Chapter Three - Paths Forward and Names Revealed
The soft glow of perpetual twilight filtered through the curtains, casting the room in shades of deep purple and gentle indigo. The ever-present artificial moon hung outside in the sky, its pale light illuminating the landscape of the Agares estate beyond the windows. The towering mountains in the distance were barely visible against the dark, ethereal horizon, while the sprawling mansion stood as a bastion of calm in the otherwise mystical Underworld.
Andreas stirred beneath the blankets, blinking as consciousness returned to him. His mind was slow to register his surroundings, but something immediately felt different—his body, once weighed down by relentless exhaustion, no longer felt as weak. He shifted in the bed, and a wave of realization washed over him.
The crushing fatigue that had always plagued him… was gone.
He sat up carefully, testing the strength of his limbs. There was no strain, no overwhelming sense of weariness pulling him down. Instead, there was a lightness to his movements, a clarity to his thoughts that he hadn't felt in years. His hand instinctively went to his neck, feeling the absence of the cursed collar that had bound him for so long.
What happened?
His gaze swept the room, taking in the faint shadows cast by the twilight glow outside. It was then that he noticed Seekvaira, slumped in a chair beside his bed, fast asleep. A soft blanket was draped over her shoulders, likely placed there by one of the mansion's attentive maids. The dim light played across her features, making her appear even more peaceful as she rested.
Andreas's chest tightened with a mixture of gratitude and disbelief. She had stayed with him, watching over him through the night. The realization hit him hard—someone had truly cared enough to stay by his side, to ensure that he wasn't left alone after everything.
Andreas hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on Seekvaira as she slept, her blonde hair falling loosely over her shoulders. She looked so peaceful that he almost didn't want to disturb her. But seeing her slumped awkwardly in the chair, he couldn't help but feel a tug of concern. She had stayed by his side the entire night, and it was clear she hadn't thought of her own comfort.
Softly, he called out, "Lady Seekvaira…"
His voice was quiet, almost unsure, as though he didn't want to break the tranquil atmosphere that hung over the room. For a moment, there was no response. But then, her eyelids fluttered, and she stirred slightly, blinking as she slowly came to consciousness.
"Lady Seekvaira," Andreas repeated, his tone gentle. "You should move to your bed… you've been here all night."
Seekvaira straightened in the chair, rubbing her eyes as the fog of sleep lifted. When her gaze finally met Andreas's, her surprise was immediate. She blinked, then sat up fully, her expression shifting from drowsiness to alert concern.
"You're awake," she said quickly, her voice a little hoarse from sleep. Without hesitation, she moved closer to him, her crimson eyes scanning his face and form with careful intensity. "How do you feel? Is the pain gone? Are you really alright?"
Andreas's heart softened at her concern, feeling the warmth of her care settle deeply in his chest. "Yes… I feel much better," he assured her, sitting up a little more to show that his strength was returning. "The pain is gone. I don't feel as weak as I did before."
Seekvaira narrowed her gaze slightly, as though not entirely convinced. Her hand moved toward his forehead, checking his temperature out of reflex. She seemed to relax when she found nothing wrong, and a soft sigh of relief escaped her lips.
"I was worried," she admitted, sitting back in her chair, though her eyes didn't leave him. "The collar's effects were so strong… I didn't know how much damage it had done."
Andreas smiled faintly, touched by her concern. "You don't have to worry anymore. Thanks to you… I'm finally free of it."
Seekvaira blinked, her expression softening. She leaned back, exhaustion visible in the way her body sagged slightly, but there was a lingering tension in her posture that hadn't fully dissipated.
"You've been through so much," she murmured, more to herself than to him. "I'm just glad you're alright."
Andreas tilted his head toward her, his voice soft. "I really am fine now. But you… you should get some proper rest, Lady Seekvaira. I can help you to your room if you need it."
Seekvaira blinked again, looking surprised by his offer, but her lips curved into a small, appreciative smile. "It seems you're already watching over me."
As she stood, a slight wobble in her step betrayed her fatigue, and Andreas quickly reached out, gently steadying her. His touch was firm but careful, and Seekvaira gave him a small nod of gratitude. "Thank you," she said softly. "I'll head to my room now."
Andreas watched as she walked to the door, his heart warmed by her care. It had been so long since anyone had stayed by his side like this. He felt a deeper sense of gratitude toward her, something that went beyond mere duty.
As Andreas lay back, letting his body finally relax into the comfort of the bed, his mind began to wander, drifting to memories that he had tried so hard to push away. At first, the thoughts were a jumble of hazy moments—small flashes of his time with Rias's peerage. But soon, the memories became clearer, sharper, and each one stung in a different way.
He remembered the day she had found him, bloodied and broken, and had saved him by turning him into a devil with her Rook piece. In those first moments, he had been grateful—he owed her his life. But the gratitude had faded as quickly as it had come when it became clear that, in her eyes, he was nothing more than a failed experiment.
The looks she gave him during training, the way she spoke to him with thinly veiled disappointment, replayed in his mind. Her words echoed in his thoughts, harsh and cutting, reminding him of how little she valued him.
"You're supposed to be a Rook, Andreas. You should be stronger by now!"
No matter how hard he tried to serve her, no matter how loyal he was, she had only seen him as a failure. Every attempt he made to earn her respect was met with cold indifference, and eventually, outright disdain. He had thought that being part of her peerage would mean finding a place where he belonged. But instead, it became a constant reminder of his inadequacies—a daily affirmation that he was nothing but a burden to her.
Then came the final betrayal—the day she traded him away, discarding him as if he was an unwanted object. Her casual willingness to give him up, to pass him off to someone else without a second thought, had crushed what little hope he had left. He had given her everything, tried so hard to prove his worth, only for her to deem him worthless and cast him aside.
The memory of that moment, of realizing she saw no value in him, sent a fresh wave of pain through his chest. But as quickly as the hurt rose within him, it was replaced by something else—something softer, something warmer.
His thoughts shifted to Seekvaira.
She had shown him more kindness in a few short days than Rias had in the entire time he was under her command.
Where Rias had only seen weakness, Seekvaira had seen potential. She had taken him in, stayed by his side, and made sure that he was truly cared for. There was no cruelty in her eyes, no disappointment. She had shown concern for his well-being, even going so far as to ensure his safety while resting beside him the entire night.
The difference between the two women was stark—almost jarring. Rias had treated him like he was disposable, a mere tool that didn't meet her standards. But Seekvaira… Seekvaira treated him as a person, as someone who deserved respect and care.
Why? he wondered, still trying to process it all. Why does she care so much? Why didn't Rias?
For the first time in what felt like forever, he wasn't consumed by self-loathing or doubt. Instead, he felt something unfamiliar—hope. Hope that, under Seekvaira's guidance, he could become stronger. Hope that, with her by his side, he could find a place where he was valued.
I'm not worthless, he realized, his heart swelling with a new sense of purpose. Not anymore.
As Andreas closed his eyes, another figure entered his thoughts—Sona Sitri. Despite her reputation for being stern and serious, especially in her role as the student council president, she had always shown him something that few others did: genuine concern.
Sona had gone out of her way to ensure he was looked after, taking time out of her busy schedule to check on him whenever she could. Sometimes it was small things—she and her Queen, Tsubaki, would stop by to see how he was doing or offer him a few words of encouragement. Other times, it was just listening when no one else seemed to care. It wasn't much, but to Andreas, it had meant the world.
He remembered each moment vividly, every conversation where Sona had given him her attention and treated him with respect. In his heart, he held a deep gratitude for her and Tsubaki. As far as he was concerned, they were like sisters—family, in everything but blood.
She didn't have to care about me, Andreas thought, a soft smile touching his lips. But she did.
His thoughts turned to what Sona would want him to do now, and it became clear. Sona had always believed in the value of education, and she had always encouraged him to stay on track with his studies, even when things seemed bleak. He knew, deep down, that she would want him to continue—to finish his education at Kuoh Academy, to find his own path forward.
I owe it to her… to finish what I started.
Before sleep finally claimed him, Andreas made a decision. He would speak to Seekvaira and ask for permission to return to Kuoh. Not only to honor Sona's wishes but also to reclaim his sense of purpose. It was the least he could do for someone who had shown him such kindness.
With that resolution firm in his heart, he let sleep take him.
The next morning, Seekvaira awoke, feeling more refreshed after a night of solid sleep. After completing her morning rituals, she headed straight for Andreas's room, eager to check on him. As she entered, she froze, surprised to find the bed neatly made and the room empty.
A flicker of worry crossed her mind. Where could he have gone? She was just about to rush to search for him when one of the maids appeared in the hallway, giving her a polite bow.
"Lady Seekvaira, if you're looking for Master Andreas, he's in the dining room with your parents."
Relief flooded through her, and she followed the maid's lead to the dining room. As she entered, her gaze landed on Andreas, sitting comfortably at the table with her parents, casually answering their questions with calm and poise. He looked at ease, the fatigue that once marred his features almost completely gone.
The moment he noticed her, Andreas stood up, pushing his chair back smoothly. With a small, respectful bow, he greeted her. "Good morning, Lady Seekvaira. I hope you slept well."
Seekvaira felt a small smile tug at her lips at his gentlemanly demeanor. He was already acting far more confident and composed than when she first brought him here. "Good morning, Andreas. I slept well, thank you."
Before she could say more, Andreas pulled out a chair for her, gesturing for her to sit. His every move was precise and courteous, as though he had taken time to compose himself overnight. But before she sat, Seekvaira walked up to him, gently placing a hand on his arm, her eyes searching his face with concern.
"How are you feeling this morning? Are you really okay?"
Andreas met her gaze and nodded, his voice steady. "Yes, I feel much better. Stronger, even."
Satisfied, Seekvaira relented, finally taking the seat he offered. Once she was seated, Andreas returned to his chair, and they all resumed breakfast together. Her parents continued asking Andreas questions, clearly impressed with his recovery and composure, while Seekvaira observed quietly, relieved that he was truly recovering.
Once breakfast was over, Andreas turned to Seekvaira, his expression growing a little more serious. "Lady Seekvaira, may I speak with you privately? There's something I'd like to discuss."
Seekvaira raised an eyebrow, curious but nodded. "Of course. Let's go."
Seekvaira led Andreas down the halls of the mansion to her personal office. The room was elegant but functional, reflecting her refined tastes and organized mind. As they entered, she gestured for him to take a seat while she moved behind her desk, her curiosity piqued by the seriousness of his tone.
Once they were settled, Andreas took a moment, gathering his thoughts. The weight of what he was about to say was clear on his face, but he was calm, determined.
"Lady Seekvaira," he began, his voice steady but earnest. "I want to thank you, truly, for everything you've done for me. For taking me in, for freeing me from the collar, and for showing me more care in these past few days than I've known in a long time."
Seekvaira tilted her head slightly, listening closely, sensing there was more to his words.
"There's something I'd like to ask of you," he continued. "I've been thinking about what Sona would want for me, and… I've come to a decision. I'd like to return to Kuoh Academy to finish my education."
Seekvaira's eyebrows raised slightly, surprised but intrigued. Andreas took a deep breath and continued.
"Sona always encouraged me to focus on my studies, even when things were difficult. She took time out of her busy schedule to check on me, to make sure I was doing alright, and I've never forgotten that. She and Tsubaki were like sisters to me, even though we weren't family by blood. I know that Sona would want me to finish what I started there, to move forward with my life and regain the sense of purpose I've lost."
His green eyes met Seekvaira's, filled with sincerity. "I'd like your permission to go back, to honor her wishes. I want to finish my education at Kuoh, not just for myself but for her as well."
Seekvaira studied him quietly for a moment, seeing the determination in his gaze. He wasn't the same weak, uncertain man who had been brought to her home. He was stronger now—mentally and emotionally—and he had found a new sense of purpose.
She leaned back slightly, considering his request, and then nodded slowly. "You've thought this through carefully, Andreas. I can see how much this means to you."
She paused before adding, "I support your decision. If this is what you believe is best for you, I will grant you permission to return to Kuoh and finish your education."
A wave of relief washed over Andreas as he heard her words. "Thank you, Lady Seekvaira," he said, bowing his head respectfully. "I won't disappoint you."
Seekvaira smiled softly, seeing the relief in Andreas's eyes after she granted him permission to return to Kuoh. But before he could say anything more, she leaned forward slightly, her tone taking on a teasing edge.
"However," she said, her eyes glinting with amusement, "I'll be going with you."
Andreas blinked, taken aback. "You'll… be coming with me?"
She nodded, her smile widening. "Of course. I have to look after my Rook, after all," she added playfully.
The surprise on Andreas's face was unmistakable. "But… you never mentioned… I mean, your other responsibilities—your peerage."
At that, Seekvaira's expression softened. She shook her head slightly. "That won't be an issue. As for my peerage…" she paused for a moment before continuing, "You're the only member of it."
Andreas stared at her, genuinely surprised. "The only one?"
Seekvaira nodded. "Yes. I never intended to have a peerage. I never needed one, really. My interests have always been in politics and technology, not combat or building a large group around me." She leaned back in her chair, her gaze thoughtful. "But when Sona asked me to save you, I made an exception. And now, here we are."
Andreas took a moment to process that. He had assumed, like most devil nobles, that Seekvaira had an established peerage. To know that he was the only one, and that she had specifically chosen him, made the bond between them feel even more significant.
"I… I see," he said softly, still absorbing the revelation. He felt a strange mixture of gratitude and humility. Seekvaira had taken a chance on him, when she hadn't needed to at all.
Seekvaira watched him for a moment longer before rising from her chair. "So, it's settled then. We'll return to Kuoh together."
Andreas nodded, still a little overwhelmed but grateful for her decision. He bowed his head slightly. "Thank you… truly. I won't let you down."
Later that afternoon, Seekvaira stood with her parents in one of the grand sitting rooms of the Agares mansion, explaining her decision to accompany Andreas to Kuoh Academy. Her father listened attentively, nodding in approval, while her mother smiled warmly.
"That sounds like a wonderful plan," her father said, his voice calm but supportive. "It's good that Andreas will have a chance to finish his education, and I'm sure your presence there will be beneficial as well."
Her mother, standing beside him, added, "We'll ensure everything is prepared for you. We'll arrange for a house in Kuoh, so you'll both have a place to stay while you're there."
Seekvaira smiled, grateful for their understanding and support. "Thank you. I appreciate your help."
Her parents exchanged a glance, clearly pleased with her decision, before her father spoke again. "Just remember, Seekvaira—you've always been free to choose your path, and we're proud of the choices you've made."
With that, they bid her and Andreas good luck, and the preparations began to fall into place.
Seekvaira wasted no time in reaching out to the people necessary to make her stay in Kuoh official. She first contacted Sona Sitri, a close ally and the one who had originally requested she take Andreas under her care. The communication was quick and efficient, with Sona readily agreeing to assist in ensuring that everything was arranged smoothly at Kuoh Academy.
Once that was settled, Seekvaira reached out to Lord Gremory. As the head of Kuoh Academy, having appointed and hired the headmaster himself, Lord Gremory held significant influence over the institution. She explained her decision to bring Andreas back to Kuoh and requested permission to have them both officially enrolled.
Lord Gremory listened with understanding, offering his blessing without hesitation. "You have my full support, Seekvaira," he said warmly. "Consider everything arranged, and if you need any further assistance, don't hesitate to ask."
With his approval in hand, the final pieces fell into place. Seekvaira felt a sense of accomplishment knowing that everything was set for their return to Kuoh. Soon, she and Andreas would begin a new chapter in their lives—together, with a fresh start at the academy.
In the heart of the Sitri mansion, within the ritual room, the atmosphere was heavy with the lingering energy of the cleansing process. The gem that had once been dark and corrupted now lay on the ceremonial altar, crystal clear and shimmering with an ethereal light. Ajuka and the head of the Sitri family stood nearby, observing the results of their successful cleansing.
The tension in the air finally eased as they exchanged glances, satisfied with the outcome. However, just as they began to relax, the gem pulsed with a sudden burst of light, catching everyone off guard. The energy within it surged, and before anyone could react, a radiant figure began to form—a glowing, ethereal light coalescing into the shape of a middle-aged woman.
Her figure floated gracefully above the altar, her form made entirely of light. She radiated warmth and power, her eyes filled with gratitude as she looked at the group gathered before her.
"Thank you," the woman spoke, her voice soft yet filled with strength. "Thank you for cleansing the corruption that bound me."
The group remained on high alert, unsure of what this new development meant. But the woman's expression remained gentle, her gaze filled with relief. She floated forward slightly, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for something—or someone.
Then, she spoke again, her tone more urgent this time. "Where is Andrek-Kai? Where is my son?"
The room fell into a stunned silence at her words. Ajuka's sharp gaze flickered with realization as the name "Andrek-Kai" echoed in the air. His mind immediately connected the dots—the similarity between this name and the one they knew as Andreas was undeniable. More than that, the collar they had just cleansed had been worn by Andreas, and now this figure—who seemed somehow linked to that artifact—was asking for him using a name he hadn't heard before.
Andrek-Kai… Ajuka repeated the name in his mind, feeling the weight of its significance, though its exact origin remained unclear. He didn't yet know what the name truly meant, or why this ethereal figure had referred to Andreas by it, but the connection was unmistakable. Whoever this woman was, she was somehow tied to Andreas's past and the dark relic that had been suppressing him.
The figure's glowing eyes scanned the room once more, her voice filled with urgency. "Where is Andrek-Kai?"
Ajuka, still processing the revelation, stepped forward cautiously. "Andreas," he began carefully, "the one you are calling Andrek-Kai... he's safe. He is with Lady Seekvaira Agares, recovering."
The woman's form flickered slightly as if reacting to the name "Andreas," but she didn't seem surprised. Instead, her expression softened with relief. "My son... he is alive."
Ajuka exchanged a glance with the head of the Sitri family, his mind racing with questions. What is the true identity of Andreas? And what connection does this woman have to the collar and the mysterious past he's forgotten?