DxD: Building A Demon Clan From Scratch.

For the next period of time, Lynn's Peerage followed a simple daily routine, three main activities repeated over and over.

Eating, sleeping, and fighting zombies.

Of course, Utaha and Miko had an extra obligation: school, at least on weekdays.

It was worth noting that Miko only stayed in the Zombie World for a few days before choosing to return home before dusk.

After all, she had a mother waiting for her.

Miko's mother worried if she stayed out too late, and ever since she saw Lynn personally escorting Miko home, she had completely misunderstood the situation.

Now, she believed Miko was living with her boyfriend.

Today.

Supernatural Investigation Club.

Utaha and Miko were preparing to head to the Zombie World as usual.

Since both of them were already familiar with that world, Lynn had no intention of going with them this time.

His exact words were: "As mature Peerage members, you should learn to venture into dungeon worlds and train on your own."

As their master, he couldn't always accompany them.

He had his own matters to handle.

For example…

Lynn's home.

In the living room.

Koneko Toujou leaned against Lynn's chest, watching a defeat screen flash across the TV, disappointment clear in her eyes.

No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't surpass her senpai.

Lynn patted her head and reassured her, "It's okay, you're already very good. You're just one step away from beating me."

Koneko tilted her head back, staring up at him. Her golden eyes flickered. "Senpai, you've said that so many times already."

"Haha, have I?"

Koneko watched him, exhaling softly.

"Forget it. I'm already happy that you're playing games with me."

She stood up, preparing to use Teleportation Magic to return home.

Before leaving, she suddenly paused as if remembering something, then reached into her pocket.

"Oh, right."

She pulled out two items.

"When the Kaichou heard I was coming here, she asked me to give these to you."

"Apparently…"

"Sona gave them to you?"

After Koneko left, Lynn examined the items.

A key and a water magic scroll.

He was slightly surprised, unsure what Sona Sitri was thinking.

To be honest, their first meeting had been anything but pleasant.

And after that day, they hadn't spoken again.

Sona had never followed up about the Rating Game.

Lynn had even been wondering why she hadn't contacted him.

And now, she had Rias pass something to him through Koneko?

Well…

Whatever.

It was already here, no reason to refuse.

He handed the water magic scroll to Utaha to copy into her Devil Tome.

As for the other item…

He picked up the key and examined the address attached to it.

It seemed to be for a high-end apartment.

Looking outside, the sky was overcast, dark clouds gathering.

It looked like it might rain soon.

Since he had nothing else to do, Lynn decided to check it out.

On the way.

A light drizzle had already started falling.

But as a devil, all he had to do was coat himself in magic, and the raindrops couldn't touch him.

Shiki Apartments.

Lynn took out the key and double-checked the location.

"This should be the place?"

He wasn't entirely sure.

Glancing around, he prepared to ask someone.

Then, his eyes landed on a beautiful blonde girl sitting in a nearby park.

There was something… familiar about her.

Lynn narrowed his eyes.

Could she be a character from an anime?

Opening his system panel, he checked, only to see his Evil Pieces flashing wildly.

Okay. Confirmed.

Lynn turned and walked toward the park.

Since he was already here, why not recruit a new Peerage member first?

Click.

Shiina Mahiru sat on the swing, the rain falling around her.

A pair of shoes stopped in front of her.

She blinked in slight surprise, then slowly looked up.

A handsome young man with black hair and crimson eyes entered her vision.

She didn't feel even the slightest bit of unease.

Instead, she instinctively responded, "It's just a hobby of mine. I won't catch a cold, but thank you for your concern."

Lynn: "…"

How practiced is she at this?!

That smooth, automatic rejection left him momentarily speechless.

Sensing his conflicted expression, Mahiru felt a little embarrassed.

Some people had approached her earlier, and she had just… turned them down out of habit.

Now what?

Would it be awkward to take it back?

As Mahiru hesitated, Lynn spoke again.

"It looks like you need some help."

"No, I—"

Mahiru started to refuse instinctively, but Lynn cut her off.

"Maybe I should make it clearer."

His eyes locked onto hers, his crimson gaze deep and unreadable.

"Do you… need a devil's help?"

"Eh?"

Mahiru was stunned.

She who was always called an angel had just met a man who called himself… a devil?

(To be continued.)