Chapter 139 Return to the Academy and Fujisaki’s Treatment
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”A high-capacity waterskin¹?!”
”Yeah,” I said. “Standard ten and twenty-liter versions drop occasionally, so I figured there has to be a magic item version out there somewhere.”
”We have to get our hands on one before the final showdown with ‘Beast’²!” Karen said, her voice returning to its sharp, professional edge. “It’ll save plenty of lives.”
Karen had slipped back into business mode. While a Universal Potion³ would turn into ordinary water the moment it left the recovery spring, a waterskin with a positive modifier could preserve its healing properties. The Waterskin +1 they currently possessed only held three liters.
”I’ve been looking, but they’re hard to find,” I replied, glancing toward Akari. He still felt a bit awkward speaking informally to Karen when she was like this. “Our only choice is to keep hitting every treasure chest we find.”
”I might be able to help with that,” Akari said. “By the way, we’re considering Fujisaki Kaede as a full member of the team now, right?”
”Huh?” I blinked.
”That’s right, Takeru-kun!” Himeno chimed in. “Calling her a ‘s*x slave’ is just awful! Kaede-chan is one of us now!”
”O-oh! Right! Of course,” I stammered. “I’ll introduce her to Kanon, Tomoko, and Higurashi later to make it official.”
Fujisaki had been the one to bring up the ‘slave’ label in the first place, and I had no intention of following through with it. Still, I couldn’t exactly claim she was just an acquaintance anymore. That makes nine… I thought, feeling a wave of dizziness.
”The ‘s*x slave’ thing was a contract, so I didn’t mind,” Fujisaki said with a sharp smirk, looking like a villain who had just pulled off a successful scheme. “But I’m happy to be an official comrade.”
”I’m glad you’re joining us, Kaede-chan,” Karen said, her expression softening. “But will your old school cause trouble? What about your friends?”
”Friends…” Fujisaki’s eyes went hollow for a moment. “I had them, once. But not anymore. No one trusts anyone over there. I never want to go back.”
”I see.” Karen offered Fujisaki her hand. “I promise that Seito Academy⁴ won’t end up like that. But I can’t do it alone. I need your help, Fujisaki-kun.”
”I’ll do my part to protect my new home,” Fujisaki replied, shaking Karen’s hand firmly.
”Since we’re all friends now, I should show you my Gift,” Akari said. She opened her palm to reveal three silver keys. “These are for our rooms in the dormitory. They vanish after one use, but I can always make more.”
”You can do that?” I asked as Akari handed me a key.
”Didn’t I mention it? Once I’ve ‘memorized’ a lock, I can replicate the key whenever I want. Here, this gold one is for Takeru-kun’s room.”
I stared at the golden key. If Akari could duplicate my key whenever I want, my room had exactly zero defensive power. First Shitone-senpai sneaks in, and now this? Maybe I should just build a secret base here on the trash floor⁵.
”My Gift is ‘Master Key’⁶,” Akari explained. “I can disarm and unlock any treasure chest instantly.”
”That’s incredible, Akari-chan!” Karen exclaimed. “No traps? That’s beyond convenient.”
In truth, Akari and Himeno were the backbone of the party’s finances. They could pull a profit from a single dive because they had a hundred-percent success rate with chests. Even elite groups like Sogahara-senpai’s were lucky to get the contents of one chest per run. Fujisaki, despite being level twenty, only had a ninety-percent success rate after two years on the trash floor-and a single mistake usually meant a trip to the infirmary. Akari’s ability simply removed the risk entirely.
”Starting tomorrow, the three of you will focus on clearing the hunting grounds for chests in the morning,” I said, hoisting my heavy backpack. It was time for the long trek back up.
Two hours into the climb through the rocky ravines, a snake monster dropped a chest. Akari popped it open in seconds.
”Takeru-kun! Look!” Karen pointed excitedly.
Inside sat a large, water-filled bladder-a twenty-liter waterskin.
”Wait, Master,” Fujisaki interjected, peering at the item. “This is a jackpot. It’s got a +1 modifier. I’ve been hunting here for two years and never saw one of these drop. I didn’t think this floor even had them.”
”Seriously?!” I stared. I’d had three months of nothing but bad luck. To find it now seemed impossible.
”Is this a big deal?” Akari asked, looking confused. “That was easy.”
”It’s not easy! We’ve literally never seen one until now!” I laughed. “But yeah, it’s a +1.”
”Yes! Let’s keep this momentum going!” Karen cheered.
* * *
One month later.
”Good morning, Tsuchimiya-senpai.”
I woke to the feeling of Himeno’s lips on me. Sleeping with four people in the bed meant Himeno usually ended up on top of me, while Hiromi and Fujisaki pinned me down from either side.
Himeno’s tongue was warm, and I could feel her slick heat rubbing against me as my body stirred.
”That’s enough, Himeno,” Fujisaki said, sitting up beside the bed. She’d dropped the ‘-san’ and now just used Himeno’s name-mostly from the weeks spent scolding her during cooking practice. “We’re heading back to the Academy for the final battle today.”
”Muu…” Himeno pulled away with a wet pop, looking regretful. “Fine. We’ll finish this at the victory party. But I have to share with Asuka, Kanon, and Tomoko-senpai too, or it won’t be fair.”
I sat up and pulled Himeno into a hug. “Let’s get cleaned up first. Wash.”
I focused my mind, and a stream of water spiraled around us, rinsing away the sweat and grime. Under Valeria’s tutelage, I had finally learned a bit of spirit magic⁷. It had been hard to ‘feel’ the spirits at first, but once I earned the ‘Spirit User’⁸ title, everything clicked.
Now I could command lower-rank water and wind spirits. Usually, they wouldn’t listen to a beginner, but thanks to ‘Protection of the Spirit King’⁹, the spirits sensed Varniora’s presence behind me and obeyed out of sheer terror. It felt a bit like carrying a Yakuza boss’s badge.
”Thank you!” Himeno giggled, hugging me tight.
”Hey! Out of bed, already!” Fujisaki shouted.
By the time they dressed, Hiromi and Fujisaki had breakfast waiting. They were in the pyramid dungeon¹⁰‘s staging area, the teleportation circle glowing in the center of the room. They had spent the last week resting and sharpening their skills. The training was over, and as they stood together, I could feel how much they had all evolved. It was time to go back.
Now, after everyone finished breakfast and handled the cleanup, it was finally time to head back.
”Everyone, ready?” Hiromi asked.
Himeno suddenly spoke up, her voice frantic. “Wait! Just a second! Kaede-san, why don’t you wear my spare uniform?”
”My uniform?” Kaede asked.
”Yes! I have an extra. You can borrow it.”
Every eye in the room shifted to Fujisaki Kaede’s bikini armor. We’d grown used to it by now, but there was no denying that the outfit would stand out way too much back at the Academy.
”Heh, why not?” Kaede said with a smirk. “I’ve always kind of admired the blazer look.”
Since she was roughly the same height as Himeno, the fit was almost perfect – though it looked a little tight across the chest.
”Oh, it’s lovely,” Hiromi said. “It really suits you, Kaede.”
”You look so cute!” Himeno added.
Kaede struck a pose, grinning at me. “So, what do you think, Takeru?”
”Yeah, looks great,” I replied. “You look like a porn star doing schoolgirl cosplay.”
”Are you looking for a fight!?” Kaede barked.
I was actually being sincere, but apparently, my heartfelt compliment didn’t land the way I’d intended.
”N-no, I mean it! It looks good!” I stammered. “Anyway, it’s finally time to get back to the Academy!”
Ignoring the scorched-earth glares the girls were giving me, I grabbed everyone’s hands and hauled them onto the teleportation circle.
* * *
We arrived back at the Academy at exactly 4:30 AM.
Even though it was early and I’d told Karen not to worry about a greeting party, a crowd had already gathered at the arrival point.
”Tsucchi-kun is back!”
”Welcome home, Takeru-kun!”
”Tsuchimiya-senpai!”
”Good work, Kaede.”
As we stepped off the circle, the group swarmed us. I could see Amahara Karen vibrating with excitement, but she kept her composure in front of the other students. She stood a short distance away, flanked by Higurashi and Ukita-senpai.
”I’m back, everyone,” I said. “Kanon, Tomoko… it’s been a while.”
”Yes!” Kanon cried.
”Takeru-kun!” Tomoko added.
I reached out and patted their backs as they clung to me.
”Tsuchimiya Takeru,” Karen said, stepping forward as the crowd parted. “I want to thank you on behalf of the entire student body for these supplies.”
She was referring to the massive haul of weapons and armor Kaede had hoarded, plus the enchanted water skins and universal potions. Karen’s luck was terrifying – she’d pulled a high-capacity water skin +1 on the third day and two more a week later. Those items were already being processed for distribution.
”Don’t mention it, Amahara-senpai,” I said. “We’re just doing our part to protect the Academy.”
”Takeru…” Karen started to close the distance, her arms opening as if for a hug. Ukita-senpai cleared her throat and nudged her with an elbow. She froze, seemingly coming to her senses, and settled for grabbing my hand with both of hers.
”Fujisaki Kaede, I presume?”
Lugia approached, flanked by Academy staff. Her face was set in a professional, albeit exhausted, mask. She looked like she was radiating pure killing intent today.
”I’ve heard the reports,” Lugia said. “Follow me to the briefing room.”
”Understood,” Kaede said, raising her hands in a casual surrender.
”I’m coming too,” I said. “The rest of you can head back to the dorms.”
”I’m with him,” Hiromi added, grabbing my arm. Himeno followed suit, clinging to Kaede.
”Me too!” Himeno chirped.
Lugia sighed. “Fine. Three companions, no more. Any more than that and it’s a headache.”
Despite her sharp tone, Lugia was clearly a pushover ssu. I’d have to find a way to reward her – or bribe her – later. I’d already asked Karen to prep Lugia for this. According to Kaede, players could transfer schools, though it usually happened through “defections” or being forced into another’s territory. Since the Academy had only hit the 5th floor, and inter-school contact normally didn’t happen until the 11th, we were in uncharted waters for the Management Committee.
We moved through the staff-only area toward the conference rooms. When we reached the double doors at the end of the hall, the staff peeled away, leaving only Lugia, a man in glasses, and a female clerk.
”Lugia-san, are you hungry?” I asked.
”Don’t start,” she snapped. “I haven’t eaten since yesterday evening.”
So that explained the mood.
”Here. An edible souvenir,” I said, pulling out a massive clubhouse sandwich packed with monster-bird meat. The savory, sweet scent of the sauce immediately filled the hallway. Lugia stopped dead in her tracks. “You can eat it on the move. There’s enough for everyone.”
The glasses-wearing man and the clerk exchanged looks with Lugia. Lugia didn’t hesitate; she grabbed the sandwich and took a massive, desperate bite.
”This is… incredible!” she muttered, her eyes actually watering. The others didn’t wait for an invitation and dug in as well.
”Not bad…” the man muttered.
”Oh, it’s delicious,” the clerk whispered.
Lugia finished hers in record time, looking almost mournful when she realized the plate was empty.
”We need to move, Facility Manager. We shouldn’t keep her waiting.”
”Right… it was good. Thank you, Takeru-kun,” Lugia said. Her “wild beast” energy had completely evaporated, replaced by a post-meal lethargy.
We headed upstairs. Lugia knocked nervously on the conference room door.
”Enter,” a sharp, feminine voice called out.
”Commander! I’ve brought Fujisaki Kaede, Tsuchimiya Takeru, and their party!” Lugia barked, snapping into a formal salute – right fist over her heart, left hand behind her back.
”Very well. Be seated,” the voice replied.
At the head of a long, black marble table sat a woman with her legs crossed. This was the Commander-in-Chief – the top of the food chain. She had long blonde hair and wore a navy-blue military uniform. Even just sitting there, she radiated an overwhelming pressure. She was beautiful, but her eyes were cold as ice.
”Nyara, this is off the record,” the Commander said to the clerk. “No notes.”
”Yes, ma’am!” the clerk – Nyara – replied.
Nyara? I thought. What a cute name. It made me want to offer her some cat treats.
”I am Celestia, President of the School Management Committee,” the woman said. She sniffed the air suddenly and narrowed her eyes at Lugia. “You smell like something delicious. Is this your way of mocking me? I haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
The man in glasses and Nyara immediately looked away, making Lugia the sacrificial lamb.
”N-no! Ma’am! I just… I had a quick snack!” Lugia stammered.
Celestia glared at her, but a faint, wicked smile touched her lips – she actually reminded me a bit of Kaede. Hunger was a dangerous thing; it made everyone irritable. I stood up and walked toward the head of the table.
”Would you like one too, President?”
”Hm?”
I pulled out another clubhouse sandwich. Celestia’s gaze turned freezing. I felt a wave of pressure so thick it felt like I’d be cut down if I twitched, but her eyes quickly drifted to the wisp of steam rising from the bread.
”Hmph. You’re quite the diplomat,” Celestia said. She took the sandwich and took a hearty bite. “Killer Parrot meat? Not a bad choice.”
”You have a refined palate,” I said. It paid to stay on the good side of the boss.
”Monster meat is standard fare on the front lines,” she said, her mood clearly improving. “But the seasoning here is exquisite.”
”Have some lemon tea as well,” I said, placing an opened bottle on the table.
”A pleasant aroma. Very well. Return to your seat.”
Lugia gave me a frantic, appreciative nod.
”Now then, Kaede,” Celestia said, still chewing. “I understand you wish to transfer to Seito Academy?”
”Y-yes!” Kaede replied.
”And Takeru is your sponsor?”
”That’s right,” I said.
”If you have the backing of both the Student Council rep, Karen, and the leader of the Freedom Alliance, Takeru, the requirements are met. Now, state your original school.”
”I’m from Akatoriba Private Academy,” Kaede stated.
The room went dead silent. Celestia’s expression hardened instantly.
”The Empire’s jurisdiction,” Celestia muttered. “The same school that attacked our students previously.”
”Wait, what?” Kaede looked stunned.
”It’s true,” Celestia said. “The necromancer who ambushed Asagiri Himeno belonged to your academy.”
Himeno just tilted her head, looking confused. She didn’t seem to care one way or the other.
”I was just a low-level runner,” Kaede insisted. “The higher-ups didn’t tell me anything about what they were doing.”
”Fumu… Seito Academy has only just reached the 5th floor. Usually, we don’t even have contact with other schools yet. Normally, we don’t interfere with player business, but if the Empire is playing games this early, it’s going to be a headache. Tell me everything.”
”Fine,” Kaede said.
We spent the next hour explaining everything – from the incident on the trash floor to our reunion.
”I suspected as much,” Celestia said. “Between the attack by the Akatoriba Academy¹¹ students and the current climate, relations between Slaydeal¹² and the Fórgedína Empire¹³ are at a breaking point. If we allow a student from Akatoriba to defect now, the Empire will undoubtedly start prying. There’s even a chance they might leak information to the Player – illegally, of course – to incite Akatoriba into targeting Seito Academy¹⁴ again.”
”That certainly sounds like the Empire’s style,” Megane agreed.
He nodded in support of Celestia.
”Wait, is it really okay to be discussing international affairs with us?” I asked.
”That’s why I told you this was off the record,” Celestia replied. “My neck is on the line here, so keep your mouth shut.”
She flashed a predatory smirk.
Is she serious? I wondered. Is she trying to drag us into some deep-state mess?
”In any case, a formal defection is out of the question for the time being,” Celestia continued. “That would require us to notify the Empire.”
”What!?” I gasped.
That meant Fujisaki’s transfer wouldn’t be approved. Even Fujisaki turned pale at the news.
”I’ll ask just in case – what exactly is the nature of your relationship?” Celestia asked, glancing between them. “You two were trying to kill each other not long ago, weren’t you?”
”I am Takeru’s s*x slave,” Fujisaki stated flatly.
”Hey!” I barked.
Comrades? Friends? Even ‘friends with benefits’ would have been better than that! I thought, reeling.
Upon hearing her answer, Celestia’s expression twisted into a wicked, amused grin.
”Oh? Not bad at all,” Celestia said. “Let’s run with that, then.”
”Run with that?” I asked, bewildered.
”Tsuchimiya Takeru captured a female student during a skirmish, claimed her as his slave, and forced her enrollment into Seito Academy,” Celestia explained. “Whenever we pressed him for her origins, he simply barked, ‘Shut up, none of your business!’ We can’t exactly push back when a Player takes such a hardline stance, after all. Fujisaki Kaede will be secretly integrated into Seito Academy with her previous affiliation listed as ‘unknown.’ A happy ending for everyone.”
”That makes me sound like some kind of heinous predator!” I protested.
”I have no problem with it,” Fujisaki said.
”Well, I do! I have a reputation! I’m supposed to be a gentleman of culture!” I shouted.
”If you just stay quiet, won’t the secret stay with us?” Himeno asked.
”Himeno-chan is right,” Fujisaki added. “It’s strictly a formality. If it settles the matter peacefully, isn’t that enough?”
”Gunuuu…”
I let out a low, frustrated groan.
I knew there was no other way forward and that this wouldn’t be common knowledge, but the idea of being recorded in official state documents as a degenerate monster left a bitter taste in my mouth.
”It’s settled, then,” Celestia said. “However, Kaede, your Akatoriba Player Card must be destroyed along with your account balance. The protectorate covers all expenses, and the moment you used that card, the system would flag your location instantly.”
”There wasn’t much of a balance anyway, so I don’t mind,” Fujisaki said. “Takeru, seal this in the Storage¹⁵ void.”
Fujisaki pulled the Player Card from her pouch, holding it between two fingers before offering it to me. It vanished instantly, tucked away into my sub-dimension.
”I’ll leave the rest to Lugia,” Celestia said, standing up. “This has been quite entertaining. Until we meet again, Takeru.”
”Ah… right. Take care,” I replied.
Celestia left the room, leaving Lugia and the staff to process Fujisaki’s new identification. Once the paperwork was finished, they finally left the teleportation facility behind.
—
Summary:
Takeru’s party secures Fujisaki as a permanent member and obtains a rare +1 waterskin through Akari’s incredible luck. After a month-long training skip, the group prepares to teleport back to the Academy for the final confrontation. The scene ends with Takeru demonstrating his newfound spirit magic.
Takeru and his group return to Seito Academy where Kaede swaps her bikini armor for a school uniform. They face an immediate interrogation by Commander Celestia. Takeru successfully defuses the tension with clubhouse sandwiches, but the atmosphere turns grim when Kaede reveals her former school is Akatoriba Private Academy, which has a hostile history with Seito.
Takeru and Fujisaki meet with Celestia to discuss Fujisaki’s defection from Akatoriba Academy. Due to political tension with the Fórgedína Empire, they concoct a fake story where Takeru kidnapped her as a ‘s*x slave’ to bypass formal notification. Despite Takeru’s protests about his reputation, the plan is finalized and Fujisaki’s old Player Card is destroyed.
—
Trivia:
- The Universal Potion reverts to water without a specific magic container.
- Akari can replicate any key she has encountered, including Takeru’s bedroom key.
- Takeru’s party has a 100% success rate with treasure chests because of Akari’s Gift.
- Takeru’s spirit magic works via ‘terror’/intimidation because of his high-tier protection.
- The group has reached the 9th harem member with Fujisaki’s joining.
- Amahara Karen’s luck stat is abnormally high (+1 modifiers on multiple drops).
- Inter-school contact is not supposed to happen until the 11th floor.
- Kaede’s school, Akatoriba, is under the Empire’s jurisdiction.
- The necromancer who previously attacked Himeno was from Kaede’s old school.
- Takeru is the head of the ‘Student Freedom Alliance,’ which has enough political weight to sponsor transfers.
- The Empire is known to leak info to Players despite it being forbidden.
- Using an old Player Card instantly flags the user’s location to their home country.
- Takeru and Fujisaki actually tried to kill each other in the past.
- Slaydeal’s ‘Protectorate’ status means they pay for Player expenditures
—
Character Insight:
Akari continues to be the party’s ‘cheat’ code for logistics, while Takeru shows growth in magic despite his level restriction. Fujisaki is beginning to find a sense of belonging, shifting from her cynical, isolated past to a collaborative team member.
Takeru’s ability to navigate high-stakes political meetings using simple modern comforts (sandwiches and tea) highlights his pragmatic and slightly irreverent nature. Celestia’s swift transition from intimidating commander to satisfied foodie shows that even the most powerful figures in this world are susceptible to ‘Earth’ luxuries.
Fujisaki shows extreme pragmatism, willing to sacrifice her dignity and title for safety. Takeru’s vanity as a ‘gentleman’ is his main pain point, showing he cares more about his image than the functional reality of the lie.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The ‘Yakuza boss’s badge’ comparison for Spirit Magic is a recurring thematic element in Japanese light novels to describe high-tier authority over lower entities.
The mention of ‘Killer Parrot’ meat suggests the fauna of this world is dangerous but potentially delicious, a common trope in isekai gourmet sub-plots.
The ‘s*x slave’ trope is used here as a bureaucratic loophole rather than a literal plot point, subverting expectations of the genre’s typical darker themes for comedic effect.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Karen – Student Council President.
• Akari – Satou Akari. The Scout. Long black hair, slender and cool-looking. Passionate underneath, she was once the leader of the violent yakuza gang. Member of Takeru’s party with the Gift ‘Master Key’ (All-Knowing Key). Has incredibly high luck, capable of duplicating keys and disarming traps perfectly.
• Fujisaki – A black‑haired Level 20 fighter from Akatoriba Academy, known for her bikini armor, ample bust, and villainous “akunin‑zura” face, she debuted in Chapter 56 as an assassin from another school who once battled the MC on the dungeon’s abandoned floor. Cynical and hardened by past trauma and bad luck, she recently defected to Takeru’s group, calmly accepting the label of “sex slave” in order to transfer to Seito Academy, where she now seeks a new place under his faction.
• Himeno – MC’s first girlfriend
• Higurashi – Higurashi Asuka. A girl afflicted with an incurable disease. Another MC’s girlfriend.
• Tomoko – Nishina Tomoko. Shy girl. Looks like an upper elementary school kid despite being in high school. Childhood friends with Satou Akari. One of the Maekawa group
• Kanon – Watarase Kanon: The magician girl. Party with the MC.
• Shitone-senpai – A mysterious and sexy third-year from Class 3-E. Wears round glasses and braids, has a beauty mark under her left eye. Struggles with isolation and harbors a deep sense of emptiness.
• Sogahara-senpai – Student Council Vice President
• Sogahara – Student Council Vice President
• Hiromi – The leader of the group of four girls (including Hano, etc) who are in the same class as the MC.
• Asuka – Higurashi Asuka. A girl afflicted with an incurable disease. Another MC’s girlfriend.
• Valeria – An Elder Undine and part of the Water Spirit King Varniora, she first appears at a feast Hano opens and Maekawa toasts before Higurashi’s joint dungeon dive (direct: student demo; underlying: training). She allies with Tsuchimiya’s group, serves Varniora, outranks Njorn, coils as Maekawa’s glass-snake bracelet, and uses storage magic and water materialization.
• Amahara Karen – Student Council President
• Ukita-senpai – Student Council Treasurer. Best friends with Amahara Karen.
• Ukita – Student Council Treasurer. Best friends with Amahara Karen.
• Amahara-senpai – Student Council President
• Lugia – Facility manager who was bribed by the MC with cup ramen
• Lugia-san – Facility manager who was bribed by the MC with cup ramen
• Nyara – Female clerk/scribe for the School Management Committee.
• Celestia – The Commander‑in‑Chief is a shrewd political and military leader who treats every situation like a chess match, driven by loyalty to her nation’s power and ready to be either a formidable ally or ruthless opponent. With long blonde hair, a navy‑blue uniform, and cold, sharp eyes, she uses her position in Slaydeal and as President of the School Management Committee to secretly exploit new “smartphones” for a hidden edge over rivals, all while keeping her government in the dark and smirking when things turn dangerous.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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