Yuuto had fallen unconscious, so Lizel had to hold him to make sure he wouldn't hurt himself by falling down. She did that by catching him, even if that meant he fell face-first on her chest, which she did not find unpleasant.

But this was nothing to worry about. Falling unconscious was a common sign that a person had expended all their mana. It happened a lot to beginners. It would be embarrassing for a teenager like Yuuto, but it's not as if he had ever learned much about magic.

Lizel might have given Yuuto some mana, but it hadn't been a lot, and as a human Yuuto naturally didn't possess a lot of mana. After two rather impressive spells, it was no wonder Yuuto needed a break.

"Let's get you somewhere where you can properly rest, Yuuto."

Lizel may be a devil, but even she couldn't just casually carry Yuuto in her arms. Maybe if she used magic to make herself stronger, but that wouldn't end up well.

What she did instead was call two certain individuals, or rather girls, that also had an interest in meeting Yuuto. Once they arrived, they helped Lizel carry Yuuto to Lovers Palace.

They laid Yuuto on the bed that had been prepared in the Palace. All that could be done now was wait until he recovered and woke up.

"Thank you for your help, Miyabi, Reina. I'll keep watch over him until he wakes up, so you can go back to your classes. I'll message you two when he wakes up and we've talked things through."

"Will senpai really be fine alone, desu? Maybe we should all stay and wait for Yuuto-san to wake up."

"Tsk tsk, you don't get it, Reina. You see, when we leave, senpai's gonna prepare things so when Yuuto wakes up she'll 'kyun' seduce him. I could try to help, but it's still a bit early for Reina."

"Awawawawa."

The girl called Reina got immediately flustered just thinking about what Miyabi had told her. Although Reina was quite cute like this, Lizel couldn't just leave this be.

"Miyabi, stop teasing Reina. All I'm going to do is help Yuuto recover mana and then talk to him. I've already explained to Miyabi why trying to seduce Yuuto wouldn't work, but she just doesn't believe me."

"We'll see about that. Anyway, I gotta 'zoom' go back to class before Nagasawa-sensei gets mad at me. I'll drop by later."

Miyabi said and quickly dashed off. Once Reina recovered, she also excused herself.

"Then, Reina's also going back desu. Please call if there's anything I can help with."

Finally, both Miyabi and Reina were gone, leaving just Lizel and Yuuto in the Palace.

Lizel started taking off her clothes. She did it even with Yuuto just there. The thought of him suddenly waking up made her heart race, even if she knew he wouldn't wake up until he recovered his mana.

Once fully naked, Lizel left the room to go to another one. Rather than a bedroom, this one was a shower room.

Lizel wanted to lay down with Yuuto as soon as possible, but she wanted to wash off the sweat first. She turned on the nob and started showering.

"Mmmm, mmmhh. Mmnnn."

She was humming all the while she showered. As far as she was concerned, today was a good day. After all, she'd met Yuuto, and he was all she was expecting.

After enough time had passed, Lizel finished her shower. She dried herself carefully, but also with haste. She was like a kid excited to open a present.

Except the "present" she was excited for was Yuuto.

"Hmm, everything seems to be ready."

Finished, Lizel went back to the room with Yuuto. Of course, nothing had changed from when she left it, but Lizel started getting nervous.

That's because she would now undress Yuuto. It filled her with anticipation and nervousness.

She started with his jacket and shirt. After she took those off, she started folding Yuuto's clothes so she could leave them neatly beside her own. It clearly wasn't an excuse to look at Yuuto's chest for longer.

She also noticed Lovers Arcana, hanging from Yuuto's neck. To think that's the starting point of everything…

With that done, Lizel unbuckled Yuuto's belt and then took off his pants. All that was left was Yuuto's underwear, his boxers.

"*gulp*"

Lizel was at a bit of a loss over what to do now. Should she also take those off? Lizel herself was naked, so it seemed fair Yuuto be the same way.

That said, there was… a certain bulge of peculiar shape in that underwear. If Lizel took off Yuuto's underwear… well… she would see… a part of Yuuto that interested her very much, and she felt she might do something she can't take back if she were to take those off.

In the end, Lizel decided against it. So she was left naked while Yuuto had his underwear and Lovers Arcana on his body.

Finally, Lizel laid down beside Yuuto. She decided to pull the blanket over them, so she and Yuuto could feel each other's heat more closely.

"Now then, it's time to start healing, Yuuto."

Lizel got close to Yuuto, enough so her breasts were pressed against his chest. It didn't seem like Yuuto practiced much physical exercise, but his chest was much harder than Lizel's. She could feel his heartbeat, which made hers quicken.

Of course, because of their position, their faces were really close to one another. Lizel needed more willpower than she ever thought possible to resist kissing Yuuto right at that moment.

They would kiss when the time came to make the formal contract. She could hold out until then.

"Mmmnn~ Yuuto, you don't mind if I relieve myself, right?"

Lizel's hand traveled down, to her privates. She started touching herself, pleasuring herself with thoughts of the man in front of her.

She could just grab his hands and have him touch her, but again, there was no need for that. It would all come in due time, so she would just content herself with this for now.

But there was something, something even Lizel wasn't aware of. Her free hand traveled down, but not to her own body, but rather Yuuto's.

She touched him over his underwear. She could feel how hot and hard he was. It took her a minute before she realized what she was doing.

"Ahhnn! S-sorry, Yuuto."

She got so embarrassed she reflexively apologized. She took back control over her hand and kept it to herself. Though part of her was a little disappointed.

"Mmm, nnn~"

She continued touching herself, trying to keep her voice down to not disturb Yuuto. She felt herself getting ever closer to climax.

And then, as if to finish her off, Yuuto put his arms around her. Maybe he was hugging something in his dream or maybe he had a hugging pillow in his room?

Lizel didn't know the answer, but what she knew was that that simple act was enough to push her over the edge.

"Mmmmhhh! Nnn! Yuuto, mmmhh!"

Her body trembled lightly, but Yuuto kept hold of her. Lizel felt so good she might have dozed off to sleep if it had lasted much longer.

Sadly, Yuuto eventually let her go. Whatever he was dreaming, it had moved on. Lizel was left to enjoy the aftertaste on her own for a few seconds.

"Thank you, Yuuto. Rest well now."

Lizel gave Yuuto a kiss on the cheek, and then made herself comfortable beside him. If this scene was shown to someone, they looked like lovers who had fallen asleep after lovemaking.

For the next few hours, Lizel would enjoy one of her best dreams until that day, but the first of many of the kind to come.

/

I woke up laying in a bed somewhere I didn't recognize. Well, it's not like I know a lot of places in Ginsei Academy anyway.

Was I taken to the infirmary? But this place doesn't feel or look like an infirmary. It's much too luxurious.

"Oh, you're already up, Yuuto?"

I looked to my side, where the voice was coming from.

Who I saw was a girl with long black hair and light blue eyes. It was none other than-

"Lizel-senpai?"

"Hmm. Are you feeling fine, Yuuto?"

"Yes…"

It took me a second to realize, but Lizel-senpai and I were laying in the same bed. After I noticed this, I got a little embarrassed.

I tried getting out of the bed, but I was feeling something similar to muscle pain, so all I managed to do was flip out the blanket covering us.

It was then that I saw…

"Aaan!"

I was wearing only my underwear and Lovers Arcana around my neck. After I looked more calmly later, my clothes were neatly placed on a table next to the bed. But I didn't have the composure to look for them right at that moment.

That's because I saw Lizel-senpai naked! She wasn't in her underwear like me, but rather completely naked.

Lizel-senpai made no effort to cover herself, which honestly was a little troubling for me. F-for starters, I should apologize.

"S-sorry, I-I didn't know Lizel-senpai was-"

"Don't mind it, Yuuto. And you also don't have to look away."

"B-but then, I'll see Lizel-senpai."

"Hmm. Feel free to look as much as you want."

I-If the person herself said it was fine, then it's fine right?

Setting my sights on Lizel-senpai, I once again confirmed I could only describe her body as perfect.

She was laying on her belly using her hands to support her cheeks. She looked so cute and erotic at the same time! Her large breasts were flattened against the bed, spilling to the sides. Her back and her butt were being covered by her hair, but that didn't fully stop me from seeing them.

It wasn't like I could see any of them important bits from where I was, but still! Lizel-senpai's figure looked so erotic I don't think I need to describe how my body reacted. I tried covering myself with my hands, with questionable success.

I unconsciously gulped, and Lizel-senpai giggled. She then lightly raised herself and brought her hand to touch my chest. After feeling me for a little, she rested her own chest on top of mine.

"I was using magic to help Yuuto recover. It's called Healing Lovers, Lovers' Characteristic Magic."

"Healing Lovers? Characteristic Magic?"

"Characteristic Magics are the ones that the Arcanas grant their Devil King Candidate. I also used Healing Lovers before to give you mana, remember? In the fight just now. Simply speaking, Healing Lovers works through the bond and feelings of lust between people, the more these grow the bigger the effect. It's an incredible magic that can create mana out of nothing, though it's not without its drawbacks. For example, it can only be used between the Lovers Candidate and his Cards."

I see, I think I get it. I think, at least. I never really studied magic or anything so I don't know if I properly understood it.

But wait, how come Lizel-senpai is using that magic then? It seemed strange. Maybe I misunderstood and she just made me use it.

I finally calmed down enough to properly have a look around the place. It looked… really luxurious.

Lizel-senpai and I were laying on a large bed, with a canopy and everything. But other than that there were also tables, chairs, a TV, a closet and a lot of other stuff. And considering the doors, there was probably more rooms to this place.

This place is much too luxurious for a school. Did Lizel-senpai bring me to her house? It would explain all the luxury and why she felt safe enough to undress, I guess.

"Lizel-senpai, where is this?"

"This is Lovers' Palace, basically our base in the academy. It's on the third floor of the school building."

So this is still in Ginsei Academy?! That's a school for nobles for you!

"I hope Yuuto doesn't mind. You're the Devil King Candidate of Lovers, so this is your Palace, but I took the liberty of decorating this place. Of course, if there's anything you want added or removed, just tell me and I'll have it done."

"N-no, I'm sure it's perfect as it is. Lizel-senpai arranged it, after all."

How did I say that with a straight face? Lizel-senpai's cheeks even got a little red.

"I-it's nothing. It's all to help Yuuto win the Devil King War. I'll slowly teach you everything you need to know to become the greatest Devil King."

"Devil King War, that… doesn't sound like a peaceful process. Will there… be more fights like the one with Geld just now?"

"No."

Phew, thank goodness. My parents had told me to avoid anything dangerous, so I got worried there for a second. The "War" part is really misleading, maybe they should consider renaming.

"It won't be that kind of child's play. Dying might be a blessing against some Devil King Candidates. Our lives will be put on the line, at the very least."

Yup, my hopes were just dashed like that. The "War" part isn't misleading at all. Good to know.

I was about to ask Lizel-senpai if there may be a different way to go about this, but she got up and went to put on her panties, completely stealing my attention. I caught a quick glimpse of her crotch, but all I could say is that Lizel-senpai has hair down there. I did get a good look at her butt though.

After she put on that single piece of clothing, she turned around to look at me. Somehow, her hair ended up covering her breasts, which only made it look more erotic.

"But don't worry, Yuuto. You'll have your Cards to fight alongside you."

"Cards… come to think of it, Geld mentioned something like that. He said he was the Card of the World Candidate, right?"

"Yes. Which brings me to my request, and the reason I wanted to speak to you as soon as possible, Yuuto."

A request? I could guess what it was going to be from the flow of the conversation, and all the times Lizel-senpai said "us", or when she called me her Devil King Candidate.

But before Lizel-senpai could make her request, the door slammed open. Then, two other girls entered the room.

"See Reina? I knew I was right. We arrived at just the right time."

"Wawawa, s-sorry for intruding desu!"

Lizel-senpai let out a sigh. She quickly finished getting her underwear on, gave me my clothes, and then got started putting on her own clothes at the same time as she scolded the new entries.

"I don't recall telling you to enter, Miyabi, Reina. But I guess it makes things a little easier. Yuuto, please take me as well as these two as your Cards."

"I'm Miyabi Yuugaoze, from class 1-D. Nice to meet ya! But I guess we would have seen each other earlier if you had shown up to class."

"R-R-Reina's name is Reina Koiwai, second year student in middle school. Reina is clumsy but please take care of Reina desu."

The girl called Miyabi was blond, wore her hair in twintails and her eyes were blue. Her uniform had a lot of exposure and she wore a lot of accessories. If Lizel-senpai's figure was "perfect" then Miyabi's was "voluptuous". It really looked like her breasts might burst the chest part of her clothes at any time.

Reina was a big contrast. She looked younger than the rest of us, so it wasn't hard to guess she's a middle school student. Her hair is of an ashen color and her eyes were a darker blue. She honestly looked like a cute small animal, especially between Lizel-senpai and Miyabi… no, wait, I shouldn't get too intimate too quickly. I'll use her surname.

Still, me taking these girls as my Cards…

"I'm sorry, I can't accept this. Lizel-senpai knows it, if it wasn't for you, Geld would have killed me then and there. I'm not a Devil King Candidate… I'm just a human. That was my first time using magic, and honestly, what hope do I have against other Devil King Candidates in a fight?"

"It's true that Yuuto right now is weak, fighting another Devil King Candidate would be suicide. But we'll also help Yuuto grow stronger, so much so you'll surpass us soon. You mentioned your fight with Geld, and it's exactly because of that that I know you have the potential."

Surely, Lizel-senpai is mistaken, or just trying to flatter me. She herself called it child's play, how can that show my potential?

As if sensing my doubts, Lizel-senpai continued talking.

"The Arcana might teach you magic, but understating how to use it was all you. Even taking into account you were using Healing Lovers' mana, you already did better than expected for a human. But the main reason is you simply being able to hear the Arcana's voice."

"That… isn't that just because I'm a Devil King Candidate?"

"No, it's not."

"It's something really amazing! The stuff of legends."

"Reina has never heard of someone being able to do that desu!"

What? So it's not something just anyone can do? Then, do I really have a chance…?

Wait, why am I even feeling up for this? Isn't the normal thing to do to try to run for your life? Then why do I… feel like I have to try and become the Devil King?

"I…"

"Geez, you're taking too long. Come on, if you make the contract now I'll let you 'kyuun' grope these as much as you want. It's a super limited-time offer just for Yuuto."

Miyabi groped her own breasts and gave me a wink. Even after waking up beside a naked Lizel-senpai, I still blushed at that.

"Y-Yuugaoze-san-"

"'bii' too stiff. Call me Miyabi, since I'll call you Yuuto."

What? And here I was worrying about not getting too intimate from the get go, it looks like she doesn't even care about it.

"Awawawa."

"Miyabi, what are you doing?"

"Isn't this fine? Just a bit of an incentive, plus a Card has to dedicate their body to their master, and that's especially true of Lovers. That's right, Yuuto, once you take us as your Cards, you can do all kinds of lewd things."

I have to admit the thought of doing lewd things to these girls passed my mind for a second, but I quickly dismissed it. I swear I didn't linger on it!

It's not that I have no interest in that, but I wouldn't want to force them. Plus, it's not a light decision I'm being asked to make. I don't even know about all this Card stuff.

Maybe I should accept… Miyabi makes a good point. N-not about her breasts or doing lewd things, but about… wait, she didn't say anything else, did she? Damn it, I talked myself into a trap.

I-I'll put this off for now.

"I'm sorry, Lizel-senpai, Miyabi, Reina. Please just... let me think for a while. It's not a decision I can make hastily."

"Eeh…"

Miyabi seemed surprised. Lizel-senpai looked at her with a look that seemed to say "told you".

"Maybe you're different from most men after all. Yuuto, are you gay?"

"What?! No, I'm not."

"Mmm, then maybe you do have character, like senpai said. My bad for trying to win you over with tits."

Is that what determines that I have character? Also, I probably shouldn't mention how I almost accepted.

Anyway, since they're so keen on becoming my Cards, maybe I do have potential, or some reason for them to believe in me so much. I want to learn as much as I can about the Devil King War before making a decision.

Something in me is telling me to keep going, even though I don't know what it is. Guess I'm not running from the Devil King War

"Then it's settled, we'll give Yuuto some time to think about everything. But please don't hesitate to call us if you have to, we'll help with whatever we can."

Miyabi and Reina nodded to Lizel-senpai's words. If nothing else, it seems I've made some good friends.

And so ended my first day in Ginsei Academy.