Bound by Infinity

Chapter 7

"So… can someone explain to me what's going on?" I asked, looking around the ORC clubroom.

Issei looked utterly defeated, like he'd just watched his entire porn collection go up in flames. Rias and the others sat silently, all avoiding my gaze.

"Well?" I pressed.

Rias took a breath. "Do you remember the nun I mentioned yesterday?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Yesterday, she was seen with the rogue priests and fallen angels."

"Just like we suspected… but I sense there's more to this story."

"It was obvious she had no idea what they were doing," Akeno explained softly.

"I see," I replied, my voice sharpening as I turned my attention back to Rias. "So, did you actually try to help her, or…?"

Rias hesitated before she spoke, her tone low. "...It was a bit of both."

I held her gaze, nodding firmly. "We'll finish this conversation later."

Rias gave a silent nod, and I shifted my attention to Issei, who was looking more downcast by the second.

"Issei."

"Y-yeah?" he replied, snapping out of his gloom.

"Go take a walk. Clear your head a bit."

Issei nodded, standing up and heading outside. I watched him go, hoping he'd find a way to handle whatever was weighing on him.

I turned to Koneko, who had been sitting quietly beside me. "Koneko," I said, my tone a bit lighter, "want to go get some ice cream?"

Koneko perked up, her usual stoic expression melting just a bit. "Yes!" she said, a hint of excitement slipping through.

I turned to the others. "You guys want anything?"

"Vanilla," Kiba said with a smile.

"Chocolate for me," Akeno chimed in.

"And cherry," Rias added.

Koneko and I headed outside and walked a few blocks to the nearest ice cream truck. I handed her some money so she could order, and I found a bench nearby to wait. As I sat down, I sensed a familiar energy signature right next to me. I turned and saw Ophis, seated calmly beside me.

"Hello, Ophis. Back already?" I asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"I've returned with a new proposal," she said plainly.

"Really now?" I replied, intrigued.

She nodded. "Yes."

"Hold that thought," I said, noticing Koneko had just gotten her ice cream and was looking over at me. "Give me a moment."

Ophis nodded, and I got up to join Koneko at the truck, ordering two more ice creams—a cherry-chocolate chip for myself and a chocolate one for Ophis. After paying, I returned to the bench and handed Ophis her ice cream.

"What's this?" she asked, blinking at the frozen treat.

"Chocolate ice cream," I replied, smirking. "Thought you'd enjoy it."

Ophis took a tentative lick, and to my surprise, her usually dull eyes lit up. She hummed, visibly pleased.

"Good?" I asked, chuckling at her reaction.

"Hmm," she murmured, too focused on the ice cream to give a full response.

After a few minutes, Koneko walked over with a semi-serious expression. "Buchou called for me," she said.

I nodded. "Go ahead. Tell them I'll bring the others' ice creams when I get back."

Koneko gave a small nod before heading off. I turned back to Ophis, who looked a bit stunned as a brain freeze hit her—something I hadn't expected to see from a dragon.

When she recovered, I restarted our conversation. "So, Ophis, about that new deal you mentioned?"

Ophis straightened, raising her left hand to summon a portal. From it, she pulled out a two-handed sword with a rounded pommel, a golden cross-guard, and an almost regal appearance.

"This is Excalibur Ruler, the strongest of the Excalibur fragments," she announced.

I raised an eyebrow. "Ah, I see. So, the deal is if I join you, I get this blade?"

"Correct," she replied, taking another bite of her ice cream.

I considered the offer for a moment, then held up my own hand as a golden light began to form. The light solidified into a sword with a long, double-edged silver blade, engraved near the hilt. The gold hilt and cross-guard formed a cross shape, and the grip was a deep blue with elegant gold accents.

"This," I said with a smirk, "is the true Excalibur." A partial truth—knowing it was actually Excalibur from the Fate/Nasuverse—but it had the desired effect.

Ophis blinked, a flicker of annoyance crossing her normally blank expression as Excalibur Ruler vanished from her grasp. "I see," she murmured, sounding disappointed.

Relieved I'd successfully called her bluff, I dispelled my sword, which had drained a considerable amount of energy just to summon. "But, Ophis," I continued.

Ophis looked up. "Yes?"

"I have a counteroffer for you. How about you stay with me for two weeks? If you decide you like it, you stay with me permanently."

"And if I don't?"

"Then I'll help you reclaim your silence, as promised. Fair deal?"

Ophis thought for a long moment before nodding. "And… the devil you live with?"

"I'll explain it to Rias," I assured her. "I doubt she'll mind much."

"I'll consider it," she said, standing up and finishing her ice cream before teleporting away.

I watched her leave, letting out a small sigh of relief. Glancing at my phone, I realized it was already 7:00 p.m. As if on cue, my phone buzzed with a call from Rias.

"Yes, Rias?" I answered.

"Can you come to the abandoned church?"

"Understood. I'll be there soon."

"And Kouki," Rias added, her voice more serious, "teleport outside, then enter carefully. Prepare for a fight."

I felt a surge of excitement course through me. "Understood. I've been waiting to put my powers to the test in a real fight."

Chapter 7: End