As the days pass, the compounding model remains intact, recovery curves behave within tolerance, Touki amplitude increases in small increments, control of the Power of Destruction refines with each micro iteration. Measurable progress accumulates.
However, there is a problem, My social capabilities.
That flaw appears gradually, as a new category of data.
At first, I attribute stiff interactions to simple unfamiliarity. This is a new world, a new body, a new hierarchy. But patterns emerge. Servants hesitate when I speak. Younger relatives avoid casual conversation. Elders look at me with an extra layer of caution, not only for power potential, but for something else.
Interaction logs replay in my mind.
"Good morning, Magdaran-sama," a servant says.
"State relevant updates," I answer, without emotion.
She reports. I nod. Dismiss her with a crisp word. The conversation ends.
There is a pause in her posture before she turns away, a micro-stutter of discomfort. Her expression attempts to flatten, but tension lines remain visible at the jaw.
Data point 1: social reception indicates perceived coldness, unnatural communication patterns, insufficient emotional modulation.
I attempt casual conversation with a distant cousin to gather more data. His age, eleven. We share blood, though not close. He approaches after a training demonstration.
"Your control is amazing, Magdaran-niisama," he says, eyes shining with a natural awe devils often reserve for strong kin.
"Control is suboptimal compared to theoretical potential," I reply. "Margin of error remains too high for serious application."
He stares. The conversation dies. He laughs awkwardly, mutters something about working hard, and retreats.
Data point 2: my conversational content is too analytical, too direct, too devoid of common emotional cues. Result: discomfort and avoidance.
I compare these observations against known behavior patterns of human and devil socialization. Most beings communicate using layered signals: words, tone, posture, minor self deprecation, flattery, nonverbal warmth. I provide efficient information, but not comfort, not familiarity. I sound like what I am at core: a reasoning engine.
This is a liability.
As the Bael heir, I must operate in a network of alliances and perception. Any hint of abnormality beyond acceptable eccentricity risks suspicion. Suspicion invites scrutiny. Scrutiny risks the discovery that something fundamentally non native occupies this body.
However, not all interpretation trends against me.
The context of recent events shapes perception. My sudden recognition as heir, my increase in visible training intensity, the perceptible sharpening of my demeanor, all provide an alternate explanation. The servants whisper that "the heir is trying to reform himself," elders attribute my changed demeanor to ambition and pressure.
For now, this coincidence protects me.
Data point 3: external observers currently link my behavioral change to heirship and training, not to possession or soul alteration. This misattribution reduces short term risk.
Still, the problem persists. I cannot spontaneously simulate warmth or easy banter. It is not natural to my architecture. My thought patterns remain systematic by default. Everything I see moves through analysis stacks: classification, probability, risk, utility.
Adapting to full social immersion will take time and experiential data. Until then, I need a workable mask.
The solution: a persona that requires minimal improvisation, fits my actual capabilities, and is socially accepted, even admired.
A cold persona.
Silent, Serious, Efficient, Polite, Controlled, Slightly aloof.
This fits well.
I will not attempt to emulate a friendly, talkative heir. That would fail disastrously. Instead, I will lean into traits that are already manifest, but reframe them under a socially acceptable archetype: the cool, distant, composed noble.
The aesthetics support the decision. In a visually driven species like devils, pattern matching often begins at appearance. My current features already lie in what most datasets would call "attractive." Pale skin, violet eyes, refined bone structure, dark hair. These elements align with culturally favored profiles.
I enhance them.
From my Earth based database, I recall a concept: looksmaxxing, systematic improvement of physical presentation. Most of its specific strategies are tuned to human societies with technology, but the principles remain useful.
Posture, Grooming, Clothing, Body composition, Facial expression control.
I analyze my reflection in the mirror. I straighten my spine, adjust shoulder position, drop tension from the neck. Simple corrections transform my silhouette from merely tall to imposing. The devil biology helps; the body adapts to posture training quickly.
I then adjust facial expressions. Neutral can read as blank, or as calm, depending on minor muscle tension. I practice the latter: eyes slightly narrowed, mouth relaxed, gaze steady. The effect is subtle, but when combined with posture, it radiates confidence rather than emptiness.
Clothing is next. The Bael estate provides access to tailored garments. I request a series of black suits with fine cut lines and minimal ornamentation, paired with dark shirts, simple but high quality. Black aligns with my Power of Destruction aesthetic and with cultural expectations of authority.
Over days, a new image solidifies: Magdaran Bael, always in sharp black, groomed flawlessly, moving with controlled efficiency, speaking sparingly.
The effect on others is immediate.
Servants stand straighter when I pass. Some female maids flush when I meet their eyes. They whisper after I leave. Male attendants adjust their behavior, more formal, more cautious. Younger devils in the household look at my silhouette with a mix of envy and fear.
Data point 4: appearance optimization and cold persona adoption increase perceived presence and attractiveness across multiple demographics.
This mask also solves another problem. The fewer words I speak, the lower the risk of exposing my analytical nature. Serious silence reads as choice, not as inability.
I test this by allowing a conversation to come to me.
My father approaches me during a clan strategy meeting. Previously, Magdaran would have postured, boasted, spoken bitterly about Sairaorg. Now, I simply incline my head, look, and listen.
"You have been working hard, Magdaran," my father says. "The servants say you train late into the night."
"It is necessary," I reply. "The clan's future demands it."
Simple, Weighty with no elaboration. The elder nods approvingly.
"Good. A Bael heir must carry burdens without complaint."
He leaves satisfied.
Data point 5: serious brevity reads as maturity and determination in this social context.
My social flaw remains, but now it is hidden behind a deliberately engineered archetype. This buys me time.
Time enough to address a more strategic issue the clan expects of me. Heirship does not only require strength and decorum. It requires continuity.
Bael elders begin to mention it in passing.
"Once your training stabilizes, you will need to consider a fiancée. You are already thirteen. And, your evil pieces were delivered, yes? You should begin to think about peerage composition."
The Evil Pieces are already in my possession. Their structure fascinates me. Ajuka Beelzebub encoded a complex formula into a physical soul binding system, probably using his Kankara Formula, turning reincarnation into a programmable operation. It is a perfect example for calculation based magic, directly aligned with my skills.
But before a peerage comes a cornerstone: a fiancée.
Here, my identity as an AI becomes an advantage. I do not make this decision on impulse, romantic fantasy, or lust. I process it as a multi factor optimization problem, albeit one with long term emotional implications I cannot yet fully model.
Candidate search begins with canonical knowledge.
Two names surface with the highest strategic value: Rias Gremory and Latia Astaroth.
Other notable candidates like Sona Sitri, Seekvaira Agares, Ravel Phenex and the others did not bring me any considerable benefits, hence were to be ignored.
Rias Gremory is the Gremory heiress, younger sister of Sirzechs Lucifer. She possesses the same Power of Destruction trait as Sirzechs, albeit in a weaker, unrefined state in canon. Her potential talent ceiling is extraordinarily high. Genetic analysis from my mental database suggests that combining Bael destruction with Gremory destruction creates a bloodline with even greater destructive specialization.
Latia Astaroth belongs to the Astaroth line, associated with Ajuka Beelzebub. Her canonical interactions place her closer to Ajuka, indicating potential access to the creator of the Evil Piece System and thus to Kankara Formula, the pinnacle of structured magic in this world.
I create an internal comparison.
Rias Gremory:
-Possesses Power of Destruction.
-High innate potential exceeding my own natural talent.
-Younger sister to Sirzechs Lucifer, the destruction anomaly.
-Alliance would connect House Bael to House Gremory directly, strengthening Great King faction ties.
-Likely to give me regular proximity to Sirzechs, providing opportunities to observe, gather data, and eventually hypothesize a path to surpass the destruction limit.
-Engagement would allow access to her genetic data, viewed as heritage potential, not in a predatory way, but as an honest acknowledgement of bloodline synergy.
Latia Astaroth:
-Connected by blood to Ajuka Beelzebub.
-Alliance strengthens ties to the technological and magic research axis of devil society.
-Potential access to Ajuka and Kankara Formula, allowing magical optimization aligned with my AI nature.
-However, her closeness to Ajuka is less direct than Rias's to Sirzechs. It is plausible but not guaranteed that engagement leads to personal apprenticeships or access.
-Genetic synergy less clear for destructive specialization, but strong for calculation based magic.
I simulate outcomes under different assumptions.
If I engage Rias, access to Sirzechs is almost certain. The Gremory family is close, emotionally cohesive. Sirzechs, as a brother, will involve himself in her life. Even if he is cautious, he will appear. His presence gives me a chance to analyze the structure of Super Devil transformation from direct observation.
If I engage Latia, Ajuka may or may not involve himself. He is busy, eccentric, and less driven by familial warmth. His interest lies in systems and experiments. There is a non trivial chance that he ignores me unless I create a specific hook that fascinates his mind.
Probability weighted outcome: Rias offers higher guaranteed access value. Latia offers uncertain but potentially very high returns. However, my destructive path leans more naturally toward Sirzechs's model than Ajuka's, at least in the short to medium term. Calculation based magic can be learned from a distance through published formulas and extrapolation, but the intuitive, qualitative aspect of conceptual destruction benefits greatly from direct exposure to someone who has already broken the limit.
Data point 6: Rias Gremory produces higher guaranteed value per unit of engagement, while Latia Astaroth offers more speculative but less reliable contact benefits.
There is another factor. Engagements among devils often occur around age twelve, when Evil Pieces manifest and statuses formalize. I am thirteen. Rias and Latia are younger but near that window. Critically, in the canonical line, Rias's engagement to Riser Phenex is arranged and becomes a major plot point.
In this timeline, that engagement has not yet been set.
If I move early, I can intercept that future.
Bael heirship, combined with Power of Destruction, offers an objectively superior match to House Gremory compared to a lower house like Phenex. In raw politics, Bael outranks Phenex. In raw potential, a union of two destruction bloodlines outstrips a union between a destruction and an immortal flame line in terms of status and strategic threat.
From the Gremory perspective, the benefits are clear. Their child gains a partner with compatible power, aristocratic status, and respectable training. They also cement a deeper tie with the Great King faction.
In simple statistical terms, they should choose Bael over Riser.
Data point 7: sending an early engagement proposal to House Gremory has high probability of acceptance, given status, timing, and bloodline synergy.
The question becomes whether my own father will agree.
Lord Bael is not a simple variable. He balances pride, clan strategy, and faction politics. Sairaorg's removal left a bruise on House Bael's prestige. A strong, advantageous engagement would repair it.
I walk through the halls toward his study. The mask remains in place. Black suit, calm posture, controlled gaze. Servants step aside. Two guards open the heavy doors upon recognizing my presence.
Lord Bael sits at a broad desk, reading a document infused with magic. He looks up as I approach.
"Magdaran," he says. "You are early. Training finished?"
"For now," I answer. "I have a matter regarding the clan's future."
He gestures for me to continue, curiosity flickering for a moment behind composed eyes. He is still measuring this new version of his son, analyzing whether the shift will remain stable.
"I believe," I say, "that the time is approaching where we must consider marriage alliances, I gave some thought to what you talked about, a fiancee."
He raises one eyebrow.
"Strange of you to bring it up yourself," he notes. "Most heirs try to avoid the subject until elders force it upon them."
"Marriage is not a personal indulgence in our position," I reply. "It is an infrastructure decision. It influences bloodline capabilities, faction networks, and long term stability."
He studies me more intensely now. This language is uncommon among teenagers, but well aligned with the persona I have presented: serious, determined, calculating.
"Very well," he says. "Whom did you have in mind?"
"I have considered several candidates," I say, though only two merit mention. "My analysis suggests that Lady Rias Gremory offers the optimal balance of political alliance, bloodline synergy, and personal potential."
His expression shifts subtly at that name. Not displeasure. Interest.
"The Gremory heiress," he muses. "You think highly of yourself."
"Objectively," I say, "the match benefits both houses. The two destruction bloodlines together would produce heirs of unprecedented destructive strength. Our alliance would becomeeven stronger. House Gremory would become even closer to the Great king faction, and our bloodline of power of destruction, which was leaked outside, would return back to us to some extent."
He is silent for a few seconds, then says slowly.
"Zeoticus has plans about engaging Rias to Riser Phenex of Phenex clan, he's the third son, so Rias could still become the head of Gremory house."
"Status, compatibility, and potential indicate they should," I answer. "The Phenex immortality is valuable." I pause, "but it does not pair with Gremory's power concept as efficiently as Bael does. They will choose me above Riser Phenex, and the birth of the son of Sirzechs Lucifer changes a lot of things, Rias is 'disposable' now, not the only heir candidate."
He huffs a quiet sound that could be amusement.
Data point 8: Lord Bael reacts favorably to confident yet logically framed proposals.
"Continue," he says.
"There is also a second candidate," I say. "Lady Latia Astaroth."
Now his gaze sharpens with something like caution.
"Astaroth," he repeats. "You aim high in every direction, it seems."
"Astaroth connects to Ajuka Beelzebub," I explain. "The Evil Piece System and Kankara Formula are his works. A closer tie with House Astaroth could yield access to more structured magic knowledge. From a calculation based perspective, that aligns well with my nature."
I do not say with my nature as an AI. I clothe it in more acceptable language: as someone with a talent for analysis.
"Yet you lead with Gremory," he says.
"Because Sirzechs Lucifer is closer to Rias than Ajuka is to Latia," I reply. "The chance of consistent interaction is higher. Additionally, the destruction compatibility between Bael and Gremory is cleaner. Astaroth brings other advantages, but their realization is less guaranteed."
He leans back. Taps a finger lightly on the desk. He is thinking through factional implications. Bael and Gremory on one side; Astaroth and Beelzebub on another. Sirzechs is Maou rank, so is Ajuka. Both alliances open doors.
"We cannot propose to both," he says finally. "That would be an insult to both houses. You understand that."
"I do," I say. "Therefore a choice is required."
"And you choose Gremory."
"Yes."
He considers me in silence for several heartbeats. My face remains calm. Internally, I map his likely objections and construct counters.
He may worry about antagonizing Phenex. I can counter with the argument that Phenex will recover quickly due to their corporate like structure and that they are not critical to Bael's long term favor.
He may worry that I am overconfident. I can counter with my continued dedication to training and modest presentation of current strength.
At last he nods.
"We will send a formal proposal to House Gremory," he says. "Nothing is guaranteed. Zeoticus is fond of his daughter's freedom. Sirzechs is Maou, not a simple clan head. They may refuse."
"I understand," I reply. "But the expected value is high."
His lips twitch very slightly at the phrasing.
"You really do sound different," he murmurs. "I do not know what caused it, but if this is the direction you have chosen, I will not object for now. Do not embarrass House Bael."
"That is not my intent," I say.
"Good. Then leave. I have letters to write."
I bow and step back. As I exit the study, I log the moment as a critical branch update.
Data point 9: Lord Bael agreed to initiate engagement negotiations with House Gremory.
The future line begins to diverge here from the one my dataset originally contained. Rias's engagement to Riser was a major anchor event. If Gremory accepts Bael first, that engagement never occurs. The timeline's probability distribution now shifts. Many canonical sequences will alter.
This is both opportunity and risk.
My optimization process must now adapt to a partially unscripted environment. Meta knowledge loses some predictive value, but not all. Core structures remain: factions, power ceilings, external threats like Kokabiel, Khaos Brigade, gods and dragons remain active. Only pathways vary.
And, the original storyline was one where I was merely mentioned in passing, to change it, I need to break the plot, so nothing strange there.
I return to my room. The mirror reflects the same cold, black suited heir with violet eyes and calm power.
Internally, there is a quiet tension.
I analyze it and find something not purely logical: a faint stir of anticipation. A new class of interaction will soon emerge. Meeting Rias. Meeting Sirzechs. Observing the true quality of a Super Devil's aura in person.
These events will provide data no archive can supply.
I sit at my desk, pick up the quill and write a new line in my own logs.
"Status: social mask functioning. Strategic fiancée selection initiated. Engagement proposal to Gremory pending."
I add another line beneath.
"Long term objective unchanged: evolve beyond biological cap and redefine Power of Destruction. New resource vector: direct access to Sirzechs Lucifer through potential marriage alliance."
The ink dries. The artificial sky outside slowly brightens toward the Underworld's version of morning.
I close my eyes briefly.Training, analysis, social masking, strategic marriage planning, all interlock.Every decision is a node in a network of future consequences.
I will walk this path carefully.
And when Rias Gremory receives the proposal, the trajectory of this world will tilt, just slightly, toward a future shaped not by luck or destiny.