All right… I got quite a bit of feedback from the reviews of the first chapter, and I put a lot of thought into this. For those of you who think this story is unoriginal, that critique is very much fair. Especially the one saying how these kinds of stories "take everything of Issei's" and that there are plenty of women in the DxD series. While I can address the former complaint (in fact I was never going to leave Issei in the cold or without a harem,) easily, the latter one faces a significant hurdle: I don't feel strongly about any of the other women which would result in a harem consisting only of OCs and at that point I might as well just write an original story on Fiction Press than anything here. While I could have made Luke the Pawn of another OC character I reveal near the end of this chapter, the result would have been a miserable one-shot tragedy where neither the main OCs nor the readers are happy because that's how those characters would act. In fact, I already have an idea for a later chapter where I show exactly why no one would want that alternative.
I'm sorry for starting this on such a heavy note, but at the very least I've got some pretty funny moments this chapter.
In the kitchen of the Sigmund residence, Rias was drinking miso soup with a nervous Luke sitting next to her and Seth just glaring at her.
"These are very delicious." Rias said. "Your maid is quite the chef."
"I would have made more if I had known Luke was bringing company." Annabelle retorted with a hint of animosity.
There was a noticeably awkward tension filling up the room.
"Luke…"
Luke's body stiffened upon hearing his brother finally speak.
"Why is Rias Gremory from our school here?"
If I tell him the truth, only two things can happen. Luke had been thinking since he and Rias left the room. Either he doesn't believe me, or he does, and he doesn't let me leave the house ever again.
"Oh my, I apologize for not giving you proper notice." Rias bowed in her seat. "But Luke told me he's been having nightmares lately and I suggested I sleep with him. Don't worry, all we did was fall asleep naked."
My brother isn't an idiot! Luke thought. He won't fall for that!
"I think her story checks out." Alastair said as he looked at Luke. "Trust me, if Luke slept with her, he would be so bright it would put the Sendai Fireworks Festival to shame."
"I don't care about that." Seth expressed.
"Huh?" Everyone else had the exact same reaction.
"If Luke lost his virginity to a girl…" Seth spoke with his face down only to lift it up with tears in his eyes. "I'd be the happiest brother in the world! Even if he got her pregnant, I'd help take care of that baby!"
Annabelle and Alastair's expressions could best be characterized as a mix of shock and exasperation.
Don't encourage me to knock a girl up! Luke mentally shouted.
"There aren't many foreigners at our school." Rias changed the subject. "I've been living here for a long time due to my father's work. What about you?"
Seth regained his glare and looked Rias dead in the eyes. "We've been living here for 10 years. Before that we were born in the United States. What about you, Ms. Gremory?"
"I've been living in Japan for so long that I can't remember." Rias answered.
You're obviously lying. Luke simply listened to the conversation.
Rias and Seth had an intense stare-down for what felt like an eternity.
"All of you should be heading to school now." Annabelle broke the intensity. "None of you want to be late."
"You're right, Annabelle." Seth stood up. "Come on, Luke. Annabelle, Alastair, please ensure that Ms. Gremory has all her things in order before she leaves."
"As you wish." Annabelle and Alastair acquiesced to Seth's request.
Seth and Luke left the house and started walking to school.
"Luke?" Seth turned to look Luke in the eye. "Don't involve yourself with her. It's for your own good."
"Why?"
"Just trust me."
Something's not right with Seth. Luke watched his brother noticeably hurry towards school. And I doubt he's going to tell me.
During one of his classes, Luke, now wearing glasses so he can clearly see anything written on the chalkboard, was looking at a note left in his desk.
'I will send someone to come get you after class. There is something we need to discuss.
Rias'
I should do as she asks. Luke thought. She did save my life last night. Seth won't like it, so I will have to be discreet about it.
His thoughts shifted toward the memory of Rias sleeping next to him naked.
She is so beautiful. And her skin was so soft. Combine that with her very large breasts, it must have been heaven being embraced by that goddess. I'm glad we didn't have sex last night because I would want to remember every single second of it.
"Sigmund-kun?"
Luke was snapped out of his perverted thoughts by his English teacher, Belinda Green (Age 23). She was a woman with unruly but billowing dark green hair, striking blue eyes and an attractive figure hidden by a white dress shirt, black jacket, black skirt, dark stockings, and black high heels. Her beauty made her popular with both the male and female students.
"You have excellent penmanship, so could you show the class how this idiom is written?" Belinda requested.
"S-sure…" Luke replied hesitantly.
Luke awkwardly stood up with a blush on his cheeks. As he walked to the chalkboard, he could hear the other students giggling and when he reached the front of the classroom his face became beet red from embarrassment and covered the bulge in his pants with his hands.
"Why is everyone giggling?" Belinda stared at the class puzzlingly.
"Sigmund-kun's got a boner!" One of the male students started laughing.
Words could not begin to describe how embarrassed Luke was right now.
"'Boner'? Ah, the slang term for an erection in which a male has a strong desire to mate." Belinda stated as if she was reading off an encyclopedia. "Allow me to fix that."
Belinda removed her jacket, much to the complete bewilderment of the entire classroom.
"Y-you can't do that!" Luke panicked. "It's illegal for an adult to have sex with a minor!"
"Hmm… it is?" Belinda quizzically looked at Luke.
Belinda had just unbuttoned the top two buttons of her shirt and Luke could see the cleavage of her huge breasts. Ms. Green was very knowledgeable and nice, but she had a severe lack of basic social skills. Even her expressions were either incredibly subtle or nonexistent.
"It's common sense!" Luke answered.
"Oh, I should write that down." Belinda grabbed a notebook and started writing it down.
It's not that difficult of a thing to remember. Luke thought in exasperation. 'Don't have sex with minors'!
"Very well." Belinda rebuttoned her shirt and put her jacket back on before turning to the class. "Is there anyone here willing to mate with Sigmund-kun?"
"WHAT?!" The entire class erupted into shock.
"It-It-It's fine! It'll go away on its own!" Luke hurried back to his desk, sat down, and buried his face in his hands. Can this day just end?!
Classes ended for the day and Luke let out a big sigh before packing his books and notes and putting away his glasses.
"U-um, exc-c-cuse me?"
Luke turned his head and saw the aqua-haired girl who usually sits next to him.
"I… My-my name-m i-is F… F… Fumiko Kazuya (Age 15)." She shyly stammered. "I-I'm here t-t-t-to take-k you to Buchou Rias. I l-le-l-left that n-note in your desk on her orders."
That makes sense. Rias couldn't have delivered it herself since I got here before her. Did she just call her 'Buchou'? Is she the president of a club? Luke thought before noticing the girl's flushed face. She's… She's so cute… "L-lead the way."
Luke followed Fumiko out of the classroom and into the hallway.
"Luke, where are you going?"
Luke stopped dead in his tracks. He did not even need to turn around to know who it was.
"We have to go home." Seth said.
Fumiko looked like she was about to panic, unsure of what to do. Luke just stood silently in place.
"Luke." Seth's tone of voice started to sound like that of an angry parent trying their best to not lose their temper. "We. Are. Going. Home."
Luke clenched his fist and turned to his brother. "I want you to be honest with me. What is your problem with Ms. Gremory? Why do you not want me anywhere near her?"
"You don't need to know."
"Stop saying that! Just tell me!"
Everyone in the hallway stopped and looked at the drama happening like onlookers to a car crash.
Seth was visibly struggling to keep any semblance of composure. "Luke, I just want you to be safe. We're the only family we have."
"What about your dad?"
"THAT MAN IS NOT OUR FAMILY!"
Nearly everyone in the entire building could hear Seth. He finally noticed that people were staring at him and Luke and turned around.
"I should head home." Seth said. "Annabelle will stay up and watch for you. Let her know when you're heading home."
Seth walked away as everyone still stared at him. Luke watched his brother leave, his breathing a little shallow from the intensity of the exchange.
"U-u-u-u-u-uh…" Fumiko stuttered. "S-sh-should I tell Buchou Rias this is a bad time?"
"No." Luke answered and turned back to her. "As long as I get home early enough, it'll be fine. I-I'm sorry you had to see that."
Fumiko guided Luke to Kuoh Academy's old school building.
"Buchou Rias is here." Fumiko stated as she entered the building.
Luke followed her inside and looked around the place. Based on the outside, he was expecting there to be a lot more dust and cobwebs inside but was a bit relieved when he saw that those elements were lacking.
This place is better maintained than I thought.
"H-hey."
Luke's attention went back to Fumiko as they were walking up to the second floor.
"Do… Do you remem-member me, by any chance?" Fumiko asked.
He searched his memories for any possibility. "… I… I think I do. Middle school, right? You forgot your umbrella, so I lent you mine."
Fumiko smiled. "You do remember." She stopped walking. "We're here."
Luke looked up at the sign above the classroom, 'Occult Research Club'.
"B-Buchou Rias, I've brought him here." Fumiko said loud enough for anyone on the other side of the wooden door to hear.
"Come in." Rias's voice called out from inside.
Fumiko opened the door and Luke was creeped out by all the signs and words all over the clubroom, with the most obvious one being a large circle in the center. There were a couple of sofas and desks in the room and there was a person sitting on each of the sofas. One was a girl with a small frame and white hair quietly eating youkan and the other was a handsome young man with blonde hair and a refreshing smile sipping tea.
"This is Luke Sigmund." Fumiko said. "Sigmund-kun, this is Koneko Toujo and Yuuto Kiba."
Koneko looked at Luke and bowed her head. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, too." Luke bowed back.
Koneko then resumed eating her youkan.
"Don't mind Koneko-chan." The young man named Yuuto told Luke. "She's just quiet. I've heard the same of you."
Luke then noticed the sound of running water and saw a shower curtain in the back of the room with a shapely silhouette.
"Is… I'm not imagining that shower curtain, right?" Luke asked in confusion.
The shower stops and another silhouette approached the first.
"Buchou, take this." One of the silhouettes said.
"Thank you, Akeno." Another voice responded that sounded like Rias.
When Luke realized Rias was the one showering behind the curtain, he quickly turned to face the opposite direction and covered his pink face with his hands. After a minute, the curtain opened, and Rias came out in her school uniform.
"I'm sorry." Rias apologized. "You can look now. I couldn't take a shower last night because I was busy healing you, so I took a shower now."
You could have just done what I did and shower after P.E. Luke thought as he turned back to Rias. And why's there a shower here?!
He then noticed another young woman behind Rias. She had black hair tied in a ponytail and a Yamato Nadeshiko vibe to her.
"My, my, hello." The young woman politely greeted Luke with a smile. "My name is Akeno Himejima. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
Luke was taken aback by her soft voice and beauty, that he couldn't help but blush.
"Oh-ah-nice to meet you." Luke stuttered. "I'm Luke Sigmund."
"Looks like everyone's here." Rias said. "Luke, we, the Occult Research Club, welcome you as a Devil."
Ohhhh, how am I going to explain this to Seth? Luke mentally groaned.
A couple of minutes later, everyone was sitting on the sofas surrounding a table. Luke sat between Fumiko and Yuuto and Rias sat across the table next to Koneko.
"Here's your tea." Akeno hands Luke a cup of tea.
"Thank you." Luke accepts the tea and takes a sip. "It's delicious."
"Oh my, thank you very much." Akeno laughed happily at the compliment.
"Akeno, you sit over here as well." Rias motioned to her side.
"Yes, Buchou." Akeno took a seat next to Rias.
Everyone looked at Luke, although Fumiko's eyes were darting between him and the floor.
"I'll get straight to the it. We're all Devils." Rias stated.
If I didn't have that encounter last night with that dark-winged man, I wouldn't believe her. Luke thought.
"You remember the man from last night? The one with the black wings?" Rias asked. "That's a Fallen Angel. They are former Angels who once served God but have fallen to hell because of their sins. They are also the enemies of us Devils. The Devils have been at war with the Fallen Angels since ancient times, fighting for control of the Underworld. The Underworld is split into two areas, one for Devils and one for Fallen Angels. Devils form pacts with humans and receive their sacrifices to increase their strength while Fallen Angels control humans and eliminate Devils. The Angels come in to destroy these two races on God's orders. These three factions have been in war over millennia."
That's quite an info-dump you're laying on me. Good thing I got every part of it.
"The Occult Research Club is merely a camouflage, my hobby. Actually, it's a gathering place for us Devils."
Crap! Did I just get myself involved in a war?! I'm not trained for combat! I've never even punched someone before!
"Yuuma Amano."
The moment Rias said that name, Luke's eyes widened in shock. "H… How do you know that name?"
"That day you were on a date with Yuuma Amano, right?"
"So… that wasn't a dream either…" The memory caused Luke to clutch his chest.
"She most certainly exists." Rias confirmed. "And it looks like she tried to erase all evidence of her existence around you."
That explains why I didn't find the photo I took of us on my phone.
Rias snapped her fingers and Akeno took out a photo. Luke couldn't believe that the photo was of the girl who asked him out the other day, only black wings were growing from her back.
"This is her, right?" Rias asked him. "This wasn't a normal girl. She was a Fallen Angel, just like the one that attacked you last night. She came into contact with you to complete a certain objective. Once that objective was accomplished, she disposed of any record or evidence of her existence."
Luke suddenly remembered the words the Fallen Angel said to him. "She said 'you were a threat to us, so we decided to get rid of you early on'. So, her objective was to kill me. Something about a… Sacred Gear, I think?"
"Sacred Gear are an irregular power bestowed to certain humans." Kiba spoke up. "Most people in recorded history are said to have possessed Sacred Gear and used that power to leave their mark on the world.
"Presently, there are people who possess Sacred Gears within their bodies." Akeno continued after Kiba. "Those important world figures? Most of them possess a Sacred Gear."
"Most Sacred Gear have functions only usable in human society, but there are those with extraordinary powers that are a threat to us Devils and Fallen Angels." Rias explained. "Luke, stand up and raise your hand. Quickly."
Luke wasn't sure why she was urging him to raise his hand, but he stood up and raised his right arm without question.
"Close your eyes and imagine the most powerful thing that comes to mind." Rias instructed. "It could be anything, as long as it represents power to you."
Anything that represents power… Luke thought as he closed his eyes. Hmmm… Dragons represent power… How about… A sword that slays dragons…
Luke heard a flash, opened his eyes, and saw a bright blue light around his right hand. The light started to take shape and as the glow disappeared, there was now a sword made of sapphire scales in his hand with a jewel-like object embedded between the hilt and the blade.
"Wh… What is this…?" Luke stared at the sword in awe.
"That is a Sacred Gear, and it belongs to you." Rias answered. "Once it appears, you can use it anytime and anywhere as you see fit."
"W-wow, Luke!" Fumiko smiled. "That Sacred Gear of yours is so pretty!"
"That Fallen Angel, Yuuma Amano, saw your Sacred Gear as a threat and killed you." Rias continued.
"… W-wait! If Yuuma, or whoever that was, killed me, how am I still alive?" Luke asked.
"You called me when you were on the verge of death through this." Rias pulled out a familiar leaflet with a magic circle identical to the one on the clubroom floor.
That's the wish-granting paper I got before meeting that Fallen Angel.
"This is one of the leaflets we give out. This magic circle is used to summon us Devils. These days there aren't many people who would draw one to summon us, so we hand these leaflets out to people. They're safe and easy to use. That day, one of our familiars disguised as a human was handing them out in the business district. That's where you got it. After you were attacked, you called me. Your wish was so strong that you summoned me when usually my servants like Akeno would be the ones summoned."
So Rias really was who I saw after the first attack… I wished… to live…
"When I was summoned and saw you, I knew right away that you possessed a Sacred Gear and that a Fallen Angel attacked you, but you were nearly dead. Those Spears of Light are just as deadly to humans as they are to Devils when impaled by them. That's how bad your condition was, so I saved your life…"
That means she saved my life twice in just a couple of days.
"… By resurrecting you as my Devil servant."
At that moment, bat-like wings sprout from everyone's backs. Luke felt a strange sensation coming from his own back and saw those same wings on him.
WHAT THE HEEEEEEEEELL?!
"Let's reintroduce everyone anew." Rias said before turning to Yuuto.
Yuuto smiles at Luke. "My name is Yuuto Kiba. I'm a second year. Um, I'm a Devil, too. Nice to meet you."
"First year, same as you… Koneko Toujo. Pleased to make your acquaintance… I'm a Devil, too." Koneko bowed her head.
"I-I'm Fum-mi-miko Ka-zuya, f-f-first year-r and a-a-a Devil."
"My name is Akeno Himejima and I'm a third year. I'm also the vice president of the Occult Research Club." Akeno politely bowed her head. "Nice to meet you. I might not seem like it, but I'm a Devil as well. Hmhm."
Rias waved her flowing crimson hair. "And I'm their master, a Devil from the House of Gremory, Rias Gremory. My house holds the rank of Duke. Let's get along from now on, Luke."
Luke appeared to be very nervous. "… I… I-I'm Luke Sigmund… and I guess I'm a Devil now, too…" How the hell am I going to explain this to my brother? … Hold on… Seth told me not to get involved with Rias… Is this what he was talking about? Then how…
One hour later
Luke came back home and was greeted by Annabelle as he walked in.
"You finally came home on time, Luke." Annabelle bowed. "I'll be sure to inform Master Seth of your safe return."
"No need."
Luke leaves his bag on the floor and heads to another room, Annabelle following behind him.
"Luke, your brother really doesn't want to see you right now."
"It would be wise not to bother him." Alastair stood in front of Luke and stopped him from going any further. "If you make him angry, you'll find me far away from here."
Just then, Seth comes out from one of the rooms.
"What's all that n-?" Seth then sees Luke. "You're home. Good."
"Seth…" Luke hesitated a little, but he knew this was something that had to be done here and now. "I-I need to tell you the truth…"
"Are you sure it was wise for Sigmund-kun to tell his brother about us?"
Back at the Occult Research Club, Akeno was pouring tea for Rias.
"Based on what I saw this morning, I'm certain that he not only knows who I am, but what I am." Rias answered as she picked up the cup of tea. "What's more, I tried using my abilities on him and his help so they would fall for our ruse, but it had zero effect on them."
Luke told Seth everything that happened to him the last couple of days, from Yuuma going out with him to joining the Occult Research Club and his Sacred Gear. Seth was sitting on the couch with Annabelle and Alastair and Luke standing across from them.
"I… I know what I just told you sounds unbel-believable… But… you know I'm telling the truth…" Luke said. "You know about Devils, don't you?"
Seth didn't say a single word. He just stood up and walked right up to Luke. Luke gulped some of his own saliva, waiting for Seth to start lashing out again. The next thing he knew, his brother embraced him, and he could make out the faint sound of crying in his voice.
"I'm…" Seth sniffed through his words, trying his best to hold back his tears. "I'm just happy to see you alive… I… I couldn't bear it if I lost you for good…"
After finally composing himself, Seth took back his seat on the couch and took a deep breath.
"Luke, you're correct." Seth said. "I do know about Devils… That's because… I am one."
Bat-like wings sprout from Seth's back, shocking Luke in the process.
"Our mother and your father were human. My father is a Devil. To you and my friends, I am Seth Sigmund… But in the Underworld, I am Seth Morag, third son to the House of Morag."
"And we are his servants." Annabelle and Alastair added as the same wings grew from their backs.
"I kept this secret from you our entire lives because I didn't want you involved in our world." Seth continued. "The realm of Devils and Angels is dangerous. I didn't want you anywhere near it… but it looks like you got dragged into it anyway… I'm sorry for the way I acted today… You know I only did it because I love you and want to keep you safe."
"… I know." Luke muttered under his breath.
Despite how quietly Luke said those words, Seth knew exactly what those words were.
"And now that I've finally collected my thoughts, I realized you really lucked out with your new master."
"W-what do you mean?" Luke asked.
"The Devils from the House of Gremory are particularly caring about their servants. With her… I can at least rest easier knowing you're in good hands."
Seth gave Luke a genuine smile and Luke smiled back at him.
"Buuuut…"
Luke feared what his brother was about to say.
"If you're going into the world of Devils, you need to get stronger." Seth stated. "Much stronger. Starting tomorrow morning, I'll be training your body so nothing in this world or others will stand a chance against you!
Luke was rendered meek at the idea of what horrors await him the next morning.
"It was nice knowing you." Alastair waved his hand at Luke.
The next morning before classes, Seth had used Luke's phone to contact Rias and ask her to meet him on the academy rooftop. Seth waited on the roof until Rias came up alone.
"You wanted to meet with me?" Rias asked.
Seth made sure that no one else was around or hiding and turned to face Rias.
"I'm sorry for being so hostile to you yesterday." Seth apologized. "I don't harbor any ill will against you. Not at all. I just… I can be too overprotective. That's just the way I've been and always will be."
"You really love your brother, don't you?"
"He means the world to me."
"Well, you don't have to worry so much. I won't let anything happen to him. I swear it on the name of Gremory."
"Rias, I want you to make me a promise." Seth turned to Rias with his hand held out. "If anything were to happen to me, I want you to take care of Luke. I heard the Gremory family treat their servants like one of their own, so I know I can trust you with this."
Rias looked at Seth's hand and then at his face. She could tell that he was genuine and serious about this, so she shook his hand.
"I promise, but don't going dying, okay?" Rias asked.
"Relax, I don't plan on dying for a long, long time. I'm half-Devil, after all."
"Luke told me you're from the Extra Demon clan Morag. Your father Sterling is like an uncle to me."
"Sounds like he's a better uncle than he is a father."
"Oh, I'm sorry for bringing him up." Rias looked away. "I won't ask about your relationship with him."
"No hard feelings." Seth shrugged it off. "Class is about to start soon, so we should get going."
"Right." Rias said before walking away.
Seth just stared at Rias as she walked away. I wonder… Is she the one that can break Luke's shell?
A/N: I originally finished writing this chapter a while ago, but I decided to add some extra parts to the end. Obviously, Luke's Sacred Gear is related to the Sapphire Dragon, but what exactly that power is I will keep a mystery for a while, although I did drop a hint and will drop another later. In the next chapter, I will introduce Issei and his "King". I hope you really liked the OCs I introduced in this chapter, Fumiko and Belinda. Fumiko was originally an Akame Ga Kill OC for a collab fanfic I was going to do with a friend of mine that we never got around doing, although her personality has been reworked (although hilariously that personality on top of her looks I came up with before the mobile game Azur Lane released Boise, who has a similar design and personality). One more thing: the first original arc will be after the Holy Sword Incident. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed! Stay tuned for next time!