highschool dxd: gamer system

The days following Koneko's arrival at the Gremory castle were filled with a quiet but undeniable change. Ahmed had continued his relentless training, pushing himself further with each passing day, but there was something different now. Koneko, who had initially kept her distance, had begun joining him during his training sessions.

It wasn't much at first—just watching from the sidelines, offering a critique here and there. But gradually, Koneko had started participating more actively, throwing Destruction Orbs with surprising precision and even experimenting with her own Dash techniques. Despite her reserved nature, her raw power and innate talent were undeniable.

Ahmed didn't mind the silent companionship. It had become a part of his routine, a small but comforting presence by his side. But even as their training sessions grew more frequent, there was something Koneko hadn't shared with him, something she kept hidden behind her guarded exterior.

---

Koneko's Burden

That evening, as the orange hues of the setting sun bathed the courtyard, Koneko sat alone, her thoughts heavy. She had just finished a particularly intense training session with Ahmed, but her mind was far from the physical exertion.

Her golden eyes, always so sharp and observant, wandered to the distant horizon. For a moment, it felt as though she were back in her old life, trapped in that dark, empty world of isolation. The experiments, the betrayal, and the silence.

But since coming to the Gremory castle, things had begun to change—slowly, almost imperceptibly. Rias and Sirzechs had treated her like family, and Ahmed, for all his strength, seemed genuinely kind. Yet the walls she had built around herself were not easily torn down.

> "Why is it so hard to let go?" she whispered to herself.

As she sat in solitude, a familiar voice broke her from her thoughts.

> "You've been quiet lately."

Ahmed stood nearby, his hands resting on his hips, looking at her with his usual curious expression.

Koneko shrugged, not offering a direct answer. She wasn't used to sharing her feelings, especially with someone who still felt like a stranger despite the time they'd spent training together.

> "I've just been thinking," she said simply.

Ahmed sat down beside her, his eyes scanning the horizon as well. For a long time, neither of them spoke, the silence between them comfortable but pregnant with unspoken words.

> "You know, you're not alone here," Ahmed said eventually, breaking the silence. "I get that it's hard. But the Gremory family—they're good people."

Koneko's lips tightened, her gaze never leaving the distant sky.

> "I don't need people," she said quietly, the words tinged with the weight of her past.

Ahmed looked at her, his expression softening.

> "You don't have to need anyone," he said. "But you're not alone. Not anymore."

Koneko didn't respond, but the faintest hint of something—whether it was relief or suspicion—flickered in her eyes. She wasn't ready to trust completely, but a small part of her wanted to believe him.

---

The Challenge from Sirzechs

Later that night, after their training session, Sirzechs Lucifer called for a meeting in the main hall. Rias, Ahmed, and Koneko gathered around him, the atmosphere growing serious.

Sirzechs stood at the head of the table, his crimson eyes focused on Koneko.

> "Koneko," he began, his tone both firm and gentle, "I've been thinking about your future with the Gremory family."

Koneko raised an eyebrow but remained silent, waiting for Sirzechs to continue.

> "I believe it's time you take your place among us, not just as a guest, but as a member of this family."

Rias watched her closely, her expression hopeful.

> "If you're ready, Koneko," she added softly. "We would be honored to have you in my peerage."

Ahmed, standing beside them, watched Koneko carefully. He could sense her hesitation. Her past was a heavy burden, and he knew the decision she faced wasn't easy.

> "You don't have to rush," Ahmed added, his voice calm. "Take your time. But if you ever need a place to belong, you have one here."

For the first time in a long while, Koneko found herself torn. Part of her longed for the family they spoke of, for a place where she could finally feel safe. But another part of her, the part that had survived her painful past, recoiled at the thought of letting others in.

Koneko stood in silence for a long moment before finally speaking.

> "I'll think about it," she said quietly.

Sirzechs nodded, clearly understanding the weight of her decision.

> "Take all the time you need," he said. "But remember, you are a part of this family now. That won't change."

---

The First Real Test

The following day, Ahmed's training took a new turn. Sirzechs had arranged a special exercise for him to test the limits of his growing abilities. He would be facing a group of elite devils, tasked with pushing him to his limits.

As Ahmed stood in the training grounds, facing off against the group of experienced fighters, he felt a familiar surge of excitement.

> "This is it," he muttered to himself. "Time to see just how much I've improved."

His opponent, a tall devil with piercing red eyes, smiled as he unsheathed his weapon.

> "Let's see if you've got what it takes, Gremory."

The fight began in an instant, and Ahmed darted forward, his Dash propelling him with incredible speed. He threw a series of Destruction Orbs, testing his accuracy and power against multiple opponents.

> [Skill Progression: Destruction Orb – Proficiency 60%]

[Skill Progression: Dash – Proficiency 40%]

But his opponents weren't just standing still. They were quick, their moves fluid and precise, forcing Ahmed to stay on his toes.

> "Not bad, but you'll need more than that to win," one of them mocked as they sidestepped his attack.

Ahmed gritted his teeth and pressed on. With each attack, he grew more confident, his skills improving as he adapted to their strategies. He learned to blend his Throwing and Destruction Orb abilities, creating a devastating combination that caught his enemies off guard.

> [Skill Synergy Unlocked!]

- Throwing + Destruction Orb = Explosive Precision

- Effect: Increased damage and radius when throwing destruction-based projectiles.

The battle raged on, and Ahmed's abilities flourished. But even as he fought, a thought nagged at him.

> "I've still got so much to learn."

As the dust settled and his opponents lay defeated on the ground, Ahmed stood victorious, his chest heaving with exhaustion. He'd come a long way, but this was just the beginning.

---

Koneko's Decision

That evening, after the battle, Koneko found herself walking toward the training courtyard again. She hadn't spoken to anyone about it, but something had shifted in her. She had watched Ahmed grow, seen the determination in his eyes, and witnessed how the Gremory family had embraced him.

Maybe… maybe it was time to stop running from the past.

She stood at the edge of the courtyard, watching as Ahmed sparred with a training dummy. His movements were fluid, his power undeniable. She could see the same kind of resolve in him that she once had in herself—the desire to protect, to grow, and to belong.

Koneko took a deep breath and stepped forward, her voice quiet but firm.

> "I've made my decision."

Ahmed turned to her, sweat trickling down his brow. He was panting from his training, but his eyes softened when he saw her approach.

> "What's your decision?"

Koneko looked him in the eye, her expression resolute.

> "I'll join your peerage."

---