"I want to introduce everyone to the new student. He's transferred. Go on."
Diana's voice cut through the classroom, her tone carrying the unshakable authority of a warrior who had faced thousands of trials, who had staked her life for victory. It was a voice that demanded attention.
"I'm Isshin Fujiwara," I said, stepping forward. A smirk played on my lips as I let my gaze sweep across the room. "One day, I will sit on the throne, ruling the supernatural world."
The declaration hung in the air. I let the nepo arrogant bastards know my goals. 'I don't care and give a shit about any of them,' I thought.
The class broke into laughter, a wave of mockery from those in the back and middle benches. The students in the front, however, were silent. There weren't many, but as our eyes met, I could tell. They were interested in testing the waters. Unlike the fools who were taking me lightly.
"Shut up!"
Diana didn't raise her voice, but the single command was a fierce roar that slammed into the room. The laughter died instantly.
"You have guts, boy. And I like that. Now, take a seat."
I moved to the back, settling in next to the quiet, dark-haired boy from before.
"The rules here are simple," Diana continued, her gaze sweeping the now-silent room. "No fighting in the classroom. Fighting is only allowed in certain areas: the dueling arena, close combat rooms, and other designated training grounds. Any third-year student will be held responsible for overseeing these matches."
I nodded in response.
"First call is Duel and Combat Training: Advanced," she said, and with a flick of her wrist, a magical interface shimmered into existence before each student, displaying the day's schedule and all the information an academy student should know. I memorized it in a second. There weren't many subjects.
"Change into your combat uniforms. In the locker room. Now," she ordered.
Everyone listened without another question.
***
**Locker Room**
The room was large, no doubt about it, displaying the prestige and class the academy exuded. Even for four male students. The lockers had magic locks and enchantments humming with latent power.
The other boys didn't talk or utter a word as they changed, minding their own business. As I was finishing up, drinking from a fountain, someone interrupted me.
"Hi, new human."
The black-haired, red-eyed boy spoke. He seemed to be of pure-blooded vampire race, with a powerful, yet strangely quiet, presence.
"Hm," I responded, thinking.
"My name is Raizel," the boy introduced himself. He was the one who had been sitting next to me in class—observant, silent, and humble were the characteristics that came to my mind.
"Ok, Raizel."
"You, me, and those two are the only male students," he said, gesturing to the other two. "So would you mind joining our… gang? For connection and friendship purposes." He was calm, direct, and honest, which for a second made me falter.
'He's not like how Tifa said vampires are,' I thought. 'Or is it a facade?' His earnest behavior made me feel… something, but I never let it show on my face.
"Hmm. An interesting proposal," I looked at him, my tone carefully neutral.
Raizel just tilted his head in confusion. There was no ill emotion or expression, only patience and hope.
"You are a persistent fellow," I sighed. "Fine. I accept."
"Huh? That was quick. I thought you would reject the offer," he spoke, now astonished by my decision.
From behind us, I heard his two friends speaking loudly, having finished changing.
"Hey, now you owe me 50 mil," the white-haired, bulky man said to his blond-haired friend, who was sulking.
From their conversation, he'd lost the bet. 'Damn, 50 mil for a bet on such a trivial matter? They're filthy rich,' was the thought I had.
I and Raizel exchanged the special phone numbers given to us by the academy, which ran on different technology than the human world.
"Let's go."
***
**Training Field 10**
"So, everyone is here and ready!" Diana yelled, her voice energetic. She seemed more enthusiastic than the students themselves.
"Is she a battle manic?" I asked Raizel with a wild guess. It certainly appeared to be.
"Bingo! She is. Hence, single," the white-haired boy spoke, suddenly appearing beside me and resting his hand on my shoulder, standing between me and Raizel.
"Aren't you getting a little too friendly for someone who just made a friend a few minutes ago?"
"Haha. Yeah, you're chill, so I'm chill too."
"You're a newcomer. You will fight first," Diana declared, spotting me chatting with my new 'friends.'
I walked toward the center of the dueling ground. 'She's so… breed-able.' Intrusive thoughts arose in my mind, which I tried to ignore. She was just so fine.
"Your opponent will be Rias," she declared, choosing what she thought was the most appropriate fighter against me.
"Rules are simple: no killing. Whoever falls on the ground, passes out, or admits defeat, loses."
And then a girl named Rias stepped forward. She had a striking appearance, characterized by her long, vibrant red hair. Her body was toned and curvaceous, with an hourglass figure accentuated by her outfit—a black and red corset-style top that enhanced her bust and cinched her waist, along with matching bottoms that highlighted her hips and thighs. Her legs were long and shapely, adorned with black stockings and high-heeled boots that added to her bold presence.
"I will go easy on you, Angel boy," she said, a condescending smile on her lips. "So you better not hold back. After all, I'm close to an ultimate-class devil and the soled heir of the Phoenix clan in a rating game." She informed me like a warning, looking down on me.
"We will see, Rias," I said calmly.
…
We stood facing each other on opposite sides of the field. Diana took the students a little ways back, as the dueling ground needed to be plentiful so we could move more freely.
"How about we bet something?" Rias suggested as Diana was busy setting the perimeter.
"Not interested. Ruin Princess of Annihilation," I called her by her title, one Gabriel had taught me about the devil factions. Rias was the sister of the current strongest devil, Lucifer, the Demon Lord. Her power and control over the concept of destruction was lethal. She was one of the top 20 strongest in the devil realm thanks to her inheritance.
"You've done some homework before coming here, I assume," she sounded impressed. "Devils are known for greed, selfish desire, and many more sins, but sometimes humanity's greed even surpasses our own."
"Start the battle in 3… 2… 1… START!" Diana came back and began the countdown as we prepared.
"Let's see if you can back up all that talk!" Rias unfurled her wings, shooting up into the sky. Her mana surged, and multiple magic circles appeared in her hands.
"That's a decent way to fight," I said, looking up at her. "If I don't know how to fly."
It was time to unleash one of my trump cards. I focused my will, calling upon the holy element within me. A soft, golden light began to emanate from my back. It wasn't violent or explosive. It was serene.
One vast, feathered wings of pure white light unfurled from my back, stretching wide, each feather glowing with a soft, heavenly luminescence. The light was gentle, but the power it radiated was immense, washing over the field and silencing the whispers.
"How… that's unheard of…."
"He's half angel?"
"I have never seen such a being."
"He's not human?"
Everyone stared at the transformation with a variety of reactions: awe, astonishment, fear, and impressed respect.
"It doesn't matter," Rias muttered from the sky, though a flicker of uncertainty crossed her face. She was still confident in her overwhelming power.
"[Arc of Destruction]!" she roared.
A massive, swirling orb of black and crimson energy formed above her, crackling with destructive power. It was a sphere of pure annihilation, and she hurled it down towards me.
I didn't move. I simply raised a hand, and my wing folded in front of me like a shield. The Arc of Destruction struck the barrier of light.
There was no deafening explosion. There was only a blinding flash as the two opposing forces met. The destructive energy of the devil and the holy, protective power of the angel canceled each other out in a silent, violent storm of raw power. The ground at my feet cracked and vaporized, but I stood unharmed in the eye of the storm, my wing absorbing the onslaught.
When the light faded, I lowered my wings, a faint smile on my face.
"Is that the best you can do, Princess?" I called up to her. "Or are you just getting warmed up?"