After Issei's departure to the pocket dimension, the ORC members leave the clubhouse after their discussion for the rating match and get on with the rest of their schedule.
Concerned gazes were exchanged among the group members, their faces reflecting the weight of the situation.
"How will we tell Issei about our plans and what we discussed if he isn't allowed back into the clubhouse?" Asia's voice carried a tone of worry and uncertainty, the group grappling with the dilemma before them.
Koneko, her expression firm and resolute, answered, "We'll tell him when he acknowledges his mistake and apologizes to Rias." Her words hung in the air, emphasizing the gravity of Issei's actions and the consequences he faced.
Caught up in the discussion, Xenovia interjected, her scepticism evident, "Can we count on him realizing his own mistake? He's a perverted blockhead."
Akeno, her voice unwavering, chimed in with determination, "He has to; Rias's heart, along with our hearts, depends on it." Her words echoed, underscoring the collective hope that Issei would understand the depth of his actions, realizing their impact on their group's unity and Rias's trust.
As they leave, they walk over to where Issei was pinned down and almost died, feeling a sense of dread shrouding them. They feel the hate, the agony, the pain, and the suffering. But they aren't able to understand why they think that way.
Kiba's voice rang out with disbelief and fear, "What was this feeling?! It feels so dark!"
A chilling grip tightened around Rias's heart, mirroring the ominous sensation. Her mind raced with concern, "Why does it feel like my heartstrings are about to snap?"
Asia trembled, her voice quivering in terror, "Oh my God! It feels like a demon over my shoulder is breathing heavily and just about to kill me!"
Koneko's neck bristled with fear, her senses alerting her to the danger. In a frenzy of panic, they all sprinted back to the safety of the clubhouse, their breaths ragged and hearts pounding with fear.
As they huddled inside, gasping for air, Rias demanded, "What the hell was that?!"
Akeno shook her head in bewilderment, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "I don't know."
After a tense wait, they cautiously ventured outside once more. The eerie sensation had dissipated, leaving them bewildered. Could it have been a hallucination? No, the shared fear was too honest to dismiss.
Rias, assuming a commanding yet caring tone, declared, "I will personally address this issue with Azazel and Rossweisse. They may hold the key to understanding the unfolding mystery. In the meantime, I ask each of you to return to your usual tasks. Continue with your daily activities, my beloved servants."
In unison, the rest of the ORC chorused, "Yes, President!" They dispersed to their respective classes, lingering dread still clinging to their thoughts.
Meanwhile, Rias retreated into the clubhouse; her mind occupied not by the unsettling sensation but by thoughts of Issei. Doubt clouded her mind, "Did I push him too far? Is this really the only approach that will break through? But what if it ends up creating an even wider gap between us? Perhaps I should refrain from seeking relationship advice on TikTok. It seems like nobody on that app wants anyone to find true happiness."
Despite her concerns, Rias made up her mind to stick to the plan, unaware of the fate Issei had suffered, holding onto the hope that everything would eventually be alright in the end.
X
The school has ended, and they all meet at the front gate to return to the Hyoudou Residence. Throughout the day, no one has seen or heard Issei; he was not in History with Kiba, P.E. with Xenovia, or Herbology with Asia. They start to worry about where he is; maybe he went back home upset, at least, that is what they hope.
Kiba turned to Xenovia with a puzzled expression, asking, "Hey Xenovia, was Issei in P.E. class with you today?"
Xenovia furrowed her brow, equally confused, as she replied, "I was about to ask you if he was in History class with you today?"
Asia said, concerned, "I was going to ask you both the same."
Rias, their leader, grew increasingly worried, questioning the group, "Issei wasn't at class today?"
Akeno's expression darkened with realization as she added, "Or rather, he wasn't at school at all." The gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air, a silent understanding passing between them as they contemplated the absence of their friend and comrade.
They start to worry about where he is. Maybe he went back home upset; at least, that is what they hoped.
On their way home, although they are upset with Issei, they still care for him; they secretly pray that he is safe at home, especially Rias. She starts to wonder if her plan will work or not or if it will achieve the opposite effect.
They return to the house and open the front door. Issei's shoes aren't there; he hasn't come home.
Rias's voice quivered with panic, her worry palpable in the air. "His shoes, they're nowhere to be found! He still hasn't returned home!"
Trying to reassure Rias, Kiba remarked with a hint of concern, "Rias, chill out! He's probably just out with his other perverted buddies." Despite his attempt at calm, unease flickered in his eyes.
But Rias remained unsatisfied with this explanation. Determined to ensure Issei's safety, she declared, "I will call him to see where he is." A frantic thought echoed inside her mind: "I need to know if he's safe or not."
Fingers trembling, Rias dialed Issei's number. The phone rang, and the sound emanating from upstairs sent the group a jolt of anticipation.
"Issei!" Rias exclaimed, her voice echoing with urgency as she sprinted upstairs. The others trailed behind her, their footsteps echoing on the staircase as they hurried toward Issei.
"I can hear it. It's coming from our room!" Koneko's keen nekomata senses guided her unerringly to the origin of the ringing; her voice filled with concern and determination.
They rush into the room and look for Issei; he isn't there. They see his phone on the bedside table, still on the charger; it seems like Issei forgot to take it today.
Rias looks horrified as she realizes the dread of the situation at hand.
X
A few hours passed.
Issei hasn't made it home for dinner; they are now legitimately concerned about Issei's whereabouts. They contact Azazel to find him.
Akeno's voice, tinged with concern, broke the silence over the phone, "Hello, Azazel."
Azazel's response was measured, reflecting his curiosity, "Ah, greetings, Akeno. I presume this isn't a mere trivial call, considering the lateness of the hour."
Akeno's worry was evident as she spoke, "Yes, have you seen Issei?"
Azazel shook his head, his words carrying a hint of surprise, "Issei? Nah, haven't seen him since that Grabbon Dragon event. What's the deal?"
Akeno's concern deepened, "Issei hasn't come home yet. We're rather worried about his whereabouts."
Azazel's disbelief was palpable, "Issei hasn't made it back yet?! Tell me, when was the last time you laid eyes on the guy?"
Akeno replied, her voice trailing off, "This morning, at the clubroom, we didn't catch a glimpse of him throughout the entire day at school."
Azazel's memory sparked, his words carrying a sense of realization, "At the clubhouse? Didn't Rias sense something dreadful right in front of that place?"
The conversation was on speaker mode, and the group listened intently. Rias's voice was urgent, "Yes! Absolutely! Do you think there's any connection between that and Issei's sudden disappearance?"
Azazel contemplated the situation, his response thoughtful, "I wouldn't completely write it off, but hey, it's definitely a possibility."
Rias's anxiety flared, "A possibility?!"
Although sternly, Azazel tried to ease their fears, "Easy there, Rias; I bet Issei's doing just fine. Did you do something to tick him off?"
Silence fell, guilt painting their faces. The weight of their mistake hung heavy in the air. Finally, Rias admitted, her voice laden with regret, "We may have..."
Azazel's disappointment was palpable, his tone turning stern, "What did you do?"
No one dared to utter the truth. The room was tense until Azazel broke it, his voice firm, "Hmph, whatever you pulled off, make damn sure you make it up to him once I track him down and drag his sorry ass back home."
Akeno, her voice small, replied, "Okay, thank you, Azazel."
The call ended, leaving them in a heavy silence. Shame filled the room; they had crossed a line. Her eyes brimming with tears, Rias whispered, "I hope he is alright. I can't lose him."
They all go to bed and have a sleepless night.
It's now the following day; the girls wake up in bed and look over. Issei is still not here; all their hearts drop as they don't see Issei sleeping beside them.
It was a gloomy morning for the hyoudou residents. Issei has that piece that holds them together and lifts them to move forward. Without him, everyone is a mess.
X
They make their way to school and do their schoolwork throughout the day. Issei still hasn't attended school, and they still haven't been updated by Azazel, so they worry even more.
It's the end of the day, and everyone goes to the clubhouse to discuss Issei.
Kiba's voice trembled with genuine fear as he confessed, "Now I'm genuinely getting apprehensive."
Xenovia chimed in, her worry echoing Kiba's sentiment, "Me too."
Curiosity tinged Koneko's voice as she asked, "Where's Azazel?"
Kiba shrugged, his uncertainty palpable, "Who knows? I haven't seen him this entire day; he's probably still out there looking for him."
Irina scoffed, her frustration evident, "Stupid Fallen Angel is probably being a perv somewhere." It was her casual remark that triggered a collective realization among them.
When Irina mentioned the Fallen Angel, Raynare, their eyes widened with understanding. It dawned on them why Issei had withdrawn and couldn't express his emotions anymore. The trauma of his first girlfriend still haunted him.
Akeno's voice, laced with regret, cut through the heavy silence, "I've always noticed that Issei casts fearful glances towards us women. Oh, what have we done to him?!"
Rias's realization hit her like a punch to the gut, "All this while, he carried the fear of opening up to us."
Koneko's voice, laden with melancholy, added to the sombre atmosphere, "We were too consumed by our own emotions that he failed to consider his own."
Asia's guilt-ridden voice chimed in, her regret apparent, "After everything Issei has done for us, is this how we treated him?"
The weight of their mistake settled upon them like a crushing burden. They had attacked Issei's character without considering his feelings and the depths of his trauma. They had collectively driven him away, pushing their friend and lover to the point where he didn't want to return.
As they reflected, memories flooded their minds, reminding them of all the good Issei had done for each of them.
Kiba's mind raced with conflicting emotions. "Issei, he was there for me when those scumbags conducted their vile experiments and tormented me in my childhood, all in the name of wielding that accursed sword," he reflected a tumultuous whirlwind of memories in his thoughts. "He taught me to overcome the trauma and find solace. How could I ever treat my closest friend like an outsider."
In the depths of her mind, Asia grappled with overwhelming guilt and confusion. "Issei, he was the one who saved me from Freed and the others," she thought, her conscience burdened by the weight of her actions. "He pleaded with Rias to bring me back to life when I died. He even beseeched Michael to let me continue praying despite becoming a devil. And when he believed I had perished, he willingly diminished his own life force to less than a hundred years by activating the Juggernaut Drive. How could I betray my saviour like this?" The anguish in her thoughts mirrored the turmoil in her heart as she wrestled with her choices.
In the depths of her thoughts, Koneko wrestled with her emotions. "Issei... he was the one who helped me come to terms with my nekomata nature, and it terrified me to the very core. But he showed me that I shouldn't fear who I am, that I should embrace my powers and use them to safeguard those dear to me. And now, now I can't help but question my actions. What have I done?" Koneko murmured, her voice filled with introspection and uncertainty.
Akeno's mind raced with conflicting emotions as she reflected on her past with Issei. "Issei was there for me when I struggled with the loss of my mother," she mused her thoughts a whirlwind of memories. "He was the one who helped me find solace after her death, a haunting presence throughout my entire life." A bittersweet smile touched her lips as she recalled his unwavering support.
"He guided me to embrace my fallen angel heritage, a part of myself I had despised," Akeno continued, her thoughts laced with gratitude. "And even after I revealed my wings to him. He didn't recoil in disgust." The memory of that vulnerable moment tugged at her heartstrings. "He had every reason to do so. My demeanour, appearance, and resemblance to Raynare are striking." A pang of self-consciousness gripped her, but she pushed on, acknowledging the complexity of their relationship.
"He had every right to hate me, yet he chose not to," Akeno admitted, a mix of awe and confusion clouding her thoughts. "Despite everything, he cherished me deeply." Regret weighed heavily on her, realizing the depth of his affection. "In the end, it was I who remained oblivious to his true feelings and unintentionally caused him pain." The weight of her realization settled in her chest, a poignant reminder of her blindness to his love.
Rias's heart clenched with regret as her mind echoed with self-recrimination. "Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. What have I done?" Her thoughts spiralled in a whirlwind of guilt. She replayed the moments in her mind, realizing the depth of Issei's sacrifice. "He saved me from that despicable Riser Phenex. Time and time again, I relied on him to rescue me, and he always emerged victorious. He stood by me during my darkest moments, providing the strength and support I needed."
A sinking realization washed over her, a profound understanding of her failure. "This was a terrible idea. I should have been the one to take the initiative. He endured a toxic relationship. How did I not see it earlier?" Self-blame gnawed at her, threatening to consume her entirely.
Fear gripped her heart like a vice. "Am I going to lose the man I love?!" Panic laced her thoughts. The mere possibility sent shudders down her spine. "No! I can't bear it! Please, no! Please!" Her desperate plea hung in the air, a silent prayer that the damage wasn't irreversible.
Rias starts having a mental breakdown from all the emotions; as she bursts into tears, everyone else does.
X
Azazel is flying around the forest area of Kuoh. He has already searched everywhere else for Issei in the town and city but couldn't find him anywhere, so he decides to look in the last unchecked place, which is the forest; suddenly, he sees a fracture in time and space in the deep parts of the woods between the crossing of two trees.
Azazel lands in front of the fracture and observes it.
Azazel's mind raced with disbelief and urgency, his thoughts echoing incredulity, "A rupture within the fabric of time and space?! How could such a phenomenon manifest itself here?! And why has it managed to elude the detection of everyone, including my own senses?! The manner in which it materialized and emerged should have unleashed an overwhelming surge of energy, triggering not only the attention of the supernatural realm but also setting off alarms on every human world measurement device!" His thoughts swirled with confusion and concern, grappling with the inexplicable mystery before him.
Azazel cautiously moves closer to the rift; he wonders who created this and where this led.
The closer he got to the portal, the water around the portal started to float upwards as a sign that someone was going inside or something was coming out.
Azazel picks up a rock from the ground and throws it into the portal after a while. The stone is thrown back with seemingly less force. Someone just wanted Azazel to know they weren't a threat to him.
"Okay, how about this?!" he shouts as he throws a light spear into the portal. After a while, the light beam comes back out. However, it is completely frozen, as if someone froze the light spear and threw it before it landed at Azazel's foot, showing him once again they don't mean harm to give
While Azazel is still observing the frozen beam of light, the portal flashes and a giant red hand of energy grabs Azazel and pulls him in.
During confusion and desperation, Azazel's voice pierced the air, a frantic shriek escaping his lips, "NO WAIT!" Trembling, he caught a glimpse of a blinding white light and instinctively shut his eyes tight.
A familiar voice, soothing and steady, reached Azazel's ears, pulling him back from the brink of panic. "Azazel, it's alright. Perhaps you should consider opening your eyes," Issei's voice resonated, cutting through the tension in the air.
Upon hearing Issei's voice, Azazel cautiously opened his eyes, relief flooding him as he saw Issei standing before him. "Issei?!" he exclaimed, his voice a mix of disbelief and joy. However, as Azazel observed Issei closely, he noticed a subtle but significant change. The goofy, carefree expression that once adorned Issei's face had transformed. His features were now tenser and more serious, indicating a shift in his demeanour.
"Issei?! Everyone has been worried sick for you! Is this where you have been?!" Azazel questioned, his concern etched across his face.
Issei met Azazel's gaze calmly, "Azazel, I've been here for the past few weeks."
"Past few weeks? It's barely been a day since your sudden vanishing!" Azazel exclaimed, disbelief colouring his words.
"Is that so? It seems the time dilation in this place is functioning as expected," Issei explained, his tone matter-of-fact.
"Time dilation?!" Azazel echoed in astonishment. He surveyed their surroundings, taking in the endless flat land that stretched before them. The sky above resembled the vast expanse of outer space, tinged with a reddish hue that prevented it from descending into complete darkness. Azazel's eyes scanned the area, noticing an array of training equipment scattered around.
"Yes, time dilation. It's reminiscent of the hyperbolic time chamber from Dragon Ball, albeit not quite reaching their level, at least not yet," Issei elaborated, offering a glimpse into the extraordinary nature of their current situation.
"What?! How?!" Azazel's voice trembled with bewilderment and curiosity, his mind struggling to grasp the reality of their surroundings.
Issei then forms a finger jab in his right hand with his index and middle finger and pushes into Azazel's forehead; in that instant, Issei shows Azazel everything that transpired in the last few days (earth days); he sees the Issei upset Rias and the entire ORC turning on him, he sees them stop Issei from entering the clubhouse, he sees the gruesome attack of the Devils, he sees Issei's body get torn entirely, he sees the notification prompt which showed up for Issei, he sees Issei claims his "second chance," Issei's new power, him killing those Devils him being able to create a pocket dimension and entering it, this whole time, Issei has been staying here and training in this time dilated dimension.
Azazel's eyes widened in shock and disbelief in the dim light. "Oh my god, Issei! I had no friggin' clue you went through that; nobody should ever have to endure somethin' like that; where the hell is Ddraig?!" Azazel exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine concern.
Issei's hand trembled as he pointed towards a glass container, where his former left arm and sacred gear floated. Both men approached the container, their faces reflecting a mix of astonishment and bewilderment.
"It appears that Ddraig is indeed alive," Issei explained, his voice surprisingly calm. "I can sense his essence lingering within my arm. It seems he's currently in a state of hibernation. My plan is to re-attach him to my body once he awakens. Our souls remain interconnected, indicating that I am still the Red Dragon Emperor."
Azazel turned around, studying Issei intently. This was the first time Issei had spoken a complete sentence since his arrival, and the change in his demeanour was palpable. Issei's voice carried a newfound seriousness, and his posture exuded determination.
"Issei, you thinkin' 'bout makin' a comeback to the human realm? And, more precisely, the ORC?" Azazel inquired cautiously. "I heard they managed to tick you off somehow, but they didn't spill the beans on the details. I witnessed what they did to ya when you shared those memories with me."
"For the time being, yes," Issei replied, his tone unwavering. "I made a promise to assist them in their rating match against Sairaorg, but once that's over, my involvement with them concludes."
A pang of disappointment settled in Azazel's chest. He had considered himself close to the members of the ORC. If Issei left them, he would be leaving Azazel behind as well.
"But Issei, if you go through with it, you'll be labelled a stray devil. Even if you don't kill your master, you'll still be abandoning them," Azazel pointed out, concern etched on his face.
"Similar to the way they abandoned me, wouldn't you say?" Issei's words hung heavy in the air, leaving Azazel momentarily speechless.
"I suppose they sent you to find me?" Issei continued, his voice steady. "You mentioned that everyone was worried. I assume you're referring to the ORC? Please let them know that I will be engaged in my personal training and will join them at the stadium just before the rating match begins. In the meantime, instruct them to continue with their training without my presence and make certain that no information about me is shared; just convey everything I have instructed you to."
Azazel nodded reluctantly, understanding the weight of Issei's decision. After their conversation, he spent time with Issei, observing in awe as Issei trained and marvelling at his new system powers. It was a sight unlike anything Azazel had seen before, leaving him amazed and deeply concerned for the challenges ahead.
Issei takes breaks here, and now and then, Azazel is in disbelief in Issei's training regiment. Out of nowhere, these monsters will spawn. The system will task Issei with defeating them and claiming his experience points and credits. He also has to perform workouts that train his body to withstand even more power, along with other stuff like reading and meditating. This will also give him experience points.
Issei had allowed Azazel to see the notifications he can see; his eyes light up as he considers this weird power; it reminds him of the RPG games he plays in his free time.
[Task Complete]
Azazel's inquisitive voice pierced the silence within the dimensional space. "Issei, got any clue about the time ratio between this dimension and the real world?"
Issei nodded, his eyes bright with newfound knowledge. "Yes, it's 1:20. What's interesting is that for every 1 second in the real world, 20 seconds pass here. It may not seem significant initially, but it becomes quite substantial when you consider the cumulative effect."
Azazel mulled over the information, intrigued by the implications. Spending an entire day with Issei in the dimension, he calculated that only 1 hour and 2 minutes would have passed in the real world when he left. Realizing he had other responsibilities, Azazel decided to depart.
But before he could leave, Issei handed him a small device. "Here, take this. Conventional phones won't work across dimensions. However, this device will enable you to communicate with me whenever needed."
Azazel accepted the device with gratitude, expressing his thanks. As he turned to leave, he couldn't help but tease Issei, his voice laced with humour. "You know, Issei, you're aware of how much I crave those fresh powers. Once this whole thing blows over, why don't you swing by the Grigori? Show off your newfound abilities, my friend," he said with a sly smirk.
Issei chuckled, his demeanour lighter despite recent events. "Alright then, no need to be hesitant. If you wish, you can visit me at any time during the week. I will always be available."
Despite the changes in Issei, their bond remained, a testament to their enduring connection. With that, Azazel exited the dimension, returning to the forest from which he had been pulled.
X
He checked his phone and confirmed that just over an hour had passed in the real world. Thoughts raced through his mind as he flew toward the Hyoudou Residents. Upon entering, he found the ORC members in a heavy atmosphere of anticipation.
"Rias, we need to tell you something, what we did to Issei-" Rias began, but Azazel cut her off, his tone firm.
"Rias cut it out. I'm well aware of what you all pulled off, pushing Issei away and denying him entry to the club without caring about how he feels."
Shock registered on their faces; how did Azazel know? Did Issei confide in him?
Akeno's voice trembled with concern. "How do you know that?"
Irina voiced her suspicions. "Did Issei tell you?"
Azazel, without a word, closed his eyes and nodded slightly.
They crowded around him, desperation in their eyes as Rias demanded, "Where is he? Is he okay? Is he safe? I need to know!"
Azazel calmed them, his voice steady. "He is safe. He is okay-ish, but I can't tell you where he is."
Rias couldn't fathom why he was withholding the information. "What?! Why not?! And what do you mean by okay-ish?!"
Azazel sighed, attempting to explain. "Alright, settle down; take it easy, will ya? He's, like, sorta okay, you know? Fine, but still kinda upset about everything you guys pulled off. He made me swear not to spill the beans about his whereabouts. He wants some solitude."
Their shock turned into confusion; Issei had made Azazel promise not to disclose his location. Why was Azazel siding with Issei?!
Akeno questioned, her voice laden with worry. "Left alone? What is he doing all by himself?"
Azazel informed them, "Training solo. Just for the rating match, he said. He told all of you to forget about him for now and focus on your own training. He'll handle it himself."
Understanding dawned on them. Motivated by remorse, Xenovia rallied the group. "Well, let's train hard; we will prove to Issei how sorry we are and apologize to him for our misdeeds. We will train for Issei."
The entire Gremory Peerage echoed her determination. "FOR ISSEI!"
Azazel watched them with a mixture of discomfort and understanding. His thoughts swirled within him. "They have no clue about what Issei's become. By the time they lay eyes on him again, they won't even recognize the guy anymore. It's almost a pity, ya know? A tiny part of me wants to spill the beans. But I made a promise to Issei to only share what he wants me to share with them."
Rias's thoughts mirrored her determination. "The upcoming days will undoubtedly be challenging without Issei by my side. However, the next time I lay my eyes on him, I will rush towards him, arms wide open, ready to embrace and shower him with the love he deserves. It's a promise I make to both myself and Issei."
The other girls in the harem shared Rias's sentiment, vowing to make it up to Issei and love him as they should have instead of hurting and driving him away.
X
The next few days were somewhat gloomy for the Gremory Peerage. Although they are determined to make it up to Issei for their wrongdoings, they are still saddened that Issei isn't spending time alongside them and decided to be away from them of his own accord.
Rias has tried contacting Issei multiple times through the master/servant bond. However, every time she attempted to connect, all she got was static. It was almost as if Issei was no longer on this plane of existence.
Deep in her thoughts, Rias pondered, her mind consumed by worry and confusion. "Why can't I connect with him? Is he pushing me away? Has he transcended to another realm altogether? Could he be lost in the dimensional gap? No, that's impossible; surviving even a mere half-day in that place is inconceivable. So where is he? Where is my beloved Issei?"
Over the week, Azazel kept his promise, visiting Issei daily. In due time, he noticed he was being shadowed from a distance. Upon closer inspection, he identified Rias's familiar tailing him, undoubtedly curious about Issei's whereabouts.
Observing the situation, Azazel mused, "Rias's familiar, huh? She's willingly ignoring both Issei and me. Can't blame her, though. She's head over heels for him. But will she still feel that way once she witnesses what he's become?"
Summoning his courage, Azazel pulled out the device Issei had given him and reached out to Issei through the communication link.
"Issei, I've come to find you, but Rias has her pesky familiar keeping an eye on me, trying to track down your whereabouts. No chance I'm anywhere near that rift, mind you. Can you do something to assist me in slipping into that dimension without giving away our precise location?"
Quick-witted, Issei responded, "Ah, Rias's familiar, right? Okay, I think I can come up with a solution. There happens to be a pond near your current position. It might be worth considering to approach it and, well, submerge your face into it. Trust me on this; you should be fine."
Azazel followed Issei's instructions diligently, going to the specified pond. Standing before the water's edge, he hesitated momentarily, then plunged his face into the water.
In an instant, Azazel was transported into Issei's dimension, his surprise evident. "What?! How did you do that?!"
Holding a sword, Issei explained, "The reflection, the reflection of the water. It serves as a medium for transportation, enabling the transfer of not only myself but also others and objects between different reflections. And that's precisely how I managed to bring you here." Issei is demonstrated by transporting Azazel back and forth between the water's reflection and the sword's.
Azazel marveled, "That's insane! Can you do that with any reflection?"
Issei nodded, sharing his knowledge. "Yes, if an object possesses a reflection, I have the capability to transport matter into and out of it. However, the density of the reflection serves as the limiting factor. The degree of reflectivity directly influences the ease and speed of transportation. The more reflective an object is, the simpler and faster the transportation process becomes. Conversely, objects with lower reflectivity pose more difficulty and result in slower transportation. For instance, a mirror would be significantly easier and quicker to transport compared to something like glass, which exhibits some level of reflection but not to the same extent."
Meanwhile, back in the ordinary realm, Rias stood bewildered, trying to comprehend why Azazel had fallen face-first into the pond and disappeared without a trace. "What?! Where'd he go?!"
A few more days passed, and the cycle of the other days repeated itself.
X
Now, it's the day of the Rating Match.
The Gremory Peerage is taking the train to the underworld; Lady Grayfia accompanies them.
Lady Grayfia inquired with a hint of concern, "Lady Rias, I don't see Young Issei accompanying you and the others. Is he safe and sound?"
Rias wore a brave facade, though a lingering worry and sadness shadowed her eyes. "Oh, don't worry about him. He's simply engaged in some last-minute training, preparing himself before the Rating Match. He mentioned that he'll join us shortly before the match commences."
Grayfia raised an eyebrow sceptically. "Last-minute training? So, does that imply he's still lingering in the human world? How does he intend to arrive here without utilizing the train?"
Rias, trying to suppress her doubts, responded, "Azazel is accompanying him. They've taken care of the transportation arrangements from their side."
Rias recalled Azazel's assurance inwardly, but even that couldn't entirely dispel her confusion. She found solace in believing that Issei would never let her down and would show up to help, but the uncertainty weighed heavily on her heart.
When the train finally stops at the stadium, the Gremory Peerage exits the train.
They are greeted by fans from all the Gremory Peerage, especially the Grabbon Dragon Fans.
However, they are disappointed when they don't see Issei walking with them.
Amidst the crowd's murmurs, questions filled the air, echoing the concern of the spectators.
"Lady Rias? Where's the Grabbon Dragon?"
"Yeah, where is our Hero, Issei?"
The audience buzzed with curiosity, speculating about Issei's absence. Bearing the weight of her guilt, Rias attempted to drown out the crowd's confusion. Deep inside; she was tormented by the knowledge that she had driven Issei away, the ache of not having seen him for a week gnawing at her.
Intrigued by the absence of the hero they had all come to admire, the crowd's queries extended to the other members. Following Rias's lead, they ignored the questions, their silence reflecting their shared pain for their missing comrade.
Inside the stadium halls, Rias and the others finally encountered Sirzechs.
"Greetings, dear sister. How have you been?" Sirzechs inquired, his voice warm and concerned.
"Sirzechs!" Rias exclaimed, rushing towards him and enveloping him tightly, her tears staining his shoulder.
Alarmed, Sirzechs questioned, "Rias! What's wrong?"
"It's Issei. I've hurt him deeply," Rias confessed, her voice heavy with regret.
"You hurt Issei? How so?" Sirzechs inquired, his brows furrowing in concern.
"I let my greed and selfishness take over, completely disregarding his feelings, and now he's deliberately avoiding me!" Rias admitted, her voice laced with sorrow.
"What?! Where is Issei now?!" Sirzechs demanded, his concern deepening.
"He's been training with Azazel for the rating match. It's been over a week since I last laid eyes on him!" Rias replied, her distress evident.
Sirzechs considered this momentarily before offering reassurance, "Ah, so he's training alongside Azazel, is he? In that case, there's no need for concern. I have complete faith in Azazel, as I do in Issei. Knowing Issei, he's not one to shy away from aiding his friends. Just give him a little time, and I'm certain he'll arrive without fail."
Rias looked up at Sirzechs, her eyes still glistening with tears, but now there was a glimmer of hope in them. Sirzechs met her gaze with a reassuring smile, his confidence in Issei echoing in his expression.
"Now go, make your way to your designated area. The match events will start soon," Sirzechs encouraged, his words imbued with certainty. With newfound hope, Rias nodded, wiping away her tears, and moved forward, determined to face the challenges ahead.
The Gremory peerage makes her way to their sitting area in the stadium. Across them, on the other side of the stadium, sits Team Sairaorg.
X
Both teams face off against each other.
The two teams faced off against each other on the battleground, tension hanging thick in the air.
Kuisha glanced around, her eyes narrowing. "I don't see the Red Dragon Emperor."
Regulus chimed in, his voice tinged with curiosity. "I heard some commotion outside because he was absent when Team Gremory exited the train."
Kuisha speculated, her voice laced with suspicion, "Do you think he ran away?"
Regulus nodded, relaying the rumours he'd heard, "That's what the crowd is saying, not just the audience, but also the higher-ups."
Sairaorg, his confidence unwavering, countered, "No, he wouldn't dare run away. Issei Hyoudou is many things, but he isn't a coward. He promised me that he'd face me. I believe in him."
X
Back with Team Gremory, Rias's impatience grew palpable as she waited for Issei to appear. The announcers were about to introduce the teams and their members, but Issei was nowhere in sight. Even Azazel, the match commentator, had yet to arrive.
Rias's thoughts raced with worry, "Where are they?! They should have arrived by now. Is Issei deliberately avoiding me after how harshly I treated him? Is he planning to leave me behind, just as I did to him? No! I can't bear it! Issei, please, don't do this to me!"
Her team shared her concerns; Issei was their ace, and the match seemed doomed without him. When their desperation peaked, a familiar voice boomed over the stadium speakers.
Azazel's voice echoed, "My apologies for my fashionably late entrance. My comrade and I were engaged in some eleventh-hour training exercises."
The Gremory Peerage exclaimed, "AZAZEL!"
Azazel captured their attention, "For those curious minds of yours wondering about a particular Dragon's whereabouts, let me enlighten you. The big guy has arrived. I personally escorted him here, and he'll be joining his peerage real soon."
The Gremory Peerage was elated by this news. Kiba exclaimed, "Issei is here!"
Gasper encouraged, "Come on, everyone, let's show him how welcoming we are."
Koneko nodded, "I agree; this will be a step in the right direction to earning his forgiveness."
However, Rias wasted no time and dashed towards the exit, determined to be the first one to greet Issei, her love.
Akeno called after her, "Hey, Rias, wait for us!"
They all followed Rias, anticipation bubbling within them. But a dreadful sensation enveloped them as they approached, a familiar yet ominous feeling. Xenovia began to speak, "This sensation! It's the same as."
Before she could finish, a powerful force interrupted her, making it difficult for them to breathe. The overwhelming dread, hate, agony, and pain they felt mirrored the emotions they experienced when they left the clubhouse after rejecting Issei. Only this time, it was intensified and concentrated.
They heard heavy footsteps approaching, and Akeno voiced their shared fear, "Don't tell me this sensation is coming from-"
The Gremory Peerage's collective realization hit them like a tidal wave, and their thoughts echoed in unison, "Issei!"
From the shadows emerged a figure, a stark contrast to the Issei they knew.
Strikingly tall at 6ft5, this individual possessed a commanding presence, his physique defined by impressive muscularity and broadness in both shoulders and back. His facial features were sharply chiselled, with a jawline so defined it could cut glass. His jet-black hair cascaded down to his neck, partially obscuring his intense eyes beneath its slightly parted front bangs.
Despite his undeniable attractiveness, there was an air of aloofness around him, an aura of coldness and calculation that permeated his demeanour. His face remained tense, giving him an almost permanent expression akin to a resting bitch face. Dressed in a black fine knit turtleneck sweater that clung to his muscular frame, he added an air of mystery with a flowing black trench coat that billowed slightly as he moved.
Curiously, the left sleeve of his coat was deliberately left unbuttoned as if it was meant to accommodate something. On his left hand, he wore a single black leather glove, its smooth surface contrasting his rugged appearance. His presence exuded raw power, mystery, and an intriguing sense of purpose.
A hushed gasp filled the room as everyone looked at the transformed figure. The recognition was there, but so was a deep-seated fear that kept their tongues tied. What had he endured to be so changed, so unrecognizable?
Breaking the heavy silence, Rias found her voice, her tone a mixture of shock, fear, and uncertainty. "Issei, is that you?" she uttered, the words hanging in the air like a fragile thread, conveying the disbelief and apprehension that gripped them all.