Inside the Occult Research Club's Clubroom, time quietly passed in a heavy and oppressive atmosphere.
Outside the window, the last trace of darkness before dawn was being dispelled by the gradually appearing fish-belly white light on the horizon. Faint natural light streamed through the stained-glass window, casting blurred and quiet patches of light on the Clubroom's luxurious carpet.
The air was filled with a faint scent of medicine, lingering magical fluctuations, and a sense of exhaustion from surviving a disaster.
The purplish-black wound on Rias's shoulder was slowly fading under the combined effects of Advanced healing potions and her own magic. However, the erosion caused by the Fallen Angel's light was exceptionally stubborn, still causing intermittent stinging pain, preventing her from fully relaxing.
She leaned back on the main sofa, eyes closed in concentration, fully expelling the dark residue from her body, her brow slightly furrowed in discomfort.
Kiba Yuuto and Koneko Toujou were also tending to their own injuries. Kiba's internal injuries were not light; after taking the medicine, he was silently regulating his breathing, his pale complexion slightly eased. Koneko's injuries were mostly concussions and abrasions, which had been simply treated. She sat quietly in a corner, her gaze occasionally darting towards the central long sofa.
Akeno Himejima, on the other hand, bustled around the Clubroom, checking on the conditions of Shin and Asia. At the same time, she was waiting for the special medicinal agents sent by the Gremory Family via emergency teleportation array. Her face showed clear worry, especially concerning Shin's extremely poor state.
Shin lay flat on the long sofa, his face still frighteningly pale, his breathing faint and slow, like a candle in the wind. The 'Tear of the Goddess of Life' placed on his chest emitted a gentle and continuous green light, nourishing his nearly exhausted life Origin little by little, like the most careful protection, sustaining his last breath.
But anyone could see that his condition remained extremely dangerous, far from out of life-threatening peril. Every faint rise and fall of his breath tugged at the heart of everyone in the Clubroom.
On another sofa, Asia Argento was covered with a soft blanket, still in a deep sleep. Unlike Shin's critical state, her breathing was even and long, her complexion rosy, and the previous traces of torment had vanished, as if she had simply fallen into a deep, peaceful slumber. The effects of the Purity Talisman and Rejuvenation Talisman were extraordinary, coupled with the powerful healing potential of her own Divine Artifact, Twilight Healing, which was slowly self-healing; her condition was improving at a visible rate.
Suddenly, Asia's long, butterfly-wing-like eyelashes trembled slightly. Akeno, who had been observing her, immediately noticed this subtle change and softly called out, "President, Classmate Asia seems to be waking up."
Rias immediately opened her eyes, and Kiba and Koneko also simultaneously turned their gazes.
Under everyone's concerned gazes, Asia's brows first unconsciously furrowed, as if she was struggling to wake from a long nightmare. Her eyelids fluttered a few times, then slowly and with difficulty opened. Her azure eyes were initially filled with bewilderment and haziness, as if unable to focus.
She instinctively tried to move but let out a soft, pained groan due to her physical weakness and prolonged confinement.
"Classmate Asia, you're awake? How do you feel? Don't be afraid, you're safe now." Akeno immediately stepped forward, comforting her with the gentlest voice, while carefully helping her to sit up slightly.
"This… this is…" Asia's voice was hoarse and weak, filled with deep confusion and a trace of lingering fear. Her gaze swept blankly across the luxurious and unfamiliar environment of the Clubroom, finally settling on Rias, Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko who were gathered around her.
As her gaze met Rias's striking red hair and dignified yet concerned face, fragments of memory flooded her mind like a tide—the darkness of imprisonment, Raynare's cruel smile, the endless pain from the necklace around her neck, and finally, the thrilling rescue… and these faces before her, who brought her hope in despair…
"Ah! It's… it's you all…" Asia's pupils contracted slightly, and her azure eyes instantly welled up with tears. These were not tears of fear, but of incredible excitement and gratitude for surviving a calamity.
"Gremory… Senior… and… and everyone…" Her voice choked, and tears streamed down her cheeks like broken pearls. "It was you… who saved me… from that… terrible place…"
She remembered! They were the ones who stormed into that dark cage, fought that terrifying Fallen Angel, and saved her from endless pain and despair!
"It's alright now, Classmate Asia." Rias's voice also softened considerably, carrying a calming power. "This is my Occult Research Club, it's very safe. The Fallen Angel who imprisoned you has been severely wounded by us and won't dare to come again."
"Tha… thank you… really, thank you all so much…" Asia sobbed uncontrollably, only able to repeat words of gratitude in a trembling voice. She struggled to get up and bow, but Akeno gently held her down.
"You're still very weak and need to rest properly." Akeno gently wiped away her tears. "Saving those who need help is what we should do."
Asia nestled in Akeno's arms, feeling a sense of security and warmth she had never experienced before. Her azure eyes swept over everyone, imprinting each face deeply in her heart: the noble and powerful President Rias; the gentle and considerate Senior Akeno; the handsome and friendly Senior Kiba; and Senior Koneko, who was silent but always protected her… Her heart was filled with unspeakable gratitude.
These Seniors, whom she had only seen from afar at school, as if they existed in another world, had actually taken such enormous risks and fought such terrifying enemies for an ordinary transfer student like her…
Just then, her gaze inadvertently swept across another sofa in the center of the Clubroom, landing on the black-haired young man lying flat, his face as pale as paper, his breathing so faint it was almost imperceptible.
The moment she saw Shin, Asia's body suddenly stiffened! Some clearer, yet more fragmented memories suddenly crashed into her mind—the school corridor, the black-haired boy who brushed past her and gave her a gentle smile… In the dark cell, the hoarse voice that reminded the President to use talismans… At that final, decisive moment, the dazzling golden light that tore through the darkness and destroyed the necklace that had tormented her for so long… And when the golden light erupted, the fleeting glimpse she caught of the young man spitting blood and collapsing…
It was him! It was that transfer student! It was he who, at the last moment, in a way she couldn't understand, destroyed the necklace and completely freed her! And he… had become like this because of it?!
Immense shock and a deeper, unspeakable sense of gratitude and guilt instantly overwhelmed Asia! Unlike the others' combat, Shin's actions felt more… indescribable to her. His power seemed very weak, yet at that most crucial moment, he delivered the most fatal blow in a nearly self-sacrificing manner!
"He… what happened to him?!" Asia's voice suddenly rose, filled with panic and worry, and she struggled to get off the sofa. "Is it… was it to save me?! He… he's badly hurt, isn't he?! It's because of me…"
Tears welled up again. This time, it was due to intense guilt and heartache for another's injury caused by her.
Rias quickly stepped forward and pressed down on her agitated shoulders, saying solemnly, "Calm down, Classmate Asia. Advisor Shin indeed paid a huge price to save you, but this is not your fault. The fault lies with the Fallen Angel who imprisoned and harmed you."
Akeno also gently comforted her, "Classmate Shin is our comrade; he made his choice. The most important thing now is to ensure he receives proper treatment."
Asia, however, could not calm down. Her gaze was fixed on Shin's bloodless face, her heart feeling as if it were tightly squeezed by an invisible hand, aching terribly. She remembered his gentle smile, she remembered his desperate outburst at the end… He was not related to her, yet he went to such lengths for her…
"Can I… can I do something for him?" Asia raised her tear-filled eyes, looking eagerly at Rias and Akeno, her voice pleading. "My… my power… perhaps it can…"
She instinctively raised her hand, wanting to activate the innate healing power within her—Twilight Healing. However, the moment she tried to mobilize the Divine Artifact, a sharp pain shot from the dark mark on her neck, which—though shattered—still lingered. Her face paled, the faint glimmer of light she had just gathered instantly dispersed, and her body swayed slightly from the backlash.
"No!" Rias immediately stopped her, her tone serious. "Your current physical condition is very poor, and your Divine Artifact was also damaged by the previous confinement; forcibly using it will only worsen your injuries. It might even cause the lingering dark power to backlash! What you need most right now is rest and self-recovery!"
Asia's hand fell weakly, her azure eyes filled with helplessness and sorrow. She possessed the power to heal others, yet at this moment, she was powerless to help her gravely injured savior. This feeling of powerlessness caused her immense pain.
She could only silently and tearfully gaze at the unconscious Shin, her hands tightly clasped in front of her chest, as if praying in silence. Her focused and worried gaze could barely leave Shin for a moment. Unlike the other Seniors who saved her, for Shin, beyond gratitude, she felt an indescribable, special concern and connection born from shared hardship and his immense sacrifice.
The others in the Clubroom watched this scene, their hearts also filled with complex emotions. Asia's awakening and her gratitude diluted some of the post-battle heaviness. However, her reaction to Shin's injuries also reminded everyone again of the heavy price Shin had paid.
Just then, the teleportation array in the center of the Clubroom lit up with a soft glow. A small metal box, engraved with the Gremory Family crest, slowly emerged.
"President, the Family's medicine has arrived!" Akeno immediately stepped forward and took the box.
Rias's spirits lifted. "Quick! Immediately administer it to Advisor Shin!"
Hope, with the arrival of these top-tier medical resources from the Underworld, finally descended.
And the awakened pure maiden, her gaze filled with gratitude and worry, never left the Eastern Consultant who had gambled his life for her.
...
📢 Author's Note
The full completed version of High School DxD: The Quiet Immortal Who Guides Devils (Part 1) is now available on Patreon!
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
✅ Part 1 Complete — 116 Chapters
🔥 I also have additional **18+ fanfics** available for readers who enjoy exclusive mature stories. 😉
1. Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your continued support and happy reading! 💙