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"Pardon me for being blunt, Minato."
Akeno Himejima served Minato a cup of black tea and said, "But a demon becoming a God-Slayer... that's just way too unbelievable."
Everyone in the supernatural world knew — demons couldn't become God-Slayers. It was one of those absolute rules, a law that had never been broken.
Not even the old or new Demon Kings had ever pulled it off.
"But it's true, you know."
Minato took a small sip of tea and stood up, walking toward Rias. "Words are cheap. I'll show you with proof."
"Oh? How are you gonna do that?"
"Simple — I'll bless you with protection."
Protection?
Rias blinked, intrigued. "How does that work?"
Minato didn't answer. He just slowly leaned in closer to Rias's pretty face.
Oh?
So that's how this 'protection' works? Interesting...
Rias smiled once she realized what was going on.
Mmm!
Tastes like tea.
Her body… it was changing.
This must be... the power of protection?
"Ara ara, President, you're getting bolder and bolder~"
Akeno leaned her face on one hand, grinning.
Rias's face turned a little red at that, and she pushed Minato away.
But she recovered quickly.
After all, way crazier stuff had happened around here.
This? Barely worth mentioning.
She took a deep breath and looked Minato in the eye. "Unbelievable. I didn't think you really were a God-Slayer."
"Wait, for real?"
Akeno looked shocked. "I thought Minato was just trying to sneak a kiss from the President!"
"Come on, Akeno-senpai! That's what you think of me? I'm hurt."
"Ara ara~ Is that really so wrong?" Akeno squinted at him with a playful smile. "Aren't you the demon trying to build a harem?"
"Well, you're not wrong."
Minato nodded seriously. "But I'm being completely legit this time. How about it, Akeno-senpai? Want to try the protection power yourself?"
Rias sighed. "Hey, Minato, she's my servant, you know."
"See? The President says no~"
Akeno changed her tone, but her heart skipped a beat.
She remembered that night at the villa...
Rias straightened her expression. "Alright, enough joking around. You becoming a God-Slayer is definitely gonna stir things up. What's your plan?"
Minato shrugged. "I'll just do what I gotta do."
As long as no one messes with him, everyone can live in peace.
But if someone crosses the line?
He'll wipe them all out.
Kuoh Academy — Gymnasium
Genova and Irina were sneaking around the gym.
"Why are we here again?"
Irina glanced around suspiciously. "This 'brilliant plan' you mentioned — is this it?"
"Of course!"
Genova nodded eagerly and pulled some clothes out of her bag.
Gym clothes?
Irina let out a sigh of relief.
She had honestly been worried Genova would pull out something weird...
Like a maid outfit or something totally embarrassing.
But then—
Wait a second.
Why is this gym uniform so small?!
Once she put it on, Irina felt like her whole body was being squeezed.
Especially those gym shorts... they were tight...
"Mmm~ Not bad!"
Genova's eyes sparkled. "Based on my research, the perfect combo is: gym setting + gym uniform = ultimate move."
"You sure about this?"
"Absolutely."
Genova shoved her onto a white mat. "Don't move! Just trust me and enjoy the show."
And with that, she ran off excitedly.
Moments later—
Minato left the Occult Research Clubroom.
"That girl Genova, always up to something…"
Shaking his head at her cryptic text, he headed to the gym.
As soon as he walked in, the sunset glow revealed Irina trying to avoid eye contact, her beautiful legs curled up, one hand trying to cover herself...
"Genova, you've really stepped up your game."
Giving her an invisible thumbs-up in his heart, Minato walked over.
Since the treat's already been delivered, how could he refuse?
That Night
Utaha knocked on the door, looking puzzled.
Master wasn't home?
Where'd he go?
The Next Morning
Erica and the others were in great spirits.
Only Utaha seemed a little grumpy as she picked at her food.
Damn it!
Master didn't come home all night.
She glanced at Genova, who was smiling brightly, and asked quietly, "You wouldn't happen to know something… would you?"
Genova nodded proudly. "Of course I do! That whole thing was my master plan."
Everyone turned to look at her instantly.
Even Artoria, who was quietly munching on breakfast, twitched her ahoge and started eavesdropping.
Facing their stares, Genova didn't bother hiding anything — she gave them a quick rundown of what happened.
Utaha was stunned at first, then fell into a sulk.
When did Genova get so clever?
Didn't she used to come to her for advice?
What the heck is this?
Raise your student only for them to outshine the teacher?
Erica and Liliana exchanged glances — both could see the same complicated emotions in each other's eyes.
Had the competition in this harem already escalated this far?
"Asia... maybe I should start learning some new tricks too," she thought to herself.
Come to think of it, it's been a while since she last prayed.
Artoria quietly kept eating, but no one noticed the faint blush on her cheeks.
She couldn't stop thinking about the moment Minato had given her that protection...
Every time she remembered it, her heart would pound like crazy.
Wait… does this mean I've fallen for Master?
"You're all up already?"
Just then, a magical glow lit up the room — Minato appeared, holding Irina in his arms.
Everyone turned toward them.
Irina's face went red, and she couldn't meet anyone's eyes.
"You okay now?" Minato looked down and asked.
After all, he was a God-Slayer now.
Irina might've been a former Holy Sword user and now a demon, but she was still way outmatched.
Maybe…
Maybe next time, he should just let them use the protection's power from the start.
That way, after every "use," he could just refill it easily. Convenient as hell.
"Mhm!" Irina nodded and wobbled to her feet.
She gave a quick wave to everyone, then bolted upstairs.
Facing them like this?
Way too embarrassing...
"....."