Chapter 450 Sephie’s Choice (Part ①)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
By the middle of the night, all four Schoolgirls had fallen into a deep sleep. Aki didn’t bother waking them—he simply pulled the covers over everyone and rested quietly for the rest of the night.
When the first light of dawn came through the windows, Seris—who had been the first to rest—stirred awake. Without missing a beat, Aki mounted her once more. In the girl’s sleepy haze, a brand new day began with cultivation.
By the time Seris fully came to her senses and understood what was happening, Aki was already nearing his limit.
After another mark was added to the Hero Schoolgirl’s count, the two finally cleaned themselves up and left Ravel’s bedroom.
Whether it was because of yesterday’s tiredness or simply the Devils’ natural habits, Ravel and the other two girls were still fast asleep.
That actually saved Aki some time—if he’d done a full morning session with them, breakfast would’ve been long over.
In truth, outside of special times, on days without school, Aki usually didn’t get out of bed until noon.
Then, as soon as night fell, he’d return to bed and start cultivating again.
If it weren’t for the rather unusual nature of his cultivation method, one might even call him hardworking—the kind of kid parents would brag about to the neighbors.
Of course, without that background, his image would probably lean more toward “bad” and “pleasure-seeking.”
Not that Aki cared either way, really.
Because whether you called it badness or hard work, his strength gains were beyond question.
The only real problem was his lack of combat experience at the God-tier level. At this point, normal sparring just didn’t work anymore.
The Eternal Battlefield was where God-tier fighters belonged—which was also one of the reasons so few God-tier powerhouses stayed in the Three Realms.
Not only did your growth slow down there, but staying too long would also dull your practical combat edge.
Aki’s beating of the Child of Chaos hadn’t exactly been a masterclass in technique, but it was still the biggest boost to his practical experience he’d ever gotten.
Still, compared to that small problem, the current peace and stability of the Three Realms was far more helpful to Aki.
Put in the hard work to raise his realm first—combat techniques and such would come easier afterward.
And even if his practical skills had slipped slightly from the very peak of his realm, they were still firmly at the first-rate level.
As for the Eternal Battlefield—his Dual Cultivation Ability wouldn’t be completely useless there, but it’d be close enough.
So unless it was really needed, Aki had no plan of heading there.
Aki and Seris made their way down to the first-floor living room, where Naruse Mio and the others were enjoying a relaxed breakfast bathed in the morning sunlight.
With the Curia’s old guard dealt with and the remaining issues from Wilbert’s time resolved, Naruse Mio and Maria’s family had been in rather high spirits lately.
If it weren’t for Sephie—and Basara Toujou’s unsolved situation—she’d have been even more at ease.
At this rate, even returning to the peaceful life of an ordinary high school girl wasn’t out of the question.
”Aki, who’s this?”
Seeing the unfamiliar blonde beauty at Aki’s side, Naruse Mio set down her glass of milk and asked with curiosity.
She wasn’t the only one—Maria and the girls from the Divine Research Society all wore puzzled looks.
Besides the Nonaka sisters, no one else recognized Seris. Even the maids who’d seen her before only knew she was a guest, not her purpose or identity.
Aki gave a short introduction of Seris’s background. With the Nonaka sisters as examples, the girls quickly caught on.
”Hello everyone. I’m Seris Ledohart from the Vatican. I look forward to working with all of you.”
After Aki finished introducing her, Seris took the first step to greet them.
The girls answered in turn, giving short self-introductions of their own.
”Um… I’m a little curious…”
Looking at Seris, who was following along like Aki’s little shadow, the Succubus loli blinked her big purple eyes and asked: “Miss Seris, why are you wearing Ravel’s clothes?”
Seris’s expression froze, her pale cheeks slowly turning pink.
Her figure was much taller and fuller than Ravel’s—even the loosest outfit Ravel owned looked somewhat tight on her, which only made her freshly fed curves look even more tempting.
Maria, ever sensitive to such details, had noticed the difference immediately.
”Uh…”
Just as Seris was frozen in embarrassment, unsure how to explain, Nonaka Yuki stepped in: “Seris arrived in a hurry yesterday and didn’t bring a change of clothes.”
”Oh~ is that so~”
Nonaka Yuki had only hinted at it, but Maria understood immediately.
She began looking over Seris with a knowing, teasing smile—like she was checking a freshly made dish.
To her, every new beauty at Aki’s side was simply another taste to try.
Everyone gathered here at this hour was part of Aki’s innermost circle—those who’d signed Soul Contracts with him.
Once Maria understood, naturally everyone else did too.
The girls’ attitudes toward Seris instantly became much warmer, and the remaining question of why she was with Aki so early in the morning was now answered.
Still… hadn’t there been an awful lot of blonde sisters lately?
Liala, Ravel, Seris…
That was three in one go. Was Aki getting into blondes or something?
A shared question about Aki’s likes quietly came up in the girls’ minds, and a few of them even thought about dyeing their hair if the chance came.
Aki, naturally not knowing their thoughts, would’ve strongly denied it if he’d known.
He truly wasn’t picky about hair color—white, pink, or anything else, he loved them all.
If he had to pick a like, it would be long hair over short.
But as long as it looked good, short hair wasn’t a problem either.
Xenovia’s cool, short hair with its green highlights, for instance—he completely loved that.
The matter of Seris was just a small event. The girls quickly grew used to this new little shadow at Aki’s side.
Truth be told, Aki was always surrounded by beauties anyway—this was just one more.
”Aki, I had a new idea during my solo work yesterday. Come take a look and see if it works!”
”Alright, head to the room first. I’ll take Seris around to get familiar with the place, show her where her room is, and I’ll be right over.”
After breakfast, Liala eagerly pulled Aki off, continuing their research that had been put on hold for a day.
The Contact Magic research was indeed important—like the magical version of the first phone.
The girls could only burn in their annoyance that Liala had been taking up all of Aki’s time lately.
Though the two of them did often end up researching each other in bed, their actual progress was still impressive.
Unless something unexpected happened, they’d be finished in about a week.
”Alright, I’ll be waiting.”
Liala, dressed in a white knit top and denim shorts, went up the stairs with long, fair legs that seemed to glow like polished jade.
After being “developed” by Aki, Liala had become even more appealing.
Thankfully, under Aki’s guidance, her fashion choices had slowly returned to normal.
Still a bit revealing, perhaps—but at least she wouldn’t get stopped by the police these days.
After Liala left, Sephie exchanged a few words with Naruse Mio before rising to leave as well.
As time went on, she’d grown used to life here, but besides her nieces Naruse Mio and Maria, she barely spoke with anyone else.
Perhaps it was from years of being alone—she’d grown used to staying away from others.
And with something weighing on her mind, plus her beloved little sister Liala spending every day with Aki, she couldn’t help feeling somewhat low.
Upstairs, Aki was showing Seris to a freshly prepared room when Sephie’s full figure suddenly appeared in the doorway.
”Sephie, is something wrong?”
”When is Basara coming back?”
Sephie fixed her look on Aki’s handsome face—especially catching that faint, familiar scent—and felt her annoyance rising.
Lately, Liala always carried a faint sweet, musky scent when she slept—and what’s worse, it wouldn’t wash off.
She wasn’t some innocent girl who didn’t know what that meant.
Not that it smelled bad—she was almost getting used to it—but that didn’t stop her from feeling annoyed with Aki.
She wrinkled her nose and said sharply: “It’s been how many days now? Why is there still no news?”
Aki felt her unhappiness but couldn’t quite figure out why. Still, he answered honestly: “Should be soon. Jin Toujou is God-tier too, so my people really can’t track his movements. But the end of the year’s coming up—he’ll probably bring Basara Toujou back for New Year’s.”
Aki hadn’t been going to school lately, but he hadn’t slacked off on his studies either.
The second semester finals were coming up. Since Japan celebrated New Year’s on January 1st, the winter break conveniently started right after exams.
Once winter break ended, Rias and Himejima Akeno would only have one semester left.
Come April, Aki and Koneko would move up to third year, and those two would be heading to Kuoh Academy’s university part.
Kuoh Academy had a direct path from high school to university, but the campuses were separate.
That meant he wouldn’t be able to mess around with his beloved Buchou in the Activity Room every day anymore.
Come to think of it, his first time with Rias had been in that very Activity Room at the Divine Research Society.
And it wasn’t just Rias—pretty much every girl had cultivated with Aki there at some point.
It wasn’t until the Grand Western-Style Mansion was finished that the battle area shifted.
The Divine Research Society’s Activity Room… it was a place filled with rose-colored memories for Aki.
”Fine. Contact me when they’re back.”
Sephie brushed a strand of red hair from her ear, her expression cold and sharp. “I’m moving out soon. Liala is your responsibility from now on.”
”Huh?” Aki blinked in confusion. “Why the sudden move? Everything’s fine here.”
Sephie wasn’t stupid—she’d just been choosing to look away before.
But seeing Seris, who’d been taken the very same day she arrived, finally pushed her over the edge. If she didn’t want to move before, she certainly couldn’t stay now.
”Tch. If I don’t move, am I supposed to stay around as a third wheel?”
As for whether Aki actually had feelings for her…
She thought he did—but she wasn’t a hundred percent sure.
And Aki had always treated her with such respect. She couldn’t bring herself to ask directly.
If she’d misread the situation, she’d want to bury herself alive.
Aki laughed, half-jokingly saying: “Simple. If you don’t want to be a third wheel, just join in. You’d be more than welcome.”
He’d noticed the change in Sephie’s attitude—his carefulness seemed to have backfired. Time to try a direct approach.
Sephie tensed up immediately, though her expression grew even stricter—a flash of killing intent even showing up.
”Brat. You’re lucky you’re Mio’s man—I’ll let that pass as a joke this once.”
With that, Sephie turned to leave, her thin waist swaying.
Her long legs were a little too stiff, making her walk look more seductive from behind than she probably meant.
Sephie’s tough act didn’t scare Aki in the slightest. If anything, her nervousness—and the way she was practically spilling out of that sexy armor—gave her true feelings away.
Aki stroked his chin, a thoughtful smile playing on his lips.
Looked like the Underworld Valkyrie was a bit of a tsundere. She really was Mio’s aunt—the likeness was uncanny.
His first plan was to take it slow—help fix the Basara Toujou and Raphaeline situation while building closeness, then slowly win her over.
But now it seemed a more direct taking might be more effective.
Strong-willed Valkyries like her probably had a secret wish to be taken.
Though until the Basara Toujou matter was cleared up, Sephie probably still couldn’t accept him—her “son’s” friend.
With a rough plan forming, Aki thought about the results of Sephie moving out.
No matter how he looked at it, letting her leave wasn’t an option.
As long as she stayed, not only was she helpfully close, but he also had Liala and Naruse Mio as allies.
But if she moved out, it’d take several times the effort—and success still wasn’t sure.
A Valkyrie who’d stayed single all these years—if she went back into being alone, especially once her emotional burdens were fully fixed, it’d be nearly impossible to stir her heart again.
Watching Sephie’s tempting leaving figure, Aki made his choice.
Even if he had to use force, he’d keep Sephie here before Basara Toujou returned.
”Sephie. I wasn’t joking just now.”
Aki caught up and grabbed her thin wrist, his tone serious.
Sephie paused, slowly turning back with a half-smile. “Oh? You mean you’re interested in me?”
”Of course. You’re gorgeous, and you’re strong. Of course I want you.”
”Heh. Forget the fact that I’m Mio’s aunt—what about your relationship with Liala? And all those other women? I could never agree to that.”
Sephie’s laugh was cold, her tone icy—but she didn’t pull her hand away from his hold.
Aki could tell she was being honest. Given her nature, there was no way she’d share a man.
Back in that other space, threatened by the Ancient Dragon, she’d rather die than back down—that told him everything he needed to know.
But he could also clearly feel that Sephie didn’t dislike him.
The fact that her jade-like hand made no move to escape was proof enough.
”Then let me put it another way. How about we cultivate together?”
Aki pressed on shamelessly: “You don’t have to be like Mio and the others. Just come find me whenever you feel like it—think of me as a human cultivation booster.”
It was a planned step back—giving Sephie all the control while he played the part of a handy tool.
Strong-willed Sephie—or rather, strong-willed women in general—would likely find the offer tempting.
And more importantly, it gave her an excuse.
”Hmm… that’s not a bad offer. When I get bored, or if I meet someone I like, I can just kick you to the side.”
Sephie let out a laugh, on purpose teasing him.
Aki ignored the mockery in her tone. “Don’t worry about all that—just tell me yes or no.”
Never mind the side effects of the Dual Cultivation Ability—with Sephie’s personality, there was no way she’d look for another man once she’d given herself to him.
He was counting on that very fact to make such a bold offer.
Sephie understood that too—but she couldn’t deny that his words made her happy… and tempted.
She’d been single for years—not exactly hungry, but definitely curious about matters between men and women.
Living here, always exposed to it all, watching and hearing—and Aki did have a natural pull for mature women.
It was inborn—nothing to do with magic or abilities.
After half a minute of silent looking, Sephie turned away, her cheeks faintly red as she said quietly: “I… I’ll think about it. Let go of my hand first…”
Getting her to agree on the spot was clearly out of the question. He’d expected more pushback—maybe even needing to settle things through strength—but she’d softened surprisingly fast.
Surprise crossed Aki’s face. This was going even better than expected.
He didn’t let go of her hand—now was the time to press the edge.
”Alright, take your time thinking. But about moving out—don’t mention it again.”
Feeling that he hadn’t let go but instead held on tighter, Sephie shot him a blaming look—but finally nodded in agreement.
Only then did Aki finally let go of her hand. He was tempted to pull her into a hug, steal a kiss—but Sephie looked at Seris beside him and pushed him away instead.
As Sephie walked off with slightly reddened cheeks, Aki shot Seris an annoyed look.
He’d just been saying having a little shadow wasn’t a big deal—and look how fast she’d ruined his moment.
Seris blinked her green eyes innocently. She still hadn’t understood the complicated relationship between Sephie and Aki, let alone realized she’d interrupted anything.
But sometimes, just having one extra person around was enough to stop certain things from happening.
Without Seris there, he might’ve been kissing and carrying Sephie back to her room by now.
Though maybe keeping a cool head wasn’t such a bad thing. Once Sephie thought things through and made her own choice, the two of them could cultivate together properly—much more stable than acting on a moment’s sudden feeling.
”Come on. Let me show you the research that’s about to shake the world.”
Looking at Seris’s innocent expression, Aki had nowhere to let out his frustration. He flicked her smooth forehead with his finger—earning a yelp from the girl—before turning and heading toward Liala’s room.
Seris held her forehead and hurried after him in quick steps.
Because she was moving so fast, her already tight outfit had shifted again—by the time they reached Liala’s room, she was practically spilling out of it.
Liala, seeing the suggestive state of the Hero Schoolgirl, answered by taking off her own clothes in a show of challenge.
Before Aki could even say a word, the two blonde bombshells were already competing to outdo each other.
”Alright, enough fooling around. Let’s focus on the research—we already lost a day yesterday.”
After enjoying the view for a moment—just as the Hero Schoolgirl was about to be taken by the Atavism Goddess—Aki brought them back to business.
—
Summary:
Morning begins with Aki finishing cultivation with Seris before breakfast. Naruse Mio and the others welcome Seris into the house, with Maria quickly understanding the nature of her relationship with Aki. Liala pulls Aki off to continue Contact Magic research, while Sephie questions Aki about Basara’s return and says she plans to move out. Aki changes his method from respectful distance to direct pursuit, offering a cultivation arrangement that leaves Sephie clearly tempted despite her pushback.
—
Trivia:
Seris is the fourth Schoolgirl to join Aki’s circle, following the pattern of the Nonaka sisters’ example.
Ravel and two other Devil girls were still asleep, meaning they were also part of Aki’s cultivation group.
Liala’s Contact Magic research is compared to the first phone, suggesting it’s a communications breakthrough.
Rias and Himejima Akeno will graduate to Kuoh Academy’s university part in April, separating from Aki’s daily activities.
The Divine Research Society’s Activity Room was where Aki had his first time with Rias.
Sephie is the aunt of both Naruse Mio and Maria, making her Liala’s older sister figure.
The Grand Western-Style Mansion replaced the Divine Research Society as the main cultivation location.
Aki’s Dual Cultivation Ability becomes nearly useless at the Eternal Battlefield, which is why he stays away from there.
Jin Toujou is God-tier, making him hard to track by Aki’s forces.
Xenovia’s short green-highlighted hair is specifically mentioned as a style Aki likes despite his like for long hair.
Notes:
• Aki – A tall, handsome Kuoh Academy student and Red Dragon Emperor, he is a reincarnated cultivator who currently inhabits a pitch-black cat form with piercing azure eyes. Calculating and protective, he commands the Boosted Gear and Origin Blood. Connected to the Gremory household and Naruse Mio via a Soul Network, he manages a vast harem while navigating ancient conspiracies and his own feline instincts.
• Seris – Elite Hero girl from the Vatican, personally selected by the Hero Clan. Golden hair in a side-ponytail with emerald eyes. Composed, elegant, and stubbornly principled. Sent on a close observation mission regarding Aki and the Naruse sisters. Determined and refuses to back down despite warnings.
• Ravel – A blonde, twin-tailed Phoenix princess and pure-blooded Devil, this sharp-tongued, lolita-clad heiress with flaming wings is the Queen of Aki’s peerage. Nearing her Breaching, this untouched girl was absent during the inner circle scene. Devoted to Aki and Rias, she facilitates Dual Cultivation for their recovery and remains a protective, fiercely loyal ally to new members.
• Naruse Mio – A gifted 17-year-old and daughter of the late Demon King Wilbert, she is a defiant, tsundere high schooler with signature red twin ponytails. Aki’s loyal girlfriend, she carries her father’s legacy while navigating the Gremory peerage and political intrigue. Despite her naivety, she boldly rejects the throne and manipulation, relying on Aki’s guidance and their bond to survive the supernatural world.
• Naruse – Mio Naruse is a fair-skinned, red-haired schoolgirl with a voluptuous build who serves as a Demon King heir and Bishop in Aki’s peerage. Protected by the Gremory household, this “Sister Flower” evolves from a hesitant tsundere into Aki’s devoted, polyamorous partner. She maintains deep, essential bonds with her sister Maria, friend Kurumi, and her adoptive parents, forming the core Naruse family.
• Mio – Mio Naruse is a fair-skinned, voluptuous Kuoh Academy student with red twin-tails. As the Demon King’s daughter and Maria’s sister, she is a powerful Bishop in Aki’s peerage, currently managing sealed abilities involving gravity and hellfire. A proud, envious tsundere, she shares a deep, intimate bond with Aki while her presence often invites scrutiny, including comparisons to figures like Chisato.
• Wilbert – The deceased former Demon King was a pacifist who made peace with Heroes and restored his realm after the Great War. A mysterious benefactor to the Naruse orphanage, he ensured his daughter, Mio, was raised by kind parents in the Human World. His immense power, sought by others, sealed Mio’s abilities. He was the ancestor of the ruling family, leaving behind his sister Sephie, lover Shela, and allies.
• Curia – Demon King Castle elder. Proposed the Colosseum death match method as a political maneuver. Plans to exploit Leohart’s confinement to eliminate his supporters using spiritual power. Has contingencies to force Naruse Mio’s entry. Refrains from interfering with Naruse Mio and Leohart’s interactions, even encouraging them.
• Maria – A clever, headstrong succubus and royal subordinate, she is the daughter of Shela and possesses Wilbert’s blood. Though often overlooked as a princess candidate, she supports Aki’s romantic pursuits and teases him about Grayfia. She protects allies like Mio using her shapeshifting abilities—alternating between a playful loli form with amethyst eyes and a voluptuous figure—and gains power through dual cultivation.
• Basara Toujou – Basara Toujou is a pragmatic student and quarter-demon swordsman wielding Brynhildr. Jin’s son, Aki’s brother-in-law, and a candidate for Chisato Hasegawa to rely upon (though less promising than Aki), he was destined to protect Chisato. Alienated by the Hero Clan, he fights for his cousins and the Gremory household, balancing family conflict and mastering his Banishing Shift.
• Basara – Basara Toujou is a pragmatic student and quarter-demon swordsman wielding Brynhildr. Jin’s son, Aki’s brother-in-law, and a candidate for Chisato Hasegawa to rely upon (though less promising than Aki), he was destined to protect Chisato. Alienated by the Hero Clan, he fights for his cousins and the Gremory household, balancing family conflict and mastering his Banishing Shift.
• Sephie – The younger sister of Wilbert who possesses Demon King-class strength.
• Toujou – Toujou is the family name of Basara and his father, Jin, representing their formidable strength and combat potential as members of the Hero Clan. The name also refers to their family residence, which is tied to an ongoing conflict. Basara, a powerful individual known to Aki, carries the weight and legacy associated with this name.
• Nonaka sisters – A pair of sisters among Aki’s inner circle. Gifted young women. Former Hero Clan agents sent to monitor the Divine Research Society. They have since become allies of Aki and his group.
• Nonaka – Sharing a familial connection, the Nonaka sisters—Yuki, Ikumi, Yuzuki, and Kurumi—maintain a composed, unified identity as professional surveillance monitors. Acting as Aki’s companions and Mio’s close security, one petite, long-haired sister with a delicate build observes Aki and Mio’s intimacy with envy, later left physically exhausted after performing her own intimate tasks for Aki.
• Yuki – Nonaka Yuki is a white-gold and blue-haired demon hero schoolgirl with indigo eyes and a combat build. A former Hero serving as a Knight-class member at Aki’s mansion, this Hero Clan monitor and kendo expert hides a volatile nature behind a cold facade. Kurumi’s “Sister Flowers” sibling, she assists Maria in training and shares a sensitive, dual-cultivation intimacy with Aki.
• Y – The first initial/part of the name Y Ddraig Goch.
• Liala – A white-gold-haired Devil believed to be a God-tier existence under surveillance.
• Xenovia – A serious, proud former A-rank Church warrior, she is a powerful wielder of Durandal and the Destruction Holy Sword. With short blue hair, a green streak, and a strong, voluptuous build, she now serves as a High-Class Devil in Rias’s Peerage. Devoted to Aki, she is drawn to his presence, curious about intimacy, and harbors a deep desire to one day bear his children.
• Jin – A handsome, middle-aged Hero Clan genius with half-rimmed glasses, Basara’s father is a God-tier entity and former God of War. Possessing Demon King-class strength and a pure Ancient Dragon bloodline that sources his son’s power, he masks his might behind a composed exterior while navigating complex Underworld allegiances tied to Mio and the heroines’ families before traveling abroad.
• Himejima Akeno – A buxom, black-haired student and member of the Gremory peerage, this “Lightning Flash” is a key ally to Rias and a devoted lover to Aki. Known for a calm, calculating demeanor that shifts to a sultry energy, she is a central figure in Aki’s inner circle. Dedicated to supporting Rias with magic, she remains a poised and essential presence within the group, even navigating complex personal dynamics.
• Himejima – Akeno Himejima is a tall, curvaceous Kuoh Academy senior, high-ranking Devil retainer in Rias Gremory’s peerage, and a powerful Occult Research Club member known for her strength in combat. Bound by a Soul Contract to Aki, she possesses long black hair and a queen-like demeanor. Combining sadistic charm with maternal authority, she wields golden lightning and is deeply loyal to Rias and Aki.
• Akeno – Himejima is a tall, voluptuous Orc-devil shrine maiden with red eyes, dark wings, and calf-length raven hair. The sadistic, black-bellied “Priestess of Thunder” serves as Rias Gremory’s loyal S+ rank Queen and administrator. As Akira’s soul-bound, dedicated partner, she maintains a deep bond, frequently participating in dual cultivation while constantly longing for his attention.
• Rias – Rias Gremory, a sharp, playful high-class devil and Gremory heiress, is Sirzechs’s sister and daughter of Venelana. Known for her crimson hair, she heads the Occult Research Club, protecting her peerage including Mio, Xenovia, and Maria. As Aki’s fiancée and partner privy to his transmigration, she guides his cultivation while navigating complex feelings toward his pursuit of Grayfia and her mother.
• Koneko – A petite, doll-like, white-haired Nekoshou, this stoic girl is Rias Gremory’s Rook and Aki’s Soul Contract partner. A formidable close-quarters fighter with an intimidating aura, her usual impassive restraint hides a deeply affectionate, jealous side toward Aki. She sits in Aki’s lap alongside Mittelt, voicing concerns about the duration of his training.
• Buchou – Stunning leader of the Swim Club who wears a tight-fitting swimsuit. As club president, she was mentioned as having peeked at Aki.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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