Hobby

In the old school building of Kuoh academy, Rias Gremory was in deep thought.

Just a little while ago she, along with her peerage, fought a stray devil, the fight was not all that difficult, they defeated the stray in less than three minutes, but that is not the reason why she's in such deep thought.

Even though the stray was quickly dealt with, there was a causality, before they could intervene it seem the stray got some unfortunate victim.

The victim is called Nagumo Hajime, he is nothing special. his presence is so inconspicuous that despite being classmates she had trouble recalling his name.

Now, the cause of her distress is that she reincarnated that boy as a devil, it wasn't because pity, though she did fell guilty not arriving earlier, she was moved by him... is a good way to put it, Rias found his body quite a distance from the stray, following a trail of blood, even when Hajime lost almost all of his blood his desire to live never died out, that drive is what impressed her, Rias felt that such a person deserved some kind of reward.

But here lies the problem, all members of her peerage have some outstanding power, while Hajime didn't possess anything like that, he doesn't have sacred gear nor did he inherited special bloodline, his physique was also rather lacking, a single pawn piece was more than enough for him.

Well, no use brooding over the past, if it turns out that Hajime doesn't want to be her servant she'll let him go once he matures as a devil, getting her piece back.

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"That is a lot to take in..."

I said trailing off at the end, as it turns out I'm no longer a human,

[That's the truth, you know]

"I don't feel any different though"

Is it supposed to feel so normal, becoming a devil I mean

[You do realise what this means, right?]

Said my alternative self, he doesn't need to tell me anything

"Much unneeded trouble"

Supernatural is real, my alternate self is not a figment of my imagination, that is cool and all, but being a devil... will I be hunted down by the church? do I have to feed on human souls now? so troublesome.

"By the way"

I spoke after a bit of thinking, to which he hummed, urging me to continue

"That thing you said, 'Limit Break', how did I do it?"

'The skill manifested in those who broke their limits' I recall, I'm not so delusional to believe that I meet the qualification

[You didn't, I did]

He answered in a bored voice, that makes sense I guess...

[You're weak, you know that much, you won't survive long]

He continued.

He is right, yesterday made me open my eyes

"so, about that workout, you talked about..."

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'And what am I supposed to do now...?'

The classes are coming to an end, but nothing unusual happened.

I know Gremory-san is the one to resurrect me, but she gave no clues about it, I mean she has to at least explain things right?

[Don't be impatient]

Scolded my alternate self...

'You know, calling you my alternate self is getting kinda annoying'

Hearing that he just looked at me, being able to communicate with thoughts is convenient

'I mean, calling you by a name is weird, having the same name and all...'

[Hmm]

He made a thinking gesture

[Who gives a damn]

He said

[Call me whatever you want]

'All right then, from now on I'll call you Naaagumo'

[Except for that]

'What, it's not that bad'

[... Just call me an alter in that case]

'Oh my, so original'

I said with sarcasm

[shut up]

Let's stop here.

I got distracted there, but it is still very much a problem, alter can help me get stronger, but he is foreign to this world, he doesn't have information nor connections, both are essential to not accidentally get killed by some religious groups or whatnot, I wonder if devil hunters are a thing?

I was at the entrance already, but someone called out to me

"A minute please, Nagumo-san"

Turning around I saw Kiba Yuuto, prince charming of this academy, a kind of guy that will make guys go 'riajuu explode!' all over the place, he's part of the occult research club...

Oh shit

"Could you follow me to the club?"

Rias Gremory is the president of the ORC, this guy is also a devil and every member of the club too, most likely

[Rejoice, young man, for they'll explain everything to you... most likely]

Alter sneaking a little reference didn't go unnoticed.

No need to refuse, so I just nodded and we went to the clubhouse.

The inside was what you'd expect from a club named 'occult research club', darkness and candles... and a shower it seems, I won't even try to question it.

All the members were present.

After the pleasantries were done, the club president finally got to business

"Nagumo-kun, do you believe in supernatural?"

So that's how she's gonna start

"As of yesterday, yes I do"

My response surprised them a little

"I see you remember what happened"

"Clear as day"

Not really, the memories are a bit hazy towards the end, but they don't need to know that, by the way...

'Should I tell them about you?'

I asked to alter-kun

[No no, keep it a secret for now]

If that's what he wants

"Good, that makes thing easier"

Rias continued

"I'll tell you why you're here"

She stood up and unfurled her bat-like wings, Other members also did the same

"I'm a devil..."

She proclaimed.

You know, I kinda feel bad for her, this was supposed to be a big revelation or something, but knowing everything from the beginning ruined it

[Sorry for the spoiler]

Alter feigned regret, his act was disgustingly obvious

"... And you are my servant"

... What.

My wings also unfurled

"... A servant?"

I muttered, Rias chuckled at that

"Is that what surprised you the most?"

Well, yes...

"When you say a servant, you mean THE servant, right? like a butler or what?"

I don't want to be a servant

"No, of course not, you'll be my subordinate"

"Whew"

The relief literally washed over me

"... What?"

They're giving me some strange looks

"You really aren't surprised about becoming a devil?"

"Huh, oh that. D-devil? wha-what? it can't be real!"

[You aren't tricking anybody with that cheap act]

'You're harsh, alter-kun, I did my best you know?'

I say that, but it was obvious they wouldn't believe me, even if my act was good

"A-anyway, do you mind explaining my situation more clearly?"

I changed the subject.

They then explained some essentials to me, things like a peerage and whatnot, also my job as a newly reincarnated devil.

"Flyers..."

Not gonna lie, I never expected that a devil would have to give out flyers

"Yes, that's usually familiars job, but you don't have that yet, so you'll have do it yourself for now"

Can I quit?

"Soon you'll be signing contracts like all else in this club"

Yeah, there's also this contracts, I'll have to grant wishes for a price, which are not souls, surprisingly...

"...Can I pass?"

I really, really don't want to do that, I'll rather go home and play games all night

"That you can't"

Rias said with a smile

No, I understand that it's important, sighing contract increases a devils power and subsequently their standing in the underworld.

"... If I get strong enough, will I be excused from this activity?"

She chuckled

"If you can"

Rias answered.

'Alter'

[Hmm]

'Work out to the max it is'

"Don't regret it"

Hobbies first, life later- that is my motto, signing contracts is not my hobby, nor is working out, but a body reconstruction is a faster way to get stronger than slowly building up strength through contracts

I stood up

"Thank you for having me! I'll assume my duties from tomorrow, have a good day, Bye!"

I quickly left, without letting them say anything else.

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[Alright, we'll start with push-ups]

"Straight to the business, huh"

I did say I'd start training, no reason not complying.

"What about metamorphosis you talked about"

I asked while getting into a position.

[As I said, it isn't my speciality, I will modify your body after mine, but you'll need to put in some effort, you won't escape signing contracts for a few weeks]

Heh, well, never really expected to get strong overnight

"Though, what is your speciality"

At this point, I'm rather surprised by my progress, I'm not really that strong physically, so after fourth push-up I'd struggle a lot in the past, but now I'm over ten already and don't feel a thing yet, being a devil has its benefits I guess.

[I'm synergist, I make stuff]

"Hee~ what are you usually making, swords? spears? shields? tell me, by the way, how long do I keep doing these, push-up I mean"

[Orbital sun Lazer, AOE healing beam, also orbital, guns, missiles, you know the drill, you'll continue till you collapse]

"Orbital sun Lazer, hmmm"

What

"What"

[What?]

"Don't what me here! why the hell would you make those, when would even use them?!"

[First of all, you never know what might happen, I've been through a lot, and second of all, why wouldn't I, admit it they are cool as all hell]

What kind of circumstances did push him to make those things... just how? are we really the same person?

No, they are indeed cool, I actually want to see them in action!

"Teach me!"

[I see you also see the romance, huh. No, we are the same, of course, you see it. Alright! I will pass my knowledge to you! don't disappoint me, disciple!]

"Yes! master!"

I got a new hobby that night.