Ryuji had seen all there was to the food curse spirit's domain. There was no reason t this out any longer.

  "Eight Sshes!" Ryuji anded softly, his voice calm. Instantly, tless sshes, like shimmering bdes of wind, fell with precision toward the food curse spirit.

  In mere moments, its grotesque form was riddled with deep cuts.

  "No!" The food curse spirit screamed, its voice tinged with disbelief and anguish. It had only retly been born, its existence was still fresh, its power yet to fully flourish. How could it die here, so easily?

  It struggled desperately, attempting to flee. But uhe weight of Ryuji's crushing domain and overwhelming presence, escape was nothing more than a fleeting fantasy.

  "Soul Dev!"

  With a flick of his hand, s materialized, coiling around the cursed spirit like venomous serpents. They dragged it mercilessly toward the space crack that Ryuji had summoned.

  "Swish! Swish! Swish!"

  The air buzzed as the cursed spirit ulled in, its monstrous form vanishing into the void.

  Ryuji patted his stomach lightly, a pyful grin tugging at his lips. Though it wasn't the same as ing actual food, there was a strange, satisfyiio behind.

  "Not bad. Not bad at all," he murmured to himself, nodding in satisfa.

  With the cursed spirit gohe oppressive domain space began to uhe crimson hues dissipated, the eerie skeletal shried away, and the world returo normal under Ryuji's trol.

  Now that the battle was over, Ryuji's thoughts returo something else. His eyes glimmered with curiosity as he opehe system menu to check the entry he had just triggered.

  "Goldery: Domain Expansion – Food Space!"

  A smile crept across his face. It was exactly what he expected, the domain of the food curse spirit had now bee his.

  "Not bad," Ryuji said, clearly pleased. This new domain was unique, with intriguing potential. Uhe food curse spirit, Ryuji wouldn't o use its corruptive aspect. He could simply summon an endless variety of foods at will.

  From the fi delicacies to simple eals, everything was avaible. It wasn't just a bat domain; it was a treasure trove.

  Ryuji chuckled as an image fshed through his mind—a sunny beach, the horizon swaying zily, a table den with gourmet dishes, and a few beautiful women enjoying the view nearby.

  "Perfect. This… this is living," he mused, a small ugh esg his lips.

  Without hesitation, Ryuji made his decision. "Load it!"

  The system panel updated instantly, refleg the addition of his test domain:

  [Talery system]

  Host: Ryuji Hoshino

  Bloodline: Human

  Loaded entries: Soul Dev [Red], Yin-Yang Eyes [Gold], Presence cealment [Gold],Tranquility [Gold], Reverse Cursed Teique [Gold], Motrag Physique [Gold], Third Dimension, Dreamwalker [Gold], Physical Strengthening [Gold], Cursed Speech [Gold], Shadoution [Gold], Malevolent Shrine [Gold], Bckbird Manipution [Gold], Idle Transfiguration [Gold], Anti-Gravity System [Gold], Horizon of the Captivating Skandha [Gold], Binding Teique [Gold], Curse Script [Gold], Ink Ination [Gold], Infinite Void [Gold], Cursed struct [Gold], Food Space [Gold], Iron Fist [Purple], bat Intuition [Purple].

  Points: 80,120!"

  Looking at the list of loaded entries, Ryuji couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. His colle of abilities had grown impressively vast, some so niche or powerful that he hadn't even found opportuo use them yet.

  "Well, they'll e in haually," Ryuji thought. It was never a bad idea to have a few tricks hidden up his sleeve.

  "Mr. Ryuji!"

  A voiapped him out of his thoughts. Turning, Ryuji saw Senzaemon and the others walking toward him.

  The headmaster of Totsuki Academy led the group, bowing his head deeply in gratitude.

  "Thank you so much, Mr. Ryuji!" Senzaemon said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. "If it weren't for you, I dread to think what might have bee of Totsuki Academy!"

  Ryuji waved his hand dismissively, his expression lighthearted.

  "It's no trouble. I just happeo be here," he replied simply. The truth was, Ryuji hadn't acted purely out of altruism. His curiosity about the food curse spirit had been a signifit factor.

  But, of course, there was another reason.

  "The food here at Totsuki Academy is unique. Losing it would've been a real shame," he added, his tone ced with a pyful grin.

  Hearing this, Senzaemon chuckled heartily, clearly relieved. "Totsuki Academy is always open to you, Mr. Ryuji, anytime and anywhere!"

  "If Ryuji likes, I'd be happy to prepare food for him personally, anytime he wishes!"

  It was Alice who spoke this time, her eyes sparkling with mischievous i. She stepped forward, smiling brightly, her fidenwavering.

  Unlike her cousin Erina, Alice was bold, unafraid to express herself. Her feelings for Ryuji were clear, there was no point in hiding them.

  The heat in her gaze didn't go unnoticed by Ryuji. He met her eyes with a small, knowing smile.

  "There'll be plenty of opportunities," he said, leaving his words iionally vague.

  Alice's grin widened, while Erina, standing nearby, gnced away, her expression a mix of exasperation and embarrassment.

  Kaguya, however, was less posed. Her grip tightened slightly on the hem of her skirt, her jealousy barely cealed.

  This Alice… she's too bold! Kaguya thought to herself, biting her lip.

  Though jealous, Kaguya resolved to step up her game. If Alice could be so forward, then she could too. After all, hadn't Hayasaka told her that a dy must be decisive when it came to matters of love?

  ---

  By the time Ryuji and Kaguya left Totsuki Academy, the sun had already begun to dip toward the horizon. Senzaemon and the rest stayed behind to oversee the repairs to the school grounds.

  The damage caused by the food curse spirit had beeensive, but for someone like Senzaemoh and resources weren't an issue. Everything could be rebuilt, even if it would take some time.

  When they finally arrived at the Shinomiya estate, Ryuji prepared to take his leave. But just as he turo go, Kaguya's voice stopped him in his tracks.

  "It's getting te. Why don't you stay here tonight, Ryuji?"

  Her words were calm, but the slight redness in her cheeks betrayed her embarrassment.

  Ryuji blinked, gng up at the sky. While it was true the sun was setting, it wasly "te." There was still plenty of daylight left.

  Notig his skeptical look, Kaguya averted her eyes, her tone faltering slightly.

  "I-I just think it would be… more ve. That's all!" she added hurriedly, though the faint hint of expectation in her voice was hard to miss.

  In truth, Kaguya had her own reasoning. To her, Ryuji wasn't just anyone, he was her fiancé, the man she believed was destio be her husband. If she couldn't even hold his attention now, how could she possibly sider herself a suitable wife iure?

  This mi, of course, had been enced by Hayasaka, who was always whispering such ideas into her ear.

  And so, despite her embarrassment, Kaguya waited with bated breath for Ryuji's answer, her heart pounding in her chest.

  ***

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