Chapter 19 - Stealing Kuoh Academy’s Goddesses

The morning sun cast long shadows across Kuoh Academy's campus, but the atmosphere was anything but peaceful.

As I walked through the school gates, flanked by Rias and Akeno, I could feel the collective gaze of the student body locking onto me.

The stares were sharp, scrutinizing, and overwhelmingly male. The tension in the air was almost tangible. Conversations ground to a halt, whispers taking their place.

"Who the hell is that guy?"

"How did he get so close to Rias-sama and Akeno-sama?"

"That bastard must be cheating!"

The jealousy was so thick I could almost taste it. Some students stood frozen in place, while others clenched their fists, looking as if they wanted to march over and demand an explanation.

It was hilarious.

I caught one particularly devastated-looking student gripping his bookbag like a lifeline, eyes brimming with unspoken despair. Another looked like he was witnessing his entire world collapse.

"Damn, these guys are down bad," I thought, barely suppressing a grin.

Akeno, walking just a step behind me, leaned in slightly. Her voice was light, playful, but undeniably amused.

"Malrik-kun, it seems you've made quite an impression already."

Her warm breath tickled my ear, her tone dripping with amusement. She was clearly enjoying the chaos I was causing.

I smirked, my voice carrying just enough volume for the nearest group of eavesdroppers to hear.

"Can't help it. Handsome guys like me attract attention."

Akeno let out a soft, melodic laugh, covering her mouth with her hand. The moment she did, the male students' expressions of jealousy twisted into something resembling agony.

I didn't need to look back to know that some were probably on the verge of shouting.

One unfortunate soul, gripping the handle of his locker, looked like he was about to punch straight through the metal. Another simply collapsed onto his knees, whispering to himself in quiet devastation.

"It's over… He stole our goddesses…"

Rias sighed beside me, her expression as poised as ever, though I didn't miss the slight upward twitch of her lips.

"You could tone it down a little," she said, her voice casual but carrying an edge of amusement.

I glanced at her, grinning.

"Tone it down? And miss out on all this entertainment? You wound me, Rias."

Stretching lazily, I made a show of basking in the attention. The way these guys were acting, you'd think I had stolen their entire future.

Someone grumbled from the crowd.

"That guy's got a death wish."

Another muttered, "He's too damn smug."

Catching that, I turned to Akeno, feigning concern.

"Akeno, should I be worried about assassination attempts?"

She giggled, her violet eyes sparkling.

"Well, considering how many hearts you're breaking, I wouldn't be surprised."

If the jealous stares before were intense, now they were practically lethal.

I could hear hushed conversations behind me, but one group, in particular, caught my attention.

The so-called "Perverted Trio"—Issei Hyoudou, Matsuda, and Motohama—stood off to the side, their expressions a mixture of horror, outrage, and sheer disbelief.

Matsuda clenched his fists. "No way! HOW?!"

Motohama adjusted his glasses, his analytical mind working at full speed. "His charisma stats… they must be maxed out."

And Issei?

He just stood there, his entire being radiating quiet devastation. He looked like a man who had seen his own future stolen before his very eyes.

I chuckled, shaking my head.

"This school year is going to be fun."

———————————

The school courtyard was still abuzz with whispers and envious glares as I walked alongside Rias and Akeno. However, before we could make it much further, a new presence stepped into our path.

Sona Sitri.

Her student council armband was neatly adjusted over her blazer, her glasses catching the morning sunlight as she stood at the entrance with her signature cool expression. Behind her, Tsubaki Shinra, her ever-stoic Queen, stood at attention, exuding quiet elegance.

Sona's sharp violet eyes flicked toward Rias, then briefly toward me before she adjusted her glasses with two fingers.

"Didn't think you'd make your move so soon, Rias," she said smoothly, her tone laced with dry amusement.

Rias, who had been walking with effortless grace, visibly paused at the remark. A faint crease formed between her brows before she recovered, crossing her arms in a poised but defensive stance.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Rias replied, her tone measured but firm.

Sona hummed, unconvinced, before shifting her gaze to me once more. There was curiosity in her expression, as if she were assessing a puzzle she hadn't quite figured out yet.

I raised an eyebrow.

"I feel like I'm missing some juicy gossip here," I said, my tone playful but inquisitive.

Akeno, who had been watching the exchange with growing amusement, suddenly let out a soft, melodic laugh.

"Ara~ Two beautiful Devils fighting over Malrik-kun already?" She tilted her head, her teasing smile widening. "My, my, things are getting interesting."

I chuckled, shaking my head in mock exasperation. "Ah, the burdens of being this charming. It's truly exhausting."

The moment the words left my mouth, I could feel the temperature around me drop by at least ten degrees.

The jealous students—particularly the male ones—looked like they were ready to riot. I could practically hear their inner monologues screaming bloody murder.

"Why is he like this?!"

"That smug bastard!"

"I swear to the gods, if looks could kill…"