Alastor made his way back to the Occult Research Club's building after his meeting with Kuroka. His thoughts drifted to his newest peerage member, Asia. He had left her to rest after her transformation, trusting that Rias and Akeno would keep an eye on her. As he walked up the familiar stairs and opened the door, he was greeted by a scene that, though expected, held a different kind of weight.
Asia had already woken up.
She was sitting on the couch, looking as fragile as ever, her soft blonde hair framing her pale face. Her green eyes were wide with confusion, fear, and something else—hope, perhaps? Across from her sat Rias, who was in the middle of explaining something, her tone patient yet firm. Akeno stood nearby, smiling warmly as if trying to reassure the newly awoken girl.
Alastor could easily tell what was happening just by the look on Asia's face. Rias was telling her about her new life as a devil.
He leaned against the doorframe for a moment, watching the scene unfold. Asia's hands were clasped tightly together in her lap, her knuckles white. She listened to Rias, but her gaze occasionally darted around the room, her thoughts clearly racing.
"So, you are now part of Alastor's peerage," Rias was saying gently. "You've become a devil."
Asia's breath caught in her throat, and she blinked rapidly, as if trying to process the weight of those words. "A... devil?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Rias nodded, her expression sympathetic. "Yes, I understand that it's a lot to take in, but Alastor saved your life by turning you into one of us. You were dying, Asia. If he hadn't intervened, you wouldn't be here right now."
Asia's eyes filled with tears, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I... I see." Her voice trembled, and her hands clenched tighter. "But... I never wanted to become a devil."
Alastor, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward, drawing Asia's attention. "You didn't have much of a choice," he said calmly, though his tone was softer than usual. "You were betrayed by those who should have protected you, and it nearly cost you your life. I wasn't going to stand by and let you die."
Asia's eyes met his, her expression torn between gratitude and fear. "Alastor-san... you saved me?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
He nodded. "Yes. But in doing so, I had to make you a devil. It was the only way to keep you alive. You have a second chance now, Asia. A chance to live a new life."
Tears welled up in her eyes again, but this time they weren't just from fear. There was a glimmer of something else—relief, maybe, or understanding. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I... I don't know what to say."
"You don't need to say anything right now," Rias interjected gently. "Just take your time to process it. This is your new reality, but we'll help you through it."
Asia nodded, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "I just... it's so much to take in." She glanced between Rias, Akeno, and Alastor, her face full of uncertainty. "I don't know if I can be a devil. I've always believed in God, in the Church... and now I'm"
Alastor's gaze softened, understanding the conflict raging inside her. "I won't force you to abandon what you believe in," he said, his voice steady. "But you're part of my peerage now. That means you're under my protection, and you have a place here with us. Whatever you choose to do with this second chance is up to you."
Asia hesitated, her fingers twisting together in her lap. "But... being a devil... won't I lose everything? My faith, my... my connection to God?"
There was a tense silence in the room, the weight of her words hanging in the air. It was Rias who finally spoke, her voice careful but honest. "It's true that, as a devil, you're cut off from Heaven. But that doesn't mean you lose who you are. Your kindness, your compassion—those things don't disappear just because you've become a devil."
Asia's lower lip trembled as she absorbed Rias's words. "I... I don't know if I can accept that. I don't want to lose who I am."
Alastor stepped closer, standing directly in front of her now. "Asia," he said firmly but not unkindly, "you haven't lost who you are. You've just gained a new part of yourself. You have power now—power to protect, power to change your life. But you're still you. That hasn't changed."
Asia looked up at him, her eyes searching his face for any hint of reassurance. "But... what about God? Will He hate me now?"
Alastor sighed, knowing this was the hardest part for her to come to terms with. "I don't know how Heaven views devils. But you didn't choose this. It was a way to save your life, and I think any merciful God would understand that. What matters now is what you do with this second chance."
Akeno, who had remained quiet until now, stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Asia's shoulder. "You're not alone, Asiaa said softly. "We'll help you. You're part of our family now."
Asia sniffed, wiping her eyes again. "Family?" she whispered.
Rias nodded, smiling gently. "Yes. You're one of us now. And that means we look out for each other."
For the first time since waking up, a small, tentative smile appeared on Asia's face. It was faint, but it was there. "Thank you," she said softly. "I'm scared, but... I'll try."
Alastor gave a short nod, satisfied with her response. "That's all we ask. Take it one step at a time."
Asia looked down at her hands, still processing everything, but there was a sense of calmness that hadn't been there before. The fear and confusion were still present, but now there was something else too—hope.
"I'll do my best," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.
"Oh, by the way, you will attend this school from now on." Alastor said.
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