The courtyard of Kuoh Academy buzzed with students as the morning bell rang.
From the shade beneath a sakura tree, Riser Phenex stood with one hand in his pocket, eyes calm, posture relaxed. He wore the Kuoh male uniform now—tailored perfectly to his frame—but it wasn't the clothes that drew attention.
It was his presence.
Silent. Regal. Dangerous.
Girls walking by glanced toward him without realizing why. Boys avoided his gaze instinctively. Even the wind seemed to shift when he exhaled.
And Riser... was watching someone.
Issei Hyoudou.
The brown-haired pervert laughed loudly, joking with his friends, completely unaware that he was being observed.
[System Notice: Target Locked – Boosted Gear identified. Assimilation path: 89% Synced. Warning: Target is still partially bonded to Sacred Gear Spirit: Ddraig.]
[Initiating Passive Suppression Protocol…]
Riser's gaze narrowed for a moment, then returned to neutral.
"You don't even realize your power is slipping away."
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
Meanwhile, across the courtyard…
Rias stood with Akeno, talking idly with Sona Shitori and Tsubaki. Her crimson hair caught the light, and for a moment, she turned—drawn by a feeling she couldn't place.
Her eyes met his.
Riser didn't look away.
And neither did she.
There was no cocky grin. No smug remark. Just a calm, piercing stare that made her heartbeat quicken for reasons she didn't understand.
"…He's different," she whispered to herself.
Akeno noticed.
"You've been watching him a lot lately," she said, teasing gently. "Are you falling for your ex-fiancé, Rias?"
Rias rolled her eyes—but smiled.
"No. I just… don't know what he's become."
Akeno followed her gaze.
"Whatever he is now… it's kind of hot."
Later that day, Riser found himself alone in one of Kuoh's old music rooms, having slipped away from the public eye.
A soft voice broke the silence.
"Riser Phenex?"
He turned. Asia Argento stood at the door, clutching her hands nervously.
"You dropped this." She stepped closer, offering a small item—an old student handbook he'd barely glanced at.
Riser took it gently, his fingers brushing hers.
"Thank you," he said, voice calm.
Asia blushed, but didn't move away.
"You… feel warm. Not just your body, I mean. Your presence. It's strange, but… comforting."
For a moment, he said nothing. Then he smiled—softly, but with purpose.
"You're kind. That's rare."
[New Character Affection Triggered: Asia – Curiosity Level: Rising.]
As she left, Riser looked down at the item she returned.
He'd never owned that handbook.
The system had placed it there.
"So it begins," he murmured.
Back in his room that night, Riser sat cross-legged, flames dancing around his shoulders.
[System Notice: Boosted Gear – Core Link Established. Sacred Gear is now 20% under user control. Target unaware. Projected evolution path: Unique Variant.]
[New Quest Available: Observe Gasper Vladi.]
"One by one," he said quietly, "I'll take everything this world has to offer."
But his thoughts drifted back—to crimson hair, and a faint smile that didn't fade.
And for once, his own expression softened.