That morning, Aya's small apartment was filled with an almost sacred anticipation. Thomas Vance, or rather, "Thomas Hill," stood before the mirror, impeccably dressed in a charcoal business suit. Every detail was perfect, from the knot of his blue silk tie to the shine of his leather shoes. He looked exactly as his fabricated documents described: a young, professional, and enthusiastic educator from England.
Aya straightened his collar for the third time, her eyes beaming with pride. "You look splendid, Master. They're sure to hire you immediately."
"Of course they will," Thomas replied with a calm smile. He gently patted Aya's cheek, a gesture that made the woman blush happily. "Look after the apartment. I'll be back this afternoon."
"Yes, Master! Good luck!"
Leaving the domestic warmth he had created, Thomas stepped into the waiting taxi. As the car drove towards Kuoh Academy, he gazed at the passing city scenery. His confidence was sky-high. His newly acquired Physical Enhancement gave him an inner calm; he knew he could face any physical threat that might arise. This was no longer the confidence of a money-backed playboy, but the conviction of a predator who knew his own strength.
The closer he got to the academy, the stronger he felt the faint pulse of supernatural energy. It was like static in the air, a frequency only a trained ear could hear. It wasn't threatening, just an affirmation that he was heading in the right direction.
He arrived at the main gate and was greeted by an administrative staff member who escorted him to the principal's office. The building itself was grand and well-maintained, and the students he passed in the corridors seemed polite and disciplined. Everything appeared normal, but Thomas knew it was just a thin layer covering a much stranger truth.
The interview room was bright and formal. Behind a long table sat two people: a friendly-looking middle-aged man with thinning hair, whom Thomas presumed was the principal, and an older female teacher with a stern expression. However, they weren't who captured his attention.
Sitting slightly apart from them, with perfectly straight posture and an aura of authority ill-suited to her age, was a young girl with short black hair and glasses. Thomas recognized her instantly from his research: Sona Sitri. Student Council President and, more importantly, heir to the Sitri Devil clan.
His System flickered with a subtle warning.
{Warning: High-level Devil entity detected. Aura deliberately suppressed. Caution advised.}
So, this was his first test. He not only had to convince the humans but also had to pass the scrutiny of one of this territory's rulers.
"Welcome, Mr. Hill. I am Principal Tanaka," the man said, shaking his hand warmly. "Thank you for coming. This is Ms. Suzuki, head of the language department, and Miss Sona Sitri, our Student Council President. We felt it was important to get a student perspective in this process."
"It's an honor," Thomas replied smoothly, offering a charming smile to all of them, his eyes meeting Sona's sharp gaze for a fleeting moment. He sensed no hostility, only cold, piercing analysis.
The interview began. The Principal and Suzuki-san asked standard questions. About his teaching philosophy, his experience working with teenagers, and his methods for making English engaging. Thomas answered everything perfectly. He had prepared his story. He was a young man who, after inheriting a considerable fortune at an early age, realized the emptiness of a life solely pursuing material possessions. He found his true calling in education, in shaping the minds of the younger generation. It was a melodramatic and cliché story, but told with sincere conviction, it became incredibly persuasive.
Then, Sona Sitri spoke. Her voice was calm, clear, and carried a weight far beyond her years.
"Hill-sensei," she said, already using the honorific. "Your diploma and letters of recommendation are very impressive. But I'd like to know, of all places in Japan, why did you choose a relatively ordinary town like Kuoh?"
This was it. The trap question. Thomas maintained eye contact, projecting genuine honesty. "Precisely because of that, Sitri-san. I spent most of my life in bustling, impersonal metropolises. I was looking for a place with a strong sense of community, a place where I could truly focus on teaching and getting to know my students. Kuoh seemed like the ideal place for that."
Sona tilted her head slightly, her glasses glinting. "And what are your views on discipline and order within a school environment?"
"Both are absolutely essential," Thomas replied without hesitation. "I believe true freedom and creativity can only flourish on a foundation of structure and respect. Without order, there is only chaos. And in chaos, true potential is lost."
He saw a fleeting flicker of approval in Sona's eyes. He had chosen his words carefully, appealing to her order-loving Devil personality. Throughout the rest of the interview, he remained 'Thomas Hill,' the idealistic and charming prospective teacher, while constantly being vigilant for Sona's relentless scrutiny. He couldn't detect any mind-scanning magic; it seemed the Anomaly System of Tom Jacker was a perfect cloak, concealing his true nature behind an impenetrable layer of normality.
After the last question, the principal smiled. "Thank you very much, Mr. Hill. We'll discuss for a moment. Please wait outside."
Thomas stood, bowed politely, and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. His heart pounded, not from nervousness, but from adrenaline. This was a high-stakes game.
His wait wasn't long. A few minutes later, Principal Tanaka opened the door, his face beaming. "Mr. Hill, I'm delighted to tell you that we were all very impressed. Unanimously, we'd like to offer you the position of Assistant English Teacher. You can start next Monday."
Victory. A cold wave of satisfaction washed over him.
As he completed the initial paperwork with the principal, Sona Sitri walked out of the room. She paused briefly in front of him, her gaze still sharp and analytical. There was no warmth there, but it seemed the initial hostility had abated, replaced by wary acceptance.
"Welcome to Kuoh Academy, Hill-sensei," she said gracefully. "I hope you will uphold the high standards we expect from our teaching staff."
"I won't disappoint you, Sitri-san," Thomas replied with his genuine smile.
She nodded curtly, then turned and walked down the corridor, her small figure radiating immense authority. He had been accepted, but he knew he would be watched.
Moments later, Thomas Vance walked out of the front gates of Kuoh Academy, his new staff ID safely tucked in his suit pocket. He stopped and looked back at the sprawling school building. He was no longer an outsider peering from across the street. He was now a part of it. He had unrestricted access to its corridors, classrooms, and most importantly, its students.
Rias Gremory. Yuuto Kiba. Akeno Himejima. Issei Hyoudou. All his primary targets were now within his reach. The true hunt could begin.
He pulled out his phone and sent an encrypted message to a number only he knew. A message for Viser. Phase one complete. Begin monitoring all activity related to the Occult Research Club. Report anything unusual.
A predatory smirk slowly formed on his face. The hunter had successfully infiltrated the preserve.