Dragon Leveling Chapter 26 Summer Time

"Please do your best, Ise-sama!

"Good luck, Ise. We will be waiting here!"

"Thank you, Rias-senpai, Ravel!"

With that, Issei split up from Rias and Ravel and headed up the staircase leading to the second floor of the building located in the Astaroth Territory in the Underworld, having teleported there to take his long awaited Middle Class Promotion Test. The devil household of Astaroth was the one who had produced the current Beelzebub, who was the Chief Advisor for the Technology Department of the Devil Faction, so it was obvious that the Astaroth was the ones in charge of the promotion exams.

Placing his number on the left side of his shirt, Issei walked down the hallways of the third floor and eventually arrived at the room with a sign of 'Mid-Class Promotion Test – Written Test Room' written in devil-letters.

From the outlook, it looked like an ordinary test room that one could find in universities in the Human World, with rows of desks lined up neatly and a somber atmosphere surrounding them. Ravel had told him beforehand that because most devils who took the exam were reincarnated humans, the Astaroth had modeled the setup to look and feel just like the tests in the human world so the candidates wouldn't feel too out of place.

As Issei walked inside and looked around, he could see that a few devils were already seated, some tapping their fingers anxiously while others sat with eyes closed, likely reviewing everything in their heads, though not everyone looked nervous. There were also groups standing nearby, chatting with relaxed expressions and confident postures. One group was laughing quietly about something unrelated to the exam, while a trio was casually discussing their plans after the test, as if they had already passed and were just waiting for the formality to end.

Issei blinked, a sudden wave of nerves hitting him. Did they really have to look that confident? It made him start second-guessing himself and his study.

"Hey, isn't that Issei Hyoudou?"

"So the rumors about him getting the promotion recommendation from Lucifer-sama were true…"

"Heh, his master is Maou-sama's sister. It's probably just favoritism…"

"Shut the fuck up. Don't you feel his aura? He could probably take us all on if he wanted to."

"Moreover, did you hear the rumors about him having an army of undead shadows…?"

The whispers spread quickly, bouncing between small groups as more heads turned in his direction, but Issei did not react, keeping his eyes forward and walking to the front of the room, not sparing even a glance at the devils currently whispering behind his back.

The instructor at the front looked up from his clipboard and gave a small nod.

"Hyoudou Issei?"

"Yes." Issei replied.

"Seat number 34, fifth row from the front."

"Thank you."

Without missing a beat, Issei made his way to the indicated desk, sat down, and placed his ID and number tag neatly on the tabletop. Over the next ten minutes or so, the last few examinees began to take their seats, filling the room with about a hundred candidates. As Issei looked around, he noticed that while half of the room looked like humans, the other half bore traits that indicated a different origin.

There were Youkai with animal ears and tails coming from behind their back, beast-men with fur-covered arms or glowing eyes, and even a few beings that looked like they came straight out of myths. Some looked tense, fidgeting with their pens or muttering under their breath, while others carried themselves with calm, almost arrogant confidence.

A loud clack broke through the murmurs as a white haired man that looked more like a seasoned warrior than an examiner walked into the room and let a stack of papers fall on the desk at the front.

"The Writing Test of the Mid-Class Promotion Exam is about to begin." He announced. "You have ninety minutes to complete. No talking. No spellcasting. No familiars. If we catch you cheating, you'll be disqualified immediately."

With that, he and the other instructors began handing out the test papers using telekinesis magic, each sheet gliding smoothly through the air before landing in front of each candidate. A second later, pencils followed before the lead examiner announced.

"You may begin now."

With that, Issei picked up his pencil and turned over the test paper to read the first question.

Question 1: Write out the names of the enemy leaders in the TV show Magical Girl Levia-tan, by Serafall Leviathan-sama.

"…What the fu—" Issei muttered under his breath, blinking at the question like it had personally insulted him before looking around the room to see if anyone was having the same reaction as he was, but most of the candidates were already writing. An examiner standing nearby cleared his throat sharply while looking straight at him. Issei stiffened and quickly lowered his head in apology before turning his eyes back to the test.

Are you serious right now?

[Well, there you have it, partner. No wonder why Ravel told you to watch that TV-show. I'm here if you need help.]

He groaned internally as Ddraig spoke up in his mind with an amused chuckle, dragging a hand down his face before picking up his pencil again to start writing down.

And so, for the next forty five minutes, Issei found himself bouncing between questions that made him question the sanity of the exam creators and ones that actually felt like they belonged in a proper promotion test. One question asked him to list the names of the most popular pet items in the Underworld, while the next one wanted a detailed breakdown of the causes behind the Devil Civil War.

There were also questions about the recent Kuoh Peace Treaty, which Issei felt quite confident in getting the correct answers since he had been there when it was signed. More or less, he was able to answer most of the questions without trouble, thanks to the knowledge Rias and Ravel had pounded into his head since the moment she moved into his home.

"Half the time has passed." The lead examiner announced, making Issei glance briefly at the clock before carrying on with the second half of the writing test, which required him to write down an essay about his aim and ambitions, a goal for his future career. A small smile spread across his face as he remembered a certain fabulous hero and put his pencil down to write the first sentence.

My goal is to become a hero…

"Ise-sama, I have brought you a cup of tea."

Ravel said as she returned to the table where Issei was sitting with Rias and placed a steaming cup in front of him. The three of them were currently at the café on the first floor of the building, where most candidates were as well as they waited for the Practical Exam to start.

"Thank you, Ravel." He smiled, reaching for the cup.

"So, how did the test go?" Ravel asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Kinda strange, but thanks to you, my answer didn't become a complete mess." Issei answered with a chuckle as he took a sip of his tea.

"O-Of course! I will be in trouble too if you don't pass!" Ravel declared proudly, making Issei chuckle a little in response at her usual mix of honesty and pride.

"I heard they had some of the younger officials contribute to the question pool this year." Rias chimed in, taking a sip of her own orange juice. "That might explain the... creative questions."

Issei chuckled, shaking his head. "Makes sense, I guess." Just then, Issei noticed a steady stream of candidates beginning to file out of the café. "I think it's time. Let's go."

With that said, Issei stood up, stretching his arms a bit before heading out of the café with Rias and Ravel walking beside him. The three made their way through the wide halls, exiting through the side entrance that led toward a giant gymnasium just beyond the main complex.

The moment they rounded the corner of the building, Issei slowed down. There was a crowd gathered ahead, dozens of devils standing beyond the magical barriers that separated spectators from the exam space. Some carried tablets, others were writing down into their notebooks, and a few seemed to be live-reporting into cameras.

"…Woah, there are so many people." Issei uttered in amazement as he looked around. "Are those reporters?"

"Yes, they are, Ise-sama." Ravel answered with a nod of her head. "More or less, the Practical Exam is the true main event of the Middle Class Promotion. The writing test is important, but this is where young and promising devils have the first chance to show off their true abilities. Likewise, everyone will want to see what you're capable of in action, which is why this part of the exam always gets a lot of attention from media outlets."

"Some candidates even get sponsorship offers or invitations to join prestigious organizations with great careers right after the exam too, you know." Rias answered.

"Alright, no pressure at all, then." Issei let out a soft chuckle as he walked into the gymnasium, splitting off from Rias and Ravel, who made their way toward the elevated spectator stands that overlooked the field. The gymnasium itself was massive, easily larger than any standard football stadium Issei had seen back in the human world. The hallway was wide and spotless, with polished white tiles underfoot and bright, evenly spaced lights overhead. The faint hum of ventilation and the quiet buzz of conversation echoed off the clean walls. A few other candidates walked ahead of him, while staff members in uniform stood near the doors, checking names and directing traffic.

Soon enough, Issei found himself standing with about thirty other candidates in the first waiting room just outside from the main arena. With his hands in his pockets and eyes forward, he observed the instructor as he stepped up, clipboard in hand.

"Alright, listen up, everyone." The lead instructor spoke up as he stepped forward with a clipboard in his hand "The practical exam is quite simple. We will have the participants battle each other in pairs. We will have everyone draw a number to determine your matchup as well as the order in which you will fight."

"The entire battle will be looked at as a whole so even if you lose to your opponent, you will not necessarily lose the chance to pass the whole exam. Obviously, winning the battle will allow you to score more points, but we will look at the battle in depth so if you have three satisfactory criteria of heart, technique, and body we will give you points that will be the equivalent of what you show us. Thus, try to have the battle be as good as you possibly can. The uses of weapons, armors as well as Gate items are also encouraged, though you will need to inform your assigned referees of them first. There is no need to hold back, as the field is equipped with the same Retiring System that we use in Official Rating Game Tournaments. Taking serious damage will cause you to be teleported to the infirmary right away."

"Please take a moment to read these carefully." Another instructor said as she started handing out guidebooks to every candidate. Issei took one of the guidebooks, flipping through the pages. It seemed pretty standard, with the usual information about combat rules, safety protocols, and arena guidelines. Nothing too surprising, especially since Ravel had already briefed him on the basics.

"Devils who are Pawns are free to promote during the match with these special approval promotion card dispatched by the Test Centre." The lead instructor continued, holding up a card that seemed to glow with magic "We will now begin the draw to determine your order. The first twelve pairs will enter the field to take the test first. When your name is called, come forward and get your number. Let's make this quick and efficient, please."

With that, the prep work began. Issei stood behind a line of devils, watching the other candidates step forward one by one to draw their numbers, moving up slowly one step at a time. Eventually, it was his turn to register his weapon, and Issei presented the referees with the Kamish's Awaken daggers. He had put away all of his other equipment beforehand, figuring there would be no need to be over-geared for some test.

And using Ascalon, a legendary Holy Sword, against fellow devils would just be overkilled.

"Please draw your number here, Hyoudou-san." The referee said, gesturing his hand to the box of numbered slips next to him. Issei nodded and moved forward, reaching into the box. He pulled out a slip and read the number aloud.

"Number 10." He showed the slip to the instructor, who made a quick note on his clipboard.

"Oh, looks like you'll be in the first group then." The instructor said before gesturing to the door on the side of the room "You can move right away to the field. Another referee will show you where you need to go. Just show him your number." He gestured toward a door on the side of the room.

"Thanks," Issei said with a nod before heading toward the exit.

As he stepped onto the ground of the arena, Issei found himself surrounded by the vast expanse of the stadium. The space was divided into several sections to accommodate multiple battles, each observed by a referee and separated by magical barriers that flickered with a faint blue light. The barriers kept the combatants within their designated areas while also protecting the spectators from any stray attacks.

Issei noticed that some of the first few battles were already concluding, and from what he could see, it seemed the level of competition was quite high.

Looking up, Issei could see that the stands were fully packed with spectators, some were the masters and friends or families of the candidates, others seemed to be reporters or representatives of some organizations, scribbling notes or recording live updates on the matches. His eyes eventually found Rias and Ravel, sitting together in a section not too far from his designated area.

As soon as they noticed him, they both waved enthusiastically, making Issei grin and wave back, his confidence rising. But his smile faltered when he noticed a group of male devils approaching them, all of whom dressed in sleek suits, likely from noble households. They tried to strike up conversations with Rias and Ravel, but despite their clear disinterest, the male devils persisted, not deterred by their lack of enthusiasm.

Issei narrowed his eyes, and instantly the shadow soldiers, five elves for Rias and five troopers for Ravel, he had assigned to protect Rias and Ravel emerged from their shadows to position themselves between the girls and their harassers. After a brief moment of surprise, both girls looked over to him and beamed as Issei winked at them at the corner of his left eye and gave them a thumbs up in response.

Of course, the male devils did not back down that easily, but the appearance of the shadow soldiers had drawn the attention of so many devils across the stadium that they quickly reconsidered their approach and retreated. It was only then that Issei realized that at least half of the reporters and scouts were there for him, evident in how interested they were in his shadows while curious murmurs spread quickly through the crowd as they kept glancing at him, making Issei feel a little uncomfortable.

At least the elves seemed to be enjoying the attention, striking poses and flashing smiles for the cameras.

"Number 10, Issei Hyoudou?" A referee called after looking at his tablet, with Issei raising his hand before making his way over to him. His opponent, a towering, muscular European man who wielded on his back a massive broadsword and wore on his face a confident grin, was already waiting. A single glance was enough for Issei to see that he was a capable fighter.

That weapon has reach. Maybe I should have registered Ascalon instead.

This was a devil who had proven himself to have the strength to take the same test as he was. He could not let his guard down.

"Alright, both of you are ready then?" The referee asked, with both Issei and his opponent nodding their heads in response before bowing to each other. His opponent then unsheathed his sword from his back and spun it around effortlessly before swinging it down to hold it in front of him, the tip pointing at Issei as he took a stance, his gaze hardened in preparation.

"Please start!"

"Promotion, Queen!" Issei widened his eyes slightly as his opponent declared, his power skyrocketing as the promotion took effect. His aura flared around as he rushed at Issei with a battle cry, his sword drawing back to deliver a mighty swing.

[Oh? He looks pretty serious. You should do the same, partner.]

Yeah… holding back would just seem disrespectful.

Issei spoke back to his dragon partner before exhaling, holding up his daggers. A fraction of a millisecond later, he activated [Soul Link].

Instantly, the air around him exploded. A deafening boom thundered across the stadium as an eruption of dragon fire exploded outward from him. The sheer force of the ignition shattered the magical barrier around his section like glass, sending glowing shards of magical energy splintering through the air. The shockwave blasted through the arena, knocking several spectators and nearby referees off their feet.

His opponent did not even get a chance to swing. The poor devil was sent flying back across the field, crashing into the far edge of the arena with a heavy thud. When the smoke cleared, he remained on the ground, his face a mask of terror as he waved his arms around.

"I… I surrender!" He yelled, arms trembling as he held them up in surrender, his face pale as a ghost.

Issei blinked, a little stunned himself as silence fell over the stadium, watching as everyone who was on the ground picked themselves up. Deactivating [Soul Link], he scratched the back of his head, offering an awkward smile as everyone stared at him.

The only ones who were excited were his shadows, especially the elves, as they cheered for him like football hooligans on the spectator stands.

"I guess pitching fellow candidates of the Middle Class Promotion Test against you is a little unfair for them, Issei Hyoudou-kun."

A soft chuckle followed the voice, causing Issei to turn around just as a tall, striking man in his twenties approached. His green hair was slicked back neatly, and his sharp blue eyes gave an expression of a kind person… or devil. He wore a dark, high-collared robe with intricate silver trimming, the fabric flowing with every step like water. All the instructors and referees immediately bowed their heads in respect as he passed by, a clear sign of his high status.

"How do you do? My name is Ajuka Beelzebub. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Issei Hyoudou-kun." The man introduced himself as he offered a hand toward Issei, who widened his eyes in surprise in realization before taking his hand to shake it, his head slightly in respect.

"It's an honor to finally meet you, sir."

"Please, just Ajuka is fine." Ajuka said with a small smile as he took his hands back "I happened to have some business in the area, and when I heard you were taking your Promotion Test today, I thought I'd stop by and see you for myself."

Issei lowered his head apologetically. "I, uh… didn't mean to blow up the barrier. I'm so sorry."

Ajuka chuckled softly. "No need to apologize. If anything, I simply get to see the level you have reached with my own eyes." He said, casting his gaze over to Rias and Ravel, who lowered their heads to him in response. He smiled and waved a hand at them, before finally looking at the shadows standing around them, asking with curiosity "Those are you shadows, aren't they?"

"Yes, Ajuka-san." Issei nodded his head in confirmation.

"It has come to my attention that you recently turned a certain descendant of the original Maou into one of them. If it's okay… may I see her?" Ajuka requested earnestly, making Issei widen his eyes in surprise before nodding his head.

"Katerea, come on out." Issei called, and in response, the shadow beneath his feet rippled like water before the figure of Katerea emerged. As the shadow stepped forward, she placed a hand gently on her chest and lowered her head, bowing deeply toward Issei in a silent gesture of loyalty, awaiting his command while cameras flashed around them.

"Fascinating…" Ajuka murmured in bewilderment as he examined the shadow closely. "I've seen my fair share of necromancers, but none whose creations radiated death in such a manner. I wonder…"

"What is it, Ajuka-san?" Issei decided to ask, noticing the thoughtful expression that had crossed Ajuka's face as he studied Katerea. It looked like he was trying to recall something, his gaze distant for just a moment.

"No… it's nothing," The green-haired Maou replied, shaking his head lightly, though the flicker of curiosity hadn't completely left his eyes. Issei tilted his head slightly in confusion.

"Regardless," Ajuka continued, shifting the topic. "Katerea alone would be enough to defeat every other candidate here. I suppose asking you to participate in this Practical Exam is rather unnecessary, then."

Issei let out a soft chuckle, nodding as he dismissed Katerea back into his shadow. "I figured it would be a good way to see where I stand, Ajuka-san. Plus, I can't just take the promotion without proving myself either."

"I can respect that." Ajuka gave a smile before continuing "Anyway, there are other matters I must attend to. I will leave you to finish the rest of your exam then… though, judging by what you did earlier, I can't wait to see what score you'll get from the examiners."

"So do I, sir." Issei chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head and glancing over at the other candidates. He wondered if the examiners would pitch him against another contestant for a proper analysis of his combat capabilities.

As if they could read his mind, the other contestants quickly looked away, some feigning disinterest, while others visibly shifted uncomfortably, especially the ones who had badmouthed him earlier before the Writing Test.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Issei-kun."

With another handshake, Ajuka left the arena, leaving Issei to stand behind to watch him go. Once the current Beelzebub had left, he then turned to one of the instructors, and asked.

"So, um… what do I do now?"

"Ara, sorry for keeping you waiting, Issei-kun."

The next day, Issei, standing outside his home with his back leaning against a black Honda Rebel 300, turned at the sound of her voice and immediately found himself at a loss for words. Akeno, who had moved into his home after the Peace Conference just as she had promised, stood before him, dressed in a white button-up shirt with long sleeves, tucked neatly into a pair of form-fitting, dark blue jeans. Her hair, usually tied up in a ponytail, cascaded freely over her shoulder, adding a softness to her usual elegance. The way she wore her hair now not only made her look breathtakingly beautiful, as she always was, but adorable just like any normal teenage girl her age on a date.

Yes. A date. He was taking her out on the first date. It still felt surreal for Issei that one of the most beautiful girls of Kuoh Academy, and the dreams of so many young men his age, had agreed to go out with him after he asked her that afternoon in their clubroom.

"Oh wow…" Issei found himself gasping in amazement, feeling his cheeks heating up as Akeno walked over to him with a soft smile. "You look amazing, Akeno…chan." He praised, using the suffix she had suggested a couple of days ago. It still felt weird to him that he could refer to her with such casual intimacy, but Issei was getting used to it.

If anything, he liked it.

"Thank you, Issei-kun. You also look quite cool yourself."

Akeno said, making Issei look at himself. He was dressed in a black leather jacket with silver zippers over a dark red T-shirt, paired with fitted jeans that complemented his athletic build. On his feet were a pair of sneakers, simple but sharp, adding a casual edge to the overall look.

"Am I?" Issei asked, feeling a little more confident in himself as he adjusted his jacket. Akeno nodded her head before shifting her gaze over to the bike behind him.

"Is this yours, Issei-kun?"

"Nah, I reached out to a friend. Her friend let me borrow it from his showroom. I might buy it, though." Issei answered truthfully, handing Akeno a helmet before climbing on the bike. With a grin, he then turned back to Akeno and asked, "So, shall we?"

Putting the helmet on, Akeno looked at him with a beaming smile. "Yes, Issei-kun."

Grinning, he started the bike, the engine roaring to life beneath him as Akeno climbed on behind him, her arms wrapping around his waist with a light touch as she pressed her chest against his back. Issei felt a jolt of warmth from the closeness, but he forced himself to stay focused as he drove. The afternoon sun cast a golden glow over everything, and the air felt cool even though it was already in the middle of Summer, making it the perfect time for a ride through town.

After a few minutes of winding through the streets, Issei turned onto a road that led toward the outskirts of town, arriving at an amusement park just on the edge of town. It was a popular spot for local residents that he had visited a few times with his two friends and classmates, but never with a girl.

Leaving the bike in the parking lot, Issei and Akeno walked toward the entrance, with the familiar sounds of carnival games and people enjoying themselves filling the air. The place had a friendly, laid-back vibe, far different from the usual hectic atmosphere of school or all the fighting that Issei had been finding himself in lately.

"So, what's first?" he asked, eager to show Akeno a good time.

"How about that one?" Akeno asked, pointing her hand at the roller coaster in the distance, its tracks soaring high above the park, twisting and turning with an intimidating drop at the end.

"Sure. Let's go." With that, the two made their way toward the roller coaster. The line moved quickly, and soon enough, Issei and Akeno were seated in one of the cars. The safety bars clicked into place, and the ride slowly started its ascent.

The moment the coaster reached the peak, the world seemed to pause for a brief moment before the ride took a sharp drop, sending them plummeting toward the ground. Issei let out a chuckle as the wind whipped around them. The speed was far too slow for him to actually feel anything intense, but all that mattered to him was that Akeno seemed to be enjoying herself as she let out delighted screams at each and every turn and loop. Her laughter filled his ears, her excitement was so contagious that Issei found himself yelling along, laughing and cheering as the coaster zoomed through the air.

After the coaster ride had come to an end, the two found themselves walking toward the next set of attractions while enjoying some ice creams. After wandering a bit, they found their way to an arcade section of the park, the flashing lights and sounds of digital games beckoning them.

"Hey, you want a teddy bear, Akeno-chan?" Issei grinned, pointing toward a claw machine, where a large collection of plush animals was on display

"You want to try luck?" Akeno asked.

Issei smiled confidently. "Watch."

[Skill Activated] – Karma.

[Whoa! Easy there partner! I know you want to impress the lady, but using Karma? A bit much, don't you think?]

As Ddraig chuckled in his mind, Issei fed a few coins into the machine and moved the claw, positioning it above a stuffed bear that looked just large enough to make it a good prize. With a click of the big red button, Issei watched as the claw descended, and the machine clicked as it grabbed the bear. It swung back up toward the prize chute, hovering above it for a moment before dropping it successfully into the prize area.

"Whoa!?" A few couples who passed by gasped as Issei took the teddy bear out and gave it to Akeno with a smug grin plastered across his face.

She raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Not bad, Issei-kun."

"Just getting started," He replied, rolling up his sleeves. With another coin, he fed it into the machine and took aim at a plush bunny. The claw descended, grabbing hold of the bunny and returning it to the prize chute, just as easily as the bear. Issei took it out and handed it over to Akeno, who laughed as she accepted the stuffed animal.

And so, for the next half an hour, Issei cleared every arcade game that he played. A sizable crowd began to gather around him, drawn in by his streak of victories while Akeno watched from the side, her hand holding onto the large bags containing all the stuffed animals Issei had won for her – so far. With a few tries, he added a stuffed dog, a soft panda, and a capybara to her growing collection. Each time he won, the crowd cheered, and Akeno was overjoyed, evident in the sparkle of her eyes.

"This guy kinda looks like Lycaon, don't you think?" Akeno asked as she walked with Issei out of the arcade area, waving a stuffed black wolf in front of him while he carried the rest of the stuffed animals in the bags for her. He had been winning so much that the attendants had decided to send them away, likely worried the machines would run out of prizes. Not that it was a problem for Issei, since he had already won almost every type of stuffed animal available.

"He really does." Issie answered before finding a secluded spot to summon a shadow Elf, handing him the bags "Here, bring these home for us. Be careful with them, and try not to get seen."

Bowing his head, the shadow swiftly vanished, leaving Issei and Akeno to continue their date.

With the cumbersome bags taken care of, Issei and Akeno went on a stroll around the amusement park, stopping a couple of times at food stands to grab some snacks, sharing a cotton candy before enjoying a box of crispy Takoyaki. The food was delicious, though they didn't eat too much, as Issei had already planned to take her out for dinner later at the fanciest restaurant in town. Usually, people would have to book a spot weeks in advance, but a certain friend of his had pulled some strings and secured the best table for them.

The evening was still young, and the day was far from over for them.

"Issei-kun, how about watching the sunset from there?" Akeno asked, gesturing to the giant Ferris wheel before them. m. It was one of the most popular tourist attractions in the town, towering high enough that people could see it from the other side of Kuoh.

"Great idea!" Issei replied, smiling as he let Akeno take his hand and drag him over to the entrance, joining the line of people waiting for their turn. As they approached the ticket booth, the attendant sold them the tickets and waved them through without much delay.

Soon enough, they were inside a gondola, the door shutting behind them with a soft click. The wheel started to slowly move, lifting them high above the park, and the sounds of the crowds below gradually fading away as they ascended.

Akeno leaned slightly against the glass, her gaze following the path of the sun as it sank beneath the horizon, painting the sky in shades of gold, orange, and pink while Issei stood beside her, their hands intertwining as they watched the sunset together. The warm colors of the sky reflected in her eyes, and for a brief moment, it felt as though time itself had slowed, leaving only the two of them in the world.

After a moment, Akeno broke the silence, her voice was filled with warmth as she turned to him. "Thank you, Issei-kun, for the amazing date."

"I should be the one thanking you, Akeno-chan…" Issei smiled as he glanced at her. Slowly, she moved closer, and without any hesitation, Issei leaned in, their lips meeting in a tender kiss. It did not last too long, but it was enough for them to show their growing affection for each other.

When they finally pulled away, the two smiled at each other as their gondola started making its way down. Akeno, with her cheeks slightly flushed and her lips curved into a soft smile, rested her head on his shoulder, watching as the sun descended over the horizon, casting a final glow of the day over Kuoh Town.

"I enjoy our time together." Issei said, smiling as he reached out and rested a hand on the shoulder of the shadow Devil standing before him. "You've fought well—for me, beside me. That's more than I can ever ask for."

The shadow gave a slow, understanding nod, a faint smile playing on his otherwise emotionless face before moving a hand up to rest it on his chest and lowering his head to him one final time.

All around them, the other shadows followed. Devils and Angels, warriors who had perished in the bloody chaos of the Kuoh Battle, summoned back through his Shadow Monarch power to stand once more against the army of the Khaos Brigade. Now, as one, they all lowered their heads in solemn unity.

Each wore a smile on their faces, even as he was letting them all go.

"Thank you for everything. All of you."

"You all can rest now."

[!] Shadows Released.

A ripple passed through the shadows before one by one, they began to dissolve, black mist rising from their forms and returning to the void. There was no pain in their fading—only peace.

As the last of them vanished, silence settled over the training room in the basement of his home. Issei let out a heavy sigh before turning around and walking back to the platform on the side of the room, sitting down to pick up the letters that the friends and families of the shadows he had just released had sent him. Each and every one of them carried the same request – to let their loved ones go, to let them rest.

As much as Issei had wanted to keep those shadows, he had decided to honor those wishes. It was by no means a hard decision to make. Quite the opposite, actually. But that didn't make reading the letters any easier. He read every single one of them, even though he already knew what all of them would say after the second letter.

"Maybe I should just stick with Gate monsters…." Issei murmured as he put the letters away, storing them in his inventory.

The only other exception might be the Fallen Angels. Azazel had said it himself. He was actually doing Grigori a favor by letting their fallen members stay in the living world as Shadows, as they just vanished when they died, with no afterlife to go to. Until someone wanted him to do otherwise, the Fallen Angels he had brought back would stay with him.

A knock on the door broke the silence. "Issei-san, are you still in there?" Asia asked "Rias-onee sama wants to let you know that we will be leaving in thirty minutes."

"Alright, tell her I will be there in just a bit." Issei called back. Giving the space where his shadows had stood one last look, he then rose to his feet and made his way out of the training room, joining Asia in the elevator as she headed back up to the main floor of their home.

With summer vacation finally arrived, Rias had planned a trip for the whole group to spend time in the Underworld, which, apparently, was an annual tradition for them. Additionally, it seemed to be common for new devils to take their first official trip to the Underworld by train. Since they had never done so, despite having visited the Underworld a few times, Rias had decided this was the perfect opportunity to experience it properly.

"Ise, we will teleport to the train station, but once we're there could you have your shadows carry the luggage for us?"

"Sure, no problem."

Half an hour later, after bidding farewell to his parents, who were told that they would be spending their Summer Vacation oversea, Issei found himself walking with the rest of the ORC through the underground train station belonging to the Gremory Household. Following behind them were Vulcan and a small group of shadow troopers, who were carrying their luggage for them, with Gasper sitting contently on the broad shoulder of the shadow blacksmith as he carried two heavy boxes, both of which belonged to Azazel, who had joined them shortly after their arrival at the train station.

Soon enough, the platform came into view, where a crimson train waited in silence. Its polished surface reflected the ambient light, and the Gremory crest shimmered faintly along the side of each car.

"Whoa…" Issei murmured in amazement as he gazed at their fancy ride, leaving Rias to go and greet the train conductor, a gentle-looking man with dandy white beard named Reynaldo, who then guided the shadows and showed them where to put the luggage. Issei and his friends quickly boarded the train, which was even more extravagant on the inside than it was on the outside, looking more like a fancy lounge with couches centered around tables rather than chairs lining the sides like a normal train. All of them were posh and elegant, the kind one could expect to see in a ritzy 5-star hotel.

"Issei-kun, sit with me." Akeno said as she waved a hand at her boyfriend, making Issei grinned at the invitation and made his way over, dropping into the seat beside her without hesitation. Akeno laughed softly and slipped her arms around his, resting her head on his shoulder as she snuggled closer to her boyfriend. The gesture, affectionate and shameless, drew a mix of reactions, mostly from the other girls, several of whom shot her pouts or sideways glances.

Soon, the train started moving, leaving the station behind to travel through the barriers that separated the Underworld and the human world. The hours passed idly with everyone spending their time chatting before Issei decided to host a game of cards. Everyone but Azazel joined him, the former Governor-General choosing instead to nap in the seat near the window with a book covering his face.

After one and a half hours of playing, the group decided to call it, separating into little groups that dozed off or found other ways to pass the time. Koneko had curled up by the window with a blanket, while Asia sat nearby with Xenovia, the duo quietly nibbling on some cookies she had brought along. Ravel, seated across from them, had a small notebook in her lap, scribbling notes with a serious expression.

Rias and Akeno, meanwhile, were playing chess, their board balanced perfectly on the foldout table between them. Gasper sat a few seats over, eyes glued to his handheld gamepad, fingers tapping away. Kiba reclined in his seat with his eyes closed, earbuds in, lost in whatever music was listening to.

Issei, meanwhile, sat in the seat across from them, munching on some potato chips while reading a tourist guide that he found under the table. The scenery outside the window had long since shifted as they entered a tunnel of swirling colors and distorted space. Rias had explained that it was the threshold between the human world and the Underworld, a dimensional corridor that meant to keep both realms stable and hidden from one another.

"Hey, sensei. Any news on the person named Sung Jinwoo?" Issei asked, glancing over at Azazel as the Governor General returned from the café.

"Unfortunately, no," the Fallen Angel replied, shaking his head as he settled into the seat across from him. "There's this firefighter named Sung Il-Hwan who recently joined the Korean Hero Faction after he awakened his Sacred Gear. He has a daughter named Sung Jinah, but I haven't found anything linking him to a Sung Jinwoo. Don't worry. I will keep looking. I will have Shemhaza check for Korean families living overseas too."

"Thanks, sensei."

Issei could only nod his head in understanding. The topic ended after that.

After another hour of uneventful traveling, with Issei deciding that a quick teleportation was far better, the train eventually pulled into a station and slowed down to a stop. A glance out the window was enough for Issei to see that there were at least a few hundreds of devils waiting outside. All of them were staring expectantly at the train. Not only that, but there were also soldiers wearing formal crimson uniforms, maids and butlers standing in two single file lines on either side of a long red carpet, their expressions filled with joy as they waited patiently and proudly for, probably, the young lady of the Gremory Devil household to return.

"Let's go, everyone." Rias spoke as she stood up from her seat and walked ahead of the group as they made their way to the front door.

"You are not coming, Azazel-sensei?" Issei asked when he saw Azazel still sitting at his table

"Nah, you kids go on ahead." The governor answered with a simple wave of his hand "I have some business to take care of in Lilith with Sirzechs and the others."

"Very well, say hello to my brother for me, Azazel-sensei."

Azazel nodded his head at the request from Rias, allowing her to continue leading the group toward the exit. The instant that she walked out of the train, a roar went up. Applause echoed across the station like thunder striking the ground. People cheered and whistled as soldiers aimed their guns at the sky and fired simultaneously. Above them, fireworks exploded, creating vivid colors to ignite the purple sky; brilliant soaring vermilion, golden and crimson flares bursting into flowers as a soldier riding atop a mythical creature flew across the sky, and waved a flag.

[Welcome home! Rias-ojou sama!]

"Rias-sama! Rias-sama has returned!"

"There she is! Over here, Rias-sama!"

"You are so beautiful!"

"We love you!"

"Wow, talk about being popular!" Issei remarked, his eyes widening as he took in the crowd gathered in front of them. The new devils of the Gremory Peerage were stunned by the overwhelming welcome, while Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko looked like they had grown accustomed to such receptions. Gasper, on the other hand, was visibly terrified by the large number of devils and instantly shrank back.

The gunshots eventually ended, but the devils in the crowd continued to cry out and cheer in excitement as Rias walked past them with the grace and confidence of a noble young lady with her peerage following closely behind her. The smile never left her face the whole time, as she waved her hand to the overly excited crowds of young devils before greeting the maids and servants working for her family when they simultaneously bowed their heads to her.

Once the excitement died down and the train station was behind them, a pair of elegant carriages pulled up to take them back to the Gremory mansion. The group piled in, Issei finding himself seated beside Rias, Akeno, and Asia as the carriages started to move, cutting through the picturesque Underworld streets and arriving before Gremory Residence only half an hour later.

"Wah! Rias-onee sama is really a princess! She is really a princess!" Asia gawked, while Xenovia shared with her a look of utter shock and amazement as they stepped out of the carriage and stood staring with wide eyes at the castle-like mansion before them. Issei, meanwhile, was a little less enthusiastic—though not because the place didn't impress him. He had been here once before, delivering a report from Beowulf to Zeoticus back when he was still working as a member of the Crimson Emporium Supporting Team. So naturally, the grandeur of the estate wasn't a surprise to him.

Everything was so simple back then.

"Welcome home, Ojou-sama!" Another quire of maids and butlers, led by none other than Grayfia, greeted with deep bows of their heads when the group entered the mansion, making Rias smile and nod her head to them.

"Welcome home, Rias-sama. How do you do, everyone?" Grayfia greeted Rias and her peerage herself, before turning her attention over to the rest. "Welcome to the Gremory Residence, Ravel-sama, everyone."

"Hello, Grayfia-san/Grayfia." They all greeted her, allowing Grayfia to lower her head to him before leading the whole group into the living room of the mansion. Like every other room in the mansion, it held an appearance that was beyond exorbitant with soft crimson carpet on the floor. The walls were decorated with a quite range of expensive looking artworks, while a glistening crystal chandelier hung from the exquisite ceiling.

"Rias. Welcome home." Zeoticus and Venelana, who appeared to have been waiting for them, beamed as they rose from their seats and approached them. Next to them was Anna Gremory and her son with Sirzechs, Millicas Gremory, both of whom Issei had had the chance to meet during his first visit to the Residence.

"Otou-sama, Okaa-sama, Anna-onee chan. I've returned." Rias smiled at her parents, allowing her mother to pull her into a warm hug. Zeoticus, meanwhile, turned his attention to Issei and walked over to him with a beaming smile.

"There you are, Issei-kun."

"How do you do, sir." Issei grinned as he shook hands with the crimson haired man, who then turned his gaze over to the rest of the Peerage and gave them a nod of acknowledgement.

"Wanna come with me to the Emporium after lunch?" Zeoticus asked, turning back to Issei with a sparkle of excitement in his eye. "I've got a few new things I think you'd be interested in—"

"Ahem, dear." Venelana interjected with a polite yet pointed tone, cutting him off before he could get carried away.

Zeoticus blinked, then chuckled sheepishly. "Right, right. Family time first." He then reached into his robe and took out a small envelope, handing it over to Issei "Here, Sirzechs dropped by earlier and asked me to give you this. He had a meeting to attend so he couldn't stay, but he also said he'd come to see you later."

Curious, Issei took the envelope and opened it carefully, unfolding the crisp parchment inside. His eyes widened as he read the content inside, his name was printed clearly at the top, followed by a line in elegant script that made his heart skip a beat.

Hyoudou Issei — Officially Recognized as a Middle-Class Devil

There was a gold-pressed seal of the Devil Ranking Committee at the bottom, along with Sirzechs' signature and an official stamp.

"Congratulations, Issei-kun." Zeoticus said as he gave Issei a pat on the shoulder. Around them, his friends, and girlfriend, whistled in amazement as they read the content inside the certificate before breaking into cheers, congratulating him with wide smiles and excited voices. Issei found himself smiling too as he reviewed the certificate numerous times over, feeling a sense of accomplishment swelling in his chest as he finally realized just how far he had come.

It seemed like this Summer Vacation was shaping up to be one to remember.

Name: Issei Hyoudou

Race: Reincarnated Devil

Class: Level 50 Dragonsworn / Level 28 Shadow Monarch

HP: 20,015/20,015

MP [Current Attribute: Draconic/Demonic] : 5430/5430

Link Gauge: 120/120

Title: Champion of the Dragons

Strength: 242

Vitality: 201

Intelligence: 215

Dexterity: 206

Perception: 186

Charisma: 176

Unique Class Skills: Fire Imbue (LV3), Shadow Extraction (LV1), Shadow Storage (LV1), Karma (LV1).

Active skills: Doubling (LV4), Transfer (LV4), Penetrate (LV4), Sprint (Max Level), Vital Slash (LV1), Jump (Max Level – Equipment Ability), Observe (LV2), Ruler's Hands (LV1), Phoenix Shift (LV1).

Active spells: Fire balls (LV4 - Fire Dragon Pact Affected), Firewall (LV4 - Fire Dragon Pact Affected), Lightning Strike (LV2 – Lightning Dragon Pact Affected), Water Blast (LV1), Earth Shield (LV1), ...

Current Pacts: Y Ddraig Goch (Fire) – Pact LV3, Chaos Karma Dragon Tiamat (Fire) – Pact LV1, Rassei (Lightning) – Pact LV1.

Current Active Pact [3/5] : Y Ddraig Goch (Fire) – Pact LV3

Current Shadows: 281 / 340 (Wolves 29. Panthers 18. Shadow Troop 118. Shadow Elementals 27. Magicians 34. Shadow Elves 42. Fallen Angels 13.)

Elite Rank Shadows: Lycaon (Knight), Tora (Knight), Blade (Knight), Vulcan (Knight), Tempest (Knight), Gladio (Elite Knight), Glacia (Elite Knight), Katerea (Elite Knight).

Items: Boosted Gear (LV5), Razan's Blade (LVMAX), Magitek General's Helmet (LVMAX), Dragon Knight Boots (LVMAX), Dragon Knight Gauntlets (LVMAX – Only one currently in use -Stats Reduced), Kamish's Awaken (LV?), Key to the Demon Tower, Ascalon R1 (LV40), Orb of Avarice.

Potions: Healing Potions x15, Mana Potions x15, Greater Healing Potions x10, Greater Mana Potions x10, Miracle Potions x3...

Gold: 5.550.120 (G)

Ultimate: Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker – Boosted Gear Crimson Scale Mail (LV.2 – Pact Affected), Soul Link (LV1).

Finisher: Rage of the Fire Dragon, Twinflare.

Sigils: Sigil of the Shadow Commander - Igirs, Sigil of the Shadow Ice Bear - Tank.

End of chapter 26