Omniscient POV
As the group pushed deeper into the familiar forest, the landscape shifted—trees thinned, and shimmering mist hovered above a wide crystalline lake nestled between glowing rocks and magical flora. The water sparkled with an unnatural gleam, like liquid stardust.
Towji, their ever-eccentric guide, spun midair and gestured dramatically.
"And now," he declared, arms wide, "behold! The Sacred Lake of Spirits! A hotspot for aquatic familiars—particularly water sprites and elemental guardians."
Everyone stared at the lake in awe.
"At the bottom of this lake, powerful magic spirits sleep, awaiting those worthy to bond with them," Towji continued, voice low and mystical. "But beware—they choose you. Not the other way around."
Issei, meanwhile, was vibrating with anticipation.
"Yesssss," he whispered, eyes sparkling. "Water spirits are hot and sexy. We just hit the familiar jackpot!"
He clenched his fists, body trembling like an overclocked fanboy. And then… the fantasy began.
"She'll rise from the lake… soaking wet… in a thin, see-through silk dress," he muttered dreamily. "Long, flowing hair… eyes that say 'I'll drown you in pleasure'… she'll pull me beneath the surface, and then—then we'll make sweet, sweet soggy love—"
SMACK.
Koneko slapped the back of his head with a deadpan look.
"You're disgusting."
All the girls turned and glared at him in sync—Rias, Akeno, Sona, Tsubaki, Momo, and even Asia.
Rias sighed. "Can you stop being a walking scandal for five minutes?"
Before anyone else could add to the roast, Aika pointed to the lake, voice rising with awe.
"Whoa! Check it out!"
The surface of the lake began to ripple—magic pulsing through the water. Sparkles of light swirled around as something emerged slowly, gracefully…
Towji grinned. "Ahhh, here we go. Looks like a sprite's about to show."
The figure rose from the depths in a slow, dramatic ascent. For a brief moment, everyone held their breath. Long golden hair shimmered. A pink, flowing dress clung to her tall, wet form.
Issei's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Yes… yes… YES—!"
And then she fully emerged.
Towering. Massive. Jacked.
Her arms were as thick as tree trunks. Muscles rippled with every movement. Veins popped on her biceps as she flexed with a confident smile. Her expression? Sweet. Her posture? Terrifying. Her aura? Pure power.
She struck a double bicep pose. "HELLOOOOOOO~!"
The pink Greek dress clung tightly to her Herculean form. The lake behind her steamed.
Silence.
Malrik slowly turned to Issei.
"…Perfect for you."
Aika broke into laughter, nearly doubling over. "Oh my god. Indeed. Absolutely perfect."
Towji spun again, delighted. "Take a look—that's off the hook!"
Issei was frozen. "W-What is it…? A competitive bodybuilder???"
Towji nodded. "An Undine! A rare water spirit with mega-watt magical output. A familiar like her? She'll make your enemies cower!"
Issei backed up, trembling. "Screw that! She looks like she could pick me up and break me in half like a glowstick!"
Towji, completely unfazed, added with a wink, "Also… not a he. Sorry, kid. She's all woman."
Issei dropped to his knees, eyes hollow. "I think I just threw up in my mouth…"
The girls were howling with laughter—Akeno covering her mouth while giggling, Momo chuckling under her breath, even Tsubaki trying to hide a smile.
Saji muttered from the side, "Dude, that's what you get for thinking with the wrong brain."
Malrik patted Issei's shoulder. "It's okay, buddy. True love comes in… very strong packages."
The Undine flexed again. "I CAN CARRY YOU, TINY DEVIL~!"
Issei screamed.
———
Malrik's POV
I stared at the Undine—muscles gleaming under the ethereal light of the lake, water dripping from her pink Greek dress as she flexed proudly.
Honestly? I had to respect her dedication to gains.
"Hmm…" I rubbed my chin, pretending to contemplate something deep. Then I turned toward Issei, who was still recovering from his fantasy-turned-nightmare.
"Are you sure you don't want her?" I asked, voice deadpan.
Issei's eyes widened in horror. He shook his head so fast it looked like his neck might snap.
"N-No way! I don't want a familiar who looks like she could deadlift my soul!"
I smirked and turned toward Saji. "How about you, Blondie? Interested?"
Saji had been watching the situation unfold with that same smug expression... until I turned to him. Now, he paled.
"M-Me?! No thanks, I—uh—I'm not really into bodybuilding either!" he blurted, shaking his head even faster than Issei. "Not my type! Definitely not!"
I shrugged, exaggeratedly nonchalant. "Alright. Your loss."
Then I turned to Aika.
"Your turn. Go make a contract with her."
She blinked. "Wait, me? You want me to make a contract with that?"
"That" flexed again in the background, proud as ever.
Aika leaned in closer. "You do remember I wanted a cute familiar, right? Or, you know, a sexy woman who'd fit on a swimsuit poster, not a protein shake commercial?"
I winked. "Trust me. You won't regret it."
She stared at me suspiciously. Then sighed. "Fine. You better be right."
Together, we walked up to the Undine, who now had a huge grin on her face. Surprisingly gentle, she knelt down in front of Aika like a knight pledging allegiance.
"I accept," the Undine said, her voice deep and soft like flowing water. "You have a strong aura of mischief. I like that."
Aika raised an eyebrow. "...Thanks?"
With a bit of guidance, I helped Aika form a magical contract. The lake glowed, magic flaring in every direction, sealing the bond.
But that wasn't the end of it.
No.
That's when I lifted my hand again—and activated my Sacred Gear.
A pulse of divine-blue light bloomed from my palm. My gear shimmered into view, and from it, I forged an elegant tiara, carved from crystallized mana and etched with ancient water sigils. A token of refinement. Power. Grace.
I stepped forward and handed the tiara to the Undine.
She blinked. "For me…?"
I nodded. "Try it on."
She gently took the tiara, then placed it on her head.
And in that instant—the transformation began.
Her muscular body shimmered with soft blue light. Her frame elongated, her limbs refined. The powerful bulk condensed into a tall, athletic figure—still strong, but now wrapped in beauty and elegance.
Her biceps toned down to sculpted arms. Her abs became sleek and defined. Her face transformed into that of a water goddess—serene and alluring. Her long golden hair flowed like a river, and her deep blue eyes shimmered like the lake's surface at dawn.
Gasps rippled through the group.
"She's…" Aika started.
"Hot," Issei finished.
"...Very hot," Saji echoed, slack-jawed.
Towji hovered over the lake, eyes as wide as saucers. "In all my years… I've never seen something like this before! The tiara must've amplified her spirit-core and reshaped her exterior!"
Issei and Saji looked at each other. They didn't speak.
They just collapsed to their knees and hugged, tears streaming down their faces.
"We made a mistake…" Issei whispered.
"Such a huge mistake…" Saji sobbed.
"I could've had that," Issei wailed. "She even liked me at first…"
"I judged her too soon," Saji cried.
Meanwhile, the new-and-improved Undine floated beside Aika, who stared in disbelief.
"She's… perfect," Aika said. "Malrik… what did you do?"
I grinned. "Enhanced her true self. She always had that potential. Just needed a little push."
Undine bowed her head toward Aika. "Thank you for accepting me. I am yours, Mistress."
Aika looked flustered. "O-Okay, that's gonna take some getting used to."
The rest of the group was still processing what had just happened.
Koneko whispered to Rias, "Malrik's cheats are cheating."
Rias sighed. "And he's not even done yet."
I dusted off my hands. "Alright. One spirit down. Now—who's next?"
Everyone turned toward me.
Because they knew, somehow, I already had a plan.