Chapter 3: Academy Debut
Marcus's alarm went off at 6:30 AM, which was somehow more offensive in another dimension than it had been back home.
"Five more minutes," he groaned, reaching out to slap the unfamiliar nightstand. His hand connected with something warm and scaly instead.
"Marcus! You're awake!" Agumon's enthusiastic voice cut through his drowsiness like a knife. "I've been up for an hour! Did you know your TV gets channels about cooking? There was this show where they made something called takoyaki and I really want to try it!"
Marcus cracked one eye open to find his Digimon partner's face about six inches from his own, orange snout practically pressed against his nose. Those big blue eyes were way too energetic for this early in the morning.
"Agumon. Buddy. Personal space."
"Oh! Sorry!" The Rookie-level Digimon bounced backward, his tail swishing with barely contained energy. "But Marcus, it's your first day at the academy! Aren't you excited?"
Marcus sat up, rubbing his face. The apartment the System had provided was modest but comfortable—one bedroom, a small kitchen, a living area with that TV Agumon had apparently been glued to. Through the window, he could see Kuoh Town waking up, the early morning sun painting everything in shades of gold.
"Excited isn't the word I'd use," Marcus muttered, swinging his legs out of bed. "Terrified? Anxious? Questioning all my life choices?"
**\[GOOD MORNING, MARCUS. YOUR ENROLLMENT AT KUOH ACADEMY HAS BEEN FINALIZED. ALL DOCUMENTATION HAS BEEN PROCESSED. YOU ARE REGISTERED AS A TRANSFER STUDENT FROM AMERICA.]**
The System's voice chimed in his head, and a new screen appeared:
**\[DAILY QUEST: FIRST DAY SURVIVAL]**
- Attend all classes: 0/6
- Introduce yourself without incident: 0/1
- Make a positive impression on at least one student: 0/1
- Avoid supernatural conflict: 0/1
**REWARDS: 500 EXP, +2 to Social Stats, ???**
"Avoid supernatural conflict," Marcus read aloud. "In Kuoh Academy. The school that's basically supernatural central."
**\[THE QUEST DOES NOT REQUIRE YOU TO AVOID SUPERNATURAL ENTITIES. MERELY TO AVOID CONFLICT WITH THEM. OBSERVATION AND PEACEFUL INTERACTION ARE ACCEPTABLE.]**
"Right. Because that makes it so much easier." Marcus headed to the bathroom, Agumon trailing behind him like an orange shadow. "Speaking of which, what's the plan for you? I can't exactly bring a dinosaur to school."
**\[SOLUTION AVAILABLE. THE DIGIMON SYSTEM CAN PLACE AGUMON IN DIGITAL STANDBY MODE. HE WILL EXIST WITHIN YOUR SYSTEM INTERFACE AND CAN COMMUNICATE WITH YOU MENTALLY. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, HE CAN BE MATERIALIZED INSTANTLY.]**
Agumon's expression fell. "I have to stay in the computer all day?"
Marcus paused, looking at his partner's disappointed face. Something in his chest tightened. They'd only known each other for two days, but the bond was already there—that connection the System had mentioned.
"It's not forever," Marcus said, crouching down to Agumon's level. "Just during school hours. And hey, you can see everything I see, right? So you'll be there with me. We're partners."
Agumon's mood brightened immediately. "Partners! Right! Okay, I can do that! But Marcus?"
"Yeah?"
"If anyone tries to hurt you, I'm coming out. And I'm using Pepper Breath on them."
Marcus couldn't help but grin. "Deal."
---
Kuoh Academy was exactly as impressive as it had looked in the anime—maybe more so in person.
The building was massive, a pristine example of modern Japanese architecture mixed with traditional elements. The grounds were immaculate, with cherry blossom trees lining the pathways even though it wasn't quite the season for them to bloom. Students in uniform streamed through the gates, and Marcus felt every single eye turn toward him as he approached.
**\[NOTICE: YOU ARE CURRENTLY THE SUBJECT OF SIGNIFICANT ATTENTION. THIS IS NORMAL. KUOH ACADEMY ONLY RECENTLY BECAME CO-EDUCATIONAL. MALE STUDENTS COMPRISE LESS THAN 5% OF THE STUDENT BODY.]**
"Thanks for the reminder," Marcus muttered under his breath, very aware of the whispers following him.
"Is that the transfer student?"
"He's so tall!"
"And foreign-looking! Is he American?"
"He's kind of handsome..."
Marcus kept his expression neutral and his stride confident. Years of being one of the few Black kids in his school back home had taught him how to handle attention—keep your head up, don't give them a reason to think you're uncomfortable, and for the love of God, don't do anything stupid.
His uniform fit well enough, though he'd had to adjust the tie three times before getting it right. The black blazer, white shirt, and dark pants were standard, but on his six-foot-two frame, he stood out even more.
*"Marcus, there are so many people!"* Agumon's voice echoed in his mind, excited and curious. *"And some of them feel... different. Tingly."*
"Different how?" Marcus thought back, having learned he could communicate mentally with his partner in digital standby.
*"Like they have more energy than the others. Especially that building over there!"*
Marcus followed Agumon's mental direction and felt his stomach drop. The old school building. Of course. That's where Rias Gremory and her peerage operated from—the Occult Research Club.
**\[DETECTION: MULTIPLE HIGH-LEVEL SUPERNATURAL ENTITIES IN PROXIMITY. RECOMMEND MAINTAINING DISTANCE UNTIL YOU ARE BETTER PREPARED.]**
"Wasn't planning on knocking on their door today anyway," Marcus thought.
He made his way to the main building, following the directions the System had helpfully provided. His classroom was 2-B, and according to his schedule, he'd be starting with Modern Japanese—which was going to be interesting considering the System had apparently downloaded the language directly into his brain. He could understand and speak it, but it still felt weird, like wearing someone else's clothes.
The classroom fell silent when he walked in.
Twenty-five pairs of eyes locked onto him immediately. The teacher, a middle-aged woman with glasses and a kind face, smiled welcomingly.
"Ah, you must be Webb-san. Class, we have a new transfer student joining us today. Please, introduce yourself."
Marcus moved to the front of the classroom, his basketball training kicking in. This was just like being on court—all eyes on you, pressure mounting, but you'd practiced for this.
"Good morning," he said in Japanese, bowing slightly. "My name is Marcus Webb. I'm from America, and I just transferred here. I'm still learning about Japan, so please be patient with me. I like basketball, anime, and..." he paused, letting a small smile cross his face, "I'm told the food here is amazing, so I'm looking forward to trying everything."
A few giggles rippled through the classroom. The tension eased slightly.
"Basketball?" one of the girls asked. "Are you going to join the team?"
"I'm thinking about it," Marcus replied.
**\[QUEST UPDATE: INTRODUCE YOURSELF WITHOUT INCIDENT - COMPLETE]**
**\[CHARISMA CHECK: SUCCESS. POSITIVE FIRST IMPRESSION ACHIEVED.]**
The teacher directed him to an empty seat by the window—because of course it was by the window, the protagonist's seat in every anime ever—and class began.
Marcus tried to focus on the lesson, but his mind kept wandering. Every so often, he'd catch students glancing at him, whispering. Some looks were curious, some admiring, a few suspicious. He was used to standing out, but this was a different level.
*"Marcus, I'm bored,"* Agumon complained in his head. *"Modern Japanese is not exciting. Can we fight something?"*
"We're not fighting anything on my first day," Marcus thought back firmly.
*"But what if something attacks you?"*
"Then you can Pepper Breath it. Until then, we're being normal students."
*"Normal is overrated."*
Marcus couldn't argue with that.
---
Lunch period arrived like a blessing from heaven.
Marcus had survived three classes, countless stares, and one particularly awkward moment when a girl had asked if he was a model. Now he stood in the cafeteria line, marveling at the selection of food available.
"The yakisoba looks good," he muttered, reaching for a tray.
"First time in a Japanese school cafeteria?"
Marcus turned to find a boy about his age standing behind him—brown hair, a friendly face, and an energy that screamed "protagonist" so loudly it was almost funny. Except Marcus knew exactly who this was.
Issei Hyoudou. The Red Dragon Emperor. The most perverted protagonist in anime history.
**\[CHARACTER IDENTIFIED: ISSEI HYOUDOU - LEVEL 5 DEVIL (REINCARNATED) - PAWN OF RIAS GREMORY]**
**\[WARNING: POSSESSES BOOSTED GEAR - LONGINUS-CLASS SACRED GEAR]**
**\[THREAT LEVEL: MODERATE TO HIGH]**
"Yeah, first time," Marcus said casually, not letting on that he knew anything. "Marcus Webb. Transfer student."
"Issei Hyoudou," Issei grinned, extending his hand. "Welcome to Kuoh! Man, another guy! That's great! We need more male representation around here!"
They shook hands, and Marcus felt a faint tingle—the Sacred Gear, probably, even dormant. Issei seemed normal enough on the surface, but Marcus could see the shadows under his eyes, the way he carried himself with slightly more confidence than a normal high school pervert should have.
He'd already been reincarnated as a devil. The story had already started.
"I heard you play basketball," Issei continued as they moved through the line. "That's cool! I'm more into... uh... other activities."
"Other activities?"
"Yeah! Like... appreciating the finer things in life!" Issei's eyes took on a dreamy quality. "The beauty of the female form, the—"
"Issei, you're being a pervert again."
A new voice cut in, and Marcus looked up to see two more boys approaching—one with a shaved head and glasses, the other with brown hair styled upward. The perverted duo, Matsuda and Motohama.
**\[CHARACTERS IDENTIFIED: MATSUDA AND MOTOHAMA - LEVEL 1 HUMANS - NO SUPERNATURAL AFFILIATION]**
**\[THREAT LEVEL: NONE]**
"We're not being perverts!" Matsuda protested. "We're being connoisseurs!"
"There's a difference!" Motohama added.
Marcus couldn't help but laugh. These guys were exactly as ridiculous as they'd been in the anime. "Connoisseurs, huh?"
"Exactly!" Issei's eyes lit up. "See, Marcus gets it! You seem like a man of culture!"
"I wouldn't go that far," Marcus said diplomatically, grabbing his yakisoba and some rice. "But I can appreciate... aesthetic beauty."
"Aesthetic beauty!" Motohama pushed his glasses up. "I like this guy already!"
*"Marcus, these boys are weird,"* Agumon commented in his head.
"You have no idea," Marcus thought back.
They found a table outside, and Marcus found himself surprisingly comfortable with the trio. Issei was enthusiastic and genuine beneath the perversion, and Matsuda and Motohama were harmless enough. They peppered him with questions about America, basketball, and—inevitably—American girls.
"So is it true that American girls are more forward?" Matsuda asked, leaning in conspiratorially.
"Depends on the girl," Marcus said, taking a bite of his yakisoba. It was delicious. "Just like here, I'd imagine."
"But you must have had girlfriends, right?" Motohama pressed. "A tall, athletic guy like you?"
Marcus shrugged. "I dated a bit. Nothing serious. I was focused on basketball and school."
"Focused on school," Issei sighed dramatically. "Man, I wish I had that kind of discipline. I'm too easily distracted by—"
"Oppai," all three of them said in unison.
Marcus nearly choked on his noodles.
**\[QUEST UPDATE: MAKE A POSITIVE IMPRESSION ON AT LEAST ONE STUDENT - COMPLETE]**
**\[SOCIAL LINK ESTABLISHED: ISSEI HYOUDOU - RANK 1]**
**\[SOCIAL LINK ESTABLISHED: MATSUDA - RANK 1]**
**\[SOCIAL LINK ESTABLISHED: MOTOHAMA - RANK 1]**
"You okay?" Issei asked, patting Marcus's back.
"Fine," Marcus coughed. "Just... wasn't expecting that level of honesty."
"We believe in being true to ourselves!" Matsuda declared proudly.
"Even if it gets us labeled as the perverted trio," Motohama added sadly.
"Perverted trio?" Marcus raised an eyebrow.
"Well, now it's the perverted quartet!" Issei grinned, throwing an arm around Marcus's shoulders. "Welcome to the club, man!"
"I didn't agree to—"
"Too late! You're one of us now!"
*"Marcus, I like these humans,"* Agumon said, sounding amused. *"They're funny."*
Marcus sighed, but he was smiling. This was ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. But also... kind of nice? He'd been so focused on the supernatural elements, on the danger and the System and the harem mechanics, that he'd forgotten what it was like to just hang out with people his own age.
Even if they were perverts.
"So, Marcus," Issei said, his tone shifting slightly. "You should come check out the Occult Research Club sometime."
Marcus's attention sharpened. "The Occult Research Club?"
"Yeah! It's run by Rias Gremory—she's the president of the club and basically the most beautiful girl in school. I'm a member." Issei's expression was proud but also... complicated. "We do... research. Into occult stuff."
**\[NOTICE: ISSEI HYOUDOU IS ATTEMPTING TO RECRUIT YOU. THIS IS LIKELY ON ORDERS FROM RIAS GREMORY, WHO HAS NOTICED YOUR PRESENCE.]**
"I'll think about it," Marcus said carefully. "Still getting used to the school first."
"No pressure!" Issei said quickly. "Just, you know, if you're interested in that kind of thing. Supernatural stuff, mysteries, that sort of thing."
"I'll keep it in mind."
The conversation shifted to lighter topics, but Marcus's mind was racing. Rias had noticed him. Of course she had—a new male student with unusual energy signatures would definitely catch the attention of the devil who ran this territory. The question was, what did she want?
**\[NEW QUEST AVAILABLE: THE DEVIL'S INVITATION]**
**\[OBJECTIVE: MEET WITH RIAS GREMORY]**
**\[REWARD: 1000 EXP, RELATIONSHIP PROGRESS, SUPERNATURAL KNOWLEDGE]**
**\[ACCEPT? Y/N]**
Marcus mentally selected "Y" as the lunch period wound down. He was going to meet Rias eventually—might as well be on his own terms.
The afternoon classes passed in a blur. Marcus paid attention where he could, but his mind kept drifting to what was coming. The supernatural world was about to open up fully, and he needed to be ready.
When the final bell rang, Marcus gathered his things slowly, watching as students filtered out. Issei had already left with Matsuda and Motohama, heading off to do whatever perverted activities they had planned.
Marcus was about to leave when a girl appeared in the doorway.
She was petite, with white hair and amber eyes that seemed to look right through him. She wore the school uniform with an almost military precision, and her expression was completely neutral.
Koneko Toujou. The Rook of Rias Gremory's peerage. A Nekomata.
**\[CHARACTER IDENTIFIED: KONEKO TOUJOU - LEVEL 8 DEVIL (REINCARNATED) - ROOK OF RIAS GREMORY]**
**\[RACE: NEKOMATA (SEALED)]**
**\[THREAT LEVEL: HIGH]**
"Webb-senpai," she said, her voice quiet and flat. "President Gremory requests your presence in the Occult Research Club."
Marcus felt Agumon tense in his digital space. *"Marcus, she's strong. Really strong."*
"I know," Marcus thought back.
Out loud, he said, "Right now?"
"Yes."
There was no room for negotiation in that single word. Marcus slung his bag over his shoulder and nodded.
"Lead the way."
As he followed Koneko through the hallways toward the old school building, Marcus felt his heart rate pick up. This was it. The moment where his presence in this world would become official, where he'd step from observer to participant.
The game was about to get real.
*"Marcus,"* Agumon said quietly in his mind. *"Whatever happens, I've got your back."*
"I know, partner," Marcus thought back. "I know."
The old school building loomed ahead, and somewhere inside, Rias Gremory was waiting.
Marcus Webb took a deep breath and stepped forward into his new reality.