Ravel: "Layvel's got a good big brother, doesn't he?"

Alice: "I believe it's due to Issei-sama's influence. Before meeting him, Onii-sama wasn't the type to say such things."

Ravel adds that he used to be very indulgent with himself.

Issei: My influence, huh? But now, doesn't it feel like that's Raiser's true self? No real reason, just a gut feeling. Though, he's so different from when we first met, it's almost like he's a new person.

The door swings open.

Akeno: "Everything going smoothly?"

Akeno enters with tea, followed by—

Sona: "Pardon the intrusion."

Sona! That's rare! Her winter outfit's cute—pale blue lace blouse, denim, navy coat in hand.

Issei: "Hey, what's up?"

Sona: "I came to discuss some matters with Akeno and the others. Tsubaki will join us later. I hope we're not intruding, but may we talk for a bit?"

The vice-president's coming too? Nice.

Bennia (from ceiling): "I'm crashin' too, yo!"

A magic circle glows above, and a petite grim reaper, Bennia, Sona's new familiar, pokes her head out upside-down.

Sona: "Sorry, Issei-kun. She insisted on visiting your place, so I brought her along."

Bennia lands gracefully. "Oppai Dragon's crib… this is paradise, yo!" Her eyes sparkle as she scans the room.

Issei: Haha, she's a fan, right? "Come over anytime. You're welcome here."

Bennia: "For real? I'm takin' you up on that!"

Issei: "Sure, make yourself at home. But, uh, use the front door next time. Ceiling entrances are kinda creepy."

A skull-masked grim reaper dropping in upside-down? Practically horror movie vibes.

Ravel: "By the way, Issei-sama, you told me why you call Rias-sama and Sona-sama by their first names. I was shocked to learn you're twenty!"

Issei: What!? I'm the most shocked by that! It's a lot to take in!

Sona: "Me too."

Issei: You too!? There's gotta be something more surprising than my age!

Akeno: "But an older Issei-kun has its charm." She hugs my arm, resting her head on my shoulder. "A younger Issei-kun is cute, but an older one lets me pamper you like this♪"

Where's the usual refined Akeno!?

Sona (smiling): "What would Rias say if she saw this?"

Issei: Oh, it'd be chaos. Rias's rivalry with Akeno is intense—best friends, but some things they just won't budge on.

Sona glances at the documents spread on the carpet.

Sona: "My familiars are deliberating over selections too. They're struggling, but I want them to decide for themselves."

Issei: "Contracts with mages, huh? Their research benefits demons, right?"

Sona: "Yes. Magic is a human adaptation of demonic power, from spirits, Norse styles, even gods. Most modern spells trace back to Merlin Ambrosius. Magic evolves uniquely, sometimes surpassing demons. Its research drives Underworld progress. Even Magregor-sama contributes this way."

Ravel (organizing papers): "These contracts are like investing in mages' talent. But so far, no one seems worthy of partnering with 'Tenryuu' or the 'Red Dragon Emperor.'"

If Ravel's thorough analysis says so, she's probably right. Miu did say they all seemed similar…

Issei: Maybe just make Miu the partner?

Ravel: "I'm starting to think we should postpone. Rushing risks mistakes, and for you, Issei-kun, a single error could impact your future as a high-ranking demon."

Issei: Ugh, the pressure… "Maybe I'll grab some stomach meds."

Akeno: "Don't stress, Issei-kun. You'll manage." She pats my shoulder.

Issei: Guess I shouldn't let fear stop me. I've got everyone's support. It'll work out! Probably. Oh, speaking of— "What happened to those 'Nillem' guys we caught?"

Sona: "They're being interrogated in the Underworld. Stray mages aren't loyal—they're spilling everything."

Ravel: "I was stunned. To think Miu and Alice took down an entire stray mage base…"

Akeno (wry smile): "I just passed along a client's request. How did it escalate like that?"

Issei: Yeah, how did it come to this?

[Miu Side]

The day after the stray mage incident, classes are canceled to calm affected students, especially the hostages. Only teachers, the student council, and the Occult Research Club are at school.

Alice (emerging from fitting room): "How's this?" She's in a Kuoh Academy uniform, something she's always wanted to try.

Miu: "Looks great!"

Asia: "So cute, Alice-san!"

Koneko: "…It's like the uniform's a designer brand now."

Alice's tall, model-like figure makes even cheap clothes look stylish. I wish I were taller… maybe it's the late nights?

Alice (blushing): "Thanks. Uniforms are so fresh. Never wore one back home."

Miu: "Same here. First time was middle school, but now… my chest's too big for it." Bras are getting tight too. Is it because of Onii-chan?

Akeno (approaching): "We've got requests today. Contracts with mages are important, but we can't neglect these either."

With Rias away, Akeno's running the club, assigning requests. Alice and I, being newbies, only hand out flyers, but we'll need to make contracts eventually.

Akeno: "Issei-kun's request… he's in the Underworld with Ravel. Who should take it?"

Issei's off for Ravel's trade, so someone here needs to step up.

Akeno: "Miu-chan, Alice-san, how about you two take it? Time to graduate from flyers."

Miu: "Us…?"

Akeno: "Yes. One of you makes the contract, the other supports. It's a good opportunity."

Alice: "Both of us? Hmm, let's decide with rock-paper-scissors."

Miu: That's too casual, Alice-san!

We play, and I win. I'll make the contract; Alice will support.

At the designated location, I'm determined not to mess up for Onii-chan's client. But then—

Client: "…Not the usual demon, nyo."

A massive figure with tree-trunk arms, a magical girl outfit straining against a chiseled chest, frilly skirt over thighs thicker than my waist, and… cat ears.

I know this person. I saw them once before. Even Vali Lucifer, the White Dragon Emperor, did a double-take. Issei calls them "the manliest magical girl on Earth"…

Miu: Mil-tan!?

Alice (stunned): "Miu-chan."

Miu: "Yeah."

Alice: "Huddle."

Miu: "Yeah."

We turn to whisper. "What is that!? Issei's client!? Is that even human!?"

Miu: "Calm down… it's definitely his client. I've seen them before. They're… probably human."

Alice: "What's with the pause!? Why cat ears!? Why the frilly outfit!?"

Miu: "They're aiming to be a magical girl… like in anime."

Alice: "Magical girl!? More like demon lord! And the gender's all wrong!"

Miu: Yeah… their body screams martial artist. Magic warrior makes more sense.

Mil-tan (booming voice): "Usual demon not coming, nyo?"

I can't be rude to Onii-chan's client… but what do I do!?

Miu (inner cry): Help me, Onii-chan!

[Meanwhile, Issei]

Issei: "!?"

Ravel: "Issei-sama? Something wrong?"

Issei: "Just… felt like Miu was calling for help. Probably my imagination. If she was in trouble, she'd teleport to me."

Miu's cry reaches her brother.

[Issei, End]

I take a deep breath to steady myself.

Miu: "Um, Onii-chan—Hyoudou Issei—had another matter today, so we're here for your request."

Mil-tan: "Too bad, nyo. Tell the demon I said hi."

Miu: "Y-Yes…"

They're not a bad person. Pure-hearted, even. But the sheer presence… their aura might rival Onii-chan's. Are they really human!?

Miu (nervously): "So, uh, the request?"

Mil-tan heads to the back, returning with—

Mil-tan: "Caught this bad mage, nyo."

Miu & Alice: "…Huh?"

It's a person in a robe, face obscured. They notice us, lift their head, and shout.

Mage: "You're the Red Dragon Emperor's familiars! Perfect! Save me! Get me out of here—anywhere! I can't take more of Milky!"

Tears stream down their face. I… don't understand.

Miu: "Sorry, can you explain?"

Mil-tan: "Was wandering in the forest when—"

Miu (inner panic): Why were you wandering in a forest!?

Mil-tan: "Some mages were attacking villagers. I chased them off and caught this one. Been teaching them about justice and Milky, so they don't do bad stuff again, nyo."

Mage (screaming): "I can't take it! This superhuman preaching about magical girls—I'm done!"

I almost feel sorry for them. That sounds like torture.

Alice (twitching): "So, you caught a stray mage. What's the request?"

Miu (inner thought): Are they handing this mage to us demons?

Mil-tan: "Gonna hunt more bad mages. Want you to send them to the demon world, nyo."

Miu: …Did my ears just break? Did they say more?

Alice: "Sorry, one more time?"

Mil-tan (patting mage's head): "This mage told me where the bad ones are hiding. As a justice-seeking magical girl, I can't ignore that, nyo."

I wish I misheard! They're planning to storm a hideout alone!?

Miu (panicking): We can't let them go alone, but after yesterday's mess, we can't ignore stray mages either… and I need to make this contract…

Alice: "Miu-chan, maybe we go with them? Protect them and catch the mages?"

Miu: "Right… Okay, let's—"

And so, the three of us head to the stray mages' hideout.

Ten Minutes Later

Mage 1: "Enemy attack!"

Mage 2: "Who!? Three of them!?"

Mage 3: "Wait, those two are the Red Dragon Emperor's familiars!"

Mage 4: "Forget them! What's that monster!?"

Screams echo through the hideout—a cave in the mountains. Our teleportation caught them off guard, and they're already panicking. At first, it was us they noticed, but now… it's something else.

Some mages snap out of shock, deploying magic circles and unleashing fire, lightning, and water spells.

Alice and I prepare to counter, but—

Mil-tan: "No forgiving bad mages, nyo!"

They move faster than us! Spells fly at them—suicidal for a human! I try to warn them, but—

Mil-tan: "MILKY SPIRAL BOOOOM!!!"

A punch shatters the magic, the shockwave shaking the cave.

Mil-tan: "MILKY THUNDER CRUSHEEEER!!!"

A kick from those massive legs craters the ground, sending mages flying. Every spell is obliterated by fists and feet.

Miu: What is this person!? Are they really human!?

Alice: "Miu-chan… are we even needed?"

Miu: I'm thinking the same thing!

A massive magic circle forms above Mil-tan, raining spears of light. That's deadly!

Mage: "Die, monster!"

But—

Mil-tan: "MILKY BLAST BUSTEEEER!!!"

A shockwave from their arm obliterates the spears and punches a hole through the cave ceiling. Blue sky shines through.

Alice: "…Wow, the sky's pretty."

Miu: Alice-san, don't escape reality! I get it, but stay focused!

Mil-tan prepares a final move.

Mil-tan: "This ends it, nyo!"

Their muscles bulge, aura surging exponentially.

Mil-tan: "Using what the demon taught me, nyo!"

Miu: Demon…? Wait—

The mountain trembles under Mil-tan's power.

Miu: "Renkan Keikikou!?"

Alice: "That idiot! Teaching that!? Creating a top-tier warrior like it's nothing!"

Mil-tan: "Not a warrior, nyo. Magical girl, nyo."

Miu: You heard us!?

Sparks crackle around Mil-tan. This is bad.

Miu & Alice: "Run!"

We dash outside just as—

Mil-tan: "MILKY FINAL FLAAAASH!!!"

The mountain vanishes.

That day, we captured half of Nillem's stray mage faction. My contract reward? A limited-edition Milky figurine, partly to celebrate Onii-chan's promotion.

[Miu Side, End]

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The battle isn't over... and the truth has yet to be revealed. Read the next chapter now on Patreon! [patreon.com/Greyhounds]