"Whatever you lose, you'll find it again. But what you throw away you'll never get back."
— Himura Kenshin, Rurouni Kenshin
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She recalled her darker side, thinking that perhaps someone like her, with such a hidden nature, didn't deserve such a perfect man.
Saeko's expression darkened at the thought.
"Roy-kun, I..."
She began to decline, but Roy interrupted her.
Looking at the uncertainty in Saeko's eyes, he knew exactly what she was thinking.
"Do you have some reservations, Saeko-senpai? You seemed rather... unusual while slaying those zombies earlier."
Roy's smile didn't waver.
"Roy-kun... Did you notice?"
Saeko's eyes widened. She hadn't expected him to see through her so quickly.
Shizuka Marikawa and Saya Takagi, listening nearby, were completely lost, having no idea what the two were discussing.
"Indeed, Saeko-senpai. Do you, perhaps, possess a strong desire to kill?"
At Roy's question, Saeko lowered her head, memories of her past surfacing.
In middle school, Saeko had been accosted by a pervert on her way home. Because she always carried a bokken (wooden sword), she had intentionally allowed him to approach, then used it to inflict severe injuries, breaking his leg and shoulder blade.
It was practically entrapment.
After that incident, Saeko had realized with anguish that she had a strong violent streak. When she struck the pervert, she had felt a surge of exhilaration and pleasure.
Because of this, she felt unworthy of confessing her feelings, unworthy of love, both given and received.
"Saeko-senpai, there's no need for you to feel ashamed. I find that aspect of you quite appealing."
"Eh?"
Shizuka and Saya exchanged puzzled glances at Roy's words.
"Really?"
Saeko felt a surge of emotion at Roy's words, a profound sense of acceptance. This had been a burden she had carried for years.
It had prevented her from forming genuine friendships, from pursuing romantic relationships.
"Can you truly accept me for who I am?"
She looked at Roy with hopeful eyes, longing for his affirmation.
"Of course. In fact, it's the reason I came to this world, to meet you, Saeko-senpai."
"Because..."
"I am a Devil."
Roy's words were accompanied by a bright smile.
In the next instant, a blue light enveloped him, and a pair of large, demonic wings unfolded behind him.
The noble, enigmatic Devil stood before the three girls.
They stared at Roy's transformation, dumbfounded but unafraid.
Unlike the devils of their imagination, Roy exuded an aura of elegance, power, and captivating handsomeness. There was nothing grotesque or repulsive about his appearance. Instead of fear, they felt a surge of curiosity.
"Roy-kun, what is the meaning of this?" Saeko asked, her eyes wide with fascination.
"A Devil? You're joking, right?" Saya interjected, still struggling to process the surreal scene.
"Oh my... Roy-kun looks so handsome like this!" Shizuka, captivated, stared at him dreamily.
Saya twitched at Shizuka's comment. The teacher's reaction seemed completely off-kilter. Was *now* really the time to be admiring his appearance? Though, admittedly, he *did* look incredibly handsome...
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Roy Lucifuge, Heir to the House of Lucifuge, a Devil from the Underworld." Roy declared with a flourish.
"Now, Saeko-senpai, you need not worry about your desire to kill."
"So, Saeko-senpai, become my servant. Fight for me!!"
Roy finished with a warm smile directed at Saeko.
His words, combined with his earlier acceptance, dissolved Saeko's remaining hesitation. She knelt on one knee, declaring her allegiance.
"I, Saeko Busujima, pledge my loyalty to Roy Lucifuge. I will become your sword, and fight for you until death!"
Roy beamed, unable to contain his joy.
"I, Roy Lucifuge, accept your pledge."
As he spoke, a single Devil piece materialized in his hand - the [Knight] piece.
Saeko, a master swordswoman, was a perfect fit for the [Knight] piece, which enhanced speed.
Roy raised his hands, and a large, blue magic circle appeared beneath Saeko's feet.
"By my name, Roy Lucifuge, I command thee, Saeko Busujima, to become my servant, a Devil, and be reborn as my [Knight]!"
The words of the contract flowed from Roy's lips.
Simultaneously, the [Knight] piece floated towards Saeko, merging with her body.
The next moment, Saeko was bathed in a blue light, demonic wings sprouting from her back.
As the light subsided, her magnificent wings fully extended, adding an aura of noble grace to her already striking appearance.
"So beautiful!" Shizuka murmured, staring at Saeko with a touch of envy.
"This can't be real!" Saya exclaimed, still in disbelief.
Upon the contract's completion, Roy's power surged dramatically before receding.
He couldn't help but smirk. The contract with Saeko had propelled him to the rank of a Mid-class Devil.
For over a decade, Roy had been unable to break through to this level. Now, simply by forming a contract with Saeko, he had achieved it effortlessly. His mood soared.
And just as he had anticipated, thanks to Roy's potent, mutated Evil Pieces, Saeko possessed the power of a newly ascended mid-class Devil immediately upon her reincarnation.
"Saeko, how do you feel?" Now that she was one of his own, Roy addressed her by her first name.
Saeko considered his question, carefully assessing the changes within her.
She glanced out the window, her vision noticeably sharper and more expansive. Even in the darkness of night, she could see more clearly than in broad daylight.
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