Zalena’s condition, to reveal the truth about what happened to the bandits that kidnapped Fila’s and Onelri’s families, made my stomach drop. I forgot Darida’s warning about that, I thought.

The way Zalena worded it, she might as well have said, “I totally know you were the one who killed the bandits, so you will explain to me the details.” My muscles tensed up from the sudden accusation.

“Are you all right, Master? I am sensing great distress from you,” Sarise said.

“I-I’m okay,” I answered, barely getting it out of my throat.

I remembered how not only Sarise, but Marble and Nova also didn’t know about what happened that night, along with a few other secrets like my true age. I had to sort out what secrets I should reveal and what I should still keep to myself. Right now was just not the best of times to be making major decisions. If Zalena could help convince my parents about letting Sarise stay with me, considering how the others who were still celebrating inside all had mixed opinions about the devil, I needed all the help I could get.

After whispering her condition to my ear, Zalena was surprisingly considerate enough to give me space and time to think it over. Once I made sure we were still the only ones out there with my search magic, and checked that my Silencing Winds was still active, I took a deep, shuddering breath, “Zalena, I confess that I am the one you are looking for. Can we leave it at that for now and I’ll tell you the details at another time? We can talk about it over sweets and tea. My treat.”

Zalena looked up in thought, “Mmmm … alright, fair enough. And don’t worry, I won’t snitch on you to your parents or anybody else. I only want the truth of what happened. From how well you get along with the bunny, the dark elf girl, and their families, I can see you as trustworthy enough to keep your word. Fair warning, though, I can have a bit of a sweet tooth if I want to, and I’ll likely pick the most expensive treats the place may have.”

I sigh a breath of relief, “Thank you, Zalena, and don’t worry about the expense. Money is not an object for me right now. Can Sarise join us in that talk, too?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“I apologize, Master, but I am lost as to what you two are talking about,” Sarise interjected while tilting her head.

“You don’t have to worry about it for now,” I answered, “This is for a talk that we’ll need to have at a later time. Right now, we should go over how to win over Mom and Dad to let you stay with us.”

“I should probably explain why they have their concerns. But first, let’s go over some things that should be known about demons and their culture …” Zalena then went on about some of the demon familiars in history.

Zalena then explained that having just a demonic familiar was a bit of a controversial topic in Dustarga’s society. The lower-class demons summoned from Zalecks had gained a bad rep over history as they were mostly seen with the most wanted criminals. They performed nefarious deeds and acts like destroying walls for robberies, taking parts in kidnapping, and even pillaging on some small villages, all on their masters’ behalf. If all of that was caused by lower-class demons, then the general thinking was that just being in the presence of a high-class one like Sarise might mean trouble for all those around them. I didn’t know how other demon familiars looked in Manara, I only had Sarise with me as an example at the time, but it seemed they were just as badly viewed as the ones portrayed in Earth’s religious mythology.

Sarise admitted that she had heard about these events back in her time at Zalecks. She didn’t bring it up until then because she was worried that I really would try to get rid of her. When I further questioned her, she confirmed that demons of any class only followed orders from their masters just like any familiar would. Sarise also added that she only wanted what was best for me. If it meant she could stay by my side, then she’d do whatever it took to make that happen.

I assured Sarise that I wouldn’t drop her just because of the demonic races’ bad reputation, and that I saw her as her own person. Lastly, I couldn’t think of any other familiar that could take her place based on how she performed in the dungeon that day, and I wanted her by my side until my very last breath.

Sarise then started bawling in joy while pulling me into an extreme hug. It wasn’t just dangerous because of it’s crushing strength, popping the bones in my spine, but because of how firmly I was pressed into her exposed cleavage. Zalena only giggled at my expense.

Once I finally tapped out from Sarise’s death hold, accidentally gripping her tail that was very sensitive if her twitching and shuddering meant anything, she loosened up and let me turn around. However, she didn’t let me go fully, continuing to hold me in her arms like a cherished teddy bear. Though, with how fantastic her breasts felt as a thermal neck pillow, I had no complaints. I didn’t question why her top didn’t pop off from my head pressing down into her incredible cleavage, either, as I could faintly sense the stirrings of magic.

We then moved on to the topic of demon culture, but it was more about pointing out the elephant in the room: Sarise’s choice of attire. We confirmed that she was more comfortable wearing her default ‘risque’ outfits during the day than dressing modestly. She could bear wearing modest clothing if it was short-term, like being in someone else’s home as a guest, or taking part in a special occasion like a wedding or ball. However, she’d become very stressed if she wasn’t dressed like an ‘appropriate devil’ for too long. I imagine this is a part of Zalecks’ demonic culture that’s been ingrained in her since birth. It’s something like how some people back on Earth wore turbans, nun outfits, or certain caps as part of a religious practice.

When we talked over how her attire attracted so much attention, from both men and women, Sarise remembered something that she called her Aura. Apparently, Demonic Aura is a special type of magic only accessible to some middle-class and above demonic races. The type of Aura is dependent upon the demon’s race, as it is a projection of their essential nature upon the world. Zalena had to cut in on Sarise’s explanation at first when words like ‘desire’ and ‘arousal’ were mentioned, whispering something that caused her to change her explanation. After Zalena interrupted the explanation of Sarise’s essential nature, Sarise revealed that her Aura affects how people perceive her, no matter what she is wearing.

Sarise had honed and practiced her magic long enough to make it become second nature for her thanks to a close succubus friend back in Zalecks. This not only confirmed my curiosity of succubi being a thing in Manara, but Sarise even took a moment to point out how different they and devils are, such as the durability and color of their skins, as some mistook them as being of the same race. That aside, her magic skills in this regard are apparently as good as your above-average succubus.

Normally, Sarise’s Aura would function such that she could make people’s jaws drop even while wearing the dullest of baggy sweatshirts and pants. For our purposes, she would actually be doing the exact opposite, making it so that no one would pay any special attention to her, even if she wore the most revealing of micro bikinis.

This inversion, an otherwise utterly inconceivable act for any demon, was only possible because Sarise could tap into a secondary, unconscious and uncontrollable aspect of her Aura. This secondary ‘child protection’ aspect automatically negated her appeal to anyone below the age of majority, the age of adulthood and consent on Manara. Of course, this isn’t how Demonic Aura is designed to work, and thus inverting it isn’t easy or effortless. Sarise probably wouldn’t be able to do it all the time, and would likely also forget on occasion, but hopefully it would be enough to satisfy my parents. Especially since the child protection aspect was effortless and always on, no matter what.

So … she didn’t tone down her succubus-like attraction magic, and that’s why everyone was looking at her, even more so than her outfit? That was how I interpreted it in the simplest of terms in my head after listening to Sarise.

Sarise then adjusted her aura to demonstrate, “And, there. Master may not feel anything different as my particular Aura is unique and only affects adults, but … hm?”

“What’s wrong, Sarise?” Zalena asked while tilting her head.

I couldn’t see Sarise from where I was sitting, so I looked up and over my shoulder. Her eyes briefly met mine before she averted her gaze and adjusted her grip around my waist, “Um, it is nothing. I must be getting a little fatigued.”

I quirked a brow, then gazed down in thought, She said this would only affect adults, but I have been self-conscious around Sarise because of how stunning she is since she first arrived. I think I feel something slightly different than a few moments ago, but Sarise’s still as jaw-droppingly gorgeous as she always is. Is it because of the adult soul inside of me, or does it work differently between masters and familiars? Could it be because of one of my gifts, or maybe it’s me going through puberty again?

Sarise and I were both lost in our own thoughts until Zalena clapped her hands, pulling us back into reality, “Well! If everything you said so far is true, Sarise, then we may be able to pull this off. If this works out, Soar’s parents may have you follow some strict rules. Unless they go outside of your comfort zone, like with your choice of attire, are you willing to compromise?”

Sarise tightened her grip around my waist while still being careful, then buried her face into my hair, “I am willing to put my life on the line for my master in the face of danger. What is this in comparison? Whatever compromise I would have to endure to be with him is a small price to pay.”

“I’ll take that as a yes. Sarise, you put that Aura back to what it was so that we can show Soar’s parents how harmless you can be when you do it again in front of them. Soar, you just sit back, relax, and let me be your stand-in as Sarise and I talk with your parents while you take your bath. We’ll take care of everything from here.”

Sarise straightened up at attention, suddenly full of energy, the complete opposite of how she was moments ago, “Oh! May I join him and wash his back, first? We have heard how bathing together is a precious bonding experience for us familiars to share with our masters. Many low-ranked familiars could not do it, as they lack opposable thumbs, and while high-ranked ones like me do, we are seldom chosen to pair up with the right master. It has always been one of my greatest dreams to get to enjoy a bath with a capable master like this one here.”

I looked up and saw Sarise’s eyes glimmering as she stared at me with an excited smile, just waiting for me to say yes, “… Maybe another time.”

Not gonna lie, I really considered it, but with the way things were with Sarise and my family, I didn’t want to make things more complicated than they already were. Still, seeing how deflated she was after getting rejected was breaking my heart.

~~

When we got back inside, things had started to calm down in my home. Since it was late, and some people were hammered from booze—especially Rala—Mom and Dad let the guests spend the night. Everybody’s fairies had moved up to the attic for a fairies-only after party, all of them still bustling with about threefold the energy of children.

When you put fairies and alcohol together, one must be prepared for noise, especially knowing how sexually active they are. My parents had soundproofed the attic just for those occasions and would clean that area regularly. This after-party was special for my Companions, as they properly celebrated the welcoming of Cinder, Marble, and Nova into my fairy harem in that order. There was no doubt they’d be thoroughly ‘acclimated’ into the group, just as the rest would enjoy each other’s company throughout the night. As was traditional, the water in the bath was kept warm for the fairies to use last after they released some energy.

The others were just discussing who would take the prepared bath first when Sarise, Zalena, and I came back inside. All of the adults’ eyes were on Sarise with mixed expressions. Remembering how everyone else we passed by saw her up to now, I couldn’t help but wonder, Is everyone really reacting to her Aura and not her outfit?

The women pulled my parents aside and Zalena quickly explained that she and Sarise would like to privately talk to them about the familiar situation. Zalena even explained why they weren’t including me, as the talk would include very ‘adult’ topics. Mom and Dad, though flustered, got the gist of it and let everyone else know that the men would take the bath first. Since there were a lot fewer boys in the building than girls, they wouldn’t take as long soaking in the bath. Everybody went with it and the guys went off for their business, including me. I glanced over to Sarise and Zalena, who were following Mom, Dad, and apparently Ms. Renne, to what looked like the study. I knew Zalena said she’d take care of things, but I still felt uneasy in my heart as I stepped into the bathing area last.

~~

Sarise couldn’t keep her tail and wings from twitching as she watched Gullivan and Carol ask Renne to come with them for their talk with Zalena and her. I have been told this fox-kin teacher/caretaker has watched over Master since his birth, Sarise thought, his parents must value her opinion highly to ask her to mediate this situation. I will just have to impress her as much as I will Master’s parents. I will not fail you, Master, I swear it.

The five then moved to another room, a private study that was originally an office for the previous owner of the building when he used it as an inn. The parents converted it into a study when they noticed how much Soar liked books since he was very young. He had spent much of his time in that room for his studies since its conversion, but it was just as special to his parents as it was where they read stories together with their son. Over the years they had collected books, so many that the large bookcase against the far wall as the group went inside made the room almost look like a personal-library. It would be more so if it weren’t for the fancy cabinet that held a line of fine liquors and exquisite glasses. Knowing they could trust Soar to follow their house rules, his father only told him to not drink until he was older.

Gullivan asked if anybody wanted a drink, but they all politely declined the alcohol and instead asked for water. He took out the glasses and Carol used her Water Magic to chill them before filling them all with water. The group took their seats on the provided furniture. Soar’s parents sat together on a couch from one side. The stunningly beautiful elf and devil sat on the other in single chairs, representing the boy and his wish to keep the latter of the pair at his side. The teacher was between them while sitting in a chair of her own.

“Before we go into the details, I want to ask you something, Sarise,” Carol started.

“I will answer whatever I can, Lady Carol.” Sarise rested a hand to her bosom and bowed her head.

“Do you know why we’re concerned about you being Soar’s familiar?”

“I am aware of what those from the lower-class demon races have done after they were summoned here in the past. Allow me to say that while I am capable of doing the same, that would only be if Master told me to so, as at the end of the day, we are all only familiars doing as we are told by our masters. Speaking as my own person, Master is a very kind, intelligent, and mature boy who will no doubt grow to become a splendid man. I only want what is best for him as his familiar, just as you do as his parents.”

Carol, Gullivan, and Renne blinked in surprise and looked to each other. They didn’t expect such a dignified response to come from a woman who was oozing sex appeal like an exotic dancer while barely wearing anything at all.

Carol took a sip of water to clear her throat, “Yes, well, since I used to be a receptionist for a hunter’s guild, I know that familiars are bound to their masters’ word and must follow any order given to them, whether they’re opposed to it or not. I’m a little relieved to know that you have a good head on your shoulders to think that much about our son, but that is only part of our concerns regarding your pact with him.”

“May I ask what else is there that has you so concerned?” Sarise asked.

Carol trails fingers over her water glass while biting her lip, “It’s … well, you and I both want to make sure Soar grows up healthy, right?”

“Indeed.”

“That doesn’t just go to his body, but to his state of mind as well. Do you also agree on that?”

“Of course? That is a given, is it not?” Sarise asked while tilting her head. Wonder where Lady Carol is going with these questions?

Seeing how confused Sarise was, Carol rubbed her eyes, realizing she wasn’t getting anywhere. Renne then intervened, “Let me see if I can make this clearer for her, Carol. Sarise, as a teacher, I want my students to learn, experience life, and grow into healthy young adults, but there are important times in their development when they’re not ready to learn certain subjects until they’re a little older. Wouldn’t it be awful if Soar was … ‘exposed’ to something drastic enough that it could stunt his mental growth? Something too … ‘revealing’ for him to see at his age?”

Master was quite capable in the dungeon today, Sarise thought. He is clearly no stranger to facing monsters and the dangers they bring, showing his experience which is surprising enough for him as he is still a child, and he is intelligent, too. I cannot think of what could overwhelm him more than a stronger than normal foe, but I would tend to his needs no matter the—oh! Maybe it is something like that? Very well, then it is time to sell yourself, Sarise.

“Absolutely,” Sarise started. “I mean, going by how he was at the dungeon today, he seems mentally strong already, but it would be terrible if Master went through such a traumatic experience while still so young. If such a dreadful thing does happen to him while not under my watch, I will do everything in my power to help him back up to a healthy state of mind. I have experience in cooking that my friends back in Zalecks said was quite delicious and heartwarming; I have good cleaning skills; I can give good massages—but not nearly on the same level as Master’s, however, his skills are beyond compare; I have trained myself in the art of pampering for years, just so the level of service my master receives is the best that a devil of my rank can deliver. For your son, Master Soar Osmis, I, Sarise of the Devils, give my word that he will receive nothing but the best from me as his familiar,” the air around Sarise was practically glowing with the purity and sincerity in her words after she finished promoting herself.

The adults in front of Sarise stared in confusion. She seems to be speaking fondly from the heart, but … Carol trailed off in her mind.

With such a stark contrast, there’s no doubt … Renne mused.

This devil has no idea what the real problem here is, does she? Gullivan unknowingly finished their shared thought.

Hmm, they do not seem convinced, Sarise thought. Did my answer not sound genuine? I do not know what else I can do to make it clearer. Not to brag, but I would welcome myself aboard after hearing something so passionate … hearing, is that the issue? I am sure I enunciated clearly. Do I stink of sweat? We did get out of a dungeon earlier, after all. Despite that, my appearance is still in good shape—Sarise then gasped while covering her mouth, “Oh! My word, now that I think about it, I cannot believe I overlooked something so obvious!”

Did she realize the problem?! all three adults desperately hoped.

“As a proper familiar, I need to be in the appropriate attire to serve my master whenever I am in their home. I put a lot of thought into this design with that idea in mind, so if I may …” Sarise trailed off before standing up, and with a snap of her fingers, she was obscured by a shimmer, much like the one that occurs briefly whenever fairies hide themselves, only this haze was persistent.

Soar’s parents and his teacher raised their hopes when they thought Sarise could lessen the awkward tension she’d bring with her choice of clothing … but then those same hopes crashed to the ground when the devil reappeared.

In place of the black leather bikini top was a black silk bra-like ensemble with frilly white trimmings crowning the top rims of the cups, a white silk ribbon bow rested in the center that’s more decorative than functional. It supported her powerful bosom no better than the previous top, it pressed her breasts together in a way that made them stand out even more than before, and it covered more from below, letting the top half inch of brick-red areolas just smaller than tennis balls peek out. Instead of the black leather bikini bottom, there was a black silk super short miniskirt under a small, frilly white apron that barely covered Sarise’s privates from the front, but most of her ass was clearly visible from the back. The only things really hiding her treasure cove up front and canyon in back was a black lace thong and her tail. Going further down, thigh-high fishnet stockings with white frills at the top replaced her previous ones, and she had black high-heels instead of her platform boots, which made her slightly shorter than before, but not by much. Then there were her accessories, wrist-length black silk gloves with white frilly cuffs to replace her fingerless elbow-length ones, a black choker with white frills took the place of her familiar ID tag given by the hunter’s guild, and finally a white lace cap attached to a hairband that blended with Sarise’s snow white locks.

The entire ensemble pulled off the slutty maid look that was the staple of kinky master-servant roleplays to perfection. Not even Seal Galveston, who had been born and raised in a noble household maintained by real maids, would have kept his usual level-headed composure if he saw the outfit Sarise was wearing.

I was hoping to save this as a surprise for Master when I officially start serving him on my first day, but I suppose some exceptions had to be made, and it certainly paid off! Sarise thought excitedly, feelings of gratitude for her succubus friend welled up in her chest. Jily, you have done it again! They are stunned speechless, and Lord Gullivan cannot keep his eyes off me, just like you said all men would!

“What do you think? Is this acceptable?” Sarise asked before spinning once. Even with her reddish skin, a hint of blush could be seen on her face. “I admit … that I am not used to this attire, but my friend from Zalecks said this would suit me perfectly whenever I would serve my master in their home. I want to look my best for them as their loyal familiar, after all. Do you think Soar would be pleased to see me in this?”

SHE DOESN’T GET IT AT AAAAAAALL! Soar’s parents and teacher screamed internally.

Zalena, who hadn’t expected this sort of development, was trying her hardest to hold herself back from giggling since the questioning started, but the drastic wardrobe change made her turn to the side while covering her mouth and stomach, even more desperate to keep from bursting into laughter than before, I can’t! I just can’t! This is too good! I haven’t seen anything so hilarious in years!