The soft glow of the setting sun bathed Kuoh Town in hues of amber and rose, its last light painting the streets with shadows that danced between the cracks of reality and illusion. A strange calm settled over the alley where Adrian Blake stood, the scent of ozone faint in the air. Before him, a figure materialized with silent grace—long silver hair glinting under the waning light, crimson eyes sharp and assessing.
"Maria!"
Naruse Mio's voice broke the stillness, her relief palpable. She rushed forward, arms outstretched.
"I never forgave you!" Maria snapped, arms crossing over her modest chest—but the sharpness in her voice was softened by the tremor of unshed emotion. They met halfway and embraced, two threads reweaving into one after a painful separation.
"Why did you leave for so long?" Mio asked, her voice muffled against Maria's shoulder. "I was worried. I thought—"
Maria pulled back slightly, her expression veiled. "You've inherited the Gremory bloodline," she said with forced levity. "Those low-level cursed spirits couldn't have harmed you."
Adrian's eyes narrowed. Gremory? Demonic bloodline? He cataloged the term mentally.
Maria continued, her tone dipping into seriousness. "I had something urgent to deal with. But things have gotten worse. We need a place to lie low for a few days—a secure base."
Then her gaze slid toward Adrian.
He could feel her probing him with her eyes, weighing options, strategies, risks. A flicker of guilt flashed in her expression, but she quickly masked it and raised her hand, palm open toward him.
"I appreciate your help," she said, her voice light, almost flippant. "But we can't afford complications. So… sorry in advance."
A pulse of energy emanated from her palm—subtle, almost imperceptible. The magic coiled like a whisper through the air, curling toward Adrian's mind.
Mio gasped. "Maria, what are you doing?! He saved me! You can't just—"
"He's an exorcist," Maria said firmly, her violet eyes sharp. "His identity is too risky. But don't worry—I won't harm him. I'm just adjusting his memory a little. It's safer for all of us this way."
Adrian stood motionless, observing.
Memory alteration magic, he thought, amused. Succubus-type enchantment. Dream logic. Smart.
Maria continued explaining to Mio, justifying her plan. "We'll implant a memory that we're his distant cousins. That gives us cover, and he lets us stay at his place. It's just harmless deception compared to what others have tried to pull."
Mio hesitated, the weight of her recent traumas visible in her eyes. Her adoptive parents—murdered. Her inheritance nearly stolen. On her way to Kuoh, she'd been harassed and manipulated by men wearing smiles like masks.
Pragmatism over sentiment.
"…Fine," she said softly. "But be gentle."
Maria's magic shimmered through the air, weaving the new memory with calculated precision. "From now on," she whispered as the spell embedded itself, "we are your distant cousins, and we're staying at your house."
To an average human, the suggestion would've worked flawlessly. The spell operated like a dream—plant the seed and let the mind fill in the rest.
Maria smiled, certain of her success. "Good evening, brother," she said cheerfully. "Please take care of us!"
She gave Mio a little nudge, who blushed furiously under the new memory's influence.
"H-Hello… Brother," she mumbled, eyes downcast.
Adrian remained silent for a beat. His mind was entirely unaffected by the spell, thanks to the power of [Conceptual Immunity]—a passive trait that made him immune to mental tampering, illusions, and memory alterations.
But he didn't interrupt the performance.
So that's the angle they're playing. Pretend family. Free lodging. Honestly, this might work out well for me, he mused, observing the energy of fate subtly shift around him.
Ever since he'd acquired the [Protagonist Halo (Green)], he'd noticed his fortune curving upward. Events lined up in his favor, opportunities unfolding naturally.Two beautiful "cousins" asking to live with him? That was practically a blessing from the gods.
"…Cousins, huh?" he said finally, a slow smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Nice to meet you."
He stepped forward and gently ruffled Maria's hair, eyes glinting with amusement. She grinned, interpreting the gesture as playful affection.
"Brother Adrian~ I'm Naruse Maria," she chirped, "don't forget my name, okay?"
She clung to his arm like a trained kitten, full of charm and mischief.
Mio, still red-faced, murmured, "Let me carry some of those bags…"
Adrian raised a brow, impressed by their sudden helpfulness. They were playing their roles well.
A responsible and capable little sister duo? This feels like a sitcom script. Where were girls like these when I was younger?
Suppressing a chuckle, he handed off several shopping bags.
"These are ingredients and seasonings," he explained. "The villa I just bought is furnished, but I still need toiletries."
"I can cook!" Maria declared proudly. "You'll love my food!"
"Free cook, too?" Adrian whispered under his breath, a gleam of genuine gratitude in his eyes. Best timeline ever.
Within the hour, they returned to the shopping district and gathered everything they needed.
The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, the sky shifting into the deep purples of early night. The three walked side-by-side along the residential streets, street lamps casting halos of warm light in the misty air.
On Adrian's left, Mio seemed visibly lighter now—her posture relaxed, a small smile tugging at her lips. For the first time in days, perhaps weeks, she wasn't watching her back.
He's… different, she thought as she stole a glance at Adrian. Not like the others. Not after money, or power, or anything. Just… kind.
And yet that very thought sparked a pang of guilt. We're lying to him.
She clenched her fist at her side, her voice soft in her heart.
How can I make it up to him? I'll ask Maria later… maybe there's something we can do.
They continued walking in peaceful silence until Adrian suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Mio bumped lightly into his shoulder. "Huh? What's wrong?"
His eyes scanned the empty street. A breeze blew past, but no rustling leaves followed. No distant car. No footsteps. The world had gone quiet—too quiet.
"A barrier," Adrian muttered.
Maria immediately tensed and reached for Mio, pulling her close. "Enemy incoming."
From above, a flurry of black feathers drifted down like snow.
The air cracked.
Wings—dark, majestic, and terrible—unfurled against the moonlight, casting a shadow that swallowed the stars.
Descending from the sky came a woman whose beauty was almost unearthly. Silken black hair spilled past her hips, framing a face as cold as marble. Her skin glowed pale under the moon, and her form-fitting black dress accentuated every line of her hourglass figure with bold confidence.
But it was her eyes—glowing violet, intense and piercing—that chilled even Maria's blood.
"A Fallen Angel…" Maria whispered, her voice trembling.
Adrian's expression sharpened.
Fallen Angels—beings once divine, now cursed, twisted by ambition or rebellion. And this one… she wasn't weak.
"She's not average," he murmured. "High-class, maybe even a Cadre-level."
Maria nodded grimly. "They have an advantage against demons like us… even at equal power, their light magic eats away at our defenses."
The woman hovered above, arms crossed, lips curled into a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Well, well. What do we have here?" she said, voice like velvet over a blade.
"Demons fraternizing with exorcists? How scandalous."
Adrian stepped forward calmly, shielding the two behind him with casual precision. His silver hair shimmered in the moonlight, his aura crackling just under the surface.
Maria and Mio exchanged glances.
Who is this man really…?