Motohama: Side character life

Mondays at Kuoh Academy were always an odd mix of lingering weekend laziness and the sudden rush of a new week. Even in this strange new life, that much remained true. By the time I trudged through the school gates, I was already yawning, mentally reviewing the whirlwind events that had led up to this point.

Just a few days ago, I'd intervened to save Issei from a Fallen Angel named Raynare—using a one-shot magical ring I conjured with my system. Rias Gremory had stepped in at the last second and resurrected Issei as a devil in her peerage. My friend was now plunging headfirst into a supernatural world he scarcely understood, and I, Motohama, was no longer just a comedic sidekick but an active participant in these events.

As I passed through the courtyard, I looked around for Issei. I spotted him near a row of vending machines, chatting with Matsuda. Matsuda was rattling off gossip about certain girls in the tennis club while Issei stared at the can of juice in his hand, looking half-focused.

I approached, greeting them with a wave. "Yo."

Issei brightened at my presence. "Motohama! Glad you're here."

Matsuda peered at me, raising an eyebrow. "You two are spending an awful lot of time together lately. Something you want to tell me?"

I forced a chuckle. "Nothing scandalous. Maybe we're…studying." I had to keep up some semblance of normalcy, but the word 'studying' coming from me and Issei sounded out of character even in the best of circumstances.

Still, Matsuda shrugged and left us to it. Once he was gone, Issei turned to me, voice lowered. "Training starts after class today. Rias-senpai said Koneko and Kiba would show me some basics, but she also wanted you to come."

My heart quickened. "Oh? Did she say why?"

He shrugged. "Just that you might be able to help since you know more about the supernatural than you let on. Also, something about building synergy if we're all working together to defend Kuoh."

That made sense. Rias wanted to keep a closer eye on me and my system. She probably also wanted me to develop an understanding of how devils fought, so we'd coordinate better in future crises. "Got it," I said. "Let's survive class first, then we'll go."

Issei gave a faint laugh. "Yeah. Math test. It's probably the scariest thing I'll face all day."

Classes passed in a blur of numbers, history notes, and the usual teenage chaos. My mind wasn't on the lectures, though—I kept replaying the memory of conjuring items with my system. The more I used it in real or high-stakes situations, the stronger it seemed to grow. I had glimpsed a small spike in the "experience bar" last night. I wanted to push that further.

I stole a glance at Issei, a few desks away, as he scribbled on his math test. I could almost see his brain short-circuiting. Poor guy. Surviving an angelic assault was one thing—accomplishing algebra was another.

Eventually, the bell rang, mercifully signaling the end of the test. Afternoon classes dragged, but at last, the final bell sounded, releasing us into the hallway. There, I found Issei eagerly gathering his things, Kiba politely waiting by the door.

"You two ready?" Kiba asked, ever courteous. "We'll train in the old school building's basement."

I nodded, exchanging a look with Issei. We knew the basement was basically the Occult Research Club's hidden chamber, decked out with magic circles and practice arenas for devil training. That was where I had confronted Rias after the first Fallen Angel attack.

The basement of the old school building was surprisingly expansive, with stone walls, arcane symbols glowing faintly, and wide spaces for sparring. Candles flickered, giving everything an otherworldly glow.

Rias stood at the center, her crimson hair a stark contrast against the dim surroundings. Akeno stood beside her, holding a tray of tea cups—an odd but somehow fitting sight.

Koneko was off to one side, stretching her arms in a cat-like manner. Issei eyed her warily; she might've been the smallest of the group, but in terms of raw physical power, she was formidable.

"Welcome," Rias said, inclining her head politely. "Issei, we'll begin your training by testing your basic devil abilities—summoning small magic circles, measuring your demonic energy, and so on. Kiba, Koneko, and Akeno will guide you."

Issei gulped. "Yes, Buchou."

Then Rias turned her gaze to me. "Motohama, I'd like you to observe closely. Occasionally, you might try creating an item or tool that could assist. Think of it as real-time synergy practice."

I nodded. "Sounds good."

Issei's first challenge was forming a basic devil magic circle. Rias demonstrated by summoning a small circle of red light in front of her palm, swirling with demonic energy. Issei tried to imitate her motions, but only a few flickers of red sputtered in the air.

"Focus your mind," Akeno said gently, stepping behind Issei to guide his arms. "Feel the power in your chest… and let it flow through your hands."

He clenched his jaw, beads of sweat forming on his brow. Another sputter, then a faint circle flickered to life.

Koneko watched silently, munching on a chocolate bar. "That's better than last time," she said in her usual monotone, which strangely felt like mild praise.

Still, it was obvious that Issei had a long way to go. He had raw potential, especially with the Boosted Gear, but channeling devil magic didn't come naturally to him. I recalled from the original story that he'd eventually come up with unorthodox techniques—like infusing demonic energy into his arms—but that was much later.

Rias turned to me. "Any suggestions, Motohama?"

I hesitated, then consulted my system mentally, searching for a small item that might amplify a user's focus. System, can you create a short-term magic focus? Something to stabilize demonic energy for novices?

A flicker in my mind: "Attempting creation…" Moments later, a tiny amulet materialized in my hand—a small gemstone set in silver. I held it up.

"Here," I said, stepping over to Issei. "This might help channel your energy more smoothly."

Rias raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. You can create items at will?"

I nodded, offering the amulet to Issei. "Give it a try."

He glanced at me doubtfully, but took the amulet. Holding it in his left hand, he tried summoning the circle again. This time, the circle remained stable for a few seconds, swirling in a modest but sustained pattern.

Issei's eyes lit up. "Whoa! That's definitely an improvement!"

Akeno clapped her hands in delight. "My, how convenient. Perhaps we should keep you around more often," she teased, giving me a playful smile.

Rias studied me with thoughtful curiosity. "Well done."

The praise made me blush slightly. My system's items might not have been as powerful as an ancient artifact, but they served a valuable role. If it helped speed Issei's progress—and keep him alive—then it was worth it.

After an hour of practicing magic circles, Rias signaled a break. She had Koneko move to the center of the arena.

"Koneko, would you demonstrate some basic physical training techniques for Issei?"

Koneko gave a curt nod, stepping forward. She might've been petite, but her strength as a Rook was monstrous. She clenched her tiny fists, and the very air seemed to vibrate with power.

"Watch carefully," Rias said to Issei. "Koneko's focus is close-quarters combat. Notice how she channels her demonic energy into her body for enhanced strength and defense."

Koneko exhaled, took a stance, then launched a series of punches and kicks at a sturdy training dummy. Each blow produced a shockwave, cracking the stone floor beneath the dummy's base.

Issei gulped, wide-eyed. "That's insane. She's so strong…"

"You'll learn to channel that kind of power," Rias promised. "Though your style will be different, given your Sacred Gear. Koneko, please spar with Issei—gently."

Koneko turned, gold eyes locking onto Issei. She beckoned him forward with a small wave. Issei swallowed hard, stepping up to face her. He tried to assume a fighting stance he'd seen in movies, looking uncertain.

"Go ahead," Koneko said softly.

Issei swung awkwardly, and Koneko sidestepped him with ease, delivering a light tap to his ribs that sent him stumbling. He grunted, trying again, but she simply dodged or parried each attempt, her expression unreadable.

Eventually, Koneko gave him a gentle push that knocked him onto his backside. "Your stance is off," she murmured, offering him a hand.

He took it, panting. "Yeah… I figured."

I watched from the sidelines, occasionally making mental notes. If I conjure a device to measure his technique, would that help? Or maybe I can replicate a VR environment for training? That might be too advanced at my current level…

Rias approached me while Akeno and Koneko gave Issei tips. "You're surprisingly calm in all this," she observed. "Not many humans would adapt so quickly to the supernatural world."

I shrugged, trying to look modest. "I guess I have a knack for it."

She nodded, eyes thoughtful. "I can't help wondering—are there limits to your creations?"

"Well, I can't just conjure a city-crushing weapon out of thin air," I admitted. "My system's not that advanced yet. But I can produce smaller gadgets, or items that replicate certain magical effects."

Rias let out a contemplative hum. "Intriguing. If you ever need resources or magical texts, I have access to a vast library. Knowledge might help refine your, ah…'system.'"

Her offer left me pleasantly surprised. "I appreciate that."

We continued training for another hour. Issei's progress, while modest, was still encouraging—he managed to summon small blasts of demonic energy. Koneko taught him rudimentary blocks and counters, though she remained sternly aloof.

At one point, just as Issei was attempting a basic energy-infused punch, a jolting shockwave of some foreign power reverberated through the basement. Everyone froze.

Akeno's eyes widened. "That presence… It's close."

Kiba narrowed his eyes. "Fallen Angels again?"

Rias closed her eyes, sensing the disturbance. "No…this feels different. More chaotic."

The tension in the air spiked. Adrenaline flooded my veins. Could it be Freed Sellzen, the mad exorcist from the church storyline? In the original story, Freed's arrival heralded all sorts of complications, including Asia Argento's introduction.

Rias turned to us, her face set. "Stay here, keep training. Akeno and I will investigate. Kiba, Koneko, you watch over Issei."

I cleared my throat. "Do you want me to come, too? I can help."

She considered this for a moment, then nodded briskly. "You may. We might need your creations."

Gripping the handle of a summoning circle, Rias formed an elaborate pattern on the floor. In seconds, she, Akeno, and I were enveloped in crimson light.

Issei called out, "Be careful!"

Then we vanished, reappearing outside on a deserted street near Kuoh's outskirts.

Night had fallen outside, the streetlamps casting an orange glow. The road ahead was cracked, as though some explosive force had hit it. In the distance, we heard shrill laughter.

"Such madness…" Akeno whispered, scanning the dark.

We moved cautiously. Rias led, her devil aura swirling around her in a protective layer. I stayed behind, heart thumping, my mind already planning which gadget to conjure if we ran into trouble.

Suddenly, a figure emerged under a flickering streetlamp—a young man with ragged priest robes, brandishing a sword coated in luminous energy. He had wild eyes and an unsettling grin. Freed Sellzen.

He spotted us and cackled. "Devils out for a stroll? How delightful!"

Rias tensed, crossing her arms. "You're trespassing on our territory. Identify yourself."

He spun the sword in a showy flourish. "Freed Sellzen, exorcist. Used to be part of the Church, but I got bored with the rules. Now, I just want to kill devils for fun!"

My stomach twisted. Freed was unpredictable, dangerously so. I summoned my system in my mind, ready to conjure something.

Akeno's eyes narrowed, her usual pleasant demeanor vanished. "You attack devils for 'fun'? You're monstrous."

Freed only laughed harder. "Call me what you want, honey. Let's see how you fare against my Holy Sword, yeah?"

Without warning, Freed lunged forward, sword slicing the air. Rias fired an orb of demonic energy, but Freed twisted aside with inhuman reflexes, bringing the blade down in a savage arc. Akeno conjured lightning, forcing Freed to leap back.

I quickly extended my hand. "System, conjure an immobilizing barrier device!"

A shimmering, handheld canister appeared. I tossed it at Freed's feet. Instantly, translucent walls of light rose up around him, forming a small cage.

"Ha! A neat trick." Freed sneered, stabbing his Holy Sword into the barrier. The canister cracked, sparks flying as the barrier flickered. Freed's sword was clearly potent enough to break it.

He roared, slashing again. The barrier shattered.

Akeno unleashed a lightning bolt, slamming Freed in the chest. He skidded back with a grimace, but still wore that twisted grin.

Rias turned to me. "We need something else—he's fast, and that Holy Sword is a problem."

"Right," I said. "System, give me an energy dampening field generator."

A swirl of light formed a small sphere in my hand, which I immediately lobbed at Freed. The sphere exploded in midair, releasing a wave that momentarily dulled the glow of Freed's sword. Freed's eyes flicked with confusion.

"Yes!" I hissed under my breath. "Now's your chance!"

Rias capitalized, launching another orb of destruction. Freed struggled to raise his sword, but the blade's Holy energy was weakened. The blast struck near his feet, blowing him off balance. He cursed, rolling across the pavement.

Akeno seized the opportunity to form another bolt of lightning. Freed, seeing the danger, snarled. "This is getting boring. We'll meet again, devils!"

He sprang away with inhuman speed, vanishing into the shadows. The street fell silent except for our ragged breathing.

Rias let out a slow breath. "An exorcist. A rogue one, by the look of it."

Akeno brushed her hair back. "He was unnaturally strong. That Holy Sword was potent, though not on par with the legendary Excalibur fragments."

I exhaled, letting the tension ease from my shoulders. "He's dangerous, no doubt."

Rias nodded in agreement. "We'll need to warn the rest of the peerage. And find out if he's aligned with the Fallen Angels or working alone."

Akeno turned to me with a warm smile. "You did well, Motohama-kun. Those gadgets of yours are quite handy."

I tried not to blush. "I'm just glad I could help." But inside, my heart soared. Another confrontation, and I'd managed to come out on top—and gain more system experience.

Rias glanced around the deserted street. "We should fix this damage before humans notice." She raised a hand and invoked a devilish illusion spell, which masked the broken pavement and scorch marks.

Once the area was secure, she produced a teleportation circle, and we returned to the old school building.

Issei, Kiba, and Koneko awaited us anxiously in the basement. The moment we materialized, Issei rushed forward. "Are you all okay? What happened?"

Rias faced them, arms crossed. "We encountered an exorcist named Freed Sellzen. He appeared out of nowhere and attacked."

Kiba's expression hardened. "Freed Sellzen… I've heard rumors about a rogue priest who revels in violence."

Koneko's eyes flickered with concern. "We can't let him wander around Kuoh."

Akeno nodded. "Agreed. He poses a threat to devils and likely to innocent humans as well. We'll need to investigate further."

Issei turned to me. "How about you? Are you okay?"

I nodded, still catching my breath. "I'm good. Had to whip up a few new gadgets on the fly."

Koneko studied me quietly. "Your conjuring ability is improving."

A flush of pride warmed my cheeks. Even the stoic Koneko was acknowledging my growth. "Thanks. I still have a long way to go, but I'm learning."

Rias cleared her throat, taking command of the discussion. "For now, everyone stay on alert, especially when you're out at night. Kiba, keep an ear to the ground for exorcists or suspicious church activity. Koneko, continue training with Issei. Motohama, you're free to join them whenever you can."

She gave me a pointed look, and I nodded in agreement. My after-school schedule was rapidly filling with devil business. But I had no intention of backing down.

After the meeting ended, the others headed home, leaving me and Issei still packing up in the basement. He sighed heavily, leaning against a stone pillar.

"Man, this is nuts," he said. "A few days ago, my biggest worry was failing a math test and being single forever. Now I'm a devil who nearly died at the hands of a Fallen Angel, and there's a psycho exorcist roaming around."

I patted his shoulder. "It's a lot to process. But you're not alone in this."

He nodded, fidgeting with his bag. "Yeah, thanks. Seriously, Motohama, you're different these days. Before, all we talked about was—well, you know, girls, magazines, that kind of stuff. Now you're calmer… strong in a weird way. Like you've got your own secret."

My heart rate spiked. "I… guess I've been doing a lot of introspection. We all have to grow up sometime, right?"

Issei chuckled. "Guess so. I still like girls, though. That's never changing!"

His grin returned in full force, and I found myself grinning back, relieved to see my friend's usual spirit. Even if the supernatural world was turning our lives upside down, some things never changed.

System Update

That night, I settled onto my bed and opened the system interface in my mind. The translucent screen flickered to life:

Name: Motohama (Reincarnated Earthling) System Level: 1 System Experience: 87%

My eyebrows shot up. 87%? I was close to leveling up.

"System," I whispered, "is there a specific catalyst I need to level up?"

The system's calm voice replied:

"Your experience threshold is nearly full. Another significant event or advanced creation should push you to Level 2."

My heart quickened at the possibilities. Level 2 might unlock broader creation capabilities—maybe more powerful gadgets, or even the ability to replicate certain supernatural powers. If Freed Sellzen and more Fallen Angels were out there, I'd need every advantage I could get.

The following morning, I woke with a renewed sense of purpose. I headed to school early, determined to meet with Rias or Akeno about accessing their magical texts. There had to be a way to refine my conjurations.

But fate had other plans.

As I reached the school gates, a commotion drew my attention. A small crowd of students stood in a circle by the entrance, murmuring and pointing at something. Stepping closer, I saw a girl with short blonde hair and bright green eyes, dressed in a nun's habit. She looked lost, clutching a small bag and glancing around with an air of innocent confusion.

Asia Argento.

My chest tightened. In the original storyline, Asia was a kind-hearted nun with a Sacred Gear that could heal devils, angels, and fallen alike. She was an important figure—and Raynare's next target.

"She's probably looking for the church," one student said, uncertainly.

"Who is she?" another asked.

Asia noticed me, her expression lighting up with relief. "E-Excuse me! Do you know where I can find a church around here?"

I felt my throat go dry. "Uh… yes, there's an old church on the outskirts of town."

Her face brightened. "Oh, thank you so much!" She rushed closer, stopping politely a few steps away. "I'm new here…I appreciate your help."

I swallowed hard. Something inside me screamed that letting her go to that church was a terrible idea; that was exactly where Freed—and possibly other Fallen Angels—lurked. But this was the canon storyline: Asia would eventually be captured, used to harness her Sacred Gear's healing abilities… leading to heartbreak.

Still, could I change her fate? I recalled how tragic her story was. She deserved better. But interfering might cause ramifications. The timeline was already shifting, so maybe I could do some good.

She looked up at me with innocent, trusting eyes. "Is something wrong?"

I forced a reassuring smile. "N-No, not really. I just… I know that place can be dangerous at night. If you're heading there, be careful."

Asia gave a hesitant nod. "Thank you. You're very kind." She glanced at the other students, who began dispersing. Then she stepped closer, voice dropping. "Are you a believer in the Church?"

I shook my head, not sure how to answer. "It's… complicated."

She blinked, but then just gave a sweet smile. "I understand. May God bless you."

With that, she thanked me again and headed off. I watched her go, dread prickling at the back of my neck. This was a pivotal moment in High School DxD—a moment that would shape Issei's growth and Rias's stand against the Fallen Angels. Asia was a catalyst. If Freed and Raynare got hold of her, tragedy would follow.

I knew my role. My system was close to leveling up, and Asia needed protection. I'd do whatever I could to spare her from the worst of her fate.

After class, I rushed straight to the old school building, hoping to find Rias. I found her in the ORC clubroom, speaking quietly with Akeno and Kiba.

"Rias," I said, panting slightly from running up the stairs. "I met someone this morning—a nun named Asia Argento. She's wandering around Kuoh, looking for that old church."

Rias's eyes narrowed. "A nun in Kuoh? That's suspect, given the presence of Fallen Angels. The church is no longer holy ground—it's been claimed by them."

Akeno frowned. "She'll be in danger if she enters."

I nodded, trying to keep my voice steady. "We can't let her walk in there alone. If Freed is around…"

Kiba clenched his fists. "I'll go see if I can find her and persuade her to leave."

Rias nodded. "Do so quietly. If she's truly a member of the Church, any direct contact with devils might alarm her. But at least try to ensure her safety."

I took a step forward. "I want to help Kiba. I have some knowledge that might be useful."

Rias gave me a long, measuring look, then nodded. "All right. But be careful—if the Fallen Angels see you, they may attack on sight."

And so, we set off, determined to change the course of Asia Argento's fate. As we walked the streets of Kuoh, I felt a sense of deja vu, thinking of all the times I'd read or watched this storyline. Now, I was in it—actively shaping events, using a system that grew stronger with each new challenge. If Freed or any other threat appeared, we'd be ready.

But my thoughts turned again and again to Asia's gentle smile and unwavering faith. In the original timeline, she suffered greatly under Raynare's schemes. Maybe, just maybe, we could ensure a better outcome this time around. A new thread of fate was spinning, and I, Motohama—the reincarnated Earthling—was determined to do my part.