Chapter 3: Encounter with the Stray Devil

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"School's over, huh? I think I'm still a member of the kendo club," Shangguan Binghen muttered as he picked up his long sword, wrapped in cloth, and left the classroom. Ordinary students wouldn't carry a real sword all the time, but Shangguan Binghen had special privileges, seemingly granted through his sister Shangguan Yuyan's arrangements with Rias.

"My public image is the cold and aloof type, huh? That's actually a relief; it avoids unnecessary trouble."

Noticing the admiring but distant stares of the girls he passed, Shangguan Binghen breathed a sigh of relief. Despite his handsome looks, his usual cold demeanor deterred any girls from approaching him for a chat.

"Oh right, Ling'er, I have a question. If my identity is so prominent, why wasn't it mentioned in the original story? Given my status, Rias should be interested in recruiting me as her servant, right?"

As he walked through the school corridor, Shangguan Binghen posed his query quietly.

"Master, the Shangguan family doesn't actually exist in this world. Your transmigration, facilitated by the system, caused some alterations in this world's reality," Ling'er explained sweetly.

"I see…"

Shangguan Binghen pondered for a moment before discarding his stray thoughts. He didn't want to worry about such things now. His priority was to quickly become stronger and establish a foothold in this world. According to the timeline, the main events were only about two months away.

If he remained weak when the story began, getting caught up in the chaos could be disastrous. Additionally, he had no intention of letting Issei Hyoudou, the Red Dragon Emperor, take the girls he fancied.

Therefore, he needed to grow stronger before the story's events began. While he didn't expect to become invincible, he aimed to at least reach the strength of a high-class devil. Otherwise, intervening in the plot would be a suicidal endeavor.

"Shangguan-kun, how are you finding the school?"

A fragrant breeze interrupted his thoughts. He looked up and was immediately captivated.

What is the most vivid red in the world?

Some might say it's the color of roses.

Others might claim it's the color of blood.

Some might argue it's the hue of precious gems.

But at this moment, Shangguan Binghen could confidently tell everyone that none of these answers were correct.

The most vivid red in the world is the color of her hair.

"Whoosh!"

A gentle breeze swept through the campus, over the playground, and ruffled those striking red locks.

With waist-length, vibrant red hair, a tall and curvaceous figure, the girl pressed her hair down with one hand to prevent it from being blown by the wind, while her other hand moved casually, exuding a refined elegance.

She was like a noble lady, radiating an aura of high-born grace.

Her face was exquisitely beautiful, to the point where one might doubt if such features could exist outside of dreams.

But what drew the most attention was her stunning waist-length red hair.

"Shangguan-kun? Are you alright?"

Rias inquired with a curious tone. Ever since he enrolled, she had been observing him. He always maintained a cold demeanor, never showing any signs of distraction.

"Thank you for your concern, Rias-senpai. I'm doing well."

Awakened by Rias' voice, Shangguan Binghen's expression returned to its usual calmness. Despite Rias' beauty, he wasn't so easily smitten. More importantly, any sudden change in behavior might arouse suspicion.

Some things required time to change.

"I see, that's good to hear. I won't disturb you further; it's time for club activities."

Satisfied with Shangguan Binghen's normal demeanor, Rias smiled and walked past him, heading towards her destination.

"Meeting in person is indeed different…"

Watching Rias' departing figure, Shangguan Binghen shook his head and proceeded to the kendo club. Despite having memories of Rias, this was their first real encounter.

...

Time flowed like water. After spending a long time in the kendo club, only leaving when all the members had gone and the sky had darkened, Shangguan Binghen wiped his sweat and departed the campus.

In those two hours, he practiced his various abilities, making them as familiar as natural instincts.

"Though a day has passed, it still feels like a dream," Shangguan Binghen sighed, navigating through dark alleys on his way home, seeking the fastest route.

**"Sss… Sss…"**

Abruptly, Shangguan Binghen stopped. He heard a strange sound that sent chills down his spine. Looking up at the alley's high wall, he saw a pitch-black entity coiled there.

**"Whoosh—!"**

As he raised his head, a series of sharp, whistling noises erupted from above, forcing Shangguan Binghen to quickly retreat.

In the instant he moved, several black spikes, sharp as needles, embedded themselves deeply into the concrete where he had just been standing.

Had they hit him, Shangguan Binghen would have been turned into a pincushion!

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