The city of Kuoh had a certain melancholic charm when it rained. The streets, usually quiet, were covered with a translucent layer of water, reflecting the lit streetlights and shop windows as if the city were trapped between two worlds, the real and the mirrored. For those who knew the true nature of the city, this metaphor was less poetic and more literal.
It was late afternoon on a Tuesday, and the rain fell with that lazy insistence that made people sigh before opening their umbrellas. Or run. Or, in Kazuya's case, simply accept the water dripping through his hair as a personal ambiance effect.
The convenience store, a FamilyMart near the intersection of the main avenue and the residential street that led to the school, was almost empty. The automatic door opened with a metallic *ding*, and the smell of freshly baked bread, cheap disinfectant, and stale fried food enveloped the place like an old friend who didn't know when to leave.
Kazuya entered with his hands in his coat pockets. He wore a light navy-blue jacket, a simple gray t-shirt underneath, dark jeans, and sneakers that had seen drier days. His white hair dripped slowly, forming small puddles near the entrance mat.
He didn't seem to be in a hurry.
He headed to the umbrella section, grabbing a transparent model out of habit. It wasn't the most practical, but it offered good peripheral vision, and he liked seeing the world blurred by the raindrops. There was something contemplative about it.
"Welcome…" said the cashier, a high school boy with dark circles worthy of a *seinen* drama protagonist. He gave Kazuya a quick glance and hesitated for half a second. Everyone hesitated when they saw Kazuya for the first time. It was like looking at someone who clearly didn't belong to an ordinary Tuesday afternoon. Like spotting the protagonist of *Jujutsu Kaisen* in a slice-of-life café.
Kazuya gave a slight nod and moved to the snack aisle. He picked up a pack of dehydrated *karaage*, the kind you knew you should avoid but still hit the spot on cold, damp days like this.
At the checkout, he said nothing. He simply placed the items on the counter, reached into his pocket, and handed over a few coins with almost mathematical precision.
"Want the receipt?" the cashier asked in a polite but resigned tone.
"No…" The response came calmly, accompanied by a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes but still seemed genuine.
The cashier just nodded and tossed the receipt in the trash.
Kazuya left the store with the umbrella open and the snack pack already opened, balancing it with the ease of someone used to eating while walking in the rain.
The sky over Kuoh was gray, and the wind carried a cold breeze.
Three days had passed since he had ripped the [Boosted Gear] from Hyoudou Issei. Since then, his life had returned to normal, with nothing particularly interesting happening, aside from a few small details: first, Issei had joined the Occult Research Club just yesterday; second, Rias was still insisting he visit the club, her invitations growing more "persistent." He doubted he could keep refusing, though that was no longer a concern.
He had decided to drop out of school.
He hadn't done so earlier because he was the target of that redhead who, through his recent investigations, he was certain was Rias's brother, who had planned to bring him here to become her servant. But now, he no longer cared about that. He had some plans formulated in his mind regarding this. Using his Astronomy Magecraft the previous night, he had managed to read a bit of his potential future, which was very useful for this. All he needed to execute the method was to use the aligned stars.
Thanks to that, he knew that upon leaving school, the demons would come after him until the weekend. And since he would refuse Rias's insistence in a "brutal" way, her brother would get involved, and things would get complicated. But he was prepared for it and wasn't afraid of what was coming. In fact, he was eager to channel an "Aizen or Madara aura" to send a warning to supernatural beings that humans were off-limits for their perverse purposes. That was the help he would offer people.
Aside from his normal life, he continued training and successfully achieved a [Balance Breaker] for his own [Longinus], which, as he had noted, was indeed a subspecies due to its different abilities from the original. The reason he reached it so quickly was due to Scáthach's rigorous training, which didn't hold back when it came to practice.
He also had to live up to his pretty face, so he tried replicating Satoru Gojo's abilities through Magecraft, which, to be honest, wasn't that difficult compared to some spells that he would never have mastered without his [Magecraft: Ex] skill. It was almost too simple for a genius like him.
But before creating such personal Magecraft, he decided to follow the *Jujutsu Kaisen* theme and altered the use of incantations, often necessary to activate spells, with "mudras"—hand signs with specific meanings to trigger specific spells. Sometimes, this was far more efficient than using [High-Speed Divine Words], which he could use thanks to inheriting Medea's knowledge through his skill, along with other methods that made incantations nearly instantaneous.
The incantations were known as [Aria], a necessary activity to activate Magecraft. They played the crucial role of self-hypnosis, putting the mage's mind in a state where they could effectively control their Magic Circuits and channel their magical energy into spells. His "mudras" served the same purpose.
Mudras originate from Sanskrit and mean conductive seal, attitude, or key. Each mudra establishes a subtle connection with specific effects on the body, mind, and energy field, redirecting prana for various effects, serving as the best substitute for verbal incantations.
Following the name of the "Honored One's" ability, he called his Magecraft [Limitless] as well. This Magecraft brought the concept of "infinity" into reality, allowing the user to manipulate and distort space at will. He created all four forms of its use: first, [Mugen], essentially the power to stop, based on the mystery of the fable of Achilles and the Tortoise, a theory explaining the movement of two objects. Achilles can never catch the tortoise because when he reaches the point where the tortoise started, it has already moved to another point; when he reaches that second point, it has moved again, and so on, infinitely.
He turned the mystery of this fable into reality.
When something tries to hit him, the person or object in question encounters the infinity between them and him, created by the convergence of this fable. This happens because the spell takes the finite space between the two objects and divides it infinitely; anything approaching the infinity slows down and never reaches the user, much like the innate technique of the Gojo Clan in *Jujutsu Kaisen*.
There were also [Blue] and [Red], which were attraction and repulsion, and [Purple Void], which erased someone from reality, though he didn't control it very well yet.
Additionally, he tried replicating [Reverse Cursed Technique] and succeeded through enhanced Magecraft healing spells powered by infinite magical energy and practice—nothing as complex as in the original manga.
When he successfully replicated these abilities through Magecraft, a sea of possibilities opened in his mind.
Since he had replicated Gojo's abilities, why not Sukuna's?
Well, it was a bit more complicated, but with some practice, he managed to replicate the [Shrine], the slashes, and the flame manipulation ability as well. He just couldn't create two extra arms, another mouth on his stomach, or the [Domain Expansion], but otherwise, he became a copy of the [King of Curses].
But if he were to rank his greatest achievement, it was related to the Sacred Gear he stole from the former pervert. He could have absorbed the [Boosted Gear] for himself and gained another [Longinus], but since he wasn't interested, his studies focused on a way to absorb all of Ddraig's powers. After many attempts and failures, using his [Alchemy] knowledge, he succeeded in creating an "extraction ritual" similar to what Medea did in one of the routes, turning Shirou into minced meat and taking his Reality Marble.
He acquired all the abilities this way.
The main one was [Boost], which doubled his power until it reached its own limit infinitely. There was also [Transfer], which transferred greater power to other people or objects, [Explosion], which released energy in a kind of [Mana Burst] that he modified, [Penetration], which allowed his attacks to hit even through powerful defensive barriers, and finally, the [Blazing Inferno Flames], flames that could incinerate anything, burning even the soul until nothing remained. Once ignited, they never went out. Even gods would be reduced to ashes in these flames.
He also created the [Scale Mail], the normal armor from the anime, with all its visible powers, just so everyone would think he was the Red Dragon Emperor of Domination, who held political power, as shown multiple times.
Oh, yes, Ddraig ceased to exist. Kazuya killed him.
Kazuya chewed a piece of spiced chicken, savoring the strong, salty taste, and let a stray thought escape.
"Since I only went to tell the principal I was dropping out today and handled everything, tomorrow Sona will probably want to visit me to 'insist' I continue my studies. She's a pain in the ass about that…"
The rain answered with a distant thunderclap.
He kept walking.
A different breeze passed by him, and then she appeared, as if she had always been by his side.
Skadi.
Her spiritual form dissolved in a faint shimmer of air before materializing beside him, wrapped in a dark, heavy fabric dress with blue and silver details reminiscent of ice patterns. The ornate tiara on her head glowed faintly, as if reflecting an invisible aurora borealis.
Without a word, she glided to Kazuya's side and grabbed his arm naturally.
"Not that I'm complaining, but do you really need to get under an umbrella?" he muttered, raising an eyebrow with a half-smile.
The truth was, there wasn't a single drop of water on her. No trace of dampness. Not a single hair out of place. The raindrops didn't even dare touch her, freezing before they got close and falling at her feet like tiny shards of melted glass. The ground around where she had stepped before joining him under the umbrella was already whitening, as if the concrete were trying to remember what frost was.
Skadi glanced at him with her usual calm, indifferent expression.
"Husband, just because I don't need to doesn't mean I don't want to…" she said finally, in a tone colder by nature than by emotion. "I have few opportunities to spend time with you…"
The Formidable Queen. The Goddess of Ice and Snow. Almost everyone who knew her saw her this way. The only one who saw her as she truly was was Kazuya, and that was when he first met her. His first words to her were still memorable: *That seems lonely. Don't you feel alone?* He was the only one who knew that while she ruled the Lostbelt, she felt sadness in her heart as "someone left behind," but hid it, and he had realized that with just one look.
Before everything, she was a goddess beloved by other gods and remained a suitor, but after the gods perished at the climax of Ragnarök, she became "the last Scandinavian Goddess of the Lostbelt." Kazuya called her strong and pure but also an exceptionally warm person. The more he got to know her, the more he saw her as a girl rather than a queen, even though she held the title of "Mother of Scandinavia." Absurd, right? But that was him, and because he saw her for who she truly was beneath it all, she fell in love with him.
The best moments of her life were by his side, when she had the chance to be alone, embracing him or holding his arm like this. And though she was a cold goddess, she still missed it…
Kazuya just smiled calmly at her words.
"Sorry about that…"
Skadi shook her head and said, "I'll only forgive you if you buy me a vanilla ice cream…"
"Alright, I'll buy it…" Kazuya said, rolling his eyes. Who eats ice cream in this rain and cold? But he had to pamper his goddess…
He sighed, the sound escaping softly amid the patter of raindrops on the taut umbrella fabric.
"You know that's totally contradictory, right?" he remarked. "A goddess of ice wanting ice cream on a freezing day like this."
Skadi didn't answer immediately. She just tightened her grip on his arm slightly.
"Contradictions are part of the human condition…" she said finally, in a neutral tone but with a faint hidden spark in her voice. "And… you're the one who taught me that."
Kazuya glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, and a small smile formed on his lips.
"I teach you so much, huh?" he replied, teasingly. "Soon I'll have to start charging for lessons."
Skadi raised her chin slightly, in a regal gesture he knew too well to be intimidated by.
"Go ahead and charge," she said. "But the payment will be time with me. An invaluable price, I suppose."
"Arrogant."
"Honest."
They walked in silence for a few seconds.
Skadi looked up at the cloudy sky.
"I still remember," she said softly. "The first time I tried ice cream by your side in Chaldea after I was summoned. That moment… stayed with me. More than any victory I've ever had."
Kazuya looked away, pretending to be distracted by a random shop window. But she knew he had heard her.
"Yeah…" he murmured. "You looked so surprised. A goddess, frozen by a tub of vanilla."
"Because it was simple," Skadi said, turning her eyes to him with a soft, sincere glow. "Because you showed me there was beauty in the mundane. That even a long, heavy existence filled with wars… could pause, just a little, to savor something sweet."
Kazuya rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. "Trying to make me cry?"
She looked at him with a small smile.
"Maybe."
They reached the small shop at the end of the street, an ice cream parlor that clearly didn't expect customers in that weather. The sign flickered dimly but still announced "Open."
Kazuya pushed the door open with his shoulder, making the bell ring.
The cashier stared at them in surprise, nearly dropping the paper cup she was cleaning. Two young people coming in during that freezing cold to buy ice cream? One looked like a Nordic magazine model dressed with unusual elegance, and the other… well, he had that arrogant, confident look typical of someone who'd cause a headache.
"Vanilla?" Kazuya asked, already knowing the answer.
Skadi nodded softly. He placed the order and paid with ease. When he handed her the ice cream, he couldn't help but notice how her fingers closed around the cup—graceful, careful, as if it were something sacred.
She took the first spoonful with her usual serene expression.
"Just like I remembered," she murmured.
"Sweet?"
"Yes."
Kazuya leaned against the doorframe while she ate her ice cream. The two of them there, under the distant sound of the rain, in the middle of a gray, cold afternoon, seemed like a walking paradox.
But paradoxes, apparently, were their specialty.
After a while, Skadi stepped closer again.
"Kazuya."
He looked at her.
"Thank you for bringing me back."
He didn't ask "from where." He knew.
"You came back for me first," he said. "I just returned the favor."
She laughed softly.
The two then left the shop and continued their walk toward the mansion.
… …
Meanwhile…
The office was silent, bathed in the soft light of floating crystals that replaced ordinary lamps. The dark wooden shelves lined against the walls were filled with meticulously organized documents, sealed grimoires, and small reliquaries of demonic energy. In the center, a large mahogany desk reflected the glow of runes pulsing discreetly beneath its surface.
Behind it, Sirzechs Lucifer leaned back in his black leather armchair, elbows resting on the chair's arms, and let out a long sigh, heavy enough to break the almost ceremonial silence of the room. His eyes, usually gentle and relaxed, were serious, and his mouth was set in a firm line. It was one of those rare moments when the "Rias's older brother" disappeared, and the "Maou" took over completely.
In front of him, Grayfia Lucifuge maintained her impeccable posture as always. Hands clasped in front of her, her expression serene and her eyes attentive, as if nothing escaped her notice.
"Has something happened, Sirzechs-sama?" she asked, noting his current state of seriousness.
Sirzechs briefly glanced at the report in front of him before fixing his eyes on his wife.
"I received an update from the director of Kuoh Academy. The human… the boy I prepared to be Rias's future servant… dropped out of school."
Grayfia raised an eyebrow slightly but didn't allow herself to show surprise. "Without warning?"
"Yes. No explanation. He just went to the director this morning and announced his departure."
A heavy silence hung for a few seconds. Grayfia tilted her head slightly.
"He had great potential. Even without fully awakening, he would have been perfect to help with Rias-sama's situation…"
Sirzechs nodded, his fingers touching his chin in a thoughtful gesture.
"That's what worries me most. I don't want my little sister's chances to be cut short like this. This is terrible news… I can't use my authority to pressure him to return to school so Rias has a chance to turn him into a servant because I doubt it would work. He's also an orphan, so I can't use his parents. There's the adoptive mother, but I got rid of her when I arranged his transfer to Japan. Everything was planned, and he ruined it like this…"
"But still… there's something strange about all this…"
Grayfia closed her eyes for a brief moment. "Shall I initiate a discreet investigation?"
"Yes. But no fuss…"
His wife merely nodded, bowed, and then vanished in a magic circle.