At the abandoned church, the three Fallen Angels touched down. Inside, Raynare was waiting, but her appearance was far from the seductive beauty she'd once been.
Her skin was marred with angry burn scars. Patches of her hair were singed away, leaving her looking disfigured and ragged.
"Did you kill him?" Raynare demanded, her voice a raw mixture of hope and rage.
"No. We retreated," Dohnaseek stated flatly.
"WHY?!" Raynare's shriek echoed through the hollow chapel.
"He may possess a Longinus, Annihilation Maker. That magician you faced was likely a summoned being. We weren't willing to risk our lives without certainty," Dohnaseek explained, his tone pragmatic.
In a fit of fury, Raynare swept a nearby wooden stand aside, sending it crashing against the wall. "Then we gather our stray exorcists and swarm him!"
"Raynare, remember the greater plan," Dohnaseek cautioned. "And once the exiled nun arrives, she can heal you. Besides, even if we mobilized, the boy is likely smart enough to hide or seek protection by now."
Raynare took a long, shuddering breath, forcing her anger back under control.
"Is there anything else?" she asked, her voice now dangerously quiet.
Dohnaseek turned his gaze toward Mittelt.
Feeling the weight of their stares, Mittelt sighed, dropping her usual cutesy affect for a tone of pure irritation. "The guy who hurt you… he was one of the humans I killed for fun a few days ago. But somehow, he came back to life."
"He revived?" Raynare's eyes widened. Now Dohnaseek's caution made more sense. "Alright. I understand. We hold off on targeting the Sacred Gear user until after we secure the nun."
"But what about the two heiresses guarding this town?" Kalawarna interjected.
"As long as we don't give them a direct reason to interfere, they shouldn't be a problem," Raynare replied.
Meanwhile, back at the Occult Research Clubroom…
"Come sit here, Judai-kun."
Akeno patted the spot on the couch beside her, then flashed a subtle, triumphant smile toward Rias, who looked mildly annoyed.
Judai started to sit, then paused and formally addressed the two members he hadn't met yet.
"I'm Yuki Judai. Just call me Judai. Nice to meet you both."
"I'm Kiba Yuuto. Pleasure," Kiba replied with a polite smile and a nod.
"Toujou Koneko," the petite girl said simply before returning to her youkan.
Judai nodded in acknowledgment and finally took his seat beside Akeno.
"I'm sure you're busy. What brings you here?" Rias asked, steering the conversation back on track.
"Well… I was just attacked by three Fallen Angels," Judai said matter-of-factly.
The room fell silent. Everyone stared at him, shock evident on their faces.
"Are you alright?" Akeno asked, her teasing demeanor gone, replaced by genuine concern.
"I'm fine," Judai assured her with a small smile, which she returned.
"Do you know why they targeted you?" Rias pressed.
"Revenge, probably. But for some reason, they retreated as soon as they saw my Sacred Gear in action."
Rias raised an eyebrow. Retreating after seeing his Gear… that was unusual. She'd seen the device but didn't yet know its full capabilities.
"So why are you here, Judai-kun?" Kiba asked, cutting straight to the point.
"Can I stay in this building for a while? I'm sure they'll come back with more people next time. This place is safer than my home," Judai asked, aware of the numerous protective barriers surrounding the school grounds.
"Of course you can," Rias agreed without hesitation. Then her curiosity got the better of her. "I have to ask… what exactly does your Sacred Gear do?"
"I can summon other beings," Judai answered plainly.
Hearing that, Rias understood the Fallen Angels' caution. To be certain, she asked, "Would you be willing to show me?"
"Sure," Judai said, unfazed.
They all moved to the open area behind the club building. Judai stepped forward, flicked his wrist, and the Duel Disk materialized on his arm.
Rias studied it, recognition dawning. "Isn't that a Duel Disk?"
"You're right," Judai confirmed.
The realization clicked for Rias, Sacred Gears were shaped by the user's desire. 'So he really does love Yu-Gi-Oh! that much,' she thought, a soft smile touching her lips.
Judai drew five cards: Endymion, Shining Abyss, Cabrera Stone, Sparkman, and Catoblepas. 'I should probably add the new cards I pulled later,' he noted internally.
He decided to start with Catoblepas. The monstrous, long-necked bull materialized on the grassy field with a low growl.
Rias and the others tensed immediately, sensing the creature's inherent hostility.
"Calm down, Catoblepas," Judai commanded.
The beast's aggressive stance eased, though its wary eyes continued to scan the group. Judai walked over and patted its spiked head.
"So? What do you think?" he asked.
"This is… amazing," Rias breathed, feeling the undeniable, living presence of the summoned being.
Then Akeno voiced the obvious question. "What about your teacher? Why isn't he protecting you?"
The others looked curious as well.
Judai gave a simple, direct answer. "Because one of my teachers is a being I can summon."
The statement was world-shattering. Rias felt a sudden, sharp pang of longing, how she wished she could offer him a place in her peerage. But she knew him well enough now to understand he'd likely refuse. 'At the very least,' she resolved, 'I should try to bring him closer to the Devil faction.'
"Would you like to meet him?" Judai offered.
Everyone nodded, their curiosity piqued.
Judai returned Catoblepas to the deck and placed Endymion, The Magistus of Mastery onto the Monster Zone.
Endymion appeared in a flash of light and arcane symbols. Instantly assessing the situation, he leveled his staff at the group, its tip glowing with threatening energy, assuming Judai was under attack.
"Sensei, these are my friends!" Judai quickly stepped between them.
"They carry a demonic aura."
"I know. They're Devils, but they're not a threat to me."
Hearing the conviction in his student's voice, Endymion reluctantly lowered his staff.
"This is my teacher, Endymion," Judai introduced.
"Hello. I am Rias Gremory," Rias said, offering a slight, noble bow.
"You are of noble birth," Endymion observed instantly.
"Yes. I am an heiress to my clan."
Endymion gave a curt nod, then turned his scrutinizing gaze to the others.
"I'm Himejima Akeno. A pleasure to meet you, Endymion-san," Akeno said with her usual graceful smile.
Endymion noted the energy surrounding her similar to the Fallen Angels, yet distinct.
"Toujou Koneko." The petite girl offered a small bow.
Endymion's eyes lingered on her, sensing a vast reservoir of latent life energy waiting to be unleashed.
"Kiba Yuuto." Kiba greeted him with a polite smile.
Endymion offered no particular comment, simply acknowledging him.
Once the introductions were complete, Endymion leaned close to Judai and whispered, "You are still recklessly naive."
"I'm trying not to be. This is the safest place I know. I was just attacked by three Fallen Angels," Judai defended himself quietly.
"Then why did you not inform me first?" Endymion chided, reaching out to pull lightly on Judai's ear.
"I'm sorry!"
The sight of the formidable mage scolding Judai like a misbehaving child broke the tension. The entire group burst into soft chuckles and smiles.