The next day, Aika Kiryuu and her two friends appeared at the morning roll call looking refreshed and glowing, following closely behind Rossweisse.
As Ethan watched the three girls, who showed no signs of fatigue despite the previous night's marathon, he had to admit his dual cultivation technique was flawlessly effective. He knew they had barely slept two hours, yet they weren't just physically fine—they were functionally superior to their peers. The essence exchange had boosted their physical constitutions by nearly fifty percent. If they were to take a fitness test now, they would outshine every ordinary girl in the school.
The girls were well aware of this change. While they didn't fully understand the mechanics of the "supernatural," they had decided to embrace the pleasure and the benefits without overthinking it. After experiencing Ethan, no ordinary man could ever pique their interest again.
Boldly, Aika led Katase and Murayama to invite Rossweisse to spend the day sightseeing with them. While students usually avoid teachers, the four of them now shared a profound, intimate secret. Rossweisse agreed. She saw this as an opportunity to act as Ethan's surrogate, slowly introducing the three girls to the concepts of the hidden world and magic.
While Rossweisse played the mentor, Ethan set off toward the location where the Nine-Tails, Yasaka, was being held. Little Kunou had found him immediately after roll call, pouting and clinging to him. She had used the ultimate weapon of a fox-eared loli—tears and acting cute—until Ethan gave in.
As Ethan carried Kunou toward their destination, a thick, unnatural black fog suddenly swirled around the bridge they were crossing.
"Ethan-sama, what is this?" Kunou whimpered, clutching his shirt.
Ethan chuckled, setting her down gently. "Don't worry. I was afraid of scaring the fish away, but it looks like they're biting."
A young male voice drifted through the darkness. "Tch. If I knew the Red Dragon Emperor had the same idea, I wouldn't have gone through all this trouble."
A slender figure emerged from the fog, a long spear resting casually across his shoulders.
"Cao Cao?" Ethan asked, though he already knew the answer.
"I'm surprised the Red Dragon Emperor knows my name," the black-haired youth replied with a smirk. Unlike his attitude toward the foolishly idealistic hosts of the past, Cao Cao showed Ethan a level of respect reserved for true power.
"No more talk," Ethan said dismissively. "Let's fight."
Ethan had no desire for long conversations with battle maniacs like Cao Cao or Vali. To him, Cao Cao—currently at the level of an Ultimate-class Devil—was simply too weak. Even with a Longinus, the gap was insurmountable.
Cao Cao, unaware that Ethan had already ascended to the rank of a Dragon God, took the casual stance as an insult. He gripped his spear, and a massive surge of mana cleared the surrounding fog.
"Looking down on me will cost you," Cao Cao hissed.