DxD: I Steal Luck

"Mm."

Hearing her classmates, Marina chuckled softly, nodding as she left the classroom, flanked by two friends.

"Masato..."

She had intended to greet her boyfriend, Masato, on her way out but was startled by his intense, sinister glare. Shrinking back instinctively, she decided against it and exited without a word.

"Phew, time to head out."

After Marinah left, Blake stood, stretching slightly, and casually walked out of the classroom.

"Follow him."

From the back of the room, Masato glared at Blake's retreating figure. Turning to his two companions, he commanded them in a low voice before trailing after Blake himself.

Masato was seething. He had pieced together the closeness between Marinah and Blake and was furious, though he wasn't ready to confront Marinah directly yet. Losing the school beauty as his girlfriend was not an option. His plan? Scare Blake enough to keep him away.

"Come out. Stop hiding."

Blake deliberately led the trio to an isolated corner of the school. Turning abruptly, he leaned against the wall, fixing a cold gaze on the three hiding in the shadows.

"Blake Silverstone! Just because you're some transfer student doesn't mean you can act all high and mighty! Stay away from Marina, or I'll put you in the hospital!"

Masato stepped forward, his face dark with anger. Gesturing to his two lackeys, he barked orders to surround Blake, blocking any chance of escape.

"If you're that eager for a fight, I won't hold back."

Surrounded by three, Blake's eyes glinted with sharp confidence, a faint smirk curling his lips.

"Get him!"

Enraged by Blake's arrogance, Masato lunged forward, throwing a fist aimed directly at Blake's face.

"Too slow and too weak."

Crack!

Before Masato could react, Blake caught his punch effortlessly, twisting his wrist. A loud snap echoed in the alley.

"Ahhh! It hurts!"

Masato cried out, his face twisting in agony from the sharp pain shooting up his arm.

"Let him go!"

The other two lackeys rushed forward, fists and feet flying.

But Blake, ever composed, merely tightened his grip on Masato. With a swift pivot, he used the writhing Masato as a shield, letting the two lackeys' attacks land squarely on their friend.

"AHHHH!!!"

Disabling his Perceptual Distortion ability, Blake watched as Masato let out a bloodcurdling scream. One of the lackeys had landed a solid kick right where it hurt most—Masato's groin.

"Masato! I-I didn't mean to!"

The guilty lackey froze, staring at his foot and the growing bloodstain on Masato's trousers. Panicked, he stammered an apology. The ominous crack he'd heard during the impact only deepened his dread. Had he just... permanently ruined Masato future?

"Apologizing in a fight? That's a first."

Blake's calm voice broke through their panic. He didn't plan to let this drag out any longer.

Thud!

Blake's swift kick sent the apologetic lackey sprawling to the ground. Picking up the barely conscious Masato, he hurled him at the remaining lackey. Both collapsed in a heap.

"Take him to the hospital," Blake said, his tone as indifferent as ever. "If you're lucky, he might still be salvageable. Though I wouldn't hold much hope for his descendants. Oh, and one more thing—"

Pausing, Blake glanced down at the trembling pair. "Tell Masato to know his limits before picking a fight."

With that, he turned on his heel, walking away like nothing had happened.

"This is bad... really bad..."

The two lackeys looked at each other, then at the groaning Masato. They scrambled to their feet, carrying him toward the school gates as fast as they could. Other students stared, whispering and snickering at the sight of Masato's bloodstained pants.

---

"Blake? Did you come to pick me up?"

Blake had barely stepped out of the school gates when Airi Akizuki's cheerful voice rang out. She dashed over, wrapping her arms around his, pressing close without a care for the stares of passing students.

"Something like that," Blake replied with a smirk. "After all, I transferred to St Maple Academy this afternoon."

"Transferred? That explains why you were here yesterday. But you were planning to go home alone today, weren't you?" Airi pouted, her emerald eyes gleaming with playful mischief. "You're such a neglectful boyfriend, Blake."

Her words carried a teasing lilt, but the glint of happiness in her eyes gave her away. Sharing the same school meant more time together, something she deeply cherished.

"My bad," Blake said, chuckling. "I'll make it up to you later."

"Make it up? Hmph, knowing you, I bet it'll be something shameless."

Seeing his devilish grin, Airi tightened her grip on his arm, pretending to scold him.

"Fine, fine. I'll think of something else." Blake's teasing tone softened as he matched her steps.

"You'd better!"

The sight of the couple walking off together, arms intertwined, felt like a dagger to the hearts of onlookers. Students exchanged helpless looks, their envy palpable.

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(A/N: Throw your power stones and comment on this book, please! It will motivate me!)