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The kitchen was a warzone.
Chatter and bickering flew nonstop as the crowd of familiars went at each other like squabbling birds.
"Alright, calm down. Potions aren't that hard to get. As long as you put in the effort, you'll all have your turn."
Seeing the chaos grow, Edgar didn't hesitate at all—his palm cracked out several times, leaving a few bright red handprints behind.
He still wanted to try Shiho's attempt at Eastern cooking, after all.
Miyano Akemi and the others refused to be outdone and started showing off their own cooking skills.
Edgar tasted each dish.
It was the familiar flavor he remembered, but with a surprising twist to it.
Coming downstairs at the same time, Senjougahara Hitagi stood frozen.
"Hey, hey, hey—can we not start the moment you walk in?"
Edgar blinked, popped one of Rias Gremory's grapes into his mouth, and said, "What's the problem?"
"I'm just responding to the devotion of my familiars."
"…"
Senjougahara opened her mouth, then shut it again.
Damn it.
He really was helping the seniors get stronger.
That fact was… impossible to argue against.
She sighed and trudged miserably back up the stairs.
Bang!
Her bedroom door slammed shut.
Senjougahara burrowed under her blanket.
But no matter how tightly she cocooned herself, there was no blocking out those very loud sounds downstairs.
"It's too hot…"
She threw off the blanket, exhaling hard.
Her arms hugged her own shoulders, eyes unfocused.
What did it even feel like… to get stronger?
She'd been stuck at Level 9 forever.
Thinking about that, still half-dazed, she drifted off to sleep.
The next morning.
Soft sunlight slipped through the curtains.
"…Kinda hungry."
Rubbing her stomach, eyes half-open, Senjougahara shuffled out of her room and headed for the kitchen.
And then she saw Genova and Inari Fushimi busy at work—and froze.
Wait.
Her eyes widened. She woke up instantly.
"Yo, you're up."
Senjougahara's mouth twitched. "Unlike you, Master, some of us actually sleep at night."
"It can't be helped. Genova and Inari both reached their current limit already."
Edgar answered seriously, hands never stopping.
Genova immediately nodded along. "Y-yes… the power just keeps pouring out."
Inari nodded hard too, completely immersed in the joy of leveling up.
Buzz. Buzz.
Their auras surged—and in one push, both broke through their limits.
Their strength shot straight to Level 30, reaching the realm of high-class devils.
For devils, that rank was a major threshold.
A high-class devil could instantly crush a low or even mid-class one with ease.
Which was why the system required a full 20 levels for a mid-class devil to get there.
Edgar waved Senjougahara over. "So? I've still got time. Want me to help you break through to mid-class devil?"
"N-nope! No thanks!"
Her heart leapt and she frantically waved her hands.
Getting stronger together?
Absolutely not happening.
"Alright then."
Edgar shrugged regretfully. "In that case, do something helpful and clean up."
Hearing that, Senjougahara let out a breath of relief.
Cleaning, at least, was something she was confident in.
…or so she thought.
The problem was the pile of exhausted women sprawled all over the floor, fast asleep.
Thankfully, her devil physique had boosted her stamina, so she managed to drag each of them aside and tidy the kitchen until it gleamed.
Plenty of Shiho's dishes were still left, though they were completely cold.
"Master, I'll reheat everything."
Asia arranged the plates and opened the microwave.
"Thanks, Asia."
Edgar chuckled and pinched everyone's cheeks in turn, waking them up.
"Get up. Time to eat."
"Mmm… can't eat anymore…"
"Just let me sleep a little longer…"
Belmod and the others blinked open, dazed and weak.
They could barely manage to sit at the table.
"You girls… I almost got delayed from something important."
Edgar sighed.
"Important?" they echoed blankly.
Weren't they just doing something important?
Familiars had… other duties?
"Today's the day I report in."
Rias had contacted him not long ago.
And he supposed he really shouldn't keep ditching her forever.
"Welp, lots of pretty girls are doomed today."
Senjougahara muttered reflexively.
Edgar blinked, then laughed. "As expected of my familiar. You saw through my other plans right away."
"…Master, could you at least pretend you're not ruled entirely by lust?"
"Sorry. My dream is to build a harem."
"Heh… haha…"
Senjougahara's mouth twitched so hard it hurt.
Her brain must be broken.
For one fleeting second—
She'd actually felt her heart skip for this walking pile of hormonal trash.
Private Kuoh Academy.
Faculty office.
Edgar appeared at the door and knocked.
"Come in."
Hearing the pleasant female voice, he pushed open the door.
A beautiful woman sat behind the desk, long silky hair draped over her shoulders.
Her features were refined yet striking, skin smooth as polished porcelain.
Her stern gaze gave her a powerful, commanding aura.
Her black-and-white shirt couldn't hide her curves at all, and her slim waist looked easily encircled by a single hand.
Oh damn. Hiratsuka Shizuka.
The moment he saw her, he knew who she was.
So this world really was a crossover buffet. Guess he'd have to keep exploring.
"You done staring, kid?"
Noticing his gaze, Hiratsuka raised a brow. "I get that I'm attractive to boys your age."
"But I am your teacher."
Despite her tone, a ripple of emotion stirred inside her.
Single for over twenty years.
Finally—someone actually appreciated her beauty.
Too bad…
Such a handsome guy was still a student.
"Admiring beauty isn't a crime, is it?"
"… …"
This kid had guts.
Great. Another problem child.
"Your name is Edgar, right? I received your transfer papers ages ago. Why are you only reporting now?"
She skimmed his file as she spoke.
Edgar nodded. "Got held up. Any issue with that?"
"A few."
She smiled faintly. "Our academy values well-rounded development."
"So every student must join a club."
Hearing that, Edgar almost used the Occult Research Club as an excuse.
He was only here to check in anyway. For actual classes, he planned to have Belmod impersonate him.
But Hiratsuka's next words made him reconsider.
"Most clubs are full, but I can recommend the Service Club."
Her eyes gleamed.
Yukino, I'm really doing my best for your little sister here.
Once she shoved this boy into Yukino's club, she fully intended to extort a free dinner out of her best friend.
Though…
The kid didn't look easy to fool.
"Sure. No problem."
"???"
She blinked.
Just like that?
Normally students questioned the weird club name at least once.
She eyed him suspiciously.
Why did he look… happy?
"..."
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