Alphonse stirred into consciousness, softly groaning. He lifted his head and winced as a jolting pain shot through his nerves. Gritting his teeth, he sat upright from the bed and nausea slammed him hard. He hunched over, eyes wielded shut, and his hands clutched the side of temples trying hard to get the spinning world to stop.
For several minutes, he remained unmovable as a rock until the nausea eventually subsided. Alphonse heaved a sigh of relief and gingerly raised his head to have a look around. Unfortunately for him, everything is just one big blur. He blinked a couple of times, rubbing an eye in bewilderment. Then, his eyes widen as he tried to grasp his now missing glasses. He frantically looked back and forth. Even with his greatly reduced sight, he knew this was not the same place he last remembered.
Now alert of possibly being kidnapped and is in enemy territory, Alphonse jumped off the bed and took stock of his inventory. He grimaced when his pack containing his cards as well as his grimoire is now missing. He hooked a finger under his blood-soaked shirt's neckline and stretched the fabric, checking his only other means of protection now that he lost his grimoire. Again.
"Still there," Alphonse mumbled. "That's something at least."
He looked around the small room for his belongings, but unfortunately for him, whoever his captors were shrewd enough not to leave it lying around for him to easily retrieve. On the upside, they were kind enough to leave his glasses lying on the table next to the bed. He wasn't about to try and manipulate the essence again to enhance his eyesight without a grimoire's help. That got him into this new predicament in the first place.
The nearly helpless wizard felt relief as he slid his glasses back to its rightful place. He blinked a couple of times, letting his eyes adjust.
Alphonse mentally noted to himself; I need to make a pocket edition grimoire in the case this ever happens again.
With his vision fully restored, he took stock of his surroundings. He was in a beige colored room with no windows. A single painting of a lone tree hung on one side of the room. Aside from the bed and the side table, the room was spartan.
Alphonse combed his disheveled hair back, mind racing. As he reached behind his head, he felt a few rough and dry bits of something clinging to his hair. He plucked a tiny bit from a strand and bought it over his face, squinting as he held it over his eyes. It was almost black and crumbly, suspiciously resembling dried blood. He reached over again, trying to feel for the tell-tale sign of a closed wound on his scalp. So far, there was nothing. No stitches or any sign of skin rupture. In fact, apart from the dried bits of blood, his scalp is as smooth as it can be. He inferred his captors knew arcane healing. It could only mean one thing.
Devils. Which explains the lack of restraints. Either they have other means of containment. Or… Alphonse gave the walls a suspicious once-over, trying to discern if he's being observe by an unseen enchantment. He walked over to the nearest wall and splayed his hand on its surface. The wizard furrowed his brow and crooked his mouth into a frown. He ran his fingers across the wall until he reached the lone wooden door. Alphonse touched its smooth surface and found nothing amiss. It was the same story as the walls.
Turning his attention to the door knob, Alphonse grasp the polished surface and turned. To his surprised, he didn't encounter any resistance. He was flabbergasted to find the door wasn't even locked. He pulled open the door, just a crack, and took a quick peek.
The lights are on. No guards. He widened the opening, still wary for any undue surprises. What are they playing at? He slipped silently into the next room. Alphonse took three steps before turning around, trying to see if there was anything on the other side of the door. To his surprise, he found nothing. No arcane scripts or anything that would indicate it as anything but a simple ordinary door.
"Should I be worried?" He muttered to himself. The information he pulled out from the dying devil wasn't very comprehensive. With how untrained he was in the ways of the Cipher Arts, he obviously wasn't going to bother trawling for her whole life story. He did, however, pull glimpses about the Devil's society, their culture and even some of their history.
Alphonse closed his eyes, trying to remember what he knew about her captor, Rias Gremory, from either Viser's or his own. He remembered the gossips in the hallways and classrooms, sighting her as beautiful. She is fawned by females and is the subject of an unhealthy obsession by many males on campus.
An understatement if anything, he scoffed; remembering clearly how she presented herself. A temptress more than anything else. She greatly reminded him of a Merchant Princess. Whose beauty is said to be unmatched. Her personality, however, is nothing short of repulsive. Alphonse wrinkled his nose in disgust. If she's anywhere near that foul woman's temperament…
He huffed and shook his head, there was no point in speculating Rias' character right now. He needed to arm himself, meaning getting his grimoire back. Devils respect power, covet them. The more power a devil has, the higher they are in the hierarchy. Power is everything in their society. Without his grimoire, his main source of power, he is at their mercy; compounded by their dislike of 'mere mortals'.
Alphonse noticed a small uneven stack of papers set on a small shelf and walked over. Nearby, he spotted an unattended pencil case. He squeezed the case and heard the insides shuffle from his grip. A small smile appeared on his face as he opened the zipper and picked up a black pen.
"These should suffice." Alphonse, then, started ripping apart the stack of papers, roughly the same dimensions as the playing cards. Before long, he twirled the stolen pen and his hand danced haltingly across its small space as he hurriedly wrote selects spells one after another. Even then, some were modified into a shadow of their former potency, or sections were removed entirely to the detriment of the user. He really wished he thought of the 'pocket edition' idea before as a hidden back up.
He created five spells and was in the middle of writing his sixth one, when he heard a faint shuffling of steps. His heart rate skyrocketed and silently swore as he swept the scraps of paper into his left hand. He almost cursed out loud as he stared in panic at the scattered mess he created. The doorknob rattled before the door slowly squeaked opened. Alphonse jumped behind an alcove just in time as a young man with a messy blond hair wearing a familiar Kuoh uniform walked in. The wizard pressed his back against the cold wall, trying to blend in as the new arrival walked by, not noticing the scattered pieces of paper.
Alphonse heard the male mumble something under his breath as he walked farther from his hiding spot. He wouldn't be very much surprised if the student is a devil in disguise considering the Gremory girl had the gall of attending the academy without at least hiding her identity. Which speaks of confidence.
He leaned forward, eyes narrowed at the receding devil's back. With him grimoire-less, a toe-to-toe fight wouldn't likely end in his favor. However, the trudging devil seemed to be preoccupied with something as he headed towards another door. The same door leading the room where he first found himself in. Which gave him something to exploit against one of his captors. He wasn't above hitting 'below the belt'; especially if he's the one at a severe disadvantage.
Alphonse picked a specific piece of written scrap paper and pinched it between his fingers. Like a shadow, he detached himself from the alcove and silently closed in on the devil.
A frown was etched solidly on Saji's face. He immediately developed a dislike for this 'Alphonse'. He could tell from earlier that Kaichou already has a history with this guy.
He jealously mulled, Childhood friends?
The newly minted pawn thought he luck out when, out of all the males in the school, Kaichou selected him over everybody else. It didn't matter if he was simply chosen because there was a Sacred Gear inhabiting inside of him. He knew it wasn't going to be easy getting the beautiful Student Council President to look at him any differently other than a member of her peerage. All he had to do was impress her and eventually she'll love him.
It stung to discover he might have a potential rival for Sona's affection.
"He is already a step ahead of me," Saji grumbled before he straightened his back, determination ablaze in his eyes. "It doesn't matter if he knew of her longer than I have. I just need to impress her enough." Saji reached the door where his rival for Sona's heart lay asleep and pushed it open. He halted mid-step, frozen on his tracks, when he found the bed empty and its occupant missing.
"What? Where is he?" He backed away, eyes wandering everywhere trying to find him. "I need to—" He turned around, ready to bolt back and informed Sona when he collided with a fist head on. Saji's head flew backwards followed by the rest of his body. Specks of blood spurted from his now broken nose as he landed on his back, knocking the breath right out of his lungs.
The world spun around, his bleary eyes only saw fast moving stars and the bright glare of the ceiling light trying to burn his eyes blind. "Wha-?" A shadow fell upon him and he heard it mutter in a strange, unfamiliar language. He felt something wound around his body tightly, making it very difficult for him to breath. He tried to struggle to get himself free from the tightening bonds, but the sucker punch to the face made it difficult if outright impossible.
Alphonse hissed like an angry snake as he clutched his bloodied fist in pain. "Merla! That hurts!" I should have not done that! Still in pain, he glared at the subdued devil, now enveloped by his Binding Web Spell and growled, "Who are you?"
Saji replied, mustering as much courage as he could, "Fuck off! You don't know who you're messing with!"
"That's the point of why I'm asking, Devil." Alphonse, ignoring his still throbbing fist, brushed against his mind. He could easily pick out his anger and confusion mixed with apprehension. "Now, tell me what your name is, calling you devil all the time will be tiring in the long run."
"I should be the one asking you your name, but I already know who you are. Alphonse." Saji deliberately uttered his name without any honorifics and with as much disdain as he could muster. The wizard curtly nodded, confirming that they already began digging for more information about him. He pressed a little further and easily plucked out his name from the jumbled mess.
"Well then, Genshirou Saji-san. Nice to meet you." He dryly added, "Even under this less than ideal circumstances." Alphonse respectfully bowed much to Saji's bewilderment.
"How did you know my name!?" he shouted as he tried to free himself out of his bonds.
"You told it yourself. Now, are we in Kuoh Academy?"
"No! I didn't. Don't lie to me!" Saji was clearly in panic. They both knew that he didn't utter his name out loud.
"Yes, technically you did." Well your soul did. But, he wasn't going to elaborate further on the technicalities of having their secrets revealed via their soul. "I'll just assume we're somewhere in the academy. Tell me, Genshirou-san. Where's Shirai Yui?"
"I don't know who you're talking about." Beads of sweat started to form on Saji's forehead and he looked just about anywhere other than him. Alphonse stared at his blood-soaked face, he could easily tell he's lying.
Alphonse muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why are you being difficult about this?" His voiced increased by a few decibels, "She's about this high," he flattened a hand parallel to the floor and leveled it near his chin, "Sporting a pony tail and is heavily injured." He ground his teeth, "You idiot! At least tell me you devils are treating her injuries!"
Saji could see the worry in his glare. He bit tongue, debating whether giving the information about her would at least simmer him down.
But, before he could decide Alphonse frayed patience ran out. He uttered in exasperated finality, "So be it." He knew he doesn't have the luxury of dawdling here and asking twenty questions, politely he might add, to a man, or devil, who's not cooperating. He doesn't have the time to spend on some lowly mook.
Alphonse blinked and furrowed his brow in concentration. This was the second time he'd interacted with a Devil's soul. Like Viser before him, he found something embedded within his soul which he believed to be the Evil Piece used to turn him into a devil. Curiously, it seems to have a symbiotic relationship with the host's soul. However, unlike Viser, there was something else he found. A serpentine silhouette shadowed by the Devil's soul.
Alphonse curbed his curiosity, ignoring both the Evil Piece and the serpentine soul in favor of getting to the bottom of his problem.
Immediately, he was bombarded with countless memory. He pushed back on the deluge, focusing only on the latest memories which might help in his search for Yui or any relevant memories that might help him in some way. A sudden shift and a peculiar memory immediately caught his attention. It was Shitori sitting at her desk with a serious face, which wasn't beyond the norm. It was the objects that was on her desk that drew attention to the memory.
Why does Shitori-san have my stuff? A line of thought solidified and his mind raced, spewing out possible explanations one after another. The odd circle which appeared in-between the Gremory and himself had the exact same design as the one that was attached to her letter. He started to doubt that the Student Council President was anything but an ordinary human. Given that Genshirou's a devil with an Evil Piece present in his soul…then Shitori might also be a reincarnated Devil.
The thought that she is a member of the Gremory's peerage rankled him somewhat. At the same time, he could easily see why a devil would not pass on the chance to have someone of Shitori's intellect at their corner. If he knew she was the general leading his hypothetical opponents' army, he'd surrender or flip to their side rather than get in her way. He can attest, never having once won a game of chess against her. Also, her position as the Student Council President gave the Gremory a way to impose on whatever whims she could have at the student body. It wouldn't be a leap to also speculate that she had ways to control the faculty as well. She could very well be in control of the whole academy and the entirety of Kuoh Town. It was a headache just thinking of ways the girl could just impose whatever terms she could on him.
"Let's get this over with." Alphonse shifted himself into the memory, living the events from Saji's point of view.
Genshirou Saji opened the door leading to the student council room and hollered "I'm back!" He took a cursory look and found no one in the room. However, he spotted something peculiar on his Kaichou's huge work desk. A small black pack, a satchel and an odd book with a buckle holding it close. Curious, he reached for the book and unclasped it open. He hoped to impress her by at least knowing something about the book for their next session.
To his disappointment, he couldn't understand what was written on every single page he had read. It certainly wasn't an Underworld writing. He was far enough along his training to recognize the written language of the devils even if he couldn't understand them yet. This was something completely different. He bull-headedly kept going through the strange book's pages until he reached the last page. Disheartened, he returned it back on the desk.
"Welcome back." Saji's head perked and turned towards the familiar voice. Standing on the doorway was Tsubaki, a damp towel with red smears in her hand. "How did your contract go?"
"Easy enough" shrugging his shoulders before wincing "I was just forced to stand as glorified dummy playing dress up for two hours. Anyway, what's this book for?" Saji pointed at the book he perused moments before. "Is it for the next lesson?"
Tsubaki's gaze landed on the object in question and answered, "Ah that. That's Alphonse's.
"Who?" Saji furrowed his brow, trying to remember if there is still a member of the Student Council he has not met yet.
"You two never met before, haven't you?" Tsubaki nodded to herself, "He rarely comes here, if ever."
"He?" Saji parroted, trying not to sound dismayed. "Why is he here?"
"He's gotten himself tangled up with a Stray Devil. You remember what a stray devil is from your lessons, don't you?" Saji nodded, grimacing ever so slightly. "He and Yui, didn't exactly escape unscathed."
"Wait! Shirai Yui? From the Track and Field Club? Is she okay?"
Tsubaki nodded, "She's fine. She's sleeping now, but the injuries she'd sustain would have killed her if we didn't arrive on time."
"Ah, that's good to hear."
A voice interjected on their discussion. "She certainly is lucky considering I kept an eye on Alphonse's activities and prepared accordingly."
Saji quickly whirled around, recognizing her voice. "Kaichou!" He dipped his head low.
Tsubaki asked Sona, "How did it go?"
"He asked some very pointed questions; but, I believe I convinced him his daughter's fine."
"What did you tell him?"
"Sprained Ankle." Sona slipped into her big chair and pulled her glasses off, eyeing it momentarily before putting it back. "He'll be swinging by to pick her up in an hour."
"Enough time to wipe the terrible incident from her mind."
Sona nodded. "However, Alphonse is an entirely different problem, given he knows some form of magic well enough to survive an encounter with the Stray Devil." She weaved her fingers together, it surprised her still that her quiet friend is in some way connected to the supernatural. Her inquiries to various organization relating to magicians about Alphonse came up with nothing, which intrigued her more. "Strange thing is, he doesn't have anything which connects him to the supernatural."
"That's seems odd." Tsubaki shifted her weight, rubbing a thoughtful fist under her chin. "Nothing? Nothing at all?" Saji kept quiet, still having no idea of the discussion going over his head.
"Nothing jumps out on his personal records, my contacts combed all over his personal information trying to find any relevant information." She shook her head, "So far? They didn't find anything which stands out."
Tsubaki's lips curled in amusement, as she watched her plucked out a playing card from the sleeve of the bag. "Well, he's here now. I doubt you can explain the events in the warehouse with just a freak accident. The cat's out of the bag. You can ask him personally."
Sona studied the written script on its surface. It was clearly Alphonse's hand writing, but the language he used was unknown to her. She let a trickle of her demonic energy flow into the card like any other magic array. Yet, all it did was emit a dull red glow before the light dissipated and card returned to normal. She flipped it around and a joker's laughing face greeted her. One of her eyebrows twitched in annoyance. "Yes. I gathered as much. That conversation will not be 'fun'."
"You're going to have to tell him sooner or later if you plan to get him into the peerage."
"Wait!" Saji interjected, his head going back and forth from Tsubaki and Sona "You're inviting him into the peerage?"
"That still remains to be seen." She kept flipping the card on her hand and stared at her pawn, "There's a good chance he'll decline and I rather not press the issue if he says no."
The Vice President pointed out the flaw of her otherwise benevolent plan, "Rias will eventually find out, you know. She'll be eager to snatch him up for her own. She has an irrefutable evidence that he's able to match himself against a devil of Viser's caliber. What will happen to poor Alphonse then?"
She remained quiet for a brief instant before speaking. "When that happens, I can do nothing to stem her advances. I can, however, keep an eye out for him. It's the least I could do." Sona placed the card she has been fiddling around face down on the desk. "For now. Saji," She called him and he immediately snapped into attention.
"Yes Kaichou?"
"Keep watch on Alphonse and inform me immediately once he awakens." Saji nodded. "He's in the room next to the lounge."
Alphonse detached himself from the memory and the room started to come into focus. He stepped backwards and rested against the wall, a hand supporting his forehead. "Okay," he breathed, "Not what I was expecting."
He closed his eyes, trying to make sense of memory. She's no ordinary devil, of that I'm sure. The fragmented memories of Viser provided him enough information that not just any devils can have the privilege on have their own peerage. They either are part of the aristocracy or rose through the ranks to gain enough prestige to be recognized. More importantly, he was greatly relieved to know that Yui is fine and well-taken care off. It was one thing to cross out of his list. Albeit, they have no qualms in erasing the incident from her mind.
"Genshirou," Alphonse addressed the trapped devil. Saji noticed the change in demeanor of his captor. Gone were the anger and worry. His face was what he could almost call as calm. "I'm going to let you go and you'll not do anything against me. Is that clear?" Saji only stared at him, clearly confused. "Genshirou am I clear?"
"Y-yeah," he nodded. He wanted out of whatever this glowing white thing is which bound him to the floor. Alphonse gestured in the air unseen symbols. Symbols that would dispel the magic. However, before he could finish, the door slammed opened, interrupting his spell work. He could immediately recognized the unique teal-colored hair of the tomboyish Tsubasa Yura.
"Tsu—" "Saji!" Yura saw Saji's bloodied face and she whirled, fists raised, immediately attacking the obvious offender. Alphonse barely was able to raise an arm to block the punch. A loud audible snap reverberated in the entire room and Alphonse flew back and violently bounced off the wall. He hit the floor with a loud thump.
"Saji!" Yura knelt beside him, "Are you alright?"
He nodded, "Yeah I'm fine. A bit dizzy, but fine." She gripped the strange material that held him imprisoned and pulled with all her might.
"What is this?!"
"The hell if I know," Saji blew through his nose, spraying a bit of blood on his shirt. "He said he was going to release me. Then you came in and kick his butt down. Thanks, by the way."
"Wait he was going to release you? Who's he?" Yura furtively glance at the unmoving boy. He looked eerily familiar.
"Kaichou said he's Alphonse. She also said he's going to invite him into the peerage." Yura's eyes widened as she slowly craned her head to look at the friend she just might have killed.
"W-wait," she raised a finger and nervously pointed at the unmoving corpse of Alphonse. "You mean I just might have accidentally attacked and killed Alphonse?" Thankfully for her and everybody else who is concerned, the would-be corpse gasped for air and rolled over on his back. "Oh! Thank you! Thank you!" Yura recited to the heavens out loud, clearly relived that she didn't kill him. Or else, Sona would rip her a new one.
Alphonse panted heavily, ignoring the barely bearable pain on his left forearm and the sharp shooting pain on his back. He lifted his injured arm and swore a string of curses in his native tongue when he saw the unnatural bent his forearm has now taken. Not only that, his only glasses were now cracked, broken and nearly unusable. Forgoing caution, he grasped his mangled arm with his right hand and began incanting; his voice taking a slightly ethereal tone. Moments later, the bone snapped back and sewn itself together.
"Alphonse," he heard Yura call him, her voice soft and careful. Which sounded weird to a girl who would give most boys a run for machoism.
"Your punch freaking hurts," he grunted as he rolled and pushed himself off the floor. As he did, his broken glasses slipped and fell. Alphonse groaned at the final insult. "Tsubasa-san," he glared at her, not with hostility. "You owe me a pair."
She awkwardly shrugged her shoulder and gave him an uneasy smile. "Sorry."
Alphonse's head fell with a tired sigh. He looked up at her blurry image and said, "I'm guessing you're also a devil?"
Yura's eyes widened and she stuttered, "Wh-what? I-I don't know what you're talking about." He simply raised his left arm and waved her off before he began weaving his hand in the air again. A moment later, the bindings began to disintegrate. Saji immediately scrambled onto his feet, wiping away the blood off his nose. He warily kept his gaze at Alphonse, still smarting at being caught off-guard.
Alphonse coughed violently, leaving a spittle of blood on the floor. "Madiccho, I think you also broke a rib or two."
"I'll get Sona—" Yura was about to turn around when Saji stopped her.
"No, I'll go get Kaichou. You-You stay here with him." Before she could so much as utter a word, Saji bolted out of the door.
"You go do that," he strained to sit upright and winced every time he breathed. "Yeah. A lot more than two, I'd say."
Yura knelt beside him, "let me see." Alphonse lifted his bloodied shirt halfway. Yura peered at the fast-forming bruise on the left side of his chest before placing her palm on top of it. The wizard hissed at the contact, but before long, the pain subsided, then vanished. "Any other place?"
"Back." She lifted his shirt all the way up to his arm pit and applied the same to the injury at the back.
"So," She started, breaking the silence between them. "You know magic." Alphonse simply nodded. "That's nice."
"And you're a Devil," he glanced at her. "A reincarnated one, I presume."
Her laughter pealed around the room, "there's no point in hiding it. Tell me, how did you know?" Alphonse broke eye contact and set his gaze forward, keeping his mouth shut. "C'mon that's not fair!" His lips curled into a curt grin.
The two of them heard the clicking of steps getting closer. Soon enough, Sona emerged from the doorway. Trailing behind her were Tsubaki and the recently healed Saji, still rubbing his nose. Sona's gaze fell on the sitting Alphonse, then at the visible crack of the wall behind him.
"Yura," the Student President started, adjusting her glasses habitually. "Explain why our esteemed guest is injured, again."
She coughed and said under her breath, "I may have jumped the gun."
"There was no misunderstanding!" Saji cut in, "he attacked me! Without warning!"
"Darcozzi-san? Is this true?" Alphonse pushed down his shirt, grabbed his lopsided glasses and stood up on his feet. He stared, or more likely squinted at the Student Council President.
"Yes," he curtly bobbed his head once.
Sona cocked her head, "Why?"
"I was under the impression that I was imprisoned," said Alphonse as he twisted his torso and rolled his shoulders. He turn his to addressed Yura, "Thanks Tsubasa."
"No problem," she chuckled and heartily slapped his back, buckling him a couple of steps forward.
"What made you assume otherwise," He shrugged, giving her a lipless smile. Sona blinked and nodded, "Very well," she turned around, "Follow me. We have much to discuss."
"No doubt."
Sona sat upright, legs crossed, flattening the folds of her skirt. She interwove her fingers together and rested them on top of her knee. The Sitri Heiress studied her friend from the other side of the coffee table as he held a teacup to his lips, his squinting eyes looking straight at her.
"Darcozzi-san," she started, breaking the silence that hung around them. "I understand you have questions." He still continued sipping his tea, keeping to his silence. Sona kept with her unwavering gaze. Still, there was something behind his scrutiny that slightly put her off.
He finally replaced the cup back to its saucer. "How's Shirai-san doing?"
"She's doing well," answered Sona, "Tsubaki has seen to her injuries." Alphonse hummed. Sona blinked, thinking he would be more or less relaxed at the mention of her being taken care of.
"That's good to here." He press his fingertips together and leaned forward, "At the risk of insulting your kindness and hospitality, let's drop all the pretenses, Shitori-san." Sona gave him a puzzling stare. "You are a part of a society hidden from Kith. The Devil Underworld to be precise." He continued on, his voice steady and even, "Given that you have a peerage to call of your own, you are by no means just some lowly devil in disguise."
Sona arc her eyebrows, surprise clearly evident on her face. She studied his face, trying to discern how he made such a leap from fumbling in the dark by just bumping into a stray devil. Knowing that particular stray's penchant for human flesh, Viser wasn't inclined to have a fireside chat with one of her meals.
Some kind of magic of his? She mentally nodded to herself.
She adjusted her glasses, "As you say, I'm a Devil." A pair of wings materialized out of nowhere and unfurled itself behind her back. Alphonse's jaw slackened and eye were wide open as he stare at the imp-like wings. "Sona Sitri, heiress of the Sitri Family. One of the 72 Pillars of Devil Society." Silence reigned as she let him process that particular bit of information. She didn't enjoy flaunting her position as heiress given she was almost forced into a loveless marriage because of it.
However, in this particular case, she made an exception. She quite enjoyed his reaction even it was more subdued than her newest pawn's reaction. It was petty of her, sure. But, she considered it as fair payment for adding more work load for her to oversee.
Alphonse schooled his features and tried to peer behind her back. "Where have you been hiding that thing after all this time?" he asked as he tried to ascertain if it wasn't an illusion or if her human-like visage wasn't also an illusion.
"Magic," she simply answered.
"Magic," Alphonse parroted her. "Don't tell me, you have four feet and a hissing snake's head for a tail," He grimaced at the imagery. Sona had to cock an eyebrow at that ludicrous notion, not knowing he was referring to Viser's mismatched body parts.
"I assure you, we devils appear human and it is no accident that our forms closely resembles 'yours'," She almost gave him toothy grin, "after all, how are we to entice humans into committing sin?" Alphonse blinked, a small frown appearing on his face.
"So, the stories are real?" He leaned back, arms crossed, "Tempting humans into committing sin; selling their souls for a wish?"
"Once, a long time ago. We do things differently now. We recognized that it would be unfeasible in the long run. And besides, we have other ways to raise our standing. Contracts are seen as something of a rite of passage more than anything else."
Alphonse hummed, accepting her explanation, before throwing her a curveball. "If you don't mind me asking, why's a Devil of your standing attending this school? I mean, you are part of the aristocracy of the Underworld, are you not? I doubt this school could offer half of what you could get in an Underworld one," He paused, "not unless Kuoh Academy is a front as a school for Devil-kind."
Sona exhaled, her eyes searching under Alphonse's scrutinizing gaze, trying to get a glimpse of his thoughts, "If I tell you, I have to ask something in return."
He blinked at her then shrugged, "Fair enough."
"I'm trying to establish a Rating Game school which accepts everyone, not just those born of noble blood."
"Rating Game?" Alphonse cocked an eyebrow.
Sona sat ramrod straight, giving her an aura of a teacher. "A Rating Game," she started, "is a competition between two devils with a peerage. The game is used to measure a Devil's strength which will reflect their social standing in the Underworld. As a Devil's rank rises so does their prestige amongst other Devils. The reverse can be said as one loses the game."
As she continued on with her lecture, something at the back of Alphonse's mind tickled. He focused inward and he is immediately assaulted with countless images of Viser and her King Talion. The two were surrounded by others. Devils. 'Peerage' the memory supplied. He saw flashes of intense battles that could easily a level a large town in a matter of minutes. Yet, not one had died by the end. Alphonse suppressed the memory and the world around him went back into focus.
"In essence," he interjected, "you'll be empowering the masses? Which, from what I could glean, has been oppressed for the most part by the aristocracy that you, as an heiress to one of the 72 Pillars, is a part of."
Sona blinked, her face smooth as glass, "Oppression is not really the right word to describe it, but yes."
"Wouldn't the powers that be frown upon such action?" He could see her mull about, yet there was a gleam of conviction behind her eyes.
"I know," she simply said to him.
The edge of his mouth curled upward, "I guess you're the right per—er Devil for the job. Meanwhile, I'm just skulking around warehouses and getting into trouble."
"Speaking of warehouses," Sona adjusted her glasses, giving Alphonse something akin to a principal's disapproving stare. "Care to explain that?"
Alphonse leaned back, folding his arms across his chest and matched her look with that of an unrepentant student, "That was a completely unexpected encounter. I can assure you of that."
"I gathered, as much. But, what was your ultimate aim going into that warehouse?" Sona pressed him. She already have an idea that he was looking to find some clues on the whereabouts of his and Hyoudou's attacker. To what end? Only he knew. It was a dangerous endeavor even if he has a means to defend himself. She watched as he contemplated if he should answer her or not.
Alphonse sighed in resignation, he didn't lose anything by telling her the truth. "I'm looking for a girl. A Fallen Angel judging by her wings. She attempted to harm my well-being and I aim to wring some answers out of her." He noted she wasn't at all surprise. If the memory was right, she kept him under surveillance for weeks. If anything, she probably knows more of the whole incident than him at this point.
"I see," hummed Sona. "Did it occur to you not to pursue this Fallen Angel?"
"Yes, but only briefly." Sona gave him a hard stare. Alphonse shrugged his shoulders. "I can't really go to the police with a report that says a mythical being from out of the bible tried to silence me, can I? And besides, she tried to kill me just because we crossed paths by mere happenstance."
"And once you meet her again? I doubt she'll want to have a sit down and have a chat over a cup of tea," She waved a hand in the air for emphasis.
"I'll cross that bridge when the time comes." She noted the finality of that statement, suggesting he either doesn't have a clue, or he'll decide during their confrontation.
"My question to you, then. Your magic; where did you learn it and who taught you?"
"School of course."
"I mean, which Association are you a part of?"
Alphonse furrowed his brow, confused. "What do you mean exactly when you say Association?" This was the second time someone mentioned him being part of this 'Association'. As far as he was concerned, the people here consider magic as flights of fancy. Even so, the so called magic they created through their works of fiction are actually viable to some extent. He had a blast recreating some of their 'make-believe' spells in his spare time when he found himself bored with his reading.
Sona stared intently at him before explaining the multiple origins of magic which humans have used throughout recorded history. She could clearly see the gleam of interest in his eyes as he continued listening. At the end, Alphonse rubbed his chin, barely concealing his glee from this new information.
"Darcozzi-san." Sona interrupted whatever train of thought that went through his mind. "Are you part of an Association?"
He shook his head, "No. No, I'm not or never have been part of this Association you speak of." He stared at her with such intense gaze, "But, I am very much interested in learning more about 'your' system for spellcasting."
Sona knew she had a hook to get him into her peerage. Though it was by no means a guarantee, he could easily find those answers he seek elsewhere easily.
"If you are not part of them, then how did you learn magic? The way you do yours is peculiar to say the least. You don't use a magic circle as a focal point, for one."
Alphonse shrugged, "It's not exactly a secret. It is simply manipulating the essence to alter reality to some degree." He plucked one of the make-shift scrolls from his pocket and held it up for her to see. Sona immediately noticed the same strange writing written all over its surface. The same unknown script in both the card decks and the book.
That explains the mess in the lounge, noted Sona.
He closed his hand into a fist, swallowing the piece of paper. A dark, flaky, metallic material rapidly spread from his fist, swallowing the rest of his arm and up his neck before partially covering his face.
"That looks a lot like Senjutsu," Though, I never seen it utilized in such a way to what he just did.
"So, you have seen something like this before?" Alphonse flexed his iron-wrought fingers, creaking each time he did so.
"Senjutsu or the Sage Arts, going from what I know, is able to enhance the user strength, fortitude and senses. It is also able to disrupt or heal a person health. The price for it is that every time the user utilized the Sage Arts, there is a chance it will corrupt the user."
"Corrupt?" he asked, releasing the spell. "Corrupt how?" Alphonse wanted to know if it was related to the unpredictability of grimoire-less casting.
"Sage Art users are said to be susceptible to the malice and ill which floats around the world. Though, I'm no expert of the Sage Arts. So I cannot know the ins and outs of it." She watch Alphonse set his thumb under his chin, pondering deeply. Sona looked towards the door left ajar. She saw the curious eyes of the members of her peerage peering through the crack. Tsubaki nodded at her before she returned her focus back to Alphonse.
"Darcozzi-san."
Alphonse held up a hand, interrupting her, "Let's drop the cultural honorifics, Shitori-san. Alphonse will do."
Sona nodded "Then I have to ask you the same." Clasping her hands together she spoke, "Alphonse. I wish to extend you an invitation to join my peerage." She noted there wasn't any hint of surprise coloring his face, which was interesting to note.
"Hmm…Why exactly?"
She could list a few reasons why he was suitable. Yet, none really stood out to explain it adequately. The original reason why she offered him a place in peerage to begin with was for his protection. But, that was before he revealed the hidden card up his sleeves and put an end to Viser's madness. Now, she genuinely wanted him in her peerage for his skill coupled with his intellect.
Yes, his intellect might be a boon, but at the same time they might just butt heads over something. On the other hand, he's already trained in some form magic, which makes it easier to up his level, so to speak, into something acceptable. Way easier, Sona inwardly smiled. He'll probably take to Devil Magic like a duck to water. Which she just realized she would very much like to have a hand on.
Yet, she doubted he could be easily be persuaded to join.
The truth then.
"Initially, the offer was for your own protection."
"You're willing use one of your Evil Pieces on me?" Alphonse stared at her in disbelief. "That seems like a waste of a piece and counterintuitive."
She glared, "Would you like me to erase your memory then?" He not so subtly frowned. "I thought so. Besides you've clearly shown that you could take on a mid-class devil relatively unscathed. Not to mention, you possess desirable traits which would strengthen my peerage even more."
Alphonse rubbed his nose in embarrassment. He was flattered, truly, by her offer and glowing compliments she threw at him. If he wasn't thinking straight, he would have jumped at the chance. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on who you ask, He has with him his full mental faculties.
"I'm-um flattered really." He averted his eyes, his thumb tracing his jawline. "Unfortunately, I have to decline your generous offer."
"Explain." Her tone was serious, which he winced.
How am I going to explain that 'we're not from around here'? Not to mention the effects the Evil Piece would have to my soul if I decided to accept.
"Um how verse are you in—" Sona blinked, surprised that she wasn't able to understand the words he said.
"Pardon?" He spoke yet again, still her gift of languages failed her. Which was unheard of. "I don't understand."
"Nevermind that," he waved a dismissive hand. "The thing is, I already have obligations that would come in conflict if I elect to join your peerage."
She pressed him, "Such as?"
She's not letting me slide with such feeble excuse. "Such as my family's business. Well more like my Uncle's. He's in 'acquisitions' you see. Said to be the very best in the 'acquisitions' business and he wishes for me to follow on his footsteps. He said I have the talent for it."
"I see." Sona leaned back studying him closely. Acquisitions, huh? She quickly connected the discordant information she had gathered about him. His impeccably normal records. How he is able to keep his head low even though he was surrounded by young women during his first year. The unexplainable quick turnabout from knowing nothing to practically ousting her as a devil in a matter of hours. Based on his reactions from earlier, she didn't believe that he knew about her devil heritage or the like since they first met. She smiled inwardly, coming to a conclusion which greatly amused her.
He's either a thief. Or more likely, a spy. Or someone who's trained to become one.
"That's…unfortunate," she said with a straight face. "You would have made a fantastic addition to my collection."
"I'm not a collectable Miss Sitri. Nor do I have a desire to become one." He paused, biting his lower lips in thought. "However, I do still want to learn more about your people."
Sona's lips curled in amusement, Of course you do. "However, I would highly suggest you do not delve more into our world. Lest something less benign takes note of you."
"Noted and ignored. It's already too late for that when two things already from 'your' world already tried to kill me. Disregarding the problem will not solve it. You should know that."
"Well in that case, if you're dead set on delving more into the supernatural and you're unwilling to join my peerage; the third best thing, barring a memory wipe, will be if you agree to form a pact with myself or one of my peerage members."
"Wait is this one of those 'contracts' that you mentioned earlier?"
She shook her head, "This is a little bit different. A pact is an agreement between a devil and a magician. Typically, a magician makes a pact for protection or in the pursuit for knowledge. In return, they offer something for devil, usually in the form of servitude, or a mutual exchange of information. It all depends on what the two parties agreed to."
"That sound more palatable than your first option."
Sona shrugged her shoulders, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "You can't blame a Devil for at least trying. If not, Rias will be going after you next."
"Wait," Alphonse eye twitched in annoyance, "What does that Temptress want with me?" Sona raised both her eyebrows at his reaction.
"As I said, you've beaten a mid-class devil. She doesn't know the extent of your abilities as I do. But, by that single feat alone, you've gain her attention. She'll pursue you to join her peerage once she hears you've rejected my offer."
Alphonse slapped his forehead, letting his hand ran down his face. "Do you have any choice in the matter?"
"Yes, but she can be persistent. As am I." She was practically smiling now and there was that clever glint in her eyes, "I'm just being polite right now, presenting you a couple of choices for you to peruse." He stared at her, unsure if she was joking or not. Though from the sound of it, she really wasn't giving up on recruiting him.
"So, let me get this cleared off. Am I free to exit out of the door anytime without any strings attached?"
She nodded, "Yes of course."
"No memory alterations of sorts?" he narrowed his eyes more.
"In my eyes, you're already part of the supernatural world because of your magic, even if you have no prior knowledge of said hidden world."
"Then, how about Shirai-san? Is she also free to leave here with her memories intact?"
"I'm afraid not. The usual policy for humans not affiliated with the supernatural is to erase the incident of which they found themselves accidently embroiled into our affairs."
Alphonse snorted at that, "Given that half of my encounters involving 'your' affairs are to go by, that policy needs to be strictly enforced. Besides, from my perspective, most of the population here in Kuoh is already involved, they just don't know it."
He inwardly sighed. This was supposed to be simple. Find that winged witch and get answers. Now, he found himself tangled in a complicated situation. With Devils of all things. A polite devil with the intention of recruiting me. Not to mention getting Shirai-san into this mess in the first place. That was his main contention he was worried at the moment. He was uncomfortable with her situation. Should he step in? Should he stop Sona from altering Yui's memory? Or let her go through it so she would not be his responsibility any longer.
"Alright, I've decided." Alphonse suddenly broke the silence.
"Decided on what?"
"To make this 'pact' with you."
Sona planted both her feet flat on the floor and leaned forward. She snapped her fingers, summoning a pen and paper out of nowhere. "Well then, let's hear it."
"My first stipulation will be to give Shirai-san the choice of keeping her memories intact." That threw Sona for a loop.
She coughed, getting herself back in order "Why?"
"Whether I like it or not, she's my responsibility until she's safely home."
Sona nodded, jotting it down on the paper. "Well," she smiled, "In exchange. You can teach me that unknown language from earlier."
"That?" Alphonse eyes bulged in surprise, expecting something different. "Why that?"
"Why not?" shrugging her shoulders and jotting on the paper again. "It sounded interesting." By her tone, there was something else behind her decision.
Alphonse looked at her with suspicion before acquiescing "Alright. But you only get Aedyran."
"So there's more than one of those unknown 'language'."
"Uh-uh," wagging a finger at her, "You only get that one and nothing more, Tella Sitri. Now for my next stipulation…"
Tsubaki shook her head, a small smile forming on her lips. This was the first time she saw Alphonse that animated in school. She always saw his face glued to his books, expressionless for most of the time. He would smile now and then to any antics that would occur in class, but those were fleeting things. Besides, she was now beyond certain that he has a thing for the devil in front of him.
"Yura," she called her attention. "Looks like they're going to be at it for a while. In the meantime, why don't you get them some snacks?"
"Sure." She straighten herself out, popping her back, "those two are getting it on like a house on fire though."
"And Saji," Tsubaki cocked an eyebrow at the lone pawn on his knees looking through the crack intently, "Keep an eye on them will you?" He didn't say anything, only nodding his head to indicate he heard her. "Well, I'll go see to our other guest then."
AN: Well...it's not perfect, but here. It's better that I get this out than let it rot in some USB hoping for something much better to come up. Especially the dialogue. It felt like it could be better? *shrugs*
I will reiterate again, don't expect this kinds of chunky chapters often. I barely proofread compared to this because I'm sick of looking at it. I'll be lazy and let you do it for me.
If you must know, the next chapter is barely written (Reading's just too much fun I guess). Just a paragraph or so and probably will take a bit of time as I don't have something written for it.
Until the next time (Hopefully before the year ends)
Corès