“…Physical enhancement?”
[Yes!]
“……”
Is that a good thing?
Honestly, I had no idea.
‘It seems useful for knights, but…’
If it was a physical enhancement ability, it would certainly be beneficial for knights who wield swords.
The original owner of this body, Claudia, had inherited the blood of a Sword Master from both parents, yet her natural abilities leaned more towards a mage than a knight.
That meant that, from now on, as I lived in this body, I too would be living as a mage rather than a knight.
But would enhanced physical abilities even be useful for a mage?
“Hm.”
I glanced at Bibi with cold, indifferent eyes. The mist-like form of Bibi trembled slightly.
[It’s an amazing ability! It’s not just simple physical enhancement!]
“Really?”
[Yes! As you grow and your mana increases, your body will become strong enough to withstand even the sword aura of a Sword Master!]
“What?”
Was that even possible? Seriously?
I frowned, looking at Bibi with disbelief before quickly turning my head towards Desmond.
“Is that true?”
[Well… technically… it’s not a lie.]
“Hah.”
[Bibi’s ability is an extreme form of physical enhancement. In another world’s terms, you might call it the ‘Indestructible Diamond Body.’]
“……”
That term… I’d read it in martial arts novels before.
Indestructible Diamond Body? A body strong enough to withstand a Sword Master’s attacks? That sounded like an overpowered ability.
At that point, it wasn’t even about whether I was a knight or a mage. If I made a contract with Bibi and gained a perfect Indestructible Diamond Body, my body would become the ultimate shield, capable of blocking even a Sword Master’s strikes.
If even a Sword Master couldn’t kill me, it meant there would be practically nothing in this world that could.
“Let’s make the contract!”
[Yes!]
[So it’s come to this after all.]
Desmond shook his head beside me.
But there was no helping it. Setting aside Bibi’s eccentricities, the ability itself was too tempting to ignore.
[Don’t blame me if you regret it later, Master.]
“Hm.”
For some reason, Desmond’s warning didn’t feel like an empty remark.
But the die had already been cast. Bibi was already soaring around the room excitedly.
[It’s been so long since I’ve had a contract! Kyahaha!]
“……”
Just how long had it been since they last made a contract that they were this desperate?
I shook my head and spoke again.
“Let’s just get on with it.”
[Yes!]
Bibi, who had been darting around the room, quickly composed itself and approached me.
I silently stared up at the misty form.
[Ahem, what is my Master’s name?]
“Claudia.”
I answered indifferently, unimpressed by Bibi’s attempt at sounding solemn.
But Bibi didn’t mind and continued speaking in a delighted tone.
[Claudia! What a cute and lovely name. Truly, to be able to form a contract with someone so small and adorable—]
“Aren’t you going to finish this quickly?”
[Yes, I’ll finish it immediately!]
Bibi, who had been exuding an undeniable air of eccentricity, quickly refocused.
[My name is Bibi! From now on, I will do my utmost to grant all of my Master’s wishes!]
With a brilliant flash, the pink diamond in my hand deepened in color. It was a sign that the contract had been completed. I smiled in satisfaction as I gazed at the gem.
[So, where is the body I will manifest in?]
“Hmm?”
[Surely it must be a magnificent body worthy of housing me, Bibi?]
“Haha, of course.”
I grinned mischievously at the eager tone. Desmond also let out a low, unsettling chuckle.
“Here you go.”
[Ohh, the body I will inhabit…! The body…?]
Bibi fell silent.
And understandably so—because the place I was pointing to held nothing but a childish toy that Brandon had gifted me recently.
“Sorry, I don’t think I’ll be allowed to keep a pet just yet.”
[A t-toy…?!]
“You’ll have to make do with this for now—”
[Kyaaah! I love it! It’s adorable!]
“……”
[…]
Neither Desmond nor I could find any words in response to the unexpected, enthusiastic reaction.
[I had forgotten this one is a hopeless eccentric.]
“Hm.”
Regardless, Bibi was utterly delighted, excitedly rummaging through the pile of toys.
[Aah, which one should I pick? They’re all so tiny and adorable, I can’t choose!]
“Ha… Just pick anything.”
[But, but! This bunny is incredibly cute, and this little bird is just too charming!]
“……”
Bibi squealed dramatically.
If Brandon heard this, he’d probably feel proud, but knowing that these words were coming from a demon instead of his niece made me feel a little guilty.
“How about this bunny? It’s pink, so it matches you.”
[As expected of my Master, you have a great eye! I was actually eyeing that bunny too.]
“…Really?”
[Yes! Especially those pearl-embedded eyes—they shine so magnificently! Whoever crafted this truly has a refined sensibility…]
“Hurry up and get inside.”
[Yes!]
Sensing that Bibi would keep talking endlessly, I cut them off with a firm command.
Surprisingly obedient, Bibi immediately entered the bunny plushie.
The small plush trembled slightly, and its color deepened into a richer pink. Then, the toy abruptly stood up on its own.
“Did you settle in properly?”
[Yes, Master!]
“Hm… So, you don’t need a living body?”
[Hehe, living bodies are nice too, but I actually prefer something small and adorable like this.]
“…I see.”
I looked down at Bibi with a reluctant expression before nodding.
[Ugh, of all the demons to arrive first, why did it have to be this eccentric one?]
[Hah! How dare you call me an eccentric! As if you’re any better!]
[Hmph, how dare you speak such nonsense to my noble self!]
[Keep talking like that, and I’ll tell Master what you did a thousand years ago!]
[W-what?!]
The two of them never tired of bickering.
To anyone else, it would look like nothing more than a teddy bear and a bunny plush squabbling.
I didn’t even have the energy to be annoyed anymore and sighed deeply.
“Ugh… My body feels heavy.”
[Well, Master, you did just make contracts with two demons at such a young age! Of course, your body is under strain.]
“Ugh, I see…”
[Come, lean on me.]
“……”
[Ack!]
I flicked Bibi’s plush nose with my finger, suspecting ulterior motives. The lightweight bunny plush flipped over backward.
I trudged toward the bed alone.
“I’m fine. Ugh, I’m exhausted.”
[Are you going to sleep, Master?]
“Yeah…”
[Goodnight!]
“…Desmond, make sure this one doesn’t do anything weird.”
[Leave it to me, Master!]
[Master, how could you distrust me like this? That’s so cruel!]
“……”
Ignoring Bibi’s whining, I closed my eyes.
I faintly heard Desmond clicking his tongue.
Slowly, I drifted into sleep.
‘Huh?’
Something felt strange.
I opened my eyes.
An unfamiliar sight greeted me.
‘What…?’
Before I fell asleep, I had definitely been inside my room at the Duke of Winston’s estate.
But now, I was outside in an entirely unfamiliar place.
It was a mess.
Never in my past or present life had I seen such a desolate landscape with my own eyes.
Was this even real?
I frowned, feeling dazed.
Collapsed buildings barely retained their skeletal remains, piles of rubble were scattered everywhere, and dust clouds blurred my vision.
The scene was like the aftermath of a bombing.
A cold chill ran down my spine.
‘Ah…’
I tried to speak, but no words came out.
All I could do was look.
I couldn’t even move.
‘Huh?’
Then, amidst the ruins, something appeared.
I had been relieved that I hadn’t seen any bodies.
But now, a human figure emerged.
My heart pounded violently.
Was it a person? Or a ghost?
As the figure drew closer, its features became clearer.
‘…!’
“Help… me…”
Long silver hair fluttered messily in the wind, and eyes gleamed yellow like those of a beast.
Without realizing it, I held my breath and stared.
Obrigado pelo capítulo ☺️
Thank youuu