After Natsuki Minamiya left, Luo Shu revealed a meaningful smile:
"As expected, the temporary 5000-point enhancement to the bracelet's concealment successfully blocked the Witch of the Void's inspection."
He'd deduced this from the fact that neither Utaha nor Eriri had their identities exposed.
"By this calculation, Natsuki Minamiya probably hasn't reached the Demi-God Rank. Is she Hero Rank? Or Elite? Most likely Hero Rank."
"If she's truly the Witch of the Void who could hold her own against a True Ancestor..."
For someone of Natsuki Minamiya's calibre - a witch comparable to Vampire True Ancestors in another world - Luo Shu wasn't surprised by her strength. Rather, he was surprised that she'd become his teacher:
"To secure a teacher of this calibre, Chief Tachibana must have paid a hefty price."
Though Natsuki's tone wasn't particularly friendly, Luo Shu knew this nominal teacher took her professional duties seriously.
Therefore, he believed that even if Utaha and Eriri were discovered, it wouldn't cause major trouble. Yet he'd instinctively taken precautions, enhancing the bracelet's concealment while deliberately displaying unusual closeness with the two girls.
In Japan, high school boys and girls eating lunch together on the rooftop would naturally be assumed to be dating. Although Luo Shu's case involved one boy with two girls, his identity as a young sorcerer easily created the impression of two-timing.
Luo Shu suspected Natsuki Minamiya carried heavy 'teacher baggage', instinctively wanting to 'correct' students with 'poor foundations'. Such teachers naturally paid attention to students' romantic relationships, making deception easier.
This was precisely why Luo Shu had arranged for Eriri and Utaha to join him for lunch on the rooftop today - to make Natsuki Minamiya believe he was two-timing.
His goal was to bring these two into Natsuki's field of vision. After all, rather than having their sorcerer identities exposed unexpectedly later, it was better to lay everything out openly now.
As the saying goes, the most dangerous part of an iceberg isn't what's visible above the water, but what lies beneath.
Exposing Utaha's and Eriri's closeness to him actually helped conceal their real secret better.
'Right now, in Natsuki Minamiya's mind, I must seem like a scumbag who can't resist starting a harem after gaining power, dragging two girlfriends unknowingly into a dangerous world.'
'So her earlier words were advising me to either cut ties quickly or come clean with both girls involved? Surprisingly considerate of her!'
Natsuki Minamiya's deliberate reminder before leaving made Luo Shu's expression turn subtle, like a fox who'd successfully stolen a chicken.
'It's perfectly normal for people in love to let slip certain things.'
That was probably what Natsuki Minamiya thought, hence her tacit approval of Utaha and Eriri being considered insiders. Of course, the more important reason she believed this was...
Luo Shu quietly retrieved the slightly faded 'Lucky Wallet' from his pocket. Opening it, he looked at the 100-yen coin that had shattered into four pieces and the roughly 30 missing 10,000-yen bills, wincing slightly as he muttered:
"The cost of forcibly activating 'Luck' once is way too high. But at least the objective was achieved."
Indeed, the main reason Natsuki Minamiya believed this 'truth' was precisely the Lucky Wallet's ability - a one-time Demi-God Rank luck boost.
When facing a living Abyss Artefact, Luo Shu could forcibly activate its ability once by ignoring the cost through his identity. This was the answer he'd obtained after consulting both the system and the Abyss Artefact itself.
While this method seemed convenient, allowing him to bypass some of the artefact's inherent properties, the price was steeper than fulfilling the conditions normally. First, the subsequent cost would be greater. Second, the Abyss Artefact required certain... benefits.
These two factors were the biggest headaches when employing this tactic.
This time, Luo Shu had activated the Lucky Wallet's luck enhancement by feeding it a sum of cash and an Ancient Serpent's Shed Skin worth 3000 points, making the unreasonable passively reasonable and successfully leading Natsuki Minamiya to misunderstand.
'Although effective, this method was rather costly, both in terms of cash and points...'
Shaking his head, Luo Shu emerged from around the corner, spotting Utaha and Eriri standing on the stairs. A sly smile appeared as he said:
"Great luck! The Astronomy Club might just score free tutoring from a high-quality teacher stock!"
Today: Secretly instructing Luo Shu's trio while keeping their situation hidden from outsiders.
Tomorrow: Cooperating with Luo Shu's side to deliberately spread misinformation.
The day after: Joining the Astronomy Club as accomplices.
In a sense, Luo Shu was trying to arrange Natsuki Minamiya's schedule down to the minute.
Meanwhile, as someone privy to the plan, Utaha glanced at Luo Shu with a somewhat resigned expression:
"So all this effort was just to let us study properly under that Natsuki-sensei's nose? Don't you think the sacrifice is a bit excessive?"
However, Luo Shu shook his head: "No. The main purpose is more about finding us a powerful backer as insurance against unforeseen circumstances."
"Although Natsuki Minamiya appears petite, she's currently the strongest sorcerer I know."
"Is that so..." Utaha Kasumigaoka wore an expression that said, 'If you say so, I'll believe you.'
"???"
Eriri, completely at a loss, glanced at the seemingly exasperated Utaha, then at Luo Shu, who looked visibly relieved. Her eyebrows twitched as she sighed helplessly:
"Here we go again, this feeling of being the only one left out."
"It's not about leaving you out..."
Luo Shu turned to look at Eriri and patted her shoulder:
"To put it simply, due to some small moves on my part, Natsuki Minamiya will become our teacher in mysticism and the advisor for the Astronomy Club within the school."
He paused before adding:
"Besides, if we ever face a major trouble we can't handle, you'll have another ally besides me."
In two days, Luo Shu still only had a vague understanding of this world's information, but he habitually prepared contingency plans.
It was always better to secure allies and backup routes in advance than to face a crisis with no solution. After all, Luo Shu disliked being cornered.
Just then—Ding dong! The long chime of the class warning bell rang out.
Hearing the bell, Luo Shu glanced out the window before addressing Utaha and Eriri:
"In short, just treat Natsuki as a real teacher. The rest isn't something you need to worry about."
"And... It's almost time for class. Remember to meet at the Astronomy Club after school."
"Understood," Utaha nodded slightly.
Eriri also nodded firmly:
"I'll get there as quickly as I can."
The three then parted ways at the staircase.