"Please, have a seat," Rias gestured gracefully toward one of the plush antique chairs arranged around a small coffee table. Her movements were fluid, controlled—every inch the noble devil I knew her to be.
I settled into the offered chair, hyperaware of how surreal this situation was. Here I was, sitting across from one of the most powerful young devils in the underworld, trying to maintain the facade of a clueless human teenager while my mind raced with knowledge I shouldn't possess.
*Stay calm. Act confused but not stupid. She's testing you.*
"I imagine you're wondering why I asked to see you," Rias began, settling into the chair opposite me with practiced elegance. Akeno moved to stand beside her, that ever-present gentle smile never wavering.
"The thought had crossed my mind," I admitted, adjusting my glasses. "I can't imagine what the President of the Occult Research Club would want with someone like me."
Rias studied me for a long moment, those blue-green eyes seeming to peer directly into my soul. "Motohama-kun, what do you know about the supernatural world?"
*Here we go.*
"You mean like... ghosts and spirits?" I asked, trying to project the right mix of curiosity and skepticism. "I know the club studies that sort of thing, but I always assumed it was more theoretical."
"I'm afraid it's far more real than most people realize," Rias said with a small smile. "Tell me, have you experienced anything... unusual lately? Strange dreams, perhaps? Increased awareness of things others can't see?"
My blood chilled. She was probing, looking for confirmation of whatever had triggered their interest in me. I had to be careful here—too much ignorance would be suspicious, but too much knowledge would be catastrophic.
"I..." I hesitated, as if struggling with how to explain. "Maybe? I mean, sometimes I feel like there are things moving in the shadows that shouldn't be there. But that's probably just my imagination, right?"
"Perhaps not," Rias leaned forward slightly. "Motohama-kun, I'm going to share something with you that may seem impossible to believe. The supernatural world—devils, angels, fallen angels, and more—exists alongside the human world. And you... you may have awakened to it."
*Time for the big revelation. Act shocked but not completely disbelieving.*
"Devils?" I repeated, my voice rising slightly. "As in... demons? That's—"
"I am a devil," Rias interrupted gently. "As is Akeno. We are not the horned, pitchfork-wielding creatures of human mythology, but beings with our own society, our own purposes."
I stared at her, letting my mouth fall open slightly while my mind cataloged everything I already knew. The way she carried herself, the aura of power that surrounded her, the way reality seemed to bend slightly in her presence—all of it made perfect sense if you knew what to look for.
"That's... that's impossible," I stammered. "You're students. You're—"
"Very real," Rias smiled, and suddenly a pair of large, bat-like wings unfurled from her back. The leathery appendages were black, each wing easily spanning several feet as they stretched behind her chair. "As is the reason I called you here today."
I stared in shock, my mouth falling open as I processed what I was seeing. Even knowing what she was, witnessing the physical manifestation of her devil nature was jarring. "Those are... you actually have..."
"My rook, Koneko, reported something concerning yesterday," Rias continued, folding her wings back as they disappeared. "She detected a very unusual scent coming from you—something dark, almost malevolent. What she described as 'evil ki.'"
*Evil ki... that's probably the cursed energy from the Ten Shadows integration. In this world without cursed spirits, it would definitely feel foreign and potentially threatening.*
"I don't understand," I said, which was partially true. I understood what had happened, but not exactly what they were detecting.
"Furthermore," Rias continued, "I can sense a significant increase in your magical potential. Your mana reserves are nearly at the level of a mid-class devil, which is remarkable for someone who was, until recently, entirely human."
*Mid-class devil level? The Ten Shadows integration was more significant than I realized.*
"Magic... mana..." I shook my head. "This is too much. You're telling me I have magic powers?"
"Latent potential, at the very least," Akeno interjected, her voice carrying that musical quality that made even dire proclamations sound pleasant. "It's not uncommon for humans with strong spiritual awareness to develop supernatural abilities, especially when exposed to sufficient stimuli."
Rias nodded. "Which brings me to my proposition. I would like to offer you a place in my peerage."
*And there it is.*
"Your... peerage?"
"Devils organize themselves into groups based on chess pieces," Rias explained, producing an ornate wooden box from seemingly nowhere. She opened it to reveal a set of carved pieces, each emanating its own subtle energy. "These are Evil Pieces—artifacts that allow high-class devils like myself to reincarnate worthy individuals as members of our family."
She lifted a piece that resembled a bishop. "Based on your magical potential, I believe you would be well-suited to the Bishop piece. You would gain enhanced magical abilities, immortality within reason, and the protection of the Gremory family name."
*The Bishop piece. Enhanced magical power, but also servitude. Exactly what I expected.*
My mind raced through the implications. Joining Rias's peerage would mean safety, power, and training. But it would also mean servitude, being bound to her will, and watching Issei fumble his way through the early stages of his supernatural education while I had to pretend to be surprised by revelations I'd known for years.
More than that, it would mean giving up my independence. In my previous life, I'd been average, unremarkable. This was my chance to forge my own path, to become strong on my own terms. Being someone's servant—even a benevolent one like Rias—felt like squandering that opportunity.
"I..." I began, then stopped, letting the weight of the decision show on my face. "This is a lot to process. Devils, magic, reincarnation... A few hours ago, my biggest concern was whether I'd studied enough for tomorrow's history test."
"I understand this is overwhelming," Rias said gently. "But given your potential and the... aura... you're now emanating, you may not have the luxury of time. Other supernatural beings will begin to take notice soon enough."
*She's not wrong. But I need to handle this carefully.*
"President Gremory," I said slowly, "I appreciate the offer, I really do. But... becoming a devil, being reincarnated—that's not something I can decide lightly. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that magic is real, let alone committing to something that would fundamentally change what I am."
Rias tilted her head, studying me with new interest. "That's a surprisingly mature response. Most humans, when faced with the prospect of power and immortality, are quick to accept."
"Maybe that's exactly why I need to think about it more," I replied. "Life-changing decisions shouldn't be made in haste, especially when I don't fully understand what I'd be agreeing to."
*Please buy this. I'm trying to be reasonable without being insulting.*
"You raise valid points," Rias conceded after a moment. "Very well. I won't pressure you into a decision you're not ready to make."
I felt a surge of relief, but she wasn't finished.
"However," she continued, "your magical potential and that unusual aura make you a potential target for less... benevolent... supernatural beings. I would be remiss if I sent you away without offering some form of assistance."
"What kind of assistance?"
"Training. Guidance. Access to our library so you can learn about the world you're now part of, whether you choose to join us officially or not." Rias stood, moving to look out the large window overlooking the courtyard. "Knowledge is the greatest weapon when dealing with the supernatural."
*Why would she do that? What's in it for her?*
"That's very generous," I said carefully, "but I have to ask—why? What do you gain from helping someone who might not join your peerage?"
Rias turned back to me, a small smile playing at her lips. "Several reasons. First, it's simply the right thing to do. Leaving someone with your potential to stumble blindly through the supernatural world would be cruel. Second, even if you don't join my peerage, having a trained independent magician in our territory could be mutually beneficial. And third..."
She paused, her expression becoming more serious.
"There are forces at work in this world that threaten the delicate balance we've worked to maintain. Having allies, even unofficial ones, may prove crucial in the days to come."
*That sounds ominous. Though given what I know is coming, she's not wrong.*
"I... I would appreciate that help," I admitted. "If you're willing to offer it without strings attached."
"No strings," Rias confirmed. "Consider it an investment in peaceful coexistence." She turned to her queen. "Akeno, would you escort Motohama-kun to the library and help him get started?"
"Of course, Buchou," Akeno replied with a graceful bow. "It would be my pleasure."
She moved toward the door with that fluid grace that seemed to come so naturally to her. "Shall we, Motohama-kun?"
I stood and bowed politely to Rias. "Thank you, President Gremory. I promise I won't take your generosity lightly."
"See that you don't," she replied, but her tone was warm rather than threatening.
---
As we walked down the hallway, Akeno maintained a companionable silence for several moments before speaking.
"You handled that very well," she said, glancing at me with those violet eyes. "Most people become either completely overwhelmed or desperately eager when faced with that kind of revelation."
"I've always been good at processing information methodically," I replied. "Though I have to admit, my worldview has taken quite a beating today."
"Ara ara, I imagine so." Her laugh was like silver bells. "Tell me, Motohama-kun, what do you plan to focus on first? Basic magical theory? Supernatural politics? Self-defense techniques?"
*All of the above, but I should start with what makes sense for my cover.*
"Probably basic theory," I said. "I'd rather understand the fundamentals before I start trying to do anything dangerous."
"Wise approach. Many young magicians hurt themselves by attempting advanced techniques without proper foundation." She stopped in front of a door marked with elegant script. "Here we are."
The library was breathtaking. Floor-to-ceiling shelves lined the walls, filled with books that ranged from leather-bound ancient tomes to modern academic texts. Comfortable reading chairs were scattered throughout the space, each with its own reading lamp. The air smelled of old parchment, ink, and something that might have been incense.
But it was the books themselves that caught my attention. Even without touching them, I could sense the power radiating from many of the volumes. Some hummed with barely contained energy, others seemed to whisper secrets, and a few emanated an aura that made my newly awakened magical senses tingle with warning.
*This isn't just a library. This is an archive of supernatural knowledge. Some of these books probably contain techniques that could level city blocks.*
"Impressed?" Akeno asked, noting my expression.
"It's incredible," I said honestly. "I can actually... feel... some of these books. Is that normal?"
"For someone with your level of magical sensitivity? Quite normal." She guided me to a section near the center of the room. "These books contain basic magical theory, safe for beginners. The more dangerous texts are warded against unauthorized access."
She pulled several volumes from the shelf. "I'd recommend starting with these. 'Fundamentals of Magical Energy Manipulation,' 'A Beginner's Guide to Supernatural Politics,' and 'Basic Defensive Techniques for the Magically Gifted.'"
I accepted the books, feeling their weight both physical and metaphysical. The knowledge contained within these pages could give me the foundation I needed to properly utilize my shadow abilities without exposing their true nature.
*This is perfect. I can use their resources to build a cover identity as a self-taught magician while secretly mastering the Ten Shadows Technique. But I need to be careful not to progress too quickly, or they'll get suspicious.*
"Thank you, Himejima-senpai," I said. "This is more help than I had any right to expect."
"Think nothing of it," she replied, settling into a nearby chair. "Besides, I'll be supervising your studies for the foreseeable future. We can't have you accidentally summoning something unpleasant on school grounds."
*Great. A beautiful, powerful, and perceptive devil watching my every move while I try to secretly master abilities that shouldn't exist in this world. What could possibly go wrong?*
"I promise to be careful," I said, opening the first book. "The last thing I want is to cause trouble for anyone."
"Ara ara," Akeno smiled, "something tells me that trouble might find you regardless. But don't worry—that just makes things more interesting."
As I began to read, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd just taken the first step down a very dangerous path. But for the first time since arriving in this world, I felt like I had some measure of control over my fate.
Now I just had to make sure I didn't get myself killed before I figured out how to use it.