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"Damn it!" Viser—the Stray Devil, raised her arms to block Mika's spear thrust, but it was a futile gesture.
The blade pierced through her defenses, striking her face.
A surge of magical power erupted from the spear, obliterating half her head.
"She's still alive? What tenacious vitality!" Mika leaped back, avoiding the collapsing body, but to his surprise, she began to rise again.
"Of course. She's a Devil, after all. A human's vital points aren't necessarily a Devil's."
"Then I'll have to completely obliterate you." A magic circle appeared beneath his feet, and a chilling wave of cold spread outwards, even reaching Rias and her peerage.
"Ice magic?" Rias nodded slightly, recognizing Mika's preferred method of channeling his magic power, transforming it into either fire or ice.
She knew that Riser Phenex, Mika's future opponent in the Rating Game, was a descendant of the Phoenix, wielding the power of fire.
Challenging him with fire would be foolish. Ice—being its natural counter, was a more strategic choice.
"The power of a Devil—" Mika murmured, feeling the surge of icy energy within him. It was far more potent than the ice he created using Nen.
And with the amplification from his ice-based magic circles, designed by Gabriel after studying Devil lore, its power increased even further.
"I haven't had a chance to test this ice magic's full potential yet. I'll use you as my—test subject." He compressed the icy energy in his hand, forming a small, blue orb of light. With a flick of his wrist, it shot towards Viser, who was struggling to get to her feet.
"No!" she roared, sensing the immense power contained within the projectile.
But her cries were futile. The orb struck her, and ice rapidly spread outwards from the point of impact, encasing her in a solid block of ice.
"Impressive—Mika!" Rias and her peerage approached, having witnessed the attack.
"He's so strong!" Issei exclaimed, staring at the frozen Viser.
They had become Devils at the same time, yet Issei was still a complete novice, while Mika could already defeat a Stray Devil single-handedly.
"Indeed. It seems you've already reached the level of a High-class," Rias said, nodding in approval.
"Perhaps even I'm no match for you now," Akeno added with a smile.
"You flatter me. It's all thanks to your excellent guidance," Mika replied modestly.
"Don't be so humble," Rias chuckled, pleased with his compliment.
"Now that the Stray Devil has been dealt with, let's head back."
"Leave? Shouldn't we—destroy the ice statue?" Issei asked, pointing at the frozen Viser.
"There's no need. She's already dead," Mika explained. "Issei, go touch the ice."
"Touch it?"
Issei approached the frozen Viser cautiously. As his hand made contact, the ice shattered, exploding into a shower of blue particles that dissipated into the air.
"It—shattered?"
"Indeed," Mika confirmed.
"Let's go. It's time to return," Rias said, leading the way out of the ruins.
Their teleportation circle was located outside.
…
After completing their mission, the Occult Research Club members returned to their usual routine.
They attended classes during the day and formed contracts with humans at night.
However, not everyone remained unchanged.
Issei—having witnessed Mika's strength during the battle, was inspired to improve. He approached Mika for guidance.
And Rias, had advised him to focus on physical conditioning.
After all—his Boosted Gear—enhanced his strength. The stronger his base stats, the greater the amplification.
Furthermore, while Boosted Gear's power was theoretically limitless, his body had limits. Therefore, physical training was crucial for him.
Mika agreed to help and began devising a training regimen for him. Under Mika's guidance, Issei began his training, diligently following his instructions.
While he didn't seem particularly remarkable, his willpower was commendable. He never gave up—no matter how challenging the exercises.
According to him, each increment of progress brought him closer to his dream of building a harem. Becoming a High-class and gaining the right to form his own peerage was his ultimate goal.
Of course, Rias's motivational speeches also played a part.
To encourage him, she had revealed that her brother was one of the Four Great Satans, assuring him that he would receive his own peerage immediately upon reaching High-class status.
This had ignited his determination, and his progress surpassed Mika's expectations.
As expected of a protagonist.
...
Late that night, Mika sat atop a skyscraper, attuned to the city's nocturnal energy.
"Finally—" he murmured, opening his eyes. He had sensed Issei entering an apartment building.
And within that building, he felt—the power of light.
"A Stray Exorcist—I've been waiting for you." He was eager to study the power of light. While Gabriel would conduct the research, he would be the one wielding its power.
Therefore, he had been keeping an eye out for Stray Exorcists in Kuoh Town.
Stray Exorcists were those who had been excommunicated from the Church. A true Exorcist served under the Church's authority, their sacred duty to exorcise Devils and Fallen Angels.
However—some became corrupted, deriving pleasure from the act of extermination, straying from the path of righteousness.
Such individuals were usually executed in secret.
But some escaped, seeking refuge with the Fallen Angels to continue wielding the power of light. The church in Kuoh Town was one such haven for Fallen Angels.
Mika had two options for studying the power of light:
Study the Fallen Angels,
Or study the equipment of an Exorcist.
While the former was more efficient, attacking a Fallen Angel as a Devil could trigger a diplomatic incident and expose him, putting him in danger.
However, he knew that Issei would soon infiltrate the church to save Asia, leading to a confrontation between Rias's peerage and the Fallen Angels.
That would be the perfect opportunity for him to act. The attention would be on Issei.
Until then, he would acquire an Exorcist's equipment for research. However, the Stray Exorcists in Kuoh Town were inactive.
After all, this was Gremory territory.
Hence, he had set his sights on the Exorcist Issei would encounter in the original story. All he had to do was monitor Issei's movements and follow him when he went on a mission. It wouldn't require much effort.
And tonight, his target had finally appeared.
He stood up, watching Issei enter the apartment building, then leaped from the rooftop, racing towards his destination.
…
He reached the apartment and heard the commotion inside before even entering: the crazed laughter of a priest, Issei's pained cries, and a girl's whimpers.
He pushed open the door and stepped inside. The stench of blood filled the air.
He saw Issei, badly injured, shielding a blonde girl, Asia, while a young priest, a Stray Exorcist, danced around them, his face contorted in a manic grin.
"Oh, another Devil? Coming here to die? Excellent!" He instantly recognized Mika as a Devil and laughed.
Mika's eyes narrowed as he looked at the priest. As the leader of the Yahweh Familia, he valued his companions above all else.
Now, as a member of Rias's peerage, and influenced by her, he had also come to view them as comrades.
Seeing Issei injured, a surge of killing intent washed over him.
"What's wrong? Scared?" the priest taunted, seeing Mika's reaction.
Before he could react—Mika's spear pierced his heart.
"Disgusting—" he muttered, his voice cold and hard. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the lifeless body aside.
"Mika! You came!" Issei exclaimed, seeing the priest slain so swiftly.
"Of course. I sensed the power of light and came as quickly as I could." He picked up the Exorcist's equipment.
"You saved me again—Mika." Issei tried to stand, but Asia stopped him.
"Please wait, Issei-san." She placed her hands on his wounds, and a green light enveloped him, his injuries rapidly healing.
"Healing magic that can mend a Devil's wounds?" Mika watched, a smile touching his lips as he remembered Airmid's healing.
"Oh—" he mused, his tone almost wistful. Then, his expression turned serious as he sensed the approaching aura of Fallen Angels.
Just then, a magic circle appeared on the floor, and several figures materialized.
"Issei, we're here to help!" Yuuto said with a smile.
"Mika-senpai? You're here too?" Koneko asked, surprised.
"It seems things have gotten—complicated," Akeno remarked, sensing the approaching Fallen Angels.
"Did you kill him, Mika?" Rias asked, looking at the priest's body.
"Yes."
"I was meditating nearby when I sensed the power of light emanating from this apartment, so I came to investigate."
"I see." Rias nodded. She was aware of Mika's enhanced senses but assumed it was a skill he had developed through his martial arts training.
"Since we've benefited from this, and the one who attacked Issei is dead, let's go. The Fallen Angels are almost here." She stepped back into the magic circle.
"Wait, Buchou! Take Asia with us!" Issei pleaded.
"I can't. Only my peerage can use this magic circle," she replied.
And so, Issei and Asia were separated once more.
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