One Week Later.
The school had mostly returned to its usual rhythm.
Ren kept his presence low—not too quiet, but just enough to avoid the spotlight. He still sparred casually with martial arts club members, still passed his classes with sharp grades, still drew quiet stares in the halls.
But now… whispers about him were fading.
And new rumors were brewing.
"Did you hear what happened near the old district?""They say a student got stabbed. He's dead, right?""No way… isn't that guy from Class 2-B?""Hyoudou… Issei, I think?"
Ren leaned back in his seat by the window, arms folded behind his head as the noise buzzed around him.
He already knew.
He'd felt the magic that night—the moment Rias had activated the summoning circle and offered her piece.
"A Bishop, huh," Ren murmured, eyes half-lidded. "Not even a Pawn… So much for potential."
Later that Night – School Rooftop
The sky was cloudy again, wind sharper than usual.
Ren stood at the edge of the roof, looking down at the city lights.
From here, he could see the faintest flicker of Rias's teleportation circle far off near her manor—just barely, like a heartbeat in the void.
[System Sync: 17% — Cosmic Template Strengthening via Observation]Faint traces of "Fate Shift" detected. New player introduced.
"Hyoudou Issei," he said aloud, not unkindly. "So this world's 'hero' finally joins the game."
There was no jealousy. No interest in fighting for the spotlight.
Only amusement.
"…I wonder how long you'll last."
Next Morning – Academy Grounds
Issei returned to class, confused but alive.
And everyone treated it like nothing had happened.
The few that knew—Rias, Akeno, Kiba, Koneko—watched him carefully. Protected him. Trained him.
But they weren't the only ones watching.
At lunch, Ren sat under the tree behind the gym, reading a novel.
Issei walked by with his boxed lunch and paused.
"…Hey. Aren't you the guy who beat Moriyama-senpai in one hit last week?"
Ren looked up, smiling lazily. "That's me."
Issei grinned nervously. "People say you're crazy strong. You training for something?"
Ren stared at him for a second longer than usual.
"…Nah," he said with a bright smile. "I just like staying in shape."
Issei laughed awkwardly and walked off, unaware of the chill that had crept into the wind behind him.
[Observation Complete: New "Protagonist" Identified. No threat… yet.][Cosmic Garou Template Sync: 20%]