I grew up in an abnormal family.
Not having a religion and never being allowed to enjoy the outside world, I was isolated inside my house, forced to do only two things: study and memorize everything I learned from my father.
My father mocked people who sent their children to schools and other classes. He considered them useless—nothing but pawns who cared about nothing but money. Because in this capitalist society, money was life—therefore, it was more important than your family.
It was a mixed ideology that I never understood. Why do people work? Well, it's a simple answer. Because if we don't work and create something new, life will have no meaning.
To this day, I'm not quite sure what my father was thinking when he decided that I should be homeschooled, with him as my private teacher. He forced me to study eight hours a day, eat three meals at scheduled times, and only gave me free time during the last hours of the weekends.
Some might call this a strict father trying to perfect his child.
But I call it torture. The very challenge of humanity breaking the chains that make us who we are.
We all want to be free. We all want to feel the thrill of social activities. We all want to see something we've never seen before.
And that's why I ended up leaving home, cutting all possible contact with my family. Fortunately for me, my parents weren't used to technology—so it wouldn't be easy to find me if they tried.
But you never know, do you? Imagine being away from your family for the last four years, only for them to appear in front of you again. I still wake up with a nightmare, where black worms crawl out of my father's eyes as he locks me inside my own room, leaving me with only a single book.
And every time I open a book, all I see is a face—a face I can't recognize.
An imposing, muscular humanoid figure, with four wings emerging from the eye sockets and a tail-like appendage extending from the back of the head. Hovering just above it is a large wheel with eight handles that spins in response to new stimuli. A wheel represented a complete cycle and harmony. The creature also wears black hakama pants and a white sash around the waist to cover most of its lower body.
The nightmare would only end if the creature lifted its gaze, fixing it on mine.
A strange nightmare for which I had no explanation. Not that I was afraid of it either. It's happened so many times since I've had the same nightmare—getting used to it was the right word.
Nothing about it scared me anymore. The formula didn't change either—not once.
Sometimes I couldn't tell if my father was drunk on alcohol or religion. He never preached his religion to me either; the only thing he ever told me about himself was his name—and the name of his family, which he seemed so proud of.
Maybe the answer was there all along. God cursed me, and the same image I keep seeing in my nightmares must be him.
My father swung his broken drink glass around the apartment while my mother screamed in horror. The only thing I had to defend myself was my backpack and suitcase, which I had packed with my belongings before my official departure.
He finally stabbed the broken glass into my arm, creating an unnecessary scene before I did exactly the same. Breaking an empty glass nearby, I remembered the exact spot where I stabbed him—which was his face.
I lost the eye, unfortunately. But the old man's screams were enough to make my ears bleed. I took that moment to run, taking the family car that was only used whenever my mother needed to go grocery shopping.
I didn't want to see them anymore. Never again. Not my uncle, not my grandmother, not even the kind neighbor who gave me candy every time she saw me… I wanted to abandon everything and start my life over somewhere else, somewhere I wouldn't have to deal with so much nonsense.
But there was one thing I remembered during the trip that day. As soon as the sun began to set and there was nothing but darkness on the road, I saw something that would haunt me forever.
The screams of a thousand banshees as the sky turned blood-red. The moon right before my eyes was bleeding from every angle. Naked human bodies walking along the road while I had no choice but to run them over, their blood and organs splattering all over the windshield.
And the pair of vile eyes I saw in the bloody sky. When I saw it again for the second time on my way to work, I knew I was going insane.
(Scene jump)
TRIM
TRIM
I opened my one eye to the damn sight of the sun in front of me… I turned to the side and turned off the alarm clock, also catching a glimpse of the date—it's been 8 years since I left that madness.
My name is Basara Toujou. I'm a tall and skinny 24-year-old man, with tousled brown hair sticking out in all directions and light green eyes… Well, one eye to be exact, the other is always covered by a bandage.
I'm currently in my small apartment, a basic one close to my workplace… And it was a motel room; around me, I could see packages and convenience store cups with a single double bed.
If you paid attention to the sounds around, you could hear moans, probably someone with a prostitute. And shouts, a couple fighting.
That was my life at the moment, but it was about to change. I had recently graduated from college and finally landed my first job as a teacher! Ironic, for someone who was raised to diminish educators.
It had been a week since I started, though it had been… Well, noisy. I was a History teacher, specializing in Mythology in general; who would have thought someone qualified in such a specific field would get a job so quickly.
Oh, I was a teacher at Kuoh Academy, a school that was only for girls and had recently opened up to boys. It proved to be a challenge; most of those girls were snobbish towards men due to having little contact or… excited.
Oh, that leads me to another issue; on my dresser was a pamphlet, and on the other side of the bed was a woman.
A beautiful young woman with a voluptuous body, appearing to be in her early twenties, with silver hair reaching her back, styled in long braids on either side with small blue ribbons at the ends, while the rest was loose, ending in twin braids and red eyes.
She was a bombshell, the hottest woman I had ever had the pleasure of sleeping with. Oh, and she was also a demon… Yes, demons exist, but I won't explain that part; to sum up, there are various types of creatures around the world, and only high-ranking people or private organizations knew about them and avoided exposing it to the public.
Well, that didn't stop demons from having occasional clients for tasks, from cleaning your house to having sex with you; everything could be done if you had the money to pay.
I've been using their services for a long time, as well as services from other races… But heavens…
SLAP
I couldn't help myself and slapped the woman's butt next to me; she was perfect. I had been sleeping with her regularly for 4 years, and it never got old.
Grafiya was a blessing that fell into my lap at least twice a week.
Speaking of which, she woke up and started to get up, giving me a nice view of her figure; heavens, she smelled good even after an active night.
"Good morning, Grafiya!" I greeted her while looking at her perfect butt.
She just nodded; she wasn't the type of woman to talk much; her actions spoke for her when she climbed onto the bed, came over to me, and gave me a passionate kiss.
And then she pulled away and started to get dressed. It was a standard morning for me for the last 4 years… Well, I didn't expect the woman I had been sleeping with for the last 4 years, just for a few bucks, would ask me something so simple but that would change my path.
"Basara-kun, today you will…"
(Kuoh Academy)
I got off the bus in front of Kuoh Academy, trying not to think too much about how I looked more like a detective from the '50s than a student. Cars were expensive, especially early in one's career, and I needed to save up.
With a sigh, I adjusted my brown overcoat, trying to ignore the fact that my beige pants and brown shoes made for a rather peculiar outfit. But hey, it was what I had for today.
I walked through the school gates, greeting the students. Most of them were female, and I couldn't help but notice how many of them turned to look at me and started murmuring among themselves.
"Look, it's Basara-sensei! He's so handsome!"
"Yes, and he's so polite too!"
Meanwhile, the boys around me gave me looks of pure disdain. I could practically hear their thoughts: "Oh, here comes the 'handsome teacher' again. Does he think he's better than us?"
With each step I took, the discomfort I felt became more apparent. It wasn't easy being the center of attention, especially when I knew that all these girls, who looked at me with such interest, were out of my reach. I could never hook up with any of them, and that was a bitter truth.
"Of course, Basara," I muttered to myself, "all these girls are out there, sighing over you, and all you can do is… nothing." I paused, considering that. "It's like you're a chef stranded on a deserted island, surrounded by amazing ingredients, but with not a single pot to cook with. How wonderful."
I kept walking, trying to ignore the whispers and stares. "Basara, the handsome guy who never gets anywhere," I thought with a bitter laugh. "It could be worse, I guess. I could be one of those guys who aren't even noticed."
With that, I quickened my pace, determined to get to my classroom without further interruptions. After all, comic reflections aside, I had a whole day ahead and a lot to think about.
(Scene Skip)
Meanwhile, in a certain room at Kuoh, a certain girl seemed on the verge of tearing her hair out as she read the report delivered by her student council, or rather… her nobility.
Souna Shitori was her human pseudonym, but her real name was Sona Sitri, heir to the Sitri house of demons, and also one of those responsible for the Kuoh territory.
"This is crap…" Sona grunted; she wasn't the type to lose her cool, in fact, it was quite rare for her to do so, her most striking characteristic was keeping her head cool… but this situation was really crappy.
"Kaichou…" In front of her was Tsubaki Shinra, the queen of her nobility and a trusted friend who provided the report to Sona.
4 fallen angels brutally murdered in her territory, their wings cut and bodies mutilated.
"This could easily be classified as a war crime," Sona said, biting her lip.
Currently, the three major factions—Angels, demons, and fallen angels—were in a vulnerable non-aggression pact since the great war, and this situation was bad.
Not only because of the death of four fallen angels in her territory, but also because the four fallen angels were killed right in the territory of Maou's relatives, which could easily be a prelude to a new war…
The thought made Sona, without a second thought, open a drawer from the desk she was sitting at and pull out a box of cigarettes; smoking relieved her mind at this moment.
"Kaichou!" Tsubaki disapproved of Sona smoking, her King herself said that it was an act of fools who needed to escape reality driven by mundane desires, and here was her King doing just that.
"To hell with it, Tsubaki!" Sona said simply. Even though she was a naturally polite noble, her tongue got sharp when she was tense.
As Sona took a long drag from the cigarette, she watched Tsubaki with half-closed eyes. Her hand trembled slightly, but not from the nicotine, but from the seriousness of the situation ahead of them.
"We need to resolve this before it spreads, Tsubaki. If these murders come to light, we'll be in an even worse situation. We need a plan."
Tsubaki nodded, her expression serious. "I'll call the other members of the nobility. We need to investigate who did this and why, as the stability of our territory is at stake."
Sona exhaled the smoke in a deep sigh, tossing the cigarette into an ashtray and extinguishing it with a decisive gesture. "Alright. And we need to keep this off Rias's radar. The last thing we need is her wanting to investigate this situation unceremoniously."
(With Basara)
Meanwhile, on the other side of the campus, Basara finally reached his classroom. Upon opening the door, he was greeted by a room full of curious glances and whispers. He placed his briefcase on the desk and looked at his students.
"Good morning, class," he began with a forced smile. "Today we'll continue our study of Greek mythology."
The students settled into their seats, some still exchanging glances and giggles. Basara sighed internally, trying to focus on the lesson.
As Basara started the class, his mind wandered momentarily, comparing his own isolated and rigid education with the privileged students before him. Many of them came from good families, had friends, and an active social life—things he had never experienced growing up. He wondered if they had any idea how lucky they were.
His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed an empty seat at the back of the room. He frowned, knowing that seat belonged to one of the most notorious students, Rias Gremory.
Before he could ponder this further, the classroom door opened slowly, and Rias walked in, her vibrant red hair catching everyone's attention. She gave a half-guilty, half-arrogant smile as she walked to her seat, she was attractive, which was basically everyone's thought in the room.
"Sorry for being late, sensei," she said, trying to sound apologetic.
Basara picked up his roll call list and observed something before crossing his arms and looking at her with a stern expression. "Gremory-san, right? Nice to finally meet you. I believe this is the first time you've attended one of my classes. I'm sorry, Gremory-san, but your apologies are not enough. This is the first time you've come to one of my classes this month out of the five sessions. You need to take your classes more seriously."
Rias, maintaining her composure, murmured a few words and made a subtle gesture with her hand. Basara blinked, feeling a momentary lightness in his head, as if something was trying to infiltrate his mind. But, surprisingly, nothing happened.
Rias frowned, perplexed. Her basic hypnosis magic had not worked on Basara. He just continued to look at her, completely unaware of what she had attempted.
"Is this some new tactic from the youngsters to skip classes?" Basara asked the air, clearly confused. "Because if it is, it's quite ineffective."
The entire class began to laugh, and Rias, still surprised, tried to maintain her composure.
"Furthermore," Basara continued, "You haven't shown up for the last four classes. I think detention is more than deserved in this case."
Rias's eyes widened, and she protested, "But sensei, I—"
"No buts, Gremory-san," Basara interrupted, raising a hand. "If you don't start taking school seriously, you'll never learn about the true importance of Greek mythology. And who knows? There might be something in the myth of Icarus that you could apply to your life."
The students laughed again, and Rias, speechless for the first time, simply nodded and took her seat.
"Good," Basara said, returning to the blackboard. "Now, let's get back to our topic. Where were we? Ah, yes, the creation of the Titans. Can anyone tell me what Cronus did to Uranus?"
As Basara continued the lesson, Rias couldn't help but think about how her magic had failed. She was the heir to the Gremory House; there was no way a mere human could have such weak magic. Rias pouted; she had a manga sale to attend after school.
Could she simply not follow the normal human rules? Yes, she could normally, after all, she was a demon, but it was part of the deal with her parents; she could live in the human world as long as she was exemplary in everything. She lived cheating, of course… But… He could give her a warning, and Sona wasn't the type to overlook her reports; in fact, Rias was almost sure her mother was paying Sona to notice any slip-ups.
Damn history teacher, what did he know about mythology? She had met Icarus once… Idiotic humans.
Basara noticed Rias's pouting and murmuring, he just sighed and thought it would be a long day.
(Scene Skip)
The bell rang, signaling the break for everyone, including the teachers. Basara was sitting on the couch in the teachers' lounge, drinking coffee and trying to recover from the morning exhaustion.
"You look tired, Toujou-sensei," said a soft voice beside him.
He looked up to see Chisato Hanegawa, the school nurse, sitting next to him. Chisato was a charming sight, with her silky black hair reaching her waist, piercing green eyes, and a seductive mole under her left eye. Her red round glasses and earring on her left ear added a touch of elegance, while her voluptuous figure was accentuated by the high-neck green knit sweater, tight black miniskirt, cross-patterned thigh-high stockings, and her characteristic white lab coat.
Heavens, she was so attractive, what was wrong with this school? It was full of extremely hot women.
"Oh, Hanegawa-sensei," Basara replied, trying to smile and adjusting his posture. "Yes, the educator's routine is still getting to me. But I'm adjusting."
Chisato smiled kindly. "It's normal at first. I had difficulties myself when I started here. But, over time, you get used to it. And, if you need anything, I'm always around to help."
Basara allowed himself to relax a little. "Thank you, it's good to know I can count on you. Sometimes it's a bit lonely, you know? Especially being new here."
"I understand," Chisato said, leaning slightly. "But you seem to be doing well. The students speak highly of you."
Basara laughed, remembering the admiring looks from the girls and the jealous glances from the boys. "Well, I'm trying my best. And you? How are things in the infirmary?"
"Oh, always busy. Sometimes I feel like they hurt themselves on purpose to come here," Chisato replied, adjusting her glasses with a brief laugh. "But I enjoy helping the students. Every day is different, you know?"
Before Basara could respond, the teachers' lounge door opened, and a tall, well-dressed man walked in. He had an air of authority and wore an expensive suit that clearly highlighted his position. His eyes fixed on Chisato, and he walked directly to her.
"Chisato, dear," he said, with a possessive tone. "Come on, we have to go."
Basara was surprised and a bit confused. "Ah, you must be her husband," he said, trying to be polite.
"Yes, I am," the man replied, casting a cold look at Basara. "And you are?"
"Basara Toujou, history teacher," Basara replied, extending his hand, which the man ignored.
"Jerk," was Basara's thought. He knew this guy was the vice-principal of the school, but man, he seemed to walk with a stick up his ass.
Chisato stood up, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Sorry, Basara-san. I need to go. It was nice talking to you." This statement made the man look at Basara slightly irritated.
"What an idiot," Basara murmured. "Did she just call me by my first name?"
"She's way out of your league, Toujou-san," said the only other teacher in the room. "Don't think her kindness is genuine or anything like that; she was pretty nice to me at first too," he said.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Kurosaki-sensei," Basara said, referring to the older man.
Isshin Kurosaki is a tall and muscular man with spiked black hair and brown eyes. He has fine facial hair around his mouth and cheeks. As a physical education teacher, Isshin typically wears sports sweatshirts.
He seemed like a good old uncle. Isshin normally acted in a silly, energetic, and fun way. His loud voice, big smile, and wide range of facial expressions were his trademarks.
"Oh, sure, sure," said Isshin, flopping onto the couch next to Basara with a mischievous smile. "You're not the type to fight for what you want, are you, Toujou-sensei?"
Basara looked at him, clearly annoyed by the provocation. "Whatever," he murmured, looking away.
Isshin pointed at Basara with an accusing finger. "You did it again!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with a mix of amusement and seriousness. "You need to learn to fight for what you want, or at least for what you don't like. After all, that's what men do."
Basara sighed, already bracing for the next sermon. "Isshin-sensei, I really don't feel like—"
But Isshin didn't let him finish. "Look, there are so many amazing women out there waiting for you. Right here in Kuoh, you have options! Erza-sensei, Hallibel-sensei, Hinata-sensei, Rias-nee, Akeno-neesan, Sona-chan…"
"Erza, the one with scarlet hair, has a body that… ah, I don't even want to start. Hallibel, the blonde, with those curves… Hinata with those breasts… Rias, with that look that can melt any man…"
Basara looked at him with an
incredulous expression. "Some of those names are students, Kurosaki-sensei."
Isshin, with fire in his eyes, just smiled even more. "Love knows no age limit, Toujou-sensei!" he said, patting Basara's leg with an enthusiasm that was hard to contain.
Basara shook his head, resigned. "You're impossible, Kurosaki-sensei."
Isshin just laughed, getting up from the couch with an energetic movement. "And you need to learn to live a little more, Toujou-sensei! Now, come on, the break doesn't last forever!"
Basara sat there, watching as Isshin left the teachers' lounge, still laughing and commenting on the beauty of all the women he encountered along the way. He couldn't help but feel a pang of envy for the older colleague's confidence and energy, but at the same time, there was a feeling of disgust at the carefree and lecherous way Isshin approached life.
"Maybe he's right," Basara thought, looking at his nearly empty coffee cup. "Maybe I need to learn to fight for what I want. Or maybe I just need a good night's sleep."
(Scene Transition)*
The bell had rung, and Basara was heading back to his classroom when he noticed something unusual in the hallway. The students who should have been heading to their classrooms were forming a circle. Suddenly, he heard some grunts and quickly realized the cause…
Yuuto Kiba, the prince of Kuoh and one of the most exemplary students, was violently beating up Issei Hyoudou, one of the stupidest and most perverted students Basara knew.
Kiba, with his usually serene face now twisted in a furious expression, was throwing punches and kicks with frightening precision and intensity. Issei was on the ground, vainly trying to defend himself from the blows but clearly overpowered and unable to react.
The students around watched in silence, some with approving looks, others with fear. Basara stopped at a certain distance, observing the scene. He began to glimpse how cruel society could be.
People disliked Issei for being a disgusting pervert, but that was no reason to let him be beaten like this.
Even with that thought, no one moved to help. Perhaps because Kiba was someone "beautiful," an example for others, they probably thought he had reasons for doing this. But did the reasons justify the actions? Even as a teacher, Basara felt no urge to stop the fight. He didn't want to get involved…
He saw the expression of pain and despair on Issei's face, mixed with blood and tears. Issei's muffled screams were almost inaudible, but the intensity of the violence was clear to everyone.
Basara felt a weight in his chest. He knew he should intervene, but part of him didn't want to. He didn't want to face Kiba's wrath or the gazes of the other students. He had always avoided conflicts and complicated situations, and this was one he preferred to ignore.
"Why is no one doing anything?" he wondered, even though he knew the answer. Kiba's popularity and looks gave him a sort of social immunity. No one would dare challenge him.
Basara looked around, hoping that some braver teacher or a student with a sense of justice would intervene. But no one moved. Everyone was paralyzed, hypnotized by the brutality of the scene.
He felt a mix of anger and helplessness. Society could really be cruel. People preferred to keep the peace with those in higher positions, even if it meant sacrificing the weaker ones.
Finally, he took a step back, unable to continue watching. He knew he was failing as a teacher and as a human being, but the voice of self-preservation was stronger. As Kiba continued his assault, Basara turned his back and started to walk away, with Issei's screams echoing in his mind.
And then, as if by a flash, someone ran past Basara and, with an almost superhuman leap, kicked Kiba in the head, sending him crashing to the ground.
"Hello! The show is over, assholes!" A firm, authoritative voice echoed down the hallway. Who would have thought that someone so small would do this? Rukia Kuchiki, one of the most combative students, had jumped into the middle of the fight and knocked Kiba down as if he were nothing.
The students around were stunned, surprised by the sudden intervention. Kiba, dazed, slowly got up, rubbing his head where Rukia had struck him. His eyes, full of rage, met Rukia's, but she stood firm, not backing down an inch.
"Who do you think you are, barging in?" Kiba growled, trying to regain his composure.
Rukia crossed her arms and looked directly at him, with not a hint of fear. "Someone who won't tolerate this kind of behavior. Do you think you can do whatever you want? Well, think again." Issei, still on the ground, looked at Rukia with gratitude and surprise.
Basara watched from a distance, feeling a mix of relief and shame. He should have done something, but it was a student who took the initiative.
"This is none of your business, Kuchiki!" Kiba retorted, but there was a tremor in his voice. "He deserved it."
"Maybe he deserves a lesson, but not like this," Rukia replied firmly. "If you have a problem, take it to the teachers or the school administration. But beating him up like this? That's pure bullying, and I won't tolerate it."
The crowd around began to murmur, some agreeing with Rukia, others still hesitant. Kiba realized he was losing the support of his peers and backed off, still glaring furiously at Issei.
"This isn't over." Kiba said before walking away, casting one last threatening look at Issei.
Rukia knelt beside Issei, helping him up. "Are you okay?"
Issei nodded, still trembling but clearly relieved. "Thank you, Rukia-san."
She smiled slightly. "Don't thank me yet; you owe me quite a bit for this, and when I say that, I mean money!" Rukia said innocently.
Ah, Rukia Kuchiki was famous for extorting students in Kuoh, probably because she was one of the few scholarship students and didn't come from a prestigious family.
Basara watched Rukia as she helped Issei up, his heart feeling like an anchor at the bottom of his chest. She was small, almost insignificant in terms of stature, but there was a presence about her that dominated the environment, a strength of character that he, as an adult and teacher, seemed to lack. The girl who didn't hesitate to intervene, who wasn't afraid to confront someone, was before him, and all he felt was shame.
He remembered the earlier moments when he had taken a step back, choosing self-preservation over action. Rukia had done the exact opposite, facing the problem head-on. She was everything he couldn't be: brave, determined, firm in her principles. As Basara lost himself in thoughts, wondering how things might have been if he had done something, reality unfolded before his eyes, showing him what should have been done.
Rukia, with her straightforwardness and tendency to take advantage of the situation, still maintained an aura of integrity. Even while extorting Issei, she did it in such an open and sincere way that it was impossible not to admire her frankness. Basara, on the other hand, felt trapped in a web of inaction, unable to follow her example, even though he wanted to.
He took a step forward, intending to do something, to say something that would show he could still be a worthy teacher, that he could be someone Rukia, or any other student, could respect. But before he could open his mouth, the voice in his mind whispered that it was too late, that anything he said now would seem empty, a pathetic attempt to make up for his lack of action.
Basara stopped, letting the moment slip through his fingers. He watched as Rukia and Issei walked away, Rukia leading the way with her usual confidence. There was a distance between them that was not just physical. It was an abyss, a chasm he had dug himself over the years, each time he avoided conflicts, each time he chose the easier path.
Rukia was a reflection of what he could have been, what he could still be, but he knew, deep down, that he wasn't capable of reaching that. It wasn't just a matter of courage; it was a matter of identity, of who he had become over time. The idea of trying, of striving to be more like her, emerged for a brief moment, but he discarded it almost immediately. Fear, doubt, the comfort of his role as a spectator were barriers he didn't know how to overcome.
As the students dispersed, returning to their classrooms, Basara stood alone in the hallway. He looked at his hands as if expecting to find the answer to the question that tormented him. But all he saw was emptiness, a reflection of his own impotence, which made him angry.
In the end, he simply gave up. He turned and headed toward his classroom, each step heavier than the last.
(With Rias)*
It was already the end of the day, and the room was empty except for Rias Gremory and the teacher who had put her in detention, Basara Toujou. Rias was clearly upset, pouting as she looked at the teacher with disdain.
"This is so boring, Toujou-sensei!" Rias complained, crossing her arms. "You really expect me to stay here for an entire hour with nothing to do? This is a waste of time!"
Basara, sitting at his desk, looked less than impressed with Rias's spoiled attitude. He watched her for a moment, his solitary eye fixed on her, not hiding his frustration. "You're here because you earned it, Gremory-san," Basara replied, not bothering to hide his irritation. "Maybe this hour of reflection will help you think about your actions."
Rias huffed, throwing herself back in the chair. "Reflect? There's nothing to reflect on. I was just having a little fun, and now I'm stuck here with… you."
Basara sighed, visibly tired of Rias's attitude. "Then do yourself a favor and stay quiet. Maybe time will pass faster."
Rias narrowed her eyes at him, clearly dissatisfied with the response. But for some reason, Basara's indifferent demeanor intrigued her. Anyone else would have done everything to please her or at least showed a hint of fear or respect. But Basara was different. He seemed immune to her presence, as if she were just another student.
"Why don't my powers affect you?" Rias wondered, frowning as she watched him. Basara didn't seem to have anything special, no hidden power or different aura. He was just a strange teacher, nothing more. Yet, something about him made her curious, almost uncomfortable.
After a few minutes of silence, Rias decided she couldn't stand the quiet any longer. She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand and looked directly at Basara.
"Toujou-sensei." she began, her voice carrying a curiosity she tried to disguise as disinterest. "Do you believe in monsters?"
Basara raised an eyebrow but didn't seem surprised by the question. He knew Rias well enough to know she always had something on her mind. Instead of answering directly, he returned the question. "And you, Gremory-san? Do you believe?"
Rias smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I believe that humans are capable of surpassing even demons in atrocities. The real monsters aren't always those who hide in the shadows. Sometimes, they walk among us, blend in, pretend to be what they are not."
Basara observed Rias for a moment, trying to understand what she was implying. There was something more behind that smile, something he couldn't decipher. But instead of pursuing the conversation, he simply shrugged, deciding not to delve into Rias's complicated mind.
Rias, on the other hand, continued to watch him, more intrigued than ever. There was something about Basara that she couldn't understand, something that both irritated and fascinated her.
Perhaps, one day, she would find out what it was. But for now, she simply settled into her chair, resigned to waiting for detention to end.
Minutes passed, and finally, the bell rang. Like a rocket, Rias dashed out of the room without waiting for permission; she needed something to alleviate her boredom. Little did she know, this action would have a much bigger consequence the next day.
Rias was quick, even containing her powers to avoid drawing attention. Within minutes, she arrived at the building of her club, of which she was the President.
As she entered the place, she found herself observing the transcendental figure that was the queen of her nobility. Even for Rias, Akeno could be described as a bit of a bad influence, especially in that school uniform.
But Akeno seemed busy at the moment, to Rias's displeasure.
"F-Fuck me... Momo-Chan! Make this naughty girl tremble... make me tremble~!" Akeno said between her heavy breaths and sighs as the girl left her kiss, letting saliva drip down their warm bodies. Akeno moaned louder when she received a sexy smile, and her finger speed increased.
"COUGH! COUGH!" Pretending to cough, Rias caught the attention of her Queen and one of Sona's noble members.
Momo, who was straddling Akeno, looked at Rias still excited but quickly blushed and, like a typhoon, covered herself with her hands and ran out of the room, passing Rias with a muffled scream of "Kyaaa!"
"Oh, oh, that was adorable! Gosh, Buchou, you ruined everything, we were at the best part," Akeno said, puffing as she stretched.
"Akeno, what have I already told you about bringing people to have sex in our club?" Rias said, genuinely annoyed.
"You said not to bring humans, not demons," the girl said shrewdly.
Rias snorted with a piercing look. "Oh, oh, Buchou, whenever you look at me like that, I get turned on." Akeno said with a mischievous smile.
"Ugh, get a room," Rias said, sitting in her chair. "And Sona won't like you messing with her girls. She doesn't like people playing with her toys." The redhead said to her.
"Fufufu! I have news about that," Akeno said in a mysterious and sexy tone.
"What?" Rias asked.
"Apparently, 4 fallen angels were brutally massacred, thanks to Satan," Akeno said, almost celebrating.
Rias knew of Akeno's disdain for fallen angels; in fact, she even encouraged her behavior. The world could be brought to the brink of faction wars again, and having her servants be relentless was the best outcome. Still, she was aware of the consequences and problems this situation could bring to her territory and reputation.
"Call the others, let's investigate this situation," Rias said.
Akeno just settled back on the couch. "Alright, Buchou... Rias, I'm still excited, could you...?" Akeno was then interrupted.
"Not now, Akeno," Rias simply said as Akeno pouted.
(With Basara)
I had already left school, and honestly, Rias would be in trouble tomorrow. Detention didn't seem to have much effect on her, but it was the least I could do to try to maintain some order. As I walked through the dark streets of Kuoh, the stillness of the night surrounded my thoughts.
The day had been long. The classes, the fights, the confrontation between Kiba and Issei… all of it still echoed in my mind. I couldn't help but reflect on how I had dealt with it all. Or rather, how I *hadn't* dealt with it. I had let things run their course, avoiding confrontation, avoiding getting involved. Maybe it was my self-preservation instinct, or maybe it was just my aversion to chaos. Either way, that internal voice of guilt was louder than usual.
As I walked, a specific request from Grafiya came to mind. She had asked me to investigate something strange happening in the city. Grafiya rarely asked for anything without reason, and the fact that she had requested help so directly bothered me.
I continued walking until I reached the park. It was already night, and the place was almost deserted, with only a few dim lights illuminating the paths. I sat on one of the benches, feeling the cool night air on my face. Looking up at the sky, I murmured to myself, "Things are going to get better… or at least, I hope so."
It was at that moment that I felt my heart suddenly pound, a chill running down my spine. I widened my eyes and, as if instinctively, jumped to the ground, rolling away from the bench. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. I quickly got up, and then I saw it.
A grotesque creature stood a few meters away from me. It was tall, with pale, almost translucent skin that shimmered oddly in the moonlight. Its eyes were empty, as if there was no life behind that fixed gaze, just a black hole literally in the center of its chest. Its white mask, with frightening features resembling a skull, covered its face, leaving only the horrific gaze exposed.
"What is this…?" I murmured, trying to process what I was seeing. "A Hollow?" The word came out of my lips as if in denial. I had heard of these creatures in other territories, but seeing one in person… was another thing.
How did something like this end up here? That's when I noticed a figure dressed in black approaching behind the creature. It moved with superhuman agility, wielding a sword that seemed to glow with a sinister energy. The figure stopped beside the creature, and upon recognizing who it was, I was even more perplexed.
Rukia Kuchiki.
A student from my school, the one who had intervened in the fight earlier, was now there, facing the terrifying creature with a serious and determined expression. She was ready to confront it, without hesitation, as if this was something routine for her. Her presence there seemed almost surreal, but at the same time, it was as if everything started to make sense, like pieces of a puzzle finally falling into place.
Rukia was ready to face the Hollow, sword in hand and a nearly palpable confidence in her stance. I could barely believe what I was seeing. The quiet yet firm student from my school was now in a life-and-death battle against a creature I could barely comprehend. Part of me wanted to get closer, to help in some way, but my legs refused to move.
I stood paralyzed, watching like a powerless spectator.
She advanced with impressive speed, the blade slicing through the air with a threatening glow. The Hollow roared, trying to grab her with its grotesque claws, but Rukia skillfully dodged, landing precise strikes that seemed to weaken the creature. Her sword embedded in the Hollow's arm, and it let out a howl of pain that reverberated through the park. For a moment, I thought she would defeat it easily.
But then, something unexpected happened.
The Hollow, in a desperate move, opened its massive mouth and fired a beam of black energy towards Rukia. She managed to dodge at the last second, but the attack caught her off guard, breaking her rhythm. She staggered back, but before she could react, the Hollow struck with one of its claws, hitting her in the shoulder and throwing her to the ground with a force that made the earth tremble.
I was paralyzed, unable to believe what was happening. Rukia, the confident warrior, was now on the ground, blood streaming from her shoulder. She tried to get up, but the Hollow gave her no time. It advanced, ready to deliver the final blow.
"Rukia!" I shouted, without thinking. But she didn't hear me, her eyes fixed on the approaching creature. She tried to lift her sword again, but her hand trembled, the previous strike had drained her strength.
The Hollow raised its arm, ready to crush her. It was at that moment that I realized I had to do something. Even if it was futile, I couldn't just stand there and let her die.
I raised my hands, "Form 1: Chains." Out of nowhere, a chain of bluish energy appeared around the Hollow, restraining its movements. I knew the basics of magic even though I wasn't very talented.
The creature struggled against the invisible restraints, the bluish chains I had conjured wrapping around the Hollow, trying to restrict its movements. But it wasn't enough. I could feel the tension in my hands as the creature resisted, its enormous claws tearing through the air with brutal force. The magic was unraveling, growing weaker with each second, and I knew I wouldn't be able to hold it for long.
Rukia was still on the ground, trying to get up, but the wound on her shoulder seemed too severe to allow her to continue fighting. She looked at me with wide eyes, surprised to see me intervening, but there was no time for explanations. The energy chain I had created began to break apart, blue sparks dissipating into the air.
"No… I can't let this happen," I murmured to myself, as panic took over. I needed to think of something, anything that could help. But before I could react, the Hollow broke free completely, shattering the chains with a deafening roar.
It turned towards me, its empty eyes fixed on my direction. The air around it seemed to become heavy, almost suffocating, as if the very presence of the creature drained the life from everything around it. Every instinct screamed for me to run, to flee as fast as possible, but my feet were glued to the ground, unable to move.
The Hollow advanced towards me with a terrifying speed, its sharp claws glistening in the moonlight. I tried to raise my hands to conjure another spell, but it was too late. It struck me with a brutal blow to the chest, throwing me to the ground with overwhelming force. The impact was so strong that the air was knocked out of my lungs, and an unbearable pain coursed through my body.
I was on the brink of death. I could feel it. My vision began to blur, the sound around me seemed distant, almost nonexistent. All I could hear was the rapid beating of my own heart, each beat weaker than the last.
The Hollow slowly approached, as if savoring the moment. Its mouth opened, revealing rows of sharp teeth, and I knew it was the end. There was nothing more I could do. Rukia was too injured to intervene, and I… I didn't have the strength to fight.
The Hollow leaned over me, its foul breath enveloping me as it prepared to devour my soul. But at the moment the creature was about to attack, something completely unexpected happened.
Two black holes formed in the sky above the Hollow, spinning in a threatening spiral. The Hollow stopped, raising its head to look up, confused and hesitant. Suddenly, a loud and violent sound echoed through the park—the clap of hands, so powerful that the air around us seemed to vibrate.
In an instant, the black holes converged on the Hollow, engulfing it completely. The creature let out a horrendous scream, a sound that seemed to mix pain and despair, before being completely obliterated. There was no explosion, no remnants; the Hollow simply ceased to exist, as if it had never been there.
I was stunned, unable to understand what had just happened. My vision began to darken, the pain intensifying with each second. Before I lost consciousness, I managed to see Rukia standing, watching the scene with wide eyes and a frightened expression.
She also didn't understand what had just happened, but there was something in her gaze that indicated she knew more than I did about what was at stake.
The world around me dissolved into darkness, and the last thing I heard before passing out was the distant sound of Rukia's voice, calling my name.
(To Be Continued?)
(Extra Scene: Rukia Kuchiki)
I was still on the ground, panting, trying to process everything that had happened. The Hollow, the desperate fight, and now Basara-sensei using magic… It took me completely by surprise. I knew he was more than he appeared, but seeing him in action, even for a brief moment, made me realize there was much more to that school than I had imagined.
When I saw the bluish chains forming around the Hollow, a small spark of hope ignited within me, surprisingly from one of the teachers at his school. But that creature was too strong, and even with Basara-sensei's effort, the chains dissipated. The Hollow broke free, and horror hit me like a cold wave. I was injured, too weak to intervene. The only thing I could do was watch, helpless, as it turned against Basara-sensei.
The pain in my shoulder throbbed, but it was insignificant compared to what I was about to witness. The Hollow advanced on him, and I could do nothing but watch. When I saw him being thrown to the ground, every fiber of my being wanted to scream, to run to him, but my body wouldn't respond. That blow had drained my strength, leaving me at the mercy of fate.
And then it happened. Just as the Hollow was about to devour Basara-sensei's soul, two black holes appeared in the sky. My heart stopped for a second. I recognized that technique, or at least something similar to it. But it was impossible… there was no way he could use a Hollow technique.
The clap that echoed through the park made me shiver. It was as if the very air had been torn. That Hollow, which had seemed invincible before, was obliterated in an instant. Nothing remained, not even dust. That wasn't ordinary magic. It was something much older, more powerful. But there was no time to investigate now.
I approached Basara-sensei, who was lying on the ground, his breathing irregular and weak. He had risked his life to save me, and now he was on the brink of death because of it. I owed him, and there was no denying that debt. The questions bubbling in my mind would have to wait. He needed help, and fast.
I knelt beside him, trying to stay calm. My mind was racing, trying to recall any healing technique I could apply. As I did my best to stabilize him, one thing was certain: from that moment on, my perception of Basara-sensei had changed. There was a dark secret surrounding him, and I needed to find out what was really happening.
But for now, all that mattered was saving his life.
(End?)