A/N
Between yesterday and today, I have finished re-editing all current chapters. Sorry for the inconvenience updates will be back to normal.
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The room was dark, save for the faint silver slivers of moonlight filtering through the blinds. Silence lingered—except for the soft, even breathing of the two girls beside him.
Issei Hyoudou's eyes snapped open, glowing faintly in the shadows.
He couldn't sleep. Not with what tomorrow would bring.
A soft chime echoed only he could hear.
—
[System Notification – Hidden Affection Parameters Updated]
• [Mio Gremory: Affection Level – 60. Status: Actively interested.]
• [Sirzaria Lucifer: Affection Level – 75. Status: Intensifying. Rapid emotional growth detected.]
[System Alert – New Major Task Generated]
"Heart of the Crimson House"
Objective: Win the hearts of all three daughters of the Gremory Clan – Rias Gremory, Mio Gremory, and Sirzaria Lucifer.
Status: 1/3 Claimed.
Rewards Upon Completion:
• [Power of Destruction – Inherited Technique of the Gremory Bloodline]
• [Familiar Summoning Scroll – Unique Variant]
• [Innate Ability: Gremory's Talent-Finding Eye – Unlocks hidden potential in allies and artifacts]
—
He slowly sat up, careful not to disturb them. Crimson eyes—burning softly in the reflection of moonlight—met his own in the mirror across the room.
Not just human. Not just devil. Not just dragon.
Something more.
The Boosted Gear flared to life.
[Ddraig: You're brooding. Again.]
[Issei: "Just thinking."]
[Tiamat: About Riser? Or about the Gremory daughters?]
[Quetzalcoatl: Or perhaps… both.]
[Issei: "I didn't ask for this. Any of this. But I'm not backing down now."]
[Ddraig: Good. Because if you fall, Host… you don't just lose a girl. You lose your place among dragons. You lose your right to wear my flame.]
[Tiamat: And I'll reclaim what's mine from your ashes.]
[Quetzalcoatl: Though I'd prefer to braid your hair instead of burning it. Much more fun.]
A soft shift broke the silence.
Asia stirred. Her golden hair spilled across her cheek as she blinked up at him sleepily. "Issei… are you okay?"
Akeno rose soon after, one eye half-open, her voice husky. "You're burning up again. Mentally, I mean. What's wrong?"
He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I'm… thinking. About what's ahead. About all of you. I didn't ask for this power or these missions. But I won't run from them."
Asia scooted closer, placing her hand gently over his. "You treat me like I belong. Like I'm not a burden. You were my first real friend. I trust you, Issei."
He smiled faintly, emotions warring behind his eyes.
Akeno leaned in, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "I love you, you know. I'm glad I met you. Whatever happens, I'm by your side."
The three of them sat together in silence, connected by shared warmth, shared pain, and unspoken promises. Eventually, the two girls fell back asleep against him. Issei remained upright, holding them both like they were his anchors.
—
Morning – Gremory Residence Strategy Room
The atmosphere was tense.
The dining room that usually rang with teasing and playful banter now sat under a heavy cloud.
Rias, Kiba, Akeno, Koneko, Asia, and Issei surrounded the breakfast table, barely touching their meals.
Kiba finally broke the silence. "We all know what's at stake."
Rias nodded. "If we lose today, I'm dragged into that marriage with Riser. If we win… I finally choose my own path."
Issei clenched his fist, his dragon aura flickering briefly.
Mio, arms folded, leaned against the wall. "Riser fights dirty. He'll use his regeneration recklessly. Don't let his arrogance fool you."
Kuroka strolled in lazily, yawning. "Nyaa~ if you want to win, don't rely on brute force. Use terrain. Traps. Divide his peerage. That phoenix regen is annoying, but not invincible."
Issei nodded. "Got it. And if we beat him hard enough, he might not regenerate his ego."
—
Rating Game Arena – Observation Deck
The stands buzzed with high-class devils, nobles, and peerage watchers. Sona Sitri sat poised behind the commentary desk, her voice calm and measured.
"This official Rating Game will determine Rias Gremory's future. I am Sona Sitri, providing live analysis with my peerage. Acting as the referee is Grayfia Lucifuge."
Grayfia raised her hand in silent acknowledgment. Her silver hair shimmered in the light.
The battlefield was a replica city. Rooftops. Streets. Shadows.
As the two teams prepared, Issei's gaze locked onto a figure in the opposing side there she stood.
Ravel Phenex.
Golden-blonde twin tails curled like flaming comets. Twin braids draped to her sides, tipped with feather-shaped ornaments. Brilliant blue eyes sparked with pride and keen perception.
She wore a noble ensemble: a pink coat over a frilly white dress, stockings, and heels accentuating her voluptuous figure. Her bust filled the upper part of her outfit perfectly—neither obscene nor modest, but powerful. Her hips carried the sensuality of a queen and the confidence of a warrior.
And in that moment, their eyes met.
—
[System Alert – Mandatory Task Generated]
"Claim the Young Flame"
Objective: Woo the youngest child of the Phenex family – Ravel Phenex – secure her place in your harem.
Rewards: [Choice of New Weapon, Keys to New Mansion, and 25,000 SP]
[Warning: This opportunity is time-sensitive. Should you fail, she will forever close her heart to you.]
—
In the private viewing box, Lady Layal Phenex sat regally beside Lord Regulus Phenex. Between them stood their oldest son, Ruval Phenex—tall, silver-blonde, eyes scanning the arena until they lingered too long on Mio.
He smiled. "Mio Gremory… perhaps after this match, we can speak privately."
Mio rolled her eyes. "Perhaps when hell freezes over, Ruval."
He turned toward Sirzaria next. "And you, Maou Lucifer… you've been radiant lately."
Sirzaria smirked without even turning. "If you try flirting with me too, I'll turn your flames to ashes before your mother blinks."
Venelana Gremory chuckled softly. "You do have excellent taste, Ruval, but you're playing with a dragon now."
—
Back on the battlefield, Issei's mind raced. The system pinged again.
[Issei: "Eden… why is this task so important?"]
[Eden: She is important in your journey, Host. This is the only moment you can sway this soulmate to your side. Unlike the other girls around you… this one will not return later. It's now, or never.]
[Issei: "The others… they're soulmates too?"]
[Eden: Yes. But Ravel… she is a singular flame. You must make your mark now, or be forever extinguished from her path.]
Issei exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing with resolve. "Then I guess I've got another fire to claim."
The battlefield stretched before him like a challenge laid out by fate itself. Ravel's silhouette faded from view as the teams took their positions.
The announcer's voice echoed from the arena's sky-high speakers.
"All combatants, prepare. The Rating Game between Rias Gremory and Riser Phenex begins in one minute."
Grayfia's tone was ice and finality. "This is a formal Rating Game. All injuries will be monitored. There will be no second chances."
Issei glanced at Rias.
She stood strong.
At Mio.
She smirked at him, eyes burning.
At Akeno, Asia, Kiba, Koneko.
All of them were ready to fight beside him.
And in that quiet before the storm, the system whispered once more—
—
[System Alert –]