NEO SPOILERS ALERT! Read on your own discretion.
Rias and the members of Occult Research Club, as well as Sona and the Student Council - who had been summoned, remained seated as they watched Azazel concluding his story.
"...Well, any question?" the fallen angel asked.
Rias glanced at everyone. She was sure that everyone else did not even know where to begin as well. In the background, Issei was wailing with despair.
"Um… For starters, what did you have…. Ise do inside? Why is he…?" Rias asked, pointing at where Azazel's office was.
"It's a natural reaction, don't worry." Azazel waved off. "Back to topic, does anyone understand what I'm saying?"
Xenovia was the first to raise her hand up.
"Yes, Xenovia." Azazel pointed.
"So Ise here is a fake?" the blunette asked.
"I won't say 'fake' - did you listen to what I said?" Azazel exhaled as he ran his hand through his locks. "...I said that the Issei Hyoudou we are dealing with here, comes from…. Some sort of alternate dimension where he's…. Whoever and whatever he told us, about himself."
"...So he's fake?" Xenovia concluded, much to Azazel's small chagrin.
"He's not 'fake', okay? It's not like he's some kind of doppelganger or monster assuming his looks and identity. He is Issei Hyoudou….. Only not the one we are familiar with."
Xenovia scrunched her eyebrows as she tilted her head, barely half-understanding what Azazel was telling her.
Koneko was the next to speak up, "So… Are we looking at some kind of Earthland and Edolas scenario from Fairy Tail?"
Azazel blinked at Koneko before pointing at her, "...Yes, yes! That's actually a good comparison. Parallel worlds, yes!"
The others looked at Koneko with confusion.
"...It's a popular anime." Koneko mentioned. "So the Ise-senpai here is not a fake made from this world or universe. He is another person from a parallel world born with the exact same identity - face and name."
"Ohhhhh." Xenovia understood.
"Wait." Sona then raised her hand. "Then… the reason why this Issei sounds like he's suffering is…?"
Issei's wails grew louder.
"He's looking at what was probably the silliest and most ridiculous version of himself pulled off. Probably that Booblingual thing… Or the Oppai Dragon show." Azazel snickered.
Some of the girls cringed at the mention.
"I know you've emphasized this point, but… How'd you know if he is not a fake? As in, lying to us about himself?" Rossweisse asked.
"He has specific knowledge that only… I and the archangels know." Azazel frowned.
"...Is it… something about the demons?" Rias asked.
"Do not open that can of worms. I beg you."
Everyone was surprised to hear that tone from Azazel.
"...Alright… So, what do we do now?" Rias asked.
"For now? Let's just wait for him to finish up and hear from the man himself." Azazel shrugged, leaving everyone to talk and muse among themselves.
Meanwhile, Asia noticed Irina was looking down, with her hand absent-mindedly touching her cheek.
"Irina? Is something wrong?" Asia asked.
Irina looked a bit startled, before she smiled at the Bishop, "Um, no, no, everything is fine. Err, what do you think about this, Asia-chan?"
Asia looked down, uncertainty marring her expression, "I… don't know, to be honest. All of this sounds so… Surreal." She then looked up with a worried look, "...Will we even see Ise - the Ise we know back?"
Apparently, everyone heard Asia's concern and grew worried themselves.
On cue, someone opened the door, and everyone was greeted with a familiar face. The other Issei entered with two bottles of champagne in one hand. Azazel was the first to welcome him.
"Welcome back, kid. How are you feeling?" Azazel noticed the bottles. "...Where'd you get the bottles?"
Issei scanned the room briefly before he replied to the fallen, "From your secret stash. Need a drink after the shit you made me watch."
"But…"
Issei interrupted Azazel's retort, "Your passcode is 80085."
Azazel's face became a rictus. Issei smirked at his reaction, "Different reality, yet you never bothered to change the code." Issei snarked with a grin.
Azazel took that to note. "...What do you think?" He then asked with an impish grin.
Issei's grin fell.
"The shit you showed is like me opening Pandora's Box and all of my nightmares coming to life. It's like… seeing the most ridiculous version of myself and the most garbage show I've ever seen mixed into one. Like… I don't know where to start. Is the 'me' here really called the 'Oppai Emperor?' How in Ermias' and Gaia's name did this Issei get slapped with that title? And he's fine with this? Rather, who's the idiot who came up with this?!"
Azazel started to break into laughter, wheezing to himself while holding his stomach. Issei turned to the others as they looked away sheepishly, unable to maintain eye contact.
"...Um…" Rias slowly raised her hand. "...My brother wrote the show…"
"...Why?" Issei's eyes become bloodshot.
"...It's… like a hobby for him."
Issei's eyes grew more bloodshot.
"...Azazel came up with the name first." Koneko pointed out.
Issei's bloodshot gaze turned to Azazel.
"...I only came up with the lyrics… Sirzechs came with the song." Azazel raised his hands up in mock surrender.
"WHY?!" Issei shouted.
"Uh, it just got popular with the children. It is meant to be a hobby, we swear." He slowly backed away from the Issei undergoing a crisis.
"...I have no words. Moving on before I decide to kill this Issei."
Everyone agreed with that.
"...Why is Sona and her crew here?" Issei pointed at the other Peerage watching the drama from the background.
Everyone looked around awkwardly, unsure how to broach the topic. Being the only adult in the room, Azazel took it upon himself to answer the boy.
"Well… I believe it is wise since the Sitri clan is also responsible for governing Kuoh." Azazel mentioned. "And we have questions. Do you have an idea of what happened?"
"Either I'm in a strange nightmare or I'm spirited away in a nightmarish parallel world. Only it involves another reality of myself in this stupid plotline!" Issei exhaled all of his grief.
"...Our Issei isn't that bad." Asia spoke out.
"Is he?" Issei asked the other girls.
"...He is a hopeless pervert." Koneko admitted.
"But he's our hopeless pervert." Akeno added.
"He has a way of surpassing expectations." Yuuto defended his best friend.
"But he worships breasts like a personal religion." Rossweisse pointed out. "...And it somehow gives him power…"
Issei could not find the words to comment on how he wanted to punch this Issei in the face now.
"I am both amazed that you got this far with him and feel sorry for you girls that you drew the short straw. Should I ask about the religion power thing?" Issei admitted.
"I am not sure if you'll like the answer." Ravel warned.
"In certain moments… Well, he can…" Akeno paused as Issei stared at her. "...Well… when it comes to it, he becomes stronger if he thinks about breasts."
His brain was getting an aneurysm.
"...How the fuck does that work?" Issei asked. "And how is that a thing?"
"Apparently, his zealous lust can give him strength, so…" Azazel admitted.
"Stop. I don't want to hear it anymore. Please stop." Issei did not want to hear this bullshit.
Everything about this Issei is pure bullshit, too much bullshit. Everyone agreed to spare this Issei the torment.
"...Let's compare your experience with our Issei's." Azazel suggested.
"Yeah, let's do that. So… how'd this guy get entangled with the supernatural? And don't say breasts." Issei asked.
Rias raised her hand, "Well, I reincarnated him into a Devil. We met while he was… murdered by a Fallen Angel."
"...Which fallen angel?" Issei swore that there was a sense of deja vu.
"Raynare."
"...Excuse me?" Issei asked.
"What? You don't know her?" Azazel asked.
"No, no, I mean, you said I was killed by Raynare? That bitch-ass fallen angel grunt?" Issei asked again.
"...I won't go that far, but Raynare was kind of bitchy, I guess." Rias shrugged.
"How'd that happen?!" Issei threw his hands up in mild frustration.
"So you did know Raynare. I assume she approached you too?" Azazel asked.
"Yeah, she just came out and invited me to a date out of the blue. I didn't know what her game was, so… I humored her." Issei shrugged.
"...And? How did that go?"
"She tried to off me the same way." Issei rolled his eyes, "...And in retaliation I almost strangled her to death."
Everyone was taken aback at the ending.
"...Really?" Rias and the others were now curious about this Issei's story.
"You didn't kill her?" Azazel quirked an eyebrow.
"Well… We have known each other by that point. I can't just kill any Fallen angel without checking things with you." Issei replied.
"That's… kind of you." Azazel nodded, "Though, how did things end up with her? I recall she brought some allies with her."
Issei shrugged, "Oh, the other three. Well, they picked her up and apologized on her behalf…. Oh, and you asked one of them to drop Asia by my house."
"I see… Actually, how did we first meet?" Azazel asked.
"My parents are… special. You offered us shelter and protection after my dad got entangled with the Vatican. Violently."
Azazel widened his eyes.
"Oh. Interesting… how entangled?"
"That's a can of worms for another time." Issei then turned to Rias, "I can see that this Issei carried you out of the engagement with Riser Phenex solo. My Rias kept pestering me to join her Peerage until Ersi failed to completely turn me into a Demon."
"...A Demon?" Rias asked.
"Oh, I…" Issei sensed Azazel's gaze. He looked at the fallen, seeing his pleading eyes.
"...Never mind." Issei sighed. He decided to let him be considering how under-leveled this Issei was. There was no way this Issei was equipped to deal with a grudge of an entire species.
"I turned down my Rias' invitation even when she explained why she needed me. I just trained her and pulled some strings borrowing Saji and Tsubasa from Sona's peerage into hers. She won without me."
"What? You…?" Rias was baffled.
"Alright, while I enjoy our conversation and note-comparing so far, I have one question." Rossweisse raised her hand. "...What should we do with this Issei? What happened to our Issei?"
"Good question…" Azazel rubbed his chin.
"Either our Issei is dead or erased from existence and this Issei is his replacement… Or…"
"Get back here, you little impostor shit! Chew his ass, Rover!"
In an alternative universe, Issei ran for his life while escaping from the monstrous dog that shot nuclear beams out its mouth and an army of tiny black evil teletubbies hellbent on beating the shit out of him.
The dog roared as he snapped at Issei's rear, nearly getting him each and every time.
"RIAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSS! HELP MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Issei cried out in tears.
His only hope was to run towards Kuoh High School where the others were.
"Hiding behind a gal is for beta males! Go, ambush squad!" Then a swarm of the black clones ambushed him from above, each with a massive arm grown from their bodies.
Issei could only wail as he fought for his life.
Everyone paused as they imagined the worse case scenario. They all turned to Issei.
"...I refuse to be stuck here. I want to go home." Issei already made up his mind.
"Noted. Though this is beyond my expertise. I don't know how you got here and this might take a while."
"...Nah." Issei waved off. "I think that my folks will find a way. They're resourceful, you know?"
"Then… I think you'll have to play along as our Issei for the time being."
"I will not play in that stupid show. I will rather burn it to the ground." Issei warned.
Ravel then sighed, "Well, perhaps I should make some adjustments to his schedule…" she said as she fished out a notebook and began scribbling. "However, please keep in mind that you will not skip all of this. There are still some critical events that require your presence, Lord Is- I mean… Mr. Ise."
Seeing how Ravel stuttered in her way addressing Issei as usual, the girls found another conundrum.
Tsubasa was the one who brought it up, "Um… Since we now know that this Ise is not the Ise we know… How should we address him?"
Issei looked around, noting everyone's uneasy expression. While he understood their dilemma, he wondered if he could take these girls - who were, in a manner of speaking, the girls he loved, to treat him like a stranger.
Surprisingly, Asia was the one who gave the solution, "Why should we address him any different?" She smiled at the young man, "Different he might be, he's still Ise in the end."
"...Yes. Asia's correct." Rias agreed. "In some ways, he is the same Issei we know and love."
"No breast lover pervert though." Koneko giggled.
Issei rolled his eyes.
"Right, he's a devil right? What role is he? Rook? Pawn?" Issei asked.
"Pawn. All eight pieces with four mutated." Rias mentioned with pride.
"...Really? Him? I am surprised that he even beat Sairaorg but…" Issei was conflicted, either the Sairaorg here was weaker than the one back home, or the Issei here was stronger than he expected. "...I'm not swallowing your Evil Pieces. I already had all sixteen chess pieces-worth shoved into me by force once."
Rias blinked, "Wait, what? What do you mean?"
Issei rolled his eyes, "Um, let's say I was handed a peerage once, but that's not important. Who wants dinner? I'm hungry."
"We'll be coming home late, so you kids look after the house while have fun, okay? Bye~!"
Issei, Rias and Asia waved at the former's 'parents' who wanted to go for some romantic night-out together.
Once the married couple had gone from view, Issei said, "So… Those are my parents."
"Are they different back at your home?" Rias asked with amused curiosity.
"Yeah, I mean, they look so….. Normal." Issei replied.
"Well, your family here is a normal family with no special lineage." Rias smiled in understanding. "Come, now I want to hear some of your stories over dinner."
When they returned to the dining room, everyone was busy preparing extra utensils and plates because the Student Council had been invited as well.
"Um, sorry, everyone! We need to prepare extra portions for the Student Council!" Ravel apologized as she, Koneko, Gasper, Xenovia and some members of the Student Council were setting up the plates.
At any other time, Sona would decline the offer of staying over for dinner, but the case regarding Issei Hyoudou got her curiosity that she would rather stay and listen as much as she could.
Issei then decided to check on the kitchen - he found that Akeno was cooking with Yuuto, Sona, Tsubaki, Irina, Rossweisse, Tsubasa and Reya.
Akeno was the first to notice Issei staring at them, "Sorry, Ise. The food won't be long. Can you set up the table?"
Issei wanted to retort, particularly when his eyes laid upon Irina and Tsubasa - he decided to follow, "...Sure thing."
XoX
The dinner affair went quite smoothly, with everyone sharing past events. On that note, Issei felt even worse about his other self when he heard the story on how Asia became a devil.
His other self was so damn weak it was not even funny anymore. Although he did get better, considering he did defeat Riser Phenex, Diodora Astaroth and Sairaorg Bael in one-on-one.
Issei then stared at Rossweisse as they ate at the dinner table.
"...Say… how did you end up becoming a Devil?" Issei asked the valkyrie.
The dinner table was not as large. The normal parents of this world's Issei were out for some reason, giving them the time to talk alone.
"...Well… it is a bit embarrassing to say now that I think about it." Rossweisse blushed.
"Surely it can't be that bad." Issei replied.
"Believe me, it kind of is." Rossweisse replied, "Though, can I ask if the… other me from your reality is… different from me here?"
Issei stared at Rossweisse for a second, "Well… You are a Valkyrie who was tasked to serve as Old Man Odin's secretary…"
Rossweisse lightly scoffed at the typical detail.
"You actually did not reincarnate into a devil, though you were assigned at our school as teacher due to your knowledge on all things about Trihexa. And…. You are crushing over my dad."
The Valkyrie choked on her food at the mention. The others also stopped eating in favor of hearing more 'juicy details'.
"W-What? H-How'd that happen?" Rossweisse wheezed after clearing her throat - she asked as everyone aimed their ears in their direction.
"Don't want to brag, but my dad kind of made waves in the Supernatural world." Issei smiled as he ate his sushi. "He defeated Thor when he first visited Asgard."
"...Eh?!" Everyone shouted at the mention.
"Yeah. My dad's the strongest man, after all. In fact, he once made the Great Red cry in the Gap even."
"No way! I call bullshit on that!" Azazel called him out.
"Hehehe. Well… my family isn't exactly normal, you know?" Issei admitted. "I have a nice dog back home. There is also a strange creature Dad brought with him, it can talk and do many tricks. He was my big brother figure. Oh, and I have an uncle who is a cyborg."
Everyone stared at Issei after hearing his family tree. Eventually, Saji spoke up, "...You fucking with us?"
"No, I'm not, man. Different reality, remember?" Issei replied.
"Okay, if you put it like that… Then what of your mom? A youthful hot-looking witch?" Saji grouched, earning a stern look from Sona.
"Honestly? I don't know; but now that you mention it, I'm starting to think that she might be one. I mean, according to my dad, my mom somehow stopped aging when she hit thirty."
Everyone stared at the other Issei.
"...So she's young-looking?" Saji asked.
"Younger than the mom here, that's for sure. Anyways… you girls hooking up with this… Other me? Is he into harems?"
"Oh, he's… yeah, definitely. It is kind of obvious." Irina smiled awkwardly.
"Oh, oh!" Akeno raised her hand. "...Are you also building a harem?"
Issei stopped eating for a moment.
"...Well, I just want to say that the whole harem thing is not intentional." Issei smiled awkwardly, "My turn. What's so special about that… well… hopeless pervert?" Issei asked. "I mean, I heard from Ddraig that those with draconic auras can attract the opposite sex more easily… don't tell me you're swayed just by that."
Everyone exchanged glances with each other on how to address this matter.
"Um… well, he is a hopeless pervert. But… again, he has his good points." Rias spoke.
"Like what? Aside from some of his very close victories over some big names in one-on-one duels; so far I've found the other me here sucks." Issei asked.
The girls of ORC were not strangers about the boy they fancied being insulted. But to receive it from someone who shared the same face and identity…. They had no idea how to respond to that.
"Honestly, I cannot see him surviving against the major players without some luck or the streak of bullshit I've seen so far… by the way, question. How'd he do against Diodora?" Issei asked.
Rias exchanged glances with her peerage for a second before replying, "Well enough, I suppose. Diodora didn't stand a chance."
"Welp, at least there's that one." Issei shrugged, "Also, I almost forgot to ask this; during the… fight between me and Sairaorg, what was that Crismon Armor he pulled off? Not to mention the other three different forms before that? Those actually look pretty cool."
The girls sighed that this Issei was finally impressed with one aspect.
"...Well, if I'm allowed to brag again, our Issei found a way to incorporate the Pawn pieces into his Scale Mail, achieving a unique subspecies." Rias huffed her chest.
"Hoh? That's the gimmick behind it? Creative, but… Hmmm. Alright, I'll give him points for that." Issei nodded.
"What about you? What's your Sub-Species Balance Breaker like? I mean, assuming you did have one." Yuuto asked.
"Well, I had two versions. My first subspecies kind of makes me look like an armored power ranger version of the scale mail. Less bulky armor, more slimmed down, very flexible and compact, fits my fighting style. It has dragonfire vents behind it to help me fly at high speeds, allowing me to keep up with Magni and Modi. I can also use dragonfire and Ki in my fists much better than before… and even incorporate the Longinus Smasher as my ultimate attack."
Everyone blinked as they leaned forward.
"Wait, you mentioned Magni and Modi." Azazel pointed, "You mean the two sons of Thor? You fought both of them?"
"Well, not exactly both - they took turns, but yes, I fought them. Tough pair, I'd say." Issei replied.
"And you can use Longinus Smasher? Shouldn't that be accessible only if you're in Juggernaut mode?" Ravel asked.
"Heh, only if you're a noob. You just need to know how to pull your own weight when it comes to it." Issei bragged.
"My second form is… a bit menacing. It honestly reflects a lot of my worst moments." Issei's tone became a lot more subdued.
"...You mean…" Rias was afraid to finish her sentence.
"I was more prone to anger in that form." Issei admitted. "...Let's move on."
Everyone decided to let this one go.
"Alright my turn… Actually, um… Irina? Tsubasa?" Issei called.
The two girls in question perked up.
Issei actually blushed as he could not bring himself to look at their eyes, "I, err…. Am sorry about… Y'know, at school, this morning."
Both Tsubasa and Irina blushed themselves as the memory of what Issei did to them resurfaced, as they looked away awkwardly.
Tsubasa was the first to recover as she smiled at him, "No problem, man. I mean, nobody could have known."
Irina followed suit, "...Yeah, same here. It's all water under the bridge; don't worry about it. Kisses on the cheek are quite common where I was raised."
However, Irina did not outwardly admit that she was a little disappointed.
"...Wait, if you… are you and Tsubasa a thing where you're from?" Saji noticed.
"Yeah. In fact, we've been friends since middle-school." Issei admitted without shame.
"Is that so? That's interesting, alright." Tsubasa and others shared amused expressions at the detail.
"Yeah, since we are on this topic…" Azazel then smiled knowingly while folding his hands under his chin, "The Issei we know here, is officially dating Rias now. What about you? Mind telling us a bit more about your harem?"
"Calling it harem sounds a little inappropriate, but… Yeah, I can't deny that I do have a harem. Don't ask me how that happened, I'm still not sure myself." Issei smiled knowingly, earning a few amused giggles and smiles from the others.
"Though, officially speaking, the… Harem started with Irina." Issei glanced at Irina, whose face once again, gained a healthy pink shade.
"M-me?!" Irina pointed at herself, unsure whether she felt excited or something else.
Her halo appeared over her head, blackening periodically.
"Oh, for the record…. You're not fallen last time I saw you. Heard Azazel fell for something even dumber, though." Issei nodded; truthfully, he dated Tsubasa first, but he would rather not bring up the incident that caused them to break up before he finally dated Irina not long after.
"I wouldn't call it dumb…" Azazel pouted and looked away.
And speaking of Irina, Issei bit down a grimace - reminding himself to avoid the topic regarding Kokabiel, Excalibur, and Valper Galilei.
However, looking at Irina again, Issei could not help himself….
"Say, Irina… mind if I ask you something off-topic?"
"Hm? Yes?"
"...Did you work under someone other than Sister Griselda? Like… any other officials back in the Vatican, before you became an angel?" Issei asked.
Irina stared at Issei for a second before she hummed, tapping her chin in thought.
"Let's see… I sometimes would receive missions from His Eminence Strada, I apprenticed under Cardinal Cristaldi, but… Ultimately I answer to Sister Griselda before I receive the honor to be Lord Michael's Ace."
"...Wait, so, you never worked under Valper?"
"Valper? Valper Galilei?" Yuuto spoke out.
"Yeah."
"God, no. Why would I work for Valper Galilei? He's been excommunicated by the time I graduated as a full-fledged exorcist!" Irina replied.
."...Huh?" Issei dropped his jaw. "You're telling me HE actually got caught for the Holy Sword Project?
"Wait, wait. Yours didn't?" Xenovia asked.
"No, he somehow slipped away and masqueraded as an archbishop for some time. He was annoying, he came with you two," Issei pointed at Irina and Xenovia, "...Along with Sister Griselda during the Kokabiel incident, acting like a holy man. He's a fat bastard that deserves a special place in Hell, the shit he did under the Church… Did Michael take care of Bernael?" Issei asked.
"...Who?" Irina asked.
"How did you know that name? Rather, Bernael was alive in your timeline?" Azazel asked
"I fought him. He helped corrupt some members of the church into doing some terrible shit. He is somehow unfallen despite being one of the most depraved sons of bitches I ever seen. He's annoyingly strong, so I had to try something desperate with some legendary cursed item."
"...Ah." Azazel understood. "Well… officially, he died. Unofficially, he was executed for treason… How much have you seen?"
"One of the darkest pagan stuff I've ever seen. I don't think I will say it here."
"Good call…"
"How did the Kokabiel incident go for you two now that I ask?" Issei asked.
Irina hummed as she explained how she reunited with this world's Issei. Xenovia was still a prick in this world, but more redeemable in a sense.
"...Wait, the Church sent you two? Alone?" Issei asked. "Without veteran support? Against a war veteran?"
"Yeah… We've been aware how stupid that tactic was, everytime we look back." Xenovia replied with a wry smirk, "I can only attribute our survival to luck when the White Dragon Emperor came to deal with Kokabiel himself."
Issei snorted, "Funny - Vali from my place actually came late because he was too busy scouting the Asgardians and Aesirs all the way to Iceland. My uncle ended up saving our asses before Kokabiel could have leveled the entire town… Wait, quick question. Does your Kokabiel have a second transformation or something? How strong was he?"
Everyone exchanged glances again, with Azazel answering, "...Not that I know of. But Kokabiel here was still one of the Cadres who survived the Great War. The kids in Kuoh didn't stand a chance that I had to send Vali in."
"Oh, then he didn't achieve Ascension. Damn… Ascended Kokabiel would've wiped you off like ass on toilet paper."
"Ascension?" Azazel replied,
Issei shrugged at Azazel, "Well, the you from my place came with this theory. Apparently, angels - whether fallen or not, could ascend, become something closer to The Biblical God if they achieve… certain conditions."
"Wait, what? Are you serious?!" Azazel doubled forward.
"Yeah. Ascended Kokabiel looked so dope. Wings of starlight, a halo reflecting our solar system, no longer edgy."
"What are the conditions?" Azazel asked.
"...Well, the reason why no one noticed for so long is because God shackled the angels using their wings. In short, cut your wings off. All of them. That's the first requirement."
"Ahhhh… I see. Risky but clever." Azazel rubbed his chin. "I never thought about that. Interesting…"
"Moving on, glad to see you're doing alright here, Iri." Issei smiled at Irina, who simply smiled back.
"...Now I am curious." Rias hummed. "What about us Devils? Do we have a second form?"
"Uhhhhh….."
Issei glanced at Azazel. Azazel shook his head.
"Yeah, it's better that you stick with what you got." Issei carefully worded.
"What does that mean?" Rias pouted.
Issei decided to move on, "Anyways, Azazel, what is… the plan-ish for tomorrow and stuff? Need to be up to date on how things work here. Also, I have a question… Did Cao Cao really invade the Underworld? Just like that?"
"Pretty much, yeah. He invaded the Underworld with an army of anti-monsters with him. Why? What's your Cao Cao like?"
"Well, he didn't invade the Underworld personally with his group." Issei snarked. "...And I cannot believe that Sirzechs or the other Satans didn't wipe him off the face of the Underworld… Anyways, moving on. So, what's the plan?"
Azazel decided to move on.
"Rias will help you adapt to the Rating Games and how things work around here…. I also have to find a way to fake any Promotion of the Pawn pieces, but… Rias can simply not promote you until our Issei returns as an alternative"
"I prefer to just fake it until I make it."
"That's alright too, I guess." Azazel then clapped his hands, "This has been a good talk. Now get some rest. We have a long day tomorrow."
Issei was currently sitting inside the in-built library in the mansion, reading through several books that were brought from the Underworld, courtesy of Rias upon moving in.
Then, he heard the door open and saw Rias walking in her sleeping gown.
"...Hey." Issei nodded in greeting with a small smile from his desk.
Rias returned the greeting in kind, "Hello, Ise… Can't sleep?"
Issei shook his head slowly before he put his current reading on the table, "Cannot sleep with so many things to think about."
Rias nodded, "Yes, I understand. Can I sit with you?"
Issei gestured around, "It's your house."
The heiress then took a seat in front of Issei and the two fell into a slightly awkward, yet comfortable silence.
"So…" Rias was the first to break the silence, "How are you doing?"
"Not sure." Issei replied with a sigh, "Do you usually come here whenever you can't sleep?"
Rias gave a small snort, "Not really, I…. I usually always sleep just fine with Ise - my Ise next to me."
"...Oh." Issei blinked, "Sorry."
"No, no, please, don't apologize. You are clearly out of your own depth too." Rias placated.
"Yeah…"
The two then fell into another silence. Rias then noticed the books on Issei's desk.
"Astrology, astronomy…. Quantum physics?" Rias mused. "Some more grimoire about time and space magic."
"Mhmm, I have no idea how I came here, so… Might as well work something out." Issei replied.
"You showed me some surprising knowledge back in the club room. May I ask what type of combatant you are?" Rias asked.
"Primarily? I'm a frontline fighter." Issei leaned back, "Though…. I've been drilled to at least know my way around mystic and arcane arts. My best subject so far is energy manipulation."
"Really? Hmmm, that's a basic concept most magic users need to learn first. You're not a magic user?"
"I know a way to bypass the magical formula barrier. Though only two other people can pull it off…"
Other than Demons.
"I see…" Rias smiled, but her gaze was downcast.
"You have something on your mind." Issei remarked - it was not a question.
"No, I'm-" Rias was about to retort the opposite, but the gaze from the different Issei made her think again.
Issei sighed, "I'm… Not your Ise, as you are not my Rias, but… My Rias told me that I'm a good listener."
Rias blinked at the insinuation. However, Issei immediately followed, "But you don't need to say anything if you don't want to. I'm just here to listen if you want to get it off your mind, that's all. No pressure."
The heiress stared at the boy who just fumbled earlier, before she broke into small giggles. Issei simply stayed, watching the girl had finally cheered up somewhat.
"Sorry about that…" Rias apologized as she calmed down, "But I'm a little relieved. I guess both you and my Ise might share similar qualities."
"Not sure if I'm happy to be compared to your boyfriend, but I'll take it as a compliment." Issei shrugged.
Rias nodded before speaking again, "To tell you the truth, I'm worried sick about my Ise. After everything that happened not long before… When I thought I can keep him safe by my side… He just had to disappear again."
Before Issei could have commented, Rias quickly interrupted, "Not that I'm blaming you! You are just another victim like he is."
"...But you are worried. I get it." Issei nodded. "Then again, if he does share the same qualities as me, and vice versa… I think he's gonna be just fine."
For some reason, the smile on Issei's face and his voice actually eased Rias' mind somehow.
"Yes… You are right. There's nothing we need to fear." Rias' expression then grew more assured. "Thank you for this talk, Ise. I really need one."
"Don't mention it. Thank me once we figure all of this out." Issei replied.
Rias then finally relaxed and clapped her hands lightly.
"I'm still not in the mood to go to bed, would you like to accompany me over some tea? I would like to hear some stories about… You know, the other me."
Issei's eyes then darted at his books for a second before he shrugged, "You know what? I can use a break. In return, I'm kind of curious about what you see in this other me."
To be Continued….
Omake: Encountering Perfection
[Aiyaiyaiyayai~]
Issei dropped his jaw.
Behind him was an angry dragon dog and an endless army of evil black teletubbies.
In front of him, between him and the school gates, were three extremely adonis versions of the evil teletubbies, shining in silver, gold, and platinum.
There was dubstep music blaring behind them and they were all posing before them.
Dabbing, flexing their arms downward, and another standing up in a Y position.
He had absolutely no idea what they were and what was going on.
"Tremble in fear. Your doom is here, impostor." The platinum one at the front flexed his bulging muscles.
Issei could not find the right words as he looked back and forth, considering his options.
"W-WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT! CAN'T WE TALK ABOUT THIS?!"
"No. And let us pass through for a second."
The platinum muscleman spoke from behind Issei.
"Eh?"
In a split second, Issei found himself…
In a dark, dark room with only one light held overhead.
What just happened?
The world literally shifted faster than an instant.
He looked around, seeing nothing past the darkness.
He tried to move… He could only move his neck.
He looked down.
He panicked when he saw that his body below his neck was encased in some kind of platinum coating, as his breathing grew heavier and heavier.
"Now then… who are you?"
A voice spoke out.
"A-Azazel? Is that you?! Please, help me out here! This is all so freaky!" Issei cried in tears finally recognizing a familiar voice.
"...Interesting."
Azazel spoke from the darkness. He entered the light… Issei blinked when he saw a dark crown hovering over his head in place of his head, wings of pure darkness emerging from his back.
"...Azazel?" Issei blinked.
This Azazel looked… very different. Issei could almost smell it, the power this Azazel had.
"Out of all the impostors posing as the Son of the Strongest Man, you're the most successful and the most… Well, the dumbest. Honestly, I don't know how you got into the mansion in the first place. Though you blew it when Rover sniffed you out. Gonna need to update the security and anti-identity theft measures…"
"Eh?" Issei blinked. Why was he talking to him as if he was the bad guy?
"As for you, I have some questions. Did Rizevim make you? Did GOD make you? Because I do not know how in the world your body is made from the flesh of the… Great Red. I am surprised that there is no Trihexa in your system, it's almost a trademark of Khaos Brigade at this point. You even got Boosted Gear to be nearly authentic even. Though your evil pieces are a dead giveaway… Was it the House of Naberius?"
"I… I don't even know what you're talking about." Issei did not know the names. Besides, shouldn't Azazel know that he was revived with the help of Ophis and the Great Red?
"Really? You're a reincarnated Devil, yet you somehow look exactly like the Issei we know despite your genetics being different. That can't happen without serious gene therapy." Azazel replied before he procured a chair and sat right in front of Issei.
"Anyway, let's do this nice and easy, yeah? Let's start with who you are. Spill."
"What do you mean?! Who I am?! You know me, sensei! It's me, Ise!"
Azazel stared at the prisoner for a second before exhaling through his nose.
"Either you are great at acting or suck at lying. I'll leave you here for a while. Hopefully our next conversation will be more productive." Azazel said before he stood up and headed to the exit.
"What? Wait, where are you going?! Sensei!"
Azazel closed the door, shutting him away from the prisoner who claimed himself as Issei Hyoudou. For some reason, the botched experiment he ran this morning suddenly came to mind.
