The neighborhood's quietness is very suffocating. In front of me, there's a stray devil that's prepared to take my life.
It's very different compared to my imagination. The pressure that the devil releases is very intimidating. Yet, there's a little amount of excitement in my heart. The thrill, the andreline, and the fact that I'm facing my first wall in my reincarnated wall. It's a feeling of challenge that I always loved. I know of the possibility of death, but I worked hard for this moment.
The devil was atleast between 2-3 feet tall. It's claws are about 13 inches long and about a centimeter for its width. Compared to my katana which ais about 26 inches long and its width which is also about an centimeter. I win when it comes to reach. I already have the advantage here.
30m. That's the distance between me and the devil. I already prepared to use the burst of my speed, Suddenly, the devil jumped to me with the intent to kill using its sharp claws.
"Haaa!"
I shouted as I used the Sword drawing skill -one slash-, the speed I have right now is more than enough not only to face this stray devil but to outrun it.
It bared its sharp claws to me, as I unsheath the blade from the scabbard. There are no longer distance between me and the devil, there's only a claw and a katana that's going to strike its enemy.
*clank
A loud sound of metal could be heard. The metal-like claw and the katana already met, but suddenly-
"ARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!"
I ran past the devil after performing the -one slash-, I already unsheated my katana once again. I turned back immediately after hearing the cry of the devil. Sounded like a male but its so distorted it wasn't recognizable without the hightened sense.
"AHHHHHHHHH!!" It shouted once again in a monstrous voice.
I know I can defeat the stray devil. As surprising as it is, I knew one precise slash in its body could kill the devil. But what I just did isn't the 'precise' slash I was looking for. I also noticed something earlier but I need more time to identify the weird thing I sensed earlier.
I won the clash between the katana and the claw, it's result is that the right claw with the limb of the devil were cut off cleanly. Once again, I used the stance for -One slash- so I can also cut another of his limbs. Unsurprisingly, the devil looked at me with anger and he tried spatted me his acidic saliva. I immediately dodge into the left to go away from the trajectory of the corossive saliva. I can see the pavement already melting because of the corrosive property of the devil's saliva.
He(?) jumped once again to me while I'm in mid-air. My instincts kick in again because of the danger and parries his blade-like claws.
*clank* *clank*
The sound of clashes of weapon could be heard. Two slashes were exchanged. Both of us are not hurt in the exchange as a result. Although, thanks to that two parries, I know how strong the devil I am facing right now.
The devil is certainly stronger than me, but it wasn't faster than myself, that's the reason why I managed to cut off one of its limbs earlier with the length of the katana and the unexpected burst of speed that I showed.
'Weird, its unexpectedly weaker than what a stray devil supposed to be. They should have the ability to overpower their master which is a high-class devil. Also, it was suspicious that it didn't strike me immediately after seeing me. There's must be something wrong about it.' That's the weird thing I noticed earlier. Despite its demonic and intimidating energy, it was weak, at least I can say although not meeting anything like this in my life here. I identified it because the river of magic inside me felt stronger, albeit having it at E-rank.
I turned backingto the stance of sword drawing technique once again, but the devil is doing something.
He is spweing his acidic saliva into his left claw. I took notice of the right claw that I cut off, there are no signs of regeneration. Good, but why does that devil spewing his acidic saliva into his left claw?
The question was suddenly answered when the left claw become slightly larger, its sharpness is still the same but it grew atleast by 6 inches. The arm the holds the claw seems like solidified with the acid. Meaning that it should be tougher compared to the limb that I cut off earlier.
'That's going to be troublesome. But its speed would also deteriorate.' I silently thought for had the devil can reinforce himself using the acidic saliva.
'But there's another catch, the devil is only covering his claws with his saliva, not his entire body.' Another thought once again entired my mind while I was preparing to counterattack anytime. I could have attempted to close the distance already when the devil is trying to make his claws stronger but the acid around him might put myself in the risk.
I am currently doing good. Despite the lack of experience, the abilities that I obtained are covering that. I can tell that I'm also growing stronger as the fight last longer, I'm gaining experience and absorbing it like a sponge, though there's no telling what also this devil could do.
The devil looked at me with its red eyes. Anger could be felt and there's a bit of weakness.
"You are certainly good kid, but I'll end you this time!" The devil spoke with its distorted voice. A sense of annoyance could be heard despite the distortion of its voice.
I was surprised for a moment that he can talk.
I answered nothing but the blade once again goes off into its sheath, this time, I took the lead.
He meets me with his sharp claws, now bigger and toughter. The time slow downs as we clash our weapons once again.
*clank*
This time, I didn't do the sword drawing technique, instead, I swing my sword accordingly to where the claws would hit.
As the devil tries to gut me alive, I counter with an intent to kill. He aims his claws at my left shoulder, I parry it immediately.
*clank*
He was blown by a little, his strength is impressive but he can't completely utilize it unlike myself. The devil moves on instinct most of the time. While I have a proper stance that utilizes my strength into its fullest.
The devil sneered and again attacked viciously with his left claw, I hold my katana with both hands as I deliver a horizontal slash to utilize the reach of my katana. Although his claw's size became bigger, my katana is still longer. He reacted to my slash with a retreat then attempted to pounce me quickly before I can regain my position
I saw it and he's aiming for my neck this time, I dodge sideways while attempting to do a vertical slash. He also manage to dodge it and I distance myself to attempt to attack using the sword drawing technique.
'My sword drawing technique is currently my strongest attack, its power and speed could be the key of winning this match. I need an opening!' I used the stance for sword drawing technique. My body points downward to my target, the devil. The devil saw my stance and immediately spew his corrosive saliva.
'Now!' I knew the devil would counter attack in that way. The devil didn't use his saliva when we clashed, I knew there's a kind of cooldown in his acidic attacks.
I jumped left without breaking the stance, I am going to use the sword drawing technique now. The distance between the demon and me is 50m, but I can close it with just 1.5 seconds.
"Haaaa!" I shouted with strength as I performed the sudden burst of speed for closing the distance. The pavement below me break a little as I attempt to behead the devil now. In every time that the devil spew his saliva, he immobolizes for a while. I took the chance now but there's another surprised from the devil.
His claws suddenly became bigger, longer than my katana, the distance between us are only 20m. Now it's about 40 inches, which is 14 inches longer than my katana. If I attempt to behead it now, I will be skewered by its claws before even the katana could touch its hairy neck. Its claw seems sharper too, probably the devil hasn't utilize this for its last resort for the hopes of getting me off-guard. He didn't use it to me earlier for it would limit his speed by 40%.
But I didn't come unprepared, my instincts were shouting to me about the danger of claw before I used the sword drawing technique. It's a gamble, but I'm going to do it anyway.
I jumped, closing the distance between us into 10m, I slowed down by a bit, the claws would eventually reach me, now the devil isn't immobilize anymore and trying to close the distance between us.
I striked the pavement below with my katana while I'm still in mid air. The pavement cracked with the power of the strike. Because of the strike, my momentum in mid-air changed, I also elevated higher than the claw, missing my body. Instead of landing in front of the devil, the strike give me a little more air time and my landing wound be behind the devil.
My target is its back, I can try to attempt to strike its vertebra to immobilize. If it attempts to move forward to dodge my strike, it's two other limbs would taste my katana's wraith. Before the devil can even counter attack, I would have already cut his back.
I was going to slash his exposed back, but I was surprised about what I've seen, the surprise didn't stop me from completely cutting a deep horizontal slash for its back.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" The demon shrieked from the slash I made. Its body is shaking violently. I already landed after the slash I made. I prepare to end the devil immediately.
"So that's what weakening him huh, there's already a large vertical slash on it's back, pretty deep too. I made it worse by slashing horizontally which is definitely deeper because of my angle. It should be able to paralyze him." I said quietly while I position myself to use the sword drawing technique.
"DAMN YOU, DAMN YOU ALL, ALL OF YOU ARE HINDERING MY PLANS. AND YOU, YOU FUCKING HUMAN, HOW DARE YOU KILL ME IN THIS WAY. YOU ARE FRIENDS WITH THOSE DE-" Before the devil can even speak his final words, I slashed his heads without remorse. There are no more saving in this kind of devil. Death is the only way this devil, this man could truly be at peace.
"Good thing that my katana didn't broke when I hit it in the pavement, I know it was tough but I didn't even see any slightest scratch on it. Its also pretty sharp." I said weakly while catching my breath, the fight was tiring, but not tiring enough that I would've immediately sit the oavement after the fight. The fight lasted about a minute. I was really lucky that the devil is weakened already.
Its head rolls down to the pavement, a shocked face could be seen to the beheaded. The lines he said before he died baffles me. I guess his plans is to use the teenagers as his food and battery so that he can recover. But why would he pick the Kuoh Town? It's in the jurisdiction tf two certain devil princesses of two satans. Or maybe he lost himself completely before getting out the Underworld. Which would explain why I managed to survive until the end. If its a more sane stray devil. I would be having a hard time and probanly die as the consequence of facing it without experience yet.
Now, I just noticed that there's a warehouse nearby. I approached it and what I smell purely disgust me. Its the smell of dead animal, or more likely, dead human. I opened its large doors, it wasn't that big but still enough to store atleast 4 big trucks.
What I saw is death. Dead body everywhere, bones scattered and there are even some people that still melting, from the saliva. I was shocked, this is beyond disgusting.
All of them are teenagers, age range between 15-18 years old. Men and Women. There are about 10 bodies. 4 skeletons and 6 are either decomposing, melted, or mashed by the claws.
Sadness, pity, anger. Three emotions that dominated my feelings because of what I saw. I feel sadness for the death, I feel pity for the agony they experienced before dying and helplessness, anger for the fact that this happened. At the same time, I prayed for Gods that their soul may rest in peace. Once again, I get back to the corpse of the demon. I stabbed its body 10 times, for the count of people who he killed for his own. I controlled my emotions. I can't blame anyone but this devil, not even the owners of this city as for they are young. It could have prevented early on but it isn't easy.
Killing for the first time is a weird feeling. Human or not. I still killed. There are no disgust, peace, or whatever. Just nothing.
"Maybe because that I killed him for a reason." I said quietly, it doesn't justify that I killed but still, I guess its better anyway than to let it run while killing teenagers.
It took me about 15mins to slump out and be in better mood. There are some blankets nearby and I used it to cover the dead bodies. There are still bit of sadness in my heart, yet I still steeled myself. If I don't become stronger, then I would also be in the same position as the 10 dead bodies.
I look upon the starry sky. This is not the old world I live in. This is a new world where things such as devil, fallen angels, and angels exist with humans. Such thing would be common and me befriending Issei just nailed the coffin completely.
I am still planning on letting the canon happen, letting Issei die and Rias will save him.
"So much for being a friend, eh?" I said with depreciation. It puts a bitter taste into my mouth but that experience plays an important role for his future development as a whole. I won't risk changing the canon much because of unknown variables.
It's honestly better for him to be a devil than a human. The limitations and risks are large. I have a weird body structure that makes me unique to other humans, that's why I'm not at total risk even though I'm not a devil.
Following the canon would also help so that I can atleast prepare in advance especially the biggest events like the summit between the three factions. I'm hoping I wouldn't encounter the Hero Faction, they give me mixed feelings to be honest.
"This is going to be my life now, huh," I chuckled bitterly while the remnants of the the stray devil slowly became red motes.
'Now that I think about it. This neighborhood is still quiet as usual. Didn't anyone heard the loud shrieks from the devil?' Confused, I realized that there's also a disturbance, although it doesn't feel dangerous.
'Maybe the devil put a barrier or something.' I concluded. While hiding the katana on my jacket.
'I feel stronger now, I even made a crack in the road when I'm using the sword drawing technique. The accuracy of my swings also became more precise the more I swung it against the demon. Experiencing battle must be a huge factor so that I can be more stronger instead of training.' I was preparing to leave, until I felt a weird sensation on my back.
I turned back, look around the houses and their roofs. I saw nothing. Weird, I thought there's someone observing me just a while ago. Well, maybe my imagination because of what happened earlier.
Although I knew I killed the devil, I still raised my guard up in case something unexpected happens again. I would rather train continuously for a whole day rather encountering something like that while lacking strength. I was lucky that it was already weake-
I just realized it now, who the hell wounded the stray devil in its back and let the devil get away whatsoever?
Anyways, the night is still young, better buy some groceries. Good thing that my perfume is strong enough to conceal the smell of sweat on my body. And my jacket is large enough to hide my katana. Hopefully, everything goes well this night.
---3RD PERSON VIEW---
In the silent neighborhood, Lugh could be seen walking in silence. The cold wind passes through the body of Lugh, despite having a jacket, the cold wind could still be felt.
Lugh is obviously in deep thought, letting everything just happened sink in completely. What he doesn't know is that there is a certain redhead and blonde observing him in one of the roofs.
"He's interesting, isn't it?" The redhead said with sweetness, there's a hint of seduction but the blonde didn't mind that.
"Certainly, it is very rare for a human to move like that fast and with precision. There's a bit of inexperience but he was impressive to be able to take down the stray devil by himself, even if its injured." The blonde shared its analysis with a smile.
"Especially that deciding move. That man adapts really well, not even middle-class devils could've adapted that fast and smooth at the same time." The redhead said with a more serious voice, still retaining the sweetness.
The blonde nodded, it's a wonder about the identity of the person. Although they were surprise by the sudden aappearance of the man, they still observed at the sidelines, preparing to contradict if things goes bad. The young man showed them there's nothing to worry about. The presence of the man is alerting but their guts says that the young man is not a bad person. Certainly, things got even more interesting around. The redhead closes its eyes as it activates some sort of magic circle.
The two figures both disappear with the red light. As if no one is in the roof at the first place.
---TIMESKIP---
It's morning.
The sun's rays are hot. It's already 8 o'clock of the morning and I'm outside the house watching the skies.
It's already been three days since the particular night. Good thing everything went smoothly after that night.
No one really rose suspicion to me and I manage to hide the katana well. I wouldn't want the police to question about it and spend my days to the jail.
I'm already done with my daily training. These past days have been fruitful. I learned that I actually have magic circuits, they're already opened, its just, I didn't noticed it earlier. The weird flowing mana that I found in my body is actually my life force. Which no wonder I feel stronger after manipulating it for a short time
Within the discovery of my magic circuits, I found a good thing. Not surprisingly, there's also the negative side.
I have 150 magic circuits, which is a lot. Each circuits also produce 60 units of prana. Meaning, I have a maximum output of 9,000 units of magical energy. If I learned to utilize my prana, this would contribute to my battling power by a lot. Huge prana reserves is both useful for short and long fights.
(Note: There are no difference between mana and prana. I'm thinking of using the word 'mana' more in future.)
The bad thing is, I don't know anything about magecraft at all. That means there's no way I can properly utilize it. But there's a silver lining to it. I'm going to master opening and closing my magic circuits, along mastering controlling mana flow in my cicuits.
I discovered about this 2 days ago when I tried to emulate Emiya Shirou's mental trigger when he's opening his circuits. Of course, I created my own variation of it. If Shirou's mental trigger is the hammer of the gun, then mine is getting hit by a hammer in the head, with comedic 'bonk' sound. I actually hoped that I have some sort of magic circuit.
Unexpectedly, it worked. It FUCKING worked. The feeling of my body suddenly getting hot after imagining the bonk sound. This is where the calm mind is handy, it helps me to regulate, arrange, and calm my thoughts. It also allowed me to let my brain process things faster than what it can normally do. After some time of trying to control the magical energy in my circuits, I managed to close them. I was happy about the results.
There's a weird thing though, the magic circuits felt, very natural to my body. Of course, its my body, but it was really easy for me to control the magical energy in my circuits. Granted, I didn't mastered it yet, but in 2.5 months time, I can master it.
Probably another perks that the bastard god haven't said to me. I can imagine that god laughing sadistically to my predicament right now. I'm thankful for the blessings, but it doesn't change the fact that god never really told me about the extent of my abilities. Freaking hell.
Well, still, I guess it's also better for me to unlock things by myself. I wasn't expecting many more though, after all I said I wanted to challenge myself.
I'm going to focus on practising manipulation of the mana in my magic circuits.
There's nothing really changed on my life force energy. I still can't manipulate it. I have grasped it a little better, but there weren't any large progresses from past days.
Though, I just kept the same pace in practicing it. Forcing it to be faster might just damage my body so better take the slow and steady approach.
Anyways, back to the reality. Today, I'm going to attempt to manipulate different elements depending on how in some anime, manga and light novels portrayed it to be like.
In general, I actually know about the magecraft. Reinforcement, projection, and such things are some of the notable parts of it, the problem is, I don't know ay theories behind the simplest magecrafts. Instead of risking myself into turning as a crippled man, I should stick in things that's not magecraft for now. To be a magus is a walk of the death after all.
But who said magical energy can be only used on magecraft? If we can just try to manipulate the elements around.
I'm pretty sure this is less risky than magecraft. Although, I have a large chance of failing. I won't be risking much, atleast, according to theories behind the manipulation of elements.
It could either go in three ways. Explosions and destruction, everything is controlled, and literally nothing at all.
I would try to manipulate water, fire, earth, lightning, and wind as basics. I won't indulge to more complex elements like light and dark because these two are used by the two factions a lot. Better have something that is
atleast, normal.
I made sure I am doing it outside the house. I entered the dojo since it was pretty big and also secured. The walls for some reason have some unique runes to them, which I only noticed when I manage to activate my magic circuits. I guess me accumulating much magical energy gave me ability to see magical signatures, no doubt this is useful.
I never figured out what are the runes for, but I can tell they somehow made the walls of the dojo stronger than what it supposed to be. It somehow conceals the sounds inside the dojo, I discovered this when I was calling Ise's name from the dojo and he was walking around like there are no other person in my backyard at first place. Hell, I even said the most offensive words that Ise would surely kill me for if he ever heard it but it never reached to his ears in first place.
Now, I prepare to emulate whatever the manga and anime showed it. I activated my magic circuits using the mental trigger I created for myself. I can feel my 150 magic circuits hummed in life when the imaginary hammer hits my head. My body's temperature rose, but it was tolerable enough.
I can feel the magic flow in my body. I kept circulating it through my body until it stabilizes. 2 minutes of manipulating, I managed to make it stable enough.
Now, I will try element wind first. It is the safest of all elements and won't leave much mark if uncontrolled. My control of my magical energy is not perfect, but I know I could lessen the output of magical energy.
I imagined myself as a wind flowing around a garden. As I roam around, dancing with the flowers I contact. I return back from reality and felt the wind gusts around my body. It was cool, refreshing, and calm. I can see floating in my hands is a ball-like energy which is transparent. I can feel the wind it produces.
I focused on the winds on my body. The energy ball in my hands became smaller, I felt my body became lighter. I can feel that my speed has gone up temporarily.
Then, the ball of energy suddenly became large. Which surprised me, I tried to make it smaller by letting a familliar feeling of control make the energy ball smaller. Unfortunately, it didn't became small and just kept getting bigger instead.
I panicked for a second. Then,It suddenly goes out. The cool breeze stopped and the ball-like energy vanishes with the wind.
I just lose a little bit of my focus into the energy flow and already the wind is gone.
At least, the energy ball didn't explode.
"Hah~ This is not going to be that easy." I said with a bit of annoyance and tiredness as I close my eyes.
Once again, my free time would be cut again. My training will also increase. Oh joy.
-----------------------
Author Notes: So, I'm sorry in every bad aspects of my story. From the terrible grammar to bad battles. The canon would start soon, I'm going to follow the canon as much as I can. Expect there would be some diversion in some point, but that's not close yet.
I still don't have a plan about the Yakitori Bastard arc. I'm trying to figure out how could I let our OC relevant to that arc. I honestly could let our OC ente the peerage ranks of Rias, but a horse, a bishop and a rook is not really logical enough for the potential of our OC. I actually thought of using both horse and rook, but I would need to read the LN first so that I can be so sure of my decisions. I'm going to find an excuse about it.
Anyways, if you think that the Sword Drawing Technique is too weak to be the OC's probably strongest trump card in some time. Imagine it as a sniper shot, but it could be faster and have many variations. It is so exploitable, that's why I chose it rather than a sword style.
Expect more info dumps in next chapter, and probably the last chapter for the info dumps.
Once again, thank you for reading this. Let's meet again later!
P.S. I can read every review and comments. I don't respond any of it especially the recommendations because i don't have a solid structure to follow yet. I'm actually taking some of your recommendations. Although, I'm also going to make this OC different from others. We can't just be our OC having overpowered powers just because he has a godly bloodline. I would like to focus on utilizing every skills that our OC have. Though, still expect many additions in his skills anyway. His skillset currently still sucks balls.