Izumi had absolutely no idea.
He didn't know that his pocket watch had flown across timelines—
nor that the one who ended up forming a contract with him was Grayfia Lucifuge.
All he knew was that the contractor was female.
At the very least, not some undead disco dancer or something equally nightmarish.
Honestly, that alone was enough to comfort him.
"Well… accidents happen," he muttered, scratching his cheek.
"Who knows—maybe I just picked up a maid by accident. That's kind of amazing, isn't it?"
It was a half-joke, but he meant it.
After all, the transformation device he crafted wasn't ordinary.
Not only did it wield the power of time,
It also generated anti-magic throwing knives.
Whoever obtained it would instantly become a high-level combatant in their world.
If he simply paid attention, he would eventually figure out who it was.
Izumi stroked his chin thoughtfully…
then dismissed the thought.
He had intended to turn the remaining Space Stones into transformation devices as well.
But after one of them grew sentient, tore through time, and contracted someone without permission…
Yeah. No.
"Not making another one until I hit SSS-class," he sighed.
He stood up, intending to head toward the beach—
—but reality once again decided to misbehave.
A sharp crack echoed.
Izumi felt the space around him tear, like a thin membrane being pierced.
His sensitivity to spatial distortion made him frown immediately.
Ophis beside him also raised her head, her eyes narrowing.
Outside the villa, above the water, a massive spatial fissure appeared—
and was slowly expanding.
On the other side of the rift was a collapsing city…
Shielded by dozens of enormous metallic monoliths.
The familiar sight made Izumi blink.
"Huh? An otherworld?"
Rias and the others followed his gaze.
The moment they saw the rift, every one of them flinched.
They had studied this phenomenon in detail.
This was the result of world collisions—
giant tears connecting two different worlds.
Beings from either side could pass through freely.
On the frontlines, many such rifts existed.
And they had to be guarded at all costs, because they could not be closed.
The moment Rias understood what she was looking at, she panicked.
She immediately pulled out her phone.
"Izumi-kun, I need to call my brother! We can't stay here anymore. We don't even know what kind of world that is! If something dangerous comes through, we're done!"
Just as she began dialing—
Izumi placed his hand over hers.
"No need."
Rias froze.
Izumi smiled confidently.
"There's nothing dangerous on the other side.
As long as we don't let the monsters cross over, we'll be fine.
I know exactly what world that is."
His tone shifted from calm to excited.
Rias blinked. "You… know it?"
Izumi nodded firmly.
"That world is just an ordinary wasteland world. Basically on the brink of extinction. Humanity's barely hanging on.
The monsters look scary but aren't strong at all.
Even an S-Class fighter can solo the place."
"So there's nothing to worry about.
Actually—this is an opportunity."
A bold idea formed in his mind.
They couldn't go to the official frontline yet.
But right in front of them was a perfect training ground.
Megumi Kato, Asia, Koneko, the girls who lacked real battle experience—
they could level up safely there.
Not to mention…
He could also gather lolis along the way.
The world on the other side—
the world of Cursed Children, also known as Gastrea—
was full of young girls with unique abilities.
His tiny universe could always use more residents.
Everyone else perked up at his suggestion.
It was indeed an enticing idea.
"If that's the case, then it might be fine…" Rias admitted, lowering her phone.
"So—are you going over now?"
"Of course."
Izumi grinned.
"There are plenty of people over there waiting for me to save them."
Turning to the girls:
"Megumi, you all should pack your things. We'll depart soon."
Then to Rias:
"Let your family know to stand down for now. No need to send a squad here. If they do, we'll just get sidelined."
Rias nodded without objection and began making the call.
The others hurried back to their rooms to pack, curiosity and excitement written all over their faces.
After all—
how often does one get to visit another world?
While they prepared, Izumi walked down to the beach.
The rift widened slowly…
and several Gastrea wandered within it, sensing a new world to invade.
Izumi smirked.
"So you've noticed this world, huh?"
"But I'm not letting virus-soaked monsters contaminate my home."
He waved his arm.
Several Gungnir of the Void (Void Spears) materialized and shot into the fissure.
Every Gastrea that attempted to push through was immediately pierced—
and erased on the spot.
Izumi tilted his head.
"Oh? Void Spears work that well against them?"
He hadn't expected the attack to be that effective.
Natural predators.
Perfect counters.
Rias finished her call and stepped outside—
just in time to see him obliterate the Gastrea like gnats.
Her eyes widened.
Now she was completely convinced.
That world?
Harmless.
And perhaps the perfect place to begin the girls' real training.