That afternoon.
At dusk.
"Shiho is truly diligent, she's even forgotten about me, her master."
Linde said this, but a smile played on his lips.
No master would dislike a familiar who strives to become stronger.
He walked out of Kuoh Academy but didn't go home; instead, he waited quietly.
"He's out."
Linde watched a figure with a schoolbag, his eyes flickering slightly.
That was his target, Issei Hyoudou.
He harbored a deep malice towards this so-called protagonist.
Not to mention, the Boosted Gear of the Red Dragon Emperor also piqued his interest.
Linde moved his fingers, and the light of a magic circle flashed and disappeared.
At the same time.
Issei Hyoudou, on his way home, somehow got lost, as if by some strange twist of fate.
"What's going on? Why is there no one around?"
Looking at the silent streets, Issei Hyoudou felt a chill in his heart.
He started to run quickly.
Suddenly.
A noble-looking young man appeared in front of him.
"Hello, I seem to be..."
Before he could finish his sentence, he felt a wave of coldness wash over him.
The next moment.
Issei Hyoudou had already turned into an ice sculpture.
"Let him stay frozen for now; I'll figure out a way to extract the Boosted Gear later."
Linde walked forward, and a dark red magic circle flashed on his hand.
Issei Hyoudou's figure had completely vanished.
"Hmm?"
Linde, who was about to leave, felt a slight stir.
"A light aura?"
As a devil, Linde was most sensitive to the power of light.
Even without fully extending his perception, he could keenly sense it.
"However, this power of light no longer makes me feel disgusted?"
"Could it also be related to my awakening of the Progenitor Devil's bloodline?"
Linde muttered to himself and decided not to leave.
Soon.
Before him, a man with white hair wearing a priest's robe had appeared.
"Oh, what do I see? A lost devil, indeed."
Freed's face twisted into a smile, and a pungent scent of blood emanated from him.
"A stray exorcist."
Looking at the other party, Linde was somewhat disappointed.
He had thought it was a fallen angel.
He remembered that the other party seemed to possess the technique to extract Sacred Gears from humans.
"Hahaha, that's right, I am the stray exorcist!"
Freed laughed maniacally, his killing intent as tangible as a physical presence.
"Those bastards have long since abandoned God; only I am worthy of serving God."
"Your appearance, you filthy devil, before me is a gift from God."
Listening to Freed's words, Linde's expression remained indifferent.
He walked forward, as if strolling in a leisurely garden.
If it weren't to confirm his suspicion, he would have already killed the other party.
"Oh my, oh my, you're actually walking towards me? Shouldn't a mere devil like you be trembling in fear when you see me?"
Freed's expression turned ferocious: "It's all those bastards' fault."
"They've made you devils completely ignorant of reverence."
The moment his words fell, the priest had already taken an item from his embrace.
It was a sword hilt without a blade.
Buzz!
The power of light spread.
A dazzling blade of light had extended from the hilt.
"Devil, I shall make you atone for your sins right now; die for me!"
Accompanied by a roar, Freed shot out like lightning, slashing down at Linde with his sword.
Clang!
The sword of light seemed to strike a piece of refined steel.
Freed's eyes widened in horror, realizing that his sword had only torn through the other party's clothes.
Furthermore.
This devil hadn't even used any magic power.
How was this possible?
Although he was a stray exorcist, he was using true power of light.
This was the bane of all devils!
Why?
Why was it completely ineffective against this devil before him?
"It seems my guess was correct; I'm no longer afraid of light."
Sensing the situation, Linde murmured softly.
Freed had not broken through his defense.
Aside from the vast difference in their strength.
It was also because he had awakened the bloodline of the Progenitor Devil.
The natural suppressive feeling of the power of light had completely vanished for him.
"Damn it, this devil is not right."
Freed gritted his teeth, wanting to retreat.
Boom.
But before he could make any move, a punch had already slammed heavily into his chest.
With just a pure burst of strength, Freed's chest instantly caved in, and his entire body was sent flying sideways like a cannonball.
He had barely let out a scream when his entire body, like a watermelon, exploded with a bang.
Linde withdrew his hand, his expression utterly calm, as if he had crushed an ant.
He gently waved his hand, using magic to clean up the scene, and then vanished...
The night deepened.
The bright moon hung high.
Shiho Miyano dragged her leaden body along the road home.
"Training is really exhausting."
"But it's all worth it."
She murmured softly, a smile curving her lips.
Seeing Rias and the others' surprised faces gave her a special sense of accomplishment.
Most importantly... she had learned a super-class magic called 'Thunderbolt.'
Shiho Miyano looked at the starry sky, feeling an immense sense of peace and tranquility.
Once upon a time.
Such a feeling was something she wouldn't even dare to dream of.
And all of this was brought to her by Linde.
"Speaking of which, my magic power is depleted again."
As if remembering something, Shiho Miyano's cheeks turned crimson.
Ten minutes later.
Shiho Miyano saw a familiar figure in front of the villa.
"The address is correct."
Akemi Miyano looked at the villa, her brows slightly furrowed.
She had heard rumors about the destruction of the Organization's research facility here.
She had initially thought her younger sister would be under strict surveillance.
But looking at this.
It didn't seem to be the case?
Recalling Shiho Miyano's hesitant tone on the phone, she grew a little worried.
"Sister, you're here."
At this moment, Shiho Miyano appeared before her, smiling brightly: "Why are you standing out here? Come on in!"
Akemi Miyano: "..."
Good heavens, would her sister really smile like that?