High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

The Rating Game was over.

I was at a medical facility, where my peerage was recovering. Gasper, who'd unleashed his power with my blood, and Buchou, who'd fought a brutal duel with Sona, were hit hardest, lying in bed exhausted.

I came to check on them and provide some light healing. Oh, and one other thing.

Walking the corridor, I stopped at a room, checked the nameplate, and knocked.

"Come in," came a weary voice.

The room's walls and ceiling were white, with a purple sky visible through the window. Reminded me of the hospital I'd been in.

A small shelf by the bed held a banana. A get-well gift?

"Yo, Saji. How you holding up?" I asked.

"Awful. Everything hurts…" Saji groaned.

He was wrapped in bandages, hooked to an IV. The white bandages looked painful.

"You took a beating from holy-infused attacks," I said. "No wonder. But man, turning your life into power? That's nuts."

I was shocked. Using his Sacred Gear to convert life into strength? Terrifying.

Saji gave a wry smile. "Yeah. Only way I could face Kiba. Still couldn't touch him…"

He looked down, sighing.

"What are you saying?" I said. "You and Kiba have a gap in combat power and experience. Holding your own like that? Damn impressive. Your last hit forced Kiba to use Phoenix Tears."

Saji shook his head. "That's not enough. I promised Kaichou I'd win, lead us to victory. But I did nothing…"

He clenched his fist, blood seeping through.

"Frustrated?" I asked.

"Hell yeah!" he shouted. "Of course I am!"

"Good," I said, exhaling, meeting his eyes. "Don't forget that feeling. As long as you hold onto it, you'll keep getting stronger. You're still weak. You'll lose again—that's normal. The world's full of monsters. But use each loss as fuel. That's how you'll win."

"You sure we're the same age?" Saji said. "Saying stuff like that…"

"Just been through a lot," I said.

We shared a light laugh. Saji's eyes burned brighter than before the game. He was fired up again.

Smack! I slapped my knees, stood, and placed a hand on his head, adjusting his ki flow and boosting his healing. "There. Good to go."

"Hyodo, you can do this too?" Saji said. "I feel lighter."

"Yup. Gotta go check on Buchou and Gasper. Catch ya later."

"Thanks… for everything," Saji said.

"No big deal," I said. "Friends help each other, right?"

"True," he nodded.

I headed for the door but stopped, turning back. "Saji, when we're back in the human world, meet me at my place every morning at 5 a.m."

"Huh?" Saji blinked, confused.

I grinned. "I'm gonna train you. You'll taste some of my training menu."

"Wait, what!?" he yelped. "That sounds insane!"

"Maybe you'll die a hundred times or so," I teased. "Haha, you'll manage. Get well, Saji!"

I waved and left.

"Hey, wait!" Saji shouted. Thud! Crash!

From the sound, he fell off the bed. With that energy, he'll be fine.

I headed to Buchou's room, leaving him to recover.

In Buchou's room, she and Gasper were fast asleep on their beds. Gasper was even drooling.

They both fought hard.

Buchou was incredible in that final one-on-one with Kaichou. As best friends, they went all out. Both ended up bloodied, their uniforms barely covering the essentials. Buchou's raw power outlasted Kaichou's skill, but it was so close either could've fallen. Kaichou's trap, forcing the duel, was a game-changer.

Gasper? He tapped his potential with my blood but collapsed from exhaustion afterward. Stamina's his weak spot. Still, a former shut-in fighting like that? Huge growth. His effort was the key to victory. No exaggeration.

"Rest up, Gasper," I said, patting his head, adjusting his ki. He looked content.

Next, Buchou. Her wounds were gone—Asia's healing, no doubt. Nice work, Asia.

As I touched Buchou's forehead to tweak her ki, her eyes opened.

"…Issei?" she said.

"Whoops, woke you up?" I said. "Sorry, Buchou."

"It's fine," she said. "You watched our game, right?"

"Start to finish," I said.

"How was it?" she asked.

"Everyone showed their training's results," I said. "Winning from that disadvantage? Amazing."

"True," she said, wincing as she touched her arm. "But it was close. Sona's gotten so strong."

"No kidding," I said. "She was desperate. Next time, she'll be even tougher."

"Exactly," Buchou said, staring at her raised palm. "I need to get stronger too."

Lowering her hand, she smiled softly, warmly. "Winning was great, but Akeno and Koneko breaking through their walls? That's what I'm happiest about."

"Same," I said. "I'm thrilled they moved forward."

"Thanks to you, Issei," she said. "You've helped my peerage overcome their burdens, even mine. I'm so grateful."

I shook my head. "It's not that big a deal. I just want us to have fun together."

She chuckled. "I'm glad you're my peerage member. Keep it up, okay?"

"Of course, Buchou," I said.

We smiled at each other.

Knock knock.

The door. "Come in," Buchou said.

An old man entered, wearing a hat, an eyepatch, and a long white beard.

"Uh… who's this?" I asked, wary.

He laughed. "I'm just a country geezer from the North. Hmm, you're the Red Dragon Emperor Sirzechs mentioned? Impressive for your age."

What's with this guy, staring at me? Sirzechs's name means he's someone important, right?

"Odin-sama, I presume?" Buchou said. "I'm Rias Gremory. Sorry for greeting you like this."

She knew him. Odin… sounds familiar. Wait—

"No worries," he said. "That duel with Serafall's sister was intense. But, my, those are huge. Watched 'em the whole time."

He leered at Buchou's chest! This perv old man! Nobody but me gets to look like that!

Before I could protest, a beautiful armored woman—his Valkyrie?—smacked his head with a paper fan.

Nice one! I threw a quick fist pump.

"Enough!" she snapped. "I told you, no leering! We have an important meeting. Act like the Norse chief god!"

"Such a strict Valkyrie," Odin muttered, rubbing his head. "Fine. We're discussing terrorism with the Three Factions, Zeus, and Indra."

He turned to us. "Sirzechs's sister and Red Dragon Emperor, I'll take my leave. We'll meet again."

With that, he and the Valkyrie left.

What was that? A Norse god? Looked like a dirty old man!

First Demon Kings, now gods? My image of them's taking a hit…

Late August.

Our Gremory peerage, plus Miu, stood at the station before the Gremory estate, ready to leave the Underworld.

"Issei-kun, come back anytime," Zeoticus said, attendants behind him. "Say hi to your parents for me."

"Will do," I said.

Veneelana spoke next. "Issei-san, take care of Rias in the human world. She can be willful, so I worry."

"M-Mother!?" Rias blushed. "What are you saying!?"

So cute, Buchou!

"Of course," I said, nodding. She's family—I'll protect her.

"Miu-san, our time together was lovely," Veneelana said. "Come back soon."

"Yes, Veneelana-san!" Miu said, clasping her hands. They'd bonded, probably while we were busy. But, Miu, what's with all those paper bags?

"Rias, send a letter during the rest of summer," Sirzechs said, holding Millicas, with Grayfia nearby.

"Yes, Onii-sama," Rias said. "Stay well, Millicas."

"Okay, Rias-neesama!" Millicas chirped.

Sirzechs leaned in, whispering to me. (Issei-kun, we couldn't talk much this time, but let's meet again.)

(Definitely!) I replied.

(Mind if Serafall joins? She wants in.)

(Serafall? Sona's sister?)

(Exactly. She's got Sona's albums to show off.)

(No way! Count her in!)

(Done!)

We shook hands firmly.

On the train back, Miu and I were battling. Against what? Summer homework, untouched from our hectic Underworld trip.

Thinking back, I spent most of my crucial second-year summer with dragons and mountains, nearly dying daily! The highlight? Sleeping next to Tia. Her chest was divine—thank you!

Now, I was crying over Japanese literature homework. Miu, next to me, breezed through problems. Her brain's on another level!

Someone, help! Help me!

"Haha, even Issei-kun can't beat homework?" Kiba teased, sipping tea elegantly.

"Help if you're gonna laugh!" I snapped.

"Finished mine the day I got it," he said.

Damn his smug face!

Ugh, whatever. I'll tackle it tomorrow… Wait, that's a loser's mindset…

I sighed.

Then Koneko appeared and—sat on my lap!? Her cat ears twitched adorably.

"K-Koneko-chan…?" I stammered, peeking at her.

"Nya♪" she beamed, full smile.

Whoa! I hugged her tight.

"Nya… Senpai…" Her face turned red.

Too cute! Her charm's lethal!

Then I felt glares. Asia's teary eyes, Rias's half-glare, Akeno's silent smiling pressure, and Miu growling, pinching my cheek.

"Ow, Miu!" I whined.

I couldn't resist Koneko's cuteness—forgive me!

The train carried us back to the human world.

At the human world's underground platform, I stretched. "We're here. Time to head home."

We grabbed our bags and disembarked. Then I spotted a familiar face—a refined guy from the young devils' gathering, the one eyeing Asia oddly. Diodora Astaroth, from Beelzebub's house, right?

He zeroed in on Asia. "Asia Argento… finally."

"Um…" Asia faltered.

"Hey, you're freaking her out," I said, stepping between them. "What's your deal?"

Ignoring me, Diodora looked at Asia earnestly. "Have you forgotten me? We met before."

He opened his shirt, revealing a deep scar.

Asia's eyes widened. "That scar… could it be…?"

A connection between an upper-class devil and a former nun?

"You couldn't see my face then," he said, "but I'm the devil you saved."

Asia froze, speechless.

"Let me introduce myself," Diodora said, kneeling, kissing her hand. "I'm Diodora Astaroth. I came for one reason."

"What the—!?" I shouted. "Hands off Asia!"

Ignoring me again, he said, "Asia, I came for you. I couldn't greet you at the gathering, but meeting again feels like fate. I love you. Be my wife."

Diodora proposed to Asia in front of us all.

Summer break ended, and the new term loomed.