Occult Club, 9 PM
The air was still cool from the evening breeze of the city as Akeno and Subaru materialized in the old building of the Occult Research Club. The room was bathed in warm light – the walls were lined with bookshelves filled with dusty tomes, maps adorned with occult symbols, and a large, intricately carved table at the center. The scent of candles mixed with a sweet, mystical smoke filled the air, giving the whole place the feel of a secret chamber in an old castle. Rias sat in a comfortable armchair by the fireplace, Kiba leaned against the wall reading, and Koneko slouched on the couch, sucking on a lollipop.
Akeno held Subaru tightly with one arm, as if protecting him, while with her other hand she performed a swift teleportation. When they arrived, everyone in the room immediately looked up – Rias's eyes widened, Kiba's book slipped from his hands, and Koneko paused her lollipop for a moment.
"Akeno? What the heck is going on here?" Rias asked incredulously, springing up from her chair. Her voice was full of surprise with a hint of annoyance.
Akeno chuckled, looking at her as if it were all just a joke.
"Oh, come on, Rias, as if you didn't expect it. You know Subaru isn't the type to back down."
Kiba stepped forward, his face full of confusion.
"What do you mean? Why did you bring him here? And why are you holding him like he's yours?" Kiba asked, a mix of concern and curiosity in his voice.
Subaru smiled faintly for a moment before looking at them seriously.
"Simple, guys: I know you're all devils. Every single one of you."
A sudden silence fell over the room. Rias stared at him in shock.
"How do you know this? Who told you?" Rias asked sharply.
Subaru looked at Koneko reassuringly.
"Come on, Koneko. I think you know that I can sense these things. Right?"
Koneko nodded calmly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"You're right. I've known for a long time."
Akeno looked at Koneko with curiosity.
"Wait, how does she know about it? You've been hiding something from me too, Koneko-chan?"
Koneko shrugged and continued sucking her lollipop.
"He promised to keep it a secret. In exchange, he buys me sweets."
Subaru laughed.
"That's true. When I first moved to this city, we ran into each other by accident. His aura is interesting – at least that's what he said about me."
Akeno and Kiba immediately burst out laughing at the deal. Akeno clutched her stomach.
"For sweets? Seriously? Koneko, you're the best!"
Kiba shook his head with a smile.
"That's so typical of you, Koneko. But Subaru, you really knew from the start? How?"
Rias, however, buried her face in her hands, clearly frustrated.
"This is unbelievable. Rarely does Koneko not tell me something… and all of this for sweets? Koneko, we'll discuss this later."
Koneko just shrugged and continued enjoying her lollipop.
Rias turned to Subaru, her voice filled with interest.
"What exactly is his aura like? Tell me, Koneko. There's no secret anymore."
Koneko thought for a moment, then looked at Subaru with curiosity.
"Subaru-senpai, can I tell her now? I mean, you've revealed yourself."
Rias pouted at Koneko, clearly annoyed that her servant ignored her.
"Go ahead. There's nothing to hide anymore," Subaru said approvingly, smiling.
Koneko continued, a faint blush on her cheeks.
"His aura is very warm, with a calming effect. He is full of love and immense power. It's as if… he's a protector."
Rias nodded thoughtfully.
"Okay. But you can't tell what exactly he is? He looks human, but his aura is far too strong."
Koneko shook her head, still sucking on her lollipop.
"Subaru is a hybrid. Half kitsune, a quarter wizard, and a quarter human."
Kiba looked at Subaru in amazement.
"Interesting. I didn't know such a hybrid existed. How is that even possible? Kitsunes are rare, and wizards even rarer. How did such a combination come about?"
Subaru shrugged.
"Long story. But yes, it exists. And I'm not the only one like this."
Rias looked elated.
"Fantastic! Do you want to join us? Our peerage? You could make us stronger!"
Koneko looked at Rias sadly.
"I don't think he could, Rias-sama. His mana is far greater than all of ours combined. We wouldn't be able to handle it."
Akeno nodded sympathetically.
"Yes. And I think even now he's holding back. He could be far stronger. I saw him fight tonight. He was overwhelming."
Rias paled.
"That can't be. All my hope is gone. How can we help each other if he can't join?"
Akeno looked at Subaru with interest.
"You could tell us about your masters too, Subaru. Maybe they could help us."
Subaru nodded, smiling.
"Oh. Sure. I said I'm open, like an open book."
Akeno continued happily.
"You won't believe who his masters are. One of them is Merlin."
Rias interrupted.
"Merlin?! The legendary wizard who's thousands of years old? Could he even help us? Maybe he could teach us!"
Subaru shook his head.
"I don't think so. I don't even know where he is right now. He's a traveler type."
Akeno giggled.
"Relax, my friend. His other master is Kurama."
Rias's eyes widened.
"K-Kurama??! The first kitsune, who is almost older than all the devils? He could help, right? Maybe he would accept us as apprentices!"
Subaru laughed nervously.
"I don't think he would teach any of you. He barely accepted me as a student. Kurama doesn't like strangers."
Kiba looked thoughtful.
"But how did you convince him? And what was it like training with him? Learning from such a legendary being… incredible."
Subaru smiled.
"Long story. But I was persistent."
Koneko intervened, still sucking on her lollipop.
"Maybe his masters can't teach us, but I think he can."
Then she calmly went back to her lollipop.
Akeno nodded in agreement.
"She's right. Subaru, could you train us?"
Subaru shrugged.
"Why not. But I warn you, my training is tough."
Rias buried her face in her hands.
"Good heavens, how foolish I am. I should have asked you first."
"I'm curious about what kind of training we'll be doing," Kiba thought aloud.
Subaru looked at them.
"Next week, we'll start training. Every weekday after classes. Is that okay?"
Rias protested.
"Why not on the weekend? We'd have more time then."
Subaru glanced at Akeno hopefully.
"Akeno and I will still go on our weekend date. Right, Akeno?"
Akeno smiled happily.
"Ara, ara. I didn't expect you to take me out every weekend. I thought I'd have to beg. Of course, Subaru, I wouldn't miss it for anything."
Rias tried to speak, but Kiba interrupted.
"Wait, a date? You two… seriously? Subaru, you really fell for Akeno's charms?"
Akeno chuckled.
"Hey, Kiba, don't be jealous. Subaru is a great choice."
Subaru nodded calmly.
"Rias, I don't know why you're so eager to become stronger, but I'll do everything I can. My training isn't normal anyway. Better rest on the weekends."
The others now noticed Subaru's sadistic smile. Akeno liked it, imagining for a moment what the training would be like. Rias and Kiba began to regret asking him to train them. A cold shiver ran down Koneko's spine, but she hid it behind her usual stoic mask. Subaru could barely wait to start training them.
"But Subaru, tell us what the training will be like. Will it be tough?" Kiba asked anxiously.
Subaru grinned.
"Oh yes. Very tough. But it's worth it. Trust me."
Rias sighed.
"Alright… let's begin then."
A tense excitement filled the room – a new chapter had begun, full of secrets and possibilities.