Old School Building
Rias sat alone in the clubroom, fingers drumming lightly on the table. She sighed, her thoughts circling endlessly.
*Issei Hyoudou…*
His uncontrolled burst of power had nearly revealed everything to the town. She *should* be furious, but instead she felt a shiver of excitement each time she remembered it—the magma-like gauntlet, the flames that melted stone, the miniature sun he had hurled.
He was unstable, unpredictable, reckless… and yet, exactly the kind of overwhelming force she needed against Riser.
"I'll apologize when he returns," she muttered to herself. "If he does. Hopefully it'll be enough to make him fight for me."
---
Hyoudou Residence
The next two days were strangely quiet for Issei. His parents had chewed him out for skipping school, but mostly they just seemed worried about what he was hiding. He deflected their questions, making excuses, but guilt gnawed at him.
He couldn't tell them the truth. Not yet.
*Guess I better face the devils again…*
---
Two Days Later – Kouh Academy
Issei walked the familiar path toward the old school building, shoulders heavy with tension. He half-expected the place to still be scarred by his last outburst—but when he pushed open the door, the clubroom was pristine, as if nothing had ever happened.
Inside, they were waiting. Rias, composed but nervous. Akeno, with that mischievous glint in her eyes. Koneko, munching on sweets like always, completely unfazed.
Issei rubbed the back of his neck. "…Uh. Hi."
He sat opposite them, only to have Akeno glide over with a tray of tea. "I'm Akeno Himejima," she said, her smile playful. "Queen of Rias's peerage."
"Koneko Tōjō. Rook," the white-haired girl said flatly, not even glancing up from her snack.
(Is this a peerage or a freak show? At least they're all hot, so I guess that balances it out.)
Finally, Rias stood, her hands clenched at her sides. "Hyoudou Issei… I owe you an apology."
Issei blinked. That was not what he'd expected.
"I won't claim I didn't know what I was doing," she continued, bowing her head. "I knew. I forced you into this situation because I thought it would benefit both of us. But really—it was selfish. I need you for a problem of mine. Instead of asking, I cornered you."
Issei's chest burned with conflicting emotions. Anger, curiosity… and, annoyingly, understanding.
"…You've got a reason, huh? I'll decide after I hear it."
Rias looked up, her eyes sharp but vulnerable. "I'm bound by an arranged marriage. In a few months, I'll be forced to marry Riser Phenex. My only escape is to challenge him in a Raiding Game. But he's strong, Issei—his peerage is experienced, undefeated. Without help, I'll lose."
(So it's marriage, huh? …And here I was thinking she just wanted me for my good looks. But if she needs me, and I need her, this could work. Harem route unlocked!)
"I'll help," Issei said finally. "But I'm not your slave."
Akeno giggled, covering her lips. "Don't worry. The Gremory name is famous for treating servants like family."
(Family, huh? …We'll see about that.)
"Can my parents know about the supernatural?" Issei asked suddenly. "I don't want to lie to them."
Rias hesitated, then shook her head. "I'm sorry. Almost every pantheon agrees—humans must be kept ignorant of our world."
Issei's fists clenched. "…So I'll just have to lie to them forever."
"I could alter their memories," Rias offered softly. "Make them see and remember whatever you want—"
The air snapped with heat. Everyone tensed as flames licked at Issei's skin. His distorted voice growled, "You will not touch my parents."
"Okay, okay!" Rias raised her hands quickly. As his fury subsided, the temperature dropped, and everyone exhaled in relief.
"I need to control my emotions," Issei muttered. "If I lose it, someone could die."
(You think?!), the peerage thought collectively, sweat dripping down their faces.
Rias quickly changed the subject. "We have an elimination mission tonight. Do you want to come?"
"Sure," Issei said with forced calm. Then his eyes lit up. "Oh—what about the pieces? Which one am I? What do they do?"
Rias smiled slightly. "You're a Pawn. Pawns can promote into other pieces with my permission. Knights gain speed, Rooks strength, Bishops magical power, and the Queen… all of the above."
Akeno leaned in, eyes sparkling. "And devils can use demonic power—magic. We impose our will on the world with it. Magic circles make it easier, but imagination is the true core."
(Is that why my emotions are so volatile? Sins and magic? Damn, I can actually use real magic—that's awesome!)
"How do I try it?" Issei asked eagerly.
"Focus inward. Find your demonic power. Direct it into your hand while imagining the effect. You can use chants or pre-made circles to strengthen it," Akeno explained.
Issei closed his eyes. He pushed past the inferno of his Sacred Gear, searching until he found it—a flickering flame nestled inside. His demonic power.
"Let's go outside. This'll be destructive."
Even Koneko had to be dragged from her snacks as they all followed him to the backyard. Yuuto joined them along the way.
Rias reassured him, "Don't worry. This area is an isolated dimension. You can unleash freely."
"Good," Issei smirked. "Ladies, get ready to change your panties."
He thrust his arm out, pouring nearly half his demonic power into one spell.
"I beseech thee, combine with my deep crimson! The time of awakening cometh! Justice, fallen upon the infallible boundary—appear now as intangible distortion!"
Silence. A tiny *pop* fizzled out in front of him. His pride fizzled with it.
Rias collapsed into laughter, Yuuto and Akeno chuckling with her. Even Koneko's lips twitched.
"Damn it!" Issei growled. "How do I promote?"
"Just say the piece and 'Promotion,'" Rias managed between laughs.
"Promotion: Bishop!" Issei shouted. His power quadrupled instantly. The magma gauntlet appeared on his left arm, flames flickering faintly within.
"—Boost! Boost! Boost!—" Ddraig's voice thundered, each second layering more power into Issei's veins.
Fifty seconds later, brimming with strength, Issei chanted again. This time, his magic roared to life—an explosion fifty times larger than before. The earth shook. A crater ten meters wide yawned before them.
The peerage stared in awe.
That Evening – Abandoned Building
The peerage gathered outside a decrepit building.
"What are we eliminating?" Issei asked.
"Stray devils," Rias answered.
"What's a stray?"
"Devils who kill or abandon their masters. Their demonic power runs rampant, twisting their bodies into grotesque monsters."
(Is that so? Guess I can't quit after all. Oh well… they don't seem too bad.)
Inside, shadows stirred. A voluptuous woman stepped into view, her black hair cascading, her body bare. She smirked at Issei. "Want a feel, boy?"
Issei's eyes went wide. "Uh… this isn't that grotesque."
Then she moved fully into the light, revealing her monstrous lower half—an arachnid body, glistening and foul.
"Okay, *now* it's grotesque!"
Corpses littering the room sealed the truth. Rage flared in his chest. The fire screamed for release.
"Rias. I'll handle this." Flames burst from his skin as his wings unfurled. His shirt disintegrated. His voice distorted.
The stray sneered. "You think a brat like you can—"
Issei crouched, grinning. "I'll show you the most powerful attack in fiction. Kaa… meee… haa—"
Her massive spider leg slammed him into a wall.
"What was that supposed to be?" she mocked.
Issei groaned, dragging himself upright. "You're supposed to *let me power up*! That's Anime 101! If Goku was here, you'd already be dust!"
He shot into the air, wings flapping awkwardly.
Thick webbing fired at him. He barely dodged. "Why are you shooting your juices at me?!" he screamed.
Even Rias's peerage cracked up.
But the comedy ended when fire orbs swelled before him, growing hotter and brighter.
"—Boost! Transfer!"
The orbs doubled, becoming miniature suns. Two hit the ground, cratering into magma pools. The rest smashed into the stray, flames engulfing her spider body.
Her screams echoed as Issei conjured fiery chains, ending in a molten spearhead.
"Get over here!" he roared, hurling it into her chest. He yanked violently, dragging her torso apart as the flaming chains snapped back to him.
The stray collapsed in burning fragments.
Issei landed heavily. The stench hit him. His stomach turned. He stumbled into a corner, vomiting until his throat burned.
The peerage stared, shaken to their cores.
The boy was terrifying.
---