The breakfast is placed on the table.
A perfect breakfast consisting of chicken salad, cooked salmon, Miso Soup with Daikon and Wakame, Spinach Ohitashi and Tamagoyaki
"I should have been more careful and informed you about the current situation with the three fractions " Azazel sighed, dragging a hand through his unruly dark hair.
"Sorry about that " Shirou apologized
"No don't bother besides on the bright side she agreed to support my push for the peace treaty having the head of one of the remaining demon pillar and the sister of one of the Satans is a great boost "
After Shirou had accidentally blown open the classified details of Azazel's revival experiments, Sona Shitori had cornered the Governor-General (She was even more shocked at the fact that Shirou actually lived with the leader of the Grigori) and blackmailed him into a contract. In exchange for silence, she'd demanded full access to custom artificial Sacred Gears for her peerage members.
That alone should have been a disaster.
But somehow, the two of them had walked away with a revised peace arrangement and Shirou himself under a more lenient amended contract.
Still, the whole thing gnawed at him that Azazel was willing to trust him with important information like the peace treaty or his sacred gear research after his slip up
The sound of chopsticks echoed against ceramic bowls.
Outside the apartment's window, the cicadas buzzed. Summer heat was already pressing against the glass.
"Well what's done is done " Azazel tapped a folder beside him. "Besides, I've got worse problems right now."
Shirou looked up.
"Some of my angels have been going rouge . Intervening in devil territory. Hunting demons without clearance. One of them even killed a contracted devil in Nagano"
"Sounds like a mess," Shirou muttered.
"It is. And it's getting worse."Azazel's tone darkened as he flipped the folder open. Pages of diagrams—Sacred Gear schematics. Most of them unfinished. "Some of my siblings... they are not exactly happy with my stand on peace and they were very vocal about it in the meeting with the Cadre-class angels that Shemhazai dragged me into "
"My artificial gear program is hitting walls too. The replication array's stable, but without a proper core interface, I can't sync the mana feedback. And don't even get me started on the ingredient procurement." He clicked his tongue. "Still haven't found a compatible fairy."
Shirou blinked. "You need an actual fairy?"
"For the synchronization core but the problem is, all the ones left in this realm are either too distrustful or too weak."
"Shouldn't you be heading out?" Azazel wondered, glancing up at the wall-mounted clock for emphasis, Shirou's eyes widening in alarm as he realized he was running late "Don't worry about the dishes, I'll sort them out."
"In that case, I'll be off." Shirou conceded, rising from his seat, making certain to pick up his packed lunch from the fridge before heading on his way,
It was a bright summer morning when Shirou encountered the 10th strangest sight in his life
He'd barely gotten into the school grounds when he spotted Issei standing near the gates, flanked by his two usual idiots—Matsuda and Motohama.
And beside him, a girl.
Long black hair. Gentle eyes. Soft smile. Holding Issei's hand like it was natural.
Issei showing off his girlfriend Yuuma to his two friends
"Yo Emiya!" Issei called out with a huge grin plastered on his face." this is Yuuma-chan, MY GIRLFRIEND," he said, puffing up his chest like a peacock
"Nice to meet you, Emiya-san." Yuuma said, offering a polite bow and a handshake.
"Ah… nice to meet you too," he said, shaking her hand.
The moment her fingers touched his, he felt a strange rush.
Like that sick feeling when something dangerous is standing just behind you, breathing down your neck.
He blinked.
Was that killing intent?
No, couldn't be.
Matsuda and Motohama turned toward him, faces full of silent misery.
"She's real," Motohama muttered.
"I touched her shoulder and my hand didn't pass through," Matsuda added miserably
"Behold!" Issei declared dramatically to his two friends standing opposite him, puffing out his chest. "The proof that God has not abandoned me!"
Matsuda and Motohama stood frozen.
"No... no way..." Matsuda's voice trembled, a single tear forming in his eye.
"It can't be," Motohama whispered, "We were supposed to be in this together... to suffer together!"
Shirou watched as the two boys collapsed to their knees in perfect synchronization, hands clenched to the sky in shared despair.
"Traitor!" Matsuda wailed.
"Defector!" Motohama screamed.
"I'm sorry," Issei said, wiping away a fake tear with his free hand. "She chose me."
"WHY NOT US?!"
"You know that if you guys stopped being perverts, you could probably get a girlfriend," Shirou pointed out.
Both turned to him with betrayal in their eyes.
"How can you not see that our actions are fueled with our manly passion?!" Matsuda cried.
"To abandon the dream of seeing that utopia would be to deny our very existence as men!" Motohama added dramatically.
Shirou sighed. "That may be the case, but isn't it because of said actions that none of you have ever actually gotten a girlfriend?"
That did it.
Both dropped to the ground, faces pale, eyes full of tears.
"D-don't say it, man..."
"It hurts... the truth..."
"You're not forcing her, right?" Shirou asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Wha—NO! What do you think I am?!" Issei protested loudly
"I should've guessed. No way a pervert like you would be that lucky without divine intervention," Motohama muttered.
"No way, I tried to resist, but she wouldn't take no for an answer," Issei added with a solemn nod, tightening his grip around the girl's waist. "Yuuma-chan's just that persistent."
Yuuma just giggled. "Issei-kun's just being modest."
"Anyways we are going on a date bye" Issei waved off
"Shouldn't you be going class instead " Shirou poired out but Issei had already left
"!" Shirou picked up the killing instinct again coming straight from Matsuda and Motohama who were cursing Issei
'Oh it was just these two...' Shirou thought dryly before turning and heading to class
(Class 3D)
"Hi. How are you doing?"
Shirou looked up at the male student, who came to see him in mild suprise
The guy in front of him is the school's number 1 best looking prince, Kiba Yuuto.
He captured the hearts of the girls in the school with this smile and perfect looks. Even though they were in the same year they rarely interacted as they were from different classes
"I am doing fine...what about you " Shirou responded
"I came here by the order of Himejima Akeno-senpai"
—!
With that one statement, Shirou immediately understood why he is here.
"I want you to follow "
KYAAAA!
This time it's the girls' screams from the classroom and hallway
"This for Emiya-kun and Kiba-kun to walk besides each other!"
"Is this the legendary Yaoi !"
"I agree with the Kiba-kunEmiya-kun pair!"
'They are saying some weird crap.' Shirou sweat dropped
Shirou followed Kiba, who led him to the old school building.
Apparently it was used a long time ago, and there is no sign of people here. It's so creepy that it is listed in one of "the seven wonders of school".
The building looks very old and is made from wood, but there aren't any broken windows and it's hard to tell if there are any broken parts from its appearance.
They entered the two story high building, and went up the stairs
Shirou noted that the corridor looks clean. It seems like even the rooms that aren't used don't have a single speck dust in them.
'They must be cleaning this building quite often.' Shirou noted
They finally stopped front of a particular classroom with the sign on the door that read—
[Occult Research Club]
"Vice-president, I have brought him." Kiba said waiting for the approval through the wooden door.
"Yes, come in."
The room was filled with weird signs and words in every area of the classroom.
The floor. The walls and the ceiling. They are all covered with weird signs
And the one which stands out the most is the circle drawn at the center of the room.
It looks like a magic-circle that takes up most of the space in this room.
Shirou never trained to sense prana even so he could feel something strange and ominous from that sigil in the center
There were also a bunch of sofas and desks in the room
Seated on one of them was beautiful girl with a great figure pretty face, which is always smiling and black-hair tied up in a ponytail
"Ara ara. Hello, my name is Himejima Akeno. Pleased to make your acquaintance." Akeno introduced herself politely with a smile."I have been looking forward to meeting you for a while now"
" Nice to meet you too" Shirou gave a slight bow. "I take it this is about my presence in your territory?"
She blinked. "Huh?"
Kiba raised an eyebrow.
. "I assumed you were upset about me entering Kuoh without permission. For the record, I already made a formal agreement with Sona Shitori. She gave me clearance to stay, and I've signed a contract under her jurisdiction. If there's a territorial dispute, I suggest taking it up with her directly—" Shirou started
"Actually, I invited you... to help with the strawberry cake."
Shirou paused. "...Cake?"
"Yes—your cake in cooking club. Rias and I... loved it. I wanted to make it again, but I can't figure out the glaze ratio. You're so... handy with trace magic and such. I wanted your help." Akeno's posture loosened "But it seems like you have something more interesting to tell me "
"Errr.."
The aroma of strawberry glaze and freshly baked cake hung thick in the air.
Akeno carefully sliced the strawberry , while Shirou adjusted the two half-assembled sponge layers.
"You said earlier you weren't a proper magus or Magician but a spellcaster. What exactly does that mean? I thought anyone who could use magic was a magician." Akeno said, sliding a tray of sliced strawberries toward him. "I assume that 'Magician' holds some special meaning?"
"There's very little difference between them." Shirou admitted with a nod "However, there are actually several classifications a Magus can fall under, with the title of Magician being the absolute pinnacle one can achieve."
"Pinnacle ?"Akeno
"To be honest I don't really know much about Magicians except that they can use True Magic—which is a miracle. The kind of thing no technology or magecraft could ever replicate...from what my friend told me I know only about two the second magic known as Kaleidoscope and the third magic known as Heaven's feel" Shirou finished centering the top sponge and stepped back to examine it.
"I take it that mangus is more than someone who can use non miracle magic ?"
"'Magus defines a whole set of beliefs and lifestyle, the first of which is the desire to reach the "Truth". No matter the cost" Shirou explained as he dipped a flat spatula into the compote and began spreading a thin layer between the cakes. "to be honest I am at best a third-rate Mangus "
"Really..with such high magic...! Ah sorry I mean it's common in devil society too to have low level devils who..."
" No... actually it essentially refers to those with relatively low skills in Magecraft or who don't adhere to the ways of traditional Magi." Shirou explained, placing the third sponge cake "For example, I'm quite at home with most modern appliances, whereas most 'True' Magi would consider using a computer instead of pen paper, or even parchment, to be heresy."
"Ah so they are like those struck up old families obsessed over tradition " Akeno commented as she began spreading the whipped cream over the top layer "I'd always wondered just what kind of hierarchal structure the Human Magical Societies possessed "
"It's less mystery and more ideology," he replied. "Most magi bury themselves in experimenting rituals, theory, ancient bloodlines. But in the end, it's all tools. Tools meant to reach the root—whatever that may be."
Akeno made a final sweep across the cake's surface. "And yours?"
Shirou looked at the finished cake, then at her. "I'm not sure anymore. But right now, helping someone bake a delicious strawberry cake feels like a good use of my skills."
Akeno gave him a sideways glance, lips quirking upward as she laid the spatula down.
"Ufufu… that was unexpectedly sweet," she said, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Just then the room opened and both of them turned to see who arrived
Rias Gremory stood at the threshold, her crimson hair catching the morning light behind her a girl with a small build and cute face followed
"Ah! Buchou you arrived at the correct time we just finished making the cake !"
Later
"Uumm noyt fhair...Sona already made contahct with youh." Rias complained with a mouth full of cake
"Buchou it's improper to speak while eating " Akeno chided while elegantly eating her piece
"Magic-senpai's cake is nice" Koneko praised eating her second helping of cake
"Thanks..."Shirou smiled at the compliment before turning to Rias "So what do members of Occult Research Club do ?"
"Occult Research Club is just a camouflage. It's my hobby. It's actually a gathering place for us Devils" Rias answered
PA!
From the backs of everyone around Shirou leathery black bat wings protruded
"Let's introduce everyone anew. Yuuto."Rias commanded Kiba
"My name is Kiba Yuuto. As you already know, I'm a second year like you, Emiya Shirou-kun. I'm a Devil . Nice to meet you."
"...First year. ...Toujou Koneko. Pleased to make your acquaintance. ...I'm a Devil too."
Toujou Koneko-chan bows her head.
"My name is Himejima Akeno, and I'm in third year. I'm also the vice-president of this Occult Research Club. Nice to meet you. Even though I'm like this, I'm also a Devil. Ufufu."
Himejima-senpai bows her head very politely.
Lastly, it's Rias-senpai.
"And I'm their master as well as being a Devil from the House of Gremory, Rias Gremory. My house holds the rank of a Duke. Let's get along from now on, Emiya-san."
"Uh...yeah let's get along..." Shirou said slightly taken aback at the sight of the wings
"I will get directly to the point...join my peerage Emiya Shirou "
"Ehhhhh!?" Kiba blinked at the bluntness
"Cooking-senpai is joining us !?" Koneko asked with starry eyes already thinking about all the dishes she can eat
"Ufufu. You are so bold, Buchou."Akeno giggled
Looking at their reactions, Shirou sweatdropped seriously what was it with these devil heiress wanting to make him join their peerage? Is this what they call the devil's temptation?
"Ne..Gremory-Se.."
"Please, call me Rias. I don't like being called just by my surname." Rias interrupted
"Rias-san then. I'm not a fan of formalities either, so you all can call me Shirou" Shirou responded "Just so you know I have already signed a contract with Shitorī-san"
"It prevents me from forming a similar contract with you but..this doesn't apply for joining my Peerage " Rias explained "you see entering into contracts with humans is not only a way of life for Devils, it's actually a mark of status. The more contractors a Devil has, the more influence they are said to possess among their peers."
"And making me join your peerage means you have a better contact with me then Shitorī-san which will improve your own standing "
"Yes you got it right!" Rias beamed
'She didn't even try to deny it' Shirou deadpanned
"Besides with your high magic power, the powerful sacred gear you possess and your background as a spellcaster makes you a great candidate for my bishop "
" Sorry not interested "Shirou sighed. "I'm not exactly what you think of as a spellcaster, Rias-san. My abilities are... a bit different... While I can use what you might call 'magic,' it's primarily through a technique called Tracing."
"Tracing?" Rias frowned she never heard of any such magic
"It allows me to analyze, understand, and then re-create objects, often weapons,more particularly swords. Think of it less as casting spells and more like materializing things I've seen or understand. My fighting style relies heavily on these projected weapons, making me more of a melee fighter than a long-range spellcaster."
"Swords are you a swordsman ?" Kiba asked giving Shirou an odd look
"It kind of sound similar to Kiba-kun's sacred gear " Akeno
"Actually my magecraft doesn't have anything to do with a gift from some God" Shirou explained "As for joining your peerage... I appreciate the offer, but I'm not interested in losing my freedom. I've just settled into Kuoh, and I'm quite content with my current arrangement. Being part of a peerage, especially a Devil one, comes with too many obligations and binds me to a hierarchy I'd rather avoid."
"What about we make a little bet? Have a little spar with Yuuto here. If you win, I won't insist anymore. But if you lose, you'll have to join my peerage without any qualms. What do you say? "Rias Gremory didn't give up yet
"Yeah I don't really see any benifit for me in agreeing to the spar"Shirou rebuffed her challenge
"then what do you propose I should do if you win?" Rias asked "I can provide you a lot of good things you know "
A tense silence followed
"Very well, I'll accept your proposal, Rias-san but on different terms. If I win, you will owe me one favor...a rather big one " Shirou finally spoke
"You are rather bold " Rias arched a bow "fine the I agree to your terms