DxD: The Devil

Familiar Forest (3)

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Fear washed over the panther. It didn't know why, but its instincts screamed at it to run. Its body refused to move. It was trapped—not by force, but by something worse.

Vael didn't waste the moment.

[Storage Magic]

A purple magic circle appeared on his palm. In an instant, a silver arming sword materialized. The red markings on the blade glowed slightly—a compressed magic circle Vael had engraved himself.

With a flick of his wrist, he poured demonic power into the markings.

[Hell Flames]

A dark light flickered—then black flames erupted, covering the blade in a twisting, hungry fire.

Vael tilted his head slightly. "Let's see how long you last."

Then he moved.

No—he disappeared.

A single flap of his wings sent him soaring. In an instant, he was above the panther. The beast barely had time to react. Confused. Afraid. Frozen.

Too late.

SLASH!

The blade tore through its flesh. Dark flames exploded, sending the panther crashing to the ground.

Trees shattered, the earth cracked, and dust filled the air. The panther roared, struggling to stand as the black fire burned at its skin—before fading away.

Vael floated above, looking down with a smirk. He pointed his sword at the beast, holding it like a wand.

"Still alive? Not bad."

A magic circle appeared at the sword's tip.

Demonic power surged. The air heated, and a ball of dark flames started forming—growing bigger with each second.

Vael's grin widened. His eyes shined with amusement. He wasn't even serious yet.

The panther stared at him. Then, after a short silence-

"I give up."

Vael blinked. He hadn't expected the panther to surrender so easily.

The magic circle vanished, and with it, the swirling flames.

Slowly, Vael descended, his white hair fluttering in the wind. His red eyes locked onto the panther. "Be my familiar."

The beast stared back, golden eyes unblinking, as if peering into his very soul. Then, after a long moment—

It bowed.

"Greetings, Master."

A smile tugged at Vael's lips. "Let's do this, then."

[Contractual Magic]

A magic circle appeared beneath them, glowing a deep purple. The ritual was complete—Vael had claimed another familiar.

"What's your name?" he asked, voice steady.

"I do not have one."

Vael nodded. "Then your name shall be—Umbra." His smirk widened. "Be my shadow."

The panther—Umbra—lowered its head in acceptance.

From within Vael's clothes, a small figure wiggled out—Mochi. The blue slime formed a tiny hand and waved.

'I am Mochi!'

Through their shared bond, Umbra heard the greeting. "Hello there, Mochi."

Before they could exchange more words, a rush of air signaled El Cid and Zatoshi's arrival. Both landed, their wings folding behind them.

"Hoh~! A Phantom Panther, huh?" Zatoshi whistled, eyes gleaming with intrigue.

El Cid, ever the stoic knight, simply said, "I saw your fight. You made a few mistakes, but overall, you did well."

Vael smirked. "Of course." Then, turning to the others, he declared, "Let's head back. I don't think I need any more familiars."

El Cid nodded.

Before they left, Umbra spoke. "Master, may I come with you?"

Vael glanced at the panther's massive frame. "Of course—but can you do something about your size?"

Without hesitation, Umbra melted into shadows. His form shrank, shifting and reforming. When the darkness dissipated—

A small, sleek black cat sat at Vael's feet. Silver runes shimmered faintly across its fur.

Vael's grin widened.

"Perfect."

Umbra nodded—then, without a sound, leapt onto Vael's shadow… and vanished.

Vael's eyes widened for a brief moment before Umbra's voice echoed in his mind.

'I can jump into shadows.'

A pause. Then Vael smirked.

'If you could do that, then you didn't need to shrink in the first place.'

And after saying goodbye to Zatoshi who told Vael to come again, they left. 

Vael had gotten his familiars- a slime and a panther. 

Mochi and Umbra. 

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Author's Note: So, Vael has finally gotten his familiars, a slime and a panther. How would he use them? 

The next chapter may be last chapter of Volume one. This will be the shortest Volume.

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