"Damn"
I couldn't help myself. The word just slipped out as I watched them reveal their true forms. Wings, actual devil wings, and the power radiating from them was no joke. This was real. Everything from the anime was real, and I was sitting right in the middle of it.
Part of me wanted to geek out completely, but I kept my expression neutral. These weren't characters on a screen anymore—they were real devils with real power, and I needed to be smart about this. Still, I could feel something stirring inside me, responding to the supernatural energy in the room. My abilities were reacting to their presence.
The devils watched me with varying degrees of interest. Rias tilted her head, clearly expecting more than my understated reaction. Kiba's perpetual smile seemed strained at the edges. Koneko had stopped eating her chocolate entirely, golden eyes fixed on me with feline intensity. And Akeno—Akeno looked positively delighted by my composure.
"Indeed," Rias said, her voice carrying a note of genuine surprise. The display had been meant to intimidate, to establish dominance. My casual response had clearly thrown her off script. "Now that you understand what we are, Akira-kun, perhaps you'll be more forthcoming about last night's... incident."
I took another deliberate sip of tea, savoring both the flavor and the tension. Power dynamics were everything in negotiations, and showing fear now would set a precedent I couldn't afford. "It's not exactly a bedtime story, Rias-san," I said, setting the cup down with practiced care. "And it's definitely not something I go around discussing casually."
Her emerald eyes narrowed slightly. "Nevertheless, I'm listening."
"I have certain... abilities," I began, choosing each word like a chess move. "Enhanced physical capabilities, heightened reflexes, and something that allows me to combat supernatural threats effectively." I paused, letting my gaze sweep across each of them. "The stray devil discovered that firsthand."
Kiba leaned forward slightly. "That's rather vague. What kind of abilities are we talking about?"
I could see the skepticism in their eyes. Words weren't going to be enough here. "Perhaps a demonstration would be more convincing," I said, standing up slowly.
Before they could react, I let the transformation begin. My body shifted, muscles expanding and reshaping as golden fur with distinctive black rosette patterns spread across my skin. My face elongated slightly, canine teeth becoming more pronounced, and my eyes took on a feline intensity. Claws extended from my fingertips, and my overall build became more predatory—still humanoid, but clearly no longer entirely human.
The change was smooth, practiced. I'd been working on controlling this form since yesterday, and it felt natural now. I stood there in my leopard hybrid form, letting them take in the sight.
"This is what I used against the stray devil," I said, my voice carrying a slight growl. "Enhanced strength, speed, and reflexes. Along with some other... capabilities I'm still discovering."
The room had gone completely silent. Even Koneko had stopped chewing her chocolate, staring at me with wide golden eyes. Akeno's smile had frozen in place, and Kiba's perpetual politeness had cracked into genuine surprise.
Rias recovered first, her eyes sharp with interest. "Fascinating. That's definitely not a Sacred Gear."
I shifted back to my human form, the transformation flowing in reverse until I looked completely normal again. "Like I said, I'm still figuring out what exactly I am now."
"Interesting," Akeno murmured, her violet eyes studying me with newfound intensity. "And how did you acquire these abilities? Were you born with them?"
"I don't think so," I replied carefully. "They're... new. As for how—" I spread my hands, "—your guess is as good as mine. It just happened."
Rias exchanged glances with her peerage, some silent communication passing between them. "Akira-kun," she said slowly, "have you ever considered that you might not be entirely human?"
The question hit like a physical blow, even though I'd been expecting it. "What do you mean?"
"You could be a youkai," Koneko spoke up for the first time, her voice quiet but direct. "Half-youkai, perhaps. That would explain the sudden manifestation of supernatural abilities."
I felt my pulse quicken, but kept my voice steady. "I... I don't know about that. My parents never mentioned anything supernatural in our family history. As far as I know, I'm completely human." I paused, letting uncertainty creep into my tone. "But then again, these abilities did come out of nowhere. I honestly don't have answers."
"It's not uncommon for dormant supernatural bloodlines to awaken during times of stress or danger," Rias explained, her tone almost clinical. "The encounter with the stray devil could have been a trigger."
"Maybe," I conceded, though internally I was relieved they'd drawn their own conclusions. "But regardless of what I am or how I got these abilities, I need to learn to control them. And more importantly—" I met her gaze directly, "—I need to understand this world I've apparently stumbled into."
The room fell silent except for the soft rustle of Koneko unwrapping another piece of chocolate. I could feel their attention like a physical weight, four powerful beings reassessing everything they thought they knew about the human—or possibly not-human—who'd walked into their sanctuary.
"Which brings me to why I'm here," I continued. "Last night, I acted on instinct. A stray devil was hunting an innocent, and I intervened. But I understand that operating in your territory without permission is... problematic."
A ghost of a smile crossed Rias's lips. "Problematic is one word for it."
"I'm not looking for trouble," I said, my voice taking on a more serious tone. "I just want to live peacefully in this town. But if I'm going to have these abilities, I need to understand the rules. The players. The dangers. I could stumble around in the dark, but that would be dangerous for everyone involved."
Rias stood, her presence filling the room like a physical force. "Akira-kun, you've demonstrated considerable power, and your intentions seem genuine. I have a proposition for you."
I raised an eyebrow, waiting.
"Join my peerage," she said, her voice carrying the weight of authority. "Become my servant, and I can offer you protection, training, and all the knowledge you seek about the supernatural world. You would have a place among us, power beyond what you currently possess, and the backing of the Gremory family."
The offer hung in the air, tempting and dangerous in equal measure. I could feel the weight of their expectations, the assumption that any human would leap at the chance for such power and protection.
"I'm honored by the offer, Rias-san," I said carefully, "but I have to decline."
Surprise flickered across her features. "May I ask why?"
"Because I'm not looking for power or status," I replied honestly. "I don't want to be anyone's servant, no matter how benevolent they might be. I just want to live my life quietly, help people when I can, and stay out of supernatural politics." I paused, meeting her gaze steadily. "I won't cause trouble in this town. I'll respect your territory and authority. All I ask is to be left in peace."
Kiba laughed, a sound like silver bells. "How refreshingly honest. Most people would kill for such an opportunity."
"I'm not most people," I said simply.
Akeno's smile was pure intrigue. "How deliciously principled. But surely you understand the dangers of operating alone in our world?"
"I understand them better now than I did yesterday," I acknowledged. "But I'm still not interested in becoming a devil. I hope that doesn't make us enemies."
Rias studied me for a long moment, her crimson hair catching the afternoon light filtering through the windows. I could practically see her weighing options, calculating risks and benefits with the precision of someone born to command.
Finally, she smiled—not the polite mask she'd worn earlier, but something genuine and thoughtful. "Akira-kun, you continue to surprise me. Most humans who learn about devils either run screaming, beg for power, or accept any offer of protection we make." She glanced at her peerage before continuing. "You're choosing to walk a much more dangerous path."
"Maybe," I conceded. "But it's my path to walk."
"Very well," Rias said, extending her hand. "I respect your decision, even if I think it's unwise. Consider this a non-aggression pact. You stay out of devil business, respect our territory, and we won't interfere with your peaceful life. But—" her grip tightened slightly as I shook her hand, "—if you ever need help or change your mind about joining us, the offer remains open."
"Thank you," I said, meaning it. "I hope we can coexist peacefully."
As I shook her hand, I caught Akeno's amused expression, Kiba's approving nod, and even what might have been the ghost of a smile on Koneko's face. The Haetae within me settled into a watchful calm, recognizing that we'd found a delicate balance in this dangerous new world.
"I should probably get going," I said, glancing at the clock. "Thank you for the tea, and for... clarifying things."
"Of course," Rias replied graciously. "And Akira-kun? Be careful. The supernatural world is more dangerous than you might realize, especially for someone walking it alone."
I nodded, understanding the warning for what it was—both threat and genuine concern. "I'll keep that in mind."
As I gathered my things and headed for the door, I couldn't help but feel that this was just the beginning. I'd avoided entanglement for now, but in a world where devils walked among humans and power was everything, neutrality was a luxury I might not be able to afford for long.