The atmosphere was silent for a moment, and then Rias slowly asked, "Could the leak have come from within your Student Council?"
Sona Shitori shook her head, asserting confidently, "Impossible."
"Why impossible? There are many people in the Student Council, and they aren't all your Pawns."
"Because, apart from Tsubaki and me, the other members were completely unaware of this matter."
Tsubaki Shinra had only told Sona Shitori about Caleb's extremely high magical aptitude. To prevent Caleb from accidentally letting slip the secret in a moment of excitement, Tsubaki hadn't even told him directly.
Sona Shitori had planned to observe him herself today. If the situation was true, even if she didn't immediately reincarnate him as a Pawn, she would still have Caleb join the Student Council.
Unexpectedly, overnight, news about Caleb's extremely high aptitude, his alleged entanglement with Tsubaki Shinra, and his rampant promiscuity with other girls had spread throughout the entire campus.
The rumors described a sordid group party with Caleb, with the Student Council Vice President lying beneath him, his left hand cupping Toko Sakuramochi's face for a kiss, his right hand squeezing Yukina Sasaki's large breasts, Reina Hamasaki performing a "Golden Dragon" on him, Yuki Shinomura pushing him from behind, and Ruri Kurumizaka responsible for pouring drinks and post-coital cleanup...
The stories were so vivid, as if witnessed firsthand, that even Tsubaki Shinra almost believed them.
The first piece of news (high aptitude) was only understandable to students in the Underworld Academy. The reason Caleb was being stared at with such strange looks this morning was the second set of rumors (promiscuity).
He had been playing quite wildly with Reina and the other three, and there were several times they had been seen in the girls' locker room. This kind of rumor, which was seven parts false and three parts true, was incredibly difficult to clarify. Even if they used the power of the Student Council, everyone would just nod understandingly in public and spread even more outrageous stories in private. They cared more about the explicit details of Caleb's battles with the girls than the actual truth.
Rias asked, "Is it possible that your conversation was overheard?"
Caleb: "Um..."
Sona Shitori: "Tsubaki had erected a barrier."
"And another strange thing is, why did the rumor specifically focus on Uesugi's sexual promiscuity with girls?"
Caleb: "Uh... I..."
Rias: "You mean, the person spreading the message wasn't trying to leak Uesugi's potential?"
Caleb: ヽ(ー_ー)ノ
Request to join the conversation…
Request failed.
They were discussing matters entirely related to him, yet he was completely ignored... Caleb looked up at the ceiling. Fine, your chests are bigger, so you win.
Rias and Sona's fragmented discussion only made Caleb more curious. Since he couldn't join their conversation, he considered trying to get some information from the others.
Compared to the slightly tense atmosphere between Rias and Sona, Akeno Himejima and Tsubaki Shinra, both Queens, were getting along splendidly. They were both outcasts from major Exorcist families, both reincarnated as Devils, and both held the Queen position, making them very close friends.
Since Tsubaki Shinra had promised Caleb earlier, and seeing that Rias and Sona wouldn't reach a conclusion anytime soon, she proactively explained the situation. Simply put, someone had spread half-true, half-false rumors that had attracted a lot of attention to Caleb. Sona Shitori originally wanted to recruit Caleb secretly, but Rias, having heard the news, wanted to compete for him. Of course, Rias also wished that Caleb hadn't attracted so much attention.
Sona Shitori needed powerful subordinates to fulfill her dream, and Rias desperately needed to increase her strength to deal with impending trouble. Neither side wanted to give up a Pawn with such immense potential.
After getting a general understanding of the situation, Caleb was about to feign ignorance and ask about the concept of Pawns and the like. However, before he could ask, Rias and Sona finally reached a temporary consensus.
"Uesugi-kun, this booklet contains some benefits and rules of the Underworld Academy."
Sona Shitori pulled out a palm-sized booklet from her pocket. "Regardless of who intentionally spread the news, you are now a member of the Underworld Academy. Just be sure not to violate the rules inside."
Caleb reached out and took it. It had a thin, red cover and wasn't very long. The content mainly revolved around rules like avoiding the disclosure of the Underworld Academy's existence and refraining from using supernatural powers for malice. Caleb didn't bother checking the benefits section carefully. Compared to the gains from his Dual Cultivation ability, he genuinely looked down on the resources offered to new students.
After Caleb quickly skimmed the contents of the booklet, Sona Shitori asked, "How much do you know about the supernatural world?"
"A tiny bit."
Caleb brought his index finger and thumb close together, making the "fingertip universe" gesture.
Sona Shitori frowned. "For example?"
"Reina and the others told me..."
Caleb thought for a moment and shared a few things that were practically common knowledge in the supernatural world.
"That's enough information for a new student. More information will naturally become available as your strength increases."
Rias slowly tapped her cheek with a long finger. "However, as a subordinate, you should at least know about your King's circumstances."
Caleb desperately wanted to say he knew more than anyone else, but he managed to restrain himself. He stood obediently, waiting for Rias to enlighten him, looking like a pitiful little boy craving a big sister's affection.
This expression instantly melted Rias's heart, and she almost couldn't stop herself from giving Caleb a "face-wash" with her ample chest. However, someone was faster than her.
Feeling the soft tenderness against his cheek and inhaling the faint, sweet fragrance, Caleb took a deep breath.
"Akeno-senpai... p-please let go."
Despite telling her to let go, Caleb's face was vigorously nuzzling the full, firm bosom.
Akeno Himejima's pretty face flushed. He really is a little pervert, she thought, surprised that she'd been fooled by his pure-looking demeanor. Not just Akeno Himejima and Rias, but Sona Shitori and Tsubaki Shinra were also momentarily disarmed by Caleb's display of innocence.
Akeno Himejima, however, was the quickest to act. Caleb's fragile, easily-bullied appearance was exactly what appealed to Akeno Himejima's dark, Sadistic side. Even after realizing the trick, she couldn't bring herself to let go of Caleb.
A little pervert is fine. It's not like I don't fall for this kind of thing.
Since Akeno Himejima wouldn't let go, Caleb was happy to continue enjoying the embrace. He burrowed a little deeper, finding a more comfortable position, and began listening to Rias's introduction to the supernatural world.
"The place we are in is the Human World. Besides this, there are the Underworld and Heaven... Devils, Angels, Humans, and Dragons are the strongest races... but even within each race, they are not unified..."
Lying in Akeno Himejima's embrace, Caleb was bored listening to Rias's overview of the world's major powers. He already knew these things, and the level was too high to have any connection to him. He just needed to listen, not take it seriously.
Rias talked until her throat was dry. She looked over and saw Caleb completely absorbed in the big, white assets. She glared at Akeno Himejima, saying with displeasure, "Uesugi, listen carefully now, and stop reaching your hand into Akeno's clothes."
"Ara ara~"
Akeno Himejima smiled slyly, catching Caleb's restless hand. "Be a good boy and listen. Big Sister will give you a reward later."