Chapter 3: Encounter with a Stray Devil

When Blake finally snapped out of his trance, the school bell rang, signaling the end of class. He blinked, his sharp blue eyes now carrying a faint, ethereal glow. The change in his aura was subtle yet undeniable, like a fire that had been carefully stoked to burn brighter.

The classroom was abuzz with hushed whispers, and more than a few girls shot lingering glances in his direction.

Blake sighed inwardly. Great. Just what I needed—more attention.

Ignoring the stares, he grabbed his cloth-wrapped sword from beside his desk and made his way out. Most students weren't allowed to bring weapons to school, but thanks to his sister's influence—and Rias Gremory's special permission—he enjoyed a few privileges.

As he walked through the corridors, the glances continued. Some were subtle, others… not so much.

"Did he always look that cool?" one girl whispered.

"I thought he was handsome before, but now he's like a mysterious noble prince…" another sighed dreamily.

'Mysterious noble prince'? Seriously? Blake resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

His aloof, distant demeanor wasn't just for show. It kept unnecessary trouble at bay. But deep down, he had to admit—it was amusing how easily people romanticized things.

Putting those thoughts aside, he turned his focus inward.

"Sia," he asked mentally, "if my family is so influential, why weren't they mentioned in the original story? Wouldn't Rias have tried to recruit me as a servant?"

"That's because the Silva family didn't originally exist in this world, Master," Sia replied sweetly. "Your presence altered reality, creating a background that seamlessly fits into this world's history."

"So I'm essentially an anomaly?" Blake mused.

"An anomaly… with plot armor," Sia teased.

Blake smirked. "I can work with that."

With only two months until the main events of the story unfolded, he had no time to waste. If he didn't grow strong enough, he'd end up as nothing more than background filler in a world crawling with devils, angels, and dragons.

And there were certain characters—Rias, Akeno, Koneko—who deserved a much better protagonist than Issei Hyoudou.

As Blake was lost in thought, a sweet, familiar voice interrupted him.

"Blake-kun, are you adjusting well to school life here?"

Blake turned toward the voice—then promptly forgot how to breathe.

What was the most breathtaking shade of red?

The crimson of roses? The rich hue of rubies? The deep scarlet of a setting sun?

No. None of the above.

The most captivating red Blake had ever seen was her hair.

Whoosh!

A gentle breeze swept through the campus, brushing past the track field, rustling through trees, and teasing the long, flowing crimson strands of the girl standing before him.

She was tall, poised, and radiated an effortless elegance. One hand delicately tucked a strand of wind-blown hair behind her ear, while the other rested lightly at her side.

Her features were breathtaking—so flawless they seemed unreal. But even her beauty paled in comparison to the fiery cascade of red that framed her figure.

Rias Gremory.

The moment stretched on longer than it should have.

"Blake, are you all right?" Rias asked, tilting her head slightly.

Blake blinked, snapping out of his momentary daze.

"Ah, yes. Thank you for your concern, Rias-senpai. I'm fine." His cool demeanor returned almost instantly.

Rias studied him for a second longer, as if trying to decipher something. Then, with a gentle smile, she said, "That's good to hear. It's almost time for club activities, so I'll leave you be."

With that, she turned and walked away.

Blake exhaled, shaking his head. "Seeing her in person really is something else…"

He'd already known what she looked like from his memories, but experiencing her presence firsthand was different. Much different.

Shrugging off the lingering effect of their encounter, he made his way toward the kendo club.

---

Time passed quickly. After an intense kendo session, Blake wiped the sweat from his brow and finally left the campus.

The night air was crisp, and the streets were mostly empty. As he walked through a narrow alley to take a shortcut home, his senses sharpened.

Something felt off.

Zzzt! Zzzt!

A strange, static-like noise crackled in the air. Blake came to an abrupt halt.

His gaze flickered toward the high walls of the alley, where a shadowy figure lurked.

Whoosh!

Without warning, a sharp whistling sound tore through the night.

Blake's instincts screamed at him.

He twisted to the side—just in time.

Thwack!

Black, needle-like projectiles embedded themselves into the ground where he had stood mere moments ago, piercing deep into the concrete.

Blake narrowed his eyes. Well… that's definitely not normal.

A low, inhuman growl echoed from the shadows.

Then, stepping into the dim light, a creature emerged—its body twisted and grotesque, a sinister grin stretching across its face.

"Ah, a fresh human. And one with such strong life force…" the creature sneered, licking its lips. "You'll make a fine meal."

Blake cracked his knuckles.

"I don't know what's uglier—your face or your personality."

The stray devil let out a guttural snarl. "Cocky little brat. I'll tear you apart!"

Blake sighed. "Why do they always say that? It's like you guys have a villain handbook or something."

The creature lunged, claws extended—

-----

Re Worked