[Enkidu, Chains of Heaven (Enhanced): An improved version of the Chains of Heaven based on Gilgamesh's original Noble Phantasm. They grow alongside the owner. At minimum, they can bind High-class Devil-level enemies, and at maximum, they can restrain entities of the Three-Digit level.]
"It's too embarrassing to try and steal someone's sister right from their hands! It really makes a cat uncomfortable, meow!"
Kuroka showed a hint of sharp teeth, signaling that she was becoming very aggressive. But there was no other way. As a warlock, she was nearly defeated by Takumi's Astra, making it impossible for her to fight him in close quarters. In truth, if it came down to a melee, Takumi wouldn't be Kuroka's opponent without overdrawing his own power, as her physical body was at the level of a High-class Devil. The Chains of Heaven should be just enough to tie her down.
However, Takumi had no intention of using them yet. Because... now there was no need!
While they were facing each other, a playful voice rang out from the sky!
"Milky! Milky! Final!"
"Bullying my sister's friend—this is unforgivable! Milky-chan will destroy you on behalf of Sona-chan!"
As Takumi predicted, she made her move. After all, being overprotective and doting on her sister were her defining traits. Just moments ago, he had felt the presence of this Maou girl within a certain distance of Sona.
"Magical Girl! Serafall joins the fray! The cat demon and the disobedient wild animals shall be punished for being stray devils!"
Takumi looked up. A girl wearing a pink Magical Girl Milky cosplay outfit descended from the sky. Her black twin-tails fluttered in the wind, and red and black stockings wrapped her legs. Most importantly... terrifying ice magic was brewing on the star-shaped magic wand in her hand!
"Pink..."
"Sigh..."
Takumi sucked in a breath of cold air, followed by a burst of pain and itching from the cat's nibble on his back.
"Koneko, Koneko, I meant the eyes!"
Takumi knew it was Koneko biting him, so he quickly changed his words. Yes, he meant the eyes, not her underwear! Even if... he could see them.
"No way!"
The monkey, Bikou, looked at the Maou girl who suddenly arrived and swallowed hard. He remembered correctly—this was Serafall Leviathan, one of the Four Great Maous of the Underworld! Even among Maou-level masters, she was one of the best!
"Sister, if you can, don't use too much force. If you swing your wand too hard, a small country will be wiped out. Just catching them is enough."
A familiar voice sounded beside Takumi. Sona Sitri, the current Student Council President of Kuoh Academy and the next head of the Great King-class Sitri family.
"Since it's Sona-chan's request, Milky-chan must respect it! You two wild animals that hurt people, prepare to be defeated by the Magic Flash!"
Serafall seemed to be in high spirits; it was rare to legally find such handy toys to play with.
"Tch! Monkey... we're withdrawing."
Facing a Maou-level spell, Kuroka didn't panic, but she made a face at Bikou.
"Understood! After all, we're facing a Maou; there's no way but to retreat for now. You can talk to your sister later!"
Bikou also felt it was time to slip away. He was truly unwilling to experience the shame of being caught by a devil and then having his old man beg for his release!
"No way! If Milky-chan lets you run away, Sona-chan will be upset!"
Serafall's pink eyes gleamed with excitement. Magical Girl Milky-chan would not allow evil to escape.
"Heh, if nothing else, our escape experience is absolutely top-notch."
Bikou smiled and looked at Kuroka. Having caused trouble in the Biblical pantheon and various other major pantheons, they were well-versed in the art of running away.
"The escape begins!"
In Kuroka's hands, a large number of magic circles dedicated to fleeing appeared. Takumi did not intend to use his own power to disperse them. On one hand, his current state wasn't great and his spiritual power had bottomed out. He had originally planned to teleport to the Underworld if Serafall hadn't shown up. On the other hand, he wasn't actually very willing to see Kuroka and Bikou get caught.
.........
"President, thank you for your help."
While Serafall was playing happily, Takumi thanked Sona.
"Takumi-kun, don't thank me. I was looking for you today for a reason."
Sona adjusted her glasses, her eyes involuntarily focusing on Koneko, who was still on Takumi's back. [Even if there was no other way, this behavior is too intimate...] Sona complained in her heart. If she hadn't seen that Koneko was in a bad state, she would have definitely separated them immediately.
"However, first of all, I want to know—has Takumi-kun awakened the power of a hero?"
Sona spoke solemnly. She had seen earlier that Takumi's body held significant power, and she felt those golden weapons would cause more than just minor injuries if they hit her. If Takumi had such power, why hadn't he shown it before? Was it just a chance awakening today in the face of crisis?
"Well, that's right. Many memories emerged with the awakening of this power, like the fact that there are devils, gods, and Buddhas in the world."
Takumi nodded. This was the cover story he created for his identity. It was impossible to say he had obtained the power of Vishnu, who didn't belong to this world, as it would surely attract unwanted attention. Claiming it was the bloodline of a hero was just right.
"Maybe it's because of that terrifying thing that appeared today. After the vision in the sky disappeared, I felt something enter my mind."
"I see." Sona nodded. It was indeed a reasonable explanation.
"Koneko Toujou, I had better send you to Rias first. Takumi-kun and I have important things to discuss, and you need further treatment."
Originally, Sona thought that even if Takumi had no special power, she would use Lord Ajuka's calculation techniques to turn him into a powerful warlock. Now... since he had awakened his own power, the magic of the Maou Ajuka would surely make him even more powerful! It was unrealistic to return the gift she received from Lord Ajuka at this point.
"Well, I really don't know any healing techniques."
Takumi squatted down near the teleportation circle constructed by Sona and gently placed Koneko inside.
"Senior... See you tomorrow."
Koneko murmured softly. She felt there was much she needed to explain to him.
"Well, Koneko should take good care of her injuries."
Takumi said with a smile. He saw her cat tail swaying uneasily... she seemed a little reluctant to leave.
The Sitri family crest flickered, and Koneko's figure disappeared into the teleportation circle.
"By the way, Takumi-kun, this is for you."
Sona handed him a transparent crystal ball that she had just traded from the Maou. It contained a vast amount of knowledge related to magic! Minimalist magic circle construction, mental chanting methods, magic power circulation—all summed up by Ajuka Beelzebub. According to Ajuka's speculation, this was enough for an ordinary person to reach the level of a High-class Devil. With enough comprehension and calculation ability, one could even reach the Maou level!
"This is..."
Takumi didn't know exactly what was inside because there were countless arrays arranged by a Transcendental guarding it. The patterns protecting the data were deeper than the data itself! Even with his Alpha Stigma and the power of Krishna, he could only see a tiny fragment.
"Ah! Sona-chan, why did you just give that away?!"
The Maou girl descended from the sky, pouting and rubbing against Sona.
"Wait, Sister, you let those people run away, didn't you?"
Feeling the shift in Takumi's gaze, Sona stretched out a hand and pinched her sister's face, an annoyed look crossing her own.
"Ah, they were a little slippery, but... does Sona-chan like this kind of development? Big sister doesn't hate it either. Actually, big sister likes this kind of plot quite a bit!"
While being pinched by Sona, Serafall spoke with a giggle.