Chapter 17
"Hey, Kuramoto. Do you have any plans for summer vacation? My grandfather is going to take me to the river, and I was wondering if you wanted to come along."
"Oh, sorry. I don't think I'll be able to make it this summer. Sorry."
"What, something came up?"
"Oh, I heard about that earlier. Sota won a spot on a 'Summer Language Study Trip for Elementary School Students.' Apparently, he entered a contest and won!"
"Wow, really? That's awesome! You get to go overseas? I'm so jealous!"
The curious glances from my classmates about my language study trip are painful. Many of them have never been overseas, and some have already asked me to bring them souvenirs.
Lately, the sun has been getting quite strong. With school lunches over and after a few days of shortened classes, I will be entering my last summer vacation as an elementary school student. I have a faint memory of a past life, so maybe this is actually my second time, but it still feels very emotional.
However, this summer vacation is very different from previous ones. Until last year, I had always lived on the surface. I have a family and a normal life, so I couldn't disrupt that. That's why it was fine until now.
However, at the beginning of this spring, I stepped into the shadows, and a little while ago, I fought a life-and-death battle. That made me realize that I couldn't go on like this. But I can't just throw away my current life and seek strength alone. This place is irreplaceable and important to me.
A long break was a blessing for resolving one of these dilemmas. I wanted to at least learn some self-defense skills to protect myself. Plus, summer vacation was the perfect opportunity. Without school, I could be much more flexible. However, I didn't want to worry my family, so I couldn't just leave home without telling them. I was agonizing over it, but to be honest, I had underestimated the power of the underworld. I never thought I'd come up with such a method. It's something an ordinary person's child couldn't possibly imitate.
"Yeah, but are you sure you'll be okay alone? You're going to stay with a host family abroad for over a month, right?"
"Yeah, but the host family I'm staying with are nice people, so I'll be fine. They can speak some Japanese, and I've already made friends with someone around my age."
"Huh, really? But you're really taking a big risk, aren't you?"
"Hahaha."
That's exactly what I was thinking. But this gives me a good reason to stay abroad long-term. My family was surprised that I had applied for something like this without telling them, and they were pretty worried, but they understood that it's a good opportunity. I'll actually get to go abroad, and it'll be good for my language studies. My sister was even more flustered than I was, which was pretty funny. She bought me various travel books and dictionaries, and I'll make sure to take good care of them.
Now, about this language study trip. Of course, I'm heading to the underworld. I asked a travel agency that deals with demons and wizards to create a cover story for me. I can't thank Mephisto enough. I've been in touch with Lavinia via email, but it's been a while since we've met in person. For souvenirs, I picked out the top ten things that foreigners would probably like. The one for Mephisto was the hardest, but I'll just let him pick his favorite from what I bought. I don't know his tastes, so I'll leave it up to him.
"Let's have a lot of fun before summer vacation starts. Is it okay to meet at my place today?"
"Eh, today is my soccer day!"
"Haha, don't worry about it! Oh, Kurimoto, after lunch, bring some video games over, okay?"
"Sure, I'll pick out some games we can all play together."
"I'm going too!"
I joined my classmates in their excitement and chatted with them, but we got so loud that the teacher scolded us. It was already past dismissal time, so we said goodbye to the teacher, put on our backpacks, and headed toward the entrance.
During that time, we talked excitedly about school life and the future as we walked toward our respective homes.
"...I guess I don't want to break it after all."
Walking home alone, I recalled the conversation I had just had with everyone. I stepped into the back alley, and I might be heading even deeper into it. It would be dangerous, and I might even have to fight for my life.
I want to become stronger. I want to be strong enough to protect myself, strong enough to avoid feeling such regret. That desire has been growing within me since that day. Still, I don't want to give up everything I've had to become stronger. I want to keep playing with my friends. I want to laugh with my family. I don't want to destroy my daily life.
I know my feelings are probably naive. As the holder of the Sacred Gear, I shouldn't be living such a normal life.
Hyoudou Issei was trying his best to protect both the surface and the hidden aspects of his life. But I don't have the strength to protect everyone like he did. If I didn't have the memories of my past life, I would have been separated from my parents and friends to prevent me from misusing the power of the Sacred Gear. To keep them out of danger, to prevent them from being dragged into it. But by chance, thanks to the power of the Sacred Gear and my knowledge of this world, I was able to avoid that beforehand. That's all there is to it.
"We need to talk about a lot of things. About myself, about the future..."
When I looked up suddenly, the clear blue sky stretched out endlessly. How much could I accomplish during this summer vacation? I didn't know. But I couldn't stop. Even if it was half-hearted, I was the one who chose this path.
I clenched my fist tightly and ran straight toward my house.
A few days after returning from that trip, my summer vacation plans were decided.
"Um, this is what I've been keeping from you."
"You, huh..."
"I've really caused you a lot of trouble."
We were in a private room at a gathering place for freelancers. It was one of the places used for discussions and consultations, and magic was used to prevent eavesdropping. It's also where my master handles information exchanges, so it's supposedly trustworthy, but just to be safe, I used the magical tools I received as a souvenir from the association to further block any eavesdropping.
The person I bowed to was my master himself. I decided to tell him about things other than my past life and knowledge, albeit in a condensed form. The reason was, of course, the invitation from Lord Mephisto. Since then, I've been thinking hard at home. If I'm going to think about the Sacred Gear, I should join an organization. No matter how hard I try alone, there are limits to how strong I can become. By joining the association, I can gain a backing, receive guidance from Lavinia, who possesses the God-Slaying Weapon, and learn more about magic.
Above all, Mephisto is, to put it bluntly, a laissez-faire individual. And he's one of the few non-human beings who respects humans. Regardless of our master-servant relationship, I have no qualms about working under him. In fact, I even wondered if there was a better place to work as a human being.
The reason the mage association didn't appear much in the original work is because they were an organization on the human side. In the original work, even though the world was facing a crisis that could lead to its destruction, they didn't get involved in the troubles of the underworld.
It's understandable, I suppose. Plus, since they're human, they couldn't participate in the original's overpowered non-human showdown. Instead, they likely focused on magical support, crafting magical tools, and other behind-the-scenes work. I had reservations about joining one of the three major factions. But I didn't want to join an enemy organization, and staying completely independent would eventually become unsustainable. I too want this world to be at peace. I'd be happy to help the protagonists and sincerely hope they succeed. That's why the "magician faction," which can quietly assist the three major factions while maintaining a certain distance to observe the world, was truly eye-opening.
Although the chairman is a demon, he's somewhat demon-leaning, but he has no involvement in the underworld. More importantly, even after just a few months in the underworld, magical power is an indispensable necessity.
Demons, fallen angels, angels, and other factions that oppose the mages would suffer greatly if they couldn't use their magic. That's why I think the association has become an inviolable territory. Lord Mephisto doesn't seem to care much about angels, fallen angels, or even other races. He probably feels it's safer to cooperate or use each other rather than oppose them.
Well, that's as far as I can think. In conclusion, joining the mages' organization isn't a bad idea. But if I were the kind of person who could decide immediately, I wouldn't be in such a pathetic state. To be honest, I'm anxious. I'm anxious about whether I should really join the organization. Mephisto probably won't rush me. But in this situation, where I don't know when I'll be dragged into another worldly problem, I don't have the luxury of time to think things over. Of course, I know it's no good to say "I'm leaving the organization" after the fact.
No matter how much I think about it, there's nothing I can do. So the next thing I thought of was to consult someone. It's hard to ask someone on the wizard side, like Lavinia or Mephisto. But there was one person I could trust behind the scenes. That was one of the reasons I decided to talk to my master. Above all, I'm his disciple. If I'm going to join another organization, I have to tell him first. But it's unlikely that a large organization would recruit someone like me.
In other words, he had no choice but to either tell me or cut me off. And I couldn't bring myself to cut off someone who had done so much for me.
"So that port incident was your fault... I was thinking about all kinds of things, like stray demons, criminals with grudges against the three major forces, freelancers, or ordinary people who had awakened their Sacred Gears and gone on a rampage..."
"Grudges and rampages?"
"That was a case that required a lot of cover-up. If you knew what was going on behind the scenes, you wouldn't do that. So, it's either a malicious crime committed by someone who knew what they were doing, or a rampage by someone who gained power without knowing anything. But there's nothing to support that. The information I've gathered since then shows the perpetrator's caution and the inconsistency between their careful planning and reckless actions, which left me scratching my head."
I'm sorry, I really didn't think it through. After a deep sigh, my master said, "Well, you did your best," and gave me a word of encouragement. I felt embarrassed and looked down, but I nodded slightly in response. It wasn't a compliment. I was scolded. But I was genuinely happy that my actions were acknowledged.
"I understand why you told me. I suspected something, but a Sacred Gear... and one with such troublesome effects. Is your inconsistent knowledge related to that?"
"Well, as for the knowledge, it's just a coincidence, or something..."
"Shou, you need to work on being too honest. If you don't want to answer, I'm not telling you to lie, but at least hide it better. If you keep this up, I can see why Lord Feres is worried about you."
"Yes, I'm sorry."
That's definitely the truth. It hits me straight in the heart and hurts. I wonder if this is how Lavinia felt when she was being lectured by Mephisto. Next time we meet, let's talk it out over some juice. Guardians are strong.
"Um, Master. So, should I stay with the 'Gray Magicians'? I definitely want to become stronger, and I don't want this power to be misused. But there's still so much I want to learn from you. I'm still not good at using the Sacred Gear or as an information broker, so I'm not sure what to do."
"You're such a troublesome disciple... Let me tell you, becoming a wizard's personal assistant is no small thing. Don't even think about comparing yourself to me."
"To me, you're worth that much."
My master silently hit me on the head. I'm so embarrassed.
"Alright, I understand. I'll just give you advice. The decision is yours."
"Yes, of course."
"...In my opinion, you should get the backing of Lord Feres. And you should do it now. At the very least, just being affiliated with the 'Gray Magician' will serve as a significant deterrent."
According to my master, there are three main reasons. First, he can't protect me, and he's not familiar with the handling of Sacred Gears. He says he can't bring out my full potential. Those who wield Sacred Gears are easy targets. No matter how well you hide them, they will be discovered eventually. At that point, there are limits to what I can do to protect you.
Second, if you want to survive in this world, you need the strength to resist. My master knows his limits and will not stray from them. But in my case, they may come after me. I must be prepared to be drawn into their world and live with that risk. That requires at least a minimum level of strength.
And third, there was the danger of my Sacred Gear's abilities. When my master mentioned it, I widened my eyes in surprise but listened quietly. In this world, the ability to erase concepts could potentially cause chaos. For example, "pseudo-healing techniques." Those seeking healing power are endless. And my Sacred Gear might be able to erase "disease," "curses," or "seals."
"But to affect others with my Sacred Gear, I have to stab them with the spear."
"You could erase a serious injury with just a small hole. The same goes for deadly diseases and curses. As Lord Feres said, be aware of this. Even with just your 'healing technique,' there will be no end to those who want to keep it for themselves and worship it. I think it's good that you're cowardly and honest. The only ones who know about your power are me, Sir Feres, and the young lady who wields the God-Destroying Weapon, right?"
"Yes, just the three of us. As for the stray wizard, it seems that Mephisto took care of him."
"Then keep it hidden as much as possible from now on. I've gotten my hands on some unbelievable information, and it's giving me a headache."
I'm really sorry about that. Hearing my master's words, I was reminded of Asia Argento, the heroine of High School DxD. The power of her Sacred Gear was healing. With that power, she was revered as a saint and used like a tool in a way. It was her kind nature and strong will that allowed her to endure such an environment. She could even smile. Just thinking about it makes me shiver. I couldn't endure it, not in a million years.
There are people with healing powers all over the world. This was mentioned in the original story. However, healing powers are ineffective against demons and fallen angels. That's why Asia's Sacred Gear was considered dangerous, as it could affect even demon-like beings of different species. As for my Sacred Gear, it can probably heal other species as well. My power is different from the sacred power granted by the gods; it is the power of annihilation.
Maybe I shouldn't have told my master. At my current state, using healing techniques or curse-breaking on others would be too taxing on me, and I probably don't have the skills to do it anyway. But... it's just a matter of lacking the necessary skills. Someday, I might be able to do it.
If I were a terrorist, I might try to forcefully awaken that power using the "method to reach the forbidden technique." I've dragged my master into such dangerous information. Seeing my pale face, my master gently nudged me.
"...I'm not so fallen that I need a child to worry about me. You should only worry about yourself. It's an adult's duty to worry about children. Besides, you trusted me enough to tell me, didn't you? Leaking information isn't something to be praised, but I still have enough pride to at least try to live up to that trust."
"...Master, you're really cool."
"Hmph, you seem to have regained your spirit. Now, Shou. What you need most right now is the simple strength to overcome injustice. It can be combat strength, organizational strength, escape strength, information strength, any kind of strength. Acquire the strength to stand up to them. And right now, the strength you can acquire the fastest is—"
"Organizational skills. And the ability to master the Sacred Gear."
"That's right. And I haven't taught you everything yet. Anyway, I'll just keep working as an informant in the background. I'll wait patiently for you to return as my disciple. ...So, make sure you get stronger."
From now on, if someone asks me who I respect the most, I'm sure my master will be the first person to come to mind. I can't tell anyone else because I don't want to put him in danger. But this overwhelming joy will never fade. Thank you, Master.
In the end, it was Master's encouragement that finally made me decide. From now on, I can't keep relying on others like this. No matter how uncertain the future may be, it's up to me to choose my own path. When I return as his disciple, I'll make sure I'm at least a little better than I am now. I'll make use of everything I learned as your disciple and strive to be recognized as the "Gray Magician."
That's how I'll repay everyone who supported me.
"...Master. I'm joining the organization of magicians. I'll learn as much as I can there and do my best to ease your worries, even if it's just a little."
"Well, I hope you'll become a little better."
"Ugh... That's harsh."
My master smiled, shrugging his shoulders at my words of determination, and then saw me off.
Then, using the magic circle card I had received from Lord Mephisto, I sent a message, and the notification of my selection for the summer language study abroad program was sent through the magic circle. Everything was arranged, including contact information and schedules for my family. What a capable person. Though I was a bit intimidated, my summer plans were decided in an instant.
I was told that someone from the Magic Users' Association in Japan would pick me up on the day of departure, so I was to follow their instructions. With a mix of excitement and anxiety, I spent the days leading up to summer vacation. I bought souvenirs for my host family, played with friends to make up for the summer break, and even participated in cleaning activities. Looking back, I was pretty free and easy.
"Well, I'm off."
"Be careful and don't get into trouble. And don't cause any trouble for your host family. Oh, and..."
"I already heard all the rules yesterday. You take care too."
Laughing at her usual manner, I waved goodbye to my family. And so, my first summer vacation in my secret world began.
Chapter 18
"Kana, next we're going to my favorite crepe shop."
"Really? That sounds fun. Do you like sweets, Lavinia?"
"Yes, I do. Sweet things taste best after studying magic."
Saying that, the girl smiled shyly, and I nodded in agreement. I understand well that sweet things taste better after studying hard. By the way, when I brought her some Japanese souvenirs, the first things she chose were Japanese sweets and mochi. Especially the mochi—when I showed her how to cook it, she watched intently until it puffed up. The happy look on her face as she ate it with kinako was saved in my mental album.
After all, seeing my friend's happy face made me feel that it was worth the effort to find her. She, Lavinia, smiles so happily. I can't help but get caught up in her excitement. So, I decided to enjoy the moment she was guiding me around as promised. Lavinia must have thought of a recommended course for her friend.
"By the way, I always thought wizards just studied all the time, but they run all kinds of shops too. The place we're heading to next is also run by a wizard, right?"
"That's right. This place is where the Gray Wizard makes some extra money and also presents his research findings."
"Presentations?"
"I think I told you that there are various types of magic. The field is also very diverse. There are those who research attack magic like the kind I often use, those who study magic for daily life, and even those who specialize in culinary magic."
"Magic for cooking?!"
That's way too innovative. The image that came to mind was a wizard conjuring up a feast with just a wand. If you can cook with magic, that's incredible. Or maybe it's automatic cooking machines powered by magic. Humans are obsessed with such niche details.
"Ah, of course, only a few people research cooking with magic. That kind of magic might be developed by the organization in Golden Dawn. Here, most people are researching or creating prototypes of foods from the underworld that have been modified for human consumption. The crepe shop we're heading to uses ingredients from the underworld."
"Ah, so that's the kind of cooking you're talking about. And the Golden Dawn is an organization of magicians who deal with modern magic, right? The Gray Magicians are closely connected to the underworld, so they're eager to study it. But prototypes? Is that okay?"
"Sometimes crazy things turn out crazy, but the place we're going to is fine. Don't worry."
...Um, Lavinia. Did you just casually say something crazy? I no longer felt any reassuring elements related to food in this area. With a twitch at the corner of my mouth, I resolved to avoid eating anywhere other than the restaurant she recommended. If I ever end up working as an information broker here, the first thing I'll do is compile a list of safe restaurants. I'll give it my all.
After arriving via teleportation magic in the morning, I relaxed for a while, and in the afternoon, the two of us decided to go out. That's how I ended up learning various things about magic users and the underworld from Lavinia while exploring. She was guiding me around the city, so it was simple information, but it was easy to understand, and I found myself listening intently. I remembered the name "Gray Magician" from the original work, but I couldn't recall much about other magic user organizations.
The only other ones I vaguely remember are an organization of rogue wizards called Hexennacht, and the magical organization that Lufay Pendragon belonged to, the Golden Dawn. I managed to recall the names just now. I heard the names of other organizations too, but they seem too difficult to remember.
"But even though there are so many magical organizations, most wizards belong to this one, right? Is it because they have a strong connection to the underworld?"
"That's part of it, but the main reason is because the chairman, Mephisto, is here."
"You want to have a connection with demons?"
"Wizards and demons have had a deep relationship since ancient times through contracts. There are also cases where the reasons are similar to those of Kana and me. Most wizards are human. Non-humans can also use magic, but they combine it with their own unique abilities. Demons have demonic power. Angels and fallen angels have light power. Youkai have youkai power. There are also various other types, such as senjutsu. However, the only powers humans can possess are magic and sacred gears. There is also fighting spirit, but that is difficult to achieve with human physical abilities."
"...I see, so wizards are also easy targets."
The same reason as us. In other words, they want a powerful ally that will protect them from other organizations. Thinking about it, it makes sense. Those who possess sacred gears are targeted. The same goes for mages who wield power. Especially demons, who seek out talented subordinates. If they want to reincarnate humans, there's no better candidate than a mage. It wouldn't be surprising if there were mage hunts for the sake of subordinates. Under normal circumstances, they probably couldn't have existed openly as a human organization like this.
So it was Mephisto who made that possible? He created a place where wizards could freely pursue their research. Demons wouldn't dare touch wizards in an organization led by the oldest demons. Demons are strict about hierarchy, so that's especially true. I think I finally understand why the Gray Wizards grew so powerful.
Wizards are often single-minded in their research. They're also laid-back and have strong convictions. Some may want to become demons to gain longevity and continue their research, but many don't. The reason is that if you become a demon's subordinate, you have to obey your master's orders. Only a handful of demons can become high-ranking demons through reincarnation. For those obsessed with research, becoming a demon must be unbearable. If there were demons who would let you pursue your research freely, that would be ideal, but such demons are rare.
Now that I think about it, the contract between demons and magicians might also serve to instill respect for magicians on the demon side. Just as humans are necessary for demons, magicians are also necessary for demons. In the original work, the reason there are few human magicians among demons might be because of this awareness on the demon side. Well, that's just my guess, so I might be wrong.
"Ah, this is the shop. Which crepe would you like, Kana?"
"Um... Lavinia. I've never heard any of these names before, so I have no idea what they taste like."
"Hmm, since you're Asian, something too sweet might not be your thing."
"Oh, maybe you're right. Hmm, what about this 'Amon's Fruit' crepe?"
"Oh, that one is recommended for human tourists, but it causes a week of uncontrollable desires, so I wouldn't recommend it."
"...Lavinia. Is the sense of security in this magical town really this high-stakes, right next to danger?"
"Huh?"
Lavinia tilts her head in confusion at my question. Yeah, she's cute. Her golden hair sways in sync with her movement, like a painting. I can't handle this without escaping reality like this. This wizard town is scary because I have no idea what might happen. After spending just over an hour with her in the town, I started to feel sad about whether I could really make it here.
Then, I played it safe and chose the same kind of crepe as Lavinia. The sweetness spread in my mouth like carbonation, and I was surprised by the taste I had never experienced before, but I managed to finish it all. However, I did feel that it was a bit too sweet.
"Hey, it sounds like you had fun exploring. Did you have enough pocket money?"
"Lord Mephisto. Yes, I was surprised by many things, but I had a good time. Thank you for the money. And thank you for the translation tools for me."
"Don't worry about it. But Kana is here to study languages, so I'd be happy if you didn't rely too much on translation and tried to learn as much as you can."
"I'll be careful."
After that, we walked around for another hour or so, and she showed me some interesting places. From areas accessible to travelers with connections, to areas only accessible to those affiliated with the Gray Mages. Though the latter half was mostly just the key spots. Lavinia returned to the association and, after a while, headed off to her work as a mage. She also promised to give me a lecture on the sacred gears tomorrow. It's so kind of her, even though she must be busy.
Until then, I decided to finish my summer homework in the room assigned to me. I had to study hard. Even the other members of the Gremory family were apparently finding time to study during their summer training camp in the underworld. Fraction addition and subtraction were no problem, but trick questions in the word problems were quite tricky.
While I was spending my time like that, a magic circle appeared in my room, projecting a three-dimensional image of Mephisto. He was waving a fan with a picture of Mount Fuji and the words "Japan's Best" written on it. I'm glad you liked the souvenir. I was surprised at first, but then I remembered he had said, "Let's talk later." I thought he was going to the principal's office, but this is fantasy after all.
By the way, his name is now "Lord Mephisto." I was torn between calling him "Feres," "President," or using his full name, but he told me, "Just use my name," when I first came here. Apparently, he didn't want to be too formal if he was going to be with Lavinia.
"Yeah, that's good. Lavinia has been working on her course plan at her desk since yesterday. I finally got her to go to bed before midnight, though."
"Ah, I see. I thought she was really into it. Thanks to her, I already have some fun memories."
"You should tell that to Lavinia. She'll be happy. ...Well, now that we've relaxed a bit, shall we get started?"
"Yes, please."
I pushed my homework aside and sat up straight, facing him. I was still nervous, but I wasn't stiff because of Mephisto's personality. He seemed to be creating an atmosphere that made it easy for me to talk. I guess this is what you call the presence of an adult.
"First of all, I'm sorry for bringing you all the way here from Japan. I didn't want to keep you away from your parents for over a month either."
"No, I understand, and I talked it over with my family. In fact, I'm deeply grateful for all the consideration you've shown me. You even arranged the trip and the pickup."
By the way, the person who picked me up was the same Milky Magician. If you're going to teleport long distances from Japan, he's the one to call. When I mentioned my connection with the chairman, he gave me a thumbs up and said, "No wonder you were guided by Milky!" I wasn't sure whether to be happy or not. Also, I'm being casually counted as one of his allies.
Additionally, he's a wizard who has the Four Great Demon Lords as his regular clients. And you shouldn't underestimate their magical girl magic. Because their magical girl magic is improved every time with hundreds of documents from the Demon Lord herself. The magic used by the Demon Lord herself. In other words, Milky the Wizard is one of the top wizards in Japan. Is it wrong of me to think this world is cruel yet somehow off?
In any case, he also seems willing to take responsibility for protecting my family in Japan. Once he found out the target was related to me, he gladly agreed alongside Milky Devil. I'm deeply grateful, but for some reason I can't bring myself to be happy. Am I just being selfish? My family, protected by a magic girl-loving old man. I decided to stop overthinking it.
"So, Lord Mephisto. What should I do from here on out? I need to train with the sacred gear, build up my physical strength, and gain knowledge. Plus, since it's a magic users' association, I should probably learn magic too..."
"Don't rush, don't rush. Listen, Kana. Trying to make the most of every moment is a human virtue. But pushing yourself too hard and breaking down is also one of the scary things about being human. Don't push yourself too hard, like that. Especially if you want to live a long and happy life."
Humans and non-humans. I think the difference between them is really huge. The main characters were able to do such reckless things and train like they did in the original story because they were demons. They trained during a summer camp and achieved a sudden power-up. But I probably can't expect to see such results. Mephisto tells me to endure my impatience. It's frustrating, but I think he's right.
"I understand your desire to become stronger, Kana. That's why you need to be careful. If you intend to live as a human, you should remember this. There is a clear difference between humans and non-humans. And only a select few can bridge that gap as humans. No matter how much you train to become stronger, no matter how much you sacrifice, there are some things you will never be able to achieve."
"...It's a harsh world."
I think that to reach their realm as a human, you need innate talent, special abilities, or a strong will. And those who can go even further are probably only those like Lavinia, who possess the God-Slaying Tools. My master also said to clearly recognize my own limits. Mephisto smiled gently at my muttered words.
"I won't deny it. But the interesting thing about humans is... Sometimes, there are those who overcome the barriers between species that are supposed to be insurmountable by approaching them from a different angle."
"...Are you talking about weirdos?"
"Yeah, weirdos. Humans find ways to win that would never occur to non-humans. I've seen it many times. If they can't win with strength, they try to make up for it with speed, information, wisdom, connections, negotiation skills, tools, or strategy. Such opponents are the most troublesome. Even if you can defeat them in battle, you don't want to deal with them because they're a hassle. That feeling exists even among non-humans."
I just listened quietly to his story. After that battle, I felt a compulsion to become stronger. I knew that if I didn't become stronger and win, I would lose something. That wasn't wrong. But I realized that it was only one of many possible answers.
"Alright, Kana, let me ask you again. The strength you seek is the power to fight non-human beings head-on and win, right?"
"...No. The strength I seek is the power to survive. If I can survive, I don't mind escaping from non-human beings. If I can protect what I want to protect, I don't mind being laughed at for being pathetic. It's not about winning; it's about not losing. That's the strength I want."
"Alright, well said. To be honest, given your personality and your sacred gear, I don't think head-on combat is really your thing."
Ah, so even the oldest demon sees it that way. Still, I think I understand why Lord Mephisto drove that point home to me. What I need to do probably won't change much from before. I'll continue training with my sacred gear and building my physical strength. But at least I've clarified the direction I need to head in. The power I want isn't something I can obtain through reckless training. I can now nod in agreement to his words, "Don't rush."
"However, Kana, I think you have the potential to become the kind of troublesome opponent I mentioned earlier, the kind you'd rather not have as an enemy because they're too much trouble."
"Um, is that something to be praised?"
"Hahahaha!"
He laughed it off!
"Anyway, we have about a month. We'll teach you everything we can. You're one of us now."
"I understand. I'll train hard and avoid reckless actions."
"That would be appreciated. Lavinia would be sad if you did something reckless."
As expected of Mephisto. His unwavering love for his daughter is wonderful.
"First, you should learn about the sacred gears from Lavinia. I can teach you a few basic spells, but we need to establish a direction. Magic is diverse, after all. As for physical training, you could help Lavinia with her work. It'll be useful for learning the magician's trade."
"But won't that be too much for Lavinia?"
"She volunteered to do it herself. So, I'll just support her decision and stop her if she tries something reckless. Children grow the most by trying everything. I think the elderly should just watch over their growth in silence."
... I don't know how to put it, but Mephisto's laissez-faire approach feels warm and nurturing. He lets them do what they want, but he sets a clear direction and scolds them firmly when they go too far. It makes me feel a little uneasy. His way of thinking is amazing. He's truly an incredible person.
"Well, yes. As for the sacred gears, Lavinia can teach you some basics, but she can only teach you the simple things. Beyond that, it becomes a specialized field. The downside is that it might be tough to develop your abilities further with just that."
"Yeah, my sacred gear and hers are completely different in terms of power..."
"Hmm, Kana. I'm honestly torn, but I know a method that can definitely enhance the power of your sacred gear. Lavinia was able to master the God-Slaying Tool using that method, after all."
"What? Really?!"
At Mephisto's words, I blurted out in a rush. After all, it was a sure way to improve my abilities. Plus, there was the proven track record of being able to master the God-Slaying Tool Absolute Demise. However, the fact that Mephisto, who never smiled, was making an unusual expression made me feel a bit uneasy. But I didn't have the confidence to improve my abilities on my own, so I should probably just accept his help.
"Lord Mephisto, if it's not too much trouble, could you please teach me the method? I think the most important thing for me to do is to master the power of the sacred gear. Please!"
"...It's going to be tough."
"Yes!"
"...I mean, it's really going to be tough."
"Yes, sir..."
Why are you emphasizing it so much? My resolve is starting to waver. How difficult is it? Is it going to be such a grueling training that I'll see hell? But Lavinia went through the same thing, didn't she? Mephisto allowed it, so it can't be illegal or life-threatening, right?
"I understand. I accept your decision."
"Um, did something sound off just now?"
"I'll do my best to protect you... Stay strong, Kana."
"Wait, wait, Mephisto! You're not serious, are you? The magic circle communication is cut off!"
This is bad. Did I step on a landmine? But I can't go back to the principal's office and refuse now. Lord Mephisto said that for my sake, and I know it's necessary. But this uneasy feeling won't go away. I have a bad feeling something bad is going to happen... I couldn't help but pray to God that nothing strange would happen.
Needless to say, the next day, my bad feeling came true.
Chapter 19
"...Ah, morning..."
My blurry vision gradually came into focus, and as the morning sun shone through the window, I realized that I was awake. I chuckled softly at my own sleepy voice and welcomed the second day.
Since then, I had been brooding over my exchange with Lord Mephisto, but perhaps because it was the first day, I was tired. As soon as I lay down on the prepared bed, sleep overtook me.
I still couldn't shake the unpleasant feeling, but I felt like this was a path I had to walk eventually. If it's coming, then let it come! I decided to steel 's no lie in my desire to become stronger. Having shifted my mindset, I still feel drowsy, drifting in and out of sleep.
This bed is incredibly comfortable. The softness that makes my body sink in is irresistible. I know I have to get up today to receive guidance on the sacred artifact from Lavinia, but looking at the clock leaning against the wall, I think I can afford to doze off for a little longer.I know it's messy, but the comfort of sleeping in is universal, isn't it?
"There's still time, so I guess it's okay."
"No, you can't... Kanakun, you have training with me today."
"But there's still time until my appointment with Lavinia..."
I woke up. With what must have been my personal best in terms of speed, I threw off the blanket covering me.
I looked around, but couldn't see anyone who had spoken. I thought it might be a magical array like the one used by Mephisto, but there was nothing like that either. I thought it might be a dream or an auditory hallucination, but then I noticed the blanket next to me bulging slightly, and my body froze. Wait, what's going on? Am I in the middle of something terrible?
Could it be that the "usual thing" is being applied to me, a mere background character? This is the world of "High School DD." It's a world with an absurdly high skin-to-clothing ratio, so much so that I couldn't help but think, "This is overkill." But in this erotic hierarchy society, background characters and supporting roles get no special treatment. Remember Sakura-san, who was obsessed with the president? Did he ever get any payoff in his relationships with girls? No, he didn't!
I swallowed hard. Hesitantly, I touched the blanket. My heart was pounding, but I'm at the age where I'm supposed to be going through puberty. Even if I have memories from a past life, everything is new to me. The idea of being in bed with the opposite sex makes my face turn red just thinking about it. Then, mustering all my courage, I pushed aside the blanket that had been piled up.
And there, as I had expected—there was Lavinia. She was wearing the large T-shirt I had bought on a whim as a souvenir, with the words "Heart and Mind Extinguished!" written in big Chinese characters. ...Wow, all the excitement of my adolescence was completely frozen and extinguished. Japanese kanji T-shirts have the effect of making people go serious when they see a cute girl wearing just a T-shirt in bed.I had no idea.
"Good morning."
"...Good morning, Lavinia. Why are you in my bed?"
"Um... I think I got up to use the bathroom yesterday. And then I woke up here."
"...You must have gotten the rooms mixed up. You're too clumsy."
"Yes, that must be it. Kana-kun, you're a master detective!"
Seeing Lavinia clap her hands happily, I think I must have smiled like a Buddha. In this state, what else could I possibly say? There were so many things I could have noticed—her sleepy eyes, her snow-white skin, the fact that she was wearing the large T-shirt I had bought—but all I could see was "Mind at Peace!" Why did I buy this?
"Let's get up first. Can you make it back to your room on your own, Lavinia?"
"Yes, I can. I'm already ten years old, so I'm fine."
"...Wait, does that mean I'm older than her?"
No, come to think of it, people from other countries tend to look older, right? So it's not because I have a baby face or am too short! This is really messing with my head... If I just sulk, I'll probably be forgiven in this state. Damn it!
――――――
"Ahem. Now, let me tell you about the sacred treasure."
"Yes, please."
After that, the morning incident was simply ignored. Is it okay for me to cry? By the way, Mephisto laughed and said, "It's common for people to wander in sleepwalking in the middle of the night."We should really pay attention! Mephisto-sama, you must have found Lavinia crawling into my bed sometimes and found it cute, so you never told her off, right? Are you setting up a flag for future lucky perverted incidents!?
Also, Mephisto-sama didn't say anything about Lavinia crawling into my bed.I tilted my head, but he said, "You wouldn't do anything to make Lavinia cry," as if it were obvious. Should I feel happy that he trusts me, or should I lament the fact that I might have to endure future lucky events with "mental suppression"? Where did my luck go? Breathe properly.
Thus began my first morning as the "Gray Magician," starting off with such a commotion.
"First, how much do you know about the types of sacred artifacts?"
"Types, like what?"
"Well, for example, the 'Eternal Ice Princess' I possess belongs to the independent manifestation type of sacred artifacts. It is a sacred artifact that can exist independently of its host, taking on its own form, and fights to protect its host."
"Wow, that's an amazing artifact!"
"However, its weakness is that the host of the artifact is often targeted. Therefore, if the host doesn't have the ability to defend themselves, it can be dangerous. Each type of artifact has its own characteristics, so the way you fight and defend yourself depends on the opponent's artifact."
I see, so that's why Lavinia doesn't rely solely on her God-Destroying Weapon and has also honed her magical , I try to recall all the divine weapons I can remember. The first one that comes to mind is the protagonist's divine weapon, ''. It's an incredible divine weapon that doubles the user's abilities every ten seconds. The one that counters it, '', works the opposite way: it halves the abilities of anyone it touches every ten seconds and absorbs the abilities it takes away. These two are probably in the same category of divine weapons.
"That's right. Those two are status-altering divine weapons. There are also healing and cursing divine weapons in this category. I think Kanakun's divine weapon also falls under this classification. It's a divine weapon that inflicts the 'annihilation' status on oneself or others."
"Status-altering... What are the characteristics of that?"
"There are many diverse types. However, most take the form of a divine artifact. For example, ' ' is a gauntlet, and Kanakun's is a spear. They can also be small items like rings or earrings. Due to their special effects, these artifacts are not recommended for close combat. On the other hand, once their effects are understood, they can be countered more easily. Generally, they only have a single special effect. If countered, they can suddenly become disadvantageous."
So, if countermeasures are taken, they become disadvantageous. That applies to any sacred artifact, but it's especially true for those that cause status changes. Indeed, in the original work, enemies used various methods to counter Kato Ichise's abilities. Asia's healing was also reversed and used against her in one scene. Because they rely on a single special effect, they become overly dependent on it.
Additionally, many status-altering divine artifacts are affected by their own power. For example, cursed artifacts may be less effective against opponents of higher rank, or overusing them beyond their limits can cause self-destruction. Consuming physical or mental energy to activate special effects is a trend I've noticed in my own divine artifact as well. In other words, they can't be used repeatedly. This limited number of uses is another characteristic of such artifacts.
The most effective way to use this divine artifact is to keep the opponent unaware of its effects. In other words, it's about keeping information secret. Don't give the opponent any information, confuse them with the power of the artifact, and then deliver the finishing blow. Being flashy and drawing attention is counterproductive. In the original work, Hidetoshi Hidetoshi was able to succeed because he had the pure strength of the "God-Destroying Artifact." If it had been an ordinary divine artifact, he might have been sealed away.
Additionally, the artifact used by Kiba Yuto, known as a "system artifact," and magical-attribute artifacts like the "attribute-type artifact," each have their own characteristics and countermeasures. It's fascinating to realize just how many types of artifacts there are. Many of these details went unnoticed when reading the original story for enjoyment.
"However, Kanakun's artifact has a significant characteristic that sets it apart from ordinary state-altering artifacts."
"What about my divine artifact?"
"Yes, Kanakun's divine artifact has an incredibly wide range of applications. Even if you know his power, it's hard to counter everything. You might be able to protect yourself from the annihilation effect, but you might not be able to stop him from escaping or recovering. If Kanakun can use the annihilation power on anything and as many times as he wants, I wouldn't want to fight him."
That's how far it goes. But yeah, I wouldn't want to fight such a troublesome opponent are eliminated, he disappears and becomes an assassin, and even if you manage to injure him, he heals instantly. Yeah, I don't want to fight him normally.
"By the way, how would you fight him if it were you?"
"I'd knock the spear out of Kanakun's hands, even if I have to blow off his arm. Then I'd use my sacred treasure to freeze a wide area at once, leaving him no escape, and finish him off with one blow."
"That's seriously scary!"
But, I see. Make him drop the spear. Indeed, my abilities are centered around the spear. Once I lose the divine weapon, I'm just an ordinary human. I guess I need to prepare countermeasures for that as well. There's just too much I have to do.
"Alright, enough theory. Let's move on to training. The first step to mastering the divine weapon is practice."
"Huh, but how do we train?"
"There's a specially created space used for practicing magic attacks. It's based on technology used in demon rating games, making it the perfect place for training. We'll be using it a lot from now on, so remember it well."
Lavinia said that, then put on the pointed hat she had been holding on the edge of the desk and donned the cloak hanging on the wall. She was now fully dressed as a magical , her hat and cloak were gifts from Mephisto to celebrate her becoming a magician. No wonder she cherishes them so much.
I followed behind her, trying to memorize the way to the training room. Along the way, she told me about the facilities and shared some useful information, and I nodded in agreement. As expected of a magician's association, everything was new and exciting, and I couldn't help but be distracted.
We eventually arrived at a vast space that must have been dome-shaped. I wondered how such a space could fit inside a building, but it must be the power of magic. Lavinia unfolded a magic circle near the entrance and moved her fingers as if tracing something. At the same time, the plain white dome-like space suddenly transformed into a massive room with hard walls. She explained to me that it was a projection or an illusion created by magic.
"Now, Kanakun. I would like you to show me the power of the sacred artifact. I have heard about it from you, but I have not seen it with my own eyes."
"Oh, right. How should I show it to you?"
"I will cast a spell on you. Try to dispel it. I will set the speed to slow, so if you feel it's dangerous, escape immediately."
"Got it."
As I brought the sacred artifact to my hand, she gripped a small stick like a twig in hers. When I nodded, Lavinia created a magic circle at the tip of her staff, and a palm-sized fireball appeared. It was fired straight toward me. I gripped the spear tightly, aimed it at the fireball, and focused my mind on making it disappear.
As the sacred artifact and magic collided, a faint "shun" sound echoed, and the magic vanished. Lavinia nodded, then created a fireball the size of a soccer ball. I was a bit startled, but I managed to eliminate it without issue. Still, the fatigue I felt was greater than with the first, smaller one. Even so, I thought I could probably handle dozens of spells of this caliber with ease.
There's something else. It feels like the power of elimination has increased compared to before. I had a vague sense of it even when I was in Japan, but eliminating Lavinia's magic made it feel much stronger. I think her magic now is equivalent to the power of the stray mage's initial attacks back then. At that time, I thought a few shots would be enough. But now, I can handle it with ease.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing. I just find it strange that the fatigue from eliminating magic is less than it was when the stray wizard attacked. Do sacred artifacts level up when they're near death?"
"... Perhaps the sacred artifacts resonated instinctively."
"Resonate?"
According to her explanation, it's a phenomenon that occasionally occurs between sacred artifacts.
Apparently, it's more likely to happen when exposed to the vibrations of a higher-ranked divine artifact, and they resonate with each other, pulling each other's power to enhance themselves. Come to think of it, when Lavinia's divine artifact responded, the red one also glowed. So that was resonance. "I believe divine artifacts can distort phenomena even if there's only one of them. At that time, if there's someone with a matching wavelength, a resonance phenomenon can occur.
This is the first time I've actually seen it myself."
"Huh, really? Lavinia knows a lot about sacred artifacts, doesn't she?"
"All my knowledge is secondhand. So it's not me who's amazing, but her. She taught me how to use sacred artifacts when she guided me."
"How to use sacred artifacts...?"
Is there really such a person in the Mages' Guild?
If there's someone like Lavinia's teacher, they should have noticed me too. If they're a stubborn person, it might be impossible, but I think they'd at least introduce us. The fact that they didn't means that the teacher of the sacred artifact might be in a position where they can't meet us right now. "Speaking of which, yesterday, Mephisto asked me if I wanted to try the same method Lavinia used to master the sacred artifact.
Could that mean he's going to contact Lavinia's teacher?"
"Eh..."
At my words, Lavinia's usually dreamy expression turned into the same indescribable look she had when she was with Mephisto. Wait a minute, both of you. Is it really such an indescribable method that it shows so much on your faces? I'm starting to get really scared.
Right, I was planning to ask Lavinia for more details about that. She's someone who's actually tried that method before. I was hesitant to ask Mephisto about it, but I thought she might be able to answer. Just as I was about to speak,
"What's taking so long? Show me the next effect of the sacred artifact already. We can talk later, can't we? By the way, that red color... it really does look like a sacred artifact with the power of Sazeks, doesn't it?Interesting..."
A voice that belonged to neither me, Lavinia, nor Mephisto, who knew about my sacred artifact, suddenly echoed through the room. We reflexively turned our heads toward the voice and widened our eyes. Standing where no one had been a moment ago was a man leaning against the wall, arms crossed, grinning with obvious enjoyment. More than curiosity, what I felt was shock.
More than the fact that my divine artifact had been seen, the identity of that person made my cheeks twitch violently. Lavinia, standing next to me, wasn't holding her weapon but was clearly on guard. That was only natural, because this man wasn't affiliated with the Mages' Guild. Still, he was someone deeply connected to this place. Only now did I remember. Among the information about Mephisto Feres, there was a detail mentioned casually in the original work that was important to me.
Mephisto has someone he's known for a long time, almost like an old friend. In the original story, they were shown to have a close enough relationship to drink together casually. This person was someone who had to keep their friendship a secret until the peace between the three major factions was secured. And yet, he was knowledgeable about sacred artifacts and had a troublemaker personality that made the two of them look away in dismay. There was only one person who fit that description.
He is a middle-aged man with blonde bangs and a slightly rugged beard. Though it's not visible now, he likely has pitch-black wings on his back. His eyes are fixed on me—or rather, on my sacred artifact—with an intense curiosity. It felt like his researcher-like essence, muttering to himself, was operating at full capacity in a different direction from that of a stray wizard.
In the end, my bad feeling proved accurate.
His charisma and kindness are unmatched even in the original work. I've even thought to myself that it would be nice to be friends with him. But that was before I fully understood the power of the sacred artifact. Let me be clear. If Mad, who is obsessed with sacred artifact research, were to discover a sacred artifact with practical applications, what would happen? It's certain that I'd end up in a terrible situation! I absolutely refuse to be turned into an iron ball, modified, or turned into a dragon!
I value my life! I don't want to end up like Spoon, one of Mad's poor victims!
"Hey, it's been a while, Lavinia. How have you been?"
"I'm fine, thank you. I'm glad to hear that you are well, Governor. ...I assume you didn't come to the association today to see Chairman Mephisto."
"Ah, Mephisto told me something interesting.I just flew over here."
Fly over here? You just talked to Mephisto yesterday. You said you'd come as soon as you got the message. How interested are you in my sacred treasure? Are you really that bored, Governor? No, that can't be. You must have pushed your work onto Shemhazai or someone. Otherwise, there's no way a fallen angel governor would be here!
"Well, let's start with introductions. Nice to meet you. I'm Azazel, the second-in-command of the fallen angel organization. From now on, let's get along well."
Dear World. Did I do something to you? After being greeted with a casual wave by the fallen angel governor, I could only manage a dry smile. It seems my second encounter in the original story has turned out to be with Azazel-sama.
Chapter 20
Azazel. The current Governor-General of the Fallen Angel organization, Grigori—"The Watchers of the Children of God." In the original story, this was the man who served as the protagonists' teacher, a central figure with a pivotal role. He was a passionate Sacred Gear researcher, possessing such a wealth of knowledge that I doubt anyone knew more on the subject than him. He was on a level where he could artificially create and functionalize his own Sacred Gears. He also had a flair for the dramatic so ingrained that he wouldn't be discouraged even when Lord Michael teased him about his cringey past. He was the very model of an adult you couldn't quite tell if you should admire or not.
But his presence was immense. In a way different from the protagonist, Issei Hyoudou, he was a cornerstone of the story that couldn't be removed. In the original work, there was a scene where the God of Destruction, Shiva, warned him that he had an aura of death about him, and Azazel himself acknowledged it. It was a nasty bit of foreshadowing. As a reader, I loved Professor Azazel; he was a fun, compassionate, and memorable character who I even saw as an incarnation of gags and trouble.Just shatter a stupid flag like that!I had felt from my reader's perspective.
So naturally, a part of me had wanted to meet him. I did. But if possible, I wanted to do it from a safe distance, as a third-party observer. The last thing I ever wanted was this—to be face-to-face with him, the subject of his blazing, undivided interest. Because this man is a massive troublemaker with a mad scientist's mind! If you were ranking characters you couldn't predict, he'd be right near the top!
"Heeey, I might be a fallen angel, but I'm not gonna do anything scary, I swear! I'm friends with Mephisto, so you can drop the guard. Now hurry up and show me the power of that Sacred Gear. C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!"
"Being a fallen angel has nothing to do with it! You're the one who's terrifying!"
He was inching toward me, wiggling his fingers! An adult creeping closer with a huge, gleeful grin on his face. This was genuine trauma material.Partner, please. Erase this trauma for me! Huh? You can't for 'some reason'? What do you mean, 'some reason'?!
Just as Azazel was closing in on me while I scrambled backward in confusion, Lavinia spread her arms and stepped between us, halting the production of my new traumatic memory. Thank you, magical girl, you're a true ally of justice. I did feel a pang of shame for hiding behind a girl younger than me, but I was seriously terrified.
"Azazel, could you please stop bullying my ward? Honestly, showing up the very next day after I call you… Your obsession with Sacred Gears is as strong as ever."
"Mephisto. I've gotta say, I'm a little jealous. Why do all the Longinus and other fascinating Sacred Gears gather around you instead of me, the one who's actually collecting them?"
"In my case, I can only call it a coincidence. Besides, I hear you've been gathering Sacred Gear users yourself, Azazel. And it's making people nervous. They're wondering if you're amassing power to start another war."
"Hah! Same old story. I'm not trusted by anyone. I keep telling them I have no intention of starting a war, you know."
A magic circle had suddenly appeared in the training room, and from it emerged Lord Mephisto himself. Lavinia and I both let out a sigh of relief. Your presence is incredibly reassuring, Lord Mephisto. Even if you're the one who contacted this guy in the first place. Azazel, for his part, looked chagrined and scratched his head at Mephisto's arrival. At least now we could probably have a civilized conversation.
"My apologies for the surprise, Kanata," Mephisto said. "I contacted an acquaintance of mine who is an expert on Sacred Gears. I figured if we want to improve your abilities, it's best to ask a specialist. He may be a fallen angel, but he would never harm one of my own. I trust him on that. I can personally guarantee that he is not the kind of man who would go spreading rumors about your Sacred Gear's abilities or misuse them."
"Oh, right. If you say so, Lord Mephisto, then I'm okay with it. You went out of your way to contact him for my sake, didn't you? Thank you so much."
It was a shock, yes, but Lord Mephisto's reasoning was sound. Even I knew that you couldn't find a better teacher for Sacred Gears than this man. What's more, his kindness and mentorship were top-class in the original story, and he was widely respected. As I bowed my head, Lord Mephisto gave a slightly troubled smile, while Azazel stared at me as if I were some strange creature. Um, did I do something wrong?
"See? Isn't he a good kid?"
"A good kid, or maybe… I don't know. Isn't he a little too trusting?"
"He's actually quite wary. This is likely a measure of his trust in me, hahaha."
What did that mean? As I puzzled over their exchange, Azazel took a few steps closer. Then, with a suddenfwoosh, twelve jet-black wings unfurled from his back. I could only stand there, stunned, staring at the dark plumage.
I'd had the chance to see and even touch a demon's wings, thanks to the milky-white demon who had brought me here. But this was my first time seeing a fallen angel with my own eyes. As he spread his wings, several black feathers drifted down around us.
So this was a fallen angel. A winged being from the scriptures. I recalled what Vali had said in the original story when he first appeared: "Azazel's wings were darker, like the eternal night." I understood now what he meant. The black was so pure it felt like it could pull you in.
"From the look on your face, I take it this is your first time seeing a fallen angel," he said.
"Uh, y-yes. It's my first time. They're… incredible."
Honestly, that was all I could say. I had been moved when I touched a demon's wings, but seeing a fallen angel's wings was just as moving. Demon wings were bat-like, with a core that felt smooth yet had a flexible softness. When I touched them, I felt a warm pulse, like that of a living creature. I wondered what a fallen angel's wings felt like. Were they as soft as the fluffy blanket in my room? Or were they hard?
"Hoh, incredible, huh? So, what's your impression of seeing a fallen angel for the first time?"
"I was wondering if they'd be fluffy or hard to the touch."
…
"…Huh?"
Azazel, who had been posing majestically with his wings spread wide, froze mid-action. Behind him, I could see Lord Mephisto's shoulders shaking faintly. Lavinia chimed in, "Ah, I must admit I am also curious." See? It's a valid question. I was hoping for fluffy, but Lavinia apparently wanted them to be cool and smooth. Perhaps her Sacred Gear gave her a preference for things that were cold and sleek.
Watching me and Lavinia chat so pleasantly, the Governor-General of the Fallen Angels let out a weary sigh and pressed a hand to his head as if nursing a headache. A moment later, his expression cleared, and he flashed us a grin just as gleeful as the one he'd had when we first met.
"Alright, listen up, brats! As a special treat today, I shall grant you the right to touch these magnificent wings of the Governor-General of the Fallen Angels himself!"
"What?!"
"Oh my, what a special service," Mephisto chuckled. "Kanata, Lavinia, it would be rude to refuse such a kind offer. You should take him up on it. An opportunity like this is rare, you know."
I understood that, but was it really okay to touch a fallen angel's wings? Especially the wings of their highest leader? This was a major figure from the Bible! As we hesitated, the two adults laughed and urged us forward. Lavinia and I exchanged glances, then timidly approached Azazel.
"Um… Lord Azazel. Are you sure about this?"
"Don't be shy, kid. And stop with the 'Lord,' it's embarrassing. Why not just call me Azazel?"
"I don't think I could do that… Well, since you'll be teaching me about my Sacred Gear, would Professor Azazel be okay?"
"...'Professor,' huh? Feels a little weird. But hey, if that's what you want to call me, I don't mind."
In my mind, his impression was overwhelmingly that of a "teacher." Plus, it was true that Lord Mephisto had asked him to help with my Sacred Gear, so in a way, I was becoming his student. I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. If only I could be sure he wouldn't start throwing iron balls at me, performing remodelling surgery on me, or making me play tag with a dragon. …Now that I think about it, I'm getting very nervous.
After that, Lavinia and I were treated to a "fluffy time" with the jet-black wings. It was incredibly moving.
"Alright, let's get down to business," Professor Azazel said once we were done. "I saw the power you used earlier to annihilate 'matter.' Now, show me the other power Mephisto told me about."
"Um, okay. But what would be the easiest thing to demonstrate its effects on?"
Having had our fill of fluffing the supreme fallen angel's wings, we returned to our original purpose. With the Sacred Gear expert here, it was now just the two of us. Lavinia had looked like she wanted to stay, but I didn't want to keep her from her duties any longer. I gave her a wave to assure her I'd be fine, and she headed off. If I was going to erase a 'concept,' the effect would be clearest if it was on myself. Affecting others would require me to stab them with the spear.
"Ah, good point. In that case… I just happen to have this 'Gender-Swap Gun (Prototype)' in my pocket. I'll shoot you with it, and you try to erase the effect."
"Why are you casually pulling out something so horrifying?! Stop that, don't you dare point it at me! I'll tell Lord Mephisto you're bullying me!"
"Aww."
Don't give me that "Aww"! I'm pretty sure I saw a completed version of that thing in the original story! And didn't it spread chaos and mayhem throughout the neighborhood?! What are you doing making a prototype of it this early on!
Since I was under Lord Mephisto's care, we agreed to skip the fallen-angel-style Sacred Gear training methods, for now. That "for now" was the scariest part. I truly had no idea what he'd do if I let my guard down.
"…Out of curiosity, why did you make it?"
"Well, you see, in my organization, all the top brass are men, except for Bennemene. There aren't enough 'flowers' in the garden, you know? So, I figured it'd be fine if I turned one or two of them into girls."
"How did you possibly arrive at the conclusion that it would be 'fine'?"
This is bad. The Governor-General of the Fallen Angels has lost his mind. Kokabiel seemed like a warmonger, but he must have had the patience of a saint to stick with this group until the events of the original story. Even Raynare, who tried so hard to win his favor… she was probably better off getting taken out before she learned what he was really like. If she knew and still tried to curry his favor, well, her methods were wrong, but I'd have to respect her guts. I certainly don't have the confidence to work as this man's colleague.
"Tch, fine, I get it. I'll just put it in the corner where it won't get broken," he grumbled. "...Come to think of it, I never got your name. What's your name, and the name of your Sacred Gear?"
"Uh, it's Kanata Kuramoto. When I use a pseudonym, I go by 'Sho.' My Sacred Gear is called 'Ruin-Lonskarllet, the Crimson Spear of Annihilation.'"
"...So it really is that name."
"Huh?"
"Never mind. Anyway, list off the things you've erased so far. I'll pick one from there."
For a moment, upon hearing my Sacred Gear's name, Professor Azazel had a thoughtful expression. But he quickly brushed it aside and pointed at my spear, asking about its past uses. Maybe he was just curious because its name was similar to the Sis-con Demon Lord's ability.
I tried to recall everything I had erased. First, there were the stealth-type effects, like 'Sacred Gear aura' and 'presence.' For physical effects, I'd erased 'gravity' and 'impact.' For status effects, it was things like 'pseudo-recovery arts' and 'erasing spells cast on me.' As for offensive uses, I'd used 'magical power annihilation' and 'stamina annihilation.' I've erased quite a lot of things, haven't I?
"Alright, try erasing your Sacred Gear's aura. I've seen all sorts of Sacred Gears, so it'll be easy for me to judge."
"But my Sacred Gear's effectiveness depends on my own power level. I'm not sure if I can completely fool a final-boss-class opponent like you, Professor."
"You're another one who casually throws around terms like 'final boss.' I'm not looking for perfection. We're going to try a lot of things. Just get to it."
"Understood. Partner."
As I called out, my partner responded as usual, activating the effect. I felt something inside me just… vanish. The crimson spear in my hand glowed faintly. I cautiously lifted my head and waited for his reaction. Professor Azazel had a serious look on his face, his hand on his chin. S-so, how was it?
"A high-class being might notice if they got close enough. For a mid-class one, they'd have to be paying close attention. From my perspective, it seems to be erased well, but there's a faint sense of unnaturalness, a feeling of something being out of place…"
"Is that good?"
"Of course it's good, you idiot. If you combine that with erasing your presence and appearance, you could slip past most standard detection methods. You're using a derivative of your ability to replicate the effect of a presence-erasing Sacred Gear. On its own, that's an incredibly useful power."
So there are Sacred Gears that just erase one's presence. It seems that users with those kinds of status-altering Sacred Gears often end up in darker professions, like assassination. This ability does feel very assassin-like. Still, to think that's the level my power is at. It's still a bit worrying for going on adventures.
Next, Professor Azazel took a small sphere from his pocket and threw it onto the floor. I blinked, and before my eyes, the sphere began to morph, rising into a humanoid shape. I instinctively took a step back, but a few seconds later, it had settled into the form of a doll made of a rubbery-looking material.
"What's this?"
"A training dummy. Even if it breaks, it'll stick back together and reform itself. Though it does have its limits, of course. Now, I'm going to pour my light-based power into this dummy, right up to its durability limit. I want you to use that spear to erase the power I've imbued it with. …And I want you to use your full strength."
"My full strength?"
"Yeah. It's fine if you collapse afterward. For today, I just need to get a rough idea of the scope and limits of your ability. Next time we train, I'll bring some support tools and a custom-made regimen for you."
As he spoke, he placed his hand on the dummy and began pouring his light-based power into it. The dummy reacted, starting to glow, and I thought it looked a little bigger than before.
Watching him work, I focused my consciousness on my partner. I realized that I had never used my Sacred Gear's full power on a single target to the point of collapse before. The times I had passed out were from erasing multiple effects at once, draining my stamina. I had no idea what kind of effect this annihilation ability of mine could have if I really let it loose. It wasn't exactly easy to find opportunities to train until I dropped.
Still, the Professor was being incredibly helpful. He was taking time out of his day for me and even planning a custom training menu. And this was all out of his own goodwill. He might have made some deal with Lord Mephisto, and he was obviously a Sacred Gear fanatic, but I felt that he was only doing this much because of the kind of person he was. After all, he was training me, a member of another organization, with no direct benefit to himself.
"Professor Azazel… um, thank you. I know you must be busy with your own work."
"Ah, work. I left Shemhaza in charge, so I'll probably get an earful later… But hey, don't worry about it. I'm doing this because I want to. If you want to thank me, then show me what that Sacred Gear of yours is capable of. Once I get back to Grigori, I'll probably get chewed out by Shemhaza, then spend all night thinking about what new annihilation abilities we could create with this."
Wait, pulling an all-nighter for ability development? And he was just casually planning to prioritize Sacred Gear research over his duties, even after getting lectured. I was grateful that he was doing this for me, but at the same time, I felt guilty. I'm sorry, Vice-Governor. I can't stop this man. I've only added to your troubles.
"Alright, that should do it. Hey, Kanata. Aim for this thing and give it everything you've got."
"Yes, Professor."
Professor Azazel patted the now-glowing dummy and took a few steps back, creating distance between us. I took a deep breath and gripped the spear tightly with both hands. The power he had just shown me was a power of light—a force used by angels and fallen angels that had a devastating effect on demons and other creatures of darkness. I was going to erase that light.
"Partner."
I felt a response from the Sacred Gear, a will that seemed to answer my own. I stepped forward, approaching the dummy, and raised my spear. Then, aiming for its torso, I thrust the Sacred Gear forward with all my might.
"—Ghh!"
The first thing I felt upon impact was the immense pressure of the light-based power packed within the dummy. It was like a swirling vortex, pushing back against my annihilation ability. I felt like I was about to be blown away by the sheer force of the light, but I dug my heels in and continued to pour my power into it.
The annihilation was working. I was sure of it. But the sheer mass of the light-based power was so great that it didn't feel like I was making a dent. I could hear my heart pounding in my chest. As I exerted my power, my breathing grew ragged, and my body began to tremble. My grip on the spear weakened as if my strength was being siphoned away by the annihilation itself, but I told myself I could still go on, resolving to pour every last bit of my remaining stamina into the ability.
My mind was focused on one thing: 'erase the light.' All other coherent thought was thrown aside, my mind a sea of white. My body screamed in protest; I was breathing as if I'd just run a full sprint, and pain flared in my arms and legs. My focus blurred, and my vision swam. Just when I thought I was at my limit, a straight, crimson line of light appeared, cutting through the haze and giving me a path to follow.
It was strange, like a slash of red had pierced through the world of white. I intuitively directed my power of annihilation along that crimson line. The moment I did, I found I could erase the light with far less stamina than before. Realizing this, I focused on tracing the crimson path.
The pain that had been wracking my body moments ago was gone. My senses were a complete mess, but could I still push on? For a fleeting moment, an image of the crimson light flashed in my mind, accompanied by a thought that I should stop. But I felt like I could still go. I was on the verge of grasping something… I felt like I was finally starting to understand.
I was just beginning to grasp how to erase the light—
"Stop! Any more and you'll break!"
"—Ah!"
A hand covered my eyes from behind, and the spear was forcibly ripped from my grasp. The instant it was gone, all the sensations I had been numb to came rushing back into my consciousness at once. The nausea, the dizziness, and the unbelievable pain screaming from every part of my body. What was this? Why was I… like this…?
My thoughts flickered and clouded over. I suppose I had finally hit my limit. I couldn't muster an ounce of strength. My legs gave out from under me, and as I started to fall, I vaguely felt a pair of thick arms catch me. The last thing I saw before my consciousness sank into darkness was the panicked look on the Professor's face.