DxD: Wrong Way

Exactly 5 chapters.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

The next day, Aoki arrived at the Occult Research Club out of habit. Upon entering, he noticed that the Koneo was absent, indicating that their actual training had concluded for the day. Himejima Akeno remained behind while Rias had taken the white-haired lolita to handle a commission.

"Ao-chan, did you encounter any issues with magic when you came here today?"

Aoki shook his head.

"No…"

He chuckled to himself; after all, nothing could be learned if he didn't understand it in the first place.

Himejima Akeno smiled and asked, "That's impressive! Tell me, how many spells have you learned?"

Aoki stared blankly at her before extending his right hand, forming a circle with his thumb and index finger. "Ten?"

Akeno looked surprised. "Ara ara, twenty in one night?"

Aoki covered his face and finally decided to tell the truth

.After hearing it, Himejima Akeno placed one hand on her chest and propped her chin up with the other as she pondered aloud.

"You have such a keen sense for magic; why is it so difficult for you to learn it?"

The difficulty she referred to stemmed from Aoki's magic level still being barely above passing compared to those with outstanding talents like hers.

Aoki looked innocent as he replied

"I don't know."

He genuinely didn't have an answer; he never claimed to be a magic genius

It was merely speculation on others' parts.

If he couldn't learn something, then he simply couldn't.

Himejima Akeno placed her hand on Aoki's forehead to gauge his magical energy.

"Your magic power is growing very quickly. In no time at all, I'll be able to help you extract intermediate magic."

She had never encountered such a situation before and felt somewhat confused.

"The growth of your magic power is indeed genius-level; why is mastering magic so challenging for you?"

In reality, this was because Aoki absorbed magic power differently than others.

While most needed to spend time meditating—whether sleeping or daydreaming—to naturally absorb magic from the environment, Aoki's unique ability allowed him to draw in more energy in less time.

The amount of magic he could gather in one day equated to what others would accumulate over three days—excluding those who secluded themselves for extended periods.

After contemplating this for a moment longer, Himejima Akeno decided not to dwell on it further; the world was full of wonders.

Perhaps Aoki's physique was well-suited for absorbing magical energy but not for controlling it effectively.

"Ao-chan," she said playfully, "have you considered reincarnating as a devil?"

She rolled her eyes and brought up an old topic again—seizing the opportunity while Rias was away.

If Aoki reacted negatively, she could always claim it was her own idea.

"Reincarnating as a devil would greatly enhance your control over magic since devils are naturally more adept at using it than humans."

Aoki felt intrigued but quickly thought of another question.

"Akeno-senpai, why haven't I seen Koneko use any magic?"

Himejima Akeno's gaze wandered as she responded guiltily, "Ara ara… well, not all devils excel at magic."

She wasn't lying; while reincarnation would improve physical fitness and magical control overall, personal qualifications played a significant role too.

Koneko was a prime example of someone ill-suited for using magic; although she had mastered a few spells that enhanced her physical abilities, she remained fundamentally reckless.

Aoki chose not to call out Himejima Akeno on this point; after all, she was his senior and deserved some grace.

However, he recognized that demon blood was indeed valuable—the sooner one acquired it, the better.

"Akeno-senpai," he continued thoughtfully

"Last time we discussed how lower-level demons can advance to higher levels and gain their own dependents."

He paused before asking earnestly, "Aside from becoming dependents through ranking games, are there other promotion channels available for ordinary devils?"

"Well," Himejima Akeno replied seriously, "it's much more challenging than ranking games and can even be life-threatening."

She looked directly at him as she added cautionary advice: "I advise against pursuing such thoughts."

Following the war between the three factions, the number of devils had drastically decreased—though still substantial compared to earlier times

And it was impossible for every devil to become dependent on others while advancing step by step through promotions alone.

If that were true, the power structure within the devil world wouldn't resemble what it currently did but rather consist solely of bloodlines formed by devil chess pieces.

Youth often shrugs off good advice as bitter medicine or words that offend ears—but Aoki resolved to heed Himejima Akeno's counsel and abandon any unrealistic ambitions.

"Senior," he said with newfound determination after pondering family matters over recent days

Rias had given him so much already; he wasn't heartless enough not to repay her kindness

"Does a king hold strong binding ties over their family?"

Himejima Akeno stood up straighter now than ever before—a serious expression crossing her features.

"What do you mean by that?"

"It doesn't mean anything specific; I just want an honest answer."

Meeting Himejima Akeno's cold gaze head-on made him equally serious in return.

She frowned slightly; based on his previous question—it seemed clear that he understood what Rias had mentioned last time they spoke about family dynamics.

Aoki's heart truly held great ambition—one might even say he harbored lofty aspirations! After silently observing him for some moments longer

She sighed quietly before speaking again:

"Now that I've said this—I hope you won't disappoint me moving forward."

Leaning closer into Aoki's ear so only they could hear each other.

Himejima Akeno carefully explained how relationships between family members and their king functioned within their society:

While demon chess pieces lacked obligatory functions—they inherently fostered mutual affection among family members towards their king under normal circumstances

Family members typically wouldn't refuse requests made by their king either!

This dynamic also explained why many family members ended up marrying their kings!

If conflicts arose between family members and their king

The only punishment available would involve barring them from participating in ranking games

Which effectively cut off any path toward further promotions!

Sometimes when dependents exhibited exceptional qualifications coupled with rapid strength growth due largely thanks increased numbers among demon chess pieces

They might develop different thoughts altogether! Some family members even resorted to killing their own kings!

Such dependents would then find themselves hunted down by forces within demon society

With death sentences awaiting capture without second chances offered whatsoever!

If there existed limits imposed upon them

This represented perhaps greatest restriction following transformation into dependents: unwavering loyalty towards one's king must remain paramount at all times!

Of course... all these rules stemmed from regulations enforced by demonic society, not side effects resulting from possessing chess pieces themselves! Without such regulations in place

It'd become increasingly perilous accepting new dependents into families!

Aoki didn't doubt Himejima Akeno's words' authenticity; everything she shared aligned perfectly with vague memories lingering within him!

Especially regarding tales surrounding kings being killed

Hee recalled what Koneko had been reluctant share previously…

The sister of white-haired loli—the cat demon Kuroka—had once become dependent herself after slaying her master before fleeing thereafter!

This incident led many demons harboring prejudices against Tacheng cats believing they too might betray future masters someday!

Initially intending execution against Kuroka directly

Rias ultimately intervened instead accepting her into family fold instead…

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