In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 65

Himegami Akisa also frowned, feeling intense dizziness and nausea.

Higashino found this attack quite interesting. This level of mental attack, which precisely crushes the target's mind, is indeed more troublesome than the previous physical and elemental attacks.

However, this also means he's run out of options. Knowing he's a very strong 'mental' ability user, using mental attacks on himself demonstrates a complete loss of basic judgment.

"It's no use, Aureos."

Although Aureolus's attacks never posed a threat to him, Higashino still suffered considerable losses from consistently defending against them.

"Don't look down on me, you're an ability user!"

He was starting to lose his guard; all his attacks were ineffective against the person in front of him. He had tried everything—physical, elemental, and conceptual—and now even mental attacks were ineffective?

"Then... let's end it here."

Higashino stared calmly at Aureos. There were no unnecessary movements, only a slight shift in his thoughts.

The next second, the almost tangible mental pressure vanished abruptly. The distorted light returned to normal, and the frozen air began to flow again. It was as if everything that had just happened was merely a hallucination of Aureolus's own.

"What...it really didn't work?!" Aureos looked at Higashino in disbelief, his eyes filled with shock and a hint of barely perceptible panic.

His prized Golden Evolution Technique was like child's play in front of this man? How could that be!

Just as his mind wavered, Higashino knew his chance had come.

His figure appeared less than a meter in front of Aureos in the next instant.

"Hmph!" Aureos reacted extremely quickly, almost instinctively taking a step back, while simultaneously activating his mind: "Space..."

He wanted to freeze space and deliver a fatal blow to anyone who dared to approach him. But before the command was fully issued, Higashino's right index finger had already touched his forehead.

Aureos felt an extremely strange and completely incomprehensible force instantly invade his body, not destroying, but... disintegrating.

The unbreakable connection between him and the barrier instantly became as fragile as a candle in the wind, teetering on the brink of collapse!

"Pfft—!" Aureos's expression changed drastically. He coughed up a mouthful of blood, staggered back several steps, and crashed into the podium behind him. His once-proud power was rapidly draining away!

He stared in utter horror at Higashino, who was so close to him, unable to comprehend how he had been utterly defeated in such a short time.

Having lost his connection to the barrier, he is now unable to use the Golden Great Evolution Technique.

"How...how did you do that?!" Aureos's voice was filled with disbelief, fear, and despair.

All my hard work over the years has vanished like a dream.

Higashino didn't answer, but just pressed his finger harder again.

"I can't lose yet, I haven't saved Yin yet..."

Before he could finish speaking, Aureos collapsed with his eyes wide open.

The battle is over.

Index no longer needs your rescue.

Higashino took a deep look at the fallen Aureolus. If he knew that Index no longer needed his help and that all his efforts had been in vain, he might be even more devastated than if Higashino had defeated him.

Withdrawing his finger, Dongye looked at the two girls not far away, "Are you alright?"

Takitsubo nodded, then seemed to remember something and shook her head. "I'm fine... just a little dizzy..."

The enhancement period for her abilities had ended. Although there were no side effects, breaking through the barrier and searching for Aureos had left her somewhat exhausted.

"I'm fine too, but he..."

Himegami Akisa looked at the fallen Aureos. Although she knew that he had helped her for a reason, she was also grateful to this man for freeing her from her imprisonment at Misawa Academy.

Although the time I can go out each day is limited, I can get a good rest during this time because I don't have to worry about my abilities attracting vampires while inside the barrier.

"It's nothing, just let him get a good night's sleep."

This will also help him forget some unnecessary memories; keeping them will only cause him more trouble.

This guy is essentially a good person. If it weren't for the irreconcilable conflict between him and Index, Higashino wouldn't have planned to take action against him.

But now that we've taken action, we should live well as tools in the future; they'll come in handy someday.

Higashino took out his phone, tapped the screen a few times, and dialed the security team's emergency hotline. "This is Higashino Yu. There's been a crime committed by an ability user at Misawa Academy. Hmm, I've already taken care of it. You can handle the follow-up."

Higashino, being such a macho man, would definitely not be kept by his side. He would be handed over to the garrison and locked up, and only taken out when needed.

What the people of Academy City would do to him was not within Higashino's considerations.

She's not a pretty girl, why worry about her so much?

"Oh, right, remember to call a few ambulances. Several students here need medical assistance."

Less than twenty minutes later, the sound of sirens grew louder as they approached. Several black vans bearing the words "Police Force" screeched to a halt in front of the building.

Leading the group was the familiar Aiho Yomikawa. She nimbly jumped out of the car, raised an eyebrow when she saw Higashino, and a teasing expression appeared on her wheat-colored face. "It's you again, Dr. Higashino."

She put her hands on her hips and looked at Dongye strangely. "You've been in so much trouble these past few days. It's not like what a doctor should be doing."

Higashino shrugged, giving a helpless smile. "I didn't want to either, but I just happened to be there."

God knows why he's so busy. He hasn't even had a chance to sleep in since he transmigrated. The only perks he's had are Kanzaki's maid service and that hot spring trip in London.

Thinking about it, he really missed Kanzaki, but unfortunately she was abroad and he couldn't have her for the time being.

Yomikawa's gaze swept over Takitsubo and Himegami behind him, his expression somewhat complicated. "Oh, are they your new girlfriends?"

"Is there anything wrong with your understanding?" Higashino said this explosive news without changing his expression.

Takitsubo definitely agreed, and as for Himegami Akisa, she already belonged to him after he dealt with Aureos. The words he said when they met were not just casual remarks; the understanding that had been formed would stay with her forever.

However, I don't have any people in the garrison yet, so I need to find an opportunity to change Huang Quanchuan's perception.

Huang Quanchuan directed his men to lift the unconscious Aureos into the ambulance, then turned and waved to Dongye. "Just tell me the details on your phone later."

"Okay, I'll send it to you in a bit."

After a moment of silence, Takitsubo Riko suddenly spoke up: "That security guard... is he someone you know?"

I have a feeling that she's another woman with an ambiguous relationship with Higashino.

Higashino nodded. "Yes, she was the first person to offer me help when I came to Academy City."

He watched the ambulance drive away, recalling the scene. If he hadn't encountered her back then, would the story be different now?

There probably won't be much difference. One's personality determines one's behavior pattern, and even if one comes into contact with other people, one's subsequent actions will not change.

"But it's already lunchtime. Let's go to my house for lunch first."

She came home so early this time, and even brought a companion with her. Surely Index won't be angry now, right?

Chapter 84 The Higashino Family's Female Accommodation Agreement?

Inside Higashino's apartment.

Index hummed a tune she had heard on TV earlier as she deftly tidied her bedding, folding it into a neat square.

This was given to her by Higashino. Although it was her first time actually doing it, she folded it perfectly.

"Hmm! Perfect!" She put her hands on her hips, nodded with satisfaction at her masterpiece, and couldn't hide her smugness.

Although she was a little disappointed that Higashino had left early in the morning, he had patted his chest and promised to be back soon! "Alright, next up is the floor!" She picked up the vacuum cleaner and continued her battle for the day.

"I'm determined to show Yu that I'm not just here for show!" Index was full of confidence as she did housework for the first time.

After finishing her cleaning, the "warrior" slumped onto the sofa, patting her now-suppressed stomach with satisfaction. The bread Higashino had left over that morning had been completely devoured during her "battle." She casually turned on the TV, and the comedic scenes from the morning drama instantly caught her attention.

"Ring ring ring—" The doorbell rang cheerfully.

"Is anyone home?" Before she could think it was Higashino returning, Tsukuyomi Komoe's cheerful voice from outside the door shattered her expectations.

A slightly disappointed Index went to open the door, but her eyes were instantly brightened by the shopping bags that Xiaomeng was carrying, which were stuffed full of items. Her previous disappointment vanished.

"Teacher Xiaomeng! What brings you here today?"

"Ta-da! It's the supermarket's special day today!" Xiaomeng struggled to lift the two large bags of food a little higher. "Hehe, I got so engrossed in shopping that I accidentally bought too much. I couldn't carry it all downstairs. Since Higashino-kun's house is nearby, Index-chan, shall we have lunch together? I'm going to cook today!"

"Wow! That's great!" Index cheered, quickly taking one of the bags. "Higashino will be so happy to know!"

The two carried the items into the kitchen together. Looking at the abundant ingredients in the bag—fresh vegetables, tender-looking meat, and various tempting snacks—Index's mouth watered.

"Is Higashino-kun not here today?"

After entering, Xiaomeng noticed that it seemed only Index was in the house.

"Yes, he said he had something to take care of this morning and went out, but he promised me he would be back soon."

"Okay, then I'll cook his portion too. If he's not coming back, we'll eat more." Xiaomeng casually picked up an apron hanging in the kitchen and put it on.

This is a pink apron embroidered with cute cats. Xiaomeng brought it when she visited Dongye's house last time, and she didn't take it back after using it.

"Teacher...can you really cook a lot of dishes?" Index picked up a bag of potato chips and asked curiously as she opened it.

She remembered that during one of their conversations, Higashino had mentioned that a dish Xiaomeng made for him almost led him to see an angel. At first, Index thought seeing an angel shouldn't be a good thing, right?

Higashino's explanation left her speechless. "Only the dead see angels in heaven, right?" That's what Higashino said at the time.

"Of course!" Xiaomeng puffed out her little chest. "Fried pork cutlet rice bowl! Curry! Miso soup! These are all my specialties! Just wait and see! Today I'm going to make my best cheese stew!" She "kicked" Index out of the kitchen, "Go watch TV, I'll take care of things here~ Snacks are free!"

Index happily returned to the sofa with her snacks. The TV was still playing the drama she had just watched, but her thoughts kept drifting towards the kitchen, where the aroma was wafting from.

Then, before midnight, the door was opened again. Index knew it must be Higashino returning. Surely there wouldn't be another unexpected visitor?

She jumped up and ran towards the door, then froze.

Higashino did indeed return as promised, but there were also unexpected visitors.

"Yu! You heartless womanizer!"

Behind Higashino were two beautiful girls. Index recognized one of them; she had visited the injured Higashino with three other girls before, and her attitude towards Higashino was quite special.

She had never seen the other girl dressed in red and white shrine maiden attire before.

"Um, I know you're in a hurry, but don't worry, I can explain..." The expected reaction.

If Index didn't react at all to seeing a strange girl following her home, that wouldn't be like her at all.

Index stood there, glaring at them angrily.

"Explain what!" The nun jogged up to Higashino and pointed at the two people hiding behind him. "That short-haired one, isn't that the group of four who came to visit Yu last time? And this black-haired shrine maiden, she's a complete stranger!"

When Takitsubo Riko was called out, she instinctively shrank behind Higashino Yuu.

Today, her situation is somewhat like that of a mistress who was brought home by a scumbag and confronted by the victim's girlfriend.

It's not appropriate to say anything now; this kind of thing can just be left to Higashino, and she just needs to obediently listen to him.

Himegami Akisa tilted her head calmly and said, "I am Himegami Akisa. I am Higashino's..."

"Oh dear~" A somewhat childish voice came from the kitchen, and Tsukuyomi Komoe walked out of the kitchen.

The legally-made loli teacher was still holding a soup spoon covered in broth. "Honestly, Higashino-kun, you should have told me in advance if you were bringing a girl home. I only prepared lunch for three people, which is not enough at all."

Dongye looked at her in confusion, not understanding why Xiaomeng was at his house today: "I didn't know you were at my house, how could I have notified you in advance? And Xiaomeng, what are you doing here?"

“The supermarket had a sale today, and I bought so many things,” Xiaomeng suddenly stood on tiptoe and poked Dongye You’s chest with her elbow. “But I was too tired to carry any more, and since we were right in front of your apartment, I thought I’d come and see Index.”

However, Xiaomeng also had a desire to meet Dongye. She didn't know why, but lately she kept thinking about this boy who had stayed at her house for one night. Especially at night, she dreamed that Dongye made her bigger, and then the two of them went on a date hand in hand.

Is this a belated adolescence? Xiaomeng wasn't sure, but she didn't dislike the feeling.

It's perfectly normal for a mature woman like her to have a male friend she gets along with, right?

"Wait, what were you about to say?!"

Index suddenly grabbed Himegami Akisa's collar, almost pressing her nose against the other's face: "When you came in just now, you and Yu were holding hands, right?"

"Hmm..." Index was brimming with confidence at that moment. Himegami Akisa thought for a moment, then decided to tell the truth; after all, it wasn't a relationship worth hiding, right?

"This body of mine belongs to him, and... my soul should also belong to him."

Previously, Higashino said, "You're mine from now on!" He didn't specifically refer to his body or anything else, but that's roughly the meaning, right?

Upon hearing Himegami Akisa's strange explanation, Takitsubo couldn't help but cough.

If she hadn't witnessed the whole thing herself, she would have really believed that's what Higashino had said before.

Um, wait...maybe that's what Higashino meant? Maybe I just don't understand the deeper meaning because my comprehension isn't good enough?

Somewhat uncertain, Takitsubo also turned his gaze to the speechless Higashino.