[Akira P.o.v. After me and Rias had left the restaurant we had went our separate ways, I had began to ponder on what Rias told me earlier about chess and demons and I……didn't understand what she was talking about In fact, I had completely forgotten what she was talking about. I let out a deep sigh and went to bed when I woke up I heard a quiet sound it was like a quiet opera singer singing, suddenly I heard a loud slamming noise and I shot up out of my bed and found the source of the noise, Lavenza had slammed her compendium onto the floor.]

Akira: "Lavenza? Why am I back in the velvet room? I thought we destroyed the metaverse."

Lavenza: "That's certainly true. As to the reason you're here. It's is because the Metaverse has reformed."

Akira: "Reformed? What do you mean by that?"

Lavenza:" Exactly as it sounds, I'm not sure how the Metaverse came back, but it somehow did."

Akira:" That's quite concerning."

Lavenza:" That's right, If I ever figure out more I'll summon you here, I just wanted to warn you. One more thing your personas are in a limbo state at the moment."

Akira:" Thanks a lot lavenza, but what do you mean by "limbo state."

Lavenza:" Basically at the moment you can't summon any of your personas but they still reside in your heart and they can still speak to you."

Akira:" I see, thanks lavenza."

Lavenza: "It's no problem, however, let me give you a warning first, your personas can be sensed by other supernatural creatures so use them wisely. If you aren't careful with your persona usage then you could become a target."

After that, I woke up in my room, after a little bit me and my brother went to school, and on our way to the school's gate, we heard a familiar voice.

Akeno:" Hey Kursu-Kun!"

Akeno Runs and catches up to me and Ren.

Akira: "Oh Akeno, how are you doing this beautiful morning?"

Akeno: "I've been doing fine, How about you two cuties?"

Akira: "Same as always really, although I'm looking forward to school for once."

Ren: "It's nice to meet you, the name is Kursu Ren."

Akeno: "I'm Himejima Akeno, I have been trying to find you Kursu-Kun. You're supposed to meet with me in the occult research building after school."

Akira: "Alright, I'll meet you there."

I text Shiho Asking her to remind me to go to the club after school, Akeno rushes ahead of us Ren and I continue to have small talk and talk to each other about nothing important, We get to our classes and then the day goes on like normal.

The school lunch Bell rings, and I grab my bag, and head straight to the roof Ren had gone with some new friends, I was quite jealous of Ren he always had Zero trouble making friends but it was hard for me to talk to most people the only people I could speak to easily was my parents, Ren and Rias, speaking of Rias she opened the door and sat next to me I couldn't help but smile when I saw her she had noticed my smile.

Rias:" Looks like someone's happy to see me."

Akira:" It's hard not to be happy with you around."

Rias:" Aw, thanks Akira, you're such a silver-tongued devil."

Akira takes out a big bowl of leftover curry and a thermos of coffee, Rias is surprised by the size of Akira's lunch.

Rias:" Woah! That's a big lunch right there."

Akira:" You want some? I've got enough left for a few people, I made this myself."

Rias: "Yeah, sure I'd love some."

I pour her a cup of Coffee and give her a decent amount of curry when she eats the curry her eyes widen, and she eats more, and more until seemingly a few seconds later the plate is clean, I was surprised that Rias had Wolfed it down she was always elegant especially when eating foods that could make a massive mess like curry " My mom wants for me to be like this" according to Rias, Rias grabs my cup and chugs the coffee.

Akira:" Wow, you liked my cooking!"

Rias: "It was amazing, you can't blame me."

Akira:" If you think that's good, you should try tasting my mentor's coffee and curry it's much better than mine."

Rias:" Now, I'm excited to try them."

Akira Wolfs down his food "Hey Rias, you remember how much fun we had when we were kids?"

Rias:" Yeah I enjoyed it when we'd hang out, you were always so messy." Rias had started to laugh she had clearly been remembering some memories. "Do you remember when you had slipped and fell into the mud and it got all over you?"

Akira:" That was a good memory for sure, you had also fallen into the mud, oh and I had jumped into the water fountain and pulled you in."

Rias:" Hahaha, yeah my mom was angry that I came home so late and soaked."

Akira:" It's a good thing my mom was on a business trip when that happened, or else she'd be annoyed if I got her carpet soaked, and to this day she doesn't know that I got the carpet soaked."

Rias:" Speaking of your mom. Do you know when she comes home?"

Akira:" She texted Ren that she'll be home in 2 weeks."

Rias:" What do your parents do for them to be out of town a lot anyway?"

Akira just stares trying to remember "……Now that I think about it I never learned what they did for a living, well I suppose that it doesn't matter."

Rias:" Hey Akira, can I ask you something?"

Akira:" Sure, what's on your mind?"

Rias:" Do you hate me?"

Akira:" No of course not, I could never hate you, you'll always be my friend."

Rias:" But I lied to you for as long as we've known each other."

Akira:" Yes, that's undeniably true, you lied to me about your identity as a devil, one thing I do know that wasn't a lie was our friendship besides, I haven't the slightest idea about how hell works however I doubt that you could just come out and say "Hey I'm a devil its nice to meet you my name is Rias."

Rias started laughing" Well you're certainly right about both of those things, you always are, You know you've matured over the years."

Akira:" Don't jump to conclusions RiRi."

Rias had simply groaned at the childhood nickname she never liked it but he'd always use it to tease her.

Rias:" Ugh, please stop calling me that I've never liked that nickname."

Akira:" I'll think about your request RiRi."

Me and Rias make some more small talk until the bell rings.

Akira:" Oh one more thing, Akeno had told me that you had wanted me to go to the occult research club after school is that true?"

Rias:" Yes, it's true, I want you to talk about your powers with all my peerage members."

Akira:" I understand Rias, I'll see you later."

Rias:" Um, Akira I just wanted to say thank you."

Akira:" Hm, what for?"

Rias:" For saying you don't hate me and that we are still friends."

Akira:" It's no problem Rias."

After school I feel a buzzing in my pocket, I check my phone and it's from Shiho She's Reminding me to go to the club building. I thank her and go inside the club building.

I grab my bag and give it to Ren.

Rias: "Ah, there you are Akira."

Akira: "What's up RiRi."

Rias: "Stop calling me that. You know I never liked that nickname!"

Akira has a goofy smile on his face he's very clearly enjoying teasing her.

Akira: "Aw c'mon RiRi, When did you become such a Tsundere?"

Rias: "I'm not a Tsundere! Anyways moving on from that we've got to get down to business, so let's not waste any time, How much do you remember about what I told you yesterday?"

I sit down on the couch next to a little girl with white hair and golden eyes, although I hesitate for a second when I see her golden eyes, memories of my experiences with palace rulers briefly play in my mind I sit down regardless.

Akira: "I'm going to be completely honest with you, I completely forgot everything you told me yesterday, I only vaguely remember you saying something about chess."

Rias: "That's fine I don't blame you, but before I repeat myself I want you to get introduced to everyone in the club."

White-haired girl:" I'm Koneko Toujou"

Blonde kid: "I'm Yuto Kiba nice to meet you."

Akira: " I'm Akira Kursu nice to meet you all."

Issei:" And I'm Issei Hyoudou, but you already know that."

Rias:" So Akira, What's your first question?"

Akira: "I want to start with the normal questions first, no supernatural stuff at the moment." Akira thought to himself "Is there a social hierarchy at the school that I'm not aware of?"

Rias: "Yes there is, Akeno and I are referred to as the two great ladies however we've got a few other nicknames, and then we've got Koneko she's called the school's mascot up next is Kiba he's called the school's prince charming."

Koneko:" And he" points at Issei "Is one of the three school perverts known for peeping on the Kendo girls every day when they're changing despite getting Caught every time they've been doing that for years the best part is that they get beat by the team every time."

Akira Glared at Issei and the kid nearly pissed himself, he knew that he was a pervert but to perv on girls for years, he agrees with Koneko he generally doesn't like people getting hurt but that's for innocent people only the boys had been far from innocent so he doesn't feel too bad.

Akira Mumbles " Dangerously close to Kamoshida."

Rias:" Did you say something Akira?"

Akira:" No I didn't say anything, is there anyone else in the school hierarchy I should know about?"

Rias:" Let's see, Sonia is the third most popular girl in the school that's all I can remember at the moment. Any other questions?"

Akira:" What exactly is the occult research club?"

Rias:" It's a club that operates during the day, if we sense the presence of a supernatural entity we go and investigate the location it also lets us get out of class."

Akira:" How on earth do you leave school for this club?"

Rias:" I've got a dear friend, and she lets us leave even during class."

Akira:" This friend of yours, She wouldn't happen to be Sonia the student council president would she? She would also coincidently happen to be a devil am I correct?"

Rias:"………Very astute of you, you are correct in both regards, is there any other questions?"

Akira:" "What about the…The evil pieces I believe you called it?"

Rias:" Right. Evil pieces work like this, if someone is killed they can be brought back from the dead and reincarnated as a devil using a chess piece each piece."

Akira:" What do you mean by that?"

Rias:" High-blood devils such as myself are given a set of 15 pieces 1 Queen, 2 Rooks, 2 Bishops, 2 Knights, and 8 Pawns Let's start with the pawn shall we? A Pawn can be promoted into a Queen, Rook, Knight, or Bishop in enemy territory, let's move on to the Knights, Knights have high speed and mobility, But they've got low defense, Then there are Bishops, Bishops have enhanced demonic power and magical abilities so they can use a variety of magic spells that lets them use healing and offensive attacks. Next, We've got Rooks, Rooks has superhuman strength, so they've got both high offense and defense however they're slow. Next, We've got Queens, Queens possess all the characteristics of Rooks, Knights, and Bishops queens are predictably the king's right-hand man. Finally, we've got the Mutation pieces but those aren't important at the moment."

Akira:" I see that's interesting and certainly very fascinating. "If the pt's were to be reincarnated then Yusuke would be my knight, Ryuji would be my Rook, Morgana and Ann would be my bishops, and I could probably fill the role of King and Queen if I had a clone of myself," Akira thinks to himself.

Rias:" I'd like to ask you some questions, assuming you've got no questions left of course."

Akira:" I assume that you're the King Rias." after seeing her I continued" What would I be if I were a piece?"

Rias:" Probably a rook. Is that all your questions?"

Akira:" Is there any entity that a devil piece can't revive?"

Rias" Good question a God and Buddha are incapable of being revived through a devil piece. Any other questions?"

Akira:" You said that a person dies and is reincarnated." When Rias had nodded Akira continued "Do they have to die for reincarnation to be performed?"

Rias:" No they don't. Do you remember yesterday?"

Akira:" Oh yes, you're referring to the do you want to join my peerage."

Rias:" Right, if you had accepted my deal then after a ritual you'd be reincarnated as a devil."

Akira:" Oh that's good, I thought you were going to kill me if I had accepted."

Rias had looked horrified

Rias:" Of course not, I'd never do that."

Akira:" Wait a minute, what about god? Is he real?"

Rias:" Oh yeah, god is real."

Akira:" Alright you've answered all my questions I'll answer any questions you've got for me."

Rias:" Your powers feel different from sacred gears and angles and the rest I ask you. What are your powers?"

Akira:" My powers are not a sacred gear, nor is it magic related to devils and angels, but rather my powers are the powers of a "persona".

Rias:" The power of a Persona? What is that?"

Akira:" Personas are, in other words, a "mask"—an armor of the heart when confronting worldly matters." "to tell the truth, I don't understand them myself if I'm being perfectly honest."

Kiba:" I don't get it. How do you summon them?"

Akira:" You've got to awaken to your persona before you can summon one."

Rias:" And how do you awaken to one?"

Akira:" That depends I've heard that awakening to a persona is never the same, however, I had awoken to my persona like this, Me and one of my friends and I had tried to go to school however, we ended up getting transported to a castle."

Rias:" A castle? You were in Tokyo at the time right?"

Akira:" I was, anyway we didn't have any other place to go so we ended up going inside, we'd both been knocked unconscious shortly after he and I had woke up we both had almost died."

Rias couldn't deny that after she had heard what had happened she was scared but relieved

Rias:" What Happened Next?"

Akira:" Well a knight shoved me against a brick wall and I heard a dark voice in my head, suddenly a pain had shot through me, I had ripped a mask off my face and the pain was excruciating."

Akeno:" How excruciating~?"

I really didn't like the way she had said that. I had felt a shiver go down my spine, and I had felt like I was in danger but I tried to ignore it.

Akira:" It felt like I had been Ripping off half my face."

Everyone in the building cringes at the thought although Akeno had lust in her eyes my face was pale and it was making me squirm uncomfortably.

Akira:" A-Anyways, blue flames had swallowed me, and the next thing I knew I was in a black trenchcoat with a pair of red gloves, and I killed two flying jack-o-lanterns and after a few hours my friend and I had left the castle.

Rias:" I'm glad that you two are okay, oh and you've just got to tell me about your year in Tokyo."

Akira:" Alright, say, can I get your phone number Rias?"

Rias:" Of course." she gave me her phone and I put in her number.

Akira:" I'll make sure to text you later. If you remember where my old house is and you ever want to come over feel free to do so."

Akira walks out of the building and goes back home.

Issei:" I can't believe that he asked for Rias's phone number so casually."

Akeno:" He's got guts, but I wonder how he reacts to pain?"

On the way back home. I had been walking home when I passed a church I had heard Arsène's voice in my head.

Arsène:" Maître Kursu, je sens quelque chose de bizarre à proximité (Maître Kursu. I feel something weird nearby)."

Akira:" Arsène? Is something the matter?"

Arsène:" Oui maître, il y a quelque chose de bizarre à l'Église sur lequel nous devrions enquêter (Yes master, there's something weird at the Church we should investigate)"

Akira:" Yeah, that's a good idea."