The late afternoon sun cast long shadows over Kuoh Academy. Students hurried home, their laughter and footsteps filling the air, unaware of the silent tensions beneath their school's normal facade. To outsiders, Kuoh Academy seemed like a typical prestigious private school. But in truth, it was the gathering place of devils, angels, and fallen angels, maintaining a delicate balance.
On the school's rooftop, Rias Gremory stood with Akeno Himejima by her side, the gentle wind tossing her crimson hair lightly.
"Issei should be finishing his training soon," Rias said, arms crossed, her blue eyes surveying the courtyard below.
Akeno smiled mischievously, her black hair flowing like silk. "He's improving, but... you know how easily distracted he is."
Rias sighed in exasperation, though a fond smile graced her lips. "Yes. Oppai remain his weakness."
Both girls chuckled lightly — for a moment, everything felt normal. But suddenly, a sharp ripple in the atmosphere broke their brief peace. Both Rias and Akeno stiffened immediately, senses sharpening.
A foreign pressure — neither holy nor demonic — spread through the air like an invisible mist. It was subtle, elusive, but oppressive.
"You feel that?" Akeno asked in a low voice, her hands ready to summon lightning at a moment's notice.
Rias nodded grimly. "Something... wrong. It's like the world itself twitched."
Acting quickly, Rias activated a thin, invisible barrier around the rooftop — nothing too flashy that would alert human eyes, but enough to protect against sudden attacks.
Below, near the academy's main gate, a figure appeared — or perhaps he had always been there, unnoticed. A young man in Kuoh Academy's male uniform, blonde hair neatly combed, wearing a pristine monocle that glinted sharply under the dying sun.
Rias' heart skipped a beat. A chill swept over her.
"Amon..." she whispered, voice nearly inaudible.
Although she had never seen him closely before, Azazel's warnings echoed in her mind: Beware the man who wears a monocle. He does not bring death by power, but by unraveling the very meaning of existence.
Akeno narrowed her eyes. "That's him?"
"I think so," Rias said, tense. "And he's... walking casually."
Indeed, Amon strolled leisurely through the school grounds, exchanging polite smiles with passing students and teachers. To them, he seemed perfectly normal — even charming. A few girls blushed as he walked by, enchanted by his elegant aura.
But Rias and Akeno could feel it. Beneath the flawless facade was something wrong — something off. A twisted reflection of what reality should be.
Amon tilted his head slightly upwards — just for a fraction of a second — and their gazes met.
In that brief moment, Rias felt as though the universe itself folded inward. It was not power she sensed — no, it was something more terrifying: manipulation of existence itself.
And then he smiled — a warm, harmless smile.
The invisible tension broke like snapping strings. Amon continued walking toward the back fields, disappearing casually from sight.
Akeno shivered despite herself. "He saw us. He let us feel that... deliberately."
Rias gritted her teeth. "We need to tell Azazel."
—
Meanwhile, in the old school building where the Occult Research Club was based, Issei Hyoudou yawned loudly after another day of grueling training.
"Man, training is good and all, but my hands are craving some oppai..." he muttered.
Kiba rolled his eyes, polishing his sword calmly. "You never change, Issei."
"I'll change when I get Rias-senpai's or Akeno-san's oppai in my hands!" Issei proclaimed boldly, striking a ridiculous heroic pose.
Xenovia looked confused. "Is that an important training goal?"
Asia blushed furiously, fidgeting with her sleeves.
Before the teasing could escalate, Rias and Akeno entered the room, their expressions serious.
"Everyone," Rias said, commanding attention immediately, "we have a problem."
The casual atmosphere evaporated. Issei straightened up instantly, sensing the heaviness in Rias' tone.
"Amon has entered the academy grounds," she continued. "We confirmed his presence minutes ago."
Everyone tensed. They knew the name Amon — Azazel had gathered them days earlier and told them the barest details: A being once known as an angel, now something far beyond comprehension. A being who had deceived even God before His death. A being who had orchestrated countless tragedies across mythologies and pantheons.
"And he's after me, right?" Issei asked, swallowing hard.
Rias nodded gravely. "Yes. But it's not clear whether it's your Sacred Gear or... something deeper."
Issei clenched his fists. "I won't let him take anything from me!"
"That's the spirit," Kiba said, giving him a reassuring nod.
Suddenly, the door swung open and Azazel strode in, his white coat billowing.
"You all felt it too, huh?" Azazel said grimly, tossing a clipboard onto the table. "The distortion."
Rias nodded. "He was here — at the school."
Azazel clicked his tongue. "He's getting bolder. That's not good."
Issei stepped forward, determination burning in his eyes. "What do we do, Azazel?"
"For now," Azazel said, looking around the room carefully, "we observe. Don't confront him directly. Not yet. If Amon truly has regained even a fraction of his former power..." Azazel trailed off, his gaze darkening. "We need preparation. And alliances."
The group exchanged uneasy glances.
"If he's after me," Issei said hesitantly, "then shouldn't I leave the school? Go somewhere he can't reach?"
Azazel shook his head. "Running won't work. You're already within his sight. The only way out... is forward."
Rias placed a comforting hand on Issei's shoulder. "We'll protect you. No matter what."
Issei felt a lump in his throat. He grinned nervously. "Thanks, Buchou."
Azazel turned to Rias. "I'll reach out to Michael. If Amon's stirring... the angel faction will want to know. Maybe even the other factions too."
"And... the Hero Faction?" Kiba asked carefully.
Azazel sighed. "Yeah. Knowing them, they'll either want to kill him or recruit him — and both options are disasters."
Rias nodded grimly. "Then we have no choice. We prepare for the worst."
The room fell into silence, heavy with the knowledge that the battle they faced was not just against overwhelming power, but against a mind that could rewrite reality itself.
Outside, the last rays of sunlight faded. Darkness fell over Kuoh Academy, and with it, the first true stirrings of chaos.
Amon, somewhere in the city, adjusted his monocle and chuckled to himself, the pieces of his unseen game already moving across the board.
"The game has begun," he whispered.