Occult Research Club.
The red magic circle slowly faded from the center of the clubroom, and Asia Argento's figure reappeared before everyone.
She had already changed out of her nun's habit and was now wearing a simple white dress that Rias had prepared especially for her.
Her long golden hair fell over her shoulders, and a faint trace of confusion still lingered in her blue-green eyes.
Just moments ago, she had completed the reincarnation ritual and become one of Rias Gremory's servants.
Rias looked at Asia, unable to suppress the smile on her face.
As the next head of the Gremory family, she understood far too well what it meant to have a servant with a healing-type Sacred Gear.
In the Devil world, battles were everywhere, and injuries were commonplace.
A powerful healer could often decide the outcome of a fight.
And Asia's Twilight Healing was undoubtedly among the finest healing-type Sacred Gears.
"How do you feel?"
Rias asked softly, concern in her voice.
Asia lowered her head and looked at her hands, sensing the unfamiliar power within her body.
"I… I feel all right."
Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of uncertainty.
Rias nodded and said nothing more.
She knew that a nun suddenly becoming a Devil would need time to adjust.
Her gaze shifted away from Asia and landed on Genichi, who was standing by the window.
The boy had his back to everyone as he looked outside, sunlight outlining his figure in a pale glow.
He seemed very calm, as if everything that had just happened had nothing to do with him.
But Rias knew that all of this had happened because of him.
If he had not brought Asia back, if he had not persuaded her, if he had not been pushing things along from the shadows, then this girl with a healing Sacred Gear might have already fallen into the hands of the Fallen Angels.
Or worse.
Rias looked at Genichi's back, and a trace of appreciation flashed in her eyes.
Ever since the moment this boy had been reincarnated as a Devil, he had continued to surprise her.
First, there was the Boosted Gear.
Then came his astonishing growth speed. In just a few months, he had advanced from a low-class Devil to a middle-class Devil.
And now, he had brought her Asia Argento, a nun with a healing Sacred Gear.
More importantly, there was his talent.
Rias had seen his spar with Akeno clearly.
Genichi had not won through luck alone. His combat instincts, use of magic, and ability to adapt on the spot all far exceeded what a newly reincarnated Devil should have been capable of.
Especially that Shadow King magic, those strange black shadows, and that elusive fighting style. Even Akeno had been beaten so badly she could barely fight back.
The more Rias thought about it, the more she felt that taking Genichi as her servant had been the wisest decision she had ever made.
Eight mutated Pawn pieces.
Back then, everyone had thought she was insane for using eight mutated pieces to reincarnate an ordinary human.
But now, it seemed those eight pieces had been more than worth it.
"By the way, Genichi."
Rias spoke, her voice carrying a hint of seriousness.
Genichi turned around and looked at her.
"There's something I need to tell you. It's about that Raynare incident from before. You remember her, don't you?"
Genichi's pupils contracted slightly.
Raynare.
That Fallen Angel.
On his very first day after crossing into the DxD world, she had been the woman who stabbed a spear straight through his stomach.
If Rias had not arrived in time, he might have already died in that park.
He had almost been killed the moment he landed.
How could he possibly forget that?
Although the contraction in his pupils vanished almost immediately, Rias still caught it.
A trace of satisfaction flashed in her eyes.
Good.
A reaction was what she wanted.
What she feared was that he would not care at all.
"According to my investigation, she is currently hiding among that Fallen Angel alliance."
Rias's voice was calm, as if she were talking about something insignificant.
"So, what do you plan to do next?"
She did not order him directly. Instead, she handed the choice to him.
Genichi looked at her, a complicated light flickering in his eyes.
"What do you want me to do?"
He did not answer. Instead, he asked her in return.
The corner of Rias's lips curved, revealing a meaningful smile.
"It isn't about what I want you to do. It's about what you want to do."
Her voice was soft, but it carried a difficult-to-describe force.
"If you want revenge, you can take it. If you don't, then we can let this matter pass."
Let this matter pass?
Genichi sneered inwardly.
He had never been a magnanimous person.
Repay kindness. Repay hatred.
That was his creed.
In the female-oriented world, for the sake of the version of "himself" who had been harmed, he had slaughtered an entire nation.
In the Danmachi world, for revenge, he had destroyed the entire artificial labyrinth and killed every member of Evilus.
How could he possibly let a Fallen Angel who had almost killed him go?
"Of course I'm taking revenge."
Genichi's voice was calm, but it carried unquestionable firmness.
"I'm not exactly broad-minded."
When he said that, there was even a faint smile on his lips.
But that smile sent a chill through the room.
When Rias heard his answer, the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.
The curve was faint, but it carried clear satisfaction.
This was the answer she had been waiting for.
If Genichi had chosen to swallow his anger, she would not have said anything, but she inevitably would have been disappointed.
A person without spirit had limits, no matter how strong they were.
But he had chosen revenge.
That meant he had blood in his veins, a bottom line, and scales that could not be touched.
That was the kind of servant she needed.
"Then we'll settle this tonight."
Rias's voice remained calm, but there was a hint of approval in her tone.
"Fine."
Genichi did not ask anything else.
He did not ask whether Rias could handle the consequences. He did not ask whether this would cause trouble. He did not ask what he should do.
Because since Rias had spoken, there was no need for him to have any concerns.
She was the next head of the Gremory family, a descendant of the seventy-two Pillars of the Demons, and the ruler of this territory.
A mere Fallen Angel could be killed. That was all there was to it.
Akeno stood to the side, watching this scene, a complicated emotion flashing in her eyes.
She could tell that Rias was placing more and more importance on this boy.
It was not merely the loyalty between a servant and master, but a deeper kind of trust and expectation.
Kiba pushed up his glasses and said nothing.
But the way he looked at Genichi now carried something different as well.
Koneko remained expressionless, but her golden eyes were also fixed on Genichi.
Asia stood in the corner, looking at Genichi with some unease.
She did not quite understand what they were talking about, but she could feel the tense atmosphere spreading through the room.
"Asia."
Genichi suddenly spoke and looked toward her.
Asia froze slightly, then raised her head.
"You should rest properly today. We'll talk about everything else later."
His voice was calm, yet it carried a reassuring strength.
Asia nodded, warmth welling up in her chest.
Rias watched this scene, and the smile on her lips deepened.
This boy really was different.
(End of Chapter)
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