Raza and Tsubaki entered the school campus. Raza glanced around, his eyes wide with admiration as he took in the impressive surroundings.
It was still early in the morning, so not many students were present. Tsubaki walked beside him, pointing out various places and explaining as they passed by.
“That’s the school swimming pool,” Tsubaki said, gesturing toward a glimmering blue expanse behind a fence.
“And over there is the gym, and beyond that, the courtyard.”
Raza nodded, curiosity sparkling in his gaze as he tried to memorize the layout. They soon arrived at the school building, a large, modern structure with a European architectural style. Raza stared up at it, momentarily awestruck.
“This is where the high school students are,” Tsubaki explained, slowing her pace so Raza could take it all in. “There’s also a middle school building in a different area, and a separate section for university students.”
Raza whistled softly. “Kuoh Academy sure is big. It’s got layers.”
Tsubaki smiled, clearly proud. “It’s one of the most prestigious academies in Japan.”
“I can see why,” Raza replied, his voice tinged with genuine admiration.
They entered the school building, the echo of their footsteps bouncing off the polished floors. Tsubaki pointed out the cafeteria, the bathrooms, and several classrooms as she led Raza on a quick tour.
Upstairs, Tsubaki paused in front of a door with a polished brass plaque. “This is the student council room. If you ever have concerns or suggestions, you can visit any time,” she explained, her tone formal.
Tsubaki stepped forward and knocked. A muffled voice called from inside,
“Come in.”
Tsubaki opened the door and entered, motioning for Raza to follow. She stood straight, facing the head table. “Kaichou, I have brought Lord Phenex as you requested,” she announced respectfully.
Sitting at the head table was Sona, who looked up, her expression composed as she regarded the newcomers. “Thank you, Tsubaki. You may continue with your work.”
Tsubaki bowed politely, then moved to her desk, joining the other peerage members. Raza stepped into the room, feeling several glances from the peerage settle on him. He stopped in front of Sona’s desk, hands at his sides.
Sona regarded him closely.
“Raza Phenex. As student council president, I welcome you to Kuoh Academy. Your paperwork is finished. Here is your student ID. Make sure not to lose it.” She handed him a card.
Raza accepted the ID gratefully. “Thanks. I appreciate your family's help with my enrollment. I’m honestly glad to be here.”
Sona’s lips curled upward just slightly. “You seem eager to begin your school life. Good. If you keep that attitude, I’m sure you’ll enjoy your time here in the human world.”
Raza grinned. “Sure. No problem.”
There was a brief silence. Sona broke it, her eyes studying him. “You really are not what I expected.”
Raza blinked. “Huh?”
Sona leaned forward, her voice lower, more thoughtful. “The Black Phenex. An unprecedented occurrence. From the day of your birth—your appearance, your flames, your powers. Supposedly a bad omen.”
Raza raised an eyebrow. “And do you believe what people say?”
Sona shook her head. “I’d rather trust what I see and make my own judgment. And from what I’ve seen, you are… unique.”
Raza chuckled. “I get that a lot.”
Sona continued, her tone measured. “A high-class devil from a Duke household of the Phenex family, attending a human school, saving a heiress from a fate she didn’t want, even though nobody asked you to. I find your actions admirable. And I believe that’s enough reason for me to trust you.”
Raza looked surprised; he didn’t really know how to respond. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “I… well, thanks, Sona-san. That means more than you know.”
Sona held his gaze for a moment, then gave a small, approving nod and a faint smile.
“You’re welcome. We’ll be relying on you as well from now on. Having someone capable in a fight like you is reassuring.”
She paused, her demeanor shifting back to that of the student council president. “Now then, you’ll be attending the same class as me, Tsubaki, Rias, and Akeno Himejima, Rias’ Queen. Classes start in 30 minutes. You should go to the teachers’ office before class. Your homeroom teacher will introduce you.”
Raza tucked his ID away and nodded. “Alright. Good to know. See you in class then.”
He turned to leave, but someone spoke up hesitantly. “Uhmm…”
Sona looked toward the voice. “Ruruko. What is it?”
A girl with brown hair in twin tails stood up from her chair, fidgeting nervously. “Ehm… If it’s alright with you, Kaichou, I thought maybe the peerage could introduce themselves to Lord Phenex.”
Raza smiled reassuringly. “No need to be so formal. We’re about the same age, after all. You can just call me Raza.”
Ruruko looked surprised, then brightened, her voice a bit too loud. “YES!”
Sona cleared her throat softly. “Well, it seems introductions are in order. If that’s alright with you, Raza-san?”
Raza nodded. “Of course.”
Ruruko stepped forward, clasping her hands together. “Then I’ll go first. I am Ruruko Nimora, second-year student and Pawn. Nice to meet you, Raza-senpai.”
Raza offered a friendly nod. “Nice to meet you, Ruruko-chan. Let’s get along.”
Next, a girl with red-brownish hair and an easygoing smile stood up.
“I’m Tomoe Meguri. Third year, same as you—though in Class 3-C. Nice to meet you, Raza-san.” She greeted him with a cheerful wave.
Raza returned her smile. “Yeah. Nice to meet you as well.”
A slim girl with long brown hair in two braids and matching eyes stepped forward, adjusting her blue headband. She spoke softly, her tone polite. “My name is Reya Kusaka. I’m also a third-year and Sona-kaichou’s Bishop. It is nice to meet you, Raza-san.”
Raza bowed his head slightly. “Nice to meet you as well, Reya-san.”
A young, beautiful girl with white hair and blue-green eyes approached next. She introduced herself with a reserved nod. “Momo Hanakai. I am a third-year student and also a Bishop in the peerage. Nice to meet you.”
Raza smiled. “Nice to meet you, Momo-san.”
Then a tall girl with blue, shoulder-length hair and matching eyes stepped forward, her confident smile radiating tomboyish energy. “Hey there, nice to meet you. I’m Tsubasa Yura, the Rook of the group. Third year, same as you. I saw you at the engagement party—you fought like a supernatural force.
Maybe someday you can teach me some of your moves.”
Raza grinned, accepting the challenge. “Nice to meet you, Tsubasa-san. Let’s spar someday, if that’s alright with you.”
Tsubasa gave him a nod, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Last but not least, a young man with short blond hair and grey eyes sauntered up, a self-assured smirk on his face.
“Genshirou Saji. Second year. I’m Sona-kaichou’s Pawn—four pieces, mind you. And you’re the Black Phenex. Heard a lot about you.”
Raza chuckled. “Only good things, I hope.”
Saji shrugged, grinning. “Depends on who you ask. A mystery unsolved. The outcast who proved himself and survived. But don’t let that get to your head. There are more ways to fight than just using brute force. You may be one of the top youths in the underworld; I can’t deny that. But one day, I’ll catch up and show you what true talent looks like. Remember that, Senpai.”
Sona was about to interject, but Raza laughed. “I’ll make sure to remember that, Genshirou. And after all that talk, I hope we can have a good match one day.”
Sona decided to stay silent, making a mental note to talk to Saji later.
Raza glanced around the room, taking in the faces of his new peers. “Well, it’s nice to meet you all. I’m sort of a fish out of water in the human world, so I hope I can rely on you.”
Sona brought the meeting to a close. “Now that introductions are finished, let’s get you ready for your first class. Tsubaki, if you could bring Raza-san to the teachers’ office and introduce him to his homeroom teacher.”
Tsubaki nodded and guided Raza out of the room toward the teachers’ office.
Back in the student council room, the girls began to chat, sharing their impressions of how carefree and nice Raza seemed compared to other young high-class devils, who often acted arrogantly and looked down on low-class devils. Saji, rolling his eyes, reminded them to focus on their work.
Soon enough, the first homeroom would begin.