One-Punch DxD: NEO

Chapter 16: Phoenix Down

Co-written with i4md347h

Vegetables entered the boiling water.

Carrots, potatoes, and etc, splashed down to the bottom of the metal as the aromas mixed and wafted to the air. With a ladle in hand, Akeno gently stirred the brew, the smile in her reflection faltering as her mind wandered to the night with that black demon.

However, the door opened, interrupting her thoughts - the sound of footsteps and creaking wood from the entrance. Immediately, she turned to the source, seeing Issei walking up to her.

"Hey, Akeno." Issei greeted cordially. "What's cooking?"

"Ah, Ise-kun." Akeno greeted with the same cordial tone. "Tonight's menu isn't different from yesterday's. Are you craving something in particular?"

The boy did not come here for simple conversation.

Issei approached her with contained anxiety, his words carefully sorted in his stomach before speaking. He stood before Akeno with bated breath, his mouth trying to find the right words to answer her question

"You look nervous." The Queen sauntered forward, closing the distance between her and Issei. "What's wrong? You can tell me. What was it you want again?" She lightly pressed her frame against Issei as her face hovered next to his.

Her proximity incited Issei's pulse, Akeno's breath tickling his skin as his throat swallowed a lump.

"Tell me, what would you like?" Akeno's lips twitched upwards. "Fried rice? Curry stew? Or perhaps." She stepped back and ran her finger around her lips, giving Issei the full display. "Would you like... me?"

Issei closed his eyes and bit his lower lips. All fluster was quelled by sheer will as he opened his eyes.

"...I'm afraid it's not about dinner." Issei answered with a solemn tone.

Resonating with Issei's implied tone, her smile turned into a neutral frown.

"Then I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave."

"You know why I am here." Issei denied her attempt to avoid conversation, his hand shutting off the stove in the process.

"Akeno, I respect you. I really do. But now isn't the time to play hard to get. I'm afraid you can't run away from this. You're going to doom Rias at this rate."

"You dare-!"

Akeno threw a glare towards Issei, but cut herself off before she gave in to her outburst. She averted her gaze, her flash of anger reduced to ashes of regret, eyes trembling with gritted teeth.

"...Akeno." Issei called out. "I am not your enemy. I am trying to put your priorities in order. As much as I hate being the bad guy right now, you're being the worst guy girl, and I'm trying to fix that."

"It's not as simple as you think." Akeno replies in a hoarse whisper.

"Then look me in the eyes and say it to my face," Issei requested.

Akeno turned her head towards Issei, meeting his eyes face on and opened her mouth. But as her lips formed the first word, her voice did not give her words sound. Her lips trembled as she quivered, looking away from him, unable to complete his condition.

"...What do you want from me, Issei?" Akeno asked, her voice trembling.

"Isn't it obvious? You can't tell if a guy's trying to know you better?" Issei answered with stoic melancholy. "If you want my honesty, I've never taken you for the stubborn type."

Akeno remained silent as she closed her eyes. Another wave of silence passed them. She opened her eyes as she stared at the pot, into her befuddled reflection.

"You are with the Grigori, correct?" Akeno asked.

"Kind of. More like my dad's working for Azazel. We're technically receiving paychecks from the damn crow because of dad doing his stupid odd jobs."

Akeno looked up from the pot at the mention of his father and Azazel.

"Somehow, you always know how to stir my curiosity in your estranged family" Akeno commented.

Her words made Issei smile.

"How about this, then? How about a contract?" Issei proposed.

Akeno turned towards Issei with a curious gaze.

"I'll tell you all about my strange family. Black, Rover, Dad, and in return, you tell me about yourself. I won't hold back on anything while you don't as well. Makes things fair, doesn't it?" Issei offered.

Akeno stares back into the pot, her hand turning the stove back on as the fires relit. She exhaled a deep breath, closing her eyes once more. Only this time, her lips slowly grew into a smile.

"...I just can't deny you, Issei You're really learning how to handle girls better than I hope."

Black wings unfurled, leather membrane and feathers of night stood side by side next to the revealed Nephilim.

The Phenex King looked in awe, a stupor born from genuine shock. A species so rare that it could barely fit in five fingers was now before him, a grandchild of God reformed in the image of His killers' race.

A grin grew from the King's lips. His grin grew into laughter. His laughter ended in a daunting smirk.

"Kuhahahahaha!" Riser bellowed. "My dear Rias, what genuine luck you have to be graced the chance to ensnare a corrupted angel! An impure one at that! Such beauty to see our natural enemy defil-!"

Riser's sudden facial disintegration interrupted his sentence. His head flickered back to pristine condition, his returned sight noticing the King's rage-twisted mien.

"I will not stand and let you begrime my Queen!" Rias snarled at the Phenex.

"Oh, but I cannot deny the irony of it all. Frankly, she is a true hybrid at this point, angel, demon judging by her age and knowing that angels can't easily reproduce, dare I say human?" Riser replied with a grin, "She is the pinnacle definition of a mutant."

Rias' demonic power flared with anger, power coalescing between her palms in a sphere as it grew more and more radiant.

Riser turned his attention to Akeno, ignoring Rias' attempt at retaliation. The Queen took priority over the King as of now, thus Riser swung his arm, throwing a massive wave of fire at the Nephilim.

His retaliation triggered Rias' Peerage to move, Saji and Catherine moving from below, Tsubasa and Rias moving in the air as Akeno escaped the fires, weaving away from the biting flames.

As the inferno continued chasing the Nephilim, ice and thunder flew towards formed from arcane circles, shooting past the Phoenix fire and towards the Phenex king. The Master of Fire and Wind moved away from the ice and lightning, but not without a frown. Rarely he expressed his distaste at the need to avoid his foes, the pride he held in his bloodline threatened whenever he faced someone like Akeno.

Below, Absorption Line latched the distracted Phenex's foot, Saji dripping nervous sweat hoping that Riser wouldn't notice.

Rias taking the front, Akeno from the side, and Tsubasa from behind, Riser engaged them all with flame and gale.

Exceptioning Akeno, Riser interposed an arcane barrier at her blitzing lightning, briefly grunting from the impact. He grinned, laughing as he threw his spells of fire and wind back at Akeno, exhilaration of uncertainty flowing through him.

Then, a presence triggered Riser's attention, the source behind. Expecting the Rook, Riser caught the approaching fist, but the familiar Bael energy covering Rias' knuckle erased hand and then his head, robbing his sight, smell, and hearing for a brief moment.

When Riser's sight returned, he saw the rocketing Tsubasa smashing her fist into his cheek. The force was considerable, but not enough to inflict him pain. However, the Rook then went behind him and locked her arms around him, holding his arms to his sides.

"Now!" Tsubasa shouted.

Confusion struck Riser at first. Realization followed when the crackling of thunder reached his ears as he widened his eyes.

"No! Have you lost your mind?!" Riser shouted as he struggled, but Tsubasa's strength-hold prevented his hands from forming a barrier while the ominous holy glow grew brighter in Akeno's married palms. "Not even your constitution can save you from this magnitude!"

Riser flicked his eyes back and forth between Tsubasa and the blasted Queen. How should he escape this? No, he would not make it in time. Tsubasa flashed an ominous smile behind his ear.

"Ever heard of this saying? Give your flesh and take their bones." Tsubasa whispered with eerie confidence into his ear. Riser stiffened, feeling a chill he could not describe in his spine, one not from melting ice. "Don't you think it's time for you to take those words seriously, you regenerating hack?!"

For the first time in months, Riser felt the caress of fear in his heart.

"No!" Riser roared before holy lightning fell from the heavens, consuming him and Tsubasa with radiant brilliance.

"AHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!"

Riser screamed as the holy thunder burned through his system, enough to overwhelm the ambient light with flashing lightning. The brilliance refused to fade, continuously falling from the sky the two without reprieve as the others watched the spectacles last more than ten full seconds.

The lightning continued as Akeno started to sweat bullets, complete and utter exhaustion burning her muscles and lungs, until she relented and ceased her onslaught, letting the ambient light return.

Despite receiving as much damage as Riser, however, Tsubasa still kept her arms around the Immortal Bird. Their clothes were on the brink of ruination, skin scorched black shown through the torn rags.

Riser was a haggard, wheezing mess, half naked as his shirt was incinerated, while Tsubasa remained stoically silent, her blue hair covering her eyes.

Rias, Akeno, Saji, and Catherine kept their eyes on Tsubasa, seeing her still holding onto Riser strong.

"Tsubasa?" Rias called out to the Rook. She was not sure if the bluenette was-

[A Rook of Rias Gremoy has retired.]

However, the announcement confirmed her fears as Tsubasa's form dissipated, fading from the battlefield. Despite losing her consciousness, Tsubasa still held onto Riser to the very end, not once letting go until she was taken away.

Akeno was completely spent on her magic reserves, heaving heavy breaths as she glared at Riser; who was still in the game, wheezing and severely damaged, but still with enough vitality to remain.

"I applaud you" Riser spoke with a surprising amount of calm and composure. However, before he could continue a sphere of destruction blasted a hole in his heart. This time, Riser could feel a sting from the impact as he hissed.

"It's working!" Rias shouted, noticing the pained look on Riser's face. Rias would not allow Riser the chance to buy time with words for his recovery.

"Indeed." Akeno huffed. Both King and Queen refused to let Tsubasa's sacrifice be in vain.

"Hah Hah You've exhausted your trump card." Riser grinned with heavy breaths at Akeno's heaving huffs. The hole in his chest was slowly cauterized into closing.

However, he felt something sharp stabbing him from behind, a blade jutting out of his solar plexus, ice forming from then wounds followed by a sharp, biting pain. He turned his head to see Catherine flanking him.

"What's the matter, Riser?" Rias asked, grinning. "Finally exhausting your trump card?"

Riser's smirk fell into a scowl as he turned his body to blast the Knight away, but Catherine already pulled out her sword, flew away from the wave of inferno, and threw her blade at Riser when he made a full turn.

"Agh?!" Riser grunted, the pain more tangible than before when the sword impaled his solar plexus.

Destructive Energies blasted Riser from behind, disintegrating his left arm and his right leg, the pain accumulating with each damage he received. Worse, his impaired regeneration could not repair his limbs as fast as before.

"Everyone, keep attacking! He's losing strength!"

"No... No!" Riser roared as he reached for the sword, but his arm was blown off by Rias' dark-crimson bolt, leaving the ice-encrusting sword to spread its biting hoarfrost.

Literally disarmed, Riser frantically called upon his demonic power, mustering all that he still held within, but to his dismay, all he found was exhaustion and fatigue infecting his mind.

Something was wrong. He should not be this tired. He knew he should still have the energy needed to reverse his situation.

In summary, he should have been able to overpower Rias and her remaining servants, even with the Holy Lightning damaging him.

So why, whywas his demonic power already running on fumes?

It was as if his strength was leaving him on its own.

No, it couldn't be!

In lieu of the onslaught, Riser inspected his person for abnormalities, only for him to find something attached to his right ankle.

His eyes widened in alarm. At closer inspection, he could sense his power flowing out through the line and towards the Pawn's gauntlet.

"You! What have you done to me!?" He snarled through the pain.

Saji awkwardly chuckled a little before flashing a smug grin.

"You should probably stop ignoring things! You might have noticed something!"

Riser simply growled at his remark and snapped the line with his flame-sheathed chop. However, Saji twisted his torso and threw another line at Riser's ankle, wrapping it again.

"Yeah, not happening!" Saji replied as he yanked the line, tightening his hold.

"You...!" Riser stopped when Catherine fell into his vision and grabbed the sword in his chest and, with a mighty pull, ripped it out from his shoulder.

"AGgghg!?" Riser roared, the pain even greater than before.

Familiar thunder and ice returned, pelting Riser's defenseless form as Power of Destruction rained on his back, devouring chunks of his flesh as Akeno's magic hindered his regeneration.

King and Queen circled around the Phenex King, the Knight dove at him between the intervals, the Pawn trapping his ankle and draining him - arms lost, Riser could only remain in the sky pinned down like a caged bird as Rias and her Peerage kept him in checkmate.

A complete and utter checkmate.

He could not find a way out of the cage as he mustered his will to regrow at least one arm, but the Knight slashed off his stump before he could regrow it. Cornered and disarmed, Riser flapped his burning wings, but Akeno impaled him with spikes of frost.

Pain accumulating, the damage started to accumulate past what his regeneration could cover as his foes continued to disarm his every attempt to regain a foothold over their overwhelming momentum.

Eventually, Riser descended and barely landed on the ground without hurting himself further. Blood started to flow out his wounds, trickling off the corners of his mouth as he coughed before he screamed when holy lightning struck him from above.

Saji yanked the line with two hands, pulling Riser off his balance into a disgraceful fall on his back while Rias and Akeno continued raining their attacks on the injured Phenex.

Rias and Akeno landed on Riser's opposite sides, both aiming their palms at the lone King, stopping their assault upon finally seeing the Immortal Bird leaking blood from his wounds for the first time.

"...Splendid." Riser spoke with ragged breaths. "I am at checkmate-pwah!" Riser coughed out blood, crimson fluids splattering the dirt as Saji continued draining his energy.

Rias recollected herself at the unexpected reception from her enemy, and replied, "Yes, you are. This is your last chance, Riser, to surrender, or suffer further humiliation."

"Ahahaha-ack! Hack!" Riser tried to laugh, but instead, he coughed out more blood. "Rias surely you know better, that there is no dignity in a forfeit." Riser wheezed as he slowly rose, struggling in hoarse gasps, clutching the icicle impaling his heart.

"Otherwise, I won't have any face to show to my lovely peerage, will I?"

From the distance, Ravel stared at her brother, completely overwhelmed by the juxtaposition of their roles.

"Brother!" Ravel shouted, struggling to get up, but Koneko pushed down her weight as she kept the Lady Phenex pinned to the ground.

"Go, Rias!" Koneko shouted from afar, cheering her King on.

Ignoring her Rook's encouragement, Rias stepped forward, never leaving her eyes off Riser. "...So you will continue?"

Riser did not say anything.

Ice froze over his wounds, spikes of frost jammed into his chest as blood trickled from his opened orifices. His shoulder would've dangled to the side if the hoarfrost did not glue his shoulder to the body.

His flames barely had enough power to melt the frozen waters and repair his wounds.

So instead of channeling more power for Saji to absorb, Riser raised his fists in a boxing stance, challenging Rias from king to king.

No words needed to be said for Rias to understand his intent.

"...Saji. Release him."

And she decided to oblige as a fellow King.

"Er what?" The Pawn was confused. "As in 'release' release him? Letting-the-guy-that-just-won't-die-go kind of release him?"

Catherine and Saji looked at Rias baffled.

"Yes." Rias simply replied.

"Eh? Why? We got him on the ropes!"

"Yes. Why let an immortal enemy free when we can end him now?" Catherine asked, questioning Rias' judgement. "If Saji unties him now, there's a chance that he'll regain his strength to overwhelm us."

Rias did not respond as she approached Riser, noticing the wounds on his person.

"Saji-kun, release Riser of his bonds," Akeno interjected, lowering her hands as her magical aura lessened.

"A King must win with the dignity of one." Rias answered as she entered her fighting stance. "There are duties that I must burden."

"...Like mono-y-mono the guy that took all of us to beat?" Saji asked with skepticism.

Eventually, a mild glare from both Rias and Akeno prompted the borrowed Pawn to obey, albeit reluctantly, to cancel his Absorption Line.

"Well" Riser groaned as he rolled his shoulders as Rias approached him, stopping meters away.

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"Don't receive the wrong idea." Rias interjected before Riser could comment. "I am doing this for me. Not you."

Riser merely smiled.

On one side was a wounded king, a veteran, and at another a newly crowned King, a newcomer, both gambling on their honor as leaders and heirs of their respective clans.

As soon as she stopped, Rias put up her own combat stance, her posture almost similar to Riser's.

The male King did not question her stance. Despite the humiliation of facing the consequence of his hubris, Riser acknowledged Rias, at this moment, as an equal.

Akeno, Catherine, Saji, Koneko, and Ravel watched the two engaged in clashing gazes, fingers tightening into fists and limbs tensing their muscles.

Rias charged in first, devil wings unfurled in her flight and kneed Riser's abdomen.

"Ack?!" Riser stumbled back, coughing as he felt the pain. "...Well executed."

He grinned as he raised his arms, parrying Rias' fists, letting her attacks slide past his forearms with practiced ease.

However, she caught him with a roundhouse kick, where her heel managed to collide with his cheek, knocking him back even further and elicited even a louder grunt.

Nonetheless, Riser simply smirked as he jumped in, taking the offensive role next.

While Rias was able to intercept some of them, Riser's experience prevailed as his fist landed on her jaw, but her sudden reflexive jerk of her head avoided most of the shock.

Coating her arms with her Power of Destruction, she punched through Riser's guard, erasing Riser's left arm from finger to shoulder as Riser stared at his missing arm in stoic shock.

"Your bad habits are still there!" Rias shouted.

The consequence of having immortal regeneration was a subconscious disregard for their bodily health, critically debilitating in times where someone like Riser could not regenerate anymore.

The Phenex spat as he opted to step back, in order to buy any little time he could to regenerate his disintegrated arm with any meager demonic power he had recovered.

Obviously, Rias would not give him the chance as she gave chase, throwing more strikes along the way.

With him being short one arm, Riser had little hope to defend against Rias' attacks.

Most of Rias' strikes had been aimed at his upper-body, his head for example. Naturally, Riser raised his one arm to defend his head.

However, focusing on defending his upper-half ended fatal for him.

A few moments later, Rias flicked her foot up into that one spot that all males should protect at all costs.

Saji winced as he stepped back, his eyes creased with phantom pain. Akeno and the other girls were shocked that Rias of all would strike there between the legs.

Riser had never felt pain this often before. It was an alien concept for his clan, an enemy they rarely faced. However, this kind of pain was new to him. It felt like his entire world shattered at the drop of a hat as all strength left his body with a scream trying to claw its way out his throat.

Rias smirked in satisfaction at the sight of Riser collapsing to his knees, all while clutching his crotch with both hands.

"What the fuck!?" Riser hoarse, his voice more like wheezes. Everyone could see how much effort the king was channeling into containing his scream.

"...Critical hit" Saji lightly commented.

"That was for lusting after something you shouldn't have." Rias remarked from her position.

The downed King tried to formulate an answer, tried to stand back up, but his mind was too clouded with pain. What came out of his mouth sounded more like wheezing gibberish. Some of Rias' Peerage felt not only pity for the great immortal phoenix but also the urge to laugh at him.

Afterwards, Riser promptly disappeared in dissipating lights.

[Riser Phenex, the King, has retired. The winner of the Rating Game is Rias Gremory]

Rias finally relaxed as she sighed in relief. She then turned towards her comrades who had already ran towards her with celebrations.

"Damn, giiiiiiirl!" Black roared at the epic finisher on the screen.

Issei and Black jumped out of their seats with roaring cheers. Sona and Tsubaki were unamused, but the first was smiling at the screen.

Zeoticus and Venelana smiled with pride at the image of their daughter, Rias, Akeno, and the rest of her peerage dropping to the ground as they exhaled in relief over their victory. One by one, each of Rias' Peerage dissipated from the scene. They all reappeared in the viewing room near the entrance.

Issei, Asia, and Black ran to them, Asia running past Issei and heartfully hugged Rias.

"You did it! You won!"

"Yes, we did. We did." Rias' tone was as shaky as her body, mixed with sigh of relief while tears pooled in her teal eyes. A teardrop fell as Rias glanced at Akeno who gave a smiling nod before the three girls returned to share blissful warmth together.

"Yo, Saji. How'd you like the MVP role?" Issei walked up to Saji.

"It's intense!" Saji barked out a laugh as he and Issei shared a one-arm hug. "Damn, did that torture of yours did wonders."

"Watch your words. Black's here." Issei tilted his head towards his long-time companion. Rover was still at Gasper's room entertaining the shut-in vampire.

"So you want to reroll the good times?" Black demonically smiled.

"Fuck, no. Imma head home and take a day off. For months." Saji barked back.

"Your crush might have other ideas." Black's smile remained as he pointed a thumb at Sona.

"Eh?" Saji stared at Sona, her eyes hidden behind shining lenses, but Saji could feel the dark side emanating from her aura.

Before Issei could have laughed at Saji's predicament, Issei felt someone tugging the hem of his shirt. Looking down, he found Koneko was pinching the fabric of his clothes between her fingers, while sporting a shy expression.

"Ise-senpai. How did I do?"

Koneko was already adorable to begin with, her Nekomata appendages magnified her cuteness manyfold. Still, he bent down to gently pat her head.

"You were awesome there, Koneko. How are you feeling now?"

Koneko did not reply, in favour of savoring the treatment on her crown as she purred in bliss.

"Ise." Rias approached him alongside the Queen.

Rias and Akeno looked at him expectantly. A silent pause interposed as the two girls smiled at the only human in the room.

"So" Issei began as he regarded both Rias and Akeno, "You did it."

Rias and Akeno did not respond. Their smile grew even more, tears still swelling in Rias' eyes.

"...We did it." Rias corrected as she dove in and hugged Issei' wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace.

"Whoa!" Issei was caught off guard by Rias' sudden hug. He saw Akeno looking at him, smiling teasingly a little.

"I believe we are in your debt this time." Akeno giggled. "Would you like me to reward you personally in private?"

Judging by her lascivious tone, Issei received the implication of her message. Rias looked back at Akeno.

"Akeno." Rias narrowed her eyes. "We are still recovering from our bout with Riser. It is inappropriate to ask him that now."

Issei did not know how to feel about her invitation. It left him confused and panicked at the same time.

"...Fine." Akeno gave a light pout before she winked at Issei, "I'll talk to you later, Ise-kun."

"Uh Yeah." Issei could only dumbly reply.

Rias scoffed, with Akeno walking away while silently giggling into her hand.

"Rias, dear." Venelana approached the redhead with a motherly smile.

"Mother." Rias immediately separated herself from Issei, who nodded at the matriarch.

"Lady Gremory."

For now, Venelana simply nodded at Issei with a smile, "I'm sorry for interrupting, Mr. Ise, but may my husband and I have a word with my daughter?" she said as she glanced back to Zeoticus, who was standing behind her with his own smile.

"O-oh, right, yes, of course." Issei bowed before he walked away. "Talk to you again, Rias."

The heiress smiled as she waved her goodbyes to Issei, who walked to talk with Catherine.

Venelana and Zeoticus on the other hand, had their smiles shifted mischievously. "...So, he's already addressing you by your name already?"

oXo

A small celebration party was held at the Gremory manor, Rias' home in the Underworld, and Issei had been invited, along with his companions.

He was currently standing near one of the long, rectangular tables of victorian wood filled with high-class dishes and refreshments - clad in a simple, formal casual wear, watching the proceedings. The small celebration was a private one, hence Issei did not see as many guests like the one at Astaroth's manor when he punched Diodora's face.

So far, he only saw the members of the Student Council mingling with the Occult Research Club, with Sona conversing with Rias, Venelana and Zeoticus.

Issei took a sip from the glass of champagne in his hand, enjoying the faint taste of alcohol. The food here was superb, he must admit. He should bring some home for his mom to sample, and for Rover. Rover loves tasty meats.

"'Sup." Tsubasa approached, clad in her usual Kuoh Academy uniform, albeit Issei could see some bandages on her skin here and there.

"You feeling alright?" Issei replied with a nod.

"Good as new. The Phenex clan actually supplied a good amount of Phoenix Tears for all combatants that were injured - worked like a charm." Tsubasa grinned as she brought up her arms to emphasize. "Oh, and before you ask, think of Pheonix Tears as OP healing items. Ask Rias for more details."

Issei closed his mouth before he could ask about the items in question. Tsubasa was learning quite well.

"Alright. I gotta admit, you really took Riser's bones on the screen. You gave Riser the scare of his life."

The fact that Tsubasa broke Riser's condescending smile was an achievement in itself.

"...Still, you need to take care of yourself better next time, taking an overcharged holy lightning to the face while you're a devil was downright suicidal." Issei's tone became a tad reprimanding.

"Yeah, yeah, the guy who literally pushed his body to the breaking point on a daily basis." Tsubasa waved off in return.

"...Fair. But unlike me, you're allergic to holy stuff." Issei retorted.

"Dude, seriously, don't say 'allergic.' You're making me feel bad for being a Devil." Tsubasa lightly hit his arm.

"Too bad, you have to suck it up since you're my friend." Issei quipped back with a grin.

When Issei uttered the 'f' word, Tsubasa's smile faded slightly as her previous conversation with Issei during the training camp returned to her mind.

"Say, Ise." Tsubasa called as she moved to stand right next to him, watching the small celebration. Tsubasa stole a glass of champagne from the table and sipped it a little, smacking her lips at the taste of adult drink.

"When do you think we can go on our date?"

"...What date?"

Tsubasa sighed and smirked knowingly, "Come on, our talk in the kitchen? You said you'd show me stuff that you learned from the youkais! All that kung fu magic and stuff."

It took a few seconds for Issei's mind to click in with that memory.

"Oh, yeah." Issei couldn't forget that night. "I don't know when, though. Maybe we can start on the weekends when we don't have any schoolwork?"

Tsubasa flashed a radiant smile.

"No problem! But just in case"

Without warning, Tsubasa leaned forward and pecked Issei's cheek.

"Consider that the seal of the deal!" Tsubasa cheekily grinned as she retreated to the small crowd, leaving Issei to stand still with a dumbstruck look on his face.

"Eh?" Issei stared at Tsubasa's retreating figure as he touched the tingly spot on his cheek. He didn't notice the faint tinge of pink on his face.

"I saaaaaw thaaaaat~."

Then came the black demon as he loomed behind Issei over his shoulder.

"Ahhfkeidbsnejfjcjak?!" Issei jumped and stammered with weird words he never knew he could make.

Black was just as tall as Issei, his form elongated like someone pulled him like taffy; he looked like a walking centipede on two legs with five pairs of hands.

"Hehehehehehehe. This is great blackmail material." The black demon grinned with malicious intent as he rubbed his five pair of hands together.

"You son of a bitch, what did I tell you about sneaking up on people!?" Issei reprimanded with a panicking fluster.

"Cheer up. You at least finally got a girl. I mean, not a lot of guys get this lucky, you know?" The creature snickered. "...Oh, and there are some people looking for you." He pointed at a direction before he made himself scarce, scampering towards an unsuspecting Saji with malicious smiles.

Issei followed Black's direction to see, unexpectedly, Riser and Ravel Phenex approaching him - the younger sister was wearing a more elaborate pink dress for the occasion.

"We meet again, Red Dragon Emperor." Ravel curtsied while Riser simply huffed, albeit, with an acknowledging nod.

"Uhhh Ravel and Riser, yes. What are you two doing here?" Issei did not expect them to arrive in this place. "I thought you're still recovering from Rias' nut shot."

Riser scoffed, "Please, don't remind me; and don't underestimate our clan's regenerative prowess. Our clan can absolve any injury, no matter how painful."

"Yeah, I can see that now." Issei nodded as he glanced at Riser's crotch. "Still can't believe you're here. Thought you're the kind of guy that sours at his losses."

"You underestimate me. You of all people should know better than to judge others by appearances."

Issei's mind wandered to his baldy of a dad

"Alright, you got me there. So, what brings you here anyways? Making up with Rias?"

The siblings remained silent for a bit, until Ravel lightly elbowed her brother, who received a pointed look from her, before he sighed, "Yes I have spoken to Rias and her family minutes earlier, and we've settled that our engagement is no longer valid. Our clans will still maintain amicable ties despite our losses."

"...Oh." Issei did not expect Riser to be this professional in this circumstance. "I gotta admit. I underestimated you more than I thought."

"Ho?" Riser merely replied with intrigue.

"When we first met. I'll be honest, you struck me as the inflated arrogant douchebag, the kind that well, think Diodora but more what's the word, ah, tolerable. Hell, your Peerage is your personal harem like Diodora's." Issei awkwardly smiled.

Riser and Ravel regarded Issei for a few moments, while the latter was scowling, the former simply exhaled.

"Yes, your insight has some merit. The majority of the lower class do not hold most of us in high regard. Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri can be considered to be out of our norm. However." Riser then scowled at Issei. "However Do not ever compare me to the likes of Diodora Astaroth. He's a disgrace and embarrassment for devil society as a whole."

Issei raised his hand in mock surrender.

"Hey, you're the second male King I've met to compare. I don't know any other Male kings to be honest." Issei assuaged.

"Hmm. I will accept your reasoning for now. Speaking of peerages, what do you think of mine?" Riser moved the topic along.

"...Your peerage?"

"Yes. How do you rate their performance?"

"Oh." Issei tried his best to remember the game from earlier.

"Hmmm. How to say this rough. Your pawns lack firepower and coordination. Your rooks, bishops, and knights need to refine their skills. Your Queen was way too arrogant and got sucker-punched. Also I nearly laughed when I saw your immortal sister got pinned down by Koneko."

In response, Ravel's face was fuming.

"What? I didn't know another Phenex is in his peerage. I seriously thought Rias was screwed when you introduced yourself." Issei scoffed into a snicker.

"That was a fluke! That cat caught me off-guard." Ravel tried to defend herself.

"Doesn't matter. You lost. You got beaten by a catgirl in a wrestling match. Live. Nothing you say can refute that." Issei's snicker grew as Ravel puffed her cheeks in indignant fury.

Ravel pointed her finger and opened her mouth, but before a word escaped her throat, Riser interjected with a raise of his hand.

"Ravel. Your frustrations are justified, but the Red Dragon Emperor's argument is sound." Ravel's lips quivered as a furious Red overwhelmed her cheeks. Seeing her like this, Riser could not help but softly chuckle.

"In fact, I ask for your judgment since Rias informed me of her rigorous training program. Managed by the human before me." Riser offered his hand. "I am here because I would like to formally request a favor from you."

Issei pointed at himself, "A favour? From me?"

"Yes." Riser nodded, "In the light of today's match, as well as your review, I believe my peerage and I will require more training to better ourselves. Thus, I would like to ask you if you can host Ravel into your house."

The word host did not click in Issei's ear for a split second.

"...Host?"

"Yes. Host." Riser confirmed.

Issei blinked thrice rapidly for a moment before shock and panic warped his expression.

"Wait, wait, wait. Host? You're confusing me - I heard training, but how did that word lead to you wanting Ravel to move into my house? I mean why?" Issei asked the obvious question, stuttered by his train of thought.

"The impetus is I am still a high-class devil of the Phenex clan, boy. I am not as simple as Rias." Riser retorted. "If I am to be stronger I prefer it on my own terms. Thus, Ravel will study and learn from your wisdom, and subsequently she will relay her revelations to me by proxy."

"I what?" Issei was more confused. "If I'm hearing you right, you're taking the long way around. Isn't it easier for me or you to come over instead?" Issei asked.

"To quote your words, according to Rias, I prefer not to take the 'easy way out.'"

Issei was stunned by Riser's counter. Riser was smirking at his astonished face.

"My other reason for my proposal is Ravel's coming of age. Basically, young high-class devils are sent to the human world to learn from their culture as well as scout potential peerage members. She happens to choose Japan for her destination. I personally prefer her to go to America like I did, but considering you are in Japan"

Riser trailed off, and Issei finally understood the secondary motive.

"Ohhh... That explains why Rias and Sona are in Kuoh then."

Issei did think that Rias and Sona not being in Devil High School was off. He always wondered why Rias and Sona would attend high school in the human world while their parents could afford her a much better school.

Riser nodded with a pleased smile.

"Splendid."

Ravel sighed as she calmed herself. Her face became rigid with etiquette as she curtsied before Issei.

"I appreciate your acceptance, Red Dragon Emperor. I will be in your care." Ravel spoke.

Issei wondered where he could place such a high class noble in his house. He should check the rooms again once he gets home. Actually, he might be able to live up to her high class tastes now that he thought about it.

"Alright uh but first, can you just call me Issei instead?" Issei requested. He preferred someone to refer to him by name or short nickname instead of the lengthy appellations.

Ravel's cheek turned into a faint pink before she recollected herself, "Very well, then Lord Ise."

Issei wanted to ask about the honorifics, but Riser cut him off before he uttered a word.

"Then our business is concluded. Ravel, come. It is time to return home."

Issei wanted to interject, but that chance passed when the Phenex siblings curtsied and left. Issei could only watch them walk out the door, leaving the party.

"Hyd!" Saji suddenly ran up to him from behind. He was panting, panic-struck.

"Do something about Black! He convinced Sona to be my regular coach!"

Issei could only roll his eyes at the incoming commotion, the night was nowhere nearly over.

The small celebration elevated into a unique affair thanks to the stunt and shenanigans by one Black Sperm.

It involved Black whispering seductive promises to the President and her visible corruption as he filled her with evil thoughts of supremacy, and one panicking Pawn.

The situation had calmed down, as the guests and the Gremory family had begun to chat again to relax themselves - Black had been asked by Issei to take Rover home, but not before the creature making one last snide remark about seeing everyone again since Black is literally everywhere - and his cell stock had grown increased in the thousands since these seven days of good food and stolen protein.

Rias released a long breath as her peerage members were mingling with her parents, and Asia was talking with the three former servants of Diodora. The student council members had retired earlier to the Human World for personal businesses.

Originally, Rias had invited her cousin - Sairaorg Bael, to attend, but he sent her a message of apology that he could not attend because he had already made plans with his own peerage. Nonetheless, he had also congratulated her for her first Rating Game victory, and mentioned that he wished to meet with one Issei Hyd.

Much to her surprise, her brother had actually ended up unable to come because he and his three colleagues had to look into something work-related, and it could not be postponed. However, he promised he would make time to visit her with the rest of his peerage.

Wanting to take a break and some time alone for her thoughts, she exited to the house garden outside the building. However, she did not expect to see Issei sitting on a bench beneath the Underworld's everlasting dark sky.

Upon seeing his broad back, Rias' mind reeled back to one particular moment during the training camp before the game.

oXo

It was on the ninth night of the grace period, the final night they would spend in the villa.

Rias had just finished reviewing more notes and records about Riser's Rating Game history, but her efforts in discerning his weaknesses bore little result.

She winced on the way to the kitchen, as the sore muscles from the torturous training flared once more, despite having received treatment from Asia's Twilight Healing.

Thankfully, the pain did not last long as she continued her trek to the kitchen.

When she arrived, however, she did not expect to see the cause of her physical pain rummaging through the fridge.

"Hn? Oh, evening redhead. Midnight snack or drink?"

Black greeted the Gremory before returning to raiding the fridge.

She scowled at the black dwarf who criticized her in her suffering. However, her exhaustion deprived her the strength to retort. She settled with a soft grunt before making her way to the cupboard, grabbing a glass and filling it with water from the kitchen sink.

Black suddenly asked when Rias was about to take a sip.

"You still pulling off that all-nighter? How's that going so far?"

Not bothering to ask how the creature knew of her prior doings, Rias took a long sip.

"Not so great. Oh, would you not pillage the fridge too much? We need some for breakfast tomorrow."

"Girl, if I let all of the 'mes' in the world eat breakfast, I would start a worldwide famine." Black laughed as he resumed his pillaging.

Rias could imagine every one of his clones eating through their food reserves in the span of a day, and it did not agree with her sense of self-preservation.

"I've never had the chance to ask, but how many of you are there?"

Rias remembered that the one before her was a 'small fraction' of the total sum.

"Are you really prepared to hear my answer?" Black asked as his lips started to curl into a sinister smile.

"...Is Issei up again?" Rias decided to not pry for now, she was too tired for his shenanigans.

"Same place outside like always." Black responded.

Rias asked with a mild flabbergasted expression. "After you beat him black and blue this afternoon? Are you sparring again at this hour?"

"Oh, no. He's practicing himself this time. I was watching halfway before I got bored and hungry." Black replied as he carried an armful of foodstuffs, meat in particular.

"Black, I told you to leave some for us." Rias chastised.

"Ah la la la~ I'm sorry, I can't hear you over my eating protein. Wait till I'm finished stuffing myself," Black said as he shoved a chicken leg into his mouth, eating in front of Rias with audacity.

"Ugh, I know you've heard this before, but you are absolutely insufferable." Rias clicked her tongue as she watched the black demon eat their future breakfast.

"Here's an idea. You go vegan. Heard hardcore gladiators go on a certain diet to battle lions in the coliseum before." Black suggested.

"Is that a matter of fact? Why don't you try it yourself?" Rias quipped back with narrowed eyes.

"Bitch, I'm not human. Your human rules don't apply to me." Black shot back.

"Who knows? Maybe you'll grow some inches if you do." Rias countered.

"Oh, ho ho ho! You know how to talk smack, girl!" Black remarked while eating the chicken bone next.

"You have no idea how much pent up spite we have for you." Rias smirked at Black.

Rias did not know that she had it in her to break noble etiquette and banter with the black dwarf.

"Please, this is just the tip of the iceberg the size of Antarctica. If you've got this much energy bickering with me, go watch the kid train." Black grew a third hand from his ear and pointed the third thumb behind him.

Rias eyed the dwarf creature for a few seconds, curiosity brimming within her.

"And what will I learn?" Rias asked.

"You'll know when you see it."

Black marched off with his ill-gotten loot as he exited the kitchen. Rias sighed as she allowed Black to walk away with their delicious breakfast.

She decided to leave into the villa's backyard.

Rias approached a clearing in the backyard, where another Black was overseeing Issei's private training. The creature then simply glanced back and waved at her.

In the middle of the clearing, Issei wore nothing but a pair of shorts, most of his muscles revealed for Rias to see. Sweat caking his naked skin glittered under the clear moon, a rush of heat flickering within Rias at the sight of Issei's frame.

She soon shook her head, dismissing the indecent thoughts, and focused herself on Issei's actions.

"Come on, kid, that's not enough! Put your back and your 'oomph' into it!" Black coached.

"I'm trying!" Issei huffed as he threw his fist straight as it grated the air.

A powerful gust blew the air before her, pushing the grass until it reached the clearing's edge. Rias could hear the sound of the shockwave cracking the air and tearing through, the power behind that punch.

"Dude, you're still barely Demon level at this point. You won't even beat some of the bigger small fries like this!"

"Uuuggggh! I know that!" Issei groaned as he threw his other first, firing another shockwave of air as it traveled to the same point.

"Come on, work it! Break those puny muscles!" Black shouted as Issei continued throwing his mightiest punches.

Rias watched as Issei repeated the same action until he finally tired himself out, dropping on his knees for a few seconds before forcing himself back to his feet with visible effort.

"Ise," Rias interrupted his struggle, earning his attention as he turned his face towards her direction.

"Oh, Rias. Didn't notice you there for a second"

Rias smiled as she looked at the aftermath, the path of rent grass and bent branches.

"I see you are working hard." Rias informed.

"Oh yeah, very." Issei slowly rose to his feet as he wiped the sweat off his brows. "It's kinda lackluster though."

"I don't think I can see what you've done as 'lackluster,'" Rias giggled as she gestured to the mark he made on the land. With this much might, Rias could tell that he was holding back when he faced Diodora. A punch of this force would most likely force him into a coma at best. Or at worst

"Wait till you see my family then, then you'll be surprised." Issei scoffed at her remark as they basked in the silent reprieve. "...So, what brings you out here tonight? Couldn't sleep?"

"...Yes." Rias answered. "But what about you? I am worried about your sleeping schedule. If you continue this, you might suffer slight insomnia."

"Nah, I won't. I got more energy than you think, and I'm tough." Issei flexed his arm a little for emphasis.

"I suppose you are." Rias replied with a small giggle.

The two remained silent for a while as they gazed at each other.

"You want some time alone, kid?" Black asked, already receiving the message that he was unwanted at this time. "Wait, never mind. I'm leaving."

Black did not let Issei respond as he hobbled away to the house. Issei closed his jaw when he saw his coach already gone.

"So any updates on your progress with learning your Gremory powers?" Issei asked as he sat down on the grass, cross-legged.

"Hmmm, I don't know if I can make any progress." Rias replied as she sat down with him. "Frankly, I don't know if I can find anything about the Gremory Clan at all. I just can't seem to uncover the key research materials no matter which book I read. And I can't call Grayfia for assistance either."

"Ah." Issei nodded in understanding as he looked down on the grass. "I guess continuing on is pointless now."

"Yeah. I agree that it might be better if I focus on training my other avenues." Rias agreed as she stared at the human near her.

The night was still young, yet the two youths remained silent in the moonlight. Neither had the words prepared to prolong a proper conversation, especially since they were of the opposite sexes.

"Say" Rias spoke up as she tried to avoid looking at his manly chest.

"What?" Issei asked.

"Um would you" Rias fidgeted a little as a small blush made its way to her cheeks.

"Yes?"

"...I am interested in learning how to throw a punch. Like you can." Rias finished. "And I am hoping if we can spend the night focusing on my lackings."

Issei quirked a brow at her unusual request. He looked up at the sky, seeing the moon somewhat above the horizon.

"...Sure, why not?" Issei shrugged in the end as he got back up. He offered Rias his hand, the latter staring at it for a few seconds before she smiled, as she took his hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet.

"Well, according to a certain famous martial artist, sometimes it's better to be the guy that trains one punch for a thousand times than the guy that trains a thousand punches."

"You do know I am a girl, correct?" Rias quipped with a teasing smirk.

"Oh, you know what I mean."

The two giggled into the night.

oXo

Looking back at that night, Rias slightly blushed at their private time together in the moonlight. After a few hours of Issei's coaching, they sparked a conversation under the moonlight, talking about their respective families and their upbringing. Rias did not manage to crack the identity of Issei's father, the original dog owner, but she at least understood how intense his training was, although a part of her didn't believe the part where Issei almost died from the sheer intensity.

Despite this, she at least understood the mettle one required to reach that level of strength for a human, especially a human she was forever indebted to. She decided to join Issei, approaching him from behind.

"Good evening, Ise." She made her presence known in the cool night air.

"'Sup." Issei simply replied while turning his head. "You taking a break?"

"You can say that. The same goes for you, no?" Rias smiled. "May I sit next to you?"

"Technically, everything here is yours, so" Issei shrugged with a knowing smile.

"Indeed." Rias replied with a giggle before she took a seat next to him.

The two then simply sat there, enjoying the night in a companionable silence.

"How are you feeling?" Issei asked.

"...You need to be more specific." She responded.

"How does it feel? Being free from your engagement with Riser?"

Rias took a pause as she digested his query.

Frankly, it was not an easy emotion to express. One, she felt a sense of elation upon victory. Two, after a few hours, she found herself a little lost on her next course of action. She was free, yet it was after that that she realized she had no idea what to do after she freed herself from the unwanted marital bondage.

She looked up in the night sky as she spoke.

"I don't know." Rias answered as she returned to review her thoughts. "Exciting at first now, I don't know."

It was a strange feeling, not having a plan for what comes after.

"What are you gonna do now?" Issei asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Helping you start making a plan. The best way to start is asking yourself, 'What do you want to do now?'"

Rias wasn't sure how to respond to that life-targeting question. She looked at Issei as she blinked, looking down as she mired in her thoughts once more.

"Well I am not exactly free." Rias responded. "I might not be engaged anymore, but that doesn't mean the other noble houses won't attempt to fill the gap in Riser's place. Despite everything you've done for me, I am still the Heiress of House of Gremory. And that includes the responsibility of finding a suitable husband for our house and to bear his descendants and extend our line."

Rias' mind wandered to the many houses that would target her due to her brother's prestige as the strongest of the four Satans. There was House Agares, the Asmodeus House might attempt one to recover from the scandal left by Diodora frankly, there were many for her to consider that she didn't have time or energy to review.

"Ah. Right, the tradition that just won't die," Issei understood.

"You make it seem as if our ways are an outdated nuisance."

"Coz they are. And you fighting against it doesn't help your case," Issei replied without hesitation. "I seriously don't get how you guys can live with loveless marriages like that. Actually, I'm more impressed that you people can tolerate something like that without an explosive divorce or two."

"You'd be surprised to see the amount of powerful and prosperous clans, even with the husband and wife never seeing eye-to-eye. All that matters is that, as long as a powerful descendant is born from the forced union and can raise the clan's standing between the Pillars, any misgivings would be tolerated as long as the benefits are mutual."

"That just makes you people even more assholes. I mean, that way of thinking comes from people that don't give a damn about what their kids want. You all don't grow old and die, but seriously, you're starting to make me glad that I don't have a long lifespan if that's the kind of thing it would make people do."

Rias frowned at Issei's blunt, and rudely accurate depiction. It did not help when he was in a way correct about their way of life. And the mention of long lifespans was also very true in that case

"Why not try and break out of that boring life?" Issei asked.

"...What do you mean?" Rias asked with a mixture of confusion and curiosity.

"You're still an heiress, right? Like you said, you still have to follow these dinosaurs' laws until you're of age. But if I recall, your kind follows an equally ancient rule even more than your old-ass tradition."

"...And that is?" Rias asked with growing curiosity in her tone.

"Might conquers all." Issei answered. "In short, the only smart way is to become a Satan or something. Hell, beat one up for effect. Get so strong you can shut everyone up and do what you want. I mean, my dad did something similar. Your high-class assholes might complain, but they can't beat asshole logic."

Rias regarded Issei with a flat look for a few seconds before commenting, "You make it sound so simple."

"Because it is." Issei simply argued back.

Rias sighed, "If the solution is like you said it is, don't you think I wouldn't have worked on it already? Growing stronger is already common sense in the Underworld society."

"Then do it better than everyone else." Issei shrugged. "I can do it. My dad can do it. Uncle Genos can do it. My master can do it. So why can't you? Besides, you already said it yourself, it's common sense."

Rias shook her head in bewilderment. "I- Wait, what's this about you having a master?"

"Not important, Rias." Issei interjected.

"It sounds important."

Rias pressed on. Issei had never told her about him having a master; and she knew it was not Black since he never referred to that imp as a master even once.

Issei and Rias stared at each other, neither refusing to back down until the other surrendered. Issei was the one to give as he sighed.

"Look, all I know is that I ran into him when I was little. He showed me a little bit of martial arts, taught me the basics for a couple of weeks before he just disappeared without a word. The old man didn't even leave me a name to remember by."

Rias quirked a brow at the very random encounter of Issei's past. She had more questions, but the expression on Issei's face was telling her not to pry further for he has no more answers to give - nor did he want to.

"Alright" Rias decided to move on. "So I guess I'll be in your care again, then."

The two stared at the Underworld night in silence as they basked in the silence together. In the moment, Rias glanced at Issei, seeing him lose himself in the gaze of the moonlight as she smiled.

Without a word, she leaned in and left Issei a present to remember as she kissed his cheek. Issei blinked as he threw his head in her direction, seeing only a very cute yet teasing smile on the redhead's face.

Rias only winked at him before she got up and returned to the ballroom, leaving Issei alone on the bench.

"...Dammit." Issei rubbed his face tiredly, attempting to cool himself off, before he suddenly darted left and right, expecting Black to suddenly come out to make some smartass commentary.

Fortunately, Issei was completely alone in the backyard, and he heaved a sigh. A minute later, Issei set his gaze at the building again, having one last business to attend in his mind.

Zeoticus Gremory led Issei into a private corner at the latter's request. Issei certainly did not expect the Head of Gremory Clan to agree so easily when he asked.

Zeoticus smiled at Issei, holding a glass of wine in one hand as he sipped the vintage alcohol. Standing before Rias' father alone was slightly nerve-wracking for Issei. He was still not used to dealing with those of High-Class society. The vast difference in upbringing and wealth made him feel like an outsider in more ways than one.

"Um, ahem. Thank you for making time for me, Mister Gremory." Issei took a breath, trying to exhale his nervous anxiety.

"I see no trouble for me, dear boy. Please. What do you wish to discuss with me?" Zeoticus replied with his cordial smile.

Seeing him so amiable to him aroused a lot of questions within Issei. Ever since he met the parents, many questions sprung in his mind, questions he wished to put at peace since they did not live up to his expectations of a parent that sold their daughter to another house.

"Well I will cut to the chase. This might be rude of me to ask, but I was wondering about something for a while." Issei rubbed the back of his head as he sighed, receiving a nod from the father. "Why did you throw Rias into the engagement in the first place? You don't strike me as the dad that sells his own daughter."

Zeoticus' smile slightly faltered at his brazen choice of words. A short pause of silence held Zeoticus before he sighed.

"I believe you are more than aware of our kind's low birth-rate, Ise-kun. The union between noble houses is necessary for the future of pure-blood devils in the 72 Pillars."

Issei knew a deflection when he heard one.

"Saying that is kind of running away from the point." Issei met Zeoticus' gaze with his own. "I'm asking because Rias kept complaining about you guys. The way I heard it, she painted you as a heartless asshole."

"But...?" Zeoticus did not seem fazed by Issei's blunt description.

"You don't have the face of a guy that forced his own daughter into pointless engagements without a care. After talking with Riser, I can see that you were very deliberate out of consideration for Rias. So, that leaves the question. Why put Rias through so much trouble when you love her?"

Another brief pause interposed between them. A soft chuckle left the older devil as he swirled the wine in his hand.

"It seems I have underestimated you, Ise-kun," Zeoticus remarked with a mirthful tone. "Would you mind having a walk with me?"

Issei nodded as Zeoticus Gremory walked as the latter led the first into the gardens outside of the palace with every member of the party unaware.

"Tell me, Ise-kun. Did anyone tell you about the Gremory clan's trademark magic?"

Issei's mind then returned to the homework he gave Rias during the training camp. As far as he knew, Rias found no trace or evidence about the Gremory Clan's magic.

"No. Truthfully, I asked your daughter to find it as a part of her training, but"

"Ah, it is not her fault," Zeoticus nodded before he looked at the lush, floral scenery of his garden. "The first Gremory - the Demon Gremory had been famous for her ability to uncover secret knowledge behind the veil of the past, present and future, and through that power, our great ancestor uncovered treasures and riches from every corner of the world and hoarded it for our benefit."

"...So you're saying your power is Omniscience, right?" Issei mused, before he regarded the man in the face.

"It is more of a hmmm, a second nature type of that power - like a sixth sense. It does not require demonic power to use if you're wondering, making it more like a psychic ability instead, very much like the human word 'Divination.'"

"So, what does that make your ancestor? A prophet?"

"Yes, an apt description." Zeoticus' smile turned melancholic as he shook his head, "But I am afraid there lies the problem."

"Such as...?"

Issei furrowed his eyebrows in attention as Zeoticus looked up at the artificial night of the Underworld sky.

"The Gremory clan's ability in present times is distorted. It is nothing but a shadow of its former glory. While those of the past only need meditation and focus to clairvoyant through time and realm, us now well"

Issei blinked for a few times, regarding the older man before him for nearly a minute before replying, "Um. So you're saying like you can't pull it off?"

"No." Zeoticus shook his head. "We cannot divine the past, future, nor even the present actively like before. But there is still a sliver of it left. Currently, the other Clans believed our power is similar to having the Luck of the Devil itself. We convinced them that our power is to bring strong heirs and great prosperity with our mere presence, living good luck charms that bless the future of all."

"And that relates to the sliver of your power because?"

"Because it is the source." Zeoticus turned to Issei. "We instinctively make choices that benefit our future, probability and chance will always fall in our favor because a part of us is aware of the premonition of negative outcomes. We will almost never make the wrong choices in life. There is not a single one of the Gremories that went astray in our history because of this power. We will always be on the right path to prosperity because of our profound sixth sense derived from our ancestry.

"Take my children, for example." Zeoticus shifted the flow of the conversation, "Our eldest, Sirzechs, has been blessed with an immense talent and magical power, which allows him to become the strongest in the history of devilkind. He's even blessed with a strong peerage befitting his power. Our daughter might have been significantly weaker, but the signs are still there; her talent is still nothing to scoff at; and slowly but surely, she is also building a peerage consisting of members with unique, formidable lineages."

Zeoticus' lips slowly curled into a smile.

"And then she met you." He pointed at Issei. "A human with remarkable strength that every King would want in their peerage. The sole man that broke my daughter free from a potential unhappy life with his involvement. The fact that you are also the current wielder of the legendary Boosted Gear only strengthens my point. I might say that you are her savior rescuing her from a foolish old man's wish."

"...Right." Issei nodded as he took in the information. "So you're starting to lose your clan's original trademark power, but that doesn't really explain you going selective."

"Hah it is a desperate hope of a foolish man." Zoeticus sighed as he shook his head. "When I fell for Venelana and married her, I did not expect her Bael blood would overwhelm my clan's blood with the Power of Destruction. Thus, I turned to the Phenex House as their clan ability is the complete antithesis of the Bael's."

Issei nodded. The power that would work against 'destruction' is overpowered regeneration, though Issei could not help but think that it was unbalanced in favor of the latter.

"And...?"

"I had a foolish notion that the mingling would cancel each other's abilities. A gamble to see if the coupling would produce a pure Gremory, staking my bloodline on my life." Zeoticus replied with a wry sigh.

Issei promptly cleaned his ears with his pinkie fingers when he heard the old man's ridiculous reasoning that defied all sense of logic.

"What? Did you really mean what you said?"

"Yes, each and every word of it." The man actually admitted to his stupid words.

"...I may not be a genius, but I'm pretty sure that's not how genetics work." Issei was sure that the combination would produce an unstoppable force of Devil nature instead - an undying weapon of mass destruction in a sense, a potential Rover with semi-infinite regeneration.

"Yes, I suppose you are right. Impatience and greed for descendants are common sins for us old coots. Still, it matters not what I do from now on. Our clan will thrive no matter Rias' choice."

"Hearing you say that makes me wonder why bother with this at all." Issei shook his head with a light smile.

"I'm an old devil, issei. Stubbornness comes with age as you'll soon find out."

Issei knew one person that might be more stubborn than any old devil. His dad would have probably droned our like eighty percent of Zeoticus' words unless he shortened it to twenty words or less.

"Do you have more queries to share with this old man?" Zeoticus asked, sipping his wine.

"Not for now. Rias is gonna give you an earful once the party's over, though."

"Ahahahaha. Yes, yes, I can see that." Zeoticus chuckled heartily as he swirled the wine in his glass.

"It is wonderful to hold this conversation with you, Issei. But before we return, I, along with the rest of the Gremory Household, would like to request a favour."

Issei wondered what favor it was to have the father be humble in tone. The older devil delivered a small bow to Issei's surprise,

"Please take care of our daughter in the future. Despite her exterior, you know how much of a handful she can be on her own."

Issei did not expect him to request something he would do anyways.

"Don't bother asking. I'm pretty sure Rias would continue trying to turn me into her Devil, anyway." Issei lightly joked, still remembering the conversation with Rias prior to her match.

Zeoticus smiled amusedly in return, "Still, please look after her."

"Will do."

Issei did not know that those two simple words would lead to more complications in his already extraordinary life.

"...Kid." Black sperm stared at the building, craning his head up.

"Yeah?"

"Why's does the house look like it ODed on Mario's mushrooms?" Black Sperm asked as he pointed at the very, very lavish building replacing the Astaroth-built mansion.

It was Sunday morning, barely two days after the Rating Game between Rias and Riser, when Issei was about to do his routine exercise with Rover and Black, whom wanted to tag along, when they noticed something was off about the house they lived in.

When Issei woke up, he noticed that his room was bigger. Looking outside the room, he found that it enlarged as well to accompany the new room volume, more space, more height, and more luxury decorations like the high-end furniture on the display.

Following along, his house's interior became more deliberate. The small maze of the interior which Issei had to navigate through daily was no longer there. He could tell because he found his way outside with Rover and Black with considerable ease.

Finally, the outer appearance of the estate.

The mansion Ajuka provided was already lavish enough, but now the mansion had come even closer to being an honest-to-god castle, if not for the absence of a tower.

"Honestly, I'm more impressed they built all of this under our noses. Especially Rover's." Issei replied without leaving his sight off the new building occupying his mansion. He finally found the answer to how they managed to get past Rover. Rover, on the other hand, was huffing beside Issei, marveling at the new house. It was probably excited to be able to grow to his full size inside the house now.

Their attention drew away from the castle to the sound of a vehicle approaching outside the tall corden of brick wall and metal gate. A trailer parked outside the gate, one of a moving company he had never heard of before, but the trademark insignia of the Gremory clan was on the vehicle. If that wasn't indication enough, a familiar redhead opened the trailer's door from the inside and poked her head out with a cheeky smile.

"Rias?" Issei had a hunch who was responsible for the home makeover.

"Oh, Ise. You're up. Good morning."

Rias greeted with a smile, as more familiar faces showed up from behind the trailer.

"Heya, Ise." Tsubasa waved her hand.

"Ufufu, good morning, Ise-kun." Akeno smiled.

"Good morning, Ise-senpai." Koneko's cat ears wiggled.

"Um Good morning, Lord Ise. I will be in your care from today onwards." Ravel curtsied.

Issei watched as Tsubasa, Akeno, Koneko and Ravel made their ways past the gates after greeting him.

Issei stood there dumbfounded as he watched several people already unloading and carrying boxes. He wasn't sure if they were from a moving company or private employees of the Gremory tending to the whims of the Heiress.

"Rias" Normally, Issei should be shouting at the one who was most likely responsible for his new home, but he was too dazed and amazed to do so. "Did you do this?" Issei pointed at the newly christened building.

"Why yes, of course. And you will definitely need a lot more space to host all of us." Rias replied as if it was obvious.

"Space? Host? Wait- what?" Issei asked the most important question of the day. There were so many questions in his head, they already compressed into a stabbing migraine. It was too early in the morning for him to deal with this insanity.

"Well, after the party, my family acknowledged your ability as a coach. Thus, they agreed to my request to live under your roof for further tutoring. Also, my peerage comes with me too."

"Eh?" Issei stood there, completely baffled by the turn of events.

"Didn't you remember?" Rias gave an impish smile. "You did agree with my father to take care of me the other night."

The revelation was like a slap from God to his intelligence, leaving Issei stupefied as hell as his jaw dropped at the mercy of gravity.

He could imagine the damn, sly old man smiling victoriously in his home with that blasted glass of wine. He would have been furious if he did not feel so stupid for letting his guard down.

"Oi, I think you broke him." Black chimed in as he lightly kicked Issei's ankle, finding no response from him.

Rover whined as he placed both his paws on Issei's other leg, huffing for his attention.

Issei finally registered the external stimulus, responding with several deep breaths. He looked down at Rover, seeing his concerned six eyes, and crouched down to pick up his best friend.

"...I have so many questions right now, I don't know where to start. I don't even know how you got permission to renovate private property." Issei phrased the complex emotion stirring inside him.

"Taking over from here, where are the guys? I hear Peerage yet I see two missing persons." Black questioned as he looked around for the girly boy and punching bag.

"Oh, don't worry Yuuto and Gasper. They're currently sharing a room in an apartment my family owns in the town. They vocalized their preference for more private settings when I asked, but they will still join our sessions whenever there is one. I hope you bring Rover whenever Gasper is around, though." Rias addressed Black's query.

"Why did you pause? You just paused." Issei asked with suspicion.

"Whaaat? No, you're overreacting." Rias slyly averted her eyes with an impish smile. Knowing her imp-like tone, any further attempts to pry would be deflected from this point.

"...Fine. I'll play your game." Issei resigned to her whims for now. He turned towards his old friend. "And what are you doing here?"

Black and Rover rolled their eyes at the out-of-place Rook from another Peerage.

"Gee, thanks for the warm welcome." Tsubasa snarked back, albeit with a light grin. "But as for me, I asked President Sona if I can stay with you for training purposes, and she approved right off the bat. Oh, I was the one who asked to move in first before Rias and her peerage did, by the way."

The blue-haired girl threw a knowing smirk at Rias, who returned with a mild pout.

"Oh?" Black creased an evil smirk when he noticed the spark. Issei was clueless as hell, however.

"And your parents are okay with this?" Issei asked.

"What do you think? They're ecstatic." Tsubasa flashed a cheekier smile.

"And Saji isn't here because?" Issei trailed off, switching the subjects.

"What, you kidding? You really think Saji can live with those two without breaking down?" Tsubasa pointed at Rover and Black.

Black clicked his tongue at the missed chance of another entertainment.

"Also, the girls in the Student Council think it's a bad influence if he lives with so many girls under the same roof." Tsubasa added.

Issei envisioned Saji in the presence of many girls under one roof Yeah, Issei could imagine one of them siccing Rover at him or throwing him to Black for peeping. Saji did look like that kind of guy, honestly.

"...Wait a minute, and you think it's fine for me to live with many girls under the same roof?" Issei countered. At this rate, an incident will definitely spark that which he would end up taking some responsibility for.

"All of us know that you're next to a perfect gentleman, Ise-kun." Akeno chirped in from behind.

Issei was caught off guard. Since when did she manage to sneak behind him? She surprised him with a hug, arms around his neck and two generous bosoms pressed against his back.

"Although, I won't mind if we meet up for a cup of coffee every now and then."

"Whoa ho ho!" Black shouted, impressed, his grin widening more and more.

"Wha - I, uh?" Issei stammered, unable to form a coherent response to the Queen's sultry whisper; but Rias, Koneko and Tsubasa were pouting with narrowed glares at her, while Ravel could only watch while fidgeting on her heels.

Before the situation could have escalated further, however, another voice came from the house.

"Oh, there you all are! Why are you kids just standing there? Come inside!"

Issei turned to find his mother waving from the opened door. Issei stared at his mother, finding her adapting to the new house extremely suspicious.

"Thank you for having us, ma'am." Rias bowed politely to the woman, followed with the rest of the guests.

"Please, think nothing of it. In fact, I was over the moon when that maid of yours told me about your plan to move here!" Haruka replied.

"Wait, what?" Issei's jaws nearly fell to the floor. His mother knew? And she did not tell him?!

"Ah, yes. I actually meant to tell you and the girls, but I wanted to make it a surprise. So. surprise!" Haruka replied with a cheeky tone, piling more indescribable emotions within Issei as his right eye twitched.

Every female he knew was turning against him. At this point, Issei was not sure he could rely on his mother anymore.

"Hey, woman! Is breakfast ready?!" Black shouted at Haruka, ignoring Issei's internal turmoil.

"Oh, yes! I prepared something special to celebrate! It's not every day a lone mother receives a free mansion, after all!" Haruka giggled.

However, just when Haruka invited everyone inside, Asia, Catherine, Amanda and Zama walked out to see the people from the moving company walking through the main entrance with carts and boxes in hand. Asia was seemingly half-asleep with her eyes a little droopy.

"What is happening?" Amanda yawned as she stared at the people.

"Wait, what happened to the house?" Zama asked, tugging her friends and pointed at the building that seemingly overdosed on Mario's mushrooms.

"What the- Again?!" Amanda shouted, alerting Asia from her drowsiness as she rubbed her eyes. When Asia's vision grew clearer, she noticed the house behind her.

"Fueeeeee?!" Asia uttered, completely overwhelmed by the splendor.

"It never ceases to amaze me how the Devils of the upper class could perform such construction with such stealth and swiftness," Catherine commented.

"Asia-chaaaan!" Rias called out to Asia, running towards the former nun.

"M-Ms. Rias? Everyone? What are you doing? What is happening?" Asia was flustered, but she did not resist when Rias caught her in a warm, hugging embrace. She slowly returned the hug, feeling Rias' chin on her head.

"I'm sorry for not telling you, Asia, but we're moving in from today! I know this is too sudden, but I hope you don't mind," Rias replied while smiling, pulling her in closer.

"Y-Yes, of course, Ms. Rias." Asia blushed as she smiled, immediately accepting Rias' moving in without an inkling of dissent.

As everyone else began to move in, Issei was still standing on the spot, stupefied of what had transpired. Still held in Issei's arms, Rover was still attempting to gain his attention by nuzzling into his chin.

Black stared between Issei and the girls who had finally walked inside the house before commenting with a snicker.

"Y'know, with how things are gonna be from now on, I think you should've just followed your old man and lived in Grigori."

And with this, we've reached the end of vol.2. Let me hear your thoughts, folks.

Oh, and before we enter vol.3, we will have... some breather first, which will be posted for free once I've finished drafting the opening act for vol.3 with i4md47h.

Laters, and have good one!