It was Evelyn Rose’s birthday.
A garish, extravagant affair that required weeks of planning to let everyone know this was a party hosted by the Rose family. They were old British nobility and had retained their power to this modern era by investing their fortune to become a massive worldwide conglomerate. They also, it seems, had retained their disposition towards ridiculous expenditures. Evelyn happened to be the heir and cherished only child, and this only rocketed the expenses even more.
Evelyn herself was perfectly happy with it all. Of course, there was nothing to be unhappy about. Sometimes, she thought herself to be the most fortunate girl in the world. Yes, she was born to a rich family and was blessed with both talent and beauty, she had to be happy.
There she stood, happy and dressed wondrously for the occasion. Her strawberry blonde hair was tied up by large ribbons, and let loose in flowing twin tails which only she could pull off at a formal event, while her hourglass form was fitted by a ruffled, layered dress the colour of her family's namesake. With all of the grandeur of a queen, she looked across the hall, gazing at the multitude of guests. Businessmen, politicians, and even actors and actresses were invited to the event and each walked by to pay their respects. When Evelyn thought about it, other girls her age would kill to be able to even meet some of these people, and yet here they were, all gathered in her family home.
There was no doubting it. She had to be the happiest person in the world. The happiest...
An amused smile crept upon her features as she looked upon the presents that piled up before her. Countless expensive gadgets and aesthetic products as well as fanciful dresses and shoes that the various businessmen and politicians had thought a girl her age might like. Evelyn already had them all, and tired of them. She had her own favourite brands and didn’t need this junk.
If one were to ask her what she truly wanted for her birthday, what would she say? She would be at a complete loss for an answer. What did she want? What did someone who already had everything want?
Really, there was nothi-
“I want something even greater.”
The words escaped her lips in a delicate whisper that she barely realized she had voiced her thoughts aloud.
“Even greater than all of this. Not mere material wealth, but something amazing that will fascinate me, chill me to the core. Movies, games, music, I’ve had it all, tried it all. What is there left?”
It was then which the little dialogue box appeared before her. At first, she thought it was a trick of light, she did have a little to drink after all. But as she blinked her eyes, then rubbed them lightly, it remained there, hovering ominously in her line of sight.
“Do you want to be a Maou?”
A choice of some sort was presented before her. She glanced around to see if anyone else saw it, but although people brightened as her attention came to them, they gave no indication of noticing that apparition. Shrugging slightly, she thought it was perhaps some sort of present. She was always getting exposed to new technology, and holograms surprised her not. Glad for this harmless little diversion, she smiled and brought her finger to the box.
“Yes.”