Adrian Blake sat at the head of the long dining table, silver hair catching the morning light like strands of moonlight. His expression was composed, yet there was an unmistakable air of authority in the way he held himself. Despite having only just stepped into the role of "master," it fit him disturbingly well—too well.
"Raynare, go fetch your two companions. I'll mark them with the Master-Servant Contract one at a time."
Raynare bowed low, her once-defiant gaze now replaced with reluctant reverence. "Yes, Master. As you command."
The change in her tone wasn't lost on Adrian. It wasn't just fear—it was something deeper, more complex. Something had shifted in her, not just emotionally, but physically.
As Raynare stepped out into the hallway, a sudden realization struck her. Her steps felt lighter, her aura stronger. The light-based energy she wielded had grown more potent—by at least ten percent, maybe more.
She slowed, touching her fingers to her chest where the contract mark lay dormant beneath her clothes. Could it be… this contract?
A spark lit in her eyes. For all her pride, Raynare wasn't a fool. If binding herself to Adrian Blake could grant such power, then perhaps being his subordinate wasn't quite the humiliation she had feared.
Power is power, she thought. And I've always known how to use it.
Back in the dining room, Adrian narrowed his eyes slightly. He, too, felt a subtle shift in his own strength—his mana coursed faster, burned hotter. His magic, normally sharp and efficient, now had an edge of aggression to it. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was unmistakable.
The Master-Servant Contract, it seemed, was a two-way street.
Just then, the door opened. Maria stepped in, looking sheepish, with a red bump forming on her forehead. Naruse Mio followed behind her, clearly still annoyed, though trying to hide it behind practiced dignity.
Adrian gave a faint chuckle. "Maria, now that you're here, explain the Master-Servant Contract to me—its conditions, limits, and any risks."
At the mention of the contract, Mio's attention snapped toward him. She spun on her heel, and the motion made her oversized white shirt ripple like water—revealing far more than she likely intended. Adrian's eyes flickered, but he masked the reaction well.
Definitely bigger than a G cup. Maybe even more than Raynare, he mused, internally conflicted between amusement and exasperation. How does anyone survive being smothered by those?
"Stop staring..." Mio muttered, a slight flush creeping across her face.
Adrian met her eyes, but said nothing. There was an odd tension between them—new, uncertain, but not unwelcome.
Maria cleared her throat. "The Master-Servant Contract has several layers. First: if a subordinate intentionally betrays the master, the contract's curse activates immediately. But disobedience isn't punished blindly. If an order is unreasonable, the subordinate has the right to reject it."
"That seems contradictory," Adrian said.
"Not entirely," Maria replied. "The contract allows for disobedience, but only if the action is motivated by care or protection for the master. The bond is built on trust—not slavery."
Mio blinked. "So… even if I say no to something, it's okay, as long as it's for your sake?"
"Correct," Maria nodded. "Also… when the bond deepens and both parties share a moment of emotional or spiritual resonance—what we might call 'soul communication'—it enhances both sides. Combat effectiveness, magical output… everything increases."
Adrian tilted his head, curiosity sparked. "Like dual cultivation?"
Maria looked away. "Yes, though I'd use a less… graphic term."
Mio flinched. "Wait. Does that mean last night—"
"You did something equivalent," Maria said calmly. "That's why your strength has improved. You should feel the difference."
Mio's eyes widened. She closed her eyes and focused on the energy within her. The shift was immediate. Her magical reserves were fuller. Her control was smoother. She even felt a stronger connection to the gravity-based magic that had always felt distant.
"This… this is real," she whispered.
Adrian nodded. "So the demons discarded a system like this? Seems foolish."
Maria shrugged. "It's because they used a version modified by nightmares. In the traditional version, any form of betrayal leads to instant death. There's no flexibility—no room for trust or growth."
"And no room for dual cultivation," Adrian added dryly.
"Exactly."
Mio stepped forward, clearly flustered. She opened her mouth, then hesitated, visibly wrestling with something.
"Adri—" She stopped herself, a sudden shimmer appearing around her neck like a translucent collar.
She bit her lip, eyes wide.
"Brother," she corrected herself quickly.
The collar vanished.
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Trying to test the limits already?"
"I was just… curious," Mio mumbled, her cheeks crimson.
"I prefer sisters who are capable, not just cute."
Mio turned scarlet. "You—you can't just say things like that! Brothers don't tease their sisters like that!"
She turned away in a huff, sat down at the table, and began picking at her breakfast like a pouting cat.
Maria sat beside her and sighed dramatically. "Honestly, Brother Adrian is right. Your only use so far has been moaning and making stupid faces."
"MARIA!!!"
Mio lunged, pulling Maria into a headlock as the two began bickering like actual siblings.
Watching them, Adrian leaned back and allowed himself a small smile. It was chaotic, yes, but it was also the most at peace he'd felt in years.
When the noise quieted down and the plates were nearly empty, Adrian leaned forward and began outlining his plans.
"First, Mio will be transferring to Kuoh Academy. I've already arranged the paperwork. Second, before the school term begins, I'm going to open an exorcism office—see if I can turn some of our abilities into income."
Mio blinked. "Why bother? I have savings from my adoptive parents."
Adrian tapped her forehead lightly. "It's not about money—it's about experience."
She puffed her cheeks but didn't argue further.
"If people come to us, offer payment, and point us toward problems, it saves me a lot of time and energy. And you three need real combat exposure if you want to improve."
Maria added, "She's not wrong. Mio's potential is enormous, but she has no training. If she masters her gravity magic, she could rival high-class demons—or even demon kings."
Mio looked away, flattered despite herself.
Adrian shrugged. "In short, come work for me. Do odd jobs, gain experience, and maybe learn a thing or two."
"That sounds… acceptable," Mio finally admitted.
A few hours later, after some back-and-forth about locations, zoning, and paperwork, the exorcism office was established—with Naruse Mio casually purchasing the building like it was pocket change. If Adrian hadn't already known she had a savings account, he might have assumed she was secretly a noble.
She's basically a rich, magic-wielding little sister. And I just became her freeloading older brother, he thought with mild amusement.
Raynare returned not long after. Her usual smugness had mellowed, though her posture remained proud.
"My companions and a group of lost priests are currently gathered at the church in Kuoh Town," she reported calmly.
Adrian's gaze sharpened.
"Good. Then it's time to pay them a visit."