The Occult Research Clubroom.
Given the gravity of the matter at hand, they couldn't remain on the training field.
The moment Azazel mentioned the name [Sephiroth Graal], Rias and the others immediately grasped the severity of the situation and understood why Azazel appeared so grave. They quickly ended their training and regrouped in the Occult Research Clubroom.
All eyes fixed on Azazel, each filled with urgency and concern.
"Azazel, you said you've obtained intel about the [Sephiroth Graal]?" Rias asked impatiently.
Perhaps others felt even more anxious than she did, but as the "King," she naturally took the lead in asking.
Azazel gave a slight nod, his voice low as he began his explanation.
"After learning that Jeanne-san was born due to the Longinus [Sephiroth Graal], I immediately started gathering all available intel on it—especially its current whereabouts and the identity of its wielder. Our Grigori's 'Sacred Gear Watchers' have been meticulously tracking dangerous [Sacred Gears] and Longinus-class artifacts, but it's no easy task."
The Sacred Gear Watchers was a specialized organization within the Fallen Angels, tasked with monitoring and managing dangerous [Sacred Gears] and Longinus wielders. Azazel, as Governor-General of the Fallen Angels, personally oversaw them. Users like Vali, possessor of [Divine Dividing], and Tobio Ikuse, wielder of [Canis Lykaon], had both been discovered and recruited in childhood by this organization.
Hyoudou Issei and Asia were also observed early by this group. Asia's [Twilight Healing] and Issei's original [Boosted Gear] were targeted by the Fallen Angel Raynare, who had mistaken Issei's [Boosted Gear] for an ordinary [Twice Critical] and stabbed him in the canon timeline.
Himejima Akeno lightly bit her lip, asking softly, "Could it be that the [Sephiroth Graal] poses a threat specifically because it might serve as Jeanne-san's weakness?"
"Since it's the [Sacred Gear] responsible for creating Jeanne-san, naturally it could also become her weakness. And it won't be just us—other factions must surely have arrived at the same conclusion. Though, creating another Jeanne-san would be incredibly difficult. In my view, Marshal Gilles de Rais likely achieved an absurdly powerful and personalized [Balance Breaker] of the Graal due to his extraordinary obsession and wishes regarding Jeanne d'Arc..."
As an expert who had studied [Sacred Gears] extensively, Azazel's analysis was convincing.
After sighing lightly, he continued, "But aside from the fact that the Graal might be Jeanne-san's weakness, there's another factor we can't overlook..."
He paused briefly, expression darkening before continuing:
"When Jeanne-san openly revealed her origins in front of so many witnesses—including Grim Reapers and the Khaos Brigade—although Hades is now dead, that information undoubtedly reached the Khaos Brigade and other factions. Jeanne-san's current deterrent power is far too immense. If I were in their position, I'd desperately hunt down the Graal at all costs."
Azazel's voice grew even graver:
"At this rate, it's inevitable that a massive storm centered around the [Sephiroth Graal] will soon erupt."
"The only way to preemptively stop this storm is for us to secure the Graal first and have Jeanne-san possess it. That would eliminate their ambitions once and for all."
Rias and the others nodded solemnly, fully agreeing with Azazel's assessment.
"So…" Jeanne Alter folded her arms, frowning slightly. "You've already located the Graal?"
Though Jeanne herself knew clearly she had no direct link to this Graal, she also understood that countless entities would soon covet it fiercely. A violent storm was certain; after all, the Khaos Brigade terrorists would undoubtedly invest enormous resources into obtaining it. If it fell into malicious hands, they would certainly seek her out again, ruining her peace.
Therefore, even for her own sake, Jeanne couldn't ignore this matter.
Azazel's rushed appearance implied he'd already found the Graal's location and was preparing to reveal his findings.
But at that very instant, Jeanne Alter's expression abruptly changed, and she raised her head as if sensing something.
Even Ophis, quietly eating sweets beside Jeanne, suddenly paused, her attention captured by something unknown.
"Jeanne-san? Ophis? What's wrong?" Rias asked cautiously.
These two were ranked first and second in the world. Even the slightest abnormality from either demanded serious attention.
Jeanne remained silent for a moment, brows deeply furrowed. She didn't immediately answer their questions.
Because even she had doubts about the sinister aura she'd just sensed…
However, she was certain about one thing:
"Someone extremely dangerous has arrived."
In the very next moment, Jeanne disappeared from everyone's sight. None could follow her movements—only her voice lingered in the clubroom.
"Ophis, stay here and protect them. I'll check it out."
Even her voice carried an overwhelming majesty, compelling obedience. It resonated deep within Rias and the others, pressing directly upon their very souls.
But as swiftly as that majesty appeared, it vanished, leaving only fleeting traces. The air, briefly stilled by her presence, began flowing again, and Rias and the rest quickly regained their senses.
Azazel suppressed the lingering awe in his chest and looked up, muttering complicatedly:
"Jeanne-san… Just what kind of monstrous existence have you become?"
---
The scene shifted back to Jeanne Alter.
Upon leaving Kuoh Academy, she shot upward at extreme speeds, pinpointing the source of that sinister aura through her peerless perception.
It took no time at all, for the source had made no attempt at concealment, radiating openly like a blazing sun in the darkness—as if deliberately inviting someone closer.
Jeanne gazed far into the distance, her vision seemingly transcending the limitations of space.
In her bright eyes, a platinum-colored divine glint briefly flashed.
The next instant, Jeanne's figure blurred, transforming into a streak of light that tore through the skies, leaving behind a chain of explosive sonic booms.
It was already nearing twilight, the evening clouds aflame, parted violently by Jeanne as she soared onward through the chill, sharp wind, spreading her magical senses like an expansive domain around herself.
Jeanne locked firmly onto the malicious aura in the air, steadily approaching its location.
As she drew nearer, the sinister presence intensified, confirming her correct path.
However, just before she reached her destination, the owner of that aura moved suddenly.
Clearly, it had sensed someone approaching—meaning it had become aware of Jeanne's arrival.
Yet, rather than retreating, it abruptly surged forward at alarming speed, charging head-on toward Jeanne.
Jeanne's brow rose slightly in surprise as she abruptly halted her momentum.
She instantly felt it—
The violent momentum, the roaring winds—
And then, appearing abruptly above her, a massive dark shadow slammed downwards.
"ROOOOOOAAAAARRRRRR—!!"
A thunderous roar resonated through the sky, followed swiftly by the creature's crazed laughter.
"A strong one! It's you, isn't it? The powerful warrior who can fight me! Who can kill me! The one feared by all! Come and fight! Let me relish this battle!"
Laughing madly, the giant shadow hurtled straight at Jeanne like a falling meteor, its massive figure barreling toward her without any hesitation. The force was akin to a speeding train colliding at supersonic speed, whipping up winds and bloodthirsty battle intent, fluttering Jeanne's clothing wildly.
In response, Jeanne merely narrowed her eyes, waves of potent energy rippling from her body as she calmly lifted her right hand.
When her hand clenched into a fist, the sheer power vibrated the surrounding space, visibly distorting it.
Then, facing the mountain-sized fist descending upon her, Jeanne's platinum eyes ignited with divine brilliance as she met it directly—without dodging, without fancy tricks—delivering a single, devastating punch!
BOOM!
In the skies above Kuoh Town, thunderous explosions erupted, a shockwave rippling outward like hurricane winds, extending far into the distance.
"GAAAHHHH—!!"
Compared to the colossal beast's fist, Jeanne's appeared as delicate as a toothpick. Yet, astonishingly, the massive creature was blasted backwards, howling in agony, its deafening cries shaking the air violently.
Only after flying far did the beast finally stabilize itself.
Jeanne finally took a good look at it.
Covered in dark, ashen scales with pale-silver eyes, it had a humanoid form yet bore a ferocious dragon's head, razor-sharp claws, a muscular tail, and enormous dragon wings. Wrapped around its enormous body burned an evil, toxic green aura.
"It hurts! Damn, it hurts! To lose in a head-on clash like that—HAHAHA! You bastard, you're truly incredible!"
Despite obvious injury, its aura intensified, excitement and madness mingling as it laughed louder.
A dragon? Jeanne frowned, sensing carefully. No, impossible. Dragons in this world can't harbor hostility toward me, nor do I detect their presence from you…
"What exactly are you?"
"Ha? Who cares about trivial details! Come and fight! That punch just now was fantastic! I came to this world precisely for this! Come, let's play a game—trading blows until one of us dies or breaks completely! HAHAHA!"
Evidently, this creature cared only about fighting. A true battle maniac who reveled purely in combat.
Jeanne smiled sharply, a dangerous gleam in her platinum eyes.
"Then I'll make you understand the vast difference between us clearly."
Her divine aura surged dramatically, making even the heavens tremble, as she braced herself once more—readying for the next clash!