Chapter 12: [12] : Power Boost and Rias's Self-Imposed Isolation
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After using the enhancement card, I felt a wave of comfortable warmth wash over me, erasing the fatigue from the battle. I immediately checked my status screen.
Host: Hibari Kyoya
Physique: Mid-class Devil (Peak)
Magic Power: Mid-class Devil (Peak)
Abilities: Three-Type of Haki, Rumble-Rumble Fruit (Weakness Removed), Flying Thunder God Technique, Azure Dragon (Sealed)
Inventory: Zanpakuto: Zangetsu
Seeing that both my physique and magic power had reached the peak of Mid-class level, I felt a surge of satisfaction.
This meant I could use the Azure Dragon's power for longer periods and with less strain on my body.
Just as I was reveling in my power boost, a flash of crimson appeared before me, and Rias was suddenly standing right in front of me, staring intently.
Remembering Rias's personality and her current predicament, I felt a slight twitch in the corner of my mouth, and my smile became a bit stiff.
"Is something the matter, Rias?"
"Kyoya-kun."
Rias took a deep breath, her gaze unwavering. Everyone else stopped their chatter and quietly watched us.
She stared at me for a long moment, then finally spoke, her voice soft yet firm.
"Even though you rejected me before, and it's a bit embarrassing to ask again, I have to try once more. Kyoya-kun, will you become my peerage member?"
I looked at Rias's expression without changing my own.
Her face was flushed, but her tone was serious, and her eyes were filled with anticipation.
Hearing Rias's invitation, her peerage members all looked at me, their own hopes evident in their eyes.
From their perspective, it was easy to see why. As a mere human, I possessed incredible power, and if I were to become a Reincarnated Devil under Rias, with my seemingly Limitless potential, there was no telling how strong I might become.
I was practically a blank slate with monstrous talent.
However, Tomoe, standing on the other side, felt a pang of complexity.
If only I had challenged her sooner, she could have discovered me first and taken me to meet her own master, Sona.
With my talent and strength, Sona would have undoubtedly recruited me, and I would have become a member of their family. They could have trained in swordsmanship together and spent time with each other every day.
But now, it seemed it was too late. Tomoe sighed, a hint of bitterness in her eyes.
Koneko stared at me, her thoughts unreadable.
'If pervert-senpai becomes Rias-buchou's peerage member, then I can be with him all the time without any problems.' Koneko was naturally quite happy with this thought.
Akeno seemed calm, as she had already wanted Rias to recruit me. That way, they could always be together, and she could tease her little "Boyfriend" to her heart's content.
No one wanted me to become Rias's peerage member more than she did.
Similarly, Kiba was also quite pleased with the prospect. If I joined their group, he could regularly spar with me to further improve his swordsmanship!
No matter what, having another strong member was always a good thing.
Looking at the hopeful expressions of Rias and the others, I remained silent for a long time. They didn't rush me.
"I'm really sorry, Rias. I don't want to be under anyone's authority. I know you treat your peerage members like family, but I'm quite content being human right now. I haven't considered becoming a Devil, so please forgive me for having to refuse."
To be honest, I didn't want Rias to—
"I-I see… I understand."
A flicker of disappointment flashed in Rias's eyes, and her face fell.
But she quickly masked her disappointment with a gentle smile. "There's no need to apologize. I understand your perspective. It would be quite unsettling to suddenly ask you to become my peerage member. So, I'd like you to join the Occult Research Club first."
"But I will always be waiting for you to change your mind! Because I want to be family with you, Kyoya-kun."
After speaking her piece, Rias seemed to regain her spirits. She was determined to have me!
But Rias's vow-like declaration made the atmosphere even more awkward.
"Become family with pervert-senpai...?"
Koneko blinked her large, doll-like eyes, her expression unreadable.
"Ara ara~ This is surprising. Rias, you're being quite bold, saying you want to be family with Kyoya-kun and all… But I won't give him up so easily, you know? After all, Kyoya-kun did say he was going to marry me…"
The red-haired girl was stunned speechless by Akeno's sudden teasing. Rias stood there, frozen, her face flushed.
After a moment, she finally reacted to Akeno's teasing.
"Wait, that's not what I meant! Kyoya-kun, don't misunderstand, that's really not what I meant..."
"Hmm? Then what did you mean, Rias-chan?"
"You... you're impossible, Akeno!! I just meant as regular family!! Don't twist my words!"
Faced with Akeno's relentless teasing, Rias was flustered, her face beet red.
"What a mess..."
Koneko and Kiba looked at each other, not understanding how things had turned out this way. They both let out helpless sighs.
"...."
Tomoe remained silent. This was their business, and she had no right to interfere.
But the thought of me refusing Rias's offer made her feel a little relieved. However, Rias and Akeno's words made her uneasy...
This won't do! I need to go back and report this to my master. We have to get Hibari-san on our side!
Tomoe's eyes were resolute. She wouldn't give me up so easily!
Seeing Tomoe's expression, Rias and the others could guess what she was thinking. But they had no reason to stop her.
Instead, they turned their attention to me, their expressions complicated. Their words were caught in their throats, turning into sighs.
"Hibari-san is really something else..."
Who would have thought that the formerly unremarkable shut-in would be such a skilled swordsman? And now, he had even caught Rias's eye...
Looking at the complicated interactions between the girls, I felt a pang of guilt towards Rias.
If it were in the past, I would have jumped at the chance to become Rias's peerage member, especially with her being so proactive.
But now, it was impossible. I had awakened the System. I had my own plans.
Becoming a Devil wasn't the ideal choice. Devils might hold a certain position in this world.
But in the grand scheme of the Multiverse, they were insignificant. There were countless Bloodlines far more powerful than that of a Devil!
Just consider the Azure Dragon's soul power I possessed, or the Angels and Gods of Destruction from the Dragon Ball universe, and the evil gods that would later invade the DxD world!
Devils wouldn't even be worthy of shining their shoes.
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