Chapter 16:

-Rias POV-

My familiar was watching over Hyoudou and Sasaki, and I was confident that nothing would go wrong. However I was wrong the Fallen Angels were both dead with their hearts nearby. I was reminded of our investigation when a serial killer was on the loose almost a year ago, but it couldn't have been Sasaki, could it? Those questions were answered when he walked in dressed in a bloodied, undone kimono with a katana at his waist. I didn't even know someone like him was in Kuoh.

The whole time I was talking, Issei had his eyes locked onto my "assets." He really is a pervert, but it just means I know what he wants. Sasaki, on the other hand, was a different matter. He looked so expressionless, as if it didn't matter if I moved sensually or opened my skirt a little, there was no reaction. 'Akeno said it would work'

While I wanted both of them, Sasaki was an unknown. Koneko said he was "normal," that he didn't have a Sacred Gear. But my instincts told me that he was something else, something that could truly become strong.

When I invited them to join my growing family, I knew Issei would accept as soon as he heard about harems. I also knew there was a chance Sasaki wouldn't, but his flat "No" wasn't what I had expected.

The tension in the room spiked immediately. He looked down at the table in front of him. "I'm aware that the Gremory clan doesn't mistreat their peerage members, so that's not the reason I'm not joining. The reason I'm not joining is because of Vasco Strada."

What? What does "The Violence of Heaven" have to do with this?

He continued, even though everyone was shocked, except for Hyoudou, who seemed confused by the name. "He is the strongest human alive. I want that, the title of 'Strongest Human.' I can't get that if I'm a devil." Looking back at me, I noticed the resolve in his eyes. I guess I'll have to let him go.

"I hope this doesn't sour any future relationship we could have. I want to fight you all to test myself."

I gave him a strained smile, hoping Issei would be enough. "I look forward to seeing you in action, Ryou-kun."

I felt like crying when he smiled back. Satan, he can't smile.

"You too, Redhead."

What?

-Ryou POV-

Well, that went better than I thought it would. The process went the same way as in the anime, with Issei using up all eight pawn pieces. Akeno decided to sit next to me while it was happening, and Redhead was explaining how to activate his Sacred Gear.

"Ara~ Ryo-kun, would you like me to wash your clothes for you?" I looked her dead in the eyes and leaned in close enough that if she moved, we would kiss. "No." Then I moved back just as Issei activated the Boosted Gear, unaware of what I just did to her.

"Oh, it seems to be a Twice Critical, Rias-chan," Akeno said as she put her head in her hand. Everyone looked disappointed, just as Redhead was about to explain why to Issei I interrupted.

"It's the Boosted Gear." With that revelation, everyone turned to me. Time to put on my lying hat.

"Uhm, what's the Boosted Gear, and how do you know?" Prepare to have your mind blown Issei, by the overpowered power you wield.

"I know because my katana recognized its aura." I skillfully lie. "The Boosted Gear is one of the Thirteen Longinus, which are said to be able to kill a God. It also houses the soul of the Welsh Dragon." Redhead looked like she was about to pass out from shock, and Issei was drooling. I'm sure he was daydreaming about something perverted. The rest were shocked as well. After a few minutes, everyone settled down and sat back down, with Yuuto still standing. Redhead put her attention back on Issei for a moment and then looked at me, asking the question I'd been waiting for.

"That katana, what is it? I thought it was just a regular sword; it doesn't have a holy feel."

"The cursed sword Muramasa." I did not get the reaction I wanted.

"Oh, which one?" Yuuto asked curiously. 'What? Oh right, replicas.'

"The real one, the one whose legends are based on." With that, I released some of the controlled bloodlust for effect, leaving them staring at me in shock and.. arousal? Right, sadist and masochist. Redirecting it back into the Earth, I continued, "You don't need to worry about me going insane; I've got it partially sorted out." Everyone was stunned silent again. Great, I hope this isn't recurring.

"Are you really fine, Ryo-kun?"

"Yes." Why wouldn't I be? I mean, I could be going insane, but I'm not worried. Why? Because what's life without a bit of insanity?

Rias got the attention back on her. "Well! Now that everything has been discussed and we have a new member, how about we celebrate? It is still early, after all." Really, celebrate?

"Sorry, Redhead, but I've got to train. See you later, Issei-san." With that, I headed out, not turning back to see the few saddened faces.

I walked out of an alcohol store, not like anyone could tell me no. I noticed it on my way to the Academy. I ran back onto the rooftops until I reached my apartment and started drinking the plum wine moment I got through the door. I didn't stop drinking until I passed out.

Waking up in the Blood River was never fun. It was quiet, like normal, but something felt different. That was all I could sense before I woke up.

Getting up, I put on some red sweatpants and secured Muramasa in a sash around my waist. I checked the time: 1:35 p.m. A whole day had passed, marking it as Sunday. They were probably all at the clubroom, getting Issei introduced to devil life.

Jumping from rooftop to rooftop, I made my way to an abandoned warehouse to start training, image training. It didn't contribute much to physical growth but focused mainly on mental development. I would picture those I had fought or those I remembered from the anime.

At some point, I realized I had fought the wielder of the True Longinus, Cao Cao. I don't remember exactly when, but I knew I had because, the first time I envisioned him during training, I lost in vivid detail.

Whether it was my arm being blown off by his spear or a gaping hole the size of a cannonball where my heart once was, I always lost before I could even see it coming. However, little by little over the months, I went from being unable to see his movements to now only being too slow to react.

Just like now, as I envisioned him. He stood just shorter than me at 5'10 to my 6'0, with short black hair and piercing blue eyes, wielding a simple wooden spear still radiating smug confidence.

Muramasa's red-tinged blade gleamed in the dusty light as I drew it, barely catching my breath before we clashed. We became a blur of motion. My downward slash met his upward sweep, but I stopped short, forcing him to overextend. Seizing the opening, I pushed hard against the ground, the impact cracking the floor beneath me as I rocketed forward.

In an instant, he mirrored my force, slamming the spear down into the ground. Using it like a pole, he swung his body in a wide arc, his foot crashing into my ribs with a bone-rattling thud. The air left my lungs as I staggered, but before I could recover, his spear was already coming down.

*swish* The blow split me clean in half.

My eyes snapped open, gasping for air. I hit the ground, defeated again.

Gritting my teeth, I forced myself back to my feet. I wasn't finished. Not until I grazed him, at least once, before this day was over.

That night, I stumbled back to my apartment with more plum wine, still seething from the frustration of failing to land a single hit on him.