The next day.
Leaving Soyo and Shoko, who'd fought side by side all night, Roy took Gasper out for training.
Mid-morning run, an encrypted message arrived.
Letting Gasper continue alone, Roy followed the message to Kuoh's outskirts.
"Good morning, Mr. Roy," a girl with flowing golden hair and a witch hat waved.
Roy nodded. "How's it going?"
"Hm… how to put it? Lots of troublesome stuff," Le Fay said with a wry smile.
After joining the Brigade of Calamity, she was soon labeled a rogue mage by the Golden Dawn Magic Society.
Rogue status meant constant pursuit.
On missions from Cao Cao, bounty hunters hounded her.
Cao Cao's tasks were another headache.
To boost the Hero Faction's strength, they scoured the globe for hero descendants.
It was, in every sense, a packed life.
"Sounds busy. What brings you here today?" Roy asked.
"I took a day off. Can't break our contract," Le Fay replied.
Per their agreement, she'd teach Roy magic at least one day a week.
Today was the first week's final day.
Not wanting to default fresh off the contract, she'd found an excuse to slip away.
"Mr. Roy, what kind of magic do you want to start with?"
"High power, fast casting."
"Hm… for offensive magic, I know 13 types. I'll start with the basics."
Leading Roy to a remote spot, Le Fay set up an isolation barrier and began teaching.
Offensive magic was moderately difficult among magical disciplines.
Le Fay planned to cover theory first, building Roy's foundation.
Next week, she'd teach the first offensive spell.
But…
"Pretty simple."
Roy extinguished the black flames raging on the ground with a thought.
"This is Hellfire Inferno, right? Feels a bit lackluster. Got stronger offensive magic?"
"Uh… yeah."
Le Fay's mood was complex.
She'd spent three days learning that spell.
Even then, her mentor called her a once-in-a-century genius.
Three days for a genius, and Roy nailed it in 30 minutes?
Le Fay sighed, understanding how regular mages felt seeing her.
Complex feelings aside, she taught diligently.
Morning passed.
Under her unreserved guidance, Roy mastered all 13 offensive spells.
"Not bad," Roy nodded, then asked, "Le Fay, know any time magic?"
"Sorry, I don't."
Time magic was top-tier forbidden magic, known by only a handful worldwide.
Le Fay was a genius, but too young.
Her Golden Dawn status didn't grant access to time magic, let alone mastery.
"Mr. Roy, is time magic a big need for you?"
"Yeah, I'm studying time powers. Learning time magic could help."
"Got it. Leave it to me."
"You sure?"
"Positive."
Le Fay's tone was firm.
The past was the past; now was different.
What she couldn't access before, she could now.
As a Brigade terrorist, freedom was their edge.
"Steal from other magic societies?" Roy mused, handing her a postcard. "Take this as insurance. If you're in danger, summon me."
"Thanks."
Le Fay pocketed it, checking her phone. "Mr. Roy, I've got six hours left."
"Anything else you want to learn?"
"Plenty, but that's enough for today," Roy said, glancing at a nearby clearing. "Rare day off. Wanna hang out?"
---
Time passed, night fell.
In the southeast of the Familiarion Kingdom, a villa stood.
In its courtyard, Arthur trained his swordsmanship as usual.
The villa's gate opened.
His sister strolled in, visibly cheerful.
"Looks like you enjoyed your break," Arthur said, adjusting his glasses.
Le Fay nodded. "Went lots of places. Had fun."
"Good to hear."
Since joining the Brigade, Le Fay's stress had visibly piled up.
Her relaxing was a relief for Arthur.
Though… a different hangout buddy would've been better.
"By the way, brother," Le Fay said. "I want to collect time magic. Know any societies that have it?"
"I know a few. Let me handle it. My abilities are better suited."
"Huh? That's not fair."
"Helping my sister's not a problem. Unless it's not for you?"
"Cough—definitely for me, but it sounds dangerous."
"Don't worry. It's not hard for me."
Arthur adjusted his glasses, recalling yesterday's invitation.
Teaming with the White Dragon Emperor—could they counter the Red Dragon Emperor?
Worth a shot.
---
Meanwhile.
After seeing Le Fay off, Roy returned home.
Unlike usual, the villa was decked with streamers and balloons.
In the first-floor hall, a banner read: [Celebrating Sona's Freedom].
"Roy, you're back," Sona called from a table laden with food.
Roy sat beside her. "You're early. Thought you'd arrive later."
Sona shrugged. "Nothing to do, so I came early."
"What about you? Rias said you were out all morning. Where to?"
"Training offensive magic and getting you a gift."
Roy snapped his fingers.
A faint mana pulse flared, and a finely wrapped gift box appeared.
He handed it to Sona with a smile. "Congrats on your freedom, Sona."
"…Thanks."
Sona took it, expression mixed, at a loss for words.
Akeno Himejima sighed, feigning resentment. "The unattainable always stirs the heart."
"Been with Roy so long, and I've never gotten a personal gift."
"Liar. I gave you one last time," Roy shot back.
"Eh? Did you?"
"Guess I'll jog your memory tonight."
"Whoa, for real? You sure you've got time for me tonight?"
Laughter filled the hall.
Sona watched the lively scene, pocketing the gift, a flicker of envy in her eyes.
She quickly adjusted, joining Roy and the others.
Time flew in joy, and the celebration ended.
Sona bid Rias and the others goodbye, leaving the villa.
A few steps out, a figure appeared.
"Roy? What's up?"
"Time to answer our last talk."
"…"
Sona froze, silent.
She knew what he meant.
Meeting his gaze, she sighed. "You're sharp. You saw I was dodging that question, right?"
"Yup."
"Then why ask? It's a headache for me."
"Why dodge?"
"Because I'm the sole Sitri heir," Sona said, baring her suppressed feelings. "Serafall inherited Leviathan's name. I'm the only one left for the Sitri head."
"Roy, I'm sorry."
"I didn't meet you before Rias."
"The night you and Rias got together, we already…"
"Hold up!" Roy cut in. "Your next words don't vibe with my style, so I'll keep it simple."
"You're saying your family would block us because of Rias, right?"
"…Yeah."
"Easy. I'll handle it."
"?"
Sona blinked, confused. "How?"
"First, I'll ask your Demon Lords if we can settle this peacefully."
Roy pulled out his phone, opening his contacts and tapping [Ajuka].
"If they won't budge, fists it is."
"What?!"
Sona's eyes widened.
Before she could speak, Roy was on the call.
Ajuka: "What's up?"
Roy: "Got a problem. Can I marry Sona and Rias at the same time?"
Ajuka: "…Tough right now. If you hit Transcendent-tier, the Sitris could have another heir."
Roy: "Tell Sona's parents they can start making that baby now."
Ajuka: "Got it."
Sona: "???"
Bro, you serious?
Hearing the voice, the worldly Sona was floored.
Staring at Roy for seconds, she snapped back as he hung up. "Roy, that was…"
"Demon Lord Beelzebub. Made a deal with him yesterday, so I've got his number."
"…"
As expected.
Sona's guess confirmed, her expression grew complex.
Roy's voice cut through. "Your family issue's sorted. Ready to come with me?"
"I…"
Sona hesitated, wanting to say it still depended on the Sitris.
But seeing Roy's confident face, her heart calmed.
She seriously considered his invitation.
Move into Rias's place?
Seconds later, an answer formed.
"Roy, my place is pretty big too," Sona said, pulling out a spare key. "If you don't mind, stay at mine tonight."
---
Underworld, Lilith Capital.
A boom echoed as the underground research institute's gate was blasted off.
"Ajuka, get out here!" Serafall Leviathan stormed in.
"What's this about, Serafall?" Ajuka set down a test tube, turning to the magical girl.
"You know damn well!" Serafall huffed, radiating earth-shaking mana. "What's with Sona? Heard you hooked her up with some guy!"
"Not some guy—the Red Dragon Emperor. And I didn't hook them up. She chose him."
"Same difference! What's the deal?!"
"Sona likes Roy, but family and bloodline issues kept her from confessing. Roy called me to fix it, so I ordered the Sitris to produce a new heir. Any other questions?"
"Bullshit!"
Serafall's mana surged, icy currents sweeping the lab, freezing equipment.
Ajuka sighed, pocketing Roy's blood sample. "Talk, don't fight."
"Also, you can't beat me."
"It's not about strength!" Serafall aimed her wand, fuming. "You say Sona likes him? I'm her sister and never heard this!"
"You really don't get it?" Ajuka rubbed his temples.
The sisters—one sister-obsessed, one brother-obsessed.
Sona, though weaker, was rational.
But Serafall…
Glancing at the ice-covered, ruined lab, Ajuka sighed, pulling a stack of reports from subspace. "Curious about Roy's growth, I've been gathering intel on him and his circle. Sona's included."
"If you don't buy it, I'll call Sazeks."
"…Show me."
Sazeks's name cooled Serafall slightly.
She skimmed the reports, locking onto Sona's evaluation.
[Sitri Heir: Intrigued by Red Dragon Emperor's views, grew fond through interactions. Likely unrelated to his secrets.]
"What's this about his views?" Serafall asked.
"Equality for all, strength above all."
"Huh? Those mesh?"
"It's fact."
Ajuka produced a test paper. "Sona's quiz for Roy. Check the last question."
[30. When order favors a few, leaving most without happiness, how would you fix it?]
[Answer: Train a year, crush the old order, grant equal happiness through absolute power.]
Serafall: "…"
They really do mesh.
"You know Sona's dream, right?" Ajuka's calm voice returned.
"She wants a school for all devils, giving Low-Class Devils education and upward mobility."
"But with old devils like the Bael patriarch in the way, it's as hard as becoming a Transcendent."
"Maybe she saw hope in Roy, got intrigued, and fell for him."
"But…" It's too sudden.
Serafall opened her mouth, swallowing her words.
"Ajuka, you've met him. What's he like?"
"An unknowable aggregate. Indescribable."
"Fine. I'll see him myself."
Serafall pulled out a notebook.
For Sona's future happiness, she'd test Roy personally.
---
If you want to read more than 20 chapters early feel free to visit pa tre on . com /Archus