Hello everyone. Sorry for being gone for a year. A lot of things had happened to me and had to put the story on hold due to my personal life and when it wasn't on hold, I had to revise it over and over again until I find it suitable enough to publish. There will be an author's note at the end to explain about the revisions and what I had to cut out for this chapter. Again sorry for the wait. Hopefully the next chapter won't take so long. Also, spoiler alert to anyone who haven't been keeping up with the Light Novels, especially with the Shin High School DxD series. There will be ton of spoilers related to them if you aren't caught up to speed.
The morning of the fateful day of participating in the Holy Grail War started at the spot that started everything. Two weeks had passed since the Azazel Cup. All alone in the still dark morn, I stood on the bridge on the day I met my first girlfriend, Yuuma Amano, who in truth was a fallen angel named Raynare, who sent by my mentor Azazel to watch over me. I placed my feet on the same spot where I first met the shy, but lovely persona Raynare donned to assassinate me.
"Will you please go out with me?" Those seven words entered my minds as the dark shaded sky lightened by the rising sun. Taking in a deep sigh, I left the bridge to another significant spot in my life that changed my life, the park.
I arrived at the fountain of the park by the time the morning sun left the sky in an orange hue. Taking in the scenery, I imagined the end of my first date. Raynare, in her Yuuma Amano persona, was dressed in her pink and black outfit while my naive and greened self arriving here.
"Hey, Ise-kun, there's something I want to do to celebrate our first date. Could you listen to my wish?" Yuuma asked in her sweet innocent tone.
"W-What are you w-wishing for?" My younger self neverously asked.
My spin shuddered as if a cold chill touch it as my memory played the scene of Raynare spreading her dull crow-like black wings to me for the first time. The flickering of purity in her eyes had dimmed out and what remained in those hollow orbs were unadulterated wickedness. "Will you die for me?"
"Ise?" My train of thoughts snapped by a gentle warm touch resting on my shoulder. Unfazed by the sudden presence of another individual, I looked behind me and saw a familiar beautiful woman with shining blue eyes and glamouring crimson hair looking back with me.
"Rias..." I stuttered her name out.
"Good morning, Ise." Rias smiled back at me. "I noticed you left the house without making a peep. I couldn't help but wonder why you left. Now I know."
She stood next to me with one of her hands clasping with one of mine. Together we stared down at the spot I collapsed as a human for the last time. Her head rested on my shoulder while my eyes envisioned the scene where Raynare manifested her spear of light and thrust it deep into my younger self's gut. Gushes of blood surged out from my past self's mouth and abdomens as he collapsed down on the ground. My stomach churned while my face grimaced from imagining my dying appalled face, and the rest of my body lying under a puddle of my warm red blood.
Despite reliving the uncomfortable pain, I didn't let it get to me. By having Rias beside me, the warm touch of my arm caught between her breasts, and her head on my shoulder, I can see a small neon red light glistened in the pocket of my younger self. It flew out, growing its size until it transformed into a magic circle. From above that magic circle, a familiar woman emerged. Before my younger self passed out, he remembered how beautiful the woman was from her long crimson hair fluttering in the air, the gleam in her blue eyes, and alluring smile.
""How did you manage to find me?" We relocated to the nearest wooden park bench. I had an arm around Rias's shoulder while she leaned her body closer to mind. Our head rested on one another with our eyes staring back at the fountain.
"Since your graduation is around the corner, it's obvious you want to reflect on your past by taking a trip down memory lane," Rias said, snuggling closer to me. "Going to the academy alone wasn't an option as you wanted to reminisce those fond memories with Asia and the others. But you needed a place to think alone, so you came to the place where it all started."
"Yeah, that sounds right," I smiled in acknowledgment. The intention of coming here alone was to reflect on everything that happened since the beginning of the school year. So much had happened to compare to we dealt with the year before that. Like me exploring myself as a king of a peerage, the Azazel Cup, fighting against the Alliance of Hell, the gathering of the heavenly breasts, etc... But I didn't come here to reflect on the past but also think of the future as well.
After today, I must walk the road laid out to me by Azazel-Sensei and the other Maous. Funny, I thought to myself with a grin. Despite everything I went through these last two years, anxiety still had a way to latch on to me, and I don't know why. Everything's perfect now. I accomplished everything I strived for and then some and overcame grueling obstacles, yet whenever I think about the future now, I can't help to feel overwhelmed.
For a while now, my mind drifted off about the intelligence bureau that Lord Ajuka want me to take over one day and the responsibilities that come with it. What effect it will have on my life and those around me, especially my friends and family. Without a doubt, I'll be swap with work as much as the four Maou's did and be apart from everyone else. Will it be more challenging as I have a harem to managed, and what would happen if we bring children to this world? Would I be around to see them grow?
"Ise?" There was a hint of concern in Rias's voice. She moved her head off my shoulder to see my face. Just staring into her beautiful blue orbs put my paranoia of the future at ease and more so. Feeling like a heavy burden had lifted off my shoulder, I leaned my face closer to Rias's and pressed our lips together.
The kiss started innocently and intended to last for a second. But a spark ignited within us. Coursing through our bodies, Rias and I intoxicated ourselves in with an urge of lust. Acting like wild feral animals entering into heat, we indulged ourselves further into our libido. As our tongues wrestled with one another between the inside of our mouths, our clung bodies repositioned themselves on the bench.
"What's come over you, Ise?" When we broke our sloppy kiss for air, I found myself on top of Rias, who's lying down on the bench. Panted, Rias spoke to me in a dazed tone.
"Surprise?" I smiled slyly.
"You don't usually take the initiative," Rias remarked, stroking my cheek.
"Oh?" I raised my brow. "You don't like it?"
"No." Rias's flushed face turned redder than before. I can see an inkling of vulnerability in Rias's expression I never saw. Like a feeble, yet scrumptious prey who caught under the claws of her predator, Rias submitted herself to me. "I-I would like to see more..."
My lips began to drool from her words. I'm famished, but not for food. For almost two years now, I held pent up sexual urges since Rias and the other girls moved in with me. I never had time to myself to relieve my sexual frustration due to the impeccable timing of my fiances. But now, I feel I can alleviate my built frustration by feasting on my greatest love.
I leaned my face closer to Rias's, ready to seal the deal, but...
"Oh... "This isn't fair. Why does Rias Oni-sama receive more special treatment than the rest of us?" I heard a familiar whimpering sound nearby. Both Rias and I turned our heads to the direction of the whimpering and found... Asia! But not only her, but also Akeno, Koneko-chan, Xenovia, Irina, Ravel, Rossweisse and Ingvild were here too!
"Ara, Ara~. So, this is where you two snuck out to," Akeno giggled with an ominous black aura around her.
"You're truly the worst for leaving us out, Ise-senpai," Koneko stated in a chilling tone while cracking her knuckles.
"Well, this is a first," Xenovia said, putting her hand on her chin. "Usually, Ise would sustain from giving in to his sexual urges; Makes me wonder what would happen if we didn't interfere."
It's because you girls jumped me out of nowhere and making the atmosphere awkward, I wanted to say out loud, but held my tongue. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing as it gave me some memorable moments, but it's getting exhausted to be on the spot.
"Are you only focusing on that?" Irina rebuked Xenovia. "Aren't you mad that Darling left us behind?"
"D-Don't you two have any shame?" Rossweisse asked, flustered. "This isn't the time or place to display such affection."
"Sorry for intruding, Ise." A fidgeting Ingvild bowed her head. "If I have known you wanted alone time with Rias, I wouldn't tag along."
"Hmm..." Ravel kept silent and looked around the park. "You can come out now, Bennia."
"Kuku... Sharp as ever, Manager-sama." In an instant, I felt the presence of another behind the bench. Turning around, I saw a purple hair loli standing there with a skull mask on her face.
It was none other than Bennia Orcus, my second knight I acquired from trading with Sona. Bennia joined my peerage after her original master couldn't participate in Team DxD. I intended to return her to Sona after everything was over, but Bennia decided to stay out of her own volition.
"H-How long have you been there?" I stuttered.
"Oh, I've been following you since you left the house, Boss Oppai Dragon," Bennia giggled nonchalantly.
"What!?" My eyes opened up wide. This grim reaper had been following me since I left the house, and I didn't even know it. "But why?"
"Well, a knight must escort her king to wherever he goes in case of danger, no?" Bennia suggest.
"But he wasn't in any danger," Rias murmured under her breath.
Everyone became still in such a way that time stopped. All my fiances and I had been silent until I burst out laughing.
"Are you alright, Ise-san?" Asia brought up, no longer having a trace of a whimper in her voice.
"I'm alright," I said, wiping away a tear under my eye. "Everything's fine."
Thinking about the future still worried me, but as long I had my harem around, everything was going to turn out just fine, or so I thought.
What day is it today? Kariya wondered. He regained consciousness in the empty room Zouken had given him to rest. It lacked any decor or furniture like a bed to sleep in or a drawer for his clothes, which he had none beside the ones he had on. The windows were covered in dark curtains that allow no sunlight to enter through.
Since agreeing to become a Master in the upcoming Holy Grail War, Kariya had to endure nearly a year's worth of torture to enhanced magical potential to stand a chance against the other mages. He had lost track of time in the first few weeks of undergoing this procedure. Every night he would endure the crest worms to violate his body while in the day he attempted to recuperate by sleeping in, though it did very little due to the insects probing through his body.
"Well, you just barely made it." Kariya moved his one good eye to see Zouken coming into his room. The elder Matou sounded rather cheery. Kariya wasn't sure if his old man was delighted to see his pathetic son in such a weary state, surprised to see him alive at all, or both.
"If the Grail's chosen you, that means you've made some progress as a mage." Zouken noted as Kariya attempted to sit himself up from the floor. "I'll give you that much, Kariya. But look at you. You like hell."
Kariya grunted and averted his gaze away from his father. Despite his jovial tone, Zouken wasn't kidding around about Kariya's state. Since taking in the crest worms in his body, Kariya's charcoal black hair had gone white, he gone blind in his left eye, his skin, which was once glow a rosy color of living flesh, turned to a ghastly shade of gray.
"Does your left leg still work?" Zouken sneered from ramming the bottom of his cane to Kariya's foot. The weaker Matou cried out in pain much to Zouken's satisfaction. Kariya hissed at his father in enrage, the veins on his face bulged up and wiggled to his emotions.
"Don't get too angry," the elder Matou laughed. "If you get the Crest worms inside you all worked up, they'll devour you. Either way I'd give you a month at best."
"That's plenty," Kariya mumbled to himself.
"What did you say?" Zouken asked.
"I said that's plenty of time," the younger Matou rasped without looking Zouken in the eye.
"Haha... Kariya, this is your present for surviving an entire year," Zouken said. "I found the perfect relic for you. Don't let your father's kindness go to waste."
It was already mid-afternoon in Kuoh Town. I, Issei, found myself in the old school building in Kuoh Academy along with other members of the Occult Research Club and some of our close friends. After being caught with Rias by my other fiances and servants, I accompanied the Church Trio to the Old School Building as I did with Rias and Akeno last year. The four of us spent the entire morning sharing our favorite memories of the school until the other members showed up.
"How's the cake doing for you?" Sitting to my right was Kiba. He showed up not long after the Church Trio, and I arrived at the academy. He brought over a cake he baked to share with everyone.
"Delicious as always," I complimented him.
"This probably the best one you ever made," Koneko-chan said, munching down a piece.
She sat down on her favorite spot, my lap. Luckily Ravel or the other girls didn't attempt to pry her off of me, especially since they being very clingy since the incident in the park. On the way to school, the church trio took turns clenching on to my arms. They held on as we tour the school, which lucky for me no one was there to we all rendezvoused back in the old school building, I remained wedge between my fiances, except for Rias, and Koneko-chan became my paperweight and held me down.
Kiba must have taken the opportunity to take the empty seat as some of my fiances had left. Rias and Akeno went to check the preparations for the banquet the Gremory household holding for the graduating members. Asia and Irina accompanied Xenovia to student council room to help her with her valedictorian speech. Rossweisse, who was last to sit next to me, walked out of the clubroom not that long ago.
"Whaa! Ise-senpai!" Gasper came up to me with teary eyes. "I can't believe the day had finally come for you to graduate." He sniffled.
"Why are you so sad, Gasper?" I asked.
Gasper wiped away the tears streaming across his face. "I'm sad because it means I won't be able to see Senpai around campus."
I wasn't sure if it was the manner Gasper said it, but his response struck me to my core more than it should. Before I could even say anything, Koneko got up from my lap and flicked Gasper in the head.
"Hey! That kind of hurt!" Gasper said, rubbing his head.
"Gaspy, you shouldn't be crying over something like that." Koneko rebuked. "It's not like you won't see him anymore."
"I know that!" Gasper exclaimed. "But it was always comforting to have Ise-senpai around. It's going to rough not have him or Kiba-senpai around."
"You'll eventually get used to it," Kiba chimed in. "After all, you got over Rias nee-san and Akeno nee-san leaving, no?"
"I guess so. But still..." Gasper's eyes got watery again like he's ready to burst out crying.
"Hey, Hyoudou!" Saji shouted my name as he entered the room.
"Saji, you made it." I smiled back at him.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Saji put his fist out once he got closer to me. After I bumped fists with Saji, I noticed Koneko took Gasper away toward Ravel, who was speaking with Lint, Le Fay, and Bennia.
"I may be late and all, but I didn't suspect so little people to show up," Saji noted. He wasn't referring to the ones who had left the clubroom either. Others like Bova and Ouryuu Nakiri aren't here after all. Speaking of which, the two of them had gone to the Dragon Range to train with Crom Cruach. Roygun went to the Underworld to deal with her estrange clan. Elmenhilde went back to her home in Romania with Millarca. Kuroka must still be at home doing god knows what by now, being the lazy cat she was. Vali and some of his teammates are visiting Vallaha. Both Balberith and Verrine are way doing some official business under Ajuka's orders. Even the new members I recruited into my peerage after dealing with the Alliance of Hell aren't here.
"Everyone said they'll be here in time before the ceremony begins," I told Saji.
"That's good to hear," Saji smiled. "By the way, Hyoudou. I was wondering what kind of design your cap is going to have. I'm only asking since the student council had confiscated Matsuda and Motohama's caps for being too obscene."
"Cap?" I blinked, sensing I had forgotten something important. "Ah, fuck!" If Ingvild, who's seating on my left, hadn't fallen asleep and rested her head on my shoulder, I would have shot myself out of my seat. Although my exclaimed voice alone got everyone's attention, including an abruptly woken Ingvild.
"Is there something wrong, Ise-sama?" Ravel rushed over to my side, panicked.
"I left my cap at the office," I said, getting back up. When my class got our cap and gowns a few days back, Asia, Xenovia, and I left them at the workplace where we do our devil job for the time being. I was supposed to bring it home last night, but I never did.
Pulling out my smartphone, I check the time. There were a few hours left before the graduating class had to meet up in the gymnasium. Unlike last year, which Rias and Akeno's class graduated during the day, my class will be graduating at night.
"Do you want us to accompany you to get your cap?" Ingvild yawned by the time I reached the door.
"No, I'll be fine," I assured. When I head out the door, for some reason, I turned around and gave the clubroom one last look. Like what happened earlier in the day, my mind slowly drifted back to the day I first came into the Occult Research Club. I can see my younger self following Kiba to the entrance to the club. Once we got to the door, I remembered the Occult Research Club, which sparked my curiosity and became in awe with the classroom's appearance when I got inside.
"Are you okay, Ise-sama?" Ravel asked.
"Oh, sorry." I shook my head. "I was just reminiscing about good old times."
KKariya slowly dragged himself to head to the basement of Matou residence. The time had finally come for him to summon his heroic spirit. If he does succeed in acquiring one, his troubles had just begun. Kariya knew far too well that he must face off the other mages and their servants in the war. With his state, it was going to a challenge to decipher the servants' true identities and deal with the mages as well. He may be at a disadvantage, but Kariya wasn't that worried. If he was willing to put up an entire year in the worm pit, he could confront anything coming his way. The younger Matou will stop at nothing to save Sakura.
Lost in thought, Kariya failed to notice Sakura coming from the other side of the corridor. Her frightened expression snapped him from his trance. Out of the pain his body went through, seeing Sakura's expression hurt Kariya more than spending a whole year in the worm pit.
'Oh, Sakura-chan – did I startle you?" Kariya smiled, hoping it would but Sakura's apprehension at ease, but didn't.
"… Um. Yes, your face...?"
"Yeah, I know." Kariya interrupted her. Under the bright lighting of the corridor, Kariya appeared no different than a leper near death's door. By the manner he limped, and how face had shown signs of decay, Sakura couldn't recognize her uncle if it weren't for his voice.
"Seems I lost a little bit to the worms inside of me. I guess I'm not as tough as you are, " Kariya laughed it off like it was nothing. Sakura's face held on to its stoic expression. Instead of finding solace in Kariya's words, the adoptive Matou felt frightened; her small body curled up in response.
"Uncle Kariya, you're turning into a different person, aren't you?" Kariya said nothing, unsure what she meant by it. Was she referring to a more physical sense or mental? It couldn't be the latter as Kariya's more determined than ever to save Sakura and get her back to Aoi.
"Haha, maybe." Kariya shrugged. Though I can say the same thing about you, Kariya thought.
The girl standing before him was no longer the Sakura he once remembered. She no longer had her father's black hair. From the pain and stress she endured for an entire year, it completely turned purple. Her eyes no longer bear her natural blue color iris, and felicity a child her age should have. In its place were hollow purple eyes with a gaze filled with no emotions. She was once an energic girl full of spirit, but know she's a shell of her former self. To endure the torturous pit, the poor girl had to paralyze her mind and have her body complaint to worms violating her body.
"I don't have to go to the worm pit tonight." There was a hint of relief in her voice, much to Kariya's surprise. He can see it in her deadpan eyes, a small spark of happiness that was once lost and forgotten. "Grandfather said there will be more important ceremony to attend."
"Yeah I know." Without realizing it, Kariya raised his voice and startled Sakura. The happiness in her eyes had vanished. "That's why I'm going to the basement tonight. Instead of you."
"Are you going somewhere far away?" Sakura asked.
"Well I have an important job to do for a while," Kariya admitted to degree, lowering his voice down. "I'm might have much to talk to you until I get back."
"I see." Sakura stared down at the ground. The tension in the corridor became uncomfortable for the two of them. Kariya knew Sakura didn't want this conversation to go on any longer from her meaningless blank gaze, but he didn't want to leave her feeling so depressed.
"Hey Sakura. When my job's over, want to go somewhere to have fun with your mom and sister?" Kariya offered.
"Mother...? Sister...?" Sakura said dejectedly after a pause. "...I don't have people that I can call by those names anymore. Grandfather told me that I should treat them as no longer existing."
"I see..." Sakura tilted her head, confused to see Kariya staggering his way to her. He knelt to Sakura's height and wrapped his arm around her. With her head buried in his chest, Sakura couldn't see Kariya's face as he began to shed tears.
"Uncle?" She called out.
"Alright then. When it's all over let's take Aoi and Rin from the Tohsakas and go somewhere far away." Closing his eyes, Kariya dwelled back on the past. He thought of the good old days of when he, Aoi, and their daughters were all together like one big happy family. "We can hang out and have fun like we used to."
"Does that mean I can see them again?" Sakura said it without any indication of hope or doubt. Maybe she asked out of curiosity?
"Yeah, you will. You have my word," Kariya promised, releasing her from his grip. "Alright, I have to get going now."
"Bye-bye, Uncle Kariya." Sakura watched her uncle lurched off to the basement. Through her hollow eyes, Sakura didn't see her uncle as the noble brave man as he believed himself to be. All she can see was a pitiful deadman walking. "Bye-bye."
On my way to the office, I lost myself in a train of thought. My mind led me to my greatest failure as the Sekiryuutei. I can still picture him, my future brother in law, On my way to the office, I lost myself in a train of thought. My mind led me to my greatest failure as the Sekiryuutei. I can still picture him, my future brother in law, Sirzechs, in his body enveloped in his power, the power of destruction, placed his hand on the core of Trihexa with a magic seal. Then the rest of his servants appeared and reported to him on the situation with the other Trihexa's cores. A small communication magic circle appeared on his ear.
"We need to implement the plan. Is this okay?" No, it's not! I wanted to tell him. I know this is the only resolution we had at the time, but if you and the other go there...
Just like I remembered the first time, Sirzechs called his wife. He held his palm out to her face, casting the hypothesis spell on her. The married couple shared their parting words before passed out. Two more magic circles appeared and projected holograms of two of the other Satans, Serafall Leviathan and Falbium Asmodeus. The trio spoke about preparations and their loved ones before I managed to muster my voice.
"…Sirzechs-sama…? …What is happening…?" I murmured.
"This is it. This is the final means of those of us in the top brass. According to our calculations, defeating Trihexa will require an enormous amount of time. Of course, being able to completely seal it would be best, but…it is unfortunate that that will also take a lot of time and is not the conclusion that we need."
His servants gathered around the core and slowly drift up in the air together. "Regardless of whether we defeat it or seal it, either method is extremely time-consuming. And Trihexa will continue its destruction in the meantime. If that continues, the world will be completely destroyed. Our combat strength is also limited. Once, or twice, we may be able to hold it back, but there will come a day — when our strength is exhausted. Just like before, you saw what kind of a monster the opponent is, Ise-kun. It is a true monster that will completely regenerate no matter how you try to defeat it."
Sirzechs levitated up in the air and smiled down at me. "Serafall, Falbium and I, as well as my peerage will depart from here to the 'Isolation Barrier Field' that was created by Azazel and the others specifically for use against Trihexa. We will also seal the original body and the core within that field. And be confined together with it. The higher ups of the other factions have also agreed to this plan. Azazel, Michael-dono, Odin-sama, Zeus-sama, and other gods will also implement this plan in their respective territories at the same time."
Everything was getting hazy. My eyes struggle to keep open each time I blinked. Sirzechs continued to speak, but I barely understood what he said. "Rias, Millicas, and Grayfia. I leave them in your care for the time. Don't judge Grayfia by her appearances, she'll actually be very lonely, even more so than Rias. …When I'm not around, I hope that you can be her conversation partner. Ise-kun, the Underworld will be left in the care of Rias, Sona, Sairaorg, and the others. Next is Millicas' generation, and the generations which follow, so please look after them on my behalf. Well, goodb—"
"No stop!" I shouted out loud from the top of my lungs. Frantic and out of breath, I looked around my surroundings. There were several desks inside the dark room I was in, on top of which were documents and computers, while file cabinets stood on the side along with a fax machine and a sofa for guests. The desk I stood behind was the only large mahogany Partner desk in the room.
Wait, it's coming back to me now. I'm at the private cram school given to me as a base for my peerage. Damn, the last thing I remembered was leaving the Occult Research Club. Did I come all the way here while a daze? I pulled out my phone and sighed. There was plenty of time before the ceremony began.
[Trouble, Partner?] A familiar voice asked. A green orb of light appeared at the back of my sweat-drenched hand.
"You can say that." I pulled up my chair and sat down. "But it just graduation jitters."
[It didn't appear that way.] Ddraig noted. [Are you sure there's more to your stress than you assumed?]
"There's nothing I can hide from you, huh?" I snickered weakly. Ddraig's right, it's not graduation stressing me out. It's been one year since Azazel-sensei and Sirzechs left to fight Trihexa in the isolated barrier. I'd been lying if I said if I didn't felt remorse when the anniversary came by. All of us from the Occult Research Club did.
Hell, ever since my team won the Azazel Cup came to an end, I've been reliving the memory of the end of the Trihexa incident in my head lately over and over again. Every morning I woke up douse in sweat, my aching heart beating rapidly as fast as my trembling body, and my lungs heaving for air as if I had just drowned in a pool of regret.
[Could it be the prize of the Azazel Cup the cause of all this?] Ddraig asked.
The prize of the Azazel Cup? The winner of the Rating Game received whatever they desired the most in the world as long it was reasonable. I already have what I wanted after winning the Azazel Cup. I've grown my rank as a devil into the high class. My future had been laid out for me. And I'm living the life I desired as a Harem King. What else can I ask for?
"So please look after them on my behalf. Well, goodb-"
Oh, that. The freedom of Sirzechs, Azazel-Sensei, and the rest of other trapped in the isolated barrier with Trihexa. Maybe my real wish was to relinquish them from spending almost eternity with Trihexa. But how can anyone fulfill that wish? It's almost impossible- no I shouldn't be thinking about it. It just sucks to know that the anniversary had to come before graduation.
Also, besides the anniversary of the Trihexa incident, there are troubling thoughts that crossed my mind. Mainly the future and what's became of everyone in the Gremory group. I know we'll stay in touch with one another and remain close, but none of us will have the liberty to hang out together as we use to. I still remember what Rias said to everyone when Sirzechs' peerage visited the Hyoudou residence. The last time she last saw all of them together was when she was a little girl.
"Maybe I should come clean with Rias and the others," I acknowledged my doubts.
Glancing over my desk, I found my cap lying there. I picked it up and admired the design I put on it. Unlike my perverted friends, who used designed their graduation caps with obscenity, I decorated mine by including characters from the Oppai Dragon show. It consisted of the cast from the first season, mainly Oppai Dragon, Switch Princess, Hellcat-chan, Danball Vampire God, and Darkness Fang Knight. Honestly, I'm still amazed I managed to fit all the original main characters unto my cap.
Heading out to the door with my cap in hand, I stopped halfway after noticing something was off. My eyes drew my attention toward the magic circle on the ground. It's the teleportation circle my peerage use to do our devil jobs.
"This is odd." Bending down, I sensed the teleportation circle was active. There's someone out there waiting for one of us to respond. At this time of day? My peerage informed our clients yesterday we'll be closing up shop today for graduation. Did someone not get the memo?
Leaving it should be the best course of action to take. Who gave a fuck if one client got stood up? I know I wouldn't, yet I felt drawn to it.
"Shit," I cursed. With a reluctant sigh, I step on the teleportation circle. The plan wasn't to stay long. All I had to do was inform the client my peerage isn't holding any devil jobs today and leave regardless if they understand the situation or not.
"Have you accurately memorized the incantations of summoning?" Zouken asked.
"Yes," Kariya responded.
The basement in the Matou mansion never looked so vacant as it was tonight. There was no trace of a single crest worm lurking in the Matou's dark green cellar nor did Kariya picked up any of presence of one hidden in the shadow. It was like they have never resided here in the first place, making the place more eerie than usual. The only ones present in the basement were him, Zouken, the intended elaborate magic circle used for tonight's summoning ritual.
"That's good." Zouken's wrinkled face cracked a wicked grin. "Only, midway through the incantation, add two more lines of incantations."
"What do you mean?" The crest worms residing in Kariya's body pranced through his body, nibbling in parts of his internal organs as his blood boiled in frustration.
"It's quite simple." Zouken turned around to his malnourished son. "Because of your short time in training, Kariya, your rank as a mage is lower than that of the other Masters the grail had summoned. That will affect the servant's base abilities."
The ancient magus was only speaking the truth, but Kariya knew he was throwing salt to the wound from how delighted his tone was. After spending months of enduring endless torture in the worm pit, Kariya was nowhere near the level to the other mages competing in the Holy Grail War. His skills paled in comparison to Mage's Association's Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, the church's Kirei Kotomine, the hitman the Einzbern had hired, or even to... Tokiomi Tohsaka.
"This means we have to boost the servant's parameters by attempting to modify the servant's class by much as possible," Zouken continued. "Kariya. To that end, I want you to add the affinity "Berserk" to the servant you summon today."
Damn you, old man. Kariya clicked his tongue, the crest worms pattered across his entrails eagerly in respond to his frustration boiling. You're trying to make me lose, aren't you?
The Berserker class are the most troublesome to maintain among the seven servant classes. Heroic spirits summoned in this class have their consciousness and sanity rip from their body as they gain an insane power boost known as Mad Enhancement. It's difficult for a regular mage to utilize a servant that lost their rationality, but for Kariya, in his state, it's almost impossible.
"This will be the relic we'll be using to the summon the heroic spirit, Lancelot Du Lac." Next to Zouken stood a large wooden box. The elder Matou opened it to reveal a cracked dragon skull.
"Alright, now we got the relic out of the way, how about telling me those extra lines I needed to summon him," Kariya demanded.
"Fine, fine." Zouken waved his hand off before he closed the box. "Here it is."
Zouken spoke out the words loud and clear for Kariya to hear, causing Kariya's only seeing eye to widen up.
"No. That can't be it." Kariya denied.
"But Kariya, whatever do you mean?" Zouken chuckled. "I promise you those are the right words you need to summon Lancelot."
'Looks like he won't give the right incantation if I don't play along with this little game of his.' Kariya sighed. "Fine. Let's get this over with."
"Good." Zouken placed the box containing the dragon skull on its appropriate location as Kariya raised his hand out forward.
"Fill, fill, fill, fill, fill. Repeat five times but destroy each when filled.
Heed my words, My will creates your body,
And your sword creates my destiny. If you heed the Grail's call,
And obey my will and reason, Then answer my summoning!"
The summoning circle emanated a bright blue glow. Its blinding light forced Kariya to closed his one functioning eye. Multiple veins popped emerged on his skin apply more of his magic to the chant.
"I hereby swear, That I shall be all the good in the world,
That I shall defeat . . . all evil in the world!
Then let thou's eyes be clouded with dirty thoughts of perversion and kinkiness.
Though, wort art trapped in a life of a deviant, and I, the summoner, who holds thy in check!"
Kariya was near his limit. His wobbling legs were about to given in, his racing heart was about to collapse, and his worms within him were gnawing deep into his body.
No! Not yet!' Kariya persisted. 'I can't have my body collapse on this botch summoning. I just can't. For sakura's sake.'
"Seven heavens clad, and the great words of power!
Come forth from the circle of bindings, Guardian of Scales!"
The ground trembled violently as a thunderous crack of an explosion was heard. When the white pillar of prana reached its peak, Kariya recoiled back into the ground from blasted winds caused by the summoning. Zouken remained grounded, his mouth hanged open. The summoning wasn't supposed to work, yet he can detect the presence of another within the thick dark smoke caused by summoning once light faded away.
My heart sank from the unnecessary remorse and paranoia I felt all day. Parts of me wished I had left and returned to the others to receive solace, yet against my better judgment, I'm on the teleportation circle, ready to speak with a client. The magic circle resonated with a red glow. It's prepared to teleport me away.
[Partner! Something's wrong with the magic circle!]
"Eh?" Looking down, I saw the color on the magic circle changed from neon red to whitish blue.
"Seven heavens clad, and the great words of power!
Come forth from the circle of bindings, Guardian of Scales!"
"Fill, fill, fill, fill, fill. Repeat five times but destroy each when filled.
Heed my words, My will creates your body,
And your sword creates my destiny. If you heed the Grail's call,
And obey my will and reason, Then answer my summoning!"
The teleportation circle flashed up, enveloping me in its light as a strange voice echoed in the background.
"I hereby swear, That I shall be all the good in the world,
That I shall defeat . . . all evil in the world!
Then let thou's eyes be clouded with dirty thoughts of perversion and kinkiness.
Though, wort art trapped in a life of a deviant, and I, the summoner, who holds thy in check!"
Somehow I can't help it but be offended to be summoned by such words. My eyes even twitch in response. Besides feeling offended, I can already felt my body breaking apart molecule by molecule. From my legs up, the transportation had begun, and all I can do was hear the last few words of my summoner.
"Seven heavens clad, and the great words of power!
Come forth from the circle of bindings, Guardian of Scales!"
"Damn it Kariya, get up!" Zouken jabbed the fallen master on the ground.
"Huh?" The malnourished master rose up in the ground, coughing. "I-It work? It actually worked?"
"Unfortunately," Zouken said, grinding his teeth.
"Damnit, I should've come here by bike." Both Kariya and Zouken directed their eyes towards the heroic spirit in the room. Once the smoke cleared, both of their mouths gaped at his appearance. The heroic spirit in front of him wasn't Lancelot Du Lac. He wasn't remotely even French, or European, rather he looked no older than a... Japanese high schooler.
There was a thick cloud of smoke surrounding the area before I knew it. The last thing I can recall was a sudden change of the teleportation circle before being blinded by the whitish blue light.
"Damnit, I should've come here by bike," I coughed. The smoke finally cleared up and I was able to survey my surroundings a lot better. I arrived at what appeared to be some sort of underground dungeon that gave off this eerie green glow. I looked straight a pair of pale men gawking at me as if they were surprised by my presence. One of them is short and bald dressed in a black and green kimono while the other had a blue hoodie and a pair of black jeans.
Huh... I somehow ended up summoned in a sketchy dungeon with a pair of two grown ill men who probably never seen the light of day. Why do I always get the weird ones?
Yeah so sorry again for publishing late. I had a lot going on in my life again. While the chapter itself doesn't seem to be all that special, I had to cut out all of content. For example I intended to write the scene where Ise and Rias reflect on their pasts, especially mistakes they made, which included a scene where Rias speak of Raynare to Issei and how she came to learn the truth of the issue from Akeno after the two became a couple, but I didn't include as it didn't come out right to me as I wrote it. Another scene I cut out happen during the ORC, where I intended emphasis Issei being uncomfortable with the idea of the gang breaking up with Kiba, who in this story had plans to move to Italy with Tosca, but scrap it as I felt it would take too long to write and I couldn't figure out how to write without making none of the characters be OOC. The last scene I wanted to include but didn't was a scene with Issei and Rossweisse right after Issei left the clubroom but before arrived the Hyoudou company office at the cramp school, but I decided to put that in a different chapter.
I also had issues writing Kariya's scenes too, especially his interaction with Sakura as I was using both the Light Novel and Anime to write their scene together and didn't want to copy and past from the light novel alone. Lastly is the issue with reason how Issei got teleported to the Type moon universe. I know the ending seem kind of weak compare to original I posted in a preview I posted in the DxD achieve, which in that version, Issei and his peerage were preforming devils jobs at the time which seem reasonably of how Issei got accidentally transported to Fuyuki, but I wanted to happen during graduation, which no doubt both Ise and Rias's peerage would postpone their work for the graduation ceremony if you think about, so I made up a scenario where Issei would go on the magic circle just on a whim.
Also something my Beta asked of me, I'm going to include the information of who already in the harem to those who haven't caught up with the LN.
Issei's fiance: Rias Gremory, Asia Argento, Akeno Himejima, Koneko Toujou, Kuroka Toujou, Xenovia Quarta, Irina Shidou, Rossweisse, Ravel Phenex (Not official yet, but Issei claimed he intend to propose to her soon.)
Women included in the harem: Ingvild Leviathan, Kunou, Yasaka, Roygun Belphegor, Le Fay, Elmenhilde, and Bennia Orcus (possible candidate)
Issei Hyoudou's peerage (as of Shin Vol 4): King-Issei Hyoudou, Queen-Ingvild Leviathan, Rook-Rossweisse, Rook (Mutation)-N/A, Knight-Xenovia Quarta, Knight-Bennia Orcus, Bishop-Asia Argento, Bishop-Ravel Phenex, Pawn (x8)-Vacant.
I'll update Issei's fiances, harem, and peerage as the offical story progressed. Also I know people are requesting to see Issei's parameters as a Servant, but I'm going to hold it off until the end of the second arc. The first arc will end in two chapters and the chapter that follow would hopefully be 3 to 4 chapters.
Now on to the preview:
After being summoned in another universe with no way back to his own, Issei wake up the following morning in an motel with his summoner and his niece. With Kariya's memories foggy of what occurred after the summoning, Issei filled in the dots to malnourished Magi what occurred last night. Meanwhile the absence of the Oppai Dragon can be felt in his home world as graduation ceremony begins as the other universe must face the consequences to Issei's presence.
Issei: So my only way back home alive is to win this grail and have fulfill my wish?