A week's passed since the president invited me to join her peerage. I'm not a devil yet, but I'm officially in the Occult Research Club. Oh, and Rias-senpai insists I call her "President" instead of "senpai" due to some fixation. Fine by me.
We recently visited a third-year, Kiyome Abe-senpai, a beast tamer, for club research. She knows about the president's devil side. Apparently, other humans with special abilities attend Kuoh Academy. We interviewed her tamed creatures: a birdman, a mermaid, and a yuki-onna. The birdman, a Nagoya Cochin from Kobe named Sky Takahashi, shocked me his ancestors were Easter Islanders who naturalized in Japan. I couldn't help but quip, "Country, species, and name don't match!" The mermaid? A tuna with human legs. The yuki-onna? Just a female gorilla. My fantasies of mermaids and yuki-onna were shattered. Still, the research was fun.
I told my family about the president's offer. Thought they'd freak out about devils, but they were unfazed. Dad said, "Fallen angels, now devils? We're used to it." Mom added, "We talk to Ddraig daily. No big deal."
Guess they're accustomed to the supernatural. Better than them panicking or thinking I'm delusional, but their nonchalance feels weird. Miu, sitting nearby, gave a wry smile.
I explained our situation, the pros and cons of becoming a devil, and my decision with Ddraig. Dad and Mom were hesitant but agreed it'd lessen my burden. The president promised protection even if I don't join, but becoming her peerage ensures better coordination and safety another conclusion from me and Ddraig.
My biggest worry was whether my family would accept me as a devil. I don't doubt them, but it gnawed at me. Dad, hearing this, said, "What parent wouldn't accept their kid? Even if you become a devil, you're our son a perverted, dumb, kind-hearted son, Issei Hyoudou."
Mom and Miu echoed him. I was overjoyed. They'd accept me, no matter what.
After a week with the club, I made my choice.
"President, I need to talk."
"What's up, Issei? You look serious."
"I've decided. I'll join your peerage."
Her smile fades to a stern look. "You've thought this through? Once you turn, you can't go back to being human."
"I know. But my family said they'll accept me, no matter what."
"You told them about your Sacred Gear and the fallen angels?"
"Yup. They all know. Don't worry, they're tight-lipped."
"Okay. One last time are you sure about becoming a devil?"
She asks again, confirming my resolve. But my answer's set.
"Yes. I'll be your peerage."
"Understood."
Thus, my devil transformation ceremony began.
The president pulls out a red chess piece a Pawn.
"I'll use this Evil Piece to turn you. Ready, Issei?"
"Anytime."
"Stand in front of me."
I do as told. She begins the incantation.
"In the name of Rias Gremory, I command: Issei Hyoudou, become my servant, a devil. Reincarnate as my Pawn!"
The piece glows red and nothing happens.
Huh? That's it? No changes.
"President, did it work? I feel nothing."
She looks impressed. "One Pawn wasn't enough. Your strength is too high. Let's try two."
Some need multiple pieces?
She tries again with two.
No change.
Three.
Nothing.
Four.
Still nothing.
Five.
No dice. The president looks surprised.
Six.
Nada. She's starting to panic.
Seven.
Still nothing.
"Amazing," she says. "Seven Pawns and no transformation. I never thought I'd use all my Pawns."
One left chess has eight Pawns.
The eighth.
No change.
The room freezes. The president and Kiba are stunned, Akeno's smile is gone, and Koneko drops her cookie. I catch it before it hits the floor.
"Here, Koneko-chan."
"…Thanks."
She's still dazed.
"Issei, what are you?" the president asks. "Eight Pawns failing is unheard of."
I'm just me…
A green jewel appears on my hand Ddraig.
"Rias Gremory, I have a question," he says.
"The Red Dragon Emperor, Ddraig. Never thought I'd speak to you. What is it?"
"If the reincarnated is stronger than the master, can the Evil Piece work?"
"A slight gap is fine, but a large one makes it tough. My power's not enough for Issei…"
The room freezes again. The president looks crushed. I feel guilty…
"Partner, try synchronizing your energy with Rias Gremory's," Ddraig suggests.
"Synchronize?"
"It might improve compatibility with the Pieces, bridging the power gap."
"Got it. Fix the gap with compatibility."
"It's a theory. It might not work or could be risky."
"Let's try it."
"Don't overdo it."
I face the president and extend my hand. "President, hold my hand."
"Why?"
"We'll sync our energies. It might work. Worth a shot."
I take her hand, activating my Renkan Keikikou, aligning our energies perfectly.
"Try it now, President."
She nods and repeats the ceremony.
The eight Pawns glow brighter, floating to my chest and merging inside.
"It worked," she says. "You're a devil now, Issei."
Hell yeah! It worked!
"Alright, let me reintroduce myself. I'm Issei Hyoudou, Rias Gremory-sama's Pawn! Looking forward to working together!"
Everyone claps, welcoming me. I'm a devil now, but with these folks, I think we'll get along fine.
Then—
"!?"
Dizziness hits hard. My body feels heavy, vision warping.
What's happening? Did it fail?
The others panic.
"Issei!?"
"You okay, Issei-kun!?"
"Issei-kun!"
"Issei-senpai!"
They're worried, but I'm fading…
I collapse, overwhelmed.
The last thing I see is the president crying, calling my name. Then, darkness.
"…Where am I?"
I wake to a white ceiling, lying on a white bed. A hospital?
The president rushes over. "Issei, you're awake! Are you okay?"
"Body's heavy, but I'm fine."
I sit up. She sighs in relief.
"Where are we?"
"The Underworld's hospital. You collapsed, so we brought you here."
A hospital, huh. The window shows a purple sky definitely not my world. The Underworld's sky is purple. Kinda creepy. Gonna take time to adjust.
The president bows. "I'm sorry, Issei."
"Huh? Why?"
"You trusted me to become my peerage, and this happened…"
"Raise your head. You didn't expect this. It's my fault for pushing it."
She lifts her head, but guilt lingers. Tear tracks mark her cheeks she was really worried. Now I feel bad.
"President—"
The door opens. Two handsome men enter: one with crimson hair, the other with green hair and a seductive vibe. Both radiate immense power, despite their calm demeanor.
The president bows. "Lord Lucifer, Lord Beelzebub, thank you for coming."
Demon Lords!? These guys!? I pictured grizzled old men like Sirius! Two of the four Demon Lords, here!? Why!?
The crimson-haired man smiles. "Rias, no need to be so formal."
"Sairaorg's right," the green-haired man says. "Be yourself, Rias-kun."
"Yes. Issei, these are the Demon Lords."
They introduce themselves. The crimson-haired man goes first.
"Nice to meet you, Issei Hyoudou-kun. I'm Sirzechs Lucifer, a Demon Lord and Rias's brother."
"I'm Ajuka Beelzebub, also a Demon Lord. Pleasure."
"I'm Issei Hyoudou, Rias-sama's Pawn and the current Red Dragon Emperor."
The president's a Demon Lord's sister!? Mind blown!
Sirzechs speaks. "Rias told me about you. Can I call you Issei-kun?"
"Sure."
"I was shocked to hear the Red Dragon Emperor joined my sister's peerage."
"Didn't expect to become a devil myself."
Ajuka cuts in. "Issei-kun, about your collapse can you describe what happened?"
I recount the transformation: eight Pawns failing until I synced energies with the president, finally succeeding.
Ajuka nods, impressed. "The Evil Pieces can't handle someone far stronger than the master. Synchronizing energies to boost compatibility was clever. I made the Pieces, and that was a blind spot."
He made them?
"Can I check your Pieces?" he asks.
"Go ahead."
He places a hand on my chest, summoning a magic circle to analyze them. After a moment, he pulls back.
"The Pieces integrated but malfunctioned, unable to handle your power. When a master's far weaker, this can happen. First case I've seen. The Pieces bond with the soul, so the malfunction affected you, causing the collapse. Still feeling sluggish?"
"Yeah…"
"No worries. As their creator, I'll fix it."
"Can you?"
"Leave it to me."
He summons another magic circle, adjusting the Pieces. My lethargy vanishes instantly!
"That should do it," he says.
"Thank you!"
He smiles and checks his watch. "Time to go. Problem's solved. Sairaorg, you?"
"I've got work too, or Grayfia'll scold me."
"Still whipped, huh?" Ajuka teases.
"Haha… Oh, Issei-kun, one thing."
"Yeah?"
"Your family I've assigned my people to protect them."
"Really!?"
He smiles. "Rias said you trusted her. As her brother, I want to honor that."
Demon Lord guards? That's reassuring.
"Thank you so much!"
"We're off," Sirzechs says. "Rias, Issei-kun, take care."
We bow as they leave. Alone, the president speaks.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Issei."
"Sorry for worrying you."
"It's fine. My lack of power played a part. I don't know how strong you are, but I'll become a king worthy of you."
"I'll work hard to help you too."
"Looking forward to it, Issei."
Thus, I, Issei Hyoudou, became a devil today. Ddraig says the transformation will limit my Boosted Gear for a while, so I'll rely on Renkan Keikikou for fights. I'll manage!
Ddraig, handle the adjustments!
After the ordeal, I return to the clubroom, then head home. The club members are relieved I'm okay. Great people.
At home, Miu's waiting at the door, worried since I'm late. She jumps into my arms.
"Welcome back, big brother."
"I'm home."
"You're a devil now, huh?"
She sensed it.
"Yup. No regrets. Family's safer now. The president's crew and even the Demon Lords I met today are good people. Don't worry."
"If you say so, it's fine."
She pulls my hand. "Hungry? I made dinner!"
Miu cooked? Awesome!
Smells like… fried chicken!
"Issei! Wash your hands and gargle!" Mom yells.
Even as a devil, Mom's the same. That's what makes me happiest. I'm different now, but they treat me the same.
I wash up and sit at the table.
""""Let's eat!""""
We talk about school, laugh, and eat like always. It's simple, but this is family happiness. I'll keep fighting to protect it.
Oh, and Miu's fried chicken was delicious!