At Arashi Hayata's residence—
Kasumigaoka Utaha and Asia returned together, the sound of their light footsteps echoing in the quiet halls.
During the time Arashi had been away, their days had fallen into a simple routine: training, eating, sleeping, and occasionally complaining about their absent master.
"Honestly, that perverted master is so irresponsible," Utaha grumbled, slipping off her black stockings and rubbing her sore, pale toes. "He makes us practice until we're half-dead, then disappears for days."
Asia, ever the gentle one, smiled softly. "Brother Arashi isn't that kind of person. I'm sure he had something important to do."
Utaha frowned, crossing her arms. "Hmm… somehow I feel like this perverted master went off to do something bad again."
Snap!
The door swung open. Arashi Hayata stepped inside, smiling as if he'd heard everything.
"Why, are you speaking ill of me while I'm gone?" he asked casually.
Utaha rolled her eyes. "Perverted Master, that's not fair. For you, 'doing bad things' is practically a compliment."
Arashi chuckled. "You're not wrong. After all, I did gain a few new followers."
Utaha's eyes narrowed. "I knew it! You were definitely not doing anything serious!"
"I'm a devil," Arashi replied, entirely unbothered. "What's wrong with taking in followers?"
"…"
Utaha froze. That… actually makes too much sense.
She sighed internally. Damn this perverted master. How do you even argue with that?
Arashi smiled faintly, then summoned a small magic circle. A moment later, a beautifully carved jade pot appeared in his hand. "Here," he said. "A gift for you."
Utaha blinked, suspicious. "Master, giving a girl a pot isn't exactly romantic. Are you sure this won't make me dislike you?"
Arashi tapped her forehead. "You're thinking too much. The real treasure is inside."
He lifted the lid, revealing a glowing red liquid that looked like molten magma.
Utaha's expression twisted between curiosity and fear. "Why does that look so dangerous?"
"Because it is," Arashi said lightly. "You might die."
Utaha jumped. "Perverted Master! You're actually giving me something that could kill me!?"
"This," Arashi explained calmly, "is the Essence of the Fire God — the core energy of a flame king I defeated in another world."
Asia gasped. "Brother Arashi… you went to another world?"
Utaha's eyes widened in disbelief. So it's true… Master can even travel between worlds.
She'd always known he was powerful, but this… this was beyond comprehension.
"And this 'imperial weapon essence'... it's like a divine artifact, isn't it?" she asked, staring at the pot.
Arashi nodded. "More or less. But its true power depends on you."
Utaha's heart fluttered. "And… you're giving this to me?"
For a brief moment, the playful novelist turned devil apprentice couldn't hide the emotion in her eyes. A divine gift — a weapon that surpassed even the Devil Kings' means — handed to her by the man she admired.
It was overwhelming.
Arashi held the jade pot out, his gaze deep and steady. "So… what's your choice?"
Utaha hesitated. "Will it hurt? Or… be dangerous if I drink it?"
"It's possible."
"But I'll gain great power, won't I?"
Arashi smiled. "That's right."
She took a deep breath, steadying her racing heart.
Before meeting Arashi Hayata, she was just a brilliant writer — an ordinary human with no power. Even after becoming a devil, she was still considered low-ranked, overshadowed by warriors like Esdeath or Akame.
But she refused to remain weak.
"...I'll do it."
Utaha knelt down gracefully before Arashi, her crimson eyes glowing with resolve.
Arashi blinked in surprise. "So serious? I'm not used to this."
"I want to become stronger," she said firmly. "No matter what it takes."
"Good."
Arashi reached toward his belt with one hand.
Utaha's face turned scarlet. "W-What are you doing!?"
Asia covered her face with both hands, but peeked through her fingers, blushing furiously. "Th-this posture… is so embarrassing…"
Utaha shouted, "Perverted Master, stop making weird jokes!"
Arashi chuckled and handed her the jade pot. "Relax. I was serious about the gift — not whatever you're imagining."
Utaha's lips twitched. "You… you really are impossible."
She took a long breath, calming her flustered mind. Focus, Utaha. The Master's a pervert, yes, but this time he means well. Maybe.
Her gaze hardened with determination. "So I just drink it, right?"
"That's right," Arashi replied.
Without hesitation, Utaha lifted the pot and downed it in one gulp.
"Ton… ton… ton…"
The fiery liquid burned her throat like molten steel, but she didn't stop until the last drop was gone.
Arashi watched silently, a faint smile on his face.
The Essence of the Fire God was dangerous — deadly, even. But Arashi wouldn't have given it to her if she wasn't ready.
This wasn't just a gift. It was a test.
A trial of courage. Of enlightenment.
Even if you become a devil, Arashi thought, without the will to evolve, you'll remain stagnant. This… will awaken that will.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Utaha's heartbeat thundered like a drum. Her skin flushed bright red, heat radiating from her body like a living flame. The air distorted, the temperature in the room soaring rapidly.
Asia took a step back, shielding her eyes from the blinding glow.
Arashi stood unmoving, watching with calm eyes as crimson light engulfed his disciple.
So this is her awakening… her enlightenment.
He smiled faintly. "Show me, Utaha… how brightly your fire can burn."