------ Sam's POV------
After I hightailed it out of the classroom, I made my way to the cafeteria. I was also looking around for people I might recognize from the anime but I had no such luck.
Instead, I spotted Momo Hanakai with her group of friends and as the only person I had a conversation with that wasn't about devils I gravitated towards her.
"Hey, Hanakai!"
That simple greeting seemed to silence the whole group before sudden chaos erupted.
"Geez, Momo! Why didn't you tell us you knew the new hot guy!"
"Yeah, Momo! I thought you were all about Yuuto, but now you're keeping this from us!"
Hearing all the chatter directed at Momo, I give an apologetic look to her.
"Enough, everyone! I just had the pleasure of escorting Barnes this morning, nothing more."
While the chatter died down, the whispers did not.
As Momo pushed her friends away, she turned back to me with what looked like a fake smile. "Barnes, what can I help you with?"
'The President already told her about the hero stuff, it seems.'
"I just wanted to say thank you for the escort this morning and for taking me to the president. I didn't realize how much trouble my... 'situation' would have given me without it." My words seemed to have worked, as her fake smile turned into a small, genuine one.
"I'm glad the trouble didn't get out of hand, but do you realize how much you're in?"
"I have no idea, ever since the monster—"
"Stray Devil." She said as she interrupted me.
"Right, Stray Devil attacked me this morning. Everything has been just... way more supernatural than I ever thought it would be." Half truth, half lie. After all, I did meet a god and did think this was a rom-com before I stepped outside this morning.
"Well, at least you didn't die. Humans with your level of power are few and far between; most are held up in clans, cults, or churches."
"So that makes me a free agent, right?"
"Not exactly, your source of energy has a very potent holy aura; while it is currently weak, it stands out and says, 'I'm with the church.'"
"Is there a way to fix that?"
"I don't know if holy energy has similar properties to that of a devil, but it should be possible, yes."
I rub my temples in a show of weariness. "So, to not be targeted, I need to learn to hide my energy, but to hide my energy, I need to find someone who can wield holy energy. That's tough since I think I'm in a devil's territory."
"Sounds tough, Barnes, but surely someone like yourself can figure it out, right?"
I don't know if that's a tease or pity, probably a mixture of both.
"Anyways! Hanakai, let's eat lunch." My sudden invite to lunch seems to have surprised her.
"On the first day and already inviting me to lunch? You're quite confident."
"Stop it; just consider it my treat for the help this morning."
"Then I won't be polite, Barnes."
A few hours later.
As the final bell sounded, I quickly packed up my bag. While I'm not a genius, most of the general education is easy since I've already finished school, but still, there are a few tricky subjects that weren't covered or needed in my original school.
As I made my way towards the door, I was stopped by Rias. "Sam Barnes, come with me."
You know, I'm not that surprised that she would stop me.
"Did you already talk to the president?"
"Sona did tell me your story, but I don't quite believe it. Are you coming, or do I have to force you?"
I don't know what she's misunderstanding, but she looks ready to throw me out the window.
"Does it have to be now?"
"Yes, it does."
I sigh as I resign myself to my fate. "Alright, lead the way."
She simply smirks as a red light glows below our feet, and we are whisked away to who knows where.
As I gained my bearings, I looked around the room. All I can say is that it looked fancy. A single couch probably costs more than my entire apartment.
"So, what do you need me for?"
"Barnes, Your play of deception with Sona won't fool me. I saw the wound you left on the stray devil this morning."
So that's it? Wait... I quickly look at Tiche's information in my system, and it hits me.
Lesser form of Destined Death.
Oh shit, I didn't realize that left traces.
"Well, I'll be honest then; I wasn't the one who dealt that blow."
She squinted at me. "Then who is?"
"I can't tell you, but they only did it to protect me."
"And the holy energy?"
"The part about a voice telling me I could be a hero was true; I have no idea why, though."
After I answered, we stood in silence for a few dozen seconds as she stared daggers at me.
"Look, I know you don't trust me; I understand that. I know nothing of the supernatural other than what I learned today, but it seems whatever I did or am is kind of a big deal around here."
She snorted in response but continued to listen.
"All I want is to be a regular guy, but now that I know about the supernatural, I'm going to find a way to defend against it, as it seems things will continue to be drawn to me."
"You're serious, huh? You don't know anything." I gave a nod to her words.
"Listen, Barnes, this is my territory, and while you are new, anything you mess with will reflect on me."
As I listened, I had a sudden idea.
"Why don't I work for you?" My sudden question seemed to have genuinely surprised her.
"You? Work for me? Sorry, but just your unique holy energy alone disqualifies you."
"Why is that?"
"Because you can't reincarnate into a devil."
What? What does working for you have to do with becoming a devil?
"Even if I can't become a devil, I can still work for you. After all, I do live in this territory." Rias seems to think over my words.
"My peerage is quite small, so I'll take you up on your offer. Unfortunately, there's not a lot for you to do since you're not a devil."
Listening to her, I simply nodded along. "For the time being, just let me know what I can do to help, and I'll try my best."
"Fine, Barnes. I better not regret this."
"You won't."
When I returned home, I collapsed onto my couch, thinking back on the day.
"It wasn't the worst..." As a healthy teenage dude, being around beautiful women is always a plus.
"Hopefully tomorrow goes well too," I say as I look at my Gym Nut trait. Dreading how much time I'm going to be in a gym.
"Tiche!" I call out, and she seems to just appear at my side. I quickly hide my scared expression as I turn to her.
"I need you to teach me how to fight; we'll be focusing on hand-to-hand combat for now."
"I will instruct you with my best effort, my lord."
With that settled, it was time to go to a nearby gym.