Viktor Maddox
After the initial panic about being late for my first day of school faded, a thought hit me like a freight train: why the hell am I even worried about this? Wouldn't it make more sense to just ditch this devil-infested town and disappear somewhere far away?
The answer came quickly enough: I'm broke. Completely, utterly broke.
All the money I had went into getting to Japan and renting a small apartment for as long as my studies last. The only saving grace is the scholarship I somehow landed at Kuoh Academy, a scholarship that conveniently comes with a stipend just big enough to keep me fed and alive.
My first instinct was to hit a casino, make some quick cash the proven way, but a quick Google search crushed that plan fast. Gambling is outlawed in Kuoh Town, and there have been some very public, very harsh crackdowns on illegal rings.
The fucking devils outlawed gambling.
Honestly, I can't even be mad... I'm just severely confused.
Either way, all those realizations push me to pick up the pace and actually make it to school. For now, I'll play along with this whole setup until I figure out a way to get the hell out of dodge—preferably before the oppai dragon emperor starts pulling every disaster in the plot straight to his doorstep.
Cutting through Kuoh Town Park seems like the fastest route, and this Nature's Embrace perk is really putting in the work.
A branch gently shifts out of my way as I duck under it, instinct guiding my every step like I've walked this path a hundred times before. The ground feels steady beneath me, every movement deliberate and confident.
Then, out of nowhere, something lands on my head. "What the fu-!"
I grab the offending creature and pull it in front of me.
In my hands is a pitch-black cat, purring so hard it's vibrating like a V12 diesel engine.
I blink, staring at the cat in my hands. No way, right? I consider asking if it understands me but think better of it. Worst case, it does understand me and I get blasted with senjutsu. Best case, I just look like an idiot talking to a cat.
Yeah… probably just a random feline drawn in by the perk.
Regardless, I set it gently on the ground and continue on my way.
Before long, I emerge from the bushes and step onto a sidewalk, the imposing gates of Kuoh Academy standing just across the road.
And wow… this place is bougie.
The school's design reminds me of Gothic architecture, tall arches, towering windows—but then again, I know jack all about architecture, so I could be dead wrong.
Crossing the road quickly, I check my phone and see I've got a few minutes to spare. A relieved sigh escapes me. Using a perk that basically makes me nature's mommy's boy just to be on time for school… hilariously mundane for something that powerful.
Before I can step through the gates, a voice calls out, "Viktor-san?"
I turn, surprised, and spot a girl standing there with her arms crossed. She has short black hair and wears a pair of glasses that seem to flash ominously the second my eyes meet hers.
I blink. "Yes… miss?"
She sniffs, a frown spreading across her face as her eyes sweep over me from head to toe. "Almost late on your first day. Scuffed uniform, not complying with regulations. Leaves stuck in your hair-" I quickly pluck a few leaves and toss them behind me as innocently as possible. "-and I won't even mention the blatant disregard for public safety when crossing the road. There's a zebra crossing just a few dozen meters away."
Finally taking a breath, she straightens up and continues, "But to answer your question, I am Sona Shitori, Student Council President of Kuoh Academy." Her eyes narrow dangerously as she gestures for me to move along. "I won't keep you any longer. Go, before you miss your class."
I nod quickly, eager to escape the literal devil's attention. But just as I'm about to leave earshot, her voice cuts through the morning air again. "Oh, and Viktor-san?"
I turn back, trying to look attentive.
"Kuoh Academy does not tolerate anything less than excellence. If this kind of behavior repeats, you will find your scholarship in jeopardy."
I nod and mouth a quick thank you, but in my head, all I can think is, 'what the hell is up with this chick? Could you not have a bigger stick up your ass?'
I know from my past life's knowledge that she's supposed to be the 'straight man' type, a strict taskmaster… but wow, this is a bit much.
As I make my way toward class, my thoughts keep circling back to her. With context, her 'reprimands' feel even more over the top.
Given her role as the de facto leader of the academy, there's no doubt she has access to every student's records. The fact that she knew my name and called out to me means she's at least aware of who I am. And with her personality? I'd bet money she looked through my history, a parentless guy completely dependent on that scholarship to stay afloat.
…Man, I thought devils here were supposed to be succubi knockoffs, ready to let people touch their boobs for whatever reason. Why are they so damn ruthless?
Mentally jotting down a big note-to-self 'don't let the bats have leverage on you.' finally step into the classroom. Keeping quiet, after a quick introduction by the teacher I make my way toward one of the free desks, but as I pass by, my eyes inevitably drift to my soon-to-be desk neighbor.
The only way to describe her is pure Onee-san energy.
The ridiculously short school skirt draws attention to long, toned legs, thighs shifting ever so slightly as she adjusts in her seat. My gaze climbs higher, only to land on the biggest set of coconuts I've ever seen in my life.
Now, I wasn't exactly a blushing virgin, but this body seems to be running on that setting, because my eyes are having a hell of a time looking away.
I'd noticed this ever since I left my apartment—almost everyone I've seen here is above average in looks. Perfectly symmetrical faces, hairstyles that somehow look like they came out of a salon commercial, not a single threadbare or worn-out piece of clothing in sight. It's like walking through an anime filter where the 'ugly background characters' option got turned off.
My musings are interrupted by a soothing, husky voice. "Ara Ara~ if you keep staring at them, I'll have to start charging you~"
My lip twitches as she leans forward just enough to make my predicament worse. "Sorry, miss, that was very rude of me…" I manage, extending a hand with as much composure as I can muster. "My name is Viktor Maddox. I hope this poor first impression won't color your judgment of me."
She chuckles, bringing a hand to her cheek to hide her smile. "Don't worry, I'm told I have that effect on people. I won't hold it against you, Viktor-san… though where are my manners?" She takes my hand with an elegant shake. "I'm Akeno, Akeno Himejima. A pleasure to meet you."
nod politely and take my seat, the brief conversation fading out as the classroom door opens again.
The moment a mop of bright crimson hair comes into view, my stomach sinks. Of course. My luck must've been completely drained by that damn wheel spin, because I've somehow landed in the same classroom as not one, but two of the main heroines.
…Fuck. I'm gonna get dragged into the plot, aren't I?
The next few hours were… fine.
I didn't talk to either Akeno or Rias again, both of them fully focused on the lectures and their notes.
It wasn't until muscle memory kicked in and I started jotting things down myself that I realized something I really should have noticed earlier… I can somehow understand and write Japanese perfectly.
Honestly? I didn't even bother questioning it. The last twenty-four hours have been absurd enough, and right now, all I want is to take my small bag of mini croissants from the school cafeteria and find a quiet spot to start processing this new life.
As I'm crossing the courtyard, a commotion draws my attention. The noise gets louder until I glance back and see three guys running side by side—one sporting a swollen forehead and a black eye, being dragged by the arms by the other two.
"Come on, Issei! You can't give up! If you fall here, your dream dies with you!"
The future Red Dragon Emperor whines dramatically as he yells, "I-It's no use, Matsuda! Leave me! I'll stall them as long as I can!"
The glasses-wearing one snaps back, smacking the back of his head. "You fool! If anyone's staying behind, it'll be me! I'll sacrifice my body for my brothers!" He nods self-righteously, just as the bald one suddenly skids to a stop, nearly sending the other two tumbling over.
"Liar! Motohama just wants to get knocked down so he can steal some panty shots from below!" Matsuda accuses, pointing a finger at his companion.
Issei gasps, eyes wide with betrayal as he turns toward Motohama. "I-Is that true, Motohama? Would you betray your brothers like that!?" His voice cracks with sheer heartbreak.
A shadow falls over Motohama's face, hiding his upper features as his glasses gleam ominously. "Fools… both of you." His voice takes on a dark, dramatic tone. "I only wished for you to be saved, for you to remember my sacrifice with goodwill in your hearts… was that too much to ask? And even if I had a petty goal in the process… would that truly diminish the reality of my sacrifice?"
The other two hesitate, caught off guard by the sudden gravitas. Then Issei closes his eyes, expression solemn, as if delivering a final judgment. "No, Motohama… it wouldn't. But even so, I can't allow you to throw your life away. I'm already wounded. I can't go any further than this. The two of you should leave me… and save yourselves."
Matsuda shuts Issei down instantly, shouting, "No! I'm the most athletic of us all! I can take the most punishment and delay them the longest!"
I just stand there, dumbfounded and more than a little entertained, as the three idiots devolve into a full-blown argument over who gets to heroically sacrifice themselves. It doesn't take long before they're all rolling around on the ground, trying to outmart each other in this bizarre contest of martyrdom.
A new voice rings out from the distance, sharp and furious. "There they are! Get them!"
Turning my head, I spot a small army of furious girls in traditional kendo attire, shinai raised high like avenging angels of wooden pain.
The trio sees them too and desperately tries to scramble to their feet, but they don't make it far. Within moments, the horde descends on them, and the courtyard fills with the sound of loud wooden smacks and pained cries:
"Take this, you pervert!"
"Y-you! Delete that picture or I'll skin you alive!"
"Give me back my panties, degenerate filth!"
At some point—I'm not even sure when—I ended up sitting down against a tree, quietly munching on my mini croissants while watching the spectacle unfold like some kind of live-action comedy skit.
Truly, only the highest standards of excellence at this academy… what a fucking hypocritical mess.
I groan, realizing Sona's little power trip earlier stuck with me more than I'd like to admit.
Sure, I might be in a younger body, but I'm still a grown-ass man. A teenager playing schoolmistress, high off a taste of authority, having actual leverage over my current situation? That grates on me. To her, this is probably just practice—a trial run for whatever devilish dream she has of running a school for indentured servants. But for the students here, whatever happens during their time in this place sticks. It shapes them.
And looking at these three clowns… yeah, I remember them. The infamous "perverted trio." They've apparently pulled enough crap to earn that nickname, yet they're still enrolled in this supposedly prestigious school. If the standards here are so high, why the hell aren't they expelled? Probably because Issei's packing a sacred gear.
But even then… would no one report them? You can't tell me all these 'victims' are fine with their antics. And then it clicks. Devils have magic. Mind tricks. Illusions. Manipulations.
…Fuck. Are these devils actually using mind magic on people just to keep this running gag alive? To make everyone ignore how bad it really is?
My chewing slows as I feel a presence practically burning a hole into the side of my face, way too close for comfort. Turning my head, I find a petite, white-haired girl leaning against the same tree as me, silently watching the beatdown in the courtyard.
I stare at her for a few seconds, expecting… something. But she doesn't move, doesn't even blink. Deciding it's safer to ignore the Occult Research Club's pint-sized mascot, I turn back to the ongoing chaos and keep eating my lunch.
Then I feel it again—that same pointed stare pinging against my head like radar. I turn, same position, same blank expression. This repeats a few more times before I finally fake her out, spinning my head faster than she expects and catching her in the act.
Or rather, catching her staring—not at me, but at the mini croissant in my hand.
I mull it over for a moment. Just standing up and leaving without saying anything feels incredibly rude—and devil or not, my mom didn't raise me to be an ass to people for no reason.
With a quiet sigh, I tilt the bag of treats toward her. She glances between it and me a few times before giving a small nod and plucking one out.
We sit there in companionable silence, munching on the sweet pastries as we watch one of Sona's council members finally step in to break up the commotion. By the time the bag's empty, I glance at my phone and see my next class is about to start.
Without a word, I nod to Koneko. She returns it with a faintly satisfied look, and I take that as my cue to leave.
With any luck, the rest of the day will pass quietly—and I'll finally have some time to figure out a plan that doesn't involve me getting dragged into the mess of these supernatural bozos.