DISCLAIMER: DxD does not belong to me.


Hello everyone, Garith Gremory here!

At least, that's the name I go by nowadays...

Socializing is important!

A lesson I've learnt a little too late on my previous life.

Turns out, being an edgy teenager is only an instant gratification typical of the age, and no matter how 'adult' you feel you are, how 'mature' you think yourself as, how 'different' you feel you are from your peers, those thoughts are just signs of your pedant adolescence and won't last forever.

If you insist in that mentality, alas, as you grow out of that phase, you'll look back in sorrow and anger, having really matured, and create several 'what if's in your mind about the wasteful youth you had as you see yourself friendless, alone, bitter, with no meaningful interactions or connections with others, thinking about goals or accomplishments or even good memories you could've had, looking in the mirror to ask the individual staring back if was all your fault...

Man, that was a bit too real, wasn't it?

But anyway, socializing is important, making friends is important. I can't live depending on my parents, for they won't live forever... I mean, they might be able to live forever, but you get the idea: I need to extend my connections with individuals beyond my dear family and have others to rely on while also being relied on, not just as peers or coworkers, but friends as well. It's not I was some basement-dweller in my previous life, I had some acquaintances back then, even when we were not all that close... On second thought, we only, like, had a few beers together during afterwork meetings and gatherings...

On third thought, we didn't actually talk all that much, only casual conversations like greetings and whatnots...

On fourth thought, I don't think we even got each others' name, we just bumped into each others with nothing else, only talking when there was no one around to talk to...

...

Moving on...

Since Rias has Sona, maybe I should get myself something of a best friend as well, someone to have my back even during dire times, or just spend some time with and to prove to my parents and peers that I'm not an edgy weirdo. I thought of befriending Sona since she's Rias' best friend and she was quite intelligent in the novels, a prodigy and a genius even with her lack of firepower regarding brute strength...

But then I remember that she's not my type to call even an acquaintance, let alone a 'friend'. An uppity, bepestacled, ojou-type that hides a heart of gold who has sugar-filled lofty goals; I personally dislike those kind of people, specially with this level of hidden condescension behind pretty words and ideals, old scars from my previous life as a wage slave. Not to dimish the goals of her dream, but there's something about it that pisses me off, like a lot. So I chose to avoid her as for now and instead look for some acquaintances of my own.

My first opportunity for such? Latia Astaroth, the dear niece of Lord Ajuka Beelzebub, 'big brother' Sirzechs' best friend. We first met during a small gathering between our houses, or how Sirzechs likes to call them, a 'sleepover with Juka', a period on which the lord of the flies spends time with the Gremory talking as satans and then as best friends. One time, he brought along her little niece, a girl around our age and member of the branch house of the Astaroth, since his brother Diodora was... Discovering himself, whatever the hell that means, and Latia's family was away to take care of some business in the real world, leaving her with her bachelor uncle.

One is a siscon handpecked husband who still lives with his parents and the other is a mad scientist bachelor who's probably a virgin, those two are the strongest devils of our generation and half of their leaders. If I didn't know any better, being one of them's 'younger brother', I would think the underworld is doomed...

Anyway, my first contact with a girl around my 'age', so to speak, and honestly, if I were mentally the age I physically am(or perhaps a lolicon), I'd be charmed by the girl in front of me: a cute little lass with blond hair and almond-coloured eyes around my age and height with a certain noble air around her. She had an intense stare, but nothing too hostile, and a dignified stance typical of a lady archetype she follows. Imposing and strong, yet somehow not arrogant or overwhelming, she looks mature for her age. Since this is our first interaction, I did what a boy would and should do: I smiled at her and offered a hand for a handshake. She blinks a few times, looks down on my hand, and with a hair flip, says the following:

"Brother of the maou? I'm unimpressed, completely."

And then silence. I know she said that out of my rude first impression, and she had no reason nor intention to belittle or insult me, but still hurts a bit. One, two seconds of complete silence and stasis, and my first reaction to her comment was a mature one at that, since I'm not a child and I can ratiolize like the adult I mentally am.

Therefore, my response was to punch her square in the face.

Despite the rigorous training I got through everyday, my stubby, soft child fist wasn't enough to seriously damage her, just leaving a small red mark on her pretty face and letting her to the brink of tears, nonetheless still hurting her pretty, pristine fair skin. A smug grin forms in my lips and I sigh triumphantly, expecting her to run away crying and to never speak like that to me, or anyone else for that matter...

I was wrong.

In a flash, she cut the space between us and slap me silly on the face, the force behind it being enough to make me lose balance and twirl on the stop. One circle, and once I could face her again, she greeted me back with a roundhouse kick again in my jaw, and to finish the job, an uppercut that took me flying away until I fell on my ass.

After that, pardon my phrasing, all hell broke loose as we waved our arms at each other in what one can describe as two powerful children fighting, punching, kicking and slapping each other silly, plus bites and rude pokes on the eyes and mouth. On one occasion, I picked Latia by the waist to throw her on the floor, and in another, she smashed a chair on my head. It took the servants a few minutes to try to separate us by calling Grayfia, and punishing both us and our 'big brothers' for the brawl, all of that mess came to an end with no clear winner.

In this situation, normally we would never contact each other after a disastrous first impression. Me as a violent hooligan who explodes on the smallest insults, and her as a hidden bomb who can brawl like an adult if she does so desire. Put one on one together, and if we ever share a moment again, disaster were abond... At least, is what we thought initially.

"I... Don't like gunpowder tea."

"How unusual. I thought boys would be into it, considering the name behind it. Oh well, I'll ask for a chamomile next time..." And Latia passes me a cube of sugar to sweeten my cup of gunpowder tea, probably one of my least favourites, as we share a table with snacks and tea in the middle of the Gremory courtyard. My face still hurts after our fight, and considering how she trembles and struggles to keep her teacup lifted, she might still be a bit pained. Oh well, at least things worked out, and I found someone who I can call a 'friend' of a sorts, I guess. "I thought the Gremory would have a more polish stance regarding hand-to-hand combat, but this now seems far-fetched, considering our brawl. How undelicate."

"My parents think it's still too soon for me to properly learn grappling, so I don't have a defined technique as for now. Maybe next year I can start learning kenjutsu with sir Okita." I sigh, taking a sip of that bitter tea and blowing a cloud of steam as she nods. She's the one to talk, wrestling me like an animal, although she has grace while doing it, I should start using my dancing skills for fights as well, it might help. "My father is teaching me basic swordsmanship, though. If you want, I can pick my training swords... And we can spar again."

"If you so desire, as a heiress of the Astaroth, I have to accept the challenge." She puts her teacup down and her stare becomes fiercer, like an animal's once again. No doubt about it, she takes great pride in her skills and name, and that is creepy, but also charming. "I might lack the proper training, but if you are challenging me, I won't let such tecnicality hold me down. Therefore, I ask the same for you, dear Garith."

"Okay then... Miss Latia."

"whoawhoawhoawhoa~! Little brother, you already brought too much trouble for us today~! I don't think Grayfia-tan will hold back with a second red card!" But before the aura surrounding us could lead to another clash, my 'older brother' Sirzechs slides all the way to our table and hold me in place by the shoulders. I snap to reality, and blink a few times, only for the image of an angry miss Grayfia, enough to make me settle down on my place. God no, I might be able to brawl with a little girl, but facing the Underworld's strongest queen is too much, experimenting that first-handed. Once I calm down, Sirzechs turns to our guest. "And Lacchan, you're already so hurt and bandaged, I don't think lady and lord Astaroth will appreciate your current state once you return to your household. No more fights between you two, please."

"Oh... I see. Very well, Lord Lucifer, I will not fight Garith." The flame in her eyes subdues, and she sits back on her seat, taking a sip of her tea. She's... An odd one, but can't say I don't appreciate a weird one once in a while. I remember that after the Diodora accident, she's the one to take charge as the heiress of her clan, good for her. She shifts her gaze to me. "You heard that? Let us not engage once again, dear Garith, for is not worthy it."

"indeed." I comment back, much to Sirzechs' relief. "Let us not fight..."

"Let us not."

"... Lacchan."

"..."

Nothing after that but a rabid punch in the face, as the little girl jumps from her seat to assault me once more, which didn't evolve into a full-on fight once again because both our 'big brothers' stopped us before going into that direction and we were to face miss Grayfia's wrath once more.

[EDGED SPEECH] seems to be working just fine, it seems. I might be useful in the future, but for now... Only pain.

The rest of the afternoon we spent drinking tea, eating snacks and talking about trivial stuff like our clans and the weather, things only awkward kids like us would talk about with people we barely know.

For what I could hear, she is the proud type, not too overbearing but with a special place for her clan in her clan, making disapproving faces when reminding of her status as a branch member family and her other uncle Diodora. As for me, I talked how nice was for me to have wonderful 'siblings', how I was taking a liking in swordsmanship and I couldn't wait to learn more advanced styles in the future... All being stared and monitored by our servants, dreading that another fight breaks loose, something that never happened, although she pushed a few of my buttons again.

It has been a while since I had a proper conversation with someone, and the feeling is weird, but not unwelcome. 'Friends' is a stretch, but not an impossibility.

"Let's play again other day, Riz-kun."

"Yeah, let us, Lacchan." And once the 'reunion' was over, Latia and I, now with our respective nicks out, wave goodbye to each other as Lord Ajuka takes her back to her own house as I am left with Sirzechs and my own wounds from our brawl, smiling weakly regardless. This is my first interaction with someone my 'age' that is not second-handed like with Sona, and I guess it worked... Okay. Once they were out of sight, 'brother' Zechs takes me inside again with a smile and a chuckle.

"Did you have fun with Lacchan, Riz-kun? Of course, discounting the moments when you were at each other's throat, but she seems to like you." My 'older brother' singsongs as we walk side by side to the lobby, and touching the small cut on my lips, I can say that I had a good time, so to speak, at least enough to hold a conversation.

"Yes, I had fun. Lacchan is fun." I say, yet my expressions remain unchanged. It sounds like a compliment, but I'm just confirming a fact as childish as possible. But I can't deny that I had a good time, it's like playing house in a way. Even if I let go, I think my pride as a 'mentally adult' individual does not allow me to fully engage, so to speak. Sirzechs seems to like my response as another hearted laugh comes from him.

"I see, I see. Good to hear that!" He smiles dreamly. "I bet Lacchan likes you a lot too, Riz-kun. Good to know you've made yourself another friend, those are very important too. Even a devil as strong as your big brother needs good friends to take care of the Underworld! You can't manage things like that alone, you see."

"..." I simply nod to those words of wisdom, I hope he didn't notice me flinching while thinking about them.

'You can't do everything all by yourself', these were suppose to be obvious, yet I wonder why it took me too long to learn them in my previous life, too late to save me from unfortunate events, maybe it's because that you develop some competitive spirits when your previous parents always compare one sibling to another. Unlike now, which they all are pleased and glad to have us as their children regardless of our individual talents. The thought, the memories, they make me grimace painfully, to the point I didn't notice my nose bleeding once again, only snapping back when Sirzechs pass me a handkerchief. He is indeed... A great 'older brother'.

"You think Lacchan and I can be good friends, brother?" I ask while pinching my bleeding nose. "After all, we fought quite badly back then. She might be just be being polite."

"Of course!" He loses no second for that response, despite my later comment. "Who knows, maybe you two might get even closer as adults! Remember, me and Grayfia-tan used to be enemies, and now she's my dear, precious wifey~! If we can end up like that, no reason for you two to be friends!"

"Oh... Right." I snap for his little comment, the backstory involving the strongest devil and the strongest queen, who fought each other during the Devil Civil War and now are husband and wife, the classic Romeo&Juliet scenario, only with a happier ending. I guess it's not impossible to friendship to bloom even in the most unlikely soils, but I don't think I can bring myself to marry a child/teenager, and grooming is a gross concept. I sting of pain strikes me again, damn [MIGRAINE]. "But, y'know..."

"...?"

"Even if I were to like Lacchan, I still love big brother Zechs a lot more."

...

"...!"

"...?!" I shut myself up with both my hands on my mouth. What the fuck was what?! It simply... Slipped off my mouth! I didn't mean to say that, it didn't even cross my mind, such saccharine thought! Since when I'm so... Sweet?! Holy shit, that's embarrassing! Once I calm down, I look to Sirzechs' direction and he had the brighest, widest eyes imaginable sparkling like stars as tender tears fall down from them, the biggest smile on his lips.

"Aw~! I love you too, little brother! I love you and Ria-tan with all of my heart!" And the man who's the strongest among his kin, the Lucifer demon Lord, hugs me tenderly with his massive figure and almost suffocating me with both love and strength. Too tight, too tight! He stops to allow me to breathe, and makes me face him with his hands on my shoulder. "Riz-kun, never forget that, okay? Your big brother loves you very much, too. Come heaven or high water, I won't ever stop caring about you or Ria-tan, okay?"

"Ah...Okay." I nod. What can I do, this man is just... So honest, it's hard to think his affection as repulsive even if I'm not actually his younger brother, even if the words he speaks are not directed at 'me'.

Actually, I don't feel any negative feelings towards them. They make me... Happy, somehow.

"Lord Sirzechs, you're making a scene again. Please, control yourself."

"Ah, but there is no way for me to not respond for my little brother's shows of affection, Grayfia-tan." And the Lucifer turns to the silver-haired maid who was watching the whole drama unfold, her red eyes as stoic as ever, but I can see that she hides her mouth with a hand to contain an amused chuckle. He stands up, adjusts his clothes, and walks next to his dear wife and maid. "Besides, aren't you being too cold as of lately? Mayhap if you were to gave me some attention, I wouldn't relapse so eloquently like that."

"Pardon, but in duty I am but a simple maid. You are the impatient one, lord Sirzechs." The maid states, much to my 'brother's sorrow, as he desinflates like a balloon and while he tries to maintain face, I can see his spirits melting. Perhaps as a way to humour him, Grayfia comes closer to him and he approaches as well for a kiss... Only for her to just adjust his tie and give him a pat on the head. "Don't take my aloofness as indifference, though, my dear husband."

"Hm." He sighs, clearly dissappointed but not dissatisfied for her brief display of affection. So this is how a 'happy couple' behaves, huh? It's not what I expected, but a lot better than the ones I'm so used of seeing.

"Hehehe." I laugh nonchalantly, and that catches the maid's attention. "Oh nothing. Miss Grayfia... Is also someone I admire lots. Hahah."

"Oh..." She blinks in surprise, and soon hides her face away, bowing to excuse herself. "Thank you very much for your kind words, lord Garith. I appreciate them."

...

*TING!*


+20 AFFECTION POINTS(GRAYFIA LUCIFUGE)

[GRAYFIA LUCIFUGE] HAS REACHED MAX BOND LVL.

+100 AFFECTION POINTS(SIRZECHS LUCIFER)

[SIRZECHS LUCIFER] HAS REACHED MAX BOND LVL.


Now, a moment of leisure sitting on the sofa of the Gremory's living room and eating some snacks, which means another moment to review this strange ability of mine that resembles a game. This time, let's discuss the following:

The bond level regarding all the people in my life.

Turns out, not just like an MMORPG or a regular dungeon crawler, my life has also these visual novel-like mechanics regarding the affection certain individuals have regarding 'Garith Gremory' (aka, me). I should've known something like that was on considering I have stats like CHA and LUK, but to think I have something of a window regarding affection of all things... Somehow, that doesn't make me happy, at all.

The chart for that is quite small, considering that I'm still a child and my social circle is limited to family and close acquaintances, but still, I can see that I have quite a level on all the people I've met so far, not a surprise considering that I'm part of the Gremory, a clan infamous for their love for their servants and peers...


[BOND LEVEL]

-Rias Gremory: MAX(Irreplaceable)

- Sirzechs Gremory: MAX(Irreplaceable)

- Grayfia Lucifuge: MAX(Irreplaceable)

- Zeoticus Gremory: MAX(Irreplaceable)

- Venelana Gremory: MAX(Irreplaceable)

- Sairaorg Bael: 10(Close relative)

-Misla Bael: 9(Nice lady)

-Seekvaira Agares: 3(Acquaintance)

- Sona Sitri: 2(Acquaintance)

- Latia Astaroth: 4(Acquaintance)


Look at that, even with people I've never met since I became 'Garith', the system records the level 'he' had with others such as Sairaorg and Seekvaira, and like a typical young boy, he was close to people of the same gender and age instead of the 'gross girls'.

I do wonder how close Sairaorg and 'I' are actually, and considering how I jumped a few levels just meeting Lacchan today, I can at least assume we are more than just acquaintances, we are cousins, after all. But he never visited the manor at least once ever since the 'accident' 'I' had, so I can assume he was already exiled from his house? That makes sense, I suppose. Still, for his bond level to still be there, I can assume 'Garith' still thinks about him from time to time...

Another sting of pain as [RECOLLECTION OF MENTEPSYCHOSIS] acts... And yes, cousin Sairaorg was already banished from his own household and living with his mother in the outskirts of the Underworld. Harsh, to think he's around my age... Living to his own luck thanks to his own father about something he can't control, to be born without the power of Destruction, his half-brother favoured over him... Being bullied by other devils and with a mother of already fragile health who will fall ill in a few years. That must be, pardon my wording, hell; the efforts, struggles and challenges he'll have to face to escape this life being another poison altogether, with no one or nothing but his own strength and spirit...

...

[GAMER'S MIND]

Oh well, nothing I can do about it, and with a little bit of thought, 'tis fine that way.

I already know he's gonna turn out okay in a few years, so I shouldn't bother much; trying to help will be just a waste of time and effort considering the beast he is by the time the novels roll anyway, no matter what the voice on the back of my head says, so better focus on my own progress so I don't stoop behind all of them, literally and whatnot.

Cold? Indifferent? Inhuman? Perhaps, but alas, that is one of the smiles and sorrows of knowing what is yet to come. To know that asssisting or consoling my dear cousin or not won't make a difference in the long run since he'll be strong, successful and reliable in the future; and all those efforts and worries are just wasted time that I could be doing something better and productive instead.

I might still be a child, but I was once an adult, and I know best now: there is no use in trying to pursue a goal that is not worth your time unless you want to play house and waste resources. Sure, he'll suffer and cry, but hey, everybody suffers and cries; he's not special to deserve special treatment from yours truly, and knowing the person and devil he'll become in the future spares me from every ounce of guilt. He turned out fine in the novels anyway regardless of others' actions, it won't change a thing if I were to do something nice to him.

In the unlikely outcome of him snapping pursuing revenge, it'll be targeted at his dear father, Lord Bael, since indifference is way better than outright hatred and scorn, since it'll be silly to just kill/maim everybody that as much as ignored you, and I doubt any reasonable adult would think of that without sounding like a spoiled manchild.

You might be wondering that I'll lose an opportunity to strengthen our friendship and gain favours and better opportunities and advantages once he becomes the true Heir of Bael. I disagree: I know he won't grow bitter or resentful about anyone, not even his own brother who legitimately 'stole' his position as heir, so wether we're friends or not, he'll be just the nicest guy to me, specially since I'm his 'cousin'. Why bother then? Besides, befriending someone just to gain future favours and advantages? I might've been a wage slave salaryman in my previous life, but that's a move only a sociopath or a groomer would take, and my pride won't allow me to stoop so low, no matter how tempting.

[GAMER'S MIND]

Results: it's useless to try to do something about Sairaorg Bael since he'll be fine, so I won't bother and focus on my other bonds and skills. My previous experiences and work as 'Ichirou' has shown me that pursuing fruitless goals or growing hollow relationships are not worth it and only a waste of time and effort that only grant you an empty sense of accomplishment and momentaneous , I need to think big, I need to think on the long run, and since I'm secured about my 'cousin' since he'll be a nice guy mountain of a devil, I should just focus on something else. No guilt, no weight, I'm just thinking ahead of the game...

*TAC!*

"Hah...?"

"Brother~. Those snacks are for when Seek-chan comes for tea! Don't eat all of them!" And I snap once again when my chubby fingers reached for another biscuit only to touch the smooth and cold surface of a plate, as my 'little sister' Rias pulled the rest of the snacks away from me. Oh, I was so focused on my plan, I didn't even notice that I ate a good chunk of the snacks. Rias herself picks a macaroon for herself. "Geez~, if you keep eating like that, you'll turn fat~. I don't want a balloon as a brother~."

"Sorry, little sister. I was... Just thinking." I sigh, a small ting of pain down my brain as a result. Rias blinks surprised.

"You think too much, brother. One day, your head will explode." She giggles with her little insulting joke, and I flick her forehead for that trouble. I know she's right, I literally think so much my head tries to split apart sometimes, but still, hurts. Before any more words could be spoken, we hear the door ring, and with sparks in her eyes, Rias stands up and runs to the main hall. "Ah! It's Seek-chan!"

"Ria-tan, Riz-kun! I've come to play." And I followed my sister to meet the other person listed on my bond level chart, Rias and I come to greet her, and she politely bows to us.

This young girl with deep red eyes and dirt blond hair, her stare serious and stern, yet giving her a strangely pouty cute aura is Seekvaira Agares, the heiress of the archduke Agares clan of devils. This is also one of the future Rookie Four, the four more promising young devils of her generation, alongside my 'cousin', Sona and my 'sister'. Yet barely anything is said about her in the novels, but she seems to be stricter and more stern than Sona... But she's also a Dumgam nut, so she's leagues better than the Sitri heiress. Old habits do die hard, I see...

"Hey Seek-chan, we're gonna watch Maou Shoujo Levi-tan today like you promised, right? No more of those ugly robots, please!" My 'sister' pleads with her little hands, and with a sigh, Seekvaira, or Seek-chan, simply nods discontented, making my sister jump of joy and victory.

"Ria-tan, one day, I'll make you see the light of the wonders of the Dumgam series..." The Agares heiress pouts, and my sister playfully sticks her tongue out for her. She then turns to me, pulls from her backpack a whole Dumgam model and shows it to me. "... Your brother is aware of such, at least. Here Riz-kun, as promised, the model for the Dumgam Onehorn you asked."

"I... Did?" I tilt my head and pick the model anyway. I did? Well, perhaps 'Garith' did, but you know how things turned out. Regardless, I smile seeing the figurine in my hands, so pretty and well-made, it might've costed a fortune. "Thank you very much, Seek-chan."

"It took me a while to find it, but I'm glad you're happy. We can play with them later." Seek-chan nods, but then the aura around her turns darker and danderous, like that of an animal, and she turns sharp, so much that, even as an mental adult, I flinched a little. "But if you stain them with drool and spit again, I... Won't play with you anymore, nor give you any of my Akatsuki collection."

"O-Okay..." A childish threat, yet somehow I feel like my life was on the line. If she's scary like that, no wonder Issei had time comprehending her at all...

But still, a Dumgam nut, so she's cool in my book.

Rias pouts as says for us to hurry up or else we'll miss her favourite show, and even with no energy or will to do so, we comply, perhaps I also inherited the Gremory's trait to pamper dear Rias to the limit. And so, I spend the rest of my vacant sunday watching Magical Demon Queen Levi-tan with my 'sister' and our friend, eating sweets and playing with my newest Dumgam model and almost dying after mother discovered what happened between me and Lacchan. It was a fun day, I had fun, plus some more bond points...

[GAMER'S MIND]

Like I stated, socializing is important, indeed; that's a lesson I've learnt a bit too late in my previous life and won't lose that same opportunity again...

But only if you know with whom you're socializing with, and how to play your cards right. I won't ignore chances of friendship, but I won't waste my time and efforts in relationships that are doomed or might threaten me from the start, hence why I won't bother with Sairaorg for now. He'll become a monster regardless of what I do and a nice guy too, so even if I were to engage, nothing productive will come if I were to ignore him instead.

Riser Phenex is also a bet I'm not willing to take: the engagement event will unfold, and I'll be forced to choose between a 'friend' and my own 'sister', and wheter I choose will jeopardize my relationships with the opposite side, and I won't have the power to brush it off like my 'father' or Sirzechs... That, and his playboy persona pisses me off a little, although he does have style. That also means either of his siblings will be a dead end, too. I should just ignore the Phenex as for now.

Let us not talk about Diodora Astaroth, for everything it needs to be said was already said.

I know it's cold, ruthless and a bit inhuman, but I'm playing the long game here. I know what and who these people will become in the future, but what will be of me, 'Garith Gremory', is a total mystery. I might die tomorrow, assassinated, or forgotten; I need to think the long game if I want to survive and live the life I want in this new chance I got as the heir of Gremory, so I can't waste resources or times on pointless stuff like that.

No more slips, no more wasting time on pointless crap, no more losses; wheter a relative, a peerage or a stranger, if it has no business to or for me, I won't bother. That is the philosophy years and years of wasted efforts and pointless pursues crafted onto me, which I will now use in this new life to the fullest...

This is the philosophy of Garith Gremory.

...

"Hey, Rias... Say, uh... Do you think... We can visit cousin Sairaorg one of those days? To cheer him up, y'know."

"Brother, you heard what mother said: Lord Bael forbid us to ever contact him again, calling him a 'failure'. I know it's sad, but we can't do anything about it."

"Oh... So, maybe... We can send flowers and fruits to him and aunt Misla. I bet they'll like it."

"Oh... Oh! Great idea, Riz! I guess mother didn't say anything about it! That's settled! Let's make flowers arrangements and send them to aunt Misla and Sairaorg!"

"Yeah.".

...

...

Fuhuh...

Fuhuhuhuh...

Fwahahahahahah...

Unbelievable, simply... Unbelievable.

I don't learn, do I?

This weak heart of mine... Still pities Sairaorg, and wants to make his struggles and sadness a bit more bearable, even when it knows that it won't amount to nothing, that is just wasted efforts.

Is that what 'Garith' would want... Or is simply my own stupid mind playing games on me? I seriously have no answer for that.

I should do something about that, or else I'll walk the same path I did in my previous life, commit the same mistakes and end up in the same dead end. I seriously need to do something about this heart of mine...

But for now... I'll write a letter for my cousin and make some flower arrangements for aunt Misla with my sister. I hope they like it, I hope that makes them happy.

...


[ERROR]

[ERROR ERROR ERROR]

[ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR]

-The skill [GAMER'S MIND] has been corrupted and subsequently deleted from the system. The player can no longer use [GAMER'S MIND].-


[NAME: Garith Gremory]

[LVL.: 12]

[RACE: Devil(High-class)]

[ALIGNMENT: Neutral Evil]

[TITLES: The Gamer(beginner); Heir of Gremory; Lucifer's little brother; Riz; Troublemaker]

[CLASS: Saber]


(SKILLS)

- POWER OF DESTRUCTION(ACTIVE): The power of destruction inherited from the Bael. The demonic power to annihilate anything it touches. (lvl. 7)

- RECOLLECTION OF MENTEPSYCHOSIS(ACTIVE): The ability to 'remember' skills and knowledge from the past life at the cost of seizures and bleeding from the nose. (lvl. 10)

- VOID THE DEVOURER(ACTIVE): A little gift from the heart~. Don't wanna spoil the surprise.

- CHARISMA(PASSIVE): Skill inherited from the Good natured Gremory. The ability to charm and enchant peers more easily.(lvl. 12)

- GAMER'S MIND(PASSIVE): DATA LOST.

- DISCERN FOR RICHES(PASSIVE): A quest skill. The ability to discern the [TRUE VALUE] of any object or item and receive the information of anything in reach or sight, also know as [APPRAISAL]. (lvl. 8).

- MIGRAINE(PASSIVE): Brain damage. The ability to resist mental or psychic attacks(buff) at the cost of constant headaches(debuff), unabling the user to think too deeply or too much. ( )

- HEALING TO THE BELOVED(PASSIVE): Healing skill. Recovers health, diminishes/removes debuffs and boosts -RESOLVE- and -STR- when hugging characters with Bond Level 5 or higher. (lvl. 4)

-FEATHERED FEET(ACTIVE): A dancing skill, graceful and quick maneuvers in the art of dancing. Might be also useful for combat. (Lvl. 7).

-FLUTTERING MELODIES(ACTIVE): A musical skill, your fingers practically dance across the chords of a violin or the keys of a piano. It might not work for fighting, but the ladies do like artsy men, no? (lvl. 3)

-BASIC SWORDSMANSHIP(ACTIVE): A combat skill focused on swords and the arts behind it. With this skill, a myriad of others can be acquired now! Once a certain level is reached, it'll evolve into [MEDIUM SWORDSMANSHIP] and enabling new skills to be learn. (Lvl. 8)

- PRIVILEGE OF THE STRONG(PASSIVE): Nothing is impossible within your mind. Stats in STR, DEF, DEX, END and LUK increases 15% when feeling confident and oozing arrogance. (lvl.2)

- EDGED SPEECH(ACTIVE): A tongue that is as sharp as a sword. Use words and mockery on foes to put them off balance and make them lose focus. Might buff then with the skill [BERSERKER RAGE], however. (lvl.3)


(STATS)

-STR: 11

-DEF: 7

-DEX: 15

-END: 11

-INT: 15

-WIS: 9

-CHA: 1,000,008

-LUK: 13


+25 AFFECTION POINTS(SAIRAORG BAEL)

+60 AFFECTION POINTS(MISLA BAEL)

+100 AFFECTION POINTS(SEEKVAIRA AGARES)

Bond Lvl. with [SEEKVAIRA AGARES] has increased!

+30 AFFECTION POINTS(LATIA ASTAROTH].


And that's a wrap for now. Now branching a little from his family, Garith meets some of his future acquaintances, gets into fights and we explore a little bit of his own mentality and personality, something that was a bit lacking on previous chapters. Oh well, at least we can see that, for all the hot air, 'Garith'... Is a bad person, I guess? He's logical, but now... We can hope and see. He's a least got his family. But man, losing a skill on his first time using it? How lame~...

But anyway, Houki Minami here, and I hope you had fun reading this story if you reached this far. I promise the story will walk on faster from now on, and Garith will become stronger and stronger and get more familiar with the system. Thanks for reading this far, stay safe and sound, R&R and have a nice day~. Greetings from Houki Minami.