34

(I wasn't in the mood to write, but I decided to do it. Here's a chapter of 4540 words instead of the usual 1500. I wrote the equivalent of 3 chapters to compensate for the lost time. This chapter is Issei's recruitment, by the way, in the next one I think I'll include Ddraig's awakening and create a mini-arc with the visit of another god in the city.)

(🥳 MERRY LATE CHRISTMAS! AND HAPPY NEW YEAR IN ADVANCE 🌞.)

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Kiba Yuuto was feeling a mix of frustration and admiration as he led the way to the occult research club room. He had just lost a sword duel to Anastasia Ambrosius, the new teacher at Kuoh Academy, who had challenged him to a friendly match at the kendo club.

He had underestimated her skill and speed, and she had easily disarmed him with a graceful slash. He had agreed to the bet that if she lost, he would have to escort her to the occult research club, but if she win she would not follow him. In the end, she won and decided to be escorted after Merlin said he wanted to meet the president, Rias Gremory.

"Kiba, how long have you been a member of the occult research club?" Anastasia asked, breaking the silence.

"Uh, for about a year now," Kiba answered, trying to sound casual. "It's a very interesting club, we study various aspects of the occult and paranormal."

"Really? And what kind of activities do you do?" Anastasia pressed on, knowing that he was lying.

"Well, we... we read books, watch movies, do experiments, go on field trips, and sometimes we have parties," Kiba said, avoiding the truth that they were actually devils who served Rias Gremory, the heiress of the Gremory clan and one of the most powerful devils in the underworld.

"I see. And what is your role in the club?" Anastasia asked, curious about his abilities to talk nonsense – this skill was matered by Merlin but the majority don't use it perfectly – and to confirm his position if he talked the truth.

"I'm the knight." Kiba said, hoping that she wouldn't ask more.

"The knight? The knight in shining armor, that's a very noble and honorable position." Anastasia said, smiling. "You must be very loyal and brave to serve your king."

Kiba felt a pang of guilt, remembering his past as a human who was betrayed and killed by the church, and how he had sworn vengeance against them for his friends who died in the Holy Sword Project. He had been resurrected by Rias as her knight, and he had devoted his life to her ever since. He was grateful to her, but he also had doubts about his identity and purpose. He wants to be loyal to Rias, but he knows that revenge will always come first for him.

"Thank you, sensei." Kiba said, forcing a smile.

"Please, call me Anastasia. We're not in class right now," Anastasia said.

"Okay, Anastasia-san." Kiba said.

"Hey, Kiba, can I ask you something?" Merlin interjected, looking at him with a mischievous grin.

"Sure, what is it?" Kiba asked, wary of his intentions.

"How does it feel to lose to a random teacher?" Merlin teased, referring to his defeat by Anastasia.

Kiba felt a surge of anger, and he clenched his fists. He didn't like being mocked for his swordsmanship, especially by someone who was less skillful than him. His swordsmanship is what defines him, both as a knight of Rias Gremory and as an avenger of his childhood friends.

"It was a fair fight, and I admit that she was better than me," Kiba said, trying to keep his composure.

"Oh, come on, don't be so modest. You were totally outmatched by her. She was faster, stronger, and more skilled than you. She made you look like a novice," Merlin continued, enjoying his reaction.

"Merlin, stop it. You're being rude." Anastasia scolded him, but she was secretly amused by his antics.

"Sorry, mom. I'm just having some fun," Merlin said, shrugging.

"Kiba, don't mind him. He's just jealous of you." Anastasia said, trying to comfort him.

"Jealous? Of what?" Kiba asked, confused.

"Of your handsome face, of course. He wishes he could be as good-looking as you." Anastasia said, winking at him.

Kiba was speechless, and he wondered if she was flirting with him or just joking.

"Mom, you're embarrassing me." Merlin said, rolling his eyes. "There is no way he is prettier than me. You are just saying that because he is blond."

"Sorry, sorry. I can't help it. You're both so cute." Anastasia said, laughing.

"Thank you, I guess." Kiba responds awkwardly.

"Don't worry, the blonde hair reminds me of good memories with an old friend." Anastasia says with a nostalgic look.

"That's great, he's also a teacher?" Kiba asked trying to find out more about the enigmatic woman Rias was calling, they didn't have much prior information which could cause a disaster.

"In a way, I can say yes. He taught many things to many people." Anastasia responds after pondering. "If I were to define his profession, he would be more like a creator or inventor of new things."

"Where is he currently?" Kiba asked but it was answered by silence.

"Wow man, you really know how to ruin the mood. The old man kicked the bucket, it went from there to better, among others..." Merlin put his arm around Kiba's neck and spoke in a joking tone.

"I'm sorry." Kiba he says awkwardly while taking Merlin's arm away.

"You don't need to call so much, it's been a long time. I've come to terms with the loss of my friend." Anastasia speak in a calm tone.

"I really want to apologize, I understand what it's like to lose important friends. I'm sorry for the rudeness." Kiba reiterated with a determined look when talking about his loss, he stopped walking and bowed briefly to the sensei as a sign of apology used by Japanese people.

"I appreciate the sentiments. I'm also sorry for your friends, but I believe you should work on your feelings a little, they could lead to your ruin."

"I'm fine sensei." Kiba responds with a fake smile. Then he again continued to drive to the occult research club.

After the awkward talk Kiba didn't know how to act around them, and he wished that they would reach the club room soon.

They finally arrived at the door of the occult research club room, which was located on the third floor of the old school building. Kiba knocked on the door, and waited for someone to open it.

"Here we are. This is the occult research club room. I hope you enjoy your visit," Kiba said, hoping that nothing bad would happen.

"Thank you, Kiba. You've been very kind and helpful." Anastasia said, smiling.

"Yeah, thanks, Kiba. You've been very entertaining and amusing." Merlin said, smirking.

Kiba felt a mix of relief and dread, as he wondered what would happen next. He hoped that Rias and the others would be nice to them, and that they wouldn't find out their true identities. He also hoped that Anastasia and Merlin wouldn't cause any trouble, and that they would leave soon. He had a feeling that this was going to be a very interesting and complicated day.

As Kiba opened the classic style double wooden door, Anastasia and Merlin followed him into the occult research club room. The first thing they noticed was a small girl with white hair, sitting on a sofa and munching on some sweets.

She was Koneko Toujou, one of the devils that Anastasia and Merlin were aware of, but pretended not to know.

She seemed to ignore the presence of the newcomers, as she stared at the boy sitting in front of her with a blank expression and ate sweets from a bag that rested on her legs.

"Hello, Koneko-chan," Kiba politely greeted her with a smile.

"Hi, senpai," Koneko replied in a monotone voice, without looking at him.

She then turned her gaze to Anastasia, who was carrying a bag of candies that she had bought for her students. Koneko's eyes lit up slightly, and she greeted her with a hint of hope in her voice.

"Hello, sensei." Koneko said with a hint of hope in her voice.

"Hello, Koneko." Anastasia said, smiling warmly. She reached into her bag and took out a box of chocolates, which she handed to the girl. "Here, this is for you."

"Thank you, sensei," Koneko said, taking the box eagerly.

Anastasia then turned her atention to the boy who was sitting in front of Koneko. He was Issei Hyoudou, a second-year student who had a reputation of being a pervert. But, he was also a normal human, who had no idea about the supernatural world and he was involved in all the trouble because he was born with sacred gear.

The boy was clearly shaking slightly, as he looked around the room nervously. He had been called to the club by Kiba, who saved him from a beating at the Kendo club. When he left there he came across Koneko who dragged him here without any explanation, she just said that the club president, Rias Gremory, wanted to see him.

He was looking forward to meeting one of the two beauties from the Kuoh academy, but at the same time was nervous as all his encounter with woman ended in bad stories, being beaten or asked to die.

"Issei, what are you doing here?" Anastasia asked him, curious if they had already informed him about the supernatural or not. After all, the fact that he was still human made it difficult to reach a conclusion.

"I- I don't know, sensei. I was told to wait here until Rias-senpai get here." Issei stammered.

"Don't worry, Rias Gremory-senpai will explain everything when she arrives." Kiba said, reassuringly.

Koneko nodded her head agreeing with Kiba.

Anastasia wondered if Rias was planning to recruit Issei, Merlin and her as new members to her peerage.

Rias clearly showed interest in the perverted boy, after all she wouldn't have sent a family member to give a pamphlet that could summon her to anyone.

'Issei has minimal talent to become a devil, but if you take his sacred gear into account his potential grows exponentially.'

Anastasia tried to judge the situation impartially and that was her conclusion. Issei would certainly have a very low reserve of demonic power if he were reincarnated by the evil pieces, but with the power of the Boosted Gear he could grow infinitely in the world of devils. After all, one of the thirteen longinus created by Yahweh with the soul of the Welsh dragon, Ddraig, and which has the ability to evolve with the emotions of the bearer makes any extremely emotional idiot's journey an epic one.

The main problem was her and Merlin, how the hell was she going to explain why they couldn't be reincarnated without giving up their identities... the evil pieces don't work on Buddhas and Gods, so they are useless if used on her. In Merlin's case, the problem would be one of potential, Rias Gremory would need at least one mutant queen to reincarnate the idiotic wizard if he takes his potential into account.

'Maybe I can just insinuate that her pieces aren't capable of recruiting us? Maybe it works, but she's a spoiled girl, maybe she'll beg her brother to find mutant pieces to try her luck.'

Anastasia sighed thinking about the headache she was going to get into, and decided to take a closer look at her surroundings.

The room they were in was decorated in a classic Victorian style, with elegant furniture, paitings and curtains. There was a bookshelf, a desk with documents, and some sofas and armchairs arranged in the room for guests to sit. The atmosphere was cozy and warm, but also mysterious and secretive.

In the background, they could hear the sound of running water, as if someone was taking a shower inside this club room. Taking a better look around, Anastasia noticed a glass in which it was possible to see the silhouette of a red-haired girl taking a shower, which confirmed her doubt.

Soon, another girl entered the room, carrying a tray with a teapot and cups. She was Akeno Himejima, the vice president of the occult research club, who was wearing a seductive smile.

"President, all the guests have arrived." Akeno announced loudly.

"Thank you, Akeno. I'm almost done." Rias' voice came from the other side of the glass.

"Welcome, everyone. I'm the vice president of the occult research club, Akeno Himejima. I hope you have a pleasant stay here. Please wait a while until the president comes out of the shower." Akeno says while bowing slightly as a sign of respect to greet the three new guests.

"It's okay, Akeno-san. I don't mind waiting, I'm enjoying the scenery." Merlin says as he looks shamelessly towards the direction of the shower.

Issei did the same, turning to face the shower. He imagined Rias in the shower, naked and wet, and felt a surge of blood rushing to his nose. He quicly covered his nose with his hand, but it was too late, he already have a nosebleed and the blood is dripping.

"Hey friend, in this situation the blood should flow downwards and not upwards." Merlin commented in a serious voice, as if he was explaining some very important wisdom.

"Pervert number 2." Koneko speaks in a toneless voice.

"Me number 2? And who would be number one, little chocolatier?" Merlin asked amused.

"Him." She points at Issei.

"Fair point. I shall humbly agree to his victory." Merlin bows 45 degrees and makes ridiculous gestures pretending to be noble.

"Merlin stop your nonsense. Akeno-san, Why were we called here? As vice president you must be aware." Anastasia berates the white haired magician.

"President will explain herself, she will need some time to get dressed so let's take wait a little bit." Akeno said, in a sweet voice. "In the meantime have some tea, please."

She placed the tray on the table and poured tea for everyone.

She then sat next to Issei and leaned close to him pressing her breasts on his arm, making him blush.

"Thank you, Akeno-san." Anastasia said, taking the cup.

"Thank you, Akeno-senpai." Kiba and Koneko said, in unison.

"T- Thank you, Akeno-san." Issei said, nervously as he sensed the breath of the ORC vice-president on his neck.

"Thank you beauty, but I wish I was in his place." Merlin was the last to take the cup, and spoke in a joking tone when looking at Issei's situation.

"Ara ara, maybe next time, Merlin-san." Akeno he replied with a smile that gave Issei chills, but the rest of the room didn't care.

Kiba and Koneko were already used to Akeno's actions, Merlin had already gotten involved with women who were much crazier than this girl, and Anastasia had seen much more troublesome gods, both in this world – in the Greek and Babylonian pantheons – and in her previous one.

Suddenly, the glass door that led to the shower opens and a beautiful girl with red hair comes out. Rias Gremory was wearing her school uniform and holding a towel in her hands as she dried her hair.

"So tragic. I thought I would have a vision of paradise." Merlin says.

"What are you talking about?" Issei asks.

"Forbidden Fruit... do you get it now?" Merlin explains.

"You are being to naughty Merlin-san. Maybe I should punish you after the president ends this reunion." Akeno He rests his left hand on his face while smiling at Merlin.

"I would love to try your offer, but I don't accept punishment silently. It's like they say, only shoot if you're prepared to take a shot." Merlin replies with a similar smile.

"Ara ara, so scary." The ORC vice-president replies.

"Sorry for the delay." Rias says as she notices that the two have finished teasing each other. "Well since we're all gathered together, I can start explaining."

"We from the occult research club are honored by your presence. But the ORC is just a facade, that is, a mere pastime for us." Rias begins to explain after sitting down in front of the trio of guests.

"Oops oops, redhead, I don't think you should confess to using school space without any real purpose in front of a teacher." Merlin says mockingly. "But still entertain me. Why is your club a hobby?"

"I'll get straight to the main topic... we are devils." Rias says.

Issei looks shocked thinking it's a joke, Merlin looks shocked and Anastasia maintains her expression.

"Oh my god, bloody hell... how can that be possible. Who can protect us." Merlin starts to panic. The others in the room look at him in confusion, including Issei.

"The acting is obvious, Merlin." Anastasia slaps her palm against her face, seeing the wizard's stupidity.

"Serious? What a shame. Ah, redhead, this is your fault you know? You were very direct. You could have started by asking what religion we follow, since if we are atheists we could have a heart attack with the destruction of our beliefs." Merlin scolds Rias in a serious way that everyone in the room doesn't feel that he is the problem, except for Anastasia who is used to the situation.

"Well, back to the main topic. Issei, the black-winged girl who attacked you in the park... she is a fallen angel." Issei is shocked to hear this from Rias, and the girl continues. "Despite being originally angels of God, they committed impure acts and fell from the grace of heaven. While on one hand they wish to control human beings, they also want the annihilation of us devils."

'It's not like that, it was Lucifer who started the mess with world domination plan after being punished.' Anastasia corrected mentally.

[A bunch of brats who don't know history, how predictable.] A certain voice from a certain sword added.

"In addition to the fallen angels, there are also angels who wish to eliminate the devils. In other words, we are attacked from all sides." Rias concludes. "Do you understand?"

Issei becomes even more confused and Merlin retreats into the armchair, placing his hand to cover his mouth, which is open-mouthed in astonishment.

"Well... it's a little deep for a normal teenager, but it makes a great book. Rias-senpai, you're good at telling stories." Issei tries to be polite by not believing the story, still considering the memory of their encounter as a strange nightmare since no one remembers the girl.

"Yuuma Amano." Rias says causing Issei's astonishment. "I suppose you haven't forgotten her, after all she was your first girlfriend." Rias smirks at his physical reaction.

"I-I don't know where you heard that name, but I don't feel comfortable talking about it." Issei gets up to leave and Rias throws a photo of the meeting on the table.

"Look how cute she is. Did she really went out with you?" Merlin takes the photo and puts it against Issei's face and looks at the photo and the boy repeatedly.

"Wait, if she exists why Matsuda and Motohama don't remember her, or rather why no one remembers her." Issei excitedly tried to find a logical solution, but Rias' explanation was the only consistent one.

"Ah, they must have erased the memory with magic." Merlin says as he snaps his fingers and teleports one of Koneko's chocolates to his hand and eats it.

The action resulted in everyone looking at him, some impressed and three with more unique attitudes – two wanting to choke him for different reasons and one in shock.

"Ara ara, Merlin-kun. So you really are a wizard." Akeno says in a sensual voice.

"Guilty as charged. If you want a private show, I guarantee that my hands can work as magic." Merlin reciprocate in the same kind of tone.

"You could not interrupt the explanation, later we will talk about you Merlin-san." Rias says. "Issei, the reason the fallen angel called Yuuma tried to kill you is that you have a weapon called Sacred Gear inside you."

"Seriously, but where? And how am I alive? Wait, how did you know she was going to attack me? And if you knew why you didn't do anything?" Issei starts asking all the questions that come to his mind.

"The Sacred Gear is tied to your soul. As for how you were saved you should ask sensei, she is the only unknown factor who was in the city and could save you without my knowledge. As I was aware, I only knew that you have a Sacred Gear and that you were going on a date with a fallen angel, so I had my familiar give you a pamphlet to summon me." Rias then pulls out a pamphlet familiar to the boy.

"I see." Issei winced, trying to absorb all the information. "So, what's going to happen?"

"That's why I brought you here, I want to make you an unmissable offer." Rias finally shows a smile on her face.

"Hey there, don't start doing marketing. Madam, I can tell you for sure that I don't want to buy any products from your store." Merlin says, knocking on the table.

"Please calm down. What I want to offer you is a unique opportunity to exceed your limits and gain security... I want you to become devils of my peerage." Rias speaks.

"T-To become a devil!?" Issei is confused.

"Yes, we have something called Evil Pieces that allow us to reincarnate other races into devils." Rias explains.

"Look, miss, you're many years late." Merlin says.

"For what reason?" Kiba asks.

"If she wants to offer me the chance to become a devil, she had to offer it to me before I was born, after all, I'm already half-devil. Then you'll have to wait for me to be born again." Merlin shrugs as the young people stare at him.

"You don't emanate any demonic energy." Rias tries to fight the idea.

"I'm good at magic, they would only feel it if I wanted to." Merlin replies and let a little bit of his power escape shocking the devils in the room.

"So that means..." When Rias concludes, everyone looks at Anastasia.

"I'm not your race, by the way this idiot is adopted." Anastasia points at Merlin.

"Hey, there's no need to call me an idiot, I know you love me, my dear tsundere mom." Merlin says jokingly.

"Well, but what about the offer, will you accept?" Rias asks hopefully.

"A-Ah well..." Issei doesn't know what to answer.

"You will be safe with our protection." Rias reiterates.

"But it will be in trouble with the other two races of angels, as well as having a bad reputation with other groups." Merlin adds negatively.

"It doesn't seem that advantageous." Issei says sheepishly.

"But of course there are advantages, your life expectancy will be expanded and you will become stronger." Rias says.

"But, you will be put into supernatural trouble that can kill you often." Says Merlin.

"Well..." Issei is about to respond when suddenly.

"What's your dream, Issei?" Rias asks.

"Have a harem and become the Harem King." Issei says.

"Ara ara, what a naughty boy." Akeno says in the human's ear while pressing his arm to her breasts. "But if you become a devil your chances of a harem will increase."

"I ACCEPT!" Issei replies making Rias smile.

Immediately Gremory tries to use the pieces to reincarnate the boy, trying with a rook that fails, then the knight fails, then the bishop fails, and finally tries with the pawns which succeeds, but all 8 pieces enter Issei.

"Wow you're worth 8 impressive pawns." Says Kiba.

"What about you two?" Rias says to Merlin and Anastasia.

"Pass." Anastasia says immediately.

"Me too. I don't see any benefit." Merlin says.

"But you can have a harem like Issei." Rias tries to appeal to the boy's perversion.

"Look, I don't want a harem. I am a free being who relates like the wind at one time having fun and in one place meeting someone new and then in another having new experiences. I'm a bee that visits multiple flowers." Merlin says in a wise tone.

"What he means is that he's a scumbag who can't maintain a long-term relationship and only wants to have one-night stands." Anastasia explains.

"But you will gain strength and longevity." Rias tries again.

"Sweetie, I'm already a devil, remember." Merlin looks at her like she's an idiot.

"Please." Rias looks at him sullenly.

"Whatever, if you are going to upset me so much I don't care. Feel free to try." Merlin stood there waiting for the girl to try to include him in the peerage.

Rias collected her pieces and tried to use them, but none of the rest were successful. Merlin immediately laughed at the crimson-haired devil's face as she looked disappointed.

Rias then turned to Anastasia. When Rias turned around only Anastasia noticed a soft glow of purple aura coming from Merlin.

"Sensei, won't you accept my offer? You will gain strength and longevity."

"Pass. I can obtain both by training magic." Anastasia speaks.

"Please." Rias asks.

[Hurry up woman, the spoiled brat will disturb you until you let her go as she wishes. Just let her fail and laugh at her face like Merlin did.] Apollyon mentally shouted at Anastasia.

"It's okay Rias." Anastasia smiled.

Rias with a smile tried to insert the pieces, which in turn were strongly repelled when they came into contact with Anastasia, being thrown against the wall of the room and sticking in like nails.

"I've never seen a reaction like that." Rias says.

Finally, the pieces failed again, but not because of protective magic like Merlin's, but because of Anastasia's divine essence.

"It's a shame, maybe it's the pieces. I can ask my brother to get some mutant ones." Rias ponders out loud.

"Not really." Anastasia says as she raises her arm which is wrapped around multiple magic circles.

"What does that mean sensei." Rias prepares for an attack by emanating some Power of Destruction into her hand.

"That's a guarantee you won't cause me any trouble until the conference." Anastasia casts magic on all the devils in the area surrounding the city of Kuoh.

The spell is a curse that prevents targets from transmitting information about a certain subject written in the spell's sigils. And in this case, the blocked information is about the supernatural nature of Anastasia and Merlin. If they try to talk about the subject, their voices stop and make no sound, in addition to feeling immense pain when trying to continue talking about it.

"It seems like things are over, right? Everyone shut up hehe." Merlin jokes.

"Let's go home Merlin. Have a good day ORC members, I may have been a little rough with the curse, but I will repay you in the following way. Tomorrow, schedule another meeting with the same people to explain Issei's Sacred Gear and I will unlock it immediately. How about that?" Anastasia says with a smile.

"It's okay." Rias says with a forced smile.

"Bye bye everyone." Merlin starts to leave, pushing Anastasia.

"And it's another end of the day at a school with devils. Being an assistant was easier."

[He did all the work, you created problems. And on rare occasions you worked seriously.] Apollyon corrects.

"Shut up sword. Let's go home." Anastasia returns home looking forward to the next day with her reunion with the second colorful super lizard she beated in the past.