Chapter 3
Victor shut the door behind him as he entered his home, a small but comfortable house nestled in a quiet corner of Kuoh. The scent of beef stew wafted from the kitchen, mingling with the faint hum of a television in the living room. He kicked off his shoes and stepped into the hallway, where Valerie Tepes appeared, her crimson eyes lighting up with curiosity.
"You're back," Valerie said, peering at him from behind a book she had been reading. Her platinum-blonde hair shimmered in the light, and she tilted her head slightly. "How was your first day? Did you meet anyone interesting?"
Victor tossed his bag onto the couch and flopped down beside it, running a hand through his hair. "Interesting doesn't even begin to cover it. Kuoh Academy is... unique."
Valerie's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Unique how?"
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "There's a lot going on there. For starters, the place is practically crawling with bounded fields. Some are subtle, others are... less so. It's like walking through a minefield of magical energy."
Valerie set her book down and leaned forward, her interest piqued. "Bounded fields? Were they defensive, offensive, or just surveillance?"
"A mix of everything," Victor replied. "But the most interesting thing wasn't the fields. It was someone I met." He paused, his brow furrowing as he recalled the encounter. "Souna Shitori. She's the president of the Student Council."
Valerie raised an eyebrow. "A devil, I presume?"
Victor nodded. "Yeah. But she's not just any devil. There's something... off about her. She doesn't feel particularly strong on her own, but the scent she carries… it's like standing in the shadow of something far more dangerous."
Valerie frowned, her fingers absently tracing the edge of her book. "A threat bigger than the true ancestor we faced at the Tepes mansion?"
"Exactly," Victor said, his voice low. "It doesn't make sense. Either my senses are failing me, which is unlikely, or she's very close to something—or someone—extremely powerful."
Valerie's expression turned contemplative. "Proximity to power can sometimes mask one's true strength. If she's aligned with someone dangerous, it's worth keeping an eye on her."
"That's the plan," Victor said with a sigh. "She's sharp, too. The way she talked, the way she looked at me... it felt like she was sizing me up."
Valerie chuckled softly. "Sounds like you've already made an impression."
"Not the kind I wanted," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "The last thing I need is a devil president poking around in my business."
Valerie stood and moved to the kitchen, her movements graceful and fluid. "You'll manage. You always do. Now, come eat. The stew's ready."
Victor followed her to the dining table, where two bowls of steaming beef stew waited. The aroma was rich and hearty, and his stomach growled in response. He sat down and picked up his spoon, the tension from earlier slowly melting away as he took his first bite.
"This is good," he said, glancing at Valerie. "You're getting better at this."
She smiled, a hint of pride in her expression. "Cooking is easier than I thought. It's just a matter of practice."
They ate in comfortable silence for a while, the day's events turning over in Victor's mind. Finally, as they were finishing their meal, Valerie spoke again.
"Do you think Kuoh Academy will be a problem?" she asked, her tone serious.
Victor leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant. "It's too early to tell. But one thing's for sure—there's more to that school than meets the eye. And if Souna Shitori is any indication, I'll need to stay on my toes."
Valerie nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Just remember, you're not alone in this. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."
Victor offered her a small smile. "Thanks, Val. That means a lot."
As the evening wore on, they cleaned up the dishes and settled into their usual routine. Valerie returned to her book, and Victor sat by the window, staring out at the quiet street. The moon hung low in the sky, its pale light casting long shadows across the ground. Despite the peace of the moment, his mind remained restless, turning over the mysteries of Kuoh Academy and the enigmatic Souna Shitori.
The next morning began with the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the soft hum of Valerie's voice as she prepared breakfast. Victor emerged from his room, his hair slightly tousled, and yawned as he stretched. He made his way to the kitchen, where Valerie stood, her apron tied neatly around her waist.
"Morning," Victor said groggily, reaching for the coffee pot.
"Good morning," Valerie replied with a smile. She held out a neatly wrapped package to him. "Here, your lunch. I packed it for you."
Victor blinked, taking the package with a raised eyebrow. "You're really leaning into this whole domestic vibe, huh?"
Valerie giggled, her crimson eyes sparkling. "Someone has to make sure you eat properly. Besides, it's fun. Oh, and one more thing before you go..." She hesitated, her tone turning more serious. "About Souna Shitori."
Victor paused, coffee mug halfway to his lips. "What about her?"
"She's not just a devil," Valerie said, her voice lowering slightly. "She's the sister of a Satan—Leviathan, to be precise. That makes her dangerous, Victor. You shouldn't involve yourself with her if you can help it."
Victor took a slow sip of his coffee, his expression unreadable. "Noted. But I don't think I'll be able to avoid her completely. She's the Student Council president, after all."
"Just be careful," Valerie urged, her gaze earnest. "Devils like her can be unpredictable."
Victor gave her a reassuring smile. "Relax, Val. I'll keep my distance."
Satisfied, Valerie nodded and returned to her tasks. Victor finished his coffee, grabbed his bag, and headed out the door. The morning air was crisp, the sun casting a warm glow over the quiet streets of Kuoh. As he walked, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease lingering in the back of his mind. Valerie's warning about Souna only added to the growing list of things he needed to keep an eye on.
As he approached the main road leading to the academy, Victor noticed three boys walking ahead of him. They were chatting animatedly, their voices carrying over the gentle rustle of leaves. Something about them caught his attention—specifically, one of them. The boy had short, spiky hair and a carefree demeanor, but there was something beneath the surface, something ancient.
Victor's senses flared, the faint but undeniable scent of power hitting him like a wave. It was stronger than what he had sensed from Souna, but it felt... dulled, as though a barrier was in place to mask its full intensity. His eyes narrowed as he studied the boy, his instincts on high alert.
"That's not normal," Victor muttered under his breath. "Something ancient, something powerful... but hidden. Why?"
He continued to follow at a distance, his mind racing. If this boy was truly an ancient being—or connected to one—he couldn't afford to let his guard down. At the same time, the dulled scent suggested restraint or suppression, which raised even more questions. Was the boy a threat? Or was he simply close to someone—or something—dangerous?
"Either way," Victor thought, his hand subtly tightening on his bag strap, "I'll need to keep an eye on him. If he poses any danger to civilians, I'll deal with it."
The boys turned onto the path leading to Kuoh Academy, their matching uniforms confirming that they were students there. Victor's eyes lingered on the spiky-haired boy for a moment longer before pulling out his phone. He quickly typed a message to Valerie, keeping his tone casual despite the weight of his discovery.
"Spotted something interesting on the way to school. Three boys, one of them reeks of ancient power. Scent's dulled, though—like it's being suppressed. Will monitor. Might be nothing, but better safe than sorry."
Satisfied, he slipped his phone back into his pocket and continued on his way. Kuoh Academy loomed in the distance, its imposing gates a stark reminder of the challenges that lay ahead. Between Souna Shitori and this new development, Victor's simple life in Kuoh was already proving to be anything but ordinary.
"Just another day in paradise," he muttered with a wry smirk, stepping through the gates and into the unknown.
The day passed quickly, and soon Victor found himself standing outside the teacher's lounge, where he was greeted by one of the staff. The teacher, a middle-aged man with a friendly demeanor, motioned for Victor to follow him.
"You'll wait outside the classroom for my signal," the teacher explained as they walked through the halls. "I'll introduce you to the class, and then you can say a few words about yourself. Nothing too formal, just your name, hobbies, and dreams."
Victor gave a curt nod. "Understood."
The teacher led him to a classroom door, gesturing for him to stand to the side. Moments later, the bell rang, and the classroom filled with the chatter of students settling into their seats. The teacher entered, clearing his throat to gather their attention.
"Good morning, everyone," he began. "Before we start today's lesson, I'd like to introduce a new transfer student. Please give him a warm welcome."
The door slid open, and Victor stepped inside. Immediately, the room fell silent. His imposing figure—broad shoulders, sharp features, and a piercing gaze—commanded attention. As he scanned the room, his eyes landed on a familiar face.
It was one of the boys from earlier, the one with the ancient scent. The boy—Issei, according to the whispers around the room—was chatting with his friends, seemingly unaware of Victor's scrutiny. Victor's instincts screamed at him to remain cautious, and he forced himself to focus on the task at hand.
He stepped to the front of the room, his expression neutral but his presence overwhelming. "My name is Victor Cross," he said, his voice deep and steady. "I enjoy reading, and my dream is to one day start a company of my own."
That was all he said. His introduction was stiff and perfunctory, and the silence that followed was heavy. The students exchanged uneasy glances, whispering among themselves. Many found him intimidating, his towering stature and serious demeanor making him seem more like a bear than a high school student.
"He's huge..." one student murmured.
"Is he really our age?" another whispered.
Victor ignored the comments, his sharp eyes scanning the room. As his gaze swept across the students, he noticed subtle details—the tension in their shoulders, the curiosity in their eyes, and the faint traces of magical energy lingering around a few of them. But it wasn't until his eyes landed on a particular boy in the back corner that he froze.
The boy's face was familiar. Too familiar. Victor's jaw tightened, his eyes widening in disbelief as a single sentence escaped his lips, barely audible.
"Is that you? Izaiah?"