All the students spent a sluggish Monday.
After a two-day weekend, being suddenly dragged back to school was a jarring experience. Everyone needed time to adjust. This cycle repeated almost every week. Even though they knew classes resumed on Monday, they still couldn't muster the energy when it mattered.
"Oh! School's finally over!"
Nagi, who had been listless all day, suddenly perked up.
"Nagi, you only become energetic after school," Isumi sighed.
"How should I put it… this school has a certain vibe. Everyone's in a gloomy mood from the start. It's obvious they had fun over the weekend, but then got yanked back to reality. I'm sure a lot of them were up all night too."
As a professional night owl, Nagi was confident in her assessment.
"Hmm~~~"
She shifted her position on the sofa and tugged the blanket tighter around herself.
"We're in school, yet this place makes me want to sleep so badly."
"It's the atmosphere," Ren replied as he sat at the round table, shuffling tarot cards. He turned his head slightly.
"Sanzenin, you actually enjoy being around lots of people, don't you?"
"…It's troublesome when there are too many people."
She refuted the trouble, but didn't deny liking the lively atmosphere.
In truth, Nagi felt she did enjoy being surrounded by others. Compared to her friends, her own home always felt a bit too quiet.
Ren glanced at her as she lay sideways on the sofa.
"Troublesome? Maybe that was true in the past. The Sanzenin heir hadn't been decided, and the family's enormous wealth was a ticking time bomb. But is that still a problem now?"
Hearing this, Nagi sat up straight, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Did the old man make a move? But neither Maria nor I told him anything."
"Was it Sakuya?"
Ren shook his head.
"I doubt Miss Sakuya would say anything. She understands some things aren't hers to tell. If you didn't say it, no one else could. And the old man isn't the type to listen to others anyway. He'd just wait for you to speak."
"But he likely sensed your intent, so he changed strategies. Instead of letting you go, he directly appointed you as his successor."
"The moment that decision was made, your safety became guaranteed. Any continued attempts at assassination would be a direct provocation to the old man. Honestly, they'd probably just begin their move only to find a bounty already placed on their heads."
This is the world of ordinary people. As long as money is involved, many problems can be solved.
If a problem can't be solved, it's usually because not enough money has been spent.
Even in the supernatural world, money still solves a lot of problems.
Money plays a major role. It's not that extraordinary individuals don't need money. In fact, most of them lack it.
It's just that people with real supernatural abilities are incredibly rare.
Only a few among the ultra-wealthy truly understand that reality. The former Heron Palace might have been one such place.
That's why someone like Nagi, with her grandfather's status, can live a relaxed daily life.
"Right now, you're definitely safe. Plus, with your elemental powers, common kidnappers are basically practice dummies. Even if they're armed, all you need to worry about is not killing them. Severing an arm or leg could still be ruled as self-defense."
"But wouldn't that expose me?"
Ren chuckled and pointed toward Saginomiya sitting nearby.
"Exposed how? Everyone knows Saginomiya is a shrine maiden. Isn't it reasonable that she gave you a charm or artifact for protection?"
"Sure, I've got self-defense tools, but don't you think the moment I use that excuse, those assassins or kidnappers are as good as dead?"
"Even if the court doesn't sentence them to death, some top officials would personally give the order just to protect Saginomiya's safety."
"Those officials understand Saginomiya's value. They won't allow her life to be threatened by a few amateurs. That'd be a joke."
Saginomiya was just one example. Seeing that Nagi wasn't entirely convinced, Ren followed up.
"It's not just Saginomiya's influence. Your own influence is also a factor. Do you really think your grandfather would let someone endanger you? Especially once someone starts getting suspicious about your secret, he'd be the first to silence them."
Thinking along those lines, Nagi had to admit—it sounded exactly like something her grandfather would do.
Whether because of the Ichijou family or her grandfather's authority, her secret wasn't likely to be exposed. And if it could be solved that easily, maybe she only needed to—
"Sanzenin."
"Hm?"
Startled, Nagi looked up. She saw a glowing index finger—then it flicked her forehead, stinging slightly.
Before she could react, a hand was already resting gently on her head.
"You're not supposed to be aware of all this yet. A thirteen-year-old shouldn't have to shoulder this kind of responsibility. Especially someone like you, who's still trembling in the dark."
Those words completely disarmed Nagi.
They were words of concern, delivered in a way that made her feel more overwhelmed than comforted.
"I know…"
She acknowledged softly. Nagi wasn't the type to reject other people's kindness.
"But I can't stay like this forever."
Of course, she believed she needed to accept the responsibilities that came with her position. She was no longer just some rich heir.
She had seen the darkest sides of human nature. Whether for her own safety or some other reason, when the time came, she wouldn't hesitate to act. When that time came, she didn't want to be scared.
Ren didn't shut down the conversation. He just thought Sanzenin wasn't ready yet—not that she never would be. It was just that the psychological burden would be too great right now.
"At the very least, wait until Fujiwara reaches Sequence 7. Once that happens, even if you run into psychological issues, Fujiwara can help relieve the pressure."
He set a clear boundary—no taking lives until Fujiwara reached Sequence 7.
Nagi considered it for a moment, then nodded lightly.
"And before that?"
Ren gently ruffled her soft hair.
"Use that smart brain of yours to figure out how to completely disable your enemies without killing them. Also, you'll need a way to conceal your wind abilities. What do you think about using a sword?"
Nagi instantly understood what he meant, and a grin spread across her face.
"That's actually a pretty good idea!"
(To be continued.)
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