"Ugh… too much to morize…" I groaned, sprawled on a courtyard bench during lunch break, days after the promotion talk. In my hand was a study guide Ravel helped make, packed with high-class devil exam essentials. I used a red sheet to hide key terms, morizing the old-school way.
Promotion exam and midterms clashing? Brutal. I juggle devil duties, then study with everyone for both tests. Can't slack on either—it's overwhelming!
"Your brain's not bad, Issei. You'll manage. Tactics? You've got experience," Ignis encouraged.
True, my Asta battles give a tactical edge. But Underworld politics? My knowledge is thin—policies, governance, so much to cram. A year as a devil isn't enough prep. A month would've been better.
"Whining won't help. Study to pass," Ddraig said.
Right. Report's done, so morization and current events are next.
"Hey, Hyoudou!" Saji's voice snapped out of it.
"Congrats on the promotion recomndation!" Saji said in the student council room.
"Thanks. It's so sudden, my head's exploding," I replied.
"Skipping to high-class? No wonder," he said.
"You knew?"
"Prez told . Makes sense—you've survived insane battles. Old Maou faction, evil gods, heroes," he said.
My Asta exploits, though secret, factored into the recomndation, per Azazel.
"You ca out alive with results. It's deserved," Saji added.
"But Kiba and Akeno fought just as hard. Why only skipping ranks?" I asked.
"Calling Hijima-senpai by her first na? Oh, right, you're older," Saji said.
Yeah, Sona's team knows my real age—classified, though. "Keep it quiet, okay?"
"Got it. Prez said so too. Anyway, Kiba and Hijima-senpai are high-class level, but the higher-ups are sticklers for order. You're the exception," he said.
"Even so, mid-class seems off for my power," I said.
"You're Maou-level, man. Mid-class would be a joke," Saji echoed Azazel.
"I wanna rank up too, but I gotta get stronger," Saji said, wryly.
"You're plenty strong. You've got Vritra," I said.
"Not just —Sona's whole team wants to level up. Prez consulted Grigori about artificial Sacred Gears," he said.
"Artificial ones?" Like Azazel's.
"They mimic God's system but are unstable with usage limits. Still, they boost power. Types vary—power, support, elental, counter, barrier. So seal creatures, like Fafnir in Azazel's," Saji explained.
Sounds cool. I should check Azazel's lab soti.
Kusaka, Sona's Bishop, burst in. "Hyoudou! Congrats!" Other mbers echoed her.
"Thanks! I'll ace it," I said.
Nimura, a Pawn, told Saji, "Prez says grab those docunts."
"Got it," Saji said.
Hanakai, another Bishop, added, "Genshirou, I've got a task from Prez too."
"Ugh, piling up? I'll handle the closest first. Later, Hyoudou," Saji said, leaving with Hanakai and Nimura.
Student council work looks rough. Rumor is, Hanakai and Nimura are secretly vying for Saji. Tough spot, man.
"Speaking of others…" Ignis teased.
Yeah, I'm no better.
Yura pulled out a signboard. "Hyoudou, sign this?"
"My autograph?" I asked.
"Your Bael fight was epic. Best brawl ever," she said.
"Thanks." Muddy fighter, huh? I guess I am. Flattering, especially from a beauty like Yura.
"Hyoudou's here?" Sona's cool voice cut in.
"Hey, Prez. Just visiting," I said.
She nodded, all business. Gorgeous and cool.
"I've got tasks for everyone. Tsubaki's struggling at the club building," Sona said.
"Yes, ma'am!" the team replied, leaving us alone.
First ti alone with Sona. Awkward silence as she worked on papers. Am I in the way?
"Hyoudou, got a minute?" she asked.
"Huh?"
"Check," Sona said.
"You're good," I replied, moving my piece.
We were playing chess to prep for my tactical exam. Rias trains , but sa opponents get predictable, so Sona offered to help.
"You went on a date with Rias," she said.
"She told you?"
"We're childhood friends. She gushes over you—first-na basis, your kisses," Sona said.
She shared that?!
"Since you and Miu beca lovers, Rias has been fired up. I've never seen her like that," Sona added.
"Haha… really?" I laughed nervously.
Sona's gaze pierced . "You've done what I couldn't."
"What do you an?"
"Riser, Kiba, Gasper, Koneko, Akeno—Rias's burdens. You lifted them all. I, her friend, couldn't, bound by 'high-class devil' rules and status. I failed her," Sona said.
She cared deeply for Rias, as a friend would.
"You ignored those barriers and solved everything. I'm grateful, yet jealous. You did what I couldn't. So, thank you for saving Rias," she said.
Saving Rias? I just protected and helped soone precious.
Sona softened. "In private, can I call you Issei?"
"Sure," I said.
"Then I'm Sona privately. No honorifics," she continued.
Makes sense—Rias and Akeno are first-na basis, so why not Sona, sa age?
"Got it, Sona," I said.
"Quick switch. No wonder they like you," she teased, smiling. "It's attractive to separate public and private with won."
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes." She sighed. "Maybe I should get a boyfriend."
"How about Saji?" I suggested.
She tilted her head. "Like a brother. Plus, my family mbers like him. I can't interfere."
No luck for Saji yet. Keep at it, man!
After chess, Sona checkmated . "Got !" I laughed, missing her trap entirely.
"Stay sharp. You'll pass," she smiled, her rare warmth boosting .
"Sona in private, got it," I said.
Her smile grew. I'll pass this exam for sure!
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