As the crimson light intensified, two figures stepped gracefully from it.
The first was a young woman of breathtaking beauty, her long, flowing crimson hair around her shoulders. Her piercing blue eyes held an undeniable aura of authority. This was Rias Gremory, the Devil Princess of Gremory Clan, and the King of her peerage. Beside her, with a captivating smile, stood Akeno Himejima, Rias's Queen, radiating a calm and intrigued demeanor.
Motohama's mind raced as he stood calmly.
'Okay, play it cool. Don't freak out. They can't know about the abilities I have, which is pretty obvious. Just… be a human who got lucky to knock out a devil, who was... weak? Yeah, let's go with that'
He took a deep, steadying breath, as he counted prime numbers until his expression settled into one of feigned surprise.
Rias's gaze swept the debris-strewn room, her gaze lingering on the unconscious girl, then settling on Motohama. Her expression was unreadable to him "You" she said bluntly "You are human, aren't you? And yet, you eliminated a Stray Devil. How?"
He forced a weak, disheveled smile, trying to be as clueless as he could be "Uh, yeah. Just… happened to be around this area" He gestured vaguely at the unconscious girl "And it was, you know, trying to eat her. I couldn't just stand by" He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to seem awkward "As for how… I guess I just got lucky. And, uh, I've been doing some… martial arts training. You know, self-defense stuff"
Akeno's violet eyes analysed him from head to toe, leading to a faint, almost imperceptible tilt to her head. A small, knowing smile played on her lips, as if she saw more than he was letting on. She said nothing, her eyes lingering on his hands, then sweeping over his bruised and torn uniform, before finally settling on his face.
Rias's gaze sharpened, her blue eyes looking for answers from him "What sort of training? It's no ordinary human feat...Did you use some sort of power…Is it sacred gear that you have" Her voice held a hint of demand, but also genuine intrigue.
"I'm just a human" he insisted, trying to sound earnest and unassuming "I just… can fight well. And I've always been good at, uh, fighting" He gave a small, awkward shrug, hoping to deflect her scrutiny "It was a difficult fight. I'm just glad I could help the girl"
Rias exchanged a quick, silent glance with Akeno. Akeno's smile widened "Fufu~ He certainly has a unique way of 'fighting,' President" Akeno purred as her eyes took a note of aftermath of the area.
Rias turned back to Motohama "Very well. Let's move this conversation somewhere more… private. And where we can tend to the young lady properly" Her gaze was still assessing, but the immediate interrogation ceased....for a moment.
..
.
...
..
Or that's what he thought.
Minutes later, Motohama found himself in the opulent, yet strangely comfortable, Occult Research Club room within Kuoh Academy. The candles lit across the corners of
The unconscious girl had been taken to a separate room. Rias sat gracefully on a plush sofa, gesturing for him to sit opposite to her.
Rias's gaze was at him with arms folded "As you know, My name is Rias Gremory. I am a Devil, a member of one of the 72 Pillars of the Underworld, and the current ruler of this town along with other devil" She paused, watching his reaction.
'Here comes the pain. The exposition dump. Knowing all this, I have to act like I don't. Play the surprised, slightly overwhelmed human. But also, remember what's waiting in the end, so bear it until then'
His eyes widened slightly, a subtle gasp escaping his lips "Devils?" He feigned wide-eyed astonishment "Like… from stories? Demons? I thought those were just myths. And you're telling me that monster was a devil?! It kept saying itself as a devil, but I didn't believe it"
Rias nodded, a faint, elegant smile touching her lips "Precisely. And not just Devils. There are Angels, Fallen Angels, various mythological beings as well. They all exist. The human world, is merely a small part of a much larger, hidden reality. For centuries, we have maintained a delicate balance, often clashing, but always striving to keep our existence secret from humanity. We live among you, unseen"
She further explained the ongoing cold war between the factions, the territories, and the various power struggles.
"So, you're... protecting this town?" Motohama asked, trying to sound 'genuinely' curious.
"In a sense, yes" Rias confirmed "This territory comes under the protection of my family, the Gremory clan. As its current head, it is my responsibility to maintain order and protect it from threats like the Stray Devil you encountered. We intervene when it is threatened or when our own kind steps out of line"
She then leaned forward, her voice taking on a more serious, almost persuasive tone, her eyes locking onto his "Which brings me to my next point. You possess an extraordinary ability, a power that is rare even among our kind. It is clear that you are not an ordinary human and hiding your powers"
His mind flashed to his Gacha System, the constant lure of more power, and the fact it was hidden behind the hidden powers he was yet to reveal. Better to keep it hidden.
"To survive in this hidden world, one needs allies, protection. And power" Rias continued, her voice resonating with conviction "That's where my peerage comes in. We are a family, bound by loyalty and shared purpose. Each member serves a specific role, contributing to the strength of the whole, and in return, they receive my protection, my power, and a place within my esteemed family"
She then explained the Evil Piece system, detailing how a King can reincarnate powerful beings into their service using chess pieces, describing the roles: Queen, Rooks, Knights, Bishops, and Pawns.
Even though she had no idea what powers he possessed, she knew for sure that he had potential. No ordinary human can just kill a stray of that level on their own. And it was only a moment of time, that she would know what powers he possessed as she was going to go through memories of girl she was tending to.
"You possess the potential to be a powerful addition" Rias said with a welcoming smile "I would like to offer you a place in my peerage. I will reincarnate you as a Devil, grant you power and protection. You would be a Pawn, but one with extraordinary potential. Join my family, and you will never have to face the dangers alone again"
She extended a graceful hand, and bringing out a single, glowing Pawn piece resting in her palm.
He stared at the piece, then at Rias's earnest, compelling face.
The temptation was immense. Power. Protection. A family. Everything he'd craved in his previous, mundane life. But then, the memories of that life, the suffocating predictability, the yearning for his own search of meaning to his life, flooded his mind. He remembered the chains of expectations and servitude. He remembered his death, a selfless act of defiance which helped him set free.
He didn't die for a second chance just to be bound by someone else's rules. He wanted to be free.
He took a deep, steadying breath. He looked at the Pawn piece, then back at Rias, with firm expression and his resolve resolute under her gaze.
"I appreciate the offer. Truly....It's incredibly generous, and I understand the protection you're offering, and the power as well....but"
"I refuse"
Rias's eyes widened, a flicker of genuine surprise, then disbelief "Decline? Do you not understand the dangers you will face as a human with such power? Or the power I am offering? The consequences of being by yourself in this world?" Her tone held a subtle glint of frustration and more of surprise, that he wanted to act on his own despite the said advantages.
It was the first time in her life that someone said no to her face.
"I understand the dangers, and I understand the power you are offering" Alex replied, meeting her gaze directly "But, I want to forge my own path. I want to be free. To be bound to a peerage, even one as powerful and benevolent as yours, would be to trade one set of chains for another"
Rias's brow furrowed "Chains? We are a family. We support each other. I don't bind anyone, they're free to act on their own"
"And I respect that, honestly" He quickly interjected, trying to soften his refusal "But I want to walk on my own path, serving no master or head of the family?"
He saw a flash of clear annoyance in Rias's eyes, but he pressed on, offering his counter-proposal, his gaze flicking to Akeno for a split second "However, I'm not foolish enough to think I can face dangers of this world alone right now. I encountered a Stray Devil tonight. I know there are more dangers out there for sure"
"So, I'm willing to negotiate. I'm willing to be an asset to your household in dealing with these threats in Kuoh. An independent ally, maybe?"
He saw Rias's expression shift from annoyance to renewed intrigue, a calculating glint entering her eyes. Akeno, who had been silently observing, let out a soft, almost imperceptible chuckle, her violet eyes glinting with a deep, knowing amusement. He caught her gaze, and she gave him a subtle, encouraging nod.
"In return for my assistance" He continued, emboldened by Akeno's subtle support "I would ask for two things. First, access to basic human magic books. Not just folklore, but genuine texts on mana manipulation, spell theory. I want to learn how this world's magic works"
He tried to be as polite as possible "And second, reliable information. Knowledge about the supernatural factions, their activities in Kuoh, and any specific threats I should be aware of. That doesn't sound too much of a request right? You can give me some basic spell books as I don't want to impose"
Rias leaned back, her expression thoughtful. This was unprecedented. A human with a potential sacred gear, refusing reincarnation but offering conditional aid. It was audacious, pragmatic, and utterly unconventional "You wish to be an independent contractor, then?" she mused.
"Something like that" He agreed.
Rias considered him for a long moment, then glanced at Akeno, who simply offered a serene, knowing smile "Very well" Rias finally said, a hint of challenge in her voice, a glint of respect in her eyes as if she knew what he trying to pull, but she played along "Your terms are… unusual. But your feat is undeniable, and your motive is rather clear. I will consider your proposal.... But be warned, the dangers of our world is not a game. Even as an 'independent ally,' you will find yourself drawn into conflicts far beyond your current understanding and I wouldn't try to meddle for your mess, you understand?"
He nodded, a wave of profound relief washing over him. He had done it. He had maintained his independence "I understand. And thank you for agreeing to my terms"
As he rose, he paused at the door, Akeno leaning closer to him. Her violet eyes met his, and her smile widened, a mischievous glint in their depths that sent a shiver down his spine, not of fear, but of an unexpected thrill "It seems you are quite interesting~" she mused with a smile "I look forward to our next meeting" With a final, lingering look, a subtle wink that only he could see, he walked out.
He had refused the peerage, but he had opened a new, unpredictable door.
'They should have at least given me a lift to my home'
. . .
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