The moment Yuto stepped fully into the halls of Celestial Academy, the weight of the place settled over him once again. Not only physically, but mentally. The structure of Celestial Academy was grand, but it did not feel warm. It felt intimidating.
Every step echoed slightly against the polished floors, the high ceilings amplifying even the smallest sounds. The architecture alone demanded attention: towering pillars, intricate designs, and long corridors that seemed to stretch endlessly.
But what truly stood out, were the people.
Students filled the halls, moving in groups or alone, their presences varying wildly. Some felt powerful, but not worth a second glance. Others, Yuto's eyes flickered as one student passed by him, felt too dangerous. Others people's gaze were drawn to these individuals.
"…So this is the standard here," he muttered under his breath.
Rias, walking beside him, heard it.
"Yes," she replied calmly. "This is the baseline for Celestial Academy. Most of these students have been trained since childhood. Their innate system then determines their ceiling of power and their hard work determines how much of that system they can use to their potential."
Yuto glanced at her. "…And I just got here."
Rias gave a faint smile. "You'll catch up."
They continued down the hallway. Eyes followed them. Not just because of Rias, but because of him. Yuto could feel it. The curiosity. The judgment. The quiet dismissal because he was not a Pure-Blood Demon.
"…Word travels fast," Yuto said with a sigh.
"It does," Rias replied. "Especially here."
She slowed her pace slightly.
"By now, most of the academy already knows a new reincarnated Devil has enrolled."
Yuto smirked faintly. "And they've already decided I'm weak."
"Yes," Rias said bluntly. "However, they do not know your potential. Once you grow more powerful. They will think twice about crossing you. For now though, stick close by me."
No sugarcoating. No hesitation. Yuto exhaled through his nose. Good. Let them think that. They turned a corner, the hallway opening into a massive courtyard. Yuto's steps slowed slightly as he took it all in.
The training grounds spread out across the open space. Students were sparring, others practicing magic, some simply watching from the sidelines. Energy crackled in the air. Fire. Lightning. Waves of controlled destruction erupted around the area. Yuto could only imagine how easily even the strongest human would fall to these students.
"…This is insane," Yuto said quietly.
Rias crossed her arms. "This is where you'll spend most of your time outside of classes."
Yuto watched as two students clashed in the distance: one wielding a blade coated in dark energy, the other countering with what looked like light-based magic. It was a fight between a Fallen Angel and an Angel. The ground shook beneath them as their weapons clashed.
"…They're not holding back," Yuto remarked.
"They are," Rias said.
Yuto glanced at her. "That's holding back?"
She nodded. "Actual combat would be far worse."
Yuto let out a low breath. "Yeah… I've got a lot to learn."
Rias turned toward him. "That's okay. Even I had to start learning when I was a first born from the ground up how to use my magic. Even if I have S-Rank potential, I did not start off that way. You were essentially just born in the sense of becoming a Devil. You are physically and mentally an adult Devil, but you haven't had the years to be able to train. Since we are at the training grounds, let me help you understand more by observing the training grounds."
Rias pointed to a Demon with what looked like a three-head dog resembling Cerberus next to him commanding the creature to attack a target. Flames erupted from the creature's mouth as it burned the target to a crisp.
"That Demon there," Rias stated, "has a bond type of system. The bond system, like yours, is one where it is based on improving magic abilities through a bond with people or creatures. Beings with a bond system differ in: who they can bond with, the conditions of that bond, and the potential of that bond. My guess for example that Demon has a C-Rank Bond System based off the fact he can only summon one Cerberus. If he could summon more creatures at once with more powerful attacks, then his magic ceiling would be a lot higher."
Rias then turned to face Yuto and stepped closer to him with a slight smile on her face. "In your case, you have an SSS-Ranked Bond System, which means your talent is limitless. It cannot be measured at all."
"I also figured out your type of bond system," she stepped closer to him running her finger down his chest which sent heat flowing through his body. "Is a very special one that is quite spicy."
She winked at him. "I know it requires intimacy of that kind. Though I am sure it can also level up based off just our emotional bond as well. Any female you establish contact with that the system thinks can be progressed, my guess is the system will show you whenever the time is right. That's the extent I know of your system. Don't go finding too many other girls now and forget about me."
Yuto gently grabbed Rias's hand which was still on his chest. "Don't worry Rias, I won't ever forget about you. Thanks for telling me what you know as well. I had a feeling it had to do with that kind of intimacy and special bond. It seems like my bond doesn't center around magic creatures to be tamed, but around women I am intimate with and establish mutual chemistry. Is there anything else I should know?"
Rias folded her arms again as she seemed lost in thought for a moment.
"Try saying system skills to yourself internally," she said out loud. "I can help you navigate it since I am the only one who can also see your system. Since you are my pawn in my peerage for now. I'll teach you more about that later."
Yuto raised an eyebrow at hearing that he was a pawn, but he disregarded it for now. System Skills. He thought to himself as he closed his eyes. When he opened up his eyes a status screen was displayed in front of him.
[System Skills - E Rank]
Wreck - A very weak version of Destruction
Baby Bat Familiar - Summon a Baby Bat that you cannot control
Absorb - If attacked, used to spread the attack across the entire body. Weakest form of defensive magic.
Yuto stared at the display in disbelief. He was E-Rank and all of his skills were E-Rank as well. He shouldn't be too surprised at his skillset. He was the lowest rank right now after all. Though he was ranking up fast in exp considering that he just got here. However, that might be because he gained exp more with Rias he did not know.
"Hmm," Rias hummed to herself as she looked at the display screen. "This is very interesting. It seems that by bonding with me you have gained some of my own personal skills, just at a much lower level to fit your current rank."
She grabbed Yuto's hand and started walking. "Let's head back home at the mansion. We have private training grounds there where I can show you how to use your abilities better without the presence of the other students. If you do well, I can introduce you to others you may have an interest in to help increase your power."
Yuto smirked. He liked the sound of that.