Chapter 272: The Price of Becoming Stronger

Traitors are despised by any organization and are seen as a nuisance that needs to be dealt with swiftly. No organization would ignore a traitor, not only for the sake of revenge but also to assert the organization's authority. The Holy Church is no exception. In fact, as a religious authority, they have always been the most relentless in dealing with traitors.

Typically, such matters are handled by operatives, utilizing high-caliber forces like Riesbyfe. This traitor must be formidable.

'Should I try to get involved and see if there's anything to gain?'

The Church's rebels could potentially be a weapon against the Mage Association. Given Shinji's relationship with El-Melloi and Barthomelloi, there might be some room for manipulation.

However, the Church is not to be trifled with. In some ways, they are even more ruthless than the Mage Association. Caution is necessary.

After careful consideration, Shinji decided to observe for now. After all, he wasn't sure about the nature of Riesbyfe's mission or how many forces the Church had deployed. Rushing in could lead to more losses than gains.

He would have Fujino keep an eye on the new headmistress. If she discovers anything, that would be ideal. If not, there wouldn't be much of a loss. Oh, and he should ask Touko as well, to see if she has any clues.

Having asked most of the questions he wanted to, Shinji didn't plan to waste any more time with Riesbyfe, whom he barely knew. He addressed the unfamiliar Holy Shield Knight, saying, "I'm leaving."

"Wait, let me see that shield before you go."

Riesbyfe still had her eyes on Athena's Shield, but little did she know that the more she insisted, the faster Shinji would run. By now, Shinji had flown out of her reach.

"Let me remind you new headmistress of one thing: the incident involving Hideo Hayama has already been leaked to the police. If you don't want it to affect the reputation of Reien Girl's Academy, gather the school's higher-ups immediately for an emergency PR. If you don't understand, ask the Chairman. The world of ordinary people is also quite complex. Learn well, Miss Riesbyfe. Well then, until we meet again if fate allows."

Shinji's body soared higher and higher, disappearing into the vast night sky.

Riesbyfe stood alone in the place, muttering to herself, "Affect the reputation of the academy? Emergency PR?"

It seemed that the new headmistress had much to learn.

Shinji was no longer a child, not in terms of his physical age, but in terms of his mentality.

He saw things with a longer-term perspective and had more consideration than girls like Fujino and Azaka.

Azaka, the hero of justice by collecting evidence against Hideo Hayama and handing him over to the police for punishment. Considering her age, she was already quite remarkable. However, Shinji believed that Azaka's approach had some flaws.

The potential retaliation from Hayama was a minor issue. The real problem was the damage to Reien Girl's Academy's reputation. Japan had a freer media that dared to report anything. Following Azaka's plan of having Daisuke Akimi enter the school and arrest people directly, it wouldn't take long for Hayama's case to be exposed. If some unscrupulous media intentionally guided public opinion in a negative direction for the sake of their performance, the image that Reien Girl's Academy had maintained for a long time would be tarnished.

If Reien Girl's Academy were the kind of place that pretended to be noble on the surface while harboring dirty secrets in private, then there wouldn't be much to say about such an approach. But Reien Girl's Academy had excellent teaching quality and a good campus atmosphere. It would be too much to let this one troublemaker ruin the entire academy.

Moreover, distorting the image of Reien Girl's Academy would be harmful to other students as well.

The stark contrast between virtuous young ladies and open-minded girls engaged in compensated dating would undoubtedly lead to various discussions. Shinji didn't want his sister and Fujino to be labeled in such a way. Therefore, given the predetermined outcome of Hayama's situation, it was the best choice to inform the school authorities in advance and give them enough time for crisis management.

Initially, Shinji planned to go straight to the chairman after crucifying Hayama. Now, he would do the same and inform the newly appointed headmistress, Riesbyfe.

Once all of this was done, the case involving Hideo Hayama and the controversial issues around compensated dating at Reien Girl's Academy would finally come to an end.

"Hmm... Busy all night, got into a fight, feeling a bit tired now. I'll go home and sleep."

Shinji stretched lazily in mid-air, but as soon as his body relaxed, he suddenly felt an unprecedented, excruciating pain.

The intense pain originated from his left hand and spread throughout his body in an instant.

The pain was so intense, as if ten thousand ants were running rampant inside his body, and as if countless searing-hot irons were mercilessly scorching his skin. Such torture could only be compared to the training that Scathach would subject his entire body to. But that was done under prepared circumstances. Now, suddenly attacked, Shinji nearly fell into unconsciousness, unable to even maintain the feathered shoes on his feet.

With the last ounce of his willpower, Shinji managed to keep the feathered shoes on his feet intact. He barely cushioned his fall a few times before finally landing on the ground in a "dog gnawing on mud" position.

Shinji had long been too preoccupied with the excruciating pain emanating from within his body to pay any attention to the slight pain on his face caused by hitting the ground. Compared to the torturous pain from within his body, the pain on his face was insignificant.

During the descent, Shinji had already deduced the source of the pain - the Śarīra reinforcement. The golden body state he entered during the battle with Riesbyfe was temporary. In the golden body state, Shinji's physical abilities would be greatly enhanced. Once the state ended, not only would his body revert to its original state, but it would also suffer a backlash from excessive use, along with a rejection reaction.

"It seems that becoming stronger does come at a price."

Although he was lying motionless on the ground, Shinji didn't harbor much discontent in his heart. Scathach had already told him that everything came with a price. Compared to what he gained, Shinji's sacrifices were relatively light. He just didn't know how long it would take for his ability to move again to be restored, hoping that no one would see him in this state.

Then, Shinji heard hurried footsteps.

Damn, why do bad things work and good things don't?

Just as he had this thought, he heard an incredibly familiar voice - "Brother?"

It was the unique and irreplaceable voice of his little sister.

"Brother, are you okay? Don't scare me."

The footsteps quickly approached, and a pair of tender hands turned Shinji's body over.

Only at this moment did Shinji see his sister's face and those slightly reddened purple eyes.

"Sakura, why are you here?"

Tortured by pain, Shinji hardly had the strength to speak. But seeing his sister, feeling her presence, Shinji seemed to be infused with a whole new vitality.

As an older brother, he should protect his little sister. As an older brother, he couldn't let his sister see his weakness.

That had always been Shinji's determination.

PS: It's okay you're not getting bald.