One day after school.
The Occult Research Club, plus Alice, gathered in the clubroom.
Azazel-sensei was missing, stuck in a staff meeting that dragged on for him alone. Wonder what he did this time?
Rossweisse, also a teacher, arrived a bit late but was here.
Rias scanned the group and got started.
"I called you here to discuss the magician contracts. As you know, today marks the start of the contract season."
Magician contracts.
Pretty important for devils.
Magicians are like lifelong researchers, diving deep into their chosen fields—black magic, white magic, summoning, runes, regional spells, you name it. They pick a theme and dedicate their lives to it, some keeping their findings secret, others sharing freely. That's the deal with magicians in this world.
In Asta Ade, it's different. Magic's so common, it's part of daily life. Only big-shot magic school professors really obsess over research. Miu, for example, doesn't study magic like that—she creates her own spells but doesn't hide them. Alice focuses more on physical skills than magic.
So, the concept of magicians differs between worlds.
As for the relationship between devils and magicians here—
Rias continued, "Magicians contract with devils for three main reasons. First, as bodyguards. Having a strong devil backing you makes disputes easier to settle."
Sounds like hiring a yakuza.
Rias raised a second finger. "Second, to gain devil technology and knowledge. Our Underworld tech can boost their research."
You'd think they could just go to the Underworld or get it through other factions, but it's not that simple. Getting to the Underworld is tough without connections. We visit easily because of "High-Ranking Devil Gremory" backing us—Miu could tag along even before becoming a devil. Others need special permits.
Going through other factions? That's pricey. Middlemen charge so much, it could bankrupt a magician's lifetime of research. Contracting directly with a devil is way cheaper.
Rias raised a third finger. "Finally, it's about status. Contracting with a powerful devil is a huge asset. Even my parents have magician contracts. When called, we offer consultation—it's a duty for high-ranking devils and their retinues. Since I'm of age, we're entering this contract season."
That's the context behind our dive into magician contracts.
Xenovia tilted her head, puzzled. "Never thought I'd be the one summoned by magicians. Life's unpredictable."
"Tell me about it," I agreed. "I never saw this coming either. So, what's my role in these contracts?"
As a high-ranking devil and King with my own retinue, my position's different. But I'm a total rookie King with a short devil career. Wouldn't it be better for me—and the magicians—to contract as Rias's Pawn?
"This time, Issei, you'll contract as my Pawn," Rias said. "You're still learning the ropes, so you'll have Ravel's support to choose carefully. Once a contract's made, it's not easily broken. Everyone else, be cautious, too."
Knew it. Rias thought this through.
"And Miu, Alice, since you're new devils, you're not taking contracts," Rias added. "Think of this as a learning experience for the future."
"Got it. That's easier for me," Miu said.
"We're still handing out flyers, after all," Alice added.
They nodded. They're fresh devils with no track record, still at the flyer-handing stage of devil work, no contracts yet. I'm curious who they'll contract with eventually…
Rias glanced at the clubroom clock. "It's almost time. The Magician Association's leader will contact us via magic circle. Everyone, look sharp."
The top dog's calling directly? I pictured a white-bearded old man in a pointy hat.
A large magic circle appeared on the floor.
"…Mephisto Pheles's crest," Kiba muttered.
Mephisto Pheles. A legendary Extra Demon, part of the demon faction outside the main hierarchy. The ancestor of Georg, that Hero Faction mist-user, contracted with him.
The circle completed, projecting a holographic image of a middle-aged man seated elegantly. His hair mixed red and blue, with heterochromatic eyes—red on the right, blue on the left. Kinda intimidating.
He scanned us and grinned. "Hey, Rias-chan! Been a while."
His tone was super casual.
Rias bowed. "It's good to see you, Lord Mephisto."
"Wow, you're getting more beautiful, just like your mom," he said. "Your grandma and great-grandma were stunners, too."
"Thank you," Rias replied.
He knows Rias's great-grandma? Family friend, maybe?
Rias introduced him. "Everyone, this is Lord Mephisto Pheles, an Extra Demon and a director of the Magician Association."
"Hey, hi," Mephisto said. "Check any book for details on me. My name's in libraries worldwide."
Talk about laid-back! Too casual for the Association's top brass!
"Lord Mephisto is one of the oldest devils," Rias explained. "He spends most of his time in the human world and is Tiamat's King."
"Yup," Mephisto said. "Tiamat wanted to save endangered dragon species, and I was moved enough to give her my Queen piece."
Mind blown! This guy's Tia's King!?
He's from the same era as the old Demon Kings, right? I remember that from exam prep. Apparently, he clashed with the old government, especially the old Demon Kings, and moved to the human world.
Like Azazel and Michael, he looks middle-aged but is ancient inside.
Rias and Mephisto chatted about old times, general gossip, and the magician industry.
"What about Sona?" Rias asked.
"Sorry, we'll talk to her later," Mephisto said. "She wanted to wait until her new retainer's settled. So, I'm talking to you first. I've already met with Sairaorg Bael and Seekvaira Agares. You 'Rookies Four' are hot in our world and beyond. My people were hounding me to lock in deals fast."
Rookies Four?
New term for me.
Ravel whispered, "It's a recent nickname for Sairaorg Bael, Seekvaira Agares, Rias-sama, and Sona-sama—the top young devils. They're called an unprecedentedly talented generation."
"Got it," I whispered back. "Sairaorg's crazy strong, and Kiba's been leveling up fast."
"You're missing yourself, Issei-sama," Ravel said.
"Me?"
Mephisto nodded. "Yup. Red Dragon Emperor-kun's on another level. Promoted in under a year! And I heard you declared war on Hades. Bold move."
Yeah, that. Everyone chewed me out for being reckless. No regrets, though.
"That god's caused enough trouble," I said. "A little payback's fair, right?"
"Love it," Mephisto grinned. "Hades has it coming. I'm on your side."
Azazel burst into the clubroom. "Sorry, sorry, meeting ran long. Oh, Mephisto!"
"Hey, Azazel! Been a bit," Mephisto said. "Just chatting with Rias-chan."
"Magician Association's keeping you busy, huh?" Azazel said.
"Not as lively as you, post-Governor," Mephisto teased.
"Nah, I've got a noisy watchdog," Azazel said.
"Who're you calling noisy?" Reyna snapped, smiling but with a vein popping.
Scary! Even post-Governor, Reyna's got Azazel on a leash.
Looks like Azazel and Mephisto go way back. "We've known each other forever," Azazel said. "When Mephisto distanced himself from the old devil government, Grigori made contact."
Typical Azazel, always scheming.
"Grigori's intel was a lifesaver," Mephisto said. "Still is."
"No biggie," Azazel replied. "Connecting with the Association was a win for us, too."
They launched into industry talk, tossing around terms I didn't know. Their conversation was on another level!
A few minutes later.
"Sorry for dragging on," Mephisto said. "I'll send the magician contract data through the magic circle."
He twirled his finger, and a new circle appeared, spewing a mountain of documents!
This is the magician data? It's a ton!
We started sorting, but more kept coming. Peeking at one, I saw a photo, magical script, and long-winded entries—like a résumé.
Kiba explained, "Modern magician contracts start with document screening. Final selection's up to us. Back in the day, it was a cutthroat contract race, sometimes bloody."
"There was a time like that?" Rossweisse said, arms full of papers. "They've learned, so it's peaceful now."
Wild history.
We sorted by nominee. Rias got the biggest pile—a literal mountain.
"No surprise," Azazel said. "Rias is a Gremory King. Contracting with her means access to her retinue, so magicians aim high."
Makes sense. Rias's contract is a jackpot.
Next was Rossweisse. "They want my Norse magic knowledge," she said coolly.
Norse magic's a big deal, so that tracks.
And third? Me!
Seriously!?
"Issei's got a crazy track record, a Dragon King familiar, and a lightning-fast promotion," Azazel said. "No wonder. Though, I expected even more…"
That's your reaction to this pile?
What was he expecting!?
"It's still a lot," Mephisto said. "It'd be more, but your retainers weren't eligible."
Azazel nodded, glancing at Miu and Alice, who looked confused.
"Your Bishop uses rare spells," Mephisto told Miu. "Plenty of magicians wanted to contract with you."
"With me?" Miu pointed at herself.
"Yup," Mephisto said. "But since you're new devils, you're off the table. Next time, though."
He smiled, but… Miu's battles must've spread her rep. Hope that doesn't cause trouble.
The rest ranked: Asia, Kiba, Akeno, Xenovia, Koneko, Gasper.
Azazel spoke up. "Some surprises, but about right. Most magicians targeted Rias to get her retinue. Honestly, most of these are small fry. Only a few standouts in this pile."
"Hahaha, yeah, mostly grunts," Mephisto said.
He just said that!? The Association head!?
Won't that piss off his people!?
"Anyway, that's all the docs," Mephisto said. "Let me know if you find any gems."
This time? There's more coming? This pile's already soul-crushing!
We sent the documents home via magic circle since carrying them was impossible.
Mephisto addressed Ravel. "You're from the Phenex family, right?"
"Yes, I'm Ravel Phenex," she replied, bowing gracefully, every bit the refined lady.
Mephisto stroked his chin. "This is top-secret Association intel, but stray magicians have been teaming up with Khaos Brigade magician remnants and contacting Phenex family members."
What? Khaos Brigade again? Targeting Phenexes?
"You know Phoenix Tears were circulating among terrorists, right?" Mephisto asked.
Yeah, I saw Cao Cao and the Hero Faction use them.
Ravel nodded. "Some distributors were caught in black-market deals. That was cleaned up, and circulation's back to normal…"
"Not quite," Mephisto said. "Tears are still traded on the black market—ones not from the Phenex family."
"What!?" we gasped.
Non-Phenex Tears!?
Rias frowned. "If they're fake, they shouldn't work… unless…"
"Exactly," Mephisto nodded, producing a vial. "These have near-identical effects to genuine Tears. We don't know how they're made, but non-Phenex Tears are out there, and stray magicians are approaching Phenex members. You might be targeted, young lady. Stay sharp."
"Where are these stray magicians?" I asked, raising my hand.
Mephisto shook his head. No leads, huh? Figures.
"I'll have Grigori look into it," Azazel said. "Ravel's got a strong prince by her side, so she's fine. Plus, this area's a Three Factions stronghold with heavy barriers. No one's sneaking in easily. Stick with your prince, Ravel, and you're safe."
He patted my head. Prince? Me?
"Recent intel," Azazel added, his face grim. "Someone's uniting the Khaos Brigade's Old Demon Faction, Hero Faction remnants, and these magicians. They're the de facto leader."
A new mastermind? Could they be behind the fake Tears?
This smells like big trouble…
Why can't peace last!?
Mephisto cleared his throat. "Sorry for sidetracking. Here's to good contracts. Catch you later."
His hologram vanished, ending the call.
The magician contracts are one thing, but the Phenex issue's got me worried. If Mephisto's right, Ravel could be in danger.
Better take precautions.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
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