Unlike Ethan, after reaching A-rank through dual cultivation, Amano Yuuma's group needed to first master Intermediate Magic Power Extraction to continue advancing.
Fortunately, after reaching A-rank, going back to learn Intermediate Magic Power Extraction was as easy as eating and drinking.
Ethan's situation was unique. His Martial Arts and dual cultivation ability propelled his Magic Power growth so fast that Intermediate Magic Power Extraction never had a chance to be useful.
For example, learning Advanced Magic Power Extraction would be simple for him now, but since his Magic Power had already reached S-rank peak, learning it wouldn't serve much purpose.
His original Advanced Sword Zen skill had vanished after he gained insight into the Heavens and Earth, and Close-Quarters Combat had evolved into Martial Arts Proficiency.
Beginner Martial Arts Proficiency was strong enough to completely dominate Advanced Close-Quarters Combat in terms of skill intensity.
Existence Erasure and Light Spear were both extracted by Ethan from Amano Yuuma.
Light Spear was straightforward, similar to Lightning Spear, only more visually splendid and with bonus damage against Devils.
Existence Erasure was a divine skill for ordinary people, capable of directly wiping out their memory of him, essentially a version of Invisible Man.
However, this skill was completely useless against supernatural beings.
Furthermore, as the girls gradually stepped into the supernatural realm and mastered skills matching their talents, Ethan also extracted various minor skills.
Although the probability of skill extraction was small, the large number of participants made up for it.
Knowing their talents, Ethan specifically pointed each one towards the optimal cultivation path.
For example, Yui Obata, who had a Perception talent, was instructed to focus on learning reconnaissance magic, serving as the team's intelligence officer.
Akino Sakagami, who was petite but possessed a Tenacity talent, followed a close-combat path, primarily studying body-enhancement magic.
Of course, some talents were rare, and Ethan could only offer suggestions, leaving the girls to explore them on their own.
Misaki Shinohara's talent was one of these.
Her talent was named Spiritual Contract. The panel description stated she excelled at learning about contracts and could modify them.
However, the field of contracts was too niche. Ethan could only suggest that she contract a few familiars to see if she could become a Monster Tamer.
Ethan's Harem Enhancement Plan was gradually starting to show results.
A supernatural organization, led by Sakura Miyajima, assisted by the Takamine sisters, and with Reina Hamasaki's group of four as executives, and entirely composed of beautiful girls, was taking shape.
Because Ethan lived at the Takamine residence, it became the headquarters.
The Miyajima Dojo was the primary base, where Sakura Miyajima was in charge of coordination.
Her most important job was to organize a rotation schedule for personnel to stay overnight at the Takamine house. With too many people, if it wasn't regulated, Ethan wouldn't have a single peaceful day.
Especially as the number of beautiful girls continued to increase...
The base that the girls visited most frequently was an apartment provided by the little rich girl, Ruri Kurumizaka.
Most large and small gatherings, parties, and ability practice sessions were held here.
For this purpose, the apartment's interior decoration was specially overhauled.
Rooms were removed, tables and chairs were added, and the bathroom and kitchen were enlarged, all for the convenience of gatherings.
...
January 3rd. The day after the New Year's shrine visit, the Occult Research Club collectively returned to the Underworld, except for Ethan.
Ethan had originally planned to accompany Rias to the Underworld, but this was when Kasumi Takamine suddenly returned from a business trip that had lasted over half a year.
Since the winter break was short and Rias would quickly return after handling her family affairs, Ethan ultimately decided to stay and meet the mature beauty who had raised him for nearly ten years in his memory.
At 10 AM, Ethan and Ayame Takamine were cleaning, and Sayuri Takamine was preparing food in the kitchen.
Whoosh~
The sliding door of the entrance hallway made a sound. Kasumi Takamine appeared before Ethan, pulling an orange-red suitcase and carrying a small pink bag.
She was dressed in a business suit. Her light-brown, slightly wavy long hair was braided into a wife-like braid at the back of her head, exposing her smooth, long neck, elegant like a white swan.
Her snug purple knit top was thrust high by her towering snowy cleavage, like two full, fragrant melons overflowing with sweet nectar, standing erect in a way that seemed to defy gravity.
Her slender waist, easily encircled, bore a weight that shouldn't belong to it, making one worry it might snap.
The two full, round buttock cheeks, wrapped in white fabric, had a perfect, moon-like shape—round, large, perky, and firm—making it impossible to look away, instantly making one crave to grab and fondle them.
Extending downwards from her plump, round hips was a pair of long, beautiful legs encased in sheer, black pantyhose, thin as cicada wings.
Her round, firm thighs and slim, well-proportioned calves were a breathtaking sight that made Ethan's heart race.
This tall, alluring wife was the mother of the Takamine sisters and the guardian who had raised Ethan for many years.
In terms of figure and beauty, Kasumi Takamine was only mid-to-high among the many girls, but the difference in her identity filled Ethan with a psychological desire for conquest.
When this mature and gorgeous wife appeared before him, he almost couldn't resist reaching out immediately.
Steadying his composure, Ethan gave a pure smile. "Auntie Kasumi, welcome home."
Kasumi Takamine paused. Looking at the handsome, elegant young man before her, her heart suddenly began to pound faster.
A blush spread across her fair cheeks. She asked curiously, "Who are you? Why are you in my house? Are you Ayame's boyfriend?"
After more than half a year, especially after reaching A-rank, Ethan's change was drastic.
For those close to him who knew about the supernatural world and spent every day with him, the gradual changes were unremarkable.
But when Kasumi Takamine suddenly saw the drastically changed Ethan, even though he looked very familiar, she couldn't recognize him.
Ethan shook his head, smiling without speaking.
"Not Ayame's boyfriend... then is it Sayuri's?"
Kasumi Takamine's personality was more outgoing and she enjoyed teasing; Ayame Takamine's personality was likely inherited from her.
"I can't believe Sayuri is so daring, bringing a boyfriend home."
As she spoke, she reached out to stroke the top of Ethan's head. "Not bad, not bad. Sayuri has excellent taste. I approve of this marriage!"
Hearing the commotion, the Takamine sisters also put down their chores and came to the entrance.
Kasumi Takamine saw them. "Ayame, Sayuri, long time no see."
"Mom, long time no see," Sayuri Takamine replied properly.
Ayame Takamine, however, bounded forward, throwing her arms around Kasumi Takamine, smiling widely. "Mom, your business trip was so long this time! Did you bring us any presents?"
"Alright, let go. You're a grown woman, yet still so clingy."
After a playful scold, Kasumi Takamine asked, confused, "Where is Little Ethan? I didn't see him. Is he not home?"
The sisters looked at Ethan, who was smiling but silent, then back at their mother, unsure how to respond.
Seeing the sisters' hesitant expressions, Kasumi Takamine became even more puzzled. Just as she was about to ask seriously, Ethan finally spoke.
"Mom Kasumi, long time no see."
"Ah..." Kasumi Takamine froze, then smiled brightly. "That's good. I just said I approve of your marriage to Sayuri, and you've already started calling me Mom."
"But I'd prefer you call me Mother-in-Law~"
Kasumi Takamine gave a playful wink. When a wife started being cute, most young girls couldn't compete.
That blend of cuteness and seduction left Ethan momentarily stunned.
"By the way, what is your name? I can't keep calling you Sayuri's boyfriend~"
The gentle, pleasant voice snapped Ethan out of his trance. Looking at the curious Kasumi Takamine, he fought back a smile. "Mother-in-Law, my name is Ethan Uesugi. I'm sixteen years old and a first-year high school student at Kuoh Private Academy."
As Ethan introduced himself, Kasumi Takamine's beautiful eyes gradually widened, her lovely lips slightly parted. She looked at Ethan's face, utterly shocked.
"Lit... Little... Little Ethan..." she stammered with difficulty. "Y-you're really Little Ethan?"
"That's right, Auntie Kasumi, Mom, Mother-in-Law. I am your dear adopted son."