Issei POV
"Wake up, it's time to get out of bed!" my obnoxious novelty alarm clock blares, jolting me awake. I groan, slamming my hand onto it to shut it up.
Yesterday was insane. I unlocked my Sacred Gear, was attacked by some psycho with wings, and still managed to fail my first-ever devil contract. What a rollercoaster.
Sighing, I drag myself out of bed and head to breakfast. My parents are already at the table, and my mom hums as she cooks.
"Issei, you're looking more cheerful this morning," she says, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, you could say I've had a lot on my mind lately," I reply, shoveling some rice into my mouth.
"Just stay out of trouble, alright? I can always tell when you're up to something," she teases, and my dad laughs in agreement.
After scarfing down breakfast, I head out the door, adjusting my bag. The morning air feels good, and the streets are quiet.
"Man, what am I going to do if Rias is still pissed at me? Why am I such an idiot?" I mutter to myself, kicking a stray rock down the sidewalk. Haruki probably had another all-nighter studying magic again. That guy's going to work himself into an early grave.
Suddenly, a loud "Iyaaan!" pierces the air, snapping me out of my thoughts. I turn toward the sound and... jackpot.
There, in front of me, is the most perfect, round, taut backside I've ever seen, clad in pristine white panties. The girl attached to it is sprawled on the ground, wearing green robes and a white cover over her head. Her golden blonde hair falls over her shoulders like sunlight.
She looks up, her bright green eyes meeting mine. "Oh no, it looks like I fell again! I'm such a klutz," she says sheepishly, brushing dust off her robe.
This has to be fate. Thank you, Father, Devil King, or whatever deity is listening—this is the start of something special.
Shaking off my stunned expression, I step forward. "Hey, are you alright?" I ask, offering her my hand.
"Oh, yes! I'm okay, really!" she says, taking my hand. Her touch is so soft, that it feels like I'm holding a cloud.
Just as she starts to stand, a gust of wind catches her shroud, whipping it off her head and sending it flying. Her golden locks flow in the breeze, her eyes sparkling as she gasps in surprise.
"Oh no!" she exclaims, watching it drift away. Without thinking, I chase after it like some kind of action hero. After a few awkward leaps, I snag it mid-air and hand it back to her with a grin.
"That was very sweet of you," she says with a shy smile that could melt glaciers.
"Please, it was nothing," I reply, trying to play it cool while internally high-fiving myself.
"So, uh… nice weather today, huh?" I blurt out. Damn it, Issei. What are you, a grandpa?
She giggles softly. "Um, I'm sorry, but I'm a little lost. You wouldn't happen to know Italian, would you? I could really use some help."
Why is she this cute? Seriously, there should be a law. "Yeah, sure. What are you looking for?" I ask, leading her down the street.
"Oh, thank you so much. I've been assigned to the church in this town," she explains, pointing up toward the hill.
Right, that makes sense. "So you're a nun, huh? I guess that explains the outfit."
"Yes," she says with a slight blush. "I'm so glad I ran into someone kind like you. It must be a blessing."
A blessing? No, you're the blessing, lady.
We chat as we walk past a field of yellow flowers. I'm trying not to stare too much, but she's so radiant it's like looking at the sun.
Suddenly, the sound of a child crying catches our attention. Without hesitation, she rushes over to a small boy who's fallen and scraped his knee. I follow, wondering what she's planning to do.
"Big boys like you shouldn't cry over a little scrape," she says warmly, kneeling down. She places her hands over the boy's wound, and a green glow radiates from her palms. The scrape disappears as if it was never there.
"Whoa… she healed him," I whisper, staring in awe. My left-hand throbs slightly, but I ignore it.
"All better now," she says, giving the boy a comforting smile before turning back to me. "Sorry for making you wait."
"That's… amazing," I stammer, still trying to process what I just saw.
"It's a gift," she says, her tone soft and reverent. Then, almost wistfully, she adds, "Truly, it's wonderful."
Before I can ask her what she means, she points ahead.
"Oh, there it is!"
Following her gaze, I see the old church on the hill. A strange chill creeps down my spine as I stare at it.
"You know, it's weird," I say hesitantly. "I've never seen anyone up there before."
She tilts her head. "Oh? Well, let me thank you properly. Would you like to come inside?"
An inexplicable dread wells up in my chest. "Uh, I can't," I say quickly. "I've got… somewhere to be."
She looks a little disappointed but quickly recovers, her serene smile returning. "That's too bad. My name's Asia Argento. What's yours?"
"Issei Hyoudou," I reply, trying not to blush. "And, uh, you're welcome."
"Issei, huh?" she says, her smile growing. "Meeting you was a blessing. I hope we see each other again."
"Y-yeah, me too," I mumble.
"If you're ever free, don't hesitate to visit me at the church," she says before heading inside.
As I walk away, my mind is racing. Who is this girl? And why does that church give me such a bad vibe? One thing's for sure—this morning just got much weirder.
Haruki POV
"You must never go near the church again, Issei," Rias says, her voice cutting through the room's stillness like a blade. The tri-colored stained glass windows behind her cast fragmented patterns of light on her figure, adding to the gravity of her words.
Thanks to my chaotic sleep schedule, I arrive late. I step into the clubroom just in time to witness Rias reprimanding Issei. Her stern tone fills the air, and the tension is palpable.
"Why?" Issei asks, his tone defensive but curious.
"For devils like us, the church is enemy territory," Rias explains, her crimson hair shimmering under the scattered light. "Simply setting foot inside would cause major problems for angels and devils alike. Surely you sensed something—some primal warning—telling you to be careful."
I decided to chime in, leaning against the wall. "Issei, you idiot, think back to the oil-and-water lab experiment. Remember it?"
He furrows his brows briefly, and then his face lights up with realization. "So that weird feeling... that was it? Wait, are you saying light is like oil and dark is the water?"
"Glad to see you can extrapolate meaning from our experiments," I reply, though my tone is sharper than usual.
Rias continues, her worry is evident beneath her composed demeanor. "Being near someone from the church is a precarious proposition. It's not just about the discomfort or the risk of detection. Some of the exorcists from the church wield sacred gears. If you encounter one, they could do more than hurt you—they could kill you."
The room grows heavy with silence. Issei fidgets, his usual goofy demeanor replaced with unease.
I step closer, my voice firm but calm. "Issei, there's one thing you have to understand. If a devil is exorcised, that's it. Nothing. No reincarnation, no afterlife, no chance for redemption. You're gone. Forever. Do you understand?"
Issei's gaze drops to the floor, his hands clenched tightly. "I got it," he mutters, his voice barely audible.
I glance at Rias, catching her eye. My expression tells her she might be pushing a bit too hard, and she seems to recognize it.
Her sternness softens, and she steps closer to Issei. "I'm sorry," she says, her voice gentler now. "I'm just a little worked up. I don't want to lose you."
Issei's face flushes slightly at her words, his usual awkward blush appearing. "Rias... I—uh—thanks," he stammers, trying to keep his composure.
The tension in the room begins to ease, but the weight of the conversation lingers like a shadow. As much as I hate to admit it, Rias is right to be worried.
I cross my arms and glance at Issei. "You better take this seriously. You've got a knack for landing yourself in trouble, and I'd rather not see you vaporized by a holy spell because you decided to play the hero."
"Yeah, yeah, I got it," he says, waving me off, though there's a flicker of determination in his eyes.
Rias sighs softly and straightens herself, her commanding aura returning. "Just promise me you'll be careful. Both of you."
"Understood," I reply my tone even. Issei nods as well, though he's still lost in thought.
As the conversation winds down, I can't shake the feeling that things are only going to get more complicated from here. And knowing Issei, he's likely to be at the center of it all.
XXX
After school, Rias left Issei and me in the clubroom, giving Issei space with the only other person who knew him. It didn't take long for Issei to start venting his frustrations.
"Well, great. I've done it again," Issei muttered, slumping onto the couch. "It seems like she's always pissed off at me for something."
I rolled my eyes, already tired of his dramatics. "Issei, I get it. The girl was cute, but do I need to remind you about the last 'cute' girl you were alone with?" I shot back, exasperated.
Issei groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Don't remind me."
Deciding to make use of the downtime, I opened up a book on mind magic and started skimming through it.
Mind magic is split into two branches of focus, mental manipulation and illusions. Deciding to focus on manipulations I skim to the part where we learn basic hypnosis. Reaching into my memories and the specific parts where I studied neuroscience, hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness where the affected is more susceptible to suggestions and the level varies depending on the type and how it is enforced. Looking at the circle my mystic eye analyzes it.
You know Raz the mind is a powerful thing.
"You are correct on that front. This spell imprints a simple suggestion onto someone's mind," Raz responds.
I will have to ask Rias or Akeno how to manipulate someone's memory, it could be useful if someone sees something they are not supposed to. I wonder what we can do to modify this.
"How about instead of implanting a suggestion you could influence a person's emotional state," Raz you are a genius.
Looking over the spell formula, I see the portion where the user can input the suggestion and, with Raz's help, modify it to incite emotions.
As Raz and I delved into the theory, the room's door creaked open, and a familiar, sultry voice broke the silence.
"You know, she's not mad at you, silly boy," came Akeno's teasing tone, startling Issei so badly he nearly fell off the couch. I didn't even look up—Akeno's sneak attacks were par for the course at this point.
"Akeno-senpai!" Issei yelped, clutching his chest.
She just giggled, her presence as alluring as ever.
Moments later, Rias walked in, her commanding presence shifting the room's energy. She immediately noticed me hunched over my book, dark circles under my eyes.
"Haruki," she said, her voice firm, "what did I say about all-nighters?"
I didn't even bother looking up. "Do you want the list in alphabetical order or chronological?" I deadpanned. Then, glancing up at her playful glare, I added with a smirk, "Up yours, Rias."
Rias sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Why do I even bother?"
"What's going on here?" Issei asked, glancing between us.
Rias turned her attention to him. "Issei, you have a contract available tonight. Since Akeno and I are both booked, Haruki will accompany you." She gave me a pointed look. "And make sure he doesn't do anything stupid with magic."
"Why does everyone assume I'm going to blow myself up? That only happened once!" I protested.
"Once was enough," Rias retorted, her smile playful but firm.
Issei just sighed, clearly over our back-and-forth. "Alright, let's get this over with," he grumbled as we packed up.
Issei looks at me before he sighs as we pack up and head on his demonic bicycle.
"Seriously, you just can't help yourself, huh? No matter if it's science or magic, you still act the same," Issei says while peddling. I am sitting in the back seat.
"First off, fuck you, second off, it takes one to know one mr self-proclaimed harem king," I retort back.
The playful argument continued until we reached the contractor's house. Some guys wanted Issei to buy them alcohol, which we refused, so they played video games instead.
All this gave me time to think about my failure to create healing magic.
"Haruki, I wouldn't call it a failure; it's just not ready yet," Raziel tried to cheer me up.
I had developed a spell that could potentially give a target cancer, which is a failure no matter how you look at it.
"That... I understand, but it's the thought that counts. If only we could pinpoint a way to have it stop at a specific point depending on the injury," Raziel pondered.
Wait, hold on—say that again.
"If only we could pinpoint a way to have it stop at a specific point depending on the injury," Raziel repeated.
Pinpoint. That word sent my brain into overdrive.
Pinpoint, determine, analyze, DIAGNOSE!
"EUREKA!" I exclaimed, drawing the attention of Issei and his contractor-to-be.
"What's his deal?" the contractor asked.
"He is a magician, but because even before his discovery he was a bit of a nutcase and has a tendency to push himself beyond his limits, he isn't allowed to go unsupervised," Issei explained.
"Yo, Haruki, what's up?" Issei asked me.
"Oh, nothing but a breakthrough in my venture to create a standardized magic based on biological manipulation. You see, the first prototype spell only focused on increasing the cellular division rate, but without a way to signal stop at an appropriate time, it would either not heal or cause cancer. But I just had an epiphany, when treating a patient you don't just start an operation or medication without Diagnosing the patient. What if I made a spell that gives a diagnosis of a target that gives a bound of treatment, enforcing a positive feedback loop similar to natural regeneration but in a matter of minutes or seconds."
"That actually works, congratulations Haruki," Raz congratulates me. The other's reactions were less positive and more confused.
"The fuck is this guy going on about?" The contractor asks.
"I only have a faint idea of the word vomit that just came from his mouth," Issei says as he urges the contractor to continue so he may actually complete one.
Disregarding them me and Raz get to work, using the first aid spell as a template, we modified it so that it instead scans the affected area and creates bounds where the regeneration will stop.
Along the way, we got sidetracked by an idea for a spell that would imitate Anesthesia, creating a spell called Pain Killer.
By the time Issei wrapped up his contract, I had finalized both the diagnostic and pain-suppressing spells. The ride back on his bike was quieter than usual, and both of us were absorbed in our thoughts. The rhythmic whirring of the bike wheels was the only sound accompanying the cool night air.
"You're really something else, you know that?" Issei said suddenly, breaking the silence.
I raised an eyebrow, not quite sure how to take that. "Thanks… I think?"
"No, seriously," he pressed on, glancing back at me. "You're always pushing yourself, always thinking up new stuff. I wish I had even half of your focus."
A faint smile tugged at my lips. "Focus is great and all, but it comes at a cost. You've gotta be careful not to get so fixated on the destination that you forget to enjoy the ride."
Issei chuckled, the sound light despite his words. "Look at you, getting all philosophical on me. Maybe hanging out with devils is rubbing off on you."
"Or maybe you're rubbing off on me," I countered with a smirk, lightly jabbing him on the shoulder.
The banter had barely settled when Issei's phone buzzed, the shrill ring cutting through the quiet night. He stopped and fumbled with the device, the name Rias glowing on the screen.
"Yo, Rias," Issei answered, his voice casual but tinged with curiosity.
"Issei, Haruki," Rias's voice came through, calm but with an undercurrent of urgency. "We have an emergency. The archduke has located a stray devil encamped nearby. I want Issei to observe how a peerage operates in a real scenario. Both of you, come to the abandoned house on the east hill immediately."
The words sent a chill down my spine, memories flashing unbidden—blood, the distorted figure of the stray devil, the overwhelming sense of helplessness from that night.
"Roger that, we're on our way," Issei responded, his tone determined as he peddled faster toward the new destination.
The pit in my stomach deepened as the city lights blurred past us. Every turn of the pedals felt like a step closer to the scene of my worst nightmares.
"Haruki, calm yourself," Raziel's steady and reassuring voice echoed in my mind. This time, you are surrounded by allies. You are stronger now than you were that night."
I took a deep breath, nodding inwardly. He was right. This wasn't the same situation as before. But the unease lingered, like an itch at the back of my mind.
XXX
We arrived at the dilapidated manor, its rotting wooden boards and shattered windows exuding an air of despair. The once-grand house now stood as a husk, filled with the kind of foreboding energy that made the hairs on your neck stand on end. The darkness inside was broken only by the flickering of moonlight through the cracked windows.
Rias and her peerage moved with purpose, but I could feel the tension. This wasn't just another day at the office.
"You're late," Koneko muttered bluntly, nibbling on her chocolate bar as she leaned against a stack of crates outside.
"Better late than never," Issei quipped, hopping off his bike and stretching his legs. I followed, shaking out my own stiffness from the ride.
Rias turned to Issei, her piercing blue eyes serious. "This is an important learning opportunity, Issei. Stray devils are unpredictable and dangerous. They are a reminder of why we have rules in our society—and what happens when those rules are broken."
Her gaze softened slightly when it fell on me. "Haruki, this might stir up unpleasant memories, but your perspective is valuable here. You've seen what these creatures are capable of."
I nodded, though my chest tightened at the thought. "Got it, Rias. Let's get this over with."
As we stepped closer to the house, Issei scratched his head. "So...what exactly is a stray devil? I mean, besides the obvious?"
Kiba approached with his usual calm demeanor, his tone instructive. "Stray devils start out as devil servants, just like us. But sometimes, they rebel or escape from their master. Depending on the circumstances, it's our job to either capture or eliminate them."
"Wait," Issei interjected, frowning. "So what if they were escaping because their master was a jerk or something? That seems pretty harsh."
I raised an eyebrow at Kiba. "Good question. Is there any system to account for abuse, or is it just a blanket 'hunt them down' policy?"
Rias spoke up, her voice firm but measured. "There are safeguards. Article 66-13 of the Evil Piece Laws outlines the protocol. If a stray is captured alive, their testimony is recorded and reviewed by an impartial party. If the master is found guilty of mistreatment, they're stripped of their pieces, and the peerage is freed. However, if the stray has committed heinous acts—like murder or extreme violence—a kill order is issued."
Raziel's voice hummed in my mind, tinged with skepticism. "It's good that there's a system, but how much corruption could twist such a process in a society built on demonic power?"
Probably a lot, I thought back grimly.
Rias continued her tone grave. "This stray has been luring humans into its den and feeding on them. There's no question about its guilt."
"Well, that answers that," I muttered. Once you start feeding on innocents, there's no coming back.
The group stepped into the decrepit house, the floorboards creaking ominously beneath our feet. The scent of mildew and decay filled the air, mingling with something far more sinister—a foul, cloying stench that made my stomach churn.
Rias glanced back at Issei. "Are you familiar with the game of chess?"
"I mean, yeah, but I suck at it," Issei admitted, looking puzzled.
"As the master, I am the king," Rias began. "My queen is my strongest piece. My knights are my agile warriors, my rooks my steadfast defenders. The bishops represent strategy and adaptability, while pawns, though numerous, have the potential to become something far greater."
"Why are you telling me this now?" Issei asked, scratching his head.
"It's how my peerage operates. You'll see soon enough," Rias said cryptically.
Before anyone could respond, Koneko's voice cut through the air. "It's here."
"Now what could that foul fecal smell be? Something smells quite delicious as well. I wonder if it tastes sweet or bitter," a voice says as a humanoid figure stalks out of hiding, bare as the day she was born. We can only see the top half of her body.
"I see big boobies," Issei squeals.
"Viser you wretch, you betrayed your master and ran away to fulfill your lustful wants and desires that have consumed you. Your sins are worthy of 1000 hells, in the name of the great Marquis Gremory Begone, or meet your death," Rias says while posing.
"Hey, how long did it take you to practice that little speech?" I ask her leaving a deafening silence.
"Really Haruki, now of all times?" She asks rhetorically.
"What, that was a cool ass speech," I retort.
"Oh give it a rest you little slut, you always have had it in for me," Viser speaks while she starts to grope her bare breasts," You're just jealous that you will never have breasts as luscious as these."
"This is your final warning Return to your master or face the consequences!" Rias says fed up with this bullshit.
Rias's eye twitched, but she held her composure. "This is your last warning, Viser."
"Woah, so this is a stray devil?" Issei blurted. "She looks like a softcore late-night pornstar!"
I rolled my eyes. "MOB factor: 2.5."
That got everyone's attention, including Viser, who froze mid-grope to stare at me. "What did you just say?"
Issei turned to me, incredulous. "Dude, really? Look at her!"
"Empirical data, Issei," I said matter-of-factly. "The discoloration, tissue damage, and varicose veins knock her score down. Presentation means nothing without substance."
"But she is showing them off that at least makes it a 3 or higher," Issei argues.
"Math and science do not care from how the owner shows them off or uses them only the empirical data matters."
"Human, what the fuck are you talking about?" Viser directly asks me.
"Can't believe I'm agreeing with a stray but please do explain," Rias adds.
"I agree with both of them. What is this MOB factor you speak of?" Riaziel asks, confused as well.
"Motohama bet I couldn't create a foolproof system that can mathematically and scientifically quantify the quality of a pair of breasts, I won that bet mind you," I say with a completely straight face.
"Pervert," Koneko says while glaring at me.
"Nope, I just wanted to prove him wrong I don't care about the rest," I respond to the accusations.
"You dare rate my breasts a 2.5?!" Viser screeched, her voice rising to an ear-piercing pitch.
"Haruki, I think you just pissed her off," Rias said, exasperated.
"Good. Let's get this over with," I muttered.
Viser's form began to shift, her lower half transforming into a grotesque quadrupedal beast. A massive jaw where her pelvis should have been snapped menacingly and a snake-like tail coiled behind her, hissing.
"See what I mean?" Akeno said, her tone cold. "Monster."
Issei, of course, couldn't resist. "Man, what a waste. She has such a nice rack!"
"Focus, you idiot," I snapped, noting the gathering demonic energy in Viser's chest. "Her power's concentrated in her upper body. She's going to attack—"
Before I could finish my sentence, Viser groped her grotesque breasts with a twisted grin. Magic circles shimmered into existence around her nipples, the tips elongating unnaturally before firing blasts of an acidic, glowing green substance. The stench of it hit before the liquid even touched the ground, melting through the wooden floor with a sickening hiss.
"THIS IS A PORNO I DON'T WANT TO BE IN!" Issei shouted as Koneko grabbed him and me and dove out of the way. Simultaneously, Rias yanked Issei clear of the attack.
"Please be careful, Issei," Rias said firmly, her crimson hair swaying as she moved to a defensive position.
"Kiba!" she called, her voice sharp.
With a flash of steel, Kiba unsheathed his sword and vanished. It wasn't invisibility, but rather a blistering speed that my human eyes could barely track him.
"The knight didn't vanish; he's just moving at speeds your human eyes can't follow," Raziel explained in my head as if narrating a chess match.
"In this game, Kiba is my knight," Rias added, her voice confident. "His attribute is speed, and his weapon of choice is the blade."
Kiba reappeared before Viser, his sword cutting through her oversized arms in one clean stroke. The severed limbs fell to the ground with a sickening thud as Viser let out a howl of agony.
Koneko stepped forward, her small frame looking comically mismatched against the towering, grotesque form of the stray devil.
"Koneko, I don't want to be that guy, but she's like seven times your size and weighs at least a ton," I called out, worried but impressed by her bravery.
Koneko turned her head slightly, giving me a rare thumbs-up, her face as stoic as ever.
Viser's monstrous form contorted further. Her face elongated, her teeth sharpening into jagged fangs. The lower part of her grotesque body split open, revealing a massive second mouth filled with rows upon rows of razor-sharp teeth.
Before anyone could react, Viser lunged forward, her lower mouth snapping shut around Koneko.
"NO!" Issei yelled, his voice filled with panic.
"It's alright," Rias said confidently, her calm demeanor unshaken.
Viser began to thrash violently, her lower mouth trembling. Cracks formed along her jagged teeth before they shattered entirely. With a grunt of effort, Koneko wrenched the grotesque jaws open from the inside, her raw strength forcing them apart with ease.
"In this game, Koneko is my rook," Rias explained, her tone almost prideful. "Her attribute is simple: unparalleled strength."
Koneko's uniform was in tatters, dirt and scratches covering her pale skin. She turned around, holding one of Viser's shattered teeth like a trophy.
"See you on the flip side," Koneko said calmly before delivering a devastating punch to Viser's head. The force of the blow sent the monstrous devil crashing into the side of the manor, splintering the wooden walls.
"Mental note: never piss off the girl who could turn me into a fine red mist," Issei muttered, visibly shaken.
"Yo, Koneko, I suggest you see a doctor after this," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "Given the theme of lust surrounding her, who knows what kind of infections or residue—"
"Shut up," Koneko interrupted, though a faint blush tinged her cheeks. "But...thanks."
"Akeno, you're up," Rias called, her tone signaling the final act.
Akeno stepped forward, a sadistic smile curling her lips. "Looks like it's my turn. Haruki-kun, be sure to watch closely~," she teased, throwing me a wink.
"Raz, I don't feel safe anymore," I whispered internally, hiding my growing unease behind a deadpan expression.
"I'll begin forming counters to her now," Raziel responded with humor and concern.
As Akeno approached Viser's broken form, her hips swayed with calculated precision. Even in battle, she moved like she was performing on stage.
"Haruki, focus," I muttered to myself, willing my brain to not combust under the weight of sheer distraction.
Unseen by Akeno, one of Viser's severed arms began to twitch. Before anyone could react, the grotesque limb lunged toward Rias. Issei, noticing just in time, threw himself between Rias and the attack. His sacred gear activated instinctively, the red gauntlet forming and punching the arm away with a burst of energy.
"Issei..." Rias stared at him, a mix of shock and gratitude flickering across her face.
"Welp, always remember to double-tap," I said, stepping forward. A red magic circle flared to life in front of my mouth. "Fire Dragon's Roar."
A jet of fire roared from the circle, engulfing the severed arm and reducing it to ash.
I turned my attention to the other twitching limb. "Stone Spire!" A circle formed beneath my foot, and a jagged rock spike erupted upward, impaling the remaining arm.
"Ray of Frost," I said as a pale blue circle appeared in my palm. A flash of icy energy shot forth, freezing the arm solid. "Koneko, if you would do the honors."
Koneko nodded, running up to the frozen arm and delivering a devastating kick, shattering it into a thousand glittering shards.
"Akeno finisher her off," Rias orders.
"I got news for you, you're not the only one who likes to play rough here," Akeno purred. Her hands crackled with electricity, the dark energy dancing between her fingers as her sadistic smile deepened.
"Her power is a mix of all the attributes," Rias explained to Issei. "As my queen, Akeno is the most versatile member of my peerage. She's unbeatable."
Akeno taunts the fallen Viser as she discharges massive amounts of electricity into her broken body," Her power is a dark magical power, and that's not all." Akeno starts to blush and licks her lips, glancing directly at me.
Raz, I don't feel safe anymore.
"I will begin forming counters to her now," Raziel responds.
"She is really into S and takes pleasure in the pain she causes her opponents," Rias finishes.
"She gets off on this?" Issei asks with a tinge of fear.
"Akeno I think that's enough," Rias states.
"Aww is it over already, I haven't got my fill yet. Haruki-kun do you think you could help your Dear Sen~pai," AKeno says while looking back only to find me hiding behind Koneko.
"Nope, you damn succubus!" I exclaim.
The atmosphere was tense as Rias slowly approached the defeated stray devil. Her crimson hair shimmered under the faint moonlight filtering through the manor's broken windows. Her step was deliberate, and her piercing blue eyes locked onto the grotesque creature sprawled on the floor.
"Any last words before I finish this?" Rias asked coldly, her voice sharp and unforgiving.
"Go to hell," Viser spat, her monstrous form trembling with defiance.
Rias sighed, summoning a crimson magic circle etched with the Gremory family crest. Its radiant energy cast eerie shadows against the dilapidated walls, illuminating the stray devil's grotesque features.
But an idea struck me. This was a rare opportunity—a chance to conduct a real-time experiment on a living subject with no moral gray areas.
"Rias, wait!" I called out, stepping forward hastily.
Her glowing eyes shifted to me, her expression mixed with curiosity and irritation. "Haruki, what is it? Don't tell me you feel pity for her."
I shook my head. "Quite the opposite. Since I'm not allowed to test theoretical spells on myself without you and the gang staging an intervention, I'd like to use her as a live subject for a quick experiment. It'll only extend her life by a few minutes, tops. Please?" I added, throwing in my best puppy-dog eyes for effect.
Rias stared at me, clearly weighing her options, before letting out an exasperated sigh. "Fine. But make it quick."
I beamed, then turned to Kiba. "Kiba, may I borrow your sword?"
He hesitated, glancing at Ria's for confirmation before silently handing me his blade. The weapon gleamed under the magic circle's glow, its sharp edge a perfect tool for precision work.
I approached the prone Viser, who looked up at me with a mixture of confusion and fear. "Paging Doctor Killjoy," I said, twirling the sword in my hand theatrically. "Now then, my dear, let's begin the operation!"
"W-What are you going to do to me?" she stammered, her grotesque features twisted with panic.
"Just a minor incision to your dorsum to test a magical theorem of mine," I said cheerfully. "If it works, you'll die by Rias's hand, nice and clean. If it doesn't, well...there's a small chance your cells might mutate uncontrollably, turning you into a living tumor. Either way, it's a win-win for me!"
The room fell silent, save for Viser's terrified breathing.
"Haruki, are you sure this is safe?" Rias asked, a note of concern creeping into her voice.
"Safe? What does that even mean in the name of science?" I quipped, already positioning my hand on Viser's back. "Now for some local anesthetic. Pain Killer," I intoned, a green glow emanating from my palm as the spell dulled her nerves.
Viser shuddered but didn't resist. I raised Kiba's sword, carefully making a shallow incision along her back. The cut was clean, just deep enough for the experiment.
"Incision made," I announced. "Now, Basic Diagnosis."
A green magic circle materialized, spinning to life above her wound. Data flooded my mind—cellular activity, blood flow, mana concentration. The diagnostic spell outlined the boundaries of the injury and provided parameters for healing.
"Alright, final step. First Aid," I said, activating another magic circle. A brilliant green light enveloped the wound, accelerating the natural healing process. We all watched in silence as the cells began to divide rapidly, the skin knitting itself together seamlessly. Within moments, the cut was gone, not even a scar left behind.
I jumped back from Viser, holding my breath as I waited. Thirty seconds passed, then a minute. No abnormal growths. No side effects.
And then it hit me.
"Pft—pftheheheh—HAHAHAHAHAHA!" The laughter bubbled up uncontrollably. "IT WORKED! IT ACTUALLY WORKED!"
I doubled over, tears streaming as I laughed like a madman. My joy was infectious—or maybe just disturbing—because the rest of the peerage stared at me like I'd lost my mind.
Rias finally stepped closer, her expression a mix of awe and disbelief. "Was that...what I think it was? Did you actually figure it out?"
"Yup!" I said proudly, straightening up. "This marks the first successful test of my personal magic field: White Magic, focusing on biological manipulation. A benchmark achievement!"
Day after day, you continue to prove why I'm glad we have this contract," Rias said, a rare, genuine smile gracing her lips. "And why I wish you'd accept a permanent one."
"Alright, Rias, I've had my fun. Blow this bitch to kingdom come," I said, patting her on the back as I stepped aside.
Rias nodded, her demeanor shifting back to regal authority. She raised her hand, summoning an even larger magic circle. "Game over," she intoned, her voice like a judge delivering a final sentence.
A torrent of dark energy erupted from the circle, consuming Viser entirely. Her monstrous screams echoed for a moment before silence fell, leaving nothing behind but a faint wisp of ash.
The battle concluded, and the tension in the air finally began to dissipate. Viser's presence was gone, her screams fading into an eerie silence. The group stood amidst the ruins, the weight of their victory settling on their shoulders.
Rias took a deep breath, her crimson hair glowing faintly in the moonlight. She glanced around at her peerage, her calm and commanding presence softening slightly. "We're done here. Let's go home," she said, a small smile forming.
As the group started to gather themselves, Issei raised a hand, his expression a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "But wait, how do I fit into this? I mean, what piece am I?" he asked.
Rias turned her gaze to him, her voice casual but firm. "You're a pawn."
A beat of silence hung in the air before I couldn't help but laugh. "Hah! That fits you to a tee, Issei," I said with a teasing smirk.
"I don't wanna be a pawn!" Issei whined, crossing his arms like a child denied candy.
"I'm sorry, but that's what you are," Rias replied, her tone more amused than apologetic. She crossed her arms, her regal demeanor returning as she gave him a knowing look. "Don't underestimate the pawn. In the right circumstances, it's one of the most versatile and powerful pieces on the board."
Issei pouted but didn't argue further, though the wheels in his head were clearly turning as he considered her words.
I stretched, feeling the strain from the day's events finally catching up. "Alright, I think that's enough excitement for one day. Can one of you teleport me home? I'm dead on my feet."
"Most certainly," Akeno said, stepping forward with her ever-playful smile. "I'll be your escort, Haruki-kun."
We stepped into the glowing crimson magic circle, and with a brief flash, we were transported directly to my room. The familiar sight of my cluttered desk and bookshelves greeted me, the comforting chaos reminding me how much I still had left to explore.
Akeno lingered momentarily, leaning against the doorframe as she watched me. "So, what's next on your grand agenda, oh great mad scientist?" she teased, her voice laced with curiosity.
I turned to her, my lips curling into an excited grin. "Space Magic," I declared confidently, the sheer thought of the possibilities lighting a fire in my eyes.
Akeno tilted her head, her curiosity deepening. "Space Magic, huh? Sounds dangerous. But knowing you, it's probably just another day in the life of Haruki Toshiro."