The memory of that first kiss still lingered—soft, warm, and unforgettable. But along with that sweetness, Ryuya had also learned who his future enemy would be.
Rias's fiancé.
A formidable upper-class devil, no doubt—a powerful opponent who stood far above his current level. The gap between them was staggering.
He had to grow stronger. Fast.
Ryuya let out a quiet sigh. Ever since he'd entered this world of devils, that sense of crisis had never left him. He was growing quickly—there was no denying that—but the stronger he became, the stronger his enemies seemed to grow as well.
If things kept going like this, he'd have to rely on forming contracts for now. Contractual power-ups were efficient, and though self-training was dangerous, he couldn't afford to neglect it either.
He wasn't the kind to shrink back just because the path ahead was difficult.
In terms of contracts, his pact with Sakurajima Mai had already been successfully completed. Now, it was time to find the next potential partner.
But before that—he really needed a familiar.
He couldn't keep wasting time on mundane tasks like handing out flyers. That kind of tedious, repetitive work was starting to eat into his valuable training hours.
With that in mind, his anticipation for tomorrow's Familiar Forest expedition grew stronger.
"Sleep," Rias murmured softly, curling up in his arms. "We've got the Familiar Forest tomorrow."
Ryuya was silent for a moment, slightly exasperated.
This girl had just stirred him up, only to tell him to sleep?
…Fine.
A minor inconvenience like this wasn't enough to trouble him anymore.
Devils were known for their indulgence in desire—but that didn't mean they were slaves to it. On the contrary, devils could exert absolute control over their own impulses.
Within moments, Ryuya's mind settled into calm clarity again. Holding Rias's devilishly perfect body close, he drifted into deep sleep.
This time, there were no interruptions.
The two of them slept peacefully in each other's arms until dawn.
When morning light spilled into the room, Ryuya opened his eyes—and was immediately greeted by a breathtaking sight.
Rias lay beside him, her crimson hair scattered like silk across the pillow. The blanket had slipped down to her waist, and one flawless, snow-white leg was draped carelessly across his body. Her curves—her chest, her waist, her thighs—were like a masterpiece sculpted by the gods.
To wake up to such a sight first thing in the morning… it was enough to make any man feel invigorated.
Except—his arm, trapped beneath her head, was completely numb. Painful, yes. But also… not a bad kind of pain.
He used his free hand to gently nudge her shoulder. "Rias, wake up."
The sleeping beauty stirred, blinking open her sapphire eyes. Brushing away a few strands of red hair that clung to her cheek, she murmured in a lazy, drowsy tone, "Morning already…?"
"It's bright out. I'm going to start my morning training," he said, patting the smooth, toned thigh that was still draped over him as a signal for her to move.
With a small groan, Rias sat up—paying no mind to the blanket that slid completely off her body—and stretched languidly, her yawn carrying an almost feline grace.
Ryuya caught a glimpse of her bare, flawless skin before forcibly dragging his gaze away and getting up to put on his clothes.
Rias, meanwhile, reclined back on the bed in a graceful, almost teasing pose, watching him dress with a faint smile.
So it wasn't just men who enjoyed looking at women undressed—apparently, women liked watching, too.
Their morning training went on much like the day before. With Rias joining in, Ryuya found his motivation at an all-time high.
And before he knew it, time had slipped by.
The long-awaited moment had arrived—
the journey to the Familiar Forest was about to begin.
Although only Asia and Ryuya were supposed to find familiars, Akeno and the others decided to tag along as well.
The five of them gathered inside the clubroom, and through a magic teleportation circle, they were instantly transported to the Familiar Forest.
It was said that this place existed in a separate dimension—a special space that lay between the realms of Heaven and the Underworld. Within it lived countless strange and fantastic creatures.
Overhead hung a blood-red moon, staining the forest in a crimson hue. Twisted black trees stretched as far as the eye could see, their eerie shapes filling the air with a chilling sense of dread.
"The scenery here… it's so dark," Asia whispered nervously.
"That's because we're closer to the Underworld side," Rias explained with a gentle smile, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "There's also a section connected to the Heavenly side, but the holy energy there is too strong for devils like us. Naturally, we're better suited to this area."
As her gaze swept across the woods, she added, "And since tonight's a full moon, that person should appear soon."
"Who?" Asia tilted her head curiously, her expression pure and innocent.
"The master of the familiars," Rias replied.
No sooner had she spoken than a surge of magical power rippled through the air—followed by a loud voice echoing from above.
"Hah! More newcomers, huh?"
Ryuya looked up and spotted a middle-aged man standing casually on a tree branch, dressed like some kind of rugged adventurer.
"Eek! W-Who's there?!" Asia yelped in surprise.
The man gave a dramatic laugh. "Heh-heh! I am the great Zatouji, Familiar Master! Ohhh, what a fine moonlit night! Perfect for catching familiars! With me here, any familiar you want is as good as caught!"
…Was this guy for real?
If he was truly the "Familiar Master," why did he sound like a salesman hyping up his own skills?
Ryuya glanced at Rias, silently asking with his eyes, Is this the guy?
Rias nodded with an amused smile. "Yes, he's the expert on familiars."
"Alright then!" Zatouji declared enthusiastically. "So, what kind of familiar are you looking for? Power type? Speed type? Something that uses poison?"
Ryuya smirked. "I'd like one that can help me with homework."
"…"
Rias sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. A familiar—an essential partner for devils—and that's what he wants?
"Can you be serious for once…" she muttered helplessly. "I think it would be better if you picked one that can assist in combat."
"Well, that depends on what we can find," Ryuya replied with a shrug.
Asia, on the other hand, was practically sparkling with excitement. Thinking of Koneko's adorable cat-like familiar, she raised her hand eagerly. "Um, I want to find one that's cute!"
"No problem!" Zatouji grinned widely. "Leave the pretty girl's request to me!"
With that, he jumped down from the tree, landing lightly on the ground.
Despite his eccentric personality, Zatouji truly did have skill. His ability to sense and track familiars was nothing short of impressive.
Under his guidance, it didn't take long for Ryuya and the others to reach their first destination.
"Here we are!" Zatouji announced proudly. "This lake is the habitat of a Water Spirit—a Undine! They're a race known for their exceptional combat ability!"
Ryuya's eyes flickered with interest.
Angels, devils, dragons… and now elves or spirits from legend?
He couldn't help but imagine—
if the stories were true, then maybe… just maybe, she'd be a fair-skinned beauty with long legs and pointed ears.
He couldn't wait to find out.
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