The situation wasn't problematic now, but if they wanted to participate in professional Rating Games in the future, it would become uncomfortable. Both Rias and Sona believed one thing with absolute certainty, Takeyo's potential marked him as one of the central forces shaping the world's future, and his free time wouldn't last forever.
It was fine while Takeyo remained unoccupied. But when he wasn't free, wouldn't he be locked in combat with other powerful families?
"Don't worry, I won't return the remaining chess pieces, even if you beg me for them," Takeyo said with a smile.
He waited quietly for the two girls' responses.
As he expected, Sona made her decision first.
"Alright, Takeyo. I'll take back the other pieces."
Sona reached out and retrieved her two Evil Pieces from Takeyo's hands.
"Sona?~" Rias looked puzzled.
"Rias... please don't be selfish," Sona said, pushing up her glasses. Her voice carried an icy edge.
"You need to understand that with Takeyo's strength and potential, he won't have time to stay by your side in the future. So you must at least form your own team, develop the power to protect yourself, and possess the strength to win battles on your own!"
Sona's words stunned Rias into silence.
'Am I being too selfish?' Rias asked herself.
'It seems... it really is just like Sona said...'
After ten seconds, Rias opened her eyes.
"Takeyo, I'll also take back my chess pieces."
She smiled gently and retrieved her three Evil Pieces from Takeyo's hands.
"Well, but... Rias... and Sona? I hope you can promise me one thing." Takeyo glanced first at Sona, then at Rias.
"Hmm... Takeyo, what is it?"
Sona's tone softened slightly.
"Just treat it as my selfishness. I hope you won't accept male servants. I'm... in a certain way, a possessive person~"
Takeyo stated his request.
"No problem, since it was your request," Sona agreed without hesitation.
"I... I don't plan to accept male servants either!~"
As if afraid she'd fall behind, Rias hurriedly spoke up.
Only in these matters did Rias refuse to lag behind Sona. Besides, after what happened between her and Takeyo yesterday, it seemed perfectly normal for Takeyo to make such a request, didn't it?
"Well, thank you for being considerate~"
Takeyo smiled faintly.
He used Heitian's power to digest all the remaining chess pieces in his body.
Because his origin was already strong enough, the pieces that should have been effective when promoted to Mid-Class Devil now had no effect at all.
While Takeyo was processing the pieces, something unexpected happened.
In full view of everyone, a white cat walked past Rias and Sona, then sat directly on Takeyo's lap!
"Meow?"
Sensing some discomfort, the white figure adjusted its position.
"Koneko?"
Rias looked at the kitten in surprise, slightly suspicious she was dreaming.
"Here... very comfortable."
A trace of firmness flashed in Koneko's eyes. 'Even if it's Rias-buchou... I won't give in,' Of course, what showed most prominently in Koneko's eyes was peaceful contentment.
"Well~ I feel like I've adopted a cute kitten~"
Takeyo said with a smile.
He remembered always saying "Why can't I have a cat?" when he used to watch cat videos, but now it was better, now he really had one.
After experiencing the atmosphere of the Shura Field for a while, Takeyo felt the road ahead would still be somewhat difficult.
According to his observations, Sona's dissatisfaction seemed much greater than Rias's.
Was it because of what happened between him and Rias yesterday? Or was there another reason?
After thinking about it briefly, Takeyo pushed the matter to the back of his mind.
Rather than worrying about such uncontrollable things, it was better to build his own automatic operation system.
Not to mention, Ajuka's advanced course was waiting for him this evening, it would definitely be much more interesting than the basic courses.
'Study... study makes me happy.'
This had always been Takeyo's philosophy. Perhaps this mindset would only disappear when he truly reached the level of omniscience and omnipotence.
The day of self-improvement passed. When Takeyo opened his eyes, he saw a slightly unexpected figure.
Akeno Himejima was waiting at the door.
Since most people had already left, Takeyo realized she could only be waiting for him.
"?"
Takeyo cast a questioning look at Akeno, receiving an affirmative answer.
Quietly, Takeyo and Akeno walked to the rooftop.
"So, is there something you needed from me, Akeno-senpai?"
Takeyo gazed at the sunset over Kuoh Town.
The sunset in Kuoh was truly beautiful, golden orange radiance spreading across the earth, absolutely qualified to be selected as one of the most beautiful sunsets in any world.
Was that perhaps why Yuuma Amano was called Yuuma Amano?
Akeno also watched the sunset with Takeyo. It really was quite stunning.
"Actually, Koneko asked me to come find you, Takeyo..." Akeno said with a sigh.
"Koneko?"
Takeyo's frown lasted only a moment before he relaxed. Koneko was also a good girl.
He could probably guess why Akeno had come to find him.
"Well, didn't you mention before that you had the power of Apocalypse? So I wanted you to help me see,"
"Look at your future or your past?"
Takeyo said with a smile.
"Can you really see my past, Takeyo?"
This was what concerned Akeno most.
If he could truly see others' pasts, would Takeyo already know hers?
When he knew her past, did Takeyo look at her with normal eyes? Did he think her blood and wings were dirty?
"Your past... is full of shadows. Your present... is full of uncertainty..."
This was Takeyo's answer.
"So Takeyo, do you know my future?"
Akeno asked urgently.
"Hmm... I don't know for the time being. I still need a little medium for the future~"
"Medium?"
Akeno tilted her head slightly, looking almost like a curious little girl.
"Well, this is it."
Takeyo gently reached out his hand.
He'd actually planned to summon Akeno tonight, but he hadn't expected her to take the initiative to find him.
Should it be said that the charm of Apocalypse was too great?
Takeyo touched her soft hair amidst Akeno's doubtful and slightly shy gaze.
It wasn't the artificial softness from shampoo, but something more primitive, natural, and supple that made people want to keep touching it.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for completing the daily location check-in! Sign-in level: Bronze!]
[Sign-in location, Akeno Himejima's ponytail!]
[Congratulations to the host for the reward: IS, White Knight!]
[The White Knight: IS Mecha from the world of IS Infinite Stratos, utilizing the most advanced technology. It's a masterpiece of evolution that has absorbed both the White Knight and the essence of the Byakushiki. Whether facing people, IS mechs, armies, or entire cities, it possesses overwhelming effectiveness...]
"It's a bit violent to appear here,~" Takeyo couldn't help but comment internally.
"But... a forbidden hand that others might mistake for a Sacred Gear could work, After all, there are still many armor-type Balance Breakers in this world,"
While thinking this, Takeyo gently stroked Akeno's hair.
"T-Takeyo, have you received the apocalypse?"
Akeno's body trembled slightly, obviously unaccustomed to this kind of contact with the opposite sex.
"Hmm... I have, Akeno-senpai..."
Takeyo said with a smile.
"What kind of apocalypse was it?" Akeno asked shyly.
"Akeno-senpai's future, although it will be rough... but what waits at the end is bound to be bright," Takeyo said with a smile.
"I see,~"
Akeno showed a slightly relieved expression.
Can someone as filthy as herself really have a bright future?
Should she thank the God of the Bible, or should she thank the Devils?
Though the apocalypse was over, the two of them still stood there quietly, as if Takeyo was simply combing her hair.
"It's almost time,"
Akeno looked at the setting sun.
"It's time for me to complete a commission, Today, another client specifically requested me. Thank you for today's apocalypse, Takeyo."
"I feel like... it's given me the courage to continue fighting,"
Akeno bowed slightly to Takeyo, then disappeared into a teleportation circle.
Takeyo smiled faintly and walked toward his home.
"Obviously, mixed blood creates miracles, so why is she so sad?"
Takeyo muttered a complaint.
"Maybe... it's because of her inferiority complex," Takeyo reached this conclusion.
As soon as he took a step, Takeyo returned to his home.
Yuuma Amano's cooking skills had unexpectedly improved considerably.
It seemed she'd made significant progress even during his absence. That "How to Raise a Perfect Maid" manual had indeed proven useful.
"Ding-dong!, Ding-dong!,"
However, just as he finished eating and prepared to study Underworld magic, the doorbell rang.
"It's night now. Who would be visiting me?"
Takeyo extended his perception and finally identified who was ringing the doorbell.
"Ding dong!~ Ding dong!~ Ding dong!~ Ding dong!~ Ding dong!~..."
As if the person inside hadn't heard, the doorbell rang frantically.
"Coming!,"
Takeyo said, slightly irritated.
Why was that troublesome person here?
The so-called troublesome person referred to someone he still wasn't certain about imprisoning him.
"Click!,~"
However, as the door opened, Takeyo's expression became considerably more welcoming.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for triggering the plot check-in! Sign-in level: Gold!]
[Sign-in plot, The Proof of the Devil!]
[Plot: Although the host already possesses the ability to easily kill High-Class opponents, he is still considered a weakling in Serafall's eyes.
With the strength for self-protection, why hide? Prove your strength to the Devils! Defeat Serafall!
If you don't even have the power to defeat the magical girl, how can you complete the plot involving Devils and magical girls?]
[Sign-in time limit: 3 days.]
[Remaining time for sign-in: 3 days.]
That's right, it was Serafall who'd knocked on the door.
Because Serafall had triggered a quest for him, and it was relatively achievable with richer rewards, his expression softened considerably.
"Yo, Hello?,"
As soon as Takeyo opened the door, he saw Serafall wearing her Magical Girl Milky costume. Multiple emotions flickered across her face simultaneously, but Takeyo managed to analyze them.
There was her natural liveliness and excitement, plus a little unwillingness, along with forced displeasure and slight courtesy toward him.
It seemed... this was Sona's doing, wasn't it?
Takeyo immediately grasped the reason. Only Sona could make Serafall do something she didn't particularly want to do.
"Long time no see. Is there something you need, Maou-shoujo?"
Takeyo nearly laughed thinking about how Sona had probably called Serafall to come see him.
"Mo!, I'm a magical girl, Takeyo-chan!,"
Serafall drew another wand from her skirt and assumed the standard magical girl pose.
The reason it was "another" wand was because Serafall's previous wand had been left at Takeyo's home, and he'd thoroughly studied the ice magic within it.
This time, Takeyo looked at Serafall differently than before.
This time... he could truly see through everything! Whether magic circles, techniques, or anything else, he could see through them with his eyes.
"Why... what's wrong?"
Serafall noticed something different about Takeyo's gaze.
"No, it's nothing. Come in."
Takeyo shook his head.
'Can't exactly say I'm marveling at destiny, can I?'
The underwear she was wearing at his house today was the same as that day...