Chapter 1173: Assisting in the Investigation of the Fourth True Ancestor?
After the morning class ended, Natsuki Minamiya left gracefully.
The students immediately prepared to head home, with some extending invitations to Sayaka, though she politely declined them all.
"A-Li, do you have any plans later—"
"Excuse me, may I interrupt for a moment?"
Asagi, clutching the brand new movie tickets in her pocket, took a deep breath and put on a fresh smile.
But before she could finish her sentence, another voice cut her off.
The beautiful transfer student stood before Eiji with a tense expression.
She gestured with her chin toward the hallway, indicating they should talk outside.
"Sure."
Eiji agreed without hesitation.
Then, under Asagi's stunned gaze, the two left the classroom one after the other.
"Those two seem unusually close?"
Motoki Yaze stroked his chin.
"That guy A-Li never shows such straightforwardness toward strangers, even if they're beauties! He's never been this direct before!"
Even Motoki noticed it!
Asagi gritted her teeth.
A strong sense of crisis surged within her.
"Asagi, you can't keep going on like this!"
Motoki looked at her with pity.
Meanwhile.
The rooftop of Saikai Academy looked incredibly futuristic.
Not only were there benches and green trees, but there was even a clear pond stocked with fish and shrimp, making it resemble a park more than a rooftop.
"About yesterday's incident, I must thank you."
Once they reached the rooftop, Sayaka set up a barrier around them.
Then she formally expressed her gratitude to Eiji.
"In return, I haven't disclosed anything about you to the security team—not even to your... guardian."
Though it was a sincere thank-you, her words carried an oddly formal and dry tone.
She particularly emphasized the word "guardian."
"And so?"
Eiji looked at her calmly.
"Where's your sincerity?"
"?"
"You didn't come empty-handed to thank me, did you?"
Eiji stared at her in disbelief.
"Unbelievable! I helped you with such a major issue, and you didn't even bring a gift?"
"Here we go again?"
Sayaka covered her face.
She had no desire to continue this kind of conversation with him!
"What do you mean 'again'? Gifts are the embodiment of sincerity! Coming without one shows you're only thanking me verbally without truly meaning it! To think you'd be someone without integrity or gratitude—ah, I really saved the wrong person!"
Eiji clutched his chest as if heartbroken.
"Alright, alright! I'll properly get you a gift later, is that good enough?"
Harassed beyond endurance, Sayaka finally raised her hands in surrender.
This guy's reasoning wasn't entirely without merit, yet it felt excessively nitpicky.
He's just as petty as that Fourth True Ancestor!
For a moment, she couldn't tell whether he cared more about the gesture or the sincerity.
"Hurry up, then."
Eiji struggled internally for a while before reluctantly accepting her apology.
Why was it?
Though they had only exchanged a few words, Sayaka felt more exhausted than after battling Rudolf.
"So, Minamiya Eiji is your real name?"
Dropping the previous topic, Sayaka spoke with clear annoyance.
"These days, it's practically impossible to distinguish real names from aliases."
Eiji sighed and said something that left Sayaka perplexed.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing in particular. You can call me whatever you like."
Sayaka made a soft sound of acknowledgment.
Somehow...
She felt like there were many stories hidden within him.
"Then I'll call you Eiji?"
"That's fine."
Sayoka nodded.
Surprisingly, she felt a sense of satisfaction in her heart.
Could this be considered a special form of address between the two of them?
"Then what's your relationship with the Gap Witch, Natsuki Minamiya? Siblings? Or mother and son?"
No.
The latter was truly absurd, wasn't it?
Although Natsuki-chan looked like a little girl, she had already been famous throughout Europe ten years ago as the Gap Witch who struck fear into the hearts of European demons.
But she's actually only twenty-six this year!
If she really had a sixteen-year-old son like him, that would be seriously illegal!
"Well now."
Eiji rubbed his chin, his tone suddenly becoming suggestive.
"Actually, your Lion King Organization knows more about that than I do!"
Sayaka froze.
The Lion King Organization knows more?
What did that mean?
Could it be that he had past connections with the Lion King Organization?
That's right!
Now that she thought about it.
She realized she hadn't told him yesterday that she was an agent of the Lion King Organization - Rudolf had only mentioned it briefly. Then Eiji had familiarly brought up his views about the Lion King Organization, leaving Rudolf speechless, as if he knew the organization better than Rudolf himself!
Could it be that he had known about the Lion King Organization all along?
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
"Wait a moment!"
Seeing Eiji turn to leave, Sayaka quickly stopped him.
"Is there something else?"
"Actually, the higher-ups transferred me to Saikai Academy so I could investigate the Adidrad Monastery up close. In this regard, I was hoping to get your help!"
"Why?"
"Because the Adidrad Monastery might be connected to the Fourth True Ancestor!"
"No, I mean why should I help you?"
Sayaka was momentarily speechless.
Well.
From a rational perspective, there was nothing wrong with that question.
But she still felt inexplicably disappointed.
She had thought their relationship had reached the point where they could be considered friends.
"Um... you might have been targeted by the Fourth True Ancestor too?"
Sayaka racked her brains and came up with a reason.
"Think about it - you did have a brief encounter with the Fourth True Ancestor last night. Given that guy's petty nature, he might seek revenge against you!"
In Sayaka's mind, the Fourth True Ancestor had completely become the Petty Ancestor.
Although her reasoning was somewhat forced, there was some possibility to it.
Sayaka looked at Eiji with hopeful eyes.
Her gaze shining with anticipation.
Currently, there was far too little information about the Fourth True Ancestor, and she needed to gather as much intelligence as possible. Since Eiji had made contact with the Fourth True Ancestor, he was undoubtedly the person who could help her the most!
Eiji rubbed his chin.
Sayaka thought he must be considering the matter - after all, this involved something too significant. Anyone would hesitate to get involved with a True Ancestor.
Even if he refused, it wouldn't be surprising.
"Hmm, sounds interesting, doesn't it?"
But he laughed, looking quite pleased.
"Call me if you need anything. I'll give you my number."
Investigate the Fourth True Ancestor.
He actually found it interesting?
Sayaka was once again shocked by his way of thinking!
What kind of mental circuitry did this guy have?!
"Your number!"
Sayaka hurriedly pulled out her flip phone.
"Phew, thank you!"
Looking at the few numbers saved in her phone, a very happy smile appeared on Sayaka's face.
"Don't forget the gift!"
Eiji reminded her.
"..."
Sayaka was instantly rendered speechless.
What should she do?
Her impression of this man kept fluctuating between the highest and lowest extremes!