Cry Havoc Chapter 9: All I have to do is level up?, a high school dxd/ハイスクールd×d fanfic

Cry Havoc

An idiom: to warn of danger

Note: Kunou has six tails instead of seven. Also, a quick thanks for the 600 favorites. Thank you. Even though it's a lil more than half the usual length, enjoy another glance at Kunou's life and more!

"Haha-ue."

"Hm?"

The blond girl's gaze narrowed at the trivialization coming from her mom. They were in the girl's private art room, having their weekly chat before bed. Seated on chairs, facing one another, nothing would sit between them here.

It was something her mother came up with when Kunou first began to act out all those years ago. Yasaka promised to never miss these if nothing else; that this once-a-week meet between them would be a priority above all else, no matter what. In her failed escape, Kunou had been the one to break the routine. Her mother forgave her without so much as a word and waited to reconvene for the next one.

Kunou chewed the inside of her lip.

It was odd to be so in the wrong. She was starting to disdain the feeling. Either way, this wasn't the time to think about that. She shoved her emotions down and gathered all of her confidence.

"Train me."

This would solve each one of her problems. To be able to leave the confines of her home, she would have to be trusted to defend herself. To support her Onii-sama properly, who would grow to unseen heights as a Longinus wielder, she would need to keep up even if already so above him. To let her mother's worries lessen, she would have to become strong enough to overcome anything in her path.

Power was the device for her to fulfill her desires.

Yasaka paused for a moment, looking at her daughter calmly. "No." The small girl froze. "...Is what I would like to say to my only daughter."

"K-Kaa-san?"

Yasaka knelt down to her daughter, meeting her eye-to-eye. Gracefully, she smoothed out her Miko outfit and reached for Kunou's hands. "Tell me, what's this really about?"

The younger kitsune barely fought back the urge to look away. Her throat grew parched, but she couldn't back down here. "Haha-ue, I don't want to be weak like that ever again."

She could recall quite clearly how Issei trained. He showed off things she couldn't imagine from a simple human, even given his Sacred Gear. From the mutterings of others, she always assumed they were weak. To a certain degree, she noticed, they were right. Humans were weak. The boy's parents, his neighbors, and the strangers they met during their walks, they were all so terribly weak.

And yet, they took over the mainland that was Earth, symbol of the All-Mother Gaia.

For her, power came easy. She was born with three tails, a sign of good fortune. She had grown to seven tails before her second decade of this life. She had the mastery that monks dreamt of. She had the Yin of hundreds, allowing her to replace her mother's position temporarily as the focus for the intersecting ley lines on the rare few occasions.

And yet, when closed off to her usual—her only source of power, she faltered. Hard.

Funny, given she had the six of the nine legendary tails her kind could reach. Legends said it could take a century to grow each year. For high-class Kitsune like herself, that couldn't be further from the truth. They had been rather easy to gain. She had been born with three, whereas the average Kitsune received one at their birth.

Her first tail signified her Youkai Energy signature, granted to her by her parents. The second meant she had found her element, which was almost always fire for the Kitsune race. It was an intuitive thing, really. Most High-Class Kitsune were born with these two. But for the next two and the three that came after, she wasn't completely sure.

The order of tails was often muddled. Her mother gave what little remained of their kin's scrolls. In it, she learned it generally went: Youkai Energy (basis of their souls), Element (expression of their souls), Sentience, Maturity (physical growth), Passion (Yin or Yang depending on gender), Mastery, Life (Empathy and Demi-godhood), Balance (True Senjutsu), and Rebirth (Ultimate Ascension). The order could change based on the environment, the will of one's parents, and ultimately, the luck of the draw.

Since she could utilize her Youkai Energy, summon fire before she could talk, recall everything up until now, and attest to perfect conditioning, she had to have the first three. Passion often led right into Mastery. For her, it was no different. She learned of the arts at a younger age but knew immediately that it was her calling. The arts in tandem with her growing understanding beneath her mother culminated into her sixth tail. It only made sense.

As such, Kunou assumed she lacked Life, Balance, and Rebirth. Her foxy mother had always remained tight-lipped on the matter, brushing it up to be taboo to assist her on this road of self-discovery and self-discipline. It never failed to feel like an excuse. Kunou needed the skill and humility to circumvent that: True Senjutsu. It would also be the final key to unlocking her seventh tail.

She didn't have much affinity for the infamous power, but it seemed easier than trying to call upon the Gods that had abandoned them for a sliver of their waning power. None of that... meshed well with her.

However, now she knew more clearly than ever that the world cared little how much she liked or didn't like something. If it was necessary, it was her fault for not trying hard enough.

The arduous work her Onii-sama put in to build up his foundations were awe-inspiring, to put it simply. While she knew he was both guided by the infamous draconic spirit of Domination, Ddraig, and the agent of the Fallen faction, he put in the work to refine each and every part of himself. It was nothing short of amazing to see the improvements day by day.

Unbeknownst to her, the very power that allowed him to cultivate other's also allowed him to increase his literal stats just as impossibly.

She also knew her Onii-sama would be exceptional at Senjutsu, despite not using a single ounce of it. His open-mindedness to the supernatural let him process things much differently than she could imagine. His ability to draw in energies that weren't his own and use them to no small degree was unthinkable. Before this, she hadn't thought such talent could even exist in the modern era.

The only thing shackling him to his mortal coil was his very way of life. However, she wouldn't dare to prod him about it. He, her savior, clung to it like a dragon to their hoard. She couldn't fault him for it. Family was important.

Kunou just wished hers was bigger...

Despite her own isolation to the world, Kunou would've heard whisperings of suck greatness. It went beyond being a Longinus wielder. It stepped into the realm of Legends.

She had specifically asked to sit in on any session between her mother's Shadow and herself regarding Issei's progress. While she wasn't much of a fan of practical learning (learning in general really as it was tiresome and bothersome in her eyes), Issei seemed to thrive in it. That much was just shown in a single evening. The black cat had mentioned, he was held back by Ddraig apparently—and his lack of willingness to use his cultivated powers.

She'd keep those powers a secret for him. He deserved that much if not more for saving her twice. But, still, she could draw from her notes about how he did as such. She wasn't betraying his trust to grow strong. Such was a forgone conclusion.

Kunou withdrew and initiated her mother's Seiza (kneeling position) before lowering her tails and lowering her body to the ground.

"Please help me further my training, Haha-ue."

The only living Kitsune stronger than herself was her mother. All the more powerful predecessors died in the civil war for Kyoto. It was the event that the servants always referenced when they looked at Kunou with pity, only ever adding to her frustration and isolation.

There was no other that could teach her. It helped immensely that her mother was a great tutor. Sadly, everyone else only saw Yasaka for her great strength and as a symbol of unity for Yokai-kind. Like a pool of wealth, fame, power, and knowledge from which they could endlessly draw.

Kunou felt guilty to lump herself with them, having cursed them many times in her head, but there was no other feasible way. She did not have a Ddraig to share a soul with. Her esteemed mother was the next best thing.

The problem was that her mother was spread far too thin, having taken over with a sham of a council left for her half of Japan. The unity was falling apart by the day. Kunou wanted to believe in her mother. Truthfully, there was very little that she thought her mother could ever do wrong. However, the not-so hidden glares of the male populace only continued to grow and spoke otherwise.

She knew there were plans being rolled out. But were they really that slow? Did it really have to cost the dignity of one sex? Was there something else she was missing? She didn't know. Her mother kept her out of it. Kunou was sure she had nowhere near the entire picture.

Honestly, the girl was surprised her mother had even allowed her to sit in on the debrief about Issei...

Silence sat between the two. It seemed like a short forever as Kunou continued to strain her body into the bowed position.

"Rise, my daughter," Yasaka started with a stony expression. Seeing her daughter remain still, the woman sighed softly. "Kunou, you need not bow at me ever, unless to apologize. Do you have something to apologize for, again?"

There was a flicker of heat within her. Her mother was treating her like a child with that tone and those words.

"No," the girl grounded out, rising from the ground.

It got Yasaka to pause. And before the woman could stop it, a twinge of sadness overtook her expression and the subdued waves of her nine tails flattened then. Still, she ignored the slipup and continued, "you want to try your hand at True Senjutsu again? I'm glad that you're willing this time, but.. what brought this on?"

Kunou, conflicted and confused about the face her mother made, answered subconsciously, "the Sekiryuutei." Catching herself, she expanded upon that with a stutter before catching herself. "H-He.. His constitution with the Longinus, it made me realize something, Kaa-san. I realized that Sacred Gears can grow based on their environment and their users. I... Isn't that similar to the basis of Senjutsu?"

Yasaka's eyes widened. "It is remarkably similar, yes. Although, it is missing the refining aspect."

Kunou nodded before continuing. "Onii-sama spent the week with me, refining all parts of him. It was amazing, Kaa-san! He- He didn't even realize what he was doing! I couldn't do anything else but watch. I...! Meanwhile, I was restricted to my lesser form and wallowed in weakness and despair. I froze up twice, having become complacent and arrogant."

Her blond hair rose as she flared her not-so-insignificant energy. A shimmer of heat outlined her as the tips of her hairs turned white. Her robe lifted itself slightly as she came onto her feet.

"I cannot be hidden behind him or you any longer. I will not stand for it, Haha-ue. I am your heiress, not helpless prey nor simple nobility."

Her glowing golden eyes glared up to her mother's matching pair. However, instead of intensity or any sort of animosity on Yasaka's behalf, Kunou was met with another conflicted expression, again. It stirred new anger and further heat from within her.

However, before the girl could voice the new feelings, her mother closed her eyes and responded, simply, "Okay."

All the heat and energy left the girl. "O-Okay?"

"Yes, my daughter. I.." she paused to glare back at Kunou with slitted eyes. "I will take you seriously. In some ways, your freedom will be further shackled for this. I hope you don't continue to complain in that case."

Kunou refused to gulp in trepidation. "It is as I requested, Haha-ue."

The blond woman nodded before clapping her hands together suddenly. "With that out of the way, come here, Kunou." The tense atmosphere was nowhere to be found.

"H-Hai?"

Once the girl was close enough, Yasaka pulled her into an almost aggressively tight hug. Surrounding them, the older Ayakashi's nine tails surrounded them further. Her mother pressed her lips to her forehead and stilled. They stayed close like that for a minute. It was some of most expression she had seen from her mother.

"It seems I have much more to thank the Sekiryuutei for," her mother tittered, uncharacteristically. Inwardly, Kunou agreed, but remained silent. "Since you've decided to take your title as Heiress seriously, I have much to catch you up on.

"I'll start with this... Perhaps, I am wrong for sharing, but you do deserve to know, my daughter."

The inflection on her last word was weird. Kunou didn't know what to make of it. Her mother didn't slip up without purpose. She had always been the image of perfect nobility to the girl.

Not that she had many other choices to look towards for that...

"The rebellion that thought it could lay their hands on you has been squashed and extinguished. The truth was a ghost of the past had been orchestrating the entire thing."

A sound of glass breaking echoed in her skull. She recognized it. It was the same sound when her curse had been broken. A curse she had never known was there had been lifted. With it gone, a flood of memories replaced her first few ones.

More importantly, a different woman replaced Yasaka in the earliest bunch. The "new" blond woman, who could be mistaken for Yasaka if not for the pale eyes, conveyed more warmth than she ever felt before.

"You wonder why everyone's so wary? Why things are the way that they are?"

Kunou nodded, squeezing her eyes shut as she tried to withstand the onslaught of new—forgotten feelings.

"Your bastard father led the coup, killed my older sis... your real mother, and scarred you for life. He dragged men to his side, threatening to rebel even the Gods who sanction our continued stay here."

It was then Kunou realized the real reason for the hold. Every fiber of her being was begging her to run. It only served to remind her of her weakened fox state, so she shoved the feeling away and focused on the lesson her mother was giving.

"As a penalty, I was bound to this land and had to clean up the mess as quickly as possible. It wasn't smooth nor by any means was it fair. For your real mother, I only wanted to bring stability for you. I-, I'm still working on that part.

"Y-Yuuna would've been able... been able to figure it out by now."

Yasaka hiccupped, overcame with emotions she'd long thought were forgotten.

"Your mother was very wise. Much more than I. She bore the duty well.

"Before this, I was just a glorified tutor for other nobility. I had tried to leave the noble life behind. Instead, I left my older sister to the wolves. The people know I hadn't sought the crown—abandoned the right to it and to lead them but had taken it all the same. It's not too difficult to understand why some wouldn't want to live under my rule due to that.

"However, I could not turn my back to m-my... my..."

The blond woman finally paused in an effort to label Kunou. Noticing that, the girl only hugged her struggling mother. Yasaka's golden eyes welled up as she accepted the embrace and finished.

"I could not leave you to the remaining Elders and Gods. I couldn't watch it again. If you wish to fully embrace the mantle, I cannot lie about this anymore."

The girl only snuggled into her chest. "I'm so sorry, Kaa-san."

The older woman slipped into a forgotten language. Thankfully, it was one Yasaka had taught to the girl. "Oh Kunou... I'm sorry for hiding this from you." The girl only shook her head in response. "I'm so sorry for failing your mother—"

"No!" Kunou cried, shoving away her forgotten feelings. "That's not it! You've sacrificed too much to not be my Kaa-san!"

"If that's what you want, Kunou."

"It is, so please, take me seriously, Haha-ue."

"After this, then."

With that, an odd but comfortable silence had finally reached the two for the first time. It wasn't much longer until it was time to rest. For Kunou, it was some of the last bits of calm she got for a long time.

Raynare caught herself snuggling into her source of warmth. That was very unlike her. And so, she panicked and shoved herself out of her current dreamscape.

Or at least, she tried.

The arms around her, familiar but still foreign to the touch, tightened. "H-Hey, Ray, it's okay! You're just in bed with me."

Her head snapped to her boyfriend, only to realize where she was: Issei's bed. She had never left. Instead, she got a full night's rest and one of the best in her life, actually. The energy from last night still sat within her but now dormant, keeping her reserves filled to the brim, and her warm from the inside.

She was content in ways she never thought possible. It was a feeling even unlike awakening her second or third pair of wings. As a Fallen Watcher, she wasn't new or blind to sex and all it could bring. It had seemed exaggerated and even pleasuring herself had nowhere near the same sensations. She had used her looks on more than a couple occasions to get her way even. But, last night, she had bitten off more than she could chew.

She had known about the effects of the male essence from her Fallen sisters. It was the only reason she licked it off her fingers last night. However, never had they confessed to something like... that!

A hand brushed through her raven hair, drawing her from her introspection. In doing so, she re-realized what happened. She had passed out with Issei after some lewd handholding got out of hand.

Still in her normal body, Raynare tilted her face down, hiding it from Issei's curious gaze. She could feel her ears grow warmer than ever before. It was a mix of latent awe from last night, a combination of embarrassment from that night and being caught off-guard, and new feelings of desire rising to the surface.

The arms around her pulled her closer, allowing her to hide her face in his chest. He knew her mannerisms too well. Yuuma or not, she didn't like revealing herself unless on her own terms.

Issei held her still as he finally spoke.

"S-Sorry, I was pretty sure you didn't want to stay... But I couldn't bring myself to wake you up."

"It's.. It's okay, Ise." She pressed her forehead over his heart. "I don't mind. J-Just surprised how... nice all of this is."

The boy only hummed, contently.

It was then her heightened senses kicked in. The smell of their combined sweat wafted up. Her soaked shorts that long turned the sheets moist behind her rear, and his mystical essence, reinforced by his Longinus, glittered into her nose as well. The energy within her tingled in anticipation. It was as if it wanted more.

She was fairly sure she couldn't even fit any more. Speaking of more...

Something was poking at her lower waist. Despite her thought prior, she reached down to it. The redness of her ear brightened as Issei shuttered and hissed softly at the touch.

"R-Raynare..." He withdrew from her, coincidentally pulling her from her hardness. "We have school, a-and my mom will be coming in any moment now."

The Fallen blinked, recalling the routine. She finally whispered back just a tad disappointed, "Yes. You're right."

With that, the boy unfurled his arms from her. Raynare was freed, but the red of her ears did not fade. Issei's eyes locked onto her status.

- :|: -

Name: Raynare
Race: Fallen
Lvl: ?

Description: Still slightly drunk off your essence and groggy
Emotions: Embarrassed, Befuddled, Gorged

- :|: -

He chewed the inside of cheek, weighing the options. But, before he could decide, Raynare acted.

She straddled his waist, careful of his hard-on and leaned forward. It was a scene reminiscent of last night, but under the rays of the morning sun, rather than darkness pierced by moonlight. Regardless, she seemed just as beautiful.

"R-Ray—"

He stilled when her forehead met his, and their eyes locked onto each other's.

"I know, Ise." She shifted to peck his lips. It was a simple and quick kiss. And yet, she felt a certain part of him twitch in response. "I know, but I wanted to thank you for last night. It was.. really good."

Her six wings flapped themselves out from her back, absorbing the light and dusting the room with her raven feathers. Her violet eyes glanced away as she bit her lip. Her hips made very minute and unsure movements.

Despite her current mature look, she looked so cute that he could just eat her up.

"I know," she whispered- no, Issei corrected, she had instead whined. "I know!" She whined louder and shifted her hips with more force.

It was taking every fiber of his being to stop her. But she wasn't leaving him any choice. His mother was going to walk in on them any moment now. He had to put a pause on this before he loses control too.

His hands slapped onto her ass, before firming into a tight grasp, stopping her in place. He used more force than he intended, but he couldn't back down here.

"L-Later...! Tonight, we can finish t-this!" He barely managed to ground out. With her movements halted, he could now focus on getting her off of him. Regretfully and unfortunately.

Every bit of him was against it except his logical side. If he hadn't awoken first, he was sure that he would've been swept up by his lovely Angel. But since that wasn't the case, he had plenty of time to himself to replay the events of last night and be satisfied with that much for now, despite his normal biological reaction to his girlfriend pressing up against him.

Unlike Raynare.

She was acting differently and almost out of control. If it weren't for her status, he'd believe that she was someone else. But, no, instead he awoke to one of the notifications mentioning a new entry to his encyclopedia to explain why.

- :|: -

When awakening their new wings, Fallen are more susceptible to their new innate Virtues or Sin.
(Unlocked due to recent Awakening finalized with indulgence)

Entry Found in Encyclopedia

- :|: -

His Fallen Watcher didn't have many chances to feel lust, he could only guess. Isolating herself to a lab prior to their first meeting, Issei assumed she didn't have many chances to feed into her innate Virtue either. He had drawn upon both Virtue and Vice to get at her in ways she wasn't equipped for.

Issei bit back a groan as the memory of her cries echoed in his head.

Last night had been so sudden too. Neither of them expected more than lewd handholding and making out. Rolling with the punches and using her gift against her had just felt right. She certainly wasn't complaining.

"So, let's stop here," Issei pleaded.

Raynare then fell limp against him suddenly. The boy panicked. His hands immediately left her, and he tried to lift her, but she finally spoke up.

"Sorry about that, Ise," she muttered, lamely. She then curled into him. Shame of a new kind filled her status. The older girl stammered, "I- I don't know where that came from."

He smiled comfortingly. Even though she couldn't see it, he knew she would feel it. "Don't worry about it. I'm glad—"

A knock to his door made them freeze before they scrambled.

"Issei? Yuuma-chan?" The couple's eyes widened as they froze once more. Raynare was halfway through the window, and Issei was throwing on clothing to meet his mother at the door. "Are you two up yet?"

There was a pause as his mother waited for a response.

Hearing none, the woman snickered to herself before continuing. "Breakfast is ready. Please come down soon."

With that, they heard the patter of her retreating steps grow softer.

Issei broke the silence with a stifled laugh. His mother was the type to check his room at least once in the middle of the night. He had long grown used to it. So, she must've seen them together in bed. Hopefully, she didn't look too closely...

Honestly, he was more surprised she didn't wake him then and there out of shock or something.

And despite herself, Raynare found herself joining in. She knew the routine of the household, so it was more of a surprise to the girl that she had forgotten that Miki would catch them together. Her eyes glanced about. She hoped the veil of darkness had hid their... extracurricular activities.

As they came down from their giggles from their absurd situation, Raynare glance down to her soiled clothes, as the morning breeze reminded her about it. Her ears reddened once more, but she shoved her embarrassment down again. She had made a fool of herself too many times already.

With a wave of her glowing hand, her body shrunk to her Yuuma-forme and her clothes lengthened into a pastel pink sweater and matching sweats that hugged her legs. As she finished, she glanced up to find her boyfriend watching with his mouth slightly agape. She turned away after her eyes trailed downwards.

"Ise, you're still n-naked down below."

"Oh! Sorry!"

The boy leapt into his closet and tugged out a pair of pajama pants. He slipped into them with ease and gestured for her to leave.

"Ready for breakfast with the Hyoudou Family?"

Yuuma hid her smile with her hand and said, "It's not my first time."

The word choice threw him for a looping, causing him to physically recoil. "P-Pardon?"

"When you disappeared, remember?" The girl slipped a hand into his, squeezing slightly before he could even think to feel guilty about leaving so randomly. "Let's now go, silly."

He nodded, and they made their way downstairs. They released their handhold on the stairs since it would be awkward to fit the two. They walked to the dining table, where the Hyoudou Head sat at one end behind the oversized newspaper. The man lowered the pages to glance over at them.

"Good morning, my son and Yuuma-chan."

"G'morn," Issei mumbled as he pulled out a seat for himself and his girlfriend. The man could at least pretend to be shocked at his girlfriend staying over.

"Greetings, Otou-san. Thank you, Ise." Smoothly, the raven-haired girl slid into chair beside Issei.

The boy froze, mid-crouch, as took in her words. "O-Otou-san?"

"A-Ah. You know, how you're parents are, Ise..."

Issei thought about it, tilting his head at his nonchalant father. After a moment, the boy nodded to himself. However, before he could prod further, his mother entered with a tray of four bowls. They were full of soup and rice, filling the room with the aroma of slight sourness and spiciness. Specks of naked chicken poked through the top.

He blinked at that.

His mom only made that if someone was sick. And so, he doubled-checked and traced his parents' status instantly. He found out that his dad was sick, having been working overtime at his job again. He sighed softly, biting back any remarks. It wasn't anything too serious yet. Instead, he helped his mother pass out utensils and set the table.

"Thank you, my dear son."

He absolutely didn't blush or grow warm at words.

Either way, the Sunday breakfast went by without much event. His parents had prodded a little about Yuuma's late night-visit-turned-sleepover, but apparently, she had thought of answer for them.

"Everything alright at home, Yuuma-chan?" His dad opened up with, halfway through his steaming food.

Without missing a beat, the girl responded, "Yes. I-" her voice cracked right on time. "I just missed Ise. S-Sorry to drop by so suddenly and unannounced again."

"Ah, don't worry about it. I hope you don't pick up my son's habit of forgetting to speak to us first," Masara ended, smirking over to his son, who sent a glare. The man ignored it easily, turning to his wife, who swooned slightly at the declaration.

Issei's parents then shared a fond look, thinking innocuously. Eventually, the two began whispering loudly to one another.

"'Saru-chan, look at this young love right out of my dramas!"
"I see it! You saw how she ate like a dandy princess?"
"She really is too good for our Ise, maybe?"

Issei ignored them with a shake of his head. He refocused on his status and finishing his food.

- :|: -

Name: Issei Hyoudou
Race: Human (?)
Lvl: 24 | 48%

Stats:

HP: 730/730
MP: 189/189

STR: 33 (+3)
END: 25 (+2)
DEX: 22 (+2)
AGI: 27 (+7)
INT: 20 (+2)
MAG: 11 (+1)
DRE: 33 (+3)

Extra Pts.: 14

Equipped:

Head: (empty)
Top: Kyoto Junior High Uniform
Bottom: Kyoto Junior High Uniform
Left Hand: Boosted Gear (hidden)
Right Hand: (empty)

Accessories:
(empty)

Skills:

Boosted Gear Lvl: 2 | 11%
(Second Awakening)

Scan MAXED
Boost Lvl: 7 | 21%
Explosion Lvl: 3 | 10%
Dragon Aura I Lvl: 9 | 91%
Transfer Lvl: 2 | 2%

- :|: -

He had glanced at it earlier in bed but easily got distracted and drawn back to his girlfriend at the time. Again, he caught himself glancing over at her. She was eating slowly and had only finished a quarter of her bowl. He had a feeling the girl wouldn't get around to finishing the food. That was probably what his dad was referring to when he made that comparison to a princess.

Either way, he was sure they accepted that part of her. She was the academy's sport star. His parents assumed she had a strict diet to upkeep it. It wasn't correct, but it worked to explain her oddities and mask her supernatural quality.

Anyway! He was getting sidetracked by thinking about his girlfriend again. Though, he doubted anyone would blame him but still!

Jet gave him passive boost to his AGI, scaling at a whooping 25% at base, which was pretty friggin crazy. That was before he activated the skill to double his momentum at the minimum MP usage. Although, it didn't mean much if his base stats were so minuscule.

Kuroka had fend him off with ease even with a x32 multiplier on his stats. Sure, he had made her switch tactics, and he didn't want to actually harm her, but he hadn't held back anything at the end. He trusted her word, and as said, she manhandled him with ease. He tried to not think about it, but meeting his grandparents put a lot of things into a new perspective.

Did his stats need to reach the thousands to even stand a chance?

['Partner, you lacked proper form and experience. Both of which, the black cat is here to fix. With m- the Boosted Gear, it shouldn't take you long to catch up.'] His left arm grew warm. ['Perhaps, accidently, but you had quickly found an answer to the cat's defenses. You pushed your advantage until she was forced to move from her spot.']

['You did well, Partner. Do make sure to look at Ki I. It is something you should immediately start training for.']

Issei hid his grin by stuff food into his mouth. Ddraig really was the best thing he could ask for—aside from a harem, obviously. She was his Tsunderagon cheerleader...

He waited for a reaction from the dragon spirit but got none.

'Must've successfully hid my thoughts for once,' he thought, gleefully. With that, he followed the rest of words and took a closer look at his newest skill.

Ki I gave him a universal 10% passive buff to his stats and was the evolved form of Life Sensing. With Kuroka's skill and his game powers working together, he was given a free pass to bypass the basic skill. The stat increase was nothing to scoff at, if not for his current stats.

Again, all he had to do was keep at it and grow.

Although, he noticed something. It seemed there was a pattern to any evolved Skill of his. The active Intermediate Skills or evolution of active skills made passive changes to his stats or body. With Holy Light Manipulation evolving to Holy Light Mastery by raising Raynare's affection, he could now create the create that element from within him. He hadn't realized that he was doing that with Sin Mastery, having scraped a lot of its abilities to his game-like powers. He didn't really know what to make of it, but Ddraig hadn't mentioned it either.

He'd ask about it later because he had already finish his breakfast.

"Ise?" His lovely girlfriend tapped his forearm. "Are you alright? You were so quiet."

From the corner of his eyes, he could faintly see his parents turned towards the couple. His parents' status flickered, having recalled their visit to the in-laws.

"Yeah. Just putting my brain to use."

"Mhh okay." She took his bowl from him and rose from her seat. "Sorry to keep you up last night but thank you all the same." She ended by bowing deeply.

His mind instantly wandered back to the events of last night. His flushed expression made him glance away. Still, he played along. "F-Feel free to rely on me whenever, Yuuma." He absolutely did NOT puff his chest when his dad sent him a smirk.

With that, their morning ended with Yuuma leaving after refusing his help with the dishes. She made sure to remind him about his promise in bed with an uncharacteristically coy whisper. "I'll come by again."

That absolutely made his usual weekend training harder to focus on.

Aes (A/N): Ig, I'm embracing the real reason this fic exists. So far, it's mostly been setup after setup. It won't be a completesmutfest though. Worked too hard for it to be just that.

Originally, the intro was going to be scarily similar to HSR's Yukong mini story with her daughter- not my fault they beat me to the punch. But, idk, it didn't feel right, and I didn't want to be accused of stealing (lul this is a fic), so I went about it like this instead.

This chapter is also an entry to a discord server's event. The themes this time were hurt/comfort and, for some reason, ecchi. There probably won't be any time to submit your own works or docs, but feel free to vote for anyone (even me for some ungodly reason) if you join before Dec 5th. The join code is 8ZhzNn5z

Next chapter will probably be him looking at the unsaid changes to the system, new equipment/rewards, and another session with Kuroka~

Edits: less towards the end
Words: [6,333]

Reviews:

With regards to Gamer Gear: Glad to see the big change and reveal well received!

The Beast of Sanity: Sorry about that, I think? Glad you enjoyed nonetheless!

Solace1nS1lence: :)

Ssj3 Kyuubi Gohan: Personally, I felt like for a punishment and all of his supposed hatred for snakes/dragons, God was too lenient to the Heavenly Dragons. So, in my headcanon, this exists. For this story, there's some more on top of that, but that's for later. Glad you like Raynare :)

plebston323: thank you for reading. Just wondering, why is it unexpected?

To everyone else, I hope you enjoyed the past few seasons and holidays. It's almost time for em winter ones. If I don't return in time, happy new years to you all!

I completely forgot to reveal his new status last chapter whoops so there you go.