I'm a devil I don't need feelings

Ryo arrived at the gates of Kuoh Academy, where many students were entering. It was easy to notice that the number of girls far outnumbered the boys. Sona and Tsubaki stood at the gate, guiding students and monitoring those who attempted to break the rules, while also keeping an eye on those with special potential to turn them into chess pieces for their noble lords.

Unlike Rias, Sona relied on intelligence and hard work, using her mental abilities to carefully plan during battles and in selecting the right pieces for her team. Meanwhile, Rias possessed immense demonic energy and the power of destruction, but she often relied on luck in assembling her team members.

The question on everyone's mind was: who would ultimately win? Rias the noble or Sona the strategist?

The answer wasn't clear. Rias had strong and exceptional members, while Sona's team, though above average, was enhanced by her superior intelligence and strategies that could compensate for the power difference.

Ryo felt the need to learn military strategy, information gathering, and organization, and he realized Sona was the perfect teacher for this. However, he didn't want to be under her wing as a student, as that could create a strong bond between them, something he wished to avoid since it could lead to future enmity. For this reason, he needed a balanced deal where both sides could benefit.

As Ryo contemplated how to propose such a deal to Sona, he quietly approached her.

"Good morning, President and Vice President," Ryo spoke calmly.

Sona and Tsubaki responded with the same calmness, "Good morning, Ryo-san."

Tsubaki spoke in a gentle tone, but her eyes reflected a look of pity. "Are you alright, Ryo-san?"

Ryo noticed the look but ignored it. "Yes, I'm fine, Vice President."

He continued walking away as Sona watched his back.

After he passed, Sona muttered, "It seems he's gotten stronger since yesterday."

She could feel a stronger aura surrounding him, but she didn't notice the terrified expression on Tsubaki's face.

Tsubaki felt a strange fear she couldn't explain. When she spoke to Ryo, she felt pity for him, but his eyes concealed something dark, as if she were seeing death behind them. She felt that one wrong word could lead to her demise.

---

What Ryo didn't know was that the fear Tsubaki felt wasn't directly from him but from his soldiers, who were hiding in his shadow. These soldiers didn't like the look of pity Tsubaki was giving their master, whom they considered a supreme being in this world, the very embodiment of death. How could a demoness like Tsubaki dare to show such a look toward him?

Despite his strict orders not to reveal themselves, they were ready to intervene if necessary. In their minds, anyone who disrespected their king would undoubtedly die. They imagined themselves devouring her flesh, drinking her blood, and crafting a golden cup from her skull for their master to drink his victory wine.

As Ryo walked through the halls toward class, students made way for him while watching him with curiosity. The girls looked at him with admiration, while the boys glared with anger and envy, but they quickly lowered their heads when their eyes met his.

Ryo entered the classroom, and the mix of shock, admiration, and anger in the gazes intensified. He made his way to his seat, and as soon as he sat down, the girls surrounded him, bombarding him with questions.

"Ryo-kun, are you okay? I heard you were in an accident."

"Yes, Ryo-kun, do you need any help?"

"Ryo-kun, if you missed any lessons, I can help explain them to you."

On the other side, the boys muttered in silent frustration.

"Why does he get all the attention?"

"I'm handsome too, and I was in an accident! Where's my attention?"

"I don't understand the lessons either. Why don't they offer to help me?"

The girls responded sharply, "Are you comparing yourself to Ryo-kun?"

"Ryo-kun is handsome, and you? Look at yourself in the mirror!"

Ryo felt a slight headache from the noise, but relief washed over him when the teacher entered and began the math lesson. Time passed slowly until the bell rang, signaling the end of class.

As soon as the teacher left, the girls gathered around Ryo again. He quickly escaped from them, heading to the school rooftop in search of some peace.

There, he found Koneko, one of his classmates. Ryo nodded at her, and she responded with a quiet nod of her own. He sat on the opposite side of the rooftop and began eating his lunch.

But the peace didn't last long; Koneko's eyes kept watching him.

Ryo looked at her and asked, "What is it?"

"Nothing."

He returned to his meal, but her gaze didn't waver.

"What is it?" he asked again.

"Nothing."

"Then stop staring at me. I can't eat in peace."

Koneko averted her eyes silently. But moments later, she spoke suddenly, "You've changed a lot."

Ryo didn't lift his eyes from his food and replied calmly, "You've just now realized that?"

"I don't just mean your appearance. You've become colder."

Ryo answered with a cold tone, "That's normal. The old Ryo is dead."

"But I want the old Ryo... the kind one."

Ryo looked at her with cold, burning eyes filled with suppressed anger. "The old Ryo was weak and stupid, and I don't want to be that anymore."

"But you... but you..."

Koneko couldn't express her feelings. Ryo shouted in frustration, "Does it matter? Do you know what I've been through? The feeling of being abandoned by those you thought were your family?"

Koneko's tears started to fall silently. Ryo sighed, closed his lunchbox, stood up, and walked toward her. He gently patted her silver-white hair, pulled a biscuit from his pocket, and placed it in front of her. He then spoke in a soft yet firm voice, "The old Ryo is dead. The new Ryo was born from darkness, despair, fear, and disappointment. I am now the new Ryo Koujin. I am a demon, and there is no place for emotions in my heart."

He then left the rooftop without looking back. Koneko watched him disappear and wiped away her tears, whispering to herself, "I know the kind Ryo is still in there."

She took the biscuit and began eating it.

As Ryo walked, he thought that things had gotten out of his control. He realized he needed to gain greater control over his emotions.

He returned to class as the final lesson ended, and he heard the bell ring. In the hallway, he ran into Kiba.

"Ryo-san, it's good that I found you. The president is about to start the meeting soon."

"Kiba-san, is there something important in the meeting?"

"No, just some tasks and training schedules."

"Alright, let's go."

---