Several days had quietly passed since Shin awoke in the clubroom and invited Asia to his courtyard.
Life at Kuoh Academy seemed to have returned to its former tranquility, but within the Occult Research Club, a slow yet firm process of recovery and reconstruction was underway after the recent battle.
With the continuous supply of precious elixirs and resources from the Gremory Family, Shin's physical condition improved at a visible rate. Although his dantian's True Qi remained depleted and the stagnation in his meridians had not completely disappeared, the deep-seated weakness lingered like a shadow. Still, he could at least get out of bed and walk slowly, no longer confined to lying down all the time.
Rias strictly limited his activities, requiring him to stay in the clubroom or at home to recuperate. She absolutely forbade any form of cultivation or mentally exhausting activities.
In these past few days, Asia Argento had become the most diligent visitor to the Occult Research Club. After confirming Shin's stable condition and obtaining Rias's permission, she almost couldn't wait—with a hint of cautious joy—to step into Shin's secluded old house on the outskirts of town for the first time.
When she pushed open the slightly old courtyard gate, the sight that greeted her made her instantly hold her breath. Her azure eyes filled with awe and delight.
Unlike the mess she had imagined a single man's residence might be, Shin's courtyard, though simple, was exceptionally neat and tidy. A winding gravel path led to the main house, and the dried-up old pond in the corner had been cleaned and filled with shallow, clear water that reflected the clouds in the sky.
Most strikingly, several neat garden beds had been cultivated in the previously barren land. Instead of exotic flowers, they were filled with vibrant, lush common herbs and ornamental plants: mint, mugwort, daylilies, and several gnarled dwarf pines. Every plant looked exceptionally vital, with full leaves and rich greenery, as if carefully nurtured for a long time.
The entire courtyard was enveloped in an indescribably tranquil and fresh atmosphere. The air was exceptionally clean, making one feel refreshed with every breath, as if all worries and distractions were quietly washed away.
Asia almost immediately fell in love with the place. Its aura made her feel incredibly safe and comfortable—far more relaxing than the bustling academy or an unfamiliar dormitory.
"This place… it's so beautiful, so comfortable…" She couldn't help but praise softly, a genuine, radiant smile appearing on her face.
Shin was resting on a wicker chair under the veranda. His face was still a bit pale, but his spirits were much better. Seeing Asia arrive, a gentle smile appeared on his face.
"You're here. Welcome. Please make yourself at home—there are no rules here."
"Excuse me for intruding, Classmate Shin."
Asia bowed shyly, then, like a curious fawn, carefully walked into the courtyard. Her gaze was drawn to the vibrant plants.
"Are these flowers and plants… all planted by you? They're growing so well!"
"Yes," Shin nodded. His gaze swept over the plants with a trace of imperceptible satisfaction. "I have nothing else to do, so I plant things. Watching them grow also puts me in a better mood. They seem… to like it here too."
He naturally did not mention the nourishing effect of the Purity Formation's gathered spiritual qi on the plants.
From that day on, Asia would come to Shin's courtyard almost every day after school. She brought a small bag of light snacks or herbal tea prepared by Akeno, suitable for a patient's recovery. She wasn't good at lively entertainment, but she found this quiet, close-to-nature environment particularly suitable.
Her greatest pleasure was asking Shin for knowledge about caring for the flowers and plants. Shin was happy to have the company and patiently taught her how to identify herbs, how to water, loosen the soil, and fertilize (using ordinary organic and chemical fertilizers, of course).
Asia learned extremely diligently. Her hands, originally used for healing wounds, now carefully tended to the soil and plants. Her movements were gentle and focused, as if performing a sacred task. She found that when she immersed herself in caring for these lives, her heart became exceptionally peaceful, and unpleasant memories were temporarily cast aside. The unique tranquil atmosphere in the courtyard continuously nourished her wounded spirit.
Shin usually sat under the veranda watching, occasionally offering a pointer or two. He found that he didn't even need to deliberately activate the 'Qi Concealment Art.' As long as he stayed within the range of the courtyard's formation, his depleted meridians and dantian would be subtly nourished by the surrounding rich and peaceful Heaven and Earth spiritual qi. Although the speed was extremely slow, it was continuous and burden-free—the exact kind of natural recovery he needed most right now.
Sometimes he would take out the basic volume of the Classic of Hundred Herbs and Elixirs, flipping through descriptions of common herbs' properties and effects. Combining them with the actual plants in the courtyard, he would explain some rudimentary Eastern pharmacology concepts to Asia.
Asia listened with great interest. For her, it had a wonderful commonality with her specialized healing domain, even though the concepts and methods were entirely different.
They didn't talk much. Often there were long periods of silence—one quietly working, the other quietly reading or resting—yet it never felt awkward. Instead, a wordless understanding and tranquility quietly flowed between them.
Asia's gratitude toward Shin gradually transformed into a deeper trust and closeness. And Shin, in this kind and innocent girl, felt a rare, peaceful strength that allowed his tense mind to relax.
Besides Asia, other members of the Occult Research Club would also visit from time to time.
Kiba Yuuto was one of the most frequent visitors. He usually came after school with class notes and homework, carefully explaining the missed lessons to Shin. Sometimes he would discuss with Shin the differences between Eastern and Western understandings of 'qi' or 'energy,' showing great interest in concepts such as 'Yin and Yang balance' and 'going with the flow.' There was a sense of mutual appreciation between the two.
Akeno Himejima often appeared on weekend afternoons. She would bring her carefully baked, moderately sweet pastries and newly blended herbal teas. She sat elegantly under the veranda, enjoying the tranquility of the courtyard while chatting with Shin and Asia about everything from academy anecdotes to various mysterious legends and tales.
She particularly appreciated Shin's unique 'aura' that made people relax, calling it "a rare and truly peaceful place to calm one's mind." Her perceptive eyes often lingered with a smile on the quiet interactions between Shin and Asia, but she never pointed it out.
Rias had also visited a few times, mainly to confirm Shin's recovery progress and deliver subsequent resources from the Family. Each time, she carefully sensed his state and expressed approval for his slow recovery method of 'fusion with the environment.'
"Although it's slow, the foundation is solid, with no hidden dangers. Very good."
She also noticed Asia's visibly more cheerful and peaceful state in the courtyard and gave Shin an appreciative look. Once, she even half-jokingly said to him, "It seems my Advisor is not only good at assisting in combat but also very skilled at managing environments and people's hearts. I'm very relieved to entrust Asia to your 'care'."
What surprised Shin the most was Koneko Toujou's change. At first, Koneko only came with Rias or Akeno. Once there, she would sit alone quietly on a stone lantern in the corner of the courtyard, either watching Asia tend to the flowers and plants or staring blankly at the sky, as silent as ever.
Shin remembered that she liked sweets. One time when Akeno brought extra pastries, he put a few on a small plate and offered them to Koneko in the corner. Koneko looked at the pastries, a flicker of surprise in her amber eyes. She then looked up at Shin's calm and gentle face, paused for a few seconds, and finally reached out her small hand, quietly took them, and softly said, "…Thank you."
Then she ate them in small bites right there. Although her face remained expressionless, the 'do not approach' aura around her seemed to have diminished ever so slightly.
From then on, whenever Shin had snacks, he would habitually prepare a portion for Koneko as well. Koneko went from silently accepting them at first, to occasionally looking at the plate, and then one time she even brought a box of advanced pudding she had bought herself—with cartoon cat patterns on the packaging—and silently placed it on the veranda next to Shin. Then she immediately jumped back onto her stone lantern, as if nothing had happened.
This clumsy yet adorable response made Shin and Akeno, who was occasionally present, smile knowingly. Shin knew that this taciturn senior had begun to accept him, the 'Advisor,' in her own way.
Days passed in such a calm and gentle rhythm.
Shin's courtyard had become a unique sanctuary. It not only nourished his damaged Dao Foundation but also quietly healed Asia's emotional wounds. It had also become a new, secret base for the Occult Research Club members to relax and socialize.
The shadow of war gradually faded, and new bonds quietly grew stronger amidst the sunshine and the fragrance of plants. Shin's place in this unfamiliar world also became clearer and more important through these daily moments.
...
📢 Author's Note
The full completed version of High School DxD: The Quiet Immortal Who Guides Devils (Part 1) is now available on Patreon!
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✅ Part 1 Complete — 116 Chapters
🔥 I also have additional **18+ fanfics** available for readers who enjoy exclusive mature stories. 😉
1. Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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