High School DxD: True Maou

by demonicjester01

Aslatiel Bael thought he could ignore his undesired past by working as a freelancer under the wing of Sirzechs Lucifer, his benefactor. However, when a certain job to protect Rias Gremory leads him to Kuoh Town, Aslatiel is forced to face his demons once again. OC x Harem, Issei x Harem. Includes many elements from other series. Slight (Progressively more) AU.

36. Chapter 35

Uh, yeah... I'm not going to say any excuse anymore, since it won't really do anything.

At the very least, to try to make up somewhat for the long wait (or maybe it is a cause for it?), this chapter is more than twice as long as the previously longest chapter I had posted. Wow, that's what happens when you want to write a certain part all at once, I guess.

Enough ramble for now. Enjoy the chapter, and I promise the next one won't take nearly as long. Swearsies.

---

Life.24 Starting On The Death Match — Mother —

---

"… Ah…"

His consciousness is breaking apart. The boy can now only wait for the inevitable end, and with it, his long-awaited rest.

Lead colored clouds loomed in the sky, as if knowing of the boy's plights. Not a single drop of rain fell, and the clouds just remained immobile.

He no longer had strength to move normally. Just moving his arm was now an insurmountable feat for the boy. However, he was not sad in the least.

Rejected by his peers, abandoned by his family and left like a stray dog to die of starvation in a foreign land. The older brother he once trusted hadn't helped him in all this time.

It was comprehensible that at long last, after enduring such a worthless existence, he could accept 'rest' without a problem. However, there was just one thing that still kept a link to him.

That girl.

He saw her immaculate white dress and her crimson hair fluttering behind her back. She turned back to smile at him, who had only received scornful glares.

Just this simple memory, a dumb snippet of early childhood, was what kept him walking until he couldn't stand anymore. He didn't wish to return to such a moment, but just having this memory brought a tiny bit of spring in his life of cruel and everlasting winter.

The boy accepted rest, but it wasn't what he wanted.

To stay awake, to keep walking, and to someday reach that smile. He wanted only this, even if he knew it would never be achieved.

Just knowing that she was still somewhere, that innocent smile still present on her beautiful face, was enough.

He clung to that figure like a child clinging to a broken toy, and therefore couldn't 'rest'.

Forcing his body even though it couldn't take anymore, the boy began standing up with his muscles screaming in pain.

He stood up, and fell. Of course, not even the strongest mind can push forward a body at the utter limit.

However, he didn't feel the cold ground under him this time he fell. The boy was surprised, but didn't pay much mind to it.

"You look awful. For such a young boy to go through this… This world really needs to change."

A soft voice reached his eardrums. He felt a hand preventing him from falling, so the voice probably belonged to the person who had kept him standing.

Taking the chance, the boy tried to walk forward again, but he lost balance as he did so and once again the stranger kept him standing.

"You can't walk like this… Just stay put for a moment. Trust me."

The voice said calmly, pulling him closer. The boy was considerably taken aback by now.

As if a natural reaction, he turned back slightly with what little strength he had.

He saw long locks of blonde hair, the color of gold. It was a woman, a young adult.

"Let's see… Argento. You can call me Miss Argento."

The boy took a few seconds to fully recognize the name. He managed to look at the woman's eyes of emerald with his ugly eyes, and said with a weak voice.

"… A-Argento… I'm…"

---

A loud crashing sound.

Diodora Astaroth moved like a feather through the air as Sairaorg smashed his head into a wall. The surroundings cracked and blood spilled everywhere.

"Ugh… Agh! So violent…" Diodora complained monotonously as he coughed up some red liquid.

"I'm going to pound you fifteen times for a start. Bear with all of it if you can!"

Tightening his hand until drawing blood, Sairaorg Bael let out an impossibly fast barrage of fists. As if gusts of wind, multiple punches hit Diodora's entire body almost at the same time. The room's wall shattered in a mere second and the Astaroth heir was sent flying and crashing into the hallway.

The wall behind him cracked and stained in blood, Diodora merely hung his head low with his bottom on the cold floor. Sairaorg stepped out of the huge hole and into the hallway shortly afterward.

"I undid my seals before coming here, but to think you can't handle even that… Stand up, Diodora Astaroth! I still am not satisfied!" His face clear with quiet rage, Sairaorg spoke calmly.

Even so, only the noise of an occasional blood drop was heard. Bleeding from several places and with his clothes ripped, Diodora remained silent and immobile. Sairaorg's eyes narrowed and he relaxed his stance a bit.

"Hey, Diodora, what do you think you're doing? How long do you plan on staying there like that? You're sadly mistaken if you think you're going to be able to get out of this situation by playing dead. Rias told me what you did to Kuisha and the others, and I'm perfectly aware of how you hurt Magdaran. Both are reason enough for me to keep punching you even after you've lost consciousness."

Even so, there was still no response from the blonde-haired Devil. Not even a spasm or breathing sound was detected from his slender frame. Sairaorg sighed.

"Well, if you come to me apologizing in tears… I might be more-" Sairaorg suddenly stopped talking, his eyes widening in shock.

Diodora finally lifted his face up. He was expressionless, but tears were running down from his ugly eyes, mixing sloppily with the blood and bruises. He stood up with trembling legs, taking hold of the wall for support.

"Don't get the wrong idea, Sairaorg-kun, I'm not crying because your hits hurt. Rather, these are tears of joy."

Much to Sairaorg's further astonishment, Diodora began wiping his tears with his hand, all the while smiling brightly. Diodora spoke again.

"I've waited my entire life for someone to come and correct me! I'm so happy I cannot keep it in! Thanks to you, I see the error of my ways! Now I can reform! I'm so grateful, Sairaorg-kun!"

"What do you mean!? Are you insane, Diodora!?" Sairaorg yelled while the Astaroth heir took comfortable footing.

"Oh, it doesn't really matter. But anyways, in order to not bring you any further trouble, I'm going to grab the next sucker that passes by and do something nasty to them to let out my anger for all this pain!"

Sairaorg shuddered at Diodora's response. Even with all the anger he had at the blonde Devil before him, he couldn't help but feel his hands tremble ever so slightly.

Rias… Sorry for not believing you about how dangerous he is!

"But don't worry about a single thing, Sairaorg-kun. If there's one useful thing about my power, is that I can make such an act seem as if it never happened." An unscathed Diodora stated calmly as he took a step forward. Sairaorg felt a cold sweat running down his back.

What the…!? The wounds he got from my punches and his torn clothes are back to normal!

"However, my Perfect Fake is special in that I always have the worst outcome." His innocent smile still unchanging, Diodora prepared for battle by manifesting a giant screw in each of his hands.

As he did so, something abnormal was instantly felt. As if inside a formless void, the environment became visibly different for some reason. Sairaorg's face became stern as he prepared for anything.

It's like the entire room is twisting out of shape… This is bad. I don't know what's going to happen, but he's going to do something…

However, before Diodora could make a single move, two girls around his age attacked him for his sides. Their elbows hitting his arms, he was smashed on the floor as the sound of breaking bones echoed.

"Would you spare us the trouble of you getting serious on a day you were only supposed to play? It's rather annoying to be your Queen sometimes…" One of the girls, dressed in a more practical and user-friendly version of a nun's outfit, said with a serious tone. She had barely past chin-length dark blue hair that was a bit longer in some parts and oval rimless glasses over her eyes of the same color.

"Diodora-sama… You said you would leave the physical battles to me…" The other girl wore a western maid uniform with a bonnet on her hair, and had straight, chin-length reddish pink hair and light brown eyes. Her face and tone were both rather emotionless.

The blue-haired girl flashed Sairaorg a scornful smirk and walked a few steps towards him.

"You're the heir to the Great King Bael Clan, Sairaorg Bael, right? Where on earth do you get off attacking a good, fellow Devil heir like this? I don't know what kind of stunt you're trying to pull, but this could be brought to the proper authorities."

Sairaorg grinned in response, lightly relaxing his fists.

"Hmph… So you servants of Diodora can say normal things. However, that guy there sent my younger brother, Magdaran Bael to the hospital just earlier today, and he also used the members of my peerage as a bunch of sandbags. With that, there's no way you can call him 'good', right?"

The girl with dark blue hair closed her eyes and touched her chin in understanding. However, she showed a small grin a bit afterward.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know about that, forgive me. However, since it was someone with such a high title like son of the Bael Clan… It shouldn't be a surprise that something happened to him."

"…!"

Sairaorg's face twisted in anger and prepared to attack, while the girl readied various blades of around one meter in length with extremely short black hilts, holding them in the spaces between her fingers. However, before anything could happen, Diodora spoke up with a smile.

"Hey, hey, Elesia. You shouldn't talk to the Bael heir like that. But I should thank you for covering for me, and for breaking my arms! I was about to destroy everything here! But I'm really such a loser… I'm supposed to be the leader, and you girls saw as I was getting my ass handed to me."

"Not at all, Diodora-sama. There's no one among us who thinks getting beat is a bad thing. The Astaroth Group is used to being on the losing end, after all." Smiling just a bit, the girl with reddish pink hair comforted Diodora with a hand on his arm that, like the rest of his body, was now completely undamaged.

"I never thought that anyone would come to your aide. Do you and your peerage actually have some sort of teamwork?"

Diodora only looked confusedly at Sairaorg as he stood up to answer his question.

"Of course we do! After all, we all subscribe to the Weekly Shounen Jump back in the human world's Japan. Agatha here is a really big fan."

As he said so, Diodora stood between the two girls and placed a hand on his waist. Elesia prepared her blades as strange glowing marks appeared on her arms and legs, while Agatha transported an enormous silver halberd with red accents, larger than her own body, into her hands.

"'Betrayal, Egotism and Failure'! That's the Astaroth Group's motto!"

Diodora smirked as Sairaorg glared menacingly at him.

"Now then, Sairaorg-kun… It's become a three-on-one match. Do you want to continue?"

---

"Rias… It's been fifteen minutes already. Maybe he only went back to his manor." Annoyed at the wait she had been forced in, Sona voiced out a logical assumption. Rias sighed in response.

"Sona, we came here asking for Sairaorg's help, so he's fighting alone on our behalf without requesting anything, we can't abandon him. I'll be happy if he returns here unscathed, if not… Then at the very least I hope he runs while he still can run…"

Some drops of red liquid stained the floor as Rias spoke. Sona narrowed her eyes and merely looked a bit away.

(She's trying to remain calm, but she's still clenching her fists so tight they're bleeding…)

"Rias, don't go making fun of your family so much. Who did you say was going to run?"

"…!?"

Rias' eyes widened in pleasant surprise. Turning around frantically, she saw Sairaorg Bael calmly leaning back on the wall at the room's entrance.

"Sairaorg! Y-You're alright!"

"You don't look injured, but…"

Sairaorg sighed and nodded calmly at Sona's suspicion-filled gaze.

"You're right, Sona Sitri. I wouldn't say that I'm alright. Truth be told, this is the first time in all my life that I've left a fight unfinished. I didn't actually run away, but I couldn't muster any strength them... I never thought I'd come across someone so sickening that I wouldn't want as an enemy, and there's more than one!" Sairaorg strongly stomped on the ground to let out his frustration, cracking it.

"I know… But still…" Rias gritted her molars while placing her hands on her knees.

Diodora… What happened to you?

"Well, what do you think we should do, Sairaorg Bael? What you say might be true, I saw Diodora first-hand, but it is also true that we cannot leave the event of today go as nothing." Sona's eyes shone with a serious glint from behind her glasses.

Sairaorg looked down slightly, sending a glance toward his bed-ridden half-brother. After thinking for a while, he spoke again to Rias and Sona.

"We can't really do much per se, since these are only private quarrels between us young nobles. However, I'd say we can wait two more weeks and solve it during the Rating Games. Otherwise, this will only cause trouble to those above us."

"So we can only be careful until then…"

Rias looked down somberly. As she did so, the light of the moon beamed through the window, ever so slightly.

---

In the clearing he had previously used as main training ground for Rias, Aslatiel dropped down out of a magic circle. Made possible by the talisman he had preemptively brought and its link to the area, he had been able to teleport without major problem, except for his landing position on his head.

"Good grief… Today's been a heavy day…" Rubbing his aching head with a hand, Aslatiel stood up with some difficulty. For some reason, his expression looked more relaxed than usual.

After being calmed down by Haruna, he had accompanied her back home if only to talk with her a bit more. Aslatiel was utterly embarrassed by his earlier display, so he had only gotten out a quick goodbye before leaving.

(Still… To think that girl appointed a specific time for our next meeting… I guess Haru is not just a Meganekko for show…)

Aslatiel yawned shamelessly. It was late at night, he had gotten up early to assist Rias with her training and worked non-stop until a little earlier. It was comprehensible to be exhausted after such a day.

The 'summer house' Rias, him and a few others were using was only a mere fifty meters away from his spot. So close, yet so far. Aslatiel walked towards it with hurried steps.

However, as soon as he opened the door, he felt a powerful blow delivered straight to his temple. Aslatiel's sight trembled as he fell to the floor.

"Wh-Wha…!?"

"There you are! What the hell do you think you're doing neglecting me for so long, Aslatiel!? It's been five days since I last got blood from you!" The young Carmilla noble, Elmenhilde Karnstein shouted while stepping on the downed Aslatiel's head.

(Oh, yeah. I forgot…)

"Elmen, I'm sorry, but I feel pretty tired right now, so can I give you a vial tomorrow?"

"Not at all. I want it now." The girl sentenced coldly.

"Once again, think what you say. And how will you…" Aslatiel suddenly came to the unpleasant conclusion.

Seeing where Elmenhilde was looking at, he swiftly covered his neck with his hand.

"Not at all!" He swiftly retorted.

"Eeh!? But why not!?" Elmenhilde whined like a little girl.

"It will hurt! I'm sure of it!"

Elmenhilde moved to him, but Aslatiel got to his feet and dodged aside.

In quite the cartoonish way, Elmen persistently reached forward with her hand while Aslatiel dodged frantically. They were at this for about five seconds before recognizing the silliness of the situation.

"Stop it already!" Aslatiel whined.

"Not until you give me some blood!" Elmenhilde didn't falter, however.

Aslatiel was dumbfounded by his unending misfortune yet again. However, just before he even tried to escape into the lake nearby as he planned, a rock-hard fist to his cheek sent him rolling throughout the ground until he crashed on a tree, causing it to fall down on the lake.

"…?" Elmenhilde was surprised, but somewhat amused by this sudden display of violence.

As she looked at Aslatiel who now had poorly drawn spirals for eyes, the man with black and golden hair dressed in a yukata stood outside with anger consuming his entire face.

"WHAT THE HELL, YOU BRATS!? DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS!?"

"L-Lord Azazel!?"

Elmenhilde took a step back while Aslatiel tried to stand up, his head still ringing.

"I-I'm sorry, Azazel… We won't make any more noise, so could you let us in, please?" Aslatiel said while rubbing one of his ears.

However, this was met by a disinterested look from Azazel.

"Ah, yeah, about that… You're no longer staying here for the next two weeks, Aslatiel."

"… Eh?" A confused voice escaped his lips.

"What you heard. Diehauser Belial has plenty of things to do, so it's better for you, who can't use magic to teleport, to stay in a place that's nearer to his estate. He can't really come to the Gremory territory regularly just to train you."

(Oh… So that's why… But still…)

"Why didn't you tell me that earlier today!? I'm utterly exhausted!" Aslatiel roared in frustration.

"Because… Er, well… I just forgot."

Azazel's unapologetic way of saying this worried him that he would forget about more important things.

(Like, if there's meat left in the fridge at a given time…)

Supporting his weakened body on a tree, Aslatiel asked with half-closed eyes.

"Alright then… Where will I stay for the next two weeks, then?"

Azazel suddenly laughed childishly.

"Well…"

---

It was nighttime, so its full splendor was lacking at the moment. However, it would be clear to any viewer at any time of the day that this castle was even bigger and more grandiose than the Gremory's own. This was also demonstrated that there were cannons on the walls, cannons which probably hadn't been used ever since the Underworld Civil War.

"So the Phenex castle looks… Exactly the same as back then." Aslatiel reminisced fondly while looking at the majestic structure.

He then turned towards his companion with a scrutinizing gaze.

"At any rate, why did you tag along with me?"

"I already told you that I need some blood! Also, you will become my Familiar, so we should get used to the presence of the other." Elmehilde said with her usual prideful disposition.

(Well, whatever. She has a nice butt at least…)

Sighing for maybe the fourteenth time that day, Aslatiel walked toward the mansion's door after passing through the huge gate. Despite his usual apathy toward such things, Aslatiel was dressed more nicely than earlier, with a button-up black Oxford shirt, slacks and his normal boots with no sense for combination.

Still terribly nervous, Aslatiel took some time as he hesitated to ring the doorbell. Annoyed with this display, Elmenhilde was the one to ring, much to the silver-haired Devil's horror.

Promptly, the door opened, as they were probably waiting for him.

The one behind the door was a remarkably tall woman with long black hair tied in a strange manner, similar to a high ponytail splitting into five. Her outfit was somewhat similar to a white Chinese cheongsam, with red shorts on her bottom, black gauntlets and knee-high boots.

"Are you Lord Aslatiel Bael?" She asked bluntly, without much emotion in her voice.

Aslatiel was briefly taken aback by her cold disposition but didn't particularly mind.

"Yes. Also, this girl comes with me." He said while pointing at Elmenhilde, who reacted rather displeased.

'We already heard about that companion of yours, there's no need to worry. My name is Siris, I'm a Knight of Lord Riser Phenex. Please allow me to guide to the manor's inside."

"Eh… Sure." Aslatiel replied troubledly.

"She's… Cool!"

Motioning a sparkly-eyed Elmenhilde to walk along, Aslatiel followed after the serious Knight.

The manor's inside itself hadn't changed a lot from what he remembered, with the exception that he now saw various girls of distinct appearances and mannerisms either playing in video game consoles, reading or doing other things to pass the time.

(Riser's servants, I presume. If I remember correctly, those of Ruval live at their own places…)

As he glanced around, he noticed some of the girls interested in his and Elmenhilde's arrival, while others ignored them.

Even with the noise that was made previous to it, Aslatiel could've never expected to suffer a lariat shortly thereafter.

"Lord Aslatiel! Are you ok!?"

"Aslatiel! Get up now! Don't go staining another house's floor with your blood!"

It's unnecessary to say who of the two girls said each line.

Aslatiel looked up after the initial dizziness from the blow to his neck, and he could at least correctly predict the person who had subjected him to such an attack.

Despite being usually dressed in clothing proper of a noble, he currently wore a normal buttoned shirt and jeans, completely foregoing footwear at the moment. He looked down at Aslatiel with a fond smirk.

"So it was you, Ruval!" The silver-haired Devil yelled, but the eldest son of the current Phenex head and a top ranker of the Rating Games, Ruval Phenex merely laughed without worry.

"How are you doing, Aslatiel? Geez, it's been ages since we last met! I'm so happy!"

Easily lifting Aslatiel up by one arm, Ruval didn't even let him fall or get on his feet again before giving him a bro hug around the neck.

(Yeah, I should've expected this… It must be hard for him to act like a proper noble most of the time…)

Despite everything, Aslatiel couldn't help but grin at this development, much to Siris' and Elmenhilde's surprise.

"Hm, so he's here already. Good."

Aslatiel turned in this familiar voice's direction. He saw Riser Phenex dressed in casual clothing and sitting on the couch as he watched TV. A girl who was probably a bit older than Aslatiel with short brown hair with red highlights was laying and sleeping peacefully on Riser's shoulder, while a girl with blue hair and cat ears on her head and a young girl with lime green hair slept on his lap.

Aslatiel didn't mind this in the least and only looked at Riser with a complicated expression.

(Well… How should I go about this…)

After hesitating for a second or two, he could finally find some voice.

"L-Look, Riser… Er, I… I-I'm sorry for-"

"It's nothing, in the end, I was practically asking to be put down that way. It's… It's good to have you here, like old times…"

A small smile crept up on Riser's face as he finished speaking. Aslatiel was dumbfounded by this, and he couldn't help but reminisce those times they shared together, when Riser was a rough, yet admirable role model for him.

"Yes… I'm thankful indeed." Aslatiel laughed lightly, like a young boy would.

More steps arrived shortly afterward, from two people he also knew.

"Oh, Aslatiel-kun already arrived? But we have nothing ready~! What should I do?"

"Dear, don't worry so much, it's a bad habit of yours. What matters is that he's safely arrived and we can have fun again!"

The first voice belonged to Lord Gerald Phenex, formerly Beleth. A seemingly adult man with a remarkably youthful face, short dark blonde hair reaching his ears and eyes that appeared to always be closed, or just barely open (if even that). A worried expression adorned his otherwise good features.

The second person was an incredibly beautiful woman that appeared to be in her mid to late-twenties at most, her soft-looking blonde hair that was usually tied in an ornate way was currently let down and flowing to her waist, and her dark blue eyes like sapphires became filled with enthusiasm upon seeing the silver-haired Devil currently in her eldest son's arm. Lady Rania Phenex, actual head of the family and mother of three sons and a daughter.

(They look… The same as six years ago!)

Aslatiel laughed inwardly as Rania approached him without reserve.

"Oh, Aslatiel! Welcome! Sorry that the house is in this state at the moment, but we didn't have much time to prepare." She extended her hand in a loving gesture as she spoke.

"Oh, don't worry at all, Rania-sama. I'm just happy for your hospi…"

Aslatiel managed to get out of Ruval's grasp and offered his hand in return. But the moment he did so, Rania grabbed and turned it.

"… tality?"

In a simple and fluid motion, she placed Aslatiel's hand on her remarkably large breast while her other hand rubbed his crotch somewhat vigorously.

"Dwahh!?"

"I see, I see…"

His cheeks turning bright red, Aslatiel pulled back as if his hand had burned from what he touched. Gerald became frantic by this, Elmenhilde's and Siris' faces became pale while Riser and Ruval sighed as if it wasn't the first time something like this happened.

"Wh-Wha…!?"

"Oh, sorry for that, Aslatiel. I heard from Venelana that you were being somewhat of a late bloomer, so I was worried that you didn't have it in you. But you do after all! What a relief~!"

Aslatiel was still flabbergasted by the situation, but he suddenly remembered something.

(… Oh.. Right. This person… She's one of those…)

"I was having a bit of a block lately, but now I can safely use you as a basis for the next iteration of 'A Heaven Out Of Hell'~!" Rania said dreamily as she held her cheek with one hand.

(A smut writer… And to think her works would become popular in the human world as well. Haru had one of that same series, I believe…)

"Mother… What did I tell you before Aslatiel arrived? Do you even remember the preparatory talk we had just today!?"

The light, yet hasty footsteps of another party could be clearly heard going down the stairs. The source was the young noble lady with her blonde hair styled in drills and sharp dark blue eyes.

"I can't believe you would do something like this when you haven't seen him for six years! And Aslatiel! Why are you being so accepting and meek!?" Ravel Phenex pointed her finger at Aslatiel accusingly.

Aslatiel was thinking of how to reply, but his arm was suddenly pulled to move back his body. Elmenhilde had gotten close, and had a displeased face directed at Ravel.

(W-Wait… This sensation in my arm…)

Aslatiel's elbow was held by Elmenhilde's arms and was touching her breast. It was of a rather modest size, but the feeling was nonetheless reasonably soft and elastic.

"What do you think you're doing? Wasn't your mother the one who caused the ruckus? Don't go talking to Aslatiel so rudely!"

Ravel's eyes, of course, flared in anger at this. Yanking Aslatiel's other arm, his elbow became enclosed by a sensation on another dimension from Elmenhilde's.

"Why are you acting so high and mighty!? Are you Aslatiel's bodyguard or something!? I'm his close friend since childhood, so I can speak to him as familiarly as I want!" Ravel yelled as she hugged Aslatiel's arm more tightly, making it press even more against her large breasts.

(She's completely superior!)

Being assaulted by the softness from both sides, Aslatiel's face became bright red. Meanwhile, the two young ladies glared at each other as sparks seemingly clashed between their gazes. Each pulling on Aslatiel's arm from their own side, they only made the sensation stronger.

"Ohoo~ You're wrong… I'm not his bodyguard, I'm his master!"

Elmenhilde's yell silenced everyone, and Aslatiel in particular went blue in the face.

(Oh dear…)

"M-M-M-Master!? Wh-What's that supposed to mean!?" Ravel's cheeks became marred with red as she drew some strange conclusion in her head from those words. From such a flustered reaction, it was probably not decent.

"That's right! He's to become my familiar, and we even tried to make a contract and would have succeeded if not for the interference of other people!"

(What!? She took that seriously!?)

Elmenhilde's lips curled up in a scornful grin as she spoke.

"Well, what do you say now, 'childhood friend'? Are you truly anything so special to Aslatiel that it would allow you to behave as you do?"

Ravel bit her lip in exasperation, not knowing what to say. However, it only took her a second or two to find an adequate response. Not that she appeared comfortable with saying out loud, demonstrated by her opening and closing her mouth a few times without making any sound.

"M-Master… Yeah right. Even if you truly are something like that… I-I… I…"

"Hm?" Elmenhilde leaned slightly forward to hear better, but she could've never expected what Ravel would say next.

Blushing all the way to her ears, she yelled out loud with a frown and a resigned smirk, making for a rather pitiable expression.

"I'm on Aslatiel's suitor list and he's on mine! Therefore, you might as well call me his fiancée!" Such words came out of the young Phenex lady's lips, shocking everyone in silence and petrifying Aslatiel's expression.

(I'm going to die… Just like Kiyoshi…)

"F-F-Fiancée!?" Elmenhilde's face contorted in astonishment.

"Exactly as you heard! And for that same reason, you have to let go of his arm! Don't go grabbing an engaged man's arm like that!"

"As if! Just because you are on each other's list of suitors doesn't mean you're engaged! Don't get ahead of yourself!"

As Ravel's and Elmenhilde's anger at one another increased, intensely swirling flames and terrifying masses of darkness appeared respectively behind each of them.

"W-Wait just a moment there! If you two go at it right now I'll die-"

""Shut up!""

Aslatiel's pleas were abruptly silenced by the only time the young ladies agreed on something. The two voices at once were so powerful that Aslatiel could only stay silent due to fear.

(I'll die today… I'm sorry Diehauser-dono, but you'll wait for no one tomorrow…)

However, the quarrel of Ravel and Elmenhilde was suddenly and conveniently disrupted by yet another arrival at the household.

"Oh, to think that person did come back home for a while."

"Well, it's Aslatiel who came today, so it's to be expected that he would as well."

"Awawa…! But we have nothing ready for him either!"

"Rather than that, I wonder who he left in charge of all the work he's probably leaving untouched."

"Well, that Queen of his is quite the workaholic."

The members of the Phenex family spoke one after the other, mildly surprised at this seemingly unusual occurrence. Of course, upon hearing those words, Aslatiel also knew who the new arrival was.

(Oh boy… 'That' guy is here…)

"I'm home…" With his slicked-back blonde hair being ruffled by his fingers and his glasses shining slightly, a handsome young man in a business suit entered through the door.

This Ravus Phenex, second son of the Phenex family, was not usually with the rest of his family at the castle. Being the CEO of a media company in the human world was most of the reason he spent most of his time there, but still, his siblings and parents showed no real surprise at his arrival.

Of course, Aslatiel became aware of the reason once he met with Ravus' blue eyes covered by rimless spectacles. After all, Ravel was holding vigorously onto his arm, and that was reason enough…

"I see… So Aslatiel already arrived. Perfect timing, I guess I'll remind you now…"

Ravus' dry laughter resounded a bit, while Aslatiel's expression remained deadpan.

"I'M NOT LETTING YOU HAVE MY SISTER!"

(Yup… Saw it coming…)

Aslatiel thought with a deadpan expression as the flame-covered fist sent him flying. Ravel covered her face in shame, but Rania was rather unsurprisingly laughing.

---

"Why do these things always happen to me? Do I attract weirdness and misfortune?" Aslatiel thought out loud while drying his still somewhat wet hair with a hand towel.

After the huge ruckus surrounding his arrival had subsided, Aslatiel had been pointed toward the room he would be staying at for the next two weeks. It wasn't as big or grandiose as his chamber back at the Gremory castle, but it was still a bit too luxurious for his current liking.

With a large plasma TV, a fridge and game consoles prepared in anticipation to his visit, there was probably nothing Aslatiel would need to ask for during his stay. Even the bed of the room, with its sheets and pillows neatly arranged, was big enough to fit two people with plenty of space in between.

Feeling the need to relax and cool down his head somewhat, Aslatiel had headed toward the large outdoors bath only to take a shower of fifteen minutes, something that would probably make Devils of lower class want to smack him quite a few times.

Having changed into his usual pajamas of a simple black T-shirt and black trousers, he had been walking toward his room for the last minute or so. He felt refreshed and only required his long-awaited sleep to call it a day, after all, the appointed time for his meeting with Diehauser Belial was at 2 pm for the first day, so he would have plenty of time to sleep even if he started now.

"Ah~ To think I will finally rest for today! I almost thought this moment would never come."

Walking along happily while playing with the hand towel, a smiling Aslatiel finally reached his room. The doorknob turned easily and the door opened smoothly without making noise.

The room was dark, with not a single light on. Of course, this wasn't a problem for a Devil, so Aslatiel easily made his way under the sheets and into the bed, too tired to even do it strongly.

Probably due to laziness, he closed his eyes almost immediately and didn't look as he pulled toward him what he initially thought to be a body pillow.

"Iya!" As a matter of fact, body pillows don't yelp, jerk around or even feel like a person.

Yes. What he held strongly in his arms was not a body pillow in the least.

Opening his eyes in shock, Aslatiel saw from up close the young Phenex lady with blonde hair and dark blue eyes like sapphires. She had been stunned by his sudden actions, opening and closing her mouth while not knowing what to say.

"R-Ravel? What are you doing here!? Your room is upstairs!" Aslatiel voiced out frantically.

"I-I know, and why do you remember such a thing!?"

Aslatiel shrank at her accusing words.

(Ok, recalling that sure is kinda stalkerish…)

"I-It doesn't matter, I asked you a more important question and I expect a reply. What are you doing in the room that was chosen for me?"

Aslatiel's serious and commanding voice caused Ravel to back down. In a subdued manner, she looked slightly aside as she spoke.

"If I leave you alone, who knows what that vile girl will do… Therefore, I'm here to protect you! Yeah, yeah, that's right!" As if praising herself, Ravel nodded while grinning smugly.

(Vile girl? Oh, she must mean Elmen… If I remember correctly, she's in another room on this same floor…)

This was on Aslatiel's mind for but a mere second, however, as something far more entertaining occurred to him soon after. Looking directly at Ravel's face, he smiled slyly and said with a playful voice.

"So you're jealous, Ravel?"

"Eh? Eeeehhh!?" The young Phenex lady's cheeks instantly turned to a deep red color.

"What's the matter? Under normal circumstances, you shouldn't worry about my affairs with any female. So why is it that you would go to the lengths of staying in my room to prevent anything from happening?"

Aslatiel shrewdly teased her without a bit of mercy, finding Ravel's reactions too amusing and cute to not do so.

"Y-You've got it wrong! I-I was only worried that she would take advantage of you sleeping to do something l-lewd against your will! That's all!"

Despite Ravel's eyes pleading desperately for belief in her words, Aslatiel remained unfazed. Or rather, this only served to make him more eager in his torment of her.

"Hm, that's still suspicious. Are you sure that you aren't the one who planned on doing such things?"

"…! Wh-Wh-Why would you say that… *sniff*…"

Ravel's teary eyes marked the point in which Aslatiel knew he had gone too far. His eyes widened in concern as he frantically searched for words to say.

"S-Sorry, I was only joking. I didn't mean anything of what I said."

He apologized honestly, and despite the angry look Ravel was giving him, she didn't hold any particular resentment.

"Wh-Whatever! More importantly now, Aslatiel…"

Ravel's voice suddenly became smaller, sparking the silver-haired Devil's curiosity.

"Hm?"

"U-Um… You… Y-You're still hugging me, you know…" She said with a red face and upturned eyes.

Looking slightly down, Aslatiel saw that Ravel's petite body was indeed tightly held in his embrace, close enough to feel her breath on his chest and get warmer from her body temperature.

"Eh!? S-Sorry!" He said as he frantically let her free of his grasp.

"D-Don't worry about it…" Ravel replied while looking slightly away.

Aslatiel's mind was still filled with the soft sensation he held in his arms until a moment ago, but his attention was drawn toward something quite unusual.

Draping down Ravel's sleeveless white lacy nightgown was her brilliant blonde hair, fresh from a bath that was also presumed from the slightly rosy tone of her skin. However, the unusual part was in that her hair was currently untied and somehow only a bit wavy at some parts, no trace of her drills remaining.

"Ravel, you don't have a perm?" Aslatiel asked in wonder, causing Ravel to respond as if offended.

"Of course not, you idiot. Those processes can actually damage the hair, so I wouldn't try one by any means."

Aslatiel became slightly irritated by her tone, but remained calm. A quarrel was the last thing he wanted at this moment.

"Then how do you do those drills from earlier?"

"Mm? Oh! So that's why you asked. Well, I bathe two times a day. One in the morning and once again at night. Basically, when I bathe at morning, I pin my wet hair in the shape that I like and then dry it with the heat of my flames combined with wind. Voila! Instant drills!"

Ravel appeared to enjoy talking about such things, as a sparkle could almost be seen in her eyes. Aslatiel couldn't stop himself from smiling.

"Well, right now you remind me a lot of back then."

Ravel's expression suddenly became somber as she made a troubled smile.

"Back then, huh…"

"…!"

Seeing Ravel's expression made Aslatiel feel as if a bullet had pierced his heart.

He opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't find any words. Ravel, Sona and the others; to neglect them for six years due to his selfish search for revenge was unforgivable, and he knew it.

But even so, he couldn't say anything.

"Erm, should we sleep? You were really tired, if I remember correctly." Noticing his inner strife, Ravel spoke with a small smile.

"Y-Yeah… Let's do just that."

Turning his back to her with a complicated expression, Aslatiel laid his head on the soft pillow.

Laying down with their backs turned to each other, however, Aslatiel shivered from the cold.

(Damn… This place really is…)

Members of the Phenex Devil Clan had a higher body temperature than normal, so they could only enjoy a pleasant cold with air much more chilly than usual. Precisely due to this, the air conditioner in the rooms of the manor was at a low enough temperature that normal people would find it terribly uncomfortable.

Of course, Aslatiel was not an exception to this discomfort.

Despite him trying to move as little as possible, Ravel became aware of his suffering quite easily.

"Hey…"

"Wh-What is it?" Embracing his own body to provide himself with even a bit of heat, Aslatiel replied absentmindedly.

"If you're feeling so cold… U-Um, I… It should be a little warmer if you hug me…"

Aslatiel's eyes widened at this proposal.

Indeed, due to that higher than usual body temperature, close body contact should provide some good warmth for the freezing Aslatiel. However, this didn't erase the awkwardness that would obviously ensue.

"W-Wait. Didn't you just complain about me hugging you by accident a moment ago?"

"Th-That time it was too unexpected! But… W-Well, I'm not quite against it per se… A-And it's not like it's something new. Remember that time we got trapped in the Kyria Mountain Range at the Sitri territory-"

"F-Fine! I'll comply so don't remind me of that embarrassing thing!"

Hearing Aslatiel getting so flustered, Ravel laughed innocently. Said laugh subsided when she felt and heard him getting gradually closer.

"Um… Are you sure you want to do this?"

"A-A Phenex never goes back on their word!" Ravel's voice resounded strongly.

(W-Well… This shouldn't be too different, right…?)

Shaking off the last bits of hesitation from his mind, Aslatiel brought his arms forward and hugged Ravel close, but gently. His arms sliding under her own, the sensation of a fragile abdomen was felt clearly as the small back pressed against his own abdomen.

"M-Mm…"

Ravel groaned slightly in response to Aslatiel's somewhat strong grip, but since there was no actual surprise, she accepted it without much trouble.

They remained in this position for a while, none being quite able to calm down. Ravel's body was indeed warm and soft, so at least the cold wasn't bothering Aslatiel anymore.

Even more so than this, she felt reassuring and genuinely nice to touch and embrace, allowing Aslatiel to relax his body even if he couldn't sleep due to nervousness.

"Ravel…" He whispered on her ear almost by instinct, without anything to say in particular.

However, he only felt the blonde's small body shaking slightly. Great was Aslatiel's surprise when he felt the touch of her hands on his own.

"I thought you had changed into something else… But I see you really are still the same person deep inside…"

"What?"

Aslatiel asked in confusion, but only heard the sound of restrained sobs in reply.

"I… I thought you had died…"

Aslatiel was stunned into silence.

The girl whose trembling body he held in his arms couldn't even cry in peace due to him. That, over anything else, Aslatiel couldn't forgive of himself.

Without thinking it rationally, he tightened his embrace on Ravel.

"… Wh-What…?" She turned back until one of her moist blue eyes could barely meet his.

Aslatiel didn't speak a single word, and instead responded with something he could no longer restrain.

Letting himself go for this one time, not thinking of anything but this girl he cared about so much and yet had caused such suffering… He brushed some of her golden tresses aside and kissed her neck with affection.

"…!" Ravel was stunned into silence by his actions, but Aslatiel didn't stop there.

Running his left hand down Ravel's small, yet curvaceous body, he lifted the skirt of the nightgown and crawled his hand through her smooth thigh. Not satisfied with just that, he also nibbled her ear that was turning red.

"Hyah… D-Don't…"

Ravel panicked and seized the blanket, but Aslatiel payed no mind to this and leaned his chin on her shoulder, causing her resistance to slacken. In that gap, he gently undid the zipper at the back of the nightgown.

"Ah—!"

Upon noticing she was being stripped, Ravel raised a short scream, but she was already too late. He took the white nightgown off her shoulders and her sizable breasts, lacking a bra since she was ready to sleep, appeared from under it.

"A-Aslatiel! Stop! Th-This is shamef—"

Ravel hid her breasts with both hands, but at that moment Aslatiel held her by her waist and moved back, all the while covering himself and her up to the shoulders in the sheets.

"You won't feel embarrassed like this, right?"

Aslatiel looked at Ravel from over her shoulder with a mischievous smile. Laying their backs on the bedrest, their posture was like that of children wrapped in a blanket side by side.

However, under the sheets, acts that couldn't be associated with children could easily be carried out.

"W-Well… It's true that I can't see… But that's not the problem-"

Aslatiel's hand went up Ravel's nightgown and touched her abdomen directly, with his fingers tracing particularly around her bellybutton.

"Kya—! A-Au…"

Groping around as if exploring, Aslatiel caressed Ravel's upper body and thighs. His index finger then slid up and down, caressing her back.

"Yaa… Nn…"

Ravel squirmed a bit and raised a lewd voice.

(Alright, here I go…)

"Lady Ravel, are you there?"

"Uwah!"

Suddenly, the room's door opened. From the gap left there appeared the face of the girl with turquoise eyes and black hair in ox horns, peeking in curiously.

"Oh, there you are. You weren't in your room, so I was getting worried." Xuelan sighed in relief as she looked at Ravel. However, the young Phenex did not share such relaxation.

"See, sweet Xue-chan? I told you she would be here if not in her room" Lady Rania Phenex said as she appeared at Xuelan's side. "But nonetheless, the relationship between you two is quite good. Wrapped up in blanket like that… So very cute. Were you reminiscing about your time as kids?"

Aslatiel made a troubled laugh and smile at Rania's inquiry.

"W-Well, something like that…"

"Liar… Children wouldn't do something perverted like this…" Ravel murmured is such a way that was only audible to Aslatiel.

Suddenly, Xuelan reacted with shock at something.

"W-Wait! You're that man who was in Sekiryuutei's group back at the meeting!"

"Hm? Oh, yeah. I was there." Aslatiel replied calmly, remembering the first time he saw this girl. "Pink stripes." He said without any tact as if by a muscular spasm that he couldn't predict.

"Wh-Why you… Is that really the main thing you remember about me!?"

However, Aslatiel wasn't paying much attention to Xuelan or even Rania. After all, under the blankets, Ravel had her nightgown pulled down to below her breasts. Doing something as perverted as this in front of her mother and someone she considered a close friend, she was questioning continuously whether they would get exposed or not. In this line, Aslatiel's heart couldn't stop beating hard.

Knowing how nervous Ravel was only riled up his own excitement, so without any hesitation, he sent his hand up her leg, searching for her panties.

Ravel turned to him with a stiff face. The movement of her neck was so mechanical that it felt like it would give out a creaking sound. Her eyes and forced expression seemed to say 'D-Don't tell me… In this kind of situation!?'.

Her lace panties were pulled slightly down by the side.

"…!?"

Ravel's mouth opened for a moment before closing. She wanted to complain, but it would be much more embarrassing to be exposed, so she remained quiet.

"Eh? Something wrong?"

Ravel was at Aslatiel's side that was farthest from the door, so his body served as somewhat of a cover to her. However, her sudden movement indeed looked nothing but strange to Xuelan.

"N-Nothing at all. At any rate, Rania-sama, why were you two searching for us?"

"Hyu~!"

Ravel's body slightly bent backward. Aslatiel's hand was groping at her buttocks that had mostly lost their protection.

"L-Lady Ravel, your face looks uncomfortable, your voice too… Are you alright?" Xuelan asked with concern in her eyes.

"I-It… It's n-nothing…"

Ravel answered so while glaring at Aslatiel with moist eyes.

However, such a glare was pointless. Softly grabbing her breast, Aslatiel felt a gradually more solid sensation against his palm that revealed Ravel's excitement in this situation.

The breast that was quite large for her short height was lifted with ease. Aslatiel played with it as if it was a toy that wouldn't ever be boring. Each time he grazed or touched its tips, an anguished breath leaked out of Ravel's mouth.

Ravel bit her lip and looked down so that her voice wouldn't get out. Without even caring, Aslatiel's hands merely enjoyed the sensation of her breasts, butt and thighs.

He couldn't see her body, but rather was imagining it by touching more places more thoroughly. Being guided only by the pleasant sensation he felt under the blanket, the situation was much more lewd than if he was looking at it directly.

"Well, basically there are some things that Diehauser-dono asked me to tell you beforehand. For example, he said he needs you in prime condition of food and sleep for the first day, even if that means you have to arrive late. He also wants you to bring your Steel Attribute Spirit for some reason."

"O-Ok…"

He couldn't concentrate, so Aslatiel had to make an abnormal effort to recognize what Rania had just said. But even so…

"…!"

… He felt a chilling sensation on his crotch. Ravel's breath was rough and she glared at Aslatiel with a defiant expression.

The identity of the sensation on his crotch was Ravel's slender fingers. She was trying to resist him.

However, Aslatiel didn't stop sliding his finger from her breast to her abdomen and then her navel. As he did so, Ravel's body twitched and convulsed. Ignoring Ravel's will, her body was reacting arbitrarily from pleasure.

"Mm, ku… Nn…"

Her appearance while desperately trying to endure it was absurdly cute.

"Apparently, Diehauser-dono wants to do a test of sorts in order to optimize the results of your training. However, there's not much equipment that you need to bring to his estate. Of course, I at least will tell the servants to prepare a good meal for you tomorrow." Rania spoke while completely unaware of her daughter's plights.

Aslatiel forcefully pushed his hand between Ravel's closed thighs. The blonde desperately tried to guard that place, but Aslatiel's hand had no great difficult in reaching her most important part, still covered by her partly pulled down panties.

"A-Aaa…"

Despite feeling completely helpless, Ravel raised a gasping voice consumed by emotion.

"I-I'm sure of it! Lady Ravel, you really don't look okay! Do you have a fever? Your face is totally red!" The girl with black hair in ox horns voiced out in worry.

"N-No! I-I mean it Xuelan, nothing's wrong…" Ravel desperately endured the stimulation in order to appear calm, but it didn't work out.

Xuelan quickly went past Rania and close to the bed.

"Come with me, I need to take care of you." Xuelan's hand approached the blankets.

(Shit!)

Aslatiel could remove his hands from Ravel's body, but her nightgown was still pulled to her abdomen. If lifted up in time by some lucky blow, her panties were still pulled down enough to be seen then. There was no way of escape.

Ravel also knew this, and her face was even more despaired than Aslatiel's.

However, by the Devil's luck, Rania touched Xuelan's shoulder before she could lift the blankets.

"Xue-chan, you're being too paranoid."

"P-Paranoid? How? Just look at her!" Xuelan was suddenly silenced by Rania's index finger on her lips.

"You know that this castle has its temperature best adapted to us members of the Phenex family, right? Well, Aslatiel probably felt cold and Ravel is staying close to him to give him some warmth. Her face is red due to embarrassment, ain't that right?"

"H-Huh? Is that true, Lady Ravel?"

Seeing Xuelan turn to her, Ravel's eyes became hopeful with a chance to not be discovered.

"Y-Yes, Xuelan. You know how I generally don't like people getting too close and touchy with me? I-It's like that…"

"Hm, I see." Hearing this, Xuelan sighed in relief.

(This girl is a total ditz!)

Aslatiel thought as Rania touched Xuelan's shoulder once again, getting the Chinese girl's attention to her.

"Xue-chan, we should leave them be now. I already told Aslatiel what I needed to tell him, and you should get some sleep too."

"O-Ok. As you say, Milady."

Both Rania and Xuelan made their way toward the door of the room, but the latter suddenly came to a stop.

"Oh, that's right! Lord Aslatiel, I have a question for you."

(Lord? … It does feel nice to be called that way by such an attractive girl…)

While thinking of such unimportant drivel, Aslatiel replied with a curious face.

"What is it?"

"Where is the Sekiryuutei at this moment?" Xuelan asked with serious eyes.

Hearing this Aslatiel pondered. If two weeks had already passed, then that would mean…

"… Heh." Aslatiel suddenly cracked up a grin while restraining sadistic laughter. "I'll tell you where he's not. … Safe."

"Wh-What!?"

Xuelan and Ravel reacted in such a way and Aslatiel couldn't help but laugh a bit.

"Nothing, nothing. You want to meet him, right?"

"W-Well, it would be interesting to see what kind of training he's doing." Xuelan lightly twirled her hair as she looked aside.

(Well then… I should just call Venelana-sama, since she must know the exact mountain he's at…)

Thinking of this, Aslatiel manifested a small device on his hand. Mostly similar to an old-fashioned flip phone, it allowed communication in the same manner as communication-type magic circles.

Selecting Venelana's contact and placing it on his ear, she responded quite quickly.

"Hello? Venelana-sama?"

[Hm? Oh! Hi there, Aslatiel! I was just about to go to sleep, but it's good that you called. Tell me… How was your first night with Ravel-chan? If you know what I mean~]

"What the hell!?"

""Huh?""

Ravel and Xuelan expressed their confusion at the same time, and Aslatiel quickly became subdued.

"N-Nothing wrong, don't worry!" Trying to assure the two girls, he went back to speaking on his device. "Nothing of the sort happened…!"

Venelana sighed without any effort to hide her disappointment.

[Well, why are you calling me now, then?]

"There's a girl here, Riser's Rook. She's kinda like… A rival of Ise? At any rate, she'd like to see his training, so could you guide her tomorrow to the mountain he's currently at?"

Aslatiel waited, and Venelana finally spoke up after pondering.

[Hm, I don't really see a problem. She can come tomorrow at any time she likes, I'll be here to welcome her~]

(She's… Awfully nice to new people…)

Sighing, Aslatiel spoke again.

"Well, that's all I wanted to say. I'll be calling you regularly so don't worry, Auntie."

Aslatiel's smile was suddenly cracked by Venelana's cold tone.

[Hm? What did you just call me?]

Aslatiel could almost feel the terrifying smirk that was surely on her face.

"N-Nothing!" Not even waiting for her reply, he hanged up. "Well, Venelana-sama will welcome you tomorrow to the Gremory castle, Xuelan. Feel free to go at any time and she'll bring you to Ise."

Xuelan's eyes fired up instantly, while Rania and Ravel sweat-dropped.

"You have my deepest gratitude, Lord Aslatiel."

(Yeah… This does feel nice…)

Ignoring Aslatiel's creepy smirk, Rania touched Xuelan's shoulder to get her attention.

"Xue-chan, we should go now. You need your sleep for tomorrow, right?"

"Oh, indeed. Let us go then, Milady."

After waving goodbye with a nice smile to Aslatiel and Ravel, Rania left the room alongside Xuelan. Silence reigned for around ten seconds.

"So… The blankets are comfy, right?"

She went straight for his jugular.

"Uwah! P-Please don't kill me! What I did was… U-Um, er…"

"Exactly." Ravel replied with a sweet smile.

Holding Aslatiel's wrists over his head, a scorching sensation was felt as he tried to get free.

"O-Ow, ow, ow! Burns! It burns, Ravel!"

"If you don't want to get burned by me, then stay put, you rascal."

Aslatiel could swear he was burned even more by Ravel's inhuman glare. However, he snapped out of that particular fear upon becoming aware of something. Ravel had gotten on top of him in order to grab his arms, but in the process, her uncovered breasts were now plainly in Aslatiel's sight.

(R-Ravel's breasts! Such pink and perky nipples! Th-The shape and size are also so perfect…)

Aslatiel's compulsive nosebleed was stopped by a strange sensation on his lower body. Ravel's hand was on his trousers.

"Let's see how you deal with the same treatment!" Despite her reddened face, vengeful conviction could still be felt in her tone.

(Someone help! She's going to rape me!)

If there was some shred of hope in the situation, it's that Ravel was quite hesitant to pull down. Her face flushed bright red and her hand trembling, it was clear that she was uncomfortable with doing something like this. That delay due to hesitation was all that was needed for Aslatiel's 'savior' to arrive.

However, it might've been more peaceful of a situation if said 'savior' had walked past the room.

"Wh-Wh-What are you two doing!?"

""Eh!?"" Both Aslatiel and Ravel reacted in shock.

By the door stood the young lady Elmenhilde Karnstein. Having removed the golden accessory on her hair and currently dressed in a black camisole with matching shorts, her noble atmosphere had been replaced by a strangely approachable and seductive ambiance.

"I-I knew it! I knew that you would come to Aslatiel's room to 'attack' him!

(Oh, how ironic…)

Aslatiel couldn't help but smile in amusement at how the situation had turned out. Fuming in anger, Ravel addressed Elmenhilde with a pointing finger.

"Wh-Who the hell do you think you are!? You came here for that right!? That's why I'm here, to stop you from forcing yourself onto him!"

"Yeah right! Says the woman with her breasts bare for the world to see!"

"H-Hyah!"

Apparently unaware of or not paying attention to this, Ravel's face became redder than ever as she covered her naked chest. However, she swiftly changed tactics in order to not remain weak-minded.

"I-I see… You're just jealous, aren't you? Of course, your case is rather unfortunate, even I feel a bit bad for you."

Elmenhilde was briefly confused by this, but finally became aware of her insult to her upon noticing Ravel's and Aslatiel's focused on her own breasts. Or lack thereof.

Elmenhilde blushed and looked at Ravel with a glare full of rage. Taking advantage of Ravel's gloating, Elmenhilde walked forward and pushed her off of Aslatiel's body.

"H-Hey! What's the big idea-" Ravel was silenced by the display before her, while Aslatiel's face became bright red.

(I-Is she really…!?)

Elmenhilde smirked in satisfaction as she looked at Ravel smugly.

"See? A woman's charm is not defined only by the size of her chest, arrogant cow. How is it, Aslatiel? Does it feel nice~?" Elmenhilde said as she moved her hips a bit, which were now dangerously close to Aslatiel's own.

Looking back at him with a charming glint on her red eyes, she was currently sitting on his waist, her back facing him. Specifically, in this position Aslatiel had an almost perfect view of Elmenhilde's cute and shapely butt.

A bit big for the slender and small-bodied Elmenhilde, it had the kind of hips that could give easy delivery of a baby once she had matured enough. The tight and smooth-looking surface was almost magnetic, attracting Aslatiel's gaze and even hand if he gave up to his impulses.

"Do you want to touch?" Elmenhilde's seductive tone instantly shattered most of Aslatiel's resistance.

"E-Eh!?"

(Is this girl for real!?)

Blushing beet red, Elmenhilde did her best to maintain her dominant disposition.

"I-I don't really mind, you know? If you become my Familiar, I'll let you touch my b-butt every day…"

It could almost be heard as a thread in Aslatiel's mind snapped after hearing this.

However, before he could do anything, Ravel had risen up and in Elmenhilde's face.

"You perverted woman! Are you trying to seduce him now!?"

"I'm perverted!? I don't want to hear that from an exhibitionist cow!"

They started to fight.

Wrestling like young tomboys, neither Ravel nor Elmenhilde got much of an advantage over one another. As they did so, Elmenhilde's butt rubbed thoroughly on Aslatiel's waist.

(D-Damn it! At this rate…!)

Aslatiel could feel his body 'reacting' from all the stimulus he had been throughout the night.

"S-Stop it now, you idiots!"

Trying to get up from his position proved to not be too good of an idea, as it caused the Elmenhilde's position to shift a bit, and it was all that was required for Aslatiel to get accidentally hit by one of their elbows and the girls to lose their balance.

"Uwah!"

""Kya!""

Falling backwards to his original position, Aslatiel tried opening his eyes but the view in front of him had become dark. Something soft was practically glued to his face and his breath had stopped.

(I can't breathe…!)

Aslatiel trashed around in his predicament, but unexpected responses were received.

"Ah~ D-Don't move…"

"Auu~ T-Too rough…"

Matching with his movements, Aslatiel could hear the indecent voices of Ravel and Elmenhilde.

(This is… Don't tell me…)

When the thing clinging to his face moved slightly, what rushed into his sight was a pair of black semi-transparent shorts over a shapely behind. Aslatiel's hands were trying to move it away, grabbing Elmenhilde's buttocks with a firm and strong grip.

"Yah! M-My butt~ Ahn…"

(Dangerous!)

Searching for another escape route, Aslatiel lifted his right leg up. However, it couldn't move much before being stopped by softness from up and the sides.

"Hahn~ N-Not there…"

Aslatiel's knee was rubbing against Ravel's crotch and inner thighs, and as a result, her breasts that were currently over Aslatiel's own crotch moved slightly in accordance to her movements.

He had no way of escape, that much was clear.

However, his nose was bleeding quite a bit, so with quick thinking he came up with one last plan.

(This is my last shot… Please… Don't break on me!)

Thinking of this, Aslatiel put his final tactic in motion.

He powerfully hit the back of his own head against the bedrest and was knocked out by the action.

The plan had been a success.

"M-Mm… Huh?"

"Y-Yahn… Wh-What?"

Both Ravel and Elmenhilde looked in wonder at the now unconscious Aslatiel.

They then looked at each other with surprisingly guilty expressions.

"Hm, I guess he hit his head as we fell. All because of us fighting…"

"Y-Yes, he suffered a hard blow because of our immaturity…"

Finally looking at each other in the eye, some sort of understanding was formed between the two girls at this very moment.

"W-Well… If we both sleep here with him…"

"There should be no danger of the other doing something, r-right?"

Looking away with amusingly similar pouts, Ravel and Elmenhilde got under the sheets and shifted Aslatiel into a more comfortable position.

Ravel at his left side and Elmenhilde by his right, calm could finally arrive at this night of necessary rest.

---

The curse had been lifted, at long last.

For once, an angry beast wouldn't threaten to rise under the malevolent light.

Finally, Aslatiel woke up without any light torturing his eyes through the window.

(My ultimate enemy, sunlight has been vanquished for now… I love you, Underworld…)

Ignoring the painful bump on the back of his head, Aslatiel tried to sit up on the bed. However, pressure on both of his sides prevented him from doing so.

"Mm… Nng…"

"Zzz… Fu…"

Aslatiel looked at his right side.

Elmenhilde was sleeping while adorably grasping the shirt on his chest in a hug, like a little girl. Her legs were entwined on one of his own.

Aslatiel looked at his left side.

Ravel was also fast asleep with her nightgown worn nicely again. She was hugging Aslatiel by the neck, causing his left arm to be swallowed between her large mounds.

"…" Remembering what happened last night, he didn't quite have anything to say.

Of course, like any other healthy male of his age, such a situation would almost always be considered a blessing. However, after all the shenanigans of the previous night, it currently felt like eating a top-class filet mignon after eating a top-class boeuf bourguignon.

Exciting, yes. But of course, some of the novelty was lost when it was so soon that he had been treated with another erotic feast. Some time of rest was required before he could appreciate it in its entirety.

Due to all the aforementioned, Aslatiel was able to react fairly calmly to the situation at hand.

(Let's see… How can I get out before waking them up…)

"… Is what you're wondering, right?"

Aslatiel almost screamed of surprise after hearing this.

Turning to the side, he saw Rania Phenex standing by the door.

"Good morning, Aslatiel. I would be lying if I said I didn't expect such circumstances. So… Who 'was better'?"

"Rania-sama, nothing of the sort happened. They were just worried the other would make a move on me as I slept, as if that would even happen…"

After hearing his words, Rania sighed in dismay. Aslatiel didn't manage to hear the "I see more work has to be put in you…"

Walking close to the bed, Rania expertly held Ravel and separated her from Aslatiel in a swift and efficient way.

"W-Wait, how-"

"She's my daughter, of course I know how to not wake her up. As for the lovely vampire Ojou-sama…"

Rania grabbed one of the few stray pillows scattered on the bed and swiftly slid it beneath Elmenhilde's arm, while at the same time sliding Aslatiel's leg out of her legs' grasp.

Instinctively, Elmenhilde hugged the pillow and turned to her other side.

Aslatiel had been set free in less than a minute.

"… You have my gratitude." He said with a deadpan smile.

"Oh, it's nothing, sweetie~!"

Aslatiel got up from the bed and grabbed the clothes he had chosen for his first day of training. He was almost taking his shirt off when he recognized that Rania was still standing there.

"Rania-sama…?"

"Yes?" Rania asked with innocent eyes.

"Get out." He said coldly.

"What? You're ok with them seeing you but not me? I'm like a mother to you, my boy~!"

"They're asleep so it's ok. Now get out or I'll tell Ravel that you're the one who always ends up eating all of the raspberry-filled doughnuts she likes to make." Rania reacted with slightly shaken poise to Aslatiel's threat.

"Wh-What makes you think that I still do that?"

"Do you not?"

…

…...

Silenced reigned for a few seconds, until Rania finally left the room with a simple "Take your time."

Aslatiel quickly got into the training gear he had received from the Phenex the day before, prior to him bathing.

A long-sleeved black T-shirt with red lines on the sleeves, gray trousers and dark-colored boots. It was a remarkably simple outfit, but it was layered with simple protective spells and blessings that certainly provided more defense than his usual clothes while not sacrificing mobility.

Of course, it wasn't too powerful, and blunt blows would certainly be able to go through it without much trouble.

Saying an unheard goodbye to the two girls on the bed, he exited the room. Rania was waiting for him.

"So, how is it?" She was certainly referring to his clothes.

"It is great. As intended, you can put the same spells on my normal clothes, right?" He asked while fixing the black glove on his left hand.

"Of course. It is not great protection, but it is better than weighing you down with an armor. Not even Venelana's husband will be able to do a much better job even with all his knowledge about magic."

"I see… Well, thanks a lot, Rania-sama."

Smiling nicely at her, Aslatiel began to walk away. However, he was stopped by a chilling statement from Rania.

"I know what you and Ravel did under the blankets."

"…"

Time froze for an instant.

"You really thought I wouldn't notice it? I'm a smut writer, honey. Thanks for giving me a great idea for the novel I'm currently working on."

Aslatiel began to walk again, saying nothing.

However, his face was one of sheer horror as he sweated profusely.

(Oh damn… I do wonder how Ise is doing, though…)

---

The summer vacation Issei longed for.

He hoped to have countless erotic developments here and there after coming to the Underworld, knowing that he and everyone else were staying at Rias' house.

However, he was instead being relentlessly attacked by a blue-haired dragon lady.

"Stop running away, hamster boy!"

"You'll kill me if I do!"

A fierce tornado of deep blue water swelled around Tiamat's leg, up to her knee.

As it touched the floor after Issei had dodged, trees went flying, rocks broke apart and a giant crater appeared on the ground.

"UWAAAH!" Issei screamed in utter horror as he was blown through the air from the mere shockwave.

Instinctively moving to the side in midair with a flap of his Devil wings, which he still couldn't use for actual flying, he managed to avoid a kick of Tiamat. She grinned widely at this.

"Your speed has honestly been improving by leaps and bounds since we started, but why don't you fight back!?"

Tiamat grabbed Issei by the head and simply threw him to the floor. Another thunderous sound echoed as he crashed on the hard ground.

Ossan, please take me away from her… I won't complain ever again…

"I can tell what you're thinking…" Tiamat's face appeared just before Issei with a deadpan look.

Huh… Now that I see her up close, she really is a beauty…

Thinking of such drivel, Issei was surprised when he was picked up by his leg.

"Lad, I know you're not Ddraig. It would be unfair to you if I killed you in his place just because I can't reach his disgusting scales, but still, I was left with your training and I'm not a lenient teacher. I'll have you know I've been training constantly throughout many places ever since I was given the title of Chaos Karma Dragon. I'm completely different from the time Ddraig knew me."

"W-Wait! What are you going to do with me now!?"

Issei's cries of anguish were met by a deadpan face from Tiamat.

"Of course, I'm going to strip you down to your underwear, blindfold you, tie you to a tree and shoot countless attacks that will just barely miss you so long as you don't move. It will do good to rid you of unnecessary fear and strengthen your resolve."

Issei swore he could hear cicadas at that moment.

Oh crap… Oh crap… What should I do? What should I do!? I'll definitely die if I merely get grazed by such power!

[It actually doesn't surprise me that this woman would do such a thing… Partner, I don't really know what to say to you this time. Just know that this woman might be close to reaching the class of Heavenly Dragons, if she hasn't already, that is.]

Is that supposed to be a pep talk!?

Apparently taking concern with Issei's mental struggle, Tiamat asked with the slightest shred of care.

"Hm? What's the matter, lad? Would you like something different?"

Thank you for this chance to choose!

Desperately going through information in his mind like a computer reading through files, Issei finally found something.

"E-Er… Back when you beat up Tannin-ossan… Those kicks you did. Those leg movements were very beautiful and very practiced. It didn't seem like empirical fighting…"

Hearing this, Tiamat's eyes softened as she smiled a bit.

"Oh, so you're interested in Savate."

"Savate?" Issei tilted his head in confusion before Tiamat swiftly flipped his body, causing him to painfully land on his butt. He was sitting now, at least.

"Well, more specifically mine is called Savate de Rue, or 'Defense Savate'. It is a French martial art that relies a lot on leg movements, ergo, kicks. I became interested in it close to fifty years ago, when I was enjoying French cuisine."

Fifty years… Yeah, sometimes I forget how old these guys actually are…

For some reason, Tiamat had focused her attention on a nearby tree. Issei kept his sight on her and reacted in shock when she kicked that tree down in a single blow, causing a loud noise upon its crash on the floor.

"Remember lad, Savate is at its core a fighting method. All that talk you've heard about spiritually healing martial arts and sportsmanship… You can throw that in a trash bin. You'll be learning how to defeat your opponent above all else. Now get in stance!"

"S-Sure!"

Imitating Tiamat's current stance to the best of his ability, Issei braced himself for another beating. Tiamat's eyes narrowed.

"Hm, rough, but not quite bad. You seem to have a hang for this kind of martial arts, at least more than the Devil lad."

"Huh? Aslatiel also learned Savate from you?" Issei asked a bit more relaxed.

"Yes. He only reached the level of a Silver Glove I, however. That would be the third highest in terms of the Technical progression road. Brace yourself, lad. I expect you to at least be a Silver Glove II by the time I'm done with you!"

Throwing a simple foot-kick to the front, Issei could still feel the fierce blast of wind that had just passed by him.

"O-Ok." Despite everything, he could indeed feel a liking for this martial art swelling up inside him.

"Alright lad, first of all, there are two types of Savate. The normal one, and Savate de Rue. We'll start with the normal one and master it, since it only consists of punches and foot kicks primarily. We'll also learn the headbutt, knee and elbow strikes from the 'de Rue' variation, but anything more than is not quite necessary."

Tiamat's complex explanation was indeed a bit heavy, but Issei didn't quite lose anything of it and nodded in understanding. Tiamat grinned.

"Are you ready. Lad? I'm asking you to reach an expert-level in a martial art over a mere two weeks, you know?"

Issei made a troubled laugh in response, but conviction was clear in his eyes.

"I'm ready, Professeur."

Tiamat laughed wholeheartedly at this.

"Geez, who would've thought Ddraig's lad would be such a lovable boy."

"L-Lovable?" Issei blushed a bit and sweatdropped at these words.

[Does that mean you will forgive me?]

Tiamat's face became shady after hearing such words from Ddraig.

"I'll have you know that I can still travel inside that Sacred Gear as a soul. Currently, I'm busy with the lad's training, but once that's done… You'll have nowhere to escape…"

[H-Hiiiiii—!]

E-Eh!? The Sekiryuutei himself said 'Hiii'!?

"Think fast, lad! Lady Tiamat's Savate Course starts now!"

"Huh!?"

Issei couldn't even react as two kicks were swiftly planted on his abdomen, blowing him away and on to the floor.

Issei travelled through the floor enough to reach a slope, which caused him to roll down non-stop.

"GYAAAAHH!" Issei screamed in utter despair.

Tiamat looked down at him with a deadpan expression.

"Well, that was fast. But still…"

Tiamat's lips curved into a smirk.

"… Rollin' montage!"

Yelling this, she jumped at Issei's body and balanced herself on top while not stopping his spinning descent.

"Keep rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin'… Ah~! Keep rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin'~!"

(What's with this!? How can this woman sing in such a situation!?)

Tiamat jumped off of Issei once she thought he had enough speed. Indeed, he was rolling down a mountain without any brakes except for the small rocks assaulting his body. But even so, fortunately (or unfortunately), he 'rolled' into an obstacle that decisively stopped him in his tracks as he came onto the bottom of the hill.

"Hyaa—!"

"Gah!"

The sensation indicated that he hadn't crashed into a tree or a rock. Most of all, trees and rocks don't scream or have that softness.

As he got up with the help of his right hand, the extremely tender sensation on Issei's face was moved to his hand. A brief gasp was heard and Issei's expression became deadpan.

(I think I can predict what just happened…)

However, none of the people he could've expected was the one below him. After all, Xuelan, the Rook of Riser Phenex was the person pinned underneath Issei, his hand grasping her breast.

"Y-You…" Her eyes blinking multiple times, the girl blushed beet red.

I-I thought she would be more muscular, but her breasts are so soft! 87… No… Could they be 89 cm!?

The lover of breasts had been awakened after quite a long rest. However, before Issei could even attempt to grope her more thoroughly, he was brought to attention by Xuelan's words.

"E-Er… C-Could you get off me? Please…"

Critical hit.

Seeing that short-tempered and strong girl being so meek and subdued was a critical hit to Issei. Tiamat arrived shortly afterward, shaking her head disappointedly.

"Lad, I expected you to be more of a gentleman. You should at least wait until finding a couch if you want to push a woman down."

"I-I didn't do this on purpose! It's an accident!" Moving back from his position on top of Xuelan, Issei yelled to Tiamat's deaf ears.

"Ugh, whatever. Anyways, about the little lady... Why are you here? If I may ask." The blue-haired woman suddenly addressed Xuelan.

Nervously standing up, the black-haired girl with ox-horns hairstyle spoke after recovering her poise.

"I am Xuelan, Rook of Riser Phenex-sama! I have come to see if my rival, the Sekiryuutei is properly training for our upcoming fight!"

"Hm? Oh, I see." Tiamat's utter dismissal made Xuelan feel like absolute trash at that moment.

However, Tiamat's lips suddenly curved into a smirk.

"Wait… Girl. Xuelan, was it? Are you proficient in hand-to-hand combat?"

"Huh? Oh, yes! Whether it's Bajiquan, Krav Maga, Combat Sambo or Muay Thai, I'm no slouch in any of those!" Finally finding something she could take pride in, Xuelan spoke with a smug smile.

Tiamat grinned further at this.

"Good. See, this boy is well on his process to learn martial arts from me, but maybe I'm not the best to teach him due to our power difference. So, would you mind helping us out during this time?"

Both Issei and Xuelan were quite surprised by this.

"Help? As in… Spar with him for practice and training?" Xuelan asked, being met by the blue-haired woman's nod.

"Yes. I'm sure you had a particular battle programmed for a later date, but even this shouldn't be wrong, right? None of you will fight at your true strength with the intent to beat down the enemy, and it will help you both for the inevitable bout. What do you think, Xuelan? Wouldn't you like to have a grasp into the lad prior to your clash? Not a bad way to go around it, if I may say."

"What about my opinion on this!?"

Both Tiamat and Xuelan ignored Issei's words. Pondering with her arms under her bountiful chest, Xuelan finally came to her decision.

"I see… It might not be honorable, but he will have the same opportunity to learn about me, right? Hm… Very well, I accept to become this loathsome man's sparring partner." Glancing at Issei as she said this, Xuelan stated with a serious face.

Tiamat had a satisfied expression on her face while Issei sighed.

Geez… At least she should be more bearable than Tiamat-obasan…

"Lad… I can tell you're being rude in your thoughts…"

Issei suddenly petrified at Tiamat's cold glare.

"At any rate, this should be fun. Xuelan, let's start now, if you don't mind."

"Eh? S-Sure." Xuelan answered as she tightened the gloves she wore on her hands.

"Wh-What!? Right now!?"

Issei's confusion was met by a sweet smile from Tiamat.

And thus, our local Red Dragon's misfortune continues.

---

The territory of the Belial Clan was, to describe in few words, quite underwhelming.

Despite having magnificent natural landscapes, beautiful architecture and enough establishments to perfectly provide for its inhabitants, its full size was, at best, just a tenth of the Gremory territory.

However, this wasn't a hindrance to the Belial, a clan with very few members who were utterly overshadowed by the prodigy of at least half a millennium. Diehauser Belial.

With his gray hair like clouds moving slightly by the action of the wind, he waited for something as if there was nothing else to do. However, he didn't look bored in the least. It was around 1 pm, but the sky of the Underworld could only mark differences between outright day and night, so the time was a bit uncertain in terms of the human world.

"Diehauser-dono! P-Pardon my lateness." A panting Aslatiel apologized genuinely.

Due to being unfamiliar with the Belial territory in general, he had gotten lost after being transported within the grounds by Ruval's magic circle. Much to his embarrassment, it had required some help of the locals to point him in the right direction.

Nonetheless, Diehauser merely smiled.

"There's no problem at all, Aslatiel-oujisama. You need to be in perfect condition in order to make your training sessions as efficient as possible, so a good time of sleep is never bad."

"J-Just Aslatiel is fine... At any rate, is this the actual place?" Aslatiel asked as he looked around.

The location where Diehauser had been waiting was a structure similar to a colosseum from ancient Rome. It was kept in pristine condition, clean and with modified seats to provide great comfort.

(Could this be a place where private Rating Games are done?)

While Aslatiel thought of this, Diehauser wasted no time to reply.

"Yes, indeed. However, before anything else, I'll require you to participate in a little test for me, Aslatiel."

"Test?" The silver-haired Devil's eyes widened slightly in curiosity.

"Yes. For that, I will have the assistance of another of my pupils. He also started recently, so don't worry about any significant difference in experience."

Before Aslatiel could ask anything about this person, intensely swirling flames manifested nearby from a magic circle on the floor. Aslatiel swiftly turned to look at them and saw the third son of the Phenex Clan steeping out gracefully.

"Diehauser-dono? It's a bit early today, isn't it? W-Wait! Aslatiel is here!" Riser pointed at him in surprise.

"Exactly, Riser-kun. Indeed, your training of today would normally start a little later, but this is an exception. As a test of sorts, I'll have you fight Aslatiel here."

""Eh!?"" Both Aslatiel and Riser couldn't hide their shock.

"What you heard. Any objections?" Diehauser asked with an unchanging expression.

Aslatiel and Riser sent glances at each other for some seconds, but finally revealed somewhat compliant looks.

"I... I see no problem with it. Riser is strong, so this should really get me prepared for what's coming."

"Y-Yeah. Aslatiel is no slouch himself, so as a test, this is quite worthy."

Diehauser made a small smile at this.

"Excellent. Well then, let's see if what stage we have for a first." After saying this, Diehauser brought his hand to the side, creating the magic circle characteristic of the Belial Clan and fiddling around it wih his glove-covered fingers.

Suddenly, the entire space within the colosseum began to twist and change rapidly. Landscapes passed by here and there in a split second, until finally settling into one.

A deserted field without any sign of life. Only ground and rocks, some of rather enormous size, could be seen in the twilight-bathed horizon. Aslatiel's face demonstrated utter shock, but neither Diehauser nor Riser showed similar responses.

Slightly amused at Aslatiel's display, Diehauser explained as he dismissed and dissipated the recently used magic circle.

"The colosseum we were at is a building made by my own request and funds. It is the place used for the Rating Game challenges I receive and accept from time to time, but it is mostly used as a training ground for my peerage, my pupils and myself. It uses the same technology as a Rating Game arena to reproduce stages for battle, so this space can be freely damaged without repercussions."

(Alright, now that's convenient...)

Aslatiel's attention was promptly drawn again by Diehauser's voice.

"Well then, Aslatiel Marchosias. The first task of your training is to fight Riser Phenex with your true power. Riser-kun, your test of today is to respond in kind and fight Aslatiel seriously." Saying this, Diehauser cast a protective barrier of demonic power around himself.

Already having come to terms with this, Aslatiel and Riser took some distance from each other.

"I always wanted this since I was a kid, Riser. Today, you'll know I'm no longer that kid from six years ago!" Narrowing his eyes, Aslatiel's body became surrounded in a deep red aura that caused the ground to crack.

"Hmph, I see you're not all talk. I showed a pathetic display back at old man Sakamoto's mansion, but I've already gotten over that slump! Here I come, Aslatiel. I'll give you a well-deserved beating for neglecting Ravel and the rest of us all these years!" With a grin brimming with confidence, splendorous golden flames swirled around Riser's body, turning even large rocks into blistering piles of lava.

No more words were needed.

Under Diehauser's interested gaze, the red warrior and the golden warrior dashed at each other.

Upon their fists colliding, the air shook and the rocks nearby showed cracks.

---

The weapons clash, leaving sound and sparks on their wake.

Twin swords and naginata, the slashes aim straight for the opponent's neck.

There's no hesitation. Each attack is meant to kill.

Even Asura makes close to no exceptions. After all, he was fighting one on five.

The dark blades on his hands clash with Tsubaki's naginata time and time again. Her skill is nothing to be scoffed at, he recognized again. Like Lucina, she could be classified as a 'Knight-type' Queen.

"—!"

Asura jumped suddenly, evading the bright blue broadsword coming his way. Leonora clicked her tongue as her attack missed. Twirling gusts of wind are produced by that simple slash.

"Not yet!"

A blue bullet, Tsubasa Yura, launched toward him. Wearing bladed gauntlets and boots, her fist and kick would certainly cause damage even with mere grazes, while a direct hit would be potentially decisive.

Asura's sword deflected Tsubasa's fist, while the following kick was avoided with grace. No unnecessary movements are done and he stays in control of the fight.

Before she can even shoot another one of her spells, one of Asura's swords is thrown toward Reya Kusaka. Her dodge, however, proved to be her undoing. Taking advantage of her backstep, Asura dashed behind her with his superior speed. He placed his hand on her lower back and, making a sound similar to a blunt object hitting a wall, Reya flew through the air until landing on the floor, unable to fight anymore.

"Reya!" Tsubasa shouted in anger at her friend's defeat.

'Skating' through the ground with the blades of her boots and help from her wings, her fist comes faster than ever. However, being inexperienced with such fast movements, Asura could easily predict her trajectory and slip through her reach. A fist weak in direct strength touches Tsubasa, but another noisy blast of wind is what blows her away.

'Fist of Air'. Blocks of wind that are highly compressed and sent forth faster than the speed of sound. The instant before contact, the wind compresses almost hundredfold and, after pointing to a certain direction, instantaneously expands to its original state like a spring, hitting the target with unbelievable strength that easily surpasses a professional boxer's strongest uppercut. Asura is a masterful practitioner of magic with an unusual dual elemental alignment, Wind and Earth. Such techniques are easy to learn and devise for someone like him.

Asura didn't have much time to celebrate this triumph, however. A whip of clear compressed water, capable of slicing through steel, comes his way without holding back.

Asura stepped aside quickly, but with the movement of Sona's other arm, another whip of water attacked him.

Such finely tuned control. She really is talented…

Smirking in approval, Asura dodges masterfully. A whip has the greatest power at its base to control the extremely quick attacks, but the tip has no power behind it. It cuts with the power of centrifugal force, causing the attack to become weaker towards the tip. In spite of the whips' remarkable speed, being experienced in melee combat allows Asura to use that weakness to easily predict its path and dodge.

"—!"

But Sona already knew that.

Asura only has one sword, having used the other one to distract and defeat Reya.

Therefore, he's currently in a state that could be referred as weaker than earlier.

Water spouts from beneath Asura, threatening to trap him in an unavoidable attack. But he made use of an explosion of wind right there to fly high-up before he's enclosed.

However, he fails to see the approaching Leonora in time. A single slash to try to parry her enormous sword is all he has time to do, but even with that, his sword ends up shattered in pieces. For the first time, Asura's eyes widen in shock.

"And thus it ends!" As if a shadow, Tsubaki yells as she flies from behind Leonora.

Her naginata retracted for a definite attack and comes in a split second like a flash of light.

Forehead, neck and heart.

Three thrusts are launched, any being fatal. Because she knows that if she doesn't go with the intent to kill, she won't be able to defeat this man.

But—

[CLING.]

— The three flashes are repelled by a shining blade.

"—!?"

In Asura's hand is another sword. Only the trickle of strange blue lightning had been seen, and the weapon had just manifested there, ready for use.

Tsubaki couldn't have expected such a thing, so the opening she had left was fatal.

An air bomb was swiftly was shot by Asura with no regard to accuracy, only directing it in the general direction of Tsubaki and Leonora. The two girls, close to each other, were knocked away by the peerless shockwave and left lying on the ground.

"That was close, but not— W-Woah!"

An enormous amount of water, shaped like an Eastern dragon, barely missed a bite on Asura as he dodged. However, it wasn't over.

"Another sword… Manifesting weapons spontaneously… Just how much have you been holding back!?" Angrier at Asura's perceived sympathy than anything else, Sona gritted her teeth as another gigantic water dragon was created.

Asura dodged time and time again, but he noticed Sona's true aim too late. Seven dragons had been created by now, and their intertwining bodies had trapped the green-haired boy in a web-like 'sphere' of blue. There was no way to escape.

This is too much! I totally fell under her plan!

"Don't you dare undervalue me!" With a simple movement of her hand, the lengthy preparation finally brought about the true attack.

You know, Sona-nee, if you have time to study small tricks like this, you should instead work on increasing your firepower.

Aslatiel's words of mockery mixed with genuine advice echoed in Sona's mind.

How's this for firepower!

As if condensing the size of more than a lake's worth of water by hundreds of times, Sona's demonic power present in the water dragons rampaged violently. Akin to flexible spears of more than a meter in width, the water dragons shredded the barrier of magical power put as a last defense by Asura to tiny bits.

"G-Gaaaahhh—!"

Even so, the fiercely raging water did not seem to weaken. They reached Asura's flesh and went through without stopping at all. As if an infinite amount of impossibly sharp blades, he barely hung on to his consciousness despite the pain he felt all over.

With a loud and echoing sound, the massive torrent crashed on the floor along with Asura. The wind blew wildly and trees and rocks were blown away from the huge force behind the attack.

Sona's servants, including even her closest friend Tsubaki, could only stare in awe at the overwhelming power their King had just utilized.

Panting from the strain of such a complicated attack, Sona looked upon Asura's body, which was lying flat on the ground with blood flowing out from all over. He laid on the red-stained floor, motionless as if dead.

That is, for around five seconds.

His body aching all over, he still managed to stand up. Blood dripped from the countless wounds in his body, but at long last, his expression had become serious. Sona knew that he was no longer seeing her as merely a trainee that was helpless without him.

"That last attack was splendid, even Aly-kun would've been utterly defeated if you managed to set it up on him. … Holding back, you say?"

"Exactly." Sona stated decisively, no doubt in her eyes.

Asura cracked up at this. In spite of his battered body, he laughed genuinely like an amused child. He took a step forward.

"Alright then! I'll get a little serious too!"

With that, Asura raised his right hand up and pointed to the sky.

"What do you…?"

Sona held her words back. Massive power gathered around Asura with unbelievable speed. No, rather than gathering around him, such an aura, clear and noble golden in color, was coming from inside him.

This person wasn't just unbelievably strong for being her age, he was someone worthy of battling her sister, the Maou Leviathan.

As if in response to the massive release of power, Asura's purple irises turned to a golden color, while a bright golden eye-like symbol manifested on his forehead.

Seeing the shock in the faces of even Sona's servants he had defeated, Asura calmly informed them.

"I'm a Demi-God, which means that an entire half of my being is a human. The body of a human will break down under the overwhelming power of a God, so a certain person placed a seal on me so that my divine power would be kept in check and not destroy me from the inside. Right now, I'm temporarily undoing that seal to release the full extent of my abilities, I call this 'Forsaken God Mode'."

"Forsaken God…" Sona repeated as she escaped from her daze.

Asura's golden eyes narrowed as his expression became serious.

"You asked me to not hold back, so here I come." On his behest, divine power swells up around Asura's extended hand.

The trickle of strangely blue lightning became present in the hair. The next instant, the glow of beautiful blades appeared in the sky.

Not just spears and swords, axes, hammers and halberds were present as well. Some adorned with ornate designs, others with simplicity focused on efficacy, every single one of them had fierce magical power flowing from them.

Numbering thirty-two and of varying strengths, not a single one of them would lose to even a Holy-Demonic Sword of Yuuto.

H-How can this…?

"You now face some of the famous weapons I've encountered during my life, some of which not even Aly-kun knows of. These are mere fakes that cannot hope to match the originals, but this number should be quite dangerous, right?"

Sona couldn't even talk at this moment. Much to her horror, she recognized some from seeing them in books. Mistilteinn, Tonbokiri, Carnwennan, Gáe Bulg … Even if they were only replicas, they were indeed weapons of legend.

This is how it always is… I'm always too weak…

"Now." Asura finally brought his hand down, and the weapons shot down as if a rain of arrows.

Each one of those thirty-two overflowing with magical power, just one direct blow would be potentially fatal, and certainly a critical issue. But even so, Sona didn't move.

Right now… And also back then… That's also why I lost them…

The faces of those servants of hers, loyal and great friends. She would never see them again.

However, her thoughts were interrupted by the dashes at both sides of hers. Tsubaki and Leonora, who had received the least damage, had stood up and ran forward to meet the weapons head on. Sona wanted to say something to deter them, but everything was going too fast.

It can happen again… No, at this rate… It will happen again!

Tsubaki deflected one of the weapons with her naginata, while Leonora dealt with one that was too close to her to also be parried. Even so, the power behind each one of the shot weapons was considerable, so they flinched with each successful parry.

They managed to counter seven weapons together, but the Danish sword, Skofnung, managed to make contact with the floor after they avoided it. The destructive power was enormous, causing the ground to blow up like it was hit with an explosive blast, and the scene was shrouded by the dust of the earth and rocks pulverized into particles.

Again… How many times have I been letting everyone down? Always afraid… When Onee-sama discovered her power… I was always scared the same would happen to me…

Two bodies flew back a short distance from the blast. Tsubaki and Leonora, covered in multiple burns and bruises, were clearly out of fighting shape now. Sona's heart ached more and more.

But if I don't do it now…

Even so, showing no mercy, Asura's assault didn't stop. Twenty-four weapons remained, flying with massive momentum in their direction. Sona was the only one still in good condition, but everyone would be affected by such an attack.

If I'm not strong enough, it won't stop just at them! Aslatiel, Rias, Tsubaki, everyone…!

I'm going to lose them all!

A gigantic stream of demonic power caused even Asura's eyes to widen. Fiercely raging water swirled around Sona whose irises had turned a bright blue, like her sister's. Fast and compact enough to produce electricity, the water stream clearly carried immense force. However, this wouldn't be anything unusual normally.

Black. Pure, unending darkness. Not disgusting or filthy-looking, but alluring and beautiful in some way. The somber color extended across Sona's water until covering it entirely, as if no shade of blue had ever been present.

That's… Like Sirzechs-san and Serafall-san… Could it be… A mutation?

But he couldn't admire it too much, as the black water swiftly compacted and sprung forward in the shape of an enormous feline with large wings. Asura sprung upward with a burst of wind and could barely believe what he saw when he looked down.

The huge beast of black water had already dissolved along with its body material, but everything in its wake and nearby had been utterly ravaged. The ground was cracked and destroyed, unsightly like dark-colored apple skin, and unusual fires had been left behind. All of the remaining twenty-four weapons of Asura had been turned to rusted shells of their former beautiful forms, deformed, dark brown and swiftly melting due to the fire.

"… Just what have you been hiding all this time, Sona-chan? How frightening…" Asura said with a rather fearful smile as he gently landed before her, his Forsaken God Mode now deactivated.

Sona trembled. Her arms shook as she tightly grasped them. Sparks of demonic power trickled around her, while more drops of the strange black water manifested around her, causing the grass nearby to burn or crumble.

"Sona-chan, calm down. You've been restraining it far too long, focus and try to restrain it slowly and with calm. You'll eventually get used to it." With a serious face, Asura spoke to her from a close distance, not minding the danger of the drops of black water.

Sona began to gradually calm down, her shivers disappearing increasingly. Finally, the black water dropped to the ground as normal water and she fell on her knees, grasping the ground and panting.

"That was great, Sona-chan. You really got me scared there." With a bright smile without any falseness, Asura praised her and noticed the awed looks of Sona's servants, particularly Tsubaki. However, those looks of surprise were more of admiration and pride for their leader than anything else.

"I-I'm sorry… I've been hiding myself due to fear a long time, but now…"

Sona stood up with trembling legs, but a look of conviction was clear in her face.

"… I'll do everything I can, give all of myself and hide nothing. Thank you, Asura-kun, Tsubaki, everyone…" Her lips gradually curved into a genuine smile.

"That's what's needed, Sona-chan. I'm looking forward to your potential!" Asura returned it in full.

As he did so, the small flame he had caught at the edge of his pants grew and crept up increasingly more.

…

…..

"I'M BURNIIIIIIIING!"

---

(Damn it...)

Aslatiel cursed in his mind.

Moving apart the debris surrounding him, he came into view of his opponent once again. Riser didn't show surprise at him standing up once again.

Aslatiel's body and clothes showed bruises and burn traces here and there, but his eyes were not defeated by any means. However, the problem was Riser.

Apart from being visibly tired, he was completely unharmed. In fact, he looked less exhausted than Aslatiel, giving clear evidence of who had the advantage in this bout.

(His regeneration is one thing, but how come his stamina is still like nothing!?)

Aslatiel's wings flapped yet again as he dashed at the airborne Riser.

His kick landed cleanly on Riser's cheek instead of the temple he had been aiming for, but the Phenex still showed a grimace of pain. Having avoided a potentially decisive blow, he grabbed Aslatiel's leg and prevented him from escaping the next jab. Aslatiel's lip poured blood, but he didn't flinch.

Red and golden blows flashed continuously. Fists and kicks, elbows and knees, even headbutts. A full on brawl was currently on display. And once again, Aslatiel found himself on the receiving end of a flaming punch.

Riser's fist went deep in Aslatiel's gut, stunning him. It didn't end there, as a relentless combo was delivered on the vulnerable Aslatiel who was promptly blown to the ground.

"Aslatiel, give up. The way this is going, I won't even have to release the full extent of my flames. I can beat you just with martial arts." Riser uttered coldly to his downed opponent.

However, Aslatiel wouldn't have it that way, as the blood-red aura swelled up yet again.

"I'm not done, Riser!" As he yelled, Aslatiel created close to thirty-two Forge of Extinction weapons in the air.

Upon being shot, they were countered by a massive sea of fire created by Riser.

Most of the weapons were destroyed by this, but a sword and a spear made their way towards the Phenex and cut off both of his arms.

(Got you!)

However, when Aslatiel had gotten close to Riser, he felt the two bodyless arms powerfully punching his lower back.

Taking advantage of this chance, Riser dashed the remaining distance toward Aslatiel and kicked his torso, blowing him aside.

Quickly regenerating his arms, Riser shot a ball of fire easily five times his size at the vulnerable Aslatiel.

(How is this happening?)

Countering with a blob of Power of Destruction, Aslatiel was still a bit too late, so the two attacks quickly exploded right before him and sent him crashing into a rock pillar.

Riser sighed while Diehauser maintained his interested look.

Aslatiel stepped out of the 'cave' that had been formed by his crash, but he couldn't even stop himself from slipping and falling on the unforgiving ground.

The winner was decided, no matter how much effort Aslatiel placed into standing up again.

"We're done here. Good job to both of you, you can stop fighting." Diehauser said with a satisfied face.

Aslatiel found it hard to accept this result, but he was not a fool. No matter how much he stood up, Riser had no trouble in putting him down again.

"Aslatiel, you're too hurt. We had these prepared for you today, but you forgot to bring them." Riser said as he showed Aslatiel a small bottle.

Phoenix Tears.

Muttering an almost inaudible "Thank you.", the beaten-black-and-blue Aslatiel took them with care and poured the drops on his injuries. Before long, only his clothes showed signs of damage. That his training gear had not been utterly burnt to a crisp by Riser's attacks greatly spoke of its quality.

"Well, you both did nicely. I'm very impressed with you controlling your lost limbs, Riser-kun."

Hearing the Emperor himself praise him, Riser grinned in satisfaction.

"I can only do it for a little time after they're cut off, but I'm working on perfecting the technique. I thank you for your words, Diehauser-dono."

"Well, you impressed me. Well, you seem to have had your fun while battling so thoroughly, but I did have a reason for making this your first task, Aslatiel." Diehauser said as he stood up from his seat on a smooth rock.

"And will you tell me now why you did?" Despite his calm, Aslatiel was genuinely curious.

Diehauser's face turned serious.

"I have heard you have an utterly abysmal talent for learning and utilizing even standard magic such as teleportation, is this true?"

"… Y-Yes…"

Aslatiel replied somewhat ashamed while Riser sighed and looked slightly away. Diehauser, however, didn't show a change in his expression.

"I now know the reason why."

Aslatiel could've sworn his ears perked up like a dog's. Even Riser looked interested in this. Diehauser continued to talk unimpeded.

"First of all, we have to analyze certain aspects of magic itself. Devils have an advantage over most magic users due to our imagination-based powers that allow us to do things others need quite a bit of theoretical knowledge for. However, of course we do have our limits outside of just the amount of demonic power we possess. For example, there's the elemental alignment of an individual to take into account."

"Elemental alignment?" Aslatiel repeated in confusion. Diehauser explained without annoyance.

"It's expected you don't know about this, with your bad aptitude with magic. Even young Devils with great talent in the magic arts are generally unaware of this issue, since it normally has no great importance. An elemental alignment indicates a particular facility for learning and using magic that falls under the category of a certain element beyond the obvious characteristics, the basic ones being, of course, Fire, Wind, Water, Earth and Void. However, these are not the only ones that exist, and there are cases of people having two alignments instead of one, though they're exceedingly rare unless their family has a history of breeding for that specific purpose. An example of this would be the Phenex, who as a rule are born with an innate Fire alignment, but Riser-kun, for example, has an additional Earth alignment."

All the new information felt really heavy to Aslatiel, but he did his best to keep up. Rubbing his fingers against his temples, he spoke up.

"So, how do I find out my own alignment?"

Diehauser chuckled ever so slightly at this.

"We have already done so."

"R-Really? Then, what is it?"

Aslatiel asked for the first time in genuine curiosity. Diehauser replied immediately.

"Steel."

"Steel?" Aslatiel's brow lifted slightly.

"Yes. I already had my suspicions since the start, but today confirmed it. Spirits are also classified under elements, and the alignment of the potential contractor is important for the success of the link. Terminus Est is a Spirit of Steel Attribute, and you contracted together quite easily according to what I heard. Therefore, the possibility of you having such an alignment was quite high." Diehauser spoke while touching his chin.

"I see… Well, now that I know that, what should I take in mind about my alignment?" Aslatiel asked as he took a seat on a nearby rock.

"Steel is a remarkably rare alignment, and its strong points are important to notice. Individuals with a Steel elemental alignment generally possess a characteristic commonly known as 'Body Of Steel', which is a constitution with higher than average strength and endurance, being particularly resistant to most types of magical attacks, while suffering a particular susceptibleness to fire and electricity-based attacks. For example, Riser-kun's flames have had plenty of effect on you today."

(That explains it… But, d-do I really have such a special body?)

Aslatiel looked up slightly, but swiftly turned his attention back to Diehauser. Even Riser was interested in this explanation by his facial expression.

"However, here comes the important part. While people of most alignments can learn without trouble magic that falls under the fields of alignments that are not their own, people with a Steel elemental alignment don't get such leeway. In exchange for such a comparatively powerful body, their bodies instinctively repel the finely tuned flow of magical energy that is required for spells in general. With such a thing being disrupted, it becomes impossible to cast magic."

"Wh-What!? So it's something innate? I was never able to do anything about it?"

Diehauser surprisingly laughed, baffling Aslatiel and Riser.

"I never said such a thing. After all, there's two kinds of magic that, most of the time, can only be learned by people of a steel alignment. First of all, let's go with 'Weapon Works'."

"Weapon Works?"

Aslatiel's eyes became confused and Diehauser nodded. He extended his hand forward and a small magic circle appeared on it. Quickly elongating and changing form, sparks were produced, and where once was a magic circle now a shortsword was held in Diehauser's hand.

Both Aslatiel and Riser were stupefied.

"Make no mistake, while I don't have a Steel alignment, I have taken the task of learning through blood and sweat as many things as I can, sometimes even if I'm not suited to them. Unless you do so, you can't become successful in the Rating Games."

"J-Just what did you do?" Riser asked.

"Weapon Works is simply the creation of a weapon through the law of equivalent exchange. An amount of magical energy is consumed in return for the materials that compose the weapon, however, just like all of our magic, it will depend on your power of imagination how strong or brittle the weapon will be."

Aslatiel looked interested in this, while Diehauser made a troubled smile.

"While a high-level skill, Weapon Works is generally seen as impractical due to its high energy cost and the fact that you can only get so far with mundane elements. No matter how strong your imagination is, a sword created with this spell will never reach the level of even a mass-produced Holy or Demonic Sword. Its use lies in the fact that the weapons created by this spell are blank slates that can be enchanted with effects from the start. With you, Aslatiel, it would be even more practical. By imagining only one weapon and letting your Spirit copy it, you can significantly reduce the demonic power consumption."

(Est! You could do this!?)

(… Zzz…)

Only that sound came from the seal on his right hand. Aslatiel's attention was swiftly grabbed by Diehauser again.

The gray-haired man closed his eyes calmly and a thin aura appeared momentarily around him. Gradually, the sword held in his hand became covered in black, vein-like lines as strong demonic power invaded it.

"The second and final skill I'll have you learn that falls under the area of a Steel alignment is 'Reinforcement' or 'Strengthening'. By imagining an area of your body or an object's structure, you can carefully fill 'gaps' in it with your demonic power and improve on it. Think of it as somewhat like your family's infusion skill, but more concentrated on increasing efficacy rather than strength and power. Let's say that by using Reinforcement on your arm you would increase its physical strength from ten to thirteen, while with infusion you would raise it to twenty."

"So… It's a useless skill as well?"

Diehauser chuckled yet again at Aslatiel's question. He was starting to feel a bit bad.

"Not at all, Aslatiel. See, Reinforcement increases the effectiveness of something, so wouldn't it let you infuse even more demonic power in your arm before it starts to damage you? You can use both at once in that way. Reinforcement can also be used on your eyes to increase your vision, or on your eardrums to improve your hearing. It is a versatile skill like that, and it would be a need for any Rating Game school to teach it if it wasn't so difficult to learn and apply for anyone with an alignment other than Steel."

For the first time in the lengthy explanation, Aslatiel's eyes turned sparkly while Riser became stunned. Diehauser's face was the one to become stern now, however.

"Still, don't think Reinforcement is absolute. Attempting to reinforce a Demonic Sword will be useless and may make the energy rebound toward you, same thing for your Spirit. These are existences that are almost mixed with magic from their concept and core, so there's no gaps to be filled with additional magical energy. It will generally be the same for anything that already has a magical effect applied on it, so I would recommend you to not try it unless it's absolutely necessary. Also, the effect of Reinforcement is like a multiplier, so a weak base will receive a weaker strengthening and vice versa."

"I understand." Aslatiel said decisively.

"Well, now that we're over with the boring explanations, the true training can begin."

Diehauser said as he stuck the sword on the ground, making it disperse into particles of light.

"We will concentrate on you learning these two spells and a lot of combat training. Both Riser-kun and I will be your opponents, and Riser-kun, I will also spar with you for your own training. It will be painful, exhausting and you won't rest unless it's absolutely necessary. Are you two ready?"

""Yes!""

Aslatiel and Riser said at once, their auras swelling up.

"Good. It looks like I have two energetic students." Diehauser spoke as he narrowed his eyes.

---

Nighttime.

After a whole day of training with Tiamat and Xuelan, Issei was of course exhausted.

Pain was felt over all of his body, but he had already gotten used to it because of his training with Tannin, so he was functioning rather well.

Tiamat had prepared a 'hut' for her and Issei, now adding Xuelan, to stay at for the remaining two weeks. Even though, due to Tiamat's high standards, the hut looked much more like a top-quality vacation house than an actual hut.

Of course, the tired brown-haired Devil only wanted to catch sleep now, to be ready for tomorrow, which would be just as bad as this day had been.

He had bathed and eaten dinner. All that was left was going to his bed.

However, when he opened the door to his room, yet another surprise was present.

The large turquoise eyes of Xuelan turned to see him in surprise, while Issei's own eyes were instantly drawn to her as if charmed to his very core.

With only a pair of violet bra and panties with laces covering the vital spots, a completely defenseless back figure was exposed.

Under the long black hair that flowed free from its usual ox-horns style was a thin waist. From there, shapely hips were greatly jutting out, continuing toward the long and well-proportioned legs he had noticed even back at the Rating Game. Her perfectly sized butt drew a circular curve at the base of the thighs with just the right amount of muscle.

Due to their large size, Issei could even see the sides of Xuelan's breasts even while seeing her from her back. Her face was flushing gradually before Issei's gaze.

Th-This is bad! I'm gonna get hit!

However, none of the sort happened even after one or two seconds had passed.

"J-Just leave for a moment." Xuelan pleaded in a timid voice.

"A-Aah! W-Wait… You're not mad?"

Issei, who had frantically covered his face (of course, leaving a gap on his eyes so he could still see), asked in utter confusion. In spite of the blush tainting her clear skin with red, Xuelan remained mostly calm.

"I-I'm staying here, so there's a clear risk that something like this could happen. I-I was prepared for it, so just go out for a moment and let me get dressed…"

Issei was utterly shocked at this reaction. His first impression of her was of a violent, albeit beautiful and noble, young woman. However, this moment had proven many of the predictions he would have of her behavior as false.

Sh-She's such a mature girl…

Swiftly giving out an apology in a low voice, he left the room. However, Issei was stopped by Tiamat in the hallway.

"Hm? What's the matter, lad?" Tiamat asked with a clueless expression.

"What do you mean!? You told me that was my room! Why is Xuelan-san there!?"

Tiamat answered Issei's yells as if he had asked for the most obvious thing in the world.

"Well, it is your room. And it's also Xuelan's."

Issei was flabbergasted by this, his right eye twitching in sheer want of disbelief for her words. He got menacingly closer to Tiamat, but she didn't react.

"Are you being serious!? You plan to have two seventeen-year-olds, male and female, sleep in the same bed with no supervision for two whole weeks!? Besides, if Riser comes to know of this, he will kill me, you know!?"

"Lad, there's only two beds in this house, and I'm not sleeping with someone else. Also, it should be fine as long as you two don't start cavorting, right?" Tiamat replied without any care in the world.

"Can't you just make another bed?" Issei continued trying to make her reason the gravity of this, but Tiamat was unmoving on her decision.

"Of course not, that's too much of a hassle. Come on, Xuelan is really pretty, isn't she? I've seen you checking her out today. Any male would kill for a chance like this, so why don't you accept the feast?"

"Look, the issue here is—"

Tiamat merely held her head as if having a headache and didn't let Issei finish.

"Ah! How loud and annoying, lad! I've already decided and you won't change my decision! Enjoy it however you want. You can just sleep side by side or you can screw like animals in heat. I don't care and won't interrupt you two so long as it's during your non-training hours. Bye-bye and don't stay up late."

"W-Wait-"

Issei couldn't walk one step more after the escaping Tiamat before activating a magic circle on the floor. From it, deep blue water spewed up until reaching the ceiling, after which it promptly froze.

Issei knew it, he wouldn't be able to break this wall of ice no matter how long or hard he tried.

"… Hah…" Sighing, he turned back to the room.

Sighing yet again, he walked toward the door and opened it. Xuelan was sitting on the bed with an uncomfortable expression on her face. Now dressed in a worn white T-shirt with the design of a cute panda mascot at the center and shorts reaching just up of the middle of her thighs, the situation was still quite stimulating for Issei, at least.

"U-Um… See, I-"

"I know of the issue. I heard your conversation with Lady Tiamat."

Issei and Xuelan both stayed silent for some seconds after this. Finally, Issei spoke up.

"W-We don't have to do this, you know? I-I may not be able to reach the couch due to that ice wall, but I can just sleep on the floor…"

"D-Don't!"

Xuelan suddenly grabbed Issei's arm. He was surprised by this gesture and turned toward her. Her face was resolute, if a bit shy.

"I-If you sleep in the floor, you will get pains and uncomfortableness. Sleeping in a bed is required to stay in optimal condition… So please, um… S-Sleep with me."

Phrasing! Phrasing, girl!

Issei was barely able to hold back his nosebleed due to the unaware Xuelan's stimulating words. Even so, she was right, and he knew he wouldn't be able to get out of this.

Xuelan was an honorable girl, so she wouldn't fight an enemy who wasn't at his full strength if she could help it, much less would she enjoy a victory against such an opponent. Of course, this also included herself being at her best to fight a significant adversary. Therefore, Issei and herself having a good sleep and being in top-condition was the most important issue to her.

Issei finally gave up, sighing for the third time.

"Alright… I'll share the bed with you."

"Th-Thank you. This is important to me, so you have my gratitude." Issei's purposely lewd phrasing had been utterly ineffective against the surprisingly clueless Xuelan, who simply let his arm go and made a small smile.

Oh, whatever…

Issei took off his shirt to change into his sleeping clothes, but felt something awkward. As he somehow suspected, Xuelan was looking at his naked torso with a veritable blush dusting her cheeks red.

The training he had underwent with Tannin showed its result, as Issei, who already had a somewhat athletic build, was now quite well-muscled and toned, even making his shoulders look broader. However, none of this made him comfortable with Xuelan's look of unwitting interest.

"T-Turn around already!"

"Eh!? I-I'm sorry!"

Realizing what she was doing, Xuelan's blush became darker and she turned her gaze away frantically, even closing her eyes.

Issei finally changed into his long-sleeved plain red T-shirt and loose gray trousers, and got near the big bed covered in white blankets like those of a hotel room.

"Er, I'm ready. So let's just rest for now."

"S-Sure…" Opening her eyes, Xuelan shifted around to the right side of the bed, while Issei stayed on the left.

Both of them quickly slid under the sheets and laid their heads on the pillows, back-to-back.

The night was quiet, awfully quiet. Not even an annoying owl was making some sound to break the monotony, not a single twig was rubbing due to the wind. And still, Issei couldn't sleep.

Damn! I would be used to sleeping with a girl due to Buchou and Asia… But I'm still so nervous!

He rustled around, bothering Xuelan quite a bit. The Chinese girl grumbled before finally speaking up.

"Please stop it already. I can't get a rest with you moving so much."

"S-Sorry. But this is quite the stimulating situation for me…"

Issei could hear Xuelan shaking from surprise and preparing a response to his honest statement, but she surprisingly kept it to herself. Instead, silence remained for a few more seconds before she spoke again.

"If that's so… Do you want to talk for a while until you get sleepy?"

"Huh? Er… Well, that sounds nice." A bit more relaxed, Issei could reply easily.

"Good. Turn around then."

Hesitating just a bit, Issei turned around, facing the girl who had done the same. The bed was not small, so there was still a somewhat comfortable distance between them as they looked into one another's eyes. Different from last time, Issei was the one to break the silence now.

"So… You're quite loyal to Riser, it seems. That's nice. From the first impression I got from him, I would never have expected he was so respected by you girls."

Xuelan's eyes narrowed at Issei's words, causing him to back off the slightest bit.

"That's why you never should judge anyone before you know them. All of us, for different but equally valid reasons, were struggling to find just a simple place in the world. Riser-sama was the one to give it to us only because he genuinely liked all of us as the people we are. He asked for nothing much in return, but that's a debt that cannot be repaid in a lifetime. But even so… I will help him to the best of my ability, because that's what I want to do." Conviction was clearly present in those turquoise eyes of hers, without the slightest bit of reluctance or disdain for her self-imposed mission.

Issei was even thinking that he really needed to know more about Riser just from this girl's words. His next question came like a surprise blow from a club.

"Do you love Riser?"

"Huh!?"

Xuelan's face turned bright red from that inquire. Calming down a bit, she answered in a low voice while slightly turning her eyes aside.

"… I did some time ago. He saved my life, personally helped me hone my battle skills and even slept with me so I wouldn't have nightmares from that time… But it was probably just a first love born from the feeling of rescue and safety. I would be lying if I denied some lingering feelings for him, but I can say for sure that I'm not pursuing him romantically. Besides, I think he's got enough with Isabela and the other girls. They will prevent him from doing anything stupid."

This girl… She really is quite different from what I imagined. So serene and mature…

"Well, after hearing all of this, it really makes sense how angry you got at me. I'm still a bit pissed about you hurting Koneko-chan like that, but I guess it was my just desserts for humiliating Riser, right? I can understand that feeling of wanting to defend your master's honor."

"W-Well… About that…"

Issei's attention was drawn by Xuelan fidgeting like and embarrassed child. Her large breasts moved a bit from this motion, and he couldn't resist looking at them for a bit.

Did she take off her bra to sleep…?

"Maybe I overreacted a bit from seeing you for the first time after the engagement party. Yes, you handed Riser-sama a crushing defeat, but he did accept the duel, and you beat him fair and square…"

"F-Fair and square? I'm sure what I did at the end could be easily seen as foul play…"

Surprisingly, Xuelan shook her head sideways and looks at Issei with a soft smile.

"There were no particular rules about the battle except that it was one-on-one, so what you did was perfectly acceptable within such boundaries. Winning through smarts rather than raw power is quite admirable indeed."

Xuelan's sudden and unexpected words of praise made Issei feel a bit shy. Embarrassedly, he made a trouble smiled and let out a light laugh.

"Admirable? Me of all people?"

"Yes! I mean it. You were defeated by Mira with a single blow, and with only ten days of training you managed to fight your way through many of us and even defeat Isabela personally! Despite lacking experience and base power, you made up for it with resourcefulness and tactics. And most of all, when you fought Riser-sama in the Rating Game… I can't forget that. You could barely stand up, and yet you always ran forward to fight the enemy much more powerful than yourself in spite of everything. You were surely scared at that time of the pain and dying, but you didn't stop. If that's not admirable, then what is-"

Xuelan stopped talking as if frozen in time.

Realizing all the things she had said about Issei in such a passionate way, her face became redder and redder. Looking down, she made a troubled smile spoke in an incredibly meek voice.

"I-I'm sorry… I-I got too carried away…"

Issei felt like this girl could kill him with only cuteness if she only tried to. Embarrassedly, he attempted to continue the conversation.

"W-Well, that does make me feel a bit more assured. I really thought you hated my guts."

"Geez, you're an idiot. I was a little impulsive due to anger, that's all. In fact, I've really wanted to have a normal conversation with you." Xuelan said without a hint of reluctance or lies.

"I-I see… Well, now that misunderstandings are cleared, I think we'll be able to talk quite a bit with each other."

Issei's cheesy grin surprisingly made the black-haired girl's expression soften, a warm smile appearing on her face.

"… Yes… That would be nice."

It came without warning, however.

Suddenly, Xuelan's visage grimaced as something was trying to crawl out from inside her. Issei's widened in shock as he noticed this along with an abnormal pressure.

"N-No… Wh-Why now…!? It has only been three weeks…!" Xuelan hugged herself in suffering as strange black markings began to spread along her skin. Bearing a shape similar to flames, they appeared to be very painful to the girl.

"Th-Three weeks…? What do you mean? X-Xuelan? Xuelan!"

Shouting in worry, Issei grasped the girl's trembling body. Her temperature was high. Much higher than what was healthy, higher than even a strong fever.

[This girl… Partner, she's suffering a sudden uptake of power from within her body. Like a tank overflowing with water, it has become far too much to leave unreleased. She may die at this rate…]

D-Die…!? I-It can't be! She was fine just now!

Her eyes that had been tightly closed began to open bit by bit, as if even such a simple act was difficult beyond compare.

"I-It can't be… If it's you… N-No…!" Xuelan shook her head roughly, disheveling her black hair that had yet to lose its luster.

Issei could clearly see her despair, but also her hesitance for something.

"S-Something's really wrong with you! Tell me how I can help, please!"

"N-No, but…"

Sincerity was clear in Issei's eyes, which Xuelan couldn't help but feel grateful for. Swallowing audibly and enduring the excruciating pain her body was suffering, she made up her mind.

"I-I guess you being the one to help me is better than dying… or becoming that. Yes…"

Xuelan's eyes became somber by something other than her pain, much to Issei's surprise.

"What do you mean?"

"L-Listen well! Th-This is just something to help me since you offered to do so… Nothing else! D-Don't go getting the wrong idea!" Rather bafflingly, Xuelan's face blushed in embarrassment as if her pain and the markings on her skin, still present, were a thing of the past.

Issei's face became confused, but he still was primarily curious about whatever she was talking about.

"Just what do you need me to do?"

"….S-Su-suck… M-Mm…" Xuelan managed to say something, but it was so interrupted and in such a weak voice that Issei understood nothing.

"Excuse me?"

"G-Geez! I-I-I need you to s-suck my b-breasts!"

Everything froze at that moment.

As if his brain had suffered a short circuit, Issei's mind shut down for a brief moment. After coming to his senses, Issei's eyes sprang open like never before.

"Wh-Whaaaaaaat!?"

"S-Stop it! This is a normal thing! I-I need you to take out the excess power from my body, and it just happens to be much easier and faster if you s-s-suck that place! That's all!" Xuelan shouted with a face redder than ever before.

"W-Wait, th-this is still-"

[Hmm… This has truth to it, Partner. Like how Rias Gremory used to do on regular intervals with your finger, it is indeed possible to scatter all kinds of power in a similar way. It being through the mammary glands, which already have the capability to secrete fluid, will only make things easier and faster.]

Don't talk about breasts in such a way! Besides, I-

Suddenly interrupting his mental argument with Ddraig, Issei came to an important realization.

Sucking breasts. Putting a beautiful girl's nipples in his mouth and playing with it to his heart's content.

Ever since the start of the second term at Kuoh Academy, seeing that he had already achieved his goal of groping a girl's breasts, he had set this as his new ambition. After being denied of it repeatedly over the course of this time, the opportunity to do it for real was present right in front of him.

"A-Are you sure? Really? You don't mind?" Flustered beyond compare, Issei repressed a grin as he asked frantically.

Xuelan looked aside for a moment, but spoke up with a bit more tranquility.

"I-I would be lying if I said I don't mind, b-but if it's you… I-I think I can bear with it…" Such a meek voice coming from that strong girl was enough of a turn-on in and of itself.

Issei made up his mind as excitement swelled up from inside him. Full of drive and conviction, he grasped both of Xuelan's arms and gently helped her lay on her back.

"…! U-Uh… This…" Doubt could still be seen in her eyes, but Issei also noticed her breath becoming heavier.

Putting one knee at each side of her hips, Issei straddled her nervously. His heart was beating so fast he jokingly wondered if she could hear it.

[I'll do my best to emulate Rias Gremory's magic. It might not be perfect, but I'm sure it will work as needed. Just concentrate in what she told you to do, Partner.]

S-Sure…

"Here I go…" Issei said in a low voice, and Xuelan nodded slowly and nervously.

Taking a deep breath, he calmly reached his hand for the two large swellings.

"A-Ahh…"

Finally, Issei's hand touched Xuelan's left breast. At that moment, a ticklish and sweet sensation ran across Xuelan's body that had become very sensitive from anticipation alone, making her shiver and release a heaving breath. Issei's nose instantly spurt out blood as he reached for her right breast as well. Holding both now, he gently rubbed them as if a chef treating an extremely delicate dough.

I-Incredible! She's such an expert and strong martial artist, but to think her boobs would be this soft… M-More than that, she's big!

Xuelan's breasts were at a size that they spilled between Issei's fingers. As if accepting his hands despite that, they crowded out between his fingers on every rub, lewdly changing shape under the soft pressure. Assaulted by gradually increasing pleasure, Xuelan kept her eyes closed.

"Y-Yah… D-Don't get carried awa… Ahn!"

Underneath Issei's body, Xuelan writhed her hips and leaked out a sweet and seductive voice. Noticing particularly hard protrusions on the otherwise extremely soft breasts poking against the T-shirt, Issei lustfully kneaded and pinched them.

"Ah- Y-Yaah!?"

In response, Xuelan released the loudest and sexiest voice yet. She jerked her body involuntarily and Issei begged that she wouldn't notice his 'reacting' crotch.

"Ah… Hah… Ahn…" Panting heavily, the erotic sight of the overwhelmed Xuelan made even more blood drip from Issei's nose.

"N-Now… I-I will really do it…" Trying his best to keep his calm, Issei said so softly.

Seeing his hands moving under the hem of her T-shirt, Xuelan still had no strength left to resist. Seeing the two hands moving up gradually to her breasts, exposing her soft-looking abdomen, she became greatly embarrassed.

"N-No… Th-This is…"

"Don't worry. I-It will end soon."

For some reason, Xuelan found a renewed sense of safety in Issei's eyes.

Calming down a bit, she closed her eyes again. The shame from having her upper body exposed and the sensation of Issei's hands running up her stomach made Xuelan's body shiver. But Issei didn't stop for a moment, and so, finally, the large bare breasts were exposed. Issei was captivated by the beautiful shape and the perky protrusions of a youthful and healthy pink color.

Knowing Issei was intently gazing at her naked mounds, Xuelan's face reddened and traces of tears swelled slightly on the corners of her closed eyes. Issei swallowed inadvertently.

So this is it…

After deliberating for no more than three seconds, he softly held Xuelan's left breast and drew closer.

One second.

Two seconds.

And finally, he came upon the cute nipple standing tautly. Without any more hesitation, Issei closed his eyes and took hold of the pink-colored bud in his mouth.

"H-Hyaan…! Iyaaa~!"

A sweet moan gushed out of Xuelan's mouth. In response to Issei's first suckles, her body jerked backward and more lewd groans were heard. Issei's eyes closed shut in sheer excitement and arousal.

I-I did it! I'm sucking the boobs of a beautiful girl! I'm so happy to be alive!

Even in such a dream-like erotic situation, Issei could feel the ominous wave of power gathering at his lips and then disappearing within him. Briefly, his light brown eyes turned to a jade green color.

[Be wary, Partner. I'm doing what I can to metabolize the surge of foreign energy, but this is a rather dark power… Be careful when using the Boosted Gear after this.]

However, Issei was too focused on his current task to even listen to Ddraig.

Nibbling, licking, sucking. He couldn't get enough of Xuelan's reactions as he played with her nipple, moving to the other breast before long.

"I-Iya... Nnah...! B-Be a bit more… G-Gentle…" The black-haired girl pleaded in an enchanted voice. The black marks on her skin were gradually receding, lessening her body's pain and causing her to be even more enraptured by pleasure.

Hearing her, Issei went a bit slower on her right nipple, licking it up and down and sucking lightly at short intervals.

"Yah… Nn…" In response, Xuelan's moans became less anguished and more expressive of the pleasure she felt, causing Issei to become even more aroused than ever before.

Even while sucking one of Xuelan's nipples, he continued to fondle the remaining breast with his hand, overwhelming her all the more with non-stopping waves of pleasure.

And for the finishing touch… I hope I'm doing this right…

Separating his mouth still connected by a thread of saliva to Xuelan's nipple, Issei pushed both of her breasts together, making the black-haired beauty tremble. Seeing the two pink tips graze together, he placed both inside of his mouth at once and sucked.

"H-Hyaaan!" A lewd scream of pleasure escaped from Xuelan's lips, unable to be restrained even a bit.

Sweet numbness ran through her body, as if an overload that would block out any further sensation from the tips of her breasts. However, the stimulation remained and only became stronger. Without even thinking of it, Xuelan weakly held onto Issei's head with both hands as her curling toes grasped the sheets of the bed.

Incredibly excited from Xuelan's voice and jerking movements, Issei bit lightly and poked at the depressions at the end of the nipples with his tongue. Licking all the space he could, he flicked the firm tips of Xuelan's large breasts with his tongue.

"Hah… Ah! M-Mm, iyaan!"

The girl's body convulsed and the gathered tears spilled from the corners of her eyes. However, her face and voice had become those of a female in heat.

Ultimately, Issei sucked one last time with all of his might, as if giving the finishing blow.

"H-HyUu- A-aAAAAHHHNNN!"

And thus, before long, the black markings on Xuelan's skin along with the ominous aura disappeared without a trace.

Utterly exhausted, Xuelan released her grasp on Issei's head and let her arms fall back on the bed. Laying on her back, she panted heavily and looked at her breasts covered in saliva.

He hadn't noticed due to being completely focused on his task, but Issei had also become quite a bit tired from his earnest efforts and the amount of power Ddraig had required to process in his body. Due to this, he could only slump back on his rear, breathing roughly.

"I-I'm sorry… For all I forced you to do…" Embarrassedly pulling her shirt back down, Xuelan apologized genuinely.

Wh-Why is she apologizing!? This is the most exciting thing I've ever done!

Issei felt like saying this out loud, but it would've probably only made the situation even more awkward and embarrassing.

"Just… What happened to you? What was that aura?" He asked with a serious tone the other most important topic in his mind.

Xuelan was clearly hesitating, but then she sighed and looked down with a sad face.

"Yes… I guess you're no longer a stranger to my situation… Very well. This is a story of my past and present. Please listen well…"

---

There is a thing called a 'Demon'.

Even though it is formed and exists within nature itself, just like a malign tumor, it is a mistake that is unmeasurably harmful because it is said to disrupt its nest's healthy status.

There are many types of them, but most, if not all, of them will appear evil for someone who is within the straight flow of the world.

Whichever be the case, a Demon is a disruption, a tumor, and there exist gatherings of people with the task of healing the cancer of nature. Be it by altruism, honor, or material gain, they complete the job.

However, the disruptions are not of a single kind.

Killers of Demons can fix disruptions within nature, but doing so to a disruption in a human is a completely different issue.

For example, there is a type of Demon called the 'Mówáng'.

Demon Kings of ancient Chinese folklore, commanding hundreds of lesser Yaomo, they are entities outside of the straight flow from the beginning, and clearly genuine Demons. Hunters of such supernatural creatures are fit to slay them, but it is a different story when the Mówáng mix with humans.

Now and long ago, there were many who wished for the powers of a Demon, who are greater beings, but without losing their humanity, and so, hybrids were formed. Abominations known as 'Ghouls' were the only known result, product of the vast difference between a human and a real Demon.

But a way was eventually found by a few, unrelenting in their search for further power to keep the actual Demons at bay. A way was found to produce a 'fully human' child, who still harbored the inhuman powers of even a supremely evil Demon King.

However, the requirements of such a result might have made its developers even more inhuman than the very Demons.

A possession by the Demon, a gradual devouring of the soul and an utter loss of their former self. The woman would suffer all of this in order to bear a powerful child, never once given mercy.

However, it was only that theory.

Day by day, more children died, more women died. A child of a Demon is one thing, but a Mówáng, a Demon King, is a completely different issue. Utterly torn apart by such an immensely powerful and equally evil entity, mothers and children died in excruciating pain time and time again.

Yes.

There's not a chance in a thousand in this world that such a thing as a woman's endurance or love, which are only the power of a human, can defeat a Demon King that is nature.

However, here was a one in a million girl.

Since the ancient times, the Zhǎo clan in China had fought for generations with the strongest of Demons and Demon Kings.

Many men, women and children died as a result of these endless battles, but those who survived passed on their always-improving resistance and strength against the Demons.

Continuing that simple unending mission of correction was the reason they had been able to produce children with the powers of a Mówáng, which are supposed to die along with their mother many months before birth.

But the girl did not know any of this.

Living a normal life. Eating and talking happily with her beloved father, playing with children of her age and getting in trouble like normal. It was not a sad life.

However, she was curious.

That's why she always held the picture of that woman at her father's side close. That's why she stayed up until late, and that's why she stole a key to look for clues in the cells she was explicitly told to never set a single foot into.

Blue eyes greeted the girl. Gleaming azure eyes, and a pupil that looked like a sharp slit.

The woman's four limbs were all held tight by chains, but this didn't stop her from pulling them to the limit.

A dark hand loomed over the girl, too fast for her to even process it at the time. But still, she noticed one thing.

The face of that woman, horribly contorted, broken and corrupted beyond the girl's still immature imagination. The face was the one in the picture held in her small hand.

---

Issei was speechless.

The story Xuelan had just told him was just too unbelievable. But still, this girl would never lie about such a thing, and that feeling overwhelmed any previous disbelief.

"S-So… You are."

Xuelan, who had kneeled before the sitting Issei to narrate the story, looked down and spoke with a fake smile.

"Yes... I am Xuelan Zhǎo. Born to a Demon-possessed woman, I harbor the powers of a Mówáng, a Demon King, within me. What you just scattered and extracted… Are powers that my body generates by itself over time. In order to not become such a Demon… I've been restraining this power for as long as I remember. It's a troublesome thing that it eventually overflows, isn't it…?"

Issei couldn't say anything more. Even Ddraig couldn't help but express his surprise.

[This girl… Such misfortune.]

Issei looked down, his bangs obscuring his eyes. Without noticing it, he had tightened his fists almost hard enough to draw blood.

"Your poor mother…" He could only voice this single statement out.

Xuelan only looked up at him with a sad smile.

"Don't worry. Father saved me at that time, so nothing came out of that. My life story is no more important than anyone else's, so don't think too much about it. I just felt like speaking a bit of me, so it's only selfish rambling in the end…" Xuelan's voice became quite weak as she spoke.

Issei's anger deepened.

She didn't deserve such a thing happening to her, her mother probably also did not. As he had been blessed with a healthy and loving mother since he could remember, Issei couldn't imagine a life without her. This made what had happened to Xuelan and her mother all the more unforgivable to him.

A function and fate determined even before birth.

No one should be subjected to such an empty life.

However, there was also one particular questioned that popped up in Issei's mind.

"Wait… If your body generates this power on its own… Does that mean that this is not the first time you have the Demon's power taken out of you?"

Xuelan was surprised by this sudden question.

"Eh? That is right. It has happened regularly ever since I got reincarnated by Riser-sama back when I was twelve. The generation of Demon energy in my body has become increasingly faster over time, but I've always required this sort of thing to take the excess out."

"Th-Then… Who has taken it out before now?" Issei asked with curiosity clear in his eyes.

"… O-Oh… Th-That is…"

Xuelan suddenly blushed red all the way to her ears. She fidgeted and pushed her index fingers against each other.

Issei gulped, sweating with anticipation.

"J-Just say it already!"

"G-Geez! It was Lady Ravel, ok!? She's been the one helping me out all this time!"

…

…...

Upon finally being able to function properly again, Issei's mind became rose-colored.

Oh, Xuelan… Did they become bigger again~? This spot is as cute as always, though… It just makes me want to… Hamuu~

I-Iyaan~ L-Lady Ravel… D-Don't tease me so much… A-Ahn~!

Once again, Issei's nose spurted blood like a fountain. Of course, Xuelan became flustered as a result.

"P-Pervert! Don't go getting the wrong idea… G-Gyaah!" Xuelan's eyes happened upon something that made her scream as if she had seen a ghost.

By Issei's position of sitting back on the bed, a certain area of his had become quite visible. Located below his waist, the thing that had become hard and enlarged due to all the developments of this night was powerfully poking against Issei's pants, forming a very noticeable 'tent'.

"A-A-A m-mountain has a-appeared!" Emitting steam from her head and covering her spinning eyes, Xuelan whimpered in a strangely cute display.

"Mountain…? U-Uwaah!" Noticing where Xuelan's gaze had happened on, Issei, who was still bleeding from his nose, swiftly covered his crotch with both hands.

Silence reigned for several seconds, very little sounds could be heard aside from their frantic breaths.

Issei and Xuelan looked away from each other, utterly subdued by shyness and embarrassment.

But… It couldn't be helped, right?

I-I guess I can't blame him…

And thus, this first night together ended without much movement, but surely a lot of awkwardness.

---

Only one week was left before the meeting of the Three Factions in Lilith, capital city of the Underworld. Even more than that, this would be the last week of training before the Rating Games between the young Devil heirs and heiresses.

Issei fought fiercely against Tiamat as Xuelan watched, sitting on a downed log.

[Boost!]

Now, only traces of his fighting inexperience remained in Issei's movements. He fought like an expert, having learned in one week as much as a professional fighter would in two months.

[Boost!]

The mix of his Boosted Gear along with knowledge of true fighting technique allowed to fight against Tiamat, whom he could only run from before.

[Boost!]

It's not perfect by any means, as he can only dodge and defend with no window to counterattack. However, it is now a battle. Anyone who saw it would think the same, and this makes Issei aware and happy of his own noticeable progress.

"Very good, lad! Don't slow down!" Tiamat laughed happily as three kicks were launched in less than two second.

"H-Hah… D-Don't undervalue me, Coach!" Issei yelled as he fought back without fear.

The first kick was dodged by reflex, and that was the only thing he needed in order to barely deflect the two following ones.

[Boost!]

However, Issei's body had also been quite affected.

Without Rias to take out his overflowing dragon power, the left arm currently clad in the Boosted Gear had claws on its five fingers and was covered in red scales all the way beyond his shoulder. Aside from this, new things were the irregularly-size patches of red scales across all of Issei's body, his lengthened, sharp canine teeth and his jade green irises with slit pupils.

Issei's body had been treated with care, but the magical knowledge he had become able to use due to his newfound energy reserves, learned from both Tiamat and Xuelan, had made all three euphoric. It so happened that Issei was particularly talented in controlling and manipulating whatever magical energy was available to him, the only obstacle that prevented him from becoming a good magician being his lacking demonic power reserves.

But now, that problem had been fixed.

[Boost!]

Issei leaped back after countering Tiamat's next kick with one of his own, producing a shockwave that made even Xuelan cover her ears.

Stronger… I have to become even stronger so 'that' never happens again!

Issei produced a sphere of energy with his left hand. Unlike the ones he used to make, this one was the size of a Soccer ball and green lightning trickled around it. For the first time since she had begun training Issei, Tiamat's eyes widened in shock.

The ball of demonic and dragon power was grasped in Issei's left hand and further compressed by him tightening it into a fist. Due to the huge amount of power in it, even that was difficult.

"Dragon Burst—!"

Issei thrust his hand forward and opened it without hesitation, letting his most powerful attack until now run rampant.

Made of fiery red energy and constantly surrounded by loud green lightning, a huge dragon flew at Tiamat with blinding speed. Xuelan reacted with sheer shock while Tiamat's excitement ran wild.

"Compressing an even greater amount of power and suddenly letting it free right at launch! Now that's creative!"

If it was possible, Tiamat would have probably been grinning from ear to ear. Placing just her left hand in front of her, Issei's 'Dragon Burst' finally made contact.

Such a force suddenly coming to a stop caused the air to ripple and parts of the surroundings to be blown away. Xuelan had to put in place a defense-type magic circle to protect herself from the countless debris flying in all directions.

Meanwhile, even while blocking with her left hand, Tiamat was being pushed back by the Dragon Burst. Narrowing her eyes in recognition of considerable power, she powerfully stomped down and held Issei's blast with both hands.

Wind movements having nothing to envy in even a common tornado were blowing wildly. Not able to fully neutralize this attack even with the use of her two hands, Tiamat closed her eyes and opened her mouth only slightly.

It is only natural.

No matter their land, no matter their tale.

A dragon's weapon, their defining power will always be…

Their breath.

"Th-That is—!" Issei's face became the sheer expression of surprise.

A dark, royal blue in color. Like a storm of endless hellfire.

The enormous fireball was pushing back and eating its way through Issei's Dragon Burst. Peerless power was clearly understood from it.

After Tiamat's fire breath had three quarters of its heat offset by the Dragon Burst, Issei was mercilessly engulfed by it.

At a speed probably similar to a lightning bolt's, the blob of flame crashed throughout more than one hundred meters of forest before coming to a stop in a large rock hill. There, a phenomenon that probably lasted only around three seconds ended as fast as it started.

The environment that had darkened as a result of Tiamat's attack returned to its usual lighting, and only the slight noise of few leaves burning up remained.

"Phew… Now that was something." Tiamat said as she took a deep breath.

"Th-That is horrible! Learn to control yourself, Lady Tiamat! He might get seriously injured or even killed by such an attack!" Xuelan yelled at the still carefree Tiamat.

"Oh please. I held back a fair bit, and even if…" The blue-haired woman suddenly stopped talking.

Sighing, she turned her sight toward the hole in the rock hill where her fireball and Issei had collided.

"Yes… Maybe I shouldn't have done such a thing when the lad was so fired up…" No trace of her smile remaining, Tiamat made a frown on her beautiful face.

"Huh? What do you—"

"Stronger… I don't want them to die, I don't want to die… Stronger…"

[Boost!]

Xuelan's voice also came to a stop upon hearing this distorted new voice.

She swiftly turned in its direction, and trembled as she waited alongside Tiamat for whatever was inside that hole to appear.

"StRonGEr, StrOngEr, STRoNGeR, stROngER! Stronger than anyone!"

[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]

Something abnormal was instantly felt.

An aura red as blood suddenly gushed out, and with it, the entire rock hill was blown apart in all directions. Tiamat hugged Xuelan and protected herself and the girl from the flying pebbles with her own aura.

Even so, both females could see the change.

Arms and legs became thicker and longer than anything normal, with the growth not stopping even then and producing large claws. The neck suffered a similar growth and the head became that of a monstrous, primordial reptile, its fangs glistening with blood from the suddenly ripped gums. Twisted spikes ran along the entire backline where a gargantuan pair of wings extended, following into a humongous tail that suddenly spurted.

From the forehead of the enormous skull sprouted a single horn of bony-white color. Covered in red scales like crystallized blood and with its jade green eyes shining in a needless bloodlust, the beast roared.

Where Issei should be standing was now a monstrous red dragon, reaching seven meters in height even while on all fours and probably twenty if measured from the snout to the tip of the tail.

"The lad… His body has become entirely that of a Dragon." Tiamat spoke with anger in her voice. Anger at herself more than anyone else.

"Is that… The Sekiryuutei…?" Xuelan said with disbelief in her voice.

"It seems he ended up overusing his Boosted Gear and accelerating the transformation due to that… This is all my fault. If only I had kept a closer check on him…"

Tiamat's voice sounded genuinely pained, but she didn't have much time to continue her speech. Surpassing the speed of sound, the dragonified Issei had dashed right before Tiamat and Xuelan.

Tiamat quickly pushed Xuelan away, but couldn't avoid the swipe from Issei's gigantic paw in time, and hence was blown away with her body traveling at great speed across the ground that was lifted on her wake.

"Gah!" Xuelan grunted in pain from being pushed with such strength and falling on the hard ground, but such a thing was inconsequential when compared to a slash from such claws.

"S-Sekiryuutei! Stop this at once! Are you the type of person to fall victim to your own power—!"

Eh…? Did I just… Am I that kind of person?

Issei's attention was now drawn to Xuelan, but he merely opened his gaping jaws and let out a powerful ray of red energy. Xuelan flew up in time to avoid it, but the shockwave was enough to affect her airborne balance.

Yes… This is what I've been trying to avoid… He listened to my story, he helped me out and sympathized with me… It's my turn now!

Xuelan avoided a tail swipe by a hair's breadth and yelled out powerfully.

"Sekiryuutei! Sekiryuutei, listen to me!"

No response was received from the mindless dragon, who merely continued to attack her. Making her way to his head, Xuelan released a powerful axe-kick on Issei's head.

"Issei Hyoudou! Ise! Please hear me, Ise!" With eyes moist from restrained tears, Xuelan attacked Issei again and again.

However, he was unfazed. Xuelan gritted her teeth in frustration at being useless to this boy who had accepted her over the last week. Who has become her friend, just like Ravel had so much time ago.

Probably due to these emotions, she didn't notice the huge claw looming over her in time.

A merciless swipe. Unable to completely avoid it, deep bleeding gashes were left on Xuelan's face and body. Blood gushing out from her body in great quantities, Xuelan instantly lost consciousness and landed on the floor with a dry thud.

With his prey now defenseless, Issei's head loomed over her. However, before Issei could get any closer, an incredible force blew him at least fifteen meters away.

"I see… No matter what state you are in, hurting this lass like that is something I will not abide by." Holding Xuelan in a princess carry, an unharmed Tiamat spoke with anger-filled eyes.

The dragonified Issei quickly stood back again on his four legs, releasing a thunderous roar.

Tiamat merely sat Xuelan next to a magically softened tree and placed powerful barriers over her.

"And as for you..." Dark blue eyes gleamed, and Tiamat vanished.

Reappearing in front of Issei, she punched his head without mercy. Followed by a kick to the chest, she also hit his shoulder with her heel.

Punches, kicks, knees, elbows and even headbutts. An impossibly fast and strong physical punishment was being delivered on Issei.

He tried to release another blast from his mouth, but Tiamat held it back with her bare hand and punched Issei's jaw shut, causing the blast to explode right in his mouth.

However, he still wouldn't give up. With Tiamat noticing but not avoiding, Issei hit her strongly with his muscular tail, sending her flying through the forest.

It was for naught, though. With only a few bruises on her body and torn clothing, Tiamat emerged with unscathed poise.

"I see you won't go down with such weak attacks… Remember this, lad." As she spoke, Tiamat began to take off her clothing piece by piece, article by article.

"I will bring you back, that I promise. And after I do so, I'll punish you in a way you'll prefer to be chewed inside and out by me!"

Her naked body revealed only for an instant, Tiamat suddenly emitted a blinding blue light along with a release of aura that vastly surpassed Issei's.

A large claw stepped forth, two humongous wings as well and a powerful tail made the wind blow wildly only by moving.

Lacking the horns and spikes characteristic of male Dragons, a body covered in wondrous royal blue scales that dwarfed even sapphires in beauty stood majestically on four legs.

Roughly the same size as the dragonified Issei, bearing vestigial wings on the middle joints of its four limbs and a blade-like fin at the end of its tail, one could only wonder why this creature didn't look savage at all. Its underbelly of a light blue color even looked soft to the touch.

Bright blue eyes like sapphires opened calmly as the Dragon let her jaw hang slightly open, revealing the large fangs and letting out a vaguely blue air.

"Here I go, lad. Try not to die from a mere bite."

And with a mighty roar from Issei, the Dragons of red and blue clashed without reserve.

---

"Mm… Ah!"

Issei Hyoudou woke up abruptly for some reason.

His head ached and his stomach growled from hunger. He also has no recollections of however he got to bed.

"This is so…"

"Oh. Good morning, lad." A mature female voice said from his side.

Issei mechanically turned his head in response.

Long, brilliant blue hair and a beautiful body gifted with proportions equal to a goddess'. One of her hands on his nape and the other on his chest, as if claiming him as property.

As a matter of fact, he was naked as well under the sheets of the bed. A sense of déjà vu affected Issei for a brief moment.

Tiamat and him were in bed together, buck-naked and with she embracing him. Under normal circumstances, only one conclusion could be drawn from this, but Issei knew better that life wasn't so generous in most cases involving this.

Even so, such knowledge couldn't stop the fountain of blood that spurted from his nose.

"C-C-Coach!? Wh-What are you doing here like that!?"

"Hm? I'm a Dragon, it is usual for us to sleep in the nude. Rather, from our perspective, it is baffling that you all would hinder your comfort of sleep by using garments." Tiamat spoke as if stating something utterly obvious.

"I-I… I understand…"

Recognizing that further discussion of this kind was usually pointless, Issei dropped the topic.

"A-At any rate… Why am I here and what happened before I went to bed?"

Tiamat frowned at this.

"Lad, you lost control."

"… Huh? Lost… Control?" Issei asked as if he hadn't heard right.

"That's what I said. You overused your Boosted Gear when pushed to the brink during training, and you turned into a Dragon as a result. Even now, you are one. That's a fact." Tiamat said as she conjured up a small hand mirror.

Placing it before Issei's face, he could see. He looked mostly the same, but his eyes were now jade green instead of a light brown color, and he could see his canine teeth being slightly longer and sharper than a normal person's would be.

There was no need to worry. This happened usually when he used Boost, after all. The only thing that was required to fix it was suppressing Ddraig's aura.

Only that Ddraig's aura was already small like when Rias sucked the Dragon powers out of him, and no matter how much he tried to suppress the little that was left at the moment, his body would stay the same. Those green eyes would always look back at him.

"No… Th-This can't be…"

Tiamat couldn't speak, her face only darkening in sadness.

Issei tightened his fist and hit the bed repeatedly, cursing the result.

"And to think Coach was being so careful all the time… This is my fault for asking for real training…"

"Lad, don't blame yourself."

Tiamat held Issei's hand with hers, doing her best to reassure him like a mother would with her son. Issei looked at her and saw a warm smile just for him.

"… What happened after I did that? After I transformed?"

"You were only destroying everything, as if you were a rampaging animal. I had to beat you to half-death until you couldn't even move in order to absorb your excess Dragon power into myself, and then you turned into your current appearance. It has been two nights since then, but no matter what I tried, it looks like this is permanent.."

Issei looked at his left hand. Nothing was different outwardly, but he could clearly notice that it was no longer foreign to the rest of his body. It was apparent, the change had now affected his entirety.

"… What should I do now…?"

Tiamat sat up to the sitting Issei's level and looked at him with serious eyes. It was clear she wouldn't mince words.

"I'll be clear. Your body is tremendously unstable at the moment, so be wary of any straining effort of your energy reserves and Dragon power. Aside from that, forget about your Boosted Gear for the moment. As you are now, a single Boost will make you transform again, and if you do, I don't know if I will be able to save you again."

"No more Boosts!? Then how will I fight!? The Rating Games will be very soon!"

"Calm down, lad. This is only temporary while I find a solution to this issue. But still… Do you remember the most optimal one?"

Issei had to think for a while, but he finally recalled his conversation with Tannin back during the first two weeks.

"Balance Breaker…"

"That's right. If you are able to attain Balance Breaker, you will be able to fight without impunity while I find a solution for your base state. But until you achieve it, avoid fighting as much as possible. That's what you should do. Well… More than that…" Tiamat's voice suddenly trailed off, as if hesitant to talk about the next thing.

"What's the matter?" Issei asked curiously.

"… You hurt her really bad. That lass…"

Issei froze as he came to the realization.

Without any mind paid to embarrassment, Issei got out of the bed in his naked state. Tiamat only looked guilty and didn't try to stop him.

After getting dressed in a simple way with a red T-shirt and black pants, Issei quickly got out of the room.

He moved frantically, going down the stairs to the kitchen of Tiamat's hut in a way that would probably make him fall if he wasn't careful.

Eventually, he happened upon the girl who was apparently cooking lunch, since it was already past noon. Xuelan's eyes became wide open after seeing Issei.

"… Y-You woke up?"

"X-Xuelan, are you ok—"

Issei wasn't able to finish his question as the black-haired girl dashed right in front of him and lifted his shirt by the hem up to his collarbone.

"… Eh? Whaaaaaat!?" Issei exclaimed in sheer confusion.

However, Xuelan paid no mind to it. She merely uncovered various places of Issei's body and looked at them thoroughly. She even felt them around with her hand, making Issei shiver.

After finishing her 'check-up', she looked at Issei who was covering himself like a naked girl with a scrutinizing gaze.

However, such an expression was quickly replaced by the sweetest smile of relief.

"You're uninjured… I'm so glad."

"… Huh?"

Issei looked down at Xuelan's body briefly only to see most of her torso heavily bandaged, aside from the traces of healed injuries he could still vaguely make out on her face.

She's still this hurt and all she cares about is my health? … How could I ever misjudge this girl as a bad person…?

"Y-Yes… What about you?" Issei asked while looking at her bandages. Xuelan was somehow surprised by this.

"Oh, this? It still hurts a bit, but it should be healed without leaving any scars in three days or so. Lady Tiamat's water is really something for healing as well."

However, Xuelan's cheerfulness wasn't contagious to Issei. To think that such a kind-hearted girl had been wounded by his carelessness and even own actions ached him in his chest.

Therefore, without even thinking of consequences and only doing what he wanted at that moment, he reached his arms forward and hugged Xuelan tightly. She blushed madly from this sudden display.

"E-Eh…!? Wh-Why are you—"

"I'm sorry… For all I did…"

He said only these words in a clearly frustrated tone.

Despite still being embarrassed, Xuelan understood Issei's thoughts and hesitatingly hugged him back.

However, this rose-colored scene wouldn't last for long.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your flag-raising shenanigans, lad, but we still have work to do." Tiamat, now dressed only in a sweater that unfortunately reached the middle of her thighs, spoke strictly.

Xuelan swiftly separated from Issei as if he was burning her, embarrassed beyond belief. Meanwhile, Issei only showed an understanding expression.

"Yes… My training is not over yet, right?"

"Correct. We still have a few days during which you will use exclusively what you have as your base in that new body, so you can get more used to it. Remember to not use the Boosted Gear under any circumstances unless I say it's safe to do so." Tiamat spoke with a stern tone, but concern could still be felt in her voice.

"So… Only martial arts and magic control?"

"Exactly. But… More importantly…"

Tiamat's face became somber as she walked forward, unnerving both Issei and Xuelan. She grasped Issei's shoulder with a rock-hard grip and made a smile that could only inspire terror in anyone who saw it.

"Your punishment for hurting Xuelan-chan… You will receive in full today."

That day, the screams of the Red Dragon Emperor resounded all throughout afternoon, evening and night.

---

"So… The time is over, right? I hope this much preparation is enough… Fifty grand is not a low sum. It will really hurt Sirzechs-sama's trust in my money-saving…" Aslatiel Bael sighed as he arrived back at the gate of the Gremory castle.

Both of his arms, his neck and a good amount of his torso were covered in white bandages as a result of just having ended his training, though the latter ones were not visible due to his T-shirt and mid-sleeve vest.

According to Rania some days prior to Xuelan's arrival after a trip of two weeks, there would be a party sponsored by the Maou before the games. There would be food, drink and music, but it appeared to be primarily a party to entertain the adults.

Naturally, as Devils who would participate in the games, Aslatiel, Rias, Sona and their peerages would have to attend whether they wanted to or not.

Elmenhilde was currently staying at the Phenex mansion after forming a strange friendship with Ravel, so he was currently alone. Cursing his endless misfortune, Aslatiel sighed for a second time. However, he could escape these thoughts after hearing two familiar voices nearby. They belonged to two males of his age that he knew very well.

"Ise! Yuuto!"

They turned back to him as he ran to them.

"Aslatiel! It has been a really long time, huh." Issei, who was currently wearing light brown contact lenses, spoke cheerfully.

"It has been, indeed. And it looks like we all got pretty roughed up!" Chuckling, the three males looked at the state of their apparel.

The jerseys of Issei and Yuuto were torn beyond the point of any repair, while a lot of Aslatiel's body was covered in white bandages. They had been clearly worked hard.

"Oh, you three are here."

"It looks like we took a bit too long."

This time, it were the voices of a girl and feminine-sounding male.

"""Xenovia!?""" The three boys exclaimed in surprise.

After all, Xenovia was covered in an amount of bandages that surpassed Aslatiel's by quite a bit. At her side was Soujirou, who has thick bandages around his head by the forehead and his left arm in a case.

"Wh-What's with that appearance?"

Xenovia and Soujirou looked at each other and then spoke calmly.

"We got like this because we trained…"

"… Got injured…"

"… And then bandaged ourselves."

"Then we trained…"

"… Got injured..."

"… And bandaged ourselves again."

"Stop completing one another's speech! Do you share a brain now or something!?" A fed-up Issei yelled in annoyance.

Her hair… That green mesh she used to have is now black… I see…

Aslatiel noticed such a thing but didn't say it out loud.

"I see. With you five, everyone from our groups have returned." With this melodious voice, everyone looked at the gate, while Issei had an expression as if his personal goddess had descended.

However, Rias didn't have the appearance anyone would expect from her. At the moment, she had her hair in a ponytail for ease of movement during training, and her own jersey was also quite tattered, though it was clearly one different from the one she wore during her training with Aslatiel.

"Ise… You have become robust."

Noticing the considerable development of Issei's muscles, Rias hugged him and caressed his chest. While everyone else dismissed this as something usual, Issei's mind was in wonderland.

"Now then, everyone. Once you've taken a good shower and changed clothes, we'll meet in the study to report on the results of these four weeks."

Normal life had finally return.

However, for Issei to report on the current state of his body. That would be difficult indeed.

---

Both Aslatiel's and Rias' groups reunited in the spacious study. According to Rias, Sona had finished her training at around the same time as them, with Asura currently staying at the Sitri manor for a few days at her behest.

The essentials of everyone's training were recounted calmly, as details were not really required. However, judging by the reactions of everyone else, Issei's training had been particularly… Tough.

Most of the ones training in open spaces still stayed at villas or huts to eat and sleep, while has to do absolutely everything of his first two weeks in the cold Mother Nature. Issei cried in response while Aslatiel and Azazel chuckled inhumanely.

However, the toughest topic at hand, Issei's transformation into a humanoid Dragon, was taken with surprising calm after the initial surprise.

"So no Balance Breaker and a the totality of Ise's body as a Dragon's… I would lie if I said I didn't think of such an outcome, but this is still a hugely volatile situation… I have faith in Tiamat's resourcefulness and researching ability, but only time will tell how this will turn out." Azazel spoke sternly and without joking.

"At any rate, without Boosted Gear, Ise will have to fight with only his base abilities for the moment. Though I guess it is useful that they have become much stronger than before." Rias continued as she analyzed everything.

Even Aslatiel and his peerage discussed the situation in concern for Issei, but by the end of the meeting, nothing could really come out of it.

"Hah… At any rate, further talking is pointless. The party is tomorrow, you're all dismissed for today."

After saying this, Azazel exited the room, probably to think more about the issue.

In this way, the 'Devil's Insanity' training period came to an end.

---

The night of that day.

Thirst during night is one of the most unpleasant feelings anyone can experience, so Issei had gotten out of bed to search for a glass of water in a sort of convenience room for Rias, Aslatiel and their servants.

He was startled by a high-pitched sound of shattering, however. Quickly turning to the place, he saw a petite white-haired girl in a T-shirt that reached the middle of her thighs trying to pick up the broken pieces of a glass cup.

"Koneko-chan?"

The girl, now aware of his presence, looked up at Issei.

"Ah, Ise-senpai." She said with a dry voice.

Issei was concerned by the bleeding cut on one of her fingers, so reached his hand out to her. However, Koneko just ignored it and stood up by herself.

"It was just carelessness of mine. Don't mind it."

Without saying anything more or even turning to look at him, Koneko went for the door to the hallway, to go to her room.

Issei knew it since four weeks ago, but this was strange. Very strange.

Koneko had always been harsh to him, but she had also been there for him when he needed someone.

When he lacked confidence during his ten days of training for the Rating Game against Riser, when they tagged together for the Rating Game itself. Sharp in words, she had helped him and cared for him to the best of her ability.

However, now and four weeks ago, she had not been harsh, but utterly dismissive to the point of being clearly on purpose.

Just what has she been thinking about?

Having this in mind, Issei couldn't stop himself from reaching out to her.

"W-Wait, Koneko-chan—"

"—!"

Without hesitation, he grasped Koneko's hand as she left, startling her beyond belief. They remained quiet for a while.

"… Let go. Let go of me or I will hit you."

"Then feel free to hit me with all your strength, since I'm not letting go until you accept to tell me what's been worrying you." Without a hint of fear, Issei replied strongly.

Koneko looked back at him with the slightest tilt of her head to the side, but her eyes didn't show rage, but sadness. If her eyes could speak, they would be asking for help.

"Why do you concern yourself with me so much? Is it some Senpai-Kouhai responsibility? Or are you just trying to win a girl over?"

Issei was still unfazed by Koneko's harsh words.

"If I was just doing this for your looks, there would be no need to do so since I already share a bed almost every night with Buchou and Asia. Senpai and kouhai… Not quite either, as you're still my senpai as a Devil. If I had to say, I'm just a friend looking out for you." The brown-haired Pawn spoke without reservation or embarrassment.

"Friend?" Koneko seemed particularly shaken by that word.

Issei nodded in response.

"Yes, a friend. That's why I ask… No. I beg you. Please tell me what's wrong. Even if I can't help, even if I'm an idiot, weak and inexperienced… I can at least stay by your side and never leave you alone if you so desire."

Koneko blushed slightly and looked slightly down. Instinctively grasping back Issei's warm hand, she took her decision.

"… Ok… It might be a long story, though… Will you listen to it…?"

"I will listen to as much as you want me to. That's what friends are for, Koneko-chan."

Seeing Issei smile at her with such genuine care in his heart, even the Koneko currently consumed by sorrow could find a sense of security.

In a short time, the broken shards of the glass cup had been picked up and poured into a trash bin.

Issei and Koneko sat side by side on a couch down the hallway, quite close to one another. Koneko slightly pulled on Issei's sleeve, trying to get his attention.

"First of all… There is something I've yet to show to Ise-senpai. Everyone else knows, so you and Asia-senpai should know as well…"

Without warning, additional appendixes sprouted from Koneko's hair.

Not too big in size, with their outer part covered in soft-looking fur white as snow. Ears like those of a cat.

Under normal circumstances, Issei would've only found her incredibly adorable. However, for now, surprise was the feeling to win.

"This is what I am… A survivor of a rare species of Nekomata Youkai, a Nekoshou… I'm sorry for hiding it all this time, I really am…"

"D-Don't worry about it, I understand…"

Her aura… It is indeed something full of potential…

Drinking from a newly served glass of water, Koneko finally began to speak.

"I… I-I used to have… A sister. An older sister…"

Issei was indeed listening attentively, so Koneko felt a bit better telling this story.

"… As orphans, we did everything together. Playing, eating, sleeping… Life was hard without our parents, but as long as we had each other, we were always happy…"

Koneko's hand holding the glass of water started to tremble slightly. This story was clearly difficult for her to tell.

However, Issei needed to know about it to help her, so the most he could do was touch Koneko's hand to give her some calmness. It worked quite well, as Koneko wasn't trembling so much.

"Nee-sama excelled at both Youjutsu and Senjutsu, skills that are difficult to even obtain in the first place, so she caught the eye of a Devil noble. She was reincarnated as his Bishop, and I was allowed to live with them as a condition she placed before submitting to him…"

In spite of all the sadness in her voice and her sullen tone, something akin to nostalgia could be felt. Koneko's love for her sister was clearly present and apparent.

"But Nee-sama was strong, stronger than anyone. Before long, she surpassed her King in power… And killed him after being consumed and driven mad by her own power… She became a Stray Devil, and one of the most wanted at that…"

Issei couldn't even reply anymore, but Koneko continued to tell the story she had decided to share.

"They feared I would go out of control as well, so I was going to be disposed of. Maou Lucifer-sama was the one to save me, and Rias Buchou gave me a home to truly belong… And then you have me here."

"Koneko-chan…" Issei was petrified. He couldn't even speak.

Koneko's small fists tightened and her fragile-looking shoulders shivered. Sorrow, frustration, anger. All of these emotions were present.

"That's the story everyone tells… But I know my Nee-sama… She was stronger than anyone, but also the kindest in the world. Every time we had the chance to eat sweets, she would give me the larger portion or even all of it, she would do her best to get me pretty clothes while she made do with the most plain, and she always stayed with the me and hugged me when I couldn't sleep at night… I'm sure she had a reason to kill that man, but no one would give her a chance or even believe a word from my mouth… Who are they to label her as a monster who lost control of her powers? Who are they to say anything about Nee-sama!? They know nothing of her love and kindness!"

Warm tears were falling down Koneko's cheeks without stopping, no matter how much she tried to wipe them off. In that small body, the sadness that she had repressed for years was finally being revealed.

This girl who always acted coldly and had no expression on her face… Is actually so emotional deep within…

Issei could only berate himself mentally. Unconsciously, he drew a bit closer to the trembling Koneko.

"I'm… The most useless of us… Yuuto-senpai, Xenovia-senpai and… Ise-senpai as well… All of you are getting stronger, while I'll be the same even with Ilena-san's training… I-I want to be strong, but if I become stronger with the power of my heritage… They will continue to fear Nee-sama, and continue to hunt her like some evil person...—!"

Koneko was startled by a sudden touch.

Issei, who had been listening quietly until now, held her hand that was tightly grasping the part of the shirt at her thigh. Then, without saying anything, he hugged Koneko to his chest.

"I have no brothers or sisters, and I'm sure I can't completely understand how you feel, Koneko-chan. But still, this is the first time you show so much emotion. To keep such sadness hidden away in that expressionless face of yours…"

Koneko couldn't even retort in her usual way. Being given such a simple, yet earnest gesture of care, she buried her face on Issei's chest and continued to cry without reserve. Issei smiled warmly as he caressed her head, arms and back.

"You probably feel that it would be a bother, a waste of our time when we have other problems ourselves. I know how much you worry about your friends… But keeping it all to yourself is not the way. Buchou, Akeno-san, Kiba and the others… Even me. We all are here for you. If you want to laugh, laugh. If you want to cry, cry. We are a family, after all. And you are an important member of this family."

Hearing Issei's honest words, Koneko looked up at him in a moment of weakness.

"D… Do you really… Mean it…? Can I… Really bear so much on you? Nee-sama is no longer with me… Won't you go away as well…?"

Issei showed a toothy grin at her.

"I'm not your sister. I'm sure she's a wonderful woman whom I couldn't hope to match, but at the very least… I won't leave you alone."

Saying this, Issei gently held Koneko's head close to his chest.

"We can study together or just play video games at home. We can talk all day or I can just sit here and be silent. I can be all the way across the room or I can be right next to you. Anything you want, I will do gladly. I just want you to know that when you feel ready to exit the cage in your heart or even just get out of this couch… We're gonna do it together. So please… Don't hurt your senpai with such a sad face."

Issei said without reserve as he wiped some of Koneko's tears with his finger. He looked straight at her and only smiled humbly.

"Would that be alright with you, Koneko-chan?"

After a second, Koneko's eyes threatened to let more tears out. She couldn't stop them, however, along with that, a bright smile appeared on her face without any trace of falseness.

"Y-Yes!"

"Now that's the spirit. I will stay with you until you feel like sleeping, so just let out everything for now."

Taking one from Rias when she comforted him that time, Issei became hugely happy just from that smile.

And thus, not much time after that, Issei and Koneko dozed off in one another's embrace.

---

It was around eight pm of the next day.

Aslatiel and Issei waited outside while being in a slightly different state.

This state being, they were both dressed in formal wear for the party.

"This thing makes it so hard to move around… But I guess it is required…" Issei, who was wearing black pants, shoes and a black blazer over a blood-red shirt without a tie spoke in annoyance. No longer having to hide it, his eyes were now apparent with their current green color.

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it. The best we can do is let the party pass on without much issue." Aslatiel, who was wearing a French continental suit almost entirely in black, also had most of his bangs slicked back for a more elegant and less casual look.

The girls had all been taken away by the maids, saying that it would take some time for them to get ready. There were also other like Soujirou and Yuuto who were also not prepared.

Speaking of which, some people were starting to arrive.

"Oh! Shishou! You look funny! Just like a doll!" The white-haired dragonette and Sona's new Pawn, Leonora, spoke with glee. Dressed in a beautiful lime green dress but wearing sports boots on her feet, it was a rather strange sight.

"G-Geez, Leonora-san! You're embarrassing me!" Meanwhile, Aiden Gallagher blushed as he unskillfully tried to fix the tie of his own suit.

Aslatiel and Issei looked at this with deadpan expressions.

"… Shishou?" Issei asked.

"Yes… It looks like after I finished with Aiden's training, by some unfathomable reason he wandered into the Sitri territory and began teaching Leonora proper sword technique at Sona-nee's request… On that topic, Sona-nee and Asura should be nearby, if Leonora is here…"

"Ise, sorry for making you wait… Oh, so Aslatiel is here as well."

The moment the two males looked behind them, the myriad of beauties in elegant party dresses filled their line of sight.

As if apparel picked by Gods themselves, each suited their wearer to the highest caliber. All the ladies of Rias' and Aslatiel's group were dressed up and wearing light make up like proper ladies.

Akeno was letting her hair down and wearing a violet dress that boldly exposed her back, while Wilhelmina's was a mix of red and black that complimented her short and curvy physique. Some girls like Asia or Priscilla looked very embarrassed but cute in their dresses, while others like Ilena and Xenovia seemed uncomfortable in such a feminine gown.

Aslatiel and Issei blushed and couldn't help but stare for a bit.

However, the problem was Lucina.

"… What?" The blonde-haired girl asked without a clue, while Aslatiel, Issei and pretty much everyone else noticed the issue.

Lucina was not wearing a dress… But a suit.

A cool-looking light black suit with a vest of a darker black on the torso, black gloves on her hands. A suit that would make even the plainest guy look cool was hugging the body of the beautiful girl.

Wilhelmina walked up to her and merely placed her hand on Lucina's shoulder.

"LuLu… You won't ever manage to seal the deal like this."

"Eh? Seal the deal?"

Lucina was still confused, by Wilhelmina didn't spend any more time in such banter.

Shortly afterward, Yuuto and Soujirou dressed in tuxedos arrived while dragging a Gasper that had been basically forced into a male suit, much to everyone's (besides Wilhelmina's) relief.

However, the next person to appear was briefly unrecognizable.

Wearing an elegant black dress with exposed shoulders and a shawl, long black hair reaching the middle of her back with relatively long but neatly arranged bangs on her forehead, two sections tied into low tails hanging before her shoulders, reaching below her chest and sharp violet eyes behind a pair of spectacles, she was surely a beauty. In fact, that face was clearly recognizable to most of the present.

"S-Sona-nee…?" A blushing Aslatiel said by reflex.

"It has been a while, Aslatiel. You look good." Indeed, she was Sona Sitri. That face was unmistakable, and the rest of her peerage members were right beside her.

However, even aside from her entirely new hairstyle, there were some key differences in the current Sona compared to her self from four weeks ago.

One, she was definitely taller. She had grown at least two centimeters and probably four.

But even so, the definite difference was of course… Her now very curvy and well-proportioned physique.

(Could she be as big as Serafall-sama now…? A-And those legs peeking under her skirt…)

""J-Just what happened to you!?"" Both Aslatiel and Rias exclaimed at once.

Despite being prepared mentally for such a reaction, Sona still felt slightly uncomfortable and nervous by the gazes on her.

"W-Well… Let's just say that the way I was handling my demonic power was not the best… By restraining a certain power of mine and leaving it utterly buried, the growth of my body was somewhat atrophied. However, thanks to Asura-kun's training, I basically had to accept and use that power of mine. As a result… My body has undergone some kind of growth spurt by developing all it couldn't during the time I restrained that power…"

Aslatiel's and Rias' faces were the epitomes of confusion.

""Atrophy that growth spurt… What?""

"G-Geez…! D-Do I look so weird?" Sobs looked genuinely worried.

However, such a worry couldn't exist in Aslatiel's mind.

"W-Weird!? How come!? You look beauti… E-Ehem. You look… Very beautiful, Sona-nee." Recovering his calm and cool after a brief lapse, Aslatiel genuinely praised her.

Sons blushed in shyness, but did look happy.

"I-I see… Thank you for your kind words."

The awkward atmosphere didn't last much longer, as everyone's attention was taken away by sudden whirlwinds and a large tremor.

Soon, a butler came out to the yard.

"Tannin-sama and his peerage have arrived."

"Oh! He really came!" Issei exclaimed happily.

"I-Ise? What do you mean?" Rias asked, representing the intrigue in everyone aside from him.

"I managed to speak with Tannin-ossan yesterday and he agreed to take us to the party!"

No one could really believe this until they ran to the garden.

Along with Tannin himself in his Dragon form, there were 10 other Dragons of similar size with him.

"I came here as promised, Issei Hyoudou." He said in an echoing voice.

"Yeah! Thanks, Ossan!"

Issei was quite happy, but his smile widened upon seeing another arrival. Despite only a few recognizing her, everyone was shocked by the appearance of the beautiful, yet Tannin-sized Dragon of royal blue scales.

Despite landing on her four legs rather than bipedally like Tannin, Tiamat's size was still very apparent.

"Back off, Tannin. I'll be the one to carry the lad." Despite the echo, Tiamat's voice was still feminine and beautiful.

"Coach came as well!" Issei exclaimed in happiness.

"T-Tiamat...! The Dragon King known even as a Primordial Goddess of Mesopotamia!" Lucina, Rias and Sona clearly recognized her, while everyone else still understood her status by such an explanation.

"Y-You… Why did you have to come as well!?" Releasing an incredibly powerful aura, Tannin roared in anger.

Tiamat merely closed one of her eyes as if bothered by the noise.

"Come on, Tannin. Is that really how you feel? But well, if it culminated in the spoiled baby from long ago becoming this splendid, I guess it's worth it to be resented like this."

Tannin's aura suddenly faltered due to her casual words. If something like that could be even noticed, his face would've probably turned red in a flash.

"Wha…? Wh-Who was spoiled!?"

"Ara? So you weren't always sticking close behind me, going 'Miss Tiamat! Miss Tiamat!' every time I did something?"

"Hee… So Ossan was like that in the past?" Issei reacted with a fair amount of curiosity.

"W-Wait! Don't go believing that, Issei Hyoudou! Miss Tia… T-Tiamat is only saying that to shame me!"

They're just… Like younger brother and older sister…

Everyone thought at that moment.

"Hm? Oh… So he's here too…"

Tiamat muttered upon seeing Aslatiel stealthily attempting to escape.

Only a downward hand swipe, like one would use with a mosquito, was required. Opening her fingers just enough to not touch him, Tiamat blocked his escape route.

"Don't you even think of it." Her dark blue eyes glowed with a dangerous glint.

"H-Hello there… Lady Tiamat…" Seeing his life flashing before his eyes for a moment, Aslatiel spoke with a trembling voice.

"Heh… I really have things to talk about and catch up with you, but I'll leave it until later. As for the rest of you, don't worry about riding on our backs or heads. Tannin, his family and I will place a barrier on us so that pretty hair and dresses won't get messed up by the wind. It would indeed be a shame for such a group of beauties to get all unsightly before the party."

"I-I see… Th-Thank you, Lady Tiamat…" Rias' nervousness had decreased a bit due to the blue Dragon's nice tone.

Thus, the people of Aslatiel's, Rias' and Sona's groups started to get one the Dragons' backs and heads, ready for departure. As they did so, Aslatiel suddenly addressed Sona.

"I almost forgot to ask, but Sona-nee, Asura didn't come with you all?"

"He said he had something to take care of first, and told us to go on ahead. I didn't want to pry, so I left him to it. He will still go to the party, he said, but only a bit late." Sona spoke calmly.

"I see…"

Hearing this, Aslatiel and Sona got on Tannin's back and all of the Dragons took off.

---

Such a departure didn't go unnoticed.

After all, the three figures at the top of a hill around 100 meters from the place of take off had clearly watched everything.

The young girl with orangish blonde hair kept a serious face as she looked at only one particular person, this person being the blonde-haired girl in the masculine black suit. Her small hands covered in white gloves rubbed against each other behind her back.

"Er… S-Sylvia-chan… If you keep staring so conspicuously we'll end up being discovered…"

A boy who looked around the age of Issei or Aslatiel, with brown hair and yellow eyes, tried to reach for the girl who was probably around one year younger than him.

"Lucina-oneesama looks really happy. I'll kill you if you don't allow me to have my fill of this sight, Syaoran."

Only those words were required for the male to back off.

"We should get going to the party, Sylvia. After that, we should wait for orders from Euclid-sama." Next was a girl with long black hair and maroon eyes. She looked at the departing Dragons with a scope on an M24 SWS she held without difficulty.

"Nu-uh~! Why should Sylvia listen to orders from that boot-licker? I won't listen to anything other than what Rizevim-sama and Lucina-oneesama say~!" The blonde girl said as she happily skipped around.

"Sylvia! This is no moment to be childish! This operation is—"

The black-haired girl couldn't finish her sentence. After all, a metal stick similar to a drumstick with a pointed tip was quickly thrust before her, stopping just short of piercing her neck without the girl being able to react. She saw the green eyes of the blonde girl looking straight at her.

"Listen here, Na-Mi. Even though I follow Rizevim-sama's general guidelines, he doesn't boss me around. No one is allowed to boss me around, except for Onee-sama. If you try to do it again, Sylvia will kill ya~! Is that ok?"

As always, neither Na-Mi nor Syaoran could say anything in response. In truth, the three of them were close in ability, but for some reason, they couldn't picture this girl as failing to kill someone she truly wanted to murder.

That's how much they feared Sylvia Marbas.

"Ah~ Well then, let us go to the party! You two can wait for Shitty Euclid's orders as much as you want, just don't try to stop me when I want to go~!" Saying this, black wings sprouted from Sylvia's back and she flew on.

Unable to leave a member of their squad by herself, Aina and Syaoran followed short suit, sprouting similar bat-like wings. All the while, fear still fresh in their minds.

---

Standing atop of a rock cliff covered in moss in the Sitri territory, Asura, who was dressed rather casually in an otherwise elegant black blazer-and-pants suit over a gray shirt, just looked at the night sky of the Underworld and freely listened to the sounds of nature. His bizarrely-colored hair was tied into a small ponytail at the back, giving him a different aura from usual.

He was completely alone, and no trace of his usual cheerful smile was in his face at this time. His eyes narrowed just short of a disinterested frown, he felt no need to lie to himself.

Such a sight was completely different from that time, but the silence helped him reminisce certain things he would never forget, even should he fall to the depths of hell.

---

The evening was bright, if a bit cloudy, but not enough to rain. Greenery spread throughout the horizon, and a long river full of fish made a relaxing sound.

Even the grass in this place was almost devoid of cumbersome rocks, so one would probably be able to run freely if one so desired.

"Mama! Mama!" A young boy ran in a certain direction across the field. He looked to be no older than nine years, with brilliant, yet untidy black hair and large purplish pink eyes.

In his line of sight stood a beautiful woman who still had a down-to-earth feel to her looks. Long black hair in a low ponytail reaching her thighs and purplish pink eyes, she was clearly related to the boy. Her face that was consumed by worry before suddenly became surprised.

"Kai! Where were you!? You worried me sick!"

The boy didn't pay attention to this. He continued to smile brightly, covered in mud here and there, and showed her what he was carrying on his hands. Red, blue and gray in color, it was still in good state.

"I found it! I really did!" The boy cheerfully jumped and snuggled close to his mother.

"I-Isn't that…?" The woman looked genuinely surprised by the finding of the boy named Kai.

"Mm! The first big boy toy I got from Mama! Remember that I lost it… U-Um… Th-The day before yesterday! Well, Kari told me she had seen it by the river! And here it is!"

The woman bit her lip. The boy looked so happy at finding such an inconsequential thing. She could always buy him the same toy robot again, but the boy wouldn't give up on the first one he had gotten from 'Mama'.

"… You sweet boy. You were gone since morning… Don't worry me like that again, please…"

She couldn't even be angry, and was just relieved at her son's safety. Without thinking of anything else, she knelt and hugged the boy close to herself, as if to never let him go again.

"Mama?" The boy's face looked confused, but he loved getting hugs from his mother, so he hugged her back tightly with a bright smile.

The woman held back tears as she smiled as well. Releasing the boy from her embrace, she looked at him with a tender gaze.

"To get so attached to that robot… I've really been a bad Mama, haven't I? If I could only give you what you really need… If only 'he' could stay with us more time…"

She was briefly startled by a touch on her hand. Leaving the robot on the floor for a moment, Kai held his mother's right hand with both of his own.

"Um… I don't really need anything else. That robot is the one Mama chose and bought for me that time, but I only really need Mama. I love Mama, so if she stays with me forever, I'm happy!" The boy said with utter and innocent truth in his smile.

The mother could only respond in the same way, holding her son's hand tightly.

"Kai… I love you too, so much." She hugged the boy again, and the boy hugged her back.

"Well, should we sing a song to celebrate that you found Mr. Robot?" She proposed on a whim, knowing how much the boy liked her singing.

"E-Eh? Um… But Mama's pretty voice will end up held back by mine…" Embarrassed, the boy shrank back.

"Nonsense. Come on let's do it once and then again before bed. Let's start… Lille Petter Edderkopp han klatret på min hatt~ Så begynte det å regne og Petter ned han datt~ (Little Peter Spider climbed upon my hat~ Then it began to rain and down Peter fell flat~)"

Shy, the boy still sang with a cute voice.

"Så kom solen og skinte på min hatt~ Da ble det liv i Petterkopp som klatret på min hatt~ (Then came the sun and shone upon my hat~ Then Peter Spider came to life, and climbed upon my hat~)"

They walked home while holding hands, singing all the songs they knew. Sometimes taking turns, sometimes at once.

They were really happy, those days.

Indeed, Kai thought of those as his happier days.

---

"Are you done staring into the nothing?"

A strong voice sounded behind Asura, causing him to turn around calmly.

It was a remarkably tall and handsome man who appeared to be in his mid-twenties, dressed like a gruff biker. His chin-length dark gray hair looked hard and steel-like, and his irises were of an unusual yellow color.

"I guess so. I was only reminiscing, but I never thought you would pursue me all the way to the Underworld." Asura had a small smile in his face, but his narrowed eyes communicated only undying hatred toward this man.

"Camilla Vinterfeldt was safely slain eight years ago, and you should have been as well. You have been an elusive rat for a long time, but you will die here today, Kai Vinterfeldt." As he spoke calmly, the man extended his right hand. A blood-red spear with an ominous design and more than two meters in length swiftly manifested and was grasped tightly.

"The oh-so-mighty Murugan sure has fallen low, to so keenly attack women and children. Would it be ok if I called you 'Bhai'?" Asura grinned as he entered his Forsaken God Mode, bright golden aura swelling around him and his irises turning golden.

"Don't you dare call me that, vulgar half-breed." As the man narrowed his eyes in anger, an even stronger golden aura was emitted from his own body.

Asura chuckled as he placed his feet firm on the ground.

He was shivering. He knew, but couldn't stop it. Even so, he had spent his life preparing for such an opportunity, so he wouldn't back off and was determined to not be the weak child again.

"Very well. This Kai Vinterfeldt, Asura, will accept the challenge of Kartikeya, Hindu God of War. Let there be no regrets on any side, though I doubt anyone who loses will have the chance for regrets. But above all, let's have fun~!" Feeling excitement even more than his fear, Asura summoned a sword to his right hand while the other loosened the black tie at his neck.

"Arrogant to the end… Let's see how much 'fun' you get once you join your mother in death."

Without any more words being spoken, the death match began.