Kaito woke up the next morning, a slight smile forming on his lips. The memory of the black wings and the spear of light still lingered in his mind, but it felt like the spark that ignited a larger world. This wasn't just a nightmare; it was an invitation to discover his true potential.
"This world needs someone like me. I must step up and write my own story."
A wave of eerie excitement washed over him. He was now part of this dark and mysterious world, and he had to play his role. He remembered the system's mission well:
[Mission: Accept Rias Gremory's invitation to join the Occult Research Club.]
He put on Kuoh Academy's uniform and stared at his reflection in the mirror. It was a completely new look, one that would draw attention. He sighed slowly before muttering:
"I have to get used to this…"
His school day passed on the surface like any other, but inside, everything felt different. The whispers of the girls, their curious looks, even the smell of books in the classroom—everything seemed dull compared to what awaited him. He watched Issei Hyoudou from afar, who looked lost, as if the shadows of the previous night still haunted him, but at least he was alive. Kaito didn't approach him—there was no time to take risks.
When the final bell rang, Kaito's heart pounded in his chest. It was time to face his destiny. He headed towards the old, secluded building he knew so well from the anime episodes. It looked like a place woven from shadows, whispering dark secrets that ordinary humans dared not explore.
He paused at the ancient wooden door, his hands trembling slightly. Don't rush. Don't reveal what you know. He exhaled deeply, then knocked on the door.
Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing Akeno Himejima. Her calm smile hid a deep mystery.
"Hello, Kaito-kun. I knew you'd come."
He answered with a hesitant smile:
"Hi… Akeno-san. I came to learn the truth."
She nodded gently and stepped aside to let him in.
"Of course, come in."
Kaito entered the main room and found himself in a place that looked like an oil painting from another world. Plush sofas, a table in the center, and dangling chandeliers—everything radiated an atmosphere of dark aristocracy.
Rias Gremory sat alone on one of the couches, a book open in her hands, her blue-green eyes gleaming with both knowledge and danger. In the corner sat a small girl with silver hair and golden eyes—Koneko Toujou—idly nibbling on candy as if the world didn't concern her.
Rias slowly lifted her gaze from the book, her eyes piercing his soul.
"Hello, Yamada-kun."
Kaito felt a shiver run down his spine.
"Hello, Rias-san."
He noticed Issei Hyoudou sitting in the corner of the room, dazed as if trying to grasp a fleeting memory. He was muttering incomprehensible sounds.
"Issei-kun!" Kaito called out, feigning surprise. "You're okay! I was worried about you after what happened last night."
Issei slowly raised his head and looked at him with cloudy eyes.
"You… were there?" he asked, before whispering in despair:
"Yuma-chan… where's Yuma-chan? She was my girlfriend… we met her yesterday…"
He looked at Rias and Akeno pleadingly, as if drowning in madness.
"Do you remember Yuma-chan?"
Rias and Akeno exchanged silent glances before Rias spoke in a voice as cold as ice:
"Issei-kun, there is no one here named Yuma-chan."
Issei's eyes widened in shock.
"What…? But she was here! We went on a date!"
Akeno interjected with a cold tone:
"A spell was used to erase the memories of the humans who encountered that fallen angel, Issei-kun. No one but you remembers her now."
A deep chill ran through Kaito's bones. So… this was the world he had entered.
Rias sighed, her gaze heavy with secrets.
"Yamada-kun, what you saw last night was not just a nightmare. It's part of a hidden world, a world unseen by human eyes."
Then she turned to Issei.
"Issei-kun, the truth is… you were killed last night by a fallen angel."
Issei gasped, his face overwhelmed with shock.
"Killed? Me?"
Rias nodded solemnly.
"Yes. And I brought you back to life… as a devil."
Issei's breathing quickened, a mix of horror and confusion in his eyes.
"A devil? Me?"
Rias produced a small red chess piece and turned it over in her hand calmly.
"I used this Pawn piece to revive you. This is the 'Evil Piece' system, which allows us to reincarnate humans with potential as devils. You are now a part of me… you are my Pawn."
Kaito watched the scene, his heart beating with the truth: this was the beginning.
Issei stared at the Pawn piece, then looked up at Rias. But what came out of his mouth was unexpected:
"So… does this mean I'll get to see a lot of… oppai? And maybe build my own harem?"
His eyes sparkled with perverted excitement.
Kaito nearly burst out laughing, but he held himself back. That was the real Issei—the King of Perverts!
Rias looked at him coldly:
"Issei-kun, that's not your priority right now."
She then turned her serious gaze to Kaito:
"Yamada-kun, what you witnessed last night must not be shared with anyone."
Kaito felt the weight of her tone, like she was draping him in a cloak of secrets.
"I understand…" he said in a trembling voice. "I won't speak of it. It was… terrifying."
He looked at them all, a mix of fear and confusion in his eyes.
"Are you… devils?"
Rias answered coldly:
"Yes. I'm a devil. So are Akeno and Koneko… and now Issei-kun."
A heavy silence fell before Kaito sighed.
"So… what do I do now? Am I in danger?"
Rias looked at him, her eyes glinting with a warning his heart could not ignore:
"Yes. Because you saw a fallen angel, they will now find it very pleasing to hunt you down. That's why I invited you here. The Occult Research Club is your refuge, your fortress, and your guide in this world. Here, you will learn how to protect yourself… and how to stay alive."
A system notification rang in Kaito's head:
[Mission: Gain Initial Trust — Completed!]
[Reward: 150 XP. New Skill: (Aura Detection).]
Kaito felt a hidden energy surge through his veins, as if he was taking another step towards his destiny. He smiled to himself. This was just the beginning.
"I understand," Kaito said, his eyes fixed on Rias. "I don't want to be a burden to any of you, and I don't want to be just someone who needs to be protected.
His voice carried a tone of pride and determination. "If joining this club is the way to do that, then I accept."Rias gave him a rare smile—a smile that carried genuine respect. "Welcome to the Occult Research Club, Kaito Yamada-kun.""Welcome, Kaito-kun," Akeno said with a warm smile.Even Koneko gave him a quick glance before going back to her sweets.Deep inside, Kaito knew with certainty that this world was far more dangerous than what Rias had told him, and it was more than just the plot of an anime he had watched before. Every step could change, and every character could become either an unexpected enemy or a surprising ally. The idea of a "butterfly's wingbeat" was not just a metaphor in his mind; it was a sword hanging over his neck."I have to grow quickly…" he whispered to himself. "Every detail might change because I'm here, every scene could turn upside down. An enemy might appear who wasn't in the original story, or a friend might develop into a threat."He clenched his fist with determination. "I have to be ready for any variable, any fluttering wing that could stir the storm. I have to race against time before it races against me—and shape my own destiny before someone else shapes it for me."