Chapter 18 - An Invitation from Rias Gremory

Rias Gremory, Crimson-Haired Heiress of the Gremory Clan, finally leaned forward, her deep blue eyes locking onto mine with newfound intensity.

The teasing, the curiosity, the shock over Mittelt—all of that faded.

Now, we were getting to the real reason she was here.

She folded her hands gracefully, maintaining that signature poised confidence she was known for.

"Malrik," she began smoothly, "I'm sure you already know this, but you've stepped into a world far beyond what most humans ever experience."

She spoke as if she were explaining things for the first time, which, of course, made sense.

From her perspective, I was just a guy who recently awakened a Sacred Gear, someone powerful but uninformed about the greater supernatural world.

"There is an entire society hidden from the eyes of normal humans—devils, angels, fallen angels, and other supernatural beings that have existed since ancient times."

I kept my expression neutral, letting her talk.

This was her pitch.

And I was curious how she'd frame it.

————

"The supernatural world is divided into three major factions," Rias continued.

The Devils – "My kind. Once rulers of Hell, now rebuilding our society after the Great War."

The Angels – "The loyal warriors of Heaven, led by the God of the Bible."

The Fallen Angels – "Exiled angels who lost their divinity and formed their own faction. You've already encountered some of them." (She gives a pointed glance at Mittelt, who scowls but says nothing.)

She paused for a moment, studying my reaction, then continued.

"These factions have been at war for centuries, but after losing too many in battle, a fragile peace was formed."

"But that doesn't mean conflicts have stopped."

Akeno chimed in, her smile unreadable.

"There are still those who want war, Malrik-kun~. Stray devils, rogue exorcists, and creatures far older than any of us."

I already knew all of this.

But I let them think I didn't.

For now.

Rias finally cut to the chase.

"Malrik, you have incredible potential."

She leaned forward slightly, her tone smooth, persuasive.

"If you join me, I can help you master your Sacred Gear. You'd gain access to power beyond what any human could ever dream of."

"I'm offering you a place in my peerage."

There it was.

Her invitation to become a Devil.

And while most people in DxD would jump at the chance—

I simply smiled.

And refused.

"I appreciate the offer, Rias, but I like my humanity."

The room went silent.

Rias blinked, visibly thrown off.

"You're refusing… just like that?"

Most people would kill to join her peerage.

She was offering me power, protection, and a place among the devils—and I just turned her down like it was nothing.

Akeno, ever the mischievous observer, chuckled softly.

"Ara~ Turning down Buchou so easily~? You really are an interesting one, Malrik-kun." 

The atmosphere had finally relaxed after my casual rejection of Rias' offer.

Well, at least for me.

Rias still looked thoughtful, her fingers tapping lightly against the table, studying me as if trying to figure out what kind of person rejects an invitation to become a devil so easily.

Akeno, on the other hand, was still smirking, her violet eyes filled with amusement as she watched the exchange unfold like a spectator enjoying a private show.

I decided to lighten the mood.

"Well," I said, stretching slightly before standing, "I suppose I should give you a parting gift, since you went through all this trouble just to get rejected."

Rias raised a brow, clearly intrigued.

Mittelt, who had been watching the entire conversation while sulking nearby, scoffed. "Tch. Show-off."

She wasn't wrong.

But hey, if I was going to flex, might as well do it casually.

I raised my hand, and the air around me shifted.

A faint golden glow radiated from my fingers as arcane symbols spun to life, orbiting my palm like gears of an unseen machine.

The warm hum of magic filled the room, the very fabric of reality bending slightly to my will.

Akeno's eyes narrowed slightly, clearly sensing the supernatural energy in the air.

Rias sat up straighter, watching closely as the magic took form.

With a flick of my wrist, twin silver hairpins materialized, shimmering under the light.

They weren't overly extravagant, but there was a simple elegance to them—the kind of craftsmanship that looked effortless but wasn't.

Subtle engravings of runic symbols gleamed along the delicate silver, the faintest traces of defensive enchantments woven into the design.

I held them out, one in each hand.

"Consider it a thank-you gift for the offer." I smirked. "No hard feelings, right?"

Rias took one, running her fingers over the smooth metal, her expression shifting.

For someone used to high-tier magic artifacts, she could tell that this wasn't normal blacksmithing.

"This…" she murmured, closing her fingers around it, eyes flicking back to me. "You made this in seconds."

I shrugged. "I have good hands."

Akeno chuckled, twirling her hairpin between her fingers, her smirk never fading.

"How thoughtful~," she purred, "a man who gives gifts to women without expecting anything in return? You're either a gentleman or a dangerous flirt, Malrik-kun."

She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to that teasing lilt of hers. "Which one is it?"

I smiled. "Why not both?"

Mittelt groaned audibly from the side. "Ugh. I swear, I'm surrounded by degenerates."

{Rias' Thoughts}

She knew power when she saw it.

Malrik wasn't just some random human who awakened a Sacred Gear.

He was strong.

He was confident.

And now, he had a fallen angel maid under his roof.

And, somehow, he had just casually crafted enchanted items in front of her, as if it was nothing.

That level of control, that level of ease—it wasn't normal.

Her interest deepened.

This wasn't over.

She was going to keep her eye on him.

——————————

The morning air was crisp, the sun casting long shadows over the mansion grounds as Rias and Akeno stood at the gate, waiting.

I took my sweet time, stretching lazily as I approached, still savoring the last remnants of my morning coffee.

Rias tilted her head, arms crossed in an elegant but expectant manner.

"Are you coming with us, or would you prefer to keep up your 'mysterious loner' act?"

I smirked. "Tempting, but I guess I can entertain you both for a little while."

Akeno giggled, stepping closer, her voice dripping with amusement.

"Ara~ I wonder if that means we're entertaining you as well, Malrik-kun?"

I didn't answer—just let my smirk widen as I walked past them, leading the way toward the main road.

Rias sighed but followed, her deep blue eyes watching me carefully, still trying to figure me out.

{Mittelt's POV}

From the mansion's second-floor balcony, a pair of golden eyes watched the three of us leave.

Mittelt rested her arms on the railing, her wings twitching slightly, an unreadable expression on her face.

She had no reason to care.

None at all.

And yet…

The sight of Malrik walking away with those two devils made her cross her arms a little tighter.

Her fingers tapped impatiently against the railing, her lips pressing into a thin line.

"Tch. Smug bastard."

"Him and those damn devils."

"Why does it annoy me so much?"

She huffed, spinning away from the window, refusing to watch any longer.

She had things to do.

She wasn't going to waste time thinking about him.

No way.

{Malrik POV}

The three of us walked down the path leading to Kuoh Academy, the morning bustling with students on their way to class.

A few heads turned as we passed.

Rias Gremory and Akeno Himejima were practically royalty here, so being seen walking with them?

Yeah.

It was enough to make people talk.

Not that I cared.

She glanced at me from the corner of her eye, watching how I carried myself—completely unfazed, completely in control.

Most humans would have been starstruck, nervous, eager to please.

But Malrik?

He wasn't intimidated.

He wasn't eager to prove himself.

He wasn't like anyone she had met before.

She had tried to recruit him.

He had turned her down.

Without hesitation.

Without even a second thought.

And that intrigued her more than she expected.

"Malrik… you're different."

"I have a feeling this isn't the last time I'll be making you an offer."

I noticed the way Rias was watching me, studying me.

I chuckled, giving her a sideways glance as we neared the school gates.

"Oh, don't worry, Rias."

"I'm sure we'll have plenty of fun together."