Inside the Student Council office, Vice President Tsubaki Shinra stood before President Souna Shitori, calmly delivering her report. The contents were routine: attendance records, disciplinary notes, and a comprehensive list of all enrolled students. Unsurprising. It was part of their daily responsibilities. On the surface, they operated just like any normal student council.
But their influence extended far beyond that.
This much was obvious from the office itself, which was notably larger and more refined than even the school principal's. More importantly, it served as the nerve center for all matters concerning the "other side."
The supernatural side.
"So this is everything you could find about the Tennysons?" Asked Souna Shitori, whose actual name was Sona Sitri. The tone of her voice resembled that of a person who was trying to remain composed, but whose curiosity and suspicion ran far deeper than she let on.
Tsubaki nodded.
"Yes, Kaichou. Apparently, his father, Joel Tennyson, works as a senior regional executive for Microsoft Japan. He was recently reassigned from their European branch to head operations here in Asia. The transfer appears to have been a long-term strategic decision for some computerized project. The relocation happened rather suddenly. Less than three months' notice, from what I can tell. The two arrived in Kuoh Town about two weeks before the school term began, but he soon left to head to Tokyo."
Sona flipped through the papers with an assessing gaze.
"And the mother?"
"Melissa Tennyson. She graduated with a medical degree from King's College London and is a licensed physician specializing in internal medicine," Tsubaki replied. "According to the information, she previously worked at a private clinic back in the UK. Since moving to London, she's been contracted part-time by a private hospital in the city's northern ward. Everything matches so far."
Upon saying all that, she then tilted her head slightly and asked:
"But why are you interested in this new transfer student? Is there anything special about him?"
Sona shook her head.
"No, not exactly per se. I suppose you could say that I'm just curious. But isn't this interesting? We have a corporate father, a doctor for a mother, and a son who seems far too calm for someone supposedly new to Japan. The family profile is spotless... yet the timing and location of their move is suspiciously perfect."
Tsubaki narrowed her eyes.
"Yes, I do find it a little odd as well. "And according to the faculty, the boy, Benjamin Tennyson, shows signs of high intelligence and advanced combat awareness in gym class. He adapts quickly, learns fast, and has an almost unnatural sense of perception. You don't think he's from our world, do you?"
Sona remained silent, her fingers steepled beneath her chin as a thoughtful expression settled on her face. After a long pause, she finally said:
"It's too early to draw any conclusions. Naturally, someone from overseas would attract attention, especially in a town like Kuoh… but it's possible I'm overthinking this. Even so, I can't afford to overlook anything. Continue monitoring him, discreetly. Use the familiars. I want to know if he's truly carrying 'something'... or if 'something' is carrying him."
Tsubaki bowed her head.
"As you wish, Kaichou."
† †
After school,
The front gate of Kuoh Academy bustled with students, all eager to leave the premises. Amid the rush, Benjamin Tennyson Jr. strolled at a leisurely pace with his bag slung loosely over one shoulder. Some might wonder why he was moving so slowly compared to the others, but the answer was simple. He wasn't in a hurry. After all, there was nothing waiting for him back home.
Speaking of which, this was as good a time as any for a stroll. He had a lot to think about.
For starters, it was only his second day since being transmigrated into the High School DxD universe, technically Earth 0147, and he still had no clue what had caused it. All he knew so far was that he'd been chosen to participate in something called the Game of Thorns and had been given the title of the mysterious Hero X. However, to fulfill that role, he would have to eliminate the other Hero Candidates, fellow transmigrators just like him.
He didn't know the exact reason behind the objective, but it made a certain kind of sense; having too many transmigrators in a single story was bound to cause chaos.
It was similar to the dangers of time travel, or simply possessing knowledge of the future. Those who knew what was coming would inevitably try to use that information to protect themselves and tip the odds in their favor. And in a universe like High School DxD, transmigrators were almost guaranteed to exploit the story's events for their own gain.
But like time, the flow of a story was fragile and could be easily distorted by outside interference. If too many people started pulling at the threads, everything would collapse.
Well, the storyline was definitely going to change. That much was inevitable. However, it's also important to ensure a form of stability.
Nevertheless, Ben had no idea about anything regarding his predicament and any form of investigation would be fruitless unless he manages to meet up with another Hero Candidate. Considering their objective, however, he doubted such a meeting would be 'peaceful.'
He clicked his tongue.
Tsk. What a pain. So I'm completely helpless, is that it?
I wonder how long I would have to remain in this fictional world and meeting with the other Hero Candidates won't be ideal. I mean, I don't mind it too much. After all, I have the Omnitrix. Wouldn't people kill for the opportunity to be in my position and I'm sounding ungrateful?
Ah, wait...!
Ben stopped moving.
That's right! I have the Omnitrix! Meaning, I should be able to use Alien X to escape my predicament.
And I even have the latest version of the Omnitrix too! Damnit, I'm such an idiot. Why didn't I think about this sooner?
Thinking it over, his line of reasoning was valid, at least to an extent. Nonetheless, once the initial wave of excitement had faded, he couldn't help but question whether the solution to his problem was truly that simple.
Was it really that easy?
Certainly, Alien X was undoubtedly the most powerful trump card in his arsenal for now. Then again, there was still the matter of the mysterious entity not only responsible for turning a fictional world into reality but also for transmigrating ten individuals and bestowing each of them with powers and unique items.
Would a being like that really grant the Hero Candidates a device or power that could let them escape or worse, easily defeat its own designated game?
When his thoughts reached that point, Ben realized just how much he had been underestimating the gravity of his situation.
...Well, that is that.
He sighed.
Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do. He doubted even Alien X's powers could help him escape this world. Besides, wasn't that alien's power notoriously difficult to control due to its strict usage conditions? Worse case scenario, he wouldn't be able to return to his human form ever again and someone, in his moment of weakness, might use the opportunity to absorb Alien X's power.
Recalling that crucial detail left him feeling deeply displeased.
No matter how he tried to devise a solution, there was no reliable way to outsmart a Game Master he knew nothing about.
That was all there was to it.
That was all there was to it, but it still annoyed him like a fish bone stuck in his throat.
"Huh?"
His thoughts, which had been spinning in vain, abruptly came to a halt.
Something was not right.
Benjamin glanced up at the time displayed on a department store's electronic billboard: exactly 5 PM. It was still early enough for the streets to be bustling with people, yet an unnatural silence had fallen over the area like the eerie stillness of a forest at night. A strange, almost oppressive sensation lingered in the air.
Come to think of it… I haven't seen anyone for a while now. Wait, could it be...
Frowning, the suspicious boy continued down the street.
When he reached a major road, three lanes in each direction, the uneasy feeling shifted into full-blown dread.
There was no one.
No one entered or exited the towering department stores lining the road like oversized drink cans on a convenience store shelf. The footpath that usually felt cramped was now disturbingly spacious, and not a single car moved across the wide, runway-like road. The vehicles parked at the roadside were all empty, as if abruptly abandoned.
It felt less like a city and more like a deserted farm road deep in the countryside.
"...W-What is going on?"
Dumbfounded, Benjamin froze in place, totally confused. Gradually, his expression turned serious as a dawn of realization fell upon him.
Given the kind of world he was in, there was only one explanation for this strange phenomenon.
And it was not natural at all.
Tap–! Tap–!
The sound of footsteps suddenly entered his head like a Japanese sword stabbing into the core of his face.
He had not noticed.
Something has approached him. It hid behind nothing and did not sneak behind him. It stood plainly on the wide, runway-like road, ten meters ahead, blocking his path.
It wasn't a matter of poor visibility. A moment ago, no one had been there. But in the time it took him to blink, the shadow had manifested.
"?!"
His body moved before his mind caught up.
All the blood in his body seemed to rush into his right hand. A rope-like pain tightened around his wrist, and Ben instinctually knew that the shadow was dangerous.
Its silhouette alone was enough to reveal that it wasn't human. Though it had a humanoid build, it was anything but. To be precise, it was a werewolf. Pitch black in color, the abomination radiated a primal menace.
The creature's limbs were long and unnaturally jointed, each finger ending in claws that looked sharp enough to shred steel. Tufts of coarse fur bristled along its arms and back like dark flames, while its hunched posture barely concealed the raw, predatory muscle coiled beneath the freshly skin.
Then there was its crimson eyes which emitted a murderous glint. Focused on him, the mysterious creature growled, revealing its intent.
It had come here to kill him.
"…So that's what this is," Ben muttered, the pieces falling into place. "And here I was wondering why everything went so quiet."
They were inside an isolation barrier, he was almost certain of it. That explained the complete lack of people and noise. The world hadn't stopped; it had simply been sealed off.
But this wasn't the work of some random Stray Devil or overzealous Fallen Angel. No… this felt too calculated.
The mastermind was behind this wanted him dead.
As the realization settled in, a dry, almost amused smile tugged at Ben's lips.
Sure, getting attacked on his second day in this universe was a bit much. But honestly, It wasn't all that surprising.
Someone had made their intent very clear.
And since they'd shown the courtesy of trying to kill him…
He'd return the favor, in kind.
He flicked open the Omnitrix's core dial, the familiar holographic ring of alien silhouettes spinning rapidly. But before he could select anything, the creature moved.
It didn't run.
It vanished.
In the span of a single breath, it had crossed the ten-meter gap between them, reappearing only inches from his face.
"!!"
Ben twisted backward, narrowly avoiding the creature's slashing claw. The force of the strike shattered the air, producing a pressure wave that cracked a nearby streetlamp clean in half. Sparks rained down as the metal structure toppled over.
Skidding back, Ben gritted his teeth. His palm slammed down on the Omnitrix.
"Let's go—!"