It is the short 10-minute break between the first period and the second.
I glanced at the perverted duo.
Did you see that news about the girl murdered last night?
The duo seemed confused by the answer I gave them. They didn't know about the message that appeared at the junction either, which is strange, especially for someone like Motohama, who is the king of gossip. The entire class has been buzzing about the message since morning, even now.
But the strange thing was that the duo did not have the aura of devils (or dragons). They didn't have a supernatural aura at all. Does that mean they were targeted by the owners/rulers of this area to get me? Or by the fallen angels?
[You think a lot] Ophis said.
[I have to] I said [I still have no clue who the rulers of this area are]
[... Two high-class devils run this area] Ophis said, [I won't give you any more details than that]
Right. That's how it should be. It would be boring for me if I found out this easily.
By the way, devils seem to have a class system based on their powers. Low class, middle class, high class, and ultimate class. Being in the high class means that they are most likely to be born in one of the 72 pillars of noble families.
Now how am I supposed to find them in this large town?
... A few hours later...
"..."
Actually, I did...
'My fake girlfriend is actually a high-class devil?!' (no, this is not a light novel title)
We are eating lunch together again. Of course, we are being stared (for me, glared) today as well- Wait, that's not the issue here!
She is one of the two rulers, omg...
Her aura is much smaller and compact compared to my dad's and mom's but somehow the density (I think?) of the aura seems to make it look much more powerful.
Her name Gremory fits. Her looks also fit.
[ Ophis, just to confirm is she...]
[... Congratulations. I didn't expect you to find one of the rulers so quickly]
Great...
"What happened? Is the food not to your liking?" Rias asked with a small smile.
She seems terribly worn out and I am certainly not feeling guilty right now for the stunt I pulled last night.
"It's okay," I said, "... and you don't have to buy me lunch, like I said yesterday."
She brought another exquisite lunch today as well.
*whisper* *whisper*
"Look, he is leeching off Rias senpai."
"She brought him lunch yesterday too, right?"
"How despicable!"
...
Something is weird. I am feeling an unexpected amount of anger at these whispers... This should be nothing new for me.
"Oh... I am sorry," She said looking around.
Looks like she heard it too.
"You look tired."
She kept her composure 99% normal. But I could tell that my question caught her off guard.
"... You are more observant than I thought."
She gave me another smile. I just shrugged my shoulders awkwardly. (If you haven't guessed it already, I am awkward at handling praises)
Suddenly, our handsome prince Kiba dropped into the scene.
"Buchou, there is an urgent call from your brother."
"Oh..."
She looked at me.
No worries. I am a considerate man, lady.
"You can scarf it down like yesterday."
"Eh...? Oh, y-yes..."
Perhaps she wanted to leave immediately... No, I am pretty sure that look meant excusing herself. But now I just...
Well, whatever.
I definitely could have read the room better if it was not for the fact that...
I glanced at Kiba.
"How do you do Hyoudou-kun?" Yuuto Kiba asked me with a smile.
He is a devil too HOLY- I don't... *Sigh*...
"I am doing well," I said, gesturing to the table, "Your Buchou gave me a feast today as well."
... I almost said she likes ordering way too much food.
Kiba laughed with a sympathetic smile. He, of course, was hearing the crazy whispers happening in the background right now with his arrival which... I won't mention...
By the way, I never thought someone could look so elegant while scarfing down food. How does she do that?
In less than two minutes she was done.
Fast...
She quickly hurried off with Kiba.
I am pretty sure he is from her peerage.
Devils have a slave system called the peerage system. It was developed by one of the devil society leaders. The leader or king of this system has a set of chess pieces. Each person in a peerage acts in a certain role as that of a chess piece. Each chess piece, pawn, rook, knight, bishop, and finally the king itself grants its user a unique role and ability. These chess pieces can be used to reincarnate a person in their own body as a devil. Ophis only briefly explained the peerage stuff to me before she started mumbling to herself.
Does that mean Izo is part of a peerage too? I can't believe that arrogant punk... To think he works under someone... Who is it? Who tamed him? Rias? Or the other high-class devil?
Rias and Kiba. Kiba came to deliver the phone call from her brother. His mannerisms and tone remind me of a butler. The image of the two of them popped into my mind. If I were to substitute Kiba with Izo and Rias as 'x' and a condition that they are in a club or close enough to operate...
No way, the possible high-class devil, x=... would be...
"Hey, Hyoudou. How are you?"
Hm? It's some third-year senpais who certainly came here to cause trouble. In fact, it is Kuoh Academy's top dog, Hiro Satoru, and his gang of medieval-age delinquents. They are all pretty stylish, in fact, they don't have that punk-like look.
Kuoh Academy is a prestigious school with every education level from primary school to college available in this massive compound. It is not a normal school; hence the delinquents aren't normal either. They act like arrogant aristocrats rather than normal punks.
You might be wondering, Oh no! Is the student council unaware of the fact that they cause their underclassmen way too much trouble?
I doubt it. I have heard that this guy Hiro is from a wealthy family. His main hobby is to extort money from underclassmen, especially the first years, which is strange even though he is rich (doesn't his dad give him pocket money?).
The underclassmen do not dare to speak up against someone from such an influential family. Many of them have siblings and if Hiro decides to, he can make their school life a living hell. He will make everyone isolate you if you decide to go against him. Physical ED becomes a physical torture for the targeted students and it's not like the school can do anything if the students get beaten up outside the academy grounds, right? Not as if they would care if it were inside either.
But there is another far more important fact to consider. He is a national-level junior boxing fighter. These students are downright scared of him.
The reason this guy is messing with me is simple. It is public knowledge at this point that he has had a crush on Rias Gremory since two years ago and I being the badass gutsy guy just went up and proposed to his crush. You might be wondering what about the other guys who ask Rias out? The truth is anyone hardly asks her out directly face-to-face these days. People mainly leave her a secret letter or just somehow find her number and text her. That said, some gutsy guys do ask her out directly despite the risks. That's how pretty she is. The duo never expected me to say it because of this very aristocratic weirdo. They thought I was messing around till the end.
Now, you all must have a better idea as to why Rias and I going out created such a huge fuss. Not only do they (her fans) find me unworthy (they don't know my worth) but also because it is indirectly going against Hiro.
"Of course, senpai. I am having fun."
I said in the blankest way possible.
His cronies- I mean his respectable friends were frowning.
A plan was brewing in my head...
Hiro kept his smile and sat down.
"Hyoudou Issei-" he started in a calm voice.
"Do you want something to eat, senpai?" I interrupted, "My treat. My girlfriend paid for lunch today as well."
I tried to smile by curling up my lips and shrugged in a 'can't-be-helped' way.
His smile vanished and he glared at me coldly. I hope it was my words that infuriated him, not my smile (I should practice more in front of the mirror).
"Hyoudou Issei, I don't know what made you think otherwise but, face the reality. She is way out of your league. She belongs to the side of someone like me, befitting her class."
"I wonder," I said, wiping my hands, "Then why is that she is my girlfriend, not yours Senpai?"
"THIS PUNK!"
One of his lackeys- I mean friends tried to swing at me but Hiro blocked it.
Hiro's eyes didn't leave mine.
"I presume, you are acting up like this because of your puny brother?" Hiro said, "I know for a fact that you and your brother don't get along so don't think for a second that we will leave you alone because of him."
Yeah. That arrogant prick Izo is a hotshot at school. He is good at fighting. Well that said, these guys in general don't mess with anyone from this year's student council.
"Isn't that a roundabout way of saying that you are scared of him?" I asked.
"YOU!"
This time it was another lackey. I wonder if I have to piss all 7 of them one by one to activate the boss.
People in the cafeteria were now paying attention to what was happening.
"See? I knew Hiro-senpai would come after this guy."
"Well, Hyoudou Issei is fucked. Seriously, what was he even thinking?"
"I kinda feel bad for him. Haha!"
Hiro was glaring at me. He looked like an animal that wanted to attack me but was holding back due to some... whatever reasons he had.
'What is with this guy?' Hiro thought, 'Is this an act? Doesn't he know how much influence I have in Kuoh? Forget about avoiding me, this crazy bastard is provoking a fight with me!'
'I still don't get why I should leave this guy alone,' he thought, 'Why did senior say something like that yesterday?'
,,,Yesterday evening,,,
"Don't fight with Hyoudou Issei."
A guy in the Kuoh Academy College uniform was speaking from the shadows. Hiro and him were alone in an alley.
"Senpai?! Wh-what are you saying?! He stole my girl-"
"I understand that you must be feeling frustrated, but don't fight with Hyoudou Issei."
"Are you sure this isn't a mistake?! This is not Hyoudou Izo, their names are similar, perhaps you mistook him-"
"I am not talking about Hyoudou Izo. I am talking about Issei. Hyoudou. Issei."
"But why?! He isn't even in the rankings-"
"Hiro Satoru. Do not test my patience."
Hiro shut his mouth.
"Just know that I am saying this for your good."
He walked away leaving Hiro fuming in the alley.
"..."
'As if I will hand over her to him like that!' Hiro thought angrily, 'What about my reputation?! What will others think of me if I lose to someone like him?! Hyoudou Izo was already hard enough to swallow and now...'
He exhaled heavily.
'It's okay. As long as I don't fight him, it won't be considered as a disobedience..."
..Present...
'Is what I thought... but this guy is way too infuriating!'
Issei was staring at him with a 'what's wrong with this guy?' look.
Hiro got up.
"Seems like you are out of your mind right now."
He said turning.
"We will talk later." (Yeah, this is my best move now)
...
... ...
*Thump*
'.. Hey."
*Thump* *Thump*
"Where the hell are you going, you coward?"
*Freeze*
The cafeteria fell silent.
...
Is he seriously picking a fight with Hiro Satoru right now?!
That was the thought that passed through every onlooker's mind. Even the kitchen staff were peeking in at the sudden silence.
... In other words, it wasn't a stage where Hiro could back down.
'Shit! I can't back out right now! This motherfucker is directly challenging my reputation!'
Hiro decided to ignore his senior's words.
"What did you say?"
He turned to Issei in anger who had now gotten up from his seat and was a few feet away from him. But what caught Hiro by surprise was his expression. It wasn't like Issei's usual blank face which he was famous for. His eyes were burning holes through him and though part of Issei's face was still blank, Hiro felt chills.
It was so chilling for him that for a moment, Hiro was immobilized by shock, like a Pokemon flinching due to Ratatta's hyperfang attack.
And just like in the case of a flinched Pokemon... Hiro lost his turn to attack. Before his lackeys could interfere, Issei's kick had connected with Hiro's head.
*BOOOM* *CRASH*
Hiro crashed into a nearby table, toppling and shattering some cutlery, and laid there, motionless. Blood came out from his nose.
"B-BOSS!"
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Many students screamed.
"Careful! He has a concussion!"
The staff came rushing over as one of Hiro's lackeys tried to lash out at Issei in anger. But his fist stopped halfway when he saw Issei's expression.
"SHIT! What is wrong with this guy?!"
"..."
Issei walked out of the door right in front of everyone's eyes. Some staff shouted after him but he didn't look back. They didn't chase him either because they had their hands full with Hiro.
Just when Issei got out of everybody's eyes, he ran.
...
Students passing by him gave him puzzled looks. He ran until he reached the washroom. He quickly opened a tap and splashed water on his face.
...
No... NO, NO!
That kick was unintentional...
I planned to stir up trouble with Hiro, get called to the student council, and confirm whether Sona Sitiri was the second high-class devil. The possible 'x'.
Shit! At this rate, this is going to be the principal's office and perhaps a suspension! Worst case scenario, expelled!
I looked at my face in the mirror. Is it my imagination or are my irises red? Have I... finally lost it?
I steadied my breath.
It was a similar rush I felt when I battled that crow. But why? Against that low life even...
But still! I am someone who disciplined my emotions and my body. How can I lose control this easily? If I hadn't pulled my kick in the last second...
Wait... It can't be...
[Ophis]
[Yes?]
[You saw what happened now, right?]
[Yeah] she said, [I must say that was a splendid connection. I felt it. Your body connects well with the ground and you are agile enough to create a power impressive for a human. Maybe... that's why you were able to... *mumble* *mumble*]
There she goes off into her world again.
[Ophis, I didn't mean to kick him... and I know this sounds strange but do you think Kuro is... by any chance influencing or if I may be bold, trying to control my emotions?]
I wanted to say, similar to venom corrupting Peter Parker or Eddie Brock but then I would have to explain what the whole Spider-man stuff was to her.
[It is a possibility. But I think it is more like, Kuro is bringing out the darkness within you]
... Does that mean these are my own dark emotions?
I breathed heavily.
I have always kept to myself and never messed with the school's hierarchy, neither did I care. My current behavior would appear suspicious to Rias and that second king. It would have been believable if Hiro picked the fight first but... it was me. It was clear to anyone that I hit him first.
I spend many minutes steadying my breath and washing my face.
**CLASS 2-C HYOUDOU ISSEI IS TO COME TO THE STUDENT COUNCIL OFFICE**
**I REPEAT**
**CLASS 2-C HYOUDOU ISSEI IS TO COME TO THE STUDENT COUNCIL OFFICE**
...
... Should I be happy that I at least completed my objective of getting called to the student council? But I don't have a good feeling about this.
I was in the office and there was only Sona Sitiri here right now. The other members including Izo seem to be away at the moment.
But more importantly...
She doesn't have a devil's aura... There were no black smoky figures over her head.
Damn, I thought I figured out both of the rulers...
Well, it can't be that easy right?
"Hyoudou Issei, did you attack Hiro Satoru, your senior? Since the principal is away at the moment, I want to hear it directly from you in his place."
"..."
...Flashback...
"Ne ne, did you know that Rias Senpai and Sona Senpai are close friends; apparently, they even come from the same hometown."
Once, on a usual day in my school life, the girls were gossiping a few seats away, loud enough to be heard by the whole class.
It was a free period.
The perverted duo was trying their best to make me understand the appeal of a certain eroge while I was trying my best to sleep.
They heard the gossip that was said by my classmate and started explaining their lesbian fantasies about Rias, Sona, and another senior called Akeno Himejima.
Any second now...
*WHACK* x 2
There were two whacks. Our academy's Keno club captains Murayama and Katase were here to deliver divine punishment.
"Hyoudou Issei!"
I woke up from my half-asleep state with a start. It was Murayama.
"Don't think for a second that we didn't know you were listening to their fantasies!"
Huh? I mean they were speaking right in front of my ear. Did these two think I was deaf?
"You may have fooled the academy that you are not a pervert!" Katase said, "But don't think for a second that you have fooled us!"
After saying their bit they left leaving Motohama and Matsuda behind, clutching their head in pain and leaving me puzzled and sad that my sleep was disturbed due to some random nonsense.
*** End of flashback***
The point of the flashback is Rias Gremory and Sona Sitiri are close friends, not probably as close as the duo said, but close enough to be considered good friends. Sona Sitiri asked me if I attacked him, does that mean it isn't confirmed? Time to... ... lie.
"He insulted my girlfriend and made inappropriate remarks about me and her. I didn't mean to escalate the situation but..."
Time to Lie Part 2.
"... As you might already know, Hiro Satoru is a bully who makes his underclassmen's school life hell. So, when he threatened to bully my little brother, just for the reason that I am going out with his crush (when I put it like that... I kind of seem like an asshole), I felt scared and suddenly everything blacked out... when I came to my senses *blah* *blah* he was down and seeing blood I ran away."
...
Even I know how lame this lie sounds. But, I have no choice! The moment I can't just say I hit him no matter what! (even though I kind of implied that in my lie)
Sona looked at me with a blank face.
... Did she buy it? I can't tell anything from her expression.
(In fact, Sona was having a hard time reading Issei's blank face as well)
"...By girlfriend, do you mean Rias Gremory?"
"...Pardon? I said, "Ah, yes."
... That's her question? I thought she was going to dig deeper-
"... Pfft- *cough* *cough*"
She cleared her throat.
... Did she just laugh?
"Since you seem confident about your claims, I will leave it at that. I am sure I don't have to tell you the future difficulties that will arise, right?"
I know what she is getting at. I just kicked the son of the most influential family in the whole Kuoh. Once, this matter is presented to the school director board then there is no telling what would happen.
"...Yes."
This situation is bad... Maybe if I wipe the CCTV footage in the cafeteria... No, that still leaves the kitchen staff and students who witnessed it. *Sigh* What should I do-
"Luckily for you, Hyoudou Issei, the CCTV in the cafeteria was scheduled to be repaired tomorrow, therefore we can only rely on testimonials. So far, none of the students or staff have come forward saying that you were the one who hit Hiro Satoru. Even the staff gave mixed responses. Only Hiro Satoru's friends said that it was you who put him in that state. Hence, I called you here to make sure."
... Seriously? Why did the staff lie?... I am pretty sure many students saw me kicking him. What is going on?
"... Please be seated, Hyoudou Issei. Would you like to have water or tea?"
I am tempted to say an expresso but who knows what she might put in the drink.
I put my thoughts about the staff and students aside. Since I came all the way here, I must complete my initial objective. I sat down on the chair.
"No, thank you, Kaichou."
I am still not entirely convinced that she is not the second ruler. Why? Because she kind of fits the bill perfectly since Rias is a ruler. The name Sitiri, a club, being a bestie of the Rias, that rumor about her and Rias coming from the same hometown ( now where would that be? Underworld? Pfft- HAHAHA, you heard that Ophis? [...] ) and the fact that Izo is here, in this council.
Could it be that she is hiding her aura? Rias' was very thin too.
But how can I determine if my eyes cannot see it?
"Well, would you like to play a game of chess?" Sona said with a smile, "You can't enter the class at this point anyway. Why not play a game with me instead of spending an hour in the library?"
Chess, huh?
...
Oh.
Ohhh.
OHHHHHHHHHH!
"Of course, Kaichou," I said.
If she is the ruler, I am pretty sure why she would want me to be here as much as possible. She will try her best to weasel anything out of me during the game. Since chess is a game that requires heavy focus, my chances of slipping up anything at an unexpected question are higher!
If that's the case, then she might be pretty confident in her skills. I just have the perfect strategy for this situation...
**10 minutes later**
Sona was deeply immersed in the game. A drop of sweat trickled down her face. She tried to ask a few questions here and there in the beginning but now-
"This... sure is a unique way to use the king piece," said Sona Sitiri, looking at the board hard.
Of course, she would be surprised, my king piece is attacking like crazy. In fact, it is right in the middle of the board, gobbling up her pawn pieces while narrowly avoiding checkmate every single turn.
But I must say, she is smart. Like really smart. Even though she is seeing this wild-style play for the first time, she is adapting rather quickly.
"Of course," I said moving my rook to threaten her queen while pinning her knight, "It all lies in the perception after all."
"What do you mean?" she asked, moving her bishop to capture my undefended pawn.
"I believe the king is the weakest piece on board because even a pawn has the power to promote," I said pressuring her for a knight sacrifice, "but ironically it is the most important piece in the game; the piece that decides the victor. But to me, the king piece is just a piece that is meant to be used to capture the enemy king piece, just like all the other pieces on the board."
"But the only difference is," I continued, "I just have to avoid it being captured."
"That is a heavy attack-based mindset," Sona said with a smile, "even though it sounds interesting, I do not plan to lose your play style."
I nodded and we continued to play.
...
It was the end game. She now has a slight material advantage. But it is pretty much a tie.
We were quickly moving pieces and clearing the board for the final play. Compared to her king, mine was completely exposed to enemy attacks. That is the price for this irrational play.
It was my turn.
"You know, Kaichou," I said moving my knight to be sacrificed, "there is another piece of perception tied with the first one."
"Oh?" She pondered over the decision of whether to capture it but decided to do it anyway, "what is it?"
She was immersed in the game right now and was replying absent-mindedly. My lips curled (yeah I am trying to smile).
"I think many players view themselves as this king piece, right here," I said, pointing to mine, "I believe that limits the potential of their plays."
"How do you view yourself then?" Sona asked without looking up from the board.
This is it...
... Last night...
[Devils are weak to light magic?] I said, [Man, so generic...]
I had asked Ophis yesterday about a devil's weaknesses just in case I had to fight one.
[Also crosses, holy water and are generally weaker in sunlight...] she said.
'Woah, those are some serious number of weaknesses,' I thought.
[And there is one more...]
... Present...
"Me? Let's see, looking down from above, and deciding the fate of each piece of this board..."
"To these chess pieces... a player might be equivalent to a... God."
"ACK!"
Sona Sitiri winced.
They also wince when they hear the word GOD...
"And..." I moved my rook in front of the king, "it's a checkmate."
It's my win; ruler#2.
If you liked this chapter don't forget to comment and share your thoughts.