章 38: Chapter 39: Decision Part 1

The next day.

Qingqiu habitually arrived at the Occult Research Club. Not seeing Koneko Toujou, he realized the practical training was over. Today, Himejima Akeno was on duty, with Rias and the white-haired loli out on an assignment.

"Little Aki, did you come today because you encountered a problem with magic?" Himejima Akeno asked.

Qingqiu shook his head. "No..."

He laughed inwardly—he couldn't learn it at all, so there were no problems.

Himejima Akeno smiled, "That's impressive. Tell me, how many have you learned?"

Expressionless, Qingqiu held up his right hand, forming a circle with his thumb and forefinger.

"Ten?"

Qingqiu: (￣ー￣)

Himejima Akeno was surprised, "Oh my, twenty in one night?"

Qingqiu covered his face, finally deciding to tell the truth.

After learning the truth, Himejima Akeno held her chest with one hand and supported her chin with the other, pondering, "With such a keen sense of magic, why is learning magic so difficult for you?"

The difficulty was relative to those with exceptional talent. Qingqiu's magic skills were still barely passing.

Qingqiu gave an innocent look, "I don't know."

Don't ask him—he genuinely didn't know. After all, he never claimed to be a magical genius; it was just their assumption.

This couldn't be hidden; he simply couldn't learn it.

Himejima Akeno placed her hand on Qingqiu's forehead, sensing the magic within him. "Your magic growth rate is indeed fast. In some time, you'll be able to try intermediate magic extraction."

Himejima Akeno was perplexed, as she hadn't encountered such a situation before.

"Your magic growth is at a genius level, yet mastering magic is so challenging..."

In reality, Qingqiu's method of extracting magic was unique. While others needed time to meditate, he could naturally absorb external magic as long as he was relaxed, whether sleeping or daydreaming. It was like a semi-automatic skill. He extracted in a day what others did in three, excluding the training fanatics who spent all day cultivating.

It wasn't that Qingqiu absorbed faster; rather, his unique nature allowed him to effectively spend three times the training time.

After pondering for a while, Himejima Akeno decided not to dwell on it. The world is vast and full of wonders. Perhaps Qingqiu's physique was suited for absorbing magic, but ordinary in controlling it.

"Little Aki, have you considered becoming a demon?"

Himejima Akeno's eyes twinkled, bringing up an old topic. With Rias absent, it was a good opportunity. If Qingqiu was displeased, she could claim it was her decision alone.

"After becoming a demon, your magic control will improve significantly since demons are naturally more adept at using magic than humans."

Qingqiu was intrigued but quickly recalled something else.

"Akeno-senpai, why haven't I seen Koneko use magic?"

Himejima Akeno's gaze wavered, feeling guilty, "Well... not every demon specializes in magic, you know."

She wasn't exactly lying. Becoming a demon certainly enhanced physical strength and improved magic control, but individual aptitude remained crucial. Koneko Toujou, for instance, was entirely unsuited for magic. The few spells she knew were mostly for enhancing physical attributes—at heart, still a bruiser.

Qingqiu chose not to expose Himejima Akeno's fibs, as she was a senior, and he wanted to save some face. However, demon bloodline was indeed desirable, the sooner the better.

"Akeno-senpai, you mentioned that lower-class demons could ascend to high-class demons and have their own servants."

Qingqiu asked, "Aside from becoming someone's servant and advancing through the Rating Game, are there other pathways for ordinary demons to ascend?"

"Yes, but it's much more difficult than the Rating Game and involves significant risk."

Himejima Akeno looked at Qingqiu seriously, advising against such thoughts.

Despite the significant reduction in demon numbers after the Great War, the overall population was still vast. Not all demons could become someone else's servant and gradually ascend. If so, the underworld's power structure wouldn't be as it is now but rather a lineage composed of demon chess pieces.

Qingqiu shrugged, accepting the advice against unrealistic ambitions.

"Akeno-senpai, one last question."

Regarding the servant issue, Qingqiu had been contemplating it for days. Rias had invested so much, and he wasn't heartless; it was time to reciprocate.

"Servants... how strong is a King's control over their servants?"

Himejima Akeno stood straight, more serious than ever. "What do you mean?"

"No particular meaning, I just want an honest answer."

Facing Himejima Akeno's cold gaze, Qingqiu was equally serious.

Himejima Akeno frowned, piecing together Qingqiu's previous questions. She seemed to understand what Rias had discussed earlier.

Qingqiu's heart was indeed ambitious, perhaps even audacious. She studied Qingqiu silently for a moment before sighing.

"Since you asked, I'll be frank. I hope you won't disappoint me."

Himejima Akeno leaned in, whispering only for Qingqiu to hear, explaining the relationship between servants and their King.

The demon chess pieces lacked any compulsory functions, but subtle influences were inevitable. Servants and their King naturally developed mutual affection. Typically, servants wouldn't refuse the King's requests, which is why many servants and Kings become couples.

If a servant and King clash, the King's sole punitive measure is barring them from the Rating Game, effectively halting their progression.

Sometimes, a servant's exceptional aptitude, combined with the chess piece's enhancement, leads to rapid growth and rebellious thoughts, even resulting in servants killing their King. Such servants are hunted by the underworld and face execution if caught.

If there's any limitation, it's this: a servant must always remain loyal to their King. However, this is a rule imposed by the underworld, not a side effect of the chess pieces. Without such a rule, accepting servants would be even more cautious.

Qingqiu didn't doubt Himejima Akeno's honesty, as her words matched his hazy memories. Especially when she mentioned regicide, Qingqiu recalled the incident Koneko Toujou was reluctant to discuss. Her elder sister, Kuroka, killed her master after becoming a servant and fled. This event led to prejudice against Koneko Toujou, with demons fearing she might follow suit. Rias ultimately intervened, preventing her execution and making her a servant.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.