AN: Another new chapter released so soon after the last one? Just what in the world is happening? Well I decided that I'd try to shorten the chapters to around 3000-5000 words. I've found that, after writing the previous version of DRE which averaged about 7000-9000 words a chapter, it was way too exhausting to fill so much content and also keep a constant release schedule. So instead I'll most likely start releasing a new chapter every weekend with the aforementioned word count. As such, I might cut out some parts of the original story I deem unimportant, change, and add some original content. In any case, I hope you all enjoy and continue to support my writing. Also, I love how this website's line break doesn't ever work. Like wow. It's frustrating.
-xXx-
Stifling a yawn, I trudge along the same old path to school with Asia humming cheerfully by my side. Even though I fell asleep pretty early last night, it really didn't feel like I got any rest at all.
"Say, Asia. What do you think about Gremory-senpai?" I ask the girl.
"Huh?" She starts and stares at me with a conflicted look before redirecting her gaze down to her feet. "Um… Well, I am grateful that she gave us a second chance at life."
So it's gratitude, then.
I let out a sigh. That stupid dream from last night is still haunting my mind.
I sealed away my own memories? Is that even possible? If so then why? Even though that other self of mine told me not to worry about it, some part of me deep down inside can't help but want to find out.
Maybe I can ask Gremory-senpai if I could borrow some magic tomes or something. So far my research online has brought up that amnesia caused by immense psychological trauma is possible, but something tells me this situation is a bit different.
"Hyoudou-senpaaaai!"
Somebody slaps my back, sending my stumbling forward with grunt. An athletic looking girl with short, messy blonde hair skips in front of me with a wide grin as I try to straighten myself out.
"Aika-san? What was that for?" I glare at the boisterous girl as she giggles mischievously.
"'Sup? You were lookin' pretty serious there so I thought I'd help loosen you up a little."
I quirk an eyebrow at that.
"That's an interesting way of doing that."
"Geez, Aika-chan! You can't just do that to an upperclassman!" A classic Japanese-styled beauty with doll-like features and long black haired in a hime cut walks up to her friend to lightly scold her.
A smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I watch the pair of old friends bicker.
"Good morning, Yuki-san," I greet.
"Ah, yes!" The girl quickly turns to face me and bows. "Good morning, Hyoudou-senpai, and Argento-senpai."
"G-Good morning," Asia replies with a shy smile.
Aika hums as she studies Asia while stroking an imaginary beard. "You're a real cutie. Kinda like a squirrel."
Honestly Asia reminds me more of a doe, but I refrain from saying that out loud.
"Name's Aika Heart," the energetic girl introduces herself while holding out her hand. "I'm half-Japanese so my first name is Aika, and my last name is Heart. Nice to meet you, Sempai!"
Asia lightly grasps Aika's hand who then proceeds to vigorously shake her hand up and down.
"And I am, Hayata Yuki," the Yamato Nadeshiko says. "It's very nice to meet you, Argento-senpai."
The former nun seems to relax quite a bit at Yuki's introduction.
These two girls, while I haven't hung out with them in a while were long time friends of mine. We first met back in junior high when they transferred here.
Thus, the four of us continued on the road to school, with Aika cracking jokes and Yuki lightly scolding her friend whenever she acted too familiar with Asia. By the time we had to part ways, Asia had begun to come out of her shell a little bit and was giggling and chatting along with the two.
-xXx-
"I think it's about time for you two to make your debut as real Devils," a certain red-headed upperclassman of mine announces loudly as soon as Asia and I walk into the clubroom.
"Real Devils?" I parrot, raising an eyebrow.
Gremory-senpai nods. "As I've explained before, we Devils are required to take on contracts from time to time to make a living. These contracts can range from the mundane like washing dishes to high level political assassinations."
Seeing the shock on Asia's face after mentioning that last part, Gremory-senpai continues, "Fortunately, as we are just high schoolers, our contracts will be low level ones."
Asia breathes a sigh of relief at that.
A deal with a Devil, then. Except instead of exchanging one's soul, money is used to honour the contract.
"Quick question, Buchou," I say, raising my head.
"Hm? What is it?"
"There aren't going to be any sexual contracts, right?"
Gremory-senpai shakes her head. "No. Those are specifically sent to the Succubus Guild. We Devils may be synonymous to sin, but even we have our standards."
Huh. Seems like she doesn't like the idea of people selling their body.
Clearing her throat, the red-head points a finger at me. "You'll be going first, Hyoudou-san. Please step into the centre of the magic circle."
Right, well. Nothing to do, but listen.
I sigh and do as I'm told.
The magic circle around me begins to light up as Akeno scrunches up her eyes in concentration and holds out her hands, palm facing towards me. Before I know it, the glowing gets too bright and forces me to shield my eyes. When it finally dies down, I crack open my eyes to see that I'm still standing in the clubroom.
"Strange…" Rias mutters. "This never happened before. Akeno, can you check Hyoudou-san for magical potential?"
The black-haired beauty nods and makes her way over to me. She offers me a gentle smile before placing her hand on my forehead. A moment later, she steps back and shakes her head.
"It appears that Hyoudou-san had next to no magical power," she reports.
"None? That can't be. The resurrection ritual should've amplified what little potential there was. Not to mention she possesses a Longinus-class Sacred Gear."
Ddraig. Any ideas?
[Sorry, kid. Your guess is as good as mine.]
Something tells me that Ddraig isn't being completely honest with me, but he just grunts in response.
"Well, nothing for it," Gremory-senpai says, exasperated. "You'll just have to head over there manually. Luckily this specific contract isn't too far from your home, so once you're done feel free to head home."
Wonderful. Guess my bike is getting some more use again.
I watch as Asia vanishes in the light of the magic circle before sighing and walking home to grab my trusted steed.
Hopefully I won't have to finish a quota of these every month. I might need to get myself a motorcycle license and a moped with it.
Sighing, I kick off on my bike and start riding towards the address Gremory-senpai gave me. Apparently the client is a young boy living with a single mother who is almost always at work. His wish is for an older sibling to help take care of him, and to teach him how to perform some of the more complicated chores like cooking, and laundry to help lighten his mother's workload. All in all it's a pretty wholesome and heart-warming request.
I wonder how Asia's doing right now. According to Gremory-senpai she was saddled with watching over a dog for the evening as its owner went to the hospital to visit a loved one of their death bed.
Arriving at the client's house, I hope off my bike and stow it around the side of the house before walking up and ringing the doorbell. About thirty seconds pass before the door opens and a small boy around the age of ten peeks his head out shyly.
"Hey there," I say soothingly while bending down to his eye level. "I'm the Devil you wished for."
To prove it, I take out one of the flyers and show him the magic circle printed into the back.
The boy's eyes immediately lights up and he nods enthusiastically while opening the door wider.
Jeez. This kid's lucky that there're no criminals using this tactic.
Standing up, I enter the house before closing the door and locking it behind me.
The boy waits patiently as I take off my shoes before he finally decides to speak up. "U-Um… C-Can you really help me, Onee-san?"
"Of course. You want me to keep you company and teach you how to do chores, right?" I say. "And you can just call me, Nee-chan."
Feeling a little more comfortable, the boy nods, a small smile coming onto his face. "Alright, Nee-chan. I'm Yuuta."
-xXx-
After coming home from my contract, I was greeted by a beaming Asia who excitedly recounted her experience with her client, or rather her client's pet. Having grown up quite sheltered, Asia didn't have much experience with animals except for performing the occasional healing miracle so she was afraid she would mess up somehow, but the client had left a detailed list of things to do for her. Not only that, but Asia even got a little bonus for doing such a good job at taking care of the client's dog.
As for me, well Yuuta had picked up everything I taught him with surprising speed. He's a bright one, and we had agreed to meet again sometime whenever he needed help.
Asia was still in a good mood today, probably multiplied by the fact that she had made some friends in class now, as we made our way towards the clubroom.
Opening the door, I step in first and I'm greeted by the sight of a blonde man dressed like a host lounging on one of the couches as Gremory-senpai glared daggers at him. Standing off to the side with her eyes closed and hands held demurely in front of her lap is a beautiful silver-haired woman wearing a maid uniform. Meanwhile, the other members of the club were preoccupied with their things keeping as far away from the man as possible. Himejima-senpai was preparing a pot of tea, Kiba-san was leaning against a wall eyes glued to a book, and Toujou-san was sitting in the corner munching on a cookie. Our club leader, however, is sitting directly across the man, refusing so much as to look at him.
"Oh?" The man turns towards Asia and I as he eyes us up and down. "Looks like you've acquired two more beauties, Rias."
Great. He's a playboy.
He stands up and strides confidently towards us. I step protectively in front of Asia as he reaches out and grabs my hand and plants a kiss on it.
"I am Riser Phenex. May I have the honour of knowing your name, my beautiful butterfly?"
"Saya Hyoudou," I reply politely before pulling my hand back and wiping it on my skirt.
Suddenly, a cold aura seems to encompass the room, causing everyone to shiver. The maid opens her eyes, a pair of beautiful silver gems, as she glares at Riser's back.
"Sir Riser. I must ask that you refrain from performing such indecent acts in front of your fiancé," she says. Although she phrased it like a request, the way she said it seemed a lot more like a threat.
Fiancé? He can't be talking about Gremory-senpai, can he?
Taking the maid's words to heart, the playboy backs away, trying but failing to keep up his confident façade. He then proceeds to take a seat next to Gremory-senpai who shuffles away uncomfortably.
The maid then turns to us and bows. "My apologies for this man's actions, Miss Hyoudou and Miss Argento."
"O-Oh, no. It's fine." Still shocked by her earlier revelation, those were the only words I could utter.
"Shall I inform them of the situation, mistress?" The maid asks Gremory-senpai.
"Go ahead, Grayfia," she returns with a stiff nod.
"This man," Grayfia, the maid, says while gesturing to the man who smirks. "Is Riser Phenex. He is a pure-blooded High-class Devil as well as the third son to the House of Phenex. He is also to be wed to my mistress."
So he really is engaged to Gremory-senpai. I look at the red-head in question who only grits her teeth and averts her gaze.
Guess she really isn't happy about this. That means it's a political marriage. I guess that's understandable considering Devil society is like a feudal system with the Devil King reigning at the top and the nobles controlling their own domains.
Still, I really don't like the idea of someone being married off to somebody they don't even like.
"Your tea, sir."
A clatter breaks the silence of the room as Himejima-senpai sets down a teacup, not very gently, in front of Riser.
"Ah, thank you. The Priestess of Thunder's tea is always superb," he says, taking a sip and slips an arm around Gremory-senpai's shoulder who then proceeds to shrug him off and move towards the edge of the couch.
What is up with this guy? He's acting like he owns the place! There's a limit to how rude he can be.
"Just stop it already!" Gremory-senpai suddenly snaps, shooting up to her feet and glowering at Riser. "I told you already, I'm not marrying you!"
"Yes, Rias, but are you quite sure about that? The situation of your household is quite dire with you as the only heiress. You should know that there aren't many pure-blooded Devils left after the Great War."
"That's none of your concern! If I am to be the next heiress then I shall choose I would marry! My father and brother are rushing things with this arrangement! I was also promised that I was free to act however I wish until I graduate from university!"
She has a brother? In that case then why isn't he the heir of the family?
"Please, Rias. How can you say something so selfish? You are the only one left to inherit the House of Gremory after your brother left the family. Would you wish for one of the longest standing houses of the 72 Pillars to be extinguished with your generation?"
Gremory-senpai grinds her teeth together at that, her fists balled up tightly and shaking with rage.
"I refuse to let my house die out!" She declares strongly.
Riser smirks and spreads his arms. "Then all you ha-"
"But I will not marry you, Riser! I will marry the one I acknowledge! Even the Devils from the old noble houses have the right to choose who they marry!"
Huh. In that case then why is her family pushing for this arranged marriage so hard? Don't they have any faith in her?
"Tch," Riser clicks his tongue and spits on the floor to which Himejima-senpai nearly lashed out at him if not for Kiba-san holding her back. "It's always the same thing. I took the time to come out to this filthy place and dingy building."
This isn't good.
The room begins to heat up as wisps of flames come to life around Riser. "I will drag you back to the Underworld with me if I have to!"
Suddenly, the room chilled in an instant and the fire surrounding Riser's body flickered out. I shivered as my breath condensed in the air in front of me.
"I would ask that the both of you to calm down," Grayfia says coldly, her eyes sharp.
The two Devils immediately backed down from each other after hearing that.
Seeing that the situation had been successfully defused, the silver-haired maid continues, "My Master predicted such an outcome and has thus presented an alternative. Mistress, you must battle against Riser in a Rating Game if you wish to call off the engagement."
A Rating Game? Damn! So we're going to be dragged into this nonsense?! I don't want Asia to participate in any kind of battle.
Gremory-senpai takes a deep breath and sighs, defeated. "Very well. If I am left with no other choice, then I will participate."
Riser smirks and laughs condescendingly. "I have already participated in many official Rating Games and have won the majority of them! Do you truly think you can win?"
"I will," Gremory-senpai declares. "I will destroy you and your Peerage, Riser."
"Very well. I have confirmed the participation of both sides," Grayfia says. "I shall inform the masters of both houses then."
Wait, what happens to us if Gremory-senpai does get married to Riser? Does he become our King by proxy?
"Hey, Rias. Are these all the servants you have?" Riser asks suddenly, gesturing around the room.
"That's right. What of it?"
"Hah! What a joke! Only your Queen could be a match for my precious servants!"
With that declaration, Riser snaps his fingers and an unfamiliar magic circle appears on the ground. All of a sudden, the room is filled with an extra fifteen people, almost all of them being young girls.
Why am I not surprised?
Aren't we at a severe disadvantage here? I mean, I apparently count for eight Pawns, but we're still missing a Bishop, a Rook, and a Knight. Meanwhile this guy has a full Peerage! This is like an amateur playing chess against an experienced pro with all his pieces while you're stuck with three missing pieces.
The outcome looks pretty cut and dry here.
Also, just what is with the diversity of these girls? It's almost like each of them caters to a different fetish. From a girl wearing a cheongsam, to a dignified knight, to a Yamato Nadeshiko.
As I'm observing the girls, a young girl with striking similarities to Riser with her blonde hair done into drill tails meets my gaze. She stares at me for a moment before huffing and looking away with a bored expression.
Don't tell me that's his little sister. This guy is looking less and less like a playboy and more like a pervert.
Damn! If he wins this Rating Game then even Asia will..! I can't let that happen!
"I can't wait to add you and your Peerage to my collection of cute servants," Riser says with a smirk, as if confirming my thoughts.
"Like hell you will, you filthy pervert!" I shout while taking a step towards him.
The members of the Occult Research club all look at me in shock at my sudden outburst. To be honest, even I'm surprised that I decided to voice my objection.
"What did you just say?!" One of the girls, the one wearing the cheongsam yells while taking a step forward, brandishing a martial arts pole.
My eyes narrow in challenge at the girl. "You heard me. He's a two bit host wannabe that's nothing more than a lonely pervert who seeks affirmation for his pitiful existence through sex!"
"You…" The girl growls before launching herself towards me.
Before I know it, my body is moving on its own. I step back with my left foot and twist my body causing the girl's pole to slide past me. Just as she realized that she overextended, I held out my left arm and swung forward with all my strength while twisting my hips, catching the girl's neck in a clothesline. Her head snaps back as she flips under my arm and crashes onto the floor, unconscious.
"Anyone else want some?!"
My anger and stress levels had finally reached their peak. After dealing with my amnesia and suddenly being turned into a Devil, this was the last straw.
As another one of the girls prepares to step forward, Riser holds out his arm to stop her. "Hm. I see that you're slightly competent. Unfortunately, martial ability will only take you so far. The girl you just took down is the weakest of my Peerage, after all."
"I don't care if you have sixteen or sixteen thousand! I won't let you lay a hand on Asia!" I growl.
Smirking, Riser turns to Gremory-senpai. "Let us have our match in ten days. I believe that will be more than enough time for you to train and prepare."
Without waiting for a response, Riser snaps his fingers, causing his Peerage and him to disappear in a swathe of flames.
I feel a hand on my arm, and look back to see Asia. Taking a deep breath, I force myself to calm down.
"Buchou," I say, startling the girl who appeared to be deep in thought. "Do whatever you want with me. I'll take whatever you can throw at me. Just make me strong enough to beat that bastard black and blue!"
She nods. "Alright."
Looking down at my hands, I clench them into fists and close my eyes.
I will protect Asia. That bastard won't get to lay even a single finger on her before I tear him to shreds.
-xXx-
-Stat Sheet-
Master: Rias
Evil Piece: Pawn x8
Name: Saya Hyoudou
Titles: The Dimensional Ruler
Sex: Female
Race: Reincarnated Devil
Height: 5'5" (167cm)
Alignment: Neutral Good
Parameters:
Strength: D++
Endurance: C+
Agility: C++
Magic: E-
Luck: A
Weapons: Varied
Skills:
Battle Continuation: A - Makes it possible to fight even with deadly wounds and stay alive unless a fatal blow is received.
Charisma: C- - Slightly boosts the morale and abilities of nearby allies.
Disengage: B - The ability to safely break away from combat.
Eye of the Mind (False): C – A natural talent to foresee danger via an innate sixth sense.
Pioneer of the Stars: EX - A unique skill given to heroes who became turning points in history. All difficult voyages and challenges which are considered "impossible" are turned into "events that can be realized".
Abilities:
Boosted Gear: EX - A Sacred Gear that holds the ancient dragon Ddraig. It has the ability to double the user's strength every ten seconds as long as the user's body can handle the strain.
Relationship Levels:
Rias Gremory: Rank 2
Akeno Himejima: Rank 2
Yumi Kiba: Rank 2
Koneko Toujou: Rank 1
Asia Argento: Rank 4
Yuki Hayata: Rank 6
Aika Heart: Rank 5
Yuuta Sato: Rank 1