Even after leaving the Kamo Clan, Akemi Aki still retained many of the habits she had developed while living there. Whether it was her manners, the way she spoke, or the small details of daily life, years of following the clan's rules had left their mark on her.
Akira, on the other hand, was completely different. The habits from his previous life were already too deeply rooted, and he had little interest in changing them.
The difference between mother and son was especially obvious at times like this.
"Akira, be careful. Little Sha might start disliking you if you keep acting like that," Akemi Aki reminded him.
Little Sha was naturally her nickname for Gardevoir.
Hearing this, Akira turned toward Gardevoir with a smile.
"Really? Would you dislike me?"
"Sha~ Sha~"
Gardevoir immediately shook her head, even calling out twice instead of her usual single response.
Seeing how quickly she denied it, Akira couldn't help laughing.
"Good girl, good girl, good girl!"
He deliberately dragged out his words while rubbing Gardevoir's head. She made no attempt to avoid his hand. Instead, her eyes narrowed into happy crescents as she enjoyed the attention.
Watching their interaction from across the table, Akemi Aki couldn't help muttering under her breath.
"How strange. Why do I feel like making you two sleep in separate rooms has only made you closer?"
"Isn't that normal?" Akira replied casually. "It's like a spring. You don't notice much when there's no pressure, but once you press it down, the rebound becomes stronger."
He wasn't just saying that to make an excuse.
Akira could clearly feel that Gardevoir had become more attached to him recently.
After they started sleeping in separate rooms, the time they spent together had decreased by eight to ten hours every day. As a result, whenever they were together, Gardevoir seemed even less willing to leave his side.
If the system hadn't clearly labeled her personality as "reserved," Akira would almost have suspected that she was afraid of being lonely.
For a moment, he even considered giving her a proper name.
However, after thinking about it, he quickly dismissed the idea.
"As long as you're happy."
In the end, Akemi Aki could only shake her head helplessly.
If this had happened before they left the Kamo Clan, she would probably have started lecturing him about etiquette, proper behavior, and the rules that children of the Three Great Clans were expected to follow.
But things were different now.
After leaving that family, she no longer wanted to hold on to those rules. As far as she was concerned, nothing was more important than seeing her children live happily.
Whether it was Akira, Noritoshi Kamo, or even Gardevoir, she considered all three of them her family.
In fact, although Gardevoir wasn't human, Akemi Aki had always raised her as another daughter.
"Mom is the best!"
Hearing his mother's words, Akira immediately gave her an exaggerated compliment.
Gardevoir also leaned her head forward obediently.
"Sha~"
"Oh, you too?"
Akemi Aki smiled and reached out to stroke her head. Her movements were so natural that it was obvious she had done this countless times before.
"Little Sha is such a good girl."
After giving Gardevoir a few more gentle pats, she continued, "Don't worry. I won't interfere with how you two normally get along. Besides, starting from now on, I'll be going out to work during the day."
"Huh?"
Akira paused.
"Mom, why are you suddenly thinking about working?"
He was genuinely puzzled.
When they left the Kamo Clan, the family had given them a considerable severance payment. It was enough to ensure that they wouldn't have to worry about food or clothing for the rest of their lives, provided they didn't spend recklessly.
Besides, his mother hadn't worked for the past eight years.
Back in Shikoku, her daily life had consisted of tending flowers, practicing calligraphy, drinking tea, and occasionally taking care of household matters.
She had been living quite comfortably.
So why would she suddenly want to find a job?
"Because this is Tokyo, Akira. We're no longer living in the countryside of Shikoku."
Akemi Aki's explanation was simple.
However, it was enough for Akira to understand what she meant.
"Ah, right. Tokyo..."
He nodded.
Whether in his previous life or this one, living in a major city had never been cheap.
And Tokyo was no ordinary city.
As Japan's capital and one of the world's major international metropolises, its prices and living expenses were on an entirely different level from those of the countryside.
Back in the mountains of Shikoku, their branch of the Ake Clan had lived in a spacious two-story house, with more than enough room for everyone.
But after moving to Tokyo, they could only afford a three-bedroom apartment.
And just buying that apartment had already consumed most of the severance money.
In other words, the Kamo Clan's promise that they could live comfortably for the rest of their lives had one important condition.
They had to remain in the countryside.
It wasn't that the Kamo Clan couldn't afford to give them more money. For one of the Three Great Clans, such an amount was hardly worth mentioning.
Rather, the payment itself carried a subtle warning.
Stay in the countryside, live quietly, and grow old without causing trouble.
That was probably what the clan elders had intended.
Unfortunately for them, Akira had never planned to spend his entire life hiding in the mountains.
And now that they had moved to Tokyo, the money naturally wouldn't last forever.
If they wanted to maintain their current standard of living, someone would eventually have to work.
"Don't worry about me, Akira." Seeing that he understood, Akemi Aki smiled reassuringly. "I have a diploma from Kyoto University. Finding a decent job shouldn't be too difficult."
"...Wait, what?"
Akira looked up in surprise.
"Mom, didn't you graduate from Jujutsu technical college? Since when did you attend Kyoto University?"
Kyoto University!
That was one of Japan's top universities, standing alongside the University of Tokyo. Even internationally, its reputation was extremely high.
Having a diploma from such an institution was no small matter.
But in all the years he had known his mother, Akira had never once heard her mention studying there.
Seeing his surprised expression, Akemi Aki explained as though it were nothing special.
"Oh, that? It's actually one of the benefits of graduating from Jujutsu technical college."
"Benefits?"
"Yes. Since Jujutsu sorcerers need to operate in ordinary society, the higher-ups arrange academic credentials for graduates. That way, it's easier for us to handle public activities or find ordinary jobs after retirement."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"Of course, some sorcerers are forced to retire early because of injuries, so the credentials also serve as a form of security for them."
Akira listened carefully.
"Then Kyoto University..."
"Graduates from Kyoto Jujutsu technical college are generally assigned credentials from Kyoto University, while those from Tokyo Jujutsu technical college receive credentials from the University of Tokyo."
Akemi Aki took another sip of tea.
"If you have a particular university in mind, you can also request a different diploma. As long as the request isn't unreasonable, it's usually approved."
"..."
Akira's hand froze.
The piece of tempura he had just picked up slipped from his chopsticks.
Fortunately, before it could fall onto the table, an invisible force caught it in midair.
Under Gardevoir's precise control, the tempura floated back into Akira's bowl.
"Sha~"
"Thanks, Little Sha."
Akira casually picked up another piece of tempura and placed it in Gardevoir's bowl as a reward.
Then he sighed.
"That's actually a pretty good benefit. Looks like the Jujutsu higher-ups aren't completely useless after all."
Honestly, handing out diplomas from Japan's top universities sounded rather ridiculous.
If ordinary students heard about this, who knew how they would react?
They spent years studying, competing in examinations, and struggling to enter those universities, while Jujutsu sorcerers could obtain the same academic credentials simply by graduating from their technical colleges.
But after thinking about it, Akira felt that the arrangement made sense.
After all, Jujutsu sorcerers were an extremely small and valuable group.
Their work was dangerous, and serious injuries or deaths were hardly uncommon. Some might spend their entire careers dealing with Cursed Spirits, only to end up disabled before reaching middle age.
If the profession didn't provide attractive compensation and benefits, how many people would willingly choose such a life?
Looking at it from that perspective, providing graduates with academic credentials was actually a reasonable form of support.
And speaking of Jujutsu sorcerers...
Akira glanced at his mother.
She was sitting quietly with her usual gentle expression, looking like a perfect example of a Yamato Nadeshiko.
Elegant, graceful, and well-mannered.
It was almost impossible to imagine her doing anything particularly outrageous.
But then again, she had graduated from Jujutsu technical college.
Who knew what she had been like when she was younger?
After all, there was a reason people said that Jujutsu sorcerers were all a little crazy.
Akira couldn't help wondering what his gentle mother would look like if she really went all out.
Still, as her son, he sincerely hoped he would never have to find out.
Putting that thought aside, he returned to the matter at hand.
"Well, with a Kyoto University diploma, finding a job probably won't be difficult."
Akira nodded before continuing.
"But Mom, you really don't have to push yourself. If you enjoy growing flowers, practicing calligraphy, and drinking tea, then just keep doing those things."
"Hm?"
"I'll take care of making money."
Akira spoke as though he were discussing something perfectly ordinary.
"Isn't that what a man should do? Besides, I already promised that I'd support you for the rest of your life."
He wasn't saying it just to make his mother happy.
Akira genuinely intended to support her.
In fact, he was somewhat glad that they were living in Japan.
The idea of a husband working outside while his wife took care of the household was still quite common here, and the traditional atmosphere surrounding housewives was relatively strong.
For someone who had grown up in one of the Three Great Clans, such an arrangement was even more natural.
At least, saying that men should work and women could remain at home wouldn't sound particularly strange in their family.
If he had said the same thing somewhere else, he might have received a very different reaction.
Hearing her son's declaration, Akemi Aki was visibly touched.
However, she still shook her head.
"I know you're thinking about me, Akira. But you're only sixteen years old."
Her expression softened.
"There's no need to rush. You can support me after you become an adult. For now, just focus on your own life."
"But why wait until then?"
Akira smiled confidently.
"If I already have the ability to make money, wouldn't it be better to start now? Besides, I've already made the arrangements."
"You have?"
"Of course."
Akira turned toward Gardevoir.
"Little Sha, bring me the laptop."
"Sha~"
Gardevoir raised one finger.
Almost immediately, the laptop resting nearby floated into the air, surrounded by a faint glow of Psychic Power.
It moved smoothly across the room before landing in front of Akira.
"Thanks."
Akira opened the laptop, launched the browser, and skillfully navigated to the MF web novel site.
After a few clicks, a familiar title appeared on the screen.
*Infinite Stratos.*
It was one of the highly ranked works on the site.
Akira turned the screen toward his mother.
"Here, take a look."
"What is this?"
"A light novel I wrote."
"...Huh?"
Akemi Aki blinked.
Akira continued explaining with a casual smile.
"It's doing pretty well right now. Based on its current popularity, getting a print release shouldn't be a problem."
He clicked through several pages before adding, "And I've already finished the drafts for the first ten volumes. Even if I release them gradually, they'll be enough to last until I'm an adult, with some material left over."
"..."
This time, it was Akemi Aki's turn to fall silent.
She put down her chopsticks and leaned closer to the screen.
First, she checked the website.
Then she examined the title, the Author account, and the information displayed on the page.
Finally, she looked back at Akira.
"Akira... you really wrote this?"
"Who else?"
He pointed at the Author account.
"You can check it yourself."
Akemi Aki looked at the screen once more.
Only after confirming everything did she finally accept that the popular light novel in front of her had actually been written by her own son.
For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
"When did you have time to do all this?"
"Back in Shikoku."
Akira shrugged.
"I had nothing but time over there, remember?"
That was the truth.
During the eight years they had spent living in the countryside, Akira had enjoyed a peaceful life with very few interruptions.
And for someone who retained the memories of his previous life, having that much free time was practically a gift.
After all, he had never intended to spend those years doing nothing.
To Akira, enduring hardship didn't mean forcing himself to suffer for no reason.
If a person had the opportunity to prepare, then naturally, they should prepare.
There was no benefit in rushing forward without thinking, especially when the circumstances weren't in their favor.
Sometimes, keeping your abilities hidden and waiting for the right opportunity was the better choice.
And Akira had been doing exactly that.
In fact, his preparations had begun even earlier, back when he was still known as Noritsuna Kamo.
From the moment he realized what kind of world he had been born into, he had already started thinking about his future.
What could he do?
What resources did he have?
And more importantly, how could he use those resources to live the life he wanted?
Those were questions he had considered countless times.
By the time they finally left the Kamo Clan, Akira had already worked out a fairly complete plan.
Writing *Infinite Stratos* was merely one small part of it.
After all, he was a transmigrator.
And what was the most valuable asset a transmigrator possessed?
A System?
A Cheat Ability?
Some kind of External Boost?
Or perhaps knowledge of future events?
Naturally, all of those things were valuable.
A powerful System could give someone abilities that ordinary people could never obtain. A Cheat Ability might allow them to surpass the limits of their world, while knowledge of the future could help them avoid danger and seize opportunities before anyone else.
Akira wouldn't deny the advantages of any of them.
However, in his opinion, there was something even more important.
Something that many transmigrators tended to overlook.
An **"Optimization Method."**
In simpler terms, it was the way a person observed the world, analyzed their circumstances, and decided how to handle the problems in front of them.
Two people could possess the exact same resources and abilities, yet end up with completely different results because of how they chose to use them.
One might waste everything through carelessness, while the other could turn even a small advantage into something valuable.
That difference came from their way of thinking.
And to Akira, knowing how to think and make the right decisions was the real measure of a person's maturity.
After all, what was the point of having powerful abilities if you didn't know how to use them properly?
Even without a System or some heaven-defying Cheat Ability, a person who knew how to judge situations, use their advantages, and correct their mistakes would still have plenty of opportunities to succeed.
This was something Akira firmly believed after living for twenty-six years in his previous life.
As long as his "Optimization Method" was correct, then regardless of which world he ended up in or how terrible his starting point might be, he was confident that he could still make a decent life for himself.
And that was exactly what he intended to do in this world.