"Tenra, is there something special about that Issei guy?"
Akeno's voice was soft, curious, her arm looped through Tenra's.
It wasn't just Akeno—Rias and Yubelluna's group looked equally perplexed. Tenra had been unusually enthusiastic about the plain-looking boy.
Tenra smiled. "He's very special. Issei's a Sacred Gear wielder—the legendary [Boosted Gear] is inside him."
No need for secrets. Tenra's words hung in the air, and for a moment, every girl froze. Then shock rippled across their faces.
[Boosted Gear]. One of the fabled Longinus.
For that kind of artifact to be hiding in someone as ordinary as Issei Hyoudou…
It was almost impossible to believe.
Akeno's eyes sparkled, Rias looked stunned, and after a heartbeat of surprise, the Yubelluna girls grew visibly excited.
If their master could get his hands on [Boosted Gear]…
Beautiful faces broke into cold, knowing smiles. These clever girls understood Tenra's game instantly.
"To think it's the Sacred Gear that seals the Heavenly Dragon… Incredible…"
Rias's voice was layered—shock, calculation, maybe even a hint of unease. Tenra was already formidable. If he claimed the power of a Longinus, could she ever hope to surpass him?
Tenra caught the look in her eyes and smiled, as if he could read her thoughts.
"Rias, if you want that Sacred Gear, I'll let you have it."
The girls stared, dumbfounded. Even Rias seemed to think she'd misheard.
"You… what did you say?"
"Issei-kun's potential is limitless. If you make him your servant and train him well, he'll become a major asset. Interested? With the power of a Longinus, your odds of beating me go way up."
Tenra's tone was light, almost casual, as if offering her a cup of tea.
Yubelluna's group exchanged glances, a flicker of jealousy in their eyes. Rias was technically just a fiancée, but their master treated her far too well.
Rias, proud as she was, still felt a pang of emotion. Tenra was willing to hand over a priceless Longinus—who else in the world would do something so reckless?
But whether jealous or moved, Akeno—who knew Tenra best—just watched him with an impish smile, lips curled with secret amusement.
"I don't need it. He's your find, not mine."
Rias's answer was firm. "Longinus power is tempting, but I, Rias Gremory, am not shameless enough to accept it. I'll face you with my own strength."
She'd take such power if she'd found it herself, but since Tenra was the one who discovered Issei, she wouldn't touch him. Pride mattered more than any artifact.
"Suit yourself."
Tenra's smile never faltered.
Rias didn't accept the Sacred Gear, but Tenra's real objective was already achieved…
Yubelluna's group visibly relaxed, their gazes toward Rias tinged with admiration.
No wonder she was the Gremory princess—her character was worthy of respect.
"Tenra, you're getting more wicked every day…"
Akeno leaned close, her voice a teasing whisper.
"But you still love me, don't you?"
Tenra brushed her nose playfully. He didn't bother denying it.
Akeno's lips parted in a dazzling smile. "Ah, the more wicked you get, the more I fall for you…"
On the surface, Kuoh Academy looked like any ordinary human school. In reality, it was run by devils. Besides Rias's Gremory family, another of the seventy-two pillars held sway here.
"You're Rias's fiancé—the Phoenix family's so-called miracle?"
In the student council room, a short-haired girl with cool eyes and glasses studied Tenra.
Behind her, several other student council members stood at attention—every one of them a striking beauty.
Tenra grinned, rubbing his nose. "For years, they called me the Phoenix family's failure. If that 'miracle' isn't someone else, then yeah, that's me."
A spark flashed in the girl's eyes. She extended a hand. "Sona Sitri. In the human world, Sona Shitori."
"Tenra Kamiyo. Just call me Tenra."
They shook hands. The girl in front of Tenra was none other than Kuoh Academy's student council president, Leviathan's little sister, the pride and future head of House Sitri—Sona Shitori.
"How long are you two planning to hold hands?"
Rias sounded exasperated.
Tenra laughed and released Sona's hand. Sona calmly adjusted her glasses, then glanced at Rias. "Jealous, Rias?"
"I am not some petty, narrow-minded woman!"
Rias's eye twitched. "Besides, he and I are only fiancés on paper—family politics, nothing more. But we've agreed: if I beat him in a Rating Game, the engagement's off."
Rias wouldn't usually share this, but Sona was her friend.
Sona's lips curled. She glanced between Tenra and Rias. "That's… fascinating. I look forward to your match."
"Your enrollment is sorted. But Tenra, your Queen should probably be a teacher instead."
Yubelluna blushed. With her figure and age, joining the students would be awkward. Teaching was a better fit.
Tenra nodded, agreeing with Sona's suggestion.
After a few more words, Rias led Tenra and the others off to her classroom, bidding Sona farewell.
As the group left, one of Sona's girls finally spoke up.
"Sona-sama, Tenra Kamiyo's Sacred Gear aura is off the charts."
Tall, long-haired, and coolly elegant—even wearing glasses—she was Sona's Queen: Tsubaki Shinra.
Sona pushed up her glasses, lips curving. "The 'Sacred Gear Plunderer'—the headache of both Fallen Angels and the Church. Once called the Underworld's greatest waste, now Rias's fiancé…"
She smiled, eyes bright with anticipation. "I'm starting to look forward to this school year…"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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