Electric sparks slithered across the ground, crackling like restless serpents.
"So powerful!"
Utaha stared at the scene in disbelief, barely registering that she had cast the spell herself.
But...She suddenly felt exhausted...
Her legs gave out, and she collapsed backwardstraight into a firm yet warm embrace.
Lynn caught her, quickly assessing her condition.
It looks like she overexerted herself and completely drained her magic.
Rias stepped forward, examining Utaha before glancing at the crater.
"She should still be a Low-class Devil, right? That last spell probably drained all her magic power."
She stole another glance at the exhausted Utaha and then at the crater in the ground.
Although the spell's power wasn't fully unleashed due to her low magic reserves, the technique itself was flawlessly executed.
No cost, no sacrificesjust recording the spell's information and casting it.
And given what she had seen, Ultimate-class magic wasn't even the limit of this "recording" ability.
Wasn't this... a bit too overpowered?
Suppressing her swirling thoughts, Rias looked at the limp Utaha still leaning against Lynn and suggested:
"Why don't you restore her magic, Lynn?"
"Seems like that's the only option."
Magic restoration?
How was that supposed to work?
With her Magic completely depleted, Utaha could barely speak. She struggled to open her eyes, wanting to see how this "magic restoration" worked.
Then
She saw Lynn's face getting closer.
Wait!
Something's not right!
"Mm?!"
Her lips were suddenly sealed by something warm.
Her body... felt so hot...
And something... was flowing into her...
.
.
.
Koneko: Senpai, I Want to Learn
The so-called "magic restoration" was a method of restoring magical power through the exchange of bodily fluids.
Among Devils, magic restoration was often considered a reward from the master to their servant.
"So... that's why you stuck your tongue out? Right?"
Utaha Kasumigaoka's eyelashes quivered slightly. Her cheeks were burning red, and her lips were tightly pressed together. Her crimson eyes flickered between looking at Lynn and avoiding his gaze entirely.
"To maximize the effectiveness of magic restoration, of course," Lynn responded confidently.
He was being completely serious about restoring her magic.
It's just that... since Utaha had overexerted herself, the intensity of the restoration had to be a bit stronger.
"Oh my, how unexpectedly pure."
Himejima Akeno narrowed her eyes, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
Utaha's body tensed up instantly.
'Wait.'
'Did that mean they had all been watching the whole time?!'
'Social death.'
Utaha was internally losing her mind, but she forced herself to appear calm. Taking a deep breath, she suppressed all her chaotic emotions.
Still... her heart was pounding uncontrollably.
She stole a quick glance at Lynn and muttered under her breath, "Well, I guess my first kiss is his now."
"How are you feeling now?" Rias asked with concern.
"I think... I'm fine?"
Utaha gave a slightly awkward smile.
Rias examined her briefly before nodding with a grin. "Looks like Lynn's magic restoration was quite effective."
Utaha froze.
Did she really have to bring that up?!
Rias, however, wasn't done marveling. "I can't believe Utaha-san was able to master an Ultimate-Class Spell so quickly. What an extraordinary ability."
Just this single power alone gave Utaha immense potential.
Once she fully grew into it, she could easily rival Akeno.
Even Rias herself was envious of such a servant.
Hearing this, Utaha finally recalled what she had just done and turned her gaze toward the crater left behind by the Lightning Strike.
She fell into thought. "It's powerful, but I feel like it's still lacking something."
That was why she had poured all her remaining magic into that one attack.
"Of course."
As a lightning specialist, Akeno explained, "A fully unleashed Lightning Strike can affect the weather itself. Right now, Utaha-san, your magic power isn't enough to bring out its full potential."
"I see..."
Utaha nodded in understanding.
As an Ultimate-Class Spell, the technique was complete, but she couldn't yet wield its full might.
Still... this was good enough.
Lynn raised a finger, and a tiny, black lightning snake danced at his fingertip.
The moment Utaha's Devil's Grimoire recorded the Lightning Strike, Lynn had silently mastered it as well.
As a High-Class Devil, he could do much more with it.
For exampleSilent Lightning.
No sound. No magical fluctuations.
All of its energy locked within this tiny, crackling black spark.
Only when it hit its target would all that destruction be unleashed in an instant.
And so, no one present noticed his actions.
ExceptFor Akeno, whose sensitivity to lightning was unparalleled.
Her violet eyes widened slightly, staring at the black lightning in Lynn's hand in shock.
This lightning it felt like Rias's magic.
Lightning imbued with the aura of destruction
Lynn simply smiled at her before casually dispersing the lightning in his palm.
Akeno, too, smiled faintly and averted her gaze, but her heart was anything but calm.
Even though it was black, the structure of that spell was undoubtedly Lightning Strike.
And the black color wasn't an issue either.
As much as she hated to acknowledge it, her own bloodline had given her lightning that was different from normal.
What confused her wasLynn had only glanced at the spell scroll, hadn't he?
Then why did he already seem so proficient?
That level of mastery over Lightning Strike even she couldn't replicate it.
Lynn Valifer.
The last remaining bloodline of House Valifer.
He was definitely not as simple as he seemed.
Meanwhile
Rias was still deep in thought, sighing with a hint of regret. "Even an Ultimate-Class Spell wasn't enough to test the limits of Utaha-san's ability."
Lynn chuckled. "It's fine. If you ever want to test more, just let me know."
Rias shot him a glare. "No thanks. I already lost an Ultimate-Class Spell. Who knows what I'd have to give up next time."
"Tch. What a shame." Lynn clicked his tongue in disappointment.
Given the Gremory family's resources, he was sure they had more than just one Ultimate-Class Spell.
Not to mention, Rias had a big brother who was a Maou. That was a gold mine waiting to be tapped.
Since he had gotten all he could for now, Lynn prepared to leave.
Before they left, Rias asked Koneko to show them around Kuoh Town.
"So... why are we at an arcade?"
Utaha looked at Lynn and Koneko in disbelief.
"K.O.!"
"Lost again." Koneko stared blankly at the screen as her character collapsed.
"Senpai, you're strong."
Her tone was as flat as ever, but Lynn could hear the sincerity in her voice.
"Hey, haven't you two played enough? If we don't hurry, we'll miss the last train home."
Utaha checked the time, her right leg bouncing impatiently.
For some reason, seeing Lynn and Koneko having so much fun annoyed her.
"You're right." Lynn decided to end the session.
Although he had learned Teleportation Magic, he hadn't placed a coordinate at home yet, so they still needed to take the train.
"See you next time, Koneko."
"Senpai." Koneko tugged at his sleeve and handed him a piece of paper.
It was a summoning contract.
A personal one, exclusive to her. "Senpai, I want to learn martial arts!"
Koneko gazed at him with absolute seriousness.
Lynn glanced at the Street Fighter machine beside them.
Ah.
So that's the kind of "martial arts" she meant.
"No problem. If you ever want, come over to my place."
As they walked away, Utaha crossed her arms and followed closely behind.
"Tsk! Calling her Koneko now, huh."
Lynn gave her a confused look. "Why do I feel like you're jealous?"
"Hah? Me? No way"
Utaha started to retort but then... her mind froze.
Wait.
Was she jealous?
Her gaze flickered to Lynn's lips.
Oh no.
She was falling for him!
But they had only known each other for two days?!
Her mind raced through everything that had happened, lingering on the magic restoration incident. Her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably.
"Why'd you stop walking?" Lynn turned back to her.
Utaha snapped out of it, ran up, and grabbed his arm, tilting her head slightly. "Fine. I admit it. I might be a little jealous."
Lynn blinked before laughing. "Well, try to hold back. I am, after all, a harem-building Devil."
"...You really are a lustful Devil, huh."
.
.
.
Magic stats Soaring
After Lynn and the others left, only Rias and Akeno remained in the clubroom.
"Akeno, what do you think?" Rias had been pondering over Utaha's abilities.
A Sacred Gear user?
But there were no traces of Sacred Gear energy.
As a High-Class Devil, Rias had confidence in her judgment.
Could just a human really awaken such an overpowered ability?
As for awakening abilities after becoming a reincarnated Devil, that thought never even crossed their minds.
After all, there was no precedent for that in the Underworld.
The reincarnation ritual only turned a person into a Devil, at most granting them the abilities associated with their Evil Piece rank.
At the end of the day, Evil Pieces were just tools created to compensate for the dwindling Devil population.
Akeno shook her head. "If even you can't figure it out, there's no way I can."
Rias sighed and muttered, "If only Utaha was my servant"
"With abilities like that, I could've trained her to the point where she could have defeated that damn Firebird's servant before that incident ever happened!"
With the Gremory family's resources, she was confident in this.
Knock knock!
Just as Rias was enviously thinking about Lynn, a knock came at the clubroom door.
"Sona? What brings you here?" Rias was surprised.
Sona glanced around the room before asking, "He was here, wasn't he?"
"Your intel is as sharp as ever." Rias smiled wryly.
Sona replied matter-of-factly, "I am the Student Council President, after all."
"Then you probably also know when he left, don't you?"
"Of course."
Otherwise, she wouldn't have dared to come here now.
Thinking about something, her ears turned slightly red.
Sitting comfortably across from Rias, Sona asked, "So, what did he come here for?"
Rias briefly explained Lynn's purpose, and Sona fell into thought.
"I have some water-based magic spells. Next time he comes by, could you pass them to him for me?"
Rias was silent for a moment before cautiously asking, "Sona don't you think you're paying too much attention to him?"
"He is my fianc."
"Sona! Weren't you planning to break off the engagement?"
"..."
Sona fell silent for a moment before changing the subject. "That keydid you give it to him?"
Rias froze.
Stare
"Ah, sorry, sorry!"
Rias quickly pressed her palms together in apology. "There was so much going on, I completely forgot!"
Sona sighed. "Then give it to him next time along with the magic spells."
Rias nodded awkwardly, deciding not to bring up Sona's growing interest in Lynn topic again.
Tokyo Lynn's Home
Lynn looked at Utaha's suitcase and suddenly asked, "So, we're officially living together now?"
"Having a beautiful girl like me as your roommate is a once-in-a-lifetime blessing. You should be grateful." Utaha snerred.
On their way back, they had stopped by Utaha's place to pick up some essentialstoiletries, clothes, her tablet, and other electronics.
Oh, and as it turned out, her apartment did have a cursed spirit lurking inside.
Utaha casually wiped it out with a flick of her wrist.
After mastering lightning magic, she had become quite arrogantshe barely even considered evil spirits worth her time anymore.
Still, that didn't mean she wanted to live alone in that place.
Once they finished unpacking, Utaha looked at Lynn with anticipation. "Alright, it's time for that, right?"
"Exactly. Take it off."
Lynn's face was completely serious.
Utaha hesitated for a moment, then clenched her teeth, stomped her foot, and took off her outerwear.
"I I don't need to remove my underwear too, right?"
Her cheeks were flushed red as she bit her lip.
"No need! I can still see it clearly." Lynn hesitantly said.
Utaha sighed in relief.
As long as he could see it, that was enough.
Any more than this and
No, even like this, she still felt awkward.
"Seriously, why did you have to engrave such an important thing there?!"
"It was the most convenient spot at the time." Lynn shrugged.
"Besides, didn't you originally want me to put it"
"Not another word!"
Utaha quickly covered Lynn's mouth, glaring at him with eyes full of embarrassment, her face burning bright red.
"It's your fault for saying something so misleading back then!"
"Mmmph" Lynn raised his hands in surrender.
Only after getting her moment of victory did Utaha finally let go.
Using his magic, Lynn forced out a single drop of his blood and let it fall onto Utaha's body. The previously hidden status data of her blessing immediately became visible.
—
[Kasumigaoka Utaha]
Rank: Low-Class Devil
Race: Devil
Master: Lynn Valifer
Stats:
Strength: I0 I7
Agility: I0 I5
Endurance: I0 I6
Magic: I0 I133
Innate Skill: [Archivist Devil] (Description omitted)
—
"Your magic stat jumped by over 100not bad at all."
Encouraging her, Lynn copied down her status and handed it to her.
Utaha, however, wasn't pleased. "But the other stats barely went up at all"
Lynn raised an eyebrow. "Tell me, besides that one time you smashed a cursed spirit with a book, have you done any physical activity at all?"
"Uhh"
Utaha was at a loss for words.
Now that she thought about itno, she really hadn't.
Lynn spread his hands. "There's your answer."
"Considering you don't train physically at all, it's already impressive that your other stats increased even a little."
Utaha frowned. "So basically, I'm turning into a glass-cannon mage?"
Unacceptable!
She had to start working out!
If nothing else, she at least needed to increase her agility.
If she ever encountered an enemy she couldn't defeat, she needed to be able to run away!
"Alright! Let's go hunt some cursed spirits and grind experience points!" Utaha, fired up with determination, grabbed Lynn and dragged him outside.
