Life as a Devil.
The cool night air swept through Ren's hair as he soared above the city/ the black, bat – like wings on his back carried him effortlessly, granting him a sensation of absolute freedom. Below, the city twinkled like a sea of stars, and for the first time in his life, Ren felt truly untethered.
His wings flapped rhythmically, the demonic energy coursing through his body fuelling his newfound abilities. He laughed; his voice is echoing in the night sky. "This is insane!" he exclaimed, doing a quick spin in mid- air. "I can actually fly!"
After a while, his instinct guided him toward a faint glowing red magic circle the appeared on the ground below. The circle pulsed with faintly signalling a summoning – a human had called out a Devil for assistance. Ren descended slowly, landing with surprising grace.
A old man stood in the drawing of magic circle, trembling slightly but resolute. "A- are you the D-Devil I summoned?"
Ren adjust his jacket and folded his wings back into his body. "That's right old man. Now tell me, what's your wish?" he asked, in little deep voice then his usual voice with carrying confidence in his voice.
The man hesitates before speaking. "I need to win the lottery. My family is struggling, and I don't know what else to do."
Ren considered the request for a moment. "A simple but effective wish," he said, with smirk. "Alright, I'll grant it your wish, but remember the price for making a deal with Devil."
The man nodded nervously, and Ren snapped his fingers. A small white paper with something written in crimson letter appeared on the man's hand, glowing faintly. "Your luck will turn tomorrow old man. Buy a ticket and trust in your fortune and our deal."
The man thanked him profusely, and Ren's wing unfurled again as he took off into the night sky. As he flew, he couldn't help but reflect on how drastically his life had changed since joining Ruby Crimson's, 'Crimson Research club.'
--------------
Earlier that day, after manifesting his wings, Ren had been formally introduced to the other members of eth club. Each of them had left an impression: Valoris refined politeness, Kaira's stoic demeanour, and Akira's teasing charm. But its wat Ruby who truly captivated him.
The group had settled into their seats around a large table in the clubroom, the atmosphere buzzing with curiosity and anticipation. Isumi, who had also joined club alongside Ren, looked both nervous an intrigued.
Ruby stood at the head of the table, her crimson hair glowing in the light of the room. She exuded an air of authority, but there was warmth in her tone as she addressed them.
"Now that you're become part of my household, it's time you to understand what is means to be a Devil," she began, her eyes scanning the room.
Ruby then takes her seat then after she said, "First of all all you ned about know Our history."
Then she starts to said "Majority of the pure Devils were killed in the war that took place long time ago. Because of that, Devils started to desperately gather servants. Well, Devils don't have the strength or the influence they originally had when they leaded their armies. Even so, we need to keep on increasing the number of the Devils. Just like humans, the Devils split in genders of male and female and are able to give birth. But even with normal birth, it will take a lot of time to get back to the same population as before. After all, Devils have a very low birth rate. Then we won't be able to stand up against the Fallen Angels. So, we find humans who seem to have potentials and make them into Devils. As our servant, that is."
Isumi said, "So, I'm servant after all." She said with nervousness.
Ruby said with light smile, "Yes, you're my servant but we also a team and family. so, don't make a face like that. Now, I will get to the point. Since this only increases the number of servants, it doesn't increase the number of powerful Devils. So, the Devils decided to give chances for power to reincarnated Devils— those who were reincarnated from a human. They decided to give peerage to reincarnated Devils as well, as long as they are powerful. Because of that, there are many Devils in humans' society. There are also numbers of Devils like myself who came to humans' society as well. Isumi and Ren you both, even though you both haven't realised it, I'm sure you have passed through some Devils in this town."
Isumi asked in shocked tone, "So Devils were always nearby then!?"
Ruby simply nodded her and said, "Yes. Though there are humans who can distinguish which ones are Devils and those who can't. A person with a strong greed or a person who wants to get help from Devils usually can distinguish us strongly. We are usually summoned by the ones who can distinguish between them, through the leaflet with magic-circle that we give out. There are people like you both who can distinguish Devils but don't believe in our existence, but majority of them usually believe it if they see our demonic-powers."
Ren asked in shocked voice, "What!? So, the reason I summoned you was because I had a strong greed to live or die in your hands!
When everyone heard his last line a chuckled echoed in room, then ruby said with teasing smile. "Maybe!"
Then ruby said, it's our history and some fact of Devil and underworld but what about present you both make some guesses? she asked while looking between Ren and Isumi.
Ruby then leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "So ren and Isumi tell me, what you think how Devils survive and thrive in the moder world."
Ren and Isumi look each other for some time the then turn toward Ruby and shake their heads in denying, Ruby smile knowingly. "The Devils in the modern world rely on the influence, and influence come from money and power. While the old ways of conquest and domination are behind us, we now thrive by integrating into human society?"
Isumi tilted her head, curiosity in her wide eyes. "So… we are like more businessmen?"
Akira chuckled softly, covering her mouth. "You could say that, "she said.
Ruby continues, "Our primary source of income and influence comes from the contracts with humans. When they summon us using magic circle, we grant their wishes in exchanges for favour or payment. It's mutually beneficial relationship?"
Ren raised an eyebrow. "So… we are glorified wish- granters?"
Kiba chuckled lightly, while Kaira remained silent, nibbling on a piece of candy.
"Not quite, "Ruby said, leaning forward slightly. "These contracts are crucial for maintaining our presence in both human world and underworld. The more successful contract we fulfil, the more influence we gain. And for reincarnated Devils like you, this is also how you'll prove your worth."
The room grew quite as everyone absorbed her words. Ren, however couldn't resist smirking. "Sounds like a lot of work. But if it means I get to keep these wings, I am in."
Ruby narrowed her eyes in playful manor. "You might be overestimating this work, Ren. It takes more than just confidence to succeed as a Devil."
Isumi, who had been quietly, listing, finally spoke up. "Its… a lot to take in. but if it's means we are part of something bigger, I'll do my best."
Ruby smiled warmly at her. "That's spirit, Isumi. And remember, both of you from this day forward, we are not just club – we are family. we'll face challenge's together and grow stronger as a team."
Ren felt a flickers of admiration of Ruby leaderships. Her words carried weight, and despite the overwhelming native of their new reality, he found himself trusting her.
As the meeting wrapped up, Ruby tapped ren light on the forehead. "Don't always think to much." She said with a mischievous smile. "We need to go on very big way."
When he heard he nodded his head with smile.
------
Back in the present, ren hovered above the city, the memory of that day bringing a groin to his face. The realization that he was now a Devil – a servant of Ruby Crimson – and member of Crimson Research Club – still felt surreal. But as he watched the world blow, he couldn't deny the thrill of his new life.
"Look like this Devil gig might not be so bad after all," he muttered to himself, spreading his wings wide and diving toward the city lights.
After finishing his nightly duty of Devils, ren take fly toward to his home. Instead of taking the front door like an ordinary person, he instinctively enters his bedroom with window.
After he jump on bed stretched his arm, revelling in the quite night, when the systems cold, mechanical voice disrupted his tranquillity.
[Host, you must find divine blood soon. Without it, you will lose the opportunity to activate your laten divine side of Sacred Gear.]
Ren froze in mid- stretch, his mind racing.
"Wait – what do you mean, I lost opportunity to awaken by divine of Sacred Gear, system?" ren asked, his voice trembling. "I've barely gotten used to being a devil! What's this about divine blood?"
[host, your devil blood is rapidly adapting to your body. At this rate, it will completely overwrite any latent divine trait you possess. If that happen, your divine potential will remain dormant forever.]
Ren's happy mood instantly soured. His hand unconsciously reached for his chest as if the pressure he felt had physically weight.
"How am I supposed to find the divine blood?!" he exclaimed in frustration. "I can't even sense supernatural being properly!"
[Host, my current level is insufficient to detect gods or nay heavenly being unless they choose to reveal themselves. Your power, combined with mine, is too weak at this stage.]
The gravity of the situation settled over Ren like a storm cloud. He ran a hand through his hair, in confusion.
"So, what am I supposed to do, system? I can't just knock on haven's door and ask for a cup of divine blood!"
[host, if you have a strong bond with a god or heavenly being. And only through close proximity can I detect their divine nature and assist you find their presence.]
Ren sighed heavily and flopped onto his bed. "A strong bond, huh? That's easier said than done. Gods aren't exactly handing out friendship's bracelets to Devils."
His frustration grew, but he forced himself to calm down. "Okay, I'll think about this tomorrow. It's the weekend anyway, an di haven't spent much time with MOM and Aunt lately. I'll deal with this divine blood problem later."
After he laid in his bed, exhaustion overtook him as the stress of the day melted away. His eyelids grew heavy, and soon he drifted into a restless sleep, through of divine blood, Devils and the overwhelming of his new reality swirling in his mind.