SWNOVELXO Chapter 8: New member
The room grew quiet for a moment as everyone absorbed Koneko's unusually defensive tone.
It wasn't like her to speak up so strongly, especially about someone she had just met. Rias exchanged a surprised glance with Akeno, who raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
Even Issei, despite his frustration, noticed the shift in Koneko's demeanor.
Rias broke the silence, her voice gentle but inquisitive. "It's not like you to defend someone so quickly, Koneko. What's different about him?"
Koneko crossed her arms, her expression neutral but firm. "He's different. There's a calmness about him... and a kind of strength that doesn't need to be shown off."
Akeno's interest deepened, her smile widening. "He must have made quite an impression on you."
Koneko gave a small nod, not offering more but clearly standing by her words. Issei, still grumbling, muttered under his breath, "I still don't get what's so great about him."
Rias sighed softly, her curiosity piqued by Koneko's unusual behavior. "Well, it sounds like we'll be seeing more of him. For now, let's keep an eye on things and stay focused on our own work."
The others nodded in agreement, though the air remained tinged with curiosity and surprise at Koneko's rare display of emotion.
As they settled back into their usual routines, each of them couldn't help but wonder about the mysterious new student who had already begun to shake up the dynamics of their group.
Issei, still fuming from the earlier conversation, couldn't hold back his frustration any longer. "What's so special about this Raizel guy anyway?" he grumbled, crossing his arms.
"Every girl seems to want to—" he hesitated, lowering his voice but still clearly irritated, "—sex him up, and every guy just wants to mess him up."
The room grew tense as the others exchanged looks, some surprised by Issei's bluntness. Rias frowned slightly, her tone firm. "Issei, that's enough. You don't even know him."
Akeno, ever the one to diffuse tension with her teasing nature, chuckled softly. "Jealous, are we?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Maybe it's because he carries himself with a bit more... grace?"
Issei scowled, his frustration evident. "It's not jealousy! I just don't get why everyone's making such a big deal about him. He hasn't done anything special, and he it's only his first day."
Koneko, her patience wearing thin, shot Issei a cold glance. "Maybe because he doesn't act like an idiot," she said sharply. "Unlike some people."
Issei opened his mouth to retort but stopped, realizing he was outnumbered. He muttered under his breath, clearly annoyed but unwilling to push the conversation further.
The others let the topic drop, though the underlying tension remained. Raizel's presence had certainly stirred things up, and it was clear that his impact on the group was far from over.
....
[In the student council office]
In the student council room, the atmosphere was similarly charged as the members gathered to discuss the new student, Raizel.
Sona sat at the head of the table, her fingers steepled as she listened to the various opinions being voiced. "There's something captivating about him," one member said, their tone cautious, trying not to let sona hear them. "He's too composed, too... perfect."
Another chimed in, nodding in agreement. "He doesn't act like a typical student. It's like he's observing us, rather than participating."
Sona adjusted her glasses, her analytical mind working through the information. "He's certainly not ordinary," she mused. "His presence alone commands attention, and it's clear that he is oblivious to it"
Tsubaki, sitting beside her, spoke up softly but firmly. "He used magic on the rooftop. Koneko confirmed it. That's not something we can ignore."
The room fell into a thoughtful silence as they considered this. "Should we investigate him further?" one member asked hesitantly.
Sona nodded, her decision made. "Yes, but carefully. We don't want to provoke him without understanding his intentions. For now, we'll observe and gather more information."
The members agreed, their curiosity and caution equally piqued.
Raizel had become the center of attention, and the student council was determined to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic figure who had already begun to disrupt the status quo at Kuoh Academy.
As Sona was deep in discussion with the student council, her phone suddenly rang, as she answered the call, a familiar bubbly voice of her older sister, Serafall, chirping through the speaker. "Sona-chan! Guess what? I have some important information for you about that new student, Raizel!"
Sona's eyes narrowed slightly, her focus sharpening. "What do you know about him, Serafall?"
Serafall's tone became slightly more serious, though her cheerfulness remained. "Raizel isn't just any student. He's from an ancient and powerful race called the Noble. They're known for their immense power and their role as protectors of balance. That's why he acts the way he does—he's been asleep for centuries and is unfamiliar with the modern world."
Sona absorbed the information, her mind racing. "So, he's not a threat?"
"Not unless provoked," Serafall reassured her. "But you should be cautious. His power is immense, and he's not someone to be taken lightly. And don't worry as frank-chan told us about his personality, when we first met him. he won't act until he sees unjust happening"
...
At the same time, in the Occult Research Club, Sirzechs had called Rias with similar information. The entire club listened intently as Sirzechs explained Raizel's origins and nature. "Raizel is the Noblesse, the protector of all Nobles. His awakening means something significant might be stirring in the supernatural world."
Issei, as usual, couldn't resist inserting his commentary, muttering, "Great, another super powerful guy. Just what we needed."
Rias shot him a warning glance, silencing him, while the rest of the group absorbed the gravity of Sirzechs' words.
The revelation about Raizel's true nature left both groups in deep thought, realizing that their new classmate was far more than he appeared, and his presence could have far-reaching implications for them all.
Rias, her curiosity piqued, leaned forward slightly. "So, they're like vampires?" she asked, trying to piece together the information.
Sirzechs chuckled softly through the phone. "Not exactly. Nobles and vampires are often confused because they share some similarities, but they're quite different."
"Nobles are an ancient race, far older than vampires. Vampires, in fact, originated from the Nobles. They were once humans who were granted a fraction of the Nobles' power, but over time, they evolved into a separate race."
Rias nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the distinction. "I see. And Raizel is...?"
Sirzechs' tone grew more serious. "Raizel is the Noblesse, the protector and judge of all Nobles. His power is unmatched among them. He maintains the balance and ensures that Nobles don't stray from their path."
Issei, unable to hold back, blurted out, "So, how powerful is this Raizel guy? Like, can he blow up a mountain or something?"
Sirzechs sighed, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice. "Issei, Raizel's power goes beyond physical strength. He can manipulate life force, control others with his mind, and his mere presence can command respect and fear. If he wanted to, he could likely erase an entire city with a thought."
Issei's eyes widened, but he still couldn't help asking, "Okay, but can he, like, beat Goku?"
The room groaned collectively at Issei's typical idiotic question, but Sirzechs responded patiently. "Issei, this isn't about comparisons to fictional characters. Raizel's power is not something to take lightly or joke about."
The group fell silent, the weight of Sirzechs' words sinking in. They now understood that Raizel wasn't just another powerful individual; he was a force of nature, someone whose very existence could shift the balance of their world.