Zaydas' father and mother called him to the living room for an important conversation.
"Zay, now that you're 18, there's something your mother and I want to tell you." Sirzechs placed his hand over his wife's trembling hand and continued, "First, you need to understand that what we did was all for your well-being. Neither I nor especially your mother ever intended to treat you badly."
"Mm." Zaydas nodded. "I know that."
"Zay..." Zatanna continued, her voice soft yet worried. "The truth is, I'm not an ordinary human, and I'm not from this dimension. I came from a dimension somewhat similar to this one but potentially even more dangerous. When I arrived here..." She looked lovingly at Sirzechs. "Your father helped me when I was injured and being pursued. He was so kind~"
Cough. Sirzechs turned red and coughed. "Dear, we're straying from the topic."
"Ah, yes, that's true." She laughed a little but quickly grew serious. "Zay, your father is also not just a simple Devil from a secondary branch of the Bael family."
"Son," Sirzechs continued, "the truth is, I'm the current leader of the Four Great Satans who govern the Underworld with the title of [Lucifer]. Previously, I was known as Sirzechs Gremory. But upon becoming [Lucifer], my name changed to Sirzechs Lucifer. I'm sorry for keeping this from you for so long."
"I see." Zaydas became a bit thoughtful, which made his parents anxious. Soon, he said, "Will this change anything? Do I have to leave the human world to live in the Underworld?"
"Nothing will change unless you want it to, son." Zatanna reached out to hold his hand, gripping it gently but firmly. "If you wish, you can continue living here or move to the Underworld. The choice is entirely yours. Just understand, while we couldn't give you a normal life, I at least wanted you to reach adulthood in the human world, free from the political conflicts of the Underworld."
"I see..." Zaydas asked, "By the way, Rias-nee, my aunt, she must be the current heir to the Gremory House, right?"
Sirzechs nodded. "Correct."
"Got it. I understand everything now. By the way, Mom, I'm getting hungry. What's for lunch today?"
"..."
Is that all? Won't he scream or even be shaken after hearing all this?
They felt foolish for worrying so much...
But how could they have known that everything they revealed was something Zaydas had already deduced and had time to process?
Shaken? He had been. But now he possessed memories of another life and even a system. This was nothing in comparison.
Not to mention, as they themselves said, they never intended to harm him, and indeed, he had lived a good life so far.
"It'll still take some time for the food to be ready." Zatanna snapped back to herself and replied with a smile. "Fufu, your father has a gift for you. Go on a trip to the Underworld with him while I prepare something delicious for you when you return, okay?"
Zaydas looked at her and nodded.
Although he didn't know what it would be, he had a vague idea.
***
***
[Underworld, in a dark area with some kind of magical platform where a set of chess pieces was displayed]
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Zaydas, standing before the pieces, began to form a bond with them.
A burst of demonic energy started to pour out.
"As expected of your son and hers…" The green-haired man next to Sirzechs spoke indifferently.
"Haha, isn't it?" Sirzechs didn't seem to mind his indifference, already used to it, and laughed loudly at his good friend's words.
***
***
[Kuoh Town – 12:13 PM]
"Thirteen minutes late!" Zatanna placed her hands on her hips and puffed her cheeks upon seeing the two crimson-haired, light-eyed men appear.
"Sorry, sorry." Sirzechs said with a smile. "But, Zatanna, our son is amazing—he caused a small phenomenon when bonding with the [Evil Pieces], which is why we took so long."
"In that case, you're forgiven." She smiled. "Come on, sit down. I'll set the table."
Sirzechs went to his wife, kissed her, and soon helped set the table.
Used to this scene, Zaydas simply turned his face away and sighed.
'By the way, now that I also have my own Evil Pieces, I need to start thinking about what kind of people I'd like to turn into Devils, making them part of my Peerage…'
***
***
In his room, Zaydas thought to himself: 'Alright, not knowing how to address you is starting to bother me. Although a bit cliché, I'll start addressing you as Grand Sage.'
[Responding. Name, Grand Sage... Registered!]
[Hello, I am the Grand Sage at your service!]
'Alright.' He commanded: 'Grand Sage, open the second door.'
[Affirmative!]
Soon, the familiar sensation from when he opened the first door came. Maybe it was something created by his brain, but he swore he heard the sound of a latch unlocking. Soon, new power began to integrate into him, with thousands of pages of information being infused into his brain.
'Cryokinesis and Pyrokinesis…'
Two interesting and equally powerful abilities depending on how they're used.
'Status.'
───────────
|Name: [Zaydas Grimmory]
|Race: [Hybrid: Devil/Meta-human]
|Rank: [High-Level Devil]
|Titles: [Count], [King]
|Abilities: [Power of Destruction (Rank A)], [Demonic Power (Rank A)], [Dimensional Rift (Rank S)], [Magic Master (Door 2)]
|Achievement Points (AP): [19,499]
|Equipment: [Evil Pieces]
───────────
'My last name remains the same, huh?' Zaydas thought. 'Even though I know the truth now, my records still list me as "Grimmory". Also, it seems that the rank of Magic Master won't appear until I unlock all the doors…'
The fact that the Evil Pieces appeared on his status as a new line didn't surprise Zaydas. The importance of the pieces deserved to be noted.
And the addition of the title "King" was also expected.
Closing the page, Zaydas grabbed his smartphone and went to the bathroom.
***
***
Flushing the toilet, Zaydas left the bathroom, thinking as he glanced at his reflection in the mirror: 'It's time for a change in my haircut. I let it grow out to imitate my father before, but… I'm no longer interested in keeping it like this.'
When he went downstairs, his parents had already left. Previously, they pretended to work as the owners of a luxury car rental company. While this was true, capable people handled everything for them, and their actual destination was the Underworld.
'Is traveling to and from the Underworld complicated?' He thought this for a moment before remembering who his parents were. 'Haha, I must be crazy for thinking that…'
Heading to the garage, Zaydas thought: 'First stop, the hairdresser. After that, I'll decide what to do.'
With the key to his Yamaha VMAX in hand, Zaydas used telekinesis to lift the motorcycle into the air, then mounted it and started it electrically.
The sound of the engine echoed in the garage. Soon, he shifted out of neutral and accelerated, leaving the garage while remembering to press the button to close it and open the entrance gate.
From his mansion to the gate was 913 meters. He easily covered the distance with a simple rev of the bike.
***
***
[Shima (Tokyo), Omotesando District]
Shima is known for its precise cutting techniques and ability to create minimalist and modern styles. The atmosphere is sophisticated.
The explosive sound of the Yamaha VMAX echoes as Zaydas enters the parking lot of Shima Salon.
Zaydas steps into the salon to the sound of a bell, immediately greeted by a beautiful, well-dressed woman with a professional smile.
"Welcome back, Mr. Grimmory."
"Mm." Zaydas nodded calmly. "Good afternoon, Haruka-san."
"Hehe, good afternoon." Haruka adjusted her glasses, chuckling lightly as she asked, "How can we assist you this time, Mr. Grimmory?"
"This is it, Haruka-san." Zaydas touched his hair. "I want to change my hairstyle—something more modern, you know?"
Haruka's brown eyes gleamed with understanding. Clasping her hands together, she said, "That's fantastic! As our esteemed client, we'll do everything within our ability. Please, follow me. I'll show you a catalog of modern hairstyles, or if you already have something in mind, just let us know, and our professionals will do their best to satisfy you!"
Zaydas replied, already having something in mind: "I want an undercut style with the ends layered."
"Excellent choice!" She smiled. "Alice will be in charge of you—is that alright?"
"Yes." Zaydas agreed.
It didn't take long for Alice to arrive.
Alice had short purple hair, liked wearing colorful outfits, and donned pink lipstick. She was tall and had a slender figure.
"Ara, it's you, Zay-kun~" Alice said cheerfully, full of enthusiasm. "I'm glad. I didn't think I'd see you again so soon~"
"Alice, good to see you too." Zaydas smiled. "I'll be in your care once again."
"Fufu." Placing a hand in front of her mouth, she winked at him and said, "You can count on me, Zay-kun~"
***
***
Alice did not disappoint him.
The result was perfect.
"What a hottie~"
Some female clients couldn't help but admire him.
It wasn't just them—even the hairstylists had similar reactions.
Not that Zaydas didn't look good before, but now, with his face more exposed and perfectly symmetrical—thanks to his parents' incredible genetics—he had taken on a fresher, more youthful appearance.
His simple smile lit up the salon.
"Ara ara, Zay-kun, if you smile like that, you'll give me a heart attack~!" Alice teased, giving him a playful tap on the arm.
"Haha, Alice, you're exaggerating." Zaydas didn't take it seriously.
"What a shame—I'd go after you if I were a few years younger~" Alice sighed, looking genuinely regretful.
"Haha…" Zaydas laughed awkwardly at her comment.
"Fufu, no need to worry—I know you're straight, Zay-kun~"
Alice's remark made everyone who overheard it laugh.
A bit embarrassed at being seen through, Zaydas scratched his face with his index finger.