Chapter 6 - Senjutsu
From a distance, Koneko and Est could be mistaken for sisters, their silver hair nearly identical, though Koneko was slightly taller.
"Here's the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners disc," Evan said, handing it to Koneko. "Ten episodes, perfect for watching alone at home."
Koneko carefully tucked it into her schoolbag.
As Est focused on her Underworld snacks, Koneko paused, then asked, "Evan, how's your magic training going?"
"I've extracted some magic power and can use basic spells," Evan replied.
Thanks to his system's "God Rewards Hard Work" ability, Evan had sought Koneko's advice on magic. In this composite anime world, magic differed from other universes. It was a specialized ability primarily for devils and their followers, requiring humans to either form a devil contract to generate magic power or undergo rituals to implant magic circuits or circles, becoming magicians.
Evan, however, needed neither. After learning magic fundamentals from Koneko, he used his body's cursed energy to generate magic power, succeeding effortlessly.
"Impressive," Koneko said, her amber eyes widening slightly.
Evan's casual tone belied the feat's difficulty. Koneko knew he'd never sign a devil contract or implant circuits. Generating magic as a human, without external aids, marked him as a prodigy even by Underworld standards.
---
Dinner was beef stew, a lavish spread for Koneko, who lived alone in Japan. At Evan's villa, it was routine. School meals could be mediocre, but at home, he never skimped—especially with a little foodie like Est to feed.
"Delicious!" Koneko exclaimed, diving in.
Twenty minutes later, she'd polished off four bowls of rice, her flat belly now rounded. An onlooker might've suspected Evan's involvement. Est, not to be outdone, matched her pace, eating far more than usual in a subconscious rivalry.
After dinner, Koneko offered to wash the dishes, then bid Evan farewell.
Walking home, she rubbed her satisfied belly, murmuring, "If I lived there, I'd eat like this daily." Moving in wasn't feasible, nor was she bold enough to impose. "Why not just visit for free meals every day?" she mused, a compromise forming.
---
At the villa, Est lounged on the sofa, glancing at Evan. "Aren't you worried? Koneko's a girl."
"She's a devil," Evan replied, smiling. "No one's safer than her."
Est nodded, returning to her cartoon. Evan reflected on his gains.
His system's ability went beyond accelerating training. Spending time with Koneko had enabled him to extract magic power actively. Today's visit sparked a new insight: senjutsu, the art of manipulating ki—life energy.
Though Koneko was a devil, her true nature was a Nekomata, a rare Youkai skilled in senjutsu. Unlike magic, which created power from nothing, ki was the innate life energy within animals, plants, and humans, lacking direct destructive force but simpler to extract.
Evan's system allowed him to refine ki in days, a feat that would shock senjutsu users. Even natural Youkai often took years—sometimes decades—to cultivate ki, and many produced only faint results.
Closing his eyes, Evan sensed the flow of ki around him. All living beings, though unable to cultivate it, emitted unique auras: devils with purple, angels with gold, humans with white, and Est with a vast silver aura. Est's presence had significantly aided his progress.
While ki couldn't attack directly, it functioned like a cultivator's spiritual energy in fantasy worlds, enhancing Evan's physique. Though subtle now, his body felt lighter, stronger. The cool, steady flow of ki exceeded his expectations.
With dedicated senjutsu training, Evan could rival the Underworld's Satans, the pinnacle of devil combat prowess.
Beyond that lay the Transcendents, where strength surpassed a Satan's by tenfold.
His only regret was lacking senjutsu techniques. While his system could develop them through practice, ready-made skills would've been ideal.
As Est watched her cartoon, Evan tried ki. Initially a faint spark, it grew into a clear stream within hours, bolstering his physique and syncing with his other abilities. His visible aura faded, making him seem ordinary despite his growing power.
---
After hours of training, Evan showered with Est and went to bed. The next morning, he woke to Est's gentle kiss.
"You're getting better at this, Est," Evan said, lifting her with a faint smile.
Initially naive, Est had learned the gesture—likely from anime or Koneko's influence—and now greeted him daily.
"As long as you like it, Master," Est said, her expression blank but her heart content.
"I'd prefer you take off those stockings," Evan teased.
Est's face shifted from stoic to shy, her cheeks flushing. Curling her legs, she whispered, "That's… too lewd. The stockings stay."
Evan chuckled, and they proceeded with their morning routine.
At Kuoh Academy, Rias didn't contact him, but Koneko chatted eagerly. She'd binged half of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners overnight.
"The later episodes are even better," Evan said, grinning. "You'll love them."
He stifled a laugh, imagining Koneko's reaction to the finale.
Glancing at Eriri, he noticed her sulking, likely upset over yesterday's cafeteria incident. Her tsundere nature would resolve itself in days, so he let it be.
Another day passed. After dinner with Est, Evan prepared to buy ingredients for the week. Riding his motorcycle, he sped off but soon sensed something, veering in a new direction.
Meanwhile, in Kuoh Town's outskirts, a peculiar gathering unfolded in a café. The antique shop, typically open late, was closed, a sign on the door. Through drawn curtains, faint light flickered, hinting at activity within.