I was a completely average high school student.

In more detail, there was absolutely nothing special about me. I was the kid you would find in the arcade after school wasting all of his money. I was the kid you would see working part-time at a fast food restaurant. I was the kid you'd see on the school roof during school hours because he couldn't stand the teacher's rambling.

I was totally normal and it hurt a little knowing that I could easily be replaced by my next door neighbour. It didn't really control me, though. I was trying to make the most of my life because I knew I could die at any moment without experiencing what I wanted to.

Unfortunately, that involved having a girlfriend and everything that came with her. Although, on one fateful and seemingly lucky afternoon, Yuuma Amano, a girl who seemed to be very polite while looking cute, had asked me out as I was on my way home from school.

I was a sceptic and I always have been. I had a hard time believing in religion and the paranormal, but this event and events that would appear to be similar were added to my list. I mean, I hadn't seen this girl before and she doesn't go to my school so there really was no point in thinking about those things when I saw the girl.

Although, Yuuma said that she had fallen in love with me ever since she first saw me, so I ended up thinking she had been stalking me for some time before she built up the courage to ask the big question.

In the end, after some crying, embarrassment and heart break from the poor girl, I offered to be her friend and gave her my phone number. That evening we had made plans to hang out around the city for most of the day. It seemed like a date at first as it was just me and this cute girl, but it turned out to be more entertaining than I thought it would be. There were no romantic aspects to our little adventure around the city.

And then…as the sunset slowly fell on the horizon, Yuuma and I sat on the edge of a water fountain in a park that was conveniently placed at the top of a large set of stairs. We were basically given the orange and purple hues of the dying sun.

After some small talk and humour that we both seemed to enjoy, Yuuma jumped to her feet and held her hands behind her back with a gentle smile. And then I died shortly after with no recollection of what had happened as it was too fast for my eyes to track. I do know I had a gaping hole in my stomach and that I was quickly bleeding out, and that I didn't see Yuuma anywhere and was starting to get worried, not caring for myself as I usually did.

And then I woke up in my bed like nothing had happened.

And on that day, I found another gaping hole in my stomach. This time, I knew what had caused it and who had the power to do it, but I didn't care much for memorising the face of that malicious being. They did have a set of black wings, though, which was probably a bad omen, not that I believed in the paranormal or anything like that.

The following morning, I woke up next to a naked Rias Gremory cuddling me in bed who had then explained that I was now her devil servant or something like that. I acted neutral like I generally did in those kinds of situations, but on the inside I was confused as to why I had been killed two days in a row. That was my only thought process for that entire morning.

I guess I could shorten this whole story and say that I had been killed twice and had become a devil, but that wouldn't be very fun. That was how I found myself standing in the Occult Research Club's mansion in the middle of a dense group of trees at the back of my school, though. Everything that had happened previously was just a precursor to what was going to come.

I looked at the mansion as I approached the building. It was a nice building. I genuinely liked it as it was made of a dark wood in a Victorian style. It had fancy couches in the main clubroom, velvet carpet and large windows, not to mention some kind of pentagram in one corner of the room. As strange as it sounded to me, I didn't think the other rooms in the building were used at all as none of the doors seemed to have ever been used.

So I pointed at the pentagram in confusion as I had nothing else to observe or mention other than the people that I could care less about, "What exactly is that used for?" Akeno Himejima, a black haired third year with purple eyes, white skin and what should be considered a very good body, stepped forward with a smile.

"It's a magic circle that has been designed for teleportation, if you want to call it that!" I frowned and nod my head once in thanks. Rias was currently showering behind a curtain that was in the side of the wall and I couldn't help but glance over in that direction. I ended up shaking my head with a sigh before I timidly parked my body on the only couch that was facing a window. It had a small coffee table and another couch opposite it, as well. The room was quiet and it disturbed me just a little.

I have never really been a people person. The thought of having to deal with a complete was stranger wasn't exactly terrifying, but it did make me feel nervous. Especially when I know I've done something wrong and will have to face the consequences of my actions. They were always the worst moments.

I looked around the room once more but decided to look at the other members of this strange club.

Yuuto Kiba, a second year that the girls consider to be handsome. Short blonde hair, large blue eyes that I knew held a fake gentleness and a mildly average form. He's also known as the 'Prince of Kuoh' but it's only because of the female students and their ridiculous infatuation. He's leaning on a wall next to one of the large windows.

Koneko Toujo, a first year student that is rather cute. Short white hair, small brown eyes and a permanent stoic face that did not fit her petite frame. She's widely known as Kuoh's 'mascot' and guys and girls alike love her because of how 'cute' she looks. I guess she likes sweets because she's eating some as I look at her sitting on the couch opposite me.

Akeno Himejima. I've already looked at her enough, but she's known as one of the 'Two Big Sisters of Kuoh' right next to Rias. She's at the end of the room pouring tea into two separate cups and is smiling while humming. That smile looks too fake to be real to me at the moment, so I couldn't help but frown just a little more.

And then there was Rias Gremory who had just sat across from me. Long crimson hair, blue-green eyes that appeared to be mischievous, and a small smile. She thanked Akeno as a cup of tea was placed on the table in front of her, followed by a thanks from myself as the other cup Akeno held was placed in front of me.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

If I had to be completely honest, I don't think I am ready to deal with the annoying crap that's to come. I mean, there's obviously some religious showdown going on if I really have been turned into a devil and was killed by what I assume is a fallen angel. I think I had the whole conversation already thought out.

"Say nothing, Gremory. I think I have the whole thing figured out already. Religious war is happening, I was killed because I have some power or is a descendant of someone powerful, you revived me for that very reason and here I am, skipping all of the details! I wonder what my teachers would think of me if they were in your position, Gremory." Rias blinked once as I spat out everything I had to say before she could ramble on about things I could care less about. Although, I think I was about to be proven wrong as I detected Rias' smirk.

"You're kind of right, Issei. The war had already happened between the angels, fallen angels and devils. There's a truce at the moment and the fallen angels that killed you…well, we have reasons to believe that they've deserted the Grigori and Azazel, the leader of the fallen angels. I didn't just revive you because of the power that these fallen angels were obviously afraid of. You seem to be of some use to the Underworld and myself."

I took a sip from the teacup as I found myself deep in thought.

So I wasn't killed because there was a war. The war had ended already and that meant I didn't have to fight in a desperate attempt to save everyone I loved. Although, I only really love my parents in a familial way as I have no friends. I think all of the guys at school are afraid to approach me.

And the Grigori…a faction that must hold a lot of power in this new world I've been introduced to. It's run by Azazel, a guy who is very busy and had no time to stop this group of deserters or a guy who could care less. I'd like to think that this Azazel fits the first description, but I have a feeling he's not what I expect him to be.

Last but not least, Rias' reason for reviving me! It's obviously because of my hidden power. I mean, it's not like it is obvious and that I'm able to figure out why she needs to revive me for my power. If I actually thought about the issues at hand I would be able to figure out that a lot of the 'pure-blood' devils must have been killed in the war and that there's some sort of 'purist' movement going on that has Rias stuck in the midst of it just because she's a female and is ready to be married to some cocky guy.

Oh, hey, what do I know, I figured out all of Rias' reasons and she doesn't even need to tell me.

"So, what's my power, then? I don't need you to tell me why you've revived me as I've gotten the gist of it through my amazing deduction skills so we may as well get straight to the only topic that I care about!" Rias rose an eyebrow as Akeno tried to hide a giggle behind one of her hands. Rias has every right to be confused, though. She didn't tell me anything extensive about herself of what's really going on and she obviously didn't think I was able to pick up these things, so I understand her feelings right now.

"Well, if you really want to know, all you have to do is get into a stance that you think is powerful and feel for something deep inside of you. It's really simple." It really was simple. Getting into a powerful stance was easy as I didn't think there was such thing as a powerful stance, but the next part was the hardest as Rias' words were quite cryptic.

Feel for something deep inside of me? What the hell is that supposed to mean?

I awkwardly stood in front of the four club members as I held my eyes shut, frowning. I couldn't really feel anything deep inside of me, so I didn't understand why I was standing still in a neutral position. Maybe my body language actually had something to do with it? I slowly shook my head and muttered a few nonsensical words under my breath.

I opened my eyes and sat back down, awkwardly waiting for someone to break the silence. I looked at Rias who was smiling gently, to an Akeno that was trying to hide a giggle once more, to a Koneko that was as stoic as ever and then to a Kiba that was smiling passively. I don't understand why they were looking at me the way they were. I guess my actions were a bit comedic, but I still didn't understand why they seemed to be holding back their laughter that shouldn't exist in the face place. Maybe I did something weird without knowing?

"So…have you had enough already, Issei?" I shook my head in what could only be described as an attempt to move the conversation on to something completely different. I really didn't like the way this conversation was heading as I did not like being the centre of everyone's attention.

"I'll try at home later on tonight when I feel I'm ready. There's no point in rushing it, I guess." Rias nodded. I really was going to try again tonight, though. I was ready to unleash the dragon, as some people would say, but I don't think my power would be that great.

I'm only normal, after all.

Did you like it? Did you dislike? State your reasons in a review or PM. All criticism is welcome. And yes, I know this story idea is over saturated, but I found this really fun to write and I think I may have a few good things to offer with this story.