Chapter 32 - Deals with the Devil

The air in the Student Council Room was thick with unspoken thoughts.

Sona had already voiced her suspicions—but now, she was shifting gears.

Business.

She sat with her usual composed grace, her violet gaze fixed on me like I was a puzzle she'd nearly solved.

"You seem to be quite the craftsman, Malrik-kun," she said, tone smooth and calculated.

I raised an eyebrow, curious where this was going.

"After what you provided Rias," she continued, "and… the 'gift' you left for my Peerage, I'm interested in acquiring some of your weapons as well."

Ah. So she had heard.

I smirked, tilting my head just enough to seem playful.

"Oh? Now you're negotiating with me? Careful, Sona—you might make me think you actually like me."

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Momo and Tomoe exchanging amused glances.

Even Tsubaki shifted slightly at the edge of her desk, though her face remained unreadable.

Sona, of course, didn't flinch. She simply exhaled through her nose, unamused.

"Flattery won't change the deal," she said flatly.

Still cold as ever.

I leaned forward, resting my elbow on the table.

"Alright, Kaichou. I'm listening. What's in it for me?"

Sona nodded at Tsubaki, who stepped forward. A magic circle opened silently at her side, from which she retrieved two items.

The first: a thick, leather-bound tome, dark and ancient, its silver sigils pulsing faintly with latent power.

The second: a briefcase, pristine and black, packed neatly with Devil Currency. A single glance told me it was worth at least ten billion yen.

I blinked, mildly impressed.

"Well, well," I murmured, lifting the case slightly. "Generous, aren't we?"

Sona didn't even blink.

"I heard that's what Rias paid you," she said. "So I expect the same quality of service."

Damn. She'd done her homework.

I grinned, setting the case down and picking up the tome.

"And this?"

"A forbidden Devil combat manual," she said. "It covers advanced battlefield tactics, peerage coordination strategies, and elite noble training methods."

I whistled, thumbing through a few pages. The ink shimmered faintly under the light, as if the book itself breathed.

"Fancy," I muttered.

"It's more than that," Sona added. "This knowledge isn't taught in schools. It's inherited—passed down within high-ranking Devil families. You won't find this in any library."

Her tone was calm, but the weight behind her words was clear.

This wasn't just payment.

This was access.

She wasn't just buying weapons—

She was investing in me.

And then—

[Ding!]

"100X Multiplier Activated."

Oh?

Now that was interesting.

Because in the time it took my fingers to flip the page, the system had already multiplied the tome's contents.

No longer just noble Devil knowledge—

It now contained every battle strategy, personal technique, and war doctrine across all three factions: Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels.

A complete archive of supernatural warfare.

And I got it… for free.

I didn't let it show. Not even a flicker.

I simply closed the book and smiled.

"Pleasure doing business with you, Kaichou."

Sona watched me closely.

She knew I'd gotten the better end of the deal—

She just didn't know how.

And I wasn't about to tell her.

Without breaking stride, she moved on.

"For my Peerage," she said, producing a document from her desk, "I require customized equipment suited to their strengths."

I skimmed the list.

—Momo: enchanted throwing knives with wind-channeling enchantments.

—Reya: a reinforced staff designed to amplify elemental casting.

—Tomoe: a lightweight naginata with shockwave-infused edgework.

—Tsubaki: a custom-crafted odachi surpassing her current model in both durability and spiritual resonance.

I chuckled, handing the list back.

"Alright," I said. "I'll have everything ready by tomorrow."

She blinked. "That soon?"

I shrugged casually. "Craftsmanship like mine doesn't take long."

The truth? I could make everything in an hour.

But letting them know that would just raise too many questions.

Best to pace myself.

Sona nodded. "Then I'll expect the delivery after school."

I stood, stretching lazily.

"Well then, Kaichou, if that's all… I've got another delivery to make."

Sona glanced at me, tone flat. "For Rias?"

I smirked. "You do keep track of me, don't you?"

She ignored the bait and waved toward the door.

"You're dismissed, Malrik-kun."

I gave a lazy salute, turning on my heel.

At the doorway, however, Momo lingered. Her arms were crossed, eyes glinting with curiosity.

"So, Malrik-san," she said, tone light. "What's it like being on both Rias and Sona's radar?"

I grinned, leaning just slightly toward her.

"Thrilling," I said. "But if you wanted my attention, Momo-chan… all you had to do was ask."

She blinked, surprised for only a moment.

Then her lips curved into a knowing smirk.

"Hmph. I see why they're interested in you," she said, brushing past me.

I watched her go, amused.

Sona's Peerage was… interesting.