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Hmm?
The sudden appearance of the petite, gothic-styled figure drew everyone's eyes immediately—even Bokue Keikain involuntarily tilted his head upward to observe.
Contrasting sharply with her Western gothic attire, the tiny girl descending gracefully from the teleportation circle bore distinctly Eastern features. Her long silky black hair framed gentle yet piercing ocean-blue eyes, and her delicate face carried an oddly stern expression, reminiscent of a strict homeroom teacher about to deliver a lecture.
A strange sense of déjà vu washed over Bokue...
It was baffling how someone could simultaneously radiate cuteness and maturity, tenderness and sternness, all at once.
If he disregarded the mature gothic style, the girl looked even younger than Nagisa—practically an elementary schooler.
Who was this tiny girl?
While Bokue pondered this, Nagisa beside him seemed to recognize her immediately, eyes widening in sudden realization.
"I repeat: entering here without authorization is a serious crime."
Repeating herself sternly, the girl lightly touched down on the ground, her tiny frame radiating unexpected authority.
"I'm Natsuki Minamiya, Special Instructor of the Demon District's Security Forces and professional Attack Mage. Now, explain yourselves clearly—your purpose and what exactly happened here."
"Ah! I knew it!"
Upon hearing her introduction, Nagisa exclaimed excitedly, eyes sparkling with recognition.
"You're Natsuki-sensei from Saikai Academy's high school, right? You're friends with Miss Sasaki Misaki—our homeroom teacher! I've seen you around the school before!"
"…Excuse me?"
Natsuki paused slightly, finally turning her gaze fully towards Nagisa. Recognition flickered in her eyes, easing her previously strict demeanor somewhat.
"Ah, yes. I remember you now. Just the other day, I saw you with Sasaki Misaki…and that other girl."
Her eyes shifted briefly to Yukina beside Nagisa.
"Oh!" Nagisa remembered, nodding energetically. "That day, Yukina-chan and I went to handle her enrollment paperwork. They had just arrived on Itogami Island and decided to attend Saikai Academy!"
"And what exactly does that have to do with your presence here now?"
Natsuki's eyes narrowed once more as she surveyed the group, channeling the undeniable strictness of a schoolteacher despite her childlike frame.
Before anyone could respond, she turned sharply toward Asagi.
"And you, Aiba Asagi. Why exactly are you here?"
"Um, well… because I'm an employee of the Management Corporation?"
The usually bold, blonde-haired Asagi shrank slightly under Natsuki's piercing gaze.
"I'm aware of that," Natsuki replied dryly. "But I doubt your position grants you the authority to enter a restricted area like this."
"Well, what am I supposed to do?" Asagi pouted. "I was working in my office when suddenly explosions started going off outside. Any normal person would come out and take a look!"
After all, what kind of person would remain motionless while explosions rattled nearby? A coward?
"A 'normal person' should head to the nearest safe zone, not directly into danger…"
Having encountered three consecutive students—some from her own class—Natsuki's lecturing instinct kicked into high gear. Just as she was about to continue scolding, Bokue interrupted smoothly:
"So, you're with the Demon District Security Forces, huh? Took you long enough to get here, didn't it?"
"And who might you be?"
Her sharp eyes locked onto the unfamiliar young man. Unlike the others, she had no recollection of ever meeting him.
"Are you responsible for bringing these students here?"
"Bokue Keikain," he shrugged casually. "If you're a professional Attack Mage, you should be familiar with that name."
He tilted his head slightly, a confident smirk playing at his lips.
"And just for the record—had we waited for your Security Force, this island would already be at the bottom of the sea."
"Keikain… from the renowned Keikain Clan?" Natsuki murmured thoughtfully, her expression softening slightly as she grasped everyone's identities.
Her eyes shifted downwards to the figures sprawled unconscious on the floor, recognition dawning instantly.
"An Apostle from Lotharingia…and an artificial life-form. That explains it."
She sighed softly in resignation—yet another troublesome issue.
"Alright, I understand the situation clearly now. You can all leave; I'll handle matters here. I'll contact each of you later to give detailed statements—"
"Wait, please, Natsuki-sensei!"
Nagisa abruptly raised her hand like an eager elementary student, interrupting earnestly.
"We can all vouch for Astarte-chan! She was forced to commit these actions against her will, and right now her life is critically endangered because of her familiar. If possible, we'd like Big Brother to administer some first aid to her!"
"First aid?"
Natsuki's slender brows rose skeptically, as if Nagisa had just made a ridiculous suggestion.
"The familiar inside that artificial life-form has drained nearly all of her vitality. Healing her would require tremendous amounts of spiritual energy, plus regular, continual replenishments. Without a steady supply, her familiar will begin devouring her life force again. As far as I know, Onmyōji wouldn't have enough spiritual power for such—hmm?"
Her voice trailed off mid-sentence, and her delicate mouth hung open in astonishment.
Reflected vividly in her widened blue eyes was Bokue, now enveloped completely by a fierce, golden aura of spiritual flames, reminiscent of a Super Saiyan in his glorious, radiant splendor.
"Well, it's hard to refuse when my girlfriend makes a request."
With those casual words, Bokue gently lifted the unconscious blue-haired girl into his arms.
The golden spiritual flames around him intensified, pulsing warmly—powerful enough to melt steel yet emitting a comforting, gentle warmth instead of scorching heat.
If observed closely, one would see the luminous energy steadily pouring into the petite girl like water soaking into a dry sponge.
Gradually, color returned to Astarte's pale cheeks as her injuries healed swiftly, life visibly returning to her small, fragile form.
"Alright, that should do it."
After swiftly replenishing the girl's depleted vitality, Bokue handed her carefully to Natsuki.
"I'll leave the rest to you, Sensei. I trust you'll handle this appropriately."
❁❁❁❁
Five minutes later, Bokue and the three girls leisurely exited through the corridor from the Keystone Gate's depths.
The post-disaster cleanup had barely begun, but thanks to Bokue's timely intervention—especially his earlier use of Cellular Reconstruction—casualties had been significantly reduced. Nonetheless, they passed several surviving security personnel solemnly recovering fallen comrades.
Uncomfortable with these tragic sights, Asagi turned away, gently nudging Bokue with her elbow to distract herself.
"So…you gave your spiritual energy to that girl, right? But Natsuki-sensei said she'll need regular replenishment. What will you do about that?"
Indeed, it posed a slight problem—given Bokue's rather unique methods of "spiritual replenishment."
Not to mention, Astarte looked physically far too young for him to apply the usual approach. It'd likely be too much for her to handle, to put it mildly.
"I haven't really thought about it. Maybe…" Bokue scratched his cheek thoughtfully, eyes suddenly brightening as an idea struck him.
"Oral administration?"
"...'Oral administration,' my ass."
Asagi's forehead pulsed angrily, her fists silently clenching. Seriously? He was implying he wanted that little girl to use her mouth—to help him with something like that!?
Death sentence, issued!
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