'At the very least,' Rias thought, 'it's worth a try.'
But before she could dwell further on that idea, something else clouded her mind… something that stirred confusion — and a trace of suspicion.
Why was Rian explaining all of this?
Why would he reveal the secrets of such a unique power in front of them — people he barely even knew?
That question wasn't hers alone. It was mirrored in the eyes of Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko. Their gazes hardened.
The only one who still looked innocent was Issei — freshly turned into a devil and completely oblivious to the complexities of power and faction politics.
He simply stared, confused, not understanding why the atmosphere had suddenly grown tense.
Rias fixed her eyes on Rian, her smile fading away. "Rian," she said softly but firmly, "why are you explaining your Infinity?"
Akeno crossed her arms, her sharp gaze laced with curiosity. Kiba shifted slightly, his stance turning more alert, as though ready for anything.
Koneko remained silent, yet her eyes spoke clearly — she too was wary.
All eyes were now fixed on Rian Andromeda.
"Allow me to join your club," Rian said calmly.
He looked at each of them in turn — relaxed, yet with a depth that carried weight.
"After all, you know what they say — you can't care about someone you don't know, right?" he added, then dropped himself onto the sofa as if it already belonged to him. "Besides… I just used a Binding Vow."
"Binding Vow?" Akeno repeated, her surprise evident. Her gaze shifted immediately to Rias, whose expression was equally startled.
"Exactly," Rian replied, eyes wandering briefly to the ceiling before meeting theirs again. "By revealing my ability to you, I've actually strengthened its effect."
He crossed his legs and pointed at himself with his thumb.
"In exchange, all of you now know about it. So, whether you're friends or enemies, you know my weakness. An informational consequence… traded for extra power."
Kiba fell silent, trying to process the meaning behind his words.
"…A kind of one-sided magical pact that involves personal risk," Rias murmured, finally understanding.
"Bingo, Rias-chan!" Rian said brightly, flashing a thumbs-up and a playful wink. "I'm not just handsome — I'm also honest and deeply committed."
Koneko was still glaring at him, though now there was a faint trace of curiosity behind her cold eyes.
Akeno let out a soft chuckle. "Ufufu~ You really are a different kind of human."
Meanwhile, Issei sat slumped on the floor, dizzy. "What are you even talking about, Rian…? First Infinity, now Binding Vow? Honestly, the longer you talk, the more confused I get."
Rian flashed a mischievous grin, closed his eyes briefly, and spoke in a teasing tone,
"Ah… and just so you know — if you think Infinity only stops physical objects, please reconsider. Because in reality, Infinity also applies… to magical ones."
The room fell silent once more.
Rias straightened slightly, her expression turning serious. "…What did you say? Even magic?"
Akeno narrowed her eyes, a faint current of lightning sparking around her body. "Ufufu~ That means… even elemental attacks wouldn't be able to get through?"
Kiba swallowed hard. "If that's the case… this isn't normal defense. It's… absolute."
Koneko let out a quiet sigh, glancing at the cracked floor from her earlier kick. "…Annoying."
Meanwhile, Issei, who had just been trying to stand up, immediately dropped back down. "Wait—what?! Magic attacks too?! That's totally unfair!!"
Rian chuckled softly. "Fufu… This handsome man was blessed with many things — not just a face almost too beautiful for this world."
He leaned back casually on the sofa, crossing one leg over the other, his smile wide and full of self-satisfaction.
"No need to be jealous, Hyoudou. You've got potential… maybe one day you can imitate me. Though, of course, never quite as perfectly like me."
Rias let out a quiet sigh. "I still don't understand where your power comes from, Rian… but one thing's certain — you're not an ordinary human."
Rian replied in a light, teasing tone, "Ah… but isn't that what makes me interesting, Rias-chan? So, what do you say? Will you let me join?"
Rias didn't answer immediately. She looked straight into Rian's eyes before finally speaking, her voice calm yet firm.
"Very well, Rian Andromeda. You may join… but on one additional condition."
Rian raised an eyebrow slightly, still looking composed. "Oh? May i know what that condition is?"
Rias crossed her arms, her expression turning more serious. "After school, you'll come with me. There's something I want to discuss… about your power."
Rias's gaze sharpened slightly.
"There's someone I want you to meet with me. That person… might benefit from your Infinity. Or perhaps… you'll be the one to gain something from this encounter."
Rian narrowed his eyes a little, his Six Eyes catching the intense seriousness hidden beneath her calm tone.
"Hmm…" he murmured before smiling lightly and rising from the sofa. "I never minds being invited out by a beautiful girl — especially one with such a mysterious look in her eyes."
"Don't get the wrong idea," Rias said quickly, her expression flat.
"Ufufu~ But it does sound like a secret date, doesn't it?" Akeno teased with a playful smile.
Rias's flat gaze shifted toward Akeno. Even so, Akeno kept her playful smile, while Issei's expression looked as if he were silently cursing Rian.
"So…" Rian said, slipping his hands into his pockets, "…we'll all meet here again later?"
Rias nodded. "Yes. Four o'clock. Don't be late."
Meanwhile, Issei looked utterly confused by Rias's words.
Just then, the sharp ring of the school bell echoed through the room, signaling the end of the lunch break.
The atmosphere in the Occult Research Club room shifted instantly—no more serious talk, only the faint silence lingering from what had just happened.
With calm steps, they left the room one by one, returning to their roles as students of Kuoh Academy.
***
In a luxurious room shrouded in complete darkness, not a single ray of light pierced the silent space.
No sound.
No movement.
Only absolute stillness.
Yet, that tranquility stood in stark contrast to the presence of the room's occupant.
Upon a grand bed draped in thin, sheer curtains, a young girl slowly opened her eyes. Her face was beautiful and pale, framed by long black hair that cascaded softly down to her hips.
Her dark gray eyes looked hollow and deep, with reptilian pupils that radiated an absolute indifference toward the world.
A few strands of her long hair partially covered her ears—but upon closer inspection, it was clear those ears were pointed, not the kind belonging to any ordinary human.
The young girl wore a jet-black gothic lolita dress, complete with a small purple ribbon adorning her hair.
This was no ordinary girl.
She was Ophis, the Infinite Dragon God—the deity of nothingness, chaos, and infinity itself. Also known as Ouroboros, the ancient being that devours its own tail—a symbol of something that never ends.
Suddenly, her eyes narrowed. Ophis turned slightly, as if sensing something from afar.
"Again... something has caught my attention," she murmured softly. "What... is that?"
With that thought, Ophis's figure began to fade, her presence dissolving into the surrounding darkness—until she was gone, one with the void once more.
***
The streetlights illuminated the sidewalk that night, blending with the glow of open shop signs and the passing headlights of cars. The city felt alive, even as the hour grew late.
Amid the flow of pedestrians, Rian strolled leisurely along the sidewalk, wearing a long black trench coat draped over his Kuoh Academy uniform.
The clock had already struck half past nine.
His steps were calm, a faint amused smile lingering on his lips as he recalled the events of the afternoon—everything from four o'clock until now remained vivid in his mind.
The most interesting part, of course, had been his meeting with one of Rias's pawns: the half-human, half-vampire now turned devil through an Evil Piece—Gasper Vladi.
The situation back then could only be described as a little chaotic… but that was exactly what made it entertaining.
And naturally, Issei's expression had been absolutely priceless.
"Haha…" a soft chuckle escaped Rian's lips. "Setting aside my struggle to coax Gasper out of his room, Hyoudou's face when he found out about Gasper's cross-dressing hobby… priceless."
"Well, can't really blame him…" Rian mused, recalling Gasper's appearance. "Any normal guy would've thought he was just a cute girl. Ahaha… truly a misleading appearance."