Life, contrary to my expectations, was in no hurry to throw new fights or global threats my way. After the adventure with Riser and my unexpected "employment" with the Kuoh Academy Student Council, a relative calm had set in, one that was almost unnatural for this place teeming with the supernatural. This quiet, however, was deceptive. And the source of a new, dull irritation for me was my newfound status as an "independent consultant for special situations" to the Student Council. Sona Sitri, with her icy politeness and sharp intellect, hadn't missed the chance to use my forced agreement, methodically dragging me into her routine.
...
The Student Council Room. Impeccable order, the quiet rustle of papers, the focused faces of council members bent over reports and charts. And me, Izayoi Jin, sitting in a visitor's chair, feeling completely out of place, like a predator in a cage. The rabbit, Kuro—who was now officially "permitted" to accompany me (under my personal responsibility, as Sona had emphasized)—had settled on my lap and was examining the stacks of documents with childish curiosity.
"And so, Izayoi-san," Sona Sitri lifted her intelligent eyes, which seemed to calculate every move, to look at me from behind her glasses. "Seeing as you are now our consultant, I find it necessary to bring you up to speed on current affairs concerning the security of the Academy and the surrounding areas. Your unique perception could be key."
She pushed several impressive folders toward me.
"First, reports on the recent activity of Fallen Angels associated with Kokabiel. Although there have been no more direct attacks, our sensors periodically register weak but troubling spikes of their energy on the city's outskirts. We assume they have not left the city but have merely changed tactics; perhaps they are conducting covert surveillance or preparing something else. Your comments or observations on this matter would be extremely valuable."
I flipped through the reports with a distinct lack of interest. Numbers, graphs, diagrams... Mind-numbing boredom.
"Haven't noticed anything new," I tossed out curtly, pushing the folder away. "If they show up, we'll deal with them. As usual."
Sona pressed her lips together slightly, clearly unsatisfied with my laconic answer, but she didn't argue, merely noting something in her binder.
"Second," she picked up the next folder, a bit thicker, "the situation with the exorcists from the Vatican, Xenovia Quarta and Irina Shidou. They are continuing their persistent search for the stolen Excalibur fragments, specifically within our territory. For now, they are acting with relative restraint and coordinating their movements with Rias Gremory's group, but their very presence is creating constant tension. Especially given… the deep personal animosity some members of the Gremory club have toward Holy Swords. We must be prepared for potential sudden conflicts or dangerous misunderstandings."
"Let Rias deal with her own guests and her hot-headed Knight," I shrugged, looking out the window. "As long as they don't bother me personally, I couldn't care less about their old grudges or stolen pieces of metal."
"Izayoi-san," Sona's voice became a fraction stricter and firmer, "your position is understood, but as our official consultant, you are obligated to understand the complete threat assessment. Any open conflict on our territory, whether between demons and exorcists or internal clan squabbles, could instantly affect the safety of the entire Academy and thousands of students. Your power may be critically needed precisely to prevent an uncontrolled escalation."
"If you need me, call," I cut in, shifting my gaze back to her. "But I'm not getting involved in their personal drama over ancient history or missing swords of my own free will. Period."
Sona sighed, almost imperceptibly, but continued, picking up the third folder.
"Very well. Third point. And this one might interest you more than the others. Our agents in the Underworld report strange, persistent rumors concerning you personally."
That actually got my attention. I sat up a little straighter. "Rumors? What kind?"
"After your resounding duel with Riser Phoenix, information about your inexplicable power and unknown origin spread through the circles of influence like wildfire," Sona watched me intently, her gaze analytical. "Many clans, even those who haven't sent you formal invitations, are showing a heightened, almost obsessive interest in you. They speak not only of 'unbelievable, frightening might,' but are especially focused on your 'unique ability to annihilate magic from any faction with no visible effort.' Some influential voices consider you a hidden threat; others, an incredibly valuable asset. There are even those who whisper that you are some secret weapon of Lord Sirzechs himself, or the result of ancient, forbidden experiments, now out of control."
I huffed. Typical demons and their eternal love of gossip and tangled intrigTch. Predictable.
"So what? Let them talk all they want. It's no skin off my back."
"The problem, Izayoi-san," Sona lowered her voice, adding emphasis, "is that this kind of intense interest will inevitably attract unwanted attention from the most dangerous players. Not just from clans desperate to recruit you at any cost. But also from those who see you as a direct threat to their own position or their long-term plans. For example, the remnants of the Old Satan Faction, embittered and radical. Or other shadow groups we know less about. They might try to win you over by force or deception. Or… eliminate you. Before you become an insurmountable threat to them or openly align with one of their sworn enemies."
She looked at me with utmost seriousness, making it clear this wasn't an empty fear, but a realistic threat assessment.
"Let them try," my voice was cold and flat, like a blade. The thought of new opponents, stupid or arrogant enough to come after me, sparked only a meager flicker of anticipation in my chest. A warm-up.
"We will monitor any suspicious activity directed at you as closely as possible," Sona assured me. "But I must urge you to be doubly vigilant. And to report to us immediately if you notice the slightest unusual surveillance or provocation. It is in our mutual interest of security."
"Fine, fine," I nodded, mentally filing her words away. The warning was reasonable, even if I doubted any of these "Old Satan-ists" or their lackeys could pose a real, rather than an imagined, threat to me. But a little caution never hurt.
"And the last item for today," Sona picked up the final folder, the thinnest, but apparently no less important. "This concerns your practical role as a consultant directly. In the near future, the Student Council plans to conduct a series of important measures to strengthen the Academy's defensive barriers and a comprehensive check of the early-warning magical detection systems. Given your… unique sensitivity to all energies and your proven ability to neutralize complex magical effects, your personal presence and expert assessment would be extremely useful, even indispensable, to us."
She handed me a schedule of the planned inspections, neatly detailed by day and hour. I scanned it. Barrier integrity check, long-range sensor calibration, analysis of residual magical traces… It sounded like routine work for techno-mages or niche security specialists, not for someone used to solving problems with his fists and sword.
"You want me to walk the perimeter and poke your magic walls, telling you if they're sturdy?" I asked skeptically, a small smirk on my face.
"Not exactly," Sona allowed herself a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "We want you to assess their real effectiveness from your unique perspective of power. Are they capable of withstanding a real attack from a being of your level? Are there hidden vulnerabilities or gaps that you might notice intuitively, but which are completely invisible to our standard sensors and diagnostic spells? Your perspective, Izayoi-san, is truly unique and invaluable to our defense."
I sighed, deeper this time. Bureaucracy and tests. Even in a world of demons and angels, there was no escaping this routine. But… it was an integral part of our deal. I had agreed to the role of consultant. And if it ultimately helped them build a more reliable defense for this place (and thus, guarantee my own peace from minor pests), then why not? Besides, it might be… somewhat informative. To see how their fancy defensive systems worked from the inside, in action.
"Alright," I said, handing the schedule back to her. "Let me know when and where I need to be. I'll try not to oversleep… if I try really hard."
Sona nodded, clearly pleased with my agreement, and a flash of satisfaction at a completed task crossed her face.
"Excellent. Tsubaki will contact you to confirm all the details and routes. That is all for today, Izayoi-san. Thank you for your time and… your understanding."
I stood up, feeling the joints in my back pop from sitting. Kuro immediately scrambled up to his usual spot on my shoulder, settling in.
"Anytime," I tossed over my shoulder and headed for the door, keenly aware of Sona Sitri's long, attentive, and analytical gaze on my back. Leaving the student council office, with its smell of paper and magic, I couldn't help but reflect. This new role was damn strange. On the one hand—boring reports, meetings, and endless inspections. On the other—direct access to valuable information, an official status that granted a certain freedom of action, and… the ability to influence events without getting directly involved? Maybe it wasn't so bad in the long run. No matter how you sliced it.
And for now… for now, I could get started on this inspection of the school's magical barriers. Who knows, maybe it wouldn't be as mind-numbing as it sounded.