Silas arrived at Kuoh Private Academy just as the morning rush peaked.
The school had only recently become co-ed—for some reason—yet the imbalance was still obvious at a glance. Girls vastly outnumbered boys, filling the grounds with chatter, laughter, and fluttering skirts as students poured through the gates.
Silas stopped just outside the entrance.
Tall iron gates framed the academy grounds, beyond them elegant buildings stretching out with a refined, almost prestigious presence. Clean stone paths, trimmed hedges, and carefully designed architecture spoke of money—a lot of it.
He let out a low whistle in his mind.
'Nice architecture,' he thought. 'Still don't know how Issei afforded tuition here. This place looks like it costs at least twenty grand a year.'
As he stood there taking it all in, groups of girls passed by him.
Then slowed.
Then whispered.
Silas's enhanced senses caught every word with ease.
"Who's he?"
"A new guy?"
"…He's kinda hot."
"Wait—he might actually be hotter than Yuuto Kiba."
"Hey! Don't you dare downplay our lord and savior Kiba. He means the world to me."
"…Wow. Girl, you need help."
Silas shook his head faintly as he walked forward.
'They're honestly not much better than Issei and his perverted little gang,' he thought dryly.
Passing through the gates, his eyes wandered across the campus. He took in every building—the classrooms, the sports facilities, the courtyard—
Then his gaze stopped.
Off to the side stood a familiar structure.
The Occult Research Club building.
Silas slowed, giving it a long, thoughtful look. There was something about it—subtle, dangerous, powerful. A presence that stood apart from the rest of the academy, hidden in plain sight.
A faint smirk touched his lips before he continued walking.
'Later,' he thought. 'Plenty of time for that.'
After a few moments of aimless wandering, reality caught up with him.
'…Yeah, I have no idea where I'm going.'
He sighed inwardly.
'Office first. That's probably the smartest move.'
Spotting a small group of girls walking past, Silas stepped forward and spoke, his tone polite and calm.
"Hey, sorry to interrupt," he said. "Could you help me find the office? I'm new here and don't really know the layout yet."
The reaction was immediate.
All three girls froze.
Then—
"U-Umm… yeah!"
"We can take you there, actually."
"Yeah! We're free right now."
Silas smiled warmly. "I'd appreciate that. Thank you." He paused, then added, "By the way, my name's Silas. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."
'Why do I sound so formal?' he thought. '…Definitely picked that up from Beerus.'
The girls quickly introduced themselves, and before long they were walking together toward the main building. Silas blended in effortlessly, keeping the conversation light and engaging. His confidence was natural, his responses sharp but relaxed.
The girls laughed easily, clearly enjoying his company.
By the time they reached the office, they looked more than a little reluctant to leave.
"Thanks again," Silas said sincerely.
"No problem!"
"Good luck, Silas!"
He waited until they left before turning toward the door. Raising his hand, he knocked.
"Enter."
The voice was calm. Female. Authoritative.
Silas opened the door and stepped inside.
Behind the desk sat Sona Sitri.
His eyebrow twitched ever so slightly.
'…Yeah,' he thought flatly. 'They are really not beating the "Student Council President is more powerful than the government" allegations.'
The door closed softly behind Silas.
The office was immaculate—clean desk, neatly stacked documents, the faint scent of tea lingering in the air. Everything about the room reflected control and discipline.
Behind the desk sat Sona Sitri. She didn't look up immediately. Her pen moved smoothly across the paper as she finished writing, calm and deliberate. Only after a few seconds did she set it down and lift her gaze.
Dark, sharp eyes met Silas'.
They lingered.
Not out of surprise—but evaluation.
"You must be the new transfer student," Sona said evenly. "Silas Morvane, correct?"
"Yes," Silas replied, standing straight but relaxed. "That would be me."
"Have a seat."
He did, settling into the chair opposite her desk with casual ease.
Sona folded her hands together, elbows resting lightly on the tabletop. "Your records are… unusually clean," she said after a moment. "No disciplinary history. No prior school listed in Japan. And yet everything is perfectly authenticated."
Silas smiled faintly. "I like to keep things simple."
Her eyes narrowed—just a fraction.
"Simple is rarely genuine," she replied.
A pause settled between them.
Silas could feel it now—the pressure in the room shifting. Not aggressive, or hostile… but probing. Measuring. Like a chess player studying a board before the first move.
"You don't seem nervous," Sona observed.
"Should I be?" Silas asked mildly.
"Most students are," she replied. "Especially when sitting in front of the Student Council President on their first day."Silas leaned back slightly, resting one arm against the chair.
"Guess I've had stranger meetings," he said casually. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Also… where's the principal? I thought I'd be meeting them when I came here."
That earned him her full attention.
For the first time since he'd entered the room, Sona Sitri stopped pretending to multitask. Her gaze sharpened, locking onto him with renewed focus.
She didn't answer the question.
Instead, she studied him more closely—his posture, his breathing, the way he occupied space without trying to. For the briefest moment, something flickered behind her eyes.
Confusion.
"…Interesting," she murmured, almost to herself.
Silas raised an eyebrow. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No," she replied slowly. "On the contrary."
She reached up and adjusted her glasses, a habit born of thought rather than necessity. "You feel… odd."
There it was.
Silas kept his expression neutral, though inwardly he was amused. "Odd how?"
Sona hesitated.
That alone was telling.
When she finally spoke, her voice was careful—precise. "Like someone standing in a room full of noise… yet producing none of their own."
Silas let out a soft chuckle. "That's a poetic way to put it."
"It's an accurate one," she corrected without missing a beat.
Silence settled between them again—thicker this time. Not awkward. Calculated.
Finally, Sona stood. The movement was smooth and composed, authority flowing naturally from her as she stepped around the desk. She stopped a few feet from him—close enough to observe every detail, far enough to maintain control.
"You will be placed in Class 3-B," she said. "Your schedule and materials will be delivered shortly."
"Efficient," Silas replied. "I appreciate that."
She turned to face him fully, eyes narrowing just slightly. "One more thing."
"Yes?"
"Kuoh," Sona said calmly, "is not an ordinary town. Strange things happen here. People who stand out too much… tend to attract attention."
Silas met her gaze evenly.
"I'll keep that in mind."
For just a fraction of a second, Sona's breath hitched.
She felt it again—that faint, inexplicable pressure. Not malice. Absence.
Then she stepped back, her composure snapping neatly into place as if nothing had happened.
"You're dismissed."
Silas rose from his chair.
Standing now, he towered over her, forcing Sona to tilt her head up slightly to meet his eyes. The difference in height—and presence—was unmistakable.
"It was a pleasure meeting you," he said politely. "Though… I never did get your name."
She replied flatly, "…Souna Shitori"
Silas smiled."A beautiful name. Well then—hope to see you again."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out of the office, the door closing softly behind him.
Sona remained where she was for several seconds.
Then she leaned back against her desk, exhaling quietly.
"…He's quite the character," she murmured.
She had sensed no demonic energy. No holy aura. No magic at all and that disturbed her more than anything else.
"I sensed nothing from him," she continued, brows knitting together. "Yet I can't shake this feeling…"
Her eyes hardened with resolve.
"I'll have to observe him closely."
She reached for her phone.
"Better give Rias a heads-up."
TO BE CONTINUED