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| THE |
| ULTIMATE |
| PAWN |
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| Life 1-4 |
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"So, you are saying that you two really are not hallucinations born from my mind? And that you are the «Zodiacs»?"
I speak as hands rubbing the sore spot on my forehead using a pack of ice, the result of my beating earlier. The «Aries» Chibi self of mine replies as he points to the «Taurus» guy.
"Yup, that's what we were trying to tell you, although this retard here knocked you out cold before I could even have the chance to open my mouth."
"Hmph... I was only testing how much of force he could endure. But too bad, he disappointed me in every way."
"I have no obligation to fulfill your requirement!"
I shout infuriatingly at the «Taurus» guy, the source of my current headache. He puffs up in response and turns away, not facing me.
"I know there are a lot of things you want to ask us, so I shall go over them in a few minutes." «Aries» starts talking, either not noticing the cold war between me and «Taurus», or he just doesn't care about it. And then he dons a pair of glasses and wore a white lab coat, appear to be some sort of scientist, which reminds me of Ajuka Beelzebub-sama.
Wait, where the hell does he get those from?!
Kuh... Perhaps I should stop paying attention to every single little detail, or else I wouldn't be able to keep my brain intact–
Holy Crap! Is that a blackboard hovering in the middle of my room? And since when did he get a stick?
"Alright, seeing that this is our first time meeting officially together, I shall be laying down some basic rules. If you have any question, ask them at the end of session."
Totally ignoring my pale expression and continuing with whatsoever he has planned to.
Urgh... never mind. The more I try to reason everything I saw, the more questions I come up with. Besides, that «Aries» guy is explaining quite an amount of valuable information, while pushing up his glasses like a true nerd, if I may add. Some letters start appearing on the black board by themselves, as if there is an invisible hand writing them.
"Firstly, our presences will represent what kind of power you would be allowed to use for every time you are awake. As you have just unsealed two of us thus far, I and «Taurus» shall be the possible choices at the moment. You can use multiple powers at a time, and you don't have to switch to a different one if that guy is available for you, but that doesn't mean you could rashly activate your ability on whims.
Secondly, each of us is unsealed when you meet the required condition called «Key», which you have to figure out by yourself both before and after having unsealed one of the «Zodiacs». It will be crucial to you in later times.
Finally, we shall be the advisors in your journey and guiding you on how to use our power to the fullest. I and my siblings have different powers depending on what sign we belong to, so be attentive and take notice of everything we say.
Well, that's about it. Any question?"
I instinctively raise my hand up.
"What do you mean 'every time I am awake'?"
Immediately, the letters from before on the board disappear, replacing by a new set of them. I have to give this guy a credit for what he can pull off.
"Every time you are awake from something, be it a sleep, a collapse, or an unconscious state like earlier. For each time like that, you will be randomly given some of us, depending on how many «Zodiacs» you have unsealed and your current limit. As of right now, your limit of available powers is two, and you can raise the bar by training yourself in both physical and mental aspects."
I scratch my head at this. He didn't use many complicated terms, it still confuse me though. Somehow, all of it sounds like a role-playing video game to me, what's with the stats-like system and the tutorial provided by this guy who should be a guiding NPC.
After studying my face, «Aries» speaks again.
"Judging from that stupid look, I could say that you are at a lost. Well then, I shall give you an example: Suppose you have unsealed «Taurus», «Capricorn», «Libra», and «Virgo» at the moment; you will be given two of them randomly once at a time, such as «Taurus» and «Virgo», or «Capricorn» and «Taurus», or «Libra and Virgo», etc... You can't summon any more than two despite having unsealed four of them, and that is what I call 'your limit'. However, with proper training, you can expand that number to three, or four, if you are lucky."
Oh, that's easier to understand now, although it didn't shake off the game-like feeling and the hurt from his insult. That reminds me...
"Hey, if that is the case, then can I raise my limit to twelve if I unseal all of you?"
«Aries» snickers at my question as he replies.
"Nope. With your current body of a Lower-class «Devil», you won't ever be able to achieve nine even if you spend one thousand years of training, much less than twelve."
Gah! He doesn't have to be so blunt like that. It hurts my pride as a «Devil» of Rias-senpai.
But I quickly drop my usual self-depression as there are still more important matters I want to ask.
"About the unsealing thingy, I thought that you guys respond to me in a chronological order, with you as first, and «Taurus» is next."
Hearing that, «Aries» instantly waves his stick in a denial sign.
"No no no. That is a sheer coincident. In fact, I was really surprised that you could unseal me, given that my condition is a bit harder than most."
"But I don't remember doing anything significantly to awake you at all."
I said that while being wondering about it myself. It happened to me in only a few seconds short, and before I even knew it, I had already activated the power on my own.
"Of course you don't remember. It is something that fleeted past your mind unconsciously, like a surge of emotion or a determined thought. I know what the «Keys» are specifically, but I can't tell you since it is a taboo for any of us to do so."
Okay, so that means I have to wander in the dark of how to unseal the rest ten of them without a single hint or lead.
However, there is one thing I nearly forgot to ask, which should be the first on my list.
"Who am I anyway? It seems that both Beelzebub-sama and Rias-senpai don't know what I used to be before I became like this."
«Aries» rubs his chin for a while, then he begins, slowly and irritatingly.
"Well, to be frank, you were just a pathetic..."
An imaginary arrow stabs my chest, and I bite my lips.
"...worthless..."
Another arrow stabs my stomach from behind, and I twitch my right eye.
"...unremarkable..."
A final arrow stabs my head, and I pop my veins.
"...and good-for-nothing human."
My dignity went away with those descriptions of his.
Really, being frank doesn't mean you have to word it so harshly. Don't you have any respect at all for someone who is supposed to be under your guidance?
Then again, one of them did knock me out cold this morning without reserve, so I don't think they give a damn care.
The next thing coming out of «Aries»'s mouth, however, has caught me off guard.
"But you are The Chosen One, blessed by the stars themselves with a tremendous amount of power. And whether you walk the path of Salvation or Destruction, it will decide the fate of this world."
Suddenly, the atmosphere becomes very dark. I could literally see the blackish aura crawling around me. «Taurus», who has been ignoring me this whole time, turns his head back and looks at «Aries» incredulously, as if wanting to chew the head out of him.
I also lost my ability to speak momentarily while hearing this. It was entirely contrary to how he described me as a 'pathetic, worthless, unremarkable, and good-for-nothing guy'. It sounded like I was some kind of an epic world changer equal to the level of God and Satan themselves.
Everything returns to normal when «Aries» snaps us back with something I totally forgot about.
"Ise, isn't it about time for you school?"
Holy cow! I was so engrossed in this conversation that I have no idea I am about to be late for school.
"Ise, hurry up. Why haven't you left for school yet?" My mother says as she opens the door to my room.
Oh god, those two Chibi guys of mine are still here with the huge blackboard! I need to make up some excuses fast or else–
"What are you doing, Ise? Get changed immediately if you don't want to be late."
With that, she closes the door, acting as if she hasn't seen anything.
EH?! What... The... Heck?!
"I forgot to mention, you are the only one who can see and interact with us. So, don't speak to us too frequently or people will mistake you as a psychologically ill person, which you are half-way of becoming." Sensing the confusion on my face, «Aries» explains, although he doesn't need to add that last utterly unnecessary part.
Great – I sigh to myself – my life has just got a lot more complicated.
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God hates me.
It's a known fact that I have accepted a long time ago, which is only reassured further by the recent events.
Girls hate me.
Another known fact that I begrudgingly accept, as long as I could peek at their beautiful bodies and fantasize about lewd things with them.
However, I can't believe that even animals would come to hate me. Sure, I am not popular with other people, and I always get my pitiful self into troubles. But this is just plain ridiculous.
I mean, is there anyone who wouldn't be both cursing fate and extremely panic if they were put in my situation?
For your information, my situation is being chased by a horde of angry dogs of various species and sizes and fangs and nasty tempers.
I don't like long explanation, so I will just keep it short and simple.
Earlier, I was hurrying on my way to school.
Then, I passed by a napping dog.
Unfortunately, «Taurus» had a mischievous thought.
He pushed me to the dog.
It barked and chase after me.
Me, being an absolute pacifist and nature lover («Aries»: "Liar." – Me: "Shut up!"), couldn't hit the dog and chose to run instead.
Somehow, the longer distance I ran, the more dogs began chasing after me.
And now, I have to deal with this annoying but desperate situation.
The End
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Or so I hope.
Man, how much I wish to return to one week ago, when I don't have to worry about being a «Devil» and live a carefree life as I want, with tons of porn magazines by my side and my right hand as the only source of comfort.
Ahhhhhh... thinking about Risette in her swimsuit has managed to stir a small arousal within me.
"Oh, so you are still capable of having perverted thoughts even in this kind of predicament."
That «Taurus» guy taunts at me.
"[Huff... huff...] For God's sake, just shut up already! This is [Huff... huff...] your entire damn fault! Do something about it! And [Huff... huff...] how the hell did you know what I am thinking?!"
I shout while breathing hardly for more oxygen to keep up with my running. These dogs are being so persistent. They don't let me rest at all!
"I don't need to have telepathy to know. It is clearly showing on your idiotic face."
Geh! Are my expressions that easily read? And to my dismay – as if I haven't had enough of it, he shrugs it off like a unimportant matter. The other guy, «Aries», is also not helping either, as he watches me with an amused gaze and mumbles.
"Hmn... this might turn out to be a good training for your stamina."
"[Huff... huff...] I don't need any training right now!"
God damn it! These guys are really getting on my nerves. They said they were going to be my advisors, but they have been doing nothing but bringing troubles to me.
Anyway, I will handle them later. Right now, there are serious problems that came in the form of furry balls and shiny teeth.
Just as I pass by a corner, I crash into a figure.
"Uwawawawa!"
"Kyahhhhhhhhhhhh!"
Then the figure that has a girly shout stumbles together with me and loses her balance as my sight goes black for a moment.
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The back of my head hurt. It looks like I fell to the ground. I hope that I didn't ram into a pole or something.
However, the slight pain in my head was all blown away by the multiple assaults of foreign sensation to my mind.
Hair strands of bright blond color with a clear sky at the background fill my vision, enchanting scent of sweet lavender permeates my nostrils, and I was grabbing some soft elastic objects in my hands. Whatever these things are in my palms, they feel squishy and bouncy.
Wait... squishy and bouncy?
For some reasons, my mind strays to a familiar anime scenario, where the main protagonist accidentally crashes into the heroine and lays beneath her, with his hands grabbing the latter's breasts. The following scenes should be where the protagonist either gets slapped in the face, elbowed in the guts, kicked in the balls, or simply a Drill Milky Way Punch.
And it seems that I was right dead on about the first part. Thus, I wait for the second part to come as I close eyes in fear.
Again, fate betrays my expectation as no harm was landed onto my body. With that, I hesitantly open my eyes one by one, taking a peek at the supposed-to-be girl victim of mine, if you look at our situation from an outsider's view.
My breath was taken away as the scene before me.
There, stood a blond-haired girl who has the most innocent face and eyes I have ever seen. She looks just the same as a real «Angel» descended from the sky from my fantasy – I have never met a full-fledged «Angel» before, mind you – and I wouldn't be surprised if she indeed has bird-like wings on her back, which she currently doesn't have. The area surrounding us seems to be more colorful and littered with imaginary beautiful flowers – which you would usually see in most shoujo mangas – by her mere presence alone. The only thing that is lacking was some heavenly birds chirping and cute animals pouncing in a circle around her (And somehow, I imagine her as the Alice in Wonderland.)
I was shaken out of my daze as the blonde girl quickly bows her head and apologize.
"I am very sorry! Are you hurt anywhere? Please let me see it if you do!"
Oh... my... god...
I think I'm going to die from nosebleed if she keeps that clumsily adorable attitude and sincerely pure tone. Really, is there anything more dazzled than this extreme avatar of holy beauty? Not to mention that she totally forgot about me groping her breasts and worries about my welfare instead.
I couldn't keep myself from breaking a smile as I pull my body up and reply.
"N-No, I am fine. Thanks for asking."
"Thanks God you are safe. Once again, I am sorry for crashing into you like that. I should have watched where I was going."
"Don't fret over it. It's partially my fault too for running so fast."
Ah... I feel so delighted by talking to her. Her kindness is touching my heart just like how I feel indebted to Rias-senpai for saving my life and trusting me.
"Look at him, grinning so stupidly like a boy who hadn't met another woman for centuries."
And there goes my annoying companions. Always decide to interrupt my daydreaming in the most inappropriate moments. Hey, would you guys mind if I were to strangle you right here?
But before I could attempt to do it, «Aries» said something that I mostly passed up.
"That blondie is wearing some religious clothes. Is she a nun?"
I immediately leave the issue of me trying to murder my Chibi selves and look at the girl. She is, just as «Aries» spoke out, wearing clothes that indicate her status belong to the Church; a Sister, to be more precise.
The Vatican Church – or simply the Church, as people would usually call – is the main vassal of Heaven in the human's world, acting as the latter's representative to spread the God's teachings and recruit the potential beings into their ranks of «Exorcists» or – if one is good enough – «Angels».
It's odd though. This town is under the observance and protection of us, the Gremory «Devil» House. There is an unspoken rule that no intrusion from foreign religious people or rogue supernatural forces are allowed inside a territory of a «Devil» House, not without a granted permission from the House's head.
Which leads to a question: What is a member of the Church doing here, inside our territory?
I didn't have time to word it out as I am reminded of the fact why I have been standing here in the first place.
Those dogs, those infuriating persistent nonsensical so-called friends of humans, are sitting on their butts with tails wagging and eyes glittering red hearts at the sight of the blond girl. Guess I was right when I thought that even nature would have to be brought down by her beauty.
She seems to notice my gaze as she turns around and gasps at the sheer numbers of dogs looking at her. Then she crouches down to pat one of the nearest dogs while speaking in her pure voice.
"Hello, nice to meet you all here."
Instantly, they swarm around her, each of them is eager for the blond girl to pay attention to them. I watch in awe, both at the almost impossible scene and the shock of how many dogs I have dragged with me.
However, without a forewarning, their gazes switch to menacing stares directed at me.
The Hell! What cause the sudden change of attitude?!
Tch... No time to ponder on that matter. I have to run before–
"Gaaaaaaaaaahhh! Guuuuuuuuuuuhhh! Goooooooooohhh! Geeeeeeeeeehhh!"
God damn it! I was too late. The dogs were able to catch me as they all leapt into the air and pinned me down, leaving me vulnerable to their paws and fangs.
My sight goes black, again. This time not because of unconsciousness, but the dogs have blocked it with their horrific assaults and bodies.
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"Pain Pain, go away."
I heard the sound of innocence as my sight was cleared. Pulling up my body for the fourth time that day (First time when I wake up in the morning; second time for that unreasonable combo of «Taurus»; third time for running into the blond girl), I turn to face the girl herself, intended to tell her that I was fine – although I am definitely not.
But words are shoved down my throat as I find a green aura enveloping my body that is emitting from the blond girl's hands. All the bruises and wounds done by those dogs are regenerating at an unnatural rate.
When she finishes her treatment, I feel so refreshed, as if I was injected with a heavy dose of energy pills. There isn't a single awful sensation left within my body.
The girl touches my arm as she leans closer to me, her expression full of concerns.
"Are you alright, mister? Is there any spot still hurt for you?"
Seeing that our distance is close, uncomfortably too close for my sanity, I slowly back away while trying to reply with the most possible normal voice I could mutter.
"I'm totally fine. Thanks a lot for treating my wounds."
The blond girl smiles upon my response, sincerely being relief at my condition, which makes my heart pound hard even more. Well, perhaps it wasn't so bad at all to be attacked by a bunch of angry dogs (not that I entirely appreciate what they did, mind you).
She seems to remember something as she pulls herself together and asks me with that irresistible cute voice of hers.
"Mister, I know it's a bit sudden, but do you know where the Kuoh Academy is?"
Now this is quite a surprise.
"How coincident, I am a student of Kuoh Academy. Why are you looking for it?"
"Really? Thanks God you are here. I am a new transfer student of your school. My name is Asia Argento. And to be honest, I'm kind of..." The blond girl starts fidgeting nervously with her hands rubbing while grabbing a hold of a large suit case (I didn't notice that thing with her until now). "...got lost when I was looking around. Hehehe..." She finishes it with an awkward giggle.
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UWAAAAAAAAHHH! This is a heaven-blessed chance! I finally could escort a lost bishoujo on our way to school when we bumped into each other!
Oh Lord knows how long I have waited for such an exclusive flag to come. This will be the trigger to a chain of later events, and I will get into her route, which shall result in me doing various naughty things with her.
He he he he...
Without being able to control my excitement, I give out a huge upward grin. The blond girl, Asia, seems to be taken back as her mouth forms a reluctant smile.
No good, no good. I need to maintain my expressions at a normal level or else I will lose this flag. There certainly won't be another chance even if I feverishly wish for it.
I cough in an attempt to appear like a gentleman as I speak to her.
"It is a pleasure for me to help you. My name is Hyoudou Issei, and I'm a second-year student of Kuoh Academy."
Asia bows politely as she responds.
"I'm sorry for troubling you, Hyoudou-san."
Ahhhhh... How elegant she is... At this rate, I'm gonna melt myself. Nonetheless, I return her bow with a same one as I speak.
"You can call me Ise. And do not worry, mademoiselle. I, the «Pawn» Hyoudou Issei of the Gremory House, shall be your knight today."
"Eh? You are a member of the Gremory House?"
Upon hearing that, I slam my chest lightly as I talk with a proud voice.
"That's right. I am the new «Pawn» of Rias Gremory's peerage. It is within my duty to protect and guide another student of my school."
The blond girl smiles brightly as she replies.
"Then I will be in your care from now on, Ise-san."
...
Why does that sound so similar to a response for a love confession, or a marriage proposal?
However, before I could have time to fantasize on that, a strange electric vibe shot across my body, as if warning me about a looming threat that has yet to come. My body shudders as the anxiety continues to grow. I jerk around and face the direction where I could feel the vibe coming from.
"It seems that we have attracted unwanted company."
Thanks for the information, Mr. «Taurus» the Oblivious.
My unsettling feeling is confirmed to be true because soon after, the whole area was darkened in a violet dome-like barrier with black mist spreading from the ground, and there is not a single soul around us as the place was completely desolated.
What the... Don't tell me that we are trapped.
"I'm afraid it is what you are thinking, pal."
«Aries» said with an utterly serious face. If he is acting like that, there is no doubt that we are in deep trouble.
Then, a man wearing light brown trench coat and a fedora with the same color walks out from the black mist. His face dons a disturbing calmness on it, and he is holding a trident spear. There is also a pair of black bird wings sprouting on his back, which only means...
"A «Fallen Angel»..."
I whispered carefully, not letting the man see dread crippling my body. I still remember the time from when I was killed by Yuuma-chan, and it has instilled a seed of fear of «Fallen Angels» within me ever since.
Gaining all of my confidence in one piece, I gulp down my nervousness and ask.
"Who are you? What do you want with us?"
Asia instantly hides behind me as she could feel the tension in the air and the severity of our situation.
The conspicuous man ignores my question and strides with calculated steps, as if gauging both my reaction and my strength, while he is mumbling something incoherent.
"What a luck, to think that I would encounter the boy of Prophecy and the Holy Maiden at the same time. That Reynalle has failed to do her job properly. But never mind, I simply just have to kill you and snatch the girl."
What the hell is he talking about? The boy of Prophecy? The Holy Maiden? And Reynalle, is that the real name of Yuuma-chan?
Gritting my teeth in confusion and restlessness, I shout aloud.
"Stop right there! I'm asking again, who exactly are you?"
The «Fallen Angel» shifts his hat as he lowers his posture and straightens the trident spear, appearing to be in an offensive stance. His only words after that are...
"My name is of no important, because the last thing on your mind shall be the image of your blood spilling from the point of my spear."
Gah! This guy is serious in killing me. Guess I have to let violence take the course of things.
With that thought in mind, I ready myself for my second fight since I was awakened as a «Devil».
Haiz...
Today's going to be a long long day.
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| Life 1-4 | Fatefully, I meet the second Angel in my life
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Author's Notes: Sorry for being kinda late in my update. Things have been getting hectic lately, and my remaining free time was used up in watching anime and reading manga. ^o^
This is entirely self-beta, so please inform me whenever I made a grave mistake, be it either in grammar or story-wise. Cookies to those that found the non-canon references in this chapter.
Anyway, here is a list of definite members and possible candidates for Ise's harem.
*The definite members: Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Asia, Xenovia, Rossweisse.
*The possible candidates (This list is incomplete. If you want to add anyone else you deem interesting, just tell me):
– Reynalle (She has a 99% chance to become an official member in Ise's harem, if everything shall go as planned. I won't speak anymore about her since it will give away some major spoilers.)
– Gasper Vladi (No, please don't give me any disturbing Yaoi images. I hate Yaoi to the core of my heart. Just expect a gender swap for this one.)
– The Sitri sisters: Sona and Levia-tan (Yes, the Maou Shoujou. I know that some of you might have wished her to be in Ise's harem base on some forums of High School DxD around the net, so I have thought about it and decided to add her in this list. Her final appearance could depend on your opinions.)
– Shidou Irina (This one is still in a 50-50 debating progress. Don't know whether I should add her or not as she is an «Angel» of Michael.)
– Abe Kiyome (I have to admit, whenever I look at her again and again and again, I have a sudden urge to make her mine. Then, I add her to this list, being satisfied that perhaps Ise will get her instead.)
– Kunou (Let's be honest, what kind of a guy wouldn't die to have a moe nine-tailed fox girl to serve you in every way?)
– Kuroka (She is one hell of a hot girl, but she is too dangerous to be around with.)
– Ophis (No comment, and I'm not very fond of Loli. I only put her in for your opinions.)
– Ravel Phenex (Again, Tsundere Loli, not my type. Still, she is a legit member of Ise's harem in light novel.)
Well, that's about it. And btw, since Kiba Yuuto seriously lacks a love partner, who do you guys want to pair him up with (and no Yaoi, please)?