To Rokuhara, this place was the last spot on earth he wanted to be.

(A grim-faced woman and that Professor—the biggest scum at Kisou Academy… Just looking at them pisses me off.)

Had he not been paid a hefty sum beforehand, Rokuhara would have left already, cursing under his breath.

For him, this was nothing but a stress-inducing environment.

“Oh, by the way, as we discussed, did you bring the Kisou Academy uniform?”

“…Eina, give me the backpack.”

“Ah, yes.”

Rokuhara snatched the backpack from Eina’s shoulders and tossed it onto the bed.

“Check it yourself, Professor.”

“Hah, still despised, as usual. And yet, I’m a hero set on saving the world.”

The Professor scratched her neck carelessly as she rummaged through the bag and pulled out a uniform.

It was a standard girls’ uniform from Kisou Academy, mostly black.

“It’s tailored to the size you specified before. After all, you’re officially transferring to Kisou Academy. Appearances matter.”

“…Yes, I see.”

Miroku barely responded, her hands clutching the bedsheets as if to endure something. Rokuhara averted his gaze from her tightly clenched fists.

(Still as twisted as ever. As far as I know, this makes nineteen.)

He knew the Professor regularly brought students into Kisou Academy. Rokuhara had even escorted a few of them.

(If it weren’t for the fact that she pays so well, I’d have killed her by now. I’m an S-rank, not some errand boy.)

Despite everything, he was doing this because she paid handsomely. Being in Kisou Academy meant accepting a certain level of tragedy.

And Miroku was just another girl he’d come to terms with.

“Still, it’s the first time I’ve used a student from Fectom Integrated Academy. Truthfully, I’m rather excited. Ciel is a Demonsgear native to your school district, so there’s a solid chance it’ll work.”

The Professor watched Miroku intently, her eyes grazing over her face as if savoring her discomfort.

“Though my assessment is that it probably won’t work. If it fails, we’ll just find you a new body. I’m at my limit with this one as it is.”

She gestured to herself.

Seeing her, Rokuhara recalled that the Professor had once been a well-regarded student at Kisou Academy.

Back then, her golden hair was far more brilliant. Now, it was faded and dull.

“This body was an unexpected find and deteriorates quickly. Without high-quality material, nothing seems to fit.”

“…”

Miroku’s face paled instantly, yet she didn’t retort. She knew all too well what price she was paying.

“This means the support for Fectom Integrated Academy will continue, yes?”

“Of course. I never break a promise. Besides, my ultimate goal is to save the world. Saving your academy along the way is hardly strange.”

Ignoring the sacrifices required, the Professor responded nonchalantly.

“In fact, it’s impressive that Kisou Academy’s pressure hasn’t broken you yet. It’s a pity about the former student council president, but you’re quite the raw gem yourself. I always reward those I deem worthy.”

“…I see.”

Miroku exhaled her answer. Everything was infuriating.

(A waste of a girl.)

Rokuhara thought of Miroku as a lost potential. He didn’t know her true strength.

But he was keenly aware of her extraordinary magic capacity.

(Ridiculous magic power. She could probably match that glutton if she tried.)

He thought of a girl in his rank, Tatarri, a monster with the power to devour anything and thereby grow her magic capacity.

Miroku’s magic power was on par with hers.

The only drawback was that Miroku had no outlet for her power.

(If she hasn’t awakened by this age, she probably never will. Her physical enhancements are average. She’s just a hoarder with no way to use what she’s got—a wasted treasure.)

To him, that’s all Miroku was.

As he watched her, Rokuhara felt his sleeve being pulled.

“Huh?”

He looked down to see Eina tugging at his sleeve with a discontented look.

Bound by an ingrained obedience, watching the Professor and Miroku was unbearable for her.

Rokuhara tousled her hair roughly and spoke up in a loud voice.

“…Hey, Professor, isn’t it time to head back to the academy? I’ve got a board meeting to attend, so if you’re going, hurry up.”

“My apologies. I can’t waste capable personnel. See you in the lab, Aoi Miroku.”

The Professor rose, and Miroku gave only a slight bow, saying nothing else.

(This job always leaves a rotten feeling.)

The Professor left the room, no longer interested in the conversation. After confirming she was gone, Rokuhara opened his mouth to say something to Miroku but stopped.

Instead, he gently patted Eina’s head again once they were outside the room.

“Leader?”

Looking up at him, Eina’s face was puzzled, and Rokuhara flashed a fierce grin.

(It’s not my role to save that girl.)

“Eina, stay sharp. Things are about to get interesting. He’ll come for Miroku.”

“He?”

“Narou Kei.”

Only someone who’d faced Kei firsthand could understand his obsession with Fectom Integrated Academy.

“Finally, I’ll get to fight him for real. …My heart’s pounding.”

Everything was uncertain, except for one fact: Kei could evade his attacks with ease.

And for Rokuhara, that was thrilling.

“For the first time since that girl, I’ll go all out. This time, you’ll be there too. We’ll win.”

“Eh—uh, yes!”

Eina replied without fully understanding.

In Rokuhara’s eyes, neither Miroku nor the Professor was present anymore.

Only the imminent fight with Narou Kei.

Even if it meant a tragic outcome with his victory.

(Come at me, hero.)

Rokuhara was simply following his own path.