Chapter 2 is now out and special thanks and credit to The Storm Master 567 who will work with me on this story. Hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 2: Not home anymore
Akeno had heard what he said but it still surprised her. Gerard Price really was a magician. She was kind of like a magician herself with the skills she possessed but the skills and spells Gerard had shown was something she had never seen before. The raven-haired beauty had never heard of this 'Oshtur' nor recognized the magic circle he formed. She could only assume that he was taught by a magician no one knew about. With these facts, the mystery that was Gerard made her want to find out who he truly and comes from.
Gerard saw the beauty still staring at him. "What's the matter? Don't tell me this is the first time you've ever seen a sorcerer." He said with a raised eyebrow. With the powers he saw from her, Gerard expected the woman to not be as shocked as she was.
"Well, no. I've seen many magicians before but I never would have guessed you would be one." Akeno admitted after regaining her composure.
"Uh…it's actually sorcerer." Gerard corrected his fellow magic user.
Akeno shrugged. "Magicians, sorcerers, call them whatever you want, they're all the same." The way she said it irritated Gerard but he didn't let it show. "However, that's not important. What happened just now is. As Rias' Queen, it's my duty to inform my King of anything out of the ordinary in her territory. That means you." She said, her violet eyes staring into his dark blue.
"So she's a Devil too?" It wasn't a question. "I had assumed she dyed her hair red but I guess I'm proven wrong knowing she's a Devil." He admitted. The indirect insult made Akeno giggle a little before getting serious.
"Come with me." She requested/demanded. Frowning a little, Gerard sighed and nodded his head. A large red magical circle surrounded the two and teleported the two, leaving the park empty. The circle brought them into a room Gerard quickly scanned. It was a large wood-paneled room with Victorian-styled furniture along the walls. On the other side of the room was a shower and the same magic circle he was just in drawn on the walls. 'Just screams inviting.' The teenager thought with heavy sarcasm.
"This," Akeno got his attention as she waved to the room. "Is the Occult Research Club. It was previously used as the old school building before it was renovated into our club, a.k.a our headquarters. I'll see if Rias is around and tell her-"
"Tell me what, Akeno?" The beauty was interrupted by the familiar voice of the redhead. Turning to the doorway, they saw Rias standing there, wearing an elegant nightgown that accentuated her still developing curves. A frown was also framing her usually beautiful face. "Tell me what, Akeno? Why is Gerard here?" She asked her best friend again.
Standing up taller, Akeno folded her hands behind her back. "Buchou. This is very important. I was attacked by a four-winged Fallen Angel by the name of Hextin. He came for me but that is all he said on the matter. He would have captured me if Gerard had not saved me." She informed, giving the sorcerer credit. "Gerard saved me by revealing that he is not just a normal human being. He is actually a sorcerer whose power eludes me." Akeno ended.
The Queen saw Rias' frown leave so shock could appear then her eyes flickered over to the silent Gerard. As if to answer the stare that asked if it was true, Gerard raised his hand and created a blue magic circle.
"What do you wish to do with him?" Asked the ponytailed girl. She was unaware of the annoyed glare she was given by the magical man. 'I'm not a freaking rat in a lab!' Gerard yelled in his head at the women who seemed to think they owned him since he was in this town.
Rias was silently taking in this information she received. The news about a Fallen Angel was troubling, especially after the whole affair with the rouge group who killed Issei and tried to steal Asia's Sacred Gear. Now, this one, Hextin, was after Akeno which she wouldn't allow any harm to befall her if she had anything to say about it.
For Gerard…him being a sorcerer was a fascinating discovery on its own. All this time, a while day, he was hiding his magic well enough that they didn't spot it only to be shown when he saved Akeno. The princess was grateful to the human for protecting her friend.
"Let us wait for tomorrow. I wish for everyone to know of this matter." Rias decided after serious thought. "You may leave Akeno and for Gerard." She looked at the eighteen-year old. "You may stay here for the night." Rias offered the male.
Thinking for a moment, he nodded. "Thank you, Rias." Thanking the woman who waved it off, she led him to one of the many guest rooms that filled the small building.
"Ara, ara. I was hoping my hero would get to stay with me." Akeno teased with a seductive wink. Gerard glanced at her before following the redhead. Giggling a little, the miko decided to get home and rest for tomorrow.
Gerard followed Rias in silence. He ignored the bounce in the Devi's breasts made whenever she took a step. He had to admit that Rias and Akeno were two of the most beautiful women he had ever seen in his life, but that was only because of their Devil heritage, now that he knew what they were.
It made sense. No normal human would have such big breasts like these two do! Shaking his head, he got those thoughts out of his head as he wasn't a pervert. He was raised to be a gentleman and he would do just that.
"Here we are." Rias announced as she opened the door to a medium-sized room with a queen-sized bed. There was also the male school uniform neatly folded on the soft looking bed. "That is your school uniform for Kuoh Academy which you will be wearing tomorrow. The shower is also available for you to use before school starts, which is 8:00 A.M. After school I will gather my peerage so they can meet you. Judging by your appearance, you're eighteen?" Gerard nodded with a slightly peeved look at the woman. "You will be in the third-year classes. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Gerard-san. Goodnight."
"Goodnight to you." Gerard said with a casual wave. The princess turned on her heel and walked out the room. Sighing, Gerard grumbled as he didn't like this woman telling him what he was going to do. "Well, guess I've got some explaining to do before getting to New York." He mused to himself before sitting on the very soft mattress.
Morning came quickly and Gerard got up, grabbed his uniform, and headed to the shower that was in the clubroom. Checking if there was anyone inside, thanking no one was there, he stripped off his clothes and let the warm water rain down.
He let out a blissful sigh as the tension in his muscles left. He really needed this after the day he had yesterday and couldn't because he was too tired to think about bathing. Finishing, he dried himself off and dressed himself in the male uniform Rias provided him. Color him surprised to find out that it fit him like a glove. That surprise soon faded as he had a hunch the arrogant, from what he felt, redhead studied his measurements for their one meeting. 'Tch. Cheeky Devil!' He clicked his tongue in annoyance of being played.
Smoothing out the blue dress-shirt that came with the outfit, he stepped out of the room while putting on his jacket. Looking in the mirror, he smirked a little. "Hehe. Rogue always said black matched my eyes." Gerard said as the black in the jacker made his eyes pop.
"As does the shirt." He was not surprised to turn around and see the smiling Devil.
Frowning a little, he looked at her accusingly. "You used your Devil powers to measure my sizes the first time we met." He stated.
Rias stuck her tongue out playfully. "Of course I did. Asking for them might take so long. Hope you're not embarrassed." She said with a playful smile.
Still frowning, he walked past her. "Just so you know, this is the only time I'm ever going to wear this. After today, I'm going back home to New York." He informed the sneaky Devil who didn't really appreciate his attitude but brushed it off.
Students of Kuoh Academy stared at the two students walking through the front gates. One, all knew to be one of the great ladies of Kuoh, Rias Gremory. Beside her was a new student no one recognized. The boy also seemed foreign.
Whispers started to spread about the new kid standing close to Rias. He was loved by girls and hated by the guys.
"Who's that?"
"He's cute!"
"Lucky bastard!"
"People should really keep their thoughts to themselves." Gerard thought with a shake of his head because the students weren't afraid if their opinions of a students was heard. The black-haired sorcerer really didn't want to get swarmed by all these people, especially the girls. Gerard could see the hungry glint in their eyes as they seemed to undress them with their eyes.
Ignoring them all, he followed the redhead up a flight of stairs to find Akeno talking with another woman their age. She wore glasses, had black hair styled in a short bob cut and violet eyes, just like Akeno.
'What the hell is with these strange hairstyles and eyes colors?!' Gerard thought to himself. While she was not as buxom as Rias or Akeno, her posture and expression said she was one for authority and using her brains on her enemies. Gerard made a mental note to be weary of her if she became his enemy.
Noticing them, the bespectacled woman turned her attention to Rias. "Is this him?" She got straight to the point.
'She told her too?!' Gerard was becoming more and more irritated the longer he stayed with these Devils. 'Jesus Christ! Do these Devils have any sense of privacy!?' He hoped to get answers of why they were so pushy about getting information and had no boundaries of others.
"This is him." Rias answered, not noticing that Gerard was looking at the three with slight anger. "This is the sorcerer that saved Akeno. His name is Gerard Price." The beauty introduced him.
"I see." Pushing up her glasses, the woman stepped up to Gerard and stretched her hand out. "I am Souna Shitori, president of the Student Council. Welcome to Kuoh Academy. I trust you find everything to your liking?" Souna greeted the male and asked afterwards.
Returning the shake, Gerard responded. "It's nice, but I am only attending for today. I intend to return to New York after. My father's most likely worries sick about me." Gerard said, also getting straight to the point of his intensions. "You're a Devil too, obviously. Anyone else a Devil here?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Myself, Rias, and everyone in our peerages." Souna told the human.
Just as he was about to ask what these 'peerage' things were, the bell rang, signaling classes would start shortly. Sighing, Gerard looked at the ladies. "Well, it's been fun, but I must be on my way." He turned around and waved over his shoulder. "See ya."
Souna watched the departing sorcerer with narrowed eyes. "He's obviously not happy about you enrolling him here." She glanced over at her smiling friend. "I hope you're not planning to turn him into a Devil because he saved Akeno." The woman hoped she was wrong.
"Partially." Rias admitted. "But what Akeno described was incredible. He managed to fight off a middle-class Fallen Angel and cast spells none of us have heard of before. I need that power." To her, this was all the reason she did what she did to Gerard.
Souna shook her head at the hardheaded crimson-haired beauty. "You're desire for a powerful peerage won't solve all your problems, Rias. You see the way he acted towards you, towards us?" She asked after watching how Gerard walked with Rias and how he looked at her when she talked for him. It didn't talk a genius, which she was, to figure out that Gerard didn't like the Gremory heiress. "I advise you to be weary of this one, Rias. If you don't, you will make him your enemy." With her peace said, Souna, a.k.a Sona Sitri, made her way towards her own class.
The black-haired mage sighed in relief when the bell that signaled class ended rung. The teachers lecture, in his mind, were so long and boring. To make matters worse, the girl in class kept glancing over at him with wanting eyes.
Even Akeno was giving him small glances every now and then. It was obvious to him that he made sure he was in her class so she could keep an eye on him. That only made him a little angrier but it went away as he knew it could be worse. 'Still…these Devils don't know the meaning of privacy.'
Gerard stood when Akeno did and told him to follow her. Ignoring the small whispers that surrounded them when the students saw them together, and decided to ask. "Why are these people worshipping you and Rias like goddesses?" He asked as he saw the way these teenagers bowed down to the ponytailed and redheaded beauties.
Akeno giggled at the weary teen. "Don't get suspicious, Gerard-kun," He didn't remember when he said it was okay for her to use this suffix. But, he didn't mind a beautiful girl like Akeno using it for him. "We're not using our magic to hypnotize them. They only see Buchou and myself as the best students in the school." She told the new kid of why the other students did these things.
"And the hottest!" Shouted some random hormonal teenage boy. Gerard and Akeno decided to ignore that and continue their trek down the stairs, through the courtyard, and around the academy towards the old-school building.
"It was actually the Gremory family that renewed the whole building for Rias to use." Akeno told the black-haired youth as she opened the door.
Gerard widened his eyes at this new piece of information. 'The whole building? Could she be a billionaire like that arrogant jerk/friend in America?' He asked himself. Shaking his head, the male followed Akeno inside to see the other members Rias had talked about last night.
Sitting on one of the couches sat a young girl with white hair and a black cat-hairpin munching on a candy bar. Gerard could see her hazel eyes held little emotion that made him wonder what she must have been through to have such eyes. Shaking those thoughts away, seeing as he wouldn't be staying long, he looked to the opposite side of the room where a handsome looking blonde with blue eyes stood. He deducted that this was that Kiba guy he had heard about during the day. On the adjacent couch to the petite white haired girl was another girl with long blonde hair and green eyes talking to a brown haired the same age as her, maybe seventeen. He could see only one person was missing; Rias.
As he was about to ask where she was, his answer came by the sound running water. His eyes flickered to the shower and, from the figure, could tell that it was Rias. "Why?" Gerard couldn't help but ask with a dead-panned expression.
Akeno giggled a little before answering with a smile. "Buchou likes to take showers."
Humming, Gerard walked through the room and sat next to the small statured girl. "Hi." He greeted with a polite smile. Even if he didn't like the situation he was in, that didn't mean he couldn't be impolite with the tiny girl.
"Hey." She stopped eating for a second before going back to her candy.
'What nice manners she has.' Gerard thought sarcastically with a small frown.
Seeing this, the blonde walked over to the black-haired male and stuck out his hand. "You must be the one Buchou was talking about. My name is Yuuto Kiba by the way, a second-year. Sitting next to you is Koneko Toujou, a first-year." Yuuto introduced himself and the silent Koneko.
Standing up, he took the hand in a firm shake. "I've heard your name being passed around in class. I'm Gerard Price." He ended the handshake and looked over at the other two. "Who are those two?" He asked.
"Their names are Asia Argento and Issei Hyoudou. Both are members of my peerage." The answer came from Rias as she exited the shower fully dressed with her crimson-hair still a little wet. "Now that we are all here, let's get down to business." Rias made her way to her chair behind the desk with her eyes going over her peerage and landed on Gerard. Everyone had their attention focused completely on her.
"I've called you all here to tell all two important things." She said seriously. "Firstly; there is a Fallen Angel now targeting Akeno. His name is Hextin and his motives now are unclear so we must be weary at all times until we know why he is after Akeno specifically. He is a middle-class Fallen Angel with four wings so if you encounter him, don't fight him alone." Her peerage nodded in understanding of how dangerous it could be if they faced him alone. "Secondly, we have a temporary student joining us. I'd like you to meet Gerard Price, an American, who saved Akeno from Hextin. If you are wondering how, it's because he is a sorcerer." Rias ended.
Kiba, Asia, and Issei were looking at the male in shock. Koneko was as well but it was barely shown. The only indication that she was surprised was her slightly widened eyes along with her dropping her candy.
"So tell me, Gerard, what do you know about Devils?" Rias asked with a knowing smile.
Gerard didn't like that smile and narrowed his eyes at the redhead then glanced at everyone in the room with suspicion. "They're villainous beings that seek to control the world and cause destruction." The teenager said as he remembered the times he's met Devils. Let's just say they didn't want to sit down and have tea.
"That's not true at all, actually." Rias corrected with a shake of her head. "The depiction of Devils you've seen in books are wrong. We are what Devils really look like." Just then, twelve bat wings, two for each member, appeared before the human. The look he wore was one of curiosity and confusion at her words.
"This can't be right." Gerard said with a sigh while running his fingers through his black hair. He set his eyes on all the Devils. "The Devils I've fought were large red-skinned beings with crazy powers. Hell, I know one Devil named Azazel." He said as he recalled the evil mutant.
Rias' eyes sharpened after her shock left her. "Did you say Azazel?" She wanted to be sure she heard him correctly.
"Yeah. You know, Azazel, the red mutant who can teleport." Gerard clarified, hoping to jog their memories of the powerful enemy.
The princess's face contorted into confusion at that. "Azazel's no Devil. He's the leader of the Fallen Angels. Also, what's a mutant?" She had never heard of that term before.
"What's a mu-Rias! What have you been smoking? How is it that you don't know what a mutant is?" Gerard said in complete shock.
Sighing, she raised her two fingers. "One, I don't smoke. Second, I have no idea what you're talking about, honestly." The princess said calmly.
"Well, have you at least heard of the Tower?" He asked them.
The high schoolers stared at him with confusion. "Come on. Don't tell me you've never heard of the Tower! The one in New York with a giant A on it?" Gerard made sure they knew what specific building he was possibly talking about.
But, of course, no one knew what he was talking about. Rias exchanged looks with her peerage. 'What in the Underworld was he talking about?' That was the through that rang through their minds. "Gerard. I've been to New York and have never seen the building you're talking about nor any word of these mutants." Rias explained to the human.
"What about 177A Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village, New York City, New York? Do you know that address?" He wondered.
"Yes, but-"
"Ah-ha! So he's still their! Come with me, I'll show you!" Gerard interrupted the princess and told them.
Rias stared into his blue eyes and saw a twinge of fear within them. It seemed that he was not talking nonsense and speaking, what he believed to be, the truth. Still, she would have all her peerage go. "Akeno." She looked to her Queen.
Knowing what she was going to say, she nodded. "Of course, Buchou." The shrine maiden walked over to the human and called forth her demonic powers and summoned Rias' family crest. "Remain still." The queen ordered. Doing as said, the group was blinded by a flash of light and they soon looked to see that Akeno and Gerard were going to where the man talked about.
"Is he okay, Buchou?" Asia asked timidly. Even though she just met him, she could tell he was scared and in need to make sense of what was happening to him.
"I don't know, Asia." Rias admitted, also wondering why Gerard had wanted to go to New York and what he wanted to show them. Well, whatever it was, she would learn soon enough when they come back.
One the other side of the world, in the dead of the night, a red magical circle with a rose symbol appeared on one of the tall buildings and when it faded, two black-haired teenagers appeared. Looking around for humans, Akeno sighed in relief as the coast was clear and they weren't spotted. Now all she needed to do was take Gerard to the address he asked about.
Walking to him, "Hang on." She told him. Grabbing her shoulder, Gerard gasped a little when she took off and her eyes scanned for any building that had a giant A on it. There were a lot of them but not one with a single 'A' on the buildings. Finding the specific street, the two flew low and landed softly.
After letting go, Gerard made his way through the street. "This way!" The male walked past buildings that he should be familiar with but said buildings were no longer there. It was like they vanished. This only made him walk faster to the place he hoped was still there.
"Right over here, Akeno, you'll see it after this…turn?" Taking the corner, his face paled and eyes dilated and shook in shock. In front of him should have been a giant mansion but in its place, was a simple apartment building. "This…this isn't right. The tower. The mansion…there gone. That's…that's not possible." He muttered in denial. "Unless…" His eyes soon widened in realization at what might have happened.
"Gerard?" Akeno called out his name while slowly walking towards the magician with calm and quit steps. The way he was acting scared her. As soon as she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, he flung his hands up in the air and yelled.
"OHhhhhhh! GREAT!" Gerard roared to the sky as he finally realized why there was now tower nor mansion. The sudden outburst made Akeno jump back and prepare herself just in case he suddenly went crazy and attacked her.
All he did was smack his face while slowly shaking his noggin. "Great…just peachy. Nice work Gerard. Look what you got yourself into now." He mused to himself in anger and disappointment at himself.
"Gerard. Are you okay?" Akeno asked with concern clear in her voice.
Turning around to the violet eyed woman, the human sighed. "No, Akeno, I'm not. Damn. What have I done?" He asked himself.
"Gerard, what happened? What did you do?" The priestess asked her fellow magic user.
"We'll talk about it at Kuoh." It was all he gave her before Akeno walked up to him and summoned the magic circle.
Rias smiled when she saw her family circle appear on the floor. Said smile was whipped from her face as an annoyed and muttering Gerard came out of it.
"Akeno-san, what happened?" Kiba was the one to ask his Queen for anything that would explain why Gerard asked to go to New York and now come back in such an angry mood.
"I don't know." But Akeno was just as clueless as the rest.
"Give me a minute. You will then." Gerard said before he collected himself with a deep calming breath. He tended to sigh and breathe deep like this when things went south for him. Once all eyes were on him, he spoke. "Well…I hope you don't think I'm crazy but I'm not from around here. And when I mean here, I mean from this earth. I'm from another dimension." He informed the group of Devils with a serious look.
"Another dimension!?" Issei yelled out in utter shock and almost lost his balance. While he was the most vocal, that didn't mean the others were not as shocked at the new Devil.
Everyone was just as shocked. Koneko once again dropped her candy with Asia covering her gasping mouth with her hands.
The two eldest of the group were speechless at this revelation. This man was from another dimension!? Was that even possible? From what he was talking about, it could be possible now that they thought about it.
The Dimensional Gap was a massive void of endless connections to earth, the underworld, and Heaven. Could there be more than just those three? Could there be more worlds out there that they couldn't reach? Worlds where no wars existed? And, if so, how did this young sorcerer manage to travel through the Gap? All these questions and surprises were rattling the Gremory Devils of Kuoh Academy.
"I'm from another dimension." He repeated himself as he felt a little uncomfortable at being stared at with no one talking.
"I believe some explanations are in order." Rias stated/demanded of the young mage.
Taking a seat, "It's a long story, so bear with me." He informed before taking a deep breath to begin his shortened tail. "When I was fourteen-years-old, I discovered I could use magic but my magic was wild and untamed. I feared that I would hurt someone with it so I hid it from everyone until a wise and powerful sorcerer discovered my talents through a particular even I'd rather not talk about." He paused, daring them to ask what it was. Seeing that no one would, he continued.
"Recognizing the power that flowed through me, along with my potential, he took me in as his apprentice and trained me for four years to control my magic while using them to fight evil that threatened the world. It wasn't easy at all. Learning magic, attending high school, and fighting evil all at the same time was quite the difficult task for anyone. A few nights ago, I borrowed one of my master's books to study the more advanced spells and stumbled upon a spell called Dimensional Rift. Like they said, curiosity killed the cat, and I tried the spell out without telling my master, as he might have been mad if I did a spell without him watching me, and in doing so, I was sent into your world. Blinded by a flash of bright light, I opened my eyes to be outside the town. From there, you can figure out." Gerard finished explaining of how he got to this world.
"Wow." It was all anyone could say after hearing what the human before them did.
"Yeah, wow." Gerard said with a calm face.
"Wait. What about your father?" Rias asked, remembering what he said about being worried about his old man.
"A lie. All that talk about a father was a lie…kind of, or not at all really. I've grown to see my master, the man who took me in, as my father figure." Gerard said with a small fond smile of the man who had taken him in when he didn't have to.
"But, why haven't you tried to go back to your dimension? Surly you could have done so when I went to speak to Rias or last night." Akeno asked the handsome black-haired teenager.
"Because, Akeno, I forgot how to cast the spell. The words must have been forgotten when the light flashed. Besides, I'm not really keen on the idea of doing the same spell, even if I could, that sent me to a universe I have no knowledge about. Don't want to be an old man still traveling through dimension to dimension so I can finally stumble into my home world. So, I'm basically stuck in your universe for the foreseeable future." Gerard explained, his arms crossed.
"There's more!?" Exclaimed Rias.
Gerard grunted and mentally kicked himself for saying that. "I've said too much. All you need to know is that I'm from another dimension and I'm stuck here with all of you." By his tone, the conversation was over. Slumping himself deeper into the couch, he glanced at all of the teenagers, he guessed as Devils could change their appearances whenever they wanted to, and continued. "I'm sorry if I'm coming off as rude, but this new discovery is quite troubling for me.
"It's okay. If you want, we can leave you be." Rias offered with a kind smile.
Gerard returned it with his own. "It's fine. I'm fine. No need to worry about me. So, since I'm stuck here and you know the truth about me, I guess there's no reason to go back to New York as no one I know lives there." He chuckled humorlessly. The team gave him sympathetic looks that they hid when he looked at them again. "So, looks like I'm gonna' be attending Kuoh from now on." Gerard decided with some reluctance. "Also, I think I could use an explanation as to what's going on in this world." He proposed, now sitting up straight and staring at Rias.
Nodding her head, Rias crossed her arms under her bust, making Issei look at them with a perverted expression, before clearing her throat. "As I said before, we are all Devils here. We are part of one of the Three Great Factions, the Devils. The others are the Angels and Fallen Angels. For thousands of years, our three societies have been at war. It was only after so much battle and bloodshed that a peace treaty was forged which, barely, worked. While there are still some fighting between us three, there have been nothing too serious to restart a war. During the Great War the leaders of the Underworld, the Four Satan's, Lucifer, Beelzebub, Leviathan, and Asmodeus died in the war. Our numbers continued to dwindle when a civil war broke out that split the Underworld in two. One side was led by the ancestors of the original Satan's who wanted to restart the war to show that Devils were the better beings. Their plans were thwarted, however, by an anti-war faction who wished for peace between the three factions. Because of them, the Old Devil faction was pushed back, but also left our species near extinction. Fortunately, Ajuka Beelzebub, one of the current Satan's, found a way to reproduce our population without the need for Devils to breed." Rias paused for any questions he might have.
Gerard took the information in with a calm face. It was all very interesting to him. "How is it done?" He asked, his dark blue eyes roaming over all the Devils.
"This is how it's done." Rias outstretched her hand and what appeared in her palm was a red chess piece, a Knight to be exact. "While it looks like an ordinary chess piece, these are what's known as an Evil Piece. With these and however many needed to do so, we can reincarnate anyone, humans and non-humans, into Devils." This made him narrow his eyes a little in suspicion of what that could mean since Devils were known to be greedy and selfish creatures who would do anything to gain something they desired. "I think it's time to reintroduce ourselves as who we really are." She said, making Gerard push those thoughts away and focus. "My name is Rias Gremory from the Gremory clan. I am the King of my peerage."
"You already know me, Gerard-kun. Akeno Himejima. Buchou's queen." The busty queen said with a kind smile.
"Yuuto Kiba. I am Rias Gremory's Knight." Kiba said with a polite bow and voice.
"…Koneko Toujou…Rook." The tiny Rook said with an emotionless voice.
The blonde girl blushed in embarrassment as she was to talk to new people. "I…uh…I'm Asia Argento and-"
"Asia Argento." Gerard repeated the name in clear shock. "You were named after the famous Italian actress?" Confused stares were what he was introduced to. "You know, the Italian actress?" He was met with silence this time. Dropping his head, he groaned a little. "She doesn't exist in this world, does she?" He asked.
"Only this Asia Argento. Fufu." Akeno giggled, finding it very cute he thought this Asia was named after someone from his world.
Asia was a little surprised to hear someone had her name in Gerard's universe, let along that Asia being an actress. She must have been very talented and beautiful too. Regaining her composure, the former nun continued. "I'm Buchou's Bishop."
Gerard's eyes flickered to the lone brunette. He could sense a great power just below the surface of the teenager. The power he was feeling rivaled the strength of-"
"Issei Hyoudou, Buchou's Pawn." Gerard blinked at that.
'Really?' Thinking he heard wrong, he asked. "I'm sorry, can you say that again?" He requested.
Frowning a little, Issei repeated himself. "I'm Issei Hyoudou and I'm Buchou's only Pawn."
"Only?" He parroted in confusion of the wording. There were eight pawns so, does that mean he only took one?
"I had to use all my Pawn's to reincarnate my Ise-kun. He has something very special within him." Rias said with a prideful smile. Issei blushed brightly at being called hers while hearing that she used all eight pieces made it easier to understand for Gerard. "That power was what helped me win my freedom from my forced engagement." She looked at Issei with a kind smile.
"It's also gonna' help me build my harem!" And like that, the pride she felt dismissed as he loudly stated his dream.
Gerard raised an eyebrow in confusion. He had never heard of this 'harem' term he used. "What's that?"
Before either Akeno or Koneko could speak, Issei blurted out. "I'm not surprised since you're from American and another universe. It means that I'm gonna' get a bunch of hot babes like Buchou and Akeno-san!" In his head, he was surrounded by amazingly beautiful busty women.
Looking at the teen a year younger than him for a few silent seconds, "Is he serious?" He asked with an exasperated expression.
"…He's a pervert." Koneko informed him with her harsh blunt words.
The human buried his head into his left hand and let lose a long and suffering sigh. "Jesus Christ." He didn't realize that he caused some pain to the Devils by saying the name the son of the Lord. "What kind of dimension did I get myself into?" He took his head out of his hands and frowned at Issei. "Please don't say or do such stupid things. It's not worth it." Gerard advised the brunette.
"Not worth it?!" Issei shouted in outrage and shock. "But having a bunch of hot naked girls-"
"Stop!" The sorcerer ordered him with a yell while rubbing the ridge of his nose in tiredness of the boy's honest, yet disgusting words. "I seriously don't want to hear about your perverted dreams." Gerard told the boy who looked sad that it looked like another Koneko arrived.
"Ara, ara. Someone doesn't like perverts either, huh Koneko-chan?" Akeno realized this as well and giggled with an amused smile.
Koneko found respect in her new senpai. "…Gerard-senpai. You should hit the pervert if he peeps on us." She hoped he would say yes.
Clapping her hands together, she got everyone's attention. "Now, now, we all have dreams we aspire to, Gerard. If Ise-kun wants a harem then he should be able to work as hard as he can to achieve it." She told the interdimensional magician.
Gerard accepted it but still frowned as he found it kind of annoying that the guy had such a dream. "Fine. But, please keep your lecherous eyes to yourself, Issei." The black-haired teen requested.
"Gerard. Who is you master?" Kiba asked, changing the subject, as he was curious as to who taught this man his unique magic.
Gerard stared at Kiba with an unreadable expression for a long time. Silence dominated the room as the Devils thought they might have crossed the line. That thought was shattered when he smiled a little. After some inner debate of whether to tell them about his teacher, he saw no harm if they knew his name. "His name is Doctor Strange, a man with incredible powers. He is someone you want as your ally rather than enemy." He told them, while withholding his real name.
"Well, can you tell us what your world is like?" Kiba's question made the others jump in on this.
"Yes. Please do.
"…Is it like ours."
"What's the supernatural world like their?"
Holding up his hands in defense, he smiled at them. "Well, it's sorta like this world but…bigger. Yeah, bigger is the right word." Gerard said after thinking of a proper word to use for his home. "The Three Great Factions aren't the only ones within this world, are they? Gods, vampires, werewolf's, and other supernatural creatures reside here, right?" Receiving a nod from Rias, he continued. "Where I come from, there's so much more than just Gods and Devils. There are beings who have incredible talent, humans who have super strength, brilliant geniuses who can create enterprises, empires, or highly advanced technology. There are even aliens from other galaxies!" Gerard said with a smile as he remembered some of the things he's seen and done.
"Did you say other galaxies!?" Issei squeaked in excitement of the possibility of otherworldly babes.
"Shush!" Gerard ordered the pervert as he could see the lewd thoughts in his head just by looking at him. "The power of good and evil is never ending either." He continued. "Both sides have geniuses, Gods, super beings, sorcerers, scientists and so many other things. Thinking on it now, I'm glad I'm in your world. Things here as so much simpler. No super soldiers, no aliens, not even an evil organization threatening to take over the world or an interdimensional being trying to eat it." He listed off.
"A what?" Rias was the one to ask. The way he said it so casually really shocked her at what he had possibly seen and done in his world that he was okay with facing such a being.
"It's complicated." The sorcerer said. "Basically, my world is infinite and there's still so much I don't even know about it." He then yawned a little. "But, I feel like we've talked long enough and I grow tired. If you would allow it, I wish to stay in the school building. The place is moderately comfortable and has a sense of home to it." He said with a fond smile.
Rias rubbed her chin in thought. She could argue that he could stay with Issei but she and Asia were already staying there and she had already let Gerard spend the night. Also, she couldn't really order him around since he wasn't in her peerage.
"I see no harm in doing so." Rias decided before smiling again as she used this time to ask himself something. "However, I wish to ask you of something, Gerard-san." She took a step towards the man who was eyeing her with suspicion. Usually, her smile would make any man listen to her but not this one. He had too much will to succumb to skin beauty. She shivered a little as she felt his dark blue eyes trying to drill their way into her soul. The princess knew what she was about to ask was stupid and most likely cause more harm than good, like Sona had told her but…the power he possessed was just so powerful! She needed to have it as her own. "Gerard-san. You are an interesting individual who comes from another dimension and wields amazing powers. Because of that, I-"
Seeing where she was going, he interrupted her. "Will not join your peerage." 'Even in this world, Devils really are greedy creatures.' He thought with some distain. "I won't join your peerage just to make you stronger, Rias." His eyes sharpened at the woman to show her that he was dead serious. His eyes stopped her and anyone from talking back. I already have ties to the supernatural world through the mystic arts. Why would I give up my humanity for power I already possess? Besides, I doubt your magic would mix well with mine. Our worlds have two different types of magic. It would be unwise to try and test only to discover it doesn't work and kill not only myself but you and the others. With all that, I won't join your peerage just for you to gain power the easy way. If you wish for power, train for it, like you told Issei. I also never wish to be a servant. My service lies to the universe alone." He told the woman while never tearing his eyes away from her widening.
She had never been told no before and it shocked and angered her as it was coming from a human. But…looking past it she could see the truth to his words. His magic was an unknown to her and anyone else in this world and if she tried to reincarnate him, it might backfire and kill him and them. Her mindset had always been gaining special people would make her stronger. That, however, was proven wrong during the battle with Riser. While he was an asshole, he had experience and trounced her because of their lack or training, her pride and arrogance. Now, being told this by a human, she would have to give her methods of getting stronger a different approach.
"However," Gerard said, making Rias look at him. "Greedy and ambitious for power you are, Rias Gremory, you've shown me much, in your own way, kindness with your heart being in the right place. While I won't become a Devil, that does not mean we can't be allies. That is, if you'll allow me to be?" He stretched out his hand with a smile.
Looking at him in shock for a few seconds, she too smiled. 'Better than nothing I suppose.' She reasoned with herself. Rias grabbed the interdimensional American's hand and shook. "Then, as president of the Occult Research Club, I welcome you, Gerard Price."
