After sending off all the reporters, Ryuya stretched lazily, his voice carrying a hint of relief.
"Finally, that's all taken care of."
Mai, who had only just been tricked out of her first kiss, still felt a sense of unreality.
The strange condition that had been haunting her all this time… was it really gone?
Could she finally return to her acting career again?
Seeing her expression, Ryuya gently took her hand. "Let's head home. We can confirm it on the way."
Without waiting for her reply, he started walking in the direction of her apartment, pulling her along.
At first, Mai didn't quite understand what he meant by "confirm." But it didn't take her long to realize.
Because as they walked, plenty of people recognized Sakurajima Mai—and the moment they noticed her holding hands with a boy, their faces filled with shock. Several even raised their phones, eager to snap photos.
To each and every one of them, Ryuya unhesitatingly cast a mass memory-erasing spell.
Mai could only stare speechlessly.
This guy really had no restraint at all.
She couldn't help thinking—this "common-sense alteration" ability was terrifyingly powerful.
But… was it really okay to use it so recklessly?
Once they arrived back at her house, Ryuya's expression turned serious.
"Alright, let's officially sign the contract."
Just hearing the word contract made Mai's cheeks warm slightly, her mind flashing back to how he'd tricked her earlier. Outwardly, though, she forced herself to stay composed.
"Didn't we already do that just now?" she asked coolly. "Technically speaking, signing it again means you have to grant me another wish, doesn't it?"
Ryuya couldn't help but laugh. "Is that how you're interpreting it? Mai, are you trying to cheat me right now?"
"I learned it from you," she shot back without missing a beat.
"That's not the same thing," he said with mock seriousness. "When a Devil does it, it's not called cheating. Being cunning and deceitful is part of our nature."
Mai: "..."
There was no arguing with him—somehow, he always managed to twist things so he came out right.
Mai wisely chose to retreat for now.
She'd deal with him properly once she had the upper hand.
In any case, after getting her consent, the contract ritual finally began in earnest.
Following the detailed instructions Rias and the others had given him, Ryuya quickly channeled his magic to construct the formation required for the ceremony. Then he gestured for Sakurajima Mai to step onto it.
She followed his guidance. As the magic circle lit up beneath her feet, both of them immediately felt something—an invisible thread connecting their souls.
But when Ryuya attempted to draw in the payment for the contract, a powerful surge of energy burst through his body.
The torrent of Demonic power roared within him like boiling water, violently washing through his veins as his magical energy multiplied at a frightening rate!
Ryuya's eyes widened in shock.
He knew that completing a contract would strengthen his magic—but he hadn't expected the increase to be this overwhelming.
Something wasn't right about this…
But what exactly?
Still, power was power—and a Devil getting stronger was never a bad thing.
Ryuya quickly steadied his mind and began guiding the raging magic, letting it reshape and reinforce his body from within.
Whoosh!
Before Mai's eyes, a pair of dark, gleaming Devil wings suddenly unfurled from Ryuya's back.
A surge of wind filled the room as his body slowly lifted off the ground, hovering weightlessly in midair like gravity had ceased to exist.
At that moment, Ryuya's consciousness sank deep into that strange inner realm once more.
Before his eyes, the colossal black citadel appeared again—the same one that housed the artifact, the King's Sword and Shield.
Just a moment ago, he had felt a mysterious pull, as though something were calling to him. Now, standing before the towering structure, he could sense its excitement—like a beast trembling to be unleashed upon the world.
Realization dawned on him. Gathering his Demonic power, Ryuya extended his magic toward the black fortress, attempting to make contact.
In the next instant, it was as if a floodgate had burst open. His magic surged outward uncontrollably, pouring into the enormous citadel.
BOOM!
A thunderous bell echoed from the watchtower high above the walls.
The deep, resonant toll rippled across the vast fortress, and the entire black citadel trembled violently in response.
Then Ryuya felt it—an overwhelming shockwave reverberating from within the city walls, expanding with terrifying force.
Alarmed, he quickly calmed his mind, suppressing the eruption before it could spread. After an intense struggle, he finally managed to dissolve the destructive energy.
But even that brief moment had drained most of his strength—his magical power was nearly spent. With a helpless sigh, Ryuya severed the flow of energy.
He understood now. The great fortress could respond to his will—but with his current strength, he could barely make it move.
Just what was the connection between this black citadel and the Sword and Shield…?
Ryuya opened his eyes, feeling the rush of power settling within him. The price of the contract had fully transformed into energy, and joy flickered across his face.
This contract's effect was incredible—far greater than he'd imagined. With it, he could continue to grow stronger through his bond with Sakurajima Mai.
Once his strength reached a certain level, he could have Rias recommend him to the Demon Lord for a title—ascending to the rank of High-Class Devil and gaining even greater power.
"Did it work?" Mai asked with a gentle smile. She could feel it too—the undeniable connection that now existed between them.
"Yeah," Ryuya replied with a light grin. "From now on, if anything happens, you can summon me through the contract anytime you want."
His mood was bright; the ritual had gone perfectly.
Feeling the faint magical link between them, Mai couldn't help but marvel.
A Devil boyfriend who could appear whenever she called?
That didn't sound half bad at all.
Just then, her phone rang.
Mai glanced at the screen, and her expression darkened slightly.
Ryuya took one look and saw the name displayed—her manager.
In other words… her mother.
Recalling how her mother had once completely forgotten about her own daughter, Ryuya didn't know what to say.
The relationship between those two was… complicated, to say the least.
"You're not going to answer it?" he asked quietly after a moment of hesitation. Then, in a softer tone: "Some things are better said face-to-face, don't you think?"
Mai's eyes flickered slightly at his words.
Ryuya squeezed her hand gently, giving her a warm smile. "It's getting late. I should head back to school, so I'll leave you two to talk. If you need anything, just summon me through the contract."
Mai drew in a steady breath and nodded lightly.
Satisfied, Ryuya smiled and released her hand, turning toward the door. Before leaving, he glanced back—she had already answered the call.
Smiling faintly, he pulled the door closed behind him.
Once outside Sakurajima Mai's house, Ryuya exhaled deeply.
Finally—his first contract was complete. Time to share the good news with Rias and the others.
"Though…" he muttered with a wry smile, "I skipped class this morning. I wonder if Rias covered for me."
With that thought in mind, he made his way toward the nearest bus stop, sighing softly to himself.
"…When will I finally unlock teleportation magic?"
He grumbled inwardly. To think—he was a Devil now, yet he still couldn't fly or teleport. Having to commute by bicycle or crowded bus…
Seriously, what kind of Devil lived like this?
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