Author's note: Like I said, a small time skip next chapter, a couple of interesting things will happen and chapter 60 will be the rating game and the beginning of something juicy. And about the armor sets from last chapter, I haven't forgotten, I will add them next chapter during the time skip, integrating some of the ideas and concepts some of the readers told me.
Celestial Ascendancy
Chapter 58: What the Devil Sees.
Kuoh, Japan.
Sona Sitri.
I found myself tapping my foot impatiently inside the student council room, and I had a feeling it wouldn't be the last time.
Rias… no, my new friends were a special kind of breed. Pun absolutely intended.
I'd been digging into wizards ever since Seekvaira told us about her new acquaintances. And while I couldn't claim to know everything, I liked to think I had more insight than most devils.
I loved Rias. I genuinely did. But she wasn't exactly the most insightful devil around. And I knew that once she decided they could be helpful in her marriage contract mess, she'd be more than happy to ignore everything else. And that's not even counting how fast she got close to people.
The less said about Sairaorg, the better.
The fallen heir of the Bael family didn't care about origins. As long as no harm came to him or his, he was happy to accept anyone.
And the fact that he was perhaps the strongest devil of our generation said something.
Maybe you had to be a little crazy to reach that kind of power. My sister and the rest of the Satans certainly fit the criteria.
I huffed, shaking my head. If that was the standard, maybe I was doomed to fall short of my dream.
No… no. I could be great, too. Maybe not Serafall-level. Maybe not even on Rias's level. But I could achieve great things. I would. I will.
My gaze shifted to Tsubaki, who looked unusually anxious while waiting for the meeting we'd scheduled ten minutes from now. She'd been like this ever since that little episode in Gasper's room, and the aftermath at the church had only made it worse. She was probably the only one in my peerage who truly grasped the potential consequences of what we'd witnessed.
"Tsubaki, calm down. It's over," I sighed for what felt like the hundredth time. "While I can't say I know Elias like Rias does, he doesn't strike me as someone who'd act against us. I've spoken with Hermione at length, and from everything she's told me, he genuinely cares and would never hurt his friends."
"I know, President," Tsubaki murmured, shaking her head. "But knowing that doesn't make it easy to ignore."
She was quiet for a moment, then asked softly, "Do you know what he is, President?"
"The origin of wizards is a mystery even in our library," I began, slumping into the couch.
I'd usually keep things more formal with my peerage, but Tsubaki was different. She'd been there through all my highs and lows… she knew me better than anyone. Around her, I could lower the mask I kept firmly in place with everyone else.
"Most devils dismissed them as cheap imitations, failed copies created by someone trying to mimic what Lord Lucifer did with Lilith," I snorted. "Looks like they were wrong… doesn't it?"
"I hope Elias is an outlier, President," Tsubaki snorted.
I chuckled. That would be for the best. If every wizard could theoretically reach Elias's level… that was a terrifying thought.
"He must be," I nodded thoughtfully, my mind drifting to Hermione's boyfriend. "He's definitely a hybrid, no matter what anyone says. Iris and Hermione are talented, but they're nowhere near his level. That magic of his… It's absolutely holy in nature. There's no mistaking it. Not after what happened at the church."
"I've never been in a…" Tsubaki began but cut off as a sudden flash of blue light filled the room.
I sighed. Of course, she would arrive earlier if said meeting was with me.
"So-taaaan~!" Serafall whined, now sprawled on the cushion I had been sitting on just a second ago. I knew her too well, and I'd moved before she could missile-launch herself straight into my chest like usual.
"Lady Leviathan," Tsubaki said, bowing politely. She made her way to the kitchenette to brew some tea she knew both of us liked.
"Tsubaki-chan! How have you been?" Serafall chirped. "I came as soon as I could, but I had to get the fallen to talk first, just to understand everything better."
She plopped down in my chair and immediately patted her thighs, eyes sparkling and a wide smile.
"No," I deadpanned. "Absolutely not, Lady Leviathan."
"C'moooon, So-tan," she whined, "It's just us and Tsubaki-chan here! Come greet your big sister properly."
I sighed, already knowing she wouldn't stop until I gave in.
A small part of me struggled to hide the faint smile tugging at my lips. She was troublesome, but I loved her just as much as she loved me. Just… without the perversion, of course.
"So… no serious business, then?" I asked as I walked over.
"Nuh-uh, not now," she shook her head, her playful tone vanishing for just a second. "There's not much I can act on with what I've learned, but we do owe a big thank you to your mysterious friend, Sona-chan."
That didn't bode well for anyone. If it was important enough for Serafall to come in person… then it might be worse than I'd thought.
Sure, she'd take any excuse to slack off from work, but coming all the way here? That meant it was something real that happened, not a simple excuse.
"What did you find, Onee-sama?" I sighed, though I couldn't help feeling a bit lighter at the sight of the smile blooming on her face.
"The fallen were being meanies," Serafall pouted, "and they had planned against you two."
"What else, Lady Leviathan?" Tsubaki asked, setting the tea on the table and sitting across from us.
"There's no 'else,'" Serafall pouted. "The male one. Dohnaseek, or whatever, admitted to faking orders from Azazel. But he died before he could say anything more."
"A traitor, then?" I murmured, closing my eyes in thought. "In that case… the Governor General won't have a leg to stand on if he tries to go after Elias, right?"
"Elias?" Serafall's pout deepened. "Mouuu, So-tan's getting close with some brat?"
"Didn't you already hear his name in the fallen testimonies?" I rolled my eyes and leaned back, trying to get comfortable, ignoring the way her arms tightened possessively around my waist.
"They never called him Elias," Serafall giggled. "They kept calling him 'the monster.' If I didn't know any better, I'd say they ran into someone on my level inside that church."
"Definitely not Satan-class…" Tsubaki muttered under her breath, shivering, "...but not that far off, either."
"What was that, Tsubaki-chan?" Serafall's playful tone vanished instantly.
She leaned forward with narrowed eyes. "Who is this person? Where did you meet him? Why didn't I know about him?"
I sighed and palmed my face. Good job, my Queen.
Tsubaki gave me an apologetic look. I ignored it, downed my tea in one gulp, and gave her the signal to do the same.
"I think it's better if we show you," I said defeatedly.
I was already apologizing internally to Rias. While I doubted Serafall would interfere too much with her deal… Elias was something else entirely. And my sister needed to be aware of his existence.
"And… if you can," I added softly, "please wait until Rias's situation is resolved before taking any action. I think Elias could be a valuable ally to us. Just… think carefully, Onee-sama. Please."
I hoped I wasn't making a huge mistake.
The church.
Sona Sitri Pov.
I shivered the moment the teleportation spell deposited us at the church entrance.
My peerage and I had placed a ward here to keep humans away, but even now, I could tell it wouldn't last. The magic was already weakening at an alarming rate.
The church felt… alive. Like it wanted to be visited.
And the strangest part?
I didn't feel repulsed. Not the way I thought I would.
There was discomfort, yes. An instinct deep in my core whispering that I should leave, but it wasn't enforced. There was no pressure behind the feeling. No divine rejection. Just… there, watching.
Behind me, I heard my sister's breath hitch sharply.
I ignored it.
"Sona, wait…" Serafall said, her voice more serious than I'd heard in years. "You need to…"
But I didn't stop. I needed to know.
I stepped forward and pressed my palm against the newly restored door. A bead of sweat slid down my brow, but I refused to retreat.
Serafall's magic flared behind me, but it didn't lash out. She was ready to fight, I realized… for me. Against Heaven, if she had to.
The thought warmed me more than I could put into words.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
And then I gasped.
Warmth. Not burning… warmth.
I felt welcome.
"I knew it," someone whispered.
It took me a moment to realize the voice was mine.
It was the same feeling I'd sensed back in Gasper's room, but clearer now. Stronger. I'd braced for the divine rejection devils were said to feel in sanctified places, but that hatred I heard about wasn't here. The energy was holy, yes. But it didn't hate me, surprisingly enough. How was it different?
Not like I'd been taught to expect.
Tsubaki entered behind me, her breath catching as well. She paused, standing silently, then closed her eyes and inhaled slowly. Like she was soaking it in.
Behind us, I heard the quiet sound of approaching footsteps.
My sister.
She stepped into the threshold slowly… warily. Her presence didn't flare like before, but I could feel the tension in her magic. She didn't trust this place, understandably.
I turned slightly, watching her out of the corner of my eye. Her expression was tight, composed in the way only she could manage when things unsettled her.
She scanned the church like a soldier in the enemy line, which, realistically speaking, she was.
I stayed silent.
Whatever she was feeling… I didn't want to interrupt. I needed to see for myself how she reacted to it.
Her gaze swept the length of the interior, taking in the immaculate pews, the spotless altar, and the gentle golden light that pulsed faintly through the walls, finally focusing on the crucifix in the center, bathed in sunlight.
"This church…" Serafall's voice was quiet, almost reverent, much to my surprise. "It was supposed to be abandoned, wasn't it?"
I nodded.
She frowned, stepping forward slowly, her heels echoing against the stone.
"I doubt the fallen or the stray exorcists had the means or the motivation to repair it like this," she muttered, her fingers brushing the edge of a pew. "And certainly not to make it feel sanctified."
I swallowed hard. "I doubt they did."
She looked at me sharply.
"I don't know what happened here," I admitted rapidly. "Not exactly. I didn't ask… I didn't want to know."
Serafall didn't scold me. Hell, she looked understanding.
Instead, she turned back to the altar. Her gaze lingered, searching for something I couldn't see.
She tilted her head slightly.
"I've never stepped inside a church for obvious reasons, but I've been in the presence of Michael and Gabriel," she trailed off softly, "But this place doesn't feel like them. It feels like it's waiting to see how I act before it does something."
I didn't answer.
What could I say?
"I need to meet this supposed friend of yours, Sona," she finished absentmindedly.
I nodded at her in defeat and prepared the teleportation circle once more.
Serafall didn't speak but stepped closer so she'd be within the range of the spell. In a blink, we arrived outside the wooden doors of the cabin where Elias was supposed to train Rias.
I closed my eyes just as another magic circle lit up near the entrance. I sighed the moment I felt the familiar presence behind it, and sure enough, my sister was already walking toward it with a grin on her face.
"Grayfia-chan! What brings you here?" Serafall beamed, but I doubted Lady Grayfia would miss the sharpness behind her eyes. Even I could sense it.
"Lady Leviathan," Grayfia greeted coolly with a nod. "I came to check on Rias and her progress. Lord Lucifer is quite interested in seeing how much she can improve before she's inevitably recalled to the Underworld."
"She's training for a Rating Game, then? It appears Sirzechs-chan was right about Rias," my sister asked with a laugh. "I always knew Rias-chan had potential. But I'm not sure she can match Riser's Phenex peerage in what… a month? Maybe less?"
"Under normal circumstances, I'd agree," Grayfia replied, her eyes narrowing slightly. I tried to look disinterested, even as I listened intently. "I love Rias dearly, but she tends to procrastinate. However, she's made some new friends recently… and they seem to have influenced her for the better."
"You don't say?" Serafall murmured, her gaze flicking toward me for a split second. "I'm quite curious about that myself."
"Hmm?" Grayfia glanced at her absently. "And why, exactly, would a Satan want to meet Lady Rias's friends?"
"There was a situation yesterday where one of them played a rather active role," Serafall said with a calm shrug. "Nothing to be concerned about."
I forced myself not to react. Why was she downplaying the church? Why hide her real reason for wanting to meet Elias? What was going on in her head? This was why I sometimes avoided her. I simply couldn't understand how her head worked.
"Understood," Grayfia said with a curt nod. "In that case, follow me. Just… don't waste Lady Rias's time. Even with assistance, she's pressed for it."
"Don't worry your pretty little head, Grayfia-chan," Serafall giggled, spinning playfully as a sprinkle of glitter shimmered around her from a quick spell. "I just want to meet Sona-chan's mysterious friends."
I sighed.
We followed Lady Grayfia as she made her way toward the open field behind the cabin. I smiled faintly, remembering all the times we used to play back here years ago. I had fond memories of this place.
"She should be in the training ground, I believe," Grayfia said curtly.
Before we even reached the clearing, the ground trembled beneath our feet, and Grayfia quickened her pace.
The first thing I noticed was Rias. Sweat dripped down her brow as she bit her lip in concentration.
Her left arm was extended, and a small orb of Power of Destruction floated steadily above her palm. Then, with her right hand, she began injecting wisps of magic into the orb, each pulse entering at different intervals and angles.
The orb spun violently before it appeared to collapse in itself. With a frustrated shout, Rias slammed her palm into the ground. The earth rippled, and a small void-like sphere was left behind as she panted and clenched her fist, punching the floor.
"Breathe, Rias," a calm voice echoed from somewhere farther back. "Focus. Pour your anger, your hate, your fear… everything, into it. You can do it."
"I will make it," Rias shouted, closing her eyes and restarting the process. Her legs were trembling, and instead of stopping like a normal person to rest, she simply sat down cross-legged, grounding herself as she continued.
Why did I feel like I should recognize what she was trying to do?
Then I noticed Akeno. She was in the air near the edge of the woods, hovering with a look of pure frustration carved onto her face. Her fallen wing was fully outstretched, and the expression she wore, the rictus of anger on her face, made me pause.
With a snarl, she raised her hands. The hairs on my arms stood on end.
A pillar of lightning came crashing down, morphing into the shape of a serpent before striking the ground and branching into a net of holy lightning across the field. I tried to keep a neutral expression, but the fear I felt was real.
If I, or anyone in my peerage, had taken that hit, I didn't know if we would've survived.
What had pushed her to embrace this part of herself after years of suppression?
It was obvious she hated every second of it… but she still did it. Even through her tears, she kept channeling her magic. When the spell ended, she dropped to her knees with a scream and began to sob.
A crack echoed, and suddenly, an older woman appeared beside her, pulling her into a tight embrace and gently rocking her back and forth.
I turned toward Rias again. She was watching the scene unfold, her lips trembling with worry etched clearly across her face. But then she clenched her jaw, steeled herself, and returned to her training, slower but no less determined.
Another crack, and Akeno and the older woman vanished from the training grounds.
Moments later, the woman returned with an expressionless face.
I opened my mouth to ask what the hell was going on.
But no sound came out.
I couldn't move. Couldn't speak. Couldn't even blink.
I was fully aware but completely frozen.
This must be Gasper's Sacred Gear.
I didn't know how long it lasted, but eventually the pressure eased. I gasped for breath just as Tsubaki collapsed to her knees, struggling to breathe.
I spun around, searching for my sister. I'd felt the surge of her magic a moment ago, likely preparing to break the effect… but she hadn't.
She stood still, mouth slightly agape.
Even Grayfia… her eyebrows were raised, her lips slightly parted.
Not as dramatically as Serafall, but for her, that was massive. I had never seen Grayfia react like that in all the years I'd known her.
"Grayfia," my sister finally said with her voice unusually quiet, "what in your husband's name is going on here?"
"I have no idea, Lady Leviathan," Grayfia replied in her usual monotone, and I took the opportunity to continue observing.
Gasper was panting on the floor a short distance away, his school uniform soaked in sweat, but his eyes remained focused as he tried to steady his breathing and push on.
When he activated his Sacred Gear again, I noticed the effect only reached his immediate surroundings. It was controlled and contained. It didn't touch us.
He clapped his hands together with a wide grin, clearly pleased with his progress, and resumed his training. With each activation, the radius of the effect shrank even further.
"I feel like I'm watching something unbelievable," I muttered, deadpan, at a complete loss for words.
"President, look over there," Tsubaki said, gasping as she pointed toward the far left of the field.
I narrowed my eyes in that direction. Kiba and Koneko were sparring at a steady pace, nothing too out of the ordinary. So what had surprised my Queen? It was by far the most mundane scene in this crazy house.
"Don't you see the difference in Koneko-chan, Sona?" my sister asked, her voice unusually serious. There was clear astonishment beneath her tone.
I focused more carefully on the petite girl and recoiled. Her Nekomata traits were entirely out, the ears, the tail… but that wasn't what made my stomach clench.
She was fighting with her eyes closed, her breathing calm and measured even as Kiba struck with impressive speed, far faster than what a supposed Mid-Class should've been able to manage.
But Koneko wasn't struggling. She moved just before each strike landed as if she could read the flow of battle with her senses alone.
Senjutsu.
My breath caught. Elias… had to be a direct descendant of God to have made something like this possible. What else could explain this absolute miracle? Koneko hated… no, she feared Senjutsu like nothing else in the world, and here she was, trying her best, albeit slowly.
"I don't know what to say," Serafall murmured, her eyes wide as she took it all in. "Why does Rias and her peerage feel this strong? What the hell happened since the last time I saw her? Wasn't it just half a year ago? And when did the cute little dhampir start walking around like it's nothing?!"
"It's been two days," I replied absentmindedly, my mind racing as I imagined my peerage going up against Rias's.
And… I was coming up short.
Even with Saji, we'd be outmatched. How had they grown this much, this fast?
Was it all Elias's doing?
I glanced around again, the weight of what I was witnessing sinking in.
Maybe it was time to bring my own peerage into this training. Because at this rate… I was going to be left behind.
Rias finally noticed us and turned with narrowed eyes.
She stood on trembling legs, and a magic circle appeared beneath her feet. A wave of the Power of Destruction burst outward, enveloping her form before fading into the air.
I was left dumbstruck. She had just cleaned herself using her family's magic. And while there were a few scorched holes in her outfit, the fact that she'd managed to keep most of it intact was absurd.
Rias was never known for control… never. And yet here she was. Just how far had she come?
"What are you doing here, Lady Leviathan? Sona?" she asked once her breathing had steadied. She grabbed a bottle from a nearby table, took a long sip, then gestured for us to come closer.
The rest of her peerage continued training as if a Satan and Grayfia were just background noise.
"Lady Rias…" Grayfia began sharply. "What is happening here? Why did you unseal Gasper without informing Lord Sirzechs? And when did Koneko begin using Senjutsu? And Akeno… her fallen side…?"
"Grayfia, you're rambling," Rias giggled, though her pride was plain on her face. "They're incredible, aren't they? I couldn't have asked for a better peerage."
"My lady, that's not an answer," Grayfia replied, expression blank.
Rias let out a soft sigh. "It's… a recent development. I can tell you that."
She looked around once more, her smile growing even wider. "We've been training for a couple of months now. Ever since I made a deal with a friend."
A slight blush crept onto her cheeks, and I knew that wasn't from the heat or exertion.
"He asked for our help, and in return, he offered something I doubt I could have found anywhere else. So, we trained for months. This…" she gestured around her. "... this is the result of his presence. My peerage was… struggling. And I was a selfish and bad king for ignoring it."
Her voice lowered as she shook her head sadly, "We all know our flaws now. And we're doing everything in our power to correct them. We might not like it, but we'll face it together. Just as we were meant to."
"Where are Hermione and the rest, by the way?" I asked, glancing around.
Rias giggled, a fond look in her eyes. "You already miss your bestie? They went back home for a bit. It turns out Sirius's trial is finally happening, and they had the key evidence locked away."
"Sirius's trial?!" I gasped, remembering Hermione mentioning it. The whole situation had been a complete mess, a disgrace for any government to fail one of its own in that manner. "That's great. I'm sure they were happy."
"You don't know half of it," Rias said with a knowing smirk. "Eli took the girls and Asia with him. He said he'd be back in a day, but who knows? Still, we know what we have to do while he's gone. We're making progress."
Serafall's eyes lit up mischievously, "Who's this Eli, Rias-chan? Is that a crush, I hear?"
Rias sputtered, but it quickly changed into a smirk, "What are you talking about, Lady Serafall? I just respect him."
"Suuuure," Serafall grinned. "I can see why you'd want out of that engagement now."
"It's a shame he's away," she added with a playful pout. "I wanted to meet your and Sona-chan's mysterious friends… but I can be patient."
She turned to me with a mischievous smile.
"It was a pleasure spending time with my precious So-tan," she said, hugging me tightly before letting go, though not without whispering, "Keep quiet about this, yeah? I'll dig deeper before doing anything. And if you can, get in on that training. Whatever they're doing differently… it's working way too well."
I nodded, still a bit confused but relieved that things had ended without any trouble. I didn't fully understand what Serafall felt or planned to do, but as long as Rias and everyone else were happy, I would be, too.
My sister knew how to handle these things better than any of us… and as much as it pained me to admit it, I trusted her to do the best for us.
Elias Black.
Grimmauld Place.
"Are you sure you are okay with it, Asia?" I rubbed her blond hair fondly, and she nodded cutely.
"Uhm," she smiled, "Luna and Ginny seem nice, and they can show me around while you do whatever you need to do."
"Sorry about this, Asia," Iris looked apologetic, "It's… just family matters, but it shouldn't take long."
"I understand, Iris," Asia shook her head, "And I'm fine with it… Maybe I can even make some friends!"
"You're so precious," Hermione sighed, "Thank you, and good luck, Asia. Make sure to be careful around the twins."
"Didn't they promise Elias?" she tilted her head.
"They're the twins," Iris deadpanned, "Ask Ginny some stories; maybe that can break the ice."
Asia nodded confusedly and ran toward Luna, who was, somehow, waiting for her in the doorframe.
"She's so cute, I swear," Iris put her hand on her cheeks before turning serious, "But we need to focus. Let's grab Sirius and Arcturus before going to the Hollow."
I shook my head in amusement before I sighed, "I'm not going to like this conversation, will I?"
"I don't know if you'll like it, Eli," Hermione sighed, "But it's one we needed to have a while back, and we fucked up."
My eyes opened in surprise. Hermione rarely cursed, and I was growing more and more alarmed by the second.
"Oh hell," I shook my head, "It will be bad."
Iris grabbed my hand and dragged me across Grimmauld's place until we reached Sirius, who had a bottle of fire whiskey in his hand, pouring himself and Remus a glass.
Not everyone had returned to the house since the mess about Pettigrew's death was still vivid in most people present. Dumbledore had stayed, along with Tonks and Shacklebolt.
The only ones who returned with us were Andromeda Tonks and her husband.
"Come here, young man," The black-haired woman called me as soon as I entered the room.
I walked confidently and was surprised when I felt her pulling my cheeks and looking at my face quite carefully.
"Hmm, I can see him in you," she mumbled, "More beautiful than handsome, just like him," she chuckled fondly.
"Leave the boy alone, dear," Edward chuckled, giving me a handshake. "A pleasure to meet you, Elias. Sirius and Nymphadora spoke highly of you."
"Likewise, Uncle," I grinned, "and you too, Aunty, I have to say, our family do have good genes, do we not?"
"A flirt," Andromeda deadpanned, but she had a small smile, "You are closer to Sirius than to Regulus in that regard. I can see how you manage to have two girlfriends at once."
"It's a gift, Aunty," I grinned and nodded at them before going back to Sirius.
Iris had the fire whiskey in her hands, and Sirius was pouting while looking at her.
"Seriously, Pup? I'm finally free; let me live a little," he whined.
"Not now, Sirius. This is important," she sighed, and Sirius frowned before he nodded.
"Fine, fine. Let's go find the old fart."
Ten minutes later, we found ourselves inside my Hollow, and the girls were looking serious as hell.
"What is this about, girls?" Arcturus asked, his frown deepening as his eyes flicked between them. "You're looking at the boy like he's about to explode."
"It's not that dramatic," Hermione said gently, "at least I hope so." She shifted awkwardly. "We should've told you earlier… we didn't want to hide it; we just… you've both been through a lot lately. We didn't want to add more to your plate while you were still recovering."
"After the fight with Walburga," Iris continued, "you weren't in the best place, mentally or physically. We figured it was best to wait… to be sure."
"Be sure about what, exactly?" Arcturus pressed.
I looked at them both, confused, but didn't speak.
"Back in Dumbledore's office," Hermione said, "you had… an episode. You did something that felt like it wasn't you. And then you claimed not to remember it at all."
I blinked. "I don't; what do you mean, Mione?"
"At first, we thought it was just one of you know what acting weird," Iris added, her tone carefully neutral. "But we watched you the rest of that day. And you acted like normal... and with everything going on, we believed that it was the end of it.
"What are you talking about, love?" I asked, confused.
Iris rubbed her hair quite hard and screamed in frustration, "God, why am I rambling so much."
She took a deep breath and locked eyes with me, "We wanted to apologize, to begin with, but let me explain what exactly happened."
"Eli, you healed Fawkes… but you acted weirdly at that moment. Your eyes were dazed, and then you acted as if that minute didn't happen at all. You called forth the Aetherius, and a crown of thorns appeared in your head."
I swallowed hard, feeling myself freeze in place. "That… doesn't sound like something I'd forget."
"You did forget," Hermione said firmly. "But that wasn't the last time."
"Mione, I love you, but please explain properly," I deadpanned.
"You had another episode," she said, voice quiet. "In Kuoh. With Rias and Gasper."
"What?" I repeated, more forcefully now. "When? Was that why she was acting so strange?"
Hermione glanced at Iris, then continued. "Gasper activated his Sacred Gear by accident and froze time. Rias was panicking. You… you walked through it like it was nothing. You glowed, shone, she told us and touched his shoulder. You calmed him down. Your body lit up with that same magic, and your voice changed. You supposedly said some things you had no way of knowing!"
I stared at her, completely still. "I don't remember that," I said slowly. This had to be connected to the damn rage that filled me in the church with Asia. There was no way this wasn't connected in some way.
"I know." Hermione's eyes softened. "You looked confused right after. Like you'd just woken up. Just like with Fawkes."
I felt cold like someone had dumped water over my head. "That doesn't make sense. I'm not being possessed; nothing's taking over me. I know that WE know that!"
Sirius stepped forward with a deep frown. "How can you be sure, pup? You black out. You speak like someone else. That's not normal."
I shook my head immediately and firmly. "Because nothing can control me. I've tested it. I'm immune to mind magic, illusions, charms, compulsion, all of it. I am completely sure of it. Nothing can affect my mind without me allowing it!"
Hermione opened her mouth to argue but ended up mumbling incoherently, clearly confused.
Then Arcturus stepped in his portrait with a sharp look on his face. "What if it's not from the outside?" he said quietly. "What if… it's just you?"
We all turned to him.
"I've been thinking about this for a while now," he continued. "There are too many inconsistencies. Your power, your instincts, your reactions… they don't add up to a regular wizard. I don't think your mother was entirely human. I know you three have secrets, I don't care, but… you're clearly not human or wizard alone."
The air turned heavy.
"You're saying she might have been, what? A Veela?" I asked in amusement.
"If the shoe fits, Pup," Sirius snorted, "You're girly enough for it."
"No," Iris cut in, staring hard. "You're thinking of something divine. An angel?"
I scoffed, "I don't have wings. Every faction in the Abrahamic system has wings. Angels, fallen, even the devils. I've got nothing like that."
"Maybe it's not that simple," Arcturus muttered.
I rubbed my temple, already feeling a headache. "It doesn't matter what's in my blood. I am me. And if this power is part of me, then I'll face it head-on. But I know that I am not being controlled. We need to investigate further before taking any action. And you need to stay close to me."
The girls didn't speak, just nodded. Sirius looked torn but accepting, and Arcturus kept his silence, his sharp eyes never leaving mine.
"One thing we can be sure of is that it is not evil, nor I would harm you. These episodes, as you call them, have happened only to help someone," I sighed. "If anything else happens, tell me immediately, and if it continues, we might need to seek some experts."
I couldn't even get mad with the girls, not like I blamed them, because it only had it happened once and we did have a lot going on in those days. But... I was hiding the Horcrux thing from them and I knew that was worse than this.
Serafall Leviathan.
Underworld.
The moonlight in the Underworld was different. Artificial. It spilled over my personal training grounds, lighting up the protective runes that ensured the mess I made stayed inside. Something important for the people at my level.
We didn't want a repeat of the last time one of us went wild while training.
I crossed my arms and stared into the distance, letting the moonlight calm me down.
Today had been… something.
I went to visit Sona expecting a regular check-in, maybe teasing her a little, getting a look at the human boy who had made a mess of the twenty-plus exorcists and four fallen by himself.
I did not expect to walk into a warzone in the Gremory's cabin. Discipline pushed by desperation. Magic rippling in the air like they were preparing themselves for a fight to the death. And the church… the damn church.
I shivered, but not from fear.
No. That place didn't reject me. It should have. A devil like me had no business stepping foot inside a space that was charged with holiness. But it didn't fight me. It recognized what I was. It acknowledged me… and welcomed me as absurd as it was.
That was worse. And it didn't make any sense.
I let out a long breath and shook my head hard. No. That wasn't something I could think about right now.
Not when I still didn't know what it meant. I made the right call not to say anything. Not yet. But I would watch carefully.
Let the others keep working in the dark a little longer. I'd seen enough to know rushing in would just break things. This supposed friend was something special.
But I had to keep sharp. And this was how I did that.
With a flick of my fingers, my casual clothes shimmered away, replaced by my training gear. I rolled my shoulders, stretched my arms, and stepped to the center of the platform.
I always trained. Even when it felt pointless. Even when the gap between now and my last real breakthrough felt like an ocean. I never stopped. Because if I ever did… I wouldn't be me anymore.
The civil war changed me, and this was one of my ways of coping.
"Alright," I muttered, feeling the magical energy stir. "Let's go!"
I raised my hand, and magic answered.
The floor cracked with my pressure. An avalanche erupted in a wide arc, and jagged spears shot out, changing the terrain.
I spun, dissolving them into mist, then rushed forward, weaving through the fog I'd created.
I had to stay hidden, each attack of my training partner was capable of harming me.
Six clones appeared around me in a blink, my usual sparring set. Each wielding a different element.
I didn't wait. They attacked as programmed, spells flying with enough force to kill. The fact that I felt at home said more about me than anything else.
Good.
Flames roared past me. Lightning cracked overhead. Wind spears impacting a small shield I created in a hurry.
I teleported, reappeared mid-roll, and summoned a shield of ice that burst into steam as the fire hit it. My arms ached a little from the wind attack, but that was nothing new. Pain was just another language to me by now.
"Levi-tan Spiral: Polaris Fang!" I roared with a smirk. Heh, anime was one of the best inventions humans ever had.
The mist thickened. It compressed and twisted into a spinning twin fang made of ice. It launched with a screeching shriek, tearing through the clones like paper. Their forms shattered into raw magic, their elements fizzling out in bursts before disappearing into the floor.
Ajuka-chan was a wizard with his inventions.
The blast wave knocked me back, sliding me across the obsidian until I hit the rune boundary. My chest heaved. My arms trembled slightly from the force.
But I was smiling.
Because something was changing.
I stood, wiped the sweat from my brow, and stared at the magic lingering in the air. I felt it… the small but noticeable increase in my limit. A limit that had not changed in the past five years.
I hadn't changed my method. I hadn't even pushed harder lately. And yet…
"I shouldn't be growing this fast," I muttered, grinning in disbelief. "I thought I had reached my limit."
I tilted my head back and laughed loudly. "I wonder what other secrets you're hiding, Elias-chan."
........
you want to support me or read up to FIVE chapters ahead, you can find me on patr*e on . co m (slash) Infinityreads99
Warning? I post them edited and all, but they can change minutely before going live in here