The underground training grounds beneath Kuoh Academy stretched vast and imposing, a stone-carved arena reinforced with barriers to absorb stray energy.
The air carried the faint scent of earth and magic, a lingering reminder of countless battles fought here.
At the center of the stadium, Noel struggled against Tsubasa in hand-to-hand combat.
Her brute-force style clashed against his efficiency, but her sheer speed and power kept him on the defensive.
A shoulder check sent him stumbling.
He barely had time to recover before she pressed forward—rapid strikes barraged him, each one forcing him further back.
A feint.
A sudden shift.
Before he could react, the ground vanished beneath him.
He hit the stone floor hard.
"Match over!" Momo called.
Tsubasa stepped back, smirking. "Not bad, but you hesitate too much."
Noel exhaled, staring up at the underground ceiling.
His breathing was steady, but his mind replayed the exchange.
Momo clapped her hands together.
"Alright, good match, you two. Sona-kaichou will be pleased with your progress. Especially you, Noel—you've improved massively over the past two months."
Despite the praise, a lingering thought gnawed at him.
He was getting stronger, but it still wasn't enough.
His control over demonic energy was nearing High-Class Devil level under Sona's training, yet his death energy remained stagnant—a concern that had been troubling him for a while.
As they exited the training grounds, Noel rolled his shoulders, easing the stiffness in his muscles.
Tsubasa seemed satisfied with their match, while Momo hummed in thought, likely analyzing their performance.
Before they could reach the dorms, a familiar group approached from the opposite direction—Rias Gremory's peerage.
Rias led the way, her striking crimson hair catching the dim light of the underground corridors.
Beside her, Akeno walked with a serene smile, exuding effortless grace.
Kiba followed, his usual composed demeanor intact, while Koneko trailed slightly behind, her expression unreadable.
Momo, ever curious, was the first to speak. "Oh? Are you guys here to train too?"
Rias nodded, offering a friendly smile. "Yes, we figured it was a good time to get some practice in."
Tsubasa crossed her arms, looking intrigued. "Training, huh?"
She exchanged glances with Momo before turning back toward the underground facility.
Momo grinned. "Why don't we stay and watch?"
Without waiting for Noel's input, the two headed back toward the training grounds.
Noel sighed, shaking his head slightly before following them.
——————✗—————
Noel settled into a spot beside Koneko as the battle unfolded before them.
The underground arena crackled with power.
Kiba moved like a phantom, his sword carving silver arcs through the air as he danced between Akeno's attacks.
Every step was calculated, his technique refined through countless battles.
But against Akeno, it felt like he was struggling against a storm itself.
Lightning rained down from above, the air tingling with electricity as Akeno stood, untouchable, her serene smile never faltering.
She wasn't just attacking—she was toying with him, drawing out the fight with an almost playful cruelty.
Momo and Tsubasa watched in silence, their gazes sharp, analyzing every movement.
Noel, however, wasn't just watching—he was comparing.
He already knew Kiba was strong, one of the fastest in their peerage
And Akeno?
Her magic prowess was monstrous, easily the second strongest under Rias.
Even holding back, she was overwhelming.
The reality of the power gap was undeniable.
Noel heard the quiet words beside him.
"…I'm the weakest."
It wasn't a complaint.
Just a fact—one that weighed on her more than she let on.
Leaning back slightly, Noel let his elbow rest on his knee, his hand supporting his head as he watched the battle unfold.
Koneko's fists were clenched tightly against her lap, her golden eyes locked onto the fight with a look that was both distant and frustrated.
He could guess what was going through her mind.
Kiba, Akeno, even Rias—they all had power that felt unreachable.
But for Koneko, it wasn't just about lacking strength.
It was about fearing what she already had.
Noel didn't say anything.
He had a feeling she wasn't looking for an answer.
——————✗—————
The fluorescent lights of the 24-hour convenience store flickered slightly, casting a pale glow onto the empty street.
The air was thick with the scent of asphalt and the faint remnants of rain.
Noel shoved his hands into his hoodie pockets as he pushed open the glass door, the chime above ringing hollow in the silence of the night.
The store was nearly empty—just the cashier, scrolling through his phone, and a lone customer browsing the instant noodles.
Noel barely paid attention as he made his way to the freezers, the cool air brushing against his skin as he slid open the door and grabbed a pint of vanilla.
Then he heard it.
A voice.
Familiar.
His grip on the ice cream tightened as he turned his head toward the checkout counter.
And there—under the artificial glow—stood someone who shouldn't be here.
Someone who was supposed to be dead.
His breath caught.
No.
It couldn't be.
The figure turned slightly, reaching for their wallet.
And then, as if sensing his gaze, they looked up.
From the past.
From a life he had left behind.
And they were staring right back at him.