13 The Occult (3)

"Again."

Koneko looked down on Kamijou.

"I'm sorry."

Says the kneeling Kamijou. His cheeks was quite red too.

"Again."

She says again.

"I'm sorry."

Kamijou repeated.

"Again!"

Her voice was much louder this time.

"I'M SO SORRY!"

Kamijou apologized and head-butted the floor with all his might.

How did I get into this position? Kamijou wondered.

When he tore apart Rias' uniform, Koneko pounced on him as if to protect her king's dignity. But it seems she has alot of self control. If she had used much of her strength, she would have broken his neck.

Kamijou sighed.

It was as if he had gone back in time and relived the entire Akeno incident all over again. The only good side about this was the fact they were in an enclosed and he was the only boy here.

Maybe it was because he was fortunate enough to be the only boy here. If he had grabbed Rias' shoulder and her uniform exploded in public, then that will just be terrible.

In situations like this, he was really both fortunate and unfortunate. Maybe this is another form of misfortune. Kamijou thought. When Koneko was done with him, she left him alone and sat down back on her couch.

On the other hand, Rias was naked and her body was wrapped with a blanket, covering her important parts. Even so, her cheeks were red. She was obviously embarrassed. Apparently, she can't use her power to create another uniform so she sent Akeno to fetch her a change of clothes. All because of a certain right hand.

A strange atmosphere dominated the air.

It was not that a Stand user has appeared.

"...Um, princess?"

He called out and Rias faced his way, shyly.

"I'm completely the one at fault here."

"N-no. T-That can't be right. I'm also at fault here."

Rias' words were true. Both of them became over excited and this was the result. But Kamijou wondered if that was the case then why did Koneko beat him up.

(Well, that's fair. It's my fault for being a complete idiot. Even so, this was quite the life-changing event for this old man.)

Deep down, Kamijou felt butterflies in his stomach after seeing a girl naked for the first time. If he compared it with what happened with Akeno, they were two completely different feelings.

However, he was not the type to show it.

…Or so he had thought. If he looked in a mirror, he would have been surprised by the expression he currently had on.

Click!

The sound of the door opening. Himejima-senpai entered the room and handed Rias her spare uniform. She began to change while her face was still red as a bomb.

"W-Why are you looking at me like that? At least, face the other way."

Says the flushed Rias.

"Does it really matter? Compared to what happened before, changing itself is not that arousing, right?"

"..."

The response he got was a glare from Koneko. Kamijou's soul reflexively entered prostration mode.

He quickly turned and faced the other side.

...Hold on, something is not right.

Kamijou calmed himself and thought.

From what he remembered, the devils in the gremory household had close relationships with their servants and Rias was no different. From main storyline, Rias had no problem sleeping with Issei in her birthday suit.

Then he realised one important fact. He wasn't the protagonist. Besides, just because she is free with her servants, it doesn't mean she magically turn into an exhibitionist.

Despite being a devil found in a fantasy book, Rias was just like any ordinary girl. If you break her heart, she will cry. If you stripped her, she will be embarrassed. Or so Kamijou believed.

An awkward elevator-like silence atmosphere filled the room. There was only the sound of Rias putting on her uniform. At some point, she had fully put on her uniform.

Kamijou's mind proceeded to flee from reality but the awkward 'cough' of Sona reached his ears.

"Now that is settled, let's go back to the main subject."

Says Sona in an attempt to change the unpleasant atmosphere.

"It really seems you have an unusual power."

"You don't say." Kamijou smiled wryly.

"Even so, It is rather strange we have never heard anything about it."

There was also the fact she couldn't sense an inch from Kamijou. But she completely ignored that.

"Perhaps your sacred gear is the sub-species type."

"Sub-species?"

Kamijou tilted his head. That term was foreign.

"It's one of the sacred gear types. It is said they can take on a unique characteristic because of the thoughts and feelings of the wielder. They are more powerful than the normal form of the same Sacred Gear, and will sometimes gain a new ability as well. But it is also possible for a sacred gear to be a sub-species in its normal state. Your power probably belongs to that category."

Himejima-senpai explained.

It was a huge misunderstanding. Imagine Breaker couldn't be compared to something lowly like a sacred gear. It could negate anything of supernatural origins, the system of God included.

Simply put, Imagine breaker (his right hand) was far superior to any sacred gear including the Longinus type which was be able to kill gods.

What he told the devils was one big, fat juicy lie to ignite their greed. Maybe a sacred gear that disturbs magic truly existed somewhere in the world but in his case, it was just a disguise used to hide the true capabilities of imagine breaker. Namely, his right hand.

"So you're saying I'm an odd case, yes?"

"Yes, and for that reason, you have gathered alot of unwanted attention."

Sona says seriously.

"Unwanted attention?"

"That's right. You defeated one of the fallen angels, did you not? She's called Raynare, correct? If that's the case, there is no way they will let you be. The fact you were able to defeat one of them makes you a threat. So they will take measures to eliminate you."

Kamijou felt his heart sink at those cruel words. This was depressing news for him.

Yeah, as if my daily life wasn't already bad enough, now I already have supernatural beings after my neck. Kamijou thought in annoyance.

"Basically, what we're trying to say is we want to grant you protection. But for that, you will have to become our servant."

Rias said it as if it was no big deal.

"S-Servant? Now hold on, don't tell me that's some sort of weird fetish, right? I'm definitely not into that, Okay!"

"...W-What? It's definitely not what you are thinking."

"Then..."

"As we said before, we are Devils and there there are ranks among Devils. It's something called 'Peerage'. Sona has one and I has one. Your place of birth and family background plays a big role in it, but there are also Devils who have risen up. Everyone starts off as a novice first though."

Why does it feel like this is some recruiting commercial? Kamijou didn't voice out his thoughts and continued to listen.

"Majority of the pure devils were killed in the great war that took place long time ago. Because of that, devils started to desperately gather servants. Well, devils don't have the strength or the influence they originally had when they leaded their armies. Even so, we need to keep on increasing the number of the devils. Even with normal birth, it will take a lot of time to get back to the same population as before. After all, devils have a very low birth rate. Then we won't be able to stand up against the other factions. So we find humans who have potentials and make them into devils. We call them reincarnated devils. Our servants that is."

"I see. So in order to increase your numbers, you reincarnate humans into devils and enslave them."

"That's ri... Eh? W-Why, W-Why did you suddenly come to that conclusion!? It's definitely not like that!!"

Says Rias in defence.

"I mean, if it's like that, isn't that what you will say?"

Asks the suspecting Kamijou. He felt he had come across a demon who said it will give him ultimate power while hiding the fact he would be practically giving up his soul in exchange.

A pure one-sided contract.

"It's not like that, okay. Despite turning into devils, you would still retain your freewill. It's definitely not a slave contract. And those who treat their servants like slaves are worse than scum."

Kamijou did not miss Rias' brows twitching. Perhaps she was thinking about something very unpleasant. But that was only for a moment before she regained her composure.

"Anyways, there are alot of perks in becoming a devil. For one, Devils are much stronger than humans and possess the ability to use power. So there are more merits than demerits, don't you think?"

Despite saying it convincing enough, Kamijou still narrowed his brows at her. It seems as though he didn't still believe her.

In the next moment, Kamijou sighed.

"Alright then, let's say you are correct. Let's say I could magically become a being that could easily break any world records, shot flameballs from my fingertips and get any girl I want. Let's say all of that was possible just by becoming a devil. Is it really worth abandoning my humanity for?"

Even though it was a tempting that anyone would jump at, Kamijou saw no reason to turn into a devil.

"Kamijou, the decision is totally up to you. If you don't want to become a devil, that's fine. But please think about it. You are an odd case among humans. You are part of the special people who possesses sacred gears. That alone makes you different. For that reason, you are basically a priceless treasure for other beings. If the fallen angels can't get you to join their ranks, they will keep you from joining any other faction by eliminating you."

Says the corcerned Sona. Even though he possessed a one in a 300,000 talent, it didn't mean the other races were weak. If a group of fallen angels ganged up on a single human, it will be game over. In this case, it would be game over for Ryuji Kamijou. But,

"Maybe so... but I will not become a devil."

As it turns out, Kamijou was firm on his decision. To the devils, it may seem as though he had a strong dislike towards their race but it was nothing of the sorts.

"Please, don't look at me like that. It's not like I hate devils or nothing. In fact, you girls are pretty cute. Even so, that didn't mean I will become a devil. Just as there is a meaning in this conversation, I find meaning in staying human. It's just that simple. I really appreciate your concern, I really do. For that reason, I don't want to cause any stress for you guys. That's why I will have to politely decline your offer. Besides, it's not like I'm completely helpless. I was able to defeat that fallen from that time so I will be able to hold my own in a fight."

Kamijou stood up from the cough and walked over to the door. But as he held the handle, he faced the devils one more time.

"As I said before, even though you girls are devils, I don't really mind. In fact, I really like you guys and would like to form a friendship with you all. If you ever need my help, I will come to your aid. Even if it is something trival, I will come and give you a helping hand. That is the kind of person Ryuji Kamijou is."

With that said, Kamijou opened the door and exited the office.

"..."

"..."

"..."

Everybody was silent. Maybe it was because of Kamijou's absurd words or the way he carried himself, they just blankly stared at the door.

In what felt like forever, someone finally spoke.

"Well, that was unexpected." Sona smiled wryly.

"Yeah, I really wanted him to join my peerage."

Rias pouted. She even went as far as win the right to ask him to join her peerage from Sona in a game of chess. But she didn't really beat her since Sona basically let her win.

"But what are we going to do about the fallen angels?" Sona voice took a serious tone.

"Not only are they trespassing on our territory, they are also hunting down humans." Rias frowned. "But if we move carelessly, we might risk starting another war."

The three factions were currently on a standstill. If one of them made a great move against the other, a great war just like the one that happened hundred years old will emerge.

"I agree. We can only watch their actions for the time being. If they make any sudden moves, we will retaliate."

Rias nodded in agreement. But nobody noticed Akeno licking her lips. What that girl was thinking, nobody knew.