"Issei, just what kind of insane luck have you been riding lately?! First you start dating Amano Yuuma-senpai, and now you're getting personally invited by Rias-senpai?!
Damn it! If Rias-senpai had invited me, I'd be willing to drop dead on the spot!"
Hearing Motohama and Matsuda vent their jealousy with such raw intensity, Issei—who had been lying lifeless on his desk—suddenly froze.
They weren't wrong.
Back in the day, the so-called "Pervert Trio" had practically worshipped Rias-senpai and Akeno-senpai as goddesses. They had once sworn that if they could just exchange a few words with those two, they'd be willing to do anything.
And honestly… even knowing now that Rias-senpai was a devil, would that really stop him?
Even if she did have some ulterior motive…
If he could at least steal a kiss before dying, would it really be such a bad deal?
For most people, that line of thinking might be hard to understand.
But for Hyoudou Issei—
It wasn't out of the question at all.
The soul of a pervert surged back to life, completely overpowering his fear.
After the broadcast announcement echoed through the school, Issei finally made up his mind—
He would go.
To the "sacred ground" revered by countless students of Kuoh Academy—
The Occult Research Club.
—
Meanwhile, the same announcement echoed through the faculty office as well.
Ren Kuroda heard it clearly.
Originally, he had considered heading over to the so-called Occult Research Club to take a look for himself.
But unfortunately—
The female teachers around him were far too enthusiastic.
With his outstanding academic credentials and striking appearance, Ren hadn't just captured the attention of female students after arriving at Kuoh Academy.
Even the adult women on staff had their eyes on him—and their thoughts were far more… forward than those of the students.
High education meant a promising future.
Good looks suggested strong "genes" and a stable family background.
In short—
He was prime husband material.
So despite it only being his second day on the job, two different female teachers in the same office had already prepared homemade lunchboxes for him.
It was hard to refuse kindness outright—especially as a new hire—so Ren found himself unable to brush them off too bluntly.
As a result, his plan to visit the Occult Research Club fell apart before it even began.
That said, through casual conversation with a few younger teachers, Ren did pick up quite a bit of information about Rias.
At Kuoh Academy, the real authority didn't lie with the principal or the faculty.
Instead, it rested with two groups—
The Student Council.
And the Occult Research Club.
That was why Rias could casually summon a student through the school-wide broadcast system.
Among the teachers, there was even an unspoken rule:
Don't provoke those two factions.
Otherwise… you might find yourself out of a job the very next day.
"Oh, by the way, Kuroda-sensei," one of the teachers added with a knowing smile, "you've got P.E. class with Rias-san's class this afternoon.
Just remember what I said—treat the other students normally, but when it comes to Rias-san and her group… it's best to turn a blind eye.
We've always suspected they have extremely powerful backing. They might even be related to the school's board members."
Hearing the warning, Ren could only give a wry smile.
Powerful backing? That was putting it lightly.
According to intelligence from Yasaka, Kuoh Academy itself had been established by devils.
Rias wasn't just some influential student—this place might as well be her backyard.
—
Meanwhile, driven by a mix of anxiety and… less noble instincts, Issei finally arrived at the door of the Occult Research Club.
He stood there for quite a while, staring at the nameplate, hesitating over whether he should go in.
But before he could make up his mind—
A white-haired girl who happened to pass by suddenly grabbed him one-handed—
And tossed him straight into the room.
"President," she said flatly, "this guy was lurking suspiciously outside our clubroom. He's either a spy or a pervert."
The girl was Toujou Koneko, a star student from the middle school division.
With her shoulder-length white hair and golden, gem-like eyes, her adorable appearance made her incredibly popular among both boys and girls alike.
"Koneko-chan," Rias said with a faint smile, "while Issei does look like a pervert, you've misunderstood this time."
She shifted her legs, elegantly crossing one over the other as she sat on the sofa, gazing down at the boy sprawled on the floor.
"I was the one who called him here. And there's something else I need to tell all of you—"
Her lips curved slightly.
"Issei is now one of my servants as well."
Her words instantly stunned everyone present—except for Akeno, who simply smiled knowingly.
Koneko, who already seemed familiar with Issei's reputation, didn't hold back at all.
"Isn't he that infamous pervert from school?" she said bluntly. "Recruiting him… are you sure he doesn't have ulterior motives?"
Completely ignoring Issei's feelings in the process.
Meanwhile, as Rias introduced him, Issei was busy observing the other members of the Occult Research Club.
All things considered, there weren't many of them—
Just four in total.
But each one was… extraordinary.
Rias and Akeno went without saying—the two most popular "big-sister" figures in the high school division.
Koneko was the mascot of the middle school.
And then there was the last member—
Also extremely popular.
But someone Issei absolutely couldn't stand.
Kiba Yuuto.
A second-year like Issei, with dazzling blond hair and the refined aura of a prince straight out of a fairy tale.
He was wildly popular among the girls—
And the sworn enemy of Issei's "Pervert Trio."
If that pretty-boy bastard weren't here, Issei thought bitterly, then joining the Occult Research Club would've been the start of a classic harem storyline.
But with him around—
Issei suddenly felt like he had zero advantage.
And yet—
After Rias finished explaining everything about devils and Devil Pieces, and casually informed him that he now belonged to her—
Issei only hesitated for a few seconds…
Before immediately agreeing.
For a veteran pervert, this wasn't even a decision.
Rias bore him no ill will. She had saved his life.
And now he had the chance to spend every day with his dream girls.
There was no universe in which he would refuse.
"Issei," Rias said, her tone turning slightly more serious, "the reason I called you here today isn't just to explain your reincarnation as a devil."
"There's something else I want to ask you."
She leaned forward slightly.
"The ones who saved you last night… weren't just us. There was another person—a human man."
Her crimson eyes sharpened.
"Do you remember anything about him? He mentioned that you were his student."
Rias couldn't ignore Ren Kuroda's existence.
The fragile peace between factions had been hard-won.
And this city… was her territory.
She had already asked Sona Sitri, but even the Student Council had no information on him. They were still investigating.
Given the power he had displayed—
If someone like that were to act recklessly in this city, they might not be able to stop him at all.
Which meant—
They needed to prepare.