บท 3: A Proper Introduction
As the fanfare announcing Rias Gremory's arrival faded into the background, Algernon found himself momentarily lost in thought, observing her from a distance. She exuded a graceful presence, a blend of nobility and warmth that commanded the room's attention.
This was no mere heiress—Rias was the embodiment of what it meant to be a high-ranking devil of the Gremory family.
Before he could dwell too long on her arrival, a familiar voice brought him back to the present.
"Impressive, isn't she?" Akeno's soft, teasing tone caught Algernon by surprise. She had stepped beside him without him noticing, her presence as composed and elegant as ever.
"She is," Algernon admitted honestly, his eyes still on Rias. "But what are you doing here, Akeno? I didn't expect to see you at an event like this."
Akeno raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "Didn't expect me? My, Algernon, do you not keep up with the affairs of the Gremory household? I am Rias's Queen."
Algernon feigned surprise, though in truth, he already knew from the memories of previous life. Still, it was important to play the role of an unaware participant, especially if it allowed him to gain more insight into Akeno's position and her relationship with Rias.
"You're her Queen?" he asked, his tone laced with curiosity. "I didn't realize you'd aligned yourself with her. How long has it been since you started serving her?"
Algernon didn't ask Akeno about her family, as he knew from watching anime what happened to her and he didn't speak as he knew it would only reopen wounds time had yet to heal.
"Quite some time now," Akeno replied, her voice calm and confident. "Rias and I share a special bond, and I've been by her side through many challenges. But enough about me—this is your first time meeting her formally, isn't it?"
Algernon nodded, realizing where the conversation was heading. "Yes, it is. I've heard much about her, of course, but I've never had the chance to speak with her directly."
"Well then," Akeno said with a smile, "allow me to introduce you. Consider it my way of helping an old friend."
Algernon saw the opportunity laid before him. This was his chance to make a connection with Rias Gremory, to lay the groundwork for whatever future paths the quest—and the Conqueror System—might lead him down. He nodded, a polite smile on his face.
"Thank you, Akeno. I'd appreciate that."
With that, the two began making their way across the hall toward Rias. She stood at the center of a small crowd of nobles, each taking their turn to congratulate her. The scene was one of practiced formality, every word and gesture steeped in the etiquette drilled into them from a young age as children from noble houses.
Algernon couldn't help but observe her composure. She handled each interaction with grace, her smiles and responses perfectly measured. "A proper noble, raised and educated with the best," Algernon thought.
As they approached, Rias caught sight of Akeno. Her crimson eyes lit up with recognition, and she excused herself from the crowd with a practiced elegance, her polite words leaving no room for offense.
"Akeno," she greeted warmly as they drew near. Her gaze then shifted to Algernon, a flicker of curiosity in her expression. "And who is this?"
"Lady Rias," Akeno began, bowing slightly. "May I introduce Algernon Gremory, future head of the Gremory Branch House. Algernon and I were childhood friends before I came to serve you."
Rias's expression softened at the mention of the Branch House, and she turned her full attention to Algernon. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Algernon. I've heard of the Branch House's contributions to our family's legacy. I'm glad we finally have the chance to meet."
Algernon bowed slightly, his posture formal yet relaxed. He knew the importance of striking the right balance—neither too distant nor too familiar.
"The pleasure is mine, Lady Rias," he said smoothly. "Your reputation precedes you, and I must say, the stories do not do you justice."
Rias smiled at the compliment, her demeanor warm and approachable despite the formality of the occasion. "You're too kind, Lord Algernon. I hope you're enjoying the celebration."
"It's a magnificent event," Algernon replied. "And I must thank Akeno for giving me the opportunity to meet you in person. She spoke highly of you, and I can see now that her praise was well-deserved."
Akeno chuckled softly, stepping back slightly to let the two converse. "I only speak the truth," she said, her tone light.
The conversation continued briefly, Rias asking Algernon about his life and his thoughts on the Gremory family. Algernon answered each question thoughtfully, careful to present himself as a respectful yet confident young devil.
As the evening progressed, the initial introductions gave way to more casual interactions. Rias, Akeno, and Algernon mingled with other guests, though Algernon remained mindful of maintaining a measured distance. He didn't want to appear overly eager, nor did he wish to seem indifferent.
By the time the party began winding down, Algernon felt a sense of quiet satisfaction. The encounter had gone smoothly—no surprises, no missteps. He had made a favorable impression on Rias, established a connection, and taken the first step in progressing his quest.
As the guests began to take their leave, Algernon found himself standing by one of the grand windows, gazing out at the star-lit sky.
He had taken the first step, but he knew the road ahead would be long and challenging.
"One step at a time," he thought. "I'll prove my worth to this world—and to myself."
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The golden light of the morning sun filtered through the grand windows of Algernon's room, casting long shadows across the elegant furnishings.
Algernon sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes as his mind shifted to the tasks at hand. His body was rested, but his thoughts were restless, already mapping out the path ahead.
'The Conqueror System's quest isn't something I can tackle immediately,' he mused, his gaze distant yet determined. 'To conquer the challenges of other worlds, I must first conquer this one. That means power—real, tangible strength.'
'To fully capitalize on the system's rewards, I need to ascend to High-Class Devil status in both physical prowess and magical reserves before completing the quest. The reward would then elevate me by one level in both, propelling me straight to Ultimate-Class. But that path won't be easy—it'll demand everything I've got.'
Algernon swung his legs over the side of the bed, his expression growing serious. Though he was technically a Low-Class Devil by birth, his current state was at the peak of Low-Class—but he didn't yet know how to fully wield those powers.
Unlike many devils who grew stronger simply through existence and age, Algernon wanted to accelerate his growth. However, he lacked the rigorous training and practical experience necessary to achieve that.
"But that's where I hold the edge," he thought, clenching his fists tightly. "Most devils grow complacent, waiting for their power to come naturally, never truly pushing their limits. I won't make that mistake. I'll forge myself into something greater—something they'll never see coming."
But before strength came knowledge. His previous life as a human had left him at a disadvantage in this world, where even the basics of magic, devil hierarchies, and combat techniques were foreign concepts. To reach his goals, he would need to fill in those gaps.
After a quick breakfast prepared by the estate's servants, Algernon set off for the library. Though he didn't have access to the main branch library—where the most advanced tomes of magic and devil history were kept—the Branch House's library would suffice for now. It housed the foundational knowledge he needed to start his journey.
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The library was vast, its high ceilings and endless rows of shelves giving it a quiet, almost sacred atmosphere. Algernon paused in the doorway, taking a moment to appreciate the sheer volume of knowledge stored within these walls.
'This is my starting point,' he thought. 'Every journey begins with a single step.'
He began by scanning the shelves, picking out books on a range of topics: basic magic theory, devil physiology, combat techniques, and history. As he carried a stack of tomes to a nearby table, he caught sight of something that gave him pause—an ancient grammar guide for the devilish script.
Though he could instinctively speak and understand all languages due to his nature as a devil, reading and writing were a different matter. The books were written in a script he could barely recognize.
"Of course," he muttered under his breath, setting the grammar book aside. "Even with my potential, there's no shortcut for learning this. I'll have to study the old-fashioned way."
What surprised him, however, was how quickly he began to grasp the language. As he worked through the first book, reading and rereading passages, he found himself absorbing the content at an astonishing rate. By the time he had gone through the same chapter a second time, the material was locked firmly in his mind.
"This… this must be part of my potential as a future Supreme," Algernon realized, his heart racing. "My ability to learn and adapt—it's far beyond anything I could have imagined as a human."
Motivated by this revelation, he pushed himself to study even harder. The hours passed in a blur as he worked his way through book after book, the initial difficulty of the devilish script quickly fading as he grew more familiar with it.
He delved into the basics of magic, memorizing the foundational runes and their meanings. He studied combat theory, learning the principles of enhancing his speed, strength, and reflexes with magic.
Most importantly, he began to understand the nature of devil physiology and its potential. Unlike humans, devils drew their strength from their demonic power, or mana, as well as the latent magic within their bloodlines.
Though Algernon lacked a bloodline ability, he realized that his body had its own untapped reserves of strength—a potential that even the Conqueror System recognized.
By the time the sun began to set, Algernon had breezed through more books than he'd thought possible in a single day. His mind felt sharp, his thoughts clear. Though there was still much to learn, he had taken the first step toward building the foundation he would need to rise in power.
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As he closed the final book for the day, Algernon leaned back in his chair, staring at the intricate patterns carved into the ceiling.
"This is just the beginning," he thought, a small smile playing on his lips. "Knowledge is power, and with the ability to learn this quickly, I'll catch up to everyone else—and surpass them."
He stood, stretching his arms as he surveyed the library one last time. Tomorrow, he would continue his studies, perhaps even begin experimenting with basic spells. But for now, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction.
'If I want to conquer worlds,' he thought, his eyes gleaming with determination, 'I'll start by conquering myself.'
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