"What should I do then?" Hearing that the power inside the coin would gradually fade over time, Mafuyu couldn't help but ask.
Kael replied: "Sensei, you can prepare a piece of jade. Jade is an excellent vessel. A good piece of jade can preserve power for three to five years, even up to ten."
Mafuyu nodded in realization. "Does the size of the jade matter?"
Kael said: "Size doesn't matter. A pendant, a ring, or even a bracelet will do."
Mafuyu sighed in relief. With her salary, she could afford a pendant. After reminding her of a few things, Kael turned and left.
Time flowed quickly, and soon it was lunchtime. Kael had planned to eat in the cafeteria, but Saki suddenly appeared carrying a lunch box.
"Renjou-kun, want to eat together?"
He glanced at her lunch box—it wasn't ordinary, stacked four or five layers high. He quickly realized why. Saki had already practiced the Blood Puppet technique, making her a cultivator. Without mana yet, her appetite was naturally larger. Eating in the cafeteria would cost a lot, so she cooked for herself.
Before Kael could answer, Marin walked in. "Renjou-kun, Saki, I came to find you. Let's eat on the rooftop."
Kael turned to see Marin also carrying a lunch box, similar in size to Saki's, with enough food for several people. Clearly, Marin had also become a big eater.
He didn't refuse her invitation, and neither did Saki. During Kael's absence, Saki had been eating with Marin.
The three left the classroom and went to the rooftop. At this time, it was empty. Kael waved his hand, clearing a spot, and sat down. Marin and Saki sat on either side of him.
They opened their boxes, revealing luxurious meals—rice, chicken, steak, vegetables, omelets, tempura. It was clear they had worked hard preparing them.
"Renjou-kun, try my tempura." Marin picked up a piece with chopsticks and fed it to him.
He bit down. "Not bad."
Though not as good as Inui Hinako's cooking, for a high schooler it was impressive.
Saki, unwilling to be outdone, said: "Renjou-kun, try my omelet. And Marin, remember, Renjou-kun is my boyfriend."
Marin smiled cheerfully. "Don't worry, Saki. I won't forget that Renjou-kun is your boyfriend."
Though she said it lightly, Kael noticed a flicker of sadness in her eyes. She clearly liked him but, out of respect for Saki, didn't express it. Her words were not only to reassure Saki but also to remind herself.
Seeing this, Kael broke the silence. "Oh right, I forgot to tell you something."
"What is it?" Both girls looked at him curiously.
Eating Saki's omelet, Kael said slowly: "You've heard of reproductive isolation, haven't you?"
Saki blushed. She knew the term but didn't understand why he brought it up.
Marin asked: "What are you trying to say?"
Kael explained: "Since I began cultivating, my body has evolved. The gap between me and ordinary people grows. It may cause reproductive isolation. By then, ordinary women would find it nearly impossible to bear my child. The chance wouldn't exceed 0.1%. To ensure my family line doesn't end with me, I must cast a wide net."
Saki's eyes widened in disbelief.
Marin bluntly said: "So, Renjou-kun, you want a harem."
Kael glared at her. "Don't say that. I'm not that kind of person. I'm doing this purely for family legacy."
Marin: …
Saki: …
Both knew he wanted a harem, but the excuse of family legacy was so bold they couldn't refute it. They fell silent. Even the delicious food suddenly lost its flavor.
Creak…
At that moment, the rooftop door opened.
A girl in the Toyogasaki Academy uniform, legs wrapped in black stockings, walked out carrying a small lunch box. Compared to Marin and Saki's, it was modest—but normal for a girl.
She acted as if she hadn't seen them, sat down, and began eating. They didn't disturb each other.
But just as Kael and the others finished eating and prepared to leave, the girl suddenly spoke: "…As far as I know, reproductive isolation doesn't exist between humans."
Kael stopped, turned, and said with a half-smile: "Kasumigaoka-senpai, are you talking to us?"
Indeed, the girl in stockings was Kasumigaoka Utaha, one of the heroines of Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend. Kael hadn't expected her to meddle instead of quietly writing her novel.
Facing his question, Utaha replied coldly: "No, I was just talking to myself."
Kael chuckled. "Talking to yourself with terms like reproductive isolation? Eavesdropping isn't a good habit."
A flicker of unease crossed her face—after all, eavesdropping wasn't honorable. But it hadn't been intentional. She had simply come to eat and overheard their conversation. It was accidental.
Regaining composure, Utaha said coldly: "Yes, I was wrong to eavesdrop. It wasn't on purpose. But tricking young girls like this—isn't that a bit scummy? Humans don't have reproductive isolation. Can't believe you said that."