The contract in Ling Luo’s hands suddenly shimmered with unfamiliar script—yet Yi Xiao found he could understand it perfectly. Ling Luo released her grip. The parchment floated gently before him.

"The Contractor pledges to offer the essence released across ten future instances as sustenance for the demon bound by this pact. In return, the demon shall fulfill the Contractor’s wish marked XXX. The contract is only fulfilled upon the wish’s realization, at which point the pledged essence shall be delivered as payment. Note: Should the Contractor unilaterally void the pact after signing, severe penalties will follow."

Yi Xiao silently read the terms. Aside from that last line feeling a tad overbearing, everything seemed reasonably fair—though one detail nagged at him.

"Can I ask something?"

"Go ahead."

"What exactly… is this 'essence'?"

"The energy you release during sex… or, you know, when you *take care of yourself*." Ling Luo even mimicked shaking an imaginary bottle with a playful wink.

"T-this… H-how can you—a girl—say something so shameless?!"

Seeing Yi Xiao’s slightly flushed face, Ling Luo felt a flicker of smug delight. *He’s even more innocent than I am. How fun.*

Knowing her desk mate was this pure sparked mischief. The little devil in her heart stirred eagerly. She’d held back only out of fear—if she teased him too far and he got carried away, *she’d* be the one taken advantage of. Not worth the risk.

(If asked whether she liked boys or girls, her current answer was girls—which was precisely why she feared overdoing it. Though her budding feminine awareness made her notice how tall and handsome her desk mate was, it hadn’t sparked romantic feelings. Mentally, she still leaned masculine. Yet she didn’t mind acting feminine or being seen as a girl—after all, she *was* one.)

"You really think I’m just some ordinary girl? Did you misunderstand something?"

"Ah—sorry… But a demon who needs *that*… Are you…?"

"Yep. I’m a Succubus. Or, plainly speaking—a succubus." Ling Luo stated it without hesitation.

After a week, she’d mostly accepted this identity. No shame lingered, nor embarrassment over her revealing outfit.

(Though reverting to her male disguise as Luo Ling would likely trigger a bout of self-denial…)

She tamed the inner devil stirring within—hunger pangs reminded her: no time to waste.

Dusk had already settled.

"Back to business," Ling Luo continued. "Just a bit of your essence as payment. Shouldn’t be a problem for you, right?"

Yi Xiao nodded. The price felt almost too cheap.

"Now it’s your turn. Press your palm to the contract to seal it—I’ll fulfill your wish. Refuse, and I’ll erase your memory of me and leave. My existence can’t be widely known."

"Now then, make your—"

Before Ling Luo could deliver her cool, dramatic line, Yi Xiao’s palm was already pressed flat against the parchment. She froze.

He pulled back. His name glowed on the scroll. It rolled shut, tied neatly with a thread, then vanished.

Her perfectly rehearsed line died mid-breath.

"Is… is it done?" Yi Xiao asked, oblivious to her stunned silence.

"Y-yeah. Yep."

"Something wrong?"

"N-nothing! Just… you signed *so* fast, caught me off guard." She laughed it off. He bought it.

"Since the pact is sealed, let’s begin."

"Eh? Now?"

"Strike while the iron’s hot! Main action’s tomorrow—we’re just prepping. I’ll need your help."

"My help? What do I do?" Confused but compliant, Yi Xiao followed her lead.

"Call the girl you like. Invite her over tomorrow—to talk, or just hang out."

"W-wait, isn’t that…?"

Predictably, Yi Xiao instantly chickened out.

"No worries. *I’ll* call her. I’ve got my ways…" Ling Luo wiggled her fingers with a teasing smirk.

"N-no! I’ll do it!" He fumbled his phone out, hesitated mid-dial—then, catching the little devil’s pointed gaze, summoned his courage and pressed call.

*Did I just board a sinking ship?* Why had he signed so readily? Her deceptively innocent looks? He couldn’t say. He’d just *felt* she genuinely wanted to help…

…Though right now, he kinda wanted to take that thought back.

"Hello? Who is this?" Lin Xiaoyue’s voice chirped from the speaker.

"Ah—it’s… me. Liu Yixiao. From class…" His voice trembled. *Still coherent? Not bad,* Ling Luo mused.

"Y-Yi Xiao? What’s up?"

"I… I wanted to ask…" Sweat beaded on his palms. Ling Luo’s eyes urged him on.

"Ask what?" Lin Xiaoyue prompted.

"Ask if… you’ve eaten yet?"

Ling Luo nearly facepalmed. *Too shy to say it outright, huh?*

"Ugh, I’ve seen enough!"

With a tiny wave of her hand, the phone flew into her grasp. Yi Xiao’s mouth sealed shut mid-protest.

Ling Luo lifted the phone. Lin Xiaoyue’s voice continued:

"I ate already. How about you?"

"N-not yet… Busy today. Haven’t had time."

Yi Xiao stared in horror as the little devil chatted on—in a voice *identical* to his own.