"Of course I'm joining!"
Eriri slightly raised her chin, her eyes gleaming with excitement that she tried hard to conceal.
Though seated on the floor, the way she tilted her head gave the impression she was looking down at Luo Shu from above:
"But let me make this clear—if what you promised doesn't deliver, I reserve the right to quit."
After all, Eriri Sawamura was still a high school student, not far removed from her chuunibyou phase. For someone her age, believing "I'm special" wasn't arrogance but genuine conviction.
Moreover, having been pampered by her family since childhood, despite receiving a proper education, she lacked the shrewdness of working adults.
"In principle, I don't object to leaving the organisation. Of course, that would require signing some legally binding confidentiality agreements."
"Oh? A mysterious contract? I know all about those." Eriri's eyes sparkled with visible excitement.
Yet Luo Shu, who'd proposed this, wasn't actually sure whether members could leave a Familia—though he assumed there must be a way.
If Eriri truly wanted to quit the Astronomy Club and had to do so, he reckoned he could accept it.
However, based on his extensive experience with novels, Luo Shu knew that stepping into the extraordinary was like a bird losing its feet—there would never be a day of landing again.
Whatever his thoughts, Luo Shu seized the moment to produce a prepared document and placed it on the low table before them:
"This is the Astronomy Club membership application contract, witnessed by a deity to ensure neither party can renege."
'Of course, that deity is me, and I'm not counted among the two parties...' Luo Shu silently added in his mind.
Before coming to the classroom after school, Luo Shu had already discussed with the system and learned that there were many contract methods within it, where he served as the witness.
All of these methods were agreements where he held absolute authority as the first party. If both sides violated the contract, Luo Shu would at most suffer dizziness for a while, while the other violator would face mandatory punishment from the system.
Of course, as a competent first party, Luo Shu naturally understood that, unless absolutely necessary, he must never breach the contract terms. Otherwise, his side would lose the moral high ground of 'keeping one's word as weighty as gold,' causing the entire organisation to fall into disarray.
When it came to work, Luo Shu was serious.
"There's actually a contract... surprisingly fitting for a mysterious organisation's vibe. Is this really just starting out?"
Eriri glanced at the contract on the table in surprise, noticing that all the benefits Luo Shu promised were clearly listed without any falsehood. This made the initially sceptical Eriri let go of her extra caution.
Hearing Eriri's remark, Utaha Kasumigaoka couldn't help but add:
"Sometimes I wonder if this guy was just born for this line of work. After all, normal people wouldn't prepare so many things during an organisation's founding phase."
Salaries, benefits, medical logistics, mission expenses and income—everything had been considered. Even though they'd only encountered a giant rat the previous day, he'd already planned so far ahead.
Should they say it was befitting of a recovering deity? Though he hadn't displayed any overwhelmingly powerful abilities, his mindset and methods were far beyond his peers.
At the very least, Utaha hadn't thought as comprehensively as Luo Shu.
Eriri signed her name on the contract document and even took the red ink Luo Shu handed her, pressing her fingerprint onto it:
"OK, done."
"So, how are you going to awaken my superpower next?"
Luo Shu checked Eriri's signature and fingerprint on the contract, confirming it had taken effect, then called upon the system.
'System, we can begin now.'
[Request received. Energy collection device activated. Bestowal Ritual initiated.]
Under Eriri's wide-eyed gaze, a silver-blue arc of light flickered beneath her feet.
An intricate circular magic circle, faintly resembling a sun, gradually formed in the centre of her vision.
"No way... this is really..."
Eriri muttered to herself, seemingly trying to process her shattered worldview.
And then—
A chime rang in Luo Shu's ears.
[Congratulations, host. Familia member 'Eriri Spencer Sawamura' has awakened the Excellent ability 'Metamorphosis.']
"Huh, Excellent?"
Luo Shu was startled. From his continuous discussions with the system today, he'd learned that abilities within the system were ranked as 'Common—Excellent—Elite—Hero—Demigod,' among other tiers.
Coincidentally, an Excellent-tier ability was on the same level as Luo Shu's current strongest skill, 'Wind Element Manipulation.'
Was Eriri's talent really this outstanding?
Meanwhile, the system's notifications continued.
[Congratulations, host, on obtaining a second Familia member. Reward: 9,000 points.]
As if understanding Luo Shu's thoughts, the system automatically converted energy into points for easier communication with his Familia.
[Congratulations, host. Monthly point acquisition has increased to 400 points.]
'400 points? Utaha Kasumigaoka only averages 100, while Eriri is three times that? How on earth is this calculated?'
Just as Luo Shu was puzzled, Eriri gradually opened her eyes from the intense light of the recent ritual, squinting as she raised her hand with a peculiar expression:
"I actually gained a superpower?"
She hesitated, took a deep breath, then activated her newly acquired ability.
In that instant, Eriri's radiant golden hair visibly darkened to jet black. Her figure became more slender, her facial features shifted, appearing more mature, and her azure eyes turned wine-red.
Two or three seconds later, Luo Shu stared in astonishment at the slightly shorter 'mini Utaha Kasumigaoka' before him, giving the original Utaha a strange look.
Utaha was equally shocked by Eriri's transformation, barely able to believe her eyes:
"This is the ability you gained?"
As she spoke, Utaha suddenly narrowed her eyes, her expression turning teasing:
"Oh? This transformation can only increase bust size by one cup and height by 5cm at most? Any more isn't possible? I see, so there are still limitations."
"How do you know that?" The 'mini Utaha' stared at her in utter disbelief.
"Ah, I suppose I forgot to mention."
Utaha tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling brightly:
"My awakened ability is called 'Mind Reading'."
"Huh?"
Eriri jumped in shock, then with a poof, her form reverted to normal before she collapsed to the floor, eyes rolling back.
Seeing this, Luo Shu sprang to his feet in alarm:
"What happened?"
Utaha, having read the entire process, said with a peculiar expression:
"Apparently, another drawback of Eriri's ability is 'cannot handle strong emotional fluctuations.'"
"This..."
Hearing this, Luo Shu gave Utaha an odd look.
The two immediately found themselves in a staring contest within the Astronomy Club's hideout.