Chapter 346: Want to Take Little Kanon Away? In Your Dreams!
Time passed quickly.
Unknowingly, he had already spent over two months on this artificial island.
Saikai Academy also welcomed its final exams.
As one of the many students, Mahiro naturally had to take the exams, and the results were unsurprising—he scored perfect marks in every subject.
However, due to his frequent absences and skipping classes over the past two months since enrolling, his attendance was insufficient, resulting in him being held back a year.
It didn't take much to figure out that Natsuki Minamiya was behind this.
Though saying she was "behind it" wasn't entirely accurate—over these two months, his attendance had indeed been too low, totaling less than ten days combined.
Most of the time, he stayed at the hospital, accompanying the children.
And Mahiro didn't care about being held back; even if he were expelled, it wouldn't matter.
The only thing that worried him was Little Yuuma's reaction. Upon learning that Mahiro was being held back, Little Yuuma, contrary to her usual demeanor, expressed great delight.
She said something about how if Father stayed back a few more years, she could soon attend the same high school as him, and they could happily go to and from school together every day.
This made Mahiro break out in a cold sweat.
After all, Yuuma was only in her first year of middle school. If he really dragged things out until she reached high school, never mind what kind of legend he would become, just the thought of Little Yuuma shouting "Father!" in the classroom was enough to make him die of embarrassment.
If it really came to that, it would be better to just destroy the world.
And so, from that day on, Mahiro rarely went to school. On ordinary days, he either visited the hospital to see the children or, like Tokoyogi Aya, shut himself in his room.
Because he had his own matters to attend to.
He wasn't sure what had gotten into him, but he actually wanted to integrate Wiseman's Blood into the Enhancement Drug to boost its effects.
To be precise, he wanted to fuse the Progenitor-level magic power within the Spirit Blood into it.
But unfortunately, for some reason, the Wiseman's Blood he created using "Material Transformation," while possessing all the abilities of the original—assimilation, soul-bearing, and the ability to freely change form—lacked that immense magic power.
Could it be that he really needed to recreate the Sage and extract the Spirit Blood from it?
But this was just a thought.
Wiseman's Blood was blood from the "Sage," a perfect being created by alchemists in the past. If he really recreated that thing, Natsuki Minamiya would probably be the first to go mad.
However, since the recreated Wiseman's Blood didn't work, he changed his approach.
He decided to use his own blood, combined with Wiseman's Blood, and fuse them into the drug.
Ever since he analyzed Wiseman's Blood that day, he had noticed subtle changes in his own blood.
It was no longer the dark red of normal blood but a brilliant, gem-like bright red, displaying a metallic sheen similar to Spirit Blood and faintly radiating terrifying magic power.
Mahiro wasn't sure whether this change was good or bad, but for now, there didn't seem to be any drawbacks.
And so, he extracted his own blood for experimentation, intending to fuse it with the recreated Wiseman's Blood and the Enhancement Drug.
The result was—
Boom!!
A violent explosion swept through the entire apartment building. Even with the protection of a spatial barrier, the entire structure trembled faintly.
"Ma!hi!ro!"
The voice arrived before the person did.
With a face full of fury, Natsuki Minamiya kicked the door open in uncontrollable rage, shouting:
"You bastard! What exactly are you trying to do?! Skipping school is one thing, but what's the meaning of setting off explosions at home every day?!"
This wasn't the first time. Over the past two months, it had happened almost daily.
Each time she felt this intense magical fluctuation, Natsuki Minamiya had no choice but to rush back immediately, fearing this troublemaker might concoct something terrifying.
Unfortunately, she never managed to catch him in the act.
Even this time was no different. In the chaotic room, only a note drifted silently down before Natsuki Minamiya.
[I'll clean up the room. Going out to find inspiration. Don't worry.]
"Bastard! I really should throw you in jail!!"
Natsuki Minamiya crumpled the note in her hand, veins throbbing at her temples.
For so many years, this was the first time she felt such a sense of helpless frustration—and it was because of a man!
"Sigh, why exactly? Why did it fail?"
Under the glow of the setting sun, Mahiro wandered aimlessly through the streets, recalling the fifty-third explosion earlier. He couldn't help but shake his head repeatedly.
It was too difficult.
"Aya, where do you think the problem lies?"
He couldn't help but ask the woman in the black kimono beside him.
As someone bound to him, Tokoyogi Aya naturally followed him out of the apartment.
Over the past two months, their relationship had grown closer. Perhaps seeing Natsuki Minamiya repeatedly frustrated brought her some inner satisfaction.
Now, when asked, Aya also wore a rare thoughtful expression.
"Perhaps thou shouldst change thy approach. Alchemists of the past relied on Dragon Veins to craft artifacts. Though thy blood is a superior medium, it is ultimately not spiritual power. Thou couldst try the spiritual power of the Adelard's Abbey."
Hearing Tokoyogi Aya's suggestion, Mahiro found it quite reasonable, yet he was also deeply troubled.
The world of Strike the Blood was a complex one.
Besides magical power, this world also possessed spiritual power. The two could interact but were fundamentally opposite in nature.
Magical power and spiritual power of the same phase would annihilate each other upon conflict.
Above spiritual and magical power, there existed something called divine energy, said to be the power of angels and gods.
As for the so-called Dragon Veins, they were actually massive spiritual power pathways flowing across the Earth's surface.
"If it is the location of the Dragon Vein troubling thee, thou need not worry."
Noticing his troubled expression, Aya said softly, "In truth, beneath this artificial island lies a suppressed Dragon Vein. If thou desirest it, why not give it a try?"
"I know, but... never mind. Let's go check on the children at the hospital first."
Mahiro temporarily set aside his thoughts and headed straight for the hospital in the Demon District.
Aya didn't say anything more, simply retreating into the shadows out of habit, silently following behind him.
Those children had been hospitalized for nearly two months, and each of them had regained their healthy complexions, with even their hidden ailments cured.
Today was the day they would be discharged from the hospital.
However, when he arrived at the ward door today, he didn't see Kanon Kanase bustling around for her little friends as usual.
Instead, a bespectacled middle-aged man was waiting there, as if anticipating his arrival.
Dressed in a white research coat, he carried the air of a scientist, appearing to be in his thirties.
"Hello, you must be Mr. Yotsuba Mahiro, right? Pleased to meet you, I am—"
"I know you. You're Kanase Kensei, Kanon Kanase's uncle, correct?"
The man's hand, which he had intended to extend, froze mid-air because of Mahiro's words. Mahiro's expression was far from friendly—one could even call it stern.
His slightly narrowed eyes faintly revealed a probing gaze.
But the man quickly recovered, continuing with a smile:
"I never expected to be recognized by Itogami Island's youngest Demon Hunter, Mr. Yotsuba Mahiro. I am deeply honored. I am also very grateful for your help in taking care of Kanon during this time. Although I was preoccupied with research and accidentally left her at the monastery, I never imagined such a thing would happen!"
"Cut the empty pleasantries, Kanase Kensei."
Mahiro could be said to have not a shred of goodwill on his face.
"While Kanon Kanase was taking care of these children, I already knew everything about you and her. You claim you were focused on research during this time and accidentally left Kanon at the monastery, but that's just your excuse, isn't it?
From what I know, since Kanon ended up at the monastery, you, as her uncle, have never shown up. Now that you're here... I wonder what exactly your purpose is, Mr. Kanase Kensei?"
"..."
Kanase Kensei broke into a cold sweat under his words, especially under that oppressive, probing gaze that made him feel as if everything about him was laid bare before the other.
Wiping his cold sweat, Kanase Kensei hurriedly explained:
"Actually... Mr. Yotsuba, you're right. In the past, I never understood who irresponsibly abandoned my sister alone, neglecting her own daughter."
"Because there were some unpleasant issues between my sister and me, we lost contact. It wasn't until two months ago, when the Artificial Island Management Corporation contacted me and I learned about what happened at the Adelard's Abbey, that I understood everything."
"Actually, Kanon Kanase's father is the former king of Aldikia! For the queen at the time, it was equivalent to an affair. So after Kanon's mother gave birth, without anyone knowing, she returned to Japan and eventually made her way to Itogami Island, abandoning Kanon at the Adelard's Abbey..."
"I only learned about these things recently."
Kanase Kensei spoke with great emotion, as if he were truly just an uncle who regretted what happened to his sister and wanted to make amends for his niece.
"Oh, so what? You came here now to do what? Reunite with family?"
Kanase Kensei nodded.
"Yes, I want to reclaim Kanon and adopt her, to make up for all these years of lost familial love in place of my sister."
As he spoke, a faint smile slowly appeared on Mahiro's cold, stern face—a smile that made Kanase Kensei feel terrified, causing him to unconsciously take a few steps back.
"Mr. Yotsuba, you..."
"Shh, listen to me. Let me ask you this: do you really just want to adopt Kanon Kanase, nothing more?"
That overwhelmingly oppressive demeanor made Kanase Kensei feel a surge of fear, but he still nodded and said:
"Yes. From now on, I will treat Kanon as my own daughter. Please rest assured..."
"Hah, cut the crap."
Mahiro sneered, interrupting him.
"Do you think no one knows about the research you're conducting behind the scenes?"
Under Kanase Kensei's horrified gaze, Mahiro stepped closer, leaning in to whisper in his ear:
"[Simulated Angel]—that's your current research topic, isn't it? And from what I know, you didn't just learn about Kanon Kanase's existence recently. To be precise, you were the former court mage-technician of the Aldikia Kingdom, the one who personally sent Kanon Kanase into the convent to hide her away."
"Now your research has hit a bottleneck—you lack an excellent spiritual medium. That's why you want to reclaim Kanon, because the Aldikia royal bloodline carries the finest spiritual medium lineage, am I right?"
Hearing these words, Kanase Kensei's pupils contracted sharply, his heartbeat quickened, and his breathing grew heavier.
"I-I'm sorry, Mr. Yotsuba, I don't understand what you're talking about. All I know is that Kanon is my sister's child, and I only want to take care of her in my sister's place."
He couldn't admit it—absolutely must not admit it!
"Is that so?"
Mahiro took two steps back, revealing a friendly smile.
"It doesn't matter if you don't admit it. To be precise, I'm not interested in the nonsense you're trying to pull. But if you dare set your sights on Kanon Kanase... I don't think you're unaware of my relationship with Natsuki Minamiya, the warden of the Prison Barrier, are you, Mr. Kanase Kensei?"
"I wouldn't mind asking Natsuki-chan to toss you in there."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you something. Actually, I came out of the Prison Barrier myself. And I might as well let you know—everyone locked up in the Prison Barrier is a talent. With your frail physique, you'd probably end up at the very bottom of the prison hierarchy, suffering endless torment day and night~"
He deliberately showed the bracelet on his wrist, signaling to Kanase Kensei that he was still under Natsuki Minamiya's surveillance.
"Mr. Kanase Kensei, I'll give you one chance now to rephrase your words. Tell me, what exactly did you come to the hospital to do?"
This time, Kanase Kensei was truly afraid.
What he feared wasn't Natsuki Minamiya or the Prison Barrier—it was the fact that this man before him had actually come out of the Prison Barrier!
What kind of people were imprisoned there? Although he had never seen it with his own eyes, he had heard the legends.
That place was a gathering ground for the world's most vicious and dangerous criminals!
And such a person could appear in the outside world?!
Yet, he mustered his courage and spoke with sincere determination:
"I know you're worried about Kanon's well-being, Mr. Yotsuba, but I genuinely want to take Kanon back with me. No matter what, I am that child's uncle, and she is my sister's own flesh and blood. How could I ever harm her?"
The words were spoken with such resounding force that even Mahiro couldn't help but sigh.
"What a stubborn old turtle you are. Since you're so firm in your stance, why not ask the person herself? Kanon, you've been listening long enough, haven't you? Why not come out and share your thoughts?"
As soon as the words fell, the hospital door slid open with a clatter.
There stood the silver-haired girl, not even half the height of the door, her pure and lovely face radiating a dazzling light. Her clear eyes lingered on them for a long moment.
"Big brother, uncle..."
"..."
Seeing his niece again, Kanase Kensei appeared deeply moved.
He stepped forward, arms outstretched to embrace the girl, but Kanon Kanase took a small step back, evading his embrace.
"...Kanon? It's me, your uncle, your mother's brother."
"I... I know..."
"So... I'm sorry, uncle."
In an extremely soft voice, she gently said, "But I don't want to live with you, uncle. I've been very happy at the convent. I have many friends here."
Kanon Kanase bowed deeply to Kanase Kensei.
She had naturally overheard much of the conversation outside the door, but for a child her age, it was impossible to fully comprehend everything.
She only knew one thing: if forced to choose, she would rather stay with the gentle big brother who had been by her side day and night for the past two months than with a biological uncle who had appeared out of nowhere.
Her choice dealt a heavy blow to Kanase Kensei.
He had calculated every step, but he never anticipated that Kanon would refuse him.
"Kanon, if you can't bear to leave your friends, then your uncle can..."
He tried to step forward to say something, but Mahiro moved sideways, shielding Kanon behind him and blocking Kanase Kensei's path.
"Didn't you hear what Little Kanon said? And I advise you not to set your sights on those children, or I won't let you off either."
Were those children important?
Indeed, they were. Even if they weren't as exceptional as Kanon, they were still spirit mediums; otherwise, they wouldn't have caught the attention of the Wiseman's Blood.
"Tch..."
Blocked by Mahiro, Kanase Kensei could only seethe in silence. In the end, like a deflated balloon, he sighed:
"Fine, I'll visit again another time."
In the end, Kanase Kensei left with reluctance, his fleeing figure disappearing down the hospital corridor.
"Big brother, do you want to adopt Kanon?"
After Kanase Kensei left, Kanon Kanase looked up at him with her sparkling, clear eyes.
Mahiro smiled, slowly crouching down to gently stroke Kanon's little head as he said:
"Does Little Kanon want big brother to adopt you?"
She nodded, then shook her head.
"...Big brother, I still have many friends here, so..."
"Mhm, I know. Little Kanon truly is kind-hearted."
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Kanon Kanase was the kindest girl in Strike the Blood, like a little angel who had descended to the mortal world.
Mahiro continued in a gentle, soothing voice, "But it's alright. If Little Kanon wants to stay with her friends, that's fine too. Big brother can fund the construction of an orphanage for all of you, and you can live there together..."
"How is life there?"
"R-really? Is it really okay? Won't I cause trouble for you, big brother?"
"Not at all."
Given his status, the biggest trouble in building an orphanage was money.
But with alchemy at his disposal, how could he possibly lack funds?
As for handing Kanon Kanase over to Kanase Kensei?
What a joke—if he handed the angelically adorable Little Kanon over to that man who wasn't even fit to be called a CS, wouldn't his transmigration have been in vain?!