A Fool's Heart

by Nosferatu869

Ise's friends turned their back on him, didn't they? They didn't consider his feelings and selfishly pushed their own agenda. These actions have consequences. They will learn. Even if they don't want to. The road to becoming an adult is difficult, isn't it? But for the sake of the future, they ALL must mature. No more being stuck. Make your move, Ise.

8. Chapter 7: The Progeny

Hey guys, we are back, sorry for the VERY long delay. This is the longest delay I've had between chapters and it makes me sad. I'm not necessarily ashamed because I was literally uploading [DOUBLE FEATURE] Chapters for all of my other stories. Which means I've updated each of my stories twice in quick succession of each other. And if you know how long of chapters I write then you think I'm insane. And you should. Because every second chapter that was uploaded to each of the stories all had something in common: The best chapters of the story, longer than the previous chapter, and took less time to write.

In other words, I've actually lost my mind at this point. In case you're wondering whether this story will receive the "double upload treatment", eeeeeeeeehh. Probably not. I didn't want it to become a trend in the first place. I was only planning on doing it for my main story (Red Dragon Of Golden Light) because something unbelievably important was takin place in the story and I felt it was necessary.

Speaking of which: The average chapter for Red Dragon Of Golden Light (nowadays) is 20,000 words long. And I uploaded two chapters in quick succession of each other. And remember when I mentioned that every second chapter ended up being longer than the previous one? Well, guess how long that second chapter was and compare it to the "longest chapter I've ever written" for any story which was 27,000 words…..Guess how long it was…...It was 40,000 words long.

So anyway, THANKS FOR READING LMAO.

Okay but anyway, that aside, the whole [DOUBLE FEATURE] thing only ended up happening on a whim because I felt a sudden inspiration to continue writing for Red Dragon Of Stupidity. Next thing you know, I'm uploading the longer second chapter and it ended up becoming the most important (and best imo) chapter in the story so far. Then I went on to Lone Dragon Emperor. And suddenly, inspiration raped me in my sleep again. When I woke up, I uploaded one important chapter, and the moment I tried to start writing for this story, inspiration broke my hand and brought it back to the previous story. And guess what, I ended up uploading the longest chapter yet (for that story), which also ended up being the absolute most important chapter to that story yet AND was also longer as well. So yeah. I've been on a fuckin grind essentially.

I don't know if this story will be receiving that treatment (kinda doubt it), but we'll have to see. I'll probably have decided by the time I'm done writing this chapter.

So yeah, this chapter is gonna be a big one. Crazy God of War esque fight. I suggest you get your best music ready. Ah, actually, there is going to be a moment in here that pays homage to a moment in God Of War 4 so if you've finished that game you'll probably notice it. We'll see if the chapter extends beyond that but yeah I'm sure it will. If all goes according to plan, this chapter will be the last one, then, Cannon. Now, let us bear witness to some of Issei's last trials shall we?

[UPDATE: I've gotta warn you, this chapter is not only fucking NUTS, but it's also looooooooooong. Probably best chapter so far, hands down. So enjoy it.]

---

-SCENE-

Scrub, scrub.

I scrubbed the soapy foam in my hair as I hummed a bit. Hello everyone, Hyoudou Issei again. Right now, I'm taking a bath. Ah, sorry. You don't have to look. Anyway, today's just a normal day in the life of Hyoudou. Except I'm in a high tech scientific research facility in the Underworld. No, actually that's pretty normal for me now.

Well, just a few days ago I actually had a normal day. No, seriously, I did. That's right, just a few days ago, I attended my school's cultural festival with Ravel. Ah, also, Abe-senpai was there. It was a really great day. I had a lot of fun and was able to take my mind off of things to relax. I was finally able to take a break from all the crazy stupid fuckin trials that were happening day by day! Lucky Me!

...Ah...But...there was a lingering feeling of unease. After all, I could still feel the presences of those people in the distance…..My..friends…..I…...had felt the subtle desire to see them….that day.

…..That aside, I ended up spending the whole day at the festival alongside of those two and making some great memories. Let me show you a flashback!

Flashback!:

"You guys wait here! I'm gonna get us some of those Takoyaki cups!"

"Alright."

Ravel and I were left inside of the crowd of people to watch the theatre play the drama club was showing, while Abe-senpai got some snacks. It was already night time by now. Cultural festivals can last a couple days, but today should end soon. I won't be able to return for tomorrow's events because apparently Sensei has me booked for "poison resistance training"...If you got the chills when hearing that, I did too. I think I'm going to die in that facility so I'm enjoying today to the fullest.

Anyway, Ravel and I were left standing together with the crowd while waiting for Abe-senpai.

"Oh my Romeo, where art thou, Romeo!"

Romeo and Juliet. Ueeeeeeh. How clíche. I'm kind of bored of it to be honest. Apparently they have a more interesting sci-fi show tomorrow, but I won't get to watch it. Bleh. Why did I have to get stuck with this one? What's worse is that we're basically all the way in the back so the whole crowd is almost blocking our view.

"..I..Ise-sama…"

Ah, Ravel called out from beside me.

"Yeah, what's up?"

She was pushing her index fingers up against each other in embarrassment. She had blush on her face and was averting her gaze for some reason.

"...Um, I-I am very happy that I was able to spend today with you…"

Her embarrassed attitude suddenly caused me to feel bashful as well. I rubbed the back of neck awkwardly.

"A-Ah, yeah. Me too…It's been a lot of fun.."

Ravel blushed deeper and lowered her gaze. It went silent with that. Oh shit….did I just mess up?...Sensei has been telling me to "expand my boundaries" lately….he says that if I want to have a harem one day I need to be more "aggressive". I didn't get it at first, but I quickly put it together later. He's saying that I have to try and put effort in my interactions with women….I guess that makes sense. Besides, I had already promised Ravel that if she was going to try being close with me, I was also going to try with her….

Slide..

—?! I suddenly felt a soft sensation in my left hand. This feeling...skin! Soft skin! T-This is..!

"..I-Ise-sama…"

I looked down. As I thought, Ravel was holding onto my hand softly! She had suddenly brought herself closer out of nowhere! W-What is going on?! Ravel lifted her head to look up at me with a gentle, almost pleading, expression. It's too cuuuuuuuuutte!

"...Though it may be a bit selfish…..I hope that we may be able to spend the rest of our days together….?"

-[!]-

W-W-W-W-What does that mean?! S-She suddenly says something like t-that with a hopeful expression! H-How am I supposed to respond?! W-What do I say?! "The rest of our days together"?! What is that supposed to mean?! It can't mean "that" right?...I mean, it's too obvious….there's no way. Ravel wouldn't….with someone like me….

[Ise-kun, things like: "Especially for someone like me", I don't want to hear that.]

…...

I wrapped my hand around Ravel's...

"...I….If...someone like me is alright…...then…"

I started feeling dizzy. My body is hot. My chest feels like it's getting tighter. It feels like I'm in a fever dream. Is this real? What am I even saying? Aren't I saying something serious right now? Why does it feel so natural? It's a familiar feeling. I've known this feeling before. But it feels like, this feeling is focused somewhere different. What….is…

"Ise-sama…"

Ravel lifts her gaze up to meet mine. A deep redness was sitting on her face, but her eyes were glistening beautifully.

"...There is no one else I would rather have…"

PULSE.

I felt a strong pulse in my heart. I hadn't even registered what she said in my mind properly, but I had already felt something powerful hit my being. It….felt like something extremely heavy lifted from my shoulders. No. From my heart. There was a feeling of weightlessness in my chest. It felt like I couldn't breath all this time, but air had suddenly filled my lungs. As if a light peeked its face through the darkness.

…..As if I finally caught ear to those words which I have so longed to hear.

Drip.

I could feel a wetness run down my face.

"!?- Ise-sama!"

"Eh?"

I wiped my face. There were tears falling from my eyes.

"Ise-sama! Ise-sama, what's wrong?!"

I rubbed the wetness off my face.

"...Ah….sorry….I'm okay…"

"Ise-sama?"

I turned back to Ravel after cleaning my face. She was looking up at me with a deep concern. But, for some reason…..I...couldn't take my eyes off of her. It felt like my gaze was suddenly glued to her. I couldn't hear or see anything else around me. As if she was the only one there. A familiar feeling washed over me.

…..That same feeling that overcame me when I watched that person stand up in that windowsill from afar…..

"...I-Ise-sama?..."

Ravel called out to me, but I couldn't respond. The longer I stared at her, the more it felt like the image of her form was getting gradually closer. The soft lights from the festival illuminating her face.

"...I…...Ise?..."

— "I'm back you two!"

-[!]-

I was abruptly snapped back to reality. That voice, Abe-senpai? But it was only then that I noticed how unbelievably close my face was to Ravel's.

"Ah!"

Ravel and I pulled back immediately.

"Hm? What's wrong with you two?"

Abe-senpai asked us curiously as she held onto 3 snack cups in her hands. She didn't seem to catch us. My and Ravel's bodies were stiff.

W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W-What the Hell just happened?! What was going on?! It felt like I suddenly lost my mind and came back! What was I seriously about to do?!

"What's up? You both look like you've seen the Devil."

"Ahahahaha!"

I laughed in a freaky disingenuous way at Abe-senpai's joke.

"W-Woah. Seriously, what happened?"

Flashback end!:

"Ah, man…"

I could feel my heart jumping in my chest. Why does that keep happening when I remember that moment?

….Anyway, that's essentially the most important thing I can remember happening. I still don't fully understand what happened in those moments, but ever since that day I've been overcome with an indescribable feeling. Despite being in this creepy facility all the time, and completing trials non stop everyday, I feel an overwhelming happiness every morning that I wake up. I...I don't know why. It's so inexplicable to me. I don't understand it. Why am I so happy now? Why do I feel so free? Why do I feel like I can do anything? What is this? Haven't I felt this before? I swear I have. I knew it in that moment at the festival didn't I? So why don't I know it now? I swear I know this feeling!

….

"Sigh."

I sighed as I realized that I couldn't figure it out…...All I know is that it is a feeling similar to when I would spend my days happily with the rest of the club members.

"...Mm…"

I scratched my cheek as I became melancholy. I decided to try and take my mind off of it by checking on something.

"Summon."

I pointed my finger to a corner next to me and concentrated my demonic power. A magic circle spawned in that spot. But after a few seconds of shining, nothing happened.

"...Yeah, I thought so…"

The magic circle faded. My summon failed. Ever since I made that Gorgon my familiar she hasn't responded to a single one of my summons. She just keeps leaving me hanging. I've talked to Sensei about her, but when I explained what she was he got shocked and asked to see her immediately. That's when she didn't respond. After that Sensei scratched his chin seriously and said: "Interesting. I'll have to contact a few people. Just keep trying to summon her for now". Then he just walked off.

I was confused and decided to visit the Grigori library again. I read up on Greek Mythology mostly pertaining to Gorgons. As it turns out, there are technically subspecies of Gorgons running around. Most of them are ugly, mindless beasts that reside in the familiar forest. They have the ability to turn other familiars near their level into stone with the masks on their faces and spit small amounts of acid from their mouth. But beyond that, they can't do much. And they are hardly even considered Gorgons, if at all.

Ddraig was pretty much right. Officially, there are technically only 3 Gorgons. Those being the 3 sisters, Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale. And Medusa is the only one known to have snakes in her hair because of her curse by Athena, after having had sex with Poseidon. So now I'm even more confused. If all of that is correct, then who the Hell is my familiar?! According to legend, Medusa's power to turn things into stone was crazy strong and she didn't require a mask to do it like this one does. There's no way the real Medusa would only be up to the level of High-Class Devils. So, seriously who the Hell have I captured?! This is like trying to catch a Mewtwo and fucking ending up with a Shiny Rayquaza! I mean, still good but I don't understand it!? Where the Hell is that Satoshi looking ass familiar master from the familiar forest when you need him?! Is he catching them all right now?! I'll kill you bastard! Why do I hold such a deep grudge against him?!

"...I-I-Ise-sama…"

Hm? Oh it's Ravel.

"Oh, hey Ravel—"

…

…

…

…

"Aaaaaaaah!"

I suddenly jumped up in shock as I laid eyes on the figure behind me. It's Ravel!?

"R-R-Ravel?! What are you doing in here?!"

Ravel stood in front of me with a towel wrapped around her body. W-W-W-Why is she in here?! And why do I feel so unbelievably embarrassed to be seen by her?!

"...I...have come to wash your back, Ise-sama…"

She says that with a deep blush on her face, but I can see determination in her eyes. Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! Wash my back?! Did I ever ask for such a thing?! I don't remember! Why would she suddenly feel compelled to wash my back now?! Why does it look like she gathered her courage just to do this?! Why does it feel like my heart is literally going to burst through my chest?!

[Calm down partner. Your panicking is disturbing my sleep.]

I am literally going to die!

[This development is good, is it not? Wouldn't you regularly enjoy something of this manner?]

Yes, but for some reason I can't handle it! It feels like I'm seriously going to die from embarrassment or whatever this feeling in my chest is!

[Enough, partner. It would be rude to deny her kind gesture would it not? Simply accept and the problem ends there.]

It's not that easy Ddraig!

[You make it so.]

Uuuuuuuuuuurrrrrggghhh!

"...O...Okay…"

Ah, I agreed...

"...V-Very well…"

Ravel's face became even more red. As if she realized what she was now doing…...Oh man…..I sat back down on my little stool while holding my towel over my crotch. I heard Ravel kneel down behind me.

"...T-Then….I will start…"

"...Y-Yeah…"

Scrub…

—! I flinched. With that, Ravel began scrubbing and washing my back. H-H-Holy shit. I can't believe this is happening. Why is this happening?! Even though I'm extremely happy for some reason, I also don't understand at all why this is happening in the first place. Why would Ravel just want to wash my back out of nowhere? In all of my curiosity, I decided to ask her.

"N-Neh, Ravel…..Um, why did you want to suddenly scrub my back anyway?"

She paused for a moment.

"...I must be assertive…"

That was all she whispered. Huuuuuuuuuuh?! The Hell is that supposed to mean?! What do you mean "assertive"?! I am befuddled! Ooh! That's a big word! I've been picking up a lot of those lately thanks to books and lessons from Shemhazai-san.

…

The scrubbing continued for a few minutes. Before I knew it, Ravel stopped.

"..I am finished, Ise-sama…"

"..I-I see...Thank you…."

Silence.

"...Would you like me to continue with the front?"

"…..Eh?"

…..Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh?! The frooooooooooont?! I shook my head vigorously.

"N-No! I mean, no, you don't have to go that far! I can do that much myself!"

"...Is...that so?.."

I nodded my head at a crazy fast speed. After a few seconds of silence, Ravel stood up.

"Very well….then, excuse me…"

Ah, she started walking out….Actually, now I feel kinda bad doing that?...As she walked out, Sensei's words played back in my head.

[You need to be more aggressive when it comes to women. You also need to have more confidence. We can build up the confidence stuff with the things I have in store, but the aggression is something that comes from you. You need to realize that if you want to be a harem king it's necessary to put in the effort for it. Not all of the women are going to throw themselves at you. Sure, a lot of them will, but the best women to get for a harem are "earned". So basically what I am saying is learn to take the opportunity as well. Try it with Ravel. She is a good test subje— I mean, she is a good girl. She'll surely have no issue with it.]

….

"R-Ravel…"

I stopped Ravel from leaving with my call. She turned to face me. I stood up and held my towel around my waist.

"...….L-Let me wash yours too…"

BREAK

I heard what sounded like an explosion. Ravel's head was blood red and releasing steam from her ears. Her eyes were spinning like spirals and it looked like her brain shut down.

"...Y-Yes, Ise-sama…."

She answered me in a robotic voice. Oi, oi, oi, Ravel what's wrong?! Are you going to die?! Are you seriously going to shut down right here?!

Ravel wobbled unsteadily towards me. I almost had to catch her, but she fixed herself at the last second. She stepped in front of the stool and…

Slide…

—! Oooooooooooooooooooh! Her towel slid off of her back side as she held it up from the front!

Spuuuuuurt!

My nosebleed sprayed blood over the floor beneath me.

"I-Ise-sama, are you alright?!"

"Y-Yes! Yes, yes, I'm alright!"

I held my nose and calmed myself down. Come on! What was all that perversion training Sensei put me through for?! Hold it down!

Ravel sat on the stool I had previously sat on. Her s-soft, plump bottom touched lightly against the stool. H-Hooooooooh~….I only realized it now, but…..throughout all that perversion training, what I had kept in my mind was Ravel…..so essentially, now I have absolutely no defense against her…..

Lift…

—! I held down my towel the moment I felt something rising from beneath it. Oh shit, not you little man…

"Ise-sama? What's wrong?"

"Eh?! N-Nothing! Nothing!"

I sat down behind her immediately to hide my erection.

"..I'll just get started then…"

"Y-Yes…"

I brought up the wash rag Ravel handed me and swallowed some saliva caught in my throat….Here we go….

"Hya!"

Ravel squealed as the rag touched her skin.

"Ah, sorry!"

"N-No, it's alright! I was simply unprepared!..."

Ravel caught her breath. I took another big gulp.

"Okay...I'm starting now…"

"Y-Yes…"

I brought the rag back up and touched Ravel's skin. She flinched but did not make a sound. I began washing her back delicately.

…...Holy shit. Since I was washing her with the rag, there wasn't much contact that I made with her skin, but every time I happened to it felt like Heaven. What the Hell? Isn't this skin too smooth and clean? It doesn't even seem like she needs to shower. Even her hair looks soft. What the Hell? Isn't Ravel, like, too perfect?...

I always end up getting this feeling when I meet inhuman beauties, but Ravel is unrealistically gorgeous. It's honestly incomparable when it comes to human girls. She wins over all of them no contest. In fact….she almost beats a lot of the inhuman girls I've met too…

I mean…..I know it isn't right to compare her to others….but, she is….I mean if I had to compare her to those in my group….She might be—

"Kyah!"

—! Ravel suddenly squealed! What, what happened?!

Foom!

"Woah!"

Before I knew it, wings made of pure flames popped out from Ravel's back, out of thin air. Woah! Why are her wings out?!

"I-I-I-I'm sorry Ise-sama! There was pressure placed on a certain part of my back and it caused them to protrude instinctively! I'm sorry! I hope I didn't hurt you!"

"Eh?! No, no, I'm okay! So, the pressure, is that something I did?"

She nodded meekly.

"Y-Yes. There happens to be a certain area of a Devil's anatomy that responds to pressure placed on the back. As a result, it's possible for the wings to jut outward from their position unconsciously..."

"Ah, so I accidentally placed pressure in that area?"

She nodded again.

"Ah, I see. I'm sorry. I hope I didn't hurt you.."

She shook her head this time.

"N-No. It felt a bit uncomfortable, but it was not painful.."

"I see.."

It went silent for a quick second. My eyes landed on the fiery wings in front of me.

"I-I'm sorry. I will retract them now."

"Eh? Ah, w-wait!"

I halted her from retracting her wings for some reason...

"...Um, can I look at them for a bit?..."

"Eh?..."

Her face became a bit red. But she nodded slowly after a few seconds. At that point, I became entranced by the pleasant movements of the flames.

"...Hooh…"

I couldn't help but breath through my mouth like an idiot as I gazed at her wings in amazement. The way the flames move so gently up close, it really is quite hypnotic. I could feel the light heat on my face with how close they were. Ravel asked me, as if on queue.

"I-It doesn't burn?.."

"Hm? Ah, no, not really. It's a bit warm, but it's nothing compared to someone like Tannin-Ossan. I kinda like it. It's very calming somehow. I can't help but get lost in them."

"R-Really?"

"Yeah. They're beautiful.."

I had said it without thinking. Ravel blushed deeply at my comment. I mean, they are. I've never gotten to see them so up close before, so now that I have I can't help but think that way. The more and more I look at them, the more I think about how I want to touch them….

"...Hey…..Can I touch them?"

"Eh?!"

"Ah, ah, just a bit! If it's alright with you…"

"W-Well—That is…"

She remained silent for a long time. Then, she nodded again. So I can touch them!

"...Okay….um…"

I slowly lifted my hand and brought it up to one of the wings. The flames tickled my open palm. It was warm, but not unreasonably hot.

"Can I move it further in? Or will that hurt you?"

"N-No, it shouldn't hurt, but…..wouldn't it hurt you?"

"Well, judging from the heat just off the tips, it doesn't actually seem all that hot. I think I can handle it."

Also, it seems like her flames aren't blazing in a crazy manner either. As if they're not at their most powerful. Is she subconsciously holding them back?

"O-Okay…"

She agreed! Alright then….I slowly moved my hand upwards into the flames of her wings. Her body seemed to quiver when I did it.

"Can you feel it?"

She nodded her head while holding her mouth shut. So she can feel it moving through huh. So, it doesn't have a physical form, but she can still feel things moving through. That's so cool. It really is like a part of her body.

I continued moving my hand all throughout the flames. They don't really burn. I can feel heat on my skin but it's hardly at the level of a Jacuzzi. The flames tickle my skin and it feels like there is a smooth texture when I run my hands through them. Comparing them to Raiser's, Ravel's seem more subtle and controlled. Then again, that may be something that is influenced by emotions. I have seen Ravel burn up Sensei and at those times her wings seem crazy flashy. Same with Raiser whenever he lost his cool. So these are wings that are influenced by how they feel. That's really cool too. Even kids could play with these and not get burned. But then when an enemy comes around they can become like a flamethrower. So cool…..Imagine if I had wings like that..

—Because of my lack of awareness, I didn't notice that the flames had become hotter and brighter as I moved further in.

Foom!

"Ah!"

I pulled back my hand as I felt a burn.

"Ise-sama!"

Ravel turned around to face me and retracted her wings.

"Oh no!"

My arm had ended up becoming a bit red from the burn. Ravel dumped her towel into a bucket of water and used it to dab down on my arm.

"I-I'm so sorry Ise-sama!"

"E-Ehehe, no, no it's alright."

"I just felt your hand move further and further in and my heart— I felt—!"

"No, no, it's okay. It's no big deal. I was the one who got distracted anyway."

She rubbed my arm gently.

"...I'm sorry, Ise-sama…"

Ah, she really feels bad, huh. Even though she didn't mean to do it. Ravel really is a sweet girl. It's easy for her to feel guilty about something or act kind hearted when I'm in need. Ah, I am reminded of yet another quote from Sensei.

[I know lately you've been relying on us, and that's fine, but one day when you become a master yourself there will be people who rely on you. Especially if they're women. So that's why, you'll need to start thinking about how to comfort them. Usually, people like you will just speak from the heart and most of the time that works. However, there will be times when your heart is too clouded to know what to say. That's when you've got to think about what you need to say and what's best for the person you're comforting to hear. It's a tough thing to do sometimes, but it's all a part of the process. So try tapping into your maternal instincts. We'll see if that works, haha.]

Comforting?...

"..Ravel.."

I wrapped my hand around Ravel's and held it gently...I tried giving the best smile I could.

"Thank you for letting me touch them….They were really beautiful.."

Ravel's slowly turned red, but there was a soft expression on her face. She had a distant gaze, as if we were both caught in each other's eyes.

"...Ise-sama…"

Her eyes are a deep sea blue. I've never seen another girl with such a perfect blue shade. In the light they end up becoming more of a sky blue. They're really beautiful. The closest I've seen to someone having a color resembling blue are…..

…...Oh…

"Ravel."

"Hm? What is it?"

"Your towel…"

"Eh?"

Ravel looked down…..

—We had both forgotten that she had previously used her towel to cool off my hand.

…..Ravel's pus—

SPUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRTTTT!

My nose spewed so much blood that I was launched back.

"I-ISE-SAMA!"

Thud!

And just with that, I passed right out.

Part 1

"...Huuu!...Huuu!..."

I am training inside of the usual arena set up for me here in Grigori.

It's been a week and a half since the cultural festival. Which means, I only have 2 and a half weeks until the game.

I am currently doing one handed push ups. Ah, but it's also a handstand. So, a one handed handstand push up. And somewhere along the line I surpassed 500 of them. Maybe that wasn't a good idea since Sensei said to only do some light work outs today, but I have become quite accustomed to working out in my base form. Thanks to all the crazy trials I've done in it, I feel like my base strength has increased exponentially. It's nowhere near Sairaorg's base strength, but I wonder how I would compare to him now? Somehow, I feel like I haven't gotten there, but I think I'm getting close. Maybe that's just me.

Ah, by the way, I'm doing this all without boosts!

"..Huuu! Toh!"

I pushed against the floor and propped myself back on my feet. That's enough for now. I brought out a small vial of purple liquid from one of my pockets and popped the cap.

Pop!

After that, I drank it.

"Blegh!"

I stuck my tongue out in disgust. In case you're wondering what I just drank, it's poison. No, like, literal fucking poison. I told you Sensei has been making me regularly drink shit like this for gradual poison resistance. Luckily for me, today's poison just tastes like shit and won't have the worst effects on my body. Apparently, like I said before, Sensei wants me in my top condition for whatever he has set up today. Most of the time, the poisons he makes me drink have me in the bathroom vomiting or bleeding from the nose, so this is nice. This only makes me think that whatever he has in store today is really bad though. That being said, I essentially just downed a toxin that incapacitates the average High-Class Devil. Good thing I'm resilient!

"Ise."

Ah, speak of the Devil. Ah, Fallen Angel. Sensei approached me.

"Follow me."

He motioned for me to follow. We walked out from the training arena and throughout the facility. We happened to pass a room that had Barakiel-san training other soldiers in it. I waved to him and he nodded back. We talk a bit lately. There are times when we have breakfast together and casually small talk. There are even some times when he tells me stories about Akeno-san as a child….It makes me uncomfortable sometimes, but thinking about her as a child makes me feel…..a bit more comfortable with the idea of talking about her.

Anyway, we pass through many places in the facility and end up in a large room with a bunch of different shit in it. Oh, isn't this Sensei's personal workplace? Not his office, but where he does all his crazy experimentation shit. There's tables with scrapped devices on them and desks with lots of schematics for different items. But Sensei brought us to a desk with a chair and like 50 TV screens attached to the wall together. What are these?

"Here. Put it on."

Sensei handed me something. It's a communication device. I placed it in my ear without questioning him. He also placed a similar device in his ear. He's going to be communicating with me directly? That's new. He usually leaves me on my own. That sets me off ease a bit.

Sensei started messing with the computer keyboard on the desk and the many screens turned on with no signal. He then asked me with an unnerving seriousness.

"Ise, I want to ask you something serious."

"What is it?"

"How many people have you killed?"

—?! He asked me a question that unsettled me. How many people I've killed?..

"Um...Well, I've killed many a beasts and monsters obviously. But in terms of how many people, I'm not sure what you mean by that.."

"I mean those with sentience. No mindless beasts or monsters. Enemies. Like those from the Khaos Brigade and such. Confirmed kills."

"...You mean my [kill count]?..."

He nodded as he continued typing.

"Yeah."

"...Um, well, in regards to that I don't think it's high at all. If I recall, the only confirmed kill that I have is against that bastard Shalba Beelzebub. But that was a result of the Juggernaut Drive and I wasn't conscious of it. Other than that, I don't think there was anyone else…...why did you ask me such a question?..."

He turned to me seriously as he finished typing. A bunch of flying "ladybug" surveillance drones flew to one corner of the room while the screens read [standby]. He's going to be watching me live, extensively. A greater sense of unease began to fill me with everything that was going on. He spoke in a sincere tone.

"Ise. I'm afraid that I have to tell you this, but that is something that will not be able to continue in the future."

—! Wh-What? What does he mean by that? He means I won't be able to show mercy anymore?...

"I'm afraid that the truth is, there will come a time when it will become necessary to realize that there is no other way. There will be a time, if not many, in which you will encounter an enemy that must die. There are those out there with which this outcome is unavoidable. To be able to make such a decision is one of a great warrior's many responsibilities. It is true that there are many enemies that can be spared, mercy is a virtue, but there will be those that should be recognized as an existence that must be eliminated. I'm afraid that this is simply as much a part of being a leader as it is a soldier. Despite the fact that I'd rather not have you make such a decision, you may end up having to make it by the end of the day."

—?!

"...You mean….I might have to kill someone today?.."

He nodded his head firmly…..What?...

"But….if the decision is left up to me...then…"

He shook his head with looked almost like a mournful expression.

"I'm afraid that you can't maintain that mentality. I understand it if your first instinct is to spare your enemies, but you need realize that sparing them may not be the default option in some cases."

"...W...What do you mean?.."

"I mean: You need to be able to recognize when and when not to spare an enemy. Sparing an enemy is not something that should be decided by one's personal beliefs. It should be influenced by their crimes and most importantly their intent. If their intent is something that is too drastic then they must be eliminated. Especially if they are those who are tenacious. Let me give you an example. What if there was an enemy who had the ability to destroy the entire capital of the Underworld, but the only way to stop him would be to kill him? What would you do?"

"...W-Well, that's...I mean, wouldn't incapacitating him be enough? Or just keeping him from fighting anymore?.."

Sensei shook his head.

"Get rid of that mentality. This is a hypothetical. I'm telling you that it's impossible to stop this destruction otherwise. Like say, he had a bomb that would detonate that big, and the only way to stop it would be to absolutely kill him. What would you do?"

That sort of question…..thinking of all the people and children in the capital, the answer seems obvious..

"...Of course, I would have to kill him…"

He nodded his head.

"You would have to kill him. Without hesitation. However, that's not something that happens. In truth, the best example is just the real one. What I mean is: there will be enemies that will not give up. Enemies that will never give up their intent no matter what and won't give up trying even if they're dead and their threat is also high. Those are the ones that you must be able to recognize as targets to kill. The irredeemable fellows. There are times when you will come face to face with such an enemy. And for that reason, you must be able to decide for yourself whether you believe that enemy should be killed or not. This decision will most likely have other lives resting on it. This is the decision that you may need to face today."

-[!]-

"...You're saying that I may need to make the decision on whether or not to spare an enemy…..and there will be lives resting on it?…"

He nodded his head slowly….

"...That…...that is my trial?..."

"Hm. Well, in its own way yes. That has to be the greatest hardship of this trial. But this trial is more than just that. I won't lie to you Ise. You are going to be facing an enemy that is greatly powerful. Most likely surpassing your own strength. However, that's precisely why you will be receiving assistance in this trial. This trial is a matter of life and death. There are no restrictions on it. Moreover, I will always be watching you during it. This is to ensure that you do not die while attempting it. I have already let my contacts know that they must assist you if things get dicey. And even if they don't I have back ups. This will be one of your last trials and most definitely the most difficult. That's why, if there is a moment in which you realize that it is impossible to win, I want you to run away. Don't fight. Just give up and get away. Understand?"

Sensei says that cautiously while handing me a glass bottle with some glowing blue liquid in it.

"What is this?"

"I need you to agree first."

"Ah, yeah. I got it. But what is this stuff?"

"It's a rejuvenation potion of sorts. I crafted it myself in preparation for that. It should fill you with what is essentially days worth of stamina. Or enough to keep you boosting non stop for a long period of time. Drink it all."

He finished with that as he sat in the desk and connected the signal to the drones. I downed the entire bottle in seconds.

—! Woah! Holy shit! What is this?! Is this the rejuvenation?! It feels like i can take on an entire army!

"Alright. Are you ready?"

Sensei asked me seriously. I stretched my limbs out a bit and shook my body loosely. I took a deep breath.

"...I'm ready."

"Alright. Pick up that slip on the table. The one with the magic circle."

I picked up the paper and concentrated my demonic power on it. A magic circle spawned beneath me.

"Don't hold back. Go all out. Don't die. Those are your conditions."

I nodded my head. For the first time, Sensei wished me luck.

"Good luck."

"Yeah."

Wish me luck, Ravel.

Shiiiiin!

I closed my eyes as the light enveloped me.

Part 2

When I opened my eyes, I was on what looked like a large, wide arena. Hm? No, wait. It's a Cliffside. It looks like an arena because the Cliffside is shaped in a circular manner, but there is a tall mountain peak behind me. So we're on one of the cliffs of a mountain huh? Quite a spacious Cliffside. No wonder it looks like an arena.

I looked around a bit. Looking over the edge….

Whoosh…

Holy shit! I backed up immediately. Woah! That's a tall drop! How many meters is that?!

"Woah, be careful there! That's over a 450 meter drop!"

"Aah!"

I jumped back at the voice behind me. Aaaah! I'm tipping over the edge!

Grip!

"Woah, woah! I've got you!"

The man grabbed my arm before I could fall back over the edge and pulled me back in.

"That was a close one! You almost fell right over! That would've been bad for negotiations if you died! Ah, that's right, that's kind of why we're letting you help in the first place so please don't die."

Huh?! What the-? The man spoke in a jolly tone that made it seem like he was a light hearted jokester. Hey, I almost just died you know! That's 400 meters! That ain't no joke! Hey wait a minute….who is this guy anyway?

"Alright, now let's get you all ready."

The man said that as he started randomly patting my limbs. The Hell is he doing?! No, who the fuck even is this guy anyway?! I don't know who he is, but somehow he seems important.

He's a blonde man with white rags over his body. Similar to those white robes or sashes that Greek men wore in the old days. He looks to be in his mid-to-late twenties. His hair is short and scruffy and his eyes are as gold as his hair. He's got a bronze cap on his head with little wings coming out of them. He's also got some weird mini staff thing in his hand. Hey, isn't that shape the crest of hospitals or something? The staff with wings and snakes around it? Um, I think it's called a C...Caduceus?

The last detail my eyes caught onto were his shoes.

"Okay, that's all of your limbs. Spread your arms."

I spread my arms and he placed his hand on my chest. At that moment, lights shined on my limbs and chest. Symbols appeared on them. The Caduceus symbol that his staff resembles. Is this his symbol or something? And what's he doing?

"Alright, all set! You should be a lot faster now! Ah, sorry I can't do anything about your strength though. That's not my thing. That's more of a thing for guys like the original Heracles or maybe Kratos. I can't make you any stronger. I'm quite physically weak amongst the Gods so if anything you could probably beat me up using these seals. Most people can't catch me though!"

What the Hell is this guy talking about? I noticed the last detail about him as I asked him of his identity.

"Hey, I hope you don't mind me asking, but who the Hell are you?"

He had a look of realization.

"Oh! Oh! Maybe that weird Governor fellow didn't have time to tell you? In that case, I will introduce myself!"

He quickly spun the short staff in his hand and pointed it off to the side as if to make a cool pose. The last detail about him I noticed—

"I am Hermes! The Messenger God of Olympus!"

—Sandals with wings on them.

…

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhh?!"

"Yoouch!"

The man covered his ears in pain after my howl. H-H-Heeeeeeermeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees?! The Messenger God?! The God of thieves and mischief and shit?! From Greek mythology?! That Hermes?!

I pointed at him in shock while my body shook.

"Y-Y-You're Hermes..!"

He looked at me blankly.

"Yes, I did proclaim that."

I could only stare at him with my mouth agape in shock. T-This is Hermes! The Greek God! The trickster! The Messenger! The really really fast one! This is a God! I'm facing a Greek God right now!

[Partner, compose yourself. This is a momentous occasion. You should be treating it as such. Learn to hold your composure in front of such important figures. Introduce properly, as the Sekiryuutei should.]

R-R-Right!

"H-Hello! I am Hyoudou Issei! I am this generation's Sekiryuutei! Um, I am also here on the request of Azazel, the Fallen Angel Governor! It is a pleasure to meet you!"

Hermes looked at me blankly again.

"No, I already knew all of that."

Ah.

…

"...Um, where am I?"

I ended up breaking the awkward silence with that question, hoping to get an answer. Hermes smiled again and answered me casually.

"Look around you! You are in Greece of course! Ah, although, you are very far out in the outskirts of it. This is a place that no regular mortals can reach. Mount Olympus is just right over there after all."

He pointed off to his right. I followed his direction and saw a mountain around 100 meters away from us. Hm? It's just a mountain. Or at least the body of one. I shifted my gaze upwards and—

"...Ah…"

When I looked up, I saw a tall peak that was even higher than the one we stood on. Double this height. Over 850 meters tall. And resting at the top of the peak was an exquisite, large palace the size of an actual town. Despite the fact that it looked to be up in the clouds it gave off a golden light brilliantly.

…..M….Mount Olympus?...

"Unfortunately, most of the vital Gods are not currently present there. Despite that it is now a target for that fellow. Ah, but there are still a few Gods sitting up there. However, those ones are all the 'useless' ones. Σκατά, that's a bit harsh, isn't it? I meant the Gods who cannot do much against a great threat like the one we're facing now. It's not too amazing of a problem for beings like Zeus or Ares, but there are Gods and Goddesses that are no match you know? Not even up against you. Like, just imagine Hera going up against Ares. There's no way. There's Gods like that not meant to fight, but they serve other important roles. So, right now, we're in the worst case scenario since most of the powerful Gods are away doing negotiation stuff. Meanwhile, Hades does not care to help and Ares is nowhere to be found. I'll try to get in contact with Athena and Artemis, at the very least. But for now these enhancements are all I can do for you. You have a better chance fighting him than I do. I'll be running around to let the rest of the Gods know while you face him. I'm also in contact with the Fallen Angel Governor so in case anything happens I will try to return as fast as I can. But, for now, you're going to be fighting him all on your own. Unless you want me to bring over one of the 'fragile' Gods from Olympus to help. In that case, we'll see if Dionysus can stop him with a splash of wine to the face, Hahahahahahahaha!"

Hermes laughed heartily as I stood frozen and processed of the information he just dumped on me. He made mention to so many important figures and concepts that my brain almost fell apart. Shemhazai-san….all of that mental training may have not prepared me to be a quick thinker yet….

"Ah, that's right, try testing out your speed. You should be way faster now."

Hm? He suggested I test out my speed? Um, okay. I tried throwing a punch as fast as I could.

Whoosh!

Woah! There was dust that was kicked up in a circular motion near my feet and continued down in a line. Holy shit! This speed-! It easily surpassed Kiba's! It's definitely faster than Knight form Triaina! It even surpasses Vali's crazy speed! Holy shit! Imagine the Knight form with this speed now! No, the Rook! The Rook would easily be at Kiba's speed with this enhancement! Fucking Hell! That idea Is terrifying!

"How is it, my blessing?"

"Fast! Way too fuckin fast! I couldn't even see my own punch! Is it really okay for me to be using this enhancement?!"

He raised a brow at me.

"Ah, well, it's the only way you'll survive after all."

...Chills…

His words made me feel chills. You mean….without this I would die? Is that how strong my enemy is?...

"Alright, try out the speed while using that one bulky form that I've heard about. The big ugly one."

The big ugly one? Ah, Triaina Rook? He wants me to get into that form from the start?

"Um, I'm not sure if I should be using Rook right away though."

At that moment, I heard noises in my head. The transmitter turned on.

[Ise. Are you there?]

"Ah, Sensei? Yeah I'm here. Are you already watching me?"

[Yeah, that's right. I've got my drones doing surveillance all around you. They're in camouflage so the enemy doesn't realize it.]

"Oh okay. What is it?"

[Turn into your Rook form.]

"Eh? Already? So even you want me to do it from the start too Sensei?"

[Ise, I'm going to be frank with you. If you don't have your Rook form on at all times during this battle, you may die. It is as simple as that.]

—?!

"..You're saying my enemy is that strong?"

[I'm saying you will die otherwise. Transform.]

His words gave me chills for the second time.

"Alright."

[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!]

"Promotion, Welsh Dragonic Rook!"

[Change Solid Impact!]

My armor transformed and I was placed into the large, rigid Rook form. Hermes eyed it curiously while rubbing his chin.

"Hoooooh."

[Okay, Ise. Now test out your speed while in that form.]

I threw a punch at Sensei's command.

WHOOSH!

A great amount of dust was blown away at my lightning fast punch. This-! This is too fast for such a bulky form! It's just as fast as the Knight form, if not faster! Both speed and brute strength-! It's too overwhelming!...That means, I'm facing an enemy that can handle this sort of thing?...

"Hohohoho! So this is the, uh, what was it called?"

"Triaina Rook form, [Welsh Dragonic Rook]?"

"Yes, yes! That! Triaina! Right, right! I vaguely recall Poseidon announcing that the Sekiryuutei had decided on such a name for that new [Illegal form] in joy. He was quite happy with it. 'Hohoho! A splendid name!' is what he said. Ah, say! What is the Knight one named! You know, the fast one!"

"Hm? Ah, that's the [Welsh Sonic Boost Knight]."

"Ah, Welsh Sonic Boost Knight? Oye, what a mouth full. That's such a slodgy name for something that gives off the impression of speed."

He says that with a lack of enthusiasm.

"W-Well, it's also called the [Dragon Star Knight]."

"Ah, that's better, but it's still really lackluster. Also, very childish sounding. It would be better if it had a more imposing name."

He said that while crossing his arms. Ueeeh….I'm being scrutinized about my speedy form by the God of Speed….feels bad….But Hermes suddenly lit a bulb above his head.

"Ah! I've got it! [The Bird of Hermes]! Haha, yes, that is good!"

Huh? He announced that excitedly as if he accomplished something. What?

"Yes, yes, call it that! Use that name! Triaina Caduceus, [The Bird Of Hermes]! Hahahaha! Yes! Yes, yes, that's great! That one's good! We'll use that one from now on!"

He said that while pointing the mini staff at me. I feel like something has been arbitrarily decided without me.

—Chills!

I suddenly got the feeling of chills, stronger than all the other times before, straight up my spine. Hermes gained a serious expression and looked off the cliff edge to somewhere off in the distance if the mountains. Something is coming…..

Hermes turned to me seriously and began giving me a speech.

"Alright, boy. Listen well. There isn't much time that I have to tell you all this. First, you must know of the nature of the Gods and Titans. Titans were always essentially considered the "Fathers" to the Gods, with a great amount of beings having been conceived by them. Like Zeus for example. But that isn't the point. All throughout time, it has been debated as to whether Gods stand above Titans or Titans stand above Gods, in terms of power at least. Until the Titanomachy there wasn't really a good indicator for it. Now Gods are considered to stand above all beings, but there are many that would say that 'God' is a broad term. In some ways, Titans can be considered Gods simply because of how powerful they are. Also adding to the fact that many of them fathered the Gods, that case is strong."

I nodded my head and continued listening intently. Something is coming. It's getting closer and closer. It's extremely powerful.

"There are many powerful beings who are considered Gods despite having a different nature than Gods themselves. Most of the time, this is purely because of their power. And in a way, it is not foolish to label them as such. If something has the power of a God, then there's not really much separating it from such a realm except opinion. Now, what I want you to know about is the idea of something called a 'Progeny'. By conventional definition, this simply means a direct descendant, but in this context it is different. This term would serve us the purpose of describing a being that was born from another being's power."

A being born from another being's power? I couldn't process it for long enough. It's getting closer.

"Here, I want you to think about this. What if there was a Titan, a Titan that is essentially a God, that decided to create a new being using its own power and the soils of Tartarus as bases? A Titan that was one of the most powerful amongst them. A Titan that decided to create this being for the purpose of replacing him, but did not realize the concept of isolation and grudges would affect this being? The concept of 'Sins of the Father'. A naïve being was born. One that had the mentality of a child, but was forced into a position he was hated for, only for the Titan 'father' who created him to abandon him and become a mountain. Are you still following?"

"I'm trying…"

"Everything I'm saying is literal. The Titan who was tasked with upholding the Heavens upon his shoulders, but was released from his duties by Heracles. He is the Titan who created this being using his power and the soils of Tartarus as flesh, this 'son', but he did not realize that leaving this son alone in a world that hated him would have such consequences. Moreover, it is wrong to call it a 'son', it would be more accurate to say that it is almost like another version of the Titan himself. One that does not take the form of a Titan, but rather the form of a humanoid being, essentially giving it the classification of God. An Evil-God. It can no longer be considered a benign existence. An Evil-God with the power of the Titan which represents [Endurance and absolute Strength]. And that power seems to growing along with its rage, day by day. Now, that being's target is Olympus. And the one standing in its way— is you."

-[!]-

"...I'm….fighting a God?..."

—CHILLS—!

Hermes turned his head back in shock. That presence! It's here! A God? An Evil-God has arrived? I can feel it just about to reach the mountain peak arena we stood on. I'm going to be fighting another Evil-God. But this time, I'm all on my own. This feeling….it's stronger than Loki…

"Alright boy! It's time! He's here. Listen. Whatever you do, don't hold back, understand? Use all the power that you have in this form. And don't change out of it, unless it's only for a moment! Try not to die, alright? It would be bad for all of us if that were to happen. I'll try to get to the other Gods as fast as I can. Until then, do your best!"

With that, Hermes jumped off of the peak with a lightning speed I couldn't even interpret until he was gone and all that was left was a strong gust of wind.

I was all alone now.

"...Sensei.."

[What is it, Ise?]

"...I'm going to be fighting a God?"

[That's right.]

"...I don't know if I can win.."

[Don't think that way, Ise. All you can do now is focus. Concentrate on winning. If there is a moment in which you realize that victory is impossible, run. Don't worry about the trial then. But for now, just think about what you can do to win. That rejuvenation potion I gave you should have provided you with enough stamina to boost yourself all the way up to Maou level strength, maybe hopefully above that. This was a measure I had to take to ensure you had the best chance. Add to that, you have Hermes's blessing. Optimistically, this should be enough to match up with that being. The only problem is that I don't know his strength for myself. I'm only going off of what has been described to me. In the best case scenario, you'll be stronger than he can handle at full capacity. For now, you can only focus on the fight.]

"...Alright…"

[Partner, I suggest you start boosting your power. As it is now, we are no match. We should be ready by the time he arrives.]

Right.

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

He's getting closer.

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

Closer.

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

The ground beneath me cracked from the pressure, but I could pay it no mind. He's still getting closer.

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

The presence suddenly vanished. I ended up getting a rising feeling in myself. I couldn't hold myself from speaking.

"...Sensei…"

[What is it?]

"...I'm...afraid.."

[I know…]

"...The Titan who held up the Heavens….I think I remember that story…...This is his 'son'….An Evil-God….Sensei….who is he?.."

[...It is just as you say, Ise. You are facing an Evil-God. The one created by the Titan who held up the Heavens. Using around half of his power and the soils of Tartarus. The Titan who ended up becoming a mountain and became a part of the earth. The Titan which represents Endurance, Strength, and even Astronomy. This is his 'son'. His creation. His 'progeny'. His successor….This being…..he is…]

Sensei didn't get to finish. Because something had landed in front of me with a powerful crash that felt like it shook the whole mountain. My view was covered by smoke and dust in less than a second.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNN!

I could not move. I could feel his presence from within the cloud of dust covering the entire peak. Through the dust, I could vaguely make our the shape of a person. The silhouette of a man on his knees from the landing, suggesting that he somehow jumped to this insane height. Using only his legs.

Sss…

Within the cloud of dust, I could see lines of steam rising. As if from pressure or heat building up in the center. No, that's exactly what it is. I had only realized it now, but the arena we were in was no longer flat. Instead, it was dented inwards towards the spot where he landed. The entire arena has essentially become a crater.

Then, from deep within the dust that finally began to clear, I could see two glowing orbs of red light piercing through me.

—CHILLS!

Sss….

The dust finally cleared, but there was smoke still rising from that spot. No, it's steam rising from the man's skin. As if his body is releasing a tremendous pressure or heat. To the point that the image of him was a bit like a mirage. But I could still him perfectly. I understood exactly why the pressure released from his body was so dense. I understood it in my bones. It was because he was that powerful.

With a quiet heave, the man let out a hot breath of steam.

"...Huuu…."

I could finally get a description of his physical appearance.

A young man in his mid-to-late twenties. He had a short beard and some nice black hair that emphasized he was Greek. All he wore was a brown cloth wrapped around his lower half and some sandals. His entire body was dark like the color of ash or molten rock. No, somehow, I could tell that it wasn't like this normally. It only looked that way because he was currently exuding so much power. There were what looked like cracks on his skin going throughout his body. They were most noticeable around his arms and legs. And in those cracks was a soft glowing orange light. It was as if he was made out of molten rock itself. He was tall and had a perfectly sculpted body. He resembles a statue of his own 'father'. His father is…

"...Olympus..!"

The man spoke in a low enraged snarl as he glared straight past me to the palace in the sky. It was as if I didn't exist. The man slowly took a step forward. Sensei announced it as his foot slammed upon the ground.

[He is named after his creator before him. He is the successor. He plans to kill the Gods of Olympus. He is—]

SLAM!

[The "Son Of Atlas".]

Sssss!

His body began releasing a powerful wave of steam that heated me up from inside the armor as I felt his strength rise. The cracks in his skin glowed even more. His powerful gaze was directed straight at Mt. Olympus. It held so much weight that it felt like it would collapse the entire palace just from the glare.

This is the Evil-God…..named after his creator, his father, "Atlas". The Titan who held up the Heavens with only his body…...This is "Atlas".

And he means to kill the Gods…

That glare….I immediately realized what Sensei was telling me earlier. Those eyes….

—There was never a possibility of being able to show mercy to such an opponent.

Step.

"Atlas" stopped in his tracks. That's because I stepped in front of him to block his view of Olympus. The moment I did.

—CHILLS

I felt intense chills throughout my entire being as his glare pierced my body. For one moment, I could even see the image of my own death.

"Haah...Hah.."

I could hear my own ragged breathing from fear.

SSSSSS!

His body began releasing more steam than ever before. The pressure cracked the ground beneath him all the way up to me. Red glowing eyes stabbed into my form.

Ddraig….what's the best plan of attack?

[Fight with all of your might.]

As I thought.

[Jet!]

I could do the only thing I knew. Attack. I blasted power into the jetpack and shot straight towards the being called Atlas at a speed unimaginable for the Rook form.

PSHYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I pulled back my fist with all of the power I have and prepared a strike for his head. The hammer mechanisms in the armor prepped themselves.

[Solid Impact!]

And with that, my strike connected with his face and sent a gust of dust all around the peak.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNN!

…..

…..

"Eh?"

I could hear a sound. The sound of sizzling. The sound of steam.

Ssss!

When the dust finally cleared from around us, I could see Atlas glaring at me with my fist in his face.

Creak..

He began moving his head to face me, pushing my fist away with only his cheek. Steam rose from his skin and the cracks in his skin glowed.

—There was no indicator of damage.

[PARTNER!]

And within a moment, a powerful kick was sent to my stomach. So powerful that I crashed into the mountain peak sitting right against the arena we were standing in, and completely destroyed it, covering the entire top half of the 400 meter mountain in dust.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNN!

…

[PARTNER! PARTNER!]

[ISE! ARE YOU THERE?! ISE!]

I could hear the voices of Ddraig and Sensei. I was inside of some rubble. I lifted myself up and rocks slid off of me. Are? Wasn't I fighting?

[Partner! Focus!]

Ddraig? I'm here. Ah, that's right, I was fighting. I was launched into the peak of the mountain against the arena. That should be behind me then—

…

The mountain peak that had gone up for ten more meters— was completely eradicated.

SSSSSS!

I could hear steam shooting out from in front of me. It was Atlas. His kick was the one that sent me into the peak that got destroyed. A powerful hit. So powerful that it did that. No more than that, looking down at my armor.

—Most of it is gone.

-?!-[?!]-!?-

[Ise! Ise! Snap out of your shock! Ise!]

[He's coming!]

Before I knew it, Atlas was above me with an arm raised up, ready to strike me.

[ISE!]

My thick armor reformed at the last second and the strike landed straight in my abdomen. The single strike was so powerful that it sent me crashing inside of the mountain's crust for what felt like minutes.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNN!

I continued crashing through the mountain until I reached some sort of opening from within. What I caught a glimpse of while I was free falling was a large lair, cavern or cave, until I landed harshly onto the ground.

DOON!

"...A…..Ah…"

I could only make that sound as I struggled to get up. Most of the armor on my body was destroyed, leaving only pieces that were crumbling away. At best, I could only bring myself to my knees.

[Partner! Partner, get up! I can keep reforming the armor thanks to the stamina boost from the rejuvenation potion, but you have to dodge those hits yourself! Snap out of your stupor! Think clearly! Focus!]

[Ise! Ise, can you hear me?! You can't keep taking those hits! Dodge, Ise! You have to dodge! Attack him and dodge using your speed!]

Looking around, this cavern/cave had lava in it. There was a lava waterfall to the side with a flowing river like section. My armor reformed itself.

DOOONNN!

There was a crash from a few meters away from me. Atlas landed on his knees and slowly brought himself up.

[Fight back, partner!]

Fight?

"Ise-sama."

-[!]-

"!...Rrgh!"

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

I boosted my power and used the burst of energy to pick myself up. I didn't hesitate and launched myself. Straight towards Atlas. I can't give him a chance to attack!

"Raaaaaaaaaahhhh!"

As soon as I reached him, I sent a flurry of attacks too fast for even my own eyes to follow, all while using the power of the Rook form.

DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON!

"Ugh!"

I could hear Atlas grunting and growling as I continued my attacks. Don't let up! I can't give him the chance to fight back! I'm faster than him! I have to use that to my advantage! Use it to the fullest! Even if one punch doesn't do much, I'll just punch him a thousand times until it does.

DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON!

The flurry continued, until I foolishly tried sending a powerful strike to the face.

[Solid Impact!]

PAN!

The fist that I sent to his face was caught by his hand. Fuck! I was too rash! It was too easy to read! I brought up my other fist to strike the other side of his head and—

PAN!

He caught it with his other hand.

PULL!

He crossed both of my arms as he pulled me close. His glare burned into my soul. Then, a powerful headbutt sent me crashing backwards after destroying my helmet.

DON!

BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM!

As I was tumbling away, Atlas appeared behind my form and sent a kick to my back.

DON!

"GAH-!"

But before the force of the kick could send me flying up, he sent another strike to my stomach to send me back down.

DON!

And before I could hit the floor, he sent another kick to my shoulder to send me back up. After that, he sent an entire flurry of attacks, knocking me back and forth between strikes like a rag doll. All the while keeping my body in the air.

DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON!

With every strike a piece of my armor was destroyed. He would continue targeting different pieces of my armor as if just to destroy it fully, and when it was fully gone, he would aim for a killing hit before my armor quickly reformed.

[ISE! SHIT! HERMES! HE'S TOO STRONG! RETURN, NOW!]

Soon enough, one of his strikes sent me tumbling backwards towards the river or lava.

BAM BAM BAM!

I landed right in front of the river. Hardly any of the top half of my armor was left. The gauntlets on my arms weren't even there, along with my helmet.

GRIP!

The back of my head was suddenly pulled up. Atlas grabbed my head and tried to push it straight into the lava.

[Partner!]

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

The gauntlets reformed around my arms, but they were only the standard ones, not the Rook ones. Atlas kept trying to push my head towards the lava as I struggled against him. He was gradually bringing me closer to it.

DDRAIG! I CAN'T PUSH BACK WITHOUT THE ROOK!

[I'M TRYING PARTNER! IT BECOMES MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT THE MORE YOU LOSE YOUR ARMOR!]

At this point, I was only less than 15 centimeters from the lava touching my face.

DDRAIG!

[I've got it!]

[Solid Impact!]

The gauntlets reformed around my arms and I immediately used their power to strike back Atlas' face.

DON!

"Agh!"

He fell back and I punched him once more to send him tumbling back.

DON!

BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM!

[Jet!]

I immediately boosted power into the jetpack as he began to pick himself up. I launched at him and sent us both crashing into the wall.

DOOOOOONNNNNN!

Cracks were sent all the way up the wall from the impact. I was planning to blast him through the mountain, but it didn't work! I don't have enough power in my jetpack! If I want to burst through then— Fuck!

"Welsh Sonic Boost Knight! Armour release!"

[Change Star Sonic!]

The armor on my body decreased substantially, but—

[Jet!]

The power burst forth from my jetpack. Using my absolute speed, I was able to push both Atlas and I straight through the rock of the mountain, out into the sky.

PSHYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMM!

We broke through the side of the mountain and were flying high in the sky. We were up over 200 meters. Below us was nothing but a flat wasteland of rocks inside of a wide shallow canyon. It resembled an arena fighting stage from the Dragon ball series of games.

It was only now that I realized, when we are 200+ meters in the sky, that this height suggested Atlas was able to send me crashing through the mountain's crust for 200 meters with a single punch.

"Aaaaargh!"

The enraged Atlas clasped his hand together and lifted them above his head. He was going to send me straight down with a strike!

"Welsh Dragonic Rook!"

[Change Solid Impact!]

Right at the very last second, my armor was changed to the Rook form, before I was sent straight down crashing into the earth below from one strike. The crash ended up shooting dust into the sky for what looked like 50 meters.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!

The impact of the crash was so severe that there wasn't even a dust cloud that could remain thanks to the force of the wind. The sky was clear to see instantly.

My armor was completely destroyed. I was lying in a crater that was around 30 meters in diameter. But it is hardly even a meter deep. The force of the impact must have been so strong that it was evenly spread out enough to only make a crater this wide but not that deep.

[Ise! Hermes is on his way! We're pulling you out!]

Far, far away from me, I could vaguely see Atlas land onto the ground. Then a huge cloud of dust shot up. That's when I saw his small figure over 200 meters high into the sky, gradually approaching me. He jumped that high. And he's coming straight for me.

But before he could make it halfway—

TON!

Powerful lighting bolt struck him down into the ground from the clouds above.

TOOOOOOOOOOOONNNN!

A lightning strike? That was way too strong to be a normal one. It was too dense, too large, and too bright.

"Aya! Boy!"

The person who landed beside me was Hermes. He picked up my bloody, busted body and stood me up unsteadily with my arm over his shoulder. I hardly had even any clothes on. Just my torn up, bloody pants and shoes.

"Come on, boy! We're leaving while we've still got the chance! Zeus is on his way, but for now he can only do this much. It won't keep him down for long. Theseus has also been ordered to arrive soon."

I began to notice figures standing at the top of the canyon in a line. 15 of them. They looked to be made out of an odd green light. Like holograms or spirits almost.

"Astral projection. It looks like the Gods are watching. They must be trying to see what's happening as they return. Zeus and Poseidon are there as well. They're already on their way, but I wonder if Gods become anxious while watching such things? I certainly do heh."

Hermes joked bitterly at that. The Gods are watching now? So some of them are returning and decided to check up on the situation? Bad timing. There's nothing we can do about this monster. There are others like Hades there as well? Even though he didn't care to help? Maybe just to watch the show.

Suddenly, as Hermes was about to move us he stopped. His gaze was set on the sky above us. I followed it with my eyes.

Moooooon.

Above us, there was what looked like a red force field of some sort forming over the canyon. What?...

"This is..!"

Hermes looked up at it in shock as if he recognized it.

[Hermes! What's going on! I'm trying to reach you by magic circle but I can't! Something's interfering! What's going on?!]

"...Ares!.."

Hermes said it with contempt.

[The God of War!]

Hermes scowled.

"This field...This is the dreaded [Battlefield of conflict] Ares is so fond of using. It was one he used during the days of all out war to his heart's content. It prevents any who have entered from leaving, but bars other outside existences from entering, as if it were an entirely different space. It's reminiscent of that damned Longinus, but nowhere near as powerful. The problem are the restrictions. None shall leave this space until the conflict has ceased as a result of a person or multiple persons dying. In this case, we can't leave until we kill this monster, or he kills us. Ares! To use it at this time against us! Are you so hungry for more conflict?! Has the war involving the terrorist organizations not yet quenched you?! What of my rescue to you when you were trapped by Otus and Ephilates?! You damned mongrel!"

We….can't leave?

[Hermes! You are the Messenger God! Isn't it possible for you to travel between realms freely?!]

Hermes smiled bitterly.

"Indeed it is...alone. If I were to escape this place, it would be on my own. I cannot bring the boy with me!"

For the first time in a long time, I heard Sensei curse in frustration.

[Shit! Shit, shit! Hold on! I don't know if this will work, but I will try contacting Odin! He knows ways around these things! Fuck! Hermes! How much time can you buy?]

Hermes smile turned grim.

"Not much….Truthfully, giving the boy that blessing was a great risk. At this point, most of my natural speed is depleted leaving me with just the speed of the sandals. It's a ridiculously fast speed, but against this monster I'm not entirely confident I can dodge every attack if he were to jump at us constantly. Not to mention, I am a messenger, not a stork. Carrying the boy and trying to keep the monster away is an even more difficult task."

[Shit! Just-! Try to buy as much time as you can!]

"...As much as I can huh…"

Hermes whispered to himself grimly. At that moment, Hermes put my body down.

"Alright, boy. Wish me luck. Carrying someone around is not my style."

Before I could move, Hermes zipped off.

ZIP!

I crawled out from the crater, but my body gave up when I made it out. I don't have any strength left!

"Sen..sei!...Hermes is..!"

[Hermes? Hermes! No, you fool!]

It was too late. Hermes was already jumping around the Evil-God who was trying to approach my crater from 20 meters away. I...can't...move! My body doesn't have the strength! I've taken too much damage! Fuck! Fuck!

"Raaaaaaaagh!"

DON!

"Miss! Take lessons from Artemis! She will teach you accuracy!"

"Raaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!"

DON!

Atlas slammed into the ground as Hermes zipped around him at a speed too fast to hit. Fuck! Why?! Why can't I move?! Even if my enemy is a God, this is as far as I can go?! Fuck! Even when I had Hermes blessing he was still too much! Was he just too powerful from the start?! Is there something I'm lacking?! Fuck! This feeling-! This feeling of incompetence again!

Hermes continued jumping and zipping past Atlas for what felt like 7 minutes straight. At this point, I could tell that Atlas was at his absolute boiling point of rage. He wasn't moving an inch anymore. As if his foot was planted into the ground. In fact…

Sssss...

When I looked carefully, I could see his left leg was releasing an intense amount of steam. More so than the rest of his body. Wait, it's glowing more in that area too….like if it's building up.

—?!

"H...Hermes!"

I tried using all of my strength to call out to Hermes. But it was too late. once Hermes zipped around Atlas' left side—

BREAK!

The floor beneath Atlas' leg broke as he launched straight towards Hermes. He used his pure, built up strength to propel himself toward Hermes at a speed to fast for him to dodge. When he reached Hermes he sent a strike towards the right side of his body and—

POOOOOOON!

Blood was flying in the air. That's because Hermes entire right arm was completely pulverized.

"HERMEEEEEEEEEES!"

Hermes body flew back as the force of the punch finally registered. Before I knew what I was doing, my body suddenly lifted itself up.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

For the first time ever, the Rook armor reformed around my body only through the sheer force of my own will.

[NO, ISE!]

[PARTNER!]

[Jet!]

I was already blasting towards him by the time they called me out.

PSHYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Before Atlas could even turn to face me fully, my most powerful punch landed square in his face.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNN!

…..

"..Grr…"

I heard a low growl as the dust cleared from around us. When it did, I could see that my fist was planted straight into Atlas' cheek. His face was turned away from me due to the punch, but I could see his expression slowly shifting. More of his teeth started becoming visible as he began growling with absolute ferocity. Steam came off from his skin and the pressure of the air increased. His eyes starting glowing more than ever before.

Drip.

I finally took notice. Blood was dripping from the sides of his mouth and his nose.

GRIP!

His arm grabbed onto my gauntlet before I could react.

CRACK

It cracked under the pressure of his hand. He then twisted my arm backwards with his grip— and snapped it.

BREAK!

"GAH—!"

I was only able to wail in pain for a moment. Because in the next one, a punch stronger than any of the ones he sent before landed in my abdomen and launched me straight towards one of the 30 meter tall mountains in the canyon.

DOOOON!

I crashed straight into the mountain so hard that the entire thing collapsed from the impact and buried me in a landslide of rocks.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNN!

….

[PARTNER!]

….

[PARTNER CAN YOU HEAR ME! DON'T LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS!]

I could hear Ddraig, but I couldn't respond. My consciousness was fading….

…..

...

《I shall the burden of responsibility for my own mistakes. You have fought well, boy.》

Part 3

|Azazel|

"ISEEEEE!"

I shouted at the screens in front of me as I watched my student crash into a mountain that buried him.

"FUCK!"

I began gathering different materials that I could use. I won't be able to break through that barrier set up by that damned God of War, but I refuse to sit back and watch my student die! Ravel and the others wouldn't forgive me for that! And I most certainly wouldn't forgive myself!

[STATIC—Azazel-sama?]

"Yes, I'm here!"

[I have delivered your message to Odin-sama. He will be with you shortly.]

"Tell him to hurry!"

I switched my transmitter and was about to set it to contact someone else. Who else can I call? Tannin? No, first I'll contact Barakiel. He's the one who will be able to get here the fastest. In fact, I'll contact Shemhazai as well. I'll relieve them of their duties for today so they can assist.

Fuck! I knew I shouldn't have trusted those Gods! I had no idea he would be so unbelievably powerful. I should have known better! No, this is the result of my own carelessness. It was as Hermes said, he was getting stronger day by day. He posed a threat because of both his current power and his potential. I should have known that even just 3 days ago, when I contacted them about the threat he made on Olympus, that he would have gotten stronger by now. I should have made adjustments for that! I'm a damned fool!

TOOOOOOONN!

I looked back up to the screens in front of me. The Atlas bastard had been struck down by a powerful lightning strike. It's that damned Zeus. What has he been doing all this time?! How long will it be until he gets there?! I can assure him that his damned son Ares is not making negotiations look good right now!

"..Rrrrrrrrghhhhhhhh!"

Atlas growled as he lifted himself up. He quickly ran to a small mountain that was closer to being the size of a hill at only 15 meters and punched the base of it. Cracks ran along the entire base of the mini mountain until it reached 180 degrees all around to the back. After that, Atlas picked up the mini mountain without breaking a sweat and tossed it straight at the line of green ghosts watching them from atop the canyon.

DOONNNN!

The mountain broke the piece of the canyon the spirit looking figures stood on, but it made no difference. They were left standing there unaffected. It wasn't something that was a logical move. He was simply doing it out of pure rage.

"RRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

He howled into the dark grey sky in rage. There was no one he had left to direct his rage at. Yet he couldn't escape. The only way he could get out was by killing Ise and Hermes.

"Zeeeuuuuuuuussss!"

He cried out to Zeus, the God of Gods. He began rambling a speech.

"Gods of Olympus!...I call upon you!...And as if to answer my calls with mockery, you send me a child!? Youuu worthless cowaaaaaards! Where is your 'honour'?! Where is your 'strength'?! Where is the 'wrath of the Gods'?! Where is the 'might of Olympus'?! Answer meee! Zeeeeeeeeeuuus!"

He continued to howl into the sky as his rage built and built. More power was released from him than ever before as he made his final calls.

"ANSWER MEEE! OLYMPUUUUUUS! ZEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUS!...FAAAAAAAAAATHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRR!"

—Just as he made that final call, a powerful streak of red light descended upon the rubble that encased Ise just before.

SHHUUUUUUUUUUUUNNN!

—?! What?! What is that?! The power of one of the Gods? No, this is different. It resembles the power of the Evil-God!

SHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNN!

Ise's body began to emerge from the rubble, levitating, as a loud booming voice was heard throughout the environment.

《This day, it was brought to fruition as the result of my own actions. I shall bear the burden responsibility for my own mistakes. You have fought well, boy.》

That voice, it's one I don't recognize. Atlas is glaring at the powerful light with absolute contempt. He recognizes it. Ah, if this is the case….Then this power must be…

《I was foolish never to realize this possibility. This situation, it is my responsibility and mine alone. There will be no more 'punishment' for my actions. Instead, I will atone for this mistake here. I have already made my decision. Together, on this day, all that is Titan Atlas shall fall. I will give you everything I have left. Use it and rid this world of my other half. Use everything. My power and my spirit. Use it to lay down this monster to rest. Use it to defeat him. My son. Use the remaining power - of the Titan Atlas!》

With that last word, the Son of Atlas gave one last roar to the light that enveloped Ise.

"FAAAAAAATHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!"

SHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNN!

Ise's body was swallowed by the red light. It began to be absorbed into his form. His skin started to form what looked like lights in the shape of cracks on it. His skin became a dark ash color resembling molten rock. And his eyes began glowing red. In every way, it resembled the form of the Son of Atlas. There was only one difference. Ise's body began to form symbols on it.

Greek symbols. Strength, endurance, astronomy, war. All of those Greek symbols rested on a different limb, but that did not imply that it was restricted to one.

The last detail that separated the two was the pressure being released from Ise. Ise's pressure took on a color. A deep red, almost resembling an aura.

Ise's body finally touched the ground, the moment it did cracks formed around and away from his form for over 50 meters. And the entire immediate environment surrounding Ise was destroyed.

CRACK CRACK CRACK!

What was left hovering in a crater, was Ise with a ferocious expression of blind rage. The power was so vast that he had become a mindless berserker. But that power-! I grabbed my headset again and spoke into it.

"Ise! That power is too much for you to contain! Your body can't handle it! You need to release it as soon as possible or you may not survive! Do you understand what I'm saying to you Ise?! Use it! Use it now!"

Before Ise could do anything, Atlas launched himself towards him in a blind rage.

"FAAATHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRR!"

Just as he was about to strike Ise—

DON!

A strike ended up connecting with his face instead and launched him away.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNN!

The body of Atlas was sent flying away at a speed and force that was unreal. He was launched an unbelievable distance away with in the long and wide canyon. Possibly even Kilometers.

"..Fuuu…"

A hot breath of steam was released from Ise's aggressive snarl. He bent his knees as if preparing to jump and—

TOOOOOOOOOOOOOONN!

—?! He jumped with such force that the ground around him for at least 100 meters broke under the pressure. He launched up so high that my cameras lost track of him. It wasn't until what felt like 20 seconds passed did something happen.

—Ise was suddenly about to land on Atlas with a prepared strike. He jumped that distance with one hop!? But within the next second, Ise landed on Atlas and brought his fist down upon him.

The strike was so powerful that it created a crater over 200 meters in diameter and sent a dust cloud into the sky over 280 meters high.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!

The strike that was too powerful had made the realization into an obvious fact. Two beings with this much raw power….It had begun…..A battle between Gods.

DON!

Out from the absurdly large and deep crater emerged one figure. It was Ise.

"UURGH—GUH—NGH!"

His body was shaking and he looked to be in pain. He was struggling. Struggling against his own power. I said before that the power would kill him, this is true. However, if it comes down to it, it may be more likely that it will drive him mad first.

Pure, unadulterated, Godly power. Rushing through every part of his body simultaneously. Without warning and without question, abruptly being handed such power. There were most likely no coherent thoughts in his head. If there were any, it would be Ddraig telling him where to direct his power and rage to. There was no controlling it.

At most, he has 10, no 5 minutes. 5 minutes until it either completely destroys his body, or rips his sanity from him….I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand.

The most terrifying part of all of this is— Ise is fighting in his base form.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

Ise howled into the sky with a deep beast like voice. It resembled the voice of the original Atlas—

-[!]-

[Take my spirit and my power]!? Could it be?!

ZIP!

The form of Atlas suddenly appeared behind Ise, ready to strike. Ise flipped around with such speed that I could hardly follow. His momentum from his spin allowed him to land his fist directly into Atlas' face before he strike. Powerful winds were sent throughout the canyon from the punch and another unreasonable crater formed beneath them.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNN!

Atlas was launched back into a rock formation, crashing through countless standing boulders and other shapes until he crashed into the ground.

DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DOOOOOOOOOOONNNNN!

Ise immediately jumped another crazy height and landed straight into the cloud of dust Atlas was covered in. In less than a second, a body was launched out with the sound of a thunderous strike, sending it over 200 meters away from the dust cloud. It was Ise.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNN!

Ise was flying at such a fast velocity that it felt like 30 seconds before he finally started tumbling on the ground.

DON!

But as he was sliding, Ise planted his claws into the ground to stop himself. He continued sliding for 20 more meters, breaking the ground along the way, until he finally stopped.

TOOON!

Atlas' body jumped out from the rock formation area and launched him a ridiculous distance. He landed on the ground, but the momentum was so strong it kept him sliding on his feet towards Ise for over 50 meters. When he and Ise were finally close, they both sent strikes that collided with one another's fists.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNN!

The force of the collision sent a shockwave that broke the ground and rock formations around them for over what was easily 270 meters. The power was so great that the cracks ran all the way up to the side of the canyon closest to them and collapsed some of it.

Ise brought up his other fist and sent upwards towards Atlas' jaw. The moment it collided the ground beneath them cratered even further and deeper while Atlas' body was sent flying high up into the sky.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNN!

Atlas' body flew up hundreds of meters into the sky. So high that his back ended up colliding with the barrier set over by Ares himself. The collision caused what looked like cracks to form around the origin of Atlas' impact and spread out for around 10 meters. So that barrier can withstand such power. That punch could have easily obliterated most Ultimate-Class Devils in a flash.

The moment Atlas' body disconnected from the barrier and began free falling, Ise launched up (only creating a larger crater), and collided with his body.

TOOOOOON!

Ise grabbed onto Atlas' body as they both began free falling. He didn't hesitate and sent relentless strikes as they fell from the air. Ise was able to connect almost all of his attacks, but soon enough, Atlas' was able to flip their positions to him being on top. He placed his legs on Ise's stomach and pushed down with absolute force that shook the air. Ise was sent plummeting to the ground.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNN!

The crash sent up a dust cloud so tall it covered the descending form of Atlas'. But at the last second, I could see something jumped out from the dust before Atlas landed. Ise was flipping horizontally in the air as he gained distance from his previous spot. Atlas crashed onto the empty ground.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNN!

Ise immediately shot himself towards Atlas once he landed. This time, Atlas was prepared. They both readied their attacks and once Ise reached him, both of their attacks collided with each other's faces.

DOO—DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNN!

Without hesitation, they both sent furious strikes that shook the canyon at each other relentlessly and ruthlessly.

DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON!

Many rock formations around them cracked and collapsed from the shockwaves of the punches alone. It wasn't reasonable to call what they stood on ground anymore. It was nothing but destruction all around. This was power that surpassed imagination. The brutality of it was outmatched by the sheer scale. The idea that Ise was one of the ones causing such destruction was absurd. The only image in my mind of him that could do such a thing would be the Juggernaut Drive. But this, this was not the strength of a Devil.

It was only then that I noticed the distance between the two and Hermes who was lying at the sidelines. He's gripping the place where his arm used to be and can't move much. He's only about 50 meters away from them. Though it might sound ridiculous to say, they are too close to him. If they get any closer, he will be caught up in the crossfire.

DON! DON!

—! In the midst of their altercation, Ise suddenly grabbed both of Atlas hands and began pushing him back. ?!- He's pushing him away from Hermes! So there is still some sanity left in him! Good boy Ise!

CRACK

Atlas planted his feet firmly into the ground and began pushing back. Now, him and Ise were caught in a struggle of who could push who. However, they weren't the ones that started moving. Instead, the ground starting cracking in between them. The cracks grew larger and larger. Soon enough, the earth began to split.

CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK!

The canyon itself began to almost split in half slowly as they pushed against each other. They growled in each other's faces ferociously. No progress was being made between them. Until—

[Boost!]

—?! Ise's gauntlet was on his hand.

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

No wait! The gauntlet alone doesn't have the capability to boost that many times in quick succession. This is-!

—?! Two gauntlets! There are two gauntlets on Ise's hands! Could it be?! Could he be trying to conserve stamina by specifically only forming the minimum amount of armor from Scale Mail necessary to boost that much!? Did Ise ever possess such ability?! No, it can't be! Not to mention, he uses the power of Atlas so expertly as if it were instinct! There's no way Ise would know to have enough proper control or even know how many boosts would be sufficient amount needed without "overheating" him! Then, as I thought, he must be being affected by..!

DOOOONNNN!

Ise headbutted Atlas and sent him back only a few meters. With that much power, there's no way Ise would know well enough to hold back that much. Ise quickly shot towards Atlas and began giving him a combo of attacks. Every time Atlas would counterattack, Ise would parry and counterattack back. He's gaining the upper hand!

DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON!

Soon enough, Atlas sent a strike that missed and Ise slipped under him to strike his abdomen.

DOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!

"PUGAH-!"

Atlas vomited blood at the attack. It was only now that I noticed there was damage on both of their bodies. Most of Ise's damage was from the previous fight, but Atlas was now properly damaged. And that last attack seemed to prove extremely effective. It was powerful but didn't send him flying back. Almost like it was precisely released into a controlled point.

Thud!

Atlas fell to his knees while clutching his stomach. Could he finally be done?!

"Rrrgh—RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHH!"

No, he began to stand slowly.

Ssssss…

His power began to overflow….But this time it seemed different. This time it seemed explosive….

SSSSSSSS!

"ISE!"

Before I could warn him.

"Wait!"

—A voice suddenly interrupted from near them. The voice of a man.

"...Hyas?..."

For the first time, Atlas spoke in a quiet, non threatening tone. Rather, he seems shocked by the man's appearance. How did he get in? No, wait. Perhaps he didn't. He may have been waiting there the whole time?

"I followed you here, Telamon. Though I couldn't match your speed, I was able to make it to this canyon right when it sealed. It ended up trapping me alongst side of you."

The man called Atlas, 'Telamon'. In myth, the original Atlas was once referred to as "Atlas Telamon", which means 'Enduring Atlas'. Telamon must have been a name he was referred to as by this person. This person, Atlas called him "Hyas". The Titan Atlas was the father to many daughters, but only one son, the one named Hyas. Until the creation of his second "son", Hyas was the only one that existed...They are "brothers"..

Atlas looked at him with anger, but the deep hatred he bore for Olympus and his father was absent! Could this be-?! Could this perhaps be the chance to show mercy?! Redemption? Ise was observing silently. Yes, good. It seems that he was able to expunge enough power to maintain sanity for a bit. Watch closely, Ise.

This is it...

"Why-?! Why are you here, Hyas?!"

"I've come to stop you, foolish younger brother of mine."

"Don't call me your brother!"

Atlas pointed a finger in the brown haired man's (Hyas) face.

"You-! You are not my blood! My blood...My blood is nothing but cold stone crafted into being! You-! His blood runs through your veins, but I-! You...are not my brother!"

"I understand it brother…..that hatred you hold in your heart…..I understand it….."

Atlas snapped as he suddenly got in Hyas face and growled.

"YOU-! Do not-! Understand it-!"

"...I understand what it means that you are alone…"

Atlas snarled and turned abruptly to face away.

"...No!...You do not understand! I was left alone to be hated!...Loneliness and contempt, all for my existence to indulge, you know nothing of what I have felt! And you are all to blame! He is to blame! It is he that they loathe me so much for! He is the reason! But now that he is gone….I have nothing!"

He yelled into Hyas face. The thing Atlas hated most, his father, was no more. Now that he had given Ise all that he was left, he no longer existed. This Atlas now had no direction for his rage and sorrow. Nothing, but Olympus, Ise, and himself. Or possibly anything left that is associated with his father in some way. I fear the direction this goes may lead to…..Hyas retained his calm expression.

"Did you truly loathe him so?..."

Atlas growled in a low tone with no words. Hyas slowly lifted his arms.

"...In that case, would it not be sufficient to erase the greatest representation of him from this world?...His children.."

—?! Hyas is suggesting for Atlas to kill his family. No, more than that, he is suggesting Atlas to kill him on the spot. I see. Yes, this is it. The ultimate test. Hyas seems to have a connection with Atlas considering their interaction. Hyas must be the person he actually cares for. That's why he's offering up his life. If he can kill Hyas, he can kill anyone. At that point, there is no saving him. Are you watching Ise?

"...Rr….Rrrr…."

Atlas releases low growls as he approaches Hyas slowly. There is anger building in his eyes, but it is inconsistent. Atlas brings his hands to hover over Hyas throat. He's hesitating. It could be possible…

Grip!

"Urgh—!"

Atlas began choking Hyas, but Hyas did not struggle. He merely continued to stand with it. As the seconds passed there was no indication of Atlas' grip getting tighter or looser.

"...Rrr….Rrrgghh!.."

Atlas began choking tighter as some rage seemed to slowly build in him. Hyas fell to his knees from losing strength. Atlas did not release his grip…...come on, let this be the good result.

"...Rrrgh!….Rrrrrggghhh!"

Atlas began choking tighter. It was only when one of my drones caught view of his eyes…...No…..He is…

"Rrrgghh! Rrrrrrrrrrgghhh!"

Ssss!

Atlas' body began releasing steam as he choked. His expression of rage grew more apparent. No…..He's not going to stop….He is…..too far gone…

"Rrrgghh! RRRRRRRGGGHHH!"

He….will never stop.

I lightly removed the transmitter in my ear and lowered my head. I spoke, though I knew he couldn't hear me. No, precisely because of that, I spoke.

"Ise…"

Atlas continued choking Hyas. His eyes began to lose their light. Atlas' eyes glowed a brighter red. Hyas spoke one last time.

"...I'm…..sor...ry…."

Atlas continued.

—That was it.

GRIP!

"WHA-?!"

Atlas grip was released as he was suddenly grabbed from behind. Ise held him in a chokehold. His expression was grim.

I'm sorry, Ise.

"RRGH! AGH!"

Atlas struggled against his grip by elbowing Ise's abdomen and pulling at his face. But Ise did not even flinch. He spoke.

"You'll never stop…"

Ise placed his hands on the top of Atlas' head and the bottom of his chin separately. I lowered my gaze as I spoke to myself and heard Atlas struggle.

"Do it…"

"AGH—!"

And with one loud thunderous clap that echoed through the canyon, Ise snapped Atlas' neck.

SNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP!

—As if the world moved in slow motion, Atlas' body fell to its knees. Then slowly tipped over to fall on its side. The last movements he made, were his bloodshot eyes looking up to his brother….before going completely limp.

"...Brother?..."

Hyas called out to Atlas', but there was no answer. He approached his body on his knees and began shaking it.

"Brother..! Brother!..."

To no avail.

"..."

His gaze slowly shifted to Ise. Ise could only step back and avert his gaze as if he was experiencing a great conflict in his heart from his own actions.

At that moment, the barrier around the canyon collapsed.

PIIIIIIKKKKK!

It's gone! Ise suddenly began struggling as if he was in pain. The power! The conflict within him gave rise back for the power to spark. I immediately picked up a magic slip that had the destination set on it. I'm coming Ise.

Right before I teleported, I watched a powerful lightning strike land near Ise.

TOOOONNNN!

From out of the smoke of the lightning strike emerged a well built man in white robes, long white hair, white beard, and sandals. Zeus.

"Well done, my boy."

He placed his hand on Ise's chest as he passed him. At that moment, red particles burst forth from Ise's body and he fell to his knees. He expelled the last of the power! I'm on my way!

SHIIIN!

Within almost an instant, I reopened my eyes and appeared in the canyon. I ran to Ise who was on his knees. He called out to me drowsily.

"...Sen..sei?.."

His body fell over, but I caught hold of him before he could fall.

"Good job, Ise. Damn good job. You did well."

Zeus stood above the two brothers with a solemn expression.

"It seems this outcome was inevitable."

Glare!

Hyas switched his gaze to Zeus with a glare of pure hatred. It seems that he truly cared for the being he considered his "brother". Considering their interaction, they most likely did not have the chance to spend as much time together as they both desired. Whatever tragedy befell Atlas, no one else was there to experience it with him. For that reason, I see regret as much as hatred in Hyas eyes.

Hyas stood with his brother's lifeless body in his arms and began to walk away silently. He stopped before passing us. His gaze shifted to Ise's unconscious body that I held in my arms. Our positions were essentially the same, but the only difference was that body I carried in my arms was alive. The parallels were not lost on me. It was as if I stood before a mirror.

"..."

Hyas expression turned into a complicated one upon laying his eyes on Ise. There was a mixture of Anger, Sorrow, and Regret. It was as if he did not know his own feelings towards the "monster" who had slain his brother being nothing but a meager boy.

He turned his painful gaze away and walked off into the distance. Where they would go, I truly do not know.

Above me, there was what looked to be a golden chariot shining brilliantly in the air. Horses with manes which looked like they were made from pure light. It came to a stop beside Zeus.

"Helios."

It was the Sun-God, Helios. Zeus pointed towards Hermes on the sidelines.

"Take Hermes."

Helios nodded and whipped his horses forward towards Hermes. Zeus approached me.

"Governor."

I turned to him while holding Ise's sleeping body. His gaze shifted down towards him.

"A fine young man. He did well today."

I responded to him with a no nonsense attitude.

"I was not informed of his true strength. You never told me he would be so outrageously powerful, Zeus."

I could feel the slight venom on my tongue. Zeus sighed as he stroked his beard.

"I did not realize myself that he would rise to such levels. Despite receiving his threat to Olympus from Hermes, I heeded not enough mind to it. I was foolish to believe he would not grow in such a short amount of time. Leaving Olympus was my first mistake, dragging another faction into it during times of negotiation was my next. I sincerely apologize. If the boy awakes, let him know that I am sorry."

I couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Hmph. Even when he does, he'll simply smile and shrug it off. He's just that type of stupid boy."

"Hoh. Yes, I have heard. Truly, this generation of the Heavenly Dragons hosts are odd fellows aren't they?"

Zeus took a small breath and began to walk away.

"When the boy awakes, tell him this: He has done a fine job. He will surely turn to be a splendid warrior. Though it may seem an exaggeration, tell him that he has saved Olympus. I will be sure to have Hephaestus forge him something interesting in return for his great deed. Should he ever desire another faithful contraption beyond that, all he must do is simply complete a task on behalf of the Gods, and he shall be rewarded marvelously."

I scowled.

"My student is not the errand boy of Olympus."

He placed his hand up as if to ease my worries.

"Hmph. Of course not. I would never imply such a thing. I merely wished to offer him the equal opportunity every great warrior receives when he is in favor of the Gods. Despite what you may believe, we need no such errand runner. That's precisely why we have kept Hermes and Theseus."

We both chuckled lightly. I asked Zeus one last question.

"What of Ares?"

Zeus scoffed in disgust.

"Fff! The mongrel….He is an issue that I shall see to myself. I shall deal with the creaton personally."

Zeus turned away.

"Farewell, Governor. Until next we meet, I shall make sure to take proper consideration for the alliances. You can tell the boy he is to thank for that."

"Farewell."

With that goodbye, a lightning strike landed upon Zeus and he disappeared.

TOOOOOONNNNN!

He most likely went straight to Olympus. I noticed that the sky finally began to clear and the sun was shining. Above me, I could see the chariot of Helios make a quick pass. Someone dropped from it and landed ahead of me.

SLAM!

"Thank you, Helios! I'll be sure to ask Dionysus for some good drink to give you!"

The man who landed in front of me shouted that in a jolly tone to the chariot that was flying off in the distance. It was a man who resembled Zeus, but the garbs he was wearing were a bit different. He had long brown hair and large brown beard like Zeus. Though, compared to Zeus his attitude was more laid back. He really seemed like a jolly old man. He began approaching me.

"Governor!"

He approached me with a smile. Yes, this man is—

"Poseidon."

"Forgive me for my slight tardiness."

He stopped in front of me as I scoffed at him.

"Fff! Slight?"

"Ahahahaha! Yes, I am a tad late aren't I?"

He stroked his beard with an impressed expression as his gaze shifted to Ise.

"So the boy did it, did he?"

"Yes, he did."

"Astonishing. For such a modest existence such as him to wield and control such immeasurable power. That battle surely touched the realms of Godhood. I knew from the moment I saw him face the Lernean Hydra with bravery that he would be a fearsome warrior, but never on this scale. Heracles would have given a standing ovation in amusement."

He says that while observing the destruction in the large wasteland. It truly isn't even a canyon anymore. It's been split down the middle already, so maybe it's more accurate to call that part a canyon instead.

"Though, I am truly happy to have witnessed the [Triaina] even before his match in the Devil world. Such a splendid power deserves a splendid name! Well chosen! Hahahahaha!"

"I'd prefer if you rambled on about that to Ise instead of myself."

"Ah, yes, yes, that reminds me! This 'Rating game', the match he will be participating in against a fellow Devil group, when will that be taking place? I had heard it was postponed."

"Ah, yes. It was. It will be taking place in a few weeks. I'll notify you when that time comes."

"Yes, please do! My brother and I have already been allowed audience by the Devil-King boy so it would be terrible if we missed it. Though, it is unfortunate. That match will surely not reach a scale comparable to this battle. Lest the boy somehow awakens the faded spirit of the deceased Titan, then we might have a show, Hahahahaha!"

I narrowed my eyes at his remark. But he smiled.

"Well, that's enough out of this old man. Let me know when the boy has his match. I will be sure to greet him there. I dearly wish to have a pleasant conversation with the Red Dragon Emperor who loves breasts, Hohohoho~"

"Ah, we're rebranding a bit."

"Hoh, is that so? Well, even if you do, that won't change what is inside him will it?"

"Mm. Impossible."

"Hahahahahahaha!"

Poseidon laughed heartily. At that moment, a handsome young warrior landed a few meters away from us with sword and shield in hand.

DOOONNN!

"Have no fear! I have arrived!"

….

Poseidon spoke in a flat tone.

"Ah, Theseus…...You're late."

….

"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!"

"Also, you're fired."

"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaasaaaaaaaaaaat?!"

"Hahahahahahaha! He is a funny lad to jest isn't he, Governor?"

SHIIN!

I was already leaving by magic circle.

—That was the day that the mythological existence known as the Titan Atlas - was fizzled out by the Red Dragon Emperor.

Part 4

|Ise|

"Mm…Ah..."

I felt a small weight on my unimaginably sore body.

"Muu...Ise-sama…"

Are? That voice...that's…

"..Ravel?"

I opened my eyes. Rather than being in what I remembered was a wasteland, I was in a medical room of sorts. This is one of the infirmaries of the Grigori facility. My body is completely covered in bandages, making me look almost like a mummy.

And of course - on top of me was a sleeping Ravel.

"..Ise-sama…"

"...R-R-Ravel!?"

Just as I became embarrassed for some reason, I flinched at the harsh pain in my body.

"You shouldn't move. Your body is basically a broken, burnt stick right now."

I heard a voice from beside my bed.

"Sensei?"

It was Sensei who was leaning against a wall with his arms crossed.

"...Sensei...what happened?"

He looked at me seriously.

"You killed Atlas."

—The memory of Atlas' neck being snapped in my hands flashed through my mind.

SNAP!

-[!]-

…..That's right….I killed him…..I made my decision…

"You were right, Ise."

"Eh?"

Sensei said that suddenly. He looked straight at me

"You made the right decision. His existence was one that would not have been quenched. His rampage would have continued until him or the Gods were all dead. You made the right move at the perfect time. Well done, Ise."

Sensei finished that with a small smile…..Is that so? So i made the right choice after all…..But even so…

"...That man….Hyas was his name?...The way he looked at me…..I couldn't explain it….It was as if he was asking…'why'?..."

Sensei sighed and nodded his head solemnly.

"Of course. In the end, even if he was going to be murdered, you killed his 'brother'. I'm not sure of their relationship, but from what I could see they were a bit close. Not unbelievably close, but there was an obvious desire to be closer in both of them. The regret in his eyes was the regret of someone who never had the chance to become a proper sibling."

"...Was it….really not possible to save him?"

Sensei stepped up to the bed and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Ise. Remove that doubt from your heart. I understand your feelings, but the real answer is no. It makes sense that you would think this way after witnessing that glimmer of hope, but that's exactly what makes situations like that so difficult. Killing the already irredeemable bastards is easy, but concretely determining the moment that it is necessary to eliminate an enemy because he cannot be saved is what is so taxing. There are times when you feel doubt in facing these enemies. Times when you were sure they can be brought back to the light. But these types of fellows are the ones always standing on the edge. All it takes is one moment. One moment - and that person is no longer within reach. That's when you must stop them. That's when you must rip them from this world. Atlas was the perfect example for the demonstration of this concept. In only one moment, he proved it was too late for him. That hope was snuffed out - and then you moved. You truly made the right decision."

...Sensei finished his speech while lifting his hand from my shoulder…..I see…..Yes, I knew that. At that time, once Atlas eyes had begun glowing so brightly, that's when I understood it. That no matter what, he would never stop. It would not end there. He would go on to kill many others, and the seeds of hatred would be planted elsewhere as the result of his actions. Hatred would lead to revenge, then to death, then to further hatred. It would become a vicious cycle. It would never end. That's why I had to kill him.

He was already dead and gone.

DON!

—?! Suddenly, Sensei's back was turned to me and he had a fist planted into the wall.

"S-Sensei?..."

"...I am a fool.."

He said that in a low voice. His voice sounded as if he was deeply regretful of something. What is…?

"I had believed that it would be a good choice to put my faith in the Gods of Olympus…..despite not being an allied force…..I believed it would be the bridge between gaps…..to kill two birds with one stone…..The Gods would offer us assistance, and in exchange we would eliminate a high-potential future threat…...you managed to survive, but…...I am a fool..…[Becoming stronger, greater experience]...these worthless excuses…..I am…...No. Once again, I have proven to myself…..I am a failure of a Sensei…."

Wha-? Sensei unexpectedly began saying such things…..these...are his true feelings?...

"...I should not have sent you into that battle the way I did….The burdens I placed on you mentally, physically, and emotionally…..It is inexcusable that as a teacher I can try to justify this with any sort of celebration…..in the end, this accomplishment was yours. Yours and yours alone. I am nothing but the fool who placed you in the face of death, expecting you to stand against its might without fault, and then praising you for my careless actions…..I'm sorry, Ise."

…..He….He said all of that….no way…..I….I never imagined that Sensei…

No. That's wrong. Sensei is a person too. Even if he seems untouchable, everyone has their weak moments. Sensei isn't just a mysterious, mischievous scientist. He also has worries. He also has regrets. Even if he can't show it as a leader or a sensei, they're still there.

It was the same with me. Even though I had always smiled and moved forward for my group, there were things that were weighing heavy on my heart too. Things that nobody else saw. Things that nobody else tried to see. That feeling of not being noticed….even though it might have felt better to keep those things from being seen, in the end, the feeling of no one trying to see them…...It hurt more than anything in the world…

"...No. That's wrong, Sensei."

Sensei remained still as I began to speak.

"..Sensei is….I'm not going to say that what you did was the best idea…...but….even so, thanks to what happened, because you sent me there…..I ended up learning an invaluable lesson. A lesson that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I ended up accomplishing something that I never thought was possible for me. An accomplishment that weighs even heavier than my own life. I had once read that when a God dies, whatever purpose he serves suddenly goes into disarray. So if someone like Poseidon or another important God were to fall….It would be chaos until their rebirth….I never thought I could possibly do something more significant than with Loki. But….because of what happened, I now know this feeling…..this feeling of accomplishing something for the greater good…..all this time I had never felt it. Not in Kyoto, not versus Loki, only during the times when it affected my group. But now….I feel like I've kept the weight of the world from falling…..I truly felt like I did something for the greater good. Not just as a simple pawn in a larger plan or just another piece of the puzzle, but as the only one who stood in the way of catastrophe….This feeling. The feeling that I have now that I know that I was able to prevent something so diabolical. The feeling that there was an entire side of the world that I protected…...It feels better than anything I've ever felt before…..maybe it's wrong for me to say that. Maybe I'm starting to become a bad person if I feel this happy about it…..but…."

I took a breath before continuing. I could tell Sensei was peering over his shoulder, but I couldn't see his expression.

"...Without Sensei….none of this would have been possible. I wouldn't be where I am at now. I wouldn't have gotten this strong. I wouldn't have all these new developing skills. I wouldn't have any maturity to pride myself on….most of all, I wouldn't even be here….I wouldn't have been alright if Sensei didn't come to my rescue that time at home…..I don't know what would have happened to me…..I would have been…..Yeah. It's true. There are times when Sensei does stuff I don't like. Times when he does stupid stuff. Times when he does crazy experiments. Times when he annoys me. Times when he is irresponsible. Even times where he infuriating…..But…..In the end, that's just my Sensei. And if I had to be honest with you…."

I tried giving the best smile I could physically muster - and I spoke those words which once made my heart feel lighter as well.

"There's no one else I would rather have as my Sensei!"

…

…

…

…

"Hmph."

Sensei made a small sound. It sounded like a laugh or maybe a scoff, but I couldn't tell.

"...When it comes to someone like me - hearing stuff like that, it kind of makes me feel worse in a way, you know?...You have a talent for hurting people and not knowing it, Ise."

"E-Eh? W-Was what I said wrong..?"

I asked with concern, but Sensei ruffled my hair with a gentle smile..?

"...No. Not at all."

….? Sensei began to walk off.

"Huh? Sensei? Where are you going?"

He waved his hand back at me as he exited the room.

"I've got some preparations to make. You rest up for a couple days. Enjoy each other's company, lovebirds."

Huh? Lovebirds?

"...Muu...Ise-sama…"

"Ah, ah, ah! R-R-Ravel! H-H-Hey! You're on my waist! Y-Your head is right next to it! Wake up, wake up! I mean no wait! Don't wake up! Don't look under the blanket!"

---

After that, Sensei decided not have the footage aired as part of the episodes being released. But due to a certain journalistic agency paying off a Grigori member, the footage ended up being leaked. Sensei reprimanded the Grigori member for it and my organization as the Oppai Dragon managed by Grayfia-san sued the agency.

In the end, considering that the damage had already been done, Sensei and I decided to pull back. The Grigori member was reinstated and vowed to never do something like that again, while I informed Grayfia-san to drop the lawsuit.

After that, the footage was released as an official episode, but it was marked only for mature audiences and aired at theatres only, as to prevent any children audiences from possibly seeing it at home.

Despite the film industry in the Underworld being quite young, that episode ended up being one the most viewed pieces of entertainment in the industry, causing my personal finances to skyrocket. And it ended up being the most viewed showing of the year in theatres, even above the Magical girl Leviathan movie that had just been released.

---

"Azazel."

"Ah, Barakiel. There you are."

"Has Hyoudou Issei made his return?"

"Ah, yeah. He's right in that room I just left. You can go see him if you want, he's awake."

"I see. Very well."

"Alright, till later."

"Wait, Azazel."

"Hm? What is it?"

"...There is a tear shedding from your eye."

"...Ah, so there is. Pay no mind to it. Till later."

"..."

-DxD-

"Um, Sensei. Why am I here again?"

It's been a couple days since the incident involving the Son of Atlas. I'm currently standing in a big room with Sensei within the facility. For some reason, the room looks like a photography studio. It has different styles of furniture like couches on the sidelines. There's an exotic looking bed too. There's also large things that look like green screens, but they're not green screens. I've seen these before. These are those high tech type of things that can generate an image on the spot instead of being added in during the editing. It's basically an on the spot green screen of sorts. The film industry in the human world would kill to have these. They are already used in a lot of the Underworld's productions. Also, there's a wardrobe rack to the side with different clothes.

So yeah. I'm in a room that looks like a photography studio for models for some reason.

"Well, maybe we should wait until the professionals get here."

That was all Sensei said with a mischievous smirk. Oh no….As I was dreading over what Sensei could possibly have in store for me, someone burst through the door.

Slam!

"Alright, where is he?"

—! The door was suddenly kicked open. A group of black shirted young folks came through the door. But they were led in by….

"Hm? This is him?"

A person stood in front of me. No, let me correct that. A child stood in front of me.

"I am not a child."

—?! What the-?! The girl suddenly said that while staring up at me blankly. It's a cute short girl with long, black (messy/scruffy/unkempt) hair, grey colored eyes that looked like dead fish eyes, glasses, and a hollow expression. Who…

"I am Helga."

—?! She spoke again! What the-?! Is she reading my mind or something?! Wait, she has a white lab coat that looks too big for her on! Maybe she's one of the freaky Grigori members with a device for reading minds!

"No. You are just too easy to read. Also, I'm a Devil. Can't you tell, Godkiller? Lastly, the lab coat means nothing. It's just a fashion statement."

—?! She's reading my mind! She's 100% reading my fucking mind! Even if she denies it I don't believe her!

"Sensei! Who is this loli character?!"

"I already told you, I'm Helga."

"I wasn't asking you!"

"I'm the most qualified person to answer about myself. Why would ask the Governor?"

"Just shut it!"

Sensei laughed at our interaction as he introduced the loli.

"Ise, meet Helga. Helga here is gonna help us out with our little mini trial today."

"A pleasure."

Helga said that blankly as she raised the back of her hand and held it out to me.

"...Huh..?"

She raised a brow.

"What? Have you never treated a lady with delicacy before? Your gentleman skills are terrible. It's no wonder you can fight so brutally on that show of yours."

Huh?! This little-! This damn loli just said something really rude out of nowhere! You're telling me you expected me to just kiss a stranger's hand like that without hesitating?!

"I'm still waiting."

Grrrrrrrr! This damn loli! Sensei whispered to me.

"I suggest you follow along, Ise. This lady is quite the high profile in Devil society you know. Even if you don't recognize her there's no doubt you've seen her work a billion times. You just didn't know it. Anyway, for now just do what she says. This is all a part of the trial."

Sensei says that in my ear. You're telling me to listen to this rude little loli?! I don't care if she's high profile, I don't like her! But if it's part of the trial then-! Aaaaaaaaaagh!

"...Nnn…"

I groaned as I gently grabbed her hand and kissed it. Why do I have to….The loli nodded and pulled her hand abruptly.

"I see. There is delicacy in you. It's just buried underneath. Good. I can work with that."

She began writing something down on the clipboard she held onto. I whispered to Sensei.

"Sensei, who the fuck is this?"

"Ah, well, just to let you know she is from a high profile agency here in the Underworld. She happens to be the top in her field and is well known throughout the entire realm. Her work is plastered everywhere and they say that there isn't a person in existence she can't make look better. Also, you should be grateful, she was extremely difficult to obtain."

"No, that's all nice, but it still doesn't answer my fucking question."

"It's not supposed to."

"I hate you."

"You can't. I'm your irreplaceable sensei remember~"

"I take that back."

"Nope. Too late~"

Deciding that I couldn't get any answers from Sensei, I inspected the loli and her group. Her group was what looked like a bunch of assistants. They were 4 young women and 3 young men wearing black turtleneck shirts and black pants. What are they, going to a funeral? They stood in ready position, as if they were a squad prepared for orders.

Looking back at the loli I could see that she was wearing a badge around her neck that has some Devil writing on it. Um, if I'm looking at it correctly, it says: [Fetish Inc - Modeling agency]?

"Despite what you may think, the fetish actually doesn't stand for anything sexual. It's in reference to sacred items or treasures. So more like fetish as in 'relic or sacred item' dedicated to a God or other mythical being. After all, anyone I work with will become a Fetish when I'm done, I can promise you that. Ah, in that context, I mean it both sexually and nonsexually though."

She says that as she finishes writing whatever on the clipboard. She must have noticed me staring at the badge.

"Hm. You didn't glance at my chest. I'm surprised. Ah, maybe it's because I'm quite flat. Well, sorry about that."

She says that blankly as she hands her clipboard to one of her groupies and they hand her a camera instead.

"Alright, Mr. Hyoudou. No, I'll call you Issei."

Don't just suddenly decide what you get to call people.

"Alright, Issei. Now. Strip."

…

"Strip?..."

Helga lifted her hand and snapped her fingers.

Snap!

At that moment, all of her groupies began to take my clothes off without my consent.

"WHA-?! Ah, Ah! Hey! What the fuck are you do— Get off me!"

Before I knew it, I had been stripped off all my clothes and stood there naked.

"AH!"

I covered my private area in embarrassment. What the fuuuuuuuuuuuuck?! I've been exposed! I'm suddenly naked in front of all these people! They even took off my short arm cast that I was still wearing on my right hand after all those punches I gave Atlas!

"What the Hell are you dooooooooooiiiiiinnngg?!"

"Uncover yourself. You have nothing to be ashamed of here. You are well endowed enough. Besides, I can't measure all of you if you stand in such an awkward position."

"Are you fucking insaaaaaaaannnnee?!"

"There are times."

She says that plainly as she pulls out measuring tape!

"Sensei!? What the fuck is going on?! Am I going to be raped?! Is that part of my trial?!"

"I'm going to be honest with you, Ise—"

"You are?!"

"-The truth is, this trial is one that I've come up with personally. Oh, wait, I guess they're all like that. Let me rephrase that. The other day, I found out from Ravel that you had passed out in the bath again from blood loss. Judging from her attitude and that clue, that means she tried to seduce you in the bath and you passed out because you were too embarrassed."

—! He found out about that! Wait, no, that wasn't what bothered me. What bothered me was his offhand comment.

"You're wrong! That's not what she was trying to do! She was….Ravel isn't like that..."

Sensei had a brief look of realization and nodded his head.

"You're right. Sorry. Ravel isn't the type of girl to run in with that objective. I was wrong about that. What I should have said was, Ravel attempted to get closer to you by giving you some skinship. She was just trying to deepen the bond if she could. That's when you got embarrassed and passed out."

"Yeah, that's right…"

That's right. Ravel isn't like that. She isn't that type of girl. She's more innocent than that. Ravel's different from the other girls. She's bett—

"Anyway, I'm gonna give it to you straight - you need confidence. I told you about it a few weeks ago, but along with being aggressive it's necessary for you to have confidence. If you want to be a harem king these are two vital traits that you must possess. That's why, today we are going to develop your confidence using the power of the [Fetish Queen]."

—!? My confidence?

"W-Well, confidence certainly is necessary for being a harem king. But why the Hell do I need to be naked for it?!"

Helga answered me instead.

"I have worked with many types of people. Building confidence in people is one of my specialties. It's a necessary trait for models. I'm an expert in this. That's why, we're going to start by having you build confidence in the easiest area. Your body. You have a good body. The contours of your muscles are perfectly defined, you have no unnecessary fat, and you're ripped without being terribly bulky. By conventional terms, you're technically perfect."

W-Wow! She actually complimented me while poking at my abs with a pen.

"...T-Thank you.."

"You're welcome, but I've seen better."

Nn-! This damn loli!

"Well, at the very least you have one of the best amongst all of the Devils I have looked at. Honestly, I would say it would look better if your overall attractiveness was increased by other different factors. People are easy to arouse. Someone like you who has a cute, but not amazingly handsome face can still get even more girls than the guy who is flawless. Despite what you may think, people can't accept things that are 'perfect' very easily. They can look at a celebrity who is flawless and be mesmerized by their beauty, but they'll never admit that they feel a certain unease in looking at a person who is perfect. It's unsettling. Meanwhile, someone like you whose attractiveness can be increased only to a certain degree is more likely to attract others because you give off the impression being 'real'. Your attraction is more believable so you feel attainable. This allows people to freely desire you because you seem possible to reach, unlike the perfect fellows. So while the perfect ones would have more people praising their beauty, you would certainly have more people trying to fu— I mean, flocking towards you."

She gives me a whole exposition dump while measuring the parts of my body I'm not covering. Huh….is that really how it works? So you mean that it's more likely for someone like me to get girls jumping at me compared to Kiba? I find that unbelievable.

"That expression tells me you find it unbelievable. I don't blame you. But that's the truth. Let me ask you something, take for example that handsome fellow in your group. When you look at him what impression do you get about his appearance?"

...Kiba?

"...Well, if I had to say, it's like looking at a painting. He doesn't really seem to have any flaws."

She nodded her head and—

Pull!

She removed my hands from my crotch area!?

"AH!"

Before I could react any further, she just looked at me with a stern expression rather than her hollow one.

"Enough. We're not children, we're adults. I already told you there's nothing to be ashamed of. This is also a part of building confidence. Have confidence in your own body. It isn't like you're out in public. Even if you were, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Your body is fine. There's nothing wrong with it. Now, let me do my work."

"N-No no no no way! There's no way! How the Hell am I supposed to be okay with this?!"

"Let me ask you this, what exactly is wrong with your body?"

"N-No, it's not an issue of something being wrong with it! It's just embarrassing!"

"What part of it is embarrassing?"

"It's-! I mean-! It's not like anybody wants to see me naked!"

"Hm? I don't remember anyone here saying they were disgusted by you. Did any of you say it?"

She asked her groupies and they all shook their heads.

"That's not the point! It's just-! It's not something you should be showing random people!"

"Mm. I can understand that. But the reason you should be refraining from showing people would only be out of consideration for them, not because you are ashamed of it. This attitude of yours isn't consideration. You're just embarrassed to show yourself because you think it's shameful. I imagine you aren't embarrassed at showing yourself to other men in a bathhouse?"

"N-No…."

"But with women it's different right?"

"Well…"

"Exactly. The truth is there is no difference. We are all born in this state. There's nothing shameful about it. You only feel that way because the people you are attracted to are women. You think they will laugh at you don't you? You do have a bad reputation amongst women. Is that why?"

My reputation?...Well, certainly I have always had a bad reputation with women….They would always give me a disgusted look no matter what so…..

"What about the women who are close to you? Do you show yourself to them? Judging by your expression, it seems like you're embarrassed to show them too. Is it because you think they would laugh at you?"

…...That's…..

"I'll take that look in your eyes as a yes. Well, I can tell you now, no one here is laughing. You have nothing to be ashamed of. It's a good body. Besides, it's the body of the 'God-Killing Sekiryuutei'. It's something that you should be proud of, no?"

She ended that with...a light smile…..

"Alright then. No more interruptions. Let's get you to have confidence in your looks."

S-She continued inspecting and measuring me. Even my…..Are you serious? I'm just supposed to be okay with this?..."Nothing to be ashamed of"….maybe she's right?...Ravel didn't laugh at me….but….maybe she was being nice?...

"Alright. I've got it."

Helga stood up and snapped her fingers. Her groupies immediately rolled the wardrobe rack beside her. Helga turned to it and began tossing out different outfits. I continued to cover myself, but as the minutes passed….I started to feel like there wasn't any need to….nobody was really giving me any weird looks….They treated it completely normally...who was I even hiding from?

"No, no, no, no, no. No, no— Yes! This one. I've got it."

She suddenly tossed some clothes back to me.

"Put that on."

"Um—"

"Just do it."

I put the clothes on at her command. It's just a nice white dress shirt and black dress pants. She snapped her fingers.

Snap!

The groupies surrounded me and began messing with my appearance. Some girls took of some gel and started running it through my hair. Another one kept the first few buttons of my shirt undone while straightening out the rest of it. The rest just wiped off the clothes and fixed my pants. Helga clapped her hands.

"Enough."

The appearance they left with was - My hair was smooth and slick, but the hairstyle looks fairly the same. But, it gave off a different impression. Instead of the usual messy, unkempt feel, it gave off the impression that my hair was an actual specific style. No, more than that, it just looks like my hair is "better". Like if I had suddenly gotten better quality hair like Kiba's or Vali's. They were able to make it look this way?

My appearance otherwise is pretty simple. Just a white shirt that's unbuttoned halfway, emphasizing my abs and black slacks that are nicely pressed. Huh, I guess this does look like an outfit a model would be put in.

"Alright. Now give me a beachside."

Helga said that to no one in particular. Behind me, the green screen like device began to generate an image. A beach. On the floor section of the screen, what looked like sand was generated. Ah, that's right. This device has the capability to generate certain terrains like rocks, sands, water, and other simple stuff. Of course it's not really there, but it looks seriously real and feels real to the touch.

"Okay, lie down there."

I went to the fake beach and lied down in the sand.

"Now, imitate his pose."

Helga pointed down in front of me as she prepared her camera. There was a male assistant doing a pose. He was leaning on his arm and keeping himself propped up with his elbow while lying on his side. One of his legs was also bent upward while his other was lying flat. Yeah, that does look like the pose a model would do.

"Imitate his expression as well."

The guy's expression was kind of hard to explain. It looked like he had a distant gaze, but it certainly resembled that sort of "sexy" expression a male model would make…..I have to imitate that? Alright…

Snap, Snap!

Helga snapped her fingers twice and a woman suddenly slid in front of me on queue. She quickly applied some light pink lip balm on me. That's when Helga started snapping pictures.

Tks! Tks! Tks!

"Lift your head up a bit."

I followed her instructions and she snapped more pictures. She looked at her camera roll silently. Somehow, I felt nervous...

"Perfect! Let's step it up a notch!"

...She said that with a scary look in her eyes...

"...Step it up?"

---

After that, chaos ensued. I was put into countless outfits and put in different positions, places, furniture, and sometimes even with props in my hands that matched the theme of whatever outfit I wore. With each outfit, Helga became more and more commanding, as if her passion was suddenly sparked.

"The book! Look at the book! You're a reader aren't you?! You love reading! Reading is your life! Look at the book as if it is the love of your life!"

"No, no, no! Don't look at the camera! Look through it! Look beyond the lens! I want to feel like you're peering into my soul! I want to feel chills!—Yes! Yes! Just like that! Now I'm feeling hot!"

"No, no! That doesn't look peaceful! You're sleeping aren't you?! Sleep! Sleep without sleeping! Fill your body with Zen! I need to feel like you're sleeping right beside me! I need to feel like we just had a hot, passionate night of vigorous love making and are sleeping beside each other peacefully!"

"Oi, Oi, Oi! What's with that face, huh?! That doesn't look sexy! This is a love hotel isn't it?! I need to feel like you wanna fuck me! You know what it feels like to lust after women don't you, you filthy pervert!? Show me! Show me a face that says you wanna ravage me! Like you wanna eat me alive! But don't give me any of that creepy shit! Give me a face that says you have the right to fuck me!—Oh yes! Finally! Yes! Yes! The perfect expression! Just like that! Hold it there! Hold it there! I need as many of these as I can take!"

The photo shooting session lasted over two hours. During the middle of it, I was covered in sweat, but the "mad Goddess Helga" (as coined by Sensei) used my physical state to her advantage and had me take other pictures with as little clothes as possible.

She kept yelling: "Lights! Lighting! I need the lighting changed! Make it red! The color of passion! I want to see his sweat glisten in the dim light! I wanna get the feeling of being able to lick the sweat off his muscles! Come on! Get him new underwear! We're sponsored by that one company aren't we?! What was the name?! Who gives a fuck! Give him one of those! Black, boxer briefs, tight! I wanna see the firmness of his butt!"

That was probably the worst the worst and longest part of the entire session. Especially when Helga got too heated up and got a little handsy with me until her assistants started holding her down. Was something terrible about to happen to me?...

Anyway, it's all over now. I'm cleaning myself off with a towel as Helga and her team starts packing up.

"Say, Helga. What exactly are you going to do with my photos exactly?..."

She turned to me after writing something on her clipboard.

"Hm? I'm going to be keeping them for my personal collection of course. They are good material."

"Good material? For what?"

"For masturbating obviously."

Thud!

I fell off my chair as she said that nonchalantly…..

"Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh?! What the fuuuuuuuuuuuucckk!? What the Hell's the matter with yooooooou?!"

"What? It's something I do with a lot of my clients. Or at least the ones who were able to make me hot during sessions."

"That's illegal! That's a crime! That's certainly a crime!?"

"All of my clients are required to sign a contract that agrees to this condition."

"I never agreed to such a thiiiiiiinnng!"

"No, the Governor did it in your place."

Whaaaaaaat?! I looked to my right, but Sensei was nowhere to be seen!

"Senseeeeeeeeeeeeeeei!"

"Thank you for working with us."

---

It's been a day since then. This morning, I woke up to find that Ravel wasn't with me like usual. I wasn't allowed to train because I was still recovering, but Sensei told me I'll be all good and ready by tomorrow. So all I could do for today was explore and hang out around the facility. I spent some time talking with Barakiel-san on his break from training soldiers. Then I decided to give Shemhazai-san a hand with the mountain of paperwork Sensei always leaves him behind with. Did you know that Shemhazai-san has a Devil as his wife that he married before the peace treaty was signed! It was cool to hear about that.

So after that, I just ended up walking around and doing various things with groups of scientists for a few hours. It was still morning, but I still hadn't seen Ravel. Maybe she went back home for today?

"Sekiryuutei-donooooo~! Over here!"

"No, you idiot! Don't call him out, he's probably busy!"

Huh? I turned to see two Fallen Angel girls waving at me…..wait, me? They're waving at me? I looked around, but there wasn't anyone else who was paying attention to them. Me?

"Um, H-Hello~..."

I waved back at them awkwardly, hoping that they really did mean to call out to me.

"Kyaah! He waved back!"

"Shut up idiot! He was obviously waving at me!"

I slowly kept on walking as the women starting arguing with each other…...what was that about? I also noticed that they were each holding a package that was for holding documents or something. I thought I saw a couple other people with packages like that around. Is there something going on?

As I continued walking, I ended up hearing the noises of what sounded like a huge crowd of people causing a riot.

"Get out of my way slut!"

"Move, move! I need the shirtless collection!"

"I ordered the full set! This one's missing the love hotel collection!"

"I-I'm sorry ma'am! The full set has already sold out! There are more sets that are planned to be printed in the future, but for now the only thing you can do is bear with it! I-If you truly have an Issue with it, then you will have to take it with Azazel-sama personally!"

"You! Is that the full set! I'll give you double for it!"

"No, forget this wench! I'll give you triple! Quadruple if you need it!"

"I've got a printing of the full set right here, I'll take bids!"

….What the fuck? Ahead of me, there was a huge crowd of people, mostly consisting of women, basically rioting around what looked to be a window booth. They're all yelling about something related to the packages I saw those girls holding earlier. It looks like they're all trying to those purchase packages with very ruthless attitudes. Are? That guy who is selling the packages, I recognize him. He's one of Helga's assistants. Why's he selling them? No, what the Hell are they even selling anyway?

Just as I became curious, I realized that there were posters set up around the booth. All over the place. They were labeled with captions like "Shirtless - collection" or "With you - collection". And most of all they—

….

….Those

…..Are

…..My

…..Photos

…..

…..

-[?!]-

"They're selling out. Although, we are only selling them within Grigori for now, I am thinking that maybe we should sell them elsewhere. Looks like you may have to present yourself in a different light from now on, Ise."

Sensei appeared from beside me.

"SENSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIII!"

"Woah, woah! Calm down, Ise! I get if this makes you mad, but this is just a small little thing to boost your confidence! Look, look! There are women fighting all over those sets! Can't you see it?!"

Right before I attacked Sensei, he put his hands up in defense. This fucking Governoooooooooooooooooooooooor!

"Just look, Ise! Look! No one is laughing at you!"

I stopped….My gaze slowly shifted to the crowd.

"The shirtless collection is now sold out!"

Rumble!

The ground began shaking from the combined voices of the crowd in front of the booth…..They're….upset?

"Look at them. None of them are laughing at you. Hell, they're barking at each other just for having the photo sets the other person wants. They're going nuts over it. It's been like this all morning, even when you weren't around, so it's genuine. It's not like they have some ulterior motive behind their actions. They aren't gathering in groups to laugh at you. They're moving in droves just to see photos of you. Even though you're standing right here. Or actually, they may just be too distracted to notice you in general. I'm not telling you to become a model or anything, but I think you should have at least the confidence to show off your abs without getting embarrassed, otherwise your harem dream is impossible. Do you get the message yet?"

….It was just as Sensei said. There were people arguing and fighting over who gets what, people refusing to auction their packages, people outraged at hearing a collection was sold out, and there were even women bragging to others about what set they had which only caused worse conflicts to take place.

Uh oh. A few of them have begun fighting in the air. Are you serious?...

"...Why is this happening?"

"Don't you get it, Ise? This place should be the spark to your confidence. There are those who desire you. There are those that are genuinely attracted to you. There are even many amongst this crowd that are more than just infatuated with you. Some of them are genuinely interested in the prospect of pursuing a relationship with you. Helga was right. It is more likely that people like you are openly sought after. They simply find more comfort in pursuing those who are attainable. It might not seem like a compliment, but in the end, it doesn't change the fact that they are willing to chase after you. So, where exactly is the shame in being Hyoudou Issei then?"

Sensei said that with a smirk…...I….Am I really okay with this?...the idea that people desire me….and not only lust, but that they long for me….It can't be real right?...yet it's right here in front of me…...Those terribly embarrassing photos…...is there something to be embarrassed about?...

"...Wait….what about…..the nude ones?..."

"Hm? Ah, those? Don't worry about those. They won't be released obviously. That would probably be too much. I wouldn't do it without your permission. The only one that has those copies is Helga. Oh and….well, that's not important."

"Is….that so…...Neh, Sensei…..There are a few men in there too.."

"Ah, yes, that's…..well, have confidence in yourself."

Before our conversation could continue any further, someone shouted.

"The Sekiryuutei! Hyoudou Issei-sama!"

Ah, a woman noticed me and pointed. At that moment, every head from the crowd cracked backwards in an unnatural manner and the mob was looking at me with glowing red eyes.

"...S...Sensei…"

I reached out to Sensei for help, but my hand gripped nothing. Sensei had disappeared from the spot.

"...Oh shit…?"

—And for the first time in my life, not in my dreams, I was mobbed by a giant group of women.

RUMBLE!

"Aaaaaaa—AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"

—.

"Haah!...Hah!"

I was breathing heavily after finally being able to get away from the mob of women that attacked me. My clothes are torn in a lot of places from being ripped off and pulled at. There are even some light scratches on my body from stray light spears that flew by me, thanks to the riot turning into a mini civil war right then and there. I was able to escape with my life, no thanks to Sensei. It seems that the next time I get my chance, I'll gladly announce that Sensei is "giving away full sets to the first hundred people!" so that he is murdered. Shemhazai-san can take over duties as Governor.

Ah, I should probably change. I'm all torn up and dirty from that, so maybe a shower too. I started walking back to my room. I didn't see anyone around besides a few other male scientists…...then, maybe…

I decided to take off my torn up black shirt that I always wear around here rather than keep it on and…..

…...Nobody said anything. They didn't even bat an eye…..I mean, I guess that makes sense right?...I mean, like, who cares, right? Does it matter if I'm like this or not? That don't even treat it like something weird. Even when I wave at them they just casually wave or not their heads in response…

…...I mean, this isn't even an ugly body right?...So, maybe, who cares?...

Just as I started feeling an odd sense of relief in me, I opened the door to my room. There was a person inside.

"Ah, Ravel!"

"ISE-SAMA?!"

Just as I entered Ravel dropped a pile of something she held in her hands.

"Ah."

—They were photographs of me.

….

….

….

"AAA~AH—AA~AAH! AAA~AH!"

Ravel frantically began picking up the pile and putting them in her arms…...there's….no way…..the "full set"...

"Ravel….those are.."

Ravel shouted with a face too red to be called skin and spirals for eyes.

"T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-This is—!"

"Are those….the close up shots?..."

"I-I-I-I-I-I'm s-s-sorryyyyyyyyy! I j-j-j-j-just felt like I-Ise-sama was really looking at me through the ph-ph-photooos!"

…..

"...A...A…."

"I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-Ise-sama?.."

"..."

I could only hold my face in my hands as I felt it heat up so much that it burned. I'm dyyyyiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnggggg! Senseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeei! What have you doooooooooooooooooooooooooonnneee?!

I could see the image of Sensei's handsome face in my mind, making a thumbs up.

[Have confidence~]

Fuck you hallucination Senseeeeeeeeeeeeeeei!

"...I'm sorry…."

"E-Eh?"

Ravel suddenly apologized with her back turned to me.

"...I'm sorry…."

She's apologizing…..but...she didn't do anything wrong?...

[Start learning to comfort them.]

…...

I approached Ravel and bent down on my knee beside her.

"...D...Do you….really like to look at these?..."

She nodded hesitantly.

"...Even these ones?..."

She nodded again when I pointed at a certain collection.

"...Even those?..."

She nodded again…

"...the Shirtless ones?"

She nodded again…

"...All of them?.."

She nodded for the final time…..

"...Really?.."

"...Y...Yes…"

"...I...see…."

I could only rub the back of my neck awkwardly and averted my gaze. Aaaah, I can practically feel the redness on my face. Why does this keep happening to me around her? I've never acted like this around anyone. Not even..

"...W...Well, t-t-t-that….makes me happy...I guess…"

It went silent after that. Ueeeeeh, I want to die~ Please kill me~

"Are?"

I suddenly noticed a package sitting on the bedside drawer next to the bed.

"Ravel, what's that?"

Ravel turned to it with a curious expression as she stood up.

"I'm not sure. It arrived here before I did. It's addressed to me for some reason."

Ravel walked towards the drawer and picked up the package. It was then that I noticed the big red writing that resembled the labeling around the facility, on the back of the package.

("Red Dragon of lust" - Collection)

"I wonder what's in here?"

Before I could do anything, Ravel had opened the package.

"NO WAIT—RAVE—!"

Open.

….

….

….

"...Ise-sama's p….."

….

Thud!

"AH! Ravel!? Get ahold of yourself! Ravel! Help! Somebody Help! Ravel has collapsed! Heeeeeeeeelp!"

---

That was the end of that day. After that day, I ended up being caught in the middle of the Underworld's latest, biggest controversy. The controversy nicknamed the "Red Dragon rebranding issue". All sorts of media outlets began reporting it, even above the previous controversy of "Sitri free Rating games school". This was a result of my own actions days prior and Sensei's actions as well.

As it turns out, Sensei ended up mass producing the photo sets and selling them through Grigori into the Underworld. Grigori's profits skyrocketed and allowed them to start working with a higher budget. Needless to say, as a result of the whole thing, I had become extremely popular amongst the Fallen Angel organization. Popular with scientists who received bigger budgets for their experiments and even amongst the countless women in the association. And thanks to Sensei selling them to the Underworld publication through Helga's agency, I received a great amount of profits as well and wound up somehow being partnered with her agency.

But the main spark to the controversy that I was blissfully unaware of, was actually what happened days before. The latest episode of the "Adventures of the Foolish Sekiryuutei" that aired in theatres. The episode concerning Atlas. Atlas, for all intents and purposes, was a God. An Evil-God, but a God nonetheless. He could not be considered a Titan because of his nature, so instead he was considered what exactly his being fit into the definition of. Though he didn't have some sort of great natural purpose like Poseidon or Helios, he was still considered a God of Strength and Endurance. He was meant to replace the original Atlas after all. But the original Atlas had essentially retired and become a simple tall mountain. All that was left of him was the last of his power residing in the mountain and his "son" Atlas. However, he ended up giving all of his remaining power to me for the purpose of defeating his son. And after our battle, the entire existence known as the "God/Titan Atlas" was no more. In technicality, I had single handedly extinguished the Titan-God Atlas.

This event - it had become the catalyst for myself to take on a new image and name. An image and name that I didn't decide for myself. An image and name I didn't even know was being used for me. An image and name that not only brought great respect, but even fear to my existence. An image and name best known to the leaders of the pantheons. An image and name that was reminiscent of a past long forgotten.

The image and name of — [The God-Killing Sekiryuutei.]

---

-Occult Research Club-

|Kiba|

"Alright, here it is."

We, the Gremory group, are currently gathered together in the home theater of the...Hyoudou Residence. We're in Buchou's house, sitting on a large sofa, getting ready to view a certain program. The "Adventures of the Foolish Sekiryuutei". It's the new series produced by Azazel-sensei that has been airing for the last few weeks.

When our group first heard news of this we were beyond shocked with what we saw. It was Ise-kun completing a series of "Trials" set for him by Sensei. They each had conditions and the entire series was presented as an actual show. There was editing, different camera angles, and even music was played through most of them. It really was just like a show…..but it was obvious that it was real. It was really happening. Ise-kun really was fighting all of those monsters and completing all of those tests. Despite the fact that it was presented almost like a cool action show, it was actually just Ise-kun training in absurd ways.

He faced a stone Golem, goblins, trolls, Stray Devils, swamp monsters, ghouls, and many more beings. And all of them were high level. There wasn't one weak one that he fought, and if it wasn't strong, then it was tough in other ways and needed to defeated through strategy. It was nothing like we'd ever seen before. Such an absurd training regimen. And Ise-kun was the one doing it.

However, it wouldn't be wrong to say that, somehow, the members of our group seem to find comfort in watching these episodes. There are times when I can see them silently cheering or praying for Ise-kun and their eyes are always glued to the screen. It was as if watching him made them feel like he was right there in front of us. It wouldn't be wrong for me to admit that I felt the same way. It did feel real when I watched those episodes. Everything about it, the way he fought and spoke, it really was just Ise-kun. But even more than that, I felt an odd sense of ease when watching it because I would always notice something that I'm sure everyone else picked up on as well. He was smiling. Throughout many of the trials, Ise-kun would smile as he fought. Ise-kun was someone who always hated fighting, but in these episodes he seemed to be enjoying himself, even if only a bit at times. It was like he accepted the fact that Sensei kept dragging him into these things and just decided to play along with it. He was...alright..

Seeing him smile….surely, that has something to do with why the women of our group have been improving in terms of their day to day states. Even Buchou, who still looks off distantly on occasion, she has begun speaking again. And the bags under her eyes are nowhere near as heavy as they used to be. That's why, we thought it was best to continue viewing these episodes.

Tear.

Rossweisse-san tore open the package she held in her hands. Ah, that's right. We had heard about it in the Underworld, but for some reason the latest episode is being aired in theatres today. The only ones allowed to view the showings are private audiences of adults. We don't know why, but it may have something to do with the supposed "episode leak" that happened. Apparently, the episode leaked before it could air and the journalistic agency was sued. The lawsuit was dropped as quickly as it was brought up for some mysterious reason. And now, today is the first day of the showings, but we weren't allowed to view it. Instead, we ended up being sent a package by Azazel-sensei that stated it was a copy of the latest episode.

Why on earth is this happening? Why are only adult audiences allowed to view this? And why did we have to have this specifically sent to us by Sensei?

Whatever the case, we were preparing to view it now. For some reason, Rossweisse-san was the only one allowed to receive the package personally. By the way, Ravel isn't with us. She seems to still be in Grigori with Ise-kun. It was something she was doing on a day to day basis now and she would even skip school for it and just do her work there. Needless to say, it was a topic that would change the atmosphere when brought up to our group.

"Hm?"

Rossweisse-san pulled out a disk and a note. She read the note silently.

"...What does it say?"

Buchou asked in the weak voice she usually had now. It's gotten better, but it's probably from all the crying she did days before. Rossweisse-san shook her head.

"...Mm. Nothing important."

She crumpled up the paper in her hand. I noticed a dim light between her fingers. She burned it.

"Let's view it now."

Rossweisse-san put on the episode.

"It's starting."

We sat and waited for the intro. But instead—

[...]

It just started immediately with an image of Ise-kun standing on top of what seemed like the peak of a mountain. That's odd. There isn't any music either. And it looked like there was 50 cameras around him. Too many different camera angles were being presented for one camera. It was like Sensei was trying to capture every detail of what was happening.

Ise-kun almost fell off the Cliffside but ended up being saved by a man. He introduced himself.

[..The Messenger God, Hermes!]

—?! He had introduced himself as Hermes! Has Ise-kun been meeting with these sorts of beings? Why would the Messenger God of Olympus be there?

After some talking, it seemed like something happened. What are they talking about? Something is coming to fight Ise-kun? But what? It's aim is Olympus?! A terrorist attack?! No, Hermes says it is different. It's only a solitary threat. I see. So Ise-kun is supposed to stop that then? But what is all this talk about Gods and Titans? Why is he giving this overwhelming speech? It isn't as if Ise-kun is going to face something like that. Sensei wouldn't put him up against that right? Is there something I'm refusing to see? If what he is facing is a threat to Olympus…..

Hermes left in a hurry. Ise-kun was left standing silently alone, boosting his strength….Ise-kun spoke.

[Sensei…..I'm afraid.]

What followed after - was 20 minute footage of the most - shocking, horrifying, unbelievable, unimaginable, and unreal event I had ever seen. With Ise-kun being the center of it.

[DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNN]

[ISE!]

[DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON]

[Hermes, pull back! Ise, we're pulling you out!]

[DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNN!]

[TOOOOONNNN!]

[HERMEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!]

[DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNN!]

[FAAAAAAAAAAAAATHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRR!]

….What is this?...Ise-kun….has been beaten down….by a God….?

[《...Use the power - of the Titan Atlas!》]

Little did I know, that the moment Ise-kun began to release an unrecognizable pressure and obscene power, reality no longer felt real to me and the footage before me was like watching an imaginary fever dream.

[DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNN]

[SMASH!]

[BAM! BAM! BAM!]

[DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON DON!]

[Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost Boost!]

[BAM BAM BAM!]

[Wait!]

A man interrupted the two beings. We were watching an unbelievable clash which is something only told in legends, on a scale too massive to comprehend, with two monsters we couldn't believe existed. That's not Ise-kun…...this isn't real…..It's impossible…...it's not something that can be happening….

The one who was called an Evil-God strangled the man before him…...Atlas…..Hyas…...these names….are of Greek legend…

[AH!]

—Suddenly, Ise-kun appeared from behind the Evil-God and held him back by his neck. There was struggling. What is he….…..Ise-kun said something I didn't understand.

[...You'll never stop..]

And in one moment—

[SNAP!]

….

….

He…

..snapped his neck.

[Thud!]

With that, the Evil-God no longer moved. The red barrier over the canyon was destroyed. And the episode abruptly ended.

….

….

….

….

….

What?...

That day, almost no one in our group even spoke.

-Sairaorg Bael-

"Sairaorg. So you are here again."

"Ah, Seekvaira. What is it?"

"...Have you seen it? The footage? The one from the show of the Sekiryuutei? There has been a massive uproar in response to it."

"...Yes, I have seen it."

"...What do you think?"

"What about you, Seekvaira?"

"I….have no words for it. It's not something I can entirely bring myself to believe. A Low-Class Devil from our generation…..It's simply not possible."

"Yet the footage is all genuine. They've already confirmed it."

"...Yes….that is why I cannot believe it."

"I see. Indeed, it is unimaginable that such a thing happened. I never would have expected it. Though it wasn't his own power, it doesn't change the fact that he removed the existence of a mythological being from history. He killed a God, a Titan of Greek myth."

"...You have no reaction to this?"

"Initially, it was something I couldn't react to…..Though now, I don't know why, but I can't contain the excitement in my bones…."

"...You haven't changed your training regimen…..you mean to say that you are going to face him as you are?"

"Yes. Even if he were to face another God tomorrow, it will only serve to motivate me further in my regular training. We shall see if he has truly exceeded my level in this short couple months apart from our first battle."

"...There are times when I doubt your state of mind, Sairaorg."

"Worry not about me, Seekvaira. Worry about your own match with Sitri tomorrow. I wonder if you will win."

"We will win."

"Is that so? Well, I'll worry about my own rival as well then. Heh."

---

End

Alright, I've decided. This story is getting a [DOUBLE FEATURE] as well. Yes, that's right. This story is gonna get another chapter right after this one. I'll start writing it immediately after this one. The reason I'm doing this is because this chapter was actually planned to be longer, but then I realized it was 30,000 words long and I was like "No." So, I'm gonna cut it short and write a second chapter which will essentially be what was supposed to be the second half to this one.

So yeah, expect that chapter in probably 2 days. It'll be Issei's last two trials and it should be shorter than this one. After that, if all goes according to plan, chapter 9 will be cannon territory.

So for those who are curious, Atlas is the Titan who was punished by Zeus into holding up the Heavens. In some versions of the story, Heracles ends up relieving Atlas of his duties by building the pillars of Heracles which obviously is the interpretation I chose. In a certain interpretation of the story, Perseus turns Atlas into a mountain using Medusa's head. I decided to take the original route and create a new interpretation where Atlas instead turns himself into a mountain so that he may live as part of the earth in peace and creates a new being to replace him out of the soils of Tartarus and his power. However, as a Titan, Atlas is a being that is not favored by the Gods. Certain tragedies befell the new Atlas because of his father's sins. In the end, his pain twisted into hatred towards the Gods and the father who left him to suffer. He later threatened to destroy Olympus and Zeus ordered Hermes to find a warrior that would defeat him since Theseus was away. Azazel heard of this and contacted Zeus during negotiations and suggested Issei. Zeus and Azazel did not realize that Atlas would exponentially increase in power in such a short time, since it was believed that he was around Issei's Triaina Rook power level before the threat. Helios speculated that the reason was because the original Atlas was one with a stout heart and harbored no deep hatred for the Gods despite his punishment. Meanwhile, the Son of Atlas was an entirely new being and his hatred gave way to a ridiculous spike in power that kept growing and growing the more he hated. Helios also speculates that if Issei did not kill Atlas at that moment, he would have been swallowed too deep by his hatred and become too powerful for him to defeat once he had killed his own brother. Azazel feels a great remorse for sending Issei to fight the God, but at first he had believed it was the perfect test since he would be fighting another paragon of brute strength like Sairaorg.

Anyway, the Son of Atlas is a completely original concept and character I came up with myself. I tried making him interesting and as connected to real Greek mythology as I could. Ah, but Hyas is real. He's actually the only one of Atlas' children that is a son, but his death in real mythology was fuckin boring and unimportant so I decided to give his character meaning lol. So yeah, I'm sure some of you noticed the parallels between God of War 4 and Atlas' fight with Issei, including what happened with his brother. I hope that was a fuckin good fight. It was the craziest and longest one I've ever written. And it served as an important lesson for Issei which I think was highly necessary for him to know. Cuz did you know that Issei only has one confirmed kill, Shalba Beelzebub? Lol nah fuck off. That's not realistic at all, also it's weak af. This is real shit. He also technically killed Apophis but that's still it.

Ah, also, what did you think of Helga? I thought she was a fuckin hilariously absurd character that would fit perfectly in DxD and she served well for Issei's development. I couldn't help laughing at her myself.

So yeah, tell me what you guys thought.

What do you think about Issei's development? He feels like he's going through a familiar development, but what is it? What do you think about the development in Issei and Ravel's relationship? What did you think of the Trickster God Hermes character? What did you think about the fight between Issei and Atlas? What did you think of Atlas and his character? Did you enjoy sneaking a little peek into Azazel as well, since I want to focus on characters as much as I can? What did you think of the "Mad Goddess Helga"? What did you think about Issei's photo shoots and collections? They're selling out and he wants to die, but is he gonna start gaining popularity? What do you think about the controversy of the "Red Dragon rebranding issue", since Underworld media is similar to human world media? Finally, what do you think of the God-Killing Sekiryuutei?

Read, Rate, Review go crazy.

Stay frosty. (Next chapter soon.)