— — — — — —
"So you've fully recovered already? That's terrifying."
Ittosai Kunieda walked over, staring at Kazuma in disbelief. Even injuries that severe—lost limbs included—had completely healed. The kid's body was monstrous.
"Being young has its perks," Kazuma said with a grin. "Old man, I'm here to deliver on my promise for teaching me the Shingetsu style."
"First, your shrine can't be restored to its original state, but I can build a brand-new one for you. I'll cover all the costs. And as for the reward I promised—you get to choose it yourself. Money, treasures, anything you want."
"That battle with the Emperor of Demise… you survived because of your own grit and that terrifying magic of yours," Ittosai said calmly. "The techniques I taught you didn't help much, so forget the reward."
"But you must rebuild my shrine. It's been passed down since my grandfather's time. From my grandfather to my father, from my father to me. One day, I want to pass it on to my grandkids."
When Ittosai saw the serious look on Kazuma's face, he realized this wasn't just polite talk. He hadn't expected anything in return back then—but Kazuma clearly meant every word.
"When I promise something, I see it through," Kazuma replied. "And what you taught me wasn't useless at all. It helped a lot, in my eyes."
He reached into his Treasury and tossed over a blade.
"A famous sword from another world. Wado Ichimonji. In that world, it's one of the 21 Great Grade swords. Your blade was destroyed in that fight, right? Consider this compensation."
The moment Ittosai grasped the hilt, he knew this sword was different. He drew it just a little, and a razor-sharp aura spilled out, as if it could cut through anything.
"A good sword."
He tapped it lightly and listened to the sound as it slid back into the scabbard. That beautiful tone made him smile.
"If you'd given me anything else, I would've refused. But putting a sword like this in my hands… there's no way I could let go. Guess I'll have to accept it."
He looked like a child who'd just received his favorite toy. A man who loved the sword as much as he mastered it—after all, his name was Ittosai. Without that obsession, he could never have reached such heights.
"And this too," Kazuma added, tossing him a small vial. "A potion from elsewhere. It'll strengthen your body. It won't make you immortal, but it'll slow aging. Buy you more time."
"…Everything you pull out is tempting beyond belief," Ittosai said, staring at the vial. "I don't even know how I'm supposed to refuse."
Countless people would kill for something like this. And Kazuma just handed it over like it was nothing.
He didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
"And also—"
Kazuma was about to take out more when Ittosai cut him off. "That's enough. This sword and this potion already far exceed the value of what I taught you."
He knew his own limits. The Shingetsu Style was impressive, yes, but what Kazuma had given him were true treasures. Taking more would weigh on his conscience.
"Alright," Kazuma said after a moment. "Send me the shrine blueprints later. I'll have it rebuilt as fast as possible."
Seeing Ittosai's firm expression, Kazuma nodded and stopped. Sometimes, giving too much only makes things worse. But he could give them to Aoi, right?
They then chatted for a while longer before Kazuma left. He still had to find Genma.
At Saint Ishiyama, he tracked Genma down and paid him as promised. Just like Ittosai, Genma accepted only what he felt was fair and refused anything extra.
People like them had steady hearts. Treasures couldn't sway them, and greed couldn't blind them.
By the time everything was settled, night had fallen. He returned home.
Hilda, Yolda, Izabella, and Satura were still double-checking data with the vice-captain. Baby Beel was already asleep, and Kanna sat in the living room waiting for Kazuma—though she was clearly nodding off.
"You're about to fall asleep sitting up," Kazuma said. "Why not just go to bed?"
"I wanted to wait for you," Kanna murmured sleepily, tugging on his sleeve. "Tomorrow I start school… can you come with me?"
"Of course. Your first day of school is a big deal. We'll go together. Now go sleep, okay?"
"Mm."
She shuffled back to her room, climbed into bed, and passed out instantly.
Kazuma tucked her in and quietly closed the door.
"Want me to make something to eat?" Tohru asked. "Everyone's been busy all day and hasn't had dinner."
"Yeah, please, Lady Tohru." Kazuma sat at the table as Tohru went to work.
"Hehe, then watch me show off my cooking skills."
It didn't take long before she set the food in front of him. She sat across from him, propping her chin on her hands, smiling as she watched him eat.
"Don't just stare," Kazuma said. "Eat with me."
"Ok."
Before long, the meal was over, and Kazuma headed to rest.
He had barely stepped into the room when Tohru followed, locking the door behind her.
"I've been waiting for this day for so long," she said softly. "Before, I was worried about your injuries. But now… I don't have to be. Hehe~"
She walked toward him, clothes falling away one by one. By the time she reached him, she was naked. Her face was flushed, from shyness or excitement, maybe both. She rose onto her toes, her soft curves pressing against his chest, warm lips meeting his.
"…Time to show my riding skills," Kazuma muttered, before pushing the dragon girl onto the bed without hesitation.
"Mmm… that tickles."
"Why are they so big? D-cup?"
"Because I'm a dragon. Stop teasing me already… hurry."
Her heartbeat raced as his hands wandered. Her blush deepened, and she puffed out her cheeks at his deliberate provocation.
Kazuma didn't waste another second. Anyone who could hold back now would be less than human.
---
...
The next morning, Tohru clung to him, wanting more—much more. Dragons were greedy, after all.
But before anything could start, a knock interrupted them.
"Kazuma! Kazuma! It's time for school! Wake up!" Kanna's adorable voice filtered through the door.
Kazuma glanced at Tohru.
"...Tonight," she said, a little disappointed but quickly perking up. "Now, we take Kanna to school. She's been looking forward to it for ages."
She walked over to the window. "I'll head out through the window so Kanna doesn't notice."
She was just about to fly off when Kazuma grabbed her.
"Why are you running? This is our own house." Kazuma sounded helpless.
"Uh… right. That's true."
Tohru scratched her head, finally remembering that she was the wife here. Contract signed and everything. Why was she sneaking around?
Damn TV dramas. Totally misleading.
They tidied up their clothes and opened the door.
"Tohru! Kazuma! Hurry up! We're going to be late for school!" Kanna looked at the two of them and didn't seem bothered at all that they'd come out of the same room.
"Alright. Yolda, open a portal," Kazuma said, patting Kanna's head.
"Coming."
Yolda walked over, eyes dull and lifeless, with dark circles under them.
"Were you cursed or something?" Kazuma asked.
"I spent the entire day yesterday doing accounts. The 34 Division's books and data have been piling up for years. It was a total disaster."
"We were so pissed going through it. I really wanted to burn it all and wipe that trash off the face of existence. And chop up every demon who recorded that garbage!"
She ground her teeth as she spoke. It was obvious just how much those documents had driven her crazy.
"Thanks for your hard work," Kazuma said. "And send us to the elementary school Kanna's going to."
Yolda opened the portal and sent them off. Just as she did, Hilda's voice rang out behind her. "I'm not slacking off, I'm working! I'm a proud Maid Demon."
Yolda sighed, swallowed her urge to run away, and turned back to continue her work.
---
At the school gate
"Do I look good?"
Kanna wore a brand-new red backpack and a yellow cap. She spread her arms and spun around, then looked up at Kazuma expectantly.
"Very cute," Kazuma said with a smile.
"Do you think I'll make friends at school?"
"Definitely. You're adorable, after all."
"I hope I can make lots of friends."
Kanna beamed. Even though she was a dragon, she was actually afraid of being alone. All those pranks were just her way of getting her dad to pay attention to her.
"You will. But remember, school is a place to make friends, and also a dangerous place. You might run into annoying people who bully you. If that happens, just punch them."
"Don't worry about exposing your identity. I'll take care of everything."
Kazuma held her shoulders and spoke very seriously.
"Mm."
Kanna nodded and even threw a couple of little punches to show how tough she was.
"Alright, that's about it. Have fun." Kazuma patted her.
"Okay everyone, time to go inside. Stay with your teacher." A greenish blonde-haired woman stepped out, smiling gently.
"Bye! See you!"
Kanna waved to Kazuma and Tohru, then went into the school with the other students.
"I remember now!"
Tohru stared at the teacher for a while, feeling she looked familiar. After thinking hard, it finally clicked.
"Isn't that Hades' wife? I've met her once before. What was her name…?"
"Persephone?" Kazuma asked.
"Yes! That's it! Why is she in the human world? And that little girl behind her has a divine aura. But I don't remember any goddess who looks like that."
Tohru was completely confused. Why was the queen of the underworld working as an elementary school teacher? And she even looked skilled and happy doing it.
"This town is a total mess anyway," Kazuma said casually. "Dragons, demons, aliens. Nothing to be surprised about. Let's go back."
He really wasn't shocked anymore. This world had been poked full of holes. Nothing surprised him here.
"That's true. The space around this place does feel a bit strange. Like it draws things in."
Tohru thought about it and realized it made sense. Back then, with so many places to land, she'd chosen this one without even thinking.
"Kazuma, let's go on a date. A real date." Tohru hugged Kazuma's arm, her soft curves wrapping around it.
"Alright."
The two of them left.
Not long after, Jashin-chan and Yurine Hanazono arrived carrying some things.
"Yurine, my teacher from Demon World Elementary School came to the human world recently. I'm here to visit her."
"She was really nice to me. But then she married that old jerk Hades. If I could beat him, I'd totally steal my teacher back."
Even though she was awful in her own way, she genuinely loved her teacher. Jashin-chan chatted happily about the past.
"This is the place. She's teaching here."
They stopped at the school gate and went inside.
.
.
.