Summary: It all started with a joke, a drunk truck driver and dreams of a harem and ended with a trip to the hospital, a broken leg, a crutch and the ability to see numbers everywhere. Yeah, Life isn't too kind on Issei. Sadly enough, he could see that it was about to get whole lot more complicated.
Disclaimer: I do not own Highschool DxD or its characters. It belongs to Ichiei Ishibumi.
Beta'd by demonwarrior1029
Chapter 11
Issei lazed on the couch in front of the TV, Kuroka at his side.
It was a Saturday, and he had a few hours to kill before he was to go to Asama's shrine. Since Motohama and Matsuda also felt the lazy mood, they opted to stay at their own homes.
"That's stupid." Issei offhandedly commented to his pet cat. "Physics doesn't work that way. No way would sound travel in a vacuum like space."
His cat, ever so faithful, nodded in approvement. "Nya."
"See?" Issei asked the TV. "Even a cat gets it. Hire better writers."
Bzzt.
His phone rang on the tableside, and Issei scrambled for a few tries to pick it up. "Hello?"
"Issei." Ajuka's voice came through the line. "Would you mind going to Kuoh Academy today? I need to discuss something with you."
"It's been days since Italy." Issei pointed out, switching channels on the TV. "I thought I was done with this already."
"I need to hear it directly from you. My treat." He offered.
"I'll be there in a half hour." Issei replied seriously, shutting down the call. "Well," Issei yawned, standing up and stretching."Guess I'm going to have to deal with this again. Such a pain."
Kurokat looked at him for a second before curling back up on the couch. "Lazy cat. " Issei grumbled, scratching underneath her chin before heading to his room. "Where the hell are my parents?" Issei scratched at his head. "...I really should buy some cat stuff for Kuroka." He wondered to himself.
()()()()()()()()()
"Issei." Ajuka nodded at him from where he leaned against the wall of Kuoh Academy. "Thank you for coming."
"I was thinking of leaving to buy food anyway." Issei shrugged. "I want something other than miso for breakfast."
"So you haven't eaten yet?' Ajuka casually asked, leading Issei to wherever the hell their next place of discussion would be. "I have good timing then."
"Yeah, yeah." Isei rolled his eyes at him. "So where are you taking me? Italy again?" Issei asked sardonically. "Because I have to tell you, I'm getting a bit tired of the place."
Ajuka chucked. "My bad. Rest assured, this one's a bit closer to home." Between one step and the next, they went from the familiar sights of Kuoh's commercial area to a bustling city, people walking all around the duo. "Tokyo's sushi is simply to die for."
"It's your money." Issei replied, privately pissed that he didn't see how Ajuka did what he did. Instantaneous travel would be so much more efficient than teleportation circles, not to mention much more cool.
"After you." Ajuka offered, holding open the door for Issei, and it was right at that moment that he knew that the meeting would suck.
"Yo." Diodora nonchalantly said, holding up a hand in greeting, arrogant smirk in place.
Issei instantly brought his free arm to his neck, calling on his magic and designing a circle in his mind, looking for anything useful in a possible fight.
The flour in the kitchen would make an excellent catalyst for an explosion, the light bulbs could provide the spark if broken and given enough boom. There were the knives in the kitchen, though too far away for it to be able to be useful.
Looking closely, there was a series of magical seals in place, chaining and linking with each other, every one of them strengthening the-
"Issei." Ajuka laid his hands on the brunett's shoulder. "Don't worry. I placed several seals on my dear little brother, so he's no threat right now. To anybody."
"He isn't a threat to me anyway." Issei said aloofly, letting his magic die down.
"Fuck you." Diodora replied offhandedly, throwing some sushi into his mouth. "I could too."
"Diodora." Ajuka sighed. "Shut up. Please." The Astaroth held his hands up in surrender. "Thank you. Now, you two are probably wondering why I brought you here." Upon receiving two nods, Issei digging into a plate set in front of him, Ajuka continued. "I wanted to hear about the incident from your perspective Issei. I've already heard things from Diodora, but I simply wanted both side's point of views."
Issei shrugged, swallowing down what tasted like salmon. "After I got to the place you deposited me in, there was a barrier maybe 500 meters wide around the Cathedral, one that puts a strong suggestion charm into the minds of people to stay away.
I stopped Diodora from taking Asia, and was dueling him when the Fallen Angels came. Someone named Ariel sounded like he really hated us, so he tried to kill us. Asia invited Diodora into the Church so we hid there. They still tried to kill us though, but then another one of them named Orphiel came and stopped them. Then this Angel named Uriel came and took Asia away. "Issei shrugged again. "And that's pretty much it."
"You didn't mention Orphiel." Ajuka told Diodora, sipping at his glass of what looked like liquor.
"I did! I told you there was an eight-winged angel! I just...forgot his name okay?" Diodora argued.
"But Orphiel isn't just some random eight-winged Fallen." Ajuka sighed. "He's the right hand of Baraquiel. This is the value of information Diodora, and something you never really learned. If they wanted to, Orphiel could ask for reparations from us. You could be a political prisoner if they really had a case against you."
That shut Diodora up. He looked like he was slapped, mouth snapping close so quickly, Issei swore that he heard his teeth rattle.
"This is why you aren't ready." Ajuka sighed. "I always bade the others, even father and mother, to turn a blind eye to your...hobby, mostly because it doesn't really hurt anybody thanks to your disgustingly impressive way of going on about it, but this can't go unpunished. You need to understand just how serious this case really is." Ajuka threw back the entire glass like it was a shot, bidding a nearby worker to fill it again. "This has the potential to be a political nightmare. Uriel has not descended in years. If the larger supernatural community finds out…" Ajuka trailed off. "Serafall's going to kill me."
"It isn't that serious isn't it?" Diodora bit out, looking down at his plate. "No one got killed, so isn't it-
"And you still don't trust me." Ajuka sighed, swirling his glass idly. "I think Rias and Sona got the correct idea when they made their decision." The Beelzebub fixed Diodora with a steady gaze.
The younger devil seemed to have realized what his older brother was getting at, freezing in place. "No."
"Yes." Ajuka replied with complete seriousness.
"Oh hell no." Diodora repeated, slowly shaking his head, looking a bit sick. "You want me to stay here...in Japan?!"
"In Kuoh yes."
"Wait, wait." Issei, who had felt ridiculously out of place till that moment, found a need to speak up. "You want him to stay in Kuoh?" Issei pointed at Diodora who scowled at the gesture. "I don't think I like that idea."
"What do you think I feel." Diodora sniped.
"Issei." Ajuka turned that steady gaze at him. "I seem to recall you owing me a favor."
Issei realized what the older devil was getting at. "No."
"I'm calling it now." He continued as if Issei didn't speak up. "Keep an eye on my little brother while he's in town okay? The seals I've placed on him would still apply somewhat, so he can't do anything overt, but it doesn't hurt to make sure with family yes?"
"You're putting him in charge of me?" Diodora yelled, pointing at Issei who scowled at the gesture. "Bullshit!"
"I have every reason to put my trust in him." Ajuka calmly replied, meeting his eyes without worry. "You've given me no reason to trust you so far these days."
"But-"
"I've made my decision Diodora." And when one of the Four Devils declared, so did it become reality. "Issei, don't fail me on this. He might be like that, but he is still family."
"...Fine." Issei sighed.
"Oh, and Diodora." Ajuka said, and there was definitely a ghost of a smile playing in his lips. "Since you've been misbehaving for quite a while now, I've seen fit to remove you from your peerage for a while."
"What!?" Diodora slammed his hands on the table, mouth dropping open.
"After this, you'll find yourself in a fully-paid for apartment along with some amenities for living. You'll have several identification papers needed to live in Kuoh, as well as several uniforms for your attendance in Kuoh Academy."
"What." Issei said flatly, nearly dropping his sushi. "Could you please repeat that?"
"I've placed a small handbook in your apartment, listing several rules I expect you to follow unless very dire circumstances permit you to do otherwise. Break them, and you will not like what will happen to you. Understood?"
At getting two dumbfounded expressions, Ajuka nodded as if satisfied "Good." He snapped his fingers, a paper bag flying from the kitchen and into the two's laps. "For the road." He explained cheerfully. "Well, I must get going. Duty calls." We waved his hand lazily, and Issei suddenly found himself in front of his home, a wave of vertigo as well as the sudden loss of his seat sending him with his ass on the ground.
"He did that on purpose." He muttered to himself, standing up with his crutch that was thankfully by his side. "What the hell just happened?"
()()()()()()()()()
Issei made his way to Asama's shrine after feeding Kuroka some of the sushi in Ajuka's bag. He just hoped that she didn't finish all of it. At least cats can't open a refrigerator.
"Issei-kun." Asama greeted with a smile from where she was brushing away stray leaves in the ground. "It's been a while since I last saw you. I was beginning to think you forgot about little old me."
"I won't forget about someone like you Asama-nee." Issei smiled, holding out a package to her. "Here. It's mochi." He explained when he saw her confused expression. "My mother got it from the next town over."
"Oh you flatterer you." The shrine maiden smiled, but bowed as she took the package with two hands, her broom somehow standing up on its own. "But don't think this will make up for you leaving me all alone."
"Got it." Issei sighed goodnaturedly. "You're so cruel to me Asama-nee."
"Of course. Someone needs to keep you in check." Asama chuckled, the two of them walking to the shrine. "Anything interesting happen in Italy? You haven't told me what happened yet." She asked as the two of them settled in their table, two cups and a teapot already waiting for them.
"It was weird." Issei admitted, slightly slumping down over his table. "It was just supposed to be Diodora, Ajuka-san's little brother, but then some Angels and Fallen Angels came and screwed it all up."
"You won of course." Asama said with a sure nod. "I expect nothing less from you. If you lost, then I really would have no choice but to disown you."
"I was winning." Issei insisted. "I could have taken all of them."
"Without relying of your Sacred Gear?" Asama rose an eyebrow in challenge.
"Well...There were some I had trouble with." He admitted. "There were these really strong guys, a Fallen Angel with six wings and eight wings, and then an Angel with ten of them and-"
"Sandalphon?" Asama growled, nearly shattering her usual cup. "Was it him?" She spat out with a venom he's associated with mentioning Yasaka and/or Kyoto.
"Um…No. It was someone named Uriel."
Recognition shone in Asama's eyes, and the hostility in them abated somewhat. "I see… Uriel is a good person, I recognize that even in the few times I have met with him."
"Do you...hate angels?" Issei asked her slowly, secretly a bit pleased at finding out more and more about his elusive friend and mentor.
Irritation crossed Asama's expression before schooling itself back into her usual composed one. "Not all of them." She admitted. "But Sandalphon just irritates me in every possible way."
"Why exactly? What did he do to you?" Issei felt himself leaning forward towards her.
"It isn't what he did as much as what he represented, what he represents." Asama took a long sip from her cup, golden veins shining at Issei with a dull glare. "There was a rumor." She finally said after a long silence. "A rumor that he was...inside me, that I carried his child within my womb. All of them were false of course." Asama said matter-of-factly, as if talking more to herself than she was talking to issei. "But still, the emergence of that hearsay was more than enough to destabilize my position, and thus," She shrugged carelessly. "Here I am, a shadow of my own power, taking care of foreign soil in my own homeland, an exile in all but name."
"So...I take it you don't like him." Issei guessed, floundering for a response. He wasn't exactly the most tactful of people, and he didn't really have the social graces to instantly know what to say in any given situation.
"I don't just dislike him, Issei-kun." Asama sighed. "He might, or he might not be involved in the creation and spreading of that rumor, but it does not change my feelings for him one bit, and the truth is, I absolutely loathe Sandalphon with every fiber of my being."
Issei stared at Asama, long and hard. Seeing her so angry suddenly lead him to a realization. She was beautiful, no doubt about that, and powerful too, no question, but for all of that, for all of her proclamations of divinity... At that moment, Issei looked at her and saw nothing but an incredibly human person. Just like Ajuka, just like Sirzechs.
'Is this a theme with the supernatural?' He thought to himself sardonically. 'That all of them are just so damn...human?'
"There you have it Issei-kun." Asama shrugged. "My hate for Angels and Yasaka both are well documented, so I thought it best that you hear it from me personally and not from anyone else. I prefer to keep our relationship open and truthful."
Issei quirked a smile in her direction, though that quickly faded as he mulled things over. "Asama-nee, why does it feel like I attract all the wrong kinds of attention?"
The shrine maiden hummed, tapping her nails on the table. "Well, you are a dragon Issei-kun, and even now the scent and feel of it grow stronger each time I see you. Dragons are natural beacons of power, they naturally draw people to them, and you're not any different. In fact, with none other than Ddraig inside of you, then it's just to be expected. In fact, I'm a bit surprised it took you this long. Most wielders, I heard, start to hear him when they're nothing more than children."
"Hear him?"
"Yes," Asama nodded. "You should expect him any moment now. Be sure to listen to him, a being as old and powerful as Ddraig is wise beyond human comprehension. The years he's lived, the sights he's seen…" She trailed off, looking introspective.
"So wisdom comes with age?" Issei asked slowly, a smirk growing in his face.
"Of course Issei-kun." Asama answered confidently. "That's how it's always been."
"That explains why you're so wise then, and why I always come to you for advice." He grinned, watching in complete satisfaction as Asama nearly choked on her tea, spilling some on her chest. Not that Issei was looking or anything, it was just something that didn't happen everyday, and wow they clung to her pretty well.
"I-ssei-ku-n." Asama smiled, eyes closed, though Issei could see the twitch going on. "Would you care to repeat that please? After all, my ears seems to be working wrong because there's no way you would make fun of my age right? Right? Right?"
Issei launched himself from a sitting standstill to a vault, skidding outwards into the courtyard of the shrine. He flung his hands, a shield already forming just as Asama rocketed out, broomstick aimed right at his heart. Her mass hit the circle dead center, and it nearly shattered on impact if it wasn't for the sudden boost in powers given by Issei's Sacred Gear.
"Very good Issei-kun!" Asama yelled out, disengaging and landing lightly on her feet only to move quickly to his flanks. "But remember: Always be sure that you dictate how a fight flows!"
Issei grinned, stomping his foot down on the ground hard, privately satisfied as the earth crumbled inwards in a circle around him, though Asama didn't even look like she noticed, still as lithe as ever. With a graceful little two-step, the trees behind her suddenly grew, their arms speeding towards him.
Issei faced them head on, a circle forming in the forefront of his mind.
"I'll beat you this time Asama-nee!"
"You can certainly try Issei-kun."
()()()()()()()()()
Issei glanced over at the multitude of cat stuff in the pet store he's in, wishing that there weren't any people around so he could just use magic to make his life a lot easier. He sighed, giving up on choosing from half a dozen different brands of collars and just picking up a red, adjustable one with a bell on it. It was stereotypically anime, so it must be doing something right.
Bzzt. Bzzt.
Going to the cashier and paying for the collar, he picked up his ringing phone. "Motohama, where the hell are you two?"
"Matsuda just sprained his ankle." His friend told him seriously. "I'm taking him to a nearby clinic, but it won't take more than half an hour, 45 minutes tops."
"What the hell did that dumbass even do?" Issei sighed, reaching up and rubbing at his forehead. "How hard is it to go to the mall?"
"He was trying to impress this girl that-"
"Okay, got it." Issei interrupted, completely understanding the idiot's motivation. "Just...hurry it up okay? I don't have the damn money to buy three damn copies of the game."
"For the discount." Matsuda's voice suddenly came through from the phone. "Leave...me. Save yourselves. Buy the game for the sale price."
"Dumbass." Issei informed him before cutting off the call, shaking his head. "Dammit. What do I do now?" He wondered with a groan. "I think the arcade's open so that might-"
"You!"
Issei blinked in mild consternation, looking down to find a finger pointed straight between his eyes. "Me?" He parroted, pointing to himself just to make sure. The blonde girl nodded, ringlets bouncing slightly at the motion and Issei found his eyes being dragged to follow the motion among...other things that were also bouncy.
"Yes you. I want to be able to try this 'takoyaki' that I have heard of. It is supposedly delicious." The girl, despite being a whole head and some change shorter than him, somehow managed to look down on Issei with a haughty look in her eyes. "I've given you the privilege to assist me in finding this treat."
"No thanks." Issei replied, turning his back on her and going back to fiddling with his phone.
"Wait wait!" He felt the girl's hands grab at the back of his shirt, trying to stop him from leaving. She was stronger than she looked, though he guessed that was to be expected from a devil. "I'm sorry! Please don't leave me! I'm lost!" She cried out, digging her heels into the floor. "What kind of gentleman are you, ignoring a lady in need!"
"What kind of lady does things like this?" Issei threw back, turning around to face the blonde girl who was now dusting her pink dress from nonexistent dirt. "I don't even know you!"
The girl seemed to have just realized this, if the flushing of her cheeks were any indication. She cleared her throat, smoothing down her dress again even though she basically just did that. "My name is Ravel Phenex."
"Hyoudou Issei." He said out of pure habit drilled into him by his parents and Japanese society. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too." Ravel nodded in approval. "Now about this 'takoyaki' I am looking for-"
"Still not interested." Issei waved his hands in denial of her request.
"Why not?!" She stomped her foot on the ground, hard enough to almost get nervous. Were those cracks he was seeing on the tiles?
"Because throwing a tantrum isn't the way to go about it." He deadpanned, deciding to studiously ignore that little tidbit. Not his problem. "Besides, I have somewhere to go to."
"Please?" The girl, Ravel, asked, looking up at him with that look in her eye that no normal, hot-blooded male could ever resist. "I just want to have fun here in the hum- I mean, here."
"Fine fine." Issei sighed, pocketing his phone. "Dammit, but are you all devils like this? Pushing to get what you want?" That was certainly the case with Diodora, and Ajuka too now that he thought about it.
Ravel blinked, mouth dropping open in a perfect 'o' of surprise. "Y-you know what I am? What are you anyway?" She peered at him suspiciously.
"That's a rude thing to say don't you think?" Issei rolled his eyes, reaching out to poke her in the forehead, keeping her away from his personal space. "And I'm a magician, if you must know." He beckoned for her to follow him, heading towards the food court of the mall.
"Which cabal are you in?" Ravel asked, looking around with a thoroughly wondrous air about her.
"Not in one." Issei shrugged. "I've been practicing for only a few months, so I haven't really had enough time to join one." He never really had any plans to join one though. The most he'd settle for would probably be an apprenticeship under Ajuka.
"Months?" Ravel asked doubtfully, eyeing him critically. "Don't magicians study when they're just kids?"
"They do?" Issei asked, raising an eyebrow. "Huh. Didn't know that. Anyway, I'm pretty good at math, so I think I'm okay."
"If you say so." Ravel said dubiously, but seeming to forget about it the moment they entered the food court. "So this is what they call a 'food court.'"
"Don't they have these in the Underworld? I know you have malls in there, so these shouldn't be all that uncommon." He knew from firsthand experience too. Though he did kinda get lost and had to call Sona for help…
"I don't- I mean, of course we do!" Ravel announced with a proud nod. "It's just...I haven't really...seen them." She mumbled.
"So you're a princess aren't you?" Issei deduced, correctly if her sputtering was any indication.
"W-what does that have to do with anything?" Ravel scrunched her eyes up at him. It wasn't a scowl, it was too cute to be one, and really only hammered in the idea that she was a princess, or the devil equivalent anyway.
'What is up with devil genetics anyway?' Issei thought as he ordered a takoyaki set for himself and the girl he was with. 'Are they all supposed to be that beautiful? Sona, Rias, heck, even Diodora's a prettyboy. Where the hell is justice for us men!?' His grip suddenly turned to iron, nearly crushing the platelet. 'I swear, the next devil pretty boy I come across, I'm going to shove-'
"This is good!" Ravel exclaimed, already shoving another piece into her mouth. "Hey hey, you think I could ask for this to be brought home? I want this all the time! I know my brothers will love this too!"
"You shouldn't." Issei rolled his eyes at her as she huffed at him. "It's not healthy for a growing girl to eat something like this everyday you know."
"Don't treat me like a kid!" She pouted at him. "And I'm a devil, so things like that don't concern me."
"Seriously?!" Issei knit his eyebrows together. "That is just so unfair for us humans."
"That is why us purebred Devils are far superior to everyone else." Ravel threw her hair back, some of that haughtiness coming back.
"You make it sound like you're dogs." Issei deadpanned, chewing thoroughly. 'Though with her attitude, I can see the resemblance.'
"Y-You…" She glared at him impotently, turning away with a 'hmph' and angrily biting at her snack.
"Seriously, isn't anyone looking for you?" Issei sighed, looking at her curiously. "Or are you out by yourself?"
Ravel flinched, determinedly ignoring him. "W-well...I am...kind of… I got lost okay?" She snapped, cheeks flushing. "I was looking around and got lost."
"Are you a kid or something?" Issei squinted at her, holding his arms up in his defense when she clenched her fist. "Shutting up now."
"I don't have a phone." She mumbled. "And I don't even know my older brother's number, so I can't call even if I did find one."
Issei looked at her for a few moments until she started to squirm. "What?" she snapped. "Stop staring at me like that."
"It's just, you're really pretty" Issei blurted.
Issei then sighed, grabbing his crutch and standing up from their table. "Come on, get up."
"W-why?"
"I'm going to help you look for your brother." Issei rolled his eyes. "He's a devil too right? Then that makes it a bit easier." Issei reached up and brushed his finger against the switch in his choker, creating a 'web' across the entire mall area, a construct designed to find any magical traces in the place. Almost immediately, two signatures caught his attention, powerful ones too if what he felt was any indication. He looked over a nearby map of the mall and mentally compared the two locations. "He's right about here," He gestured, pointing at one part and then moving to another. "And we're right about here. He's headed this way now, meet him halfway?" He offered to the dumbfounded blonde.
"H-how did you do that?" She asked, starting as she followed him.
"Magic." Issei grinned. "Pretty useful stuff. Looking back, I don't know how I lived without it to be honest." It was just so convenient to grab that remote from his position in the living room couch without moving.
"I haven't really started on those kind of things yet." Ravel admitted. "My teachers just taught me offensive magic and some defensive ones."
"That's not really a bad thing you know." Issei pointed out. "Though I personally believe that support magic could be more useful in more situations than evocation or spellcasting."
"Evocation?" Ravel repeated, looking confused. "Spellcasting? What's the difference?"
"Spellcasting is...well anything that alters reality according to how you, the caster, wills it. It's a subset of magic as a whole really. Evocation, well, according to what I was taught, evocation is the manipulation of forces of nature like fire. That's you right?" Issei casually asked her.
"How did you know?" Despite herself, the blonde princess looked impressed with him. "Some spell you cast on me that I didn't know about?"
"I'm pretty good with magic." Issei smirked, tapping the side of his nose. "I think he's near." He told Ravel, right as his phone began to ring.
"Ah, you're right." Ravel lit up, about to run forward to where a blond guy was waiting along with a purple-haired bombshell (at least, from her body she was. They were a bit too far away for Issei to really take a good look at them) before stopping and turning to fully face him. "Thank you for keeping me company and helping me. Let's meet each other again okay?" She turned and ran off, the older brother probably scolding her or something.
Issei sighed and opened a call to Matsuda from his phone. "Where are you guys?"
"Right outside the mall." They promised. "Kiba's with us too."
"Seriously? Where'd you find him?"
"I think he was walking from the convenience store, so we invited him."
"That's nice of you." Issei glanced at his watch impatiently. "So would you please hurry it up? I'm getting bored here."
"Fine, fine. Be there in 10." Issei shut the call off, looking to where Ravel ran off to only to find no one but the crowds of faceless people. "Why do I get the feeling that she's going to be really important?"
()()()()()()()()()
"Issei-kun, could we please have a moment of your time? Buchou is asking for you." Kiba approached Issei just as he was leaving class for the Student Council room.
"Me? Why? Did Rias-senpai say anything?" Issei asked curiously, scratching at the back of his head. "And could it wait? Kaichou asked me to help her with some magic circles."
"Buchou already told her." Kiba assured. "This is pretty important, so please?" He pleaded, clasping his hands in front of him, eliciting a new round of whispers around the two.
"Alright fine. Stop doing that bastard, you'll start new rumors." Issei scowled, hitting him in the arm as he passed the blond. "So? Why did I get called over?"
"I don't know." Kiba confessed to him. "I was just told earlier this morning to come and get you, and to bring you over to the clubroom."
"I hope it isn't anything important." Issei sighed, scratching at his cheek. "I have a few circles to design for Kaichou."
"I'm sure it can wait." Kiba smiled, the gesture looking strained.
"I just hope this won't take too long." He complained, glaring at two girls who were giggling and looking over at them with lecherous eyes. 'Is this what it feels like whenever we do it?' He shuddered inwardly. 'Wow, we're creeps.'
"So…"
Issei rose an eyebrow as Kiba coughed, looking embarrassed. "How...do you get past the Northern Continent?"
Issei blinked. "You started on that already? A bit too overhyped for me, but still a good choice."
"Well, it is pretty cool and that sword of his gives me a few ideas of my own to try it out." Kiba admitted. "Though it should be lighter than steel since a sword that big, that heavy would probably send me flying whenever I swing it."
"You could add some weights on your feet at the moment of swing." Issei tilted his head, eyebrows furrowed. "Though that might just snap your ankles with the force of everything acting on it. How strong are devil bodies again?"
"Around 10 times a normal human I think Buchou mentioned." Kiba replied. "Though I guess that's just for newly-reincarnated ones. Once you're a devil for a bit longer, the piece gives you more magic that circulates and strengthens the body, so older ones are generally more powerful than us newer ones."
"How long have you been a devil?" Issei asked.
"I...haven't really kept count." Kiba said, sounding surprised. "I became a devil...four, five years ago? It was another lifetime for me." He smiled, a bitter, cynical looking one, a smile that looked so out of place in his handsome face.
Issei didn't say anything, and when Kiba clammed up, he kept that silence between them, a brooding one that hung over their heads like a black cloud until they arrived in front of the old school building that was the base of operations of the Occult Research Club.
"We're here." Kiba announced tersely, grip on the knob more hamfisted than necessary, and Issei could see a few dents on the surface of it, which he kept to himself. No need to poke at what looked like a sore point. "Buchou, I've brought him."
"Issei-kun." Rias greeted him with a slightly brittle smile. "Sorry for the suddenness of the invite, but I'm glad you found the time to come."
"I was supposed to do something, but Kiba said you needed me." Issei said slowly, eyes not on her but to the person right next to her, twirling her hair between his fingers. "Can I ask wh-"
"So you're the one who wants to break the pact between two Pillars of the Devil World?" The man sneered. He was handsome, even Issei had to grudgingly admit, not in Kiba's 'prince-like' way, but in the manner a 'badboy' was. An expensive looking burgundy jacket thrown over an untucked white shirt that left one button open to show off his chest in a way that Issei would have found attractive on women but just made him want to throw stuff on the man. Dark blue eyes looked down on him in contempt beneath a crown of gold. "You're the reason I had to trek over here? Such dirty air this world has. Rias, once we get married, we'll stay in the Underworld where we belong."
"I will not marry you Riser." Rias snapped, reaching up and throwing off 'Riser's' arm, though all it did was for him to lay it down on her thighs. "Grayfia-nee, what are you two even doing here? I know I have till I graduate college to make my decision!"
"Maou-sama has asked me to accompany Riser-sama here in this trip." The maid, Sirzech's wife, said in an emotionless voice. "He has expressed his desire to see his fiance, and has come to Maou-sama to ask permission to visit you."
"I still don't understand why I have to go through Sirzechs-sama to visit my own fiance." He sneered, though thankfully, he didn't make a move on Rias anymore. "It should be my right to see her as I see fit."
Grayfia turned, very very slowly to Riser. "Riser-sama, this arrangement is made because Sirzechs-sama said so, and the Lucifer's word is absolute. I am merely following his orders, and you would be wise to follow them too."
Issei could almost see how Riser recoiled, could almost see him pale a shade, but he made a pretty impressive effort at not showing it.
Rias seemed to notice and went on the offense. "Listen Riser, I will not be your wife. I have decided that the moment the contract was brought up. I refuse to marry someone that I do not acknowledge."
"Rias." Riser sighed, reaching up and ruffling his hair. "This contract of ours will help both of our families tremendously. If the families of Gremory and Phenex were to become one, then think of the economic power we will achieve. Think of the power our children will have in the future. With your blood of Bael and my blood of Phenex, they would be unstoppable, potential Superdevils in the making. All it would take is for you to spread your legs open for me, and tell me honestly, that isn't such a bad prospect isn't it?"
Rias stilled, looking honestly pensive. "I...am not opposed to the idea of power. I am a devil after all." She laughed, the sound a bit bitter to Issei's ears.
"Fantastic!" Riser laughed, a happy grin settling onto his lips as he made to approach Rias, hands spread open as he did so. "Then I will let you finish your education here in the human world, and then we'll be marrie-"
The redhead held out a hand, stopping him in his tracks. "What I do not approve of, is you being my husband. You have given me no reason thus far to see you as a potential partner, either in matrimony or in business. You are an arrogant person Riser, and I see that that is what rules you in most of your decisions, not logic. You would rather power through a problem than to think through it, even when the latter is the better choice. You get angry when things do not go your way and try to resolve it through power than through diplomacy. You are handed everything in a silver platter, and you do not properly appreciate what you have. That is why I do not approve of you Riser Phenex."
Issei wondered just what the hell he was doing there. He sighed, making sure not to make the motion too obvious. No use making himself a target after all.
Of course, as Life seemed to just love making his life miserable, that plan went to hell without him even doing anything.
"Is this about him?" Riser suddenly asked, completely ignoring her rant and turning to jerk his chin at Issei. "Is this about this human, the one Sirzechs-sama favors over me? Why would a Satan take interest in him of all things, and Lucifer-sama himself too?" He approached Issei, towering over the his sitting form. "He's made a mistake, taking an interest in you, nothing but a cripple. You are interrupting a pact between two of the greatest families in the Underworld boy, and you should do well to respect that."
Issei looked up at him mildly, hands over the handle of his crutch. "Is that all?"
Riser bristled, and the room suddenly exploded, and inferno occupying the space in front of Issei, two wings of pure flame erupting from the back of the Phenex. "How dare-" He ground out, stopping when he saw the circle standing in front of him, and the highschooler that was even now standing up from his seat, not even sweating at the heat.
"Is. That. All?" Issei repeated, in that same mild tone he used, but that didn't stop the shaking of his hand. He was pissed. He may not be that close to Rias, but she was still someone he considered as a friend, and seeing that fried chicken bastard treat her like that just pissed him off.
Riser stared at him, as if suddenly seeing him in a new light. "So you have something to offer it seems." He murmured, a grudging respect in his voice. "But an outsider like you has no business being with the higher classes. Swear right now to never see Rias again, and I will ensure you peace and wealth." His sneer was back full force. "A commoner like you'd need the money anyway."
Issei knew he should have been intimidated, this was a high-class devil after all, but after facing an oni, numerous Youkai, Fallen Angels and even another high-class devil, he just knew he'd beat this asshole easily. After all those, threats and insults didn't even faze him anymore. "I choose Rias-senpai anyday over your money. Besides," Issei smirked. "my intelligence is worth more than your wealth anyway. Not like an idiot like you has any use for it after all."
Riser's eyes flashed, a flicker of flames dashing through them before he reigned them in. "You insult my pride, and when I offer you peace, you spit in my face with more slander." Riser's sneer grew even more pronounced, any respect for Issei gone, replaced by contempt. "Face me in a duel you bastard. It's the least you can do."
"I refuse." Issei replied, forcing his voice to sound bored. It got the intended effect, pissing Riser off even further, and he actually saw the temperature in the room increase, a hazy shimmering forming on the room. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Grayfia herd Rias' peerage from the two facing off in the middle of the room.
"Are you really that bereft of honor that you refuse even something like this?" Riser asked mockingly. Really, it was as if he wasn't paying attention; Issei didn't really even register insults from him anymore.
"I'll accept, but only on one condition." Issei replied easily.
"Name your stake." Riser glared at him, teeth bared.
"The dissolving of the marriage contract between you and Rias Gremory."
"What?" Riser blinked, and Issei counted that as a point for him.
"Issei-sama." The maid spoke up slowly, eyes unreadable. "This contract has been formed and drafted by Lords Gremory and Phenex, a union for Political and economical needs. Why exactly would you wish to do this?"
"I could say that the parents of a person shouldn't really control their child's future just like that." Issei ruffled his hair with a sigh. "I could say that a person shouldn't be defined by just their family's name. I could even say that I just really don't like Riser Phenex. But the thing is, she's a friend of mine, and seeing you act like that makes me realize that you don't deserve to be with someone as amazing as Rias-senpai. So if we're going to fight, then might as well have something worth fighting for right?"
"Then no deal." Riser snorted. "The knowledge of your being a coward is enough for me. I don't have any business being with low lifes such as you. It would do nothing but debase myself even further to be involved with you. A coward and someone who would break a pact between families just for his own sense of self-entitlement. Good luck with life, you're going to need it." A circle opened up beneath Riser's feet, and before Issei got a chance to sear it to his memory, a gout of flames reached up and burned Riser away from the room.
Grayfia pursed her lips and bowed to Issei. "Issei-sama, I hope you do not look less upon us devils for this incident." She bowed to Rias as well before disappearing through a circle.
"Did...did he just get the moral high ground?" Issei asked Rias incredulously. "Did he seriously just leave with the moral high ground? Tell me he didn't."
"Well, Issei-kun, he certainly believed he did." Akeno gave a bitter smile, going to the corner of the room where the silverware was kept.
"Thank you." Rias started, looking at him with a small, sad smile. "Thank you for standing up to me, for saying all those things."
Issei shrugged. "I thought for sure that I had him." He muttered a quick thank you to Akeno for the tea. It tasted different. Not bad, but different from Asama's.
"He may be an arrogant ass, but he's no idiot." Rias told Issei with a grimace that he was sure no one outside the room and probably the Student Council has seen. "Which is a shame. Idiocy are so much easier to deal with than arrogance."
"Why the contract anyway?" Issei asked. "And your brother's one of the Satans right? Why not just ask him to stop the marriage?"
"Because it would seem to much like favoritism if he did it." Rias sighed. "And he can't afford to do so in the larger Underworld Society."
"Well, what if you challenge him to a duel?" Issei suggested jokingly. To his surprise, Rias nodded her head.
"The thought did come to me." She admitted. When she saw his confusion, she elaborated. "It's called a Rating Game, a duel of sorts between two peerages of High-Class devils. But I only have Akeno, Yuuto, Koneko and Gasper while Riser has a complete set of 15 members. If I tried to challenge him right now, I'll lose no matter how much planning I do." Rias grinned weakly. "Issei-kun, my offer's still open you know?"
"Sorry Rias-senpai." Issei offered an apologetic smile. "But I think I'll stay human for a little while longer."
"Well," She sighed. "Didn't hurt to try."
"Look on the bright side Rias-senpai." Issei tried. "At least you have a few years to find a way out. Who knows, maybe your peerage will grow and you'll be able to match that fried chicken bastard easy."
"Still," Rias said slyly. "I'm sure that if I had you, I can defeat Riser right here, right now."
"Making it a bit too obvious senpai." Issei pointed out.
"Ufufu, yes Rias, I heard that men often don't like being pursued. Is that that case with you too Issei-kun?" Akeno asked, a hand held up to her lips. "This is the first time Buchou has ever been rejected, so maybe her pride's feeling a bit stung?"
"Akeno!" Rias snapped, face flushed. "That's not it!"
"Ara, Buchou's so cute when she's blushing, don't you agree Issei-kun?" Akeno's smiled widened, turning to the only non-devil in the room who coughed and scratched at his cheek.
"A bit." He mumbled, blushing almost an equal shade of red to Rias cheeks.
"They're cute together." Kiba commented from his seat, "Aren't they Koneko-chan?"
The white haired middle schooler- why she was in the highschool area of Kuoh, Issei had no idea- nodded. "Yes."
"Maybe that's what Issei-kun was up to all along." Akeno continued wondering out loud, not caring about her King's embarrassment. "Maybe he wanted to defeat Riser and sweep you off your feet. Isn't he just romantic Buchou?"
Issei gave Rias a pained look to which she only returned with a resigned shrug as if saying 'what can you do?'
He sighed, picking up his tea, heating it in his hands when he noticed it grew cold. When Akeno yelped as her tea froze over, pouting at Issei, he smiled cheekily at her. Petty he knew, but at least he got at least some revenge on her.
His phone rang, Issei excusing himself to pick it up.
"Hyoudou Issei-kun." Sona's voice came from the other end of the line, and the sheer frostiness of it made him shiver.
"Y-yes Kaichou?" He asked.
"Why exactly is Diodora Astaroth standing right in front of me, claiming that he is to go to this establishment effective immediately, saying specifically that you are in charge of him?"
'Son of a-'
()()()()()()()()()
It happened right when he was having tea with Asama. He interrupted himself in the middle of telling her about buying her a mobile phone when something pinged at the back of his head, an incessant noise that wouldn't stop.
"Asama-nee." He said, puzzled at the little phenomenon. "There's something buzzing at the back of my head. What do you think-"
"Issei-kun," She said sharply, gazing at a point past the walls, past the woods and into the heart of the city proper. "It seems that there are devils currently attacking the school of Kuoh."
"What?" Issei snapped, realizing what the sensation was. A few weeks ago, he decided to carve the numerous runes that Asama had taught him about into hidden corners of the school, just for fun. Looking back at it now, at least one of them had a function that alerted the one whose magic was imbued into it about any explosive and dangerous acts in the area it was planted on.
Abruptly, Asama reached out, grasped, and pulled at the air. The roof of the shrine imploded, a devil being dragged into the ground. Wasting no time, Asama briskly approached the dizzy devil. "What is going on?" She asked sharply, standing over him with an ominous air about her.
The devil looked up at her, obviously still not having fully recovered from the fall. "What the he-"
"In respect for your kin's support for my kind, I will spare your life, but only if you tell me this: Why are you attacking this land?" She asked coolly.
"F-Fuck you bi-" Tendrils of magic reached up from underneath the devil, wrapping around each of his limbs, around his neck and around his mouth, slamming him deep into the ground.
"Issei-kun, go. See to the safety of your town." Asama nodded at the high schooler. "As much as I wish to accompany you, it would not be a wise move for me to leave the confines of this place. I have confidence in you, Issei-kun."
Issei looked between the devil and Asama before steeling his resolve. "Thanks." He formed a circle under his feet, springing him from the shrine and down the stairs in a single bound, another circle catching him right as he fell in an angle, redirecting the force down, succesfully not shredding his ankle and knees, and getting a running start, magic pumping down his right leg with every motion.
They started to get packed when he was in the commercial areas of Kuoh, a kilometer or two from school where the students usually went to after classes or on the weekends.
People were murmuring, taking pictures and murmuring as they stared at the smoking, burning wreckage that was an apartment complex.
"Brother's going to kill me." A voice muttered to Issei from beside him, staring up at his home. "I haven't even read the damn rulebook yet." Diodora complained.
"Why do you think they attacked you?" Issei asked, moving his gaze to the general direction of the school where he could see smoke rising from the school.
"The Phenex's staying here for a few days right?" He asked, following Issei as he ran for the school.
"Yeah? Why? You think they're involved too?" Issei wasn't even sure why he knew Riser and Ravel was staying in town, but he didn't have the time to ask for that.
"All but sure of it." He grunted. "There are four heirs to pillar houses staying in this town right now, three of them the siblings of the current Maou and another two High Class devils that are part of a major supporter of the revolution. Only one group comes to mind really, the Old Maou Faction."
There was something Diodora wasn't telling him, Issei was sure of it. But for now, he had other problems.
There was a crowd of students in front of the gate, nearly all of them on their phones, voice frantic, though a group of them that were slightly to the side stood out to him.
"Kaichou! Rias-senpai!" He slowed to a stop, finding the two high-class devils standing in front of the school, talking to each other in hushed tones, their peerages grimfaced besides them, along with a blond girl with pointy ears that Issei's never seen before shivering to the side, Koneko's arms around her. There was also a blond guy off to the side, sitting against the wall, face ashen, uniform bloody, a weird looking gauntlet on the back of his left arm. "What happened?"
"They blew up our room, blew up the school." Sona said bitterly, pure anger in her voice. She nodded towards the blond student. "This is Genshirou Saji. He died in that explosion, and if I wasn't on the scene, he would have stayed dead."
Diodora looked at the guy and snorted. "At least you got a pretty nice Sacred Gear out of him. Would have been a waste of a Piece if he didn't."
"Diodora-san." Rias said sharply. "This isn't just a matter of Sacred Gear or not. Kuoh Academy, the base of operations for us devils, have been blown up. This is all but a declaration of war to devils. You should be more concerned than this."
"I am, believe me." He rolled his eyes. "After all, bastards got my apartment too. After I just got a new TV installed and all."
Rias and Sona threw him equal looks of disgust. Issei blinked slowly. "Hey, if you two both got hit, then what about the Fried Chicken Bastard?"
"He's a Phenex." Rias sighed. "As much as it would make life easier for me, even I would not wish for Riser to go like that. He deserves a more honorable death by bombing. But from what I heard from Grayfia-nee, only he, his Queen and his little sister are staying here in the Human World, and the both of them have their regeneration and some Phoenix Tears on them, so they'll be fine."
"So what are you going to do now?" Issei asked after a silence settled between them all, looking up at the smoke rising from the burning buildings.
"We're going to have to tell them Rias." Sona told her childhood friend who was looking agitated. "I know that you want to solve this by ourselves, but this is much too big for us. We have to tell the higher-ups about this."
"I know." Rias snapped before instantly looking contrite. "I'm sorry. I know, it's just...It just annoys me how so much that's nrrm going on lately is out of my control, and I can't even fix it. This town is supposed to be our responsibility but we can't even take care of it properly."
"Something's going on." Sona agreed quietly. "Something big. Maybe it's the Old Maou Faction making a move."
"They wouldn't." Rias disagreed, though even she looked unsure. "Would they? What would they have to gain."
"There are five High-Class devils staying in this town right now." Diodora held up his fingers to emphasize his point. "It's pretty obvious that they're looking to thin the opposition isn't it? Though I can't agree with how stupid this plan is. Do they think that killing us off would have the devils just up and flocking to their side? They're facing off against the Maou. They earned their title for a reason." He shook his head, kicking off against the wall. "Whatever. I'll just book a hotel or something. Wait for this to pass by."
Rias and Sona stared at each other before simultaneously sighing. "You called last time, so I guess it's my turn." Rias said sardonically. "At this rate, we might as well have a phone that connects to them immediately."
"Onee-sama gave me one." Sona admitted.
"...Nii-sama too." Rias turned away, holding her phone up to her ear.
Issei leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. 'What the hell did I get myself in to? Civil war? This is way out of my paycheck.'
He sighed, rubbing at his hair. 'I hope this doesn't turn Kuoh to shit.'
Why did he feel like Life was just laughing at him right now?
()()()()()()()()()
"Kuoh town was attacked just a few hours ago." Sirzechs said, voice unusually calm. "Has any group claimed responsibility for the attacks?"
No one said anything, but the answer was clear to everyone. "The Old Maou Faction have overstepped their bounds." The Crimson Lucifer continued. "Us Satans have decided to let them be because we cannot afford to spark another civil war, and because they have grown dormant these past few decades, but this act cannot go unpunished."
The head of House Phenex nodded. "I too have received a call from my daughter right before this meeting was called. They told me that their home was also attacked in the same manner, and that they are currently staying in a nearby hotel until the ones in charge sort this out. Thankfully, none of them were injured."
"Same with my little brother." Ajuka spoke up. "He wasn't in his apartment at the time of the attack, so I guess he's a little better off."
"One of Sona's students died in that explosion." Serafall said softly. "She had to resurrect him with one of her pieces, but even then, she tells me that the child was traumatized. Several other locals have been injured in by the explosions, and the local government's demanding an answer from them."
"Falbium, prepare your contacts." Sirzechs announced. "Tell them that any information pertaining the Old Maou Factions and their sympathizers are of paramount importance. I want to know if they gained any more support the past decades, I want to know which of them is still alive, I want to know where they are, who they talk to, if they even so much as breath in any direction, I want to know."
"Of course." The Asmodeus stood up, excusing himself as he drew out a device from his pocket. "At once."
"Ajuka, Serafall, continue on as usual. I don't want any of the other pantheons and factions to know what's going on in here. I want no information about this to leak outside this room." He turned his gaze upon the only non-Maou in the room. "Lord Phenex, I know that the safety of your children is your priority, but we can not afford to show weakness right now. The ceasefire may be on right now, but I do not know if any of the other gods would take this opportunity to strike at us. Our relationship with a few of them is shaky at best."
"I understand completely Lucifer-sama." He bowed his head. "My family and I will continue to give you our support as we had in the last war."
"Thank you." Sirzechs gave him a brief smile. "Now, go and tend to your children. There is still work to be done."
"As you wish." Lord Phenex clapped him in the shoulder, a gesture of support, before leaving him alone with his two fellow Satans.
"Well," Ajuka started. "guess we have another war in our hands." He reached out to the air, hand disappearing up to his wrist, before drawing out a bottle of whiskey. Three glasses floated from a nearby stand and towards the three.
"It looks like it." Sirzechs sighed, reaching for a glass and the bottle. "Though if I can help it, it won't last more than a month. Last time we were too lenient, but this is too big an insult to us that we cannot just let them off."
"That was what I told you to do last time Sirzechs." Ajuka reminded. "To make an example of them, to show them that we are not to be messed with."
"Sirzechs also had a point." Serafall pointed out, pouring a glass of her own. "When our enemies defy us, we must serve them steel and fire. When they bend the knee however, we must help them back to their feet, else no one will ever go to their knees for us."
"When did leading become so complicated?" Sirzechs smiled bitterly. "Sometimes, I look back on everything, and I wish that I never led that damn rebellion."
"If we haven't done that, then there would be nothing to look back upon." Ajuka laid his hand on Sirzechs' shoulder. "Look on the bright side Sirzechs, if this had not happened, then the future of the devils would have been very bleak indeed."
"Still, it's fun to imagine." The Lucifer trailed off, taking a small sip of the whiskey. "All the possibilities…"
()()()()()()()()()
"Lord Kokabiel, I bring news of Kuoh!" Chazakiel, his right hand, barged into his throne room just a few minutes after he had asked for the latest news from his reporters.
"What is it?" He said noncommittally, staring at the reports of the locations of the other Excalibur fragments. He already had two in his possession, Rapidly and Transparency, thanks to the information given by that turncoat priest. "And make it quick. I still have something that must be done.
"My lord...Kuoh has been attacked by the Old Satan Faction!" Chazakiel reported eagerly. "Our spies tell us that just a few hours ago, four magical explosions went off, all of them in the locations of a High Class devil!"
"Is this true?" Kokabiel confirmed sharply, laying down the papers against his tableside. "Are you sure?"
"Yes my lord." Chazakiel nodded, following Kokabiel as he made his way down from his throne and to the window of the castle. "The devils are in a lockdown, my contact went off the grid almost immediately after I received the news."
"Chazakiel...this is an opportunity that comes only once in a hundred years." Kokabiel muttered. "Go to your contact in the Old Satan Faction. Give him every and all the support he needs. I want them to stir up so much trouble in the Underworld that they have no resources to spend on us. Make sure the Church focuses on them too. Return as soon as possible, after all your hard work…
How does a trip to Russia's Orthodox Church sound like to you?"
Chazakiel grinned. "Yes my lord."
A.N.
Just to clear things up, Issei thinks he can beat Riser easily because he assumes that most devils are just stronger, more longer lived versions of humans. Apart from Rias and Sona, he's only really seen the Satans' ridiculous power level which he correctly assumes is a pretty bad baseline for devils. So he's only really encountered spellcasting, he hasn't seen the Phenex regen, Sairaorg's Touki, etc.
Reviews are helpful and appreciated
P.S.
I think this is the longest chapter so far.
Omake!
"Welcome back Rias-sama." Grayfia bowed to the returning princess, her friends at her back. "Peerage of Rias-sama. If you would be pleased to come to the dining room? Maou-sama has asked for your presence. Do not worry about your baggage, we will take care of them."
"Thank you." Rias smiled at the maids around them, following Grayfia to where her brother was. "Is Onii-sama alright? He mentioned that he's been going to the Human World more often lately. Is it related to business?"
Grayfia gave an effort, an extreme amount of effort to keep her eye from twitching. Deep breaths Grayfia, remember, you married him for a reason. "He's perfectly fine." She ground out. "Sirzechs is perfectly fine believe me."
Too fine in fact. The Underworld could survive for a few days without the Lucifer could it not?
"Then wh-"
"Ask the master of the house himself." She said stiffly, interrupting her sister-in-law. "I do not think I am qualified enough to speak in his behalf."
She saw Rias and her Queen exchange puzzled glances, though she didn't bother. Obviously, she should just leave everything to her beloved husband shouldn't she?
She chuckled deeply, hands twitching wildly. When she was through with him…
"G-grayfia-nee,we're here." Rias spoke up meekly.
"Ah yes." She straightened up, smoothing down her skirt. That was unprofessional of her. "Maou-sama, your little sister has arrived."
"Let her in!"
She stepped to the side, bowing to allow them entry. She kept her head bowed, closing her eyes and sighing deeply. 'You love him, you married him, you bore him a son, and you will NOT murder him for this. You are strong Grayfia, and you will keep on being strong.' She turned to the room, staying silent to allow them their reunion. Their heartfelt reunion.
"Rias! It's wonderful to see you again!" Sirzechs said happily, gesturing to the table. "Hope you don't mind that I invited a guest!"
Rias just stared at the one other occupant in the room, the human looking at her with a huge, goofy grin. "I-I'm Hyoudou Issei! Pleased to meet you!"
"This guy here's a schoolmate of yours." Sirzechs grinned, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Though she's a year above you, I think you recognise my little sister?"
"Of course! She's one of the most popular girls in school!" Issei nodded eagerly, and Grayfia could see his eyes stray. She sighed. While she wasn't one for judging a person based on those kinds of things, especially on someone as well-endowed as Rias, it still wouldn't kill him to be a little less obvious.
"Grayfia! Did you hear that!? My little sister's popular! Oh, she's going to leave me soon, I just know it! But I won't allow it! No one's going to take my dear Ria-tan away from me!"
"Onii-sama!" Rias snapped, face the same color as her hair. "Would you please stop it! And what is Hyoudou-kun doing here exactly? No offense, but why did you invite him here?"
"Hmm, Issei-kun, show her." Sirzechs said seriously.
"I-It's kinda...embarrassing." The human, Issei, coughed. "Do I have to?"
"I'll do it with you if you want." Sirzechs grinned, and Issei returned it gradually.
"Fine Sirzechs-san. If you say so." Issei nodded resolutely, and Grayfia felt a pit of pure ice form at the bottom of her stomach. 'Oh no,' she thought with slowly growing dread. 'please don't tell me that-'
To her ever growing horror, he did. Or rather, they both did.
Even as power flooded the room, the air actually getting heavier, more loaded, there was only one thing that was going through her head. 'Another one!?' Then, it was replaced by something, a curious sort of wonder. 'That power...is he actually-'
The smoke cleared, and it served to only confirm her suspicion.
Crimson red armor cloaked his form, powerful pauldrons adorning his shoulders, golden spikes jutting out from their form. A gem of such high quality that it seemed to emit its own light shined in the middle of its chest, which itself was built out of interlocking parts that resembled the scales of the dragons of old. Clawed gauntlets made its presence known, grasping at the very air around it.
Finally, the helm greeted them, the face and expression of the human inscrutable, hidden by the depths of the green eyes the armor had.
"Nice Issei!" Any wonder at Sirzechs somehow finding from the billions of humans, millions of demi-humans, the wielder of the Boosted Gear and somehow training him to its Balance Breaker was completely annihilated by the sight of him giving a thumbs up in the damnable red spandex suit of his. "I give that an 8/10!"
"I'll try to get a better score next time!" The human, god bless him, actually pulled of the same pose.
'Patience Grayfia,' She breathed in sharply through her nose. 'Remember: Milicas makes everything worth it.'
"WOOOOW! OTOU-SAMA, WHO'S THAT?! HE LOOKS SO COOL! CAN I HAVE ONE TOO?"
Grayfia, for the first time in her long life, hit her head against the wall.
'We're doomed.'