An ordinary profession creates the world's strongest

"! Yue, how far do you want to challenge my rationality?"

Shi clutched his head, his body trembling, desperately trying to endure. The Moon Cat, completely burying her thoughts, had left Shi's army of rationality and masculine pride in ruins. With a single blow, Yue Guang left Shi covered in wounds, but she would show no mercy!

"……Meow."

This time, she rolled onto her back, exposing her belly as if to say, "I will obey you." Maintaining her cat-fist stance, she gazed at Hajime with moist, burning eyes. Hajime's spirit was struck by a powerful blow, the gleam of rationality vanishing from his eyes, replaced by the gleam of a beast. Just as they were about to engage in a fierce night battle, the sounds of which could be heard even outside the house, the brave rabbit ears stepped forward!

"So cunning! As expected of Miss Yue, so cunning! You actually used this trick to seduce Mr. Hajime. You're really several steps ahead of me! But, but... even so, those ears and tail are still fakes, that hasn't changed! My rabbit ears will never lose to fakes! Come on, Hajime, these are real furry rabbit ears, okay? You can rub them any time you want~"

Even with her soul at stake, she couldn't lose. Shia, wiggling her bunny ears and tail, tempted Hajime to confront Yue. However, Yue seemed to have anticipated Shia's confrontation. In this battle between women, where Hajime's heart was at stake, Yue was absolutely prepared to the utmost.

“…How naive, Shia. You actually said my cat ears were fake… When did you develop this delusion?”

"What did you say?"

"...Hehe, I knew Shia would seize on this attack. That's why I got real cat ears. They're not artificial, so by infusing them with magic power, I can make them move as I please to a certain extent, and also prevent them from deteriorating to a certain extent."

Yue sat on the bed in a duck-like position, looking smug. But this time, Hajime and Shia were struck by a tremor in a different sense. Hajime broke out in a cold sweat, as if awakened from a dream, while Shia trembled as she stepped back one step at a time. "What's wrong with you?" Yue tilted her head in confusion. Hajime finally made up his mind to ask her:

"Tsuki, Tsuki. Where... did you buy that?"

"...Hmm? The grocery store across the street."

Yue's answer reassured Hajime and Shia. It looked like it was something that could be sold in the market—

"...But they still don't sell the real thing."

Just as they were about to breathe a sigh of relief, Hajime and Shia froze. Since the grocery store only sold artificial rabbit ears, how did they get real cat ears and tails? Hajime questioned with his gaze. Yue, on the other hand, chuckled, puffed out his chest cutely, and replied in a lighthearted tone:

“…I pulled it off.”

The cat's ears and tail trembled. Was it because of the infusion of magic power, or was it just because it was new?

In Hajime's mind, the emotions that had overtaken his rationality had already flown away. In the corner of the room, Shia folded her bunny ears, clutching her head, muttering, "Pervert, the perverted murderer, Miss Yue, has arrived!" She trembled all over, tears welling in the corners of her eyes.

Yue turned to look at Shia. Shia shuddered, only to see Yue staring at her rabbit ears with an emotionless gaze. And then...

"... Can I help you pull it off?"

“Nooooooooooooooooo! Miss Yue, you’re a pervert! You’re not a human—!”

Shia rushed out of the room like a rabbit, and Hajime said to Yue with a twisted face:

"Ah~ Yue?"

“…Yeah, I was just kidding. I’m sorry about Shia, but I just want to be alone with Hajime… Also, this is just made of real monster fur, purchased, so Hajime can enjoy it without worry!”

"Is that so? Oh, yeah. Very cute, Yue. Actually, even without this, Yue is still the best. Hmm?"

"...Yeah, I'm so happy."

Yue smiled softly. Hajime removed the cat ears and tail from Yue and hugged her tightly. Feeling the soft touch, Yue also leaned towards Hajime coquettishly. Hajime felt even more affectionate towards Yue like this, and hugged her even tighter... The cat ears and tail touched when he took them off, and for some reason, they felt warm. Hajime decided not to care about it.

Halloween Volume 2?

"Um, um... what do you think, Nagumo-san?"

In a corner of the noisy and bustling classroom after school, Hajime froze. It was as if he had been cast under a spell by the adorable monster before him.

"Hmm, hmm. I think it suits you very well. Is that a cat monster costume, Shirosaki-san?"

Hajime, finally regaining his composure, responded. At that moment, Shirosaki Kaori, dressed as a "cat monster" in a short yukata, complete with cat ears and a cat tail, blushed. This beautiful girl, already considered one of the school's two goddesses, blushed with joy and acted coyly. As if synergizing with her strongest equipment, her cuteness was practically a deadly weapon. In reality, half the boys were already drowning in a sea of ​​blood, gasping for breath in excitement, and enduring the girls' chilling gazes.

So why is Kaori cosplaying at school? It's certainly not because she has a particular kink, but because today is Halloween. After a series of twists and turns (the efforts of the young male students who want to see the female students—especially Kaori and Yaegashi Shizuku—dressing up as beautiful girls), the school decides to hold a Halloween party planned by the student council.

A little further away, Shizuku was dressed as a vampire. Her lips trembled as she was met with the warm embrace of a group of students who called themselves her younger sisters. Her expression captivated everyone, as they teased each other about their costumes. However, upon her appearance, Kaori immediately approached Hajime to ask for his thoughts. At that moment, most of the boys dressed as monsters glared at him with terrifying, monstrous expressions. Hajime broke out in a cold sweat, fearing he might actually be dragged into "Halloween Night."

"Um, Nagumo-san. After the party, we'll go to Shizuku-chan's house to continue celebrating... If it's okay, Nagumo-san could come too?"

The pressure from the monsters' gazes grew stronger, and she was narrating this forcefully—besides Shizuku, only Kouki and Ryuutarou were invited to that celebration, a celebration for the four childhood friends. "We're not allowed to attend, but you're planning to go alone?"

The monsters tonight might be a little dangerous, and this is all Neko-Ear Kaori's fault. "Oops, sorry. I have something to do later, so I have to go home right away."

"...Is that so? That's a shame, but there's nothing we can do about it. Ah, then, how about we go together at the party? It's a rare opportunity, okay?"

How could she say "rare opportunity"? She clasped her hands together and tilted her head coquettishly as she said "OK?" That perfectly cunning movement seemed almost deliberate. If the monsters hadn't been closing in on her, Hajime would have been mesmerized.

"S-Sorry. I-I have an appointment..."

Hajime slowly backed away, checking for an escape route, and, having no other choice, refused her offer. Kaori's brow twitched, but Hajime, who was keeping an eye on the monster's movements, didn't notice.

"A date? Nagumo-kun, it's not a girl, is it? Is it?"

“! Eh? No, how could that be possible? How could that be possible? Ahahaha…”

For some reason, Hajime felt a chill run down his spine, and he instinctively defended himself. Kaori felt relieved for a moment, but the rejection didn't change her, so she slumped her shoulders again in frustration. The wolf boy beside her had already begun to growl and growl, a low, unhuman sound. His heart might have already transformed into a monster.

Kaori was lost for a moment, but not getting discouraged was her strength. Her expression brightened, as if she had thought of something, and she slowly took out her phone and said:

"Then let's at least take a picture together. It's a rare opportunity, so let's keep it as a souvenir. Okay?"

"Ah, that's no problem."

It was actually a big problem, but he couldn't refuse anymore. Kaori smiled happily, and then -

"Well, then, my apologies..."

As she spoke, she hooked Hajime's arm. Hajime knew it was better to get closer when taking photos... but at a time like this, it was as dangerous as stepping boldly onto thin ice!

"! Shirosaki-san, I'm sorry! We can take the pictures later!"

“Eh? Eh? Nagumo-san—! Where are you going—!!”

Hajime bolted out. He dashed out of the classroom like a rabbit, running with single-minded determination. A swarm of monsters, clattering their feet like a thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump! "I can't stand it! Why is it just that guy?" "Roar, ahhh!" "Nanyun! You must have just touched him, damn it!" "Aww~!" The boys shouted words of jealousy at once, some of them even seeming to be out of their human form.

“Wait, that’s scary! Your expressions are so strange!? Anyway, why are you running on all fours?!”

It was common for Hajime's screams to echo throughout the school after school.

"Anyway, this is what happened back then. Those guys were definitely possessed by something other than human."

Returning to the present from his reminiscence, Hajime, facing a dish made with pumpkin-like ingredients, recounted this to Yue and Shia in the inn's cafeteria. Hajime's painful Halloween memories stemmed from the otherworldly pumpkin he saw, now processed to resemble a Jack-o'-lantern. Today wasn't a Todas festival; it was simply that the food at this inn was different, a product the owner had created out of sheer amusement.

"Oh~ The festival in Hajime-san's hometown is quite interesting. Even pretending to be a monster is unimaginable here. You'd be considered a heretic by the Holy Church."

"...Yeah. In a sense, it's a free place. But more important than that... is the fact that Hajime is obsessed with other women."

“Huh!? That’s right! Losing to cat ears? You’re so useless, Hajime-san! There’s no animal ears in the world that can beat rabbit ears!”

Memories of the past inexplicably stirred up trouble, Yue and Shia looked at Hajime with displeasure, but Hajime looked away and changed the subject.

"By the way, on Halloween, children dress up as monsters and go around the neighborhood saying 'Trick or treat!' It's a fun holiday for kids, where they can get lots of candy."

Hearing this, Yue murmured, "Oh~," and whispered something to Shia beside him. Although Hajime was deeply concerned, Yue and Shia concluded their private conversation and, before Hajime could even ask, she charged him with a furious tirade about Earth's monsters and youkai. The moment she finished her questioning, Yue, Shia in tow, vanished in a flash, leaving only one thing for Hajime to do: book a hotel reservation.

Afterwards, Hajime reluctantly booked a hotel room and repaired his weapons in his room. He finally sensed Yue and Shia's return, and then... on the other side of the opened door was—

“…Yeah. Hajime, if you don’t give me candy, I’ll go trick-or-treating~”

"Ahhh~ This outfit is so embarrassing. Forget about that for now, if you don't give me candy, I'll play tricks!"

“…What the hell?”

In every sense, it really was "What the hell?" The two figures were simply too overwhelming.

Yue wore a highly reproducible white miniskirt yukata, generously revealing her slender, white legs. Red leggings with a matching red belt added a touch of glamour to her fair feet. In contrast to her voluptuous legs, only the tips of her small fingers could be seen beneath her long furisode sleeves. Yue's fingers dangled in front of her like a youkai, creating a deeply endearing look. Judging by the chill and floating ice crystals surrounding her, she was likely dressed as a snow-onna.

Beside her, Shia raised her hands, yelling "Ooo ...

Hajime suppressed the turbulent waves in his heart caused by the two of them and laughed in confusion.

"Another vicious monster has appeared? I give up. But unfortunately, I don't have any candy. If I had known beforehand, I would have prepared..."

Hajime's words, "I lost," made Yue and Shia exchange glances, their cheeks flushed with joy. But the next moment, they suddenly revealed a wicked smile. That strange smile, for some reason, sent a chill down Hajime's spine. Yue licked her lips, and with her alluring charm on full display, she declared to Hajime:

"...We'll do trick-or-treating whether you give us candy or not—sexually."

Hajime's face twisted as he tried to escape, but Shia, now fully strengthened, grabbed him and instantly stopped him. He then used Thunderbolt to throw her off... but it was too late.

"...Yeah. Hold on to the candy!"

“Idiot, that’s not candy! Idiot, stop it! Respect yourself, ah, ah————!!”

The next morning, when Shia woke up from a sleepless night due to the electric shock, Hajime was staring blankly into the distance, while Yue's face was radiant...

"Halloween... so scary." Hajime's murmurs were particularly clear.

Illustrations for Volume 2

Volume 3 Prologue

The Taiwanese version is from the Kingdom of Light

Image source: kerorokun

Scan image: a8901566

Input: a8901566

Photo editing: Riko

Proofreading: Bakemonogatari

Hatayama Aiko, 25 years old, high school teacher.

For her, a teacher's role isn't simply to impart specialized knowledge, strive for academic success, and guide moral development, while these are certainly important. However, she believes the most important thing is to "stand with the students." Specifically, she wants to be an adult that children can rely on, beyond their family.

Because of something that happened during her school days that had a huge impact on her, which I won't go into detail here. In short, being a support system for children outside is not only Aizi's creed as a teacher, but also her persistence and the pillar that supports her as a teacher.

Aiko was deeply dissatisfied with the current situation. Suddenly thrust into this bizarre and bizarre situation, she was summoned to another world. Before she could react, the most charismatic student in the class had already negotiated the terms on her behalf. When she regained consciousness, the students she valued were already preparing for war.

No matter how many times he tried to persuade them, the established "wind direction" always easily overwhelmed Aiko's opinions, and in the end, he couldn't stop the students.

"At least I have to protect them from the side!" Despite this decision, she was assigned a mission far removed from combat due to the rarity and limited utility of her abilities—improving and developing farmland in various locations. Despite her desperate resistance, even the students turned against her, and from a perspective of being suited to the task, Aiko could not argue, so she reluctantly accepted the mission.

She lived in suspense, thinking of her students fighting in distant lands. She toured rural villages and undeveloped regions, escorted by the Temple Knights of the Holy Church and the Royal Guards of the Kingdom of Heilig. When her mission finally concluded and she returned to the palace, she was met with tragic news about one of her students.

At this time, Aiko couldn't help but blame herself for not staying with the students at the time. She kept saying that she wanted to be the teacher she wanted to be, but she just let the situation take its course.

Of course, if she were asked what would have changed even if Aiko were there, she probably wouldn't have been able to answer. However, this incident was a major wake-up call for Hatayama Aiko, a teacher, and undoubtedly became the key to her awakening in some sense.

The students, having experienced the overwhelming fear of death up close, were devastated, but those associated with the Church and the Kingdom wanted them to continue fighting.

Aiko decided to "no longer let the situation dictate to her" and confronted the church officials and the kingdom's nobles head-on, using her position and abilities as weapons or shields, loudly calling on them to stop approaching and forcing the students.

As a result, she finally succeeded in achieving victory, and the students who refused to fight were no longer under pressure.

However, moved by Aiko's efforts, her already high support rate soared even higher. Many students even expressed that although they could not enter the [Orcus Great Labyrinth] or participate in the war like the hero and his crew, they at least wanted to serve as Aiko's guards as she ran around on missions. What an ironic result.

Of course, the reason wasn't simply "for Aiko." Remembering their classmates who had fallen into the abyss, or their companions currently fighting desperately in the Orcus Labyrinth, the students desperately wanted to shake off the guilt and anxiety of being the only one in the safe zone, as well as the trauma of death that had been deeply rooted in their hearts that day. Rather, it was precisely because of that feeling that they rose to their feet. So, the reason driving the students to rise wasn't just Aiko's actions.

Aiko was not unaware of the students' feelings. She was frankly happy that they had stood up on their own, having previously hidden themselves in the palace with gloomy expressions and desperately trying to escape reality.

Even so, Aiko was still somewhat reluctant to let the students accompany her on the expedition and put them in danger. She tried to convince the students by saying, "You don't have to fight," and "With the knights we've sent to protect you, there won't be any problems." However...

The students either turned a deaf ear or shouted with full fighting spirit, "We will protect Xiao Ai!", which completely had the opposite effect.

In the end, Aiko couldn't persuade them and had to let them accompany her on the subsequent agricultural land reform and development tour. She fell to the ground in frustration, muttering to herself, "I've let the situation control me again. I'm an incompetent teacher..." She still remembers this memory vividly.

Incidentally, an interesting thing happened at this time—the dedicated knights assigned to protect my son also helped persuade them, but for some reason, this made the students even more stubborn. Why did they rebel against these guards? The following sentence embodies the will of all students—

"How can I leave my love to this stinky man who came from nowhere!"

Rather than the thieves and monsters they might encounter along the way, the students felt a greater sense of danger from Aiko's personal knights, each of whom was incredibly handsome. This was a strategy by the higher-ups to keep Aiko, a talented individual, within the Kingdom and the Church—in simple terms, a "beauty trap." One student, upon discovering this, shared this information with the others, and thus formed the "Anti-Handsome Army Protector Ai Club."

However, the students miscalculated one thing at this time - they did not know that the purpose of the beauty trap had backfired. The evidence is the following lines when the knights persuaded the students:

David Zahler, captain of the Temple Knights' exclusive guard—

"Don't worry, I will protect my daughter and won't let her get hurt in the slightest. My daughter is my heaven...my everything."

Chase Domino, deputy captain of the Temple Knights' exclusive guard team——

"For her, I can abandon my faith. I am determined to dedicate everything to Miss Aiko. Doesn't that reassure you?"

Royal Guards Knight Joshua Ochs——

"My meeting with Aiko-chan was destiny. Do you think I would let my destined partner die?"

Royal Guards Knight Judd Hart——

"...I swear not as a Royal Guard knight, but as a man, that I will protect her even at the risk of my life."

The students couldn't help but wonder, "What the hell is going on?! These guys are being defeated!"

In other words, at first they were indeed worried that Aizi would be deceived by the beauty trap, but after hearing these words, the students were unwilling to leave Aizi's side with a parental feeling of "I will never hand Xiao Ai over to someone of unknown origin!"