Chapter 88 - Mahiro, You Okay Over There?
After a while, Mahiro decided to use the 2X Lottery Draw reward.
"Use the reward: 2X Lottery Draw."
As the voice echoed, the roulette wheel began to spin rapidly. Even though Mahiro had seen this familiar scene several times before, he couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and nervousness.
"Congratulations, you have obtained Verethragna's Youth Incarnation card."
"Congratulations, you have obtained Zanpakutō - Hyōrinmaru [Shikai Unlocked]."
"What the fuck…!?"
Item: Verethragna's Youth Incarnation card
Grade: B
Effect: Through a ritual, you can bestow your power upon those who swear allegiance to you.
Source: Campione
Item: Zanpakutō - Hyōrinmaru
Grade: A+
Effect: As the strongest ice-based zanpakutō in soul society. Hyorinmaru can create ice out of thin air, and almost freeze everything it touches, including all surrounding air.
Source: Bleach
Looking at the rewards, Mahiro tried to calm his pounding heart. Seriously, it was shocking to get SSR-class items with just two Lottery Draws. His luck was off the charts!
Even though it was just the Youth Incarnation, it was still pretty decent. But the Zanpakutō - Hyōrinmaru? That was the reward that really got Mahiro hyped.
Sure, the effect section only mentioned the basics, but if his memory was right, Zanpakutōs had two stages—Shikai and Bankai. It was like those video games with skill and burst modes.
Mahiro thought it over for a bit and opened the system panel.
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Host: Mahiro Toma
Race: Human
Rating: 3 Stars
Strength Assessment: The overall strength in this world can reach the level of Middle-Class.
Abilities: Intermediate physique (D), Intermediate Swordsmanship (D), Intuition/Instinct(D), Mystic Eye of Death Perception[Lite](A), Secret Technique - Raikiri (D), Mystic Eye of Distortion (B), Shunpo (D), Primary Healing (E), Primary Purification (F), Verethragna's Youth Incarnation (B)
Equipment: Longinus - Boosted Gear (A+), Refined Katana (F), Zanpakutō - Hyōrinmaru (A+), Sword of Eternal Flames (D)
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Looking at the system panel, Mahiro couldn't help but feel a bit speechless.
The system's evaluation was still brutally strict.
Mahiro knew that with his current strength, even if he ran into an Ultimate-Class opponent, he could still put up a fight. But against someone stronger, if he didn't use his trump cards, he'd be screwed.
Mahiro had a feeling that even if he gained the power to go up against a Transcendent, the system would still give him a low rating.
It seemed that to get a higher rating, the system had some specific conditions in mind.
Without counting items like Longinus and the Mystic Eyes, Mahiro's strength was at the Middle-Class level, while his actual combat power could match an Ultimate-Class or higher.
After withdrawing his consciousness from the system panel, Mahiro decided to head home and change his clothes.
It was still afternoon, and there was some time left before classes ended. With no one at home, staying there felt pointless.
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After changing, Mahiro headed to Kuoh Academy.
For convenience, he used teleportation magic to transport himself directly to ORC.
"Are they all in class?"
There was no one around. Mahiro had planned to kill some time here, but it seemed like that idea was out the window.
After thinking it over, Mahiro decided to head to the classroom.
"Mahiro-kun, you're back! I heard you took a day off, but now..."
When he got back to the classroom, Ruruko greeted him, clearly surprised.
"Ruruko, did you miss me?" Mahiro asked, giving her a serious look.
"No, no, I didn't! I just heard you took a day off, so I was a little worried," Ruruko stammered, her face going red as she waved her hands around, trying to explain herself.
Mahiro found it hilarious watching her get all flustered.
After a moment of confusion, Ruruko noticed the smirk on Mahiro's face and realized he was just messing with her.
She glared at him, pouting. "Mahiro-kun!!!"
"Is Ruruko really that nervous?" Mahiro asked, dropping the grin and sounding serious.
Once again, Ruruko was at a loss for words.
Curious about Mahiro and having heard his name from Sona over the past few days, Ruruko had shown some concern after he came back from his leave.
As for liking him... even if she did, there was no way she'd admit it.
When the afternoon bell rang, Mahiro went to the next classroom to find Koneko and Asia.
"Mahiro-kun," Asia greeted him, her smile lighting up.
"When did you get back?" Koneko asked calmly, her golden eyes flicking up at Mahiro.
"Just a while ago," Mahiro replied.
Koneko nodded. "So, what's the plan now? Heading to the club?"
"Yeah," Mahiro agreed.
Even though he was back, he hadn't said hi to everyone yet. After all, he hadn't seen them for four days, so he figured he'd drop by before heading home.
"Let's go together," Mahiro said, and the three of them made their way to the ORC.
The room was mostly empty. Mahiro, Asia, and Koneko were the first to show up.
A little later, Kiba and Akeno walked in.
"Mahiro-kun, welcome back," Akeno grinned as she threw herself into his arms.
"It's only been a day; no need to get all dramatic," Mahiro said, though he didn't push Akeno away.
"But I missed you so much," Akeno teased with a playful smile.
"Akeno-senpai, you can let go of Mahiro-kun now," Koneko said quietly, her golden eyes watching them.
"No way, I haven't seen Mahiro-kun for an entire day," Akeno said with a grin, snuggling even closer.
"I want to, too! I haven't seen Mahiro-kun for six hours," Asia jumped in, not wanting to be left out.
"Mahiro, you okay over there?" Koneko's eyes narrowed a bit.
"Stop, both of you. Quit messing around," Mahiro sighed. Hugging one person was nice, but when two people were fighting over it and a third was silently judging, it was a headache.
"Where's Rias? Why isn't she here?" Mahiro gently pushed Akeno away and glanced over at the desk.
Usually, whenever he dropped by the ORC, Rias would be at her desk.
But this time, she was nowhere to be seen, which was weird.
"Rias took a leave of absence last night," Akeno replied.
"A leave of absence?" Mahiro was caught off guard.
"But she should be back soon," Akeno said, glancing at the clock on the wall.
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