High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Devil’s Work!!

Hey, it’s Issei, now a devil.

I’m reborn as a Pawn under high-ranking devil Rias Gremory. My devil life? Handing out flyers. At midnight, I bike around, slipping papers with simple magic circles into mailboxes. Tedious work.

But a goal makes it bearable.

The president says devils have ranks. Even reincarnated devils can earn titles. As a low-class devil, with effort, I could become high-class and have my own servants.

Her words: ”Play it right, and you could live a life surrounded by girls.” That fired up my pervy heart.

I became a devil to protect my family, but with a long devil life ahead, I need a goal. Mine? Become a Harem King! My own harem a lifelong dream! In sixth grade, I wished for one on Tanabata and Christmas. Never came true. I gave up, even in the other world. But now? The chance is here. I’m not letting it slip!

Plus, high-class devils get privileges, making it easier to protect my family.

For now

”I’ll become the Harem King!”

Fueled by lust, I pedal on.

Ten days into devil life, the president speaks.

”Issei, time to take on a contract.”

”Contract?”

”You’ve gotten used to flyers. It’s time.”

Hell yeah! No more boring flyers! Contracts are a devil’s real work. I’ll land big ones and climb to high-class devil!

”Go for it, big brother!” Miu cheers.

Oh, Miu joined the Occult Research Club too. The day after my transformation, the president visited my parents, explaining everything my rebirth, the incident, and our family’s future. Mom and Dad were shocked but warmed to her sincerity, entrusting me to her.

That’s when Miu asked to join the club, worried about me and curious about it. The president welcomed her. Now, the club has six members: President Rias, Akeno, Kiba, Koneko, me, and Miu.

Back to the contract.

”Koneko got a request, but she’s busy. Can you handle it, Issei?”

Koneko’s substitute? Big responsibility!

”Of course, President!”

”Great. Akeno, prep it.”

”Ready,” Akeno says. ”Stand in the magic circle, Issei-kun.”

I step in, heart racing for my first contract. What should I say? ”Speak thy desire”? Nah. Hope the client’s a hot girl who says, ”Grant my wish, and I’m yours!”

As I fantasize, the circle glows brighter.

”Don’t be rude to the client,” the president warns.

”Good luck!” Miu adds.

”Got it. I’m off!”

The light engulfs me, teleporting me to the client.

I open my eyes to a tidy room. The client?

”Huh? Where’s Koneko-chan?”

A skinny guy with glasses total otaku vibe.

”I’m Issei Hyoudou, servant of Lady Gremory. Koneko’s busy, so I’m here instead.”

”Change!”

”What!? That’s harsh!”

Rejected right away!? Brutal!

”I wanted cute Koneko-chan! Why a guy!?”

Ouch... I’d say the same in his shoes. But I can’t back down!

”I get it, but accept me as a cute newbie devil!”

”No way! I’ll grab a cross!”

”Don’t joke like that!”

”Dead serious!”

This is going nowhere. I need a new angle, or I’m out.

Then, I spot his bookshelf Drag Soball manga, limited editions, and a protagonist figure. Hardcore fan!

”I can shoot a Dragon Wave,” I say.

”What!?” His eyes widen.

”No lies, right? Us Drag Soball fans don’t take that lightly. I trained Dragon Wave daily in school. Don’t underestimate our generation!”

”I know! I practiced behind the school too. Behold— my Dragon Wave!!”

I open the window, strike the pose, channel Renkan Keikikou, and unleash—

”DRAGON WAVEEE!!”

A massive aura blasts skyward.

Take that, hardcore fan!

I turn. The client’s crying sobbing hard.

”To see a real Dragon Wave... I’m sorry for doubting you, Devil-kun! I’m moved! Teach me!”

He bows, practically groveling. Pre-otherworld me would’ve done the same. Something hot stirs in me. I grab his shoulders.

”Of course! Let’s train together!”

Thus, I secured my first contract with Morisawa-san. We talked Drag Soball till morning.

The next night, another request.

I step through the magic circle to find... a post-apocalyptic warlord-looking guy. That alone wouldn’t faze me, but he’s dressed as a lovely magical girl.

Something’s wrong! His physique and outfit are polar opposites! Why a magical girl? Why cat ears? A joke? A penalty?

I ask, ”Uh, you’re the client? What’s the request?”

”Make Mil-tan a magical girl, nyo!”

...

...

...

”Huh?”

Did he say magical girl? And that ”nyo”!?

Please be a mistake. One more time!

”Say that again?”

”Devil-san!”

WHOOSH!

What’s this wind pressure!? From his voice alone!? The glass shattered!

”Make Mil-tan a magical girl, nyo!”

No mistake! He looks like a Demon Lord, but wants to be a magical girl!? His aura’s stronger than Sirius! Is he human!? Answer me, Mil-tan!

”Magical... girl?”

”Yup, nyo!”

”Why?”

I’m dying to know why this warlord wants that.

Mil-tan shows me a Milky Spiral DVD, a magical girl anime I know. No way...

”Mil-tan admires Milky, nyo. Trained for magic but got none, nyo. So, I called a devil, nyo.”

You’re strong enough without magic! Your fists could solve anything!

”First, I’ll teach you about Milky, nyo.”

That day, I watched every Milky Spiral episode with Mil-tan. It’s fun, but a hulking guy radiating intense aura passionately narrating next to me? First time I regretted becoming a devil.

I taught him energy manipulation, and he signed the contract, liking me enough to request me again. His payment? A book loot from fighting an evil army, he said.

The president identified it as an ancient forbidden magic tome. The clubroom went wild, but that’s another story.

The next day after school:

”Nice work, Issei,” the president says. ”Two contracts on your first try!”

”Haha, thanks...”

I’m glad for the praise, but I’d prefer normal clients.

”But...” She frowns, deep in thought.

Did I mess up? Maybe the Dragon Wave?

”Did I do something wrong?”

”No, but your client feedback is too good.”

Feedback? Oh, Morisawa and Mil-tan filled out surveys. Didn’t see them, but they’re apparently glowing.

She reads them. ”First: ’Meeting him was amazing! Please teach me again! Let’s talk more!’ What’d you teach?”

”Uh, some manga moves...”

”Manga moves? Don’t teach humans reckless stuff.”

Haha... Just strength training and meditation, so it’s fine.

”Next, the magic tome guy: ’He listened so earnestly, I was thrilled, nyo. Please again, nyo.’ ...Nyo?”

”Don’t mind the ’nyo.’ You’ll go crazy if you dwell on it...”

”Okay... I’m curious about this client, but...”

Please don’t ask.

”Being too chummy with humans isn’t ideal for a devil, but keep it up.”

”Yes, President!”

I’ll keep landing contracts and aim for high-class devil!