Kuoh Academy.
That afternoon.
A refreshed Linde walked out of the old school building.
Upgrading a Retainer in the Occult Research Club, with an observer present, was a first-time experience.
For him, it was quite novel.
On the other side.
"President, black tea or coffee?"
"I… that's not what I want."
Rias spoke weakly, looking at Himejima Akeno with some resentment.
Himejima Akeno caressed her face, a knowing smile on her lips: "Oh my, is there anything else I can do for you?"
Rias: "…"
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave for now."
Bowing slightly, Himejima Akeno turned and walked out the door.
"No, I need to rush back and take a shower."
Once out of Rias's sight, Himejima Akeno's pace quickened.
Too impulsive.
She didn't know what she was thinking, to actually go back.
But…
She squeezed her thighs together, her cheeks flushed a deep red, and a silly smile appeared on her face.
It seemed to feel pretty good.
And… the President's aura seemed stronger.
Could it be… Himejima Akeno's eyes showed a thoughtful expression.
Service Club.
The door wasn't closed, so Linde walked straight in.
The next second.
A graceful figure had already entered his sight.
Under the afterglow of the setting sun, her black hair seemed to sparkle.
Her features were exquisitely delicate, and her gem-like eyes seemed to be able to see into people's hearts.
Dressed in a school uniform, it couldn't hide her tall and proud figure.
Her black pleated skirt swayed slightly in the wind, revealing her long, beautiful legs with captivating lines.
The only minor flaw was that the 'sin' beneath her white shirt seemed a bit lacking.
It really is you, Yukinoshita Yukino.
Linde's eyes flickered slightly, and he glanced at the glowing Demon Contract.
Mhm, she indeed has Retainer potential.
Kuoh Academy is simply a blessed land.
In just one day, he encountered three people with Retainer potential.
"It seems I can't always let Vermouth cover for me; I should also come here often."
At this rate, the number of his Retainers might super double.
And as Linde was observing Yukinoshita Yukino, she also cast her gaze upon him.
"Student, has no one told you that your gaze is very rude?"
"If you keep staring, I'll call security."
Yukinoshita Yukino stood up from her seat, her eyes becoming sharp, exuding a strong sense of pressure.
Linde shrugged, saying innocently, "I'm just admiring something beautiful."
"Or are you saying you think you're an ugly woman?"
"Even if you say that, it doesn't change the fact that you're a perverted wolf."
Yukinoshita Yukino became even more vigilant.
This scoundrel, his gaze lingered on her 'airport' for so long.
Doesn't she have any dignity?
"What's wrong with being a pervert? What's wrong with being perverted? It's precisely because of this that life can propagate to this day."
Linde said with a serious expression.
Yukinoshita Yukino: "…"
What is this person's skin made of?
She took a deep breath: "No matter who you are, please leave. You are not welcome here."
She was already annoyed enough being assigned here by that old maid teacher.
Who knew she'd encounter another guy full of lewd thoughts.
"That won't do. I was recommended by Hiratsuka-sensei."
"That still won't do. Please leave."
"Is that so? Then you can go find Hiratsuka-sensei."
"Are you determined to stay here?"
"I can't help it. I just feel a natural affinity for beautiful things."
The two kept talking, but Yukinoshita Yukino was starting to doubt her life.
What's wrong with this man?
In terms of sharp-tongued remarks, this was the first time she had fallen behind.
Realizing that she could only reluctantly accept the new club member, she sighed softly: "Alright, student, since we are both members of the Service Club, please introduce yourself."
Hearing Yukinoshita Yukino's words, Linde spoke calmly: "My name is Linde, a new transfer student, and my race is Demon."
"Huh?"
Yukinoshita Yukino was stunned, then retorted, "I didn't expect the perverted student to also be a chuunibyou."
"I'm telling the truth, you know."
Linde grinned.
The next moment.
With a whoosh, a pair of slender black wings unfolded.
Whoosh, whoosh!
A powerful current of air, accompanied by an eerie aura, spread outwards.
"..."
Yukinoshita Yukino's pupils constricted, and her small mouth parted.
A demon.
It really was a demon.
Looking at those demonic wings, Yukinoshita Yukino's mind had completely crashed.
Linde stepped forward, coming before Yukinoshita Yukino, and looked down, saying, "Classmate Yukinoshita, since you know my true identity, I can't let you go so easily, you know."
Yukinoshita Yukino said with a trembling voice, "But you were the one who told me!"
"Didn't you ask?"
Yukinoshita Yukino's body was completely stiff.
It seemed she had asked.
But did this demon have to be so honest?
This must be intentional, right?
Tears were already welling up in her eyes.
What to do?
What should she do?
In front of such a legendary creature, all money and power seemed utterly useless.
And it seemed she had offended him just now.
Yukinoshita Yukino cried out in her heart.
Thump!
The next moment, Yukinoshita Yukino performed a perfectly standard dogeza.
She loudly said, "Classmate Linde, I was very rude just now, please don't take offense."
So sensible?
Linde raised his eyebrows, but he wasn't surprised.
An ordinary person, no matter their status or personality, would not fare well when encountering the supernatural world.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you."
Hearing Linde's words, Yukinoshita Yukino relaxed a little.
"Take off your outer clothes and let me perform the Reincarnation Ritual."
"..."
Yukinoshita Yukino's body, which had just relaxed, stiffened again.
Take... take off her clothes?
Was she going to lose her first time today?
Thinking this, large tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Hey, hey, it's just that your outer clothes are in the way and inconvenient for me to draw the Magic Circle, don't cry."
Seeing Yukinoshita Yukino about to break down, Linde also couldn't keep his composure.
"Re... really?"
"I have no reason to lie to you."
Yukinoshita Yukino stubbornly wiped away her tears, forcing them to stop, and whispered, "I, I'm not crying."
"..."
Alright, she was just being stubborn.
After hesitating for a moment, Yukinoshita Yukino asked, "Then what's with that Reincarnation Ritual you mentioned?"
"Literal meaning."
Linde explained, "You will reincarnate as a demon, becoming my Retainer."
"From then on, you will completely break free from everything of an ordinary person."
Yukinoshita Yukino was stunned.
So, he wanted her to become a demon?
Thinking this, she actually felt a strange pull.
For a long time.
Although to outsiders, she was a good student.
But only she knew.
She wasn't happy.
Her sister's shadow constantly loomed over her.
In that case.
Perhaps becoming a demon was a real chance for change.
Moreover... although Classmate Linde was a demon, he didn't seem to be the evil image of legend.
After all, her words before were so harsh.
But he still cared about her crying.
In that case, he might be a very easy person to get along with.
"Whew!"
Yukinoshita Yukino took a deep breath, her gaze becoming firm.