Two weeks had passed since the last significant event, and the atmosphere around Kuoh Academy was calm. However, a subtle tension had started to build within the Occult Research Club, especially around Kiba. The others might not have noticed, but Izashi had a keen eye for details and could sense the simmering unease beneath Kiba's usually composed exterior.
One afternoon, the club members were gathered in the room, going over mundane matters when Izashi decided to stir the pot a little. With a nonchalant tone, he casually addressed Rias, who was seated beside him, "Rias, did you hear about the group of exorcists that have arrived in town? Any plans on how we're going to deal with them?"
Rias raised an eyebrow, her expression thoughtful. "Exorcists? I've heard about their presence, but I don't think we should make the first move. Attacking them would only provoke unnecessary conflict and could shatter the fragile peace we have with the angels."
Izashi nodded in agreement, but his gaze shifted to Kiba, who was seated across the room. He noticed the way Kiba's muscles tensed slightly at the mention of exorcists, a sign that the topic had struck a nerve. Deciding to push a little further, Izashi added with a knowing smirk, "Although, I have a feeling we might soon encounter someone wielding a Holy Sword."
The reaction was immediate. Rias's eyes widened in surprise, and a murmur of shock rippled through the room. Even Akeno, who rarely let anything faze her, looked intrigued. But it was Kiba's response that Izashi had anticipated the most. Kiba's normally serene face darkened, and a cold, almost murderous intent flashed in his eyes before he abruptly stood up and stormed out of the room without a word.
Issei, oblivious to the deeper implications, was the first to break the silence. "Uh, wasn't Kiba-senpai acting kind of weird just now? I've never seen him like that before."
Izashi chuckled, waving a dismissive hand. "Don't worry about Kiba. He's just dealing with some personal issues. Focus on keeping yourself alive, Issei. That should be your priority."
Issei frowned, clearly puzzled by Izashi's cryptic advice. "Uh, sure. But with all the training I've been doing, I don't think anyone could take me down easily."
Izashi smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You'd be surprised, Issei. There's a whole world of possibilities out there that you haven't even begun to comprehend."
With that, Izashi stood up, giving Rias a reassuring smile before exiting the room. As he walked down the hallway, he couldn't help but think about the upcoming events. The Holy Sword Project was a wound that had never healed for Kiba, and with the exorcists now in town, that wound was bound to be ripped open again. But Izashi had his own plans, and he knew how to turn every situation to his advantage.
Later that evening, the group decided to patrol the school grounds, making sure there were no unwanted visitors lurking about. It was a routine exercise, but with the recent arrival of exorcists, they couldn't afford to let their guard down. As they walked, the atmosphere was relatively light, with Issei making his usual goofy comments, much to the exasperation of the girls.
However, the mood shifted when two women appeared in their path. One had striking blue hair, and the other had golden locks. The blonde's eyes lit up the moment she spotted Issei, a wide grin spreading across her face.
"Issei, long time no see!" the golden-haired woman called out, her voice filled with excitement.
Issei turned towards her, squinting as if trying to place her face. For a moment, his mind drew a blank, but then a faint memory resurfaced. "Huh? Wait, do I know you?" he asked, scratching his head in confusion.
The blonde rolled her eyes, clearly exasperated by his slow reaction. "Seriously, Issei? It's me, Irina Shidou! Your childhood friend!"
Recognition finally dawned on Issei, his eyes widening in shock. "Wait, Irina? You're a girl?!"
Irina's facepalmed, letting out a sigh. "Yes, Issei. I'm a girl. I can't believe it took you this long to figure it out."
Kuroka, who had been quietly observing the exchange, couldn't help but chuckle, her voice laced with amusement. "Nya~ Issei, you really thought she was a boy? You must have some serious issues with recognizing people, nya~."
Izashi, who had been silently enjoying the show, burst out laughing at Kuroka's comment. Her playful teasing was always a source of entertainment, and this time was no different. "Kuroka, you're too much," he said between laughs.
Issei, feeling a bit embarrassed, tried to defend himself. "Hey, it's not my fault! She was always so boyish when we were kids. How was I supposed to know?"
Irina couldn't help but giggle at Issei's flustered state. "I guess I should've been more obvious, but it was fun watching you struggle to figure it out."
While the playful banter continued between Issei and Irina, the blue-haired woman, Xenovia, couldn't take her eyes off Izashi. From the moment she saw him, her heart had started racing, a sensation she wasn't used to. The church had never prepared her for such a reaction, and she was left feeling flustered and confused. To her, Izashi looked even more captivating now, with his confident demeanor and easy smile.
Xenovia's gaze flicked to the other members of the group, sensing their auras. She noticed the strong devil energy surrounding them and made a quick assumption. 'He must be with these devils without realizing who they really are. There's no sacred gear within him, so he's probably just caught up in this by accident,' she thought to herself.
Determined to save this seemingly innocent human from the clutches of the devils, Xenovia stepped forward. But before she could say anything, Irina, who was still basking in the joy of reuniting with Issei, spoke up. "Issei, it's so good to see you again! I've missed you."
Issei, still processing the fact that his childhood friend was a girl, simply nodded. "Yeah, it's good to see you too, Irina. You've… really changed."
Kuroka, never one to miss an opportunity for mischief, leaned in close to Issei, her voice a sultry purr. "Nya~ Issei, it seems you have quite the past. I wonder if there are any other surprises waiting for us, nya~?"
Izashi, enjoying the way Kuroka was toying with Issei, chuckled softly. "Careful, Issei. Kuroka has a way of making things… interesting."
Issei, now completely flustered, looked between Kuroka and Irina, unsure of how to respond. "Uh, well, I guess… yeah, maybe."
Irina, sensing Issei's discomfort, decided to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, Issei. I'm not here to cause any trouble. I'm just happy to see you again."
As Irina continued to chat with Issei, Xenovia finally snapped out of her daze and turned to address Izashi directly. "You do realize that your friend is a demon now, right?" she said, her voice laced with concern.
Irina, who had been too caught up in the reunion to notice, suddenly grew serious. She glanced at Issei, her brow furrowing as she tried to sense his aura. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. "Issei… you're a devil?"
Issei hesitated, his eyes downcast. "Yeah, I am. But I'm still the same person, Irina."
Irina's expression softened, but before she could say anything, Xenovia stepped forward, her eyes narrowing as she addressed Asia. "You're Asia Argento, aren't you? The excommunicated nun who healed a devil and became one yourself."
Asia, who had been standing quietly by Issei's side, flinched at the accusation. She looked up at Xenovia with wide, innocent eyes, her voice trembling as she replied, "I-I didn't know he was a devil at the time. I just wanted to help someone in need…"
Issei, feeling protective of Asia, stepped in front of her, his voice firm. "Asia isn't a bad person. She didn't deserve to be excommunicated for doing something kind."
Xenovia, however, wasn't swayed by Issei's defense. Her gaze remained cold and unyielding. "Regardless, she betrayed God by healing a devil and then becoming one herself. Asia, do you still believe in God?"
Before Asia could respond, Izashi, who had been listening with growing irritation, finally intervened. "Does it really matter what a devil believes, Xenovia? You're here to do your job, not to pass judgment on us. If you have something to say, say it and then leave. You're disrupting our evening with your self-righteous nonsense."
Xenovia's eyes widened in surprise at the harshness in Izashi's tone. For a moment, she faltered, her usual confidence shaken. "You're… you're a devil?"
Izashi's eyes bored into hers, cold and unyielding. "Of course I am. My name is Izashi Gremory, pure-blood devil of the Gremory House."
The name hit Xenovia like a punch to the gut, and she whispered, almost to herself, "The little brother of Satan…"
Izashi's expression softened slightly as he began to clap mockingly. "Congratulations, you figured it out. Now, what do you want?"
Xenovia took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "We know this is your territory, and we're not here to cause trouble. We've heard rumors that some fallen angels have been conducting experiments with the Holy Sword Excalibur in this area. We're only asking for your cooperation."
Izashi's gaze turned icy once more. "Get out."
Xenovia's eyes widened again, and she tried to protest. "But listen—"
"No, you listen," Izashi interrupted, his voice firm. "You come into our territory, demanding that we sit idly by while our enemies carry out their plans. Would you ask the church to do the same if devils invaded your territory? I don't think so. Now, leave before I lose my patience."
Xenovia was taken aback by the sheer force of Izashi's words. She couldn't understand why she felt a pang of sadness at his rejection, but the void in her heart seemed to grow. She glanced at Issei, who was still looking down, clearly troubled by the situation. For a moment, she wanted to reach out to him, to tell him that everything would be okay, but she knew she had no right.
~~
A/N: I hope you all liked this long chapter.
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Also, If you like Harem Stories, check out my new story, Harem Master: Seduction System.)