Sona stared at Genichi, her normally composed eyes shining with a rare light.
It was not scrutiny or calculation, but pure, almost childlike curiosity.
"Can we come with you to the other worlds?"
Her voice was quiet, yet tinged with anticipation.
Genichi looked at her and remained silent for a moment.
He knew exactly why Sona was asking.
Ever since he had told them about the other worlds, she had been thinking about this question.
The Anime Crossover World, the DanMachi World, the Women's Fiction World, and the Bleach World. Each was completely different from this one, with its own rules, powers, and possibilities.
"I'm not sure."
Genichi shook his head, helplessness creeping into his voice.
It was the truth. He genuinely did not know.
His ability to travel between worlds came from devouring his counterparts in other worlds.
Fragments of their souls were scattered throughout countless worlds, serving as beacons that guided him toward his next destination.
Every journey followed the guidance of those beacons, allowing him to leap from one world to another.
But taking other people with him?
He had never tried it before.
Honestly, he did not think it was possible.
He had taken the power to travel between worlds from the arena.
It had been purchased with the lives of countless versions of himself. That power belonged solely to him.
Like the magic, skills, and powers he had stolen from other worlds, it was carved into his soul. It was not something he could simply share with others.
"Honestly, I don't think it's possible," he said calmly, though a trace of bitterness entered his voice. "I can travel between worlds because I devoured my other selves. Those soul fragments belong solely to me."
The clubroom fell silent.
"But whether it works or not, I still want to try. I'm genuinely curious about the possibility of traveling with others."
He was not merely trying to appease her. He meant every word.
He also wanted to know whether he could bring others across worlds.
If he could, what would that mean?
It would mean that they could travel to other worlds with him, face adventures together, and grow stronger together.
It would mean he would no longer have to face unknown dangers alone or fight by himself in the arena.
It would mean that he would no longer be alone.
Sona's eyes lit up.
It was a look Genichi rarely saw on her face.
There was no calm analysis or rational judgment, only pure, heartfelt anticipation.
Her words also piqued the interest of Rias and the others.
Rias put down her teacup and gazed at Genichi with sparkling eyes. Her expression practically screamed that she wanted to go too.
Akeno's smile deepened as her fingers lightly tapped Rias's shoulder, as though she were already planning something.
Even Tsubaki raised her head and looked at Genichi with the same anticipation in her eyes.
"I can try," Genichi said calmly. "But I can't promise it'll work."
Rias nodded.
"That's fine. All we can do is try."
"Then when are you planning to leave?" Sona asked, a hint of urgency in her voice.
Genichi considered it.
"Right now."
After a brief pause, he explained, "Only one second will pass here before I return anyway. I'll head back to the Vengeful Spirit World first and see if I can reach the Satan-class there."
Rias and Sona exchanged a glance, then both nodded.
To them, one second was practically instantaneous.
"Then try taking us with you," Sona said calmly, though Genichi could hear the nervousness beneath her composure.
Genichi nodded.
He reached out and took Rias's hand, then Akeno's, followed by Sona's and finally Tsubaki's.
Each hand felt different. Rias's was warm, Akeno's slightly cool, Sona's soft, and Tsubaki's slender.
He closed his eyes and focused, calling out to the familiar coordinates within his mind.
The Anime Crossover World.
The first world he had traveled to.
That apartment where everything had begun.
Then he activated his world-travel ability.
His vision blurred.
The next moment, Genichi found himself standing inside a familiar apartment.
The Anime Crossover World.
The first world he had traveled to.
That apartment where everything had begun.
Nothing had changed. Everything looked exactly as it had when he left.
But his hands were empty.
His palms still carried the warmth of Rias and Akeno's hands, along with the lingering sensation of Sona and Tsubaki's touch.
But they were not there.
Genichi remained where he stood, silent for a long time.
As expected, he could not bring anyone else across worlds.
The corners of his lips lifted slightly. His smile contained bitterness, relief, and another emotion he could not quite describe.
He should have known.
He had taken the ability to travel between worlds from the arena. It had been purchased with the lives of countless versions of himself and belonged solely to him.
How could he possibly share it?
Genichi walked to the window and pulled open the curtains.
The streetlights outside had already come on. Several pedestrians hurried along the road, while the distant honking of cars drifted through the night.
This world remained as peaceful and ordinary as ever.
Vengeful spirits still wandered through the city's forgotten corners. Everything continued as usual, like a carefully wound clock ticking steadily onward.
Genichi closed his eyes and sensed the demonic power within his body.
Ultimate-class Devil.
He was only one step away from the Satan-class.
But if he could not take that step in the High School DxD World, could he really do it here?
He did not know.
But he knew he had to try.
He turned around, preparing to leave the apartment and test his strength against the vengeful spirits.
After taking two steps, he suddenly stopped and lowered his gaze to his hand.
Rias's warmth still lingered in his palm, but it was slowly fading.
He remembered what Sona had asked him before the journey.
Could they follow him to the other worlds?
He had said that he was not sure, but deep down, he had already known the answer.
He had not told them because he did not want to see the disappointment on their faces.
He would rather let them believe the attempt had simply failed than tell them it had been impossible from the beginning.
Genichi shook his head and cast those thoughts aside.
The most important thing now was becoming stronger.
Strong enough to establish himself in the High School DxD World.
Strong enough to survive while caught between the Three Factions.
Strong enough to protect everyone he cared about.
He opened the door and stepped into the night.
Behind him, the apartment door quietly swung shut with a dull thud.
His footsteps gradually faded along the corridor before finally disappearing into the stairwell.
(End of Chapter)
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