When Mai came out of the bathroom, she saw Ryuya sitting cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed in meditation.
A pair of black demon wings spread open from his back, moving slowly with a steady rhythm.
Mai froze for a moment.
Every time she saw those wings up close, she was reminded—he wasn't human.
He was a devil.
And yet… he had completely overturned everything she thought she knew about devils.
He wasn't cruel, deceitful, or hideous like the devils in the stories.
He was gentle, warm, and oddly pure.
For a brief instant, Mai found herself lost in thought.
He's a devil… and I'm human. Can we really walk this path to the end together?
As she stood there in a daze, Ryuya finished his meditation.
His eyes opened slowly, bright and clear. His entire presence felt invigorated—his energy, sharp and alive.
Ryuya could feel it himself—his magic had grown tremendously.
His true power was already close to breaking through to the level of a mid-rank devil.
Even before this, his combat strength could rival most mid-rank devils. Now, after this growth, his power had leapt even further.
Once he fully ascended, his strength would no doubt become overwhelming.
So this is the power of a faith contract, he thought in awe.
No wonder Rias and the others were always so pleased about such things. He had truly formed a contract with an incredible partner.
He was satisfied—but not content.
After all, there was still that man—Rias's so-called fiancé, the one chosen by her noble family.
That rival had to be someone extremely gifted. From their world's perspective, a low-ranked devil like Ryuya would be laughably weak.
But to just stand by and watch Rias marry someone she didn't love?
That was something he would never allow.
Which meant he needed even greater power—fast.
I'll try synchronizing with the Sacred Gear later, he decided.
But only after he parted ways with Mai for the night; he didn't want to worry her.
With that thought set, Ryuya looked up and asked softly,
"Mai, do you have any other wishes?"
Now that their contract was established, he could continuously draw emotional energy from her desires and feelings. But if he helped her fulfill new wishes, he'd also gain additional "compensation"—and Ryuya had no intention of letting such an opportunity slip away.
Mai tightened her robe slightly, replying in a calm voice, "I don't really have any. If I had to say one… I just hope my acting career continues to go well."
"That one's already covered under the terms of our contract," Ryuya said with a smile. "I'll keep supporting you in that. I meant—any other kind of wish?"
"I'm your contractor, remember? Whatever your wish is, I'll do everything I can to make it come true."
Mai blinked, then smiled faintly.
"Then… my wish is to make your wish come true."
Her voice was soft but full of sincerity, her beautiful eyes glimmering with warmth as she gazed at him.
The honesty in her words hit him straight in the heart—it almost felt unfair.
Ryuya froze for a second, then gathered himself and chuckled lightly, deliberately teasing to diffuse the emotion.
"Is that so…? Then my wish right now…" He pretended to think seriously. "Hmm, probably to have a child with Mai."
He said it with that same mischievous tone of his—but Mai didn't even flinch. She'd clearly anticipated something outrageous.
"That'll have to wait until after we're married."
She replied with perfect calm.
By now, she knew him far too well. Ryuya wasn't the type to express his true feelings directly—he always masked them behind a mix of humor and mischief.
And Mai had learned that the best way to deal with him at such moments… was simply to stay calm—
Otherwise, he'd drag her along completely at his pace.
Simply put—Mai had already predicted that Ryuya was about to say something flirty.
Seeing how calmly she responded, Ryuya raised an eyebrow, unwilling to give up just yet.
"Then let's get married."
"Marriage comes after career success," she replied smoothly.
"You're already this popular, and that still doesn't count as career success?"
"…You've got a point. Then let's change it to finishing my studies first."
She spoke casually, setting conditions as she pleased, her face bright with amusement.
Clearly, she enjoyed watching Ryuya's helpless little expressions—it made him look irresistibly cute.
Ryuya let out a silent sigh. "Then doesn't that mean I'll have to wait a long time before I can have a child with you?"
"Seems that way," Mai replied with a small, smug smile.
"Mai… you're the real devil here. A little devil," Ryuya said with a wry grin.
He didn't pursue the topic any further and stood up.
"Alright, I should get going."
"Eh? You're leaving already?" she asked. She didn't say anything more, but the look in her eyes was full of reluctance.
Ryuya wanted to stay longer too—but he'd already achieved his purpose in collecting the emotional "price" of their contract, and he needed to return for his training.
As much as he wanted to spend more time with her, one had to give up something to gain something. That was just how it worked.
Suppressing his reluctance, he smiled softly and teased,
"Of course, if you'd like me to stay the night, I wouldn't mind."
"Then take the trash out when you leave."
Mai's calm counterattack struck him right where it hurt.
This girl…
She was devilishly cute.
Ryuya chuckled and suddenly leaned forward, pressing Mai down onto the sofa.
Looking at her sweet, beautiful face beneath him, he lowered his head and kissed her tempting lips.
Mai struggled weakly for a moment before giving in, wrapping her arms gently around his neck.
Their lips met and lingered in a deep, affectionate kiss—
Five minutes passed before they finally parted, breathless and reluctant to let go.
"I'll go now. If anything happens, just summon me through our contract," Ryuya said softly.
Through the contract, Mai could summon him directly via teleportation—quick and convenient.
"Okay… see you," she said, her cheeks still flushed pink from the kiss.
Without lingering further, Ryuya turned and left, heading straight for home.
He had planned to start training as soon as he got back, but his phone suddenly rang—it was Rias.
"Get here right now. Asia's in trouble," came Rias's direct, urgent voice.
Ryuya's eyes narrowed instantly. "Where?"
"The intersection by the main shopping district. She was ambushed by Fallen Angels. Don't worry—we've already arrived, and Asia's safe. But the enemy's been alerted."
Because Rias had left her family's sigil on Asia, they were able to communicate immediately.
The moment Asia sensed danger, she contacted Rias, who teleported there without hesitation.
Ryuya exhaled slightly in relief. "I'll be there right away."
Fallen Angels, huh…
It had to be those same scum still after Asia's Sacred Gear.
Persistent bastards—they just wouldn't give up.
There was no time to call for a car now. Ryuya took off running, his figure vanishing into the night.
He moved so fast he seemed like a phantom streaking through the darkness.
...
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