One night, before all of this went down, and I was still just a mere otaku, I giddily opened the package that I had just received from the post office.

I ripped it open, but what was inside wasn't my Milky Spiral Seven figurine.

It appeared to be a small dagger in the shape of a lance. It was solid gold with a purple sphere on its end.

"Shit!" I exclaimed. "What the hell is this!?"

I checked the invoice. It said it was the figurine I ordered, ID number and all.

I sighed. "I guess I'll have to contact the post office. Must have been a mixup."

I had trouble sleeping. I spent good money on that figurine and I'm not gonna let someone else get it!

However, in the middle of the night, I woke up to a weird clattering noise in my room.

I sat up and saw the unthinkable. A golden dragon had its head poking through my window and trying to get at my dresser with its hand!

I immediately cowered against the wall.

"I'm sorry. No cause for alarm. You must be the one I was sent to."

I was now shocked and confused.

"That thing you just received. I am sealed within it. I was lured by the presence of another dragon's spirit nearby… along with those smut magazines."

I looked down and found the doujinshi stash I had hidden under my bed scattered across the floor.

"Hey!"

"I apologize. My name is Fafnir. I was merely curious about your panties after I found out of you shared my cultured taste."

"Cultured taste? You're saying you actually enjoy that too?"

"Let's just say a master I once had rubbed off on me. But something has happened to him… and I have been searching for over 15 years to find someone who truly understands this…"

I then woke up.

I looked under my bed.

I sighed in relief. No dragon had been messing with my doujinshi collection.

But I noticed something about the dagger. The jewel on it had a pulsing light on it.

I grabbed it, and suddenly felt a rush of energy flow through me and the pulsing stopped. What is this thing?

I wanted to see if the Occult Research Club at my school could take at look at it, but I had my doubts.

I knew the President of that club was a hoity-toity princess and it was common knowledge I was just a filthy otaku. I doubt she would have any business with me.

I was about to enter, but I decided to wait until I got some more rest.

As I was walking home that evening with Makoto, I noticed a rustling in the forest.

"Let's check it out," I suggested as I ran in.

I was immediately thinking this was a bad idea. Snakes? Tigers?

I don't actually think there's tigers in here.

"Hello young lady…" a suspicious man said

I looked around and noticed a man and two other suspicious figures behind me!

"Are you by any chance in possession of the Downfall Dragon Spear?" he continued.

"The Downfall what now?"

"An artificial Sacred Gear created by Azazel that has the dragon Fafnir sealed within it."

Fafnir!? That was the name of that dragon I saw in the dream.

This is bad! I have people going after me for that! They were probably the guys who got my figurine!

I began to run off, but I then experienced an extreme pain coursing from my abdomen!

I looked down to find a spear made of pure light run right through me!

The wound was pouring out blood. I was beginning to feel dizzy. What followed was a blur of teal and red light.

The next thing I knew, I was sleeping on Makoto's couch.

"Are you alright, Kiryuu?"

Sitting next to me was none other than the Occult Research Club's President, Rias Gremory.

"Rias-senpai? Were you the one who saved me?"

"I was about to. I was actually trying to contact Makoto when I noticed he was being attacked and you were injured. Turns out he was the one who saved you."

Makoto actually saved me. I didn't really think too much about those healing powers he used on that girl earlier that afternoon. Who knew he actually had a heart?

"If he didn't use his healing powers on you, I would have likely had to use eight of these on you and turn you into a devil like me to save your life."

Wait. She's a devil!? I'm getting hit with the head with weird shit.

I shook my head. "What is that!?"

"That's an Evil Piece based off a chess piece that can reincarnate others into a devil. This may be a mere Pawn piece, but Akeno noticed a powerful spirit within you. Eight of these would have easily made you a powerful devil, but I don't wish to force someone to reject their humanity who does not need to…"

"I'll do it!" I exclaimed.

"Pardon?"

"That sounds badass! I can't waste an opportunity like this!"

"Are you nuts, Aika?" Yuuto exclaimed to me. "You can't take them all singlehandedly!"

"Do you all want to know the real reason why I bought all those panties?"

"Do we really want to know?" Koneko replied to me. "You make Makoto look pure…"

"I think Aika is about to prove to us why I chose to use all my Pawn pieces on her…" the President commented.

I raised my Downfall Dragon Spear and pushed down the jewel on top.

Just as I have practiced in private by myself, the Downfall Dragon Spear began to light up.

"BALANCE BREAK!"

Light began to envelop my vision. The goons with Conjured Armor could tell something was going on and began attacking us as I said that.

However, they were suddenly stopped by a massive barrier that was preventing them from approaching us.

As they were fruitlessly attacking the barrier, I dramatically stretched out my arms and reflected the energy of those attacks back at them as my transformation had completed!

"DOWNFALL DRAGON ANOTHER ARMOR!"

The redirected attack destroyed several of the goons' armor, but they were still coming at us.

Originally, I had little-to-no offensive capability, or skills, for that matter. But with this Balance Breaker, and its golden-purple armor, I can now take the fight to them!

I punched right through the next goon like she was made of plaster and then proceeded to take care of the next three with similar ease.

However, I was not the only one taking care of them, as my advance brought newfound courage to our Rooks.

I noticed Hagane took on two at a time and eventually defeated both of them.

Koneko also managed to critically damage several enemies that I proceeded to finish off.

We eventually managed to clear the exit.

"Everyone, let's go!" the President said, and they rushed out the front door on my lead.

Saji rushed Sona out of the cabin.

"Who are you!?" I asked.

"I guess you don't notice the family resemblance. I am Rahab Amon. I was sent to assassinate Sitri and the White Dragon. Both of which this blade I've acquired is capable of handling."

She then charged at me and we clashed blades again. It was clear that her blade was superior to mine, as its aura was putting an extraordinary amount of weight onto my Excalibur Mimic.

Even disregarding that, I was struggling to keep up with her movements. With Freed Sellzen, his movements were so chaotic I could just BS my way through a fight with him for a while.

Not with her. It was like she was one step ahead of me in terms of her movements. It was like I was fighting Yuuto or Xenovia.

Not only that, but we were in too close of quarters for me to use my Retribution magic. I would cause damage to the train and put myself and the rest of us in danger.

Eventually, she caught me off guard and managed to nick my right arm.

The strike caused a searing-hot pain to course through me, making me drop my sword.

Her next swing would finish me off, except…

That swing was deflected by Xenovia and her Durandal!

"Took you long enough…" I said.

"We had to convince Serafall against blowing up the train…"

Asia rushed to my aid, healing the wound that Rahab had incurred.

"Are you alright!?" she said. "You looked like you were in a lot of pain…"

"I am alright now."

"It's good you came as quickly as you did." Albion said. "That strike would have been bad if left untreated."

"What was with that?" I asked. "I thought holy swords were only deadly against devils."

"Ascalon is a special dragon-slayer holy sword. That is likely why she specifically stole that one."

"Oh, good grief," I said. "That's just what I needed today. Dragon-slaying weapons."

Xenovia was obviously a much more even matchup against Rahab, especially with Durandal.

"Impressive!" Rahab said to her. "Now that's more like it!"

Xenovia kept putting the pressure on her. Her sheer aggression was almost Rook-like.

The only thing keeping her from having a clear edge was Rahab's sheer mobility. What was she, anyway?

"You seem to want to chase me," Rahab said. "Alright then!"

Both of their holy swords clashed once again, but right after that, Rahab broke off and began to run away.

"Hey!" Xenovia exclaimed as she ran after her.

Asia and I followed after the two of them.

She continued running until she reached a certain compartment of the train.

Through that door was Rossweisse and, more importantly, Serafall.

"Hello!" Serafall said, cheerfully. "You must be the trespasser!"

"A Valkyrie and a Demon Lord…" Rahab commented, "Yeah. I'll stick with the power idiot."

Rahab turned around, but Xenovia was already right behind her and her strike launched Ascalon right out of her left arm and sent it crashing out one of the train windows.

The strike also injured her arm, prompting her to swiftly run out of the newly opened window and flew away with her devil wings.

All of us jumped out the window after her and we all landed right next to a lakeside.

I had to take a second to let this new setting soak in. It was familiar, yet the sky was a purplish hue. It was an astonishing uncanny valley.

"Shoot!" Serafall said. "She's gone!"

"How could she get that far that quickly?" Saji said. "She's a devil and she got injured by a holy sword!"

"Something tells me it isn't that simple." Rossweisse said.

"Speaking of holy swords…" I said as I was looking around.

I had found where Rahab had dropped Ascalon several meters away.

"Well, that's definitely one objective complete!" Xenovia said as I picked it up.

"Let's keep going!" Sona said, pointing towards a large nearby settlement. "The Gremory territory is just up ahead!"

We continued forward on my lead, our group plowing through scattered enemies that tried to get in our way.

Eventually we made it to a courtyard. We were clear of enemies for the moment, which was good, because that was where my energy had been spent and my Balance Breaker dissolved.

I was carrying the Spear. "Fafnir is sensing another dragon spirit nearby…"

"Makoto?" Akeno exclaimed.

"That's a relief," the President said. "Hopefully, that means he is okay."

However, this calm was short-lived as several enemies began to surround us all at once. Some of them had Conjured Armor, some of them were mages, devils, and fallen angels in the sky about to rain hellfire upon us. Some of them had Holy Demonic Swords!

"How!?" Yuuto exclaimed as those swordsmen emerged. He was ready to fight them all singlehandedly.

"Hey, Yuuto! Now's not the time for another episode!" I said.

"We're about to die anyway…"

We then heard ferocious laughter from up in the sky.

It was that blonde-headed traitor angel from earlier, Iblis, I believe.

Except her ten wings were black. What happened!?

"So, this is where the legendary familia of Gremory falls!" she exclaimed. "It will truly be a fight to remember, though…"

"I can not fall!" Akeno exclaimed.

"Not before I have the chance to tell Makoto how I feel!"

Okay, that was out of the blue. Did Akeno just confess her love!?

"Akeno?" the President said in astonishment.

Iblis scoffed, "Then you will die braver than most… Kill them!"

The mob of enemies began to charge at us.

But not for long, as they were engulfed in flames as someone cried out "Fire Shot!" But it wasn't Ravel!

"Your savior is here!"

Lady Leviathan leapt into the air and threw a peace sign. She was wearing that cosplay from earlier.

One group of flying enemies charged after her but were quickly stopped by a surge of multicolored energy from a silver-haired woman from a ways off.

Another group charged after us and were about to attack us, but they were also stopped by massive surge of lightning.

"Father?" Akeno exclaimed.

It was Baraqiel! He then flew down to get between her and the mob of enemies.

"If you want to kill my daughter, you are going to have to get through me first!"

"I knew it!" Lady Leviathan cheered.

One of the swordsmen attacked him, but he was quickly stopped in his tracks by a mysterious cord.

"Gotcha!" Saji exclaimed, holding out his arm holding his Sacred Gear.

"Thank you, Saji!" Xenovia said as she took the swordsman out with Durandal.

The Class President stood next to him. "Excellent move…"

He squeed, "Thank you, Class President!"

The family reunion continued as Suzaku suddenly showed up along with Sirzechs.

Sirzechs took out the last of the flying enemies with devastating destruction magic while Suzaku used her fire magic on the enemies with Conjured Armor.

However, despite her magic not being Holy nor Demonic, it still did no damage.

"What?"

"Ah~, what a touching family reunion!" Iblis spitefully said. "However, that doesn't change the fact that none of you can get past Conjured Armor!"

"How did you reproduce Conjured Armor and the Holy Demonic Sword?" Sirzechs questioned.

"All I'll disclose is that we have someone researching Sacred Gears and other abilities. Now our Conjured Armor deflects all forms of occult magic."

Suzaku scoffed.

I am out of juice for my Balance Breaker and Hagane and Koneko are exhausted. We are nearly out of options.

Nearly.

Soon after, we saw a someone rush in almost in a blur and tap each and every remaining enemy with Conjured Armor with a blade.

He then appeared in front of us – it was Makoto! And he had gotten Ascalon back!

"You!" Iblis sneered.

"Your technique better work this time…" Koneko commented.

"What are you talking about?" the President said.

"It better," he said.

"ARMOR BREAK!"

He snapped his finger.

A magic circle appeared on all of their armor, and, one by one, their armor began to shatter.

Along with their clothes. All that was left was their underwear.

We did learn one thing. All of them were girls. I guess that was a caveat during their research.

They all screamed and ran away.

Makoto cringed. "Sorry…"

"My disappointment is immeasurable," Koneko commented.

"Well…" Sirzechs commented, "That was certainly unrefined, but an astounding technique nonetheless."

"I hope for all our sakes that I can refine it."

The President sighed. "It's great to see you again, Makoto."

Meanwhile, Akeno began to giggle uncontrollably.

Iblis meanwhile, was ravenously fuming. "That's IT! I will not be made a fool by this White Dragon wannabe!"

She held up her spear and pointed it at the ground. It began to emanate a violent aura.

"I am going to make the Gremory territory a CRATER!"

Okay. That's it. We're doomed.

But then there was a streak of dark energy that went past us, creating a massive gust of wind.

The woman held aloft by red wings of energy who emerged from that energy caught Iblis' hand before she flung it into the ground.

"Halja!" Makoto exclaimed.

"You are all lucky you caught me in a good mood. Especially you… Iblis."

"But… milady-"

"Do not 'milady,' me. You should know the scripture."

"I was about to defeat the White Dragon Emperor for you, Lady Halja."

"He is mine to defeat. And destroying the territory I intend to conquer is hardly a victory. You have become just like Kokabiel – a bloodthirsty moron."

Iblis was mad, but she knew she was in no position to stop her.

"Come back with me before I change my mind about sparing your life," Halja said, and then turned to Makoto. "I look forward to our next battle, White Dragon Emperor."

Makoto charged forward, apparently ready to face her now, but they both vanished in a flash of red light.

"Relax, Makoto." Sirzechs said. "I will help you train to be much more prepared to fight her when the time comes."

Makoto nodded.

Shortly after Halja slipped through my fingers once again, and everybody cleaned up the mess Iblis had made, which took no time at all thanks to the power of magic, we all went to have Dinner.

As we arrived at the Dinner table, we were greeted by a woman and what I assumed to be her son.

She was quite beautiful. She was well-figured and had brown hair and violet eyes. I had never met her before, but her presence seemed oddly familiar.

"Oh. You must be Makoto Fujiwara. It a pleasure to meet you."

Not gonna lie. I was kinda entranced by her.

"Nice to meet you, too"

Rias cleared her throat. "Evening, Mother."

"It's so good to see you, Rias, dear! How have you been?" she said, hugging her.

Oh, that's why she seemed familiar. That's her mom. I guess Matsuda and Motohama were right.

Her mom turned back to me. "I am Venelana Gremory, Rias mother. She has told me so much about you…"

She looked a bit embarrassed by that, but also… a bit sad?

Shortly after we finished eating, Yuma, who had arrived with Irina earlier, said, "Excuse me, Akeno. Can we speak in private?"

"Absolutely!"

They went into a private room for what seemed to be a long time. I went up there to check on them, and they had just emerged of the room. It looks like they had quite the heart-to-heart.

"Tell him how you feel…"

They nodded to each other and began walking together to a common room where Baraqiel was sitting alone. I was tailing them and listened in behind a corner.

"F-Father? There's something I want to tell you…"

"I'm listening…"

"…I'm sorry I ran away. I despised you… for so long… never truly understanding how you felt…"

There were tears streaming down Akeno's face. Seeing her all of sudden so heartbroken was breaking my heart as well.

"No, Akeno. I should have apologized to you long ago, because I should have been the one to save you. If I acted like a father should and didn't just rely on Gabriel to protect you that day…" he held his head low. "Your mother would still be alive right now…

I am a failure as a father. I don't deserve to be forgiven."

Akeno smiled and then embraced her father.

"But I will forgive you anyway…"

My heart was now going from being broken to melting. After all this time, she finally made amends with her father.

And that smile… After everything I've been through with her… what is this feeling?

"By the way, Makoto, I know you're there…"

I cowered as Akeno said that.

"Thank you, by the way. Your courage to forgive Yuma gave me the courage to speak with my father."

As I turned around to respond, I heard several other people begin to gather behind me.

"Now's your chance!" Aika said, who was accompanied by Asia, Yuuto, Koneko, Ravel, Irina, and Xenovia. "Tell her how you feel!"

"Now!?"

"Aika had the brilliant idea of telling the President that her mom wanted to talk with her," Yuuto said. "So, you now have the chance to speak with either of them in private."

"Is this really a good time?"

"We all know there is never a 'good time' for you and romance," Koneko said, "That's what we are here for."

Koneko nudged me into the room.

"Makoto? Is there something you want to tell me?" Akeno said.

"Well… I guess so."

"That's funny. I have something to say to you too."

"Well…" I had to collect myself. "Akeno… I… like you."

I could hear Koneko mutter "Wow, that's smooth," in the background.

Akeno giggled. "Could you repeat that for me, please?"

I breathed in. "I am in love with you, Akeno!"

Before I could finish that, she charged into me and kissed me.

"My, my. I was going to say the exact same thing to you,"

She turned to Baraqiel. "What do you think, Father? Do you approve?"

"I doubt I could do anything to stop you either way," he said. "But yes, I am more than okay with you being with Makoto."

"It's official then, Makoto. We are now boyfriend and girlfriend!"

I then heard another's footsteps enter the room.

It was Rias. Her face looked downcast.

Oh no. I'm now starting to have second thoughts. Did I go too fast? Should I have waited a few more story arcs before making a confession?

I began walking towards her.

"Rias, I'm sorry-"

Rias then ran towards me and embraced me. I could feel the tears streaming down her face.

"I'm so happy for you two!"

"Y- You're not mad?"

"I was jealous initially because of the feelings I shared for you, but I realized these past couple days that Akeno deserves you more. Her feelings for you run much deeper than mine. I just couldn't get in the way of your love for each other."

I hugged Rias back.

"I still love you, Rias. Even if it's a different form of love."

"Thank you, Makoto. I wish you and Akeno much happiness together."

"You know, you can always have an affair with Makoto if you want. I wouldn't mind…"

"That isn't something a girlfriend should be saying!" Rias and I exclaimed simultaneously.

"I would suggest giving the new couple some time alone…" Baraqiel suggested.

"Wait a second," I interjected. "You guys realize I can't do the thing normal couples typically do since I'm an angel, right?"

"I know," said Rias. "I just want you and Akeno to have this moment together before we have to go back."

She turned to the corner, "That goes for all of you too! Give the two of them some privacy for a few minutes!"

All of them stood up.

"Yes, President!" Aika exclaimed.

As all of them left the room. The two of us finally had some time alone.

"I guess we are boyfriend and girlfriend…" I said.

"Y'know, Summer Break is coming up very soon," she said. "Why don't we use that time to have an extra-special first date?"

"Sounds like a plan."

She giggled and hugged me. "I love you, Makoto."

"I love you too, Akeno."

That was a sentence I didn't know I would ever say to someone. I guess I really have changed over this short time I've been in the Occult Research Club.

"Welcome home!" Mom said. "The rest of the meeting went well, all things considered."

"That's great," Rias said. "We had to deal with Iblis, but we managed to fend her off."

"As expected of such fine individuals,"

Rias' peerage went ahead and got all their stuff unpacked and I handed Ascalon back to my mother.

"I managed to get this back."

"Excellent!" Mom said. "Do you find out who took it?"

"Her name was Rahab Amon – probably related to Milcom." I said. "What was weird is that she was injured by Xenovia's Durandal, but, even though she's a devil, she didn't seem to be phased that much."

"That is odd indeed. We definitely need to keep an eye out for her."

"Hey! You can't be just crash here like this without permisson!" I heard Yuma yell out. "And you can't just steal Makoto's dress shirt while he's gone!"

"Ah, but it's just too comfy, nya."

"Oh no. Not her."

"Who? Yuma?" I asked Koneko.

"No, Romeo. Her."

Kuroka was sleeping soundly on the couch. As Yuma suggested, she was wearing my dress shirt. Only my dress shirt.

"Good grief…"

"So, you'll be staying here, Yuma?" Rias asked.

"I guess I will," she replied. "If only to keep her from causing any mischief while she's freeloading."

"She's not the only one who's sticking around," Mom commented.

"This is hopeless!"

Rossweisse was in a fetal position on the chair nearby, sobbing.

"Lord Odin went back without me!"

Rias and I went up to her.

"It's going to be okay, Rossweisse," she said.

"No it's not! There is only one possible reason that Lord Odin keeps leaving me behind like this – I am a failure virgin of a Valkyrie! I am fired for sure!"

Rias looked at me. That must mean she has a plan. I had a plan, myself. The both of us nodded.

"Tell me, Rossweisse," Rias said to her. "What do you want to work as?"

Rias' soothing voice appeared to calm her down a bit. She wiped her eyes and said, "Well, I always wanted to be a teacher. I may not look it, but I have actually graduated school already and am qualified to teach."

You're joking. She looks about Rias' age, but she apparently already graduated university.

"Well, what if I told you I can get you a job teaching at the school I go to?"

Rossweisse's eyes lit up. "You can!?"

"Mm-hm!" Rias replied, and somehow had summoned Mom, who was holding several documents, "I assure you that the salary and benefits that you received pale in comparison to what our family offers."

Mom handed Rossweisse the documents.

"Wow!" she exclaimed. "This dwarfs even the jobs in Valhalla!"

"We are looking for talented people like you to work at our school," Rias said.

She seems to be sold, but I have some incentives of my own to sell her on.

"Speaking of talent, I am looking for a powerful magic user like yourself to be part of my group," I said. "Mother, get me one of my Rook pieces."

"Are you sure one Rook is going to be enough?" Rias said. "She is quite the powerful Valkyrie."

"It's worth a shot. All I know is her powers make her a lethal turret. If not, I can use the second one as well."

"Thank you, Makoto. Ever since I met you at that bar, you seemed like such a kind person. It would be an honor to be part of your guard."

Mother handed me one of my Rook pieces and she had the other on standby.

She accepted the Rook piece and began to emanate a golden glow as the piece merged within her.

Shortly after, a halo and angel wings emerged!

"Well done!" Rias said. "Your affinity as a master has grown!"

Rossweisse stood up, and announced "Hello everyone. My name is Rossweisse, a former Valkyrie. The superior benefits of the Underworld and the superior management of Heaven have convinced me to reincarnate into an angel. Nice to meet you!"

Everyone, including Kuroka, who was still half-asleep, was applauding.

"You're going to like working here with us!" Irina commented. Xenovia nodded.

"I must say, Makoto," Rias said to me as everyone dispersed, except for Kuroka, who was still sleeping on the couch. "For an angel you have quite the devilish power of persuasion."

"What can I say? I have my friendship with you to thank."

Rias was blushing.

"Hey," she began to ask, "Even though you're in a relationship with Akeno now, you don't mind if I continue to help scatter your dragon spirit, do you?"

"Not at all…" I responded.

"My, my. I guess you are planning an affair."

Akeno butted in.

"Not now, Akeno," Rias said. "We're simply trying to sort out our duties with the dragon spirit."

"I'm kidding. Rias still deserves some affection every now and then~"

Akeno pecked my cheek and left the room. "I can't wait for our date!"

"Goodness. She never changes," Rias commented. "Well, except for the matter with her father, which I thank you for helping settle."

"Hey. If there's someone in need. I'm more than willing to help them!"

Summer Break is about to come up. Not only do I have my date with Akeno to look forward to, but hopefully Sirzechs is going to help me get stronger.

Halja! The next time I see your face, I will obliterate you!