Chapter 17: Realization & New Beginning

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"No matter if it's Akeno-senpai or Koneko, their magical powers and combat skills are far superior to mine."

After a battle, Badr fully understood the vast gap between him and Koneko.

The power they wielded was far greater than his own.

They had acquired their strength through contracts, gradually paying the price for their power. Badr realized that to reach their level, he, too, would need to sign contracts and pay the price continuously.

"Hehe, this is the direction you need to work towards in the future, Badr. The one who summoned you earlier, you must strive to win them over. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to seek our help."

Rias had high expectations for Badr.

Badr had broken the rule that a devil could not embody two different chess pieces simultaneously, something unprecedented in the history of devils.

Badr's uniqueness made him someone Rias; perhaps the entire devil clan had to take him seriously.

Of course, before that, Rias needed to keep this a secret until Badr and her power grew strong enough to discuss it.

Otherwise, for the prosperity of the devil clan, those guys might resort to drastic measures...

After all, such extreme actions had occurred before...

As if recalling something unpleasant, Rias's eyes showed a complex emotion. She couldn't help but mutter:

"Badr, you need to become stronger quickly... Only then can you help me."

Feeling the change in her mood, Badr looked steadily at Rias, sensing she had something on her mind.

He didn't ask further; if Rias didn't want to talk about it, asking now would yield no answers.

When Rias felt he could help her, she would surely tell him.

For now, he just nodded gently:

"Alright."

Although his response was simple, Badr's composed and calm demeanour was evident.

Sensing Badr's extraordinary nature, Rias reached out and gently caressed his cheek; her complex expression softened, and a happy smile appeared on her face:

"Mm, I believe you will quickly become powerful. You can do it if it's you, Badr because you are my most adorable servant."

As she spoke, she moved closer, cupping Badr's face with both hands and gently kissing his forehead.

The warmth of her lips lingered on his forehead, causing a slight stir in Badr's heart.

His feelings for Rias were quite complex.

Rias had saved his life, become his master, and always been very close to Badr. But Badr knew that this was due to devils' different perspectives compared to humans.

Although he had transformed into a devil, his thinking was still mostly human. He understood Rias's affection for him was like a master cherishing her treasured possession.

Even though they had shared a bed and she had kissed him gently, it didn't mean she loved him.

Badr, still with human thoughts, found this hard to accept.

But to say he didn't care about Rias?

That seemed impossible...

Who could control their possessiveness?

Even if Badr could easily restrain his feelings, he still needed to repay Rias's kindness. After all, she saved his life, and he couldn't ignore that.

Sigh... Let everything take its course.

After kissing Badr, Rias smiled and said, "This is the magic for you to become stronger. You also need to work hard. That's all the affection you'll get for now."

"I won't let you down."

Badr smiled faintly.

He had a plan now. The urgent task was to solve Mai Sakurajima's problems and then complete his first contract with her!

"Oh, by the way."

Rias suddenly remembered, "The Familiar Forest will open next weekend. So, Badr, you'll soon have your own familiar!"

"Really?"

Badr's eyes lit up. He strongly needed a familiar, as it could help him handle many chores!

"Of course. With a familiar, you won't need to distribute flyers and can assign simple tasks to it."

Badr chuckled and casually said:

"Great, once I have a familiar, I won't have to do my homework anymore."

Rias: "...??"

Everyone: "..."

So, you want a familiar to avoid doing homework?

Apologize to the familiar properly!

The three beautiful girls were slightly confused.

Sometimes, it was hard to understand Badr's thought process...

...

After biking home, it was already evening.

After his workout, Badr took a shower and went to bed early. He had promised Mai Sakurajima he would meet her again the next day.

Waking up early the following day, he tidied up the house and headed out into the sunrise.

Since it was a weekend morning, more people were on the streets. Badr arrived at the subway station where he had arranged to meet Mai Sakurajima.

He arrived a bit early, and after about ten minutes, Mai Sakurajima appeared, walking towards the subway station.

She was dressed in casual clothes today: a shirt and a short skirt. The skirt's hem didn't extend to her knees like yesterday but only covered half of her thighs.

No one else could see her, so only Badr's gaze was fixed on her, taking in her cuteness.

"Hm, it seems like you considered my fashion advice."

Badr spoke seriously, his eyes examining Mai Sakurajima from top to bottom.

Perhaps because the morning was still cool, she wore black stockings, but that didn't matter. The black stockings were very lovely!

Mai Sakurajima showed no reaction to Badr's words, calmly saying:

"Did I say I considered your advice? I just chose to wear what I like."

"Is that so? Well, whatever you say. You look adorable. I wish I could take you home and frame you on the wall."

Badr praised her with glowing eyes.

"I told you not to show off your lousy acting skills in front of me." Mai wasn't falling for it.

"It was a sincere compliment." Badr smiled faintly.

"If it's sincere, then I'll accept it."

Mai Sakurajima responded calmly.

...

While waiting for the subway, Badr and Mai Sakurajima saw the crowded figures inside.

Since it was the weekend, many people were out, and the subway was quite crowded.

Seeing this, Badr directly took Mai Sakurajima's hand, acting as a human shield to protect her from being jostled, and they smoothly entered the subway car.

With a glance, he signalled a spot in the corner, and Mai Sakurajima quickly understood, staying in the corner with her back against the car.

Badr extended his hand, using a wall slam posture to prop his hand against the wall by Mai's ear, protecting her from being pushed by others who couldn't see her.

Badr's actions seemed very natural to others who couldn't see Mai Sakurajima.

But to Mai Sakurajima, their proximity was a bit too close.

"It's only three stops; bear with it," Badr whispered, his voice audible only to Mai Sakurajima due to their close distance.

Being so close, Mai Sakurajima could feel his breath on her neck, tickling her.

Even in acting, she had never been this close to a boy. She tried to remain calm.

She was Mai Sakurajima and wouldn't panic over something so minor.

"I don't mind, just don't let certain people get the wrong idea."

She spoke calmly to cover her slight nervousness.

"...Wrong idea?"

Repeating it, Badr suddenly looked down at their closely positioned bodies, realizing what she meant.

A slight smile appeared on his lips as he said softly:

"I might be thinking even more wildly than you imagine..."

"..."

Mai Sakurajima stared into Badr's eyes.

It was clear this wasn't his poor acting.

In other words, he was telling the truth.

"It's your stop."

Mai Sakurajima cast a disdainful glance at him.

"Jumping off midway will make the morning news headlines."

Badr smiled faintly, "Besides, a mature person like you can surely understand and tolerate such things, right?"

"...Yes, I... I wouldn't care about a younger boy having such naughty thoughts."

It seemed reverse psychology worked well on Mai Sakurajima...

She even puffed out her chest to show her indifference, accidentally brushing against Badr, who was still wall-slamming her.

This unusual contact made both of them pause.

Mai Sakurajima's face showed a different expression before she turned away, not daring to look at Badr.

"Mai, that's a blatant seduction."

Badr laughed, lowering his voice. From this angle, he saw the blush spreading on Mai Sakurajima's neck.

Even Mai Sakurajima seemed a bit overwhelmed by her bold move.

Fortunately, the subway arrived at a station, and a few passengers disembarked, creating some space. Badr took the opportunity to step back a bit.

Just as he was thinking how cute a tsundere Mai Sakurajima was, he felt a hand reach for his waist, expertly pinching his soft flesh.

"...Mai?"

"This is punishment for teasing." Mai Sakurajima's calm voice returned.

"Even though you were the one who took the initiative."

"Is that so? My apologies then."

Though she said that, she didn't let go.

If anything, she pinched harder, seemingly enjoying herself.

At that moment, Mai Sakurajima's phone rang.

At this point, Badr hadn't seen anyone else able to notice Mai Sakurajima. The ringing made him narrow his eyes, and he immediately guessed who it was.

Mai Sakurajima's expression changed noticeably as she took out her phone. After glancing at the sender, she suddenly handed the phone to Badr, her expression still showing a hint of nervousness.

It was clear she wanted him to help check it.

Badr, not being polite, took the phone and read the email. Mai Sakurajima's mother sent it, although the sender's name was labelled "Agent."

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