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As August listened to Kanon Kanase speak in his defense, Natsuki Nanami's brows furrowed slightly.

Although Kanon wasn't one of her direct students, she still belonged to the academy where Natsuki taught. More importantly, Natsuki was well-acquainted with Kanon's teachers, and the girl herself stood out. With her stunning beauty and an air of sacredness, Kanon was often called the Saint of the Middle School, and admirers lined up for her across blocks.

Given her young age, she was at a delicate stage—one most susceptible to being manipulated or swayed.

"Kanon Kanase." Natsuki began, her voice firm, "this man isn't what he seems. Don't let him fool you."

"He wouldn't do that." Kanon retorted, her voice soft but filled with conviction. "August wouldn't lie to me."

Her large, innocent eyes turned to August with such pure trust that it made him feel a rare pang of guilt.

Natsuki, on the other hand, narrowed her eyes at August. To her, he was the root of this situation. She considered using her magical bindings, Laeding, to restrain him immediately. But the presence of so many bystanders held her back.

She was sure of one thing: August wasn't ordinary. Any confrontation here could escalate into a catastrophe, endangering the surrounding civilians—something she couldn't allow.

"You're a rather trusting girl." August said, his tone laced with amusement. "We've just met, and you already believe in me?"

"I do." Kanon replied, her face lighting up.

"Then I promise, Kanon." He said with a small smile, "I will never lie to you."

"Mm." She murmured with a shy nod.

The scene irked Natsuki. Her purpose here was to apprehend this intruder, not to stand as a spectator to their budding camaraderie.

"Enough of this." She interrupted, her tone sharp.

"My apologies, Miss Natsuki." August said nonchalantly, while Kanon blushed and lowered her head.

Natsuki's annoyance deepened. This man had the gall to flirt with a student under her watch. Still, she couldn't ignore the trust and affection Kanon was already showing toward him.

"August, correct?"

"That's right, Miss Natsuki."

"Tell me." She said with a cold edge, "Why did you infiltrate Itogami Island?"

"Fair question." August replied. "But before I answer, tell me this: how did you notice me?"

"Do you think a meteor-like impact goes unnoticed? The lack of a crowd gathering near the site was a dead giveaway."

"…I see." August admitted with a sheepish grin. "So, I was discovered from the start. And here I thought I was being cautious."

Natsuki crossed her arms. "Now answer my question: Why are you here?"

"Well." August said, scratching his head, "I don't know, exactly."

"You're mocking me." She snapped, slamming her palm against the table.

"Calm down." He said quickly. "I truly don't know. I was traversing dimensions when I got caught in a spatial rift and ended up here."

"Hmm… plausible." Natsuki muttered, her expression softening slightly.

As the Witch of the Void, Natsuki knew the dangers and unpredictability of spatial magic better than anyone. Even with her expertise, space remained elusive, and she could only navigate the void's nodes.

Her instincts told her August's explanation was partly true, though she wasn't fully convinced.

"Last question." She said, fixing him with a piercing gaze. "What exactly are you?"

"Well." August began with a faint smile, "if we're being technical, I'm part of the House of Demon."

"The House of Demon?"

"Yes. We are beings born of darkness, favored by the abyss itself."

As he spoke, August stretched out his hand, summoning a swirling orb of darkness.

The sheer presence of it sent chills down Natsuki's spine. The energy radiated a profound abyssal power, unfathomable and overwhelming.

Natsuki tightened her grip on her parasol. "House of Demon… a child of darkness… I've never heard of such a thing, but it's hard to deny what I'm seeing."

The realization left her shaken. Even if August wasn't on par with the Primogenitors—the nuclear-powered apex of vampires—he was likely a being just below their level.

"Don't look so tense, Miss Natsuki." August said lightly. "I have no ill intentions."

"Let's hope it stays that way." She replied, her tone still guarded.

The secrets of Itogami Island were too numerous for her to take any stranger lightly. From the unawakened Fourth Progenitor to the Shrine of Cain's Resurrection and the island's prison barrier, the stakes were too high.

"Oh, one more thing, Miss Natsuki." August added with a smile. "Could you help me with something?"

"What?"

"Register an identity for me. You see, being an undocumented person is inconvenient. And while you're at it, could you provide me with some local currency?"

"Do I look like a charity worker to you?" she asked, irritation flashing across her face.

August chuckled and said, "Relax. I wouldn't ask for free."

A golden ripple appeared beside him, and he retrieved five solid gold bricks, each weighing roughly a kilogram.

Natsuki blinked, startled by the sheer opulence. But her shock turned to unease as she realized the implications.

The method he'd used to summon the gold was unmistakable—an advanced form of spatial manipulation.

"This." August said with a grin, "is my token of appreciation for your trouble. Does that suffice?"

Natsuki sighed heavily. "You're full of surprises, aren't you?"

"Just a little." August replied with a wink.

Despite her exasperation, Natsuki couldn't shake her wariness. Space manipulators were always trouble—especially those beyond her level of skill.

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