Chapter 16 - Kokabiel
Tsubaki Shinra.
Although not the most dazzling beauty in Kuoh Academy—where gorgeous girls abounded—her looks and talents garnered a considerable following.
Her arrival in the classroom drew instinctive attention, and seeing her head straight for Evan's desk, students held their breath.
"Evan, could you come with me for a moment?"
"Sure."
He nodded, gleaning her intent from her eyes. Grimoire business wasn't for open discussion.
"How's Sona doing lately?"
He closed his novel and stood. Tsubaki led him out.
"Thanks to you, the President is doing quite well."
Her faint smile made male classmates pound their chests in frustration. Neither the Vice President nor the Student Council President typically showed warmth, yet here she smiled at Evan.
What did it imply? Their relationship wasn't ordinary.
Once they left, classroom and hallway chatter erupted.
"Did you see? Evan called the President by her first name! Are they…?"
"No way, right? They don't usually hang out."
"Wrong! I bet they've been meeting secretly. How else are they so familiar?"
"Wasn't Princess Rias close to him too? Now the Student Council President? Is this a love rivalry? Both 'princesses' vying for him?!"
The girls' gossip sank the boys into despair. Their faint hopes were crushed.
"Eriri… you've known Evan since middle school, right? Know anything about him meeting the President?" a girl asked, snapping the blonde twin-tailed Eriri from her trance.
"Huh? How would I know? A womanizer like him… I don't care what he does!" Eriri craned her neck, hiding her agitation, forcing calm.
"Oh, I see."
The girl left, puzzled, while Eriri's fists clenched in her sleeves. Since high school, Evan had been surrounded by girls, leaving her few chances to talk. Could taking the initiative be the only way to get closer?
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At the Student Council Office, empty during lunch, only Sona sat at a desk, busy with paperwork. Sunlight illuminated her ebony hair, accentuating her fair skin and sharp yet delicate features. Her glance up exuded captivating air, no wonder some girls admired her.
Evan was unmoved.
"Tsubaki said the item I asked for arrived?" he asked.
Tsubaki started at his casual use of her name but kept her composure.
"Yes. My clan was thrilled about Kishimojin's resolution. It boosted my record as territory manager and assures the public they can depend on us. My sister approved giving you a grimoire," Sona said, smiling sweetly. Evan had solved a major headache, increasing her leverage in her clan and the Underworld.
She handed him a black leather book. "This is our general spellbook. Every Sitri studies it from childhood. Beyond universal magic, it includes Sitri clan Water Magic. Learning it might be challenging, so come to me with questions."
Evan accepted it. "There's a restriction. Channel demonic power to see the text; ordinary humans see nothing."
"You're sharing Sitri magic externally? No issues?" he asked.
"It's fine. I'm acting on my own, but this magic isn't top-secret. Consider it a token of my appreciation, Evan," Sona said, pushing up her glasses with a smile.
Evan took the grimoire without pretense, understanding her goodwill. He'd repay the favor someday.
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Aogiri Tree Base.
The squad of ghouls they'd sent out was wiped out, despite Fallen Angel Spears of Light—a major blow. They couldn't ignore it. They'd been secretly investigating.
To avoid alerting enemies, some disguised as civilians, lingering near Anteiku Café. Through threats and bribes, they gathered surveillance footage. The incident's specific time and location made it easy to find a fuzzy video, pointing them in a direction.
Piecing clues together, Tatara and Aogiri's seniors blamed "those devils" or their allies. An exorcist? True exorcists wouldn't appear here; local stray exorcists were their allies, not foes.
"Tatara-sama, the devils must be tracing us," a ghoul said.
"Doesn't matter. We're launching the plan soon," Tatara replied coolly.
The secret room's door swung open. Girls in Kuoh Academy uniforms strutted in, led by a black-haired girl, flanked by one with black twin tails and another with a side ponytail, the latter more mature. The central girl was clearly in charge.
They entered, chatting merrily, unbothered by the bloodthirsty ghouls.
"Raynare, it's amusing how you toyed with that guy," the twin-tailed girl said.
"Maybe I should try?" the side-ponytail girl added.
"Don't. We've lurked here and found only one undiscovered Sacred Gear user. More aren't easy to find," Raynare snapped, turning to the ghouls with disdain. She loathed these red-eyed, man-eating beasts, allying only due to her superior's manpower shortage.
"Raynare-sama," the ghouls bowed.
"I have a task. Three nights from now, make yourselves busy. That's all," Raynare said, turning to leave.
Tatara stopped her. "Raynare-sama, that might draw the devils."
"That's the point. Your job is to distract them."
"But—"
"No buts. Defy us, and Kokabiel-sama won't forgive you—you won't stand here to argue," Raynare warned, departing with the other Fallen Angels.
The ghouls trembled. Kokabiel, a biblical legend who battled the God of the Bible, was untouchable. Tatara, irked by Raynare's condescension, couldn't deny her confidence.
To her, their comrades' killer was a weed.
For chaos in three nights, they'd hit crowded night spots, kill humans, and sow panic to lure the devils.
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Evan returned home, diving into the grimoire.
Channeling demonic power, text appeared, annotated by Sona—her personal copy. It covered basic magic—communication, short-range teleportation, sealing, flight, blasts, shields—and Water-Based Magic.
After one pass, he started with basics.
His foundation and talent, boosted by "God Rewards Hard Work," led to rapid progress.
In two hours, he mastered those spells.
Lifting a hand, Evan surged invisible demonic power, shaping water in his cup into animals, then an arrow that pierced three meters into the ground.
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