Gasper held his milkshake glass with both hands.
"The Evil Piece… can be used to bring someone back from the dead. But… it's not just simple resurrection. They're changed — turned into devils… reincarnated ones."
Rian's eyes narrowed slightly. "Reincarnated, huh?"
"Yeah. Once someone is revived through an Evil Piece, their body and very existence are altered.
"They're no longer human, angel, or whatever race they used to be. They become a devil — in the most literal sense."
Gasper paused for a moment before adding in a quieter voice, "Like me. I… used to be a human-vampire hybrid.
"But after Rias-sama used an Evil Piece on me… I became a devil, even though I'm still me. Just… with new limits and advantages."
Rian fell silent for a while, processing the explanation. His fingers tapped the table lightly as his eyes drifted blankly toward the ceiling of the karaoke room.
"So… it's basically a 'recruitment with consequences' system, huh?" he murmured softly.
"Ah…" Rian thought to himself, nodding slowly. "So that's how it is… The concept of demonic power in this world, huh? Pretty unique — turning other beings into devils using special chess pieces..."
He then turned his gaze back to Gasper, a relaxed smile on his face. "Alright, thanks for the explanation, Gasper-kun."
"You're welcome, senpai," Gasper replied with a small smile. He took a few more sips of his milkshake, gradually starting to feel more at ease.
"Oh, right, Rian-senpai…" he said, glancing sideways. "Besides reincarnation, each Evil Piece also has its own unique effect, depending on the type."
Rian nodded casually. "Go on, I'm listening."
Gasper raised his fingers one by one, explaining in a slightly nervous but knowledgeable tone.
"First, the Queen."
"It's the strongest piece of all. The Queen combines the abilities of the other pieces — Knight, Rook, and Bishop. So if someone's reincarnated as a Queen, they gain an all-around power boost… but there can only be one Queen in each set."
Rian narrowed his eyes slightly. "A single trump card, huh…"
"Second, Rook."
"Rooks enhance physical strength and endurance. They have incredible destructive power and defense. Usually, Rooks are chosen for those who excel in brute strength."
"Third, Knight," Gasper continued.
"Knights boost a person's speed and agility — as well as reflexes. But they usually don't have the durability of a Rook or the magical power of a Bishop."
"So basically, the fast but fragile type — a glass cannon," Rian commented quickly.
"Fourth, Bishop."
Gasper placed a hand over his chest. "Like I said earlier, Bishops enhance magic ability and energy capacity. But physically, we're the weakest. So we're better suited for long-range magic or support roles."
"And that explains why you nearly panicked when Ophis-chan stared at you earlier," Rian said with an amused grin.
Gasper nodded quietly, embarrassed.
"Lastly, the Pawn."
"Pawns are the weakest at first... but they have a special ability: Promotion. When a Pawn enters the enemy's territory, they can 'rank up' into a Knight, Rook, Bishop, or even Queen — depending on strategy and circumstances."
Rian let out a short whistle. "So the Pawn's just an ordinary piece… but it can become a king."
"Y-yeah, that's right…" Gasper gave a small smile. "And… Pawns are usually used in larger numbers. There are eight Pawn Pieces in one set."
Rian nodded a few times, then leaned back in his seat with a light sigh. "This system really is just like chess… but far more alive."
Ophis turned her head slightly and added in her usual calm tone, "But still… they're all devils."
Gasper bit his lip for a moment, but Rian turned to him with a reassuring smile.
"Sometimes… devils can be more human than humans themselves, Ophis-chan. Especially when one of them sings in a karaoke room like Gasper just did."
"S-Senpai!" Gasper's face instantly turned bright red.
"Don't deny it," Rian teased with a mischievous grin. "i already told you before, right? With a face like yours, blushing only makes normal guys even more confused."
"I-I didn't mean to confuse anyone…!" Gasper stammered, his voice trembling. "I didn't ask to be born like this, Rian-senpai! I just… like cute things, okay?"
Rian burst out laughing—light and mischievous, clearly just teasing Gasper, much like he planned to do to Koneko later if given the chance.
A few minutes passed as Rian, Ophis, and Gasper sat together, enjoying the sweets laid out on the table. Then, a familiar chime sounded from inside the pocket of Rian's white shirt beneath his blazer.
With a relaxed motion, Rian pulled out a small blue cube, which instantly projected a bright blue holographic screen into the air.
Ophis remained silent, her blank gaze showing no hint of interest. Gasper, on the other hand, looked at the device in awe—clearly, he had never seen technology like this before.
Rian didn't bother explaining. His attention was entirely focused on the message displayed on the hologram.
It was from Rias. Short, direct, but carrying a serious tone: Issei was attacked by a Fallen Angel. Return immediately with Gasper. We're striking back.
The moment he finished reading, Rian's mind started working rapidly, piecing together the clues he'd previously ignored.
In Kuoh Town, Rian had sensed all sorts of energies—Rias's demonic aura, Gasper's vampiric presence, and one more… a foreign energy emanating from the direction of an abandoned church. An energy that clearly didn't belong to any human.
"So that's the so-called Fallen Angel, huh…" he muttered inwardly, his brow slightly furrowing. "If I'm not mistaken, Akeno-chan also possesses a similar energy…"
'Forget that for now,' Rian thought quietly. 'I can't let them kill the Fallen Angel I'm after.'
Beside him, Gasper had also read the message, his expression tightening in shock.
"Issei-senpai… was attacked by a Fallen Angel?" he asked in a low, tense voice.
"Gasper, we're heading back. Now," Rian said without hesitation, his tone calm yet firm. "Rias-chan asked us to return immediately."
"Understood," Gasper replied with a nod.
Then, Rian turned to his right, where Ophis still sat quietly, unbothered as ever.
"Sorry, Ophis-chan," he said, his voice soft but resolute. "I can't stay and play any longer today. There's an urgent matter I need to deal with."
Ophis didn't answer right away. She simply stared straight at Rian, her expression unreadable. Her dark eyes remained calm and emotionless, yet within that silence there was something—perhaps a trace of curiosity… or quiet concern.
Slowly, Ophis lowered her gaze, picking up the last piece of donut from her plate and eating it unhurriedly.
"…I'll wait," she finally said, her voice flat as ever.
Rian raised an eyebrow. "Still not satisfied, huh?" he muttered with a faint smirk. "Well… can't blame you. The charm of a handsome man like me is pretty addictive."
He then turned to Gasper. "Gasper-kun, hold on. We're teleporting."
"Right," Gasper replied quickly—and without thinking, threw his arms around Rian tightly.
Rian's expression went blank. "If it were a real girl, I wouldn't mind. But you're an otoko no ko, Gasper-kun."
"E-Eh!?" Gasper froze in panic.
"Just hold onto the edge of my blazer," Rian said flatly.
Gasper hurriedly pinched the corner of Rian's blazer, his face burning red with embarrassment.
Rian then pressed his palms together slowly.
In the next instant, the space around them trembled softly—like the air itself was being folded by invisible hands.
And then, in a flash, the two vanished—carried away by Rian's spatial compression teleportation, leaving reality to mend itself back together like a neatly folded sheet of paper.
***
After sending Gasper back to the Occult Research Club building, Rian made his way toward the Fallen Angels' location—a secluded area hidden among thick trees and the shadows of the night.
Now, he stood silently.
His Six Eyes were fully open, reflecting a cold, sharp blue glow.
His black trench coat fluttered lightly in the night breeze, concealing the Kuoh Academy uniform he wore underneath.
Before him hovered three figures, each with a pair of black wings spread wide across their backs.
In their hands gleamed spears of light—radiating clear, murderous intent.
The smallest among them had blonde twin tails, her bright blue eyes reflecting the chill of the moonlight, her outfit a dark gothic lolita dress that matched the night itself.
At the center stood Kalawarner, a woman with long, wavy blue hair—part of her bangs falling over one eye.
A tight, maroon trench coat hugged her figure, accentuating her sharp yet elegant curves.
On the left was Dohnaseek, the only man among them.
His grayish hair was hidden beneath a rounded hat, and his brown eyes were flat, devoid of emotion. His sturdy frame was clad in a dark-blue formal suit, giving him a composed but imposing presence.