The third day dawned crisp and clear, a veil of thin clouds streaking the morning sky above Kuoh Academy. Sam approached the gate with a slower, more aware pace than previous days. The aches from the brawl two nights ago had fully faded, his body humming with a steady vitality he had come to associate with the Vial of Lifeblood and the Enhanced Vitality trait. No twinges in his ribs. No lingering soreness in his joints. It was almost like the fight hadn't happened—almost.
The faint warmth in his chest, that strange divine glow of holy energy, had yet to leave him. It hadn't flared up in front of anyone yet, but he remained conscious of it, hiding it beneath his uniform like a spark under glass. The power he felt now was something new—unfamiliar and unpredictable, a result of whatever chaos had bound him to this world.
Kuoh Academy itself was a polished blend of modern and traditional. Well-maintained cherry blossom trees bordered the main path, their petals stirring in a soft morning breeze. The air was crisp, and the subtle perfume of blooming flowers hung in the atmosphere. Sam passed beneath the school's arching gate, the sunlight catching his eyes as he took in the students milling around the courtyard.
He noted the usual stares from a few uniquely dressed students—members of the Occult Research Club, perhaps?—and a pair of elegant-looking girls walking in lockstep through the main corridor. One had long crimson hair that shimmered like fire in the daylight, the other wore a more subdued expression but carried herself like royalty. Sam didn't know who they were, but something about them pinged his "plot senses."
Tiche's voice echoed in his mind, faint but clear. Merged into his shadow, she spoke without alerting others.
"They're not just students. Keep your distance until you know more."
"You say that like I'm about to poke the bear," Sam murmured internally.
"You tend to do that."
He smirked faintly, shaking his head as he pushed forward.
Homeroom passed without incident, his classmates mostly leaving him alone. He caught the occasional glance from the tall, quiet girl with glasses who sat near the window—sharp-eyed and observant. He didn't know her name, but something about her posture reminded him of someone who always had a plan.
During the morning break, Sam stepped out into the school courtyard. He passed by the small vending machine alley where a few students huddled, laughing over canned coffees. As he rounded a corner, he almost walked into a small, white-haired girl.
She was petite—barely 4'9"—with golden eyes that flicked up to meet his. Her expression was stoic and distant, yet sharp, and despite her small stature, there was an air of quiet intensity about her. She was dressed neatly in her Kuoh Academy uniform, though it seemed to be slightly out of place compared to others' attire—simple but clearly well-kept.
"Ah—sorry," Sam said, taking a half-step back, surprised by her sudden appearance.
The girl didn't respond, instead studying him for a moment longer than was comfortable. Her gaze felt calculating, as if she was assessing him in ways that went beyond the surface.
"You're Sam Barnes, the transfer student," she said softly—yet the weight of her words lingered like a warning.
He blinked, surprised that she knew his name. "Yeah, that's me. And you're...?"
Her eyes studied him carefully, like she was deciding how much to reveal. Finally, she gave a slight nod. "Koneko Toujou."
Before Sam could respond, she walked past him with a swift, quiet grace, barely acknowledging his presence. Her body language was sharp, purposeful, and despite the distance between them, Sam couldn't shake the feeling that she was more than just an ordinary student.
As she passed, a sudden pulse of warmth bloomed in Sam's chest—the same divine energy he'd been feeling since the fight with the devil. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but enough to make him stop and wonder if there was more to Koneko than met the eye.
"You felt that?" he asked silently.
"Yes," Tiche answered, her voice low. "There is power within her. A force that seems dormant... but present. You should keep your distance."
Sam exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing as he processed the interaction. Koneko wasn't just some random student—he felt the power she emanated, felt it in a way he could barely articulate. But there was no time to dwell on it now. He'd already caught the attention of more than enough strange forces today.
Lunchtime brought its usual chaos of voices and footsteps echoing through the halls. Sam had just stood to leave the classroom when a familiar silver-white-haired girl blocked his path.
"Sam," Momo said, her tone as neutral as it always was, but there was something different this time. A subtle weight to her words, as if she wasn't just asking, but demanding.
"The student council would like a word with you."
He raised an eyebrow, feigning mild surprise. "The whole council, or just the parts that can glare holes through steel?"
Momo blinked, her eyes sharp, almost amused, but there was an edge to it now. "Please come with me."
As they walked the hallway, Sam let his gaze linger on her briefly. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something she wasn't saying. Momo Hanakai had been observant the entire time, but now, she felt like a shadow, always just behind him, always watching.
"You always so formal, Hanakai? Or is this your way of pretending not to smile?"
Her eyes narrowed just slightly, but the corner of her mouth twitched—barely. A sign that she was taking his humor in stride, but not fully entertained. "You talk too much."
"I've been told I have my uses," Sam replied smoothly, trying to keep the mood light. "Some people find me charming."
"I'm not one of them," she said, her voice cool but not unkind. She didn't flinch when his hand brushed hers lightly. She didn't back away like some of the others did. It was subtle, but Sam caught it. There was a disconnect there. He couldn't tell if she was guarded or if she just didn't care.
The Student Council Room was clean, precise, and faintly intimidating. Bookshelves lined the far wall, filled with thick tomes and neatly filed documents. A large circular emblem was painted onto the tile beneath the main table, though its meaning was lost on Sam.
Sona Sitri regarded him from behind her desk, her cool violet gaze searching, as if peeling back layers Sam wasn't sure he wanted exposed. She wore her uniform with the same strict elegance she carried in her posture. To her left stood Tsubaki Shinra, her tall, composed Queen, a figure of silent strength with her long black hair cascading smoothly down her back. Momo stood at her right. Near the window, leaning against the wall, was the tall, teal-haired girl Sam had seen in passing—Tsubasa Yura.
They asked him mundane questions first. His schedule. His impressions of Kuoh. His intentions while attending school.
But Sam felt it. The pressure. There was no overt hostility, but the atmosphere felt too tight, too controlled. He could see the others watching him—evaluating him with a precision that was too surgical to ignore. The others knew something he didn't, and it was becoming more and more apparent that the Student Council wasn't just a group of students with a title. They were far more powerful than any student group Sam had ever seen before.
Then Sona leaned back in her seat.
"You seem to attract attention."
"I'm new," Sam replied. "People stare."
"More than that," Sona said, eyes narrowing slightly. "You stood out the moment you arrived. And since then, others have noticed… changes."
Sam shrugged nonchalantly, trying to deflect the weight of her words. "I try to keep things interesting."
But even his attempts to mask the unease didn't seem to work. A silence fell over the room. Not hostile—just measured. Like a net waiting to close. He felt trapped.
"You're aware," Sona said, her gaze sharp, "that this school isn't… ordinary?"
Sam's brows rose. "You could say that. I'm just waiting for someone to hand me a sword and declare me the chosen one."
Yura actually chuckled. Momo didn't. But her gaze softened just a little, a sign that maybe she was starting to see Sam as more than a "new student." But Sona's focus never wavered.
Sona studied him further, her eyes flicking from him to the others. "You're… different. Be careful, Sam. Kuoh Academy can be complicated."
He nodded slowly, tone light but serious. "I'll do my best not to break anything important."
Once Sam left, the council remained quiet for several seconds.
"He's hiding something," Tsubaki said calmly.
"We all are," Sona replied, her voice calm but with a noticeable edge. "But he's not dangerous. Not yet."
Yura tilted her head. "He's interesting. I wouldn't mind sparring with him."
Sona's lips thinned slightly. "Monitor him. But don't engage unless necessary."
As Sam exited the room, Momo followed him into the hallway.
"Try not to get into trouble," she said quietly, though there was something more in her voice. A subtle warning that Sam couldn't ignore.
He smirked. "If I do, I'll make sure it's the fun kind."
A pause. Then:
"You're impossible."
"And yet here we are."
He walked off with a backward glance and caught a rare flicker of a smile from her, one that was barely there, but enough to make Sam pause for a moment.
[Ping!]
Chaos Gacha System Objective Updated
Main Objective: Gain the Trust of the Devils Within Kuoh
Reward: Pending
Sub-Objective Unlocked: Gain Sona Sitri's Trust
Bonus Reward: Pending…
Sam blinked. The world didn't change—but it felt like it had.
"Jesus—again?" he muttered under his breath. "Can't I get five damn minutes without a new questline dropping?"
Tiche's voice stirred from his shadow, smooth as ever. "The system responds to momentum. And the devils are watching."
He rubbed at his temple like it might erase the text floating behind his eyes.
"Yeah, no kidding. 'Devils of Kuoh,' huh? That's cute. I haven't even unlocked a damn tutorial, and now I'm playing politics with demons in school uniforms?"
"You approached them," Tiche replied plainly. "The system capitalizes on every fracture in fate."
Sam groaned. "Fate sucks."
Silence.
He kept walking, trying to shake off the lingering pressure from the meeting. But the words trust of Sona Sitri wouldn't leave him alone. Not a friendship. Not protection. Trust. A much harder thing to earn.
He didn't know if he wanted to be trusted by people who could see through him that easily.
"Hey, Tiche?"
"Yes."
"If I just drop out and get a job flipping burgers, will the system still follow me?"
"…Yes."
"Cool. Just checking."
The hallway was quiet, a calm that settled over Sam like a weight. The footsteps behind him caught his attention before the figure emerged. Tall, poised, dark hair cascading down her back, and that playful smirk that Sam could feel, even before it graced her lips. Her presence was magnetic, the kind that made silence feel like a verdict—and it felt like she'd already read him cover to cover.
"Sam-kun," the violet-eyed girl said, her voice soft yet laced with an almost predatory edge, "You've been making waves."
Sam turned, wary but still cautious, sizing her up. He hadn't expected an encounter like this, not after the tense meeting with the student council. Something about her—her eyes, the way she carried herself—told him she wasn't just another student.
"Have I?" he asked, trying to sound casual. "I wasn't aware I was that interesting."
She leaned in slightly, voice dropping just enough to feel personal. "Mmm," she hummed, a playful smile tugging at her lips, "Rias would like to speak with you. After school."
Sam raised an eyebrow, a grin creeping onto his face. "Should I bring a pen? Maybe a little notepad?" he asked, his sarcasm slipping out despite the tension.
"Only if you plan to take notes on charm," she teased back, her tone light but tinged with something deeper. "See you then."
With a flick of her hair, she turned, her presence almost lingering in the air as she disappeared down the hallway. Sam stared after her, a mix of annoyance and curiosity gnawing at him.
"Great," Sam muttered to himself as he walked away, "More attention. Just what I needed today."
He sighed, shaking his head. "Guess I better find out what the hell this 'Rias' wants... before I end up the protagonist in someone else's plotline — or worse, some ridiculous supernatural drama."