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….
Isa and Asia instantly hit it off. For the rest of the walk, the two of them chatted brightly about healing, faith, and the town, while I hung back and carried the heavy suitcase, perfectly content to be ignored for the time being.
Eventually, the paved road transitioned into a steep, dirt path winding up a forested hill. Through the canopy, the crumbling stone spire of the abandoned church came into view.
Suddenly, the air grew thick.
It wasn't a physical change, but a heavy, suffocating pressure that pressed down on my shoulders, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
My instincts flared. I immediately triggered [Presence], my eyes sweeping the treeline for the telltale magical signature of a Fallen Angel preparing an ambush.
Nothing. There were no hostile targets in the immediate vicinity.
I glanced over at Isa. She had stopped walking, rubbing her arms with a sudden, uncomfortable shiver. She was feeling it too.
Then it clicked. I was standing in a world governed by mythological factions. Angels, Devils, Fallen. They all had territories.
We're stepping into the Church's domain, I realized.
The fact that I could feel the holy barrier was fascinating.
My magic came from the Skyrim system, entirely foreign to the DxD universe, but mana was still mana.
The ambient holy energy in the air was reacting to my presence, acting like a dense wall of static electricity pushing against my skin.
"Well, this is my stop," Asia said, turning to us with a bright, grateful smile. "Thank you both so much for your help."
"No problem," I said, handing her the heavy suitcase. "But we really need to get going. We're going to be late for the morning bell if we don't sprint."
We said our quick goodbyes. As soon as Asia was out of earshot, heading up the final stretch to the church, Isa let out a heavy breath, rubbing her left forearm where her Sacred Gear was hidden.
"Did the air just get really... heavy back there?" she muttered, looking back up the hill.
"It's a territorial barrier," I explained quietly as we started jogging back toward the main road. "That church belongs to the Holy Faction. You're a Devil now, Isa. Holy energy is naturally going to feel like poison to your system. Try to avoid coming back here if you can help it."
Isa grimaced, looking down at her arm. "Right. Devil. Still getting used to that."
...
The final bell rang, signaling the end of classes. I gathered my textbooks, shoving them into my bag, ready to head home and hit the Instant Dungeon. I had a lot of grinding to do.
"Leaving so soon?"
I didn't even look up. Rias Gremory was standing by my desk, her own stylish school bag slung over her shoulder. She offered me a flawless, perfectly practiced smile.
"I'm heading home to train," I said, zipping my bag shut. "Why do you ask?"
"Well," Rias began, leaning slightly against the edge of the desk next to mine. "I've decided that since you don't trust me, the perfect solution to our little problem is for us to spend some more time together. So, I would like to formally invite you to join the Occult Research Club. As a guest."
I stopped what I was doing, standing up and crossing my arms. I raised a single eyebrow, looking at her with genuine curiosity.
"Okay. First of all, why would I do that?" I asked. "I have absolutely no reason to sit around your clubroom."
"Think of it as a learning experience for both of us," Rias countered smoothly. "You don't have to be a formal member. You don't have to show up every day. But you are welcome to visit our territory whenever you choose. A gesture of... acceptance, and friendship."
I stared at her, analyzing her expression. "Take no offense to this, Gremory, but what's the underhanded motive you aren't telling me?"
"Now, why would I have an underhanded motive?" she asked, her smile widening into a knowing grin.
I decided to humor her. "Rule number one in any conflict: gather as many powerful allies as you can. Rule number two: keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."
Rias simply brushed a lock of crimson hair over her shoulder, completely unfazed. "We aren't enemies, Shiro. But that doesn't mean we can't learn to be friends."
With that, she turned and walked out of the classroom, Akeno trailing dutifully behind her.
I let out a heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. She wasn't going to let this go. And honestly, I'd rather have her where I could see her than plotting behind my back.
"Fine," I muttered, grabbing my bag and following them.
When I pushed open the doors to the old school building's clubroom, the atmosphere instantly tensed.
Kiba was sitting on one of the leather sofas, carefully polishing the blade of a broadsword.
The moment he saw me step through the door, he stopped, the polished steel glinting dangerously in the afternoon light.
Over in the corner, Koneko paused mid-bite of her chocolate bar, her golden eyes narrowing.
The only person happy to see me was Isa. She was sitting at the coffee table, chewing on the end of her pencil as she stared blankly at a math worksheet. Her face lit up immediately.
"Shiro!" she beamed.
I ignored the hostility radiating from the Knight and the Rook, walked over, and took a seat right next to Isa on the couch.
"What is he doing here, Buchou?" Kiba asked, his voice cold. He didn't point the sword at me, but the implication was clear.
"Stand down, Kiba," Rias said, taking her seat behind her massive oak desk. "Shiro is our new guest. I've decided there is no reason for us to fight amongst ourselves. He will visit us whenever he chooses."
Kiba frowned but obediently lowered the blade, returning to his polishing. Koneko took another aggressive bite of her chocolate, her deadpan glare still fixed on the side of my head.
"Alright," I said, ignoring the audience. I pulled a pencil out of my bag and tapped Isa's worksheet. "Let's see what you're stuck on. You forgot to carry the negative on question four."
….
Hey guys if u like the fanfic and want to read ahead by 10+ Chapters or just want to support take a visit on my patreon.
(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)
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