Kuoh Academy, Old School Building.
This was the former main building of the academy. Because it had been abandoned for a long time, it gave off a gloomy and eerie atmosphere.
After Rias took Arlen to complete all the transfer procedures, the three of them arrived here.
Shiho sized up the dilapidated structure and muttered, "Is this perhaps one of the Seven Wonders of the Academy I've read about?"
"The rumors certainly say so."
Rias pushed open the heavy wooden doors. "But the reality is simply that it's the clubroom for my Peerage."
As she spoke, the three of them walked into a surprisingly spacious and well-furnished room.
"Akeno, Koneko, look who's here."
"Ara, ara... Arlen-kun, it's a pleasure to see you again."
Himejima Akeno smiled faintly, her demeanor elegant and composed. "Would you two like black tea or coffee?"
"I'll have black tea. Shiho, what do you want?"
"Coffee, thank you."
Toujou Koneko, sitting on a couch eating snacks, waved her small hand and said in a monotone voice, "Arlen-senpai, hello."
"Still as cold as always, I see."
Arlen sat on the sofa opposite Rias, glanced around, and asked, "Rias, do you still only have Koneko and Akeno in your Peerage?"
Rias sighed helplessly. "There's nothing I can do. High-potential Servants are simply too hard to find."
"That is indeed true."
Arlen nodded thoughtfully, but the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
Whether it was because of his presence or the changes in the fused world... Kiba Yuuto and the vampire were missing.
This was actually a good thing.
This was actually a good thing. He had no intention of sharing the spotlight—or the women—with anyone else.
"What? Are you happy that I can't find Servants?"
Rias narrowed her eyes at Arlen suspiciously.
She always felt that this guy... seemed to be thinking about something rude. Or perhaps, something lewd.
"How could that be?"
Arlen gave a perfunctory laugh and smoothly changed the subject. "By the way, regarding Shiho... I have a favor to ask you."
"Speak."
"You know she just became a Devil yesterday and has not a shred of combat experience. I want to ask someone from your side to guide her."
Arlen smiled charmingly. "Of course, if you are willing to teach her some Ultimate-Class Magic, that would be even better."
Teaching people from scratch... he really didn't have the patience for it.
"You really are dreaming big, aren't you?"
Rias rolled her eyes.
This guy didn't just want to be lazy; he wanted to freeload off her resources.
Arlen blinked, putting on an innocent expression.
Although the Lucifuge clan was a famous noble house... their foundation in elemental magic was slightly inferior compared to the Gremory clan.
Especially Ultimate-Class Magic.
These were spells capable of causing destruction comparable to a Satan-Class attack. In some Devil families, these were kept secret and never passed on to outsiders.
Moreover. With Shiho's [Magic Heart]...
If she learned it, he would automatically know it too.
This was simply a business deal with all profit and zero risk.
Looking at Arlen's expectant face, Rias's mouth twitched, but she didn't refuse. In the past, they had shared resources often.
Rias sighed and said, "Alright. Let's see what kind of magic she has an affinity for first. I'll handle the advanced teaching later."
"For now... Akeno, give her some special basic training."
"Understood, Buchou."
Akeno nodded.
She stepped in front of Shiho and smiled gently. "Miss Shiho, please attack me with all your strength. Don't hold back."
"Let me see your current level."
"Then, Akeno-san, please guide me."
Shiho looked eager.
She had mastered so many spells from the grimoire yesterday. Finally, she could test them out in a real scenario.
Hum...
Silent and breathless.
Heavy Demonic Power, capable of making the air itself vibrate, instantly permeated the room.
"Wait a moment!"
Akeno hurriedly raised a hand to stop her, her smile vanishing.
What kind of joke is this?
Didn't Arlen say she just became a Servant yesterday?
But what was this pressure?
This was clearly the output of a Middle-Class Devil!
If she really unleashed a spell inside, the Old School Building might collapse.
On the other side.
Rias and Koneko also wore expressions of total disbelief.
None of them were rookies. They knew exactly how strict the hierarchy among Devils was.
Unless it was a species that was powerful to begin with... ordinary humans who reincarnated into Devils always started as Low-Class.
But this woman before their eyes...
She was clearly an ordinary human yesterday.
In merely one day's time, she had jumped straight to Middle-Class?
This was like using a cheat code.
Rias withdrew her shocked gaze from Shiho, looked at Arlen, and demanded, "How did she do it?"
"Of course it's because she has an excellent Master."
Arlen said with a straight face, "If you became my Servant, you would also level up at god-like speed."
"In your dreams."
Rias rolled her eyes at Arlen; she didn't believe a single word.
In her view... perhaps Shiho possessed some mysterious, dormant bloodline.
Seen this way... with this Servant, Arlen had struck gold.
After a moment of silence, Akeno spoke up, "Miss Shiho... let's go outside."
"I'm sorry. I got carried away."
Shiho also realized her mistake. Making a move inside the room was inappropriate given her current output.
"It's not your fault; I underestimated you."
Akeno shook her head and led the way outside.
Behind the Old School Building.
There was a large vacant lot used as a training ground for Rias's peerage.
Shiho and Akeno stood facing each other.
"Akeno-san, I'm starting."
Shiho gave a warning and extended her hands, releasing her Demonic Power.
Hum!
A pale blue magic circle surfaced in the air instantly.
In the next moment.
Several razor-sharp wind blades tore through the air, rushing toward Akeno.
"Wind Blade Magic?"
Akeno's gaze sharpened.
Although this was low-level magic... the casting speed and density were absurd.
Wasn't this too proficient for a beginner?
Was she really just a human scientist until yesterday?
Thinking this, Akeno's reaction was swift. With a graceful turn of her body, she countered with lightning magic.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The spells collided, causing waves of smoke to ripple out. Shockwaves rolled away in all directions, kicking up dust.
Seeing this scene, Rias whispered, "You really picked up a treasure, Arlen."
Arlen stroked his chin and smiled smugly. "This is only the beginning."
"???"
Rias looked confused.
"Akeno-san, let's continue!"
"Okay."
Shiho began to observe Akeno's movement style and prepared her next spell.
Hum.
The light of her magic circle shone brightly again. But this time, the color changed.
Brilliant sparks blossomed from within it.
"No... it can't be?"
Rias's pupils shrank.
Lightning Magic?
She mastered two different elemental types in one day?
Or could it be... this still wasn't her limit?
Soon, her question was answered.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Shiho began a relentless bombardment. Fire, Ice, Wind, Lightning—the variety of magic dazzled Rias's eyes.
Was this something a human could learn in a single night?
Rias fell into deep shock.
Arlen hadn't just made a profit.
He hadn't just gotten lucky.
He had casually pulled an SSR character on a single, free draw.
This was too ridiculous.