A charged silence filled the garden, thick with the ominous aura radiating from Rias Gremory and Akeno Himejima. Their presence hung like a drawn sword over Kaito's neck, the shadows of the night dancing around them under the moonlight. They stood over Issei's lifeless body, their eyes fixed on Kaito like predators watching their prey.
Rias, her beautiful face marked by seriousness, appeared more imposing under the night sky than she did during the day. Her fiery red hair glowed like embers, framing her blue eyes that glistened with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
"What happened here?" Her voice was like a blade slicing through the silence, carrying with it a mixture of astonishment and interrogation.
Sweat beaded on Kaito's forehead, a chill running down his spine as his fingers trembled and he tried to avert his gaze from Issei's still body. He remembered the system's warning: Don't reveal all your cards. He hid his unease behind a mask of feigned panic and stammered in a hoarse voice:
"I—I—I don't know!" His voice cracked, his hand gripping his forehead as if battling a mysterious fever. "I was just passing by, and I saw a girl talking to him. Then suddenly… black wings sprouted from her back! And she threw a spear of light at him… it was terrifying!"
His eyes darted between Rias and Akeno, wide with exaggerated fear. "What were those wings? And that spear… was she a monster?"
Rias's eyes glowed with a sharp light, as if slicing through Kaito's mask, searching for any thread of deceit. The aura that had enveloped him moments before had vanished, leaving only the image of a frightened human boy. "Black wings… a spear of light…" she murmured, piecing together the story in her mind. "Did you see her disappear?"
"Yes!" he blurted out quickly, lacing his voice with forced fear. He pointed to a scorched patch on the ground. "She threw another spear at me before she vanished!"
Akeno approached with confident steps, her mysterious smile carrying the cunning of a fox. She gently placed a hand on Kaito's shoulder, her voice dripping with tenderness that concealed a hidden tension: "Are you alright, Kaito-kun? Were you hurt?"
Kaito stepped back slightly, placing his trembling hand on his chest. "I—I'm okay," he said with difficulty, his breath ragged. "I must have been lucky. But that boy…" He stared at Issei's body, his brows furrowed.
Rias turned her face to study Issei, then returned her gaze to Kaito. Something about this boy wasn't normal. How did a human survive an attack from a Fallen Angel? How did he manage to evade Raynare long enough to witness her escape?
"Don't worry about him," she finally said. She knelt beside Issei's body, a faint crimson aura glowing around her as she chanted a spell, making the air tremble with a strange, enticing energy. Issei remained unconscious, but a transparent aura surrounded him, as if preparing him for a different fate.
Kaito gasped in feigned astonishment, his eyes widening with artificial fear. Real magic… this was the world of DxD.
After a moment, Rias lifted her head and fixed him with eyes that seemed to freeze him in place: "Yamada-kun, what you saw tonight must never be shared with anyone. Anyone." Her voice carried a coldness that made his skin crawl.
"I—I understand." He swallowed hard and whispered, "I won't tell anyone. It was… terrifying."
"Good." Her gaze hardened, and she added in a tone laced with hidden threat: "But remember this: you are now in danger. You've seen something no human should ever see."
Suddenly, a system interface appeared before his eyes, its blue lines dancing in the darkness:
[System Mission: Gain Initial Trust][Objective: Accept Rias Gremory's invitation to join the Occult Research Club.][Reward: 150 EXP + Unlock Skill: Aura Detection]
His heart raced, his chest tightening with rapid beats. "I—I don't understand what's going on," he muttered, his hand clutching his chest like someone searching for an escape.
Rias watched him, her eyes weighing every movement, studying him like a demon playing a game. How had he survived a Fallen Angel's attack? And why was he different? He had seen Raynare, and that alone was enough to make her cautious.
"Yamada-kun, the Occult Research Club is not just any club." Her voice carried a note of otherworldly invitation, promising answers… and perhaps a chance at survival. "Here, you may find the answers to your questions… and maybe a refuge from the dangers you witnessed tonight."
"Refuge?" he repeated, feigning amazement, his eyes wide with hidden fear.
"Yes." Rias gave a faint smile, her voice slipping into him like a devil's whisper. "If you're interested in learning more… or in gaining protection… come to the old school building after classes tomorrow."
"I—I will." His voice trembled with forced gratitude and fear. "Thank you… Rias-san."
A faint smile curved her lips before she turned to Akeno. "Let's go, Akeno. We have much to do."
Before they left, Rias lifted Issei's body in her arms, and the two of them vanished in a flash of crimson light, leaving Kaito alone in the garden .
Kaito exhaled, trying to calm his pounding heart. Then a cold smile spread across his face, his eyes glowing with a sharp glint. He raised his head, whispering:
"Initial trust… and the club."
His grin widened, a flicker of anticipation burning in his chest. He
brushed a hand thoughtfully along his chin, eyes glinting with resolve:
"Now the game begins. Let's see just how far you'll go with me, Rias."