Part I:
The cafeteria erupted into chaos.
Rizevim Livan Lucifer stood at the centre of the Khaos Brigade teleportation circle, surrounded by dozens of attackers—stray devils, rogue exorcists, and fallen angels who'd rejected Azazel's leadership.
"Well, well!" Rizevim clapped his hands together cheerfully. "What a lovely gathering! Three factions, all in one place! It's like a buffet of targets!"
"EVERYONE, DEFENSIVE POSITIONS!" Sirzechs roared, his Power of Destruction already crackling around him in crimson-black orbs.
The room immediately split into action.
Rias's peerage clustered together. "Formation Delta!" Rias commanded. "Protect the non-combatants!"
"On it, Buchou!" Issei activated his Boosted Gear. [BOOST!]
Koneko moved to shield Asia and Gasper (who was already trembling and hiding behind a table).
Kiba drew his sword, multiple demonic blades manifesting around him.
Akeno's hands crackled with lightning. "Ara ara~ How rude, interrupting our nice party~"
Xenovia hefted Durandal, her expression grim. "These are Khaos Brigade members. The enemies of all three factions."
On the angel side, Michael's twelve golden wings spread wide, holy light radiating from him. "Gabriel, protect the civilians. Irina, with me."
"Yes, Michael-sama!" Both angels responded in unison.
Azazel cracked his knuckles, golden light forming a spear in his hand. "Vali. You're with me."
Vali, however, was staring at Rizevim with an unreadable expression. "...Grandfather."
"Oh, don't look so shocked, boy! Did you really think I'd miss this historic occasion?" Rizevim's smile was poisonous. "Three factions making peace? Disgusting. Time to remind everyone what chaos looks like!"
He snapped his fingers.
The attackers surged forward.
"HERE THEY COME!" Sona shouted from the Student Council side, her peerage already in formation.
And then all hell broke loose.
Part II
While everyone else charged into battle, Caelan Lucifuge stood near the exit, his expression completely unbothered.
Hoarfrost growled beside him, hackles raised.
Three stray devils spotted him and charged.
"DIE, LUCIFUGE SCUM!"
Caelan raised one hand.
The temperature dropped forty degrees in an instant.
ABSOLUTE ZERO FIELD: ACTIVE
The three attackers hit the invisible barrier and froze solid. Not metaphorically—literally. Ice crystalized over their bodies, spreading from their feet upward, trapping them mid-charge.
Within three seconds, they were frozen statues.
Caelan lowered his hand. "Annoying."
More attackers noticed him and converged.
He sighed.
"Hoarfrost. Handle them."
The massive wolf launched forward, all teeth and claws and winter fury. Any attacker that got within ten feet of Caelan's position was either frozen solid or torn apart by the wolf.
Caelan himself didn't move.
Didn't attack.
Just stood there, maintaining his defensive field.
I'm not an offensive fighter, he thought coldly. My specialty is defence. Absolute protection. Let the others handle the actual combat.
Across the room, Grayfia noticed this.
Noticed how Caelan wasn't charging in like Sirzechs or Rias.
Wasn't actively fighting.
Just... defending.
Creating a safe zone around himself and anyone smart enough to retreat to his position.
He's like me, she realized. A support fighter. Not a warrior. A protector.
"GRAYFIA!" Sirzechs's voice snapped her back to attention. "We need ice magic to sel the teleportation circle!"
"On it!" She raised her hands, silver light forming around her as she began constructing an ice barrier over the Khaos Brigade's portal.
But before she could complete it—
A new figure stepped through.
Female. Tall. Wearing a black dress that barely qualified as clothing. Long dark hair. Eyes filled with madness.
"Katerea Leviathan," Serafall's voice went cold. "You dare show your face here?"
The woman—Katerea—laughed. "Oh, little Serafall! Playing dress-up as a Maou! How adorable! But you're not a real Leviathan! You're just a FAKE wearing our name!"
"I'm the current Leviathan," Serafall replied, her magical-girl costume shimmering as it transformed into battle armor. "And you're a relic of the past. Stand down."
"NEVER!" Katerea's power exploded outward—a massive tidal wave of demonic water magic. "I AM THE TRUE LEVIATHAN! DESCENDANT OF THE ORIGINAL! YOU'RE JUST A FRAUD!"
The wave crashed toward the crowd.
"EVERYONE, MOVE!" Rias screamed.
But the attack was too wide, too fast—
CRACK
A wall of ice erupted from the ground, intercepting the wave.
Grayfia stood at the front, hands extended, her ice magic forming a crystalline barrier that held back Katerea's flood.
"If you want to fight a Leviathan," Grayfia said coldly, "you'll have to get through me first."
Katerea's eyes widened. "The Strongest Queen! How perfect! I'll kill you and prove the old bloodlines are superior!"
She launched another attack.
Grayfia countered.
And the two most powerful female devils in the room began their duel.
Part III:
While Grayfia held the defensive line, Serafall moved to intercept Katerea directly.
"You really think you can beat me?" Katerea taunted. "You're a child playing dress-up! The old Satan faction—"
"—is dead," Serafall finished, her voice devoid of its usual cheerfulness. "You lost the civil war. You lost your right to the Leviathan name. And now—" Her magical power exploded, water and ice swirling around her in a massive storm. "—you're going to lose your life."
"LEVIATHAN'S FROZEN ABYSS!"
The attack was devastating.
A combination of water and ice magic so powerful it created a localized blizzard, trapping Katerea in a prison of frozen water.
But Katerea wasn't done.
She activated her own trump card—a forbidden spell that temporarily boosted her power to match a true Satan.
The ice shattered.
"NOT GOOD ENOUGH!" Katerea screamed, launching a counter-attack that sent Serafall flying backward.
Serafall crashed into a wall, denting it.
"Onee-sama!" Sona screamed from across the battlefield.
"I'M FINE!" Serafall wiped blood from her lip, her expression furious. "But I'm done playing around."
She raised both hands
And began chanting in ancient devil tongue.
The air itself began to freeze.
"Katerea Leviathan," Serafall's voice echoed with power. "You wanted to see the true Leviathan's strength? HERE IT IS!"
"COCYTUS: ETERNAL PRISON!"
The spell activated.
And Katerea was frozen solid—not in regular ice, but in the same magic that created Cocytus, the frozen Hell where the worst criminals were imprisoned.
The ice didn't just freeze her body.
It froze her magic.
Her soul.
Her very existence.
"You're done," Serafall said coldly. "Enjoy eternity in ice."
Katerea's frozen form toppled backward, shattering into pieces when it hit the ground.
The Old Satan Faction member was dead.
Serafall stood there for a moment, breathing heavily, then turned to the rest of the battlefield.
"WHO ELSE WANTS SOME?!"
The remaining Khaos Brigade members took a collective step backward.
Part IV:
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the cafeteria, Vali Lucifer was fighting alongside Azazel.
Or at least, he was supposed to be.
Instead, he was standing completely still, watching Rizevim with an unreadable expression.
"Vali?" Azazel called out, blocking a light spear from a rogue fallen angel. "You, okay?"
"...I'm fine."
"You don't look fine. You look like you're about to do something stupid.
Vali was silent.
Then slowly, he began walking toward Rizevim.
"Vali! Don't—"
But it was too late.
Vali stopped in front of his grandfather.
"Grandfather."
"Vali!" Rizevim spread his arms wide. "My favorite grandson! Come to join me? Tired of Azazel's boring peace talks?"
"No." Vali's voice was flat. "I'm here to tell you that I'm done with the Khaos Brigade."
Rizevim's smile faltered. "What?"
"I joined Khaos Brigade to find strong opponents. To test myself against the best fighters in the world." Vali's power began radiating from him—white and silver, the aura of the White Dragon Emperor. "But all you ever wanted was chaos for chaos's sake. Destruction without purpose. That's not strength. That's just... boring."
"BORING?!" Rizevim's expression turned ugly. "I'm offering you a chance to destroy everything! To tear down the false peace these fools are building!"
"I don't want to destroy peace. I want to test myself against worthy opponents in honorable combat." Vali activated his Divine Dividing armor, white and silver scales covering his body. "You're not honorable. You're just a petty terrorist playing games with people's lives."
"You DARE—"
"I'm done with the Khaos Brigade." Vali turned away from Rizevim. "And I'm done with you."
He walked back toward Azazel, leaving his grandfather standing there in shock.
Rizevim's face twisted with rage. "YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE—"
He launched an attack.
A massive sphere of demonic energy, aimed directly at Vali's back.
Azazel saw it coming. "VALI, MOVE—"
Vali didn't move.
Instead, he raised one hand.
[DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE!]
The attack halved in power four times in rapid succession.
By the time it reached Vali, it was a harmless burst of energy that dissipated against his Armor.
Vali looked back over his shoulder. "That's your best shot, grandfather? Pathetic."
Rizevim's eye twitched.
Then he smiled. "Fine. If you won't join me—" He snapped his fingers. "—you can die with the rest of them."
Suddenly, the remaining Khaos Brigade members all converged on one target.
Vali.
Dozens of attackers, all charging at once.
"Tch." Vali's wings spread wide. "Annoying."
[DIVINE DIVIDING: SCALE MAIL!]
His Armor completed its transformation, white dragon wings extending, power radiating from every plate.
And then he moved.
[DIVIDE!]
One attacker halved in power, collapsed.
[DIVIDE!]
Another fell.
[DIVIDE! DIVIDE! DIVIDE!]
Within thirty seconds, every single Khaos Brigade member attacking Vali was on the ground, their magic drained, their bodies weakened to the point of unconsciousness.
Vali stood in the center of the carnage, completely untouched.
"Weak," he muttered.
Across the room, Issei watched this display with wide eyes. "He's... he's insane."
"He's the White Dragon Emperor," Ddraig rumbled from within the Boosted Gear. [And your fated rival. Don't forget that, partner.]
"How could I?! He just took down like twenty people in half a minute!"
[Then get stronger. Because one day, you'll have to fight him.]
"Great. Looking forward to it. Not."
Part V:
On the angel side of the battlefield, Michael was systematically dismantling the Khaos Brigade's forces with terrifying efficiency.
Not through violence.
Through light.
Pure, overwhelming, holy light that simply dissolved the demonic energy of any devil that got too close.
"This is the power of Heaven's leader," one rogue exorcist whispered in terror as his former comrade was reduced to ash by Michael's light. "We can't fight that—"
"Then surrender," Michael said calmly, his twelve golden wings spread wide. "Lay down your weapons. Accept judgment. Or continue fighting and face annihilation."
Several attackers immediately dropped their weapons.
Others, foolishly, continued fighting.
They didn't last long.
Gabriel, meanwhile, was using her own magic to create protective barriers around the non-combatants—students who'd been caught in the crossfire, staff members, anyone who couldn't fight. They will have to wipe memories later.
"Everyone, please remain calm!" Her voice was soothing, angelic. "You're safe within the barrier!"
One student—a human who'd somehow ended up at this supernatural summit—was crying in terror. "What's happening?! Are we going to die?!"
"No, child. You're perfectly safe. I promise." Gabriel smiled warmly. "Heaven protects its own."
She raised her hands, and the barrier solidified into pure white crystal, completely impervious to the demonic attacks being thrown around.
From across the room, Caelan watched this with mild interest.
Her barrier magic is impressive. Not as efficient as my Absolute Zero field, but the emotional component—using faith as a power source—is clever.
Gabriel seemed to sense his gaze.
She looked over.
Their eyes met.
And she smiled.
Not her usual warm, motherly smile.
A different smile.
Curious. Intrigued.
Interested.
Caelan immediately looked away.
Nope. Not dealing with that.
But he could feel her gaze lingering on him.
Great. An angel is staring at me. This day keeps getting worse.
From across the room, Grayfia also noticed Gabriel's attention on her son.
And for some reason, she felt a spike of irritation.
Why is she looking at him like that?
Wait. Why do I care?
...Why DO I care?
She shook her head and returned to the battle.
She didn't have time to analyse her irrational protective instincts right now.
Part VI:
Rizevim, seeing his forces being systematically destroyed, decided to escalate.
"FINE!" He raised both hands. "If I can't win through subordinates—I'll just LEVEL THE ENTIRE BUILDING!"
He began gathering magic.
Massive amounts.
The kind of spell that would kill everyone in the vicinity—ally and enemy alike.
"He's insane!" Azazel shouted. "EVERYONE, RETREAT—"
"No," Sirzechs said quietly, stepping forward. "We don't retreat. We end this. NOW."
He looked at Azazel.
Then at Michael.
Both leaders nodded.
"Together?" Michael asked.
"Together," Azazel confirmed.
The three leaders—representing devils, fallen angels, and angels—moved to stand side-by-side.
"This is historic," Sirzechs said with a slight smile. "The first time the Three Factions have combined their magic for a unified attack."
"Then let's make it memorable," Azazel replied, his golden spear forming.
"For peace," Michael added, holy light gathering in his hands.
"FOR PEACE!" All three shouted in unison.
"TRI-FACTION ANNIHILATION!"
Sirzechs's Power of Destruction (crimson-black energy).
Azazel's Light of Grigori (black golden light).
Michael's Heaven's Judgment (pure white divine power).
All three combined into a single, devastating beam of energy.
It struck Rizevim dead-center.
"WHAT—NO! THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE! I'M THE SON OF THE ORIGINAL LUCIFER! I CAN'T BE DEFEATED BY—"
The beam consumed him.
When it faded, Rizevim was gone.
Not dead.
But gone.
Teleported somewhere far, far away by the force of the attack.
The cafeteria fell silent.
The remaining Khaos Brigade members—those who hadn't already surrendered or fled—immediately dropped their weapons.
"We surrender!"
"Please don't kill us!"
"Have mercy!"
Sirzechs took a deep breath. "Secure all prisoners. Treat the wounded. And someone—" He looked at the destroyed cafeteria. "—please tell me we have insurance for this building."
Sona raised her hand weakly. "I... may have forgotten to update the policy?"
"Of course you did."
Part VII:
Twenty minutes later, the cafeteria had been cleared of debris (mostly), the prisoners had been secured in magical bindings, and the wounded were being treated by Asia and several angel healers Gabriel had summoned.
The three faction leaders reconvened at the round table—which had somehow survived the battle completely intact.
"Well," Azazel said, lighting a cigarette (and immediately being told to put it out by Michael), "that was fun."
"That was a disaster," Sirzechs corrected. "We were attacked during a peace conference."
"But we won," Michael pointed out. "And more importantly—we won together. Devils, angels, and fallen angels fighting side-by-side. That's the message we need to send."
"He's right," Azazel said. "The Khaos Brigade wanted to disrupt the peace. Instead, they proved exactly why we need it. Because united, we're unstoppable."
"Agreed." Sirzechs looked at the assembled crowd—his sister's peerage, Sona's peerage, the angel delegation, Azazel's people. "Today could have been a tragedy. Instead, it became proof that the Three Factions can work together."
"A historic moment indeed," Michael said softly.
From the corner of the room, Caelan watched this with his usual cold indifference.
They're celebrating surviving an assassination attempt. How very... optimistic.
Hoarfrost nudged his leg.
"What?"
The wolf looked pointedly at Grayfia, who was helping heal wounded soldiers.
"I'm not going over there."
Hoarfrost huffed.
"I don't care if she's, my mother. I'm not—"
"Caelan-sama!"
He turned to find Gabriel approaching.
Oh no.
"Yes?"
Gabriel smiled warmly. "I wanted to thank you. Your defensive field protected many people during the battle. You saved lives."
"I was protecting myself. They just happened to be nearby."
"Modest as well as powerful." Her smile widened. "I like that."
Why does that sound like flirting.
An angel is flirting with me.
This is a nightmare.
"I should go—"
"Actually," Gabriel stepped closer, "I was hoping we could talk. About your Absolute Zero ability. It's fascinating. I've never seen magic that can freeze energy itself.
"It's complicated."
"I'm very good at understanding complicated things~"
She's definitely flirting.
From across the room, Grayfia's eyes narrowed.
Why is Gabriel standing so close to him
Why is she SMILING at him like that?
Why do I want to freeze her into a wall
She forcibly calmed herself.
I have no claim on my son's personal life. If an angel wants to... court him... that's his business.
Even if she's far too old for him.
And far too cheerful
And—
Stop it, Grayfia. You're being irrational
Meanwhile, Caelan was trying desperately to escape.
"I really should—"
"Oh! One more thing!" Gabriel reached out and gently took his hand. "Your magic feels so cold. It's like touching winter itself. It's... beautiful."
Caelan's brain short-circuited.
She's. Holding. My. Hand.
An angel.
Is holding my hand.
WHY.
"I—uh—thank you?"
"You're very welcome~" Gabriel released his hand but didn't step back. "I hope we can work together in the future. I think we'd make a wonderful team."
Then she walked away, leaving Caelan standing there in confused horror.
What just happened.
Ddraig's voice rumbled through the room. [The angel likes you, Ice King. Congratulations.]
"SHUT UP, DRAGON."
[I'm just saying. She was very clearly interested.]
"I DON'T CARE."
[Liar.]
Across the room, Issei was whispering to Kiba. "Did an angel just hit on sensei?"
"I believe so."
"Is that... allowed? Can angels do that?"
"Apparently?"
"This is the weirdest day of my life."
"Same."
Part VIII:
An hour later, after the chaos had settled, Sirzechs called a private meeting.
Only key figures were invited:
- Sirzechs Lucifer (Devil Leader)
- Serafall Leviathan (Devil Leader)
- Grayfia Lucifuge (Sirzechs's Queen)
- Azazel (Fallen Angel Leader)
- Michael (Angel Leader)
- Gabriel (Angel Seraph)
- Rias Gremory (Kuoh Territory Manager)
- Sona Sitri (Kuoh Territory Manager)
- And, reluctantly, Caelan Lucifuge (because Sirzechs insisted)
They gathered in a private conference room that had been hastily repaired.
"Thank you all for coming," Sirzechs began. "After today's attack, we need to discuss next steps."
"Agreed," Azazel said. "The Khaos Brigade is more organized than we thought. Rizevim alone is a major threat."
"And he's only one of their leaders," Michael added grimly. "There's also the remnants of the Old Satan Faction, the Hero Faction led by Cao Cao, and who knows what other groups have allied with them."
"So, we need a unified response," Serafall said. "A permanent alliance. Not just a treaty, but an actual task force."
"Which brings us to our first proposal," Sirzechs said. He looked at Azazel and Gabriel. "We'd like to formally invite both of you to become permanent residents of Kuoh. To strengthen the alliance and provide... shall we say... educational opportunities."
Rias blinked. "You want them to become teachers?"
"Exactly," Michael said, surprising everyone. "Gabriel and I have discussed this. She's volunteered to serve as a liaison between Heaven and the Underworld. And where better to do that than at a school where devils, angels, and humans already coexist?"
"I'm in," Azazel said immediately. "Teaching sounds fun. Plus, I can keep researching Sacred Gears. Win-win."
Gabriel smiled softly. "I would be honoured to serve as a teacher. And—" Her eyes flicked to Caelan for just a moment. "—I'm very interested in learning more about the unique magic being practiced here."
Grayfia's jaw tightened.
She's interested in HIM, not the magic.
Why does that bother me so much.
Sona adjusted her glasses. "So we'll have a Fallen Angel Governor and an Archangel as teachers at Kuoh Academy. That's... unprecedented."
"That's the point," Sirzechs said. "We're building something new. A place where all three factions can learn to coexist. And it starts here."
"I approve," Rias said. "Having Azazel-sensei and Gabriel-sensei would be invaluable for training our peerages."
"Agreed," Sona added. "Though we'll need to update our curriculum."
"I can help with that~" Gabriel volunteered cheerfully.
"And I can help with combat training," Azazel added. "These kids need to be ready for the Khaos Brigade's next move."
"Which brings us to our second topic," Michael said, his expression becoming grave. "Vali Lucifer."
Everyone turned to look at Azazel.
"He betrayed the Khaos Brigade today," Michael continued. "Publicly declared his departure from their ranks. What's his status?"
Azazel sighed. "Vali's... complicated. He's my adoptive son, so I'm biased. But he genuinely left the Khaos Brigade because he was bored, not because he suddenly became a good guy. He still only cares about fighting strong opponents."
"So, he's neutral?" Sirzechs asked.
"More or less. He won't attack us unprovoked. But he won't help us either unless it benefits him." Azazel shrugged. "I'll keep him on a leash. Mostly."
"That's reassuring," Serafall said dryly.
"It's the best we'll get."
"Fine," Sirzechs said. "Then consider this meeting adjourned—"
"Wait," Gabriel interrupted. "I have one more question."
Everyone looked at her.
She was looking at Caelan.
"Lord Lucifuge. I was wondering if you'd be willing to... collaborate on magical research. Your Absolute Zero field is unlike anything I've seen. I'd love to study it. Compare it to Heaven's ice magic. Perhaps even develop new techniques together."
The room went silent.
Caelan stared at her.
"...No."
"No?"
"I'm not interested in research collaboration."
"Oh." Gabriel looked genuinely disappointed. "That's a shame. I was really hoping—"
"However," Caelan interrupted, "if you have questions about thermodynamic manipulation or magical energy theory, I'm willing to answer them. Professionally."
Gabriel's face brightened. "Really?!"
"Professionally," Caelan emphasized. "As colleagues. Nothing more."
"Of course!" Gabriel beamed. "Thank you, Lord Lucifuge! I look forward to our discussions!"
She's planning something, Caelan thought.
I can see it in her eyes
Angels are terrifying.
Grayfia, meanwhile, was gripping the armrests of her chair hard enough to crack the wood
Professionally. Sure. That's what she said.
But the way she's looking at him—
Sirzechs noticed his wife's expression and wisely chose not to comment.
Oh dear. This is going to be complicated.
Part IX: The New Normal
The next day, Kuoh Academy was back in session.
Sort of.
The cafeteria was still under repair.
Several classrooms had scorch marks.
And there were now two new teachers on staff.
Azazel, who'd taken over as the "Tech Studies" instructor (which was really just him talking about Sacred Gears for an hour).
And Gabriel, who'd somehow been assigned as the new "Ethics and Philosophy" teacher.
"Good morning, class!" Gabriel stood at the front of the classroom, radiating pure angelic energy. "I'm Gabriel! I'll be teaching you about morality, ethics, and how to be good people!"
The students—most of whom were human and had NO idea their new teacher was an actual archangel—stared in confusion.
"Uh, sensei?" One brave student raised his hand. "Why are you glowing?"
"Oh! Am I?" Gabriel looked down at herself. "Sorry! I forget to suppress my aura sometimes!"
The glow faded.
"Better?"
"...Sure?"
Meanwhile, in the math classroom next door, Caelan was teaching calculus and pointedly ignoring the fact that Gabriel kept finding excuses to walk past his room.
She's walked by six times in the last hour.
Six.
What is she doing.
During lunch break, Gabriel appeared at his classroom door.
"Lord Lucifuge! Do you have a moment?"
"No."
"I brought tea!" She held up a thermos cheerfully. "And cookies! I made them myself!"
Shit. She made food.
I can't refuse food. That's rude.
"...Fine. Come in."
Gabriel practically skipped into the room and set up tea on his desk.
"I hope you like chamomile! It's very calming!"
"It's fine."
"And the cookies are honey-lavender! A Heaven specialty!
Caelan took a cookie, bit into it, and paused
It was... really good.
"Your expression changed!" Gabriel clapped her hands. "You like them!
"They're acceptable."
"You smiled!"
"I did not."
"You did! Just a tiny bit! Right there!" She pointed at his mouth.
Caelan forcibly returned his face to neutral. "You're seeing things."
"I'm not! You liked my cookies! That makes me so happy!"
Why is she so cheerful.
It's exhausting.
"Was there something you needed? Besides forcing baked goods on me?"
"Oh! Yes!" Gabriel pulled out a notebook. "I wanted to ask about your temperature manipulation technique. How do you lower the kinetic energy of molecules without creating a vacuum? The thermodynamic implications are fascinating!"
And just like that, the conversation shifted to magic theory.
Caelan found himself... not hating it.
Gabriel was intelligent. Genuinely curious. Asked good questions.
And unlike most people, she didn't treat him like a weapon or a political tool.
She just... talked to him.
Like a colleague.
This is... tolerable.
"—and that's why I think combining holy light with your ice magic could create a new form of purification spell!" Gabriel finished excitedly.
"That wouldn't work. Holy light operates on faith-based energy. My magic is purely thermodynamic. They're incompatible."
"But what if we used a resonance field to—"
"That would destabilize the—"
They argued magical theory for twenty minutes.
By the end, Gabriel was smiling so brightly it hurt to look at her.
"This was wonderful! Thank you so much for discussing this with me!"
"...You're welcome."
"Can we do this again? Tomorrow? Same time?"
"I—" Caelan paused.
He should say no.
He should maintain distance.
But—
"Fine. Same time tomorrow."
Gabriel's smile could have lit up the entire Underworld.
"It's a date!"
"It's not a date. It's a professional discussion."
"Of course!" Gabriel winked. "A professional date."
She left before he could correct her.
Leaving Caelan sitting at his desk, wondering what he'd just agreed to.
I made a mistake.
A terrible, terrible mistake.
From the doorway, Grayfia watched this exchange with narrowed eyes. They stayed just in case.
She just called it a date.
And he didn't correct her.
He DIDN'T CORRECT HER.
Sirzechs appeared beside his wife. "Grayfia? Are you okay?"
"Fine."
"You're crushing the clipboard you're holding."
Grayfia looked down.
The metal clipboard was bent in half.
"...I'm fine."
"You're jealous."
"I AM NOT JEALOUS."
"You absolutely are."
"Sirzechs.
"Yes, dear?"
"If you value your life, drop this topic immediately."
"Dropping it."
But internally, Sirzechs was smiling.
She's jealous. Which means she still cares. Which means there's hope.
Progress.
Part X:
That evening, the Gremory peerage gathered in the Occult Research Club for their regular meeting.
"So," Rias began, sitting at her desk with Ravel curled up beside her, "today was eventful."
"That's an understatement," Kiba said. "We were attacked by terrorists, fought alongside angels, and now we have an archangel and a fallen angel governor as teachers."
"It's weird," Issei added. "But also, kind of cool?"
"It's very cool!" Asia said excitedly. "Gabriel-sensei is so nice! And she promised to teach me advanced healing magic!"
"Azazel-sensei said he'd help me unlock more of the Boosted Gear's abilities," Issei said. "Which is great, because Vali is WAY stronger than me right now."
"You'll catch up," Rias assured him. "You always do."
Xenovia, sitting in the corner, spoke up. "I never thought I'd see the day when angels and devils worked together. It's... surreal."
"But good, right?" Asia asked hopefully.
"...Yeah. Good." Xenovia smiled slightly. "Really good."
Koneko, who'd been quiet this whole time, finally spoke. "Sensei looked uncomfortable."
Everyone turned to her.
"Caelan-sensei. When Gabriel-sensei was talking to him. He looked uncomfortable."
"That's because Gabriel was flirting with him," Akeno said with a knowing smile.
"WHAT?!" Issei nearly fell out of his chair. "THE ANGEL WAS FLIRTING WITH SENSEI?!"
"Quite obviously, yes~"
"BUT—BUT SHE'S AN ANGEL! AND HE'S—HE'S—"
"A devil?" Rias supplied. "So?"
"ISN'T THAT LIKE, FORBIDDEN?!
"Not anymore," Kiba pointed out. "We have a peace treaty now. Inter-faction relationships are technically allowed."
"Besides," Ravel added, "Gabriel-sama seemed genuinely interested in him. Not just politically. Personally."
"Poor sensei," Koneko said flatly. "He has no idea what he's in for."
"What do you mean?" Asia asked.
"Gabriel is the most beautiful angel in existence. And she's decided she likes him. He's doomed.
Everyone processed this.
Then Issei said what they were all thinking.
"I feel bad for him. But also—lucky bastard."
*WHAM*
Koneko's punch sent him flying.
"Pervert."
"I WAS COMPLIMENTING HIM!"
"You were being a pervert."
"THOSE ARE DIFFERENT THINGS!"
Rias sighed and looked out the window at the night sky.
So much has changed. Angels as allies. A peace treaty. Gabriel interested in Caelan.
What's next?
Whatever it was, she had a feeling it would be interesting.
Very interesting.
ARC COMPLETE