Morning Routine
The first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains as Yuuji Hyoudou slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Issei in the adjacent room. His muscles still ached from the rooftop session and last night's push, but he'd learned that resting too long only made waking up harder. A steady rhythm—sleep, training, school, repeat—was the only way to survive, let alone thrive.
He paused by his dresser and caught sight of himself in the mirror: black hair a touch longer, silver-gray eyes that held an almost imperceptible glow. He flexed his fingers. Ordinary enough. Yet inside, something had shifted. He reached up, touched the blue system overlay hovering in his mind:
> [Level 2 → Level 3]
EXP: 0%
Strength: 19 → 20
Agility: 18 → 19
Vitality: 17 → 18
Intelligence: 15 → 16
Perception: 22 → 23
Charisma: 14 → 14
> [Passive Skill Upgraded: Pain Tolerance → 10% reduction]
A small smile tugged at his lips. Real or not, the system was his new reality.
Family Breakfast
Downstairs, the Hyoudou kitchen was already alive with the sounds of clinking dishes. Issei's mom set out steaming bowls of rice and miso soup, while his father poured tea.
"Morning, Yuuji," she greeted, placing a plate of tamagoyaki before him. "You've been up early every day this week. Are you overdoing it?"
Yuuji bowed his head respectfully. "I want to get stronger—so I can protect everyone here."
His mother's eyes softened. "We know you care about us. But make sure you rest, too. Even heroes need sleep."
He nodded. Across the table, Issei yawned loudly. "Don't listen to Mom," he muttered between bites. "Heroes are forged in sweat and tears!" He reached for Yuuji's tamagoyaki. "Hey!"
Yuuji swiped it back. "Then you better start training."
Issei laughed but, for once, didn't protest. Yuuji's determination was contagious. His father cleared his throat. "School starts in fifteen minutes. You two boys better get going."
Yuuji stood, shouldered his bag, and offered his mother a quick salute. As he left, she whispered, "Be careful." He closed his eyes and sent a silent promise: I will.
---
First Period – Literature
The classroom felt warmer than usual, the hum of ceiling fans doing little to dispel the hothouse air of early spring. Yuuji slid into his seat before the bell rang, glancing around at his classmates. Most were scrolling through smartphones, some engaged in hushed gossip about upcoming sports events. A few—like the timid girl two rows ahead—voluntarily reviewed flashcards, preparing for the chapter quiz.
When the teacher, Mrs. Kondo, tapped the desk for attention, Yuuji's senses picked up a faint heartbeat of nervous energy. He lifted his hand before she called on volunteers.
"Ah, Yuuji," Mrs. Kondo smiled. "Can you summarize the key themes of 'The Tale of Genji' for the class?"
His chest tightened; he had skimmed the reading last night while doing sit-ups. Drawing on his newly raised Intelligence, he spoke deliberately:
"'The Tale of Genji' explores impermanence and the nature of desire in Heian-period society. Genji's pursuit of beauty and love reveals how human attachments both enrich life and bring suffering."
A few students nodded, impressed. Mrs. Kondo beamed. "Very good. A succinct analysis. Please, continue."
Yuuji relaxed, and under the cover of the lecture, discreetly made a note in the margin of his notebook: System – +5 Intelligence from studying. Small, but it added up.
---
Second Period – Demonology Club Recruitment
Right before lunch, Yuuji passed by the student council room, where Rias Gremory's crimson hair swayed as she greeted newcomers. A sign read "Demonology Club: Exploring the Supernatural".
Rias looked up and offered Yuuji a graceful nod. Akeno Himejima, perched beside her, flashed a playful smile.
"You're Hyoudou's cousin, correct?" Akeno asked.
Yuuji inclined his head. "That's right."
Rias's eyes twinkled. "We'd be honored if you'd consider joining. No pressure—just an interest in the world beyond the mundane."
Yuuji hesitated. A club dedicated to studying devils and angels… strange, but potentially informative. He clasped his hands behind his back. "I'll think about it."
"Excellent," Rias replied. She handed him a sleek black pamphlet. "Classes start next week."
As he pocketed the pamphlet, Yuuji realized that building alliances—even academic ones—would help when the darkness surfaced.
---
Lunch – Cafeteria
The cafeteria was a sea of chatter and clattering trays. Yuuji joined Issei, Matsuda, and Motohama at their usual table.
"Hey, Hyoudou!" Matsuda waved a half-eaten onigiri. "You joining the Demonology Club? Rias-senpai gave me a pamphlet too."
Motohama groaned. "Seriously? I joined the Bird-Watching Society instead."
Issei snorted. "Bird-watching? Dude, you're not five."
Motohama shrugged. "It's low risk."
Yuuji tore the corner of his pamphlet. "I'll think about it. Right now, I'm focusing on… other things."
His words hung in the air. Matsuda frowned. "Other things?"
Yuuji met his gaze evenly. "Let's just say this world has shadows hidden in plain sight."
Before they could press him further, the bell rang. Lunch break was over.
---
Afternoon – After Classes
Yuuji lingered after the final period, heading to the small courtyard behind the school. He removed his jacket and began his daily run around the perimeter—four laps to finish off today's system requirement.
Panting slightly on the fourth lap, he felt something shift: a cold breeze, when there shouldn't have been one, and a soft echo of wings above. His Perception spiked.
> [Alert: Unnatural Aerial Presence Nearby.]
He slowed to a walk, scanning the rooftops. His eyes settled on the church steeple beyond the back fence—the abandoned church he'd scoped out the other night. A dark shape flitted across its pinnacle.
Yuuji's heart hammered. Despite his better judgment, he took off toward the fence, vaulted it in a single bound, and dashed across the overgrown lawn.
Inside the crumbling church, stained-glass windows cast fractured rainbows on the dusty pews. From the shadows, a figure emerged—tall, silver-haired, eyes as pale as moonlight.
"Raynare," Yuuji whispered.
Fallen Angel.
Assassin.
He drew in a breath, summoning every ounce of courage. "I don't want to fight you," he called out, voice steady.
She tilted her head, a cruel smile playing at her lips. "Your system's given you confidence. How… quaint."
With a movement too swift to track, Raynare lunged, a dagger of black-light forged from heaven's corruption aimed at his heart.
Yuuji sidestepped, adrenaline sharpening his reflexes. He reached instinctively for the system interface:
> [Combat Mode: Active]
Available Skills: Shadow Extraction (F)
He moved to strike—but the blade found its mark, slashing his side. Pain flared hot and immediate—but thanks to Pain Tolerance, it registered only as an annoyance.
> [HP: –30]
[Pain Tolerance mitigated 10% → Actual Pain –27]
He staggered, then steadied himself. Breathing deeply, he formed a plan: force her too far from the church to leverage his shadows.
He dashed to a shattered stained-glass window and vaulted through, Raynare close behind. Outside, moonlight glinted off wet grass. Yuuji sprinted across the courtyard toward the school fence.
She followed, wings beating soundlessly.
When he reached the fence, Yuuji hit the ground running alongside it, then skidded to a stop, pivoted—and raised his hand.
> [Skill Activation: Shadow Extraction]
Darkness pooled around his feet. The shadows under the wrought-iron fence slithered, coalesced into a small, sleek form: a black wolf no larger than a German shepherd.
The wolf snarled, exposing glistening fangs.
Raynare hesitated—first time she had seen this skill used in the DxD world.
"Pitiful," she mocked. She raised her dagger—but the wolf leapt.
Teeth met metal in a spray of sparks. Startled, Raynare stumbled back.
Yuuji seized the moment: he summoned another shadow—a crow this time, wings of pure darkness, cawing as it descended on her shoulders.
Raynare swatted it away, her expression stunned. "You… you're different from the usual prey."
He straightened. "Maybe you should rethink picking on system-users."
She snarled, gathering a swirl of corrupt light. "This isn't over."
With a flap of wings, she vanished into the night, leaving a faint echo behind.
Yuuji pressed a hand to his side. The cut was shallow, already clotting.
> [HP Restored +10 per minute via Regeneration (F passive).]
He exhaled, adrenaline ebbing. His heart still pounded—but he felt alive.
---
Aftermath and Reflection
Back home, Yuuji slipped in through the window, careful not to wake anyone. He collapsed onto his bed, the thrill of battle still tingling in his veins.
> [Quest Update: Defeat First Assassin (Raynare).]
Reward: +1 Level, +2 Agility, +1 Vitality.
> [Shadow Soldiers Gained: Wolf (Lv. 1), Crow (Lv. 1).]
He closed his eyes, listening to the distant hum of the city. A single thought echoed in his mind: he had crossed a threshold. This world wasn't safe, but he was no longer defenseless. He had tools, allies—shadows that would fight for him.
He also had questions: Why target him so soon? How many others knew about the system? And what larger forces were already setting their sights on him?
His last conscious thought before sleep overtook him was a quiet vow:
I will uncover every secret in this world—then use them to protect my family, my friends, and everyone I care about.
---
Next Steps
In the days to come, Yuuji would:
Tend to his wound and train to wield Shadow Extraction more fluidly.
Balance his classes and Demonology Club activities to learn about supernatural politics.
Strengthen bonds with Issei, Rias, Akeno, and even some skeptical classmates.
Investigate the abandoned church more deeply, seeking hints of a multiversal gateway.
Above all, he would stay grounded in his humanity—because no system, no matter how powerful, could replace the warmth of family or the trust of true friends.
And in that balance, he would find his greatest strength.
---
End of Chapter 3