"So, 'becoming mine' means reincarnating as a Devil and becoming your servant?"
After listening to Ayato's explanation, Utaha understood, but her expression was somewhat complicated.
'Could this person not speak properly?'
Ayato had an expression that clearly said, "You're the one who misunderstood."
Although, in essence, what he said wasn't wrong.
After becoming his servant, Utaha would indeed be his subordinate.
Utaha took a deep breath and said, "Alright, I agree."
"You agreed just like that?"
Ayato was a bit surprised: "I was prepared to use threats and coercion if you refused."
"It seems like you're thinking about something dangerous."
Utaha's eyes narrowed, then she smiled.
"Actually, when you think about it carefully, becoming a Devil isn't so bad."
"After all, this world has Cursed Spirits and Devils. That means other myths and legends are probably real too. If I didn't know, it wouldn't matter, but now that I've seen the truth of the world, I won't allow myself to remain an ordinary person."
"Besides, according to you, Mr. Devil, even the lowest-ranked Devils live for hundreds of years and can retain their youth forever. That's something anyone would dream of."
Ayato: "..."
'Logical and convincing, indeed.'
'I should have expected this from a novelist; she had thought it all through so clearly in an instant.'
Thinking this, Mori Ayato maintained a calm expression as he picked up the Queen Piece: "Then I'll begin. It might hurt a little."
"Bring it on!"
Utaha nodded firmly, determination in her eyes.
But after waiting for a while, she noticed Ayato wasn't moving and looked at him questioningly.
"Cough, it's my first time. I have no experience."
Ayato coughed awkwardly, then began the procedure.
"Wait, why do you have to lift my shirt? Have you lost all patience already, honored Mr. Devil?"
"Don't worry, just a little bit. It'll be over soon."
"Wait a second, slower."
"Bear with it, we're almost done."
Finally, the Queen Piece and Utaha merged perfectly.
"Is this... success?"
Utaha covered her shoulder, her voice trembling slightly.
"Probably!"
Ayato sounded hesitant.
"Ah?"
Utaha's eyes widened, the corner of her mouth twitching: "Mr. Devil, are you sure there's no danger?"
"Don't worry, absolutely not."
Ayato answered decisively: "I guarantee you won't die."
"That's not the answer I wanted, you bastard Mr. Devil."
After shouting this, Utaha's body stiffened, trembling slightly, as she felt a strange power begin to surge within her.
At the same time,
A crimson magic circle appeared beneath Utaha.
[Origin: +1]
Glancing at the virtual panel, Ayato began to observe carefully.
Come to think of it...
This was his first time witnessing a reincarnation ceremony.
Devils reincarnated via Evil Pieces are each granted specific characteristics.
King: The Devil who possesses the Evil Pieces, capable of reincarnating other beings into Devils.
Queen: Possesses the abilities of all pieces except the King and Pawns.
Rook: Possesses extremely high attack and defense power.
Bishop: Possesses talent in magic.
Knight: Possesses extremely high speed.
Pawn: Although of the lowest value, can be promoted to any piece (promotion) upon receiving the King's permission, instantly changing abilities.
As for why he gave Utaha the most valuable Queen Piece... it was just intuition.
Anyway, the Evil Pieces were just the icing on the cake for him; it wouldn't matter much even if he wasted a few.
At the very least, getting a beautiful girl wasn't a loss. He was a shallow person who cared about looks.
After a long while, Utaha stood up, her face completely flushed, her body drenched in sweat.
Looking at herself with some disgust, Utaha took off her stockings, her porcelain-white toes touching the floor.
Across from her, Ayato's gaze unconsciously drifted downward.
"Have you looked long enough, Mr. Devil?"
Utaha's toes curled slightly as she smiled at Ayato.
"Oh?"
Ayato returned the smile: "Shouldn't you change how you address me now?"
Utaha gave Ayato a strange look and said, "How about 'perverted master'?"
"If you consider that a title of respect, I don't mind."
"See, you are a pervert, aren't you, Master?"
"Then thank you for the compliment."
Ayato took out his phone: "Let's exchange contact info. It'll be easier to communicate later."
"A Devil's method of communication is this ordinary?"
Utaha muttered, pulling out her own phone.
After exchanging numbers, Ayato took out several magic books: "Here. Besides the changes to your body, you should have also gained a talent for magic. Take a look at these on your own."
Upon hearing this, Utaha's eyes lit up, and she immediately grew excited.
'Magic!'
'This was a legendary power.'
'Was I finally about to uncover the truth of this world?'
Seeing this, Ayato picked up one of the books and said:
"This one covers the basics of magic. I suggest you start with this. Ask me if you don't understand anything."
"Mm-hmm!"
Utaha nodded repeatedly and eagerly began flipping through the book.
Ayato didn't disturb her. He found a cup of black tea on the table, brewed it, and began drinking it himself.
But soon, his pupils contracted slightly.
He saw Utaha raise her hand, and a strange fluctuation rippled through the air.
Ayato recognized this immediately. She was actually casting magic.
Hum!
The room was filled with light as a small, light blue magic circle appeared.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Wisps of gentle wind drifted through the air.
'So this was magic?'
Utaha looked mesmerized.
At that moment, like a child with a new toy, she continued reading the magic book.
"..."
Watching all this, Ayato fell silent.
'It seemed my intuition had been correct. She really was a genius.'
'But wasn't this too absurd?'
'Even though it was just the most basic magic, she learned it after only reading it once?'
'Even Akeno, with her special bloodline, would probably be no more than this, right?'