Unsurprisingly, the moment she signed her name, Ravel's mind was flooded with an enormous amount of information.
Being a phoenix of the Phenex clan, she processed the information faster and absorbed more than Kotoko Iwanaga had, leaving her expression momentarily blank.
"Wow, so this is what it's like receiving the consultation..."
Kotoko clicked her tongue slightly at Ravel's vacant, dazed expression:
"Speaking of which, where does all this information even come from? How does it get like this? Without the Divine Pantheon's protection, this much data would turn someone's consciousness into mush, wouldn't it?"
Hearing this question, Luo Shu leaned back on the sofa, crossing his legs:
"The sources of this general knowledge are varied."
"The core mainly consists of Natsuki Minamiya's lifetime of research into the mystic side, supplemented by Yukino's compiled intelligence on Familia and the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System's functions. Lastly, there are Sharon and Kurumi's reports on Class-related information."
"Beyond that, there's also the data I've compiled on currently active dangerous individuals."
"Broadly speaking, these four categories of information are directly input into the mind when signing the Familia contract."
"Natsuki Minamiya? The Natsuki Minamiya who established the modern magic technique standards? Her lifetime of research into the mystic side... No wonder there's so much information..."
Kotoko nodded, agreeing that this knowledge was indeed worth absorbing thoroughly.
Or rather, being able to freely acquire a magic instructor's knowledge the moment the Familia contract was signed was already an incredible bargain.
Still, Kotoko couldn't help but wonder:
"But why cram so much knowledge in right at the start?"
"Because when signing the contract, the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System engraves this general knowledge into one's Spiritual Power to ensure proper assimilation, forming a kind of subconscious imprint."
"With this subconscious foundation, not only does the knowledge become impossible to forget, but it also provides a sort of practical buff, making research into the mystic side proceed more smoothly."
"Kurumi was the first to notice this effect, then Sharon formally proposed enhancing the general knowledge transfer, which Yukino then implemented."
At this point, Luo Shu couldn't help but comment:
"Speaking of which, Utaha and Eriri have privately complained about this, too. After all, as the first and second members to join the Familia, they didn't get such benefits."
"So you're saying I actually profited from this?"
Kotoko Iwanaga pursed her lips into a shape resembling a beckoning cat's smile:
"One generation plants the trees, another enjoys the shade?"
"Considering I'll become a senior too, shouldn't I leave something behind..."
"Oh, right! Since I'll be attempting my promotion after getting the Phoenix Tears later, why not record the sensation of Class advancement?"
"That's actually not a bad idea... You can try it later. Let's study this first."
Luo Shu found himself rather excited by Kotoko's suggestion.
Having undergone ritual promotion himself, he knew full well that the key was for the Class holder to grasp the corresponding conceptual power.
Normally, this advancement could only be comprehended individually by each candidate.
But with enough people undergoing Class ritual promotions, compiling some universal patterns wasn't impossible.
This line of thought suddenly made Luo Shu understand why True Hell had so many Barons.
With Divine Rank Grand Dukes present, True Hell had probably long since mastered every variation of ritual promotion.
If the Grand Dukes were willing to nurture talents and spare the advancement materials, cultivating an orthodox Demigod likely wasn't particularly difficult.
"I wonder if my Hidden Management Department could eventually operate this way..."
Luo Shu muttered before shaking his head and turning his attention back to Ravel.
Perhaps because of her powerful immortality, Ravel processed the information much faster than Kotoko, her eyes quickly regaining clarity.
When her gaze focused again, she looked at Luo Shu with a complicated expression:
"Mr Luo Shu, this contract... doesn't seem to be a non-disclosure agreement, does it?"
Despite now understanding Luo Shu's background, the Familia's significance, the origins of Classes and various mysteries, Ravel's tone remained timid when addressing him, giving the impression of someone easily bullied.
And Luo Shu took full advantage of this meekness:
"Correct, I lied to you. The contract was never about confidentiality."
"How could you..." Ravel's face fell as she mumbled quietly.
Having signed the Familia contract and become Luo Shu's complete subordinate, she'd initially thought this arrangement might not be so bad—but never imagined things would progress this rapidly.
Even in stories, heroes don't immediately force themselves upon captured heroines!!
Noticing Ravel's visible disappointment, Luo Shu paused before apologising:
"My apologies, Ravel. This matter was simply too important. Without the Familia contract's assurance, I couldn't possibly trust you."
"So I had no choice!"
Hearing this apology, Ravel suddenly became flustered, nervously wringing her hands:
"With you apologising like this... what difference does my forgiveness even make..."
Seeing her reaction, Luo Shu's expression turned slightly odd as he glanced at Kotoko Iwanaga beside him.
At that moment, Kotoko Iwanaga happened to look back at Luo Shu.
The corners of her lips curled up as she said in a teasing tone:
"Somehow, given President Ravel's personality, I feel like Luo Shu-kun could probably trick her into bearing you an entire football team~"
"Well, thanks for the vote of confidence..."
The corner of Luo Shu's mouth twitched before he sighed:
"Never mind that for now. Let's hurry and extract a portion of Phoenix Tears to complete your promotion first, then we can research other matters."
"Should I be shouting 'long live god' at this point?" Kotoko Iwanaga raised her hands cheerfully upon hearing this.
This earned her an eyeroll from Luo Shu:
"To hell with 'long live' - isn't that just cursing me to die young?"
"Ah... you're right about that..."
Kotoko Iwanaga scratched her cheek, then glanced at Ravel opposite them. After releasing Mammon from her illusory transformation, she stood up and said:
"Well then, Miss Ravel, I'll be counting on you."
Ravel looked at Kotoko Iwanaga, then at Luo Shu, before lowering her head and murmuring:
"...I'll do my best."
...
While Luo Shu was preparing Kotoko Iwanaga's promotion within the Hidden Management Department...
On the streets of Akihabara, a black-haired twin-tailed girl in a gothic black-and-white dress - her attire resembling a maid's uniform yet exuding aristocratic elegance - was cheerfully handing a flyer to a tall, striking woman before her.
"Dear lovely lady, I think you have great potential! Would you like to learn how to become a Magical Girl with me?"
"Magical Girl?"
Tōka Takanashi glanced at the flyer, then looked up at the impossibly beautiful girl before her in surprise:
"Does this pay well?"
"But of course~"
With a birdsong-like reply, Serafall beamed delightedly.
"It's super profitable~"