A few days into the magician contract selection, late at night.
"Ugh… there's too many…" I groaned, staring at the mountain of paperwork.
No matter how much I read, it never seemed to shrink. This is torture.
"Issei-sama, I've decoded the magical script on these," Ravel said, handing me a stack. "Please review them."
My ace manager, Ravel-chan, was by my side, helping with the grunt work. Her support's the only reason I haven't given up. Staying up late like this? I owe her big time.
In other rooms, everyone's tackling the magician résumés in their own way. Asia, Koneko, Xenovia, and Gasper are sifting through theirs with input from Rias and Akeno.
Miu and Alice started helping me, curious about contracts they'll handle someday, but…
"…Snooze…" Miu mumbled.
"…Hehe, now I've got big boobs…" Alice muttered.
Yup, both out cold.
Every. Single. Time.
Miu offers magician insights when she's awake, but she never lasts. Alice? She's down in minutes!
"What are you even here for!?" I wanted to yell, but they are helping, so I held back.
Ugh… are my retainers gonna be okay?
I'm drowning in doubt!
"Ravel…" I said.
"Yes?" she replied.
"You're the only one I can count on here…"
"Leave it to me!" she declared, eyes blazing. "I'll find the perfect candidates for you, Issei-sama!"
That's the spirit! Ravel's seriously a lifesaver.
She's poring over each document, cross-referencing dictionaries and notes, even sticking on color-coded tabs. Her thoroughness is unreal!
"This male magician studies rare earths and metals in alchemy," she explained. "This female one—"
She breaks it down so even I can understand. Koneko mentioned Ravel's been sneaking in research during breaks, too. I'm touched, but I worry she's pushing herself too hard.
Oh, about that Phenex family targeting thing Mephisto mentioned? Word came from the Phenexes. Riser's freaking out, apparently. Guy's stepping up as a big brother. Can't blame him—Ravel's adorable.
"C-Cute!?" Ravel squeaked, her face turning beet red, voice cracking.
…Did I say that out loud?
"Uh… was that out loud?" I asked.
Ravel nodded shyly.
Whoops. My bad.
But, come on, it's true! Ravel's cute—hardworking, dedicated, always helping me. Nothing wrong with calling cute things cute.
"Sure, you're cute looks-wise," I said, "but it's your effort, how you give it your all, that really gets me."
"~~~!" Her face went even redder.
Okay, time to change the subject.
I cleared my throat. "You're always helping me out, Ravel. I feel bad not doing something for you. Anything you want from me?"
I've been thinking about repaying her for her manager duties.
Ravel set down her papers, faced me, still blushing, and said, "Then… could you… pat my head?"
Didn't see that coming.
"Just that? You don't have to hold back, you know."
She shook her head, looking me straight in the eye. "Being your manager is an honor. A head pat would keep me going."
What… what a good girl! Too good!
I'm so lucky to have her as my manager!
Resisting the urge to hug her, I patted her head as requested.
"…Ehehe," she giggled.
That smile's too cute!
Yup, I'm gonna keep working hard with this manager!
Then—
"By the way," Ravel said, "we need to schedule your Oppai Dragon work. There's a charity event for kids shaken by the Beast Riot—"
…Can I get a break, please?
Despite the magician paperwork and devil jobs, we can't skip training.
Mephisto and Azazel mentioned some shady stuff going on, so we need to stay sharp for whatever's coming.
So, the Occult Research Club, plus Alice, changed into tracksuits and headed to the massive underground battlefield in Gremory territory for training.
Today's different. I'm facing Kiba, Xenovia, and Irina with Alice as frontline support, while Miu trains with Rias and the backline crew.
I was curious about Kiba's Second Layer ability, so we sparred… and it was insane.
His ability to wield multiple elements at once? Beyond tricky.
Picture this: water and lightning, or fire and wind. The combos boost power and range. No visual tells, no delay—he switches instantly, making it a nightmare to counter. Plus, his physical stats are through the roof. In versatility, it might outshine my Tenbu or Tengeki.
Downside? It's exhausting, like my abilities. He's collapsed next to me, groaning from muscle soreness.
"Haha… how long till I get used to this?" Kiba panted.
"You just unlocked it," I said. "It'll stop hurting eventually."
While I handled Kiba, Alice took on Xenovia and Irina. She crushed them.
She dodged every strike from Xenovia's Ex-Durandal and Irina's mass-produced holy-demonic sword, then struck their openings with her spear's blunt end.
"Ugh, when none of my attacks land, it's depressing," Xenovia grumbled.
"It's not like Kiba's speed-dodging," Irina said. "She parries everything with body and spear control. That's just… masterful."
Alice gave a wry smile. "I could've used speed to overwhelm you, but I limited myself for better training."
Smart move. She's strategizing her practice.
If Alice went full Kiba-speed, Xenovia and Irina wouldn't stand a chance. Especially Xenovia, the power type.
"Hmm," Alice said. "Ex-Durandal has so many abilities. If Xenovia-san used more than just its destructive power, she could grow even stronger."
Excalibur's seven fragments, now fused with Durandal, each have unique powers.
Excalibur Destruction: A holy sword of raw power. Xenovia, its former master, wields it best, perfect for her strength-focused style.
Excalibur Mimic: Shape-shifts into various forms. Irina, its original owner, used it as a cord for carrying and a katana in battle. She's got the edge here.
Excalibur Rapidly: Boosts the wielder's and sword's speed. Freed used this one first.
Excalibur Transparency: Turns the blade and wielder invisible. Rossweisse used it in the Bael fight.
Excalibur Nightmare: Casts illusions to confuse enemies. It suits magic-users, so Xenovia struggles with it.
Excalibur Blessing: Enhances holy rituals, tied to faith.
Excalibur Ruler: Controls any being at will. Arthur from Vali's team had it, but…
"I can't pull off legendary beast control like Arthur," Xenovia sighed. "I can barely activate it."
She's struggling there, too.
Irina took Mimic from Xenovia, and the blade morphed into a katana. "Mimic needs imagination," she said. "Master it, and it can become anything."
Imagination, huh? Kiba's holy-demonic swords need that, too. He's a pure technique type, and Irina's been learning magic, making her a wizardly technique type.
Maybe technique types are better at imagination? I'm a power type, relying on instincts honed by training and battles, so I wouldn't know.
"You'll end up a self-proclaimed swordmaster, Xenovia," Irina teased.
"What!?" Xenovia gasped, jaw dropping.
Irina's jab hit hard. Xenovia's eyes teared up as she shot back, "…Self-proclaimed angel."
Ouch. That's a taboo word for Irina.
Irina puffed her cheeks, fuming. "I'm not self-proclaimed! I'm a real angel! Right, Issei-kun? Your childhood friend knows I'm legit, don't you?"
"Oh, yeah, we're childhood friends," I said. "Sorry, I forget sometimes."
"Gah!" Irina froze, mouth agape.
Yeah, I do forget. Back then, Irina was such a tomboy, I thought she was a guy.
Xenovia smirked. "I see. Self-proclaimed childhood friend, huh?"
"I'm not self-proclaimed! I'm your real childhood friend!" Irina yelled.
"Self-proclaimed angel buddy!" Xenovia taunted.
"Not combined! You self-proclaimed swordmaster! Muscle-brained idiot!" Irina retorted.
Dorks…
Their arguments are straight-up elementary school level. But that's what makes them cute.
They've come a long way from their intense first impressions. This feels more like their true, age-appropriate selves. They're having fun, too.
"What do we do about this?" Alice asked.
"Let 'em be," I said.
After training, with the day's tasks done, it's time to chill.
"Senpai, want some choco-mint?" Koneko offered.
"Sure, I'll take a bite," I said.
Koneko, sitting on my lap, fed me with an "Ahh~."
A junior's "Ahh~"? Pure bliss!
Koneko's healing me, as always!
As I patted her head, Ravel stepped in front. "Koneko-san, I've always thought this, but sitting on Issei-sama's lap in public is improper!"
"…This is my special seat," Koneko said.
Special seat? Nice one!
"Special seat!?" Ravel gasped. "Issei-sama, say something!"
"Haha… I don't mind, so it's fine, right?" I said.
Koneko's lap-sitting is just part of life now.
Then Koneko shifted to a full-on hug. "…I'm gonna be Issei-senpai's bride, so I'm keeping this spot."
"!" Ravel trembled, looking devastated.
Ravel scolds Koneko, but when we're alone, she asks to sit on my lap, too. I let her, and Koneko gets pouty when she sees it. Is my lap that popular?
Lately, Koneko's been claiming it first thing.
Ravel, teary-eyed, protested. "That's not fair! Not fair, not fair, not fair!"
Whoa! My capable manager's stomping her feet!?
"Koneko-san's hogging it!" Ravel shoved Koneko off and plopped onto my lap. "I'm sitting here! No, I'm claiming it!"
Koneko's brows shot up, her mouth a tight triangle. Cute, but her aura's terrifying! I swear I saw a cat spirit behind her!
Then—
"Take that!" Koneko shoved Ravel back.
"Eek!" Ravel yelped.
Koneko climbed back on, clinging to me. "…This is my seat! Not giving it up!"
"No monopolizing!" Ravel cried. "I want to sit there, too!"
She tried pulling Koneko off again.
Here we go again…
Koneko and Ravel. The cat-and-bird "Lap Battle" erupts.
Riser once told me over a private call, "Ravel's polite and refined around friends, but she's as selfish as Rias deep down. She covets what others have. Living with her, you'll see it."
Nailed it, Riser.
Ravel's got her moments, huh?
"What're you guys doing… oh, it's this again," Miu said, walking in with a glass of milk, in pajamas.
She's so used to this, she's unfazed.
I shot her a pleading look, hands in a begging gesture. Miu gave a wry smile and nodded.
Setting her glass down, she patted Koneko and Ravel's heads. "Koneko-chan, Ravel-san, fighting makes Onii-chan sad. Can't you share?"
"…Yes… sorry," Koneko mumbled.
"…My apologies…" Ravel said.
Miu's words calmed them down.
Man, Miu's really stepping up as the big sister. That was some mature mediation.
In the end, Koneko took my right knee, Ravel my left. The four of us—Miu included—watched TV together, wrapping up the day.
The two started off pouty but were chatting happily by the end.
They fight, but they're friends, aren't they?
--+--
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!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
If you want to see it, then why not?