,” Ryuji insisted, his voice strained. “Just give me time. The pain will fade.”

“That won’t be necessary.” At Murasaki’s signal, a medical team entered the arena. “Let them handle this.”

Ryuji gave a curt nod of acknowledgment. The moment his gaze shifted away from Murasaki, however, his legs buckled. He collapsed to his knees, the last of his defiant strength finally spent.

As the medics reached Rinko, he called out, his words laboured. “She’s just unconscious… I’ve done a brachial stun to the back of her neck. Expect a concussion, at worst. As for me…” He gestured weakly to the blood on his face. “I’m just bleeding.”

They were carried away on stretchers to the medical facility.

“Amazing,” Sakura said, watching them go. “Ryuji-kun actually managed to defeat Rinko-chan.”

Asuka nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I’m surprised. But I’m more interested in what Rinko shouted about.” Her expression turned thoughtful. “The power that beat the Phantom Taimanin.” It was a title reserved for Shiranui, a Taimanin known throughout the village as exceptional, almost on par with Asagi herself. “What do you think, Kirara?”

Kirara didn’t answer. She stood utterly silent and visibly shaken.

“Oi, Kirara?” Asuka’s voice shifted from curiosity to concern. “Are you okay?”

Kirara didn’t seem to hear her. “His fire…” she murmured, her gaze distant. “Is it really just magic?” Something inside her screamed danger, yet another part felt a strange comfort radiating from those very same flames. The contradiction twisted in her gut. She finally looked at her friends. “Didn’t you feel it? Wasn’t there something… weird about that fire?”

“Huh? Weird?” Sakura tilted her head, considering. “No… it felt warm. Really nice, actually.”

“Yeah,” Asuka agreed, nodding. “It was huge and scary-looking, but the heat that washed over us… it was comforting.”

“You don’t feel the danger radiating from it?” Kirara ask.

The other two shook their heads, their confusion genuine. They felt nothing.

So why did she? What set her apart? Her hand rose almost unconsciously, fingertips brushing against the ribbon that concealed the hidden horns on her head. The answer struck her with cold clarity. Her demon part. Her mother's blood. In his power, it carried an anti-demon property, purer and more potent than Taima Particles. 

'I can't get close to him.' Anyone who wielded such a power… 'He must harbour a hatred for demons. If he finds out what I am…'

"Are you alright, Kirara-chan?" Asuka asked, her worry now genuine and plain in her voice. "You really don't look well. If you need to, you can sit the rest of the session out. I can talk to Murasaki-sensei about letting you go to the infirmary."

'The infirmary... that's where he'll be.' "N-no, I'm fine," Kirara said, forcing a steadiness into her voice. "Just... lost in thought, that's all."

"I understand," Asuka said, her tone gentle and meant to reassure. She didn't know why Kirara was acting so strangely, but it clearly had something to do with Ryuji's magic. She decided to let it be for now, resolving to ask her friend about it later, when she seemed more comfortable.

.

.

.

Rinko slowly woke from unconsciousness. A dull ache pulsed at the base of her neck, which she dismissed as she pushed herself up to sit. Her mind cleared, replaying the final moments.

‘Right. I lost.’

Disappointment never surfaced. Instead, a spark of exhilaration warmed her. Here was someone her age, yet operating on a level of a veteran Taimanin. He was stronger, smarter in his tactics. This wasn't a setback; it was a gift. A new benchmark. She could learn from this, and grow stronger. Perhaps she could even adapt a piece of that cunning for herself.

Then, with a glance around the room, her eyes settled on a familiar figure in the adjacent bed. 'Ryuji-kun?' So he was in the infirmary too. The question surfaced instantly. Why? He hadn't suffered any visible injuries from their match. Oh, the backlash of his power. That must be why he was here.

A low groan came from the other bed. “Ugh… it hurts so much.” Ryuji murmured, his eyes screwed shut as if he were forcing himself to remain asleep.

Rinko smiled softly. “Congratulations on our match, Ryuji-kun.”

Hearing her voice, he shifted weakly onto his left side, turning his back to her.

“Eh?” ‘Is he ignoring me?’

Before she could ponder his reaction further, the door opened, revealing Yukikaze and Tatsurou.

“Hello, Rinko-senpai and Ryuji-senpai! Are you okay?” Yukikaze greeted, her voice bright with concern.

“Hello. How are you feeling, Rinko-nee?” Tatsurou added, his tone warm.

Rinko offered them a warm smile. “Hello, you two. I’m doing fine. There doesn’t seem to be any lasting damage.” Her smile faded slightly as she glanced at the neighbouring bed. “But Ryuji-kun himself…”

They both followed her gaze to where Ryuji lay, his back firmly turned to the room.

“Is he asleep?” Tatsurou asked, keeping his voice low.

“No,” Rinko replied softly. “He’s still awake.”

“Hey, are you alright?” Yukikaze asked. She walked around to the other side of his bed to see his face and was surprised to find it clenched and twisted like he is trying to pass a big dump.

Then Rinko asked, a thread of genuine worry in her voice. "Are you angry with me?"

The moment she finished her sentence, Ryuji quickly pulled the blanket up and over his head, hiding completely beneath it.

‘He is…’ There was no denying it. He was angry. But why?

“Maybe you made him use his fire, Rinko-nee,” Tatsurou offered, giving the most plausible answer. “He did say it has a terrible backlash. Maybe he’s upset that you forced it out of him.”

Yukikaze chimed in with her bluntness. “Yeah, you did chase him around the arena with a sword, trying to cut him to pieces.”

They were right. In her drive to fight him at his best, to see his true power, she hadn't considered his feelings, or the pain her insistence would cause. Now, looking back, he had never shown a flicker of enjoyment, not once. Maybe in victory, he didn’t enjoy it as well.

A pang of remorse tightened in Rinko's chest. She needed to apologize. She slid from her bed and crossed the short distance to his.

"Ryuji-kun."

He didn't respond. The blanket remained a solid mound.

"Ryuji-kun, I'm sorry."

.

.

.

Ryuji ignored the trio and instead focused on the pain. ‘My head… it keeps getting worse. And painkillers won’t work, fuck why do I have developed resistance to them.’
Why had the time limit shortened? Were his brain injuries getting worse? If this continued, he might have to give up using Hypermode altogether and stick to enchanted swords if he finds one, guns and other tools. But what had caused the deterioration? ‘My fights with Shiranui and the enforcers in Yomihara. I pushed myself too far. That’s what caused this.’

The critical question remained: how long did he have? Before, it was thirty minutes. Now, was it fifteen? Or only ten?

“Ryuji-kun.”

The sound of her voice sound… off? ‘Rinko? Why does she sound so sad?’

“Ryuji-kun, I’m sorry.”

Sorry? For what? He had been ignoring them. Their voices, their presence because he had no energy left for conversation. He had hidden under the blanket for a moment of silent peace, not out of anger, but sheer exhaustion. Her apology didn't connect to any grievance he held.

"I-I was selfi—" she began, but before she could finish, a new voice cut in from the doorway.

"Excuse me. Is Miyatake Ryuji here? Lady Asagi has requested your presence." A student with brown hair and sharp orange eyes stood at the threshold.

"Ugh. Here," Ryuji said, pushing himself up. The conversation with Rinko would have to wait. He moved toward the door, but as he passed the newcomer, he noticed something off with the student. ‘Why does she feel… old?’ “Hey, what your name?”

She met his gaze, her expression curious. "Oma Shinobu. You're not a Taimanin, are you? I mean, you don't come from a Taimanin clan, right?"

“Yeah, I’m a mage. I use magic. No relation to any Taimanin clan.” With that, Ryuji walked away. “Ciao.”

He gave a simple, casual goodbye to the trio, leaving a faintly awkward silence in his wake. Rinko’s heart still ached with remorse, but a new, simpler curiosity surfaced through the guilt.

“Hey,” she asked, turning to Yukikaze and Tatsurou with a genuinely puzzled expression. “What is a ‘ciao’?”

.

.

.

Ryuji walked to Asagi's office. Once he arrived, he knocked on the door. It opened to reveal... no one. Then he looked down and noticed a child with dark blue hair, red eyes, and very pale skin. A boy? No, a girl. Looked strikingly familiar, bearing a strong resemblance to Murasaki.

"Uh, hello?" Ryuji said.

"Are you coming in or not?" Her voice was clear and carried a tone of profound impatience.

"Yes, I am."

"Then what are you staring at, dumbass?"

Jeez, the kid's got a dirty mouth.

His attention was immediately drawn to the room's sole occupant. Igawa Asagi sat behind her desk, the very picture of composed authority.

“Thank you, Fuyuki.” Asagi said to the girl, her tone appreciative.

“Hai! You’re welcome, Auntie Asagi!” Fuyuki replied with pure love and excitement.

The sudden shift from a bratty attitude to an adorable, obedient child was something to behold. "You wished to see me, Asagi-sensei?" Ryuji asked.

The door clicked shut behind him.

“Yes. You can sit at the sofa Miyatake-kun, this is going to take a while so wait for a moment.”

He does as he told and sit at the sofa. The girl then sit beside him.

“Hey, can I ask you something?” Fuyuki began, her earlier sharpness replaced by a curious, almost hopeful tone. “You’re a mage, right?”

“Hm? Yeah, I am. Why?”

“Well, you see… my dad’s a mage too. I was wondering if you knew him.”

Ryuji raised an eyebrow. “You’d have to describe him.”

“Hmm,” she hummed, thinking. “Messy, unkempt black hair. Dead fish eyes. Really pale skin, and kinda skinny. Oh, and he could control ghosts. At least that how mom describe him.”

The way this kid describe the person is similar to Oiwa. It got to be coincidence right? They disappear for months in his world unless they appeared from the different time when they came to this world.

“Well, I know someone that fits that description.”

“Really?”

“But I’m not sure if he would be your dad, kid. There… complication.”

“Complication?”

“Uh, it is too weird,” He said it in playful tone. “Why do you want to know?”

“My mom really miss him.” There is sadness in his tone. “And I want to know… why I’m treated differently by the clan.”

"That's enough for now." Asagi gently put an end to the conversation. "I'm sorry, Fuyuki, but I need to have an important discussion with him. Could you step outside for just a moment?"

"It's okay! I'm going to see Uncle Kuro anyway." Fuyuki chirped, hopping off the sofa. "See you later, Auntie Asagi!"

With a small wave, the girl skipped out of the office, the door clicking softly shut behind her.

A moment of quiet settled over the room. "Can I ask a question, Asagi-sensei?"

"Of course."

"Is that... Murasaki-sensei's child?"

A faint, knowing smile touching her lips. "No. She is her niece."

"Really? It's just... she looks so much like her."

"Well, they are from the same family, after all."

"Still, for a niece to resemble her aunt that closely…" Ryuji shook his head, dismissing the thought. "Let's focus on the meeting. Why am I here?"

"We have narrowed down the likely area of their operations," Asagi stated, turning her laptop to face him. The screen displayed a detailed map. "The highest concentration of activity is here, in Edogawa City specifically, the districts bordering Senzaki."

"I see." He studied the map, his focus sharpening. ‘Wait a minute, why are Edogawa City's marked coastal areas listed as part of Senzaki? I've never even heard of a city called Senzaki.’ Another change between this world and his own. It appeared an entirely new city had been created here, branching off from what he knew as Edogawa City.

"Alright. Once I return to Mizuki Manor, I'll start my investigation."

"Good, you better be prepared as you will be departing tomorrow. However, do you plan on taking anyone with you?"

"No, not rea—"

The door suddenly swung open, revealing both Sakura and Asuka.

"Then you can take us on this mission!" Sakura declared, her voice bubbling with energy.

"Yes! I'm sure we'll be valuable support for a successful operation!" Asuka added, her tone just as enthusiastic.

"You two…" Asagi stood up and approached them, her expression stern. "I have repeated this many times. You are not permitted on field missions until after graduation."

Asuka snapped. "This again?! You promised us that if we achieved high scores in combat simulation, we could go. Then you said to wait until our third year. Then you moved it to graduation? What's next, will you assign us a babysitter even after we graduate?"

“That’s not it…” Asagi began, struggling to find the right words.

“Enough! Let’s go, Sakura.” Asuka said, her voice heavy with frustration.

“Eh? We’re just giving up?” Sakura said.

“As long as she’s alive, we’ll never be allowed on a real mission.”

“Wait a minute, you two.” Ryuji decided to step in. “Asagi-sensei, let them join this mission.”

Three pairs of eyes widened at his intervention.

“Miyatake-kun,” Asagi said, her voice a blend of surprise and sharp authority.

Ryuji knew he needed more allies in the village. This mission was the perfect opportunity to start with Sakura, Asagi's younger sister. Building a friendship with her could significantly improve Asagi's own perception of him.

“Listen, they are Taimanin. They’ve trained for years; they can’t spend their entire education in a simulation. They need real-world experience, and this is the perfect opportunity. It’s a diplomatic mission. Low risk, minimal chance of combat. On top of that, both of them have welcoming personalities. Their presence could improve the group perception of the Taimanin, helping to smooth out the talks.”

Asagi felt conflicted. The idea of sending two precious individuals on a mission filled her with dread. She couldn’t bear to lose anyone else, not after the disappearance of the Sawaki brothers.

“I understand if you don’t have faith in this mission,” Ryuji continued, his voice dropping to a quiet yet absolute tone. “So I will offer you a guarantee. ”He let the words hang in the still air of the office. “If anything happens to them while they are under my protection…” He paused, ensuring her eyes were locked on his. “I will forfeit my left hand.” He had nothing else to offer, no rank, no money. Only his word, made tangible through the most irreversible pledge he could think of. He hoped the sheer weight of the gamble would be enough to tip the scales.

Asagi sigh, she can’t keep coddling them forever. And if Ryuji can keep them safe then she will allow it. “Alright you two can go.”

“Really? Thank you so much, big sis!” Sakura exclaimed, rushing forward to hug Asagi.

Asuka was equally surprised and grateful. “Thank you for giving us a chance!” Then, an idea popped into her head. “Oh! Can we bring Kirara-chan as well?” The thought of her first mission being with her best friend made her giddy with excitement.

Asagi’s gaze shifted to Ryuji. “That is for Ryuji to decide.”

“Uh, sure,” Ryuji said with a shrug. “I don’t see why not.” ‘There’s a chance Onisaki might cause problems because of her dislike of men, but I’m sure she can rein it in.’

.

.

.

Once the discussion was concluded, Asagi escorted him down to the academy's underground facilities. A secure, specialized testing area used for evaluating new equipment.

"Alright, Miyatake-kun. Here." Asagi presented him with two handguns. Their sleek, modern frames were built on a revolver-like chassis, each cylinder holding eight rounds.

"These are?"

"Custom handguns," Asagi explained, noting his curious inspection. "Forged from a heat-tolerating alloy. They should withstand your flame far better than standard issue."

Ah, right. He had asked Shiranui to replace his damaged firearms. Once he was back at Mizuki Manor, he would have to thank her.

“You can test these, to the shooting range.”

Ryuji nodded and approached the firing range. He raised the custom handgun, aimed at the distant target, and willed his flame to flow into the chambered rounds. He pulled the trigger.

A burst of fire covered the bullets as they soared from the barrel. Upon impact, the target erupted in a small, satisfying explosion.

‘Now to turn it up.’

He kept firing. Each shot roared louder than the last, and each impact blossomed into a progressively larger fireball. The concussive whump of explosions began to draw glances from others in the facility.

Once he emptied the guns, he reloaded them with quick efficiency.

‘More. I need to find their limits.’

He was impressed. Shot after shot, the custom handguns held firm against the torrent of his flame. Any ordinary sidearm would have melted into slag after two rounds. Even his firearms from Yomihara had a strict limit of six before the barrel warped. These new weapons were in a different class entirely.

Sixteen shots. Sixteen consecutive, flame-imbued rounds that left a smouldering crater in the reinforced wall of the test range.

He stopped finally, not because the guns had failed, but his wrist starting to sore from the recoil of the gun. A slow, genuine smile touched his lips. This was the first time a gun had ever caused this particular pain. It meant he no longer had to carefully calculate each shot to avoid melting his own weapon. 

“If you’re satisfied, we can proceed to your suit fitting,” Asagi said

“My suit?” His heart sank. ‘Don’t tell me I have to wear one of those… things.’ The standard-issue Taimanin suits, were revealing in a way that covered everything while leaving little to the imagination.

“Asagi-sensei,” he ventured, “is a tailored suit an option?”

“Hm? You don’t wish to wear the standard gear? It is bulletproof and facilitates ease of movement.” She gave him a patient, knowing look. “At least see try it first, all right? You might change your mind.”

‘Huh. Those things are bulletproof?’ Which surprises how those tight suits can stop bullets.

As they left the facility, their departure was noted by two observers.

"Hey, Maika. That's the new guy, right?" said a man with black hair and sharp green eyes, nodding toward Ryuji's retreating back. "Gotta admit, I'm impressed. He made that crater with just handguns."

"You think that's impressive?" replied his companion, a tall, powerfully built woman with a cascade of red hair and piercing purple eyes. "You should've seen his match against the Slasher Taimanin, Tetsuji bro. He beat her."

"Seriously? Well, looks like the Fire Squad might be getting an amazing new recruit." The man snapped his fingers as an idea struck. "The question is which unit should take him? Actually… how about you take him?"

"Huh? Why me? I'm not a captain of a unit."

"You will be. We've been considering forming a new squad led by you," the man said, his tone still casual. "A powerhouse like him would be the perfect cornerstone for it."

“I don’t know…”

“Don’t worry about it. With someone who can beat the Slasher Taimanin in your squad, you’ll be fine. Plus, if he’s that strong, he won’t be afraid to fight beside you, unlike the other Taimanins.”

Maika let out a long sigh. If Kaiji Tetsuju, the highest-ranking officer of the Fire Squad, believed she was ready to lead a unit, then she would meet that expectation. “You know I prefer working solo,” she said. “But… if you think I’m ready for this, I’ll do it.”

.

.

.

Ryuji had changed into the standard Taimanin suit. He had to admit, it was surprisingly comfortable and allowed for effortless movement, even as it clung tightly to his body.

‘But still…’

"I'm sorry, Asagi-sensei," he said, the words feeling as awkward as he looked. "For all its practicality… I don't think I can fight properly in this." It's just too embarrassing for him. "If it's possible, I'd really prefer a tailored suit."

“Very well. I will request the staff to prepare one for you, it will be finished by tomorrow, so come to my office to receive them.” Asagi replied, her tone accepting without further debate. “If that is all, then you are dismissed.”

“Thank you, Asagi-sensei.” With a final nod, he left the room, navigating the underground facility to find his way back to the surface.

During the journey, a flash of familiar red hair caught his eye. It was the boy from the changing room, the one who had threatened him. He was speaking intently with a man in a medical coat.

The boy noticed Ryuji, shot him a look of pure contempt, and walked away. ‘Seriously? He holds a grudge just for talking to Asagi?’

Before Ryuji could dwell on it, the doctor turned and began walking toward him. With each step the man took, the feeling of disgust became stronger and stronger.

‘What the hell are you?’ The thought was instinctive, danger practically screaming in his head. The malice radiating from the man was a choking miasma. ‘Is someone like this even allowed to be here? Is he even human?’

As the doctor finally closed the distance, Ryuji realized the truth. This was no half-blood like Kirara, but a pure demon. ‘Talk first. Stay calm. Stay patient. Don’t act suspicious.’ He steadied his breathing, forcing a friendly expression.

“Well, hello there, young man. You must be the new recruit,” the doctor said, his tone attempting welcome, though the aura of danger around him never wavered. “How was your first day?”

"Uh, yeah, that's me. Miyatake Ryuji, and I’m doing fine." he said with a smile, keeping his tone purposefully friendly despite the visceral disgust churning in his gut. "And you are?"

“Oh, how rude of me. I am Muroi Mitsuhiko, a member of the medical staff here at Gosha Academy.” A thin, polite smile touched his lips. “I am also an outsider here, you see.”

“Oh, really? How did you manage to get accepted into the village?”

“You see, I served as a military doctor with the Ground Self-Defense Force. I first learned of the Taimanin and their extraordinary abilities during a joint mission. I was so fascinated that I requested a transfer to work here and study their methods more closely.”

‘That still doesn't explain how he was accepted. Virtually every staff member I've sensed has been a Taimanin or radiates Taima Particles. An ordinary human is a glaring anomaly, so how did this one get past their screening?’

“It must be unusual for someone without any abilities to work here,” Ryuji said, keeping his tone conversational. “What’s the process for an ordinary person to become staff?”

“Hmm, an interesting question,” Muroi replied, as if considering it for the first time. “The primary requirement is severing all external ties. No family, no connections to the outside world. The village’s secrecy is paramount, which is why ordinary people here are exceptionally rare.”

“They have to go that far? I guess I understand.” Ryuji shifted the topic subtly. “Another question: how much are demons tolerated in the village? I think I saw a few while exploring.” ‘A lie. The only one I know is Onisaki Kirara, and she’s a half-demon.’

“Not well,” Muroi answered, his tone measured. “While they are permitted to live here, they are perpetually treated with suspicion.”

“I see. So, are they allowed to work as staff in the academy?”

Ryuji sensed a flicker of suspicion from Muroi, though it vanished as quickly as it appeared. “No. This is the most secure facility in the village. Allowing a demon here would be an unacceptable risk.”

"Alright, say you're interested in Taimanin. Does that extend to the supernatural in general? Like magic?" Ryuji asked, still needing to confirm his suspicion. "I'm actually a mage myself, no Taimanin blood. Would you be interested in seeing a demonstration?"

“Oh, magic? Yes, please, show me.” Muroi said, his voice laced with a convincingly eager tone. Yet, to Ryuji's heightened senses, the man's true emotion was a flat, profound boredom.

Ryuji summoned a small flame, no larger than his palm. With his other hand, he gently shaped the fire, coaxing it into the delicate, rotating form of a blooming flower. He carefully tempered its energy, lowering the purifying intensity of the flame to something that felt merely mystical, not inherently hostile to a demon’s essence.

"Here you are, Muroi-sensei," Ryuji said, offering the fiery blossom. "Is this your first time seeing magic up close?"

As Muroi reached out with both hands to take it, his fingers brushed against Ryuji's and lingered a moment too long. The flower of flame hovered harmlessly over his skin.

"Yes, it is my first time seeing it so closely," he replied, a faint, blush touching his cheeks. "It's quite beautiful, Miyatake-kun." His tone was polite, but Ryuji's senses registered a core of profound disinterest. Strangely, however, a flicker of something else passed through the demon's demeanour a spark of genuine, attention focused solely on Ryuji, not the magic.

At that moment, Ryuji had gathered enough to confirm his suspicion, Muroi was a spy. First, the doctor's story of how he was accepted into Gosha Village was deliberately vague, lacking any credible detail. 

Second, his claim that this was his first time seeing magic was an obvious lie for a being whose very existence was intertwined with supernatural forces. That lie further betrayed by his profound disinterest, The reaction didn't match the curiosity of a true novice to the supernatural world. 

The final, point. If the village's protocol for outsiders required severing all worldly ties to work in the village, then a rigorous physical examination would be mandatory. For a demon to pass as human, that system had to have been bypassed. This wasn't just an infiltration; it implied corruption within the village's or government own security apparatus.

Yet, despite the overwhelming deception, one reaction felt genuine. The blush and that peculiar, intrigued focus directed solely at him. There is an unsettling possibility, this demon's interest might be personal, even romantic. It was a dangerous variable, but also a potential weakness Ryuji could exploit.

“Well, I should get going.” Ryuji said, offering a carefully calibrated, friendly smile. “I’m glad we met. It’s a relief not to be the only outsider here. Say… could I get your number?” The request was casual. He decided to get closer with the doctor and collect some information on him.

“Of course,” Muroi replied. He pulled a small notepad from his coat, wrote down the numbers, and tore off the page. “Here you are,” he said, offering it to Ryuji. “It was a pleasure speaking with you, Miyatake-kun.”

"Thanks. See you later, Muroi-sensei." With that, they separated.

Great. Just great. Now he had a spy to deal with, one whose activities threatened the village and, by extension, threaten him. Why did he attract so much trouble? Did he have some kind of curse?

The immediate question was how to proceed. Reporting Muroi to Asagi was the obvious move, but fraught with unseen risks. The doctor was clearly a professional; he likely had informants within the village, perhaps even in Asagi's inner circle. A formal warning might tip him off, giving him time to vanish or erase his tracks.

And if Muroi were tipped off and escaped or eliminated, it wouldn't end the threat. It would go to an unexpected direction. His organization would know their source inside Gosha Village was compromised. Their response could be drastic like using outright aggression, now that they've lost their insider's intelligence, they had to rely on capture Taimanin for information, or a more devious, long-term scheme to infiltrate the village again from a different angle. Regardless of the path they chose, one outcome was certain: Ryuji, as the one who discover their agent, would become their primary target.

The safer move was to keep this to himself for now, gather information about him, and move quickly before the doctor could act. He couldn't do it completely alone, though. He would need to recruit someone he could trust, luckily he knew a couple of friends he could enlist.

But first, he needed a moment to clear his head. Ryuji wants some fresh air and the sun's warmth. He decided to go to the one place in the academy, the rooftop.

.

.

.

Ryuji lay on the roof, feeling the warm sun on his skin. The fresh wind brushing over him was refreshing, and a couple of birds even landed nearby. He had turned off his Third Eye to enjoy the peace. Today had been intensely stressful. He'd gained a bully, force using Hypermode on Rinko, and discovered a spy. So much had happened in a single day.

“Ryuji-kun.” The voice was unmistakably Rinko's surprises him but showing no outward reaction. ‘What is she doing here?’ The thought surfaced, but he kept his eyes closed. ‘Is she looking for me?’

“Yes, Rinko.” He continued to lie still in the same position. “Did you need something?”

“Are you comfortable with your head on the hard rooftop?” she asked, sitting down beside him. “How about resting it on my lap?”

‘A lap pillow? Is she serious?’ “I… kinda want to be alone right now,” He murmured, the protest quiet. He truly wanted to be alone with his thoughts.

“Oh…” Rinko’s mood visibly fell, and a pang of guilt immediately struck Ryuji.

In response, he sat up and repositioned himself, leaning his back against the academy’s rooftop railing. “So,” he said, his tone softer. “What did you want to talk about?”

Rinko slid closer to him on the bench, closing the distance until her breast pressed against his arm.

What is she doing? Is what Ryuji thought as had no idea what she is doing.

Unbeknownst to him, Rinko was simply following her teacher's advice.

.

.

.

The trio was in the simulation room, overseeing Tatsurou's training with his Wind Art. He was improving well, having learned to increase his mobility and even create ranged wind attacks.

Yet despite seeing her brother improvement, Rinko still felt guilty about what she had done. When she learned that using his ability had caused Ryuji's face to bleed, she realized it must have caused him significant pain. But how should Rinko apologize? She had trained and sparred with other students, sometimes pushing them too far, but never to this extent. How would she apologize to him?

“Are you alright, Rinko-senpai?” Yukikaze asked, her expression worried.

“It’s just… I don't know how to apologize to him properly.”

“Well, just say you’re sorry,” Yukikaze offered with a shrug, giving the simplest answer she could think of.

Of course, that didn’t sit well with Rinko. “I don’t think he will accept a simple apology. It wouldn’t feel like enough.”

Tatsurou stopped his training, unable to focus while his sister was so troubled. “Then let’s find Ryuji-senpai, apologize directly, and just ask him what he wants as an apology. That’s the most honest way, isn’t it?”

Her brother was right. The most straightforward approach was to simply ask Ryuji what he wanted. Yet a thread of doubt still lingered in her heart. Nonetheless, she resolved to find him and apologize.

Their search of the academy revealed that Ryuji was currently with Asagi. Deciding to wait, they headed to the cafeteria for a snack. On the way, they encountered their English teacher, Kousaka Shizuru.

"Oh, if it isn't you three," Shizuru said with a gentle smile. "What brings you here at this hour? Still training, perhaps?"

"Hello, Shizuru-sensei," Rinko said, speaking for the group. "We're heading to the cafeteria for a snack while we wait for the new student to finish with Lady Asagi."

"Ah, the young magician, if I'm not mistaken. It's quite rare to have someone of that background at the academy."

"Um, Shizuru-sensei," Rinko ventured, a new thought occurring to her. "You're good with men, right?"

“Oh my. He’s only been here a day, and you’ve already decided to seduce him?” Shizuru replied, a distinctly mischievous smile playing on her lips.

This made Rinko’s face turn the colour of a tomato. “W-what?! N-no, I didn’t mean it like that! It’s just…” She took a breath to calm down. “I did something that hurt him, and I want to apologize properly. I don’t think a simple ‘sorry’ will be enough.”

"Ah, I understand. You should try to be straightforward and give him a simple apology. He seems to be a nice boy, judging by how he interacts with teachers and students, and how quickly you guys took a liking to him."

“But is there another way? I fear that after what I did, even sincerity might not reach him.”

“Well, you could always… add a little persuasion.” Shizuru suggested, her tone light but pointed. To illustrate, she subtly arched her back, pressing her chest forward. A demonstration aimed not at Rinko, but directly at the flustered Tatsurou, who blushes at the sight. “A man’s opinion of a woman often improves when he feels she’s interested in him. Isn’t that right, Tatsurou-kun?” she added, his name a purr in her mouth.

Yukikaze’s eyes narrowed. In one swift motion, she reached up and pinched Tatsurou’s cheek, pulling his gaze away from their teacher. “Hey! What are you staring at?” she huffed, her voice a mix of annoyance and anger. “Stupid Tatsurou!” With a final, furious pout, she turned and stormed off down the hall.

“W-wait! I’m sorry!” Tatsurou called after her, scrambling to follow. “It’s not my fault Shizuru-sensei just- I wasn’t- Yukikaze!”

Rinko didn't follow them. Instead, she stood there, intently focusing on her teacher's advice. She had heard something similar before, that boys often responded positively when girls initiated touch.

The idea made her face burn. It felt ridiculous, underhanded... not like a proper apology at all. But what if a 'proper apology' wasn't enough? The fear of him rejecting her simple words, tightened in her chest. This silly, embarrassing plan was the only left. She had to try.’

.

.

.

‘Why isn’t it working?’

Panic set in as Ryuji showed no reaction to her advances. She hugged his arm even tighter, which only succeeded in making him visibly uncomfortable.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Ryuji said, his tone edged with annoyance as he gently but firmly extracted his arm. “What’s the problem, Rinko?”

She released him and let out a quiet sigh, her gaze dropping. “I’m… I’m sorry for what I did.”

“For what you did?” he echoed, his annoyance shifting to guarded confusion.

“During our match,” she clarified, her voice growing more firm with conviction. “I demanded you go all out, even after you told me about the backlash. I didn’t listen. I forced you into a corner, and I hurt you for my own selfish desire to see your power. I’m truly sorry.”

Her words gave Ryuji pause. “Is that what this is all about?” he asked, his tone softening from annoyance to weary acceptance. “Then it’s fine. I forgive you.” He shifted slightly, a look of genuine confusion replacing his earlier irritation. “But… what was with the lap pillow and hugging my arm?”

“Uh, well…” Rinko began, her cheeks flushing a deeper red. She fumbled for the right words. “Shizuru-sensei said that… men usually respond better when a woman shows she’s interested in them. I didn’t know how else to make things right, so I thought… maybe doing that would put you in a better mood. That it might help you accept my apology.”

“...”

“...”

Silence hung between them for a long moment.

Then, a small, breathy sound escaped Ryuji. "Heh." It was followed by another, turning into a suppressed snicker he tried to hide behind his hand “Hihihi.”. His shoulders began to shake. The snicker broke into a choked chuckle, then spilled out as full, unreserved laughter. He doubled over, clutching his stomach."HAHAHAHA!!" the laughter echoing in the space between them, loud and utterly bewildering to the Taimanin beside him.

“So that’s what this was all about.” Ryuji wiped the laughter-induced tears from his eyes. “You tried to… seduce me… as an apology.” A fresh chuckle escaped him. “That’s so stupid, it's somehow becoming… cute.”

“Wha—?” Rinko’s blush deepened at the word.

“It’s so ridiculous it circled all the way back to being cute.” he said, his laughter finally subsiding into a warm, tired smile. “Seriously, just give me a simple sorry and I would be fine. I’m not the type that hold a grudge.”

“I… I see.” Now she just felt foolish.

Exhausted from the fit of laughter, Ryuji let his head drop, leaning his weight gently against Rinko’s shoulder.

They stayed like that for what felt like hours in the comfortable silence, until Rinko finally spoke, her voice soft. “Hey, Ryuji-kun… did you enjoy our fight at all?”

“To be honest,” he began, his voice low and measured against her shoulder, “I’ve never liked fighting. Not even a little. Taking a life, sparring with someone… there’s no joy in it for me. Even if I win, I just feel… nothing.”

Rinko listened intently. She had never met someone so strong who viewed combat this way. What could she possibly say? “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I made you go through that.”

“No, it’s okay.” He shifted slightly, his tone softening. “Actually, there was one moment that made it worth it.”

“Really? When?”

“When I saw how happy it made you, Rinko. When I finally stopped holding back, and you smiled… I couldn’t help but feel happy, too.”

Something fluttered inside her chest. “O-oh… w-well, I’m glad, then.”

He chuckled and pushed himself to his feet, stretching slightly. “Hey,” he said, glancing back at her with a new, lighter expression. “Do you want to go for another round?”

“But… didn’t you just say you dislike fighting?” she asked, confusion softening her features.

Rinko smiled, her heart fluttering with an excitement and a feeling she couldn't quite name. She took his hand and let him pull her to her feet, standing before him.

"Sure," she said, her voice warm. "Let's do it, Ryuji-kun."

At that moment, as her hand rested in his, she couldn't help but think she had made a wonderful friend. And yet, in her heart, she wanted more.