The soft morning light slipped through the gaps in the window curtains, casting faint shadows on the bedroom wall. An alarm didn't go off, but Issei's body had already reacted.
His eyes opened slowly, still heavy, but no longer aching. His breathing was steady. He turned to the side and looked at the digital clock on the small table.
06:00.
Issei blinked once, then took a deep breath. No sudden heat. No chills. His body… was normal. At least for now.
He got out of bed, gently rubbed his face, then walked toward the bathroom.
As soon as the warm water touched his skin, the lingering drowsiness slowly vanished. Steam filled the small room, wrapping his body in comforting warmth. Issei stood under the shower for several minutes, letting his mind calm down. Today… he was going back to school.
After finishing his shower, he returned to his room. The morning air coming in through the window gap felt cool, not biting. Issei dried his hair for a moment, then opened his wardrobe.
A white shirt with black stripes. Clean black trousers. And a black school jacket with the Kuoh Academy emblem on the chest. He wore them neatly.
He stood for a moment in front of the mirror. Staring at his own reflection.
His face did look a bit paler. But his eyes were sharp. His breathing steady.
Lastly, he took a white mask from the table and put it on.
Not just to cover the remnants of his fever… but also to hide something he couldn't explain.
He stepped down to the first floor. The wooden stairs creaked familiarly.
In the dining room, the aroma of warm soup greeted him immediately.
Juzo sat at the table with the morning newspaper open in front of him. He turned when he heard his son's footsteps.
"Oh, you're up early today?" he asked warmly.
Issei slowly removed his mask. "It's nothing. Besides, the first class doesn't start for a while. I can rest for a bit at school later."
Juzo nodded slightly, smiling faintly. "In that case, don't push yourself."
From the kitchen, Issei's mother appeared carrying a wooden tray with a bowl of hot miso soup, freshly fried tempura, and steaming white rice in a small ceramic bowl.
"Eat up, dear. This is your breakfast," she said softly, placing the food on the table.
Issei smiled. There was something in the warmth of home that even Ddraig couldn't replace.
"Thank you, Mom. Itadakimasu."
He began eating quietly. The warm miso soup soothed his throat with a light, comforting taste. The tempura was crispy yet tender inside. The warm rice balanced everything.
The world outside the house might be in turmoil. But at this dining table, time seemed to slow down.
After finishing his meal, Issei drank the remaining water in his glass. Then he stood, took the medicine box from the side table, and put it into his bag.
Juzo reached for his jacket and stepped closer. "Be careful out there, son."
Issei put his mask back on, then bowed slightly. "I'm heading out."
With his shoulder bag on, he stepped out of the house. The morning air greeted him with a cold dew, yet refreshing.
The sky was clear. The streets were starting to get busy. Schoolchildren walked in their uniforms, the sound of birds echoed from the still-wet trees.
Issei took a deep breath, then walked slowly on the sidewalk.
The morning sky grew brighter, pushing away the remaining fog that clung to the corners of the street. Issei walked along the sidewalk while occasionally glancing down at his phone—the GPS screen showing the route to Kuoh Academy, his new school.
His steps weren't hurried, but purposeful.
Around him, the city was coming to life. A middle-aged man rode past him on a bicycle, carrying two large thermoses. On the other side of the road, a young man with a food delivery bag started his scooter. A bakery owner opened his curtain, and the aroma of warm bread slowly spread into the morning air.
Issei looked around with slightly weary eyes behind his white mask. The world looked ordinary. Too ordinary.
But his steps halted.
Not out of doubt. But because something echoed in his mind.
{Issei… this is no ordinary school. Kuoh Academy has guardians… and I can sense it clearly now. This is a school of Devils.}
Issei froze in place. His breath caught for a moment.
He looked up.
A few hundred meters ahead—behind the shade of lush trees—a large building painted ivory white with a dark red roof stood majestically. A tall black gate adorned the entrance, with the academy's emblem beautifully engraved in the center. From the outside, Kuoh looked like a typical elite private school.
But now… the meaning of "elite" changed drastically.
'A Devil school…?' Issei thought slowly.
{No need to panic.} Ddraig's voice returned. {The ones here aren't high-class Devils. Just regular ones. But still… don't let your guard down. You carry something they deeply desire.}
Issei gave a small nod.
'In that case… I need to be more careful.'
He resumed walking. As he got closer to the gate, he saw several female students standing on duty—they wore full Kuoh uniforms, but something about them stood out. On their arms were black armbands with golden student council emblems.
They stood upright, observing everyone who passed through the gate. Not with suspicion… but with a highly trained watchfulness. Their eyes were sharp and systematic.
One of them stepped forward. A young girl with short dark black hair, round glasses, and a calm yet firm aura. Sona Shitori. Kuoh's Student Council President.
Issei immediately greeted her politely, bowing slightly even though his body still felt weak.
"Good morning, Kaichou."
Sona was slightly surprised, her expression didn't change much, but her eyes examined Issei's posture. She noticed the pale face, slightly sluggish movements, and less-than-steady breathing.
"Issei-kun? You're here quite early… and you look like you're sick."
Issei briefly removed his white mask. "I have a fever, Kaichou. But I wanted to come to school on the first day… and maybe ask permission to rest tomorrow."
Sona sighed softly. "Alright. Just don't push yourself too hard."
Issei put his mask back on and stepped past the gate.
The school was far bigger than he had imagined. An open grassy field on the left, a round fountain at the center of the courtyard, and long corridors connecting the main building to several others. Glass windows gleamed under the morning sun.
But everything only looked normal to those who didn't know.
In his mind, Ddraig spoke again—this time, his voice sounded like a warning.
{Issei… that girl earlier, she's a Devil.}
Issei's steps immediately slowed for a moment.
'Seriously…? Even the Student Council President?'
{She hides her aura very well. But I can sense it. Besides that… there's something else.}
'What else?' Issei asked softly in his mind.
{In this school… there are at least a few individuals with mixed blood. And one… of the Nekomata race.}
Issei instantly swallowed hard, though it wasn't visible on the outside. He looked around for a moment, trying to appear normal.
'That race… can smell dragon aura, right?'
{Correct. They're experts in spiritual scent. If you release too much pressure, they could smell my presence… or detect changes in your body.}
Issei exhaled slowly. 'Alright… I'll be careful.'
Meanwhile, at the school gate—
Right after Issei entered, Student Council Vice President Tsubaki Shinra approached, standing beside Sona. Her long black hair swayed gently in the breeze.
"Sona-sama… there's something strange about Issei-kun."
Sona didn't reply immediately, but her gaze remained fixed on the corridor where Issei had disappeared behind the building's shadow.
"Yes… I felt it too. Even though he's sick… he's different."