Chapter 11 - Obtaining Demonic Power
"It's no big deal. We don't have anything urgent on our end anyway," Rias said with a graceful smile.
She showed no intention of blaming Kiba for his tardiness.
"But this is rare."
"Yuuto's always the most punctual among us, yet today he's the last to arrive."
Akeno, the black-haired girl with a long ponytail, radiated the elegance of a Yamato Nadeshiko.
Her gentle eyes and warm smile suggested she'd be a perfect wife someday.
As Rias's friend and confidante, she was a key member of the Occult Research Club.
"Yuuto-senpai, did something good happen today?"
Koneko asked, her expression blank.
The petite, silver-haired Nekomata's sharp senses detected something unusual about Kiba.
Her youkai heritage gave her an acute awareness, making her quick to notice his mood.
"It seems Yuuto's in an especially good mood today," Rias observed, glancing at him again.
The smile on his face was more pronounced than usual.
"Uh…" Kiba gave a dry laugh, scratching his head.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Very much so," Akeno replied with a playful smile.
"So, Yuuto, what happened before you got here?"
"It's not a big deal," Kiba said, his smile returning.
"I met a transfer student and showed him around the school."
"We hit it off and had a good chat."
"A transfer student?" Rias asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Yeah," Kiba nodded, giving Rias a strange look.
He decided against mentioning that the transfer student, Roy Flott, had claimed to have fallen for her friend at first sight.
That could wait until the school started.
"He's from the UK, still sorting out his transfer paperwork."
"He came early to get familiar with Kuoh Academy during the break, but the guards stopped him, so I played guide."
"Oh, this transfer student must be special to earn Yuuto's approval," Akeno said, her smile widening.
"I'd love to meet him sometime."
Kiba was a heartthrob at Kuoh Academy, adored by girls but often envied by boys.
Despite his popularity, he had few close friends outside the Occult Research Club.
Hearing he'd connected with a male student and formed a friendship was a relief to the group.
"Alright, enough chatting," Rias said, clapping her hands to refocus them.
"Let's report on your Devil duties over the summer."
***
Leaving Kuoh Academy, Roy quickly returned to hotel room.
"System, activate it!"
A surge of power erupted within him, wild and untamed at first.
It felt like a torrent of energy coursing through his body, expanding and pressing outward as if seeking an escape.
For a moment, it seemed it might overwhelm him.
But soon, the force settled, the swelling sensation fading.
Strangely, Roy didn't feel any different—no alien sensation, no shift in his essence.
The power merged with his body as naturally as his own limbs, like the Hell Fire before.
A faint flame flickered to life in Roy's palm, conjured by the demonic power.
"This feels incredible," Roy murmured, marveling at the ease with which he sustained the flame.
"I don't feel the strain I felt before."
He sensed he could maintain the flame for hours without exhaustion.
More than that, his physique had noticeably improved.
"My strength, stamina—everything's enhanced."
So....
"Demonic power feedback," he realized, piecing it together.
Demonic power was tied to vitality.
A stronger body can sustain more demonic power, as seen in Issei's training after becoming a Devil.
Conversely, demonic power could enhance the body.
Roy's sudden acquisition of Demonic Power was like pouring potent energy into a fragile vessel.
Part of the power had strengthened his physique to accommodate the rest, balancing his body and the power itself.
"Now, I could probably kill a Low-Class Devil."
Roy thought.
The Hell Fire was devastating against weaker opponents.
As shown in the anime, its combination of destructive flames and rapid self-healing could outlast stronger foes through endurance.
With Middle-Class Demonic Power bolstering his capabilities, Roy felt he could probably take on stronger opponents.