Natsuki's dazed stare lasted only a fleeting moment.
In the very next instant, stirred by some unseen force, her spiritual energy boiled over like scalding water.
[Ding—]
The not-so-long-awaited chime rang in Luo Shu's ears.
[New Familia member added: Natsuki Minamiya (Hero Rank). Obtained 50,000 Points. Monthly point growth: 10,000 Points.]
[Congratulations, Familia member Natsuki Minamiya has awakened Hero Rank ability: Spatial Control.]
After glancing at these two notifications, Luo Shu sighed with slight regret despite having somewhat expected this outcome:
"As expected, since her abilities are mostly borrowed from demons, she only awakened a Hero Rank ability?"
"And it's a spatial-type... Is this because borrowing spatial powers from demons excessively caused her to develop an affinity bias?"
To be honest, recruiting a witch into the Familia felt slightly disadvantageous in Luo Shu's view.
Based on his speculation, if it were someone like Hagoromo Gitsune or Kurumi Tokisaki—those who achieved Hero Rank through their own capabilities or innate talents—there would be a high probability of awakening a Demigod Rank ability under the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System's potential guidance.
Such an opportunity could practically elevate a mid-to-lower Hero Rank to the pinnacle of Hero Rank.
Unfortunately, most of Natsuki Minamiya's power was externally sourced, with even her spatial abilities borrowed from demons.
Thus, although Natsuki was evaluated as Hero Rank, her actual strength was like a castle in the air. Without the demonic powers, she'd barely qualify as Hero Rank.
Therefore, the guaranteed potential excavation during Familia recruitment could only unearth Natsuki's spatial abilities, essentially converting the originally borrowed demonic power into her own capability.
So this recruitment of Natsuki Minamiya could only be considered breaking even at best, far from yielding massive profits.
To truly maximise the benefits of Familia recruitment, one would need Spirits like Kurumi Tokisaki.
"Hey, hey, don't make that regretful face over there. I'm the one who should be shocked here~?"
Having just finished receiving her abilities, Natsuki Minamiya opened her eyes to see Luo Shu's disappointed expression.
Seeing this, she couldn't help but say with mixed feelings:
"Your interest in me was solely for spatial abilities, hoping to utilise this power of mine, wasn't it?"
"In that case, the awakened ability should perfectly match your expectations, no?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu nodded seriously, agreeing with Natsuki:
"In terms of abilities, it's merely breaking even - slightly disappointing."
"But emotionally speaking, this is an absolute win for me!"
"Just thinking that the eternally loli-shaped Natsuki now belongs to me makes me unbearably excited!!"
Luo Shu smiled, staring intently at Natsuki Minamiya as if ready to unleash his malicious intentions at any moment.
He was actually joking, and Natsuki knew it.
But for Natsuki Minamiya, a teacher, this kind of joke was a bit too much to handle!!
"...I beg you, please go back to making that regretful face."
Natsuki couldn't take it anymore, covering her face with her hand:
"Actually being attracted to my childish physique... Are you sure you're not a pervert?"
To which Luo Shu responded with genuine confusion: "Isn't neoteny the standard for human aesthetics?"
"Moreover, what I like is Natsuki Minamiya in her loli form, but actually 26 years old, not the 13-year-old Natsuki Minamiya. Don't you think I'm being quite civilised already?"
Hearing this, Natsuki Minamiya fell silent for several seconds before finally turning to Lacus and asking:
"Are you really not going to do anything about this guy?"
That statement just now was practically criminal talk!!
At this, Lacus merely smiled: "Natsuki, now that we've become comrades, you should understand why I can't control him, right?"
Natsuki Minamiya's face immediately darkened.
Indeed, the idea of a Familia managing their god seemed utterly unreliable, no matter how you looked at it.
Expecting Lacus, who was also part of the Familia, to control Luo Shu was even less feasible than relying on herself—at least she still had her status as a teacher.
Wait a minute... didn't Luo Shu seem even more excited rather than restrained by her teacher identity before?
Instantly, Natsuki Minamiya felt her head throbbing.
Why did it have to be Luo Shu as the god? Couldn't they swap and make Lacus the god instead? At least Lacus didn't have lesbian tendencies, whereas Luo Shu genuinely had designs on her!!
What exactly went wrong here?
Massaging her temples with the end of her fan, Natsuki Minamiya asked Lacus with a pained expression:
"...So, has our SDS now been completely taken over by this loli-obsessed god of ours?"
Natsuki Minamiya desperately tried to steer the conversation elsewhere.
Admittedly, Luo Shu had only ever made verbal remarks without crossing any lines, which was somewhat comforting, but there had been too many incidents today. She needed to discuss serious matters to clear her mind.
Seeing this, Lacus chuckled lightly: "I can only guarantee that Shu-kun and I share the same stance."
Natsuki Minamiya's eyelid twitched violently: "That's practically no different from complete control."
Among the SDS's various departments, aside from the old guard in the commercial sector, which one wasn't explicitly loyal to Lacus?
Her handing authority to Luo Shu versus handing it to the SDS—what difference did it make?
Thinking this, Natsuki Minamiya pinched the bridge of her nose slightly: "I think... I need some quiet time to consider the current situation properly."
Hearing this, Luo Shu glanced at Lacus and said:
"Should we give Natsuki-chan some space to cool down?"
Lacus herself had no objections, but after glancing at the shrine maiden who had been standing on the shrine steps for a long time, she said, somewhat troubled:
"But in that case, Miss Kikyo might have to wait even longer."
At this moment... Kikyo, clad in red and white shrine maiden attire, stood atop the steps and spoke coolly:
"...No need to worry."
"The Tree of Ages hasn't completed its final adjustments, and the Star Gate hasn't been installed yet. We still have up to six hours to consider these issues."
Hearing this, Luo Shu and Lacus couldn't help but exchange glances.
Meanwhile, Natsuki Minamiya took a deep breath and said:
"In that case, let's have a proper discussion. Not just about the Divine Pantheon, but also the so-called Tree of Ages, the Star Gate, and the space base—let's lay out all the plans clearly!"