High School DxD: Return of the Crimson Dragon Emperor

Chapter 160: Chapter 155: I’ll Take All the Support I Can Get!

”Ugh... too much to memorize...” I groaned, sprawled on a courtyard bench during lunch break, days after the promotion talk. In my hand was a study guide Ravel helped make, packed with high-class devil exam essentials. I used a red sheet to hide key terms, memorizing the old-school way.

Promotion exam and midterms clashing? Brutal. I juggle devil duties, then study with everyone for both tests. Can’t slack on either—it’s overwhelming!

”Your brain’s not bad, Issei. You’ll manage. Tactics? You’ve got experience,” Ignis encouraged.

True, my Asta battles give me a tactical edge. But Underworld politics? My knowledge is thin—policies, governance, so much to cram. A year as a devil isn’t enough prep. A month would’ve been better.

”Whining won’t help. Study to pass,” Ddraig said.

Right. Report’s done, so memorization and current events are next.

”Hey, Hyoudou!” Saji’s voice snapped me out of it.

”Congrats on the promotion recommendation!” Saji said in the student council room.

”Thanks. It’s so sudden, my head’s exploding,” I replied.

”Skipping to high-class? No wonder,” he said.

”You knew?”

”Prez told me. Makes sense—you’ve survived insane battles. Old Maou faction, evil gods, heroes,” he said.

My Asta exploits, though secret, factored into the recommendation, per Azazel.

”You came out alive with results. It’s deserved,” Saji added.

”But Kiba and Akeno fought just as hard. Why only me skipping ranks?” I asked.

”Calling Himejima-senpai by her first name? Oh, right, you’re older,” Saji said.

Yeah, Sona’s team knows my real age—classified, though. ”Keep it quiet, okay?”

”Got it. Prez said so too. Anyway, Kiba and Himejima-senpai are high-class level, but the higher-ups are sticklers for order. You’re the exception,” he said.

”Even so, mid-class seems off for my power,” I said.

”You’re Maou-level, man. Mid-class would be a joke,” Saji echoed Azazel.

”I wanna rank up too, but I gotta get stronger,” Saji said, wryly.

”You’re plenty strong. You’ve got Vritra,” I said.

”Not just me—Sona’s whole team wants to level up. Prez consulted Grigori about artificial Sacred Gears,” he said.

”Artificial ones?” Like Azazel’s.

”They mimic God’s system but are unstable with usage limits. Still, they boost power. Types vary—power, support, elemental, counter, barrier. Some seal creatures, like Fafnir in Azazel’s,” Saji explained.

Sounds cool. I should check Azazel’s lab sometime.

Kusaka, Sona’s Bishop, burst in. ”Hyoudou! Congrats!” Other members echoed her.

”Thanks! I’ll ace it,” I said.

Nimura, a Pawn, told Saji, ”Prez says grab those documents.”

”Got it,” Saji said.

Hanakai, another Bishop, added, ”Genshirou, I’ve got a task from Prez too.”

”Ugh, piling up? I’ll handle the closest first. Later, Hyoudou,” Saji said, leaving with Hanakai and Nimura.

Student council work looks rough. Rumor is, Hanakai and Nimura are secretly vying for Saji. Tough spot, man.

”Speaking of others...” Ignis teased.

Yeah, I’m no better.

Yura pulled out a signboard. ”Hyoudou, sign this?”

”My autograph?” I asked.

”Your Bael fight was epic. Best brawl ever,” she said.

”Thanks.” Muddy fighter, huh? I guess I am. Flattering, especially from a beauty like Yura.

”Hyoudou’s here?” Sona’s cool voice cut in.

”Hey, Prez. Just visiting,” I said.

She nodded, all business. Gorgeous and cool.

”I’ve got tasks for everyone. Tsubaki’s struggling at the club building,” Sona said.

”Yes, ma’am!” the team replied, leaving us alone.

First time alone with Sona. Awkward silence as she worked on papers. Am I in the way?

”Hyoudou, got a minute?” she asked.

”Huh?”

”Check,” Sona said.

”You’re good,” I replied, moving my piece.

We were playing chess to prep for my tactical exam. Rias trains me, but same opponents get predictable, so Sona offered to help.

”You went on a date with Rias,” she said.

”She told you?”

”We’re childhood friends. She gushes over you—first-name basis, your kisses,” Sona said.

She shared that?!

”Since you and Miu became lovers, Rias has been fired up. I’ve never seen her like that,” Sona added.

”Haha... really?” I laughed nervously.

Sona’s gaze pierced me. ”You’ve done what I couldn’t.”

”What do you mean?”

”Riser, Kiba, Gasper, Koneko, Akeno—Rias’s burdens. You lifted them all. I, her friend, couldn’t, bound by ’high-class devil’ rules and status. I failed her,” Sona said.

She cared deeply for Rias, as a friend would.

”You ignored those barriers and solved everything. I’m grateful, yet jealous. You did what I couldn’t. So, thank you for saving Rias,” she said.

Saving Rias? I just protected and helped someone precious.

Sona softened. ”In private, can I call you Issei?”

”Sure,” I said.

”Then I’m Sona privately. No honorifics,” she continued.

Makes sense—Rias and Akeno are first-name basis, so why not Sona, same age?

”Got it, Sona,” I said.

”Quick switch. No wonder they like you,” she teased, smiling. ”It’s attractive to separate public and private with women.”

”Really?” I asked.

”Yes.” She sighed. ”Maybe I should get a boyfriend.”

”How about Saji?” I suggested.

She tilted her head. ”Like a brother. Plus, my family members like him. I can’t interfere.”

No luck for Saji yet. Keep at it, man!

After chess, Sona checkmated me. ”Got me!” I laughed, missing her trap entirely.

”Stay sharp. You’ll pass,” she smiled, her rare warmth boosting me.

”Sona in private, got it,” I said.

Her smile grew. I’ll pass this exam for sure!

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