Chris woke up with a dull ache in his chest, the kind that wasn't physical but still managed to weigh him down. He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the faint morning light creeping through the curtains. His hand drifted to his chest, fingers brushing the spot where the divine symbol had appeared yesterday. Even now, he could feel a faint warmth pulsing beneath his skin—soft, sad, familiar. Alisa. He closed his eyes. "Why does it feel like you're hurting too…?" No answer. Just that quiet, aching warmth. He sighed, stood, and got ready for school, each movement slow and heavy. Today was supposed to be his first real training session with the ORC. He wasn't sure if he was ready. He wasn't sure if he had a choice.
The moment he stepped onto campus, he felt the atmosphere shift. Students whispered as he passed, their voices hushed but not quiet enough. "That's him." "He looks worse today…" "Do you think he's sick?" "No, he looks… sad." He kept walking, trying to ignore the stares. He didn't want attention. He didn't want pity. He just wanted to get through the day without falling apart. "CHRIS!" Akeno's voice cut through the noise like a bell. Before he could react, she was already at his side, looping her arm through his. "You look even more exhausted today," she said sweetly. "Should I carry you?" He groaned. "Please don't." Akeno pouted dramatically. "Rias, he's bullying me again." Rias approached, her expression softening when she saw him. "Chris… are you okay?" He hesitated. "Just tired." Koneko tugged his sleeve from behind. "You forgot breakfast again." He blinked. "How do you always know?" "You look hungry." She handed him a small bag of pastries. Warm. Fresh. Probably homemade. Chris stared at it. "Koneko… thank you." She shrugged. "Don't faint." Kiba approached next, offering a polite nod. "Rias wants you in the clubroom after classes. Today is your first real training session." Chris nodded. "I'll be there." Rias's eyes softened. "We'll take it slow. I promise." He smiled weakly. For some reason, her reassurance made his chest feel lighter.
Classes dragged on painfully. Chris tried to focus, but every time he blinked, he saw the glow on his chest. Every time he breathed, he felt Alisa's warmth. Every time he closed his eyes, he heard her voice. "Please stop…" He didn't understand. Why would she fear her own gift? Why would she sound like she was breaking? Why did her sadness feel like it was inside him? The teacher called his name twice before he realized it. Students whispered. He apologized. He tried to focus. He failed.
At lunch, he sat under the same tree as before, eating the pastries Koneko gave him. They were warm, soft, comforting—exactly what he needed. He didn't notice Rias until she sat beside him. "You're thinking too much," she said softly. He blinked. "Is it that obvious?" "Yes," she said gently. "You carry everything in your eyes." He looked away. Rias hesitated, then placed a hand on his arm. "Chris… whatever Alisa gave you, whatever she meant to you… you don't have to face it alone." He swallowed hard. "I don't want to drag you into something dangerous." Rias smiled faintly. "Chris… I'm a devil. Danger is my job." He laughed—a small, tired laugh—but real. For a moment, everything felt normal. Warm. Safe. Human. Then the bell rang, and the moment ended.
After classes, Chris walked into the ORC room. Everyone was already waiting. Akeno smiled warmly. Kiba looked focused. Koneko munched a cookie but watched him closely. Rias stood in front of her desk, serious. "Chris," she said gently, "today we begin your training." He nodded nervously. "Okay." Rias gestured to the center of the room. "Stand there." He did. Akeno formed a magic circle. Kiba readied his sword. Koneko crouched slightly, watching him like a cat watching prey. Chris swallowed. "Should I be worried?" "Yes," Koneko said. "No," Rias corrected. "Maybe," Akeno added with a giggle. Chris groaned. "Great."
Rias stepped closer. "Chris, I need you to focus on the warmth in your chest. Slowly. Don't force it." He closed his eyes. The warmth pulsed. Soft. Sad. Familiar. Alisa. He reached for it. The room trembled. A faint glow spread across his chest, forming the same divine symbol as before. Akeno whispered, "It's beautiful…" Kiba frowned. "But unstable." Koneko's ears twitched. "It's crying." Chris's breath hitched. The warmth surged. And then— Pain. Sharp. Sudden. Deep. He gasped, clutching his chest. Rias grabbed him. "Stop! Stop!" The glow vanished. Chris fell forward, breathing hard. Akeno touched his back gently. "It's hurting you." Kiba frowned. "This isn't normal." Koneko whispered, "It's like the power is sad." Chris looked up, voice shaking. "Why does it feel like she's hurting when I use it?" Rias's expression softened painfully. "Chris… I think Alisa gave you something she shouldn't have." He froze. "What do you mean?" Rias hesitated. "Gods aren't supposed to interfere with mortal souls. Not like this. Not directly. Whatever she gave you… it's tied to her. Deeply." Chris's heart pounded. "So when I use it…" Rias nodded slowly. "…she feels it too."
Chris sat on the floor, shaking. "I don't understand any of this," he whispered. "I didn't ask for powers. I didn't ask to be special. I just… I just wanted a second chance." Rias knelt in front of him, eyes soft. "Chris… you're allowed to be scared." He looked at her. She looked back—not as a devil, not as a king, but as a girl who cared. "You're not alone," she whispered. "Not anymore." Akeno placed a hand on his back. Kiba rested a hand on his shoulder. Koneko sat beside him, leaning against him quietly. Warmth surrounded him. Not divine. Not supernatural. Human. And for the first time since he arrived in this world… Chris cried. Not from fear. Not from pain. But from the overwhelming weight of being cared for.
When his tears finally slowed, Rias helped him sit up. "We'll try again," she said softly. "But slower. Gentler. We'll find a way to use your power without hurting you—or her." Chris nodded shakily. "Okay." Akeno smiled warmly. "We'll take care of you." Koneko handed him a cookie. "Sugar helps." Kiba chuckled. "It's true." Chris laughed weakly. The tension eased.
Rias stepped back. "Let's try something different. Instead of summoning the power directly… try feeling it. Just feeling it. Don't pull on it." Chris nodded. He closed his eyes again. The warmth pulsed. Soft. Gentle. Like a hand resting over his heart. He didn't reach for it. He didn't pull. He just… listened. The warmth shifted. Not painful. Not overwhelming. Just… sad. He whispered, "Alisa… are you there?" A faint pulse. Like a yes. "Are you hurting?" Another pulse. Stronger. "Is it because of me?" Silence. Then— A soft, trembling warmth. Apology. Chris's breath shook. "I'm sorry too…" The warmth flickered. Then faded. Not gone. Just resting.
He opened his eyes. Rias watched him closely. "What happened?" Chris swallowed. "She's… she's hurting. And she doesn't want me to use the power because it hurts her too." Akeno's expression softened. "That's… heartbreaking." Kiba nodded. "It explains the instability." Koneko whispered, "She cares about you." Chris looked down. "I don't know why." Rias stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Chris… sometimes people care because they see something in you that you don't see in yourself." He looked up at her. Her eyes were warm. Soft. Understanding. "We care too," she said quietly. "All of us."
Before Chris could respond, the room shook. A sudden burst of energy rippled through the air, rattling the windows. Kiba drew his sword instantly. "What was that?" Akeno's eyes narrowed. "A barrier… someone's trying to force their way into the school grounds." Rias's expression hardened. "Everyone, prepare yourselves." Chris stood shakily. "What's happening?" Rias turned to him. "A threat. And it's close." Another pulse of energy shook the building. Koneko's ears twitched. "It's coming this way." Chris's heart pounded. "What do I do?" Rias grabbed his hand. "Stay behind us. You're not ready to fight yet." He nodded, but the warmth in his chest pulsed—stronger than before. Like a warning. Like fear. Like Alisa was trying to tell him something. The door exploded inward.
And Chris's world changed again.
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