The park sank into silence, broken only by the splashing of the fountain. The barrier had vanished, returning the night sky to its usual starry pattern, but for those who remained in the clearing, the world would never be the same. Jin stood in the midst of this fragile, restored calm, feeling several pairs of eyes on him, filled with a mix of shock, curiosity, and latent hostility. He slowly turned his head, and his cold violet gaze bored into the group of newcomers. Especially the one at the front.
Rias Gremory. He looked at her, and memories from his past life surfaced with cold clarity. She was exactly as he remembered her from the "canon." Incredibly beautiful, with a mane of fiery-red hair that seemed to emit its own glow even in the dim lamplight. A proud posture, a confident, almost arrogant gaze in her blue-green eyes, which spoke of power inherited by birthright. She was a product of her world—a spoiled aristocrat, accustomed to the world revolving around her, to her word being law, and to any problem being solvable through the power of her clan or the influence of her older brother.
And now, she was looking at him the same way—like a proprietor who had encountered an incomprehensible, but potentially useful, phenomenon on her territory. Her words about erasing Misaki's memory, spoken with such ease, with such condescending certainty in her right to dispose of others' fates, triggered a wave of dull, icy irritation in Jin. Yes, perhaps she was right. Perhaps for a normal person, encountering the supernatural was a trauma best forgotten. But the way it was said, with such contempt for human will, the way she looked at people—as if they were fragile, irrational children she had to clean up after—infuriated him to the point of grinding his teeth.
"Erase her memory?" Jin broke the silence, his voice even, but it held a coldness that made everyone standing nearby flinch involuntarily. "What a convenient solution. A toy breaks, so you just roll it back to factory settings. Is this how you manage your territory, Gremory?"
Rias narrowed her eyes slightly, surprised and annoyed by his tone. She had expected gratitude, perhaps even subservience, but certainly not a reprimand.
"It's for her own good," she clipped, her voice gaining a steel edge. "And yes, I maintain order in my territory. Which, it seems, can't be said for your timely intervention. Do you even realize that by appearing, you've only aggravated the situation?"
"I saved the life of your future servant," Jin countered. "Or is 'order' when students from your own academy are murdered with impunity on your territory? If so, you're a lousy ruler."
The gauntlet had been thrown. The atmosphere grew tense again. Rias, her pride wounded, drew herself up, her demonic aura beginning to slowly seep out, making the air heavy. She still didn't understand who she was dealing with. Strong? Yes, undoubtedly. But most likely, just a human with a rare and powerful strength-type Sacred Gear. She had seen them before. They were physically strong, but vulnerable to magic and lacked an understanding of this world's true hierarchy.
"You dare speak to me like that?" she hissed, her blue-green eyes darkening with anger. "You, a simple human who doesn't know his place?"
Akeno Himejima, standing behind her, took a subtle step forward, a polite but dangerous smile playing on her lips, tiny sparks already crackling between her fingers. Kiba Yuuto, maintaining his outward calm, placed a hand on the hilt of an invisible sword. They were ready to defend the honor of their Queen.
Jin swept his gaze over them—the proud Rias, the battle-ready Akeno, the tense Kiba. And he couldn't hold back. He laughed. Not loudly, but quietly, almost silently, shaking with internal amusement.
"Oh, of course…" He wiped away a tear of laughter. "'A simple human.' 'Doesn't know his place.' And this whole display of power… Gremory, you are so predictable. So… ridiculous. Your Queen is in danger! Knights, to arms! Now comes the dramatic speech about clan honor, and then you'll all try to 'put me in my place.' Do you really think this cheap spectacle will have any effect on me?"
He stopped laughing, and his gaze turned to ice. He took a step forward, toward their group. His aura, previously hidden, began to slowly seep out. It wasn't like the pressure of Rias's demonic energy. It was something else. Oppressive, alien, something that made one instinctively want to flee.
"I'll show you what a 'real place' is," he said quietly, taking another step.
Akeno and Kiba tensed, ready for battle. Rias clenched her fists, concentrating her Power of Destruction.
And at that very moment, just as a clash seemed inevitable, Issei scrambled out between them like a frightened fawn.
He was pale, shaking, looking from Jin to Rias and her peerage. Horror, shock, bewilderment—it all mixed in his eyes.
"What… what the hell is even going on here?!" he yelled hysterically. "Spears of light?! Fallen angels?! Rias-senpai, you… you have bat wings! Akeno-senpai, too! And you, Jin… you… you caught that thing! With your bare hand! Who are you people?! What was that?! Explain it to me!!!"
His desperate cry, full of genuine confusion, shattered all the tension. All eyes—Jin's and Rias's group—focused on him. On the simple guy whose world had just been turned upside down. Under these gazes, Issei's outburst instantly died. He cringed, feeling incredibly stupid, and took a step back, hiding behind Jin.
Jin looked at the terrified Issei, then at the stunned Rias. His entire fighting spirit, all his irritation, evaporated. He didn't see demons or enemies before him. He saw a group of teenagers and one complete idiot who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fight them? Put on a show of force? That would be... stupid. And pointless.
He exhaled, theatrically, with exaggerated weariness.
"What a drag…"
Turning, he ignored Rias's surprised shout: "Wait! We're not done!" Pushing off the ground with force, he launched into the night sky, becoming a blurred silhouette, and vanished from sight a moment later, leaving only stunned silence and a multitude of questions behind.
The next day at the academy was surprisingly calm. No one from the Occult Research Club approached him. Even the shadows of observers he'd occasionally noticed before were gone. It seemed Rias Gremory had decided to take a pause and think things over. Jin was only too glad.
After classes, he headed home as usual. But before he reached the school gates, a familiar voice called out.
"Jin! Wait!"
It was Issei. He caught up and walked beside him for a time in awkward silence. It was clear he wanted to say something but didn't know how to start.
"Well?" Jin finally snapped.
"I…" Issei took a deep breath. "I wanted to say… thanks. For yesterday. You… you saved my life."
Jin just huffed in response.
"After you left," Issei continued, staring at his feet, "Rias-senpai… she explained everything. About demons, angels… about her being a demon. And that I… I am too. That the girl, Yuuma, killed me, and Rias-senpai resurrected me… as her servant. It's… it's all so wild. I still can't believe it."
He fell silent, processing his own words.
"And what are you going to do now?" Jin asked, his voice devoid of any sympathy, a simple statement of fact.
"Rias-senpai invited me to her club. She said it's my new family now," Issei looked up at Jin. "I accepted. It's not like I had much choice. But… I don't regret it. She saved me. I owe her."
They walked another few meters in silence. Issei continued to stare at Jin until he stopped, annoyed.
"What?"
"Jin…" Issei chose his words carefully. "I know you don't want to talk about it… But… who are you? You're not a demon, are you? But you're not a normal human, either. The way you moved… it was… incredible."
Jin gave him a long, heavy look.
"I'm a normal 'human,' Issei," he said, emphasizing the word 'human' with an intonation that said the opposite. "And you don't need to know any more. You have enough to worry about right now. Deal with your new life, with your new master. Stay out of my business."
Issei understood he wouldn't get an answer. He sighed, but didn't back down.
"Okay… I get it. But… Rias-senpai… she really wants to talk to you. Normally. Without fights or threats. She asked me to invite you to the club."
Jin sighed wearily again. It seemed there was no getting out of this.
"I'll think about it."
The next day, as he was about to head home, Akeno Himejima blocked his path. Her usual playful smile seemed more restrained today, and a serious interest was visible in her violet eyes.
"Ara-ara, Izayoi-kun, always in such a hurry," she purred, her voice soft as silk, but with a note that brooked no argument. "Rias-buchou would like to speak with you. Would you spare us a little of your precious time?"
Inside the spacious clubroom, they were already waiting for him. Rias Gremory sat in her queenly chair, her crimson hair cascading over her shoulders. Kiba stood nearby, and Koneko was curled up on the sofa. Issei, who had arrived earlier, looked guiltily at the floor. The atmosphere was tense.
"Have a seat, Izayoi," Rias gestured to the chair opposite her. Her voice was calm, but held an undercurrent of steel. "Akeno, tea, if you would."
Akeno silently withdrew as Rias steepled her fingers and stared intently at Jin.
"Last night, you saved Issei. And you interfered in matters that did not directly concern you. I want to know why."
"Do you need a reason to help a classmate who's about to be skewered by a glowing stick?" Jin replied evenly, meeting her gaze without a trace of unease.
Rias's eyes narrowed slightly. She didn't believe him, but she didn't argue.
"Be that as it may, you've demonstrated your power again. And again—on my territory. Do you understand that this creates certain… complications?"
"Those are your complications, Gremory. Not mine."
"You're mistaken," her voice hardened. "As long as you are in this city, you are part of the equation. An unknown variable that could disrupt the entire balance. Your interference could have provoked a full-scale conflict."
She leaned forward, her blue-green eyes glittering.
"I cannot allow an uncontrolled power of your level to operate in my territory. It's dangerous. For me, for my servants, for the entire city. Therefore, I want to make you an offer."
There it is. Jin smirked internally.
"I don't make deals," he cut in.
"This isn't a deal. It's an offer that I believe you won't be able to refuse," Rias's voice held aristocratic confidence. "Izayoi Jin, I, Rias Gremory, heiress to a great house, offer you a place in my peerage."
Silence fell in the room. Issei and Kiba looked at their Queen in surprise.
"I see your power," Rias continued, her gaze turning appraising, almost possessive. "It's vast. A raw diamond. Under my guidance, under the banner of the Gremory clan, you could reach incredible heights. I will give you status, protection, wealth. We will be your family. Your shield. All that is required is that you pledge your loyalty to me."
She spoke, and her voice resonated with power and temptation. For anyone else, it would have been the offer of a lifetime.
Jin listened to her, and a crooked, mocking smile slowly spread across his face. When she finished, he laughed quietly.
"Family? Protection? Status?" He shook his head, his laughter growing louder. "Gremory, do you really think I need any of that? You're offering me a golden collar and telling me it's a crown."
He leaned forward, his violet eyes flashing coldly.
"Let me explain something to you. I don't need your protection, because there is almost no one in this world who can threaten me. I don't need your status, because I stand above all your clan hierarchies. And I certainly don't need your 'family.' I am on my own. And I serve no one. Especially not a spoiled demoness who only sees power as a tool to strengthen her own position."
His words were like slaps. Rias's face flushed with anger and humiliation.
"How dare you…!" she began, but Jin raised a hand, and she instinctively fell silent.
"I dare because I can," his voice turned to ice. "Now that we've dealt with your generous offer, let's talk about the real situation. You're worried about the state of the city, and you're afraid I might become a catalyst for conflict. Correct?"
Rias was silent, but her pressed lips were more eloquent than any words.
"Here is my counter-offer, Gremory," Jin continued. "I will not become your piece. But I can be… an ally. A temporary and very conditional one. I won't interfere in your petty squabbles. But if someone truly interesting appears in this city… someone who can dispel my boredom… I might just join in on the fun. In exchange, you will grant me full access to your library and your knowledge, and you will stop spying on me."
It was audacious. He hadn't just rejected her; he had dictated his own terms. Rias struggled with herself. Anger, pride, humiliation. But she was a pragmatist.
"Fine," she finally forced out. "I accept your terms."
"Then it's settled." Jin stood up. "When can I visit your library?"
"I'll send for you," Rias replied curtly.
"Excellent." He headed for the exit, tossing over his shoulder: "And Rias. Next time you want to recruit someone, make sure you have something to offer besides pretty words and a golden cage."