The days passed, and it was decided that Asia would stay at Issei's house, just like in the anime. It was also noticeable that Rias was acting differently, more pensive.
The day finally arrived when Asia, Raynare, Kalawarna, and Mittelt would attend their first day at Kuoh Academy.
**Asia**: My name is Asia Argento. I may be new here, but it's a pleasure to meet you all. *She said with a kind smile.*
**Raynare**: Raynare, pleasure. *She said with an unfriendly expression, clearly unhappy about attending school.*
**Kalawarna**: I'm Kalawarna, nice to meet you. *Like Raynare, she wasn't thrilled to be there.*
**Mittelt**: It's a pleasure to meet you all, I'm Mittelt. *She said with an enthusiastic smile, enjoying the attention and wanting to be seen as cute.*
**Everyone**: Uoooooooooooooooh! *They exclaimed excitedly.*
**Matsuda**: A blonde cutie! *He said, flushed and excited.*
**Motohama**: Bust 82, waist 55, hips 81. Nice! *He said, equally excited and blushing.*
**Boy 1**: Don't you think Raynare-san is beautiful? *He said, captivated by her beauty.*
**Boy 2**: Kalawarna-san too, she's got a sexier vibe. *He said, blushing intensely while admiring her.*
**Boy 3**: And Asia-chan and Mittelt-chan are so cute! *He said, already mesmerized by their charm.*
**Akuro (Thinking)**: *So they decided to use their real names.* *He thought, analyzing the situation until…*
**Asia**: Akuro-san, Issei-san! *She shouted from the front of the classroom upon seeing them.*
Immediately, all eyes fell on the two, especially Akuro, particularly from the girls.
**Girl 1**: Akuro-sama, you already know Asia?
**Girl 2**: D-Don't tell me she's your girlfriend! *She asked, stuttering, terrified her worst nightmare might come true.*
**Girl 3**: Oh, I want to die. *She said comically, depressed.*
**Akuro**: No, no, Asia's just a great friend of mine, so I ask that you take good care of her from now on. *He said with a smile, easing the fears of all the girls present.*
**Girl 1**: Oh, so that's it. Don't worry, Akuro-sama, we'll treat Asia like our sister! *She said, relieved that their greatest fear didn't come true.*
**Girl 2**: Exactly.
**Girl 3**: You can count on us.
**Akuro**: Thanks, everyone. *He said with a big smile that caused some girls to have nosebleeds.*
**Raynare**: So it seems the Gremory brat put us in the same class as you. *She said, approaching Akuro.*
**Akuro**: Yeah, probably because she knows I'm the only one who can stop you if you try anything. *He said with a confident smile.*
**Raynare**: Tsk. *She could only click her tongue, unable to refute the fact that, despite being human, he was incredibly strong.*
**Kalawarna**: From what I see, you're pretty popular. *She said, also approaching Akuro.*
**Akuro**: Yeah, a bit.
**Mittelt**: "A bit"? You're practically treated like a god in this classroom. *She said, joining the conversation.*
**Akuro**: You think so? *He said, once again proving his obliviousness to how others perceive him.*
**Raynare**: As strong as you are, you're pretty clueless about some things. *She said, sighing at his ignorance.*
A little distance away, the boys watched the group of girls forming around Akuro.
**Boy 1**: As expected of Akuro, making friends with four gorgeous girls.
**Boy 2**: He's the man!
**Boy 3**: No wonder he's our idol.
Everything calmed down again, with everyone chatting in their respective groups until…
**Asia**: I'm currently living at Hyoudou Issei-san's house!
**Boys**: What?!
**Matsuda**: Explain yourself! Why are you living with a blonde cutie?! *He asked, shaking Issei by the collar while shedding comical tears.*
**Motohama**: Why are you the only one getting all these chances?! *He said, referring to Issei coming to school with Rias and now living with Asia.*
**Matsuda**: You'd expect this from that damn Akuro, but how does a pervert like us pull this off?! *He asked, indignant, still crying comically.*
**Issei**: I didn't have a choice…
While Issei and his perverted friends continued arguing, the girls approached Asia.
**Girl 1**: Hey, does your room have a lock, Asia-san?
**Asia**: Yes!
**Girl 1**: Check the bathroom carefully.
**Asia**: Check?
**Girl 2**: You never know if there's a camera installed.
**Asia**: Camera?
**Girl 3**: Yeah, you don't need to worry about Akuro-sama—he's pure of heart and soul—but we can't say the same for that pervert. *She said with an admiring look when mentioning Akuro but a disgusted one when referring to Issei.*
**Issei**: You… *He said, hearing what they were saying about him.*
Akuro watched silently, holding back laughter. And so the rest of the day went.
There was also the matter of Issei needing to get a familiar. Coincidentally, Sona Sitri's new servant, Saji, also needed one, so a sports competition was held between the Occult Research Club and the Student Council. Since it wasn't a serious fight and was only to decide who would get a familiar first between Issei and Saji, Akuro chose not to interfere and watched from afar. During this time, he grew close to the Student Council, especially the girls. Saji was a bit annoyed, as Sona and Tsubaki were blushing around Akuro the whole time. But in the end, Saji saw Akuro was a good person, though he wasn't about to let his President fall for a potential love rival. Akuro, however, had no ulterior motives—he just wanted to get to know and befriend characters from one of his favorite animes. The girls surrounding him was just a consequence of his unmatched beauty. He exchanged contacts with all the Student Council members, even Sona Sitri—a feat considered unbelievable since Sona rarely spoke to anyone, especially boys. Seeing this, Issei felt both jealousy and admiration: jealousy that it was Akuro and not him getting the beautiful Student Council President's number, and admiration for achieving something no boy, not even Kiba, had done. As in the original story, Rias and the Occult Research Club won, giving Issei the chance to get his familiar first. However, just like in the anime, he didn't succeed—or rather, wasn't allowed to, as his familiar would've been a slime that melts girls' clothes, perfect for a pervert like him but a mortal enemy to the girls, who destroyed it.
**Another Day, Kuoh Academy**
The lunch bell rang, and today Akuro wasn't eating with the boys or girls—he was heading straight to the club to eat with the group. Raynare, Kalawarna, Mittelt, Asia, and Issei had gone ahead because Akuro had to stay behind to tell his classmates he'd be eating at the club.
Akuro was now walking through the academy's hallway toward the club building when he suddenly sensed a new presence approaching the clubroom.
**Akuro (Thinking)**: *This presence…* *He said, trying to recognize it.*
By simply closing his eyes, he could see everything happening in the clubroom—a power of an Infinityverse God, allowing him to see people from other worlds effortlessly.
**Akuro (Thinking)**: *So it's "you." Looks like it's time for you to enter the scene.* *He said, finishing his analysis of the presence he sensed.*
Opening his eyes, Akuro dashed toward the clubroom.
**Inside the Clubroom**
All of Rias's peerage members were present: Akeno, Koneko, Kiba, Issei, Asia, Raynare, Kalawarna, Mittelt, and Dohnaseek. Rias was seated next to a blond man in a red suit, who was drinking tea prepared by Akeno while disgustingly stroking Rias's hair and legs. Watching from a distance was one of the strongest beings in this world and the Underworld: Grayfia, a servant of the Gremory family, wife of the current Demon King Sirzechs Lucifer, and considered the strongest Queen in the Underworld.
The blond man in the red suit was none other than Riser Phenex, a high-class pure-blood demon and the third son of the Phenex family. He was also the fiancé of the Gremory heiress, Rias Gremory.
**Riser**: Ah, the tea Rias's Queen makes is wonderful!
**Akeno**: Thank you for the compliment.
**Issei (Thinking)**: *This despicable guy is her fiancé?!*
**Rias**: Stop it, Riser. I told you last time—I have no intention of marrying you. *She said, standing and moving away from him.*
**Riser**: But, Rias, with your family backed into a corner, you're not in a position to be selfish.
**Rias**: I won't ruin my family. I'll find a husband, but I'll marry someone I want to be with.
**Riser**: The entire demon world strives to preserve pure-blood demon lineages after the last war made them rare. Our parents arranged this marriage for the greater good.
**Rias**: My father, older brother, and other family members are all rushing things. I won't say it twice, Riser—I'm not marrying you.
Hearing this, Riser quickly stood and touched Rias's chin with his fingers.
**Riser**: You know, Rias, I'm the face of the Phenex family. I can't let you tarnish my honor. *His face turned serious and angry as he spoke.*
Seeing Riser get serious, Rias adopted an even more serious stance and expression.
**Issei**: President!
Issei and the rest of Rias's peerage were ready to charge at Riser for his attitude.
**Riser**: I'll take you back to the Underworld, even if it means burning all your servants to death. *His eyes glowed a fierce yellow, representing his flame powers.*
Rias's eyes immediately glowed a deep crimson, signifying her Power of Destruction, showing she wouldn't back down, which would lead to a massive clash of powerful magic. Someone, seeing this, decided to intervene.
**Grayfia**: Please, calm down.
**Riser**: Huh?
**Grayfia**: Miss, Riser-sama, as I'm here under Sirzechs-sama's orders, I won't stand idly by.
**Riser**: When it's you, the strongest Queen, saying that, even I get scared. *He said with his usual arrogant smile, lowering his magical power and releasing Rias's chin.*
**Grayfia**: He foresaw this might happen, so I was tasked with using the last resort if no agreement was reached.
**Rias**: Last resort? What do you mean, Grayfia?
**Grayfia**: If you insist, you're invited to settle this with Riser-sama in a Rating Game.
**Riser**: I've played the game many times and won many times. You're not even an officially qualified player and have no experience.
**Akeno**: Originally, only experienced demons were allowed to participate in a Rating Game.
**Issei**: So she's at a disadvantage!
**Raynare**: Yes.
**Dohnaseek**: And it seems it's even worse.
**Issei**: Huh?
**Riser**: Rias, just to be sure, these are all your servants?
**Rias**: And if they are?
**Riser**: Not a bad number for a beginner like you. You've gathered nine servants, but…
With a snap of Riser's fingers, a fiery magic circle appeared in the clubroom, and people emerged from it.
**Riser**: I have fifteen! *He said, showing off his all-female peerage.* In other words, a complete set of pieces. Nine against fifteen—it's obvious who's at a disadvantage. *He said with his arrogant smile.*
**Issei**: Beauties? Fifteen beauties?! *He said, shocked at seeing so many gorgeous girls.*
**Issei**: Unbelievable! What a real man! *He said, crying comically.*
**Riser**: H-Hey, Rias, that servant is crying while looking at me. *He said, surprised by Issei's reaction.*
**Rias**: Forming a harem is his dream. *She explained why Issei was crying.*
**Girl**: That's creepy. *A girl from Riser's peerage said, giving Issei a disapproving look.*
**Riser**: I see. Yubelluna! *He called a beautiful girl with large breasts from his peerage.*
**Yubelluna**: Yes, Riser-sama.
As she approached, Riser pulled her into a passionate kiss, seemingly with tongue.
**Rias**: Huh? *She couldn't believe what she was seeing.*
**Issei**: Ha? *He said, surprised and slightly blushing at the scene.*
Riser stopped kissing her and began groping her breasts, now exposed with her nipples visible.
**Riser**: You'll never be able to do things like this, you low-class demon. *He said, still groping Yubelluna.*
**Issei**: Shut up! *He said, feeling humiliated.*
Suddenly, an explosion was heard, and the clubroom door was reduced to pieces, raising a cloud of dust.
**Riser**: Huh? What was that? *He asked, covering his face from the dust.*
**???**: Oh, sorry, the door wouldn't open, so I had to do it my way. *A silhouette said, walking through the dust—a voice Rias and her peerage recognized.*
**Rias**: Akuro!
As Rias said, it was Akuro making a dramatic entrance. As the dust settled, he stood face-to-face with Riser and his peerage.
**Grayfia**: And who might you be? *She asked, puzzled by his entrance and the fact that his magical power was neither demonic, angelic, nor fallen angelic.*
**Akuro**: Me? I'm Akuro Kenshin. *He said, recognizing Grayfia.*
**Grayfia**: Akuro? So you're the human Rias-sama allied with, who held his own against Kiba-kun, one of the strongest knights in the Underworld. Seeing you destroyed the barrier I placed on the door, I see Rias and Akeno weren't exaggerating when they said you're one of the strongest humans in the world.
**Riser**: A human? Rias, you've fallen so low as to need a human's help? *He said, mocking Rias.*
**Akuro**: Hey, you bastard, were you mocking my friend's dream? *He asked, the shadow of his hair covering his eyes.*
**Riser**: Huh? That? I was just telling him the truth. *He said with his confident, arrogant smile.*
**Akuro**: So you were mocking him. *He said in a low voice only he could hear.*
**Akuro**: I'LL TEACH YOU NOT TO MOCK MY FRIENDS AND THEIR DREAMS!!! *He said, the shadow lifting from his eyes, revealing a gaze full of rage and hatred.*
His eyes were different—still red but with a new pattern of black lines: the Mangekyo Sharingan, styled after Madara Uchiha's. As Madara said, "the eye reflects the heart," and at that moment, Akuro's heart was filled with anger, reflected in his eyes.
**Riser**: What's with this human? *He said, surprised by Akuro's behavior.*
**Akuro**: You're not leaving here without taking at least one punch. *He said, charging at Riser.*
In a speed so fast that even Grayfia, the strongest present (aside from Akuro), couldn't follow, Akuro was already on top of Riser, ready to strike.
**Akuro**: Take this!!! *He said, punching Riser square in the face.*
**Riser**: Arghhhhh!!! *He grunted in pain.*
**Riser**: Damn you, how dare you lay a finger on me! *He said, already recovered thanks to the Phenex family's high regeneration.*
**Akuro (Thinking)**: *I know I said there's no reason to get upset over something you know will happen, especially when you've seen it before, but this guy got under my skin. He's more annoying in person than in the anime. I couldn't fully control myself, but enough not to destroy the Infinityverse and all existence, and not to injure him to the point of incapacitation. I just wanted him to feel pain for a moment. After all, his Phenex regeneration is nothing to me—I could kill him whenever I want, make him feel eternal agony, or, what would terrify him most and strip his confidence, take away his regeneration. He probably wouldn't know how to live without it. But let's leave it at that for now, since it's in the fight against him that Issei first awakens his Balance Breaker.* *He calmed down after his long thoughts.*
**Riser**: As much as I hate to admit it, that punch was strong for a human. But I'm an elite demon with regeneration akin to immortality—a punch like that couldn't hurt me even in your dreams. *He said arrogantly again.*
**Akuro (Thinking)**: *Seriously, this guy's a pain in the ass.* *He said, starting to get irritated again.*
**Akuro**: You talk too much, "Fried Chicken." *He said with a serious face, mocking Riser for his family's association with a bird.*
**Yubelluna**: Human, how dare you speak to Riser-sama like that! *She said, increasing her magical power to attack him.*
**Akeno**: Not so fast. *She said, also raising her magical power to counter Yubelluna's.*
**Akeno**: He's our ally and "friend." I won't let you get in his way.
**Yubelluna**: Fine, a battle between two Queens. I guess we don't even need a Rating Game to show I'm better than you. *She said with an arrogant smile.*
**Akeno**: I agree, but all it'll show is that you're nothing but a show-off who lets herself be groped in front of others. *She said with her signature sadistic smile, irritating Yubelluna.*
**Yubelluna**: Why, you… *She said, increasing her magical power.*
**Riser**: You dare insult me and my family? Foolish human, I'll punish you in the worst way possible. *He said, flames starting to cover his hands.*
**Akuro**: Oh, yeah? Bring it. *He said, a dark blue energy surrounding his body, indicating the energy used to activate Susano'o. He chose the same dark blue as Madara's, matching his Mangekyo Sharingan. He wasn't fully activating Susano'o, just using its energy around his body. Known for its immense defensive power, often called the "Absolute Defense," this energy was enough to counter Riser's flames, which were weak to Akuro. A full Susano'o, even an imperfect one, would destroy the club building due to its massive size.*
Seeing things escalating, Grayfia intervened.
**Grayfia**: Stop this now! *She said in a stern voice, raising her magical power to dispel Riser's, Yubelluna's, and Akeno's magic. Akuro deactivated his Mangekyo Sharingan and Susano'o energy to make it seem like Grayfia had dispelled his power too. But of course, while Grayfia's power was considered strong to everyone in the room and most of the world, to Akuro, it was nothing. In fact, he was disappointed by how weak it was to him.*
**Grayfia**: I ask that everyone calm down. *She said, lowering her magical power.*
**Riser**: Hmph. *He moved to his peerage's side with Yubelluna.*
**Raynare (Thinking)**: *So that's the power of the strongest Queen in the Underworld.* *She thought, shocked by its intensity.*
**Kalawarna (Thinking)**: *If we didn't stand a chance against the Gremory girl, let alone her.* *She thought, realizing the power gap.*
**Dohnaseek and Mittelt (Thinking)**: *She's strong—very strong.* *They thought in unison, reinforcing Raynare and Kalawarna's thoughts.*
**Grayfia**: So, Rias-sama, how do you wish to proceed? *She asked, wanting to know the final decision of her husband's sister.*
**Rias**: As Akuro said, I can't let you mock us and get away with it. We'll have this Rating Game, and I'll make you pay for laughing at my dear servant's dream. *She said with a smile, making her decision.*
**Grayfia**: Understood.
**Riser**: Hahahahahahahahaha!!!
**Rias**: Riser, I swear I'll blow you away!
**Riser**: I can't wait, Rias, my love. *He said, walking toward the fiery magic circle to leave, but before he did…*
**Riser**: You, human—you said your name was Akuro, right? The next time we meet, I'll burn you to death. *He said, pointing at him with his typical arrogant smile.*
**Akuro**: I'll be eagerly waiting. *He said with a serious face, challenging Riser.*
**Riser**: We'll meet again for the game. *With that, he vanished through the fiery magic circle.*
**Grayfia**: With your permission, I must report this to Sirzechs-sama. *She said, bowing slightly and leaving through a magic circle.*
**Mittelt**: Phew, they're finally gone. *She said, sighing and relaxing.*
**Kiba**: Yeah, indeed. *He said, also relaxing.*
Issei approached Akuro awkwardly, seemingly embarrassed.
**Issei**: Akuro, uh, it's hard to say, but… ugh, damn it, what I mean is "thank you." *He said, finally getting it out.*
**Akuro**: Huh? For what?
**Issei**: You know, you defended me and helped me so much, both now and back at the church when Raynare was trying to manipulate me. *He said, still shy, unused to thanking another guy.*
**Raynare**: Oy, oy, oy! *She said, waving her hand comically.*
**Issei**: And like you said, we're friends. *He said, giving Akuro a light punch to the chest with a smile, finally acknowledging him as a friend.*
**Kiba**: Yeah, it made us happy to see you defend us and know you see us as friends.
At that moment, everyone had a smile on their face, even the former fallen angels with faint smiles.
**Akuro**: Of course! *He said, joining them with a huge smile.*
**Raynare**: Not to ruin your happy moment, but what are we going to do? We're clearly at a disadvantage.
**Kiba**: True, they have more members than us, plus more experience in Rating Games. *He said, analyzing their situation.*
**Rias**: I'm planning a training session in the mountains where my family has a house. We have ten days before the Rating Game—let's train and prepare as much as we can.
**Raynare**: That'll be good. I'll be able to recover my magical power.
**Issei**: Huh? What do you mean?
**Raynare**: I see you're still clueless about these things, even as a demon.
Issei stayed quiet, embarrassed.
**Raynare**: Well, the reincarnation process for demons works differently for humans versus other races. When you're reincarnated as a demon, you lose part of your magical power. That's what happened when the Gremory girl turned us into demons. We're only at half strength right now. *She finished explaining, something only Issei and Asia didn't know.*
**Issei**: I see, so that's how it works.
**Rias**: Alright, we leave early tomorrow for training. Are you coming, Akuro?
**Akuro**: Nah, I'm better training alone.
**Rias**: Got it.
**Rias**: For the rest of you, I want you to go home and sleep early. Tomorrow will be a long day.
**Everyone (except Akuro)**: Yes!!!
And so, everyone went home to prepare for the training ahead.
**To be continued…**