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It was immediately clear that something had gone slightly wrong during the formation of the master-servant contract.
Normally, the process for establishing a master-servant contract was very straightforward: first, you'd set up the magic circle.
Next, both parties would stand inside it. After that, a magical crest would manifest somewhere on the master's body. Finally, the servant needed to kiss that glowing crest to finalize the agreement.
It was simple enough—at least in theory.
But this time, Bokue's crest appeared on the side of his neck. Mio, upon seeing such an embarrassingly intimate spot, immediately refused to kiss it. Her hesitation caused the crucial final moment to slip past, ultimately causing the ritual to technically fail.
However, in a sense, it still succeeded.
Because at the very instant the glowing, heart-shaped collar-like crest emerged on Mio's own neck, the red-haired tsundere girl who'd been fiercely protesting mere moments ago suddenly dropped limply onto the floor, trembling uncontrollably.
Her face had flushed completely crimson, her chest rising and falling rapidly as her breath came in ragged gasps. Clearly, something was terribly, unusually wrong.
"Maria… what… did you do to me?!"
Writhing uncomfortably on the floor, Mio struggled to speak clearly. Her breath spilled out in heated wisps of white steam, and her denim-clad thighs pressed together in desperation, a clearly visible darkened patch appearing between her legs.
Despite being engulfed by shameful sensations, she still managed to glare furiously at the pale-haired, dream-demon girl:
"Explain exactly what's happening right now! This is your fault, isn't it?!"
Maria, clearly aware she'd been caught red-handed, sheepishly waved her hands in surrender, her face awkwardly apologetic:
"Umm… W-well, Mio-sama, I did clearly warn you to hurry up and kiss the crest, didn't I? A dream-demon contract is powerful, but it's also got some… side effects. It demands absolute sincerity from both parties. If the servant hesitates or rejects the master at the very last second… it triggers a backlash punishment. And since it's a dream-demon contract, this particular punishment… has a bit of a 'lewd' nature. S-so that's why…"
Her voice trailed off meekly.
But Mio was in absolutely no mood to hear excuses. Still writhing desperately on the couch, she screamed hoarsely:
"Then hurry up and remove it! Cancel your stupid magic already!!"
"That's the thing—I can't do that!"
Maria clasped her hands together apologetically, eyes watering slightly.
"Like I just said, the kiss is only symbolic. The contract was already finalized the second Mio-sama willingly stepped into the magic circle. What you're experiencing right now is a rejection penalty because you betrayed the pact after it was established. It isn't something I can simply dispel!"
"Then what am I supposed to do?!"
Mio practically screamed, voice breaking. This bizarre sensation had not eased at all—it had actually intensified. Her entire body was blazing, tremors running down her thighs, her breathing erratic, the fabric of her jeans rapidly darkening.
Maria hesitated, then offered softly:
"Well, technically, the only one who can end your punishment now… is Bokue-sama."
Mio froze, eyes widening. It made logical sense, sure—the master typically controlled penalties applied through contracts—but considering Bokue was a young man, and her current embarrassing state…
Didn't this mean… it was going to end exactly how these cliché situations always ended?!
And, predictably, the white-haired dream-demon girl—assuming full responsibility as chief instigator—piped up again, using her sweetest, most pitiful voice:
"Please, Bokue-sama~ could you kindly show some mercy and release Mio-sama from her punishment~?"
"...How exactly am I supposed to do that?"
Bokue frowned slightly, his tone calm as he gathered a bit of spiritual energy and spoke again clearly:
"'I forgive you.' …How about now?"
No effect whatsoever.
Mio was still squirming helplessly, grinding her hips against the cushions, moaning louder as she left clearly visible stains upon the sofa.
Bokue tried again. With practiced ease, he conjured a purifying charm and casually flicked it towards Mio.
Again, nothing changed.
Now Bokue was genuinely confused. If the authority to end this punishment belonged to him, why weren't his attempts having any effect at all?
"That's not going to work, Bokue-sama~"
Maria interjected gently, shaking a finger at him with mock exasperation.
"While the master's authority indeed controls punishments, the penalty Mio-sama is experiencing right now is different. It originates from within her—her subconscious guilt at rejecting you after initiating the contract. Because of that, this type of punishment isn't something you can simply verbally dismiss or magically cleanse away. After all, its source is technically your authority, so you can't negate yourself that easily."
Bokue fell quiet, briefly considering his options.
Of course, he did have a significantly more powerful technique available—an incredibly potent purifying method strong enough to obliterate nearly every emotion, desire, and impulse. But there was a problem.
That particular technique didn't just stop at cleansing—it utterly annihilated every trace of emotional desire. In short, it would certainly erase Mio's current state, but it would also leave her an emotionless, empty husk.
In other words: absolute overkill.
He sighed lightly, realizing the implications immediately.
"So you're saying there's really only one option left, huh…?"
Why did this always happen? No matter how clearly he set boundaries, how well-intentioned the initial circumstances—things always, inevitably, spiraled into chaos exactly like this.
As Bokue approached the trembling girl curled up on the couch, Mio began to panic immediately.
"W-wait! What do you think you're doing?! If you dare try anything, I'll—I'll kill you a hundred times, you hear me?! Don't come near me, or—mmph?!"
She didn't get a chance to finish her threat. Before she could struggle further, Bokue bent down gently, lifted her from the sofa, and cradled her securely in a princess carry.
At that precise instant, something seemed to shift dramatically within Mio.
The frantic twisting and whimpering suddenly eased considerably, replaced instead by a softer, almost instinctive motion—more like affectionate squirming than panicked struggle. Her flushed face pressed shyly against his chest, breathing softly as she wrapped her arms around his neck, unconsciously clinging closer.
"You can save your complaints for afterward. First, let's just get this resolved."
Holding Mio firmly, Bokue glanced briefly around the suite, quickly spotted the bedroom, and began calmly walking towards it.
"W-wait… not the bedroom… n-no—!"
Too late. Without a moment's hesitation, he stepped inside and closed the door behind them.
Seconds later, the muffled sounds of Mio finally releasing all the pent-up sensations echoed loudly throughout the suite, leaving Maria standing alone in the living room with a knowing, slightly smug smile plastered across her face.
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