"You agreed so quickly?"
Kaiser asked, somewhat surprised. "Not asking the price?"
Hearing him, Setsuna's gaze remained calm, unruffled.
From childhood, she understood truths.
This world—never fair.
Effort often unrewarded.
Gain required sacrifice—basic cost.
Setsuna inhaled deeply, resolute. "For strength, Setsuna pays any price."
"But don't twist my will."
No matter form—proud ice wolf warrior.
Climb peaks.
Protect clan.
Kaiser eyed her deeply, then smiled.
"Relax—your will always yours."
"I need only you."
"M-Me?"
Setsuna flushed deeply, flustered.
This…
Family with me?
She stole glance at Kaiser.
Mm… acceptable.
By human or ice wolf standards—very handsome.
"Good—no problem."
Firm will, words shy.
Kaiser extended finger; golden blood seeped. "Then—ritual begins."
"Good."
Setsuna nodded, inexplicably tense.
Reincarnation ritual?
Strengthening?
What next?
Anna kindly reminded. "Miss Setsuna—remove outer clothes first."
Setsuna paused; skin pinkened uncontrollably.
Now—children?
Too fast?
"Miss Setsuna—no misunderstanding."
Seeing, Anna explained hastily. "Master just marks you."
"Oh."
Setsuna realized; began undressing.
Rough pelts undone; fullness nearly spilled.
Timidly. "Next?"
"No more—leave to me."
Kaiser dripped blood on skin without hesitation.
Hum!
Magic circle glowed ground.
Brilliant light traced delicate heart pattern on fair skin.
Then!
Mysterious runes swirled in glow.
"Mmm…"
Setsuna gritted teeth; inexplicable power surged within.
Crack!
Illusory breaking sound.
Next, utmost lightness.
Heartbeat quickened; blood boiled.
Breathing intense; cells and mind exhilarated.
Long-stagnant strength—unshackled.
Lord Kaiser truthful.
Setsuna realized.
His ritual shattered chains.
Instinctively clenched fist; excitement trembling.
Knew own body best.
Once—effort tenfold, hundredfold clanmates.
Yet stagnant.
Level capped.
Now—broke fate.
All his gift.
Unconsciously, gaze on Kaiser subtly shifted.
Kaiser unnoticed; focused attributes.
[Setsuna]
[Race: Devil]
[Master: Kaiser Lucifuge]
[Level: LV9]
[Skills: Ice Wolf Form, Wild Call]
[Ice Wolf Form: Transform devil body to ice wolf—access all ice wolf bloodline powers.]
[Wild Call: Awaken dormant wild instincts—greatly boost physical strength.]
…
As expected—non-human/demon races retained powers post-reincarnation.
Kaiser's gaze shifted from [Ice Wolf Form] to [Wild Call].
"Good—practical transformation."
Kaiser stroked chin, nodding inwardly.
Solid trump card.
Transcribed attributes; handed Setsuna.
"This?"
"Your attributes."
Kaiser brief explanation; Setsuna nodded understandingly.
World familiar with attributes.
Quickly reviewed skills.
"I'm… devil…"
Seeing race—nearly broke.
Devil?
No longer ice wolf?
Momentary loss.
Seeing, Kaiser ruffled hair.
Explained [Ice Wolf Form].
"Oh."
Setsuna enlightened; touched wolf tail, smiling. "No wonder body unchanged."
Devil fine?
Becoming devil—wonderful!
Power gained; ice wolf identity retained.
Minor price—for strength negligible.
Seeing, Kaiser smiled.
"Feeling good?"
"Mm-hmm."
Setsuna nodded repeatedly; fluffy tail wagged.
"But—faster strength method?"
Kaiser deep gaze; rubbed soft wolf ears.
"Willing try?"
Hearing, Setsuna's eyes expectant.
Master—faster strength?
Suppressing excitement. "Willing, Master."
Star Spirit: "…"
Bad.
Very bad.
Starting again?
Instinctively fled.
But barrier expanded from Kaiser.
Next.
Kaiser claimed Setsuna's lips decisively, intensely.
Overwhelming pressure emanated.
Setsuna felt abyssal fall—near suffocation.
Then!
Unprecedented sensations.
"This… strengthening?"
Thought flashed.
Then!
Emotions overwhelmed mind.
Forest, earth, air—vanished.
Surroundings bottomless sea.
Invisible force dragged downward.
"Damn—too late."
Star Spirit at barrier edge; inwardly frantic.
Wanted avert gaze—frozen.
Breathing gradually heavy.
"Too… un… unable breathe…"
Setsuna clenched fists; desperate breaths futile.
Pat pat!
Kaiser ruffled hair gently. "Forgot—Wild Call skill."
"Right… Setsuna no surrender—stronger."
Setsuna resolute; body glowed.
Instant!
Physical strength surged—capable again.
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