At dawn, after washing up, I stood before the mirror and examined myself. Satisfied, I nodded.
No dark circles. Good. I looked lively and sharp.
Even though I'd gone to bed late last night, perhaps because my talk with Arona had completely settled my resolve, I'd slept unusually well. So well that I woke up before the alarm even rang.
I took that as a good omen.
Since it was still early, I reached into my pocket, took out the card, and checked its new entry.
——
Conversion Authority: [Primordial Alchemy]
Description: The bearer may consume their own life to perform a ritual for an extremely low-success-rate, targeted alchemical creation.
Source: Ayane Okusora – successfully bonded.
——
Yes, that's right. I had won Ayane over last night. But since I hadn't been in the best of moods, I'd only glanced at the description and thought it seemed useless, so I'd ignored it for the time being.
Now that I was looking closely, I realized that useless didn't even begin to cover it.
Leaving aside the part about consuming life and the abysmal success rate… what even was this ritual supposed to be?
Forget knowing how to perform it, I wouldn't even know where to start!
Actually, I'd encountered something similar before. After winning over Shiroko, I'd obtained [The Road Bike that Pioneers the Way], which also required a ritual if I wanted to change its vessel.
However, unlike with [Infinite Martial Arts], no knowledge had flowed into my mind this time.
Could it be… that only Solidify(Passive Skills) Authorities grant knowledge?
I shook my head. I had only bonded with five girls so far, far too little data to draw any real conclusions. Guessing blindly wouldn't help.
Better to use that time deepening my connection with the students.
Besides, I had proper business to handle today.
After a final look in the mirror, I stepped out of the bathroom, turned off the alarm that had only just gone off, glanced at the shotgun in the corner, and left my room.
Breakfast was lavish. Eight beautiful girls sat around the table, each with her own charm, yet the atmosphere was oddly subdued.
Some of them greeted me without much energy. Ayane, Haruka, and Aru, whose ethereal face was framed by dark, heavy eye bags. Clearly none of them had slept well.
To my surprise, Serika, who'd been the most downcast yesterday, now looked perfectly fine.
I asked curiously, "Serika, did you sleep well last night?"
She smiled brightly. "Mm~ I went to bed right after dinner and slept straight through till morning!"
So she'd repressed her embarrassment through selective amnesia. Cute.
Pleased, I reached out to rub her cat ears. Serika narrowed her eyes and purred softly, just like a cat.
Then, under Shiroko's silent, pointed gaze, I began stroking her wolf ears as well.
That immediately set off Nonomi and Mutsuki, who shouted about favoritism. At that point, I couldn't exactly play favorites.
So I went around the table from enjoying Ayane's bashful protest, Haruka's timid flinch, and Kayoko's sharp glare.
"Sensei, even if you're our management consultant, you can't just go touching the president's head without permission," Aru said sternly when it was finally her turn.
I nodded knowingly and withdrew my hand. "Ah, then I won't touch."
Aru froze, frowning in mild distress. "Well… if everyone else gets one and I don't, it makes me look like I'm trying to be special. I thought about it and, um, even the president should occasionally blend in with the group, so... Eeek!"
Before she could finish, I reached out quickly and ruffled her hair, my fingers brushing over the curve of her twin horns. The texture felt unexpectedly good.
Satisfied after teasing Aru, and having finished breakfast, I took a helicopter alone to the Sanctum Tower.
Even though the General Student Council was too preoccupied with its missing President, gaining the support of a department head with real authority would greatly ease my future plans.
Especially a certain chief I was somewhat familiar with.
Now standing before her office door, I knocked lightly.
"Come in."
Hearing the reply, I pushed open the door and greeted the girl behind the desk with a cheerful smile.
"Aoi, long time no see!"
Inside the General Student Council, Chief of the Finance Office, Oki Aoi twirled her pen and looked at me impassively.
"Sensei, you're not here to ask for another budget increase, are you?"
The short-haired girl before me, with deep blue hair, icy blue eyes, and pointed elven ears, was the first person I needed to win over.
As the one controlling the flow of the Council's funds, Aoi's support or more precisely, her willingness to expedite certain budget requests, would be a tremendous advantage.
Everyone knew the Finance Department prided itself on neutrality. But neutrality could be… flexible.
I protested, "What do you mean 'another'? I've never made any unreasonable requests before!"
"The renovation of Schale Headquarters was forgivable. The sudden mass purchase of weapons and ammunition, I'll generously consider essential supplies."
Aoi clasped her hands, her gaze sharpening. "But which Sensei was it who treated nearly a dozen students to an extravagant meal at a luxury restaurant, then filed the invoice as an official expense?"
I stammered, "That was a necessary club activity! Besides, it wasn't that expensive…"
"Have any of them officially joined Schale yet?"
"Actually, that's what I came to discuss."
I quickly offered her a vague explanation: one of my students had been kidnapped by criminal elements, the enemy was far too powerful, and I might soon need to request operational funding, so I hoped she could pay special attention to the matter.
After listening quietly, Aoi asked,
"Doesn't the student's school provide any funds for the rescue?"
"She's from Abydos High School."
Aoi thought for a moment. "Abydos… oh, that academy. I see. Second question, does the enemy's strength really exceed what Schale can handle with its remaining budget?"
"That's why I came seeking your help."
"Fair enough. Then my last question."
Aoi fixed her eyes on me, as if trying to read every flicker of expression. "As Schale's Sensei, for the sake of a single student from a nearly defunct school, you'd spend a precious favor on me. Is that really worth it?"
"Of course. For my students, I'd give anything."
Because every one of you belongs to me.
Keeping my face perfectly calm, I met her gaze. "If one day, Aoi, you were ever in danger, I would also..."
"Stop. I understand."
Aoi abruptly stood up, cutting me off before I could finish. She took a deep breath and spoke seriously.
"I'll help as much as I can within the limits of the regulations. But in return…"
She lowered her eyes and said softly, "That last thing you almost said... I'll take it as a promise, Sensei."