The next day, I stood outside the first-year classroom—Koneko and Gasper's class. Reason? Ravel Phenex transferred here today. A refined lady like her in a school of commoners—can she adjust? I came during lunch to check.
"Yo, that's the senior," a boy whispered.
"Our enemy. Alert the others?" another replied.
"No need. The committee's informed. Word's out."
"Let's keep watching."
Ugh, the "Issei Extermination Committee" is here too, spying on me! The old school building's my only safe zone!
Girls' reactions:
"That's the beastly second-year?"
"He seduced all the school idols… scary…"
"But a second-year girl said he saved her from delinquents."
"Oh, I heard that—"
"So, he's nice?"
"Well, but—"
Beast? Seducer? Harsh! Sure, I talk dirty with Matsuda and Motohama, but I've never seduced anyone! Still, some positive buzz. I'll take it. Kiba gets fangirl screams; I shouldn't aim too high.
"Issei, checking on her too?" Rias's voice.
I turned. "Prez, you too?"
"Yeah, a bit worried," she said.
We peeked inside. Koneko and Gasper chatted in a corner. Ravel was… surrounded by girls.
"Phenex-san, got your textbooks?"
"Phenex is such a cool, rare name!"
"Another foreign transfer after Gya-kun? Best class ever!"
She's swarmed. Normal for a new student, especially a foreign beauty.
I expected Ravel's haughty side to say, "Ask away! I'll answer!" But no—she's struggling. "Uh, um…" Her eyes darted, unsure where to look.
Our eyes met. She stood, said, "Excuse me," and approached us, grabbing our hands and pulling us out of the classroom. She let go in the hallway.
"What's up?" I asked.
Blushing, she said, "It's my first transfer… I don't know how to interact… Plus, I'm a devil, so finding topics with humans is hard…"
Got it. A devil and noble, she's out of place in a human school. Miu adapted before enrolling in middle school and was in my class, so I could support her. Ravel's struggling.
She's cute when shy—well, always cute.
"Don't you want to talk to them?" Rias asked.
"Of course! I want to grow! As a noble, learning from commoners is valuable!" Ravel said.
Good mindset. Unlike her brother Raiser, who's improving but was a mess. He's training hard now, aiming for a Rating Game comeback.
Back to Ravel. If she breaks the ice, she'll be fine. Like Miu, she needs support.
"Koneko," I said.
"…You called?" Koneko and Gasper appeared, following us.
"Koneko, Gasper, can you help Ravel settle in? You're same year, same class."
Koneko's a school idol, good with classmates. Gasper's improved too—way better than when we met. They can help Ravel connect.
"I'll try!" Gasper said enthusiastically.
"Good man!" I ruffled his hair.
Koneko, though… looked grumpy, brows furrowed, mouth pursed. Cute, but… no go?
She nodded slightly. "If Issei-senpai says so, fine…"
Yes! Koneko's on board!
"So, Ravel, they'll—"
"…Cowardly fried chicken princess," Koneko muttered.
Silence. Heavy tension.
Ravel, vein pulsing, trembled. "What did you say?"
"Coward," Koneko shot back.
What's happening!? Rias and Gasper were lost too.
The fight erupted.
"You dare speak to a Phenex daughter like that!?" Ravel snapped.
"You're a burden to Issei-senpai. Sheltered fried chicken princess," Koneko retorted.
Snap. Something broke—figuratively.
Ravel's aura flared. "Me, a burden to Issei-sama!? This nekomata!"
"Fried chicken princess."
Grrrr! A cat and phoenix materialized behind them, glaring fiercely.
Scary! They're cute, but terrifying!
"Auu! Issei-senpai, I'm scared!" Gasper hid behind me.
"Don't blame you—I'm scared too! Prez, you're older, do something!"
"Me!? You're the—" Rias started.
"Stop! Okay, I got it! Both of you, calm down!" I stepped between them, heart pounding at the cat-phoenix standoff.
As a senior, I had to act. "Koneko, Ravel, no fighting. You can rely on me anytime."
"Whose side are you on!?" they yelled in unison.
Their beasts glared at me. Sides? I glanced at Rias—she just gave a wry smile.
Somehow, it worked out. Koneko supported Ravel, who bonded with classmates. Her school life started well, despite the rocky start.
After school, Rias announced, "Let's start!"
"Yeah!" we cheered.
Post-Ravel's club introduction, we began festival prep. We'd use the entire old school building for a haunted house, fortune-telling, café, and occult research showcase—OCC's unique privilege.
Everyone was pumped, but it's tough. We're renovating the building by hand, no magic, per Rias's idea. We agreed—students should do school events manually for that sense of accomplishment.
Azazel's joining too, using a room for a UFO exhibit. I peeked earlier—UFO photos, posters, and a model, like a museum. Is he even doing his teacher job?
Girls and Gasper handled costumes and decorations for the café and haunted house, setting up curtains and props. Kiba and I did carpentry outside, sawing and hammering wood. It's exhausting using unfamiliar muscles. I wiped sweat with my towel.
"Hold this, Issei," Kiba said.
"Got it."
Rossweisse was at a staff meeting—Azazel should be too, but he ditched, claiming illness. Definitely dumped it on her.
As I sawed, Kiba asked, "Know Diehauser Belial?"
"By name. Rating Game champion, right?"
Rias and Akeno mentioned him; I've seen his matches on video.
Kiba nodded. "Rank one. Belial head, a monster called Emperor Belial for his long reign."
Emperor, not even a Maou? Impressive.
"Top ten are heroes, but ranks five and up are immovable. Bedeze Abaddon, Roygun Belphegor, and Diehauser Belial match Maou-level power. They don't move unless a major war breaks out," Kiba said.
"Peace now, so no action?" I asked.
"Maybe," he laughed.
Maou-level devils, three of them. Rias aims to dominate the Rating Game, but it's no easy feat. She knows, hence her daily training.
"Could you beat them?" Kiba asked.
"Me?"
"Your Maou-class strength is recognized by Azazel and Sirzechs. Maybe you could."
"Dunno. Don't know their styles or abilities. Depends on compatibility, situation, and luck."
"How so?"
"Battles shift. Even underdogs can win if you're careless. One decision can decide it. You need to read the situation and act. Luck's when things are beyond control."
Guts help too—Xenovia's proof, and I'm similar.
"Got it," Kiba nodded, hammering.
Diehauser Belial. If we go pro in Rating Games, we'll face him eventually. How would we fight?
That's later. "First, Sairaorg's match," I said.
Kiba nodded. "With you, our odds are good. Still, no slacking."
"Yeah, our spar showed his intensity."
I had the edge then, but now? Sairaorg's likely training like a maniac to beat me.
"Honestly, his presence scared me. Your fists toppled Phenex, and he took them casually. He's a standout among the youth," Kiba said.
"Knew that already," I smirked. Sairaorg crushed Glasya-Labolas's delinquent devil.
Kiba changed topics. "Can you train with me today?"
Nothing unusual, but… "Sure, but don't go overboard. 'Kill yourself' is too much."
Since Kyoto, Kiba's wanted full-power spars, especially with my Tenbu Balance Breaker. It's suicidal, but he's serious.
"When I fought Siegfried, he tried something at the end," Kiba said.
Post-Kyoto, Kiba said Siegfried, healed by Phenex Tears, pulled out a syringe-like object. We reported it to Azazel, but with little info, he couldn't identify it.
"It was his trump card. If he used it, I'd have lost. He was stronger," Kiba continued.
Kiba's ambush worked once, but not again. So…
"I can't beat him as is. I need the next stage. Help me, Issei."
Next stage. Azazel says one possibility is feasible, the other unknown. Kiba wants both.
My answer's clear. I clapped his shoulder. "Of course. Asia's here, so we'll push to the brink. I've got stuff to test too."
Since returning from Ast-Ade, Ddraig found a mysterious domain in my Sacred Gear, previously absent. Ignis checked it: "It holds power. Unlocking it could take you to the next level."
Easier said than done. I've upped my training, but no progress yet.
"Issei, how's work?" Rias approached.
"Almost done. Sorry, we were talking," I said, gesturing an apology.
She waved it off. "Not checking. Sairaorg's butler has a personal request for you."
"Huh?"