"Raven, what brings you here? I'm always happy to be graced with your presence, however there must be a reason for your visit. I sense you're under contract right now. Not feeding off of every human you can find?"

"I've grown tired of feasting upon every meal I can get my hands on. It gets ever so dreadful. I have indeed found an interesting soul to make a contract with."

"And what would you need my help with, Raven? I know you're fully capable of fulfilling the wishes of the boy for his soul on your own. Else you wouldn't be much of a demon, now would you?"

"The boy is the heir to an upper class family, and as of recent events, he is now the young master of his household. I am assembling a proper staff worthy of defending as well as tending to the manor for him."

"Relying on humans to do work for you?"

"Admittedly, they aren't quite skilled in their servant duties, however they do prove useful as fighters."

"I understand. Humans do the lesser work of tending to a large household. They provide entertainment from being only you and your master, as well as handling situations that would require you to get your hands dirty far more often than necessary, as it would impede in your duties as your master's servant. It wouldn't so much as cause true issues as it would simply annoy you."

"And I request you join my staff as well. I need a guard to the manor as well as my young master. I work as a butler, always by his side. However, a true figure of protection would ward off numerous attacks as well as handle the issues of ambushes."

"You want me to be a punching bag. I take the role as the main defense against your master, and so those who wish to target him will ultimately come after me first."

"To put it simply, yes."

"I'm flattered. Does this job require me to make an oath such as you have, binding me to your master by contract or otherwise?"

"No."

"Ah, I see. You wish for me to be the one to break your young master's orders should he make false judgements. Do you have anything to offer me in return for this job?"

He smiled. "I know you, Phoenix. The prospect of entertainment will provide more than enough payment."

"You raise a proper point. Sadly, humans don't ever dare challenge me these days. My reputation proceeds me in this world, the next, and everything in between. I admit, your offer of a little fun does interest me. For how long do you expect this soul to take?"

"A few years, not simply a short week-long endeavor."

"A hard case, or merely a slow master?"

"Both, or quite possibly neither. My young master likes to refer to a game of chess. The journey will be great, the battle hard and slow the entire way, yet the thrill of putting the pieces together, crushing your opponent before you after the long fight is very amusing, and proves to be a worthy game indeed."

"Hm, this master of yours sounds does sound mighty intriguing. Very well. I accept your offer, Raven."

"Please, call me Sebastian. Sebastian Michaelis."

"Is that what your master decided to call you? How cute. But you and he shall call me by my own preferred name, if you would."

"And that would be, Phoenix?"

"Asushunamir Hotareichan. Nice to meet you, Sebastian Michaelis."