Natsuki Minamiya was currently enjoying a delicious cup of black tea on the large balcony of her dormitory. Days without classes were simply too wonderful. Just as she was thinking this, Ren Isana's voice suddenly echoed in her ear.
"Moshi moshi, Natsuki-chan, can you hear me?" Ren Isana's voice rang clearly in Natsuki Minamiya's ear. Hearing this, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.
*He found a way to contact me this quickly?* Natsuki Minamiya immediately replied, "I hear you. Not bad. To think you found a method so quickly—or did you know how to do this from the very beginning?"
In the other world, Ren Isana was a bit speechless upon hearing her response. "You really were waiting for me, weren't you? It wasn't difficult. Using this mark as an anchor, I just had to follow the connection over."
Natsuki Minamiya felt a bit speechless herself. *Maybe it isn't difficult for you?* But doing so required an incredibly strong spatial aptitude. After all, this was a connection spanning across an entirely different world.
"Alright, out with it. You contacted me so quickly, so what's the matter?" Natsuki Minamiya had barely sat down long enough to warm her seat before Ren reached out. She recalled that the time flow over there should be identical to their side.
*Yet he contacted me right after landing? Did something happen? Or did he forget something?* Natsuki Minamiya couldn't help but speculate.
"Natsuki-chan, if we were to bring some children back from this world, is there a place to take them in over there?" Ren didn't waste time and got straight to the point.
Hearing this, a strange look flashed through Natsuki Minamiya's eyes. She calmly replied, "In recent years, our population's birth rate has been steadily declining. Some people can't even have children anymore because everyone is constantly growing stronger. As a result, many kindergartens and elementary schools have shut down."
She didn't answer his question directly, merely stating the facts. On the other end, Ren instantly understood what she meant.
"I understand. Then, it won't be a problem if I send people back using this magic, right?" Ren asked. By applying this magic mark, he could just teleport people directly over.
Natsuki Minamiya was even more surprised. *He even mastered that?* But on second thought, it made sense. Ren's current strength was more than sufficient, and his talent was absolutely terrifying. Mastering such a thing wouldn't be hard for him.
With just a little guidance, Ren could probably open a [Magic Circle] to other worlds all on his own. Thinking of this, Natsuki Minamiya replied, "Don't send too many at once, or we might not have enough room to accommodate them all."
After saying that, Natsuki Minamiya cut the connection. Ren naturally knew what to do next. She was also very aware of the situation in that world.
Those children were precious talents. If that world didn't want them, their side certainly did. The fact that Ren and the others thought of this without needing her to drop any hints proved they were more than qualified.
In Natsuki Minamiya's eyes, those so-called "Cursed Children" were all kids who had already awakened their talents. If nurtured properly, they would be absolutely incredible.
As for their genetic disease? Their side had already cracked it. Treating it was child's play for them, especially after Miach joined. What genetic disease? It was nothing more than a minor issue.
After Ren ended the call with Natsuki Minamiya, the others all looked over. They had heard Ren's side of the conversation, but they didn't know what Natsuki Minamiya had said.
"The birth rate on our side has dropped, and many kindergartens and elementary schools have been forced to close. So, Natsuki-sensei told us to find a way to get those schools open again," Ren said, looking up calmly at the group.
Hearing this, Motoki Yaze's lips curled into a slight smirk. He couldn't help but say, "That is indeed a problem. In that case, we should just send back some children that nobody wants."
There were far too many unwanted children in this world. The group exchanged glances, excited smiles spreading across their faces. Now, they knew exactly what they needed to do.
"Class Rep, it'll be a bit difficult to gather all the children in the entire world with just us, right? This planet isn't exactly small," Leo chimed in.
Even with everyone combined, they only had fifty-five people, making up eleven squads. But the world was huge. If they relied solely on themselves, it would take an eternity to get everything done.
"That is a problem. However, Natsuki-sensei mentioned that more people will be coming in later. Since that's the case... why don't we just take over the nearest settlement?" Ren pondered for a moment before coming up with an idea.
Hearing this, everyone instantly perked up. *Good lord, taking over a city right off the bat?* That was a bit too thrilling, but thinking about it, it really was the best method.
"If that's the plan, then we have an opportunity right now. Look at what I just found," Asagi Aiba suddenly spoke up, turning her laptop screen for everyone to see.
It was a news article about someone named Seitenshi taking power. Looking at the news, Sora couldn't help but complain, "Putting a sixteen-year-old beautiful girl in charge as an idol to pacify the masses? What is this, some kind of idol debut project?"
Even she could tell something was wrong. Wasn't this just propping up a mascot? The real power had to be in the hands of others, right? This beautiful girl was nothing more than a puppet.
"This Seitenshi hopes that people can live peacefully with the Cursed Children, but her subordinates refuse to listen," Asagi Aiba explained the situation detailed in the news.
Listening to Asagi Aiba, Ren glanced at the time in the bottom right corner of her laptop. It was the year 2030. Seitenshi had just taken power, and it was also the year Enju Aihara first met the protagonist of this world.
"I think I know what you're getting at. You want to help this Seitenshi, right?" Ren looked at Asagi Aiba after finishing the article.
Asagi Aiba nodded. "Exactly. Even though she's just a puppet pushed to the front, her reputation among the civilians is quite good. If she can be someone else's puppet, why can't she be ours?"
Being a puppet was being a puppet, no matter who pulled the strings. They might as well take control themselves. With her status, gathering all the children would be a piece of cake.
Listening to Asagi Aiba's plan, Ren stroked his chin. "A very good idea. In that case, let's do it. Investigate the higher-ups of this city. When the time is right, we'll find a chance to take them out, and while we're at it, see if there's anyone worth recruiting."
Seitenshi's status was quite useful, making Asagi Aiba's idea brilliant. Ren and the others could simply become Seitenshi's partners. They just needed to eliminate those with actual power and let her reclaim her authority.
As for whether she was willing to cooperate? Sorry, but that wasn't within Ren's scope of consideration. If she refused, Ren had plenty of ways to make her willing. After all, *Seitenshi, you wouldn't want me to just go and smash those monoliths outside, would you?*
Shikimori and Mahiru Shiina, who were participating in this kind of operation for the first time, felt their heads buzzing. Weren't Ren and the others' methods a bit too wild? Jumping straight into something this extreme right off the bat?
However, looking at everyone else's reactions, no one seemed to mind. Although they had many doubts, they could only keep them to themselves for now. They would just do whatever Ren said.
"If there are no objections, get ready to move out. We'll head into the city first. Asagi, can you forge identities for us?" Ren scanned the group before looking back at Asagi Aiba.
Suddenly being called by her first name by Ren made Asagi Aiba pause for a moment, but she didn't dwell on it. She typed on her laptop and said, "Identities are no problem. We just won't have physical IDs, but that's a minor issue. If they try to look us up, our files will be in their system. Leave this to me."
Saying that, she began working her magic on the computer. Forging an identity was far too easy for her. Even if someone checked, they could just claim they lost their ID cards and have them reissued.
Asagi Aiba directly inputted everyone's information, creating legal identities for the entire class. Only after finishing did she put away her laptop.
"Done. If anyone asks, just say you lost your ID. As for the ID numbers, I set them to your original ones, but only the first few digits, since the ID format in this world is different," Asagi Aiba explained.
If anyone checked, they just had to recite that information. Even if the authorities looked it up, they would definitely find their profiles in the system.
"Okay, everyone memorize your details. If there are no issues, let's head out." After reviewing their new identities, Ren was satisfied. Their cover was that they were Promoters from other regions who had come here to find Initiators.
With Asagi Aiba on the team, executing missions in a world like this was simply too easy. Once everyone understood the situation, they sprang into action, dashing swiftly toward the city.
Along the way, they spotted a few Gastrea. These things were inedible and didn't drop Magic Stones, so whenever Ren and the others sensed them, they simply detoured around them. Killing them offered no benefits, so there was no need to waste Magic Power.
Everyone held their weapons in hand. After all, if they were pretending to be Promoters in this world, they had to look the part. What kind of Promoter didn't even carry a weapon?
Carrying weapons was only natural. Unfortunately, they didn't have any firearms on them, otherwise, Ren would have definitely slung an AK across his back.
Just as the group reached the outskirts of the city and prepared to enter, Ren suddenly stopped and looked toward a nearby direction. The others immediately followed his gaze.
The next moment, a sewer grate over there slammed shut, and the little figure that had been watching them quickly shrank back inside. Seeing this, Ren and the others fell silent.
Everyone sensed the situation below. Several little ones were huddled together, and Ren and the others could even feel the fading life force of one of them.
Ren didn't hesitate and walked straight over, with the others closely following. Arriving at the sewer grate, Ren crouched down and knocked. "Little ones, open up. We can save that child."
At those words, the sewer cover was pushed open again. Several children stared at Ren's group with wary eyes. Seeing these kids who were only a few years old, Ren sighed and reached down, lifting one of the little ones out.
Seeing this, the corners of Asuna's lips curled up slightly. She also stepped forward and pulled out another little one. Yukino Yukinoshita followed suit, while Megumi Kato directly turned into a shadow and slipped into the sewer.
When she emerged, she was carrying a little girl whose breathing was ragged. She looked to be only six or seven years old, but she was completely unconscious.
Just as Megumi Kato was about to hand the girl to Ren, Mahiru Shiina stepped forward. "Let me. I can heal this."
As she spoke, a [Magic Circle] lit up in her hands, radiating an emerald green light. The little girls who were still struggling in the grasps of Ren and the others immediately stopped.
"Magic... It's magic!!" The moment she saw the [Magic Circle], the little girl Ren was holding widened her eyes. She couldn't help but cry out in shock, though she quickly covered her mouth.
Ren set her down and said, "That's right, it's magic. This big sister is saving her. Don't worry, she'll be fine."
Hearing Ren's words, she looked up at him with innocent eyes, gradually lowering her guard. The two little girls held by Asuna and Yukino did the same.
Before long, the little girl being treated by Mahiru Shiina easily regained consciousness, her face returning to a healthy color. The healing effect was simply incredible.
Seeing that it was enough, Mahiru Shiina stopped. The newly awakened little loli looked around in confusion, and upon realizing they were surrounded by people, she shrank her neck in fear.
"Thank you, big sister!!" The little loli Ren had grabbed earlier hurriedly bowed in gratitude. Seeing her companion recover, her smile was brighter than the sun. She had thought she was going to lose her little sister.
Even though this sister was someone she had picked up off the streets, she was still family. Now, a group of angels had suddenly appeared and saved her family. This was truly wonderful.
"Class Rep, are we bringing these kids with us?" Seeing that they had recovered, Sora quickly asked.
Hearing this, the little girls all looked over, their eyes filled with confusion. *Take us away?* In an instant, they grew wary again.
Ren patted the head of the little girl next to him and said, "I don't plan on taking them with us. I plan on sending them back. Little ones, are you interested in learning magic?"
After explaining to Sora, Ren turned his question to the little girls. They hadn't even established a foothold yet, so naturally, they couldn't bring these children along.
Furthermore, Ren couldn't just leave them here, otherwise, who knew when they might get snatched up by someone. The best option was to send them directly back to their world.
Hearing Ren say this, the four little lolis were stunned. They looked at him in bewilderment. The one whose head Ren was rubbing couldn't help but ask, "Onii-chan, are you going to teach us magic?"
That "Onii-chan" was enough to melt anyone's heart. Ren immediately made up his mind right then and there. *Those bastards really deserve to die!! To think they forced these adorable children to live like this!!*
"I won't be the one teaching you. I plan to send you to a safe place where no one will bully you. You'll have delicious food and drinks every day, and you won't have to live in fear anymore. All you'll need to do is study hard." Suppressing the urge to charge into the city and chop those bastards into mincemeat, Ren gently explained it to them.
Listening to the place Ren described, the four of them felt a pang of envy. If such a place really existed... how could they not want to go? But did a place like that truly exist?
*Grumble...* Just as they were thinking this, their stomachs began to growl. Having not eaten for several days, their empty bellies could no longer hold out.
Seeing this, Ren retrieved four bottles of water from his Spatial Ring and handed them over, along with some liquid food. These kids hadn't eaten a proper meal in a long time, so it was best to start with liquid food, lest they ruin their stomachs.
Watching Ren produce water and food out of thin air, the four of them were stunned once again. When they took the items, it felt a bit surreal. However, their gnawing hunger left them no time to think, and they hurriedly twisted open the food pouches and began sucking down the contents.
These were emergency rations Ren had purchased. They were like a paste, very convenient to eat, and a single pouch was enough to fill the stomach. After the children quickly finished eating, they felt a warm sensation in their bellies. An unprecedented feeling of fullness washed over them, making them all smile uncontrollably.
"Drink some water, and then tell me your choice. If you're willing to go, I can send you over right now. If you don't want to, I won't force you," Ren said gently, bringing the topic up again.
Hearing Ren's words, the four of them looked at him in unison, then at the others. There wasn't a hint of malice on any of their faces—only heartache. In that moment, they made their decision.
"Okay, I'll listen to Onii-chan. I want to learn magic!!" Without any further hesitation, they chose to trust Ren and his classmates. These were good people, and they desperately wanted to go to a place like that!
Seeing that they had all agreed, Ren nodded. Without hesitation, he inscribed a mark on all four of them and activated it. As a [Magic Circle] slowly formed, their teleportation began.