I do not own Highschool DxD

Chapter 2 Saltly Light

I was laying face down, scarlet in my own blood squirming from the after effects. I can feel some of my muscles spasm. Blades from popular media and stories back in my old world popping out blade first, letting out comforting light.

Gae Bolg. Merodach. Kanshou and Bakuya. Caliburn. Excalibur. Others are the plainest cursed implements from knives to katanas.

Some of them don't even belong there and I realized how narrow my preferences are. Is it because it is a spur of the moment?

What the Hell was I doing? Asking such things, I am starting to regret my decisions when I heard movement at the door.

The maids busted the door down and swiftly came to take me to the infirmary. I can't hear them well so there might have been shrieking involved.

The medical staff diagnosed it as overuse of Sword Birth.

It seems they thought Rias's request of leaving me alone as near absolute command. Hearing the noises they didn't dare to even look. There is no way a reincarnated Devil is stupid enough to invoke the name of... The Leader of the Heavens and pray to Him on his first day, yeah, let's go with that. Also it seems the rooms in the mansion have sound muffled for privacy.

Smelling blood was a red flag they cannot ignore, however.

Akeno Himejima is described to be a standard Japanese beauty or a yamato nadeshiko.

Rias Gremory's "Queen". Similar to me she is reincarnated to a devil as a half fallen angel and a human. Magical, physical and speed enhancements are added. They are above and beyond what humans can do both in my former world and this one.

Together with my supposed "King", Rias Gremory, they form what I know is a Peerage based on pieces of chess. Evil Pieces.

Really, I question the naming sense. Devil Pieces can be taken as a name, at least they won't be blatantly 'evul'. Granted its one letter less and devils are always associated with such things.

Now, they are hovering over me like barnacles I cannot get rid of.

Rias's father and mother also came to check upon me too.

Velena Gremory is a flaxen haired, buxom woman with purple eyes. Short hair reaching her shoulders.

Zeoticus Gremory, his father is a seemingly rugged middle aged man with crimson hair. If Rias were a manly man he would be it.

The introductions come and go. My answers are clipped and quick. I dare not meet their eyes.

I told them my story of what I remember waking up. The holes in my memories, as to how I came to be sleeping in a room and then waking up underneath that snow dying. How I do not remember the names given by my biological parents for this body nor my time with them. They were quite affectionate to give me a hug. Especially her mother. Especially.

It still feels unreal to me. Surreal seemingly becomes a blur.

Rias gave me a new name. It's Kiba Yuuto as expected. I am not complaining. It's decent enough rather than being a joke name like Pongky or Yamada Tarou. John Smith.

I look at the mirror I requested and saw a blond haired boy with brown eyes. Bratty, toddler sizes included.

I mostly stayed in this room. Time is irrelevant. Experimenting with what blades I can copy. Superficially they carry their image but not their potency. Swords and knives are simple. I am still working on modifying individual parts.

Food is diligently served to me three times a day. I'm feeling a bit guilty.

Rias and Akeno come visit a lot. It is quite the expected yet pleasant surprise that Rias is one of my people. A weeb. Seeing me make blades from the anime and manga she shows me gives me the wonderful sight of her worrying over me.
I laugh her off.

Akeno simply gave me a smile that gives chills down my spine and so I limit making 1 to 3 blades per visit... When they can see me.

Otherwise, I went nuts till I want to go to sleep. I feel like a kid playing with clay except its deadly pointy swords.

Time passed till even I got too bored of my own mind and so I decided to take a chance at training.

I know the future. No, I know of A Future. So with my mind set, I went out and ask some of the servants, politely if they knew anyone that can train me in fighting and sword fighting.

Oddly enough it was Sirzechs that answered alongside his really hot queen. A man with long red hair reminiscent of my supposed King wearing a breezy looking tunic and his silver haired maid wife with piercing eyes. No one is allowed to look that cool in a maid outfit. This guy has it all.

It was quite tense for me till the red haired man spoke.

"We were getting worried."

"Hm?"

I can only absently answer. I wasn't ogling your wife. NO sir I wasn't. Well, I was trying not to. Honest.

A look of amusement from both of them feels comforting yet embarrassing. Before their looks turn serious.

"Why do you seek someone to teach you how to fight?," he asked.

"I- I want to learn how to wield a sword," I quickly answered.

"Because of your Sacred Gear? The thing that nearly killed you from overuse," I did not like the frown on his face when he said that.
"...yes." Learning how to use it may help in preventing that.

"Why?"

I think back to the enemies we will face in the future. Strays, Fallen Angels, "gods".

The feeling of helplessness near death and me entering an agreement that I may not have to enter.

This time perhaps I can be honest. I look him straight into the eye.

"I want to protect myself and the people that will be important to me."

My eyes feel warm and my fists oddly unsteady.

He hums and replies, "Interesting statement. 'Will be important'? What are your interests with our Rias?"

I feel a subtle shift and tension. Not suffocating but gives me the need to stand on attention. Grafiya simply stands eyes closed like a porcelain doll with no emotion

I breathed a shaky sigh. Trying to calm myself down, I answered, "She's endearing. I have no doubt she's going to be a pain in the neck to say no to in the future".

Those were my honest feelings from the way I see her act in care clumsily and trying to puff up to be mature.

"I know right?!"

He proclaims with his face glowing with pride and glee.

And there he goes gushing about his adorable little sister.

"Anything else?"

He asks with a serious yet lighter tone.

The tension and seriousness is gone. I look him straight in the eye and with as much seriousness in this child like body I muster I proclaimed with my fist clenched, "Swords are a man's romance."

Something that I can call a fatherly laugh came from the man and from Grafiya a snort that I must've imagined.

A clap to reset the mood. His eyes gleaming with expectation and good faith, "I've decided. I will have my knight teach you. If you have talent he has my permission to polish you further."

Knight?

"Excuse me? No, that's too mu-"

A glare that reminded me of a woman I respected came from the maid.

"I mean Ok. Thank you," I quietly amended.

At a clearing outside the mansion. A forest.

I was looking for an entry level instructor. An adequately skillful teacher is fine, instead he just props me over to Okita Souji. Haori. A twenty year old man with black hair and Japanese features. Spoiler alert. I don't have talent for swordsmanship.

He asked what I knew about swordsmanship.

"Hit them, don't let them hit back. Pointy end sticks to my target."

He looked at me in surprise and with the most polite yet aggrieved sigh masked as a simple breath.

We sparred.

My reaction time is unsatisfying.

My situational awareness is lacking.

Focus seems to be needs to be enforced.

My drive… Seems lacking.

Technique and sense of battle is beyond abysmal.

Nearly 20 years of memories worth of civilian luxury I suppose. Says more about me than other people.

According to Okita Souji. Historical figure and supposed blade prodigy in Japan and Japanese media.

He still trained me but there is a faint trace of disappointment in them. Bless his heart he gives his best. He is still professional but not quite as familiar as before.

This frustrates me yet I can do nothing much about it except give it my all. Also my self esteem is rightfully hurt. His criticisms are logically made which makes it even harder to retort.

In the end I chose to focus on what I can do or rather what I can do with my Sacred Gear.

A coward's sword meant to protect my own life.

Sword Birth is a creation type of Sacred Gear specializing in creation of Cursed Blades.

Curse is the rejection of what is good and well in a person or object. Twisting its form and away from what is 'good' for what isn't 'good' can't be truly good or well.

Loopy child like logic aside, Curses to me is ill intent made manifest that it affects the target.

"Why are you even so adamant at calling them Cursed Blades? We call them Demonic Swords in the supernatural world," Okita asked me quizzically as I flail angrily as he simply deflects my wild blows.

Calling something from 'God' "Demonic"? We don't do that here.

On that note, is he even the same 'God' I heard of and the one that I heard from people that my parents told me that answered their prayers? Considering this is DxD... I can only sigh trying to pass the time to alleviate the pain. It is not something I can truly answer without further investigation which is hard to do when I'm this weak or lacking in information.
Still, I can't just say that aloud so I answered, "Personal preference" to teacher and left it at that.

"Focus."

He said dismissively and flings me with a flick of his wrists.

Distractedly thinking of something else other than my hurt pride as I do the same.

Curses. Truthfully I don't know much but I guess, I just need to target the correct concept with the proper sword armed with the proper curse. I can theoretically curse weight so the blades are lighter or I could create an elemental blade that explodes to curse the ground to be frozen or in flames. Gandr?

Honestly this is exciting like a brat with clay, except it's a bunch deadly pointed swords.

The other thing is, I have an idea of a curse. It is something that managed to give literal Death and brokenness to a world supposedly 'good' on the eyes of a Holy God, supposedly. Kill someone or rather impose a concept of Death and disease on someone made in the Image of God.

Again, supposedly. I wanted to believe I truly do, but perhaps it's figurative? If it's true though, oh boy that amount of years the man upstairs wanted for us. But this is DxD, not saying I fully believe, even though it would be awesome since Gramps Adam lived quite long, because I wanted to be in Eden. No lack and whatnot. Considering this is DxD… It probably exists? Some bootleg version envisioned by a Japanese through cultural lenses?

A curse known as 'Sin' that is inherent and stained in Humanity and now as a possible source for being turned int-

"FOCUS! A blade is NOT A TOY! You cut your enemies and even yourself with it!"

"Cutting yourself is stupid I know that." I hastily blocked his swing.

He seems pissed.

No, the chess piece inside me can be a key.

Devils are creatures of sin and desire in this world. It's no different than humans with a few extra perks and cons.

Right, no different.

"Curse-" 'On' A single edged blade. Primitive and seemingly out of stone. It is red in the blood by first kin slay-

"OFF!"

I stopped midway. I feel something terrible will happen if I reach and achieve that pinnacle. My body is anticipating something. The blade so vivid in my mind's eye vanished like vapor I can no longer recall.

"Let's start somewhere easier first," I decided.

How does one curse? The basics?

Power of the tongue. Power of life and death, curses and blessing are at the tongue?

Did I remember it righ-Oh there's the pain.

Yup.

Ugh.

Curses are… Prayers? Can I make a "prayer" of victory and inversely a curse of "defeat" to my enemies? The blades don't usually last but the effects can. The damage. Cheap and disposable. The opposite of Sword Birth is Blade Blacksmith which were meant to create Holy Swords. Holy Swords can be considered a means to create Holy Light blades similar to what Angels use as spears in this world.

Angels are made of Light? Or is it they simply use Light here to turn them into spears?

They don't need to last… Cumulative power to be released in an instant is a power in its own. Granted I need to be able to do solid ones fine. Oh the beam and swords spams I can do!

Okita Souji swings.

None of my blades lasts but if I can't make them lasts, I need to make do.

As one of my blades breaks, another takes its place and I placed another on my free hand.

The blades inflict curses on the one that broke them. Inflicting pain on the target as well as weighing them down.

For the first time in a long while teacher smiles.

"You're finally attacking and taking initiative for victory." Then it dies with a frown.

"After a long while. I almost grew tired of waiting. Good, we can step up your training. Also for goodness sake, use your wings, boy," he clicks his tongue and admonishes me.

"Right... That," I look behind me and remembered they only popped out now.

Oh dear.

And so begins my grueling training.

"Supposedly I am a busy man. So I shall train someone as talentless as you how I grew in the sword exponentially," He exasperatedly explained.
"Self study?" I asked with great hope.

"Experience." He says flatly.

No.

"..." I stare at him in intense question.

"Try not to die," he gives a sagely nod.

"You mean, keep up? Right, teach?" I ask in nervousness.

"If that's what it takes, sure." A refreshing smile on such a sinister face and blade.

It was nothing new or interesting. I simply got beat up and learn to get beat up less.

Throw attacks in desperation and wanting to wipe that smug face.

"Odd. It's been months of near non-stop training from hard knocks drill from hell and you still haven't unlocked your Touki," he is looking at me in puzzlement.

Touki is something as battle spirit made manifest. Basically Ki that enhances even humans to be less squishy and contend with supernatural creatures.

I was catching my life sprawled on the ground filled with small craters.

"I feel like giving up on training you," he finally said.

Thank goodness.

He seems to be expecting outrage but I am only thankful.

Still, I have to pay him back somehow. Finally catching my breath and being capable of talking I say my thoughts.

"Mr. Okita."

"Yes?"

"In case, I get strong enough." I ask with a questionable spoonful of hope.

"In case you get strong enough?" Teacher Okita asks patronizingly. Kind of irritating but he makes valid points.

"I can probably make blades that lasts"

"That's a reasonable assessment." He nods.

"What sword would you like when that time comes? Effects and designs? Measurements? Those kinds of things? Its good to have a reference as practice." I am probably rambling but I can't help but be excited of the thought that one of my blades will be used to flourish using such amazing techniques.

Silence fills the clearing.

Okita didn't walk slowly as he simply glides without even moving his feet, his hands suddenly on my shoulders firmly as he stares at me with intense focus.

"I shall train you to be the best young devil you can be."

"Pardon."

"You shall be forged into a man capable of forging blades unparalleled EVEN BY THE HEAVENS!"

"I... Need an adult"

"I AM AN ADULT!" His eyes glow with child like glee at growing stronger and at me growing stronger.

I look for assistance. The maid simply gave me a bow and an encouraging nod.

"And as a responsible adult it is my duty as your senior Knight, to show you and prepare you for the wider world." Funny thing is I know his similar preference to women and respect him enough that I don't feel in danger in such a way.

"…I need to go-" It's the training and enthusiastic sword teacher that I'm worried for.

"NONESENSE! WE SHALL MAKE A MAN OUT OF YOU!"

My training got more intense. My idea of putting curses on him to weigh him down as his own training simply pumps him up more for me to be a better training dumm- student.

Yes. I am extra motivated to curse my teacher. To deat- No, near death if necessary.

In the end I am capable of dual wielding and archery, Is it original? No, but I reckon I have to cover and learn all that I can to compensate for my lack of talent in swordsmanship. Be strong my own way.

Last but not the least, sword spam and sword creation.

I consider putting swords together to form a coherent and explosive whole. It works just… I haven't streamlined the last one to be combat ready or feasible. Too long a time and something tells me stockpiling CURSED swords are bound to have problems.

Good news is I can modify them as long as it is in my perception, a sword. Or parts of it.

I can club someone with a really elaborate hilt, it just happens to look like an ugly war hammer.

Teach is at a distance. My body now in line with how I was before. The sense of wrongness no longer as problematic as before.

I wield two curved single edged blades of ornate silver.

Flying with bat like wings a rain of curses shaped like swords rain down on him.

Poison meant to slow his perception and mess with his senses. Trying to do anything to him directly is pointless yet I can bombard him with elements.

I put my two blades together by the bottom of their hilt. They form into a bow with a string of light connecting them.

I took a deep breath.

"Curse, On. Okita Souji."

I created another blade. A drill like blade divided into 3 with spikes. Individual blades on their own meant to amplify and pierce through. The bow is more akin to a focus or a totem aiming the curse towards a target of my choosing to chase them.
I feel more like a warlock than a proper knight. I need something solid and allowing it to overflow to hit Okita Souji.

A barbed lance comes forth with pulsating lines of curses.
I mount it on my bow, pulled.

"Rhongomyniad… ALTERNATIVE!"

And released deluge of curses on my teacher.

He's near and I can see an ever rare smile on his face.

"I will warn you… For all your tricks, there comes a time where mere tricks will do you no favor."

I lost as he swung his blade cutting me a hundred times in a single breath with the back of his blade.

A year has passed since teacher taught me fighting.

In the end I still cannot catch up to him or his expectations. My battles were more like a desperate flailing to simply say I did try rather than to win.

Except that last one and that got me nowhere.

I guess I am not as talented or as driven as the original Kiba Yuuto.

I do not want to dabble in magic for fear of what I might use it for rather than any real fear of it. Magic is usually related to something negative in the people I know.

What now then? I look up at the artificial sun in an artificial sky giving light in the underworld as I leisurely lay on our training grounds. Okita went back to his duties telling me to diligently study and train.

They say that light is to help the reincarnated humans get used to be here and feel welcomed. I appreciate the thought.

Trying to grasp it in my hands figuratively and clenching my right hand towards it made me feel a bit silly.

Nostalgia or a whim of fancy. I tried to grasp such a thing.

Christians are called to be a light and salt to the world. Maybe, I can be one in the underworld as well?

To be a man my family can be proud of.

Their teachings and the memories I have with me are the only things I am sure I can carry after all.

For the sake of both my families I'll try to be a Christian man they can be proud of.

A salt and light to the underworld.