While Issei slept peacefully next to Rossweisse, unaware of the update the System was undergoing. The Underworld is having a meeting about him; the majority of the residents are happy that Issei saved them, while the majority of the higher-ups are outraged due to the amount of destruction to the Underworld caused by Issei.
They completely ignored the fact that the destruction caused by Issei was due to defeating the invading enemy. A lot of this outrage came from fear; in a span of a few hours, an individual was able to accomplish more than the entire Underworld.
"He has the power to completely destroy the Underworld!" one of the higher-ups shouted in protest in the large meeting hall.
"He should be sealed in the Cocytus!" another shouted.
The news of Hade's death spread like wildfire; the entire supernatural world learnt that Issei had killed Hades; evidence brought in by the Grigori proved that Hades had aligned himself with the terrorist group, Khaos Brigade; his ultimate goal was to eliminate all Devils and Fallen Angels.
This fact alone spread a sense of dread throughout the supernatural world; a single individual who was nothing more than a human not long ago, capable of killing one of the strongest Gods in existence and still having the power to end the wielder of True Longinus.
When the Greeks learnt that one of their own was killed, they were furious, specifically Zeus and Poseidon. They, along with Hades, were the Trinity Gods of Olympus. They fought together since Titanomachy and sealed the Titans in Tartarus. They wished for retribution from the Devils, yet they were told that Issei hadn't been affiliated with them for over a month and acted on his own when he fought and killed Hades, much to Azazel, Michael and Sirzechs's protest.
The Greeks were then provided with proof of Hades's defection to the Terrorist organisation and his plan to kill all Devils and Fallen Angels. Azazel and Sirzechs pressed the Greeks about them being in on Hades's plan, which they vehemently denied, and much to their chagrin, they were forced to denounce Hades as one of their own.
Although the issue with the Greeks was solved, some of the Devil Higher-ups still feared retribution from the Greeks, and some even demanded that they hand over Issei to the Greeks as a peace offering.
"We must hand him over to the Greeks! It is the only way to secure the safety of the Underworld!" one of the higher-ups shrieked.
"He's a liability! A ticking time bomb waiting to obliterate us all!" another voice cried out, eyes wide with panic.
"We can't trust him! Who's to say he won't turn on us next? We need to act before it's too late!" another added, voice trembling with apprehension.
"We cannot risk the wrath of Olympus!" another higher-up said. "Issei Hyoudou's actions have brought unprecedented chaos upon us. If we do not appease the Greeks, they may come for us all!"
Then, a file was sent out to each attendant at the meeting, stating all of the destruction caused by Issei in the span of a few hours.
1) A 500-kilometre-long, 200-meter-wide, 200-meter-deep canyon formed when Issei destroyed the Jabberwocky, transforming a baron wasteland into an enormous canyon
2) The entire Realm of the Dead has completely collapsed on itself, and it is no longer useable after his fight with Hades.
3) A few dozen city blocks were utterly destroyed when he fought the members of the Hero Faction.
After the states were made, one higher-up spoke, "Don't you see?! Don't you see the damage one person caused?! He is a menace!" he shouted in anger, pounding his fist on the table for emphasis. "We cannot afford to have such a volatile force roaming freely. If we do not take action now, who knows what devastation he might unleash next?"
Another person spoke, "Not to mention those red entities which he summoned! Did you not see what they were?! They were monsters! Abominations! Did you see the way they killed the Anti-Monsters and the members of the Old Satan Faction?! It was a slaughter! What if he decides to use those against us?!" he shouted, referring to Issei's soul-bonded beings.
"We must consider the safety of our people above all else," one of the higher-ups argued, his voice echoing with authority. "If Issei Hyoudou's actions continue unchecked, there's no telling the extent of the devastation he may bring upon us. We cannot gamble with the lives of countless souls."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the assembly, swaying some of the undecided members to their side.
"But what of his intentions?" another voice countered, injecting a note of doubt into the fervour of condemnation. "Issei's actions, however destructive, were in defence of the Underworld. Should we not afford him the chance to explain himself before rushing to judgment?"
The suggestion sparked a wave of dissent among those gathered, with some arguing for leniency and others vehemently opposing any notion of clemency.
"He's proven himself to be a danger," a higher-up asserted, his tone resolute. "We cannot afford to take chances. The safety of our realm must come first, even if it means making difficult decisions."
"He's a loose cannon, a threat to the stability and safety of the Underworld," someone murmured, the sentiment echoing through the room.
"He's unpredictable, uncontrollable!" another higher-up chimed in, his voice laced with urgency. "We cannot allow one individual to wield such destructive power without oversight. Who's to say he won't turn on us next? We cannot risk the lives of our citizens on the whims of a single man."
"His very existence threatens the delicate balance we've worked so hard to maintain," a voice from the back of the room interjected, resonating somberly. "We cannot let sentimentality cloud our judgment. Issei Hyoudou must be dealt with swiftly and decisively for the sake of the Underworld's survival."
Sirzechs and Azazel, having listened quietly to the heated deliberations, finally stood up to address the assembly. Their presence commanded attention, and a hush fell over the room as all eyes turned towards them.
Sirzechs, calm yet authoritative, began, "I understand your concerns, and I acknowledge the gravity of the situation we find ourselves in. Issei Hyoudou's actions have indeed brought about significant upheaval, but we must not lose sight of the context in which they occurred."
Azazel nodded in agreement before adding, "Issei's primary objective has always been the protection of the Underworld and its inhabitants. While his methods may have been unconventional and resulted in collateral damage, his intentions were noble."
Sirzechs continued, "Let us not forget that it was Issei who stood against overwhelming odds to repel the invasion of the Underworld. He faced threats that few others could even comprehend, let alone confront."
Azazel raised a hand, gesturing towards the gathered assembly. "We must also consider the evidence presented regarding Hades's treachery. Issei's actions were not those of a rogue agent, but rather a defender acting in the face of betrayal from within."
"We cannot afford to be swayed by sentimentality or biased perspectives," the higher-up retorted. "While it's true that Issei may have acted with the intention of protecting the Underworld, the sheer magnitude of destruction he wrought cannot be ignored."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing, "We cannot turn a blind eye to the infrastructure decimated in the wake of his actions. Is it not our duty as leaders of the Underworld to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens? Issei's reckless behaviour puts all of that at risk."
The higher-up glanced around the room, meeting the gaze of each attendee with unwavering resolve. "Furthermore, the revelation of Hades's betrayal does not absolve Issei of responsibility for the chaos he has unleashed. Yes, Hades may have been a threat, but there were surely other avenues to neutralise him without resorting to such extreme measures."
He folded his arms across his chest, his expression unyielding. "We cannot afford to make exceptions for individuals, no matter how well-intentioned they may seem. If we allow Issei to evade accountability for his actions, what message does that send to the rest of the Underworld? That they can act with impunity as long as they claim to be acting in the name of protection?"
Azazel, growing increasingly frustrated by the narrow-mindedness of the higher-ups, stood up once more, his expression a mix of exasperation and determination. He raised a hand to signal for silence before addressing the assembly.
"Forgive me for interjecting," Azazel began, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation, "but perhaps we are failing to see the bigger picture here. Yes, Issei's actions have resulted in significant damage, and yes, we cannot ignore the consequences of his decisions. But let us not forget what he has accomplished in the face of insurmountable odds."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing, "Issei Hyoudou is not just a force to be feared; he is also a force to be reckoned with. Imagine the alternative scenario for a moment, if you will. What if Issei had not intervened? What if he had stood by and allowed the forces of chaos to overrun the Underworld?"
Azazel's gaze swept across the assembly, "Ask yourselves this: Would you rather have Issei Hyoudou as your ally or your enemy? Consider for a moment the power he wields and the enemies he has defeated. Is it not in our best interest to have him fighting on our side rather than against us?"
He paused, allowing his words to sink in before delivering his final point. "Yes, Issei may be unpredictable at times, and yes, he may have caused damage in the process of defending the Underworld. But let us not forget that he has also saved countless lives and thwarted threats that few others could even comprehend. Is it not worth considering the possibility that he could be a valuable asset to our cause?"
With that, Azazel fell silent, allowing his words to linger in the air, challenging the assembly to reconsider their stance on Issei Hyoudou and the role he could play in shaping the future of the Underworld.
One of the devils then asked, "Does anyone know about his current whereabouts?" he asked.
Sirzechs then glances towards Azazel since Azazel is the person who knows what Issei usually does.
Feeling the eyes on him, Azazel shrugs his shoulder, "Beats me; he's probably with some girl; she's giving it up to him for being the saviour for an entire race and defeating two powerful adversaries in a few hours. Victory sex, if you didn't catch my drift earlier", he says in a jovial manner, knowing exactly where Issei is.
The assembly erupted into surprised murmurs and disapproving grumbles at Azazel's casual response. Some looked scandalised, while others seemed amused by his blunt honesty. Sirzechs, however, maintained a composed demeanour, though a faint frown tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Looks like I might have to restrain Rias again sometime soon..." Sirzerchs thinks to himself in annoyance.
X
Speaking of the man in question, Issei was sleeping at Göndul's place next to Rossweisse without a care in the world about the discussion involving him at this moment. His body was telling him it was morning despite his biological rhythm. Blinking away the remnants of drowsiness, he stretched lazily, feeling the warmth of the bed and the comforting presence of Rossweisse beside him.
He felt Rossweisse's body wrapped around his arm; once again, she clung onto him like a vice grip while they slept. Suddenly, Issei's attention was caught by the system menu floating above him in his face as he stared at the ceiling of Rossweisse's room.
[System has been updated]
[Shop Menu has been added]
[Crafting Menu has been added]
[Fusion Menu has been added]
[Assimilation Menu has been added]
[System AI has been added]
[Health reserves will now be displayed]
[Stamina reserves will now be displayed]
[Ether reserves will now be displayed]
[Mana reserves will now be displayed]
A bit overwhelmed by the notifications that kept flooding in, Issei took time to clear out his eyes and look at them carefully.
"Ether and Mana?" he thinks before a status window pops up.
Health: 1083
Stamina: 840
Ether: 829
Mana: 894
"Ether and Mana? Mana is normally used for Magic, but what about Ether?" he contemplates.
He knew that Mana was the life force that powered magical abilities, allowing beings like Devils, Fallen Angels, and other supernatural entities to wield formidable powers. But Ether was an unfamiliar term, one that piqued his curiosity and stirred a sense of anticipation within him.
As if reacting to his thoughts, the system answered it.
[Ether, short for Ethereal, is the energy that flows throughout existence and the Universe. It represents both Order and Chaos simultaneously. There are currently two users in the existence of DxD who can use Ether, the first being the entity known as Dark-sei and the second being Issei Hyoudou]
A bit startled by the automated voice playing in his head, Issei's eyes widen. It sounded almost similar to Cortana from the Halo series.
"Did, did the system just speak?" Issei muttered to himself, "It answered my question... maybe I can get more answers", he thought, his mind already starting to calm down and think more logically
"What are you?" he asks no one in particular.
Once again, the system answered.
[I am the System, an AI interface designed to assist and provide information to player Issei Hyoudou. My purpose is to aid you in navigating the complexities of your powers and abilities and unlocking your potential.]
Issei's eyes widened in astonishment. "Great, I got my own Siri. Not only do I have Ddraig's voice in my head, but now also, this AI.", he mutters while rolling his eyes.
Despite the joke, he was eager to explore the capabilities of the System further and uncover its secrets.
"Can you tell me more about Ether?" Issei inquired.
[Of course. Ether is a fundamental energy that permeates all of existence, transcending the boundaries of space and time. It is the essence of both creation and destruction, embodying the dualities of Order and Chaos. Those who wield Ether possess unparalleled power and influence over reality itself.]
Issei absorbed this information, his mind racing with possibilities. When Dark-sei told him that he couldn't use magic, he wondered what exactly the power he wielded was; now he knew. From the moment he got the system two years ago, he had been using Ether.
"I've been wielding Ether all this time..." Issei murmured to himself, his thoughts swirling with newfound understanding. "No wonder my powers felt different from conventional magic."
Another question popped into his head, something that he desperately wanted to know. "System, who is Dark-sei?" Issei asked.
[Dark-sei is my creator and the one who gave you this power]
Its answered
A bit ticked off by the fact the system only told him facts that he already knew, he rephrased his question, "System, who exactly is Dark-sei?" he asked a bit more cautiously.
[I am unauthorised to answer that question]
It responds, clearly Dark-sei didn't want Issei to find out who he really is
"Tch, it figures he will try to hide things from me," Issei muttered in annoyance.
[Rewards from the previous task is being gifted]
The system annotates
"Previous task? Oh right, it said it would give me my rewards for defeating and killing Cao Cao after it was done updating," Issei remembers.
[Claim your rewards!]
[40 S.P. and 60 A.P]
[New Grimoire: Necronomicon]
Suddenly, a large book materialises out of thin air and drops on Issei's face. Issei grunted in pain from the Grimoire dropping on his face and moved the book down to his chest, still rubbing his face.
Rossweisse loosened her grip on Issei's arm enough to allow him to pry his arm out of her grasp. He sits on the bed and leans on the bed rest. Examining the book on his lap, he grazes his finger over the cover, feeling the leather cover of the Grimoire.
--
Necronomicon
Rarity: Concealed
Classification: Grimoire
Stats: Concealed
Ability: Concealed
--
"This isn't in sort of normal leather; it seems to be something more ominous in material," he thinks as if he can feel the evil radiating from the book. It has enough presence to make Rossweisse stir in her sleep.
He takes notice of the cover's design, which seems to pulsate with otherworldly energy, its intricate patterns shifting and morphing as if alive. Issei couldn't shake the feeling that the Grimoire held secrets far beyond his comprehension, secrets that could potentially unlock unimaginable power.
Despite all this, there was something familiar about the Grimoire; it felt like the same power he used when using his Dark Arts Magic. Issei flips the cover open, not able to predict what he will find in the contents.
As Issei flipped open the cover of the Necronomicon, he was greeted by pages filled with intricate sigils, arcane symbols, and cryptic writings. Each page seemed to pulse with dark energy, drawing him deeper into its mysterious depths.
Issei's fingers trail over the writing; he could understand the writing since it was the same as every other Grimoire the system gave him. But what really bothered him was the sheets of paper the texts are written on, or if they can even be called paper.
"It's made from skin, what kind of skin is unknown to me; I haven't felt such a skin before; I don't think it even belongs in the current world I'm familiar with", he ponders; his hands then trace the hinges on the book and realise that the Grimoire is bind by some kind of hair strands, it seems to be very sturdy despite being a strand of hair.
Realising that this book is made out of various anatomy, he concluded that the various ink colours that were used for the scriptures, sigils, and symbols were made out of multiple types of blood since they weren't the same blood red colour as usual. Issei skipped through the various pages and saw that most were blank; he stopped at one page with writing, seeing what was written inside.
"Vector Magic", he reads internally, "Vector Magic, like the one I used against Heracles? Could this Grimoire hold the secrets to whatever my 'Dark Arts' Magic is?" he contemplates.
He continues to read the page, "User can manipulate the direction and magnitude of anything, similar to Telekinesis. However, unlike Telekinesis, the User must calculate the vector to the smallest degree to ensure they get the desired outcome."
He takes a look at the applications of the magic, "Acceleration, Attack Reserval, Deflection, Inertia Negation, Motion Reversal, Vector creation" he reads, "These are all at the basic level; there must be more to it" he realises.
He then flips to another page filled with another type of magic, "Entropy Magic? When did I use that?" he wonders, flipping to another page.
"Dark Energy Magic, this must've been when I fought against Heracles initially," he says, flipping to another page.
"Sex Magic?" he wonders before looking towards Rossweisse, remembering that she was more frisky than usual instead of being a blushing mess last night during their intimate session, "Oh, that explains everything. I must've done it subconsciously. Old me would've had a nosebleed over this kind of magic." he chuckles as he flips to the last page which had writing in it.
"Magic Destruction?" he says. "The ultimate form of anti-magic, in the User's presence, all magic is null", he reads internally, remembering that he erased Hades from existence along with his soul, "Whether it be Devils or Gods, all supernatural have magic within in, destroy that magic, they also get destroyed."
He then goes back to the page of contents and sees a lot of question marks; between some question marks is the magic that Issei has currently discovered.
"I see, there is more to 'Dark Arts'; the more I use it, the more magic I discover", he says, closing the Necronomicon, wishing to dismiss it before he can transfer it back to his personal dimension, the Grimoire vanishes into thin air, as if it didn't exist at all.
"Huh", Issei says out loud, intrigued that the Necronomicon will come and go at his wish.
Turning to face Rossweisse, Issei's gaze softened as he watched her sleep, her features serene in the soft light filtering through the curtains. He reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from her face, his touch light and tender.
"Hey, wake up," he murmured softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's morning."
Rossweisse stirred at his words, her eyelids fluttering open as she gradually returned to wakefulness. A sleepy smile tugged at her lips as she met Issei's gaze, her eyes still heavy with sleep.
"Morning already?" she mumbled, her voice husky with sleep. "Feels like we just fell asleep."
Issei chuckled softly, leaning in to gently kiss her forehead. "Time flies when you're having fun, I guess," he replied, his tone warm and affectionate.
Rossweisse got up while still rubbing her eyes; when she opened her eyes fully, her eyes widened in shock. "Issei... your hair..." she mutters, pointing to the right side of Issei's temple.
Issei reached up to touch his hair, feeling something odd. His fingers brushed against a patch of hair that felt different from the rest. Curious, he glanced at his reflection in the nearby mirror, his eyes widening in surprise at what he saw.
A streak of white had appeared amidst the jet black of his hair, its eye-catching hue standing out starkly against the jet black. Issei blinked in astonishment, running his fingers through the white locks, his mind racing with questions.
"How did this happen?" he wondered aloud, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I didn't have this yesterday."
Rossweisse leaned closer, examining the white patch with curiosity and concern. "It's like... your hair changed overnight," she observed, her brow furrowing in puzzlement.
Issei frowned, his thoughts racing as he tried to make sense of the sudden alteration. "Maybe it's a side effect of unlocking new powers?" he suggested, though uncertainty tinged his words.
"This hair colour, it's like his", he thinks to himself, an image of Dark-sei and his snow-white hair. "Could this be the side effect of using Satanification?" he wonders internally.
Rossweisse nodded thoughtfully, though she still looked worried. "We should keep an eye on it," she said, her tone gentle. "If anything else changes, we'll need to investigate further."
Issei nodded in agreement, though he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of his stomach. The white patch in his hair was a visible reminder of the mysteries surrounding his newfound powers, a reminder that he still had much to learn about himself.
Issei looks away from the mirror towards Rossweisse, "Well, I feel fine..." he says nonchalantly, flexing my arms and testing out his body.
Since Issei was shirtless, Rossweisse could see each muscle on his body flexed. Rossweisse couldn't help but blush at the sight of Issei's muscular physique, her thoughts wandering back to their intimate moments from the previous night. Heat rose to her cheeks and between her thighs, as she recalled the feel of his touch, the warmth of his embrace, and the passion they had shared.
Clearing her throat and trying to push aside the lingering thoughts, Rossweisse forced herself to focus on the present. "Yes, well, your physical condition seems normal," she said, her voice slightly shaky as she averted her gaze. "But we still need to monitor any further changes closely."
Issei nodded in agreement, though he couldn't help but notice the faint blush on Rossweisse's cheeks. A mischievous grin tugged at his lips as he caught her eye, a playful glint dancing in his own.
"Something on your mind, Rose?" he teased, his tone light and playful. "Or are you just admiring the view?"
Rossweisse's blush deepened at his words, and she quickly averted her gaze, her heart fluttering erratically in her chest. "I-I... that's not... I mean..." she stammered, her cheeks aflame with embarrassment.
Issei chuckled softly, enjoying her flustered reaction. "Relax, Rose," he said, reaching out to gently tilt her chin up so their eyes met. "I was just teasing. But if you really want to admire the view, I won't stop you." his sharp silver eyes stare into Rossweisse's doe-blue eyes.
Rossweisse's breath caught in her throat as she found herself ensnared in Issei's gaze, the intensity of his silver eyes sending shivers down her spine. She was momentarily lost in the depths of his gaze, her heart racing with excitement and anticipation.
Feeling the warmth of Issei's touch on her chin, Rossweisse's cheeks flushed even deeper shades of red, her pulse quickening at the proximity between them. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, her thoughts muddled by the closeness of their interaction.
"I... I..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggled to form coherent words.
Issei's grin widened at her flustered state, his amusement evident in the playful sparkle of his eyes. Leaning in closer, he lowered his voice to a husky whisper, his breath ghosting over her skin.
"You were saying?" he murmured, his lips brushing against her ear in a tantalising caress.
Rossweisse's breath hitched at the sensation, her entire body tingling with awareness. She could feel the heat of Issei's body radiating against her own, his presence engulfing her in a whirlwind of desire and anticipation.
Summoning every ounce of courage she possessed, Rossweisse met Issei's gaze with a determined glint in her eyes. Stepping closer until their bodies were mere inches apart, she lifted her chin defiantly, her voice steady despite the rapid fluttering of her heart.
"I was saying... maybe we should focus on the task at hand," she replied, her tone laced with playful defiance. "There will be plenty of time for... admiration later."
Issei chuckled softly at her response, his eyes sparkling with amusement and affection. "As you wish, my dear Rose," he said, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before pulling away, his hand lingering in hers for a moment longer.
Together, they turned their attention back to the mirror, the momentary tension between them dissipating into the air as they examined the white patch in Issei's hair.
Issei started playing with his hair and the white patch; it was hard to style it the way he usually did because it looked weird with a random white patch. Rossweisse, seeing his annoyance, decides to take action.
"Here, let me style your hair for you," she says as she gets close and presses her body against his back.
Issei chuckled at her request, "Yeah, sure, do your thing", he said, awaiting Rossweisse's hair styling.
Rossweisse's deft fingers worked through Issei's hair with practised ease, her touch gentle yet sure. As she parted his hair at the centre and began to style it into a middle part with curtain bangs, Issei couldn't help but relax under her touch, enjoying the sensation of her hands in his hair.
He closed his eyes, letting himself be swept away by the comforting intimacy of the moment, the tension from earlier melting away as Rossweisse worked her magic.
"Your hair is so soft," Rossweisse murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she continued to style Issei's hair. "It's like silk."
Issei's lips curled into a contented smile at her words, a warmth spreading through his chest at the affectionate gesture. "Thanks, Rose," he said, his voice soft and sincere. "You're pretty good at this."
Rossweisse's cheeks flushed at the praise, a shy smile tugging at her lips as she focused on her task. "I used to style my own hair a lot," she admitted, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "I've only done Astrid."
After a while, Rossweisse got frustrated; she thought the hairstyle would suit Issei. "What's wrong?" Issei asked, a bit concerned
"I wanted to make your hair like that person in Tekken you kept using when we played together", Rossweisse replied, a bit disappointed.
Issei, curious about which character she was talking about, looked at his hair and then cross-referenced it with the characters he played.
"She must be talking about Lee Chaolon..." he realises
"It's because my hair isn't cut to be styled in that way; if you want my hair to be like that, I need to grow it out a bit more and then have it specially cut for the specific hairstyle", Issei explains.
Rossweisse nodded, understanding dawning on her face. "I see," she said, her disappointment evident in her tone. "I guess we'll have to stick with something else for now."
Issei grinned, reaching up to ruffle his own hair playfully. "No worries, Rose," he said, his tone cheerful. "I appreciate the effort, regardless. Besides, I think any hairstyle you choose will look great on me."
Rossweisse couldn't help but smile at his words, her spirits lifting at his lighthearted attitude. "You're too kind, Issei," she said, her voice soft and affectionate. "But I'm determined to find the perfect hairstyle for you, even if it takes a few tries."
Issei chuckled, leaning back against Rossweisse as she finished styling his hair. "I have no doubt you'll find something amazing," he said, his tone confident. "After all, you've already managed to make me look even more handsome than usual."
Rossweisse's cheeks flushed at the compliment, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Issei," she teased, though her heart fluttered at his words.
Their playful banter continued as they made their way out of the room, their laughter mingling in the air as they enjoyed each other's company. They walked downstairs and saw both Göndul and Astrid eating breakfast.
Seeing her father, Astrid got out of her seat and hugged Issei. "Dad! Did you have a good sleep?" she asked, still hugging Issei.
Chuckling at Astrid's behaviour, he ruffled her hair, "Yeah, I had the greatest sleep", he said to Astrid before turning his head to Rossweisse with a teasing smirk.
Rossweisse's face went red with embarrassment before playfully hitting Issei's arm, "Not in front of everyone else!" she said shyly.
Astrid breaks away from the hug and sees the patch of white hair on Issei's head, "Woah, Dad, what happened?" she asks, pointing towards Issei's hair.
Göndul, who was watching the interaction, also noticed and was curious.
Deciding to tell the truth, Issei replied, "Well, yesterday, I had a big fight with a powerful person. I needed more power to defeat him and got it; I think this is the side effect of that power", he explains.
Göndul instantly knew he was talking about Hades and was still curious about the meeting that Odin had told her about earlier.
"Side effect? Are you okay?" Astrid asked, a bit concerned
In response, Issei smiled reassuringly and ruffled Astrid's hair once again, "Of course I am; it takes more than a hair colour change to defeat your father", he replied
The family then sit at the table and have their breakfast, with the occasional laughter here and there.
X
A few hours later
Issei and Astrid were in the backyard, while Rossweisse and Göndul were inside. Astrid was moving at high speeds throughout the area, attempting to get a hit on Issei.
Issei stood there awaiting Astrid's next move; using the power of her pseudo-Sacred Gear, which looked like Issei's Boosted Gear, she used the light generated to speed towards Issei at blinding speeds. Astrid was released in a punch and attempted to hit Issei in his blind spot; Issei responded by blocking her punch with his forearm.
When Astrid saw her attack failed, she once again disappeared in a burst of light, moving at high speeds all over the yard. Issei flexed his forearm, feeling the damage; despite being unable to do physical harm, he felt Astrid inflicted him with some kind of poison.
"Right, Midgardsomr has a poison called 'Eitr', something that is capable of hurting Gods. Not that surprising since Fenrir has something similar." he internalises before he looks at the wisps of light, which is Astrid moving at high speed.
"But what makes Midgardsomr more unique is that the poison can be inflicted through light rays; even if Astrid couldn't physically harm a target, the light emitted from her sacred gear is enough for the poison to pass through the defences and harm them internally" he concludes as he dodges a kick aimed for his face by Astrid before she disappeared again.
Ddraig, who felt the poison within Issei's body, finally woke up. "Midgardsomr's poison, it's been a long while since I felt such a feeling", he says to Issei internally.
Continuing to dodge Astrid's assault, Issei responded, "Oh, finally awake, sleeping beauty?" he sarcastically said to Ddraig.
Ddraig huffed in annoyance. "Insultant brat," he growled at Issei.
"You've been sleeping quite a lot recently. Is everything good?" Issei asks Ddraig as he blocks a jab from Astrid.
Ddraig sighed, "Yeah, partner, just adjusting to the Vanta Vermillion Overdrive", he replied
Issei nodded internally, "I see, speaking off which, there are things which I wish to expand in the scale mail", he states
Curious, Ddraig asked, "Really? What are you thinking of?"
"That new technique that Vali used on Pluto, compression divider, I wish to replicate with my own version", Issei answers; despite being a fight with Cao Cao, he still had an eye and ear towards Vali's fight with Pluto.
Ddraig, remembering the technique, hummed in thought, "I doubt you would want to expand the size of your target and make them stronger; it seems counter-productive" he criticised
"I know unless I expand the internal structure of the target. Like continually expanding the size of an organ or cells. Maybe even continually doubling the quantity of organs and cells." Issei elaborates as he blocks a barrage of punches from Astrid.
Ddraig, hearing the idea, winces, "Quite grotesque, don't you think? The body would explode almost instantly from being overloaded by either quantity or size of the expanded target", he says with a bit of a grimace.
"That's the point", Issei notes as he dodges an attack by Astrid.
Ddraig takes notice of the poison build-up in Issei from blocking Astrid's attacks head-on; he notices something peculiar about the poison. "This child, she has an affect on him. There's something other than the poison being inflicted... could it be?" he thinks to himself before they are interrupted by Odin's presence.
Issei looks towards the house's entrance and sees Odin and Göndul standing side by side. Astrid, seeing Issei momentarily distracted, takes the opportunity to try to land a clean hit on Issei.
But before she can punch Issei in the face, Issei activates his blood-red magic circle in his left hand casually and uses Vector Magic to neutralise Astrid's motion. She was stuck in suspended animation in the air, her fist a few inches from Issei's face.
Issei turns his head to Astrid and smiles, "Astird, good training session; you did well despite your age and experience. Give more time, and you might just reach my level", he says warmly as he releases Astrid from the suspended animation.
Astrid lands on the ground on her feet and pouts, "But Dad, you didn't even look hurt when I hit you..." she says with a bit of annoyance.
Issei chuckles and ruffles her hair, "You'll get there eventually, now; I think your mom is going to teach you about magic, so how do you go inside?" he asks as he pats Astrid on her shoulder.
Astrid looks up with a curious look, "What about you, Dad? Are you going to come inside?" she asks.
"Yeah, I'll be inside soon, but I think that Odin wants to talk to me first", Issei replies.
Nodding, Astrid walks inside, but she gives Odin a respectful bow before she does.
Issei turned his attention back to Odin. "Odin, what brings you both here?" he asked, but he already had an idea of what Odin was here for.
Odin stepped forward, his expression grave yet thoughtful. "Issei, there are matters we need to discuss," he said, his voice carrying a weight of importance. "Matters concerning your recent actions."
Issei nodded in understanding; this was about the invasion yesterday.
X
Both Odin and Issei sat at the outdoor table, drinking tea provided by Göndul. Odin explained the situation to Issei, the talk from the meeting, and the discussions. Azazel confessed to working with a portion of the Khaos Brigade to protect Ophis; despite his noble ambitions, he was under heavy scrutiny.
In response, Azazel denounced his role as the Governor of the Fallen Angels, but the news didn't shock Issei; he expected much when he saw the situation at the Hyoudou Residence yesterday when members of Vali's Team showed up. Another thing that came to light was another faction within the Khaos Brigade known as Qlippoth; Issei remembered both Shalba and Hades briefly mentioned this group, yet there wasn't much information on them, so Issei wasn't able to form a concrete opinion on them aside from being another troublesome group which would fall by this hands.
Odin then explains the situation about the Greek Pantheon; they wanted Issei's head but quickly backed off when they learnt that Hades was in the wrong, and they were accused of working with Hades to kill all devils and fallen angels. Issei found the whole situation amusing; it also meant that his name gave the Greeks a sour taste in their mouth.
Odin then explains the situation with the higher of the devil faction; the majority want Issei to be put under control. Issei just scoffs at the notion since this way of thinking came from fear due to Issei showing his prowess.
However, there was one aspect about the denizens of the Underworld that made Issei curious.
"What about the civilian portion of the Underworld? How do they feel about me?" he asks curiously.
Odins nods in understanding, "I don't know much about the civilians, but from what I heard, they currently favour you over the current Satans", he answers.
Issei's eyebrow raised in intrigue, "Is that so? How did this happen exactly?" he asked.
Odin sighed and shrugged his shoulders, "Well, there's an agenda being pushed that you did more for the Underworld than its current leaders, who only showed up after the Anti-Monsters were destroyed", he replied
Issei smirked internally; this was the agenda that he wanted to push; he wanted people to feel he was the only one capable of saving them.
Issei sighed, "I mean, they aren't wrong", he replied to Odin.
Still curious about a specific of Issei's abilities, Odin asked, "When you destroyed the big one, Jabberwocky! I think that's what Ajuka called them; you created a giant canyon. I asked Azazel what you did, but he was still in too much disbelief at the feat to answer. You mind telling little old me?" he asked pleadingly.
Seeing the face Odin made and his tone, Issei chuckled, "Sure, I'll tell you," he replied, "Do you know the law of conservation?" Issei asked
Odin nodded, his curiosity piqued. "Of course, it's a fundamental law of physics," he replied. "Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed."
"Exactly," Issei confirmed with a nod. "The ability which I used breaks that law. So, when I destroyed Jabberwocky, I didn't just make it disappear into thin air. Instead, I completely destroyed the energy in the space that held the Jabberwocky and the barren wasteland."
Odin's eyes widened in astonishment at Issei's explanation, the implications of his ability sinking in. "So, you're saying you have the power to manipulate energy on a fundamental level?" he asked, his tone tinged with awe.
Issei nodded, a confident smile playing on his lips. "That's one way to put it," he replied. "I can create and destroy energy at will. I destroyed the electromagnetic energy and nuclear energy, which held matter together at a sub-atomic level. Essentially, I can create and destroy things on a quantum level," he explains.
Odin leaned back in his chair, processing the information. "That's... truly remarkable," he said, his tone filled with respect. "To possess such control over the very fabric of reality itself... It's no wonder you've garnered the attention of so many."
Issei, in response, leaned his head upwards, facing the sky, "Eh, it's not an ability which I often use due to the high risk, high reward factor", he replies
Odin was curious about the ability, "Really? Like what?" he asked
Issei then tilts his head down and meets Odin's gaze, "Well, without proper preparations, this ability can become chaotic. If I create energy carelessly, the potential side effect would be spontaneous combustion, as the energy would want to find a way to disperse, but instead, they would start to overlap and collide with each other. And if I destroy energy carelessly, the surrounding energy would fill up the empty gap and try and replace it; this causes the energy to collide violently, creating a fissure in time and space, ultimately creating a black hole," he explained as they discussed the weather.
Odin listened intently, his expression a mix of fascination and concern as Issei elaborated on the risks of his ability. "So, it's a delicate balance between creation and destruction," he mused, his voice thoughtful. "One wrong move could have catastrophic consequences."
Issei nodded, acknowledging the gravity of his power. "Exactly," he said, his tone serious. "That's why I have to be extremely careful when using it. It's a last resort, something I only use when there's no other option."
Feeling overwhelmed by the information, Odin understood why Azazel couldn't discuss this; the idea was thought-provoking.
"Anyways", Odin says, trying to change the subject. "there is another trial", he states
"Trial?" Issei asked, a creeping annoyance in the back of his mind.
Odin sighed, "Yes, another one, about you" he replied
Issei scoffed, "It's been just over a month since the last one; what do they want now?" he asked, annoyed.
"Same things as the last time, deciding whether you are a threat or not", Odin answered.
Issei rolled his eyes, "If they expect me to come, then they'll be in for a surprise", he thinks to himself.
"I'm guessing this is why you're here, to tell me?" he asked Odin.
Odin nodded in confirmation. "Indeed, Issei," he replied, his expression grave. "The trial is set to take place tomorrow at the same place, 9 am Kuoh time."
"I see..." Issei says as he stares at the clouds.
X
After Odin left, Issei and Rossweisse continued to spend time with Astrid, helping her with her schoolwork. Eventually, Rossweisse had to return to Kuoh as Rias's Rook.
"I guess Rias needs you back, especially with the current situation", Issei says with annoyance.
Rossweisse gives Issei an unsure smile, not wanting to leave Astrid and him, "Yeah, I've been away for two weeks now; it's best if I return before I get labelled as a stray devil." she replied to Issei.
Issei, hearing this, rolled his eyes, "Yeah, being a free piece is so much better", he states, reminding Rossweisse he is no longer a part of the Gremory Peerage and is a free piece, so he can do whatever he wants.
Rossweisse chuckles, "Well, lucky you", she says as she kneels down to Astrid's eye level and hugs her, "Oh, Astrid, I'm going to miss you! Me and your father will make sure to visit you every weekend" she sequels out while giving Astrid a tight hug.
Astrid nervously hugged Rossweisse back as the pressure was getting to her, "Goodbye, Mom! I'll miss you too!" she replied, her voice squeaky from Rossweisse's grip.
Rossweisse lets go of Astrid, stands back up, and looks at Issei, unsure whether to be intimate with him in front of Astrid and her grandma, who will constantly tease her.
"Issei, you know about your trial, right?" Rossweisse asks Issei.
Issei sighed, "Yeah, yeah, I know", he said disinterestedly.
Seeing Issei's disinterest, she started to scold him, already back in her teacher mode, "Please take this seriously; your future depends on this! Please make sure you come!" she scolded Issei.
Issei smiled warmly, although it was fake, "Sure, Rossweisse, I'll come" he replied
Rossweisse eyed Issei sceptically, not entirely convinced by his response. "Alright, just... please don't make me worry unnecessarily," she said, her tone softened with concern.
Issei gave her a reassuring nod, though his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the impending trial. As Rossweisse bid farewell to Astrid and Göndul, preparing to return to Kuoh.
Once Rossweisse had left, Issei and Astrid were alone in the yard, the atmosphere heavy with the weight of their impending separation. Astrid looked up at Issei, already having figured out what kind of person her father really was.
"Dad... you're not actually going to that trial, right?" Astrid asked, her voice cheeky and filled with amusement.
Hearing the question, Issei ruffled Astrid's silver hair with a chuckle, "Nope!" he said cheerily.
Astrid grinned mischievously, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I knew it!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with triumph. "You're way too cool to waste your time with those boring meetings."
Issei laughed at Astrid's enthusiasm, a sense of relief washing over him at her understanding. "That's my girl," he said, his tone proud. "Always one step ahead."
The two then walked back inside.
X
Night fell in Asgard, and Issei tucked Astrid in her bed and bid goodbye to Göndul before he left Asgard. His destination was the United States, and he needed to get his haircut and styled the way Rossweisse wanted; currently, the only Salons open are the ones in the United States due to the time difference between Norway and the USA. Asgard's time flow is the same as Norway's, so 9 pm in Norway is 3 pm in the USA.
Before Issei entered the salon, he forced his hair to grow a few inches so the hairdresser could cut it to his liking. He now sits in the seat while the woman does his hair and tries to flirt with him, but as usual, Issei is uninterested.
The stylist, a bubbly young woman with a flirtatious smile, leaned in close as she worked on Issei's hair, her fingers deftly maneuvering through his locks. "So, handsome, what brings you to our salon today?" she asked, her tone playful as she batted her eyelashes.
Issei, unimpressed by her attempts at charm, simply shrugged nonchalantly. "Can you do this hairstyle?" he replied casually, his silver eyes disinterestedly scanning the salon. He showed the picture of the hairstyle on his phone to the stylist.
Undeterred by Issei's lack of interest, the stylist leaned in closer, her voice laced with a hint of flirtation. "Of course, handsome," she purred, her fingers expertly combing through Issei's hair as she studied the picture on his phone. "But I must say, you're quite the catch yourself. A man with such striking looks deserves nothing but the best."
Issei's expression remained impassive as he watched her work, unaffected by her attempts at flattery. "Just focus on the hairstyle, please," he said curtly, his tone firm and to the point. "I'm not here for small talk."
The stylist's smile faltered slightly at Issei's blunt response, but she quickly recovered, determined to impress her client. "Of course, darling," she replied, her tone more subdued as she concentrated on styling Issei's hair according to the picture. "I'll make sure you leave here looking absolutely irresistible."
As she cut Issei's hair, the stylist continued to flirt shamelessly, her attempts growing more overt with each passing moment. "You know, you have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen," she cooed, brushing her fingers against Issei's cheek.
Issei sighed inwardly, growing increasingly annoyed by the stylist's advances. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, subtly pulling away from her touch. "Can we please just stick to the haircut?" he insisted, his patience wearing thin.
Finally sensing Issei's growing irritation, the stylist relented with a pout, though she couldn't resist one final attempt at flirtation. "Fine, spoil all my fun," she said, rolling her eyes dramatically. "But I have to say, you're the most intriguing client I've had in a long time."
Despite the stylist's persistent attempts at flirtation, Issei remained aloof and uninterested, focusing solely on getting his hair styled to Rossweisse's liking. He endured her compliments and advances with a stoic demeanour, his silver eyes betraying none of the annoyance bubbling beneath the surface.
As the stylist finished styling his hair, she stepped back to admire her handiwork, a satisfied smile gracing her lips. "There you go, handsome," she said, gesturing towards the mirror. "What do you think?"
Issei turns and twists his head to see his haircut, textured in the middle part, with a lower low taper fade. The white patch of his hair is on the right side of his face and serves as the right curtain bang of his hairstyle.
(A/N: It looks like Chrollo Lucilfer's hair when it's down.)
A smirk formed internally since it suited him and his facial symmetry. "I hope Rose likes it," he thinks.
Nodding in approval at the hairstyle closely resembling the picture he had shown her. "Looks good," he remarked simply, his tone devoid of any enthusiasm.
The stylist beamed at his approval, though she couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment at his lack of reaction. "I'm glad you like it," she said, though her tone was tinged with a hint of frustration. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Issei shook his head, already eager to leave the salon and be done with the awkward encounter. "No, I'm good," he replied curtly, rising from his seat and reaching for his wallet to pay for the service.
As he made his way to the door, the stylist called out to him, a hint of desperation in her voice. "Wait, you're not going to ask for my number?" she asked, her tone hopeful.
Issei paused, casting a brief glance over his shoulder with a bemused expression. "Sorry, not interested," he said bluntly before slipping out of the salon without a second glance, leaving the flustered stylist in his wake.
Once outside, Issei sighed in relief, glad to be free of the uncomfortable situation, not realising the reason for the hair stylist's behaviour was because of a passive trait of his new 'True Devil' physiology. With his hair styled to perfection, he made his way back to his personal dimension.
X
9 am, in the Underworld
Once again, a trial was held for Issei Hyoudou's fate; the higher-ups and devil peerages, including the Gremory Peerage, were in the courtroom. However, Issei still hadn't shown up.
"I can't believe they're putting Issei through this again," Rias said, her voice tinged with frustration. "It's like they're determined to find something wrong with him, no matter what."
Akeno nodded in agreement, her expression grim. "It's unfair to keep subjecting him to these trials," she agreed. "Issei has proven time and time again that he's a valuable ally to the Underworld. He doesn't deserve this scrutiny."
The judge, a stern-looking devil with an air of authority, presided over the trial, his gaze sweeping over the assembled crowd with an aura of superiority.
"Silence in the court!" he bellowed, his voice echoing throughout the chamber. "The trial for Issei Hyoudou's fate will now commence."
The courtroom fell silent as everyone awaited the judge's following words, tension thick in the air as they braced themselves for the proceedings.
"Issei Hyoudou, you have been summoned once again to answer for your actions and the perceived threat you pose to the Underworld," the judge announced, his tone unwavering. "You stand accused of disrupting the balance of power and endangering the safety of our realm. How do you plead?"
But as the judge's words echoed through the courtroom, there was no sign of Issei. The seats reserved for him were empty, leaving a conspicuous void in the proceedings.
The judge's expression darkened, his patience wearing thin as he surveyed the empty space where Issei should have been. "Issei Hyoudou, you have been called to this trial, and your absence will not be tolerated," he declared, his voice tinged with irritation. "If you do not appear before this court immediately, you will be found in contempt, and the consequences will be severe."
But despite the judge's stern warning, there was still no sign of Issei. The tension in the courtroom mounted with each passing moment, uncertainty hanging in the air as everyone waited with bated breath for his arrival.
As the minutes stretched on with no sign of Issei, the tension in the courtroom reached a boiling point. The devil higher-ups grew increasingly agitated, their murmurs of discontent escalating into a cacophony of angry voices.
"He's deliberately defying the court!"
"This is an outrage! He must be punished!"
"He thinks he's above the law!"
"He dares to defy us once again!"
"This insolence cannot be tolerated!"
"We must take decisive action against him!"
"He's mocking the court!"
"This is unacceptable!"
The judge banged his gavel repeatedly, trying in vain to restore order to the chaotic scene unfolding before him. But his efforts were futile as the uproar only grew louder, the frustration and anger of the devil higher-ups boiling over.
Rossweisse, who was sitting next to her peerage, frowned, disappointed, "I should've dragged him by his ear with me!" she thinks in a playful yet authoritative tone.
Azazel, who was also present, suppressed his laughter; he knew this would happen.
Sirzechs, sitting near the judge, sighed, "More work..." muttered under their breath.
"Issei, where are you?" Rias whispered under her breath, her brows furrowed in disappointment.
Next to her, Akeno glanced at Rias with a sympathetic expression. "He's always been one to march to the beat of his own drum," she remarked softly, her voice laced with understanding. "But this... this is pushing it."
Koneko sat with her arms crossed over her chest, a slight frown marring her usually impassive expression. "I knew he wouldn't take this trial seriously," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "But to not even bother showing up..."
Kiba, who had awoken early in the morning from recovering from the injuries he sustained when Issei possessed his body to fight Siegfried, maintaining his usual calm demeanour, spoke up with a hint of frustration in his voice. "Issei should have known better than to defy the court like this," he said, his words laced with disappointment. "This will only make things worse for him."
Asia, ever the optimist, tried to offer a different perspective. "Maybe there's a reason Issei couldn't make it," she suggested, her voice hopeful. "We should give him the benefit of the doubt."
Ravel smirked in amusement, finding the situation rather entertaining. "Leave it to Issei to keep things interesting," she remarked, her tone tinged with amusement. "I'm sure he has a plan up his sleeve."
Meanwhile, Rossweisse, though visibly annoyed by Issei's no-show, maintained her composure, her expression a mix of frustration and determination. "I'll have to have a serious talk with him when this is over," she thought, her tone firm and resolute.
X
Meanwhile, Issei was in his dimension, wanting to test his new abilities, which he had unlocked when he fought Hades. His new heightened senses could feel people cursing his name; he knew he was because of the Trial, which he had no plans to attend.
"Why would I waste my time with such meaningless endeavours?" he chuckles.
In front of him was a clear land; Issei came here for his rigorous training.
"System, spawn some targets", Issei asks the system.
[Request is being fulfilled]
The system announces, instantly in front of him hordes of orcs of various sizes and shapes spawn, each with the intent to kill Issei. Sensing Issei's presence, the orcs turned their attention towards him with a primal ferocity, their snarls and grunts filling the air as they prepared to attack. Their eyes glinted with a savage hunger, eager to sink their fangs and claws into their prey.
With a smirk, Issei cracked his knuckles, his confidence unwavering as he prepared to face the horde of adversaries before him. He could sense their bloodlust, their desire to overwhelm him with sheer numbers and brute strength.
"Let's see what this Satanification can really do", he says with a smirk as he activates his new ability.
[Satanification Stage 1 has been activated!]
[Stats have been increased by 10x]
[Demon Eyes Stage 2 has been activated]
[Stats have been increased by 50%]
Issei's eyes change; the whites of his eyes become black, and his iris becomes blood red. His hair turns snow white, and a violent and malicious blood-red aura erupts from his body. The exact form he used to kill Hades when they fought.
--
Name: Issei Hyoudou (Satanification Stage 1)
Race: True Devil/ Dragon/ Unknown
Affiliation: None
Rank: None
Type: Hybrid (Battlemage)
Stats:-
Vitality: 6300
Strength: 5670
Agility: 5310
Intelligence: 6705
Senses: 5490
Dexterity: 5670
Luck: 4680
Overall Power Level: 5664
Abilities: System and its Abilities, Magic (Dark Arts)
Gear: Mutated Boosted Gear
