Highschool DxD : The Time Devil

Chapter 3: The Young Prodigy

Five years had passed since Maximus Agares was born into the noble house of Agares, and in that time, his extraordinary talent had only grown. As he stood in the courtyard of his family's grand estate, the lush greenery around him swayed gently in the breeze, a subtle reflection of his presence. The sky above was a clear blue, and the sun cast a warm glow over everything, but Maximus's thoughts were elsewhere.

He was five now, a child in body but an old soul within. His memories of his past life as Dr. Ethan Mark still lingered, influencing his thoughts and decisions. Even though he was a child by the standards of this world, he had the intellect and experiences of a man who had once dedicated his life to understanding the mysteries of time. His abilities had progressed significantly since his birth, and he was now able to control his space-time manipulation with a finesse that defied his age.

Maximus raised his hand, focusing intently on the air before him. Slowly, the space in front of him began to distort, bending light and warping the environment. A small, controlled rift in space-time opened, no larger than a marble, swirling with energy. With a mere thought, he closed the rift, letting the fabric of reality return to its natural state. It was an ability that would have taken other devils a lifetime to master, but for Maximus, it had become almost second nature.

His control had come a long way. The accidental distortions that once plagued him, causing objects to shift or disappear unpredictably, were now a thing of the past. However, those early years had not been easy. As a toddler, his emotions often influenced his power, leading to minor anomalies around the estate. His parents, Augustus and Maria, had been both proud and concerned, watching as their son's raw power shaped the world around him.

Despite the challenges, Maximus had embraced his abilities. He had been given a second chance at life, and he was determined to make the most of it. But now, at five years old, the time had come for him to begin formal training. His father, Augustus Agares, had decided that his son was ready to start learning the arts of combat, strategy, and leadership that every noble devil must master.

As Maximus walked back toward the manor, he couldn't help but reflect on his family. His parents had been supportive of his growth, providing him with everything he needed to nurture his extraordinary talents. They had high expectations, of course, but Maximus didn't mind. In fact, he welcomed it. In his previous life, he had been driven by the desire to achieve the impossible, and in this new life, that drive remained. He knew he was destined for great things, and he would not shy away from the challenges that lay ahead.

Inside the grand manor, his mother, Maria, was waiting for him in the parlor. She was a woman of grace and poise, with long silver hair and eyes that matched the deep blue of the Agares family crest. She smiled warmly as Maximus entered the room, motioning for him to join her.

"Maximus, my dear," she began, her voice gentle but with an underlying firmness, "Your father and I have been discussing your future. We believe it is time for you to begin your formal training. You've already shown remarkable control over your abilities, and it's important that you start honing your skills in other areas as well."

Maximus nodded, fully understanding the importance of what she was saying. He had anticipated this moment, and he was ready to embrace the next phase of his development. But before Maria could continue, a servant entered the room, bowing respectfully before delivering a message.

"Master Maximus, Lady Maria," the servant said, "Lord Augustus requests your presence in the study. He wishes to discuss an important matter with both of you."

Maximus exchanged a glance with his mother, who simply nodded. Together, they made their way to Augustus's study, where they found him seated behind a large oak desk, a serious expression on his face.

"Maximus, Maria," Augustus greeted them, gesturing for them to sit. "There is something we need to discuss. It concerns your future, Maximus."

Maximus listened intently as his father explained the situation. Apparently, discussions had been taking place among the noble houses, and it had been decided that Maximus was to be engaged to the heir of the Gremory family—Rias Gremory.

The news wasn't entirely unexpected. Maximus had been aware of the political nature of devil society, and he knew that marriages among the noble houses were often arranged to strengthen alliances and secure power. Still, hearing that he was to be engaged to Rias Gremory, a key character from the Highschool DxD world, brought a mix of emotions.

He remembered Rias from his past life—specifically, he remembered her beauty. As an anime character, she had been popular for her striking appearance, with her long crimson hair and captivating blue-green eyes. But Maximus also remembered her personality—strong-willed, kind-hearted, but also somewhat naive and idealistic. He had admired her beauty, sure, but he hadn't been particularly drawn to her character. She was the main female lead, yes, but this was reality now, not some anime show.

Maximus couldn't help but wonder how things would play out between them. This wasn't just a story anymore—this was his life, and Rias was going to be a part of it. He didn't mind the engagement. After all, he had dealt with political maneuvers and societal expectations in his past life, and he knew how to navigate them. But he couldn't help but feel a bit of apprehension about how his relationship with Rias would develop. Would she be the same person he remembered from the anime? Or would she be someone entirely different in this reality?

"Maximus," Augustus said, pulling him out of his thoughts, "You'll be visiting the Gremory estate soon to formally meet Rias. It's important that you make a good impression. This engagement is significant for our family, and I expect you to conduct yourself with the utmost respect and dignity."

"I understand, Father," Maximus replied, his voice steady. "I'll do what's expected of me."

As the discussion came to a close, Maximus felt a sense of resolve. This was the path laid out before him, and he would walk it with his head held high. His future was already entwined with the politics and expectations of devil society, but that didn't bother him. He had been given another chance at life, and he would make sure that, this time, he achieved everything he had ever dreamed of.

Later that evening, as he prepared for bed, Maximus stared out the window of his room, looking at the stars that dotted the night sky. His thoughts wandered to the future—his training, his engagement to Rias, and the path he would carve out for himself in this world.

"It's ironic," he whispered into the stillness of the night. "In my past life, I yearned for control over time, and now that I have it, this world presents challenges far beyond anything I could have imagined. But I'm not one to retreat. I'll harness my powers, and carve a legacy that will be remembered as Maximus Agares—a life that transcends history itself."

With that final thought, he lay down, closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep, ready to face whatever the next day would bring.