The Legend of Level 0 in Academy City

Inside the stairwell on one side of the rooftop.

boom!

Inoue Hideka threw the arbitration tribunal on the ground, looked down at it with a gloomy expression, and said in a deep voice:

"Arbitration trial, is that it? Let me make this clear first: I'm not killing you not because I'm kind-hearted and can't bring myself to do it, nor because I'm afraid of provoking you arbitrators, but simply because Ruiko doesn't want me to kill you! That's why I've decided to respect Ruiko's decision while ensuring her safety. Do you understand?"

"Heh... So, aren't you afraid I'll do something to hurt Saten again?"

The arbitrator, who had fallen to the ground, was completely unconcerned about his unseemly state. He laughed self-deprecatingly and asked Inoue Hideka a question.

"That's exactly what I was going to ask you. Will you ever do anything to hurt Ruiko again in the future?"

Looking seriously at the arbitration proceedings, Inoue Hideka asked very earnestly.

He did indeed review the arbitration proceedings and knew that his current actions were not what he truly desired.

But humans are strange creatures; when they act on emotion, no one can be sure what they will do.

Therefore, what Inoue Hideka needs now is the attitude of the arbitration trial, to determine how to deal with him: whether to secretly kill him, erase his memory, or...

"Hurturing Saten again? How could I possibly do that! You like her too, right? Do you even need to ask that question? I've already hurt her once, and I'm already guilty beyond redemption. How could I possibly do the same thing again?!"

"is it?"

Faced with the sudden and heated arbitration hearing, Inoue Hideka responded calmly.

"So what are your plans now? Ruiko is my girlfriend, you... there's no way! Now that you know that, what are your plans?"

"I...I...what should I do? I don't know...Saten-san...she must hate me to death right now, right?"

Upon hearing Inoue Hidekazu's question, the arbitrator once again lowered his head in dejection, covered his head, and muttered in frustration.

"Ha... He says he likes her, but he doesn't understand her at all! Ruiko is such a kind girl. I can say that, up to now, no one has been so awful that she hates them!"

Inoue Hideka looked at the arbitration panel with disdain, mocking it with an arrogant attitude, which he considered to be nothing short of narcissistic.

"I know, of course I know that Saten-san is kind, but... but! I can't forgive myself for doing such a terrible thing! How can I say I like her? How can I even stand in front of her!"

"So, what are you going to do? Tell me! What are you going to do next?!"

Looking directly into the eyes of the arbitrator, Inoue Hideka, with an aggressive look in her eyes, demanded an answer.

"Yes... what should I do now? What else can I do? How can I wash away my sins? How can I make amends for the mistakes I've made?"

The arbitrator muttered to himself with a blank stare, then seemed to suddenly remember something, and a glimmer of light returned to his eyes.

"Make amends...? So, it seems the only way is to make amends to her."

His expression gradually cleared, a resolute look flashed across the arbitrator's face, he stood up, stood straight in place, looked resolutely at Inoue Hideka, and solemnly said:

"I want to make amends to Saten-san, I want to atone for my sins! Having done such a thing, I no longer expect Saten-san to forgive me, but I want to do everything in my power to protect her from such harm again, you..."

His resolute expression suddenly softened, and the arbitrator, in an almost pleading tone, asked Inoue Hideka:

"Would you allow me to silently protect her from behind?"

"Seriously?"

As Inoue Hideka asked this question, he was also using his abilities to observe the mental state of the arbitration panel.

"Yes! I know I'm not qualified to say such things now, but no matter what, from this moment on, I will risk my life as an arbitrator and the honor of my family, and I will absolutely not allow anyone to hurt her again!"

"Remember what you said today: arbitration and trial! If you fail to do so, even if I'm in hell, I'll climb up and strangle you!"

After glaring fiercely at the arbitrator and saying those words, Inoue Hideka turned and left.

Having just reviewed the arbitration proceedings, Inoue Hideka is now certain that he is not lying.

If that's the case, then he's relieved.

Three processing methods.

If the arbitrator harbors even the slightest resentment or hatred, Inoue Hideka will not hesitate to find an opportunity to secretly kill him to prevent future troubles!

If he wavers in his attitude, Inoue Hideka will respect Saten Ruiko's decision, not kill him, but erase his memory.

The last one is like this now—if he firmly declares that he will protect Saten Ruiko from now on, Inoue Eika will let him go.

At least this way, it won't harm Saten Ruiko. With one more person protecting her, Inoue Eika can feel more at ease.

If, by some chance, he is gone one day, at least there will still be someone who can protect her and is willing to risk their life for her.

Some time ago, Inoue Hideka talked to Kamijou Touma about whether he could protect Saten Ruiko in his place if he died.

Although, Touma Kamijou did indeed convince him.

But he couldn't put his mind at ease.

He still harbored worries and anxieties.

As someone who was once possessed by Michael, Inoue Hideka couldn't be sure if she would be targeted by the Right Flame.

If he were to die at the hands of the Right Flame, then at least he would hope that someone could protect Saten Ruiko in his place.

With Izali around, Inoue Eika can feel a little more at ease.

But Saten Ruiko and Inoue Hideka have yet to meet someone they can entrust their lives to.

Although the current arbitrator is incompetent, his family is the number one conglomerate in Asia and one of the top conglomerates in the world. If he wants to protect Saten Ruiko, he should at least be able to do a better job than I am.

This approach is helpless, frustrating, and irresponsible.

But Inoue Hideka really had no choice.

Who is the person with the fire on the right?

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this is the pinnacle that humans can achieve, would it?

No matter how hard Inoue Eika tries, even as a time traveler, there is no way to defeat someone like that.

How can he possibly fight someone who possesses the power to save the world and whom even the Illusion Killer cannot defeat?

Even after racking his brains, Inoue Hidekazu couldn't come up with a way to avoid it.

All he can do is try his best and leave the rest to fate!

Chapter 371 I can prove I'm a man!

evening.

Inside a supermarket in the seventh school district.

Inoue Hideka pushed the shopping cart, following behind Saten Ruiko, smiling as she watched Saten Ruiko pick and choose, while diligently learning how to select ingredients.

Saten Ruiko kept nagging and patiently explaining to Inoue Eika what to pay attention to when buying vegetables.

For example, sprouted potatoes can cause poisoning if eaten.

For example, the large green beans are already old.

For example, pork tenderloin that is dark in color has been stored for a while and is not fresh...etc.

Gradually, the smile on Inoue Hideka's face froze.

He was completely bewildered by all this, pushing the shopping cart with one hand and frantically scratching his head with the other, his face full of confusion.

"Whee!"

Perhaps noticing Inoue Hideka's predicament, Saten Ruiko finally stopped, put the onion she was holding into the shopping cart, and looked at Inoue Hideka with a grin, saying:

"Hmph! Serves you right! Who told you to treat me like that last night!"

"Huh...? I knew it, Ruiko was definitely doing it on purpose..."

Seeing Saten Ruiko's happy expression, Inoue Hideka's face darkened even more. With a look of utter despair, he weakly complained.

He gets a headache just looking at vegetables and meat, let alone calm down and think about what kind of dishes are delicious and edible.

He had finally made up his mind to slowly approach these things that he found repulsive, but as soon as Saten Ruiko entered the vegetable market, she started talking non-stop about things that were like gibberish to him. How could he possibly listen to her?

Despite the discomfort, he forced himself to absorb what Saten Ruiko was saying, only to find that it was becoming increasingly difficult to understand, and his head was starting to feel bigger and bigger.

"So, if Ruizi has calmed down, can we let it go for today? I don't want to come into contact with any more of this 'green' knowledge now!"

"Well……"

Saten Ruiko pondered, seemingly seriously considering the question.

Inoue Hideka couldn't help but feel nervous, anxiously awaiting Saten Ruiko's final verdict.

"Pfft! Haha! Alright then... It's a pity I haven't had enough fun yet... But since Eika has so sincerely requested it, then Lady Ruiko will be merciful and let you off the hook for now! If there's a next time... Hmph!"

"call……"

Hearing Saten Ruiko's words, Inoue Hideka breathed a sigh of relief, a fawning smile spreading across his face. He grinned and said in a cheeky tone:

"Hehe! I knew Ruizi was the best! I promise I'll behave myself from now on and there won't be a next time!"

Okay, next time I'll just go straight for it, and I'll make sure you're completely submissive and never dare to resist me again...

"Huh? Yinghua! Are you thinking about something bad?"

The moment Inoue Hideka had this thought, Saten Ruiko immediately turned her head with a suspicious look, as if she could read Inoue Hideka's mind.

"No, no! Absolutely not! How could that be! How could I possibly be thinking anything bad! Ah~~ right! Have you finished shopping? Let's go back now!"

Inoue Hideka broke out in a cold sweat, pushing the shopping cart forward a few steps as she spoke, avoiding Saten Ruiko's oppressive gaze.

"Hmph! Bastard!"

Saten Ruiko muttered under her breath as she caught up with Inoue Eika's pace. She reached out and grabbed Inoue Eika's arm, forcibly slowing him down, then looked up at Inoue Eika with a smile.

"I promise I'll listen to Yinghua from now on, so please don't try to bully me anymore, okay?"

Inoue Hideka's eyes lit up, and she subconsciously asked in return:

"Really?"

These words slipped out of his mouth, and immediately Inoue Hideka realized that he had been tricked!

Oh no! This is bad...

"Ha ha……"

Saten Ruiko forced a formulaic smile, and then...