"Cough… cough… That's enough, Yubelluna!"
Tenra's voice cut through the tension just as Yubelluna began to invoke her magic. Supported by Ravel and the other girls, he rose to his feet—battered but unbroken.
The injuries were minor; Tenra had weathered worse. Yubelluna let out a quiet sigh of relief and lowered her staff, though her eyes remained icy as she shot Kalamaina a warning glare.
"Onii-chan, Kalamaina actually hurt you! I'm not letting her off easy!"
Ravel puffed up, her glare fierce and determined.
Tenra ruffled her hair, gentle and teasing. "Easy, little tiger. Boys don't like girls who bite. Besides, Kalamaina was just sparring with me. If anyone's to blame, it's your useless onii-chan for losing."
"That's not true! Tenra onii-chan is the best! You're not useless at all…"
Ravel faltered, realizing she'd stumbled onto Tenra's sore spot. She wanted to comfort him, but found herself at a loss for words.
The truth was plain: Tenra couldn't awaken the Phoenix bloodline, had no talent for magic, and barely possessed any magical power at all. By any measure, he was the family's disgrace.
He knew it too. His swordsmanship matched Kalamaina's—maybe even edged her out—but once magic entered the fray, she overwhelmed him with ease.
Most would have given up by now. But Tenra refused to surrender. He still had ambition. He still had hope.
"Lord Tenra, how do you wish to deal with Kalamaina?"
Yubelluna's voice was cool, her gaze fixed on the girl still kneeling before them.
"I told you, it was just a spar."
Tenra shook his head. "Get up, Kalamaina. You did nothing wrong."
But Kalamaina stayed kneeling, lips pressed tight. Tenra sighed, reaching out to gently tap her forehead.
"Kalamaina, you're a true swordswoman. I've always respected that about you."
He paused, then continued, voice steady. "I'll be leaving soon—gone for years, training. Let's make a promise."
Kalamaina looked up, surprise flickering in her eyes. Even Yubelluna and Isabella exchanged curious glances.
"A promise?"
Tenra nodded. "Yeah. When Riser comes of age, you'll all be contracted to him—his pieces, his retainers. But I'll return on the day of his coming-of-age and challenge him. If I win, you become my retainer—my knight. Deal?"
His words hung in the air, bold and impossible. The girls stared, half convinced they'd misheard.
Riser had awakened the Phoenix bloodline early, groomed by the family since childhood. He wasn't the greatest prodigy among devils, but he was still a rising star.
And Tenra—a "waste" who couldn't even tap his own bloodline—thought he could beat Riser?
Impossible.
Ravel's eyes brimmed with tears, her heart aching for her hopeless onii-chan. Isabella and the others looked torn; for all Riser's pride, Tenra was the one they liked—kind, approachable, real. If he could win… well, maybe being his retainer wouldn't be so bad after all.
But it was a dream. Or so they thought.
Kalamaina broke the silence, her voice ringing with conviction.
"If Lord Tenra truly defeats Riser, I swear to follow you—to the death!"
Her eyes burned with a strange light. Tenra grinned, dazzling.
"Then it's a promise."
—
Days later, the family gathered to see Tenra off. Ravel's mother pressed a small box into his hands—five Phoenix Tears, each shimmering with power.
"Take these, little Tenra. Keep them close."
Phoenix Tears—miracles only pure-blooded Phenex could produce. No matter the wound, as long as life remained, they could heal it. Their fame reached across the Underworld and beyond; even Demon Lords treasured them as gifts.
"Thank you, Lady Phenex."
Tenra accepted them without pretense, gratitude clear.
His father, ever stern, offered a single warning.
"You carry demon blood—but only half. That will make you a target. Angels, fallen angels, humans… Don't reveal yourself. Survive, and come home."
Tenra nodded, the words carving themselves into his memory.
Ravel clung to him, tears streaming, refusing to let go. She was heartbreakingly adorable—Tenra couldn't help but wonder how much she'd change by the time he returned. Would the clingy, tearful little girl become a poised young lady?
A cold voice interrupted—Riser, arms folded, leaning against a pillar.
"Hmph. I hear someone's boasting about beating me at my coming-of-age. How delusional."
Tenra just smiled. "That's right. Father, Lady Phenex—you don't mind, do you?"
His father shrugged. "If you can do it."
Lady Phenex smiled, hope shining in her eyes.
"Work hard, Tenra. Come back and defeat Riser."
Riser fumed—Father was one thing, but Mother… wasn't he her real son?
"Riser, you'd better train hard too. Or you'll lose badly."
Tenra turned, nodding to Yubelluna. She summoned a magic circle, and in a flash of light, the two vanished.
—
The Human World. Kamiyo Residence.
Light flared, and Tenra and Yubelluna appeared in the quiet entryway.
"We've arrived, Lord Tenra. If there's nothing else, I'll return."
Yubelluna bowed, staff ready to open another portal.
Tenra grinned, studying her. "Hey, Yubelluna—if I really do beat Riser, how about joining me? Be my Queen."
She met his gaze, eyes unreadable, then looked away.
"We'll see when you've done it, Lord Tenra. I only follow true strength."
"Until then. I'll be waiting."
With a final, ambiguous smile, Yubelluna vanished in a shimmer of light.
"I only follow true strength, huh…"
Tenra murmured, lips curling into a smile. His eyes narrowed, sharp and bright.
True strength. He'd claim it—no matter what.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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