Chapter 46

Episode 46: A Deal with the Villain

To Rokuhara, the place was nothing but the worst spot he wanted to leave immediately.

(A gloomy-faced woman and the top waste of a Professor from Kisou Academy… just looking at either of them pisses me off.)

If it weren’t for having received a large sum of money beforehand, he would have already left, Rokuhara inwardly clicked his tongue. For him, this was nothing but a stress-inducing location.

“Ah, by the way, did you bring the Kisou Academy uniform as promised?”

“…Eina, lend me your backpack.”

“A, yes.”

Rokuhara grabbed the backpack Eina had been carrying and tossed it onto the bed.

“You check it yourself, Professor.”

“Ho, I see I’m still disliked as ever. And yet, I am one of the heroes destined to save the world.”

The Professor scratched their neck carelessly while rummaging through the backpack. They then pulled out a single uniform.

It was the typical girl’s uniform of Kisou Academy, predominantly black.

“The size is made according to what you reported earlier. Officially, you’ll be transferring into Kisou Academy, so appearances matter.”

“…That’s right.”

Upon seeing the uniform, Miroku barely managed to reply. Her hand, which gripped the bedsheet as if enduring something, caught Rokuhara’s gaze, but he quickly averted his eyes.

(She’s still crazy as ever. Just from what I know, eighteen people. No, this makes nineteen now.)

Rokuhara knew that the Professor regularly gathered students for Kisou Academy. He himself had accompanied them a few times.

(Using an S-Rank like me for mere errands… Normally, I’d have killed her already.)

Still, he continued because she paid exceptionally well. As long as he stayed in Kisou Academy, Rokuhara had resolved to accept a certain level of tragedy.

Miroku was just another girl who should resign herself to such a fate.

“Besides, being able to use a student from Factom General Academy is unprecedented. To be honest, I’m rather excited about this. Ciel was originally a Demon’s Gear within your school district. There’s a good chance of compatibility.”

While rubbing her cracked hands together, the Professor stared at Miroku’s face as if licking it.

“Well, based on my assessment, it’s unlikely to succeed, but don’t worry; if it fails, I’ll prepare a new vessel for you. Frankly, this body is reaching its limit too.”

Saying this, the Professor pointed at themselves. Rokuhara, upon seeing this, vaguely remembered how the current appearance of the Professor used to belong to a virtuous female student who patrolled Kisou Academy.

Back then, her hair was much brighter gold, but now it had dulled significantly.

“This was irregularly obtained, so it degrades quickly. Alas, without high-quality materials, it simply doesn’t fit properly.”

“…”

Miroku’s face suddenly turned pale. Perhaps she remained silent because she understood what she could gain by offering herself as payment.

“With this, the support for Factom General Academy will continue, right?”

“Of course. I never break promises. Ultimately, my goal is to save the world. Along the way, saving your academy isn’t unreasonable.”

Without considering the sacrifices right before her eyes, the Professor answered thus.

“Rather, I admire how you’ve endured the constant pressure from Kisou Academy. The previous Student Council President was very regrettable, but you’re quite a gem. I always reward those I value appropriately.”

“…Is that so?”

Miroku replied as if exhaling. Everything was irritating.

(What a waste of a woman.)

Rokuhara internally evaluated Miroku thus. He didn’t know how strong she was,

but Rokuhara had noticed the abnormality in the amount of magical power Miroku possessed.

(Fucking ridiculous magical power. With that much, can she reach the same level as that glutton?)

Tatari, a girl of the same S-Rank as himself, popped into his mind. A monster capable of increasing her magical power after birth due to her ability to consume anything. The magical power of the girl before him was more than enough to match that.

The only flaw might be the lack of purpose for using that magical power.

(If someone hasn’t awakened to their abilities by that age, they likely never will. Her physical enhancement is mediocre at best. If she keeps accumulating magical power without a release, it’s ultimately a waste of potential.)

Thus, to Rokuhara, she was merely a pity.

As he watched Miroku, Rokuhara’s sleeve was suddenly tugged.

“Huh?”

Looking down, he saw Eina pulling his sleeve with a dissatisfied expression. Given her programming against rebellion, merely watching the interaction between the Professor and Miroku must have been unbearable for her.

Rokuhara roughly patted Eina’s head. Then, he deliberately raised his voice.

“…Ah, Professor, isn’t it time to head back to the academy? We’ve also been summoned by the Board of Directors for another matter, so let’s go if we’re leaving.”

“I apologize for that. It’s unwise to waste capable talent. Well then, Aoi Hoshi Miroku, I’ll see you again in my lab.”

With that, the Professor stood up. Miroku merely nodded slightly without saying anything further.

(As usual, dealing with this guy leaves me in the worst mood.)

The Professor seemed to lose interest in further conversation and exited the room. After confirming she was gone, Rokuhara hesitated to say something to Miroku but stopped himself.

Instead, he immediately patted Eina’s head again upon stepping out of the room.

“Leader?”

Looking up curiously, Eina saw Rokuhara flash a ferocious grin.

(It’s not my role to save that woman. That responsibility doesn’t fall on me.)

“Eina, stay sharp. Things are about to get interesting. That guy will definitely come to retrieve Miroku.”

“That guy?”

“Takikai Na.”

Only Rokuhara, who had faced him, truly understood the intensity of Takikai Na’s unwavering obsession with Factom General Academy—a feeling indescribable in words.

“I’m finally going to fight the real deal. …My heart’s racing uncontrollably.”

Everything was unknown.

The only thing clear was that Takikai Na could easily evade Rokuhara’s attacks.

And for Rokuhara, that fact was exhilarating.

“It’s been a long time since that woman—this will be an all-out battle. This time, you’re with me. We’ll win.”

“Eh, ah, yes!”

Confused, Eina responded anyway.

In Rokuhara’s eyes, neither Miroku nor the Professor existed anymore. All he saw was the battle with Takikai Na.

Even if tragedy came with his victory, he didn’t care.

(Come on, Hero.)

Rokuhara followed his own heart.