Power Purge

Leo groaned as the sun stabbed through his curtains like an unwelcome alarm.

"Fuck, man. Couldn't even finish my dream... she was just about to—damn it."

He shoved the blanket off, sat up, and rubbed his face with both hands. The bedhead was wild, the bags under his eyes heavier than usual. After dragging himself to the bathroom, he went through the usual: rinse, brush, wash. The cold water helped, but the fatigue still clung to him.

"I really gotta do those late-night shifts more often," he muttered with a dry smirk. "The XP grind's real. But my sleep schedule gonna be in ruins"

The System pinged the moment he dried his face.

[System Notification – Bonus Offer Available]

For defeating your first devil, a limited-time discount has been applied to the System Shop. Offer expires in: 3 hours.

"Hm? Let's see your discount thing. Or is this just more marketing scam?"

The shop interface flickered open.

[Limited-Time Offer – Affinity Draw – 81% Off! | Cost: 96 SP]

Pull a random elemental affinity (Fire, Water, Ice, Lightning, Earth, etc.). Affinity strength and control scales with current stamina and Arcane development.

Leo narrowed his eyes, rubbing his chin.

"That's... actually great."

He tapped the purchase button without hesitation. The moment he did, the 96 points vanished.

[System Points: 505 → 409]

"Alright, how much for the next grade of Regeneration?" he asked, already planning ahead.

[Regeneration Upgrade – B+ → A- | Cost: 260 SP]

"Expensive... but worth it. Upgrade it."

[Regeneration upgraded to A-]

Regeneration (A-) – Restore entire limbs or organs within hours and recover from near-fatal injuries in minutes, leaving virtually no lasting damage. Can be upgraded for even faster, more complete restoration.

"Now it's starting to look like a skill from a proper cheat character," Leo grinned. "Alright, upgrade strength and that shit agility now."

[Strength Upgrade – B- → B | Cost: 140 SP]

[Agility Upgrade – D → D+ | Cost: 70 SP]

[System Points: 409 → 199 → 129 → 35]

[Strength: B]

[Agility: D+]

"Man, I'm really feeling kind of happy right now."

[Proceed with Affinity Draw?]

"Yeah, go on."

The screen spun like a wheel of fortune before locking onto a golden sigil.

[Affinity Acquired: Lightning]

Lightning Affinity – Harness and manipulate lightning-based energy. Output is stamina-dependent. Grants offensive burst techniques, high-speed movement potential, and utility abilities like overload shock.

"Fuck. I should've upgraded stamina instead," Leo muttered, running a hand through his hair. "But what's done is done."

He brought up the newly updated system panel.

Status Window — Leo Walsh

Name: Leo Walsh

Titles: Narrative Blocker

Age: 17

Strength: B

Agility: D+

Stamina: C+

Charisma: A+

Abilities:

Regeneration (A-) – Restore entire limbs or organs within hours. Recover from near-fatal injuries in minutes.

Lightning Control – Freely manipulate lightning. Usage and potency scale with stamina. Capable of channeling lightning into attacks, movement, or enhancements.

System Points: 35

"Let's test this bad boy."

He focused on his right hand, narrowing his eyes. A pulse of heat rolled through his chest, down his arm. He imagined electricity dancing along his fingers—and with a sharp spark, blue-white arcs crackled between them.

"Noice," he grinned. "Lightning is power after all."

He shook off the static and stood, now thinking more practically.

"I need a weapon too. Something that can channel lightning…"

[System Shop – Weapons Section: Unavailable at current tier]

" Of course."

He sighed and stepped away from the interface. The thought stuck in his head as he made his breakfast, eggs and leftover rice from the night before.

"But the canon story's approaching. It's gonna start very soon... maybe just a few more days," he muttered, chewing slowly. "I need to prepare. I can't just rely on brute force when devils start dropping nuclear magic circles."

Then, an idea clicked.

"If this world works like I think... maybe I can forge one. Craft something tuned to my affinity. Guess I'll go shopping tomorrow. Pick up what I need."

With that, he tossed on his uniform and slung his bag over his shoulder.

"Let's see if anything interesting happens today."

The gates of Kuoh Academy were crowded as always, but his eyes zeroed in instantly on the trio entering the courtyard.

Rias. Akeno. Koneko.

Rias walked with that usual silent authority, her crimson hair flowing behind her like a banner. Akeno beside her, composed and smiling, eyes flicking across the crowd with subtle curiosity. And Koneko, smaller, distant, unreadable as always—

—but her eyes landed on him.

Not a glance. A look.

For a moment, her steps hesitated. Her nose twitched faintly.

"…Did she smell blood? Or demon energy from me?" Leo thought quickly. "Or is that spray effect still hanging around?"

He exhaled, adjusting his bag.

"She's definitely gonna tell Rias," he muttered under his breath. "Guess something will happen today."

The gears in his mind spun again. "That settles it. I need a weapon. Tomorrow, I'm hitting the market or even today"

He stepped into the hallway just as the bell rang, blending in with the usual buzz of students heading to class. But in the back of his mind, the countdown had already started.

Because soon… everything was going to change.