[90] Not Mind Helping Others (End of Volume)

Ayase's idea was good, and her intentions were well received.

The girl's face and figure were also quite appealing, very much to his taste.

But Eiji had just started a secret affair with Kanata, the rich girl, and had only recently confirmed his relationship with his senior sister, Touka. Being caught between two women was already giving him a headache, and he didn't know how to handle it.

If he were to hook up with Ayase now, and if his senior sister or Kanata found out...

Let's just say, he didn't want to be killed by 'Raikiri' or 'Star Wind Slash.'

"But I didn't refuse either... hehehe!"

The beauty of this move was that if Eiji ever changed his mind in the future, or if he gained the ability to have a harem, he could always come back and rekindle things with Ayase.

Eiji felt like he was gradually starting to understand how to be a playboy.

"Your smile is so gross."

Kiriko held a game controller, staring boredly at the screen while throwing out a sarcastic comment.

This was her office lounge, and it was her break time.

There were no patients in the room now, just the two of them.

"So, what brings you back to me?"

Eiji had left earlier but had turned back midway.

"Miss Kiriko, do you have any portable regeneration pods?"

Eiji coughed lightly, trying to suppress the smile on his face. "Or maybe some kind of potion that can heal all injuries just by drinking it?"

"...Do you think I'm Doraemon, or do you think you're in a video game?"

Kiriko gave him a strange look.

She was starting to think that while Eiji's body might have recovered, his brain might have developed some issues.

"So, you don't have any?"

"If I did, I would've already mass-produced it."

Kiriko was undoubtedly a doctor with a big heart.

If she had invented a portable regeneration pod or a healing potion, she would have already made it public, bringing relief to suffering people all over the world.

"Alright."

Eiji could only sigh helplessly.

He was about to travel to another world, but his Blazer ability was very taxing on his body. Without some powerful healing items, he didn't dare use his ability recklessly.

But regular regeneration pods were too bulky and energy-intensive, impossible to move, and even if moved, they couldn't be used.

"By the way, I didn't expect you to be willing to help the Ayatsuji father and daughter."

Kiriko put down the documents in her hands, looking at Eiji with a strange expression.

"In the past, you were completely immersed in your own world, only thinking about recovery and getting stronger. Have you changed your mind now?"

Their first meeting was when Eiji was seven and Kiriko was ten.

At that time, Kiriko was completely immersed in her research, not treating people as people, while Eiji was completely consumed by his hatred for fate.

Back then, he was solely focused on getting stronger, with only strength in his eyes, his heart filled with the flames of hatred, leaving no room for anything else.

In a way, both of them were beyond redemption at that stage.

"No, I haven't changed my mind."

The young man shrugged, his expression calm.

Kiriko couldn't see any trace of the stubbornness from that period on his face.

"I just noticed other things around me. When I was lost in my obsession, my master didn't give up on me, Miss Kiriko worked hard to heal me, and my senior sister took care of me with kindness..."

"...I understand the feelings of the weak who need help better than anyone, so I don't mind helping others."

No one understood the pain of being weak better than him.

And no one understood how much the weak longed for help from others more than he did.

Eiji had grown to where he was today thanks to the help of others.

So, why not lend a hand to other weaklings when he encountered them?

Especially when it was just a small effort.

"We've both changed..."

Kiriko hummed, letting out a sigh that seemed to reflect on life.

They were both deeply influential figures in each other's lives, like partners holding hands on a rope bridge.

There was no romantic feeling between them.

Only pure respect for each other, untainted by any impurities.

Like soulmates who understood everything about each other.

"By the way, Miss Kiriko, aren't you participating in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival this year either?"

Eiji suddenly turned around and asked a question that immediately soured her mood.

"Don't even mention it. This year, my teacher personally came to me and knelt down, begging me to participate in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival. I couldn't refuse, so I had to sign up."

The emerald-eyed girl let out a pained groan.

Kiriko Yakushi, 18 years old this year.

Although she was Japan's number one doctor, carrying countless honors, she was still a student.

A third-year student at Rentei Academy, one of the Seven Stars Academies.

Since she saw herself as a doctor and didn't engage in much knightly activity, she was only a B-rank Blazer Knight.

But she genuinely had the strength of an A-rank Blazer.

"Then this year's Seven Stars Sword Art Festival is going to be a fierce battle."

Eiji grinned, licking his lips that had dried from anticipation.

Before that, let me go to another world to train for a bit.

The obsession with getting stronger had always been in his heart, never wavering.

"Want to play a game?"

"I respectfully decline!"

He was rejected with a lot of enthusiasm, and it was unclear why he was so opposed to games.

***

Tuesday.

Eiji participated in the third selection battle at Hagun Academy, easily defeating another top-ten academy powerhouse.

That afternoon, Eiji left Hagun Academy with bags in hand.

In a deserted wilderness.

Eiji made sure no one was spying on him before taking out his device, the Bling Blade.

A silver light emanated from the blade, enveloping his body, causing his perspective to gradually transcend this world.

At the same time, the black door appeared before him once again, the golden inscription on it unchanged, still bearing the name of the 'DanMachi' world.

In the illusory silver space.

Eiji slung a backpack filled with jewels and survival gear over his shoulder and held a wild rabbit he had found along the way.

Then he stepped forward, carefully reaching out his right hand to touch the black door. It felt cold to the touch, with no other unusual phenomena.

Clang!

With a slight push, the black door opened.

With a loud creak, the scene behind the door appeared before Eijis eyes.

It was a completely different world, also bathed in an illusory silver light.

Eiji's eyes gradually lit up, and his instincts detected no danger.

Feeling somewhat reassured, he took a deep breath, calming his mind.

Then he strode through the door.

The black door swallowed Eiji's figure, and with another "clang," the door closed, disappearing along with the silver space.

A wild rabbit fell to the ground, utterly confused about where the person who had caught it had gone.

***

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