---

“Huh?”

Everyone looked confused, not understanding what was going on.

“I need to be able to control this body freely for the remaining time. And the fastest way to get used to it is to face it head-on.”

The reason I called them today was to test the limits of the mirror’s power.

Just because I can change my appearance doesn’t mean I can relax. There’s still a long way to go.

I must subdue the monstrous beasts and demons in this form and earn their recognition.

The way to earn the respect of those with aggressive and rough temperaments is simple: show them overwhelming strength.

In the end, I have to use force.

I thought about it.

The powers I can use now are Moon Magic and the traits of the Seven Deadly Sins.

Until now, I’ve rarely had to fight directly, so I relied on my traits, but this time, I need to actively use Moon Magic.

If I overuse my traits, my hidden identity might be exposed, and demons aren’t easy to subdue with just the power of traits.

I focused my mind on the ring on my finger. It’s a ring I’ve been filling with magic power using Moon Magic.

The shell of this body I’m wearing now was also created using the magic power from the ring.

But if I engage in a serious sparring match, this shell will easily crumble.

To prevent such a disaster, I decided to fill the inside of the shell with magic power.

I slowly released the magic power from the ring.

Like inflating a balloon.

I could feel the magic power filling my body, filling the empty spaces.

Strangely, even though this form is smaller than Tristan’s usual build, it felt like it was filling out.

The illusion was no longer just an illusion; it was starting to take on substance.

Moon Magic is the power to manipulate magic power itself.

After repeated training, the amount of magic power I can handle is incomparable to before.

Since the shell made by the mirror is also made of magic power, it has good compatibility with Moon Magic.

After filling myself with magic power, I clenched and unclenched my hand.

I no longer felt the strange sensation of wearing a shell or a disguise.

The body made of magic power felt like it had always been my own. Even the clothes I was wearing.

Ah, except for one part… my chest.

I didn’t fill that part with magic power because I felt like I wouldn’t be myself if I did.

To others, it might look quite large, but inside, it’s as hollow as a puff pastry.

I need to be careful not to touch it.

Otherwise, it might literally collapse…

Anyway, I’m ready to spar.

Whether I like it or not, I need to get used to this body as soon as possible.

I spoke to the Annihilation Maids.

“If I spar with you, I’ll quickly get used to this body.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Sparring is sparring. Forget about the master-servant relationship.”

“I understand what you mean, but…”

The Annihilation Maids seemed hesitant. It’s not just because of the master-servant relationship, but also because they’re in a protective position.

Except for young Bess, Muiry, Cynthia, and Rika practically raised Tristan.

Having seen young Tristan, it’s natural for them to hesitate. But even after changing my appearance, they’re still hesitating…

“Muiry, Cynthia, Rika, Bess. Look at me.”

I straightened my shoulders and stood in front of them.

“I’m not Tristan now, and I’m certainly not the young master you knew. Is there any reason to hesitate to spar with me?”

“Well…”

“Be honest. If there’s a reason for your hesitation, I’ll fix it.”

The four exchanged glances and then shared a look.

They could share consciousness through the magic formula on their backs. And it seemed they all had the same thought.

Muiry, acting as the representative, cleared her throat and spoke.

“Ahem… Actually, young master, you’re so beautiful that it’s hard to dare lay a hand on you…”

What?

I frowned at the completely unexpected reason.

“It’s presumptuous of me to say, but even as a child, young master, you were exceptionally beautiful…”

“Haha… Even as a woman, I find you too beautiful… It’s a bit hard to hurt you…”

“Right. There’s just… an atmosphere that makes it hard to attack recklessly…”

Cynthia, Rika, and Bess all seemed to share the same thought.

In short, they couldn’t fight me because I was too pretty.

My head throbbed.

“I’m sorry. But if young master orders it, we can’t refuse. Just give us some time to get used to your appearance…”

“…Fine.”

I shouldn’t have asked.

I didn’t want to hear this kind of feedback.

It’s ridiculous to apologize for being too pretty…

Helga chuckled and added a comment.

“Hey. Pretty Count, you’ll have to endure it. Beautiful people are supposed to suffer, right? Hehehe…”

If you don’t want to suffer, just stay quiet.

My goal is to get used to this new body, not to get used to being a woman.

Actually, even the clothes I’m wearing now are uncomfortable. The black dress I’m wearing feels awkward, probably because it’s made of magic power.

“This won’t do for sparring…”

“Huh?”

I had no choice.

I lifted the black dress I was wearing. And before anyone could stop me, I tore it around the thigh area.

Rip-!

“Young master?!”

The torn skirt instantly burst into flames and disappeared. Since it’s made of magic power, this is what happens.

“This should make sparring easier.”

“This isn’t easier, young master!”

Huh?

Suddenly, Muiry shouted in an agitated voice. Her gaze was fixed on my bare legs, now clearly visible under the now-miniskirt-like dress.

“Why? I can just remake the clothes with magic power.”

“It’s not about the clothes! What you just did was not ladylike at all.”

“…Ladylike?”

Not young master, but lady?

Muiry’s usually gentle expression disappeared, replaced by a stern look as she placed her hand on her waist. I knew this pose from Tristan’s childhood memories.

It was the so-called “discipline mode.”

“Young master, you’re a woman now.”

“…No. I’m not a woman. This is just a body made of magic power.”

“But if you’re wearing a skirt, you’re a woman. So you should act like a lady.”

I was about to point out that the skirt was also an illusion made of magic power, but Cynthia chimed in.

“I agree with Muiry. What you just did is not something a noble lady would do.”

“Right. We can’t allow you, such a beautiful lady, to act so undignified!”

Muiry spoke as if this was a serious matter.

Looking at it this way, it seemed like I had made a big mistake.

It would be nice if Helga stepped in to mediate, but she wasn’t in a position to do so.

“Helga?!”

“Bare legs… Hehe…”

Helga was bleeding from her nose while staring at my legs.

Bess, panicked, tried to wipe it with a handkerchief, but the nosebleed was severe.

“Ah?! Rian?! What are you doing?!”

“Mmm… Tingly… Helga’s blood…”

This time, Rika was shocked by Rian.

Rian was licking up Helga’s blood that had spilled on the floor.

It was utter chaos.

“I’ve made up my mind.”

Muiry spoke with a determined expression.

“In this state, young master, you can’t become a proper ‘Demon Queen.’ So I’ll teach you how to behave like a lady.”

“I, Cynthia, as someone who once taught young master, will make sure you become a lady that anyone would admire.”

“You’re going to turn me into a lady?”

“Yes.”

Honestly, there’s no harm in learning how to behave like a lady. If I’m going to act, I might as well do it properly.

But I can’t just let this slide.

Tristan’s pride. My pride as a man won’t allow it.

“This is interesting…”

I scoffed.

“Fine. If you want to teach me that… bring it on.”

“…!”

As I let out a hint of ‘Wrath,’ Muiry and Cynthia immediately prepared to fight.

They were hesitant earlier, but now they looked ready to pounce on me at any moment.

I was quite pleased with this situation.

I planned to absorb their fighting styles with ‘Jealousy,’ so I couldn’t help but smile.

And the two seemed to take that as a provocation.

“Alright. Since it’s come to this, we’ll show you our skills.”

“Prepare yourself. We won’t hold back.”

I smiled with ‘Pride’ and gestured.

“Do it if you can.”

***

After a round of sparring, I collapsed onto the bed.

It was one of the most exhausting days since I possessed this body. The sparring was that intense.

I was lucky to have faced Muiry and Cynthia first. If Rika and Bess had joined in, I would have been defeated in an instant.

Muiry and Cynthia were that strong.

Even though it was hand-to-hand combat, their coordinated attacks were as sharp as blades. The barrage of kicks aimed at my openings was relentless.

I quickly mimicked them with ‘Jealousy.’

But as Rika and Bess joined the fight, my ‘Jealousy’ was almost depleted. No, more accurately, I ran out of ‘Patience’ to suppress ‘Jealousy.’

Fighting four maids at once was an experience I never want to repeat.

There were several moments when defeat seemed imminent.

It was a firsthand experience of the combat prowess of the Annihilation Maids, who once shielded Milliam and made a name for themselves in the underworld.

I had even used ‘Pride’ and bluffed, but if I lost, it would be a disgrace.

I stubbornly endured their onslaught.

As I did, their confident expressions gradually turned serious.

In the end, it was a draw.

With ‘Jealousy,’ I could mimic them, but I couldn’t surpass them.

But the gains were significant. Having fought them once, I’ll be more at ease the next time. And most importantly, accumulating this combat data will make it less likely for Bella or Wendy to suspect me in the future.

Though I’m completely exhausted to the point where I can’t even move my fingers…

But it’s strange. Even as I think about all this, sleep doesn’t come.

It’s completely dark around me… What’s going on?

“Hey.”

“?!”

At the sudden voice, I looked up and saw the pitch-black darkness writhing.

“You’re sleeping peacefully when I called you… How typical of you.”

A girl emerged from the darkness. She looked somewhat similar to Michaela, and I recognized her immediately.

Lukaela, the ruler of Hell and the mother of demons.

I was about to ask why she suddenly appeared.

But this damn ‘Pride’ made me say something boastful again.

“I thought you’d call me soon.”

“Oh…?”

 

---