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The silver seal looked surprisingly delicate. Its square body was wrapped in naturally flowing carvings of coiling silver dragons. It was a little smaller than a fist, yet the power it packed was anything but small.
It had scared the four girls the moment it appeared—and given Jack a throbbing headache in the process.
Obviously, as the owner of this thing, he was the one they'd decided to blame…
"Let me make this clear first. I did not tell it to do that."
Jack did his best to look innocent.
But nobody believed him.
"Ara~ don't worry, big sis understands," Akeno said with a soft, teasing smile that perfectly matched her mature charm. "You're at that age, after all."
Koneko was much less polite. "Jack is such a perv."
"…"
I told you it wasn't my fault.
Jack stared helplessly at the silver seal buzzing cheerfully around him like a happy little bee. He flicked it with his finger and said calmly, "This is your mess."
"So… how do we get rid of the effect? Do we just wait it out?" Rias looked down at the "正" mark stamped high on her thigh, her expression complicated.
Why did it look so… indecent?
She tried channeling magic, but everything inside her felt locked down—heavy as a mountain. She could barely move her power.
The "正" mark was acting like a super-seal, suppressing every trace of magic she had.
She scraped together a sliver of power to probe the mark, but the moment it touched the seal, it was completely erased.
Rias and the others were stunned… but also secretly pleased on Jack's behalf. The effect was insanely strong—easily enough to flip a battle.
Jack glanced over their bodies and pressed his lips together.
Yes, they were beautiful—soft, fair skin, gorgeous no matter how you looked at them. But appreciating was one thing, staring was another… and staring would definitely be rude.
After a brief mental exchange with his familiar seal, Jack cleared his throat.
"So, uh… this seal only comes off if I wipe it off. Otherwise you'll have to slowly grind it away with your magic or wait for it to fade on its own."
Judging from her failed attempts earlier, Rias estimated it'd take at least an hour to erase it by brute force.
"I see. Then hurry up and remove it for us. Being magic-suppressed is awful." Rias beckoned him over.
"I'm coming."
Jack stepped closer. Rias simply lifted her leg and set it on the sofa, making it easier for him.
The pose… was very sexy.
He couldn't help sneaking an extra glance before placing his hand on her thigh. One gentle swipe—and the seal vanished.
"Please take care of me too~" Akeno leaned forward, her sweet voice unbearably tempting.
Jack stared straight ahead, trying very hard not to let his eyes wander… though he still inevitably saw more than he meant to.
"Don't touch weird places," Koneko warned when it was her turn, silver hair shimmering under the lights.
"Yes yes, how about I buy you ice cream later as an apology?" Jack grinned as he swiped the mark from her thigh.
"…Okay." Koneko brightened instantly.
So easy to bribe.
With their magic restored, the girls re-formed their clothes with a wave of power.
"Well, Jack and Asia finally have their familiars now. That's worth celebrating," Rias said, hands on her hips in elegant big-sister mode.
"Oh right, have you named your familiars yet?" Akeno asked with a smile.
Asia hugged her little blue thunder dragon, her eyes curving into happy crescents. "Hmm… this must be a blessing from heaven. I'll call him Long Ze!"
"Heh, using Jack's surname, huh…" Rias teased.
"Hehe…" Asia giggled, then turned to Jack. "Is that okay?"
"Of course it's okay. You don't need my permission for something like that."
His gentle answer made her beam, and she nuzzled the baby dragon with her forehead.
"Then it's settled, little Long Ze~"
The dragon flapped its wings happily. "Eee~~~!"
Jack raised his hand, and the silver seal swooped back into his palm.
"I'm terrible at naming things. Do you have a name?" he asked with a helpless smile.
The familiar sent him the answer: born of the world, it had no name.
Rias and the others chuckled. After thinking for a moment, Rias suggested:
"Why not name it after its ability? Something like… Seal of Demon-Locking? Demon-Locking Crest? Haha, sounds perfect for someone your age who's still a bit dramatic!"
"…I don't think I've ever been dramatic," Jack muttered.
"Really? Then what about all those mecha figurines in your room?" she asked, smiling sweetly.
Jack replied without missing a beat:
"Mecha is a man's romance. That has nothing to do with being dramatic."
"Then pick a non-dramatic name yourself." Rias tossed the problem back to him.
Jack tilted his head, thought for one second, and promptly gave up.
"…Fine. Seal of Demon-Locking it is. Demon-Locking Crest. It's easy to say anyway."
Everyone: "…"
He really gave up just like that…
Oh well. For Jack and his familiar—the spirit king in seal form—a name was just a label. None of them cared much.
The little fellow flapped even harder, clearly delighted.
Once everything was settled, Rias clapped her hands lightly to get everyone's attention.
"Now that the celebration's done, let's head out to sign contracts. From now on, your familiars can handle flyer distribution."
Their "celebration" was basically just snacks—and most of those ended up in Koneko's stomach.
After that, it was time for work. Jack turned to his own familiar with a smile.
"First day on the job. Make me proud, okay?"
The Demon-Locking Crest zipped around excitedly, wings fluttering. It was its first time in the human world and it was dying to explore.
Familiars, like devils and angels, could use "Common Sense Alteration," so there wasn't much danger of causing trouble.
They handed stacks of flyers to their familiars, watched them fly out the window, and then everyone split up—most had client requests to fulfill.
Jack also had his faith-contract client, Mai Sakurajima, to take care of. Keeping that relationship healthy was a must.
Hopefully his familiar would also find him a new contractor soon…
But for now, there was only one thing to do: check in with Mai, maybe help her with a wish or two, and collect a little "payment" through the contract…
"..."
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