chapter 11 :Azazel

Meh, no harm done. Literally and figuratively." Azazel said with a shrug. "But anyways, don't worry, I'm not here to cause any harm. I prefer talking." Azazel said. Takeshi looked a bit unsure upon this, before he lowered his staff.

"So...what do you want to talk about?" Takeshi questioned. It wasn't everyday that you get to meet with a leader of a faction. Especially the leader of a faction that had its member try to kill you. He was surprised how he is dealing with the situation itself. It was then he realized something else.

"Wait, here's a better question. Why do you choose to reveal yourself now of all times?" Takeshi questioned. Azazel simple chuckled upon hearing the question.

"You're a pretty sharp kid at this age. Let's see..." Azazel said while stroking his chin in thought. "Ah yes, now I remember. Do you remember the night that a Fallen Angel attacked you?" Azazel asked. Takeshi stayed silent a bit, remembering those memories a bit, before he silently nodded at the Governor

"Good. I have to tell you something. Even though the Gremory heiress managed to intervene in time, it isn't everyday that a Magician like you manages to escape unscathed from a battle with a Fallen Angel. Especially Raynare. She's a bit above the average two-winged Fallen Angels, but still below that of a four winged Fallen Angel. And you managing to fend her off requires either a lot of luck, or just skill." Azazel told him, before he noticed that area around him. "And to top it all off, a beginner like you has survived. No offense by the way."

"None taken." Takeshi simply replied. "Well, if anything, the Fallen Angel I fought is more out of pure luck. I saw her a bit arrogant, used whatever I had in my arsenal, and use the time available to me to just survive." Takeshi said.

"That counts as well, and that's more than enough." Azazel said, before he gave a small smirk towards Takeshi. "Tell you what, how about we make a deal?" Azazel said. Takeshi slightly narrowed his eyes upon hearing this.

"Depends. What kind of deal are we talking about?" Takeshi asked. Azazel then reached into his pocket and took out three pictures.

"Recently, four of my subordinates disobeyed my orders. I never ordered anyone to be killed, or even a certain project that is about to unfold sometime in the future. I want this to be stopped before it gets out of control." Azazel told him.

"But wait. You're the leader of the Griogori. Can't you just..." Takeshi said, before his eyes widened a bit. "Wait, if I remember anything from politics and structural workings, you intervening will only serve to make things worst. You're an important figure, and anything you do is significant. So stopping this particular activity might upset balance within your faction, showing an abuse of power of sorts." Takeshi said with realization. Azazel gave an impressed whistle upon hearing that.

"Definitely a smart and sharp kid. I'm glad I chose you." Azazel said with a nod. Takeshi realized on where Azazel is going with.

"...You want me to stop your subordinates." Takeshi said with realization.

"And that's not all. I also want you to capture four of my subordinates and bring them to me alive." Azazel also added in. Takeshi stood there as he blinked owlishly at his request, before he scratched the back of his head.

"...That's a LOT to have on my plate." Takeshi said with a sigh, before he looked at Azazel with a raised eyebrow. "What do I gain out of all this, if I succeed?" Takeshi asked.

"What will you gain? Well, how about a personal favor in return by yours truly?" Azazel offered with a small smile. "It can be anything you want, so long as it is within my power to do so." Azazel told him, making Takeshi pause upon hearing this.

'...Let's see here. Stop four Fallen Angels, who have the power to kill me if they want to, from going on with their plans. And I also have to do it discreetly, otherwise things will get even more complicated. And to top it all of, I need to take them in alive and back to Azazel, who says he'll owe be a favor after it's all done. Or simply say no, and turn a blind eye towards this whole thing while Rias, Sona, and the others can take care of this whole shindig.' Takeshi mentally summarized, before he nodded at the choice before him.

'Welp, I know what my answer is going to be, which was pretty obvious from the start.' Takeshi thought to himself, and looked back at Azazel who stood there with a patient look on his face.

"...I'll accept your deal. But only on one condition." Takeshi said to Azazel, making the leader of the Grigori raise an intrigued eyebrow upon hearing this.

"And what would that be?" Azazel asked curiously.

"If I'm going to do this, then there is no way I can do it on my own. I'm a novice magician who only knows Enchanter magic. If I'm going to get into this whole mess that's set up before me, then I need help. You will have to send someone you trust to help me." Takeshi told Azazel, making the man blink upon the condition.

"Well now, increasing your chances of success with some help? You must be really after that favor." Azazel said with an amused smirk. Takeshi only shook his head in response.

"You can take away the favor if you want. What I'm doing is making sure the innocents of this area doesn't get caught up into this." Takeshi told Azazel. Azazel blinked upon hearing this, before he gave a chuckle upon hearing this.

"Well now, isn't that something?" Azazel said, before he held out his hand to Takeshi. "Sure, I'll accept that condition kid. Sounds easy enough."

"I have a name you know. It's Takeshi Fuyushima." Takeshi said, before he held out his hand as well and shook Azazel's hand, sealing the deal. While he shook the hand, Takeshi looked at it.

"My dad always told me not to make a deal with the Devil. I'm wondering if this applies to Fallen Angels as well." Takeshi wondered as he shook Azazel's hand. Azazel simply laughed upon hearing that.

"Oh trust me, we Fallen Angels aren't that sinister in our prices. In actuality, we gave things to the humans instead. Only problem is, they usually tend to abuse it in the wrong way." Azazel told him.

"Ah, the Book of Enoch. If I remember correctly, you taught weapons and cosmetics to the people." Takeshi said with recognition.

"Oh wow, somebody actually read that book? They're barely read that in this day of age besides the Church." Azazel said with an amused smile.

"I'm a really avid reader." Takeshi simply responded.

Things certainly took a turn from here, and it won't stop from there.

(Abilities and Equipment Update)

Abilities #2 - Encyclopedic Knowledge - As described in this chapter, Takeshi possess an ability that allows him to easily absorb and understand the information from contact with a book. Not only that, but he could easily memorize word by word, and even the littlest of details on a picture. While it may seem lacking in the offensive department, it does provide Takeshi mental support, furthering his mind and intelligence. Another interesting fact is that unlike most human brains who can only hold so much memories and knowledge, Takeshi's mental limits have none. He doesn't suffer any backlash from holding so much knowledge in his brain.