[New Familia member added: Yukino Yukinoshita. Obtained 2000 Points. Monthly fixed point income increased by 500. Current monthly point increase: 11500.]
The unclosed system notification flashed before Luo Shu's eyes, but compared to the points, he was more interested in the ability Yukino had awakened.
[Encyclopedia (Excellent)]
[This ability grants perfect recall and constructs a mental library of knowledge. Through understanding knowledge, it becomes easier to perceive hidden connections behind things.]
"This ability..." Luo Shu's current mood was rather subtle.
"Are you saying my ability is strange?"
Yukino, holding the contract, looked up with slight confusion on her face:
"Didn't you say that after contracting, one awakens an ability that matches their personal traits?"
Yukino sighed slightly:
"Although some classmates did call me 'Miss Encyclopedia' in middle school, I didn't expect even my ability would tease me about it."
"An entirely study-oriented ability. Am I really that suited for secretarial work?"
After examining her ability, Miss Yukino felt somewhat frustrated.
Due to her hobby of reading, Yukino had extensive exposure to a wide range of materials, from popular science magazines to light novels.
Hence, the "Miss Encyclopedia" nickname in middle school.
But she never expected the system would tease her about it, even in the ability awakening.
"You think it's teasing? I don't see it that way."
Luo Shu chuckled as he closed the system, leaning back on the sofa to explain:
"As you've understood, while abilities awakened during the Familia ritual are random, they're essentially optimisations of certain aspects of the Familia member's personal traits."
For example, Utaha Kasumigaoka, who frequently transferred schools and never had any friends, awakened Mind Reading - reflecting her desire to understand others.
Or Eriri Sawamura, who constantly hid her true self while juggling her identities as a doujin artist and Art Club genius, awakened the ability to transform.
The abilities the system awakens might seem weak, but generally align closely with certain tendencies of the Familia member - they're manifestations of inner thoughts as supernatural powers.
"Optimisation of personal traits?"
Yukino mulled over this phrase before asking curiously:
"So, because I enjoy reading various books, I awakened this so-called Encyclopedia ability?"
"That's most likely the case." Luo Shu nodded, then pondered for a moment before saying, "The system should have imparted knowledge about Classes to you by now, right?"
"A little." Yukino nodded, then asked, "Is there any issue with this knowledge?"
"Most likely not, since that knowledge was set up by me through the system—it's just some basic explanations about the mystic side and the system itself. If there were any problems, it would mean I misunderstood something on my end."
Luo Shu shook his head, clarifying Yukino's doubts before sighing:
"Actually, I happen to have a knowledge-based Class on hand."
As he spoke, Luo Shu transmitted the Class information to Yukino through the system.
Staring at the image that suddenly appeared in her vision, Yukino fell silent.
[Fairy of Knowledge (Divine Rank potential)]
[A Class created by the Demon God Vassago, the Hell noble, using his core authority of knowledge.]
[This Class focuses on the acquisition and comprehension of knowledge, leaning towards the spiritual aspect, with the characteristic that the more knowledge one possesses, the stronger they become.]
Seeing the description of the Fairy of Knowledge's abilities, even if Yukino were foolish—which she certainly wasn't, considering she prided herself on being both intelligent and adorable—she could understand the significance of "Divine Rank potential."
Yukino took a few deep breaths before saying:
"This kind of Class... isn't something you should be showing me, is it?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu deliberately teased her:
"I seem to recall someone telling me half an hour ago that being overly cautious would prevent me from achieving great things. I wonder who that was?"
Yukino pressed her lips together, staring straight at Luo Shu with an expression that suggested she wanted to punch him but was restraining herself.
'He actually used my own words against me. How infuriating!!'
The visibly irritated Miss Yukinoshita maintained a blank expression as she glared at Luo Shu.
Seeing how easily Yukino could be provoked, Luo Shu couldn't help but chuckle:
"Haha, what are you thinking? Of course, I wouldn't give you the complete Class."
With that, he sent another piece of information to Yukino through the system.
[Fairy of Knowledge (Excellent Rank)]
[Advancement Materials: One pair of Eyes of Wisdom (10,000 points), one Excellent Rank knowledge-based ability, 200ml of pure water.]
"What's this?" Yukino was momentarily stunned, a vague suspicion forming in her mind. "So... does this mean I'll be working to pay off a debt now?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu couldn't help but clap. "As expected of 'Miss Encyclopedia' Yukino. Sharp as ever."
"..."
Despite the praise, Yukino felt no joy whatsoever.
"Just joined the organisation, and already saddled with a 10,000-Point debt... According to the contract, my monthly point income is half of the growth points."
At this point, Yukino couldn't help but ask:
"May I ask... how much is the monthly point growth after I joined the Familia?"
Luo Shu raised his right hand, fingers splayed. "Five hundred."
"500 Points? The Familia takes half, so excluding interest, my monthly income would only be 250 Points. That means repaying just the principal would take 40 months—nearly three and a half years?"
After calculating the numbers, Yukino sighed deeply:
"With repayment terms like these, Minister... are you running a charity?"
Luo Shu's expression turned odd upon hearing this: "What, you think this isn't acceptable? Should I add more for you then?"
"Oh, right, there's one thing you miscalculated. According to the system's prompt, for a Familia without social influence bonuses, if they possess an Excellent-Class holder, the monthly guaranteed points growth is 2000."
"That means your actual monthly income is 1000 Points."
"10 months to repay the loan?" Yukino Yukinoshita raised her hand, pinching the bridge of her nose: "Director, do you perhaps like me?"
"..." Luo Shu opened his mouth, looking at Yukino Yukinoshita with words left unsaid.
At this moment, Yukino Yukinoshita said with complete composure:
"In terms of appearance, my looks should meet the standard of love at first sight, so, Director, you don't need to be too shy. As a male, liking me is a very normal thing."
"If you do like me, then your willingness to sell the Class to me so cheaply in this manner is somewhat understandable."
"You..." Luo Shu didn't even know how to respond to Yukino Yukinoshita now: "I don't know whether to call you frank or narcissistic."
"Am I not the type Director likes?" Yukino Yukinoshita tilted her head slightly at this: "But Kasumigaoka-san seems to be the same type as me, no?"
"Ah!"
At this point, Yukino Yukinoshita suddenly realised something, abruptly lowering her head and placing a hand in front of herself, saying with visible tension:
"I see, it's that kind of difference? Indeed, Kasumigaoka-san is about my age but has developed somewhat excessively in that area."
"However, such matters aren't entirely determined by size alone. Compatibility and personal preferences also play a role."
"Moreover, there are other methods to increase size..."
"Stop stop stop!!"
Luo Shu hastily made a stopping gesture, rolling his eyes as he said:
"Let me just ask - do you want this Class or not?"
"Want it? Of course I do." Yukino Yukinoshita's expression showed some conflict: "But if Director intends to use this as a condition to make me your girlfriend, that's absolutely unacceptable!"
"Other than that, everything else is negotiable."
Luo Shu stared with dead-fish eyes at this point: "Including letting me pursue your mother? Or pursue your sister?"
Yukino Yukinoshita froze momentarily before replying with a cold expression:
"Director, please refrain from making such tasteless jokes."
"You started the joking." Luo Shu retorted irritably.
Yet contrary to Luo Shu's expectations, Yukino Yukinoshita suddenly fell silent before saying:
"If you were to present the Class as betrothal gifts... my sister... no, my mother, and Haruno Yukinoshita would indeed agree to your terms."
"No, even my mother might agree to your conditions."
Hearing this, Luo Shu's expression turned somewhat strange: "I say, Yukino-san, you don't seem to have much confidence in your family members."
Yukino Yukinoshita sighed and said:
"It's precisely because I have confidence in them that I have no confidence whatsoever in this matter."
The implication being that Yukino understood her family members too well - she had confidence in their personalities and knew they would make such choices after weighing the benefits.
Hearing Yukino say this, Luo Shu couldn't help but sigh:
"Fine, I'll sell you this Class for two years' worth of monthly points as payment."
Yukino opened her mouth to speak, but Luo Shu shot her a glare:
"This isn't a negotiation but an order, understand?"
"...Understood." Yukino's lips trembled slightly before she finally nodded.
Seeing Yukino yield, Luo Shu immediately stood up and said:
"Advancing through the lower ranks of a Class is relatively easy. I hope you can reach Elite Rank within two years. Of course, the sooner you advance, the more I benefit."
As he said this, Luo Shu glanced at Yukino before bluntly adding:
"I can provide the resources for advancement, too. But Yukino-san, if you keep owing me more and more, you might have to compensate by giving yourself to me."
"Is that so... So that's the Director's real aim?"
Yukino seemed to display some rebelliousness as she retorted:
"Even if you say that, I don't think I'm worth that price myself."
She even added:
"Rather than going through all this trouble, Director, you might as well use these terms to propose to my mother directly. That would probably be simpler and save so much time."
Luo Shu scratched his head helplessly:
"...So family matters are your sore spot? You start talking nonsense whenever it's brought up."
"Alright, let's drop this. Didn't you say Takatsuki Izumi has been waiting in the second-floor reception room this whole time?"
"Pull yourself together and focus on work now, you stubborn Yukino-san!"
With that, Luo Shu turned and walked straight towards the door.
"..."
Yukino Yukinoshita silently opened her mouth, then finally muttered:
"Just who is the awkward one here?"
After muttering this, Yukino stood up and quickly followed Luo Shu inside.