"Whatever you lose, you'll find it again. But what you throw away you'll never get back."

  — Himura Kenshin, Rurouni Kenshin

  ---

  She recalled her darker side, thinking that perhaps someone like her, with such a hidden nature, didn't deserve such a perfect man.

  Saeko's expression darke the thought.

  "Roy-kun, I..."

  She began to dee, but Roy interrupted her.

  Looking at the uainty in Saeko's eyes, he kly what she was thinking.

  "Do you have some reservations, Saeko-senpai? You seemed rather... unusual while sying those zombies earlier."

  Roy's smile didn't waver.

  "Roy-kun... Did you notice?"

  Saeko's eyes widened. She hadn't expected him to see through her so quickly.

  Shizuka Marikawa and Saya Takagi, listening nearby, were pletely lost, having no idea what the two were discussing.

  "Indeed, Saeko-senpai. Do you, perhaps, possess a strong desire to kill?"

  At Roy's question, Saeko lowered her head, memories of her past surfag.

  In middle school, Saeko had been accosted by a pervert on her way home. Because she always carried a bokken (wooden sword), she had iionally allowed him to approach, the to inflict severe injuries, breaking his leg and shoulder bde.

  It ractically entrapment.

  After that i, Saeko had realized with anguish that she had a strong violent streak. Wheruck the pervert, she had felt a surge of exhiration and pleasure.

  Because of this, she felt unworthy of fessing her feelings, unworthy of love, both given and received.

  "Saeko-senpai, there's no need for you to feel ashamed. I find that aspect of you quite appealing."

  "Eh?"

  Shizuka and Saya exged puzzled g Roy's words.

  "Really?"

  Saeko felt a surge of emotion at Roy's words, a profound sense of acceptahis had been a burden she had carried for years.

  It had prevented her from f genuine friendships, from pursuing romantic retionships.

  " you truly accept me for who I am?"

  She looked at Roy with hopeful eyes, longing for his affirmation.

  "Of course. In fact, it's the reason I came to this world, to meet you, Saeko-senpai."

  "Because..."

  "I am a Devil."

  Roy's words were apanied by a bright smile.

  In the instant, a blue light enveloped him, and a pair e, demonigs unfolded behind him.

  The noble, enigmatic Devil stood before the three girls.

  They stared at Roy's transformation, dumbfounded but unafraid.

  Uhe devils of their imagination, Roy exuded an aura of elegance, power, and captivating handsomeness. There was nothing grotesque or repulsive about his appearance. Instead of fear, they felt a surge of curiosity.

  "Roy-kun, what is the meaning of this?" Saeko asked, her eyes wide with fasation.

  "A Devil? You're joking, right?" Saya interjected, still struggling to process the surreal se.

  "Oh my... Roy-kun looks so handsome like this!" Shizuka, captivated, stared at him dreamily.

  Saya twitched at Shizuka's ent. The teacher's rea seemed pletely off-kilter. Was *now* really the time to be admiring his appearahough, admittedly, he *did* look incredibly handsome...

  "Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Roy Lucifuge, Heir to the House of Lucifuge, a Devil from the Underworld." Roy decred with a flourish.

  "Now, Saeko-senpai, you need not worry about your desire to kill."

  "So, Saeko-senpai, bey servant. Fight for me!!"

  Roy finished with a warm smile directed at Saeko.

  His words, bined with his earlier acceptance, dissolved Saeko's remainiation. She k on one knee, deg her allegiance.

  "I, Saeko Busujima, pledge my loyalty to Roy Lucifuge. I will bee your sword, and fight for you until death!"

  Roy beamed, uo tain his joy.

  "I, Roy Lucifuge, accept your pledge."

  As he spoke, a single Devil piece materialized in his hand - the [Knight] piece.

  Saeko, a master swordswoman, erfect fit for the [Knight] piece, whihanced speed.

  Roy raised his hands, and a rge, blue magic circle appeared beh Saeko's feet.

  "By my name, Roy Lucifuge, I and thee, Saeko Busujima, to bey servant, a Devil, and be reborn as my [Knight]!"

  The words of the tract flowed from Roy's lips.

  Simultaneously, the [Knight] piece floated towards Saeko, merging with her body.

  The moment, Saeko was bathed in a blue light, demonigs sprouting from her back.

  As the light subsided, her magnifit wings fully extended, adding an aura of noble grace to her already striking appearance.

  "So beautiful!" Shizuka murmured, staring at Saeko with a touch of envy.

  "This 't be real!" Saya excimed, still in disbelief.

  Upon the tract's pletion, Roy's power surged dramatically before reg.

  He couldn't help but smirk. The tract with Saeko had propelled him to the rank of a Mid-css Devil.

  For over a decade, Roy had been uo break through to this level. Now, simply by f a tract with Saeko, he had achieved it effortlessly. His mood soared.

  And just as he had anticipated, thanks to Roy's potent, mutated Evil Pieces, Saeko possessed the power of a newly asded mid-css Devil immediately upon her reination.

  "Saeko, how do you feel?" Now that she was one of his own, Roy addressed her by her first name.

  Saeko sidered his question, carefully assessing the ges within her.

  She gnced out the window, her vision noticeably sharper and more expansive. Even in the darkness of night, she could see more clearly than in broad daylight.

  ---