The forest of familiars.
- I'm so sorry, but why am I here? - I asked the question, looking at the two groups of schoolboy demons.
- Because it's your job? - Covering her mouth with the palm of her hand, Akeno giggled.
- Somehow I don't recall a clause obliging me to visit another dimension with my students in the list of duties as a nurse of Kuoh Academy, - my gaze went towards Sona, who had a smug grin on her face - I demand compensation for overtime, President of the Student Council.
- Oh? Need I remind you exactly how you work? - She fixed her glasses and raised her hand and continued, curling her fingers-"Late hours, leaving the workplace abruptly, damaging school property, unscheduled days off, sleeping on the wo-" I stopped working at that point.
At this point I stopped listening to her and looked around.
The landscape was beautiful. Untouched by industrialization, nature breathed life. The swaying leaves of the trees, the murmuring of the waters, the sounds of mystical creatures, and most importantly, the high concentration of mana, reminded me of Solomon's memories of the Other Side of the World. I think there would be something to do here.
And actually, instead of "looking after" these demons, I could be lying on a bunk in the med room, stroking Foe and sipping coffee. So much time wasted... I have something to say to them. And Sirzechs, of course.
- Are you listening to me, Romani-sensei? - Sona asked with displeasure in her voice.
- Why are there two retinues here at once? Isn't the forest of familiars only open to one?
- Romani-sensei? - Her voice became louder.
- Do you have some sort of arrangement with the local parody Pokémon trainer? Or did you utilize the support of your brother and sister? Again.
- Hey!
- We found a way out," Rias replied with her arms crossed, "And you're only here to ensure our safety, though I don't see the need for it. Lord Lucifer insisted on it.
Oh? He wants to see my power? Somehow I have a feeling that something is going to happen today with subtle assistance from Scarlet Satan. Well, I don't think he can do that. After all, there's nothing in this forest that could force me to act even the slightest bit seriously.
And while I was pondering this, a huge wave-like shadow appeared behind me, and my magic circle lit up. A huge wave of water hit my side with unnatural hardness, making a loud explosion sound.
BOOM
- What is that!!! - Issei exclaimed.
- When did Sona become so strong! She didn't show it when we were fighting! - Supported her retinue by Rias herself, who along with Akeno held protective circles in front of her retinue.
My circle extinguished, and I slowly turned my head towards the enraged Sona with her arm outstretched in my direction, and gave her a cheerful look.
- Oya? When did you become so irritable, Ms. President? - I smiled, at which two giant snakes of water formed behind her and roared at me - Maybe you should sniff some paper and ink to calm down? Or would you prefer I call your sister over here? Your irritability can affect your appearance, you know? Wrinkles, that sort of thing? But I have absolutely nothing to do with it, if you ask me.
And as soon as I finished speaking, the snakes came at me, trying to naturally devour me. Even though they were stopped by my circle, they were beating on it with the intention of getting to my carcass.
- Can you not annoy Sona, Sensei? - Rias questioned, looking at me sternly - We're attracting too much attention.
- Oh? Tomato Princess, please keep your seeds to yourself and don't interfere in other people's conversation. Or have you not been taught etiquette? - I raised an eyebrow, and Akeno giggled, as did Sona's entourage.
- Trained, unlike you, Mr. 'sleeping on the job'. - She replied, and the edge of her mouth twitched.
- I'm just assuming that all the training went into your chest and stayed there, never making it to your brain," I said, to which she was covered in a black and scarlet aura, "It's bigger than your head, after all, so I think it's a reasonable assumption. Isn't that right, Koneko?
Rook nodded confidently, and Rias joined Sonia in firing balls of energy at me.
- I've never seen a president like that before," Issei muttered.
- And you have no instinct for self-preservation. If your opponent is even a slightly attractive girl, your goal is not to win, but to undress. And I'm not talking about your fighting ability at this point, mind you.
- Hey! I can't help it! Like you wouldn't look at a pretty girl even if she's the enemy! - he exclaimed, and then froze for a moment and looked at me suspiciously - Or... or are you not into girls?
I was stunned and slowly looked at him, and Saji started throwing wary glances at me as well.
That bastard is hinting at 'it', isn't he? What an ungrateful bastard! It's only because of me (Archer) that he was able to reach the damn Balance Crusher in such a short period of time!
- Repeat what you just said. Loud and clear so I could be sure I was listening," three Gae bolgs appeared behind me, their aura like a wave of icy water that washed over the crowd and stopped the gunfire. The spears themselves pointed at Issei, causing him to freeze, and his eyes flickered between them and me - It seems that lately, stupidity has become airborne, and I'm afraid I'll catch it.
- Well...
- Well?
- You ge- - my assumptions were confirmed, and he was about to say what he wanted to say when he was interrupted by a voice, towards which one Gae Bolg instantly flew.
- What's going on here!!! - The voice asked, and then, as the spear almost caught up with him, shouted - What is this!
The silhouette dodged, to which I raised an eyebrow, and appeared in my field of vision.
Yep. Coach Ash on minimums. Same red cap, same backpack, and same fingerless gloves. It all looked totally ridiculous, since instead of a teenager, it was a man in his forties. But I'll give him credit. Dodging a Rank B Noble Phantasm is an impressive feat. I guess running and dodging are the only talents he has.
- What are you? - I asked with a deliberately surprised look.
- I'm Zatugi! I'm a professional trainer of familiars! And you're making too much noise! И-
- And if you don't shut up, you'll become a professional colander, capisce? - I finished for him, and the number of spears increased to ten, to which he instantly shut up.
- You can't threaten him! He-
- Will become the owner of more holes than given to him by nature if you don't shut up too, tomato-san," I said, to which Rias also fell silent, glancing warily at Gae Bolgs, "I'll take a walk. And you can do whatever you want once I'm far enough away that I can't hear your ramblings. I hope that's clear?
- But you must protect on-" Rias wanted to start to emerge as the spears turned in her direction, releasing an ominous aura that made her cover her mouth.
- Fine. Good luck then. - I said and headed deep into the forest.
As I walked through it, my eyes noticed a wide variety of creatures, even more reminiscent of the Backside of the World. Dragons, elementals, dryads, fairies, and a bunch of other creatures like them were going about their business. And they didn't notice me, or just ignored me, which was rather odd. I wonder how a certain white Beast would react to this place.
- Fou. - I said, as the next moment, a small portal appeared in front of me, out of which the Primate Killer flew out with its leg extended into my face to hit me.
I only raised an eyebrow and caught him by the scruff of his neck, bringing him closer to my face.
- Fou, kyu!
- And? You beat up Merlin every day. It wouldn't be a tragedy if you missed a day or two," I said, to which he crossed his arms in front of him, "Besides, take a look around. What do you think of this place?
He started twirling his head from side to side, then sniffed the air.
- Fou.
- I know what it looks like, but do you sense anything special? How much of it is connected to other dimensions?
Fou hesitated and closed his eyes. Then a couple minutes later he opened them and looked at me seriously.
- Fou, fou, fou, fou, kyu.
- Interesting.
Why did I say that? Because, this place is basically the Texture of this world. In DxD, there is no separation between the outside world and the backside. It's more like an onion. The human world is the outermost layer, and Hell, Heaven, Asgard, the Forest of Familiars, and so on are underneath, reminiscent of the Textures from the Nasuverse. That is, overlapping realities, like layers of an onion.
And the interesting thing is that True Magic affects them specifically. That is, if I resurrect a person with 3rd magic, I pull the soul out of the lower Textures to the higher one. The soul still belongs to the world, it just goes through several layers of reality, Textures, thus I bypass the rules of the world, making me ignore the path the soul of the dead has traveled.
Yes, each pantheon has its own afterlife, but they too are Textures connected to the outer layer, the world of humans. Basically, each layer is connected to it, creating a unified communication system for the entire world.
And since that's the case, here, I can test my theories, since this place is connected to both the outer and inner layers. A middle ground, so to speak.
I grinned.
Well, it's time to test the rule of non-interference in the plot.
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