The call ended.
The mechanical beep-beep-beep of the disconnected line echoed in the quiet room.
Shiho let out a long, helpless sigh as she stared at the phone screen.
It wasn't that she didn't want to tell her sister the truth. It was simply that she didn't know where to begin or how to explain it.
rashly telling her the truth right now...
It would only make her sister worry even more.
After all!
The events that had occurred today were enough to shatter anyone's worldview.
Even for her, who had experienced it firsthand...
It all still felt somewhat like a bizarre, feverish dream.
She didn't know how much time had passed sitting there in a daze, when suddenly, waves of a rich, savory aroma wafted over from the kitchen, hooking her appetite.
"Come on, time to eat."
Shiho followed the scent into the dining room. When she looked at the table filled with exquisite dishes, she subconsciously asked in surprise, "Master, you really know how to cook?"
Grilled Steak with Herbs, Creamy Mushroom Soup, Fresh Garden Salad...
Did this Master of hers go to a culinary school in the West for advanced studies?
"I haven't cooked in a long time. Taste it."
Taking the silverware from Arlen's hand, Shiho picked up a piece of the steak and took a gentle bite.
Her eyes lit up instantly.
"Is it delicious?"
"Mhm, mhm! It really is incredible."
"That's good to hear. Now, please hand over the payment for the meal."
"Huh?"
Shiho's eyes went wide as saucers as she pointed at herself in disbelief. "You are actually asking me for money?"
Arlen spoke with shameless confidence, "Isn't it only natural for the Servant to support the Master financially?"
"Heh... heh."
Shiho's mouth twitched in annoyance, but she still obediently reached into her pocket and took out her small wallet.
There was no helping it.
Arlen was her Master.
In this relationship, his word was law, and he held all the power.
Then, Shiho decided to turn her frustration and grief into appetite and began to eat heartily, taking her anger out on the food.
Arlen held the wallet, looking at the thick wad of cash inside.
He nodded in satisfaction.
This Servant of his was truly a little rich lady.
After eating and drinking her fill.
Shiho finally remembered the serious business at hand and asked, "By the way, Master, when will you teach me some Devil abilities?"
Right now, she only knew how to fly awkwardly; it was too embarrassing for a Devil.
"Rest assured. Even if you hadn't asked, I would have taught you."
Arlen raised his hand and waved it gently in the direction of the table. A purple Magic Circle surfaced in the air.
In the next moment.
A thick, heavy book appeared on the table out of thin air.
Seeing this, a flash of excitement crossed Shiho's eyes.
Was this a Grimoire?
She was finally going to be able to use magic too.
"This book contains all the basic knowledge of magic. Take a look at it yourself first. If there is anything you don't understand, you can ask me."
Shiho couldn't hear what Arlen was saying anymore.
She flipped open the book, completely immersing herself in the ocean of magical knowledge.
Arlen watched all this quietly from the side, taking a can of iced cola from the refrigerator and drinking it leisurely.
Hum!
A moment later.
He saw Shiho holding the book in one hand while slightly raising the other.
Amidst a burst of magical light, a dark crimson Magic Circle surfaced on the ground beneath her.
"I succeeded!"
Shiho had a look of pure excitement on her face.
As her hand movements changed, the light of the magic circle flickered in succession, shifting patterns rapidly.
"So this is the power of the [Magic Heart]."
Watching this scene, a look of genuine admiration appeared on Arlen's face.
These were basic spells, but...
Could she basically manipulate them freely just by looking at them once? Her talent was terrifying.
He didn't know how much time had passed.
Shiho had already mastered nearly half of the spells recorded in the grimoire.
She was still full of enthusiasm and wanted to continue.
But...
When she turned the page again, she felt a sudden wave of dizziness wash over her. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed straight onto the sofa.
Her slippers slid off with the movement. Her bare feet were exposed, her toes—white and smooth—curling up tight against the cushions.
The delicate lines of her legs shone with a soft luster under the living room lights.
Seeing this scene, Arlen put down his cola and said with a serious tone, "What? Has my Servant had an epiphany and is preparing to seduce her Master?"
"Master, is your brain filled with dirty thoughts?" Shiho was too weak to complain properly, pulling her legs close to her body.
"I just don't know why... my body has become so tired all of a sudden."
Hearing this, Arlen smiled. "This is only natural."
"You used so much magic just now; your Demonic Power is completely depleted, right?"
"If you knew that, was saying those words just to tease me?"
"If that is what you think, I don't mind."
Shiho's expression was helpless; she only felt that this Master was full of bad hobbies.
"Then, respected Master, I wonder if Devils have a way to recover Demonic Power?"
"Very simple. I'll just give you a Mana Transfer."
Mana Transfer?
How was that done?
Shiho raised her head, preparing to see just what this process involved.
Then!
She saw Arlen's handsome face getting closer and closer to hers.
Wait a minute?
Does Mana Transfer need to be this close?
Isn't there something wrong here?
Mmph—
Her eyes went wide as Arlen pressed his lips against hers.
It felt... so strange...
However.
Her Demonic Power was indeed recovering rapidly through the intimate contact...
...
A moment later.
Arlen let go of Shiho's shoulders, breaking the connection.
Gulp.
Shiho swallowed hard. She felt a wonderfully strange sensation instantly sweeping through her entire body, like an electric current.
"Y-you... are you sure this is just a Mana Transfer?"
Her body trembled slightly, her entire person paralyzed on the sofa. A deep blush had already risen on her cheeks, making her look feverish.
"Of course. Among Devils, Masters all recover their Servants' Demonic Power like this."
Arlen spoke with a serious face.
He really was doing a standard Mana Transfer.
However.
It seemed there really was something wrong.
He looked at Shiho, whose reaction was far more intense than normal.
Clearly, it wasn't like this with Grayfia-nee back then.
Right. He had fully awakened his System and become a Progenitor Devil after that.
It seemed...
He had underestimated the potency of his own bloodline.
"Eh? My Demonic Power seems to have increased a bit."
"But... something is still wrong. Master, think of a solution quickly! Did you get the steps for the Mana Transfer wrong?"
Hearing this, Arlen felt somewhat awkward.
Could he say that there was no problem with the Mana Transfer...
And that her current heated condition was entirely caused by his status as a Progenitor Devil?
To be honest, he felt quite wronged too.
He really didn't know about this side effect before.
Arlen looked at Shiho, whose breathing was becoming heavy and who was twisting constantly on the sofa. He felt somewhat in a difficult position.
Now there were two choices.
One was to act like a beast.
The other was to be a coward.
A moment later, Arlen's gaze became firm.
Since everything started because of him...
Then naturally, he had to choose the first option and take responsibility properly.
"Rest assured, it can be solved immediately."
"Really?"
A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Shiho's flushed face.