Standing before August, Natsuki Minamiya's mind churned with thoughts. After a brief pause, she reached a decision.
Helping him wasn't just a favor—it was a calculated move. When faced with an unknown, powerful figure, befriending them was far better than making them an enemy. Moreover, keeping him close would make it easier to monitor him.
"Alright." She finally said. "I'll help you obtain identification, but on one condition."
"Name it, Miss Natsuki." August replied with a polite smile.
"You must remain within my line of sight at all times. Your mysterious origins make it difficult for me to trust you completely."
"That's fair." August said, nodding. "If I were in your position, I'd take similar precautions. I'll cooperate."
Natsuki exhaled, relieved at his compliance. This arrangement gave her a sliver of reassurance, though she remained wary. She couldn't dismiss the possibility that August was deliberately trying to lower her guard.
Beside them, Kanon Kanase's face lit up with a radiant smile. To her, this meant August was no longer a dangerous figure.
"What are you so happy about?" Natsuki's sharp tone cut through Kanon's joy. "Even if he's not a threat, you still need to keep your distance. Otherwise, you'll end up falling for his charm and helping him count his spoils after he's drained you dry."
"Miss Natsuki, I—"
"Don't even try to argue. Girls like you are always easy targets. I've seen it too many times: naïve, wide-eyed little girls swept off their feet by sweet words, only to end up abandoned and heartbroken."
Natsuki's lecture was relentless, her protective instincts fully activated. Kanon, being only a teenager, was far too impressionable. Meanwhile, August couldn't help but interject.
"Excuse me, could you refrain from maligning me? I'm standing right here."
"I'm saying it for you to hear." Natsuki snapped. "She's barely fourteen. Are you some kind of predator?"
"I can assure you, I have no inappropriate intentions." August said, exasperated. "You're making me out to be some villainous con artist."
"Where's the lie?" Natsuki shot back.
"You're impossible!" August muttered, his patience thinning. Yet, mindful of Kanon's presence, he restrained himself from further argument. Maintaining his image was paramount. Kanon, however, avoided his gaze, her cheeks flushed, clearly paying little attention to Natsuki's admonitions.
"Alright, it's late. Time to head home." Natsuki said firmly.
"But, Miss Natsuki, I—"
"No buts."
"I understand."
Reluctantly, Kanon complied, casting longing glances back at August as she left the shop, her steps hesitant and slow. Watching her retreat, August felt an irritation rising within him.
"Upset, are we? Is it because your target left?" Natsuki teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Miss Natsuki, your meddling is... deeply frustrating." August admitted, his tone sharp.
"Hmph! Men like you are all the same. She's a child. Are you seriously trying to justify your actions?"
"You clearly lack any understanding of romance."
"Excuse me?" Natsuki's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Nothing at all. Let's head back, shall we?" August deflected with a dismissive wave.
"Wait. Back where?" Natsuki's voice carried a hint of suspicion.
"To your place, of course. Isn't that what you meant by keeping me within your line of sight?"
"That's—" She faltered, realizing she had indeed implied that.
"And since you'll need to find me tomorrow anyway, staying together saves time. Don't worry, I don't mind the inconvenience."
"The nerve!" Natsuki exclaimed, folding her arms. "You're acting as if you're doing me a favor!"
"It's fine. I'm used to shouldering burdens. It's part of being a man."
"Get out!" She shouted, swinging her fan at him. But as soon as she moved, regret flashed across her face.
Challenging a strong individual was reckless, especially someone she barely knew. Her strike, however, was intercepted. A shadowy blade materialized mid-air, halting her fan effortlessly.
August's eyes glinted as he gazed at her, his presence suddenly oppressive. An overwhelming aura of dominance surged from him, and for a brief second, Natsuki felt like she had been plunged into an abyss. The oppressive weight of his existence bore down on her, as if she were an ant before a towering god.
The sensation vanished almost as quickly as it came, but Natsuki was left breathless, her forehead damp with sweat. She stared at August with newfound fear and respect.
This man wasn't just powerful; he was a monster, possibly on par with the legendary Vampire Progenitors.
"Shall we go, Miss Natsuki?" August asked, his tone light, as if nothing had happened.
"...Yes." She replied cautiously.
Without further discussion, they stepped into a glowing spatial circle that appeared beneath their feet, vanishing in an instant.
When Natsuki blinked, they were already standing in an opulent residence. The luxurious décor exuded elegance, from the ornate furniture to the plush carpets, everything radiated refinement.
"This is my home." Natsuki explained. "You can stay here for now. By tomorrow morning, I'll have your identification and exchange these gold bars for local currency."
"No need to convert them. They're a token of my gratitude." August replied.
"I don't need your charity." Natsuki retorted curtly, though her tone was softer now.
August didn't argue. He believed her words. As the instructor of anti-demon operations and the guardian of the prison barrier, Natsuki Minamiya undoubtedly had substantial resources.
For now, a tenuous balance of mutual respect and wariness hung between them. Both understood that this arrangement was as much about trust as it was about control.
___
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The night passed without incident. As the first light of dawn broke the horizon, a new day began.
Despite her role as an anti-demon officer, Natsuki Minamiya was also a teacher at Saikai Academy, serving as a homeroom instructor. As such, she rose early to prepare for the day.
That morning, August's new identity documents were delivered to him. However, upon examining the contents, he couldn't help but feel
speechless.
Saikai Academy, Faculty Member: Assistant to Teacher Natsuki Minamiya.
This was the identity Natsuki had arranged for him. Simple and straightforward, to say the least.
It made sense, though. She had made it clear he wasn't allowed out of her sight. Assigning him a role that kept him close to her was the logical choice.
Still, August felt a small sense of relief. At least she hadn't assigned him the role of a student.
He'd had enough of student life back during his brief stint at Kuoh Academy. The nostalgic novelty wore off quickly, and he became a chronic class-skipper. He had no desire to relive those days here.
"So, Natsuki-chan." August said with a teasing tone, "what exactly does this teacher's assistant position entail?"
"Just one night, and you're already acting overly familiar." Natsuki replied, not bothering to look up from her lesson plan notes. "We are not close enough for you to call me '-chan.' And don't use that tone with your superior, you insufferable man."
The brief display of power from the previous night still lingered in her mind, reminding her of the fine line she had to walk with him. While she wasn't about to let her guard down, she understood there were limits to how far she could push.
"Such a strict response, Natsuki-chan." August quipped, undeterred.
"Tch. You're impossible."
Natsuki sighed, her patience wearing thin. She had dealt with plenty of difficult individuals before, but August was quickly proving to be among the most troublesome.
Unfazed, August settled himself in a seat across from her. Spotting a teapot on the table, he poured himself a cup of the fragrant red tea.
Red tea was clearly Natsuki's indulgence. Whether at home or in her office, there was always a finely crafted tea set paired with top-quality tea leaves.
"Your position is largely symbolic." she explained, flipping a page in her notebook. "It's nothing more than a title."
"Do I get a salary?" August asked casually.
"Do you even need money?"
"Whether I need it or not is one thing. Whether it's offered is another."
"Of course not. You're lucky I even bothered to arrange an identity for you. Expecting a salary on top of that? Dream on."
"Fair enough." August replied with a shrug.
He wasn't particularly bothered. A teacher's assistant salary would have been negligible anyway. He'd asked mostly out of curiosity, not necessity.
...
Saikai Academy, Faculty Building, Top-Floor Office – Natsuki Minamiya's Exclusive Workspace.
As one of the most powerful anti-demon officers and the instructor of the island's enforcers, Natsuki Minamiya was a figure of privilege. She wasn't just a teacher; she was the guardian of the prison barrier, making her position on Itogami Island particularly unique.
This office was originally hers alone. However, starting today, it had a new occupant.
August, whose newly assigned identity listed him as "Assistant to Teacher Natsuki Minamiya" at Saikai Academy, had been placed here for practical reasons. Given his enigmatic nature and immense power, Natsuki insisted on keeping him under constant surveillance. Allowing a person of his caliber to roam freely would be far too dangerous.
"For the time being." Natsuki said, her voice calm but firm, "You'll stay here. Once I'm certain you pose no threat, you'll be free to move about as you wish."
"I think this setup suits me just fine." August replied lazily, reclining on an opulent sofa not far from her desk. "Good food, good drinks—what more could I ask for?"
The elegant table beside him was laden with plates of exquisite pastries. These were among Natsuki's favorite indulgences, carefully chosen and arranged to match the aesthetic of her refined office. Watching them treated so casually by her unwanted guest tested the limits of her patience. If not for her years of self-discipline, she might have already lost her temper.
While Natsuki silently fumed, August's attention shifted elsewhere—to the glowing system interface only he could see.
A list of tasks had been generated, each more ambitious than the last:
[Fall of the First Primogenitor: Defeat the First Primogenitor of the vampires, Ki Juranbarada. Reward: Advanced Gacha Draw x9.]
[Fall of the Second Primogenitor: Defeat the Second Primogenitor of the vampires, Aswad-Guul Aziz. Reward: Advanced Gacha Draw x9.]
[Fall of the Third Primogenitor: Defeat the Third Primogenitor of the vampires, Giada Kukulcan. Reward: Advanced Gacha Draw x9.]
[Fall of the Fourth Primogenitor: Defeat the Fourth Primogenitor, Kojou Akatsuki. Reward: Advanced Gacha Draw x9.]
[Empire of the Dawn: Establish your own Empire. Reward: Advanced Gacha Draw x9.]
Five tasks in total. Each represented a monumental challenge—except, perhaps, the fourth.
The first three were daunting. The Primogenitors were the apex of this world's power hierarchy. Their strength was unparalleled, and their true capabilities remained a mystery to August. Of particular interest to him was their reliance on familiars, the mystical beasts they controlled, which seemed integral to their immense power.
As for creating his own empire? August wasn't particularly concerned. Building an empire was often a simple matter of strength. Demonstrate enough power, and people would naturally flock to you. Recruitment and administration would be secondary concerns.
The fourth task—defeating Kojou Akatsuki, the so-called Fourth Primogenitor—was the easiest by far. At present, Kojou was little more than a fledgling vampire. His strength was incomplete, and his inexperience was glaring. Compared to the other Primogenitors, Kojou was a mere shadow of their greatness.
What intrigued August, however, was a different possibility: Could his "Sin of Gluttony" allow him to consume Kojou and claim the Fourth Primogenitor's power for himself? Vampires, after all, could grow stronger by devouring one another. Kojou, a human transformed into the Fourth Primogenitor during the Blazing Banquet, might be especially susceptible to such a fate.
August leaned back, contemplating the peculiarities of vampires in this world.
Their immortality, derived from what was often referred to as "God's Curse." fascinated him. They possessed near-limitless lifespans, and even the weakest among them enjoyed a longevity that defied logic.
More curious still were their familiars—mighty creatures bound to their masters. While these beasts were not exclusive to vampires, the energy they required to function was immense, rendering them usable only by beings with nearly infinite vitality. Vampires fit this description perfectly.
Even the process by which vampires grew stronger intrigued him. Unlike typical means of training or experience, they relied on "inherent accumulation over time." This gradual enhancement could be accelerated by consuming blood, but the process remained painstakingly slow by human standards.
___
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