Chapter 2: First Impressions
The crimson-haired devil princess stood before me, hands on her hips, looking every bit the entitled noble she was. I resisted the urge to sigh. 'This is exactly why I wanted to avoid the main cast right away.'
"You're not human," Rias Gremory declared, as if she'd uncovered some great secret. Behind her, her peerage members tensed - the blonde swordsman Kiba, the sadistic lightning user Akeno, and the tiny but deadly Koneko.
"No shit," I deadpanned, not bothering to hide my annoyance. "Was the overwhelming magical energy not a dead giveaway?"
Kiba's hand went to his sword. "Watch your tone when speaking to Buchou."
I rolled my eyes. "Or what? You'll try to stab me? Please." I turned to leave. "I don't have time for this posturing. I've got things to do."
"Wait!" Rias called out, genuine curiosity mixing with her usual commanding tone. "Who are you? What are you?"
I paused, considering whether to answer. 'Might as well give them something.' "Name's Zeref. As for what I am... let's just say I'm not from around here." I glanced back at them. "And before you ask, no, I'm not joining your little club."
Akeno giggled, but there was no warmth in it. "Such a rude guest. Should we teach him some manners, Buchou?"
Rias studied me carefully. "You're powerful. I can sense that much. Why come to Kuoh?"
"None of your business," I said bluntly. "This is a free country, isn't it? I go where I want."
Koneko cracked her knuckles. "Can I punch him?"
"Tempting," Rias murmured, "but no." She stepped closer. "If you won't join us, at least tell me you're not here to cause trouble."
I smirked. "Define 'trouble.'"
The tension spiked immediately. Kiba's sword was halfway drawn before I raised a hand. "Relax. I'm not here to start anything with you devils. But I'm not here to play nice either."
'This is getting tedious.' I decided to end the conversation. With a thought, I activated my Bankai - dark energy swirling around me as my spiritual pressure spiked. The ground beneath my feet cracked, and all three peerage members immediately went into combat stances.
"Impressive," Rias admitted, though her eyes narrowed. "But that doesn't answer my questions."
"It wasn't meant to," I said. "Consider this a demonstration. I'm not your enemy, but I'm not your ally either. Stay out of my way, and we won't have problems."
Before they could respond, I flash-stepped away using Shunpo, leaving only a swirl of dark energy behind. 'That should keep them guessing.'
---
Exploring the City
Kuoh was exactly as I remembered from the anime - ridiculously clean, with that distinct Japanese aesthetic. I wandered the streets, getting my bearings. 'First order of business: secure a place to stay and some funds.'
The system menu appeared before me:
Welcome, User!
Current World: High School DxD
System Points: ∞
Abilities Unlocked: 4
I quickly purchased "Materialization Magic" from Fairy Tail and conjured a stack of yen. 'Infinite money glitch acquired.' Next, I found a decent apartment building and used a simple genjutsu to convince the landlord I'd paid first and last month's rent.
As I settled in, I considered my next moves. 'A year until canon starts. Plenty of time to prepare.' I pulled up the system's ability list, scrolling through potential powers. 'First priority: information gathering.'
I selected "Mind Reading" from the X-Men universe and "Clairvoyance" from Fate. 'Now I can keep tabs on everyone important.'
---
Unwanted Attention
Three days later, I sensed familiar presences approaching my apartment. 'Persistent little devils, aren't they?' A knock came at the door.
I opened it to find Rias, Akeno, and Kiba standing there. Rias smiled brightly. "We brought lunch! Can we come in?"
"No," I said flatly, starting to close the door.
Akeno blocked it with her foot. "Now, now, that's not very neighborly of you."
I sighed. 'Why won't they take the hint?' "What do you want?"
Rias's smile didn't waver. "Just to talk. You're clearly powerful, and you know things. I want to understand your intentions in my territory."
"It's not your territory," I corrected. "The Grigori have a church here, Heaven has agents, and let's not forget about the stray devils. Kuoh is a free-for-all."
Her eyes widened slightly at my knowledge. "See? This is exactly what I mean. How do you know these things?"
I crossed my arms. "Not your business. Look, I get it - you're the big shot around here and you don't like unknowns. But I'm not interested in your politics, your Rating Games, or your little peerage."
Kiba bristled. "You speak as if you know everything about us."
"I know enough," I said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have actual important things to do."
Rias finally dropped the pleasant act. "You're making a mistake. In our world, you're either with someone powerful, or you're vulnerable."
I laughed. "I am someone powerful. And I don't need protection." To emphasize my point, I let a fraction of my energy leak out - just enough to make the windows rattle and their knees buckle slightly.
Akeno gasped while Kiba reached for his sword again. Rias just looked... intrigued. "Fascinating. That wasn't demonic power. What are you?"
"Leaving," I said, and teleported away using Instant Transmission.
---
**Ddraig's Interest**
I reappeared on the roof of Kuoh Academy, taking in the view. 'That should keep them away for a while.' But no sooner had the thought crossed my mind than I felt it - an ancient, overwhelming presence.
"So," a deep voice echoed in my mind. "You're the one causing such a stir."
I turned to see a massive red dragon spirit materializing before me. 'Ddraig. Of course.'
"Not my intention," I said aloud. "But I'm not surprised the Red Dragon Emperor would take notice."
Ddraig's eyes gleamed with interest. "You know me. Yet you're not a devil, nor do you bear a sacred gear. Your power... it's different. Older."
I shrugged. "Like I told the devils - I'm not from around here."
"An outsider," Ddraig mused. "One with knowledge of this world's workings. That makes you dangerous."
"Only to those who get in my way," I countered. "I have no interest in your eternal three-way pissing contest between Heaven, Hell, and the Fallen."
Ddraig chuckled, the sound like boulders grinding together. "Bold words. But knowledge is power, and power attracts attention. You won't be left alone for long."
"I can handle myself," I said, summoning a small flame in my palm - not just any fire, but Amaterasu's black flames.
The dragon's eyes widened in recognition. "That's... impossible."
"Not for me." I extinguished the flames. "Tell me, Ddraig - how would you like to be free of your current predicament? No more waiting for hosts, no more being sealed away in sacred gears."
The ancient dragon regarded me carefully. "You offer this... why?"
"Because I can," I said simply. "And because having the Red Dragon Emperor owe me a favor might be useful someday."
Ddraig laughed again, louder this time. "You're either incredibly powerful or incredibly foolish. Perhaps both. But very well - impress me, stranger. Show me what you can really do."
I grinned. 'Now we're getting somewhere.'