High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 59: Chapter 57: Second Semester Begins!

Two weeks after returning from the underworld, summer break ended, and Kuoh Academy kicked off the second semester.

Fresh from morning training, I stood sweating at the entrance, staring at a pile of lavish gift boxes. All addressed to Asia.

The sender? Diodora Astaroth, heir to the Astaroth clan, which produced the current Demon King Beelzebub. At a young demon gathering in the underworld, he’d eyed Asia strangely, then ambushed us post-summer camp to propose to her on the spot.

When he kissed her hand, I nearly punched him. But causing a scene would’ve sparked trouble, so I held back. Gotta pat myself on the back for that restraint.

Thanks to Buchou stepping in, we sent Diodora packing without incident. But I can’t stand the guy. It’s not like he did anything to me directly—we barely met. Yet, something about his gaze, especially toward Asia, feels slimy, far from love.

Maybe I’m overreacting. For now, I’ll just keep an eye out.

But these gifts? Asia wants nothing to do with them—she’s troubled, and they keep coming daily. Total stalker behavior.

Mom and Dad were livid when they found out. They treat everyone in the house like family, doting on Asia like a daughter. Dad nearly stormed Diodora’s place. Try being the one to stop him.

”Hey, Issei. Done with morning training?” Buchou appeared in her tracksuit, sweat on her brow, a towel around her neck.

”Yeah, just showered. You done too?”

”We just finished. Training with everyone really boosts progress,” she smiled.

The Occult Research Club members join me for morning runs, then return home for individual training. With so many, we’ve been sparring, tackling intense regimens.

But right now, I need to deal with this gift mountain. Buchou, sensing my frustration, gave a wry smile.

”Beyond these, there’s love letters, movie tickets, dinner invites, even gift cards,” she said. ”Asia’s overwhelmed, so I’ve been disposing of them, but Diodora keeps sending more.”

Even Buchou looked exasperated. It’s daily, after all.

”Should we toss these too?” I asked.

”Yes. I’ll handle them after school.”

We sighed heavily in unison.

The second semester brought September’s sports festival preparations at Kuoh Academy. But something else got under my skin.

Classmates ”upgrading” over summer—guys dyeing their hair, girls turning into trendy gals. Summer glow-ups. Fine by me.

What pissed me off was different.

”Got a girlfriend over summer and ditched my virginity... Didn’t quite work out,” Motohama muttered.

”Did you get the info?” I asked.

”Yeah. Matsuda’s confirming now—”

”Hey, Issei! Motohama! Got the scoop!” Matsuda burst into the classroom.

”Yoshida sealed the deal over summer! With a third-year girl, no less!”

”Damn it!” Motohama and I cursed in unison.

That jerk! No wonder he’s been acting cocky since the semester started.

”And Oba hooked up with a first-year!” Matsuda added.

”What!?” I spun around to see Oba waving with a smug grin.

Damn non-virgins! Treating manhood so lightly! I wanted to lose mine too!

I didn’t. Between gatherings and training, no chance. Damn it all!

As I raged internally, a presence approached.

”Reeks of virginity,” Kiryuu smirked, pinching her nose.

”You here to mock us?” Motohama snapped.

”Bet you wasted your summer,” she teased.

”Shut up!”

”By the way, Issei, Asia’s been spacing out lately. Know why?”

Probably Diodora. Asia’s been distracted, even holding her textbook upside-down in class once—a rare fluster.

She was chatting with classmates now, but I wanted to help.

”I’ll support Asia however I can. You do the same,” Kiryuu said.

”Thanks, Kiryuu.” She’s a good person, deep down.

”Hey! Big news!” a male classmate rushed in, catching his breath. ”We’re getting a transfer student! A girl!”

A beat of silence, then—

”WHAAAAT!?” the class roared.

The classroom buzzed with excitement over the transfer student news.

The door slid open, revealing our homeroom teacher, Sakata-sensei.

”Quiet down, you high school punks!”

”That’s literally us!” Shimura shot back, our usual routine.

”Seats, now! Motohama, hide that dirty mag!”

”Yes, sir!”

Sakata took attendance, and when he finished, Kiryuu raised her hand.

”Sensei, is it true we’re getting a transfer student?”

”News travels fast. Rare for this time, but yeah, we’re getting a new girl.”

The guys erupted in cheers. A girl! Of course we’re hyped!

The girls, though exasperated, seemed curious too.

”Come in,” Sakata called.

I sensed a familiar presence.

The door opened, and the guys lost it.

A stunning girl with chestnut twin-tails walked in.

But my shock outweighed my excitement. Miu, Asia, and Xenovia were stunned too—Xenovia’s jaw dropped. Reyna just looked confused, not knowing her.

”Irina Shidou. Nice to meet you all!”

Yes, Irina Shidou—the girl who came to Japan with Xenovia during the Excalibur theft incident.

”Welcome to Kuoh Academy, Irina Shidou,” Buchou said in the clubroom after school.

The Occult Research Club, Azazel-sensei, and Sona gathered to greet Irina. Koneko sat on my lap—her new favorite spot. That sensation? Divine.

”Irina Shidou here! Some of you I’m meeting for the first time, others I’m seeing again. I’m an envoy of the angels, not the church, at Kuoh Academy!”

Applause followed. Irina was sent as Heaven’s support.

She launched into praising Michael and gratitude to the Lord. Same devout Irina.

Azazel spoke up. ”You know about the death of the ’God of the Bible,’ right?”

Given her dispatch here, she must. Kuoh Town is a key cooperation zone for the three factions. Anyone sent here knows major secrets, including God’s death.

”Of course, Governor of the Fallen Angels. I’m aware of the Lord’s passing,” Irina replied.

Xenovia looked surprised. ”Tougher than I thought. For someone so devout to come here unshaken...”

A beat later, Irina’s eyes welled up. ”Unshaken!? My heart’s anchor, the world’s center, the father of all, gone! I believed in Him my whole life! When Michael-sama told me, I was bedridden for seven days and nights from the shock! Oh, Lord!”

She sobbed, collapsing onto the table. Losing her lifelong pillar was rough. Asia and Xenovia took it hard too, so I get it, even if my family’s non-religious.

”I understand,” Asia said.

”Me too,” Xenovia added.

They hugged Irina tightly.

”Sorry for calling you a witch, Asia! And Xenovia, sorry for what I said when we parted!” Irina cried.

”No worries. Let’s be comrades in faith,” Asia smiled.

”I was reckless back then. I’m glad we’ve reunited,” Xenovia said.

”Thank you, Asia, Xenovia! Let’s get along!”

”Lord!” they prayed together.

Guess they’ve made up. That’s great—smiles suit them best.

”Michael’s envoy, right?” Azazel confirmed.

”Yes. Michael-sama was concerned no angels were here. Lack of staff is an issue,” Irina said.

”Michael mentioned that,” Azazel sighed. ”This place runs on demon and fallen angel power—Rias, Sona’s kin, me, and Raynare. It works fine, but Michael insisted on Heaven’s presence. Overkill support, if you ask me, but he sent her anyway.”

So that’s why Irina’s here. Buchou’s small demon base has grown into quite a crew, thanks to the peace treaty.

I had a burning question since reuniting with Irina. ”Are you... not human anymore?”

”You noticed, Issei-kun?”

”Your aura’s slightly different.”

”Impressive! Let me show you!” Irina stood, striking a prayer pose. Her body glowed, and white wings sprouted from her back.

An angel!?

Everyone, except Azazel, who stroked his chin, was stunned.

”You became an angel?” Kiba asked.

”It’s new,” Azazel shrugged. ”Theoretically discussed by Heaven and underworld scientists, but...”

Irina nodded. ”With Michael-sama’s blessing, I became a reincarnated angel. The Seraphim adapted demon and fallen angel tech to make it possible.”

So Kuoh Academy now hosts demons, fallen angels, and angels.

Irina continued. ”The four Great Seraphim and six others, ten in total, created twelve subordinates each, called ’Brave Saints,’ modeled after trump cards. The lead angel is the King.”

Azazel perked up, loving tech talk. ”They adapted the ’Demon Pieces’ and fallen angel artifact tech. Clever, Heaven. Demons use chess; angels use cards. ’Trump’ means ’ace,’ fitting since pure angels can’t multiply post-God. Reincarnated angels bolster their ranks.”

Like demon pieces, but for angels.

”There’s probably a ’Joker’ out there, like the apostles,” Azazel chuckled.

”What card are you, Irina?” I asked.

She puffed her chest. ”I’m an Ace! Michael-sama’s Ace angel—an honor worth dying for! Even without the Lord, serving Michael-sama is enough!” Her eyes gleamed, an ’A’ glowing on her hand.

”Michael’s your new purpose, huh?” I sighed.

”Better than losing herself,” Xenovia said.

True. Better to serve a new cause than wallow in God’s absence.

Irina beamed. ”Michael-sama envisions cross-faction games, like demon Rating Games, with ’Demon Pieces’ versus ’Brave Saints.’ For now, only Seraphim have this system, but he plans to extend it to other high angels for competitive growth.”

”Some demons and angels resist cooperation after centuries of conflict,” Azazel said. ”Michael’s smart—channeling grudges into games, like human World Cups or Olympics.”

A way to vent? Sounds fun.

”Can I join when it’s ready?” I asked.

”It’ll take a decade to establish,” Azazel said. ”By then, you’ll be pro demons, eligible to compete, unlike now.”

Hell yeah! If I shine, I could rise to high-class demon and build my harem!

”Calm down,” Azazel warned. ”You’d scrap most opponents. Restrain yourself.”

”Don’t make me sound like a monster!”

”You wrecked Kokabiel,” my partner, Ddraig, chimed in.

Et tu, Ddraig!?

Everyone laughed bitterly.

”Let’s wrap this up and welcome Irina,” Sona smiled.

Irina addressed us. ”Demons, I opposed and fought you before. But Michael-sama says, ’Get along now!’ So, I want to be friends—always did, honestly. I’ll represent the church here. Please, let’s work together!”

Despite our history, Irina’s now part of Kuoh Academy.

The Sitri kin joined post-student council duties, and Irina’s welcome party began.

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