Akiha Tohno... is truly a little beauty in the making!
Haruka Kasugano couldn't help but lick his lips.
"You seem to be bluffing, Makihisa Tohno," Haruka Kasugano suddenly said with a sinister laugh.
At the sight of that smile, a chill ran down Makihisa's spine.
"Were you hoping I'd just back off on my own? Sorry... I'm much greedier than you think!" Haruka Kasugano continued his eerie chuckling.
Makihisa couldn't take it anymore. He knew Haruka Kasugano intended to kill him; otherwise, the man wouldn't have let himself be discovered in the secret room on purpose. Despite his own strength, Makihisa lacked the confidence to face the composed man before him. Years of killing experience told him one thing: he couldn't handle this opponent alone.
Through years of effort, Makihisa had turned the Tohno family into the most powerful and mysterious conglomerate in Misaki Town. Every family member possessed a "Demon Bloodline" (similar to vampires), granting them superhuman abilities. However, this blood was a curse; the Tohno family suffered from short lifespans and bizarre deaths—madness, accidents, murders, or vanishing without a trace.
Makihisa immediately screamed toward the door: "Someone, come—"
BOOM—
Before he could finish his sentence, the world transformed into Circe's Reality Marble. Haruka Kasugano had instantly activated her Bond CE.
"A Reality Marble... how is this possible?" Makihisa's terror peaked. Even a True Magician might not be able to deploy a Reality Marble; it was clear the person before him was terrifyingly powerful.
Inside the Reality Marble, the "Heavens, Earth, and People" were all inverted. It went from Haruka Kasugano infiltrating the mighty Tohno estate alone to Makihisa being trapped and surrounded by Haruka Kasugano's domain!
"Let's talk! Name your conditions! I can satisfy anything!" Makihisa panicked.
"Fine," Haruka Kasugano smiled. "Commit suicide, and I'll spare your family."
"You..." Makihisa was stunned.
What a tragedy... is this retribution for me wiping out the Nanaya family?
With a roar of fury, his Inversion Impulse triggered. He lost his mind and lunged at Haruka Kasugano with bestial ferocity. Despite his demon blood and formidable combat prowess, even in his frenzied state, he froze in the next second.
Haruka Kasugano swung the Silver Arm with full force. A golden light cannon, vast as the sky, instantly filled Makihisa's entire field of vision.
How am I supposed to play against this...
BANG—
Makihisa was sent flying by Haruka Kasugano's ferocious strike. Surprisingly, he didn't die instantly; he merely coughed up a large amount of blood before falling unconscious. It had to be said, as the head of the Tohno family, he did possess some genuine strength.
Haruka Kasugano gently set Kohaku on the ground and comforted her: "Don't be afraid. This man is a villain. I'm just doing Heaven's work by punishing evil and rewarding good."
"Mm-hmm..." Kohaku nodded obediently.
Leaving aside the effects of Haruka Kasugano's skills, Kohaku already detested Makihisa for imprisoning her and forcing her to use her abilities as a "Synchronizer." A Synchronizer's ability involves sharing their own life force with the person they are contracted to. Even without being violated, the process was excruciatingly painful. Seeing a kind, handsome older brother come to her rescue filled Kohaku with joy.
Haruka Kasugano raised the Silver Arm again, walking slowly toward Makihisa to end his life. But at the last moment, he changed his mind.
No, killing him like this isn't the smartest move... how can I maximize the profit here?
Haruka Kasugano stopped and used his unique [Mathematical Thinking] to deliberate. A cunning glint flashed in his eyes as a brilliant plan took shape. He deactivated the Reality Marble and used a Command Spell to summon Circe.
Since stealing the Command Spells from Risei Kotomine, Haruka Kasugano's capacity had shot from a measly three to dozens. Even better, if he used ten at once, they would regenerate at a rate of one every 24 hours. He could afford to be extravagant.
WHOOSH—
Circe appeared by his side in the blink of an eye. "Piglet~! Why did you call me again? Did you find another cute little sister?" she asked with a mischievous grin.
Then she saw Kohaku. "Wow! There really is a little sister! She's so cute!" Circe rushed over to cuddle and nuzzle Kohaku.
Haruka Kasugano hurried her along: "Alright, that's enough. She has a twin sister too; we'll take them both later. Business first!"
"Really? A twin sister must be super cute too!" Circe hopped around excitedly.
"Here, take out your Kykeon. Turn him into an animal, and then we can manipulate him to do something interesting!" Haruka Kasugano said with a smirk.
Circe looked puzzled. "Piglet, you can make Kykeon yourself~! Why call me?"
"Because yours is stronger. This man has vampire blood; his Magic Resistance might be high. Using yours is safer!"
"In that case, I'll have to make my highest quality Kykeon!" Circe turned serious, whipping up a concentrated batch and forcing it down Makihisa's throat.
In a few moments, Makihisa Tohno turned into a brown bear.
ROAR—
Since his mind was completely controlled by Circe, he could do nothing but growl.
"Perfect. Now, let's spend some time putting on a masterpiece of a show!"
Circe used her means to let Makihisa temporarily regain human form to act as the head of the family one last time. Through a series of perfectly "legal" procedures, the guardianship of the twins, Kohaku and Hisui, was officially transferred to Haruka Kasugano. This handled their identities and allowed Hisui—who hadn't been harmed yet—to leave with him willingly.
To hide his true objective, Haruka Kasugano had Makihisa announce to the family that he was going into seclusion in the deep mountains to cultivate, leaving the Tohno affairs behind. Naturally, the succession fell to the young Shiki Tohno (represented by the family).
Before "leaving," Makihisa left a mysterious marriage contract in the estate. When Akiha Tohno saw it, she was struck dumb.
[Akiha, as your father, I have betrothed you to a man named Haruka Kasugano. He shall be your fiancé! You are to marry him when you grow up!]
[Though he is more than ten years older than you, as a close friend of the Tohno family, I believe this is a perfect match!]
Akiha was stunned. She had always harbored a secret crush on "Shiki," but now her father had betrothed her to a strange, older man! But Makihisa was always tyrannical; she had no room to resist his final decree.
"I'm sorry, Brother... I can't stay by your side anymore..." Akiha murmured through her tears.
Inside the contract was a photo of Haruka Kasugano with a note: Your fiancé lives in the neighboring Misaki City. Visit him when you have time to foster your relationship!
"Sigh... he looks quite handsome, at least..." Akiha looked at the photo, her heart filled with complex emotions as she let out a helpless sigh.
Having outlived his usefulness, the "bear" Makihisa was then executed.
The following weekend, Haruka Kasugano drove to the Tohno estate. He was there to openly pick up Kohaku and Hisui. And, of course, to make an impression on his fiancé.
Jie jie jie jie~!
Haruka Kasugano walked into the Tohno mansion. As the "Son-in-law" of the family, everyone treated him with utmost respect. Led by the head maids, Kohaku and Hisui were brought before him.
Kohaku, naturally cheerful and knowing the "inside story," threw herself into his arms excitedly. Hisui, however, was nervous and stiff. She didn't know him well and was quite shy.
She even reminded her sister: "Sister... don't be like that. We don't even know if Lord Haruka likes us..."
"But Kohaku likes Lord Haruka the most-most-most!" Kohaku clung to him, speaking her mind.
"Honestly, Sister..." Hisui felt helpless.
After Haruka Kasugano got them into the car, Akiha Tohno stepped forward nervously. Haruka Kasugano turned and smiled at her. Under the effect of the [Love Spot], Akiha was instantly mesmerized.
He's so handsome... I knew from the photo he wasn't a greasy old man, but the real thing is way better... I want to grow up faster...
"Hello... I am Akiha... your fiancée..." she said bashfully. Though she was young, her future beauty was already apparent. She was a bit flat-chested, but her long, elegant limbs made up for it.
Haruka Kasugano patted her head and teased: "Grow up quickly, and I'll come marry you~!"
"Mm-hmm!" Akiha's excitement peaked.