The days following Motohama's audacious refusal of Rias Gremory's peerage offer passed with a strange blend of mundane routine and familiar anticipation.
School life continued to be a major struggle for him to adapt to. Issei and Matsuda continued their perverted antics, largely oblivious to the major shift in their friend's life. Motohama, for his part, maintained his facade, nodding along to their crude jokes and occasionally feigning a headache, as he had no way out. His mind, however, was a whirlwind of newfound knowledge of Cross Tail applications and his untapped potential.
He spent every spare moment in the quiet solitude of his room, poring over vague memories of DxD lore, trying to piece together the major arcs of this world, and trying to not get himself killed by foolish mistakes. He was already at a major disadvantage for not reading light novels.
The Cloranthy Ring continued to reinforce his fatigued muscles back together after intense, secret training sessions in the forest. He felt stronger, more aware, but also acutely aware of how much of a help this little ring was. He can never run out of stamina too quickly and even if he does, he will be back at full potential in just a matter of time.
Then, three days after his meeting at the Occult Research Club, a soft, insistent knock echoed from the front door of his house. Motohama, who had been attempting to get fine control by practicing a small Earthbending tremor under his desk, nearly got bamboozled. His parents were out, and Issei and Matsuda usually just barged in. He cautiously approached the door, peering through the peephole with an excuse to send away the chaotic duo.
His breath hitched, seeing the uninvited guest at this hour.
Standing on the porch, a stack of old, leather-bound books cradled in her arms, was Akeno Himejima. Her usual mischievous smile played on her lips, and her violet eyes held an intriguing, almost playful glint. She wore a simple, elegant dress, making her look less like a high school student and more like she was on a date.
'Why is she here? And what's with this dress up' His mind raced 'This is… unexpected. And potentially problematic if Issei or Matsuda caught wind of it'
He quickly composed himself, smoothing down his perpetually messy hair, and opened the door.
"Akeno-san?" He managed, trying to sound surprised but not thrown off by her sudden appearance. He glanced quickly right and left the street, to make sure neighbours don't get the gossip of the week.
Akeno's smile widened, a soft, alluring sound escaping her lips "Hello Motohama-kun. Buchou approved of your request for 'basic human magic textbooks' And I was just passing by, so I thought I'd deliver them personally" Her voice was a low, melodious purr, laced with playful teasing. She held out the stack of books to offer him a look at it. They appeared to be of ancient times, their covers worn, their pages thick filled with the forgotten knowledge.
Motohama took the books, their unexpected weight grounding him. He could feel a faint, almost imperceptible magical aura emanating from them "Oh. Right. Thank you, Himejima-san. That's… very kind of you to bring them all this way" He gestured awkwardly, thinking if he is gonna regret it "Would you… like to come in? I mean, it's probably better than standing out here"
Akeno's smile softened, her eyes twinkling a bit "Why, thank you, Motohama-kun. I'd be delighted~" She stepped inside, her movements graceful, bringing with her a faint, pleasant scent of cherry blossoms and something subtly pleasant.
He quickly closed the door, a sense of excitement bubbling within him. This was his first real step into understanding this world's magic, and with Akeno as his guide, was chaotically beautiful to start his magic journey.
. . .
Motohama led Akeno to the small, slightly cluttered living room. He carefully placed the books on the table. They were indeed "basic," but to him, they were a treasure trove. Titles like "Fundamentals of Mana Manipulation," "Elemental Theory: A Beginner's Guide," and "Basic Enchantments and Wards" and some mundane spells for daily life.
"These are… incredible!" He said, picking up one "Thanks, Himejima-san and say thanks to Gremory-san as well"
Akeno settled onto the sofa with a smile "Rias believes that a powerful, unaligned human in her territory is best kept… informed. And perhaps, a little indebted" Her smile was playful, but her eyes held a deeper meaning "Besides, I wanted to ensure you understood the basics. Magic isn't something you can just pick up from a book without appropriate guidance"
He nodded eagerly "I appreciate that. Honestly, I'm a complete novice when it comes to magic. My abilities are… different." He gestured vaguely "So, where do I even start? Mana manipulation? Is it like… controlling energy?"
Akeno's eyes lit up, seeing his intrigue "Precisely! We Devils use demonic powers to get the desired outcome by our visualization. But for human magic, it's not about instinct or visualization, not like what you might be used to with your unique abilities"
She leaned forward raising a finger "Human magic is built on understanding and calculation. It's about formulas, incantations, the precise manipulation of magical principles. Think of it like a complex equation. You need to understand the variables, the constants, and the steps to achieve the desired outcome" She held out her hand, palm up. A tiny, almost imperceptible spark of electricity danced between her fingers. "Try this. Focus on your inner energy, your mana. Feel it. Then, try to apply this formula, a calculation of intent, to draw it out. Don't just imagine it; calculate its manifestation"
Motohama closed his eyes, focusing on the energy after going through all the mentioned calculations.
Unlike the usage of his Earthbending, the miniature vibrations, the connection to the ground, which was intuitive, This "calculation" concept felt like running on water.
With a sharp intake of breath, He tried to apply a logical, almost mathematical approach to his internal energy. He felt a faint warmth, a tingling sensation in his core. He pushed, willed it to manifest, trying to construct a mental "formula" for drawing mana, but nothing happened. He opened his eyes, a sheepish grin on his face.
"Guess it's harder than it looks"
Akeno chuckled "It takes practice. Years, for most. It's different from the demonic power, where we use imagination. But you have a unique affinity for…ground, as you told us yesterday. Perhaps try to break down the process into logical steps. Identify the mana, calculate the flow, then define the desired effect. It's less about feeling it and more about precise mental commands"
She reached out, her fingers gently brushing his wrist. A faint, warm current seemed to flow from her touch, guiding his focus "Feel that? That's your mana, waiting for the right instructions to come out."
He felt a jolt, not just from the subtle magical current, but from the unexpected intimacy of her touch. His heart thumped a little faster.
'Okay, Motohama, focus on the magic, not the beautiful devil touching you. Calculations. Not imagination' He closed his eyes again, concentrating on the sensation. This time, as he pushed, trying to mentally "solve" the problem of mana manifestation, a faint, almost invisible shimmer appeared around his hand, a tiny ripple in the air. It was still weak, but it was there.
His eyes widened in surprise.
Akeno's smile was genuine, full of admiration "Excellent! You have a strong affinity, Motohama-kun. Most humans struggle for weeks to achieve even that, especially with such a different approach to magic. It seems you truly are unique, capable of adapting to it" She removed her hand, but the warmth lingered on his wrist.
They spent the next hour like that, Akeno patiently explaining concepts, answering his barrage of questions about mana, magical elements, and the subtle differences between demonic and human magic, emphasizing the structured, formulaic nature of the latter. Motohama, in turn, shared some of his own insights into his "unconventional training," describing how he "felt" the earth or "extended his will" through his mind, carefully omitting any mention of the System or Gacha. Akeno listened intently, her eyes sparkling with fascination.
Their conversation flowed easily, shifting by comfortable silences and shared laughter when he stumbled over a complex magical term or when Akeno playfully teased him by getting closer to his face. The bond between them gradually increased into a growing understanding that replaced their initial transactional agreement. It was clear they enjoyed each other's company, sharing a secret world that no one else could ever comprehend in this moment.
. . .
As the afternoon glow began to fade, Akeno finally gathered herself to leave. "Well, Motohama-kun, I believe that's enough for today. You have plenty to study and practice"
"Thanks, Himejima-san," He said, genuinely grateful for her time she dedicated to him "This was… incredibly helpful. More than you know." He felt a pang of disappointment that she was leaving.
Just as Akeno turned towards the door to leave, a familiar blue light materialized before his eyes, visible only to him. The Gacha System panel glowed softly, a new notification appearing at its center:
[QUEST: SPAR WITH A DEVIL (AKENO HIMEJIMA)]
[DESCRIPTION: Engage Akeno Himejima in a friendly spar to test and refine your combat abilities]
[REWARD: 1x RANK 2 GACHA TICKET]
Motohama's heart leaped by sudden quest.
'Another Rank 2 ticket!' This was exactly what he needed 'But a spar with Akeno?'
She was powerful. He'd have to push himself and reveal more of his abilities. Still, the reward was too good to pass up. And the thought of fighting alongside, or against, someone as strong and captivating as Akeno… it was undeniably exciting.
Besides, he can't play hide n seek of his abilities forever. So, he took a leap of faith at her.
He turned back to Akeno, a casual, almost mischievous grin spreading across his face "Actually, Akeno-san," he began, trying to sound nonchalant, "Since we've just gone over some magic theory and it's applications… how about we put some of it into practice?"
Akeno paused, one hand on the doorknob, her head tilting slightly "Hm? And what do you have in mind? Motohama kun" Her violet eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"A spar?" He stated, his voice with a confident edge "A friendly one, of course. Just to see how these ground manipulation ability of mine hold up against… well, against someone who is in team of ruler of this town" He gave a small, challenging smile. "It would be a great way to test what I've learned, and for you to see what I'm capable of. And it'll be our little secret, of course"
Akeno's smile widened, a low, pleased chuckle escaping her lips. Her eyes gleamed with a predatory, yet playful, light "Oh my. A spar with a human who defeated a Stray Devil and a secret, just between us?" She took a step back from the door, as she looked at him with pure ecstasy "That sounds absolutely delightful~"
"How about doing it in secluded part of the forest, near the abandoned house, tomorrow after school?" He suggested. "It's quiet there. No prying eyes on us"
Akeno purred, her smile now a full, alluring grin "I look forward to it, Motohama kun~" With a final, knowing glance, she turned and slipped out the door, leaving him with a pounding heart and a surge of anticipation.
He had a spar with a devil, a Rank 2 Gacha Ticket on the line, and one of his abilities to be revealed with Akeno Himejima. His new life was truly getting interesting.
. . .
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