DxD: The Replication System!

Chapter 264 - 264: Helping Stella

After the chaotic scene in the Chairwoman's office, the dynamic between Roy and Stella underwent a very subtle change.An undeniable, slightly awkward, yet ambiguous atmosphere settled between them.

On the way back to the dormitory, Stella didn't talk much. However, she would sneak glances at Roy from time to time, quickly darting her eyes away whenever she felt he might notice, pretending to be nonchalant as they walked down the corridor.

While Stella remained silent, Roy didn't initiate a conversation either. He was busy analyzing her.

The news of a foreign princess and A-Rank Mage Knight enrolling at Hagun Academy had been overwhelming. Therefore, basic information about Stella's abilities was easily accessible online.

Publicly, Stella's Noble Art was classified as a Natural Interference ability..specifically, the manipulation of flames.

However, when Roy checked her true stats with his System, the result was completely different.

[Concept Interference Dragon: 800,000 Dimensional Points.]

This was Stella's true Noble Art.

In this world, Noble Arts generally fell into four categories.

Physical Enhancement: The most basic level of ability. As long as a person had magic power, they could use it to strengthen their physical parameters. Ikki's Ittou Shura fell into this category, pushing physical enhancement to its absolute, self-destructive peak.

Natural Interference: The ability to use magic to control the elements. On the surface, Stella appeared to belong to this category.

Concept Interference: An ability that manipulates abstract concepts rather than physical elements. This includes manipulating light, shadows, gravity, or even specific conceptual ideas. It is generally stronger than the first two.

Causal Interference: The rarest and most absolute form of magic. It manipulates cause and effect, time, or fate. These abilities are either unreasonably powerful or mysterious and unpredictable.

For example, the Student Council Vice President, Utakata Misogi, possessed a Causal Interference Noble Art. As long as a desired outcome had even a 1% chance of success, he could theoretically enforce that outcome to 50% or 90%.

If Ikki possessed a Causal Interference ability, even with his F-Rank mana capacity, the Kurogane family would have treated him like a messiah rather than an embarrassment.

That was the terrifying prestige of Causal Interference. Its users were considered the darlings of fate.

Yet, Stella's Concept Interference was at the very pinnacle of its category.

In almost every mythological universe, dragons were the ultimate mythical creatures, entities that stood shoulder to shoulder with the gods.

The ability to manipulate the sheer concept of a Dragon showed just how monstrous Stella's true potential was.

As the host of the Boosted Gear, Roy knew that he and Stella would indeed get along perfectly. Their powers resonated on a fundamental level.

After thinking for a moment, Roy spent the 800,000 Dimensional Points to replicate her Noble Art.

Because Stella's current understanding of her own ability was entirely superficial. Roy didn't gain any combat experience or mastery from the replication. He would have to explore it himself.

Fortunately, with his omniscient skills, mastering it wouldn't take long.

===

Replicated Skill: Concept Interference - The Dragon

Quality: B+

Effect: Contains the conceptual authority of a Dragon. Allows the user to reproduce the raw power, traits, and breath of various dragons, and even temporarily assimilate the user's existence into that of a dragon.

===

'Perhaps when I fully grasp this concept, I can finally attempt to develop the Dragon God Mode', Roy thought, feeling a surge of excitement.

This was a blueprint he had been planning for a while.

He intended to use Ophis's blood and inscribe his Falna directly onto the Boosted Gear to forcefully evolve it into a special Mode.

However, he had lacked a deep, conceptual understanding of dragon kind to act as the catalyst.

Now, the power he had just replicated from Stella provided the missing link.

According to Roy's estimates, if he could successfully complete this mode, his strength would take a quantum leap.

He would be able to stand on par with the Super Devils or the Top Ten Strongest Beings in the DxD.

After returning to the dormitory, Roy helped Stella unpack her luggage and organize her side of the room.

"Thank you, Roy," Stella said, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead. A soft blush colored her cheeks as she smiled at him. "I didn't expect you to be so good at this!"

"..."

Roy paused. He knew she meant he was good at organizing and cleaning, but her phrasing was heavily ambiguous.

Before coming to Japan, Stella had earnestly studied Japanese customs and language. However, her understanding was strictly textbook.

As a result, many of the phrases she used carried unintended, suggestive double meanings. Of course, the innocent princess had zero self awareness regarding this and didn't realize how her words sounded.

"I've lived alone for a long time," Roy smiled, unpacking a box of books. "Stella, you're a Princess, but you seem no stranger to housework."

Praised by Roy, Stella's mood brightened considerably. A hint of pride crept into her voice. "I'm not the kind of pampered princess who idles around all day and doesn't even know how to take care of herself!"

"When I used to sneak out of the palace to practice my swordsmanship, I had to fend for myself. If I waited for the maids to cater to my every need, I would have starved," she said proudly.

"Besides, I chose to attend Hagun Academy. I couldn't bring my royal attendants here, so I made sure to learn how to do chores before I left."

"You're definitely subverting my stereotype of a princess," Roy chuckled.

"Oh? What does a princess look like in your eyes, Roy?" Stella asked curiously, leaning on a desk.

"Calling people commoners all day long, wearing extravagant ballgowns just to go for a walk, and having a dozen bodyguards and maids hovering around at all times," Roy listed casually, drawing from standard anime tropes.

"How is that even practical...?" Stella gave a dry laugh, though she guiltily averted her gaze.

'I do occasionally call people commoners in my head...' she thought to herself.

After chatting in the dorm for a while and finishing the bulk of the unpacking, it was almost time for lunch.

The two decided to head to the campus cafeteria together.

---

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