"You said you can fix Nagisa's condition!?"
When Nagisa heard that, she became visibly emotional. Despite her usual bright demeanor, she was still a girl who hated being stuck in the hospital.
Even Ren—who was a shut-in before—felt restless after staying indoors for over ten days. He'd want to go out, play, eat with friends, anything.
Nagisa's situation was more extreme. Since the Gozo incident, she'd been in the hospital for years. Who could endure that?
Since arriving on Itogami Island, her view was limited to the window, and people she met were only her brother, his friends, and hospital staff. Her world was just one small room.
Only a child with Nagisa's character could endure that long.
"I can solve it with no major issues."
Ren stepped closer and gently stroked Nagisa's head. Instinctively, she backed off at first. But thinking it was from Natsuki's boyfriend, it's probably the same as Natsuki patting her head.
She couldn't imagine Natsuki patting her students—after all, her students were taller than her. So there was that.
*Bonk*
"Wahh.." Nagisa held her head with tears forming. "Natsuki‑juu—what are you doing?"
"My goodness, are you muttering again that I'm short?"
"Eh? You know? But I never said that out loud! Has Natsuki‑juu recently learned mind reading? That's just cheating!"
"No mind reading. You're just easy to understand!"
Nagisa looked upset. Natsuki stayed stoic—but watching her lively spirit, she couldn't help but smile.
Natsuki could be a bit two-faced at times.
Ren found the scene amusing as he gently patted Nagisa's head. "Heh heh, I'm not a little kid anymore. Big brother doesn't need to do that."
"Just call me Ren-nii, not big brother."
"Well then I won't hold back, Ren-nii."
She didn't know why, but when Ren gently stroked her small head, Nagisa felt incredibly comfortable.
Seeing Nagisa show no resistance—even looking slightly affectionate—Ren understood the reason.
Was it the power of the Child of God from Lucemon again?
Honestly, no one would hate such pure, sacred energy—especially Nagisa, who had excellent aptitude.
Smiling softly, Ren didn't withdraw his hand. He needed to confirm something.
Sure enough, the moment Ren placed his hand on Nagisa, the system responded.
[Primordial soul detected. Would you like to retrieve it?]
Ren's eyes brightened slightly. He spoke calmly.
"Nagisa, don't move. I'm helping you fix your body."
"Eh? I'm not a little kid anymore. You can't fix things just by patting my head!"
"It really works. Want to make a bet?"
Under Natsuki's weird look, Ren revealed his shameless intentions.
"If you win, once you're discharged, you can ask me for anything you want. If you lose, I own a pet-food shop. You can come help me out if you have time. Of course, I'll pay you properly. You can ask for whatever you want. How about it?"
Hearing that, Natsuki's eyes widened as if she was seeing this man for the first time.
This man… was actually trying to hire such a young child?
Wait. Remilia and Flandre looked about the same size. Even she herself looked like that now. And then there was Ophis. She understood instantly—that was the type this man liked!
Nagisa laughed and said:
"Ren-nii, that sounds like hiring child labor."
"It's fine. Look, I'm Natsuki's boyfriend. I've got someone backing me!"
"Ehh—so this is the evil intention of adults?"
"That's right. Welcome to the adult world!"
With each exchange, Nagisa and Ren grew closer instantly.
Meanwhile, Natsuki turned her head away, pretending not to know them.
Honestly, she suspected Ren had a hobby for hiring child labor.
From the start—Remilia, then Ophis, and now Nagisa.
None of them looked fully grown. If this wasn't child labor, then what was it?
"So, I've pulled that thing out now."
"That thing?"
Nagisa tilted her head, confused.
Then—
As if sensing something, Nagisa clutched her chest in pain. Her weak complexion lost all color. Her body trembled violently as her breathing turned desperate.
"Nagisa!"
Natsuki's expression changed instantly.
But in the next moment, Nagisa's breathing calmed. The color returned to her cheeks—healthier than before. Her trembling stopped.
All of this happened in an instant.
Seeing the scene—almost as if the earlier pallor had been an illusion—Natsuki couldn't help asking:
"Is it over?"
"It's done. The moment it realized I could pull it out, it tried fighting back. Too bad—it's useless! No power can resist this thing!"
Ren complained inwardly. Learn from Albion, please. Even knowing he was about to be sold, Albion acted calm, as if it had nothing to do with him.
But of course, how could a mere old soul compare to the Heavenly Dragon?
"Are you okay, Nagisa?"
Ren and Natsuki asked at the same time.
Nagisa seemed completely fine. She stared at her hands in disbelief.
A bright smile blossomed on her face, letting both Ren and Natsuki understand her state instantly.
Boom—
Before anyone could speak, an explosion shook the air. Sirens followed.
The blast and alarm didn't come from the medical ward but from the nearby research facility.
Ren and Natsuki instinctively turned toward it, eyes flickering.
For such sounds to happen now—
Could it be Remilia and Flandre!?