[Kiba's POV]
"Raiser Phoenix, retired. Rias Gremory's team wins!" Grayfia's voice rings out.
Everyone on the field Gremory and Phoenix servants alike witnesses the mont. Issei-kun defeats Raiser.
It's overwhelming.
Raiser's no weakling. His official Rating Ga record: ten matches, two losses, both out of courtesy to allied houses. Virtually undefeated. A top candidate for a title among young high-class devils.
Yet Issei-kun shrugs off his attacks, dominating the fight. His final technique, a torrent of light, engulfs Raiser, piercing the sky and tearing a hole in the ga field. A hole in the field? Unheard of.
That attack was Demon King-level, unleashed without a sacred gear. He toppled an immortal Phoenix.
Ten days of training made us stronger. This ga proved it. But watching Issei-kun, I can't settle for this. I want to grow stronger, to protect the captain who saved .
That resolve sparks within .
[Kiba's POV Ends]
"Hah… hah…" My body's drained, hit by crushing fatigue. My right arm's numb.
Agni, my ultimate blast of stored energy, rivals Balance Breaker's power in raw form. But it takes ti to charge and leaves reeling.
"Recoil's worse than last ti…" I mutter.
A gem glows on my left hand. Ddraig.
"No surprise. Agni's ant for the gauntlet's power. Using it raw amps the backlash," he says.
He's right. The gauntlet's doubling effect reduces strain. I skipped it for a reason.
"Even for Rias Gremory, you pushed too hard," Ddraig scolds.
"It's fine. The numbness'll fade soon. Just… don't tell the captain or the others. No need to worry them."
"Got it. I won't be that tactless," Ddraig assures.
Ti to head back to the captain.
"Captain, you okay?" I rush to her on the old schoolhouse roof.
Her uniform's in tatters, but Asia's healing has erased her wounds. No burn marks. Good.
"I'm still numb, but I'll be fine. You okay, Issei?" she asks.
"I'm good. Just tired. No injuries… though my uniform's shot," I say, glancing at my shredded clothes, barely covering my upper body.
"Unlike your body, your clothes aren't tough," Ddraig quips.
Gotta buy a new one. Mom's gonna kill …
Let's not dwell on that.
"Should we join Kiba and the others?" I ask.
"I'd like to, but I can't move yet. Sorry," she says.
"No problem." I scoop her up. "Excuse ."
"W-Wait, Issei!?" she squeaks, flustered.
"Sorry, Captain. I know it's awkward, but bear with ."
"It's… not that. Just… being carried like a princess, I…" she mumbles, blushing.
I catch only half her words, but she seems okay with it.
"Asia, can you fly?" I ask.
"Y-Yes! I'm fine," she says, cheeks puffed slightly. What's up with her?
Whatever. "Let's go!"
We et Kiba and the others on the field. No major injuries. All safe.
The Gremory team returns to the club room, whole and victorious.
[Third-Person POV]
In the observation room, Gremory and Phoenix family mbers watch, stunned. Most expected Raiser's victory. Rias and her young, unseasoned team beating a Phoenix? Unthinkable, except to a few.
Sirzechs smiles alone. He never doubted Issei's win, though even he didn't expect this level of power.
"Remarkable," Lord Gremory says.
"Indeed. I'd heard of him, but this…" Lord Phoenix adds.
They're Rias and Raiser's fathers.
"Sirzechs, his na?" Lord Gremory asks.
"Issei Hyoudou, Father. Sothing wrong?"
"I don't think he used the Red Dragon Emperor's sacred gear…"
Sirzechs nods, understanding. "He didn't use it at all."
Lord Phoenix frowns. "Why not? It would've made beating Raiser easier."
Lord Gremory agrees. With the gear, Issei wouldn't be so exhausted.
So why avoid it?
"If he'd used the Red Dragon Emperor's power, what would nobles say?" Sirzechs asks.
They pause. "Likely, 'Rias Gremory forced her engagent's end with a legendary dragon,'" Lord Phoenix ventures.
"Exactly. I suspect Issei fought this way for Rias's future, to shield her from noble gossip," Sirzechs explains.
Both lords are floored. Issei battled not just for the engagent but for Rias's reputation.
After a mont, Lord Gremory turns to Lord Phoenix. "My apologies for how this marriage turned out. If I may be so bold…"
"No need, Lord Gremory. It's a sha, but this was a lesson for my son. Phoenixes aren't invincible. That alone made this worthwhile," Lord Phoenix replies.
"Your daughter has a fine servant," he adds.
"I never imagined she'd recruit the Red Dragon Emperor," Lord Gremory muses. "Next, perhaps…"
"The White Dragon, Vanishing Dragon. Red and white eting isn't far off," Lord Phoenix finishes.
[Third-Person POV Ends]
Back at the club room, I shower and relax. First ti using the club's shower. Akeno-san magically fixes my shredded uniform. No scolding from Mom. Phew.
Kiba, Akeno-san, Koneko-chan, and Asia head ho. Koneko-chan's escorting Asia, so she's safe.
It's just and the captain now. I'm sprawled on the sofa, exhausted from Agni. She's showering, now able to move.
Normally, I'd be hyped about her nearby, but I'm too drained for that. I'll enjoy her in my head instead.
Ti to head ho. Miu's probably worried, despite my text.
The captain erges, wrapped in a towel. Wow, her figure's unreal!
"Issei, you sure you're okay?" she asks, concerned. "You look wiped out."
"Just a bit heavy. I'll recover soon," I assure her.
"Good," she says, smiling, sitting beside . She seems… nervous?
"Captain, sothing up?"
"I was so glad… when you saved from Raiser."
"It's my job. I promised to protect you."
"I know. Can you close your eyes? I have sothing for you."
"Huh? Sure." What's this about?
I close my eyes. Sothing soft touches my lips.
Opening them, I see the captain, arms around my neck, kissing .
A kiss. Her kiss.
After a minute, she pulls back.
I'm frozen. I kissed the captain!?
"My first kiss," she says. "A thank-you for today."
"W-What!? You're okay giving it to !?" I stamr.
"Of course. You earned it," she says, blushing, then hugs . "Thank you, Issei."
Her usual voice, tension gone. She's smiling again. Good.
"I'm moving into your house," the captain says after changing.
"Huh?"
"Say that again, please," I ask, stunned.
"I'm moving into your house."
"Why!?"
"To bond with my servant and train with you. Two birds, one stone."
"You don't need to live with to train!"
She looks up at , eyes shimring, fidgeting. "You… don't want to live with ?"
Zing!
My heart's pierced. That look from the academy's idol? Devastating!
"Don't give those puppy eyes!" I plead. "Fine, I'll ask my parents…"
I call Mom. She says yes instantly. Apparently, they cleared a room during a big clean while we were gone.
"What was in there!?" I blurt.
So, the captain can move in. What a convenient twist…
"Alright, Issei. Starting tomorrow, I'm in your care," she says with a wink.
This is wild. My life's about to get lively.
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