The last thing he remembered was the cold pavement under his body and the distant sound of panicked voices. The headlights had come out of nowhere — one moment he was crossing the street, earbuds in, the next... everything turned black.
He didn't expect anything after death. Maybe a void. Maybe nothing. But certainly not this.
A shimmering white space stretched infinitely around him, peaceful yet impossible to grasp. It felt like he was standing on light itself, and in front of him stood a being that was both terrifying and beautiful. Neither male nor female, this presence radiated calm curiosity.
"Well," the being said with a voice like wind and thunder woven together, "that was unfortunate. You weren't meant to die."
The boy blinked. "What...?"
"Pure luck. Or misfortune, depending on how you see it. Either way, the cosmos has rules, and you got skipped in line." A pause. "So I'm going to make it up to you. Three wishes."
"What? Like a genie?"
"Don't ruin the moment."
He gulped, mind racing. He was dead. Definitely. But this wasn't hell. Not heaven either. And now he had a once-in-an-eternity chance.
He swallowed hard. "Okay. First... I want to be reincarnated as any character of my choice in any fictional world. And I want to be able to do this across multiple worlds — not just one. I'll start with the High School DxD world, and I want to be Gasper Vladi."
"Accepted."
"Second... I want to be able to reincarnate one other person, real or fictional, into a character of that world. But only one per world."
"Fair."
"And third... I want to give them a system — you know, like those in webnovels. Customizable systems, but only one system per person."
The being smiled with ancient amusement. "Ambitious. But granted."
"Also... I want to choose the timeline."
"Done."
Suddenly, his mind felt like it was being dipped in ice, and then — darkness.
---
Years Later – Gremory Mansion, Underworld
Gasper Vladi gasped as his body jolted, the dark haze of unconsciousness lifting like a blanket being torn away. He blinked at the high ceiling of the guest wing, then sat up slowly, hand over his chest. He remembered everything.
His life before… his death… the god… his wishes.
It's all back.
The calm of realization washed over him, followed by a ripple of anxiety. He was in the High School DxD universe, reborn as Gasper Vladi — and now fully awakened after being revived by Rias Gremory. His timeline had been precise — Rias was still young, just twelve, already gathering her peerage. He had chosen well.
There was a knock, then the door opened without waiting for a reply.
"Gasper~ you awake?"
It was Akeno. She was taller than him by several inches, already blooming into womanhood despite her age. Koneko followed close behind, her expression flat, but her eyes curious.
Kiba stood by the hallway, giving a casual wave. "Yo, the little prince finally rises."
Rias peeked in from behind them, arms folded. "Don't crowd him."
They all filed in anyway.
"You're so cute when you sleep," Akeno said with a soft giggle, leaning close enough that her hair brushed against Gasper's cheek.
"I-Is that so…?" he murmured, pulling the blanket higher instinctively.
"Your skin is flawless," Koneko added bluntly, poking his cheek. "Unfair."
"Stop teasing him, he just woke up!" Rias tried to scold, but even she had a playful smile.
Gasper's heart pounded. They weren't being cruel. They were being friendly. Curious. And... slightly flirty?
His new body had strikingly beautiful, almost ethereal features. Pale skin, silky platinum-blond hair, and delicate bone structure. He didn't look like a boy or a girl — just pretty. And they clearly noticed.
"W-We should go to the hall, right?" he stammered, standing up too fast. "I-I need to meet... um, Rias's parents, I think?"
"Oh right," Rias said. "They're expecting you. Let's go."
---
The Gremory Family Hall
The hall was vast, lined with crimson banners and golden chandeliers that sparkled like constellations. Gasper's breath caught in his throat as his eyes fell on the two figures seated at the far end of the chamber.
Venelana Gremory. Elegant. Regal. Warm eyes and a smile that hinted at mischief. Dressed in a flowing gown that revealed just enough to turn heads, but not enough to be scandalous.
Grayfia Lucifuge. Stoic. Cold beauty carved from moonlight. Her silver hair was tied neatly, uniform impeccable. But her gaze... her gaze was sharp. Controlling. And something else. Something teasing.
Gasper stepped forward, heart pounding.
Venelana rose first, walking toward him gracefully. "So this is the adorable little Gasper." She reached out and tilted his chin up with two fingers. "My, you really are prettier than I imagined."
"I-I… thank you, Lady Venelana…"
She chuckled. "Such a gentleman."
Then Grayfia stepped forward, her heels clicking like slow thunder.
"You'll refer to me as Grayfia-sama," she said, voice smooth and low. Her hand ran through his hair with practiced ease, fingers lingering. "You will behave. And you will not test my patience."
"Y-Yes, Grayfia-sama…" he said quickly, flustered by her proximity.
Her red eyes narrowed slightly, a smirk playing on her lips. "Good boy."
He felt the heat rise to his face. That smirk. That tone. That commanding aura — Grayfia was acting different than how he remembered her from the original story. Colder, sharper, more dominant. And he knew exactly why. It was because he had reincarnated someone into her… someone who carried that exact energy. She hadn't said anything yet, but he could see the change in her eyes — and it thrilled him.
Venelana's laughter rang like bells in the hall. "Grayfia, you'll break him."
"I don't break what's mine," Grayfia said simply.
Gasper didn't know how to respond. And deep down... he didn't mind.
---
Later That Night
Alone in his room, Gasper sat on the bed, fingers to his temple. Everything was settling into place.
His memories. His powers.
One reincarnation per world. One system per reincarnated person. Choose the timeline.
He smiled faintly. He was already Gasper — already inside the system. Soon, it would be time to test the next part of his power. But for now…
He thought of Venelana's teasing smile. Grayfia's dominant voice.
He buried his face in his pillow.
"…I'm not ready for this."
But something inside him — bold and eager — whispered:
Yes, you are.
---
End of Chapter 1
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