Highschool DXD : Gacha Life

The morning mist clung to the trees as I raised my hand, watching as droplets of water gathered in my palm. With a subtle shift of my fingers, the liquid began to dance, forming intricate patterns in the air before reshaping into a sphere of perfectly controlled water.

Three days.

I let the water splash to the ground, droplets scattering across the forest floor.

Three days of training with this power, and I still feel like I'm barely scratching the surface.

I stepped back, positioning myself in the center of the small clearing I'd claimed as my training ground. The early morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and earth. Perfect conditions for practice, and more importantly, far from prying eyes.

I extended both hands, drawing moisture from the air and the nearby stream. The water responded to my will, rising in serpentine streams that coiled around my arms like liquid armor. This was the power of Haetae – not just water manipulation, but complete dominion over the element itself.

I thrust my right hand forward, sending a pressurized stream of water toward a thick oak tree. The impact left a deep gouge in the bark, water droplets still clinging to the splintered wood. The technique had taken me two full days to master, but now it felt as natural as breathing.

To face Akeno or Koneko, I needed to be ready for anything. The thought of challenging either devil still made me nervous. I'd spent the past few days weighing my options, and Akeno seemed like the more approachable choice. There was something about her composed demeanor that suggested she might actually enjoy an unconventional request.

But first, I needed to perfect my control. I closed my eyes, feeling for every water source within my range. The stream to my left, the moisture in the air, even the sap within the trees – all of it called to me. I'd discovered that the Haetae's power wasn't just about creating water from nothing; it was about commanding what already existed.

A barrier of water formed around me, rotating slowly as I practiced maintaining its integrity while moving. The technique required constant focus, but it would be essential against someone with Akeno's lightning-based attacks. Water might conduct electricity, but properly manipulated, it could also redirect and disperse electrical energy.

My phone buzzed, dragging me back to reality. School time. I dismissed the water barrier with a gesture, watching as the liquid flowed back toward the stream in perfectly controlled rivulets. The morning's training had left me feeling more confident, more prepared for what I was about to attempt.

Time to take the next step.

. . .

The school day passed in a blur of routine classes and half-hearted attention. I found myself sketching water patterns in my notebook margins, my mind focused on the conversation I planned to have after school. How exactly did one ask a devil for a sparring match? Especially after refusing to join their group just days earlier?

As the final bell rang, I made my way through the corridors toward the old school building. The Occult Research Club room seemed quieter than usual as I approached, but I could hear voices from within – Rias and Akeno, discussing what sounded like territory patrol schedules.

I knocked gently on the door frame before entering "Hope I'm not interrupting anything important"

"Akira?" Rias's expression shifted from mild annoyance to genuine surprise, then warmed considerably "What a pleasant surprise Please come in" She gestured to the couch across from her desk "You here, for manga discussions?"

"Actually" I stepped into the room, noting how Akeno's eyes followed my movement with that same calculating interest she'd shown during our first meeting "I was hoping we could talk about something else. Something that happened after our last meeting"

"Ara ara" Akeno's voice carried that familiar teasing lilt, but there was genuine curiosity underneath "You've certainly piqued my interest Akira-kun Please don't keep a lady waiting"

"You could say that" I moved to the center of the room, feeling the weight of their attention "I think I need to show you rather than tell you"

I raised my right hand, palm upward. Water began to form above my skin, pulled from the humidity in the air and the small glass of water on table. The liquid rose in a spiraling helix, shimmering as it caught the light. With a thought, I shaped it into a perfect sphere, then compressed it until it became dense enough to reflect their faces like a mirror.

Rias shot to her feet so quickly her chair scraped against the floor "Water manipulation?!" Her voice carried both amazement "Last time we met, you showed no signs of elemental control"

"That's exactly what I wanted to discuss" I added "This power, it manifested sometime after that fight. I've been practicing for the past few days, trying to understand how and why i got it"

Akeno leaned forward, and explained "Humans don't typically develop supernatural abilities spontaneously The trauma of supernatural exposure can sometimes unlock it but" She tilted her head, studying me like a particularly interesting specimen "The level of control you're displaying suggests it's an extension of your current sacred gear"

"My thoughts exactly" I had rehearsed this explanation during my walk to school "I think the exposure to demonic energy, the stress of combat might have awakened this ability in me"

Rias began pacing, her tactical mind clearly working through the implications "It's theoretically possible" she said, her voice taking on the tone of someone who'd spent years studying devil politics and supernatural phenomena "There are documented cases of humans manifesting abilities after traumatic events or supernatural encounters. But usually it's awakening of sacred gears, which is caused by trauma or pushed to their limits"

"Which brings me to my request" I took a breath, meeting Rias's gaze steadily "I need to test this power properly against someone who can push me to my limits and help me understand if it's all true or not"

The room fell silent. Akeno's cup paused halfway to her lips, while Rias's expression shifted from fascination to a curious one.

"You're asking for a sparring match" Rias said finally, her voice carrying a note of disbelief.

"I know it's unusual, especially after I refused your offer to join the peerage. But I need to understand these abilities and I can't do that fighting trees and rocks in the forest"

Akeno let out a soft chuckle "Ara ara how delightfully bold. Most humans would be trembling at the thought of facing a devil in combat. Yet here you are, So manly~" Her smile widened, revealing a hint of curiosity.

 "I'm not asking for a fight to the death. Just a spar, to test my theory"

"You could be seriously hurt Or worse-" Rias said in concern.

"You're right, but" I countered "At least this way I'll learn something useful"

Akeno moved to stand beside Rias, her presence somehow both supportive and threatening "He does have a point, Rias" Her voice took on a more serious tone, though that dangerous undertone remained "I'm quite curious about these new abilities of his" She turned to me with that mysterious smile.

Rias was quiet for a long moment, her fingers drumming against her desk as she weighed the decision. When she finally spoke "If we do this, there will be strict rules. No killing techniques, no attacks, designed to cause permanent damage. The match continues until one party yields or unable to continue or I determine the risk of it has become too great"

"Agreed" I said immediately.

"And I will personally oversee every moment of this match" Rias continued, her tone brooking no argument "If I call for a halt, you both stop immediately with no exceptions"

"Of course"

Rias looked between us for a long moment, then sighed "Very well. Akeno, are you willing to accept this challenge?"

Akeno's smile turned positively wicked, and I caught a glimpse of the fallen angel's more dangerous nature "Oh my, I thought you'd never ask" She stretched languidly as she eyed me "It's been far too dull around here lately. A proper sparring match might be just what I need~"

Rias moved toward the door elegantly "There's a clearing behind the building that should provide adequate space and privacy. We begin immediately while I can still convince myself this isn't a terrible idea"

Sigh, It went better than I thought it would.