Just as we struck the deal, Moka, akin to a phantom, was gone from my side. A fraction of a second later she was standing before Kurumu.
'Was she so eager to get her prize?'
Surprisingly, she acted efficiently, pulling on the airs of a domineering queen as the air around the forest shifted to become even tenser.
There was no dramatic charge, no wasted movement. One moment she was across the clearing; the next, her hand was around Kurumu's throat, lifting the Succubus off the ground as if she were a misbehaving kitten.
'Urgh, that might hurt, but based on her insane strength, I think gravity doesn't even dare to pull Kurumu back.'
"You," Inner Moka began asserting herself, her voice colder than the grave behind the Dormitories. "You dared to use your petty charms on what is mine. You dared to plot against the weaker, simpler half of my existence. You sought to kill for something as laughably trivial as a schoolgirl's jealousy."
Her grip tightened, making Kurumu choke. "Shall I simply erase you from this world? It would be cleaner than you deserve."
"L-Let go! I-I can't… breathe!"
Kurumu's bravado was utterly shattered. The sight of the demonic sword, its power, and the aftermath it left with my own corruption and being destroyed later by Moka-san, had broken the last remnants of her willpower.
Her grand 'Harem Plan' seemed like a child's fantasy in the face of imminent death, and she came to regret trying to toy around with Tsukune, and by extension targeting Moka out of jealousy of the attention she was receiving naturally.
Her search for a 'Fated One' felt foolish in the moment, a game she'd been playing by picking from the weak-minded trash who fell for her manipulations. Now Karma seemed to come knocking on her door fringes, as real consequences in the form of a scary Vampire girl who was about to crush her windpipe.
She whimpered, tears of true fear mixing with the dirt and dust her face.
"W-wait!" my voice cut through the deadly tension. Forcing myself to sit up, my body screaming and hurling abuse at every movement I did.
Both girls turned their attention on me, especially Kurumu who got dazed that a guy she tried to turn into her slave, steal his freedom, fought against even reaching the point of bloodshed and his own long-term scarring from the demonic energy backlash of the sword he used.
She started to see hope in Tsukune, who managed to stop the scary vampire from strangling her to death.
Getting to the scene, which took me about one to two minutes—time that probably turned Kurumu's mind into mush from all the emotions she was feeling, but while I was playing a role, as the 'Good Cop' but my traitorous body, weak and aching, made the performance painfully real.
"Moka-san… Duchess-sama. A moment."
The silver-haired vampire glanced back, and for what seemed a time stasis, she followed my expression. Then, resuming the passage of time, a hint of impatience flashed in her crimson eyes.
"This insect does not deserve your mercy, Tsukune."
"Maybe not," I admitted, wincing as I stood on shaky legs, that part wasn't fake. "But killing her now solves nothing. It just makes more problems. Remember how we got summoned to the Headmaster's Office for the previous mess"
Out of nowhere Kurumu shuddered, because it sounded as if both myself and Moka were accomplices to a crime or something. But it didn't matter what the scared kitty was thinking right now.
I met Kurumu's terrified gaze. "She's seen, no, felt, your power. She knows the cost of crossing us. That's a more potent lesson than death, don't you think? Fear is a better teacher than oblivion."
I limped closer, my voice dropping for dramatic effect, aimed solely at the trembling Succubus. "Your 'plan' was always going to fail, Kurumu. You were looking for a real connection, a 'Fated One,' by using tricks to gather bootlickers. "
"That's not how it works. Real strength," I said, glancing at the majestic, terrifying form of Inner Moka, not one bit at her increased assets, especially not her chest, but I can't deny that I peaked when she transformed
"And real bonds… they can't be charmed or manipulated into existence. Usually it goes by being earnest and trying your best to be the real you. If someone accepts you for who you are, then you know that someone will be your friend in hardship."
I let the words hang in the air, giving the impression I knew what I was speaking, but there was truth in my words, real connections are forged by being your genuine self, even if that self is retarded (moronic).
My act already seemed to work on Kurumu as her eyes flickered with thoughts. Just think about it, if you take my extended hand, it was a stark alternative to the oblivion Moka offered.
"So, what's it going to be? Do you want to be a constant nuisance to your surroundings? Or do you want to finally stop playing childish games and work on finding your 'One' in a genuine way, without cheating?"
"While I don't know a lot about the selection rituals for a Succubus," I continued, my voice weary but firm, "I have to agree with Moka. Your selection pool is trash. Only weak fools and simps drop to their knees for a pretty face and a mental nudge. That's not a harem, but a collection of puppets. Is that really what you want for a 'Fated One'?"
I then turned slightly, offering a wry, self-deprecating smile to the Moka whose presence still dominated the clearing. "Ahem. For the record, Moka-san… Duchess-sama… I suppose I fall squarely into that first category. A weak moron for walking right into her charm. I owe you an apology, too. For the recklessness, and for needing you to clean up my mess."
Inner Moka's crimson eyes gleamed. A faint, genuine smirk touched her lips, erasing some of the frost from her aristocratic features.
She couldn't help herself, Tsukune had a knack for disarming her 'aristocratic' persona and making her react like a normal human girl.
'Why do I feel he does it on purpose? Feels like he's stroking my pride. But it's not bad either way, he doesn't act like this with the weakling.'
'Makes it unique that he butters me up.'
With a silver tongue, you just can't help yourself but smooth out their egos. A girl's ego wasn't that different from a guy's, just that they were more perceptive to a snake trying to get under their pants.
Mission accomplished, and I shifted my focus back to Kurumu, who lay where Moka had released her—a crumpled, weeping heap of spent power and shattered pride. Her mana and yoki were depleted, her spirit broken.
'Should I go for the kill? But what if she is adamant and headstrong? Will she actually submit in defeat to me? While I did have the last upper hand, if it was only the two of us, she could also escape to safety.'
'Well, no worth wasting precious time. I'll just ignore Headmaster's warning and kill a bunch of trash to increase my rating to D-tier.'
'How would I even consider taking the life of the best piece of meat? Jokes aside, I wasn't a heartless bastard and if she actually warmed up to me similar to the original Tsukune, I wouldn't say no.'
'Supernatural world doesn't have room for monogamy. The strongest would also consider spreading their genes with multiple partners.'
'But I digress. I sound too narcissistic. If it doesn't happen, so be it. I will not die from depression when I get a hot vampire girlfriend.'
"If you submit in defeat to me," I began, my tone leaving no room for negotiation, "and promise, on whatever honor a Succubus has, to never bother the two of us again… I can have Moka-san let you go. This ends here. We'll not make it hard for you, such as bullying you from now on. Nor will we spread your intent for this 'Yokai Harem'."
'Pretty sure, there would be willing participants in your Harem. I almost willingly raise my hand if she goes about to ask, but I fear I'll get sucked to death and turned into a ghoul by a jealous Moka-san.'
'However, does she know that if she makes an Harem, she would have to bed with her partners? Call me shocked, but in my monkey brain it doesn't make sense. Like, sure you increase the chances of getting knocked-up, but you'll just lose touch with the bounding experience.'
'The only successful Harem is the Patriarchal one. Who doesn't want a Daddy to pamper them?'
Kurumu's crying hitched. She looked up, her violet eyes swimming with tears, meeting my gaze and for a second I almost turned away because of the constant pressure of her Charm Spell, but after suppressing that instinct, I could see that her eyes and expression was tired and scarred but holding no malice.
Similarly, Kurumu wasn't sure what to think about Tsukune, she could tell that he was weakened, in pain, the demonic energy scarred arm could attest this much. His eyes had that crystal clarity in them, as if he could see past her 'gyaru' exterior.
His gaze wasn't the triumphant gloat of a victor or the leering intent of a male captivated by her body.
She saw… a lifeline. A chance she knew, deep down, she didn't deserve.
With a broken sob, she lunged forward giving Moka an internal scare jump because with her Supernatural senses she could follow every movement Kurumu made as if she was in The Matrix and time slowed down for her.
That was one of the frustrations of her life, to learn to live in a world you could perceive going too slow for your Predatory senses.
Seeing that her lunge wasn't with hostile intent, she watched that desperate cling of the Succubus, but she almost interjected her arm to break her off.
'Hands off you big-breasted cow. He's mine.'
'So frustrating to look at that despicable scheming succubus.'
Don't be mad Moka-san, I will make up for your dejected heart, but back to myself. Honestly, I only reacted to the desperate hug only after Kurumu's arms wrapped around my waist, face burying against my shirt, her body a wracked, shuddering tears mess.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Tsukune!" she bawled, the words muffled. "I was stupid and vain and scared! I thought I had to control everything, to make everyone love me so I wouldn't be alone! I promise… I swear I'll never use my powers on you or Moka again! Never!"
I simply patted her back, a steady, reassuring rhythm. "It's alright. Everyone makes mistakes. As long as it's something you can come back from you can make up for the mistakes."
Kurumu clung tighter, her crying subsiding into hiccups, but she almost didn't want to break this skin-contact with him. Even dirty, wounded, and sweaty, he smelled… so good.
"Have you calmed down?" I asked softly. "You should take a break. Skip the rest of your classes. Clear your head. Really think about what happened here today, okay?"
She couldn't help but play in her mind, the various scenes of their interaction, his calm, warm voice, now the lifeline he'd thrown her, warred with the terror Moka had instilled.
She didn't want to make another mistake. Not with him. He was the first person in this awful academy who had looked at her—truly looked—and seen something other than a good-looking flesh trophy.
Kurumu was reluctant but nodded, pulling back just enough to look at my face, and cue to shock, I could see the strange way she was eying me.
'Wait, were those small hearts in her eyes?'
'She might be more in love with me than the original Tsukune. Don't ask me how I know, I can feel it from her gaze. Too much pink going in those hearts.'
As she did finally break off, Kurumu flinched under the weight of Inner Moka's piercing gaze, the vampire's crimson eyes flashing with contained yoki.
She bowed her head deeply toward Moka. "I… I apologize. For everything I said. For my arrogance. I must seem like a foolish insect to you."
Inner Moka merely offered her standard high-lady disdainful "Hmph," the sound both dismissal and acceptance. Holding a grudge against such a broken thing was beneath her. Besides, her focus was mainly on Tsukune, watching the fascinating changes unfolding in his body.
As the tense peace settled, a silent chime echoed in the depths of my mind.
[You have defeated a Succubus, gaining a small part of its essence.]
A warm, vibrant energy—different from the corrosive power of the demonic sword—flooded his system. It was subtle yet profound, a refinement rather than a raw surge. He felt his weary muscles knit themselves tighter, his senses sharpen a fraction more, and a new reservoir of stamina unlock deep within his core.
---[Core Stats]---
Strength: D (12/100)
Agility: D (10/100)
Vitality: C (2/100)
Intelligence: C (60/100)
---[Supernatural Stats]---
Mana: C (84/100)
The change was immediate. The deep, throbbing agony in his scarred right arm receded, replaced by a fierce, itching heat. Before the stunned eyes of Kurumu and the keenly observant Inner Moka, the irritated, blackened fissures left by the demonic energy began to fade. They didn't vanish completely, as that would take more time, leaving behind silvery, intricate scars like faded lightning bolts.
In a way, it was similar to the scars of Moka's bites, which would slowly vanish with time.
Kurumu gasped, her last remaining tears momentarily forgotten. "Your arm… it's healing?"
Inner Moka's head tilted, her crimson eyes narrowing with intense, predatory curiosity.
This ability of Tsukune's was clearly something on the scale of divine abilities, akin to the lineage abilities of Devils, or the bloodline abilities of the Five Principal Clans that had control over the Five Sacred Beasts.
There were plenty of humans with secrets and mysterious abilities that she as the Heiress of Shuzen House one of the Royal Clans of the Vampire Race had knowledge about (brief amounts) but she wasn't as clueless as Outer Moka, who resembled more a innocent human girl.
She pursued her lips, revealing her protruded fangs, and the expression on her face was that of pure fascination as she saw the wounds over Tsukune's body heal to the rate a Divine Spell from a Bishop or Archbishop would cast for healing.
She could feel the difference now. He nolonger appeared to be the same pathetically weak human, who recklessly fought against an Orc to rescue her Outer Self, now it feels like he evolved to an 'supernatural' state.
The subtle shift in the density of his muscles, the newfound resilience in his stance. And his scent… She inhaled almost imperceptibly.
'Why does his scent got sweeter? Ahh, the previous time I was out while he seemed special compared to other humans, this time it's on another level.'
Tsukune looked down at his silver-scarred hand, flexing his fingers slowly. The stiffness was gone. He felt… better. Stronger. Lighter. No matter how large or small the incremental increase of his stats, he could instinctively tell it.
'Now I can probably punch holes in a tree no problem.'
'Dodge a bullet? Nahh, let's not push my luck there. With my D-tier agility I think I could run with a speed that would make Usain Bolt a toddler.'
'Still Vitality and Mana are my strongest traits. With this advancement I have become the Cockroach King.'
At the end of the day, much was accomplished. First on the list was testing his powers, followed by checking his fighting IQ which left plenty of room for improvements, but it was to be expected his Intelligence was only at C-tier, nothing special to scream about.
Meanwhile his knowledge of the Demonic Arts, nonexistent apart from what he knew from the dumbed down lore of DxD, had to he worked and improved. He couldn't remain complacent on his Shining Knight in the form of a hot vampire girlfriend that would break anyones bones if needed to protect me.
Having a Sugar Mommy is unbeatable.
Aside from my established connection with the said Vampire Girlfriend, I also managed to establish a romance route with a Succubus with a bombshell of a body, that could do much more than just fuck my brains out.
Overall, I for the love of Big G, couldn't be disappointed with the developed events. In fact, I was pleased with the results at hand, and knew where I should focus my attention in order to increase my power and survival chances.
Still with a small, relieved smile on my face I told Kurumu. "Looks like we all get a second chance today," my gaze moving from my healed arm to Kurumu's tear-streaked face, and finally came to rest on Moka who watched me with a look that was no longer just amusement, but something that I couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.
'She stares at me the way I would look at my doujinshi collection. Hehe, I'm in trouble.'
*Cough*
"Let's not waste them."
After the much-desired enhancement to his stats, a subtle shift settled over Tsukune, and all three of them turned to silence.
'Don't judge, of course I would have to get used to navigating such situations in the future. I can't just bullshit my way out all the time like some anime protagonist, I doubt it would work.'
'Highly likely, the girls would be creeped out if I suggest a double date already, so let's just break it off with Kurumu, give her a chance to cool off her head, and we'll see tomorrow how it goes.'
For one, Tsukune didn't know how to be subtle and send Kurumu away without hurting her feelings, similarly for all of Moka's greatness and being an ice-cube she was a socially-awkward type of girl who didn't know how to interact with others properly.
She was a much-coveted tomboy, akin to unicorns in today's society. In her view, Moka would rather prefer spending time training martial arts and polishing her skills than doing what normal girls would do. Thus, her communication skills were at the lowest of low, F-tier.
This was the reason she spoke most of the time with her kicks and fists. And such that she kept her silence, looking at Tsukune for him to dispel this situation.
Meanwhile Kurumu was in a whirlwind of emotions as she stared at Tsukune.
Every time she tried to muster the will to turn away, her gaze would drift back to Tsukune.
And each time, it stole her breath a little more.
'He's… different.'
Her amethyst eyes, wide and still glistening, followed his every minor movement. The way he absently flexed his newly healed hand. The calm, weary sigh he let out as he surveyed the clearing. The slight, wry quirk of his lips as he exchanged a silent look with the terrifying, silver-haired Moka.
A strange warmth bloomed in her chest.
'He saved me.'
'He saw my worst… and he offered a hand anyway.'
'He called my dream childish… but he didn't laugh at how it sounded.'
'He didn't judge me or hates me for using my charm on him.'
No one had ever done that. Her entire life had been a performance, stretching for her family, for her peers, for potential mates. Charm, seduce, dominate. It was all transactional. However, Tsukune was the first guy, person to break this vicious cycle that Kurumu found herself sinking into.
And the more she looked, the more the sparkle in her eyes intensified.
Her "Fated One" radar, which had previously pinged on phantom signals, was now ringing at a deafening, singular frequency.
'Him. It's him.'
'Ahh, I think I'm in love.'
She took a half-step forward, her mouth opening to say… something. Another apology? A thank you? A question that would keep him talking to her?
But the words died in her throat the moment Moka acted herself by going to Tsukune, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him along with her. The destination? Unknown. Nonetheless, she felt that if she didn't move now, she would be just a spectator to that scheming Succubus trying to pull moves onto her man.
"Come, Tsukune," Moka said, her voice cool. "It's getting late, and I also want to discuss with you on how much you messed up by making the weakling cry in worry."
As she led me away, she cast a glance at Kurumu, it wasn't a violent threat, but a cool, dismissive flicker akin to a queen reclaiming her possession.