Rias is not only the next head of the Gremory family but also the regional overseer.
If supernatural chaos occurs and isn't promptly contained, human authorities will intervene and hold the Gremorys accountable.
Simply put, if serious supernatural incidents happen in Kuoh Town, Rias will face consequences.
Haruto killing those five delinquents—though there were no witnesses—left the bodies exposed, causing major unrest.
Japanese police may be incompetent, but for such brazen, un-concealed murders, they could still uncover the truth.
They pulled surveillance footage from the convenience store showing the time of death.
The angle didn't capture Haruto committing the act, but it was easy to deduce he was the culprit.
The footage alone could serve as evidence...
After examining the scene and the eerie "killing glare" from Touko in the footage, the officers promptly escalated the case.
By the next morning, all evidence landed before Akeno.
Completely unaware, Akeno was baffled. Seeing it involved Haruto, she deftly employed delay tactics.
She told the envoy Haruto was already Rias's servant, and the killings were part of a mission.
Being his first assignment, he'd forgotten cleanup procedures due to nerves.
Though full of holes, the Gremory name carried weight. The envoy had to retreat, awaiting Rias's return for further discussion.
"So that's how it is..."
Haruto stroked his chin, regretful.
Had he known these details, he'd have informed Akeno immediately.
Given those delinquents' behavior, digging into their records would've made Haruto's "self-defense" claim unquestionable.
"Even if it wasn't self-defense, notifying me first would've let me handle it smoothly."
Akeno glanced at Haruto, casually dropping a bombshell.
Haruto paused. "Akeno-senpai... what do you mean by that?"
"This is the territory of the Gremory family. As long as you handle it properly and don't affect ordinary people, killing a few individuals is hardly an issue."
Akeno hadn't initially planned to reveal such a harsh reality to Haruto, fearing that someone who had been an ordinary person not long ago might struggle to accept it.
But now, it seemed she had underestimated Haruto's mental resilience.
"There are many ways to erase a person's existence—subtle methods like altering others' memories, or more brutal ones, like the blue flames from before."
Akeno narrowed her eyes, her mischievous nature fully on display.
"As long as you clean up thoroughly, unless the ordinary person you kill has extremely strong connections, no one in Kuoh Town will come after you. The Gremory family isn't one that just any small fry would dare to provoke."
Haruto gave an awkward smile. He could tell Akeno had probably been holding in frustration all morning.
Since she was the one at fault, even she had no choice but to endure it.
He walked behind Akeno, placing his hands on her slender, well-proportioned shoulders, massaging them gently as he comforted her. "Akeno-senpai, don't be angry. It's all my fault for not telling you sooner."
Carrying two heavy burdens on her chest all the time, Akeno often felt soreness in her shoulders.
The relief from Haruto's massage eased the tension, and much of her resentment dissipated.
"If anyone asks you about it later, just say you were carrying out a commission."
Akeno leaned back fully into Haruto's embrace. After all, the two of them had done everything except the final step.
"I originally planned to wait for the president to return before telling you this, but now seems like a good opportunity."
Haruto blinked, thoughtful. "Are you asking me to officially join the Occult Research Club and work on commissions and missions with you?"
"Correct." Akeno shifted slightly, settling into a more comfortable position. "I saw your abilities earlier. Once you master intermediate mana extraction, you won't face any danger unless you're up against top-tier A-rank opponents."
"Alright."
Haruto agreed without hesitation. Only a fool wouldn't cling to Rias' long, fair legs.
If not for the mishap during his reincarnation, he would've already submitted his club application.
Being a servant wasn't just about words—but it also wasn't something that required a Rating Game every single time for verification.
This club application served as the formal documentation. Once it bore Rias' personal seal, Haruto would officially become her servant.
Akeno had said she needed to wait for Rias to return because she didn't have Rias Gremory's personal seal.
Acting as a proxy was one thing, but the seal of the Gremory family's next head couldn't be handed out casually.
It wasn't that Rias didn't trust Akeno—it was to prevent others from using it as an excuse to stir trouble.
With the backing of her brother, one of the current Four Great Satans, Rias wasn't afraid of repercussions, but it would still lead to unnecessary chaos.
Most importantly, she hadn't expected Haruto to get into trouble so quickly.
For most matters, Akeno could handle things on her own. Situations requiring Rias' personal seal were few and far between.
After filling out the club application, Haruto wanted to linger with Akeno a little longer. With the mood just right, perhaps they could finish what they hadn't last time.
But Akeno pushed him away with a small hand, wrinkling her nose in distaste. "You reek of another woman's scent. Get out of here."
Haruto lowered his head and took a sniff, catching a faint, delicate fragrance—identical to the scent on Sakura Miyajima.
Glancing at the visibly irritated Akeno, he wisely rubbed his nose and refrained from further discussing whether the smell was unpleasant or not.
"Akeno-senpai, I'll take my leave now. I have some matters to attend to these next few days, so I might not be around school much. If you need me, just call."
"Hmm." Akeno shot Haruto a sidelong glance. "Probably has something to do with another girl, I bet."
Haruto shrugged. Not just one—several, actually.
"This time, it's serious business. I found someone who might be a naturally awakened ability user."
"And?"
Akeno remained unimpressed. Naturally awakened ability users weren't exactly rare, unless they possessed an exceptionally powerful ability—like Haruto's—in which case, she might show some interest.
"That person might do something bad. I want to keep an eye on them."
Haruto decided to give a slight hint about Tanaka Hajime's situation. If things really went south later, Akeno wouldn't be caught off guard like she was this time.
"Ara ara, how admirable~ Already so diligent right after taking up the job?"
Akeno covered her mouth with a hand, laughing with exaggerated delight. "Do you need big sister's help?"
Haruto shook his head. "It's my first mission. I want to see if I can handle it on my own."
"Ara ara, are you serious?"
Akeno unconsciously repeated her verbal tic. She had assumed Haruto was just making excuses, but it seemed there was some truth to it.
Haruto nodded. "Dead serious."
Originally, he hadn't known any of this—he just wanted to protect the Takamine sisters, Sakura, and the other girls.
But now, it seemed like he was also contributing to Tokyo's stability.
If that large-scale hypnosis incident really happened, resolving it would count as an achievement.
"In that case, take this with you."
Akeno pulled out a slightly yellowed slip of paper from her chest, on which was drawn a pitch-black pentagram.
Outside the pentagram were two concentric circles, with strange tadpole-like runes filling the gaps between them.
"Akeno-senpai, what's this for?"
Haruto was no longer a complete novice. He knew this was a magic circle, but he had no idea what its effects were.
"If you encounter a dangerous situation or something you can't handle, channel your magic into it," Akeno said. "But if you can run, it's best not to use it. Escape first if possible."
"Got it."
Rubbing the smooth surface of the paper, Haruto grew even more curious about what kind of magic circle this was.
Before he could ask further, Akeno began shooing him away.
"Lunch break is almost over. Anything else? If not, hurry back to class."
Tucking away the paper still warm with Akeno's body heat and scent, Haruto quickly added, "Akeno-senpai, I'd like to borrow your familiar."
"Fine."
Akeno didn't even need to ask why—she already knew what Haruto wanted it for.
With a wave of her hand, she summoned a small black orb and pointed at Haruto. "For the next few days, you'll follow him. Do whatever he tells you."
The little orb fluttered in the air for a moment before settling on Haruto's shoulder.
"Akeno-senpai, is this really enough?" Haruto eyed the pitch-black little thing curiously and poked at it with his finger.
He didn't make contact—the small black orb had no physical form.
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