"Master, you mentioned earlier that we could learn magic too..."
Ayame's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Is that true?"
She had actually wanted to ask last night, but between the overwhelming pleasure and Haruto not bringing it up, she had held back.
"Yes. You can ask them for the details once they wake up."
Haruto turned toward the bathroom. "I'll leave the living room to you two. I'm going to wash up and head to school."
"Oh, and if your aptitude is good enough, you might even be able to transfer to Kuoh Academy."
Back when they hadn't been able to attend the same school as Haruto, the Takamine sisters had complained about Kasumi Takamine for ages.
Sure enough, hearing this, their enthusiasm for learning magic visibly grew.
...
Munching on bread and milk bought from a convenience store while walking to the academy, Haruto suddenly realized he had forgotten to ask the Takamine sisters whether they also felt like they were becoming his exclusive possessions.
"Ah well, I can ask them later..."
Truth be told, he didn't really need to ask—he was already fairly certain that what Ruri had said was true.
The Takamine sisters had been trained far too smoothly and quickly.
It had felt almost effortless, as if success came without much struggle.
At first, he had assumed it was just their natural aptitude, but now it seemed this side effect played a role as well.
Looking at it another way, what benefit would Ruri gain by making up such a story to deceive him?
Haruto racked his brain but couldn't think of any advantage they might have.
The Cuckold Protagonist Template might attract troublemakers, but it also brought him plenty of conveniences.
With no need to worry about NTR from those in his own backyard, half of Haruto's stress simply vanished.
"I wonder if President Sona and Rias-senpai have already discussed things..."
Haruto ignored the various gazes around him and muttered to himself as he walked toward the student council.
Though the rumor storm had passed, there were still plenty of people paying attention to Haruto—especially students from the hidden academy.
The girls wanted to verify whether the rumors about Haruto boosting one's strength were true, while the boys watched with a mix of envy, jealousy, and wariness.
Whispers about the disappearance of third-year Taisei Oida had somehow spread.
Whether it was intentional on Rias and Sona's part or not, Haruto's surroundings had indeed become much calmer lately.
Arriving at the student council, Haruto didn't see Sona or Tsubaki.
After subtly probing the other council members for information and coming up empty, he headed for the Occult Research Club.
Pushing open the clubroom door, Haruto shook the white-haired loli napping on the sofa.
"Koneko, wake up, wake up."
"Mmm~ Is breakfast ready...?" Koneko mumbled as she sat up, rubbing her bleary eyes. "I want fried eggs and miso soup..."
Haruto sighed. "No such luck."
This lazy cat, sleeping in this late, still expecting a hot meal?
He'd finished all the groceries at home last night and had to buy breakfast from a convenience store this morning.
"Ugh~"
Seeing no food in sight, Koneko started to slump back down.
Haruto ruffled her soft cat-like hair in annoyance and quickly asked, "Where's the president and Akeno-senpai?"
"The president went back to the underworld last night... As for Akeno-senpai... hmm... dunno."
"Back to the underworld..." Haruto released her fluffy head, feeling somewhat relieved.
It seemed his "deception" wouldn't be exposed anytime soon.
He hadn't lied—just omitted a lot of truths.
The key issue was that he'd thoroughly "devoured" Tsubaki...
He needed to boost his strength quickly. Otherwise, he worried he might not die at the hands of some random antagonist but instead get accidentally beaten to death by a woman.
Well, death was unlikely—Tsubaki wouldn't go that far.
But being tied up and locked in a basement as a training dummy—or worse, a breeding tool—was a real possibility.
Draping a blanket over the white-haired loli, Haruto headed for the kendo club.
Given his current strength, targeting his previously set goals would yield the greatest rewards if he gained new abilities.
Even if he didn't, the risks were manageable.
Haruto's current strength was at least B-rank—after all, even a Low-class Devil generally had B-rank power.
Since he hadn't sparred with anyone of equal or greater strength, he tentatively placed himself at the lower end of B-rank.
Surely he wouldn't run into A-rank or stronger enemies just by pursuing a few ordinary heroines, right?
First, he'd check on Sakura Miyajima at the kendo club, then Natsuha Shinomiya at the karate club...
As he walked, Haruto refined the plan he'd drafted earlier.
Soon, he reached the back of the kendo club's training hall. Just as he was about to circle around to the front, he suddenly heard rustling from the bushes.
"Wow, this is heaven!"
"Move over, it's my turn!"
"Stop pushing, I'm not done looking yet!"
"Hey, you two, I haven't even gotten a peek!"
...
Haruto's ears perked up—one of the voices sounded familiar.
Slowing his steps, he quietly crossed the hedges and crept up behind the three whisper-arguing figures.
So it was them...
Observing the finger-sized holes in the low wall, Haruto stroked his chin with keen interest.
The perverted trio were still shoving each other for ownership of the peepholes, each desperate for another glimpse of the changing beauties, completely unaware of someone watching them from behind.
In their excitement, the trio grew louder and more animated—especially Issei Hyoudou, who hadn't gotten his turn yet and was practically itching to take action by force.
Thud!
Amid the scuffle, someone crashed into the wall, drawing the attention of the kendo club members.
Following the noise, they quickly spotted the peepholes—and the three peeping toms behind them.
"Ah! Perverts!"
Chaos erupted as the kendo girls hurriedly dressed and grabbed their bamboo swords, charging outside.
"Crap, we've been caught! Run!"
Matsuda and Motohama, who had been monopolizing the peepholes, sensed danger and promptly shoved Issei behind them.
Issei, still waiting for his turn to peek, tumbled to the ground, utterly bewildered.
By the time he scrambled up, he was already surrounded by furious girls.
Haruto had quietly slipped away the moment Matsuda and Motohama raised the alarm.
Watching the two about to escape, his eyes narrowed as he cast a minor lightning spell at their knees.
Compared to the simple-minded, breast-obsessed Issei, Haruto had far less tolerance for these two.
They always reaped the benefits while Issei bore the blame for their messes.
Though they'd later console and compensate him, Haruto still disliked their kind.
Hidden in the bushes, Matsuda and Motohama felt their knees go numb before their bodies stiffened and collapsed face-first.
Thud! Thud!
The kendo club members, busy beating Issei, turned at the sound.
"There are accomplices!"
"I knew it had to be all three of them!"
"Hmph, girls, give them a good thrashing!"
Matsuda and Motohama instantly drew most of the fury.
Unlike the hapless Issei, the kendo girls despised these two nearly successful escapees even more.
Seizing the distraction, Haruto grabbed the dazed Issei and pulled him away from the chaos.
The girls only saw a black shadow flash past, a gust of wind—and then Issei was gone.
With one less target, Matsuda and Motohama endured even fiercer beatings.
Haruto didn't care what happened to them—they wouldn't die, and the lesson might do them good.
Surveying Issei's bruised face, Haruto smiled faintly, his gaze flickering to Issei's arm. "Long time no see, Hyoudou."
Issei, still disoriented by the sudden shift in scenery, froze at Haruto's voice, his confusion turning to dread.
"Ha-Haruto... s-senpai... l-long time no see."
He instinctively shuffled backward, putting distance between them.
Haruto's eyes sharpened—this wouldn't do for his plans.
He'd been so fixated on dual cultivation that he'd nearly forgotten about this 'cheat device.'
If possible, Haruto wanted to claim the Red Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet for himself.
Failing that, at least establishing goodwill with Issei now wouldn't hurt.
Issei Hyoudou was actually quite good to his friends. No matter how many times Matsuda and Motohama screwed him over, he never held a grudge.
Adjusting his expression to appear harmless, Haruto asked curiously, "Issei, why were you surrounded and beaten up by the kendo club members?"
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