Haruto leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. The chat group was now fully under his control, and he had to admit, it felt good. He had gained quite a bit from this little arrangement, and it wasn't just about power.
Stella, with her newfound abilities, could now wield the might of his 'Fire Dragon God.' She had mastery over powerful crimson flames and a dragon-like physique. But Haruto had an ace up his sleeve—he could descend and take over her power, effectively acting through her when he needed to.
"Um... what exactly just happened?" Shizuku Kurogane, standing nearby, was still confused.
Haruto explained casually, "Stella's power was going out of control. Can you keep an eye on her for me?"
"I'm Haruto Amakawa, a friend of Stella's."
"I'm Shizuku Kurogane."
After introducing herself, she nodded. "You saved me earlier. It's the least I can do to help."
"Thanks."
Haruto thought to himself, 'I knew I remembered correctly. Shizuku Kurogane, huh... Ikki Kurogane, you don't want trouble with the orthopedist, do you?'
'Guess I'll take care of your sister for you—though, technically, she's not your biological sister.'
"Let me give you a gift. You might need it one day."
Haruto reached out and gently stroked her soft cheek.
"!!!"
Shizuku's face instantly turned red.
Before she could react, Haruto withdrew his hand.
At that moment, she saw notifications appear in her mind—a secondary group from the chat group, along with various messages.
Realizing Haruto's true identity, she was left utterly shocked.
Before she could say more, the door softly clicked shut as Haruto left.
Meanwhile, Stella opened her eyes in a fluster, clutching the blanket tighter around her.
Her mind was in turmoil.
'I... I was completely exposed!'
The warmth of Haruto's touch still lingered on her chest, and even in the depths of her soul, she felt a faint but undeniable connection to him.
She had no idea what had just happened.
Suddenly, she had grown stronger, gained new powers... and somehow, she felt like she had become part of Haruto.
'Ahhh, what's going on?!'
Stella was overwhelmed, her mind racing as she grappled with her shy and embarrassed state.
"Stella..."
Shizuku Kurogane suddenly spoke up.
"Hm?"
Stella recognized her. She realized she was in Shizuku's dorm room now.
Nervously, Shizuku asked, "Stella, my brother... Ikki Kurogane... did he really spy on you?"
She wanted to confirm the truth of this accusation, as well as the legitimacy of the chat group.
Hearing Ikki's name, Stella shot up in bed, causing the blanket to slide off her shapely figure. But she didn't care about that.
Her eyes blazed with fury as she glared directly at Shizuku.
"Are you saying that pervert is your brother?!"
"..."
Shizuku froze, her heart sinking.
It seemed the accusation was true after all, and she felt a deep sense of disappointment in her brother.
...
Haruto headed straight to the principal's office, his steps echoing down the hallway. Kurono Shinguuji was already inside, her back straight and her expression composed.
After entering, Haruto quietly locked the door, a mischievous smile playing on his lips as he teased her.
"You've handled this pretty well. You kept the fallout minimal."
Kurono Shinguuji gave a bitter smile. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Haruto. I can't afford to let Hagun Academy fall into chaos right now."
"Enough about the academy. I don't care about that."
Before Kurono Shinguuji realized it, Haruto was standing directly in front of her.
"What I'm more interested in is the reward I won from our bet."
His intense gaze made her fall silent. She suddenly understood what Haruto wanted.
Instinctively, she took a step back, her tightly-fitted skirt pressing against the edge of the desk.
Haruto swiftly grabbed her stocking-clad leg, lifting her onto the desk.
Pressing himself closer, he narrowed his eyes and asked, "I heard you left the alliance because you got married?"
Kurono Shinguuji didn't shy away from his gaze, shaking her head slightly. "That was just an excuse. I grew tired of the endless battles within the alliance."
Being ranked third in the world wasn't easy—many people coveted that spot.
"Oh?"
Haruto's eyes gleamed.
Despite her age, she was still stunningly beautiful, with smooth skin and legs that were firm yet soft.
He stroked her silky stockings, enjoying the sensation.
"So, you are single, right?"
"Yes."
Kurono Shinguuji didn't shy away from the question.
"Is this what you want?"
"You can have it. I lost the bet, and I'll accept the consequences."
She was calm about it.
If she had gambled, she was willing to pay the price. And given that her victor was a young, powerful man, it hardly seemed to matter anymore.
"Hehe, no need to rush."
With a swift motion, Haruto tore her stockings, laughing lightly. "Before we get started, how about initiating a trade with me? Say, something to 'satisfy your desires.'"
"A... trade?"
Kurono Shinguuji didn't understand what he meant for a moment.
But in the next second, new information flooded her mind.
"..."
She looked at Haruto with a complicated expression.
He was from another world!
She had guessed many things about him, but never this.
Lowering her eyes, she glanced at the fearsome "dragon" before her—it was... quite intimidating.
Taking a deep breath, she complied and initiated a trade.
Since there was already a wager in place, Haruto didn't even need to check the terms; he confirmed it without hesitation.
Immediately, a notification from the chat group popped up.
[Ding! The trade has begun!]
[Trade Partner]: Kurono Shinguuji
[Trade Content]: Satisfy her desires.
[Trade Terms]: "Causality Time Manipulation," "Inherent Devices: Propater, Ennoia," "Unlimited Body Access."
[Duration]: Until her desires are fully satisfied.
Haruto grinned.
"Seems like you've been bottling up a lot of tension over the years."
"Hah..."
Kurono Shinguuji's breathing grew unsteady under his touch.
After so many years without physical closeness, it was only natural for her to have pent-up frustrations.
Accepting her fate, she didn't resist anymore.
Wrapping her arms around his neck for the first time, she softly whispered in a voice far more gentle than before, "Since you've figured it out, then make sure this trade is completed properly."
"Heh, even if you didn't ask, I was going to give you my all."