I woke in a white world—inside my Sacred Gear?
A soft, comfy sensation cradled my head. "Awake?" Ignis smiled down at me.
"Ignis? Where…" I mumbled.
"My realm. No Ddraig or past hosts," she said.
I was on her lap pillow. "How's it feel?" she asked.
"Amazing. Soothing," I replied.
She chuckled, stroking my head. Goddess-like beauty, maternal warmth—shame about her usual antics.
"Rude thought, huh?" she teased.
"N-no!" I stammered.
She grinned. "Good job, Issei. Epic fight."
"Just a brutal brawl. We were wrecked," I said.
"No, it was beautiful—souls clashing with dreams and wills," Ignis said.
Her words hit deep. Our resolve reached the crowd.
"You called Sairaorg a beacon of hope. You're one too, Issei. Your supporters prove it," she said, forming a glowing red orb. "Your potential, gathered from that moment. Plus a bit of my power. You'll need it."
The orb sank into my chest, my heart pounding. "Keep pushing. You'll master this," she said.
I woke in a hospital room, bandaged. Asia's healing fixed my injuries, but I was drained.
"Awake?" Sairaorg, also bandaged, sat nearby.
"Same room, huh?" I said.
"Sirzechs or Azazel paired us for recovery chats," he replied.
"Lost, huh?" he muttered. "But… fulfilling. Barely remember the end."
"Same. I was in a daze," I said.
"One thing's clear—best brawl ever," he grinned.
"Totally," I laughed.
Sirzechs entered. "Great match, both of you. Everyone's impressed. Your futures are bright."
He sat. "Issei, I need to talk. Sairaorg, stay—it's relevant."
I nodded.
"Issei, you, Kiba, and Akeno are up for promotion," he said.
I froze. "Promotion? Me?"
"Yes. You've stopped terrorists, defeated Loki, handled Kyoto, and this match. Congratulations, it's rare," Sirzechs said.
All our battles earned this? "Promotion…" I muttered.
"You've earned it," Sirzechs smiled.
"Accept it, Issei. You're a hero," Sairaorg added.
"Details later—ceremony prep takes time. Rest up," Sirzechs said, leaving.
Sairaorg and I sat in silence. My stomach growled loudly.
"Hungry?" Sairaorg laughed.
We split a banana, laughing.
[Azazel Side]
Post-commentary, I headed to the VIP viewing room. A report said "he" appeared.
VIP rooms are myth-specific—Odin's "Valhalla," Zeus's "Olympus." I approached one, and "he" emerged: crew-cut, round sunglasses, aloha shirt, prayer beads—Indra.
"Indra, enjoy the game?" I asked.
"Yo, Justice Fallen Angel! Wild match! Your 'student' won, huh? Gremory's team is unreal—too stacked for most," he said.
True, Gremory's a powerhouse. But his tone irked me. A top-tier god, martial deity who beat Asura.
I cut to the chase. "You knew about Cao Cao before us, didn't you?"
His subordinate, First-Gen Sun Wukong, knew Cao Cao. So did Indra.
He grinned slyly. "So what if I knew him as a kid? Mad I didn't report? Or that I'm connected?"
"You bastard!" I growled.
"Chill! Hades is worse—shifting the power balance!" Indra laughed.
He knows Hades's moves too? How deep is he?
"Every faction preaches peace but wants others crushed. Odin and Zeus are soft exceptions. Fewer gods, easier to control humans. How many gods have you reduced to myths?" he sneered.
I get it—gods hold grudges. But peace is fragile now!
"We'll cooperate against Ophis's crew," Indra said.
Including Cao Cao?
"Tell Oppai Dragon—great show. But if he threatens the world, I'll erase his soul. 'Heaven' is ours," Indra said, leaving.
He's safe unless someone pisses him off.
[Azazel Side Out]
Asia, in a cute waitress outfit, managed a long line at our occult club's café. Our haunted house, fortune-telling, café, and research display were hits, drawing guys and girls to our beauties.
Rias, in a waitress outfit, snapped photos with fans—a huge hit. Me? No photo requests. Kiba's pretty face steals the show. Damn him!
"Hey, Issei!" Alice and Tia arrived.
"Thanks for coming," I said.
"Duh, I might join this school. Gotta check it out," Alice said.
"Fun vibe," Tia added, holding cotton candy and fried chicken.
"What's that?" I pointed at Tia's big box.
"Baseball batting prize! Nailed a homer!" Alice bragged.
"Field-clearing shot," Tia said.
No human could strike out Alice! Go easy!
"Big bro, help here!" Miu called.
"Enjoy, you two!" I headed to the haunted house, playing Frankenstein. Gasper was an adorable Dracula, Miu a sexy Yuki-onna—her kimono's slits showing thigh and cleavage. Eye candy!
But other guys seeing her… "Gasper, I'm out soon for café duty. If anyone tries anything, tell me—I'll crush 'em!"
"Don't choke customers!" Gasper said.
"Sis-con," Ddraig teased.
"Lovers now, so it's fine?" Ignis added.
Later, at the ticket booth, we sold out. Ravel made more. Customers waited eagerly.
I rested beside Azazel. "How's your UFO exhibit?"
"Decent crowd. Debated a UFO researcher—fun stuff," he said.
He's loving it. Teaching? Doubt it. Rossweisse will chew him out.
"What's this about Sairaorg's backers pulling out?" I asked.
"Some upper-ups ditched him. Idiots. Matching you is like fighting a Maou. The ones sticking with him get that," Azazel said.
Sairaorg lost connections. "His heir status?"
"Solid. His strength and popularity keep him untouchable," Azazel said.
Good. I worried Bael's disdain would hurt him post-loss, but he's fine.
"He'll bounce back," Azazel said.
A man waved. "Azazel! Got UFO pics!"
"Sweet!" Azazel ran off, hyped. Definitely not teaching.
"New tickets done, Issei-sama," Ravel said.
"Thanks!" I removed the sold-out sign, and customers rushed in.
Ravel smiled. "Your match moved me. Hugging Sairaorg… I cried."
"Got carried away. Embarrassing," I said.
"No! I'll make a celebration cake!" she declared.
"Awesome, your cakes rock," I said.
"Of course! It'll be special!" she boasted.
Classic Ravel. The ticket line grew massive—busy times ahead.
"Friend discount?" my pals begged.
"Pay double!" I teased.
Exhausted, I sprawled on the clubroom sofa. The schoolyard's campfire danced, couples swaying around it. I was beat—ticket sales, waiter duty, haunted house, plus Bael fight fatigue.
Sirzechs and Serafall visited but got dragged off by Grayfia and Sona. Quite a sight.
I'd sleep instantly if I closed my eyes. Nobody's back yet—nap time?
The door opened. Rias. "Good work, Issei."
"You too. Huge success," I said.
"My last festival. No regrets," she smiled.
Right, she and Akeno are third-years.
She sat beside me, silent, blushing, struggling to speak. Her gaze flicked to the calendar—Sunday. Tomorrow's a holiday.
Oh, right. Our promise.
"Rias, wanna go out tomorrow?" I asked.
Her eyes widened. "Huh?"
"We said we'd date after the game. Tomorrow's perfect," I said.
"You're tired…" she hesitated.
"One night, and I'm good. I want to go with you," I said.
She froze, then leaned on my shoulder, linking arms. "Okay…" Her happy, blushing smile melted me.
Sweet mode activated—adorable!
I stroked her hair, planning to ask her destination, when—
Click! "Issei-san! You and Rias-oneesama—!" Asia burst in.
Perfect timing, as always!
"Ara, sneaky, Rias. I want Issei's side too!" Akeno sat opposite, linking arms, her chest pressing against me. Heaven!
"Akeno! We were having a moment!" Rias snapped.
"I want one too. Remember our deal, Issei?" Akeno purred.
"Deal?" I blinked.
"Losers get punished. I lost to their Queen, so punish me," she winked.
That?! "Akeno, that's a reward, not punishment!" Rias protested.
"Then I'll take Issei's punishment too! That lion nearly got me!" Rias said.
Rias, calm down!
"I lost too. I'll take it," Xenovia declared boldly.
"I didn't help much… punish me too!" Asia added.
You healed us, Asia!
"I was careless. I need punishment," Koneko said.
It happens, Koneko!
"I didn't fight, so…" Reyna mused.
"Same…" Miu said.
"I'd fall, so I'll watch," Irina decided.
Rossweisse sighed, "I'll pass."
Thank you, sanity!
"Settled! All fighting girls except Rossweisse get Issei's punishment full course! Tonight, Issei's room!" Ignis announced.
"No such course exists!" I yelled.
"Amazing, Issei-senpai," Matsuda said.
"What's next for Issei?" Motohama added.
Help me, you jerks!
"I made the cake—huh? What's going on?" Ravel entered with a huge cake.
Thanks, Ravel, but don't ask!
"Punishment tonight, Issei's room!" Ignis rallied.
"YEAH!" the girls cheered.
What's my future…?
Lionheart Arc Complete!
----------------------------------
Support me on Patreon - Advanced Chapters There!
patreon.com/Greyhounds