Brand New Life Online: Rise Of The Goddess Of Harvest - Chapter 1858: After School Plans

Chapter 1858: After School Plans

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Akatsuki continued teaching them about the Five Elements of Feng Shui and the practice itself—how the world harmonized with these five elements and how even the placement of objects mattered because they connected to the natural energy of the earth and the Ley Lines.

He also explained that Edo had been built as one enormous Feng Shui circle, with each shrine positioned at a point where darkness naturally gathered. Because of this design, the yearly events that exorcised evil from the shrines had become such a major tradition, spawning all kinds of festivals for the Japanese people.

“Alright, students, tomorrow we’ll move on to more exciting stuff! We’ll hold some mock battles so I can see everyone’s arsenal and what you’re capable of. From there, I’ll help each of you personally and give advice on how to further improve your abilities. Next week, we’ll do some on-field study—we’re going to a haunted manor! Ooohh! After that, we’ll exorcise some Yokai, take down a few Hollows, and who knows what else we might find? Anyway, see you tomorrow, same time!”

The students filed out slowly. Elena gathered with her friends and gradually began growing closer to Harumi, who checked on her from time to time.

After class, Matsuo—eager to merge their friend groups—invited everyone to yakiniku for dinner and announced that he would cover the bill.

“Yakiniku? You sure, Matsuo? I’m a werewolf, so you’re saying I can eat all the meat I want?” Erika asked with a confident smirk, clearly proud of her appetite.

“Yeah, but I’d hope you don’t eat *all* the meat, Erika! We’ve been friends for years—do you still have to act like this?” Matsuo sighed, crossing his arms.

“Sure, why not? Shall we go, Frank?” Harumi asked.

“Okay, I don’t mind,” Frank replied. He and Harumi often stayed close; she liked holding his arm or his hand. They looked really cute together. “It’ll be a good chance to get to know the new students.”

“Anna, is that okay?” Elena asked.

“Why are you asking me like I’m your mom? Of course it’s fine!” Anna chuckled, kissing her cheek. “You look a little happier—are you feeling better?”

“I guess so,” Elena shrugged. “Maybe the change of air helped a bit, and… well, you know.”

“Yeah, yeah, right,” Anna nodded. “Your mom’s back—what am I even saying? Anyway, Elisa, Monica, you in?”

“I don’t mind. Sounds fun,” Monica said with a light smile. “I’m getting hungry too.”

“Of course,” Elisa agreed. “Matsuo, don’t worry about the cost. I have considerable wealth—I can help cover the expenses.”

“Wooohooo! Looks like the rich lady’s paying for Matsuo!” Erika howled. “Let’s eat! Yakiniku! Yakinikuuuu!” She raised her arms and started shouting.

As the whole group walked out of the academy, they spotted Maria’s friend group chatting while heading outside. Emily was munching on a melon pan, and Alma was eating shrimp-flavored chips, they both looked hungry.

“Ah! Hey, Maria, why don’t you join us?” Matsuo called, walking over.

“Hm?” Maria glanced back. Her crimson eyes—somehow even redder than Harumi’s—were striking, as was her tall, slender, almost supermodel-like figure, her cascading silvery-white hair, and the strange, dark, ghostly aura that surrounded her. “Ah… What are you suggesting?”

“We’re heading out for yakiniku. You in? We’ll cover it—it’ll be a nice chance to get to know each other,” Matsuo said. “Some of us might have gotten off on the wrong foot, but… it’d be good if we could all get along, right?”

Maria looked back at her friends, who all nodded.

“Sure! I was getting hungry…” Alma said, patting her stomach.

“Me too!” Emily added. “Is yakiniku good? What is it? Some Japanese food thing?”

“It’s a meal where you grill your own meat,” explained the Russian beauty, Sofia. “Honestly, why would you ever do it yourself when you can pay someone else to serve you a full meal?”

“Because it’s fun and interactive!” Matsuo replied. “It encourages people to talk, you know? Japanese people tend to be quiet and socially awkward, so we invent weird customs like this to get us to open up.”

“Hmm! Sounds nice,” Maria nodded. “Okay, Sofia, if you don’t want to come, you can just head home.”

“W-Wait! I’ll go! D-Don’t leave me behind! Hey, Mariaaaa!” Sofia complained, running after them as they walked away.

Satoru watched from a distance with a calm smile. “Whew, look at my kids already getting along just fine, huh? You’re all brilliant little ones. A bright future awaits.”

As he smiled and watched them leave, he heard footsteps approaching from behind. A beautiful European woman stepped forward, dressed in a white leather dress and matching white leather witch hat, her cascading red hair framing bright blue eyes.

“I hope you’ve been taking good care of my children, Satoru,” she said with a sharp gaze.

“Oh? Olivia! Long time no see. Hey, wanna go on a date?” Satoru asked with a cheerful grin.

“Tsk, stop asking me out every single time you see me!” she snapped, clicking her tongue.

“It’s just that every time I see you, I want to ask you out. Is it my fault you’re so beautiful?” he replied with a carefree chuckle. “Especially that beauty mark right there near your mouth? I mean, wow—you’re so cute.”

“S-Shut up! Why do you always act like a pervert?” she groaned, facepalming.

“P-Pervert? Wow, rude,” he sighed, shaking his head. “So what’s up?”

“What do you mean ’what’s up’? Aren’t you the new director? Why are you so laid-back all the time—wait, how did the higher-ups in Japan even let you become director?” she asked.

“The old men have been really busy lately,” Satoru said. “Between the Otherworldly Gates popping up randomly, the sudden surge of stronger Yokai, the constant emergence of Mutated Hollows, and now Dream Rifts appearing in some places… The reason we even brought those girls from Dream Heart Academy is to help us deal with the problem and teach others how to handle Nightmares—oh, and how could I forget? There’s apparently a full-blown Holy War going on! And—”

“Shhh! Lower your voice, you idiot!” Olivia hissed, raising her hand as if to slap him. “The Holy War has to stay secret from the public.”

“Is that so? Then maybe they should stop causing disasters everywhere,” Satoru sighed. “Just handling the Chaos Gate’s ever-growing underworld criminal empire is already more than enough trouble for one man!”

“I’ve been investigating their traces lately,” Olivia said.

“Oh?” Satoru stepped closer. “Tell me any juicy tidbits.”

“Enough—take this seriously,” she groaned. “Listen… they might be participating in the War too.”

“…Hm?” He raised an eyebrow. “But weren’t all the participants already decided?”

“…Among them is a member of the Chaos Gate,” Olivia sighed. “We’re investigating who hijacked the position from an old magus who was supposed to participate, but they’re definitely not planning anything good.”

“What?” Satoru’s brow furrowed. “What does that even mean?”

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