In Tokyo, building the Holy Light Girls team

Upon approaching, Natsuki looked at the girl with a satisfied expression: "Congratulations, Rika, you finally did it!"

Rika lowered her head shyly, and her cheeks flushed red after hearing Natsuki's praise: "It's all thanks to Natsuki-sensei. Without your guidance, I'm afraid Rika wouldn't have been able to do it for a while..."

Mai, hands on her hips, snorted, "Hey Natsuki, you're Rika's teacher, shouldn't you be concerned about her health in this situation?"

Rika quickly waved her hand: "No, Rika is used to it... No, Natsuki-sensei didn't mean that... She's always cared about us... Mai-sensei, please don't misunderstand..."

Xia Mu was about to explain something when she heard this, and couldn't help but smile. Mai, on the other hand, glanced back and forth between the two of them, then lightly covered her lips and said:

"It seems that a certain school counselor is quite important to Rika... I wonder if Sayuri and Shirashima feel the same way..."

Seemingly understanding the meaning behind Mai's words, Rika wanted to explain again, but her face flushed red and she couldn't find the words to say. Just as Natsuki was about to step forward to explain, her gaze suddenly caught a glimpse of light, and she couldn't help but look over, a look of surprise on her face.

"Hey, this is..."

Amidst the two women's questioning gazes, Xia Mu stepped forward, took one of the women's arms, and said with burning eyes, "This is... the [Sacred Artifact] that I lost before!"

……

"What?!!!"

Sayuri slammed her hand on the table. The sudden action made Natsuki and Rika look puzzled, while Shiroshima across from them looked thoughtful.

"So you guys actually... encountered a girl who possesses a [Sacred Artifact]?"

and also?

Natsuki keenly sensed the key point in Sayuri's words and immediately asked, "What do you mean? Did you also encounter a holder of the [Sacred Artifact]?"

Rika nodded, and as she recounted her recent encounter with the ghost, a look of relief crossed her face at the end: "...Luckily, I ran into that girl when my mother and I were heading back. If it had been any later, perhaps..."

She didn't speak, but the outcome of her words was obvious: the girl's fate was unlikely to be good.

Right after Sayuri finished speaking, Shiroshima continued, "Actually, a similar incident happened in our women's volleyball team last night..."

After the two finished speaking, they both turned their gazes to Xia Mu, their eyes showing a hint of confusion. As if understanding the girl's thoughts, Xia Mu rubbed his temples in pain and began to explain:

"It seems that the [Sacred Artifact] I lost before has fallen into the hands of some people in this society. Considering my previous trip to the North Sea, the trail of the [Sacred Artifact]'s whereabouts may have spread throughout the entire country..."

Xia Mu had always thought that although the [Sacred Artifacts] were lost after that battle, they could probably be found quickly by searching the vicinity.

However, before the housing was even completed, several young girls were found to possess [sacred artifacts]. Recalling the mysterious man he had encountered earlier, a terrifying thought arose in his mind—

Could it be that all the [sacred artifact] I painstakingly crafted has already...

At this moment, Rika also began to analyze: "Do you think it's possible that the existence of the [Sacred Relic] is what attracted the attacks from the demons?"

Seeing that everyone's gazes were fixed on her, and their expressions simultaneously turned serious, seemingly influenced by the atmosphere, the girl subconsciously swallowed. Only after Xia Mu nodded did she continue:

"Because in the battles we've encountered before, there have always been wielders of [Sacred Artifacts], whether it's us or those girls who haven't awakened their powers. Don't you think this is too much of a coincidence?"

Natsuki frowned, but still nodded in agreement: "Rika's analysis makes some sense. Perhaps during this time, those Illuminati guys have already found a way to locate the aura of holy light..."

In his deduction, he had completely determined that the previous appearances of the ghosts were traces of the Illuminati's actions. After all, so far, only those guys would go to such lengths to drive the ghosts to absorb as much life force as possible!

However, after searching through all the memories of the soul crystals he had absorbed in the past, there weren't many fragments related to this crucial clue. Xia Mu had reason to suspect that even the mysterious Illuminati might have only recently found a way to locate the aura of holy light...

As he pondered, the twin-tailed girl opposite him opened her mouth slightly, seemingly hesitating about something. Finally, after her gaze swept over the [Sacred Artifacts] above the heads of the other two girls, she couldn't help but ask:

"Teacher Xia Mu, may I confirm with you how many [Sacred Artifacts] you actually created back then?"

……

Chapter 156 Fifty or sixty?!

"Teacher Xia Mu, may I confirm with you how many [Sacred Artifacts] you actually created back then?"

Sayuri's words seemed to voice the doubts of the other two girls, who both looked at Natsuki with curiosity until the man pondered for a moment before replying:

"I don't remember the exact number, but I think... there should be fifty or sixty..."

"Wait, fifty...sixty??? Did I hear that right?!"

Sayuri stood up abruptly, her face filled with surprise, her chest heaving with a surge of emotion from her sudden movement.

The other two girls also covered their mouths, as if they had heard the most unbelievable thing in the world.

For the three girls, the [Sacred Artifacts] given to them by Xia Mu seemed to have some unique meaning. However, after hearing about the number of [Sacred Artifacts] from Xia Mu, they seemed to realize that the [Sacred Artifacts] were not as rare as they had imagined.

Seeing the reactions of the others, Xia Mu sighed, looked towards the door, and had a rather helpless expression.

"Perhaps I was being too cautious? Ever since I learned that our opponent was that powerful organization, I've wanted to become stronger through various means. Forging the [Holy Artifact] was supposed to help me refine my abilities, but unexpectedly, it has created this kind of trouble..."

Of course, for Xia Mu at that time, it also seemed to be a test of the [Sacred Artifact]'s effect on multiple Resonators. However, before it could be officially implemented, the [Sacred Artifact] was suddenly lost!

Recalling the events of that time, he even began to suspect that perhaps the Illuminati member was also connected to the loss of the [Holy Relic]...

Fortunately, the three girls quickly understood the man's thoughts after hearing Natsuki's answer. Sayuri, in particular, had tears welling up in her eyes. She rushed over, took Natsuki's hand, and gazed into his eyes, saying affectionately:

"I understand, Teacher Xia Mu. The reason you did that was simply because we were too weak back then and not strong enough to deal with such an enemy!"

“But we are all strong now, so you don’t have to carry all that pressure on yourself. No matter how strong the enemy is, Sayuri and everyone else will always be there to face the future with you!”

"This……"

Hearing the girl's heartfelt "confession," Xia Mu was deeply moved, especially when he looked at the other two girls, who also showed similar expressions. He couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

"Alright, in that case, I'll temporarily entrust my back to you!"

Just then, Rika's gaze suddenly fell on Sayuri and Natsuki's hands, and a scene flashed through her mind—the scene of Natsuki and Mai appearing together. Her mouth opened slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but she couldn't utter a word.

"Alright, that concludes today's meeting!"

"The effects of the [Sacred Artifact] on ghosts still require further case analysis, so I'll trouble you to do that—"

"If possible, please continue to keep an eye on those girls who possess the [Holy Artifacts] that we encountered before. Ensure their safety without disrupting their lives. I will do my best to help. Thank you for your hard work!"

By the end, Natsuki's expression had turned sincere, and the girls quickly nodded in response. Sayuri even said with conviction, "Don't worry, to protect the world's justice and to protect the girls who also have a mission, Sayuri will do her duty without hesitation!"

Seeing the girl's determined look, Natsuki gently stroked her hair, and Sayuri's eyes immediately narrowed comfortably. If a tail were attached to the girl's back, she would probably look no different from a cat.

After the Holy Light team's meeting ended, Natsuki temporarily left due to work matters, and Shiroshima also had to take care of the women's volleyball team's affairs, so they left together. In the blink of an eye, only Sayuri and Rika remained in the activity room.

"Hmph hmph hmph... Hmph hmph hmph hmph hmph..."

Sayuri seemed quite happy about what had just happened. She hummed a song as she got up, went to the table, picked up a piece of paper, and started writing and drawing on it.

Her skirt swayed playfully in the sunlight as the girl moved. Seeing this, Rika hesitated slightly, but still spoke:

"Sayuri-san, there's something very important I need to tell you..."

So Rika recounted her encounter with the two at the shrine, then swallowed hard and looked at the girl anxiously, worried that it might affect her condition.

Sure enough, right after Rika finished speaking, Sayuri's joyful movements suddenly stopped. She turned her back to Rika, her shoulders trembling slightly. In that instant, Rika seemed to sense that some "melancholy" emotion was spreading from the bottom of the girl's heart.

"Sayuri-kun, actually..."

As classmates and having developed a bond through battle, Rika couldn't help but worry. Just as she was about to comfort Sayuri, she saw the girl suddenly sigh.

"Actually, I already knew."

"what?"

Rika exclaimed in surprise, "Sayuri-san, when did you find out?"

Sayuri recalled for a moment: "It must have been a long time ago, when I was looking for Natsuki-sensei, I ran into him and Mai-sensei. They were doing... that kind of intimate thing. Maybe only lovers could do that?"

After saying that, she laughed self-deprecatingly: "Besides, given how much I like that man, do you really think that I'm unaware of this rather obvious relationship?"

Rika couldn't help but ask again, "If that's the case, then why is Sayuri-san..."

Upon hearing this, Sayuri simply turned around silently, a strange smile blooming on the girl's face.

"The reason is simple."

"For me, Natsuki-sensei has become a very important figure in Sayuri's heart and even in her future life!"

"It was because of meeting that man that Sayuri discovered that there were so many wonderful things in her life and even the world!"

"so--"

She paused for a moment, then suddenly clenched her fist.

"I understand. The reason why Natsuki-sensei is with Mai is because Mai-sensei is the only one he can choose as a lover!"

"If a few more years pass and Sayuri grows into an outstanding woman, I don't believe that Mr. Natsuki will be able to resist Sayuri's charm. Maybe he'll even pursue me instead, hahaha..."

"..."

Seeing Sayuri laughing to herself, Rika was stunned for a moment, then turned and left abruptly: "If I had known it would turn out like this... Rika shouldn't have gotten involved in your affairs!"

……

Chapter 157 Illusion?

In fact, when Rika closed the activity room door, leaned back, and looked at the scenery in front of her, a sound that only she could hear drifted out.

"If only... I could be as brave as Sayuri..."

……

Ta-da... Ta-da...

The school bell rang again from somewhere in the schoolyard, and as the sounds of laughter and chatter gradually subsided, the entire school became quiet and deserted.

At that moment, below a certain building, a curly-haired man walked through the corridor and went straight to the office called the school clinic.

He knocked on the door but received no response. A puzzled look appeared on his face: "Strange, was the message not delivered? Or has Mizuno-sensei already left?"

No sooner had the words left her lips than a familiar voice came from inside: "Is that Teacher Xia Mu? Please come in!"

So, Xia Mu simply turned the handle, and the moment the door opened, a charming figure was looking towards the window. When she heard the sound, she finally turned around with a slightly apologetic smile on her face.

"I'm sorry, the school was just too beautiful at that moment. I was so focused that I didn't react immediately. But I think the kind-hearted Natsuki-sensei will forgive Mizuno's 'rude' behavior, right?"

It's the same familiar feeling. Her expression is playful, but it still feels out of place with her hot body and alluring curves. Especially under the setting sun, the white stockings covering her beautiful legs shimmer slightly, giving Mizuno's every move a strange charm.

This made Natsuki compare them in his mind. Compared to Mai's introverted nature, Mizuno was much more unrestrained. These two completely different differences made Natsuki's eyes slightly moved every time he saw Mizuno.

However, Natsuki had clearly adapted to the "alluring" effect of Mizuno and quickly returned to a calm state.

He went straight to Mizuno's side and looked out the window with her, and couldn't help but sigh, "Indeed, this beautiful scenery can only be appreciated at this time of year. Mizuno-sensei is quite a romantic person!"

Mizuno chuckled: "Well then, I'll take it as Natsuki-sensei praising me. Speaking of which, it's been a long time since you last came here. I've missed you terribly!"