Midnight approached.
Kuoh Town had fallen into slumber.
The noise of the day was gone, replaced by quiet streets and dim yellow streetlights stretching across empty roads.
But inside the Occult Research Club, the lights still burned brightly.
The air was heavy.
The final preparations were underway.
Rias Gremory had changed into a fitted combat outfit suitable for movement.
Her crimson hair was tied into a clean ponytail, accentuating her sharp features and dignified bearing as the heiress of the Gremory Clan.
She studied the structural blueprint of the abandoned church one final time, her fingers tracing entry points and retreat routes.
A cold glint flickered in her emerald eyes.
Akeno Himejima had also exchanged her usual attire for a dark purple combat outfit.
Lightning flickered faintly at her fingertips as she calibrated small magical tools.
Her expression was serene—but charged with restrained power.
Kiba Yuto stood in light knight attire. His Demon Sword remained sheathed, yet faint Sword Qi already radiated from it.
Eyes closed, he adjusted his breathing to peak condition—like a drawn bow waiting to release its arrow.
Koneko Toujou stretched her wrists and ankles silently. Her amber eyes were calm, devoid of fear or hesitation.
To her, this was simply another mission.
In the corner of the room, Shin focused on his final preparations.
Yellow talisman paper and cinnabar lay neatly before him.
He poured the last of his concentration into drawing.
This would be his most direct contribution tonight.
The room was silent except for the soft scratch of brush against paper and his slow, controlled breathing.
He centered his mind on his dantian, guiding his thin but pure True Qi into the brush.
Tonight, he was not drawing simple defensive talismans.
He was preparing two specific tools for stealth operations:
Light Body Talismans.
Silence Talismans.
The Light Body Talisman did not grant flight.
Instead, it subtly invoked wind-aligned Qi to reduce bodily weight and friction, allowing lighter steps, higher leaps, and smoother movement.
The Silence Talisman formed a delicate Qi field that absorbed sound vibrations—footsteps, cloth friction, even controlled breathing.
Together, they were perfect for infiltration.
Both required precise Qi control.
Sweat formed on Shin's brow.
His complexion grew pale.
But his brush remained steady.
Finally—
The last talisman was complete.
The cinnabar lines glowed faintly, almost alive.
Shin exhaled slowly and organized the finished talismans.
"Final status?" Rias asked.
"Ready," Kiba replied, opening his eyes.
"Preparations complete," Akeno added with a soft smile.
Koneko nodded.
Rias's gaze fell on Shin. She noticed his fatigue—and the stack of talismans.
"Well done."
Shin approached and handed them out.
"These are Light Body and Silence Talismans," he explained.
"The effects last roughly half an hour—about the time it takes an incense stick to burn."
"They should be applied before engagement."
Interest flickered across the room.
Kiba examined his talisman. "It directly affects body movement… fascinating."
As a knight, he immediately grasped its value.
Akeno traced the runes with a finger. "Ara~ Such refined energy control. It's completely different from our magic system."
Koneko accepted hers quietly. She glanced at Shin's pale face.
"…Thank you."
Rias studied hers briefly before pressing both talismans to her body.
They dissolved into cool currents.
Instantly, her body felt lighter.
Her own heartbeat seemed muted.
The others followed.
Kiba leapt lightly.
He landed without a sound.
Surprise flickered in his eyes.
Akeno spun once—her clothing silent.
Koneko performed a short dash. She moved like a phantom.
The effects were immediate.
Recognition in their eyes deepened.
Shin was no mere theoretician.
He was a functional support asset.
"Excellent," Rias said firmly.
"Final equipment check."
"Departure in one minute."
Shin applied a Light Body and Silence Talisman to himself.
He placed Breath-Concealing and Body Protection Talismans within easy reach.
His True Qi reserves were nearly depleted.
A faint emptiness lingered inside him.
But his resolve was steady.
Rias opened the window.
Cold night wind rushed in.
She looked west.
"Target: the abandoned church."
"Objective: rescue Asia Argento."
"Eliminate the Fallen Angel threat."
Her voice was calm. Unyielding.
"Move out."
Five figures slipped into the night like shadows.
They landed silently outside the Old School Building.
Under the enhancement of talismans and demonic power alike, they merged seamlessly with darkness.
Shin followed closely.
The night wind brushed against his face.
His pulse quickened.
Fear.
Excitement.
Resolve.
Tonight, his Dao would face its first true trial.
And beneath the cover of darkness—
The rescue had begun.