"Hello, I'm Noel—Noelius Shinomiko. I'm half-European, half-Japanese, but I grew up here in Japan. I'm excited to be here and to get to know everyone this semester."
I smiled as I surveyed the class.
Kuoh Academy.
I had debated whether to attend this school at all. In the end, I came anyway.
Given the reaper attacks from before, I couldn't tell what else might change.
It's better to observe what shifts my presence might cause... and correct them, if I can.
My gaze drifted toward the corner of the room.
Unexpectedly, I was in the same class as Koneko—who had been staring at me for a while now.
My current appearance is uncannily similar to how I looked before, so I can't blame her for being suspicious.
If not for my slightly long, unkempt hair that drapes over my forehead, and the oversized glasses blurring my eyes, the resemblance would be near perfect.
"Outside of class, I enjoy music and video games, but I try to stay curious about everything. If there's ever anything I can help with, or if you just want to chat, feel free to call on me anytime."
A few claps followed as I finished my introduction.
I made my way to my seat, throwing a casual glance at Koneko—still staring.
—————✗—————
The day slipped by faster than I'd expected, and before long, it was time to head home.
I had no plans to join any clubs—not when lady luck might decide to toss another monster like Rizevim at my doorstep someday.
Near the school gate stood a short figure in a Kuoh uniform.
Her gaze roamed the crowd with quiet curiosity, wide, glassy eyes shimmering like pools of sky after rain.
Soft layers of glossy black hair framed her cheeks, and despite her small frame, she carried an odd mix of elegance and... something synthetic.
Something not entirely real.
"Shione... you didn't have to wait for me."
At the sound of my voice, she turned and smiled—radiant and deliberate.
Shione Shingyou — elegance draped in danger.
I still couldn't believe what I'd learned.
They've known each other since they were kids—childhood friends.
Their parents were close, back when mine were still alive.
And when he lost his, it was Shione's family who took him in.
I have no memory of any of that.
Just like Shione...
Apparently, I'm not the first one to be transmigrated.
It makes me wonder—what about the other test subjects?
"Is senpai perhaps shy~?" she teased playfully, tilting her head just enough to draw a few stares from nearby students.
Some girls looked on with disapproval—and honestly, I didn't blame them.
With her small stature and delicate features, Shione could easily pass for a JC1...
"Stop calling me senpai, we're literally in the same grade"
"Hehe~ I'll try, let's go already, senpai!"
"Haa-"
I sighed as I started walking
"Oh right- Kaa-san asked me if you want to eat with us later, we're having a celebration for the first day of high school!"
"Oh, so that's a thing now?", I said in disbelief with slight curiosity as I never knew such things
Maybe its different in Japan's culture...
"Of course it is, it means new beginning! Such event obviously deserves to be celebrated" she said enthusiastically, striking a classic shounen protagonist pose—fist clenched near her head, eyes blazing with determination.
"No" I responded simply
"Ehh~ why? It will be fun! Kaa-san will be sad if you didn't come" she said looking at me trying to look very pitiful
"I have things to do" I said, not interested in explaining
"Just thank your mother for me"
"Aren't you bored yet? Hunting stray devils?" she asked curiously slightly tilting her head
"Most humans are bored of their job, why do you think they still work everyday?"
"But~ its not like you ever get that much stronger, you should really try better opponents— Oh!" as if she had an epiphany, she suggested excitedly
"Why not try the devils at school?"
I gave her an incredulous look
Netherworld isn't enough?
Do you want the underworld to come for me now?
Besides, I was a part of them, even if only for a short time...
It was enough to make me help them if they desperately needed it
There's no way I'm attacking them for no reason
"Still, its really a good ability to be able to increase your death energy. For me I could only kill Ultimate-class at most, unless I find a way to increase my death energy as well"
This time, I pretended not to hear
Can you hear yourself?
Ultimate-class being killed at a glance
Of course, she will probably be useless, like a certain explosion-obssessed loli from another wonderful world, afterwards
But that's still an ultimate-class
That's the level of Azazel, Serafall and Sirzechs
Sirzechs might be able to resist it in his true form but if he really meet Shione who wants to kill him, I'm afraid he wouldn't have time.
"Anyways, I wouldn't be going, just tell your mother I was grateful" I tried to steer the conversation back to its original subject
"Fine~, give me your second key"
"Huh? why?" I was confused by the sudden request
"Kaa-san might cook too much, I want to give you some left-overs but I can't wait for you until midnight" she said, very logically
"Oh, okay"
I handed her the one of the keys on me without thinking too much