One-Punch DxD: NEO
Chapter 34: Visitations

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It was early in the morning when Issei found himself waking up a couple hours before dawn.

Gurgling on salt water, Issei spat out at the sink as he wiped his mouth.

Today was Parent's Day… honestly, Issei was not sure how to feel about it. The previous Parent's Day, his dad managed to come, and it was quite amusing how they reacted to his father's shiny head.

Now it was Genos… he was not sure, but he could see some girls swooning over his handsome looks despite his age.

He walked out of the bathroom.

Tsubasa was standing outside in his way.

"…What's up?" He could tell that it was her 'serious talk' face.

"...We need to talk."

"Ah." Issei nodded, "...Lead the way."

Tsubasa led Issei into her room. He closed the door behind them and locked it.

"…Where should we start?" Issei asked.

Tsubasa sat on her bed, "You should take a seat too."

Issei complied and took a chair next to the bed. The two then fell into silence.

"...How's Irina?" Tsubasa began.

"Well…. She's recovering, though far from 'recovered'." Issei replied before he went silent for a few seconds, then he spoke again, "...Look, Tsubasa. What happened the other night-"

"Shh."

Tsubasa shushed Issei with her hand - her expression was calmed, even there was a small smile on her face, which only made Issei more worried.

Tsubasa then sighed, before looking at Issei, shifting her body so she was using her arms to prop herself on her bed, "Look, Ise. I get what Irina's been through, and… perhaps I'm not that angry with you for doing what you gotta do at that time."

Issei blinked, "...You're not?"

Tsubasa only nodded, "I'm surprised myself, to be honest - maybe the fact that I'm a devil now makes me more… receptive to sins and stuff. But anyway, I'm more worried about Irina - did you see her reaction when you're about to room with Lord Lucifer?"

Issei scowled, "Yeah… I didn't expect to see her react like that."

The two fell into another silence, until Tsubasa spoke again, "Y'know, that morning, I actually saw your mother giving her morning pills."

Issei blinked, before his face blushed at the inclination, "...Ah. Crap. Damn, that was careless of me."

"No shit. You could've knocked another girl up before you even popped your girlfriend's own cherry."

Issei gave an apologetic smile, "...Sorry."

"Still, though. Maybe that part of you is exactly why I'm in love with you."

Issei could not say anything as he kept staring at his girlfriend, who sighed again.

"Anyway, are you really going to England with her?"

"I have to, or Irina won't get better." Issei nodded.

Tsubasa then plopped back on her bed, "Bummer, I was planning to bring you along to the Underworld in this summer break."

Issei blinked, "...What?"

"You know, Underworld? The place where devils and fallen angels reside? To tell you the truth, that place is nothing like what the Bible depicted with fire, brimstone and worms."

"No, no, I get the Underworld part." Issei interjected, "I'm more asking, why?"

"Oh, Sona and Rias will go back to the Underworld during the long holidays. This time, we are planning to have a summer camp training montage - since they both are about to begin their debut in Rating Games."

"I see… Do you think video-chat or phone calls can reach through dimensions?" Issei asked.

Tsubasa found herself smiling in amusement, "I don't know, to be honest. Though it does sound nice." She then lightly shook her head, "Anyway, worse comes to worst, we won't see each other for a month or two."

Issei hummed. "Tell you what, I'll see if I can catch up to you in the Underworld once I cure Irina."

Tsubasa blinked, before a smile crept up to her lips.

"Going after me to the depths of the Underworld? My, my, never pegged you to be that romantic." She said with a light blush on her cheeks.

"I seek to impress." Issei shrugged, eliciting a giggle from Tsubasa before he spoke again, "So….. Are we good?"

"I suppose we are…. Just don't forget I'm an understanding, awesome enough of a girlfriend to let her boyfriend cheat with a traumatized girl."

"Hey, you joined the dark side. You're not supposed to be chaste with monogamy." Issei lightly joked as they giggled.

Tsubasa sighed, "A dragon, a devil, and…. A mentally-scarred exorcist? That makes a strange, if not disturbing threesome."

Issei snorted, "Yeah, sure. Say, it's only some time before we gotta wake up, anyway. So..." He gave a knowing look.

Tsubasa looked before her face gained a deeper blush, "Um… Well…. I guess I don't mind, we have enough time for a round or two, I guess."

Issei stilled, not expecting such a bashful reaction from the girl in front of him, as she fidgeted around, playing with some strands of her hair.

"...Turn around."

Issei blinked at Tsubasa's sudden request. "...What?"

"Just turn around!"

"Okay!" Issei then turned until his back was facing her.

Nearly a minute later, the lights in the room became dimmer and Tsubasa finally spoke, "...You can look now."

When Issei did look, he froze - while the room became darker, he could still clearly see his girlfriend in her birthday suit. She was sitting on the bed, covering her breasts with one arm. Her expression was calm, yet flustered and there was a hint of resolve in her eyes.

"This is… Actually this is my first time, so be gentle, okay?" Tsubasa asked while looking away shyly.

"Errr…" Issei was not sure what he should do and say next, as things had taken a very awkward turn. Eventually, he rubbed his palms together and decided to speak the truth, "I, um, was actually asking if you're up for some… you know, training, sparring?"

When Tsubasa regarded him with a confused look, Issei quickly followed suit, "I-I mean, I mean, we can have sex, if you want to! It's just, I thought the atmosphere isn't quite right yet? So…. Yeah? We can do that if you still want this?"

Tsubasa's face then flustered, blushing into various shades of red out of sheer embarrassment, before she covered herself in blankets and screamed into her pillow.

Seeing his girlfriend bundled up for a few seconds later, Issei then braved himself to ask, "...Tsu? You okay there?"

In return, Tsubasa bolted up from her bed, her teary eyes were glaring at her boyfriend.

"IDIOT!"

That morning, Issei's body was launched through the window of Tsubasa's bedroom, falling to the yard below.

Tsubasa ended up going ahead to school before the others, all while refusing to look Issei in the eyes.

The boy and the others were on their way to school, with two new additions.

"So… You're not breaking up with Tsubasa?" Xenovia asked while clad in her newly-issued Kuoh Academy uniform.

"For the last time, we're not. Can we stop talking about this?" Issei pleaded. "We have an understanding. Besides, she is a Devil. She is not expected to be monogamous."

"So you're saying there's a chance for us?" Akeno chimed in with a smile.

"R-Really?" Asia meeped with hope.

"Um…. Maybe?" Issei was honestly caught off-guard with those questions.

"You better not regret those words when the time comes, Issei." Rias winked.

"I can still make this work…" Ravel whispered to herself, resolve in her eyes despite her cheeks were dusted pink.

"...I won't lose." Koneko simply said while scooting herself closer to Issei.

Xenovia glanced at Irina - the girl was pouting at Issei while hugging his arms next to him, yet she opted not to say anything.

Xenovia wondered… though her thoughts were interrupted when Yuuto joined them.

Then their morning walk was interrupted even more when Issei noticed a figure standing by the school gate. He stood out from the rest of the teenagers in high-school uniform, not only due to his clothes, but his stark silver hair and piercing hazel eyes.

What really caught the group off-guard was the power leaking off his body as the stranger was smirking towards them.

Issei, however, simply sighed as he gently pried Irina off him before stepping forward.

"Morning!" Issei waved.

"...Rival."

Issei snorted while smiling and shaking his head in amusement, "Dude, I get that we are destined to fight and all, but just accept it man, we're homies."

Vali's smirk dropped, "Don't say homies."

"Fine, buddies, then." Issei shrugged, "...How long have you been standing there?"

It took a second for Vali to reply with a shrug, "...Not long."

"Ise? Who is this person?" Rias decided to interfere, standing next to him while eyeing the silver-haired teen.

"This, Rias, is the Chuuni from the other night - The White Dragon Emperor." Issei introduced.

Vali scowled in bemusement, "Will you stop calling me that?"

"Then will you stop acting like an edge-lord when you are in front of strangers? Seriously, man. You're scaring people off at this rate."

"Why would I? I'm not here to cause trouble." Vali defended.

"Sorry to say this, but my friends are kind of sensitive to your show-off power aura." Issei retorted. "Why are you here, anyway?"

Vali exhaled, "Simple. I wanted to see the school you visit daily."

"Well, what do you think then?" Issei then narrowed his eyes, "...And, did you really come and stand from early morning, just to have a look at my school?"

Vali remained silent.

Issei then gave a flat look. "...Really?"

However, before the talk could have gone further, another voice was heard.

"Vali? Is that you?"

Everyone turned to see Haruka had arrived with Genos in tow. The two adults were wearing formal suits for Parent-day.

"Hey, mom! Guess what?! This guy's been waiting for me since morning!" Issei jabbed his finger at Vali, who was frowning in return.

"D'aaww, aren't you sweet, wanting to see Issei off to school?"

Everyone did witness the casual conversation that Issei and Haruka could hold with the former's supposed rival - the White Dragon Emperor, but they were completely caught off-guard when the woman approached and pulled Vali into a hug, pinching his cheeks even, smothering him in the process.

"Auntie, stop. Not in front of the others." Vali tried to keep the woman off him while struggling to keep his composure.

Everyone could only stare speechlessly, having trouble picturing the teenager as the armored warrior they saw the other night.

"Of course, honey. Whatever you say." Haruka said with a patronizing tone, "Oh, I know! Why don't you join us? We can vouch for you as Ise's cousin!"

""Eh?""

Issei and Vali uttered while the others blinked owlishly.

"No, no, you don't have to."

"Yeah, I don't think that's a good idea, mom."

The two dragon emperors simultaneously rejected Haruka's proposal.

"I believe there is merit in Haruka's idea." Genos stepped in. "Vali, this endeavour can improve your social life, which you are severely lacking."

"I have a social life." Vali denied with a slightly offended look.

"Your interactions so far are only with selective members of Grigori, and your newly-formed team. My data doesn't recognize those as a social life." Genos retorted. "You are an important element for my nephew's growth, so I have an obligation to oversee your growth as well."

"...Et tu, Genos?"

Eventually, Issei simply placed his hand on Vali's shoulder.

"Give it up. Once Uncle sets his mind on something, just give up. Unless you want to have a cat-and-mouse game with Uncle, Black and Rover combined."

"I don't need to integrate into the norms of society." Vali objected.

"Says the one still acting like an edgelord at your age. Come on, man, just give it a chance. At least you'll get to see what school life is about in person." Issei gave Vali one more pat on his shoulder, ignoring the frowning glare the teen lased at him.

"OOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

The boys cheered in an astounding chorus at the sight of the two transfer students the moment class was in session.

While the boys were drowned in their excitement, Issei sneaked a glance behind him - where the parents of the students were all watching.

Vali - who ended up joining as Issei's cousin from overseas, looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here, his eyes absent-mindedly wandering around the room.

Haruka was beaming, waving at her son while mouthing off words of encouragement.

Genos, with his ever-stoic look, was dutifully recording the whole thing with his hand-camera. To avoid unwanted attention, Genos had equipped himself with an optical camouflage; a cloaking device that created holograms enveloping his body to appear as a normal human.

Still, Issei felt that his uncle's eyes were boring him, which made him rather nervous.

On a related note, Toji Shidou was also among the group of parents. The man nearly came in late - turns out the hotel where he was staying was further to school than expected, and the man had been caught by the rush hour.

"I-I'm Irina Shidou. Nice to meet you all." The chestnut-colored twintail weakly waved.

"...Xenovia Quarta. I'll be in your care." The bluenette in the schoolgirl uniform curtly bowed.

The boys cheered even louder.

"Yes, yes, Irina, Xenovia, please pick your seats so we can begin our lesson for today." The teacher urged.

Irina immediately chose an empty seat next to Issei.

Xenovia sat behind Irina mostly to keep an eye on her as the lessons started.

After a few hours passed, when it was break time, Matsuda and Motahama jumped from the seats along with Kiryu as they dashed towards them with dust in their wake.

"Yooooooo! I'm Motoham-Abuwefjio!?"

However, when Motohama tried to introduce himself, his face met with Irina's sudden straight fist as he tumbled across the floor.

Everyone looked startled at the spectacle - some shocked while some others were impressed. The majority of the parents looked shocked at the sight of the new girl punching the daylights out of her classmate out of the blue.

Issei stared at Irina as if she was a different person at the moment. Irina yipped when she broke out of her reflexive haze.

"I-I'm so sorry! Um, you startled me!" Irina apologized with a horrified look on her face.

"...Eh." Kiryu shrugged with a smirk. "No worries. Those guys get hit by the girls all the time. Good choice. You have good instincts." The perverted girl flashed a thumbs-up at Irina.

"...R-really?" Irina asked.

"Really." Murayama of the Kendo Duo nodded. "You are a great girl to recognize a hopeless pervert."

"You should've continued by stomping on him, but he might get off on it." Katase nodded with great enthusiasm.

Irina was a bit speechless at their reaction as she stared at the twitching, smiling Motohama.

"Um… okay…"

On the other hand, Issei, Asia, and Xenovia exchanged uncertain glances between themselves, before they turned to regard Toji, who simply nodded at them. Issei then turned to regard Irina, who was now swarmed by her classmates - asking her questions with innocent intentions. The look on Irina's face was as if she wanted to leave immediately.

Issei's concern was not unfounded when eventually, Irina excused herself and walked out of the classroom rather too quickly. He gave chase with Asia, Xenovia and their parents in tow to find Irina making her way inside the girl's restroom.

Since Issei could not enter - Asia, Xenovia and Haruka peered through the door, they found Irina puking her guts out into one of the toilets.

"Ms. Irina?" Asia quickly went to tend to her, followed by Xenovia holding up Irina's hair.

"Easy, easy does it…" Xenovia soothed as Asia rubbed Irina's back. "How are you feeling?"

"I… I'm sorry." Irina said with shame in her tone, "T-there's - there's just so many people, I…." She then hugged herself - the image of many faces leering, sneering and leering at her suddenly resurfaced in her mind, followed with phantom sensation throughout her skin, as if there were hands feeling her up.

"Irina, honey…" Haruka then stepped in. "We will take you and your father home and call in sick, okay?"

"N-no!" Irina vehemently objected, "No… I'm okay now, auntie. Don't worry… I can do this. I need to do this. For Ise, for everyone."

Haruka stared at the girl before she turned to Xenovia and Asia, who nodded at her. Haruka then relented and stepped out of the restroom.

"...How bad is it?" Issei asked his mom.

"It seems we have underestimated things… but she is a strong girl. I am worried she might break herself for our sake," Haruka frowned.

Issei ran his hand through his hair as he clicked his tongue. He really wanted to punch Valper to death right now… He was envious that the other guy offed him first.

However, his attention perked when he heard a commotion down the hall.

Issei turned to see someone that really, really stood out.

The students of Kuoh stared at the approaching figure.

It just entered their open front gates with brazen, someone that they were sure was some macho cosplaying as something like a buff, adult version of a silver teletubby from the American shows.

The girls stared at him. His excessive masculinity, his perfect bodybuilder muscles of silver practically gleamed in holy light, most of them swooning over the figure with blushes on every cheek. Some of the mothers were also victimized by his perfect figure. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ɴovᴇlꜰirᴇ.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

As for the boys, they felt emasculated, feeling lacking for the first time since they entered Kuoh as the stranger continued walking into the school uninterrupted.

Ruruko, with her parents, dropped her jaw when he saw something that looked a little bit like Black walking into the school hall.

"Um… Wow." Ruroko's mother said as the masculine silver man walked past them.

She was not the only one as some of the other boys and girls dropped their jaws at the unexpected stranger walking into their school uninterrupted.

Eventually, one of the teachers caught notice of the stranger, completely surprised to see someone of his… stature in the halls.

"U-Um…" A female teacher walked up to the stranger, stammering when she stood in his way, looking up at the taller figure.

"C-C-Can I help you?" She asked, trying her best not to sound intimidated… and charmed.

The silver figure looked down - his eyes appraising the human before him. Eventually, he knelt down, so he could speak on more eye-level.

"...I am looking for one Yuuto Kiba. May I know where he is?"

The woman blushed - some tall, muscular gentleman actually bothered to lower himself so she could speak more with a more comfortable height. And his voice, it sounded like angels blessed his words to make every woman feel secure and safe.

"I-I-M-Mr. Kiba's class is just down the hall, the second door on your right." The teacher managed to squeak out. Her legs were trembling, threatening to collapse from overexcitement.

"...Thank you."

He nodded with a brief, charming smile and He walked past the teacher, leaving her blushing roses. The teacher kept staring at his retreating back - his ass in particular.

During break, Yuuto was about to enter Issei's classroom until he heard the commotion.

"Is that… oh my God. Look at his muscles."

"He is… buff."

"Too buff."

"What's with the costume?"

"Is he a weirdo?"

"He is flexing on us with those muscles."

"He's so manly…"

"He's so hot."

"Whose dad is this? I mean, wow talk about a first impression."

"...Black?" Yuuto heard Saji uttering a name he did not expect to hear.

Yuuto turned towards the commotion until his eyes landed upon the glowing silver beacon. His jaw dropped metaphorically to the floor.

He recognized the antenna poking up his head, but his shape and face… it threw him off guard, a completely jacked version of Black seemingly on steroids and protein like nothing he witnessed. He remained there with that stupid expression until the super macho stood in front of him.

"Hello, pretty boy." The stranger called out.

"...Are we looking at a yaoi scenario?" One of the girls asked, her face blushing harder by the minute.

"...Black?"

"Silver. Holy Silver." The man introduced himself.

Yuuto suddenly felt… very uncomfortable in his presence when his form seemingly glowed a little.

"W-What are you doing here? Does Issei know you're here?" Yuuto looked up… he felt a little small in front of all that muscled testosterone.

"I have come to collect a debt." Silver grinned at the smaller man.

"...Excuse me?" Yuuto asked.

What debt? He did not remember anything like that.

"Do you not remember the terms of the loan you borrowed? Wrack that small head of yours to recall the agreement you made with one of the others. Like a legendary sword in a sheathe?"

"...Oh." Yuuto widened his eyes.

He remembered.

Muramasa…

The sword was on loan… and Yuuto… promised to give Black Holy Swords in return for lending him power.

"...I… I thought you gave it to me out of friendship." Yuuto let out a weak smile.

"Hahahaha. Oh, how you underestimate me. So, where is it?" Silver demanded.

Yuuto started to sweat profusely.

"W-Where is what?"

"My payment. You owe me the value of a sacred artifact. And you somehow enhanced the value of said artifact, so your debt increased. And that does not include the cost of… six holy swords you failed to deliver per our agreement in your silly vendetta."

Yuuto shrunk back, now feeling oppressed.

"Err….. Can I take a rain-check for today?" Yuuto replied nervously. He did not want to know the costs of a Sacred-Gear-Enhanced Cursed Sword and Six Holy Swords combined.

"Hahahaha. No. It is today, or you will start paying off your debt... My way." Silver loomed over the smaller man, Yuuto looking left and right for help.

None of the males or females wanted to step in. The parents included.

There was only one other person that could help him… Yuuto turned around.

Silver held his shoulder before he could run.

"The boy can not help you this time." Silver then picked up Yuuto like a vegetable with one hand and hauled him over his shoulder.

"No, Silver, wait, let's negotiate!" Yuuto wriggled in the larger man's grasp. However, he couldn't pry his fingers from his waist.

The students began to make a fuss at the sight of the most popular boy being 'kidnapped'.

"Whoa! Is this happening?!" One of the boys shouted with expectation.

"Shouldn't we stop this?" One of the girls asked.

"But… I kinda want to see where this goes." Another girl blushed.

Silver stopped his tracks when he noticed Saji standing in the sidelines. His parents were there as Silver stared at their son. Saji was starting to get nervous when Silver leered at him.

"...Eh, why not?"

Silver's other masculine hand grabbed Saji's head.

"EH?!" Saji let out an undignified noise when he hoisted him over his other shoulder.

"What are you doing?! HEEEELP!" Saji yelled as he started hitting Silver's shoulder.

"Saji!" His parents called out as Silver walked away.

"Your hits can't even give me a good massage."

Silver walked away towards the exit as a crowd started to form around him.

"Hello, Black - or should I say, Silver?"

Silver stopped when he heard a familiar voice.

"Ah, Chuuni." Silver turned around to see Vali standing behind him, unfazed even as the two boys hammered his broad back. "Surprised to see you here. Don't tell me you're finally starting to grow up?"

"Help us!" Saji shouted from Silver's shoulder.

"I am surprised that you're resorting to kidnapping young boys. Are you perhaps into those things?" Vali shot back.

His retort garnered several blushes from the female onlookers.

"Oh, it is not what you think. But I don't have to waste my time arguing with you on what I'm about to do to them."

"Oh, please enlighten me. I have the time."

"Most likely since you are bored out of your wits. You have a lot of free time, Chuuni." Silver returned. "Do you perhaps wish to rescue these 'damsels'? Not even you can stop me."

"The hell?!" Saji shouted in offense.

"Is it?" Vali's smirk grew into a grin, his posture straightened up. "That sounds like a challenge to me."

"Hoh? I may be with the lowest lives but I adapted. I am a terrible match for you."

Tension started to spark between the two silver individuals.

However, before a fight exploded, one boy emerged from the crowd and stood next to Vali.

"The hell's going on?! Wait, Black?! What the hell are you doing here?!"

Issei shouted at the sight of one of the Big Bads brazenly in school.

"Isseeeeiii! Help!" Saji let out an undignified squawk as he thrashed in Silver's vice grip.

Issei stared at the two sack potatoes he was hauling.

"Issei, I beg you. Please, stop him." Yuuto turned around, giving the boy the most pleading face Issei had ever seen.

"Oh… wow. I want to laugh… but I really shouldn't." Issei puffed his cheeks a little.

"Don't laugh at us! We don't want to be kidnapped!" Saji shouted as he squirmed.

"S-Stop, dude, I kuh-can't take you seriously like this." Issei begged as he broke into uncontrollable snickers.

"Issei!" Saji squawked.

"Pffff! K-Kuh, a-alright. Ahem. So, Black-"

"Silver."

"Silver. What are you doing? It's parents day, man. You're making a scene."

"So? Most of them are drooling at my magnificent-self."

Issei glanced around and noticed the female students that were staring at the creature's muscular body. When he made eye contact with some of them, they looked away with a rose blush.

"Okay, but quit flexing on the guys here, they feel small enough as they are."

"We reject that!" The boys shouted at Issei.

"Would you please drop them down so we can sort this out?"

"Pretty boy owes me a financially murderous fortune. Since he won't give me the woman, thus..." The tall creature retorted.

"...Woman?"

"Muramasa."

"Oh… didn't you give her to Kiba?"

"Lend. As in, on loan. The woman won't leave his side, so I am taking my due off of his hide the only way I know how."

Issei pursed his lips. Sometimes the Big Bads were stubborn as their metal representation.

"Come on, man, can't we settle this with words? I know you're better than this."

"It is impolite to interfere in another man's debt, and words won't give me money. Also, I checked what he owed with my contacts. You do not want to share his burden."

Issei sighed.

"How much does he owe you, anyways?" Issei asked.

Silver handed Issei something, a receipt. Where he stored that despite having no pockets, Issei had no idea.

Issei took the receipt and looked at it… his eyes bulging at the numbers.

"That's the cost of the cursed sword. Look lower."

Issei's eyes lowered. His eyes become bloodshot.

He looked up at the two boys, seeing them beg for his aid with their eyes.

Vali peeked at the receipt.

"…Hey, Val. Do you think a noble can pay this off?" Issei whispered.

"Depends on which noble you are asking. You might have the entire 72 Pillars pooling in their wealth to cover this, and that depends on how much they are willing to spend." Vali replied with raised eyebrows at the numbers.

"Issei! What is going on?!"

"Speak of the Devil." Vali looked up to see Rias and Sona approaching them, Akeno, Koneko, and the other girls in tow.

"President Sonaaaaw!" Saji yelled from Silver's shoulder.

Sona stared at the unsightly form of her pawn, unsure how to process the sight.

"Long story… Hey, quick question. Think you or your brother can pay this off?" Issei asked as he showed her the receipt.

Rias and Sona scanned the paper before the former asked, "...What is this to begin with?"

"You're looking at Kiba's debt for borrowing Muramasa from Black. Meet Silver, one of the Big Bads I told you about… you can see where I'm going with this."

Rias and Sona stared at the muscular silver macho.

"Oh… this a Big Bad? He is jacked." One of Sona's bishops - Momo, could not help but utter.

"He has a lot more muscles than I pictured." Akeno admitted as she eyed his perfect figure carefully.

Sona and Rias returned to analyzing the receipt… and stared at the numbers, each line showing the cost of the six holy swords and a Sacred Gear enhanced Muramasa. And adding the historical value in context…

"Is this some kind of joke?" Sona asked with narrowed eyes at Issei.

"Yeah, I'm not sure. Hey, Silver. If I can give you my word that those two won't pull any funny business, can you at least let them finish their classes? I need to talk to them too." Issei asked. "...Now come to think of it, why are you taking Saji too?"

Silver only smirked.

"I have a surprise for him."

"I don't want to see it, thank you very much!" Saji shouted.

"...So can you at least wait?" Issei asked.

Silver stared at him. He looked at the Devil girls and then at the spectators.

"...Very well." Silver dropped them to the floor. "Know this, that I will return by the time your sessions end. You cannot escape your debt, pretty boy." Silver said as he walked away, leaving the potato sacks to pick themselves up as the crowd parted a path for the silver handsome macho.

Once Silver left…

"...Kiba's in debt with the mafiaaaa!" One of the boys shouted.

"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The boys cheered with rejoice that the most handsome boy in school was getting his due.

Yuuto and Saji picked themselves up as their respective Kings looked at them.

"…What did you get yourself into?" Rias asked Yuuto with a face that demanded no nonsense.

While Yuuto was fidgeting, looking for the right answer, Issei cut in, "That, Rias… Is the price of Kiba's vengeance for Excalibur. Which is kinda funny if you look at it that way… though it's fucked up."

"...Yuuto." Rias addressed her knight. "As much as I want to help you, even the wealth of nobles have their limits. This is one of them." She point at the receipt.

The Knight only hung his head in shame, "l… I understand."

"How much does it cost to buy the average legendary sword, though?" Issei asked.

"Let's just say it is an amount that would carve a painful pound of flesh from your bones, even by noble standards." Rias sighed. "...Can you help Yuuto? He is a part of your family, right?"

"'Family' is kind of stretching it, but yeah, this version of Black is a lot more stubborn, though I'll see what I can do."

"Issei."

On cue, Issei jerked his head towards Genos and Haruka, who had just arrived at the scene.

"...Was that Black I just saw?" The matriarch asked.

"Yeah… How's Irina?" Issei asked.

"Currently in the infirmary with Xenovia watching over her. Anyway, care to explain?" The woman replied.

"Yuuto made a deal with Black. A terrible deal… he's in real trouble."

Issei then handed the receipt to his Uncle, who gave it a quick read before he regarded the Knight and Issei.

"I can conjecture your dilemma. The most assured solution is your father's intervention to persuade The Big Bad Sperms to release you without consequence. But he is not here." Genos replied. "We shall assist, but ultimately - if I'm correct, this is your cross to endure, Yuuto Kiba."

"No kidding." Issei replied off-handedly, before he addressed Yuuto, who just finished straightening himself up.

"You realize you're in deep shit, right?" Issei spoke while waving the receipt in front of the Knight.

"...I didn't think it would end like this. May I take a look?"

Issei showed him the numbers. When Yuuto froze at the numbers, Issei sighed in understanding.

"...Yeah, that's basically the cost of your vengeance for… What, seven pieces of metal? It's still a fucked-up kind of funny." Issei remarked.

"...Oh. Shit." Yuuto actually cussed. Him saying the word really didn't suit him in Issei's opinion. "W-What do I do? I… I don't know how to deal with something like this."

"Don't worry. Follow my lead. We can figure something out." Issei flashed a thumbs up.

"And Saji?"

"Hiii?!" Saji jumped.

"You're coming with us."

Issei raised his hand before Saji could retort.

"You're involved now whether you like it or not. Just trust me on this and we'll make it through."

"…And Vali. What about you?" Issei asked.

Vali flashed a smile, "You're crazy family is always fun to play with. Of course I'm in."

Mostly to escape the boredom, Issei mused.

"Good, now let's just get to-"

However, Issei stilled when he heard a stampede of footfalls. Everyone turned to the noise to see a mob of girls stampeding in the hallway towards them.

"KIBAAAAAAAAA~!"

Scratch that, a mob of fangirls.

"Guys, time to go. No questions." Issei grabbed his mom's hand and dragged her away. Vali immediately fled with his rival while the other Devil girls fled the scene. Saji and Genos were standing by when the girls swarmed the confused Yuuto with no escape, every girl offering a bag of cash and their wallets to him.

"We heard what happened! Are you really in debt with the mafia?!"

"I know this is not much, but please take all of my allowance! Stay strong!"

"I will take more part-time jobs! Please accept this for now!"

Issei and the rest only watched as Yuuto was swallowed by the schoolgirl tide.

"Oh, dear. What is happening?"

Everyone turned around to see a familiar face joining them.

"...Muramasa?"

True to his word - the cursed sword had arrived in her human splendor.

"I am looking for my master. I heard a commotion when I arrived. I met a more masculine version of the black abomination on my way here. He pointed me here upon request for my master's whereabouts."

On cue, Yuuto managed to escape from the swarm - he fell into all fours and took a huge gasp of air as if he had just escaped quicksand.

"...Muramasa?" Yuuto blinked at his 'sword'.

"Master Yuuto…!" Muramasa's eyes welled up in tears as she approached and pulled her master into her arms.

All eyes - teenage females in particular bulged out at the sight of their idol being intimate with some woman - not just any woman; the newcomer exuded a similar aura not unlike Akeno Himejima.

"I'm so glad that you are well! When that abomination approached me this morning, I just didn't want to be separated from you! I'm so sorry!" Muramasa cried out.

Knowing that they had garnered even more unwanted attention, Yuuto patted Muramasa's back before he gently pried her off him, "It-it's okay, Muramasa…. Can you let go for now?"

Noticing the Knight's distress, Muramasa immediately complied while wearing a flustered look on her face, "O-of course, my apologies!"

The other students, on the other hand, were trying to make sense of things - a beautiful woman, ambushed by the macho cosplayer, debt, master?

One of the girls - Murayama finally mustered the courage to step forward and asked the woman on behalf of the female student majority, "Um, excuse me? May I know who you are?"

Yuuto and his sword blinked at the sudden intrusion, but the latter took it graciously as she bowed politely, "Ah, you are one of my master's schoolmates, are you not? It is a pleasure to meet you, my name is Muramasa. You have my thanks for looking after Master Yuuto in my absence."

Murayama was caught off-guard at the dignified display, but she pressed on, "Y-yes, of course, the pleasure is mine - ours. Actually, w-what is your relationship with Kiba here? W-w-what is he to you?"

Muramasa glanced at her master, who subtly shook his head, her lips then grew into a small smile as she addressed the schoolgirl, "We are living together, of course; and Yuuto Kiba is the man whom I have pledged my mind, body and soul to." She replied proudly as she placed her hand on her chest in reverence.

For some reason, cracking sounds were heard in the air, from around the girls.

"I-I-I-I see…" Murayama was on the verge of breaking down, "A-a-and how is he… You know? How is he around you…?"

At first, Muramasa did not understand, but realized her intention upon seeing the expectant anxious faces behind Murayama. Her smile grew and her hands covered her reddening cheeks. "Well… Master Yuuto was an earnest, passionate man who will not give up once he sets his eyes on something, and he tends not to take 'no' for answers."

That day at Kuoh Academy - almost every male student celebrated the day where Yuuto Kiba broke the hearts of the 99% of the female student body.

Yuuto could only watch with a resigned look at the devastation Muramasa had unwittingly caused.

"Oh, that's right, master." Ignoring the students, Muramasa then returned to Yuuto, "Before I came here, I actually had prepared this for you."

The Knight blinked at the sight of a small package bundled in cloth. He opened the cloth to reveal a lunchbox.

"This is…?"

"I imagine you will be hungry when you attend school until the late afternoon, so I decided to… homecook some lunch." Muramasa then looked nervous, "...Is it okay? Or… am I bothering you?"

As much as Yuuto wanted to tell Muramasa off about causing a commotion, he just did not have the heart to admonish her intentions when she put up such a look on her face.

"It's… alright, Muramasa. I appreciate this." Yuuto managed to smile, much to the female students' jealousy.

Genos approached Yuuto while he was still in his thoughts, ignoring the broken, petrified bodies of the female students.

"Yuuto Kiba. After reviewing some data, I have a suggestion. Another method to satisfy the Silver one's greed is not monetary compensation, but trade. Is it possible for you to forge a sword of similar caliber to the legendary sword? Or something with similar value based on traits and uniqueness?"

Yuuto looked at Genos for a moment.

"I… I can't. Any sword I make cannot compare. There's no way-"

"You are wrong." Muramasa shook her head. "Only a forger that can appreciate the journey instead of the destination can craft creations on par with excellence. All this time, you only cared about the destination… have you ever considered the journey?"

Issei noticed the girls and other spectators giving them confused miens.

"I think we should continue this later when we're not in the open."

Issei gestured to the onlookers.

"Yes… let us continue this until after school." Rias agreed.

"Hah… We finally got away." Issei sighed as he and the rest were walking down the halls outside the school building.

The storm after the calm was worse, especially since it was the horde of Kiba's fangirls chasing after him to demand answers on his relationship with his weapon.

They had to leave Haruka behind with Genos protecting her.

"How so many females swoon over a face confounds me." Vali shook his head with disappointment.

"Says the one with a face like that." Issei snarked.

A male student rushed past him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Vali asked back.

Three more students rushed past them, all male.

"Take a look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself that. Seriously, the girls will swoon over you if you attend this school."

"I sincerely doubt your accusations." Vali dramatically denied.

"Who here thinks he'll be the next Yuuto, prince of Kuoh?" Issei asked the others.

Saji raised his hand.

Koneko joined him.

Akeno was next.

Rias giggles with her hand raised.

Akeno, Sona, and the rest of Sona's peerage raised their hands.

Asia meekly raised her hand mostly because the others were.

"And there's the verdict." Issei smiled smugly at his scowling rival. "In fact, instead of another Prince of Kuoh, you will have an original nickname, 'The Edgelord of Kuoh'. How does that sound?"

Issei and everyone else snickered at the nickname, while Vali simply scowled deeper, "...Fuck you."

Issei simply laughed harder at Vali's chagrin.

Then more males ran past them, bumping into Issei.

"Hey, what's the rush?!" Issei shouted at them.

"There's a magical-girl holding a photo-shoot at the gym! And she's hot!"

"What?"

The guy resumed his sprint down the hall to the gym followed by a growing herd of horny boys.

"The school reserved a magical girl?" Issei turned to Sona. "I didn't hear about this."

Sona's face, however, was one of radiating dread. He never saw her pupils trembling like that.

"We didn't." Saji corrected.

That wasn't an answer Issei expected.

"Oookay… let's check it out."

Mostly because it was his first time seeing an illegal magical girl event.

The group followed the trail of horny boys as they entered the gym.

They were greeted by a crowd of people with cameras, taking pictures of a girl clad in pink posing on the stage.

"Hm...?" Issei squinted at the girl between the gaps of spectators.

He swore that he saw her before.

Saji, on the other hand, quickly did his job as a student council member and broke up the crowd.

"Break it up! Break it up! Today's parent-day! Not a photo-shoot session!"

The students, albeit reluctant, complied as they did not dare to oppose Saji's authority. When Saji was addressing the magical-girl, another party made themselves known.

"Ah, so here you are, Rias." Zeoticus addressed his daughter.

"Father." Rias greeted back, as she found her father had come along with her brother, who had arrived at the scene with Haruka and Genos in tow.

"We ran into Issei's family on the way here." Sirzechs explained, then his eyes landed on the Magical Girl, who finally noticed their presence.

Issei, on the other hand, finally recognized the magical girl when she waved at them.

"Aaahh!" He pointed at her. "YOU!"

Issei finally recognized her.

Childlike body, cute heart-melting face that was like Irina's, big breasts, pink magical girl outfit with striped black and pink stockings, short spats, and pink crop top, black hair styled into the traditional twin tails with pink ribbons.

He remembered her.

"Hmmmm? Is that a fan I hear…. Hm?" The girl stared at Issei in return. "You look familiar…"

"Of course, I do, we met seven years ago! You magical girl fanatic!"

The cute magical girl stared at Issei for a few seconds before her own mind clicked, "Oh, you are that cute little hero-wannabe, riiiight? You sure have grown-up now!"

"You…!" Issei's face twisted into many random miens, unable to express his emotions most likely.

Even Vali was perturbed by Issei's sudden indignant outburst.

"...What happened between you and Serafall Leviathan?" Vali asked.

"What happened?! We had a difference in opinion, and she used her magic to dunk me into the water! Several times! Then froze me from the neck down in ice just because I said Magical Girls suck!" However, Issei suddenly paused after his ranting, then he turned to Vali, "...Wait, what did you just say?"

"I was just asking what happened between you-"

"No, no, no, I answered that question, but what's the name you said at the end of that question?" Issei asked.

However, before anyone could have replied, Serafall had already interfered again, "SO-TAANNN!"

Issei then saw Serafall blurred past him and lunged towards Sona who failed to sneak out of the gym in time.

"N-Nee-sama?! Please get off me!" Sona rebuked with a flustered expression.

"...Her name is Serafall Leviathan, one of the Four Satans." Vali finished as the two dragon emperors watched Sona be smothered by her sister's affection.

"...Really?" Issei asked.

"Really. You antagonized a Satan at the age of ten and lived. I am impressed. Though, I'm disappointed that you never told me about this." Vali smirked at Issei.

"Shut it, that still won't change the fact that magical girls suck." Issei groused.

"You take that back!" Serafall then pulled away from her younger sister, pointing her wand at Issei, "I might have let you off lightly back then since you're a kid, but I won't be so lenient now that you are an adult!"

"Never!" Issei shouted at Serafall with surprising resistance, making Vali whistle at his brazen defiance. "All Magical Girls do is look pretty and be cute just for appearances! They're meaningless in the real world where evil ain't gonna put themselves in public just so they can be defeated by a random teenage girl in a sexual outfit! They're nothing compared to heroes, simple, gaudy… useless. All show and no tell. No substance."

"Oh..." Sona, Rias, and the other Devils dropped their jaws at Issei's lashing verbal attacks, the last one sealing the last nail in his proverbial coffin. Vali's smile just grew wider in return.

They could hear a phantom snap from the female Satan, the magical girl's cute features creasing under the weight of her growing ire.

"...I see that you won't learn by playing nice after seven years." Serafall then glowed with icy-blue demonic aura as she released a worried Sona and glared at him with an ominous smile. "Then I guess I have to go a little more serious, don't I?"

Issei then manifested his Boosted Gear, "Bring it on. I can't wait to see if that wand's plastic."

However, before the Leviathan and the Red Dragon Emperor could have sparked their battle, a loud clap was heard in the building.

"Alright, that's far enough!"

Serafall and Issei blinked and saw the latter's mother walking between them.

"I know you two have differences, but will you two at least be aware of your surroundings before you decide to turn this place into a ground-zero?"

Issei and Serafall stared at the matriarch. Issei sighed as he looked back at Serafall.

"We'll settle this later. You gonna chicken out when the time comes?" Issei dared Serafall.

"Fufufufu, you might want to start writing your will now." Serafall and Issei started laughing ominously at each other, sparks still dancing between them much to everyone's amazement.

"Nee-san, I would appreciate it if you stop antagonizing our ally; you as well, Ise. Not only is she my sister, she's also one of our kings. Please show some respect, at least while I'm around."

Issei and Serafall continued staring at each other in a mongoose-snake manner.

Then, Serafall finally recognized the gauntlet on Issei's arm before the latter dismissed it, "The Boosted Gear…. Oh, I see! So you are the rumored red dragon that's been quite a hot topic lately!"

"I prefer my other infamous title. The title Red Dragon belongs to my predecessor. And there is one Red Dragon that is above this guy in my left hand." Issei snorted, before he noticed Sona was looking pointedly at him, then he sighed and made a small bow, "...And my name is Issei Hyoudou."

"Nice to meet you! I'm Serafall Leviathan! Feel free to call me Levi-tan once you know your place before the might of Magical Girl!" Serafall winked, and for some reason, an actual star popped out briefly when she winked her eyes.

"On one condition." Issei flashed a sinister smile. "Fight and beat a caped baldy called Saitama… and I'll grovel at your feet even."

There was a difference between hiding behind someone's back… and wanting to have a good laugh.

Haruka frowned at Issei. He ignored her in favor of his inner evil.

"Eh, seriously? You mean the guy that Sirzechs-chan invited to our group chat?" Serafall asked.

"Oh yeah." Issei's smile widened. Vali snickered behind Issei, knowing the outcome already.

Sirzechs palmed his face. He looked at Issei as the boy slowly shook his head at Sirzechs. Sirzechs decided to zip his lips.

"Be sure to eat your words and prepare your wallet. Once I'm through with him, I'll have you dress pretty pink and buy all of my merch without mercy!" Serafall declared.

Revenge, settled. Issei turned to Vali. Vali flashed a thumbs-up for his stunt.

"Hoo? Is that who I think it is?" Serafall noticed the white-haired edgelord. "Oh, to think I'll see the red and white standing in the same room! Side by side even without bloodshed! Is this the sign that love and peace are approaching?"

She clasped her hands as if in mock prayer.

Sirzechs smiles at her drama, "It does sound wonderful. And Mrs. Hyoudou, I am surprised that you dissuaded Serafall… not many can do that, even less for a human."

"Hmph. I have years of experience handling… my erratic family. Like this one for example." Haruka lightly elbowed Genos and threw him a quick wink, which Genos returned with a small smile.

"Yes. In terms of management, Haruka is above us all. She has the skills to tame a Disaster Level God threat at this point."

Issei and Vali nodded in agreement.

"Well, I don't know what the terminology means, but I can see us settling down for idle chatter. Why don't we all parents and guardians talk about this over lunch together?" Zeoticus then invited with a beaming smile.

"That sounds grand." Sirzechs and Serafall nodded along with Haruka and Genos, before the former turned to Rias, "Oh, Rias and Akeno. I would like to speak with you as well. Would you come with us?"

"Of course." Rias and Akeno complied. The former then spoke to Sona, "I'll leave things here to you, Sona."

Then Rias smiled at Issei, "I'll see you soon, Ise."

With Akeno's final wink at Issei, the parents, along with the two great ladies left the gym.

"Well… That happened." Issei remarked

He could imagine them scheming on how to embarrass their children as much as they can in secret.

Still, this Parent's Day was very eventful…

Yuuto was in debt, he found out the girl that froze him was a Satan, and their parents got along well.

Now that he thought about it, he could not imagine Baraqiel missing a chance to come here…

Wait.

Issei squinted in the background.

He saw a tall man with a familiar beard slowly tailing Akeno.

He chalked that.

"Now, all that's left is classes."

"And your Silver Sperm." Vali reminded.

"Oh… I wonder if he's waiting outside or something."

"…He really did wait outside."

Issei, Yuuto, Vali, and the rest of the group - sans Asia and Xenovia who escorted Irina home ahead, stared at the bulk of silver in perfect masculine form from the school entrance.

There was a small group of students and parents loitering around the front gate, mostly curious about the scene.

"So, Saji… Did you talk with your folks yet? Are they worried?" Issei asked the quivering Pawn.

"...Of course, they're worried. I had to convince them that I'll be home by dinner… they think I'm being sold off or something."

"Okay, don't worry. You're kinda not involved in his grand scheme, he won't do anything bad to you… hopefully."

Issei had absolutely no idea what Silver was doing. He turned around, looking at Yuuto.

"Alright. You ready, Kiba?" Issei asked.

Yuuto was unresponsive. He simply gulped and nodded, cold sweat beading down his skin. He could see that the prince of kuoh was shaking with anxiety, scared out of his wits. Muramasa then held on his shoulder and arm to show her support.

"You guys can stay behind, you know?" Issei turned to Rias, Akeno, and Koneko. Xenovia and Asia had to help Irina home early so they could help the poor girl acclimate to being away from Issei.

"Hmmm, I am kinda curious on where this will go…" Rias stated.

"Rias. I know you want to go to avoid your parents embarrassing you in front of Issei." Akeno chimed.

"Shhh!" Caught red-handed in a fluster, Rias shushed her best friend.

"...I want to go, too." Koneko nodded.

"I do as well." Sona joined. "Saji is my responsibility… and I admittedly hope to avoid my sister for now."

"Count me in. This looks fun as hell." Tsubasa grinned.

"Alright… Let's do this." Issei took a deep breath.

Silver still stood there, looking their way with his intimidating white handsome face and a confident, condescending smile.

Issei looked at Yuuto and darted his eyes back to Silver, signalling Yuuto to go to him.

Yuuto nodded as he stilled his breath. He walked to the debt collector… looking up at the taller, stronger man.

"I see you finally resigned to your fate." Silver let out a smirk.

"...Where are we going, Silver?" Yuuto asked, ready to take on whatever Silver had in store.

"Follow me. You're free to bring your friends, pretty boy. Oh, the fun we'll soon have." Silver smiled.

"Would you rather not carry me like before? I can walk." Yuuto asked.

"You bore me with your request, but fine." Silver snapped his finger. Silver stepped aside, allowing the gate to enter their view.

Outside the gate a limo drove by, parked at the front.

Issei's eyes turned owlish at the sight of the limo. Vali raised his brows as the others stared at the fancy vehicle, black lustre reflecting the light of the afternoon sun.

"...Silver?" Issei asked without leaving his eyes from the car, "Whose limo is this?"

"I own it." Silver's grin turned a little obnoxious. "Get in. There's a place I like to show you."

Silver walked out of the gate and entered the limo. The roof of the limo was higher than usual to fit his height.

"...Vali. Did I… miss something important at the Grigori?" Issei asked.

"No, this is new to me as well." Vali answered as the white dragon emperor followed, casually entered the limo.

Taking his cue, Issei glanced at the others, before he followed after Vali, entering inside.

Rias was next. Sona followed. The rest joined as Tsubasa pulled Saji with him as they entered the limo one by one.

The inside of the limo was a lavishing, red seat, glass wine cups and a portable freezer by the side with wine on the side and a fridge with some conventional drinks. Two rows of the red velvet seats stared at each other, a small glass table between them, the freezer and fridge just underneath the table.

The inside was a lot bigger than the outside suggested, meaning the Limo was made with some serious dimensional magic. There was even a small compartment behind each side of the seats containing snacks in which Koneko rummaged to find a wrapped chocolate treat.

Issei sat beside Vali, Akeno sitting beside Issei with Saji beside Tsubasa. Rias, Sona, and Koneko sat beside Silver.

Yuuto sat beside Koneko, two seats away from Silver.

"Holy crap, man… what the hell did you do while I was away?" Issei asked, looking around as Vali hummed impressed.

"Many things, little man. Many things." Silver said. He turned towards the driver that was behind a glass pane.

"Take us to the arena. I have an appointment to attend."

The driver looked back. Issei squinted to see that the driver had… a fishface. His face was literally the exact image of a fish on the shoulder of a human body.

"Yes, Boss." The driver answered as the limo revved with a slow hum, wheels turning as the world outside the limo windows started to move.

"...Boss?" Saji asked.

"Since when do you have connections?" Issei asked.

"I can be everywhere, remember? I don't see a reason why not carve a realm of luxury for myself and the other me's."

Issei couldn't argue with that.

"Make yourselves comfortable. I won't answer any questions where we're going. I want to see your faces when I show you." Silver smiled.

Issei only snorted in return.

Silver took a bottle from the cooler and poured himself a cup.

"Would you like a taste of adulthood?" Silver offered.

"...I didn't think you would drink." Issei pointed out.

"One must learn to appreciate the finer things in life."

Issei and Vali exchanged glances - they shook their heads together. "Nah, we can settle for non-alcoholics."

"Hoh? I thought you would have…" Silver then paused, "...Right, I actually forgot. Well, pick what you want from the fridge, then. It magically restocks every time it empties."

"I'll have one, thank you."

However, everyone did not expect to see Akeno to pour herself a glass. Her face was calm as she took the drink in one go.

Blinking at her Queen, Rias then asked, "...Akeno? Are you okay?"

Akeno let out a soft exhale, before she replied with her usual smile, "I'm okay, Rias. Just need a little time to unwind after today, you know? Would you like some as well?"

"I would suggest some whiskey." Silver suggestd. "Or vodka, my favorite brand."

"I prefer some… vintage." Rias preferred.

Silver reached into the cooler and rummaged through the ice and bottles.

"1879 or 1938 Ishin Vintage?" Silver asked, pulling out a red bottle and a blue one in his large hand.

"...1879." Rias was a little impressed as he handed her the bottle.

Issei stared at Akeno. She was staring at the cup in her hand.

"...You want to talk about it?" Issei asked.

Akeno blinked and stared at Issei.

With a knowing look, Issei spoke, "Your dad wasn't so subtle today, you know?"

Akeno smiled slightly, "Nothing escapes you, does it?"

"Uncle Genos hammered the importance of observation into my head when I first started training. Especially more since there's more magic here than in his time. So… how do you feel?"

"Conflicted." Akeno admitted easily enough, "I learned that my father came to school today. I just... didn't know what I should do."

"...You're scared you'll hurt him? Or that you're afraid that he's still hurt from before?"

"I am terrified at both prospects." Akeno smiled sadly. "Things are already bad enough between us, what if I make it…. worse?"

Issei sighed, "Like it or not, you will have to face him one day, Akeno. I say talking to him is the best start you can hope for."

When Akeno still looked hesitant, Issei spoke again, "Just think about this - Baraqiel had lost his wife before, and in a sense, also lost his daughter. Then, just the other day, he nearly lost his daughter - his only family left, for good. Do you really want to keep that daughter away from him?"

Akeno stared at the glass in silence. She looked up, her smile turning more hopeful.

"...Alright… I think I can start with something small." Akeno promised.

The silence returned. Koneko was munching her treat before she took something else from the snack box. She looked at Silver, her eyes trailing his muscles… she reached out and pinched his thigh.

Her fingers felt a little numb when she did for some reason.

To her unsurprise, it was tough… no, it was tougher than she expected. She gradually poured her touki into her fingers to see how far she could take it… yet the skin, and muscle, won't budge.

"My silver body has undergone great hardship, little girl. Also, my name isn't for show. I am actually made of silver. Technically, your hand should be burning by contact alone." Silver mentioned.

Slowing her chewing, Koneko slowly released her fingers from Silver's thigh.

"...Your body is completely silver?" Rias asked.

"Indeed." Silver nodded.

"Wait, then… how your touch didn't burn us on contact?" Saji pointed out, remembering that he grabbed him and Yuuto.

"Because I am suppressing it. If I unhinder myself, you will all probably suffer under my presence. We can't have that, can we?"

The devils in the room exchanged glances. They all turned their eyes to Issei.

"What? He can attain some metallic properties when he fuses. Probably other abilities as well but he's not the kind of person that likes to sacrifice his lives."

"We're here, boss."

The limo slowed to a crawl.

Outside the window, they saw an empty building. It was a two to three story tall home, ornate wooden doors at the front with a lavish porsc, trees all around the surroundings.

Silver walked out of the limo and started walking towards the building.

The others followed as they watched Silver draw something on the door with his finger.

Suddenly, the door changed, turning metallic with ornate carvings on its surface.

Issei could not mark out the carvings but it was insignia of sorts, an arrow pointing downwards into what looked like a pictogram of a pit.

Silver did not say a word as he opened the door, light pouring out with blinding intensity.

"Go on in." Silver insisted.

Issei and the others exchanged glances as they looked at the white entrance. Vali was the first to go, smiling as he entered the white light.

Issei, shrugging, decided to throw caution to the wind as he followed…

When he emerged from the other side, he saw a different world.

[AND SHOW GUN MANAGED TO BRING THE UNDER-DEATH TO THE GROUND WITH A GRAND SLAM!]

"Holy sh-…!" Issei wasn't sure how to describe it.

Issei found that he was standing in what looked like a VIP room, lavishing couches, white walls and pale beige ceiling, a glass table, and even a built-in bar with a female bartender polishing the shot glass and a snack bar on the other side of the room.

However, that was not what surprised him.

He ran to the large wall-sized window and looked down.

Below him was one of those WWE arenas he visited when he went to America, but add the flavor text of a modernized Greece Coliseum into the mix and bleachers filled with the brim with creatures of all sides, spotlights dancing from the ceiling shining down the fight between a minotaur and what looked like an orc of some sort in a grueling display of combat, both wielding weapons, the orc a metal club and the minotaur a brutal double-headed battle axe.

"Welcome to the Hidden Circle." Silver called out as soon as he walked in.

"...What the fuck is going on?" Issei asked with an incredulous look on his face. Everyone else was looking around with awe and perplexion on their faces.

"Sir."

Issei looked back at the entrance, seeing two…

"Send word to our patron that I have my candidate. Inform the announcer we have a special match coming up."

One of them nodded and walked out of the other door on the side.

"Are those ogres?" Issei pointed at them, then the only one left in the room. Each of them had horns of ogres, but they also wore the immaculate black suits of bodyguards, complete with sunglasses.

"Indeed, they are ogres. They are my bodyguards, not that I need bodyguards actually." Silver introduced as he took a glass of whiskey from the table and poured himself a shot glass, sipping it slowly with etiquette.

"...How come we did not know about this place?" Rias wondered, before she turned to Sona. "...You didn't know about this, did you?"

Sona shook her head.

"Your skills in management need polishing. After all, you were played by a fallen angel and his cohorts so easily." Silver's words were like blades stabbing the egos of the heiresses.

They winced as they looked away.

The others looked out the grand glass window.

"You will soon be in that arena, pretty boy. You will participate in a betting match against someone of great importance in the supernatural side of the economy." Silver stated as the Devils marveled at sight, a coliseum-themed arena painted in modern architecture.

"...You play betting matches?" Saji asked.

"Where does Saji fit in all this?" Sona asked, remembering something.

"He… wants to be a man." Silver pointed at Saji staring out the window.

"...Eh?" Saji turned around.

"You want to be a man that can impress the females, correct? Here, you can sharpen yourself against the whetstone of competition. There's only so much training the normal way can do to you if you can't use those skills often."

Saji stared at Silver before his eyes turned back to the grand glass.

"...Who are you betting against?" Issei asked.

"Plutus." Silver smirked. "The Greek God of Wealth."

More stuff can be found in you-know-where. XD ;)

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