Back in the familiar confines of my room, I leaned back in the couch. Every fiber of my muscle seemed to remember the sheer volume of energy that had coursed through me earlier. I still feel like I am getting kissed everywhere on my body. This is rather weird more than being fun.
How am I even going to learn to control something in just a span of week?
Impossible.
"What now?" I mumbled, the question directed at Bennia, who was perched in front of me with her golden eyes thoughtful, a subtle worry creasing her brow. Looks like she gets serious as well when there is trouble.
"Now" she said slowly releasing a deep sigh "We lay low for a bit. The devils won't just ignore that. Something that… noticeable… they'll be already on it"
"Devils?" I asked, feigning ignorance. The names Rias and Sona flashed in my mind, but I kept my expression blank. Bennia seems genuinely dismissive of them as if it was a concern but not big enough to trouble her.
Bennia snorted softly, a hint of her usual carefree smile "Yeah, Rei-chin. The sisters of Satan more or less keep an eye on this town. Though," a small, almost imperceptible smirk on her face "Don't lose too much brain cells over it. Those two? Honestly, they're not sharpest tools in the box. They'll be chasing shadows for weeks"
We have to do the training in some secluded spot. A week felt like a desperate lifeline, a chance to at least grasp the fundamentals before she left. But the vivid memory of that colossal sphere of light, and the sheer terror of the potential destruction, had begun to solidify a different kind of resolve within me. Hiding felt like a temporary retreat, a delay of the inevitable. I need to learn this. I need to face whatever comes. Running won't make me stronger. It'll just make me more afraid.
My internal debate with a wrestle between fear and a burning determination, was interrupted by a series of deliberate, measured knocks on the door. A jolt of unease shot through me, making me anxious who was behind that door. The ki signature on the other side felt immense, complex, and carried a strange aura. This isn't just some random passerby. That power… is way vast than Bennia. I glanced at Bennia, my eyes wide with a dawning sense of uneasiness. She nodded slowly, her hand already drifting towards the scythe leaning against the wall.
"Stay here, Rei-chin" she murmured, her voice low and cautious, rising with a fluid grace unlike her usual sleepy demeanor. Scythe held tightly, she approached the door and swung it open, her golden eyes narrowed and watchful of this unknown visitor.
Standing in the hallway was a tall man appearing to be in his twenties with an average build, black hair, golden bangs, and black goatee. His appearance resembled to the one of the faction leaders in this world and it wasn't hard to guess who was this individual but it was hard to guess why he was here.
There was a strange charisma about him, a subtle confidence that suggests he's always several steps ahead.
"Well, hello there," he said as he glanced at Bennia a leisurely then at her scythe, a hint of something unreadable in his expression "Kids be getting weird these days" He then inclined his head towards me with a welcoming smile "I'm the new resident next door. Thought I' should introduce myself" He held up the box of pastries with a charming smile "Brought a little housewarming gift."
The small living room felt even more confined under Azazel's intense gaze. He moved with a quiet confidence, settling into the chair as if it were a throne. He accepted the tea I offered with a polite nod. The pastries he'd brought laid on the table as I served it to him and Bennia who had her eyes glued to it.
"So," Azazel began, taking a slow, deliberate bite of a pastry, his eyes never leaving mine, a subtle knowing glint within them "that… rather unconventional burst of energy earlier. Quite… illuminating. Wouldn't you agree, young Rei?" There was no accusation in his tone, only curiosity as he showed me the video of me doing spirit bomb move in woods "How did you do something like that?"
I replied "It was a mistake," I said, meeting his gaze directly, trying to convey the sincerity of my words "I'm still trying to understand my powers. I didn't intend to cause any trouble"
A low chuckle escaped his mouth, a sound that held amusement and something else… a hint of calculation, as if he were weighing my word. "'Mistake' is one word for it. A rather…big mistake. So, tell me, Rei," he tilted his head slightly, his smile widening just a fraction, "this… power you used. Where did you acquire such a… talent?"
"It… it's called ki, I think. That's what I came to conclusion as I saw in anime" I replied, trying to sound uncertain, like I was grasping at straws, hoping he'd buy my ignorance "It's like… drawing energy from the environment and boom"
"Intriguing" Azazel murmured, his golden eyes narrowing slightly, a flicker of genuine interest within their depths. "And who taught you? I don't think any human can just do that without learning it"
"Nowhere," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, hoping the lie didn't sound as hollow to him as it did to me "It just… happened. Yesterday, some flowers in my room withered when I touched them. This morning… well, you witnessed…"
Azazel's eyebrows rose slowly, a thoughtful expression crossing his features, his gaze intense as he seemed to analyze my every word. "You simply… awakened to such power? Remarkable" He leaned forward slightly, his gaze intensifying, the amusement fading slightly replaced by a sharp glance "Young Rei, if you can truly master this… you could become a force to be reckoned with. Immortality, unparalleled strength… the potential is… significant. But that requires control, proper guidance"
"Bennia has offered to help," I said, glancing at her, a silent plea for support in my eyes "For a week"
Azazel's lips twitched in a faint smile, a hint of knowing amusement returning "Learning to control such power in a week? That is… ambitious but not realistic, to say the least." He turned to Bennia, who had crumbs of cake on her face.
"He's determined to learn," Bennia interjected, her voice firm, her grip on her scythe unwavering, her golden eyes fixed on Azazel "He doesn't want to be a weakling"
Azazel's gaze returned to me, a flicker of understanding in his eyes" And what is your ultimate goal, Rei? What do you hope to achieve with such power?"
"I… I don't want to be powerless," I said, the words feeling more resolute each time I spoke them. The memory of those goons shooting me still lingered, a bitter taste of helplessness "I want to be able to protect myself… and maybe others. Mostly," I gazed in his eyes directly, the fear replaced by a sheer determination.
Azazel studied me for a long moment, his eyes seeming to weigh my words, to peer into the depths of my resolve. A slow, considered smile finally spread across his face, a smile that held a hint of something more than just amusement "A commendable aspiration. Kid, If control over your power is what you seek, I have a proposition that might interest you"
He offered "I have… associates. A specialized team known as Team Slash Dog. They consist of humans who possess… unique talents like you and I am sure they will help you understand their abilities. One of their members, Lavinia Reni, is exceptionally skilled in the manipulation of various energies. Her expertise would be invaluable to you"
My gaze flicked to Bennia, a silent question in my eyes. Her expression was a careful mask, but I could sense the undercurrent of suspicion, the wariness in her posture. Why is he doing this? What's the real reason?
"Why the sudden interest in helping a complete stranger?" Bennia asked Azazel, her voice cool and wary, her hand never straying far from her scythe, her golden eyes narrowed with distrust "What do you gain from all this?"
Azazel chuckled softly, a genuine amusement in his voice, but with an undercurrent of something sharper. "Curiosity. You possess a… remarkable talent, young Rei. I am… intrigued to see its full potential. And who knows," his smile widened slightly, a hint of something almost mischievous in his eyes, "perhaps you can become one of the strongest force in this world"
He turned his attention back to me waiting for my answer "So, Rei. What do you say?"
"You didn't even tell us who you are?"
"My bad" He replied as he rested his head on hand "I am Azazel, Leader of Grigori or to be more precise leader of fallen angels"
I looked at Bennia. Her unease was palpable, radiating off her in waves. But the thought of truly understanding and controlling the power within me… it was too tempting to dismiss. A week felt like a drop in the ocean against the storm raging inside me.
"I… I'll do it," I said, meeting Azazel's gaze "If you're willing to help me gain control"
Bennia's surprise was evident, her golden eyes widening slightly. "Rei! Think about this! He's a Fallen Angel!"
"You said yourself the devils would be looking and who knows what interrogations or hell they would put me through" I countered, my voice gaining a newfound steadiness, a sense of purpose beginning to override my fear "A week isn't going to be enough. I need to learn this properly. And this… this feels like my best chance"
Bennia sighed, a hint of reluctant understanding in her posture. "Alright, Rei-chin," she conceded, her voice softer now, but her gaze towards Azazel remained sharp. "But don't do anything bad with Rei chin. He is a good boy"
Azazel simply smiled, unfazed by Bennia's silent threat "A wise decision, young one. One you shall not regret." He stood up, his movements fluid and graceful, his gaze already turning towards the door. "Now, about meeting Team Slash Dog…" He paused, a thoughtful look crossing his features, as if considering the best way to proceed "The sooner the better, wouldn't you agree? Let's go"
Right now? This was happening so fast.
My heart pounded as a mix of fear and a sense of anticipation swirled within me. This was a leap of faith, a step into a world far more dangerous and complex than I could have ever imagined. But the alternative… the alternative was to remain a frightened novice with a power I couldn't control, a walking nuke with no control
There will be two things which will happen with this choice: I would either become strong or I will get subjected to various experiments by the Azazel but I was gonna bet on this because I sensed no bad energy from the conversation with him and strangely enough I could tell. I glanced at Bennia and she nodded in approval.
"Alright," I said, pushing myself to my feet, a newfound resolve hardening my voice, the fear was still there, but now overshadowed by a desperate need for control "Let's go"