Mitsuko Yotsuya felt like crying, but at the same time, she didn't think Adrian's price was too outrageous.
She had heard stories — some temples charged hundreds of thousands for exorcisms, and half of those didn't even work. But what Adrian had just displayed was very real.
The problem was… she was just a regular high school girl. She didn't have that kind of money.
Clutching the edge of her uniform, she whispered, "I… I don't have that much… but I swear I'll find a way to repay you, Mr. Exorcist."
"I don't usually do tabs," Adrian said nonchalantly, "but there are always exceptions."
He reached into thin air and conjured a parchment glowing faintly with arcane energy. "Sign this contract. Become my subordinate, and I'll let the money issue slide — for now."
The "Master-Servant Contract" shimmered with ominous power as he handed it to her.
Mitsuko stared at the contract, then at Adrian. For some reason, it felt like she was making a deal with a literal devil. Her heart raced with unease.
"You wouldn't want to face another spirit like that without anyone to help you… right?" Adrian added lightly.
That one sentence pierced through her defenses.
She imagined going through today's nightmare again — but alone. No Adrian to pull her back from the brink. She would've died.
The choice was clear. Die… or become his subordinate.
Her hand moved almost on its own. With a trembling breath, she signed her name.
In an instant, glowing chains of energy manifested, curling like a collar around her neck. The mark of the pact glimmered for a moment, then faded into a subtle shimmer beneath her skin.
Adrian, sensing her nervousness, smirked. The usual "kiss the magic circle" ritual was skipped — he overrode it using his authority as "Master."
No need to hit her with everything at once. She'd just boarded the pirate ship — and he had plenty of time to make her willingly set sail.
Besides, Mitsuko Yotsuya wasn't just any girl.
Her extraordinary spiritual sight already marked her as someone special. Having her by his side meant not only a better energy link to power the Dimensional Gate, but also potential backup if trained right.
And let's be honest — she was cute. Warm bed on cold nights? He wasn't losing anything here.
From the side, Raynare watched the scene with thinly veiled jealousy. Even a random human girl could become her Master's subordinate?
"She's just a human with some spiritual sensitivity. Hmph." Raynare's voice was cool as ice. "You're his slave now, same as me. Don't forget your place."
"S-Slave?"
Mitsuko's expression froze. What did she just sign up for?!
"Don't scare her," Adrian said, his tone mildly reproachful. "Give her something for protection."
He didn't want Raynare bullying the new recruit. That kind of thing could spiral fast.
Raynare flinched slightly. "Apologies, Master. I spoke out of turn."
Then, with a sigh, she focused her power and conjured a charm — a small ornament shaped like black wings. It pulsed faintly with light energy.
"Your body seems to attract cursed spirits. Keep this with you. It will protect you — at least against mid-level entities."
Mitsuko carefully accepted the ornament, her heart easing ever so slightly. Raynare might be scary… but Adrian was clearly reasonable.
And as for the whole "slave" thing… she was just going to mentally block that out for now.
Survival first. Complications later.
"All right," Adrian said, turning. "There's a postcard with my office address on it. Show up tomorrow. Don't be late."
With that, he walked off.
Naruse and Hikari followed him, leaving the church behind. They had no reason to linger.
Raynare, on the other hand, stayed behind. Adrian had given her clear instructions: repair the church and prepare it as a secondary base of operations.
Not to mention, there was someone else coming — a nun he had deliberately "invited" via Raynare's manipulation. She was probably already on her way, and Adrian seemed particularly interested in her.
As the group split, Adrian excused himself from the girls, telling them he had something to test.
Specifically, the [Soul Devourer (Blue)] trait he had just acquired. He needed to find a cursed spirit or two to experiment with.
And thanks to Mitsuko becoming his subordinate, the Dimensional Gate's energy was now at 99.8%. He was nearly ready to use it.
"Too bad cursed spirits aren't exactly common. Not everyone's got Mitsuko's 'bait' quality."
Adrian wandered down quiet streets, scanning for anything abnormal — but found nothing.
Cursed spirits weren't just floating around like pigeons. Without a specific "draw" like Mitsuko's, it was hard to find them.
He was reminded of his first day after being exiled from the so-called "Hero Village."
He'd been so full of hope — dreaming of spreading his wings and soaring high.
Instead, he'd run around until he collapsed, finding neither monsters nor ghosts. In the end, he'd collapsed and been taken in by a woman.
A beautiful woman. A bit… intense, maybe. Slightly unhinged.
He'd only stayed a few days before he fled for his life — but man, she'd left an impression.
"Damn… she really flattened me with that car. And here I am, getting nostalgic."
He didn't have her number, either. A pity. If he did… well, he'd definitely return the favor now.
Shrugging, Adrian decided it was time to change tactics. If spirits wouldn't come to him…
He had someone who could attract them.
Focusing through the Master-Servant link, he sensed Mitsuko's general location and began heading her way.
---
Meanwhile, Mitsuko had left the church and was walking toward the nearest bus stop on Commercial Street.
She stood alone at the edge of the sidewalk, her mind numb.
What a day.
She'd gone to the church hoping to find some kind of protective charm.
Now… she had one, sure. But she was also someone's "slave."
Was this charm even real?
She looked down at the black-winged ornament in her hand. It gave off a gentle glow. A little hope flickered in her heart.
"Hey! If you're not getting on, don't block the way!"
A loud voice snapped her from her thoughts. She turned and stepped aside quickly, bowing in apology.
But in her haste, her foot caught on the curb.
She stumbled back.
Then — warmth.
Someone caught her.
Mitsuko blinked and looked up… into the kind eyes of a blonde girl with glasses.
"You okay?" the girl asked gently, helping her stand. "You tripped pretty hard."
"I—I'm fine! Thank you so much!" Mitsuko bowed again. "I wasn't paying attention, sorry…"
The blonde chuckled awkwardly and adjusted her thick-rimmed glasses.
"It's all right. I've done the same more times than I can count."
Her presence was calming. She didn't seem like a local — and there was something subtly holy about her.
Before Mitsuko could ask, the bus pulled up.
They exchanged a few parting words, and Mitsuko got on. The girl stayed behind, checking a small map in her hands — her destination still ahead.
---
Adrian, in the meantime, finally arrived near the Commercial District. From the contract link, he knew Mitsuko had passed through here.
He didn't sense any cursed spirits yet, but something else was bugging him — a faint holy aura in the area.
"…Huh. That's not Mitsuko's doing."
His eyes narrowed.
"Looks like our nun guest is arriving ahead of schedule."
He didn't know her name yet, but he knew she was tied to the supernatural — and Raynare had pulled some strings to bring her in.
Adrian's instincts flared.
Tonight was going to get a lot more interesting.