Chapter 3: The Scar, the Phoenix, and a Promise
Andrew's POV
My eyes fluttered open.
Gone was the ceiling of my bedroom. No familiar posters, no soft hum of the city outside the window. This wasn't home. Either I was in a hospital… or, judging by the luxurious decor and fresh scent of lavender, one of the Phoenix family's many guest rooms.
So… they patched me up, huh?
I sat up with a slight groan, my body sore but intact. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and noticed a neatly folded pile of clothes waiting on a nearby chair—simple but finely made, clearly expensive.
As I got dressed, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and froze.
There, across my chest, was a massive, ugly scar. Long, jagged, and slightly glowing at the edges. It looked a lot like Sans' scar from Undertale—if someone had made it three times bigger and twice as brutal.
Andrew (quietly): "…Damn."
I traced the scar with a finger. It pulsed faintly with residual chakra. A reminder. A price paid.
Well, at least they fixed the mask part of my shirt… small wins, I guess.
Suddenly, the door creaked open. A young maid stepped in, stopping in surprise when she saw me standing.
Maid (surprised): "Oh! You're awake!"
She quickly composed herself, bowing respectfully.
Maid (calm): "If you're feeling well enough, Lord and Lady Phoenix would like to speak with you in the main chamber. Please follow me."
Time Skip – Phoenix Manor, Main Chamber
The Phoenix estate was even more extravagant than I imagined. Crimson banners lined the golden walls, chandeliers sparkled like constellations, and the entire place radiated an aura of noble magic and old power.
I stood before the heads of the Phoenix Clan.
Lord Phoenix sat tall in his throne-like chair, his eyes sharp yet respectful. Beside him, Lady Phoenix regarded me with a mix of maternal concern and highborn dignity. Both were clearly powerful—but neither looked down on me.
Lord Phoenix: "Young man… Andrew, was it?"
I gave a small nod.
Lord Phoenix (smiling): "We cannot thank you enough for what you did. Our daughter, Ravel, was taken by rogue Fallen Angels. You saved her life—risked your own without hesitation."
He stood from his seat and gave a formal bow.
Lord Phoenix: "As the head of House Phoenix, I hereby offer you any reward within our power. Speak your wish, and it shall be done."
The room fell silent.
I scratched my head awkwardly, eyes drifting to the elegant floor tiles. Honestly, I hadn't done it for praise or rewards. I just… didn't want to see someone innocent hurt. Especially not a kid like Ravel.
I shrugged.
Andrew: "Nah. I don't really need anything. I just want to go home."
Both Lord and Lady Phoenix blinked in surprise. For a moment, they just stared at me as if I had grown a second head.
Then, they smiled.
Lady Phoenix: "A humble hero… you remind me of someone I once knew."
Lord Phoenix: "Very well. We shall prepare your departure. But first—our daughter wishes to speak with you."
Ravel's Goodbye
Ravel stepped forward, her golden hair cascading down her shoulders. She wore a soft blue dress, elegant yet simple, with a small phoenix pendant around her neck.
She bowed deeply.
Ravel: "Thank you… for saving me."
She straightened, pulling a small contract from her pocket. Magic pulsed from it faintly.
Ravel (smirking): "You've earned the… honor of being my friend now. As such, this is a summoning contract. Should I ever want to hang out or talk… me or one of my pieces can appear through it."
She handed it to me like a formal invitation.
Ravel: "I don't offer this lightly, Andrew. Keep it safe."
I took the contract, tucking it into my coat with a smile.
Andrew (grinning under his mask): "Sure. I don't mind being friends. Sounds fun."
She turned away quickly, her face slightly pink.
Return to Kuoh
In a swirl of teleportation magic, I found myself on the outskirts of Kuoh, the sky just beginning to darken with the coming evening.
The wind hit my face—clean, natural air. I smiled, stretching my arms toward the treetops.
Andrew (relieved): "Finally… home."
Using chakra, I began leaping from rooftop to rooftop, watching the town lights flicker on below. As I moved, I dispelled the shadow clone I had left behind to cover for me.
The memories hit me instantly.
The training. The mission. The fire and lightning. The pain. The scar. The moment I nearly died—and the reason I didn't.
I won't forget this.
System Update
[System Notification]
Emergency Mission Complete: The Phoenix's Rescue
Rewards Claimed.
New Titles Unlocked:
[Phoenix's Ally]
[Lightning Wielder]
New Quest Tree Unlocked: Lineage Quests
Daily Quest Added:
Shadow of the Shinobi – Train in Stealth, Chakra Control, or Combat for at least 2 hours.
Reward: Random EXP boost, System Points, or Stat Increase.
Author Notes:
That wraps up the aftermath of Andrew's fight with the Fallen Angels! I wanted to give this chapter more emotion, dialogue, and depth while staying true to the idea that Andrew isn't some arrogant hero—just someone trying to protect what matters.
Next chapter, Andrew might finally reach the beginning of canon… but not before a few more side quests (and possibly a system upgrade 👀).
Got ideas for system missions, character interactions, or Naruto/High School DxD fusion moments? Drop them in the comments and I might add them in future chapters!
Would you like me to help outline the next few quests from the system or maybe help write the opening chapter once canon starts (with Rias, Issei, and the whole DxD crew)?