Issei, the true Dragon of the Apocalypse (translated into English)

by Jyanzein

[Issei x Tiamat/Penemue/Ross/Ophis] How much would a world change where the supernatural existed, and Angels behaved like Angels, Fallen Angels behaved like Fallen Angels, and Demons... behaved like Demons ? Issei has barely entered the world of the Factions, so he can't answer that question. But he will quickly find the answer. WARNING: sexual scenes and explicit violence.

45. Chapter 44: Marking her mate!

Here I am with another translated chapter!

Well, this chapter is quite long too. I thought it would be better to translate in a more relaxed way these days if they are chapters as long as this one. That's why it took me a few days to bring a new update.

MAX0910: I was certainly in a hurry with the translation of the previous chapter due to time problems, maybe that's why you noticed more errors than usual. I'm glad you liked everything that was seen in the previous chapter, and I hope you can enjoy this one too.

Swolfie: You don't know how furious I felt with myself after what you said. You're absolutely right and I don't understand how something so basic could have slipped my mind. Besides, at this point it's something incorrigible, so I think it will remain as the biggest problem and plot hole of this story (at least, for now). I really hope not to encounter any more of these things. Anyway, if you find something else that may be that serious, don't hesitate to say so, as it may help me to realize my mistakes and thus be more careful not to repeat it in future stories.

Rain: I'm glad you liked the chapter. I guess from now on it's time for Issei to take his own reins away from the Demons.

With nothing more to add, it's time to begin.

Enjoy!

Issei clapped along with the other students to give a warm welcome to Rossweisse, who looked very happy as she waved to everyone from the stage.

"But, come to think of it, since when did they say we were going to practice swimming?" Issei wondered with great curiosity, and his two friends listened.

"Apparently, someone wasn't very attentive in class..." Matsuda teased, managing to make him roll his eyes.

"They had said they were looking for a teacher to put the pool into use. After all, it was only used once a year and that's for an event." Motohama paused there, then delivered a very dismissive look to his friend. "Event that, in fact, you missed."

Issei could only rub his hair with great nervousness after remembering that the month when he was training with Tiamat they had made that said event.

"Back to the main topic, anyone would think that they would be looking for a teacher for next year..." Motohama's glasses shone brightly after his words. "It's very rare for them to give us a new class when we're a little over two months away from closing the cycle..."

"Since we started with these classes so late, this year will only be a test for the students." Sirzechs answered Motohama's doubt instantly. "The course will not ask you to demonstrate your skills in the water, but class participation will be obligatory."

"Participation?" Matsuda questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"You must mean getting in the pool, not skipping classes, and that sort of thing." Motohama quickly cleared his doubts, as he continued to listen as Rossweisse introduced herself to the students.

"I'm new around town, so I hope you'll have a little patience for me at first!" Valkyrie exclaimed with clear joy.

Issei could hear how some of the professors around her said she was beautiful, something that would take him a bit by surprise.

"Well, now that I take a closer look at her..." Issei thought as he rubbed his chin. "She's really, really beautiful." He concluded with a small smile.

"We're lucky that so many hot women are entering the Academy." Issei couldn't help but be a little impressed at the comment from one of the professors.

They were clearly whispering, but he could hear them thanks to his enhanced hearing.

"Yes you're right, first Tiamat and then Penemue..."

"As far as I know, they are single, right? Do you think I might have a chance with Penemue?" Issei glanced sideways towards the teacher who had said such words, though he didn't recognize him.

Most likely that blond guy was teaching exclusively to third-years or first-years.

"What the heck is wrong with these guys?" thought Issei with great annoyance, only to be surprised at himself. "Wait a minute, why are you bothering me so much?" Before he could further debate his annoyance, he could hear Sirzechs say something interesting.

"As we already know, the pool is completely filthy from the little use we make of it. Not only the pool, but also the locker rooms and stuff." Clarified the Demon, or rather, sub-director. "We have decided to have the Occult Club help the new teacher clean it all up. We'll give them permission to wear the private swimsuits and they can take one for free as a token of appreciation."

Many girls squealed beside the three friends, getting Issei to cover his ears in clear annoyance. Obviously all these women wanted to see Kiba in a swimsuit.

"I just hope they don't bother that much..." Issei thought with a bored look on his face.

"Hey, hey..." Matsuda bumped Issei's shoulder with his elbow, having a smile of complete complicity. "You'll be able to get close to the new teacher a lot faster than anyone else, you little bastard." Issei just rolled his eyes after what he heard.

"The reality is that I..." Issei couldn't finish, as Motohama quickly joined the conversation.

"We'll help you pick out a nice swimsuit after school." He commented as he adjusted his glasses, denoting a smile covered with confidence on his face.

Issei looked at his two friends, only to sigh wearily.

"But, that doesn't interest me..." He thought with a bored look on his face. "I already know her a lot more than they think I do. I just want to develop my dragon senses..."

CHAPTER 44: MARKING HER MATE!

Rias watched from the other dressing rooms as Issei was looking for swimsuits along with his two friends. There were a large number of girls milling around the establishment, something completely natural for what was coming. There were several locker rooms and they were all shared, only there were small bathrooms so everyone could change in private.

Rias remembered the talk she had with her brother this morning.

"What's up?" Sirzechs asked as he read some papers in his typical Underworld room.

"It's about Issei." Hearing his sister's words, Sirzechs seemed to take special notice. "This week he will be free from training, and I think this is my chance to get close to him. I'd like you to help me in some way." The redhead explained, gesturing with her hands. "You know, create an event that's not so... forced, so to speak."

"In fact, you come at the most opportune time." Sirzechs said, unable to help but sketch a smile. "Apparently, the next Queen of the Valkyries became good friends with the Sekiryuutei and his two protectors. She's coming to the Academy for a couple of months, and since she'll be the swimming teacher, it's a perfect circumstance to create some event."

"Don't you think she might interfere with our plan?" Rias asked with slight concern, watching as her brother shook his head.

"Tiamat has proven to care for him as if he were her child. I asked Azazel once if he thought Penemue could fall in love with Issei, and he said that was impossible, as she had stopped believing in love a long time ago, and at most she could see him as someone similar to Ludmiel, you know, her adopted sister..." Rias nodded, indicating that those points they had chatted about before and had been clear. "As for Rossweisse..." Sirzechs looked down at his papers, unable to help but smile in a slightly mischievous way. "It doesn't matter if she falls in love with him. After all, she won't be able to do anything about it..." Sirzechs showed some papers to Rias.

His sister read them carefully, only to be somewhat impressed at the contents.

"This is..." The surprise was wiped from her face and replaced by a smile. "I think we're getting very lucky. All these women surrounding Hyoudou aren't looking for anything with him and are making him stronger completely free of charge." Rias set the papers down on the table, fixing her gaze on her brother. "Do you think he really could be the Sekiryuutei of the Prophecy?" Sirzechs simply leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.

"That's still two thousand years away. We can't know for sure, because a lot can happen..." The Demon King made his point, then looked at his sister. "But, because of that, we have a large window of time to make him unstoppable. And if you ask me, it's amazing that he's been trained and sheltered by such gigantic entities as Tiamat, Penemue and Rossweisse are. We should also add the fact that he has a dragon arm, being that that is physically almost impossible to obtain, due to the great mortality and corrosion that it entails. Thanks to that arm, his powers have been able to grow much faster than they would have been if he didn't have it..." Sirzechs leaned on the table after what was mentioned, then smiled.

"That's too many coincidences for Hyoudou to be a Sekiryuutei like all the previous ones, don't you think?"

Rias returned to the present day as she continued to look at Issei, frowning slightly.

"In this week I must make some kind of breakthrough. I feel like I'm falling way behind..." She thought, only to see how Akeno seemed to be putting a lot of effort into getting a good garment, something that seemed odd to her.

After all, her friend wasn't one to pay much attention to that sort of thing...

"Hum..." Motohama adjusted her glasses, taking a closer look at the blue-colored swimsuit, which had a myriad of uneven light blue stripes that blended in perfectly. "I think this one is very good." Matsuda handed the swimsuit to Issei, while Motohama gave a thumbs up with a smile.

"I think you guys are overdoing it a bit..." Issei stated with a nervous bead of sweat, only to receive a strong punch in the chest from Matsuda.

"Come on man, put a little more emotion into it!" The bald man exclaimed as he laughed exaggeratedly, not noticing that Issei had collided with a girl because of him.

"Hey, watch where you're walking!" The young girl would exclaim in clear anger as she shook off the bruised spot, as if she was trying to shake off some kind of pest. "You're a friend of those two and you're in the Occult Club along with Rias..." The three just looked at the woman oddly, as they didn't know what she was referring to.

"Don't bother." What seemed to be the young girl's friend jumped to her aid, giving Issei a bad look. "I don't understand how the Senpai allowed you into her Club, you just ruin Prince Charming's aura..."

Matsuda and Motohama made poker faces, while Issei rolled his eyes.

"Uh, I figured as much..." He thought, watching as more and more women gathered around him with evil expressions. "It's Kiba's bitches..." Issei couldn't help but insult them, as he had really had enough of the attitude of these women over the months.

They were very pitiful, though it was the first time he had a confrontation against them, being that Matsuda and Motohama were almost always verbally abused by these "ladies".

The woman he had collided with saw his swimsuit, causing an evil grin to appear on her face.

"It doesn't matter if you pick the best swimsuit here, no woman will notice you." She commented as she posed in a proud manner.

That fastidious expression quickly disappeared from her face when she saw that her words had no effect whatsoever on Issei. In fact, he was just looking at her with disdain.

"I know." Was Issei's dry reply, something that surprised his two friends. "That's nothing new to me. I was just hanging out with my friends." Was the simple reply from Issei who was pointing at Matsuda and Motohama, getting the women to deliver him a bad look.

"You're a freak..." Said one of them, getting Issei to draw a somewhat strange smile on his face as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Thanks." He replied, causing all the women to look at him with some annoyance as they walked away.

Issei turned around, only to see how Matsuda had a thumbs up as one of his teeth flashed brightly.

"Good job!" his two friends congratulated him, getting Issei to bow his shoulders as he made his way to the nearest bathroom.

"She said something I've known for a while now. It's obvious those words weren't going to affect me..." The smile on his two friends' faces quickly decayed after hearing those words.

"Hey..." Matsuda looked at Motohama, who was looking at Issei with concern.

"Those words didn't like me at all..." The glasses whispered under his breath, getting Matsuda to rub his bald head with great concern.

After a few minutes, the dynamic duo began to grow impatient. They had all already left the place, and the only ones left there were the three of them.

"Don't you think it's strange that Prince Charming didn't show up?" Asked Matsuda, getting Motohama to bow his shoulders.

"I'm sure he has much better swimsuits." Was his simple reply, then gritted his teeth and kicked the door hard. "Hey, how long are you planning on making us wait?!"

"It's just...it's pretty uncomfortable..." The two were surprised after hearing their friend's tone.

They both opened the door, causing their jaws to drop after seeing the tremendous physique Issei hid behind his attire.

"What the fuck?!" the two shouted in complete shock at the sight, only to see the swimsuit fit too tightly around his well-defined muscles.

"Well, I guess..." Before Issei could say anything else, the two of them raised their thumbs at the same time as a large amount of air came out of their noses.

"That's perfect!" Motohama would exclaim with great vigor.

"If I were a woman, I would have fainted this very instant!" Matsuda continued to accompany his friend's speech, causing Issei to sweat.

"Don't you guys think you're overreacting?"

A few minutes later...

Issei placed his academy suit inside a locker. He looked calm, but the truth was that his mind was flying right now.

"If I've already made it this far, maybe I should focus a little more on my technique from now on." He thought with great seriousness. "I could ask Tiamat for help with this. I just hope it's not as painful as last time..." A great shiver crossed around his whole body after remembering the first training sessions with Tiamat and Penemue.

He always looked so optimistic in all of them, but the truth was that he had gone through a bloody ordeal to complete them.

"I think the only training I really enjoyed was the last one." Issei said to himself, not noticing Kiba approaching.

"I see you've put in a lot of effort these past few months." The blond said, getting Issei to come out of his thoughts.

"Well, I guess I've had some good mistresses." Issei replied as he rubbed his hair somewhat sheepishly.

"I think it's good to train like you do." Kiba commented as he put his clothes inside the nearest locker. "Just don't overexert yourself." Concluded, handing him a smile. "You haven't had much time to spend with us, and it would be great if you were more free these days."

"I guess you're right..." Issei replied as he focused his gaze to the ceiling. "In fact, I've been so focused on my own thing that I've barely spent any time at the club."

"Just think about it." Kiba said as he walked away, opening the door. "Buchou wants to spend more time with you." He finished, leaving the place.

Issei lowered his gaze and was thinking in a contemplative manner for several seconds.

"Why does she want to talk to me?" He wondered with some curiosity.

"*Because you're her servant, and you've been so far away from her these days*" Issei lowered his gaze to the gauntlet after listening to his partner. "*She must just be taking precautions."

"Precautions..." Issei would rub his hair after repeating Ddraig's word.

Since he has begun to doubt Rias' intentions, he can't take this so lightly.

"I guess there's nothing wrong with that, I think..." Was Issei's simple reply. "As long as she doesn't force me and doesn't take away my freedom, I shouldn't be so paranoid..." His thoughts were interrupted when he heard various shouts coming from outside. Shouts that were clearly directed towards Kiba.

"Is this for real?" Issei wondered with his eyes rolling, unable to believe that these women had come just to fuck around.

Issei peeked his face out of a small window, watching as a large number of women stood behind the metal fences, cheering for their rather famous companion. Before he could let out a huge sigh of exhaustion, he could hear certain voices chasing the women away.

"If you don't want to be reprimanded for inconveniencing the institution, get out right now."

That was the dry, tenebrous tone that only a woman could have.

"Don't tell me..." Issei thought aloud, opening the door and exiting the place once all the girls reluctantly left.

His suspicions were confirmed as he exited the locker room, and his eyes couldn't help but widen in great surprise.

"You don't need to be so mean either..." Tiamat was patting Penemue on the back to get her to relax.

Speaking of the two of them, they were both wearing swimsuits that could be categorized as extremely gorgeous.

At least, it was so in Issei's eyes.

Tiamat's outfit became even more conspicuous as she became aware of Issei's presence. She smiled and started running towards him. The young man couldn't help but admire her as everything seemed to move in slow motion.

Her tight black swimsuit showed off her beautiful curves to perfection. Her entire abdomen was covered by the black fabric, while one half of her chest was exposed where a bikini top of sorts could be seen tightly clinging to her breast. Meanwhile, her other breast was completely covered, making the fabric extend up to her neck and around her, as if it was a normal t-shirt.

"Issei!" She cooed, hugging him tightly as she rubbed her cheek against his, managing to make Issei blush slightly.

the young man instinctively hugged her back, while looking at her with great confusion.

"What are you girls doing here?" he asked, getting Tiamat to break away, at the same time as Penemue approached them.

At that moment, Issei was able to get a better view of what she was wearing. She was wearing her typical bandages that covered her breasts, panties that fit her ass well, and a large transparent red silk dress that came down to her waist, which was open. Clearly that last detail gave her quite a highlighting look, he could be encouraged to say that she stood out even more than Tiamat.

"We came to help." Was the Cadre's simple reply. Her tone of voice made it clear not to ask any more questions, to which Issei couldn't help but look at her with slight confusion.

Tiamat's sweet gaze and Penemue's usual seriousness changed radically to a grim look as a terrifying aura surrounded them.

"No way were we going to leave him alone with those... things." They both thought, unable to help but spit out the last word with great disdain.

Didn't need to be very smart to know who they were talking about.

"Anyway, I know we'll have fun!" Issei exclaimed with a toothy grin, managing to distract the two women, who handed him a smile. Well, Penemue seemed to have smiled, if only a little.

Before they could say anything, Kiba emerged from the other locker room while being escorted by Gasper and the other Club mates.

Rias' gaze was instantly fixed on Issei, unable to help but bite her lower lip at the sight of the body he had gained from his hellish trainings. Unnoticed by the redhead, Akeno did the exact same thing.

"This is no time to get carried away." Rias thought, pushing those lewd thoughts out of his head. "I must do things according to plan." The president looked down at herself, seeing that she was wearing a rather revealing bikini. It was certainly the most revealing, along with Akeno's. "That's why I chose this..." Her gaze returned to Issei, who looked at her.

Rias handed him a smile, and Issei returned it as he waved his hand with a smile.

This would completely paralyze the redhead.

She hadn't expected a response as organic and normal as that.

Akeno chuckled under her breath after seeing her mistress's expression.

"What do you think, Issei?" Akeno asked, striking a small pose, which Issei received calmly.

"You all look great!" The young man exclaimed with a big toothy grin, giving a thumbs up.

Tiamat and Penemue didn't seem too pleased at Akeno's clear insinuation, though they couldn't help but be relieved to see that it had no effect whatsoever on Issei.

Before anyone else could make a comment, a shock of silver hair fluttered freely as she stepped out of the dressing room.

Issei's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the Valkyrie's white bikini. It was quite normal and very unrevealing, but it looked quite nice on her. Perhaps that was because it perfectly represented the two words that defined her: simple and beautiful.

"Let's get this spotless and then have the time of our lives!" Rossweisse exclaimed with a cute smile as she raised her hand with great enthusiasm.

Everyone responded with the same energy, with the exception of Tiamat and Penemue, who stood on the sidelines with a small smile on their faces.

Numerous scenes took place during the cleaning. The group seemed to be having fun while doing their work, especially Rossweisse, who seemed to be very happy being together with Penemue and Tiamat. Issei watched this with some affection as he helped Gasper and Kiba with the interior cleaning of the pool.

On a few occasions Rias approached Issei and the two talked about trivial things. The redhead seemed to look a bit frustrated, as she found that talking to her servant was quite complicated. After all, she didn't know him as well as she thought did. It was the same with Akeno and Asia, on Koneko's side, let's just say she was always rather curt to talk to anyone, with the exception of Rias. The ones who were best able to carry the talk with Issei and laugh without problems were Gasper and the three ladies who trained him, and it seemed to be that Kiba could get into the conversation without much trouble, denoting his charisma and pleasant personality over his other companions. To conclude, Xenovia always stayed out of everything, since that incident she had with Tiamat and Penemue, she decided that getting close to Issei could be a big problem. After all, she doesn't feel the need to strike up a friendship with the young man, she just wanted his children.

An hour passed, and after setting up some lounge chairs and mats, it was time for the fun to begin.

Tiamat raised one of her fingers, creating a huge magic circle in the pool, which quickly became completely covered with ice. The dragoness simply smiled and snapped her fingers, getting all the ice to melt practically instantly, causing the pool to fill up completely.

"We don't need to bother with water." She commented with a small smile, then licked her finger to remove the ice, something that made Issei blush slightly.

Rias glanced at Asia, delivering a quick nod. The blonde seemed to get the message, so she quickly went to find something in the women's locker room.

"Looks like she already wants to make desperate moves..." Thought Akeno, who was watching everything from one of the lounge chairs. "I guess two could play that game." Concluded, watching as her friend lay back on the mat, looking a bit impatient.

"Double cannonball!" The first to premiere the pool were exactly the two who shouted, being Issei and Gasper, where the latter was perched on his back when it came time to dive in.

A huge splash got Kiba and Rossweisse wet, though they only watched the action with some amusement. Meanwhile, Penemue was keeping out of everyone's way, sitting on the farthest mat with some discomfort she couldn't disguise.

"Is everything all right?" Tiamat approached her, making it clear that she already knew the Cadre's encrypted expressions quite well.

"Yes, it's just..." Penemue couldn't help but fidget back and forth as if a crab was pinching her butt. "You see..." Penemue gave her a couple of hand signals, getting Tiamat to move her face closer to hear her.

Penemue whispered something inaudible in her ear, managing to make the dragoness quite impressed at the revelation.

"Is this a joke?" she asked, turning her face away from the Cadre.

She quickly shook her head in response.

"Fancy a competition?" Xenovia asked Asia, who simply bowed her shoulders in response, causing them both to get into the water and start swimming.

Koneko stayed on the pool steps as she played with the water using her feet.

Meanwhile, Rias placed the lotion next to her as she waited for Issei to get out of the water. Akeno seemed to watch this with some amusement for some reason.

In another part of the pool, Issei was having a competition with Gasper to see who could hold underwater the longest, and to the vampire's surprise, his friend was holding an absurdly high amount, being that he had already lost about 10 minutes ago.

"Can easily see that the training sessions helped him in many ways." Thought Rossweisse, who couldn't help but be a little impressed at the sight.

Finally, Issei came out of the water inhaling a large amount of air. Gasper began to applaud him, as did Kiba, who was watching the contest from the edge of the pool.

Issei just rubbed his hair with a small smile at the reactions.

"Issei, can I ask you a favor?" the blond asked, gaining the aforementioned's attention.

"Sure." Was Issei's quick reply, watching as Kiba patted him on the shoulder a couple of times before pointing at Koneko.

"She doesn't know how to swim. I think it would be nice if you could teach her." Issei watched Koneko with slight surprise.

"I didn't expect that from her..." The young man would comment, thinking it was strange that someone into the supernatural wouldn't know something as basic as that.

"You don't have to if you don't want to." Kiba deflected the issue, though Issei seemed to receive the proposal without much trouble.

"It's not that. I was just a little surprised." He replied instantly as he handed him a smile. "If she wants, I'll have no problem teaching her."

Tiamat settled in next to Penemue, both watching the interaction between Koneko and Issei. Their gazes seemed to be fairly neutral, indicating that they felt no hostility towards the little Academy mascot.

"What do you two want to do?" Rossweisse asked, sitting down next to both women.

"To be honest, we just came to make sure everything is going well. We didn't come with the intention of having fun." The dragoness would reply, something Ross couldn't understand. "But, a little competition wouldn't hurt." She concluded, fixing her gaze on the Valkyrie with a somewhat competitive smile.

Rossweisse just smiled back, knowing what she meant.

"Are you joining, Penu?" the nickname caught Penemue's attention, though she didn't dislike it.

"She can't." Tiamat answered for her, getting Rossweisse to look at them with great confusion. "It's kind of...funny to explain." The dragoness commented as she delivered a smirk to Penemue, who couldn't help but blush a little at the embarrassment.

"One two, one two..." Issei was leading Koneko at a slow pace, making sure she didn't get into trouble. When they were halfway through, Akeno dove in and began swimming with great agility, though Issei didn't seem to pay much attention to her.

"She's a bit fast." He said, to fix his gaze on Koneko again. "But I think with a little practice you could catch up to her." He concluded, giving her a friendly smile.

Koneko could only see him with a slightly perturbed expression to the usual, something that was very strange, as her expressions were even more limited than Penemue's.

"Is something wrong?" Issei couldn't help but ask, after noticing the intense stare he was receiving from Koneko.

"You've changed a lot." Was the girl's simple reply, then narrowed her eyes in clear displeasure. "At least you don't seem to be a big pervert now. Congratulations." Issei couldn't help but laugh with great nervousness at her words.

"I don't know whether to feel proud, or burst into tears..." He commented, managing to get Koneko to give him a small smile.

"It's the first time I've ever felt comfortable with you, so I guess you should take it as a victory." Issei just watched her with a small smile.

"I guess you're right." Before they could continue talking, Issei stopped when they reached the end of the pool.

"Thank you, I've learned quite a bit." Koneko thanked him, heading out the stairs. Issei held up his thumb in response.

As the young man was about to get out of the water, he could see Tiamat approaching along with her two friends.

The dragoness leaned down in front of him, then whispered in his ear.

"She needs a little help." She commented, blatantly pointing at Penemue, causing discretion to be thrown overboard.

"Hey!" Penemue couldn't help but feel harassed, but quickly snorted knowing that it was now impossible to hide her secret.

"What do you need?" Issei inquired as he swam towards Penemue, who knelt in front of the pool as a small blush adorned her face. "Fuck!" Thought the man as he couldn't help but admire Penemue's figure who looked fucking hot from that angle.

Before he could chastise himself for his dirty thoughts, he could hear Penemue begin to speak.

"I..." Penemue was forced to close her eyes to show more seriousness, though that act only made her look more cute in Issei's eyes.

"I need you to teach me how to swim too."

Issei was perplexed for a few seconds. In those moments, not even Penemue moved, who was impatiently waiting for the answer.

Finally, Issei gave hints of life as he wiped one of his ears with his little finger.

"Sorry, I think I misheard..." He commented, causing Penemue to snort in annoyance.

"You didn't." Cadre narrowed her eyes even more. "Are you going to teach me or not?" Issei could only give her a smile at this attitude. That indicated Penemue was really uncomfortable about it.

Issei opened his arms, inviting her in, something Penemue took very well, too well, judging by how her expression changed.

She slowly dipped her feet into the water, then dove in completely, falling into Issei's arms, welcoming her in with a hug.

"Are you sure you want to go in with that?" Issei questioned seeing how her crimson transparent t-shirt was completely wet.

"I don't think I'll mind." She clarified, clinging even tighter to Issei as felt like she wasn't touching the ground.

Issei could do nothing but blush a little as he saw and felt how she was pressing her body tightly against his. But, it was strange...

He didn't feel nervous about being in contact with a body as captivating as Penemue's was. It just...it was weird.

Or maybe it was her body, but it wasn't just that...

Rather, it was everything about her...

It wasn't excitement, it just felt really good when she was this close to him for some reason. A reason he couldn't or wouldn't understand, but didn't need to.

If there was one thing he knew, it was that these kinds of situations with her and Tiamat always made him feel really good.

"Issei?" Penemue's question made him realize that he had been trapped in his thoughts for longer than he thought.

Just seeing her tilt her head to the side as she gently shook him made the moment even more precious to Issei.

"I was just thinking how a woman who lived for thousands of years didn't learn something so basic." He commented, as he pulled her into position.

"Well, I have my wings..." Was Penemue's simple reply.

"I should thank your father for giving me this moment." Issei stated in an amused tone, watching as Penemue blushed a little at his words.

"Don't say stupid things." Was the Cadre's quick reply, only to be subsequently led away by her future lover.

"Akeno, we need to talk..." Rias' look seemed clearly displeased, something Akeno received with a small laugh as she turned her back to him. "I saw what you did, and remember it wasn't part of the plan." Kiba and Xenovia watched what probably meant the start of a fight.

"Please, this is no time to talk about such trivial matters." Akeno commented with slight disdain, turning away from Rias, who followed her with clear annoyance on her face.

"What was she talking about?" wondered the gentlewoman.

"Remember that the president made it very clear that she was to be the first to approach Issei. But, from Akeno's previous actions, it seems they don't quite agree." Kiba whispered in her ear.

"She could get numerous lashes for disobeying her..." Xenovia thought as she watched Akeno seem to want to evade Rias at all costs. "What the hell is she thinking?"

"By the way, you never told me what your father's name was before." Issei resumed the conversation, earning a glare from Penemue.

Issei had no choice but to die of tenderness at the sight of how the Cadre was trying to keep her head afloat while moving her legs in small movements, looking like a small puppy just starting to swim. Something quite funny and curious to see, being that Penemue was 2 meters tall.

After a couple of frustrated attempts to speak, Penemue was finally able to raise her face enough to say two words:

"Elohim Yahweh."

Issei was impressed at what he heard, as he did not really believe that God could have any name. But he quickly surmised that it wasn't very common to call him by his name, as his children only called him Father, and those who were distant from him simply knew him as God. He assumed that kind of respect was due because of something like Great Red. That is, a deity important enough to command the respect of everyone, and that led to no one calling him by name, either because of the simple insolence it meant to do so or the fear his name instilled.

Issei could not help but recall certain movies, where he remembered a very recognizable antagonist whom no one dared to mention his name.

What was his name?

Issei's thoughts were interrupted when a huge splash blinded him for a few seconds. When he opened his eyes, the best reaction he had was to widen his eyes at what he was seeing.

"You're faster than I thought!" the dragoness exclaimed as she swam in lockstep with Rossweisse, creating huge currents throughout the entire length of the pool.

Issei quickly clung with all his might to Penemue to keep her from sinking, causing the two of them to be tightly hugged. To both of their luck, everyone was very focused on the competition between Ross and Tiamat.

"How fast!" Gasper said in utter amazement, watching them make the round trip back and forth across the pool at unprecedented speed. Everyone agreed with his comment without question.

Meanwhile, Issei carried Penemue until they hit the edge of the pool, where the depth wasn't that deep, so the Cadre was able to stand up.

"Are you okay?" He asked her, thinking she might have drowned a bit from the rough water movement.

Of course, Issei never expected her to respond by moving even closer to him, dropping her body on top of his so she could rest her head on his chest. A second later, her wings appeared and surrounded her crush as if in a nice embrace.

La Cadre gave him a very intense look with a slight blush, as if she was waiting for him to do something. As if he understood her, Issei placed a hand on one of her wings and caressed it for a few seconds, getting the Cadre to close her eyes at the affection she was receiving.

"Thank you for teaching me."

After that small moment, Penemue tucked her wings back into hiding and exited the water with Issei, just in time to see the end of the competition. Poor Asia went flying when a huge wave crashed into her from standing at the edge of the pool.

"I win." They both declared at the same time as they touched the edge, causing them both to look at each other as if they had grown a second head.

"A tie?" Ross said with a small smile, getting Tiamat to click her tongue.

"If I could use all my speed in the water..." The dragoness muttered under her breath, being heard by her friend.

"If you did that, the water would disappear..." Rossweisse thought with a nervous bead of sweat.

"That was amazing, wasn't it?" Gasper asked, approaching Issei along with Kiba.

"I concur." Ddraig's bearer replied as he gave a thumbs up.

"What speed, those two are crazy..." Xenovia thought aloud, looking with great amazement at the two women coming out of the water.

"Even if there's no winner, it was a lot of fun!" Ross exclaimed with a big grin as she draped a towel over her shoulder.

"I guess it was good..." Was Tiamat's reply, who delivered a tiny giggle.

The two's cheerful conversation was completely thwarted when someone grabbed them by the shoulder, at the same time a menacing aura flooded them completely.

Rossweisse turned her gaze in slight terror at the sight of Penemue's clearly annoyed face as her hair waved in time with her aura. Meanwhile, Tiamat only deigned to look at her with a poker face.

"Next time they have a race in the water and I'm in it..." A vein appeared in Penemue's hundred as she tilted her face to the side with a completely sinister smile.

"I'm going to kill you, got it?"

The two women nodded quickly not wanting to make her any angrier than she already was.

The blunt aura was suddenly cut off as Asia peered off into the distance while spitting out a large stream of water.

Rias looked down at her skin cream, and a strange smile crossed her face at that precise instant.

"This is the moment..." She thought, fixing her gaze on Issei, who was laughing along with Gasper and kiba about what had happened just now.

The redhead began to remove her bra as she half turned around on her mat without anyone noticing what she was doing, except for three women who gave her a not very encouraging look. Especially Tiamat's icy eyes and Penemue's bloodshot eyes.

It looked like things were about to get ugly.

"By the way..." Issei removed a bandage from his shirt pocket. "I think this is a good time to keep practicing with this." He thought aloud, to the watchful eyes of Gasper and Kiba.

"Issei..." Rias called out to him with a tone that contained a hint of provocation that not everyone could decipher. "Can you put me...?" Before she could finish, Akeno interrupted her.

"Issei, can you put sunscreen on me?" Rias couldn't help but stare at her queen through gritted teeth, perfectly representing her clear annoyance. That annoyance only increased even more when she saw how Akeno was lying down with her breasts exposed, only covering them with her hands.

Tiamat and Penemue were lying back on their mats, and couldn't help but stop to look at what was happening for a second because of all that was going on.

"Trouble in Paradise?" they both thought at the same time, seeing that there seemed to be some sort of dispute between the King and Queen. "In that case, we just need to find the right time to make sure he doesn't fall into their hands. Besides..." They both glanced sideways at Issei.

"He's unconsciously helping us."

Akeno's flirtatious look would change to one of confusion as the young man turned around.

Issei watched both women with confusion. Though looking wasn't technically a correct term, as his eyes were blindfolded.

"Excuse me, what did they say?" Issei asked, indicating that he hadn't clearly understood because of Akeno when she superimposed her voice over Rias'.

"Akeno!" Rias mentioned her calmly, yet with impressive authority and imposing, coupled with her aura that would strike fear into anyone's heart.

But, unfortunately for her, she was far from doing as well as Penemue.

"Oh..." Akeno teased her as she gave an innocent smile, igniting an aura just as imposing as her mistress's. "Is something wrong, Rias?"

The rising wind forced more than one to cover their eyes. In these moments, Issei's expression changed to a shroud of confusion upon learning that those were Rias and Akeno's auras. Gasper took a small leap to the side to dodge the sunscreen, which ended up right next to Tiamat, who grabbed the embace with slight curiosity.

"Hey, we didn't come here to fight." Rossweisse's authoritative voice made them both look at her.

The first to give in was Rias, giving a big sigh.

"'She's right. Besides, we don't have time for this." Rias reattached her bra and rushed over to Akeno, suddenly grabbing her forearm.

"Ara?" Akeno said with slight surprise at the radical change of attitude. The woman was dragged by her mistress to the changing rooms, unable to even put on her bra, causing Gasper to cover his eyes with a slight blush.

"A fight?" Issei questioned, but as he was about to remove his blindfold, he could hear someone calling out to him.

"Issei..." The aforementioned turned his face after hearing his name. "Can you help me with the sunscreen?" The dragoness begged him, raising the embace with her hand.

Issei felt emotions of embarrassment and discomfort wash over him for a short second.

"It's just sunscreen." Issei quickly shook his head after that thought, shaking off whatever feeling was bothering him.

Issei quickly ran towards Tiamat with a smile, only to scream when he fell into the pool, getting everyone to laugh at his stupidity.

Issei climbed out of the water, unable to help but laugh with them as he rubbed his hair.

Rias cornered Akeno against one of the many lockers, hitting the metal hard with her hand.

"Do you realize what you're doing?" She questioned her with great anger, which only increased even more when she saw her servant's nonchalant expression. "Do you want to know what will happen if you keep sticking your nose where it doesn't belong?" She threatened her, earning an exhausted look from Akeno.

"It's not fair for you to have all the fun." Rias only had a chance to be surprised after hearing her words. "When you faced Loki, and now too..." Akeno's gaze twisted to a slightly lascivious one. "His physique is monstrous and perfect. I want to enjoy it." Rias couldn't help but blush a little at her words.

"I've noticed, but I don't want to lure him in to use it for that sort of thing, and you know it." The redhead would comment, getting Akeno to give her that look covered in disdain again.

"Don't say you don't want me to tear you apart in bed." Akeno's comment made Rias blush, drawing a smirk from her. "Your face can't hide it."

"That's enough!" the redhead shouted, shushing her servant.

Rias' gaze turned a little dark as he looked at her as if Akeno was something inferior.

"Remember who your mistress is." She said with an imposing tone, something Akeno couldn't ignore this time. "You owe me your life, and as such, you must fulfill my every whim, even if they are just that, whims. But, on this occasion, I am giving you an order." The redhead narrowed her eyes after her last word, watching Akeno's expression change dramatically. "I guess you understand, right? "Akeno lowered her head and pondered for a second, then nodded.

"'Okay. "Rias turned away from her with satisfaction as she received the answer she was hoping for. "Just because you owe me your life doesn't mean you can't enjoy it." Akeno looked at her curiously after her words. "Just wait until I accomplish my goal, and then I'll let you play with Hyoudou as often as you want, okay?" A not at all pleasant gleam crossed through Akeno's eyes, who nodded with a smile.

"If you promise me, then I won't have any more objections..."

"Remember that you can have no objections at any time. You can only obey." Rias clarified, turning away. "But I understand that certain doubts may arise from time to time." Rias glanced sideways at her, giving her a smile.

"Just don't make me punish you, okay?"

As they both exited the locker room, Rias could feel her plans slowly being thwarted as she watched the scene unfolding in front of her. Her reaction was normal, considering Issei was sitting on the waist of a certain dragoness.

"The blindfold helps a lot." Issei thought with a small smile as he spread the sunscreen between his hands.

Issei lowered his hands as far as he could, starting at Tiamat's feet.

"Hey!" She giggled. "That tickles!"

"Uh, sorry..." Was the simple reply from Issei, who began to smear the pad on her.

Rias sat down on one of the lounge chairs as she watched the two with a clearly discouraged look on her face. If they took too long, maybe she wasn't going to have time for her plan to get started anymore.

"And yes we are going to be long, you damned bastard." Tiamat thought with a venomous grin that no one could see, as her back was turned.

"That was a good move." Penemue thought, disguising the small smile tugging at the corner of her lips at what she was witnessing.

Issei continued to put the shield on her without any trouble at all, something that began to surprise Tiamat. After all, he had always been quite uncomfortable with touching and seeing her body in a way that wasn't so friendly.

Or was she the one who was seeing this as unfriendly?

Those thoughts and the constant massages Issei was giving over her thighs made Tiamat's eyes soften considerably, as if she was brushing against some kind of pleasure.

"He's never touched me like this before..." The dragoness thought, beginning to blush. "It...It...feels...kind of good..." Her thoughts clouded over completely, as did her expression when Issei's hands reached for her ass without warning.

"Too damn good!"

"The volume got a lot thicker all of a sudden..." Thought the young man, knowing what that meant. His suspicions were confirmed when his hands sank a little before the dragoness's soft, beautiful buttocks.

Despite that, he didn't stop and continued with his work, being completely oblivious to the sensations that were shaking the dragoness' whole body.

"Ooooh by the gods!" She thought, closing her eyes tightly. "Why does my butt have to be so sensitive?!"

Issei's senses flared up a bit when he sensed a strange smell in the air thanks to his moderately developed dragon's sense of smell.

"It's that lemony smell, I remember..." Thought the young man. The smell was too sweet despite being lemon. In fact, he felt an extreme urge to know where that smell was coming from for some strange reason.

The whole situation distracted him, causing him to divert his hands a bit and approach a rather delicate spot.

"I always wanted you to touch me there!" Tiamat yelled in her thoughts, biting down hard on her lower lip as her legs lifted at the immense surge of pleasure.

Issei pulled his hands away as he noticed how Tiamat lifted both of her legs and stretched them out like a feline. Her feet seemed to be stiffer than stone, indicating that she was exerting a lot of force.

No one gave any importance to this, as they only thought she was stretching.

Evidently, Tiamat was doing her best not to moan like crazy. Her raised legs lasted for a few more seconds, until finally a rather intense little gasp was heard from her, which only Issei could hear.

Just at that moment, the boy could make out how that lemony smell burst out in giant waves, as if that very smell was calling him with great desperation.

"Thank you, I need to go to toilet." Said the dragoness, slipping as quickly as possible between Issei's legs.

"Hum, okay." Issei replied with some confusion. The young man lifted a bit of the blindfold to reveal one of his eyes. "Have I touched a sensitive spot?" he wondered internally. Since she was wearing that swimsuit, it was impossible for him to tell that he had brushed against her anus.

Rias quickly rose from her seat at the sight of the opportunity, but before she could even say a word...

"Can you do it with me?" Penemue asked as she removed her sheer silk shirt.

"No problem!" Issei replied with a toothy grin, putting the blindfold back on.

Rias gave a big snort and sat back down on the lounge chair, looking completely dejected.

"Just make sure you don't fall again." Commented the Valkyrie with clear grace in her voice, managing to get a small "Pf!" from Penemue's lips, indicating that she had held in her laughter.

Tiamat walked normally until she was sure no one could see her. She leaned against a wall as she let the blush on her face and steady gasps completely overpower her. Her legs shook intensely as she brought a hand over her chest, squeezing it with great force.

"Why do I have to go into heat right now?" the dragoness criticized herself, feeling her eyes glaze over as her belly began to scream with great force, as did her heart.

Both her body and soul wanted Issei right now...

They wanted him madly...

"If he hadn't touched me there..." She thought again, crawling to the door of the bathrooms, then freezing the inside of the exit door.

Tiamat sat down on one of the stools and quickly closed the door. Her black swimsuit could be seen falling to the floor, at the same time as her legs opened and contracted in a strange way as she began to moan madly.

"I must admit, this is fun." Penemue thought, watching Rias' reactions out of the corner of her eye as Issei ran his hands over her bare abdomen. "With everything that happened today, we already know to be careful with her under all circumstances." Cadre's serious look would become even more serious. "If he ends up being seduced by her it could bring him even more pain than he already has now." Penemue looked with some caution at Issei, who was still spreading the protector over her abdomen. "Although, maybe I shouldn't worry too much." She concluded with a tiny smile, watching as Issei seemed to massage her body without any trouble at all. "If he doesn't even get nervous with me after everything that happened to us that night, there's no way that brat could do anything to impress him."

"I think I'm done." Issei stated, lifting the bandage a little to look at the Cadre, who patted his head with great seriousness as a reward.

" Okay, now my legs please." Issei nodded instantly, choosing a new position.

The Cadre couldn't stop her gaze from wandering for a short second all over Issei's body as he made his movements, until he finally settled right next to her.

"It's normal that women can desire him." Penemue Thought with an almost imperceptible blush. "He always makes sure to wear clothes that don't fit his body, but if the brats at this Academy ever find out, it would be quite bothersome."

Rossweisse watched with a small smile as most of the Demons present were having fun in the pool. Suddenly she stood up, heading towards the bathrooms.

When she arrived, she tried to open the door to no avail. She couldn't help but shake her hand as she noticed the knob was too cold.

"What's going on?" Ross wondered with a raised eyebrow. "Wait, I remember Tiamat went to the bathroom..." Ross's thoughts began to fly and any conclusion was pretty bad. "Will she have a problem?" She asked another question again as she grabbed the doorknob, turning it to ice completely, then shattering it into a thousand pieces.

When she entered, the supposedly cold atmosphere she expected to find was too... normal. The only distinctive thing was the minty smell that pervaded the place.

Rossweisse moved with great care inside, until she saw Tiamat's legs underneath the first door. The Valkyrie stopped in her tracks, seeing that her leg movements were a bit jerky.

"Should I ask her if she wants help?" The Valkyrie questioned, knowing that Tiamat might be annoyed that she had entered when she had made it quite clear that she did not want anyone to enter.

Those doubts gave her enough time to hear quiet, but very dense moans. That made her a little angry.

She wasn't doing "it" at the institution, was she?

Just before she interrupted her for doing such a thing in a place like this, she could hear something that completely froze her.

"You don't know how much I want to kiss you, Issei..."

The Valkyrie couldn't help but take a step back with her eyes wide open.

"Even when I was so hurt, even when I was a mere shell of my past..." Tiamat's leg movement stopped, indicating that she had stopped touching herself.

"You found a way to brighten my world..."

By now, the Valkyrie's stupefaction had changed to one of complete empathy.

"You're the only one who really wanted to help me when I was completely destroyed..." Rossweisse could tell how Tiamat's body seemed to tremble with helplessness. "All those happy days we spent together, and the days we always enjoy now...you make my mind always travel a thousand miles high..." Tiamat's legs contracted numerous times as her voice became more and more agitated. "Then how can I ignore all the affection you constantly give me? How can you expect me not to want to be closer and closer to you? I can't control my feelings..."

Thinking she was hearing things that were too private, Rossweisse decided it was time to apologize. Before she could knock on the door, she could hear a couple of things that squeezed her heart.

"You say you don't deserve to be called a man, but look how you have me now."

"I didn't even know a dragoness could ever fall so much in love."

"I don't care that you don't love me, I just want to be near you and..."

"Knock knock!"

That was the last straw, Rossweisse didn't want to hear any more.

She didn't want to burst into tears on a day like this.

"Thank you." Penemue replied, watching her skin glow.

"How much time do we have left?" Issei asked, removing his blindfold completely.

"I don't know, Rossweise is the one who decides that." The Cadre replied, fixing her gaze towards the spot where the Valkyrie previously stood. "For the time being, help your mistress who also wanted your services." Said the Cadre with a somewhat mocking tone as she dismissed him with her hand.

After hearing that, Issei fixed his gaze on Rias, who looked genuinely surprised that Penemue had noticed what she was looking for.

"I'd appreciate it." Rias quickly changed her expression to a kind one.

"This is not the way to get through to her heart." Penemue thought as she watched as Rias untied her bra while lying on her back. "He said he was facing his most perverse desires. While it's kind of unfortunate that his more perverse desires play out through lust, it's impressive to see all the progress he's made over the past few months." Penemue couldn't help but remember all the times Issei got nervous or didn't know how to act in strange or delicate situations referred to this topic. "At this point, I could say with satisfaction that those kinds of situations wouldn't play against him anymore." She deduced, unable to help but sketch a small smile as she watched Issei not even flinch at touching Rias' back. "If anyone tries to get close to him like Raynare did, they won't stand a chance, brat." Penemue whispered to herself with a distinctly mocking tone. "Still, I'll keep a closer eye on you now than I did before. It's not good to trust Demons, especially when it comes to this subject." She concluded, watching as Issei finished and jumped into the pool along with her other friends.

The smirk on Cadre's face was quick to appear as she watched Rias hold a confused look on her face.

"Well, I was hoping this would be a little more... Intense?" The redhead questioned internally, a little disappointed at the outcome. "And he left without us even being able to engage in conversation..." Rias couldn't help but feel disappointed in herself when she noticed that she had been silent the entire time she had been next to Issei, due to the fact that she had really liked the massage he had given her.

Rias settled back on the mat, watching as the vast majority of her servants played.

"He said a while back that liked my ass. But, maybe I'm giving it the wrong focus and I'll have to go the other way..." Rias gave a great sigh of exhaustion after hearing her own words. "The problem is, that was the quickest form of seduction. I guess I'm forced to use something different..." She would conclude, watching as Akeno climbed onto Issei's back and pressed her breasts hard against his chest without getting any reaction from him. In fact, he was holding her happily as they continued to throw water at each other against Gasper and Kiba.

"Seduction is the easiest thing to do. But what can you do if the man in question can't be seduced?" Penemue seemed to read Rias' thoughts just by watching her expressions. "That's a rather complicated answer for the Demons. After all, they understand love as something completely abstract and removed from reality. That all families have arranged pairings and no young person sustains a loving relationship is clear proof of that." Cadre thought, then looked towards Issei again. "I don't know if they will have changed and evolved in their other aspects. But it's clear that they haven't the slightest idea what the word love means."

Rias continued to think, until she was interrupted by Asia, who said something in her ear. The redhead seemed to be shocked for moments, though her expression returned to normal in no time.

"What's wrong with getting love letters?" Her mistress questioned, managing to make the blonde slightly uncomfortable.

"You see, at first I didn't think much of them..." Asia replied, then turning slightly serious. "But, lately all the letters talk about taking me and giving me a better life. It seems like it's just something strange, but the reality is that the messages talk in a somewhat repulsive and obsessive way, even redacts things that I have lived in the past. It's as if this person has been haunting me for a long time."

"Okay, that's not normal anymore." Rias opted to become very serious at what she heard. "Do you have any idea who it could be?" Asia shook her head.

"But in the last letter he gave me a place and time to meet." The blonde clarified, earning Rias' interest. "It's in half an hour."

"Very well." Rias stood up quickly. "Listen up everyone, we're done for the day!" She exclaimed, gaining everyone's attention.

"How sudden..." Issei said to himself, though he didn't reproach the order and walked out along with his companions.

After a few seconds of farewell, Issei finished saying goodbye to Gasper, high-fiving the half-vampire.

"See you at the hot springs!" Gasper shouted cheerfully, alluding to a certain dragon's territory.

Issei just smiled, seeing how there was finally no one left, except for him and the Cadre. Which, incidentally, neither of them had even changed.

"What's wrong?" Issei asked, sitting down next to his mistress.

"They're taking too long..." Issei could notice the concern in Penemue's voice.

"Sorry we're late!" Rossweisse arrived along with a rather crestfallen looking Tiamat, as if she was lacking energy.

"Is everything all right?" the Cadre asked, approaching both women.

Tiamat passed her without a word, slowly approaching Issei as her gaze remained shadowed. Before Penemue could ask what was wrong, Rossweisse grabbed her shoulder.

"We need to talk." She whispered in her ear.

"What?" Penemue asked her, not noticing how Tiamat leaned against Issei.

"What's wrong?" The young man asked her, seeing how Tiamat was acting a little strange.

"It hurts..." Was her silent reply as she crossed both hands over her chest.

"My chest really hurts..."

Issei looked at her with slight concern, then hugged and pulled her closer to him.

"Don't worry, we can rest at my house if you're not feeling too well." He replied, feeling Tiamat rest her face on his shoulder.

"I already know everything." Rossweisse told her in a tone low enough to make sure Issei didn't hear her. "I know that you two are in love with Issei." Penemue's ever unchanging face couldn't help but contort impressively.

"If you're with me..." Tiamat said softly as she began to rub her thighs together. "No..." Issei this time was actually getting worried. After all, the dragoness seemed to be saying nonsensical things.

Besides, that lemony smell had returned when she appeared, something he found rather curious.

"I don't know what you're worried about." Issei strengthened the hug a little more, giving her a smile. "But, remember that I'll always be with you for whatever you need." Tiamat seemed to react to his words, though she remained silent for several seconds.

"Don't worry, I won't say anything. Tiamat has explained it to me as best she could." Rossweisse reassured her moderately, though the Cadre still didn't seem happy with the answer.

"How did it happen?" Penemue questioned her with a very serious look.

"Well, she was..." Rossweisse couldn't help but blush furiously at the thought of just thinking that word. "She told me that in the Mating Season she was very sensitive and couldn't help it." After hearing those words, Penemue's eyes slowly widened, until they couldn't grow any wider.

"That means..." Penemue fixed her gaze on Tiamat and Issei, seeing how the two of them were tightly hugging.

"There's no way she could have calmed down so quickly..."

"Do you always...?" The dragoness asked him, alluding to his last words, causing Issei to reply with another smile.

"Of course. I promised long ago, didn't I?" The young man stroked her beautiful light blue hair. "You don't have to squeeze me so hard, I'm not going anywhere."

"What if...?" Tiamat was about to ask, but shut down right at the end.

"If having a mate means taking me away from you, then it's not worth having one." Issei could predict what the dragoness was going to ask. This made something in Tiamat's heart race.

In those moments, all she could think about was what would happen once he gets a girlfriend.

After all, he was a great man...

But she didn't want...

She didn't want him to walk away under any circumstances...

She didn't want to see him kiss someone else...

And above all, she did not want to see how that woman could do everything she so desperately wanted...

Those painful thoughts were the ones that dominated her mind, and added to her mind clouded by being in heat, she could only think of one thing.

When Tiamat lifted her face a little and pointed her mouth towards her crush's neck, only one word could be heard...

"Mine."

"Issei, watch out!" Penemue shouted, startling Rossweisse.

Issei didn't even have time to be confused at the Cadre's words, as the answer came in a bite, a bite deep enough to pierce his skin.

It was painful, but, for some reason, he felt a great ecstasy, so he hugged the dragoness tighter.

Anyway, that moment didn't last long, as Penemue arrived in time to separate them, grabbing Tiamat by the arms to pull her away.

Tiamat gave her a hollow look, indicating that if she didn't pull away right now, she would put her through a lot of pain.

"React." Penemue's word caused Tiamat's gaze to soften considerably. "You are much stronger than this..." She concluded, then looked at Issei. "You know what's wrong with her, don't you?"

"She went into..." Issei snuffled, though he made it quite clear that he knew what was going on.

"I'd better take her away now. She won't be able to hold back much longer." Penemue explained, watching as Issei held his bleeding neck. "Take this and change quickly." She said, materializing a scarf for him to disguise his small bleed. "Don't go home until nightfall." Issei quickly nodded, understanding the message.

As Issei passed by Tiamat, she raised her hand in a poor gesture that showed she wanted to go with him.

"Tiamat..." Rossweisse said with clear pity at what she witnessed.

The dragoness turned her face to look at the Cadre, who was giving her a look coated with empathy.

"Please take me to Issei..." The dragoness said in an almost inaudible tone, though the sadness in her voice showed for miles.

"I'm going to take you to his room, okay?" Penemue rubbed her shoulder sympathetically.

Tiamat seemed to hesitate for a few seconds, though she finally nodded.

"I'll see you later. Make sure you lock everything up." Penemue said, handing Rossweisse one last look.

"...And thanks for not telling him."

A moment later...

Issei rubbed his neck through the scarf as he walked aimlessly.

"I didn't think she could get like this." The boy was still still remembering everything that had happened with some misgivings and concern. Because of that, his expression was slowly changing to a sadder one.

"She was suffering..." Issei paused, looking up at the sky without abandoning that gaze. "She never told me that dragonesses could ever go through all that..." Issei raised her hand with the intention of speaking to Ddraig, but received no response.

"Just now you have to be sleeping..." He thought wearily. "Anyway, I'm sure that lemony smell has something to do with the Mating Season." Issei resumed his walk, slinging the bag over his shoulders. "At least now I know when it might happen."

Issei stopped his walk after a few seconds, seeing a recognizable path that led to a place he didn't like to remember. His brow furrowed for a short second, but his gaze suddenly changed and he began to walk through the silent place.

After a few seconds, Issei reached the place that brought back so many bitter memories.

The young man looked at the fountain lying in front of him without saying a word. After studying it for a moment, the protagonist slowly approached until he crouched down in front of it and rested his hand on the edge of the structure.

"This is where it all started..." He thought, his gaze shifting after remembering Raynare once again, and how she had died at his hands. "Tomorrow will be six months." Issei's gaze changed to a slightly more determined one, standing up.

"I have to keep getting better."

"Issei?" The aforementioned turned around after recognizing the voice, being a bit surprised to see Rias and Asia in this place.

"President?" was all he said as stood up at the same time.

"What a coincidence." The blonde said, only to look away after hearing footsteps.

"Wow, so you came..." A tall, friendly looking man appeared before the three of them. "And from what I see, you're accompanied." Rias couldn't help but narrow his eyes at the man's presence.

"Diodora..." Was all she said, getting Issei to look at him with great interest.

"Wait, this guy is the one we're going to face next week..." Issei thought. "What the hell is he doing here?"

Meanwhile, back at the Hyoudou residence...

Penemue settled into a chair, watching as a lump moved under the sheets, indicating someone was there.

"We were lucky Issei's parents are never home." Penemue commented, watching as Tiamat revealed her face, then threw the swimsuit in her cheek, something the Cadre didn't seem to receive very well.

"Everything smells like Issei..." The dragoness said as her vision seemed slightly intoxicated at the various pleasurable and painful sensations she was going through her body.

She hugged the pillow tightly, then closed her eyes deeply to let herself get even more carried away in those sensations.

"I love you..." She whispered loud enough for Penemue to hear, watching with a bit of concern as her best friend squirmed against the pillow, as if she was waiting for it to transform into Issei.

"I didn't know this state could affect you so much." Cadre commented, as she leaned back in the chair.

"It's not affecting me, I'm just being honest with myself..." The dragoness' comment made Penemue look at her with some astonishment, but she decided to keep her thoughts to herself.

"A great pleasure that turns into a constant pain..." The Cadre thought, remembering that time she lost control with Issei. "I went through something similar too." Her thoughts stopped as she watched Tiamat stop rolling around on the bed.

The dragoness' gaze parked itself on the pillow she was hugging, holding her even tighter. Her beautiful light blue eyes were drawn with a huge melancholy, something that caught the Cadre's interest.

"I remember that day..." Penemue's interest spiked even more after hearing her words.

"I remember the red sky, and the rain surrounding me..." Tiamat clung even tighter to the pillow, as if she was looking for some kind of comfort.

"I remember his every word, as my mind began to shatter from what I was hearing..."

"After that, he had saved me. But, my very savior saw to it that there was nothing left inside me, only abandoned memories..."

"There was nowhere to hide, I was left to wander with no destination." She remembered how her body moved across the trails with her eyes completely dulled, as if she were a puppet, as if she were something lifeless.

"The only thing I remember is the snow...how it kept falling...how each snowflake turned to ashes for being the permanent reminder of my torment..." Tiamat tightly closed her eyes after having small memories of the Welsh Dragon, of her former fiancé, of those she thought were her friends, and, most of all, the memory of her mother to whom she never got to say goodbye.

"Tiamat..." Penemue said with great pain, trying to touch her hand to offer her support, but stopped when she saw how Tiamat opened her eyes, having a completely different glow.

"Every loss, every lie, every truth that I denied myself, every regret and every suffering, it was all a big mistake to let go... And, when I thought only my torment was left..." Tiamat's eyes winked even more and she clung tighter to the pillow. "Your voice was all I heard, saying I didn't deserve this..." The dragoness snuggled even tighter into the pillow, as if she sought to transmit her racing heartbeat to that object.

"You gave me a reason to prove me wrong! You gave me a reason to cleanse my memories! You made the ashes turn back into snow once more! You gave me a reason to fill this void...!" Tiamat clutched her chest tightly, as she noticed how her body and chest burned with great intensity from the words she herself was reciting. "To reconnect my heart with my body!" Tiamat's intense and radiant gaze changed to a much calmer one, reflecting a great deal of affection and passion.

"And, most importantly... You..."

Tiamat clutched her own chest even tighter as she slowly closed her eyes.

"You made me remember what it feels like to be truly loved..."

Penemue watched all this with great surprise, as she didn't know that much about Tiamat's history, only the basic.

"Now I understand why she never talks about this with anyone..." The Cadre thought, watching as the dragoness began to rub against the pillow in a strange way. "It wasn't just the shenanigans, she feels great guilt for not helping her other loved ones when the war broke out..." Penemue couldn't help but look at her with great empathy, managing to understand her friend's feelings even better.

"I want to tell everyone that I fell in love with the best man in the world. I want to tell everyone that we're going to start a family..." The dragoness murmured, starting to pant from the excessive rubbing she was doing against the pillow.

"I don't want to watch her masturbate." Cadre thought with a roll of her eyes, rising from her seat. "I'll leave her alone until she calms down a bit." She decided, giving the dragoness one last look.

Watching her squirm under the sheets, seeing how her glassy eyes seemed to be brimming with love, and watching her cling tightly against the pillow imagining it was Issei...

She didn't know whether to see that as something tender, something sad, or something extremely hot.

Finally, the Cadre left the room thinking they were all a correct answer.

Meanwhile, at the fountain...

"Now I understand everything..." Issei stated as he rubbed his chin after hearing the story from Asia.

"Do you know what it means to want to take one of my servants away like this?" Rias questioned him with clear annoyance, while being listened to by the sympathetic Diodora, who looked completely calm despite the situation.

"I think you're confusing things." Explained the man quickly. "I would never take her without her mistress' approval. I just wanted to know if she would like to come with me, and have some fun experiences, like having dinner together with my other handmaids, or show her all the appreciation I have for her by buying her whatever she wants." Rias watched his eyes closely, seeing that Diodora didn't flinch in the slightest after his words.

"It looks like you're not lying, but still..." Rias placed both hands on her waist. "How were you planning on doing all this?"

"If you mean take her away from me for good, well I thought I could come to some sort of agreement with you." The man said, his eyes widening slightly.

"An agreement?" He had definitely managed to capture the redhead's interest.

"Well, I wasn't ready now because I wasn't planning on crossing you so soon, but I wanted to offer you one of my rooks and a bishop in exchange for her." Rias looked at him with slight surprise after his words.

"What is this, human trafficking?" thought Issei with clear contempt after hearing how the man proposed such a thing as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

"Although it's a tempting offer, I have to say that there's no way your two pieces could be more valuable than her..." Rias watched Issei for a short second, seeing how her servant didn't seem content at the answer heard. "Besides, she is a very important friend to me. I can't leave to her luck just for more power." She concluded, seeing how Issei seemed much calmer.

"That's the answer I was hoping for." Issei thought with a small smile, then rubbed his chin. "Wait a second..." A light bulb went off above his head. "Can't we make some kind of profit out of this situation?" Issei closed his eyes deeply, thinking very carefully. "I mean, he'll be our next opponent for the Rating Games..."

"I'd also like to understand why you have such an interest in Asia. I don't think you seek her out just for her Sacred Gear." Rias clarified, crossing her arms.

"Actually, you are correct." Diodora fixed her gaze on Asia, giving her a warm smile. "In fact, I want her because she was the one who saved me a long time ago." Everyone was impressed at such a revelation, except for Issei who was still very much hovering in his thoughts.

Diodora approached Asia, even taking one of her hands and kneeling in front of her, something that made her blush slightly.

"You have suffered so much because of me. A soul as kind as yours never deserved to go through something like that. That's why I want you by my side. I want to make you the happiest woman in the world." Diodora declared as he cupped his chest.

"This is all strange, especially coming from a Demon..." Rias thought, seeing how Diodora was acting. "Maybe he's become obsessed with her?" Concluded, trying to search for an answer.

"You shouldn't worry about the past..." Was all Asia could say as she rubbed her hair in slight discomfort.

"But..." Diodora wanted to speak, but was stopped when Issei snapped his fingers.

"Why don't we do something more fun, like an all or nothing?" Diodora listened to the proposal with great interest, while Asia and Rias couldn't believe what they were hearing.

Issei would never bet a partner's safety unless he was very sure of himself.

"I am interested, but your mistress..." Diodora fixed his gaze on Rias, who nodded quickly.

"Well, the proposal is as follows." Issei began to gesture with his hands in an attempt to explain as best he could. "It will be a wager to be settled on the battlefield. Whoever wins will take the prize of their choice, tying it to the fact that Diodora offers two of his pieces, while Rias offers one." Issei raised his gaze, raising an eyebrow. "Is that clear?" The three nodded, letting Issei continue with the idea. "There will only be one rule: whoever knocks down their leader first, or whoever knocks down four pieces first, wins."

"But don't you think it's a bit unequal?" Diodora questioned, placing a hand on his chin. "I mean, you guys may be one short, but the vast majority of your team consists of very interesting warriors, making the numerical disadvantage actually end up being an advantage. You know, my team doesn't consist of such interesting pieces and the only one who could stand up to you all together is me. But I'd be risking myself again if I show my face so early in the battle, since I'm not indestructible by any means..."

"He has his point." Rias said as she folded her arms and acquired a thoughtful look. "All we would need to win the bet would be for me to stay behind to ensure victory..." At those moments, Diodora's eyes widened slightly with some cunning.

"That's it, bite the suet." Issei thought after seeing Diodora's reaction.

"Very well, I'll take the bet." He declared to the surprise of both women, who looked at him as if he were an idiot. "May I say the same for you?" he asked, raising his hand.

"I..." Before Rias could snap out of her stupor, Issei took her hand and shook it quickly with the man.

"Of course we accept it!" Issei exclaimed with a toothy grin. "We won't lose!"

"Very well, then we'll see you on the battlefield." Diodora concluded with his typical smile, then left the place through a magic circle.

"Issei, what the hell are you thinking about?" Rias inquired, getting Issei to rest both his hands on his waist as he grinned foolishly.

"The bet is just to cover up the plan. After all, we would never trade with people, and we won't lose." Said the young man to the curious looks of Rias and Asia.

"So, could you enlighten us with your awesome plan?" their mistress would question, getting Issei to pull them closer with a wave of his hand.

Issei began to tell them the whole plan whispering as low as possible, managing to make the two girls the only ones who could hear him.

Rias and Asia's eyes began to slowly widen, until finally Issei pulled away.

"Well, what do you think?" He asked with a toothy grin.

"Actually, it's very good..." Rias said as she rubbed her chin. "I'll get the stuff. We'll meet tomorrow to try them out." Issei quickly shook his head.

"Wouldn't you guys like to get the stuff now?" He asked. Issei couldn't help but rub his hair with some nervousness. "It's just that there's a problem at my house and I won't be able to get back very early."

"We don't even have a problem." Rias quickly hugged his arm, making Issei somewhat uncomfortable. " Let's go!" The redhead exclaimed with a smile.

A few hours later...

"I'm sorry to have given you a hard time." Tiamat apologized as she ate some dinner prepared by the Cadre.

"Don't worry, I understand the situation and I'm glad you're back on your feet now." Rossweisse replied with a smile.

The three women were eating in Issei's room quietly. Tiamat was still tucked in, while Penemue had a part of her clothing burned, something that caught the dragoness' attention.

"By the way, what happened to you?" Tiamat asked, getting Rossweisse to gesture with her hands to withdraw the question, while a bitter look decorated the Cadre's face.

"I had some problems with the kitchen, but I've fixed it." Penemue replied dryly, indicating that she didn't want to talk about it anymore. "Are you fully recovered now?"

"Hmm..." Tiamat looked down at herself, crossing her legs under the sheets. "Not completely, but I can control myself." The dragoness began to play with her food as a blush appeared on her face.

"Please don't tell anyone what I said..."

"Are you kidding?" the Valkyrie questioned with a smile. "Of course we won't!" She exclaimed, receiving a small smile from Tiamat that showed confidence.

"Thank you." Was her simple reply.

The three ladies found themselves dining without a sound for several seconds, until Rossweisse broke the silence.

"May I ask you something?" Tiamat raised her gaze after the question.

"Speak." Replied the dragoness as she continued eating.

"Why don't you confess to Issei?"

The question caused both Tiamat and Penemue to stop eating, installing a stony silence in the room.

"...I don't, because we are looking for a suitable woman for him." Was Tiamat's reply. "That's why we make sure to keep away all those who can do him more harm than they already did to him." The dragoness lowered her head slightly with great sadness. "I fear that not he would be able to bear it again if anything else happens to him..." Rossweisse opened her mouth, then closed it. Finally, the Valkyrie deigned to say something.

"I don't know what might have happened to Issei, but I think I can understand one thing..." Rossweisse took a short pause, looking at her two new friends. "Don't you think you two are perfect for him?" The two women looked at him with some astonishment after his words. "I don't see any other woman who is so attached to him, and it just so happens that you two love him very..."

"We are not enough!" Tiamat's response startled Rossweisse, getting her to shut up resoundingly.

The dragoness lowered her gaze, sketching a small smile.

"If you knew us better, you'd know it's not that simple..." She whispered under her breath, then fixing her gaze on Ross. "I'm not a good woman for him, I have a lot of flaws that make me someone very conflicted and repulsive. I couldn't even propose to him, after all, he'd just reject me..." She commented, then sketched a big smile. "But I don't care about that! I just want to see him happy and that he can have a nice partner on whom he can bet his future! A mate who will help him in his problems, as well as he helps her! I'm not interested in being his mate, it's enough for me to see him happy whenever we get together!"

Rossweisse didn't know what to think.

She had never seen such a beautiful, energetic smile in her life.

But, it was even more impressive that such a smile could release so much suffering and falsehood.

How much could a person lie to themselves to believe their own words?

It was quite disturbing.

She never thought that these three people who looked so happy and cheerful were actually suffering so much in silence.

"Thank you for the food, it was delicious." The dragoness' comment brought Rossweisse out of her thoughts. "You're getting better." Said the dragoness with a toothy smile to her friend as she handed the plate to her.

"Thank you." She replied with an almost invisible smile as she received the plate. "I think it's time for us to go." Penemue concluded, looking at Rossweisse, who reacted and nodded.

The two quickly said goodbye to their friend.

Once they were both outside the Hyoudou residence, they began walking towards Kuoh Academy.

"Don't you think you're being too hard on yourselves?" Rossweisse broke the silence, earning a glare from Penemue.

"We don't need your sympathy." The Cadre's curt reply made Rossweisse visibly tense. "Especially me. Don't waste your pity on someone who doesn't deserve to love or be loved." Ross's tension instantly disappeared after hearing those words.

"What do you mean by that?" the Valkyrie asked rather interestedly, causing the Cadre to pause.

"The three of us have too painful a past. I deserve it. I couldn't tell you for sure if Tiamat deserves it. Issei definitely never deserved it." Penemue glared at her, getting a serious look from Rossweisse. "What baby deserves his parents' hatred at birth? What child deserves to be completely isolated?" Penemue closed her eyes, giving a small sigh covered in regret. "His whole life covered in loneliness and with no one to support him. The only ones who knew about his existence were two people who became his best friends. They were the only ones who celebrated his birthday with him. The only ones who cared about him. Strange as it may seem to say, Issei had finally found a reason to live, even if it was something minuscule and ridiculous to many." The Cadre continued to explain, though her eyes and expression changed more and more as she continued to go on, it was as if she could share the pain Issei had felt all these years. "And finally, when he thought he would have found another precious person..." Tears began to fall from Penemue's face without her consent. "She spits on him, uses him, betrays him, and takes his life away from him on a simple, stupid whim." Penemue couldn't help but laugh as she wiped away tears. "But he's still here, smiling as if nothing happened. As if his whole life had been perfect." By now, even Rossweisse had tears threatening to roll down her cheeks. "He reached out to us and extended his support and affection, even though he was just as broken as the two of us." Penemue finished wiping away her tears, unable to help but give a shaky sigh at the end. "He healed us from our past wounds, but who's in charge of healing his wounds? That's why we're doing all this." She concluded, causing Rossweisse to wipe away the tears that threatened to spill from her face.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have meddled in this matter..." The Valkyrie apologized.

"No need to apologize." Penemue approached her, resting a hand on her shoulder.

"It's important for you to know this, especially since we already chose you..." The Cadre thought, watching as Rossweisse received her support with a smile. "You may never fall in love with him, and we will accept that, we will never force you. But, we also believe there is a little chemistry between the two of you. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here." A small smile crossed Penemue's lips.

"Right?"

A few minutes later...

Issei entered his house almost like a missile.

"Shit, I'm so late!" he thought fearfully, looking from one side to the other. "Luckily, it looks like they're not here yet..." Issei couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief when he saw that his parents weren't home.

Issei walked up the stairs, seeing how Tiamat's room was ajar. The young man opened it slowly, unable to help but smile as he saw how the dragoness seemed to be sleeping peacefully.

Not wanting to disturb her, Issei was about to leave, but she wouldn't let him.

"Don't you even wish me goodnight?" The question made Issei look back towards the bedroom, seeing how Tiamat was giving him a small amused smile.

"Sorry, I thought you were asleep and didn't mean to intrude." He stated, rubbing his hair somewhat sheepishly.

"It's hard to sleep when you're not with me." The answer made Issei blush a little. "Do you want to come over?" the dragoness asked, patting the free space on the bed a couple of times.

"But, are you okay now?" Issei asked as he took off his pants.

"Not completely, but I don't bite anymore." She said with some amusement, watching as Issei covered the large mark on his neck after what he heard.

As soon as Issei laid down, Tiamat immediately jumped up to be wrapped around his arms, something Issei described as cute.

"Isn't there something I can do to help you?" He asked, watching as the dragoness sat on his waist.

"You being here is enough." Tiamat replied, laying down on her beloved's torso, hugging him tightly. "You already ease the pain..." Issei couldn't help but raise an eyebrow after what he heard.

At that moment, he remembered when she spoke to him in the pool:

"My chest hurts a lot..."

Issei placed a hand on the beautiful light blue hair and began to play with it, much to the dragoness' delight.

One last thought crossed his mind before he drifted off to sleep.

"I didn't know that Mating Season brought chest pains."

END OF CHAPTER!

It was a bit difficult to translate all this, but I think it turned out well. I have a couple of dilemmas with the word "teacher". I want to opt for another way to refer to Tiamat and Penemue when Issei refers to them as "teachers", but I can't find any clear ones, and maybe even this chapter was a bit confusing at those times. You know, my English is not good and the translator doesn't help to get clear synonyms, so I accept any kind of suggestions. If the word "teacher" is the most appropriate word for the term, then I won't try to correct it anymore.

I will try to bring the next translation as soon as possible.

For now, I will leave you with the real ending of this chapter.

Thank you very much for reading, and I hope you liked it!

"I plan to play along with their game at first, it looks like fun." Diodora commented, watching as a shadow sat across from him.

"I don't care what you do. As long as it doesn't hurt our plan, I don't completely care." Commented the fellow as he looked out a nearby window, seeing how there was a huge army training. "You can keep that Reincarnated Demon if you manage to take her with you when the plan is completed."

"You don't have to tell me that." Diodora replied with a grim smile on her face. "By the way, did you manage to get 'it'?"

The figure stopped looking towards the window, then slowly leaned forward, slowly revealing her face.

His dark silver hair and face were furiously mirrored, bearing a certain resemblance to a very familiar person, although this man looked much older and his eyes reflected a brownish color.

"I had a hard time finding it among all the crap we have in the vault." Said the man, his serious face quickly twisting into a macabre smile as he displayed some sort of injection with a violet liquid.

"This is the last sample, so I will use it wisely..."