The next day.
Afternoon, at the entrance of the Supernatural Investigation Club.
Yukino was here once again.
Afraid of what happened yesterday, she had come straight after class ended.
Yui came along with her.
That's right.
The two of them had a heart-to-heart yesterday.
Yui didn't think that her current situation was Yukino's fault.
After all, she had been the one to insist on joining in the first place, so naturally, she couldn't blame anyone else.
Besides…
This was something she needed to resolve herself.
She couldn't keep relying on Yukino every time she was in danger.
Not only would that be troubling for Yukino, but what if she was too late next time?
Even if it's the so-called harem club…
Yui's cheeks flushed.
If she… if she walked through that door, did that mean… she might become one of Mr. Lynn's women?
The thought alone made her feel like her whole body was burning.
However…
It was all still just speculation between her and Yukino.
To know the truth, they needed to see it with their own eyes.
The only thing they could be certain of was that everyone in the Supernatural Investigation Club possessed supernatural powers.
And that was enough.
"Let's go, Yuigahama-san."
Yukino's voice was calm.
Compared to yesterday, she was much more composed.
After all, she had already steeled herself back then.
And…
After yesterday's misunderstanding, her thoughts had become clearer.
That awkward emotion she once had was long gone.
Now, Yukino was only worried about whether Lynn would accept them.
"Yeah!"
Yui nodded firmly beside her.
Her hands were clenched tightly, clearly showing her nervousness.
Yukino took a deep breath, her eyes filled with resolve, and her slender hand gripped the door handle—then pulled it open!
Whoosh.
What came into view was a half-open window, curtains swaying in the breeze, and.
Lynn seated at the center, with Mahiru beside him, serving tea.
Yukino froze slightly, as if seeing both an angel and a devil at the same time.
She quickly shook her head to dispel the image.
Angel and devil? That's ridiculous.
Lynn looked up, his crimson eyes falling on Yukino and Yui.
"Oh? Rare guests, aren't you?"
He was a little surprised. It had been a while since Yukino had opened the door to the Supernatural Investigation Club.
He picked up the black tea Mahiru had brewed for him and took a sip.
Then he quietly observed the two girls.
Mahiru smiled gently. "Do the two of you have a new request?"
"A request…"
Yukino murmured softly, then looked up.
"It's about that."
The next second, she bowed her head deeply.
"Please allow us to join the Supernatural Investigation Club!"
Seeing her, Yui quickly followed suit, lowering her head and nervously clutching her hands together.
Lynn paused slightly, looking at Yukino with curiosity.
"I remember… you're not the type to say that so easily, are you?"
Yukino's heart tightened, thinking back to her first visit here.
Is this the Supernatural Investigation Club? Sorry, I thought I walked into some kind of harem club.
She pursed her lips slightly, somewhat admiring her past self.
Really… ignorance is bliss.
Now, she no longer had that kind of courage.
"I'm sorry. I was too ignorant back then…"
Once she broke through that mental wall, Yukino found it easier to speak.
After all…
She had stepped into the club today with the resolve to become part of Lynn's harem.
Lynn's eyes held a trace of surprise as he looked at her.
Was this really Yukino Yukinoshita?
Feeling his gaze, Yukino looked away, lips pursed.
Even though she'd made up her mind, the shame of a girl's pride made her want to hide.
She had merely forced it down with logic.
She took another deep breath and repeated herself.
"Club President Lynn, please allow us to join the Supernatural Investigation Club!"
Yukino's voice trembled slightly, her heart uneasy.
She feared rejection.
After all, compared to Lynn's other Peerage members, she had no real advantage.
Lynn remained silent, slowly caressing the warm teacup in his hands.
Yukino's breathing hitched, and sweat began to form on her forehead.
Yui's palms were already drenched.
She truly didn't want to continue living each day in fear of cursed spirits.
The club fell into an eerie silence.
After a long while.
Lynn finally spoke. "Mahiru, give them two application forms."
"Yes, President Lynn."
Mahiru smiled and handed two forms to Yukino.
Taking the forms, Yukino stood there in a daze, then let out a soft sigh of relief.
But her hand holding the paper still trembled slightly.
"Here, Yuigahama-san."
Yukino's voice was a little shaky.
A few seconds later, the sound of pens scratching across paper echoed through the room.
At that moment, Lynn spoke again.
"Are you sure you want to join the Supernatural Investigation Club?"
Yukino and Yui stopped writing at the same time, exchanged a glance, and saw the same resolve in each other's eyes.
They couldn't take this anxiety and fear anymore.
"We're sure!" x2
Their voices were filled with determination.
Lynn raised an eyebrow, a trace of amusement in his eyes.
"Then… do you understand what it means to join the Supernatural Investigation Club?"
The two girls shuddered slightly.
"J-Joining the harem?"
Yukino's voice trembled.
Lynn: "…You could say that."
As expected!
But having their suspicions confirmed somehow brought relief.
Lynn's lips curled slightly.
Yukino and Yui were, at best, Low-Class Devils in terms of potential.
But Lynn still decided to bring them into his Peerage.
After all, a single Low-Class Devil couldn't provide him much benefit anymore.
However, what if they became special-class?
Every special-class devil was a valuable asset to his Peerage.
Just as the two were about to sigh in relief, having finished filling out the forms, Lynn suddenly said.
"Next, we begin the real initiation ceremony."
"The real…"
"Initiation ceremony?"
Both Yukino and Yui were surprised.
Lynn propped his chin on his hand, his crimson eyes gleaming.
"Take off your clothes."
Hearing that, both of them froze, eyes going wide!
"T-Take off our clothes?!"
Yui shrieked, her face bright red.
T-The joining ceremony, i-is it?!
N-Now?
H-Here?
Yukino bit her lip, but her movements were decisive.
She had come to terms with it yesterday.
Since she was asking for help, she had to be obedient.
She was already mentally prepared!
She just didn't expect it to happen so soon.
Huff…
It didn't take long for Yukino to remove her school uniform, revealing her flat figure.
Her breathing quickened, and her ears burned.
Yui stared at Yukino's decisiveness in shock, then followed with trembling hands and took off her uniform as well.
Seeing their bare backs, Lynn spoke calmly.
"That's enough."
As soon as the words landed, both girls let out a quiet sigh of relief.
They lowered their hands from their skirts and instinctively crossed their arms in front of their chests to cover themselves.
Yukino was confused.
Only halfway?
Why?
Was this a test of obedience?
Many thoughts ran through her head.
Then she saw Lynn conjure two Evil Pieces out of thin air.
Her eyes froze.
She saw it again—real supernatural power.
And just witnessing that made everything they'd done so far feel worthwhile.
"Evil Pieces…"
Lynn gave a brief explanation.
Yukino and Yui's mouths parted slightly in awe.
So that was it…
Lynn was a devil…
But…
At this point, neither had any objections to becoming devils.
So what if they were devils? If it gave them power to escape their current hellish lives, then so be it!
They'd accept anything!!
Yukino and Yui turned around, facing away from Lynn and exposing their backs.
Lynn pressed the Evil Pieces onto their spines.
Buzz—
Both girls trembled.
Power—was flooding in!
At the same time, a system notification rang in Lynn's ears.
[Ding! You have gained family members: Yukino Yukinoshita, Yui Yuigahama!]
[Ding! Your family member, Yukino Yukinoshita, has been reborn as a special-class devil…]
Their backs revealed their respective blessing information.
[Yui Yuigahama]
Race: Devil
Class: Low-Class Devil
Peerage: Lynn Valefor
Strength: i0
Agility: i0
Endurance: i0
Magic: i0
Unique Skill:
[Harmonizer]
When multiple teammates are present, automatically generates a bond barrier based on the level of trust between team members.
——
[Yukino Yukinoshita]
Race: Devil
Class: Low-Class Devil
Peerage: Lynn Valefor
Strength: i0
Agility: i0
Endurance: i0
Magic: i0
Unique Skills:
[Solitary Wall of Reason]
Temporarily increases all stats by 30%, doubles magic purity.
Nullifies enemy illusion and deception-type abilities.
50% of damage taken is converted into magic consumption.
[Snow Devil]
Ice and snow-based powers.
Frozen Tundra Rose (defense increases with injury severity).
Devil Transformation: Hymn of the Ice-bound Mirror World.
(To be continued.)