A few days later, a company named Schicksal Group quietly established itself within Academy City.
Its offices were located inside a luxurious 5A-grade skyscraper in District 1.
Its appearance immediately stirred the hidden undercurrents of the city. After all, this wasn't just another disposable startup destined to vanish in obscurity—the one behind it was none other than Selene, Academy City's top figure and the one who held the key to human enhancement technology.
Given what had happened to the last person who dared to provoke her, most of the Dark Side factions refrained from any underhanded tricks—for now.
Even so, in a place like Academy City, there was no guarantee that some lunatic wouldn't try to target Sebas to threaten her. And though she had bodyguards assigned, Selene wasn't reassured. After all, even the best guards couldn't provide constant protection.
"In the end, one must be strong themselves," she mused.
That's right—Selene intended to strengthen Sebas. In this world, Sebas was still just an ordinary human.
But this was not going to be a simple case of bodily enhancement through Honkai energy—it was a Herrscher Vassal Conversion.
As everyone knew, the birth of each Herrscher was always accompanied by the manifestation of a corresponding Honkai Beast—for instance, Sirin's Benares, or Raiden Mei's Kurikara.
Back in the previous world, when Selene completed her Herrscher transformation, she had deliberately suppressed the birth of a companion Honkai Beast, saving that potential for future use—perhaps as a better conversion medium.
And now, the perfect opportunity had arrived.
With her decision made, Selene returned to her villa to inform Sebas of her plan. This time, however, she would not conduct the conversion at the Schicksal Research Institute. Instead, she intended to bring Sebas directly into Imaginary Space to perform the ritual.
After all, she couldn't be certain just how much disturbance the transformation of a Judgment-class Honkai Beast might cause.
...
Knock, knock.
Accompanied by the steady sound of heavy footsteps, Sebas entered Selene's view, maintaining his usual impeccable posture.
Though he wasn't sure why Selene had called him over in the middle of the night, as her personal butler, responding immediately to her summons was a basic duty.
As he walked in, the faint violet glow of a dark portal beside Selene caught his attention.
"So this is the Miss' ability... but why summon me at such a late hour?" he wondered.
Approaching slowly, Sebas asked respectfully, "Miss, is there something you require of me?"
"You'll understand once you step inside."
Without hesitation, Sebas obeyed.
...
It was a bizarre and surreal world—the boundless sky glowed with shades of violet and crimson, and distorted streaks and blotches twisted in all directions.
Using a small-scale application of Honkai Manipulation, Selene transmitted her thoughts directly to Sebas through particle consciousness transfer.
The moment Sebas appeared in that place, he understood where they were—Imaginary Space—and the reason Selene had brought him there.
"Vassal Conversion... Miss, your grace truly leaves me speechless."
Immediately, infinite imaginary energy began converging around Sebas. A mist of blood-like vapor rose from his body, forming an outer shell that encased him completely, wrapping him in a cocoon.
As time passed, the cocoon grew larger and began to take shape—its surface hardening and faceting into a massive violet-red geometric cube that extended toward the heavens.
Thump...
Thump...
With each heavy heartbeat—like that of a giant beast awakening from the depths—the evolution began.
In the real world, Selene instantly sensed Sebas' decision—he had chosen to become her companion Honkai Beast.
...
Several days later, Selene returned to Imaginary Space.
Before her stood the enormous crystalline cube, its surface gradually turning translucent. From within came a deep, thunderous breathing—like the rumble of a slumbering titan.
Selene knew that Sebas' evolution would be complete in less than two days.
But she was growing impatient—not because she was frustrated with the countless corporate matters awaiting her attention, nor because she needed another capable hand to handle them.
No, this was because she cared deeply for her subordinate. Because she valued him.
Yes, she thought proudly, I'm such a responsible superior. A true, conscientious leader.
Acting on that thought, Selene began accelerating the flow of imaginary energy within the control zone.
Under her influence, the massive crystalline cube began to shift rapidly—the transparency increased, cracks appeared, and molten streams of energy pulsed across its surface.
Within the cube, Sebas' human form had completely vanished. In his place, a massive black dragon was taking shape.
As the imaginary energy was absorbed and transformed, the black dragon's scales gradually hardened—shifting from a soft, muted shade to a gleaming, cold luster that radiated raw power.
Suddenly, a pair of enormous, glowing crimson slit-pupiled eyes snapped open.
Sensing Sebas' awakening consciousness, the colossal cube connecting heaven and ground began to quake violently. The molten, vein-like lines running across its surface pulsed rapidly before withering away.
Crack... CRASH!
With a deafening explosion, two massive wings—each nearly a hundred meters long—burst through the cube's shell, shattering it into fragments.
A deep-black dragon emerged, its body covered in intricate scarlet magma-like lines. Its dark wings shimmered faintly with crimson light, the bone structure beneath gleaming like black metal. The enormous creature hovered above Selene, casting an immense shadow over her.
The dragon's body stretched over a hundred meters long, its proportions majestic and perfectly balanced. Three pairs of horns curved backward from its head, each larger and longer than the last. The crisscrossing pattern of the horns gave off an awe-inspiring, almost terrifying beauty.
Its wings weren't merely those of a Western dragon—they bore the combined traits of bat-like membranes and draconic structure, lined with countless fine scales and sharp bone spurs.
Most striking of all was its jaw, forged in the image of steel, gleaming with black metallic sheen; its fangs were long and razor-sharp, laced with glowing red veins that pulsed beneath its armor-like scales. From head to tail, its entire body was encased in dense plating that glowed faintly like molten metal.
Then, with a thunderous roar that shook the void, the shattered fragments of the cube turned into a violet-red mist and were drawn back into the dragon's body.
When the absorption ended, the black dragon spread its wings lightly. In an instant, the violent gust it created warped the air, and its aura grew even more ferocious.
"This form... it's like Deathwing himself..." Selene muttered softly.
With its wingspan extending beyond two hundred meters, the dragon's body blotted out the "sky" above her.
"Miss..."
The massive black dragon descended, lowering its fearsome head until it rested beside Selene's hand—a gesture of complete submission.
As her fingers brushed against the dragon's cold, armored scales, Selene quietly felt the connection between master and vassal settle into balance. A small breath of relief escaped her lips.
It seemed Sebas hadn't lost himself to the surge of power. That meant she wouldn't have to use her contingency plan after all.
Indeed, Selene had always anticipated the worst in human nature. While performing the vassal conversion, she had prepared a countermeasure in case Sebas went out of control.
Fortunately, everything had gone smoothly.
Looking up at the towering dragon, Selene said, "Sebas... you can take human form, can't you? With that body, it would be inconvenient for you to handle your work."
Despite the surreal transformation, Selene hadn't forgotten the practical matters—Sebas still had to return to oversee company affairs.
"Yes, Miss," came his deep yet composed reply.
The black dragon's body glowed red and began to shrink rapidly. When the light faded, Sebas had returned to his human form—unchanged except for the crimson vertical pupils now glinting in his eyes.
"Let's go," Selene said lightly. "Time to head back. I've been covering for you these past few days, you know."
"Understood, Miss," Sebas replied respectfully.
...
Back in the real world, Selene watched Sebas' departing figure and finally allowed herself to relax. At last, she was free from the mountain of administrative work that had been weighing on her.
Just as she was wondering how to enjoy her newfound leisure, the sudden ringing of her phone interrupted her thoughts.
Puzzled, Selene picked it up.
"Hello...? Principal? What... year-end evaluation?"