I didn't dawdle for long before leaving the dormitory together with Hina, who now looked radiant and properly dressed.
Though because there wasn't much time, both of us were injured, and I had gone out without bringing an extra umbrella, it only ended after the briefest touch.
Still, after all that, the relationship between Hina and me had finally made sexual progress from one to zero, nearly crossing the line completely.
"Then, Sensei, I'll be heading back to school first."
Having returned to work mode, Hina's tone also returned to its slightly stiff politeness, making her seem like an entirely different person from the shy and lovable girl she had been a little over ten minutes ago.
Still, I knew she was probably just still embarrassed or flustered about what happened at the end.
But really, with the roads so slippery from the rain and my body still not fully recovered, accidentally failing to steady the gun and ending up firing at close range was perfectly understandable, wasn't it?
Besides, I had already displayed incredible willpower by stopping myself in time. Hina hadn't actually broken down from it or anything.
At most, it'd just be troublesome to clean up afterward, with the added risk of being forced into early retirement... though she was already a third-year student anyway...
Grumbling inwardly, I gently said to Hina:
"Yeah. Be careful on your way. Say hello to Ako, Iori, and Chinatsu for me."
"...Sigh. Sensei, even if I don't particularly mind, you're really being quite shameless about this."
Apparently, Hina had misunderstood my relationship with Iori and Chinatsu.
To avoid making her uncomfortable, I could only thoughtfully accept the misunderstanding and work hard to turn it into reality as soon as possible.
I immediately reflected guiltily:
"Sorry. It's all because of my own excellence, the laws established by the General Student Council President, and Ako."
"What does this have to do with Ako...? Fine, I get it, please don't continue... no, please absolutely do not continue."
At this point, Hina's expression turned somewhat unpleasant, likely because she'd imagined something unfortunate.
Still, at parting, she calmed herself and smiled at me.
"Sensei, see you later."
"Yeah. See you later."
After saying that, I pointed at my cheek and asked:
"No farewell gift?"
Hina froze for a moment before realizing what I meant. Her face immediately flushed red again. After hesitating bashfully for a while, she obediently stood on tiptoe and lightly kissed my cheek.
Then she pulled free from the hand that had unconsciously slipped onto her slender waist.
"Please restrain yourself a little! I-I'm going back to school today, so next time..."
Before she could finish speaking, the dignified and untouchable Prefect Team President had already quickly turned around and briskly walked away as though fleeing.
Only after her figure disappeared at the end of the road did I reach out to clutch my side, the natural smile on my face gradually replaced with faint pain.
As expected, even though I had exercised restraint, this body still hadn't recovered enough to withstand intense battles with Kivotos students.
After checking the time, I decided to return to Schale first. While recharging the Shittim Chest after its recent energy consumption, I also hoped to recover a bit more before taking action again.
But before that, there was still something I needed to confirm.
Taking the card out of my pocket again, I couldn't help sighing emotionally. Misfortune and fortune truly did depend on each other.
Encountering danger often also meant harvest season had arrived.
Unfortunately, I was somewhat morally obsessive and unwilling to deliberately scheme in order to win a girl's heart.
Otherwise, if I recreated situations like today a few more times, wouldn't the cards start exploding with powers every few days?
Surely, with how considerate I was, the cards knew how to repay kindness too.
I had already conquered Hina, so shouldn't I get some invincible ability that massively boosted my power, boosted it again, boosted it wildly, letting me punch the Sanctum Tower, Arius, and Decagrammaton all to pieces in one hit?
Filled with expectation, I focused my attention, and the light screen unfolded before my eyes.
...
Conversion Ability: [Poem of Heaven and Sky]
Description: The holder may consume stamina to gain special effectiveness against [Dragons].
Source: Successful conquest of Sorasaki Hina.
...
...I think the Sanctum Tower actually does resemble dragons quite a bit.
Leaving aside where exactly I was supposed to find enemies that matched this ability's conditions, what did "special effectiveness" even mean?
What was this, some kind of game? Then when exactly were the attack values and effectiveness multipliers going to be displayed?
I briefly expanded my imagination regarding situations where this ability might actually work.
Maybe it could have unexpectedly effective results against certain students.
But for now, this ability was completely useless for the predicament I was currently facing.
Putting away the card, I started my return journey and, several dozen minutes later, arrived at Schale without incident.
"...I actually didn't get attacked."
After entering the living area and sitting on the sofa, I muttered to myself.
Then again, even with the Sanctum Tower's assistance, Arius's manpower shortage still hadn't been fully resolved.
At the very least, until Trinity fell, it'd be difficult for them to spare people for other places.
Looks like all my calculations were for nothing.
A moment later, a silent black figure walked in and stopped not far in front of me, guiltily saying:
"My Danna-sama... I..." (Husband/master)
"Wakamo, you've worked hard."
I smiled and greeted her.
"Sit down first."
However, Wakamo didn't obey. Instead, she lowered her head even further.
"I'm sorry, my Danna-sama. I failed to complete the task you entrusted to me... Wakamo truly no longer has the face to see you..."
Was that why she hadn't even taken off her mask after meeting me?
I comforted her.
"That wasn't your fault. I underestimated Saori too much."
"But..."
Wakamo still seemed to want to say something.
"Those people really were troublesome. Besides, according to you, they had already prepared traps specifically targeting you."
At that moment, a cool voice sounded out.
"Still, for the great Fox of Calamity to actually get ambushed by a bunch of nobodies, that part really is rather embarrassing, Kosaka Wakamo."
Wakamo turned her head and sneered.
"Shichido Yukino, if it had been you instead, you'd probably still be lying in bed unable to move right now."
"If I had been acting alone, perhaps things would've turned out exactly as you said."
Yukino walked to Wakamo's side, ignoring the somewhat hostile gaze behind the mask.
"That's why our FOX Squad always works together as one."
Then she lowered her head respectfully toward me.
"Sensei. FOX Squad has returned to report in."
Behind Yukino stood the other three fox-eared girls. Their expressions varied, but all of them looked at me with either obvious or subtle questioning in their eyes.
"...Hmm."
I pondered for a moment before smiling.
"Hello, everyone from FOX Squad. I suppose you could say I'm your fan. Nice to meet you, and please take care of me."