Chapter 7: Fox-Fire, Familiars, and the Choice of a Bishop
The morning sunlight filtered through the dust motes of the Occult Research Club, hitting Lucian's face with annoying precision. He groaned, sitting up on the small cot Rias had begrudgingly allowed him to set up in the corner of the office.
He stayed there for a moment, head in his hands, before reaching back to tie his long, crimson hair into a practical ponytail.
"Another day of watching Issei play protagonist," he muttered to himself, his voice raspy with sleep. "I really should have asked for a raise before I died."
He emerged from his sleeping nook just as Rias was settling at her desk. She looked impeccable, as always, though her eyes softened for a fraction of a second when she saw him stretching.
"You're late, Lucian," she said, though the "cruel" edge from the night before was gone.
"Yesterday was... clustered, to say the least," Lucian replied, offering a tired apologetic smile.
"Ara ara, look at that messy hair," Akeno purred, appearing behind him with a comb. She began to playfully tug at his ponytail. "Our little Bishop looks like he's been through a blender. Shall I help you wake up, Lucian-kun? I have some very... stimulating... tea."
"I'll pass on the 'stimulation' for now, Akeno," Lucian laughed, gently dodging her.
The Familiar Summoning
Before the school day officially began, Rias gathered everyone in the center of the room. "I forgot to mention," she said, looking at her two newest servants. "Since you both survived your first week, it's time to gain your Familiars. They are your partners, your scouts, and your companions."
Issei went first, his face twisted in concentration. With a burst of green light from the Boosted Gear, a small, bumbling sprite appeared. It was useful, sure, but it looked like a glowing green grape with wings.
"Your turn, Lucian," Rias said, her curiosity piqued.
Lucian stepped forward. He didn't use his Destruction mana—he used the core Gremory magic he had been practicing. He closed his eyes, thinking of something adaptable, something that could survive the chaos he knew was coming.
The magic circle glowed a brilliant, emerald green. The light stretched and thinned, taking a form that was far more elegant than anyone expected.
When the light faded, a small, snow-white fox sat on the rug. It had three flowing tails, tipped with green fire, and large, intelligent eyes that matched Lucian's. But then, it shimmered. Before their eyes, the fox transformed into a miniature, doll-like woman—no bigger than a teapot—with white fox ears, a flowing kimono, and a single, bushy tail.
"A Nine-Tailed Fox? Or at least, the start of one," Akeno whispered, leaning in.
"Strategically fascinating," Rias noted, scanning her records. "High adaptation, capable of illusion and minor engineering, but low raw power. It's a perfect match for a Bishop."
Lucian reached out. "Hey there. I'm Lucian. Do you have a name?"
The fox-spirit crossed her tiny arms and huffed, looking away. "My name is Tamamo, you sleep-deprived primate. And don't think just because you summoned me that I'll be your little lap-pet. If your orders are stupid, I'm staying in the spirit realm."
"She has quite the personality," Kiba chuckled.
Lucian sighed. "Great. Even my familiar thinks I'm an idiot."
The Stakeout
By noon, the "babysitting" mission was back in full swing.
Lucian and Kiba sat in a crowded park, wearing dark sunglasses and hiding behind unfolded newspapers. A few benches away, Issei was attempting to do push-ups to impress Asia, who was cheering him on with innocent enthusiasm.
"They look like they're in a shoujo manga," Kiba whispered from behind his paper. "And we look like the villains trying to kidnap the heroine."
"We're the insurance policy, Kiba," Lucian grumbled, adjusting his shades. "Rias's orders were clear: don't engage with the Church. If we interfere, it's a diplomatic nightmare."
He watched Issei and Asia walk toward an arcade, laughing and sharing a crepe. For a moment, Lucian felt a sharp pang of something—not jealousy, exactly, but a heavy sense of responsibility. He saw how happy Asia was, and he knew that in a few hours, her world was going to be torn apart.
This is exactly how it starts, Lucian thought. The hero laughs, the nun smiles, and the Fallen Angels sharpen their spears. And I'm just supposed to sit here and take notes?
Suddenly, the air grew cold. Lucian's Red Eyes pulsed behind his sunglasses.
Raynare (as Yuma) appeared at the edge of the arcade, her eyes locked on Asia. She didn't attack; she just stood there, a silent reminder of the debt Asia owed the Fallen.
"Engage?" Kiba's hand went to his hilt.
"No," Lucian said, his voice tight. "Her life isn't threatened yet. If we jump the gun, we lose the chance to save her for good. Stay back."
It was the hardest thing Lucian had done since arriving in this world—watching Asia walk away with a look of lingering dread, knowing she was heading back into the lion's den.
The Breaking Point
Back at the Occult Research Club, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Issei was pacing, his face red with fury.
"We have to save her! They're going to kill her, Rias! You saw her! She's just a girl!"
Rias sat behind her desk, her face a mask of noble stoicism. "Issei, I told you. The Church is a forbidden territory. Engaging there means war. As your King, I cannot risk the lives of my entire peerage for one human girl."
"I don't care about the rules!" Issei shouted. "I'm going! With or without you!"
He stormed out of the room, the door slamming behind him.
Rias sighed, her shoulders dropping an inch. She looked at Lucian, Kiba, and Koneko. "A Pawn has the ability to promote himself in enemy territory. That is his gamble. But as for the rest of you... I officially command you to stay in this building."
She stood up and walked toward the private chambers, her expression unreadable. "I have... important work to attend to. Don't leave."
The room fell silent. Lucian looked at Kiba. Kiba looked at Koneko.
Tamamo, Lucian's fox-familiar, appeared on his shoulder, flicking his ear with her tail. "Well? Are you going to be a good little dog and follow orders? Or are you going to be the man I saw in your dreams?"
Lucian stood up, tying his hair even tighter. "Rias said she couldn't command us to go. She didn't say we couldn't decide for ourselves."
"She left the back door unlocked on purpose," Kiba noted, a small, knowing smile on his face. "She's testing us."
"Koneko?" Lucian asked.
The small Rook stood up, cracking her knuckles. "Puns are annoying. But Asia gave me a candy bar once. Let's go."
Lucian looked at the door. "Alright. We save the girl, we kick the priest's teeth in, and we worry about the paperwork tomorrow."
He felt a strange surge of energy—not the unstable Destruction magic, but something cleaner. For the first time, he wasn't just "following the plot." He was making a choice.
"Tamamo, get ready," Lucian commanded. "I might need those illusions."
"Hmph. Finally," the fox chirped. "Let's show them what a Gremory Bishop can really do."