It was after school on the day we were all shaken by Kiryuu-san's hidden potential. During our club activities, once everyone had gathered, President Rias informed us of some important news.
"Everyone, I've already told you that we'll be helping out at the open school event for the new academy Sona built, right? Actually, one of the guest lecturers invited to that event has also expressed interest in visiting the Hyoudou residence beforehand."
The school that President Sona established is designed to teach various skills and knowledge useful for Rating Games. But it's still in the promotional phase and hasn't secured enough teachers yet, so she's reaching out to many people for support.
Even though most of the Sitri peerage will likely take on teaching roles in the future, it still makes sense for them to graduate from university and obtain teaching credentials in the human world to properly learn the necessary know-how.
To put it bluntly, what she needs is: more hands on deck.
Despite all that, the fact that President Sona went ahead and built the school anyway just shows how strongly she believes in her dream. Honestly, the old-school devils who rig the Rating Games should just disappear already.
While I was thinking that, Xenovia spoke up, questioning the situation.
"…Why Hyoudou's house? I can understand a lecturer wanting to check things out, but shouldn't they be visiting the Sitri residence instead?"
It was a fair question, and upon hearing it, Rossweisse-san's expression grew a little strained.
"Oh, that's because the visitor is Rossweisse's grandmother. So, rather than this being a school-related matter, it's more like… a family visit."
Everyone's gaze immediately turned to Rossweisse-san.
Her expression remained stiff. Well, yeah—family visits can be awkward.
President Rias gave a wry smile at Rossweisse-san's reaction before adding further explanation.
"Rossweisse's grandmother, Göndul, is a former Valkyrie and a renowned magic user in the Norse world. She's going to be joining Sona's school as a magic instructor. So everyone, please be on your best behavior."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"…Okay."
Even Rossweisse-san, whose enthusiasm was clearly lacking, accepted that it was inevitable. And then the day of Göndul-san's visit arrived.
We wrapped up club activities and training early that day. Right at the designated time, the magic circle in Hyoudou's house lit up. When the light faded, a single woman stood there.
She wore a deep navy robe and stood with an air of discipline that defied her age.
"Nice to meet you all, people of Japan. Thank you for looking after my granddaughter."
After scanning the room, her gaze settled on Rossweisse-san.
She still looked visibly uncomfortable.
"I'm Göndul, Rossweisse's grandmother. I hope we get along."
Since there were too many of us to do introductions right there, we moved to the VIP room and greeted her one by one.
Missing from the gathering were Ophis and her companion Le Fay (plus Fenrir)—not exactly people you bring to formal visits. And, as usual, Azazel-sensei.
Even though he stepped down as Governor, he's still somehow incredibly busy… Well, things might have been better if that bastard Rizevim hadn't brought in a doomsday-level threat like Trihexa.
That said, you could totally picture him multitasking, secretly building robots using Grigori's research budget while keeping an eye on "Children of God."
"—Anyway," Rias continued, "Göndul-san will also be attending a gathering of distinguished magic users near the school. It's about rare ancient spells and forbidden arts. Researchers from both devils and fallen angels will be present."
"And this is off the record," she added, "but recently, there's been a surge of incidents involving magic users who specialize in forbidden or ancient magic going missing."
Everyone's attention shifted to Ravel.
"W-Why are you all looking at me!?"
Ravel flinched, but Rias gently reassured her.
"No, you're probably not in danger. This may sound harsh, but the forbidden magic you use—while powerful—relies on sacrifice to boost its effects, and the structure is relatively straightforward. If someone wanted that technique, they could easily replicate it without going after someone protected like you within Team D×D."
"That's true," Göndul added. "The ones being targeted seem to be those who either know exclusive techniques or developed their own from scratch. While not all forbidden arts are dangerous, the idea of exchanging something for power is a universal truth across all magical systems. You said you're a Phoenix? I can more or less gauge the kind of forbidden magic you handle. Yes, I'd agree—you're not likely a target."
Seems like Rossweisse also only knew the structure of forbidden spells, so the secrecy level wasn't that high.
"As for who's behind the kidnappings—whether it's rogue magic users or Qlippoth—we don't yet know. For now, the decision has been made to seal certain research themes and spell formulas until the incidents are resolved. For us mages, our studies and spells are like extensions of ourselves, honed over a lifetime. But better to pause research than to let it fall into the hands of malicious unknowns."
Apparently, the organization chosen to handle the sealing of these spells is Grigori. Their tech is top-notch, and their reputation among the more… eccentric magical communities is growing.
Makes sense. If mages tried to seal themselves, they could still undo it if brainwashed. Even if they stored the seal-breaking formula elsewhere and arranged it so they'd forget it until specific conditions were met, their personal "signature" in the magic might still allow them to break it over time.
After the heavy talk, we got into some light chit-chat about Rossweisse-san's childhood—which made her blush profusely. Then, with a serious expression, Göndul turned to her granddaughter.
"Now then, Rose. You know why I really came here today, don't you? There are three men in this room right now… So, which one of them is it?"
Rossweisse couldn't respond right away, frozen by the question. And while she rebooted, I raised a small point of confusion.
"Um, Göndul-san, actually… Gasper is a guy too, so there are four men here."
I moved behind Gasper and placed a hand on his shoulder. Göndul's eyes widened.
"Oh my, really? I honestly thought he was a girl with a boyish name. That kind of naming custom does exist, after all… Wait, Rose! You don't mean—he's your—!?"
"N-No! My boyfriend is right over there—Hyoudou Issei, the Red Dragon Emperor!!"
The room dropped at least five degrees in temperature as everyone, especially Rias, froze.
Unfazed by the awkward air, the Norse grandma-granddaughter conversation continued.
"Rose, you ran away from home, became a devil on your own, started teaching in the human world—all without saying a word to us. You're a terrible granddaughter who only gives me worry."
"Ugh… You're not wrong…"
"I'm not saying becoming a devil or a teacher is inherently bad. After all, it started when Lord Odin left you in Japan, and I've already lodged a complaint about that… What I object to is that you decided all of this alone, without consulting any of us. You didn't weigh the consequences—you just acted on impulse. The Gremory peerage may be powerful, influential, and kind, but I worry that one day, you'll make an irreversible mistake the same way."
"…Ouch. That hits hard."
Even Xenovia seemed to be taking emotional damage from Göndul's long-winded scolding.
Well, becoming a devil is literally an irreversible life choice. There's peace now among the Three Factions, but back when Xenovia turned, she hadn't been told any of that.
"I've been worried. Sure, you're good at studying and magic, but you're also really careless. I kept wondering—could someone like you really teach responsibly in a distant foreign land without causing problems? But then I heard you already had a boyfriend, someone who could keep you grounded. That's why I came to see your face—and his."
Rossweisse, blushing furiously, clung to Issei's arm.
"H-He's the legendary Red Dragon Emperor! And he's already been promoted to a mid-class devil within half a year of reincarnation! He has tons of potential!"
Rias and the others looked like their brains had stopped working.
"…I see. I'm familiar with the Underworld's circumstances, but aside from his title, aren't Arima-san and Kiba-san also promising young men? Kiba-san is single, too—wasn't he a safe choice? Why Hyoudou?"
Caught off guard, Rossweisse offered what sounded like a last-minute excuse.
"Well, Arima-kun is already taken—he has a girlfriend or fiancée—so I couldn't get involved. And Kiba-kun… um… he's… Oh! He likes Issei and Ikki, so he's not an option!"
"Pfft!!"
"Bwahaha!!"
Both Issei and I burst out laughing. That's a terrible excuse! And wait—Rossweisse, you've been thinking of us that way!?
"S-Seriously?"
"Haha… I won't deny that I like them."
Yuutooooo! I'm sure you meant "as friends," but right now, that's only making things worse!
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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