In the DxD world, Kuoh Town.
Genichi had only just returned to this world when a red magic circle unfolded in front of him.
The next second, a figure rushed out from within it.
Rias Gremory.
The red-haired devil princess stood before him, wrapped in nothing but a bath towel. Her wet hair was still dripping, making it obvious that she had sensed something while preparing to bathe and had teleported over immediately.
The corner of Genichi's eye twitched slightly.
Wasn't teleporting right in front of him like this a little too careless?
His gaze swept over Rias—the pale shoulders, the slender neck, the graceful curves outlined by the towel—
Then he silently looked away.
With a helpless sigh, Genichi took a coat from the wardrobe nearby, walked over, and gently draped it over Rias's shoulders.
"At least pay some attention to that."
His voice was soft, carrying a trace of helplessness, but not the slightest improper thought.
Rias paused, then lowered her head to look at the coat around her. When she raised her gaze back to Genichi, a complicated emotion flashed through her eyes.
She lifted an eyebrow, the corners of her mouth curving into a meaningful smile.
"I'm only like this with you."
Her words were suggestive, direct, and perfectly natural.
Genichi looked at her. He neither said he believed her nor said he did not.
He simply smiled faintly, then asked, "You suddenly teleported here. Is something wrong?"
Rias's expression turned serious.
She looked Genichi up and down, her crimson eyes shining with surprise and disbelief.
"That's what I should be asking you."
Her voice carried an unmistakable trace of shock.
"How did you suddenly advance to Mid-Class Devil?"
Yes.
Mid-Class Devil.
Just now, while she was bathing, she had suddenly sensed Genichi's advancement to Mid-Class Devil.
Rias had almost doubted her own perception.
How long had it been since Genichi reincarnated as a devil?
Even counting generously, only a few days.
In just a few days, he had gone from an ordinary human to a Low-Class Devil, and then immediately advanced to Mid-Class Devil.
That rate of growth was simply unbelievable.
Among Rias's peerage, aside from Genichi, everyone was already a Mid-Class Devil.
Himejima Akeno, the Thunder Priestess, was even only one step away from High-Class Devil.
But they had been reincarnated for at least several years, and only reached their current strength after countless battles and training sessions.
And Genichi?
A few days.
Only a few days.
How could she not be shocked?
Genichi looked at her incredulous expression and found it secretly amusing.
If he told her that he had gone to other worlds, fought through countless life-and-death battles, and devoured countless vengeful spirits, would she be even more shocked?
However, he could not tell her those things yet.
"Just a little luck."
He said it casually, as if he were commenting on the weather.
Rias's expression stiffened slightly.
Luck?
He called this luck?
She looked at Genichi, a trace of dissatisfaction flashing through her green eyes.
"Genichi."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"Do you think I'm stupid?"
Genichi raised an eyebrow.
"Why would you ask that?"
"Because right now, you're treating me like an idiot."
There was a hint of displeasure in Rias's voice.
Of course she was not stupid.
As the heiress of the Gremory family, she had been trained from childhood in how to read people and judge situations.
Whether someone was telling the truth or lying, she could tell at a glance.
And right now, Genichi was clearly brushing her off.
What luck?
What little?
Who was he trying to fool?
Genichi looked at her and fell silent for a moment.
He knew Rias would not be that easy to deceive.
This woman was intelligent, perceptive, and possessed the insight unique to devils.
Trying to dodge her with a simple excuse was indeed not very realistic.
But he did not want to reveal the whole truth, either.
Crossing through countless worlds, fighting in arenas, devouring vengeful spirits—explaining all of that would be too troublesome. More importantly, it involved his greatest secret.
Before he fully trusted someone, he would not speak of it lightly.
Unless Rias was willing to drink the blood wine.
"Rias."
He spoke, his voice calm and serious.
"There are some things I can't tell you right now. But I can tell you this—me getting stronger only benefits you. It doesn't harm you."
Rias looked at him, complex emotions flickering in her green eyes.
Unwillingness, curiosity, dissatisfaction, and even a trace of worry she herself had not noticed.
She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
"What exactly is it that you can't tell me?"
"Private matters."
Genichi's answer was concise and direct.
Rias bit her lip.
Private matters?
What private matters did he have that he could not tell her?
As his master, as the devil who reincarnated him, did she not have the right to know?
But she did not continue pressing him.
Because she knew that since Genichi had said that, he had already made up his mind not to tell her. If she kept pushing, it would only make the relationship between them more awkward.
"...All right."
She nodded, her tone carrying a trace of helplessness.
"If you don't want to say it, then I won't ask."
Genichi looked at her, a trace of appreciation flashing through his eyes.
This woman really did know where to draw the line.
"However."
Rias's tone shifted, and her eyes brightened again.
"If one day you run into trouble and need help, you must tell me. No matter what, you're part of my peerage. You're one of mine."
She paused, the corners of her mouth curving into a smile.
"Understand?"
Genichi looked at her in silence for a moment, then nodded.
"I understand."
Rias smiled in satisfaction.
She pulled the coat around herself and turned to leave.
After taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped and looked back at Genichi.
"By the way, Genichi."
"Hmm?"
"When you advance to High-Class Devil next time, remember to tell me in advance. Don't suddenly get stronger again like you did this time. You scared me."
Genichi could not help laughing.
"All right."
Rias nodded. A magic circle unfolded beneath her feet, and her figure vanished into crimson light.
Only Genichi remained in the alley.
He stood there, gazing in the direction where Rias had disappeared, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
That woman really was interesting.
However, now was not the time to tell her all his secrets.
Later.
When the time was right, he would talk.
(End of Chapter)
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