Shiho had only just become a devil.
Even with her Heart of Magic skill, she still lacked experience with some of the more instinctive aspects.
As her master, Kaiser naturally took it upon himself to guide her carefully.
But he'd barely begun when he ran into trouble.
Teaching someone like this was a first for him, too.
Glancing at the red ink stains splattered across the carpet, Kaiser figured he ought to put in a bit more effort.
Shiho's brows furrowed as if she were sinking into an endless ocean, on the verge of suffocating at any moment.
In a hazy daze, she felt herself plummeting deeper, water flooding in relentlessly.
Her stomach was full, yet the more she "drank," the thirstier she grew.
Then...
Her eyes snapped open as something inside her shattered.
Every cell in her body rejoiced.
The demonic power coursing through her surged upward without limit, craving more.
The once-gentle waves turned into a raging storm, dragging her fully into the abyss.
Yet her power continued to climb.
This was... a breakthrough?
[Experience +1]
[Experience +3]
[Experience +5]
Kaiser, having wrapped things up, stared at the stream of notifications.
They caught him slightly off guard.
"That shouldn't be happening—why am I getting experience?"
"Unless..."
A spark lit in his eyes as he pulled up Shiho's status.
[Shiho Miyano]
[Race: Devil]
[Master: Kaiser Lucifuge]
[Level: LV10]
[Skill: Heart of Magic]
[Heart of Magic: No magic in the world holds secrets from you; mastery comes swiftly and naturally.]
As expected—she'd leveled up.
So this experience came from her growth?
"It looks like my servants' improvements feed back to me too."
Kaiser sensed the faint boost in his own demonic power and smiled faintly.
Didn't that mean...
If he gathered more servants in the future, he could just lounge at home and grow stronger effortlessly?
...
The next morning.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains.
"You lecherous master—did you plan this all along?"
Shiho glared at the waking Kaiser, pounding his chest with her small fists.
"This was clearly your issue. I worked hard to help you, you know."
Kaiser put on an aggrieved expression.
It was the truth, after all.
After some experimentation last night, he'd realized that if Shiho hadn't already felt affection toward him, the replenishment reaction wouldn't have been nearly so intense.
"???"
Shiho froze, staring at him in disbelief.
How could he say that with a straight face?
Was he implying she'd taken advantage of him?
"I-I'm going to bite you to death!"
She chomped down fiercely, but to Kaiser, it was little more than a tickle.
He pulled her into his arms.
"Alright, enough teasing."
Stroking her hair gently, his voice softened.
After a few token struggles, Shiho settled down, muttering under her breath, "Jerk. You got the better end of the deal."
"It was my first time too—you didn't lose out."
Kaiser whispered into her ear.
At his words, a quiet joy flickered in her eyes.
To her surprise, deep down, she felt no real resistance or regret.
When she thought about it...
Kaiser had truly saved her.
Otherwise, even if those cursed spirits hadn't killed her, the Black Organization would have eventually silenced her once she outlived her usefulness.
And now...
Not just her—her sister could finally live in the light, free from shadows.
"Time's getting on. We should freshen up—and maybe take a shower."
At Kaiser's reminder, Shiho's cheeks flushed as she registered the sticky feeling on her skin.
Yeah, a shower was definitely necessary.
...
Kaiser's standalone villa wasn't far from Kuoh Academy.
No need for any transportation.
After crossing a few streets, Kaiser and Shiho arrived at the school gates.
Shiho stared at the campus, a bit dazed.
"Something wrong?"
"You said you had business to handle—and it's coming to school?"
"Yep. I need to finalize my transfer and become a student here."
"Huh?"
Shiho blinked. "Devils go to school too?"
"What's the big surprise?"
Kaiser shrugged. "This academy is run by devils, after all."
Shiho opened her mouth, then fell silent for a long moment before murmuring, "Has the world already fallen under devil rule?"
"It's not that simple. There are plenty of factions out there just as strong as devils."
Kaiser shook his head and gave her a quick overview of the broader landscape.
"So... your childhood friend is basically in charge here?"
Shiho suddenly felt a twinge of guilt.
After all, everything that could happen last night... had happened.
Noticing her cautious demeanor, Kaiser chuckled. "Relax. Rias and I are completely innocent."
"You're sure, Master?"
"Ahem—for now. The future's another story."
"As expected, you're just a total playboy."
Shiho shot him a fierce glare.
This master of hers.
Eating what's in his bowl while eyeing the pot.
"Such a big appetite—you're not worried about biting off more than you can chew?"
She grumbled inwardly, a sour feeling bubbling up.
She was a girl, after all.
How could she not feel a little jealous?
"Kaiser, you're here."
A voice called from afar just then.
Rias, dressed in her school uniform, strode toward them.
Her gaze, however, landed on Shiho. "And this is?"
"My newest servant."
At Kaiser's words, a hint of jealousy stirred in Rias.
She didn't sense any signs of training.
Probably just an ordinary human.
Had this guy really taken her in just because she was pretty?
Letting loose the moment he arrived in the human world?
Feeling Rias's scrutiny, Shiho straightened up. "Hello. I'm Shiho Miyano."
No way was she losing in presence.
Who wasn't a beautiful girl here?
"I'm Rias. Pleased to meet you."
After brief introductions, Rias led Kaiser and Shiho to the administration office to complete the paperwork.
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