Chapter XI

A man takes a bite out of a burger as he drives on the interstate right outside of the city. As the rain fell onto the ground his wheels made a slight mist outside of the truck. It kept driving down the road as he fidgeted with the radio.

"Man I'm telling you! These people were insane. The Satanists, it seemed like they wanted self defense at first, until suddenly they're in your house robbing your shit. One tried to take my two year old so I shot them dead. I had to!"

"Woah okay man calm down!"

"No I can't! No one is innocent here, they're both bat shit crazy! I think they're feds from the government or something!"

Suddenly the voices through the radio get staticy as weird sounds echo throughout the vehicle.

"Man come on this is nuts" The truck driver comments. As he keeps driving down the road a slim rotting figure rises out of a pentagram on the ground. As it kept rising the truck driver switches the radio around, not aware of its presence until suddenly his truck hits it. He slams on the breaks, skidding the vehicle around as he hits the creature. As he slams on the breaks the rain keeps pouring down like water from a waterfall. He rushes out the truck and runs over to the body of what he just hit.

"What the hell?"

PIT!

Suddenly a dart is shot into the man. The tranquilizer puts him to sleep as it inserts itself into the man's neck. As he falls to the ground another man from the side of the highway walks out with his Satan's Bible in a leather book carrier strapped around him. He carried his hunting rifle scope-less as he dragged the unconscious man into his truck. He slams the door shut and drives off as he fixes his unwashed unkempt hair. "Crap!" Dr. Frederik yelled. He looks behind to see three Priests driving on the highway. The mercenaries all open fire as he drives off. Switching his gun out with a more lethal way of fighting back. As he shoots his pistol out the window the highway chase continues. "No not now!" The scientist yells as he sees two more cars pulling up on the opposite side. He turns his car around and dashes past the other three, barely avoiding the gun fire as the two factions continue to fight.

"HE HAS A HOSTAGE!"

"FOCUS ON ELIMINATING HIM FIRST! IF THE HOSTAGE GOES IT'S A TRAGIC ACCIDENT! WE MUST NOT LET THEM SUCCEED WITH THEIR PLAN!"

As the doctor keeps driving away the truck left behind on the highway suddenly starts to move. He speeds past it as it rolls onto the highway and blocks the five other cars. They all empty their passengers so they can engage with Dr. Frederik's "nurses". Lower ranked units who help carry out the doctors' sick experiments. They all get on top of the truck and fire down on the mercenaries with assault weapons. As the fire fight goes on the doctor drives up north away from the city with his victim in the back seat.

Issei woke up with his alarm ringing at 4:30. He moans as he hits the snooze bar. "What now? Wait, Rias is coming today!" Issei roars as he gets up and starts putting on his work out clothes. As he fumbles around in his underwear getting dressed while eating in the living room he hears the TV say something that catches his attention.

"Fire fight between the Radical Christian Cult and Satanists last night leaves Route 85 closed."

"Woah" Issei says as he finishes pulling up his pants as Rias walks in. "Hey, you ready?" She asks. "Yeah I just got distracted" Issei comments. "I can tell. I gotta say this is only gonna get worse." Rias says as she too reads the headline. "Yeah well we'll be ready. And it's not like I don't exercise already." He then smiles at her as he puts up a thumb. "We got this no problem!" Rias smiles as she sees Issei's face perk up. "Hm, great. Let's get going then!" She says cheerfully.

One hour later

Issei takes deep breaths as Rias bikes right behind him.

"Come on keep going! Your stamina might be great for human fights but you're gonna need a lot more when fighting against devils and Fallen ones!" Rias yells. "Yeah, just-" Rias cuts him off. "No excuses keep going! I know you can do better than that!" Issei shakes his head. "Crap. This is too much! I'm gonna puke!"

Meanwhile back at the academy. Asia packed some lunch as Akeno swept around the living room.

"Rais told me to remind you that someone was coming today to the house!" Akeno nods as she looks at Asia. Asia walks out leaving just Akeno by herself. She puts down the broom and sits back on the couch as she takes some time to just think to herself. "Why can't he just get out of my head? What did he do to me?" Akeno thought as she looks around. "Who am I kidding, I did this to myself." Akeno folds her legs as she sits back in her seat. "Maybe I need a break from all this"

Meanwhile on the highway police cars directed the flow of traffic for the two cars that went by. Route 85 was often empty. As the truck barricade was moved and the corpses were cleared, a man sat from afar watching the aftermath unfold. "Interesting" he says as he then takes a photo of himself out of his wallet. A young man with black hair, born in the underworld as a second generation fallen angel. However it burns as he stares at it. "Who even am I now?" He asks himself as he looks at a reflection of himself, seeing a man who had the white hair like an angel's wings, and the outfit of a devil. Half Devil, Half angel, a fallen angel in a nutshell. Except this one was somehow saved from their fate. He says a quick prayer for guidance before receiving convicting directions. In response he cracks a finger and begins to walk towards the direction of the open road.

Meanwhile at the park

"Oh come on Issei. Don't think I don't know you're having disgusting sexually charged thoughts about me right now!" Issei slams onto his chest as Rias's weight pushes him down. "That wasn't me though!" Issei wined before hearing a cynical laughing in his head. "Not you! YOU LEAVE HER ALONE YOU BASTARD! I'LL KILL YOU!" Issei thought to himself. "Oh but I thought we wanted this. My thoughts are fueled by your desires Issei!" Issei shales his head. "If that's so then you don't get to have those. You understand me, you and whoever that sick pervo behind that bird was can kiss my bare naked ass! Those are my thoughts!" More laughing continues. "Quit lying to yourself. You're just as depraved as me!"

"Where is she?" Rias asks as she looks around for Asia. "Hey you guys!" The two see Asia running with a basket in her arm. "So sorry about that. I won't let it happen again!" She then trips onto the ground. "Dang it! I can't ever run and talk at once. Oh Issei here!" She hands him a bottle of post workout. "So what are you doing here today?" Issei asked. As he and Asia talk Rias zones off as she remembers Issei shooting the bird with his sacred gear. The violent and brutal act only made sense to them. "Why would you have that Rias?" Issei asks, No response. "Rias?" Rias shakes her head a little as she returns to reality. "Oh yeah. I'm sorry." She states. "What's the matter? Is everything okay?" Issei asks. "Now that we're all here we should get going." Rias suggests as she gets up. "Uhhh, go where?" Issei asks. Rias turns around and smiles, giving Issei a rather innocent look. "Your house silly."

Ten minutes later

"Who's boxes are these?!" Issei asks. "Uhhhhhhhhh" Asia struggles to get the words out. "Yours? Why here?" Issei asks. "Well now that you're her protector she's going to be moving in with you and your parents. Kinda like a sister!" Rias responded. "What?! I mean yeah no I really do appreciate it Issei!" Asia noted. She bows as Issei looks around confused. "Wait? Wait wait wait wait." Issei says as the two go rushing in.

FiveMinutes later

"What did you say your name was again? Asia?" Issei's father asks, pronouncing her name like the continent. "No Asia" Asia says. Issei looks at his two shocked parents as Rias leans close to Issei. "Look Asia, we just think there's gotta be a better long term living solution than just you moving in here." Issei's father states. "It's just that I owe your son. You see I came to this town all by myself and he helped me out so much moving around so I'm in his debt. I don't know what I would have done without him. He took care of me so I want the chance to take care of him!" Issei is taken aback a little. "Woah, that's actually really sweet" he thought. "But if it's inconvenient in any way I'm more than happy to find a new place."

"Oh darling we're not saying you can't stay here, lord knows we have the room" Issei's mother states. "You see though, the thing is that Issei, he's uh well....." Issei's father jumps in. "Issei is an abnormally horny perverted child! He and his two friends are always into that porn stuff and they're not to be trusted!" Issei interrupts. "Dammit dad I'm not! They're just weirdo's and they barely come over!" Rias giggles. "Oh it's not that bad. Hey, she can learn to be a good wife by taking care of you." Rias realizes what she just said and covers her mouth. She hears faint laughter inside her mind as everyone looks at her shocked after yelling "what" really loudly. Issei's two parents then hold each other's hands as the father weeps tears of joy. Celebrating the possibility of having grandchildren. "Dad, I'm not like them, how could you think that?!" Issei asks rather upset and defensively. "Maybe marriage can get rid of his addiction!" Issei's mother roars. "You guys are killing me, I'm not like them!" Issei looks over as Asia blushes.

"Hey Rias, chill with the jokes please?" Issei asks in a whisper. Rias's smile breaks into a shocked, surprised face. She then breaks away from Issei's glance and looks up to the ceiling. "If you're lucky, maybe". Rias says with an evil smile. "Rias?" He feels his good side returning, struggling to find the willpower to take back his mind, however he then settles back into the dark roots of his head, letting his evil selfish side take over again as he leans back into the soft sofa.

Later that day a knock at the door shakes Akeno out of her storm cloud. As she walks up to the door she sees a man wearing a black shirt, red tie, and white hair. He stood in front of the door looking at his phone as he held some travel suitcases. Akeno opened the door and saw the man standing at 6'3.

"Um, how can I help you?" She asks. "Hey I'm Rodney Drake. You must be Akeno? I'm looking for the head of the household." The man specifies with enthusiasm. He held out his hand as he looked at Akeno with a cheery smile. As she held his hand she felt her heart skip a beat out of nervousness. "How does he know who I am? Surely he just did his research on us. How could he know someone like me?" Akeno thought to herself. "Nice to meet you. Please come in, have some tea or cookies I just made" The man smiles. "Oh no thanks." He gives her a gentle look. "Oh please Rias will think I didn't offer any" Akeno insists. The man nods as he begins to relax his composure. "Well if you insist" he says smiling at Akeno. She blushes a little as the man influxes a flirty tone to his voice. Akeno notices his thick black hair and colorless pale gray eyes. She couldn't help but keep consistent eye contact with him as his pupils captivated her. "Come on, stop thinking so weirdly now. He's just being nice, go and fetch the stuff you made" Akeno thought to herself. As Akeno comes out with tea and cookies she sits down next to him. He takes a couple bites and a sip of tea when he sees her smiling at him with her eyes closed. "Uhhhh, you gonna have some?" Rodney asks. "Oh no I'm all set" Akeno says rather nervously. Rodney feels himself sinking into his own skin as he looks around. "So when's the red head popping around?" Akeno and Rodney both jump in their seats a little. "I mean, sorry I didn't mean to sound dis-"

"No no, it's fine. I'm not sure. You mean Rias?" Akeno asks. "Yeah Rias. Thanks I totally just messed that up. I'm gonna be honest, I usually forget names unless they're really important." Akeno blushes some more as she swings her head, looking away from Rodney. "Oh um I uh. Wow, thanks." Akeno starts to play with her thumbs when she suddenly recognizes who Rodney is. "Wait a second, you're the guy!" Akeno yells. "What guy?"

"You were one of those who were born into the fallen angel world. You're the former king of the Shide clan! What happened? Did they kick you out?" Rodney shakes his head. "Ha ha ha ha! Oh you're funny. No, I just chose to leave." Akeno looks at him confused. "You chose to?" Rodney smiles. "Well yeah. Being King of a cruddy wasteland is worse than just being a citizen of paradise. The phrase it is better to rule Hell than to serve in Paradise is complete bullshit. I made the right call. And besides I get to keep my power, well most of it." Rodney replies. "I don't understand, you're now an angel of God? I've heard of people switching over to other factions, but none from Shide?" Rodney laughs as he begins to sink into his chair. "Not sure to be honest, but I don't really get paid to ask questions or understand things." He begins to kick his feet up on the table, only to retract them soon after. "Oh I'm sorry. I forgot I'm a guest." Akeno laughs. "No it's okay. So you're one of them then. Shide? I heard they're incredibly rare, the fallen angels out number your kind a hundred to one." Rodney nods. So we're that scarce that no one's seen us hub? Have you ever seen the crystalized wings of our kind?" Akeno shakes his head as Rodney begins to create a pair of fiery wings that harden from a gas to a solid sharp red crystal. Out his back come several tentacles wrapped in a strange kind of muscular tissue. "The blood of fallen angels fuel us. They're comprised of just that. We may be rare, but feared is an understatement." Akeno looks around rather frightened, but does not show Rodney.

"Bugs suck but you need them to feed the birds."

Akeno chuckles rather uncomfortably.

"I guess that's true."

"Hey you wanna show me around. We can talk some more while I wait for Rias." Akeno nods as Rodney smiles at her, making her slightly blush. The two then get up. "How the hell is he remembering me out of all the others? It's like for once I'm not in Rias's shadow."

This feels nice.

Meanwhile back at Issei's house

"You sure you'll be fine?" Issei asks Rias. "Yeah. I gotta go check on our new guest. He'll be staying with us for a while so I gotta make sure he has a good sleeping arrangement." Rias says. "Right. I gotta go help Asia settle in." As Rias leaves Issei helps Asia unload all her stuff into the room across from his. It took them hours to finish but by the time they do Asia falls on the bed that she's staying on. "Hey Issei, you said you wanted to talk to me about something?" Asia asks. Issei nods. He then sits on the bed as the two lie down and look up on the ceiling. "Don't listen to my parents. I can assure you you're safe here. I'll personally make sure of it." Asia giggles as she rolls over and looks at Issei. "Don't worry I feel safe. In fact you already proved it by bringing me back here. I'm really blessed to have you Issei. In fact I should be the one saying you'll be safe here." Issei looks at Asia rather puzzled. "Oh yeah?" Issei asks puzzled. "I uh. Look I know there's been some stuff going on lately with you. What happened with you and God the last time you two talked. I don't know the details but you've been hurting inside. It's no secret among the team. And you're almost letting something take over you but I know you're still in there. In fact you're always somewhat in there, just not 100%" Issei looks at Asia strangely, almost offended. "What are you saying, Asia?" Asia hesitates to speak for a moment.

"I don't want you to think I'll be taking advantage of your vengeful lust problem, but I do have to get this off my chest." She takes a deep breath before continuing. "I don't just want you to see me as part of your Harem Issei. I wanna be with you. But I know you might not see me the same way. I just want you to know that you mean a lot to me." Issei smiles as his eyes begin to water a little. "Wow, Asia, that's so sweet." Asia then sighs some more as she feels relief lift off her chest. "You don't have to say anything back." She says now with her green eyes gleaming innocently. "Whatever God wants for me he will give. So I trust him. So I'd rather have you keep your answer to yourself. Just know that I'm someone you can come to. I don't want my feelings for you to get in the way of what we already have.

"Yeah, I totally hear you. Hey." Issei says as Asia feels Issei wrap his arms around her. "Tanks for moving in. You really are another sun to my planet Earth." Asia blushes a little as she hugs him back. "Oh, ha ha. Of course Issei"

Thanks for being my friend.

Meanwhile back at the club house

"So you've always been a devil?" Rodney asks. Akeno nods. "But you've been born a devil? Devils can't be born damned? Nothing can. Hell you're a lot more human-like than the last time I've encountered your kind." Akeno looks away as she strokes her hair. "I guess we are though." Rodney looks at Akeno confused. "But surely God's revealed himself to your second generation, unless…." He looked at his hands as the two sat in the middle of a garden. "Well until he does I wouldn't think too much of it. Come on, I'll show you to your room. It's the only one we have left. You can stay there longer since you're a much higher priority than a new member." Rodney laughs a little. "Oh? Are you guys recruiting now?" He asks. "Yeah. We just got our healer slash bishop. Her name is Asia and she's probably the sweetest thing I've ever seen." Rodney smiles as the two walk towards Rias, who entered the building. Rodney gives Akeno a look before walking before her. "I don't know if she's the sweetest thing around. You must be Rias?" The two shake hands.

"Haven't heard of the name?" Rias asks sarcastically. "Can't say I have as much as I would like to." The two then let go. "I'm the future heir of the Gremory household. You must be Mr. Drake." Rias says. "Rodney Drake, past heir of Shide household." Rias and Rodney begin to walk down the hallway. "Tell me more." Rodney nods. "Right, it was nice talking to you Akeno. I hope we can talk some more one on one." Akeno smiles faintly as she bows. "Yeah, I'll see you around." The two continue to walk down the hallway of the Occult research club building. "I'll have us all meet up tomorrow when we're in class. Tell me about yourself. You're a saved second generation. I see God is working his way through the Fallen Ones as well? He's sent us the Dragon Emperor himself who I've taken quiet a liking too." Rodney nods.

"It's quite interesting. How it works. There's no way any evil being can have children to watch them burn for pleasure. That man really does give everyone a chance. For twenty years I grew up thinking he was out to get me once I was hailed as king. The head of the Shide household rules Purgatory, but we often stay out of the normal ones way since we don't like to involve ourselves in our foods business." Rodney explains. "Ah yes, the cannibalistic beings. Quite the story there."

"The Dragon Emperor?" Rodney asks. "Indeed, though I don't know whether to trust this or not. He's our adversary, our enemy. Heaven has always hated our kind." Rias looks down at the floor in defeat. "Yet I love him, that boy has always brought me through so much." Rias thought as she looked out into the city. The sight of the neon lights from the city pierce her eyes. "I love that boy" she thought to herself defeated. The two begin to walk out of the building, where for the rest of the day Rias could not stop thinking about Issei.

The next day at school

Issei walked up the stairs to his next class. As he entered his home room he saw Asia standing in front of his peers. As she introduces himself all the guys can't help but stare at her. "I feel like such a fish out of water but luckily I'm staying with Issei!" They all give him a dirty glare. "BASTARD!" they thought. He doesn't even look back, knowing his two friends are among the group. They realize what they're doing and back off in shame as the rest of their male peers continue to stare at him. Issei however dosn't feel threatened, but empowered. "Yeah so what if she's staying with me? Better than you douche's anyways. What are you gonna do about it?" Issei watches Asia talk with the others. A girl with brown hair and a girl with pink hair both approach her as Issei is surrounded by all the males in his class. He ignores them as he overhears Asia's conversation.

Wait, I thought Issei was one of those pervo's?

Yeah, isn't he the weird kid?

Asia shakes her head. "No of course not. He's been nothing but a gentleman.

That's so weird. Is he changing or something?

Yeah no way I thought-

"It's always the same. I swear they won't shut up" Issei thought to himself.

Then make them.

Issei looks around as he hears a voice in his head startle him. He feels his gauntlet glint as he looks around for whoever said that. "Dammit. It won't leave me alone" Issei thought.

Later that day class ends for a free period. As Issei gets his stuff together Asia walks up to him. "How did I do?" She asks with an innocent smile. "Not bad. Everyone seems to really like you. I'm glad you're already fitting in." Asia looks at Issei excitedly. "Really?" she asks with hope. "Yeah I think you're gonna do great here." Asia smiles "Thanks Issei!" The two find themselves walking to the Occult Research building to meet with the others, inside is a new face that none of them have seen. "Guys I want you all to meet our newest senior." Rias says. Rodney walks in with a crisp uniform on. He wore the traditional blazer with a red tie and dress pants rather than the normal more casual boys uniform. He fixes his tie as he looks at the rest of the team. "Rodney Drake. A pleasure." He scratches the back of his head slightly as he smiles at everyone. His hair mostly white with some black strands in the center of his head poofs out a little. Issei is the first to reach his hand out. "It's great to meet you all" Rodney says as he shakes Issei's hand. "I'm part of your team now. Well sortove it's complicated but just see it like that."

"He'll be part of our team but not the House of Gremory. You see he can't…" Rias clarifies.

"He's a Fallen Angel"

And with that the room went silent. It was just Rias, Akeno, Kenoko, Asia, Issei, and Yuuto. The doors are suddenly shut as Yuuto pulls out two blades and jumps back. He and Issei look at the man with fight or flight as Rodney looks at them. "You mean he's one of them?!" Yuuto yells. "No! No I'm not gonna let you people slide!" Issei roars. "Stand down! That's an order!" Rias barks. "No way I remember him now! He's the King of those cannibal types!" Yuuto yells. "Cannibal?!" Issei asks, confused. "Yeah. Special Fallen Angels who can drain the energy out of their food for power. They're the rarest but most dangerous, feared among all spiritual life. If they overpower you you're done for, only angels can fight these things. We're screwed" Yuuto explains. Akeno then walks in front of Rodney as she looks at the two boys. Issei's sacred gear at this point forms a red suit around him. "You two enough! We said he's alright just look at him!" Akeno yells. "How can we be sure?!" Yuuto asks. "Rias, isn't it strange we now have a fallen angel on our doorstep just wanting to work with us!" Issei begins to back away as he begins to have flashbacks. "Yeah the last time I had one of these things in my life they built up seventeen years of trust just to break it! They're sadistic and cruel creatures!"

Akeno steps in. "Not all of them! Come on guys, you have to work with us!" She insists. "You don't think my problems with them are valid?! They destroyed the church causing many including myself a painful life and a past to bear! I could have been fine and dandy, I wouldn't be here if it weren't for-" Yuuto stops mid sentence, realizing what his words mean and the weight behind them. "Everyone just calm down." She stands emotionless between the five ready to break up any fight that might come their way. "Rias tries to bark another order, but watching Akeno take control of the situation for her on top of her soft spot for Issei really put her in a state of shock. "I just don't know if I can" Issei says calmly. "Guys listen. Why would Rias let me in? Isn't that already valid? She's not easily fooled, you know. I literally used to rule Purgatory so there should be no reason for me to admit that. Pride got us kicked out you know."

"Please just listen to me." Rodney asks. "You ruled over them. They're the strongest non God entities in the universe. At least so far they are. Usually when a Fallen Angels desires become strong enough they become a demon but these guys are the exception. They overcame them and now their desires fuel them, not the other way around." Yuuto explained to Issei. "Wait wait wait, you're saying that those things can become "us"?" Yuuto nods his head. "Yes, though I've never seen one myself." "No, just listen to me. There's no way otherwise how come we don't use that to wipe them out?!" Rodney stands there confused as Issei and Yuuto begin to have a side conversation. As the room begins to cool down Rias once again takes control for Akeno. "Everyone stand down now!"

Issei and Yuuto see Rias starting to become aggravated and do so. As Issei's suit retracts and Yuuto's swords fade Issei walks closer to the group to explain his reasoning. "There's no way that's possible. Unless they're some other kind of demon. They have to become real demons then, not what we are!" Issei explains. "What like our parents?" Yuuto asks. "Yeah! Like they're parents! See where I'm going with this?" Issei says. You and, we're humans. We can't become demons no matter how hard we try." Issei says. "Well we can figure that stuff out later. For now I just want you all to listen. Rodney here is who God sent to us. After handling the incident last week he wanted Rodney to become a member on our team and work with us to keep the political climate from exploding." Rias explains.

"Wait, aren't fallen angels too far gone?" Issei asks. "Well, you see. I'm a second generation, just like you all." Everyone just stares at him, they then look back at Issei as the two make eye contact with each other. "Listen guys. I know Fallen Angels must have been heavily involved in your past but I can assure you I'm not one of them. I'm not even the same kind as most are." Yuuto sighs as he begins to leave the room. "Yeah well, don't get comfortable around me." He offers his hand to Rodney. "I'm only taking Rias's word. Don't make me regret this." Rodney gives Yuuto a firm clasp as the two shake hands. "I won't, you don't have to worry." Yuuto turns to Rias. "Alright then. Rias am I dismissed?" Rias nods. "Yeah, get to class." He bows before leaving the room. "You all can leave as well." Koneko, Akeno, and Asia do the same. As Rias is about to head to her seat Issei and Rodney start talking. "Look I just, I had a bad run in." He offers his non weaponized hand to Rodney for him to shake. "Forgive me. I flew off a little." Rodney accepts his hand. "It's fine." He takes Issei's hand. "It's not like I can blame anyone. Just don't think about it. I'm just glad you know what I'm talking about. God said it's fine to talk about second generationism among just the house members only. I need you to work with me if we're to expand this beyond the House of Gremory. There are a lot more from Rias's home world who need to be free to make the choice to flee on their own." Issei nods. "Understandable. That makes a lot more sense though." Rias looks at Issei confused as she walks back into the room, leaving only for a second. "Issei, your gear. You can create a suit now?" she asks. "Oh yeah. I'm getting better and better with this every day." He smiles as he shows off his gauntlet again to Rias. The green light shines in her eyes as he clenches his fist. A green ray of hope that sparkles in her blue ocean eyes. "Soon I won't just be the most powerful pawn. I'll be the whole damn chess board!"

He turns off his ability as he grabs his stuff. "Sorry about me and Yuuto Rias. I'll go talk to him if you like." Rias shakes her head. "No, it's fine. Just don't be late. I wouldn't want to see Mr. Chef yell at you again. Last time I almost spoke to my father about it." Issei looks at Rias surprised. "Oh really?" He asked as he blushed slightly, making Rias also blush. "Yeah, alright shoo!" She shoves him out the door and closes it as Rodney and her are the only two left remaining. "Wow, some team" Rodney says taken aback. " Excuse me for their behavior. It's on me. We've been running into a lot of your meals lately."

"No, they're great. Ready for anything and really strong. That kid scares me. Last time I've seen power like that was from one of the archangels." Rias turns to Rodney in horror. "Arc angels?" she asks. "Humans are incredibly powerful beings, but because of sin and the worlds fallen state they're in a very weak condition right now. However Issei resembles the power of a sinless human, but I don't think he's been sanctified yet. How he's able to use all that power is beyond me." Rodney then begins to sit down and sigh. He turns his head and looks at Rias. "He seems really important to you" he noted. "Um, well everyone on my team is." Rias says in her defense. "Oh I'm not talking about that. I mean something makes him stand out from the others." Rias grows more shy by the second. "Uh, well yeah. He's uhhhh....." Rodney eases off. "It's none of my business I know but I thought I'd just say how lucky you are to have someone like him. Make sure you keep him wrapped around your finger." He then shrugs his shoulders as he takes a seat at one of the desks. "Alright then, sorry for getting off topic, what did you want to discuss?" Rias takes the opportunity to switch topics. "Right, here's the terrain of the surrounding towns and cities."

Meanwhile Issei sat with Yuuto in Chemistry. The two just sat as they did their own thing while everyone else struggled in the class. Yuuto answers some questions with ease as Issei just sits on his phone.

"He's changed. Did we really create that?" Motohama asked. The teacher keeps teaching as Yuuto finishes answering another question. As he puts his hand down he can hear the faint noises of a Clash of Clans raid. "Hey man, that's some base you got there." Yuuto states. "Thanks. I have been working on it now every day since this new perk came up" Issei says. "What perk?" Yuuto asks. "I can pay attention now so well I don't even need to focus on the lesson. It's like I'm recording everything around me" Issei explains. "Well we're about to do more labs again. Wanna partner up?" Yuuto asks. "Totally" Issei then looks to see Motohama and Matsuda approaching him. "Oh great, they're gonna ask me to partner up or something" Issei thought. "It's a group of four so we'll need more people. Oh, it looks perfect actually." Yuuto states as he sees Motohama and Matsuda walk over. The two avoid eye contact with Issei as they just stand there. "What?" Issei asks. The two boys look at each other in defeat. "He's not mad?" Motohama asked. "Yeah no way he's that cool with us. He's become one of the popular kids now, we shoved him away." Matsuda noted. "Um, well would you two like to partner up with us?" Motohama asked. "Well sure, Issei?" Yuuto asked. He looks at Issei and drops his innocent smile. Issei just stares at the two intently before loosening up. "Sure. Come on Yuuto, we'll do the work while they talk about girls." He then takes his bag and starts to walk over to one of the science stations.

"Issei wait!" Matsuda yells. Issei turns around. "Look, we really do owe you for yesterday." Matsuda says. At this point the whole class is watching them. "Issei, what are you trying to do?" Yuuto thought. "Those Issiku kids would have beaten the crap out of us. Maybe even have killed us." The class murmurs as Motohama brings up Issiku High. One of five infamous high schools known for having a ruthless hazing culture.

No way did he beat them up?

He's so cool now, no one has the balls to stand those guys up?

Issei what was it like?!

One student asks.

"We're sorry Issei, and thankful. We took everything about you for granted. You're not like us, you're a really great guy. The two bow as they face Issei. "We understand if you wanna cut ties. We just wanted to say thank you." The two then walk away as Issei and Yuuto watch. The class starts to feel bad as the first true rumor about Issei starts up at that moment. "Guys wait" Issei says. He says pointing his whole arm at them while they walk away. "It's alright. I'm glad you finally see what I'm saying." He then smiles as he straps on some goggles. "Let's start over again."

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" A voice yells in Issei's head. "Forgiving. It feels good to be honest. Might do it more often from now on."

BUT THEY'LL THINK YOU'RE WEAK! YOU'RE ALREADY A PERVERT!

"Yeah well who cares what they think? I know I don't. Not anymore."

To be Continued...