[1000 PS = +1 Bonus Chapter]
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Due to my carelessness in testing my physical skills in that volleyball game, I ended up gaining Sona Sitri's attention earlier than I would have liked.
Since I had that attention, I would use it to my advantage to get myself into this social circle of devils in the best possible way.
When I didn't hesitate to save Raynare, it had two different effects on Tsubaki Shinra.
1- Tsubaki concluded that Raynare didn't have a supernatural origin either; otherwise, she would have saved herself.
2- I was a good person who didn't mind using my powers in public to save someone. Consequently, this led her to believe that I wasn't a threat.
If I had been dealing with adults here, of course, their perception might have been different and much sharper to realize that I had set up the situation myself.
However, although Tsubaki was intelligent, she was still only a sixteen-year-old teenager and jumped to a lot of conclusions because of her ego as Vice-President.
In the end, this plan was simple enough for Tsubaki to approach me and 'pressure' me into telling her my secret. So, she and I walked back together a few blocks to Kuoh Academy.
It was early evening, around seven, and the school was already empty. Most of the school lights were off, except for one light on the fourth floor of the school. That was where the Student Council's private room was.
Tsubaki was silent, and I didn't try to make conversation.
We climbed the steps of the main building and made our way through the now silent corridors. Soon, we reached the door to the Student Council room, and Tsubaki stopped, turning to me.
She adjusted her glasses with her fingertips. "Before we go in, remember that you're in front of the President of the Student Council. Be direct and respectful like all the other students at Kuoh Academy are."
I gave a slight smile. "Direct and respectful. Understood."
She didn't look convinced, but she opened the door anyway.
The interior of the room was exactly what I'd expected from a place used by aristocratic devils: elegant furniture, softer lighting, and, of course, Sona Sitri, sitting behind an imposing wooden desk.
Sona lifted her eyes from some documents she was examining and looked at me in the same way Tsubaki normally looked at me. She didn't say anything immediately, which I interpreted as a power play, letting the silence force me to take the initiative.
"Good evening, Sitri-san. It seems you've discovered my secret earlier than expected."
This made her smile condescendingly. "Please sit down, Nishihara-kun."
I sat down on the chair in front of her as requested.
Tsubaki remained standing next to Sona.
"I'm very interested in what you have to say, Nishihara-kun. Tsubaki mentioned in a message that you identified yourself as a youkai. Is that true?"
I smiled slightly. "It's true. I'm descended from a line of Kasha."
"A Kasha? I've never heard of that," Tsubaki said.
Sona Sitri seemed to have the answer.
"A Kasha, you say?" She leaned back slightly in her chair. "Interesting. It's not a common type of youkai. In fact, they're mainly known in Japanese regional myths. Allow me to explain."
"Kashas are a type of youkai who, according to folklore, specialize in dealing with the dead. Many stories describe them as creatures who steal corpses during funerals or storms. They are often associated with fire, both literal and metaphorical, as many tales depict them manipulating supernatural flames while carrying out their tasks. It is said that these beings have a special connection with spirits, especially those who have not found peace."
That's why I chose to declare myself a youkai and, more specifically, a Kasha.
When I used Stygian Flame on that stray devil's corpse, I not only consumed the stray devil's sins but also his body, which literally turned to dust. Being a Kasha would allow me in the future to use my ability in front of them without any problems.
"What's curious," continued Sona, "is that the Kashas aren't exactly a numerous race in the modern supernatural world. They tend to operate in isolation, with a few reports of individuals. If you're a direct descendant of a Kasha, Nishihara-kun, that raises some questions."
Tsubaki frowned slightly. "So, he would be some kind of necromancer? Or something related?"
Sona shook her head negatively. "Not necessarily. Kashas don't manipulate the dead in the sense of reanimating or controlling them, at least not in the accounts we have. They're more like... mediators. A bridge between the living and the spirits. But like everything in the supernatural world, abilities can vary from individual to individual."
Sona was even more intelligent than I expected. Not only did she have detailed knowledge about the Kashas, but she also knew how to use this to gain an advantage in the conversation.
"Impressive," I said, tilting my head slightly. "You know a lot about my lineage, Sitri-san. But of course, you're the heir to one of the most influential clans in the underworld. It shouldn't come as a surprise."
"So... you know who I am too?"
"Before she died, my mother taught me a lot about who I am and who might be a threat to me. She left Kuoh so that I would stay away from it... She always told me how Kuoh is like a beacon for supernatural creatures."
"Your mother was a very clever woman... Still, you're here. In Kuoh. Why?"
"At first, I had no choice. My only living relative lives here... Well, at least when she's not traveling. However, now I know it's a question of survival. Supernatural creatures have security here in Kuoh, which they don't have in other cities in Japan."
"That's the point I was getting at." Sona interlaced her fingers on the table. "As you may know, the skills of a youkai like you will always be rare, useful, and valued by people like me. So, what do you think about joining the Student Council?"
I widened my eyes. This invitation was something unexpected. I had hoped that she was just satisfying her own ego by doing all this chasing after me, but all this time she actually wanted me?
"If you have any doubts about that, I have to tell you that your fame at school is growing. Your academic record denotes great abilities that would prevent anyone from questioning your entry. And by my side, you would have more than the security you desire; you would have the possibility of becoming more powerful and finding a home. A real home."
At that moment, she looked at Tsubaki out of the corner of her eye.
"Tsubaki Shinra did that seven years ago. She was just a human with amazing abilities, but she was rejected. It was then that she decided to become more and joined me. Many others in the Student Council follow suit... How about you being one more?" Sona Sitri asked, placing a Pawn piece on the table.
[Ding! The system proposes the mission "Sona Sitri's proposal!"]
1 - Reject Sona Sitri's proposal (Reward: 10 Fusion Points)
2 - Agree to become Sona Sitri's Pawn and replace Saji Genshirou in the original storyline. (Reward: 30 Fusion Points)
3 - Manipulate Sona Sitri to get a much more favorable deal for yourself. (Reward: 60 Fusion Points)
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