Ayame didn't blame Yomishe just had a massive headache.
"What are you planning to do from now on?" she asked.
Yomi blinked at her in confusion before replying, "What do you mean? I'll just keep doing what I've been doing."
Ayame: ""
"Your Devil master didn't give you any orders?"
"Hm He just told me to keep doing what I normally do."
"Alright, then."
Ayame frowned.
What was this Devil thinking?
Placing his people inside a government organization?
What was he up to?!
Not that she had a choice in the matter.
Yomi was already a valuable asset, and now that she was a Devil, she was probably even more useful.
Ayame was tempted.
They were already using witches who made contracts with Devils, so what difference did one Devil member make?
"Fine," Ayame said decisively.
"But won't it be hard to explain to your family?"
At that, Yomi paused before calmly answering, "Doesn't matter."
Afternoon.
Yukinoshita Yukino took a deep breath and stood outside the Supernatural Research Club.
She had spent the entire afternoon sitting alone in the classroom, struggling with her thoughts, before finally making up her mind.
She was going to sell herself out.
From last night until now, she had been trapped in a cycle of doubt and hesitation.
But through that internal battle, she realized: admitting your own weakness wasn't a sign of weakness.
She had always prided herself on being strong.
Yet she had constantly ignored her own fragility.
The incident at the old school building had torn away that illusion.
She saw her own weakness clearly.
Finally, she accepted her own weakness.
She now understoodtrue power was having the courage to admit your own fragility!
Goodbye, weak and helpless self!
With newfound determination in her eyes, Yukino grabbed the door to the Supernatural Research Club, pulled it open without hesitation, and bowed deeply without even looking inside.
"Lynn-senpai, please let me join you!"
She had mustered every ounce of courage she had to say those words that had been weighing on her heart for so long.
But then
Silence.
A long, suffocating silence.
Cold sweat began to form on her forehead.
W-Why wasn't anyone saying anything?
Was she not sincere enough?
Did she not even qualify to join Lynn's Familia?
Or worse
Did Lynn-senpai not like her?
Yukino's mind spiraled with anxious thoughts, and deep inside, a sense of fear crept in.
If Lynn didn't accept her
Then this was it.
Her entire liferuined.
That realization sent a wave of panic through her.
She had spent so long hesitating, struggling with the decision of whether or not to join Lynn's Familia but she never once considered Would Lynn even want her as a Familia member?
Why would he?
Just because she was cute?
There was a time when she might have arrogantly thought that.
But Lynn's other Familia membersweren't they all beautiful cute girls?
Fear and uncertainty wrapped around her like a fog.
It wasn't that Lynn needed her.
It was that She needed Lynn.
With her head lowered, her gaze drifted down to her own "imperfect" body.
"Ugh"
"Huh?"
"Hey isn't that Yukino?"
"What's she doing?"
The sudden voices echoing down the hallway pulled Yukino out of her thoughts.
She instinctively straightened up, looking toward the source of the voices, only to freeze in shock.
The Supernatural Research Clubroom was completely empty.
Realizing this, she let out a long sigh of relief, though her legs suddenly felt weak, forcing her to brace herself against the doorframe.
"Eh? It really is Yukino!"
Stiffly, Yukino turned her head and saw Yuigahama Yui walking toward her, arm-in-arm with a blonde gal.
"Yukino, you" Yui's expression was complicated.
Yesterday, Yukino had refused outright when they talked about joining the Supernatural Research Club.
Yet now here she was, standing at its door.
Meeting Yui's gaze, even someone like Yukino couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable.
"Well, well, it really is Yukino, huh?"
The blonde gal, Miura Yumiko, clicked her tongue in amusement. She had never seen Yukino looking so vulnerable beforethis was big news!
Yukino's expression remained blank, emotionless.
Even though she had just been caught in a somewhat embarrassing situation, she didn't care.
ButYui's gaze made her feel uneasy.
"I have things to do. I'll be going now."
Yukino chose to retreat, turning away and leaving in one smooth motion.
"Wait! Yukino!"
Yui instinctively moved to chase after her.
"Huh?"
Miura Yumiko blinked in surprise, then quickly called out, "Yui, weren't we also going tommph!"
Before she could finish her sentence, Yuiwho had taken a few quick steps forwardwhipped around and tied a hand over her mouth.
Yukino hesitated mid-step, turning back to look at Yui.
Feeling Yukino's gaze, Yui's body stiffened. Slowly, she turned to face her.
A brief silence stretched between them.
There was a Silent Understanding between them.
Finally, Yui spoke. "Yukino, can we talk?"
"Mm." Yukino nodded.
Miura Yumiko watched as Yui and Yukino prepared to leave together, and her expression darkened.
"Yui, you're just going to ditch me like that?"
Yui tensed up, fumbling for words. "Yumiko, it's just um this is kinda hard to explain, so"
She wanted to say, please don't follow us?
But she couldn't bring herself to say it out loud.
"Hmph!"
Yumiko crossed her arms, looking annoyed but clearly determined. "Oh, now I have to know what's going on. I'm coming too!"
Yui let out a deep sigh.
Yukino shot her a glance, her expression carrying a faint warning. "Just rememberyou might not like what you find out."
"Tch, like I care!"
The more they tried to push her away, the more curious she became.
Faculty Room
Minamiya Natsuki sat in her chair, lazily fanning herself as she scanned Yurikawa Hana with narrowed eyes, full of doubt.
"So, this is the one you claim can use Ki Flames with her fists?"
Hana looked like a completely normal student.
Where exactly did she seem capable of wielding something as advanced as Ki Flames?
As a teacher at Shuchiin Academy, Natsuki had an eye for talent. There was no way a student's hidden potential would escape her notice.
"What? You don't believe me?" Lynn smiled.
Natsuki didn't answer, but her expression said it all.
"Wanna bet? If I'm right, why don't you become my Familia?"
Natsuki's face immediately darkened. "You damn pervy lolicon, I swear I'm gonna throw you in jail one day!"
"Eh? Is Natsuki-chan joining Lynn-senpai's Familia too?!"
Hana's eyes widened in shock.
Smack!
A folding fan appeared out of nowhere, landing hard on Hana's head.
"Ow!"
"Don't call me 'Natsuki-chan,' and definitely don't add a '-chan' to it!"
Retracting her fan, Natsuki shot Hana a glare. "And for the record, when did I ever say I was joining his Familia?!"
Hana rubbed her head, mumbling under her breath.
"If Lynn-senpai sets his sights on you, there's no escaping it"
"Natsuki-chan, you'll end up as a Familia member for sure!"
Natsuki looked at Lynn and Hana then said, "Let's go. I'll take you to find that idiot."
.
.
.
Azazel's Reaction
Shuchiin Academy, Sports Field
Sasasaki Misaki watched as Natsuki approached with two Devils in tow, her face full of resignation.
"So... you just sold me off to the Devils like that?"
Natsuki remained calm. "Sold? That sounds terrible. No, this is you being hired as a teacher for the Devils."
Misaki blinked. "Does that mean I get paid per class?"
Natsuki's expression didn't change. "You can try applying for it. Or"
She pointed her folding fan in Lynn's direction and continued, "You could ask them?"
A shiver ran down Misaki's spine.
Her mouth twitched. Ask a Devil?
She glanced at Lynn, who seemed gentle on the surface, but just standing there, he exuded an overwhelming presence that sent chills down her back.
This guy was definitely insanely strong.
Asking someone like him for a salary?
Might as well just sign her own death warrant.
Misaki slumped in defeat.
Natsuki patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Don't look so down."
"Soon enough, people will be calling you the Devil's Teacher. That's something to be proud of, isn't it?"
Misaki shot her a glare. "Wow, thanks. Really appreciate it."
"You're welcome." Natsuki hid her mouth behind her fan, but her lips curled up in amusement. She couldn't help but chucklethis idiot's reaction was priceless.
"Ahem!" Misaki cleared her throat, forcing herself to regain her composure.
"Alright, no use complaining. Let's start with some sparring!"
She firmly placed both hands on Hana's shoulders and declared loudly, "Are you ready, Hana?!"
"Ah, y-yes!" Hana flinched at Misaki's sudden burst of enthusiasm, instinctively straightening her posture.
Misaki nodded in satisfaction. "Ohh, not bad, not bad at all!"
"You've also got the perfect build for martial arts training."
Hana's face turned red from being praised, and then, as if suddenly realizing something, she blurted out, "Wait hold on"
"Uh um so, Miss Natsuki and Miss Misaki you're not normal humans, are you?"
Now you realize that?
Lynn, Natsuki, and Misaki all had the exact same thought.
Misaki finished assessing Hana's physique and nodded approvingly. "Not bad. Now let's see your Ki Flame ability."
As the P.E. teacher of Shuchiin Academy, Misaki had a strong impression of Hana.
After all Anyone would remember a student who stuffed their face with food while running laps in gym class.
Back then, Misaki had taken note of this girl with a seemingly endless appetite.
Never would she have guessed that the next time they met, Hana would already be a Devil.
It was kind of surreal.
But still Hana had just been a regular student before. And now she had mastered Ki Flames?
Misaki was skeptical.
But surely, Devils wouldn't bother lying about something like this.
Natsuki had her doubts as well, which was why she had decided to tag along.
Otherwise, she would've just let Lynn and his people find Misaki on their own.
She knew Lynn wouldn't joke about something like this.
But the idea of Hana possessing Ki Flames was still hard to believe.
If Hana weren't a Shuchiin student, Natsuki probably wouldn't have reacted so strongly.
But, this happened right under her nose.
Hana hadn't even been part of Lynn's Familia for that long.
After receiving Lynn's message yesterday, Natsuki had looked into Hana.
Before becoming a Devil, she had been nothing more than a regular person.
Natsuki narrowed her eyes and observed Hana carefully.
Lynn, noticing this, smirked slightly.
"Hana, show them what you've got."
Hana's eyes sharpened, and in an instant, she activated the life energy within her.
In the next moment, golden flames erupted from her body, completely enveloping her.
She looked just like a Super Saiyan!
Misaki's eyes widened in shock, and she exclaimed, "The quality of this Ki Flame is incredible!"
Natsuki squinted, analyzing Hana's aura.
There was no doubt about itHana had definitely mastered Ki Flames.
And at this level of quality
Natsuki's gaze shifted to Lynn, her brows furrowing.
She muttered under her breath, "Just what the hell did he do?"
She had a strong feeling that Hana's rapid growth had everything to do with Lynn.
Was he actually being selective about who he recruited from Shuchiin?
Her eyes held a hint of surprise.
Before, she had thought taking in ordinary students as Familia members was pointless.
But today, she was proven wrong.
Just based on the quality of Hana's Flames alone, she was already among the most gifted humans in existence!
And now, she was a Devil
Wait.
If Lynn wasn't just randomly collecting members for his Familia, then
Could it be that Utaha, Miko, and the others also had an amazing talent?
Natsuki fell into deep thought.
If that's the case
Then what does that make her, someone who failed to recognize their talents?
So many talented individuals at Shuchiin
And they were all taken in by this Devil?
Rather than dealing with this reality, Natsuki would actually prefer if Lynn was just fooling around.
—
Meanwhile
Misaki stared at Hana with a complicated expression.
She's exactly the type of student I'd want to train
But she's a Devil now.
Misaki took a deep breath.
Well, since things have already come to this
The Devil Teacher is officially on duty!
Her eyes turned serious. "Alright, show me a few punches."
Hana nodded, equally serious. "Haa! Hah!"
Misaki: ""
Watching Hana's awkward movements, Misaki's expression turned speechless.
That's some impressively clumsy punching
Still, their training session gradually found its rhythm, and after observing for a while, Lynn and Natsuki left the scene.
On the way back
Natsuki's tone was complicated. "So you're really not just fooling around?"
Just seeing Hana alone was enough to shatter her previous belief that Lynn was simply building a harem at Shuchiin.
Lynn shrugged. "I'm a Devil with ambition."
Of course, that didn't mean the harem part wasn't true.
But there was no need to share that with Natsuki.
She hesitated. "So, Utaha, Miko, and Mahiru they're all talented in some way too?"
Lynn gave her a knowing smile. "Want to find out?"
Seeing that expression, Natsuki remained expressionless. "No thanks."
Yeah, this guy was definitely going to try recruiting her into his Familia.
At a bench in Shuchiin Academy
Yukino sat with two other girls.
"Huh?" Miura Yumiko frowned, looking confused. "What are you guys even talking about?"
Supernatural this, harem club that
"Are you guys chuunibyou?"
She narrowed her eyes and placed a hand on Yui's forehead. "Yui, did you catch whatever weird disease Yukino has?"
"I always knew that weird Service Club was suspicious!"
"Ahaha" Yui laughed awkwardly, waving her hands. "It's not like that, Yumiko"
She had no idea how to explain.
Yukino, on the other hand, remained expressionless. "Yui, there's no point reasoning with someone who doesn't have a brain."
"You wanna fight?"
"Alright, alright." Yui quickly stepped between them.
After arguing for a while, Yumiko finally huffed. "So, in the end, you're saying that the president of this so-called Supernatural Research Club is openly building a harem at school?"
