Human World, Japan, Kuoh.
After the doorbell rang, James made his way to the front entrance of the mansion. When he arrived, he wasted no time opening the door. When he did, he saw a tall, beautiful woman with long, braided scarlet hair, fair skin, and brown eyes while her full lips were made up with scarlet lipstick. On her voluptuous figure, she wore a modified witch's dress with a large diamond shaped opening that exposed her chest, a heart shaped opening that exposed her naval and most of her abdomen, and high slits that showed off her thigh high, high-heeled boots and the upper portion of her thighs. On top of her head, she wore a black witch hat with a fluffy white brim.
After seeing this woman, James, like most men was mesmerized momentarily. Before he could break out of his daze on his own, however, he was forcefully broken out of it by Ddraig's voice ringing in his head.
"[This woman, she's no magician interested in dragons.]" Ddraig said in shock. "[She's a dragon.]"
Naturally, James was surprised by Ddraig's statement. However, he did not allow his surprise to show in his expression. Instead, he recomposed himself.
"Hi." James said with a smile. "You must be Irene Belserion. I wasn't expecting you to show up so early. Either way, I'm James Alaverus. It's nice to meet you"
As James had said, he had set his appointments with his two contracts for noon or so. However, it was not much later than 10:30 a.m. In fact, Irene showing up this early could be considered rude.
"Yes, I found myself arriving earlier than expected." Irene replied. "And I wouldn't be surprised if Ddraig already exposed me as a dragon."
"The no nonsense type, huh?" James replied with a shrug of his shoulders. "I can dig it. Anyway, why don't you come inside."
After Irene nodded in agreement, James turned his body and ushered her inside. However, before she could go too far, James stopped her.
"Even though this may be a western mansion, we follow the Japanese custom of not wearing shoes inside." James said, pointing toward the shoe rack next to the front door as he spoke.
Deciding not to make a fuss, Irene used magic and changed her footwear into a pair of comfortable black slippers. Then, she continued to walk forward.
"I don't know why, but I was expecting her to take issue with that." James said while shaking his head.
"[I'm sure she's seen much more than you have.]" ddraig replied. "She probably already knows the customs of this country.]"
"I guess." James replied.
A few moments later, James and Irene entered the living room. When they did, the eyes of all those present fell onto the newcomer.
"*Sigh* I'm glad Issei isn't here." Rias said.
"Yeah, this woman is strong." Akeno said. "She might kill him if he got out of hand."
Hearing what the two girls who Irene identified as Rias and Akeno from the information she received from the clock tower, Irene was confused. Although she had received information about the three peerages of devils that resided in Kuoh, she was not familiar with those she had no interest in.
"Who is this, Issei?" Irene asked with curiosity. "And why would I kill him?"
"He's my [Pawn]." Rias replied. "A reincarnated devil with the [Sacred Gear], [Shadow Claws]."
"And a super-level pervert." Koneko added.
"In fact, if you killed him a hundred times, most of us wouldn't mind." Mio chimed in.
Hearing all those responses, Irene looked at Rias with a strange glint in her eyes.
"Could it be that the Princess of House Gremory is into perverted young men like that?" Irene asked with a smile on her face.
Most of the group of people were taken aback by Irene's teasing tone. Leona, on the other hand, began laughing immediately.
"Oh, I like her." Leona said.
James wanted to laugh like his mother did, however, he knew that if he did Rias would be unhappy. And from the past, he knew that an unhappy Rias is a handful to deal with.
"I hope that's not the kinda guy she's into." James replied, doing everything in his power to not laugh aloud. "Otherwise, our engagement won't go very far."
"I see." Irene said as she glanced at James, deciding to drop the topic after that.
After that, James introduced Irene to the residents of the mansion. However, he decided it was not necessary to introduce her to the vampires. Then, James took Irene up to the second floor where his bedroom and art studio were. A few moments later, James was seated with Irene in his art studio.
"A mangaka, huh?" Irene said as she let her eyes scan the room. "I'll admit, I did not see that coming."
"Well, when I was a kid, I grew tired of the manga I had access to, rather quickly." James said with a nostalgic smile on his face. "And when I complained about it, Ri Ri told me that I should just make one myself instead of complaining. So, I did."
"And how old were you when you had this conversation?" Irene asked full of curiosity.
"Seven? I think?" James replied while tilting his head in thought. "I started publishing my work when I was eight, I think."
Although she was not into manga, comics, and the like, Irene found herself impressed by the young man seated across from her. It is not often that someone can make something of themself that early in life.
"Anyway, I guess it's time that we got down to business." James said, breaking Irene from her thoughts. "Why would you, a dragon posing as a human, want to research my dragon aspect?"
"*Sigh* This is a long story." Irene said. "Have you heard of the dragon slayers of old? I wouldn't be surprised if you haven't, Ddraig..."
"Yeah, Skiadrum told us about it one time." James replied nonchalantly.
"... was dead before it was a thing." Irene said, continuing what she was saying while James interrupted her. "Wait, you said you heard it from Skiadrum? Isn't he dead?"
"Oh, he's dead all right." James replied. "But big G was quite greedy back then. He just snatched up the stronger dragons' souls and put them into [Sacred Gears]."
"Well then, that makes things easier." Irene said with a nod. "There was an issue with the [Dragon Slayer Magic] humans learned from the dragons."
"Of course, there was." James said. "[Dragon Slayer Magic] was too powerful for there to be no side effects."
"Unfortunately, no one considered that back then." Irene said in a sad tone. "And that includes me, the very first [Dragon Slayer Mage]."
"Well damn." James muttered as he put two and two together. "So, if a human uses [Dragon Slayer Magic] too much, they turn into a dragon, huh?"
"That's right." Irene said with a nod. "As their power grew, they gained a dragon aspect." Irene explained. "And as they grew stronger still, their dragon aspect grew as well. Until they eventually were mutated into dragons by their dragon aspect."
"That must have been tough during the dragon riots>" James said with his eyes open wide. "I can only imagine what you had to go through when your dragon aspect grew to be too much."
"Yes." Irene replied. "I'd rather not go into detail, though."
"I have no intention of prying." James said. "Anyway, what exactly do you wish to gain by studying my dragon aspect?"
"I want to find a way to become human again." Irene said. "I don't know if it's possible, but your dragon aspect is powerful enough to begin transforming into a dragon. However, you have yet to change."
"I would not raise your hopes too high, Irene Belserion." Ddraig said in a way that Irene would be able to hear as well. "We had the intention of changing James' internal organs to that of a dragon. But I'm sure that his race would not change because of that."
"I know I'm clutching at straws." Irene said as she lowered her head. "But I have to try. I can't meet her if I can't become a human again."
Seeing the sorrow in Irene's expression, James had no idea what to say. Considering that he had no idea how she was feeling, he wisely decided to keep his silence. When Irene came back to herself, she noticed that James was staring at her with concern and an expression that shouted: "I don't know what to do." When she saw that look on his face, despite herself, she let a giggle slip out.
"Ahem!" Irene coughed strongly to cover her giggle. "Anyway, I want to study your dragon aspect and how you maintain your original species. If I can figure that out, there might be a chance that I can reverse my own change."
After seeing the expression on Irene's face earlier, James did not have the heart to even consider rejecting Irene's request. So, instead of that, he jumped right into negotiating the terms of their pact. Eventually, around the time Irene should have shown up originally, James and Irene came to an agreement.
Irene would be allowed to study James' dragon aspect and the effect it had on his physical body. Also, she would move into the mansion, living in one of the guest rooms on the first floor. In return, Irene would teach James and Ddraig about [Dragon slayer Magic] and assist in James' training of [Dragon Slayer Magic].
"Alright, this should be interesting." James said as he stretched his right hand toward Irene. "I look forward to working with you, Irene."
"As am I." Irene replied, reaching out to shake James' outstretched hand. "I look forward to a fruitful partnership."
"Plus, you'll be able to observe two more draconic [Sacred Gear] wielders, though not as closely, while you're here." James said after he released Irene's hand. "We've also got Skiadrum and Vritra's hosts in our group. But I'll have to request that you don't kill Skiadrum's host for his perverted actions."
Hearing what James said at first, Irene was surprised. Never did she expect that she would encounter so many individuals who were accompanying the souls of long dead dragons. However, when she heard the second half of what James had to say, her expression changed into one of confusion.
"Wait, you were serious about that?" Irene asked. "How bad could this boy be?"
"You have no idea." James replied. "He doesn't have the guts to try and lay his hands on any of the girls. But he has no problem invading your privacy. And his eyes will be drawn immediately to the little boob window in your outfit."
Irene began to regret her choice to reside in the mansion. Somehow, James could decern that thought from her expression.
"Don't' worry, Ise doesn't live here." James said with a smile. "He lives with his human parents as he is originally from this town."
"*Sigh* I see." Irene said with a sigh of relief.
"Also, if you ever feel that his sexual harassment has gone too far, feel free to punish him for it." James said. "As long as he doesn't die or lose any limbs, it's open season."
Hearing that, Irene smiled.
At the same time, in his room at his house, Issei felt a chill shoot up his back for an inexplicable reason.
"Issei, hurry up." Asia called out from the other side of Issei's bedroom door. "We're supposed to arrive at the mansion by noon."
"I know, Asia." issei replied, shaking off the feeling he just had. "I'm almost ready."
Meanwhile back at the mansion, James continued.
"And if you feel that punishing such a pervert is beneath you," James continued, "you can just tell me. I find beating that guy up quite therapeutic."
"I'll keep that in mind." Irene replied with a smile. "Anyway, I guess I should go and mingle with the other residents of the estate. Living in harmony would be for the best, after all."
"I agree." James said as he stood from his seat. "Let's head back downstairs. My other contractor should be arriving soon as well."