Inside the Occult Research Club's clubroom, the brief warmth and joy from Asia Argento officially accepting Rias Gremory's invitation and joining the Gremory Family's peerage quickly gave way to a heavy reality.
Morning light filtered through the stained-glass windows, casting warm patches across the room, but it could not fully dispel the palpable tension hanging in the air. Everyone's gaze kept drifting back to the still-unconscious figure lying on the central sofa—Shin.
The top-tier elixirs sent by the Gremory Family, "Essence of Star Origin" and "Soul Soothing Dew," had played a crucial role. They forcefully halted the continuous dissipation of Shin's life origin and stabilized his flickering life force. Though his breathing remained weak, it was far steadier than before, and a faint trace of color had returned to his face, no longer deathly pale.
However, he stayed in a deep coma, his aura frail, as if slumbering on the edge of an endless abyss. The immense damage from burning his blood to draw out his spirit and overdrawing his Origin could not be recovered in a short time. His unique energy system—True Qi—which was distinctly different from demonic power, was almost completely depleted. His meridians were severely damaged, and his dantian lay dim and lifeless, like parched land ravaged by a storm.
Even with the precious elixirs sustaining his life, his recovery would be long and arduous, possibly leaving permanent, irreparable damage.
Asia knelt beside Shin's sofa, her azure eyes fixed on him without blinking. Her slender fingers tightly clutched the hem of her clothes, her gaze overflowing with worry and deep guilt. The warmth and sense of security she had just gained stood in painful contrast to the immense suffering her savior endured because of her.
Rias, having finished the initial suppression of the corrosive wound on her shoulder, slowly stood up. Her face was still somewhat pale, but the dignity and composure of the Gremory Family heiress had returned. She surveyed every member in the clubroom—Kiba Yuuto, still injured but steadfast; Akeno, whose demonic power was greatly depleted yet still maintained the clubroom's operations; the silent but ever-vigilant Koneko; and the newly joined, anxious Asia. Finally, her gaze lingered on the unconscious Shin.
The clubroom was silent, save for the slightly heavy breathing of those present.
After a long pause, Rias took a deep breath and broke the silence. Her voice was clear and steady, carrying the calm objectivity of a post-battle debriefing, yet also a subtle, hard-to-detect heaviness.
"Everyone," she began, drawing their full attention, "last night's operation, though perilous and costly, ultimately succeeded in its final objective."
Her gaze swept over Asia. "We successfully rescued Asia Argento from the Fallen Angel cadre Raynare, brought her out of danger, and welcomed her into our ranks. This is our greatest victory."
Asia lowered her head slightly, clasped her hands in front of her chest, and whispered, "Thank you, everyone…"
Rias nodded and continued, "At the same time, we severely wounded Raynare, thwarted her conspiracy, curbed the arrogance of the Khaos Brigade in Kuoh Town, and upheld the dignity and order of the Gremory Family. This too is of utmost importance."
Her tone grew incredibly solemn. "However, we must soberly recognize the price we paid for this victory." Her gaze fell on Shin again, her voice deepening. "Advisor Shin… paid an unimaginably heavy price for the success of this operation—for rescuing Asia."
The atmosphere in the clubroom grew even heavier.
Rias's eyes sharpened as she meticulously recounted each critical juncture of the operation, every moment inevitably tied to Shin's name.
"From the very beginning," she stated slowly, "it was Advisor Shin, with his unique Spirit Detection Technique, who preemptively discerned the precise locations and trigger mechanisms of all the hidden sentries and magical traps around the church. Had it not been for his accurate guidance, we would never have breached the barrier so silently or infiltrated successfully. Kiba and Akeno should be well aware of this."
Kiba Yuuto nodded immediately, his expression solemn. "Yes, President. Classmate Shin's reconnaissance results far surpassed our conventional perception; they were astonishingly precise. Without his guidance, we likely would have exposed ourselves during the infiltration phase and fallen into a passive position."
Akeno also spoke softly. "Oh my, that's certainly true. That kind of insight into energy flow and environmental details is very unique and effective."
Rias continued, "When we encountered Raynare and the battle turned against us, with Asia facing a fatal threat, it was Advisor Shin who once again stepped forward. In a way we couldn't comprehend, he instantly erected a powerful earth-element defensive barrier—Earth-Style Wall—forcefully blocking Raynare's fatal blow and creating an opportunity for Akeno and me to counterattack and rescue her."
She recalled the solid earth wall that had risen from the ground, a trace of awe flashing in her eyes. "That ability to instantly change the terrain and provide absolute defense is by no means ordinary. Had it not been for that, the battle situation would have rapidly deteriorated."
"And when the battle reached its most intense moment and Raynare attempted to attack again, it was Advisor Shin who threw that peculiar Evil-Warding Talisman. Its light caused a clear interference and restraining effect on the Fallen Angel's power. Though brief, it precisely seized the momentary lapse in Raynare's power circulation, creating a crucial window for me to condense my destructive magic."
Rias's tone carried lingering fear and relief. "Without that momentary interference, my Extinguish Star would never have hit and severely wounded her so smoothly."
Finally, her voice became incredibly heavy as her gaze swept over the faint ligature marks on Asia's neck. "And lastly, that decisive blow… At the critical moment when the severely injured Raynare still attempted to retaliate, it was Advisor Shin who, in a way we couldn't understand but at great cost to himself, burned his own Origin to unleash a supremely potent and pure golden light of evil-warding. That strike precisely destroyed the core that imprisoned Asia—the Fallen Angel necklace."
"This strike not only completely freed Asia and severed Raynare's connection to her, but also inflicted massive, soul-level backlash damage on Raynare, thoroughly sealing our victory and buying us the most precious time for our final retreat."
The clubroom fell into a silence so deep one could hear a pin drop. Everyone's faces were filled with shock and solemnity. Only now, through Rias's clear and detailed account, did they truly realize just how crucial—how decisive—Shin's seemingly modest power had been at so many life-or-death moments during that brief yet perilous battle.
"Throughout the entire operation," Rias concluded, her voice firm and filled with unquestionable affirmation, "Advisor Shin, though not a main combatant, provided assistance that was precise reconnaissance, critical defense, creation of opportunities, and ultimately the decisive blow. It was irreplaceable. His contribution was strategic—a game-changer!"
Her gaze swept over each peerage member. "I can say without exaggeration that without Advisor Shin's participation and sacrifice, our success rate for this operation would have been less than thirty percent. And it's even possible… that we would have suffered casualties."
These words carried immense weight. Coming from Rias Gremory, they were the highest affirmation of Shin's value.
Kiba Yuuto nodded deeply, eyes filled with admiration and gratitude. "President is absolutely right. Classmate Shin's abilities played a vital role. His sacrifice… we will remember."
Akeno sighed softly, her tone complex. "Oh my, oh my~ Now that I think back, every step was truly perilous. Advisor Shin always managed to turn the tide in the most unexpected ways, precisely when it was most needed. His value far exceeds that of an ordinary 'Advisor'."
Though Koneko remained silent, the original indifference in her gaze toward Shin had been replaced by clear recognition.
Asia was in tears. She bit her lip tightly, staring at Shin as gratitude and guilt intertwined.
Rias walked over to Shin, looking down at his still slightly furrowed brow. Her voice softened but carried unprecedented solemnity. "Advisor Shin has, through his actions, thoroughly proven his value and earned the respect and trust of every member of the Occult Research Club. He is not only our 'Advisor,' but also our indispensable companion and comrade-in-arms."
She raised her head, gaze firm. "Therefore, healing him and helping him recover—at all costs—is the most important task for our Gremory Family and the Occult Research Club. It is the repayment we must make for his immense meritorious service and sacrifice!"
"Yes!" "President!"
Kiba, Akeno, and Koneko responded in unison, their voices incredibly firm. Asia nodded vigorously, tears and determination sparkling in her azure eyes.
Rias finally said, "I will report the details of this operation and Advisor Shin's merits to the Family in full. The Family will certainly provide commensurate rewards and resource allocation. Now, everyone, take the time to recover and await further support from the Family. Asia, you also need to rest. Your power may be crucial for Advisor Shin's recovery in the future."
With the summary concluded and objectives clear, the clubroom members said no more. Each immersed themselves in recovery while waiting. Yet the worry for Shin had transformed into a more resolute, collective will to save him.
The value of the Eastern Daoist practitioner had been tested by blood and fire, deeply inscribed in the hearts of every member of the Occult Research Club. His slumber tugged at all of them.
...
📢 Author's Note
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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
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