"Now's not the time for teasing."
Life wasn't easy, Luo Shu sighed:
"Although discovered, they've concluded my 'sorcerer abilities' come from a very special item. Moreover, such things are extremely rare treasures, making repeat encounters unlikely."
The 'Lucky Wallet', crafted from a Demi-God Rank creature's scale, costs 80,000 points. If Abyss Artefacts like that could be mass-produced, the world would've descended into chaos long ago.
"Of course, we can't rule out better detection-type artefacts finding people like us, so some points need allocating to concealment."
Naturally, he'd consulted the self-proclaimed 'support tool' system beforehand about adding concealment functions to the bracelets:
"I checked - about 2,000 points to add self-concealment to all bracelets. Ineffective against Hero Rank or above, but sufficient for our current situation."
"While I appreciate the notice, please be more decisive about decisions benefiting everyone, my esteemed deity."
Despite her words, Utaha seemed in remarkably good spirits after Luo Shu's explanation:
"In short, Sawamura-kun and I remain safe for now, and since you've joined the officials' 'daddy group', we can even extract intel on their special incident responses?"
Utaha's 'intelligence' appeared fully operational.
"Based on current circumstances, yes." Luo Shu nodded, acknowledging her summary.
"But that's actually the most dangerous part - having the Familia's core leader go undercover in another organisation..."
Utaha sighed. Yet since things had progressed this far, she couldn't rightly criticise Luo Shu's approach, not having been there herself.
At this thought, she could only remind Luo Shu, "If you ever need to use my ability, please don't hesitate to tell me."
Although her Mind Reading wasn't combat-oriented, it was quite handy for gathering intelligence.
"There's a similar situation right now." Luo Shu said while reminding her, "The organisation I joined has arranged for a transfer student to come as my ability instructor. Later, they'll also assign two teammates to enrol here. This is most likely for team synergy training."
"Three transfer students?" Utaha Kasumigaoka stared blankly at Luo Shu, her expression gradually turning peculiar. "Doesn't that mean all your extracurricular time will be taken up by them?"
Three transfer students—one as a teacher, the others for team synergy training. Under such circumstances, would Luo Shu even have time for the newly established Astronomy Club?
Utaha harboured deep doubts about this.
"Most likely, yes."
Luo Shu was well aware that with this arrangement, he'd have little time outside school to interact with Utaha and Eriri.
Unless those three also joined the Astronomy Club—not the real one, but the surface-level club. This was actually quite probable, as using a club as cover for their gatherings would be an effective way to facilitate instruction and team bonding.
However, this would complicate matters for the three who knew the true nature of the astronomy club.
"So, there's a high chance our club will suddenly gain three transfer students, and Sawamura-kun and I will have to play ordinary students in front of these three professionals? Do you think that level of acting is something Sawamura and I can... huh?"
Utaha trailed off as she suddenly realised this might not be so difficult after all.
She and Eriri were indeed ordinary students—at least until a day ago.
"Come to think of it, it's not unacceptable. But how will you handle any accidents that might expose us?"
"I acquired a rather useful item last night that can make them overlook certain blind spots."
"Besides, when it comes to gathering intelligence, nothing beats getting it straight from the professionals."
Luo Shu withheld details about the Demon Heart, as the concept of hypnosis would undoubtedly trigger some rather... risqué thoughts in Utaha's anime-corrupted mind.
At this moment, Utaha muttered very quietly:
"Why do I feel like meeting up will become some secret rendezvous from now on... And does such a man even exist—one who can interact with five girls simultaneously without any of them noticing the others? That's something only a god could pull off."
"What are you mumbling about?" Luo Shu pretended not to hear and asked.
"Nothing, nothing." Utaha shook her head before inquiring, "So the real club activities will have to take place in the alternate dimension at our base from now on. Am I correct?"
"Yes." Luo Shu nodded and added, "Of course, I'll test the waters to see if I can bring my teammates over to our side."
"Oh?" Utaha suddenly noticed something. "Are those three transfer students all girls? And very beautiful heroines, at that?"
"..."
Luo Shu froze for a moment upon hearing this, then frowned and said, "Two are, but as for the person guiding me, I'm not sure."
"I see." Utaha Kasumigaoka smiled as she looked at Luo Shu. "Seems like joining this organisation was the right choice, oh divine one."
Luo Shu's mouth twitched slightly before he patted his own head and asked:
"My ability teacher should be transferring schools today. Could you help keep an eye out for any new transfer students?"
"They won't come directly to you, but require you to seek them out? What kind of test or trial is this?"
Utaha Kasumigaoka complained before pausing and adding:
"I'll keep watch. As for Eriri, I'll contact her on LINE later."
"Speaking of Eriri... where is she?"
Luo Shu looked around in confusion, his expression puzzled after confirming only Utaha and himself were present.
He distinctly remembered sending Eriri a 'meet at the park' message, too.
Hearing this, Utaha Kasumigaoka replied in an amused tone:
"Unlike us loners, Sawamura-kun is the school's popular heroine!"
"Got dragged away by her campus friends?" Luo Shu grasped her meaning. "Probably left with that stiff expression of hers?"
"...Mhm, I didn't help her escape." Utaha calmly admitted to throwing her teammate under the bus. "Those superficial friendships are something she needs to handle herself."
"Did some Mind Reading on Eriri's friends, did you?" Luo Shu naturally understood the reason behind Utaha's response. "That proper young lady persona of Sawamura's isn't easy to maintain."
After speaking, Luo Shu took out his phone, checked the time, and, seeing that classes would start soon, immediately said:
"Let's discuss the rest during lunch break, then."
Hearing this, Utaha teased:
"So, planning to walk to school together and fuel more rumours?"
Luo Shu smirked at her words:
"That's something you, as my Familia, should decide for yourself."
"..."
Utaha was speechless.
This man truly couldn't stand losing even the slightest advantage!