Chapter 8: Strength and Faith
[New Day Initialised]
Special Training Day: Bishop Integration
Location: Occult Research Club
Active Quests: 3
One week after Asia's rescue, Rias watched her peerage's morning training session with satisfaction.
[Party Status]
Rias Gremory (King)
Level: 22
Status: Observation Mode
Akeno Himejima (Queen)
Level: 19
Status: Training Support
Yuuto Kiba (Knight)
Level: 15
Status: Combat Ready
Asia Argento (Bishop)
Level: 16
Status: Learning Mode Active
[Training Session Analysis]
Focus: Healing-Enhanced Combat
Objectives:
Integrate Asia's healing into battle formations. Develop defensive strategies. Strengthen group cohesion
"Twilight Healing," Asia called out, her Sacred Gear glowing with enhanced devil power.
[Sacred Gear Evolution Detected]
Twilight Healing + Devil Enhancement
New Features Unlocked:
Area Healing, Remote Activation, Stamina Restoration
"Excellent," Rias praised, her Teaching skills providing optimal feedback. "Now, let's try combining it with combat manoeuvres."
[Combat Formation: Healing Circle]
Members Involved: All
Formation Type: Diamond
Special Effects:
Continuous Healing, Enhanced Attack Power, Improved Stamina Recovery
Kiba blurred into motion, his Devil Blade Works creating a protective ring of swords around Asia while Akeno's lightning provided covering fire.
[Synergy Bonus Active]
Attack Power: +25%
Defence: +40%
Healing Efficiency: +30%
Suddenly, Rias's detection skills pinged.
[Alert!]
Powerful Presence Detected
Location: Kuoh Academy Gym
Power Level: A-Rank
Special Note: Rook Potential 95%
"Observe," Rias whispered, her enhanced perception reaching out.
[Target Analysis]
Name: Koneko Toujou
True Identity: Shirone
Race: Nekomata
Level: 20
Status: Suppressing Powers
Special Note: Former Underworld Resident
[Quest Alert!]
Title: The Hidden Strength
Description: Recruit a powerful Rook while helping her overcome her past
Rewards:
New Rook member, Increased physical combat capability, Special Title: "Sanctuary King"
Accept? [Yes/No]
"Yes," Rias decided immediately. "Everyone, training pause. We have a situation."
[Mission Briefing]
Target Location: School Gym
Current Activity: Solo Training
Mental State: Conflicted
Approach Options:
Direct Contact, Gradual Integration, Observe and Plan, Group Introduction
"Akeno, what do you know about Koneko?" Rias asked, her Information Gathering skill active.
[Data Retrieved]
Background: Former SS-class criminal's sister
Current Status: Under probation
Guardian: Sirzechs Lucifer
Power Type: Senjutsu (Sealed)
"Ara ara, the little kitten?" Akeno smiled. "She's been watching our club for weeks."
[Strategy Development]
Approach Method Selected: Gradual Integration
Success Rate: 85%
Key Factors:
Asia's healing presence, Group's accepting nature, Rias's Leadership bonus
"Asia," Rias turned to her Bishop. "Your healing might be key here. Koneko carries deep emotional wounds."
[Skill Synergy Detected]
Twilight Healing + Emotion Reading
Potential Effect: Spiritual Healing
Success Rate: 75%
They moved to the gym, where a small white-haired girl was methodically destroying reinforced training dummies.
[Combat Analysis]
Style: Raw Power + Refined Technique
Current Power Level: 15% (Suppressed)
Potential Level: SSS-Rank
Rook Compatibility: 99%
"Beautiful form," Rias commented, making their presence known.
[First Contact Initiated]
Target Response: Cautious
Trust Level: 25%
Defensive Posture: Active
Koneko paused, her golden eyes scanning them warily.
[Emotional Analysis]
Current State:
Fear of Power: 80% Loneliness: 65% Desire for Acceptance: 90%
"Would you like to join us for tea?" Rias offered, her Charisma skill automatically adjusting her tone to be as non-threatening as possible.
[Speech Check Success!]
Trust Gained: +5
Interest Level: Moderate
Defence Lowered: 10%
In the club room, Asia served tea while Rias carefully observed their potential Rook.
[Status Window: Koneko]
True Strength: Hidden
Sealed Powers: 85%
Emotional Barriers: Multiple
Potential Growth: Unlimited
"You're suppressing your true nature," Rias said gently. "It must be exhausting."
[Critical Moment]
Response Options:
Offer immediate help, Share group stories, Demonstrate acceptance, Wait for response
Koneko's hands tightened on her teacup. "It's necessary."
[Quest Update]
Objective Added: Help Koneko accept her nature
Difficulty: SS-Rank
Reward: Unleashed Rook Power
"Is it?" Rias asked softly. "Look around this room. A fallen angel hybrid, a former church experiment, an excommunicated saint... we're all 'dangerous' in someone's eyes."
[Leadership Skill Evolution!]
New Ability: Heart's Truth
Effect: Increases trust gain with potential allies
"But here," Rias continued, "we're family. We help each other grow stronger and safer."
[Bond Formation Detected]
Initial Connection Established
Trust Growth: Steady
Potential: Exceptional
Asia moved closer to Koneko, her Twilight Healing unconsciously reaching out to soothe.
[Sacred Gear Reaction]
Healing Light + Suppressed Senjutsu
Effect: Gentle Power Harmonisation
Success Rate: 95%
"I..." Koneko hesitated, her aura flickering between suppression and hope.
[Character Development]
Internal Conflict Active
Resolution Potential: High
Support Network: Forming
"We train together," Kiba offered, understanding in his eyes. "We become stronger together."
[Group Synergy]
Emotional Support Network Active
Effect: +50% to trust building
Special Feature: Shared Understanding
Koneko looked at each of them, her enhanced senses taking in their genuine acceptance.
[Decision Point Approaching]
Success Chance: 90%
Factors:
Group's genuine acceptance, Asia's healing presence, Rias's leadership, Shared experiences
"Would you like to watch us train?" Rias offered. "No pressure, no expectations. Just observation."
[Strategic Success!]
Perfect Approach Achieved
Trust Gained: +15
Interest: Peaked
Over the next few hours, they demonstrated their training routine, carefully showcasing how they supported each other's growth.
[Training Display]
Effectiveness: 95%
Impact on Target: Significant
Power Control Demonstration: Perfect
Koneko watched with growing interest as Asia healed minor injuries, Akeno controlled her holy lightning, and Kiba balanced his speed with precision.
[Observation Results]
Target's Understanding:
Power control is possible, Group support is valuable, and Safe growth is achievable
Finally, as evening approached, Koneko spoke up.
"You're different," she said quietly. "From other high-class devils."
[Relationship Progress]
Trust Level: 60% (+35%)
Acceptance: Growing
Potential: Materialising
"We believe in growing together," Rias explained, producing her Rook piece. "Each person at their own pace, in their way."
[Rook Piece Analysis]
Compatibility: Maximum
Special Features:
Power Stabilisation, Enhanced Control, Natural Growth Support
"Would you like to join us?" Rias asked gently. "Not just for power, but for family?"
[Final Decision Point]
Success Chance: 95%
Emotional State: Ready
Power State: Accepting
Koneko looked at the piece, then at the group. For the first time, a tiny smile graced her lips.
[New Peerage Member Acquired!]
Rook: Koneko Toujou
Special Abilities:
Senjutsu (Sealed) Enhanced Strength Natural Defence Master
Multiple notifications appeared:
[Quest Complete!]
"The Hidden Strength"
Rewards:
New Rook acquired 15,000 EXP Title: "Sanctuary King"Enhanced group protection
[Breaking Fate's Chains - Progress Update]
Overall Progress: 55%
Note: Physical combat capability significantly increased
[Party Status Updated]
Members: 5/16
Current Strength: AA-Rank
Special Features:
Complete Combat CoveragePerfect Support SystemEnhanced Group Dynamics
As Koneko accepted her new place in the family, Rias smiled at her growing peerage. They weren't just collecting power – they were healing hearts, one piece at a time.
[System Message]
Special Achievement: "Heart's Collection"
Effect: All future recruits gain +20% to initial trust
Continue building your unique family...