"I accept," I said simply.
Her smile widened just a little.
"Then welcome, Issei-kun. Welcome… to the world of devils."
Just then, a knock came at the door. The timing was almost theatrical.
"Come in," Rias said, her voice as calm as ever.
The door opened, and the scent of fresh flowers and ozone seemed to drift in along with the woman who stepped inside. She was stunning—tall, graceful, with curves that seemed sculpted by divine hands. Her long black hair trailed behind her like silk, tied with an orange ribbon into a ponytail so long it nearly swept the floor. Her violet eyes sparkled with an unusual light, one that felt both welcoming… and dangerous.
"This is Akeno," Rias introduced. "My Queen."
"Ara ara," the woman purred with a small bow. "Hello, my name is Himejima Akeno. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
*Damn.*
I couldn't help it. There was a twitch below my belt, and I instantly hated my body for its response. It wasn't like I hadn't seen beautiful women before—hell, I'd been with one, intimately, just before dying—but something about Akeno's presence was on a whole other level. It was elegance laced with sadism, and it triggered something primal in me.
Then it happened—she looked at me.
Akeno's gaze sharpened, as if she'd heard my thoughts. The slight smile on her lips curved into something more feral. That look—it was the same lustful gleam I remembered from Kalawarna, just before she dragged me into that love hotel.
Behind her stood Kiba, who gave me a knowing look. So that was why he left—he went to fetch Akeno.
Soon, we were all seated around the table: Kiba, Koneko-chan, Rias, Akeno, and me. Everyone seemed composed, but I felt a tension in the room—something unspoken hanging in the air.
"Akeno, you sit over here as well," Rias said, patting the cushion beside her.
"Yes, Buchou," Akeno replied with a smile, gracefully taking her place next to her King.
Then all eyes turned to me.
"Now that you've agreed to join my peerage, there's something else you need to know," Rias said, her tone becoming more serious. "About the girl who killed you."
"Raynare," I muttered.
Rias nodded. "She's a fallen angel. One of many who have begun to act independently from their hierarchy."
With that, I started my act.
"Why me? Why did she kill me?"
Rias folded her hands together, resting them on her lap. "Because of what you possess—your Sacred Gear."
I blinked. "Sacred… Gear?"
Kiba leaned forward slightly. "They're powerful abilities given to certain humans by the biblical God. No two are exactly the same."
Rias elaborated. "Some take the form of weapons. Others are passive abilities—healing, enhancements, time manipulation… The possibilities are nearly endless. You were born with one, Issei. That's why the fallen angels targeted you. They wanted to eliminate the risk before you awakened its power."
"I see," I said softly. "So I was just a threat waiting to happen."
"Yes," Rias confirmed. "And because your Sacred Gear hadn't awakened yet, you couldn't defend yourself."
Koneko looked up from her youkan. "That's normal. Most humans with Sacred Gears don't realize they have one until they're pushed to the edge."
"So… what does mine do?" I asked.
Rias shook her head. "We don't know yet. But that's why I wanted to meet you properly—to help you activate it."
"Is that even possible?"
"Close your eyes, and focus. Imagine the power you desire—not as something vague, but something personal. Think of what drives you forward. Rage, ambition, hope, desire—whatever it is, channel it."
What drives me?
Boobs.
Yeah, no.
Maybe power. I did remember my weakness when I faced Dohnaseek.
Suddenly, a burning sensation spread across my left arm.
It wasn't painful—just hot. Alive.
Rias's voice echoed through the room. "Yes. That's it. Don't resist it—embrace it."
A light flared.
Bright, emerald green light.
When I opened my eyes, a gauntlet had materialized on my left arm. Red and a glowing green gem embedded on the back of the hand. It pulsed in rhythm with my heartbeat.
So this one of powerful Sacred gear. The Boosted Gear.
It cool.
Rias walked toward me, standing just in front of the sofa. "We still don't know which Sacred Gear you possess. But the energy you're giving off… it's potent. Very potent."
"Can't you identify it?" I asked.
Rias shook her head. "Not yet. Some Sacred Gears don't show their full form immediately. They evolve. Especially the more powerful ones."
"So what now?" I asked, clenching and unclenching my glowing hand.
"Now," she said, smiling, "you train. We find out what you can do. You're one of us now, Issei. And I have a feeling your Sacred Gear… may be more dangerous than any of us realize."
Yeah, that's true.
~~~
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