However, a weak-willed wielder could end up consumed by the demon, turning into one themselves.
Shikama Dji was the demon bound to Shinoa's weapon, and she had given it the affectionate nickname, "Shi-chan."
"I see nothing."
"Why do you ask?"
Shi-chan's voice carried a hint of curiosity.
Shinoa fell silent for a moment before shaking her head.
"It's nothing."
Her response was dismissive, but inwardly she was filled with conflicting emotions.
The trade chat group was visible only to her.
"I need to figure out the truth behind this," she resolved.
Frieren: "We're indeed beings from different worlds. We've already confirmed this by traveling between them."
Sui: "If you want to verify it yourself, you can initiate a trade with Rei Ao."
Shinoa Hiragi: "Apologies, but I currently have nothing to trade."
Rei Ao: "That's fine. Just remember the chat group exists if you ever need it."
Shinoa Hiragi: "Group leader Are you the one in charge here?"
Rei Ao: "You could put it that way."
Shinoa Hiragi: "Then may I ask why I was chosen?"
Rei Ao: "You weren't chosen by me. The chat group randomly selects its members to invite."
Shinoa Hiragi: "I see."
Hijiri Kasuga: "Does that apply to me too?"
At her school, during a short break, Hijiri Kasuga had found a secluded spot where she could focus on the chat group.
She was carefully examining its nature.
There were no magical energy traces.
"So it's not magic?"
Without any tangible magical elements to study, Hijiri had no choice but to accept the chat group's existence as-is.
"What a fascinating thing"
The blue-haired girl with a prominent ahoge had a spark of curiosity in her eyes, both for the chat group and the concept of other worlds.
Just as she was about to delve deeper into her analysis
"Hijiri?"
A voice interrupted her thoughts.
Looking up, Hijiri saw a boy with short, slightly messy red hair and striking crimson eyes.
"Brother," she called out.
This was her older cousin, Arata Kasuga.
Hijiri only felt familial affection for him.
When she was a child, back when their parents were still alive, Hijiri had adored her cousin.
However, after their parents' tragic deaths, Arata had matured quickly and taken on the role of an elder brother. Over time, he had deliberately kept some distance between them.
Now, Hijiri regarded him with nothing but sibling-like care.
(Note: This alters the original setting slightly.)
Arata approached, holding a bag of pineapple buns. His brows furrowed slightly as he looked at her.
"What are you doing here?"
"It's quiet here," Hijiri replied calmly. "I came to relax and clear my mind."
She had already realized that the chat group's rules prevented her from revealing its existence. Thus, she gave him a plausible excuse.
"I see," Arata said with a nod. "I won't disturb you, then."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Staring at her brother's departing figure, Hijiri Kasuga let out a sigh.
First, she had hidden her identity as a mage from her brother. Now, she had another secret to keepthe existence of the Trade Chat Group.
"I guess I'll have to wait for the right moment to reveal my identity," she thought, her gaze shifting back to the chat group interface.
Mai Sakurajima: "Both newcomers have spoken up; they seem like people we can communicate with peacefully."
Yukino Yukinoshita: "...So far, we haven't had anyone in the chat group who couldn't engage in friendly communication."
Akame: "There was oneTohru."
Tohru: "Huh??? When have I ever been unfriendly? Don't spread lies about me in front of my darling!"
Yukino Yukinoshita: "..."
Megumi Kato: "Darling You two seem to have quite an intimate relationship."
Tohru: "Of course! I'm already preparing to give Rei Ao dragon babies~"
Shinoa Hiragi: "Wait, are you two a couple?"
Rei Ao: "Hey, Tohru, no need to flaunt your affection so blatantly."
Hijiri Kasuga: "Hold on, dragon babies? What does that even mean?"
Tohru: "Because I'm a dragon!"
Hijiri Kasuga: "!!!"
Frieren: "Don't mind it, newcomer. Rei Ao is just building his own harem here in the chat group."
Hijiri Kasuga: "Eh? Are you part of it too?"
Frieren: "Oh no, not me."
Frieren: "But these are: @Stella, @Yukino Yukinoshita, @Mabel, @Shizue Izawa. Apart from them, pretty much everyone else is."
Mabel: "Waaah, don't hit me! I'm sorry, sob sob!"
Stella: "??? What's going on now?"
Saeko Busujima: "Who's hitting you? Yukinoshita-san?"
Yukino Yukinoshita: "I didn't touch her."
Rei Ao: "I did."
Megumi Kato: "Did Mabel do something wrong?"
Mai Sakurajima: "Probably something bad, right?"
Stella: "Wait, why are all of you assuming Rei Ao wasn't just bullying her?"
Ayame Yomogawa: "Isn't trusting Rei Ao-sama the natural choice?"
Stella: "..."
Frieren: "Human emotions are truly strange."
Rei Ao: "Well, it's not entirely her fault."
Rei Ao: "To put it simply, she was wandering around Yukinoshita's home without wearing clothes. I accidentally saw her, and she started screaming while drawing her God-Freezing Sword to attack me."
Tohru: "Oh, yesterday? I did sense a surge of ice magic nearby."
Yukino Yukinoshita: "That's not all."
Then, Yukino stood up to give the full, unembellished account of what had happened.
Yukino Yukinoshita: "I was standing right next to Rei Ao at the time. If it weren't for his intervention I might not be here to explain."
Frieren: "Ah, I see. So it was to defend Yukino that you disciplined her."
Mai Sakurajima: "In the real world, ordinary people shouldn't be targeted with abilities so casually."
Sui: "The Ice Tribe really is unreliable."
Mabel: "Sob sob, I know I was wrong! I promise I won't do it again!"
Ayame Yomogawa: "Acknowledging your mistake and changing is the mark of a good child."
Stella: "She's not exactly a child anymore, is she?"
Shizue Izawa: "Wait, am I not one of Rei Ao's harem members too?"
Rei Ao: "Huh???"
Stella: "What's this? You can't even keep track of your own actions?"
Mai Sakurajima: "Did you sleep with her?"
Rei Ao: "No, I didn't."
Akame: "Conflicting testimonies?"
Megumi Kato: "Rei Ao and Shizue aren't criminal suspects, you know."
Frieren: "Could doing this so often cause memory loss?"
Yukino Yukinoshita: "Science suggests overindulgence can impair memory, but outright amnesia seems unlikely"
Yukino Yukinoshita: "Perhaps his level of overindulgence goes far beyond the norm."
Rei Ao: "...Yukinoshita-san, when did you start casually discussing topics like this? You've changed."
Yukino Yukinoshita: "I I was just sharing knowledge."
Yukino felt slightly flustered as Rei Ao pointed this out.
In the past, she would've avoided topics like this altogether, even expressing disgust at such things.
Now, though, she realized she was willingly participating in conversations she once found distasteful.
Looking at her hands, Yukino admitted to herself for the first timeperhaps she really had changed.
Meanwhile, Rei Ao was left momentarily puzzled.
Had he slept with Shizue? Surely, he wouldn't forget something like that.
But then, Shizue shyly clarified.
Shizue Izawa: "Ah, no Everyone misunderstood. It wasn't sleeping togetherit was just a kiss."
Stella: "A kiss?!"
Rei Ao: "Oh, that. Yeah, I remember now."
Rei Ao chuckled wryly. A kiss? Sure, that had happened.
~~~
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Chapter 159: Shizue's Confession, Velzard and Velgrynd a Good Wing Woman
Rei Ao certainly remembered the kiss he had shared with Shizue Izawa.
Rei Ao: "It was when the Fire Spirit Ifrit went berserk. I granted Shizue a protective blessing through a kiss to stabilize her body, which was on the verge of shattering."
Frieren: "Ah, that was during the last unexpected exchange, wasn't it?"
Mai Sakurajima: "Does the blessing have to be granted through a kiss?"
Rei Ao: "Of course not. I just happen to prefer the ceremonial feel of it."
Stella: "Huh? Are you sure that's not just an excuse to take advantage?"
Rei Ao: "You could see it that way, but only if we're talking about beautiful women."
Frieren: "Rei Ao, you're as blunt as ever. By the way, is there a way for me to get a blessing?"
Rei Ao: "Of course. The specifics... well, you understand."
Frieren: "A trade... Sigh. Unfortunately, I have nothing to offer but my body."
Shizue Izawa: "Actually, that was my f-first kiss. Sister Velgrynd told me that having Rei Ao's blessing meant I was his woman, so..."
This statement essentially clarified the topic.
Rei Ao: "You don't need to think too much about it."
Rei Ao: "A blessing doesn't mean anything beyond its purpose. At that moment, it was simply the only way I could repair your broken body."
Rei Ao: "So there's no need for you to regard yourself as my woman just because of the blessing."
Shizue Izawa: "I-Is that so"
Shizue's expression suddenly became a bit downcast.
In truth, she had a favorable impression of Rei Ao, who had saved her life.
Moreover, Velgrynd and Velzard's earlier whispers had already led her to accept the idea.
But Rei Ao's words now made her feel unworthy.
"Sigh."
Velzard let out a soft sigh at the sight.
"Shizue, you're just too honest."
She couldn't bear to watch anymore. Shizue was overly considerate of others and a bit self-deprecating.
"You can't let your happiness slip away. I guess I'll have to step in for you."
Without hesitation, Velzard tagged Rei Ao in the group chat.
Velgrynd: "@Rei Ao, you're mistaken. Shizue likes you and wants to mate with you. You wouldn't refuse that, would you?"
Shizue Izawa: "Eh?!"
"S-Sister Velgrynd!"
Shizue's face turned beet red.
"M-Mate? That sounds like something a wild animal would do!"
Velzard chuckled from the side.
"I think Velgrynd is absolutely right. Happiness is something you need to chase for yourself."
Both Velzard and Velgrynd genuinely cared for Shizue. In their eyes, she was truly "one of their own."
Velzard: "Rei Ao, I can vouch for herit's true!"
Velzard: "Just now, when you rejected her, Shizue was really down. She probably thinks she's not good enough for you and that you dislike her."
Rei Ao: "What?"
That really surprised him.
Rei Ao: "I'm sorry, Shizue. You might have misunderstood my intentions."
Rei Ao: "I didn't mean to make you feel disliked or unworthy. I just hoped that if you liked me, it wouldn't be because of something like a blessing that forces your hand."
Shizue Izawa: "So... Rei Ao, you don't dislike me?"
Rei Ao: "Of course not."
Rei Ao: "On the contrary, even if you hadn't confessed to me, I would have found an opportunity to pursue you myself."
Rei Ao: "After all, when I first met you, I realized one thing: I had to have you."
Shizue Izawa: "Wha!"
Shizue hadn't expected such an intense confession to be turned back on her so suddenly.
She could barely control her racing heartbeat.
Rei Ao: "Are you sure this is truly what you want?"
Rei Ao confirmed once more.
Shizue Izawa: "Yes!"
Shizue answered without the slightest hesitation.
Rei Ao: "Alright. From now on, Shizue, you're my woman. Let's head over to Stella's later to watch the match together."
He had no reason to refuse someone who willingly came to him.
Shizue Izawa: "Okay."
Main Chatroom:
Shinoa Hiragi: "Even though I couldn't chime in on your earlier conversation, the gossip was quite entertaining."
Hijiri Kasuga: "Mm, romantic gossip is definitely intriguing, but harems and all thatdon't you think it's a bit too unrealistic?"
Rei Ao: "If crossing worlds is possible, what can't be considered realistic?"
Hijiri Kasuga: "That's true, I suppose"
Tohru: "Haha, that was a decisive comeback!"
Never mind crossing worlds
Tohru's own world had its share of magic. Some mages indeed had more than one romantic partner, though nothing as exaggerated as what the chat group suggested.
Shinoa Hiragi: "So, can anyone tell me what being chosen by this chat group actually means?"
Ayame Yomogawa: "Maybe it means the chance for salvation?"
Saeko Busujima: "It could also be an opportunity to embark on a new path."
Rei Ao: "What being chosen represents depends on your own needs."
Rei Ao: "But at its core, it's still about trade and interaction."
Shinoa Hiragi: "I see. Thank you for the clarification."
Stella: "@Rei Ao, my match is about to start. Hurry up and get over here!"
Rei Ao: "Eager, are we?"
Stella: "Who's eager?! I just want to show you how strong I am!"
Rei Ao: "Alright, alright."
Shinoa Hiragi: "And what are you two talking about now?"
Saeko Busujima: "To put it simply, Stella's academy is holding an internal ranking match, and she's invited Rei Ao to watch."
Shinoa Hiragi: "Aren't they from different worlds? Are they really traveling across worlds to do this?"
Mai Sakurajima: "That's right."
Hijiri Kasuga: "Is that actually possible?!"
Rei Ao: "If you want to experience it yourself, just accept the world-travel prompt when it appears."
As soon as he said this, a prompt popped up in the chat group.
He had already informed Kuro beforehand.
[Ding! Trade Initiated!]
[Trade Partner]: Kurono Shinguji
[Trade Details]: Watching the Hagun Academy internal matches
[Trade Condition]: 'One-time body usage rights'
[Duration]: 3 hours
But three hours clearly wouldn't be enough, so a second trade immediately followed:
[Ding! Trade Initiated!]
[Trade Partner]: Kurono Shinguji
[Trade Details]: Bang Her
[Trade Condition]: 'One-time body usage rights'
[Duration]: 3 hours
With these two trades, they now had six hours.
"So annoying," Rei Ao muttered. "Isn't there a way to get longer stays in a single trade?"
As if on cue, a new prompt appeared:
[Ding! Your special request has been detected. The chat group's trade system will undergo an upgrade to address extended-stay trades. Estimated time: 24 hours. Please look forward to it!]
"..."
Rei Ao had just been about to leave a bad review, but now he had to give five stars.
"24 hours? I'll be looking forward to it."
Hopefully, the chat group would deliver something worthwhile.
Chapter 160: Shikama Dji, First Progenitor
Hagun Academy
The dueling arena was packed to capacity once again today.
The excitement was far greater than during the director's duel last timethis was the annual School Battle, an event that determined the academy's strongest rankings.
