Disclaimer: I do not own Highschool DxD.
Chapter 10: The Devil's in the Details
'Thinking'
"Talking"
"Talking"
- Abandoned Church -
-Sora Sakai -
Feeling my left fist connect with Dohnaseek's face, I quickly summon a Holy Sword into my right hand with [Blade Blacksmith]. As he falls to the side from the blow, I bring the Holy Sword down in an overhead swing, the glowing golden aura around the silver blade allowing it to sheer through his flesh easily.
"AAAHHHH!"
The scream echoing across the open area is filled with pain and terror, the loud noise covering the soft THUMP of two objects falling to grass.
Staring down at the man who has been trying to kill me for the last few minutes, whatever arrogance and bloodthirst he had is gone for good as I watch him stare fixated over his shoulder at the two coal-black wings lying on the ground…and the two bloody stumps on his back.
There's a brief moment of silence as his brain catches up with what just happened, and suddenly I notice tears starting to gather in his eyes.
I had originally targeted his wings to keep him from using the air superiority it gave him if he were to take to the skies and throw Light Spears down at me…but I never imagined doing so would completely shatter him to the point that he did nothing more than stare at them helplessly while crying.
In that moment, I realize that there is a BIG difference between killing someone…and breaking them. And part of me wishes that I never would have learned that fact.
"P-P-Please…no more!" Dohnaseek begs, his entire body trembling as he continues to stare at his severed wings. "I-…I surrender."
-12 Affection with Dohnaseek… Affection: -10 | Obedience: 7
+12 Obedience with Dohnaseek… Affection: -10 | Obedience: 19
That's a +10 Obedience increase and a -10 Affection decrease, the largest ones I've seen yet. Up until now, it's only been +1's and +5's with the Perks adding more onto them.
I'm not sure if that's because of the Gamer System changing, or because of how impactful what I just did was to him. 'Gaia?'
It's a bit of both.
Now that the story's started, the Gamer System tweaks itself.
'It tweaks itself?'
Yep! That way it keeps being fun!
The whole point of this is to give you the most amount of fun you can have,
Which means it needs to change along with you!
That's not the least bit worrying…and now I'm starting to wonder just what Gaia's definition of 'fun' is.
'The tweaks won't be anything…too extreme, will them?'
Nope~!
Just some slight changes to Quests, the Rewards you get, etc…
Ya know, that kinda stuff!
'Right…thanks for the heads up, Gaia.'
You're welcome!
:)
As I ponder yet another new thing about the Gamer System while keeping an eye on Dohnaseek, who is now running his hands over his severed wings mournfully, Raynare and Kalawarner come flying in from where they had been battling Mittelt. The fear on their faces quickly turns to shock as they stare at the two of us, their eyes flitting back and forth between Dohnaseek's wings and the bloodied Holy Sword in my hand.
"Y-You severed his wings?" Kalawarner gasps.
Shrugging, I dispel the Holy Sword and turn to them fully, taking note of the lack of wounds on their bodies and the specks of blood dotting Raynare's uncovered skin and leather S&M clothes. "Seemed like a good idea at the time. I didn't want to have him try flying away or attacking from the sky, so…yeah. I didn't think it'd have this effect on him, but at least now he's not going anywhere."
+8 Obedience with Raynare… Affection: 30 | Obedience: 16
+8 Obedience with Kalawarner… Affection: 27 | Obedience: 16
"That's because we consider our wings as sacred." Raynare replies with a sad frown, watching Dohnaseek stare helplessly from his position on his knees. "They're not just additional limbs to us, but a representation of what we are…To remove a Fallen's wings is like removing our identity."
"Oh…" There really isn't much I can say to that. I don't remember there having been much in the anime that showed any sort of relevance to wings other than them being a way to distinguish strength. 'But this isn't just an anime anymore.'
Seeing the look on my face, Raynare offers a sad smile. "You couldn't have known...It's not something we generally talk about."
As Raynare and Kalawarner go to check on Dohnaseek, who's essentially gone into complete shock, I finally have a moment to check the textboxes that are starting to appear.
Quest Updated:
[Date and Danger]
Objective: Survive your date with the Fallen.
Bonus Objective: Stop the Fallen's plans.
Reward: [?]
Bonus Reward: [?] [?]
Huh, so that's what the Bonus Objective is? I guess I could have chosen to leave Raynare and Kalawarner to handle things themselves, but that would have had more repercussions for me without any of the benefits.
Quest Completed!
[Date and Danger]
Reward:
Unlocked - [Flight]
[Flight] (Active) - Lvl. MAX
Allows you to fly unaided by wings.
Oh, thank the System. I finally gain a flying ability!
Had Dohnaseek not been cocky during our fight, he would have easily realized that I had nothing to fight him with if he stayed in the air, and then it would have been a one-sided slaughter even with him being 8 Levels below me. And I can't expect my next opponent to be as cocky and ignore such a glaring weakness.
Bonus Reward:
Unlocked - [Obedience Dice]
Unlocked - [Shard of Fallen Light]
[Obedience Dice] - (System Item)
"A 10-sided blue die that grants Obedience equal to the number rolled for one person."
Cool, I now have another [Dice], only this time for Obedience. Potentially useful, but not right now I think, so I'll save that for later like the other one.
What's this Shard thing, though?
[Shard of Fallen Light] - (Item)
"A fragment of power that once belonged to the Fallen."
A catalyst containing a powerful source of Light.
I think this is meant to be used with my [Artificer] profession, but what the hell can I create with a source of Holy Light that I can't already do with the Light Enchantments? Maybe something tailored to taking out a Devil in one blow? Something to think about, I guess.
Turning back to the Fallen, I call out to them as Raynare and Kalawarner help Dohnaseek to stand up. "I'm assuming this means that your mission here is over, right?" They nod. "And what about the other one, Mittelt? Did she surrender as well?"
Instead of replying, Raynare frowns as Kalawarner ducks her head down, her long blue locks covering a sad look on her face. "I see…I'm sorry for your loss."
"Don't be," Kalawarner mutters, her head lifting up slightly and causing her hair to move just enough to show a watery smile. "We knew the risks when we decided to try and stop this. And we were the ones to ask for your help…" Her voice tapers off as Raynare moves over to hug her.
Letting that thought settle for a few moments, I ask Raynare as she pulls back from Kalawarner. "Is that everything, or is there anything else you need my help with?"
"Our mission here is basically finished now…" She shakes her head, "But we need to figure out some way of contact Lord Azazel directly, our normal communications get sent to Lord Kokabiel and he'll know that something's wrong if we make contact with the Grigori first." We both grimace, wondering just how we're going to do that.
Pausing, I pull out my [Gamers Phone] before holding it up, "What if I contacted the Grigori? I'll say that I'm a Sacred Gear user looking to speak with Azazel because mine's been acting strangely. If what I heard Mittelt say earlier is true, the guy has an obsession with Sacred Gears and might be interested enough to pick up."
"I-I guess that might work." Raynare shrugs, turning her head to look at Kalawarner in askance, only to get a similar shrug. "We don't really have any other options…besides trying to reach out to the Devils for help, and that'll just cause more problems."
With no better alternatives, Raynare gave me the number to contact the Grigori, which took me directly to an automated voice that offered multiple choices to select for which branch I wanted to speak to. The whole thing giving me flashbacks to my previous life where I had to wait for hours on hold just to schedule a single doctor's appointment.
"…for Accidental Damages, Press 5… for Research and Development, Press 6…" The soothing female voice droned.
BEEP!
"You have selected, Research and Development. One moment please; your call will now be directed to one of our available staff…"
As elevator music starts to play, I stare deadpan at Raynare and Kalawarner's sheepish faces. "Seriously?"
"Lord Azazel loves the Human World, and many of his ideas for Grigori have been taken from ideas that Humans have come up with." Kalawarner adds with a hint of confusion, "The music is a recent change though, it used to just ring endlessly and give anyone who listened to it a headache."
Before I could respond, a bored male's voice spoke up from the phone. "Grigori Research and Development, how may I assist you?"
"Um..yes, hi. My name is Sora, and I was told to call this number after my Sacred Gear started acting funny." I try not to notice the Fallen's raised eyebrows that are clearly saying 'Really?' as I cross my fingers. "Is there someone there who I can speak with about it? I heard a guy named Azazel might be able to help."
"Have you recently ingested any chemical compounds and or been cursed with a magical ailment?" The male on the other end asks, as if reciting a list of standardized questions…which he probably is.
Blinking, I reply, "Um…no?"
"And have you recently come into contact with any creatures, magicians, or gods who might have damaged your body, magic, and or the Sacred Gear in any way?"
"N-…No?" What the fuck? Is that shit normal?
"Please hold…"
No, seriously, what kind of questions are those? I get that there's an entire supernatural world out there filled with everything from the mythology and fantasy books, but to act as if freaking GODS attacking you is a common occurrence is absolutely terrifying!
"Hello there! My name's Azazel. I hear you're having a bit of trouble with your Sacred Gear lately?" A chipper male's voice replaces the other bored one, and I can't help feeling the metaphorical sweatdrop on the back of my head at how easy this was.
Then again, this is Azazel we're talking about. This guy would probably do anything if it meant getting away from doing his work.
Instead of answering, I motion the phone over to Raynare, who seems to be having the same thoughts as me if her expression is anything to go by. I can almost see the sweatdrop on her and Kalawarner's heads.
Handing her the phone, she hesitantly speaks up. "U-Um, Lord Azazel? This is R-Raynare…"
"Raynare?" Came his bewildered reply. "Why are you calling Research and Development? Shouldn't you be on assignment studying Sacred Gear users in Kuoh?"
"A-Actually, sir. That's why I'm calling…"
After an hour of back and forth between Raynare and Azazel, with input from Kalawarner and a finally responsive Dohnaseek, we were finally able to get things moving.
Azazel promised to look into Kokabiel's recent actions, and any other orders that he might have changed with other scouting teams, including ordering Raynare and her group to head back to the Grigori for some much-needed rest.
"Thank you, Sora. We couldn't have done this without your help." Raynare adds as she and Kalawarner pull me aside.
Now that Dohnaseek has surrendered, and without the help of his wings, the guy isn't going anywhere soon so there's no worries about him escaping with our backs turned while we all wait for their ride back.
Apparently, there's a teleportation spell that can be used to retrieve Fallen operatives in the field, but it takes several minutes to get set up and cast, giving us a moment to make our goodbyes before they return to the Grigori.
"Same here…I just wish we didn't have to meet you under such bad circumstances." Kalawarner adds, giving a quick look to Raynare who smiles and nods. I barely have time to notice the brilliant smile that blossoms on her pouty lips, before they descend on my own in a deep kiss as her massive breasts squish against my chest.
It takes me a second to realize what's happening, and that moment of hesitation is all she needs to snake her tongue into my mouth and explore it enthusiastically with a moan.
'Strawberries?' That's the only thought that runs through my mind as our tongues intertwine, my hands coming down to rest on her hips as we make out.
The taste of strawberries lingers on my lips as she pulls back, a trail of saliva connecting our slightly swollen lips as we pant.
Before I can try and respond, Kalawarner quickly shuffles out of the way in time for Raynare's own lips to descend on mine, dominating the kiss easily as her tongue playfully swirls and bats mine around. There's a very clear difference in our experience, as my few days of fun with Aika and my Summons means nothing to her centuries of talent. 'She tastes like raspberries…'
As she pulls back, the taste of raspberries mixes with Kalawarner's strawberry taste deliciously; leaving me breathless an wanting more.
+13 Affection with Raynare… Affection: 43 | Obedience: 16
+13 Affection with Kalawarner… Affection: 40 | Obedience: 16
"I don't know when, or if, we'll get the chance to see you again." Raynare whispers, a beautiful smile on her swollen lips that matches the one on Kalawarner's, "I hope we do…But if not, then I want you to know that we really appreciate your help. Not many would have risked themselves like you did to help two Fallen, and that really means a lot to us."
"A-Anytime," I blush, their sincere words and seductive smiling faces making it incredibly difficult to keep from letting show just how affected I am by their kisses and words.
Something I apparently fail at as Raynare's eyes shift down my body for a second before glancing back up and winking.
"Y-you both have my number, so if you're ever in the area then feel free to give me a call. Maybe next time we can have a real date?" That gets a warm chuckle out of the girls, and any lingering tension from earlier is broken as we exchange heartfelt hugs before I wave goodbye as a magical circle opens up and teleports them, Dohnaseek, and Mittelt's body away.
Giving the abandoned church one last look, I sigh as I cast [Summon: Teleportation Gate] and return home.
This day has been an emotional roller-coaster for me, and a nice hot shower sounds good…
…Aaaand it looks like Juuichi wants to join me again.
Thank the System! Raynare and Kalawarner's kisses left me uncomfortably excited, and I'd rather not call it a night with a case of blue balls. "I'm on top this time, Juuichi!"
- Days Later -
I wasn't sure what to expect after Raynare and her group's departure, but things got remarkably calm right after they left, with only a bit of excitement the following day.
The very next morning after they were gone, the Devils were out in force searching for them. Sona and Rias's Peerages looking all over the town trying to find out where they had gone, before ultimately giving up the search once they found even the abandoned church was…well, abandoned.
With things calmed down, I finally had some time to spend with Aika, making up for the ghosting I did to her the last few days after constant grinding in the Dungeons.
That isn't to say I've stopped going into the Dungeons, it's just that I now have some time to do things other than carve through Zombies and level up my skills.
Sora Sakai - Level 34 [44%]
Human - Sacred Gear User
The only worrying thing right now is what I've been able to overhear with my Spirits regarding Rias's engagement. According to the bits and pieces of conversation I could pick up as they searched the town for the Fallen, her engagement is now less than a couple days away.
"Hey, Sora-kun! You're drifting off again…" Aika's voice brings me back to the present, her curious gaze staring at me from across the lunch table. Idly, I notice that she's stopped wearing her brown hair in its usual pigtails and is now flowing down around her shoulders in gentle waves.
Guess she took my comment about it looking better that way to heart. She really does look a lot prettier with it that way. "Seriously, what is it that keeps distracting you?"
Sighing, I shrug in lieu of answer.
How exactly am I supposed to tell her that what's got me inattentive is the group of Devils circling me like hungry vultures? Rias seems to be planning to invite me into her peerage very soon, because I've caught Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko staring at me in the halls multiple times today. And Sona's own peerage has been glancing at me from time to time, though not long enough to get a good look at them.
At least I got a chance to see how strong the other members of Rias's peerage are.
Yuuto Kiba - Level 19 - Knight of Gremory
Devil - Low Class
Affection: 10 | Obedience: 0
Koneko Toujou - Level 17 - Rook of Gremory
Devil - Low Class
Affection: 3 | Obedience: 0
Can't say I'm terribly surprised by their levels, the two always did seem rather week in the beginning. It was mainly the speed boost the Knight piece gets, and the strength/durability boost the Rook piece gets, that set them apart from the truly weak opponents in this Universe.
And can I just say…I hate that my first straight +10 in Affection from [First Impression] went to Kiba of all people!
Like…why?!
"Anyways," Aika continues, having gotten use to my 'drifting off' after the first few times I've done it. "I'm glad things have finally started to calm down around here. With everything that was going on my grandma was worried that something might happen to me, and was even thinking of pulling me out of Kuoh Academy."
"Wait, what?" I blink, my attention focusing fully on her as she nods. "When did she say that?"
"A few days after the kills and disappearances started," She replies, pleased to see that I had reacted as she was hoping to the news. "She said if it kept going on she wouldn't feel comfortable with me living on my own anymore, and was already looking into moving us both to another part of Japan."
As I open my mouth to respond, a voice draws our attention away from the conversation. "Sakai-kun?"
Turning to the familiar sounding voice, I can't say I'm surprised to see Akeno standing there with a pleasant smile on her face. "Hai?"
"Sorry to barge in on your little lover's chat," She smirks, drawing a faint blush from Aika after giving her a wink. "But our club's president would like to speak with you at the Occult Research Clubhouse."
Great…Looks like it's showtime.
"Of course," I nod, getting up from the table before moving over to give Aika a quick kiss on the lips.
+3 Affection with Aika Kiryuu … Affection: 98 | Obedience: 88
It's almost too easy getting Aika's scores up. Most of it coming from all of the make-up sex we had after I apologized for ghosting her. Which really isn't all that surprising considering just how kinky and perverted she is. And I'm really curious to see what I get for getting her Affection and Obedience to 100.
"Ufufufu!" Akeno laughs as she watches Aika's face flush at the public display of affection, the other students sitting at the tables around us whispering and giggling at the sight. "How bold of you Sakai-kun!"
Ignoring her for a moment, I smile down at the blushing Aika, "See you after school?"
"H-Hai!" Aika breathes out, a pleased smile on her lips as a hand comes up to touch her tingling lips. "See you then!"
With a last smile, I turn to follow Akeno out of the cafeteria.
There isn't much said between either of us for the next few minutes as we exit the main campus building and start to walk across the lawn towards the ORC, the only sound coming from the Perverted Duo as they were chased by the Kendo girls.
It hadn't even taken a day before Rias already had Issei erased from everyone's memories, and everything at school seemed as if nothing had changed despite the lack of a once well-known student's presence.
The speed at which Devils move is frightening. And makes me partially glad that I had severed Dohnaseek's wings considering he was able to kill enough people that even the Devil's couldn't hide their deaths from getting out.
"So…why exactly does your club president want to meet me?" I ask after a few more moments of silent walking. Half the time I was too busy staring at the watermelon-sized bouncing orbs of flesh sitting unnaturally perky on her chest to really think up a conversation topic. "I don't think I've actually even met them before."
"That's not surprising, really. Rias-sempai and I are in a different class than you, and she spends most of her time managing our club, giving her very little time to meet others outside of school." Akeno explains, walking in step beside me as we approach the former dormitory building that acted as the ORC's headquarters.
The building itself is actually quite beautiful. At three stories tall, it's been freshly painted a nice white color to stand out against the trees and greenery surrounding it, with a black roof and green vines creeping all the way up to the second story.
Heading inside the building, the style becomes distinctly different. With dark-wood floors, and wood-paneled rooms and hallways, all of which lead up to the third floor where the main 'office' is.
"Here we are!" Akeno motions me into the room as she opens the door, "Rias-sempai is just finishing getting ready, so feel free to have a seat on one of the couches and she'll be with you shortly."
Nodding, I take in the interior of the room as I walk inside, finding it to be just like in the anime. All wood-paneled walls and wooden floors, with Victorian-style couches and chairs surrounding a coffee table with a dark wood desk near one of the larger windows.
And, of course, a section of the room set aside as a bath. Which is currently being used if the sound of running water means anything.
There's a shower curtain blocking the bath off from the rest of the room, but it's see-through enough to make out a woman's body moving on the other side. 'And what a body it is…'
"Rias, Sakai-kun is here to see you." Akeno calls out as she approaches the curtained off section, moving behind the curtain as the sound of running water shuts off.
What follows is an incredibly erotic show of her shadow slowly drying herself with a towel, and causing me to quickly find a seat on one of the couches before they notice me staring. Sure, they may be doing it specifically to get me to watch, but that doesn't mean I want to be caught staring in a manner reminiscent to how Issei or one of his friends would. I may be a pervert, but that doesn't mean I want to seem gross.
A rustling of cloth and the sound of the curtain being moved draws my attention back to the side, watching as Rias appears like a crimson vision. Her red hair swaying side to side like blood-colored silk with every step, and her massive breasts -noticeably enhanced by the school's ridiculous tight white uniform shirt and black corset- bouncing hypnotically as she approaches.
First Impression:
+7 Affection with Rias Gremory… Affection: 7 | Obedience: 0
"Sorry for making you wait so long, Sakai-kun. I didn't have time to take a shower this morning because of an emergency, and thought I'd be finished before you arrived." Rias apologizes, rubbing a towel through her crimson-red hair to get rid of any last water in it before she hands it off to Akeno.
As she sits down on the couch opposite me, Akeno moves around the back of Rias's couch towards a set of teacups and a teapot, bring them over before pouring us all a cup. "Thank you, Akeno."
When Akeno goes to hand me a cup, she bends over quite noticeably to do so, giving a clear view of her massive breasts -that are somehow even larger than Rias's- as she smiles seductively at me. "Here's yours, Sakai-kun" She purrs.
"Thank you." I nod, reaching out to grab the cup as our fingers brush against each other. A small jolt tingles my arm at the touch, and for a second I think I imagined it, before remembering that she's an expert at Lightning Magic.
Okay, that was a smooth trick.
It's obvious that between the two, Akeno is more skilled at seduction as she moves to sit down beside Rias, effortlessly giving a brief flash of her panties underneath her skirt as she does so before quickly covering it up with a thick, creamy white thigh. The brief glance letting me know that she's chosen to go with a sheer purple lace thong.
Taking a sip of warm tea to distract myself, I hum pleasantly at the wonderful taste. "This is delicious!"
"Ara Ara, how kind of you to say Sakai-kun! I worked on it especially for you." Akeno claims, bringing a hand up to rest against her cheek with a bright smile. "I'm so glad that you like it."
"Akeno here is amazing at making tea. Alongside desserts, it's one of her specialties actually." Rias chimes in, taking a small sip of her own cup and waiting until my eyes turn to her before making an exaggerated gulp. Sighing pleasantly at the taste as a small pink tongue runs across her full lips. "Not many people get the chance to try her tea, but she's made an exception for you because we both wanted to make you feel welcome."
"Well, you've certainly succeeded." I smile, remembering to give a polite bow since that's a thing in Japan. "Thank you both for the effort, I definitely feel welcomed. I'm not sure what I've done to deserve it, but I appreciate the effort all the same."
+3 Affection with Rias Gremory … Affection: 10 | Obedience: 0
+3 Affection with Akeno Himejima… Affection: 14 | Obedience: 0
A good start. "So, Himejima-san said there was something you wanted to speak to me about, Gremory-san?" I ask, remembering to use the proper honorifics this time.
I swear, half the time I keep forgetting that I'm speaking Japanese instead of English thanks to my [Language: Japanese] skill. The skill does all of the work in translating everything for me, but just like it didn't come with an instinctual knowledge of bowing, it also doesn't come with an understanding or reminder on how and when to use honorifics either.
"Please, call me Rias." Rias replies with a faint grimace at hearing her last name.
Oh right, she's got that whole complex about her family name and whatnot. "Of course, Rias-san. A beautiful name, for a beautiful woman." I nod, getting a very happy smile from her and a warmer smile from Akeno.
+3 Affection with Rias Gremory … Affection: 13 | Obedience: 0
+3 Affection with Akeno Himejima… Affection: 17 | Obedience: 0
"Thank you." She thanks me, uncrosses and recrosses her legs to flash a brief glimpse of black lace before it's gone, her blue eyes staring at me with a hint of satisfaction as she watches me look. "As for what I'd like to talk with you about, it has to do with a rather sensitive subject. One that I wanted to get an idea as to your understanding of before going further."
Shifting her body into a more straight-back position, Rias stares at me with a searching look as she asks, "Tell me, what do you know about the supernatural?"
And now comes the real question: Just how much do I want to reveal to them that I know? Hmmm…
- Same Time -
-Rias Gremory -
"Tell me, what do you know about the supernatural?" She asks, feeling Akeno straighten up next to her.
So far, things had been going according to their plan, and Rias was hoping beyond hope that they continued in that same direction.
It had taken a bit of coaching on Akeno's part to teach her how to act seductive, like rubbing down her body with a towel in a way that would be noticeable behind the curtain, but the results had been beyond her hopes.
From the moment she stepped past the curtain, Sora's unique gold eyes had followed her every step as she moved to sit on the couch facing him. The only time his eyes had even left her had been to practically drink in Akeno as her Queen did her own seduction in an effortless way that Rias had no hope of competing with.
While Sora obviously found Akeno's slightly larger breasts -something that her bestfriend and Queen loved to point out- more attractive, he seemed to find her own crimson-red hair quite appealing by the way his eyes took it in every time she moved her head.
It was the first time she could remember anyone noticing something other than her breasts or her figure before. And she has to admit that it feels nice to be seen as more than a pair of tits or ass.
"What do you mean?" Sora's voice cut through her thoughts, his eyes glancing back and forth between her and Akeno. "As in Angels, Devils, and all of that stuff?"
Well, it wasn't an outright admittance. But it definitely told her that he knew more than a normal human should.
Which means he either knew about the Supernatural world already, or someone had told him about it. 'Could it have been the Fallen? He was the only one to survive his date, unlike Issei and the others before them.'
"Yes. That's exactly what I mean." Rias replies, her eyes narrowing slightly as she locked gazes with him. "You obviously have some idea about it, but I want to know just how much before I explain why I asked you here."
Instead of immediately replying, Sora leaned back into the couch, his arms crossing over his chest and showing off a hint of defined muscle beneath the sleeves that she hadn't noticed before.
Even with the school uniform covering most of his body, Rias noticed that he seems more muscular than any of the other boys at Kuoh Academy. While not even close to her cousin Sairaorg's level, it was nonetheless impressive.
"I know a fair bit, to be honest." Sora admits after a few moments of thought. "I know that you both are Devils, that the women I went on a date with recently were Fallen Angels, and that there are also Angels living in Heaven. But beyond that, my information about the supernatural world is fairly limited."
So not everything, but enough to make this conversation move faster. She could work with this.
"That's good, I'm glad to not have to be the one to break the news about our world to you." She sighs in relief. That conversation usually took forever to get through if the other person refused to believe it, or went into shock at the revelation. "Are you also aware that this town is under mine and my fellow King's authority?"
Seeing him shake his head, she continues. "Then you should know that Kuoh is technically under my and Souna's jurisdiction; and anyone who is aware of -or part of- the supernatural world, we typically have a meeting with to ensure that nothing happens within this town which we don't approve of."
"Oh…" Sora replies, "Is there something I've done that you don't approve of, then?"
"No. At least, not that we're aware of." Rias shakes her head, drawing his attention to the way that her crimson locks move, and inwardly smiling at the attention to her hair. "But it's important that I make sure you understand the world you're now involved in, and the risks that come with it."
"For instance, are you aware of the unique power that rests inside of you?" She and Akeno believe that he is, since his insane power growth could be explained by him having awoken his Sacred Gear and been practicing with it.
The real question is, just what Sacred Gear does he have? There wasn't a Dragon's scent on him like there had been with Issei. Unfortunate, since that would have narrowed down what he had to only a select few Sacred Gears. To this day, she still wasn't sure what Sacred Gear Issei had, but there was a chance -even slim- that it might have been a Longinus.
"I am." He nods.
Curious, she and Akeno lean forward slightly as she asks, "Can you show us?"
"Sure." Instead of getting up, Sora holds out his hand from his seat on the couch, the action being remarkably similar to how Kiba typically uses his Sword Birth.
And as a silver blade rises out of the ground, she almost sighs in disappointment before realizing the golden aura coming off of it isn't like the demonic one that Kiba's have. Which means it can only be one other thing…
"Is that…Blade Blacksmith?" Akeno chimes in, her violet eyes taking in every inch of the blade, having recognized the difference between his blade and Kiba's as well.
"It is, thought I haven't yet unlocked it's Balance Breaker form." Sora admits as he places the blade on the coffee table sitting between the two couches, allowing her to lean forward with Akeno to take a closer look. "I think I'm close, but for right now this is all I've got."
'He's almost unlocked his Balance Breaker?' Wide-eyed, she stares at him, searching for any lies. When she finds none, she turns to Akeno in shock, seeing the same look on her Queen's face.
This was potentially huge for her!
While Kiba's Sacred Gear was undoubtably useful, it wasn't nearly as helpful with her current issue as Sora's is. His Sword Birth allows Kiba to make similar blades to that of what Blade Blacksmith can make, but there's one thing that it didn't have which made Sora's all-the-more useful.
Blade Blacksmith makes Holy Swords, whereas Sword Birth makes Demonic Swords.
The Demonic Swords worked great against Angels and Fallen, don't get her wrong, but they didn't have as much of an effect on Devils. Unlike Holy Swords, which had terrible effects on their kind.
Even from her seat on the couch, Rias could feel her body stinging just from being in the presence of the Light properties of the blade. While it wasn't on the level of Holy Light like that of a true Holy Sword, it didn't change the fact that the relatively weak blade could easily harm her or Akeno, despite the difference in their power compared to Sora's.
This…this could be just the thing she needs to get an advantage over Riser.
Some might think that descendants of the House of Phenex were essentially immortal to all but the strongest of opponents thanks to their regeneration, but that wasn't the case. In fact, had Rias had a few more years to train in her Power of Destruction, she probably would have been able to take Riser on by herself.
The thing about the Phenex's infamous regeneration was that it could heal any damage, no matter how fatal, as long as the power used to hurt them didn't exceed their own capabilities.
'Honestly, if their regeneration was so unbeatable then they would have stood at the top of our society a long time ago, and everyone would be trying to get into their family to pass down that regeneration onto future Devils. Instead, it's the House of Bael who wields the Power of Destruction, that stands at the top.' Rias thought, a small bit of satisfaction leaking through at the fact that all of Devil society recognizes her mother's house as being of higher standing and important than Riser's own.
For the Power of Destruction, which could disintegrate anything down to a molecular level if trained enough, the Phenex's regeneration could be easily bypassed in an instant. Her older brother had actually faced Riser's older brother Ruval, a master in the Phenex family's powers, in a Rating Game once and single-handedly wiped the floor with him quite easily. All thanks to Sirzechs' prodigious mastery of the PoD.
Sadly, thanks to her father's desire to not let a woman become the head of House Gremory, he had made it all but impossible for her to have enough time to train in the PoD long enough to achieve a similar feat. Which is why Sora's Blade Blacksmith may very well be the key to her salvation.
Because Holy Swords, like the Power of Destruction, can overcome a Phenex's regeneration.
-Sora Sakai -
I don't know what I expected would happen after revealing my [Blade Blacksmith], but it certainly wasn't this.
+12 Affection with Rias Gremory … Affection: 25 | Obedience: 0
+12 Affection with Akeno Himejima… Affection: 29 | Obedience: 0
Huh…I guess my Sacred Gear is more useful to her than I thought. Sweet!
"I take it by your expressions, that this is a good one?" I ask rhetorically. Watching Rias and Akeno try to collect themselves, though their eyes keep glancing down at the Holy Sword sitting on the coffee table.
"Y-Yes." Rias coughs, smoothing out her expression into a warm smile as she stares at me with twinkling blue eyes. It doesn't take a genius to realize that if she wanted me in her Peerage before, that desire has only grown tenfold now. "Which leads me to the next topic I wanted to ask you about."
"What do you know about a Devil's Peerage?"
- END -
Author Notes:
And that's Chapter 10!
I know most of you thought that Raynare and Kalawarner were going to be part of his Harem, since that's what I had in the other story. But that's not going to be in this story. They'll only be side characters that might come back for a lemon scene later on.
I've got one main person/persons in mind, and it doesn't include him being with Fallen or Devils. Or Angels for that matter. Those I'm saving for the other stories I'm also writing, which I'll be posting the first one in a few weeks.
Hope you all are still liking it so far! Thanks for checking out my story.
- CHARACTER SHEET -
Sora Sakai - Level 34 [44%]
Human - Sacred Gear User
Classes:
[Class: Summoner] - Lvl. 42 (Apprentice)
The ability to summon other beings to fight at your side.
The higher the level, the more that can be summoned.
Professions:
[Profession: Artificer] - Lvl. 30 (Apprentice)
Enchant and Imbue objects with unique abilities.
Skills:
[Observe] (Active) - Lvl. 70 (Adept)
Enables you to see information about a target.
[Dungeon: Open] (Active) - Lvl. MAX
Allows you to access Dungeons.
[Dungeon: Close] (Active) - Lvl. MAX
Allows you to exit the Dungeon at any time.
[Flight] (Active) - Lvl. MAX
Allows you to fly unaided by wings.
…
[Summon: Spirit] (Active) - Lvl. MAX
Summons ethereal animals that act as spies, warning you of danger and allowing you to see through their eyes.
Able to summon +5 per Summoner Class level.
[Summon: Servant] (Active) - Lvl. 57 (Adept)
Summons humanoid servants that act as simple household slaves.
Able to summon +1 per Summoner Class level.
[Summon: Komainu] (Active) - Lvl. 39 (Apprentice)
Summons lion-dogs that act as guards and hunters.
Able to summon +1 per every 5 Summoner Class levels
[Summon: Oni] (Active) - Lvl. 39 (Apprentice)
Summons tall, muscular humanoid servants that deal massive damage.
Able to summon +1 per every 5 Summoner Class levels
…
[Promotion] (Active) - Lvl. MAX
Promotes a Summon of each type to Guardian.
Able to promote +1 Summon per 10 Summoner Class levels.
[Summon: Teleportation Gate] (Active) - Lvl. MAX
Allows you to create teleportation gates between two locations.
Locations must have already been visited.
[Oni: Touki] (Active) - Lvl. MAX
Increases your Offense, Defense, and Speed tremendously.
Allows you to counter magical attacks by punching or striking them.
…
[Sacred Gear: Blade Blacksmith] (Common) - Lvl. 67 (Adept)
Allows you to summon regular Holy Swords at will.
Able to summon +1 Holy Sword per Skill level.
Passive Skills:
[Gamers Mind] (Passive) - Lvl. MAX
Protects your mind from being read or manipulated.
[Language: Japanese] (Passive) - Lvl. MAX
Allows you to understand, speak, and write the language: Japanese.
[Swordsmanship] (Passive) - Lvl. 55 (Adept)
The ability to fight with a sword. Higher levels improve fighting ability.
[Hand-to-Hand] (Passive) - Lvl. 31 (Apprentice)
The ability to fight with your fists. Higher levels improve fighting ability.
[Sexual Experience] (Passive) - Lvl. 26 (Apprentice)
The ability to satisfy your partners sexually.
Perks:
[Student] (Perk)
All non-combat skills level slightly faster.
[Holy Sword Wielder] (Perk)
You are now able to wield any Holy Sword.
[Bigger is Better] (Perk)
Increased Affection and Obedience with large-breasted women.
[First Impression] (Perk)
Gain a random amount of Affection the first time you meet someone.
Amount ranges between 1-10.
[Power's Pull] (Perk)
Increased Affection and Obedience with those lower level than you.
[Dirty Minded] (Perk)
Increased Affection and Obedience with perverts.
Relationships:
Aika Kiryuu - Level 1
Human - Normal
Affection: 98 | Obedience: 88
Sona Sitri - Level 53 - Heiress of House Sitri
Devil - High Class
Affection: 0 | Obedience: 0
Rias Gremory - Level 57 - Princess of Destruction
Devil - High Class
Affection: 25 | Obedience: 0
Akeno Himejima - Level 41 - Priestess of Thunder
Devil - Mid Class
Affection: 29 | Obedience: 0
Yuuto Kiba - Level 19 - Knight of Gremory
Devil - Low Class
Affection: 10 | Obedience: 0
Koneko Toujou - Level 17 - Rook of Gremory
Devil - Low Class
Affection: 3 | Obedience: 0
Raynare - Level 19 - Fallen Scout Leader
Fallen - 2 Winged
Affection: 43 | Obedience: 16
Kalawarner - Level 13 - Fallen Scout
Fallen - 2 Winged
Affection: 40 | Obedience: 16
Dohnaseek - Level 17 - Fallen Scout
Fallen - 2 Winged
Affection: -10 | Obedience: 19
Items:
[Gamer's Manual] - (System Item)
Contains information regarding the Gamer System
[Gamers Credit Card] - (System Item)
A limitless credit card that works only for buying food.
[Gamers Phone] - (System Item)
"An unhackable cellphone with unlimited call, text, and internet from anywhere in the Universe."
[Gender-bender Cheat Code] - (System Item)
Allows you to change one person's gender, no matter who they are.
[Affection Dice] - (System Item)
"A 10-sided red die that grants Affection equal to the number rolled for one person."
[Obedience Dice] - (System Item)
"A 10-sided blue die that grants Obedience equal to the number rolled for one person."
[Excalibur Ruler] - (Legendary)
"One of Seven fragments of the legendary blade: Excalibur."
Enables - Mental Subjugation
Increased damage to Devils and Undead.
[Holy Sword] - (Sacred Gear)
"A standard Holy Sword, blessed with the power of Light."
Deals increased damage to Devils and Undead.
[Iron Blade] - (Enchanted: Light)
"A simple sword, blessed with the power of Light."
Deals increased damage to Devils and Undead.
[Rusted Sword] - (Enchanted: Fire)
"A barely held together blade, warmed with a spark of Fire."
Deals additional damage to those weak against Fire.
[Golden Mask] - (Common)
"A golden mask that hides the wearer's face."
Offers minimal identity protection.
[Mages Pact] - (Item)
"A document upon which a pact between Mages is bound."
Creates a bound contract between yourself and another.
[Black Kimono] - (Item)
"A all-black, male's kimono bearing the Sakai Clan symbol."
[Shard of Fallen Light] - (Item)
"A fragment of power that once belonged to the Fallen."
A catalyst containing a powerful source of Light.