Given Muneie Miyajima's approaching Master-level strength, Caleb suspected he might know a little about the supernatural world. After all, for people in the upper echelons of society, supernatural power was not a highly guarded secret. Besides fighting stray Devils, the Occult Research Club also frequently took on paid requests. If the man truly was ignorant, Caleb would just have to spend more time explaining everything from scratch.
The facts proved Caleb's speculation was correct. Muneie Miyajima's face changed, losing its previous relaxed demeanor. He frowned, looking at Caleb. "Caleb... are you also from that world?"
"Yes, I currently belong to the Gremory family's... ahem, temporary staff." Caleb had initially wanted to say servant, but he hadn't yet received the Gremory family's seal bestowed by Rias. If Muneie Miyajima asked for proof, he truly wouldn't know what to do.
"Temporary staff?"
Caleb said earnestly, "Yes, temporary staff. Sakura-senpai's current situation is the test for my promotion to full-time." Muneie Miyajima's strength and status were not high enough to know more detailed information. Seeing Caleb's logical explanation, he nodded in sudden understanding. "That is already quite remarkable. No wonder Caleb possesses such impressive strength at a young age."
"It's decent, I suppose. After all, it's the Gremory family. If my power were too weak, others wouldn't be interested," Caleb replied.
Muneie Miyajima agreed profoundly. "Indeed. To have the favor of the Gremory family, Caleb's future is limitless." If possible, he also wished Sakura Miyajima could step into that world. Unfortunately, over a year had passed, and while Sakura Miyajima's skills had improved significantly, she hadn't encountered any special individuals. This was one of the reasons Muneie Miyajima agreed to the transfer. Since it wasn't likely, it was better to give up the idea early and focus wholeheartedly on Kendo. This would require more time and effort to improve her strength, making it very difficult, but there was ultimately a sliver of hope of reaching the legendary realm. Muneie Miyajima had just made up his mind, only for Caleb to immediately inform him that Sakura Miyajima had encountered a supernatural incident. However, there was no use regretting it now. Leaving Kuoh Academy was easy, but getting back in would be difficult.
"It's good that Miyajima-sensei knows this much." Caleb smiled and said directly, "I'm still investigating the specifics and dare not speak rashly, but I can confirm that the individual followed Sakura-senpai to Aiho Academy." He deliberately put emphasis on the word individual, implying that Muneie Miyajima should understand the implication.
"In that case, if I have my daughter stay home and not go out, can we avoid this danger?"
"It should be possible, but I suggest Sakura-senpai continue attending school. I'm currently monitoring Aiho Academy. If that person continues to follow her back to the dojo, not only will you all be in danger, but I will also be unable to include the Miyajima Dojo in my surveillance range." Caleb paused, then continued with a smile, "Besides, I doubt Miyajima-sensei wants to live under someone else's surveillance all day, and even if you do, Sakura-senpai and Mrs. Miyajima certainly wouldn't." He spoke with three parts falsehood and seven parts truth, unafraid of Muneie Miyajima noticing any discrepancies. The way he easily accepted the 'temporary staff' explanation suggested Muneie Miyajima knew about the supernatural world, but not in detail.
"Very well. I will follow Caleb's advice." Muneie Miyajima decided. "I entrust my daughter's safety to you." He clearly valued Sakura Miyajima. This time, he not only used honorific language but also made a respectful bow, adopting a solemn attitude. How much of that was due to the Gremory family's reputation, only Muneie Miyajima knew. As a Japanese man full of the craftsman spirit, Muneie Miyajima was accustomed to bowing. However, bowing to a junior young enough to be his son was indeed a first.
Caleb waved his hand. "Miyajima-sensei, you overstate the situation. This is merely my duty."
Sakura Miyajima and Tsubaki Miyajima had been utterly confused since Caleb brought up Kuoh Academy, and remained so even after the two finished their discussion.
"Father, Caleb..." Sakura Miyajima frowned slightly. "What exactly were you talking about? Is the Gremory family the family of my classmate, Rias?" Sakura Miyajima was the same grade as Rias, and she had certainly paid attention to the red-haired beauty who had even higher popularity and charm than she did.
"It's getting late. I should head back now." Caleb pretended to check the time, requesting to leave. "My sisters are waiting for me to have dinner at home." More talk meant more chances of error, so it was better to say less. Since Muneie Miyajima knew a bit, having him explain it directly would make Sakura Miyajima and Tsubaki Miyajima more likely to believe it.
Muneie Miyajima nodded. "Then safe travels, Caleb. I won't see you out. Feel free to visit again." Caleb waved his hand, signaling there was no need for formality. He stood up and left the quiet room, leaving the space to the Miyajima family.
After Caleb left, Muneie Miyajima sighed softly. For a teenage girl, this was a highly impactful matter. He was afraid it would shake Sakura Miyajima's commitment to Kendo. He had planned to wait until Sakura Miyajima inherited the dojo to tell her. Things were unpredictable, and now he had to tell her prematurely.
Caleb didn't care how Muneie Miyajima explained things. He had initially planned to leave the Miyajima Dojo immediately and go check on the Succubus he had defeated last night. He wanted to see if the secondary effect of his Dual Cultivation ability had affected the Succubus. If even a naturally lustful Succubus was affected, he wanted to try a few more rounds to see if he could turn Touko Sakurauchi into a personal ragdoll.
However, just as he reached the entrance, someone cornered him.
"Hey, your name is Caleb, right?" Mayuna, wearing a Kendo uniform, grabbed Caleb's arm, her eyes full of flirtatious intent. "I'm about to finish work. I mentioned having dinner together before. How about tonight?"
"Miss..."
"Just call me Mayuna." Mayuna said openly. "That's what my friends call me."
"Mayuna-senpai, I have something planned for tonight. Maybe another time."
"You're not trying to back out of your promise, are you?" Mayuna was genuinely interested in Caleb, and not just physically. The moment she saw Caleb defeat Muneie Miyajima, her heart was captured. She was inherently competitive, and her standard for a boyfriend was someone stronger than herself, which was why all her previous relationships ended quickly.
"Mayuna-senpai, do I look like someone who's short on money?" Caleb shrugged. He wasn't particularly interested in this woman whose full name he didn't even know. However, since she was actively offering herself up, he wouldn't refuse. After all, Mayuna was indeed attractive, with a fantastic figure. Furthermore, the confident, athletic Older Woman in her late twenties was a completely new experience for Caleb.
"No, you don't." Mayuna shook her head. "Then let's exchange contact information first." As she spoke, she pulled out her phone. Who knew when Caleb would visit next?
"Are you serious about pursuing something with me?" Caleb raised an eyebrow. This woman's intentions seemed complex. Lusting after his body was fine, but dating was not. Mayuna didn't blush and nodded openly, admitting her intent.
"You don't like older women?"
"It's not that I don't like them. As long as they're beautiful, I like them all," Caleb said, shaking his head and speaking lightly. "But I'm only interested in your body. Being a friends with benefits is an option, but an official relationship is not."
Mayuna was stunned. It was the first time she had encountered such a blunt scumbag. "I thought you looked handsome and cheerful, like an innocent young man, but you're actually... actually..." Mayuna stammered for a while, unable to finish her sentence.
Caleb didn't care what she thought and said matter-of-factly, "So, do you still want dinner?"
Mayuna hesitated for a moment. Agreeing now would limit her future position to just friends with benefits. But if she didn't agree, she might not even get the chance to sleep with him... She looked Caleb up and down and suddenly thought... Maybe being his friend with benefits wouldn't be so bad after all?
"Dinner!" Thinking this, Mayuna said firmly, "It's rare for a young man to treat me to a meal. I might as well take the offer."
Caleb smiled. He figured he wasn't losing anything by trading one meal for a chance to sleep with a beauty. "I'll make a reservation. Just come directly after you finish work." Caleb took out his phone and added Mayuna's contact information. Since he had already been direct, he wasn't afraid of her becoming clingy later. At worst, he could just pull out and be ruthless, deleting her memories entirely.