Highschool DXD : Gacha Life

The morning sun streamed through the elegant dining room windows of Chysis's mansion, casting warm golden light across the polished mahogany table. I sat across from my benefactor, watching as she delicately cut into her perfectly prepared omelet with the precision of someone accustomed to the finer things in life.

"So," she said without looking up, her voice carrying that familiar tone of casual authority, "I take it your evening was... productive?"

I paused with my coffee cup halfway to my lips. "You heard about last night already?"

"Dear" Chysis smiled, finally meeting my eyes, "when an entire fallen angel operation gets obliterated in a single night, word tends to travel quickly through certain circles. The question isn't whether I heard about it—it's whether you're going to tell me the truth about what happened."

I set down my cup and leaned back in my chair. There was no point in being evasive with Chysis. She had proven herself trustworthy time and again, and her insights had been invaluable.

"Three fallen angels ambushed me in the park," I began, watching her expression carefully. "They wanted my Sacred Gear. When I refused to cooperate, they made it clear they would keep coming after me until they got what they wanted."

"And you decided to eliminate the threat entirely," she said, not a question but a statement of fact.

"I tracked them back to their base—the old abandoned church. There were twenty-one enemies in total. One fallen angel leader named Raynare, and twenty stray exorcists under her command."

Chysis paused in her eating, her fork hovering in midair. "Twenty-one. And you handled all of them alone?"

"Yes."

She set down her fork completely, studying my face with an intensity that made me slightly uncomfortable. "Akira, do you understand the magnitude of what you accomplished? Most High-Class Devils would think twice before taking on those odds alone."

"I had advantages they didn't expect," I said simply. "New abilities, better equipment, and the element of surprise."

"New abilities?" Her eyebrow arched elegantly. "Care to elaborate?"

I considered how much to reveal. "An armor that enhances all my physical capabilities and grants additional powers. Something... unique."

Fascinating, Chysis thought to herself, her mind racing even as she maintained her composed exterior. In just two weeks, he's gone from a promising student to someone capable of single-handedly dismantling entire supernatural operations. The rate of his development is unprecedented. And that casual way he speaks about eliminating twenty-one enemies...

She had seen many devils grow in power over the centuries, had witnessed the rise of legendary figures, but there was something different about Akira's progression. It wasn't just raw strength—it was the tactical thinking, the cold precision, the willingness to make hard choices without hesitation.

He saved Asia without a moment's doubt, putting himself at risk for someone he barely knew. Yet he can eliminate threats with the efficiency of a seasoned killer. Compassionate but ruthless. Loyal but independent. He's becoming something extraordinary.

"The fallen angels will demand answers," she said aloud, cutting into her thoughts.

"Let them. Rias and Sona have already made it clear they'll support my position. The fallen angels initiated hostilities in devil territory without permission. They have no legal ground to stand on."

"And you're confident you can handle any retaliation they might attempt?"

"After last night? Yes."

The simple confidence in that single word spoke volumes. Chysis found herself believing him completely, which was remarkable in itself. She had lived long enough to distinguish between arrogance and genuine capability—and Akira was definitely the latter.

"What about Asia?" she asked, changing the subject. "I'll be returning to the Underworld next week. My vacation time is over, and I have duties to attend to. What are your plans for her?"

I was quiet for a moment, staring into my coffee cup. "I... honestly don't know. When I first got these powers, my only thought was survival. Getting strong enough to protect myself and those I care about. But now..."

"Now you have friends who care about your welfare," Chysis observed. "Rias, Akeno, even Sona in her own way. They've offered their support."

"Yes, but there are limits to how far they'll go," I said, looking up to meet her eyes. "I'm human, Chysis. At the end of the day, their first loyalty will always be to their own kind, their own factions. I understand that, and I don't begrudge them for it. But it means I can't rely on them completely."

He's thinking like a strategist, she mused. Planning for contingencies, understanding the political realities of supernatural society. Most humans would be content to accept the devils' protection and live under their umbrella. But he recognizes that dependency is its own form of weakness.

"Besides," I continued, "I don't like feeling helpless. These past two weeks have shown me what I'm capable of when I take control of my own fate. I've been thinking... maybe it's time to build something of my own."

"Your own group?" Chysis leaned forward, intrigued. "Tell me more about this idea."

"A organization of strong individuals who aren't beholden to the existing power structures. People who can stand on their own but choose to work together. Not a traditional peerage or faction hierarchy, but something more... egalitarian."

"Ambitious," she said approvingly. "And Asia? Where does she fit into these plans?"

I hesitated. "That's the problem. Asia is kind, innocent, pure-hearted. She doesn't belong in the kind of world I'm getting involved in. She deserves a peaceful life, not one filled with violence and political maneuvering."

And there it is, Chysis thought with something approaching pride. He's protective of her innocence, even while planning his own rise to power. He understands that not everyone should be dragged into the darkness, even if they have abilities that would be useful.

"Have you considered asking her what she wants?" Chysis suggested gently.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," she stood gracefully from her chair, "that Asia Argento has spent her entire life having other people make decisions for her. The Church sent her away because of her abilities. The fallen angels planned to use her for their own purposes. Even you and I decided her fate without consulting her. Perhaps it's time someone actually asked what she wants to do with her life."

The truth of that statement hit me like a physical blow. She was right—everyone had been making choices for Asia, supposedly in her best interest, without ever considering her own desires.

"Asia, dear?" Chysis called out sweetly. "Could you join us for a moment?"

From the next room came the soft sound of footsteps, and Asia appeared in the doorway. She was wearing one of the dresses Chysis had provided—a simple but elegant green number that complemented her eyes. In her hands was a small watering can, and there were tiny droplets of water on her fingers from tending to the plants.

"You called for me, Chysis-san?" she asked politely, then noticed me. "Oh, good morning, Akira-san. I hope you slept well."

"I did, thank you. How are you adjusting to your new circumstances?"

"I'll leave you two to talk," Chysis said smoothly, gathering her plate and coffee cup. "Take all the time you need."

As she left the room, she paused just long enough to give me a meaningful look that clearly said: Ask her what she wants.

When we were alone, Asia set down her watering can and took the seat Chysis had vacated. The morning light caught in her blonde hair, making it seem almost luminous.

"Asia," I began carefully, "how are you really feeling about everything that's happened? About being here, about leaving the Church behind, about... all of it?"

She was quiet for a moment, her hands folded in her lap. "It's strange," she said finally. "For so long, my life was dictated by others. The Church told me where to go, what to do, who to heal. I never questioned it because I thought it was God's will."

"And now?"

"Now I find myself wondering if perhaps God's will was for me to make my own choices." She looked up at me with those innocent green eyes. "Does that sound terribly selfish?"

"It sounds human," I said gently. "You have every right to decide your own path."

"The strange thing is," she continued, "I feel more at peace here than I have in years. Chysis-san has been wonderfully kind, but more than that... I feel safe. For the first time in my life, I'm not afraid that someone will hurt me or use me for their own purposes."

"You shouldn't have to be afraid of that," I said firmly. "You deserve to live without fear."

"But I also don't want to live without purpose," she said, her voice growing stronger. "My healing abilities... they're a gift. I want to use them to help people, but I want to choose who I help and why."

I studied her face, seeing a strength there that I hadn't noticed before. "What if I told you I was thinking of forming a group of people like us? People with special abilities who want to help others but don't want to be bound by the existing power structures?"

Her eyes widened with interest. "You mean... like a new kind of organization?"

"Something like that. But Asia, I need you to understand—the world I'm getting involved in can be dangerous. There would be risks, enemies who might target us. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you because of choices I made."

To my surprise, she smiled. "Akira-san, something was already going to happen to me because of choices other people made. At least with you, I would have a say in my own fate."

The simple wisdom of that statement left me momentarily speechless.

"Besides," she continued, "I've been thinking about what happened to me. The fallen angels, the way the Church treated me... there are probably other people out there in similar situations. People who need help but have nowhere to turn. If we could create something that truly protects the innocent..."

"You want to help build this?" I asked, genuinely surprised.

"I want to choose to help build this," she corrected with a gentle smile. "There's a difference."

Looking at her in that moment—seeing the quiet determination in her eyes, the way she held herself with newfound confidence—I realized I had been underestimating her. Asia Argento wasn't just an innocent victim to be protected. She was someone with her own strength, her own convictions, her own desire to make a difference in the world.

"Then welcome to the team," I said, extending my hand across the table.

She took it without hesitation, her grip surprisingly firm. "Thank you for asking me instead of deciding for me."

"Thank you for being brave enough to choose your own path."

As we shook hands, I felt the first pieces of something new beginning to take shape. Not just a group or organization, but a partnership built on mutual respect and shared values.

From the doorway, I caught a glimpse of Chysis watching us with an expression of satisfaction. She had been right—Asia needed to make her own choice. And the choice she made was going to make us all stronger.

This is just the beginning, I thought as Asia smiled at me with genuine happiness. But it's a good beginning.

...

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