"So... a Campione." Akeno's voice lilted with curiosity as she poured tea like we hadn't just finished discussing a nuclear-tier secret.
"Careful," I said with a faint smile. "In some worlds, saying that too loud can cause a diplomatic incident."
Rias leaned forward slightly, fingers laced under her chin. "We've heard the term—once or twice. Usually in old tomes no one takes seriously. You kill gods and steal their power?"
"In the simplest sense? Yes." I stirred my tea, letting the heat settle me. "But it's not like collecting loot drops. It's... conceptual theft. When I killed that Heretic God, I didn't just gain strength—I inherited the essence of his myth."
Kiba, who had been silent so far, finally spoke. "So your powers are divine in origin, but twisted by mortal will."
"Exactly. The divine made human. Rewritten by someone who has no business holding that kind of power." I met his gaze evenly. "And I can feel how wrong it is. Like I'm a glitch in reality."
"That explains why the divination orb shattered," Rias said, her voice a touch colder. "You're not just unreadable—you're an error in fate."
"Welcome to my life," I muttered.
Akeno tapped her lip thoughtfully. "So… what kind of Authorities do you possess?"
I paused, then stood and walked to the window. The afternoon sun painted long shadows across the clubroom floor.
"Only two so far," I said. "The first is from Heracles—the god I killed. His Authority is Strength in Struggle. The more I'm outmatched, the stronger I become. It thrives on conflict, and... suffering."
Rias arched a brow. "Sounds dangerous."
"It is. I try not to rely on it unless I'm cornered. It can spiral."
"And the second?" Akeno asked, clearly more intrigued than cautious.
I hesitated. This one was... stranger. "The second Authority lets me borrow 'lesser myths' from fallen gods—one at a time. Temporary boons, not full powers. Like... calling a storm in the name of Zeus, but only once. It's limited, and unstable."
Kiba folded his arms. "And Sacred Gears?"
I shook my head. "I don't have one. Can't. My soul's already bonded to the mirror—the one that showed me this world. Sacred Gears are soul-anchored, and I'm full."
Rias looked thoughtful. "You're a walking contradiction. A human soul containing godly Authority, capable of stepping between worlds, but incompatible with the power systems here."
"Yet somehow," Akeno said playfully, "you still managed to attract a lot of attention."
"Speaking of," I said, turning back to face them. "I sensed something last night. A Fallen Angel. Female. She knew what I was."
"Raynare," Rias said instantly, face hardening. "She's been circling the town lately, probably sniffing out Sacred Gear holders. If she recognized you... this could escalate."
"It already has," I said. "She tried to kill me."
That changed the air.
"She summoned a light spear. I countered, but I didn't kill her. I let her run."
"Why?" Kiba asked sharply.
"Because now she'll talk," I replied. "She'll warn whoever she reports to, and that'll either keep them away—or draw them in. I want to see which."
Rias sighed. "You're playing with high-stakes politics."
"I'm used to it. Where I come from, the moment you kill a god, everyone either wants you dead or wants to use you."
She stood. "Then you'll need allies."
"I'm not a joiner," I said. "And I'm definitely not someone's pawn."
Rias smiled—an almost feral curve of her lips. "Good. Neither am I. But Kuoh is dangerous ground now. If the other factions learn there's a Campione here…"
"They will," I said. "And when they do, they'll come."
I reached into my coat and pulled out a small token—a chunk of black glass edged in silver. The mirror's fragment pulsed faintly.
"And I'll be ready."
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