Reborn as Issei Hyoudou: The Phat to Supremacy

The tension in the Occult Research Club was palpable.

Azazel, the Governor General of the Fallen Angels, had sent a message—a challenge wrapped in the guise of diplomacy.

He wanted to meet me. Alone.

Rias sat behind her desk, her expression colder than I'd ever seen. "This is a trap," she said flatly.

Kiba leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "It's too risky. Azazel doesn't do anything without a reason."

Akeno, standing beside Rias, smiled faintly, though her eyes were sharp. "Ara~ ara~ It seems the Governor General has taken an interest in you, Issei-kun."

Koneko was munching on a snack but paused to mutter, "Dangerous."

Raynare stood in the corner, her arms crossed, her face unreadable. "He's testing you," she said quietly. "Azazel doesn't move unless he sees value in it."

I stood in the center of the room, letting their words swirl around me.

"It's a trap," Rias repeated, her voice firm. "You can't go."

I shrugged. "And if I don't go, what happens? He keeps testing us. More attacks, more casualties."

Her eyes narrowed. "You don't know that."

"I do," I said, meeting her gaze. "He's not going to stop. Not until he sees what I'm capable of."

The room fell silent.

Finally, Rias sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You're reckless, Issei. But…" She looked up, her crimson eyes softening. "You're not wrong."

I grinned. "I'll take that as permission."

[The Meeting Place – Kuoh Town]

Azazel had chosen an abandoned factory on the outskirts of Kuoh as the meeting spot. The building was dark and silent, the air heavy with the faint hum of supernatural energy.

I stepped inside, my senses on high alert.

The shadows shifted, and a tall figure emerged, his golden eyes gleaming in the dim light.

"Issei Hyoudou," Azazel said, his voice smooth and calm. "The Sekiryuutei. I've been looking forward to this."

He was dressed in a sleek black coat, his presence commanding yet oddly casual.

"Azazel," I said, keeping my tone steady. "You wanted to talk. Here I am."

He chuckled, spreading his arms. "Straight to the point. I like that."

I didn't move, my gaze locked on him. "What do you want?"

Azazel tilted his head, studying me. "What I want is simple. I want to understand you."

I raised an eyebrow. "Understand me?"

"You're not like the other Sekiryuutei hosts," he said, stepping closer. "Your power—it's not just the Boosted Gear. There's something else, isn't there?"

I didn't respond.

Azazel smirked. "Ah, you're cautious. Good. But I'm not here to fight you, Issei. If I wanted a fight, I wouldn't have sent a messenger. I'd have sent Kokabiel again."

"Didn't work out for him last time," I said, smirking.

Azazel laughed, the sound rich and genuine. "True. He underestimated you. I won't make the same mistake."

[The Offer]

Azazel leaned against a rusted pillar, his golden eyes gleaming.

"I have a proposition for you," he said, his tone casual.

I folded my arms. "I'm listening."

"You're strong," he said. "Stronger than most devils your age. But you're still rough, unrefined. With the right guidance, you could become something extraordinary."

I frowned. "And you're offering to be my guide?"

He grinned. "In a way. I want to help you unlock your full potential. In return…"

He paused, his smile fading slightly. "I want you to help me keep the peace."

I blinked. "Peace? From you?"

Azazel chuckled. "I know, I know. Fallen Angels aren't exactly known for their pacifism. But times are changing, Issei. The balance of power in the supernatural world is shifting. If we don't adapt, we'll all destroy each other."

I narrowed my eyes. "And what's your role in all this?"

"Think of me as a mediator," he said, his tone light. "Someone who understands the big picture. And right now, the big picture includes you."

[The Test]

Before I could respond, Azazel straightened, his expression turning serious.

"But first," he said, summoning a glowing light spear in his hand, "I need to see what you're really capable of."

I tensed, my hands glowing with the faint violet energy of Hakai.

"You said you weren't here to fight," I said, my voice low.

He smirked. "This isn't a fight. It's a test."

Without warning, he hurled the spear at me.

I reacted instantly, raising my hand as Hakai flared.

The spear dissolved the moment it touched my aura.

Azazel's eyes widened slightly, though his smirk didn't fade. "Interesting. That's not something you see every day."

I didn't wait for him to make the next move.

I charged, closing the distance between us in a heartbeat. My fist, glowing with Hakai energy, swung toward his midsection—

He blocked with a shield of light energy, the impact sending shockwaves through the room.

Azazel grinned. "Not bad."

He pushed back, summoning a second spear and slashing toward me.

I dodged, my movements sharper than they'd ever been.

Every clash sent sparks flying, the combination of our powers shaking the building to its foundation.

Finally, I stepped back, summoning a small sphere of Hakai.

Azazel raised an eyebrow. "Careful with that. You might blow the whole place up."

I smirked. "You started this."

I hurled the sphere, the air around it warping as it traveled.

Azazel dodged, the sphere grazing his coat and leaving a trail of nothingness in its wake.

He whistled, his eyes wide. "Now that's dangerous."

Before I could attack again, he held up his hands. "Alright, alright. That's enough."

I hesitated, my power still flaring around me.

"Relax," Azazel said, his tone calm. "You've proven your point."

I lowered my hands, though I didn't drop my guard.

Azazel smiled. "You're stronger than I expected. And that power of yours… it's something else entirely."

[The Deal]

Azazel folded his arms, his golden eyes gleaming.

"Here's the deal," he said. "I'm not your enemy, Issei. But there are forces in this world that are bigger than devils, angels, or even dragons. If you want to survive, you'll need allies."

"And you want to be one of them?" I asked.

He nodded. "Think about it. No pressure. But I'd suggest deciding soon. Things are about to get… complicated."

With that, he turned, his wings spreading wide.

"Oh," he said over his shoulder. "One last thing."

I tensed. "What?"

He grinned. "Tell Raynare I said hello."

And then he was gone, leaving me alone in the ruined factory.

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