Highschool DXD : Gacha Life

I stood at the wrought iron gates of what could only be described as a mansion, my neck craned back as I tried to take in the full scope of the building before me.

The structure was a masterpiece of classical architecture, with white marble columns, ornate balconies, and perfectly manicured gardens that seemed to stretch on forever. It was the kind of place that made you instinctively check if your shoes were clean enough to walk on the driveway.

"Rias," I said, turning to the crimson-haired devil beside me, "why exactly are we here?"

She smiled that enigmatic smile of hers, the one that usually meant she was about to spring something on me that I wouldn't see coming. "I'd like to introduce you to someone who could help you understand more about your sacred gear."

I felt my stomach drop slightly. "I thought we agreed to keep that between us? I trusted you and your peerage enough to tell you about it, but I don't want too many people knowing about my abilities."

"Don't worry," Rias said, her smile growing warmer and more reassuring. "The person I'm going to introduce you to would be the last to reveal your secret to anyone."

"The way you framed that sounds kind of scary," I said, though I couldn't help but grin at her choice of words.

"Oh, you'll understand what I mean soon enough," she laughed, gesturing toward the mansion. "Come on, let's go in."

As we walked up the marble steps, I found myself marveling at the sheer elegance of everything around us. The garden was perfectly maintained, with roses that seemed to bloom in impossible colors and fountains that played classical melodies in the sound of their water. Even the air felt different here – cleaner, somehow more refined.

"This place is incredible," I said, running my hand along the smooth balustrade. "Who owns it?"

"Someone with very particular tastes," Rias replied, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "She's been on vacation here on Earth for a while now, though her idea of a vacation is quite different from most people's."

"She?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

"Mmm," Rias hummed, glancing at me sideways. "Tell me, Akira-kun, what do you think of our friendship so far?"

The question caught me off guard. "Our friendship?"

"Yes," she said, slowing her pace as we approached the main entrance. "I know you've been hesitant to get too close to devils, and I understand why. But I want you to know that I value what we've built together. You're not just someone I'm trying to recruit anymore – you're someone I genuinely care about."

I felt something warm settle in my chest at her words. "I... I value our friendship too, Rias. You and your peerage have been the closest thing to family I've had since arriving in this world."

"Good," she said, her smile becoming more genuine. "Because the person we're about to meet – she's very important to me. And I think she could be important to you too, in her own way."

The massive oak doors opened before we could knock, revealing an interior that was somehow even more impressive than the exterior. Crystal chandeliers hung from vaulted ceilings, and tapestries that looked like they belonged in a museum adorned the walls. Our footsteps echoed softly on the polished marble floors as Rias led me through corridors lined with priceless artwork.

"The person we're meeting," I said as we climbed a grand staircase, "they're connected to the supernatural world, I assume?"

"Very much so," Rias confirmed. "Though perhaps not in the way you might expect."

We stopped in front of an ornate door decorated with intricate carvings of roses and what looked like family crests. Rias raised her hand to knock, then called out instead: "I'm coming in!"

The door swung open, and I followed Rias into what appeared to be a luxurious sitting room. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, illuminating comfortable furniture and more artwork that probably cost more than most people's houses. But my attention was immediately drawn to the young woman sitting gracefully on a velvet sofa.

She appeared to be around twenty years old, with a soft, kind expression that somehow reminded me of Rias despite their features being quite different. Her droopy eyes gave her a gentle, almost sleepy appearance, and her crimson hair was tied back in a ponytail that somehow managed to look both elegant and casual. What I definitely noticed – and tried not to stare at – was her rather impressive figure, which her flowing dress did little to conceal.

"Rias, darling!" the woman exclaimed, rising from her seat with a bright smile. "You didn't tell me you were bringing such a handsome young man with you!"

"Grandmother," Rias said, her voice carrying a mixture of affection and mild exasperation, "this is Akira, the one I told you about."

I felt my brain short-circuit for a moment. "Grandmother?" I looked between them, trying to process what I'd just heard. "But she looks..."

"Oh my, how sweet!" the woman laughed, clapping her hands together delightedly. "It's been so long since someone was confused about my age. I'm Chysis Gremory, dear. Rias's grandmother."

"Chysis Gremory," I repeated, still trying to wrap my head around the situation. "You're..."

"A very old devil who happens to look quite young, yes," Chysis said with a wink. "One of the perks of our nature. Though I must say, Rias described you perfectly. You're exactly as polite and good-looking as she said."

I felt heat rise in my cheeks. "Thank you, Lady Gremory. It's an honor to meet you."

"Oh, just Chysis is fine, dear," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "Lady Gremory makes me sound so formal. Now, please, both of you sit down. I've had tea prepared, and I'm absolutely dying to hear more about this sacred gear of yours."

As I settled into one of the plush armchairs, I couldn't help but notice how different Chysis was from what I'd expected. There was something almost motherly about her presence, warm and welcoming in a way that made me feel instantly at ease despite the opulent surroundings.

"So," Chysis said, pouring tea from an ornate silver set, "Rias tells me you've been having some interesting developments with your abilities. Water manipulation, was it?"

"Among other things," I said carefully, accepting the delicate china cup she offered. "Though I'm still learning about the full extent of what I can do."

"Mmm," Chysis hummed, settling back into her seat. "Sacred gears are fascinating things, especially the more unusual ones. The fact that yours seems to be evolving is particularly interesting."

"Evolving?" I asked, glancing at Rias.

"Well, from what Rias described, you started with one ability and then gained another quite suddenly," Chysis explained. "That's not entirely uncommon, but it usually indicates that your sacred gear is responding to your experiences and growth as a person."

I thought back to the gacha system and the rewards I'd been receiving. If only she knew how right she was, though not in the way she imagined.

"The question is," Chysis continued, "whether you're interested in understanding more about what you might be capable of. Because if you are, I might be able to help with that."

"What kind of help?" I asked, though I was genuinely curious despite my wariness.

"Well, I've been alive for a very long time," Chysis said with a gentle smile. "I've seen many sacred gears in my years, and I've learned quite a bit about how they work. More importantly, I could teach you some techniques for controlling and focusing your power that might be useful."

"Without trying to recruit me into anything?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Chysis laughed, a sound that was both elegant and genuinely amused. "Oh my, no. I'm far too old to be interested in building a peerage, dear. I'm on vacation, remember? This would just be one supernatural being helping another."

I found myself relaxing despite my usual caution. There was something about Chysis that felt trustworthy, perhaps because she seemed to genuinely care about Rias and, by extension, the people Rias cared about.

"Besides," she added with a mischievous glint in her eye, "I have a feeling you might be able to help me with something as well."

"Oh?" I asked, curious.

"I've been on vacation here in Kuoh for a while now," Chysis explained, "but I haven't really had the chance to explore properly. All my servants are so... formal. They show me the tourist attractions and famous landmarks, but they don't really know how to have fun, you know?"

I raised an eyebrow. "And you think I do?"

"Well, you're a young man who actually lives here," she said with a warm smile. "You'd know all the interesting places, the good restaurants, the hidden spots that tourists never find. Plus, Rias speaks very highly of you – she says you have a good sense of humor and know how to enjoy life despite everything you've been through."

"Wonderful!" Chysis clapped her hands together. "Then perhaps we could make an arrangement. I help you understand your abilities better, and you help me experience Kuoh the way a local would. What do you say?"

I looked at Rias, who was watching our interaction with an expression of fond amusement. "What do you think?"

"I think," Rias said, "that this could be exactly what you need. Grandmother has more experience with sacred gears than almost anyone, and she's not affiliated with any of the major factions. You couldn't ask for a more neutral teacher."

"And the last to reveal your secrets," I said, remembering her earlier words.

"Precisely," Chysis said with a warm smile. "I'm far too old to be interested in political games, dear. Your secrets would be safe with me."

I considered the offer, weighing the potential benefits against the risks. Finally, I nodded. "Alright. I'd like that."

"Excellent!" Chysis stood up, suddenly looking more energetic. "In that case, perhaps we could start with you showing me around Kuoh properly? I'd love to see the town through the eyes of someone who actually lives here."

I looked at Rias, who was watching our interaction with an expression of fond amusement. "What do you think?"

"I think," Rias said, "that this could be exactly what you need. Grandmother has more experience with sacred gears than almost anyone, and she's not affiliated with any of the major factions. You couldn't ask for a more neutral teacher."

"And I get to explore Kuoh like a local instead of being dragged to boring historical sites," Chysis added with a laugh. "It sounds like a perfect arrangement to me."

I found myself smiling at the enthusiasm in her voice. "Alright then. I'd be happy to show you around town. I know Kuoh pretty well - all the good restaurants, the quiet spots where you can actually relax, and the places that most tourists never think to visit."

"Perfect!" Chysis clapped her hands together. "I knew you'd be exactly what I needed. My servants keep taking me to all the 'proper' places - museums, temples, official landmarks. But I want to experience the real Kuoh, the places where people actually live and enjoy themselves."

As we made our way back toward the main sitting room, I couldn't help but feel that this unexpected meeting might be exactly what I needed. Not just for understanding my abilities, but for finding a sense of belonging in this strange new world.

And if I could show someone as kind as Chysis around my adopted home of Kuoh, well, that sounded like it could be genuinely enjoyable too.