As the heir of the Gremory Family, Rias was not weak, having attained the strength of a High-Class Devil at a young age.
But after meeting Lynn, she felt a long-lost desire to continue growing stronger.
And to become stronger, besides increasing her daily training, the best way was to develop her Destruction magic.
Destruction Magic originated from the Great King Bael family; it was an innate talent of Pure-blooded Devils with immense destructive power.
According to her brother Sirzechs, as long as one developed Destruction Magic to its limit, they would be second to none.
However, Destruction Magic wasn't something that could be developed just by wanting to; Rias had spent over a decade developing it and had only barely reached a passing level.
Mobilizing Destruction Magic for combat wasn't difficult, but compressing it to develop techniques or performing fine-tuned operations was beyond her.
Under these circumstances, if Rias wanted to continue developing her Destruction Magic, the best way besides spending time grinding was to find a training Partner.
"No problem."
Lynn nodded after hearing her out.
Having been in contact with Rias for so many days, the two were now considered semi-friends.
Moreover, he still owed Rias a favor, so helping her develop her Destruction Magic was nothing.
"Are we starting right away?"
"No, this place isn't suitable for combat. We'll start tomorrow; I need to set up the field."
"Then we'll start tomorrow. I'll go teach Koneko Senjutsu first."
Lynn responded, looking toward the white-haired loli standing not far away.
Compared to their first meeting, a pair of cat ears now emerged from Koneko's head, and a fluffy tail swayed behind her.
"Good afternoon, Koneko."
"You're as cute as ever today."
"Please don't say weird things."
Koneko replied expressionlessly.
However, from the way her tail was swaying behind her, it was clear she didn't exactly reject the compliment.
Seeing this, Lynn chuckled and stopped teasing the girl, pointing his finger toward the gate nearby.
"Let's go. The space here is too small; we'll go to the open ground outside to learn Senjutsu."
...
"Looks like they've started over there."
After watching from the window for a while, Akeno walked over to Rias's side and poured her another cup of tea from the teapot.
"I didn't expect you to be so motivated. Were you stimulated by Lynn's growth?"
"Not entirely."
Rias picked up her teacup and took a sip.
Part of the reason she had the urge to become stronger was indeed because she had been stimulated by Lynn.
But more importantly, her family was pushing her to get married again.
Because her older brother, Sirzechs, had inherited the title of Satan, he could not become the next head of the Gremory Family.
Rias's parents had focused all their energy on her, even arranging an engagement with the third son of the Phenex Family, Riser Phenex.
Rias didn't like Riser, or rather, she didn't like this kind of emotionless political marriage.
To resist her family's arrangements, the best way she could think of was to become stronger and gain greater power.
"Akeno, don't be too slack either."
Rias looked at her close friend beside her with a smile on her face.
"As the Queen, you must show the corresponding strength. Don't let me pull too far ahead of you."
"Ara ara, talking tough before training has even begun? It seems you have a lot of trust in Lynn."
Akeno teased while covering her mouth: "If you ask me, why don't you just find a way to win Lynn over? When the time comes and he's backing you up, the Phenex Family wouldn't dare say a word."
"Win Lynn over?"
Rias was stunned for a moment. Surprisingly, she didn't refute it, but instead showed an expression of serious consideration.
Don't say it—this method sounded a bit outrageous, but on second thought, it really did seem feasible.
...
On the open ground outside the Occult Research Club.
Seeing Lynn suddenly fall silent mid-sentence, Koneko tilted her head, a look of confusion appearing on her face.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just contemplating life."
Lynn picked at his ear; his expression somewhat subtle.
Having fought wild beasts in the deep mountains since childhood, his utilization of his five senses had long reached an astonishing level.
Never mind combat; even in daily life, he would subconsciously receive information from within a hundred-meter radius.
"Koneko, if Rias suddenly confessed her love to me, should I accept or not?"
"Senior, it's not nighttime yet."
"I'm not talking in my sleep. Want to bet?"
"Bet on what?"
"Bet on whether Rias will take the initiative to confess to me within a month. If I win, let me touch your ears."
Lynn pointed at the cat ears on top of Koneko's head.
Although both were Nekomata, Koneko's style was completely different from Kuroka's.
He was curious what kind of reaction Koneko would show if he used the same techniques he used on Kuroka.
On the other side, Koneko, still unaware of what Lynn was thinking, continued to ask.
"What if I win?"
"If you win, I'll do you a favor for free."
"Deal."
Koneko nodded her small head confidently.
As Rias's servant, she understood Rias's personality well.
There was indeed a possibility of her falling for Lynn.
But a month was simply too short, no matter how you looked at it.
Her tail swayed left and right a few times, and the corners of Koneko's mouth curled up slightly, showing a touch of confidence.
"Prepare to face defeat, Senior."
"I should be the one saying that."
Lynn chuckled, equally full of confidence.
The conversation over on Rias's side hadn't stopped.
After the idea of bringing in outside help arose, she had even started discussing the possibilities with Akeno.
Of course, he wasn't going to mention that.
After chatting with Koneko for a bit, Lynn continued with the original Senjutsu lesson.
Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, several hours had gone by.
It wasn't until the sky gradually darkened that Lynn bid farewell to Koneko and set off on his way home.
However, just then, a small crimson dragon descended from the sky and arrived before Lynn.
"[Partner, the person you mentioned earlier has been found. They are over at the abandoned old church. ]"
...
West side of Kuoh Town, abandoned old church.
A girl with long blonde hair, dressed in a nun's habit, sat on a chair.
After an unknown amount of time, a growling sound echoed in the church, and the girl finally snapped out of it.
"So hungry..." Asia reached out to cover her stomach, her voice revealing a sense of weakness.
She hadn't eaten for two days.
After being expelled from the church, she had received an invitation from the Fallen Angels to come to Kuoh Town for a meeting.
However, starting from a few days ago, the contact from the Fallen Angels had disappeared.
Lacking guidance, Asia could only ask around on her own. She finally arrived at Kuoh Town last night and found the location of the abandoned old church.
Yet, at the agreed-upon base, Asia didn't see any Fallen Angels; she didn't even see a single priest. It was terrifyingly quiet.
"Did I find the wrong place?"
Having stayed in the church for a day and a night without seeing anyone, Asia finally began to have doubts.
But perhaps due to extreme hunger, she felt her head was currently a mess of chaos, and she couldn't remember what the other party had said during their previous contact at all.
Click—!
Just then, the sound of a door opening rang out.
Asia, who was so hungry she was about to faint, perked up and looked toward the church gate.
She saw the church's originally closed gates open, and a black-haired youth walked in.
"I finally found you, Asia Argento."
"Um... excuse me, you are...?"
A look of confusion appeared on Asia's face.
She had no memory of this black-haired youth's appearance, but his tone suggested he knew her.
"Hmm? Have you forgotten me already?"
A look of trouble appeared on the black-haired youth's face.
Then, as if he had thought of a good solution, he raised his hand and pulled back his clothing to reveal a scar.
"That wound..."
Asia's eyes suddenly widened.
"It seems you've remembered."
The black-haired youth smiled with satisfaction: "That's right, I am the devil you saved not long ago."
"Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Diodora Astaroth."
"..."
Asia fell into silence.
As the Holy Maiden of the church, the reason she was expelled was because she had used her Sacred Gear to heal a devil.
Seeing the culprit suddenly appear, even with Asia's good nature, her feelings were inevitably complicated.
"Mr. Diodora, why are you here?"
"Naturally, to repay your kindness."
A smile appeared on Diodora's face.
"I am not the kind of devil who ignores a debt of gratitude."
"Asia, you saved my life, yet I caused you to be expelled from the church. This leaves me deeply remorseful."
"To repay this favor, I have decided to take you, Asia, to the Underworld so you can live a good life."
"The Underworld?" Asia was stunned and quickly shook her head in response: "I'm sorry, I cannot go to the Underworld."
Although she had been expelled from the church, Asia had not abandoned the faith in her heart.
To her, the Underworld was still a forbidden land.
"Diodora, I accept your kindness."
"However, I didn't save you for a reward. Seeing that you are okay is enough to put me at ease."
"If you truly want to repay the favor, then please treat me to a meal. I haven't eaten for two days."
"A meal? What a simple wish."
Diodora let out a light chuckle: "But unfortunately, I cannot grant your request, Asia."
"Eh?" Asia was stunned.
As if she hadn't expected to be rejected, a look of confusion appeared on Asia's face.
But this reaction of hers played right into Diodora's hands, and the smile on his face grew even more intense.
"Kindness, seeking no reward, not even resenting me after being expelled from the church... what beautiful character."
Diodora walked toward Asia step by step: "To be honest, I originally intended to let those Fallen Angels take your Sacred Gear and then step in to save you when you were in despair."
"It's just a pity that those Fallen Angels somehow offended some big shot and disappeared overnight. My plan was affected and went bankrupt as well. How terrible."
"Diodora?"
Asia subconsciously backed away.
Compared to the gentlemanly image from a few seconds ago, the malice emanating from him now was completely undisguised.
What shocked and confused her even more were the words Diodora had just spoken.
"What do you mean by plan?"
"Plan? Of course, it means exactly what it says."
It seemed as if he had been waiting for this question, as a look of pleasure spread across Diodora's face.
"Asia, do you really think your expulsion from the Church was a coincidence?"
Asia's delicate body trembled: "?!"
Although her personality was somewhat naive, Asia was not truly stupid.
Hearing Diodora's statement now, she finally realized a part of the truth, and her voice began to tremble.
"Could it be... that you designed all of this?"
"That's right~ It was all designed."
Diodora replied smugly.
"To be honest, when I first discovered you in the Church, Asia, I worried about it for a long time."
"After all, you fit my tastes too perfectly; I didn't want to give you up at all. But snatching a Saint away from the Church's grasp was too difficult; even I wasn't confident in handling the pursuers."
"Fortunately, the Gods are on my side! Hahahahaha!" Diodora suddenly burst into loud laughter, even mentioning the Gods, something a Devil shouldn't do.
"The Smile of the Holy Mother, a divine artifact that can heal even Devils regardless of race. What do you think would happen if other clergy members saw a Saint healing an injured Devil?"
"Why!"
Asia subconsciously clenched her fist and questioned him.
As the person involved, she naturally knew the price.
Rage churned in her heart. The girl who usually returned a smile to anyone she met showed an expression of anger for the first time.
"Why would you do this!"
"Because I am a Devil, of course."
Diodora roared with laughter, and a massive surge of demonic power erupted from him, a terrifying aura rushing towards her.
Asia, who was not specialized in combat, instinctively took a step back, but what followed was a chilling touch.
With every step back, she had reached a dead corner of the church, with no way left to retreat.
A sense of powerlessness welled up inside her.
Subtly realizing the opponent's true objective, a glimmer of despair appeared in Asia's eyes.
"That's right! This is what I wanted to see, this expression of despair and helplessness!"
Diodora's laughter grew louder.
As a perverse nun enthusiast, he loved using sweet talk to make nuns fall.
That expression of despair upon discovering the truth, followed by gradual corruption—he could never tire of seeing it.
However, just then, a voice suddenly rang out.
"Can you be quiet? Your laughter is quite unpleasant."
"Hm?"
Diodora snapped to attention, startled.
Not far away, Asia, who was already feeling despair, also raised her head, looking upward along with Diodora.
A black feather drifted down slowly.
Under the bright moonlight, a black-haired youth spread his wings and landed precisely between the two of them.
"Who are you?" Diodora frowned.
"Who I am is not important. What is important is that you need to leave here now," Lynn replied calmly.
"Ha? Are you kidding me?"
Diodora's expression suddenly darkened.
He had paid so much for Asia; how could he let her go just because of a few words?
His gaze paused on the two pairs of black wings behind Lynn, and he let out a cold sneer.
"A mere four-winged Fallen Angel dares to be disrespectful to me. Since you are seeking death, I shall grant your wish!"
As the words fell, a massive demonic power materialized on Diodora's body, and more than ten magic bullets formed in an instant.
But at the exact same time, an even more terrifying aura crashed down, and a figure appeared in front of Diodora.
When he reacted again, a hand had already grabbed his head and slammed him downward.
Boom—!
"To be honest, I wasn't very keen on harming Ajuka's relative. After all, I need his head to help me."
Looking at Diodora embedded upside down in the ground, Lynn's expression remained calm as ever.
"But if you insist on seeking death, that's another matter entirely."
...