Human World, Japan, Kuoh.
Sitting in his bedroom, James was looking back at the things that happened in the first term of his second year of high school. First, a perverted trio of male students enrolled in the school. Due to their obsession with peeping on girls' changing rooms, he, Rias, and Sona got involved in the issue. Mostly because James did not approve of their actions. Although Rias and Sona also thought that the boys were a blite on the school, James was the most adamant on doing something about them. The thought of someone doing anything sexual to an unwilling participant really set him off. Originally, he just wanted to have them expelled and be done with it. Fortunately, or unfortunately, he detected a [Sacred Gear], which is still unawakened, sleeping in Hyoudou Issei's soul.
After that, Issei and his two friends joined the MMA club to escape the fate of being expelled. Issei's friends, however, could not give up their old habits and were caught by James. It did not take long for the two boys to be expelled. Also, after botching their last chance, the school involved the police in the case. After that, not much of note happened. Issei started receiving physical training meant for supernatural beings, the mid-terms came and went, and the finals were right around the corner.
And finally, just a few minutes ago, James finished integrating his soul sight with his perception. In other words, His stalker would remain hidden no longer. James has literally been dreaming about punishing the creeper who has been following him around for more than half a year.
"I finally did it." James said with a relieved sigh.
"[Now you can rest for a bit.]" Ddraig said with consolation in his tone.
"Man, it feels like a lot has happened this term." James said tiredly. "But nothing has happened. Other than the perverted trio incident."
"[It probably feels that way because you've been training that boy with the [Sacred Gear]." Ddraig said with a chuckle. "[It amazes me how many times you were able to get him to pass his limits in a little more than two months.]"
"Like I told Rias and Sona back then, I'm good at what I do." James said with a smug smile.
"[Yeah, and bragging about yourself has got to be on the top of the list of things you do.]" Ddraig replied while rolling his eyes.
"Naturally." James said with a chuckle. "Anyway, about the boy with the [sacred Gear] as you called him."
"[Yeah? What's up, partner?]" Ddraig asked curiously.
"Have any idea what's' up with the dragon aura?" James asked while narrowing his eyes. "Let me be more specific. Have any idea which dragon it's from?"
"[I have an idea, partner.]" Ddraig said solemnly. "[But I don't want to say anything until I'm sure. But if I'm right, that little girl with the crimson hair is going to be lucky.]"
"Hahaha!" James laughed loudly. "Well, I guess I should be happy for Riri then. But still, would it kill you to remember anyone's name?"
"[Do you remember the names of any of the ants you've stepped on while walking down the road?]" Ddraig asked with disdain.
"No, but I didn't know any of their names in the first place." James replied.
"[Irrelevant!]" Ddraig said with fervor. "[If you can't remember the names of the ants you step on...]"
"Not that I knew them in the first place."
"[...Then why should I, The Red Dragon Emperor of Domination, remember the names of some devils and humans I could just as easily trample under foot?]"
"You don't have any feet to trample them with, either." James said, retorting to Ddraig's proud words, yet again.
"[Why sweat such small details?]" Ddraig asked in annoyance.
"It seems like you call anything that isn't in line with your view a small detail, Ddraig." James replied with a smile.
"[Shut up.]" Ddraig said a little snappily. "[I'm going to take a nap. Don't bother me for a while.]"
"Sure thing." James said with a victorious smile.
Shortly after that, James left his bedroom. It was almost time for the group study session the Kuoh Academy students of the three peerages would participate in before each set of exams. This time, Sona was the most interested in studying for the final exams. As he had done a couple times last year, James had overtaken her and ranked first during the mid-terms. After him, Sona and Tsubaki ranked second and third, respectively. After them, the next four ranks were a little jumbled. In fourth through seventh place were Akeno, Flora, Rias, and Reya, respectively.
It went without saying, Rias was unhappy with the fact that her rank went down. Reya, on the other hand, was unbothered. Her score was only lower than the other girls' because whoever graded them liked their essay answers better. Since there was nothing she could do about it, she decided it was not worth worrying or complaining about. Akeno and Flora's rise in ranking was due to the fact that they spent a lot more time together after their night with James in the Underworld. Not limited to only spending nights together with James, they spent more time practicing magic and even studying together.
"Hey, Mizore, Moka, are you ready to go?" James asked loud enough to be heard throughout the house.
"I'm ready, Mizore's voice came from her bedroom.
"I've been ready." Moka replied from the living room.
As James made his way down the stairs, a door from upstairs opened. Shortly after, Mizore began stomping her way down the stairs. After reaching the living room, James saw Leona, Cu Chulainn, Moka and Kunou watching TV.
"Hey Kunou." James said as he sat down on the floor next to the fox girl. "Do you wanna come with us? We'll be studying at Riri's house. You could hang out with Koneko and Gasper while we study."
Kunou took a second to consider. After that, she smiled brightly and nodded her head.
"Okay, Onii-Chan, I'll come with you." Kunou replied.
A few minutes later, James, Mizore, Moka, and Kunou were putting their shoes on at the front entrance. Meanwhile, Cu Chulainn was standing nearby.
"Why is it I'm never invited when you guys gather to study?" Cu Chulainn asked discontentedly.
"Because you're not going to study." Mizore replied while tilting her head cutely.
"Neither is Kunou." Cu Chulainn said as a rebuttal.
"Because she's eleven?" Moka replied this time with her index finger held to her chin. "And are you, an eighteen-year-old boy, really comparing yourself to an eleven-year-old?"
"Mizore, Moka, why are you even dignifying his foolishness with a response?" James asked without looking up at Cu Chulainn. "We all know that Lancer is just upset that he can't go to see Tsubaki."
As he finished speaking, James also finished putting on his shoes. Then, he stood and turned toward Cu Chulainn. Placing his right hand on the older boy's shoulder, James asked a question.
"I bet going to high school doesn't seem like such a waste of time now, does it?" James asked with a teasing smile.
Swiping James' hand off his shoulder, Cu Chulainn scoffed then turned away.
"Shut up!" Cu Chulainn said disgruntled. "I'm going to take a nap. Don't bother me for a while."
"Wow, Ddraig said the exact same thing, like word for word, just a few minutes ago." James said in amazement.
"Shut up!" Cu Chulainn shouted in response.
"[Shut up!]" Ddraig also shouted after being hit by the splash damage.
The girls laughed happily at the back and forth. After that, they stepped out of the house. When they did, however, James stopped abruptly. Then, he closed his eyes. Seeing James act like that, Mizore and Moka took up defensive positions around Kunou. After a few moments, James' eyes shot open, and he shouted.
"Lancer! Help protect Kunou."
Then he used the [Flash Step] and vanished from where he stood.
At the same time, a cloaked figure who had been hiding on the roof of a house several houses away, turned to run when it saw James vanish. Before they could take a step, though, James appeared behind them with Mangetsu no Shita de on their shoulder.
"Now, if you would be so kind." James said in a friendly tone. "Please remove your hood and turn toward me. I would advise against sudden movements though."
For a few moments, neither James nor the cloaked figure moved. As James was growing impatient, the cloaked figure sighed and slowly raised their hands to grab the sides of the hood. A moment later, they pulled the hood down and revealed the back of a head of long silver hair with monkey ears.
"Don't tell me." James said with a frown. "Turn around, slowly."
Like he said, the youkai assassin turned around slowly. When she was face to face, James sighed with displeasure. He saw the face he was expecting, it was the female assassin he defeated outside the karaoke bar almost a full year ago.
"What the hell, why is it you again?" James said with displeasure in his tone. "I let you go once, were you looking forward to taking my foot up the ass, again, that badly?"
Hearing the threat of violence, the assassin's cheeks reddened, then she began to shiver. Seeing this, James almost instinctually took a step away from the woman. However, he stood his ground. Knowing that he could not lower his guard in front of an ultimate-rank enemy.
"Why are you here, assassin?" James asked with a scowl. "Lady Yasaka's competition has been dealt with. There should be no reason for you to be stalking Kunou or the rest of us any longer."
As the look James gave the assassin grew harsher, the blush on her cheeks deepened. Even after a few minutes, she kept silent. Her shivering had grown into full on shuddering, though.
"Mmm~!" the assassin moaned before crumbling to her knees.
"The fuck?" James exclaimed in confusion.
"*Pant* *Pant* I'm sorry. Alaverus-Sama..." The assassin began to speak, she was quickly interrupted, though.
"Sama? What the hell?" James shouted, thoroughly confused now.
"I'll explain, if you would allow it, Alaverus-Sama." The assassin replied respectfully.
"Fine, get on with it." James said while massaging his temples.
"Yes, Alaverus-Sama." the assassin said while bowing her head. "Ever since the time we met in battle, I've been unable to remove you from my thoughts. When I remember your cold, indifferent eyes. The way you looked at me as if I were nothing more than a sow..."
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!" James stopped the assassin's rant while frowning in mild disgust. "What in the hell are you talking about. I looked at you indifferently because we were fighting."
Before James interrupted her, the assassin was already shivering with a flushed face from just remembering her first encounter with James. But when she saw the disgust in his eyes, her shivering intensified while her blush deepened. Seeing this, James was taken aback.
'OH, damn.' James thought while face palming. 'This chick is a real, honest to goodness, masochist. I mean, I know Akeno has some masochistic tendencies when she's with me, but this chick is the real deal.'
"Hey, back to Earth!" James said sternly as the assassin was slipping into her own world. "Before we move forward, who are you and why have you been stalking me?"
Coming back to her senses, the assassin fixed her expression. Then, she took a knee and lowered her head. Seeing this, James was taken aback once again, this time for a totally different reason. And when she opened her mouth to speak, he was really surprised.
"I am a kunoichi of the satori ninja clans." The assassin said in a respectful tone. "My name is Sarutobi Ayame, and I have come to pledge myself to you, Alaverus-Sama. I wish for your will to point the way forward for my blade."
"Are you fucking shitting me?" James roared in disbelief.