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"Now that you've all met Gasper, let me introduce you." Rias, accustomed to Issei's unique personality, continued with her introductions, leading Gasper around the room.
With nearly half of the Occult Research Club now consisting of new members, Gasper—having spent most of his time in confinement, found the clubroom rather unfamiliar.
As Rias made the introductions, the tense atmosphere gradually eased. However, as soon as the introductions were over, Gasper—who had been visibly nervous throughout the process, scurried to a corner of the room and vanished from sight.
No one was surprised.
Issei—Gasper's designated caretaker, walked over to the corner and pulled out a cardboard box, dragging it towards the others. With a sigh of resignation, he kicked the box lightly.
Gasper was hiding inside.
He had, in fact, been hiding in the box the entire time, carried from his room by Issei and Kiba, then, having managed to retrieve the box during a momentary lapse in their attention, he had used it to conceal himself during the introductions. And the reason he hadn't used his Sacred Gear to escape?
It was ineffective against Mika.
If Forbidden Balor View could stop even Mika's time—then the God of the Bible, the one who created these Sacred Gears, would be truly terrifying.
After all, Mika was among the world's top ten strongest.
Such a power wasn't easily controlled.
Therefore, facing Mika, Gasper had been—outmatched. He had no choice but to comply with Mika's request for a proper introduction.
And now, with the introductions over, he had retreated back into his box, much to everyone's amusement.
Rias, though exasperated, placed the box beside Issei. She knew that changing Gasper's personality wouldn't happen overnight. She would simply have to be patient.
They began chatting casually, hoping to help Gasper acclimate to their presence, even if he wasn't participating.
"President Rias has gathered quite the talented group. We excel in every aspect," Akeno remarked, praising Rias.
"I consider myself fortunate to have you all—" Rias replied, her voice filled with genuine affection.
"It's all thanks to you, Buchou! If not for you, I would never have met everyone, never met Mika," Issei declared, his loyalty unwavering.
Mika and Rias exchanged smiles. Issei is truly one of a kind.
"If Gasper's Sacred Gear is so powerful, how did you reincarnate him as a Bishop with only one Evil Piece?" Issei asked, his curiosity piqued. He knew that powerful Sacred Gear users required more Evil Pieces for their transformation. After all, he himself had required eight Pawn pieces. And a Bishop was only worth three.
"I used a Mutation Piece," Rias replied.
"Mutation Piece?" Issei had never heard of such a thing.
"Issei, you truly need to study more about the Underworld," Mika said, shaking his head. While they had joined Rias's peerage at the same time, Mika had already mastered most of the Underworld's customs and traditions, while Issei remained clueless. He hadn't even bothered trying to learn.
"As the name suggests, a Mutation Piece is a special kind of Evil Piece. It possesses unique properties—allowing for the reincarnation of individuals who would normally require multiple pieces with just one. They're quite rare," Mika explained. "And Rias happens to have one."
"That's right. Only about one in ten High-Class Devils possesses a Mutation Piece. It's a—quirk of the system, a bug that emerged when Ajuka Beelzebub created the Evil Pieces. However, the higher-ups found it amusing—so they kept it. And that's the piece Rias used to reincarnate Gasper," Akeno added.
"However, there's another reason," Rias continued, after their explanation. "Unlike normal Sacred Gears, Gasper's power grows even when he's unconscious. It's constantly evolving. According to the higher-ups, given enough time, he could even reach Balance Breaker level without any training."
"Balance Breaker?! And it's time manipulation? But he can't even control it…?" Issei finally understood the true danger of Gasper's power.
Mika, however, fell into thought.
He knew a bit about Gasper, though not much. He hadn't paid close attention to him in his previous life, but his knowledge of Sacred Gears was extensive—he had studied their nature in depth, his understanding even surpassing Azazel's, the Governor General of the Fallen Angels.
Mika, along with Gabriel, had created his own Sacred Gear—[Radiant Spear], further enhancing his expertise.
Therefore, he knew Sacred Gears couldn't evolve unconsciously. It violated their core principle: to grow stronger by absorbing their wielder's emotions, beliefs, and desires.
There was only one explanation: Gasper's "Sacred Gear" wasn't one created by the God of the Bible. It was something else entirely—
—This piqued Mika's interest. He had initially dismissed Gasper as a—nuisance—but this new information changed everything. Compared to common Sacred Gears, Mika was far more intrigued by this—unique power.
"Rias, I heard you and Sirzechs are busy with the Three Factions meeting tomorrow."
"That's right."
"Then can I borrow Gasper tomorrow? I'm rather interested in his…power."
Rias hesitated. She knew Mika often conducted…unusual experiments—But she also trusted him implicitly. He wouldn't harm Gasper. Therefore, she agreed.
"Very well. I'll leave him to you."
——
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO! Experiment? On me?!"
Gasper, who had been silently hiding in his box, pretending to be asleep—couldn't contain his panic any longer. He emerged, his voice filled with despair. While he was afraid of the outside world—the thought of being experimented on was even more terrifying.
As a self-proclaimed "Hikikomori (Shut-in)" who spent most of his time immersed in anime, manga, novels, and movies, Gasper was well-versed in the tropes of mad scientists and their unfortunate test subjects. He knew such experiments rarely ended well.
"Buchou, please! Don't let him experiment on me! I don't want to die!" He clung to Rias's leg, pleading.
Rias, seeing his desperate pleas, looked at Mika. But his reassuring smile made her relent.
"Don't worry, Gasper. Mika won't harm you—"
"No! Please! He'll dissect me! He'll cut me open and study my insides! I've seen it in countless anime! It always ends badly! PLEASE! HAVE MERCY!"
"..."
Gasper's cries of despair echoed through the clubroom, much to everyone's amusement, except for Asia, whose kind heart couldn't bear to see such suffering.
"It's alright, Gasper," Mika said gently, his earlier playful demeanor replaced by a calm sincerity. "I won't do anything unpleasant. We're comrades, members of the same peerage. I wouldn't harm you. Besides, Rias wouldn't forgive me." He added, giving Rias a reassuring smile.
"But if you're still worried—Koneko and Kiba can come with you tomorrow. You're more familiar with them, aren't you?"
Gasper looked at Koneko and Kiba—
Indeed, he was closer to them, having spent more time with them. Their presence would be reassuring. And Mika wasn't a stereotypical mad scientist. He didn't need to dissect Gasper to understand his abilities.
As a powerful being, he could acquire knowledge through less…invasive methods.
Koneko and Kiba nodded.
Gasper, reassured by their presence, calmed down slightly.
"Wait," Rias suddenly said, "Kiba can't go."
Gasper's anxiety returned.
After all, Koneko and Gasper, as first-year students, had only recently joined the Occult Research Club. And during his confinement, she had been the only other first-year. Therefore—while respectful towards her seniors, she had often taken the opportunity to tease him.
He was still slightly afraid of her.
He looked at Rias pleadingly.
Rias, though she felt a pang of sympathy for him, couldn't change her brother's orders.
"My brother specifically requested Kiba's presence. He seems rather interested in his Balance Breaker. He wants me to bring Kiba to the meeting tomorrow," she explained.
"A Satan's request…" Gasper's objections died in his throat. He understood the implications. He had no choice but to comply.
Rias, seeing his dejected expression, turned to the others.
"Xenovia, Asia, Issei…you three are free tomorrow, aren't you? Then please accompany Gasper to Mika's apartment. And Koneko, be nice to him. Don't bully him too much."
"Of course, Buchou. I'll be…gentle," Koneko replied, a subtle smile playing on her lips.
Rias facepalmed. Gentle? She's likely already planning his demise. Rias could already envision Gasper's suffering. It was a familiar scene.
"That's enough for today," She quickly ended the meeting and dismissed them.
Mika immediately left for his apartment. He had preparations to make, materials to gather for his…research.
———
The next morning, Issei arrived at Mika's apartment, carrying the cardboard box containing Gasper.
"Hey, you're here." Mika looked up from his meal. The table was laden with various dishes. "Come and eat. Rias and Xenovia made extra, knowing you were coming."
"Thanks, I'm starving!" They gathered around the table, their conversation quickly turning lively.
Mika, not forgetting Gasper, had Xenovia prepare a plate for him, placing it before the cardboard box.
Sensing the delicious aroma, Gasper emerged, taking the plate and retreating back into his box to enjoy his breakfast in—privacy.
After their meal—they sat in the living room—awaiting Mika's instructions.
"I'll be taking Gasper to my lab. You can all wait here. I've prepared some…entertainment for you, since you might get bored." He smiled.
"Alright. We'll leave Gasper to you then," Issei said, trusting Mika implicitly.
Unlike Gasper—who barely knew him, they were all well aware of Mika's character. He wasn't the stereotypical mad scientist. They had no reason to be concerned for Gasper's safety.
"I'll be back." Mika stood, picked up Gasper's box, and headed towards his lab.
——
Inside the lab—
Mika placed Gasper on a table. "Just lie down. It'll be over soon."
"O-Okay," Gasper replied, his voice trembling slightly, though his earlier fear had subsided.
Having learned about Mika from the others, and sensing his genuine concern, he had begun to trust him. After all—in their eyes, Mika was a hero.
Gasper closed his eyes, bracing himself.
Mika smiled and began his examination.
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