Trait granting has an upper limit?
Tatsuma was stunned and looked at Sakiko's panel.
[Sakiko Togawa]
[Race: Human]
[Strength: Level 3]
[Traits: Musical Instrument Mastery (White), Mind's Eye (Green), Manager (Green), Psychic Energy (Blue), Teleportation (Blue)... Devil Bloodline (Purple)]
1, 2, 3, 4, 5... 17.
Counting the number of traits on Sakiko's body, Tatsuma instantly realized the truth of the matter.
The number of traits he could grant to a target was linked to the number of equip slots he had.
He currently had seventeen equip slots, so he could grant a maximum of seventeen traits.
To give Sakiko more traits, he had to increase the number of his equip slots, thereby increasing the upper limit of trait granting.
"I didn't expect there to be such a restriction."
Tatsuma closed the panel, feeling a little emotional in his heart.
To reduce costs and increase efficiency, most of the time he would only give one white trait to people.
There had been a few instances of giving multiple traits to increase strength. However, granting over a dozen traits at once like this was the first time.
Understanding the hidden restriction of trait granting, Tatsuma looked at Sakiko in front of him.
"How is the situation? Can you control the new power within your body?"
"Barely."
Sakiko focused her attention, gradually retracting the aura around her body.
While Tatsuma was training in seclusion, Sakiko did not neglect her training because of work. According to the training plan Tatsuma left behind, she would set aside a part of her time each day to train.
Accumulating over time, Sakiko's control over power increased in a straight line. Even if she obtained power exceeding her limit, she would no longer lose control like before.
"Not bad, you've improved a lot." Tatsuma was very satisfied with Sakiko's performance.
A large part of the reason he was willing to strengthen Sakiko was this spirit of hers.
As an ordinary person, Sakiko was more persevering than most people. As long as there were enough traits, her future potential would not be lower than anyone else's.
"Speaking of which, I still have some Evil Pieces left. Sakiko, do you want to join my peerage?"
"Peerage... I might not be suitable."
Sakiko hesitated for a moment and shook her head at Tatsuma.
"I heard Ravel say that a Devil's peerage will have to fight in Rating Games for their master in the future."
"My training time is limited, and my combat experience is insufficient. Becoming your peerage would easily hold you back."
Tatsuma said, "There's nothing to be afraid of. If you have to say it, Soyo is even more of a hindrance than you."
"...Then let Soyo be the only one to be embarrassed."
Sakiko was silent for a moment but still didn't accept.
"Before becoming strong enough, I want to put more energy into the position of secretary."
"Alright, then let's go at your pace."
Tatsuma didn't force Sakiko to agree and put away the Evil Piece.
"Do you have any other work today?"
"It's mostly handled."
"That's perfect, come and help me test some items."
Tatsuma took out a bottle of pink potion and shook it.
This bottle of potion, along with the Reflection Ring, was Yahweh's contribution.
According to Yahweh's introduction, this potion was called Slime Potion. After consuming it, one could temporarily gain a Slime physique, allowing the body to flow like a liquid.
To be honest, Tatsuma was very curious about the feel of a slime. After having Sakiko consume it, he, upholding the principle that practice makes perfect, began an unknown exploration.
Slimes are a magical creature. Their entire body is slippery, and they can change their body temperature and shape to a certain extent.
Evaluation: The potion's duration is too short and needs improvement.
Pulling out his notebook and jotting down a few lines, Tatsuma pushed the door open and left the room.
It was just past four in the morning, and the girls in the villa were still sleeping.
Quietly walking up the stairs, Tatsuma made his way to the room at the far end of the second floor's right side and raised his hand to knock twice.
A few seconds later, a click sounded.
The door was opened, and Grayfia, wearing a white nightgown, appeared before him.
"Tatsuma?"
After seeing who the person was, a hint of confusion flashed in Grayfia's eyes.
"Is there something you need me for so early?"
Tatsuma asked, "I'm about to head out, why don't you come with me?"
"...Okay, please wait a moment."
Grayfia hesitated for a moment before agreeing.
A faint wave of demonic power rose, and a magic circle appeared beneath Grayfia's feet. The next second, the nightgown she was wearing vanished, replaced by a set of everyday clothes.
"Huh? When did you learn transformation magic?" Tatsuma blinked, a little surprised.
"I learned it from Le Fay after returning last night." Grayfia replied with a calm expression.
However, under Tatsuma's acute perception, he could notice Grayfia's lips curving slightly upwards. It was clear that her heart wasn't as calm as she appeared on the outside.
"Restia, get ready to go out."
Grayfia, still unaware that her true thoughts had been exposed, turned and called out into the room.
"Coming." Restia's reply sounded.
A few seconds later, a girl with long black hair appeared before Tatsuma.
Raising a hand to rub her sleepy eyes, Restia looked like she couldn't muster any energy.
"Tatsuma, you came way too early. I stayed up until three in the morning last night with Grayfia studying magic, I only just lied down an hour ago."
"Three in the morning?"
"Yeah, Grayfia said the beginner level transformation magic wasn't enough and insisted on reducing the transformation time to 0.5 seconds. She trained the entire night for it."
Transformation magic is considered low-level magic, and the difficulty of learning the basics isn't high. However, to further reduce the transformation time, some training is required.
This is also because Grayfia has a good foundation and possesses considerable magic talent. For someone else, let alone one night, they might not even be able to reduce the transformation time to 0.5 seconds in a month.
"I didn't realize you were so dedicated to this magic." Tatsuma looked at Grayfia and teased with a half-smile.
"Flaws that are realized must be promptly addressed, otherwise they will be exploited by enemies as a weakness for continuous attack."
After Grayfia replied without changing her expression, her gaze turned towards the contracted spirit beside her.
"Restia, don't say useless things. If you're sleepy, just switch to your weapon form and hang on me to catch up on sleep."
"Then I won't be polite."
Restia smiled slightly, and her figure flickered, turning into a black longsword.
Grayfia grabbed the sword and casually inserted it, hanging it at her waist.
"I'm ready."
Grayfia looked at Tatsuma and asked as if nothing had just happened, "Where are you planning to go?"
"First, to Akatsuki, to clear out some inventory."
Tatsuma stopped teasing and raised his hand to snap his fingers.
A Teleportation Magic circle appeared beneath their feet, and the surrounding scenery rapidly changed.
When everything stabilized, Tatsuma and Grayfia arrived inside a spacious office.
Raising a hand to press a button on the desk, Tatsuma stood in place and chatted with Grayfia.
"Summer vacation is in a few days. I'll be going back to the Underworld with Rias and the others. Do you want to come along?"
Grayfia shook her head. "I can't, I'm currently in exile. Unless Rizevim is killed, I cannot return to the Underworld."
Tatsuma thought for a moment and asked, "Because you'll be targeted by the Devil higher-ups?"
Grayfia nodded. "Yes."
Tatsuma asked, "There's nothing to be afraid of in a situation like that, right?"
Tatsuma found this somewhat hard to understand.
"From a standpoint perspective, Ajuka and Sirzechs are on the same side as you."
"Three transcendent-level combatants, could they really not suppress a group of ordinary Devils?"
"Yeah, I find it strange too."
Just then, Restia's voice sounded.
"Even though you have an absolute advantage in power, you're always so constrained in everything you do."
"Sometimes I really don't understand what you and Sirzechs are hesitating about."
Grayfia shook her head and began to explain, "Power doesn't decide everything. The Devil higher-ups are led by the Great King Bael and are composed of the descendants of the Seventy-Two Pillars."
"The current Four Great Satans are not the descendants of the original Four Great Satans, and their influence in all aspects is not as great as these Devil higher-ups."
"Once a dispute arises between the two sides, the conflict between them could potentially affect the entire Devil society."
"At that time, from top to bottom, the Devils supporting the Satan faction and the Devils supporting the Great King faction will clash, resulting in countless casualties."
"That kind of scene is something neither I nor Sirzechs and the others wish to see."
"Tch, does enduring it always work?" Restia snorted coldly, not entirely agreeing with this.
"Anyway, I can't stand a bunch of weaklings running wild over my head."
"I agree with that point." Tatsuma nodded slightly, echoing her sentiment.