"If you don't take risks, you can't create a future!"
– Monkey D. Luffy, One Piece
~ Very long Chapters After Ch +60!
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The next day, Roy packed his bags for the return to Kuoh Academy. Summer break was over; it was time for his second year.
Each Devil family in the Underworld governed a specific territory. House Lucifuge was no different.
However, due to Roy's underwhelming power, Grayfia hadn't assigned him a territory of his own. She'd placed him at Kuoh Academy, jointly controlled by the Gremory and Sitri clans.
This way, she could keep a closer eye on him. He was, after all, the last male Lucifuge, the future of their house.
At the Kuoh Academy gates, groups of girls chattered and laughed, their youthful energy infectious. Roy noted, with some amusement, that he was the only male student present.
His intervention had prevented the school from becoming co-ed, as it did in the original story.
He remained the sole exception. Issei Hyoudou hadn't transferred, and Roy didn't know what had become of him. Perhaps he'd already been killed by a Fallen Angel.
Mid-conversation, the girls noticed Roy. Their chatter died down as they turned to stare.
"Wow, he's so handsome!"
"Which upperclassman is that?"
"Are you a new student? You don't even recognize Roy-senpai?"
"He's the only boy at Kuoh Academy! Our very own prince charming!"
"And the Kendo Club captain!"
Roy offered a polite smile, unfazed by the attention. Handsome, elegant, *and* the captain of the Kendo Club – he was the perfect prince charming in the eyes of every girl at Kuoh Academy.
He was used to this by now. He walked towards the school building, ignoring the whispers and admiring glances.
"Roy!" a voice called out.
The crowd parted, revealing a girl with vibrant crimson hair, brighter than any natural shade. It was Rias Gremory, Kuoh Academy's resident idol.
Standing next to Rias were Akeno Himejima, the academy's second most popular idol, and Koneko Toujou, the quiet but adorable first-year student.
"Good morning, Rias-senpai, Akeno-senpai, and Koneko-chan," Roy greeted them cheerfully. He'd made it a point to befriend Rias, Akeno, and student council president Sona Sitri during his first year.
"Good morning, Roy," Rias replied, smiling. Despite his lack of talent, she admired his work ethic. Also, thanks to Roy's influence, her peerage was currently limited to Koneko and Akeno.
She hadn't encountered Gasper or Kiba yet.
"Morning" Koneko mumbled, offering a small wave.
"Ara, ara, Roy. You always greet Rias first. Am I not as important to you?" Akeno teased, feigning heartbreak, tears welling in her eyes.
Roy sighed inwardly. Akeno's dramatic flair was unmatched. He'd been caught off guard by it when they first met.
"Of course you're important to me, Akeno-senpai," Roy replied sincerely.
Akeno blinked, momentarily stunned by his earnest response, a blush creeping up her cheeks. Rias pouted.
"Are you saying I'm *less* important than Akeno?" she huffed playfully, hands on her hips, leaning forward. She seemed oblivious to how the pose accentuated her figure.
Roy's headache returned. "Rias, please don't pick up Akeno's bad habits," he thought with a sigh.
Seeing his exasperated expression, Rias giggled. She'd been teasing. She had a soft spot for the hardworking underclassman. She wouldn't tease just anyone like this.
"Come on, class is about to start," Rias announced, heading towards the school building.
Roy followed. He was in class 2-A, while Rias and Akeno were third-years, and Koneko was a first-year. Their paths diverged.
As Roy reached his classroom, a chorus of greetings met him.
"Good morning, Captain!"
"You've gotten even more handsome over the break, Captain!"
"Captain, we haven't seen each other all summer! How about a hug?"
The most enthusiastic of the girls was Aika Kiryuu, known for her surprisingly bold personality despite an initial shyness. She loved teasing Roy and often engaged him in conversations most boys their age would find… interesting.
Next to Aika were Katase and Murayama, two other attractive girls who had played minor roles in the original story. All three were elite members of the Kendo Club.
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