Chapter 4 - Cyberpunk 2077
"It tastes terrible," Evan muttered, poking at the cafeteria food.
Though unpalatable to him, the cafeteria's offerings were decent for ordinary students.
Evan's culinary skills, honed to Michelin-star levels by his "God Rewards Hard Work" ability, had spoiled his palate, rendering the food merely edible.
He didn't bother with pre-prepared meals, as he lacked the habit of reheating food at noon.
Est typically remained in her sword form, Terminus Est, during the day, conserving energy through rest. There was no need to summon her human form for such mundane moments.
As Evan ate, two figures entered the cafeteria, one after the other. After finishing their meals, they scanned the room and approached him. Their presence drew attention: boys grew nervous, and some girls cast longing glances.
The first had silky blonde hair, like a natural elf, paired with emerald eyes and flawless fair skin, forming a perfect picture. Her petite, well-proportioned figure was accentuated by slender legs wrapped in black stockings under her skirt. This was Eriri Sawamura.
The second girl's silver hair gleamed like moonlight, her amber eyes bright but her expression blank, tempering her impact. Her delicate, doll-like frame was even smaller than Eriri's, her fair skin almost translucent. This was Toujou Koneko.
Their distinct scents—one floral, one faintly sweet—mingled as they flanked Evan, one on his left, the other on his right.
Despite Evan's popularity, no other girls dared sit near him. His commanding aura deterred even the boldest, like Shibuya's extroverted hot girls, who risked murderous glares from other female students if they approached. Yet, Eriri and Koneko's arrival sparked whispers. Everyone knew Eriri had been Evan's classmate since junior high, while Koneko had grown close to him after losing to him in every event during a physical education class.
The two only noticed each other as they neared Evan. Eriri froze, eyeing Koneko with surprise and frustration.
Why now? she thought, deflating. Koneko, unfazed, glanced at Eriri indifferently and sat opposite Evan with her tray.
Eriri, as if struck by lightning, bared her small fangs in protest but feigned nonchalance, taking the seat beside Evan.
Evan found the scene amusing. He didn't need to guess—Eriri was clearly fuming.
Shifting his gaze to Koneko, he smiled slightly. "Koneko, here to return the game I lent you?"
"Yes," Koneko nodded, handing him a disc for Cyberpunk 2077. Her all-night gaming sessions with it had left her unprepared for today's pop quiz, contributing to her poor performance. She took two bites of rice, her expression glum.
Silence lingered for a moment. Evan waited patiently.
"After school, the President would like to invite you to the Occult Research Club," Koneko said, her tone flat.
"Rias Gremory?" Evan asked, studying the petite girl before him.
Koneko's superior was Rias Gremory, a pureblood devil noble from the Underworld, heiress of the Gremory clan, and younger sister of Sirzechs Lucifer, the current Satan. Rias oversaw all supernatural affairs in Kuoh Town.
Shortly after starting high school, Rias had invited Evan to join her peerage, but he declined. Though she hadn't pressed since, Evan knew the determined heiress wouldn't give up easily.
He had no interest in becoming a devil's servant. Despite Rias's fair treatment of her peerage, Evan disliked being bound by anyone.
"Will you come?" Koneko asked, her role as messenger clear. Rias had instructed her not to pressure him.
"Sure," Evan nodded.
He considered it. His interactions with Rias were minimal, so her sudden invitation suggested something significant. Coincidentally, he had business with her as well.
Koneko nodded, then ate her meal in small, deliberate bites, resembling a cat. Eriri, watching from the side, grew visibly anxious.
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Kuoh Academy had two campuses. Though the new school building was in use, the old one wasn't abandoned, serving as a hub for club activities. The Occult Research Club occupied the left wing, while the Student Council used the right.
After school, Koneko led Evan to the old school building, surrounded by dense trees. Rarely visited, it was the source of campus legends about the "Seven Mysteries." The two-story structure was kept pristine, its exterior and corridors spotless.
On the second floor, Koneko opened a door, revealing the Occult Research Club's room. The decor resembled a study, with bookshelves lining the walls and an office-like setup in the center. Demonic runes covered the walls, floors, and ceiling, their arcane patterns shimmering faintly. A large red magic circle dominated the room—a dimensional array linked to the Underworld, usable only by high-ranking devils like Rias with proper authorization.
"Welcome," a red-haired beauty said, approaching Evan.
Rias Gremory's long, vibrant hair gleamed under the light, her exquisite figure radiating maturity and allure. Even in the standard school uniform, her charm was undeniable, setting her apart from ordinary girls. Her emerald eyes held a polite smile, more a product of her upbringing than genuine warmth.
Behind her stood a black-haired woman, her figure equally striking but tempered by a reserved demeanor. Himejima Akeno's gentle smile narrowed her eyes to slits, and her long, straight legs extended from her skirt, drawing attention.
"Nice to see you again, Evan," Rias said, nodding politely. "No need for introductions, I presume?"
Respect was mutual, and Evan's strength as a human earned her acknowledgment.
Evan matched her formality, shaking her hand briefly. "No need. As a nobody, I'm hardly memorable, but Rias, daughter of the Gremory clan, with such striking beauty, is unforgettable. If you're free sometime, you're welcome to visit my home."
His candid admiration carried a playful undertone, hinting at future interactions. With no enmity between them and Rias's prominence in this world's events, Evan saw no reason to hold back.
Rias caught the subtext but didn't rebuff him. Nodding, she said, "Akeno, the tea."
"It's ready—finest West Lake Longjing, imported from the East," Akeno replied, offering a teacup with both hands, her smile warm.
Rias's courtesy toward valued guests extended to Akeno, who admired Evan's campus reputation and abilities, regardless of his other qualities.
"Rias, do you enjoy tea leaves?" Evan asked, sipping.
"I struggled with the bitterness at first," Rias said, her tone pointed, "but after your rejection, I've grown fond of it."
The subtext was clear. Months later, Rias still harbored frustration over Evan's refusal to join her peerage. She hadn't abandoned her goal, though she lacked a compelling reason to sway him. Threats were off the table—a condition Evan appreciated, as it kept their dialogue open.
Rias had tasked Koneko with tempting him: join the Underworld for lavish benefits, flexible hours, and low-intensity work. To Evan, these held little appeal. If Rias offered herself as a partner, he might entertain the idea, but servitude was non-negotiable.
Cutting through the pleasantries, Evan asked, "So, why did you invite me here?"
Rias didn't mince words. "Recently, there have been reports of murders by familiars, all victims bearing knife wounds. You're responsible, aren't you?"
"Yes," Evan admitted openly. "But to clarify, I didn't kill humans—only monsters."
"Of course," Rias said, her tone softening. "If I thought otherwise, this wouldn't be a warm welcome."