Over the next few days, Qin Xiao gradually adapted to his new life.
Every day he attended classes normally. After school, he wandered around Kuoh City, looking for ways to earn money.
Working part-time, however, was out of the question.
He had finally escaped the miserable life of a corporate slave in his previous world. If he went back to working again, it would feel no different from before transmigrating.
Besides that, he also hoped he might run into a few more Stray Devils by chance.
Unfortunately, although he had encountered them two days in a row before, that had only been a coincidence.
Even though stray devils were increasing, it wasn't as if they appeared every single day.
After all, reincarnating devils required a price, and not every reincarnated devil betrayed their master.
"Maybe I should go back to my old profession…"
One noon after class, Qin Xiao went to the school rooftop.
The rooftop was officially locked, and students weren't allowed up there.
But Qin Xiao wasn't an ordinary person, and he didn't want to get involved in social circles anyway, so he usually spent his lunch break here.
During the past few days, he had thought about many ways to earn money.
None of them seemed suitable.
However, when he passed by a bookstore in a shopping mall earlier, a thought suddenly occurred to him:
Light novels.
After all, this was Japan, where anime culture was extremely strong.
Light novels, manga, anime—these were all hugely popular.
Before transmigrating, Qin Xiao had also written novels during university.
They weren't famous, but during his three years in college he never needed money from his family, and even had enough left over for personal spending.
"Good afternoon, Qin Xiao-san."
Just as he was thinking about what kind of light novel he should write, a voice sounded behind him.
Turning around, he saw a perfect silhouette against the blue sky.
A tall, beautiful senior wearing Kuoh Academy's uniform stood there.
Her chest looked like it could barely be contained by the uniform.
Her hair was tied into a ponytail, and her presence perfectly embodied the charm of a mature beauty.
"Good afternoon, Himejima-senpai."
"You can just call me Akeno, Qin Xiao-san."
"Alright… Akeno-senpai."
"What an obedient junior."
She walked closer.
Qin Xiao could even smell a faint fragrance coming from her.
He wasn't sure if it was perfume, cosmetics, or simply her natural scent.
But he didn't dislike it.
In fact, he rather liked it.
Akeno smiled slightly as she looked at him.
She had come with a mission.
Her purpose was simple:
Get close to Qin Xiao and build a relationship with him.
If she could become closer to him, it would make it easier for Rias to recruit him later.
If it were someone else, Akeno might not care.
But Qin Xiao—someone she felt was similar to herself—was genuinely interesting to her.
"It's still lunch break," Qin Xiao said.
"What brings you here, Akeno-senpai?"
"I've been waiting for you to come see me these past few days."
"But you never came."
"So I lost my patience and came to find you instead."
"You don't mind, do you?"
"Of course not."
"A beautiful senior like you coming to see me is an honor."
"My, what a sweet talker."
Akeno sat down beside him on the rooftop ledge.
Even though it was the rooftop, there was a raised concrete edge that could serve as a seat.
Having such a beauty beside him made Qin Xiao's heart beat a little faster.
Even though he had inherited Enkidu's template, which changed his hair and eyes to green and made him more handsome—
He was still Qin Xiao, not Enkidu himself.
So naturally, when such a beautiful woman approached him, he felt tempted.
Especially since she was a real-life anime beauty.
"My my, Qin Xiao-kun seems a little naughty."
Akeno had caught him glancing briefly at her chest.
"Well… Akeno-senpai's charm is too great."
"And I'm still a young man full of energy."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"If it's you, junior… I don't mind."
"In fact, I might even like you a little."
"If you want… we could."
Akeno leaned close to his ear and whispered softly.
Her warm breath brushed against him.
For a moment, Qin Xiao felt his heart stir.
But he quickly calmed himself.
He wasn't arrogant enough to believe a beautiful woman would suddenly throw herself at him.
She was Rias's servant.
Her coming here was probably part of a plan.
The "beauty strategy."
A tactic used countless times throughout history—
and extremely effective against men.
Taking a deep breath, Qin Xiao steadied his emotions.
His gaze gradually returned to calm.
"Alright, Akeno-senpai."
"My self-control isn't very good."
"If something inappropriate happens, that wouldn't be good."
Akeno's smile paused for a moment.
Then it grew even brighter.
It was like she had discovered a new toy.
"What a cautious junior."
"I can't help it."
"Right now I'm like a piece of meat everyone wants."
"Everyone's watching me."
"Watching you, huh…"
Akeno didn't deny it.
Because it was true.
Both Rias and Sona were watching Qin Xiao closely.
And even in places Qin Xiao couldn't see, the two girls were already quietly competing.
Akeno herself was the one sent to execute the beauty strategy.
Meanwhile, Sona had also sent someone to do the same.
"By the way," Qin Xiao said.
"There's something I'd like to ask you, Akeno-senpai."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Do you know any light novel publishers?"
"Light novel publishers?"
"Are you planning to write light novels?"
"I need to make money somehow."
"To be honest, I only have 80,000 yen left now."
Earlier he had spent 110,000 yen buying a laptop.
It wasn't great, but it was decent enough.
That money from the thug had become his startup fund.
"If you need money," Akeno said gently,
"I could lend you some."