Just as Eriri was lost in self-doubt, Utaha Kasumigaoka, sitting nearby, crossed her right leg over her left and said with slight frustration:
"So if I want to strengthen my abilities, I'd have to hypnotise sorcerers of the same level or higher?"
"Are you sure that isn't just suicidal?"
Though she now knew how to improve her abilities, Utaha Kasumigaoka couldn't bring herself to feel happy about it.
Unlike Eriri's seemingly useless Metamorphosis ability, which was mostly good for mischief and framing others, Utaha's Mind Reading and Hypnosis abilities were difficult to enhance through unorthodox methods.
Apart from her increasingly healthy—even excessively robust—physique, she possessed no real combat capabilities.
Hearing Utaha's response, Luo Shu shook his head:
"There's always a price to pay for rapid growth."
When you think about it, both Utaha Kasumigaoka and Eriri possessed abilities that weren't suited for direct combat but excelled in support roles.
Metamorphosis allowed Eriri to impersonate anyone, while Utaha's Mind Reading and Hypnosis could easily extract classified information.
The Demon Warlock Ishaha, who had repeatedly possessed others' bodies, had been, in some ways, defeated by Utaha's hand.
Considering how Utaha's abilities could significantly benefit a department tasked with overseeing dangerous lifeforms, Luo Shu found himself contemplating the need for training.
And since Utaha would receive such assistance, Luo Shu naturally couldn't leave Eriri behind—at the very least, he needed to provide some opportunities to maintain surface-level fairness.
"Improving your abilities is indeed problematic for you both."
While the system viewed ability advancement as merely requiring points, Luo Shu hadn't forgotten that progressing to Hero Rank already required ritual assistance.
Given that these rituals undoubtedly demanded high-quality prerequisites, simply accumulating points to create powerful individuals might not guarantee successful advancement.
Therefore, even if Luo Shu arranged training, he couldn't go overboard—he needed to ensure both women properly developed their abilities.
"As I mentioned earlier, the Hidden Management Department's responsibility is overseeing Abyss Artefacts and dangerous Abyss Lifeforms."
"According to the intel I received, around a week from now, part of the dangerous items held underground at Café LycoReco will be transferred to our department."
"Considering this, you likely won't lack practice targets for your abilities in the near future."
"You mean...?" Utaha Kasumigaoka immediately grasped Luo Shu's implication.
Was he suggesting they use the imprisoned Dangerous Abyss Lifeforms as training material?
Understanding this, Utaha couldn't help but murmur: "Is this the benefit of being part of a major organisation?"
She was beginning to comprehend why Luo Shu had immediately assisted with missions after joining SDS.
The resource allocation of large organisations truly provided convenient advantages for strengthening the Divine Pantheon.
Beside them, Eriri asked quietly:
"But won't using guarded dangerous lifeforms as training targets draw criticism?"
"No problem, I'll apply to the Supreme Chairwoman."
Luo Shu waved his hand dismissively, indicating this wasn't an issue.
He'd already assisted Verde in developing a method to awaken Dying Will Flames these past few days, using numerous death row inmates without Lacus voicing any objections.
Apart from Japan's Justice Minister approving a few extra execution orders, there'd been no repercussions.
He'd even heard some inmates were quite happy about being executed, having waited 18 years in queue for their death notices.
While Eriri worried, Utaha was more curious about this "Supreme Chairwoman".
Why did she sense something subtly off about Luo Shu's tone and expression when mentioning them?
Was the Supreme Chairwoman perhaps an exceptionally beautiful woman?
Harbouring this suspicion, Utaha casually remarked:
"I suggest detailing our circumstances in the application to the Supreme Chairwoman. That should make approval easier, right?"
Luo Shu rubbed his chin: "That's true."
Confirmed - the Supreme Chairwoman was definitely female and very close to Luo Shu. Given their own situation, Utaha strongly suspected this Supreme Chairwoman might already be Luo Shu's Familia.
A beautiful, generous and attentive female superior... tch, somehow felt even more dangerous than that pink-haired demon over there.
As Utaha bit her lip and stomped her foot irritably...
The office door was gently knocked.
Followed by a clear female voice, Yukino Yukinoshita entered:
"Senior, the third-floor office area has been mostly cleaned. The remaining areas require professional cleaning services as we lack the proper tools..."
"Eh?" Yukino seemed surprised to see everyone gathered around the office desk.
"And this is?" Utaha glanced at Yukino before turning to Luo Shu.
"SDS intern, Yukino Yukinoshita." Luo Shu's brief introduction conveyed everything Utaha needed to know.
'Not a Familia member, but a genuine SDS newcomer - meaning peripheral, meaning harmless.'
Instantly forming this equation in her mind, Utaha stood up, bowing as she introduced herself:
"Utaha Kasumigaoka, soon-to-transfer probationary member of the Hidden Management Department."
She omitted any details about where she was transferring from.
Yukino returned the greeting with perfect etiquette:
"Yukino Yukinoshita here. Pleased to meet you, Utaha... Senior?"
"Eriri Spencer Sawamura," Eriri stated her name before giving Yukino Yukinoshita a strange look. "Yukinoshita? That surname sounds so familiar."
Before Eriri could recall anything, Luo Shu spoke up from the side:
"Good work, Yukinoshita."
"For more challenging cleaning tasks, I'll contact a professional housekeeping service."
"Everyone just needs to do a simple sweep of each floor before leaving."
"What?" Eriri suddenly became alert upon hearing this: "Just cleaning? That's all?"
Luo Shu gave her a puzzled look:
"I've pretty much covered everything that needs to be said. What else were you expecting?"
"Oh, I almost forgot. Take one ring each. After classes tomorrow afternoon, come to the school club room. I have more instructions."
Luo Shu fished out two more rings from his pocket, handing one each to Eriri and Utaha before clapping his hands:
"I'll leave the upstairs cleaning to you all. I need to deal with issues in the basement area."
With that, Luo Shu walked to the doorway by himself, waving as he said:
"Oh, and the sixth floor is the dormitory area. Make sure to clean it thoroughly. Bye~"
Watching Luo Shu slip away, Eriri pocketed her ring while muttering:
"What's with this guy? He's totally using us as free cleaners!"
Seeing Eriri like this, Utaha could only sigh helplessly.
Yet the next second, Eriri threw a cleaning rag at her.
Utaha caught it hastily, only to hear Eriri complain:
"What are you standing around for? Let's finish this quickly so we can go home. I've got a curfew, you know!"
Hearing this, Utaha and Yukino exchanged glances.
Both thought simultaneously:
'You're the one complaining the most, yet also the most eager to work. Tsundere much?'
Shaking her head, Utaha sighed resignedly before reluctantly joining the cleaning squad.