After the fight—more precisely, the massacre Issei had caused against the fallen angel—he returned home.
—I have a bad feeling about this—Setanta said in a worried tone.
—I don't know what's troubling you, lancer, but stay alert, boy—Vlad replied calmly.
"I understand. Even if I don't know why, I'll stay cautious," Issei answered, respecting the instincts of the spirits within his soul.
---++++----
The next day, Issei woke up feeling more rested and went straight to school, leaving a kiss on both his parents' foreheads before leaving.
Later that night, he received a message from Sona, asking him to come to the Student Council room.
He went there immediately and opened the door cheerfully.
"Kaichou, my beautiful Kaichou, your beloved Issei is here!" Issei shouted happily, almost singing. "I knew you'd accept my love—haaah?"
He stopped dead in his tracks.
Inside the room were two incredibly beautiful women… and a random guy he had never really paid attention to.
—Boy… run. Now.—Setanta screamed inside Issei's head. —Run as fast as you can.
(Damn it, partner, you're seriously unlucky. Run. Run!) Ddraig shouted as well, fear seeping into his voice.
What's going on? Issei asked mentally. Who are they?
—Don't ask. Just run!—Setanta screamed again in desperation. —You'll die.
Vlad remained silent. He was the only one not reacting—but that was because he truly didn't recognize the two women.
"Who do you think you are talking to?!" shouted the boy Issei had ignored. "Show some respect to the Kaichou!"
"Saji, don't shout," Tsubaki sighed before turning to Issei. "Hello, Hyoudou-san."
"Tsubaki-senpai… that guy is disrespecting the Kaichou," Saji complained.
"Sona can defend herself, Saji," Tsubaki replied calmly.
"Hello, Tsubaki. You look as beautiful as ever," Issei said with a mischievous grin.
"Thank you, Hyoudou-kun," Tsubaki answered with an amused smile.
"Tsubaki-senpai…" Saji whimpered.
"Can you stop making a scene, you idiot?" Sona shouted as she walked up to Issei and punched his arm. "Don't do that again."
"I don't want to," Issei shouted back. "You called me here to confess your love for me!"
"What love, damn it!" Sona shouted, punching him again. "Stop with your perverted imagination!"
"But you love me just like this," Issei replied, pointing at her.
"Shut up, idiot!" She punched his shoulder again—yet she didn't deny his words.
"KAAAICHOU…" Saji whimpered again, watching his dreams crumble.
(You idiot, run already!) Ddraig and Setanta shouted together.
---++++----
"Ahem, ahem."
Issei and Sona stopped arguing when one of the women cleared her throat.
"Hyoudou, these are Morrigan and Scathach," Sona said, regaining her serious demeanor. "They are transfer students. Someone needs to show them around the school."
"And why me?" Issei asked cautiously, while Setanta and Ddraig kept screaming for him to run.
"Because, as much as I hate to admit it, you are the most reliable person I know outside the Student Council," Sona replied with a slight growl.
"And what about Gremory-senpai?" Issei asked. Rias was supposed to be Sona's best friend.
"Rias has proven unreliable when it comes to people," Sona said coldly. She still hadn't forgiven her. "They're transfer students from another continent and need someone trustworthy to help them get used to the school."
"What a pain…" Issei muttered before looking at the two women. "Shall we go?"
They nodded and followed him.
What do I do? I can't just run, Issei thought. If they're as dangerous as you say, I can't leave them with Sona.
—Cute thought, but it won't save you—Setanta replied nervously. —Still, I doubt you could escape her anyway. Play dumb and hope she ignores you.
(Pray to every god who might hear you, partner. Your situation is awful.) Ddraig added.
Thanks for the help, Issei replied sarcastically.
---+++---
"Kaichou, are you sure it's okay to leave that pervert with the new girls?" Saji asked angrily. "He might do something to them!"
"Saji… are you implying I made a mistake?" Sona narrowed her eyes, her tone turning icy.
"N-no, Kaichou…" Saji tried to explain, but Tsubaki stepped forward.
"Saji, Hyoudou may be a pervert," Tsubaki admitted honestly, "but there's no one more reliable than him when it truly matters."
"Yeah, if not for that idiot personality, he'd be an amazing guy," Sona muttered. "Why does he have to be like that?"
"But Sona, their names sound familiar," Tsubaki said. "Is it related to the Celts?"
"No. The Celts are extremely reclusive. They've been isolated from the world for over a thousand years," Sona answered confidently. "Current Underworld records barely mention them."
---++++----
Issei showed the two of them around the school, remaining alert and on guard the entire time.
Both Setanta's terror and Ddraig's defensiveness told him everything he needed to know.
These women were dangerous.
When they reached the last area—the dojo—the purple-haired woman with crimson eyes smiled and picked up a shinai.
"Wow, how nice. A sword," she said playfully before looking at Issei. "How about a duel?"
"I'll pass," Issei shook his head. "There's more to show you."
"But I want to see you fight, Hyoudou-san," the other girl said with curiosity.
"I'm really weak… it wouldn't be fun," Issei laughed awkwardly, scratching his head.
"You didn't think that when you killed that fallen angel yesterday," Scathach said, her eyes gleaming dangerously.
Issei froze.
—Shit. Run! She saw you fight! She saw Gae Bolg!—Setanta screamed.
(Run, partner!) Ddraig shouted.
Issei turned to flee—but Morrigan was already blocking the exit.
—Damn it… even if Morrigan isn't as strong as the teacher… you can't beat her at this level—Setanta growled. —It was nice knowing you, kid.
You two are real assholes, Issei thought angrily. Vlad?
—Sorry, boy—Vlad replied. —I'm close to Lancer's level. If he fears her, then I'd be overwhelmed as well.
Who is she? Issei asked.
(She is the Godslayer, Scathach… ranked seventh among the top ten strongest beings.) Ddraig answered solemnly. (You can't beat her. It was nice knowing you.)
"Damn it…"
"Then let's fight," Scathach said, throwing a shinai at him. "Or would you prefer to use our real weapons?"
Her hand glowed, and a crimson spear appeared.
"Gae Bolg?" Issei asked in shock. "How?"
"Gae Bolg—Alternative," Scathach said with a savage smile. "I created the original. Making another isn't surprising, is it? This one might even be better than that useless Setanta's."
"Don't talk about him like that!" Issei shouted as he pulled out the Lancer card. "Insert—Lancer!"
Gae Bolg appeared in his hand, and with a burst, the Boosted Gear manifested.
"Boosted Gear?" Morrigan said in surprise. "He's the Sekiryuutei?"
"Even better!" Scathach laughed excitedly as they charged at each other.
The first clash echoed through the dojo like a restrained thunderclap.
Shinai against spear.
Issei's arms vibrated to the bone as Scathach deflected his Gae Bolg with a minimal, almost lazy movement. There was no brute force—only flawless, merciless technique.
"Interesting," Scathach said, twirling her spear one-handed. "You didn't hesitate. Good."
Issei slid back, breathing heavily.
(Concentrate, partner!)
Ddraig roared inside him.
(She's holding back, but this is still divine-level!)
"Boost," Issei muttered.
The jewel shone.
"Boost!"
A crimson aura exploded around him, cracking the dojo floor. Morrigan watched from the wall, smiling as if enjoying a private show.
"Fascinating… he grows fast. Very fast."
Scathach advanced.
Not normally.
She vanished.
Issei barely raised Gae Bolg before the impact smashed through his defense, sending him crashing into the wall.
"Gah!"
"Dead?" Scathach asked curiously.
"Not yet," Issei replied, standing with effort. "Unfortunately for you."
He smiled—a crooked, dangerous smile.
"Boost."
The pressure intensified.
This time, he didn't attack head-on.
He vanished.
Scathach raised an eyebrow.
Issei reappeared at her side, Gae Bolg swinging in a lethal arc.
The spears collided.
Space distorted.
"Good choice," Scathach smiled. "You tried to kill me."
"Always do!" Issei shouted, muscles screaming.
She pushed.
Not with strength.
With authority.
Issei was blown back again, rolling across the floor. He stood and prepared to activate Gae Bolg.
—Stop, idiot!—Setanta screamed. —You haven't reached its full potential! She'll evade its effect!
Not if I don't let her, Issei thought. His eyes glowed as he flicked his finger.
Scathach sensed danger and laughed, leaping back—
or trying to.
Invisible spikes pierced her feet, pinning her in place.
—My Noble Phantasm?!—Vlad exclaimed, shocked and proud. —You can use it without my spear already…
"Yes! This is what I wanted!" Scathach shouted, readying her spear as well.
Both shouted—
"Gae Bolg!"
"Alternative Gae Bolg!"
"You idiots!" Morrigan yelled at the last moment.
But it was too late.
Their curses activated, each certain to kill its target.
The spears clashed midair.
The explosion was catastrophic—only Morrigan's barrier prevented the city from being erased.
Issei was thrown back, his body beginning to disintegrate as vampiric regeneration forced itself to heal him, making the pain unbearable.
What felt like hours passed in a single second.
When the light faded, Scathach stood there, her clothes torn.
"You idiot! You killed him!" Morrigan screamed.
Scathach's eyes widened.
"No…"
Then—
Cough, cough.
Issei emerged from a hole in the wall, staggering forward. He threw Gae Bolg at Scathach in anger as his body regenerated.
Once fully healed, he collapsed unconscious, and Gae Bolg reverted into the Lancer card.
"This boy… he's a half-vampire," Morrigan said in shock. "I've never seen regeneration like that since Dracula."
"This card… I sense a trace of Setanta in it," Morrigan said, examining it. "But the presence we felt earlier was much stronger."
"That doesn't matter now," Morrigan growled at Scathach. "We need to clean up this mess and take the boy somewhere safe."
Scathach, smiling happily now that Issei had survived, nodded in agreement.