Morgan clung to Artoria's arm as the two strolled through the school gates, drawing curious stares from students.
Morgan: "Someone will pick you and Issei up after class. Everything will be explained then-promise."
Ahead of them, Rias and Issei approached.
Artoria: "Glad to see you in one piece. For a moment there, I thought you were toast."
Issei: "Y-Yeah... Honestly, it felt like a nightmare."
(He looked away, embarrassed.)
"But don't get the wrong idea. Just because you saved me doesn't mean we're friends!"
Artoria: "Huh?"
She tilted her head, puzzled.
Issei: "You seriously don't get it? Everyone's calling you the King of Kuoh now! That's supposed to be my title! I'm aiming to be the Harem King, and you're stealing my thunder!"
He poked her shoulder dramatically.
Issei: "From now on, we're rivals!"
She tilts her head to the side confused.
Artoria: "Why? I haven't done anything wrong... Have I?"
Issei: "You really don't know? People here are calling you the King of Kouh now! I'm supposed to be Harem King not you!"
He pokes her shoulder as he spoke.
Issei: "So we're now rivals! I can't let some kid like you get a harem before I do."
Artoria: "Rivals? But wouldn't it make more sense to work together? I still don't fully get all this supernatural stuff, but shouldn't we focus on more important things?"
Rias: "It's nice to see you two getting acquainted."
She exchanged a glance with Morgan.
Rias: "We've got some business to handle. We'll send someone for you both later."
As she turned to leave, Morgan leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on Artoria's cheek.
Issei: "NO WAY! She just kissed you!!"
Artoria (Touching her cheek): "Yeah..."
Issei (Sinking): "Why can't I get a kiss from Rias..."
Before he could wallow further-
Murayama: "Artoria~!"
Murayama and Katase practically tackled Issei out of the way.
Katase: "You've been holding out on us! You and Morgan-senpai?!"
Murayama: "I thought we were friends!"
Artoria: "W-We're not a thing! I only met her last night!"
Katase & Murayama: "LAST NIGHT!?!"
{Short Timeskip}
Teacher: "We have a new student. Please make her feel welcome."
A striking girl entered, her wavy black hair tied in a two-side-up style, her aqua eyes calmly surveying the room.
New Girl: "My name is Rin. Nice to meet you."
Her gaze landed on Artoria and lingered.
Artoria (thinking): "Why's she staring at me like that?"
Teacher: "You'll sit beside Artoria, our other new transfer."
Rin: "Of course."
Rin sat at the empty desk next to Artoria and glanced at her.
Rin: "Nice to meet you, Artoria-kun. I look forward to working together."
Artoria: "Uh... likewise."
Throughout class, Artoria quietly focused on her work while her classmates tried-and failed-to engage Rin.
Motohama: "She just completely ignored me..."
Matsuda: "She swatted my hand away like I was a mosquito!"
When class ended, Rin continued tailing Artoria, much to her discomfort.
Issei: "She's been following you all day. It's weird. I even heard her ask someone what a vending machine was..."
Matsuda: "Weird or not, she's hot."
Artoria: "Rin? You don't have to shadow me like this."
Rin: "We have the same classes."
Artoria: "Right..."
{Back in their homeroom}
Issei: "Hey, that's my seat!"
Rin (Calmly): "Sit somewhere else."
Her cold stare sent chills down his spine. He quietly obeyed.
Artoria (thinking): "Can this day just end already..."
Just before the lesson starts a young handsome young man with short blonde hair, bluish-gray eyes and a mole underneath his left eye opens the sliding door.
The girls in class started squealing as all the guys groaned in annoyance.
Issei: "You've got to be kidding me...!"
Artoria flinched from the high pitch screaming and covered one of her ears.
Blonde boy: "Sorry to interrupt, I'm here for Hyoudou Issei and Artoria."
He walks over to their desks.
Blonde boy: "I'm here on an errand for Rias' Gremory. Would you both mind coming with me?"
Artoria: "Hey um, I never did get your name."
She asked the blonde boy, the three of them are standing in front of the door to the old school house where the Occult Club resides.
Blonde boy: "Yuto Kiba."
He held the door open. Inside, a petite girl with white hair and gold eyes was quietly eating chocolate on the couch.
Kiba: "This is Toujou Koneko, a first-year. Koneko, meet Issei and Artoria."
He introduced Artoria and Issei to the white haired girl.
Kiba: "This is Hyoudou Issei-kun and Artoria-kun."
Artoria: "Nice to meet you."
Koneko: "Likewise."
Issei (mind): 'Her petite physique and irresistible loli looks! She's not only a popular mascot for guys with that kind of preference but also for other girls!'
Koneko looks at Issei who kept staring at her with a creepy smile.
Koneko: "Hn. Perv."
Issei: "H-hey!"
Morgan: "Good, you made it."
Morgan entered the room with her usual grace.
Morgan: "Rias will be here shortly. Please, sit."
Moments later, Rias arrived with another woman-tall, elegant, with long black hair and a soft smile.
Black-Haired Woman: "You two must be the new recruits. I'm Himejima Akeno, the vice president of the club."
Issei: "H-Hi...!"
Artoria: "Nice to meet you, Himejima-senpai."
Rias: "Everyone's here. Let me officially welcome you to the Occult Research Club."
Rias says to Artoria and Issei.
Rias: "Though, to be honest, the club is a cover. A front."
Artoria: "Wait, what do you mean?"
Issei: "Yeah, what kind of club is this?"
Rias: "To be blunt-everyone here, except Artoria, is a devil."
Issei: "What!"
Suddenly black bag wings spread out from Issei and everyone else's back besides Morgan.
Artoria: "Whoa... What about you, Morgan? Where are your wings?"
Morgan: "Mine are... a little different."
Iridescent, glowing fairy-like wings shimmered into view.
Artoria: "They're beautiful..."
Rias: "Yes they are, Morgan is a devil fairy hybrid. The only one to exist actually."
Issei: "Okay... but Yuuma-what was she?"
Rias: "The black winged woman you saw last night, was a fallen angel."
Morgan: "Once angels serving God, they have been cast down to the underworld due to their wicked nature. They're trying to manipulate humans and destroy devils."
Artoria: "So in other words bad news right?"
Rias: "Exactly. There are also normal angels, coming here on God's orders to hunt devils. In other words, we have a three-way standoff."
Rias: "Exactly. Angels, devils, and fallen angels-we're locked in a three-way war."
She explained the situation with Issei's Sacred Gear and how she'd revived him.
Then, turning to Morgan-
Rias: "So, cousin... care to formally introduce your mysterious girl? I can't believe you snagged someone so cute so quickly."
Morgan: "My apologies, how rude of me. Rias this is Artoria, but I'm going to ask that you not try and turn her into a devil. I have plans for her."
Rias: "She seemed really strong from what I saw last night. And the day she arrived at school... All that magical energy was her?"
Morgan: "Yes, I managed to seal the majority away until she's able to control it but she still has a lot."
Artoria silently watched Morgan and Rias talk when the door to the ORC opened revealing Rin wearing a dark blue coat buttoned up with a long black skirt and boots.
Rin: "Sorry to interrupt!"
Rin steps inside and walks towards Artoria.
Rias: "Excuse me, but who are you-"
Rin held a hand up to Rias shushing her.
Rin: "I am not here for you devils, I am here for her."
She takes out her scared blade Suiseiken Nagare and points it at Artoria.
Rin: "I am Rin, a Swordsman of the Sword Of Logos. I am here for you Flame Swordsman!"
Artoria: "HUH!?"