The transition from the Underworld to the human realm always felt like passing through a membrane—a moment of resistance, then sudden release. One second we stood at the ancient gate, surrounded by the purple twilight of devil territory, and the next we emerged onto a quiet street corner in Karakura Town, the late afternoon sun warm against my skin.
I inhaled deeply, savoring the distinctly human-world air. No subtle magical currents, no lingering aura of ancient devil bloodlines—just concrete, gasoline, street food, and the faint salt of the sea in the distance.
"We made it," I said, rolling my shoulders as if shedding an invisible weight. "No turning back now."
Latia stepped forward, her fan already open as she took in our surroundings. The sunlight caught the blue tips of her hair, making them shimmer.
"The ambient magical level is higher than I expected," she noted, tapping her closed fan against her palm. "These ley line convergences create fascinating energy patterns."
Ariel remained silent, her crimson eyes scanning the area with vigilance.
"Relax," I told her, nudging her shoulder with mine. "No one's going to attack us here."
She shot me a skeptical look. "That's precisely when attacks occur, Young Master."
"Dante," I corrected automatically. "We agreed—in the human world, you drop the 'Young Master' nonsense."
"Force of habit," she murmured, but her posture softened slightly.
We started walking down the quiet residential street. Cherry trees lined the sidewalk, their petals occasionally drifting down in the gentle breeze. The houses grew larger and more spaced apart as we continued, hinting at the affluent neighborhood my father had selected.
"It feels good," I admitted after a few minutes of comfortable silence. "Being away from all of it."
"All of what?" Latia asked, though her knowing smile suggested she already understood.
"The expectations. The politics. The centuries of grudges and alliances." I spread my arms wide, nearly hitting a passing cyclist who swerved with a curse. "Sorry! My bad!"
Latia laughed behind her fan. "Perhaps save the dramatic gestures for less populated areas?"
"Where's the fun in that?" I grinned, feeling lighter than I had in years. "Don't you feel it? We're finally free to be whoever we want to be."
"I'm not certain your father would appreciate hearing his son values freedom from family obligations above all else," Latia observed, though her tone remained playful.
"My father knows exactly who I am." I shrugged. "He just pretends otherwise when it's convenient."
Ariel suddenly stiffened beside me, her hand moving instinctively toward the small of her back where I knew she kept a knife concealed. "Magic signatures ahead."
I followed her gaze to the small park across the street. Three figures stood partially concealed behind a large oak tree, their hands moving in familiar patterns.
"Devil magic," I confirmed, the three concentric circles of Void Sight activating automatically. "Basic communication circle."
"Should we avoid them?" Latia asked.
I considered for a moment, then shook my head. "No. This is technically Valac territory. Might as well see who's been squatting while the landlord's away."
We crossed the street, making no attempt to mask our approach. As we drew closer, I could see them more clearly—two men and a woman, all appearing to be in their mid-twenties, though with devils that meant little. They wore casual human attire, but their magical signatures marked them clearly as reincarnated devils of middle-class rank.
The tallest one noticed us first, his eyes widening as he registered our presence. He nudged his companions, and their conversation died immediately. The communication circle faded from existence as they turned to face us.
"That's definitely Valac energy," the woman whispered, not quite quietly enough. "The purple tint is unmistakable."
I stopped a few paces away, offering a lazy smile. "Afternoon. Nice day for a chat in the park, isn't it?"
The three exchanged nervous glances before the tall one stepped forward. His eyes darted between the three of us, lingering on Latia's distinctive hair before settling back on me.
"Lord Valac?" he asked hesitantly.
I sighed dramatically. "Is it the hair? The eyes? Or did someone send out a memo with my photo attached?"
"Your aura is distinct," he said quietly.
"Ah. Fair enough."
To my surprise, all three devils suddenly dropped to one knee, heads bowed low.
"Lord Valac, we apologize for our presumption in operating within your territory," the woman said formally. "We had no idea the family was reclaiming direct control of Karakura."
I stared at them, momentarily speechless. Behind me, I heard Latia's soft laugh poorly disguised as a cough.
"Get up," I said finally. "You're drawing attention."
They rose quickly but remained tense, eyes downcast. The shorter man spoke up, his voice slightly shaky.
"We've maintained the territory according to standard protocols. All contracts are properly registered with the Underworld administration. We can provide full documentation—"
I held up a hand, cutting him off. "I don't care."
Three pairs of eyes blinked in confusion.
"You don't... care?" the tall one repeated carefully.
"Not even a little bit." I slid my hands into my pockets, slouching slightly. "I'm not here to audit your paperwork or collect taxes or whatever you think I'm doing."
"But this is Valac territory," the woman insisted, clearly struggling to understand my casual attitude.
"And it can stay that way in name." I glanced around the park, taking in the children playing on swings, the old men playing chess, the high school students lounging on benches. "I'm here for personal reasons, not to micromanage whatever you've got going on."
The three devils exchanged looks again, this time of cautious relief.
"That's... very generous, Lord Valac," the tall one said.
I waved dismissively. "Dante is fine. And it's not generosity, it's practicality. I've got better things to do than disrupt a working system."
"Like attending Kuoh Academy?" the shorter man asked, then immediately looked like he regretted speaking.
I raised an eyebrow. "News travels fast."
"The Sitri heiress made some inquiries about property in the area," he explained quickly. "We assumed it might be related to your arrival."
"Of course she did," I muttered. Sona would be thorough in her preparations. "Well, yes, that's part of it. But my business is my own."
"Of course," the woman agreed hastily. "We wouldn't presume—"
"Good." I smiled. "Then we understand each other. You continue whatever you were doing before I arrived, I'll do my thing, and we all pretend we're just regular humans going about our business."
The tension in their shoulders visibly eased. The tall one even managed a small smile.
"Thank you... Dante," he said, testing the informality carefully. "If you ever need anything—information about the area, assistance with local matters—we would be honored to help."
I nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."
As they turned to leave, the woman paused. "One thing you should know—there's been unusual fluctuations in the ley lines recently. Nothing dangerous yet, but... unpredictable."
"Noted." I watched them walk away, their postures gradually relaxing as they put distance between us.
Latia stepped up beside me, her fan tapping thoughtfully against her chin. "That was enlightening."
"How so?"
"You played the disinterested noble perfectly—yet still established clear authority." She smiled. "They left feeling grateful rather than resentful."
I shrugged. "I meant what I said. I don't care what they do as long as they don't cause trouble."
"Still," Ariel interjected, "they'll spread word of your arrival. Others will come seeking favor or bringing gifts."
"Let them." I turned back toward our original path. "But not today. Today, I want to see this town that's supposedly mine."
We continued our exploration, gradually making our way toward the more commercial district. Karakura Town revealed itself as a place of contrasts—modern shopping centers stood alongside traditional Japanese buildings, university students mingled with elderly shopkeepers, and everywhere I looked, I could sense the subtle undercurrent of supernatural energy beneath the mundane surface.
"The barrier system is quite sophisticated," Latia observed as we passed a shrine that practically hummed with magical energy to my Void Sight. "Multiple layers, self-repairing. Someone invested considerable resources here."
"My grandfather, probably," I replied. "He had a thing for Japan. Spent decades here before the Great War."
We paused at a street vendor selling taiyaki, the fish-shaped cakes filling the air with the scent of sweet red bean paste. I bought three, handing them to my companions with a flourish.
"First human world meal," I announced. "Technically breakfast, I think? Time zones are weird."
Ariel accepted hers cautiously, while Latia examined the pastry with scholarly interest before taking a delicate bite.
"Oh!" Her eyes widened in delight. "The textural contrast is fascinating!"
I grinned, biting into my own. The sweetness burst across my tongue, warm and comforting. "Better than those fancy Underworld desserts, right?"
"Different," she corrected diplomatically, but took another eager bite that betrayed her true opinion.
Even Ariel seemed to enjoy hers, though she maintained her vigilant scanning of our surroundings as she ate.
"So," I said, wiping crumbs from my mouth, "should we check out this house my father arranged?"
"Manor," Ariel corrected.
I paused mid-step. "What?"
"Your father described it as a manor, not a house," she clarified. "I received the detailed specifications yesterday."
I groaned. "Of course he did. Can't have the Valac heir living in anything less than a mansion, even in exile."
"It's hardly exile," Latia pointed out reasonably. "More of a strategic relocation."
"Potato, po-tah-to." I sighed dramatically. "Let me guess—servants too?"
Ariel nodded. "A small staff. Four, I believe."
"Great. So much for independence."
We turned onto a street that wound uphill toward the most affluent neighborhood in Karakura. As we crested the hill, I stopped short, staring at the property that came into view.
"That's not a manor," I said flatly. "That's a small castle."
The Valac Manor stood on the highest point in Karakura Town, surrounded by extensive grounds enclosed by an elegant wrought-iron fence. The building itself was a striking blend of Western Gothic architecture and traditional Japanese elements—dark stone walls with floor-to-ceiling windows, elegantly peaked roofs with slight upward curves at the edges, and a grand entrance featuring massive double doors.
"Your father mentioned it was recently renovated," Ariel offered, as if that explained the sheer extravagance before us.
"Recently?" I shook my head in disbelief. "This place looks like it's been here for centuries."
"The original structure likely was," Latia observed. "The magical signature suggests ancient foundations with modern enhancements."
I stared at what was supposed to be my new home. Part of me appreciated the grandeur and security such a place would provide. Another part—the part that had hoped for something more normal, more human—felt a pang of disappointment.
"Well," I said finally, forcing a smile, "at least we won't be cramped."
Latia touched my arm lightly, her expression understanding. "We don't have to go there yet. The sun's still up. We could explore more of the town first."
I glanced at the manor again. From this height, I could see it all—the shopping districts, the residential areas, the university campus in the distance, and beyond that, the shimmer of water that must be the river.
My new territory. My new beginning.
I grinned, a genuine smile this time. "You're right. The manor can wait. Let's see what this town has to offer."