Kael laughed heartily. "How could I refuse such a good thing? Since Lady Yukinoshita is willing to recommend me, I couldn't be happier. In my view, this matter is settled. You'll give me five percent of the Yukinoshita Group's shares and recommend me to Seika Women's Private Academy.
From now on, I'll be the Yukinoshita Group's fighter. Rest assured, Lady Yukinoshita, whether it's the Shinomiya conglomerate or Shinomiya Un'yo, I'll handle them for you."
He patted his chest, assuring her.
Lady Yukinoshita sighed in relief and looked at her daughter. "Haruno, draft two contracts. I want to sign with Renjou-kun."
"Yes." Haruno nodded and left the room.
At that moment, Lady Yukinoshita asked: "May I ask you a question?"
"What would you like to ask?"
"The special system of Seika Women's Private Academy is known only to insiders. How do you know of it?"
If she hadn't studied there, she wouldn't know of such a peculiar system. Yet Kael, an outsider, knew it clearly. This made her very curious.
Kael said: "I learned it from someone."
"Who?"
"A manga artist." Kael answered truthfully. He really had learned about the academy's system from reading manga.
But Lady Yukinoshita seemed unconvinced, her eyes showing doubt. Kael felt helpless—he wasn't lying. Fortunately, she didn't press further and chose silence.
About ten minutes later, Haruno returned with two contracts, handing one to her mother and one to Kael. Kael glanced through, found no issues, and signed his name decisively. Then he exchanged contracts with Lady Yukinoshita, signing the other copy. The contract was now official.
Lady Yukinoshita, in Kael's presence, called the academy's principal. "Principal Sumeragi, I heard you're troubled about candidates for that system. I have a very suitable one. Would you consider him?
Yes, I stake the Yukinoshita family's honor. He will never reveal this matter, nor bring shame to the school."
After some discussion, the principal said: "Since Lady Yukinoshita vouches for him, I'll give him a chance.
Eight o'clock tonight, let him come to the school. I'll wait in my office."
After a few more polite words, the call ended. Lady Yukinoshita told Kael: "You heard. Eight o'clock tonight—don't be late. Principal Sumeragis hates tardiness."
"No problem." Kael smiled. "I'll head back now. Notify me when the Kengan match begins."
"I will." she replied.
She personally escorted him out. After he left, she turned to her daughter. "Haruno, announce it. The Yukinoshita family has found a fighter."
"Yes." Haruno nodded, took out her phone, and made the announcement.
Afterward, Haruno asked curiously: "Mother, what is the special system of Seika Women's Private Academy?"
Lady Yukinoshita looked at her coldly. "Some things are better left unasked."
How could she explain the truth to her daughter? If she did, how could she maintain her authority as a mother?
Seeing her mother's icy gaze, Haruno realized she was angry and quickly lowered her head. "Sorry, I misspoke."
But deep inside, her curiosity grew stronger. Perhaps she could investigate secretly. Maybe she'd discover something unexpected.
…
Meanwhile, five hundred kilometers from Tokyo, within an ancient assassin clan—
Kure Clan Village.
Clan leader Kure Erioh was in the dojo, training his granddaughter Kure Karura. He doted on her immensely, afraid she'd slip from his hand or melt in his mouth. Yet despite his unconditional love, Kure Karura hadn't become spoiled. Instead, she was one of the clan's most outstanding disciples.
Still a high schooler, Kure Karura could already achieve eighty-five percent liberation. Removal was a secret technique unique to the Kure clan. Ordinary humans had a lock limiting their physical ability to below thirty percent, a safeguard by the brain to protect the body.
Weak human bodies would collapse under greater power. But through centuries of selective breeding, the Kure clan had bodies capable of enduring it. Thus, they could unlock the limit, gaining godlike strength. This was why the Kure clan had survived to this day.
Only a few in the clan could achieve full removal. Just two.
One was Erioh himself. The other was Kure Raian, an anomaly of the clan, a demon driven by bloodlust. He was also a genius, though far older than Karura.
"Clan leader, Kure Henzo requests an audience."
As Kure Erioh sparred with his granddaughter, a voice came from outside, interrupting him. He was annoyed but didn't vent his anger on Henzo. He knew Henzo wouldn't disturb him without reason.
"Come in." Erioh said, blocking his granddaughter's attack.
The dojo doors opened, and a man entered—Kure Henzo, a member of the clan. Inside, he saw an old man in a kimono, white-haired like a dying candle, standing at the center. And a beautiful black-haired girl launching a storm of fierce attacks at him. Her strikes were vicious, aimed to kill, with no regard for the fact her opponent was an elderly man.