Conan: I've been linked to the tech tree system.

'Come, turn to ashes in the flames!'

Koizumi Akako, suffering from chuunibyou (middle school syndrome), thought excitedly.

Just as the giant fireball encountered some obstacle and was about to hit Tohru Tono, it suddenly disintegrated and scattered into sparks.

?

Tohru Tohru stood there unharmed, even giving her a relaxed smile.

Koizumi Akako felt as if her pride, which she had always held, had shattered in two.

So, the red magic I was so proud of was nothing more than a toy?!

Chapter 90 Trouble Always Comes in Succession

"Boom boom boom"

A barrage of fireballs and fire snakes hurtled toward Tono, but they all vanished just before they were about to hit him.

The suppressive firepower had no effect whatsoever; the magic stored in his body was almost depleted, and he couldn't inflict any damage on the motionless opponent in front of him.

Koizumi Akako tried to secretly unleash mind control magic midway through, but it had no effect whatsoever.

"Hey, have you had enough?"

Tohru Tohno was getting a little bored, and the duration of the [Adrenaline Rush] was also running out.

So he prepared to fight back.

"Zila"

A sharp electrical sound rang out, and the shield, which continuously absorbed AP particles and converted their energy into electrical energy, flickered with electric light. Countless tiny electric balls filled the surface of the hemispherical shield.

Tohru Tono, shield in hand, charged toward Akako Koizumi. With his physical abilities boosted sevenfold, the electric ball silently traced a dazzling arc of electricity through the air.

After a long while, a whistling sound like birdsong rang out.

'Let's call this move Chidori.'

Tohru Tohno nodded in satisfaction, completely unconcerned about the potential copyright disputes that might arise from this naming.

Koizumi Akako stood frozen in place, the right side of her hair now charred black.

—That was the trace left by the electric light.

"...I lost." Koizumi Akako bit her lip, her proud head bowed to Tono Toru with a look of resentment.

"Wasn't this something that was destined to happen? Why make me take action?"

Tohno sighed; this battle was truly inexplicable.

“I am completely immune to your magic, and I am not a magician—please do not attack me again without my knowledge.”

Tohru Tohno thought for a moment and continued, "However, we can exchange contact information. Maybe I'll need your help in the future."

"...I understand. The loser in a magical duel will naturally become a servant."

"So what exactly did you understand?!"

"I will obey your commands for now, until I can figure out a way to defeat you."

Koizumi Akako openly and honestly spoke to herself.

"..." Tohru Tohru was unable to refute, waved to the dumbfounded Kaito Kid at his feet, and flew towards Beika Town.

When he first activated the [Adrenaline Burst], he was unsure of the extent of weakness his body would experience after the adrenaline subsided. So, to be on the safe side, he decided to retreat while there were still a few minutes left, so as not to expose his true nature of being outwardly strong but inwardly weak.

Soon, he turned into a tiny black shadow in the distance and disappeared.

Only Koizumi Akako, who had bitten her lips until they bled, remained, staring at Kaito Kid below.

"Um... this is your own fault, it has nothing to do with me."

Having watched the entire match, Kaito Kuroba couldn't bear the resentful look from his classmate and slipped away in his cloak.

He hadn't expected that the witch would be at a disadvantage... He should have joined the battle too—of course, to help Tohno Toru.

That way, we might even be on the winning side and sign some unfair treaties, making our time at school a little more comfortable...

However, we need to be more careful with Tohru Tohru from now on. That guy can even beat a witch, yet he's always kept a low profile... who knows if he's planning to rule the world.

......

When I got home, before I even had a chance to hang up my clothes, I heard some strange news from Tachibana Maya.

"A cocktail party for the Ichijo family?"

Tohru Tohru raised an eyebrow, and the image of Misaki flashed through his mind, making him realize that things were not so simple.

He's attended many cocktail parties and never lacks similar invitations... but why did they invite "Starlight" as well?

Putting aside how a normal person would find the contact information—does "Starlight" sound like the kind of person who would attend any high-profile parties?

"Want me to help you refuse, boss?"

Tohru Tono glanced at Maya Tachibana. Lately, for some reason, she seemed to really like calling him "boss."

Moreover, unlike the normal way of addressing someone, her "boss" always has a seductive trailing off, somewhat like a teasing tone.

It’s really floating.

“...No, next.” Tono said.

"Hmm? Why would anyone involved in the underworld accept such an invitation that looks suspicious?"

"Why not... Are you saying my identity as 'Starlight' is not respectable?"

"What do you think about making a deal with the Black Organization?"

"Pfft." A soft laugh came from the side.

Tohru Tono looked in the direction of the sound and saw Shiho Miyano sitting at the bar drinking coffee. She was staring intently at the heart-shaped latte art floating on her coffee, as if the laughter from before was just an illusion.

"Hey, why aren't you working yet—I didn't hire you to drink coffee."

Toru Tono turned his attention to Shiho Miyano, revealing the ugly face of a capitalist.

Despite his words, he was actually quite satisfied with Shiho Miyano's work efficiency—the reason was the 2% increase in the "APTX-4869 research progress bar" and the extra 400 biological enhancement points in the [Biological Enhancement] module of the system panel after he handed over the complete data of APTX-4869 to Shiho Miyano.

As it turns out, Shiho Miyano is an extremely hardworking and scientifically gifted young woman.

She is someone that Tachibana Maya, who spends all her time watching dramas, should learn from.

"Oh dear, I only get a short break during the tea break after meals. Compared to a certain 'inventor' who goes out all day and leaves early and returns late, I certainly don't work hard enough."

Tohno Toru thought she was talking about Professor Agasa next door.

The sharp-tongued girl suddenly launched a counterattack, and Tohno Toru turned his attention back to Tachibana Maya.

"Do I have to pretend to be 'Starlight' again?"

Maya Tachibana felt that she understood Toru Tohno's thoughts.

"No, I'm afraid this time it's aimed at me—so I'll personally take the stage."

"What about your own invitation?"

"I have a way of dealing with this."

Toru Tono pondered for a moment, then suddenly called out to Shiho Miyano, who had just finished her coffee and was about to continue walking down from the lab.

"Just in case, you should go this time too."

"?" Shiho Miyano turned around in confusion. "I'm 'Sherry,' who's wanted by the Black Organization. Have you forgotten?"

"Don't worry, no one will recognize you with the mask on."

Toru Tohno had absolute confidence in his invention. "This situation really requires your help."

His gaze was sincere, filled with pleading.

"No, my job doesn't include helping you out of trouble."

Shiho Miyano remained unmoved and refused him without hesitation.

"Hey, I fed you, gave you shelter, and even helped you save your sister, and this is how you repay me?"

Seeing that the other party was being so disrespectful, Tohru Tohru simply stopped pretending and laid his cards on the table: "If you don't help me, I'll cut off your video communication with your sister."

"mean."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Tono revealed a smug expression.

I can't even control you anymore?

Chapter 91 The Ichijo Family Party (Part 1)

So-called cocktail parties are just occasions where a group of well-dressed people communicate about shady dealings while clinking glasses. In essence, they are no different from the underground dens set up by thieves who steal electric bicycles and divide up their "work" areas for their own benefit.

Tohru Tono has always believed this.

Therefore, he always felt that this kind of occasion was very unbecoming of his identity as a great inventor.

Unfortunately, one is often caught up in the ways of the world, and Tohru Tohno, who was determined never to attend any low-end parties again, was ultimately forced to come to such an occasion once more.

However, attending the Ichijo family's party isn't too bad, since Ichijo Misaki's father, Ichijo Ken, is the most successful inventor in the world to monetize his inventions and the chairman of the Ichijo Group. The parties he organizes are quite influential, attracting many well-known inventors or researchers in the industry.

It's always good to get to know more people in the industry. Toru Tono is hoping to find someone soon to fill the two remaining gaps in the [Bio-Enhancement] module.

......

The valet respectfully opened the door of the silver-white Bentley Continental GT, and the man in a black, slim-fitting suit and trousers, with his gleaming leather shoes, was the first to appear under the media's flashlight.

Then came a man in a matching black suit and dark blue tie, with a carefree smile on his handsome face.

"Click"

A black suit that should evoke images of a salesperson or a real estate agent, worn on a perfectly proportioned figure and paired with a face that would take a woman's breath away upon first meeting, makes him look as dashing as a fashion magazine cover model.

"click" "click"

The flashes became more frequent. It was the first time Toru Tono had been surrounded by so many cameras. Although he tried his best to maintain a decent smile, he couldn't help but quicken his pace.