"What... is this power?"
"So, do you believe me now?"
Beatrice silently looked at the lightning in Ayato's hand.
Unconsciously, a glimmer of hope appeared in her eyes.
Perhaps what the other said was really true.
"Then, will you contract with Betty?"
"Naturally."
Ayato smiled. "But it won't be a spirit contract. It will be a Devil's contract."
"Eh?"
Beatrice was stunned, then asked instinctively, "What do you mean?"
Ayato explained, "A reincarnation contract. From now on, you will become a Devil, existing as my servant."
"Forever and ever, together."
F-forever and ever?
Beatrice's face flushed red, and she began to fidget.
These words...
Hit her far too hard.
There were times in the past when she had worried: what if the person she contracted with was a human?
After all...
Compared to her, with her nearly eternal life...
A human's lifespan was far too short.
"But... Betty won't become ugly after becoming a Devil, will she?"
"Don't worry."
Ayato smiled.
"Do I look very ugly to you?"
"Your own appearance won't change at all."
Beatrice carefully examined Ayato and finally muttered, "You are indeed handsome."
"Up to Betty's aesthetic standards."
As she spoke, Beatrice's face flushed again.
"So, do you want to go through with the Reincarnation Ceremony?"
Ayato asked.
"Um, can you tell Betty more details?"
"Of course."
Ayato nodded and explained some details of the Reincarnation Ceremony and common knowledge about Devils.
"I see."
Beatrice slightly gritted her teeth. "Becoming a Devil means dedicating everything to you?"
"That's right."
Ayato spoke. "Of course, if you can't come to terms with it for now, I can also contract with you as a spirit first."
"You can go through the Reincarnation Ceremony later when you've made up your mind."
Hearing this, Beatrice hesitated.
Giving up her identity as a spirit to become a Devil made her hesitate.
However...
The other was the one she had been waiting for.
His suggestion was surely the best.
After a moment, Beatrice asked, "Why must I reincarnate as a Devil?"
"Because compared to your identity as a spirit, a Devil has far greater potential."
Ayato said seriously and sincerely, "Only after you grow can you truly help me."
"I... need your power."
Beatrice was stunned.
In an instant, she felt her heart struck.
Thump, thump.
Her heartbeat grew so fast.
Was this...
Being confessed to?
And...
What he said made a lot of sense.
After all, his power... was really, really strong.
Betty couldn't possibly become his burden.
"Betty wants to know your name."
"Mori Ayato."
"Then, Big Brother Ayato, from now on, you will accompany me all the way. This is a contract between us. You absolutely cannot break it."
"Of course."
Ayato smiled slightly, took out an Evil Piece, and said, "I already explained the specific process. Let's begin."
"Mm."
Beatrice nodded and began to move.
"But seriously, Betty really wants to ask, who came up with this Reincarnation Ceremony? Why is it like this..."
"It's actually not so bad. After all, the relationship between a Devil and their servant is very close."
Ayato thought that the placement of the Evil Pieces was actually too conservative.
Beatrice looked at Ayato suspiciously and muttered, "Betty always feels like Big Brother Ayato has ulterior motives."
As she spoke, her ears were completely red.
She even began to wonder if her decision to agree had been too hasty.
She always felt this master...
Seemed a bit improper.
But when the Evil Piece entered her body, all her wild thoughts stopped abruptly.
"Hmm?"
Her body was changing.
Betty actually felt herself having flesh and blood? And she could produce magic power within her body?
Whoosh!
The next moment!
The muscles on her back writhed, and a pair of black wings burst out of her body.
A small, delicate, heart-tipped tail also slowly emerged, swaying in the air.
"Beatrice is very cute."
"Hehe, Betty is of course the cutest."
Hearing Ayato's words, she covered her face and began to act coy.
Surprisingly easy to read.
Seeing Beatrice's appearance, Ayato shook his head.
Then.
He raised his right hand and summoned the Boosted Gear.
Hum!
A crimson light flickered.
A red vein appeared, slowly entering Beatrice's body.
"Mmph, what is this now?"
Beatrice's eyes widened.
Another power surged within her body.
"A Magic-type Balance Breaker?"
After sensing for a moment, Ayato nodded.