"Skill Upgrade Card?"
"That's right, Host. A Skill Upgrade Card can directly level up a skill without requiring experience points. These cards can be obtained through special villainous actions, shop refreshes, or epic-tier draws," the System explained. "Given their nature, you should know when it's most cost-effective to use them, right?"
"Probably from level 4 to 5, since that stage requires the most experience compared to the earlier levels. Huh, I didn't expect passive skills and ultimates to be upgradeable all the way to level five… I thought passives might be capped or ultimates might only go up to three," Takashi Kuroda muttered.
"Indeed. But it's not just about the level—the skill itself matters too. Not all skills require the same amount of experience to level up. Some skills are inherently superior, and the rarer and more powerful they are, the more experience they demand. So, Host, if you get a Skill Upgrade Card, you should prioritize the skills that cost the most experience to level," the System suggested.
"That's the logical approach, but sometimes exceptions call for flexibility. Using a Skill Upgrade Card at the right moment can also be a game-changing move," Kuroda replied. "For now, exchange 1,000 experience points for me. I want to unlock 'A Thousand-Year Lament' and 'Scorched Earth,' two skills based on Black Mist and the Ruination. After that, I'll save up another 500 to unlock 'The King's Decree,' which will let me create wraiths and Black Mist. That way, even without experience points, I can slowly level up my Ruination by expanding my wraith army or absorbing magical energy from ley lines to generate more Mist."
"Understood, Host. You have exchanged 1,000 experience points. Remaining Villain Points: 80. You have successfully unlocked 'A Thousand-Year Lament' and 'Scorched Earth,'" the System announced.
"And just like that, I'm broke. Only 80 measly Villain Points left," Kuroda sighed, shaking his head.
"Sensei, I've finished eating." At that moment, little Matou Sakura had finished her breakfast, her eyes shining with anticipation as she looked up at Kuroda.
"Since Sakura's done, I'll focus on teaching her first. I can figure out the System stuff later," Kuroda thought to himself before standing up and leading Sakura to the basement.
Hm? Don't get the wrong idea—Kuroda didn't have any bug-related fetishes. It's just that the old worm's workshop was built underground, connected to the ley lines. That made the basement the most magically dense area in the Matou household, perfect for magecraft training.
After some time to digest the knowledge, Kuroda's mind was no longer as foggy. His understanding of Imaginary Number magecraft had undergone a complete transformation. Even though he didn't possess the Imaginary Number attribute himself—meaning he couldn't use it—if anyone dared to cast Imaginary Number spells in front of him, he'd beat them so badly they wouldn't even recognize their own mother.
Once underground, Kuroda used the power of the Ruination to tap into the ley line's energy, channeling it into Sakura's Magic Circuits. He then patiently taught her the incantations and how to circulate her mana. With the massive influx of magical energy, Sakura learned at an astonishing speed, already capable of easily opening rifts into Imaginary Number Space. Kuroda hadn't expected her to master it to this degree in just an hour.
Was it because of my teaching? Did I trigger some kind of learning buff? Or was Sakura just naturally brilliant? Maybe it was the sheer amount of mana amplifying her progress? Whatever the reason, there was no denying that Sakura was already beginning to exhibit the bearing of a future Queen of the Imaginary Numbers.
Watching Sakura's starry-eyed wonder, Kuroda saw her gleefully slashing open rifts everywhere, effortlessly wrecking the surroundings—sliced chairs, shredded walls, even chunks of the staircase. But instead of panicking at the destruction she'd caused, Sakura's violet eyes sparkled with excitement and joy. She was having fun.
Come to think of it, if I remember right, in her normal development, Sakura would've ended up with a slightly mischievous personality like BB's. Seeing her now, gleefully tearing the place apart, I can already see hints of that little devil in her.
Clap clap. Kuroda patted his hands together, and Sakura immediately stopped, obediently closing the rifts before softly saying, "Sensei…"
"You did wonderfully, Sakura. You have an incredible talent for Imaginary Number magecraft. Mastering it to this level in such a short time? I'm impressed," Kuroda praised, gently stroking her head. Sakura's eyes closed happily as she leaned into the affectionate gesture.
"But next time, try not to wreck the place so much, okay? It's a pain for me to clean up," he added, pointing at the destruction she'd caused.
"Uu… I'm sorry, Sensei. Sakura didn't mean to," she mumbled, her earlier excitement fading as she realized the mess she'd made.
Seeing her downcast expression, Kuroda's eyes gleamed mischievously. Deciding to tease her a little, he put on a stern face and warned, "If this happens again, I won't teach you anymore. I'll hand you back to that old man!"
"Uwaaah! Sakura won't do it again! Please don't abandon me, Sensei!" As if struck by a traumatic memory, Sakura trembled, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Ah, hey, it's okay! I was just joking!" Seeing her cry, Kuroda immediately softened, pulling her into a comforting hug. Looks like even without Zouken's physical modifications, Sakura's already deeply traumatized by him.
"R-Really?" Sakura sniffled, wiping her tears.
"Of course! How could I ever give up my adorable Sakura to that disgusting old fart?" Kuroda pinched her soft cheeks playfully, regretting his earlier joke.
"Pfft… Mhm. Sakura won't cry anymore," she giggled, her bright eyes reflecting Kuroda's image.
It's only the first day, and she's already starting to smile again. Maybe this is her true nature—suppressed under the Matou family's cruelty, she would've grown into that meek, emotionally withdrawn girl. But if I let her indulge too much in her playful side, that little devil personality might become a handful. Raising a kid really isn't easy.
With the power of the Ruination, Kuroda could've easily turned Sakura into an obedient doll with a mere thought. But he hated that idea. He wanted her to grow into something closer to his ideal—nurtured by his guidance, with room for individuality as long as she stayed loyal.
So instead of mind-controlling her, he merely reinforced her dependence and devotion to him, leaving her personality intact. He wanted to cultivate their bond naturally.
In a way, I kinda enjoy this kind of 'raising game.'
Finally, Kuroda glanced at the wrecked basement and waved his hand. Black Mist surged forth, swiftly repairing all the damage. Sakura watched in fascination, no longer afraid of the Mist.
After all, it belonged to her Sensei. Last night, when the Mist had seeped into her body, it had washed away all her fatigue and fear, letting her sleep peacefully for the first time in days. Now, instead of fearing it, she felt an odd sense of comfort in its presence.
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