The afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of Chysis's study room, casting long shadows across the mahogany shelves lined in order. The air carried the faint scent of tea leaves and ink, a combination, that had become oddly comforting to Akira over the past months.
"You're leaving?" Akira asked, flipping the page in anticipation.
"Yes" Chysis replied simply, her fingers drumming against the stack of papers on her desk "I have to return to the Underworld."
Akira's brow raised, shifting his gaze to her "Did something happen? Is there an emergency with the—"
"Kind of" Chysis's lips curved into a wry smile "Though not the kind you're thinking of" She leaned back in her chair, a smile tucking on her lips "Those bottles of Holy Water of Life you provided us.. they've caused quite the stir in Underworld"
"What do you mean?"
"The demand has exploded, Akira. Every noble house want a piece of what you've created. The Satans themselves are breathed down their neck, requested to expand their operations but they know it's limited so they could only sigh in defeat" She chuckled, shaking her head. "I never imagined your little gift would turn into such an uproar in Underworld"
Akira ran a hand through his hair, processing the information "How long will you be gone?"
"I don't know"
Akira nodded slowly, trying to mask the disappointment that threatened to show on his face.
"However," Chysis continued, rising from her chair with fluid grace "the Satans have decided to... sweeten our arrangement." Her smile turned mischievous. "They're granting you a significant portion of land here in Kuoh, along with a rather generous monetary compensation, and a familiar too" They feel the Holy Water of Life is too precious to be traded for mere evil pieces"
Akira blinked "A familiar?"
"Rias will guide you for it, so dont worry about it" Chysis walked around the desk, her footsteps silent on the plush carpet. "They've also agreed to fulfill any reasonable favor you might ask, as long as it doesn't threaten devil interests. Consider it their way of ensuring your continued... cooperation."
The weight of her words settled over him. This wasn't just about business anymore, this was about power, influence, and the dangerous game of supernatural politics he'd somehow stumbled into.
"Well.." he finally said, meeting her gaze. "Thank you."
Chysis reached out and ruffled his hair, her touch gentle but firm. "Don't thank me yet, dear. We are on the same ship, remember? You can ask for my help anytime without hesitation. After everything you've done for my family and our race..." She paused, her eyes growing distant. "You've earned that much and more."
A sudden thought struck him "Wait—how am I supposed to provide refills while you're in the Underworld?"
Chysis smiled and pulled a small crystal from her pocket. It was no larger than a marble, but it pulsed with an inner light that seemed to shift between purple and silver.
"Pour your magic into this," she instructed, placing it in his palm. The crystal felt warm against his skin. "It will glow and send a signal directly to me. I'll be able to teleport to your location within minutes."
Akira closed his fingers around the crystal, feeling its subtle vibration. "Chysis... I need you to know something."
She tilted her head, waiting.
"I'll never forget what you've done for me. Taking care of Asia, teaching me magic and combat techniques, putting up with my questions..." He met her eyes, his voice growing stronger. "You didn't have to do any of that, but you did. And I—"
Before he could finish, Chysis pulled him into a bone-crushing hug that knocked the air from his lungs. Despite her petite frame, her strength was overwhelming.
"You silly child," she murmured against his shoulder, her voice filled with emotion. "Do you think I helped you out of obligation? You saved my granddaughter from a fate worse than death. You brought light back into her eyes when I thought it was lost forever." She pulled back slightly, her hands gripping his shoulders. "You gave the whole devil race, hope, when they had none left. If anything, I'm the one in your debt."
Before Akira could respond, magic circles began forming around her feet, glowing with the deep crimson of devil magic.
"The mansion is always open for you," she said as the teleportation spell took hold beneath her "Consider it your second home. And Akira?" Her form began to fade. "Take care of yourself until we meet again"
With a flash of red light, she was gone.
. . .
Akira stood alone in his living room. The silence felt oppressive after months of Chysis's constant presence—her laughter echoing through the halls, her patient voice correcting his magical techniques, her protective instincts that had become as natural as breathing.
He sank into his favorite armchair, the crystal she'd given him resting in his pocket. The weight of responsibility settled on his shoulders, without Chysis's guidance, everything felt suddenly more precarious.
*Sigh!, Magic* he thought grimly. *I still haven't mastered even the basics.*
Human magic was frustrating in its complexity—layers upon layers of theory and technique that seemed to contradict themselves at every turn. Unlike the straightforward nature of his gacha abilities, magic required reserves, understanding, and most importantly, a teacher who could guide him through the subtleties.
He'd managed to learn basic teleportation, enough to move around Kuoh without drawing attention, but anything more advanced remained frustratingly out of reach. And now, with Chysis gone...
"I'm thinking too much," he muttered, rubbing his temples.
The sound of the television drifted from the adjoining room, punctuated by Asia's gentle and Valerie's softer chuckles. The familiar sounds brought a smile to his face despite his worries.
Both girls had been training relentlessly since moving in, pushing themselves harder than he thought wise. Unlike him, they didn't have a convenient system to grant them new abilities—they had to earn every scrap of strength through sweat and determination. He admired that about them, but it also worried him.
This world was dangerous. Devils, angels, fallen angels, dragons—threats lurked around every corner, and the peaceful façade of Kuoh Town could shatter at any moment. He needed to be strong enough to protect them, and they needed to be strong enough to protect themselves.
But maybe... maybe they all needed a break. With all this constant vigilance, he was fearing that he was just pushing himself into overthinking about future.
Standing up with newfound purpose, Akira walked into the living room where Asia and Valerie were curled up on the couch, watching what appeared to be a cooking show.
"Hey" he said, causing both girls to look up "How about we take a day off from training?"
Asia tilted her head "A day off?"
"I want to show you both around town. Today would be no training regimens, just... normal stuff." He gestured toward the window where Kuoh's streets bustled with everyday life. "Neither of you have really had the chance to just be regular individuals, right?"
Valerie's silver eyes widened slightly "Really?"
Akira smiled, turning around "Come on, get ready. I'll show you around the Kuoh"
. . .
The vibe of street was crisp and pleasant as they walked through Kuoh's shopping district. Valerie had insisted on linking arms with both him and Asia, creating an odd but comfortable chain as they meandered between shops and stalls.
"Oh!" Asia gasped, stopping abruptly in front of a small boutique. "Look at that dress, Valerie! The color would be perfect with your hair!"
Valerie's cheeks flushed pink as she nodded "I... I couldn't. It's probably expensive..."
"Don't worry about money" Akira said gently "Today's about having fun, remember? So, just enjoy"
Watching them browse through clothes with genuine excitement, pointing out items they thought would suit each other, Akira felt something warm bloom in his chest. This was what they deserved—moments of simple joy, free from the weight of their pasts.
Asia had never experienced a normal childhood, raised in isolation by the church until her exile. Valerie had been imprisoned, used as a tool by others who saw only her power. Neither had ever had the luxury of window shopping or debating the merits of different ice cream flavors.
"Akira!"
The familiar voice made him turn, and his heart sank slightly. Issei Hyoudou was approaching with his characteristic enthusiasm, his eyes immediately zeroing in on Asia and Valerie.
"Dude!" Issei's voice cracked with excitement and disbelief. "What did you do? How are you on a date with tw incredibly beautiful girls? I'm so jealous!"
Akira sighed, placing a hand on Issei's shoulder in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. "It's not a date, Issei. We're just—"
"Issei!" Another voice called out. Kiba Yuuto was waving from across the street, his perfect smile somehow managing to convey both patience and mild exasperation. "Come on, we have that thing to take care of."
Issei's face crumpled at the sight of blonde boy "But Kiba! Look at this injustice! How does he get two gorgeous girls while I get stuck with—" He caught himself, glancing at Kiba's approaching figure "I mean... why does the universe hate me?"
"Who is he?" Valerie asked quietly, moving slightly closer to Akira.
"That's Issei Hyoudou and Kiba Yuuto," Akira explained. "They're part of Rias's peerage."
Issei was still lamenting his fate as Kiba reached them and practically dragged him away, offering apologetic bows to the group as they departed.
Akira chuckled at the sight "Come on, let's check out that bookstore you wanted to see."
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of small discoveries and shared laughter. They bought books, tasted street food, and even stopped at a small shrine where Asia insisted on making offerings despite her complicated relationship with divinity.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, they found themselves at a small park overlooking the town. Valerie and Asia sat on a bench, comparing their purchases and chatting with an ease that she never felt before.
Akira stood a few feet away, watching them with a smile he couldn't suppress. This was the first time he'd seen either of them truly relaxed and happy. The walls they'd built around their hearts were crumbling, replaced by something precious and fragile—friendship, trust, maybe even family.
. . .
The walk to home was peaceful, filled with comfortable chatter about their purchases and plans for dinner. Asia and Valerie walked ahead of him, their shopping bags swinging as they debated the merits of different recipes they'd seen in the cookbook Asia had bought.
Akira followed behind, carrying the groceries and the kendo sticks he'd picked up for their training sessions, content to listen to their conversation. The normalcy of it all—the domestic concerns, the easy banter—felt like a gift after months of supernatural chaos.
As they turned the corner onto his street, however, that peaceful feeling evaporated.
Two figures stood outside his front door: one tall and casual with an easy smile, the other tall as well and radiating an aura that made Akira's instincts to be vary of his presence.
Azazel raised a hand in greeting, his expression as maddeningly cheerful as ever. Beside him, the teen stood with his arms crossed, silver hair catching the last rays of sunlight and blue eyes focused on Akira with an intensity that promised complications.
"Oh, wonderful," Akira muttered under his breath, already feeling the beginnings of a headache. "This day was going too well. And now this"
The last thing he needed right now was whatever chaos these two were about to bring to his doorstep.
. . .
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