[System Notification]
New Quest Available: "A Devil's First Step"
• Objective: Prove your worth in Kuoh Academy by asserting dominance.
• Bonus Objective: Impress Rias Gremory and her Peerage.
• Rewards: 200 XP, Unlock First Skill, Reputation Gain.
• Failure Penalty: Loss of credibility and weakened standing in the Underworld.
Inside Rias Gremory's Office – Kuoh Academy
Rias Gremory kept her gaze steady on Naruto Bael, studying him like a puzzle she was desperate to solve.
His confidence wasn't a mask—it was genuine. Most devils from noble houses either flaunted their lineage or carried an air of arrogance, but Naruto wasn't like them. He was calm, self-assured, and entirely unreadable.
Akeno, standing beside Rias with a curious glint in her eyes, tilted her head. "So, Naruto-kun, what brings you to Kuoh Academy? I don't recall hearing much about you before now."
Naruto leaned back in his chair, his smirk unwavering. "Simple. I go where I want. The Underworld didn't interest me, so I decided to check things out here."
A half-truth, but one that was enough for now.
Rias tapped her fingers against the table. "A Bael who abandoned the Underworld? That's… unique."
"I don't do well with politics," Naruto replied, crossing his arms. "And I prefer to make my own way."
Akeno giggled. "Ara~ quite the rebellious one, aren't you?"
Before Rias could reply, another presence entered the room.
A small girl with white hair and golden eyes stood by the door, her expression unreadable.
Koneko Toujou.
Naruto immediately recognized her—one of the strongest Rook-class devils under Rias's command. Fast, brutal, and utterly merciless in combat.
She eyed him up and down before speaking. "You smell weird."
Naruto chuckled. "I get that a lot."
Koneko's stare didn't waver. "If you're a Bael, you should prove it."
Rias raised an eyebrow. "Koneko…"
But Naruto simply grinned, already sensing the challenge in her tone. "I like the way you think, cat-girl. What do you have in mind?"
Koneko cracked her knuckles. "A fight. Right now."
[System Notification]
New Challenge Accepted: "Prove Your Strength"
• Opponent: Koneko Toujou (Rook-class Devil)
• Objective: Survive or win against Koneko in a fair fight.
• Bonus: Land a clean hit.
• Rewards: 300 XP, First Skill Unlock, Increased Reputation with Gremory Peerage.
Training Grounds – Kuoh Academy
The news of an impromptu match spread fast. Within minutes, most of the Occult Research Club had gathered at the private training grounds. Even Kiba Yuuto, the Knight-class devil under Rias, stood by, intrigued.
Naruto stood at one end of the training circle, rolling his shoulders. Despite lacking chakra, his body felt stronger than it had ever been. More controlled. More efficient.
Koneko, standing opposite him, cracked her knuckles. "I won't hold back."
Naruto's smirk grew. "I'd be disappointed if you did."
Rias sighed but allowed the match to continue. "No lethal attacks. The match ends when one of you yields."
Koneko vanished.
A blur of motion—faster than any normal human could react to. But Naruto wasn't normal.
His instincts screamed.
[DANGER!]
BANG!
He twisted at the last second, barely dodging a devastating punch aimed at his gut. The force of her fist cracked the ground where he had just been.
"Holy shit, she's strong."
Koneko wasted no time, launching a flurry of blows, each one aimed to cripple him. But Naruto's reflexes—honed from years of battle—allowed him to weave and dodge.
[Dodge Success!]
[+5 Dexterity for 10 minutes]
His smirk widened. This System might be useful after all.
Still, Koneko was relentless. Her next attack came in the form of a roundhouse kick, too fast to completely evade.
[Endurance Check: Passed]
Naruto gritted his teeth as he absorbed the impact, sliding back but refusing to fall.
Koneko narrowed her eyes. "You're tough."
Naruto rolled his neck. "And you hit like a truck."
She rushed him again, but this time—
He moved first.
[Skill Unlocking…]
New Skill Acquired: "Instinctive Combat (Passive)"
• Grants heightened reaction time and predictive movement against melee attacks.
• Can evolve with experience.
Naruto's body felt lighter. His movements became sharper. He dodged Koneko's next strike with ease, his instincts now predicting her movements.
He countered.
Not a full-force attack—just enough to send a message.
A quick palm strike to her stomach.
WHAM!
Koneko staggered back, eyes wide. She hadn't expected him to actually land a hit.
Naruto grinned. "Surprise."
A tense silence filled the air before—
Koneko smirked. "Not bad."
She turned to Rias. "I approve."
[System Notification]
Challenge Completed!
• Bonus Objective Achieved!
• Rewards: +300 XP, "Instinctive Combat" Skill, +5 Reputation with Gremory Peerage.
• Level Up! Naruto is now Level 2!
Rias, watching the fight unfold, smiled slightly.
"He's stronger than I expected… and adaptable. Very interesting."
She stepped forward. "Naruto Bael, I'd like to make you an offer."
Naruto turned to her, tilting his head. "Oh?"
Rias's crimson eyes gleamed. "How would you like to join my Peerage?"
A heavy silence filled the air.
Everyone watched as Naruto considered the offer.
Then, his smirk grew.
"That depends," he said smoothly. "What's in it for me?"
To Be Continued…