Chapter 14: Meeting Rias and Akeno
Kael was used to the occasional glance or whispered conversation in the hallways of Kuoh Academy. As a teacher, it came with the territory. However, the recent attention he had garnered from the devils on campus was something entirely different.
It wasn't just the student council anymore. Rias Gremory and her queen, Akeno Himejima, had started to notice him. Their curiosity wasn't the fleeting kind either—it was the kind that lingered, their gazes sharp and probing whenever they crossed paths.
Kael had expected as much. Sona Sitri's subtle probing had likely stirred the pot, and now the Gremory heiress was keen to unravel the mystery of the quiet teacher who wasn't quite what he seemed.
The Invitation
The invitation came after his last class of the day. Rias herself approached him, her crimson hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall of fire. Her smile was warm, but there was an unmistakable glint of determination in her blue eyes.
"Kael-sensei," she said, her tone polite but firm. "Do you have a moment to talk? Akeno and I would like to ask you something."
Kael glanced at her, his expression calm and unreadable. "Of course, Gremory-san. What's on your mind?"
"Perhaps it would be better discussed in private," she replied, gesturing toward the empty classroom nearby.
Kael hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. "Lead the way."
The Interrogation
Inside the classroom, Akeno was already waiting, her signature serene smile in place. She greeted Kael with a polite nod, her violet eyes glinting with curiosity and something akin to mischief.
"Thank you for joining us, sensei," Akeno said, her voice smooth and melodic.
Kael took a seat, his posture relaxed but alert. "What can I help you with, ladies?"
Rias leaned against the teacher's desk, crossing her arms as she studied him. "We've been... curious about you, Kael-sensei. You've been at Kuoh Academy for two years now, but you've managed to keep a surprisingly low profile. Too low, considering your true nature."
Kael raised an eyebrow, his expression calm. "My true nature?"
"Don't play coy," Akeno said, her tone teasing but firm. "We know you're a devil."
Kael exhaled softly, his crimson eyes flickering faintly. "And what of it? I've done nothing to disrupt your territory or your operations. If anything, I've gone out of my way to avoid attention."
"That's precisely what makes you so intriguing," Rias said, her tone thoughtful. "Most devils can't resist flaunting their power or status, even in subtle ways. But you... you've concealed yourself so completely that we wouldn't have noticed you at all if it weren't for certain... anomalies."
"Anomalies?" Kael repeated, tilting his head slightly.
Rias nodded. "Sona mentioned feeling a faint magical signature around you—a signature that doesn't match your supposed rank as a middle-class devil. It's almost as though you're deliberately suppressing your presence. Why?"
Kael leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Is it a crime to want to live a quiet life?"
"No," Akeno said, her smile widening. "But it does raise questions. A devil powerful enough to suppress their magical presence entirely isn't just your average middle-class devil. So why hide? What are you running from?"
A Dance of Words
Kael chuckled softly, the sound low and humorless. "You're both quite persistent, aren't you?"
"We wouldn't be very good devils if we weren't," Rias replied, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Kael met her gaze, his crimson eyes glinting. "Let's just say I've had enough of the Underworld's politics. I'm not running from anything—I've simply chosen a different path."
"And yet, you chose Kuoh Academy," Akeno said, her tone light but probing. "A place under the protection of both the Gremory and Sitri clans. That doesn't strike me as a coincidence."
Kael's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Perhaps I value the peace this place offers. Or perhaps I simply enjoy teaching. Does it matter?"
Rias frowned slightly, clearly unsatisfied with his evasive answers. "It matters because your presence here could affect the balance we've worked hard to maintain. If you have no intention of causing trouble, then prove it. Tell us the truth."
Kael's expression darkened slightly, the weight of his past pressing against the edges of his carefully maintained facade. For a moment, silence hung heavy in the room.
"I've already told you the truth," he said quietly. "I'm just a middle-class devil who wants nothing more than to live a quiet life. If my presence here bothers you, then say the word, and I'll leave."
Rias blinked, taken aback by the calm finality in his tone. Akeno's smile faltered slightly, her curiosity momentarily replaced by something resembling concern.
"That won't be necessary," Rias said after a moment. "As long as you mean no harm, you're welcome to stay. But understand this—we'll be watching."
Kael inclined his head. "Fair enough."
A Growing Interest
As Kael left the classroom, the weight of their gazes lingered on his back. He could feel their curiosity, their suspicion, and perhaps even a hint of intrigue.
For Rias and Akeno, the quiet teacher with the enigmatic presence had become a puzzle they couldn't ignore. For Kael, it was a reminder that his carefully constructed facade was beginning to crack.
Back in his modest home, Kael leaned against the wall, his crimson eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.
"They're sharper than I gave them credit for," he muttered to himself. "I'll have to be more careful."
But even as he resolved to maintain his distance, a part of him couldn't help but wonder how long he could keep the truth buried—and what would happen when it finally came to light.
