Thump! Thump-thump! Thump-thump-thump!
The sound of a heartbeat echoed for a long time.
Yayoi felt her body undergoing earth-shattering changes.
Her heartbeat quickened, her blood boiled, all her cells were changing frantically.
Also, her back and tailbone were itching.
Whoosh!
Her skin squirmed.
The next instant!
A pair of pitch-black wings burst out like a butterfly from a cocoon.
A small Devil tail also slowly emerged.
"So these are the symbols of a Devil?"
Yayoi blinked, curious, but then her body trembled.
Because!
Another power surged into her body.
"So... this is the power of a Sacred Gear?"
Yayoi looked understanding and murmured softly, "This is a Sacred Gear Balance Breaker developed based on my own abilities."
"In that case, if it's me..."
Mm, a Special-type?
Ayato dismissed the Boosted Gear, his eyes flickering slightly.
Then...
He was completely drawn to Yayoi's Balance Breaker.
Under his gaze...
A red glow flickered in Yayoi's hand, and a small crimson pot gradually took shape.
Had she initially developed her Balance Breaker?
Ayato's expression was somewhat peculiar.
As expected of a genius exorcist who, at such a young age, had forged her own path?
Although the sub-species Balance Breaker he granted would inevitably awaken upon development...
Taking shape this quickly made her the first among all his servants.
Clang!
Just then, the small pot was opened.
Yayoi directly pulled open a nearby door.
Inside!
It was packed with stuffed dolls.
Each doll sealed a Cursed Spirit within.
The next moment!
All these Cursed Spirits were drawn by some mysterious force and fell into the small pot.
"AAAAHHHH!"
Piercing screams began to echo continuously from within the pot.
Good grief. Raising Gu.
Ayato's expression was strange.
No wonder she developed her ability so quickly; her concept hadn't changed at all.
But since it was a Balance Breaker...
It was definitely different from the "Graduate" she had trained before.
And surely had other abilities.
"Is there a problem, Master?"
Noticing Ayato's gaze, Yayoi instinctively spoke.
"Nothing. You have excellent aptitude."
"Mm..."
Hearing Ayato's praise, Yayoi, though expressionless, felt a secret joy inside.
But soon!
She was drawn to her own Balance Breaker.
"The Graduate cultivated this way will be stronger and will carry the power of the Sacred Gear."
"More importantly, the resulting Graduate is completely under my control, with no risk of backlash."
After understanding this information, Yayoi was overjoyed.
Her previously cultivated Graduate, though powerful...
Had to be used carefully, guarding against the risk of backlash.
Now, those concerns were gone.
After a while!
She bowed slightly to Ayato. "Master, thank you."
Compared to before, this was filled with genuine sincerity.
"It's my duty."
Ayato reached out and gave her a head pat.
Feeling the warmth of Ayato's hand, Yayoi's pretty face flushed slightly.
Yet she squinted her eyes like a contented kitten.
"By the way, the Cursed Spirit you're looking for is called Kuubou, right?"
"Does Master know where it is?"
Getting down to business, Yayoi's expression turned serious.
"Not yet."
"But it shouldn't take too long."
Ayato shrugged and made a call to Sayanomiya Kaoru.
She readily agreed.
With the influence of the History Compilation Committee...
As long as Kuubou was still in this country, there would definitely be leads.
It was only a matter of time.
"But before that, you still need to improve your strength."
Ayato put away his phone. "I believe that for things like revenge, it's more meaningful to do it yourself, right?"
"Yes, yes."
Yayoi nodded repeatedly.
"So, Master, where do we go to get stronger now?"
With the power of a Sacred Gear...
And a powerful master like him...
She was now eager to try.
"Not so fast. First, meet the other servants."
Ayato smiled. "Their paths are similar to yours. You can act together, looking out for each other."
"Companions?"
Yayoi's eyes lit up.
Until now, to avoid involving others...
No matter what danger she faced, she had always faced it alone.
And now, she finally had comrades to fight alongside!
Becoming a Devil was wonderful.
All of this was thanks to her Master.
Looking at Ayato, her gaze changed subtly once more.
The next moment!
A magic circle flashed briefly.
Their figures vanished.