The next day.
"Congratulations to everyone here on completing all the tests on the second floor and earning access to the third floor," said Yu Han, with his usual, disgustingly smug smile. He pulled something from his pocket. "These rings are a token of my congratulations for your success in the tests, and I hope you will accept them."
"…," Akira looked at Yu Han with disgust, then turned his gaze to Asuna and Yukihime.
"What do you all want to do now?" Akira asked, as he was planning to return to his world with Yuri. "By the way, I'm heading back to my world now, along with Yuri."
"I'll be leaving as well; it seems like they're watching us for some reason," said Yukihime, side-eyeing Yu Han. He always seemed to watch them whenever they gathered anywhere.
"In that case, I'll also go back to my world. I might come with Sui-san next time," Asuna replied, as she hadn't enjoyed the atmosphere in the tower since the end of the test. It felt as though deceit and trickery were seeping into every corner, trying to reach her group.
"So, it's decided that everyone will return to their worlds," Akira nodded at hearing the girls' decisions. He was glad they had chosen to leave, as it wasn't the right time to linger in the tower. 'System, can I take Yuri with me now, or do I need to go back to my world first and then come back here to bring her along?'
[Ding! There is no problem; the host can take her with him to his world immediately.]
"Shall we go then?" Akira smiled at everyone and pressed the return button, unfazed by the curious looks from everyone around them. He made no attempt to hide the fact that he could leave and re-enter the tower at will.
'It seems he truly has the ability to move freely between the tower and the outside world,' Yu Han thought seriously. This ability was unheard of in the tower; once one entered, there was no way out, a fact known by everyone.
'Finally, that monster is gone,' thought Rachel, who visibly relaxed at Akira's departure. She couldn't help but feel tense around him, as it seemed like he disliked her and could kill her at any moment. She didn't understand why he hadn't done so, especially after he had killed Parakewl immediately after the previous test ended.
"…" Androssi and Anak both stared in the direction Akira and the others had left, though they showed no emotion. It was best not to let anyone know about their connection to Akira, especially as they had received unknown power from him.
'What did that man mean by what he said earlier?' Khun frowned in thought. After hearing about Baam's death, he had been devastated, and then Akira told him to keep an eye on Rachel for six years until "the Shinigami" would come to claim her soul.
Despite Khun's attempts to find out who this Shinigami was, Akira only gave him a meaningful smile before leaving, never revealing the identity of the person he mentioned.
"That insufferable man," Khun muttered, frowning like a child. What he hated most was being left in suspense, as he was now. Akira had told him just enough to pique his curiosity but left out the main details.
---
Suimei University of the Arts, 4 PM.
"So, this is your world?" Yuri stretched and looked around with curiosity. "The Shinsu concentration here is insignificant compared to the tower, though that does make my body feel lighter than it did there."
"In my world, we call Shinsu 'magical energy.' Unlike the tower, which is divided into areas based on who can withstand the high concentration and who can't, there's nothing like that here. If the magical energy concentration were like in the tower, all ordinary people here would die," Akira explained, walking toward the back courtyard where his motorcycle was parked. "Let's go; I'll take you on a city tour before we head back home."
"I can't wait to see your world," Yuri said with excitement, cheerfully following Akira. She was simply happy to be out of the tower, where she always felt stifled due to the lack of things to do and the constant pressure of being one of Zahard's Princesses.
Although she didn't care much for the title herself, there were always dull-witted fools ruining her mood because of her status as Zahard's Princess.
"Here, wear this helmet," Akira said, handing her a spare helmet and putting on his own. "Sit behind me and hold on tight. Even though you may not fall or get hurt, it's better to be safe than sorry."
"Got it!" Yuri smiled as she put on the helmet. There were motorcycles in the tower, so it wasn't surprising that she knew about them. "How about we switch roles? I'll drive, and you sit in the back. It sounds like more fun that way."
"Sure, but do you know how to drive it?" Akira asked, pausing before sitting in the front seat.
"Of course! I have a special collection of motorcycles in my palace, and I love participating in races," Yuri grinned with a wild smile as she described how she often entered dangerous races with her bikes.
After talking, Yuri settled onto the motorcycle with her fierce smile. Akira had to admit that riding suited her personality perfectly.
"I see… Just drive carefully so you don't run anyone over, as there are a lot of regular people around here," Akira said, sitting behind Yuri and wrapping his arms around her slender waist. He could feel the warmth of her body through the fabric.
Not only that, but his face was right next to her shoulder, giving him a clear view of her neck and the curve of her chest. Yuri's pleasant scent filled his nose with every breath they took together, as they were practically glued to each other.
"Let's go!" Yuri shouted, unfazed by the fact that a man was holding her waist. She pressed the accelerator hard, making the bike roar and speeding off from the school grounds toward the city, following Akira's directions as he knew the way.
...
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