Chapter 6: Governor

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Incompetence. The inability to do something successfully.

Automatically, who or what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Is it the idiots working in fast food restaurants that can't get your order right? Is it Hollywood's woke agenda that prevents them from making good movies like they used to?

While those are true, the most common example of incompetence is the people in positions of power, mostly politicians. Sometimes, their incompetence means they're too lazy to do anything right. Other times, it's that they're just outright malicious, and therefore incompetent at doing what's in the best interest of their people.

Now, why oh why, you must be asking yourself, does this version of Raynare see her leader, Governor Azazel, as incompetent? That's because unlike the shitty canon light novel, this version isn't one-dimensional and isn't as useless as the other Raynare, nor is she a beta female simp.

She smirked to herself at her thoughts as she sat directly behind Issei in class, both of them staring out the window. It's not that she dislikes Azazel at all, but rather finds his obsession with science and sacred gears to be too much for her liking, so all she can do is smirk or grin awkwardly whenever the leader would talk, more so to himself.

If fallen angel Raynare (or Raynare "Cadere" as she likes to refer to herself among humans) were to take an IQ test, she'd measure between 160-170. That's nothing special but is also nothing to scoff at. The average American's IQ is 100 at best, and the average Japanese citizen's IQ is 106.

However, IQ is nothing more than a number of one's logical potential. If they don't put their mind to good use and make something of themselves, then what's the point?

She's doing all she can to learn from the boy, her "boyfriend" (they still haven't addressed their love life and if they truly feel anything for each other while also strangely not having rid themselves of this term and some occasional teasing that borders flirtatious behavior, even though their hearts don't exactly skip) and master seated in front of her. Everything from playing chess to his mannerisms with others, the vocabulary he uses, how he fights in battle (which she recently witnessed against an army of stray devils and even aided him to the best of her ability), and the way he carries himself.

In short, Issei Hyoudou is anything but incompetent, and she hopes to be learn all she can as his student and to apply it in practice.

The times they'd spar became more and more ferocious, although she'd never win and he'd never go all out since he doesn't want to kill her.

A couple of times, their spars would end up with him holding back and setting a max power level that matches hers so perfectly that they'd go at it for hours. Eventually, they'd give up or they'd end up being so tired and making a mistake that would end up with their bodies intertwined as they'd stumble and crash into the ground on each other's laps or his face in her large breasts. She'd look at him in surprise as he'd quickly remove himself look to the side while scowling but blushing, knowing that he made himself feel awkward and that she'll tease him.

It certainly made Issei suspicious that he'd done that on more than one instance. Raynare would accuse him of being a pervert playfully as he'd glare at her and deny it. Though deep down, they both knew he probably has a perverted side to him since he is a hormonal 15-year-old teenage boy.

However, as things stand right now, she'd still spar with him and fight alongside him. Issei is her best chance of weathering any storm coming their way.

If only things were that simple and she knew the issues they'd face along the way...

The school bell rung to indicate the end of school and the beginning of club hours, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Earth to Raynare? Hello?" Issei snapped his fingers in her face, Asia standing beside him, grinning at her.

"Wha-?!"

"Didn't you hear what I said? We're going to the Student Council."

"Right. Lead the way."

The three kept getting various looks from their classmates. Jealous guys, girls crushing on Issei but glaring at the other two, some just silently cheering them on, and others that don't care.

Arriving at the Student Council room, this time he had the courtesy to knock before coming in, especially knowing that Sona is now an ally.

"Hyoudou? Raynare and Argento too? What can I do for you?"

"I'd like to start my own club. I want it to be kept top secret between us that no one else knows about it. Keep it off the record, please."

"Oh? Sure. Fill out this form then. What will you call it?" Sona hands him a sheet and watches him with interest as he fills it out.

"The Supernatural Investigation Club, or SIC for short. I'm the President, Raynare is the Vice President, and Asia is our mascot." He smirks.

"The name is an insult to the Gremory girl, eh?" Raynare raises an eyebrow.

"Yep! Someone's gotta do what she couldn't, which is to actually find out things about the supernatural that high-class spoiled little princesses like her would likely never find out, such as with our recent escapade in the mountains."

Tsubaki stuffs the form into a locked filing cabinet that no one but Sona and her can access.

"Speaking of escapades and mountains," Sona sighs, "there are reports floating around of a being or multiple beings that murdered thousands of stray devils in a shockingly small area. Was that you?"

"Damn right it was."

"Watch your mouth with kaichou!" Saji simps.

"Kindly shut your filthy sewer," Issei growls at him, making him flinch in fear at his aura.

"Hyoudou," Sona returns his attention back to her. "What you did in the mountains was a tremendous help, as you may have saved many lives, but you've also sent a panic among the three factions, mainly among the devils since this was supposed to be Rias' territory, and those mountains are quite near Kuoh. They're scared, wondering what kind of powerful monster could've taken out so many strays."

"Good. I hope they died of fear. I wouldn't be surprised given how soft your people (obviously not referring to your family to be specific) have become given how they haven't seen war in thousands of years. Not that war is a good thing, but it keeps people from becoming senile."

Sona's expression softens. Getting up, she gently places a reluctant hand on his shoulder, making him flinch and glare at her limb in distrust instinctually because she's both a devil and a female. He soon relaxes, knowing it's Sona, so it should probably be fine, but his past experiences with females and devils have been anything but good, so that part of him might never change.

"... Hyoudou, I know you distrust us devils a lot given what happened with Rias, but... I just want to apologize on her behalf."

"It's fine," He forcefully smirks. "I got revenge, so all's well that ends well."

She frowns. "You're downplaying your trauma."

"I'm fine, so please drop the subject," He grits his teeth painfully. The sting of being forced into Rias' peerage is so fresh, his hand instinctively going up to his lower abdomen where Akeno stabbed him to thrust him into his short life as a devil.

Noticing the movement but not commenting on it, Sona sighs but nods. "If... If you ever want to talk about it, I'm here. I'm not just the kaichou, leader of this school's students. I'm supposed to take care of my own."

"That's what you see me as? One of your own?"

"Yes. I can't say that for all students, nor do I go out of my way to help everyone with their personal grievances. What happened to you was very unfair."

"You're too kind..." Issei looks down, not sure he deserves this. Even now, a small part of him feels remorse for what he did to Rias and her peerage, but that's the human side of him. He knows they deserved it, but a tiny amount of guilt remains, not because he'll act on it, but because he has a heart and feels for even those who hurt him. Looking back at it, he wishes he could've at least not chosen to kill Kiba. Maybe things could've been different and the two would end up being friends. Other than Ddraig, Issei has no male buddies, and the only people outside his own family he now cares about are Asia and Sona, both being girls.

Seeing this interaction and as if able to tell what he's feeling because she observed him for a while, Raynare isn't sure what to do or say. Her target she was supposed to assassinate is a much more complicated individual than she could've imagined.

"Are you okay?" She whispers. Something akin to guilt hit her, not sure what the feeling is.

He scowls. "Why would you care? Someone like you is always after something. There's always an ulterior motive!"

He was very tempted to say "girls" instead of "someone like you," but he didn't want to offend everyone present as most of the Student Council comprises of the opposite gender.

Raynare turns her gaze down, looking thoroughly ashamed. Whenever he'd make these snide remarks, a piece of her ice-cold facade she'd have around most would chip away.

Sighing and forcing a grin on his face, Issei says, "Anyway kaichou, will I be needing my own designated place for club activities?"

Sona stares for a moment between the boy and his fallen companion, wondering if he's really okay.

"... Normally, I'd say yes, but because it's you, I'd prefer you lay low. If you were to even try to use the ORC's building to add further insult to their name, I think you'd probably blow your cover. Lord Lucifer is looking for you, despite not knowing who you are."

He nods and begins heading home, all the while Asia and Raynare are silently contemplating how to get Issei to really open up.

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On the way home, Issei decided to take a longer route a little ways away from most of the city. They came across two grassy hills with a small river in the middle and a bridge between them.

Sitting in the basin is a man that made them stop in their tracks, his magical signature so powerful that even Asia can sense it. The man is wearing black sweatpants and a red trench coat, and he has black hair with blonde bangs.

Raynare's eyes widen in surprise. "Lord Azazel?! What are you doing here?"

Azazel, who was sitting there and smoking weed while staring off into the horizon, turns to Issei and pats the spot next to him. "Please sit, Issei Hyoudou. We have much to discuss."

"I'd rather not."

"You distrust me, and rightfully so, but allow me to apologize on Kokabiel's behalf-"

"Did you know? Did you know about what that guy was doing right under your nose?"

Azazel sighs. "Yes."

Issei tenses up and growls at the man, but this time, he exercises self-restraint unlike when he attacked Rias.

"Details. Now."

"You've got balls, kid, making demands of a leader-class being." Putting out the cigarette by stomping on it, Azazel stands to face him. "Allow me to reintroduce myself. I'm Governor Azazel. I'd like to apologize-"

"Actions speak louder than words. You want forgiveness? Prove it to me."

"Like how you've 'forgiven' my subordinate, and by forgive, I mean treat her like shit? Then sure." Azazel tries to point out the flaw in his logic.

"Are you saying Raynare works for you?"

"She did. Kokabiel made many requisitions years ago, one of which was to transfer Raynare under his command, promising to repay me with tools he knew I'd find interesting to experiment on. At the time, I had no reason to deny his request nor suspect him of any kind of treachery."

"Let me guess, he deceived you."

Azazel nods. "Unfortunately, yes. I should've seen the signs that he was building up an army of rogues. His agents infiltrated my chain of command perfectly."

"You truly are incompetent."

Ignoring the insult, Azazel places a hand on his chin as he walks in a circle around the boy, looking intently at his left arm.

"So it's not a twice critical. Has to be a longinus, and very few longini sacred gears are unaccounted for," He spoke to himself. "Given how he tore up the church and how distinct his aura is, I believe he is the Red Dragon Emperor."

Annoyed, Issei snaps, "I believe I don't give a fuck. You're just like the others, no different from those power-hungry devil whores."

Azazel chuckles, earning a death glare. "Well, you're not wrong. The difference is I'm not trying to kill you to force you to work for me."

"Then why else are you here?"

"Listen kid, I know the Gremory's older brother, Sirzechs, and he won't stop hunting you until you're dead."

"Let him try."

"I'm afraid you don't understand. The guy is among the top 10 most powerful beings in the supernatural world in terms of shear power alone, and I'm not talking about political power, although he has plenty of that which means plenty of allies to help him kill you. To make matters worse, he's a sis-con."

"How is that worse than basically have god-like powers?!" Raynare voices what the three were thinking.

"Well, the extents to which Sirzechs would go to for Rias are boundless, and none of you have siblings or have ever known love."

Issei scoffs. "Don't associate me with this bitch as if we have something in common. My parents are all I need, and Asia is my first and only friend."

Raynare's hair covers her eyes. Upset, she growls out, "I said I'd do anything for you since you spared me, but to insult me in front of my own kin like that... I'm done following you for now... Only call upon my services if it's urgent!" She couldn't contain the sorrow in her voice.

She runs away, not listening to Asia crying out her name. Despite what she did to him, Raynare somehow feels betrayed. 'Why should I care what that emotional boy says about me?'

Issei makes no attempt to stop Raynare, but he feels confusion and anger seeing Asia run after the fallen, as if the blonde somehow chose her over him.

["Partner, your anger is understandable, but that was too far."]

Azazel whistles, as if it were all impressive entertainment to him. "What teen drama. Also, it's good to hear your voice again, Ddraig."

"Raynare is not teen girl. She's a grown fucking woman that should know better."

"She's just over 3,000 years old, which in fallen angel terms puts her at your age of 15 in human years. We live very long lives. It's not our fault it takes us so long to mature. Blame Lucifer."

"She should've lived a life of being less of a waste of space and more of a contributor to society! And how does it take 3,000 years to mature?!"

"Because that's the way it is. All I'm saying is have a heart, kid. We all make mistakes, and Raynare's was being young and naive enough to trust Kokabiel. Yes, I should've kept a tighter leash on Kokabiel, and yes, Raynare should've come to me to tell me what he was up to, but she was mostly innocent. Her actions are still hers, but what is she to do but obey a cadre-class being?"

Azazel's logic was so perfect that it pissed off Issei. "I literally helped the Gremory kill some of your people at the church, so why are you being nice to me?! What is it you want?!"

"Alright, how about this? As a way of proving myself and how apologetic I am, I'll finally get off my ass and do something by not becoming an ally of the devil faction? I'll still try to go through with a peace treaty, and the keyword is try since it takes effort from all three sides, but an alliance is off the table. If a peace treaty happens, whatever issues the devils have are theirs to deal with, not mine."

Issei can only stare at him in shock. "... You're serious?"

"I am. Also, I'll let you in on something huge, and that's that I am raising the other Heavenly Dragon."

"I don't even know what to make of that. Is that good or bad?"

"It depends on if the two of you end up fighting or becoming allies, maybe even brothers in arms, although that is unlikely given the history between Ddraig and Albion."

["Indeed. Albion is water to my fire, the night to my day. We're polar opposites."]

"What say you, kid?" Azazel smirks. Seeing the brunet lost in thought, Azazel scribbles something down and hands the piece of paper to the dragon. "Here's my number in case you ever need help as well as these coordinates."

Snapping out of it, Issei looks at him suspiciously. "Coordinates? Where to?"

"A Japanese shrine."

"I've been to plenty of those. I go every New Year's Eve with my parents."

"Not this one. If you go to this one, you'll receive the help you need for your psyche and maybe, with this person's help, you'll finally decide what it is you want and how you'll deal with your personal issues."

"I have no personal issues!" Issei snarls.

"Uh huh. Raynare says otherwise."

Annoyed, Issei sighs. "Who is this person you speak of that will help me anyway?"

"They said they won't help you unless I keep their identity a secret."

Issei laughs in disbelief. "Of course..."

"You may hate me now, but when you meet this person, you'll thank me later."

Azazel turns and waves without looking as he walks away.

To Be Continued

Chapter length- 2,919 words, so kind of a shorter one than the last, but the next one will be longer.

Issei and Raynare's relationship is meant to have a very rocky start in this fanfic, but have patience with me as I'll do my best to write it to the best of my ability.