Night fell.
Kaiser's villa.
Yukino Yukinoshita sat on the sofa, shifting restlessly, gaze distant.
She murmured softly, "Will this ever end?"
"This peerage… far too abnormal."
Instinctively, she glanced at the others.
No reaction?
"Hehe—occasional break nice."
"Finally good sleep tonight."
"Tomorrow—full energy again."
Shiho Miyano's group chattered endlessly.
Mostly circling Kaiser and Hitagi Senjougahara.
Positions, poses—enthusiastic.
At some point, Yuko Kanoe joined; occasional blushes.
"Sounds like Yuko wants leveling too."
Yukino overheard; glanced her.
This ghost—not normal either.
Adapted so quick?
Seeming eager self-offer.
Another hour.
Yukino couldn't endure; prepared leave.
"Eh eh…"
Asia blinked puzzled. "Yukino leaving?"
"Room prepared."
"Terribly sorry, Asia."
Yukino unnatural flush; embarrassed. "If not home—family worry."
Left villa.
Yukino straight home.
Bang!
Door shut.
Yukino touched face—still burning.
Damn—still ongoing?
Then sensed scrutinizing gaze.
Turned—met beautiful eyes.
"Sister… home too…"
Yukino brushed hair; casual. "Homework undone—upstairs."
Yukino fled.
Watching sister's back, Yono Yukinoshita narrowed eyes. "Hiding something."
…
Morning.
Kaiser stretched descending stairs.
Night's effort.
Forgot elixir count.
Only knew Hitagi broke five levels—meteoric.
Dining—busy peerage.
"Master—awake."
"Breakfast soon."
"Right—Hitagi? Not down."
Hearing, Kaiser meaningful smile.
Obvious why—clueless?
"…"
Shiho's group awkward smiles; instinctive topic dodge.
Kaiser about speak—expression shifted; panel glowing devil summoning.
"Finally—hooked?"
School path.
Miko Yotsuya yawned repeatedly.
Since glimpsing world's truth—poor sleep.
But forced alertness—avoid detection.
"Miss—commercial street?"
"Yes—all tourists. Unfamiliar."
Miko navigated alleys; tourist-dressed youths blocked.
Mm—normal; not spirits.
Miko nodded inwardly; smiled. "Follow street—right straight."
Words finished—instant all faces twisted grins.
"You see me?"
"Great—you really see."
Ominous aura; bodies deformed—grotesque monsters.
"Why disguise?"
Miko collapsed instantly; tears welled.
No hesitation—skilled turn flee.
But vision blurred.
Cursed spirits flashed—fully blocked retreat.
Instant.
Surrounded.
Closing spirits; Miko trembled wholly.
What now?
Then.
Devil contract.
That devil—easily handle.
Bit teeth; yanked contract pocket.
"…"
Ominous contract; eyelid twitched reflexively.
Use—fire pit jump?
"You see."
"Eat you."
Foul breath assaulted—no time think.
"Devil—save me."
Instinctive; eyes closed—called.
Hum!
Magic circle glowed town.
Kaiser stepped forth.
Eyed surrounding spirits; light snap.
Snap!
Substantial magic diffused; fully engulfed spirits.
"Aaah…"
Wails brief; bodies instantly dissipated.
Miko cautiously opened eyes; spirits gone—huge relief.
"S-Saved."
"Meet again, Miko."
Miko stiffened; turned familiar handsome figure; mournful. "H-Hello… devil."
Kaiser eyed; playful gleam. "Miko—active summon—price."
"This time—no escape."
Devil indeed.
So direct.
Price—devour?
Miko inward wail; slide kneel—perfect dogeza.
"Devil—as long no eat."
"Anything."
Kaiser speechless. "Devils no eat humans—don't lump with low cursed spirits."
Miko relieved; soft. "Price then?"
"Simple."
Kaiser smiled. "Target always you—mine."
Eh eh eh eh?
Miko flushed deeply; pupils quivered.
Heavens.
Devil deal cost?
Still virgin.
Though.
This devil handsome.
Unconsciously glanced Kaiser.
But!
Give self twice-met devil—too fast?
"No overthink."
Kaiser amused. "Henceforth reincarnate devil—transcendent power."
"Cursed spirits—no issue."
Miko paused.
Become devil?
Right.
Together—same race?
But…
Awaken transcendent power?
Here—Miko found deeper desire devilhood.
After all.
Fearful days—enough.
Gradually!
Hesitation vanished from Miko's eyes.
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