The midday sun poured through the large windows of the Occult Research Club. Rias Gremory sat at her desk, her fingers tracing the edge of a file as her piercing blue eyes scanned the documents before her.
"Drakos," she murmured, her voice carrying a mix of awe and apprehension.
Akeno Himejima stood nearby, pouring tea into a porcelain cup. Her usual serene smile was present, but there was a spark of intrigue in her gaze. "It's quite the name, isn't it?"
Rias leaned back in her chair, letting out a sigh. "I can't believe I didn't recognize it sooner. The Drakos family was infamous centuries ago. A bloodline tied to destruction and unrivaled combat prowess."
"And yet," Akeno interjected, setting the tea down in front of Rias, "Kael has done everything in his power to hide that name, adopting 'Shirogane' and masking his true strength. If we hadn't seen what he was capable of during that brief encounter, we might still think he's just another middle-class devil."
Rias nodded. "Exactly. The Drakos name carries weight, but it also carries curses. Most of his family is gone, erased from the Underworld's political landscape. Yet here he is, hiding in plain sight, running a shop like a commoner."
Akeno sat across from her, crossing her legs gracefully. "What do you make of it, Rias? Why would someone with that kind of heritage and power live such a mundane life?"
Rias hesitated, her fingers drumming against the desk. "That's what I intend to find out. But it's dangerous, Akeno. If he's gone to such lengths to bury his past, there must be a reason. Pushing him too far could backfire."
Akeno tilted her head, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "He doesn't seem hostile. Reserved, yes, but not aggressive. And he has that younger sister, Lyra. She's… charming, in her own way."
Rias smirked. "Charming isn't the word I'd use. She's clingy and protective, but that's to be expected. If Kael is as powerful as we think, she's likely been shielded by him her entire life."
They fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of Kael's mysterious presence lingering in the room.
Sona's Perspective: The Strategist's Dilemma
In the quiet of the Student Council room, Sona Sitri adjusted her glasses as she read through a report. The name Drakos glared back at her from the document, a relic of the Underworld's most tumultuous history.
"This complicates things," she murmured.
Tsubaki, her ever-loyal queen, stood nearby, her expression calm but curious. "Do you believe Kael Drakos is dangerous?"
Sona set the report down, her sharp gaze meeting Tsubaki's. "He's an ultimate-class devil who has intentionally hidden his lineage and power. That alone makes him dangerous. But he hasn't shown any intent to harm us—or anyone, for that matter. If anything, he seems determined to stay out of the spotlight."
Tsubaki hesitated before asking, "Do you think the Maou know about him?"
Sona sighed. "If they do, they haven't said anything. Serzechs might be aware, but he'd have no reason to interfere unless Kael posed a direct threat. Still, his presence in Kuoh is concerning. Devils like him don't simply disappear from the Underworld without a reason."
Before she could continue, the door to the room burst open, and Serafall Leviathan twirled in with her usual exuberance.
"Sona-chan!" Serafall exclaimed, her voice sing-song as she spun dramatically. "I heard you've been looking into a mysterious devil! Are you investigating a possible new friend—or maybe a boyfriend?!"
Sona pinched the bridge of her nose, exasperated. "It's not like that, Serafall. I'm simply trying to understand why someone like Kael Drakos is living such a quiet life in Kuoh."
Serafall's playful demeanor shifted slightly, her expression turning serious. "Drakos? That's a name I haven't heard in a while. If he's hiding, there's probably a reason. Be careful, Sona-chan. People with that kind of power and history tend to attract trouble."
Sona nodded, her mind racing. "I'll keep that in mind. But for now, I think it's best to observe him from a distance. If he wanted to cause trouble, he would have done so by now."
The Underworld: Sirzechs' Perspective
In the grand halls of the Gremory estate, Sirzechs Lucifer stood by a window, gazing out at the vast gardens below. A report sat on the desk behind him, detailing Kael Drakos' recent activities in Kuoh.
"An ultimate-class devil living as a shopkeeper," he mused aloud. "It's almost poetic."
Grayfia entered the room, her calm demeanor unshaken as always. "You're speaking of Kael Drakos?"
Sirzechs nodded. "Rias has taken notice of him. She's uncovered his true name and his power level. Knowing her, it's only a matter of time before she tries to confront him directly."
Grayfia tilted her head. "Do you think he poses a threat?"
Sirzechs shook his head. "Not yet. He hasn't made any moves that suggest hostility. If anything, he seems content to live a quiet life. But devils like him don't hide for no reason. If the Drakos name still holds the kind of power I remember, it's not something we can ignore."
Grayfia frowned slightly. "Should I intervene?"
"No," Sirzechs said firmly. "Let Rias handle this for now. If he wanted to hurt her, he would have already done so. But keep a close eye on the situation. I won't let anything happen to my sister."