"Okay, Gasper. Try to stop as many leaves as you can, okay?"
"O-okay, Issei-senpai."
"Go for it, boys!"
At his call, two shadow troopers tilted their baskets, sending a cascade of autumn leaves fluttering down from above, swirling unpredictably as they were caught in the summer breeze. Gasper swallowed nervously, his violet eyes darting between the falling targets. A faint red glow flickered from his pupils as the Dhampir activated his power, causing many leaves to freeze mid-air, suspended in time.
Still, many more continued their descent, slipping through the reach of Gasper's Sacred Gear.
After a moment, the glow in his eyes disappeared, and the frozen leaves lost their suspension, drifting gently to the ground. Gasper exhaled shakily, his shoulders slumping. "I... I missed so many…"
Issei grinned, clapping a hand on his back. "Yeah, but I think you managed to stop way more than before. That's progress."
With that, another shadow trooper walked toward them and offered Gasper a bottle of water, with the Dhampir accepting it with a graceful bow. Surprisingly, Gasper looked quite comfortable around the shadows—far more than he did with everyone else Rias had told Issei that, as a half Vampire, Gasper naturally possessed some power over shadows and darkness, though he struggled to control them just as much as his Sacred Gear. Issei highly doubted it was anything like his own Shadow Monarch abilities, but it was clear that Gasper's affinity with the dark made him feel at ease around them—something Issei had heard could be quite unsettling to most people.
"Alright. Let's try again." Issei spoke to Gasper before looking over to his shadows. Since he initially struggled with controlling his emotion, which caused his Sacred Gear to activate itself, Issei had no idea if this training was actually helping.
Still, it had to be better than the brilliant ideas that had been suggested by Xenovia, who thought the best way to help Gasper control his emotions was to chase him around with Durandal until he learned to manage his panic. Meanwhile, Koneko had a different approach. She believed that a stronger body led to a stronger mind, so Gasper needed to eat more to gain better control over his Sacred Gear—which made the most sense, in theory. She would have been right… if she hadn't tried to feed him garlic. Being a half vampire, garlic didn't affect him the same way it would a pure-blooded vampire, but Gasper still hated it.
Simply put, she only did it to mess with him.
The training continued on for the rest of the afternoon, with Gasper steadily improving. His control over his Sacred Gear got noticeably better after two hours of training, but only if he managed to stay calm. Whenever Xenovia, who had been sparring with Kiba nearby, approached him and suggested using her Durandal, Gasper immediately panicked, causing his power to flare out of control and freezing everyone and everything within his line of sight except for Issei.
It seemed there was still much work to be done before Gasper could join them in battle, which was the ultimate goal of his training.
"What?" Issei asked, noticing the smile Rias wore as she looked at him. The sun was already setting, casting a warm glow over Kuoh Academy, and with Asia having followed Xenovia back to her home to help her with something, it was just him and Rias heading home together.
Chuckling, Issei rolled his eyes at her and decided to let it go for the time being, grabbing his backpack and slinging it over his shoulder. "Alright, if you say so. By the way, do you think we..."
Before Issei could finish his sentence, a familiar presence caught his attention, making him turn his gaze toward the direction where the front gate of Kuoh academy was. It took Rias a second, but she also noticed it as well, causing her expression to shift from amusement to caution. "Is that?"
"Yeah, but it doesn't feel malicious. I don't think he comes here to fight." Issei shook his head, but it didn't make him any less cautious. "Blade."
Instantly, Blade emerged at his side, on one knee and with his head lowered.
"Take your men to the vantage points around the school. Keep hidden with Stealth and be ready for anything." On his command, Blade gave a nod of understanding as a group of elven archers materialized around him. Without a sound, the shadows vanished, swiftly leaving the old school building and spreading out to their assigned positions.
With that handled, Issei turned to Rias. "Let's go."
Upon reaching the schoolyard, Issei immediately spotted a young man with light silver hair standing at the front gate, appearing to be around his age. His outfit consisted of a dark green V-neck shirt beneath a high-collared black leather jacket, burgundy jeans with a silver chain draped over them, and black leather chaps with three bands wrapped around his right calf. He completed the look with black shoes fastened by matching black buckles.
Issei narrowed his eyes, scanning the stranger. He didn't recognize him, but at the same time, he had no trouble identifying him by his presence—one that the newcomer clearly wasn't trying to hide.
Stopping a few steps away, Issei spoke up just as the silver-haired young man finally turned to look at him. His face carried a confident expression—the kind that, when added to how handsome he was, the old Issei would have wanted to punch on sight, but he had gotten better at controlling those urges. "You're not being subtle at all. Guess that means you're here for a reason."
The young man smirked, uncrossing his arms to slip his hands into his pockets. "Sharp. That saves me some time." His gaze flickered between Issei and Rias before settling back on Issei. "Hyoudou Issei, right? I've been looking forward to meeting you... face to face, of course, without our Balance Breaker Scale Mails."
"Hope I don't disappoint."
"Oh, not at all." Vali chuckled as he shook his head, making Issei raise an eyebrow, wondering if the guy was judging based on appearances. They had roughly the same build, though Issei was more muscular, and at around 168 centimeters tall, Vali stood nearly a head shorter than him. "Regardless, I believe you're aware of my association with Grigori from our last encounter?"
"Yes. I also heard that Azazel arrived in Kuoh this morning," Rias replied, keeping her tone neutral.
"Truth be told, I originally came here to check out the location for the upcoming Three Factions meeting." Vali nodded, glancing around briefly before adding, "Quite a nice school you guys have here."
"Thanks. And I take it that meeting me is the other reason you came?" Issei asked.
"That's right. And you should ask Rias Gremory to help you conceal your presence, Issei Hyoudou. Your dragon aura sticks out like a sore thumb. Anyone skilled in sensing magic can pinpoint your location easily… and for a fellow dragon, it's even simpler."
Issei frowned slightly. He hadn't really thought about it before, but it made sense. Ddraig had mentioned something similar in the past, but with everything that had happened, concealing his presence wasn't exactly at the top of his priority list.
"Thanks for the heads-up, I guess."
Vali nodded with a smile before extending his hand forward. "Don't mention it. The name is Vali, the current Hakuryuukou."
"Issei Hyoudou. I'm the Sekiryuutei of this generation." Issei introduced himself, shaking the hand of his destined rival firmly before they both glanced to the side, noticing a group of students approaching while chatting amongst themselves. It was the girls of the Kendo Club.
"Well then, since I've gotten what I came for, I believe it's time for me to leave," Vali said, slipping his hand back into his pocket. "It was nice meeting you, Issei Hyoudou. You as well, Rias Gremory. I hope the next time we meet it will be just as pleasant."
"Same here. I must say,.. you seem quite chill about this rivalry between us." Issei couldn't help but ask, having noticed Vali's composed attitude. Ddraig had told him that many of his and Albion's possessors were battle maniacs, and their rivalry was so intense between some that if the subject wasn't brought up during their first conversation, then it would be a straight fight to the death. Vali, so far, had yet to mention it, possibly because of his occupation with Grigori, or simply because he just didn't care about it that much.
"Believe me, I do. As someone who constantly seeks to test my strength against strong opponents, I look forward to having a match with you to see which of us is stronger. I admit… I had my doubts when I heard who you were, but you blew my expectations out of the window when you beat Kokabiel." Vali said as he turned around and started walking away. "But this isn't the time or place for that. Besides, Azazel would never let me hear the end of it if I started a fight here, so let's save it for another time. With all that powers, aren't you also curious to see how you measure up against someone of the same caliber, or where you stand in this world?"
Vali didn't wait for an answer and continued walking just as the girls from the kendo club started approaching. As Rias was instantly surrounded by the group, Issei continued to watch the Hakuryuukou leave until he noticed a mop of strawberry-blonde hair beside him. Turning his head, Issei wasn't surprised to see Amamiya Mirei standing right next to him, her hand holding the strap of the scabbard that carried her kendo gears as her eyes followed his gaze and looked at Vali.
"Is that the Hakuryuukou, senpai?" Mirei asked, with Issei nodding his head in confirmation "Huh. I thought he would be taller."
"Good afternoon to you as well, Mirei-chan." Issei chuckled.
After that, Issei and Rias continued to travel home, chatting until they arrived at the neighborhood. But almost as soon as Issei turned the corner, he froze mid-step, blinking rapidly at the sight before him.
"Wha..."
Standing in the spot where his house, and those of his neighbors, used to be was now a towering estate. What had once been a modest Japanese home just that morning had expanded to nearly three times its original size, now taking on the grand appearance of a luxurious six story building. The simple stone walls had been replaced by a sleek metal fence, and a grand iron gate now stood at the entrance. Large, arched windows lined the walls, their glass reflecting the evening light, while the beautifully tiled roof featured elegant ridges that added to its grandeur.
A spacious front yard, featuring a well-kept garden with multiple plants and flower pots, stretched out in front, complete with a stone pathway leading to the grand double doors, where a certain girl, her long blonde hair tied into twin tails with large, drill-like curls, was standing, appearing to be waiting for them. Her presence confirmed that the towering building behind her was none other than the Hyoudou Residence.
"Welcome back, Rias-sama, Issei-sama!" Ravel greeted, folding her hands in front of her as she lowered her head to them with an elegant, yet polite smile.
"Good afternoon, Ravel." Rias responded warmly as she walked forward to meet the blonde girl, leaving Issei to remain rooted in place while looking up, his mind still processing what stood before him. "Oh, Ravel will be living with us from now on, Ise. Her mother wants us..."
"Wait, you mean this is my house?" Issei asked in shock "...What happened to my house?"
Rias giggled. It was clear that she had been expecting that exact reaction from him. "Come on in. We can talk more about it inside."
As Issei followed Rias and Ravel inside, his ears caught the sound of voices coming from the living room—or at least where he thought the living room should be. Recognizing the voices, Issei was not surprised to see his parents talking to Zeoticus and Venelana in the living area, which was far larger than what Issei remembered and led to a spacious dining area.
Judging by the relaxed and cheerful expressions on the faces of both Gorou and Miki Hyoudou, it was clear they had no complaints about their home magically expanding in a single day.
While waiting for dinner, Ravel took it upon herself to give Issei a tour around his new house. Beside the dining area, kitchen and the living room, the first floor also featured a set of guest rooms occupying one wing, while a bathroom and traditional Japanese-style washitsu rooms were situated in another.
His room was on the second floor, though it had tripled in size with a large, king sized bed in the center. Rias and Asia's rooms were on both sides, interconnecting on either side by doors. The third floor housed the new bedroom for his parents along with a study and a storeroom. The fourth and fifth floors consisted mostly of additional bedrooms, one of which belonged to Ravel, while the rooftop had been transformed into a communal garden, decorated with flower plots and a small vegetable farm for his father.
Descending below ground, the first basement floor contained an entertainment area featuring a whole movie theater, multiple training spaces, and changing areas. A large indoor bath occupied an entire section of the floor, with a refrigerator fully stocked with various fruit drinks and flavored milks. Further below, the second basement floor featured a heated indoor swimming pool, while the third basement floor appeared to be used primarily for storage, with every floor being accessible via a pair of elevators.
"Truly, I was so amazed when I returned home earlier." Gorou said with a wide smile on his face, his wife nodding her head along as they sat at the dining table with the Gremory and the rest of their families, including Issei himself, Rias, Ravel, Asia and Xenovia, who had moved in a room on the third floor to save rent money.
"Still, is it really okay for you to give this house to us for free, Gremory-san?" Miki asked while looking at Zeoticus.
"Of course, Miki-san. This house is the first model of our company's new design. It was meant to be a test so we don't lose anything by giving it out for free." The crimson haired man answered before he added "Of course, that doesn't mean the quality is anything less than top notch. The architect we chose to renovate your house is one of the best in the business."
Venelana nodded. "Unfortunately, he also has a habit of incorporating secret rooms into his designs without ever telling his client, so don't be too surprised if you stumble upon one unexpectedly."
For some reason, Issei didn't like the sound of that at all.
Later that night, Issei found himself heading to a high-end hotel on the other side of town to meet a new client, filling in for Gasper, who had received a request to play video games with them since there was no chance that he could go out and confidently meet the client in person. Because the request was made online, the client didn't have a physical copy of the leaflets with the teleportation magic circle of the Gremory devil household, which Issei could use to teleport straight to them, so he had to travel to their location on foot. Not that it was a problem, however.
Arriving at the designated floor, Issei took out his phone and gave it a quick glance at the screen to confirm the apartment number, making sure that he had gotten to the right place before reaching his hand out to press the doorbell. A moment later, the door swung open, revealing a tall man appearing to be in his twenties with an average build, black hair, golden bangs, and black goatee. His clothing was fairly simple, being a green Yukata that was secured over his frame by a belt.
Despite not being able to sense anything unusual, he could immediately tell that this man was no ordinary person.
"Ah, thank you for coming, Devil-kun. Please, come in." The man greeted cheerfully, his tone light and welcoming as he moved out of the way to let Issei enter.
"Good evening. I'm Issei Hyoudou." Issei introduced himself, his hand extending forward to offer it to the black-blonde haired man "I'm here to fill in for Gasper Vladi, who accepted your request. He was unable to meet you in person, so I came to his place."
"Oh, no problem at all, since you are actually the one I want to meet." The man grinned, taking Issei's hand into his own before introducing himself "Leader of the Fallen Angels. Nice to meet you, Sekiryuutei, Issei Hyoudou."
Issei remained calm, though inwardly, he was quite surprised by the bold introduction. The only reason he wasn't on high alert was that Azazel was in Kuoh for the upcoming meeting between the Three Factions, which was rumored to potentially lead to a full ceasefire, or even peace, between Devils, Fallen Angels, and Angels. If the Cadre intended to harm him, this would be the worst possible time to do so.
Still, Issei wasn't naive enough to let his guard down completely. Azazel might not be an enemy, but he clearly had a reason for wanting to meet him.
"Huh, and here I was expecting you to give a better reaction to that. Guess Vali was right about you." Azazel chuckled as he walked on ahead with his hands in the sleeves of his yukata. "Speaking of whom, sorry about the Hakuryuukou. He went on ahead and made contact with you on his own accord. I only found out about your meeting with him earlier."
"What about you though?" Issei decided to ask.
"Well, I'm the one in charge, so I won't apologize."
Azazel replied with a laugh before making his way over to the large flat-screen TV on the other side of the room, where a PS5 sat on the entertainment stand next to it. He bent down, rummaging through a stack of game cases before standing back up.
"I bought this game at a local game store earlier this morning but couldn't find an opponent." Azazel stated, showing Issei a disc for a popular racing game that he had played a few times with Matsuda and Motohama. "I tried to get Vali to play with me, but you can probably guess that he isn't the type for things like this. You, on the other hand, seem like you'd be a fun opponent. What do you say? Up for a few rounds?"
"Sure, I can't see why not." Nodding, Issei walked over to the couch in front of the TV and took his seat there. Grinning, Azazel turned on the PS5, inserted the disc in and grabbed the controllers, one of which he tossed to Issei.
As the game loaded up, Azazel leaned back against the couch, stretching his arms before selecting a car from the roster. "Alright, Sekiryuutei-kun, let's see if you're any good at this." he said, flashing a competitive grin.
Issei chuckled as he chose his own car. "I've played a few times with my friends. Don't expect me to go easy on you."
The countdown began, and as soon as the light turned green, both cars sped down the virtual track. Issei took an early lead, smoothly drifting around the first corner, but Azazel wasn't far behind.
"So, I guess I do owe you and your friends an apology for the trouble Kokabiel caused in this town." Azazel suddenly said, making Issei glance over at him in wonder. The brief moment of distraction was enough for the Fallen Angel to take the lead, his car accelerating and shooting past Issei's. "But I have to say… I was a little disappointed when I found out you managed to kill Kokabiel, even though I did tell Vali to bring him back by any means necessary."
"Your brother threatened to kill my master and Sona Sitri to start another Great War. I couldn't take any chances." Issei replied calmly, making Azazel let out a chuckle while nodding his head.
Azazel let out a chuckle, nodding his head. "And I respect you for that. You did what you had to do to protect your friends and prevent another war between the Three Factions, which is the last thing I want right now. So, I guess you have my thanks. If you ever need help on anything, feel free to ask. I'm a rather knowledgeable guy, and it's the least I can do. I was partially responsible for your death, after all."
"Don't worry. I'm over it." Issei shrugged, knowing that Azazel was referring to what happened with Raynare, who went against his order and decided to kill him instead of just watching over him like Azazel had wanted.
It was the truth. So much had happened recently, so many things going on daily that he barely had time to dwell on the past. Amano Yuuma, or rather, Raynare, was nothing more than a distant, buried memory. All he could do was focus on the present and move forward, just as Sieghart would have wanted him to.
Azazel studied him for a moment before chuckling. "Well, whatever you say."
With that said, Azazel turned his attention back to the game, focusing fully on the race between him and Issei. After a moment...
"Hah, I won!"
Issei clicked his tongue. "Tch, you just got lucky."
Azazel smirked. "Luck's part of the game, kid."
As Issei queued up for a rematch, an idea popped into his head. He glanced at Azazel before speaking. "Actually… there's something you might be able to help me with."
Azazel raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly. "Go on. I'm listening."
[Later]
"Hmm, I don't think there's anything wrong with this bracelet. It functions pretty much like a power dampener, but only partially, just enough to keep it manageable. Azazel clearly did his research on Gasper's Forbidden Balor View." Zeoticus remarked while studying the bracelet Azazel had given Issei after he had asked the Governor-General for advice on Gasper's training. "Fine craftsmanship, also."
It was nearly midnight when Issei got home after having a three hour gaming session with Azazel. It was quite clear that the Governor of Grigori had played that racing game before - probably a lot as well. Issei wasn't bad at racing games, but the final score was 20 to 7. He never really stood a chance.
After coming home, Issei had gone straight to Zeoticus to have him check out the bracelet. The man was the most knowledgeable person he knew when it came to magical items— not that Issei really needed the verification. The System had already shown him enough information about the bracelet, so he only wanted Zeoticus to examine it so he could be the one to justify its safety to Rias and the others.
If anyone could confirm whether it was safe to use, it would be him. Since Issei wasn't sure how effective their current training methods were, the bracelet might be exactly what Gasper needed to improve.
"He also said if I let him drink my blood, he might get strong enough to control Forbidden Balor View himself, but only for a moment." Issei continued as he exchanged a look with Rias, who was clearly displeased that Azazel had reached out to him. It was no secret that Azazel had an extreme interest in Sacred Gears, especially the powerful ones, which was the reason he sent Raynare to keep an eye on him in the first place.
"Well, he's also right on that one. Blood has been known to be a medium for power transfer, especially for vampires. Yours is the blood of a dragon, so even without taking into consideration your current strength, its potency is already a completely different level." Zeoticus said as he handed Issei back the power dampener bracelet. "I think this bracelet will do the job just fine for now."
"Thank you, Zeoticus-san."
"Don't mention it."
[The next day]
Issei thought he had had enough surprises when he met Vali, Azazel, and had his house turned into a huge mansion all on the same day,
But it was becoming clear that the week was only just getting started.
"Ara, there you are, Issei-kun." Akeno beamed as she waved her hand at him, all the while standing before the toji gate in front of her home, dressed in a shrine maiden outfit that suited her perfectly. Behind her, the shrine-style house stood quietly among the trees, giving off a calm yet imposing feel due to its light holy aura. Issei heard that the place used to be haunted by a vengeful spirit, but Akeno purified it shortly before moving in herself, making the place her home.
"Good morning, Akeno-san!" Issei greeted Akeno with a wide grin.
"Good morning to you as well, Issei-kun." Akeno beamed warmly at him before gesturing her hand toward her home "Follow me this way. The person wanting to meet you has already arrived."
Nodding, Issei followed Akeno into her home. The house was quiet, the faint scent of incense lingering in the air. Issei and Akeno walked through the wooden hallway until she stopped in front of a sliding door and pushed it open to reveal a handsome-looking man with long blond hair and green eyes sitting at the table in the center of the room. His clothing consisted of a red robe with a gold cross on the front of his white alb, but his most notable feature, meanwhile, was the golden halo hovering just above his head, its glow casting a soft radiance around him.
"Oh…"
Another big name. At this point, Issei felt like he should stop being surprised altogether.
"Hello." The person greeted him with a gentle smile as he rose from his seat and approached him while offering Issei his hand "You must be the Sekiryuutei, Hyoudou Issei-kun. My name is Michael, leader of the Angels. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and thank you for coming to see me today."
Issei shook his hand, feeling an odd sense of calm radiating from the archangel despite his holy aura. "Nice to meet you too."
As Akeno went to make some tea for them, Issei and Michael took their seats at the table in the room and exchanged some brief talks, mostly about his life as a devil in Kuoh. As their conversation went on, it was apparent that Michael was aware of the meeting that Issei had with Azazel the night before. Sibling-rivalry possibly? But looking from a political standpoint, Michael might also be trying to gain some advantage ahead of the upcoming meeting between the Three Factions, which Rias had pointed out might be the reason why Azazel had wanted to meet him and offered his help in the first place.
"The truth is, Issei-kun. I came here today to give you this."
As he spoke, Michael gestured toward the table between them, and with a faint shimmer of light, a sword materialized, wrapped in a radiant holy glow. It was a double-edged European-style blade with a reddish-purple grip and a golden hilt, its guard adorned with stylized crosses at the edges. A shiver ran down his spine as he studied the weapon, and Issei had a feeling it wasn't because of the intense holy aura it was radiating.
[This feeling. Could this be…]
[!] Ascalon – LV10
Type: Sword
Rarity: Legendary
ATK: 650
Element: Holy
[Description: The legendary Holy Sword of Saint George, who used the weapon to slay a dragon. The blade's infused with divine energy and dragon slaying attribute, making it especially effective against devils and dragons.
[Abilities:
Dragonbane (P): Deals 40% additional damage to dragons and ignores 30% of their resistances.
Judgment's Edge (P): Deals 60% additional damage to devils.
Holy Cleave (A): Builds up energy and unleashes a wave of holy radiant with each swing for 20 seconds. Deal 500% of Ascalon's ATK as Holy damage to all enemies in its path. Consume 400MP per activation.
This weapon is refinable.
Issei blinked in amazement as he read the text on the Notification Window that had appeared directly above Ascalon, which had the highest scaling he had ever seen on a weapon, far surpassing anything he had come across before. Even some of the most expensive weapons that he could find in the System Shop paled in comparison to it. Additionally, it also had a passive that worked really well with his main class, making it a perfect weapon for him.
But still…
"You are giving me this weapon?" Issei asked, turning his gaze away from the sword to look back at Michael "I mean… I'm grateful and all, but is it safe for me to use this weapon? Isn't this a holy sword with dragon slaying attributes?"
"I have had adjustments made to Ascalon. You should be able to wield it without issues." Michael answered with an assuring nod, making Issei look at him for a second before turning his attention back to Ascalon. He reached out and put his hand around the handle, gripping it firmly. He half-expected pain to shoot through his arm as he picked the sword up, but nothing happened. No burning sensation, and it was just the solid weight of the blade in his hand as he held it up.
Then, to both his and Michael's surprise, streams of red-orange flames erupted from the handguard and coiled around the blade of Ascalon, radiating an intense heat that caused the Archangel to cautiously lean his body back. Issei, meanwhile, remained in his seat and gazed up at the weapon in amazement as he felt an odd, yet comforting sensation washed over him, almost like the sword was welcoming him. A faint hum resonated from the weapon before the flames finally settled into a faint aura along the blade.
[New ability]
Draconic Convergence (P) – Ascalon will be imbued with the element of the currently active Dragon Pact.
"Woah…"
"How strange. I have never seen Ascalon react in such a manner before." Michael remarked, fixing his gaze on the sword with clear curiosity and interest. "However, it's clear to me that the sword has accepted you as its wielder. Do you think that you can assimilate it into your Boosted Gear?"
[If you wish for it, it should be possible, partner.] Ddraig said as Boosted Gear appeared on his left arm. Issei focused, and in a flash of light, Ascalon vanished, becoming a part of Boosted Gear with the blade extending from his forearm.
"Like this?" Issei asked, with Michael nodding his head approvingly. He then willed the blade to disappear, and it immediately retracted into his dragon gauntlet, making him hum thoughtfully, wondering what it would be like to wield Ascalon alongside Crimson Armament, the first level of his Balance Breaker. Moreover, the fact that the sword was refinable meant he could make it even stronger beyond just normal leveling.
It seemed that the sooner he fined an ally with the [Blacksmithing] skill, the better.
"Thank you, Michael-san."
"Please don't think too much about it, Issei-kun." Michael said with a warm smile "The sword is a gift from me to the Maou side. Of course, I also sent gifts to the fallen angel side. The upcoming meeting... it's a chance for us to get rid of the useless battles and finally achieve peace. The last and only one time we joined hands together was to defeat the two heavenly dragons, who threw our battlefield into disorder. Perhaps through their current hosts, you and the Vanishing dragon, we can find a new path forward together."
"So that's the reason why you gave this sword to me."
"Yes. I'm placing my hopes in you – in the Sekiryuutei of this generation. I have heard many stories and rumors about you and your heroic deeds in the Red Gate Incident, so I know that you have the strength and resolve to face the many great challenges ahead, not just for yourself, but for all of us." Michael said, lowering his head slightly in a respectful gesture.
"Yes, I will try my best, Michael-san."
Issei nodded, lowering his head in response to Michael. A moment later, Akeno returned with a tray of tea, which she gracefully set down on the table between Issei and Michael. Soon enough, the delicate aroma of the freshly brewed tea filled the air as she gracefully poured each cup, with Michael accepting his with a gentle nod of appreciation before Issei took his own.
DRAGON LEVELING
Since Kuoh was a small town, the nearest airport capable of handling international flights was a fair distance away. That was why Issei now found himself standing alongside Sirzechs and Cid at the private terminal, waiting for the arrival of the Hero Faction's delegation, who were set to attend the upcoming Three Factions meeting as peacekeepers, given their unique position as allies to all three sides.
Extra securities had been deployed for the occasion, with additional personnel stationed throughout the area to ensure everything went smoothly. Many of them were devils who answered directly to Sirzechs, while others were heroes from the Japanese branch of the Hero Faction. Issei had hoped he would get to meet Goto Ryuji again, but apparently the potentially sixth National Hero was apparently tied up dealing with an S-rank Gate that had appeared on Tsushima Island, so he was unable to come.
Not that it was really a problem. Issei was definitely not disappointed at all.
"Here." Issei offered, handing Mirei a 100 yen coin to buy a drink from a nearby vending machine.
Being one of the only available S-class left who weren't occupied with the ongoing Red Gates crisis, Mirei had filled in for Gojo as a member of the security detail, accompanied by a woman named Kanae Tawata, who was talking to Cid a short distance away. She looked to be a few years older than Issei with long black hair that was styled in a hime-cut, blood red eyes. Her outfit was a sleek, form-fitting black business suit that accentuated her well-toned figure, adorned with gold accessories and intricate straps. The most notable of these was the belt around her waist, which held two long katanas resting diagonally across her back.
At the moment, Kanae was engaged in a conversation with Cid a short distance, her arms crossed as she listened intently. Issei watched her for a moment before turning his attention back to Mirei just as she held out a bottle of soft drink toward him.
"Here, senpai. My treat." She said casually.
Issei blinked before taking it. "Thanks. Mirei-chan." He twisted the cap open and took a small sip, furrowing his eyebrows as his mind finally processed what she had just said. "Wait, how is it your treat when it's my money?"
"Because I went through the effort of buying it for you. That counts as a service fee." Mirei replied with a shrug.
"That's called a scam."
"Debatable."
Before Issei could reply, the loud rumble of an approaching aircraft filled the air, and Issei turned his head just in time to see a large jet touching down the nearby landing strip. The delegation had arrived.
As several security personnel moved into positions, Issei followed Sirzechs and Cid as they approached the plane, walking a short distance behind them with Mirei while Kanae stayed back to watch over the terminal. The door soon opened, and the first person to emerge was a handsome man with slick orange hair, dressed in a tailored black business suit and dark sunglasses.
Following right behind him was an elderly man with gray hair, greenish-gray eyes, and numerous scars on his face, which bore deep lines of age. Yet, despite his weathered appearance, his presence was anything but frail. He carried himself with a subtle but undeniable strength, a testament to his past as a renowned hero. His finely tailored suit did little to hide his robust frame, reflecting the years he had spent at the pinnacle of the Hero Faction.
The moment that his boots touched the ground, Go Gunhee, the current leader of the Hero Faction, swept his gaze over the gathered figures. Issei could see wisdom behind those grey eyes of his, but there was also a kindness, like that of a grandfather. It felt familiar, as if he had seen it before, yet he couldn't remember when or where.
"Sirzechs, it's been a while." Gunhee said to the crimson haired Maou as he extended a steady hand forward.
"The honor is mine, Leader Go." Sirzechs smiled, nodding his head as he returned the handshake with a polite nod. Thank you for accepting my invitation."
The leader of the Hero Faction chuckled lightly as he replied to him. "Please, It's the least I can do, Sirzechs." Releasing his hand, Gunhee then turned his attention over to Cid, who smiled as they shook hands "It's good to see you again, Cid."
"You look well, old man."
With that, Gunhee finally shifted his gaze to Issei, who smiled back at the man as he politely lowered his head to him in greeting. Before he could bow halfway, a firm yet gentle hand rested on his shoulder, stopping him. Issei looked up to see Gunhee smiling warmly at him.
"Please, raise your head. There is no need for such formality." The older man said.
Issei straightened and extended his hand forward. "Still, it's an honor to meet you, sir," he said sincerely as he shook hands with Gunhee. Despite his age, his grip was solid—strong, but not overbearing.
"Likewise. I hope to get to know you better during this visit." Gunhee said with a knowing smile. "Would it be possible for you to join me for lunch later?"
Issei blinked in surprise at the sudden invitation but quickly nodded. "Of course. I'd be happy to, sir."
Gunhee nodded "Good. And please, you can call me Gunhee."
"Well then, shall we?"
Sirzechs asked with a gesture toward the exit. A moment later, they were seated inside a convoy of sleek black vehicles, making their way back to Kuoh town sitting inside the second car with Mirei and Kanae, who remained silent throughout most of their trip.
"So, what's your plan for…"
Before Issei could finish asking Mirei the question, their car suddenly jerked to a stop as the driver hit the brakes. The seat belt tightened across his chest as the entire convoy came to a sudden halt.
"What happened?" Mirei asked before all three of them looked out the windows, widening their eyes in surprise when they saw a flicker of energy surging just above the bridge they were crossing. Within seconds, a swirling vortex of blue energy tore open, sending crackles of electricity arcing through the air. "What the… a Gate, here?"
From the front of the convoy, Cid stepped out of his car, his gaze locking onto the rapidly expanding portal as he lit a cigarette. Sirzechs and Gunhee followed, both directing their men to secure the area and keep civilians at a safe distance.
"Jinchul, what's the reading?" Gunhee asked as he approached his right hand man, who was scanning the Gate with a mana-meter.
"C-rank, sir." Jinchul answered, showing the number to Gunhee, who nodded his head in understanding before he looked at Cid.
"Well, since we're already here, we might as well handle this Gate together."
"No, you should stay here. C-rank or not, we all know this Gate has the potential to turn Red at any moment. It'd be a problem if any of you got trapped inside. I'll handle it." Cid said as a magic circle flashed under his feet. In a flash of light, his clothing changed, the jacket of his business suit being replaced with a long, white coat with black trim that looked like a modernized version of a sleeveless, high collared Japanese samurai cloak. Underneath, a long-sleeved dark shirt clung to his frame, its sleeves ending in metal gauntlets and dark gloves. He wore fitted black pants reinforced with metal knee pads, while a belt at his waist held small, utility pouches and a sheathed blade at his hip.
"I'll come with you, Cid-sama." Kanae said, one hand already resting on the handle of one of her katanas. As S-class heroes, with Cid being regarded as one of the best, the two were more than capable of handling a C-rank Gate individually, but it was clear that the leader of the Japanese Hero Branch had a different idea.
"No need, Kanae. You stay here and make sure our VIPs are safe." Cid said firmly while adjusting the top of his gloves, adding before anyone could say anything "And don't worry, I won't be going in there alone."
As he finished saying that, he turned his gaze to Issei, whose eyes widened in surprise as he realized what Cid wanted.
"What do you say, kid? Wanna join me for some action?"
"Of course. I..." He then looked over to Sirzechs. A smile spread across his face when he saw the crimson haired Maou nodding his head at him with a smile.
"Very well. We will stay here and make sure everything remains under control." Gunhee said, his tone calm but firm. "But if it takes too long, I'll send Kanae and Mirei in, understand?"
Cid smirked. "Got it."
Issei grinned as he ran up to Cid, stopping just beside the man before summoning Boosted Gear onto his left arm.
"Ready for your first Raid?"
"Let's do it!"
With that said, the two stepped forward and vanished into the swirling mass of energy.
Name: Issei Hyoudou
Race: Reincarnated Devil
Class: Level 46 Dragonsworn / Level 20 Shadow Monarch
HP: 12,022/12,022
MP [Current Attribute: Draconic/Demonic: 3,725/3,725
Title: Daredevil
Strength: 208
Vitality: 177
Intelligence: 178
Dexterity: 182
Perception: 162
Charisma: 152
Unique Class Skills: Fire Imbue (LV2), Shadow Extraction (LV1), Shadow Storage (LV1), Karma (LV1).
Active skills: Doubling (LV3), Transfer (LV3), Penetrate (LV3), Sprint (Max Level), Vital Slash (LV1), Jump (Max Level – Equipment Ability), Observe (LV2), Ruler's Hands (LV1), Phoenix Shift (LV1).
Active spells: Fire balls (LV3 - Fire Dragon Pact Affected), Firewall (LV3 - Fire Dragon Pact Affected), Lightning Strike (LV1), Water Blast (LV1), Earth Shield (LV1), ...
Current Pacts: Y Ddraig Goch (Fire) – Pact LV2, Chaos Karma Dragon Tiamat (Fire) – Pact LV1
Current Active Pact [2/4: Y Ddraig Goch (Fire) – Pact LV2
Current Shadows: 210 / 210
Elite Rank Shadows: Lycaon (Knight), Gladio (Elite Knight), Tora (Knight), Blade (Knight), Glacia (Elite Knight).
Items: Boosted Gear (LV4), Razan's Blade (LVMAX), Magitek General's Helmet (LVMAX), Palace Guard's Boots (LVMAX), Metal Gauntlets (LVMAX – Only one currently in use -Stats Reduced), Kamish's Slumber (LV?), Key to the Demon Tower, Ascalon (LV10).
Potions: Healing Potions x15, Mana Potions x15, Greater Healing Potions x10, Greater Mana Potions x10, Miracle Potions x3...
Gold: 3,150,120 (G)
Ultimate: Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker – Boosted Gear Crimson Scale Mail (LV.2 – Pact Affected)
Finisher: Rage of the Fire Dragon.
Sigils: Sigil of the Shadow Commander - Igirs, Sigil of the Shadow Ice Bear - Tank.
End of Chapter 20