Chapter 21: The Festival ends & summer vacation

Once everything was settled the 4 factions' armies began to repair the damage. They also carried away the corpses of the magicians who had perished. Sirzechs, Serafall, Michael and Mio were giving instructions to their subordinates on their tasks. Then they were joined by the one armed Azazel.

Sirzechs turned and looked mildly surprised. "What happened to your arm?" He asked.

"I was caught by Cattleya and nearly self-destructed along with her. I had no choice but to cut it off." He shrugged.

"I see. Her matter was a problem on the devil's side. About that wound—"

He indicated for Asia who went to heal him, but it was clear the arm could not be returned.

"I apologize for the trouble Vali caused."

"To think he would betray you."

"From the start, he was a guy that poured into only power. If you look at it from the results, it's possible to understand and say "Ah, I see". However, it's my responsibility that I didn't stop it from happening." He had his usual smirk but there was a tone of loneliness in his words.

Issei groaned as he woke up. He looked around to see a familiar red color.

"B-buchou?" He said groggily.

As everything began to clear he saw her relief at waking up.

"Thank goodness, I was so worried!" She hugged him tightly to her chest. He blushed at the closeness.

"Sorry for worrying you Buchou," He said.

Just then Mio approached. "You are awake? That's good Kiva."

He tried to get up but she stopped him. "No need to for formalities, after that fight with the Vanishing Dragon you must feel exhausted."

"D-did you need something from me?" Issei asked.

"Need? Well is not a need so much as we must speak one of this days."

"What about?" Rias asked suspiciously.

"About the reason you inherited Kiva." Mio stated. "That reckless idiot Azazel has been spouting hints since the meeting. I for one want to give you an actual answer. But it'll wait, first this threat comes first. Later Gremory-hime, Kiva." With that she left.

"It is good she is stepping up to be a good leader." A voice said. They turned to see Michael there. "Now then, I'm returning to heaven at once and will work on a plan for the matter of peace and countermeasures against the Khaos Brigade."

"U-Umm. Michael-san can I say something?" Issei asked.

"What is it, Sekiryuutei boy?"

"There's just one thing I'd like to ask of you."

"Very well, there isn't time, but I'll hear this one thing."

"It's because of the [system] that Asia and Xenovia receive damage when they pray to God, right?"

"Yes. If Devils or Fallen Angels pray to God, the [system] moves and decides to give them light damage. Because this was included in the system with or without God's presence, it moves naturally. What about it?"

"Can't you make it so that there is no damage when only Asia and Xenovia are praying?" Issei asked.

Michael looked surprised at his request. Asia, Xenovia and Irina who had arrived with him were also shocked.

"I-I thought it'd be ok, because even though they are now devils they still have a pull towards their former lives. I j-just wanted to give them some peace and closure from that." Issei babbled.

Michael smiled at the young rider and turned to the girls. "It was a great error and mistake to let what was done happen. I understand. If it's only two people, I may be able to do something about it. The two of them are already devils and can't get near church headquarters. Asia, Xenovia, let me ask you. You know God is absent, right? Even so, will you still pray?"

At Michael's question, the two of them shook their head and then nodded.

Yes, I want to pray even if there is no Lord."

"Me too. I'll give thanks to the Lord—to Michael-sama."

With that, everyone watched how the rest of the 4 faction forces finished their work.

Azazel was watching the going ons from where he was mulling the meeting of the two Heavenly Dragons.

"For the red one it's love, for the white one is power. Either one is so purely simple that it's shocking."

And thus what will be known as the "Kuoh Treaty" came to be.

The Next Day

"And so, from today on I'll be the advisor of this occult research club. Please call me Azazel-sensei. Or Governor is fine too."

The fallen angel was wearing a worn out suit as he sat nonchalantly behind a desk. The ORC members were indeed surprised, but not as much as Rias.

"…Why are you here?" She managed to say.

"Hah! I was requested to take this position by Serafall's little sister! Well, it's because I'm a super-cool guy. I score even with schoolgirls!"

"That's forbidden! Or rather, why would Sona do such a thing?"

They turned to the student council president who was looking sheepish.

"If I didn't allow it, Onee-sama threatened….. I mean begged…. To come to school." She said.

Everyone sweat dropped at her words.

"So what you mean is you sold us out." Rias said.

"Anyway I'll leave it to you. Come Tsubaki." With that they left.

Issei raised his hand. "Wait, what about that arm? Didn't you lose one of them?" He asked.

"Ah, this. It's a genuine artificial arm that I produced while researching Sacred Gears. It's an all-purpose arm that can be loaded with light power-style laser beams and tiny missiles. I wanted to be equipped with such a thing once. I equipped it in commemoration of my lost arm." Azazel said excitedly.

He then turned the arm to be more robotic and launched it around the room. He looked like a little kid with a new toy.

"However, Sirzechs is only allowing me to stay at this school on one condition." He said once his arm returned. "That I will help develop your immature Sacred Gears."

He looked at his targets with a fiendish glint in his eyes.

"The mysterious Boosted Gear with unpredictable evolution and inheritor of Kiva. The Holy Devil Sword and his own rider system and finally Forbidden Balor View."

The three in question didn't looked surprised at being singled out.

"Is this because of that Khaos Brigade that was mentioned?" Kiba asked.

"So you heard. As a future deterrent against them, the Welsh Dragon and your family have become famous. Rather than that, I'm an expert on the opposing Vanishing Dragon. From the information I got on him, I know that Vali has his own team. We're temporarily calling it the [Hakuryuukou Team]. Several people are gathering around the ones who've been identified at present, Vali and Son Goku."

"Are Vali and the others going to attack here again?" Issei asked.

Azazel shaked his head. "They won't attack here again. It was a rare chance for an assassination on the leaders of the three great powers at the conference, but that also failed. Their current opponents are Heaven and the Underworld. In the Underworld, all the Fallen Angels under my orders have joined together with the Devils. The Underworld won't fall so easily. The Seraph guys in Heaven also wouldn't remain silent. Also, there are the free-loading strong sacred beasts in heaven and demonic beasts as well."

"…So it's a war?"

"No, it's still at the skirmish level. You could say both they and us are in a preparatory period. Don't worry, something like war won't occur until you people graduate from university, let alone this school's high school division. Enjoy your school life fully. However, it is the long-awaited preparatory period. So you'll be doing various preparations, right?"

"H-hai!"

"Relax Sekiryuutei. You are smart but you won't make progress if you worry too much. It's best to just relax until the right time. Which brings us back to developing those Sacred Gears. Oh this will be fun."

He looked at the three boys who felt more like an exotic specimen at his look.

"First off Sekiryuutei your power is to unstable. You even gave up both your arms for power, that's gutsy but is just a crutch in the long run. Sure it's explosive power is tremendous, but that's also only temporarily. A lower rank opponent would instantly be brought down with that, but it would be suppressed by a higher rank opponent. If you're also going to participate in the Rating Games as a Devil from now on, you must stabilise the Sekiryuutei's mighty power. For all that, you first need to attain Balance Breaker. Having said that, Rating Games aren't straightforward either. Something like a [Pawn] that consumed only one piece taking down the [King] also happens. Everything depends on how you fight. I'll have to teach you all about that as well."

Issei nodded amazed as to how Azazel had just described his strength and weaknesses so easily.

"That's right, holy demonic sword kid. How long can you fight in Balance Breaker?" He said turning to Kiba.

"Currently, one hour is my limit." Kiba answered.

"That's not good. At the very least, you need to make sure that you're able to continue using it for 3 days."

"I can only do it for a few minutes," Issei said grimly.

"You'll have to retrain from scratch. The Hakuryuukou can stay in Balance Breaker for one month. That's the difference between you." Azazel stated. "As for the Forbidden Balor View. His training would have to be to control his powers. The basics will be very important for him. It'll be tough training indeed."

Gasper who was currently in a cardboard box next to Koneko let out his usual "Hiiiiiiiiiiiiii" in panic.

"Oh yeah, Baraqiel send his regards to you." He said to Akeno.

"I have no intention of forgiving him. Since it's that person's fault that my mother died. Same for the one who chose his side."

"Akeno, when you fell down to being a Devil, he said nothing."

"Naturally. That person isn't in a position where he can say something to me."

"That's not what I meant. No, well, it might be thoughtless of me to enter into the space of you parent and child."

"I don't consider that person as my father!"

"I see. But, I don't think it's bad that you joined the Gremory family. If things were otherwise, what would Barakiel think, I wonder?"

As Akeno pondered his words, Azazel hit a punch in his palm.

"ALmost forgot. Sirzechs gave me another message for you."

"What kind of message?" Rias asked.

"It seems when he stayed at the Sekiryuutei's house before he felt the need and importance in skinship between household members. Especially for the young Sekiryuutei, since it is necessary for your power. So by order of the Devil King Lucifer, all the female members of the club are to live together with Issei."

He got a lot of looks of shock from the groups, except for Issei. He just fainted on the spot.

"Issei's house is big but not enough for so many people." Rias blurted out in vain.

"Not to worry Sirzechs said he would help remodel it in time." Azazel.

And so the Kurenai residence had more people there.

Issei felt the rays of the sun waking him up. He wanted to sleep some more but once he was up, he couldn't. He tried to get up, only to find out he couldn't. That made the rest of his drowsiness go away. He looked to see Rias and Asia on either side of his. This was a usual occurrence in the mornings as the two girls wanted to claim him. But he felt something else that woke him.

Then he felt his blanket moving and to his great shock he saw Akeno's head peeking out. He felt a myriad of emotions at the turn of events, the most strong were shock, fear and a bit of a thrill. He then recalled it had been a week or so since the rest of the girls from the ORC started living with him. Now it was summer vacation and with it brought a full set of new surprises. One which was currently on top of him.

"Ufufu. Good morning, Ise-kun." She purred.

Himejima Akeno, the vice president of the occult research club. In his bed. Along with two other girls. Needless to say his mind was melting from the scene in front of him. He noticed her hair was loose instead of in a ponytail, it made quite the beautiful sight.

"I've arrived." She said in a sweet voice.

He would've answered if his brain would have sent the command. Then she embraced him and steam began to leak from his ears. There they were legs intertwined and in an embrace. Issei was feeling a panic attack surging up.

"Ise-kun's body is quite sturdy, thanks to you being trained by Rias. Ufufu, a man's skin feels better than I imagined. Or is it because it's Ise-kun's body? Hey, Ise-kun. Does my body feel good?"

Issei was shy but he wasn't blind! He knew beauty when he saw it and he nodded since he still couldn't find his voice.

"Ufufu, I'm happy. You can enjoy this body even more if you want to, you know? I also want to know more about Ise-kun's body. Though I say that, since there is a scary Onee-san sleeping next to us, there may be a limit to it. But whether or not we get caught, this critical moment is also fun."

It was clear Akeno was liking the thrill of the forbidden. Her darker side was coming out.

"Akeno. What are you doing? When did you get into this room?" Buchou's voice cut through the quiet.

Issei looked to his left to see Rias glaring at them.

"This is skinship. I thought I would have a nice morning with my adorable Ise-kun, so I came in. After all, being in bed alone is lonely." Akeno said.

"My? Since when did you become Ise's master?"

"Even if I'm not his master, I'm his senpai. It's a senpai's duty to be affectionate with their kouhai, right?"

Issei knew it was time to run away. But how? He was trapped. He watched as Rias got her face closer to Akeno's.

"Senpai…I see, so that's your reasoning. This room is close to being a sanctuary for me. My only absolute healing place. Asia aside, I can't have others intrude here! This is my and Ise's room."

When did that happen? Will he ever have privacy again?

"Ara-ara. The ojou-sama has a strong desire to monopolise, doesn't she? Are you perhaps afraid of having it stolen by me?"

"…Looks like I need to discuss this with you once more."

The two Onee-sans were gearing up for a fight in his room. Issei wished this didn't happen as he liked his room as it was. But first came to escape the upcoming fight. Slowly he managed to dislodge Akeno from where she was and quietly drag himself away.

It was surprising to see them like this given their reputation. But there they were being regular teens starting a fierce pillow fight with a sleeping Asia in the middle of it all still sleeping. He envied her slightly for that.

Issei let the house to do his usual routine. As he did he looked at what was done to it. Instead of the manor it was, now it was a six-story house with three large basements. It seems Rias parents were responsible for it all. Sure they had to move some of the neighbors to take their plot but now everyone had their own place. What's more as a treat from Rias' mother, Issei's workshop was bigger and had places to keep his homemade varnish as it ripens.

So first Issei went to do errands. By errands look for ingredients for varnish. It had been a while since he had done so. So he gathered his things and especially Bloody Rose and set off.

After his usual gathering he then went to a flower shop. In there he spotted a familiar face.

"Ah Issei-kun! Good morning." A girl said.

He smiled. "Good morning to you Shizuka-chan! Is Jyuka-san around?"

"Sure, I'll go call her." She went in the back and brought a girl slightly older than them.

"Ah Ise-kun! It's been a while. Is it that day already?" Jyuka greeted.

"Hello Jyuka-san, yes it is that time. Can I have the usual flowers?"

"Sure, one Kurenai special coming up!"

She returned with a small bouquet of blue flowers and red ones. "I always wonder why you choose this flowers Issei-kun."

"It's sort of a family tradition." He said sheepishly. He paid for the flowers and left.

"Kurenai-san?"

He looked up to see Kaichou of all people there. As usual Tsubaki was with her.

"Oh hello Kaichou, Tsubaki-san. What are you doing here?" He asked.

"Well we are doing errands. What are you doing? A date?" She said.

He blushed. "No, no I was going to pay a visit to my family's tomb."

This shocked them both. While it was obvious since he lived alone (before meeting with Rias and her group), Issei wasn't one to speak of himself, except his goal of building the ultimate violin.

"May we join you?" Sona said curiously. Tsubaki looked at her in surprise as Sona wasn't one to pry into people's business.

"Well sure, it's not far from here." He answered.

As they walked Tsubaki decided to ask something.

"Kurenai-san, how is your new living arrangements?"

Issei sweatdropped at the competition the girls seemed to have for him. "I rather not talk about it."

Both girls giggled at the boy's answer. It seemed his home life had turned very lively.

They reached the cemetery it was a all quiet as Issei went to the Kurenai tombstone. With Sona and Tsubaki's help they cleaned the place up. He placed the flowers in a vase and prayed.

"Why those flowers Kurenai-kun?" Tsubaki asked.

"Oh the colors were my parent's favorite colors," Issei said sheepishly. "So I got them to honor them."

"How very considerate of you." Sona said. "And the violin?"

"Oh this is Bloody Rose, they made it after they met. So I always play it when I come here."

He pulled the violin from its case and began to play. Both girls closed their eyes as they enjoyed the music. It added to the bright morning. Sona opened her eyes and looked again to the tombstone. She then noticed something that made her frown. The names engraved were only three. Two were clearly his grandparents and the last one said Kurenai Otoya. But where was his mother's? Why wasn't she there?

Suddenly a man appeared. He was slim, wore dark clothing that included a long coat, a white scarf and glasses. He looked coldly at the trio as the girls noticed his presence. They knew he was no ordinary fellow.

"Who are you?" Sona demanded.

The man smirked. "Peace heir of Sitri, I did not come her for a battle."

"Then why did you?" Issei asked as he stopped playing.

"So you are Kiva. I must say it was unexpected to find a teenager as Kiva."

"Who are you? And why do you know about Kiva?"

"And you even have a sacred gear. That is most peculiar." That man said ignoring Issei's question. "No matter I will find out this mystery."

"I asked who are you?"

"Don't you worry Kiva. Our paths will cross again, my goal today was to confirm something."

And just like that he vanished. Leaving behind three confused and wary teens.

As the three went back into town, the two girls noticed Issei's frown. Sona was always one to deduce many answers to difficult puzzles. If this man knew of Kiva and the sacred gear then he was someone of importance. The fact he called Issei by Kiva meant he was of the fangire faction. Which meant he was from the rebel faction that was trying to undermine the current queen. Sona was also dealing with a problem proving difficult to accomplish.

She wanted to cheer Issei up. Since interacting with the Pawn, Sona had been feeling mixed emotions regarding him. He was quiet and a good student, but he was from another peerage. Many girls seemed to flock to his kindness and determination, so there was that. But she could not help it. Then she got an idea.

"Kurenai-san," she suddenly spoke. "Would you like to play a game of chess?"

She didn't know which look amused her more. Issei's look of surprise or Tsubaki's gaping face. It was Tsubaki, definitely Tsubaki's.

Issei felt confused as he played chess with the Kaichou. It did remind him of the times he used to play with Shouichi when he hanged out at his cafe. Tsubaki was between them and had a focused look as she watched them play. They had been at it for almost half an hour by now.

"You are very skilled Kaichou," he said.

"Likewise with you Kurenai-san," She said. "You are full of surprises as always."

"I'm not sure about that."

"Oh but you are, not only Kiva but the Sekiryuutei as well. It's a big deal for sure."

"True but I haven't really tap into their true potential. To use the power of the Boosted Gear I had to sacrifice both my arms."

Sona looked at his hands. "They do seem normal, how do you manage that?"

"Well because of my Kiva form apparently I had more control at first. But after the second arm, now I have to do sessions with Akeno-san to drain the power."

"Well let's hope you stop doing such gambits in the future."

"Azazel-sensei and Buchou forbid me from those. I'm to have training to use my sacred gear right."

"When?"

"He didn't say. But he is very eccentric so he may be doing something maniacal." He finished grimly.

"He does have that presence to him. But I'm sure Azazel-dono means well."

She took his rook with her bishop. He frowned as he thought of his next move. He still had four pawns, one bishop, one rook and two knights, besides the king. In contrast Sona had her queen, six pawns, one knight, two bishops and a rook. The odds weren't stacked for him, but as he looked at the pieces and idea began to form.

"Kurenai-san, are you going to make your move?" Sona asked a bit amused.

Issei said nothing but moved his knight in position. Sona flawlessly took it with her queen. This would mean that soon she'd checkmate him. But to her shocking surprise he moved his bishop towards her undefended king ending the match.

It was difficult to see who was more shocked, Sona or Tsubaki. Both had gaping faces that were unusual for them and their usual reactions. Issei was feeling a bit uncomfortable.

"Well that was a sneaky move," a voice said startling them.

They turned to see Azazel appear.

"H-how did you get here?" Sona asked.

"Through the the door," he deadpanned. "While this was interesting, I have to take charge of Issei now. You have to pack your things."

"For what?" Issei asked.

"You are going to the underworld!"

In a hidden location

A man stood over a table as inspected an object. This object seemed to shine in a myriad of colors as he peruse it. He then smirked slightly at what he saw.

"Well, I suppose it's time for me to make my move. They won't be expecting this."

And another chapter finished. This was a filler chapter of things to come. Next chapter is the trip to the underworld. Also in the chess match did that move feel familiar to anyone?