Chapter 39 – A Moment to Breathe
[Name: Shin Akira]
[Status: Transfer Student at Kuoh Academy]
[Level: Tier 6 – Ultimate-Class Devil]
[Template: Enkidu (51.1% Synchronization)]
[Noble Phantasm: Chains of Heaven]
[Talents: Consummated Shape, Instinct of the Beast King, Body Transformation]
[Skills: Blue Lightning, Aura Detection, The Wisdom of the People]
[Equipment: Boosted Gear]
[Items: None]
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With his synchronization now crossing the 51.1% threshold, Shin Akira's power surged into a new realm—Ultimate-Class.
At the moment, he was focusing all his attention on stabilizing his newly awakened powers—adjusting to the sudden influx of strength, processing the new skills and talents that had awakened. The sensation was overwhelming, a mix of exhilaration and magical euphoria that coursed through his veins like liquid fire.
On the other hand, Rias Gremory and Himejima Akeno could only stand in stunned silence, watching the young man before them.
"He really… broke through?"
Rias could barely believe it.
The duel had been anything but serious. It wasn't even close to a full-power confrontation. Yet from that brief clash alone, Akira had pierced through the wall that countless devils spent centuries trying to overcome.
In the end, Rias could only conclude one thing—Akira had probably been standing at the edge of that breakthrough ever since his fight with Azazel. And this battle… had simply given him the final push he needed.
But even knowing that didn't ease the discomfort stirring in her chest.
As the heiress of the prestigious Gremory Clan—one of the highest-ranking noble families in the Underworld—Rias had received top-class education, elite training, and had inherited the Power of Destruction from her mother.
And yet she remained a High-Class.
Meanwhile, Akira—a human. Younger than her. No family backing, no legacy, and barely a month into his life in this world—had already surpassed her. It was impossible not to feel the sting of inferiority.
Once Akira finished adjusting to his new powers, he turned and released the Chains of Heaven that were still restraining Rias and Akeno.
"Thank you… for everything," he said earnestly.
"…Congratulations on your breakthrough," Rias replied, her tone as neutral as she could manage. But her eyes remained shadowed and unreadable.
Akira tilted his head slightly.
Did I do something wrong? he wondered, puzzled. I just beat her once. Surely she's not holding a grudge over that… right?
Akeno, ever perceptive, giggled softly behind her hand. As Rias's closest friend, she knew exactly what was going on.
Rias wasn't angry.
She was… irritated. And a little jealous.
Few in the Underworld carried as much ambition to become stronger as Rias Gremory. But because devils were long-lived beings, their growth was inherently slow—measured in decades. In contrast, humans—especially those with Sacred Gears, and especially those wielding a Longinus—could evolve drastically within mere months or years.
"Thank you again for helping me," Akira said, bowing lightly to both of them.
"…Are you mocking me?" Rias asked in a flat voice.
"Eh? N-no! I'm being completely serious. I'm genuinely grateful."
Her eyes narrowed. "I'll remember that. You'll be repaying that debt... properly."
Though her words were sharp, Akira could sense the subtle acknowledgment in her tone.
Just then, Akeno raised two fingers playfully, forming a V-sign toward him with a teasing smile.
"Yeah, yeah… I owe both of you double now," Akira replied with a wry grin.
With his training goal achieved and his power reaching a new peak, Akira felt a satisfying sense of accomplishment. He had officially become Tier 6 – Ultimate-Class.
Still, to reach the next stage—Maou-Class—the road would be long. He estimated he'd need at least 70% synchronization, perhaps even more than 80% to truly unlock the potential of Enkidu's power.
Oddly enough, the thought of that made his blood stir in anticipation.
There was still that event looming on the horizon—the arranged marriage meeting with Riser Phenex, the third son of the Phenex Clan.
An High-Class Devil who had used every piece on the board in the Rating Game. Most of his peerage might've been considered low-tier, but their strength was nothing to scoff at.
Honestly... I'm starting to look forward to that match, Akira thought with a grin.
There was still some time before that day arrived.
"Oi, now that you've broken through, do you have anything else on your agenda today?" Rias asked, her voice dry.
"Agenda? Not really."
"Then let's go home."
"Alright."
Though he answered lightly, Akira inwardly let out a small sigh.
His current apartment was a cramped 1DK unit, and his lease was almost up. It had already been a month since he arrived in this world—and honestly, it was about time he moved into something more fitting.
With Rias's teleportation magic, the three of them returned to the Gremory residence in Kuoh City.
The moment they arrived, Rias turned and called, "Akeno~"
"I know, Buchou," Akeno replied with a graceful nod, already heading toward the kitchen. In no time at all, she had prepared black tea and arranged several plates of snacks on the table.
Akira observed all of this silently. He was starting to suspect that Rias might have a minor addiction to black tea.
Every single time he visited, the atmosphere was exactly the same.
"Oh, right—Akeno," Akira said, glancing toward her. "I wanted to ask you a small favor."
"Mmm? What kind of favor?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Ever since the beginning, it had been Akeno who helped him publish his novels. For that alone, he already owed her quite a bit.
"My lease is about to expire in a few days. Now that I'm doing better financially, I want to find a bigger place to live. But I'm still not that familiar with Kuoh City, so… do you think you could help me look for an apartment?"
"You're even outsourcing your housing problems to others now?" Akeno said with a half-exasperated smile.
"Well, it helps to have... connections," Akira replied with a mischievous grin.
She sighed softly, shaking her head. "Fine. I'll help."
"Thanks a lot."
Akira's face brightened instantly. Akeno could only watch him with a resigned look, lips curling upward despite herself.
Rias, watching them from the far end of the table, suddenly found that the tea in her cup tasted a little more bitter than usual.
This is my house, she reminded herself.
Still… as her gaze drifted to Akira, Rias nodded silently in her heart.
Talented. Strong. Handsome. And not affiliated with any noble family.
In other words—an ideal partner.
And after hearing a few things from Akeno earlier… perhaps it was finally time to consider that possibility more seriously.
Naturally, Shin Akira remained completely unaware—
—that he had already started catching the eyes of a crimson-haired heiress.
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