But after those shame-filled words slipped out, I almost reflexively argued back. Then I realized helping that guy defeat others’ Contract Beasts might actually benefit me more than harm.

As an Angel, I surely wouldn’t be bullied like a slave or pet here. More importantly, since they’d just identified me as an Angel—and from their reactions, Angels seemed highly skilled in magic—I could use this chance to learn much about this world’s magic.

Maybe even find a way to break this Contract.

Just as I pondered this, a pair of hands suddenly touched my wings.

Instantly, like a startled little beast, a whining whimper escaped my lips. My body jerked uncontrollably. A strange, overwhelming sensation surged from my wings through my whole body.

Feeling my wings touched, I curled up sharply, trying to escape. But my clothes were frozen stiff to the bed—somehow even tighter than before. My mind grew hazy under this weird feeling.

Yet those hands kept kneading my wings like a toy, while the young maid’s voice chirped:

“So cute… can’t resist… gotta squeeze and pinch…”

Ugh…

Gritting my teeth, I fought the odd tingling from my wings and struggled hard. But despite my strong magic talent, my body was just a little girl’s.

The maid behind me was far stronger. No matter how I writhed, I couldn’t break free. Instead, the tugging sent a weird, ticklish itch through my wings… making my consciousness feel like it was melting away.

“Huh? Yiyi, why’s your body shaking so much?”

“Seriously, don’t you know an Angel’s wings are where they absorb natural elements? They’re super sensitive! How did you even pass your Continental Biology class… you’re dumb as a rock.”

“Huff… huff…”

When the hands finally stopped kneading my wings, I still couldn’t move. But I shifted my body slightly, warily eyeing the two maids.

Ugh… the arrow I’d been clutching had dug deep into the bed during my struggle… probably why my clothes were frozen even tighter.

“Sorry, Little Yiyi,” the younger maid said, noticing my glare. She gave me an apologetic smile and ruffled my hair.

I suddenly wondered if there was a magic spell to blast anyone touching me flying meters away.

“Alright, Little Yiyi,” my master—that guy’s voice cut in just as I recovered a bit from the wing-pinching daze. “Don’t worry. As my Contract Beast in the Throne Struggle, you’ll be the strongest. Even against a Crimson Dragon, you can beat it with magic.”

“Um… Yiyi asks—is there any book about magic? Yiyi wants to learn.” Hearing that, I realized this was my chance to study magic.

“Huh?”

But suddenly, that guy looked confused—almost shocked. “Yiyi, you’ve never learned magic?”

“No…” I nodded, replying softly through the Contract’s pull. It wasn’t something to hide.

Immediately, that guy’s expression turned strange.