The Student Council room radiated the kind of oppressive silence that preceded either enlightenment or execution, and I wasn't betting on the former.
"It's a pleasure to be in your presence, Leviathan-sama" I said, keeping my voice steady "Though I'd say "trouble" is rather an overstatement"
"We'll see about that~" She practically skipped to the couch opposite mine, with a wide smile on her face like a kid who got promised a candy "Now then! Let's talk about the interesting things happening in my adorable So-tan's territory!"
Sona's expression progressed from resignation to 'please kill me now' levels of embarrassment "Onee-sama, this is supposed to be a formal—"
Serafall waved a hand dismissively "Ooh, but where are my manners? So-tan, introduce everyone properly!"
I watched Sona taking a deep sigh, then adjusting her glasses with the vibe of someone contemplating homicide but settling for professionalism in moment "Onee-sama already knows Tsubaki, my Queen. This is Motohama—"
"The Sacred Gear user who went boom at the church!" Serafall interrupted with genuine delight, making Sona further embarrassed "And the pretty Fallen Angel he somehow convinced to be his servant!☆"
Kalawarner flinched beside me.
Time to flip the table before this became an interrogation I sink in further.
I reached into my pocket with deliberate slowness, making sure everyone could see the movement. My fingers closed around the vial, cool glass, slight weight, the culmination of forty-seven attempts and nearly getting my lungs dissolved by toxic fumes.
"Before we begin the debrief, everyone" I said, withdrawing the Styx Touch vial and setting it carefully on the table between us "I wanted to show you something, Leviathan-sama. A gesture of good faith from me"
The ghostly silver-blue liquid swirled inside the glass, catching the light with an otherworldly quality that made it look like captured moonlight mixed with fog.
Serafall's cheerfulness didn't drop, but something shifted in her eyes. They sharpened on the vial with laser intensity.
"Oh?" She leaned forward, twin-tails swaying "What's this~?"
Sona's eyes widened behind her glasses. She stared at the vial, then at me, then back at the vial. Her expression flickered through surprise, understanding, and something that might have been grudging respect.
Tsubaki leaned forward slightly, trying to get a better look at the little stuff I presented.
"It took me a week, but I finally succeeded in its production" I explained, keeping my tone professional despite my heart hammering against my chest "It awakens sleeping devils. Full consciousness, complete memories, all their power intact....It's duration is approximately one week before they return to their dormant state"
The silence that followed could have made Ophis jealous.
Serafall's cheerful demeanor dropped slightly "Awakens sleeping devils?" she repeated slowly "As in, the thousands of devils currently in induced stasis throughout the Underworld due to the Devil Sleep Disease?"
"Yes"
"For a full week. With all those stated factors intact?"
"Yes"
"And you just... created this?" Her head tilted, studying me like I was the latest candy introduced in market "How?"
Well, it's my time to shine. The moment I'd rehearsed in forty different ways.
"My Sacred Gear" I said, meeting her eyes with as much confidence as I could fake "It has unique alchemical transmutation abilities. I can convert base materials into specialized potions with various effects. This is my most successful creation to date, Leviathan sama"
Not a lie. Not exactly. The potions came from Underworld ingredients plus trial-and-error that nearly killed me multiple times. But let them think my Sacred Gear made me some kind of supernatural alchemist. Safer than the truth of me having a sacred gear which grants different powers.
A transmutation power involving earth manipulation does sound fitting to narrative of my sacred gear. No one can refute that, not even Sona.
Sona adjusted her glasses, violet eyes boring into me. Searching for the lie. Tsubaki did the same, equally focused. And neither would find what they were looking for, because I genuinely believed my Sacred Gear played a role. Just not the role they assumed.
Sona breathed, her voice losing most of its composure "Do you have any idea what this could mean for the Underworld, Motohama kun? The political implications alone could put you in a bad position as a human"
"And that's exactly why I'm showing this to Leviathan sama first" I replied, leaning forward to match the Serafall gaze.
Serafall's smile widened with genuine amusement "You're such a clever boy~ You understand the game already!! I like it!"
"I understand that Azazel would be very interested in a Sacred Gear like mine" I said bluntly "And that the Fallen Angel Governor-General's enthusiasm for Sacred Gear research is... problematic for someone like me, who shares no such interests"
Now, All eyes were on me.
Serafall's eyes sparkled with delight. Not the magical girl sparkles from earlier, but it was the gleam of a politician who'd just found an interesting negotiation partner.
"Oh my~" She tapped her chin with one finger "You're worried about Azazel getting his hands on you? That's very astute, Motohama-kun. Most humans don't understand just how... enthusiastic he can be about Sacred Gears"
"I prefer to not get disected by him" I replied dryly "Call it a personal quirk"
She giggled as she waved her wand at me "I like you! You're funny~"
Then she leaned back, crossing her legs with a thoughtful expression "You know, I handle foreign affairs for the Devil faction. Part of that involves managing our working relationship with the Fallen Angels. Azazel and I communicate regularly about supernatural incidents that cross faction boundaries"
"I see"
"Do you?" Her smile didn't waver, but her eyes pinned me in place "Because it sounds like you're thinking I might protect you from his interest. Which would require me to actively withhold information about a fascinating new Sacred Gear from someone I have a professional relationship with?"
"I'm just hoping.." I said carefully "that the Devil faction might find value in my protection. I can create potions that affect supernatural beings in ways Sacred Gears typically don't. This one is just the beginning. I can assure you that I have strategic value beyond just... satisfying one Fallen Angel's curiosity"
Serafall studied me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Beside her, Sona watched the exchange with the intensity of someone witnessing a chess match several moves above her current level.
"I'm offering a partnership" I continued "The Styx Touch as a diplomatic gift. Future creations are shared with the Devil faction first, before word spreads to other factions. And in exchange, I'd like three things"
Her eyebrows rose as she motioned for me to continue.
"First, I want protection from Azazel and Fallen Angel faction interference regarding my Sacred Gear. Two, I need resolution of the church incident without punishment for my companion here" I gestured to Kalawarner "As for the last one, I want continued operating freedom in Kuoh"
I could have asked for evil pieces or other high level magic books, but I am taking it slow. This is just the beginning of our relationship and with time, I can get much more than that. All I need is patience and be cautious of my moves.
Serafall tapped her chin again, drawing out the suspense. The room fell silent except for the faint hum of magical energy that constantly surrounded her wand. Sona waited, her expression carefully neutral despite the house on fire in front of her.
"Those are some interesting terms" Serafall said with a nod, then raised her finger "But before I agree to anything, I think we need to discuss what actually happened at that church. After all, a human Sacred Gear user defeating multiple Fallen Angels is quite the accomplishment~"
She turned her attention to Kalawarner, and her smile brightened to terrifying levels.
"So! Fallen Angel-chan~ Why don't you tell me what happened that night? I got no reports on what exactly happened within those four walls"
Kalawarner went rigid beside me. I felt the tension radiating off her in waves.
"I..." she started, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Speak up! No need to be shy!" Serafall's tone stayed cheerful, but the underlying command was impossible to miss.
I shifted slightly, catching Kalawarner's eye. One quick gesture with my left hand, hidden from the others' view, the signal we'd practiced Stick to the story
She saw it and took a breath, then said as we rehearsed.
"We were about to retrieve the Sacred Gear from Asia Argento" Kalawarner began, her voice steadier now.
"And then?" Serafall prompted, leaning forward with interest.
"Motohama-sama arrived." Kalawarner's voice trembled slightly on 'sama'—perfect touch of fear "He... his Sacred Gear's power was unlike anything I'd witnessed. Others were killed instantly by his strength" Kalawarner continued, and her fear became genuine as she remembered "I saw what happened to them. His power... I had no choice but to surrender."
"And now you serve him willingly?" Serafall asked, her eyes dancing with amusement.
"Yes" Kalawarner said finally.
Serafall's smile widened. "How interesting~ You know, fallen-chan, I'm quite good at detecting lies. And you seem very, very afraid of him. But not in the way a servant fears punishment..."
"His Sacred Gear is... formidable" Kalawarner managed to gain some confidence "I have seen its capabilities. I choose to serve rather than oppose"
"Wise choice!" Serafall clapped her hands together "Self-preservation is such an admirable quality~ And you, Motohama-kun" She turned to me "You've been very quiet during your servant's testimony."
"She's answering your questions accurately," I replied, keeping my voice level "I don't see the need to interrupt."
"Such confidence~" Serafall leaned back, studying both of us. "You know what I think? She's genuinely terrified of you, but you treat her well enough that she doesn't actively seek escape. Either your Sacred Gear has some kind of compulsion element as well like So tan mentioned, or you've simply demonstrated enough power that she knows resistance is futile"
She paused, letting the implication hang in the air.
"Which is it?"
I met her eyes steadily "I've never needed compulsion. Demonstration of capability has always been sufficient, Leviathan sama"
Serafall's expression shifted through several emotions I couldn't quite read before settling on amused acceptance.
"Fair enough~" She waved a hand dismissively "Moving on to the actual incident resolution, the fallen angels were killed in self-defense. And this one surrendered and now serves you as compensation for her attempted assault. Asia Argento was extracted safely and is currently under your protection." She ticked off points on her fingers "Does that cover it?"
"Yes" I confirmed.
"Then as far as the Devil faction is concerned, the matter is closed!" Serafall smiled brightly "Self-defense against hostile Fallen Angels is perfectly legitimate. Kuoh is Devil territory after all and they were trespassing!~"
Sona's shoulders relaxed slightly. Even she'd been uncertain how this would resolve, but thankfully it did end well.
"As for your other requests..." Serafall tapped her chin again "Protection from Azazel is... complicated. But manageable. I can keep him away from actively pursuing you for your Sacred Gear, though I can't stop him from being curious. Will that suffice?"
"Yes" I said, relief flooding through me despite my efforts to stay composed.
"Operating freedom in Kuoh is So-tan's jurisdiction, not mine" Serafall glanced at her sister "But I imagine she won't mind, given you've just provided her territory with direct access to some very interesting alchemical resources~"
Sona's expression remained neutral, but I caught the slight narrowing of her eyes at mention of So tan.
"I have no objections" Sona said evenly "provided Motohama-kun continues to operate within reasonable boundaries and doesn't cause further incidents"
"See? All settled!" Serafall beamed "Now, about this payment..."
She picked up the Styx Touch vial, holding it up to the light. The liquid swirled hypnotically, silver-blue ethereal.
"One vial as a diplomatic gift" I confirmed "To demonstrate good faith and the potential of future collaboration."
"So generous~" But her eyes gleamed with genuine interest as she studied the potion "You know, the sleeping devils include some very important political figures. Awakening them, even temporarily, could shift power balances throughout the Underworld. This little bottle is worth more than you probably realize, Motohama kun!"
"I realize enough to know it was worth negotiating protection from Azazel" I replied.
"I really do like you, Motohama-kun! You're going to do very interesting things in this territory!!! Here is a small gift from me as well" She passed me a summoning flyer which resembled the earlier magic circle she came from "Wonderful! I'm so glad we had this chat☆" She stood, tucking the Styx Touch vial into some pocket in her magical girl outfit "So-tan, you'll keep an eye on Motohama kun, won't you?"
"O-of course, Onee-sama" Sona replied.
"Perfect!" Serafall turned back to me, smiling wide and bright "Oh, and Motohama-kun? If you create anything else interesting, tell So-tan first. I'd hate for Azazel to hear about it before Ajuka chan does!"
Then she launched into excessive sisterly affection, pulling Sona into a hug that made the Devil heiress squirm with embarrassment.
"So-tan, you've gotten so good at managing your territory! I'm so proud~ Have you been eating properly? You look thin. Are those boys bothering you? Should I freeze them?"
"Onee-sama, please—"
"And you didn't tell me about the class observation last month! I nearly attacked the Heavens when I found out!"
"That's not required—"
"Is it though? My adorable little sister and I wasn't informed!" Serafall pouted dramatically "I'll have to visit more often to make sure you're okay!"
Sona's expression progressed through several stages of mortification before settling on resigned acceptance. I watched the exchange with something approaching sympathy. Having a magical girl Satan for a sister seemed like its own special kind of hell.
Finally, Serafall released her and stepped back "Well! I should return to my other duties. So many foreign affairs to handle, so little time~"
She struck one final magical girl pose, peace sign and all.
"Motohama-kun, if you brew a magical girl potion, then it should be reported to me first! Bye-bye☆"
The magic circle erupted beneath her feet, ice-blue light blazing. Then she was gone, leaving only dissipating frost and the lingering scent of winter.
The silence that followed was of relief.
Sona removed her glasses to clean them, and I noticed her hands shook slightly. Tsubaki moved to her side, murmuring something too quiet for me to hear. After a moment, Sona wore her glasses and looked at me.
"You just made my territory significantly more politically complicated" she said.
"I apologize for the inconvenience, President" I replied, meaning it "But I needed protection from Azazel, and your sister seemed to be the most reasonable choice to achieving that"
Sona studied me for a long moment, her violet eyes calculating "You handled that better than I expected. Even high class devils shook in fear in her presence"
"I'm getting better at staying composed under pressure" I said, which was technically true if you counted the church incident.
She stood, signaling the meeting's end "I'll be monitoring your activities closely, Motohama-kun. Whatever you're planning with those potions of yours, I expect to be informed before it becomes another incident requiring my sister's intervention"
"Understood"
"For what it's worth... you showed my sister respect while maintaining your negotiating position. That's not easy to do. You've earned some measure of my professional regard"
Coming from Sona Sitri, that was practically a declaration of friendship.
"Thank you" I said sincerely.
She nodded once, and then I left with Kalawarner following silently behind.
I let out a sigh of relief.
"Well" I said, my voice slightly unsteady "That could have gone worse"
Kalawarner turned to stare at me, her expression hovering between disbelief and hysteria "Could have gone worse? We just negotiated with a Satan. A being who could have erased us from existence with a flick of their finger"
"Yes" I agreed "But in the end, we got what we wanted. I'd call that a win" I admitted walking out of Kuoh Academy with her.
I hope we make it back to home before Asia puts the house on fire with her cooking skills.
. . .
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