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The place fell silent.
Jack was speechless.
This clown…
Rias and the others walked over. After that intense tennis battle just now, she was still glowing with heat, a faint sheen of sweat on her skin, looking full of energy.
"Jack, what happened here?" Rias asked.
"No idea. Maybe it's my overwhelming charm?" Jack didn't know what else to say, so he just started spouting nonsense.
Rias and the others stared at him.
What charm? Yeah, right.
Sona also looked suspiciously at Shirou Emiya, her eyes quietly questioning him.
"Weren't you super desperate to get a familiar before?"
"Ah… hahahaha… well… I just feel like I still need more training. Passing out more flyers and gaining experience doesn't sound bad either."
Shirou scratched his head, but still shot Jack a series of exaggerated winks.
Jack sighed.
He appreciated that the guy chose to yield… but seriously, he had no idea how to help push this guy and President Sona any closer.
"Well, since Shirou insists, we'll give up the chance this time," Sona decided in the end, respecting his choice.
"Hehe, then let me thank you on behalf of my Jack and Asia."
After a bit more small talk, the student council left. Shirou gave Jack more ridiculous winks before dragging him aside.
"Master! How was that? Teach me a couple moves!"
"…Can you not call me Master?" Jack rolled his eyes. "If you like your president, why don't you just confess already?"
Shirou froze, then scratched his cheek in embarrassment.
"I already tried that…"
"Hm?" Jack blinked. "You did? And?"
"I confessed and she thought I was joking. What do I do…" His head hung low, looking miserable.
Jack hesitated, then finally couldn't help saying quietly:
"Maybe she didn't misunderstand. She's just… very kind."
Shirou: "…??"
Thanks for nothing, buddy.
That one hit straight in the heart.
After standing there stunned, Shirou eventually wandered off with a bitter expression…
Jack: "…"
Another confused youth awakened to reality today.
He really was too helpful for his own good. And now that he was literally a demon, being this helpful probably wasn't a great look…
…
After school, in the clubroom.
Rias sat on the sofa, sipping tea.
"I'm still not sure what exactly happened, but at least we secured permission for the request. And tomorrow's the full moon, so we'll head out tomorrow night. For now, everyone go home and rest."
Jack nodded and turned to Asia. "Asia, I'll help you move your things today."
Until now, Asia had been living directly in the clubroom. He'd already found her a place—barely fifty meters diagonally across from his own home.
"Alright, thank you." Asia smiled, then told the others, "We'll be heading out first."
"Mm. Take care."
After changing clothes at home, Jack went to help Asia sort her belongings.
"Asia, are you getting used to things here?"
They chatted as he carried boxes, taking out cute little trinkets and arranging them around the room.
"Yes. My classmates are all really interesting, and the seniors in the club take such good care of me."
Asia's face was full of happiness. "I've made so many friends. I think this must be the Lord's guidance. Thank you, Lord—ah, ow~"
She suddenly let out a small yelp, pressing her head in embarrassment.
Jack laughed.
"You're already a demon. If you keep chanting your gospel like that, of course your head's gonna hurt."
"Hehe…" Asia smiled shyly.
"Do you blame me for pulling you into the demon side?" Jack asked calmly. He knew how deeply Asia respected God. Back then, he had basically pushed her along into this change.
He'd meant well, but he had absolutely forced her into something life-changing.
"Not at all!" Asia shook her head fast. "Thanks to you, I've made so many friends and can live this happily. Before, this was something I didn't even dare dream of."
Hearing that, Jack gave a small smile.
"I'm glad."
Asia looked at him—at that gentle expression—and her eyes lit up.
"Jack is such a kind person…"
"…Didn't expect to hear that from you," Jack muttered.
He never imagined the cursed word "yasashii" would one day land on him…
Asia blinked innocently. "Even if you're a demon, that's still a compliment."
"Yeah, I get it."
Jack chuckled softly and shook his head. "Asia, I'm not nearly as gentle as you think. I just do whatever I want, however I want."
The blonde girl's eyes curved like little moons.
"Isn't that exactly how demons are supposed to be? But Jack… you're especially charming because of it."
She placed her hands over her chest, looking almost holy.
"I believe this: in your heart there's compassion, mercy, tolerance, freedom, and fairness. All of these are divine qualities. They don't conflict with being a demon at all."
As a former holy maiden, Asia knew better than anyone how rare it was for those traits to coexist in a single person.
Honestly, even if Jack had never become a demon, he still had the makings of a saint. Or a king.
One who teaches and uplifts all beings, or leads countless people.
Jack was stunned. He didn't expect that this was how Asia saw him.
His mind drifted to the King's Shield and Sword… and its previous owner.
A king who held the world in his heart, a saint loved by his people. A man respected by millions who led countless souls through suffering.
When that king died, even heaven and earth mourned him.
Did he receive the artifact's recognition because he resembled that kind of person…?
Or was he still far from worthy of it?
Almost as if it felt his thoughts, the King's Shield and Sword inside him trembled lightly.
At the same moment, his magic surged, resonating with the world itself—giving him a noticeable boost in power.
Jack's eyes flickered.
He suddenly understood. Sacred artifacts definitely had a divinity of their own.
And this simple conversation with Asia had helped him realize how to communicate with his artifact, allowing his strength to grow.
What he didn't know was that this was a path of cultivation inherent to all living beings. Angels, demons, humans—anyone could rise above themselves through the nature of their own hearts.
If making pacts was a shortcut for demons, then this path was the true road of hardship and endless trials.
Those who reached the end… transcended.
"..."
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