Kuoh's morning air was unusually crisp, the scent of dew mingled with something intangible—like static before a storm. Despite her illusion, Noira drew more than a few looks as she trailed behind Rei through the academy's gates. It wasn't just her beauty or ethereal presence. It was the aura of nothingness she wore like perfume.
Rei glanced at her as they walked past the courtyard. "You're staring again."
Noira blinked. "Learning."
"You're supposed to be blending in."
"I am blending."
Karasu snorted beside them. "She's got your logic. We're doomed."
As they entered Class 3-B, Rei introduced Noira as a recent transfer. The teacher barely questioned it, likely manipulated subtly by the System's Reality Veil Protocol. She was seated beside Rei, near the window, the 'main character's seat' as some students joked under their breath.
Noira turned to Rei halfway through math class and asked, "Why does this number fear seven?"
"What?"
"The human behind me said it. 'Why was six afraid of seven?'"
Rei sighed. "It's a joke. Wordplay."
"Oh. Seven eats."
"No, not literally—"
"Would you like me to eat seven?"
Rei's hand shot up. "Bathroom, sensei."
Elsewhere, in the Occult Research Club room, Akeno hummed a tune while scrolling through a series of magical fluctuations on her enchanted tablet. The leyline surrounding Kuoh had been twitchy since Noira's arrival.
"She doesn't follow natural laws," she murmured.
Rias stood at the window. "She's a blank slate. Either that's a blessing or a weapon waiting to be wielded."
"I'm betting on both." Akeno's smile didn't reach her eyes.
Back in the hallway, the bell rang for lunch. Noira followed Rei to the rooftop. Karasu flapped in through an upper window, dropping bento boxes wrapped in cloth.
"Prepared as requested. Heavy protein, light carbs. For spirit growth."
Noira stared at the food. "What is it?"
"Chicken karaage."
"Animal flesh. Fried."
"Is that a problem?"
"No. It is… tasty." She stuffed a piece into her mouth, chewing slowly. "I like it."
[System Update: Emotional Reaction Recorded — Pleasure. Synchronization Progress: 6%.]
Laeva shimmered into visibility near the stairwell, lounging against the wall like a lazy cat. "She's growing fast. Too fast."
"She needs it," Rei replied. "There are others coming."
Laeva tilted her head. "You mean devils?"
"No. Spirits. Like her. Some corrupted. Some… unanchored."
Karasu's feathers bristled. "Then you're building a vanguard."
"I'm giving them a choice."
Laeva smiled. "So noble. So… unlike you."
Rei didn't answer.
That evening, Rei brought Noira to the forested outskirts of Kuoh. He handed her a training spear, constructed from condensed spirit energy. It pulsed faintly, matching her newly stabilizing aura.
"We'll start simple," Rei said. "Defense stances. Then pressure control."
Noira held the spear awkwardly. "My hands remember nothing."
"They will."
Yoru watched from a branch overhead, silent and thoughtful.
"Why fight?" Noira asked suddenly.
"To protect your choice."
"From what?"
"From the world. And sometimes… from yourself."
Noira nodded, and then moved.
Her swing was unrefined. Her stance was clumsy. But her balance was unnatural—gravity didn't seem to fully apply. Rei corrected her gently, with touches and murmured instructions. Over an hour passed before she made a clean strike that cracked a nearby boulder.
[Combat Protocol Activated. Spirit Core Resonance Increased. Synchronization Progress: 13%.]
Rei stepped back, brushing his coat. "You're learning fast."
Noira stared at the shattered stone. "I don't understand myself."
"You will. We all start from nothing."
Laeva walked out of the trees, holding a scroll. "Report from the eastern quadrant. Another spike. This one's… familiar."
Rei took it, eyes narrowing. "So the others are waking up."
"And they're not as docile as this one."
He turned to Noira. "Time for your first mission."
She nodded. "Will I kill?"
"Only if you must."
"What if I want to?"
Rei paused. "Then we'll talk."
[System Update: Spirit Behavioral Flag — Aggression Detected. Synchronization Progress: 16%. New Directive Assigned: Observation Protocol Initiated.]
Laeva and Karasu exchanged a look but said nothing. The silence held weight—an understanding that something fundamental was shifting. Noira was not simply learning; she was adapting, evolving at a pace that challenged even the System's predictions.
Rei turned toward the forest's depth. "We leave at dawn."
Noira stared at the trees, the training spear still in her hand. "Will I be whole then?"
Rei shook his head. "No. But you'll be closer."