Chapter 411: [409] Assistant
The night passed without incident. As the first light of dawn broke the horizon, a new day began.
Despite her role as an anti-demon officer, Natsuki Minamiya was also a teacher at Saikai Academy, serving as a homeroom instructor. As such, she rose early to prepare for the day.
That morning, August's new identity documents were delivered to him. However, upon examining the contents, he couldn't help but feel
speechless.
Saikai Academy, Faculty Member: Assistant to Teacher Natsuki Minamiya.
This was the identity Natsuki had arranged for him. Simple and straightforward, to say the least.
It made sense, though. She had made it clear he wasn't allowed out of her sight. Assigning him a role that kept him close to her was the logical choice.
Still, August felt a small sense of relief. At least she hadn't assigned him the role of a student.
He'd had enough of student life back during his brief stint at Kuoh Academy. The nostalgic novelty wore off quickly, and he became a chronic class-skipper. He had no desire to relive those days here.
"So, Natsuki-chan." August said with a teasing tone, "what exactly does this teacher's assistant position entail?"
"Just one night, and you're already acting overly familiar." Natsuki replied, not bothering to look up from her lesson plan notes. "We are not close enough for you to call me '-chan.' And don't use that tone with your superior, you insufferable man."
The brief display of power from the previous night still lingered in her mind, reminding her of the fine line she had to walk with him. While she wasn't about to let her guard down, she understood there were limits to how far she could push.
"Such a strict response, Natsuki-chan." August quipped, undeterred.
"Tch. You're impossible."
Natsuki sighed, her patience wearing thin. She had dealt with plenty of difficult individuals before, but August was quickly proving to be among the most troublesome.
Unfazed, August settled himself in a seat across from her. Spotting a teapot on the table, he poured himself a cup of the fragrant red tea.
Red tea was clearly Natsuki's indulgence. Whether at home or in her office, there was always a finely crafted tea set paired with top-quality tea leaves.
"Your position is largely symbolic." she explained, flipping a page in her notebook. "It's nothing more than a title."
"Do I get a salary?" August asked casually.
"Do you even need money?"
"Whether I need it or not is one thing. Whether it's offered is another."
"Of course not. You're lucky I even bothered to arrange an identity for you. Expecting a salary on top of that? Dream on."
"Fair enough." August replied with a shrug.
He wasn't particularly bothered. A teacher's assistant salary would have been negligible anyway. He'd asked mostly out of curiosity, not necessity.
...
Saikai Academy, Faculty Building, Top-Floor Office – Natsuki Minamiya's Exclusive Workspace.
As one of the most powerful anti-demon officers and the instructor of the island's enforcers, Natsuki Minamiya was a figure of privilege. She wasn't just a teacher; she was the guardian of the prison barrier, making her position on Itogami Island particularly unique.
This office was originally hers alone. However, starting today, it had a new occupant.
August, whose newly assigned identity listed him as "Assistant to Teacher Natsuki Minamiya" at Saikai Academy, had been placed here for practical reasons. Given his enigmatic nature and immense power, Natsuki insisted on keeping him under constant surveillance. Allowing a person of his caliber to roam freely would be far too dangerous.
"For the time being." Natsuki said, her voice calm but firm, "You'll stay here. Once I'm certain you pose no threat, you'll be free to move about as you wish."
"I think this setup suits me just fine." August replied lazily, reclining on an opulent sofa not far from her desk. "Good food, good drinks—what more could I ask for?"
The elegant table beside him was laden with plates of exquisite pastries. These were among Natsuki's favorite indulgences, carefully chosen and arranged to match the aesthetic of her refined office. Watching them treated so casually by her unwanted guest tested the limits of her patience. If not for her years of self-discipline, she might have already lost her temper.
While Natsuki silently fumed, August's attention shifted elsewhere—to the glowing system interface only he could see.
A list of tasks had been generated, each more ambitious than the last:
[Fall of the First Primogenitor: Defeat the First Primogenitor of the vampires, Ki Juranbarada. Reward: Advanced Gacha Draw x9.]
[Fall of the Second Primogenitor: Defeat the Second Primogenitor of the vampires, Aswad-Guul Aziz. Reward: Advanced Gacha Draw x9.]
[Fall of the Third Primogenitor: Defeat the Third Primogenitor of the vampires, Giada Kukulcan. Reward: Advanced Gacha Draw x9.]
[Fall of the Fourth Primogenitor: Defeat the Fourth Primogenitor, Kojou Akatsuki. Reward: Advanced Gacha Draw x9.]
[Empire of the Dawn: Establish your own Empire. Reward: Advanced Gacha Draw x9.]
Five tasks in total. Each represented a monumental challenge—except, perhaps, the fourth.
The first three were daunting. The Primogenitors were the apex of this world's power hierarchy. Their strength was unparalleled, and their true capabilities remained a mystery to August. Of particular interest to him was their reliance on familiars, the mystical beasts they controlled, which seemed integral to their immense power.
As for creating his own empire? August wasn't particularly concerned. Building an empire was often a simple matter of strength. Demonstrate enough power, and people would naturally flock to you. Recruitment and administration would be secondary concerns.
The fourth task—defeating Kojou Akatsuki, the so-called Fourth Primogenitor—was the easiest by far. At present, Kojou was little more than a fledgling vampire. His strength was incomplete, and his inexperience was glaring. Compared to the other Primogenitors, Kojou was a mere shadow of their greatness.
What intrigued August, however, was a different possibility: Could his "Sin of Gluttony" allow him to consume Kojou and claim the Fourth Primogenitor's power for himself? Vampires, after all, could grow stronger by devouring one another. Kojou, a human transformed into the Fourth Primogenitor during the Blazing Banquet, might be especially susceptible to such a fate.
August leaned back, contemplating the peculiarities of vampires in this world.
Their immortality, derived from what was often referred to as "God's Curse." fascinated him. They possessed near-limitless lifespans, and even the weakest among them enjoyed a longevity that defied logic.
More curious still were their familiars—mighty creatures bound to their masters. While these beasts were not exclusive to vampires, the energy they required to function was immense, rendering them usable only by beings with nearly infinite vitality. Vampires fit this description perfectly.
Even the process by which vampires grew stronger intrigued him. Unlike typical means of training or experience, they relied on "inherent accumulation over time." This gradual enhancement could be accelerated by consuming blood, but the process remained painstakingly slow by human standards.
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