"Become my subordinate, Bai Li-kun."
Rias held an Evil Piece in her hand, inviting Bai Li-kun.
Because she didn't get an immediate answer, Rias threw out a new temptation.
"We mentioned earlier that the aura of Bai Li-kun sensed by the temporary familiars was quite powerful, no different from a high-ranking devil using large-scale magic at the time, which means…"
Rias made a promise.
"Perhaps you haven't fully developed your inherent power yet, and I can change all of that."
As a high-ranking devil and a noble of the Devil World, Rias controlled vast resources.
Money, magic, and exclusive weapons—she could provide them all.
The reason she offered so many conditions was because Rias was certain of one thing.
"I believe you possess sufficient potential, and that is precisely the power I need."
"Doesn't Miss Rias worry about failing her 'blind box' gamble?"
Bai Li-kun still held back his answer, instead asking a counter-question.
This time, it was Himejima Akeno's turn to give a reason.
"Everyone has an upper limit and a minimum lower limit to what they pursue. Bai Li-kun's lower limit, in our eyes, is likely the upper limit for some devils."
"So it's that exaggerated…"
Bai Li-kun showed a hint of surprise.
This wasn't feigned this time.
It seemed Imaginary Energy was a level higher than devil power.
So the current situation was similar to—an ordinary person inviting Bai Li-kun, who was a god, to join an organization and become a subordinate of their boss.
"If possible, I hope Bai Li-kun can come to a conclusion during this conversation. If your power is discovered by others, it might not be a face-to-face conversation."
Himejima Akeno looked out the window.
"Devils other than us are also seeking means to grow stronger, and the methods they use are not necessarily reasonable or correct."
Especially the Stray Devils.
Rias also spoke again at this moment.
"Akeno and Toujou Koneko, as my subordinates, already possess sufficient strength. I believe they can better guide Bai Li-kun."
"Miss Rias, your subordinates… currently only include Miss Akeno and Toujou Koneko?"
"That is indeed the case. The number is not large at the moment, but this is just the beginning."
Rias confirmed Bai Li-kun's guess.
The plot was indeed different from the original… Knight: Kiba Yuuto;
Bishop: Gaspard Vladi.
Neither of these characters had become Rias's subordinates yet.
As for the future…
Who knows?
After Bai Li-kun finished speaking, his eyes met Rias's.
Rias now regarded Bai Li-kun as someone with immense potential. Once he became her subordinate using an Evil Piece, she believed he would grow rapidly and become a core force.
To prevent Bai Li-kun from being targeted by other high-ranking devils, and to reduce future troubles, she hoped to secure Bai Li-kun now.
"After becoming my subordinate, not only will you receive the support of the Gremory family; subsequently, as long as you complete tasks, there will be other rewards, and I am a master who is fair in rewards and punishments."
As Rias said this, she couldn't help but puff out her chest, as if emphasizing something.
Bai Li-kun could tell… Rias and Himejima Akeno were both top-tier beautiful devil girls with excellent figures.
This was also one of her assets.
"The reward you desire, I might be able to satisfy you~"
Using different rewards to tempt Bai Li-kun—this was Rias's plan.
Bai Li-kun indeed liked beautiful girls.
There was nothing to deny.
Pretending to be a gentleman was just deceiving himself, a mere act.
However, after a night with Aixi yesterday, Bai Li-kun's desire had shifted to how to create the future he wanted.
And this future clearly did not include becoming Rias's subordinate.
Just like his initial thought.
In the face of the Power of Fate, the devil power gained after turning into a devil was too weak.
After all, the Imaginary Energy transformed by Fate had many more possibilities.
Its upper limit was an order of magnitude higher than that of devils.
Even considering the Divine Dividing and Boosted Gear present in the original work, in terms of strength, Bai Li-kun still sided with Fate.
So his answer was very direct.
"Thank you, Miss Rias, for thinking so highly of me and being willing to invite me…"
"Then, Bai Li-kun, you mean…"
"But… I refuse."
"…"
"…"
Rias and Himejima Akeno fell silent simultaneously.
Toujou Koneko, who was near the balcony, also lost her previous laziness and looseness, becoming serious.
A powerful potential devil who rejected Rias—if he were let go now and recruited by other high-ranking devils… presumably, the devil girls other than Bai Li-kun all had similar thoughts.
Understanding this, Bai Li-kun raised his right hand and extended his index finger.
"The reason for my refusal is not complicated, there is only one point… Miss Rias, you all… are not strong enough for me."
"Oh?"
Rias, who had been silent, not only didn't get angry but became even more interested in Bai Li-kun.
She didn't dislike confident people, so she immediately asked,
"Is that power we detected actually the power Bai Li-kun fully controls?"
"To be precise, it's a small part of the power I fully control."
A small part?
Himejima Akeno, cupping her cheeks, said with a half-smile,
"Oh my, oh my, Bai Li-kun, quite confident, aren't you?"
"If you all don't believe me, would you like to try?"
Bai Li-kun stood up and, very gentlemanly, extended his right hand to Rias.
"Miss Rias, would you be willing to fight me?"