Magic Heart

"Would you mind clearing the way?"

Shiho Miyano frowned deeply at the students in front of her, who had dark circles under their eyes and looked half asleep.

The alley was only so wide. With four of them blocking the way, she really couldn't get through.

At Shiho Miyano's words, the four students froze, then all let out excited growls.

"You saw us?"

"You can see me?"

"Wonderful."

"I'm going to eat her. Don't fight me for her."

The four students' delicate faces twisted into hideous grimaces, their mouths splitting all the way to their ears as an ominous aura seeped from them.

"What...?"

Shiho Miyano instinctively took a step back.

Even if she had been an idiot, she would have realized something was wrong by now.

Almost without thinking, she turned and ran.

Thud!

With a dull impact, Shiho Miyano felt herself crash into someone's arms.

Her body went rigid, and utter despair spread through her heart.

I'm done for.

There's a monster behind me, too.

"Don't be nervous. I'm here to help you."

Lind wrapped one arm around her to keep her from falling, then gently waved his other hand.

Boom!

Dark red light flashed. A beam of magic tore through the air, engulfing the four Curse Spirits.

The violent explosion whipped up turbulent air, sending Shiho Miyano's skirt fluttering upward again and again.

"Aaaah...!"

Amid their shrill screams, the four Curse Spirits were reduced to dust.

[Experience +4]

Lind raised an eyebrow at the text.

His stat panel really looked like something made for a third-rate browser game.

"Still, with my current strength, being able to gain experience from killing these Curse Spirits is a good thing."

Lind silently nodded to himself.

If that was the case, perhaps he could grind experience to quickly increase his strength.

Shiho Miyano stared blankly at it all and asked in a trembling voice, "Th-they were...?"

"Low-level Curse Spirits."

Lind explained, "Normally, they only attack people who can see them."

"Then are you one of those legendary psychics?"

Shiho Miyano's eyes lit up. She felt as though a corner of the world's mysteries had been revealed to her.

If that's the case...

The Black Organization isn't such a big deal, either.

Could I ask him for help?

Why is this woman so excited?

Lind took a closer look, and his eyelid twitched.

No wonder she has the potential to become a Familiar.

It's Shiho Miyano.

But the timeline in this world isn't going to be a mess, is it?

After thinking it over carefully, he decided that didn't seem to be the case and breathed a small sigh of relief.

"Unfortunately, I'm not a psychic."

Still excited, Shiho Miyano asked, "Then are you an exorcist? Or a mage?"

"Neither."

Lind shook his head and said playfully, "Allow me to introduce myself."

"My name is Lind, and I'm a Demon."

"A d-Demon?"

Shiho Miyano opened her mouth, unable to wrap her head around it.

The person before her looked no different from a human. How could he possibly be a Demon?

"You don't seem to believe me."

Lind smiled, and a pair of long Demon wings unfurled behind him.

Whoosh!

Air howled past, and beneath his sinister aura, the entire alley grew dim.

"..."

Shiho Miyano's pupils constricted sharply. She felt as though her entire worldview had been blown apart.

Chapter 4: Magic Heart

Manipulating hearts and beguiling humans.

Terrifying, cunning, the source of all evil in the world.

Every ominous event was connected to them.

That was how Demons were described in all sorts of legends.

And today...

Shiho Miyano was facing all of that head-on.

She clenched her fists, her body trembling slightly.

Come on, clever brain of mine. Think of something!

"You know, I did save your life. You don't have to be so afraid of me."

Lind looked at Shiho Miyano as he spoke.

Shiho Miyano paused, then relaxed a little.

That... does seem fair.

Maybe thinking all Demons are bad is just a stereotype.

"Now that you've calmed down, let's talk business."

Shiho Miyano blinked and instinctively asked, "What business?"

Lind smiled. "Let's discuss my payment."

Shiho Miyano's pupils contracted. "You're going to demand repayment for saving me?" she asked incredulously.

"Exactly. Nicely summed up."

With a teasing smile, Lind said, "After all, we Demons have to exact a price for what we do."

Gulp!

Shiho Miyano swallowed, feeling rather hopeless.

That... makes far too much sense.

"Wh-what do you want as payment?"

Lind held out his hand. "Let me place a mark on you."

Shiho Miyano crossed both hands over her chest and said, embarrassed and indignant, "You... you perverted Demon."

"Oh? How did you know?"

"..."

Shiho Miyano's mouth twitched.

Should I try running?

Remembering what had happened to the Curse Spirits, Shiho Miyano deflated like a punctured balloon.

How could I possibly get away?

She took a deep breath and began mentally preparing herself.

No matter what, he really did save my life.

One touch won't kill me.

Damn it, I haven't even had a boyfriend yet.

Still, this Demon really is pretty handsome.

Shiho Miyano gritted her teeth and made her decision.

She moved closer to Lind, pulled her collar open with one hand, and blushed. "Just once, okay?"

"???"

Lind blinked.

What is this woman thinking?

Or do smart people always overthink things?

Realizing that she had misunderstood, Lind had no intention of explaining.

As long as he achieved his goal, that was enough.

Without hesitation, Lind got to work.

"Wait, why are you undoing my buttons? Please control yourself, Mr. Demon!"

"Don't read too much into it. This just makes it easier to leave the mark."

"Wait."

Shiho Miyano tensed between her legs, her face scarlet. "What are you doing with that finger?"

"Relax. It's definitely not what you're thinking."

"It seems you're well aware of just how perverted what you're doing is, Mr. Lind."

A faint light flickered, and a heart-shaped pattern flashed briefly before vanishing.

"Th-that's it?"

Shiho Miyano blurted out the question.

Lind gave her a teasing smile. "What else did you want?"

"..."

Shiho Miyano's face instantly turned red.

It looks like I completely misunderstood.

Thump! Thump, thump!

The next moment, Shiho Miyano had no time to dwell on it.