"After Gasper's power was discovered, the higher-ups in the devil hierarchy decided he was too dangerous. I couldn't control him completely, so they ordered him sealed away."
Rias led the way down the corridor, explaining as she went.
"But now, I'm strong enough to handle Gasper—even without the seals."
She stopped at a door plastered with white talismans, each inscribed with intricate curse markings.
"We're here."
With a wave of her hand, red magic flashed—every seal dissolved instantly. The group stepped inside.
The room was dim, but spotless—almost eerily clean.
"Wait… where is he?"
Kiyome glanced around, puzzled.
Rias walked over to a coffin tucked in the corner, her voice gentle but exasperated.
"Gasper, come out and meet your new friends!"
A soft, melodious voice drifted from inside, tinged with unmistakable feminine charm.
"Nooo! I want to stay in here forever! I don't want to see anyone!"
Koneko rolled her eyes and, with one hand, popped the coffin lid.
"Quit hiding, cowardly vampire. Come out and say hello."
Shuo and the others crowded closer. Inside the red coffin sat a trembling figure—short blonde hair, ruby-red eyes, doll-like features. The Kuoh Academy girls' uniform only added to the illusion: a perfect, fragile loli beauty, arms wrapped around her head, shaking like a leaf.
"Whoa, she's adorable—and blonde, too!"
Irina couldn't help but gush.
"Seriously cute," Xenovia and Kiyome agreed, nodding.
Timid and gentle, just like Irina—a textbook loli.
Shuo's expression twisted.
"Heh. Cute as she looks, Gasper's actually a boy."
The three newcomers froze, jaws dropping.
"Wha—WHAT?!"
Their shock was so raw that Gasper squeaked in terror, his voice high and birdlike.
"Ahh—sorry, sorry… wuuu!!"
Irina stared, stunned.
"A… boy? But… but he looks like a girl!"
Kiyome was speechless.
"How is that even possible?!"
Even Xenovia, usually unfazed, was thrown.
"Seriously? Rias, how can a boy be cuter than any girl? And in a girls' uniform?!"
Rias smiled, amused.
"Gasper really is a boy. He just likes cross-dressing."
She glanced at Shuo, a little curious how he'd seen through the disguise so quickly.
Akeno pouted, her smile tinged with disappointment.
"Ara, what a shame—I was hoping to see Shuo-chan totally flustered! But I should've known you'd spot it instantly."
Koneko and Yuuto exchanged glances, both a little let down at missing the anticipated reaction.
Shuo just rolled his eyes, glaring at Akeno and her co-conspirators.
You really thought you could trip me up? Please.
He turned back to Gasper, studying him. His lips twitched.
Some anime characters were always a mystery, but when he'd first watched DxD and Gasper debuted, he'd even bought a body pillow—hugged it every night.
Who could've guessed Gasper was a cross-dressing trap?
His classmates had roasted him for weeks, and even his dorm mates joked about "watching their backs."
That period had been… rough.
Rias began the formal introduction.
"Gasper comes from a vampire family—a half-blood, part vampire, part human. He was born with an extremely dangerous Sacred Gear: [Forbidden Balor View], which can freeze time for people or objects. Unable to control it, his family feared and rejected him. He fled to human society, but was still seen as a monster. With nowhere else to go, I found him and used a mutated chess piece to make him my peerage member."
She gently stroked Gasper's hair, her voice full of affection.
"That's why he's so timid and afraid of people."
Xenovia and the others felt a pang of sympathy for the trembling vampire.
"P-please don't stare at me like that…"
Gasper shrank even further, eyes wide with terror.
Suddenly, his pupils flashed blood-red—the Sacred Gear inside him went wild.
[Forbidden Balor View] activated.
Everyone except Shuo saw their vision go white—total blankness.
When they came to, Gasper was curled up in a cardboard box, shaking.
"Just now… did time stop?"
Xenovia whispered, awed.
"That's the power of [Forbidden Balor View]? No wonder it's a top-tier Sacred Gear."
Rias sighed.
"That's exactly why my brother insisted I keep him sealed. Even now, Gasper… still struggles."
Shuo cut in, voice firm.
"No, you're all mistaken. Gasper's Sacred Gear isn't just [Forbidden Balor View]. What he has is one of the thirteen Longinus: [Sephiroth Graal]."
The room fell silent.
Rias's eyes went wide.
"Shuo, are you serious? Gasper possesses a Longinus?!"
Even Akeno was floored.
"A Longinus? But even Sirzechs-sama couldn't tell! Shuo-chan, you're sure?"
Everyone else was rattled.
Shuo nodded.
"Absolutely. [Forbidden Balor View] is only one of its abilities."
Rias managed a wry smile—relieved that her peerage member wielded a Longinus, but helpless given Gasper's utter lack of control and fragile nature.
After a moment, she composed herself and looked at Gasper, still hiding.
"I need to prep for the summit with Akeno, and I have to tell my brother about Gasper's Longinus."
She turned to Shuo, her voice pleading.
"I'm counting on you, Shuo-chan. Please help me reform Gasper!"
Shuo's eyes lit up, a grin spreading across his face.
"Heh, leave it to me. This is right up my alley."
Even if Rias hadn't asked, Shuo would've stepped in. The system had already flagged a red gift pack on Gasper.
Rias smiled, reassured.
"Akeno, let's go. Shuo-chan, he's all yours!"
With that, Rias and Akeno exited, leaving Shuo and the trembling "loli beauty" alone.
(PS: Please subscribe, vote, and tip! Thank you! And remember—this 'girl' is actually a boy!)
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