"Eh~! Magic really exists in this world."
Listening to Sakurajima Mai's incantation, the new students felt their blood rush to their heads. Magical Girls—they actually existed in reality. Even Kitagawa Marin and Amano Ririsa, who loved cosplay from the bottom of their hearts, felt that becoming a Magical Girl was more appealing than cosplay. Moreover, this did not conflict with their original intention of cosplay. They would do anything to perfectly replicate the characters they wanted to cosplay.
However, Kitagawa Marin still had some concerns about cosplay.
Esdeath looked at these seemingly frail girls, only sighing that they were born in a good era. If the world she lived in could also be like this society today, it would not be threatened by alien races. The Empire was corrupt, and without reform, it would eventually be pushed to the guillotine. Implementing new policies from top to bottom was perhaps the most fundamental way to avoid shaking the foundation. Only with Akira here, and with herself here, the country would surely prosper.
"So, is the curriculum here really compulsory combat and elective cultural courses?"
Yuuki Asuna asked.
"I am also a student, so I'm not very clear. Specifically, it still depends on the principal's arrangements."
"Principal?"
"It's the person who facilitated the establishment of this academy—Akira."
This name was familiar to everyone; he was the hero who had successively resolved Dragon-level disasters single-handedly. He was actually the principal of Ark Academy? Everyone was very surprised. Amidst their worries, they were also incredibly excited.
Only Kitagawa Marin was an exception. That guy actually founded this academy. Did he really want to select and cultivate people with outstanding abilities? Cultivate them into heroes?
The Hero Association people didn't know the specific situation of Ark Academy and couldn't explain it to them. Sakurajima Mai and Esdeath also didn't know the details and couldn't answer their questions.
However, at this moment, Akira emerged directly from underground. This operation immediately made Psykos think of her own room. Walls and floors, even the earth's crust, meant nothing to Akira. He could go wherever he wanted. Fortunately, Psykos's psychokinesis was powerful enough; even fast travel was only tens of seconds slower than Akira.
"Alright, this is the Ark Project."
Psykos was completely bewildered and turned to look at Sakurajima Mai. Sakurajima Mai just gave her a look, telling her to be quiet.
Yuuki Asuna thought for a moment. "Why run? Can't we become stronger and find the root cause of monsterization?"
"The two are not in conflict. We can become stronger, find the root cause of monsterization, and execute the Ark Project all at the same time. We can fight, we can run, or we can run and fight at the same time. This makes our response strategies flexible. Otherwise, why would the Ark Project be implemented?"
Although he said that, Akira—who knew the plot—knew that there was some connection with the gods in between. The waters here were very deep, and he couldn't grasp it. However, being flexible in response was always good, especially with Eroge as a base. It could instantly electrify a god's arm, proving it had the ability to deal with this guy.
So what he had to do now was to improve—and improve again. Ark Academy was a stepping stone for his improvement. It was also a means for him to protect his private property.
Akira's words were not wrong. Everyone needed to possess power to do more things. Perhaps when excellent people gather, they will spark different ideas.
"Can you tell us the admission standards here?"
Yuuki Asuna was a product of elite education, so she thought about more issues. Her question immediately hit the nail on the head.
"I cannot disclose that. But I guarantee that everyone who can enter the academy is unique. As for the curriculum arrangements, I will compile them according to needs after the teaching staff is in place. The main courses now are basic magic, combat, swordsmanship, firearms, and some normal academic subjects—there will also be hobbies."
Yuuki Asuna considered it very seriously. "I'll enroll, but what about my original school?"
"Don't worry—everything will be handled."
Today's meeting was very brief. Although all of them had registered, they all came alone and didn't bring anything. Therefore, they still needed to go home to prepare some things and inform their guardians. Akira was not in a hurry. Anyway, there was no time limit, so he let them all go back first.
At this moment, Fubuki and Tatsumaki came down from upstairs. After touring here, Tatsumaki deeply realized that the technology here was much more advanced than that of the Hero Association headquarters. The Hero Association headquarters still required manual password entry, but here, it was already unlocking by iris scan, DNA, fingerprints, etc.
After a deeper understanding with Fubuki, she was even more surprised to find that everything here was created by Akira. And his ability was already an existence that all S-Class Heroes combined would struggle to defeat. So she didn't think about provoking Akira.
This guy actually managed to get his sister without anyone knowing. You have to take responsibility.
"How does it feel? Isn't it heavenly?"
When Psykos saw Tatsumaki, it was as if she had met an enemy; she always had to say a few words.
"You've experienced it yourself—why don't you ask yourself? Everyone's body is different—who knows what you really feel?"
Saying that, Psykos puffed out her chest. That bulging, elastic chest made Tatsumaki immediately roll her eyes to the sky.
"Brainless woman with big breasts—I'm going back to the Hero Association headquarters first."
Sighing, Tatsumaki flew toward the elevator. But before she left, Akira still grabbed her to extract information and gave her a mentor's authority.
"Mentor authority is Level Two. Student authority is Level Three. But the difference isn't too big—most places are accessible."
Hearing Akira's words, Tatsumaki touched her stomach. "I will absolutely not come to Ark Academy to be a mentor."
After saying that, she flew into the elevator.
"Mr. Akira, if there's nothing else, please let me go back. I've been busy all day."
Sakurajima Mai reminded him. According to normal time, it was already afternoon dismissal time. So, she had indeed been busy all day—teaching Psykos and others, and then helping to receive new students in the afternoon.
"Ah—then I'll send you back. But before you go back, I need to give you something."
Saying that, Akira picked her up and went into the room.
"Here—it's this bunny girl outfit. Fishnet version. Do you like it?"
"Ah~!"
Sakurajima Mai sighed dramatically, but she was very happy inside. After all, that feeling was just too good, and she could also collect "feed" along the way.
"You're really lucky—I've thought more than once if you saved the universe in your past life, otherwise, why would so many girls from other worlds revolve around you?"
Rustling.
Sakurajima Mai had finished changing.
The fishnet pattern was different from black stockings. It added a visual sense of being squeezed. Especially when the black fishnet was mixed with that patch of withered grass, it made it impossible for people to distinguish. Even if it were placed on a mound, the fishnet pattern would make the mound look like bamboo shoots after a spring rain—full of vitality.
"Mr. Akira, what are you going to do?"
"These bamboo shoots are so good—it would be a pity not to dig them."
Akira took out an iron rod and poked at the bamboo shoot a few times, getting some soft mud from the surroundings on it. Then he found the area around the bamboo shoot and found a suitable angle. He began to dig down with the iron rod, one stroke at a time.
At first, the mud was a bit dry. After all, it was already dusk, and the rainwater from the morning had soaked into the ground. But a little deeper, the rainwater that had soaked into the ground loosened the soil, making it easier to dig.
"Mr. Akira, take a break—let me do it."
Sakurajima Mai told Akira to lie down and rest, then she took the iron rod and dug the soil around the bamboo shoot, one stroke at a time. She accidentally dug into the bamboo shoot, and immediately let out a cry of distress. The morning rain had not only moistened the land but also filled the bamboo shoot's roots with water. With that one dig, a puddle quickly formed under the bamboo shoot, covering the surface of the iron rod with water.
"Let me do it."
Akira took the iron rod and continuously struck it using Train Barrage.
Clang, clang, clang.
Under the effect of One-of-a-Kind, the power of the iron rod grew stronger and stronger. The bamboo shoot was finally pried up by him with a strong heave, roots and all.
"Mr. Akira, you are amazing."
After saying that, Sakurajima Mai took out a glass bottle and began to collect the groundwater from the pit where the bamboo shoot had been. This was a delicacy that Elma loved very much, and also a sacred medicine for Futaba to heal her soul.
After a busy period, Sakurajima Mai returned to her world. However, her stockings were left with Akira. Akira was surprised to realize that such small items could be brought over directly. In that case, the magic book wouldn't need to be recompiled—it could just be brought directly from that world.
He put Raphael's message on the follower frame. Protect the Master activated, and Raphael immediately emerged from the bloody light. A blood-colored halo and blood-colored wings—it looked quite intimidating. But her ability was on par with a succubus. She should be more powerful than a succubus. After all, a succubus's charm was ineffective against angels with strong wills. Raphael's ability was based on her subjective initiative, and she could even find suitable candidates from the target's memories. In terms of attraction, what one desired in their heart was the best, wasn't it?
"Master—I knew it—we are soulmates. I was just thinking of you."
"Alright—stop rubbing—I know what you're thinking. But now is not the time."
Raphael smiled and put away her halo and wings.
"Master, is there anything you need my help with?"
"First, remember to have Mai ask Lucoa for a comprehensive magic book to use as a textbook. After that, since you're already here, let's use your ability."
In an instant, Akira took Raphael and rushed out of Ark Academy, randomly searching for a target marked with Eroge to conquer.
Yukinoshita Yukino was not in a very good mood. The three members of the Yukinoshita family were the second to reach the 80th floor. Akira had just taken people to visit, and they appeared right after. Facing unprecedented things that exceeded their understanding, the Yukinoshita family chose to be cautious.
Magic. That was magic—a power that could kill people. Mrs. Yukinoshita's first thought was not whether this power would make the Yukinoshita family rise. Instead, it was whether Yukinoshita Yukino, after possessing this power and engaging in killing when facing those monsters, would suffer psychological burden.
So, when she learned that the time would be the same in two days, Mrs. Yukinoshita calmly suggested that Yukino consider it carefully before making a decision.
Yukinoshita Yukino was very happy. Because this time Ark Academy had chosen her instead of Yukinoshita Haruno. But she understood that after this choice, her life would undergo a major turning point. She indeed needed to think it through carefully. So they did not stay at Ark Academy but went to the Yukinoshita family's company.
This was also why Yukinoshita Yukino was not present when Akira went to see Eriri, Yuuki Asuna, and others.
"Master, how long are we going to follow her?"
Raphael looked at Yukinoshita Yukino's back, somewhat impatient. When she was an angel, she loved playing pranks, and now that she had fallen, she loved it even more.
"No rush—she'll be home soon."
"Are we going to follow her home?"
Raphael was a little excited; this kind of game was not only attractive to men but also to women. Raphael was very curious what kind of scene Akira's target's home would be.
Kicking away a stone at her feet, Yukinoshita Yukino made up her mind. To go to Ark Academy. Only with power can one have the right to choose. To protect what she wants to protect. And once she became a Magical Girl, she might be able to work with the man her sister had chosen in the future.
Although she wasn't without some thoughts about Akira, that was the man her sister had set her sights on—so far away from her. There was no way it could happen.
Why was she thinking about these things? Am I crazy?
Yukinoshita Yukino had never considered such things, nor did she know why this thought suddenly popped into her head.
Forget it—why think so much? Go home first.
Turning a corner and entering her apartment building, Yukinoshita Yukino walked all the way up.
"It's strange—my ability doesn't seem to have much effect on her."
Akira smiled. "Aside from your unique color, you don't seem to be able to fight at all."
Raphael still had a smile on her face. "Master, the reason for that is still you."
"What does that have to do with me? I'm so powerful."
Raphael also found it very strange. "Could it be that I'm not devout enough?"
"Who do you think I am?"
"Aren't you the embodiment of lust?"
"Oh—so after all this time, your belief was wrong. I'm not some embodiment of lust. I am me—Akira. A Butter Player."
Raphael gave two awkward laughs, her toes almost digging out a villa. "You can't blame me, Master—you never said."
Akira thought about it; he indeed hadn't said. "Then how do you change your belief?"
"It's just that the belief was wrong—just correct it."
Raphael transformed on the spot, clasping her hands together, silently reciting Akira's name in her heart, instead of associating it with the embodiment of lust. In an instant, a bloody aura condensed behind her. One pair of wings not only grew larger but also gained another pair. On the Blood Angel's halo, symmetrically placed on the left and right, two blood-colored diamonds appeared. Then, a burst of blood mist exploded, and Raphael's power surged dramatically.
Hmm? Is my power really that strong? It directly upgraded Raphael's equipment.
Raphael was very happy. "Master—I have so many abilities now. Which one do you want to see first?"
While they were talking, Yukinoshita Yukino suddenly rang the doorbell. The two exchanged glances, only then realizing they had already arrived at Yukinoshita Yukino's doorstep.
"Coming."
The door opened in response, and Yukinoshita Haruno's smile appeared. "Welcome back. Have you figured it out?"
Yukinoshita Yukino entered the room and locked the door. "I'm home. I plan to join Ark Academy."
Slipping on her slippers, Yukinoshita Yukino intended to take a shower and then get a good night's sleep. She didn't know that two figures were suspended in mid-air, watching everything.
"Master, are you interested in watching my performance?"
"Forget it—I know my own strength very well, so for you to perform in front of me would clearly be like teaching a fish to swim."
"You're right."
Raphael agreed wholeheartedly. "I'll go tease Satanichia when we get back."
Poor Satanichia.
Akira shook his head and followed Yukinoshita Yukino into the room.
She took off her T-shirt and unhooked her bra. Two buns were revealed—neither too big nor too small, they were quite adorable.
"I didn't expect her to be much bigger than Gabriel."
Saying this, Raphael weighed her own. At this moment, Yukino surprisingly cooperated, weighing her own in front of the mirror. Two small white porcelain bowls, adorned with a tiny cherry-colored grape. Then Yukinoshita Yukino bent down to take off her socks.
At this instant, Akira felt something. However, this feeling was preemptively captured by Raphael. "Master—let's warm up first."