"Besides, it doesn't have to be limited to the Underworld. Perhaps... the entire world?"
Takeyo's mind wandered far beyond the confines of this single realm. With the incarnation of the Spirit Fish serving as his vessel, traversing the seas would become child's play once he grew strong enough.
With such possibilities in mind, he chose his words carefully.
"Huh?... Wait, what?" Rias and Sona stared at the teacher-student pair who had just established their relationship so directly, both falling into a state of complete bewilderment.
Who am I? Where am I? What does any of this have to do with me?
"Very well, Takeyo. Then as teacher and student moving forward, let us learn from each other," Ajuka said with a gentle smile.
Noticing that Takeyo preferred not to address him as "master," Ajuka didn't press the issue. He simply smiled, unperturbed.
His attitude demonstrated that he and Takeyo weren't operating within a traditional master-apprentice hierarchy, but rather as equals, as friends.
Indeed... I may not truly be qualified to serve as his master, Ajuka thought.
The current Beelzebub had perceived something that even Serafall had missed.
"Understood, Ajuka-sensei."
Since the other party was extending him courtesy, Takeyo wouldn't disrespect that gesture.
He understood that Ajuka must have noticed something Serafall hadn't detected.
"Ah, right. There's one more thing."
After speaking, Takeyo vanished from everyone's sight through instantaneous movement.
"Takeyo? Where did you go?" Sona asked uneasily.
However, Ajuka's eyes narrowed slightly in recognition.
Takeyo's movement just now hadn't utilized any magic circles, alchemy, artifacts, or similar tools. It was as if... as if it were pure instinct!
Before anyone could fully process his disappearance, Takeyo's figure flickered back into existence.
A small sample magic circle now rested in his hand.
"This is my apprenticeship gift. Please accept it."
Takeyo extended the circle toward where Ajuka's projection hovered. This was his offering, a gesture rooted in human customs regarding apprenticeship. He wasn't certain if Ajuka would understand the significance.
Ajuka's expression shifted as he regarded the gift before him.
He immediately grasped Takeyo's intent.
This boy is certainly stubborn in his own way. But maintaining this level of relationship will benefit the Devil faction's future tremendously.
After silently acknowledging this, he acted.
A teleportation circle materialized beneath the magic circle sample. As the light enveloped it, the small construct vanished from the human world and reappeared before Ajuka's desk in the Underworld, where he sat managing official duties.
This action signified his acceptance of Takeyo's approach.
In the projection, Ajuka examined the magic circle more closely.
"This is...!"
For a brief moment, genuine shock crossed his features.
Yes, actual shock!
What Takeyo had presented was one of the magic circles Ajuka had included in the study materials he'd provided earlier.
And Takeyo had modified it! The optimization increased the circle's efficiency by five percent compared to the original!
Don't underestimate that five percent. Ajuka was a Transcendent, a Super Devil who specialized in the art of creation and magical theory!
For Takeyo, who had only studied magic for a brief period, to successfully optimize one of his magic circles...!
"I'll be coming to the human world in a few days. You can study the contents of the crystal orb in the meantime," Ajuka said, his voice maintaining its gentle tone.
Setting the magic circle aside on his desk, Ajuka's actions conveyed an unspoken message.
Takeyo understood the meaning behind those actions immediately.
He'd just employed human etiquette, human apprenticeship customs, to demonstrate that he was human from beginning to end.
Though Ajuka accepted this stance and practice, he didn't reciprocate with human etiquette, which meant he still hoped to eventually draw Takeyo toward the Devil faction.
Rias and Sona, standing nearby, were equally stunned by the exchange between teacher and student.
Hierarchy among Devils was strict, and the so-called apprenticeship ceremony was highly valued by many Devils.
While Ajuka, as a Satan of the new generation who had overthrown the Old Satan Faction, possessed far greater adaptability toward new concepts than the old guard, this behavior was still essentially disrespectful toward a Maou in its essence.
And Lord Ajuka had simply... ignored it?!
Moreover, something else had shocked Sona.
"Study diligently over the next few days?... Lord Ajuka, do you mean that Takeyo can finish learning all that material in just a few days?"
"I remember... Lord Ajuka, didn't you say that if I were to study it, I would need hundreds of years?"
Sona's mouth hung slightly open in disbelief.
She'd always believed that the gap between her and Takeyo amounted to perhaps one level of difference. But if this were true, wouldn't the actual disparity be more like a dimensional chasm?
"Well, if it's Takeyo, he can indeed accomplish it. Yesterday, in just two or three hours, he completed one-tenth of the curriculum," Ajuka explained with a slight frown.
In truth, his statement about Takeyo studying diligently over the coming days stemmed primarily from one concern: if he wanted to create follow-up intensive courses, it would take him at least several days to develop them.
"Senpai... has such incredible potential?" Koneko murmured, a mixture of relief and concern flickering through her eyes.
The relief came from knowing her senior possessed formidable power to protect himself, to protect her President, and to fulfill her President's wishes.
The concern arose from worry that such overwhelming talent might become a constraint, that power might consume him the way it had consumed her sister.
At this moment, Ajuka also recalled something vitally important.
If his own speed at creating courses couldn't keep pace with Takeyo's learning rate, wouldn't that be humiliating for him as the teacher?
Decided!
I'll return immediately and devote all my efforts to developing the lessons Takeyo needs!
As for the official duties requiring his attention?
I'll just toss them to Serafall and Sirzechs!
After all, Takeyo is also a member of your sister's household, Serafall. And Sirzechs, shouldn't you and your sister contribute something toward your sister's household?
Without further deliberation, Ajuka resolved to begin production immediately after contacting the other two Satans!
"I have matters requiring my attention, so I'll be returning now. Everyone present here, fight for your future."
"I have witnessed the future of Devils within all of you."
"Then... farewell."
After delivering these words, Ajuka terminated the communication.
"Huh? Ajuka-sama?"
At the same moment, Serafall received Ajuka's contact.
"Huh? Mm? This is... all right, I suppose."
After several seconds of hesitation, considering all the things she'd done that might have angered So-tan, Serafall decided she needed to do something more to help her beloved sister.
"So-tan? Onee-sama has some matters to attend to in the Underworld, so I'll be heading back first!~"
Serafall quickly made her exit as well.
Even if she wanted Sona's forgiveness, now wasn't the right time.
Sona was still upset, after all. Seeking forgiveness would have to wait.
If So-tan learns about everything Onee-sama has done for her, she'll definitely accept my apology with joy! Serafall's thoughts were entirely sincere.
And truthfully, Sona's feelings toward her sister's actions from yesterday had already softened somewhat.
If it hadn't been for Onee-sama's interference, there was a distinct possibility that Rias, that greedy cat, would have stolen Takeyo away!
"Oh, wait. There's one more thing."
Just as Serafall's presence faded, a magic circle suddenly materialized on the ground.
Ajuka, who had departed moments ago, had returned!
"What is it?"
Takeyo felt slightly puzzled. What else could there be? Shouldn't you be heading back to prepare lessons?!
"Sona Sitri, next heir of the Sitri Clan, the transaction between us can be nullified. Even without the matter concerning Takeyo, I would have taken the initiative to assist you."
Ajuka's voice remained gentle, though tinged with a hint of urgency.
He... needed to rush back to develop those courses.
"Lord Ajuka?..."
"Very well, that's all. I'll be taking my leave now."
Seeing that Sona seemed about to say something, Ajuka simply vanished once more.
I'm not listening, I'm not listening, I'm not listening!
You two can slowly communicate your feelings. I'm slipping away now!
"..." Sona extended her hand helplessly toward the empty space.
She'd merely wanted to ask whether there was something urgent requiring Lord Ajuka's presence with her sister, but she hadn't expected the Maou to flee so decisively.
"Sona? You made a deal with Lord Ajuka?" Rias asked incredulously.
Given their positions, there was only one thing valuable enough for either of them to trade with a Maou!
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