— — — — — — —
As Hana and Yuuko stepped through the dimensional gate, they couldn't help but stare in awe.
"Is this really another world?" Hana murmured, scanning their surroundings.
To their surprise, it didn't look too different from their modern-day reality.
Lynn called over Miyamoto Rei and had her show Hana and Yuuko around, letting them get familiar with this world. He also had them test their abilities on a few zombies to see how well they could fight.
As for Lynn himself?
He had something else to take care of.
Lynn was preparing to update the blessings for his familia when he noticed something.
"Where's Utaha?"
Just as he was about to look for her, Utaha came rushing back, acting all sneaky as if she had been up to something.
Lynn narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously.
She'd been acting strange since they left the Club.
Utaha avoided his gaze, her face slightly flushed.
Tonight… she would finally belong to Lynn.
Just thinking about it made her blush even more.
Lynn, unaware of her thoughts, spoke up. "Alright, time to update your blessings and see how much you've improved."
— — —
Lynn's Bedroom
"Alright, Utaha, you're up first. Lie down on the bed."
Utaha nodded and, without hesitation, took off her top.
She had gone through this process several times before. Even though she still felt shy, she had gotten used to it.
Lynn placed his hand on her back and manually updated her blessing.
Feeling his fingers move across her skin, Utaha unconsciously squeezed her thighs together.
---
[Kasumigaoka Utaha]
→Race: Devil
→Rank: Low-Class Devil
→Master: Lynn Valifer
→Stats:
•Strength: A823
•Agility: A877
•Durability: A827
•Magic: S999
→Unique Abilities: [Devil's Grimoire](Details omitted)
---
Lynn raised an eyebrow as he copied down her updated blessing info.
"Utaha, your magic stat has probably hit its limit. The rest of your stats are also at their peak. Are you ready to level up?"
Unlike Saeko, who had a cheat-like skill Bloodlust, Utaha's growth had more natural limits. Thanks to their previous hunts, she had finally reached the threshold for an upgrade.
Utaha checked her blessing and realized that raising her stats any further would be incredibly difficult.
"Then let's do it."
Lynn proceeded with the upgrade.
---
[Kasumigaoka Utaha]
→Race: Devil
→Rank: Mid-Class Devil
→Master: Lynn Valifer
→Stats:
•Strength: I0
•Agility: I0
•Endurance: I0
•Magic: I0
→Unique Abilities: [Devil's Grimoire]
—[Devil's Grimoire]—
•Devil's Grimoire: Can record and release magic, sorcery, and other abilities. The more detailed the recorded information, the more complete the reproduction.
•Demonization: Merges body and grimoire, temporarily wielding all recorded abilities.
•Accelerated Magic Growth.
→Development Ability: Thunder Break(New!)
— — —
Nothing about Devil's Grimoire had changed.
But she had acquired a development ability—Thunder Break.
Probably because she frequently used lightning magic.
Lynn himself didn't receive much from her leveling up—no major change in his Devil's Pieces skill, not even a slight enhancement.
The only bonus was that he also gained access to Thunder Break.
Well, better than nothing.
Utaha took her updated blessing sheet and, upon seeing that she had advanced to a Mid-Class Devil, a small smile appeared on her lips.
She murmured to herself, "Finally... I caught up to Saeko."
Honestly, she had always felt a little pathetic.
Despite being Lynn's first Familia member, she had been surpassed in everything—whether it was strength or even in her progress with Lynn.
She had completely fallen behind.
But tonight... everything would be different!
While Lynn was updating Miko's blessings, Utaha casually asked, "Master, have you been going to Saeko's room every night lately?"
"Hmm?"
Lynn glanced at her in surprise. "You didn't know?"
"???"
"…Aren't you the one standing outside the door eavesdropping every night?"
"!!!!!!!!!!"
Utaha's eyes widened in shock, and she stammered, "W-what are you talking about?! I-I would never…"
The more she spoke, the weaker her voice became.
"I-I just remembered something I need to do! S-so, I'll be leaving now!"
Utaha scrambled to get up from the bed in a panic, her face burning hot.
Lynn sighed. "Put your clothes on first."
Utaha froze for a second before obediently getting dressed.
Miko and Mahiru exchanged glances, both seeing the same thought in each other's eyes.
'—So Utaha-senpai is this kind of person, huh…'
---
Some time later...
Lynn finished updating both Miko's and Mahiru's blessings.
"Miko, your stats are almost at their limit. I think you'll be able to level up in just a few more days."
"As for you, Mahiru, you are still new to the Familia, so it's natural for your stats to be a little lower."
He reached out and gently ruffled Mahiru's soft hair, reassuring her.
Feeling the warmth of Lynn's palm, Mahiru's cheeks flushed.
Her thoughts drifted back to the earlier magic replenishment.
Her gaze unconsciously fell on Lynn's lips.
Thin… soft…
But back then, they were in the middle of a fight, so she didn't really get to savor the experience.
And back then… she could still taste the remnants of Utaha and Miko on his lips.
Maybe… maybe she should try again…?
"Lynn-san, I'll work hard to level up!"
Mahiru's eyes glowed with determination, and she spoke seriously.
Then, in a smaller voice, she added,
"…When I level up, can I get a reward from you?"
As she spoke, her face turned redder and redder.
No one knew what she was thinking about.
"?!?!"
Miko's eyes shot wide open in disbelief.
'—Mahiru… is this bold?!'
'She looks so gentle and innocent, but she's actually this forward?!'
Lynn chuckled and gently patted Mahiru's soft cheeks.
"Don't worry. Even if you don't level up, if there's a reward you want, you can always ask for it."
He was always generous with his Familia.
"Really?!"
Mahiru's eyes sparkled.
Then, she hesitated for a moment before whispering shyly,
"C-could we… replenish magic again?"
"The first time… I d-didn't get to enjoy it properly…"
Lynn blinked.
Mahiru… was surprisingly bold. He didn't expect that.
"…What, you don't want to?"
Seeing that Lynn hadn't responded, Mahiru's expression faltered, and she lowered her head in disappointment.
'Does Lynn-san… not like me?'
Her heart felt a little uneasy.
Lynn sighed and pinched her cheek lightly, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Ow…" Mahiru pouted, rubbing her face.
"What? Do you not want the reward anymore?"
Mahiru brightened up instantly, then eagerly leaned in close.
This time, there was no one else's taste lingering—just Lynn's own.
"…"
Miko's expression was complicated.
'At this rate… is there even a place left for me in this Familia?!'
She clenched her fists slightly.
'Maybe… maybe I should be more proactive, too?'
'Utaha-senpai… what are you even doing?!'
'Weren't we the first ones to join the Familia?!'
.
.
.