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There were no classes on Sunday morning, and the entire academy was unusually quiet.
Ryoji had just gotten out of bed when he saw his Senior Sister stepping out of the kitchen, dressed in a loose nightgown.
"You're awake, Junior Brother?"
She held a bowl of steaming hot tea in her hands. But the moment she caught sight of Ryoji's upper body— his skin marked with red blotches like a field of strawberries— her cheeks flushed slightly. Inwardly, she cursed herself for last night.
It had been her first time singing, yet she had been so unrestrained, so unlike her usual composed self. It was as if she had become a completely different person.
"I made you some tea. Warm up first, and we'll eat in a bit." She gently handed the white porcelain bowl to Ryoji.
Ryoji was about to ask why she used a bowl for tea, but as soon as he looked inside, his expression darkened.
Floating on the surface were wolfberries.
"...Senior Sister, do I really seem that weak to you?"
"That's not what I meant... It's just that I might've been too unrestrained, and well... Junior Brother, your body does seem a bit weak, doesn't it? It's good to replenish your strength!"
Sensing that Ryoji might get upset, she quickly explained, her expression full of sincerity.
"..."
Ryoji's face twisted into an unreadable expression.
In his eyes, there was a flicker of disappointment, a touch of self-mockery, a trace of unwillingness— and a whole lot of fighting spirit, as if his emotions were being displayed in a perfect pie chart distribution.
Siiip...
Taking the porcelain bowl, he quietly sipped the tea.
This was going to leave a psychological scar for life.
If he remembered correctly, last night, Senior Sister had even said that he was about to—
Ryoji's lips twitched. Not knowing what else to say, he muttered under his breath, "Damn it."
"Um… Junior Brother, since we already sang together last night, does that mean we...?"
She fidgeted, poking her fingers together, her gaze brimming with expectation.
Ryoji immediately caught on and let out a deep sigh.
"Senior Sister, you're something else. Weren't we already like that before?"
"You... really... When it comes to talking, I'll never be a match for you."
She rolled her eyes playfully and gave him a light punch on the shoulder.
But without realizing it, a smile had crept onto her lips, her eyes curving like crescent moons.
"With practice, you'll get better."
"...Junior Brother, you're terrible!"
Seeing the teasing look in his eyes, Touka— who was no longer a complete novice in such matters— suddenly understood his implication. She stifled a laugh, her gaze softening with affection.
But no matter how bad he was, she still liked him.
The duration of his Rationality Erosion was directly linked to the amount of time he used Reflective Divine Speed.
The first time he activated it, he had no experience and drained his entire Magic Power, only managing to sustain it for about ten seconds. It had taken two or three days for him to recover afterward.
But in last night's battle against Kurashiki Kuraudo, Ryoji had only used Reflective Divine Speed for a second or two. By morning, he had already regained his strength.
At noon, the two of them sat down for a meal personally prepared by Senior Sister.
A little past twelve, Touka left the dormitory with light steps, humming a cheerful tune as she made her way to the Student Council room. Even on weekends, the Student Council's workload never seemed to lighten.
After spending a cozy morning with Junior Brother, Toudou Touka was in such a good mood that she completely forgot about last night's lingering doubts— like why Junior Brother had gone out with her best friend.
"Senior Sister was the most enthusiastic last night, so why does she look completely fine now..."
Ryoji watched her energetic figure disappear down the hall and sighed heavily.
Having superior stamina really lets you do whatever you want.
Not only had she led the way while singing, but she also had zero aftereffects.
He, on the other hand, wasn't so lucky.
Even after resting the entire morning, he still felt completely drained, as if every ounce of energy had been siphoned out of him.
Ryoji was beginning to understand why the legal loli had been so apprehensive.
Even though they were both ranked A, her physical endurance and Senior Sister Touka's were clearly on different levels.
The legal loli could move freely under a hundred times gravity, something Touka definitely couldn't do. If she were subjected to that kind of force, she'd likely lose her ability to resist instantly.
If he had to quantify it, Touka was probably an A-rank in pure stamina, while the legal loli was closer to an A++.
If she had gone all out on him without restraint… Ryoji could already picture the bloody aftermath.
"…But seriously, why do I always end up thinking about that whenever I lose rationality?"
Ryoji fell into deep thought.
He considered himself a respectable person.
Sure, he had a sharp tongue and sometimes acted a bit perverted, but he'd had plenty of chances to cross the line. With his level of charm, it wouldn't have been difficult. Yet, despite all those opportunities, he had never actually done it.
"I can't possibly be that much of a pervert, right…?"
Shaking his head, Ryoji muttered to himself. Maybe he just didn't fully understand the logic behind his own actions when his rationality evaporated. There was still more to investigate.
Just then—
"Vrring~!"
Huh?
Ryoji froze.
A katana, shimmering with rippling silver light, materialized right in front of him, emitting a peculiar vibrating sound.
What the hell?
I didn't summon my Device, did I?
So why did this Vrring Sword suddenly appear, floating in mid-air?
And more importantly… why was it making sound effects on its own without even being swung?
"Buzz—!"
Before Ryoji could react, the blade emitted a soft, silver glow—like shimmering water— spreading out and enveloping half the room.
Then, the light wrapped around him entirely.
His instincts didn't signal any danger, and besides, a Device was the crystallization of its wielder's soul. There was no way it could harm him.
So, Ryoji allowed himself to be fully engulfed by the light.
Bathed in silver radiance, the world before his eyes began to shift.
Reality itself flickered like a mirage, as if a single touch could shatter it and flip everything upside down. It felt as though he had stepped into a different dimension, viewing the world from a detached, transcendent perspective.
And then—
A pitch-black door appeared before him.
Unlike the illusory surroundings, the door felt real—unshakable and absolute, as though it stood outside the bounds of time itself, eternal and unchanging.
It wasn't particularly grand, standing at about twice the height of a person. There were no carvings or patterns, nothing surrounding it, just an ancient, unembellished structure radiating an eerie presence.
Yet, as Ryoji focused his gaze, he noticed something engraved on its surface.
A line of gilded text.
"…'Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon'…?"
Wait.
That's a light novel title.
The sense of solemnity shattered instantly.
The imposing, enigmatic door had been utterly ruined by this ridiculous text. The sheer dissonance of it made Ryoji's face twitch.
Just then, the Vrring Sword floated toward him of its own accord, gently settling into his hand.
And in that moment—
Ryoji understood everything.
This was the special ability he had awakened.
The deeper-floor Batto ability he had unlocked after delving into the depths of his own soul.
…
Wait.
What the hell does that mean?!
Even my own special ability thinks I'm a damn pervert?!
Ryoji was livid.
(End of Chapter)