Chapter 20

Besides, it might not be just the Underworld, it could even be the entire world. Shoyo's thoughts had already transcended the confines of this realm. With the spirit fish avatar serving as his own version of Noah's Ark, once he was strong enough, sailing across the Sea of Worlds would be a simple task. With that in mind, Shoyo adjusted his tone and manner of speaking accordingly.

"Eh? Eh?"

Rias and Sona stared blankly at the scene unfolding in front of them. The teacher and student had just established their relationship so directly that both girls found themselves confused. Who am I? Where am I? What does this even have to do with me?

"Alright then, Shoyo," Ajuka said with a smile, "from now on, as teacher and student, let’s look forward to working together."

Shoyo still hadn't called him Master, but Ajuka didn’t push it. Instead, he smiled with understanding. His expression revealed that their relationship wasn't the traditional master-apprentice dynamic, it was more like equals. Truthfully speaking, did he even have the qualifications to be Shoyo’s "Master"? In Ajuka’s eyes, Shoyo’s potential far surpassed what even Serafall had seen.

"Okay, Ajuka sensei."

Since the other party was giving him this level of respect, Shoyo reciprocated. He understood that Ajuka had seen something even Serafall hadn't noticed.

"Oh, right, this as well."

As soon as Shoyo finished speaking, he vanished in front of everyone without warning.

"Shoyo-kun? Shoyo-kun, where did you go?"

Sona called out, a trace of worry in her voice. Meanwhile, Ajuka narrowed his eyes slightly. Shoyo’s movement just now didn’t use any magic circles, incantations, Sacred Gears, nothing. It felt... instinctive. Before anyone could react further, Shoyo reappeared just as suddenly, now holding a small sample of a magic circle in his hand.

"This is my apprentice gift. Please accept it."

He handed it toward Ajuka’s projection. This gift was rooted in human custom, a symbolic gesture between student and teacher. Shoyo wasn’t sure if Ajuka would understand its meaning, but Ajuka's slight frown indicated that he did.

“This kid is really stubborn,” Ajuka thought. “But establishing this relationship will benefit the future of devils greatly.”

Despite his internal grumbling, Ajuka acted. A teleportation circle appeared beneath the magic circle sample, and with a flash, it disappeared from the human world and reappeared on the desk in Ajuka’s office in the Underworld.

His actions symbolized acceptance of Shoyo’s gesture. He then inspected the gift.

"This is...!"

A flicker of terror crossed his face, yes, terror. What Shoyo had sent was a modified version of one of Ajuka's own magic circles from his teaching materials, only now, it was five percent more efficient than the original.

Don't underestimate that five percent. Ajuka was a transcendent-level devil, and more importantly, a master of magic. Yet Shoyo, who had only just begun studying magic, had improved on his design?

"I’ll come to the human world in a few days. For now, study what’s in the crystal ball."

Ajuka placed the circle aside, his tone gentle. But Shoyo could read the deeper meaning, Ajuka understood that Shoyo identified as human, hence the human-style apprentice ceremony. While Ajuka accepted that identity, he deliberately didn’t complete the full human ritual. This meant he still hadn’t given up on drawing Shoyo to the devil's side.

Meanwhile, Rias and Sona were equally stunned. Among devils, hierarchy was strict. The apprentice ceremony was a significant custom, and for someone like Maou Ajuka to accept it in this form, especially without insisting on traditional devil customs, was almost scandalous. And yet... Ajuka had ignored it all.

But that wasn’t all.

“‘Study hard over the next few days?’” Sona repeated to herself, confused. “Ajuka-sama, do you mean Shoyo-kun can master those lessons in just a few days? Didn’t you once tell me it would take hundreds of years?”

Her jaw dropped slightly. Until now, she believed the gap between herself and Shoyo was manageable. But now... it felt like they weren’t even in the same dimension.

“Shoyo really can do it,” Ajuka confirmed, frowning thoughtfully. “Just yesterday, in two or three short hours, he had already absorbed more than a tenth of the material.”

In truth, Ajuka had only asked Shoyo to “study for a few days” because that was how long he would need to develop the rest of the advanced content.

"Senpai... is his potential really this terrifying?"

Koneko's eyes held a mix of relief and concern. Relief, because Senpai could protect her and Buchou. But worry, too, because talent like this might consume him, just as it had her sister.

Ajuka’s thoughts wandered as well. If my pace in creating content can't keep up with Shoyo's learning, won't I, the teacher, be embarrassed?
He made up his mind: starting today, he would fully commit to creating the course materials Shoyo needed.

As for his other duties? He'd push those onto Serafall and Sirzechs. After all, Shoyo was a member of their younger sisters' peerage, shouldn’t they help?

“I still have official matters to attend to, so I’ll return now. Everyone, strive for your future. I see the future of devils in you all. Then... goodbye.”
With those final words, Ajuka ended the communication.

“Hmm...? Ajuka-chin?”

At the same time, Serafall received a communication from Ajuka.

“Ah? ...Hmm? ...This... okay.”

After a few seconds of hesitation, she realized she should do more for Sona. Even if Sona was still angry, she would understand in time. “Sona-chan, Onee-sama has some business in the Underworld, I’ll be going first!”

In truth, Sona was already a little thankful. If not for Serafall’s actions yesterday, Shoyo might’ve been snatched away by that "thieving cat" Rias.

“Oh... right, one more thing.”

Just as Serafall disappeared, a new magic circle appeared. Ajuka had returned!

“What is it now?”

Shoyo blinked. Didn’t you say you were going to prepare lessons?

“Sona Sitri, next head of the Sitri family,” Ajuka said seriously, “our previous deal is now void. With someone like Shoyo-kun around, I would’ve helped regardless.”

His tone was still gentle, but urgent. He was clearly in a rush to return to his work.

“Ajuka-sama?…”

“All settled. I’ll be going now.”

Seeing that Sona was about to speak, Ajuka vanished again. I won’t listen! You two take your time to develop your feelings, I’m out!

“...”
Sona raised her hand, a helpless look on her face. She had intended to ask Ajuka something about her sister, but he had disappeared so fast she never got the chance.

“Sona? Did you make a deal with Ajuka-sama?”

Rias asked, eyes wide. Given their statuses, there was only one thing someone like Sona could offer in a deal with someone like Ajuka...


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