In the kitchen.
They chirped and chattered non-stop.
The Retainers engaged in a heated debate, arguing endlessly.
"Alright, quiet down, everyone. You'll all get potions if you work hard," Linde said.
Linde, seeing the increasingly chaotic situation, didn't hesitate to slap a few of them, leaving several red palm prints.
He still wanted to try the Oriental cuisine Shiho made.
Akemi Miyano and the others also refused to be outdone and began to showcase their culinary skills.
Linde ate the dishes made by several of them.
He could only say it was a familiar taste, but with a unique twist.
Senjougahara Hitagi, who had also come downstairs, was already dumbfounded.
"Hey, hey, hey, can't you guys not be like this as soon as you get back?"
Linde blinked, ate a grape that Lenalee handed him, and said, "Is there a problem?"
"I'm just responding to the Retainers' wishes."
"..."
Senjougahara Hitagi hesitated to speak.
Damn it.
The other party was indeed helping the seniors improve their strength.
This fact was simply undeniable.
"Sigh."
With a soft sigh, Senjougahara Hitagi walked up the stairs in a daze.
Bang!
The door was slammed shut.
Senjougahara Hitagi buried herself in the quilt.
But no matter what she did, she couldn't block out the penetrating power of the high-pitched voices.
"No, it's too hot."
Senjougahara Hitagi threw off the quilt, constantly exhaling.
She hugged her arms, her eyes a little unfocused.
The feeling of becoming stronger.
What was it like?
She, herself...
It seemed she had always been LV9.
Thinking this, in a daze, Senjougahara Hitagi drifted off to sleep.
The next morning.
The warm sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains.
"I'm a little hungry."
Senjougahara Hitagi rubbed her stomach, walked out of her room with half-closed eyes, and arrived at the kitchen.
She vaguely saw Gennova and Kirisame Irina busy, and she froze.
Wait?
Senjougahara Hitagi's eyes widened, and she instantly sobered up.
"Yo, you're awake."
Senjougahara Hitagi twitched her mouth, complaining weakly.
"I can't compare to you, Master; you didn't sleep all night."
"Ah, there's nothing I can do about it. Gennova and Irina have already reached the limit of their current level."
"I can only work a little harder."
Linde replied seriously, but his movements showed no sign of stopping.
Gennova immediately chimed in, "Y-yes, power is constantly gushing out."
Kirisame Irina nodded heavily, completely immersed in the joy of leveling up.
Buzz! Buzz!
With a surge of aura, the two broke through their level limits in one go.
Their strength almost simultaneously reached level 30, reaching the realm of an Upper-level Demon.
For Demons, the realm of an Upper-level Demon is one of the biggest turning points.
By their own power, they could easily instantly kill Lower-level and even Intermediate Demons.
So, on the system panel, an Intermediate Demon needs a full 20 levels to advance to an Upper-level Demon.
Linde waved at Senjougahara Hitagi and said, "How about it? I still have time to help you break through to an Intermediate Demon?"
"No, no need."
Senjougahara Hitagi's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly waved her hands.
Becoming stronger together...
Absolutely impossible.
"Then never mind."
Linde shook his head regretfully, "Then you can do something within your capabilities and clean up."
Upon hearing this, Senjougahara Hitagi breathed a sigh of relief.
She was quite good at cleaning.
But soon, she realized she was wrong.
The few people sleeping soundly on the floor were really in the way.
Fortunately, after becoming a Demon, her physical strength increased countless times.
She moved them one by one, and only then did she clean the entire kitchen, making it neat and bright.
There was still a lot of food left that Shiho Miyano had made, but it was already cold.
"Master, I'll warm up the dishes."
Asia tidied the dishes and opened the microwave.
"Thank you for your hard work, Asia."
Linde smiled, pinched each cheek, and woke them up one by one.
"Everyone, wake up, it's time to eat."
"Ugh... I can't eat anymore."
"Just let me sleep a little longer."
Vermouth and the others opened their eyes groggily, only feeling completely exhausted.
They could only lean on the dining table and sit down.
"You guys, I almost delayed important business."
Seeing this scene, Linde spoke helplessly.
"Important business?"
The girls blinked, all a little confused.
Weren't they just doing important business?
Besides that?
Did a Retainer have other business?
"Today is the day I report to school."
Not long ago, Rias contacted him again.
Considering that it was indeed not good to keep standing her up.
Linde decided to carry out his proper job.
"Oh no, I don't know how many beautiful girls are going to suffer."
Senjougahara Hitagi subconsciously complained.
Linde was stunned for a moment, then laughed, "As expected of my Retainer, you immediately saw through my other intentions."
"...Master, can you please rein in your lust a bit?"
"I'm sorry, my dream is to have a harem."
"Heh... heh heh."
Senjougahara Hitagi's mouth twitched.
Her brain must be broken.
For a moment just now, she actually felt a stir for a Master whose head was full of perverted thoughts.
Kuoh Academy.
Classroom office.
Linde appeared here and knocked on the door.
"Come in!"
Hearing the pleasant female voice, Linde pushed the door open and walked in.
A beauty sitting at the desk with smooth long hair had already entered his sight.
Her features were delicate and pretty, her skin as smooth as a peeled egg.
Her serious eyes made her demeanor extremely dignified.
Her black and white shirt completely failed to conceal her ample curves.
Her slender and graceful waist seemed to be able to be clasped with one hand.
Good gracious, Shizuka Hiratsuka.
The moment Linde saw her, he recognized her identity.
Indeed.
The extent of this world's hodgepodge still needed to be explored by him.
"Boy, have you stared enough?"
Noticing Linde's gaze, Shizuka Hiratsuka was slightly stunned, "Although I know I'm very attractive to you teenagers."
"But I'm your teacher, you know."
Although she said that, ripples rose in her heart.
Single for over twenty years since birth.
Finally, someone appreciated her charm.
What a pity, though.
He's so handsome, which is rare.
But he's just a student.
"I don't think there's anything wrong with appreciating beautiful things."
Shizuka Hiratsuka: "..."
This kid is quite bold.
Looks like another problem child.
"Your name is Linde, right? I received your transfer application a while ago, why are you only reporting now?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka glanced at Linde's material and said casually.
Linde nodded and said, "I was delayed by some things. Is there a problem?"
"There are some."
Shizuka Hiratsuka smiled and said, "Our academy emphasizes all-round development."
"So every student must join a club."
Upon hearing this, Linde wanted to use the Occult Research Club as a shield.
Are you kidding?
He was just here to report.
For future schooling, he planned to have Vermouth impersonate him.
But Shizuka Hiratsuka's next words made him change his mind.
"Almost all other clubs on campus are full, but I can recommend you to the Service Club."
After saying that, Shizuka Hiratsuka's eyes flickered.
Youno.
For your sister, I've done my best.
After bringing this boy in.
She had already decided to make her good sister treat her to a meal.
However.
This kid doesn't look easy to fool.
"Of course, no problem."
Shizuka Hiratsuka: "???"
What's going on?
He agreed just like that?
Logically speaking, wouldn't anyone question such a strange name?
She looked at Linde suspiciously.
Why does he seem so happy?