Chapter 30: Kuoh Academy

- Mars -

?

Where the hell am I? Am I in a dream right now? I don't know where I am, but clearly something important is happening. It's weird, in every direction look, I can only see differing shades of red.

I can't feel it, but instinctively I can tell it's hotter than any floor of the demon castle, where it felt like I was on the surface of the sun at its most dangerous temperatures.

Maybe it truly is Hell itself?

Suddenly, a massive beast burst free from below me, the whole mysterious wasteland went up in a thousand flames. It's blurry, but it feels like the beast is larger than the hellscape I have found myself in. Looking at a single ember, I have to be cautious, where a single wrong move will incinerate me instantly.

It's clearer now, and I can safely say I'm locked in an inferno with the creator itself.

The dragon has finally noticed my presence, looking suspiciously at me with alarmingly intelligent green eyes. They're glowing through the thick smoke exiting its nostrils.

Wake up, Mars!

Ashborn's booming voice in my mind brings me back to reality, where I'm currently alone in the quiet basement, in the fallen's makeshift lair. Judging by the magical energy I can sense upstairs, it seems the stray group is waiting for me to get up.

Was that the Welsh Dragon?

Rising up off the unexpectedly comfortable recliner, a monster headache flared, my brain was throbbing painfully. The overbearing feeling amplified, it affected my whole body as well, it was like the world's worst hangover.

I know for a fact I didn't drink any booze or take any weird drugs last night, so is it due to the lingering effects from absorbing and awakening the Boosted Gear?

The discomfort fades away, and all that's left is my new and improved body with unlimited potential. While technically it was already limitless thanks to Ashborn, it feels like my growth rate has already reached ridiculous levels.

While I get used to my new heaven-high limits, I feel the selfish, draconic power-hungry influence settle within my soul, taking refuge alongside myself and Ashborn's considerable Shadow Monarch territory.

Do you feel it as well, Ashborn?

Indeed, young Mars. It reminds me very much like Antares' aura, but it is alien, of a completely different origin than that of the Absoulte Being's.

It's Ddraig, I wonder when he'll reveal himself to us? What do you think Ashborn, is it stronger than Antares' power?

It is hard to tell for certain. What I can say is it absolutely not weaker, and that is quite exciting.

You mean horrifying?

I'm not sure what to expect with our new sleeping roommate, I hope he's like you, Ashborn, and will easily accept me as his new host. I think as long as I promise to him to be ready for the eventual duel with his archnemesis Albion and Vali Lucifer, he'll be okay with me.

Shaking my head free of any worry, I check out the basement turned crime scene.

Looking up to the elevated platform in the dusty room, the sins of last night are confirmed for real, where a teenager hangs lifeless off the unholy cross turned Sacred Gear extractor.

Was it worth it?

I convince myself it was, as once I've mastered the artifact it'll be enough to completely turn the tides in the war with the Monarchs. If I could return back now, I feel like I could solo the rest of the first world, and be back in time for dinner. Obviously I haven't checked how far I can push my new power, but I feel like I can take on every hunter and monster combined now by myself if I go max boost.

A single life for an entire world, I've seen firsthand many times what happens if Antares and the rest of the armies are unleashed among the Solo Leveling earth.

And all of the lives I'll potentially save in the future, there's certainly no shortage of evil villains in this world and beyond. It's odd, this growing sense of responsibility with my newfound strength.

No matter where I go, if someone holds power, there will exist someone who will want to take it for themselves. How am I any different?

Maybe I could have revived Issei as a shadow soldier instead of this? But would that have been a waste of the Boosted Gear?

I can't deny it, I wanted to do it. It was my unfiltered, most inner desire. When I had the crimson red power in my grasp, when it began to flow through my veins after I accepted it into my heart, all I could think of was the proverbial throne, where everyone else was beneath me. The Sacred Gear only brought out my true feelings, no matter how much I try to play a hero.

As long as you remember to not get blinded by any power, and find something in this universe to fight for, I trust you will find the right path. With our powers, it is impossible to ignore conflict, in fact our very nature requires it. Do not get lost of where you are now, if you obsess with what lies ahead you will only lose yourself. That is why I cannot leave you alone, I will always be here to ensure you do not lose yourself to our growing powers. If I have learned a single fact from the goddess is that countless other beings from an infinite amount of realms will always stand in our way, no matter what decisions you may make.

Diplomacy is admirable, but never guaranteed. If you think Antares or other tyrants like him will listen to you because you ask nicely you are wrong. They will only listen to true power, and you will have to prove to the world it is in their best interest to be our ally.

You're right, Ashborn, I do need to find something to fight for here in this world too, otherwise I'll devolve into a power hungry fool like Antares. And that reminds me, like the Dragon Monarch, I'll have to think of dangerous threats in this new world who will not listen to me no matter how strong we get, and the warmonger Kokabiel comes to mind first.

I am afraid I cannot help you when it comes to knowledge outside of my world, but I will be happy to be your guide whenever you feel lost. Never forget that others will scheme, cheat or betray. In the end, it is a matter of survival, they will manipulate you to whatever end they deem necessary, they will find anything to use against you. With great strength you will require great wisdom, otherwise yes, you will be no better than Antares or Baran.

Message received, Ashborn, I won't be too cocky, and let the power get to my head. If I get too carried away blame our new dragon mate, so I'll be counting on you to keep me in check.

I think being overly proud is just a natural trait of all draconic beings. It was unnerving, it felt like I had tasted a god's nectar for the first time, receiving that crimson Sacred Gear. I was literally drunk on its power. Prepare yourself, Ashborn, once this ancient legendary being joins us our dynamic might be forever altered. Hopefully my soul can take it.

I am ready. We shall face it together, partner.

First things first, before I do anything else, I might be able to rid myself of that little guilt I'm currently feeling for what I did last night. The sins I commit in the dead of the night are only amplified once the morning light hits.

Flying up to the platform, I free the lifeless Issei from the cross, where I wonder what to do with him.

I gently rest him on the recliner I slept on, before I sigh to myself.

Should I even resurrect him as a shadow soldier? He doesn't exactly have any magical talent, in fact, since I've extracted his Boosted Gear, he's just a completely regular human now. There's no point in him joining my Immortal Army, unless he was going to join as a butler. As tempting as that sounds it doesn't feel right, I might try another idea first.

"Metus, Balthazar, come out." I call for my two arch liches, who know more about non-shadow related necromancy than I do.

My two undead generals slither out from my shadow, floating above me.

"Lord Mars."

"My King."

They both bow with deep respect to me, before turning their attention to the dead kid in front of us.

"Can either of you bring him back to life? Ideally without any memory of what happened?" I ask both of them.

"Hmph, leave it to us." Metus answered back with full confidence, almost insulted I doubted their abilities, especially when it came to resurrecting a single weak human.

"We will have him back home without any knowledge or suspicions of the supernatural before you're back from school." Balthazar promised, his teeth clattering ominously, both of my liches looking at each other wickedly.

"Good." I nod to them, giving them both skull pats. "I'll be counting on the two of you."

I pull out my Gamer's phone, the slight lingering feeling of sleepiness instantly disappearing as I realize I didn't set an alarm last night. Wait, did I seriously fall asleep while fucking Raynare?

That is why I woke you up, I did not want you to miss the first day of school. You mentioned something regarding devil royalty at this academy?

Ah shit, that's why you woke me up? You're right, I guess I should make the best possible first impression on the devil princesses, and it's not like I'll be in school for very long anyway. Playing the student is certainly a change of pace from working as a hunter. Ashborn, don't tell me you're the ultra diligent type who could never be late for any meeting...

Whatever, there must be a bathroom here somewhere.

- One refreshing shower later -

Thankfully, there was a surprisingly nice bathroom in the basement, I suppose even the fallen angels need to have their own necessities when it comes to their hidden hideout.

Now dressed in the brand new Kuoh Academy uniform, I'm at least glad it's a perfect fit. It doesn't look like complete dog shit, and a primarily black school uniform admittedly goes very well to match with my shadow based powers.

Speaking of which, I summon Igris for the first time in this world, where my first shadow soldier is at his rightful original strength, as the strongest Commander-grade summon. For now, I'll only have Igris as my shadow soldier out, there's simply no way anyone would expect me to be able to summon thousands of high-tier soldiers. And of all possible shadows at my disposal, Igris is the one I can trust the most to leave on his own, especially when it comes to dealing with any subordinates.

"Igris." I pat him on the back, as Igris bows to me, I wonder how he compares to Thomas Andre now, if my boosted shadow held nothing back. "Let's go."

"My King." Igris acknowledges me, immediately following me as I climb the stairs to the worship room filled with Raynare and her subordinates.

Returning to the main room inside the desecrated church, the only fallen I spot is Raynare, while the rest of the exorcists are busy creating or maintaining their holy weapons and tools.

"Mars-sama!" Raynare instantly noticed my presence, kneeling down, her two new wings proudly on display. "You're finally up! Wait... Who is that with you?"

Her attitude adjustment is a complete 180, and she is just like any of my other servants, hungry for my praise.

"Raynare, this is Igris, my summon. From now on, you and your squad will listen to him whenever I'm away." I introduce her to the huge knight, who easily intimidated her with his menacing appearance and aura. "Where are the rest of the fallen?"

"I sent them out to keep watch in every direction while you slept." She answered, not resisting at all even if I demoted her. "Shall I bring them all back?"

"No it's fine. I'm leaving for school now, anyway. Igris will meet them when I go." I shrug, getting ready to turn invisible. "For now, just don't do anything stupid, and wait until I come back. And keep everyone out of the basement."

"Of course, Mars-sama!" Raynare fanatically answered, looking up at me and Igris, before leaving to order around the gathered exorcists.

"Igris, make sure to stay hidden from anyone outside of the sworn fallen angels and the stray exorcists. Assist the arch liches with anything if they need it, and keep the rest of the idiots in check while I'm gone." I order my loyal knight, who silently nods in recognition, before he went out to individually meet the other three fallen scattered here somewhere.

Activating [Stealth], I leave my new temporary lair, flying up into the air, where I start my first commute as a student to Kuoh Academy.

Hopefully the girls there will be as easy to charm like Song-Yi and Jinah. If I'm fully committing to this ecchi world then I'll make damn sure to enjoy myself while I can.

- Rias Gremory -

Kuoh Academy

Walking into school with her Queen by her side, Rias and Akeno ignored the rabid ovation from the regular human students around them. It was a daily occurrence for her and her peerage/occult research club, as every member was considered a celebrity within the academy. Without counting Gasper, of course, but she does think if he ever went to the school with them he might become even more popular among the girls than Kiba, who was nicknamed the Prince of the Kuoh Academy.

"It's Rias-senpai!"

"Himejima-senpai looks gorgeous as always!" The girls in the school always fawned over them every single day, looking at the two like they were unapproachable idols.

She was slightly worried this morning, there was no sign of Issei Hyoudou all over town, and the contract her familiar handed him the day before was found crumpled on the ground in the park.

Climbing up the stairs to the second floor, they ran into her childhood friend and rival, Sona.

"Good day, Rias, Akeno." Kuoh Academy's student council President greeted both of them, leaning against a pole.

"Good day, Sona." Rias smiled, walking up to her longtime friend.

"So, have you heard anything about the new transfer student, Mars Valentino? He's slated to be in our class, you know." Sona mentioned with a curious tone in her voice. "Class is almost about to start. Do you think he's going to skip his first day?"

"Valentino... He's from Italy, right?" Rias picked up on one of her best friend's suspicions. "You think he's some sort of spy sent from the Vatican?"

Rias felt assured, because her big brother Sirzechs was on the school board, there's no way he would have let that happen.

"No... But something feels weird about the whole situation. Who knows... Maybe he'll have a Sacred Gear, you're still looking for more peerage members, right?" Sona teased her, knowing both of them were on the lookout for potential Evil Pieces.

So far, Sona has been more proactive and successful when it came to recruiting members into her peerage. Rias certainly didn't want to fall behind, being the two little sisters of two of the Four Great Satans meant the Underworld had high hopes for each of them. Sona and her have been compared with each other as long as they remembered, their friendly rivalry was only beginning for real, now that they're in their third years.

"If the new transfer student is a Sacred Gear user, no hard feelings to whoever secures him?" Rias smirked at Sona, both kings looking confident if they had to compete with each other yet again.

The three devils all looked down to the first floor, where their enhanced senses easily heard the sudden new commotion.

Countless shrieks of first and second-year school girls rang across their ears, as a mysterious magical presence entered the academy, one foreign to both of them.

Dressed in a pristine Kuoh Academy uniform, the foreigner looked around, ignoring the frenzied crowd gathering around him. He looked around, before setting his sharp gaze at the three of them upstairs, giving them all a knowing grin, as if he found what he was looking for.

"GAH! Not another pretty boy?!" One of Issei's friends screamed louder than any of the star struck schoolgirls, slapping his bald buddy in the back of his head.

"Oh? It really is him." Akeno broke the brief silence with a giggle, no doubt the three of them could sense his magical potential, this human awakened to whatever Sacred Gear he possessed. "And Valentino-kun is looking right at us... How interesting~"

"It's draconic." Both peerage leaders said at the same time, a small fire could be seen in their eyes.

Sona and Rias looked at each other almost excitedly, realizing their jokes have become reality.

Their stare down felt like it lasted an hour, it was like both of them wanted to be the one to talk to him first.

The school bell rung, shaking both of them from their tense concentration. Looks like he was saved by the bell.

"We should head to class. I instructed Tsubaki to sit near the entrance, so she could take him right to our classroom." Sona smiled, having already thought a move ahead in their chess match, leaving her Queen to intercept Mars before Rias even had a chance to.

"Well played." Rias sighed, she was too distracted by Issei's disappearance to even think of making a proactive play in the off chance the new student had powers. "But don't get too smug. We'll see who has the last laugh."

- Mars -

The second the school bell rang, the growing crowd of students scattered, all heading towards their perspective classrooms. Thank fuck, I didn't have the energy to deal with a horde of schoolgirls first thing in the morning.

Looking around the now deserted hallway, a bespectacled woman with long black hair began to approach me, as if she was waiting for me to arrive.

Name: Tsubaki Shinra

Level: 36

Race: Reincarnated Devil (Sacred Gear User: Mirror Alice)

Thoughts about you: She's glad you're not late, surprised at your magical aura.

Affection: 10

Damn she's cute as she's diligent. And clearly my [Stealth] fools the devils here at this school as well, judging by the fact she's not openly hostile to me. If she could tell I was technically a fallen I bet she wouldn't be so cordial.

"Greetings, Valentino-kun." Tsubaki bowed to me, giving me a small polite smile. "I am Shinra Tsubaki, the Vice-President of Kuoh Academy. We're in the same class, I'll take you there now."

"Hello, Vice-President, thank you for waiting for me. Let's get going." I match her bow, staying a step behind her, knowing she values a more professional and serious attitude.

It'll be fun if I can get her to break that serious expression, she looks a lot nicer with a smile on her face.

She does a good job at not showing her slight surprise at the fact I'm part of the supernatural, I'm not exactly hiding my magical powers. As of right now I'm in my magician disguise, for all they know I'm just some human who recently awakened to his Sacred Gear.

Climbing up the stairs and entering the room, the teacher gives us a friendly smile.

"Thank you Shinra-san." The middle-aged teacher bowed to her, as Tsubaki took her seat, right next to the other three devils in my class.

Name: Sona Sitri

Level: 45

Race: Pure-Blooded Devil

Thoughts about you: She's impressed, she can tell you have a powerful Sacred Gear

Affection: 15

Name: Rias Gremory

Level: 44

Race: Pure-Blooded Devil

Thoughts about you: She thinks you're cute, but more importantly she can tell you're quite strong

Affection: 15

Name: Akeno Himejima

Level: 38

Race: Reincarnated Devil/Fallen Angel-Human Hybrid

Thoughts about you: You look interesting, there's something familiar about you

Affection: 20

Well that's nice. Although I guess I shouldn't be too surprised I'm in their class. I bet as soon as class ends, they'll both be asking me for a meeting, where they'll try to convince me to join their peerages as a reincarnated devil.

"Class, please welcome the new transfer student all the way from Italy, Valentino Mars!" The teacher announced to the rest of the class, gesturing to me to introduce myself to everyone.

Making sure my gaze falls onto Rias and Sona like I know about them, I begin my debut as Mars, dutiful student who is certainly not up to anything cunning.

"Uh, hello everyone! You can all just call me Mars... We're all in the same year right?" I start my introduction, turning my eyes onto Akeno and Tsubaki. "I was originally born and raised here in Japan, so there's no need to treat me any differently. I look forward to spending my last year in high school with all of you!"

I hide my inner displeasure, any second I spend here in school is going to be worth it in the end, once I fully secured the loyalties of two of the most influential families in the Underworld.

"Well done. Mars-san, you can take the empty seat next to Himejima-san." The teacher pointed to the one unoccupied seat in class, conveniently placed right in front of Akeno, where the four most popular students are seated at the back of the class.

Confidently walking past the class that only has three other guys, I give my best smile to the four of them, before taking my seat.

Fuck, I just realized I can't exactly half ass it right now, especially since I can feel them burning a hole in the back of my head.

This is going to be a long first day.

- A couple of hours later -

- Akeno Himejima -

She couldn't hold back a smile, laughing to herself as she realized both her King Rias and Sona will be trying hard to get Mars into their peerages. With a single glance at the impatient Rias, she could tell Rias wanted to recruit him by the end of the day.

Especially with the fact Issei Hyoudou had gone missing the day prior, did the fallen angels already get to him? There have been an increasing number of Sacred Gear users gone missing around town.

Focusing onto the human in front of her, she wondered if she was looking at a future peerage member, as Rias tended to not let a target go once she set her eyes on one. But there was something strange about Mars, not only did he seem to recognize them, but his aura, she felt connected to him somehow.

Whatever it was, she wanted to find out, if possible right after school.

Right as the lunch bell rang, Mars stood up from his desk, heading toward the teacher.

Thanks to the devil's enhanced senses, they all easily heard as Mars informed their teacher he was heading out on important business, it was something related to his arrival in town. He hoped he would be back in time before the school day ended, but he wanted to warn the teacher just in case.

Rias worriedly looked at her, clearly not wanting to lose another potential peerage member in consecutive days. Her King nodded to her, signaling her to ditch school for the day as well, to keep an eye on Mars no matter what.

Akeno wordlessly nodded to her, waiting until Mars left the room before she stood up, where she would keep watch on what Mars was up to. While he could have been telling the truth, the fact he already awakened his powers meant he could be doing something else entirely related to the supernatural world, but there was also the chance he might get ambushed by a third party, like the fallen that were seen on the outskirts of the small town.

Stepping out of their classroom, she quietly stalked behind the new transfer student, who was unnaturally quick.

Mars was full of surprises, as he hastily exited the school grounds, eventually walking into the forest, where the fallen were last seen. A creeping sense of dread began to fill her, when Mars confirmed her worst suspicions, finding herself at the abandoned church, where a distinct unholy aura was all over the once holy building.

Did he really make a deal with the fallen? The fact he was from Italy did raise some eyebrows, but she didn't expect this. Was he excommunicated from the church?

Carefully watching Mars from afar, she flinched as he carelessly walked right past the fallen angel guard, as if the male fallen was expecting him.

As Mars disappeared into the church, she felt her anger rise, having experienced many unpleasant memories with her fallen heritage. Rias warned her not to make any rash moves, but it was a different story if Mars was in cahoots with the fallen angels.

Her Holy Lightning began to flare up from within her, she was more than glad to remind some stuck up fallen that they are in devil territory.

"Well, well, if it isn't a shitty little devil..." A perverse voice snuck up from behind her, surprising Akeno. "Ahahaha... Just when I thought I wasn't going to be able to kill a single wicked devil while I was in town..."

"Who are you?" Akeno asked the white-haired stranger, who had a demented look on his face.

He radiated a wild and dangerous energy, she was ready to launch an attack at any moment.

"My name is Freed Sellzen." The man introduced himself loudly, before he started to dance like a maniac. "I am a junior priest with a certain devil-purging organization!"

His blaring voice got the attention of the lone male fallen guard, who flew over to the commotion.

"Oi, Freed, you're back. What's going on here?" The fallen angel looked at the two of them in confusion, adjusting his fedora.

"Ah, Dohnaseek! I was just coming back from a job, and look who I ran into on the way back... A little old devil, spying on us." Freed sang out, licking his lips as he eyed her with ill intent. "And a voluptuous one at that, we should have fun with this one before we disembowel her."

The fallen angel Dohnaseek generated a light spear, right as the stray exorcist Freed pulled out his light sword and gun.

"Oh my? You're going to regret it if you try~" She shot back at them, cursing herself for her brief lapse in judgement, allowing this situation to devolve into a hostile encounter with the fallen.

Her inner sadist boiled over, she would be more than delighted to wipe out a fallen angel and a stray exorcist in one go. She would ask Rias for forgiveness after, since it was her fault for being careless near their hideout. She was about to summon her signature skill, stopping as she was beat to the punch.

Two black clouds materialized over their heads, causing the three of them to look around for the source.

"Huh-GRRRRK?!" Freed barely managed to spit out, when a strong holy lightning strike began to electrocute the two hostile beings.

"F-father?" Akeno whispered out with wide open eyes, only her and her father Baraqiel could combine holy light and lightning together.

Akeno was speechless when the source revealed himself, as Mars suddenly appeared next to her, two shadow black wings on his back.

- BONUS -

- Great Red -

Dimensional Gap (when Mars arrived)

The Apocalypse Dragon continued to fly aimlessly along the never ending void that was the Dimensional Gap. While he traversed the familiar barren world, something strange happened, when a small hole the size of a human appeared from beyond the void itself. It was an event he's never witnessed before, in his endless flight around the void.

A near unnoticeable presence emerged from the opening, shooting towards the Earth in the blink of his eye, before the hole closed itself.

Oh well, it wasn't his concern, maybe Ophis would deal with it.

AN: Here's a flirty chapter 30, y'all really thought Mars went full heel turn? His heart may be black but his soul isn't truly evil.

Going to put those arch liches to good use, while Mars isn't using his shadow extraction.

Still trying to figure out the overall tone of this act, so we'll see how things develop here on out. Expect the gradual introduction of more characters each chapter, I don't want to end up writing myself into a corner. Honestly the only thing that really gave me a lot of grief so far were the Gamer number levels and subsequent power scale between the two universes. Hopefully it makes sense so far.

Appreciate all the feedback, see y'all.

(And shoutout to that one guy who wants to break my nuts, thanks for probably the funniest review so far, I love you too buddy!)