CH 36: A Mage, A Mechanist and A Maid
Lex slipped away into the basement with Kara while everyone else remained occupied with their own activities upstairs.
“Hey... if you want to do it while everyone is celebrating up there, I'm down for it... but the basement doesn't even have a bed,” Kara said as Lex led her down the stairs.
“...I was actually bringing you here because I wanted to summon someone. But you know what? Your idea isn't too bad,” Lex replied with a grin.
Kara rolled her eyes.
“...You know I was teasing you, right? I don't want to spend my Christmas asleep.”
“Yeah... I never really understood that part. Why do all you girls fall asleep after sex?” Lex asked.
“I don't know,” Kara admitted thoughtfully. “It's exhausting but relaxing at the same time. Then once you reach the peak of it all, it feels like there's nowhere higher to go, so you just let yourself drift off.”
“Well, I suppose we're only summoning people then.”
“Yup.”
Taking out the Gwen Tennyson card along with a Background Creation Card, Lex activated both.
{Searching for suitable Backgrounds…
As the character comes from outside the Marvel multiverse, a civilian identity has been created as an Assistant Professor of Theoretical Physics at Empire State University, specializing in Higher-Dimensional Spacetime, Quantum Gravity, and Multiversal Topology. If Gwen Tennyson at any point reveals her powers, the background of her powers will be linked to magic and cosmic energies.
Note: The Background Creation Card only changes perception of the world, not the power system itself or the actual origin of the powers. People may associate them with powers similar to those found in this world, but it will not change her own powers in any way.}
Lex blinked in surprise as he read through the description. This was probably the most integrated background any of his summons had received so far. Most backgrounds created convenient civilian identities. This one practically inserted Gwen directly into the academic world with credentials that would attract attention from some very important people.
The next moment, a young red-haired woman materialized before them.
She looked no older than twenty-two or twenty-three. Green eyes, an athletic build, and a blue costume complete with a cape gave her the appearance of a superhero at first glance. Yet there was something about the way she carried herself that immediately separated her from most costumed heroes Lex had met. The calm confidence wasn't arrogance. It was the confidence of someone accustomed to understanding things other people didn't.
For a brief moment, pink light flickered within her eyes.
Lex felt nothing.
Saw nothing.
Yet Gwen's gaze lingered on him for a second before moving elsewhere. Across Kara. Across the basement. Beyond the walls themselves.
A faint crease formed on her brow.
Whatever she was perceiving, it clearly wasn't limited to the room.
The magical currents woven throughout Earth were impossible to miss. Even compared to many worlds she had visited, this place felt remarkably active. Ancient energies, cosmic influences, dimensional intersections and countless supernatural forces seemed layered atop one another in ways that should have been impossible. Yet when her attention returned to Lex, she found herself unable to perceive anything useful at all.
Interesting.
“Good afternoon. You must be Lex Everhart. Let me introduce myself. I'm Gwendolyn Tennyson. You may refer to me as Gwendolyn or Dr. Tennyson.”
“Nice to meet you too, Gwendolyn. I should probably give you a rundown of the current situation, explain this world and answer any questions you have, but I'm planning to summon a few more people today. Would you mind observing for a while?”
“That won't be a problem.”
Gwen nodded and moved toward a nearby chair. While she maintained a professional demeanor, Lex could still spot the curiosity beneath it. She looked like someone attending a lecture in a field she had never encountered before.
Next, Lex pulled out the Regina Babylon card along with another Background Creation Card.
{Searching for suitable Backgrounds…
As the character comes from outside the Marvel multiverse, a civilian identity has been created as an eccentric scientist and futuristic engineer.}
The background settled.
A moment later, a blonde woman in her early thirties appeared in front of them wearing nothing but a white lab coat and a pair of thin spectacles.
The moment her eyes landed on Lex, a bright smile spread across her face.
She pointed directly at him.
“Take me to bed.”
Then she promptly collapsed.
Lex stared.
Kara nearly burst out laughing.
Even Gwen's professional expression slipped slightly as amusement tugged at the corner of her lips.
Fortunately, a simple application of telekinesis allowed Lex to catch Regina before she hit the floor and gently lower her onto a nearby sofa.
“Kara, could you get her something to wear and put her in a bed? She seems tired. Maybe she was working nonstop before she got summoned or something.”
Kara stepped forward immediately. Despite all her complaints, she had spent most of the summoning session unconsciously positioning herself between Lex and any newly arrived summon.
“Sure.”
Lifting Regina with ease, she headed upstairs.
Once she was gone, Gwen glanced toward Lex.
“Does that happen often? Since you're essentially bringing people back after their deaths—or at least that's my current hypothesis—are they usually affected by whatever happened immediately beforehand?”
“Certainly,” Lex replied. “It would be strange if people simply cut off all connection to their previous lives. Aren't you the same?”
Gwen considered the question for a moment.
“No... well, maybe yes.” Her expression became thoughtful. “I remember my life and I'm grateful for it. But I don't feel tied down by it either. I think it's a matter of perspective. I'm perfectly willing to start over here.”
A faint smile touched her lips.
“Maybe even a little excited.”
A few minutes later, Kara returned.
“I've put that woman who's pretending to be asleep into a bed,” she announced.
Lex wasn't particularly surprised.
“Sure, she was pretending to be asleep, but she definitely looked exhausted too. Let her rest.”
“She's probably testing you,” Gwen observed from the side. “Trying to see whether you'd take advantage of the situation. It seems like a reasonable way to judge someone's character.”
“Oh yeah,” Kara agreed immediately. “That actually sounds pretty smart. Good thing Lex is only a pervert and not an asshole.”
“Thank you for that incredibly specific distinction,” Lex deadpanned.
Of course, Lex wasn't done summoning yet. Taking out the final card of the day—one he was admittedly a little more excited about than the others—along with a Background Creation Card, he tore them both at once.
{Searching for suitable Backgrounds…
As the character comes from outside the Marvel multiverse, a civilian identity has been created as a European-born maid of the Everhart Household, expert in administration and all general maidly duties.
If Grayfia at any point reveals her powers, the background of her powers will be linked to Class Two Demons.
Note: The Background Creation Card only changes perception of the world, not the power system itself or the actual origin of the powers. People may associate them with powers similar to those found in this world, but it will not change her own powers in any way.}
Looking at the newly generated background, Lex found himself slightly surprised once again. Not because of the maid part—that honestly seemed pretty straightforward—but because of the term Class Two Demons. It sounded like some sort of classification system native to this world. More importantly, he still knew almost nothing about the person he was summoning. Being called a Devil certainly didn't help first impressions, though Lex was hardly unfamiliar with fictional settings where demonic races were perfectly capable of being moral, even if their morals occasionally differed from human standards.
The next moment, a silver-haired woman appeared before him.
Even Kara visibly paused.
The woman was dressed in an elegant blue-and-white maid uniform that looked more appropriate for the personal attendant of royalty than an ordinary servant. A pristine white apron rested over a tailored sapphire-blue dress, while delicate frills decorated the apron, skirt, and maid's headdress. A dark ribbon trimmed with gold was tied neatly at her collar, and matching blue bows secured the ends of the twin braids framing her face. Her silver hair flowed past her shoulders in soft waves, and pale gray eyes regarded the room with calm intelligence. She was undeniably beautiful, yet what stood out most wasn't her appearance but the quiet competence she projected. Standing with perfect posture and her hands folded neatly behind her back, she radiated the reassuring presence of someone who always seemed to know exactly what needed to be done.
Kara slowly turned toward Lex.
Lex immediately pretended not to notice.
"Oh, this is definitely because she's a maid," Kara said with complete confidence.
"It is not."
"You literally picked the maid."
"I picked the administrator."
"Mhm."
Lex chose to ignore her entirely.
Meanwhile, Gwen's eyes briefly glowed pink as she studied the newcomer. Unlike Lex, who remained a complete mystery no matter how much magic she applied, Grayfia was actually readable. Not completely—few powerful beings ever were—but enough to reveal fascinating details. Her biology was unlike anything Gwen had encountered before, saturated with demonic energy that circulated naturally throughout her body. Most intriguing of all was a strange chess-piece-shaped artifact embedded within her being, continuously releasing and regulating that energy.
Upon noticing Lex, the woman gave a slight bow before meeting his gaze and waiting patiently for instructions.
"Hello. You must be Grayfia. I don't know much about you, so could you introduce yourself?" Lex asked, activating Milim Eye out of habit. He had been doing that a lot today. Summoning people from other worlds was one thing; blindly trusting them was another.
"As you wish. I am Grayfia Lucifuge of the Lucifuge Clan, a pure-blooded Devil. Former Queen of Sirzechs Lucifer and an Ultimate-Class Devil specializing in Ice Magic. I am also proficient in various forms of demonic magic and all maidly duties."
As far as Milim Eye could tell, she was telling the truth.
"You were a Queen and a maid?" Lex asked, unable to hide his confusion.
"I understand your confusion. Being a maid is my hobby. On the other hand, a Queen does not refer to the ruler of a nation in Devil society. Rather, a Queen is the strongest Peerage member serving under a Devil. Despite the title, it remains a servant position."
That somehow only raised more questions.
"I admit I have certain preconceptions about Devils," Lex said after a moment. "Most stories don't exactly paint them in a flattering light. So, for the sake of avoiding misunderstandings, is there anything I should know? Dietary requirements, instincts, cultural obligations... anything of that nature?"
Grayfia appeared entirely unoffended.
"It is true that Devils in ancient times occasionally consumed souls to increase their power. That may be the origin of such rumors. As for human flesh, I do not believe Devils have ever practiced such things. Desires, however, are another matter. Through contracts with humans, Devils assist them in fulfilling their desires in exchange for fair compensation. Such contracts have long been one of the foundations of Devil society. While I personally have never engaged in such activities, it is not inaccurate to associate Devils with desires."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"And to satisfy your truth-seeking magic, I, Grayfia Lucifuge, do not mean any harm toward humanity, human society, or humans as individuals, nor do I possess any plans to do so."
"Well, you're certainly telling the truth."
"Raphael," Lex asked mentally, "how did she know I was checking?"
<She inferred it through your behavior, your questions, and your reactions.>
"So I gave it away."
<Yes.>
Lex sighed.
Meanwhile, Kara looked far too entertained by the entire exchange.
"Well, since you enjoy being a maid, if you'd still like to continue doing that, I'd happily appoint you as the head maid of this house."
"It would be my pleasure."
"Pretty sure it would be HIS pleasure," Kara muttered.
Before Lex could respond, Gwen raised a hand from where she was seated.
"May I ask a question?"
Grayfia turned toward her.
"And you might be?"
"My apologies. I should introduce myself first. I'm Dr. Gwendolyn Tennyson, a mage who was summoned today as well."
"In that case, as a fellow summon, I do not mind. Though I reserve the right to answer or refuse as I see fit, unless my Master is also curious regarding the matter."
"Of course. You don't owe me an answer," Gwen replied. "However, I'm curious about the pulsing chess-like object inside your body. It appears to be regulating and distributing a rather unusual form of dark energy."
"You wish to know about my Queen Piece?"
"If that's what it's called, yes."
"Very well. The Queen Piece, and Devil Pieces in general, are artifacts created by one of the Satans to address the declining Devil population. In addition to their primary function, they can serve as power amplifiers and guarantees of loyalty. Even some pure-blooded Devils, such as myself, possess them."
Gwen frowned slightly.
"Wait. Doesn't that mean you're still loyal to whoever the piece belongs to?"
The temperature in the room dropped noticeably.
Thin layers of frost began creeping across the nearby floor.
"You are questioning my loyalty, Doctor Tennyson."
"I'm questioning an external control mechanism," Gwen replied calmly. "Not you."
A pulse of pink mana spread through the room, dispersing the encroaching chill before it could advance any further.
Neither woman moved.
Neither attacked.
Yet tension still settled over the room.
Lex rubbed his forehead.
It had been less than ten minutes.
"Grayfia," he interrupted, "can someone still command you through that Queen Piece?"
The frost disappeared immediately.
"I do not know. Given that we are in entirely different worlds, I believe it should be impossible. However, Devil Pieces cannot normally be separated from their owners once bound. Therefore, I cannot provide a guarantee."
Unlike her earlier response to Gwen, there wasn't a trace of irritation in her voice.
"Let me try something."
Approaching her, Lex held out a finger.
"Open your mouth."
Grayfia complied without hesitation.
A single drop of blood fell onto her tongue.
The effect was immediate.
For the first time since her arrival, Grayfia's eyes widened slightly.
The connection remained.
The Queen Piece still existed.
Its amplification effects still functioned.
Yet every trace of outside influence vanished as though it had never existed. The subtle restrictions she had long since stopped noticing disappeared completely, and her control over the artifact became absolute. Even the demonic energy flowing through her body felt cleaner and smoother, no longer carrying any lingering imperfections left by the Piece itself.
The reaction lasted only a fraction of a second before her composure returned.
"Thank you, Master, for your grace."