The very next day, Erina woke up and she felt comfortable. "An unfamiliar ceiling... And mother? Ahhh, we're at Ramiel's home." She rubbed her eyes and looked at her mother who was sleeping peacefully beside her.
"Thank you for this opportunity, Ramiel." She smiled. "You're welcome." She squeaked and saw that Ramiel was at the doorway. Looking at them with a smirk.
"Wake Mana up Erina, we'll be having breakfast." He gave them some clothes to change into and he went to the dining room.
"Mother, wake up. It's already morning." Erina shook Mana and her mother mumbled in her sleep. "Guhehehe, Ramiel. You have such smooth skin and hard muscles."
Erina winced when she heard that and pinched her mother's cheeks more forcefully. "Ugh, I'm awake, I'm awake." Mana sat up and Erina squinted her eyes.
"You were having such a lascivious dream, mother... And it involved a good friend of mine." Erina raised a brow and Mana remembered.
"Ahhh, that's... It's just a dream Erina, don't worry about it. Let's clean up and have a nice shower shall we? I haven't taken one with you in a long time." Mana changed the subject and they had a shower. A cold one for Mana.
When they arrived at the dining room, they were simply surprised by how much food was on the table.
"Come on, fix yourselves a plate." Ramiel urged them and the others were already starting to eat. They were having a mountain of fried rice, with tons of meat and vegetables that was simply impossible to eat for normal people.
"Can you guys really finish that much food?" Erina was simply shocked at their breakfast. Calling it heavy was an understatement.
"It's a light breakfast really. We don't exercise much here so we only eat this much." Alexandra commented.
"Ughhh, Fubuki. We stayed up too late, but we're definitely ranked first now." Tatsumaki arrived at the dining room while glowing green and levitating with Fubuki.
They then fixed their plates with telekinesis and nobody batted an eyelid. "I-is anyone seeing this? They were floating you know!? Are they ghosts!?" Mana was freaking out with Erina.
"Ahh, we forgot about that. They're espers, so it's natural. We can do it too, those two are just lazy." Samus pointed out and chided them.
"Come on, we can at least use it to fix up a plate. Right, Fubuki? Samus is such a stickler for rules. This is true innovation, if you work. You lose, Ramiel taught us that." Tatsumaki nodded sagely.
"That's right, this is approved by Ramiel." Fubuki added and Samus sighed at their antics. "I've taught you well." He gave them a thumbs up.
"Espers are real?" Erina was getting nervous, thinking they will be silenced for knowing a huge secret society of magicians and espers.
"Well, we aren't native from here. But yes, they exist." Tifa shrugged. The 8 of them then received some news from Senzaimon and they looked at Ramiel.
"Hoh, look at what that pale bastard is trying to do. He colluded with the elite 10 to make Senzaimon retire." Aerith smirked and thought it was a really stupid decision.
"He's plotting something, something boring I'd guess. Like take over the culinary world? He sounds like a delusional guy." Zack laughed at his fruitless efforts.
"I already have a statement ready, the media is primed and ready to bury him 6 feet under." Scarlet announced.
Erina and Mana got scared at their little breakfast meeting. It's like a group of ceo's and politicians plotting to bury someone with their PR.
"Ahh, Erina, Mana. Can you give statements as well please? Act according to this script, it will paint him in a bad light that will give people more reason to resent him." Scarlet gave them scripts and they started reading it.
"Y-you'll ruining his reputation? This is... Simply sinister." Mana was a bit apprehensive. "Don't worry, we're just outing the truth there in the world. And who doesn't like a little drama? The pleasant, hard working Azami Nakamura has a bastard son with a gold digger. And he abused her daughter mentally and physically for his own gains. What a headline." Ramiel smirked and the mother and daughter started getting nervous.
"We have fake tears too, don't be too anxious. It's pretty easy, we'll just edit the footage as well." Scarlet gave them a smile.
The duo gulped and thought they shouldn't be messed with. "What was that about a bastard son!?" Mana noticed and she didn't know about that.
"Ahh, it was when Joichiro left Totsuki, he got depressed and had a one night stand with an American. She thought she hit the jackpot, but she got pregnant. It was a miracle she didn't had an abortion though. This is his file, he was a disciple of Saiba Joichiro, so he took on the name Saiba Asahi." Ramiel gave them a file of the young man.
"Saiba-sama? A disciple of his and my half brother... Should we do something about this, mother?" Erina looked at her.
"No, not really. He might be your half brother, but according to this file. He has a good life already, though we can contact him and have a chat or something." Mana sighed. That was an unexpected curveball sent to her.
"So, what are we gonna do about his little plans? He doesn't know that we are more influential than Senzaimon, poor bastard." Lulu smirked and wasn't sorry at all.
"Hmm, I have a good idea. How about we open up a new school ourselves!? Tatsumaki and Fubuki can just take a good chunk of earth from the ocean and make a mega island that will be the largest school in the world." Yuna gave a suggestion.
Everybody perked up at her idea. "You know what? That's genius, Yuna. Tatsumaki, after that. I want you to make an island that is approximately 50 square kilometers. We'll be making a mega university." Ramiel ordered and Tatsumaki saluted.
"5-50 square kilometers? And take a huge piece of stone from the bottom of the ocean!? What the hell is that?" Erina and Mana were shocked to their core.
"It's really easy you know, she just lifts it with her powers. And makes it float at Tokyo bay so it's accessible to a lot of people." Ramiel shrugged and Scarlet started making calls immediately.
Samus activated her ship and is ready to begin construction. Alexandra and Tifa micromanaged the staff that they would be getting and they were stealing the best professors in the world.
"You guys are insane..." Mana can only imagine the scale of the university they were making. And it can easily house millions of students. It will be the largest school ever built. Costing them trillions of dollars to make it.
"Aerith, come with Tatsumaki and make forests on the island okay? I want it to be nice and scenic." Ramiel added and she nodded.
"You can even make forests?" Erina wasn't even surprised anymore. "Yeah, the ingredients of the university for the culinary department will be grown there independently. You'll be seeing the best ingredients you will ever see." Ramiel smiled.
"How long would all of this take?" Mana thought it would take decades to make something of this scale with just all the construction. The other things not included.
"About a week if we take our time, so I'll spare some extra energy for my ship and we'll finish it in a few days." Samus shrugged.
Ramiel created a page in Babel's website and they were advertising a new school that will teach every major in the whole world.
Their control of the media advertised it as the most prestigious school. Well, it wasn't false advertising anyways.
"Come on Erina, it seems you'll be needed in the meeting. But they won't see what's coming. We'll poach every good student in Totsuki, it will be a massacre." Ramiel chuckled and they went to the school.
Arriving at the conference room, the 8 sat on their designated thrones. "Senzaimon really likes his theatrics, even creating thrones for us. So, peasants. What is it that you have for us? Our time is so valuable that you can't afford it even if you pool all your riches that you will make in your entire lives. Except you Erina, Rindou. You guys are good." Alexandra asked the elite 10.
They immediately gulped and were anxious about the meeting. Even if they do pool their probable net worths. It would be chump change for them, it's not even funny.
"Well, the elite 10 had an unanimous decision to oust Senzaimon Nakiri as director and the replacement is Azami Nakiri." Tsukasa, the first seat announced.
It was 8 to 2. With Erina and Isshiki the only ones not accepting the decision. "Rindou, why did you accept it?" Ramiel asked her and she flinched.
"Uhh, you see. I thought it would be more interesting." She sheepishly scratched her head. "You have no idea do you? What that punk has in store for you guys? Very well, as the representative of the divine monarchs and the great devil kings. We accept the change." Ramiel nodded at them.
They were surprised, especially Rindou. But she checked out Erina's reaction and she was calm as still water.
"Do not regret your little choice. Remember this, you were the ones who chose this. Great change is coming. It's such a shame that Totsuki academy that has great history will be forgotten with a snap of a finger, just like that." Ramiel snapped his fingers and they left the scene with Isshiki and Erina.
"I have a bad feeling about this..." Rindou got anxious and felt it was weird that they just accepted the decision without any fuss.
The construction of their new school was quickly underway and with Samus' ship. It is a technological marvel that is hundreds of years more advanced than any structure in the world.
With Ramiel and Samus' discoveries and understanding of the Machina from Spira. As well as the futuristic alien tech of Samus. They created the university.
Every building and road was self cleaning, not even a speck of dust will be present. The university has its own maglev train transports for students that get accepted. Making sure that nobody is late.
Food of the highest caliber will be given for free by the culinary division. Sponsored by Babel and angel tears. Keeping morale at an all time high.
It would be a purely practical school that doesn't use the current system that incentivizes memorization instead of being smart.
Divisions will be made for standardized systems that favor all types of students based on their own styles and creativity.
It would be an academia that will give birth to elites that will lead the world. Eliminating pseudo science and fake information with extreme scrutiny. That even being accused by the research division will result in a full blown investigation immediately.
And while their university was being created, Totsuki successfully changed the director. With Azami having a speech for the students.
"The director is being changed? So suddenly?" Yuki was surprised. "Isshiki-senpai, did the elite 10 and the 8 kings really accept this decision?" Ryoko asked Isshiki.
"Yes, it was a surprise for me as well. They sprung this up on us suddenly. But it seems that Ramiel and his group are up to something." Isshiki was curious.
"Let's listen to our new director." The emcee gave the stage to Azami. "Thank you very much for coming here today. I Azami Nakiri am the new director for Totsuki." He introduced himself.
"A lot of contributions have been given by my predecessor, Senzaimon Nakiri. I admit, it is a big hurdle to pass. But I promise that I will give my best to lead Totsuki and promote its food culture all throughout Japan. Please help me in this endeavor." He gave a safe speech.
"Thank you very much, director Azami. Now, the azure dragon will have an important announcement to make. As the representative of the undisputed monarchs of Totsuki." The emcee called out to Ramiel.
He slowly walked up to the stage and had an iced coffee on hand. Going to the podium with a leisurely pace.
"Ahh, mic test. Is this on? Okay, you can hear me everyone. I am Ramiel, the owner of Angel's tears. A corporate titan that supports Totsuki and also owns the subset of restaurants of Babel." He introduced himself and everybody obviously knew that now.
"Let's cut to the chase shall we? My company will be cutting ties with Totsuki." He announced and there was chaos immediately.
Them cutting ties with Totsuki and it was announced publicly was international news immediately.
"Excuse me, Ramiel-dono. But this seems to be a major decision. Was this decision made with the whole company knowing it?" A stupid ass reporter asked.
"That doesn't matter, I own the company. All of it, nobody shares it with me. And it won't affect my employees whatsoever. Stop asking stupid questions man. Totsuki's new director will never have the support of my company. If there are complaints, go fuck yourselves." Ramiel flipped him off.
"Now, to the next important part. We have been undergoing a project to nurture the elites of the elites. Only your own ability is needed, money? No need, influence? Nobody gives a shit. We are opening Ataraxia academy. An academia where the best of the best gather. Totsuki is simply not at the level that we want. So we created our own, simple as that." People gave pamphlets to the peanut gallery.
"It is the largest university in the world. Spanning 50 square kilometers in Tokyo bay. Having the best technology that the world can offer. Cutting edge in every corner of the mega island that has a pleasant weather all year round. Try and apply for the school if you can. But only the cream of the crop are accepted, that is all." A chopper arrived at Totsuki and they all left the school grounds.
Reporters and journalists from all over the world immediately spread the news and Totsuki lost a major share holder. Dropping their economy and funds to an all time low immediately.
Businesses started backing away from Totsuki as well, seeing the prospective Ataraxia academy that not only focuses on greatness. But variety as well, it was an academic giant that offered every subject to its absolute limit.
They just upped and left. Leaving a gaping hole at Totsuki. And businesses don't like that at all. They follow where the money flows.
Years of history and culinary excellence. Gone immediately, a brutal execution that cut off Totsuki's head instantly. Leaving it to bleed and threw its body into the desert to dry.
"So that's what you mean by our decision Ramiel... You're one brutal guy huh, cutting the school off like that." Rindou gave a dry laugh as they gutted Totsuki like a pig for slaughter.
Every student's future there was in jeopardy. Them pulling off from it and making a statement that it doesn't satisfy their criteria also gave the school a huge blow to its reputation. Forever branded as a mediocre establishment that they washed their hands off.
"God damn it Ramiel... This is simply too brutal, Totsuki will be 2ndc rate forever with your branding." Mana frowned, but it was already done.
"This was inevitable, I didn't manage to stop Azami's plans for Totsuki. And they made a decision." Senzaimon sighed, shaking his head at his ex son in law's delusion. Leading to the downfall of Totsuki.
"They're honestly scary. I can already see news popping up. The internationally acclaimed academy of Totsuki will be going down. The media is going crazy." Erina checked the news in the internet.
"What's this? The reason for their exit from Totsuki?" Mana checked another piece of news and it was shown there with intricate detail.
Azami Nakamura, the ungrateful cretin who received the Nakiri name was exiled for abusing his daughter. Isolating her from other people in her tender age. Making her practice cooking every day until her hands bled. Beating her up and mentally abusing her if she resisted.
"T-there's statements and videos of you two as well?" Senzaimon checked it out and they demonized Azami as much as possible.
"Ahhh... W-we did make those videos." Mana gave a wry smile to Senzaimon. They portrayed that due to Azami's abuse, Mana left the family. And she was unable to get Erina out there. Azami then focused his abuse on Erina and Senzaimon was forced to exile him for his slight against the Nakiri clan.
"They're burying Azami alive. This is an unrecoverable focused attack. He is done for, the whole world is against him." Senzaimon was terrified.
"It also included his son from another woman... Charges are being pressed on him from two fronts. He's being prosecuted in America and Japan. Domestic violence, child abuse, neglect, even sexual assault. They're absolutely pressing the attack. They even made stories about his illegitimate son that he abandoned." Mana massaged her temples.
Azami Nakamura, was facing tons of scrutiny and it all came crashing down at him in an instant. Scarlet dug up dirt on him like no tomorrow and sent it to all of their media outlets.
Ramiel appeared at their room with a bottle of wine and served some to the three. "Can I drink, mother, grandfather?" Erina sighed at their total beat down on her father.
"Yeah, sure. I'm sure you're going to need it." Mana nodded at her and started drinking. "There, done deal. If some pest is loitering around, that's how you deal with them. Total annihilation, or they'll just come back and give you another headache." Ramiel swirled his glass of wine and smirked.
"That's total annihilation alright. But Totsuki will suffer from this. A lot." Mana rolled her eyes. "Can't fret over a few eggs to make an omelette Mana. We'll make Japan great again. But not the imperial kind." He laughed.
"You're crazy Ramiel..." Erina gave a dry laugh and started drinking as well. "Well, your dad's gonna be locked up in prison. The odds are against him, every judicial system is also in my control. He has frankly no chance. He'll be eating gourmet slop in prison is what's he's gonna do."
Ramiel squinted his eyes. "Mess with my stuff, then you'll be experiencing the consequences."
"He had it coming, but it's still quite sad that Totsuki will never recover from this." Senzaimon sighed and looked at his glass of wine, a bit gloomy.
"Totsuki took a hit, but the Nakiri clan won't have much losses for this. My company still supports Nakiri international. And Leonora will continue to thrive with it." He shrugged and speaking of the devil, she arrived.
"Ramiel-chan, did Totsuki do something big bad? Why are you pulling out your company? Are we troubling you?" Leonora was concerned and flew to Japan in a private jet immediately.
"Not really, your ex brother in law thought he was slick. Wanting a piece of Totsuki and control Erina again even though he was exiled. Should've just stayed quiet. And talk to me in English or danish Leonora. I already told you that." He explained and patted her head.
"Ohh, I thought it's because of something in Totsuki. It seems it's just Azami, why'd you even get together with that prick Mana? Soe-san was very nice. God bless his soul, you should've picked someone like him or father." Leonora rolled her eyes.
"He wasn't like that in the past okay? Besides, this was my fault too. I left the clan and it contributed to his delusions. But I guess if it happened, then it must've been there in the first place huh?" Mana sighed.
"Okay, okay. Enough of that guy, we'll be having a nice feast today. Come on everyone, let's party!" Ramiel shouted out and the others went in.
His group carried all kinds of liquor and food. While the polar star dorm helped with large coolers of meat and the like.
"Hello~ Ramiel-kun. You gone and did it huh? I always thought you were a dangerous guy that will take my chastity. But it's actually Totsuki!? My dear and beloved school is in shambles." Hinako arrived. She was quite sad about Totsuki.
But the azure dragon went up and beyond, creating its own territory that outshines everything. Nothing can even compare.
"So? Who's applying to Ataraxia? I think I want to be an academic there too in your culinary department. Dissect your godly techniques and copy it as much as possible." Hinako was having thoughts of teaching there and improve like no other.
Or she will be outshined by the next generation that Ataraxia will be creating. "Yeah, we do have to think about that huh?" Soma thought about it and he paled.
"Wait!? Can my dad even afford the school!? He only like sends me 30 thousand yen a month. That cheapskate bastard." Soma squinted his eyes and Alexandra gave them some extra pamphlets.
"Read this, Yukihira Soma. You do not listen, everything will be free in Ataraxia. Even people who live far away can get a dorm there based on how far their home is. Transportation, food, allowance based on merit. It's right there, read it." She rolled her eyes and everybody started reading the pamphlet.
They were too shocked by the announcement and didn't had time to listen or read. "A-amazing... State of the art classrooms and theaters. Transportation through the campus are mag lev trains that can break the sound barrier. Isn't this basically a jet on the ground?" Alice was excited for the new tech they would present for culinary innovation.
"I guess you guys aren't holding back. This is a haven for intellectuals, academics, and students all over the world." Ikumi sweated when she imagined how much money would the school need to keep running.
"Food is free too? I won't need to order through Ramiel eats anymore? I can save some money?" Megumi was excited for the prospect of having free food and even having an allowance if they did good.
"As expected of my future husband, we'll definitely be making little danish babies." Alice nodded and Erina choked on her saliva. "H-how improper!" They started arguing and Leonora chuckled on the side.
"You don't think this is weird? Leonora?" Mana sighed and Leonora tilted her head. "What is?"
"That this philandering bastard has us all in his palm. You know? Even our daughters are infatuated with him. It's only a matter of time." Mana blushed and Leonora laughed.
"You and your japanese etiquette Mana. Ramiel isn't normal in the least. You can't even call him human. The majority of his harem are superhumans that are under his banner. Do you think we have a chance in bagging him alone?" She made a point and Mana nodded.
"Yeah... Especially those sisters, look at them. They're just playing games and drinking some soda. But they can be overlords of this world if they wanted to." Mana pointed at Fubuki and Tatsumaki who were gaming on their home theater.
"Right? Now, enough of pleasantries. Let's have a celebration!" Hinako smiled and they started having an all out party.
And when they got pleasantly buzzed, they watched Azami's trial in court. The jury were all agents of Ramiel, the judge, the lawyers, the prosecutors. Every single one of them were against Azami.
"Serves you right you bastard, guhahaha!" Leonora laughed at the television while waving a bottle of wine.
"Yeah! He ripped up all the letters I sent to Erina. I remember how cutely you asked for some, but he didn't even let you know I sent them." Alice hugged Erina.
"A-Alice..." She was touched. Frowning at just what extent her father tried to brainwash her. Her trauma started turning into rage and she was delighted to see that her father will be behind bars. Unable to spread his delusion to gourmands and the people that love food.
"Ohhh, Azami that bastard. He didn't even cook well, only made a dish once that tasted fine for me. But Erina wouldn't be born otherwise, isn't that right?" Mana hugged Erina and she got embarrassed.
Senzaimon watched his family be normal for once and bowed towards Ramiel. "It is an honor to receive your help, Ramiel-dono. This is all because of you."
"Don't bow like that to me Senzaimon. It's going to be weird real quick. Ain't that right, Leonora, Mana?" He smiled and they nodded.
"Yeah! He's gonna be your son in law. Or grandson in law? That's not important, you have to be dignified, father." Leonora chided him and ignored an important part in her sentence.
"Hmph, I will allow him to be my husband." Mana huffed, but she was blushing.
Senzaimon sighed and just accepted his family's fate. "Mother!? Are you serious? Auntie Leonora too!" Erina still couldn't believe it.
"Hey, don't forget me too! I'm already 30 you know? I want to have some kids too." Hinako twiddled her thumbs and stared at him expectantly.
"Okay, let's calm down." Ramiel gave the students some transfer papers and urged them to take the exam for Ataraxia.
"It will be hard, harder than even Totsuki. You won't be expelled immediately, but your merits will go down tremendously if you do not improve. That's our motto, you can fail. But you need to learn above all expectations. And master your art until you are serene as still water. Nothing will phase you when you succeed in Ataraxia." Ramiel hyped them up and they all nodded.
"Ohhhh! We'll enter the academy without any problems!" Ikumi shouted out and would bust her ass in studying for the entrance exam.
"Soma, my academy values not only practical skills. But knowledge as well, you better study now. Or you will fail, a chef needs a good mix of both." Ramiel advised him and he nodded.
"I'll help you with your studies Soma-kun." Megumi offered and Leonora smiled at them. "Ahhh, youth. They sure are enjoying it Mana. And this guy over doesn't even touch me." She pouted at Ramiel.
"Yeah, that's right. You haven't visited me too." Hinako complained and he sighed. "Sorry, sorry, I'll just give you some massages, deal?" He enticed them and they nodded immediately.
Everybody then resumed drinking and eating to their heart's content for the humongous change they will experience at Ataraxia.
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Thank you for reading everyone, ciao.