[300 PS = 1 Chapter Bonus]
*
Even though I was a transmigrated person, I was still just an "ordinary" human, and as a human, my amount of mana was completely dependent on two factors.
The first reason was my genetics. There were humans who had large natural reserves of mana, but they were rare, and I knew I wasn't one of them since I had gotten a little tired after just one Boost.
The second factor was directly related to the first, technically, but logically it was different. This was about my magical talent, which didn't just mean how well I could do something, but also how efficient I was at it. Logically, this could be developed over time, but I didn't have much time for that.
So, it was obvious that I needed to think of some way to change my genetics.
In other universes, this would be impossible, but fortunately, in this universe, the possibilities were in my favor.
'Reincarnation? I wouldn't consider it if the situation were different, because it's difficult to achieve on my terms,' I thought as I walked out of the park. "But it's all I can think of right now. My options are... to become an Angel or a Devil."
In the entire history of High School DxD, I could only remember reading about two types of reincarnations. Many had become devils, and Irina had become an Angel.
However, thinking about it was a case of false opportunity. If I decided to become an Angel to increase my mana, I would have a lot of work to do. Irina was very lucky and had been very devoted her whole life to achieve this.
The obvious choice was to become a devil, but I also felt like I was heading straight into the canonical events that way.
"Well, if avoiding the canon seems impossible for now, I'll use the canon to my best advantage."
I could already think of some ideas on how to use the canon to my advantage, but it was already getting dark, and it would be best to rest after this first day.
So I went home. You may be wondering: what home? You're a transmigrated person, you don't have a home!
Well, I thought so too, at least until I read a letter that was inside my bag.
___
Dear Leonard,
We are proud of you for having the courage to move to another country alone. We know it wasn't an easy decision, but we also know that this was your dream.
Don't worry about rent or food, we're always here to help you. We'll continue to send you money regularly so you can support yourself and focus on your studies and building your future. We want you to know that we'll always be by your side, even if we can't be physically present with you in Japan.
With love, Mom and Dad.
___
It was a letter very similar to the one I received when I decided to move to Republic City in my original world, except that my parents didn't send me money in that universe.
On the back of the letter was an address and also the place where they said the landlord had left the key for me.
I had no doubt that just as I woke up already wearing my Kuoh Academy uniform and with my enrollment already underway, this system included me in this world and didn't just throw me in.
'That's what I call golden fingers,' I thought as I carefully put the letter back in my bag.
*
The next day, I woke up and followed my normal routine to get ready for school.
It still felt strange to be back in school, but I felt like I could get used to it.
Naturally, when I arrived at school, people were still whispering about me, and I could see it happening out of the corner of my eye. But I knew since I was a new student.
When I got to the classroom, my eyes met Akeno's for a moment. She quickly looked away toward the window, and when I sat down, some classmates quickly approached me to ask questions like:
"Do you plan to live in Japan after you graduate, Leonard?"
"Are you living with your parents or with a hot older sister?"
"Or with a hot older brother?"
Yes, just questions that silly teenagers ask. Other than that, classes went smoothly that day as well.
On another late afternoon, I left school when the sky was orange. This time, however, I didn't go to the park or home, but to a bridge in the middle of the city. I stopped in the middle of the bridge and watched the cars go by. If I was right about the canon rushing towards me and there being no way I could avoid it for now, this bridge was where I should be every afternoon.
It took three days, but on my fourth day in this new universe, it finally happened.
"Um... Are you Leonard Tonello from Kuoh Academy?" A gentle female voice came from my left. "It's you, isn't it?"
I raised my head, pretending to be confused, and turned toward the voice.
The girl who asked was pretty. She had long brown hair and eyes so big and red that they looked like two mesmerizing rubies. I would have been surprised by the sudden approach of a girl like her if she weren't Raynare.
It was inevitable that she would show up, because she had never had her eye on Issei specifically, but rather on the user of Boosted Gear. That person was me in this timeline.
"Yes, that's my name. How did you kn—" I replied, but she interrupted me again.
"Tonello-kun, do you have a girlfriend?!" The girl suddenly asked as she held the fabric of her skirt tightly.
"No, not really."
"That's great!" she said, looking relieved and breaking into a wide smile. "W-well... would you... go out with me?"
"Yes."
"Eh?"
Even Raynare was surprised by the direct answer, but she didn't know yet that I definitely wasn't going to die at her hands.