So, what's the build? I thought, chewing on a slice of pizza.
Pure Mage? No. In this world, mages were glass cannons. If a devil with super-speed closed the gap, I'd be pasted before I could finish an incantation.
Pure Warrior? Also risky. Without magic defense or ranged options, I'd just be a meat shield for someone else to dismantle.
"Battle Mage," I said aloud, writing it down and circling it.
It was the most difficult path, requiring me to split my stats between Strength, Intelligence, and Endurance, but it was the only way to survive solo. I needed to be able to cast a fireball with one hand and block a sword strike with the other.
Then another thought hit me.
I looked down at my sweatpants.
I can't wear the Imperial Heavy Armor to school.
If a Stray Devil attacked the academy, or if I got dragged into a Rating Game, I couldn't exactly ask for a timeout to change into my steel plate. I'd be fighting in a school uniform. I was defenseless.
"I need defensive spells," I muttered. "Ironflesh, Oakflesh, wards. Or..."
I tapped the pen on the table. Enchanting.
If I could level up my Enchanting skill, I could weave protection spells directly into the school uniform. A blazer that stopped knives. Trousers that resisted fire. It was subtle, practical, and it wouldn't raise suspicion until the moment I got hit.
"That's the play," I decided, finishing the pizza. "Battle Mage with a focus on Enchanting."
I went to bed feeling surprisingly focused.
The next morning, I went through the motions, shower, teeth, toast. I was just grabbing my bag to leave when a blue box materialized in front of the door.
[Quest Generated: The First Bell]
[Description: Get to Kuoh Academy on time.]
[Reward: 100 EXP, Reputation Increase with Faculty/Students.]
[Failure Penalty: Late arrival, Detention, Reputation Decrease.]
[Time Limit: 20 Minutes]
"Twenty minutes?" I checked my phone. "Plenty of time."
It was a simple twelve-minute walk according to the map I'd checked online. I stepped out, locked the door, and scanned the street. I didn't actually know the route by heart, but I saw a group of students in the distinctive Kuoh uniform walking down the street.
"When in doubt," I shrugged, falling in step a safe distance behind them, "follow the herd."
[Flashback End]
…
A new window popped into my peripheral vision.
[Quest Generated: The New Kid]
[Objective: Find your classroom.]
[Reward: 100 EXP]
[Failure: Not Allowed.]
I dismissed the notification with a mental flick. Failure wasn't an option anyway. I checked my stats one last time before stepping into the main building.
[Name: Shiro]
[Level: 10]
[HP: 150/150]
[MP: 150/150]
[STR: 12]
[END: 10]
[AGI: 10]
[INT: 10]
[WIS: 13]
[LUK: 10]
[Stat Points: 21]
[Money: $60]
Wearing: Ring of Hidden Presence (Appears Level 5 or lower).
I scanned the hallway as I walked. [Observe] pinged off the passing students.
Level 3... Level 4... Level 3...
They were civilians. Weak. Safe.
I stopped a group of second-year girls near the lockers. "Excuse me, could you point me towards the third-year classrooms?"
They giggled, pointing me toward the stairs. "Second floor, turn right. Good luck!"
I found the classroom easily enough. The homeroom teacher was waiting outside, a woman in her late twenties, tall, brunette, green eyes. She looked pleasant, almost motherly.
"Mr. Shiro? Please wait here a moment," she said with a polite smile before slipping inside.
I heard her announce the transfer student. The reaction was audible through the wood, excited chatter from the girls, groans from the guys.
"Come in."
I took a breath and slid the door open.
The classroom went quiet, then erupted into whispers. I could feel the eyes on me. Some appreciative, some hostile.
"Mr. Shiro, please tell us about yourself," the teacher encouraged.
I nodded, stepping behind the podium. Keep it simple. Keep it relatable.
"My name is Shiro. My hobbies include martial arts, music, cooking, and reading. I'm looking forward to the year. Let's all get along."
Hands shot up immediately.
"Are you really a good cook?"
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"What's your type?"
The teacher tried to intervene, "Now, class, "
"Yes," I answered the first one. "No," I answered the second. "And honestly, I don't know. I've never had a girlfriend, so I guess I don't have a type yet."
The room practically vibrated. The girls looked ready to start a fan club right there. The teacher quickly ushered me to an empty seat at the back near the window, the protagonist seat.
Well, that went about as expected, I thought, dropping my bag.
But as I sat down, the playful mood vanished from my mind. I scanned the room, my eyes landing on four specific individuals.
Sitting near the front was a girl with crimson hair that looked like spilled blood. Beside her, a girl with a ponytail and the aura of a traditional Japanese shrine maiden. Across the room, a girl with short black hair and sharp glasses.
I focused. [Observe].
[Name: Rias Gremory]
[Race: Devil]
[Level: ???]
[Name: Sona Sitri]
[Race: Devil]
[Level: ???]
My heart skipped a beat. Question marks. I couldn't see their stats. I couldn't see their skills. They were complete blind spots.
My Observe level is too low, I realized, a cold drop of sweat sliding down my back. If they decided to attack me right now, I wouldn't know if they were Level 20 or Level 50.
I spent the next three hours staring out the window, pretending to be bored while my mind raced. The lessons were irrelevant; I'd absorbed the textbooks yesterday, so the math equations on the board looked like basic arithmetic.
When the lunch bell finally rang, I was swarmed.
"Shiro-kun! Do you want to eat with us?"
"What kind of books do you read?"
I smiled apologetically, standing up. "Forgive me, ladies. I actually have to go meet an old friend."
"Aww, really?" one pouted. "We wanted to ask more questions."
"We can grab lunch later, I promise," I lied smoothly, slipping past the blockade of desks.