After Takumi had a quiet, in-depth talk with Raynare, he learned that the witch expelled by the Church—Asia Argento—was about to arrive in Kuoh Town.
At the same time, Raynare had recently noticed several foreign priests entering Kuoh Town. Their identities were unclear, but they seemed to be plotting something. Raynare sensed traces of holy swords, yet whenever she followed those traces, they vanished without a clue.
Because of Takumi's request—and because magical girls and other existences were maintaining order in Kuoh Town—Raynare didn't make a big show of searching. What's more, the aura of demons around Kuoh Town had been swelling by the day. Chances were, in secret, many demons had already gathered here.
"Asia… holy swords… demons… Go hunt down every demon that's come—leave none alive. And give me every scrap of intel on Asia." After thinking it through, Takumi gave his order.
Raynare immediately forwarded everything she had on Asia Argento.
As for the demon gathering, Takumi didn't even need to think about it—this definitely had to do with Mio. The news that he'd come into contact with Sona and Rias had probably spread already. No way he was letting these pests get in his way!
Takumi steadied himself and activated [Thousand-Mile Ear], locking onto Asia's position at once. Beyond that, he also pinpointed a good number of the demons arriving in Kuoh Town. Only the intel about holy swords was buried very deep; he heard nothing there.
"Judging by Asia's clumsy voice, she'll probably reach Kuoh Town around dusk. Over in the Underworld, whatever demon family identity Sona is arranging for me—meanwhile, the number of demons massing in town has already hit double digits."
Takumi could sense those demons; the closest were right by Kuoh Academy. But wary of Rias being here, they hadn't launched an immediate assault.
He promptly sent out the demons' coordinates, dispatching the three Fallen Angels—Raynare, Kalawarna, and Mittelt. And when it came to hunting demons, Fallen Angels were old hands. Their paths to power were basically dual cultivation and hunting evil. By hunting demons, Cursed Spirits, and the like, they could use the points they earned to strengthen themselves. For centuries, they'd grown stronger bit by bit this way.
But after submitting to Takumi, they'd tasted real sweetness: a single dose of Takumi's life essence outstripped the fruits of their centuries of hard training and point-based enhancements. Now, Takumi's orders in their ears were more absolute than a mind-brand. To earn Takumi's "reward," they were putting in every ounce of strength they had.
While they set off, news from Rias also reached Takumi—definitive word from the Underworld about his identity. In the Sitri Family's publicity tone, he'd become a scion of the Morax Family that had a very close relationship with the earliest "Lucifer Demon Lord." When it came to PR, they went as far as they could: they practically made him sound like the Original Demon King Lucifer's grandson, a descendant born with the Morax lineage.
"Some well-known warriors have already begun pledging to the Sitri Family, hoping to come under your banner. But before that, you'll have to weather a few tests of demon assaults. And this test must be faced alone. After all, everyone wants to see just what your strength really is. With your power, Takumi, this shouldn't be a problem… right?" Rias lightly flicked her red hair, smiling at him.
If he could get through this "assessment period," Takumi's identity would be set in stone.
"Easy for you to say without feeling it in your back. But you're right about one thing—these pieces of trash are marching to their deaths no matter how many come!"
Takumi turned his back and left, his confident voice drifting into Rias's ears. Watching his departing figure, a sparkle flickered in Rias's beautiful eyes. As a bystander, she was very much looking forward to his performance.
…
At the school gate after classes, Mio and Maria had already been waiting awhile. Everyone else had gone on ahead—Takumi didn't want them getting dragged into this.
"Mio, Maria, you've felt it too, I assume."
"Mm. Takumi-nii, lots of demonic auras are closing in." Maria's expression was grave—she'd already scouted the area. At least a dozen demons had encircled this side.
Takumi knew the truth was worse. If he hadn't sent Raynare and the others out in advance, there would be even more demons here.
"This is perfect for your practice, Mio. Your strength's shot up lately—you need to get used to it."
None of the demons that had come were high-class; not a single one had the power of a high-class demon. They were beneath his notice—but as punching bags for Mio, they had value.
"Shift the battlefield to the park." With one instruction from Takumi, the two moved at once.
The instant the three set into motion, the surrounding darkness spread like a tide. From the pitch-black shadows, lower- and mid-class demons—and demonic beasts—revealed themselves.
"ROAR!!!"
A leopard-like demonic beast burst out and lunged for the sprinting Mio Naruse with a savage bellow.
Mio swallowed hard, pressed down her fear, and stirred her own magic. In her mind flashed the spells and techniques Takumi had taught her during this time.
"[Hellfire]!"
A massive pillar of flame erupted from the ground, swallowing the pouncing beast in an instant. The searing inferno of hell reduced it to ash in a single heartbeat.
"So weak." Mio murmured, surprised that this seemingly ferocious beast couldn't even take one move from her—and that wasn't even her strongest magic.
"Of course, Mio—you're someone I trained with my own hands. Believe in your power. Your hard training this whole time has already put you leagues above these petty monsters!"
"Hard training…" In Mio's mind flashed scene after scene of being held and shaken around in Takumi's arms. If that counted as training, then, um… kyaaah!!!
Mio's cheeks flared scarlet like a rising firecloud as she burst her magic outward. Roaring lightning, razor wind blades, and bone-piercing ice lances rained toward the monsters like there was no tomorrow.
Maria guarded the flanks, using her fists to knock back demons trying to sneak-attack. Takumi took the chance to finish foes and harvest points in batches.
[Points +4]
By the time the three reached the park, the path behind them was strewn with remains.
"Huff! Huff! Huff!"
"I… I actually did it!"
Breathing hard from the heavy drain on her magic, Mio looked at the scene before her, excitement leaping in her chest.
"Mio-san, Takumi-kun—why did you two run all the way out here?" A girl's startled cry nearly scared the elated Mio out of her skin.
"Eh!?"
Mio turned around and immediately breathed a sigh of relief. On the park bench sat Miko Yotsuya and Hana Yurikawa. Hana had a little female cat in her arms; the two of them seemed to be feeding the poor little thing…
...
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