Morning found me in a silence so thick it felt almost tangible. Sunlight slipped through the curtains, painting gentle lines of light on the floor that danced with the breeze. I just sat there for a moment on the bed, watching that quiet, almost meditative contrast of light and shadow, feeling a strange calm settle within me. It was a silence I knew well. A silence that had been my constant.
My uniform lay ready on the chair—slightly creased, but clean, like every day. If it were up to me, I would never have chosen something dictated by others. But today, it was part of the game. Part of the attempt to blend in, to not stand out. Although… blending in had never been my goal. I just wanted to observe, stay on the sidelines, and understand what was happening around me. But… even that was just part of my path.
I walked to the door, put on my shoes, and glanced around the apartment one last time.
This place… it wasn't mine, but I never tried to make it so either. It was just a place I stayed for a while.
"Well then, let's begin the chapter: 'Ordinary Student,'" I murmured to myself quietly as I turned the handle and stepped outside.
The school wasn't far, and the walk was pleasant. The city streets were slowly waking up, people rushing, kids laughing—the sounds were utterly normal… too normal. Everyone was hurrying somewhere, following their routines, as if the world was exactly the way it was supposed to be.
And that, somehow, unsettled me.
A stream of students gathered at the school gate. Some looked sleepy, others were already laughing and chatting loudly. Everyone was in a rush. No one paid any attention to me. And I liked it that way. Being invisible was sometimes the best way to survive.
Class 2-B. A room full of desks, chairs, chatter, and energy. As soon as I entered, some students took notice.Some looked at me. Others may have simply felt I was different. Not fitting in. Maybe… that's what made me stand out.
The teacher turned from the board when he heard the door. "Ah, the new student! Come on up, introduce yourself to the class," he said with a smile.
I calmly walked to the front, took a breath, and looked at the students. In some eyes, I saw curiosity. In others, maybe a hint of suspicion. It surprised me, but only for a moment. In the end, I took it as… a normal reaction.
"My name is Mephistopheles Darkness… but please, just call me Mephisto," I said calmly, almost coldly, but with a faint smile.
A short pause. A few raised eyebrows. I heard a quiet laugh from the back row.
I didn't mind. I'd always been used to my name provoking reactions.
"I moved here recently. It's nice to meet you," I added without breaking stride.
At that moment, I noticed the girls in the front row starting to whisper to each other, their eyes clearly filled with curiosity. "Mephistopheles… is that really his name?" I heard one of them whisper. "That's… seriously a weird name. Sounds like something out of an old story or anime."
"And the way he looks… he's got that mysterious vibe. He's cute," another said, her voice sounding fascinated.
"Like he doesn't belong here… but at the same time, like he's exactly what we've been waiting for."
"You think he's some kind of mysterious transfer student?" another girl whispered, her voice pulsing with excitement. "Maybe he has a secret… hahaha."
With a slight smile, I turned back to the teacher, who gestured for me to take an empty seat in the back.
"Sit next to Hyoudou, back there," he said, and I walked to the spot he pointed out.
Desk by the window. A view outside. A good place.
"Yo," the guy next to me said as I sat down. "Hyoudou Issei. Just call me Issei."
"Mephisto," I replied, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Your name sounds… kinda badass," he laughed. "Totally like it's from anime."
"Maybe the world's more like anime than you think," I answered with a smile—this time, a genuinely warmer one.
The bell rang and class began. Issei leaned over to me and whispered,
"Hope you're not into math, this teacher's a demon."
"I thought demons weren't on the curriculum," I replied with dry amusement.
Issei stifled a laugh and turned back to the board.
Even though I had started the day as a stranger, with every word, glance, and smile, I realized I didn't feel entirely out of place. Maybe… this beginning wouldn't be as empty as I expected.
And that, to my own surprise, made me a little glad.
During break, I leaned casually against the window ledge, watching the schoolyard.
Some students chatted under a tree, others ate bento or played on their phones.
Issei stood beside me munching chips, telling a story I had long since stopped listening to.
"So? You doing okay? Not so bad here, right?" he asked.
"So far, everything's within expectations," I replied. "There's… more life here than I expected."
After break, we had PE. The field was full of students, the sun blazing on our backs, the whistle blowing, and everyone warming up lazily. I stood off to the side, lost in silent observation.
My shadow gently swayed at my feet, drawing no attention.
Issei, as usual, was staring longingly across the field at one particular person—Rias Gremory.
She stood there, noble as ever, her red hair swaying in the breeze, her gaze faraway and dreamy.
Then something unexpected happened—her eyes locked directly onto him.
"This is interesting," I murmured as I watched that look. My eyes drifted between them.
Issei didn't even move. By then, I was already watching Rias.
I smiled—and gave her a small, polite wave. Just a subtle motion, almost casual.
She froze. For just a moment. Then slowly nodded her head in acknowledgment.
Issei turned to me, bewildered. "Wait, did you actually… wave at her?"
"I thought it was appropriate to be polite," I shrugged.
"Who… who even are you?" he asked with a frown.
I smiled, this time with a trace of mystery. "Just the new classmate, Issei. Just the new classmate."
[Rias' POV]
From the clubroom window, I watched the schoolyard. It was an ordinary day. And yet—it wasn't.
Something in the air had shifted. Something… restless. The surrounding mana trembled, like the universe itself had paused to take a breath.
"Another ripple of destiny?" I murmured to myself as I held a cup of tea in my hand.
Issei Hyoudou.
That name had echoed in my mind since the night before. An ordinary boy. Unremarkable. Immature. Perverted. And yet—within him resides one of the Sacred Gears.
My interest in him wasn't personal. Not yet. But I felt his time was coming. And with it—my responsibility.
And then I saw him.
Not Issei. Him. The new student. He stood beside Issei on the field, as if he belonged there.
And yet—he didn't. His aura was unreadable. Perfect. Calm. Not angelic. Not demonic. Not fallen. Something else. Something… that didn't fit.
For a brief moment, our eyes met. He waved at me.
I froze. It was a simple, courteous gesture. Not a challenge. Not a flirt. But within it, there was a calm I couldn't decipher. Awareness. He knew who I was. And yet, he wasn't afraid.
"Rias?" Akeno's soft voice stirred behind me.
"The new student," I said quietly, not turning.
"Hyoudou has a new classmate. Mephistopheles Darkness."
"Unusual name."
"Not just the name," I replied thoughtfully.
"Something about him feels off. I can sense deception… but not lies. He's like a perfect mirror—reflecting the world, but revealing nothing."
I set the cup down and lowered my head. "And yet… he looks like an ordinary student."
Akeno smiled. "Maybe you're just nervous about Issei."
"Maybe," I admitted. But deep down, I knew it wasn't true. Issei is like an open book—even if confusing and chaotic. But Mephisto?
Mephisto was like a book with no written pages. Just… a feeling. A silence. And I didn't know if we should fear him—or watch him.