The air shifted the moment she stepped forward.
Yuto's eyes locked onto her instantly.
She was stunning.
Long, silky black hair flowed down her back, swaying lightly with each step. Her maid uniform hugged her figure perfectly: elegant, yet impossible to ignore. The curve of her waist, the shape of her hips, the subtle rise of her chest beneath the fabric, it all drew attention without trying too hard.
Her legs were long and toned, wrapped in sheer stockings that traced every movement.
But her eyes were sharp. Confident. Playful. He could sense the passion in them.
"So this is my opponent," Yuto muttered under his breath.
The maid stepped forward gracefully, stopping just in front of him. She placed a hand lightly over her chest and bowed.
"Monica Everly," she said smoothly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Yuto-sama."
Her voice was soft, but carried a teasing undertone.
Yuto smirked slightly. "Yuto's fine."
She straightened, stepping closer. "Then… Yuto."
She extended her hand. Yuto took it. Her skin was soft. Warm. But there was strength beneath it. Her fingers lingered just slightly longer than necessary. Their eyes met and for a brief second, something passed between them. Subtle. But real.
[New Bond Detected]
Target: Monica Everly
Current Bond Rank: E (25/100)
Status: Initial Contact Established
Rias watched from the side, a faint smile forming as she noticed the status screen.
Monica slowly pulled her hand back.
"I hope you're ready," she said.
Her tone shifted. It was still soft, but there was a tone of seriousness. Yuto rolled his shoulders as he prepared to get into a fighting stance. He would not underestimate her. "Yeah. Let's do this."
They stepped apart, creating distance. The training ground fell silent.
Rias raised her hand slightly.
"Begin."
Monica vanished. Yuto's eyes widened in shock and then sharpened quickly in defense. He felt it. Movement. It was pretty fast. A crack of violet lightning split the air. A bolt shot toward him from the side.
"Wreck!" Yuto fired instantly holding his hand out.
By chance, the two attacks collided creating a large boom. The impact pushed him backward several feet. He steadied himself, as his eyes darted around the room. "Fast," he muttered.
Monica stood at a distance, her fingers still crackling with violet lightning. Electric arcs danced around her arm like they were alive. "You reacted well for your rank," she said calmly. "Most wouldn't."
Yuto chuckled. "I appreciate it."
Her lips curved slightly. "We'll see if you survive this next one."
She raised her hand again. The air tightened. A low hum filled the space. Lightning gathered around her body. Not wild. Controlled. Compressed. Then, she disappeared again from his sight. Yuto focused, not his eyes, but with his instincts. That was the only way he'd be able to defend himself. It wasn't that Monica's lightning magic allowed her to move super quickly, but more so that Yuto was just too slow in his current state if he did not react with his instincts.
He turned just as another bolt fired at close range to his right side.
He reacted, but not fast enough. The lightning grazed his side.
"—Tch!" Yuto grimaced in pain. His muscles tensed. His body reacted slower for a split second.
Monica landed smoothly a few feet away. "You're still standing."
Yuto rolled his shoulder, forcing the tension out. "That all you got?"
Her expression sharpened slightly. "Not even close."
She lifted both hands this time. Lightning surged around her body. Stronger now. More aggressive. Yuto felt it. The pressure was insane. He could tell that he couldn't dodge this attack. Before he could process what to do, two lightning bolts shot forth and hit him. He only managed to channel the spell absorb right in time. He groaned as his body hit the wall behind him with a thud. If he didn't cast absorb, he probably would've broken a bone or two.
Monica walked up to confidently with a smile on her face as she held a ball of lightning in her hand. Yuto held the side of his chest as he stood up to confront her. He was more bruised than her and Monica was sure she would win with her speed and higher raw power, but she was wrong.
"Summon!" Yuto shouted as he summoned his baby bat. Even though his bat was still a baby and wasn't really under his control, the summoning of a bat in front of the maid completely threw her off guard. Her lightning ball in her hand disappeared for a second as she stumbled backwards, which was all the time Yuto needed to punch her in the stomach which caused her to fall backwards. Yuto stood over her as he held a small sphere of the magic wreck in his hand.
He concentrated hard to keep it formed in his hand as he stood over her.
"I surrender," Monica said slowly pushing herself up. Her uniform was slightly disheveled. Hair falling loosely around her shoulders. Breathing uneven. "Seems I lost," she said softly.
Her voice had changed. Subtler. Warmer. Rias watched from the side, arms crossed, a faint smile on her lips. Because she knew exactly what this meant. Yuto looked down at Monica as he offered his hand. She took it and he helped her to her feet.
Then his eyes met her eyes. A slow grin spread across his face as he noticed her blush.
"…Yeah," he said. "I guess you did."
He turned to Rias. "Since I won, I want to claim my prize now. Please give me some alone time to bond with Monica and make sure nobody enters the guest bedroom. Can you do that for me Rias?"
Rias nodded with a smile. "You earned it Yuto. I can make sure that happens."
She left the training grounds as Yuto picked up Monica in his arms in a princess carry.
Monica blushed and adverted her gaze from Yuto's eyes. He licked his lips.
That was going to be fun.