Chapter IV

Sona considered herself a reasonable person.

She had reasonable expectations, reasonable goals and reasonable means through which to achieve them, too.

Anyone who'd ever spoken to her would say that she was a perfectly well tempered and studious young woman who was going to go far in life… so long as she kept up her work ethic and made intelligent decisions. Nothing was beyond her abilities so long as she maintained a reasonable outlook.

Most, however, didn't spend enough time around her to realize Sona Sitri's definition of the word 'reasonable' wasn't the same as their own.

For while 'reasonable' may be the capability to achieve success within an acceptable time frame through acceptable means through the use of acceptable resources, Sona's belief was that anything within possible reach, no matter how unlikely, was reasonable.

So long as the possibility wasn't Zero, it was within her means to achieve.

A rating game school should be well within her means as the younger sister of one of the Four Satans. In fact, with the right words and enough time, she was sure she could have something set aside by the end of the month.

'Big sister has always been one to indulge me.' She sighed, leaning back against her chair.

And therein lies the problem.

It would be easy, painless, and utterly meaningless. Even though she had faith in her abilities as an administrator, a Rating Game school was meaningless without the experience and status that came with succeeding and climbing the ranks through her own merit. In fact, even though the names Sitri and Leviathan might by themselves bring interested parties to her, the name she wished to carve into the consciousness of her fellows was another one entirely.

'Sona Sitri. By my own merit, I will revolutionize the world of Rating Games.' Watching out the window as the other students mingled, chatted, or just made a beeline for the exit as the first day of class came to an end was relaxing. Most of them would be going home, others would be catching up with their friends, and she could see some of them move towards afternoon school activities.

The clubs were getting an early start this year.

'It's good to be proactive.' She applauded them for getting to work as promptly as she was. Just the fact she managed to earn her current position as Student Council President within a single year of being in Kuoh was a testament to her dedication.

It also gave her a better understanding of how to work with management, whether financial or personnel. It added an extra workload to her studies and duties to the Sitri clan, but Sona wasn't about to complain.

All was in service of her goal, of course.

Her ambition.

Had it been as simple as wanting to become a teacher or a principal, there were easier ways to go about achieving such a thing. But none that would allow her to keep a semblance of pride.

But how to go about achieving it?

Obviously, the answer was merit. She just had to learn more, practice more, and win enough rating games that her word, her name, came to be known and respected not just due to her connections, but also due to the overwhelming weight carried by reputation.

Success was merit.

Merit was influence.

So what was the best way to achieve success on rating games? Experience certainly played a part. But Sona wasn't about to bash her head against a wall and lose hundreds of matches just so she could claim a tenth of the experience that the greatest players had.

'Such an unrefined approach. One should make every preparation they can before they even take the first step.'

Which was why she was here in Kuoh.

To start building her peerage. The most important aspect of the Rating Game.

'A king can't win the game alone.'

She'd read all sorts of guides and books on building a peerage. Often asking her parents and sister for their opinions on the most important aspects of recruitment, training, and maintenance. Enough samples and opinions were eventually compiled into two categories.

Those who looked for natural power.

And those who fostered talent.

'The first has its allure.' Minimal need to train or strengthen individual members when they already came equipped with fighting skills and their own natural abilities. Sacred Gears, Yokai, all sorts of beings with natural power inherent to themselves provided a proper base to work with.

And yet that wasn't her path.

'No, I need to help shape them.'

While there wasn't an articulated philosophy to it, Sona was aware that her own path in life needed to reflect her goals. If she wished to teach, she must teach. If she wished to welcome Low Class and Reincarnated Devils, she needed to guide them already. But, perhaps most importantly, depending on inherited gifts, granted by another, would create unique circumstances.

So, no matter how tempting such a boon might be, it would make her own experience less generalized and less applicable.

That is to say, if each of her subordinates were not only individuals, with their own fighting style, mindset, ideas, thoughts, wants, and needs, but also possessed of unique expressions of raw might, or even physical and mystical heritage that she simply could not directly grasp, then her lessons would be tailored for such conditions.

"I want to help… those who need it."

Individuals who already possessed immense power wouldn't need her school, after all. They would have someone like Rias, hopefully, to look after them.

"But there is also a need for standards."

Not just everyone had what it took to become a Devil, certainly most Devils would never rise from the lower classes.

Perhaps it was a lack of will, or ambition, or drive, or simply an utter lack of talent; all such things could preclude one from cultivating the discipline needed to excel. However, there were also plenty of others who were genuinely content and professed no desire to rise above.

Those, too, she would not be serving with her school.

Their paths lay elsewhere.

Looking down at the stack of folders she had Tsubaki organize for her. The latest batch of students entering the high school segment. From outside entrants, to to those graduating from the Middle School segment of Kuoh, she had her Queen leaf through and separate those fitting her parameters from the rest.

As expected, Yuuto Kiba was the top ranked on physical exams.

That was to be expected of a Knight.

But it isn't just physical excellence that she cared about. Having a mindless brute wouldn't help her in the least. All members of her peerage, current and future, should be selected with the expectation that they should excel on both practical and theoretical levels.

Those getting by on pure brains or brawn… didn't interest her.

Those who had an aptitude for both, however, were worth looking into. And she already had two names on her list of candidates.

"Issei Hyoudou… hmm. No outstanding merits, but consistently in the top ten or twenty in all subjects. Extraordinary physical scores, but not compounded with sports team experience or even a mention of any kind of martial arts."

His file read like someone who was a very hard worker, but had no direction to push in. High performance, enough motivation to do well, but no specific goal to drive at.

"He might be an excellent candidate for the Student Council, whether I recruit him or not. And, if nothing else, perhaps I can point him in a direction that will make him happy."

Someone with a record like this might simply need to be introduced to the baseball team or introduced to the soccer coach. And that assumed the government didn't interest him at all.

"Yes. At the very least, I can direct his mind, assuming that he continues to display this level of competence, towards a path he can walk with pride."

A test run, in more ways than one.

'At least I've found two possible young men for my peerage.'

Issei Hyoudou and Genshirou Saji offered a chance at starting to balance the composition of her team. After all, there were already plenty of rumors about her due to her sister's… open affection. And the young woman was eager to try and squash at least some of the rumors about her running her peerage as a harem.

That was when she felt… something.

Or, rather, there was a flicker of pressure, then nothing at all. It was too much 'nothing'. Like a darkness darker than dark. Or a lightness brighter than bright. Too perfect an "average" sort of magical sense that just as quickly faded into the background.

Focusing, pushing out her senses beyond the physical, she tried to feel that disruption again.

Yet… nothing.

'Wait, no.'

There was a sort of barrier, a feeling of absolute "averageness" that had a defined shape.

"Someone's put up a barrier in Kuoh." She frowned. And as she was quite certain she hadn't planned or asked for her peerage to set this up… she could only assume someone else did.

'This better not be Rias.' If the redhead was trying something without telling her again, they'd have words!

Outside

Issei was conflicted.

He had a date! An actual date!

Somehow, on his first day of classes, Issei had managed to charm a cute girl into inviting him to go out together. And for the life of him, he couldn't even think what he could have done to warrant it. After all, he couldn't recall speaking with her, or having had any classes with her, or, having wracked his brain, having actually seen the girl before now….

Maybe some sort of backed up good karma that came to bless him?

Was he about to find out he had 100 soul mates?

He wouldn't have minded that.

However, as happy as he was, Issei was also deeply terrified. After Matsuda and Motohama were done trying to shake him down for whatever secrets or blackmail he supposedly had on him, the trio came to the realization that one of them had done the unthinkable.

He actually had a date!

'And I don't have any ideas!' Really, as someone who had never gone on a date outside of his games, Issei was deeply unsure on whether he was making the right choices or wrong choices in no small part due to the fact that the girl who asked him out, whose name he didn't even know, was a complete unknown.

He didn't know what she liked!

Did she like ice cream or was she lactose intolerant?

Did she like clothes or did she like doing it alone? Hell, if he offered to buy her something, would she see him as going too fast, or that he was trying too hard and forcing it?

'Do I even have my allowance on me?'

Usually he spent half the month's money early on something he really wanted. Which left him with… not nearly enough for a fancy date.

Crap.

He was screwed.

SO screwed!

Unfortunately by the end of class, Issei had only managed to put together the most barebones plan imaginable, and even then he only managed to do it after consulting his friends on what spots would be open after class. He couldn't pick a place that was too crowded, but he also couldn't pick a place that he plain couldn't afford.

He wanted to make a good first impression, and coming off as cheap was just as bad as coming off as trying too hard.

"Well, here goes nothing."

Sighing, Issei walked towards the gate where a hopefully soon to be familiar white haired girl was waiting. She didn't seem any different from earlier, expression as flat as before. But the fact that she had waited for him meant this wasn't just a mean spirited joke or a prank.

Yet…

'There could be cameras.'

Not that he wanted to suspect such a nice looking girl, but this was the sorta thing that seemed too good to be true because it was. Issei, however, would hold onto the possibility that it wasn't like a man set adrift at sea would cling to a lifesaver.

Anything to stay afloat.

Besides… it couldn't be worse than the last time he had a one on one chat with a girl, right?

"Hey, sorry for the wait! Were you here for too long?" Walking up to the white haired girl - he desperately needed to get her name - Issei couldn't help but get a strange feeling of nostalgia as she turned to look at him. Her eyes were a familiar shade of blue that were so dark they might as well have been purple.

Fortunately, she didn't seem to notice his staring. Or if she did, didn't act like she cared.

"It was of little consequence. Time is not a resource I find myself running short on."

He tilted his head at the… frankly odd turn of phrase.

"Well, it is the start of the year so it's not like we have a lot of stuff to do."

She nodded, absentmindedly, instead her focus seemed to be on the main building. Eyes focused on the upper floors as if trying to see through the closed windows. Issei, however, couldn't see anyone up there. There shouldn't be anyone left there, and the few clubs starting out early would be using the side building or the gymnasium.

"So… I didn't get your name the first time."

She turned to face him with the same inquisitive gaze. Tilting her head to the other side.

"I did not give it to you."

Right, right,

Which made this whole thing so much weirder. Just how was he supposed to come up with a date plan when he didn't even know who she was?! Even so, Issei was unwilling to simply surrender!

"Well, let's get the introductions out of the way first then. I am Issei Hyoudou! It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He put a little bit of flare at the end. She seemed to be the type who appreciated the formality, even if it didn't show on her face.

For a moment the girl looked pensive, almost conflicted.

Was she… planning on asking someone out without telling them her name?

"I suppose I should answer your forwardness. Knowledge is power, and my having you at a disadvantage proved to be a faux pas. Hmm… I did not plan to make this revelation until another stage but in order to begin a relationship in the most optimal circumstance I should respond in kind."

Issei got… precisely half of that.

What was she even talking about? Relationship? That sounded a bit too fast even for him! And she really had planned to go on a date with someone without even telling them her name.

"I… thank you?"

She nodded, accepting his thanks as if expecting them.

"Truly as those who stand over all mortals on earth, I suppose it was only a matter of course for us to greet one another as equals. Yes, this Athena has been humbled by your humility and courtesy, Issei Hyoudou."

All of a sudden it hit him.

He wasn't dealing with the average teenage girl anymore. This was someone who believed they had ascended into the realm of legend and thus didn't need to concern themselves with societal norms established by society. An exception amongst exceptions even in Kuoh.

'She is… a Chuunibyou!'

Everything made sense now. The somewhat stilted, but practiced manner of speech. Her wanting to keep a low profile, acting like some sort of secret agent on a mission. Treating something as simple as giving out her name as some sort of massive allowance, or reward for his good behavior.

This explained so much!

"Ah, thank you. It's nice to meet you, Athena." Even her name sounded like something she got from an anime. Like she was the human reincarnation of some ancient goddess. Probably was a rich girl too if her parents just let her get away with it.

"So… Do you wanna grab a bite to eat first? Or should we head to the arcade?"

Those were the best options he had. The arcade was simple cheap fun for anyone their age, and he'd never heard of someone who refused a free lunch after inviting someone out. And with how much Issei managed to scrounge together, he could afford at least that.

The white haired girl - Athena, he reminded himself with fond exasperation - seemed to consider her options as if they were a matter of life and death. All as the name seemed to linger in the back of his mind. Like he had met her before.

"You wish to entreat this Athena first then? Yes… back in the day, food and entertainment were considered worthy offerings. Though we hardly receive much these days…" She muttered the rest under her breath.

Really, now that Issei knew she wasn't actually… well… malicious, he managed to relax.

'I don't think a girl would pretend to be a chuuni if they planned on pranking me.'

It seemed he was in the clear!

"So, ah, if you don't mind me asking, how did you notice me? I don't wanna sound rude, but, you know, I'm afraid I don't recall speaking with you before." He was pretty sure he wouldn't forget a girl this cute if she went to his school, or rode the same bus.

Feeling a little shy, the young man gave a little chuckle, hoping to play it off.

Walking down the street, the white haired girl didn't seem to be in any hurry as she kept pace with him, content to just follow as Issei took the lead.

'I hope she tells me her real name eventually.' A quick glance back, her face was still impassive, only the smallest hint of curiosity showing through. 'Athena is pretty cute.'

"It was simple, one merely took note of your actions over the course of the previous month. Though my research originally accounted only for the strange happenings at sea, your presence was considered noteworthy, enough that I just had to appear personally to ascertain your true nature."

So… she was a fan?

Issei didn't exactly think about what happened often. Sure, he remembered getting a handshake and an interview, but nobody brought it up back home aside from it showing how responsible he'd gotten.

'But to think I have an actual fan now.'

Maybe this really was his popular phase?

"Well, I can't disappoint, now can I?" Feeling… confused, nervous, a little disoriented, he swallowed and focused on anything but his stomach. "So! The arcade, then, I'm gonna warn you though, I play to win."

"Curse you Athena! I swear ten thousand years of vengeance!"

The shorter girl gently patted Issei's head.

"It is ok. I only defeated you by… two thousand points. Surely the dishonor is not so great we must become enemies?"

Utterly crushed, Issei found himself pouting at the tiny smile she currently wore. Just smug enough to be teasing, just pitying enough to strike another blow, he was forced to concede his best out of seven in favor of his date… who had four wins… to his zero.

"Ah. You know, I had the third highest score here. I was kinda hoping to impress you."

A firm nod.

"One's dedication to the art of dance - and dance dance revolution - is a sign of cultural development. In other words, good civilization. You were still most admirable."

Said the one utterly tearing him apart on the dance floor. She'd gone for moves he didn't even think existed, let alone possible to perform with a spine. Goes to show that no matter how high one's score got there would always be a bigger fish lurking in wait.

"Heh. Thank you. Still, we've been here for a couple of hours. Let's go get something to eat." Surprisingly not out of breath at all, despite having been dancing harder than he ever had before in his life, he instinctively reached over and grabbed his date's hand and stood up.

Before freezing.

And panicking.

Just a little bit.

Slowly turning around, he was… glad that she'd stood up as well, giving him a soft smile.

Athena did withdraw her hand, but slowly and gently, and only after a moment or two. It was… nice. And Issei was very, very glad he hadn't just screwed up his date by going too fast!

In the end, the pair of teenagers made their way out of the arcade, needing only a moment to adjust to daylight - though a few of the regulars may have been crying in terror, realizing the newest first place record on the most popular machine was a literal perfect score.

Either way, they began winding their way down the street only for Issei to feel something slightly off.

"Huh. Wonder why no-one's out?"

His date made a noise of confusion and he slowed down, elaborating.

"Well… there's no one around."

Something crawled down his spine.

"Why isn't anyone else… out… now."

Stopping completely, there was a sudden, almost forceful pressure at his temples.

"What's going - get down!"

Issei threw himself over Athena, dragging her to concrete below, his arms cradling her head, as an immense snake launched itself out of an underpass in a shower of concrete. The monster burst into the air as the street shook and the fanged maw of the massive reptile snapped at the air where he'd just been standing.

Slithering and coiling through the air, its scales formed a beautiful pattern of black, white, and scarlet rings. Its face was more like a dragon's than a serpent's with bone-like spikes jutting out from under its jaw and along the brow on top of the head. A white skull-like pattern contrasted with the black scales and slit red gaze.

Its tongue slid out, tasting air as the massive snake shook the leftover debris off of its face.

"Idiot, you missed him."

A new voice spoke, this time from the other end of the street, as a hooded figure rounded the corner. Issei had a hard time seeing much aside from the blonde hair that peeked from under the black hood, and the displeased sneer that marred what would otherwise have been a pretty face.

What surprised him was when the giant snake spoke.

"Apologies, sister, somehow he sensed me coming."

A surprisingly prim and proper lady-like voice came from the hulking snake blocking the street, eyes peering down at them as the other woman approached from the opposite side - all as Issei jumped back to his feet with a distinct sense of déjà vu.

This felt way too familiar.

In fact, it was the exact same feeling he remembered from the ship.

'Are they… related to Dusa-chan?' He didn't want to assume they were just because one of them just happened to be a giant snake. But having replayed through Doki Doki Monster Paradise 5 after coming back home, Issei was aware that the character wasn't supposed to be a single child.

And that massive snake just called the hooded lady sister.

There was no way this was a coincidence.

"Well, I'll lend you a hand so don't miss this time." The brusque voice snapped back, annoyed, the implied threat sending a feeling of tension down Issei's back as he looked around for an escape. Instinctively, he knew getting attacked from two sides would be tough, even more when he had to protect Athena.

"Are you okay?"

Athena, for her part, didn't seem to be affected at all by the sudden appearance of the duo. In fact, the usually impassive Athena looked equal parts confused and equal parts annoyed at the development. A far cry from the fear he'd expected when a bus sized snake burst out of the ground.

But then again, maybe that was the power of chuunibyou.

"This is most aggravating. I did not expect these two to make their move this late. Perhaps they were too intimidated by my presence to act before?" She sighed, dusting her skirt as if massively put upon rather than terrified.

Issei blinked in confusion, opening his mouth to ask her what she meant.

Before the most horrible sound he'd ever heard blared in his ears. A mixture of nails on chalkboard and alarm sirens. It was an explosion of sounds that rattled his bones and made all the windows on cars and buildings nearby explode, pieces of glass falling on top of them like a hailstorm.

Not knowing what else to do, he threw himself over Athena once more.

This time they didn't hit the ground, but most of the debris bounced off of him, slicing open his jacket, digging into his skin. It terrified him, all of it. The snake, the scream, the fact he knew he'd be… ripped… bloody.

"I'm ok?"

Having opened his eyes, the teenager had expected to be badly injured, at best. And likely bleeding almost as badly as he had on the ship. After all, half of a ten story apartment building's glass had just fallen on him. It was still scattered all across the sidewalk!

Strangely, he didn't feel a single cut on him, even though his clothes were ruined. Enough it would be humiliating under more normal circumstances!

He wasn't about to question it, though!

"SorryButWeGottaRun!"

Not pondering the situation, and assuming that Shidou's prayers for him must be kicking in, Issei scooped his date up, threw her over his shoulder, and ran.

"Hey! What the Hell are you doing! Sister, get him!"

Ignoring the yelling behind him, the teenager pumped his legs with as much force as he could manage. The soles of his shoes crushed glass and slapped against cement. There was no hesitation, no though, no decision he needed to make.

Athena was his priority.

Both of his enemies responded, each of them faster than he was, and they worked together. But he had a plan! So when the prim and proper snake monster slammed down in front of him, Issei felt the world grow narrow and focused, as if it had been put into slow motion as the monster descended. From within a familiar sensation of 'something' burst to the surface of conscious thought, overtaking his nerves and the leftover numbness caused by that screech.

Issei felt his lips move.

'Through the grass you slither unseen, through the stone you wind gracefully, through the waters you plunge, writhe, and surge. Though none may see you, in your eyes, I see a beautiful world of marble!'

"[Mineral Garden]"

A massive row of spikes ripped up through the cracks on the sidewalk, twisting, rising higher, and slamming into the serpent with enough force to snap its maw back and toss it on its back!

The hooded girl was waiting, however. Exactly as Issei rushed past her sister, the sneering blonde thrust a two pronged spear at him.

So he made the obvious choice.

Twisting to the side, lifting Athena up and to the left, Issei hissed when the spear's blade scraped along his ribs. His mind, though, clung to the marble spikes, and deformed them.

Another row spun off and circled back, managing to smack the girl's weapon out of her hand when half a dozen jagged pieces of stone did their very best to impale her head. Her flexibility, though, was more than enough to dodge out of the way and was merely clipped on the arm.

Issei chose to just shoulder charge her to the ground and kept moving.

Already, he could already hear the large snake getting back up.

'Seriously! Again?! Why did it have to be snakes?!'

The irony wasn't lost on him.