Chapter 1

Alex coughed out another blob of his own blood. His chest was hurting like hell, which was probably an accurate summation of the feeling that he was experiencing. His right hand wasn`t moving at all, being broke in more places then he cared to count, legs were completely destroyed and he couldn`t even feel them right now, chest was crushed by a single blow, destroying his ribs and damaging his internal organs with them, especially his lungs. Overall, while not a medical specialist, Black could easily say that he was done for.

And this was supposed to be a good day for him. His whole life was finally going in a good direction for him, an orphan from Russia, transferred in Japan thanks to an educational transfer program set by ministry of education. Alex had lost his parents when he was just 4 years old, circumstances of their death were unknown till this day. All that was known was that they died in flames. His grandparents on father`s side denied any and all relations to Alex and officially denounced their grandson as a member of their family, all because of his lineage. His father haled from the distinguished and noble German family that made a fortune in Russia through business and trade, while his mother was a simple linguist from England. Their union wasn`t accepted and Alex didn`t receive a right to bear a family name of his father, von Kassel, and instead inherited his mother`s name, Black.

After he lost his parents and his father`s parents didn`t take him in, Alex was sent into an orphanage, where he spent 10 years of his life. Life there wasn`t an easy one, especially considering how bitter and angry orphans can be towards those that are not like them. And Alex wasn`t like most children, preferring books to the company of other children, always in his own thoughts and not often talking to others. Instead of fooling around and doing nothing, Alex was striving to get better. He was completely abandoned by the people that were his family, his parents dead and others viewed him as a tool to let off the steam. Instead of breaking down in tears when he was getting beaten by older boys, Alex merely took the beatings and bared with it, while also learning something new about those that were beating him. Their patterns and thoughts, while also expanding his knowledge through books. And, once he was 7 years old, Alex was able to put the knowledge he had to good use, easily fending himself off those bullies and making them look at him with fear and respect, all because Alex memorized their moves and learned how to fight off, using his head instead of his fists. After that, nothing stopped him from pursuing his own desires as he started to self-study in many different areas. And, his mentality of learning and studying proved to work, as by the age of 12 Alex had managed to learn how to speak English, Russian and German languages as if they were his own native ones, studied math, history and many other spheres. Soon, young orphan was noticed by a principal of a prestigious private school and, through granting Alex a grant on study, Alex at the age of 14 became a student in one of Russia`s top schools, specializing in international relations.

There, Alex`s knowledge and interest in learning were put to the ultimate test, and he thrived as he progressed through the ranks of top students of Russia, participating in events and competitions. In just 3 years, Alex managed to become one of the most intellectual students of Russia. He learned quite a lot, furthering his knowledge in different sciences and spheres, showing great interest in history, diplomacy and military sphere. Another sphere of his interests was languages, probably inherited from his mother, as he remembered that she was a genius in linguistics. In the academy, Alex managed to learn how to speak also French and, most surprisingly, Japanese, after a lot of trials and hard work. That last factor soon opened Alex a path that he never saw as one possible to achieve. Alex was granted an opportunity of becoming a transfer student in Kuoh Academy in Japan. Black jumped at the opportunity at the first chance and was give it.

Alex was granted a small apartment and a monthly allowance from the government, which wasn`t too big, but Alex could afford to live on it. His first day in school was quite… interesting, to say the least. From the first minute Alex appeared in eyes of the other students, he made an immediate impact on the audience, especially on a female one. Girls were looking at him with great interest and discussing him out loud, mostly because of his appearance: raven black hair, falling behind to the level of his neck`s foundation, with several bangs on the sides; deep green colored eyes; semi-athletic build, coupled with 176 cm. of his height. As for the males, Alex quickly became a target for the picking and cursing for his devilish looks. Especially enthusiastic and loudmouthed were three students from his class that approached him from during the break and started threatening him for stealing the female attention all to himself.

Black still could remember that conversation well.

Two hours earlier.

Alex was sitting at his desk and trying to ignore a specific trio of male students that were currently talking to him. From what Alex had managed to gather up from the looks of other girls, this trio was, apparently academy`s local perverts. Just the kind that Alex couldn`t stand for. In his mind, being polite and down to earth guy was just the way to and respecting girl`s wishes and seeing her as a person and not as an object of lewd fantasies. These guys were of completely different opinion.

"Hey, just who the fuck do you think you are here?!" Matsuda was yelling at Black.

"Yeah, not an hour here and already he has all bosom`s attentions on him!" Motohama spoke up.

"Damn right! We don`t need your European ass here around to steal all the girls here! Get the hell out of here, pretty boy!" Leader of the Perverted Trio, Issei Hyoudou, spoke up.

Alex was simply ignoring the guys up until now, waiting for them to shut up and give him the opportunity to speak for himself. As the trio stopped, Alex merely opened his eyes and rose up, making the trio to step away from him. And then, Alex spoke.

"You know, I don`t know what I find more ridiculous: the fact that you insult me just because of your inferiority complexes, or the fact that you insult the person that barely said ten words before." Alex spoke up, making the trio glare furiously at him. "I may be new to this place and I don`t know the local hierarchy, but I can clearly see that you three are on the lowest level. So, I`m gonna say this ones: get lost."

"Oh yeah! And what if we don`t?!" Matsuda boastingly asked. "We ain`t losin` the bitches of this school to some Europe`s prick!"

Alex merely sighed, shook his head.

"Yare yare daze." Alex said calmly, before locking his eyes on the trio. "Just for your disrespect of girls, I`ll beat you senseless."

With that said, Alex`s palm quickly connected with Matsuda`s chest, sending him flying back on the floor. In the next second Alex`s right arm blocked the upcoming fist of Motohama, moving it to the right. In the following second, the said hand went towards the throat, blocking the air with the sudden strike and making the pervert drop on the floor, gasping. As for the Hyoudou who was charging at the raven haired guy, Alex stopped him on his tracks with a quick hit from his left arm in the chest and then a second hit in the face, sending him to the floor. In a couple of seconds, all three were down without getting up. Alex only looked up at the two girls that seemed to be astonished by the way Alex dispatched of them.

"Never could stand perverts." He merely replied.

Alex actually wasn`t kidding about it back there as he seriously hated the guys who saw girls as nothing more, but meat bags and objects. Most of Alex`s friends were actually girls and he highly respected them and couldn`t stand for them being treated as… objects. Even right now, when he was basically dying, he was ready to admit it.

Just how did it come to it that on his first day in Japan and in school was Alex dying? Once the school had ended, Alex decided to head home through the park. Everything was going normally, until… everything seemed to have become dark and sky became twisted black. It seemed like everything had stopped around the fountain and that frustrated Alex to no end. And then… somebody made the mess out Alex, one that he was right now. Alex didn`t even see who it was or what it was. Only thing he knew, it was somebody whom he couldn`t see. Only thing that he had managed to hear out was this:

"Huh, so much for the holder of Forsaken Regalia…"

Alex didn`t understand a thing from it, only thing that he got was the voice of his attacker. Prideful, arrogant and boasting. But, what for it was to the guy who was dying now?

Eyes were closing, everything was darkening. Alex`s body has dropped on the ground completely, eyes closing for one last time and never to be opened. The last thing that he saw was a red glow and then… void.

In the next second, Alex has found himself standing in complete and utter void. Which was then completely and utterly dispersed by the white flames that surrounded Alexander, but didn`t engulf him. Instead, they created a certain ring or an island of sorts on which Alex now stood. The flames were spreading around, unnaturally colored in white and giving away the blue sparks. And then… Alex witnessed how a powerful figure rose out of the flames. It was nothing that he had ever witnessed before in his life. In comparison to this, Alex was nothing more but an ant. Before deceased raven haired boy stood a white massive figure of a western dragon. His abdomen, chest plate and lower parts were pure white, but the upper scales were of bright blue color. Massive wings were in place, spread as if for a flight. Never had Alex witnessed something so powerful and frightening and he didn`t know just how to react. Until… this creature spoken.

"I`ve waited for a long time to finally meet you, Alexander." White dragon spoke in powerful, but yet wise voice. "Fear me not, son of Helena, for I`m your ally and protector."

Alex blinked several times until he spoke.

"W-who are you?" Alex spoke in completely shocked voice.

Powerful creature retorted.

"I am your partner, Alex." Dragon answered. "My name is Galeran, also I`m known as the Northern Storm Dragon, ruler of blizzards and storms of continent you know as Europe. I must admit, young one, I didn`t expect for you to make a contact with me through such a brutal way."

Alex blinked, trying to regain his initial composure and looking at the powerful dragon, frantically analyzing the whole talk and finding the key elements to that. And one that stuck out the most was the fact that he named him as "son of Helena". That was the name of his mother, Helena Black.

"You`ve called me as son of Helena." Alex noted. "How did you know my mother?"

"Your mother was my previous host." Galeran answered, looking at Alex. "She activated Forsaken Regalia when she was of your age. However, she did so only when she reached a certain level of strength. For ten years I was her partner, until her untimely demise. I`ve patiently waited for you to activate me, but it seems like the fate has decided to do as it pleased."

Alex nodded to that one, until he suddenly noticed that Galeran said the Forsaken Regalia, the same as his attacker. He needed to know just what it is.

"You`ve said Forsaken Regalia." Alex pointed out. "Just what the hell is this thing anyway?! What it had to do with me?!"

"Calm yourself, young one." Galeran merely asked of him. "I shall answer all of your questions, have no worries. Forsaken Regalia is a powerful artifact, created by the God from Bible. Forsaken Regalia grants it`s holder the power to turn the power of his enemies against them. It`s one of the high-tier Sacred Gears, even though it`s not a Longinus and not as famous as Boosted Gear or Divine Dividing, but powerful none the less. Regalia is also a container of my essence, placed inside of it as the core of its power. That is the reason that I speak with you now."

"You mean… you are inside of me, just like that Regalia?" Alex questioned him

"Yes, I`m inside of you as part of Regalia. I`m also the reason why you aren`t dead yet."

"I`m not?"

"No, not yet anyway." Dragon answered. "I`m not aware who did that to you, but I suspect that the reason why you were attacked was Regalia. All I can say is that it was someone who was aware of its existence and wished to eliminate the holder of it for reasons I`m not aware of. As for the assassin itself, it was a powerful Devil, someone of the 72 Pillars no less."

"The more I hear you, the less you make sense to me, Galeran. What are you even talking about?" Alex questioned him. "I need answers, plain and direct, not more unknowns. And I want to know if I`m going to die or not."

At this one Galeran simply laughed, understanding the young one`s frustration and answering it.

"Forgive me, I`ve forgotten that you are knew to all of this." Galeran spoke again. "I can assure you, that your live is being saved by someone of Devil`s nature. It shall be a long time before you will be able to regain conscience, so I shall use this time to open your eyes on a whole new world. Listen closely, young one."

Alex nodded to the dragon and started listening.

Galeran has truly kept his word, as he really has opened Alex`s eyes on a whole new world around. Powerful creature has told Alex about the beings of whole different nature and power, he told him of the events that had shaped the world into what it was and what became. Hours went by and more and more was revealed to Alexander as he listened Galeran. Dragon has told him of the existence of Angels, children of God and his loyal pure servants that protect the humanity and serve as their guides in times of need, Fallen Angel, celestial angels that have fallen from the Heaven for succumbing to sinful desires and ambitions, and Devils, creatures of Underworld, led by four Satans each holding the rank of his own, representing the antipode of Angels. Alexander has also learned of a single great conflict that took place between them and caused colossal destructions and brought all Three Factions to the brink of extinction, forcing them to sign a pact of ceasefire, installing an uneasy peace between the three forces, allowing them to slowly rebuild themselves. This ceasefire has continued for over 2 millennia and neither of the sides wishes to end this stalemate. Along with that, Alexander also became aware of the powerful artifacts that were known as Sacred Gears, hidden inside of humans by the God. Forsaken Regalia is one of the most powerful among them, created by the God as a countermeasure against other Sacred Gears, especially those that are considered Longinus-tier, the most powerful Sacred Gears in the world.

Hours and hours of learning were fully worth it, as now Alexander had more than enough of the understanding of the situation and could now think on how to deal with it. Only few more questions remained unanswered and he was now asking them.

"So, out of all Three Factions, you suspect that it was one of the Devils that attacked me?"

"Yes, their energy signature is no stranger to me." Galeran confirmed. "It was most certainly a High-Class Devil, from a distinguished noble family, to be able to put up a barrier and kill you without any trouble at all, but it was a boastful and arrogant one as well. And I`ve also sensed that this Devil possessed a unique affinity to one of the elements of nature. Aside from that, all that I can say is that if we were to encounter him once again, I would recognize him in an instant."

"Alright, I`ll trust you on this one." Alex nodded to a dragon. "Now, about Forsaken Regalia. You`ve said that it allows its holder to use the power of the enemy against them. That`s pretty vague, I need more details."

"Ha-ha, just like your mother, young one." Galeran chuckled. "Very well. Forsaken Regalia`s power is in the ability to absorb the power of the enemy and use it as its own. If you were to be hit by an enemy who uses the magic, Regalia would absorb it into your body, boosting your own strength and power. However, it comes at the price of putting a pressure on your body. The more you absorb, the more you`ll be put pressured. So, if you want to avoid having your own veins exploding from the pressure, I suggest toughing up your body. Although, I have to admit that you do have a fair enough amount of endurance and pain tolerance is also quite good. In this department, you certainly surpass your mother."

Alex smiled a little at that one. Well, at least he wasn`t a helpless kitten.

"Say, you`ve known my mother didn`t you?"

"Not as close as you may hope, Alex." Galeran told him. "Your mother was far more interested in human`s science and pursuing her own life instead of developing her potential as my holder. She hasn`t even reached a level at which she could use my Balance Breaker for less than a second. Although, she was strong enough to place this Sacred Gear inside of you, making sure that it wasn`t randomly thrown away through the System."

"Is that even possible, to transfer a Sacred Gear into someone else? I thought that those choose their own wielders right after their previous one`s dies." Alex recalled. "While on topic, what is this Balance Breaker anyway?"

"There are several ways to transfer the power from one into another. Like the usage of blood link between a mother and a child." Galeran explained. "Aside from being a linguist, you mother had the affinity for ancient magic, so it should be no surprise that she found a spell that allowed her to transfer a Sacred Gear to you. As for Balance Breaker, it is the a unleash of Sacred Gear`s fullest potential and power, giving it`s user the full control over all abilities and powers Sacred Gear possesses. However, using it comes also at the same coast as Regalia`s main ability, only much higher. All of Sacred Gears have their own unique Balance Breakers, but those that possess dragon inside of them are usually come in form of Scale Mail armor. I`ll reveal more to you in due time, have no worries."

"Hm, okay." Alexander agreed to that one. "By the way, you said that someone is saving me. What did you mean?"

"Apparently, that devil`s presence wasn`t unnoticed and someone has already made it to your body." Galeran spoke. "From the energy that I sense, it`s a devil`s energy, but much different from the one`s that attacked you. I believe that whoever has found is trying to resurrect you as a Devil, through usage of their 'Evil Pieces'. Basically, you are being reincarnated as a servant to one of the High-Ranking Devils as we speak."

Alex`s eyes had widened and his mouth was agape at what he just heard. He was being brought back to life as a servant of the Devil, the creature that had just ended his life in the first place. Not only was he basically turned into a slave of someone, but also forced to serve the member of the same race that has caused his death. It would seem like God has decided not to save him, but punish through the usage of the most grim irony possible. Seriously, if it was someone of the Fallen Angels or even Angels, Alex wouldn`t be complaining much, seeing as Galeran has informed him of their structure and higher-ups, but as for Devils, this is where both were at the agreement that they aren`t to be trusted much, as they were selfish and egotistical to the core. Even though Galeran has noted that there are those that are good to the others and do not pursue the evil, they are still creatures of cunning, selfishness and possession. According to the Northern Dragon, Devils are united only one thing- they always lust for more power, and finding a Sacred Gear user with unique abilities is certainly a powerful addition. So, Alex was being made into a foot soldier of some noble ass Devil after being killed by one. Grim irony if there ever was one.

"That`s… simply fan-fucking-tastic." Alex cursed. "Can you at least tell if there is a way out of that deal?"

"Not one that doesn`t lead to you immediate death. Evil Piece is not only a power booster, but also a collar and a cardio stimulator, as you humans call that thing that boost`s hearts beating." Galeran informed him. "The only way you can get rid of those is through becoming a High-Ranking Devil yourself, which will allow you to create your own Peerage of servants. Outside from that, you`ll most certainly die after expelling the piece out of your body."

"Basically, the only way for me to get rid of the collar is to become the one that gives those." Alex summarized. "Ugh, simply astonishing. From being killed by a devil to serve under one. Just what the hell did I do to deserve it?"

"That`s something that I don`t know." Galeran decided to humor his host. "In any event, I recommend looking into the benefits of being a Devil and perhaps also use your position to potentially find out who was it that attacked you and killed you. Devils` high-society is a close one and not as big as some would believe. And while you are at it, I`ll start up with your own training as well. After all, you may want to avoid being killed again."

"You know, for a Northern Storm Dragon, sealed away in a Sacred Gear, you know awful a lot about the world and how it`s run." Alex remarked.

"I`ve always taken an interest in affairs and dealings of other species, such as humans and Three Factions." Galeran replied. "Unlike other dragons that were mostly self-absorbed, I`ve taken time and studied what surrounds me."

Alex only nodded to that one as he suddenly sensed that he was withering away from this realm. For a moment he actually panicked, but Galeran decided to reassure his host.

"Calm down, young one. You are simply being pulled into the reality." Galeran explained. "Fear not, for now that I`m active, you only have to speak to me in mind or summon the Forsaken Regalia. Before you go, there is one more thing that you need to know."

"What is it?" Alex`s form was becoming far more lighter and could see through.

"I`ve neglected to mention this because I wasn`t sure about it on one hundred percent, but you do need to know of this just in case." Galeran reasoned. "Today, when you were at school, I`ve sensed a familiar presence of a certain dragon. I may be wrong, but if I`m not, then you should be on your guard, for it was one of the two Heavenly Dragons, Red Welsh Dragon Emperor Ddraig. Be on your guard."

Alex nodded to that one, recalling how Galeran explained the hierarchy of the dragons in the world. Dragons by nature were powerhouses and possessed immense power and strength that made even some of the strongest members of Three Factions look like children in comparison. On the top of their pecking order were two Dragon Gods, Ophis, the Infinite Dragon God, and Great Red, the Apocalyptic Dragon God. Both were, however, haven't seen in centuries and haven`t been very interested in affairs of the world and their own race. The strongest once among the dragon race were the Heavenly Dragons, Dragons that even God feared. Albion and Ddraig, the most powerful dragons and eternal rivals, destined to fight each other for eternity through their hosts. Seems like someone in the school possessed the Boosted Gear, one that held the Ddraig inside. As for where Galeran was in this hierarchy, he himself stated that in the time of his life he was considered as one of the Dragon Emperors, hence his second title: "Northern Dragon Emperor". However, he specifically stated that he wasn`t as powerful as those two, but was no pushover back in the days.

With those thoughts in mind, Alexander has finally left the dream world and walked back into the reality.

Occult Research Club.

Alex has finally opened his eyes, finding himself on a medical bed. Looks like he was transported in some sort of medical facility. Feeling that practically all the pain was gone and he could move, he assumed that the reincarnation process has indeed worked and he decided to try and sit up, but only now he released that he had suddenly gained some more unknown to him weight, which was strangely located on his right half. Alex turned his eyes towards it and it took every single piece of self-control that he had not to scream out of surprise and shock.

Because on his right lied a young girl with black clad hair, the same color as his, but very long and smooth, not hard as his. Her face was peaceful and rested on his chest, as Alex admitted that she was probably one of the most beautiful girls that he has seen in his life. But what astonished him the most was the fact that she lied in the bed absolutely, completely, naked. Without any clothes or undergarments at all, and Alex actually could feel all of the girl`s assets on his skin right now. From the lengthy and curvaceous hips and legs, to her soft and pleasing to a touch bosoms. Her skin was as smooth as it could get and her hair was like a black silk. For a moment, Alex actually forgot in what situation he was and what he had to do as he found himself entranced by this black haired beauty that was peacefully sleeping on him, but, fortunately, he managed to regain his control and accurately and tenderly moved the girl away from him and on to the bed. He managed to do everything without actually waking her up and quietly rose up and found his clothes, usual ones, on the chair, clean and nice waiting for him. Seems like someone has taken their time to get in his apartment and get him some, even though it was without his approval.

After quickly clothing up, Alex suddenly heard a shifting noise behind and then a yawning. Seemed like the lady has woken up.

"Oh my, looks like you are alright now." Black-haired girl said with a small giggle. "I hope I wasn`t making you uncomfortable, but I simply couldn`t resist myself."

"W-well, no, you weren't." Alex awkwardly replied, without turning to face the girl. "I must thanks for saving me…"

"Akeno, that`s my name, handsome." Said girl gave him her name. "And don`t worry, me and the President already know who you are, Mr. Alexander Black."

"Hm, I`ve figured that much." Alex replied. "By the way, I know that I`ve been brought back, but I would like to know whom I owe my skin."

Akeno merely giggle.

"Oh my, aren`t you a knowledgeable one." Alex could feel her gaze on him. "I actually like the men who know with what they are dealing with. Very well, you`ve been resurrected in the House of Gremory, as a Pawn of Rias Gremory."

Alex mentally checked the profiles of the devils that Galeran gave him. And there, he actually noticed, just what the House of Gremory was and who were its members.

And it seemed like the irony wasn`t done playing with Alex, as he was brought back to serve in the same house that has given the Devils their current Lucifer.

"Well, this is going to be interesting."