"O-okay."
Looking at Ayato, Miko couldn't help but feel shy.
Even though it was just her outer clothes...
In this lifetime, because she could see Cursed Spirits...
She even slept fully covered.
Not to mention being in front of a man she had only met twice.
"Haah!"
Taking a deep breath, mentally preparing herself, Miko finally began to act.
A moment later,
Her outer clothes removed, revealing a white undergarment.
"Th-this... is it okay?"
Miko hugged her shoulders, her voice trembling.
"Okay, that's fine."
Ayato nodded and directly pressed the Evil Piece down.
"Hiss, so cold."
The unfamiliar coldness made Miko shiver.
Then,
Under her watch, the piece seemed to slowly sink into her skin.
Thump! Thump!
At this moment, the sound of her heartbeat was deafening.
The blood flow throughout her body began to accelerate.
"Something... is moving."
"And... it's so itchy."
Gritting her teeth slightly, Yotsuya Miko grunted softly.
The next moment,
With a whoosh,
A pair of black wings burst forth.
A small, heart-shaped tail also slowly emerged.
Seeing this,
Ayato raised his right hand, the power of the Boosted Gear Gauntlet spreading.
"What is this now?"
Miko was completely confused, only feeling more changes happening inside her.
'Oh, a relatively rare special type?'
Feeling the Balance Breaker, Ayato's eyes lit up.
A special-type Balance Breaker might not be the strongest…
But it was definitely the most bizarre.
Some strange abilities, if used well, could be extremely effective.
A moment later,
Miko stretched her limbs.
She had become so strong.
She could clearly feel her power had increased countless times.
Inside her, a mysterious power flowed.
'So this is Devil power?'
Thinking this, a breeze blew through the window, and she immediately felt a chill.
"Oh no!"
She exclaimed softly, then hurriedly fumbled to put her clothes back on.
"Here. This is basic magic knowledge."
Ayato flipped his hand and handed her the basic knowledge version 4.0.
"Make sure to understand the contents well."
"Especially the highlighted parts. Those are the spells you must master."
"Yes, Master."
Miko took it seriously and asked expectantly, "Once I learn these spells, I won't be afraid of any Cursed Spirit, right?"
"Most Cursed Spirits should be manageable."
'Th-this...'
Yotsuya Miko's face stiffened. She asked weakly, "What if I encounter one I can't handle?"
Unconsciously, her body began to tremble.
"You!"
"Don't be so timid."
Ayato smiled. "Besides that, of course, there's an extra layer of insurance."
"Then, no Cursed Spirit can hurt you."
"What is it?"
"A blessing. Similar to a god's favor."
"There are things that powerful?"
Miko was stunned, a flicker of doubt in her eyes.
'Gods and Devils...'
'These two kinds of beings didn't seem to go together at all.'
Thinking this,
She saw Ayato getting closer and closer.
'Huh?'
'What was happening? Why did this feel... off?'
"Mmmpphh..."
Miko's eyes widened.
'This power... so warm.'
'Did Master also possess a god's power?'
Smack!
Ayato released Miko's shoulders.
"Master, are you sure blessings are always granted this way?"
Miko's breathing quickened. Two blushes appeared on her cheeks. Her eyes were slightly dazed.
"Of course!"
Ayato spread his hands. "You'll get used to it."
"Used to it?"
Miko's eyes widened. "There will be a next time?"
"Yes."
"After all, the blessing's power is one-time use."
Ayato explained. "Every time you use it up, it must be replenished again."
"The details are in the book I gave you."
Hearing this, Miko's body stiffened.
Unbidden, the scene from just now appeared in her mind.
'If that was the case...'
'Wouldn't this keep happening?'
'That is... far too embarrassing.'
Uncontrollably, Miko began to blush deeply.
After a long while,
She finally suppressed this emotion.
'But,'
'It didn't feel bad.'
Instinctively, she glanced at Ayato's lips and thought to herself, 'Giving him my first kiss... isn't a loss.'
"Since we have time,"
Ayato spoke. "Come out with me?"
"Where to?"
"You're too timid. Let's get you used to Cursed Spirits."
"Ah?"
Miko's body trembled. "I... I don't know how to deal with Cursed Spirits yet."
"Don't worry. First, learn the simplest magic release."
Ayato spoke. "I remember it's on page five. Very simple."
"Ah, can I refuse?"
"Less talk. We're going."
Hum!
A magic circle flashed, and the two disappeared from the room.
"Do we... really have to come to a place like this?"
Looking at the desolate surroundings, Miko's body trembled. She instinctively moved closer to Ayato.
"Of course. There are plenty of low-level Cursed Spirits here. Perfect for building your courage."
Ayato grabbed Miko by the collar, helpless. "Come on, pull yourself together. Don't embarrass us Devils."
"B-But... do we have to go this big so fast?"
Miko looked at the dozen or so Cursed Spirits gathered in the distance. Her eyelids twitched.
She said with a tearful face, "Can we start with the lowest level?"
"These are the weakest."
Ayato smiled warmly and unceremoniously threw her out.
"You have to believe in yourself."
"Ah?"
Miko's body spun. Her brain crashed.
'My new Master...'
'Had just thrown me out like that?'
'I wasn't a sandbag, you know!'
Her mind in turmoil, but her body unconsciously adjusted its posture, landing steadily on the ground.
'So amazing?'
'Was this something I could do?'
Miko's eyes lit up, but before she could be happy, she saw the surrounding Cursed Spirits closing in.