Ethan didn't press further. Instead, he said, "Then let's add each other on Line. We can go out another time when you're free."
Mizuki Suzumori seemed flustered. "I... I didn't bring my phone..."
"Ah, I see..."
"I'll go back to the classroom and get it right now!"
Hearing the disappointment in Ethan's tone, she abandoned her training and quickly ran towards her classroom.
Watching the beautiful girl sprint away, Ethan was momentarily stunned. He realized he had been foolish; Mizuki Suzumori's attire indeed offered nowhere to put a phone.
She was about to train for track and field; she couldn't possibly keep her phone tucked between her two firm, soft breasts. If it slipped out and broke, she'd have no one to blame but herself.
Mizuki Suzumori ran too quickly, bumping into several students along the way. Watching her occasionally stop to apologize, Ethan suddenly smiled.
Mizuki Suzumori's pure and lovely appearance convinced him that everything he had done these past few days was correct. Setting aside personal desire and the idea of retaliating against the Cuckold Template, he truly wanted to rescue Natsuha Murasakimiya and the others from the hands of the Blonde Guys.
After adding Mizuki Suzumori's Line and phone number, with some time left during the lunch break, Ethan headed to the Occult Research Club's clubhouse.
"President, Akeno-senpai, good afternoon."
Pushing open the clubhouse door, Akeno Himejima was tidying up the utensils on the coffee table. The two had just finished lunch.
Ethan didn't see Yuuto Kiba or the white-haired loli, suggesting they had lunch in the school cafeteria today.
Rias Gremory picked up a cup of steaming black tea and gently blew on it. Without looking up, she said, "Akira, what is it you need my help with this time?"
From Rias's calm tone, Ethan sensed a deep resentment. He subconsciously glanced at Akeno Himejima, receiving an 'You're on your own' look.
After a brief thought, Ethan generally understood what was happening.
He had been busy conquering girls these past few days, somewhat neglecting Rias. Although they knew Ethan's Dual Cultivation ability required women, they were naturally a little jealous.
Especially since the girls Ethan was targeting were ordinary humans, completely useless for his current need to break through his bottleneck.
It seemed more like a woman hunt, otherwise why would he only choose girls famous at school for their figures and looks?
Understanding was one thing, but Ethan also knew Rias was only jealous because she had feelings for him. Otherwise, given Rias's personality, she wouldn't care how much he fooled around outside.
However, the secrets of his talent duplication, being a transmigrator, and the existence of the Cuckold Template could not be exposed at the moment, so he could only silently apologize to Rias in his heart.
"President, I was wrong," Ethan conceded his mistake and brought up the reason for his actions.
"I wanted to test if I could use sheer quantity to break through my current realm and reach SS-class strength."
He continued, secretly observing Rias's expression, "It just so happens that a lot of girls gave me love letters on Valentine's Day. Since they didn't mind, I chose a few with Yuan Yin to try it out."
Sure enough, Rias's expression softened considerably when she heard this, though she still remained silent.
Feeling more confident, Ethan continued, "I only have two people left. I've already promised them, and after that, I won't pursue any more girls in the school."
Rias put down her teacup, turning her head. "I don't care how many girls you fool around with, I just worry you'll get caught up in it and forget what you promised me."
Seeing the usually mature and composed Red-Haired Empress adopt such a tsundere posture—Rias actually had this girly side—left Ethan momentarily captivated.
"Ahem..."
Snapping out of it, Ethan cleared his throat and smiled. "Don't worry, how could I forget my promise to the President?"
"However, it seems now that if I want to quickly reach the Maou-Class, I either need to fight, especially life-and-death battles, to awaken my potential as a Martial Arts Faction member, or I need higher-quality women for Dual Cultivation."
Rias frowned. "Are you sure quantity isn't effective?"
"Mhm, I can basically confirm it."
Ethan wasn't entirely trying to comfort Rias. He had considered this possibility before but had ruled it out when he broke through A-class. This time just confirmed it.
"The Yuan Yin from Natsuha and the others wasn't useless. My strength at the S-class limit improved slightly, but the change was too small, almost negligible. It's impossible to cause a qualitative leap."
Also, regarding talent: besides Saya Sakuramiya providing a new [Precision] talent, the talents on Natsuha Murasakimiya, Hinata Sakuramiya, and Akane Nanao were ones he had already acquired.
Hinata Sakuramiya had the [Perception] talent, which Ethan had already acquired from Yui Obata.
Akane Nanao had [Flesh Activation], the same talent as Yukina Sasaki, but her talent had not been fully developed and was not recruited into the Underworld Academy upon enrollment.
It was true that heroines had a high probability of possessing talent, but it seemed unlikely he would acquire new talents now.
This dampened Ethan's desire to continue hunting for talents. After resolving the hidden threats within Kuoh Academy, he no longer intended to actively seek out and annoy the Cuckold Template.
Simply to spite the Cuckold Template by hunting for targets across Tokyo or even all of Japan...
He wasn't that bored. He would be better off using that time to conquer women with great strength, rare talents, special bloodlines, or unique skills.
Ethan was well aware that his current strength was insignificant. Anyone below the Maou-Class was an ant. S-class was just a slightly stronger ant.
The Maou-Class was only the point where one began to have some significance. To be truly worry-free, God-Class strength was the starting point.
The more he understood this chaotic world, the deeper his realization of this point became.
"Mmm... Life-and-death combat is difficult. There were plenty of opportunities during the Great War of the Three Factions."
Rias wasn't bothered that Ethan still intended to pursue two more girls. He had been intimate with nearly dozens of women; two more wouldn't make a difference.
"Many Martial Arts Faction experts rose during the Great War, but the risk is also very high. I don't recommend you do that."
"I don't want to either, but it seems there aren't any female fighters with over S-class strength in the Human World anymore."
Ethan spread his hands helplessly. "Moreover, attempting Dual Cultivation with women of that level... the danger doesn't seem much less than a life-and-death battle."
If possible, he preferred to achieve breakthroughs on the battlefield of the bed.
Fighting with women, especially beautiful ones, whether in bed or out, was always better than fighting men or monsters.
"We'll discuss this later. You don't need to be in such a rush to break through to the Maou-Class. I was just joking with you."
Rias didn't want Ethan to take risks, persuading him, "S-class strength plus the Boosted Gear should be enough to deal with that person."
Ethan nodded obediently. He also believed this. If it was truly the third son of the Phenex family, he felt his current strength was completely sufficient.
If all else failed, he could always overdraw and use the Balance Breaker mode of the Divine Dividing.
Speaking of which, the third son of the Phenex family was also a Blonde Guy, wasn't he...
Ethan shook his head, casting aside the absurd thought. He must be overthinking things.
"By the way, President, I heard the school's Track and Field Club hired a new advisor, and he's a man. Do you know about this?"
Having successfully placated Rias, Ethan hadn't forgotten the real reason for his visit.
Rias picked up her teacup again, saying indifferently, "I'm not sure. Hiring a teacher is handled by the board of directors. I don't concern myself with such minor matters."
Ethan nodded. Although Kuoh Academy was founded by the Gremory family, and Rias was currently the highest authority, the academy had numerous large and small affairs. She couldn't possibly manage everything.
Or rather, Rias rarely managed affairs. The school's operations were handled by the school board and the principal and teachers below them.
"I want to request that the academy not hire that teacher. If they must hire someone, hire a female coach instead."
Ethan didn't know if the incoming Track and Field Club advisor had malicious intentions. The person who sexually abused Mizuki Suzumori in the original story was well-hidden; girls in other clubs also fell victim to him.
"You must wish for the academy to only have you as the sole male student, don't you?" Rias couldn't help but joke.