Anime Multiverse: Building a Pantheon from Scratch

At the private Toyosaki Academy, Luo Shu once again found himself the subject of countless envious stares as he walked behind Natsuki Minamiya. With his recently enhanced senses, he could clearly hear whispers filled with jealousy and disbelief:

"First it was that junior Kasumigaoka, and now even the new substitute teacher Natsuki-sensei? Seriously?!"

"He's just some delinquent in third year! Damn, I'm so jealous!"

"Why would Natsuki-sensei be with that notorious third-year transfer student? Just let him rot alone…"

"She just started teaching and is already getting involved with that guy? Is this legal loli really going to be taken down by him?"

Luo Shu glanced at the petite figure of Natsuki walking ahead of him, and for a moment, he felt like he was being led along by a younger sister. Of course, he didn't actually have a sister—not in this life or the previous one.

"I heard that back when you entered high school, you were isolated by your classmates for being a transfer student, and then you beat them up. You even called some 'friends' from Chinatown to ambush someone off-campus?"

Natsuki, walking ahead, recited his past like she'd memorized it.

"Speaking of which, those Chinatown 'friends' of yours—weren't they people from your hometown who got involved in gangs after moving here?"

Luo Shu didn't deny it. Instead, he responded calmly, "When you're away from home, you rely on friends. When you're abroad, you rely on folks from the same region. Pretty normal stuff—provided those folks aren't the backstabbing kind."

In truth, the ones most likely to take advantage of fellow countrymen abroad were often fellow countrymen themselves. You never really knew from which dynasty some of them had immigrated. There were still quite a few descendants of the Qing Dynasty out there… even some from the Ming.

Because of that, Luo Shu generally avoided contact with other Chinese unless necessary. The only reason he managed to get help back then was because his previous self's parents had been executives working overseas for a major company based in their Fujian hometown. In places like that, businesses and gangs often had some ambiguous ties.

So, it wasn't surprising that Luo Shu knew a few "men of the world."

Thanks to that small act of calling in backup to block someone outside school during his first year, Luo Shu successfully earned the title of Toyosaki Academy's number one dangerous student—and in doing so, he also managed to avoid Japan's notorious bullying culture. In a way, even before regaining his past memories, the old Luo Shu had understood the concept of sacrifice and gain.

"It must've been hard, being all alone in a foreign country," Natsuki said from ahead, her back still to him.

Luo Shu smiled, unfazed. "Are you talking about yourself, Natsuki-chan?"

She paused for a second before walking again and smoothly changed the subject. "I heard you've come into possession of an Abyssal artifact. Have you had its danger level assessed?"

"Assessed? Danger level?" Luo Shu put on a confused look—not entirely fake, though, since he truly wasn't sure what she meant by danger classification.

Noticing his reaction, Natsuki explained, "To put it simply, it's a classification system created by various special departments across nations to categorize the danger levels of Abyssal artifacts."

She continued walking while explaining in a low voice, "Level 1 is safe for use—classified as 'safe-grade.' The abilities in this tier are often bizarre and unpredictable, but the good news is they're harmless with minimal side effects. These are the kind of Abyssal items you can use regularly."

"Level 2 is partially usable but requires supervision. It's dangerous enough to cause large-scale casualties if misused."

"Level 3 is strictly prohibited from use and must be stored securely. These have the potential to cause city-wide devastation."

"Level 4 is absolutely forbidden—not to be touched or studied. Only heads of state are permitted to know of their existence. Even then, only the UN's five permanent members are given the registration numbers. That's the highest known classification."

As she finished speaking, her eyes drifted toward the ruby ring on Luo Shu's right hand—an object no one else had noticed.

"Based on what the Seven-Star Demon Hunter revealed yesterday—though that was clearly a deliberate leak—the 'Heart of the Demon' on your finger is likely a Level 2 Abyssal artifact."

Deliberate leak? And how would you know that? Luo Shu frowned slightly and looked at Natsuki with interest. "So, you were the one who drove off that Seven-Star Demon Hunter yesterday, weren't you, Natsuki-chan?"

"How many times do I have to tell you—stop adding '-chan' to my name."

She glared at him and snapped, "Unless you want me to start spreading rumors that the item on your hand is a fake, you'd better start calling me 'Natsuki-sensei.' Got it?"

Luo Shu, unbothered and full of mischief, replied, "Okay, Natsuki-chan. Got it, Natsuki-chan."

Her eyes sharpened like daggers.

"Besides, we're off-campus right now, Natsuki-chan," he added, implying that he'd behave properly at school.

She seemed to get what he meant and scoffed, "Off-campus or not, you will address me as 'sensei.' Understand?"

"Yes, yes," Luo Shu replied quickly. Then, feigning confusion, he glanced down at the ring on his hand. "But wait… you said this is a fake?"

Natsuki turned to look at him seriously, seemingly gauging whether he was lying.

"Oh, and by the way," she added casually, "when someone lies, the spiritual flame of the mind—the blue fire—trembles slightly."

"Really?" Luo Shu put on a shocked expression, even though the blue flame atop his head didn't so much as flicker.

Seeing the unwavering flame above his head, Natsuki let out a soft chuckle and said with amusement, "A genius, huh?"

"Alright, let's not dawdle," she said briskly. "Unless you want your superior to chew you out, you'd better follow me."

Luo Shu didn't hesitate and quickly caught up to Natsuki as they ducked into a side alley and headed straight for the Lycoris Café.

——————

Ding-ling~

The door chimed brightly as they entered, the wind chime hanging by the frame ringing sweetly.

"Sorry, we're closed toda—oh, it's Luo Shu?" A girl in a deep crimson kimono holding a broom greeted them. It was Chisato Nishikigi. Her apology turned into curiosity the moment she saw who had entered.

"Did you get the message too?" she asked, tilting her head.

"What message?" Luo Shu stepped in and gave Chisato a puzzled look, clearly out of the loop.

Before she could reply, Natsuki calmly spoke from behind him, "Your chief Tachibana wouldn't let you start working just yet."

Then she glanced over at Chisato and said, "You look healthy, Chisato."

"Ah! Natsuki-chan!" Chisato's eyes lit up the moment she saw her. She rushed over and hugged her tightly. "So, you're the teacher the boss lady found for Luo Shu! Wow!"

"Yes, it's me," Natsuki replied as she subtly tried to pry herself free. "Alright, don't cling too hard. Standing on tiptoe is tiring."

Watching the scene unfold, Luo Shu turned to Inoue Takina, who was holding a feather duster nearby, and asked curiously, "They know each other?"

Takina explained, "Back when we first got here, it was Director Tachibana and Natsuki-sensei who led the response unit."

"But after some disputes between Director Tachibana and the MPD, they haven't worked together since."

She paused, then added, "It's been about half a year, give or take."

Luo Shu's expression turned subtle. "What a twist of fate…"

Oblivious to his expression, Natsuki finally slipped out of Chisato's embrace and turned her attention to someone familiar in the back, preparing coffee.

"So, Kirikia Tachibana," Natsuki called toward the back kitchen, "what's the situation now?"

"What situation are you asking about?" Tachibana replied with a bright smile as she picked up a coffee cup.

Natsuki's gaze sharpened as she studied her closely. "That file—recorded with demonic incantations and sent away by the now-dead demon warlock. Where exactly was it sent?"