The days following Alex's audacious refusal of Rias Gremory's peerage offer passed with a strange blend of mundane routine and simmering anticipation.
School was still school. Issei and Matsuda continued their perverted antics, largely oblivious to the cosmic shift in their friend's life. Alex, for his part, maintained his Motohama façade, nodding along to their crude jokes and occasionally feigning a headache. His mind, however, was a whirlwind of newfound knowledge and burgeoning potential.
He spent every spare moment in the quiet solitude of his room, poring over vague memories of DxD lore, trying to piece together the mechanics of this world, and mentally reviewing his Earthbending and Cross Tail abilities.
The Cloranthy Ring hummed faintly on his finger, slowly but surely knitting his fatigued muscles back together after intense, secret training sessions in the forest. He felt stronger, more aware, but also acutely aware of how much more he needed to learn.
Then, three days after his meeting at the Occult Research Club, a soft, insistent knock echoed from the front door of Motohama's house. Alex, who had been attempting to subtly practice a small Earthbending tremor under his desk, nearly got bamboozled. His parents were out, and Issei and Matsuda usually just barged in. He cautiously approached the door, peering through the peephole. His breath hitched.
Standing on the porch, a stack of old, leather-bound books cradled in her arms, was Akeno Himejima. Her signature mischievous smile played on her lips, and her violet eyes held a softer, almost playful glint. She wore a simple, elegant dress, making her look less like a high school student and more like she was on a date.
Akeno? Here? At Motohama's house? Alex's mind raced. This is… unexpected. And potentially problematic if Issei or Matsuda caught wind of it. He quickly composed himself, smoothing down his perpetually messy hair, and opened the door.
"Akeno-san?" Alex managed, trying to sound surprised but not alarmed. He glanced quickly up and down the street. Empty. Good.
Akeno's smile widened, a soft, alluring sound escaping her lips. "Hello Motohama-kun. President approved your request for 'basic human magic texts.' And I was just passing by, so I thought I'd deliver them personally." Her voice was a low, melodious purr, laced with playful teasing. She held out the stack of books. They looked ancient, their covers worn, their pages thick with the promise of forgotten knowledge.
Alex took the books, their unexpected weight grounding him. He could feel a faint, almost imperceptible magical aura emanating from them. "Oh. Right. Thank you, Akeno-san. That's… very kind of you to bring them all this way." He gestured awkwardly. "Would you… like to come in? I mean, it's probably better than standing out here"
Akeno's smile softened, her eyes twinkling a bit "Why, thank you, Alex-kun. I'd be delighted" She stepped inside, her movements fluid and graceful, bringing with her a faint, pleasant scent of cherry blossoms and something subtly electric. Alex quickly closed the door, a sense of excitement bubbling within him. This was his first real step into understanding this world's magic, and with Akeno as his guide.
. . .
Alex led Akeno to the small, slightly cluttered living room. He carefully placed the books on the coffee table. They were indeed "basic," but to Alex, they were a treasure trove. Titles like "Fundamentals of Mana Manipulation," "Elemental Theory: A Beginner's Guide," and "Basic Enchantments and Wards" and some mundane spells for daily life.
"These are… incredible," Alex breathed, picking up one "Thank you, Akeno-san and say thanks to Rias as well"
Akeno settled onto the sofa "Rias believes that a powerful, unaligned human in her territory is best kept… informed. And perhaps, a little indebted" Her smile was playful, but her eyes held a deeper meaning "Besides, I wanted to ensure you understood the basics. Magic isn't something you can just pick up from a book without guidance"
Alex nodded eagerly "I appreciate that. Honestly, I'm a complete novice when it comes to magic. My abilities are… different." He gestured vaguely "So, where do I even start? Mana manipulation? Is it like… controlling energy?"
Akeno's eyes lit up "Precisely! Mana is the lifeblood of magic, the energy that flows through all living things and the world itself. But for human magic, it's not about instinct or visualization, not like what you might be used to with your unique abilities"
She leaned forward "Human magic is built on understanding and calculation. It's about formulas, incantations, the precise manipulation of magical principles. Think of it like a complex equation. You need to understand the variables, the constants, and the steps to achieve the desired outcome." She held out her hand, palm up. A tiny, almost imperceptible spark of electricity danced between her fingers. "Try this. Focus on your inner energy, your mana. Feel it. Then, try to apply this mental formula, a calculation of intent, to draw it out. Don't just imagine it; calculate its manifestation."
Alex closed his eyes, focusing. He remembered the feeling of Earthbending, the subtle vibrations, the connection to the ground. That was intuitive. This "calculation" concept felt alien. He tried to apply a logical, almost mathematical approach to his internal energy. He felt a faint warmth, a tingling sensation in his core. He pushed, willed it to manifest, trying to construct a mental "formula" for drawing mana, but nothing happened. He opened his eyes, a sheepish grin on his face "Guess it's harder than it looks. The calculation part, I mean. My other abilities are more… direct."
Akeno chuckled. "It takes practice. Years, for most. It's different that demonic power, where we use imagination. But you have a unique affinity for… manipulating things. Perhaps try to break down the process into logical steps. Identify the mana, calculate the flow, then define the desired effect. It's less about raw feeling and more about precise mental commands." She reached out, her fingers gently brushing his wrist. A faint, warm current seemed to flow from her touch, guiding his focus. "Feel that? That's your mana. It's always there, waiting for the right instruction to come out"
Alex felt a jolt, not just from the subtle magical current, but from the unexpected intimacy of her touch. His heart thumped a little faster. Okay, Alex, focus on the magic, not the beautiful devil touching you. Calculations. Not imagination. He closed his eyes again, concentrating on the sensation. This time, as he pushed, trying to mentally "solve" the problem of mana manifestation, a faint, almost invisible shimmer appeared around his hand, a tiny ripple in the air. It was still weak, but it was there.
"Whoa," His eyes widened in surprise.
Akeno's smile was genuine, full of admiration. "Excellent! You have a strong affinity, Alex-kun. Most humans struggle for weeks to achieve even that, especially with such a different approach to magic. It seems you truly are unique, capable of adapting to various power systems." She removed her hand, but the warmth lingered on his wrist.
They spent the next hour like that, Akeno patiently explaining concepts, answering his barrage of questions about mana, magical elements, and the subtle differences between demonic and human magic, emphasizing the structured, formulaic nature of the latter. Alex, in turn, shared some of his own insights into his "unconventional training," describing how he "felt" the earth or "extended his will" through the Cross Tail threads, carefully omitting any mention of the System or Gacha. Akeno listened intently, her violet eyes sparkling with fascination.
Their conversation flowed easily, punctuated by comfortable silences and shared laughter when Alex stumbled over a complex magical term or when Akeno playfully teased him. The air between them hummed with an unspoken connection, a growing understanding that transcended their initial transactional agreement. It was clear they enjoyed each other's company, sharing a secret world that no one else could ever comprehend.
. . .
As the afternoon light began to fade, Akeno finally gathered herself to leave. "Well, Alex-kun, I believe that's enough for today. You have plenty to study."
"Thank you, Akeno-san," Alex said, genuinely grateful. "This was… incredibly helpful. More than you know." He felt a pang of disappointment that she was leaving.
Just as Akeno turned towards the door, a familiar blue light materialized before Alex's eyes, visible only to him. The Gacha System panel pulsed softly, a new notification shimmering at its center:
[QUEST: SPAR WITH A DEVIL (AKENO HIMEJIMA)][DESCRIPTION: Engage Akeno Himejima in a friendly spar to test and refine your combat abilities][REWARD: 1x RANK 2 GACHA TICKET]
Alex's heart leaped. A Rank 2 ticket! This was exactly what he needed. But a spar with Akeno? She was powerful. He'd have to push himself and reveal more of his abilities. Still, the reward was too good to pass up. And the thought of fighting alongside, or against, someone as strong and captivating as Akeno… it was undeniably exciting.
He turned back to Akeno, a casual, almost mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Actually, Akeno-san," he began, trying to sound nonchalant, "since you're here, and we've just gone over some theory… how about we put some of it into practice?"
Akeno paused, one hand on the doorknob, her head tilting slightly "Oh? And what do you have in mind?" Her violet eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"A spar," Alex stated, his voice gaining a confident edge "A friendly one, of course. Just to see how these 'unconventional' abilities of mine hold up against… well, against someone who is in team of ruler of this town" He gave a small, challenging smile. "It would be a great way to test what I've learned, and for you to see what I'm capable of. And it'll be our little secret, of course"
Akeno's smile widened, a low, pleased chuckle escaping her lips. Her eyes gleamed with a predatory, yet playful, light "Oh my~ A spar with a human who defeated a Stray Devil and possesses such unique abilities? And a secret, just between us?" She took a step back from the door. "That sounds absolutely delightful. When and where?"
"How about that secluded part of the forest, near the abandoned house, tomorrow after school?" Alex suggested. "It's quiet there. No prying eyes."
"Perfect," Akeno purred, her smile now a full, alluring grin. "I look forward to it. Do try to keep up." With a final, knowing glance, she turned and slipped out the door, leaving Alex with a pounding heart and a surge of anticipation. He had a spar with a devil, a Rank 2 Gacha Ticket on the line, and a deepening secret connection with Akeno Himejima. His new life was truly getting interesting.