Returning to school proved a welcome break from the madness. Many people no doubt longed for a life of adventure and action, but after being smashed into concrete and killing a fourteen foot demon lady, Issei was ready for some mundane academia. Homework and lessons were a breeze anyhow thanks to his Sacred Gear, which meant he could mostly just slack off and relax. True to Georg's words, no one really questioned his sudden disappearance or reappearance. He might've well have had a sick day for all that it seemed to impact anything. The downtime meant some breathing room to sort his thoughts in order.

He'd done it. He'd really done it. Abella was gone, his friends were avenged, but where did that leave him? Killing Abella had been his one true goal this whole time and now that he'd done it he felt a little bit lost. His mind was still in turmoil over everything. Once he had had time to sleep, eat, and take a breather he was able to compartmentalize his thoughts. His team intentionally blindsided him in order for them to manipulate him. He didn't need to be a genius to figure that out.

That created an issue though. This web of lies and guilt was killing him, and he didn't want to live the rest of his days like this. But perhaps there was a way to remedy this problem. Issei leaned forward on his desk as the teacher droned on. Maybe he could strive for peace between their groups. If the church could work with actual devils, then surely they could stomach a team of heroes just looking to do good, right? The bigger issue was convincing the others to his side.

Beaufort would be the biggest hold out, and Ajax wasn't the type to listen to anyone but himself. If he could just bring them an example of how positive a relationship between their groups would be…

Something flicked him in the back of the head. With a hiss, he turned to see Aika there with a coy grin on her face. "Master Blaster," she greeted.

"Pervy Glasses," he shot back. "Miss me?"

"Oh please, you've only been gone for like a day. I can survive without your love for a few hours, thank you very much."

Right, the spell. Issei felt a little bad about ghosting his sort of girlfriend for so long. But now that his mission was complete, he could actually spend some time with her! The two whispered conspiratorially with one another while the teacher began to wrap up their class.

"Apparently not. You're no doubt yearning for my affection, lost without my manly spirit," he bemoaned dramatically.

Her coy grin widened. "How did you know?"

Ach, he froze for a second. A blush crept over his face as he begrudgingly afforded the first round to her. He kinda walked into that one. Ever since their movie date when they met Asia he was both dreading and anticipating their third date. If Aika was serious, then this could be the moment he lost his v-card! He'd no longer be trapped by the shackles of virginity and relegated to the bottomless pit of other pasty nerds who would never get lucky! He felt confident in saying he knew the ins and outs of the horizontal hokey-pokey, but if there was one thing he learned it was that no amount of experimentation and bookwork could replace practical testing. His performance in the sack aside, the thought reminded him of something.

"Oh, Aika, have you talked to Asia lately?" he had been too distracted to really check in on her.

"Asia? Now that you mention it, I haven't even seen her around since she left with that creep. Donut or whatever his name was."

He snorted. "Alright, I'll see if I can't find her again. It'd be nice for her to make some friends, I think."

"How cute, my noble little knight. Saving damsels in distress and wooing them under his spell," she leaned forward until their faces were almost touching. "Should I feel threatened?"

"Well, I wouldn't mind a harem."

She flicked his forehead again and chuckled. Issei thought he heard something and turned to see his once female-adversaries Katase and Murayama watching them with gleeful expressions on their faces. He cleared his throat and leaned back as the teacher finally finished up the lesson and let the students go. He had no idea why he was so embarrassed, he deserved a bit of PDA after nearly dying. He and Aika exited the classroom and made their way around the halls. They had a free period after their hour and there was no reason he couldn't spend it with his probably-girlfriend.

I hope you guys are looking down at me, Issei sniffed proudly. Don't worry, I'll be sure to lose my virginity for all three of us!

"You okay, Master Blaster?" Aika prodded him with her elbow.

"Fine, thank you. Do you have any idea where you want to go for our next date?"

"Well, I figured I might as well plan this one. How does the aquarium sound?" she leaned on him. "I figured it might be a good place to get a girl wet."

"Eugh, you're nauseating."

"I'm not hearing a no~."

He grunted. "Hmph."

"Aw, my little caveman. I gotta check in with one of my teachers, so I'll see you at lunch, kay?" she leaned forward and planted a kiss on his lips before turning and leaving.

Damn, he was lucky. He had the girl, mystical powers, and friends. It was all he could ask for, and yet there was still so much to do. He could get so much stronger, given time, and his inventions could help the world in so many ways. He couldn't- wouldn't stop here. Not for anything. With a clenched fist, Issei vowed he would one day become the strongest human in the world. Then he could fight off any evil monster that threatened the world.

"That's a serious look," a voice chuckled. Issei looked to see Kiba descending a nearby staircase.

"Kiba! How you doin' man?"

"Pretty good. The president wanted me to invite you to tea at the clubroom. I think she wants to thank you for all your help."

"Aw geez, really?" he smiled and scratched his head. "Well if she insists."

The second floor of Kuoh Academy almost felt like an entirely different school. Typically it was reserved for third years, but it also had a lot of college prep to it. Since the school offered education from kindergarten through college courses, most people who entered it stayed in it. Now though the whole area felt quiet, despite the hustle and bustle downstairs. Issei followed his guide to the familiar doors of the Occult Research Club which he opened to reveal the entire club standing there. Rias seemed engrossed in thought as they entered, but quickly snapped out of it as she noticed him.

"Oh, Issei, thanks for coming. I don't want to take too much of your time," she said politely.

He waved a hand. "It's fine. Thanks to a little bit of magic no one will notice if I'm gone the rest of the day."

"I wondered what that odd vibe was. Anyways, please sit. Akeno is making some of her tea, and I figured it would be a good opportunity for us to talk."

He did so, sitting directly across from the Gremory heiress. With his mind set on his newfound goal to make their groups work together, he felt significantly less paranoid around her than he had before. He'd resolved to try and set his earlier deceit right and offer a helping hand if they needed. The vice president of the club set down a pair of cups for each of them and bowed respectfully before going off to attend something else. It seems the others resolved to merely sit around and idly listen to their conversation.

"How have you been feeling, Issei? I tried my best with my healing magic, but it's really more Akeno's thing than mine," she smiled beatifically.

"Oh, yeah I'm totally good now. I have to thank you for all your help, though. Without you guys there was no way I could beat her on my own," Issei chuckled to himself. "But Kiba said you wanted to talk to me about something?"

She smiled. "Think nothing of it. Believe me, we're just as grateful. You're right in that I wanted to ask you about something."

The woman stood as a pair of bat wings flowed from behind her back. Issei felt a twinge of concern as Rias virtually loomed over him. He could call his suit to him in a moment, but it was still pretty damaged. However, the woman's expression held no trace of malice. Instead, she looked a bit anxious.

"As you know, we are devils. However, not all of us were at one time. In fact, besides Koneko, I am the only naturally born devil in the club."

He blinked. So Akeno and Kiba weren't full-blooded devils? He never would've guessed from how strong they were. The others seemed content to let her explain as they watched on. Issei nodded for her to go on.

"In the Great War between the angels, fallen angels, and devils, a lot of our kind died. Our people were decimated, and many of our noble houses were exterminated in their entirety. If left us with an immense population problem. Devils, due to our long lifespans, do not have many children. And so, we needed a way to increase our number artificially," Rias extended a hand, and a blood red chess piece appeared in her hand. Issei recognized it as a pawn piece. "These are Evil Pieces, a system we designed to turn other living existences into devils. It works on virtually any type of being, even humans."

"So that means Kiba and Akeno are artificial devils?"

"We call them reincarnated devils, but yes."

Wow, with that kind of technology who knows what kind of juicy data he could get out of it. Hell, if he had enough to work with he may have been able to reverse the process. To turn supernatural existences into humans. The thought, while fleeting, struck an unnerving chord in him and he quickly shoved it out of mind. What did that have to do with him though?

"So how do I factor into this?"

Rias giggled to herself. "Because Issei, I want you to join my peerage."

That brought his mind to a screeching halt. Him? A reincarnated devil? Issei sat there, trying to take that very heavy offer in. His answer was no, of course, but how did he word that in a way that didn't offend or raise too much suspicion? He'd dropped enough clues, intentionally or unintentionally, that Rias must've suspected he was working with someone. To offer him an invitation to join her anyhow was either incredibly desperate or she had something else in mind. She was good too, if he had interacted with her less he may have just assumed she hadn't picked up on his hints. As it stood, he still needed to refuse.

After a few moments of silence, he shook his head. "I'm… sorry, but no. I can't accept."

"Are you sure? We of the Gremory household treat our servants like family. Surely you must've seen that?"

"Y-Yes! Of course! I didn't mean to imply anything. You guys are great, really, but it's just…" he sighed. "Irina would kill me, and it would feel like a betrayal of her. But also I think I'd like to remain a human. Even if that makes me weaker than everyone else, that just means getting stronger feels that much more earned, right?"

He thought he could see Kiba smile to himself out of the corner of his eye. Rias didn't get upset, but she didn't look enthused either. From everything he'd seen of her, she wasn't so petulant that she'd attack him for refusing her.

"Does this have to do with the people supporting you?" she asked.

And there it is, he thought with a mental sigh. Even so, he tried to put on a smile. "It does actually. But, uh, not as much as you think. The reasons I gave were totally genuine. Honest. My 'friends' are, well, complicated at the moment. I'm hoping I can figure something out that will benefit us all, in time."

"You mean work with us, openly?" she folded her arms.

"Yeah, hopefully. I get that it's probably a lot to ask, but that's why I want to take it slow. I really don't want to hurt anyone if I don't have to."

She held his stare for long moments before she apparently saw what she was looking for. With a sigh, she nodded. "I understand. If that's what y-"

"But don't misunderstand me!" he stood in front of her, nearly close enough to feel her breath on his collar. "I want to help you guys however I can! You helped me with training, helped me with Abella, and have been great people to me. I want to continue being friends with all of you."

The fact that your club is almost entirely composed of smoking hot babes is irrelevant, he reasoned in his own mind.

He took his hands in hers. "Please, Rias. I want to try and pay you guys back for everything you've given me."

The Occult Club president seemed to think on that for a moment. Issei hoped his feelings reached her. There was no reason they couldn't work together, not when they were all on the same side. They all wanted to protect people and fight the bad guys, so why divide themselves so arbitrarily? Together they could accomplish so much more. Eventually, Rias nodded and gave his hand a small squeeze.

"If you would, Issei, I'd like to ask something of you."

"Anything," he stated resolutely.

"Very soon, there's something coming up for me. It doesn't involve the town, but rather affairs that are my own. I'll be blunt, Issei, the rest of my life is on the line. If I don't win this fight, then," her hands suddenly squeezed much harder.

"Hey, hey, it's cool. You don't have to explain anything to me," he said as softly as he could. "I think I get it."

Some kind of duty as a Gremory. Or some family business he absolutely did not want to put himself in the middle of. Either way, it was important to her.

"Thank you. I just- If you would, please, my team needs an edge. My peerage is much too small, and while we're powerful the man we're going up against is virtually undefeated. Their power is one that's almost impossible to work around."

"What is it?"

"Immortality," the words were heavy, blanketing the room with its oppressive connotations.

He whistled. "That is a problem, isn't it? I might be able to make something to counteract it, but not without a proper scan of such an ability in action. There's a lot that could change what I need to do."

"It's not that. I know you can replicate holy light using your Longinus, putting such power into devices usable by anyone. I know Riser, as strong of a devil he might be he's no better at withstanding holy attacks than I am. If you could make something for my peerage and I to use, something that could capitalize on that weakness, I would forever be in your debt."

Oh, that was easy! A wide grin bloomed across Issei's face. "Why didn't you just say so? I'll make something for each of you. I'll have it done before the week is out."

There were many avenues he could explore, and it would be a good test to see how another supernatural creature could adapt to his devices. Of course he would need to put in failsafes and safety mechanisms to prevent any backfiring, but that was a simple matter. The bigger concern would be keeping this deal concealed from his fellow heroes. No matter, if he wanted this to work out then these were just the sacrifices he was going to have to make.

"I've seen a bit of your fighting styles, but I'll see how I can tailor a device to each one of you. With any luck, I may be able to give you a significant edge in this fight."

Maybe it was the confidence with which he said it, or maybe because he was the first ray of hope for her, but Issei was surprised when Rias wrapped her arms around him. His heart - and other organs - swelled as he felt her soft boobs squish into his chest. She smelled like strawberries, and honey. Her hair was so soft it was more like silk than anything else. He could admit to locking up for a moment, but, after a second, he patted her on the back. An indescribable feeling of warmth filled his chest as he saw the radiant looks on the club member's faces.

This. This was how being a hero was supposed to feel.

0-0-0-0

Rias watched the enigmatic boy go with a feeling of wistfulness. There was a lot she had wanted to say to him, but it was neither the right time nor the right place. At the very least, she would breathe a little bit easier now. Given her brother's words, and what Issei seemed to be hinting at, she was worried this may have been some kind of ploy to manipulate her. However, seeing the confidence in those eyes dashed her doubts. He may have been a hero, but he had an awful poker face.

She couldn't help the small laugh that seemed to bubble up.

"Oh? Is our president nursing a crush," her best friend Akeno placed a hand to her cheek. "My, my, how scandalous."

"It isn't like that. Can you blame a girl for being relieved? With his help, we might be able to turn this engagement around."

Her queen nodded, but she could see the small spark of concern in her expression. "I agree with you of course, but still… What your brother said still holds true."

"Yes. Yes it does. Is your familiar tracking him?" she asked quietly.

"It is," she nodded. "But just like the last few times, it's likely it'll lose him after awhile. Wherever he retreats to, our familiars are too weak to enter."

That was concerning. Something had been gnawing at the artificer for awhile now. At first, she believed it to be about Abella, but now she wasn't so sure. Regardless, she would accept his help for now and hoped it would open a stronger communication with him. Despite all that mystique around Issei, she felt in her heart that he wasn't a bad person. He was too open for that. She would've liked to be there for him if he needed it. In the meantime, Rias would begin to form her strategy.

Riser Phenex was undefeated for a reason, but even he wouldn't be able to predict this.

"For now, I'd like for you all to keep an eye on him. Whether to find out who he's working with or to prevent him from getting in over his head. A Longinus user of such a caliber would be an incredible asset to us. That said, do not risk yourselves. Am I clear?" She addressed the whole room.

"Yes, president," they replied in unison.

The crimson-haired girl returned to her desk as the others took to finishing homework or attending to other matters. A swathe of files and reports covered the desk's surface, ranging from simple updates on the Gremory territory to matters regarding Kuoh. However, the one that took up most of her attention was the one in the center. Stamped with the Lucifer seal, it had been delivered to her by her brother's queen: Grayfia. It was nothing more than a security detail about prominent enemies to the devil world, but it was vital nonetheless.

There were many players that weren't accounted for. Rias opened up the file and poured over its contents for the umpteenth time. The Old Satan faction was mobilizing, both martially and politically. Their old allies were kicking up a fuss and causing problems for her brother and the other Great Satans. All the while they were recruiting like mad from whoever they could get their hands on, even going so far as to take in half-devils and reincarnated servants. The blood prejudiced elites of the group must've been desperate for manpower then. Which implied they were about to do something big.

Word was getting around. The Red Dragon Empress, as it were, had been revealed and was already forming a group around herself. A demigod, and the daughter of Zeus no less. There was all sorts of buzz around her, and yet she was mostly an unknown at this point. There were whispers of the White Dragon Emperor appearing though, in the form of a most fearsome warrior.

And here in her little slice of the world, sat perhaps the most dangerous of them all. If she could not sway Issei to her side, if he proved too dangerous an enemy, what was she to do then? His actions during the fight with Abella spoke volumes of how much he'd approved. With only four months of development of his Sacred Gear, he could mortally wound a high-class stray devil. Rias had even opened up her own peerage's abilities to scrutiny by training him. Where would he be in another four? In a year?

If she was wrong about Issei, it may be too late to stop him.

0-0-0-0

Issei worked tirelessly in the heart of the factory. He'd learned from his previous mistakes and set regular timers for himself and made sure he was staying well-fed and well-hydrated. The fight had proven to accelerate his research into the Mk. I Flight Suit exponentially. The move he'd whipped out and slapped the she-demon had been unknown to him at the time. A desperate grasp for the power to defeat her. The Empathic Reactor - unsurprisingly - reacted to such a strong desire and allowed him to focus the excess power into a singular beam. A devastating move he'd dubbed the "Imperio Quark Cannon". It's power output exceeded even the highest models he'd put together pre-fight, and would've made Rias's firepower pale in comparison.

But it wasn't without its flaws. The amount of havoc it had wreaked on the suit's internals had taken up nearly four hours. All of it spent just putting things back together. He'd learned something important from the fight though. He was too much of a glass cannon to make a significant difference in a high-stakes fight. All the lasers in the world were no good if he went down with a single punch. To that end, he'd begun work on the Mk. II Interceptor Suit. All he had to do was condense down some circuits and fuel cells in his flight pack and he was able to install an aura shield generator. It wasn't complete yet, but very soon it would be up and running at peak efficiency.

He'd taken it from a cursory scan of Ajax, and was surprised at the level of defensive power it held. The sheer field density alone was enough to shrug off a high caliber sniper round. Against a sustained series of blows it would falter, but with the redundant systems he'd placed in it as well it would come back with time. All he would have to do was divert some unit power to said shield generator.

Issei glanced over his shoulder and set some of his tools aside. His focus shifted over to a small pair of gauntlets sitting at one end of the table. Too small for his hands, but no one needed to know. Nor did they need to know their exact purpose. He'd promised Rias aid, and he was going to deliver. It was easy deciding who would get what. Koneko's would be the easiest. A pair of gauntlets capable of expelling holy light with each punch, channeled in such a way that they held no chance of backfiring into the wielder. As of now they were little more than alabaster gloves, but thankfully they didn't need to be very complex.

They just had to be effective.

Kiba's would be harder. With the complex variety of swords he could make, it was too difficult to narrow it down to any one expression. Instead, he would go with something atypical. A scabbard that could charge and expel light given time to charge. Hopefully, it would play into the knight's hit-and-run specialty. The inventor was suddenly startled by a presence behind him. Turning, Issei saw Beaufort there with a soda in each hand. The copper haired pyrokinetic offered one to him, which he took as his fellow hero smiled.

"Sup, DV. Wasn't able to congratulate you properly for killing that Abella bitch. One less devil, right?"

"Abella was a real monster, yeah. No way I could've done it alone," Issei put emphasis on the last word, causing Beaufort to cough and look away.

"Y-Yeah, sorry dude. My hands were tied. I'm just some grunt, you know?"

He did, unfortunately. If there was one person on the team with even less agency than him, it was Beaufort. Issei liked the guy a lot, but he wasn't a very complex person. He wanted to fight devils and the Hero Faction gave him the opportunity to do so. He imagined that so long as that remained true, he would forever be at odds with Issei's idea. That said, Beaufort was obviously still lingering on some kind of trauma from his past. It didn't sit well with the heroic inventor to just let that fester when he could be helping.

Well, no time like the present.

"Hey, Beaufort, could I ask a personal question?" he began, toying with a small power coupling unit.

"Hm? I mean, uh, yeah sure dude."

"Why do you hate devils?"

At that, the young man paused. Beaufort's eyes glazed over into a distant look, as if remembering something almost forgotten. Issei thought he might just walk away, but eventually he sat down next to him and sighed deeply. The scars and stress he'd accumulated gave his face hard edges, made all the worse by the harsh lighting around him. Issei's friend turned up to him with an almost sad smile.

"I guess you could say I was a very eligible bachelor. There are a lot of people with Sacred Gears, but a lot of them aren't all that. And yet, it's a status thing for a lot of noble devils. I was the same way. A street urchin with nothing left to lose, killing people who wronged others because it filled me. For a time, at least. It was like a fast-food sense of contentment. Gone before I could get accustomed to the feeling, which meant I went out to get more."

Issei listened, having set down his tools to give the man his full attention.

"I dunno what made her pick me. Maybe it was how ruthless I was, but this devil girl by the name Peterina had her sights on me. She offered me a home, friends in her peerage, clothed me and fed me. Never even asked for me to join her," he chuckled bitterly. "I thought I had finally hit the big one. She was an incredible cook, and took care of me like an older sister would take care of her siblings. Back then, I could truly say that I loved her."

"But something went wrong, I presume?"

He nodded. "Bingo. After a year, I had finally made something of myself. Clawed my way out of poverty and desperation. I confided in her my biggest fears, my insecurities, my hopes and dreams. And like the perfect temptress she strung me along masterfully. But after while I noticed I felt different. I was quicker to agree with her, to do what she said. I would say 'yes' before even thinking, wouldn't second guess actions I should've. My heart and my mind were out of sync."

"She was doing something to you then," Issei surmised. "Some kind of spell."

"It was the food," he said hauntingly. "Everything we ate had bits of her magic in it. It wormed inside of us like parasites. Carved away parts of ourselves she thought were 'undesirable', changed the intrinsic things that make us who we are. Memories, likes, dislikes, all of it was touched by her foul magic. I didn't notice until I found I could no longer remember my parents, my home town, all of it was just a blur to me. When I confronted her on it, she claimed it to be unnecessary for a servant. I told her I didn't want to be her servant."

Beaufort sucked in a shaky breath. "She thought she could make me. Her magic had done more than enthrall me, it was a security measure as well. It was like going through the worst withdrawal in the world, Da Vinci. Most of these scars aren't from a fight, but because I cut my face open thinking there were worms underneath my skin. All the while she laughed, and laughed, and laughed. Wasn't laughing when I burned her alive though."

At that, a small blossom of fire appeared in his hand. The expression of savage victory on his face was made all the more deranged for the light cast over it. Issei could see why he was so touchy with devils. Why he was so reticent to trust them.

"I… I can't even remember what parts of me are from Peterina and what parts are me. Even now, I can't be sure of how much she took. Do you know what that's like?"

"I can't say I do," Issei shook his head.

"Like an endless identity crisis. I second guess myself on everything. Wondering if this is some manipulation or facade pasted over the truth. Although, I guess it doesn't matter anymore. Peterina has been dead for a long time, and I have grown to live with it."

"You shouldn't have to!" Issei suddenly cried, grabbing his friend by the shoulders. "That's now how anyone should live, man! If you can't trust your old memories, then you should make new ones!"

He snorted. "Easier said than done, DV."

"We're friends, right Beaufort? Friends look out for one another! You had my back at the mansion, so now I'll have yours. Make me a promise to fight together, to always have each other's backs," Issei demanded.

"W-Woah, I dunno-"

"C'mon man! You'll never get any better if you're on your own all the time. If you can't trust the person you were then, then I'll help you build the person you are now. So long as you promise to help me with that, I'll stick with you."

Beaufort blinked, and Issei was surprised to see tears sting at the edges of his eyes. He quickly blinked them away, and gave the young inventor a more familiar, cocky grin. "Well hell, how can I walk away from a sale's pitch like that? Alright then, bros for life?"

"Bros for life!" Issei agreed, giving the man a super macho bro handshake. "And if any other evil bitches try anything I'll shove my power boot up their ass!"

"And if anyone tries to break your shit then I'll flash fry them!"

The fraternal bond forever immortalized, the two men shared a brotherly smile. He could help people. He could fix them. Like Ajax said, being a hero was more than kissing pretty girls and punching big monsters. It meant saving the people around him. Issei could do that, he wouldn't let his friends get hurt on his watch. Now it was just a matter of working through his issues.

And Issei had an idea.