Due to the feline Gastrea virus, Midori Fuse had an exceptionally keen sense of smell.
She could even predict fate through scent.
So…
Lynn wasn't lying!
Pah! Pah!
Midori lowered her head, blankly staring at the ground as tears the size of beans dripped down.
Being called… cute...
She lightly bit her lower lip, trying to keep quiet, but the tears wouldn't stop.
Seeing her trembling shoulders as she sobbed, Lynn gently turned her around.
"If you want to cry, then cry all you want in my arms."
Midori sniffled, and the tears burst forth again. She opened her arms and threw herself into Lynn's embrace, bawling loudly.
"L-Lord Lynn!!"
Lynn wrapped her in his arms, gently stroking her hair.
She must've suffered so much…
Whether it was Midori or the other Cursed Children...
That's exactly why this twisted world had to be purged.
Inside the shelter—
Aside from Midori's sobs, there wasn't another sound.
The other Cursed Children stared blankly, falling into silence.
They were all abandoned souls. They could relate.
Lord Lynn...
They engraved this name deep into their hearts, vowing to never forget.
Because he had accepted not just Midori...
But all of them.
Time passed.
Midori's crying gradually quieted down.
"Lord Lynn… will you abandon me?"
She sniffed, her voice muffled as she buried herself deeper into his chest.
Even though she'd already sensed the answer she wanted...
She still felt anxious.
She wanted to—
Ask it directly.
Hear it directly.
Instead of answering, Lynn asked gently, "Midori, do you want to be my exclusive cat?"
The answer was obvious.
Midori looked up with teary red eyes at Lynn's warm smile.
Then, she buried herself back into his embrace and nodded firmly.
"Midori wants to be Lynn's exclusive cat!"
This time, her voice wasn't nervous, fearful, or timid.
It was filled with determination.
"Then it's settled?"
"Yes!"
…
Still nestled in Lynn's arms, Midori remained there for quite a while until Yuuko finally broke the silence.
"Master, when will you pamper me like that?"
A ghost's not allowed to be spoiled too?
"Hnn…"
Midori's body shuddered. She suddenly remembered, they weren't alone.
Ahhhhhh~
So embarrassing!
It was all because things had gotten too quiet!
She hurriedly raised her head and pulled away from Lynn's arms...
Only to be greeted by the teasing gazes of the surrounding Cursed Children, making her completely panic.
Her face flushed bright red.
Lynn smiled, "Alright, let's continue with the reincarnation ceremony."
Ah—right!
The reincarnation ceremony!
Suddenly, Midori froze.
I-I forgot!
H-Hnnn…
She felt like steam might burst out of her head.
Turning around stiffly, she exposed her back to Lynn once again.
As Lynn placed the Evil Piece on her back, the cold sensation snapped her back to reality.
If it was Lynn…
Then being seen by him...
Was okay.
After all...
She was already Lynn's pet.
Hmm...
But it's still so embarrassing!!
Once the Evil Piece fully merged into Midori's body.
The reincarnation ceremony officially concluded.
[Ding! You've obtained Peerage member Midori Fuse!]
[Ding! Peerage member Midori Fuse has been reincarnated as a special Devil!]
[Ding! You've acquired a skill…]
Lynn temporarily blocked out the system notifications and checked her Blessing information.
---
Midori Fuse
Level: Low-Class Devil
Race: Devil
Master: Lynn Valefor
Strength: i0
Agility: i0
Durability: i0
Magic: i0
Inherent Skills:
[Gastrea Factor: Cat]
Cat Claws (Able to grow feline claws from fingertips)
Scent Divination (Able to detect others' emotions and fate through smell)
Enhanced Agility Growth Speed
[Cat Devil]
Soul-Eroding Blue Flame (Releases blue demonic fire that inflicts corrosion status upon contact)
Fate-Tracking Scent (The scent of destiny—grants initiative in battle)
Devil Transformation: Sad Cat Mode
---
Among all the Cursed Children, the first special Devil had been born.
[Gastrea Factor: Cat] originated from the Gastrea virus itself.
The divination aspect of scent added a mysterious edge to the ability.
Lynn skipped the rest and focused directly on the skill description for [Cat Devil].
Corrosion effects... and preemptive advantage in combat...
Tsk tsk.
These were all abilities with potential mechanics behind them.
He didn't expect Midori to have such excellent potential.
Both skill sets were usable.
Especially the initiative bonus from Fate-Tracking Scent, that one seemed very promising.
Lynn smiled, "Midori, you're a lucky cat!"
"Mm…"
Flushed from the praise, Midori's cheeks reddened further.
Lynn copied her Blessing info and handed it to her after she put on her clothes.
After witnessing the previous ceremonies, Midori already had some understanding of the Blessing System.
She looked down and scanned the information.
Unsurprisingly, her gaze paused at the Master column.
From today onward...
She was no longer a stray cat.
She was a claimed one.
A faint blush rose on her face as she moved her eyes down.
She skipped over the i0 stats and focused on her skill section.
Seeing [Gastrea Factor: Cat], her expression grew complicated.
It was the very thing that had brought her so much pain.
But now, it had become her skill.
Still...
It was okay now.
As a Devil, the protozoan virus was no longer in her body.
This was simply a skill retained by the Blessing system.
More importantly.
The reason her cat ears hadn't disappeared might be because of this very ability.
Good.
Midori let out a small sigh of relief.
The very thing that had caused her to be abandoned and bullied...
Now, thanks to Lynn's affection.
Had become her happiness.
So.
Her cat ears were necessary!
She shifted her gaze to the final skill.
[Cat Devil].
Hmm…
Her eyes sparkled a bit.
They all seemed like powerful abilities.
But for now, she wasn't sure what any of them could do for Lord Lynn.
She gripped the paper with her Blessing info tightly.
If only I could be of help to Master Lynn...
While she was deep in thought, Lynn took out his phone and snapped a few pictures.
Click!
Midori looked up, puzzled. Her eyes held a hint of confusion.
Click!
Perfect capture!
Lynn opened Line.
Found Rias.
Lynn: Picture [CatConfusion].jpg
Send.
Rias: ?
Lynn: I have my own cat now too.
Rias: !!!!
(To be continued.)