Fanfiction by: Echless.
Narrative (Reality) Manipulator in DxD.
Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Monday, 10:03 AM.
[Hm… although this wasn't what I had in mind. But still, it's better than I thought it would be]
Ren twirled his feathered pen, looking at a drawing in front of him. He was walking leisurely down the street.
But while he did this, nobody else could see him. In fact, nobody registered him.
In front of him was a drawing of himself, of average height, but the drawing depicted him in armor.
Rather than armor, it was something else entirely. Six pairs of wings were on each side; on the left side were darkened wings, while on the right were white wings.
[If I were to think of a name, then it would be…]
[Angel Fall Armour: Downfall Armament]
Saying that, he chuckled. He liked the name very much. It was still a concept, and he couldn't don the armor yet.
Rather than becoming something inhumane—being multiple races at once—he'd rather have sets of armor bound to him.
They would exist as spiritual cores inside his body. And he could then don them at any time.
Be it Angel Armor, Dragon Armor, God Armor, or even Deus Ex Machina. It doesn't matter.
Thinking about it, he beamed excitedly.
Behind him, Dohnaseek simply followed him everywhere from a distance. Currently, he was in spirit form, much like Ren if he didn't want anyone to detect his existence.
They could communicate via their link, and it was not as easy to disrupt as normal telepathy.
"Are you Augustus Ren? I've been informed of your arrival."
At the front of the gate was a spectacled young woman with a modest figure. Like her, her second-in-command stood behind her, greeting him with a nod.
'My Lord. That woman is…'
[Yes. Our target. Following the future we know, she hasn't adopted the individual known as Saji Genshirou. If Raynare and Mittelt should make the slightest use of their brains, then things should work out]
Otherwise…
Dohnaseek didn't want to think about it. It wouldn't end with a return to Naraka. A permanent and conceptual end.
He shivered at the thought.
"Yes. Ren Augustus Luceris. That's my name. Pleased to meet you. Uh…?"
"Souna Shitori."
Ren had already extended his hand; at first, she thought it was an attempt to get acquainted with her, so she brushed it off.
Souna reached out her hand, shaking his, and the moment she did, she felt something. A small something.
Magic power.
Her eyes widened, and she looked up at his features, which still donned a smile.
This made her frown linger longer, and even her vice president whispered to her.
"Uhm… Ms. Shitori?"
Ren acted cluelessly, startling the girl.
"Ahem." She coughed. "Pardon me. This way. We received your documents earlier today. We didn't expect you to be here so soon."
They checked all the records and files they had received; they even checked his travel logs just in case.
Ren Augustus Luceris.
It sounded like a foreigner's name, so they had to make sure. And his records were truly clean. He arrived about five days ago.
[Raynare and Mittelt used the Authority of Truth to enroll and falsify my documents]
From what she heard, it was his agent who delivered his files to them beforehand.
Thankfully, the processing was quick, and he could even begin classes with them today.
[Still, I'm surprised]
"Yes. They didn't notice a single thing."
[The ball of light was really useful. Thank you, Dohnaseek]
"It's nothing, really."
Yes. While Ren possessed ultimate powers, he had no conventional abilities like energy systems.
There is no need for it. He could simply give himself one, but he saw no use.
With his future armaments operating without energy cost, which would grant him nigh-infinite power, was there any reason to get an energy system?
No.
CREAK~
The creaking of a door brought his attention to it. He had followed them all the way to the student council room.
Currently, the rest seemed to be in class.
"Have a seat."
Souna invited him to the middle, where two couches faced each other with a table in between.
Ren complied. With a nod, he sat down, and she sat across from him, still keeping her gaze on him.
'My Lord. She's been watching you ever since you arrived.'
[I can feel the gains. But it's nowhere near enough yet.]
"Hm. Augustus Ren Luceris. Age, 16. That's… your name…"
"[About that, my mom's Japanese. She moved from Japan to Italy to live with my dad. I was given a Japanese name symbolically, or something like that.]"
Authority of Truth.
Be it truth or lies, all shall become true. Reality has no choice but to accept it.
Of course, fate tried intervening but ultimately could not.
Ren's powers were mightier than it whenever he was not influencing its main scenario.
"I see."
Souna muttered this, her gaze returning to the files in her hand. Certificate checks and everything aligns.
Closing her eyes and releasing a huff of breath, she then looked squarely at Ren.
"Say, student Ren—"
"Just call me Ren."
"Alright, Ren. Do you care for a game of chess? Or have you played before?"
Dohnaseek: '....'
Ren: [....]
[Immersion mode: ON]
'My Lord.'
[Unfortunately, yes, it's that case, but what do you think?]
'I…'
[Don't worry about the formalities. Just speak.]
'Yes. As you know, there are two ways. First is to reject her, and her affection meter drops.'
Affection?
Ren tilted his head slightly as everything around him slowed down.
Whenever they communicated like this, their communication speed simply exceeded the normal world's time.
But then, hearing Dohnaseek of all people use that term made him want to laugh.
'Yes. Even without engagement to her, my Lord can still influence the world. However, I believe you'd choose the other option.'
[Ehhhh…. So the Authority of Reason deduced that much about me? Then I'm glad we're on the same page.]
[The current future is now unknown. Let us take things slow and amuse ourselves, shouldn't we?]
Dohnaseek, who was at a café far from the Academy, sipping tea like a gentleman, donning a different appearance, nodded.
'It is as you said, my lord.'
Through their connection, he can appear beside him anytime he wants. Additionally, he didn't want to constantly intrude, so he opted for this method.
As they came to that conclusion, time began to flow back normally.
[Immersion mode: OFF]
"Yes. I quite like chess."
Ren nodded. It wasn't actually a lie. He also didn't quite love it too much. He'd watched many fun videos on it and had quite an interest in it.
Souna, on the other hand, hearing that looked pleased; she let out a perceptible smile, nodding her head.
"Then, would you care for a round with me?"
"I don't mind. If you're fine with someone like me, that is?"
"Hm. I don't mind that."
Souna said that, adjusting the pieces on the board. Tsubaki simply stayed behind Souna, keeping a closer eye on the board and him.
Her president still hasn't told her why she's paying so much attention to him.
In terms of looks, he was average at best. Or could it be…? He was a sacred gear wielder or something?
Yes. That has to be why she's doing this, as she wouldn't do it for most.
After arranging the pieces on the board:
"Well then, Ren, your move."
"You don't mind?"
"Sure, you can go ahead."
Ren nodded, making the first move, beginning the game.
[Immersion mode: slightly ON]
Now, this is where we're supposed to hit you with placeholder AI moves.
However, we're too lazy for that. Simply imagine Magnus, Hikaru, or Fabiano playing the most intense match they've ever played.
Every move is calculated, and they have to think ahead of their opponents.
Ren isn't using his powers. He wants to see how he fairly stacks up against someone like her. And he wasn't disappointed.
[Immersion mode: OFF]
'Hahaha… that was so close.'
He sweatdropped, checkmating her with a final move. Both were down to their last three or four pieces.
Fortunately, she fell for his bluff near the ending; otherwise, he would have lost.
"...I lost…?"
Souna looked baffled. She looked toward Ren, who feigned cluelessness, and even Tsubaki expressed great concern.
After all, she had been watching, and she didn't see anything wrong; the new transfer student, Ren, didn't cheat in any way.
Yet… how?
"That was a tough battle, Ms. Shitori. Thank you for the enjoyable game."
With a feigned beaming smile, he said this, to which the young woman almost stuttered.
"Ah… yes. Thank you too."
With that, she tried adjusting herself, heading to her drawer, then bringing out some other papers and handing them to him.
"These are the school's schedule and a bunch of other materials."
Handing the papers to him from the other side, Ren accepted them with a nod, going over them.
Souna still kept her gaze on him for a moment before opening her mouth to speak once more.
"Ren."
"Yes?"
Ren paused, looking at her. Her expression was more serious than he remembered when he met her at the gate.
[So, it's coming…]
"Do you believe in the existence of supernaturals, like gods, devils, and angels?"
Again, putting on an act, he paused to seem to think about it for a short moment. Then, with every fiber of his being,
"Yes. I do. I'm a religious person myself."
Even back in the other world, he'd believed in religion. But now… not so much. But other worlds have their own rules.
And in here. Supernaturals like that exist. And he's currently in front of one.
Even though their wings weren't out, he could still see through it.
"Then, what are your thoughts on devils?"
"Hmm… if I were to say, scary? After all, that is what they're depicted as, no?"
Replying that, he saw that Souna's expression looked at ease, which made him smirk a little.
[So she was concerned about that, huh? Looks like this has been a successful encounter.]
"Then, do you want to come to the student council sometime?"
"Sure. If it means playing chess with you again, then I don't mind."
Ren said that with a nod, standing up.
"I see. That's good." Souna followed suit. "Shall I escort you to your classroom?"
"I'd like the company."
"Alright."
Throughout the entire conversation, Tsubaki felt a little weird… like Ren was perfectly matching Souna's pace.
Even his word choice felt like appeals to Souna.
Souna, being strict and refined, would also find Ren's character pleasing.
Even now, as they walked out the door, they still chatted. That was what was weird.
'This guy… he looks too perfect.'
Not by his looks, but by his character and personality. At the same time, she felt she might be overthinking it.
Realizing that, she sighed and dismissed those thoughts.
As she did, Ren, on the other hand, let out a short breath.
[She's caught on]
'My Lord, would you like to—'
[No, let her harbor those thoughts. Trust me, it will help down the line]
'Yes, my lord.'
With that, Ren continued behind Souna until they reached his class. And lo and behold,
[Same concept that hates narrative manipulators brought us back together, didn't it?]
Ren thought with an amused smile.
"Wait here. I'll get the information across to the teacher, then you can enter after he calls you."
He nodded, hearing her words as she stepped into the classroom. The entire class fell silent for a while.
Then—
"Settle down, students. Uh, there is a new transfer student joining us today."
"Eh? We just had Asia-chan this morning; you're telling me there's another one?"
"I hope it's another cute girl."
"Stop dreaming fool."
"You lot keep quiet! Ahem. Anyways, let's invite the new student to come in."
He heard that from the other side as the teacher particularly made his voice louder when saying that.
Slowly, Ren slid the door open, entering and walking towards the podium.
Immediately, he could feel the weird gazes on him.
Weird, as in, uninterested, disappointed, and a whole mix of emotions.
This came as a great shock to him. But he didn't let it bother him.
Dohnaseek: '....'
[Whatever you're thinking. Don't. Just don't, or I'll exile you.]
'Alright.'
Letting out a sigh, he took the chalk, turned to the board, and wrote his name on it.
"Ren Augustus Luceris, pleased to make your acquaintance."
He said this, giving his best smile; however, this enthusiasm was met with—
"Ooh, a foreigner…"
"He looks pretty mid."
"Hah. Guess we don't have to worry about him."
Ren's lips twitched.
"Are there any questions?"
Unlike Asia, whom everyone had welcomed with open arms, Ren was met with this, which made him chuckle darkly.
[Hehehehe…]
The proud Narrative Manipulator felt his pride take a massive hit. As much as he'd love to don fallen angel armor and eviscerate this school, he knew he couldn't.
"Tsk."
"Well, since there are no questions, you can take your seat over there."
Contrary to his expectations, his transfer student scenario has been going the opposite way so far.
Even worse, his seat wasn't beside the window.
It made his lips twitch. He felt that Gaia, fate, and its subsequents were laughing at him.
[Well, you better laugh. I'm coming for you all later…!]