Within the swirling mists of Maki Zen'in's domain, Hestia-san glanced around with visible curiosity sparkling in her sky-blue eyes. "This is barrier-type magic, ne? But not the usual kind... it's special. A projection of your inner world invading reality. Maki-chan, why is your inner world like this?"
Maki gave a small, wry smile, her crimson glasses reflecting the glow of the fiery mountain. She opened her mouth but hesitated, unsure how to explain the scars left behind by her past.
Ren-kun, ever perceptive, stepped in to answer in her place. "Maki didn't exactly have a happy childhood... Her family, the Zen'in Clan, treated her horribly."
His words were brief but heavy, weighted with more meaning than the syllables carried. Everyone understood. Hestia looked at Maki with a newfound sympathy and gave a small, reassuring nod. "Gomen ne, Maki-chan. I shouldn't have asked."
Nearby, Schwi, Azril, and Jibril watched the domain with widened eyes. In their world, Disboard, magic flowed through Spirit Weave Corridors. Without one, humans simply couldn't manipulate mana. Yet here was Maki, bending the laws of another universe.
But the explanation was clear. This world operated under a different system of magic. Spirit Weave Corridors weren't necessary.
"Maki," Ren asked, arms crossed with curiosity, "what attributes does your domain possess?"
"Fire and weapons," Maki replied confidently. "The blades on the mountain, the sea of flames below—they're all part of my arsenal. Everything can be transformed into attacks. The domain comes with innate destructive properties and can even neutralize curses. And," she paused for dramatic effect, "every attack inside the domain has a 100% hit rate."
To demonstrate, she formed a 'Gasshō' seal with her fingers and unleashed a barrage of blades at Ren.
Fwish! Fwish! Fwish!
The attacks reached him, but they were halted by the infinity surrounding his body—the effect of his unique barrier, similar to Gojo Satoru's Limitless.
Ren nodded, impressed. "Nice."
The structure of Maki's domain reminded Ren of Unlimited Blade Works from the Fate series—a world of steel and blades born from deep conviction. It lacked the noble phantasm replication function, but the guaranteed strike function made up for it. If Maki could someday merge her domain with something like Unlimited Blade Works, she'd be even more terrifying on the battlefield.
Once the domain demonstration ended, Maki deactivated it with a hand gesture.
Ren gave a satisfied nod. "Great progress. But... today marks our 100th day here. It's time to return."
Maki's eyes lit up. "Finally! I can't wait to surprise everyone!"
Azril, Jibril, and Schwi also showed visible excitement. They knew what Ren-sama meant. Not just leaving Orario, but transitioning to another world—a new realm of adventure.
Hestia, however, looked confused. "Eh? You guys are leaving Orario? All of you?"
Ren smiled gently. "Don't worry, Hestia-san. We'll be back. I'll leave the villa in your care."
After breakfast, Ren left behind some money for Hestia to manage things in their absence. Then, he and the girls headed out. They didn't go far, just to a quiet clearing where he summoned the shimmering Star Gate.
A swirling portal opened in space, and they stepped through.
Destination: Main World - Chiba City.
Saint Sakura High-End Residence, Villa Number Two.
The Star Gate flickered into view, and Ren emerged alongside Maki, Azril, Jibril, and Schwi. The moment they arrived, Ren adjusted the time dilation settings. Originally, the Dungeon World and Main World had a 1:100 time ratio. Now, he inverted it—100 days in the Main World would equal only 1 day in the Dungeon.
He had no intention of heading back to the Dungeon World anytime soon, and this adjustment would prevent missing out on crucial plot developments.
Villa Number Two was home to his three Shikigami: Kyonshi Ani, and the twin Ghost Messengers, Shiro Mujou and Kuro Mujou. The moment he arrived, they appeared in front of him, kneeling respectfully.
"Goshujin-sama! Welcome back!"
Ren waved casually. "It's fine. Go about your usual duties."
He had chosen to return here instead of Villa Number One precisely because Number One had too many guests—some not fully under his trust yet. If certain secrets about his world-hopping abilities were leaked to the Onmyo Agency or the Curse Alliance, it would be a major problem.
Azril looked curiously at the trio. "Master, who are they?"
"Shikigami I contracted," Ren replied with a casual shrug. "They serve me."
He then led his group toward Villa Number One. Halfway there, his phone buzzed.
Several notifications.
He skimmed through them. Missed calls and texts from Kurahashi Kyoko, Sakura, Hotaru Gusa, and even Yukinoshita Haruno and Hiratsuka-sensei.
Ren didn't respond. He simply pocketed the phone with a sigh.
Upon returning to Villa Number One, Akiyama Ren saw Sakura and Hotaru Gusa standing anxiously at the entrance.
One was his contracted divine artifact, the other his loyal Shikigami. The moment Ren stepped foot near the villa, they had sensed his presence through their deep spiritual connection.
However, when their eyes landed on Ren's current form, they both stood frozen in disbelief, their mouths agape.
His transformation was no small matter.
Snow-white hair, from roots to tips—including his brows and lashes—paired with striking heterochromatic eyes: one crimson, the other a piercing sapphire blue. If they hadn't shared a binding link with him, they might not have recognized him at all.
"M-Master... did you turn into a yankii or something?!" Sakura blurted out after a long silence, her face contorting in both concern and confusion.
That did it.
Maki-senpai immediately burst into a fit of laughter. Even Azril, Jibril, and Schwi struggled to suppress their giggles.
Ren sighed and scratched his head awkwardly, waving a hand dismissively. "Oi oi... I'm not a delinquent, baka. My god body evolved again, and this change is part of the transformation."
Sakura blinked a few times, then let out a long breath, patting her chest with one hand in relief. "So Master didn't bleach his hair... that's a relief. I really thought you joined a biker gang or something."
Ren facepalmed. "Let's not waste any more time outside. Come on, let's head in."
"Yes, yes! Right away!" Sakura replied eagerly.
She glanced briefly at the trio of otherworldly beauties walking behind Ren but didn't ask too many questions. After all, their household was already overflowing with powerful and beautiful women. Three more wouldn't even cause a ripple at this point.
The only pressing issue?
They were officially out of rooms.
Master might have to start villa-hunting again.
Once they stepped inside, the scene was practically theatrical. All the girls were gathered in the living room, watching anime on the TV. Yet, they were seated in clearly defined factions.
The first group consisted of Ren's Shikigami: Yuki-onna, Hakuro, Ubume, the Demon Blade Princess, and Takiyasha-hime.
The second faction: the Kyoto Jujutsu High girls—Zen'in Mai, Utahime Iori, Miwa Kasumi, and Nishimiya Momo.
The third: the Onmyou Agency's trio—Tsuchimikado Natsume, Dairenji Suzuka, and Kurahashi Kyōko.
And the last: Yotsuya Miko, Yurikawa Hana, and Niguredou Yuria.
As Ren entered, save for his Shikigami, the other girls didn't recognize him at all. They blinked, confused, processing the sight of a snow-haired bishounen with an aura that practically screamed final boss.
Sakura stepped in helpfully, clearing her throat. "Ahem. Master's god body evolved again. So, uh... he looks a little different now."
Utahime Iori immediately groaned, clearly displeased. "Great, now he looks like that smug Gojo Satoru. What's with the white hair trend?!"
"So... cool!" gasped Yotsuya Miko, while Yurikawa Hana and Futatsumura Yuria clasped their hands together, hearts practically sparkling in their eyes.
Tsuchimikado Natsume peeked once at Ren, blushed furiously, and turned away, heart racing. Guilt stabbed at her—this wasn't supposed to happen. Her heart had fluttered... but she had Harutora-kun...
Dairenji Suzuka, on the other hand, was practically radiating admiration. This was her Master? Strong and handsome? Talk about hitting the jackpot!
Kurahashi Kyōko's gaze lingered longer than most. Her father's death still weighed heavily on her. She suspected Ren's involvement—but even knowing that, she couldn't bring herself to hate him. Her heart had already chosen.
Zen'in Mai narrowed her eyes slightly. She looked at Maki-nee, then at Ren.
"Tch... he's so cool it's unfair. But nee-san won't win that easily. I'll steal him away eventually!" she thought, lips twitching into a sly smile.
Miwa Kasumi and Nishimiya Momo had already fallen into the trap. Ren's visual overhaul was just too powerful.
Handsome men, after all, were dangerous.
Sometimes, a pretty face was all it took to tilt someone's moral compass.
Ren didn't seem fazed by the effect he was having. He stepped forward and spoke calmly, "Let me introduce our new companions: Azril and Jibril of the Flügel, and Schwi of the Ex Machina. Please get along with them."
That snapped the girls back to reality.
Their eyes darted behind Ren.
Feathered wings... mechanical limbs... ethereal beauty...
The room fell silent for a moment.
Flügel? Ex Machina? These races actually existed?
Jibril folded her wings with a soft rustle, offering a polite smile. "It's an honor to be welcomed here. We hope to form harmonious bonds."
Azril remained stoic but nodded respectfully.
Schwi tilted her head, mechanical joints whirring softly. "Acknowledged. New group. Directive: coexist."
The silence was finally broken by Yotsuya Miko, who squealed in excitement. "Kyaaa! Angels and mecha-girls?! This is like a crossover episode of my dreams!"
Of course, what the girls didn't know was that these three—Azril, Jibril, and Schwi—weren't native to this world at all.
Seeing the flood of curiosity lighting up in their eyes, Ren inwardly chuckled. He had no intention of revealing the secret of the Star Gate. Not yet. Until they became his women, that truth would remain sealed.
Afterward, Ren casually introduced each girl to Azril and her companions, giving them a rundown of everyone present.
With the pleasantries out of the way, Ren and Maki Zen'in returned to their room. The moment the door shut behind them, Maki turned toward him with a gleam in her eyes.
"Ren-kun! I wanna go back to Jujutsu High!"
Ren smirked knowingly. "Going to show off, huh?"
Maki crossed her arms, her chin lifted proudly. "Of course. I've been grinding like a shounen protagonist on a training arc. It's time for some dramatic re-entry!"
Ren laughed, fully understanding her sentiment. As the saying went, wealth not shown off is like wearing luxurious silk in the dead of night—what's the point if no one sees it?
"Alright then, let's go," Ren replied with a grin.
Maki immediately linked her arm through his, and with a gentle touch of his fingers, space bent around them.
In a flash, the two reappeared on the training grounds of Jujutsu High.
The field was lively—Toge Inumaki was jogging laps, while Panda was practicing martial arts with intense focus.
Unexpectedly, they weren't alone.
Two young girls stood at the edge of the field.
The older one had refined features and wore a black JK uniform. She held a nodachi casually, yet her presence exuded strength.
The younger one stood beside her, not as striking in demeanor, but undeniably cute—short black hair, bright eyes, and an aura of innocence.
Ren recognized them instantly.
Yomi Isayama and Kagura Tsuchimiya.
From Ga-Rei: Zero.
"Why are they here…? Aren't they supposed to be with the Supernatural Disaster Countermeasures Office?" he wondered.
Before he could ponder further, Toge and Panda spotted them.
"Sensei! Maki-senpai!" Panda waved, his tone cheerful.
Maki Zen'in nodded toward them, then tilted her head at the unfamiliar girls. "Who are they?"
Panda rubbed his head sheepishly. "Ah, those two are new juniors."
Maki blinked. Juniors? Did this year suddenly gain more students? Counting Yuta Okkotsu, that'd make six!
Toge, always succinct, chimed in: "Bonito flakes."
Maki tilted her head. "What does bonito flakes mean this time?"
Ren, now fluent in Toge's speech, translated with a smile. "He said they're not part of this year—they're incoming first-years."
"Ah, makes sense," Maki nodded thoughtfully. That meant next year already had three: the two girls and Megumi Fushiguro.
Just then, Panda's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Wait, Maki... you cut your hair?!"
"Huh? Don't tell me it looks bad, you baka panda," Maki narrowed her eyes dangerously.
Panda panicked, throwing up both hands. "No, no! It's kakkoi! Super cool! I swear!"
Maki grinned at his terrified expression. "Smart choice."
"So... what're their names again?" she asked, gesturing toward the newcomers.
"They're sisters," Panda explained. "The older one is Isayama Yomi, the younger is Tsuchimiya Kagura. They're exorcists from the SDCD. Apparently, during a mission, they got attacked by a curse. In the chaos, they awakened their Innate Techniques."
Ren raised an eyebrow in understanding. That explained their presence here.
Maki, however, looked skeptical. "So, they're only here to train, but after that, they'll just go back to the SDCD, huh?"
"Probably…?" Panda replied, not sounding too sure.
Maki frowned. It didn't sit right with her.
They had awakened legitimate jujutsu techniques, and now they were being trained by Jujutsu High. But once the training was over, they'd leave? What a waste.
Maki didn't care much for the politics of the Curse Alliance, but she respected the front-liners—the ones who risked their lives to fight cursed spirits and protect people.
She wanted to bolster that force.
More allies meant more mission teams, less pressure per sorcerer, and fewer casualties overall.
The battlefield wasn't a place for prideful lone wolves. Numbers meant survival.
Still, she sighed. "I'll talk to them later. Maybe I can convince them to stay after all."
Ren simply watched her in silence, admiring how far she had come.
She wasn't just chasing strength anymore. She was becoming a leader.
And he was glad to be walking this path beside her.