Me? Human? : Chapter 29 : [....] (Patreon)

Disclaimer - I don't own any of the characters appearing in High School DXD or the Anime or the manga whatsoever.

Kuoh, Japan

–Motohama Kenji–

He didn’t know what he was thinking, forgetting Asia of all people, and right when she was in the den of the Devils here. It was the height of irresponsibility and recklessness. Rias was desperate here, and the chance to have some sort of healing on her team would be exactly the kind of advantage she would pounce on without thinking too much about the consequences that might or might not come later on. 

After all, what was he gonna do? He had no way of undoing the Reincarnation process, not unless he was subjected to it, in which case he hoped his power worked properly and adapted to it. In what way it would adapt? He did not know, but hopefully, it took into consideration some of his wishes.

After all, her opponent in the upcoming Rating Game was Riser Phenex, a Devil House well known for their near endless regeneration, even from things that were an antithesis to Devils, albeit at a far slower pace than anything else, on top of the condition of the attack being within their capacity to handle without dying instantly.

If those conditions were fulfilled, then it made Phenexes one of the few Devils who could survive an outright assault from Angels, all on their own, without having to rely on any other healing methods, as most devils’ healing systems shut down the moment they were poisoned by Holy Light.

Or, so he knew anyway.

All in all, it was quite the stupid decision to leave Asia alone. After all, she was already panicked with being left behind for her safety when he went to fight with the Devils. She wasn’t in a stasis spell like his mom. Who knows just how distressed she might be.

If she wasn’t already a Devil anyway.

He ignored the stray thought, as the light from the teleportation circle subsided, exposing him to the office setting of Rias Gremory once more. Before he could say anything to Rias, the doors behind him opened up. He turned around and saw Kiba having entered the office, with Asia and Issei talking in the distance, sitting on the ledge next to the large windows.

For one moment, he was confused as to how that was happening, as Asia seemed fairly animated while talking to Issei, as Issei was not the person who’d learn a foreign language at all, let alone in such a small timespan but then, he was reminded of Issei’s current status and realised that being a Devil also came with the ability to speak or understand most mortal languages.

“I haven’t asked her anything, if you were curious." He felt Rias walk next to him and state, signalling Kiba to stand down and leave, as the Knight had not so subtly positioned himself in a way that he was within striking distance, not to mention the tension he carried in his body. It was plainly visible even to him, a plain clothes civilian with no combat experience and some power.

“I see. Why haven’t you? I’m sure you would love to have her in your peerage.”

As if the universe itself was listening to their conversation, Asia chose this exact moment to manifest her Sacred Gear, the Twilight Healing. They were far subtler when compared to the likes of the Longinuses like Boosted Gear or Divine Dividing, but their presence was undeniable. There was a subtle warmth in the air when Asia manifested the two Silver rings on her fingers.

It wasn’t even hurting the Devils, so either the Sacred Gear could heal everyone en masse, which seemed counterproductive to the Sacred Gear system’s original goal of being weapons for humans and humans alone or the System that governed everything related to the Sacred Gears had gone up for a toss, as the Creator of that system passed away, leaving behind an incredibly complex reality warping system in the hands of someone who was neither equipped to handle the load of the system or knowledgeable enough of the damned thing to properly steer it.

Heaven and its systems were effectively staying on track by the skin of their teeth, because of the incredible work of the Strongest Angel in existence, Michael. It was probably why, despite having two Super Devils, a level of power that none in the other Two Factions had reached, the Devils did not move against the Church in any overt manner.

Sure, it could be attributed to their peace loving tendencies, but there must be something in Heaven that would act as a deterrent, and it was probably the System. He supposed that the creator of the System wouldn’t be that stupid, to not even leave behind defense mechanisms for his creations to use against their sworn enemies.

Rias was silent for all this while before replying, “You’re right. She would be an incredible asset to my Peerage.” Here, Rias sighed, as if the admission itself pained her, “but I am not looking for tools to add to my peerage, my family.”

He turned to face her as she looked at him with a burning conviction on her face and determination in her voice, “I might lose, and I might have to suffer for a bit, but I would never look at people like tools, like they are things meant to be exploited. No one deserved that.”

He looked her right in the eye, searching for some sign of deception, something that could vindicate his thoughts of what Devils were, but after finding nothing, he grunted and replied.

“Well, as much as I would like to believe you, believe me, the actions of your kind tell me the opposite.”

Rias didn’t miss a beat as she turned towards the conversing duo in the distance, unaware of the conversation happening about them. “A shame. I hope, in time, you change your opinion of us.”

He remained silent, looking at Asia smiling and talking, wondering just what he was going to do about her. Going back to the Church was not an option he was willing to entertain. After all, even if he knew that there were some good people in the higher ups of the Church, like Griselda and Vasco Strada, who would unquestionably take care of Asia and not flinch in the face of any pressure, the matter was already public.

Taking back an excommunicated Nun might just affect the likes of them, and he was unsure if they could handle her situation. The Fallen were an option, but he wouldn’t trust Azazel as far as he could throw the Twelve Winged Fallen Angel, especially with someone like Asia, who was not really that well versed with the supernatural world and would not always be around people who wouldn't take advantage of her. In fact, she was far more likely to be in the company of people who would love to take advantage of a Sacred Gear user that powerful and naive. That left him with—

“Are you finally going to ask her, Rias?” Akeno’s voice broke him out of his thoughts, as he looked back to see Akeno standing behind them, with her hands behind her back, accentuating certain very tempting parts of the Half Devil & Human-Fallen Angel Hybrid. He wondered just how that worked. Which part of her was dominant in that? Or was it all distributed equitably? Like she was now half Devil, and then Quarter Human and Quarter Fallen? Or was she completely a Devil while retaining the characteristics of her Fallen heritage?

Rias turned around and whispered exasperatedly to her Queen, “I was just about to get to that.”

Rias then turned to him, “To assure you that I am not like most Devils, I was going to ask her in front of you.”

Huh. He didn’t know what to say to that.

The Devils were an option. Not a great option, not even a good one, admittedly, but they were an option. After all, he could not see him bringing Asia with him.

He himself had no pathway clear to him. How was he going to drag around Asia as he bumbled around to find a safe space for not just him but also his mother? He had decided the Fallen as his destination because he believed himself to be somewhat capable of preparing for the inevitable.

But Asia?

He couldn't come up with anything as he looked at the departing form of Rias, her hips swaying as both Issei and Asia stood up and looked at Rias with smiles on their faces, Issei’s being a bit too excited, which was expected since his gaze had already zeroed in on the two most important things in his entire vision right now.

Even from this distance, he could hear Rias talk to Asia about her offer to reincarnate Asia into a bishop, about all the benefits that came with becoming a Devil, with Issei occasionally piping in enthusiastically. Then, Rias talked about the cons of becoming a Devil, though she did her best to sugarcoat it.

The Stray Devil issue was not treated with the gravitas it should be treated with, but atleast it was mentioned. So, was the King concept and the Rating Games, and how she would one day have to fight for Rias against other Devils who were stronger than both her and Rias.

He could tell that Asia had been fine with the proposal up until that point, but the concept of Rating Game made her uneasy.

Expected. Because having lived a sheltered life, as a nun no less, she was averse to violence of any kind.

Maybe it was the reason why the Twilight Gear manifested within her? Or it could just be a coincidence since Big G was gone.

“You’re going to take her with you?” Akeno interrupted his line of thinking as she stood by his side, looking at the same conversation he was looking at. She could probably hear that too, given her Devil physiology.

“If she does not accept Rias’ offer? Yes,” he replied unhesitantly. What else was he going to do? Abandon her on the road once more? 

Nah. Mama ain’t raised no bitches.

Even if she had spent who knows how long under subtle mind control that forced her to work harder and longer for a Devil company, all in the name of profits. He was sure he could explain stuff to her, just like he would have to explain to her about the supernatural world.

Speaking of his Mom and her being exploited at a Devil owed company, he turned to Rias’ queen and asked, “When can I expect the promised compensation? I have urgent need of that money.”

Akeno looked at him with a raised eyebrow before replying, “In a hurry to leave, I presume?”

“I mean, after all that has happened, wouldn't you?” he responded with a question of his own, to which he received no answer.

He had a feeling that he’d won this round, and that was enough for him.

A/N - Sorry for the delay :)