With a single decisive strike, Ryuichi seized the Spirit King's true body.
The core looked like a smooth silver sphere, soft and slightly warm in his hand. It was strangely pleasant to hold—familiar, even.
Where had he felt something like this before…?
Ah. Right—when he slept beside Rias at night and his hand had wandered a little too far—
He coughed, shaking his head. Yeah, better not finish that thought.
Zaduj arrived, slightly out of breath but grinning. After murmuring a few incantations, he said, "Quick reflexes, kid. You've passed its test already. You can release it now."
Ryuichi opened his hand. The little sphere floated upward, returning to its glossy, round form. A tiny pair of metallic wings sprouted from its sides, fluttering adorably.
All around, the countless elemental spirits—whether humanoid or beastlike—bowed deeply toward it.
Rias and the others hurried over, eyes wide.
"So this is the Spirit King… quite the presence," Rias breathed.
Zaduj laughed heartily and clapped Ryuichi's shoulder. "Of course! Spirit Kings are so rare that you might not meet one in a thousand years. And a metal-type? Among the strongest of them all! You're one lucky youngster."
"Thank you, sensei," Ryuichi said sincerely. Without Zaduj's guidance, he could never have earned the Spirit King's approval so smoothly.
"Ara, ara~ such a precious familiar shouldn't be kept waiting," Akeno teased with a knowing smile. "Why not form the contract right away? I'm curious to see what kind of power it has."
"Right."
Ryuichi conjured a glowing array and began the familiar-bonding chant he had memorized. The Spirit King fluttered down onto the sigil, resting there as silver light filled the air.
When the circle flared to its brightest, the contract completed.
Instantly, Ryuichi felt his magic surge outward—his power being drawn into the Spirit King at a startling rate.
Zaduj nodded approvingly. "It's condensing its physical form. Keep the mana flow steady until it finishes shaping itself."
Ryuichi sat cross-legged, maintaining his focus while meditating to restore what magic he could.
Seeing his concentration, Rias suggested they move back to the clubroom through the teleportation circle—somewhere quieter for the ritual to finish.
They returned to Kuoh Academy's Occult Research Club. The group gathered around Ryuichi, waiting patiently as silver light pulsed before him.
Half an hour passed. Just when his mana was about to bottom out, the Spirit King finally stirred.
The small silver sphere trembled, flapped its wings clumsily, then began to spin.
Its round shape stretched and folded, transforming into a square, silver seal—an ornate metal stamp—with its tiny wings still attached.
Everyone leaned closer.
"A… seal?" Rias blinked.
The little seal flitted around Ryuichi in circles, its wings beating cheerfully as if proud of its new form.
Rias smiled. "So, Ryuichi, what can your new partner do?"
"Let's find out." Ryuichi grinned at the hovering familiar. "Go ahead—show us."
At his command, the silver seal released a pulse of light. A wave rippled through the room, and the group felt their magic instantly waver.
"An anti-magic field!" Akeno gasped softly. "My power just dropped by sixty percent… incredible."
Excitement filled the room. A familiar that could suppress magic this strongly was borderline broken in terms of battle potential.
"And there's more," Ryuichi said knowingly.
The seal's wings fluttered faster. Countless metallic blades appeared midair, shooting toward Rias and the others.
"Oh my."
Rias raised one hand, crimson flames erupting to intercept the attack. Akeno followed with golden lightning, shattering the incoming blades into harmless fragments.
"The attack power's not bad," Rias said with a playful smile.
But her casual tone seemed to offend the little seal. With an indignant buzz, it darted forward in a flash of silver light—
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
It struck each of the girls in turn, stamping glowing symbols onto their thighs before anyone could react.
Ryuichi blinked. "Wait… is that a—'正'?!"
Before he could process what happened, the magic field flared again. A sudden shimmer surrounded the girls, freezing their mana completely—followed by a soft ripping sound as the energy backlash dispersed their battle attire into motes of fading light.
Silence.
Everyone stared.
Ryuichi: "…Huh?"
Rias, Akeno, Koneko, and Asia each glowed faintly with the same purplish mark.
What in the world just happened?
Asia squealed and dropped into a crouch, face crimson.
"W-Wait, R-Ryuichi-san—don't look!"
Akeno gave a low, amused chuckle. "Ara ara… this feels oddly familiar."
Koneko hugged herself, sighing. "Déjà vu…"
Rias placed one hand on her hip, exhaling in exasperation. "Well? What exactly is this ability supposed to be?"
Ryuichi gestured for the seal to return. It zipped back, fluttering smugly before him like a bee seeking praise.
He could feel its thoughts through their new bond—pure pride.
Ryuichi rubbed the back of his neck, half-laughing, half-groaning. "Apparently, it's… a sealing skill. It can suppress the target's magic for up to ten hours—less if it affects multiple opponents or stronger ones. Up to ten people at once."
Rias raised an eyebrow. "And the… wardrobe malfunction?"
He winced. "Yeah… that part seems to be its own little 'quirk.'"
Looking at the faintly glowing marks on the girls' legs, Ryuichi could only sigh and pinch the bridge of his nose.
"Great. Even my familiar's got a sense of mischief."
And thus, the Metal Spirit King officially became Ryuichi's partner—a formidable, if slightly perverted, addition to the team.