High School DxD: Fox of Ill Omen

Kusari

Azazel-sama looked ridiculous in a worn suit.

That was my first thought when I entered the clubroom the next day and found him standing there as if he had always belonged inside it.

Not even “what is he doing here,” though that came second.

Just that he looked ridiculous.

The new arm helped though.

He had somehow already replaced it.

It definitely wasn’t a normal arm though, it looked normal but I could tell that it was made of some kind of enchanted metal.

So while I was glad that he was better, I was happier that we wouldn’t have to deal with a one armed Azazel-sama

If he hadn't gotten a replacement then I’m sure he would have been insufferable with comments and jokes about his missing arm.

“—so from now on, I will be the faculty advisor for the Occult Research Club. You can either call me Azazel-sensei, or Governor. It’s up to you.”

Asia began to clap for him until she quickly realized she was the only one doing so.

She stopped while flushing red and shrank down into the couch she was sitting on.

And apparently Azazel-sensei was very serious when he said that he would be sticking around.

I had thought we would at least get some reprieve, but it seems that he had other plans.

Hopefully he really was joking about being an awful teacher too.

I understood that Azazel-sensi was an expert on Sacred Gear, but hopefully he was competent with more than just that if he was going to be our advisor.

While sitting at her desk, Rias was massaging her brow already

“….But really  why are you here?”

That question had the exhausted precision of someone who already knew the answer would only make their day worse.

Azazel spread his hands as if presenting himself to an audience.

“Well, I was asked to take this position by Serafall’s little sister. She must have realized how charming I am and wanted to keep me close. Even the schoolgirls can’t keep away from me.” 

Rias dropped the hand from her forehead to glare at him.

“Don’t even think about going after any students here. And also why in the world would Sona do that?!”

Azazel-sensei sighed.

“Well you see, unlike you she realized a handsome man whe—” Rias raised a hand coated in the power of destruction.  “Okay, okay, sheesh! You’re too severe, Rias Gremeory. Serafall’s sister told me that this was a request from Sirzechs. That’s why she asked me to come here.”

I stayed near the wall as they spoke, my still-bandaged arm tucked closer to my side than I wanted to admit.

Asia had healed the worst of the damage after the fight, but healing was not fully complete.

For now the arm worked.

It also still ached with the deep, unpleasant soreness of backlash and overuse, and the wrapping reminded me every time I moved it too quickly.

When Azazel-sensei mentioned Sirzechs I tensed for a moment before relaxing.

Then Issei stood from his seat on the couch next to Asia and pointed at Azazel-sensei’s arm.

“Wait, but what about that arm? I thought that it couldn’t be healed since Asia wasn’t able to.”

If it was someone else that may have been angered by Issei’s blunt and rude question.

Instead Azazel-sensi smiled like a kid getting to show off a new toy.

“This is an artificial arm that I produced during my research of Sacred Gears.” He said while showing off his new arm. “I was lucky that I had made it some time ago. It has multiple functions, the most notable including being able to fire lasers and missiles.”

Azazel-sensei’s hand extended outwards with a mechanical hiss. 

He rotated the hand multiple times before retracting it back into a normal arm.

Issei looked amazed by it.

Azazel-sensei continued.

“But the main part of the request was that I help the Sacred Gear possessors of the Gremory family grow. I am a Sacred Gear enthusiast at my core so Sirzechs believed that with my knowledge, that I would be a perfect fit to train you. The Khaos Brigade is more than a small time group, as you all saw. And you as members of a Maous’s family member’s house and the group containing the Welsh Dragon, will be a threat to them. On top of that I am an expert on the Vanishing Dragon, so I can help Hydouou Issei the most. Vali has his own team that is being referred to as the [Hakuryuukou Team], and it contains other powerful people including Vali and Sun Wukong.”

“Do you think Vali will attack the school again?” Issei asked.

“No, they won’t attack here again.” Azazel-sensei said, shaking his head. “The opportunity to assassinate the leaders of the Three Great Powers was a one time thing. Now that Michael has returned to Heaven and Sirzechs has returned to the underworld, it will be much harder to try and get to any of us.”

I glanced around the room.

Rias was at her desk with Akeno standing by her side.

Issei had sat back down next to Asia on the couch and Xenovia-san was sitting on her other side.

Koneko was sitting in her usual spot on one of the arm chairs.

Yuuto was on the other couch and Gasper-kun’s box had been placed on the couch with him in it.

I let out a small breath before asking the question that was probably floating in everyone’s heads.

“You called us a threat to the Khaos Brigade. Does that mean we will be sent to fight them? Are the Three Factions at war now?”

“No, we are only at the point where we are engaging in small battles with them.” Azazel-sensei said, turning to me. “We are at a preparing stage in the conflict and the period of full war with them won’t occur until you’ve all graduated university. So focus on enjoying your school life rather than worrying. However, you’ll need to be training before the conflict gets to its peak, right?”

I frowned after he finished speaking. 

He had said it in a way to reassure us that things would be handled until we were ready, but he didn’t say that we would not be fighting in the early stages of the conflict.

“Well, we have been training before, I guess.” Issei said, looking slightly lost. 

“Sekiryuuti, don’t think about it too hard.” Azazel-sensei said. “You were lucky you were able to hold your ground against Vali. You had that Dragon Slaying sword from Michael and Vali wasn’t going all out. If it was someone that truly wanted to kill you and you didn’t have that sword, you most likely would have died.”

Asia gasped quietly and looked to Issei with worry.

Issei’s face had gone grim with understanding.

“And the power you took from the Hakuryuukou, are you able to use it now?” Azazel-sensei asked.

“No, I haven’t been able to use it since then.” Issei replied.

“Hmm… it must be that you’re not strong enough to handle it yet. While it’s good for you to take the power of another Dragon for yourself, but as you are now you won’t be able to control it. It’s been recorded into the Boosted Gear, so being able to use it as long as you train yourself thoroughly. You’ll need to get stronger or you’ll die”

Issei looked frustrated from Azazel-sensei’s words.

He wasn’t wrong though.

Issei’s power spiked erratically and if he got unlucky once he’d be done.

He was still the one in the peerage who needed to focus on training the most.

“Your control of the Boosted Gear is too unstable. You’re able to harness explosive amounts of power, but not on command, and only for a short time. Against weaker enemies you’ll face it will be more than enough, but against a strong foe, it won’t be enough.” Azazel-sensei paused for a moment. “I’m assuming that this peerage will start to compete in Rating Games soon. If that’s true then you'll need to stabilize the Sekiryuuti’s power, first by obtaining your Balance Breaker. However, Rating Games aren’t won by power alone. A [Pawn] worth a single piece can take down the enemy [King] and win a game. You’ll also have to think as you fight. I’ll be teaching all of you about that as well.”

“You seem to know a lot about our Rating Games, Azazel.” Rias said.

“It’s only been a day, but Angels and Fallen Angels are already big fans of Rating Games. We had been aware of them already, but now thanks to our peace agreement, we have access to video of older matches.” Azazel-sending turned to the rest of us. “Anyways, you will all need to train to increase your strength. You in particular Hydouou Issei will need to work on your body’s stamina.”

Issei nodded at Azazel-sensei’s words.

He looked lost in thought for a moment before looking up at Azazel-sensei.

“Can I become strong?”

Azazel-sensei grinned widely.

“I’ll make you strong. You have the power of one of the legendary Dragons and I have plenty of free time to help you train.”

Then Issei pointed to Gasper-kun who was peeking out of his box on the couch.

“What about Gasper? Will you be able to help him train to control his powers?”

“S-S-Senpai! W-Why are y-you calling me out?! Azazel-sensei is scary!!”

The cardboard box shook as Gasper-kun panicked.

“I can help him train, but as he is he may get captured by the Khaos Brigade again if he’s caught alone.” Azazel-sensei said.

“I’m sorry I’m so useless! I’m sorry I’m a piece of trash! I’m just a dead weight to the team! But please don’t abandon meeee!” Gasper-cried out while shutting himself into his cardboard box.

I glared at Issei and Azazel-sensei.

Issei had the decency to look uncomfortable under my gaze.

I was ignored by Azazel-sensei.

“And he’s not the only one who needs work. Holy-demonic sword-chan, how long can you use your Balance Breaker before you exhaust yourself?”

Yuuto narrowed her eyes in annoyance before responding.

“Right now my limit is one hour.”

“That’s too low.” Azazel said, shaking his head. “You’ll need to raise your limit to at least three days.”

Yuuto’s expression went from annoyed to determined at his words.

She had always been serious about her status as a [Knight] and dedicated to improving her swordsmanship.

Azazel-sensei looked to Issei again.

“Well… I-I can only use my Balance Breaker for about ten seconds. And only under certain conditions…” Issei looked away as he spoke timidly.

Azazel-sensei looked unimpressed. 

I couldn’t blame him if he was the one who had helped Vali become who he was now.

Though Vali had the advantage of his bloodline.

“Thats not going to cut it. We will have to start from the beginning to unlock your Balance Breaker. Your rival can manage to stay in his balance breaker for three months. You need to catch up.”

Azazel-sensei left Issei to come to terms with another example of how much stronger Vali was than him. 

He looked to Asia.

“And you, former nun. How far can you reach with Twilight healing? How long can you heal other for?”

“Oh, I, uhhhh… I can only heal those that I can touch so far.” Asia said, jumping at suddenly being addressed. “A-And for how long I can use it, it really depends on how badly someone is hurt. But if it’s lighter injuries, I can heal others for about half a day.”

She proudly smiled after she finished speaking.

“You’ll need to learn to heal others from a distance if you want to be able to help your comrades in a fight. As for your stamina with your Sacred Gear, that’s a good start, but we will want to raise your limits even further.”

Asai nodded with a cute but determined gaze as she pumped her fists.

He turned to Akeno next.

“You still hate Fallen Angels and Baraqiel, don’t you?”

Akeno’s smile vanished as she glared at Azazel-sensei. 

“Its his fault that my mother died. I have no intention of forgiving him.”

Akeno’s voice was cold and raw.

There was none of the teasing, smiling Akeno left now.

Only raw anger and old pain.

“When you became a Devil, he didn’t say anything.”

“Of course.” Akeno huffed. “Thats because he has nothing to do with me. He has nothing he could say to me.”

Azazel-sensei frowned.

“Thats not what I meant. I… it was wrong of me to try and get in between the matters of a parent and a child.”

“That man is not my father!”

It was quiet after Akeno shouted.

The only sound was her rough breathing as she glared at Azazel-sensei.

“I see.” He said, breaking the silence. When he heard that you had joined the Gremory family, one known to treasure their servants and treat them well, he was silent. If you had not ended up with them, I wonder if Baraqiel would have acted the same?”

Akeno looked down at his words without replying.

The anger hadn’t left her, but her expression was more complicated as she looked at the floor silently.

Azazel-sense turned to me next.

“I’ll skip Durandel’s wielder, Rias Gremory, and the short one for now.” Azazel said “They don’t have Sacred Gears or connections to Fallen Angels that Himejima Akeno-chan does, and beat her do you. But we need to talk about you now.”

Koneko glared at him for his comment before she and the rest of the peerage looked at Azazel-sensei and I.

I calmly stood by the wall as I waited to hear his critiques.

“So, Omen-chan what—”

“Yuki. My name is Shiramine Yuki.” I said, cutting him off.

I glanced at each of my peerage members who were watching me, waiting for me to continue.

Rias, who I had decided to try and trust because so far she had given me more reasons to trust her than not to.

Yuuto, whose pain and desire for revenge I had seen some of myself in.

Akeno, who hid behind a mask of smiles and teasing jokes like I hid behind one of calm, detached politeness.

Issei, who was an honest and earnest fool, and was someone who I could not bring myself to dislike as with each stupid comment and mistake, he was still watching to see if it had been too much.

Xenovia-san, who was simply looking for a place to belong after losing everything she ever knew.

Gasper-kun, who was too young and innocent to be so scared of everything and to be able see the similarities in the pain both of us had endured.

Asia, who was smiling warmly at me in encouragement and always gave without asking or even expecting anything in return.

And Koneko who was quiet and expressionless, but stood closer to me when I needed it and cared without showing it on her face.

I breathed out slowly.

“I’m not ready to tell you everything yet. And I will tell you more about my past, and my name. But for now, would you be able to call me Yuki instead of Kusari? That name has many bad memories attached to it…”

Asia was the first to answer.

“Of course Yuki!”

“….Yuki-senpai sounds good.” Koneko spoke next. 

“I-I’ll call you Yuki-senpai as well!” Gasper-kun said.

“Whatever works best for you Yuki-san.” Yuuto said “Koneko and I both received new names when we became Devils. If you don’t want to be called that anymore then you don’t have to be.”

“It’s no problem, Yuki-san. Just don’t get mad at me if I mess it up for a bit….” Issei said, rubbing the back of his head.

“Ara, Yuki-chan does have a cute ring to it.” Akeno said while smiling again.

It was softer and more genuine than her normal teasing one.

“Understood Yuki. Shiramine can mean white peak as well, right? That fits you quite well.” Xenovia said with a finger on her chin.

“Yuki, you can take as long as you need.” Rias said “We will wait until you are ready to tell us more. You are one of my precious servants Shiramine Yuki, and what you are called will not change that to me.”

“Wait!” Issei shouted. “What are we going to do about school? It’s going to be a pain to change her name and suddenly have a surname!”

“Oh, don’t worry about it, Ise, Sona can handle that for us.” Rias said.

“Really? Kaichou is truly impressive.” Xenovia-san said.

“…Strict and effective…” Koneko commented.

The conversation continued around the room.

I smiled at them trying not to break down at them accepting it so easily.

I knew that they would, but it was different hearing them say it as they spoke so kindly to me.

Then Azazel clapped, silencing the room.

“Alright. Getting back on topic.” He said. “Fox-chan, Shiramine Yuki, what you need is to fix your backlash. You have good output and from what I’ve seen and read, a flexible arsenal of abilities. But none of that matters if you take yourself out of a fight. So, what can you do differently?”

“The root of the problem is the seals placed on my body.” I said. “But I need time between each seal’s removal, and Rias-Buchou has been restricted from removing them without approval from Sirzechs-sama. So I need to develop or learn new spells or pace my drawback so that I can remain in the fight longer.”

“Yes, I’ve heard about the seals on you from both Sirzechs and Grayfia. I recognize some of Orutho’s work on you as well, though it’s been mixed with other seals to the point that it’s all a large mess. So the question is what can you do now? You mentioned new spells, and that can work. But that purple lightning seems to be your signature spell. I think you need to learn a way to have your body resist the backlash of your spells in a different way.”

I frowned at him.

“How would I go about doing that?”

He shrugged with a mischievous grin.

“No clue, Omen-chan. I’m an expert on Sacred Gears not curses and seals. But it is possible. You’ll need to figure it out.”

I narrowed my eyes at him in annoyance.

But if he wasn’t wrong then I could find a way to get around my own backlash.

I would be able to stay in a fight longer and be more impactful.

I wouldn’t hurt myself and cause everyone to worry.

I could be more useful to the peerage.

I was already thinking of what I could possibly do.

The warm feeling in my chest from my friends and the joy at the idea of being able to work around my seals’ restraints was ruined by Azazel-sensi in the next moment when he spoke.

“Hey, Sekiryuutei—is it fine if I call you Ise? So, Ise, your dream in life is to make a harem, right?”

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