Time flew by, and the spring atmosphere in Kuoh Town grew richer.
Nearly half a month had passed since the thrilling rescue battle at the abandoned church. Life in the Occult Research Club gradually returned to a new kind of calm. Meanwhile, Shin's secluded courtyard on the outskirts of town had, without anyone realizing it, become another unspoken regular gathering place for the club members besides the old school building clubroom.
Shin's body recovered faster than expected, thanks to the Gremory Family's unlimited supply of resources and the double nourishment of the gentle spiritual qi continuously gathered by the Purity Formation and Breath Concealment Formation in the courtyard. Although the True Qi in his dantian was still as thin as mist—far from its pre-injury level—and his meridians still had some faint aches and blockages, he could now move freely. His complexion was rosy, and his spirits were much better. He no longer felt that overwhelming weakness that made him fear he might faint at any moment.
However, Rias strictly forbade him from any form of cultivation or drawing talismans, demanding that he rest completely to consolidate his foundation. This, in turn, gave Shin more leisure time to immerse himself in tending to the courtyard and chatting with visitors.
Asia Argento was undoubtedly the most diligent visitor to the courtyard. Almost every evening after school, her petite figure would appear punctually outside the courtyard gate, often carrying a snack box prepared by Senior Akeno or a small pot of freshly brewed herbal tea. She seemed to have taken on the care of this courtyard as a sacred duty and a form of spiritual solace.
Under Shin's patient guidance, she had transformed from a clumsy novice who fumbled even with watering—afraid of harming the plants—into someone quite skilled. She learned to distinguish the different habits of mint and mugwort, knew that daylilies liked sun and dwarf pines were drought-resistant, understood when to loosen the soil, when to fertilize (still using ordinary organic and chemical fertilizers prepared by Shin), and even learned how to prune, carefully trimming away withered yellow branches and leaves.
Her movements were always gentle and focused, her azure eyes sparkling with seriousness and satisfaction. When her fair fingers brushed against the verdant leaves or felt the dampness of the soil, a serene and pure joy would appear on her face. The gloom brought by that nightmarish captivity seemed to be gradually dispelled by this vibrant courtyard and focused labor.
She even began to casually chat with Shin about interesting school anecdotes or share fascinating stories about the Underworld or the human world she had heard from Akeno. Her smiles became increasingly natural and radiant.
Most of the time, Shin would sit in his usual spot under the veranda, either reading the Classic of Hundred Herbs and Elixirs or simply watching Asia busy herself, occasionally offering a word or two of guidance. He discovered that Asia had an almost instinctive affinity and patience for caring for plants, as if the healing properties of her Sacred Gear, Twilight Healing, imbued her with a natural compassion for all life. This quality subtly aligned with the concepts of the Way of Nature and "nurturing all things" in the Daoist cultivation techniques he practiced, making him appreciate this kind girl even more.
The tranquil atmosphere and vibrant life in the courtyard also provided excellent nourishment for his damaged meridians and depleted dantian. Without needing to deliberately circulate his qi, the peaceful and rich Heaven and Earth spiritual qi, like silent spring rain, slowly permeated his Dao Foundation, repairing hidden injuries. This method of recovery was slow but steady, with no hidden dangers.
Besides Asia, visits from other club members also became part of the daily routine.
Kiba Yuuto still came regularly, usually after his sword practice. He would bring organized class notes to help Shin catch up on missed academic lessons. The two often discussed Eastern and Western philosophies or historical perspectives in a harmonious atmosphere. Sometimes Kiba would express curiosity about the particularly vigorous growth of the herbs in the courtyard. Shin would vaguely explain it as "some Eastern cultivation techniques" and "good local soil," and Kiba would nod thoughtfully without pressing further.
Akeno Himejima was a frequent visitor on weekend afternoons. She treated the place as an excellent tea party venue, always arriving with newly developed snacks of just the right sweetness and fragrant herbal tea. She would sit elegantly under the veranda, enjoying the unique tranquility of the courtyard while chatting with Shin and Asia about everything under the sun—from Demon Realm fashion to human world pop music, from ancient magic legends to modern scientific curiosities. Her laughter was as clear and pleasant as wind chimes.
She seemed to particularly enjoy this leisurely atmosphere away from the serious vibe of the clubroom. Her beautiful, insightful eyes often darted between Shin and Asia with a smile, occasionally saying something profound that made Asia blush, which Shin would then deflect with a wry smile.
Rias would also make time to visit amidst her busy family affairs and studies. She primarily came to check on Shin's recovery progress and bring additional resources provided by the Family. She highly approved of Shin's slow "integrating with the environment" recovery method, believing it was far better for solidifying his foundation and beneficial for his future than rushing with potent medicines.
She also keenly noticed the improvement in Asia's mental state and privately praised Shin: "You've managed this place very well. You're not only healing yourself but also healing her. That's excellent."
But what Shin found most interesting was Koneko Toujou's change. This taciturn senior, who had initially only passively followed others, later occasionally appeared alone and silently on the courtyard wall or the branches of the old tree, as if simply looking for a quiet place to daydream or nap.
Shin always remembered her fondness for sweets. Whenever Akeno or Asia brought snacks, he would specially set aside a portion on a small plate, placing it in a fixed spot along the veranda. Initially, Koneko would just watch from afar. Until one time, Shin placed a small piece of Akeno's special honey cake sprinkled with almond flakes there, then busied himself with his book, pretending not to care.
After a long while, he caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye: a petite figure, like a nimble cat, silently dropped down, snatched the cake with incredible speed, and instantly retreated to a safe distance. From then on, this became a silent understanding between them. Shin would always leave a snack, and Koneko would come and take it when he "wasn't looking."
The two never spoke and rarely even made eye contact. But gradually, Koneko's stays became a little longer. Sometimes she would sit on a nearby stone step with the snack, eating small bites. Her amber eyes occasionally swept over the flowers and plants Asia tended or gazed into the distance, pondering who knew what.
There was even one time when Shin moved the plate a little closer to his own seat. After hesitating for a few minutes, Koneko didn't quickly grab it and run as before. Instead, she silently walked over, stood by the veranda edge with her back to Shin, and quietly finished the snack. Shin didn't disturb her, merely continuing to read his book as if an extra quiet presence had appeared beside him.
Another time, Akeno brought a new type of marshmallow shaped like an adorable cat's paw. Shin set aside a portion as usual. Koneko arrived a bit later that day. When she saw the uniquely shaped marshmallow on the plate, her amber eyes seemed to brighten slightly. Although her face remained expressionless, after picking up the marshmallow, she uncharacteristically didn't leave immediately. Instead, she stared down at the cat's paw shape for several seconds before carefully taking a bite. Shin even thought he heard an extremely faint, almost imperceptible sigh of satisfaction from her.
These subtle changes brought Shin a strange sense of comfort. He knew it would take immense patience and sincerity to make this highly vigilant Nekomata girl lower her guard. And perhaps the sharing of these snacks was a small crack in the door to her heart.
The lingering glow of the setting sun once again bathed the courtyard in a warm golden hue.
Asia carefully finished watering the last mint plant, wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead, and smiled with the satisfaction of labor. Shin closed his book and took a sip of the slightly cooled herbal tea. By the veranda, Koneko had just silently taken today's matcha cookie and was sitting on a nearby stone lantern, eating small bites.
Akeno hadn't come today, and Kiba and Rias had their own affairs. Only the three of them remained in the courtyard—quiet, but not lonely.
A peaceful and warm atmosphere slowly flowed amidst the fresh scent of plants and the gentle sweetness of the snacks.
Shin gazed at this courtyard, which he had personally arranged and which was now brimming with life, and at the two girls gathered here for various reasons beside him. A faint but real sense of tranquility welled up in his heart.
The initial confusion and crisis of his transmigration seemed to be receding. A new life, deeply connected to this world, was quietly taking root and sprouting in this small courtyard.
He knew that beneath the calm, undercurrents might still be stirring. Raynare's threat had not been completely eliminated, and the Fallen Angels' conspiracy might still be ongoing. But at least at this moment, in this courtyard at sunset, he felt a hard-won and cherished "everyday life."
And this seemingly ordinary daily life was the best soil to nourish his Dao Heart, heal his wounds, and connect him with others.
...
📢 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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