One Year Later
The training hall had become Algernon's second home over the past twelve months. What had begun as a desperate struggle to maintain even two orbs of demonic energy simultaneously had evolved into something far more impressive.
Currently, he stood at the center of the room, eyes closed in concentration. Around him, fifteen orbs of crimson-black energy rotated in complex, interlocking patterns. Each orb was a different shape—spheres, cubes, pyramids, abstract sculptures—and each one required a portion of his focus to maintain.
But that wasn't the impressive part.
As he moved through a kata of combat movements—strikes, blocks, evasive maneuvers—the orbs followed seamlessly, never losing their formation or stability. His body and magic had achieved a level of synchronization that would have seemed impossible a year ago.
After ten minutes of continuous movement, Algernon finally dismissed the energy and opened his eyes.
[System Notification]
Skill Progress Update:
Advanced Energy Manipulation: 50% Mastery
Fifty percent. Half of complete mastery, achieved through a full year of relentless practice. Most devils never bothered developing their energy control beyond the basics—why would they, when bloodline abilities and raw power served them just fine?
But Algernon wasn't most devils.
His demon energy core had expanded significantly over the year. Where once maintaining fifteen orbs would have drained him to dangerous levels, now he could sustain them for hours without strain. His reserves had grown not through passive aging but through constant depletion and recovery, that dangerous training method that had nearly killed him when he first started.
Physically, he'd refined his movements beyond mere enhancement. Every motion was precise, efficient, no wasted energy. He'd studied combat theory extensively, integrating techniques from multiple martial traditions the library had documented. Without a formal teacher, he'd become his own sensei—analyzing, adjusting, perfecting.
The result was a fighting style uniquely his own, built on the foundation of pure demonic energy and relentless self-improvement.
But power wasn't the only thing that had grown this year.
Rias and Akeno had become genuine friends. What started as occasional visits had evolved into regular meetings—tea in the gardens, discussions about magic theory, simply spending time together. Rias was brilliant and driven, already thinking like the leader she'd one day become. Akeno was warm and perceptive, with a playful streak that kept things interesting.
For someone who'd spent most of his time in isolation, their presence was... grounding. A reminder that conquest didn't mean loneliness.
'Though conquest is still the goal,' Algernon thought, wiping sweat from his brow.
He'd made progress on the side quest too—2.1% had slowly climbed to 4.7% over the year through consistent, genuine interaction. Not dramatic growth, but steady. Building a real relationship with Rias rather than trying to seduce her immediately was the right approach.
Seven years remained before she'd be forced into that engagement with Riser Phenex. Seven years to become someone she'd choose over a political arrangement.
No pressure.
Algernon grabbed a towel and made his way toward the estate's baths. The hot water would help his muscles recover while he considered his next move—one he'd been planning for months.
His first peerage member.
Steam rose around him as Algernon sank into the bath, the heat working wonders on his tired muscles. His mind, however, was elsewhere—cataloging potential candidates from his meta-knowledge of this world.
Canon would begin in about six years. That meant certain key figures were out there right now, either undiscovered or in situations that could be... redirected.
Issei Hyoudou, for instance. Currently a normal middle-school student, blissfully unaware of the Sacred Gear sleeping in his soul. Algernon had actually sent one of the Branch House's low-class servants to keep tabs on him—nothing invasive, just periodic observations to ensure the boy didn't fall into the same perverted spiral that had defined him in canon.
'A wielder of the Boosted Gear with actual training and discipline could be terrifying,' Algernon mused.
The thought of claiming the Longinus for himself had crossed his mind more than once. With his knowledge of its true abilities, he could unlock its potential far faster than Issei ever had. The power multiplication alone would catapult him toward his goals at incredible speed.
But he'd dismissed the idea every time it surfaced.
"To take power I didn't earn would insult everything I'm working toward," he murmured to the empty bath. "The Conqueror System chose me to rise through my own strength, not to steal legendary artifacts meant for others."
Besides, there was something fundamentally wrong about the idea. The Boosted Gear had chosen Issei—or would choose him soon. That bond between Sacred Gear and wielder was sacrosanct, part of the natural order of this world.
Algernon would forge his own legend, without shortcuts.
Which brought him back to his actual target: Kuroka.
The Nekoshou. SS-Class criminal. who will become Ultimate-Class devil despite being perpetually on the run. Master of Senjutsu and Youjutsu who'd killed her previous master and become one of the Underworld's most wanted.
She was perfect.
Not just because of her power—though that was considerable—but because of her potential. Canon had shown what she could become: a sophisticated combatant capable of going toe-to-toe with gods and legendary beings.
Her mastery of Ki manipulation was unparalleled among younger devils. Her Youjutsu allowed control over natural forces. Her skills in poison, barriers, and spatial manipulation made her a versatile threat.
More importantly, Algernon knew her story. The true story, not the propaganda the Devil Government spread.
Kuroka hadn't killed her master out of madness or betrayal. She'd done it to protect her sister, Koneko, from the same horrific experiments the Naberius Clan had performed on her. The experiments that had awakened her Nekoshou abilities through torture and forced evolution.
She'd killed to save the only family she had left.
Then, in a cruel twist of fate, she'd had to flee before securing her sister's safety. All she'd managed was to leave behind evidence—a single paperclip containing proof of the Naberius Clan's crimes—hoping someone would find it and protect Koneko.
'And Sirzechs did,' Algernon thought. 'In canon, he discovered the truth and quietly took Koneko under Rias's wing, keeping her safe while letting the world believe Kuroka was simply a mad killer.'
But that hadn't happened yet. Which meant there was a window—brief, dangerous, but exploitable—where he could intercept Kuroka during her escape.
The timing would be critical. Too early, and she wouldn't have killed her master yet. Too late, and she'd vanish into the shadows, impossible to track even with his meta-knowledge.
He needed to be there at exactly the right moment, with exactly the right offer.
"Freedom," he said aloud, testing the word. "That's what she wants. Not just escape from her master, but genuine freedom to live without chains."
His mutated Evil Pieces would provide that. They granted enhanced abilities and allowed evolution based on ambition and conquered challenges. For someone like Kuroka, who'd achieved Ultimate-Class through sheer determination despite having everything working against her, those pieces would unlock potential she'd never dreamed possible.
Plus, his peerage wouldn't be built on the same hierarchical tyranny most devil households practiced. He'd learned that lesson from watching Rias in canon—loyalty earned through respect was far more powerful than obedience enforced through the Evil Pieces' binding.
Algernon rose from the bath, mind made up. The plan was dangerous, borderline insane, but also necessary.
'First peerage member sets the foundation,' he reminded himself. 'Quality over quantity. Someone who can grow alongside me.'
Kuroka fit that description perfectly.
Now he just needed to not get killed during recruitment.
_______________________________________________________
Morning sunlight filtered through the dining room windows as Algernon took his seat for breakfast. The servants had prepared his usual—simple but nutritious, designed to support his intensive training regimen.
As he cut into his toast, his mind was already elsewhere, finalizing the details of his plan.
According to his knowledge of canon timeline and the current date, the incident at the Naberius estate would occur within the next two weeks. Kuroka had been enduring her master's experiments for years, but her sister's involvement was the line she wouldn't allow to be crossed.
The moment she discovered Koneko was next, everything would explode.
Algernon had done his research over the past months, carefully and quietly. The Naberius Clan's estate layout, their security measures, the typical response time when something went wrong. He'd even used his connection to the main Gremory house to access some restricted information about devil clan operations, disguised as academic curiosity about noble house management.
Rias had been surprisingly helpful, probably pleased that he was taking interest in underworld politics.
'Sorry for the deception,' he thought with a twinge of guilt. 'But this is too important.'
The execution would need to be flawless. He'd position himself near the Naberius estate under the pretense of... actually, he'd need a legitimate reason to be in that area. Perhaps a trip to one of the nearby towns for specialized training equipment? The Branch House had enough autonomy that his movements wouldn't be questioned too closely.
The real challenge would be the confrontation itself. Kuroka in that moment would be volatile, dangerous, and completely unwilling to trust any devil who approached her. She'd just committed the ultimate crime in devil society—killing a High-Class noble from a pillar clan.
Every instinct would tell her to run, to disappear, to trust no one.
Somehow, Algernon needed to convince her otherwise.
"The paperclip," he murmured, setting down his fork. "That's the key."
Kuroka would leave evidence of her master's crimes hoping someone would find it. If Algernon could show he already knew the truth—that he understood why she'd killed her master—it might buy him enough credibility to actually have a conversation.
Beyond that, he'd need to offer something concrete. Protection for Koneko. Freedom from the Evil Pieces' absolute binding through his unique mutation. A chance to grow stronger without being hunted.
And most importantly, honesty. No manipulation, no lies, no hidden agendas. Just a straightforward offer from someone who understood her situation and wanted to help.
'Of course, she'll assume it's manipulation anyway,' Algernon thought wryly. 'Years of abuse tend to make people distrusting.'
He'd just have to be persuasive.
Rising from the table, breakfast finished, Algernon made his way to his quarters. He had preparations to make—emergency supplies to pack, defensive measures to prepare, contingency plans to finalize.
This wasn't some academic exercise or training session. This was real, with real stakes. If he miscalculated, he could end up dead. If he succeeded, he'd gain a peerage member whose potential was virtually limitless.
Worth the risk.
As he began organizing his preparations, Algernon allowed himself a small smile.
"Let's see if the stray cat wants a new home," he said to the empty room.
The hunt was about to begin.
He had two weeks to prepare for the most important recruitment pitch of his life.
Time to get to work.
(END OF CHAPTER)
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