Vol 1 - Chapter 3

Issei let out a sigh as the school bell rung, signaling the start of lunch break. The brunet glanced up to see Tamamo

being ushered out by a group of girls. He had tasked her this morning with gathering information on the devils of the

school and would most likely use those girls to do so.

Either that or establish her position as Queen-and-Supreme-Overlord-of-the-School or as Chachazero described

'attention whoring'. He could never quite tell with her.

Issei saw other students starting to approach him. They most likely wanted to know his relationship with Tamamo, so

he quickly ducked out. He really didn't want to deal with them right now.

He swiftly maneuvered his way through the hallways, trying to stay out of sight as much as possible. Eventually, he

came across a meadow-like area near an older school building, away from the curious stares of his classmates.

Heaving a small sigh of relief, he sat down under a large tree and opened the feast prepared by his loyal

housekeeper, Ashiya.

"Tea on rice!" Issei cheered as he spotted his pathetically meager meal. "Ashiya, you've outdone yourself once

again!"

"Good grief…" Chachazero muttered from her place on his shoulder.

As he devoured his meal, he noticed a commotion nearby. A glance over his shoulder revealed that the girl's kendo

club was chasing down two boys, shinai in hand and violence in their eyes.

He recognized the boys as Matsuda and Motohama from his class. Even after only two days in school, he'd already

heard of their reputation as hardcore perverts.

Now, Issei himself was appreciative of the female body. Many of his own servants and acquaintances were quite

beautiful in their own right.

But those two boys… They could give Asmodeus a run for his money!

Feeling mischievous, he subtly pointed at them with his right index finger. Both boys suddenly felt the ground shift

beneath them, causing them both to land flat on their faces. Leaning back, the brunet boy watched with wry

amusement as the kendo club pounced on the two unfortunate perverts.

"Master…"

Issei sighed. "I know, Zero-chan,"

He looked up at the crimson-haired girl spying on him from the old school building and smiled wanly.

"He knows magic," Rias exclaimed in surprise.

"He does?" Akeno questioned. "Strange, I can't sense anything out of the ordinary with him."

"Neither can I," the red-haired girl muttered as she moved away from the window. "He must be concealing himself."

"And what do you intend to do with him?"

"I'm still interested," she replied with a smirk. "More so now, in fact. I'll have Koneko tail him after school."

"And if he proves to be dangerous?"

"We'll cross that bridge if we come to it," the redhead said offhandedly.

"I'm back," a male voice called out. They turned to see a handsome blonde-haired boy entering, bowing as he did.

"Yuuto," Rias acknowledged. "Welcome back."

"Ara, Kiba-kun, was there something you needed?" the black-haired girl asked. "You're usually with your human

friends during lunch breaks."

"As a matter of fact, there is," Yuuto nodded. "I wish to discuss the fallen angels that have moved in recently..."

Rias frowned. "Ah, yes, there's that, too," she muttered. "I wonder…"

"Buchou?"

"I've noticed that the fallen angels have been watching a certain establishment," Rias explained. "The WcDonalds in

the shopping district. Unless I'm mistaken, I've seen Hyoudou Issei-kun working there."

"Do you think the fallen angels are after him, Buchou?" Yuuto questioned.

"It's a possibility," the redhead nodded. "Tell me, what do you two know of him so far?"

"Only that he seems to be quite popular," Yuuto admitted.

"After checking the school registry, with permission from Sona-kaicho, of course. I've discovered that he's been

attending school overseas," Akeno replied. "After his parents passed away, he returned to Japan to live with a friend

of the family; one 'Ashiya Shirou'. And then there's the matter of that strange girl that transferred in this morning."

Yuuto frowned. "Strange girl?" he repeated.

"A new student transferred into class 2-A," Rias rolled her eyes. "She declared herself his mistress."

Yuuto winced. "Well, perhaps that is strange," he admitted. "But for all we know she could be telling the truth."

Rias sighed. "Perhaps," she allowed. "For now, we'll keep an eye on both of them."

"And the fallen angels, Buchou?"

"I want to find out what they're after," the redhead declared. "I'd rather avoid a conflict, however. So, for the time

being, we'll continue to observe them."

Yuuto nodded just as the bell rang, signaling the end of their lunch break. "As you wish, Buchou," he turned towards

the door. "I'll be returning to class now."

"Oh, Yuuto," Rias called. "If you see Koneko, be sure to remind her to come see me after school."

"Yes, Buchou," with that, the blonde made his exit. Only when the door fully closed behind him did he allow a fox-like

grin to stretch across his face.

"You're not human," a white-haired girl accused, as she stood in his path.

Issei sighed. Tamamo had warned him that someone would be following him after school, but he hadn't been

expecting this. "And what makes you say that, Toujou-san?" Thankfully, he had stuffed Chachazero into his bag the

moment he saw her approaching.

"You're hiding your aura using an unknown method," the girl replied warily. "But I can still sense your ki, which is

inhuman. In fact, you feel incredibly similar to a devil."

"Senjutsu?" Issei asked in surprise. The girl, if possible, stiffened even more.

"I insist you come see Buchou," Koneko said lowly. She looked ready to fight if he resisted. Issei sighed once more.

"Very well, lead the way." He conceded. 'Honestly, a few days and I've been discovered already? I'm losing my

touch.'

When the girl began leading him away, he opened his bag. Chachazero was glaring at him venomously. 'Sorry, Zerochan' he mouthed the words. 'I'm going to be delayed, go and tell Ashiya. Don't worry. I can handle this.'

She looked ready to protest, but he silenced her with a glare. With great reluctance, she slipped out of his bag and

into a nearby bush.

Issei continued to follow the petite girl as she led him to the old school building. He had attempted to converse with

the small girl, but she only responded with small, terse statements.

As they entered the building, he noticed that one of the doors had been sealed shut. A sign that read 'Do not enter'

hung from the doorknob.

They eventually came to a stop in front of a different door on the second floor and Koneko announced their presence.

"Buchou, I've brought him," she called as she opened the door for him.

Inside, three people turned to them in surprise. He recognized them as Rias Gremory, Himejima Akeno and Kiba

Yuuto. 'So, this is her peerage?'

"Hyoudou-san?" Rias questioned. "Koneko, why did you bring him here?"

"He's not human, Buchou," the white-haired girl explained. The two females looked surprised, but Kiba sported a

strange expression.

"Is that so?" the crimson-haired girl asked. "And just what is he?"

"He's a devil, Buchou,"

The redhead's eyes narrowed. "Is that so?" she asked quietly. She seemed... disappointed? "Well, Hyoudou-san,

may I ask what is your purpose here at our prestigious academy? And why did you not inform me or Sona Sitri before

entering the city?"

"To be honest?" he shrugged as Akeno showed him to one of the couches. "I wasn't even aware there were other

devils in this city until just yesterday. I was more concerned with getting a promotion at WcDonalds!"

"Is…that so…?" Rias sweat dropped. "And… why exactly did you come here?"

"No particular reason," he replied. "My companions and I have been traveling the world for a while. Some of them

originated from Japan, so I felt we should pay a visit."

"I see…" she said. "And I presume these 'companions' are in fact your servants?" He hesitated slightly before

nodding. Not that any of them noticed his hesitation, of course.

But, Rias did appear thoughtful. "I've never heard the name Hyoudou before, though…"

"I'm not affiliated with a clan," he explained. "Nor have any of my deeds merited any special attention."

"Ah, you're an 'Extra Devil' then," she nodded. "And I assume the girl that transferred and declared herself your

mistress this morning is one of your servants?"

Issei chuckled in embarrassment as the crimson-haired girl looked at him with amusement in her eyes. "Sorry about

that…" He saw Kiba twitch in his peripheral vision.

Rias looked at her servants, who simply shrugged in return. He seemed to be telling the truth.

"Very well then. So long as you don't intend to cause any trouble, I see no reason for us to come into conflict." She

gave him a smile and in that moment, Issei realized why she was considered the most beautiful girl in the school.

The crimson-haired beauty stood from her desk and walked around, offering her hand. "Allow me to officially welcome

you to Kuoh Academy, Hyoudou-san."

"Issei is fine," the brown-haired boy nodded as he shook her proffered hand.

"Very well, Issei-kun," she nodded. "You-"

Whatever she was about to say was interrupted as a voice called out. "Buchou, I'm back!"

The room's occupants turned to see Kiba Yuuto walking through the door. "Y-Yuuto?!" Rias exclaimed in shock as

she looked between the two Kibas. "But…!"

Issei sighed loudly as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I'm so sorry about this," he said, glaring at the Kiba on the

couch. 'Kiba' allowed a smirk to cross his face before he was enveloped in a cloud of smoke.

POOF!

"Mou, people always have the worst timing!" Tamamo complained.

"W-Wha, who…!"

"Once again, I'm sorry," Issei apologized. "This is Tamamo, my servant."

"That's not possible!" Koneko suddenly snapped. She looked the most shocked out of everyone in the room. "I

couldn't sense her at all!" She actually looked a bit… frightened.

"Yes, that's one of her many talents," Issei nodded. "She can completely disguise herself from almost all forms of

sensory." Rias' eyes were narrowed in thought.

"One would have to be very skilled in senjutsu to hide them self from another user…" she muttered. "Powerful

senjutsu… shape shifting… Tamamo…!" she looked up at them in shock. "S-She can't be…!"

"You know your history well, hime," the girl grinned as nine majestic fox tails sprouted from her lower back. "Yes, my

true name is Tamamo-no-Mae."

Rias and her servants looked awed. "To think you have such a legendary person as your servant…" the redhead

muttered as she looked at Issei in a new light. "You must be very powerful… Who exactly are you…?"

Issei shrugged. "I was just in the right place at the right time,"

"I see," she accepted his answer. For now, at least. "How many of your servants are currently in the city?"

"Currently, only two," Issei replied. "Tamamo is the only one here at school with me, as my other servant's chosen

appearance is a little too old for high school. I suspect that several of my other servants will be arriving sometime

within the next few weeks."

"I see," Rias nodded as she took a seat on the couch opposite Issei. "Well, Issei-san, I'd like to extend an invitation

for you to join the Occult Research Club."

"Oh?"

"Yes, the club is just a front," she explained. "I won't have any real power over you. We just use it as an excuse to get

out of class if the need arises."

"I see."

"Plus, I feel that cooperation between our groups would be beneficial, would it not?" she continued. "Being in the

same club will provide an easy method of communication and-"

"Alright, you've convinced me," Issei chuckled. "Very well, Gremory-san. We'll join your club."

Rias beamed. "Well, I suppose introductions are in order," she stood from her seat. "I am Rias Gremory, of the

Gremory House and I am «King» of this group."

The crimson-haired girl allowed her aura to extend and wash over them, causing Issei to blink in surprise.

'She's already remarkably strong for her age,' he thought. 'Though considering who her brother is, I'm not all that

surprised.'

Rias waved her hand towards the pony-tailed girl who was preparing tea. "This is Himejima Akeno. She is my

«Queen»."

The black-haired girl placed his tea on the table and bowed to him. "I'm in your care, Issei-kun" she said with a serene

smile. She truly looked like the definition of 'yamato nadeshiko', the perfect Japanese woman.

"This is Kiba Yuuto, my «Knight»."

Kiba, who had looked confused for the majority of his time there, nodded to him with a smile akin to that of a prince.

"Nice to meet you, Issei-kun."

"And this is Toujou Koneko, my «Rook»."

The stoic white-haired girl looked uncharacteristically nervous. She kept glancing at Tamamo out of the corner of her

eye, her expression a mixture of awe and fear.

"…Nice to meet you…" she nodded at him quietly.

Issei took that as his cue to stand and introduce himself. "I am Hyoudou Issei, traveler," He smiled mischievously and

released a fraction of his own aura.

His aura actually caused the crimson-haired princess to stagger backwards in shock. The rest of her peerage also

appeared floored. Had they been standing they likely would have been brought to their knees.

"T-That's incredible…" Rias muttered as she composed herself. Meanwhile, her peerage continued to stare at him in

mute shock. "That was your true strength…?"

"Sorry about that," Issei chuckled. They simply smiled at him weakly. "And this is Maeno Tamamo my, uh,

«Bishop»…"

"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance," the fox-girl said. She then performed an elegant bow that gave Akeno a run

for her money in the title of 'yamato nadeshiko'.

"It's an honor to meet you as well, Tamamo-san!" Rias practically had stars in her eyes, her earlier shock from Issei's

aura forgotten.

'Don't tell me she's one of those people obsessed about anything Japanese-related...'

Akeno coughed delicately, causing Rias to snap out of her Japan-induced daze. "R-Right, sorry," she said sheepishly.

"A-Anyway, I welcome you to our humble club, Issei-kun."

"Thank you, Gremory-senpai,"

"Rias."

Issei smiled. "Very well, Rias-senpai,"

"Well, today has certainly been productive," the red-haired girl smiled. "I'll have to introduce you to Sona soon. You

mentioned you have another servant, but he's too old for high school?"

'All of us are too old for high school,' Issei thought wryly. "Indeed."

"I'll talk to Sona tonight about getting him a teaching position at the school," she offered. "I'd imagine you'd like your

servants close at hand."

"That would be very helpful, thank you," Issei bowed to her. "I suppose I'll see you tomorrow then, senpai."

"Until tomorrow, Issei-kun," Rias called as he and Tamamo took their leave.

As the door closed behind them, Akeno turned towards their leader. "What do you think of this development,

Buchou?" she asked curiously.

"I'm a little disappointed that I can't make him a part of my peerage," she replied. "However, his isn't exactly an

unpleasant development. He's powerful. He has to be to have the Tamamo-no-Mae in his peerage. With the sudden

increase of fallen angel activity, it'll be nice to have him on our side."

"The fallen were watching his workplace, weren't they?" Kiba piped in. "Do you think they know he's a devil?"

"I doubt it," Rias shook her head. "He's good at hiding his power. We only found out he's a devil because of Koneko.

No, they must be after something else. But what?"

"Perhaps Issei-kun knows something about it?" Akeno suggested.

"I hope so," she smiled slightly.

"Ara, you seem happy, Buchou,"

Rias flushed slightly. "Well, I find him interesting," she said quickly. "And you can't deny you feel the same way,

Akeno."

"Ufufu," she placed a hand to her cheek as they became rosy. "I admit, when he unleashed his aura, I felt hot all over.

It was so… dominating. I think I'm jealous of Tamamo-dono."

"If she's his «Bishop», I shudder to think who his «Queen» is," Rias muttered.

"I wouldn't be surprised if his entire peerage consisted of monsters," Kiba added his two cents. He smiled. "I look

forward to meeting them."

"As do I," Rias nodded. She looked towards her «Rook» who had been quieter than usual. "Koneko, are you okay?"

The white-haired girl jumped slightly at being called out. "…I'm fine, Buchou,"

"It's Tamamo-san, isn't it?" Koneko nodded hesitantly. "You fear her senjutsu?" Another hesitant nod and Rias

sighed.

"Ara, perhaps she can help you," Akeno said comfortingly. "She's a legendary spirit with lots of experience. I'm certain

she can teach you if you ask her nicely~"

"There's no need to rush, Koneko," Rias added sympathetically. "Take as much time as you need."

Koneko merely nodded as she gazed at the door in which Issei and Tamamo had left from.

"We're home!" Issei called out as he and Tamamo stepped through the threshold. The sound of frantic footfalls was

his only warning before he was suddenly pulled inside.

"Issei-sama!" Ashiya shouted hysterically. "Are you okay?! Did they touch you in inappropriate places?! IS YOUR

PURITY INTACT?!"

"I'm not exactly a virgin, Ashiya," Issei growled before realizing just what his servant was saying. "Wait, what did

Chachazero tell you?!"

"She said you'd been accosted by sexual deviants!" the white-haired man shrieked, still in hysterics. "She said that

they'd caught you while your guard was down and that the lewd-no-good-fox was just egging them on. She said that

you ordered her to save herself with the very last of your strength!" He let out a growl. "I was going to go save you,

but I couldn't find my Demon General cape."

"Wait, you mean the reason you didn't save me was because you couldn't find your cape?!" Issei roared.

"Master, I think you're missing the point…" Tamamo began.

"I'm sorry, Issei-sama!" Ashiya cried, groveling before him, tears running down his face.

"Damn it, Ashiya! You're supposed to be my right hand!"

"I'm sorry!"

"Master…"

"How am I supposed to rely on you?!"

"I'm sorry!"

"…Master…!"

"And another thing…!"

"Master!"

"What?!"

"…Y'know what? Nevermind... " The poor girl really did look exhausted. "I'm tired. Wake me up when dinner's

ready…"

From her perch on the kitchen counter, Chachazero surveyed her handiwork with a wicked smirk.

"Just another day in the life…