The pre-dawn mist was slowly dissipating, giving way to the first golden rays of the sun touching the roofs of Kuoh Academy. In the backyard of the old Occult Research Club building, in the cool silence of early morning, a grueling night training session was coming to an end. Gasper Vladi, pale as a sheet, lay on the grass, breathing heavily and feeling every cell in his body hum. Beside him, indifferently watching the reddening east, stood Izayoi Jin. The night's work hadn't affected his appearance in the slightest. Kuro, his familiar, had already managed to tidy himself up and was now curiously watching Gasper from under a nearby bush.
The night had been a trial. Jin had ruthlessly forced the vampire to activate his time stop again and again, pushing him to the brink of total exhaustion. When Gasper's strength was nearly at zero, the real work began—attempts to control the impulse itself, to trigger short, controlled bursts of stasis. It was agonizing, but by dawn, Gasper had achieved his first success: he had managed to freeze the air in front of him for a split second several times on Jin's command without succumbing to panic. It was infinitely far from mastery, but it was an undeniable breakthrough.
"Get up," Jin ordered, his voice level, devoid of intonation. "That's enough for today."
Gasper sat up with difficulty, then, leaning on trembling arms, stood up. His legs were giving way, but on his face, besides deadly fatigue, a new feeling could be read—weak but distinct pride. He looked at Jin—his tormentor and unwilling mentor.
"I... I could... a little..." he whispered.
"You learned how to flip the switch," Jin stated. "This is just the first step of a thousand. Control requires constant work. But you didn't run away and didn't whine. Not bad." A sparse phrase, but for Gasper, it sounded louder than any praise.
Gratitude and admiration overwhelmed him, eclipsing even the remnants of fear. This incredible, frightening guy believed in him—or at least gave him a chance no one else had. He forced him to face his own nightmare and didn't back down. Gasper filled his lungs with the morning air.
"Th-thank you... Jin-san!" He learned the name yesterday when Rias had addressed Jin in frustration during his "visit" to the club. "For..." He faltered, not knowing how to properly express his feelings. Then, gathering all his courage, he asked quietly, "M-may... may I... call you... Aniki?"
Jin frowned slightly. "Aniki"? This word, meaning something more than just "older brother," grated on his ears. It implied a bond, an acknowledgment of authority, something he diligently avoided in this world. Why did he need this responsibility? This attachment? But looking at Gasper—at his exhausted face full of desperate hope—he felt something akin to... a pang of conscience? Or was it just fleeting curiosity?
"Do what you want," he tossed out indifferently, turning away. "But if you chose this path, then fulfill the conditions. First—today you are going to the Summit. With Gremory. And no tricks with bags or hiding. You will stand with everyone. Got it?" He deliberately added this condition, testing the seriousness of the vampire's intentions.
The thought of the Summit made Gasper tremble again, but he immediately nodded firmly. "Y-yes! Aniki! I will be there! I won't let you down!"
"We'll see," Jin headed for the exit from the yard. "Go rest. You'll need all your strength today."
Gasper, staggering but with shining eyes, trudged toward the club building. Jin huffed and went to his place. Kuro silently jumped onto his shoulder. The day promised to be eventful.
By noon, Kuoh Academy had turned into the center of the world—at least, the supernatural world. The air buzzed with magical energy so dense that even some particularly sensitive humans could have felt it. Protective barriers, invisible to the ordinary eye, now distinctly flickered with blue light, creating a multi-layered dome over the school grounds. Student Council members and servants of the Gremory and Sitri clans patrolled the perimeter, their faces tense.
Jin arrived shortly before the meeting began. His "consultant" status required his presence, although he didn't intend to actively participate in the negotiations. He entered the main hall of the old building, where the setting for the Summit was already prepared: a large round table, chairs for delegations, protective runes on the walls. Sona Sitri and Tsubaki were already there, greeting arriving guests. Jin nodded silently to them and took a position by the window, away from the main action. Kuro jumped onto the windowsill, looking around curiously.
Soon the hall began to fill. The Devils arrived first. The delegation was led by Sirzechs Lucifer, the current ruler of the Underworld. His calm power and fiery red hair attracted attention. Next to him silently followed Grayfia Lucifuge, his wife and Queen, in a strict maid outfit. Serafall Leviathan was also present, looking young and carefree in her magical girl outfit, but radiating the aura of one of the strongest demonesses. Other Satans, Ajuka and Falbium, were not present at this meeting—probably solving other important issues in the Underworld or were to join later.
Then, in a flash of golden light, the Angels appeared. Archangel Michael, the de facto leader of Heaven, entered with an expression of calm and wisdom on his face. His twelve snow-white wings glowed slightly, and his aura was filled with light and kindness. He was accompanied by the already familiar Irina, whose face I hadn't seen since the day of Kokabiel's attack.
Last arrived Azazel, representing the Fallen Angels. He appeared without much pomp, with his usual crooked smirk on his face. His ten black wings were carelessly folded, and the look of his shrewd eyes promised a sharp mind and a share of cynicism. He was accompanied only by his deputy, Shemhazai, and the White Dragon Vali.
Leaders of three factions warring for centuries. In one hall. The atmosphere was electrified to the limit. They exchanged polite but restrained greetings. Old wounds and distrust hadn't disappeared, but the need to confront common threats forced them to sit at the negotiating table.
Their gazes, of course, touched Jin's figure standing apart. Sirzechs nodded reservedly—he remembered their agreement. Azazel gave Jin a long, studying look—this "anomaly" clearly represented scientific and strategic interest for him.
But Michael's reaction was the most remarkable. The Archangel looked at Jin, and genuine surprise reflected on his face. Michael's inner vision, accustomed to distinguishing Light and Darkness, saw something unusual around this young man—not demonic filth, not the shadow of the fallen, but an incredibly bright, pure radiance, similar to the light of an untarnished soul of enormous power. Michael couldn't know the true nature of this power, but what he perceived seemed to him a sign of hope, something bright and potentially beneficial in this world. He lingered his gaze on Jin, and deep curiosity flashed in his eyes.
At that moment, Rias's team entered the hall, taking their assigned seats behind their King. Issei, Kiba, Akeno, Koneko, Asia, and the others looked collected and ready for any surprises. Among them was Gasper. He looked frightened, clinging to Issei, but walked with his head held high, and there was no bag on it. He kept his word.
Jin noted this with a short nod, which, however, hardly anyone noticed. But then, obeying a fleeting moment not fully realized by himself, he moved away from the window and approached Rias's group. He stopped in front of Gasper, who flinched in surprise. Jin silently placed his hand on his head, slightly ruffling his blond hair.
"Good job," he said quietly, so that only the vampire heard.
Gasper's face flushed with happiness. He smiled timidly at his "Aniki." This short, almost imperceptible scene did not escape the attention of Rias and Issei, causing their surprise. Jin, as if nothing had happened, removed his hand and returned to his place.
Negotiations began. Sirzechs spoke of the need for lasting peace and cooperation in the face of new threats. Michael—about the importance of forgiveness and a joint future for all races. Azazel—about pragmatism, technology exchange, and the danger of radicals like the Khaos Brigade. The words were correct, but it was felt that everyone was pursuing their own goals as well.
Jin listened to their diplomatic curtsies with growing boredom. Empty chatter. While they discuss peace here, people like Kokabiel or his ilk are preparing a new war. Or this Vali... What is he after? These thoughts caused Jin familiar irritation. And a desire to... intervene. Bring a little clarity. Or chaos.
When Azazel finished the phrase about "the need to identify traitors and exchange information," Jin decided the moment had come. He stepped out of the shadows by the window and headed to the negotiating table. All conversations ceased. Dozens of eyes—Satans, Archangel, Fallen—turned to him.
"I apologize for intruding on your important conversation," his voice sounded unexpectedly loud and clear in the ensuing silence. "But since we're talking about exchanging information and traitors... I would like to join."
Azazel was the first to break the silence, poorly concealed curiosity heard in his voice. "Izayoi Jin, right? Nice to meet you in person. But I'm afraid this is a closed meeting. Security issues require... a certain level of clearance."
"I understand," Jin nodded. "But I'm not here as a schoolboy or a Sitri consultant." He looked around at the powerful leaders. "I am here as... let's say, an involuntary representative of those who usually suffer from your games... As a representative of humans." His words caused surprise and bewilderment. "And I have information that might help you avoid a big mistake. Information about those who really want to disrupt this peace. About a traitor who may already be operating among you or your trusted ones." He paused, letting the words hang in the air. "Ready to share. If you are ready to listen not only to each other but also to someone who sees the picture a little... from the outside."