In front of the middle school division building of Saikai Academy...
When that figure entered Kaiser's line of sight, there were already many people gathered around her, their attention drawn to her presence.
There was no helping it. The owner of that figure was simply too endearing, too beautiful.
She had shoulder-length silver hair reminiscent of snowy fields, a face pure and adorable like that of an angel, and eyes blue as glacial rivers, yet her gaze was particularly gentle—one might even say loving. Combined with her features, she looked not only noble like a princess but also carried an indescribable sense of sanctity.
She had a petite build, not much different from Akatsuki Nagisa, but appeared slightly taller than her due to her well-proportioned figure—slender and graceful, with a hint of exotic charm.
Though she wore the Saikai Academy girls' uniform, she had a high-necked long-sleeved shirt underneath the short-sleeved uniform—a style rarely seen on the perpetually summery Itogami Island. Yet it perfectly matched her ethereal and otherworldly appearance.
Looking at this girl, Kaiser felt as though he was seeing Asia again. Though their hair colors differed, both were exotic beauties—pure and saintly, angelic even, radiating a sacred aura that was hard to put into words.
Naturally, the people nearby were captivated by this saint-like girl. Many couldn't help but stop in their tracks, especially the boys. Their gazes were filled with admiration, longing, and even infatuation, yet not a single one dared approach her.
It wasn't that they didn't want to—it was that they didn't dare.
Kaiser understood. It was precisely because that girl was too pure, too untainted, that people hesitated to approach her.
Sometimes, being too beautiful can create a sense of distance, making people instinctively shrink back. The crowd wore hesitant expressions, and not a single one dared to step forward.
Of course, the girl herself hadn't noticed this.
Because, at this very moment, she was standing beneath a tree, looking up at it with a worried expression.
Kaiser followed her line of sight up into the tree and spotted a small animal.
"Meow…"
Perched on a branch was a tiny kitten, shivering uncontrollably, looking like it could fall at any moment.
Seeing this, the girl's worry visibly deepened, and she began to show signs of anxiety.
Regrettably, those around her were only watching her and had no idea what she was looking at, or why she was standing under the tree.
In other words, besides Kaiser, no one else had noticed the presence of the kitten.
If even one person had looked somewhere other than directly at the girl, they would have realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to strike up a conversation.
"I give you all a chance, and none of you are any good…"
Kaiser looked at the hesitant, tongue-tied boys with a helpless smile.
Seeing the girl grow increasingly worried and anxious, Kaiser thought for a moment, then decided to step forward.
"You're not planning to wait until it falls down and try to catch it, are you?"
When this voice came from behind her, the girl was clearly startled.
"Eh?"
She turned around and saw Kaiser standing there. Her glacial blue eyes showed clear surprise.
Meanwhile, the boys who had been too afraid to approach now all turned their eyes toward Kaiser, their gazes full of resentment.
Kaiser ignored them entirely. He met the girl's beautiful eyes and smiled.
"Is that your cat?"
Kaiser pointed to the shivering kitten in the tree and asked.
"N-No, it's not."
The girl seemed to only now realize someone was speaking to her. She quickly shook her head in response.
Her voice was clear and gentle, like a nun softly praying in a monastery, giving the impression that one's entire being was being purified just hearing it.
Upon hearing that voice, Kaiser even felt that he could eat three full bowls of rice with just her voice as seasoning—even without any side dishes at dinner.
"Then why have you been staring at it this whole time?"
Kaiser looked directly into the girl's eyes, instinctively softening his tone as he asked.
"I'm sorry." The girl immediately apologized, her face full of remorse. "I was just a little worried about that little one. Sorry for bothering you, senpai."
"No need to go that far." Kaiser chuckled and shook his head. "So, it's a stray that wandered in?"
"Most likely." The girl seemed quite knowledgeable on the matter. "Though I haven't looked up close, it's filthy all over, so it doesn't seem like it has an owner."
Kaiser looked up and indeed saw that the kitten was quite dirty—it certainly didn't look like a pet.
"Ran into the academy grounds after being abandoned?"
Kaiser muttered to himself, causing the girl's expression to darken slightly as she looked down.
She looked as though she were mourning the fate and origin of such a tiny life—like a compassionate Virgin Mary.
"Could I trouble you, senpai…"
The girl softly expressed her intent—it was obvious what she hoped Kaiser would do.
Alone, she could only stand watch beneath the tree, ever vigilant for when the kitten might fall, ready to catch it at a moment's notice.
But with Kaiser's arrival, she gained a sliver of hope.
"No big deal." Kaiser naturally understood what she meant, but narrowed his eyes slightly. "Honestly, it can probably make it on its own. Don't underestimate the resilience of life, alright?"
That sentence made the girl pause again.
Kaiser didn't elaborate. He simply walked beneath the tree and looked at the kitten.
"Come."
He beckoned toward the kitten as if commanding a pet.
The next second, the girl witnessed a surprising sight.
"Meow!"
The kitten that had been trembling atop the tree suddenly seemed to have received a supreme command—as if it had seen the Cat King—and gathered up its courage.
It cautiously retraced its steps, reached the trunk, and latched onto the bark with its paws, sliding down like it was on a slide.
Before long, the kitten safely reached the ground, gave a soft mewl, and ran toward Kaiser, leaping into his arms.
"See?" Kaiser hugged the kitten and smiled at the girl. "It came down, didn't it?"
At his words, a mixture of disbelief and awe sparkled in the girl's eyes.
"Senpai, you're amazing."
The girl gazed at Kaiser with adoration, her deep blue eyes rippling like waves—as if she'd become one of Kaiser's little fangirls.
"It's probably this little guy that's amazing." Kaiser gently stroked the kitten in his arms. "Isn't it a bit odd to be praising me?"
"No, you deserve it, senpai." The girl shook her head. "I don't know how you did it, but you definitely did something just now—that's the only reason this little one wasn't afraid and had the courage to come down, right?"
Hearing this, Kaiser couldn't help but think to himself:
"As expected of a spirit medium who's inherited a vast bloodline of spiritual power—her sixth sense is sharp."
From the very first glance, Kaiser had already recognized her.
Still, he asked her a question.
"I haven't asked your name yet—what is it?"
Kaiser's question made the girl immediately stand up straight.
"Forgive me, senpai." She bowed politely and replied in a gentle, saint-like voice, "My name is Kanon Kanase. I'm a third-year in the middle school division."
Kanon Kanase—this name was far from obscure at Private Saikai Academy.
Mention Kanon Kanase from the middle school third year, and nearly 99% of the academy would instantly know who she was—her name was practically legendary.
Because she was exceptionally beautiful and stood out immensely, she had been the center of attention among both boys and girls since enrolling. Many boys secretly admired her, and even girls were drawn to her overly sacred beauty and aura.
It was said that in the middle school division, if any boy dared approach her for a chat, the rest would swarm him and punish him—sometimes even with fines.
Due to her divine beauty, people called her the "Saintess of the Middle School Division," quietly admired and protected by many.
Of course, that was only her surface identity.
In truth, her unearthly beauty was a sign that she was no ordinary student.
Unfortunately, the only person who seemed to know this secret at Private Saikai Academy right now was probably Kaiser—and even across all of Itogami Island, very few knew the truth about Kanon Kanase.
"I'm Kaiser, first-year in the high school division." Kaiser, as if carefully admiring Kanon's beauty—or perhaps to show he acknowledged her—looked her straight in the eye and said, "I just transferred here today. Pleased to meet you, Kanon."
"A transfer student… is that so?" Kanon looked a bit relieved. "No wonder you were willing to talk to me."
"Oh?" Kaiser asked curiously, "What do you mean by that?"
"N-No, it's nothing, just something that came to mind." Kanon seemed embarrassed. "I'm very shy by nature, and with my odd hair color, everyone at the academy tends to avoid me or stay away… I was thinking, if you weren't a transfer student, maybe you would have done the same…"
That's just because very few people have the courage to approach you—it has nothing to do with being a transfer student.
Especially for boys—those who dare approach you must get death stares from the others, right?
Feeling the hostile gazes coming from all directions, Kaiser shrugged.
"Maybe. If I weren't a transfer student, someone might've grabbed me by the shoulders and stopped me from getting near you."
Kaiser said jokingly, but it made Kanon feel inexplicably guilty.
"Sorry… it's all because of me…"
The girl seemed to blame herself for everything.
"Don't say that. You haven't done anything wrong." Seeing her remorseful expression, Kaiser changed the subject. "So, what do we do with this little guy?"
Kaiser grabbed the kitten by the scruff of its neck and held it up.
"Um…" Kanon didn't scold Kaiser for being rough but instead hesitated. "Senpai, couldn't you take it in?"
"Sadly, no." Kaiser shook his head. "The apartment I'm living in doesn't allow pets."
That wasn't something Kaiser made up—it was clearly stated in the warning notice he received upon moving in.
"I see…" Kanon seemed disappointed but didn't push it. "In that case, senpai, please give the little one to me."
As she spoke, Kanon reached out her hands to receive the kitten from Kaiser.
"Meow!"
Unexpectedly, the kitten began to struggle and cried out as if unwilling to leave Kaiser, clearly reluctant to go over to Kanon.
"This…"
Kanon looked surprised and confused.
"Don't be difficult." Kaiser lightly smacked the kitten on the head and scolded, "She was the one who worried about you the whole time under that tree. She's also trying to give you a future. Don't be ungrateful, little one."
The kitten seemed to understand and quieted down.
"Kanon, here."
Kaiser placed the kitten into Kanon's arms. It no longer resisted and instead rubbed its face affectionately against her chest as if sensing a kindred spirit.
"This little one really listens to you, senpai." Kanon gently held the kitten and looked at Kaiser with shining eyes. "Senpai, are you some kind of animal trainer?"
"Something like that." Kaiser didn't deny it and smiled lightly. "There probably aren't many animals that wouldn't listen to me."
"That's amazing." Kanon looked at him like a little fangirl again. "Senpai must be a good person—that's why animals like you and obey you."
That was a big misunderstanding.
After all, this affinity and obedience came from God-Slaying.
If people from the world of Campione knew that Kanon Kanase had just called a Demon Lord a "good person," they'd probably drop their jaws on the spot.
"What are you planning to do with this little guy?"
Kaiser asked anyway.
"Until I find someone to adopt it, I'll take care of it for now." Kanon gently stroked the kitten. "Please don't worry, senpai. I'm really good at this—I won't let the little one suffer."
Not many people knew that Kanon often took in abandoned kittens and raised them in the hills behind the academy.
Currently, there was already a whole group of hungry kittens being cared for by her in those hills, and Kanon was always trying to find people to adopt them so they wouldn't remain strays.
This compassion matched her saint-like image perfectly.
That's also why she was so worried about the kitten stuck in the tree earlier.
"I'll leave it to you then."
Knowing this, Kaiser nodded.
"Yes, thank you for trusting me, senpai."
Kanon bowed again. The light in her eyes as she looked at Kaiser hadn't dimmed—rather, it shimmered as though she were gazing at something brilliant.