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Thanks for reading!
May be ongoing/ May not, it depends.
Might up a p.a.t.r.e.o.n in the future, but not right now.
This first arc will be the childhood arc.
And canon will start on the second arc.
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-a few hours later...-
"You!" Sebaniel roared, light spears forming in a ring around him. "You've humiliated me for the last time, brat!"
I had released him from his cinnamon-bag confinement in an abandoned apartment somewhere on the outskirts of Kuoh Town just for this moment.
Just to gain a new minion.
I was thinking a lot these past few days.
'Have I truly acclimated to this world?'
Why did I feel so comfortable doing this right now? A standard answer would be because I was attacked first, but the fact that I felt nothing wrong with doing it lingered on my mind.
'They say when in Rome...' I trailed off.
I stood with my back against the wall and my hands in my pockets, as I took in the twisted smirk of the Fallen Angel before me.
"I was hoping I'd get to try [Body Modification] on another being in depth today," I muttered, tapping my foot. "You're late to your own beatdown."
Sebaniel thrust a hand forward. Light spears shot like missiles towards me.
[Time-Stop]
And then the world froze.
[5]
A breath of silence. The rustling leaves stilled mid-fall. Even the light halted, forming prisms in the air.
[4]
I exhaled slowly.
[3]
Moving forward between the frozen spears gave me time to admire my work, as my fingers traced the edge of one as I passed.
"Shiny." I whistled.
[2]
With a sharp gesture, I placed a hand over Sebaniel's chest. "[Body Manipulation]."
[1]
I quickly modified the size of the Fallen Angel's wings, getting rid of the feathers and molding the skeletal frame of the wings into Sebaniel's back.
[0]
[Time has resumed.]
Sebaniel dropped to the ground with a scream, clutching at his back.
The dark, divine wings began to unravel, disappearing completely in Sebaniel's eyes as he didn't know that they were literally reduced to being smaller than a 100-yen coin as they were reattached to his insides.
The look frozen on Sebaniel's face shifted from rage to horror as he stared at me.
"My wings! My wings!" he wailed, staggering in disbelief. "What did you do!?"
"Don't worry. They're not gone-gone," I said coolly. "Just... taking a vacation."
"You think you can—?!"
"You talk too much," I muttered as I manifested Light Power in my hand, shaping it in the form of handcuffs.
-swing!-
They had latched onto Sebaniel's hands with frightening efficiency with a simple throw, which meant that now was the time to get to business.
I walked around Sebaniel, inspecting him like a surgeon before an operation. Then, with practiced ease, I tapped into his signature ability.
I wasn't done.
[Sensitivity Manipulation x100]
A light flick to the forehead, so minor it could be mistaken for a breeze, landed with devastating consequence.
Sebaniel dropped like a sack of bricks, clutching his head and shrieking as if his skull had been cracked in two. He rolled on the ground, flailing and crying out as phantom pain overwhelmed his senses.
"My head! My wings---! Wh-What did you do to my wings?!" he gasped, voice breaking with raw terror. "Why---!? Whyyyyyy---!!!???"
I walked forward, casually rolling his shoulders, his gaze sharp. "You were going to kill someone I knew, and then kill me. That's all?"
Sebaniel tried to rise, only to feel a boot plant itself firmly on his chest, pinning him down with strength higher than his.
"Why were you in Kuoh Town?" I asked calmly. "What were you doing?"
Sebaniel's breathing was ragged, wide eyes flicking from me to the fading traces of where his wings had been.
"I-I was just following orders—!"
"Of course you were." Oh, come on. Who wasn't following orders around here?
Even I followed orders, especially when Sister Kyoko tells me to eat my vegetables.
Nobody on this planet is truly free.
But what of it?
"Well, what orders?" I taunted, his voice low and dangerous.
"..."
"Alright... Have it your way..." Seeing his hesitation, I simply stretched out my hands.
"W-w-wait---"
[Body Manipulation]
With a wave of his hand, Sebaniel's body transformed. The angel's muscles softened, his broad shoulders narrowing, and his features becoming delicate and feminine.
Sebaniel's eyes widened in horror as he realized what had happened. He reached down, his hands trembling as he felt the unfamiliar curves of his new body.
"What… what have you done to me?" Sebaniel's voice was now higher, tinged with panic.
Honestly, I was shocked. I was fooling around, but I didn't expect that I'd be this adept at it.
I smirked as my gaze lingered on Sebaniel's transformed form. "Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder... This form of yours... it seems way more... entertaining?"
"Anyways, last call," I warned. I planned on going all out with [Sensitivity Manipulation], so if Sebaniel still kept his...? Arrogance, and refused to spill the beans, then her...? Mind would be broken beyond repair.
"Kugh! Kill me!"
"So be it." I sighed. "Wait a minute. Why did you have to say that, though? Sister Kyouko says that I'm handsome, not some kind of hentai orc..."
I pressed my boot into Sebaniel's crotch, and used [Sensitivity Manipulation] to its fullest, which was up to x5000.
Sebaniel let out a choked cry, her body arching in agony as the pain overwhelmed her. But something strange happened; instead of just pain, her body reacted in a way she couldn't comprehend.
"No---! It can't be----!!!!"
Her cheeks flushed, her breath quickened, and a warmth spread between her legs. Before she could process what was happening, she felt a hot, wet sensation as her body betrayed her, releasing a stream of liquid.
"I... I... Won't be able... to go back... to normal... after this..." Sebaniel's tongue lolled out as her eyes rolled to the back of her head.
"Sorry, Lord Azazel.... Lord Shemahazi... But I can't.... my mind... can't go back..."
"Hehe...Hehe...Hehe…" Sebaniel sounded indecipherable as her mind fractured under the sensory overload.
I stepped forward with an awkward expression as I watched Sebaniel crumble.
"Stand proud, Sebaniel. I don't know what for, but stand proud."
[Body Manipulation]
With simple tweaking, I had restored Sebaniel back to his original male form. But the damage was done. Sebaniel collapsed to the ground, his body shaking as he moaned uncontrollably. The loss of his wings, the humiliation of his transformation, and the strange, overwhelming sensations had shattered his psyche and introduced him to new sights, new ventures, and new interests.
'If I were to say that I used [Sensitivity Manipulation] to cause torturous pain instead of... whatever this was, would anyone believe me...?'
"Hehe....hehe....hehe..."
I knelt next to him and placed a hand on Sebaniel's shoulder, using [Hypnosis] to weave words into the fallen angel's shattered mind. "How about you work under me, Sebaniel? I can use a guy like you on my side, y'know?"
"I need a guy who will invest in property and stocks, and hold money and items for me so people don't get too suspicious in our normal world. You will be my loyal helper, obedient and devoted. And will work tirelessly to support my goals to survive."
Sebaniel's misty pink eyes slowly subsided, his eyes glazing over as the [Hypnosis] took hold. He nodded weakly, his voice barely a whisper. "Yes… Young Master."
I stood up quickly, dusting the dirt off as a faint smile appeared on my lips. With one final use of [Body Manipulation], he altered Sebaniel's appearance, giving him a more butler-like demeanor.
His hair was a messy silvery-grey, and he would keep his crisp, black uniform. The once-arrogant Sebaniel was now Sebas, a servant bound to my will.
"Damn, now I can't use the slavery is bad angle when arguing with Devils about Peerages and Evil Pieces in the future..." I chuckled ruefully.
"Welcome to your new life, Sebas," I said, my voice calm but commanding. "You will do your best to help me, right?"
Sebas bowed his head, his once arrogant blue eyes now vibrant and submissive. "As you command, young master."
The chamber fell silent, the only sound the soft rustle of Sebas's wings as he unfurled his wings once more as he rose to his feet.
'Hmmn... I wonder--- No.'
Whatever thoughts I had, I cut them off immediately.
I wasn't quite sure if I should be using the locks of hair Gabriel gave me to experiment on Sebas. After all, I didn't know if it could even work...
Or if Sebas race may chang---
'No, Daichi. No.'
"Alright, I've got a list of chores for you to do, Sebas..." I shook my head, handing him a handwritten piece of paper, as my smile threatened to tear each corner of my face.
"We're in this for the long run, you and me!"
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-a week later...-
The afternoon sun shimmered off the calm waters of the lake near the edge of Kuoh Town. A few dragonflies danced over the water's surface, with the wind whistling quietly as the air remained pleasantly warm.
I sat on a folding chair with a fishing pole in hand as the line was cast deep, my eyes half-lidded as I enjoyed the silence.
I'd just received a call from Sebas, and it seemed that my plans were underway.
It wasn't anything complicated really.
---Just investing with certain companies, recruiting thugs to do some 'good' work in the community, and looking for a suitable property for me to buy so I can craft my workshop in.
But just as I was lost in thought, I felt the grass shift behind me.
Not hostile. Not clumsy. Too casual to be natural.
"Nice spot, kid."
I didn't turn immediately. I waited until the voice spoke again.
"I come here sometimes, too. Not often do people pick this place."
"That's why I like it so much" I replied without looking, eyes still on the line.
Footsteps approached. The man moved into view, crouching by the edge of the water and pulling out a flask. He had short black hair with golden bangs, and a pair of shades perched atop his head.
His open jacket, relaxed posture, and confident smirk also gave him away before he said a name.
---Azazel.Governor-General of the Fallen Angels.
I gave him a side glance but kept my posture relaxed. "You seem different. Oji-san. What do you do for a living?"
The guy---yeah, that guy--- Azazel chuckled. "You've got good instincts and power that's hidden within you. That's not something you can teach. Especially not to someone your age."
"And as for my job? Well... Let's just say that I'm in charge of managing a group of rowdy kids in a business."
'Grigori... huh.'
There was a pause. Not long, just a beat. But in that silence, I could feel him studying me.
Not just looking, assessing, measuring, weighing the air around me.
He then took out a fishing rod and his gear and started to fish as well.
His smile never dropped, but I caught the shift in his eyes. The subtle furrow in his brow.
I blinked once. "You gonna keep staring at me, or you planning to say something, oji-san?"
His smirk came back like it never left. "You remind me of someone. And not in a bad way."
---Vali Lucifer. The Heavenly White Dragon Emperor, wielder of the Sacred Gear; Divine Dividing.
'Shouldn't he be bothering the Slash Dog crew right now?'
I sighed. "Lemme guess, your kid?"
He laughed, deeply yet amused. "Something like that. He's a cute kid, though he's going through a rebellious phase right now, something about 'Darkness Dragon'."
"---Ah, reminds me of myself in my youth!"
"Though you'd get along great with him. Probably will try and kill each other, but hey, that's half the fun, isn't it?"
'Not really, no.' I knew that Azazel didn't mean any harm with this meeting of ours, but I can't exactly relax completely when a guy like this is hanging around.
'He might look like a dandy, but there's a reason he's been alive for tens of thousands of years after getting kicked out of heaven.' I thought. 'It was something like 'Be careful of the old in professions where many die young'.'
It was a feeling that made you go, 'How many lives did you take to keep yours?', and then he'd respond, 'How many chicken nuggets have you eaten in your life?' or something along those lines.
I reeled in a small fish, plopped it into the bucket beside me. "Not too interested in people who make me work too hard to hold a conversation."
"You will be, trust me," he said, still watching me. "Come to think about it... How about it? What if I offered you an invitation to schedule a playdate with my little Vali? Naturally, you help me out here and there, and I help you with whatever you want."
"We'll be special friends."
My eyes narrowed. "Special friends, huh? That's not suspicious at all."
The last guy that said that to me in my old life also had a painted van, but that's neither here nor there.
He shrugged, still grinning. "It's better than calling you the 'weird kid' I want to keep tabs on.'"
I snorted, but didn't bother looking at him. Just stared out at the water. The late afternoon sun sparkled on the lake's surface like a sheet of gold foil.
"I'll think about it. But I want access to human magic books. The good kind. Not the fake junk they sell to bored social media witches online."
"Planning to become some kind of lone wolf mage-type?" his brow quirked as he asked, clearly entertained.
"Something like that," I said. "Or maybe I just don't like being unarmed."
That got a real laugh out of him. Deep, throaty. He pulled a card from his coat and handed it to me. "Here. If you ever want to talk or train or, I don't know, play chess with a Fallen Angel, visit this place."
"No subtlety from you, huh? You're not even gonna pretend not to be from the supernatural?"
"I wouldn't have visited you if you 'weren't' also the same."
"Hmmn, nah. Oji-san, you look like the kind of guy with too much free time on your hands, so you probably might."
"Oh, touche!" Azazel chuckled.
I took the card and read the name.
"A card for 'Black Dog'…?" Heh. That's from Slash Dogs, right? That weird bar where all the main characters from the author's other work, Slash Dogs, hang out.
"Looks like a seedy nightclub," I said. "You sure it's legit?"
"What do you know about nightclubs, kid? Besides, I'm the owner, y'know---"
The air shifted before he could respond. My fishing pole dipped hard.
Without missing a beat, I yanked back and reeled with practiced ease. A massive fish broke the surface, flailing madly, its scales glinting in the light like tiny mirrors.
Azazel let out a whistle. "That's a big one. Just luck?"
I smirked, tapping my temple as I pulled another big one. "Pure skill."
(It was this biiiiig!)
'Pure skill, my ass. I used [Hypnosis] on myself and others to learn every fishing method ever recorded in the library and from other old men who usually fish here.
He blinked, then burst out laughing. "You little runt."
I grinned and dropped the fish into the bucket with a splash heavy enough to make the water slosh out. "Better a runt with fish than an old man with none."
We sat there for a while after that, not saying much. Just watching the lake. The silence wasn't awkward, though I wouldn't dare to say that it was comfortable or familiar.
It was strange. Truly strange considering who we were.
Utterly strange.
Next Chapter: Ecchi-Boy, Future Dead Couple, Exorcist Oji-san, And Old Faction Devil-san!
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-
Trivia Time! (Again x5!)
Azazel is a fan of Minotaur meat, comparing it to Matsusaka beef.
Azazel once made a wish to Ophis for some of the Angels to fall, and especially wanted Gabriel to fall. However, he was struck down with lightning as a result.
Azazel had/has a case of chuunibyou back when he was still an angel. This led to him giving bizarre, long names to his inventions, such as Blazer Shining or Darkness Blade.
Azazel created a bar named "Black Dog", which is located on the second floor of a building, two stops away from Kuoh Town.
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