The Occult Research Club, located in Kuoh Academy's old school building.
At lunchtime, Jeanne Alter arrived there led by Himejima Akeno.
Rias Gremory, Kiba Yuuto, Toujou Koneko... All members of Rias's peerage were already present.
"It's lunchtime, yet you dragged me over here with a school announcement, leaving me no chance to eat anything," Jeanne complained as soon as she entered, fixing her gaze on Rias, who sat leisurely on the sofa.
"Oh? I deliberately chose this time out of consideration, you know?" Rias replied, a teasing smile appearing on her lips, giving her the air of a true little devil. "Koneko told me you're very studious, and your goal is to get into Tokyo University and land a stable job. I didn't want to disturb your studies, so I specifically picked this hour. Did I do something wrong?"
Was she teasing, mocking, or simply retaliating?
Probably retaliation, given that Jeanne had no intention of attending Tokyo University at all. That had just been a random excuse to brush off questions. She only named Tokyo University because it was the only Japanese university she knew.
"We've already had lunch. If you want to go eat first, we can delay our talk."
"…Forget it. It's just one meal; missing it won't kill me."
Jeanne shut one eye lazily, sitting down in a chair with obvious disinterest. As she did, Akeno gently placed a cup of tea on the table before her, offering a polite smile.
Guests didn't need to drink tea, but as hosts, it was only proper to offer—likely an expression of aristocratic etiquette.
After setting the tea down, Akeno moved behind Rias, joining Kiba and Koneko, who stood around their master like dutiful servants.
"You won't hold this against me, will you, Jeanne-san?"
Rias picked up her own cup and took a graceful sip, smiling faintly. "After all, my adorable servant got hurt because of you, so a little payback is fair, isn't it?"
"Hey—I already apologized. Plus, I stood there and let her punch me with her full strength."
"You call that an apology?"
Rias fixed Jeanne with an exasperated stare. "It'd be one thing if you'd been sent flying by her punch, but standing there, completely unfazed after taking Koneko's strongest blow—are you seriously claiming that's how you help someone vent? You only crushed her confidence more!"
"Ugh…this is getting annoying."
Jeanne clicked her tongue irritably, scratching the back of her head. "Apologizing is too troublesome… How about I bake some sweets instead? Maybe a few special treats to make it up to Koneko?"
The moment those words left her lips, Koneko's gaze snapped toward her instantly.
"Special treats… Even better than the ones I've had before?"
Her mouth slightly agape, Koneko looked briefly lost in fantasies of delicious sweets. Realizing Jeanne was watching her, her small face flushed slightly, and she quickly turned away, as if silently protesting, "I still haven't forgiven you, and I don't want to look at you."
"Alright, Rias-senpai, can we cut this little act now?"
Jeanne rolled her eyes, unable to bear the awkward atmosphere any longer. "We're hardly strangers meeting for the first time. Do we really have to put on this pointless charade?"
"I'm not putting on an act."
Rias frowned slightly, displeased, but quickly regained composure, turning a serious gaze toward Jeanne.
"Kuoh Academy is run by the Gremory family—it's my territory in the human world. Honestly, with someone as suspicious as you suddenly sneaking around here, how could we not be cautious?"
"I only hid my presence precisely because I knew you'd be wary."
Jeanne leaned back, visibly annoyed. "I'm just a human, with no backing from any faction. The last thing I wanted was to get dragged into your conflicts."
"True, we didn't sense any trace of devil, fallen angel, or angel from you. That's why we've regarded you as 'suspicious' rather than an outright intruder. When we learned your name, we initially suspected you might have ties to the Church, hence our gentle probing."
"I've never prohibited humans from freely entering my territory, but someone like you is an unprecedented case. A magician unaffiliated with any faction, yet possessing power surpassing mid-ranked devils—I certainly wouldn't want to clash with you if possible."
Compared to devils, fallen angels, and angels, human strength was insignificant. Although occasionally humans with powerful [Sacred Gears] caught the attention of major factions, their short lifespans rarely allowed them to impact the broader world for long.
If another devil, fallen angel, or angel had dared enter Kuoh without permission, Rias would have viewed them strictly as invaders, with no room for negotiation.
But Jeanne was human—an exception Rias could tolerate, yet powerful enough to raise suspicion. This naturally compelled Rias to watch her closely.
Jeanne's lack of ties to any faction but possessing such strength only intensified Rias's curiosity about the source of that power.
And even more concerning was the presence of that girl—Ophis—who had appeared beside Jeanne.
Rias couldn't be 100% sure yet, but if that girl truly was the legendary being known as the Infinite Dragon God, Jeanne didn't need to rely on any faction at all... because no background in the world could surpass that one.
"Why are you staring at me with such a strange look?"
Rias's gradually shifting expression made Jeanne uncomfortable, causing her brows to knit tightly.
Because I can't help wondering what kind of person could draw the attention of that one.
Not voicing this thought, Rias took a deep breath and calmly said, "You've behaved very calmly since coming here, and we're willing to believe you mean no harm. However, please understand my caution."
Rias might trust Jeanne, but that didn't mean the entire Gremory family or other devils would do the same.
Ophis's presence was too significant. For now, Rias had only told her brother and her servants, not even mentioning it to her parents, leaving the decision entirely to her brother.
Among the top ten strongest beings, Ophis was special. Other powerful individuals were closely matched, their rankings vague, but Ophis's superiority was undisputed.
Ophis had never shown interest in anything, wandering the world aimlessly. That was why other factions ignored her. But now, she had appeared with someone and clearly showed interest. Rias shuddered to imagine what chaos this news might unleash.
Massaging her temples gently, Rias softened her tone. "We hope you'll cooperate with us to keep things peaceful."
Jeanne understood Rias's position—those seated at the top must inevitably deal with the responsibilities that come with it.
"I've gotten along well enough with you, so I'm willing to consider your concerns," Jeanne crossed one leg over the other, lazily. "If your demands aren't too unreasonable, I'll cooperate."
"That simplifies things."
Rias's tense expression relaxed, and a radiant smile returned to her face.
"Firstly, we'd like permission to thoroughly investigate your background."
Jeanne raised her eyebrows slightly in surprise.
"You mean you haven't already investigated me out of curiosity?"
"We were initially only interested because of your name, suspecting ties to the Church. But after sensing no holy aura and seeing how well Koneko got along with you, we discarded that suspicion."
Rias maintained an elegant smile, sipping her tea gently. "It would've been rude to pry into someone's past unnecessarily, especially if they weren't an enemy."
This restraint reflected Rias's pride as a Gremory—like a certain scapegoat king, she valued grace and courtesy above all else.
"I see. Well, I don't mind."
Jeanne shrugged indifferently.
Though she couldn't guarantee her forged identity was flawless, she genuinely had no dealings with devils, fallen angels, or angels. There would be nothing problematic for them to find.
Her casual attitude projected confidence—a sentiment that clearly pleased Rias.
"Next, we'd like someone from our side to temporarily stay with you."
Rias flashed another mischievous little-devil grin.
Seeing that smile, Jeanne suddenly felt suspicious, as if all the previous conversation had been mere preamble to this, Rias's true purpose.
"Oh my~ this is quite a predicament," Akeno said, placing a finger lightly against her cheek, her voice so sultry it could melt ears. "As the Queen, I must remain by Buchou's side. Yuuto is a boy, obviously unsuitable for living at a girl's house… My, my—doesn't that leave only Koneko?"
"You're absolutely right, Akeno."
Rias nodded approvingly. "Koneko's already spent the most time with Jeanne-san. She's the perfect choice."
Jeanne: "…Hah?"
Both Jeanne and Koneko froze simultaneously.
...
As the dismissal bell rang, students immediately grabbed their bags and hurried out, eager to escape this cage that restrained their minds.
"Still karaoke today?"
"Huh? Didn't we just go yesterday?"
"Can't—I gotta help at my parents' store today."
"Soccer anyone?"
"Guys, wanna come to my house? I've got the complete deluxe set of 'Dragonball'. We can debate all night!"
They chatted loudly, full of renewed energy. Minutes before, they'd yawned through lectures, but now they moved with fervor, eager to escape school.
Jeanne rested her chin on her hand, gazing out the window quietly, unaffected by the noise.
"Hey!" A sudden slap on her shoulder interrupted her thoughts. Even without turning around, she knew it was Fujita Eimi. Who else was this oblivious?
"Why are you still here?" Jeanne asked irritably.
Ignoring her tone, Eimi pressed closer. "Because something was bothering me. So? Did apologizing to Koneko-chan work?"
"When did I ever apologize to Koneko?"
Jeanne's eyes widened in confusion.
"Huh? You vanished at lunchtime—wasn't that to apologize to Koneko-chan?"
Actually, she'd been talking with devils in the Occult Research Club. Obviously, she couldn't say that.
Before Jeanne could make excuses, a commotion erupted by the classroom door.
"What's going on?"
Eimi's attention shifted momentarily.
Realizing what it was, Jeanne grabbed her bag, stood up, and waved goodbye. "Nothing important—just someone I'm expecting. Take care on your way home."
Stepping out, Jeanne saw Koneko surrounded by curious students, clearly uncomfortable.
"Let's go, Koneko."
Jeanne spoke loudly, immediately drawing everyone's eyes.
A look of relief flashed briefly across Koneko's face.
"Yes, Jeanne-senpai."
The two girls ignored the astonished crowd and walked away together.