Warning: english is not my first language, I'm french. However, I hope that you will find pleasure by reading it. Do not hesitate to tell me my mistakes in the comments, I intend to improve myself with more chapters I do.
The Nasuverse and Highschool DxD are both respectively TYPE MOON and Ichiei Ishibumi works.
please support the official release.
A great thanks to DarkLord331, that helped me greatly with the translation and offered me this challenge to make a Karna evolving in DxD universe (as an OP character).
As always, some questions to answer (I won't answer them all, sorry, bu I read all don't worry):
DxHologram: I won't say too much, but yeah, fighting instinct is one if the reason. The problem isn't that they can tell it's a peerless warrior, more that they can't analyze his deadliness. That unknown is enough.
For Koneko, yup it's that. And yeah I thought about it like that. But hey, go describe a sun feeling XD.
About the resonate, it was rather the double edge sword: as it resonated with Rias, Koneko and Akeno could see it in their lives itself, considering their siblings and how they did it could be comparable to karna did, hiding things to his brother. Considering karna's ability to see through people, his sentence is a clear reference to their own history.
Garrick: I will try, but I will go quickly to the canon though. I may lacking interesting ideas to exploit if I do not. The comparison with Arjuna is to be expected though, as he is also his younger brother. And had a harem.
Doortolight: I have already something in mind ;). It will be in the third arc though. I want to make it something that will resonate with the characters.
Gen2324 and Zeke: you mentioned it. Karna is perfect, and he is the "king" of Kuoh, like Yuuto or Rias. sadly enough, it makes him alone, as no one dares to approach him truly. Adding it his neutral attitude, and it is someone that seemed to put a wall between him and the others.
Akakiryu: lately. Most of the gods won't notice Karna's existence before some month. There will be one that will notice it first though. He should appear in the end of the phenix arc, theorically.
Skyluong: Thanks a lot, man. I hope you will appreciate my story, even though I'm not as good as you. Don't hesitate to give me advices (although i'm not sure I could follow them XD). N'hésite pas, Ô camarade français :).
Chapter 4: Discernment of the Poor
The condition put upon Issei leaded to unexpected results.
Considering he could be united to his favorites sempai and his brother in the same club next year, his motivations became over the chart, surprising even Karna himself. He knew that he was a pervert, but knowing that the albino will interfere in his favor gave him, officially at least, real chance to be part of the 'crew'.
Even if the incarnated hero didn't talk to him about their comrade's real nature, and what he could become to attain his dreams, the boy just thought of it as potentially being in the same place as the two top idols of the school, something that all guys at school could only dream of. Ironically, being the Prince and the King of Kuoh, Yuuto Kiba and Hyoudou Karna were fully accepted by the entire school as the only one being at the same ground than the two Top Girls.
Unbeknownst to them, Issei's friend, Matsuda, began to release in the school some doujinshi about the two Boys of Kuoh, their potential relationships with the girls, and all kind of stories only perverts could think of.
Well, with a little help from Aika though. The brown-haired girl manifested a unbelievable imagination for this kind of story.
The worst part was the outstanding success of these doujins, leading Shitori Souna to put some rules about it.
To be frank, it was divided in three parts:
First, she tried to cancel them, like all indecent things she could find, even taking them from the students.
Second, due to the nosebleed she got when she opened one , she had to be absent from school three days straight, leading even Rias to be worry about her status.
Third, when she came back, she decided to occult them all of her sight.
It was quite the peculiar reaction, leading even her childhood friend, Rias, to laugh at her when she remarked it. Every time there was one of the doujin, even in plain sight, she couldn't help but act like it wasn't even there.
Of course, only her queen, Tsubaki, knew that it was because she began to read it herself, making her unable to complain about it.
Furthermore, her peerage began to defend Matsuda too against her ire, clearly liking the young boy's... unexpected exploitation of his quirk.
But the worst was the boys themselves.
Yuuto himself, expectedly, did not react, acting absolutely normally. While he manifested no sign that he knew the story, others could surprise him sometimes crack a joke about -or even with- Karna, putting sexual innuendos in his sentences that even Issei, as dumb as he could be sometimes, could notice.
Although it was difficult for him to react, considering his brother himself didn't even bother.
When the subject himself came to the Hyoudou sibling's ears, their reactions were... Unexpected.
Especially Karna.
The next day he learnt about these stories, he used a Mantra to hide his torso ruby, before coming at school.
Without his shirt.
A lot of blood was lost that day. A lot of photo was taken, too.
When the president of the student council asked him why, his only answer was the following:
"If everyone want to see me like the day I was born, I won't despise that desire. It is better for them to see instead to imagine, isn't it?"
It lets her speechless, while the boy just entered the school.
Needless to say, Issei tried during the whole day to put his shirt back. He nearly arrived to do it. Before the kendo club, pretexting a peak, jumping on him to muzzle the boy.
During the club time, Rias and Akeno, like others, had a nosebleed, unable to handle the sight. They even suggested their Knight to be like him, joking about the... potential relationship.
The provisor, under Sona's command, closed the school when Kiba began to do exactly like his comrade responding to theirs demands by acts.
Upon this day, both were FORBIDDEN to be nude. Never.
Rumors about a black market selling photos appeared the next day.
lead by some brown-haired girl wearing glasses, of course, and assisted by the infamous pervert dynamic duo.
Issei himself began to track all traces of that cursed day, an activity he put so much energy on he even forgot to look at girls for some times, not to mention his friends. He learnt to never trust them that day.
Well, actually he already knew it, but he never thought his dearest friend would be as low as using his older brother for their own benefits.
Perversion aside, Issei's scores rose remarkably, leading the student council president herself to suggest recruiting him, as a sheer exemple of effort. Of course, nobody knew that the main reason the young boy put so much effort in his studies was to be able to enter the Sanctuary Itself, the occultism room.
As he was a 'normal human', Karna did mostly normal things. While he sometimes helped with the others contract, he mainly used a computer for it, learning to create websites and programs. While he was only beginning, the concept amused the young boy, and as a servant he couldn't even hope do it someday.
Somehow, being able to do something new as creative and imaginative as that was motivating. Therefore, he began to study it, forming himself with internet lessons.
Of course, he didn't spare himself in the club. Reading most of the books inside, informing himself about the mythical and legends, things never ceased to surprise him.
The Gremory heiress put him in communication with one of his absent member, that was good with computers, according to her, Gasper Vladi.
Needless to say, even if the two was never meeting, both began to work together, Karna helping the peerage member and him finding informations.
While he refused to participate to their contracts -by his own word, because doing the work of one other won't help him-, he never ceased to give them some advices when necessary.
Curious about this wisdom of his, exploiting a time where her queen, knight and rook were away, Rias, sit behind her desk, asked a question.
"Mmmh, Hyoudou-san? Can I ask you something personal?"
While the young boy was reading a book, The Sâhnâme (the Book of Kings), he rose his head, looking at her with curiosity.
" You can always ask without expecting answers. Go on though, I shall answer as well as I can."
There was many questions Rias wanted to ask. So much that she didn't arrive to choose which one.
Therefore, she asked what she needed the most in her opinion.
"... Would you… help me ? "
Frowning, the incarnated hero found that question too much lacking in his taste.
"I am already helping you as much as I can as a human, and I am always here if you need me for trivial matters."
" That's not the point " added the red-haired woman quickly.
Under his persan eyes, she couldn't help but find her own throat drying. She knew that what she wanted to ask was too much, but…
" I know you don't want to be part of a peerage, but… I heard rumors. Like what you are strong. I wanted to ask you. .. would you fight for me?"
According to rumors, the long boy never bled in his whole life, something his own brother never denied. She suspected this as some form of protection-type sacred gear, which would explain why the young boy was so keen over the supernatural world.
Considering his 'scent', according to the Rook, it would be legit, but, something was off. What she felt seemed like a fire-based sacred gear, judging about her sensations . But those type were usually offensive-type, so she didn't know it could exist a flame-defensive sacred gear, except the medium grade one named 'Blazing Mantle'. But this one was literally a cape of flame covering the wielder, not really subtle in any way…
Could it be that the boy just had a power that never appeared in history? If that was the case, then this unknown could make him an unpredictable factor. One she could use, if he agreed to just help her.
Karna's gaze made her nervous, almost shameful to ask.
Her, a devil, asking help for a human.
The most painful was that his look was entire devoid of peculiar emotions. As if he understood her need of power.
" No, I won't. If I fight for you, you won't fight yourself."
Biting her lips, the Crimson Princess found nothing to answer to that. Honestly, apart incarnate him against his will…
Which was against her principles…
And could lead to disastrous results…
However, as if to give her some hopes, the albino smiled, pursuing his reading.
" I shall be with my brother... This time."
While he continued to read, the Gregory heiress sent him a intrigued look. While she was happy to know the man will move for a future potential member of her peerage, there was one thing she couldn't understand.
Why did Karna said 'this time'?
By checking their familiar stories, it was well-known for her that their elder brothers was dead before being born, but…
Something was definitely wrong.
She couldn't put her finger on it though, as her mind slipped to Issei.
While the King of Kuoh was beautiful beyond compare, mesmerizing even Akeno, he wasn't her 'type' of man, unlike his brother.
She just preferred cuter things to pretty ones, making him her favorite, beyond even Kiba. he just amused her, that's all.
And her rook, while the elder brother had a peculiar smell, sensed a draconic one upon the youngest, teasing her will.
Coincidentally , the fact that the eldest asked for him to be reincarnate as a devil later was a true blessing.
Although she didn't know why he, himself, refused to do so, even under Rias and Souna's advance.
Speaking of Souna…
Nah.
That was a subject for another time. But… She couldn't help but try.
" Okay, then… But what do you think about… arranged marriage?"
Another time, his persan eyes fixed her. This time, however, she couldn't stay as calm as before, twinkling on her chair.
It was a personal subject to her, after all, even if it concerned him too now.
Although her friend refused to tell him anything for now.
" That's a matter of principles. Therefore, I shall follow what my honor dictates."
Unable to contain herself, Rias stood up to protest, but was cut by the boy before she could even manifest her own opinion.
" There are two types of fight. Whenever you battle, it must be one of the two. Fight for your life, or fight for pride. The decision is yours to choose, not to impose. To anyone. "
For the first time in a few month, Gregory Rias understood when Kiba said that the man was dangerous.
She could see it, now. She could almost sense it.
That pride of him. That human pride.
However…
The devil sat down, calming herself.
" .… I am sorry, Hyoudou-san. My pride is to want my own life. Is that wrong?"
With a little smile, the demigod answered.
" A choice that you make can never be wrong, as long as you make it alone. "
Under her sight, he continued to read, as the Gregory realized something.
His wisdom was an asset she couldn't underestimate, even if his abilities wasn't top notch.
If he could meet his brother, then maybe that wedding could be…
Her thoughts stopped as the teleportation circle of the room began to brighten, sign of a returning member.
Himejima Akeno made her appearance, before sitting next to the human member of the occult club, sending a look to him.
" Ara ara… Alone with Rias, huh? What did you do in our absence? "
" Talking. " answered the paled one
" But I think we have finished just at the right time.. How was your contract, Himejima-san? "
She left out a little laugh.
" Oooh, are you worry about me? Don't want others to soil me, King-sama? "
Sighing, the pale one stood up and left the room, finding no desire to enter in her little game.
Unexpectedly , even if Karna was amongst the very few immune to the Kuoh idol's charms, he wasn't prone to answer them, usually dodging talks and teasings, mainly doing his occult job. While he chat with the sealed member of the peerage by computers, and sometimes give advices to Koneko, the three others members were more in a 'professional' relationship, something that troubled Rias and amused her Queen.
However, after a few talks, Koneko could say to them that it was mainly some kind of a frontage, and that the boy just didn't want to enter in their lives as long as they did not fulfill the main condition he was there: his younger brother.
While he never manifested a sacred gear, and declined all of Kiba's invitation for a little spar, his physical limits was an unknown, and his mind, closed to them.
However, he never manifested it like he didn't like to challenge. More like he was… waiting for something.
And no one, amongst the peerage, knew what Karna was waiting, only that his brother amongst their peerage was the first stage.
The main problem was the following one: hers or Souna?
While her rival was not that eager to recruit a well-known pervert in her peerage, the mere fact that he was the King's brother was enough for her to wish to do it. The main advantages Rias had was the fact she knew the boy had a Sacred Gear.
However, according to her rival, another one was inside the school. Knowing she was interested by him, she could obtain some kind of… trade?
Thinking about the possibilities, she asked.
" Mmh… Akeno, what do you think about Hyoudou Issei?"
The brunette frowned. While she was used for the peerage to talk about the… peculiar acts of the albinos one, the other brother was rarely in the chat, apart to laugh from his last behavior.
A behavior that became rarer those times.
" Well… If the older has unparalleled beauty, the other is as cute as Koneko " The comparison made them smile.
" He seems... dependable. More than his own brother. And this pervert side of him is innocently fun. "
A little smile appeared to their lips. Innocently fun, that was the word. While the boy had a spirit mainly focused on boobs, and tried to peek often, he never tried to pass to the illegality, something that they couldn't think it as possible. Well, in a human point of view, the mere fact of spying girl would be a crime in itself, but for the devils, that side was funnier than scary.
When they talked about the last 'exploit' of the boy, Souna pointed out that it was like the reverse side of the Gremory's exhibitionnist side. One watch, the other show off.
While it made them laugh, the idea to recruit him became stronger.
And if they could take on the older one too… The peerage that would recruit one had great chance to recruit both, after all. The brothership they shared was way too strong for one to stay 'alone'.
And if that was the case, Kiba cracked a joke, saying he would be his kouhai's older brother in devil society, while suggesting that one of the maou would be glad to take the place.
She hesitated because of that, that was true.
" And… Do you think we should try to talk to him? "
Her queen took a moment to think about it, not knowing how she would manage it.
" We could ask his brother to teach him first about the supernatural world…. He is among us for that reason, after all. "
" While it's true, don't forget it doesn't matter to him which one of us recruit Issei. I wouldn't want Sona to beat us on it. "
Akeno shrugged, as if she didn't feel so much concerned.
" Then do you want me to… catch Issei-kun? "
At those words, the red-haired girl rose an eyebrow.
" He is not a pokemon… " beginning her answer "But I would want you to test the water. "
Standing up, the brunette sent her a salute before leaving, having taken her orders.
Alone for now, Rias left her desk to lean on the sofa, taking a little break about all of it.
As she was thinking about her own definition of 'pride', her spirit finally decided to take a nap…
***Dinner time, at Hyoudou household.***
" So, boys, how was your day? "
While eating, the parents always asked about theirs own children days. While one was always calm, and had never something to report, the question was made purposely about Issei with time. After all, it didn't pass one day without a news with him inside.
Even if it was mainly about he peeking girls, he couldn't help himself to describe what he see each time, sending lots, LOTS of compliments for the girls that he would have seen.
Ironically, as long as he wouldn't pass limits, no one in his own family never tried to change him. Well, they tried long ago, but stopped because he was definitely a desperate case in their own record.
Also, the parents themselves were perverts, so when Issei found some porn magazines in their parents' bedroom, no one managed to change his mind. Well, except his own brother, but… Even he stopped to try to correct his tendency.
" Thats was great! I spoke with the Great Idol Number Two Himejima-senpai today! "
While he was listening, the elder brother sent him a curious look.
It would appear to him that they finally decided to make a move. But for father and mother…
" oh-hoooo? tell us more, Ise. Isn't that cute? the first time a girl decide to talk to you by her own will. "
Bumping his torso with pride, Hyoudou couldn't help but laugh.
However, something was of. It wasn't like him to not report ALL the discussion he could have with a girl, between two very-accurately body description.
Letting him the benefit of the doubt, he waited for a few minutes.
Nothing.
Bowing his head to the side, his Kavach pending from his ears, Karna began to fix him intensely.
His younger brother was sweating.
" Tell us more about it, Ise. "
Once again, the elder remember that the young boy wasn't good at all about keeping a secret. Notably concerning women. But he could accord him one thing…
" Well, she asked to keep it a secret to not bother the school., soo… "
Nice try.
You can't hide nothing from your onii-sama, Ise.
" …. Onii-sama? your smile… Did I just say something wrong? "
Actually, even the parents was watching him now. Karna wasn't usually prone to smile, but when he did, it was just unfair.
But this kind of smile was more menacing than comforting, something they were never used to.
" Nothing, Ise… You are right. Secrets are importants to keep. Do you best. "
There was something wrong here.
Actually, even if he didn't like his brother hiding things from him, he understood. He wasn't him, neither his parents, and he would never force him to do it, even if he wasn't used to it.
While his sentence was frank, as always, it leaded to an unexpected result: the cadet thought that Karna was mad.
Combining with his outgoing nature, that was the last blow on his restrains.
" Okay, okay! I wanted to wait a little to announce it, but… She asked me for a date!"
Time stopped.
A blank moment installed himself comfortably for a few seconds.
" What did you just say? "
" My boy will have a girlfriend? "
" Miki, will we have grandchildrens? finally? "
As the parents left themselves in the joy, much to Issei's embarrassment, he watched his brother, like waiting for his last judgement.
Karna put down the water glass he had in hand, before smiling to him.
As a man, and as a hero, he was happy for him.
" Don't waste your luck, Ise. Himejima is beautiful. "
« I promise she won't regret it! "
Oh no, Karna thought.
He would make sure she will never regret it.
He was sure that idea wasn't Rias, so the girl had her own agenda.
Killing two birds in one stone, hu?
Well, that was one way like another after all.
***Tomorrow, at the occult room.***
" Fufufu… Do you have something to tell me, Your Highness? "
Asked Himejima as soon as Karna entered the room.
Without even answering to her, hearing that Rias was taking a shower, something he could appreciate the view but was unfazed for, he just took a book and a seat.
" Ise is a good boy. Don't hurt him, Himejima-san."
" Fufu… You know what we say, Hyoudou-kun? feelings hurt, you know? "
Rias left her shower just in time and stopped.
Like anyone else in the room.
Karna's answer was not something they were used to hear. Loud and clear. Something he shouldn't know so easily.
" Because if you hurt him, Himejima-san…
You won't be better than the one who did it to you. "
