Evening fell over Kuoh, painting the sky a soft orange as shadows lengthened. In the backyard of his house, Daniel breathed calmly, his torso covered in sweat, muscles tense from training.
In front of him, Hikari and Hibiki were preparing, one with a small competitive smile, the other with a more reserved but equally determined expression.
—"Let's go again!" Daniel shouted, closing his eyes for a moment.
*Whoosh!*
The first attack came from the right. Daniel twisted his body before the blow could touch his cheek. Immediately after, he dodged a leg sweep from Hibiki, then a precise punch from Hikari.
It wasn't perfect, but he was starting to feel the attacks... he perceived them a second before they happened.
—"You're improving!" Hikari exclaimed, excited.
—"At this rate you could dodge even my thunderbolts," Hibiki added with a little laugh.
Daniel panted slightly, but a smile crossed his face. Little by little, his Observation Haki was blossoming. He was still light-years away from reaching the level of Katakuri, who could see seconds into the future... but it was a start. And every step counted.
—"At this pace," Daniel murmured to himself, —"maybe in a year or two I can reach that level..."
Both sisters heard him, and though they didn't understand the context, their smiles showed admiration. They knew Daniel was different... and special.
---
As night fell, Daniel switched his training to his other priority: his Armament Haki.
In front of the large rock he had turned into his personal punching bag, he took his stance. His breathing was deep, his focus total.
He punched.
The sound of the impact resonated like thunder. The fist coated in Haki shone faintly with a bluish-black hue. Another crack opened in the stone.
—"Boom!" Hikari shouted from a distance. —"It's going to break soon!"
—"Don't get too excited," said Hibiki. —"At this rate, Daniel is going to destroy the house too."
Daniel laughed between pants.
—"I won't break the house... maybe the yard, though..."
---
When the training ended, he dropped down to sit under the house's eaves. The girls handed him a towel and some water. Ddraig then spoke in his mind.
> "Good work, kid. You're close to breaking the rock... and your body is adapting faster and faster to the Boosted Gear. Soon you'll be able to activate it without tiring so much."
—"I hope so..." Daniel whispered.
> "I'll put it this way: if you keep at this pace, in a few more weeks you could break the rock completely, and your aura combined with the Boosted Gear will position you near the level of Mid-High Class."
Daniel fell silent.
> "In terms of power... that would put you close to the current level of Rias Gremory, Sona Sitri... and if you were a devil, you could fight Riser Phenex without disadvantage."
Daniel opened his eyes in surprise. Hikari and Hibiki noticed.
—"Everything okay?" Hibiki asked, coming closer.
—"Yes, just... Ddraig told me I'm almost at the level of noble devils."
Both looked at each other in surprise. And a second later, they hugged him.
—"That means our Ashikabi is already amazing!" Hikari shouted, almost jumping with excitement.
—"And if anyone ever dares to mess with you..." Hibiki added, stroking his shoulder, —"you won't be at a disadvantage anymore."
Daniel smiled, his heart warm from their support.
—"Thanks, girls. But this is just the beginning. There's still a lot to do... and many enemies out there."
Ddraig laughed loudly in his mind.
> "That's the spirit! Train, grow, and claim your place! I'll guide you until you can defeat gods and dragons alike!"
—"Gods and dragons..." Daniel murmured, looking at the stars. —"Sounds like an interesting life."
Friday seemed to pass like any other day.
Daniel had resumed his usual routine: morning classes, jokes and chats with Alya, intense afternoon training with Hikari and Hibiki. The twins no longer hid their relationship with him, which had triggered sighs and squeals among the girls at school, and deadly glares from the boys.
During a break, the relentless questioning from their female classmates led Hikari and Hibiki to openly declare their love for Daniel, which made the classroom explode in murmurs, rumors, and scandal.
Alya, though emotionally recovered, couldn't help but feel sidelined.
—"Are you okay?" Daniel asked, noticing her reserved expression.
—"Da... It's fine, don't worry," Alya responded in Russian, smiling softly.
Ddraig spoke casually in Daniel's mind:
> "She said she wants a relationship with you too, hehehe. This is getting interesting."
Daniel was surprised, but said nothing. He preferred to let things happen at their own pace. Alya deserved something authentic.
---
That same day, just as they were about to leave the classroom at the end of classes, Hikari and Hibiki were called to the student council. Daniel assumed Sona had sensed their aura and was now seeking answers.
—"Do you want me to go with you?" Daniel asked with concern.
—"No need, Ashikabi-sama," Hibiki replied with a smile. —"We can handle it."
—"Go home! We'll cook something delicious today," Hikari added, winking.
Daniel nodded, though not with total peace of mind.
It was then that Alya approached, a little nervous.
—"Would you like to walk together for a bit?" she asked without looking directly at him.
—"Sure," he replied with a smile, happy to see her regaining her warmth.
---
During the walk, Alya was more physical than usual. She leaned slightly against his arm, laughed sweetly at any joke, and her eyes looked at him with a sparkle.
Daniel noticed, but said nothing. He enjoyed her company.
When the time came to part ways, Alya said goodbye with a shy smile. But just after she had walked far enough away...
*Alert!*
Daniel's Observation Haki erupted like an alarm.
—"What—!?"
He jumped backwards instinctively.
*Crash!*
A ray of energy pierced the air where he had been a second ago. The concrete cracked. Daniel rolled on the ground, got into a guard stance, and looked at the sky.
There, descending with black wings and a dark smile...
Reynare.
—"How fast you dodged that... interesting."
Daniel frowned. He didn't expect to encounter her yet, much less like this.
—"Reynare..." he murmured, remembering all too well what this woman had done in the original High School DxD story.
—"So you're the one with that annoying aura," she continued, floating with elegance and cruelty. —"I was tasked with investigating you... but they didn't tell me you were so handsome. What a waste."
> "Be careful, kid," Ddraig growled. —"She's a Fallen, and she's not weak. Although... you're not in the same league as a few days ago."
Daniel clenched his fists.
—"I'm not going to fall so easily."
—"Oh, I don't want to kill you yet. I want to play with you for a while first."
Her spear of light appeared in her hand.
Daniel, feeling his Armament Haki wrap around his fist, took a step forward.
—"Then let's play."
The sky was tinged with orange and red hues at sunset, but the scene in front of Daniel had little romance to it.
Reynare hovered above him, laughing maliciously. Her black wings fluttered softly as she formed more light spears in her hands.
—"Don't worry! It won't hurt much," she mocked before launching several spears at him.
Daniel inhaled deeply. His senses were sharp, his body reacting instinctively.
Observation Haki.
He could feel Reynare's murderous intent. Seeing with his heart what his eyes couldn't catch.
—"There!"
He rolled to the side, avoiding with surgical precision a spear that would have pierced his shoulder. Another came from a high angle, and he jumped back just in time.
> "Well done," Ddraig applauded in his mind. —"You're reading her attacks more clearly. This is the path of Observation. Don't block. Feel."
—"I'm trying, but it's not that easy!"
Daniel pushed off a lamppost and used it to dodge a spear coming from above. His breathing stabilized. He briefly closed his eyes, and stopped focusing on Reynare...
Instead, he felt.
The intention behind every movement.
Every spear... before it was thrown.
The flow of air.
The burning hostility of his enemy.
*Step to the right!*
He dodged another.
*Duck!*
He avoided one that almost grazed his head.
*Jump!*
Reynare tried to change the pattern, but Daniel had already predicted it.
—"How are you dodging everything!?" the Fallen shouted, annoyed.
—"Observation Haki," he murmured to himself with a confident smile.
Reynare descended a bit, furious.
—"ENOUGH GAMES!"
She created a large spear of light, this time thicker and brighter. She hurled it with force, trying to land a lethal blow.
Daniel quickly retreated, feeling this one was faster and charged with hatred.
But he was no longer the same boy from a few days ago.
The training had borne fruit.
He activated his Armament Haki on his right arm, hardening it with that dark hue.
He raised his fist, aligned with the trajectory...
And the spear impacted!
*BOOOOM!*
An explosion of light illuminated the intersection where they fought. A cloud of dust and sparks covered everything.
Reynare descended, laughing.
—"That should have turned you to dust... huh?"
But amidst the smoke, a figure remained standing.
Daniel.
His arm was a bit sore, but he had withstood it.
—"Bad idea," he said, walking towards her with determination.
Reynare took a step back.
—"W-what are you!?"
—"A stubborn human. But with clear goals.
I'm not going to kill you, Reynare. You're just a stupid pawn blinded by unrequited love."
—"Shut up!"
She tried to create another spear, but Daniel was already in front of her.
*CRACK!*
A precise blow to her stomach with the back of his Haki-hardened hand. Not lethal, but enough to leave her breathless.
Reynare fell to her knees, gasping.
—"Why not... kill me...?"
Daniel looked at her seriously.
—"Because you can still redeem yourself. But not with me.
—"Huh...?"
—"I'll hand you over to the devils. They will decide what to do with you.
And if you're lucky, maybe Azazel will give you a second chance."
Reynare lowered her head, defeated.
> "Interesting decision, partner," Ddraig commented.
"I knew you weren't the murderous type. But I like how you used the fight as a training field. Your Haki took a big leap."
Daniel took a deep breath, sweaty but satisfied.
The sun was setting.
And in the distance, watching from a rooftop...
Akeno.
Her eyes were serious, analyzing everything.
—"So that was... what Rias felt."
She took out her phone.
—"Rias, confirmed. Daniel possesses a strange energy that doesn't align with any registered Sacred Gear. And he has advanced combat skills. He captured a Fallen without help."
Rias on the other end of the line sighed in amazement.
—"Then, now I'm sure I want him on our side."
The wind blew softly over the rooftop of the nearby building. Akeno, still holding her phone, put it in her pocket after ending the call with Rias. But before she could slip away silently...
—"You can come down now," Daniel's voice was heard, firm but calm.
Akeno tensed. She didn't expect him to notice her, much less call her out directly. Her gaze descended to the street and saw the young man standing confidently, his arm still covered in remnants of Haki, with Reynare unconscious, trapped by some energy cables he had improvised with the help of his aura.
—"I guess discretion isn't my forte today," Akeno said, floating down elegantly, though with a drop of sweat on her forehead.
—"Don't worry. It wasn't your fault," Daniel replied without turning yet. —"My senses are sharper than anyone's in this city."
Akeno landed softly. She looked at him with a mix of surprise and intrigue.
—"How did you know it was me?"
—"Your presence is unique... but it's also your intention that gives you away. That and you smell like sweet cherries," he said with a mischievous smile.
—"Huh?!" Akeno puffed out her cheeks, feigning annoyance. —"It's not fair to say something like that so casually!"
Daniel let out a small laugh. The tension of the fight had dissipated.
—"Relax, Akeno. I was just kidding." He finally turned to her, now serious. —"But speaking of important things... I need a meeting. Urgently. With Rias and Sona."
—"With both?" Akeno raised an eyebrow. —"And what topic requires the presence of two such important figures in the school?"
Daniel pointed with his thumb to Reynare, unconscious behind him.
—"A fallen angel who tried to kill me without provocation. I was planning to hand her over before she causes problems. But if she appears dead in Gremory or Sitri territory, I don't want trouble with any faction."
Akeno narrowed her eyes, impressed.
—"You did all this by yourself, without showing your full true power. And yet you want to avoid a political conflict..."
Daniel shrugged.
—"I don't like killing. And especially not if I know the other person isn't thinking clearly about what they're doing. I want Sona and Rias to decide what to do with her. But I want to be present."
Akeno smiled elegantly, but with genuine interest.
—"Rias will be glad to hear that. You're more interesting than you appear, Daniel."
—"I've been told that a lot lately."
—"Good. I'll arrange the meeting. Tonight, at the Occult Research Club. Can you bring her?"
—"No problem. I don't think she'll wake up before we get there."
Akeno took a step forward, moving closer to Daniel.
—"Thank you for not causing a massacre. That's something Rias and Sona will greatly appreciate."
—"I didn't do it for them," Daniel said seriously. —"I did it because I want to do things right. I'm not at war with anyone."
Akeno watched him for a second more, then nodded.
—"Then I'll see you tonight."
With an elegant leap, she disappeared among the rooftops, leaving Daniel in silence.
Ddraig spoke in his mind with an amused voice.
> "'You smell like sweet cherries,' huh? I didn't know you were also a casanova."
—"Shut up! It was improvised... though I didn't lie."
> "Oh, I know. But that just makes it worse."
Daniel smiled wearily. He looked at Reynare, still unconscious. His path was only getting more complicated... but at least, he wasn't walking in the dark.